OI Magazine Blog

Spotlight Feature On Renowned Machinima Artist, RYSAN FALL

2012-01-30T14:35:00.000-08:00

Article is posted on our sister network The SLEnquirer and reported by Pandora Drezelan for OI Magazine Blog and SLEnquirer!Here is the link to the article on RYSAN FALL: http://www.slenquirer.com/2012/01/spotlight-feature-on-renowned-machinima.html

Riding the Waves of Resort Life at Moon Spirit

2012-01-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

Wednesday January 18th 2012

Moon Spirit sim

Have you ever thought aboutliving in Hawaii? Maybe you’re tired of the old nine to five lifeand want to run away to some place to just relax and have fun. HunterS. Thompson once said “Some may never live, but the crazy neverdie.”

My name is Amanda and Well, now you can live that dream in SL™, andyou don’t even have to leave the comfort of your computer. Moon Spirit sim offers you the resort experience at a reasonable price. Sure, thereare other resorts in SL and there is even Hawaii, but those sims arepricey (as they would be in RL as well).

(KHR) Kind Hearted Rentals logo

The main area is Kind HeartedRentals™ which allows you to rent a house by the beach. The ratesrange from 150L to 1500L depending on how big a house you’d likeand how many prims you wish to use. You also have the choice of afurnished or an unfurnished place. The script you’ll see above manyof the KHR boards reads “Click for LM to office to pay rental boxFURNISHED with 25 extra prims, unfurnished with 150 prims, 500L perweek.” They also have skyboxes for rent.

Once you’ve purchased yourresidence, you just move in and then contact one of the owners:Colleen Bracken, Moonde Magic, Sergio Hancroft, or Sunflower Humbridge, Sonni Georgia, EricRob01.

Moon Spirit sim founders Moonde Magic(L) and Colleen Bracken

This is just the beginningbecause why rent a house when you already live in one? The beachoffers many activities. There is jet skiing, surfing, and swimming.You can also walk along the beach or simply relax in a chair andwatch the waves while listening to music.

The choice of music ranges fromrock to country to jazz, or if you’d prefer to bring your ownstream at your home, that is welcome as well available as your rental. The owners want you to be happy andthat is their focus: pleasing the customer.

They also provide a relaxing,casual atmosphere which you’ll find when you see them around. Theyare not stuffy business people and can even be negotiated with if yougo over the prim count. Yes, they are professional, but not so much,that they aren’t approachable. As soon as I stepped on the sim oneof the owners, EricRob1, asked if he could help me not knowing I wasresearching for this article.

office of Kind Hearted Rentals in Moon Spirit sim

This is just the basic beacharea. They also have a club called Moon Spirit Rising which has a ratpack theme to it. This was designed by Moonde Magic, one of thecreative forces on the team. The club is blue and there is jazzmusic. They also have a jukebox for anyone to select what kind ofmusic they’d like to hear. There is rave, country, pop, and more.The club has live entertainment monthly, formals, casuals,fundraisers, and holiday parties. The kind of events you would findat a resort with the same laid back feel.

There is also a bar where youcan make your own coffee. On the dance floor you can do the virtualslide or salsa to Superfreak. If you go past the contest board, youcan see the moon. They have a lucky letter poster too. In the monthof December they fund raised for the Salvation Army™ and Toys forTots™.

One of their past events was asurprise party for one of the owners. The special guest was Davide Paravane, a lounge singer.

Amanda partying with the co-owners of Moon Spirit sim celebrating the new year

I was also lucky enough to attend their New Years Eve party which was filled the Preshow with DJ Sunflower Humbridge's Pop Music and then the Main event with trance music and DJ’ed by one of their old friends, Archangelo Hellman. Being there, I feltlike an outsider, not because I wasn’t welcomed, but becauseeveryone at the party knew each other, and it was like one big happyfamily. By the end of the party, I was one of them. The dress wassemi-formal and was one of the first times I’ve actually dressed upformally. I also remember Colleen never danced in one spot. She movedaround the floor and mingled with everybody.

Talking to the owners, I couldsee this project was a team effort. Sure, Colleen Bracken is thefounder, but the boss is all of them. They are all there because theybelieve in what they are doing and they don’t take themselvesseriously. At the interview it wasn’t even an interview, it was arelaxing chat with all of us splayed on the couch listening to jazzmusic in the background. This is exactly the feel of the whole simand what made me distinguish it from other resorts. They are there,in the present moment, riding the waves of vacation life, just likethe residences.

At the Moon Spirit sim there issomething for everybody. And you don’t have to rent a property orland to take advantage of the surfing or jet skiing either! They liketo feel you’re getting more than your money’s worth and Icouldn’t agree more since I surfed for a half hour before ourinterview. One of the best parts, of course, is the pricing. They tryand target the population that doesn’t spend a lot of money. Peoplewho earn their lindens from dancing, DJ’ing or hosting, whichdescribes a majority of the people in SL.

Sisters for life (Colleen & Moonde picture number2)

So why would someone want torent here? Relaxation and fun. What separates this resort from othersis its accessibility. Anyone can afford it and everyone is welcome !

Written By Amanda (amanda432 cheviot) for OI Magazine Blog

Our thanks again to the hospitality of theowners of Moon Spirit sim for allowing us to review their business,here is their landmark again http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moon%20Spirit/171/119/399 and as always,your comments are welcomed!
TY for reading

Introducing Angelina Lerintzo ,Founder of Levity Magazine™

2011-12-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

Thursday December 22nd 2011

With Christmas just days away, I was reading the usual several magazines to get the spirit of shopping and ideas for Christmas.

For a few months now I've been reading the upcoming brand Levity Magazine and absolutely loved their December issue and decided to approach the brains behind it for a review and introduction to the readers of SLEnquirer™ ,OI Magazine blog and Press Pass media.

We met up at her office to take a photoshoot upon her agreement to meet me, her name is Angelina Lerintzo.
Her building is located in the San Jose East sim, displaying her logo and advertisers, nicely done and professional.
She welcomed me onto one of the sofas in her lobby to have a seat and start our interview.

Levity Magazine headquarters

“Hello Angelina,thank you for making some time to meet and talk about you and your brand”
Angelina : “Hi Lanai, my pleasure, love your festive Santa hat,have a seat”

As we got comfortable I took out my notebook and started by asking her her early beginnings in SL™ such as her very first job upon rezzing inworld.

Levity's Angelina Lerintzo (left) and SLEnquirer's Lanai Jarrico

Angelina: “Well after awhile of wandering the grid,my first job in SL was actually becoming a virtual sex prostitute which I hated. I rather work in a magazine, I wanted to own one but I had no lindens when I was a newbie.”

Lanai :”So has it always been your goal to design a magazine in Second Life® or did you get the idea gradually?”

A: “I did dream of having my own magazine since I was 6 years old but now it has become a reality in a virtual world. I didn't know what to choose at first in SL, I love music, writing, I sing and perform as well and basically everything to do with creativity, it's my passion. So, I decided to work as a writer in Press Pass Media™ and I finally ended up having my own lifestyle magazine that talks about RL and SL lifestyle, but the ideas to make the step to start the magazine stemmed from my friends encouraging me to create my dream.They are my source of inspiration and I hope that one day, I can turn it into a RL magazine. :)”

L: ”You are at your 4th monthly issue currently since your debut release in September this year, with great success may i add, how was it releasing the first issue,what challenges did you face?”

A: ”The first time of when I just had this magazine, I was confused on how to start. I made the rates too high and people were just running away from me. I didn't know how to launch my magazine properly and it became a disaster. However, after the 1st issue, I got the hang of it. I get more clients and trust from people. I admit that I'm not perfect and I do have some technical error still but I am still a human and I do improve gradually as I practice. I love the responses of our readers. It encourages me to be a better publisher and editor-in-chief. :)”

Open publication - Free publishing - More business

L: ”Can you explain to the audience what Levity stands for and how you came up with the name?Let me elaborate the question, like what topics you like your magazine to write about and which audience you attract the most?
A: ”Levity stands for humor and fun. I like to joke a lot with my friends and I always make them laugh through my practical jokes and I decided to make it into Levity Magazine which represents the meaning of life. Without fun and humor, this universe would be dull and that is why I also made the slogan into Levity ' We embrace Lifestyle with Integrity!'
My audience are unisex, for both female and male. Most of the readers are from the age of 18 and above. People usually like Levity because of our style but it really depends on a person's taste. :)”

L: “Nice! Your Christmas issue looks great, we posted the link for our readers, do you also have any upcoming events you plan to do associated with Levity?”

A: “Levity is planning to have a music and art gallery event in January and we are still accepting artists of all kind to contribute and come to this event. Feel free to contact me or Cali Karsin regarding the event on 'The Lightheart Soiree.' It will be held in Futurecity™. :)
This event will be held somewhere in January or February. So, for people who are curious, feel free to come by our office. :)

L: “Where do you see the virtual world technology heading in the future?”

A: “Virtual Technology is going to evolve over time. With mesh going on, I believe that there will be endless possibilities in the future, I believe in less than 10 years time, maybe there will be no more prim overload and businesses can thrive :)

Lanai: “Thank you Miss Lerintzo for this interview,have any holiday plans btw in your real life?

Angelina: “You are very welcome, I am planning to go to NYC in the holiday to do some shopping and spend some time with my friend and mother!”

Ty for reading the review of Levity Magazine in Second Life® and its founder,Angelina Lerintzo ,visit her website at http://www.wix.com/levitymagazine/home

From the SLEnquirer http://www.slenquirer.com/ wishing you happy holidays and always welcome to leave your comments!

Lanai Jarrico,
CEO/President SLEnquirer

A Happier "Real Life" Thanksgiving in SL™

2011-11-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

11/25/11

It is the day after and like the majority of the SL community who celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, I can easily assume that you are seated now with your belly full and your zipper possibly cutting off your circulation.

Oh yes! Thanksgiving is by far one of the most lavishly decadent holidays proudly celebrated in the U.S. With the main pleasures of life in full force (food, family, sweets, gifts, drama, warmth, reflective contentment), it is clear why such a celebration lingers and lingers and lingers, long past the expiration of the juicy leftovers inevitably left behind.

With such a profound effect this family experience has on ones personal life, it goes without saying that thousands inworld recreate the very same experience with their "chosen" SL families. For years this has been the case, but it is only now in 2011 when SL technology is able to match the output of the active, creative minds of its merchant citizens, that the very first true Thanksgiving experience can be had around the table.

If you are an avid Role Player, have a family, enjoy innovation, live for props and realism in your Second Life home life, hold on to your dime as you are in major luck! I have found something that will undoubtedly add that extra "umph" to your SLife.

Le Bistro, owned by Amera Pomilio, is the very first in

Second Life® to create this realistic cooking feast where the natural order of food preparation is no longer reliant on pure emoting. Oh no! If you want a table full of food, now you finally get to prepare it yourself.

Le Bistro logo

In RL, the natural Thanksgiving dinning order usually follows where your grandma, aunty and ma shuffle about the kitchen, hovering over stove and mottar to pound out a scrumptious meal, while the guys watch the game and the children play in the yard. When it's ready you hear the usual high pitched yell from one of the ladies, beaconing for you to go freshen up. This signals that it's nearly time to eat. Suddenly the house gets busy and packed. The hungry men emerge from the den still chimming on about the game, whilst their mouths begin to water. The children come in trying to steal bits off the pot and get shooed upstairs to clean their dirty hands. Soon the food is laid unto platters and trays, then brought into the dinning room that is now laid out beautifully. Finally, when everybody is seated and have shared their reasons for being thankful, you finally dig in! Everyone gets to fill their plates with bits from the assortment of goodies, then have that put on their plate. The rest of the night is usually not catered for, as with all family members gathered entertainment is bound to create itself.

You can do the very same with Le Bistro's Interactive Cooking Sets. Finally you get to share a real festive, family experience - from start to finish.

Turkey transformation

The entire process of cooking food is mapped out in such a great sequence that you literally feel yourself emerge into the experience you are creating. The food all looks as it would in RL. The cooking sounds and appearance are all realistic, and evolve as the food goes from raw to cooked succulent , before you have it rest in a perfectly garnished state on the platters previously laid out.

I came about this great find by sheer luck in my SL travels. After arriving at the entrance and greeted politely by a member of staff, it was obvious by the free demos present, and invitation for a live demo of the cooking range, that customer service is a big deal to the proud owner. It was refreshing indeed. There was also a bistro sitting area in the back which is perfect for relaxing as you wait for a demo.

Front desk Le Bistro

The sets comes with a huge array of pots, pans, tray and placement mats. Everything needed to make your meal PLUS a few delicious looking deserts. The permissions are no copy, no mod, and no transfer for a majority of the items with the exception of the placements (copy only) and the leftover packs (transfer only) which you can give away to your hungry guest or perhaps lunch the next day at school/work. Talk about realism!

Well worth the cost at 800L and the full spread immaculately detailed at 274 prims (more prims during preparation), it's worth it to keep in mind that Le Bistro is offering it's group members a 500L discount which ends today (November 26), so hurry! With Christmas round the corner, it's worth keeping a close eye on what other lovely offers or new meals come about. It has certainly added to the reasons why I am thankful this season, so I know I will!

Happy Thanksgiving!

SLURL http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/One%20Quarter%20French/188/75/29

Warm regards,

En Zero , reporting for Press Pass Media

The Abandoned Theatre

2010-12-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

.: I fell in love one afternoon
.: and wrote your name on a white balloon
.: I set it free to fly above
.: and dreamt it was a flying dove

The Puppeteer By Bryn Oh

The Puppeteer

December 12, 2010

Liza Veliz: It looks like a graveyard

Bryn Oh: Yes. The story behind Immersiva is that it is an abandoned theme park so that is one of the abandoned buildings.

When I was a little girl my favourite fairy-tale books were the kind where you open them up and they have a room inside. Sort of analogue three dimensional. Pop-up books. My favourite art works were little boxes where the paintings were three dimensional too.

Bumper Cars

I think we found the digital answer to them in Bryn Ohs exhibition Standby at IBM.

When I first stepped into the abandoned theatre it looked like a graveyard to me. It has an end of the world feeling and we step into this years later, still there are these statues there telling us the whole story.

Like the lava bodies of Pompei. Only Bryn Oh's poems tells us a bit of what happened there, and with the machinimas we find inside some of them, or if we click around a bit that also tells some of the story. Well, its Bryn Oh, she loves to hide stuff inside of them, it 's like being on a treasure hunt to visit her installations.

I walk through the water and am amazed by what I find. There is this box, like the art work from my childhood, with the Puppeteer on its bicycle and beside him is the oil painting with the same name.

Bryn Oh isn't ending the story of the Rabbicorn without giving us clues as to what the next story will be about. After Rabbicorn we will get stories of other characters we run into in her Rabbicorn fairytail.

“Am planning to do this on big screens in installations IRL,” she tells me.

This will be interesting. Sort of Open The End in a new way. Multi-media theatrical art installations.

Lady Carmagnolle Theatre

In Standby we are taken through the story by teleports and at each tp we get a new poem and a new scenery of stage. It's very thrilling.

If you watch the whole thing from above it is like watching shadows of the inside of a dream. Big and black it stands there in the sky with the look of Mordor. And when you cam around this you get little glimpses of each theatre stage within its mountains of cliffs. When you travel through it, it's like walking through the dust of lava within a volcano, which is why I think of Pomepei even more.

Willow and Piano

Pompei is the city inside an old vulcano in Italy, where the shades of the people who died instantly are preserved for us to see and fantasize about.

I met Bryn Oh at the old theatre in the entrance, where Lady Carmagnolle is on the stage.

“Is this it, Bryn Oh?”

“No, I have further plans, but I want to see how this exhibition goes first. And I need a rest.
But as far as concerning Rabbicorn and The Daughter of Gears, it is over.”

“But you can't leave him trapped inside of her memory?”

“He is not, if you remember the first scene you will notice he has memories of his own with him.
They are just joined forever now.”

So quite romantic.

You notice I write of Rabbicorn as a him? Instantly making same mistake over and over again. Bryn says HER and I write HIM. Rabbicorn is a girl. For those who care about gender that's useful information perhaps. And it makes me realize I am also one of you. Even if I didn't know. Bryn Oh is also fighting for same sex relationships. Or rather makes a story from that view. Even if she never quite says it. This I find very interesting and charming. I think her fairy tales will do much good in this world, in class with what Pedro Almodóvar does with his movies.

Almodóvar is the one who puts transvestites into his movies in a way that no one can disrespect them, with class.

The NY scene of rock music has done the same, only there androgyny is what makes people love the lifestyle. Well, queer is okay. But still we need stuff that treats it as okay. To make our own worlds okay with this. Not even queer people are always accepting... of course.

Well, that's my thoughts.

Now back to Bryn and The End story Standby.

You need links.
The trailer for Standby.

Rabbicorn story first life book.

Daughter of Gears story

I asked Bryn if the oil painter is finally taking the part of Bryn Oh now seeing all the oil paintings everywhere.

“No, I don't think so. My oil paintings lose too much of themselves when brought into Second Life. Their resolution, detail, colour, texture and so on. They become a shadow of what you would have seen in RL. So they get to be background scenery for me in this world.”

Bryn Oh's mastermind is a well known oil painter in RL and this is the painters way to experiment with a new art form. She has worked with IBM before and went to school for Softimage and Zbrush. Her own sim, Immersiva, was donated by Dusan Writer, and there she lets Bryn Oh live her life as an artist of pixels but she also lets Bryn Oh move out into the RL world too. Her machinimas at Shanghai 2010 World Expo and the exhibitions at different museums and galleries in North America and Europe are examples of success for this oil painter's experiment. It's been possible to get an avatar of pixels to be recognized amongst the artists of flesh and blood..

More useful links
Machinima
http://brynoh.blip.tv/
http://www.youtube.com/user/BrynOh#p/u

Bryn Oh's blog
http://www.brynoh.blogspot.com/

The world is changing and we along with it.

Thank you for reading.

Liza Veliz
Senior writer
Press Pass Blog

Winners of MachinimUWA II: Art of the Artists Announced

2010-11-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

November 12, 2010

New Challenge Initiated

On October 10, 2010, standing on the stage next to quadrapop Lane, curator of the University of Western Australia (UWA) 3D Art & Design Challenge, Jayjay Zifanwe (a.k.a. Jay Jay Jegathesan in the real world) announced the winners of MachinimUWA II: Art of the Artists.

Jay Jay Zifanwe

Lumiere Noir, creator of the Ivory Tower Library of Primitives, and Grand Finale judge, made opening remarks, first talking about the future of virtual art and then commenting on the quality of works created for this contest. “Virtual worlds have amazing potential, as does virtual art. Whether or not the virtual works of art we are producing today could be called great will depend on how well they endure in the minds of the people who experience them. We've got to grab a lot of mindspace in a short period of time, but with the pervasive nature of the medium of virtual art, perhaps the questionable longevity of virtual worlds will be offset by their ability to transmit a shared experience to millions,” he commented.

Mr. Zifanwe thanked the participants, supporters and judges. Explaining the origins of the contest, he stated, “MachinimUWA II grew almost by accident, out of a desire to honour the wonderful work that the artists of the UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge had created, and so the theme was, 'create something that will take our breath away'. And the subject matter was the artwork of the Grand Finale of any of the works featured in the July and August rounds of the 3D Art Challenge.”

An inspired accident, it may be called, when it has led to such imaginative and diverse works as are presented in this challenge. The challenge was to: “Create a Machinima of between 2 and 5 minutes in length (recommendations only - is not a criteria) that features some of the winning artworks from the UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge. There are more than 35 artworks spread across 4 floors, and you can choose to film as many (or as few) as you like.”

Zinfanwe and Lane with one of the winners.

There were 45 machinima entries in total and all may be seen at the UWA in Second Life© blog (http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/2010/09/uwa-machinimuwa-ii-art-of-artists.html). The panel of judges included Aaron Kennedy (RL) - Chairman, WAnimate, Raging Pixel Productions, Laetitia Wilson (RL) - Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, UWA and Michelle Glaser (RL) - Senior Project Officer, Department of Culture and Arts, Government of Western Australia. The panel seemed more academia-based than the panel for the Imagine challenge, in which the judges were mainly artists and SL business or media owners. The complete list of judges is available on the UWA blog page listed previously.

There was an audience participation component to the contest, explained as “L$5,000 has been set aside for SL residents and viewers who take part in a special participation event. We are asking all the residents of SL to give us your TOP 8 machinima, in order of your preference. The 3 residents whose order comes closest to the final order decided by the judging panel, will win for themselves L$2,500, L$1,500 & L$1,000 respectively. The winner will be invited to be on the panel for MachinimUWA III.” The winner of the viewer participation event is Beau Aie. The 2nd place winner is EdwardIV Beaumont and 3rd place is Pia Klaar.

People's Choice Winner Nish Mip

The winners of the People’s Choice Awards are for Imagine Art, “Umbrellas” by Nish Mip; for Flagship, “UWA Bridge to the Future” by Dijodi Dubratt; and for Imagine Art – Non-Scripted, “Medusa’s Gaze” by pravda Core.

In spite of issues with crashing and technical difficulties, Mr. Zifanwe smoothly announced the winners of the Art of the Artists Challenge:

Tie for First Place

Bradley Dorchester “Art of the Artists”

And

Laurina Hawks “No Tomb for the Arts”

Third Prize

Tutsy Navarathna “An Art Form is Born”

Award for Best Editing & Message

Pia Klaar “Art of the Artists, A Closer Look”

Award for Best Story

Yesikita Coppola “Inspiracion”

Award for Best Crossover Impact

L1aura Loire “CLICK, Immersive & Interactive Virtual Art”

Award for Best Art Visualization, Single Artwork

Ed Vespucciano “Lessons in Democracy”

Award for Best Art Visualisation

Rysan Fall “MachinimUWA, Art of the Artist”

Aview TV Award, with L$10,000 provided by Aview TV & LaPiscean Liberty

Fake Jewell “Song of Medusa”

Honourable Mention Prize – 3 Way Tie

Spyvspy Aeon “I Am Not a Robot”

Suzy Yue “Across A Crowded Room”

Laslopantomik Yao “City of Art”

Revealing a little of the inner workings of the UWA gallery and archiving of the entries, Mr. Zifanwe talked about quadrapop Lane, “…please help me thank the curator of the UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge once again, who has for an entire year, magnificently marshalled the 841 entries that I allowed to come in at all times of the day and night with not a single day break as to when the works were submitted, and not a single day when the gallery was closed across the year…And sadly, we have to announce that quadrapop will from today be stepping down as the curator of the UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge, as the Challenge comes to a full stop, and qpop will be able to get the great break she deserves! Thank you quadrapop Lane!” FreeWee Ling will take over as curator.

The End of UWA Challenges or…?

