THE BEST OF SL MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2023 by The Best Of SL Magazine

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PHOTO: TIYIALIC

MODEL: DESIREME FALLEN

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Reign Congrejo

FASHION EDITOR Shantal Gravois

CONTRIBUTORS Arya Braveheart Cara Paine Coco St. George Compe Lockwood Jamee Sandalwood Nemsis Reign Congrejo Sarah E. Brenham Shantal Gravois Tiyialic

LAYOUT

Viktor Serrao

COVER Magissa Denver

COVER MODEL Mila Blauvelt

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BOSL Magazine November 2023 Edition

PHOTO: NEMESIS

MODEL: PINKY ALLURE

CONTENT

99 NOVEMBER

AMANDA DENCH

RACE FOR YOUR (SECOND) LIFE

THE EMPIRE HOTEL

NEKO

BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

BOSL ARTS

BOSL FASHION TREND

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November The Builders & Bloggers Collaboration

Arya Braveheart

n the ever-evolving virtual world of Second Life, where creativity knows no bounds, there’s a remarkable initiative that’s reshaping the landscape. The B&B Collaboration, founded by the visionary Heavenly Villa, is a unique platform that brings together designers and bloggers, fostering a thriving community within this digital realm. Heavenly, a seasoned Second Life designer and owner of Shutter Field with over a decade of experience, embarked on this journey fueled by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by bloggers and designers in Second Life. Her inspiration involved a seasoned blogger named Kellytopaz Firehawk and sprang from several key observations: •

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There is a high demand for bloggers: Bloggers, with their incredible talents, were often in high demand. Yet, they had to juggle numerous commitments, resulting in limitations on how many stores or events they could collaborate with. Bloggers are balancing real-life commitments: Blogging, a labour of love, was something bloggers pursued in their spare time, alongside their busy real-life schedules. This led to sporadic blogging schedules. Designer products can be overshadowed: Bloggers sometimes have to feature a wide range of different designers’ items in a single blog post, which could inadvertently overshadow one or more designer’s products. There are challenges with blogger delivery systems: While blogger delivery products provide efficiency, the associated costs could be prohibitive, especially for smaller brands.

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Heavenly Villa’s vision was clear: to create a collaborative platform that would provide bloggers with greater flexibility and allow designers to showcase a range of their products in a single blog post. The B&B Collaboration operates with specific goals in mind: •

Empowering bloggers: It offers bloggers the freedom to choose what inspires them and provides a comfortable timeline of a month to create their blog posts.

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Supporting designers: Designers benefit from having a more comprehensive representation of their products in a single blog post, encompassing both older and newer items.

The Collaboration prides itself on being inclusive, welcoming original mesh creators, template users, and designers with diverse product styles. It emphasizes respect for the time, effort, and skill invested by designers. Personal connections are nurtured with both designers and bloggers to create a supportive and responsive environment The synergy between designers and bloggers is mutually beneficial: •

Maximizing exposure: Designers enjoy having more of their items featured in a single blog post, skillfully showcased by experienced bloggers.

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Inclusivity: Even designers who may not regularly participate in events or create new items gain exposure through the Collaboration’s social media platforms and featured bloggers.

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Inspired blogging: Bloggers find renewed creativity and freedom in their blogging, discovering new designers along the way.

The Collaboration has yielded numerous positive outcomes: •

Fostering interaction: Designers now have opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share ideas, addressing the loneliness often associated with building in Second Life.

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Enhancing creativity: Bloggers relish the freedom to blog creatively, resulting in captivating scenes and innovative content.

The journey of the B&B Collaboration continues, with Natacha Haroldsen joining as co-owner, and plans are underway to: •

Epand the community: The platform aims to welcome more home and garden designers and bloggers into its fold.

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Develop more in-world events: Building on the success of its first in-world event, the Collaboration looks forward to hosting more events, showcasing designers’ work in an interactive and engaging manner.

In summary, the B&B Collaboration stands as a testament to Heavenly Villa’s unwavering commitment to fostering teamwork and creativity within Second Life. It’s a supportive space where home and garden designers and bloggers flourish together. Currently, 18 stores and 14 bloggers are involved, but as the community grows, the future holds the promise of continued expansion and innovation within this unique digital realm. For more information about the designers, stores, and bloggers involved, check out the B&B Collaboration Website: https://bandbcollaboration.blogspot.com.

