THE BEST OF SL MAGAZINE-MARCH 2020 EDITION by The Best Of SL Magazine

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Reign Congrejo Fashion Editor Bronxie Asst Fashion Editor Shantal Gravois CONTRIBUTORS Jackson Redstar Arya Braveheart CompE Lockwood Bronxie Sammie Audion Jamee Sandalwood Magissa Denver COVER PHOTO: Magissa Denver COVER: MAYA SHARPSHIRE AVERIL

BOSL Magazine MARCH 2020 Edition

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CONTENT

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A CUBAN DREAM

ROYAL COURT

ETA GOLDSMITH

LIVING ROOM TO WORK ROOM 44 FASHION TREND-BIG PRINTS, LETS PLAY BALL

ASIZA WOLF-NEVER SLOWS DOWN

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A CUBAN DREAM Article and Photography by: Sammie Audion What makes some sims work really well and others not so much? Many like Alfred Whitehead believe the answer lies in the detail. Granted, Mr. Whitehead had no clue about Second Life (SL) – given he was born in 1861. The concepts, however, rings true regardless. Of course, SL is not a 100% representation of places Real Life (RL); moreover, SL was never designed to become an RL replacement. Yet, many residents of SL immerse themselves in this virtual world rather than just ‘playing’ a game. How is that possible? It has much to do with details. Many details— the likes of which may magically create a composition orchestrating in unison, which might be significantly larger than the simple sum of said details. Builders hope that many of those special touches will trigger the fantasies of their visitors and create a new world in every imagination.

flowers, and beaches. It also features great music, live concerts and events at the unique Octopussy lounge.” FleurLaRosa and WillkinThos have designed this amazing homestead region, successfully recreating a nostalgic, hopelessly romantic vision of Cuba. This Cuban dream can be divided into four distinct areas: The hills, the village, the beach, and of course, the club. Many small nooks and crannies have been created with a seemingly untiring love for detail. The idea that someone may not find something to enjoy here is practically unimaginable.

To reach the hills, a natural path invites visitors on a little hiking adventure. A couple of romantic little sitting areas rest along the way. Animals live within ‘Octopussy goes Cuba’ is a world in SL with splendid, this rough nature, frolicking in the warm Cuban sun. breathtaking details. The Second Life Destination Guide Beautiful flowers grow along the way. tells us the following about the place: “Octopussy goes Cuba is a themed hang-out and chill-out island with a As visitors climb higher, the path opens into the village colorful, small Cuban village surrounded by rocks, palms,

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Magnificent house facades are held in warm pastels, while beautiful arches and balconies pop out, adding to the South American atmosphere. Immediately, visitors are drawn back into the ‘50s or ‘60s. Old cars and rollers are parked on the side, and a man on a small balcony is looking down over the plaza del pueblo [town square]. Many thoughtful details help put wings on any visitor’s imagination, and the romanticized version of Cuba is masterfully brought to life. As the path meanders downhill again from the village, it trails past the club. Perhaps the club was influenced by the James Bond movie ‘Octopussy’ -- not that the famous spy movie actually played in Cuba ( though Fidel Castro did appear in the beginning for a short moment). The club is appropriately decorated in an underwater theme. Windows provide precious views into the appealingly peaceful life out in the reefs. What lovely scenery in which to enjoy some Cuban Jazz and indulge in some champagne from the bottles prepared in chilled buckets near the tables.

Past the club, further along the path, visitors eventually arrive at the beach, which certainly rounds up the experience. It might be a hard choice between Cuban rum and ice cream, but this is SL– so why not both! Inviting chairs are spread out all over the beach – there is even a DJ for some hot beach dancing, and the party has already started. The view out onto the water is beautiful. Birds are getting along with their business while the late afternoon starts to draw large shadows along the ground. What could be nicer than hanging out at the beach on a warm and sunny Cuban afternoon and enjoying the simple beauty of life? While the RL Cuba might not be so attractive when considered in its complex generalities, this virtual version definitely is. Most will find the amazing details that keep a visitor’s mind excited. Here, the famous ‘big picture’ is not that relevant.