Not a chance…a new challenge was announced, which opened at the conclusion of the event. The new challenge is sponsored by UWA, Philip Vought, Bohemian Ghost and Patch Thibaud and is termed “a grand collaboration among major art houses & groups in Second Life, including The University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), SL Arts, CARP, Pirats Art Network, Odyssey, Show & Tell, BOSL & UWA.” Entitled UWA 3D Open Art Challenge, this contest will operate similarly to last year’s challenge, in that there will be monthly and overall winners chosen. The complete details are listed at the UWA blog (http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/2010/10/uwa-3d-open-art-challenge-begins.html). Of the new challenge, Mr. Zifanwe posted, “In describing virtual worlds, it is often said, 'we are truly limited by only the imagination', and that is the theme of this art challenge. The limits are the imagination. Create something that will take our breath away. Any form, any shape, any influence, any medium. Of this world, or the next!” Again, similarly, a People’s Choice will run, but this time each month. The new machinima challenge, MachinimUWA IV: Art of the Artists II, will cover all entries over the course of the year.

The tradition of virtual art and machinima continues on UWA in SL, much to the delight of artists as well as arts lovers.

Thank you for reading.

Press Pass Media Reporter

Se7en Wirsing

Catsecret Domains: Eroticism and Mystery

2010-10-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

October 10, 2010

I went to a mysterious place the other day: a Paradise made for lovers. There were houses to rent, role plays to be involved in, lots of romantic spots, a special island for only women and one for couples, a bikers sim and the mysterious 0h Train sim for special eroticism adventures on your own or with someone. And all over the place is offered spots for eroticism. Did I mention it is an adult sim?

Press Pass Reporter Liza Veliz meets CATSECRET Solo.

CATSECRET® is a well known phenomena in RL. It is an project by an author that writes very special erotic novels and has done so for many years in papers all over France and the UK. Since it is online it is read all over the world. And many try to copy and turn it into porn, but they remain blank wannabes. There is only one CATSECRET and that one is hard to reveal.

And now we can enjoy this in Second Life® since one year ago.

CATSECRET Solo (as his avatar) invited us to his Second Life domains with romanticism and “eroticism games.” He is very generous with pose balls in beds as well as in baths and dances and much more.

Hookers are not welcome though. He is not interested in sex business.

“I made this domain for romantic lovers!” he tells me with emphases. “I don't involve in escort.” He is clearly a bit "irritated" by the question if he is ever troubled by call-girls using his domain. And no, he has not spotted any so far, but they will get banned if he does. (So it's clear. Don't even think of that... no way!)

CATSECRET and Liza Veliz at the Haunted Doghouse with Rottweilers and Zombies.

It is not all about romance and sex pleasure in this place. There is also an haunted house with rottweilers biting you if you try to enter, and wild zombies inside. On the upper floor there is a bed for pleasure and romance. I guess everyone get their taste of being satisfied here. And there is a bikers area, where creators sell their bikes and Role Play. There I was bitten by zombies that looked like robots. Underneath this entrance level there is a hidden fighting arena.

The CATSECRET domain consists of visible and invisible areas. All secured by an effective system that ejects you in seconds if you are not on the allowed list.

The Oh Train

To get to the RP area and the not public areas you must be a member.

Ophelie is one of his novel characters. She searched for sex knowledge in the BDSM art. The 0h Tram takes you around her world, and if you are lucky she will appear. Yes, there is a woman who does Ophelia in this world, but she is not following any manuscript.

“She is a free woman,” CATSECRET Solo tells me.

On his website you can read all the novels. (5000 readers right now)

and in his Press Articles on Roomantic.fr (over 30,000 readers)

It all started in 2007 at auFeminin.com where he first published his writing

and then also on Feminine.co.uk

All his novels have a femme as the lead character. He sees himself as a cat. He calls himself a medium who tells the story from a female's point of view. Always.

And why?

“Because I am a cat,” he tells me and I can almost hear him smile. Even if we are on chat and not on voice.

It is not about sex this, it is about so much more, he tells me. But when I try to compare him with Mapplethorpe, who let his photographs use sex for semantics and yet still tells so much more, he is not amused. Not at all.

Victorian Guard Castle

I ask him if the Second Life edition of CATSECRET is his way of bringing his stories to life. No, he tells me I am wrong there too.

"CATSECRET is a place where my readers can come together with me and talk and socialize," he explains.

He is French, but with a true love for America since his youth. He loves to dance and is very romantic. All over the Catsecret Domains there are dances. He is not condemning anyone for what they might like and will provide all you can think of, including erotic flowers that cuddle you in sensual ways! Never saw that one before. Still he claims the BDSM is the soft version here. So no roasted girls for dinner is to be expected then, I guess. He never answered this question.

His domain is called part 1 and part 2. Part 1 with Domain of Catsecret (&) Catsecret 0h Train he built himself, or rather decorated it with things he bought, but Part 2 is another story. That is the Catsecret Bikers Track where Amphibian Beebe & Vikiy Vella bikes are showing their creations in vendors. (On the Catsecret 0h Train sim there are two other biker creator vendors to be found; Jonsky Foxtrot & Detra Devin bikes.) Catsecret Bikers Track is a Role Play area but of course you find little houses and spots for romanticism and eroticism here too.

In this place I run into robot zombies that tried to bite me. They surrounded me in the upper level of this sim but CATSECRET Solo teleported me to “safety” in the invisible area underneath this where the Role Play arena for fighting is located. Since I wear no weapons or shield we only took a quick look. Then we went to the Catsecret Romantic park with lovely caves all over.

Finally we reached the 0h Train sim.

I took a seat in the 0h Tram and was starting to think of The Story of O, the famous BDSM novel.

When I tell CATSECRET this he tells me he very much enjoyed Story of O.

You get the hang of it, I think.

If you want to delve into fantasies for one afternoon or more, then you better become friends with this man. He only invites people he knows and likes. Others are allowed only in the public access area. Which is nice too. Still not so thrilling as the 0h Train sim. For me that is.

CATSECRET is a member of Moolto and of Press Pass. He understands the importance of promotion and works himself as an illustrator and writer at RL magazines as well as editor of one Moolto magazine, CATSECRET@ Magazine SL - Pussycatsecret Girls.

If you wish to enter his world and get a taste then use the following slurl

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Domain%20of%20Catsecret/125/139/28

and check out his writings in the links mentioned above.

But be aware that if you google this, always check the spelling of every name of Cats you run into.

The correct names of his cats is found on his website http://www.catsecret-original.com

Because he has some characters he made, but there are copycats who try to ride on his soft eroticism and use it for their own interests. If you see a porn girl offer you her tits and ass in a site you thought was his, you are being fooled and then will know you went to a copycat site.

The line between porn and eroticism is as thin as ever when it comes to CATSECRET. It is still there.

Thanks for following me on this trip by reading this.

Press Pass Media reporter
Senior Writer Liza Veliz

Art and Architecture by Xenophile Neurocam

2010-09-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

Xenophile Neurocam

Incorporating mathematics and an artistic sensibility, Xenophile Neurocam produces art and architecture that entices the viewer to contemplate and participate in the artistic experience. He has created a unique style through a combination of various influences and technical expertise. Xenophile's work in Second Life® has not been all about self promotion, however.

Throughout his time in Second Life, he has attempted to communicate with newer builders and pass on his knowledge of content creation. Inspired by the unique environment of Second Life, Xenophile Neurocam has found his own contribution to the community of Second Life even as he has helped others find theirs.

Xenophile himself has found many topics fascinating, and all have influenced his view of art and architecture. His reading and research has helped develop his own style of art and architecture within Second Life. He explains his influences:

Artwork in front of Club Symmetry

“I spent a lot of time studying the art and architecture of the 1939 New York World's Fair. I'm influenced by inventive and creative futurists of the past such as Buckminster Fuller and the mathematical works of H.S.M. Coxeter. I find inspiration in the Bauhaus movement, Art Deco, and Art Moderne in general. I like to surround myself with books of science, art, mathematics, both contemporary and ones that look at the past and possible futures. Lately I've been interested in the architectural styles of the Victorian period although I've been interested in a variety of periods throughout history.”

His art and architecture have always been in a state of development as he has found new sources of interest. However, there have always remained the clean lines and geometric forms that characterize his work. When asked about his love of geometry, Xenophile, the creator of the Second Life Pattern Polyhedra Geometry group, responded,

“I'm fascinated by classical geometry, that created with a compass and straight edge. I'm interested in the forms and shapes of the regular polyhedrons and the shapes that can be formed from them. I believe that the power of graphics on the PC has led to a renewed interest and revolution of these areas, a branch of mathematics that had been neglected in favor of algebraic branches of mathematics. Now the two are being merged and developed further with the rise of immersive environments like SL, which will create a new generation of artists that will explore these areas in a new medium. Geometry provides continual inspiration for sculptural and architectural forms.”

Artwork in XN Art Gallery

As geometry lends itself well to many forms of art and architecture, it has become a central focus of Xenophile's work. In addition to his own studies, he has found the work of Wizard Gynoid in Second Life to be particularly challenging. Regarding Wizard, he states, “Wizard Gynoid creates the most sophisticated geometrically based objects in SL that I know of and is famous for her work in that area.”

His own work reflects his varied interests and the particular nature of the Second Life environment. Using the constantly developing tools available for 3-D content as well as his own research and resources, Xenophile Neurocam creates art that is unique in style and structure. When asked to describe his work, he said,

“Interactive, self-modifying, elements of randomness. Some are just plain static. I often use texture animation and particles in my works. There are also things that happen on touch. This makes the artwork immersive. [The observer] can interact with it in a way that allows them to change the shape that is most pleasing or interesting to them. It allows for mutable art that can change on command. They can change it to suit their mood.”

Flowers in front of Art Symmetry

Unlike art in the real world, that in Second Life has an ephemeral nature that allows it to be changed in various ways not otherwise possible. The interactive nature of Xenophile's work makes the experience of his art much different from that of art outside the virtual space.

When asked to comment on how this makes his artwork unique, he stated, “I think that the interactive nature and the continually changing nature of my creations make it easier for the person to delve into the piece. It's like the difference between touching a piece of art and interacting with it rather than simply looking at it. It gives your brain a more tactile sense of the art objects.”

XN Art Gallery

The particular nature of creation in Second Life has allowed Xenophile Neurocam to develop a varied array of art and architecture to be displayed throughout the grid. His own gallery is in the Hawthorne sim region, one of the original regions in Second Life. Interested residents can view a portion of his art works there, along with his cuboctahedral club, Club Symmetry.

In addition to his display at his gallery, Xenophile has shown his works at other galleries, the latest one being the Turing Gallery in Extropia. He is currently collaborating with friends to create a display for Burn 2.0, quite an honor as the event will be much smaller this year.

September 28, 2010

Xenophile's work in Second Life is not all self promotion, though. He teaches a Second Life content creation course, which he developed himself, at a local community college. It has become a popular course that is a part of many programs at the college. He has also taught courses within Second Life; he is currently engaged in developing his own contribution to the Steampunk community and hopes to teach classes at the Industrial Academy in New Babbage.

Through his own blend of research and technical expertise in the tools of Second Life, Xenophile Neurocam has created art and architecture that has influenced the development of the artistic community within this virtual world. His fascination with geometry and futuristic lines has provided his work with a style that is certainly unique. While contributing to the knowledge of others even as he makes his own place in Second Life, Xenophile has become a valued artist and teacher.

Thank you for reading.

Press Pass Reporter

Satori Marat

UWA 3D Art and Design Challenge August Winners Announced

2010-09-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

September 18, 2010

The September 5, 2010 party at the Second Life® University of Western Australia (UWA) sim marked the 12th and final monthly announcement of winners since the beginning of the UWA 3D Art and Design Challenge. Jay Jay Jegathesan, Manager, School of Physics, (otherwise known as Jay Jay Zifanwe) announced the August 2010 winners to a crowd of artists and friends.

Jay Jay Zifanwe

The party was a culmination of the 12 months of the challenge, divided into the Flagship and Imagine categories. The Flagship category accepted entries of designer/builders, with the expectation of building the winning design on the real world UWA campus. The Imagine challenge, which accepted entries of 3D art, ran concurrently with the Flagship. The winners may be viewed at UWA Imagine Winners Level 4.

Of the August entries, Mr. Jegathesan said, “An incredible, unprecedented 109 entries were submitted to the August round, with 103 Imagine entries and 6 Flagships, making it 841entries across the year by some 300 Second Life Artists and Builders.” A list of the winners appears below.

Now, the Grand Prize round has begun, as well as a People’s Choice Vote, both of which will wind up on September 30, 2010. The impressive panel of judges includes Frolic Mills (BOSL CEO), Courtney Linden (Linden Lab) and Rowan Derryth (art historian and writer for Prim Perfect Publications).

Each of the 16 judges will be asked to list their top 10 Imagine works, their top 5 non-scripted Imagine works and their top 10 Flagship entries. Quadrapop Lane has created a HUD to easily teleport you to all the winning entries for the People’s Choice Vote. It’s available at Level 1.

Celebration Party

After the briefing, the guests teleported to a celebration with DJ Eifachfilm Varcirca.

UWA in Second Life

The UWA 3D Art and Design Challenge is only one of the initiatives by and within SL UWA. Since its inception, the UWA sim has had the intention of “creating true bridges between SL & RL [real life] for prospective students, current students, staff, alumni and the community” through the core elements of arts, architecture, teaching and research. The elements of arts and architecture are exemplified by the Art and Design Challenge and the MachinimUWA Challenges.

The first machinima challenge was born of a desire to showcase SL UWA and its purposes in a public venue, e.g. the internet, youtube, etc. MachinimUWA II: Art of the Artists exhibits the winners of the Imagine and Flagship Challenges in the same way. The entries are linked to the UWA blog.

At the moment, entries including Fuschia Nightfire, Bryn Oh and Yesikita Coppola are posted. The contest continues until September 20, 2010. If you would like to enter, the rules are here.

Teaching and research are at times accomplished in conjunction with each other. For example, a post graduate class allows students in the business program to participate in a unit (1/4 semester) entitled “Buyer Behaviour and Decision Making,” in which they research consumer behavior in SL. SL is also a component of a unit on social media for undergraduate commerce students.

Mr. Jegathesan stated they would like to expand this, but “art has been the back bone whereas the teaching is sporadic.” Aptly, a new challenge will be issued in October, an art collaboration that will involve major art groups in SL.

Satirical Polemicist by E. Wierwight

In the same vein, the UWA has executed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Texas at San Antonio, principally to promote exchanges in the categories of art and teaching, entailing matters like judging and lectures.

“The international connections made through SL are very important to me,” Mr. Jegathesan explained, “and through August the challenges have seen artists & builders hailing from Venezuela, Belgium, Mexico, Wales, Canada, the USA, the UK, Uruguay, Scotland, England, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Holland, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Cuba, Serbia, Tunisia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.”

The Last Ocean by Nish Mip

The challenges have drawn the attention of many of the most notable artists in SL, as well as important media outlets such as BOSL, ICON Lifestyle Magazine and SL Enquirer, thereby boosting the popularity of the UWA sim. Alumni and prospective students like to visit the sim with its replica of the actual campus, including Winthrop Clock Tower and the Morton Bay Fig Tree, which are favorites of Mr. Jegathesan. The Clock Tower is “the main UWA building; it was the inspiration to come into Second Life and build it to let the world see.”

Here is a listing of the August challenge winners:

Imagine Challenge
UWA Legacy (for submitting an entry in each of the 12 months) - Jesse Keyes, Alizarin Goldflake and soror Nishi
Honorable Mention (for submitting an entry in 11 of the 12 months) - Corcosman Voom and Oberon Onmura
August Imagine Challenge 1st Prize - The Last Ocean by Nish Mip
2nd Prize (joint) - The Satirical Polemicist by Eliza Wierwight and What a Wonderful World by Lea Supermarine
August Imagine Challenge Honorable Mention - Stop Fear by Gleman Jun, Dotty the Dragon by Soror Nishi, The Deep by Blue Tsuki, Quantum Matrix by Gingered Alsop, Partly Antsy Chamber by Pinkpink Sorbet and Antarctica - An Individual Existence by Glyph Graves
Rain Prize (established for and selected by one of the Founding Patrons of the UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge) - The Satirical Polemicist by Eliza Wierwight
The Bohemian Ghost Prize (selected by Bohemian Ghost/Owners of the Summerland Estates) - The Aerialist by Corcosman Voom
August People’s Choice Award 1st Prize - Stop Fear by Gleman Jun
2nd Prize - The Satirical Polemicist by Eliza Wierwight
Best Non-Scripted - The Unicorn Wood Edition by Nessuno Myoo

Aug Flagship Win Herick Straaf

Flagship Challenge

UWA Legacy (for submitting the most entries) - Nyx Breen (submitted 13 of the 69 of the builds)
August Flagship Challenge 1st Prize - Concept Building for AXS Lab by Herick Straaf
2nd Prize - UWA AXS Lab by Nyx Breen
August Flagship Honorable Mention - Black Swan by Oldoak Merlin
Casey West Australian Cultural Prize (established to encourage the seeking of knowledge about Western Australia, its culture and its people) - Black Swan by Oldoak Merlin

Thank you for reading.

Se7en Wirsing
Press Pass Reporter

Sephiroth Juran and The Next Day

2010-09-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

September 9, 2010

The Next Day -- A Role Playing Sim

When I visited The Next Day in Second Life® there were a lot of breath-taking views. The different coloured lighting schemes reminded me of urban lifestyle in the district parts of my hometown. As I went deeper and looked at the structure of the buildings, I saw a futuristic theme inside the sim. However, it kind of reminded me of different cities and countries. So, I view it as a mixture of four countries like Macau, Byron Bay, Hong Kong and Japan.

Press Pass: The Next day, it’s very nice. Whose idea was it at first?

Sephiroth: Well at the beginning my partner, Sana Dagger, was building a RP futuristic vassel in space, then the sim owner Morgane Nyle, who belongs to this chain of sims, and had only middle age ones, wanted to change one of them in urban style and asked Sana to build it. So she left her vassel project to begin building here. Morgane chose the name. The idea of building a sim in this style is Sana’s. We began to build it together, then sweet Tantulus joined us later. While we were building the first sim, we decided to add a second one. Finished them both, we opened 3 months ago.

How did you meet Sana Dagger, Morgan Nyle, and Tantulus?

I met them on an RP sim, as I’ve been RPing for 3 years on SL. So I met Sana and Sweet as players like me and we became friends. Morgane was a sim owner of the sims where I played, so when I got invited to join the staff of those sims I knew her too.

From left to right: Sephiroth Juran, Press Pass Reporter Angelina Lerintzo, and Sana Dagger.

Hold on, I’m kind of curious. How much money do you earn every month for creating the Next Day?

We don’t earn money, it’s just for passion. We rent shop spaces and apartments or clan bases just to cover a part of the sim’s fees.

Wow. That’s real commitment. How do you manage to balance between real life and The Next Day in Second Life?

I spend free time in SL, depending on RL commitments. SL is a creative environment that allows you to create things you can't in RL, and to free your fantasy. So it’s quite fun. Many think of it as a game, but for me it’s more a place to create. Of course this takes time, let’s say it’s a “hobby,” not different from many others.

What is the CCS (community combat system) meter for?

It’s a combat meter, very diffused. It’s used for roleplay in the sim, as it allows people to fight.

The Next Day

That is indeed fascinating. What languages does the community use to communicate with others?

Their own, there’s not an official language. Mainly the community is English and French speaking. To interact they are requested to use a translator, or try to communicate in RP as they would do if they meet a foreigner in real life. I mean it's SL, the best mixing of cultures.

How and when did your love affair with creating massive structures grow?

I began to build in SL 2 and a half years ago. The items in my shop include weapons, armor and gorean outfits. I began with large buildings on those sims 1 year ago.

The colours, the design, and variety of culture. You astound many for creating such brilliant places full of details. How many people told you that you are their source of inspiration?

Well there are many creators in SL, really talented. Yes many probably take inspiration from here to make new works, but the problem of building a sim like this is that it takes much time, and RL commitments. Even keeping a sim closed for months while you build it is a cost that not many wish to substain. It’s a lot of work and time.

Sephiroth and Sana

Some new members who just started playing second life want to create amazing structures, buildings, and shops. Can they learn to build big structures fast? What is the secret?

It takes time to learn. The problem is that it’s not something you can teach. Personally I did try, I got an info notecard somewhere in my language that teaches the basics, then I began trying. For sure it’s a great speed up having someone sharing the passion, because you learn faster while helping each other.

It seems easy. I’ve built a table when I experimented with it. It was fun but quite challenging. Do we need a lot of patience if we want to build such structures? Does it frustrate you sometimes?

It doesn’t because I love it but for sure you must have a passion to do that at a certain level. Some people find it easy, some not. Those who do are sure candidates. The problem is not so much learning to build things in SL, but going on to learn at a certain level. For example building a sim like this needs sculpted prims, using programs outside SL like Blender 3D, or Maya or 3DMax. Same thing for textures, you must learn to use Photoshop to make things different from what is already seen. You can even purchase nice stuff. We did that even in many parts of the sim. Sometimes you must learn to script, as building a sim needs many scripted things. So if you are a team, everyone puts their knowledge together and it’s easier. Sana is really talented with photoshop, sweet with Blender 3D. I learned to use Blender too, I’m quiet good in scripting, and we all are able to build. But learning to build on SL means learning other software.

Have you ever argued with your colleagues about disagreements?

Yes, we did a lot. Sometimes building a sim is frustrating, as you think you’ll never finish. So yes it happened.

The Black Bunny

What are the famous spots in The Next Day?

The Black Bunny, the main club. Damville, the criminal street. The Arena. The Dock Art Fair, that is the art gallery. But there are a lot of places, clubs and bars.

Where can we find the location of Black Bunny and Damville?

Damville is at the north east side of The Next Day sim, where there’s a police car. Black Bunny is under the same sim, you reach it from a tunnel in the same area, using the elevator, but it’s easier to reach it with the sim teleport system. You find teleport screens everywhere. Touch them, select the destination, right click and teleport.

This is a common question people ask. Which location is best for combats and battles?

The Arena is the place to train, but people fight everywhere. Battles happen during RPs. This is not a counterstrike sim. The combat meter is used when people begin to struggle and aggress in RP, or decide to use force to solve problems.

What groups exist in The Next Day and what role do they play in the community?

We have 4 RP groups: criminals, Next Police Department (whose role is quite clear), MedLabs for those who like hospital and researcher RP, and Citizens for those who wish to manage a non-RP activity like a club or a bar. There are even some CCS clans, really old, but people can create their own RP groups as they wish, following the background of the sim. The ones we created are just an idea to help RP, the only limit is their fantasy.

Is there any competition between you and the other designers in second life?

Well, I can’t speak for the others, but personally I like to explore and look at what others do and create. I like when people create here, I don’t see that as competition but as a source of inspiration and a way to see new ideas. But for sure it’s a personal thing.

In real life, some people want to escape their life and continue it in second life. Do you agree that escaping from life would be a good thing?

Hmm. No, but I think this is something a lot of people think about second life. People can escape real life with a videogame, with Second Life, with a hobby, and a lot of things. It’s simply their problem. Second Life is part of life just like anything else and saying it’s an escape is usually from those un able to use it.

I wish I could do that. There must be a lot of compliments and people who want to meet you. Do you find it frustrating and satisfying?

Yes, we get many messages. Personally, I find it satisfying. It depends if I’m busy when they contact me. But no, it’s not frustrating.

Why should more people come to the Next Day as a destination?