PHOTOS: ARYA BRAVEHEART

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J UOLVYE M B E R N

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AMANDA DENCH Compe Lockwood

n the world of Second Life furnishings, Amanda Dench does more than raise the bar. She is the bar. Some try to imitate her creativity. Good luck with that. She has two primary Second Life sites, Dench Designs and Rookery Village. The village is her home rental business. Her other enterprise, Dench Designs, can furnish your Rookery rental, or any other rental or home. The work never ends, and Amanda would not have it any other way. “It’s mad this time of year, but I love it,” she says during an impromptu walking tour of her expansive store with a product line including everything from a chair for your house, to the house itself.

“Most of the day, at least 5 hours, is spent on creating,” she says. “I do not research trends, never have. I more or less build what I like.” To the novice, a Second Life business sounds easy. Open a sim, display your wares, and collect the cyber dough. To say the least, Amanda disagrees. “No,” she says, followed by a hearty laugh at the very thought of sitting back and watching linden bucks roll in. “It can get very tense at times,” she says, “especially this time of year.” She speaks of “the busy season”— mid-September through January 1. “That’s a very busy time; everybody is shopping for Halloween and Christmas furnishings, themes, and decorations. It is busy, but I love it.” On today’s visit, the “It’s Summertime and the Living’s Easy” collection of beach furniture, including lounge chairs, picnic tables, and pre-done sandcastles, is making room for Halloween items. Christmas is next. She notes about the creativity process, “I have a vivid imagination.” The store owner laughs, adding, “Sometimes my husband thinks I am a bit strange. He looks at what I have made, shakes his head, rolls his eyes, and walks away, very slowly.”

“I put in about 8 hours a day,” she continues. “My day starts with administrative work, then I have a cup of tea. Admin tasks include addressing missdeliveries, customer questions, and answering IMs. With managerial duties complete, the fun part begins— building from ideas.

AMANDA DENCH

Her ideas become real. Scripting is added as each piece’s personality and features are defined. “I’m the kind of person who presses every button to see if it works,” Amanda says. Indeed, Dench Designs’ creations are not confined by boundaries. On today’s visit, a rustic cabin is a group gift, where the deer and the antelope play. The deer and the antelope are included in the gift, as is a front porch dog.

PHOTOS: CARA PAINE

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AMANDA DENCH

For customers who prefer their animals savory, a roasting pig on a spit rotates for inspection. Said swine can be yours for $80L.

Sixteen years of business is a long time in Second Life. Many such establishments have come and gone, but Dench Designs remains.

Of course, traditional pieces of a wide variety are here, too, including seating, dining room furniture, kitchen furniture, bathrooms, curtains, drapes, outdoor seating, lighting, fireplaces, campfires, beds, cuddle furniture, garden plants, and much more. Animesh creations of many types are for sale, as well.

One of her keys to success is changing along with SL’s technology. The above animesh products is one such example. “I love animesh,” she says. “I would also like to make my own mesh a lot more, but it is hard.” Like most SL creators, Amanda is self-taught and learned by watching YouTube videos. A former Aerospace company employee in RL, today her fulltime occupation is Dench Designs and the Rookery Village. The challenges are many, but the rewards are, too, for Amanda’s entrepreneurial quest. “I offer low prices and low land impact furniture and lots of gifts,” she adds about her store. “I love Second Life, so to me, this does not seem like work.” Therefore, the rewards are more than financial. Amanda looks at her product line, talks with customers, and observes her creations sold across the metaverse. She looks back and explains, “Sometimes I have to pinch myself, when I think about what we have achieved. To me, a big reward is seeing what I have made and thinking ‘I’ve done that.’”

Visitors teleport from one venue to the next. Seasonal items, traditional furniture, and home furnishings await. Animesh people, who look like avatars but are not, are here. One mows your yard, another lounges around your house. Dozens more look at you as you look at them.

And with that, the interview concludes. Amanda Dench has orders to fill, designs to create, and ideas to process. Dench Designs prepares for 2024, to infinity— including innovative products —and beyond.

Each has programmed tasks. “The hard part was getting them to walk,” Amanda recalls about her human-like creations. “But at the moment, it’s all about Halloween,” she notes about popular sellers. “However, all year round we sell outdoor furniture and kitchens.” It all started with a fireplace. “I started making fireplaces— very badly,” she recalls. “I had a teenytiny store in a shopping sim.” She opened Dench Designs in 2007.