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Therefore, why not indulge in this romantic illusion of some good old times paired with a little raunchiness? Be aware that this Cuban dream is closer to the naughty, erotic tango than a nice Rockabilly romance. This homestead is set to adult – hence, not exactly the ideal destination for a family vacation. While our creative minds create an idealized composition when provided with the right and colorful details, what might it do to the big picture? Could it be that if we are provided with the right overall view, our mind will come up with the reasoning and the details? Of course,, given that said big picture meets the right sport for frustration, dreams, or desires. Just imagine this would be paired with peers that share in and confirm what non-peer might consider unreasonable. The basic preset of a cult is born giving room for a tribal mindset (us against the others). Scary! Now, this is not to say keeping a general big picture of something or put something in a bigger context is a bad thing of course. It’s just do say, if we let our mind to play tricks on us, it might like to play. Which can of course

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be beautifully relaxing and healthy – even therapeutic as long as it is exercised with a watchful eye – probably just like everything in life. https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Libera/139/92/30

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ROYAL COURT The stage lights have dimmed, the runway is bare, and the auditorium quiet at the BOSL Innovation Pavilion. Last December, it was anything but. Back then, the Miss Virtual World contest rocked the halls and proclaimed winners, champions like the event’s First Runner Up, Maia Sharpshire. “It was an amazing experience,” Maia, who hails from Indonesia, recalls about the event. “There are so many models there; you are competitors but also make friends. If you want to have a lot of fun in SL, MVW is the place for it.” Like most contestants, she heard about the pageant during the summer of 2019 – weeks before rejoining Second Life. “I wanted a reason to stay in SL,” the 11-year virtual world veteran remembers. “I wanted something to do. I don’t like to just hang around.” She read about the contest and decided to join. Maia adds, “BOSL is a good company and has a great name. I felt this was the right time and the right place for me.” And so, she joined, and the right time became a whirlwind. Most MVW contestants will tell you the program is a mix of hard work, showmanship, and creativity wrapped in nerves on red alert. “I have never been so nervous in my life,” Morgan Firehawk, the pageant’s winner, remembers about auditions. “It was surreal. I could not believe I made it that far. The audience was jam-packed, and all eyes were on us.” Maia agrees: “I was so nervous, I couldn’t answer the judges’ questions,” she laughs. “My mouth was locked. ”

Article By: CompE/Photography by: Maia Sharpshire Everyone says the same thing because for many, like Maia, this is their first SL event on stage, in front of an audience, before a panel of judges. All eyes are on you. Judges mark a contestant’s style, walk, pose, creativity, and answers to questions – all while contestants are under the pressure of a watchful audience. The first event of MVW is the Formal Challenge. Ladies are given identical gowns and must style them according to one of several themes. Maia explains about her selection, “One of the themes was ‘movies.’ I was inspired by the movie Black Swan and styled my gown after it.” The second part of the pageant was the Showcase, in which contestants’ style outfits in ways that represent their country. And finally,-- after weeks of work, auditions, and designing-- on December 14, 2019, live from the BOSL Innovation Pavilion, the big announcement was made: Maia was proclaimed ‘First Runner Up.’ “I am the first Indonesian to compete in MVW,” Maia notes. “I am proud of that.”” It was a series of proud moments: the first to represent her country and the First Runner Up in her first SL pageant. Her title means she stands in as needed in the absence of the reigning queen, Morgan Firehawk. Maia also won $5,000 L, a tiara, and lasting friendships, including one with the Queen.

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“I met Morgan during the contest, and we became close friends,” she says. “Morgan is a nice and wise woman who genuinely cares about others. We are sisters for life.” Maia has experience in the RL fashion industry. She owns an international modeling agency. “In SL, I do what I love-- the same as I do in RL,” she says. One such love was the Miss Virtual World contest. As for the Indonesian beauty, she is a champion in her own right, too. Maia Sharpshire, first time applicant and the First Runner Up in the Miss Virtual World Competition. Congratulations.

