THE BEST OF SL MAGAZINE JULY 2022 EDITION by The Best Of SL Magazine

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PHOTO: SHANTAL GRAVOIS

MODEL: LUA VENDETTA

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Reign Congrejo

FASHION EDITOR Shantal Gravois

CONTRIBUTORS Arya Braveheart Coco St. George Compe Lockwood GinPhx Jamee Sandalwood Rob Santana Shantal Gravois Tiyialic

COVER Magissa Denver

LAYOUT Viktor Serrao

COVER MODEL Shantal Gravois

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BOSL Magazine July 2022 Edition

PHOTO: TIYIALIC

MODEL: ALE

CONTENT

71 57 NEWBIE, AGAIN

MISSION: GET THE FREIGHT OUT! (OR HOW TO GTFO)

“A” FOR “AWESOME”

BOSL ARTS

BOSL FASHION TREND

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NEWBIE, AGAIN Compe Lockwood

appy birthday, Second Life. This summer marks 19 years of virtual reality becoming reality. For until the Lindens opened their pixeled empire in June 2003, we had little choice but to toil in the real world. But not now, and I say: hallelujah. Thanks to Second Life, we have alternatives. Gone are the real world days of asking total strangers in Walmart if they would like to dance, only to have the police become involved. In SL, dancing with strangers is not only permitted, it is encouraged.

issue Sears and Roebuck clothing obtained at garage sales hosted by alcoholics. You probably laughed at them, but shouldn’t have. We were all newbies once. Except me, for today I am a newbie twice. My first time was 14 years ago, but today I created a new avatar to venture Second Life through a newbie’s body, including the baseball bat-size appendage male newbies often use for their – never mind. Please welcome one of Second Life’s newest residents: Darth Bama.

Similarly, in RL, most of us have little success in being vampires, furries, mermaids, sea creatures, reptilians, or the Brady Bunch. But in Second Life, you can choose most of the above on any given day. Many of us do. I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but I will never return to Super Mario. Minecraft?— little block men walking around and grunting while foraging for carrots? Oh please. And don’t get me started about Fortnite, where thousands of kid warriors bow to their teenage leader who probably wears dental braces. Show me the Fortnite warrior that doesn’t have real life acne, and I’ll buy your lunch. But Second Life— yes! Now there’s a world for adults. But it comes with a caveat. Like porcupines in a balloon factory, this place takes time to master. For newbies, the virtual world is a daunting task. The best way to help SL novices is to experience Second Life through newbie eyes— including the enlarged pupils set in coconut heads with plastic hair. You’ve seen newbies in their SL standard NEWBIE, AGAIN

A new SL creation lands on one of several tutorial islands. Mine was Welcome Island, which includes hands-on intuitive lessons in the basics. It is also a newbie safe place of kindred spirits. For on Newbie Islands, everybody is just as unattractive as everybody else. But for Darth Bama and peers, this is the new frontier. We follow the course laid out for basic

PHOTOS: ROB SANTANA

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NEWBIE, AGAIN

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personal private correspondence between two avatars. Second life IMs are often written in code, for example “I am over 18” means “I am 19.” Another would be “I am not like this in real life.” This translates to: “In the real world I neither wear bat wings nor have a tail.” Second Life will also generate IMs such as “Your avatar complexity is 100 percent. Everyone can see you.” That message typically appears three minutes after your rezz naked as a jaybird at a ballroom formal dance. training. “Press this key to go left,” the sign says. “Press this key to go right,” another trail notice proclaims. Select yet another key to rotate, jump, skip, run— you name it.

Your complexity may be complete, but SL probation is just beginning. Don’t ask how I know. Like everything else, Second Life, though technically free, requires money to

The Lindens could save time by simply posting modified lyrics to the Hokey Pokey – “You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about!” No shaking appendages before the turnabout—take it easy on the new kids. But, I got this. Let’s move on. With elementary knowledge in hand, new skills mastered, and clad in newbie Chairman

advance beyond the newbie stage. The latest in clothes, skins, and bodies can be expensive, so be sure to purchase the latest updated versions.

