ECLIPSE Magazine April 2017

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Contents 20.

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Through the Lens

The talented and renowned blogger, Damon Frost, shows us what he considers the best of “Spring Romance.”

Dreams of an Artist ECLIPSE Magazine sheds insight on the life, motivation and art work of the extraordinarily talented, Jaime Poutine-Flower.

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90.

110.

The Artist Highlight

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The World of Roleplay

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Trending Now: Women

From the Whispering Sands Live Promotions group, we interview Phideaux Mayo.

The Proust Spotlight For this edition, the light shines brightly on Wendz Tempest, a wonderfully talented blogger!

Trending Now: Men The gentlemen of ECLIPSE show us how to style up those “High Waters” and the best way to rock the “Back Packs” for spring!

For this monthly installment, we discover the community of Revenland.

The ladies of ECLIPSE show us their “Shades of Pink,” and “Really Big Bags.”

s

ECLIPSE Magazine is dedicated to not only offering an aesthetically pleasing publication, but to also be considered a platform that offers rich and relevant content. Each month, we showcase residents and groups that have taken the concept of “your world, your imagination� to such great heights that they have impacted the culture and lifestyle of the Second Life community.

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Cover Story Blithe Cover Photographer Lessthen Zero

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The Art Perspective

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Voices from the Grid

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The Adventures of...

Writer: Cajsa Lilliehook

Oema investigates the world of art, this time featuring the work of Elicio Ember.

Each month ECLIPSE asks residents a question, see what they have to say.

Miele Tarantal takes us on a photographic journey, exploring Netherwood.

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As of late, I have contemplated deeply about the concept of loyalty. I have to profess that it confuses me at times. Where does one draw the line of what is considered loyal and disloyal? How do you prevent your loyalty to someone or something from being taken advantage of? What is blind loyalty? How do you determine if loyalty is misplaced? More importantly, should the expectation be that it is automatically reciprocated?

Perhaps, it is the circles I have found myself in previously that I have come to find loyalty to be fickle. Often times, the level of regard given is only equal to that of which a person feels they will gain in return. I suppose their loyalty isn’t to the person, rather dictated by the things or perceived benefits. I remember when I used to believe otherwise.

This month we feature Blithe on our cover with Cajsa interviewing the coowners Harlow Heslop and Jessyca Teardrop. It’s an excellent place to not only find a community, events and parties, but the aesthetic of the sim is excellent. We also feature an in depth interview with artist Jamie PoutineFlower and showcase some of her favorite pieces of work.

We have our regular monthly features like “The World of Roleplay” where we highlight Revenland, the “Proust Spotlight” which shines the light on the very talented blogger Wendz Tempest and“Voices from the Grid,” where we ask residents if they could teach one thing, what would it be?

Be sure to check out the rest of our features like our men and women fashion spreads, “Through the Lens,” “The Art Perspective,” “The Artist Highlight” and “The Adventures of...”

As with every publication, I do hope you enjoy this issue, and happy readings!

letter from the publi

isher

executive team

trouble dethly Publisher

Taylor Wassep

Zzoie Zee Dethly

carley benazzi

Cajsa Lilliehook

Creative Director

Lead Stylist

Creative Director

Copy Editor

the c

writers

photographers

models

Ahn Avion Cajsa Lilliehook Gabriella King Miele Tarantal Isadora Fiddlesticks Novaleigh Freng Oema

Anderian Sugarplum Daffodil Crimson Kess Crystal Lessthen Zero Miele Tarantal Taylor Wassep Tempest Rosca Wicca Merlin WrenNoir Cerise Xandrah Sciavo ZzoieZee Dethly

Caesar Langer Carley Benazzi Ivyana Szondi Locuala Madruga Saian Samuel Steele Sirnah Trouble Dethly Xiomara Lavendel

guest stylist & photographer Damon Frost

interested in advertising with eclipse? have an idea for a great story? looking to start a new career in second life? email trouble@penumbra-eclipse.com

contributors

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Through the lens

damon frost & alexa sabetha show us “spring romance.� Photography by da

s

amon frost.

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Alexa Sabetha Hair: Truth - Ember [Behind] Dress: CandyDoll - The Vixen Dress Damon Frost T-Shirt: MGmen’s - T-shirt Sven ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 23

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Alexa Sabetha Hair: [Hat] Taketomi West - Taylor Longsleeve: Blueberry - Elisa Jeans: Blueberry - Pizza - Ripped Jeans Boots: ROC - Chris Boots Damon Frost Cap : Besom & FLite - Tommy Jeans: Kalback - Original Jeans M2 Ripped T-Shirt: Kalback - Basic T-Shirt Vest: <Kalback> Vest Hoodie Boots: Vale Koer - Tactical Flip Boots ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 25

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Alexa Sabetha Hair: Monso My Hair - Kisa Tank top: Addams - Sophia Tank Top Short: Addams - Electra Denim Short Flip flops: Livalle - Flup-Flops Damon Frost Hair: Modulus - Pavel Hair Short: Kalback - Cut Off Shorts Sneakers: Versov - Wonzov Sneakers

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Alexa Sabetha Hair: [no hat] Taketomi West - Vanessa Blouse: Blueberry - Blaire Jeans: Blueberry - Pizza Jeans - BlueberryBooty Damon Frost Tank: Vale Koer Essential Tank Top Pants: MGmenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Pants Rain

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Alexa Sabetha Hair: Magika [Hair +Bow] Beans Dress: Phedora - Odelina Dress Watch: Zoom - Moumie Watch Damon Frost Hair: Modulus - Pavel Hair Tee: Cold Ash - Montana Tee

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the spirit of blit

written by cajsa lilliehook. photography by lessthen zero & tayl

the

lor wassep.

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Kurt Vonnegut once said that the most daring thing anyone can do is to create stable communities “in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” If that is true, Harlow Heslop and Jessyca Teardrop are one daring duo. They are the co-owners of Blithe, a sim that is all about community and curing the terrible disease of loneliness.

Harlow founded Blithe back in February 2015. Designing, marketing, promoting mostly on her own. It was a challenge for her to do it all by herself. Teardrop was her longtime friend and someone who supported her vision of Blithe.

When Heslop realized they had a similar vision of the kind of community they wanted, she invited Teardrop to join her. It has certainly eased the workload.

Heslop noted “I would say our work is now divided pretty evenly. We are both Co-owner’s of the sim/lounge. We both promote events, we both handle sim design and mesh together beautifully with our design plans. We both interact equally with other community members, and both also DJ on the sim as well.

I couldn’t think of a better partner to operate a sim with.” Teardrop agreed, adding that the two of them have complementary strengths that make it easy to work well together.

