Golden Greenies Teddy Awards

May 9, 2008 – 8:12 am

Golden Greenies Teddy AwardsOn Monday May 5th, the first edition of the Golden Greenies Teddy Awards for Excellent and Extraordinary Achievements in the Fields of Greenieness and Virtual Photography were held at the Greenies Home Sim.

The Golden Greenies are created by the Greenies to give avatars that live their motto ‘Green the Grid’ a more personal reward than L$ can ever be. Getting a Golden Greenie Teddy Award means ‘we utterly love what you just did or created’ and ‘TY!’ so much for sharing it with us and letting us show it to the - virtual - world.

Winners of the Surfline Greenie Holiday Photograph Contest were Kaxu Heron for ‘Best in Virtual Sports Photography’, Zoe Demar for ‘Best Holiday Photograph’ and Iodee Tae for ‘Best Holiday Postcard’. A huge ‘congratz!’ to those three ‘avies’. They all got a 5000L$ deposited on their L$ balance. Kaxu stated he will spend that on getting new poses, we do not know for the others. Zoe? Shoes? Iodee? ;)

All photographs can be looked at in the Greenies Holiday Photographs pool on Flickr, or admired on the Fridge at Greenies home sim. They are fabulous and amazing!

Nominees for the Golden Greenies Awards and the Surfline Holiday Photograph Contest as chosen by jurors Nock Forager, Nobody Fugazi and Vint Falken are:

Miss Iodee Tae

Miss Zoe Demar

Holiday

Mister Kaxu Heron

beach soccer

Miss Taylor Flanagan

Wish you were here

By Vint Falken | Posted in Art | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

Carnival of Doom gets new boss

May 9, 2008 – 2:40 am

CoD's Newest MembersSeemingly out of nowhere, two new faces appear at CoD, Boris and Natascha Dratman. Rumor has it that at Thursday night’s “Talent & Freak Show” Boris took the stage, along with his bony wife, to announce that Doom was his.

I was able to catch up with them a couple of hours before they made their announcement. Bickering and nagging, causing a scene at times. Their profiles are every bit as a mystery as what plans they have for Doom.

All I can say is, I hope Doom is prepared for them and that they are prepared for Doom.

By GwenethLange | Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Surfline gets funkadelic

May 1, 2008 – 6:02 am

Komuso concert @ Surfline Apr. 30On April 30, 2008 at Surfline Aloha, live jazz performer Komuso Tokugawa tore us up with his funkadelic sounds.

The concert was wonderful. The opening act was our very own DJ, Aerlinniel Vella playing big band and soulful jazz to get us in the mood for what was sure to be a memorable night.

Komuso, live from Tokyo, had some computer problems right before the event but it didnt stop him one bit from giving us the best performance.

Packing Aloha with over fifty people, we streamed across Epic and Hang 10 to offer a variety of settings for his music; from pipeline waves and relaxing beaches, to a Mayan setting complete with waterfalls, hidden caves and club Elemental and Jaguar.

Surfline’s next event is a celebration of Cinco De Mayo. For more information on that, contact Jacquie Underwood.

By GwenethLange | Posted in Events, Virtual World | Comments (0)

Surfline gods battle LL gods

April 27, 2008 – 4:02 pm

SLSA @ Surfline April 26, 2008 (6)Our twice postponed SLSA surf competition was well under way when Surfline Aloha crashed. Aloha served as the spectator sim, keeping Epic clear for the judges, security and those in the heat. It seemed the LL gods were not on our side as several people head to Hang 10 and it too crashed. Then Epic crashed and the “battle” was on. Last time SLSA short board competition was cancelled because SL grid was shut down. This time, after two phone calls to LL concierge, the rebooting of the offline sims were delayed due to a database issue.