It's mainly a RP sim, but many just come to visit the place, as the build is quite accurate and took 1 year of work. Many come here to take photographs and so on. There are clubs with events with live DJ mixes. There’s even an art gallery, where we allow monthly an SL artist or photographer to display creations for free. Most people come to immerse in the town life and start RPing, create their own character and play in the town.

Thank you for reading.

Press Pass Reporter

Angelina Lerintzo

Tiny Products mean Big Business for Peaches Latrell

2010-09-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

September 2, 2010

Peaches Latrell's Lilliput Store

With long experience as a Tiny in Second Life®, Peaches Latrell has seen the beginnings of the Tiny culture and helped to expand on its influence. As she created products that she personally desired, she discovered others interested in her creations. With the opening of her store and later projects, Peaches has founded many various areas in Tiny society that will prove exciting in the future.

Peaches Lattrel wearing some of her designs.

A Tiny for almost four years now, Peaches began creating her own dresses and accessories due to the lack of variety in clothing available at the time. This urge toward innovation has helped Peaches throughout her career as a content creator in Second Life. As friends enjoyed her clothing, she decided to open her own store, Lilliput. She continues:

“Lilliput products have always been things that I wanted for myself and couldn't find. For example, back in 2006 I created SL's first rideable horse for Tinies because I wanted one! Everything in my shop is something that I wanted or needed for myself, so I guess you could say that my own tastes and desires are my inspiration.”

Peaches wearing a dress of her own design.

Her products, including the horse, outdoor furniture, and clothing, have become popular in Tiny areas such as Raglan Shire. As her business has expanded, she recently opened a new and bigger Lilliput. In addition to her current products available at the original store, she will soon offer many more products:

“I have started to focus more on my tiny animations and am working on some new tiny dance sequences along with my rl/sl husband Apollo Kronos. Also in the works is a new furniture line and some posh, trendy clothing. Another exciting project that I am currently working on is a collaboration with the makers of RendeZvous - Avatar Animation & Mobility Technology. We are experimenting with a Tinies version to add to their current family of products which includes their wildly popular couples’ animator for humans.”

Having been in Tiny society for quite awhile, Peaches has seen the changes in Tiny culture, as well as trends in fashion. When asked what upcoming trends she sees in Tiny fashion, Peaches responded:

“One welcome trend that I have seen growing in the Tiny community is more diversity in general. Many new designers are representing styles like punk, goth, trendy casual, etc. This is a huge improvement over the days when our choices revolved around big frilly dresses or t-shirts. While I do still enjoy wearing a fancy dress, a girl likes to have wardrobe options! My male friends have also expressed appreciation for the growing selection they have in fashion. Male clothing and accesories have traditionally been an underserved market in SL and male Tinies have expressed appreciation for all of the new designers and styles.”

Inside Lilliput

While Tiny fashion is becoming more varied, much of the fashion is very similar, especially Tiny shoes. Peaches states that she would love to see more “hair options and more shoes.” Indeed, this is happening as more people like Peaches become involved in the world of Tiny fashion.

Perhaps her most exciting new venture is Tinywood, a new sim influenced by Hollywood. Peaches is a big fan of movies in real life, and so this influence was a natural one for her. Although the sim has not yet opened, Peaches describes some features of the new sim:

“We will have Tinywood Boulevard for our shops and attractions, including my new main shop Madame Latrell's Wax Museum, Grauman's Tinese Theatre, an Ottertorium, and even Frederick's of Tinywood which is a fun tongue-in-cheek venture. Lining the streets of Tinywood Blvd will, of course, be the Paws of Fame display with the names, pawprints and pictures of tiny visitors and friends. Everyone will be a superstar in Tinywood!

The Lilliput Miniature Horse

“Aside from the shops, we are creating faux, interactive movie lots where Tinies can jump into famous scenes for picture-taking fun. Some of the first ones will include an 'I'm the King of the World!' scene, Tiny Kong, Gone with the Prim and some more fun surprises. We have fun contests planned for the community including 'Build Your Own Set' with a rotating, specific movie genre.”

In addition to the shops and movie lots, Tinywood will also include its own television studio, where Tinywood shows will be produced and later published on Youtube. Other attractions will be the Music Hall of Fame and Tinywood Bowl. Tinies will surely find many fun activities in Tinywood.

One of the features of Tinywood will be Sweet Pea’s, Peaches’ Tiny bakery. Her first creations can be viewed already at Lilliput, but they will soon find a new home in Tinywood. When asked her inspiration for the bakery, Peaches responded:

“I created Sweet Pea's when my friend LittleBlackDuck Lindsay asked me to make some tiny food for his cafes in The Nation of Victoriana and its tiny sim Tinytoriana. I enjoyed it so much and had such a favorable response from customers that I have decided to expand my menu and make the shop a permanent fixture in Tinywood.”

Although a new Lilliput store and the Tinywood sim would be enough for some, Peaches also has plans for another new project, Muse Isle Productions and Tinywood Studios. This is a joint venture with her friend, JenzZa Misfit, owner of the Muse Isle sims. After working together on a wedding gift video for a friend, both decided to produce more. They have several movies in the works, including Harespray. They will be shooting their videos at the new Tinywood studios and at scenic locations throughout Muse Isle. The friends’ first collaborative effort, “A Very Tiny Wedding Thriller Dance in Second Life® - Michael Jackson Tribute,” can be found on Youtube. Their mutual enjoyment in the productions will surely come through in their upcoming movies.

As Tiny society has grown, Peaches Latrell has shown a creativity and ingenuity that has added to the unique character of the Tinies. Beginning out of necessity, Peaches’ work has helped others enjoy their Second Life.

Thank you for reading.

Press Pass Reporter

Satori Marat

Article removed

2010-08-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

due to request of the client,we agreed to remove the article for personal reasons

Liza Veliz reports on Emerald mess, read about it here!

2010-08-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

Sun August 22nd 2010

Cliff's notes of the whole situation, an old sl friend of sl reporter Liza Veliz

Details:

Companion Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/TOBSDA

== Datamine Incident ==

Fractured collected avatar / ip combinations using scripted objects in the Emerald Point sim and the Modular Systems / Emerald RegAPI site in a central "Datamine". This was used to determine who was whose alt account and they he had created a web application that allowed him to locate any of said users on the globe with a margin of error of about 200 miles. Various emerald devs had access to this system, and they used it regularly.

Phox and Fractured stalked and hacked the third party who discovered the Datamine (a developer of a non-TOS compliant viewer like them.) They hacked his voice account so he would not be able to use SL Voice, and stalked him to a randomly sim when nobody had map rights. The sim was chosen and the user logged on when the third party found out Fractured had a "surprise" waiting for him. Phox and Fractured confronted the third party, saying they knew who he was and they'd called his house. He was apparently a student on financial aid and was living with his mother. Phox stated in private that he intended to steal the third party's computer so he couldn't mess with them again.

Fractured sends around the chatlog to people, laughing about how they had trolled the third party.

It turned out not to be the third party, and they had been harassing a random person.

The third party called Fractured at his house, to let him know that he knew all about the "datamine", and the information regarding it would be publicly released. Eventually an agreement was reached with Fractured that only information regarding who used the "Datamine" and who was in it, not any identifying information, would be released to the public so long as the datamine was removed from his servers.

Fractured apparently removes the datamine and associated code, the list of users who were in the datamine is posted on the Alphaville Herald.

== EmKDU Incident ==

Phox and Fractured attempted to get the third party's internet disconnected (again, a common tactic of their also used on Neil,) but were unsuccessful. Phox still believes he was successful and has gloated about it to numerous people.

Fractured and several other Emerald devs also worked on the Onyx project, a malicious viewer under the guise of a project to find security holes in SL. It was based on a client of Fractured's that had been banned in the past, along with Emerald. This client was used to harass and stalk others when they saw fit. They claimed it wasn't malicious, and was used for research only. The old source code was leaked. They claimed that it didn't have any of those features anymore and the viewer was just for research. Much more recent source code was leaked, and they didn't say much of anything, but the Onyx site was taken offline. They started hiding that they were using Onyx by spoofing their tag and channel name to be the same as Emerald's, but there were still a few pieces they forgot that identified it.

Someone found out a library the ModSys team had made was being used to leak information about Emerald users. It could be viewed by anyone who knew how to decrypt the message, and the source code to the library was not open to public scrutiny. The message was decrypted by others, using custom software, and it turned out that one was able to determine what version of Emerald they were using, and in some cases, what their username on their computer was. This is dangerous, because the information can be used to pinpoint who a user is in real life if their username on their computer is the same as their real name. It also enabled people to determine who was and was not using Onyx, along with several other unwitting Emerald derivatives.

They claimed they removed this info after several Emerald devs questioned them about it, and they promptly changed the encryption used on the message that was sent out. The message was decrypted again, and it turned out that the majority of the contents were the same, despite their claims. It was changed a third time, and hasn't been decrypted yet.

A core emerald dev decided to leave

One ex-Linden, Qarl decided to join.

== DDoS incident ==

This was all documented by the third party. Fractured thought it would be funny (apparently while he was drunk?) to add hidden frames to the emerald login screen that would load content from said third party's website (which they had stated numerous times was a website hosting malicious software,) and overload the third-party's server with requests every time someone logged into Emerald. The third party found out about it, saying he didn't really care if they wanted to attack him, but to not use their own users as tools to do it. The way the website was loaded, the third party's website could have launched exploits infecting the computers of anyone logging into Emerald, change their login location, or crash their computer.

Soft Linden, head of Security for LL, railed on the Emerald team in the opensource-dev mailing list.

Two core devs left.

Arabella then made an official post about the incident, whitewashing it by saying it was only one developer, who was disciplined, and that they were merely boasting about their traffic to the third party.

Another ex-linden, Data, joined.

In an audio recording, it was determined that they had known that Fractured may be adding the code to the login page before he had even done it, and nothing was done about it until someone complained. Arabella knew it was a lot more than just boasting about traffic, but didn't want to say so, as not to "scare the users". All mention of it on their forums of blog comments was deleted until they made the official response. Arabella thinks very carefully about whether or not to censor a comment from YET ANOTHER ex-linden, Pathfinder, that was less than complimentary of what they were doing to their own users. She and others censored the majority of other comments and posts that did not agree with what they had said in the original post.

== Aftermath ==

Emerald is removed from the Third Party Viewer List.

Fractured steps down from the leader of Emerald, and leaves Arabella in his place. Phox remains.

Ty for reading the article,
Liza Veliz,press pass reporter, Senior Writer

Also Check out Arabella's blog (Emerald viewer executive) for her view on the events that happened http://arabellasteadham.wordpress.com/

The Titanic in Second Life's Metropolis Fashion Park

2010-08-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

Metropolis Fashion Park Titanic Ballroom

August 1, 2010

I was on The Titanic tonight. The ballroom and the grand staircase looked so exact it made me wonder when we were going to hit the iceberg and sink.

The grand staircase of the Titanic, in reproduction of the famous stairs and ballroom, was created by METROPOLIS FASHION PARK. In other words, by the owner Alesandra Joubert (Cinderella Show, Woman With Cat Series) after an idea from her marketing manager Fuzz Lennie.

This evening we saw marvellous pageant gowns from Alafolie, Anubis Style, G.Sloane and MEB.
The Le Chat Noir dress was stunning and The Feathers by Sloane took my breathe away.

MEB

The theme song Titanic Techno Remix from dht was what DJ DarkRaven Skytower used to get us into the mood. He specializes in fashion shows where he won’t have to use voice and can focus on letting his senses talk instead. He also does modelling. He told me that if he cannot be in the show he likes to DJ it

You may listen to it now, while reading.

Vikeejeah Xevion, the conférencier, announced the show like this: We are here at the grand ballroom staircase of the Titanic where Rose descends the stairs and meets Jack at the bottom in a breathtaking gown. That is what we plan to recreate for you today.

And yes, we did feel like Jack must have felt when he saw her. Only in multiple. The models Blac Quartz, Mel Endrizzi, Nala Kurka, rissa Friller, TyraBanks Eiren and Marissa Bruun were stunning as they slid down the stairs in a variety of beautiful gowns.

AlaFolie in appropriate Titanic Pose

One of my high moments was when Vikeejeah announced TyraBanks in Le Chat Noir by MEB.
A strapless evening gown with a slim deep V held together with 5 clasps. With a full gathered and tucked bustle atop a full flowing flexi skirt. As Vikeejeah said: "This gown is full of class and modesty with a sprinkle of sophisticated allure."

It was awesome.

I really like Vikeejeah. She makes me want to lick those gowns. Especially when she announced the crème menthe dress.

Cloud Nine Creme de Menthe

Listen to this:

Vikeejeah: Blac is wearing Cloud Nine Creme de Menthe by G Sloan Couture. The gown is both whimsical and tantalizing as it sheaths the body in a strapless sheer creme de menthe voile. Embroidered with shiny stars, that travel from the abdomen to the bust line. The gauzy pleats embrace the waist and hips, descending smoothly to the feet, concealing only the lower left side, leaving the lower right side bare with only a peek-a-boo bow lying seductively against the right hip to catch the summer breeze.

It is there I start to think of ice cream with menthe.

Vikeejeah Xevion: The skirt’s hem is bordered with glowing stars in a darker sea foam green. The slightest motion changes this skirt from light to bright, illuminating with every step.

Feathers by G. Sloane Couture

Mel Endrizzi then showed Feathers by G. Sloane Couture.

Vikeejeah Xevion: An extravagant dress in shades of grey and black, this gown is simply eye-catching. The neck is highlighted by a necklace with feathers resembling graceful elegant birds flowing freely through the sky. A simple black corset with spaghetti straps and a classic skirt with transparent, very sexy and fantastic cascading semi-circular piece complete this phenomenal gown.

Anubis

At this moment the audience was going crazy. The applause was like thunder in the main chat and the dialogue went like this:

Lulu Solari looks for her credit card. Rhonda Pennell: *steals it. Our owner of this blog Carmichael Caudron smiles big :D lol. Rhonda Pennell: ;).Matteo Bettencourt applauds like thunder. Our own photographer Lulu Solari goes: MRP :/ . Carilynn Ohare shouts: Stunning! Rhonda Pennell said: Wonderful Mel, you look amazing:). Lulu Solari faints. emanuelle Courtois applauds.

It was a fun show for sure.

Alesandra Joubert and reporter Liza Veliz

After all is over I had the chance to talk a bit with Alesandra Joubert at the bottom of the staircase.
That is when she told me a little about herself.

She is an artist in RL too. Once a painter but now she makes jewellery. These one-of-a kind pieces are too tricky to transfer into SL. But she has had a solo show of paintings and artwork from RL, of her tongue-in-cheek “Woman With Cat Series,” in an exhibition sponsored by the Serena Art Center in the SL community where she lives, Serena Estates.

AlaFolie

Very soon she is releasing her own line of fashion. She tells me Fuzz thinks her creations are weird, which she says is a good sign. So I am looking forward to seeing them.

The Metropolis Fashion Park offers many kinds of entertainment: a Japanese Tea House, for example, and the most eyebrow-lifting I have seen so far. A Sudoku Table. This makes me smile. Alesandra and her marketing manager, Fuzz, surely work hard to make this an outstanding place for shopping, entertainment, and relaxation. You can also hire a conference room or throw a concert here. And Alesandra says the Titanic staircase and runway will be available for a while as a free venue for other fashion shows and other applications. If you are interested, you can contact Alesandra Joubert or Fuzz Lennie for more information.

Thank you for reading.

Photos by Alesandra Joubert

Article by Liza Veliz
for Press Pass Media Blog

Smudge is Art for Joy

2010-07-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

July 26, 2010

One day I stumble upon a little green English-looking building stashed between the houses on a street in Second Style Island™, that gives me an RL flashback of Noella™ art gallery in the backstreets of London behind Tate Museum™. In this little green house of Second Life™ you find the gallery SMUDGE™.

Little green house at Second Style Island

In the comfy chair between the Northern Lights and Wheet I look at the smudged canvas on the walls and start to realize the reason for the name of this gallery.

Myndi Meredith, the artist and gallery owner of Smudge, confirms to me that she loves to smudge colours. She relaes with this in her own time when not working her full time job or when her little son needs her. She does this digitally now since canvas, easel, colour palettes, and so, is not practical at her RL home any more because she has a little one year old son now.

Blogger Liza Veliz

I met her at the Grand Opening Event for Smudge on the 18^th of July at FIERCE™ Nightclub in Dominion Estates™. Her PR person and good friend Anden Tolsen was also there.

In a BOSL™ radio interview that same morning Myndi said Anden was also the reason she even started the gallery. She just showed him some paintings she was making while dancing at Fierce when he asked her why she was so quiet and he suggested she should sell them.

That´s a great friend!

Smudge gallery in Gallinas

Anden Tolsen even gave her the gallery at Second Style island as a surprise gift. That is the reason there are two Smudge galleries now.

The other one is at Shopatorium @ Gallinas

Here the building is also very special from the others. Its like a piece of candy with the stonewalls of red decorated with a pink framed window and glittery coloured stars hanging in the ceiling and with the sign of the shop glowing in its Pink. Inside there is no comfy chairs but a comfy carpet instead. It is smooth to lay there in its depth of wool and check the smudged paintings on the walls, guessing what they are about. A bit like laying in grass checking clouds actually.

There is Good and Evil licking at each other in one and a blue flower possibly inspired of the 80´s digital artwork, there is a sun on an easel and the pink painting called smudge and so many more.

Oh, the party? It was great! DJ Atreyu Witrial delivered the music and lots of press people and art gallery owners came, and of course the citizens of Dominion Estates. Lots of lovely people that made me think of some SL friends I really miss since their clubs shut down and they moved on and I really haven´t had the time to find them again. The jokes jangled like shingles in the air and all were smiling and having a great time. The atmosphere was awesome!

The gift for everyone contained two paintings by Myndi Meredith.

Moolto was sponsoring the event by advertising this, and FIERCE sponsored by building it and holding the party.

Me, Anden and Myndi met after the party at a couch upstairs.

There Anden Tolsen tells me his reason for helping Myndi out.

- She is a very close friend of mine and I believe in Smudge.

Myndi tells me her dreams while Anden is listening to the BOSL interview during our meeting.

- My hopes are for *SMUDGE* to grow and grow and grow! The more painting I can get out there, the more tastes I can provide... the more money I can make, the less time I have to be away from my son! And THAT will put a smile on MY face :)

She doesn´t do galleries in RL.

- I haven´t found one yet that provides a FUN environment. I think when you look at art, it should be an all around experience... the smells should be right, and the music should be right. I don´t go to gallerys in RL... its all that stuffy elevator music. *Bringing *SMUDGE* into RL would be the ultimate :)

- I hope to bring smiles to peoples faces! There is so much ugly in this world.. people sick, dying, sadness. I just want to make people escape from that :)

Myndi has her painting for a hobby and never released her art in RL, and she did not go to an art school. She just loves to smudge nice colours and let her inner move the hand. And she makes pictures of things like Northern Lights as they feel to her. It looks like a bright star shooting in different colours to me. But she tries to capture it from what she sees and knows. She explained this to me but I was actually curious about another one. The one you see in my photo with three thick shades of different colour on black background. She tells me...

- ah that...it is just random, that is a genuine *SMUDGE*. I just grabbed colour and smudged it! haha it´s genuine smudging.

You may already know Myndi Meredith from her stylist company Meredith Interiors™ or maybe by the fashion blog she writes together with Stephberry Delling, The Facetious SL Blog™

- I'm thinking about starting a new one, strictly for *SMUDGE* but my fashion blog is already syndicated... so I may just keep blogging my new releases along with clothing looks :)

Myndi is the colourful dancing person in the middle

Picture from event is taken by Anden Tolsens partner Isaiah Tolsen and the others by myself.

LIZA VELIZ

For Press Pass Media Blog

An Interview with Amerie Aristocrat of Aristocrat Avatars®

2010-07-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

July 19, 2010

Amerie Aristocrat, owner of Aristocrat Avatars

As Second Life® often mirrors real life, busy residents searching for the right look for themselves and their homes will often turn to a personal stylist who can guide them through the plethora of products available in the virtual world. In addition, having the advice of someone who is familiar with fashion and design will be invaluable for those without that particular sense. Amerie Aristocrat has provided these and similar services for residents of Second Life since 2008.

Amerie Aristocrat is the owner of Aristocrat Avatars®, a unique, high quality styling agency for avatars. With two galleries and an office with prominent displays of recent, custom avatar stylings, a potential client will definitely see the range of looks that she has to offer. She also owns Aristocrat Interiors & Exteriors, a business that serves those residents seeking help with decorating their virtual homes and gardens.

Exterior of Aristocrat Avatar Office

Looking at the pictures of her recent avatar creations, I wondered what inspired the looks that she creates in Second Life. Amerie explained her process and inspirations:

“My rl inspires the looks I create. I value diversity and tradition and all types of beauty. I've been blessed where I can travel rl frequently. I take notice of the people I encounter and their respective cultures, dress, rituals, styles. And as for interior design, I am inspired by what I see day to day. Lately I have been living in, and exploring, Asia. It's quite exciting being on this side of the planet when cultures are constantly in flux, transforming, modern mixing with the ancient. Design in the East is a hodgepodge of Eastern traditional, colonial influence, and the new international look. I love it, the good, the bad and the ugly.”

Some of Aristocrat Avatar's Clients

With Second Life's worldwide residency, Amerie's real life experiences are important in being able to find looks that would appeal to a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Blending the styles of various cultures and artistic differences produces unique designs that would not otherwise be possible without the variety and diversity that she values.

When working with a client, Amerie spends time with each person, asking questions so that she can determine what sort of look they would prefer for their avatar. She describes her work in this way:

“I ask many questions about the client's sl lifestyle, desires, expectations, favorite actor or actress, if they want a rl fascimile or a new unique design, and create accordingly. Meeting new people and finding out what makes them tick is the best part of the job. The second best part is their reaction to the finished product.”

Photos of Aristocrat Avatar clients adorn the company's office walls.

Her interest in people's natures and how it relates to their sense of style and fashion certainly contributes to her ability to produce avatars that will fit a person's personality both in real life and their desired look in Second Life.

In her work on avatars and style in general, Amerie Aristocrat attempts to seek out quality products in the metaverse. With her artistic sense, she continually views the changing needs of avatars and fashion in Second Life. When asked how she determines appropriate, quality products for her creations, she responded,

“I have an eye for detail and colour. Price is generally not always a factor. There are a lot of talented designers out there that aren't on every single blog or are off the beaten path. I tend to go to them along with the more established designers when creating a unique look. I like to be ahead of a trend.”

Amerie's experience with fashion and style allows her to look ahead of the current fashions in order to provide her clients with the most current styles.

Her service does not stop at the initial look, however. After finding the right accessories for the client, she then gives them an updated list of her favorite creators so that her clients can find additional looks. She did give me a couple of her favorite designers for skins and accessories:

“For exceptional ethnic and caucasian skins for men I recommend Tellaq. He's a brilliant designer and an expat like myself with exceptional realistic design skills. I'd also recommend GOS watches, shades and shoes.”