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Blithe is an adults-only sim with lots of places to hang out and a lounge for parties and events. The Blithe team of Harlow Heslop and Jessyca Teardrop arrange special events from time to time. People enjoy occasional birthday or rez day parties for community members and there are weekly DJ events.

Heslop and Teardrop enjoy throwing themed parties that give community members a chance to dress up in costumes. Heslop, looking forward, added, “We are pushing to do more cafe style hang outs, trivia nights, live music, and more.”

Pull up a chair.

Take a taste.

Come join us.

Life is so endlessly delicious.

- Ruth Reichl As Teardrop elaborated, “We are working on arranging a few other hangout type events so people can just socialize. We all seem to be platform dwellers these days. Harlow and I want to build a community for everyone to just come here and feel like they’re at home. Hopefully we will start to have some live singer events as well. So many things happening!”

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The sim is beautiful and includes some custom construction as well as realitybased landscaping and design. The look of the sim is important to both the owners. It is realistic, picturesque and welcoming. It has a main thoroughfare, farmhouses, and barns that suggest the shabby side of the American dream.

A run-down rural town where their hardscrabble lives leave no room for a new coat of paint, but will not interfere with a good party on Saturday night. The forest primeval meets the hollowed out small town and sex and sin binds them together. The blend of respectability on the surface with rapacious appetite below is the perfect metaphor for America.

back to a sim. She loves the beauty and realism possible in SL®. But that is not enough, she notes, “If your beautiful, aesthetically pleasing sim doesn’t have a welcoming vibe and great people, then what is the point? I think if I had to choose, it would be the people. Having kind, welcoming, and engaging individuals as a part of your sim is invaluable.”

That is why Blithe is a success. They have a design that attracts and brings people back, a welcoming atmosphere and events such as dances with DJs and other events, and the clientele who come back again and again. Only members of the Blithe inworld group can teleport into the sim. There is a fee to join the group, which means the sim is free of Of course, we have all been to beautiful casual drop-ins, griefers, and the random sims that are empty. As Heslop explains, random who asks “Want sex?” instead of visual appeal is necessary for her to come “Hello.”

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Blithe is a place where there actually is group chat, not just private IM chat. That’s how Blithe changes their patrons from a crowd to a community and cure the terrible disease of loneliness. Of course, it does not just happen, Teardrop explains that it requires keeping the community active, being consistent, and listening to community members to find out what they enjoy. For Heslop, it’s about putting people first, making your patrons your main focus. “Ensuring that they feel welcomed, comfortable, and entertained in the environment that they are interacting in, and then continuing to provide that kind of welcoming energy always, while keeping things new and interesting within the walls of the space provided.”

“We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”

–Dorothy Day Page 46 | ECLIPSE April 2017

Both Teardrop and Heslop think it is important to keep Blithe fresh, but with gradual changes and shifts. People like consistency as well, so seasonal shifts and small enhancements are what they agree is ideal.

That’s hard for Heslop, though.

“I have a bad habit of changing things too often, and I’m trying hard to learn to curb that. People want a sense of familiarity but they also want changes and new features to be added to curb boredom and the same old routine. Hopefully I will learn to be better about balancing that.

Give people a “home” away from home, but keep them interested with new spaces.”

If this all makes you think it is easy, don’t. It is hard work, often costly and time-consuming.

But they love the work. Blithe’s success is its own reward, but they naturally value and appreciate those who recognize their work and the time they devote to their venue and events.

Heslop and Teardrop have been in SL since 2008, so they have seen it go through many changes. They have also waxed and waned in their level of involvement, as people do, but as Teardrop mentioned about pulling back from SL, “I tend to miss the creativity and the community.” That word again– community.

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“Community is composed of that which we don’t attempt to measure, for which we keep no record and ask no recompense. Most are things we cannot measure no matter how hard we try.”

- Dee Hock

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The thing about community is it changes you. You learn from it. Teardrop has learned that change is constant. Heslop has learned lessons about community, that the SL community is actually small, with people from all walks of life. She has learned that respect for others is invaluable. “You aren’t always going to agree with everyone in that community, but in a sense we are a family. A totally dysfunctional, wonderful, crazy one… but we are a family in a sense. Having respect for your other “family” members is invaluable. I’ve had my moments of unkindness/disrespect here and I’ve paid the price. So always be kind when you can, and always try and respect those around you, even if you don’t always see eye to eye.”

Heslop’s years in Second Life have changed her life dramatically. It is in SL she met her husband. That ranks near the top of life-changing events in anyone’s list. She’s met friends in SL who have become friends in her first life. Teardrop is one of them. Teardrop says they are practically neighbors. According to Heslop, “I can’t really ever imagine SL not being a part of my life. I’ve spent a third of my life here, and I hope to continue to spend many more wonderful and happy years in this community.” Teardrop also has met many of her Second Life friends in her first life, in addition to Heslop. For her, the two are not separate.

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Both Teardrop and Heslop are not naturally gregarious people. In fact, Teardrop describes herself as painfully awkward.

Heslop thinks her busy schedule and natural reserve are perceived as standoffish and she would love to erase that perception. She added, “ I love people and love to get to know others, I just think I tend to keep to myself and others view that as snobby or self centered.

Don’t ever be afraid to reach out to me.”

Since Blithe is a popular place, they obviously are hard on themselves and people perceive them as welcoming. So what if they will never run up to you, slap you on the back, and say “Howdy, Stranger!”

That’s performance, not authenticity. Their version of welcoming is laidback, the welcome of hosts, not entertainers. The kind of welcoming that makes room for others to thrive.

“Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else’s. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back.”

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Both of them look forward with optimism.

Heslop is optimistic about Blithe. “We are such a fantastic community of people, and growing daily.

It’s so fun to see regulars come back time and time again and I hope more stop by and join us.

Who knows who you will meet, or what adventure you will come across while visiting us.” With their new sim, they have many hopes and dreams for the future of Blithe. “We are really looking forward to community growth, more events, more discussions, etc… I think the future of Blithe is bright,” Heslop enthused.

As to Second Life, they plan to stick around, with more friendships and new creative spaces.

For Heslop it is her home away from home. As for Teardrop, she makes is plain and clear, “Blithe is going to be here for a while.”

“Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!

Bird thou never wert, That from Heaven, or near it, Pourest thy full heart In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.”

–Percy Blythe Shelley Teleport to Blithe.

Follow Blithe on Flickr.

Contact Harlow Heslop via e-mail.

Follow Harlow Heslop on Flickr.

Contact Jessyca Teardrop via e-mail.

Add Jessyca Teardrop on Plurk.

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Dreams of an Artist

written by ahn avion. photography by wicca merlin. artwork provided by jaime pouti

ine-flower.

art1 ärt/ noun 1. the expression or application of h typically in a visual form such as pain be appreciated primarily for their be Page 62 | ECLIPSE April 2017

Artwork : come undone

human creative skill and imagination, nting or sculpture, producing works to eauty or emotional power.

