THE BEST OF SL-APRIL 2019 EDITION by The Best Of SL Magazine

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Reign Congrejo Fashion Editor Bronxie Asst Fashion Editor Shantal Gravois CONTRIBUTORS Lynxa Jameson Jackson Redstar Arya Braveheart Sita Writer CompE Lockwood Bronxie Sammie Audion Ai Lee Jamee Sandalwood Magissa Denver COVER PHOTO:Averil COVER PHOTO BY: Ai Lee

BOSL Magazine April 2019 Edition

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CONTENT

11 27

SNUGGLE IN THE FOREST 11 FAVORITE PLACES IN SL

SPOT THE BUNNIES 35

MYTHICAL MERMAIDS

BOSL FASHION-ALL DOLLED UP 61

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Snuggle In The Forest Article and Photography by: Sammie Audionmie Audion

Everyone has their own reasons for visiting Second Life (SL). Any are searching, at least in part, for some sort of socializing and closeness. People have an increasingly more difficult time actually siting together to talk on a personal and honest level in their Real Life (RL). The argument can easily be made that Social Media (SM) has a huge impact on this development – secrets are much more commonly said on Facebook or Twitter than they are revealed to one’s best friend. This could be because social media platforms accept any spin on a tale, and some search to improve their reputation by telling their version. In effect, however, this lack of meaningful conversations often leave people feeling sad and

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lonely. The honest feedback of a true friend— no matter how hurtful the comment may be in the moment— deepens a relationship over time and builds shared history, trust, and understanding. In lieu of two or three deep–felt, meaningful relationships, SM offers having hundreds of ‘friends,’ sometimes perfectly selected depending on the situation. However, those relationships are often shallow and meaningless in situations for which they are not chosen. It’s often stated that social interactions are changing; for instance, we can see a room full of people staring into their digital devices instead of conversing with each other. Unfortunately,

evidence suggests that humans neither adapt well biologically nor cope well in this fast evolving world, which affects their emotional life profoundly. The rapidly adjusting intellectual and social behavioral rules were mostly ready for the artificial world of SM. Businesses realized quickly that they could take advantage this development, and by now, most individuals are aware they will be confronted with their SM footprint at the next job interview. Therefore, SM is not the ideal platform for emotional interaction with others. So, where does this leave people? For an increasing number, this result in a lack of belonging that leads to sadness and loneliness.

The logical course of action would be increasing engagement in RL: joining friends for activities, perhaps enjoying the great outdoors, etc. This realization is not new â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SM readily offers Meetup, OKCupid, or Tinder, just to name a few platforms out there. Evidently, these options have limited success, and people still look for belonging and friendship â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perhaps they prefer something not as complex and intense as an RL friendship or relationship or something to compensate for a struggling RL relationship. It does not seem to be a coincidence that we find more and more romantic places for couples and friends in SL that explicitly state they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tolerate sexual interactions among their visitors.

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Of course, this is not to say that sex is on its way out of SL— far from it! But it does show that there might be an urge for belonging and closeness that can’t be satisfied in RL. Snuggles Forest offers exactly that: a tastefully created virtual environment that invites visitors for beautiful strolls, walks along the sandy seaside, cuddles, and dances. You can sit with your loved one at several romantic spots, explore, propose, and even get married in the chapel (which offers an automated wedding service). The romantic spots include a mountaintop with lovely views over the multi-sim installment, while a dreamy pond and the deer river invite the aforementioned strolls. One location makes Snuggles Forest unique and cannot be forgotten: a walk through the moors takes you past highland cattle and, eventually, you will reach the shore. Dance intans provide romantic moments in this exquisite atmosphere.

It remains to be seen if places like Snuggles Forest will be able to replace RL closeness with virtual reality. On one hand, that depends largely on how deeply a person can submerse into fantasy; on the other, that depends on the status of virtual technology. We’ve only seen the beginning of virtual reality, that much is certain. Development will occur rapidly, especially now that the porn industry is largely invested in this new market. Like everything we encounter, it’s about the choices we make. SL may very well be able to truly offer closeness—and even snuggles in a romantic forest— in future iterations. For now, however, SL still requires your imagination. If it helps people find something like the closeness they can’t find in RL, then how can we blame anyone for finding happiness wherever they can?