Although avatar styling is currently the majority of her work, she did start as a landscaping artist and interior designer. She has worked on many builds and will occasionally take on projects, depending on her interest and the time involved. When Amerie works with an interior design client, she looks at the general environment and allows that to direct the appearance of the design. When asked what eras of interior design she finds most inspirational, she responded:

“Eras, I like it all. But I tend to utilize an eclectic mix from French country, Chinese antiquity, Japanese, Tahitian, Balinese, modern euro , post modern American, anything done well in Sl I can and do incorporate. Give me a Barcelona chair, antique Chinese emperor bed from Qing dynasty with a mink throw, zebra skin rug, and I'm in design heaven. And yes SL has it.”

The interior of Aristocrat Avatar

As a part of her work in interior design, Amerie Aristocrat has also done landscaping. While many gardens in Second Life are fantastic, she tends toward the realistic, focusing on the creation of beauty in the virtual garden. Her work in landscaping is inspired totally by her real life grandmother, who would “put Martha Stewart to shame.”

For a final question, I asked Amerie about her greatest accomplishment, to which she responded,

“My reputation. Being known for making people love their avis and creating beautiful scenes in which people take pleasure. That's why I'm here. That's what I love to do.”

It is this love of her craft that comes through in all of her creations. Whether avatar styling, interior design, or landscaping, Amerie Aristocrat provides Second Life residents with a valuable resource in their search for a fashionable and beautiful virtual life.

Please send Amerie an IM or notecard if you're interested in a consultation for her services because she works by appointment only.

Thank you for reading and I hope you'll contact Aristocrat Avatars for a chance to see Amerie's talent for yourself.

Satori Marat
Press Pass Blogger

Environmental Fluidity seeks to distinguish virtual world art

2010-07-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Wotthe Dickins

Friday 7/16/10

Wotthe Dickins welcomed visitors to the opening on Caerleon. The welcome area contains a bombardment of information about the exhibit, but don't be discouraged by that. You can ignore all the written words and still enjoy your adventure. If you would like to learn about the artists and their thoughts on Environmental Fluidity, the signs and notecards available throughout will provide opportunities to learn.

Pixels Sideways (self-titled "Project Procrastinator") described the exhibit, "The Environmental Fluidity Collaboration Project is one in a series of six collaborative projects demonstrating Georg Janick/Gary Zabel's Theses on the Art of Virtual Worlds in which he notes, 'Environmental Fluidity is one of six aesthetic-technological dimensions that collectively distinguish the art of virtual worlds from earlier forms of art.'"

The Cube Maze

"From concept to completion: how the environmental fluidity collaboration project evolved" contains a description of the artists' process to build the exhibit, beginning with, "It all starts with a...prim."

This innovative exhibit is huge and, depending on the experience you want, could take hours to navigate and play in. By the information station, there is a Handy EF Tour HUD. It is simple to use. If you are ready to move to the next area, click on the title and the SLurl appears in chat. This is advantageous if you think you're lost. You may want to make a few short visits instead of one long one. However, expect to be drawn into the "surprises around every corner and opportunities to become a collaborator," as Pixel Sideways says.

Phantissima

Here, you're an explorer and collaborator. Your movements have an effect on the exhibit, beginning in the first stop on the tour, Auraltopia.

At Auraltopia "Stuck in my head," you'll hear some familiar tunes, themes and words. This installation reflects Wotthe Dickins' statement, "In real life and virtual life exhibits, I have found that using humor is a powerful tool to engage the participant in a creative and intellectual way, and by using intuitive interaction I can make my pieces more accessible to a wider audience."

The Spin Cycle

Don't be alarmed at the dark, empty space; it is purposeful. "I-Composer" has cool music that continues only if you move around the black space. “Magnetone" has sounds and tones that change as you move around, seeming to move with you and change as you move in space.

Facade Town at Evotropolis

At Phantissima, you may elect to float down on a cloud or TP down to the park. The park has a continuous parade of snails (sans shells). I rode a snail into the “Spin Cycle,” which seems to be a neverending tunnel. When you arrive at the tree, if you click on it, a ball will appear for you to get in and roll down the “Spin Cycle" to Primatecture. Enjoy the ride. When you arrive, you may roll around in the ball for awhile. If you crash into something, you'll hear the sounds of shattering glass, but you’ll continue rolling until you stand up. The sculptures at Primatecture change over time, and if you "touch" them.

Tree Town in Evotropolis

The ground shifts continually under your feet at Terra Unfirma. The Cubes has an ice-sculpture-like maze with some ghostly beings floating inside and you're rewarded at the end with an egress, actually several. Alizarin Goldflake says of her build, "The semi-transparent textures move along the walls, overlapping and creating new patterns with each other. The color of the build also changes depending on the presence of an avatar. And the particles follow the SL wind, emerging in constantly changing relationship to each other."

You’ll move through several rooms, each with an attraction. In one, you sit at a dressing table and seem to see yourself in the mirror. Then, take the boat over the waterfall into Aquatica. You're the subject in the "Magic Show," but don't worry; your body will reappear.

Growing City at Evotropolis

"For Environmental Fluidity I conceived this ephemeric town that rezzes and changes. The concept came to me when remembering my old town expansing in the countryside," explains Artistide Despres. The city at Evotropolis cycled through growing and disintegrating. Suddenly, there were plants and trees with houses built in them. Just as suddenly, they disappeared and a new city began to appear, this one facades, like a stage set.

"Fluidity is a quality found at the elementary level material, but it also speaks of fluid to designate energies invisible. Ki, tree sap, ectoplasm spiritualists (a micro art form?). All this is that the expression of the Environmental Fluidity. Even thoughts and psyche have a fluid quality. The impermanence of Buddhists. Isn't the Environmental Fluidity the energy of life?" asks Lollito Larkham.

Fluidity Magic Show

Exquisite Corpse waits near the end for you to generate some random prims with the giant Priminator. There are simple instructions as you enter and your affects on the "corpse" will remain for about 12 hours.

The main collaborators are Alizarin Goldflake, Artistide Despres, Banrion Constantine, Lollito Larkham, PattiAnne Daviau and Wotthe Dickins. "Artistide and Wotthe in particular were instrumental in creating the majority of the amazing exhibits you are about to see. Skilled in both visual art and LSL and loads of other software, etc., their contributions to the EF project are significant," Pixels Sideways explains.

Terra Unfirma

Thank you for reading and I hope you'll come and explore the exhibit. There are plenty more surprises not mentioned here. Perhaps, as Patriciaanne Daviau comments, "I am still pondering the meaning of Environmental Fluidity," you'll come out pondering your experience as well.

Se7en Wirsing
Press Pass Blogger

Shanghai World Expo 2010; Liza Veliz interviews Bryn Oh

2010-05-21T02:19:00.000-07:00

Fri 05/21/10

Second Life™ has made a contribution of machinimas from our world to the EXPO 2010™; the world fair of art, taking place in Shanghai in China May till October. In Real Life you find Second Life contribution in The Air Tree™ at Madrid Pavilion where the Expo for the first time ever shows machinimas.

Bryn Oh - portrait

Bryn Oh is the curator of this contribution in world and one of the artists.

She built three of the five Sims that are shown in the machinimas, together with ColeMarie Soleil and Soror Nishi. Glyph Graves and Marcus Inkpen built the remaining two, one Sim each. The avatar Aino Baar (in RL Spanish art director Cristina García-Lasuén owner of Open This End – a SL group that works for combining virtual reality with RL) is the person who came up with this idea and managed to get Second Life into the art fair and she gave Bryn Oh the responsibility of being curator of the event in world.

I wanted to know more about Bryn Oh so we meet at “No Colour Island” at Utopia3, one of the five Sims Linden Lab™ donated to Bryn for the exhibition.

Bryn Oh - Rabbits

Bryn Oh is a living artwork; a walking, talking, creating, machinima, pixel to soul poetry.

She is created from the mind of a Canadian Oil Painter. This painter went on to study Softimage™ and Zbrush™ to learn more. As the painter discovered 3D and Second Life, Bryn Oh™ was born.

“This is a great medium for me. In my first life I am an oil painter but I had some ideas that I couldn't do in oil paint, so when I found Second Life I found a place where I could make these stories.”

“Some of my themes are of robots that are in love with humans. They are all mostly about just things in my life, but I switch them to be about robots and people. Underneath I guess they are about me, but I hide that a bit. Everything I make is somewhat a diary. See, for me, I am the robot sometimes in my first life. I have a hard time to tell things to people if I am in love or angry. Some are about wanting unconditional love. Love you read about in stories. Only my robots look for it. They seek it out and the humans take it for granted.”

Bryn Oh has her own Sim called Immersiva, donated by Dusan Writer, where she exposes her beautiful self.

So far she has had success as a real life artist, as well as virtual, in many exhibitions out world; Nuit Blanche™ in Paris last year, Through the Virtual Looking Glass™ in April all around the world, and now at Expo 2010 Shanghai in China in The Pavilion of Madrid.

Even if she tells me she wont exists anymore if the first life of her would shadow her as Bryn Oh she herself the avatar has an impact and is affecting the First Life of her.

Daughter of Gears and Rabbicorn

“I do make encaustic music box insects; some were shown in a Boston Gallery last month. They are influenced by second life. I can show you a short video of them.”

She hands me the link with the words

“This is the music box works Liza. The movie shows how they work”.

http://brynoh.blogspot.com/2010/04/through-virtual-looking-glass.html

“My creations within Bryn Oh are very melancholic and sad. They are about being disposed of or becoming obsolete. They are robots who look for love while humans take this for granted.”

She smiles a bit and adds

“She is a “coffee filter” for my mind.”

“One reason I don’t involve my First Life identity with Bryn Oh is that perhaps my family would become worried if they read into my narratives. The other reason is that Bryn Oh lives her own life and she develops her own ways and I don’t want to ruin this by letting people focus on my Real Life. You can believe in Bryn Oh as a character if I am not connected. You can believe in the marionette as long as you don’t see someone controlling it. Once you see that person the suspension of disbelief is gone.”

So far she succeeds in this. Not even the Press Centre of Shanghai Expo 2010 is revealing the true identity of the creator of Bryn Oh.

What is this Sim “No Colour” about to you?

"For me it has its own meaning. I place different narratives around. One is of the Owl and Mouse™, another is of some rabbits whose story I am still writing. The third and final is a build called Vessels Dream™ which is about fading memories and the desire to recede from society to find solitude.

The overall theme of the five World Expo islands is based off of a narrative written by Aino Baar. Each island is missing something. This island is missing colour. When you whisper a wish to the tree the idea is that colour returns. This is shown by my shopping carts turning into the trees of Soror Nishi by a script created by Desdemona Enfield."

"The shopping carts are a symbol to me of a disappeared society. In my work they often are left strewn about like bones of animals. The people are gone who shopped with them, yet there is almost an echo of families talking, children laughing and bustle."

Bryn Oh spreads before me on the ground some of her poems.

“This will help you get an idea of my work”

It’s the Rabbicorn™ Story, The story of the Daughter of Gears™, Angler Girl™ and poems about pixel life and love inside Second Life.

Liza in the lap of Steel Moon Heart

Bryn Oh creates her story from poems into exhibitions, machinima´s and books.

The Rabbicorn and the Daughter of Gears characters are beneath one of the streetlights of this world where the soil is of metal and shopping carts are everywhere. It is an abandoned world, like a big metal churchyard.

There is a book on the second part of the story, but the first one is only in poems, machinimas at YouTube™ and blip.tv™ and in world. Bryn Oh tells me the third part of this story will be made on a Sim for IBM™ in October 2010.

The story is very sad. The Rabbicorn is made by a scientist who then gives her to a man for his boy’s birthday. All the other robots made at this time are soldiers meant for war, but the Rabbicorn is made with the ability to think and feel emotions. At the end of this boy’s life Scientists arrive to capture the fabled Rabbicorn and the old boy tells her to flee. He realizes that the scientists only wish to take her apart to see what’s within. Later on her trip she meets the Daughter of Gears. In Bryn's words "A mother has a sick daughter. Her daughter is slowly dying and the mother can not bear to lose her. As her daughter's life begins to depart she transfers her daughter’s soul into the body of a machine so that she will remain. The people from around hear of her rebirth into a machine and believe the daughter to be an abomination. A mob comes to the tower where they live to take the daughter away from her. The mother will never let them do this and brings her daughter to the top. The mob eventually arrives and she fights them like a mother would. In her fury and fear she defeats them, but is mortally wounded. As she lay dying she realizes that when she is gone her Daughter will live alone and lonely for eternity. As an outcast. Upon her mothers death the daughter of gears goes into stand-by mode much like a computer does. In her stand-by she forever relives the memories of her mother."

At the landing point at the beach of this island the first thing you see is an owl and a mouse dragging a steel moon after them. The big moon carries a gramophone within her heart that plays an old song about love and romance. You can sit in the lap of her heart and listen to this tune. I Liza love this. It is my favourite place in my world of pixels right now.

Bryn Oh (by Liza Veliz)

"That sculpture is called Mouse drawn Owl and they are characters with a narrative. Many of my sculptures have stories hidden inside them and this one does as well. If you click inside the owl’s chest it will play this poem.

They escaped the test lab without a sound

Over dead leaves and past the Robo Hounds

Fleeing nothing felt

And conveyor belts

A mouse on rusted wheels

An Owl programmed to feel

Knowing of a concept called free

And attaching it to the Sea

They both are robots created in a laboratory. Each was programmed to feel emotion. They flee that cold place and search for freedom. But for them the meaning of freedom is only from an overheard conversation about a vacation by the sea."

First thing to do when you visit this exhibition is to click the big sign at the landing point. You will then get a note card with directions on how to change your sky settings so you can see the worlds as Bryn Oh intended you to do. Next thing is to watch carefully the surroundings. And search for things. Bryn Oh loves to hide stuff from you. In the black structure behind the hill on opposite side of this island you will find Vessel’s Dream™. Here you must use your camera to get it all. Same trick goes for most of Bryn Oh´s art. Check the YouTube and her own website. She is instructive in showing how to get into the goodies to explore in her machinimas.

Did I mention the Whisper Tree? That’s what is common in each Sim and it is based upon an old legend with the same name. I assume you know that machinima is video created in 3D with avatars in virtual world.

No Colour Island

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Utopia03/27/98/23

Video from the Sim No Colour;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TShnuZ8UwCU Stay with me

Poems mentioned in the text;

http://blip.tv/file/2334264 Daughter of Gears story

http://blip.tv/file/3106327 Rabbicorn

Some of the poetry Bryn Oh lay out on the ground;

http://blip.tv/file/2435685 Willow™

http://blip.tv/file/2117132/ Angler Girl

http://blip.tv/file/2715180 irrevocably™

http://blip.tv/file/2701783 Vessels Dream

http://blip.tv/file/2792708 Condo’s in Heaven™

A poem I Liza love;

http://blip.tv/file/3200914 26 tines™

The machinima shown at World Expo 2010;

http://brynoh.blip.tv/ Bryn Oh – World Expo Shanghai Shown in the Madrid Pavilion

Bryn Oh blog

http://brynoh.blogspot.com/

Reporting for PressPass,my name is Liza Veliz
Ty for reading and feel free to comment!

The Hidden Romania

2010-05-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

Tue 05/18/10

This is an article about the country Romania told by the real person behind one of SL's avatar who lives there in real life.
She also uses her own pictures to make it even more unique!
The avatar's name is reporter,Marrie Helendale
Enjoy :)

Brasov

I will start by asking you what comes into your mind when you hear this country’s name? Still thinking?... Maybe you have heard of Dracula, Transylvania, Bucharest, People’s House, Hagi, Mutu, Nadia Comaneci… Here is Romania how I see it
I start this virtual tour from the same location I started my first life journey: Brasov. As I was born in a mountain medieval town. I’ve always been attracted to such places and thank God there are plenty in my country.
I love this city, it’s old style buildings and it’s calm. You don’t see the rush like in big crowded cities and can enjoy the view of snowy or green mountains even from the window. A curiosity of this city: it has the narrowest street in Eastern Europe. No wonder why I missed it all the time when I was looking for it, but after a long search finally I found it. Woot!
A good weekend trip is a hike on the surrounding mountains (Piatra Mare Mountain) or through the forest path till Poiana Brasov, a winter resort where ski fans come. I tried once to take skiing lessons, but the falls made me head to the skating rink.
From a place called “Belvedere”, on the road side to Poiana Brasov this time, there’s a lovely view of the city and can observe the old citadel up on the hill and its fortifications, now known as the old town.
The most popular place in Brasov is “Piata Sfatului” (Council Square), which has its name from the old city hall in the center, and “Biserica Neagra” (Black Church), an old Gothic church which got its name cause it has burned and it was all covered in black smoke. A similar destiny had “Turnul Negru” (Black Tower). This is the place where all the people have a rest after a shopping session either sitting by the fountain or at a cafe's terrace enjoying a flavored cup of coffee, a beer or an ice cream.

Brasov picture 2

Time to jump into the car, fasten seat belts and hit the roads. Next stop: Bran. On our way there we pass through Rasnov where we can observe the fortress from up on the left hill. When I visited the fortress I was touched at the sight of a cage which you could say it’s a birds cage, but it’s dimensions say it was not, but rather a prisoner’s cage. Of course in SL I’ve seen plenty of those, but the feel is different when seeing a real one.
Bran. The name does not say much, isn’t it? Just wait we go forth a bit and wonders will be vanished when the great castle arises in front. Also known as Dracula’s castle this was actually the home of Vlad Tepes aka Vlad the Impaler. He is known by this name cause he used to be very cruel to the thieves and traitors whom he used to torture and kill by hanging them on spikes. Bloody, isn’t it? Well he inspired Bram Stoker to write the book which we all know.
From here we continue the trip to Sibiu, which I like to say it’s Brasov’s twin brother cause they are much alike. Of course this is my opinion, others may not share it. Anyways…
Sibiu, since 2007, is known as an European Cultural Capital. Each year here are taking part different art events. I chose to go with my buddies to the ArtMania rock music Festival. If you come with your sweetheart in Sibiu, don’t make promises on “Podul Minciunilor” (Lies Bridge), but ask a local citizen to tell you the story of it.
And cause I mentioned of festivals, one very popular is the Medieval Festival from the beautiful citadel Sighisoara, where the shining armor knights still meet the princesses, the troubadours charm with their songs, the painters reveal pretty portraits and scenery, and the merchants lure you to buy their old style souvenirs. And cause you are in the 21th century there are some modern influences like the rock concerts and the youngsters gather around guitar guys playing folk or rock songs. Eeeh, memories... /me smiles
Back on Earth. We are in Sibiu and we go North-West now, to Alba Iulia.
On our way we’ll have a stop to Sarmisegetuza Regia, the oldest fortress in Romania, from where Romania’s history began with our ancesters the Dacians. Now there are only a few rocks reminding of what once was and like any fortress they are well guarded by the mountains. To see them, must endure a one hour trip on foot on a forest path. Sarmisegetuza is now one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites along with Sigisoara, medieval fortified churches of Transylvania, painted monasteries of Bucovina and wooden churches of Maramures.
After the Roman wars in 101-102 and 105-106 the Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana, the Roman citadel arised not very far from here, in the valley.
Alba Iulia has also a very important place in our history. Here is where the actual Romania was born as a country by the union of the Romanian regions. The town still has a scent of old, coming from the star shaped fortress, the cathedrals and the Union National Museum, where Romania’s “birth certificate” was signed.
Not far from Alba Iulia there are Rametiului Gorges (“Cheile Rametiului”), a beautiful and mystical scenery only for the eyes of those who dare to face a rough way till there. This is the reason I mentioned of the “hidden” Romania, cause many beauties are hard to reach and not many mention about them.
Rametiului Gorges aren’t the only ones in Romania. Other great gorges are “Cheile Bizacului” and “Cheile Nerei”. We will continue our trip heading to the Nera’s Gorges with one stop to Corvin’s Castle.
A medieval castle, not as luxurious as Peles Castle from Sinaia, but majestic and much older, Corvin’s Castle (“Castelul Corvinestilor” or “Castelul Huniazilor”) takes you back in time wishing you were walking around the noblemen and court ladies.

Corvin's Castle

From Corvin’s Castle our road crosses Resita, an industrial town where the first steam locomotive was built. Now it is sitting on a pedestal in the Locomotive Museum. You cannot miss it as you can see it from the car too. I decided to stop though and take a closer look.
Finally arrived at Nera’s Gorges, a wild place and great for adventures in the nature. Pitty I didn’t have the time for them cause the place is vast and can’t cover it all in one day. I still could see the Beusnita Waterfall which I was unlucky to see it dry cause of the lack of rains, but still gorgeous. It made me think of a rainforest. All the way, on the other side of the gorges there is Devil’s Lake (“Lacul Dracului”), of a fascinating blue-green water color and known with this name due to the legend which goes like this:
Once upon a time… there was a prince and a beautiful princess…. Oh bummer, that’s not the right story. Hehe. It actually goes like this:
It is said that the devil himself drown in that lake after a bet he made with a peasant / shepherd who was feeding the goats on a meadow nearby. The devil bet that the peasant couldn't fry a fish and stop it from bending. The peasant accepted with the condition that the devil fries him a goat head without making it to grin. The devil accepts the dare. So our peasant takes the fish and shoves a stick into the fish, then fries it and the fish remains straight. When his turn comes, the devil puts a goat's head on a stick to fry it and after a while the mouth stretches and lets the teeth show. Out of anger, the devil jumped in the lake.
Another local legend says that the lake has no bottom and it has many underground tunnels and those who dare to swim in it, are never coming back. I saw a tv show about that place and there were some divers who tried their luck though. They didn’t die, but they said the lake is dangerous so don’t try your luck in it.
Nature is in the same time gracious, strange and also dangerous. I like a lot to go on trips in the nature and Romania is gifted with all sorts of reliefs. From high mountains to the Delta Danube and sea shore. Most of my trips are on the mountains though and Bucegi is the most visited. I also been visiting Piatra Mare, Ciucas and Piatra Craiului. A strange place is represented by the Mud Volcanos from Berca, Buzau County.
There are many natural reservations and one is in Bucegi. There you may see some wild splendors like crocuses, edelweiss, black goats, bears, etc. Beware though of the bears, they have also become citizens of the near towns. They came down from the mountains looking for food and sometimes trashing and attacking tourists’ tents and camps. I was lucky be in the car when I passed near a momma bear and her cub. If I were on foot I think I would have fainted, a pretty good way to play dead J.
And speaking of food, this time for humans, a few Romanian traditional food I like are “ciorba de perisoare” (meatball sour soup), “ciorba de burta” (beef belly soup), “mititei” or “mici” (meat rolls on barbeque), “varza calita” (cabbage dish) and papanasi (a specialty of donuts with sourcream and jam). A custom of country people is to eat bacon with onion and drink “tuica” or “palinca” (brandy most times made from plums) as an appetitive at breakfast or in the short breaks from the hard peasant’s work. In most places in Transylvania you find yummy kurtos kalacs. It’s a Hungarian specialty though, cause there are large Hungarian communities. The rest of the specialties I will let you discover yourself.

