O c t o b e r
2 0 1 9
Contents
34.
64.
Through the Lens
Grace, Taylor & Trouble lend us their take with a view through their lens of their favorite Halloween pastimes.
Proust Spotlight
Teaming up with the Blogger & Vlogger Network, we shine the spotlight on the talented Punky Von Bruiser!
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78.
100.
112.
SL Fiction
124.
The Art Perspective
134.
Voices from the Grid
Scarlet Fey shares a story from her character at the roleplay sim, Sindaria.
At Home With...
For this month’s feature, Hara inspires with her fantastic home & decor piece with Halloween in mind.
Halloween Haunt
ECLIPSE Magazine gets a behind the scenes peak at the most interactive Halloween Haunt: Horror Island.
Oema curates and reviews the DixMix Gallery on their third anniversary.
Each issue ECLIPSE Magazine asks residents a question, see what they have to say.
s
m
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.
52.
Cover Story Jake Vordun Cover Photographer Autumn Rose
158.
Tour of Homes
170.
Artist Highlight
178.
The Wayfarer
Writer Cajsa Lilliehook
Residents open up their decorated Linden Homes to ECLIPSE readers.
The Artist Highlight returns, featuring the talented Lexie Luan.
Join the Wayfarer as they travel the grid, visiting Arranmore. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 11
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executive team
Trouble dethly
cajsa lilliehook
tiffany parkin
autumn rose
Publisher
Copy Editor
Assistant Editor
Creative Director
sol may valor
Social Media Manager
the c
writers
photographers
Autumn Rose Cajsa Lilliehook Grayden Foxe Miele Tarantal Novaleigh Freng Oema Taylor Wassep Tiffany Parkin
Autumn Rose GraceOMalley June Fallon Lessthen Zero Novaleigh Freng Taylor Wassep Tempest Rosca Wicca Merlin
stylists Autumn Rose GraceOMalley June Fallon Taylor Wassep Tempest Rosca Wicca Merlin
guest stylist & photographer Hara
interested in advertising with eclipse? have an idea for a great story? looking to start a new career in second life? email trouble.dethlysl@gmail.com
contributors
For the past year or so, I have looked for community in Second Life. These are the things I enjoyed featuring in the magazine. Things that brought people together. I also sought kindness. Not necessarily for myself, but it made me happy to see people be kind, especially in circumstances where they might usually respond differently. The past month and a half have been incredibly difficult for me. People ask me how I’m doing, and I’m not sure how to respond. I’ve lost people in my life before to death. They were older though, and they had lived a full life. I grieved though because a “full life” is a small comfort because I loved and love them. This is different though. I thought we had more time. She was sick, but she was young. She was a good and kind person. She deserved more than this world gave her. She deserved so much better. Spending time with her was everything I looked forward to and the brightest part of my day. I’ve said it so many times, but everything I did and planned… she was meant to be by my side. I love her so much, and everything around me reminds me of her. There is so much regret that I try not to dwell on, but I can’t help it. I’m not okay, but I’m keeping myself busy. Things that hurt because they’re things I used to do with Autumn, that I planned to do with Autumn and that remind me of Autumn. It makes me feel closer to her, even if they make me bleed too. I am thankful for everyone who has reached out and for my friends that have stayed by my side. The ECLIPSE staff has been phenomenal. All of them. I could not have published this issue without them. I also appreciate everyone who participated in the Tribute for Autumn. I’m not at a place yet where I can read what they’ve written too, but I’ll get there eventually. Mostly, I am grateful for everyone’s kindness. Thank you. Our cover this month features Jake Vordun, the creative force behind Fancy Decor and co-owner of the Arcade and Prism Events. His involvement with his brand, events and most especially The Vordun Museum and Gallery exemplifies everything about community, and I am thrilled to share his story this month. The cover photograph was taken by Autumn. She didn’t have a chance to process, so I lightly edited it. I hope you enjoy this issue.
letter from the PUBLI
ISHER
The past month has been a month of lessons for me. Along with the accelerated learning curve of being a member of the ECLIPSE team, I’ve also learned how better to support those from Second Life who are important to me, perseverance and patience. When Trouble asked me to be a member of the ECLIPSE staff, I was beyond thrilled. I mean, who wouldn’t be excited to work with this amazing group of individuals? Many of those who contribute to this magazine monthly are people I have admired and respected for some time now. So to have the opportunity to work with them directly, to learn from them and to share our talents and ideas collaboratively to help show all that is Second Life is, for lack of better words, wonderful. And to get to work with Trouble, who has become such a great friend to me since we first met a year ago, was an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up. Unfortunately, as I was just starting to get my feet under me, this whole team, and especially Trouble, along with the blogging and SL communities as a whole, suffered a huge loss with Autumn’s sudden passing. It’s been difficult. Not just because I learned some lessons about working for a magazine that I didn’t expect to learn for some time, but it’s been especially difficult to see people I care about, admire and respect in so much pain. It has also been special to watch this team come together, each in their own way, to support one another and complete this issue. It truly was a team effort...not just from those of us who work here at Eclipse, but also from everyone who contributed and took part in each piece of this month’s issue. But then too, I also believe that difficult times can also bring out the best in people. It shows us who we can depend on in our darkest hours. It also helps deeper friendships. Those trying times can connect people in unique ways. I believe this group of individuals has exemplified that and that makes being a member of this team truly magical. We hope you enjoy this month’s edition and thank you for supporting all of us.
letter from the EDITO
OR
Halloween 2019 Interactive Trick or
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Treat
Trick or treat fRIDAY 5/25 5PM-7PM SATURDAY 5/26 4PM-6PM PARTY: 10/31 5PM-8PM ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 29
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through the lens
styling & photography by graceomalley, taylor wassep & troub
s
Each issue, ECLIPSE Magazine invites the many talented photographers from Second Life to collaborate. With this piece, they style, create and share a glimpse through their lens. For this addition, Grace, Taylor and Trouble showcase their best times inspired by Halloween.
ble dethly.
Photographer: GraceOMalley
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Photographer: GraceOMalley
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Photographer: Taylor Wassep
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Photographer: Taylor Wassep
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Photographer: Trouble Dethly
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V Is for Verisimili
photography by sandryta, taylor wassep & tempest rosca. written by cajsa l
itude
lilliehook.
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There will be no “Night at the Museum” antics at The Vordun Museum and Gallery. It never closes. Like so much of Second Life, it is open round the clock for its round the world visitors. But that is one of the few ways The Vordun differs from its first life inspirations. Created to model the museum experience as closely as possible right down to the gift shop, The Vordun is a Second Life experience that should not be missed. The founder of The Vordun Museum and Gallery, The Vordun, is Jake Vordun of Fancy Decor. Vordun saw an ad on a website about Second Life and decided to check it out. He spent his early days in the 18th century, in role play sims like Versailles. He also haunted the freebie sims and claims he looked a mess.
display at what one suspects is a very personal exhibit highlighting the interplay of art and music calls Musica Antiqua. Vordun is a harpsichordist in his first life, so it is a work of love in both lives. Vordun believes his customer base is a varied group, from headbangers to opera lovers. They read, listen to music, go cave-crawling, puctrawling, dance-clubbing and artadmiring. He produces decor in many different styles so believes there is no typical “Fancy Decor” customer. As he puts it, “I do know one thing, they like to keep things Fancy!”