Regardless, fast decisions were made and contestants and SLSA staff were allowed in Epic to continue the heat while spectators sat at Cascade, Oil Rig and Cannery. What seemed like bad luck was actually a learning lesson on how quickly we can pull together and continue this event. Even with all the blows dealt by LL the SLSA short board competition was complete in just about 6 hours. The results of Surflines very first SLSA Short Board competition:

  1. Abel Halderman (14.83 points)
  2. Desirae Beaumont (14.50 points)
  3. Craig Stallion (14.00 points)
  4. Wilfrid DeCuir (13.83 points)
  5. DeVinna Toll (13.66 points)
  6. Colleen Brennan (13.00 points)

Surfline gods won the battle against LL gods and we all look forward to many victories as we endeavour to ride the waves.

Another report of the competition you can find at the Surfwatch blog.

By GwenethLange | Posted in Events, Second Life | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

The Garden of NPIRL Delights - Triptych Gift

April 25, 2008 – 2:48 pm

Garden of NPIRL Delights - Triptych Gift (in action)What happens when you touch Hell? Or Heaven, for those lucky souls amongst us? Will you end up in virtual purgatory - or get wings, a cute little halo and the power to throw lightning?

Rezzable is constructing the heavens, earth and hell for you together with ‘Not Possible In Real Life’ and a great team of fabulous builders. We couldn’t wait to give you a preview of what it looks like when art gets more interactive than it could ever be in a museum (don’t touch the exhibits!) or a book (who spilled coffee over the underworld?!!) With all due respect and a friendly wink to the great artist Mr. Bosch, we beg you to touch his art.

Want to find out what exactly happens when you touch it? Heard rumours about that utterly cute flying flashlight? Saw the Godsent Wings and Godsent Lightning Bolt Thrower on someone and want one yourself? Always wanted an interactive piece of art in your virtual bedroom? You can test and pick up a copy of the Rezzable Garden of NPIRL triptych at the Garden HQ at The Dump sim (SLURL). For people who prefer to do their shopping off the internet, you can pick up one for free at OnRez.

 

 

By Vint Falken | Posted in Build, Events | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)

Surfline Has Plastic Surgery

April 17, 2008 – 12:46 pm

Surfline Epic and Aloha sims had a major remodeling. Ahead of schedule, to be ready in time to properly host the SLSA on April 26, 2008. The deepest gratitude goes to Kalani Koga, for the vision, LittleToe Bartlett for the implementation and to Rezzable owner / CEO, RightAsRain Rimbaud for allowing us the freedom to not only borrow 2 sims to host the first date, but to allow Surfline to be redone.

Surfline remodelled (2)The remodelling was handle rather quickly when you consider the previous prim heavy conditions of Epic and Aloha. Club Elemental was moved to Hang 10, as well as other features added, giving guests hand gliding at the top of the big rock, hidden rooms in the caves and a lovely waterfall hiding a secret entrance.

Epic is now underwater, with just enough beach to land on and rez surfboards. Extra pipeline and fluffies have been added to give surfers more waves to enjoy. It seems the only prims on Epic are the security orbs, wave markers, and the wave gens themselves with minor prim usage for aesthetics. Active scripts are virtually minimal, with little to no detectable cross sim lag. If you’ve read SurfWatch blog, http://www.surfwatch.blogspot.com/, you’ll notice Barchan’s Aloha pic facing Epic has incredible draw distance. He was able to capture Cannery, Rezzable 06 and Cascades sim in the picture.

Surfline remodelledOne thing Barchan pointed out was the signs I rezzed had the wrong date on them. I can’t thank him enough for that and they’ve all been fixed. He also stated; “Surfline management had confirmed earlier this month that the twice-postponed surfing competition would be held on the Rezzable Discover sim.” Being able to offer surfers the real Surfline experience was the number one goal of ours. To make Aloha as lovely as possible while being modular was a priority. Low prims, inviting and room for spectators was our focus. Once the waves were placed, we rezzed our boards and found them to be a nice challenge. Personally, I can’t wait to watch the line up and look forward to many surfing events to be held at Surfline.