Snuggles Forest: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Snuggles%20Forest/131/230/25

Favorite Places In Second Life Faraway places calling you home? Me, too. Most of us have spots in the real world which we have experienced in Second Life’s cyber version. We can blend the two. Here are a few to get you started. Magicland. Who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me? A pixel mouse bearing a strong resemblance to one named Mickey, that’s who. He lives in Magicland, a tribute to a place called Disney World. You know, the big one in Florida. This one is in SL and a favorite getaway. If you’ve been to the real park— I have and got the mouse ears to prove it —you know the layout for this one. Start with a horse-drawn trolley ride down Main Street. Look familiar? That’s the point. After approaching the iconic castle, make your way to the It’s a Small World ride. But fair warning, the tune by the same name will be in your head for weeks. All of the other attractions are here, too: Space Mountain, Star Wars Encounter, and many more. “We always ask ourselves ‘how are we going to do this?’” says creator Kriste. “Each building is

Article and Photography by: CompE| custom built. Magicland opened in 2008 with 7 attractions; today, there are 35 spread over 6 lands.” Approximately 1,500 people visit every week. You should be one. Australia (Winddragon Down Under) I have not been to RL Australia— yet. But I know the Land Down Under from here to yonder thanks to Second Life. Now, I am no expert on the continent with spiders the size of dinner plates, kangaroos with pockets full of children named “Joey,” and the platypus that— ok, nobody knows exactly what that thing is. But Australians in SL are as nice as Aussies in RL. A good place to meet awesome Aussies and others is Winddragon Down Under. Local’s park their motorbikes to have a pint, shoot pool, and share laughs with us Yanks. I’m planning a real world visit to Australia next year, and the SL experience is invaluable. “We have the most authentic-looking Australian pub in SL,” notes proprietor and owner, Angel. “We feature live music on Friday nights and a great game room upstairs.”

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The pub also features a barbecue, dances around a roaring bonfire, and Australian vistas nearby. Beautiful countryside and a beach surround the pub. Aussies can’t have all the fun, so Winddragon is for us, too. All are welcomed here, mate. Hawaii (Oahu Vacation Resort). Wish I had known about Hawaiian sites of Second Life before visiting Hawaiian sites of first life.

Linden bucks go much further in SL Hawaii than U.S. greenbacks do in RL Hawaii. Both places are wonderful.

So, aloha from America’s 50th state and dozens of Sims. Explore the beauty of an island paradise by land, sea, or teleport. Sure, the real version is great (and pricey), but let’s see RL Hawaiians teleport to Honolulu. Book him, Danno.

On a serious note, the SL Oahu has a Pearl Harbor site very much like the real one. I stood in front of the sobering memorial to the U.S. military and read the names inscribed in stone of the crewmen who lost lives on December 7, 1941. The Second Life version has the same wall. Both gave me goose bumps.

Scotland Highlands (Inverness City and Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland).

On the lighter side, Oahu is a great Hawaiian resort with beach rentals, dancing, and island-hopping fun. It is a go-to Polynesian getaway. Surfing, swimming, dancing: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all here. Grass skirts optional.

On the lighter side, Oahu is a great Hawaiian resort Scotland holds a place in my heart and in my pixels. with beach rentals, dancing, and island-hopping fun. Compeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ancestors hail from this land of castles, It is a go-to Polynesian getaway. Surfing, swimming, nobility, and the Loch Ness Monster. dancing: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all here. Grass skirts optional. Bosl edition

A good starting point is the Loch Ness Centre, featuring fascinating information on the creature everyone knows and few have seen. But you can see Nessie around here at every watery turn. Just look for her: big, green, scales, swimming— you can’t miss her. Inverness has a local pub with live hosts during opening hours. Chatting and dance opportunities are 24/7. Shops offering Scottish

wares and more dot villages with good quality merchandise. Strolling through the villages is relaxing, with stunning views of the Loch Ness monster and more. New York City (Big Apple New York). “Our city is about having a friendly community that accepts anyone on face value,” says Rosabella, as we race down 42nd Street in a lightning fast Mercedes Benz breaking every speed limit ever set in Second Life. “We provide freedom of expression

help recharge the batteries a little, finding a place where one’s mind can be in harmony and relaxing serenity for a while. Grove Country Estates is only one estate within the big world of SL that can become the perfect fantasy hideout for some. The Nobel Prize–winning British author William Golding?

After all, there is nothing wrong with getting to know our dreams and desires a little bit better. Moreover, finding more and more things we like about ourselves can help build a healthy

and have fun. That is what SL is made for.” My next encounter with Rosabella’s NYC was on top of a skyscraper while interviewing Catwoman. Yeah, the Big Apple is my kind of town and should be yours. The setting is late 1930s -1940s. Architecture and clothing reflect period styles. Think of this New York as picking up after King Kong was shot off the Empire State Building.

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This is the day after they swept up the monkey. The cityscape is so impressive that people live here. Rental homes are available, as are stores for 1940 fashions and more— like really cool Stetson hats —for a retro gangsta feel. Take one bite out of the Big Apple, and you bite more.