For Vordun, the hardest part of the creative process is coming up with ideas. “I am always buying magazines, browsing websites and shopping in real life to find inspiration anywhere I can.” Once the hard “I was interested in creating from part is done, he can move on to my first week in Second Life. While I meshing, though it’s no walk in the was still new, in the role play scene, I park. “Mesh can be tricky and cause made music boxes and public domain problems when you least expect it, period art on prims. It was so basic, whether it be upload errors or UV but I loved doing it.” Vordun was a problems, so I never consider a piece hobbyist creator for the first several of mesh done until it is in-world and years, but years later he opened has a separate texture on each face!” Fancy Decor. His first release was Once he has finished meshing he an outdoor patio set which is still can move on to his favorite part of available. His biggest seller is, creating, the texturing. It can take surprisingly, a candle he made some him anywhere from a few days to a time ago. week to produce a set. His favorite piece is his Flemish Harpsichord which you can see on
While Fancy Decor is a commercial project, unlike The Vordun, there is
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a throughline that connects them— love of history, art, and design. The work he creates for his store reveals deep research and a search for historical and stylistic verisimilitude. The Vordun expands on that to provide not just a feast for the eyes, but an education in art and its history. It is exciting to see The Vordun expanding while there have been so many contractions in the arts recently. The decision to shut down the Linden Endowment for the Arts, for example, is hardly mediated by private sponsorships and galleries. Second Life residents are engaged in the arts but seem reluctant to invest in it. For example, The Vordun does get donations and has a Patreon account, but these only offset part of the cost of keeping the museum running, but Vordun is committed to keep it going. “Most of it does come out of pocket. I don’t mind the expense, as I truly believe Second Life deserves a real-life museum experience.” Responding to the closure of the LEA, Vordun said, “Sadly having an art installation in Second Life isn’t free. There will always be land costs, and depending on the scale of your project, that can get quite expensive! Without LEA, I do think it’s inevitable that there will be fewer installations like we saw on those sims. The best way people can help is to simply donate to an art project if they enjoyed it.”
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The Vordun’s mission is to provide a real-life museum experience to SL residents. They avoid the conventions of Second Life. There are no “Click Here” signs, floating text, or group joiners. The goal is to look and function like a real museum. It is called Museum and Gallery to distinguish between the older artwork and historical exhibits typical of museums and the contemporary showcases where SL residents’ work is featured and sold. They have featured artists such as Mikel Monk, Celeste Forwzy, and Toast Bard. Currently, there is an exhibit of postcards from around the world from residents. The Vordun re-opened in July on its own sim. The vision is the same, but there is more room to see. The building is new and more than double the size of the old one. There is a cafe called Common Grounds, a bathroom, coat check, offices, archives, an elevator and a gift shop. There are auto-attaching HUDs that narrate information about the different exhibits. The narration is similar to the audio tours in first life museums and is rich in historical content and insight into the artist and composition. The only thing it’s missing is litter outside the front door. Second Life has been good for Jake Vordun. “Second Life has completely changed my life. Since starting Fancy Decor it has given me financial independence and allowed me to
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do things I never thought I could before.” SL is not just a source of income. Vordun not only enjoys it as a creative outlet, but a place to simply have fun and spend time with friends. “I have found very meaningful relationships and friendships with people on Second Life, especially with my partner Emery [Milneaux].”
my store coming up.” Coming up at The Vordun is a new exhibit called “A Night to Remember” featuring the story of the sinking of The Titanic.
With Fancy Decor, The Arcade, and The Vordun, Vordun is busy, but do not worry that all work and no play will make Jake a dull boy. He plays harpsichord in his spare time. “It relaxes me so much and is a nice Vordun is also a co-owner of The breather between work projects. I Arcade, the wildly popular quarterly love listening to all kinds of music, gacha extravaganza. He enjoys especially classical music. Some it, saying it has been a blast. He artists from my playlist might include thinks its longevity is due to the Bach, Lady Gaga, Sia, Telemann, and high quality work of participating Couperin.” He also read and includes designers. “It showcases some of the “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt designers’ best work, and I don’t think among his favorites, along with her anyone wants to miss out on that! Our first book, “The Secret History.” October pop-up round is happening again this year, and we all know the And yes, he does spend most days grid loves Halloween!” working on his platform, a common characteristic of most successful Speaking of holidays, At Fancy successful Second Life creators. Decor, Vordun dresses up as Santa However, he and Emery still take Claus and gives away free items time to check out the Destination during the Christmas season. “I Guide and explore. “It brings back always look forward to the Santa those feelings of being new in Second Giveaway, so I think that’s probably Life and wanting to see everything it the most exciting thing happening at has to offer.” Visit Fancy Decor in-world. Shop Fancy Decor on Marketplace. Follow Fancy Decor on Flickr. Like Fancy Decor on Facebook. Visit The Vordun Museum and Gallery on in-world. Check out The Vordun Musuem and Gallery on Patreon and their website.
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the proust spotli
photography by Punky Vo
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. ECLIPSE Magazine has teamed up with the Blogger & Vlogger Network, so each month the blogger we showcase on the Proust Spotlight is a group member. The group member we feature this month is the talented Punky Von Bruiser. She shares, “I am big on intellectual curiosity. It can be a blessing and a curse, but I am never fulfilled by just knowing a tiny bit about something. When I start to read up on it, one link turns into pages of bookmarked websites and ordered books. If the topic is something I really enjoy then it will spiral out of control. I try to be the best about topics that relate to my RL work. I am a walking body of knowledge and useless facts. I would like to think that it will come in handy one day.”
ght
on Bruiser.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? In RL, Road Trip/Traveling with my dogs and enjoying their time exploring the United States. If I could take them to other countries without being quarantined, I would do that too. What words or phrases do you most overuse? Dude, right? - Same What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? In SL, meeting Molly Mayhem. Molly is my best friend and I would not have come as far as I have without her. She is my biggest support system in SL and RL. My sister from another mister. If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be? I would love to come back as Queen Elizabeth I or Musician. Both can make a big impact on the world. What do you value most in friends? Honesty, humor, sense of family and support. What is your greatest regret? In SL, not venturing out enough. How would you like to die? In my sleep and after my dogs; so they do not wonder where I am. What is your motto? “All I can do is be me, whoever that is� Bob Dylan What is your most marked characteristic? SL, pink hair and alternative/punk look Connect with Punky on her Facebook, Instagram and Flickr.
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at home with...
styling and photography by hara (kumu
ECLIPSE Magazine explores the long underappreciated and overlooked world of home and garden design. The flourishing diversity and abundance of choice since the mesh revolution has led to a bold new world of creation. For this month’s feature, Hara inspires with her take on home & garden and interior design with her Halloween themed photo spread. Check out more of her work on her Flickr.
uckyhara).