Ciucas Mount

When you come in Romania you won’t be very pleased of the roads and if you are the driver you will have quite an adventure, but one not to be missed is Transfagarasan. It is spectacular due to it’s altitude and difficulty. It crosses the highest mountains in Romania (Fagaras Mountains) which makes it the highest road too (at around 2000 meters). Have a break at Balea Lake and enjoy the view, from here the road looks like a snake crawling. Mind it’s closed in winter time due to the snow danger, so you won’t have any surprises.

Nera's Gorges - Devil's Lake

Sarmisegetuza - Ulpia Traiana

Here ends my virtual tour for now. I hope you enjoyed the trip and if you wish to hear more stories, you may find me inworld or better have them told by a local on a trip in Romania.

Multumesc (that is thank you)
Feel free to comment :)

Reporting for Press Pass Media, my name is Marrie Helendale

A Look Into The Cool Viewer

2010-05-17T02:38:00.000-07:00

Mon 05/17/10

Are you hesitant of downloading the latest SL Viewer from Linden Labs 2.0?
Hearing the negative comments spoken by current users?
Are you a current user of the latest SL Viewer 2.0?
Tired of the learning curve and new layout of it? Well, have I got news for you. I received a notice from the Starwalkers Group written by Ellendir Khandr on the latest viewer called Cool Viewer.

Now, I have been one of those resistant to upgrading from my version 1.20.
Call me crazy, but hearing all those talk about loosing items made me hug my inventory so tight you would have to tie me down kicking to upgrade.
The reason for my upgrading, honestly, was the new feature allowing your shoes to be worn without an invisprim.

Inventory

Now, with the Cool Viewer you need to have the Linden Labs Second Life (LLSL) Viewer 1.23 installed on your computer already. Do not remove this. If you don't have this version, but an older one (like I did), you do need to upgrade to it.
Once you have, or if you have, 1.23, you download the Cool Viewer and install it.
This executable file will install into your Second Life program file and basically lie on top of the LLSL Viewer.
To download and install the LLSL Viewer 1.23 use this link -http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/.
To read about and install Cool Viewer use this link - http://sldev.free.fr/.
Now this link has all the information you need to read about and install versions for Windows and Linux.
If you want to install for Mac OS use this link - http://hyangreflections.blogspot.com/.

Area Search

Now you are wondering why you should do this. Well, to put it simply, the Cool Viewer will turn the LLSL Viewer 1.23 into the LLSL Viewer 2.0 and best part is....it will be the same viewer layout as 1.23.
So, no big learning curve to find where everything is.
The layout of your search, inventory, communication, preferences is the same.
Now, there are a few new layout features.
For instance, at the bottom menu bar your groups, friends, snapshot and build options now have a spot there. Also, the inventory search is more expansive and there is a built in radar. Also, in the inventory tab, not only do you have your standard inventory list and recent items tab, but you also have a worn items tab - this makes it easier to see what you're wearing without having to type worn in the inventory tab search.
Now, this is just a short preview of all the information and I highly recommend you visiting http://sldev.free.fr/ to learn more.

Animated Radar

Another feature is the implementation of RestrainedLove features which are disabled by default so you won't notice any difference with a "normal" viewer till you enable them manually.
RestrainedLove is aimed at BDSM fans in SL who wish to enhance their experience by letting other people (such as their owners) take control of some of their abilities.
In order to use its features, the Dom/me has to operate items (typically restraints) that the sub wears, but only the sub needs to use this viewer in that situation.
To learn more about this feature, please use the following link - http://sldev.free.fr/RestrainedLoveReadme.txt

Animated Preferences

Hope this helps in providing another option to using the latest features of the LLSL Viewer 2.0 without actually using it.

*Note: All pictures provided from the Cool Viewer website at http://sldev.free.fr/ *

Ty for reading, my name is Jen Tafler, reporting for Press Pass Media

Club Surge Grand Opening and 12 hour RFL Event!

2010-05-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Fri 05/14/10

Live Music Stage at Club Surge

On Tuesday, May 11 Club Surge opened their doors for a grand opening party.
The club, owned by business owner/entrepreneur Scorpinosis Nightfire, made a grand gesture and donated all proceeds from their 12 hour event to The Relay for Life (RFL) Charity Organization.
In the 12 hour period, Club Surge and their staff and guests raised over L$20K. Even the scheduled DJs donated their time to this wonderful event in support of The RFL.
The DJs who donated their time were Cupcake Aero, Silvercloud Destiny, Layandria Sweetwater, Ired Runningbear, Demoneka Daehlie and Nani Xue.

Scorpinosis Nightfire and Nani Xue

The opening day was led by DJ Cupcake, rocking tunes from country to rock and dance to Top 40 music. In attendance was none other than Scorpinosis himself and host Nani Xue.
Club Surge is open to all types of music, making this location a great place to listen and support all forms of music.

The layout is open and bright, an inviting space with a runway type dance floor.
The outer areas support local businesses but keeping it to a minimum.
This helps with lag issues while you are partying. : )
There is a stage to one side, also making this a great place for the live music scene.

DJ Cupcake and event attendees

A bit about the Relay for Life organization.
This organization is the American Cancer Society's signature fund raising activity.
In both worlds, it offers people to come together in an opportunity to bring awareness, much needed funds and support in the fight against one of the world's biggest health concerns, Cancer.
In Second Life, this annual event takes place in July each year bringing volunteers to form teams to have fun and walk a track just like in Real Life, meet those in similar situations, share and raise awareness and fund raise to provide funding for Cancer research and supporting programs for those living with or taking care of someone with Cancer.
In 2009, The Relay for Life campaign raised $274,000 for the American Cancer Society.
As well, there we participants from over 26 countries taking part in this campaign in 2009, making it an international movement. And now with the bridged gap between Second Life and Real Life, this event is a historical achievement.

To learn more about the Relay for Life organization in Real Life and to find out how you can help, please visit http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=25620.
In Second Life, please visit http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/secondlifedonations.

Airshot of Club Surge and shopping district

Biography on Mr. Scorpinosis Nightfire.
Owner of NightFire Entertainment, a entertainment, branding, marketing and public relations company. Nightfire Entertainment is the parent company for Club Surge, Club Olympia, The Success in Life Owners' Alliance, Spotlight TV, The DJ Nation, Club Cleopatra's and Nu Vibez Magazine.
All forms of media including film, music, literature, goods and services are presented in both Second Life and Real Life.
Nightfire Entertainment has a local Second Life office for in-world representation.
Here is the SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mackinac%20Island/142/63/22

My name is Jen Tafler, reporting for Press Pass Media

Exploring Musicians in SL™ with Nathalie Ember !

2010-05-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

Mon 05/03/10

Hey gang! Nathalie your addicted shopper here to ask you a question..., What are you doin' tonight??...Don't know?, Not sure?.....
What are you waiting for? Put on that "posh frock" and let's go dance!
Let's go to one of those clubs that are specialists in presenting SL musicians performing on their stages.
If you haven't noticed, a new musical industry is here. It's growing fast. SL Musicians. They are here now. They are here to stay.

Ok, you're ready?...Looking fabulous? Now, where to!........Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Zak Claxton. He has been in business a while now and recently released an album on December 11 2009.
Zak is the American type of folk singer who does really well in the Second Life virtual setting.
His experience drove him to record those songs he played everywhere on SL stages.
Learn more about Zak at his website: http://zakclaxton.com

Zak Claxton

On the European side of SL is now a great guy who works very hard.
This guy, Jay Hurikan, is the owner of a company called Cisum Webzine, whose full interview we previously published right here at Oi Magazine blog (see our archives)
At Cisum, Jay, with some great sponsors like DXExchange, OI Magazine, Moolto and several others are presenting four shows a day from 10 am SLT to 6 pm SLT.
Some very talented artists have walked on stage there to do their life performance.
Cisum guarantees fees for the artists for some great special events. Geos Copperfield, Elvina Carlucci, Ciske Crumb, RB Hamelin, Chapman Zane... Yeah!, so much music all on the same sim.
Since April, Cisum has extended their hours from 10am to 6pm .
Hope you will enjoy it, Jay said with fire in his eyes, " I suggest you to have a visit at Cisum on the sim an get dancing while attending a great life performance"

Cisum Webzine
SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kissena%20Park/14/170/22

Here are a couple of ladies that are truly my "faves", Lazy Mistwood (LazynOva) and Foxylady Pegasi. They were forming a beautiful duet, the softness of their voice brought fresh air to my ears.
They represent the new generation of SL musicians.
I suggest you give them a listen at: www.myspace.com/lazynova
I'm betting these two will have a great career as on SL and in real life.
"Let's go girls.....we are behind you and need you on SL. SL fans need some heros as well as we need in real life!"...Opps,..hehe..I love these gals!

LazynOva and Foxilady

Chapman Zane is another great one I like a lot.
With his great folk music and ballads he really knows how to makes you enter in his world. His melodic voice and his "pickin" just puts me into orbit!.
Chap released his first album in 2007 titled "Other Side Of My Heart", soon to be available on SL. Other Side Of My Heart is an eclectic mix of acoustic and electric jangle.
In February 2010, Chap will begin work on his second album, code named "Moonbow".
With the gracious and beautiful Ceithlan by his side, Chapman is performing on different stages on SL, always offering night after night a really great entertaining show.
www.myspace.com/chapmanjones

Chapman Zane

OnlyHalfCrazy Gumbo started singing when she was very young and she admitted being in music has brought her all the fun she needs to survive.
Every time she is on a stage she give all she can to provide her best performances.
Pure music, that is what she is made for.
She is offering, for your pleasure, a large amount of cover songs from several artists.
You can find her myspace at http://www.myspace.com/onlyhalfcraze

OnlyHalfCrazy Gumbo

Mack Humbridge is a great rock guitarist.
Born in the Central USA he knows how to make his guitar sing classic, modern and bluesy rock like hell.! You won't believe your ears.
I highly suggest that you stop by to hear him and dance dance dance and rock all night long.
I love him! http://black.neostreams.info:810

Mack Humbridge

Some recent studies report that people are at their computer for more hours then they are watching television every day.
Looks like the Internet is here to stay and it can be a real showcase for established and upcoming musicians.
Kisses....

Reporting for PressPass blog, my name is Nathalie Ember

Lacie Beningborough and The Catalyst of Fantasy™

2010-04-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Sun 04/25/10

The Catalyst of Fantasy (COF) isn't just a modeling agency, or a modeling school, or a fashion sim.
COF is all of the above.
The founder of this amazing, multi-faceted institution is Lacie Beningborough, a former model and now a successful businesswoman.

Lacie Beningborough

I had the good fortune to meet with Lacie on the beautiful grounds of the COF Academy.
We settled ourselves on comfy chairs shaped like lovely stiletto shoes and had a fun chat that included gestures, amusing stories, and some serious points about Second Life®'s ever-changing fashion industry.

She is lovely and has a bubbly personality that made me feel right at home.
And I have to say the shoe chairs set the tone for a classroom atmosphere that would make learning a joy.
Her objective from the very beginning has been to make fashion fun.

Lacie started COF in August of 2009 with the goal of being different.
She achieved that and more.
As much as she has enjoyed running COF over the past few months, recent events in her personal life have prompted her to sell.
The sale is currently pending.

COF Classroom

Lacie on Stiletto Chair

"This past winter my son was in a terrible accident and I had to take time off SL to go and be with him," Lacie told me.
"It was the darkest time in my life I suspect.
Fortunately, he has made a wonderful recovery and is well."

And now that he has recovered, Lacie is involved in a major move that's putting her within a five-hour drive from the city.
"We have a lovely little cottage on a lake and I am not entirely sure of the internet connection."
However, she's sure she can figure out a way to get it, even if she has to hook it up herself.

I asked her if she planned to continue her involvement with COF and she said, "Yes. I have been asked to stay on as COO and I have said yes.
I still love to create the shows, but this way my time is still mine."

Lacie's fashion shows are unique and entertaining.
"I have an RL background in fashion and fashion shows.
In RL, fashion shows are extreme," she told me.
"They have coined a term about my shows.
They call them 'Fashion Theater.'
I think they should be entertaining so that everyone on the grid, regardless of interest, would enjoy them."

Now that her business has sold, she's hoping she'll have more time to fully experience more of what SL has to offer the fashion industry.
"I have my head buried so deeply here working that I never get the chance to get out there and see what others are doing."

I've noticed with most of the fashion shows I've attended that lag is always a major issue, so I asked how she deals with it.
"We reduce draw distance... remove all prims from the screen so we look bald and darn near naked to ourselves, but to others we are fully dressed," she explained.
"But sometimes it cannot be avoided."

Lacie, close up

"We did a show once where the dresses alone had an ARC of over 18 K.
The models rocked it, purposely bald this time, with no jewelry or shoes, but awesome skins."
It was the precise look the show needed to reflect the style of the designs.
Grinning, she admitted no one knew it wasn't planned.
"The models here are true pros and they work around (lag) every time.
They performed the show like this because they couldn't move any other way."
She said it was a riot, but it worked.

"You gotta laugh, right?" Lacie said.
"That is the philosophy I built COF on.
This is, after all, a game, yes?
Games should be fun.
If you are not having fun then you need to re-think why you are here."

I asked her what her most unique and unusual show has been and she said, "Phantom of the Opera was awesome.
We worked with a creator of a couples animator to custom-make the walk the models used.
We rented a sim for the audience.
Sky Galaxy came in and performed the Phantom of the Opera theme."

When I asked Lacie how she comes up with her show ideas, she jokingly told me, "I stop taking my anti-psychotic medication and they just come to me."
I love her sense of humor!
But honestly, she says the designers inspire her.
"I get a feel for what they are trying to portray and then I just go with that."

"I mean, you can't put formal wear in a biker theme, can you?"
A few seconds later, she said, "Well, dang, yes you can!
This is SL, where you can do anything.
The whole idea is to have fun, enjoy yourself and have a good time."

"Modeling has changed since COF came around," Lacie said.
"You see a lot more funky skins and hairs in shows now.
I don't know if that is because of COF or if we just came in on the start of change, but if you ask me I will say it is because of COF."

Then she told me she loved my ears, as I am an elf, an example of the alternate styles and fashion that exist in SL.
"They are adorable," she said, making me blush.
"That is what SL is all about.
Why be normal?
We are normal in RL.
Well, some of us are anyway."
And then she smiled.
I asked what she advises models do to create a unique style.
"The deal is to not be afraid.
Don't worry about what your buddy is going to think or say, just have FUN, experiment.
Try new things."

Like wearing work boots with a formal gown? I asked her.

"YES!" she said.
"Why not?
Hollywood does.
The key for me is, why conform?
And if you are conforming… who are you conforming to and why?"
She went on to add, "When I started modeling eons ago, it was ALL about conforming, blending in, not standing out, and frankly it ticked me off big time.
Because it really is all about sticking out and not blending in."

So this prompted me to ask about shapes.
I wanted to know how, and why, a model chose a specific kind of shape because I've never had any shape other than the noob av SL first gave me.
I just sculpted it to fit how I wanted it to look.
"Ooh! You have done very well then.
Include a pic of yourself in the article because that is impressive.
You have proven the original can be tweaked... shapemakers beware, the secret is out!"
However, she actually advises anyone looking for a good shape to seek out a custom shapemaker and have one designed just for you.
"If you want to be yourself, you need a good shapemaker, or buy an off-the-rack one and modify it.
But never, never, never buy a no-mod shape."
A custom shape can cost anywhere from 5k to 15k.

I asked Lacie if she was the main teacher at the COF Academy, and she said, "No, that would be Glitter Bolissima."
She gave me the academy's class outline and its 3 tiered structure: Beginner Class, Advanced Class, and Advanced Elite Class.
The Elite class offers photography, choreography, creating your own poses, staging and more.
Advanced Elite classes are only offered once a week.
Lacie created Elite because she feels the less you need to rely on others, the better off you'll be, and this class teaches a model to be prepared for just about anything.

Regarding the COF Agency, Lacie is very firm about not allowing inflated egos into the fold.
"I tell all new model hires that I am the ONLY diva at COF.
If you need special attention or pull a tude.... I am certain other agencies are hiring.
Feel free to go there."
What a great policy.

Not only does Lacie run a successful agency and modeling school, she also represents a couple of SL musical artists, Bruce Scrabblebrat and Blue4U Nowicka.
I'm overwhelmed by how multitalented she is.

Even though Lacie no longer owns COF, rest assured she will remain at the helm and continue to produce wonderful fashion theater and help introduce new models to SL™'s fashion world.
Thank you, Lacie, for being such a delightful interview and putting a smile on my face.
And thank you, dear readers, for your continued support of the Oi Magazine blog.

Chalice Piers,reporting for Oi Magazine blog

Meet & Greet with top model Candylicious Forster !

2010-04-19T05:58:00.000-07:00

Mo 04/19/10

Candylicious Forster portrait 1

Greetings, fellow Fashionistas and those interested or fascinated by the immensely popular fashion world, get ready to learn a lot about the industry by the insight of one of Second Life®'s top fashion models in the business, Candylicious Forster.

Candy granted me an interview and invited me to her beautiful home, where we had a friendly chat that revealed her beauty goes beyond skin deep.

When I arrived at Candy's home in the early afternoon, I rezzed within an elegantly decorated living room with large windows that revealed a manicured landscape.
I sat in a luxuriant white armchair near an aquarium filled with tropical fish, and Candy seated herself in the twin chair beside me.
As a reporter I was also naturally eager to hear about her life as a model and about the industry she'd enthusiastically become a part of.

Candy portrait 2

Candy came into SL™ on May 5, 2008, having come previously from another virtual world called redlightcenter™
She wasn't in SL long before she was approached by the co-owners and CEO's of Classic W/Style™, a high-end modeling agency.
They invited her to compete in the Miss Hawaii 2009 Pageant™, where she was awarded second runner up.
Not bad for her first time.^^
She attended the Classic W/Style Academy and graduated in December 2009.

Chalice Piers,Oi reporter with Candylicious Forster

"In my first life, I'm a 23-year-old law student," Candy told me.
"My family are all lawyers and I am an only child.
My RL goal is to become a business lawyer specialized in copyright law."

So when Candy first started in Second Life, modeling was the last thing on her mind. But that changed after her Miss Hawaii Pageant experience.
Since then, she has participated in over 12 fashion shows, was 2nd runner up to Ms Show Girl 2009™, was Ms Photogenic™ in Ms Show Girl 2009, was Ms. Too Sexy 2010 Cover Girl™, and a variety of other accolades too numerous to mention in the limited space of this blog.
However, you can view a list of Candy's accomplishments on her website http://www.wix.com/candyliciousForster/candy

Candy in bikini photoshoot

I expressed concern over her busy schedule of juggling law school and her SL modeling career.
She assured me it isn't a problem. "It's extremely organized in SL, so if you know this (fashion) industry in RL , it's identical to what we have here in SL."

Candy said, "I have visited some campuses in SL in the fashion industry that truly impressed me.
The creativity of the designers comes from every part of the world and imposes on this industry to be professional."

Though Candy manages her time well, she has no social life. "I rarely go dancing or have a date in SL because my focus is modeling and success," she said. "Modeling is not just a pose or motion we do on the run way. It's a dedication to the love and passion of fashion and style."

There is extensive training involved in becoming a SL model. "We do a fashion show at least once a week, mainly Saturdays, and sometimes we have Thursday shows too," Candy told me.
"Our CEO, Ms Anrol Anthony, is one of the most creative cat walk designers in formation that I know. Every week, every fashion show, she changes formations, changes the runway place, and she keeps all models on their toes.
A good model will practice on her own too so that she can memorize formations and what is needed."

Candy is now attending Avenue Academy™ for the additional knowledge she'll gain of the fashion and modeling industry. She said, "I want to learn from the best."

For the interest of blog readers, I asked about the costs involved in training to be a model.
Candy told me the tuition for a good SL modeling school has a broad range so she advises the schools be contacted directly for a quote.
Scholarships exist for those who are serious about pursuing a modeling career but who lack the funds to pay for it themselves.

"Modeling is not about making money," Candy said. "Not in SL at least. Not even for the designers, who don't make much money either."

Candy said running a modeling academy is extremely hard work as she often sees her school's CEOs online round the clock. "They do it for the passion and their ambition of fulfilling their dreams."

While talking about SL designers, Candy said, "I swear I know some of the most famous designers in SL, and if you knew what type of work they do in RL you would be shocked. Having the creativity but not the means to create is what brings them to SL where they can make their dreams a reality."

Candy told me about a recent styling contest she was in that had a Neko theme. "That day I said I didn't want to look like the normal Neko outfits all over SL, I want to be different. So I went to a place that makes shapes and skin of Neko. When I tried the demo I looked like a midget and that is a no-no in the industry." So she worked with the maker to create a shape and skin that was modifiable so it would fit model requirements. But in spite of her efforts and expense, she did not win.
Perfection is the name of the game in these competitions, and Candy lost because one of her eyelashes was inside her eye. That's how close the judges look for imperfections.

If someone is interested in getting into modeling, how should they start?

Candy in gown photoshoot

Candy had this to say: "First they must truly love fashion and understand the styling concepts.
They must have a friendly attitude and be able to spend at least four hours a day of extensive training.
They can either attend a modeling college or an academy." Then she added, "Recomendations are important as is socializing with everyone in the industry. Learn from everything around you because we can't let ignorance rule our minds or expect to be the best because there will always be someone better."

But it doesn’t stop there. "Get involved in blogging, Facebook™, Moolto™, Pixilook™, and read all these magazines we have all over SL about fashion.
They give a lot of insight into this industry.
In fact, modeling agencies don't depend on magazines only. There are Youtube™ videos on the net from SL and a lot of the designers have their own websites."

Candy has her own videos, too. You can view them at http://www.youtube.com/user/ClassicwithStyle#p/u/0/YPYFMD-8GVo and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHd7Qt5bNmA

Candy's favorite designers are Jador Fashion™, Joy Fellini™, Violator™, Utopia Fashion™, 24 Shoo Shoes™, Red passion™, Bliss Couture™, and Versace™.
She usually gets paid for modeling by being allowed to keep the outfits she models.

Candy would like to pass on a quote to our readers: "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
This is a quote taken from Elizabeth Kübler-Ross.

Thank you, Candy, for such a delightful interview! And thank you, readers, and like to thank our guest as well for this interview , top fashion model Candylicious Forster

My name is Chalice Piers,reporting for Oi Magazine blog

Portrait of CisumWebzine™ CEO, Jay Hurikan

2010-04-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

lMon 04/12/10

Long time ago I was searching for RL Musicians inside SL and found ZenMag™, a stage for them.
None was around that time, but when I took the landmark half a year later someone was there.
Not the ava I was searching for, but the ava Jay Hurikan.
It turned out it was the man I was looking for anyway. The man behind (Jérémy Vallauri in Real World) is the former owner of ZenMag and now the CEO of CisumWebzine and their stage for RL Musicians inside SecondLife™.

Since am a curious creature I of course have to ask Jay how come..

Jay tells me; “I decided to make a new avatar when started up the new business with CisumWebzine. ZenMag never worked as an idea so I gave it up.
Now at CisumWebzine I do it all for pleasure instead of hoping for money.”

Me and Jay Hurikan (L) sitting on stage

“I went into this business with mine old employer Jénzine Magazine, an RL webzine that was coming inworld to check for artists.
My job was to search for musicians inworld.
When Jénzine Webzine more or less went off SL I got the idea I would create a webzine myself.”

