Burnal Equinox

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

 

 

Burn2’s Burnal Equinox opens this Friday at 5:00 pm slt. This annual spring event is so interesting this year since it mixes two seemingly opposing themes into one as you can see in the Poster above. Creators have done a wonderful job of mixing. The whole weekend gives you a chance to experience these builds as well as the parties taking place daily leading up to the 12:00 burning of the effigy on Sunday. Don’t miss it! Fortunately this weekend is also the European change of time and we will all be back together.

In the town of Gerlach, at the edge of the Playa, all is in place. Information about the Principles of Burning Man of which Burn2 is a regional. They are in many languages. There is clothing and help for new residents of SL available there too. Many donated gifts of all sorts are ready for all the visitors so be sure to stop and pick them up. Lots of fire attachments are in some of the boxes. I love the Walk with me Hud so friends can walk together through the streets and roads of the event.

As you walk through the Horseshoe gate a small into a small western town you have the opportunity to rezz a horse to ride through the entire playa or you will also find a variety of art cars designed for the event. They are lots of fun and are created by members of the Burn2 group. Clockwork is evident in the buildings and in the sky. I even found Mesas never seem before on the Playa.

I climbed up onto the Mesa and found SHINY (Shiny Starchild) putting finishing touches on his installation of a steampunk western distillery waiting for customers. Get up there to see it and the others nearby. As I was leaving I found Little Suzi (LittleSuzi98 in her Saloon. She was also getting the drinks and games and stage ready for Friday. Stop by when you come in through the gate.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/147/29/24

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Dove's Dream

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

It is time to recall Palomma Casanova the former owner of The Free Dove who passed away a few years ago. She was an old friend and from the first years of Second Life began and never stopped helping new residents , and old , with free avatars, outfits and so much more donated by the creators. It is was her birthday on March 11.

To celebrate, 89 designers have set up booths at Dove’s Dream. The owner of Palomma which is a continuation of The Free Dove, Shelby Monitor, a close friend of Palomma and has continued her vision of assisting SL members by keeping the original store open to all. She was keeping watch and doing announcements when I visited the event.

At one end of the site there is a tribute to Palomma where one can stop and reflect. It is called The Stairway to Heaven.

On Galli the Palomma is open 24/7 with all kinds of wonderful outfits for both men and women. I still stop over there to check out the new donations. On the upper level there are many shops of the designers who are donors and I often shop there also. Thanks to Shelby for being such a constant friend to all , new residents, old residents and shop owners. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gallii/180/62/33 original store.

I picked up several outfits as well as lots of gifts available at most of the booths . I could not resist this one made by Vamila Vela, a reminder of the Dove and a cute casual outfit.

To visit the event for great shopping travel here and be prepared to walk on water. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gallii/125/182/4061

Gemma Cleanslate

 

More Christmas Shops

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

I have been doing some of the Advent Calendars this year but since I am almost out of groups I decided to stick with those where no group is necessary. While I was at a region I took a good look around at some and saw the nice arrangement of items they had in Kiosks or all over the property. I picked some that had really nice or unusual décor for sale and am passing the along to you in case you are a late shopper or are looking for that special gift.

“Santa Claus dropped his presents through the Christmas Wonderland event. There are free gifts in the large calendar and EXCLUSIVE very cheap Christmas outfits in front of it. Don’t miss them and grab them all – Date: Dec 1 to Dec 24 – Contact Person: Rani Rosenhauch “

Rani said it well. Santa has left some great items all over the region. There are many boxes in front of the calendar for sale really low prices! Then take a walk around to see the nice items for sale at the stands.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forgotten%20Mountains/21/118/27

LouChara sells Furniture and decorations and has weekend sales right at the entrance . Her furniture is divided in to the various types in each building there which makes it easier to shop. The Christmas area had terrific items on display.

I really enjoyed looking at the variety of styles and ended up buying one new holiday bench.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tropical%20Bay/137/171/4001

Another wonderful furniture venue with a calendar is C.M.D. Christmas store. All sorts of Christmas décor is scattered over the region. 

 

What caught my eye was a cute little fairy pushing huge snowballs. Maybe it is not unique but I have never seen it before. There is another one throwing snowballs too.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Thee%20Enchanted%20Forest/203/183/21

 

One more super area to visit for those last minute decorations inside or out is Christmas Delights. Again this is a marvelous place filled with sweet décor. I am happy to see a nice selection of flat décor that is only one prim and looks great . It is good if you need to watch your prim count.

Santa’s Closet is a whole wall filled with all sorts of Christmas clothing with a choice of elegant or cute.There is also a rezz area for greeter bots , AI bots and animesh bots so you can try them out before buying. Stop over there to check them out. RAGDOLL/183/193/1801

I hope you are finished shopping now and can begin enjoying all the winter fun areas that I will be writing about for you.

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Snuggle Christmas Store

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

When I go to another favorite Christmas shopping site I plan on spending time. I go there after Dench because I love the name... Snuggle.

 

The Christmas shopping area is set on several regions. Walking to check out all the outside décor takes a while. There are so many items I would love to put on my property but no room sadly! It is good that there is a teleport board showing all the different types of décor areas to help the shoppers.

The Santa barn has all kinds of Santas. Some are climbing, some collapsed, some sitting or walking about ready to grace your region or home. There are cute skaters if you have a pond. Of course you can find trees and more.

I love the gift shop. Racks of cards for relatives, sweethearts, friends and more line the wall.

I love the gift shop. Racks of cards for relatives, sweethearts, friends and more line the wall. There are pop up cards that are amazing and directions for passing them along. Great gift boxes are available for you to fill with your gifts. I fell in love with the hanging balls that spin slowly .