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RACE FOR YOUR (SECOND) LIFE Coco St. George

ne would suppose that in a world where the preferred means of transportation are flying and teleporting, there would be no interest in motor vehicles of any kind. But that supposition would be utterly wrong— at least in Second Life, where there is a thriving car-making industry and a prosperous secondary market with offerings such as paints, racing outfits, helmets, and even tracks if your Linden budget allows you to afford the land to rez a racing track.

fearlessness, and social status, of course. If you have qualms about getting one of these cars only because you don’t know where you could drive them, be assured there are plenty of places where you can proudly parade on your classic car, Like Chicago in the Roaring Twenties and Berlin during the Goldene Zwanziger. Besides, you actually don’t need to buy a car: right after you step out from the train station in Berlin, you can get a free car and drive around that beautiful city.

If you’re a car fan, Second Life definitely is the place you want to be. Not only because you can buy a car for as little as fifty cents (real, American-dollar cents, mind you, but still), but also because if you are a true fan, you can even build your own car. Here’s how: go to outworldz, grab the vehicle script you’ll find there, rez a box, add the script to the box, and voilà! Sit on it and start driving as if there were no tomorrow. You have made your own car at literally no cost. That’s an offer nobody can resist.

This brings us to what we can call a long-standing tradition in Second Life: free cars! That’s right. You go to a racetrack and, in case you don’t have any car to race, you’ll be provided with 27 cars in a box you can open right there to try them all. And there is another useful feature of these places: rezzing privileges. This makes sense simply because you’ll need to rez your car to drive it. In some tracks, rezzing is open to everybody; in some others, you need to join the corresponding group to be able to rez. Also, you may find rezzers that will provide you with a temporary car that you can use while you are on the grounds.

Now, I’m aware not everybody belongs in the do-ityourself persuasion (and also, that most would like a nice-looking car, not a simple box with a script). But, of course, there are a lot of places, both inworld and in the Marketplace, where you can find a nice, drivable, car. Selecting a car is not very different from finding a life partner: you want it not only to be good-looking, but also physically fitted to yourself, and, of course, easily controllable. Surely you don’t want to be thrown into an unruly spin every time you come to a sim crossing. As you go shopping for cars, you might stumble upon those lovely vintage models that remind us of the early years of motoring, when the recently invented machines were symbols of adventure, RACE FOR YOUR (SECOND) LIFE

Of course, you may be in a different mood, feeling an urge to smash and destroy. If that’s the case, you belong in a demolition derby, where you can crash into others to your heart’s content. So, wait no more and point your teleporter to County Line Speedway, where you’ll find a big demolition arena, a rezzer to get the special car you need in order to destroy others, and a group you can join to keep updated— all these courtesy of Mason Raynier, creator and generous owner of this splendid sim. You and your friends may go there anytime you want, but Sundays at 7:00 p.m. SLT is when the regular events are held, and you can compete against many others who also share your passion for destruction and mayhem. This

PHOTOS: COCO ST. GEORGE

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is also the home of the celebrated school bus races, where you may relive some of the most exciting moments of your school life. But maybe you are looking for a more traditional experience— an oval speedway, for example. If that’s the case, then you should point your teleporter to LC Racing Circuits, where you will find not one or two, but twelve tracks to try your car, each one with a different theme. And of course, there are also free cars in case your SL gigs aren’t putting enough bacon on your table and you have to depend on the kindness of strangers. There’s also a shopping area, where you can fulfill all your racing needs, from a really fast car to that cute outfit that will make every other pilot cringe with envy. Other pilots, I said? Of course! You are there to race other car fans, just like you, and to show them your mastery of the racing techniques. And now that you’re in this mood, let me give you a piece of advice: don’t go full throttle every time you see a car speeding ahead of you. You risk entering a wormhole and ending at the bottom of the sea, three sims away. “Chi va piano, va lontano,” say the Italians, who know that ultimately, a slow jog gets you farther than a quick dash. Drive at your own pace, and you’ll have the added fun of watching the other competitors fall through the cracks of the road, many of them never to be seen again.