Mao party suits, we novices leave boot camp. Make sure you understand it all. Be patient. The virtual world takes months to learn. I still don’t know it all— like, why are there Second Life airports when avatars can fly? You will encounter Instant Messages (IMs), NEWBIE, AGAIN

New versions change constantly, so here is how you know what the latest is: Spend about $15,000 lindens on current avatar bodies, skins, and clothes. Two weeks later, the new version will come out. That’s the one you should have bought. My newbie, Darth Bama, discovered a pleasant surprise. Linden homes are very nice and much improved from the early days of the Little House on the Prairie. Paid SL terms include a Linden Home in the package.

Others opt for more extravagant dwellings, from larger houses to full blown castles. But residential property can come later. Darth Bama lives off the land and does just fine. In fact, living in an idyllic rural setting, Darth Bama made friends with area woodland creatures who turned out to be furries. He had a lovely dance with a chipmunk. The point is, Second Life is what you make it. Darth Bama (and Compe Lockwood) finds that most exciting. So thank you, Linden Labs, on this your 19th year. Wow, imagine what the 20th anniversary will offer. As for Darth Bama, Compe Lockwood, and a dancing chipmunk, we cannot wait.

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MISSION: GET THE FREIGHT OUT! (OR HOW TO GTFO)

COCO ST. GEORGE

he night was pitch-black, and I was beginning to question the wisdom of flying a new helicopter for this mission. To be honest, by then I was questioning the wisdom of this whole new venture. Somewhere in the grid, someone had decided that they urgently needed fruit baskets, and now my mission was to deliver that cargo. What was I doing there, anyway? It was late in the evening, and I still have several seasons of “Six Feet Under” on my watch list. Why wasn’t I home, comfortably cuddled in my bed, safely sipping a hot cocoa cup instead of being here, struggling with a helicopter I don’t even feel capable to control? Yes, I know— I know I could have said no. But I got the call. And when you get the call, you just have to deliver. There is a lot on the line, especially your reputation. No, you don’t want to ignore the call. Besides, dollars are involved. Maybe only a few, but enough to put bacon on your table. And of course, in case you make more money than your neighbor, it gives you bragging rights, which are not negligible in this time and age. Delivering the freight, though, was the least of my concerns. Loading and unloading the crates, albeit hard when it was about a heavy load, was in fact the easy portion of the mission. I wasn’t even worried about the possibility of going off course. Not at all. Modern instruments have that very well covered, and I know my GPS is as reliable as any. Following the right course was not the issue. The real problem was the sim crossings. Every few kilometers, my helicopter entered an unruly spin, threatening to send me spiraling downwards and crash onto the bottom of the sea, or the roof of MISSION: GET THE FREIGHT OUT!

a building, whichever I hit first. I was cursing the moment I decided to try a new helicopter for this job. I missed my old, reliable Grumman Goose so much! That is a plane you can control, not this tin can with a propeller! And don’t get me started with its particular lingo! As I am flying, I need to remember that collective means height, and cyclic, speed. Who came up with these terms, for crying out loud?! Suddenly, a long-forgotten neuron woke up in my brain, and I remembered something my instructor at fly school told me. Well, he told me a lot of things— maybe that’s why this particular piece of information was buried beneath a ton of accessory data: “You’ll want to take on sim crossings at a right angle,” he told me while I was spinning senseless after crossing from one sim to another. I was very happy to remember that snippet of knowledge just in time to use it: my radar was warning of yet another sim crossing. I steered my helicopter to put it at the right angle and… it worked! I crossed into the next sim seamlessly (OK, granted, not exactly seamlessly; I still felt a slight bump on the road, but compared with the previous havoc, it was even enjoyable). From that point on, my journey went hunky-dory. Get the Freight Out (or GTFO, as it is known in an NSFW acronym) is a game of travel and exploration, for which you need a HUD (there is a free trial version, and a paid more advanced version), where the goal is delivering freight from one point to another. It was created by Rez Gray in 2016, and to this date, many original players are still taking part in what evolved into a vibrant, active community. The player, or operator, gets paid both in XP and G$. You level up as you have PHOTOS: COCO ST. GEORGE