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Home exterior: ionic - Espirita Mansion Apple Fall - Fairytale IV Apple Fall - Fairytale II Ariskea - Shy - Ivy Old window Ariskea - Batch - Scary Pumpkins
Ariskea - Batch - Zombie Pumpkins brocante. - witch’s potion Elm. - School Supplies: Broomstick Foxwood - Wishing Well JIAN - Cat Pumpkin Kalopsia - Tabitha’s Candle Cage
[ keke ] - still falling rowan arch [ keke ] - blow me away rowan leaves Second Spaces - forest lights - rounds Snuggles - Autumn Crows log tarte. - spooky tree
Kitchen: Ariskea - Dairy Sage Container DRD - Broom Rack dust bunny - darling sectional cushion - blanket dust bunny - wiccan artistry - making smudge sticks dust bunny - kitchen clutter - potted herbs - parsley dust bunny - blanket stool dust bunny - autumns calling - bench dust bunny - wiccan artistry - dried flowers dust bunny - kitchen clutter - potted herbs . basil dust bunny - kitchen clutter - spice rack . black dust bunny . kitchen clutter - potted herbs . rosemary dust bunny . braided rug dust bunny . autumns calling - wood table with tablecloth Foxwood - Adele Unit - Dark (no door) Foxwood - Tea time - Clutter 1 Page 96 | ECLIPSE October 2019
Foxwood - Herbalist - Gloves Foxwood - Tea time - Clutter 2 Birdy - Forest Kitchen - Jars - Dark Birdy - Forest Kitchen - Rack - Dark Birdy - Forest Kitchen - Unit - Dark ionic - Huevos, cebollas, cazos y ollas SPELL - Potions IONIC - Magic flowers IONIC - Cauldron IONIC - Tea with herbs IONIC - Botanical & Alchemy Arts {Book & Prints} [Merak] - Hanging Garlic {vespertine} - potted herb mix 1 {vespertine} - butterflies glass dome / mix {vespertine} - potted herb mix 2 {vespertine} - potted rosemary {vespertine} - potted chives {vespertine} - potted bay leaf
{vespertine} - herb drying {vespertine} - potted basi {vespertine} - butterfly dome / monarch {vespertine} - potted basil 1 {vespertine} - veggie crate Mithral - Hanging Propagation Set Mithral - Vertical Wall Pipe Hanger
Bedroom: Apple Fall - Period Coffee Table Ariskea - RainyDays - Pillow [Cat] Ariskea - RainyDays - Frame Decor Ariskea - RainyDays - Pillow [Moth] DISORDERLY. - Book Magic - Magical Potions DISORDERLY. - Green Hedges - Tarot Cards & Candles DRD - Spiritualists Shoppe - Pentagram Chime Ceiling Hook DRD - Pentagram Rug - Round dust bunny - spotted begonia dust bunny - wiccan artistry - palm reading
dust bunny - wiccan artistry - smudge sticks dust bunny - wiccan artistry - herb drawes dust bunny - wiccan artistry - bowl of crystals Fancy Decor - Fuck Throw Pillow floorplan. - letterboard - witch face Foxwood - Escape - Skull - Light Foxwood - Celestial Macrame - Large - Black Foxwood - Leah - Shelf - Dark Foxwood - Herbalist - Herbs Foxwood - Herbalist - Potions +Half-Deer+ - Hanging Dried Flowers - Violet Random
+Half-Deer+ - Hanging Dried Flowers - Antique Ombre ionic - Jewelled Skull SPELL - Origami Birdcage RARE SPELL - Butterflies towards the sun SPELL - Gemstones Wooden Box SPELL - Pyramid Gemstones SPELL - The Celtic Cross [ keke ] - star projector [ keke ] - nirvana candles SAYO - Medusa Mirror - Gold Soy. - Super long Hanging Hedera
Bathroom: Apple Fall - Victoria Washstand Apple Fall - Victoria Clawfoot Tub - Iron Ariskea- RainyDays - Hymalayan Salt Lamp dust bunny & con - lauren bathroom . mirror . black dust bunny & con - lauren bathroom . radiator . black DISORDERLY. - Green Hedges - Book with Crystals DISORDERLY. - Green Hedges - Crystal Collection DRD - Pentagram Rug - Square DRD - Gothic Vampire - Bed Drapes - Solid
dust bunny - wiccan artistry - palm reading dust bunny - lauren bathroom - qtip container dust bunny - lauren bathroom - toothbrush holde dust bunny - wiccan artistry - bowl of crystals Foxwood - Pastel Goth Planter - Skull hang 1 Foxwood - Pastel Goth Planter - Skull hang 2 Foxwood - Pastel Goth Planter - Skull SPELL - Crystals Curtain [ keke ] - secrets garden flower - glitter 1 [ keke ] - secrets garden flower - mini .random.Matter. - Bubble Magic - Mirror
Soy. - Metal Platform Bed Soy. - Potted Pothos Soy. - Wooden Bath Stool {vespertine} - aromatherapy {vespertine} - skincare clutter {vespertine} - beautify tray. {vespertine} - exotic plants / button fern Mithral - Maranta Green Herringbone Mithral - Metal Propagation Set
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highlight: HALLOWEEN
written by TAYL
N HAUNT
LOR WASSEP.
It just about that time of year, when the spooky ookyness is in full swing. From goblins to ghouls, from banshees to bats, it’s time to break out your Halloween welcome mats. (I’ll go home…) This year, ECLIPSE is featuring a spooktacular interactive Halloween event that is open through the month of October. The Halloween Haunt is a yearly event put on the owner of the Merge Club, Ry Heslop. He came across Second Life™ roughly eleven years ago, and after spending some time in the Nightlife aspect of Second Life, Ry settled down and was able to help out with an SL adoption agency, owned by his partner at the time. Some years ago, he and his partner wanted to do something special for the kids that particular year. They wanted something more than the typical Haunted House. They wanted to add something special and another element to the scary. So, the two decided to do a hayride using an old truck driven by, “One Eyed Ry”, a creepy one-eyed man. He would drive the riders through several areas, like a ghost town with zombies on the road and then through a scary forest and graveyard before getting to the haunted house. Page 102 | ECLIPSE October 2019
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Since then, Ry had been conducting these of interactive events for Halloween. Ine year, he did, “The Forest” which had participants walk through a clearly haunted Forest. That year was also the first they enabled voice, so the performers could hear the reactions. The next year was Ry’s favorite, it was called, “Your Worst Nightmare,” where the participants would fall asleep in a motel and enter a terrifying nightmare. That year was the first year that the performers used their voices. To prepare for such a spectacle, Ry explained how he, along with staff members at Merge and other partners for The Halloween Haunt, start to brainstorm as early as the year before. Then they had to plan the layout of the journey through the Halloween Haunt, where players will be, and what elements they want to integrate into that year’s event. Each year’s success inspired the team working on the annual Halloween Haunt, pushing them to outdo themselves from the previous year’s Haunt. People simply enjoyed their work and wanted to keep coming back. This year was no different, they needed to work even harder after a change within their ranks. But that didn’t stop Ry, with the help of some very special people, he was able to produce another event this year. Brownie, a good friend was tasked to help decorate the sim. The sim was generously donated again by the gracious Chip Harmony. So Brownie, along with coco Tremont landscaped and decorated a sim full of terrors and just plain fear-inducing elements.