His passion for music began at the age of 8th, when he was given an album of Guns n´ Roses™ from his cousin. In Real Life he likes metal, nu hard metal, and his favourite bands besides them are Silverschair™, Pantera™ and Bumblefoot™.
And he likes English pubs!

So there goes mine idea of him as a hip hop man in RL to the sky. **Liza is laughing**
NO rap in them ears of Jérémy, he tells me. Nono.

Jay Hurikan relaxes by playing drums in Real Life.
He has been a drummer since he bought his first one at the age of 19.
A 30 year old drum of ASAMA it was, he remembers^^ But his favourite drums are Pearl™.
“I have not been at stage before an audience ever, still a rookie on drums. Have played in several bands but never hit the stage. I tried to bring mine drums inside SL™, but it was too hard to stream them. Didn’t sound good enough, so I won´t. “
He also likes spending time with his friends and goes listen gigs.
And if he wants to feel really relaxed he sometimes takes some Temesta to relax.
That’s a medicine against anxiety.
“I don’t get that anymore, I used too few years ago though, but I still use the pills sometimes.”

“I try to be humble and respectful towards people, but sometimes it gets me into situations as the one a few weeks ago when I was proposed to by a man to come and rent land at his sim that was supposed to become a showcase sim in April.
I paid several thousand lindens in rent and then the guy banned me from the sim one week later when we were just set up and I didn’t get a refund.
I reported this to Linden’s but I don’t know what happened after this.
It’s a shame people like that are around. But I don’t think much upon it now.
I have laid it aside and moved forward.
The music venue and the webzine are working even better after this relapse so I don’t care anymore.”

Me in front of the Inworld HQ location of Cisum Webzine

Jay, or should I say Jérémy maybe, is facing same thing as the rest of us SL people are out there in RL, friends don’t understand why we are in this world.
His RL friends don’t come in world, they think of this as a computer game.

“When I get the RL Association it will be as any other company of RL and then maybe the attitude will change against CisumWebzine”.

It is RL as well as SL, that’s for sure.
Some of them musicians that have been on the stage are now signed up to real world labels. CisumWebzine always provide real musicians, there are people creating the sound behind their computers at every performance, no one streams a record and perform.
As Jay Hurikan loves real, this is an of course fact.

And he is not anyone else in his avatar either, its same guy both worlds always.
“I hate role-play and don’t like fake people.”

Jay on the run

SO what does he do in Second Life for relaxing in world then?
“I am far to busy with Cisum Magazine to do anything else in world.
This is what I find fun to do.
I used to DJ for a month or so to bring in some cash to the magazine, but to be awake till 7 for just to play some records and hardly even get tipped wasn’t worth it. It is fun to dj though.
I also worked as club manager for a month or so with a club, but the owner demanded too much and was asking for too much and fired me even if I was doing a good job.
I also started a mall, JLC Live Event, with some friends, that’s were CisumWebzine started, but since am not at all interested in fashion I broke free from one day to another.
This I do now is what I want to do. I don’t want to waste money or energy on things that doesn’t give me inner satisfaction.

“CisumWebzine I don’t mind spending between 200-400 Euros a month doing, and mine hope is that more sponsors wants to invest a little by little.
We do have DX Exchange™ sponsoring by paying the musicians of two events a month and promoting us on the SL grid, event is announced through 350 ads boards and we are considered as official partner on their website.
And we have other we work with as partners such as Moolto™ and Oi Magazine, but of course I hope for more investors. Till then I pay and it is fun and satisfaction for me to do this, so I don’t mind.”

Even if Jay doesn’t look too much at what other music webzines do in world he is surely checked out by them.
Last week a big one came to him and made some suggestions about cooperation.
But Jay won’t let anyone in on his webzine. “It’s my baby” as he puts it.

Jay prefers musicians from America or Australia or England more then French musicians but he have favored some good ones he found; Fran6 Parkin, oldwolf Criss, Lazy Mistwood, Cedric Morigi, Scofi Robson and Ofely Bluebird.

Us At the interview table

“We have about 50 musicians a week at our stage, and altogether there have been 70 different ones working with us since the start of CisumWebzine.”
Jay, or Jérémy, lives in south of France and he assists me when I sometimes make interviews for CisumWebzine on French artists by translating.
Now I get the explanation.
His master plan was to become a translator when he first went to University.

“I was planning to become a translator and I took classes in Spanish and English and History, but then I spent more time at the University Club then at mine books so now am doing this instead. Fixing events and running the magazine”.
“If I would describe myself with a few words it would be dedicated to music from very young age and very energetic into mine project CisumWebzine.”

Visit Cisum Webzine online at this URL:
http://www.cisumwebzine.com/

Visit Cisum Webzine inworld at this SLURL :
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Select%20Complex/149/226/22

Liza Veliz, reporting for Oi Magazine blog

Magenta Plutonian Wins Oi's First Paparazzi Contest!

2010-04-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

Mon 04/12/10

We'd like to congratulate Magenta Plutonian, Oi's first Paparazzi Contest winner! We had some fabulous entries, and her photos were judged to be the best. The competition was tough, and we're looking forward to future contests that highlight some of the best photography talent in Second Life.®

I had an opportunity to interview Magenta after her win and she was gracious to answer my questions. Here's what she had to say:

Where are you from and how long have you been in Second Life?
MP (Magenta Plutonian): I am from, and still live in, Cornwall (I have traced my Cornish family tree back to the 1600's and it would seem I am Cornish to the bone).
Cornwall is the bottom tip of the UK, surrounded by beautiful beaches.
I have been in SL™ since November 2008 and was introduced to it by my RL partner.
I had no interest in this world to start with, but slowly it has absorbed me more and more.

Magenta Plutonian, Top Paparazzi Photographer, also now herself a celebrity

Are you a photographer or artist in your first life?
MP: When I left school, I was accepted into Art College, which I studied for two years and found that I had a flair for colour.
Funnily enough it has not followed me in my career as I work with teenagers in care.

What an awesome and noble vocation! What made you decide to enter Oi's Paparazzi Contest?
MP: I have entered a few competitions before and found quickly that I did not enjoy the popularity-type voting as I hate nagging my friends to vote and they end up paying L$5-10 for their trouble.
This contest had a little more interest to it, not just making it a picture-taking contest, but an endurance one.
*laughs* I know Adianna and myself both made some sacrifices to be online at the given time slots.
I think the new easier rules will open it up to many more entries.

(Oi Magazine management would like to add that voters were never charged for voting in our contest,always completely free as we have sponsors like PurpleMoon Creations and more, supplying winners like Magenta their winning prize of 10,000 Lindens! for their efforts)

What did you enjoy most about the Paparazzi Contest?
MP: The contestants, Poulet and Persia, were amazing fun and they made the competition.
I had myself a lot of giggles in some of the shoots.
Also my fellow 'pappers' were a giggle to be with.
I know it was a competition, but I feel like I made some friends, which is always a bonus.

Absolutely, both Poulet and Persia were great subjects and a lot of fun to work with. What do you like about photography in Second life?
MP: Making a pixelated avatar come to life in a picture.
It's always a great feeling when someone really appreciates a picture you've taken of them.

One of the 2 paparazzi pictures that gave Magenta her win! Celebrity journalist Persia Bravin is displayed here

Other winning paparazzi picture, Fashion icon Poulet Koenkamp is displayed here

I couldn't agree more. Is SL photography more than a hobby for you?
MP: I don't think I will ever give up my day job. *smiles* But I think I use it to relax and as a little escapism from RL. It's nice to get creative

That's very true. SL offers many opportunities for creativity, and Oi's Paparazzi Contest added some whimsy as well. What kinds of photos do you enjoy taking?
MP: Dramatic portraits that reflect an individual's personality.

(Chalice Piers,Oi Magazine reporter *Nods Yes* and asks)
Can you offer some SL photography tips?
MP: Just play around, be experimental and have fun.
PhotoLife 3 Studio is not only the best photographic studio in SL, but the group support is truly awesome.
It does not matter what timezone you are in, there is always someone to help out if you need it. (But it costs a fortune so may not be suited for the dabbling photographer.)

Do you use any specific windlight settings for your photos?
MP: Any photographer worth their lindens will use the windlight settings.
You don't drive a car in first gear only do you?

LOL! No, but I do have favorite windlight settings I prefer over the default. What do you put your graphics settings on before taking photos?
MP: For taking pictures I always set graphics to ultra, but you need a really good graphics card for this.
You must remember after taking your pictures to set it lower again, or you will be wondering why SL has gone super laggy.

Oh, yes. I've done that myself. What software do you use to edit your photos?
MP: I use Photoshop to clean up the edges.

Same here, and for special effects. What are some of your favorite photo editing techniques?
MP: I am always playing around in Photoshop, but to be honest I am a noobie at Photoshop, so am still learning the basics.
I just do what I feel is right for the picture and to be honest it's not always the same and sometimes a happy mistake.

I hear you. Photoshop is the best and I use it daily in my RL job.
So, Magenta, would you recommend the Oi Paparazzi contest to others?
MP: For sure! The organizer's were awesome, always helpful with queries.
The prize money is great and most of all its lots of fun!

Thank you so much for your time, Magenta. You're a talented photographer and we hope to see more entries from you in future Oi photography contests.

Thanks for reading, everyone! And I hope you decide to enter the next Oi Paparazzi Contest. It's loads of fun, you get to express your creativity, and you have a chance to win some lindens! I look forward to seeing your photos.

Chalice Piers, reporting for Oi Magazine blog

NY HealthScape Interacts with Patients In Second Life®

2010-04-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

Tue 04/06/10

NY HealthScape, a project of Southern Tier HealthLink (STHL) in Second Life®, encourages residents to participate in online activities to educate them about the importance of health information being shared between various health organizations.
The project is spread across eighteen sims that accurately represent many of the New York State locations where the real life medical facilities are located.

Second Life is the ideal environment for patients—meaning you, me and everyone we know--to interact with virtual healthcare facilities and see how the exchange of medical information works.
I was privileged to get a guided tour from Panacea Luminos (Christina Galanis in RL), executive director for STHL, that let me experience this amazing program from the patient's point of view.

Eighteen sims covers a lot of virtual ground and the project is arranged in a way that's fun and interesting for visitors. Not only are healthcare facilities represented, but there are parks, shops, villages, townhomes, and houses as well.
This project is of personal interest to Origination Innovations (Oi) Magazine Publisher Carmichael Caudron, who has two homes in the area.
The project just had its official roll-out of outside promotion yesterday on Monday, April 5th 2010.

NY HealthScape owner Panacea Luminos

So what is there to do in NY HealthScape? Plenty.
The primary purpose, of course, is to create your own Personal Health Record in the private and secure environment created there.
You get to watch how that record is incorporated in the Electronic Medical Records system as you move from one island station to the next.
This is done by interacting with a variety of scenarios designed to both educate and entertain.
As you play the games and experience each scenario, you learn about privacy issues while setting security and sharing limitations on your medical info the same as you would in real life.

My tour started in Battery Park, where I got to ride the Sea Crystal Carousel, a very relaxing experience with the calming instrumental music composed by Kyle Beltran. Then can catch a cab through the city to where you'll hear the story of Uncle D, a character who lived in New York as an HIV-positive member of a Brooklyn neighborhood.
This scenario educates through storytelling and visitors can add details or creative elements that enhance the story of Uncle D’s life.

You'll also visit a clinic in Brooklyn, and possibly attend a music or art event along the way.
Live music is often played at Healthy Grounds Coffee Shop.
When you arrive at the Hamptons Village, which is one of several backgrounds for the health challenge, you'll see a few lovely vintage homes on the shore, some of which are available to rent.
And don't forget to redeem the points you earned while playing HealthScape's interactive games to buy clothing and other virtual goods at local merchants.

Some of HealthScape's activities include “Doctor’s Visit,” a series of medical scenarios from labwork to surgeries that demonstrate how patients and providers benefit from shared medical information.
The “Learning Journey” is an informational tour that demonstrates the Health Information Exchange through everyday activities like shopping, eating, and exercising.

When you visit the Wilson Medical Center, which is a replica of the actual hospital in New York, you can experience "A Day of Adventure" that includes what emergency services are like as they relate to the Health Information Exchange.
A scenario has been scripted for a ski accident that requires emergency transportation and immediate medical attention.

The Exposition Learning Center has five learning areas that include movies, audio productions, powerpoint presentations and other media that educate on the importance and benefits of the Health Information Exchange.
The only reason the center sits in the air above the city is because the high-tech aesthetics clash with the project's more urban theme.

At the Health Center Village, a location inspired by village-like malls of the Midwest, you can take the health challenge for diabetes.
Rez the basket and collect apples for points you can redeem for treasure. Walk along the streets of this friendly neighborhood, where in real life you might visit a clinic at the same time you run your daily errands.

The Autism Awareness Center is inside a lovely two-story home in the Health Center Village.
You'll learn about the history of autism's discovery, the myths and facts, the spectrums of the syndrome, and symptoms for its detection and diagnosis.
Then you'll visit the inside of a room that has the sights and sounds of what an autistic child or adult may experience.
It was a real eye-opener for me.

Panacea told me about a Second Life high school class of residents in teen and child avatars who took a field trip to the Autism Awareness Center.
While there, one of the students realized he hadn't been bad or stupid as a kid in school, but actually had a form of autism. His experience at the Center changed his life.
Panacea also brought to my attention that Torley Linden, who does a lot of Second Life photography and creates SL's video tutorials, is autistic.

It's a joy to travel from sim to sim when you can ride a replica of the vintage Phoebe Snow Train to all ten stations located on various sims throughout the project.
It's a scenic trip that takes you through urban and country terrain, and even a tunnel through a mountain.

Give yourself a couple of hours to explore this amazing project from Southern Tier HealthLink. It's fun and valuable, plus you get to play games and win points for prizes. Visit http://archive.treet.tv/node/3792 to see a taped interview with some of the people involved. The following are slurls for a few of the NY HealthScape locations mentioned in this article.

The Sea Crystal Carousel
http://slurl.com/secondlife/WaterWay%20New%20York/190/180/2

HealthLink New York Orientation Presentation
http://slurl.com/secondlife/HealthLink%20New%20York/140/140/25

Healing Grounds Coffee Shop
http://slurl.com/secondlife/TriBorough%20New%20York/192/122/23

Brooklyn Clinic
http://slurl.com/secondlife/TriBorough%20New%20York/222/136/23

Wilson Medical Center
http://slurl.com/secondlife/HealthLink%20New%20York/201/119/25

Uncle D's Story Quest in Brooklyn ( HIV/AIDS)
http://slurl.com/secondlife/TriBorough%20New%20York/111/81/23

Autism Awareness Center
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Western%20New%20York/107/27/26

Diabetes Challenge
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Western%20New%20York/53/32/27

As always, thank you for reading and out thanks to Panacea Luminos for her time for the interview.
I hope you enjoy your tour of NY HealthLink. I know I did. Have fun !

Chalice Piers, reporting for Oi Magazine blog

Scottius Polke's Lunamaruna

2010-04-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Sat 04/03/10

When I read the article in the last issue of our magazine about Scottius Polke and his Mushroom trip I couldn’t hold my self. I had to go and see with me own pixels and eyes.

It was so cool the mushroom trip, sitting on his desk at the Project Z gallery in the room where we feel so small made me think I wouldn’t mind being a muse sitting next to the drawer’s pen as this at all.
The feeling of being inside the room of Van Gogh at Ariel was there too.
Only thing I didn’t get was his trip with socks... smelly socks… knitted ones, so had to ask him in an IM.

Scottius showing me around

Scottius Polke IM's me back the following; “Hi Liza...when I created the room, I wanted it to have a somewhat messy feel. And what messy bedroom is complete without smelly socks lying around everywhere? :) The Van Gogh comparison refers to the style... using lots of lines and in some case a warped perspective, as well as the obvious reference to his own room.”

Then he sent me a note card of the next exhibition of his art!

His new project is an aquarium town up in space^^ There I was really inside of his paintings. YEAH.

Strange fish came to look at me !

Yeeaaa,well I invited that fish for dinner ^^

Sitting by the fish fountain dipping me feet in the water, relaxing a bit listening the café music made by the radio chosen by the sim…. Ah ok... can not tell you who made the music but it sounds like café music in Berlin :)

Zachh Cale (project Z curator) really curates this fellow well!

At any moment I'm so glad I never tried mushrooms or any other drug.
To me this is pure fairy tail feeling, but I could so understand all potheads of Second Life® that maybe goes giggling through all this fire of colours and wrong, but still so right, perspectives of images.

And all the fish swimming around in the air blowing up to be bigger and bigger as they come closer to you… and that music….. All this makes you in really meditative mode…

The exhibition is said to be for meditation on the signs too…

Erotical by Scottius

And pure meditative it is... for sure…

I met up with Scottius a few days later at Lunamaruna and we spent a really nice afternoon in this fish town up in the space and he explained to me about this new trip of his^^
He told me me; “In builds like this and mushroom I am attempting to recapture the mood of my sketches, fishes just became the theme just like amoebas and moulds became the theme of the last one, however, where we are and what it means, I would like the viewer to interpret on their own.”

When I insist he tells me his own feeling ;

“To me this one is a mystery, something occurred here, and it is unclear what. As you wander around you find disturbances.
The control room, for an example, it is trashed, and there are bones.
Looking at the village from afar, it almost looks idyllic, but as you inspect closer things aren’t as they seem.
Basically I wanted the viewer to feel like they had stepped into another world, both in space and style, to be able to walk through an illustration.
Also want them to feel part of it, to be able to sit, jump, kick the cans, and ride the creatures.”

Which part of this exhibition is Scottius' favourite, I then wondered.
Scottius Polke went like; “hmmmm let me think.”
Then he walks me over to the store beside the fountain where a big fish is sitting on a rocking chair and continues; “I like "Grumpy McGil" on the rocking chair!”
BTW the whole exhibition is bit influenced by Dr Seuss. Did I need to mention that? **Liza smiles**

As it is right now Scottius cannot ride his creature himself but soon he will make pose balls for tiny ones too.
He has made tiny t-shirts though for the exhibition and he shows me one wearing it himself and with his bubble pipe. Then we danced to the cool music!

Dancing with amoubas

As we were having fun Zachh came, and I get the story about them two!
Zachh and Scottius have known each others since 2008. They met at an opening for an exhibition of someone else and were joking together for an evening.
Then Zachh went to one of Scottius' exhibitions and became hooked on to his art!
That was the start of their friendship! Good start!
Ever since then they have been working together inside Second Life with exhibitions of Scottius' art.
This one made Show Case this week!
Visit Scottius' Lunamaruna at this SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lennox%20Hill/111/170/3795

Liza Veliz, reporting for Oi Magazine blog

March 2010 issue breaks Oi Magazine's first 30 days record!!

2010-04-02T04:40:00.000-07:00

March 2010 issue raked in 4,904 readers in its first 30 days!
(3,776 online readers and 1,128 readers via inworld kiosks)
That is how long it took for the November 2009 issue to get that much in 3 months!

Awesome what a success

Ty all
Next issue is queued for release sometime in June 2010 as we are exploring the world of tv and radio with Press Pass Media !
Ask to get invited to this group and watch this become a success as well!

Carmi,editor

This week last chance to enter in the paparazzi contest to win 10,000 Lindens!!

2010-03-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Poulet has been kind to be at her store today at 5 pm for an hour to paparazzis to take their money winning pictures for our contest!!
This week is last week to enter contest as paparazzi so make sure u are here today :), good luck!

this is her SLURL as usual :
PurpleMoon Creations, http://slurl.com/secondlife/Etherea/127/70/1199

PURPLEMOON CREATIONS - BOOM SALE!

2010-03-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

PURPLEMOON CREATIONS - BOOM SALE!!!!!
*********************************

Lola is leaving forever and she is saying goodbye with a boom! Get it today March 23th and tomorrow March 24th for ONLY L$25! Six colors available! (HURRY: LIMITED TIME ONLY.. LOLA WAS #2 ON XSTREET FOR WEEKS!)

Farewell Lola!

You don t want to miss this limited edition, it will never be sold again. A must have in every closet!

PURPLEMOON - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Etherea/127/70/1199

A Client of Oi Magazine !!:)

Oi Magazine client PurpleMoon Creations is having a special "GREEN" sale!!

2010-03-16T04:51:00.000-07:00

"If it's green, it's L$50!!!"
*************************
Teleport to http://slurl.com/secondlife/Etherea/127/70/1199
*************************

To celebrate the occasion of St. Patrick's Day, PurpleMoon Creations will offer everything that is GREEN for only L$50.
This mega sale will start on March 16th until midnight on March 17th.
Every item in the store, including complete ensembles, sweaters, shoes, cocktail dresses, jackets, boots, gowns that were made in GREEN will be sold for only L$50. All these items will have a little shamrock on the add to identify them more easily.
Some other freebies will be given away as well.

Spread the word: If it's green, it's L$50!!!

We would love to see you around.

Thank you so much,

Poulet Koenkamp
PurpleMoon Creations Designer
http://purplemooncreations.blogspot.com

PAR-TAY at Moon Spirit Rising Club !

2010-03-13T19:01:00.000-08:00

Sat 3/13/10

Sunday March 7 was another amazing day for Oi Magazine.
We celebrated the release of our March issue and thanks to Moonde Magic and Colleen Bracken, owners of Moon Spirit Rising Dance Club, we did it with style.
We had a lot to celebrate, too.
Oi reached a personal record of 8,000 page views online for the March issue within 40 hours of release.

The Oi Magazine staff and friends shook their booties to some amazing tunes performed by Gina Stella, an incredible SL artist who gave this reporter goosebumps. Wow!
And it's thanks to club owners like Moonde and Colleen who embrace live music in Second Life® and offer this special brand of entertainment to music lovers throughout the grid.

I was the second guest to arrive at the hot and sexy skybox club that is Moon Spirit Rising.
A gold Oi logo graced the wall behind the stage, framed by a golden drapery, and it also covered a dance floor that would soon be trodden by happy dancing feet.
Aken Fuchs, a Moon Spirit Rising club owner and Gina Stella's partner in both SL and RL, had arrived ahead of me.
By the way, Aken is also a phenomenal musician.
I know because I've heard him and I strongly recommend you hear him, too.

Gina Stella appeared on stage looking exquisite in a sexy pink sequined mini dress and carrying a pink guitar.
Her pink furry boots completed her pastel ensemble.
We exchanged hellos, and then the lovely Moonde herself arrived.
Friendly chatter began in local and excitement was brewing for what we all knew would be an incredible show.

The beginning of lag crept into the club, which was to be expected considering the SIM had suffered a crash a few days earlier.
Guests were a little slow to rez, but once they did, it was full on party time.

Gina has the sweet voice of an angel, and her repertoire of music included not only pop favorites like Mad World and Bad Girl, but also some songs written and composed by the artist herself.
Gina sang a lovely original tune called Under the Same Moon.
Her talent for playing acoustic guitar knocked my socks off. Just beautiful. And she's funny, too!
She interacts well with an audience and is skilled at rousting a crowd with her good humor.

