31 Friday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Virtual Photography
Here are a few more photos from my visit to Mystic Winter Dream.
I changed the light settings for the pictures.
30 Thursday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Virtual Photography
The virtual snow and cold is disappearing fast unlike many places in first life. Last month I made several visits to Mystic Winter Dream after seeing beautiful blog photos.
29 Wednesday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Virtual Photography
A few more photos from my recent visit to Isole Angeliche. No ice or snow to be seen.
Here’s a view overlooking the landing area. The galleries are to the right and there’s also a shop to purchase clothing and decor to help support the sim.
28 Tuesday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Virtual Photography
Recently I went to look at the work of some new-to-me artists at the galleries on Angelic Isles 2. Isole Angeliche also has places to explore and hang out. There are also rentals as I found out after falling underwater and then flying out into private property with the usual warning.
The official opening for the galleries was Saturday but I explored the surrounding area on a quiet weekday morning.
The lower level has baths and a gondola ride into the surrounding countryside.
27 Monday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Uncategorized, Virtual Photography
Here are a few more pictures from last month’s visit to Gehena Vampire Clan.
I spent hours there wandering around and looking at almost everything.
I recall I was in IMs about the time I decided to sit down and rest at a lovely table laden with food. I understand some people don’t get virtual food displays because pixels don’t need to eat but I find images of hospitality welcoming and without them something would seem missing.
Anyway, my messaging friend cautioned me that the food was there to lure humans.
This all took place during the hectic holidays and when I’d been visiting winter sims a lot. It stands out in my memories as a peaceful break.
26 Sunday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Uncategorized, Virtual Photography
I visited Gehena Vampire Clan several times well over a month ago. It’s a beautiful place with lots of little areas to hang out and I want to share some of the pictures from my time there.
The info about the place states that the people who belong there are real friends and that “Kindness and Respect” is here. I found nothing to contradict that and nothing that brought my mood down.
The build is open to the public and there are a few rules which should be read in the info.
Region settings weren’t used for the photos which I’d intended for my personal use. Of course it’s dark there.
25 Saturday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Virtual Photography
24 Friday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Virtual Photography
23 Thursday Jan 2014
Posted in Second Life, secondlife, Uncategorized, Virtual Worlds
The coronation of Elizabeth 1 took place on January 15, 1559 in Westminster Abbey. On Saturday, January 18 a coronation was held at Tudor Rose in Rosemont and I was fortunate to be able to attend.
My photos aren’t very good but there was a film guy in attendance and I’m hoping to see the finished result at some point. The sim was closed to the public during the event but I got a place on the list as a visitor and kept silent while I was there.
I stood behind the ropes as was directed. The seating was all reserved.
Mary of Scotland had been buried on December 14, 1558 about a month before Elizabeth’s coronation. Last month the Tudor Rose group sent a notification of Mary’s death but this being a virtual world she was in attendance at this coronation. The event inworld began on time and was efficiently carried out.
[11:07] Mary I of Scotland wipes off her cloak.. mumbling under her breath..”damn commoners.”
(( Pearl laughs ))
Shopping for an outfit for the event was unpleasant. I hadn’t seen what others wear on the sim and was guessing. I started on the marketplace and was surprised that the links to see gowns at inworld stores were not up-to-date; many of the stores no longer exist. The gowns are quite expensive for something I’ll probably wear only once. I don’t care for the huge skirts but that’s what I thought was most accurate. In the end my gown seemed too pastel and the skirt too full compared to the rich looking gowns of the others. I wore a Truth hair updo that I have in inventory and kept my AO on even though I seemed really fidgety compared to everyone else, many of whom had bowing and curtseying movements.
The Queen’s beautiful gown was very much like the real life historical one and must have been specially made.
My preferences were set for my ease of movement instead of for graphics as usual. After the ceremony the sim was reopened to the public and it was party time.
But I’ve not been well and was exhausted so I crept out to the courtyard and vanished, glad that I’d been able to attend and hadn’t felt too awkward.
13 Monday Jan 2014
Posted in Life, Second Life, secondlife, Uncategorized, Virtual Photography
Just playing around with the toys of technology. These photos were taken last month at The Forgotten Rift, a dark, medieval fantasy roleplay sim that seems to still be under construction.
The beginning point was to take photos of the Caroline Blue Dress I’m wearing from KaliKo. It’s a Western Victorian era summer dress and was a gift from Kaliope Karas. Kali is a roleplayer and the dress was made for the Deadwood sim.
Deadwood is closed and undergoing a rebuild into Gehenna Crossing. The construction is taking some time and when I last visited in order to have a location for my shoot, there was no background suitable. When it opens, there just might be Vampires there. 
I wandered around The Forgotten Rift, not feeling the cold. I find cemeteries attractive and posed in front of one. My raw photos didn’t look so great so I played with them in PicMonkey and like the way these moody pictures turned out.
The detailing on the dress is gorgeous. In the end I was pleased with the results.
I may not be a brilliant writer, sim builder, costume maker or photographer but I have access to these tools in which to learn about the creative process. The feeling of curiosity about next steps and the satisfaction of incremental improvements are part of the journey. A journey that hopefully doesn’t include too much comparison and also dependence on the feedback and opinions of others.
Like most creators, it feels good to share and hopefully add value and inspiration to the lives of others, however fleeting.
It’s true that our culture is now flooded with mediocrity and attention-whoring in some respects but some of us don’t want to live lives of being eternal fangirls, consumers and cheerleaders. The key for me is to lean into a feeling of accomplishment and exploration and away from craving and dissatisfaction.