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Don’t worry, if anyone has any phobias that are triggered during this event. All you would need to do is speak up and you will be teleported to the next area. As much as the goal is scaring the life out of those brave souls who will venture through the Halloween Haunt, the last thing they would want is people to be upset, so keep that in mind when going through this, or really any Halloween experience this year. Now, if reading this didn’t scratch that Halloween itch just yet, maybe learning that you too have an opportunity to be a part of the adventure will do it. Yes, if you want to be the scary monster or the spooky ghoul along the journey through the Haunt; here is your chance to be a part of it. The people from The Halloween Haunt are always looking for talented Second Life residents to volunteer to be a part of this yearly Feast of Fright. Nothing could be as fun as creating a character to roam around and scare the bejesus out of other people…or is that just me? Either way, if this interests you, please reach out to folks at The Halloween Haunt. What else…oh yeah, clearly you would need to know when the Halloween Haunt is happening, right? All you would need to do is mosey on over to the Merge Club Facebook page, and check out their Schedule of Events for the month of October. Basically, the Haunt opens October 5th and runs until Halloween with different runtimes depending on the day. So make sure to venture to their Facebook page, or even teleport to the Merge Club itself and look outside for a huge schedule board to see what the runtimes are that day or upcoming dates.
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of this year’s Halloween Haunt by Ry and Brownie. What a treat…or maybe it was more of a trick. When I first teleported into the sim, I ianded a realistic airport scene; this is the start of the Halloween Haunt. Ry took me through the interior, which was decorated with all the pumpkins anyone could want. To the side of us were signs showing the rules and regulations when it comes to the Haunt. What I thought was considerate was the waiting sections. There were three sections, 45, 30, and 15 minute wait times for people to reserve their spots in line. Some good things to make sure you have turned on when in line or just about to enter The Halloween Haunt: 1. Make sure you have your Windlight set to Midnight, trust me. 2. Turn on your voice settings–the players feed off the earnest reactions to the players and sets. 3. Turn on your music stream as ambient music and sounds will be pumped through to enhance the terrifying experience. 4. Turn off your tags, It makes experience that more realistic. Once those are done and you about to board the plane, my mouth has to be shut. I am forbidden to tell anymore or else I will be just another victim in their Halloween Haunt next year. Just trust me that anyone who goes to this Halloween Haunt will have a lot of fun. I was caught off guard a few times, and I was just running it without the performers.
Teleport to Horror Island.
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SL FIction
written by Scarlet Fey. photography by Sc
Second Life is rich in roleplay opportunities, and ECLIPSE Magazine’s newest feature is dedicated to telling each character’s story. Taking the concept of “a day in the life,” we invite our readers to SL Fiction. Scarlet Fey shares her character’s story from the roleplay sim, Sindaria.
carlet Fey.
There was only blackness. She couldn’t feel anything, no warmth or cold, no breeze or resistance. Was she standing? How long has she been there?
She shut her eyes, trembling, alone in the blackness. “STAND UP SCARLET!! “ “STAND UP SCARLET ...NOW!!!”
The digits of her right hand wiggled invisible as she brought them to her face. She could feel her touch. Smooth. The blackness was so impenetrable that she squeezed her eyes shut just to be sure they were open. Should she move? She thought about that. She took a careful tiptoe of a step into the blackness. Nothing… Anxious probing the black with her toes she willed contact with a solid floor. She felt muscles yearning and bending to assist that brave foot, to descend little by little, and still, nothing.
Her head snapped to attention. Peering into the darkness all she can see is...nothing.
How was she standing and not touching anything? What is she on? Anything?
“STAND UP GIRL, DO NOT BE WEAK!!”
Fear gripped her body and it convulsed sharply retracting that once brave appendage back to her side. She pressed her thighs together, like two frightened children in the dark. The silence was deafening, all around yet somehow inside of her. Blood. Her blood. Now she could hear it clearly coursing through her body. Her heartbeat, heavy and concussive. like two massive boulders crashing into each other. She’s alone. The blackness overwhelmed her sight and crept slowly, twisting and turning, undeterred into her mind. She was paralyzed, she thought she could see the as a spectator filled her mind with black. “I’m going to DIE.” It echoed in her mind.
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“What…..what is ...who’s there?” Her dry throat caused her voice to crack. There was no one, there was only her. Her mind yelled from years long past. “Jaden-Re?” she called. Gravity in all its current forms pulled her head to her chest in defeat She thought a laugh would be appropriate. A laugh, brief and cynical. The laugh of one person certain of a dire fate.
“Shut up” passed her lips in a whisper. Her mind flashed days of training when she was young and daring and so naive. Routinely and with little effort Jaden-Re bested her in seemingly everything. Whether in combat. and sometimes with almost nothing in her hand. Yet, again and again, Jaden-Re would come and come and come and each time, down she, Scarlet, would go. She’d learned, endured many bruises, shattered bones and through her own foolishness, she suffered the loss of her natural arm. “STAND UP” The voice so loud in her head now she screamed “On what? On fucking what?” Her screams swallowed whole in the blackness, no echo, no reply.
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Her breathing heavy with emotion she could feel a tear journey down her cheek. It evaporated with her rage. She straightened herself, feeling nothing against her at all, as though she was, “Suspended...shit I’m suspended,” she erupted. Twisting and thrashing her arms and torso she scrunched her frame forward to her knees and felt the blood rushing around her head. “Yes…” Her movement met a sudden stop that left her twisted and contorted. Though she couldn’t see it there had to be a floor under her. Kzzzzzzzzzting Kzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzting bu zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz A solitary, teal light, floating in the nearby, sputtering to life, illuminated a small portion of the floor. Scarlet untangled her twisted body from the floor. She looked around but saw little other than the light, a faint glow, but it was enough for her to make out her body. “Jaden, you silly old woman, you saved me again.” Scarlet’s face brandished a smile. It wasn’t the first time. She fondly remembered all she shared with Jaden. Appreciating for the first time, the knowledge imparted to her by her mentor of over millennia. Even so, the woman seemed quite a youthful thirty-something when they’d parted. She raised her hands to see if she was all there. She ran her hand down her body checking for injury. It wouldn’t have been the first time that she wasn’t in one piece. Today fortune smiled, she could account for
all her appendages and they seemed to be in the right spot. Teal light glistened from the metallic surface of her cybernetic arm. It was a constant reminder of how impulsiveness can have a way of biting you. One by one tiny micro servos fanned in waves before her eyes finally ending their dance with a pointed digit to the welcomed teal light. She stood and walked, each step measured, controlled, sensing. Her eyes fixed on the mysterious light. Why now? Did touching this silent floor that has almost no feel make the light come alive? It was old, like something she had seen in the old town in New Runner. How is it there? All these questions ran near-simultaneously through her mind as her eyes sought out anything else of form. Wires would mean a starting point for them, a wall, a power source, a way out, yet she saw nothing. Even if they were there the light obscured itself and the blackness took the rest. “Hello…” She yelled into the blackness “Hello…” “Nothing…” This time she wasn’t feeling defeated but rather energized. “Hmmmmm…” Looking to the floor she wondered even more about the light and the floor. She wondered about the relationship they had. She stomped her foot. The floor made no sound yet was solid enough to be steel. That’s what her leg was telling her brain anyway.