It was fun seeing some familiar faces and meeting new ones. A few of the other guests included fellow Oi Magazine reporter Liza Veliz, Gina's manager Lo Bloch, Trish Broek, Eli Schlegal, Sanne Brun, Christine Haiku, Scagg Pera, Khloe Condor, Atticus Westminster, Nya Raymaker, Adeon Silverfall, Moxee Farstrider and another Spirit Moon Rising owner, Demento Lunasea.
Oi Magazine publisher Krissy Sinclair joined us, but we missed Carmichael Caudron, who arrived a little later on the night.

The mood was festive and the dancing lively, as there were a number of peppy dance moves in the dance ball.
Moon Spirit has more to offer than just music and dancing though.
I'm a huge Midnight Mania fan and I was happy to slap all the MM boards they had in the lobby.
Can't pass up an opportunity like that!

The atmosphere of Moon Spirit is friendly and enthusiastic for a club that's only been open since October of 2009. They feature live music at least six times a month, and offer a variety of genres and styles that will please any musical pallet.
There's something for everyone.
You'll be interested to know that 100 percent of the club's proceeds go toward live entertainment.
Their subscribe-o-matic is a convenient way to join the club's group and receive notices of upcoming venues.

There are currently six DJs working for Moon Spirit who provide club-goers with an impressive array of lively music from Trance to Pop.
DJ Archangelo Hellman, Trance aficionado, shares similar musical tastes with club DJs Butch Diavalo and Yannis Martivov.
DJ Sergio Handcroft is versatile in his mixes and gives clubbers everything from Pop to Big Band sounds.
DJ Splash Kidd is Dance style. On Sundays, the Daley Dose Dancers come in to bring the club some old school line dancing.

Gina closed her set with a cute number she called Smelly Cat.
I have three smelleh kittehs mahself lol
Her song brought plenty of giggles from the crowd, who were still giddy from this nightingale's incredible performance. I left the party a member of Gina's fan club, and received a sample CD of her music.
I love it and listen to it all the time.

Thank you, Moonde and Colleen, for throwing such a great party.
And thanks to all of you for reading.
Take care and hugs to each and every one. 

Chalice Piers, Oi Magazine Press

Oi Magazine presents : L$10k Paparazzi Photos Contest at Moolto.com

2010-03-11T04:35:00.001-08:00

Huge contest will be launched March 20th by Oi Magazine at the Moolto.com website
To participate ,please become a member of Moolto,our co sponsor and where the official group is,see url http://moolto.ning.com/group/paparazzicontest
Join now and get ready for the March 20th launch!!!

For questions or more info,contact Carmichael Caudron,Oi Magazine editor

ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET IN SECOND LIFE®

2010-03-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

Wed 3/10/10

Phaylen Fairchild's Academy Awards pre-show event at the Bijou Theater in Second Life ( Bay City-Rollers region)on March 7 coincided with the actual event taking place in L.A.
As the real world Hollywood show simulcasted live inside the theater, a few SL™ fashionistas strutted their stuff across the Bijou lobby's red carpet.

Party at the pre-show

Front of Bijou Theater

The Academy Awards™ is the place to see, and be seen by, some of the hottest names in the movie business.
The Oscars' pre-show event in Hollywood is all about dressing to impress and actors, writers and directors wear formal fashions created by such icons as Givency, Dior, Armani and Chanel.
But SL won't be out done in the fashion department.
We have our own Haute Couture, and this year's pre-show was the perfect venue to show it off.

I arrived early at the Bijou in Bay City to ensure I'd get a seat before the SIM had a chance to fill up.
The lag-a-licious mainland would be a strike against event-goers and I already felt the inevitable lag seep through my pixels before I fully rezzed.

While waiting outside the beautiful theater book-ended by two giant renderings of the Oscar statue, we were assaulted by griefers.
The horribly deformed avatars rode bikes over gown-wearing guests, and those not wearing some sort of movelock were bumped and tossed in the street.
Security would have been welcome for such a prestigious event, but since there was none, some of us submitted abuse reports to Linden Labs.
The griefers didn't stick around long.

Me with my husband in the auditorium watching the show at Bjiou, with familiar faces in the press in the crowd as well such as Mystical Demina, Bevan Whitfield and Ze Moo

My husband and I sat inside the darkened theater, waiting for the show to start.
I'd hoped for movie trailers, and then realized this was the pre-show, which wasn't so much about film as it was about fashion.
I was surprised to hear people on the screen speaking Dutch, a language I don't understand, but that was to be expected as the pre-awards coverage was simulcasted via Amsterdam.

Once Hollywood's red carpet Glamourrati showed up on, the English-speaking media began interviewing the stars. Subtitled Dutch scrolled over the images of actors and actresses.
The sounds got a bit confusing as Dutch layered over spoken English, music filtered in from the lobby, and our host, Phaylen Fairchild, began interviewing a few of her best-dressed SL guests.

Phaylen and the theater's DJ, Thorne Miklos, stood on a platform in the lobby and used voice to speak with some guests about their personal choice of attire and their predictions for Oscar winners.
While stars and movie pros dress for the media as well as whoever may grant them their next multi-million dollar contract, we were dressed for ourselves and for each other. That's simply how SL rolls.

I wasn't getting much out of the chaos happening on the screen so we decided to venture out to the lobby, where the real action was taking place.
The lag hit us like a wave of molasses, but we persevered and made it out into the colorful lobby filled with lovely gowns, tuxedos, and… oh my.
Who should grace us with their presence but a few of the Na'Vi from the Academy Award nominated picture Avatar!
They looked awesome, just like in the movie.

Avatar the favorite ended up with 3 awards,all in technical department,while

the hurtlocker took home the award for best director!

Avatar, by the way, was favored among guests to win the coveted Oscar.
But alas, in the end, Hurt Locker took it on several counts.
Here's some trivia from Phaylen: Catherine Bigalow, director of Hurt Locker, is Avatar director James Cameron's ex-wife!

Back to the red carpet… First up to the platform was Sasy Scarborough.
Sasy and Phaylen talked about how limited we are in terms of the prims we can wear, which contribute to lag in SL.
The increased ARC (Avatar Rendering Cost) can stop everyone in their tracks.
Phaylen admitted to being guilty on occasion of lagging out a client viewer.
She and Sasy also talked about how the men at the Oscars can dress down and still look good, though Robert Downy Junior got serious points marked down when he appeared on the Hollywood red carpet with his oversized blue bow tie, horn rimmed glasses, and sneakers.
A major fashion fail.
The classic looks for mature gentlemen like George Clooney, however, continue to prevail.

Moving on, Phaylen chatted with Tyrone and Delinda. Bling, or the lack thereof, came up as a fashion contention.
In SL's olden days, bling was the thing, but it's thankfully become a fashion faux pas.
It's a smart designer who scripts in the option of turning off the offensive flashing on boots, jewelry, and belt buckles.
Those wearing bling give themselves away that they're either wearing a retired freebie, or they dug through the bottom of their inventory.
Another interesting point made was how some guys at the Oscars match what their dates by wearing pocket squares and ties that are a similar color or fabric.

Dorian Cao is next up, and he has his own unique challenges when it comes to dressing for fancy events. He's a fox.
I don't mean the kind that's hot and good looking, which he may be, but the kind of fox that's small and furry.
He got his avatar from the popular Loco Poco supplier of tinies.
Dorian bedecked himself in an ultra small version of tux and cane, including top hat. Adorable.

Fatima Ur wore a luscious black wedding gown she customized to suit the look she was after.
And Maxie McBride accompanied her fashion designer daughter, Moxie Palono, who had designed the lovely gown worn by Phaylen herself.

Whimsy Winx, wearing a spring floral gown, told Phaylen that it's important to dress comfortable for such a long event as the Oscars, which can last up to eight hours or more. With the pre-show interviews, awards ceremony, and the parties afterward, the movie pros are faced with a long day and night.

A point made by both Whimsy and Phaylen is how there's rarely anything unexpected, fashion-wise, in real world Hollywood. Whereas here inworld, the sky's the limit.
Women tend to be far more daring.
My own gown, a white diamond studded creation from Solo and Solo of Icewerks, left little to the imagination.
Second Life fashion is an aspect of self-expression, a place where we can reveal our true selves with little regard to being judged by others. Or is that just me? she says, grinning broadly.

Despite the couple's dance ball not loaded with slow dances, some of us still managed to hop around the dance floor like kernels of popping corn.
Even the Na'Vi shook their blue bootays.
A good time was had by all.

As always, thank you for reading. Until next time… take care and have fun.

Chalice Piers, Journalist/Blogger for Oi Magazine

OI Magazine March issue release party at Moon Spirit Rising Sunday March 7, 2010 11:00 AM SLT

2010-03-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

Everyone is invited so be ready to teleport Sunday to Moon Spirit Rising Club !

Please Join us Sunday starting at 11:00 AM SLT for some Champagne and a wonder 3 hour set.

11:00 AM to 12:00 noon SLT Gina Stella, live singer

12:00 noon to 2:00 PM DJ Arcangelo Hellman, trance DJ

12:00 to 2:00 PM Contest trivia questions regarding the March issue of OI magazine with DJ Arcangelo Hellman's set. The first to answer the questions in local chat or send me the correct answer in IM wins a Ca$h linden prize.

You got the time and date but where will it be located?

SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/Arctic%20Circle/161/161/301

Oi Magazine staff Editor Carmichael Caudron,Publisher Krissy Sinclair and Event journalist Chalice Piers will be there to cover the event and blog about it,so dress up to shine!!

For more info,contact Moonde Magic

Random review of our hugely succesful March issue !

2010-03-04T06:25:00.000-08:00

disclaimer :
we didnt get full permission to post this review,a friend of our reporter submitted it to me so to protect the identity of the customer,we only used the first name :)

Here goes:

(7:49:17 AM) Blue: I just checked that forum where I posted OI magazine last night ...
(7:50:11 AM) Blue: Well, everyone is saying it looks like a profesional fashion mag with avatars
(7:50:24 AM) Blue: Your article has been said to be very good and interesting
(7:50:54 AM) Blue: and one woman has registered with SL although she hasn't had time to get itno it yet
(7:51:12 AM) Blue: One woman said she wants to register to see the artwork you write about
(7:51:24 AM) Blue: someone else has mentioned Treet TV (there is a large article)
(7:51:33 AM) Blue: everyone is praising it

woohoo,please submit your comments here or at the magazine URL http://issuu.com/kriscar/docs/oi_march_2010
We would love to read it,comments like these keep us going and striving to get better and better !!

Carmichael Caudron, editor-in-chief and team of Oi Magazine

Our March issue sets a personal record for Oi Magazine in 24 hours after release !!

2010-03-04T03:16:00.001-08:00

Thu 3/4/10

Record set for the March issue !
In 24 hours after its release,our issuu.com online statistics indicated over 5,500 unique page views ! OMG !
Means there's some great reading going on :)
Currently,nearly 40 hours after release the page views have continued to climb and is at almost 8,000 page views.
If you haven't yet read the March issue,make some coffee and simply look at the previous post to read the issue or go directly to our URL http://issuu.com/kriscar/docs/oi_march_2010

Oi Magazine has released its March 2010 issue on issuu.com and also inworld !

2010-03-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

The March 2010 issue has arrived !!

Oi Magazine has released March 2010 issue online at issuu.com and inworld as well,type in "Oi Magazine" in search inworld to find a kiosk (approx. 90 kiosk grid wide) near you :)

We cover 5 stories in this issue,along with some advertisements which makes the magazine issue count in total of 100 pages

The stories are:
1- Stars of Treet TV : Persia Bravin,Paisley Beebe and Angie Mornington
2- PurpleMoon Magic (fashion icon Poulet koenKamp)
3- artist Scottius Polke's mushROOM
4- Amsterdam sims are featured,as we interview its renovation builder Bonke Bonetto!
5- music band "The Explosives" tell their story

Here is the link:

Enjoy :)
Carmichael Caudron,Oi Magazine co-owner and editor

The Faces of Moolto 2010 !

2010-03-01T14:57:00.000-08:00

Mon 3/1/10

The contest for Mr and Miss Moolto is over. RicoRacer Flux and Mina Pelazzi are the winners!

RicoRacer Flux

Mina Pelazzi

And for once it seems the roles are changed between genders.
Mina is the one who chooses to meet me in the Moolto office. She is PR right through.
Rico is the butterfly, the fashion person all through. He meets me in IM before the model fashion show of McQueen where he is modeling instead. Am sure they will be a great team for Moolto.

Maxes Loon was pleased about the jury’s choice.
He is good at picking winners out of the crowd of pixels in this world of ours and had provided the jury with so many skilled persons.
They went through tough premises in the contest.
This time it was their ideas of promotion and ability to work in teams that was challenged, before it was about their personalities.
The red thread through the whole contest was about their ability to promote, marketing and represent Moolto.

When I saw Mina’s video promoting Moolto I just knew that she would win.
(It’s in the Moolto blog btw for Mr and Miss Moolto contest : http://moolto.ning.com/group/MrandMissMoolto)
You can sense it that she is PR all through. I noticed this first time I met her. Diplomatic and very aware of what she tells you,”This contest was not about only beauty, it was about more. That was what made me interested,” Mina tells me in the office of Moolto the morning after she won.

Maxes Loon at the Moolto social Network, Moolto Community Store

“I am very pleased to win this contest, since I work with graphic designs and PR in RL too. It gives me an opportunity to improve myself and add some good things to Moolto. “

Rico was a favorite among many people I know. He is a fashion person all through.
Many companies uses his skills and he writes a fashion blog and used to write for a Fashion magazine called Catalyst of Fantasy Magazine, of which the CEO,Lacie Beningborough is a very good friend of Oi Magazine ^^
I'm not at all surprised Rico is one of the super models in the McQueen Tribute show “For the love of McQueen”.
“I follow fashion shows in RL and I do the same inside of SL,” Rico tells me in IM.
Besides the McQueen show in a few seconds and later there is a photo session for him at another fashion company in SL.

Rico used to be a model in RL during college in catalogues, but he was too short for this to be his main career, he tells me.
You may say he is surely compensating for this inside of our pixel world of SL.
Maxes Loon (Owner of Moolto) joins me and Mina in the office and sits behind his desk smiling.
He knows he got one heck of a great team in his hands, and his plans are big as usual, and will be happening soon.
“The jury made a good choice, am pleased with their decision, “Maxes tells me with a smile.
“We are now sitting down to draw out the lines for this. We have lots of new projects coming up, a base for networking DJ:s, another for Fashion and a third for Photographers.
We just bought the best system for photos inside SL. We will have a gallery and different theme every month. And it will be open for amateurs as well as for professionals, “he tells me proudly.

“I am attending this”, Mina says with a glimpse in her eye.
“Mina is a professional when it comes to photography upon her skills for PR,” Maxes tells me.
Moolto is 70% about fashion, according to Maxes. So am sure he appreciates this side of Rico besides him being good with promotion too.
I can only wish for them the best and am sure it will be of success. ^^
Everything he touches turns to gold, or is it that he has sense for where to find this?
When I tell this thought to Maxes he simply says “haven’t seen any gold!” But am sure he is smiling behind his computer, he knows his skills^^ as an entrepreneur of high class and a network spider for sure!

Liza Veliz
Journalist/Event Blogger of Oi Magazine

The McQueen Tribute Fashion Show By Avenue

2010-02-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

Su 2/28/10

The 11th of February this year 2010 Lee Alexander McQueen was found dead by suicide...
The whole world of fashion (and avant-garde) stopped breathing for a second.
This designer was very special with his ability to shock his fellow designers of the fashion industry at events. Some called him the last provocative designer due to this.

38 designers inside Second Life made in one week tributes to him that was shown in the event "For the Love of McQueen" by Avenue the 28th of February.
These items will now go for sale in their stores during march and all the out coming of this goes to a foundation similar to them McQueen himself was contributing to, the "Keep A Child Alive" charity.

His pointed to the ground shoes and extravagant hats and mix of colours was, of course, represented in this SL event.
His style of contradictions between beautiful and ugly was so There!

Conferee Angie Mornington (Fabulous Fashion) gave us the story of Lee Alexander McQueen by showing the video ColeMarie Soleil made entitled “The life cycle of a butterfly dryad” and by telling us about him with the designers words while presenting their outfits on the catwalk.

We got to know he loved the colour blue, and got reminded that he was obsessed with dark glamour and was all about symmetry and chaotic balance. Yes. If you ever saw a fashion show with McQueen involved, you do know this already.

The outfit I loved the most was Tres Beau’s design called “Missing You” inspired by McQueen’s 2009 fall collection.
Designer Kimmera Madison’s words describing it was, according to Angie Mornington; “I love black and white and his legging boots in the huge Hounds tooth plaids were such fun!
I wanted to capture McQueen’s playfulness and his chic take on fun.
I loved the way he could take something feminine and soft and give it an edgy look. He had an amazing sense for the female shape.”

Mischa Cuttita was wearing this lovely outfit with a cute skirt that kind of stood up in a lovely “Marilyn Monroe in the wind picture” way.

It was worn with Lelutka’s Jean Hair in Gold Blonde and Ife light skin, Angie told us.

Me myself loved them stockings she was wearing.... they very much speaks to fashion of SecondLife of today.
Striped in two colours and looks like made of wool.

Well, this one AND the birdcage hat outfit... was most impressive to me^^
Yeah, there was really a girl with a birdcage on her head!
That one rocked totally^^ and then the DJ played Arabian music to it, so the reference to this one become the feeling of burkas for me. Cool shot, DJ Rusch! Sort of makes you think, just like McQueen used to do in his own fashion shows.

The Face of Moolto, RicoRacer Flux, was one of the models tonight.
He wore FIR by Rob1977 Moonites. Really nice style, made me think of Victorian men outfits.
It was cool to see the designers making tributes also to McQueens earlier era when he did male fashion.

The stories around the designers creations, told by Angie Mornington, in this show deserves a book.
But no need for this since we will be able to see it all over and over again in an TV-documentary coming up.
Machinima artistt TommyLee Nightfire is creating a film documenting the creations and the show.
The fashion show was staged on a build realized by Babyhoney Bailey based on Rusch Raymaker's (CEO of Avenue) inspiration for the show.

The designers involved and the sponsors you find in this link:

http://avenuemodels.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/for-the-love-of-mcqueen-charity-event/

The progression of donations received through this project is found in this link

http://support.keepachildalive.org/goto/avenuesl

Do I have to tell you I had a good time? It was crowded, lag was incredible, we had to take of our prim things – some ppl went barefoot **Liza giggles**, the music was awesome!
And the ending was beautiful since them showed the film again – so we watched McQueen´s RL fashion on the TV after all this cool SL fashion.
I Am overloaded with beauty!! And I LOVE THIS!!

Pictures for this event are found at this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/avenuemodels/sets/72157623348997661/
The event photographer who developed the pics is courtesy of AVENUE Models Photographer : Tillie Ariantho

Liza Veliz
For Oi Magazine Blog

Alpine Executive Center

2010-02-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

Thu 2/25/10

Hello everyone,
I am Nathalie, shopper extraordinaire and a fashion addict here on Second Life.
But shopping can be so exhausting!
Well, fear not, I have the cure and I want to share it with you.
But first, let me just give a shout out to Carmichael Caudron.
I am so honored, to be offered the opportunity to write and share a few thoughts with you all, today.
In these modern times we are all consumed by everyday life.
We are always running. Running to the stores, running at work, running back home, running....everywhere.
The stress that builds really does need a way to be diffused. You know, let off some steam!
Once, after a bad day at my RL job and a difficult time on SL during the evening, I was sorely in need of some kind of relaxation.
What's that you say?, relaxing on SL?
There should be lot of options available, right? But, to find the right one.....After a little searching I found something interesting.
Skiing. Wow, a great idea!
A click here, a rez there, and I was in a splendid winter sim called: Alpine Support Center at Meeting Support.
What a wonderful winter sim.
I could not resist visiting the small shops there, where for less then 200L$ you be wearing nice goggles and skis or snowboards from Zagoskin Ski Shop or Berg Ski & Snowboard Shop.

Cog Train

Ah!, now I was ready to step in the the chairlift.
There is a statue of Sondre Norheim the inventor of the Ski jumping,the owner of Bergs Ski Shop is in real life the owner of Bergs Ski shop in Eugene Oregon, And he is of Norwegian heritage, proudly replied TonyEMS Heying the owner and builder of the sim.
Viewing the scenery up the hill is fantastic, a great landscape build.
Inspired, I am sure from my many years living and working in Switzerland said TonyEMS the creator of the sim :
"It has turned into a "labor of Love" if you know what I mean.
The first outside development was the skiing with timed ski runs and then the train that goes into the mountain complex. I was a brakeman on the railroad all through my university years, so the train was a "must have" for me", said Tony.

Tony, in his early 60's, recently moved to San Francisco from Switzerland.
"Also, I have had many years of experience working with remote teams", he said, "All the stuff you see is meant to contribute the feeling of the ski resort place. So I realized the benefit of having a facility that created that "sense of place". I decided to keep it open to the public so that's more people could find out about this service.
I only close it for clients that request the privacy during a particular meeting."

Sunset

Yes, Alpine is more then a ski station, it's a ski resort for company executive people.
They provide, to their customers, meetings facilities in a unique setting, a destination that can be relaxing and constructive.
The Meetings Facilities are: Main Amphitheater, Glacier Room-1, Glacier Room-2, Exhibition Hall and Development Center, Break through Area, Central Ramada and Apres Ski Lodge.
Tony adds, "The ambiance of the ski resort winter environment contributes to the comfort level while working in the virtual world."
"We arrange and facilitate your events in a way that promises the best results possible. Each facility is equipped with audiovisual aids for presentations and multimedia tools for voice and film clips."

Business Meetings

Brainstorming

Alpine Executive Center also provide tools for their participant:
Brainstorm Categorizer, Voting Floor Platform, Vote Post Tow Choices yes -no, Vote post Multi choice, Brainstorm post, Dynamic Vote Board and Private Area Space Enclosure.
Alpine Executive Center also possess it's own Art Gallery.
The Ice Caverns Gallery was created with the purpose of presenting, to residents of Second Life, all forms of modern arts in-world.
They currently accept 4 or 5 exhibitors at the same time but we may consider that over 50 artists were exposing their art at Ice Cavern since the opening of the Center.
Presenting events like Ice Sculpture Exhibits, Products launch, Relay for life, Birthday Party, with great names as Sun Microsystems, Iowa State University, USC Project Voting, Unisys Corporation, MAIS Association, University of Houston, Hong Kong Net Universities Alpine Executive Center is very well positioned to grow in popularity in the future.
Alpine Center is a great stop to make on your SL tour.
No matter if you are with your company or association for one of those great constructive meetings or even if you only are there skiing with some few friends, in the end, the positive result on your Si psyche might just be what the doctor ordered.
PS, "I have to get back there. I saw this cute little snow bunny outfit I just have to have!"

Story by nathalie Ember for Oi Magazine blog/press

A Drink Of Divine Blood ( A look into a clan in the world of Vampires)

2010-02-22T05:29:00.000-08:00

Mo 2/22/10

So what are vampires doing in Second Life® ? Should we fear for our Avatar's cyber lives? Will virtual blood drinkers consume our pixels and our souls be damned for all eternity?