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The Wonderful World Of Eta Goldsmith Article/Photography: Matt Thompson On the 15th of March at 1:00 SLT, something special and concepts and full of happy mistakes. unique happens in Second life: Best of Second Life enters the art world with a crescendo of style. If no one had seen your art and you were asked to describe it, what would you say? BOSL will proudly open its very first Art Gallery, with the intention to showcase the best and most unique artists in Blimey! Describing my own work in Second Life... Second Life. And what an artist we have found to begin Quirky? Possibly a little off kilter -- I do like the our journey. surreal, and for me, if I can get a photograph of mine to ‘pop,’ then I am happy One of SL’s rising stars, with a unique artist’s eye, a ready wit, and a warm heart-- we debut the BOSL art gallery by Who or what are your biggest influences? entering the world of Eta Goldsmith. Ah, now that is easy for me to answer. I have nothing I had the unique joy of sitting down with Eta and getting but the highest respect for those that can create sims to know her. and installations which are a visual delight as well as having some great scripts that bring those builds to What’s your background? life. The mesh creators like Mistero Hfeng, Bryn Oh, Toysoldier Thor, CioTToLiNa Xue, Theda Tammas, Hmmm---who is Eta Goldsmith? That’s an interesting Cherry Manga, Meilo Minotaur, Maru Kado, and question which is quite difficult to answer, but I would Harry Cover to name just a few provide me with like to say she is a mix of emotions, open to new ideas and subject matter and inspiration.

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And of course, all of those other galleries within Second Life. There are so many creative souls here -it is a brilliant medium, and I know that there are so many more things and people I have yet to discover and meet.

I know I like to take photographs and make art of ‘things’, although lately I have been using some of my Flickr photographs to convert into art. I am also the owner of the the ‘feed your fetish’ gallery, which depicts the BDSM lifestyle in (what I consider) a beautiful way.

Is art an emotional experience? How do you feel when you create? How easy have you found the SL art world to navigate? The process I go through, I thoroughly enjoy. From the finding of the sim or object to the taking of the photograph, the editing, and then the completion in Second Life -- it all gives me a buzz just like it would if I were creating in Real Life.

If I take a moment to think about it, I come to realize that there are so many generous people who are happy to share their knowledge with me and help out when they can. If not for them, this journey of mine would have been a whole lot harder. So thank you, my friends who have created logos, who have shown me I become involved and single-minded, and if I learn how to use the SL Gallery Kiosk properly and set up something new, then that gives me a boost, too. visitor trackers. Those that have shown my work in their own Galleries and have offered me friendship, Does your art help you understand yourself better? encouragement, and a sense of inclusion.

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With such an interesting artistic vision, where do the ideas Late last year together with my partner Craig, we created come from? our own gallery and lounge called Extempore where I hang work as well as showcase othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; art. This is where Craig Well, from others work, angles, colors -- the things I see also enjoys spinning tunes for our friends, and where folk whilst shopping. can come network surrounded by art. My dearest wish is I also bounce ideas off close friends and my partner in here, for this to still be thriving in a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time. Craig (who was the one that taught me how to hang the art properly!). Inspiration also arrives from music, words, Creativity-wise, I just hope that I am still enjoying, poetry, social issues. evolving, and producing images that both myself and others enjoy. Where would you like to be one year from now? This is Eta; welcome to her world.

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Living Room To Work Room Last month, I showed you two rooms of my home: the bedroom and bathroom. This month, I am going to show you my living room and office. Both are spaces I love and spend a lot of time in, so they are areas filled with items I enjoy and colours I love. I was also excited to show you items from the RFL Home, Garden and Breedables Expo, and I have scattered a few about my home to give a burst of colour and individuality. Welcome to my working room. This is a space for hanging out while I am plotting my blogging week, and it is also where I sit whenever I am doing any work in RL and need a spot to be. It has a gorgeous view out to the garden, so I can enjoy the sunrise and a spot of sun. It has some essential office items such as coffee, a great workspace, and a couch for brainstorming in comfort. I had fun with this space and tried to think of exactly what I would need in my RL office. In fact, this one is way better than my office-- it has coffee nearby, and I wish I had a couch! I also love plants, and it is amazing what a splash of green does to liven up a room and create a more lived-in feel. Now, follow me through to my living room or, as I like to call it, the room of cats. I have a few of them lurking about. They sleep where they want. Actually, I am amazed none of them were on my office couch! The lounge is for exactly that: lounging. I wanted it to be a relaxing area with spots for enjoying the view or reading a book.