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Her eyes caught a glimpse of a line near her foot. Thin, not arbitrary, clearly there for a reason. But what reason? The light fell into darkness and was lost in the blackness. Crouching to where the line faded out of sight she hovered her cybernetic hand near, the faint glow. The hand’s artificial blood supply was enough to illuminate the floor if she forced herself to concentrate on it, like a boy making a muscle in his bathroom mirror. Turning to the light she grinned and once more began to follow the line like a path to a treasure. She hoped it would yield her escape. Little by little, she crept and little by little the tiny thread of light appeared. Further along, she crept into the blackness. Looking over her shoulder she could see the light was no longer near. The light began to sputter once again as it did when it first appeared. She stopped, frozen for a moment to consider what to do. Glancing back to her hand she began to flex that muscle again and followed the line further into the blackness until finally the light gave itself to the blackness once more and there were only the line and her glowing concentration. A flash of light cascaded through her head and a rush of pain that followed. Falling to her haunches she sat startled “What the…?” She raised her dimly glowing hand. The light revealed a wall. She’d run headfirst into it. She stood, light-headed for a moment, but scanned the wall. Her hand now glowed like a torch. Symbols appeared one after another, horizontal-
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ly on the wall. She touched it. The sensation was the same as the floor. It is so black it seems miles thick. She stopped and looked once more at the floor for her line, it’s gone. She wandered from it and the blackness has consumed it. “Shit, shit, shit, shit” She yells at the blackness as much as herself and hit the wall with all her might. The wall unyielding and the pain echos through her arm informed her how stupid that idea was. PSssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Her head snapped as loud sound rips her ear. A stream of light formed on the blackness of the wall, thin, vertical and growing in width. At the same time, sounds filled her ears. Her hands tightened over her head as the wall continues to part and light spills onto her. “A door...a fricken door” as her eyes adjust to the light on the other side she can see it is well lit if nothing else. At once she moves toward it and enters the thick doorway opening. “Hello…” She stops. The sound was coming from behind her. “Hello…” The voice is faint, almost familiar. Her exit is here and she leaves the blackness.
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o Sindaria. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 121
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art perspective
written by oema. photograph
Oema curates the ECLIPSE Magazine art column. Each piece, she discovers, reviews and highlights the work of some of the most creative and talented artists on the grid. She offers a fresh perspective in the vibrant and vast world of the arts. For this month’s feature, Oema showcases the work of Maloe Vansant, Key Monk and Del May at the DixMix Gallery’s third anniversary.
y by oema.
On the occasion of its third anniversary, the Dixmix gallery invited three artists who are not to be missed, in my opinion. They are Maloe Vansant, Key Monk, and Del May. It is an excellent choice from a scenic point of view because the combination of the images of these artists creates a scenario that pleases the eye and the heart.
Immediately entering the gallery, you are captured by the provocative images of Del May. The ground floor and first floor of the Grey Gallery are home to this artist whose work is characterized by dark tones and surreal subjects and situations. There are thirteen of Del May’s images in all and represent a gallery of surrealism and provocation. I invite visitors I was invited to visit the renovated to linger over the titles of the gallery on the occasion of the proposed images; in fact, both third anniversary by the owner titles and pictures contribute to an and curator of the DixMix Art empathetic vision of Del May’s art. Gallery, DixMix Source. I accepted The artist loves to tease the mind, the invitation with pleasure to lead it out of its traditional because I’ve been following tropes, to provoke emotions that DixMix for a long time and I have are not necessarily positive, but to say with the frankness that the certainly “breaking” from the gallery has never disappointed my conventional mental paths that expectations. we are used to traveling. The colors used by Del May tend to be Arriving at the landing point, dark, in tune with the feelings that you are invited to change your the artist conveys. Windlight settings. I recommend first of all to accept this invitation Moving towards the Black Gallery, and then experiment with your we find Lucas Lameth’s sculpture. choices of light. It is imperative I invite the visitor to pause for a to activate the advanced graphic moment to admire the creativity settings during the visit, making of this artist. As rightly written by sure that you have the Advance a dear friend and art critic Marina Windlight Settings enabled. The Bellini, it is a “3D mural”, with images I captured for the article intermittent lights on this “postare made with Black Dragon modern crib.” Viewer which, in my opinion, allows the best possible gallery Returning to the Black Gallery view. The default settings of after this pleasant digression, the Black Dragon are perfect you will find the artist Key Monk. and do not require additional His photographic style excites adjustments. me in the same way that I am
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passionate about Melusina Parkin. Minimalism is a characteristic feature of Key Monk, as in the case of Parkin. Monk also makes a minimalist use of color, mostly using the technique of black and white that focuses on a particular blurring the contours. Besides, the thick white frame gives an elegant look and highlights the importance of detail on the whole. Monk takes care of the detail so that the mind of the imaginative visitor can fly, leading him to the imagination of the rest of the landscape.
charm, all embellished by the elaborate style of color and image processing.
The White Gallery (upstairs) is home to Maloe Vansant, an artist who loves color and makes casual use of it. It is not a criticism, quite the contrary. Being able to make wise use of color means having mastered a consolidated technique, which allows you to explore areas that are difficult to reach. Vansant also uses provocation and teases the mind with her pictures. Sensuality, pleasure, and voyeurism are combined with introspection and
In this case, I don’t want to tell you more, so as not to ruin the visitor’s experience. I add that at the entrance are recommended the best graphics settings to appreciate it fully.
After visiting the photographers, I think it’s time to go back to my friend and artist Theda Thammas. My appreciation of this artist is limitless. I’ve been following her and writing about her for years now. Her 3D art is an essential point of reference in Second Life and an object of emulation (it is a decisive element; artists create styles often emulated). In this 3D-experience exhibition hosted by the Womb Gallery and Close to the Black Gallery is the continuing in a Skybox, Theda Womb Gallery, which can be overcomes her own creative and accessed by descending the stairs. communicative ability through I recommend visiting it because the skillful use of the Animesh it houses the extraordinary technique. Her statues are Theda Thammas, of whom I will animated, and the movement tell you my impression as soon contributes to increase the as this journey through virtual already remarkable expressive photographs is over. capacity of Thammas.
As I said, I’m using Black Dragon, and the vision is exceptional. For those who want to deepen their knowledge of each of these artists, I leave the most useful references.
