Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Gemma Cleanslate

Saturday I was so happy to learn that DJ Frannie has set up her marvelous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade again this year. 

 

Due to real-life issues it is not in New York City as usual but is way out in Oregon on tour! In case you can’t get to the Macy parade, it will be followed by the spectacular Christmas parade too! I am so glad. There are about 70 floats and balloons that are so much fun .

The owners of the regions are   Emma Aduviri and Lukas Aduviri  Dragon Knight, Emma Aduviri and Bella Veliz are the Estate Managers. They all invited Frannie DJ to bring her  parades here .

All her floats are going down the street as usual. Not only can you stand and watch but hop on the float and become part of the fun. Turn off your music to hear the parade music and have a great time! Here is the beginning of the parade where you can hop on a float and ride all the way to the end and then come back and start over ! Bring your friends. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enchanted%20Isles/21/57/23

I took a tour of this region while I was there and found so much to explore. This is the modern north west. There are delightful homes, well paved and maintained roads, and even a McDonalds and other food cafes. I saw a great fire department with fire engines at the ready.

Up above on the mountain there is a delightful skating area where you may like to go after watching the parade! I understand there are mountain caves, horseback trails, and role play possibilities in inexpensive homes. Here is the skating.I will have to go back to explore more . http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elizabeth/190/99/143

Gemma Cleanslate

Christmas Shopping at Dench Designs and Snuggles Holidays

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

It is that time again! Christmas shopping time. No sooner did the orange and black disappear than out came the green and red at and bright lights many shops . One of my very favorites opened the Christmas shop the very next day after Halloween and I was so happy to see it.

Amanda Dench has such a fun Christmas shopping area I love getting there to look at everything and pick up all the freebies offered to members of her group and check out the bargain corner where past goodies are offered for only 5 or 10L. You find all these gifts and items on the second floor, always my first destination.

Outside the Christmas store at Dench Designs are charming little winter scenes that fit any parcel or region. I love to see Santa riding a bike in the snow. There is a giant Santa dancing at the door of the shop.

Inside are the wonderful fireplaces, trees, and so many fun animesh dancers. Jump on a dancer and see how you look with that partner for dancing! There are wonderful new full avatars this year too and wearable dancers from penguins to Santa himself. They are great fun to bring to a party. I had to buy one. I always say I am not going to buy things while doing these articles but guess what. The prices are right too!! And, if you join the group there is a 50% discount on many items. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/21/36

Another favorite place to visit because it is so organized so you can find your favorite types of décor easily is at Snuggles Holidays, The Christmas at Snuggles . I also love the name of the regions. Gnomes, trees, animals and so much more.

Inside the huge shop there are décorations for your home interior and more. Looking for Christmas cards? There is a generous collection of various cards for loved ones, family and friends.

If you have a friend who loves and collects bears and want to make a gift of one a really good choice is found here too. Look for the teleport to and from inside and outside décor. The place is large so plan some time to look around. I joined the group to get an avatar for Christmas gatherings at a really low price. I will be searching for more good shopping for you in the next days.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snuggles%20Holidays/163/220/25

 

Gemma Cleanslate

 

The Renegade Burn

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

Every October, fans of Burning Man, a huge real-life art and music event that takes place every late summer in Black Rock Nevada, gather at a number of sims in Second Life to hold the virtual equivalent. For the virtual world's first few years, it was sponsored by Linden Lab and known as Burning Life. After the Lab discontinued it's sponsorship, the fans reorganized themselves and the event became known as Burn2. In recent years, there have been two noteable Burning Man inspired events. In 2020 and 2021, due to the Pandemic the real-life event was canceled and moved online. So people in Second Life could attend both what was the official event and a few weeks later it's traditional virtual equivalent, or "Octoburn." 

 

In 2022, once again there were two Burning Man inspired events close together. But the cause was not a pandemic, but a human one. As usual, the Burn2 event took place in early to mid October. But there was a second Burner event, the "Renegade Burn." It was organized by the Burn ONe group, who got attention in summer for their beach sim in July which turned into a Waterworld tribute in August. 