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“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” ~ Margaret Wolfe Hungerford Is it truly that simple? Yes. Yes it is. Art is all around us whether it is recognized as such or not. It is the high dollar exhibit in the art gallery, the crayon scribbles held on by mismatched magnets on the refrigerator, the graffiti mural seen in the inner cities, the doodles of a lovesick teenage girl, and everything in between.

“For me, art is a way of expressing oneself and working toward communicating feelings and emotions that aren’t easily put into words.

I thrive on experimentation and exploring different techniques, but primarily I am most inspired by the emotional connection with my work.” ~ Jaime Poutine.

I had the honor and privilege to talk with real life and Second Life® artist, Jaime Poutine-

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Flower (Jaime Poutine) to discuss her art, narcolepsy, and a pyromaniac’s dream.

It is always fascinating to meet up with those who have been in Second Life for a long while, and by that I mean that Jaime celebrated her twelfth rez day last November. I had to know what keeps her coming back for more! She says, “It’s all about the community. I love coming here and seeing all of the amazing things that the other creators are making, connecting with other creatives, and collaborating with other artists or working together for group shows.”

Speaking of shows, she currently has a couple things going on. “I recently made a couple of tarot card illustrations for a group show focusing on the Major Arcana, there is a piece that is on display at LEA9 and some of my artwork will be displayed on Blithe Gallery,” she offers.

Artwork on the Right: in too deep Art work on the Left: negativity ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 65

Artwork : unwanted journey

Being in a relationship with a real life artist, I was pretty sure I knew the answer to my next question, but it didn’t keep me from asking just the same.

The best way to put an artist on the spot is to ask her to identify her favorite piece. “That’s rough. It’s like picking a favorite child. I think perhaps “February” which I painted last year. More recently, “Unwanted Journey” (or labeled “Dark Energy” at the LEA event) which is about my experience with narcolepsy,” she

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admits with reflection. “Wh things like this. There has to from it. I think it influences m come up with different idea strange from time to time,” s “Unwanted Journey” paintin Dean you might see a little o

Strange, much like beauty,

hen I am falling asleep I see o be some good that comes my creativity and helps me as, even if they are pretty she adds, referring to her ng. “If you look up Roger of his influence on me.”

y, is different for everyone.

The first image that came to mind when I looked upon “February” was a lion. Jaime says, “It can be seen a couple different ways, and I don’t really think there is a wrong way to look at it. It’s a heart which has burst and is pouring down into dry earth, but the heart is part of a living being, and I think that the identity of that living being may have something to do with what you bring to the table. For me it has a spiritual context, but others might see it another way.”

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Jaime has a variety of real life and Second Life artists she admires. “In RL, my two favorites are Gustav Klimt and Yellena James, and I grew up completely fascinated with the art of Roger Dean. In SL I really look up to Asmita Duranjaya and really enjoy her fracticularium shows. She works really hard for her art and it shows. I’ve been a fan of Scottius Polke for a long time, but he probably doesn’t even know who I am. I also love the art of Judilynn, jFr Beaumont, Zen Arado, Winter Nightfire.

In fact, I am afraid I am leaving a few out and I might hurt some feelings.

Second Life is full of amazing artists.”

And she’s definitely one of those amazing artists!

Jaime used to sell her work in real life, but her schedule hasn’t allowed her to commit the time and energy that goes along with showing her work.

She has plans to submit a few pieces for a show in Fort Worth this fall, something she hasn’t done since 2009 or so. She’s been asked several times to at least provide prints of her work, which she is actively looking into.

Before Jaime and I had a chance to connect for the interview, she had been working on a new piece that left her hands colored in green and gold inks. “I have used a lot of materials over time, but in the last year I have been painting with alcohol ink on coated papers, and digital painting in a program called Rebelle. I have a surface

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tablet which I love to use for drawing, but I have a Wacom tablet I use on my Big Mac. I found some ceramic tile today and realized I might be able to set my art on fire, so I was experimenting with the ink on tile before I decide to go outside and play with matches. My inner pyromaniac’s dream come true,” she confesses. “With alcohol you have to work really, really fast before it dries, but from some research I have learned that the pigments survive the heat pretty well so I am excited to see what I can do.” That makes two of us!

For some artists, the ultimate goal is achieved by large financial gains, but Jaime’s idea of success is far more introspective. “I am not especially ambitious, nor am I good about making long term plans. I always have a lot of big ideas, and it’s hit or miss if I ever get around to making it happen.

In Second Life I would like to see better resources for connecting artists and helping them share their work, and I really want to help make that happen for the community’s sake. For my own art, I just want to keep painting. I need my painting just like some people need to keep a journal, talk to their friends, or do some exercise. I feel sick if I don’t. If someone sees it and makes an emotional connection with it, then I’m happy - that was a successful piece. The connection is important for me.” If only more people felt so deeply inspired, just imagine how this would could be!

Artwork: brassica noelle ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 69

To aspiring a offers, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The s that was give on my first da school. Nobo out thinking are an artist. day, even if yo you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dra anything, ma or even draw Draw with a p with crayons with the drip when you spi coffee cup. Ke it, and find yo takes a long t to where you are doing wh naturally, and guessing you you nowhere

This writer is no means an connoisseur Having spok Jaime at leng interview, I a touched by h and truth. I e anyone, ever reading this in-world gall art speak for each piece te from your pe and be riche

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Artwork: advent

artists, she same advice en to me ay in art ody starts that they Draw every you think aw. Draw ake marks, w nothing. pencil, draw s, or draw ppings from illed your eep doing our jam. It time to get u feel you hat comes d secondurself will get e.â&#x20AC;?

s by n art r or critic. ken to gth for this admit I was her honesty encourage ryone to visit her lery. Let her r itself. Let ell its story erspective er for it.

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Artwork on the Right: february Art work on the Left: love hurts

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the proust spotli

photography by Wend

The Proust Spotlight is our monthly feature where we highlight one of the many creative residents of Second Life®. Utilizing the Proust Questionnaire, whose namesake comes from the late 19th century French writer, we will offer a glimpse into what makes them tick.

This month we showcase the extraordinarily talented Wendz Tempest. She shares with us, “If you’re blogscrolling or Flickr Flipping, I invite you to visit her personal blurb in the Second Life™ Blogosphere. CozeySL.com is where I hang my hat, let down my weave, and talk not just about the latest and greatest in virtual Home/Decor content, but also important issues of the day, like the weather, or how many restarts before I lose my other shoe :)”

ght

z tempest.

What is your ideal of perfect happiness?

Happiness is great! But I’ve always been more of a joy seeker. So if I was ever in a situation where there was a choice between perfect happiness and a Joyful experience? I’d choose the latter. Think, fleeting and temporal versus long-lasting and meaningful.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

‘I used to’, ‘But’, ‘Very’ and, ‘I don’t care if the Pope is doing it, you’re my kid, you’re not doing it!’