Visit DixMix Art Gallery in-world. Check out Del May on Flickr. Check out Maloe Vansant on Flickr. Check out Key Monk on Flickr. Read more about Theda Thammas here. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 129
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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 issue, ECLIPSE Magazine asked residents to share “The seasons are changing. October brings Fall in the north and Spring in the south. How do you reflect the changing seasons in your Second Life?”
grid
Photograph provided by Orlando Gascoigne. Page 136 | ECLIPSE October 2019
orlando Gascoigne
O
rlando Gascoigne joined Second Life on June 4, 2004. Pre flexy, pre sculpt, pre mesh, back in the days when at any given time if SL was having a cranky day you could end up naked and bald in the most inconvenient places imaginable! Since then he’s been enjoying roleplay sims, sim building, breedable cats and, most of all SL photography.
In Second Life, I enjoy fall by making sure my sim is filled with autumn colors and light. I am lucky enough to enjoy my own sim with a few friends living here and there on the place. So, every season lets me indulge in a sim makeover. In October, the leaves will be falling and the colors will become warm and flashy. Nature’s last hurrah before the cool and crystal colors of winter settle down to blanket the landscape. It’s also another season to enjoy my photography. The fact that on my sim I am literally the king, means I can indulge in the most outstanding fall displays even if you wouldn’t find anything quite so flashy in real nature. Fall also means a new wardrobe, new backdrops, props and various settings in which to be creative. And there’s always Halloween, my favorite holiday of the year! It warms my gothic heart to be able to spook up my home and dress in even more black than I do on a daily basis. Oh, the thought of more male corsets rigged to the Jake body for Halloween. A boy can hope! Check out his Flickr.
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Photograph provided by Brinlea.
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BRINLEA
B
rinlea [Brinlea Resident] is the latest incarnation of a series of avatars dating back to 2009. She herself is four years old and enjoys a quiet life on her Linden houseboat, occasionally venturing forth to take photos.
I live in an area that enjoys the same seasonal timing we see in much of SL, so I’m heading into cooler weather. It’s important to me in both SL and RL to dress according to the seasons. I can’t imagine feeling chilly in RL and not being bundled up in SL; it’s funny, but it comforts me. Having said that, it’s officially fall where I live, but still hot, with no end in sight. In SL I’m wearing a jacket, though, because I insist on enjoying autumn in any way I can, and I love jackets in both lives. SL allows me to satisfy this feeling that I surely ought to be wearing a jacket today. For a while, I lived on a large platform that I decorated for the seasons. Now that I live in a Linden home I’m scouting around for places to visit. All summer long I was attracted to beaches, and now I’m looking for autumn color. In a couple of months, there will be gorgeous winter regions to visit. The holidays themselves aren’t that important to me...I’ve never fully understood the emphasis on Halloween in SL. But I do love the trees turning colors and drinking cocoa by an outdoor fire under the stars. Check out her Flickr.
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Photograph provided by Ian Dark.
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IAN DARK
I
an Dark [iandarkk] turns five this month. He is lways restless, trying to learn new things, and SL helps express his great passion for photography. And he is very grateful to all the good people he knows.
All the weather metamorphosis, which happens, gives me a feeling of comfort. It is a very nice time and it gives me a lot of pleasure. Here in SL with so many well-decorated LM’s, I try to show in my photos that pleasant feeling. In my RL I have spring, and it is incredible, I can somehow enjoy the 2 seasons at the same time. Check out his Flickr and Facebook.
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Photograph provided by Bambi Chicque.
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Bambi Chicque
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ambi Chicque came to Second Life on an invite from a friend within another virtual world and flipped head over heels in love. She saw the diverse and endless possibilities to pursue her photography along with rolling up her sleeves to take classes and learn how to create in SL; with texturing in perfection being a key focus for designs to look amazing and real. A Master at Photoshop, she maintains real photography & fine arts websites; has art installs in Dallas, Texas and felt the need to expand her creativity within the realms of fantasy for her audience. She was nominated as Best Blogger for the Avi Choice Awards in 2015 and is the Sole Owner/Designer for her BamPu Legacies Shop inworld! It’s my time to embark on a transition journey in Second Life! The change of seasons breathes life to my creativity and broad design ideas; as well as opportunities to photograph for seasonal and Holiday; telling a story with every picture I create! The Fall is a new life cycle with the blooming of different colours and fields of diversity and originalty surprises from our fruitful Creators in Second Life! I tend to spend much time smiling from my heart when I see new and ingenious designs. I can’t get enough of visiting events, shops and unique destinations. With the Fall comes an immense revision and shift to reflect the multitude of our Citizen’s heritage and cultures. Meeting people from around the world keeps me content in knowing it doesn’t matter where we are from or who we are; we all have commonality here in Second Life and grow together in peace with our adventures here. Being from the South myself; our Spring may last a bit longer but the season changing in Second Life is a definate modification because we all have harmonious desires to match our decor, landscaping and clothing to the various month’s seasonal galas! My inventory forever grows and I love it! As a Designer in SL, this gives me a new fish to fry and come up with unexpected designs that will scream “I need this!” All in all, the changing seasons in Second Life marks another notch on my rez calendar with the proudness of being a part of it all one more year once again! It’s my magical home! Check out her Blog Reviews, Blog, Flickr, Flickr Group, Facebook, In-World Store and Real Photograph/Fine Art Websites on SmugMug & her website.
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Photograph provided by Skye Donardson. Page 144 | ECLIPSE October 2019
Skye Donardson
S
kye Donardson has been in Second Life for almost 12 years. During that time she has dabbled with creating kinetic sculptures, owned a gallery, been in a few exhibitions, and did art exhibit planning and sales for others. Currently, she is helping to manage the new Donna Flora store location. But through it all, she has always made pictures, and SL photography is still her first love. Growing up in Colorado, I was blessed with experiencing the four distinct seasons every year. But of all the four, Autumn was always my favorite. It was full of anniversaries and birthdays - including my own - and my two favorite holidays! Halloween with all the costumes, candy, and trick or treating with my sister and my friends, then Thanksgiving with the three F’s, namely family, food, and football. I loved the warm colors of the leaves changing, and my folks would always pile us into the car and drive us up into the mountains to see the aspen trees go from green to golden, and do a little hiking or fishing. Then there were all the smells. The mustiness of the leaves as you jump into the big piles, the smoky scent of leaves and fireplaces burning, and all the wonderful cooking smells. What wasn’t to like? OK, raking the leaves sucked, but I still preferred it to mowing the lawn, or shoveling snow. In my 24th year, I decided to join the Marine Corps. Ever since I have lived in temperate climates and it’s been underwhelming to say the least. First Okinawa Japan, then Camp Pendleton in California, and now in Houston, Texas. Fall color in my part of Texas? The crunchy brown of dead pine needles that accumulate on my lawn, my driveway, and my roof. Somehow, having Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t the same when it’s 85 degrees outside. Oh, and it’s hurricane season down here too, so that’s not fun. So I take the changing of the seasons in SL very seriously. My landlord will tell you that I can be a bit of a stickler when it comes that. I am constantly changing my houses out...I love to decorate, and will often choose a house for Spring/ Summer, then tear it all down and put up another for Autumn/Winter. I love changing the colors of the leaves on my trees, putting out my pumpkins and Halloween goodies, spreading leaves on the ground, and decorating my house in warm colors and rich textures. It reminds me of home, which I miss very much, even though I’ve been gone for over half my life. Check out her Flickr and Donna Flora in-world.