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more XP; the more G$ you have, the more you get paid. And, of course, you need a vehicle. You may use any supported vehicle to travel by air, road, space, or railroad. If you don’t own any vehicles yet, you may want to visit the HLT Airfield, where you will find a free helicopter to get you going. Your starting point will be getting the free trial HUD, which you can find at Bruissac Bay. Wear the HUD, ride your vehicle, click the HUD, and that’s when you’ll get the call to start your adventure. If you think you need more information, you should check the GTFO’s website. Good luck, and happy delivery!

MISSION: GET THE FREIGHT OUT!

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MISSION: GET THE FREIGHT OUT!

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MISSION: GET THE FREIGHT OUT!

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“A” F O R ‘AW E S O M E ” Arya Braveheart

am normally not an A-Frame person, but I could not resist this one from Trompe Loeil. It is a fab design, and I love the huge front and back patio areas— especially with the pool addition.

house to look like a show home. I like it to be my home away from home. My SL home. So, enjoy the summer feel of your home, and create those indoor-outdoor spaces. Add all the pieces that you love, and enjoy shopping in July.

The issue with A-Frames is the walls. Putting things up against them is quite difficult. You are very limited. However, be brave and find things that work. I had fun trialing items and coming up with what you will see today. It just needs some thinking and a whole heap of shopping. See, there is a bonus! I wanted to keep to the wooden theme of the build. I love the natural wood look! It was important for the furniture to look modern, but not too cottagey. I wanted to go for a sleek, clean look, without too much clutter. Sometimes, I love all the ‘stuff’, and sometimes, I just want a minimalist feel. I love that this house comes with the kitchen built in. That also includes the fridge. This makes it easy just to move in and add the decor to the kitchen with no fuss. All I needed to do was find a dining room set. That did take me a while. I think I looked at every table in my inventory. Still, I found the right one and it completed the kitchen scene. I love adding food and items to different areas. It just seems to make it look like home. You may also have noticed I love coffee and coffee cups. They are generally scattered around the house like my real-life home. Isn’t it the little details that make it homely and lived in? I don’t want my “A” F O R “A W E S O M E ”

PHOTOS: ARYA BRAVEHEART

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“A” F O R “A W E S O M E ”

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“A” F O R “A W E S O M E ”

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“A” F O R “A W E S O M E ”

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“A” F O R “A W E S O M E ”

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“A” F O R “A W E S O M E ”

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“A” F O R “A W E S O M E ”

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C re d it s :

DECOR ST YLE CARD

Trompe Loeil - Nyoka Tropical A-Frame Cabin, Sebaste Monstera Plant + Basket 22769 - Plate with Strawberries, Stack of Plates [2] Apple Fall - West Village Pancake Breakfast Board, Aspidistra in Wicker Planter Ariskea - [Brioche] fabric Sofa Artisan Fantasy - Santa Fe Decor

KAZZA - INSIDEoUTtable - palmpot KraftWork - Bread Bin, Kitchen Clutter vol2 . Dish & Hand Soap, Containers, Orange Juice Shabby Living - Full TV Stand, Decor . Working TV, Shabby Living Decor, Assorted Books . Book Pile 2, Bed End Trunk Bench, Breakfast in Bed . Rustic

~ASW - The Cassia Wall Planter

Simple Reflections - Macrame Swiss Monstera Plant

BALACLAVA!! - Shopping Bags for Wall

Magnetic - Punny Planters // You Grow Girl

BLACK NEST - Tuulinen Lounge Set Botanical - Metal Branches Floor Lamp

[Merak] - Maya Side Table (Light), Maya Armchair (Classic), Pool Balls Basket (tropical), Enchanter Bed