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

In Second Life®, it’d have to be meeting my SL kids. I’ve never been into Family RP, but these girls are just the most talentedess, funniest, brilliantess, girls I’ve met to date. Er, was that an achievement? Why, yes! lol What do you most value in your friends?

A great sense of humor. Dry humor is fun too.

What is your motto?

‘I don’t care if the Pope is doing it, you’re my kid, you’re not doing it!’

What is your most marked characteristic?

The over excessive use of flowers, smallish textures in my images, and a penchant for organized piles of clutter.

For more information on Wendz and samples of her work, check out her Blog, Facebook and Flickr.

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Trending now

The gentlemen show us their “HIGH WATERS” AND “BACK PACKS.” photography by TAY

YLOR WASSEP.

Caesar Langer in High Waters Ears: Swallow - Pyramid Ring L: Kunst - Wire Ring Ring R: Staple Ring Pants: Gizza - Dennis Rolled Pants Jacket: EClipse Design - Minimal Shoes : ROC - Wingtip

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Saian Samuel in High Waters Top: ILLI -Classic Jacket Pants: K- Loose Fit Skinny Footwear: ROC - Wingtip Hair: NO.MATCH - NO.WAY. Glasses: Kalnins-Crystal

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Steele Sirnah in High Waters Glasses: Lordes of London Hat: L.A. BoS Vest and Shirt - BakaBoo Baka Vest Pants: Gabriel - Chino Shoes Mikunch - Sloppy Shoes ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 97

Trouble Dethly in High Waters Shirt: Ascend - Dexter Shirt Pants: Versov - Stefov Jeans Hair: Dura - Dura-Boy 67 Tattoo: Taox - Gansta Thug Money Necklace: NOeditiON - Zodiac Dog Tag Bracelet: Kunst - Navigator Cuff Rings: RealEvil Industries - Biker Rings Shoes: Gizza - Flat Sandal Page 98 | ECLIPSE April 2017

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Caesar Langer in Back Packs Hat and hat: ARGRACE - Hunting Jacket: Kauna - Tuxedo Jacket Handkerchief : Kauna - XIV Handkerchief Shirt: Kauna - XIV Shirt Vest: Kauna - XIV Tanktop Tie: Kauna - XIV Tie Pants: Kauna - XIV Trousers Sunglasses: Meva - Dez Aviator Page 100 | ECLIPSE April 2017

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Saian Samuel in Back Packs Pants & Top: GizzA - Suit Owen BackPack: Egoisme - EXMACHINA Hair: S E V E N - Dean

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Steele Sirnah in Back Packs Hair: Mina - Bridget Shirt: A:S:S - Disperse Dwarf Pants: Legal Insanity - Casual Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pants Backpack: Gizza

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Trouble Dethly in Back Packs BackPack: C L A Vv - Strapped Bag Shorts: ColdAsh - OWEN Shorts Hair: Dura - Dura-Boy 70 Glasses: Z O O M - Zooky Glasses Scarf: ::K:: - Villa Scarf Watch: RealEvil Industries - ReVoX Aviator Watch

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artist highlight

photography by wic

ca merlin.

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Phideaux Mayo is one of the many talented live artists with Whispering Sands Live Promotions and has just recently signed with them. While she has been singing since she was very young (her Dad recorded her singing “Popeye the Sailor Man” at the age of two and has sung duets with her Mom in the Church Choir for years), she has sung all kinds of music in her first life without any shyness. Unlike in her first life, her Second Life was a bit more shy and didn’t instantaneously become a part of the singing community.

She shares with ECLIPSE, “I finally was nudged to start in February 2011. I was most concerned about having proper equipment and I am thankful to Harry Frychester for being my guide in that department. And Nina Bing and the late Niv Bing were SO great about getting me singing here! Now I am in all sorts of venues having a ball doing music from the 40’s, right up through today’s more eclectic stuff.” She is also a studio musician who has done soaring vocals for a Jazz Rock Fusion Band called Free Flight. She tells us, “So of course Jazz is a happy and comfortable place for me. And I have a great time delving into the lost hits of the 60’s and the 70’s! But if I was going to pick anywhere in the world to sing it would be in a lovely Piano Bar, with a fabulous piano, bass, and drums, and so many pretty people around while I sing from the Great American Songbook. That is my greatest pleasure. While we all eat chocolate, of course.”

These are her top five favorite songs to sing: “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (a la Sinatra) “Call Off The Search” (Katie Melua) “Come Rain or Come Shine” (Bette Midler) “Hallelujah” (a la Katherine Jenkins) “Downtown” (Petula Clark) Regarding her actual sound and the influences on it, she sheds insight, “When you come to one of my concerts you are likely to hear a little influence from all the different music I have sung - some of my Folk Rock years when I bring out “ Since I Fell For You” and all of that great Carole King “Tapestry” music. And then my classical training comes through on show tunes such as “ If I Loved You.” I’ve performed in dozens of Musical Theatre Productions, and I even used to sing operas now and again.”

When asked if there is anything our readers would find interesting about her, “I am a retro kind of girl. WAY back in the day, 2008, I remember seeing great retro or vintage clothes on someone and wanting to know “ where is that from??” We didn’t have “inspect” or Fashion Spy back then . So, I thought, why not have a clearinghouse for all things Retro and Vintage?

And I got together with just the right people to help me and created RETROPOLITAN Magazine. We became The Place to go to find what was happening in the very busy world of Retro fashion, and Vintage Architecture, Historic RP, and more. We ran RETROPOLITAN out of our Sim, Esoterica, for 4 1/2 years, and it was one of the great joys of my Second Life.”

Listen to her music.

Like her on Facebook.

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the world of role

this month we feature â&#x20AC;&#x153;revenland.â&#x20AC;? written by ahn avion. photography by xandr

play

rah sciavo.

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A land divided. Humanity has cast out the inhuman elements from their town and farmlands, banishing all who threatened their purity. Magi have been put to the sword, and the Non-humans rally in the forests, all too ready to take bloody vengeance. Blood has been spilled on both sides, a storm gathers on the horizon.

Where do you stand?

Revenland came to fruition in the days when AOL had a thriving role play community.

“A friend of mine created it in 1996 on AOL. Then in 2002 he created a realm around it for people to role-play in, still on AOL. We had so much fun that when AOL RP died down, I got tired of other sims often having corrupted admins and leads, that I asked him if I could bring Revenland here,” says littlenixie, owner of Second Life’s version of Revenland.

“We had it open a few years ago as kind of a test run, and then it went through a few years of more building before we reopened it. We reopened in early 2016,” she says.