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Photograph provided by Diana Lorane. Page 146 | ECLIPSE October 2019
DIANA LORANE
D
iana Lorane [DianaHuntros Resident] hails from sunny South Africa and has dabbled in a little bit of every aspect of SL in her years exploring the grid. She started posting a few casual photos in Flickr in September 2016 but it was not until about a year and a half ago that what was once a fun pastime grew into a roaring passion and she focused on it more seriously. Since then she has featured in the second life magazine “SL Unplugged” and did some modeling for other pose creators. Most recently she had the opportunity to feature in two exhibits at El Desvan and at the Gallery of Etamae Goldsmith. Her photos cover many different styles and themes as they reflect her passion for creativity and depicting her moods and emotions. The beauty of second life is that nothing really restricts us, yet I think things like seasons can greatly influence how we “play “, That is why fall is such an exciting time for me in second life. One of the things I look forward to the most is seeing the changes public sim owners make in their decor and builds. As well as the changes other creators make in fashion. The vibrant colors for me.personally just makes this my absolute favorite season of all. The range and tones we have to play with are just fantastic. This is my favorite time in second life to break out those sexy hot boots and luxurious coats strutting my stuff and feeling fabulous. Who among us has not noticed those swirling leaves and windblown hair looks making more of an appearance?, And shall we not forget enjoying a crackling fire or snuggling under the covers with that someone special. It is just such a joy to express and also see others express themselves during this amazing season. One must also love that second life grants us the ability to share in all the festivities celebrated during this time of the year no matter what hemisphere we are from. So warm hugs, kisses and endless mugs of hot chocolate or pumpkin spice drinks to and lets all enjoy the season! Check out her Flickr.
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Photograph provided by Mia Jasmine.
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M
Mia Jasmine
ia Jasmine [MiaJasmine] has been in SL since 2008, but Mia Jasmine really came to life in 2011. Mia is a very shy, kind-hearted person thwhoat will often go out of her way to help anyone. Mia is the owner of TOUCH MIA, a clothing and tattoo store in-world and on Marketplace. When Mia isn’t working with her store, you can often find her out shopping or enjoying her latest passion, photography! She told us, “It’s always fun to come up with new outfits and ideas for my photos; sometimes it can take me days of planning just for one photo, but I absolutely love it!” I feel lucky that in my RL, I live in an area that truly does experience all four seasons. So being able to do the same in Second Life as well is an absolute must! Whatever the current season might be, it is always one of my main inspirations; whether I’m taking photographs or simply decorating my SL home. October is autumn where I live, so when I’m out and about in-world, trying to get that perfect snapshot, it’ll most likely be in areas that best reflect that time of the year. Whether I’m in search of falling leaves and pumpkins or goblins and graveyards, I just love SL in the fall! In the winter, it’s all about the holidays and of course the snow! Spring brings cherry blossoms, bunny rabbits and warmer weather, and of course, in the summer it’s my daisies, new bikinis, and the search is on to find SL’s best beaches! SL is like a dream; we aren’t confined to our RL calendars and/or locations; we can change our seasons on a whim or whenever the mood strikes us! When I think of the different seasons in SL, it also makes me think of the different sides of myself that I can explore here. Someone asked me recently what my favorite style was. It was hard to answer that question because there are so many facets to my own personality in RL as well as in SL, they are no different; but SL gives me a safe and easy way to be able to express all of them and to experience things that I might not be able to in my RL. If you look through my Flickr, you may understand what I’m talking about. I don’t fit into just one little box or ‘season’. So just as the seasons can be changed so easily in SL, so can my choice of fashion, surroundings or even who I want to be on any given day. Check out her Flickr.
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Photograph provided by Diaspora. Page 150 | ECLIPSE October 2019
diaspora
D
iaspora, formerly known as Wayne Rhys,[Declan Rumsford] is a formerfashion blogger returning to Second Life after *another* extended hiatus.
In real life, my experience of the changing of seasons is usually complicated due to my experiences with depression. It also doesn’t help that I’m super sensitive to light and lack of sunlight emotionally. Winter has usually been a difficult period of time for me to overcome, especially as an artist/creative trying to maintain some consistency. But even as I would start to feel isolated or down in the dumps, Second Life has always been downloaded and ready to be opened should I want to return. Due to the changing of seasons, I take a lot of hiatuses from Second Life. During winter I can be very active and making a bunch of work with Second Life. Then, during summer, I go on hiatus to focus on my personal life and my other art. But regardless of the season, my return to Second Life has always been inevitable. It’s always been there for me when I felt like I needed more community. But needless to say, hiatuses have always been a part of my relationship with Second Life. But the times I am on Second Life, I usually search for ways to bring my personal life into the digital space of SL. I used to not buy any decor items because I was strictly focused on clothes but lately, I’ve found that decor and furnishing items can really make SL feel more like a home and when the holidays roll around: more festive.
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Photograph provided by Callie Hamelin.