Article and Photography by: Arya Braveheart This Apple Fall home has loads of windows, so this room gets plenty of light-- which makes it a great place for enjoying a sunbeam or two during the day and for getting the full glow of the moon at night. The main living room area is where I sit when visitors come over, but I often sit in the comfy corner on the leather chair to read, curl up in the yeti chair if I can find a spot among the kitties, or relax in the wingback chair to enjoy the view out the rear windows. There are plenty of options, so I can take my pick as the mood dictates. I hope you have enjoyed seeing two more rooms from my home. Next month, you will see the last two areas of my home, so I hope that will have you racing back to grab next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s copy of Best of SL magazine. Enjoy! CREDITS: My Office: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] - Ballpens and Pencils, Monstera Plant, Wastebin ~AMU~ Emperor Penguins Apple Fall - West Village iFall Pro 2019 - Aluminium Basil - White Metal FIling Cabinet Bazar - Toronto - Study desk, Study shelf, Study books stack, Study cabinet, Study chair, Black board *Dench Designs* - The Girls Room Vase Decor [Park Place] - Green Leafy Table Plant

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< Sweet Potatoes > Love My Desk Clutter - File Storage, Zebra Green Sway’s - [Hedy] Plate & Mug - empty / finished {what next} - Kitchenette Coffee Maker Wishbringer - Throw rug, Sofa Greens My Living Room: 22769 - Wine 4 Two , Round Hemp Rug ALUORA - Animated Picture “Angels” ~AMU~ Waterside Apple Fall - Oxford Wingback Chair, Fulwood Chair w/ Blanket, Fulwood Sofa, Fulwood Chair, Aspidistra in Wicker Planter, Althea Rug - Antique Dark, Books Occasional Table w/ Blanket, Lemon Tea Ariskea- [Etoile] Pine table *Artisan Fantasy* - Romantic Tea C Bazar - Living room rug {CdB} - Olive Tree :Cheeky Pea: & Country Lane - Letters Set [Commoner] - Carried Away / Laptop Computer Dreamin’ Leaf Studios - Game Room: Backgammon Set dust bunny . sunday newspaper Evolving Images - Crazy Cat

Fancy Decor: Denes Armchair - brown leather !! Follow US !! - Log basket Image Essentials - Full Perm Mesh Cats - Sitting Rub 1, Sleeping 4, Poking 1, Lying Rub 1 JIAN - Wicker Forest Cat Bed Kuro & [Con.] - [Just decor] His slippers [LoPo Furnishings] - 2020 RFL H & G Expo Word Grid Wall Art Mithral * - Tall Monstera Adansonii (Pack A [Park Place] Book & Apple Table Decor, Green Leafy Table Plant, Hanging Planter - White Tulips, Vase of Golden Tulips, Coffee Table Books Serenity Style - Dottie Handmade Figurines - Family SOURCES - JULPOI yeti chair Sugarfish - Heart Mobile, Concrete Bowl w/ River Stones The Jewel Garden - Potted Plant {Unflat Stuff} - Vintage trolley, Industrial drawer B {what next} - Picture Gallery Frames (Classic), Winter Candles Group 2, Madison Fireplace

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MMORGAN WHITFIELD

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BTQ - Virginia Fan-tastic Tank Rosary. - Kiana Shorts - orange Tee*fy - Eden Shrug - navy The Cavalierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hat - blue velvet with feathers (edited by Morgan added edited Keke Flowers) Bueri - Xenia Open-Toe Wedge Boots - #1 Opale - Sasha Hair Zibska - Kelan Lips

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AVAJEAN WESTLAND

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TOP: BTQ Texas Tech Fan-tastic Tank SHORTS: KITJA Rosy Shorts TIGHTS: AviCandy BOOTS: *COCO* Cowboy Boots EARRINGS: Shanghai Roseta HAIR: Exile Flowers in the Sun MAKEUP: Dazed Annoy Lips; Birth 3rd Gen Blossom Eye Makeup

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OUTFIT Bodysuit – RedGirl - Swag Jumpsuit - Black Undershirt – Mute – Net Shirt - White Fishnet Stockings – Nena – Fishnet Tights v1 - Maitreya Footwear – Ghee - Sock Sneakers w/HUD