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While anyone can go to the website for more information, it is the players that truly hold the heart of it. “Thanks to past RP, it’s rich with history and lore, though we keep the lore brief because it’s better if people can find things out in RP. I don’t really like making people read too much, when they can just find out ICly [in character].

In AOL there was a monarchy but when I brought it to Revenland, I decided to add a twist of the people rejecting the monarchy, setting up the baron as their leader, who in turn set up the nonhumans as a scapegoat for all their problems,” littlenixie adds.

Littlenixie is not only the sim owner but also an avid roleplayer in Revenland. Her character is known as a gumiho, a kind of Korean version of a kitsune. “A gumiho is a fox that has lived for a very long time. It gains the ability to shift into people, using a bone from their body. Typically in Korean mythology, monsters long to become human themselves. They also try to hide their true selves from others, and try to trick people into marrying them. The shortest way for a gumiho to become a human is to marry someone for 10 years and if the person not once mentions or sees their true form, they become human. I love mythology, it’s fun and kind of nuts,” she adds. To say that the creativity level of avatars is off the charts would be a massive understatement!

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I also spoke with Cyn (annalise101) about her character, Nouvellune, a wyvern. A wyvern is a type of dragon and this one has feathers. “She [Nouvellune] lacks basic English or Draconic, and tends to communicate via chirps, clicks, and parroting/repeating what others say despite not knowing the meanings of such things.

She is naturally untrusting at first, and tends to gravitate towards those of shorter height, ironically. Scratch that spot on her back that she can’t reach and you’ll be her friend forever.”

There aren’t a whole lot of sims that will welcome non-human characters. Not only does the Revenland team allow it, they encourage it. “We get some pretty creative avatars. We allow custom races, provided they’re within reason (look realistic, aren’t god-like, etc) and that has brought some really artistic creations,” says littlenixie. “You give people a sim theme and just seeing them run with it and make their own stories is awe-inspiring.”

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It’s not just about the creatures though. The history of peace and conflict in Revenland is deeply rooted in human history. Littlenixie adds, “I think a lot of people having the notion that playing a human is boring, when some of the biggest and most interesting personalities I’ve ever seen have come from magicless humans.”

With such a variety of characters, I had to know about the strangest character littlenixie had come across. “Probably the undead reptilian cleric from another world. Brennos Wu Gong.

He’s actually been with us since AOL Revenland, and he never gets any less strange. But in a good way!” She adds, “I would definitely love to see more old-school faeries, pre-Victorian, where they came in differing shapes and sizes and were more scary than good.”

Cyn (annalise101) was quick to reiterate just how easily she was able to create and apply her talents to Revenland. “I learned about it whilst searching for medieval RPs using the search

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engine one day. I saw that it had a lot of traffic and was drawn in. Upon arriving the people here were very welcoming and helpful, and there’s no limit to characters and certainly no meter or required application forms. You can simply pop in and start roleplaying within minutes, no hassle.”

Among my travels into this fantastical land, I also met up with Monster Grey (takehikogrey), a dracolich. “A dracolich is a dragon, or a half breed who has gained the power of a Lich. A Lich is a powerful and sentient undead. They are immortal in themselves however they have a phylactery [a small leather box that holds ancient texts that can be worn as an amulet] which is the center of their power. Destroying it will destroy the Lich. In short terms, an Undead Dragon.,” he explains.

With a land so rich in diversity, the only limit to be found would be in one’s own mind. The admin team is open-minded and welcoming of characters of any type as long as the character makes sense.

Monster Grey says, “I have found the support here to be very helpful and comforting. The officers here are so kind and approachable.”

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As an avid roleplayer myself, I took the opportunity to ask littlenixie what advice she has for any prospective citizens. She proudly states, “I am so very thankful for their presence and participation. It has really brightened my life. I know there’s a lot of roleplay sims out there to choose from, especially with medieval+fantasy themes, so it means that much more when someone decides to come roleplay here. It’s an ever-changing project, because I can’t leave well enough alone without trying to improve the build and storylines. I’d also like to thank the moderators we have, who have spent a ridiculous amount of their time helping with events, storylines, and new players.”

Cyn adds, “I’d say don’t be afraid to just walk up to someone and start roleplaying, everyone here is amazing and friendly, it’s very much like a family of sorts.”

Revenland is a roleplay sim that welcomes new players and characters, human and non-human alike. Will you be one of them?

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Trending now

the talented women of eclipse show us “SHADES OF PINK” AND “REALLY BIG BAGS.” photography by tayl

lor wassep.

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Carley Benazzi in Shades of Pink Hair: Unorthodox -Sierra Hair Dress: ISON - alexis asymmetrical dress Necklace: Eclat - Rhinestone Choker Necklace: Majesty - Basic Chain Accessory: Tableau Vivant - Nose hoop Glove: Dead Dollz - Mischief Glove Footwear: Breathe - Kendra heels ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 141

Ivyana Szondi in Shades of Pink Hair: Kokolores - Berlin Eyeshadow: Le Punk - Mia Lips: Pink Fuel - Queen Palette Nails: Nailed It - French Manicure Necklace: Minimal - Marta Watch: RealEvil Industries - Fabiana Top: Purple Moon - Riley Bra: Vinyl - Bebe Bottom: Rowne - Gal Heels: Essenz - Cameroon

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Locuala Maduga in Shades of Pink Dress: Clef de Peau Outlet.Sarah Ruffled Dress.Girly Leggins: Maitreya Leggings - Lara - Honeysuckle Shoes: Elysium - Astrid classic pumps scuba blue Hair: .Shi : Undercut / Fiore ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 145

Xiomara Lavendel in Shades of Pink Dress: Faye Silk Slip- ISON Cardigan: ISON- Agnes Cardigan Choker: Eclat- Velvet Choker Boots: Phedora- Dorothy Boots Hair: Unorthodox- Sierra Hair Eyeshadow: SlackGirl- Capriccio Lipstick: Pink fuel- Fresh Lip Tints Page 146 | ECLIPSE April 2017

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Carley Benazzi in Really Big Bags Hair: DOUX - Alma Hairstyle Makeup: S.E. Backstage Model Special Eyeshadow Nails: Empire - Square nails Outfit : O V H - Cristina Set Necklace: David Heather - Diana Choker Footwear: REIGN - Lindsey Heels Accessory: David Heather - Vache Bag ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 149

Ivyana Szondi in Really Big Bags Hair: Elikatira - Shelby Eyeshadow: Madrid Solo - Double Flick Lips: Zibska - Frida Nails: Figure - Chic Nude Piercing: Suicidal Unborn - Medusa Choker: Imbue - Native Choker Bracelet: FA Creations - Hippie Bracelet Phone: Kunst - Kphone Bag: Zenith - Summer Yoga Bag Top: Pixicat - Vibrant Vest Bottom: Coco - Colored Skinny Jeans Shoes: Murray x Salvadori - Simone

