Warm Winter Nights

Like some of you may already know, I met a lot of SL friends in the atomic world.

True friendships have developed between some fo us and with the others there is a merry relationship with a lot of conversation and laughing whenever we meet.

The groups of  bSL (before SL) and aSL (after SL) tend to blend, mixing the two worlds in a wonderful and unexpected way.

Yesterday I went to the airport with two friends to pick up a SL friend who is coming over for a short holiday. She came from the UK and it was “love at first sight”. The wonderful lady I met in SL was even more wonderful in person.

We went for a drink by the river, under the beautiful Lisbon sun, and we sat there talking about everything and nothing, from politics, to history, music, SL (of course) and we totally lost track of time. The sun was already low when we left with a warm feeling inside.

Later at home I couldn’t stop thinking how wonderful it is to be able to meet beautiful people and share a bit of eachother’s lives, may be even make a difference.

Afterall friendship has no country and it speaks its own universal language. Does it really matter where it begins?

My good friend Elora decided to tag me with the following challenge (her post is in Portuguese):

- Post your photo

- Choose a band/artist

- Answer the questions just with song titles from the chosen band/artist

- Tag 4 people

So here it goes

My photo:

- The band: Queen

The answers:

1. How would you describe yourself? I’m going slightly mad
2. What do people think about you? Friends will be friends
3. How would you describe your latest romantic relationship? Save me
4. Describe your present relationship. A winter’s tale
5. Where you would like to be now? The Seven Seas (of Rhye)
6. What do you think about love? A kind of magic
7. How is your life? The show must go on
8. What would you ask if only one wish was granted to you? Heaven for everyone
9. Write a wise sentence. Spread your wings

I tag (and if you don’t answer no worries guys):

June Jurak

Dyami Jameson

Looker Loomet

Marina Xi

Yesterday was my second rezzday and being busy preparing Owl’s participation in a RL event and the SL events on the island for this week, barely had the time to realise it… if it weren’t for my friends to remind me – in fact they were doing that for almost a month DAILY!

I entered SL two years ago dragged by my best friend at that time, and it was really dragged cause I didn’t like online games (still don’t lol) and wasn’t really willing to try it.

Glad I did though. Lots of things changed in my life in these 2 years. Cried a lot, laughed a lot, discovered wonderful people, lost some friends along the way, discovered things about myself that were hidden deep and skills I never thought I could have, but above all I met a lot of marvelous, awesome, amazing people.

I have to thank you all for:

- Making me a better person

- Kicking my ass when I need to be kicked

- Cuddling me and drying my stubborn tears in times of distress

- Laughing with me (and at me grrr *winks)

- Showing me paths I never thought possible to cross

- Believing in me more than I do, always pushing me further

You are the reason I still am in Second Life, the reason I get back every night. Not the tasks, not the shopping, not the photography, not the parties. YOU are all that matters and without you Second Life would just be a beautiful empty place and RL would be poorer.

Thank you for all your love and care, for the wonderful surprises you made me yesterday. You are all in my heart and I am here for you whenever and wherever you need me. You make both my lifes warmer and richer each day.

Better than any photo a movie gives us place to dream.

Carla made this beautiful machinima to introduce Owl’s Bay. Enjoy the travel and feel free to stop by and take a look for yourself.

Today we lost a friend. In both lives.

Just this last Saturday we went to the movies together. Sang loud and clear Mamma Mia together. Laughed and chat at dinner. And today I heard from their parents at the hospital “She just died”.

No one knows why, not even the doctors. Just like a candle blown away by some soft autumn breeze she vanished from our lives when nothing predicted that.

God Maggie, we still had so many things to do. You promised to give a dinner party at your place remember? And the travels we were planing? Now what?

Just this emptiness in my heart and the feeling a part of me is missing.

RIP my friend! I know you will be laughing and dancing wherever you are!

Like  I said before, we at Owl’s Bay like to make you guys happy so we decided to have a Treasure Hunt for you all to enjoy.

There will be 14 Chinese hats spread all over the island, both outside and inside the buildings and even in places so obvious that they may pass unnoticed.

The prizes will range from tatoos to shoes, clothing, games and decorations. Some of them are originals and cannot be found for sale in SL (not yet, at least).

The hunt will start at 02:00 PM PDT here and will be on until October 12th, so that you will have time to get all of the hats and don’t need to do it all at once.

Leave you here a picture of the hat for you to know what you are looking for.

Happy hunting and if you need anything feel free to IM me inworld.

My friend Aggio was recently father of two lovely twins whom he and Katie named Sol (sun) and Lua (moon).