By GwenethLange | Posted in Build, Second Life | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

The Source is Withing at the Dagger Eye Gallery

April 17, 2008 – 9:24 am

dagger eye galleryThe Dagger Eye Gallery is a tripped out new Gallery space high above the Cannery. Special thanks to a great set of builders who pulled this totally unique space together: Monn Laval, Andrek Lowell, Kaeli Candour, Rob Balder, Betlog Hax, Vint Falken and the ever-hard working Foolish Frost! Great job team!

..and the first show features one of the best known photographers on Flickr, Melodious Source. We tried to reflect the positive energy in her art in this stunnng new exhibit. Wear a heart and make the show happen! Nice shots from artist preview by Vint here.

Melodious Source’s artists statement:

Born into SL existence Nov. 2006. I accidentally stumbled upon SL by hearing from a friend. Still being relatively new to even touching a computer at that point, I was, and am to this day totally enthralled by the metaversal community of Second Life. Being an artist in first life, the capabilities for creation in SL, the ability to “become” anyone you so choose, the fun of “inventing your own reality”, in addition to being able to make fantastic friends from around the world, mesmeriz me. I never could have dreamt of something so magical.

I began my SL photography hobby within the first week of my SL life. A complete goober novice - loose on the grid (woohoo!). I slowly began learning camera controls, how to save to hard drive, etc… I watched several of the beloved Torley’s video tutorials as a starting point. Melodious Source photography at the dagger eye galleryAfter getting familiar with the basics, I started snapping and have never looked back. I then started looking into photo editing programs, and basically taught myself, by trial and error, different techniques. Then got into making poses to further bring my visions to life. I’m still learning. I’ll never be done. I’m in a constant state of absorbing knowledge. I have met, and continue to meet many friends and helpful teachers in SL along the way. The magic I find here still amazes me. SL provides a wonderful creative outlet, relaxation from first life’s daily grind.

As you’ll soon find out…I am especially drawn to fantasy art, and glamour photography/portraits, also erotic art.

Basically I so enjoy capturing the true essences of our avatar creations - in my pictures.

I don’t like labels. I continually love creating new “characters” for my ideas. From sensual goddess, fantasy mermaids, erotic beastress, to futuristic cyber heroines – whatever my mind can imagine. With all the fantastic creators in SL, anything I can imagine, I can make happen. I love that!

People often ask what inspires me, or how I come up with my ideas for pictures. Everything does; music, people, animals, children, textures, smells; a word, a thought, an emotion, an image. Inspiration surrounds me (all of us), at all times. My only “job”, if you will, is being receptive to it. Finding the joy in every moment. I can’t mention inspiration without acknowledging my muse, mentor and SL partner, Collin Savon. He has been a ~huge~ influence in my joy and creativity here. A catalyst to me and a wondrous teacher of many skills.

The Source is Within - Melodious with HologramsI’m not a believer in rules. Why impose restrictions where there are none? Albeit using rules as guidelines, I’ve never become a slave to them. Matter of fact, I like to experiment and break every rule possible, preferably in the most outrageous manner possible. It’s your Second Life! Live it to your fullest!

Free your imagination. Have fun! Be yourself. Don’t worry of pleasing others or what they may or may not think of you. Drop your own stereotypes. See things not how they have looked but how they might look.

Envision limitless possibilities. Imagine. Create. Manifest.

Another extremely magical aspect of all of this to me is taking the inspiration I find here and transferring it to first life and vice versa.

Balance is Key. As I have to squeeze my playtime in here wisely. First life keeps me extremely busy. Little did I know my SL photography would flow over into first life. That would be the best of both worlds in my eyes. I’m beyond grateful.

Laugh often, smile freely, and spread joy. It’s beautifully contagious. You’ll quite enjoy it. I Promise!

Come play with me..wont’cha please?

Melodious Source

PS Hey! You guys! Have fun in your travels!!!! I sure will..YAY! ~arms in teh air~ LOL!

By Vint Falken | Posted in Art | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Educational Ties find their place in virtual worlds

April 13, 2008 – 1:01 pm

Welcome to the first edition of

Where in the Grid is Zoe Demar?