RACE FOR YOUR (SECOND) LIFE

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THE EMPIRE HOTEL: WHERE ROMANCE AND ENTERTAINMENT CONVERGE IN SECOND LIFE Arya Braveheart

n the immersive virtual world of Second Life, the Empire Hotel stands as a beacon of artistry, creativity, and unparalleled romantic experiences. As we delve into the visionary mind of Lux Voxel, the designer and creator behind this virtual paradise, we discover how the Empire Hotel enriches the romantic experience through its commitment to entertainment and luxury. The Empire Hotel’s essence revolves around the idea that members are not just patrons— they are supporters of artistry and creativity. At its core, this establishment offers a unique blend of entertainment and romance, striking a delicate balance that elevates the overall experience. Love is infused into every aspect of The Empire, especially in the venues nestled within Omerta City. Entertainment, when done right, complements the romantic atmosphere, enhancing rather than overwhelming it. The Empire Hotel expertly achieves this harmony, creating an environment where couples can immerse themselves in an unforgettable romantic journey. Vitali’s Restaurant, an integral part of the Empire Hotel experience, takes gourmet dining to new heights. Behind the scenes, custom audio, scripting, and a myriad of hidden elements work together to create a dining experience like no other. With a growing emphasis on entertainment, couples and families now have the opportunity to book performers during their dining experiences, merging innovative dining with entertainment for an opulent memory-making experience. The rarity of such an opportunity is a compelling reason to give it a try. Design plays a pivotal role in crafting the intimate and enchanting ambiance that defines the Empire Hotel. Every space, whether it’s accessible by seaplane or discovered through ferry-side adventures, or nestled within meticulously crafted suites, is a testament to exquisite design, intricate

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furnishings, and unwavering attention to detail. The goal is to awaken the senses of each guest through auditory, visual, and experiential pleasures, creating a multi-sensory delight. Looking ahead, the Empire Hotel aims to be a place where members can frequent nearby attractions, fostering intimate moments for couples. Additionally, it seeks to support and showcase live performers and talented individuals deserving of the spotlight. The Empire Hotel aspires to become a central hub for both romance and entertainment, transcending its current role. It will offer distinctive and inventive experiences in an ever-evolving environment. With a target to be fully operational by 2024, The Empire Hotel is steadily unveiling its offerings. The website already provides a sneak peek of its services and mission, with plans to introduce a professional mission statement soon. Annual events for members, interactive stories, hosted murder mysteries, and various engaging activities are all on the horizon. The goal is to operate discreetly until the public fully comprehends the unique experiences The Empire Hotel has to offer. The Empire Hotel’s creator envisions it as a haven where romance and live performances converge seamlessly. The establishment seeks to champion and uplift artist performers, offering exclusive opportunities for couples to connect while immersing themselves in top-tier entertainment. While words can only convey so much, The Empire’s actions will undoubtedly paint a vivid picture of its visionary goals. In the virtual world of Second Life, The Empire Hotel is not just a destination— it’s an experience that promises to redefine the boundaries of romance and entertainment, one artful detail at a time.

PHOTOS: ARYA BRAVEHEART

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NEKO MORE THAN EARS AND TAIL Sarah Brenham

t’s 2023, and it is expected that society by now be more accepting of how one wishes to live their life. Unfortunately, this is not the case. This is why virtual environments, such as SL, help those who can’t be the person they wish to be irl do so in a safe atmosphere. With the creation of new genres for movies and television shows always occurring, people are being inspired by characters who they thought could never exist. Due to this phenomenon, many communities in Second Life have either been opening or have been enjoying a resurgence. Today, I think it would be fun to highlight such one. Why? Because, it is always good to either introduce or remind individuals of groups that exist, so they can see if it would be something that would add to their joy. On this day, we are going to shine a light on the Neko colony. How come the Neko district? The Neko community has been around for as long as I can remember, and I think that it is always good to start with an OG when looking at things.