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Locuala Maduga in Really Big Bags Dress: ISON - baroque dress -Maitreya Cap: Clef de Peau Outlet - Mermaid Cap Stockings: Maitreya - Slouch Stockings Shoes: ISON - platform Nata heels Sunglasses: MURRAY- Round-Frame Sunglasses Bag: *YS&YS* - Parioli Bag

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Xiomara Lavendel in Really Big Bags Sunglasses: KC Couture- Vogue Top: Prism- Lara Tied Top Skirt: Prism- Lara Denim Skirt Bag: sYs Designs- COPINE bag Shoes: Slipper Originals- Luna Sandals Hair: Tableau Vivant- Giselle add- on Necklace and Earrings: RealEvil Industries- Kitty Pearls Bracelet: RealEvil Industries- NOX Alegoria Eyeshadow: SlackGirl- Capriccio for Lelutka Lipstick: Studio Exposure- Love Me Baby ECLIPSE April 2017 | Page 155

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the art perspective oema sheds insight on “the cauldron” BY ELICIO EMBER. written by

oema. photography by miele tarantal.

Elicio Ember, the artist I will feature this month, is well known for his spectacular mesh fantasy creations. His creativity is remarkable and, in fact, he has many works for sale at his showroom.

I remember the first time I “landed” on his large structure, perfect for fantasy environments, that many sims, which later became famous, used as a design style.

Ember’s works are exciting, transmit real feelings (even though these are structures suitable for furnishing virtual environments).

His artistic production is immense: visiting his showrooms, you realize how his creative genius sets his work apart.

Many times I have admired the beauty of a location and realized that Elicio Ember was the creator of the objects and furnishings.

I have bought several objects from him over the years, : houses, trees, flowers, grass and complete facilities for the furnishing of an entire sim. His works are all very original, even for the beauty and variety of effects among which you can choose.

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From an artistic point of view, his is a fantasy style with very clear contours.

Dragons, fairies, butterflies, a luxurious botanical garden of flowers of various shapes and size, bright and iridescent grass, trees that look real for their definition and sharpness of detail. Every detail has its charms and the result is that the viewer is fascinated and excited by so much artistic beauty.

Intrigued by how this passion for 3D fantasy art was born, I turned to Ember asking him some questions, in particular, to learn how he started his project to open a showroom and how he earned his (deserved) success.The artist spoke to me at length of his early years and did so in a simple and direct way.

He explained he is a first generation gamer, and he thinks video games are a complete art form when done right. About ten years ago he was looking for a game to play on the web. Second LifeÂŽ kept popping up, and it made him curious.

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$L which in turn you could sell for real world money. Being an artist, a gamer and a fan of sandbox games, this immediately appealed to him. He felt dazed by the potential and what he saw when he finally logged in-world, with a free account. He soon found out he had to learn a scripting language and the basics of texturing and the oddities of the Sculpt system.

Ember admit it was intimidating, but he saw huge potential in this, so, he cut down on his Sandbox game time and started learning what he needed to become the best content creator he could and through that become a designer.

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He noted he came in-wo Sculpties were being imp was completely unfamili though familiar to the ba Photoshopâ&#x201E;˘ use through That allowed him to assi the sculpting system unb that learn 3d modeling. A of studying and practicin switched to a Premium a a little shop on the roads mainland continents. He to fine tune his skills, and to landscaping. Little by store buying more land t

orld at the time that plemented, and that he iar with 3d modeling, asics of texturing and h his artistic training. imilate the oddities of biased and through After about six months ng on sandboxes, he account and opened side on one of the e started with jewelry, d from that went on little he expanded his till he had a region and

a half on the mainland when he finally decided to rent a private region. He tells he is proud that after the 3rd month switching to a premium account he has never had to buy $L all thanks to the support of his generous patrons.

The style he has developed is a mix of his passions and his own history. He completed a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Oceanography, and made it halfway through Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Plastic Arts (he explains, he ended up head-butting with some modern conceptual art-curators, so he dropped it). He mixed these disciplines to create what you can see on his sim and where his patrons have created their visions with his work.

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I noted he is an expert mesh creator, so I asked him which software he usually uses to build between 3D Softwares.He answered that he uses Photoshop, Filter Forge™, Substance Painter™, Blender, and Zbrush™. Photoshop was part of his plastic arts training. The rest he learned through web tutorials and practice through his SL® years. He is mainly self-taught, which has its advantages but also creates bad habits that have to be overcome when you learn better ways to do things.

Many Second Life users would love to become the next Elicio Ember, so I ask him what he suggests to a newbie in building to learn like he did. He answered that it is practice and persistence. Learning any skill requires you to love what you are learning because there will always be frustration and long hours of grinding teeth over not finding out what is going wrong.

You have to keep your vision on what you want to create, not on the obstacle, or you will give up.

Look for good tutorials, do the tutorials and the homework. Take notes, do exercises. Do not just see them and say I got it. Work through them.

And then practice, and practice. And then go to the next tutorial. As you would in school. And always do it because you love it. The rest will come. But if you do not love what you do, sure, the rest might come, but you will still hate the time you devote to it.

Enchanted by his right words, I ask him how his unique fantasy art style was born. To be a great creator is a thing, to have a unique style is another much more appreciated one.

He says he loves science fiction and fantasy. As a child, his first serious books were classics like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Never Ending Story. He was a Dungeon Master for 15+ years in an ongoing campaign.

He bought comics during his teens, his favorites being such as Dr. Strange (way before the movies).

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He explained he is a gamer. He loves fantasy and sci-fi films. His training in the natural science and arts allows him to mix all of these into what is his style. It’s been a very exciting journey, since his painting style has changed a lot for his years in SL. His first paintings had a very dark somber palette, which has brightened and becomes bold as a result of his SL work. You can clearly see this on his DeviantArt account.

The latest series of his real world artworks, a series of watercolors, is directly inspired in equal parts by his Second Life work and by a character he was commissioned for an unpublished illustrated storybook. So, it has been a complete circle so far, and he is curious to see how the spiral moves on, he concluded.

Ember recently posted on Facebook a request for help addressed to all those who appreciate his work: purchase at his showroom to help his father who has recently developed serious health problems (bearing in mind that health insurance in Mexico is insufficient and often of low quality). On April 1, the doors of “Filling the Cauldron” opened It is a fundraising event organized specifically to help the artist to bear the costs of his father’s health costs. Inara Pey, the well-known blogger, participated actively, writing not only about the event, but also taking care of the organizational aspects. The great solidarity you are seeing is the clearest proof of the admiration people have for Ember’s art The closeness and concrete help from those who have known him for years are evidence that this real Page 170 | ECLIPSE April 2017

artist has also left a significant “human footprint” in the hearts of friends.