Well, no need to worry. Vampires in SL are part and parcel of the virtual world experience. They're the heart and soul of the SL role playing game called Bloodlines. At the time of this writing, there are 24,455 vampires and 3835 Lycans in Second Life.

I've been curious about SL vampires since my rezzing, and have made a number of vampire friends, however I didn't understand exactly what being a vampire meant. The most I knew was that a vampire had to ask permission before he or she could bite someone. Is there more to it than that? Oh, yes. Lots more.

Vampire HUD

A few months ago I let a friend of mine bite me. He'd only recently been turned and I had the privilege of being his first victim. Because I wasn't a member of the Bloodlines game, my "soul" was not in danger. Had I been a member, I'd have lost a percentage of my humanity. Are you confused yet? I was. And wanting to know more about how this game worked, I asked if I could interview members of his clan for this article.

Divine Castle

Divine Blood is one of 1873 clans in the Bloodlines game. Divine currently has 977 members and celebrated its one-year anniversary this month. Their queen, Amethyst Warden, greeted me warmly when I teleported to the clan's castle to chat with a few members of her vampire family.

At the Counselor Quarters with my friend Necreip Baragula

The welcoming committee included my friend Necreip Baragula, who is an 8th generation vampire and one of the clan's knights. I also got to meet Freyasmoon Fenwitch,
Chaz Lighthouse, Ethan Lighthouse, Rikk Steamweaver, and Riot Waddington, who is not only a new vampire but also new to Second Life.

I had a lot of questions, but before I could ask them the sight of Divine's beautiful castle took my breath away. I knew then that I had to get inside the magnificent gothic structure and have a look around.

Darrell Mistwallow is the clan king

Amethyst Warden is Divine Blood's queen

The clan's king, Darrell Mistwallow, couldn't make the interview due to illness, but the welcoming committee provided answers to all my burning questions. My first and foremost one was how is a vampire made? I wanted to know if a single bite could automatically turn someone into a creature of the night. It turns out that you must be completely drained of your humanity and become revenant before you can become a vampire. One bite only takes 5% of your humanity. Getting drained takes a lot of bites.

"The first vampire to bite someone who later becomes a vampire gets to keep their soul and becomes their liege," Ethan explains. "The liege is like a mentor and looks after the minion [he made]. He introduces the new vampire to the family and teaches him or her about the ways of Bloodlines and our clan rules."

So what about asking permission to bite someone? "Asking permission is considered polite and respectful," Necreip tells me.

"The bite animation presents the victim with a menu," Ethan explains. "And the victim must answer yes before the bite can occur."

"And the area must be script enabled," Rikk Steamweaver adds.

So any rumors you may have heard about vampires running amok and terrorizing SL residents with vicious bites is completely false.

Vampires need blood daily to stay alive. At midnight, each vamp is afflicted with "the curse" that depletes their blood supply by .25 liters. How do vampires get the blood they need to stay alive? "Blood Dolls," says Rikk.

Blood dolls are members of the clan who willingly supply their masters with blood. "My fiancé calls her dolls blood angels," says Ethan. Blood dolls are the "life blood" of the Bloodlines game.

Blood dolls are beloved members of the Divine Blood family and may become vampires themselves at some point. However, if they want to maintain their humanity, they must eat special "apples," a self-sustaining food source, to regenerate their human blood. If their humanity goes down to 0% they become revenant, or the walking dead. If they choose to drink blood, they will become vampires. And if they choose to be human and not play the game any more, they can simply walk away, thereby breaking all ties with their former clan.

Divine Blood is organized like a monarchy with a king and queen, and knights like Necreip who protect the land from griefers and other troublemakers. Within the clan there are also barons, baronesses, lords and ladies.

The benefits of joining a vampire clan seem obvious. This group in particular is as close as any family. Members consider themselves brothers and sisters, and their revered king and queen are their parents. "It is incredible how much we are a family," says Ethan. New residents of Second Life will find ready acceptance within a clan like Divine Blood. The clan helps new members acclimate to SL life by showing them the ropes of our often complex metaverse.

Divine Blood Club

Is Divine Blood open to new family members? Absolutely. Not all clans are the same, some being closer than others, but its obvious Divine members have a special relationship to one another. They enjoy each other's company and have a genuinely good time together.

Necreip gave me an enjoyable tour of the Divine Blood castle. There are four turning rooms, where members participate in the ritual that turns them into vampires. On the wall of each room is the texture of a flowchart that shows how the vampire bite HUD works.

Throughout the castle there are portraits of family members, most of whom hold a rank within the clan. There are rooms for the clans' resident couples, and there's even quarters for the clan counselor who counsels members for anything and everything. The current counselor is Lola Laroway. The counselor's official job description is: "Hears clan members' problems and tries to come up with a solution, consoles those who are in a time of need, and is willing to just listen. All issues go to the clan counselor as well as your liege."

The clan has an arena, which is similar to a sandbox. Necreip took me to Divine Blood's mall that also contains a dance club. It's a proprietary club for members and their guests only.

For more information about Bloodlines, visit http://www.slbloodlines.com If you'd like to know more about Divine Blood or are interested in clan membership, simply contact any of the clan members mentioned in this article.

Ty as always for reading,I'm Chalice Piers ,press Blogger for Oi Magazine

Fashion in Fantasy (a Swirl™ event production)

2010-02-16T07:39:00.000-08:00

Tue 2/16/10

There's one word to describe the Fantasy of Fashion show produced by Swirl, a marketing firm dedicated to Second Life's fashion industry. That single word is: WOW! This clever and unique fashion show opened over Valentine's Day weekend and what a phenomenal event it turned out to be.

I've attended a number of fashion shows in RL and SL, but never one so creative as Swirl's Fantasy of Fashion. Take a fantasy theme, mix in a generous portion of gorgeous fashion, stir in some eye-candy models on an elaborately set stage, and you get one incredible tasty dish of SL haute couture.

Saturday's opening night,February 13th, was a magical one. A breathtaking fairy garden complete with cascading waterfall created an impressive backdrop for the event.

Filipa Thespian as The Water Nymph

Takeshia Kiama as Odin the Fairy King

Filipa Thespian, owner and founder of Swirl, appeared on stage in her role as the Water Nymph to expertly present each design as it was modeled for a mesmerized audience.

Filipa, as well as the models, had roles in a performance that was equal parts fantasy play and fashion show. What made this show particularly clever is that the fashions introduced were geared toward the fantasy role-playing residents of Second Life. So a scripted story accompanied the narration of each design and was strung together like a fairytale.

The plot told of the Wizard Lodin, who had strayed from the ways of fashion. Lodin was played by model Travis Madrigal and entered the stage as a newbie avatar being scolded by the Sorceress Queen Marielle, played by model Tatiana Kurri.

Marielle the Sorceress Queen and Travis Madrigal as Lodin the Wizard

Marielle has taken away his wizard powers and plans to show him the error of his ways by introducing him to beautiful fashion.
The wizardress Valgran, played by model Pyper Dollinger, was also at fault for letting herself go, and Marielle promised that she, too, would learn the path to good fashion sense.

Here's an example of some of the narrative:

"The Water Nymph welcomes Mer-Elf's Wish: Once upon a time in a distant land, a peasant girl wished she could have a lovely gown to wear to the ball.
Else were an elven princess got ready to meet with ambassadors from a neighboring kingdom and wished to find the perfect dress.
A kajira wished to please her master and in return get some new rags or silks.
A free woman wished for the latest new dress to wear.
A fairy flew by and granted all their wishes! For this collection has it all!

Wish is a deep, rich velvet gown geared toward elves and upper class medieval women.
Intricate golden embroidery accents the low-cut neckline, which dips to a V in the back.
It's great for upcoming spring and summer, and includes a hooded cloak to wear on cold days. Also included are a gleaming prim waist belt and circlet, and two skirt and sleeve options.
The wish fantasy add-on pack includes a wider ball gown skirt, short fairy skirt, gorean camisks, and dancing silks along with modesty layers and veils for free women."

The Pyramid Theater was filled with over 60 avatars, so lag was considerable. Add that to the intricate textures of clothing and the particles poofing from elaborate wings of dancing fairy models, and you get slow rezzing. It was necessary to rebake textures a number of times, and I had to hold my cam in one place so as not to crash. Some members of the audience did crash, as well as a model or two, but all in all it was a beautiful display of creative energy from some of SL's most innovative designers.

The show featured designs from Black Rose, Gutter Pup, Lace & Steel, Mer-Elf Creations, Moonstruck and Mystic Sky. Sponsors of the show included Best of Second Life Magazine, Designs by Nicky Ree, and Dark Starr Merchantile.

The fashions displayed ran the gamut from amazing fairy designs to Roman-inspired suits, elegant ball gowns to modest peasant garments, and rugged warrior attire to seductive slave silks. These styles would appeal to role players of the Gor persuasion or those leaning toward medieval fantasy. The variety was lovely and presented well.

Pyper Dollinger as Valgren and Travis Madrigal as Lodin

The show lasted two hours, and at the end, both Lodin and Valgren had learned their lessons and the Sorceress Queen Marielle granted them the return of their wizard powers.
The two models appeared on stage as complete makeovers that had the audience gasping in their seats.
Valgren had become a exquisite example of beauty wearing a "stunning salmon-colored frock adorned with the gentle reminder of nature, leaves embroidered throughout." And Lodin was devastatingly handsome in his dark wizard robes and impressive glowing staff. The two characters were reunited in love and stylish fashion.

For information about future Swirl events, and to see more of the fashions presented at the Fantasy in Fashion show, visit http://www.giveitaswirl.info

If you would like to view more photos of the event, click to go to my personal flick page! http://www.flickr.com/photos/chalicepiers/

TY for reading & also like to thank Filipa Thespian for her courtesy to allow Oi Magazine to cover this Swirl™ event for its blog

Story by Chalice Piers,Oi Magazine Press Blogger

Short update on Moolto contest!

2010-02-01T03:06:00.000-08:00

Mon 02/01/10

This contest is not over!

Forget the 31st January as date for The Grand Final in The Mr and Miss Moolto 2010 contest.
The final standing before the jury will be on the 27th of February!

So far five male and five females have been chosen for finalists.

Males

RicoRacer Flux

Spencer Christenson

Jarl Soderstrom

Apollo Call

Salvo Waydelich

Females

Haidyn Inglewood

Diconay Boa

Mina Pelazzi

Julia Brand

Suri Alex

Here they are in the order of most popular so far according to the scores they got from the jury and the votes they got from the contests group members at the semi final).

In this next step of Mr and Miss Moolto contest it is told the contesters will have to prove their ability to teamwork and show their creative sides, according to latest news on the Moolto group site for this contest.

The 13th-27th of February the voting for the group members will open again.

/Liza Veliz
Oi Magazine

Part 3 : Reporter Liza Veliz Explores The Mr & Miss Moolto Contest !

2010-01-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

Mon 1/25/10

The Moolto contest for Mr and Miss Moolto is now going into its final. The 29th it is going to be over and done. At the event the 23rd of January a jury asked the contesters tricky questions such as “If you could relate your experiences in SL™ to a Shakespeare Play which would it be and why?” Mina Pelazzi answered “to be or not to be”.

I met Mina Pelazzi at the end of the party in her dress from Alatiel. She looked marvelous.

When asked why she chose them particularly, she told me that she wear stuff from all them designers and she was proud to represent ate Alatiel, but it was not of her own choice – the Moolto team picked her to be their model.

So I guess this is another part of this contest and this business idea, them sponsors getting value for their investment by the ability too choose models too.

Another interesting person I run into was Minx Glaz from Violator.

He is from Berlin in the RL and has together with his friend an art and design project inside SL™ that they actually are able to live out of. They combine art and clothes in design and charge expensive prices for their exclusive products.

It seems everything Maxes Loon touches is turning into gold, or maybe the successful and skilled business people is carefully chosen by him. The egg or the hen... which came first^^^

Sonatta Morales had fashion show Sunday afternoon. It was very exclusive and impressive. This was part of the fashion week inside SL now and it was on Moolto land of course.

Another of them benefits the sponsors gets, the ability to throw such things in a luxury environment at no more cost then them 20k a month for the banner at the site.

For you that weren’t there here is the links to Moolto site where you can read all of what happened, all those questions and the answers from the contesters, and also Maxes Loons own view of this event.

In the newsflash is the fact the members of the group on Moolto was also in on choosing who to win. Yes, you read that right.

The finalists will be presented in a list with the jury ranking and the number of public votes the 29th of January.

Friday this week we will know which two people are going to be Mr and Miss Moolto 2010.
The finalists will be presented in a list with the jury ranking and the number of public votes the 29th of January on the Moolto site.

I will bring you to the glittering final event 31 of January where the overall winners will be announced.

/Liza
Oi Magazine investigative reporter

Liza Veliz Explores The Mr & Miss Moolto Contest Part 2 !

2009-12-30T01:16:00.000-08:00

Wed 12/30/09

So…. The 23rd of December passed and Mr and Miss Moolto got not 20 but 26 semi finalists in the semi final^^^ apparently it was too hard for the jury to choose only ten females and ten males. It was not an open event this one so I cannot tell you about them cheerful and happily bouncing avatars that got chosen by eye view ^^ but I can tell you them were very happy in their comments on the Moolto® website anyway^^^

So now we await the great final events in end of January, and there I will take you to by mine blog anyway **smiles**

Instead I will now let you meet an SL™ designer of fashion to let you in on her visions of SL and fashion.

This is about mine meeting with one of them designers that are sponsoring the contest.

SL designers are special in their own ways and its not exactly same rules of design and fashion inside of SL as in RL, for the good and the bad, of course.

Sonatta Morales is creating vintage fashion and we met for a short talk in her work study, where it was lag free and cozy^^

Sonatta Morales

She is a fashion illustrator in RL these days and has many years in the world of fashion behind her.
Originally from London she also lived in Paris, Mexico City, Sao Paolo and Miami and has seen the most of the scene and knows a lot about fashion of course.

Sonatta Morales has a theory about the difference between design fashion for SL and RL; she tells me SL is having its advantages before RL since SL isn’t as depending on the sell factor as RL. A new creator gets a chance in here when they have not too easy time in RL.

-Sonatta tells me:
“As a SL® designer, I keep my eyes peeled for what happens in rl and I frequently identify parts of my SL work that went to rl later. For instance in a recent Haute Couture show from a major fashion house I saw a model wearing a leopard hat exactly like one I designed in the beginning of 2009.”
“I am not saying I was copied; fashion is this spirit, this muse that inspires us all at same time. But it's nice to see sl walking in front of rl for a change”.
”We are always trying to be realistic here, sometimes reality comes after us too. I was saying that fashion in sl has its own challenges, we have the freedom to create whatever we want, but it's not that easy to make it happen on our avatar bodies, we have some limitations, attachments, movements...This can be a funny game, when you manage to achieve a certain effect it's like a victory. It’s very hard to overlay, to build new shapes, but we have some advantages too, unlimited use of material for instance”. :DD (she tells me with a big big smile to this)

-She continues:
“I like to see people wearing vintage fashion, fashion has such a rich past, it's an endless source of beauty and elegance.
As I make illustration for magazines I normally see fashion under a different light, it rarely surprises me I kind of know what to expect from it in rl. In sl it's different, fashion here is free and you can always be surprised with something different, rl fashion is kind of... tied to market rules. We dare a bit more around here. If I make a design and I don’t sell it, it won’t ruin me; rl has to sell and to sell well”.

”Market laws are different here and fashion in sl has so much potential to be explored, it’s exciting to imagine what will happen in the next years. We are at the forefront of a revolution. We can make our own laws”.

Sonatta Morales has a theory about fashion in all, how it works, and where sl is a futuristic factor in this in another way as well.

She says:
”I will tell a personal view of mine. Fashion got fragmented in our century, I can wear 40s and ignore the rest of the fashion world AND I will find hundreds of people into the same trip, the idea of tribes evolved, one can be part of a tribe and consume the fashion one desires. This is something typical of our times and sl fits this perfectly, so were ahead of rl fashion in this aspect”.
“We can wear Goth, Steampunk or just be trendy. We have all the designers here. It happens in a smaller scale but it will increase with time, there will be a mainstream and other streams will get more and more established”.
“I have friends who wear only 50s gear both rl and sl but there are no retro fashion magazines in rl. I believe this will change”.
“I don’t necessarily think sl provokes these changes, I believe sl announces them”.
“SL is relatively new, but we do things here first, this is a fact. It's a perfect platform for new creators. New creators aren’t very well received in rl. When rl brands drive test creations in sl they are trying to see if we are ... touched by them, after all we are used to lots of new things. Bear with me, in one hour here you can see amazing things, our avatar eyes are spoilt by choice :))”

Sonatta Morales appreciates the fact we have got retro fashion press inside of SL, she thinks its fantastic to see it maturing into real information and that we need this, we need an active press in sl, to inform and analyse.

She quotes:
“We should be prepared for bad reviews, she comments, when I tell her she can actually say no to let a sl magazine publish anything negative about her, as a change to the rl world of press”.

“I am human, sometimes I create things according to my taste and people simply don’t get it. I am very sober with colour for instance”.
“I like blacks, greys, dark reds, I rarely go out of this palette, but how many times people came to me asking for coloured versions of certain outfits. I am relaxed about it, I don’t do it but I don’t get angry with the request”.
“There are so many brilliant designers in sl and they use all the colours possible, I just want to carry on with my blacks and reds, she says with a smile. I have some exceptions of course, but in general I am into dark colours. I think the give us power and enhance our beauty”.

When I tell her its cool she stick to her own style, its one good way of making a strong brand, She agrees:
“That’s true”.

When I ask her if she is about to start an empire of her own vintage fashion, she smiles and say “no-no” …. She doesn’t own a sim yet, only some shops.

Me at one of her shops(Sonatta's)

She continues:
“I am making pretty things for me and for the select group of people, who like my things, let’s see what happens in the future ;) I am curious too”.

When asked if it is a kind of dream to be one of them designers them contesters chose collection from for the big price she just tells me she never expect these things to happen.
She says about it:
“I don’t like frustration, she says with a big smile. I prefer not to think about what could happen. I think Maxes is a clever guy and I wouldn’t say no to his idea. I trust his touch”.

Well, well…. We will see. Sonetta Morales makes a special collection of clothes of vintage model. Maxes Loon’s Mr and Miss Moolto contesters will have 25 new outfits of hers to decide from. She has been very busy lately to create them in time.
She is a specialist and it wouldn’t surprise me if her brand is going to be really big inside SL. I don’t know who she is behind her avatar, but talking to her is like talking to Cay Bond – the fashion guru- in RL Them fashionistas knows trends for sure. **grinz**

See you in next blog related to this event of Mr and Miss Moolto contest,

Liza
For OI Magazine Blog

Liza Veliz Explores The Mr & Miss Moolto Contest Part 1

2009-12-12T15:35:00.000-08:00

Sat 12/12/09

Our main story in the November issue of the Oi Magazine told you about Moolto, the social network and advertising site for avatars and business of SL/RL.

This site doesn’t only provides social networking it, also works in more interactive ways of marketing. The first big event of Moolto is the Mr and Miss Moolto contest, which kicked off on the 15th of November. The list of the designers sponsoring this event you can be found in this info link about the contest. One fact that eager’s designers to join in are that every contester has to wear items from the sponsors in the pictures they send in to enter. Another fact is that their items might get great exposure during this contest and the year after.

Maxes Loon standing by the Mr & Miss Mollto Contest billboard

http://moolto.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mr-amp-miss-moolto-2010

19th of December is the closing date for entries into this contest. On the 23rd of december the ten females and the ten males that have been chosen to be in the semi final are invited to a catwalk show where they can choose clothes from one designer each to the value of 5 000 Linden Dollars. Before the show they will be asked to fill in a notecard with the reasons why they think they are the best to be representing The Moolto brand inside SL and they will be interviewed by the crew of The Moolto team.

There has been a great interest to enter the contest with many eager to become the faces of Moolto. They will be attending the Moolto events and will be featured in advertisements’ for Moolto designers. Its great exposure and a way to become well known. The two winners will be announced at the end of January 2010 at a glittering event where they can choose items from all of the designers Moolto works with to the value of 20 000 Linden Dollars.

I went to the island of Moolto to meet with Maxes Loon to find out how it’s going with the entries into the Mr and Miss Moolto contest so far and what his hopes and dreams are. Maxes told me the winner must be very serious. This commitment requires commitment and availability to attend many different events, the two persons should be marketing specialists and know how to represent a company.

Maxes tell me the contest is a good marketing promotion for Moolto.COM as is has potential to grow the network membership. He informed me that membership currently stands at 5600 members and grows continually on week.

Still.. When I ask him what he would do if Facebook or another biggies in social networking online offers to buy his network he claimed he is too small to be of any interest to them... and admits he has not thought of this possibility. Well it has happened before...

Something tells me he won’t let go of Moolto, since he told me he plans to be running Moolto full time within a year...

Well, when Persia, his partner in SL, joined us at this point he said to me he would give up Moolto for her, but he knows that she would never ask that of him. This is a man who is undoubtedly smitten by his beloved ^^

Maxes Loon & Persia Bravin

Maxes is the CEO of Moolto but ably supporting him is Yusuf, who is the one behind the images and the two of them have been business partners from the beginning. Yusuf will design the decorations for the island for the event of 19th^^

Yusuf Xue from Moolto.com

Today when I visited the island it looked like they were getting ready for a beach party with hammocks strung between palm trees and lots of soft white sand, and yessss... I took a swing in an hammock^^ *loves them*

Me relaxing at Moolto Island

Its bit tricky to get any details out of Maxes... about what response he gets from RL business and where the real money is going to kick in, but he don’t deny of course RL is knocking on the door... but gives me no detail´s...of course *grinz *^^

Well, in his comments to this blog he tells me anyway that the running of Moolto.COM is currently funded by the advertising revenue generated by the side banners on the site. Advertising has a cost to these members who make use of that service, but he points out there is so much else that is free. The banner advertising is fairly expensive in SL™ terms, he admits, but in return for this ad spends the members have free access to the Moolto.COM event island, links to their own blogs or websites and access to the Moolto database.

Most blogs I read on the site is advertisements for business... so it’s an advertising site for sure...for free… except for them banners that are expensive as hell. From an SL™ point of view, anyway. 20 000 linden dollars is about 80 US dollars.

Business inside SL™ has its own economy and when mixed with RL economy it gets tricky… mind blowing in a way…. Guess RL business companies see the potential here, for them this isn’t much for banner on a site of big traffic I guess… but the strictly SL™ business companies maybe will stick to blogs for advertising in the end….

Maxes comments this by agree the fact there are RL companies that see the potential in SL™ and who have expanded their business into SL™, but points out that for the strictly SL™ business Moolto offers extensive marketing and communication services to assist in making their members as successful as they can be.

Ah well, think many is biting their thumbs and ripping their hair off their heads about not thinking of this service before Maxes Loon made it real.

The 23rd I will be at the Moolto to see them finalists chosen for the Mr and Miss Moolto contest. Oi magazine is keeping two black painted dark eyes on this – mine^^^
*smilez and grinz*

/Liza Veliz
For Oi Magazine Blog