ACCESSORIES Crown – C-K – Gorgeous Royal Crown - Green Hair – Sintiklia – Ariana – Blacks&Whites Eyeshadows – Zibska – Tiln – Eyemakeup Lipstick – Izzie’s – Catwa Metallic Lipstick Bracelets – Kunglers – Vitoria bracelets Rings – Yummy – Bestie Ring Set Crown Tatoos (on back of hands) – TAOZ - Tatoo Hands Crown Nails – ZOZ – Annie’s Crown Jewels French (Maitreya) All Floral Details – Purplemoon Creations – Aquarelle Gown in B&W for RFL2013 recolored, resized and repositioned

YHISH ARA CERISE

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DESIREME FALLEN

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Jacket: Coco Designs - Cropped Track Jacket Shoe: Coco Designs - Mega Platform Sandals Top: LOTE - College Cropped Top Missouri Tigers Shorts: Gizza - Callie Shorts Skirt Hat: Lode - Flowers various

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MILA BLAUVELT

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ASIZA WOLF-NEVER SLOWS DOWN Article By: CompE |Photography: Cara Paine The real-world professional singer of 28 years and an SL creator of everything has always been that way - busy as a bee sipping too much coffee. But Asiza has retired from show business. Today her projects are a source of SL and RL enjoyment, not just for her but for us. Asiza’s cyber sites are a great place to be. “I dream and then I have to make it happen,” she says, about her dozenplus SL worlds ranging from elegant dance sites to Old West honky-tonks. “I either do it all, or design and bring in professionals to help. But it has to be just so to achieve my results.” To meet Asiza means visiting her creations. And that can take a while as she has many. Many more are in various stages of development. She races from one to the other with enthusiasm unmatched.

“My real life is mostly here,” she adds - ‘here’ meaning the golf course, saloon, and other clubs for dance, song, and socializing. Here are a few, starting with a round of golf. Asiza’s Golf Course offers adventures with a little white ball on expansive fairways. But the games go indoors too. The golf site’s clubhouse is where visitors mix and mingle at a nice bar. A great place to celebrate golf ’s victors, console the defeated, and enjoy good times with both. A good place to play Greedy too. In the words of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, “And now for something completely different,” we do just that. Via TP from golf to The Old West, we land at a rustic bar of yesteryear, conjuring memories of cowboys and watering holes, when men were men and horses were, well, horses. Step into ‘Saloon Town.”

“This is my fun,” she says, as we meet at her namesake, ‘Asiza’s Golf Course,’ complete with playable HUD - driven Asiza has rendered a near-perfect replica - a mix fairway working golf carts, and clubhouse. between historically accurate Old West bars mixed

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with a few Hollywood features, and modern touches. A brightly illuminated dance floor accompanies a Marshal Dillon never rode a mechanical bull but you seating area and a fully stocked bar. can. It’s upstairs. Yet another dance and concert venue are Splash. Also available are darts and other games near a With a name like Splash, one might assume it has an generously sized dance floor for line dancing or Texas aqua feel. One assumes so correctly. Two-Stepping, and other means to sway the night away. Don’t be concerned about the very large black Splash is bathed in blue tones evoking the feel of bear overlooking the bar. He looks real but isn’t, or at H20. Couple dances are encouraged but meeting least he doesn’t move - yet. areas for friends are available as well. Beachside huts, cabins, and exploration await nearby via a winding From the rustic west to the glitz of bling and singing, boardwalk. Asiza’s nightclubs, singing venues, and stages offer notes of renowned - musical notes - for every taste Asiza left show business some years back. “I never and venue. “This is the club of my dreams,” Asiza says, looked back,” she says, about her career transition. “It pointing at the finer points of nightclubbing now under was the wisest decision I ever made.” development. Her signature dance to the beat site is ‘Asiza’s Playhouse. The stage on occasion features live Today her SL is a large part of her RL. She came into performers but there is plenty to do in the meantime. the virtual world almost 8 years ago, like the rest of us, a newbie. “This business and being a builder

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were nowhere in my head,” the singer – cyber creator recalls about the early days. “I am self-taught.” Other ‘Designed by Asiza’ sites are in the works. All in day’s work for the former performer of stage and song. Her profile reads, “I am the happiest person now that I have SL. It is a wonderful something to have in one’s life. I have a new life here now and I do intend to truly enjoy it for as long as I am able. On to the fun!” For Asiza the show must go on only in a different setting, the stage of Second Life.

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