Of course I left my wallet at home because the gift shop has the most gorgeous snowglobes and I am addicted!! Many are transfer or copy so you can choose. They make wonderful gifts!

Have fun while you are there !

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snuggles%20Holidays/25/160/27

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Design

Dench Christmas Shop

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

As usual one of my first shopping stops for Christmas is Dench Christmas shop. Not only can one get the greatest freebies and group gifts and Advent Calendar but Amanda Dench always has such lovely gifts. Her decorations are charming and low priced.

The outside décor will enhance a region or a front yard. If you want a Santa wandering around the region look here. Her Santas range from small to huge ! They skate , roam ,wave and ride bikes and some say Merry Christmas. Watch out for the bucking reindeer! Look all around! Trees and trucks to carry them dot the snow with cute winter creatures, and snowmen scattered about. One item I wanted but have no place to put it is a gorgeous fountain with a hud that rezzes partridge, sparrow , snowdrop flowers and other cute décor as you wish. I could not believe the low price!

I love going in and up the stairs to check the freebies and the bargains in the corner . There is always something I missed before and can grab now . Amanda has such great gifts every month and at holidays for group members. This year there are 5L specials also . Check out the walls .

If you love companion dancers with super huds check them out . Just sit on each to try them and see how you look. When I bring one to a party there are always compliments on how cute they are. The huds have a huge choice of dances to fit any music being played . Sometimes there is one for a group gift also. I will be checking out many of the Christmas markets going on starting this weekend. I took a peek at some that were already under construction but showed lots of promise for holiday shopping and this year in SL. It is always a wonderful experience and many locations have all kinds of winter sports and photo opportunities.

This is the Christmas store itself http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/241/21/21

Gemma Cleanslate

Scenes From Burn 2

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

Burn2 is well under way. Twelve regions to explore and they are all full of marvelous builds and activities going on at various camp sites… some randomly so it is a good idea to be in the Burn2 group so you can get notices.

            
My recommendation for exploration is to stop first at the gate to check out all the gifts from past years and this year on the tables there. If the greeter is off duty look for the brown backpack to the right of the gate and grab all the fun gifts inside, fire, lamps, goggles and so much more to use on the playa and at home and parties.

To get a wonderful overview of all take the balloon ride set up by Bar Tenk right inside the gate. You can hop off anytime but it is the best way to see what there it to visit when you walk . You can see the stage locations and the Center camp where you can hang out. Art car drives around the playa are great fun as are horse rides. There is a horse rezzer in Deep Hole if you want to do that.

The Temple this year is colorful and beautiful.

“TourBalloon whispers: Here in front we have the Temple. The reading of messages and the following burn of the Temple marks the end of this years Burn2 experience. You can go and submit your own messages. Be it a wish, a greeting, poem, memory, sentiment, love-letter, expressing sorrow..... All is welcome.” The censer in the middle of the temple accepts notes, just follow the directions.Check the Who What Where https://www.burn2.org/curiouser/whowhatwhere/ to see what is taking place and the time. Don’t miss it . 

 

You have lots of time to visit. It does not end until October 27 but the regions will remain for a few days after that to give time to get to see it all. The Man will burn Saturday at 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm SLT. The Temple will burn Sunday at the same times. Both will be spectacular.

The gate is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/145/32/24

Here are some photos of some of the installations I found fun.

Lots of fun art cars to choose for riding on the playa. Look for rezzers and choose your favorite.

Moya , the famous French artist has one of his Moya specials that is fun to visit.

Organica always has a magnificent build and parties!

Gemma Cleanslate
 

 

 

Design

Three Halloween Shopping Places

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Here we go into the dark days of Halloween. There are some wonderful regions set up for the holiday. If you are looking for places to shop for your region or just your home. I always like to visit Dench Halloween store . Since I am a member I can grab the fun many gifts. There are so many wanderers moving about that fit well in home or around a region or club. Check outside the store and inside . They are everywhere.

Wearable dancer companions are so numerous this year there are rezz areas to see what they look like. If you are in the group look at the gift area for four free ones too. I love the wearable dancers who have a great dance hud to fit any music you hear.

One can get a whole group like the Asylum inmates or the skeleton band. Don’t miss the Halloween bargain counter for 5L items. The shop will be open until November 1st. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/22/33/222

Another store I always love to visit is Khargo . The Halloween store is amazing. Many items are set outside among the brilliant autumn trees and foliage. Take a walk all around to check out the variety of display items and figures. How about a whole Haunted house. The prices are also great here too.

Be careful of the some of them.. you may become part of the setting. Many of the items will fit well on small parcels and many for larger parcels . The shop is full of items to decorate inside a club, or shop and definitely a home.

I could not resist this decoration.. no clue where I will put it but the price was right too!!!Do not miss visiting Khargo. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//216/113/21

One more store to visit that is full of sets of scenery. The landmark is listed as “Fiendish Rides and Haunt” If I had a region to fill or even a quarter of a region to decorate for the season or even just an event I would start here and then move on to the two stores above . A scene from here would be the base and more décor would go around it. Arriving at the store one has many doors to choose from..

I started at the Main Ride area. Here you get a chance to take the varied rides and see what you like.

They are scary! Try some. One that I was impressed with and glad to survive was the Grim Funeral!

I was informed by a mysterious voice that it was MY funeral!

Then I moved into the demo area where one can rezz different rides and experiences and try those also. Just going here will give one loads of rides experiences even if you don’t buy them all. A whole day can be spent over at Grimley. Checking games and characters also. It is a trip worth taking!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Koko/53/204/3003

Gemma Cleanslate

Note:  Two pictures were missing when the article was first posted. They have since been added.