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C
callie hamelin
allie Hamelin joined Second Life in 2008 and awkwardly waddled around like a duck for weeks before someone took pity and gave her a free walk animation. She was a fairy in an RP Community in her early years, and was very active with Relay for Life of SL – a RL fundraising organization benefiting the American Cancer Society. Once a year, she puts on her wings again and cheers at the side of the track with her old team during the Relay walk, and lights virtual candles for the real people she loves who fight or lost a battle with cancer. Callie’s grateful for having found those communities, and for so many things Second Life – but most especially the relationships over the years that have made SL a constant home in the midst of a RL job that sends her away from home more than not. She’s not so sure she’s grateful for the shopping addiction she’s developed – mostly for the overflowing inventory she can’t ever seem to get under 150K. Callie started blogging as a way to catalogue her outfits, and quickly discovered she loved the creativity of making a scene, and trying to tell a story through a picture. She fell in love with blogging, and these days spends most of her time waddling around on a platform setting up for one photo or another, because her ao interferes with poses. I love Fall!! It’s my favorite season! Crisp air and all the brilliant colors in the trees – sweater weather and boots weather – October baseball and the start of (American) football – cozy socks at bedtime and mornings when you have to grab a scarf – flannel shirts and apple picking and spiced apple cider and homemade soup and pumpkins on the porch. I love everything about Fall in both real life and Second Life. (Ok, well, if I’m honest, I’m not a fan of Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but don’t tell Divos.) Probably the biggest way I reflect Fall in my Second Life is with the trees. My real life home is in Rhode Island, but I’m currently working in Texas. I miss all the colors of Fall in New England – up there, they actually track and publish the best weekends to visit to see the changing leaves. “Leaf Weekends” they call them. The prices for hotels and flights skyrocket – if you can even get into a hotel. People come from all over just to drive through the countryside – it’s really that beautiful. Pictures don’t compare to what it’s like standing in the middle of it – breathtaking and majestic in the way that only nature can be. Down South, on the other hand, it tends to stay pretty green with maybe some yellow(ish) peeping in right before everything just turns brown and falls off. As soon as September starts, it may still be 98°F outside in Texas, but I start building a whole platform in Second Life platform that is my own little piece of Fall in New England. Trees and hills and paths - it’ll start off greener, with a little gold and yellow mixed in, but by October, I’ve got almost an entire forest that’s a riot of color – russets and golds and ambers and deep greens. Sometimes there’s a house, sometimes not. But it’s always rustic – Fall isn’t a season to be in the city. Whether I use the woods in the background for a photo or not – it’s there until mid-December. I’m a blogger, so seasonal photos make sense – but the trees, they’re really for me. I log in and it’s beautiful and peaceful, and just a little closer to home. Check out her Flickr, Facebook and Blog. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 153
Photograph provided by Wicca Merlin. Page 154 | ECLIPSE October 2019
A
ALERIAH
leriah [Lillbirdee] decided to give Second Life a try in 2004 and has since then has experienced a bit of everything SL has to offer, but has her heart set on taking pictures, which she posts to her Flickr and her blog.. Aside from this, she animates for Vanilla Bae and Lemme stores,and for her own store, Embody poses, works as CSR manager for Kaithleen’s and brand/blogger manager for Merak, as well as creates the posters for XXX event, and surround herself with good friends and family. Like in my real life, I love the various seasons and equal amount. I share a full region with my dearest friends, and we change seasons on the sim, currently in the process of changing the region to autumn. Also my blog posts and poses reflect the season change. I create images with fall items, fall moods and colors, which is something I really love. I feel that each season has its own charm, and I love showing what I love about each one. The colors in fall, the beautiful snow in winter, the budding trees and flowers in spring and the beauty of summer, when everything has bloomed into bright colors. I also decorate my home for the various seasons; put fall decor up in and outside my house in fall, Christmas decor in December etc. I treat my SL home and surroundings like I would my RL surroundings, so I decorate for holidays too - Easter, Halloween etc. I don’t think, I could live with one season in my SL all year around - I tried it and I started missing the other seasons, when they came by, so I gathered my friends that felt the same way and rented a sim, where we can change seasons and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Check out her Flickr, Blog, In-World Store and Marketplace.
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the tour of home
photography by Tiffa
The Tour of Homes is a semi-regular ECLIPSE Magazine feature dedicated to showcasing the homes of residents. With the introduction of the new Linden Homes, this will be our first focal point. ECLIPSE Magazine readers are invited to explore the featured homes, so gather some friends and begin your tour! If you would like your Linden Home featured, please contact Tiffany Parkin.
es
any parkin.
Teleport to Harlow Page 160 | ECLIPSE October 2019
w’s Linden Home. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 161
Teleport to Lorela Page 162 | ECLIPSE October 2019
ai’s Linden Home. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 163
Teleport to SadyCa Page 164 | ECLIPSE October 2019
at’s Linden Home. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 165
Teleport to Sassy Page 166 | ECLIPSE October 2019
y’s Linden Home. ECLIPSE October 2019 | Page 167
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artist highlight
photography by Kaitlyn Pruitt. Written by tiffa
Artistry and creativity are at the foundation of everything we see and do in Second Life. The same is true for all we hear in Second Life. In showcasing residents and groups who embody the concept of “your world, your imagination,” Eclipse Magazine is honored to showcase Second Life’s amazing musical talent. In this month’s “Artist Highlight,” we shine the spotlight on Lexie Luan and her amazing voice.
any parkin.
Hurdles in life can often bring us to the things we want and need most when we take the opportunities presented to us instead of focusing on the hurdles themselves. This was certainly the case with Lexie Luan.
is a true blend of all of these inspirations according to Lexie.
This theme of blending isn’t just evident when looking at where Lexie finds her inspiration. Its evident in all aspects of her music from her favorite genre to how A former perform on the platform PalTalk, she describes her sound. When asked Lexie had been slow to transition to about her favorite genre, she says, “I love Second Life like many of her musical most genres of music. I love the blues, pop, peers. Despite many of them trying to classic rock and new rock. If it resonates convince her to make the transition, she with me, I’m all over it.” This love of all waited. Finally, while home recovering genres has lead to what Lexie describes from a surgery, Lexie decided to take as an “original” sound which includes the plunge and check out this digital guitar, vocals and her own original music. platform she had heard so much about. She feels its best left up to her fans to “I loved being a cartoon,” Lexie shared. describe her sound and style. Also, be Along with spending hours jumping out warned that if you ask Lexie what her of her “cartoon cannon,” she also begin most meaningful song is, you may get exploring many of the live music events a different or vague answer each time. taking place in Second Life. She “ended When we asked her, she said, “Whatever is up becoming friends with songwriters most relevant to me at the time is the most such as Zorch Boomhauer and Pol Arida. I meaningful song I have sung.” love the fact that their audiences knew the words to their original music and would Performing isn’t the only thing occupying type them [the words] while they sang.” It Lexie’s time in SL though. Along wasn’t long after that Lexie finally took with being an avid shopper, she has to the stage, performing for the first time developed a love of landscaping and at a Rez Day party for her friend Zorches. creating new environments in Second She hasn’t stopped performing since that Life. “It’s so relaxing to me. I just get in day. my head and anything can happen,” she shared. Of course, she also supports Lexis’ career as a musician isn’t restricted her fellow musicians on the grid like to Second Life though. She is also a Zorch Boomhauer, The Vinnie Show and singer and songwriter in real life. And Winston Ackland, to name a few. Her while some seem to seek out their support of Zorch Boomhauer is especially inspirations, Lexis says her inspiration important to Lexie. Their friendship in seems to find her. “When something Second Life led to a real life relationship touches me, I write about it. I write about between the two artists. Lexie shared, love a lot, the state of the world we live in, “He moved to Philadelphia ten years ago the loss of a loved one and starting anew.” on Halloween. We have been together ever Her most recent release, The Pink Album, since.” Read more about Lexie here. You can find Lexie on many of the major streaming services (Amazon/ Apple / Google / Spotify / iHeart Radio and many others) just by searching for “Kinagree Smith.” Page 172 | ECLIPSE October 2019
“Play music because you love it . Don’t expect anything else from it . Your fans will find you. Be yourself, be nice.”
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THE wayfarer...
photography by temp
“The Wayfarer” is a monthly feature showcasing some of the most aesthetic places in Second Life®. Perhaps, where the Wayfarer journeyed heavily reflected on the thoughts that consumed him and at this instance the pangs and pain found within his heart. His footsteps tread softly with a hint of caution and resignation, as he landed on a place called Arranmore. From what he had seen, the island was deserted, though the layout and the buildings that still stood told a story of a place of vibrancy and livelihood. Instead, while still there was a beauty to this world, it was full of ghosts and memories of what it once was but no longer is. Immerse yourself in Arranmore.
est rosca.
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