BROKEN ARROWS - Farm Crate - Wood

Mithral * - Small Block Wall Plant Display (Silver)

Black . Sand - Men’s Military Bag #White Leather -DECOR-, Giovanna Welcome Closet -LIGHT-, Croton Plant A -GreenCHEZ MOI - Coffee, Greeny Patio Set, Beanbag Float, Boho Daybed, Jordan Patio Set [CIRCA] - “AZIZA” Tall Vase - Tropica Plant Russet Metal (L)

Muniick - Wickman Coffee Mug (with Coffee), Houseplant No10 Owl Eye, Houseplant No.05 Myrrine - Nuboho - rug Nievla - Burack Potted Plant .:Noxwood:. - Zibby Wine Cart

Stand A w flowers, “Blue Hydrangea pot A”

Nutmeg. - Cherry Tin, Citrus Harvest Scale, Citrus Harvest Plate, Citrus Harvest Jam, Lazy Days Rug, Tbilisi Ceramic Vase, Tbilisi Horse Statuette, Mint Iced Tea Set, Pillow Stack, Ceramic Jars, Potted Tangerine Tree, Comfy Clothes Rack

DISORDERLY. x [n.i] - overgrown.herb.drawers

Orchard House - Coffee Table - White Oak Mandala

dust bunny - breakfast plate

Pitaya - Floating Market - Lemons basket,

crate - Fresh Start Set DaD - “Floral baggage”, “Wooden plant buddies”

Fantasy Illumination - Falling Ivy, Mesh Clematis and Animals v-2 CB

Lemonade Stand - Fruit bowl Scarlet Creative - Amalfi Table and Chairs

[Fetch] - Sidney Shelf, Arlo Side Table - Empty

Serenity Style - Louisa Nature Books, Marbella Set

FINCA - Montana sofa, Wooden round hanging lamp - brown steel

Simple Reflections - Bell & Clsd Bskt Hanging Lamps Mirror

SPRING INTO SUMMER

.spruce. - grandma’s recipe tin {blooms 6}, chroma lamp {silver} Sway’s - [Breakfast around the World] Sydney.AU The Looking Glass - Dragonfly Fountain Pots Grey .:Tm:.Creation - [v1 Ficus benjamina] Pot Plant Shabby Pot Plant GP35.s {vespertine} - animal planters. - llama. {what next} - Pothos Plant (small), Swiss Cheese Plant (stand), Lazy Summer Drinks Floatie {Your Dreams} - Mclane kitchen - Coffee machine {White}, Handmade Storage Basket, Jug of succulents and lavender

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BOSLArts ZIA BRANNER CUBAN DREAMS

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BOSL ARTS

ARTIST: ZIA BRANNER

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BOSL ARTS

ARTIST: ZIA BRANNER

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BOSL ARTS

ARTIST: ZIA BRANNER

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BOSL ARTS

ARTIST: ZIA BRANNER

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BOSL ARTS

ARTIST: ZIA BRANNER

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Zia Branner has had many drawing and painting lessons at official institutes IRL. She is also an autodidact on things that did not come along in class. To her, making art is a way of life. Often experimenting with techniques as a learning process. She paints with acrylics and uses a variety of structure material like paste, gel, sand, grinded marble, glue, bandages and paper. Often she accentuates parts with oil crayons and acrylic ink. The finishing touch is always a layer of mat or gloss varnish or binder. Most of the time she paints on canvas, but she also paints on wood and paper. Zia believes that making art is rebellion against the finiteness of life. Art can be a guide in life. Art matters because it offers us assistance in the project of getting on well with our lives. It is a way of expressing ourselves. Nature and the structure of materials are a great inspiration for her. She expresses this both in abstract work as well as in figurative or impressionistic work. Often she starts with an idea, a plan even but almost always intuition, heart and hand take over. The most important thing to her is that it makes her happy to see others enjoy her art as much as she loves creating it.

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B O S L FA S H I O N T R E N D FLOWERS IN FASHION

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