I believe Ember has made a significant contribution to the improvement of SL, given the high quality of the products offered and the high value his honest and reasonable prices reflect.. I believe, therefore, that the aid which he asks today there is an request that cannot and should not go unanswered.

At the end of the article I leave the direct slurl for his showroom, bearing in mind that, through teleports, you can enjoy every corner of his beautiful gardens.

From a structural point of view, his showroom is divided into sectors: flowers, avatars, constructions, fungi, plants, trees, etc. Finally, I invite you to visit a demo of Sim furniture: you can get there by referring to (many) teleports present on arrival. For convenience, I leave, as well , the slurl of the demonstration garden.

I conclude with a reflection: Elicio Ember is a creator who helped make SL “realistic” in the sense that when you’re immersed in his fantasy landscapes, you find that what surrounds you is true, real. I do not know the reality of the new Sansar. I do know artists like Ember help to narrow the gap between SL and the stunning video game graphics.

Teleport to Cauldron Arrival.

Teleport to Cauldron Island Ground Level.

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The Mocha Corporation is a Second Life® company that endeavors to provide special events all over the grid with an emphasis on original entertainment and fun.

They share with ECLIPSE that, “All events are planned and executed by our fearless, exciting and innovative staff who understands that anything is possible in Second Life therefore; they have no problem thinking “outside of the box”. The company’s mission is simply to uplift, entertain and offer a feel-good time with a special emphasis on the ROLE PLAY.” Throughout the history of their business, they have brought various real life games to the grid like the SL Family Feud and the Dating Game SL Style.

Furthermore, they introduced community events like Rock the Vote, where “we expressed the importance of voting in the 2017 Election.” On the cusp on virtual innovation, they have always brought theater to SL with their production of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls, as evident to the popularity the show was sold out both nights. To round out how versatile this company is, they also introduced the EBBYSTOCK Music Festival. In addition to their already impressive portfolio, they share that they also own the Serenity Terrace Family Community.

Keep an eye out for their upcoming events like: “The Purge”at Serenity Terrace Family Community on May 6, 2017, “EBBYSTOCK Music Festival” tentatively scheduled for May 27, 2017, “Second Life Squared” in June 2017 and “The Dating Game —Fems & Studs” in July 2017!

Check out their website for more information!

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Voices from the g

Voices From the Grid is a monthly survey of opinions and ideas of Second Life® residents on the salient issues of the day.

For this month, we asked various people in Second Life, “If you had to teach someone one thing, what would you teach?”

This is what they had to say.

grid

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Tinker Hax Tinker Hax is a relatively quiet/loner sort within SL and within the community, often opting to work, invest time in close friends made over nearly 10 years, and occasionally taking a couple pictures here and there.

Previously trying to conquer a gap in the gender neutral world of SL with the now closed event; GenNeutral. She now is currently Manager of N21, CoOwner of Shoetopia with the original owner Sophia Harlow. As well as being a part of the Blueberry team - and working on various up and coming little projects she is simply a platform dweller.

If I were to teach someone one thing - probably to truly recognise the real gems in your life. It is too easy to sometimes try claw into little cliques and groups in which people long to be a part of, in any life, all the while missing the genuine, loyal beings you have surrounding you. Too many people blindly sideline, ignore, sometimes ditch, and busy themselves with people who ultimately don’t have your best interests at heart.

As I’ve grown, I’ve realised the true meaning of quality over quantity, and that there is no shame in having a small circle. Be careful of the ones you sometimes push away, or oversee. You don’t need to talk daily, weekly, monthly even, but remember those who have shown you genuine care, helped without being asked, hesitation or making you feel you are to ‘owe them’ something in return, and just given nothing but their time. Those are the people you need to keep close. Cherish it. Loyal is a horrifically overused word. Supposedly everyone is loyal. It is down to you in life to recognise who is and who isn’t, there won’t be many, and when you find them, hold the hell on to it.

Check out her Flickr.

Photograph by Tinker Hax.

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Jessika Nikita Jessika Nikita has not been taking pictures for that long, but she found her mojo and she is sticking to it! SL is her reality escape, and she loves nothing more than sharing her passion with others. She just started blogging finding it a good incentive for inspiration.

If i could teach anyone anything, it would be to never settle in life. This applies to many aspects in life, friends, your significant other, hobbies, your job, etc. You only get one life, live it for YOU, not for anyone else.

I need to practice what i preach, but i’m getting there slowly. You’re going to go through pain, and heartache, but be selfish with your life and do whatever makes YOU happy. It’s too easy in life to be comfortable and content, but you deserve happiness, passion, and LOVE! I’m starting to realize this all now, so i’m slowly making some life changes, and honestly i’ve never felt better. Your heart will guide you more than you think if you follow it. I think too many of us get caught up in living our lives to please others. I, myself, am guilty of that. Find yourself first, do some soul searching, SL is a great way to express yourself, and the rest will fall into place :] Check out her Flickr.

Photograph by Wicca Merlin.

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Blogging For: YS&YS, Pumec, Petite Mort, Tetra, Supernatural

Wiwi Portl makes it very special. They consist show you the beauty of your envi time at any moment and discover incredible beauty at every momen of view. Imagine you are rotating looking at something. You would moment looks very special. The ar angles. The pictures let you imme yourself and in your head appears always happens to me. To every b in my head. Perhaps the last build

If I had to teach one thing, it would be the view of things. I do not mean things in general, but the view of things in artistic terms. Not that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m particularly good at it, but I have a passion for pictures.

These always arise first in my head. There are short moments that

Look at the cup in front of you, the face in front of you. Look at the lig Notice the shadows it throws, the you see the beauty this moment s

Wiwi Portland-Swot came to Second LifeÂŽ more than 10 years ago and was energized by the creative side of the world from day one.

Fascinated by the fact that everything was designed by the residents, she found the beauty of this world unique. She discovered design, fashion, architecture and photography for herself. It has become a great passion and she found the great luck to share these passions with a wonderful partner, Renee Portland-Swot. She loves to meet friends, chat, blog, take pictures, arrange their home, and find new styles every day.

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land-Swot t of shapes, colors and light. They ironment. If you could stop the r it for you, you would find an nt. The difference is in the angle around yourself while you are find an angle from which this rt of photography is to find these erse yourself in the moment, bind s some kind of music. At least this beautiful picture is a soundtrack ding block of beauty.

e room in which you are, or the ght falling through the window. e shine and the reflections. Can shows you?

In SL, it is even easier to discover these moments, because you have all the possibilities that the real world hardly offers you. With a pose you freeze the time, with a windlight you put the right light to it. With the free camera you can rotate around the face, look at it from all sides and see all the angles. At some point you will find an angle that will leave you astonished, and you want to freeze it.