Take a look and see how cute they are and the father drooling *winks

Congratulations Aggio and Katie. You have the most beautiful babies in the whole SL.

I have known Freddyx since almost his first day in SL. Always exploring, he started as a homeless and all his clothes were from Hobbo. Slept in a card box or in a tent and was always ready for a good laugh and piece of conversation.

All of a sudden he bought some land, turned into a DJ – a very successful one as a matter of fact – and last but not least he is now a Neko – my niece Sonya is to blame on this one.

He became my body guard a few months ago when he spent a whole party dancing behind my back. Now when I need a dance partner I just have to call him and, if he is not busy, there he comes.

Thank you for your friendship Fredd and for always being there when I need you.

(Cam’on girls, no drooling over the pic)

Like I posted some days ago here, Tymmerie Thorne opened a free hotel for SL residents under 90 days (teleport from here). If you are a new resident please read the note she dropped me bellow, if you are not, read all the same and take note to inform any new fellow you meet along your path.

Leave you also some pics for you to see the wonderful job she and Jerremy did. Enjoy and welcome to SL.

The Starting Point New Resident Dormitory is a free living space for residents under 90 days old.

Residents can live in their own private room for up to 8 weeks rent free. There are ten rooms, each furnished with a bed, pose stand, couch and chairs. Each resident may use up to 50 prims to personalize their space.

Please note that Starting Point is owned by private citizens and is not connected to Linden Labs. We pay the tier for this land. Additionally, members of the Starting Point Helper group are participating on a volunteer basis. We have all decided to do this as a way to give back to the greater Second Life community.

RULES:
We do have some guidelines that residents must follow in order to live in the community:
* All residents are expected to abide by the Second Life Community Standards. They can be found here: http://secondlife.com/corporate/cs.php
* We expect that all residents will treat each other and their neighbours in the sim with respect.
* We reserve the right to ban anyone for mistreatment of fellow SL residents, begging, sexual activity or nudity in a common area, spamming the group, or non-compliance with the Community Standards.
* No business or individual may advertise or sell items on any Starting Point land without our approval.

Starting Point has a variety of common areas where residents can mingle and invite guests, including a pool, outdoor fireplace, TV area, various seating areas and Moodle Arena, which we hope to use for educational and entertainment purposes. On Starting Point Island residents will find a tent, hammock and camp fire. The Starting Point Dock will allow residents to rez an air or water craft so that they may explore the surrounding sims. The dock is situated on open Linden waterways. Moodle Freebie Hill has a small selection of free objects that residents may find of use.
All common areas are open to the general Second Life population.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Residents of Starting Point will be members of the Starting Point Group. They may IM the group to ask questions and get help and assistance. (SPAM will not be tolerated.) However, the timeliness of an answer will depend on which group members are online and their availability to answer.

At the end of 60 days, residents in good standing may move into a vacant Darwin Condo (our rental properties) and receive half-off the first month’s rent. (Note: We cannot guarantee that there will be a vacancy at any particular time.)
IM us anytime with questions or to refer potential residents!
Yours,
Jerremy Darwin & Tymmerie Thorne

Owl’s Bay is the new Open Space SIM I rented with some friends (and what a bargain guys!) and is soon to be officially opened.

Among the several events, which will be held during 4 weeks, we are launching a Short Stories Contest. Here are the Rules

1. All residents older than 3 months in SL may present a maximum of 3 works and just one story of each author will be selected.

1. The stories should some how be connected to the theme “Once Upon a time in China”, once this is the theme for this month’s event.

1. Stories can be submitted in Portuguese and/or English.

1. The stories have to be non-published originals and may not exceed 2 A4 pages. A maximum of 6 photos can be added (1 being for the front cover). If you decide to present a comics story, the maximum number of pages will be 6 with a maximum of 6 pictures per page and an extra for the cover.

Note: All the photos have to be taken by the author or it/he/she should supply to the organization a written authorization by the photographer.

1. All works must be sent until October 5^th to owlsbay@gmail.com in .doc and .jpg files.

1. The winner chosen by the jury will receive a L$ 1,000 cash prize and the book will be published and set for sale in Owl’s Bay Bookshop and other places that join the initiative.

The next two best stories will also be published and set for sale under the above terms.

Note: Owl’s Bay will retain a 20% percentage of every book sale.

1. The winners will be announced on the “Once Upon a Time in China” closing party and the books launched at the same time (date shortly to be announced).

For further information please leave your question here in comments or send e-mail to owlsbay@gmail.com.

Are you still there? Come on! Get your feather, pen or keyboard and start writing. We are waiting for your master pieces.

Have fun and may the Muses be with you!