After all, there is nothing wrong with getting to know our dreams and desires a little bit better. Moreover, finding more and more things we like about ourselves can help build

a healthy self-esteem that will carry over into our RL. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Seaside%20Drive/158/132/29

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Spot The Bunnies It is Easter time in SL, and the bunnies are out and about. Chocolate aplenty is available; the snow has long melted, and the flowers are in full bloom. Those signs can only mean one thing: spring decorating! One of my favourite times of year in SL— designers shake off the winter blues and bring out their glorious spring items full of colour and fun. That is why I decided to make today’s scene a little fun, too, with some hidden bunnies that appear in the photos amid the ferns and outdoor decor. I hope you can spot them all as you enjoy the garden with me! Grab a tricycle, and let’s take a look at what we have for you. The first item rezzed was the Camp Tower from GOOSE. It was the perfect place to start as it is tall and made a great centerpiece. This item also gave the flavour to the rest of the scene. This backyard area is for kids and their parents, with practical items like the garden shed and table alongside tricycles, tents, and loads of toy bunnies as well as a couple of real ones.

Written and Photography by: Arya Braveheart After the tower was placed, I broke all of my own rules and rezzed the Red Bud Trees from Little Branch, as I wanted to place other items around and against them. In fact, the next two items after the trees broke the rules as well. Normally I put fences and plants in last, but I needed them to create the boundary, so up they went. From there, I found this fab Happy Camper tent from EED Home&Garden, which I added to the ‘kid’ side of the garden. To balance this all up, I then added the Peony Garden Shed and Gardening Table from Sway’s. After that, it was a matter of filling the middle with a couple of other awesome items and then adding grass, lights, and ferns. Of course, the last items were the rabbits. I even got sneaky and added some while I was taking the photos so it looks like they have magically appeared where they weren’t before. I wanted this scent to be fun, and I enjoyed adding some extra little bits such as the ironic lawnmower— this backyard looks like it hasn’t been mown in quite a while.

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I hope you enjoy redecorating or redesigning your SL home or yard this spring. Get creative and add some fun flair with bits of decor or colours or furniture. Go shopping at the stores, not just at events, and set yourself a goal this spring of finding some new designers to enjoy. Most of all... HAVE FUN! Credits: GOOSE - Camp tower EED Home&Garden - Happy Camper Little Branch - Red Bud Tree.v2{Animated}4Seasons [CIRCA] - “Asteria” Forest Fae Chair - Walnut, “Cottonwood Grove” Carrot Basket - Easter Ed., “Sunland” - Honey Merchant Table - Cedar, Wood Beehive Open - Cedar, Folding Chair w/ Sunhat - Cedar *paper moon* - Wildflower Wabbits Planters: Yellow & Green LOVE - Fairy Ferns and Little Lights Serenity Style- Cute Eggs Box, Easter Bunnies Wood Blue & Lavender, Carrier Tricycle FARM, Irene Bunny, Holy the Bunny - Star, Rag Bunny, Rust Old Car

Atelier Visconti - Excited Bunny, Happy Bunny JIAN :: Fallen Bunny Log, Fallow Fawn Static Graze & Laying {what next} Spring Garden Lawnmower (green) Old World - Old wooden table and chairs, Set of fruits v4 Raindale - Midmoor Wishing well KraftWork - Triciclo (CHILDREN) Trompe Loeil - Odette Topiary 13 Rabbit tarte. - tire swing hive // vintage garden hose cart unraveled Sway’s - [Peony] - Garden Shed, Gardening table [we’re CLOSED] - grass field green .peaches. - Woodland Fence Studio Skye - Alligator Apple Bush

Mythical Mermaids & More @ Lost Unicorn Mermaids have captured the imagination of sea-faring civilizations since the dawn of time. Often depicted as beautiful women with the lower portion of their body resembling a fish, these legendary creatures managed to lend themselves to both romantic myths and horror stories. In some of the earliest legends and tales, mermaids represented the unknown of the sea, the dangers of open and unexplored water territories, but as our culture and science evolved, mermaids took a firm hold in our imagination and became part of art and media. Part of the beauty of Second Life is that we are able to explore fantasy realms and enter into the depths of mermaids and all manner of sirens of the sea. One of the most idyllic places to loose yourself in this magical world is at Lost Unicorn, created by Noralie78. Like many of us, Noralie78 found SL when it was riding a big media wave a few years ago, and although she goes on hiatus from time to time, she always comes back. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The social aspect is what got me hooked. I met friends for life here, people that I have also met in real life in the past years! And SL turned out to be a great creative outlet; the perfect vehicle to make images and ideas that existed in my head come to life. I like the fact that my creations are enjoyed by many others.â&#x20AC;?