I will be exploring the virtual world and bringing Rezzable readers to new locations across the grid! This means that I will be busy looking for new experiences, platforms, and locations to share with our avid readers while encouraging their own personal exploration. There is so much to discover that I will be asking for my readers to contribute and share their finds! Find out more at the end of my post to learn how to contribute!

Today I am featuring a side not commonly thought about in SL®. David Rumsey Maps Island and The Ivory Tower Library of Primitives Building Tutorial are my first picks from the educational side of the grid. One bringing in real world items and the other entirely created from the virtual world of SL.

David Rumsey Maps Island
(SLURL)

David Rumsey Welcome Center

David Rumsey started collecting maps about 20 years ago during two main periods of his life. He now holds one of the world’s largest collections of antique maps in San Francisco. In 1997 Rumsey wanted to do more with his collection and started to digitize his maps with high-resolution scans. After having a successful website featuring 17,500 digitized maps and creating new technology to view maps via Google Earth he has now welcomed the Second Life® platform. This way Rumsey can reach a wider audience in a whole new way than could ever be done before. Rumsey's Map Collection in San Francisco
Rumsey digitizing one of his antique maps
Welcome Center Gallery & Free Gifts The sim features a welcome center with a gallery where visitors can view maps and receive free digital maps and globes to place in their own digital homes. It also contains a presentation room where visitors can watch a thirty minute video about how the maps gained their new life. It is introduced by Nathan Tia, the associate creative director for Centric and then handed over to David Rumsey himself.
Rumsey Presentation Room with Video
After watching the video, Foxy Innis said, “It was highly interesting that someone would be willing to give such great resources to the public for free and in different ways for people to view.” Foxy Innis
Outside of the gallery is an interactive map where visitors can mark where they are from along with a comment. Surrounding the gallery is a topographical rendering of an 1883 map of Yosemite Valley. Above the valley visitors will find two gigantic globes. One is a terrestrial globe and the other celestial. Visitors should make sure to fly inside and sit on the inside seats for an internal view. The last main area is an 1836 map of Old New York by J. H. Coton (not pictured).
Interactive Visitor Map of the World Yosemite Valley Map - Ground Level
Yosemite Valley Map - View from Above Giant World & Celestial Globes

The Ivory Tower Library of Primitives Building Tutorial
(SLURL)

The Ivory Tower Library of Primitives Building Tutorial

The Ivory Tower is a self-guided, self-paced, comprehensive building tutorial located in Natoma. It was created by Lumiere Noir who has been a part of Second Life since 2003! For residents it is a way to learn how to build at their own pace.
Emmy Benigni “It’s a great place, I wish I had known about it sooner,” said Emmy Benigni, first time visitor to the Ivory tower, “Everything is well laid out and explained in such a way that a new person to SL would not have a problem understanding.”
The build is like its title, a tower that demonstrates step by step the building blocks of prim usage in Second Life®. One of the great things about the build is that it supports multiple languages by offering guides in English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, and Danish. This isn’t a surprise as Noir is an English teacher teaching English as a second language.
Primitives Building Tutorial Example Multiple Languages of Tutorial
A Full Level View of the Ivory Tower Primitives Building Tutorial Model (Greenies Anyone?)
Dakota Jashan is a repeat visitor to the Ivory tower. “I hope I can pass it on to others in SL that are having problems.” Jashan agrees that SL can use more classes focused on learning more about the tools available. Dakota Jashan

An introduction to the Ivory Tower note card can be found on the lowest level. The following is a brief excerpt from the note card written by Noir.

“I made this tower in the hopes that it would give you a substantial head start on your arrival here. It contains a lot of tips and tricks of the building system that have taken a good while to develop and collect. Over time I’ll include a vehicle tutorial on building and scripting vehicles and a website (both in the works as I write this go here for the website), a module on sound, animations, avatar customization and attachment building. That’s in planning for the foreseeable future…maybe a month or twelve away (this was written July 10, 2006). Long term I’ll include an extensive module on scripting, script building, weapons making…and…more advanced building techniques. Don’t hold your breath, all of that is still just the gleam in the milkman’s eye for right now!”