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So, I feel that we should first understand what exactly a Neko is. According to Sηεαк ѕσfтραωѕ (sneakpastu), a Neko is someone who wears cat-like ears and a tail that resembles one a feline has. When Ms. Softpaws’s life started in SL, on November 28th, 2011, she was a Furry. After some time, she decided to see what being a Neko would be like and has not looked back since. I think most of you now probably have this question: What is the difference between a Furry and a Neko? Well, we already discussed what a Neko is, but a Furry is someone who wears a full animal suit from head to toe. If you are thinking about becoming a Furry, you might consider becoming a Neko first, so you can see how you feel while wearing just a minimal amount of animal accessories. I admit, besides interviewing Ms. Softpaws, I did not have a direction for this article. Then one night, like it does for many who are looking for inspiration, it came to me. You see, we often wonder what animals would say if they were able to speak. And while I know that this topic has been explored in many avenues, I ask you: how many times have you seen average people do this? I am going to guess not very many, if any at all. I also would like to point out that the times that I have seen in the media the idea of animal communication discussed, it has always been from either a comedic or inspirational standpoint. While there is nothing wrong with either of those views, I would love to see the subject of abuse covered. I feel that a lot of folks are drawn to being either a Neko or a Furry as a way for individuals to spread awareness of animal abuse. I came to this conclusion after learning from Ms. Softpaws that touching a Neko’s tail or ears without their permission is considered bad etiquette. I am not sure if any rules like that exists for Furries, but I would imagine that they would. In any case, this idea is similar to a rule in Real Life, in which you don’t touch an animal in an aggressive manner. While it would be nice to see a movie or television show talk about this matter, I am starting to see that an impact PHOTOS: REIGN CONGREJO

PHOTO: SNEAK SOFTPAWS

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NEKO

PHOTO: SNEAK SOFTPAWS

can still be made by ordinary individuals. Now, I want to make something clear. You don’t have to become a Neko or a Furry in order to do your part in ending animal abuse. There are still a lot of things that you can do in Second Life to raise awareness for this shadow of reality; such as holding events and writing about it on your profile. Over the years, I have been told that there is nothing to do in SL. My response to that statement has been and always will be: take a look at all of the different colonies that are available or consider opening one. Who knows, you might just find your next partner, best friend, or, in the best-case scenario, your purpose— not only in Second Life, but in RL as well.

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

PHOTO: SAM VORTEX

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

PHOTO: MR SL RUSSIA 2022 SADDII

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSL FLICKR CHALLENGE

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BOSLArts

Stevie Basevi

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ARTIST: STEVIE BASEVI

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ARTIST: STEVIE BASEVI

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ARTIST: STEVIE BASEVI

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ARTIST: STEVIE BASEVI

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ARTIST: STEVIE BASEVI

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ARTIST: STEVIE BASEVI

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ARTIST: STEVIE BASEVI

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N O W T H R U D E C E M B E R 9 TH

B OSLARTS

Waterfront Gallery

B O S L I N N O VA T I O N P A V I L L I O N

(Square Peg, Round Hole)

I'm relatively new to the SL art world, but have worked around it peripherally for some time. I am a longtime SL community activist, general helper person and mentor. I've worked with the American Cancer Society for 14 years, worked extensively with One Billion Rising and the Fantasy Faire, own Avi Choice award winning role play regions, am a 2 time graduate of Visionaire Institute photography school, a content creator, landscaper, Real Estate broker/owner and philanthropist. A short synopsis of my work includes: • Landscaper and photographer for International Elite Travel Cruises from 11/ 2018 to 01/22. • Attended Visionaire Institute for the first time and graduated in January of 2019. • Created an exhibit for the Firestorm Art Gallery in December of 2020. • Exhibited some of my photographs for Out Shop Cancer Art Walk in 2020. • Attended Visionaire Institute again for an accelerated course in November of 2022. • I created my [Cesa] Gallery in November of 2022. • Exhibited at the BOSLArts Holiday Gallery Show in 2022. • Exhibited at the BOSLArts Summer Multi Artist Show in 2023. • Exhibited at the BOSLArts Fall Multi Artist Show in 2023. • Exhibited at the Rock Your Rack 2023 Art show. • Exhibited at the Easthaven Art Walk 2023 for Cancer Research. I love art very much and want to make photos that I can feel, and that bring out emotions in others. I want to be able to put on virtual canvas the things that I have hidden inside, and to capture magic using layers of creativity, meaning I build my own sets, and create multi media pieces, using light and music in my creations when I am able. My work has recently taken an unexpected but satisfying leap. I feel that I have grown as a photographer and can finally accept the title of Artist. I am honored, humbled, and very much look forward to exhibiting for Best of Second Life.

- Stevie Basevi

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