Article and Photography by: Sita Writer| Lost Unicorn started as an art gallery owned by Natalie Montagne. As Noralie78 tells it, “[Natalie] was looking to expand to a full sim and had visited one of the Telrunya sims I had built at the time. She hired me to do all the landscaping, and we became good friends, so I’ve been involved ever since. First seasonal changes, last year a complete revamping of the sim with more attention to detail, lots of hidden spots to explore, and, of course, a perfect haven for unicorns, fairies, elves, and other mythical beings. Actually, everyone is welcome— it’s the perfect place for exploration or to find some peace and solitude, to listen to the music and daydream.” As the relationship grew, the Storybook area was moved to a new adjacent sim to give peeps that like fairytales more places to explore. “The sims are ‘finished’ yet always a work in progress, meaning we always come up with things to add (like the mermaid area, for example) or replace items with something new. That keeps the sims alive and exciting to work on, and it will keep it interesting for visitors to return.”

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As Noralie78 mentioned, a new highlight to be found here is the underwater mermaid world. “Mermaids speak to the imagination of many. It had always been a dream of mine to create this magical underwater world with lots of color and magic. One of my greatest inspirations, and this is something that is a recurring thing in many sims I have built, is the Waitomo cave in New Zealand. Fireflies everywhere. Things that glow and glitter with a hint of mystery. I like a hint

of possible danger— what could be around the corner? What’s hidden in the mists? The answer is to be found in your own imagination. ;-)” That Noralie78 creates such beautiful builds in SL is no surprise— she comes from an artistic family of painters. “My mother and grandfather were excellent painters. I tried picking up a brush; even though I like it, I’m definitely a child of the digital era. And the wonderful creators in SL make such beautiful things. I am not technical enough

to create good meshes and textures from scratch, but with a lot of editing, I manage to get the exact landscape I have in my head.” Nature and fantasy landscapes inspire Natalie, and she is most interested in RL pictures from around the globe including waterfalls, rivers, forests, mountains, flora, fauna, and, of course, Tolkien.

It’s all about creating a certain atmosphere, a feeling I want to share with the visitors that helps them find solace and peace. Real life is hard enough. People use SL as an escape sometimes, and even in SL people can be very mean and vicious. With this sim, we wanted to create a place of serenity. The Lost Unicorn sim is especially close to my heart.”

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Natalie has good advice for peeps that build: “Always start with something that makes you happy and gives you energy. Work on your own skills to find your signature style.” As for the future, Natalie now back in college plans to keep working on Lost Unicorn and to take on other landscaping assignments as her time allows.

That Noralie78 creates such beautiful builds in SL is no surprise— she comes from an artistic family of painters. “My mother and grandfather were excellent painters. I tried picking up a brush; even though I like it, I’m definitely a child of the digital era. And the wonderful creators in SL make such beautiful things. I am not technical enough to create good meshes and textures from scratch, but with a lot of editing, I manage to get the exact landscape I have in my head.” Nature and fantasy landscapes inspire Natalie, and she is most interested in RL pictures from around the globe including waterfalls, rivers, forests, mountains, flora, fauna, and, of course, Tolkien.

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MILA BLAUVELT

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Dress: Moon Amore :Rosaline / Sky Short jacket: Peque : Bali Shrug Collar 1: !Lyrical B!zarre Collar 2:¨{Jumbug}* Innocent Ruff Tights: Izzie´s glitter appliers Shoes: NX-Narcotix Odette Ballerina Flats Hair: JUMO Chique

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DESIREME

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Top: COCO Designs - Ruffle Bare Shoulder Top Pant l No longer available Headpiece : Enfant Terrible - Magic Ride Flower Gacha Shoe : REIGN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Harlow Make-ups: POEMA

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JAMEE SANDALWOOD

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Top I .miss chelsea. Holi Blouse in Gold Skirt I !gO! Alina skirt - 4 Bag I Bowtique - Bunny Grocery Bag Shoes I Bowtique - Cupcake Heels Rings I CODEX_BENTO FLORA RINGS Headpiece I *LODE* Head Accessory - Gladiolus Birds [golden touch] Hair I Tableau Vivant // Tempest hair [v.6] - Reds Blush I Zibska- Olivie Makeup I alaskametro<3 “Sugar” makeup palette

QUEENBRAT BRACKEN

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YHISHARA CERISE

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AVERIL

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Gown- Fleur dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;amour Gown- Felini Couture Necklace and Armbands-Arabella set-Real Evil Hair Kaijah- Truth hair Hair Wreath-Rose Vintage Crown in Cream by *LODE* Eyeshadow-Birdy by Poema Lipstick by Lisa Walker}

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