I look forward to seeing what Noir has in mind with the future of the Ivory Tower and also what David Rumsey can foresee. I was lucky enough to be working the sim opening and asked David what would be his dream. His answer was to be able to see each one of his digitized maps all at once. Perhaps with new technology he will be able to have his dream.

I believe that Second Life® can have a profound mark on the educational community in ways that are only dreams at the time being What I do encourage readers to do is to check out the Ivory tower and learn something new or something overlooked, watch the full 30 minute video at David Rumsey Maps to gain an understanding of how amazing it is to have interaction with museum pieces instead of having them filed away in an archive, and above all else have fun!

If you would like to contribute to “Where in the Grid is Zoe Demar?” please send an email or in-world notecard to Zoe Demar with your name, slurl to location, brief description of the location or event, and a brief personal bio. If chosen, Zoe Demar will include an interview about you along with photo along with the article.

By zoedemar | Posted in Second Life | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)

Alienthearts open Club Haze at Tunnel of Light

April 12, 2008 – 4:45 am

Tonight, Saturday the 12th of April at 12pm SLT Club Haze opens at the Tunnel of Light. We have booked the best DJ’s on the grid, namely the Alienhearts - known for their recent release of music video ‘The Little Newbie’ recorded in the virtual world. Get ready for some glowy, full-bright partying at Haze! Party lasts a full 4 hours until 4PM! Join us there!

club haze opening

By Lokum | Posted in Events | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

The Garden of NPIRL Delights

April 11, 2008 – 2:25 am

garden of eden - hieronymus boschRezzable Productions and the Not Possible IRL group have joined forces to hold a large-scale two month extravaganza loosely themed around “The Garden of NPIRL Delights.”

This isn’t just about building. It’s about giving content creators free reign to further discover their creative might *flex!* and the opportunity to shape our virtual world in ways that… yea, you got it, would not be possible in Real Life.

Taking a page from that madman and artist, Hieronymus Bosch, Rezzable and NPIRL invite you to help us conceive and construct the NPIRL Garden of our collective dreams, spanning four sims to illustrate: the Underworld, Earth, and Paradise.

This is not about recreating Bosch’s Garden. It’s about imagining and crafting your own. If you were to journey into heaven or hell, what would this look like, and how might you make this as immersive as possible? Think Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” but with your own twist. And what are the earthlings doing that might force them into the depths of the underworld or paradise?

Don’t limit yourself to looking at this from a Biblical sense. Create your interpretation and own it. It could take place in any era: past, present or future. If you like, you can use it to cross-promote a current build, but this must be original work.

When

Building will commence April 27 and must be completed by May 14 - Tear down: June 23, 2008

Prim and height allocations

500 prims per person; possibly more if you collaborate on a team. There will be 3 layers with variations on the theme in effect -underworld, earth, paradise. We will terraform for you - up to 200m - but you must specify this in your proposal. Sky-builds are also acceptable.

Organization

The festival will be self-organized and set-up to encourage idea-exchanges, group collaborations and creative freedom for the development of original works.

In other words, play nice. We reserve to right to boot anyone out if we think they aren’t being ladies and gents.

How to participate:

 Send us a general description of your build concept before April 26th (first come, first served) via email to: npirldelights@rezzable.com. Be sure to tell us what type of build you are undertaking (underworld, earth, paradise), if you will need terraforming, and how high you will need for the build to be. This will help us to determine where we will position your build for better overall balance.

Serious stuff:

  1. Anything overtly offensive: hate/porn/obscenities/too gross will instantly disqualify you and your work will be returned without further ado
  2. You must own the rights to all the materials you use 
  3. All rights to the creations remain the sole property of the artist 
  4. Photographs, video and any event materials depicting your work may be distributed in-world and on the web by Rezzable Productions and Not Possible IRL.
  5. Artists may set items for purchase but no signage to that effect may be displayed
By Vint Falken | Posted in Art, Build | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)