Try to change the depth of field. Apply the sharpness to the cheek, to the eyes, perhaps only to a detail on the face. There is a smile, maybe a strand of hair. These are the moments you capture.

Once you are start capturing these images, you will always see them in your environment, you look into the world in images and music. Welcome to the world of Wiwi.

Check out her Blog and Flickr.

Photograph by Reneesme Portland-Swot.

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Milanta Walter Milanta Walter is from Russia. In real life, she teaches history and really loves music. In the Second Life game, she’s almost six years old.

Friends introduced her to the world of blogs–an amazingly interesting world to her. Creating a blog, she puts her soul, mood, her inner world, and her understanding of style.

What can I teach? Interesting question! I can teach a lot. First of all patience. Not everything comes at once and everything does not turn out. If you decide to blog, then patience will become your good friend. Do not despair, do not give up. Even in real life. Listen to yourself, to your inner world. When I create interiors in my posts, I think about what kind of situation I will be comfortable. Imagine a rainy evening.

There is a fireplace in your house. You settled comfortably with a cup of tea in a soft armchair. Maybe you are sad or you listen to quiet music, or remember something good, but you are comfortable and comfortable.

Imagine a sunny morning. You wake up in a cozy attic. You smile at the sun’s rays and you know that the day will be just wonderful. And it does not matter that you are waiting for work and a lot of business, but in the evening you will return to your cozy attic and smile at the sun going down to the sunset or you will look out the window at the evening city lit by flashlights. I am an incorrigible dreamer and romantic. Interiors are my strong point.

You too have strengths and weaknesses. Find them in yourself. Know yourself and the world around you. Learn new things. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Someone will not answer you, but there will certainly be people who will help. Believe in yourself! Smile! Enjoy life! ) Check out her Flickr and Blog.

Photograph by Milanta Walter.

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Kat Feldragonne Kat Feldragonne has two passions in SL – dance and photography. Since joining in 2009, she has danced at many venues and is currently a featured performer at La Coquette Cabaret. A graduate of the Visionaire Institute, she also enjoys spending time traveling around SL and photographing this amazing virtual world. An educator in RL, Kat has also taught classes in SL on topics such as performance dancing, building, choreography, and more.

This was a hard question for me – several answers immediately leapt to mind. After some careful consideration, I think that if I could only teach someone one thing, it would be how to think critically. This is something I taught my RL students – to question everything, to take nothing at face value without confirming it for yourself.

In this era of ‘fake news’ and the echo chambers of social media, critical thinking is needed more than ever. It’s very easy to read something and accept it at face value, particularly if it falls in line with views you already hold. Memes are the flavor of the day and most people share information without reading beyond the headlines.

However, as we have learned, everything on the Internet is NOT true, and with the continual daily deluge of information, sorting through the cacophony has become a seemingly impossible task. Critical thinking allows you to filter out most of the noise and burrow down to the issues that really matter – to you and to the world.

Check out her Flickr and Blog.

Photograph by Kat Feldragonne.

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Auryn Beorn Auryn Beorn came to SL not knowing what to expect, and she ended up finding herself. She devotes most of her inworld time to her store, Black Tulip, and to customer service and scripting for Dutchie store.

Currently, she scripts, makes mesh and poses, and writes books about creating in SL and Blender. She enjoys photography, writing short tales, her daily walks, and cheese. In the real world, she’s mother of cats, flowers, several frogs and spiders.

This is a question that had me thinking for a while because if I had to teach someone one thing, just one thing, I would try to teach the most valuable one. My candidates were “learn to solve problems”, “humans and their biases, wishful thinking, and contradictions”, and “the basics of science, and critical thinking.” I finally decided on the last one.

Why? First, because science is the best way we’ve found to have reliable answers that aren’t subject to the interpretation of a few, but instead available to everyone who wants to learn them. Science tells us that we don’t know everything and with that, it teaches us to be humble. But science also tells us that we can find answers and with that, it teaches us to always be curious and never give up when we want to know and understand.

Now, since we’re humans, we cannot arrive at perfect knowledge: our own biases and wishes about how things could be get in the way. That’s where critical thinking enters. Critical thinking tells us that the humility that science teaches us must start with ourselves; we have to know ourselves, to learn about our biases. We need to do this to be aware of which things we’ll accept less critically because those are our weak spots.

It also teaches how to recognize signs that tell us when it’s others that are spreading false knowledge (like the sadly famous “fake news” of our days).

Critical thinking may also help us tell when others spread false knowledge because of ignorance or because of malice. Although the end result is the same, it’s important to see the difference since that can help us decide on our response, should we decide to contest it.

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(which is already a lot). I feel that critical thinking also leads us to consider ethical questions.

For example, would you admit without question that a white person is better than a person of color? If you’re not used to thinking critically, you may admit that without question. But if you’re used to thinking critically, you may not admit this. You may wonder “and why would a white person be better?,” “What does it mean exactly to be better?,” “Better than what?” The ability to pose these questions to yourself leads to considering all the ethical issues, and to the conclusion, in this particular case, that everyone deserves the same rights and opportunities, no matter what expectable differences exist among individuals.

Critical thinking also lets us examine if it’s true that we need all the things that everyone tells us we need, if we really have to spend all those resources.

It allows us to consider if the things recommended to us as the best ones, really are the best ones or even good.

We need these tools, the basics of science, of critical thinking, in a world that is embracing more and more the discourse of “alternate facts”, a postmodern world that tells us that my ignorance is as good as your evidence-based informed opinion. And I have bad news here: Ignorance is not as good as an evidence-based informed opinion. It’s not even a good thing nor something to be so proud of as to brag about it.

In this world that sees how certain diseases are coming back killing people because of postmodernist antiscience groups like antivaxxers, we need to learn the basics of science, and critical thinking. They give us reliable knowledge but they also help us see our own flaws, they help us admit that there are certain areas of knowledge where we know nothing, and we should listen to those that know. And they give us the tools to tell us who knows, and who does not, to protect ourselves from some forms of scamming which are particularly dangerous when it comes to making decisions that affect our health, our relationships, and our finances.

These are just some of the reasons why the basics of science, and critical thinking, would be my choice to teach someone if it had to be just one thing.

Check out her Blog and Flickr.

Photograph by Auryn Beorn.

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THE adventures o

written by miele tarantal. photography by miele

“The Adventures of...” is a monthly feature by Miele Tarantal showcasing some of the most aesthetic places in Second Life®.

Bucolic, pastoral, gracious and lush, this sim offers a quiet and introspective environment to relax and unwind.

Experience the natural beauty of Netherwood. Inspired by the picturesque English Lake District. Explore the romantic photogenic countryside & lake with friends or loved ones.

of...

e tarantal.

Visit Netherwood in-world.

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www.penumbra-eclipse.com