 

The event got it's name from the real-life events that took place in Black Rock Nevada during the Pandemic. While Burning Man was officially moved online, some people went to the area anyway, in both 2020 and 2021. 

This year, there was some trouble among the Burners, which got worse when the Deep Hole sim was temporarily closed this summer. There's been an effort to change and add to Burn2's policies. Over the months, a number of people either were dismissed or resigned, many of whom joined Burn ONe. When one of Burn2 spoke in a Q & A article for the Newser, she explained they've been trying to cool things down and be reasonable and trying to improve things for everyone. The comments were full of people stating what they experienced was very much to the contrary of the official word. 

The event took place in the Capri sim.

It ran from Saturday October 15 to Saturday October 29.

 

There were both a number of exhibits around. 

 

 While there were a few displays of anger at the Burn2 leadership, notably the words "F**k Your Burn" near the entrance, for the most part people simply wanted to have fun and show off their art and music. A number of the BurnONe group have been reserved and diplomatic, preferring to be voices of reason.

 

There were also some music events.

Some people took part in both Burn2 and the Renegade Burn. 

 

Grease Coakes had few performances there. 

 

One of the displays was interactive: a boat ride to the Underworld.

There was also a game in which you got points for smashing pumpkins.

On Sunday October 23 was one special event.

This was when the Renegade Man Burn took place.

The figure was a simpler version of "The Man," with the word "RENEGADE" over it.

Which soon burned and crumbled to the ground.

In the end, the Burners in the Renegade event congratulated themselves for a job well done. 

So what does the future hold? At the moment one can only guess. But unless there's some kind of reconciliation, as long as Burn ONe can find places to hold an event, it's safe to assume the Renegade Burn events will continue. And for some of us, that means twice the fun.

 

Addition: In the few days since this went up, I was approached with a couple details. Someone from Burn2 had asked that in future articles that it be more clear that Burn ONe has no connection to either Burn2 or the Burning Man organization. 

The second was that I was approached by one of Burn ONe who stated that the expression "F**k Your Burn" wasn't meant to be an expression of anger, but "another way that burners say welcome home - Welcome Home! or F**k your Burn!"

Bixyl Shuftan

The Deep Woods

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

“ℑ𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱 ℑ 𝔤𝔬, 𝔱𝔬 𝔩𝔬𝔰𝔢 𝔪𝔶 𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔡 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔣𝔦𝔫𝔡 𝔪𝔶 𝔰𝔬𝔲𝔩.”

The Spark Project is back. Raven Banrion Falconer (RavenStarr Resident) and her staff of wonderful helpers have created The Deep Woods. 

 

Each project is for four months and this one is“ɪs ᴀ ɴᴇᴡ ғᴇsᴛɪᴠᴀʟ ʙᴜɪʟᴛ ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴄᴜʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ɪᴅᴇᴀ ᴄᴇʟᴇʙʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴜsɪᴄ, ᴀʀᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ғᴀsʜɪᴏɴ. “and then disappears to make place for a new and very different creation. “The Untold Tales of the Faeries “is exquisite.

How many of us loved the stories of old in fairy tales and the characters that enchanted us. Walk into the woods ,remember and meet them again. The sparkling beauty within the woods charms you as you wander along the footpaths. Every step may bring a surprise so look sharply. When I put on my gift from the Deep Woods it turned out to be Goldilock’s Bear. I carried it as I walked

 

Trolls, orcs and goblins stalk along the roadside. The have a “home” in these woods that I wandered into. A few trolls are on the watch for victims. Take care. As I crossed a bridge high above the party stage I saw a sign warning Do not wake the Troll so I was very quiet as I went by.

Some of the places I visited were stunning and astonishing. I saw a little lady with a pumpkin and knew some magic was going on.

Later I peeked into little gazebo and found Cinderella’s shoe on a cushion. Farther on down the trail I found that the sensitive Princess of the Princess and the Pea left her bed by the side of a road. It really is hard.

Sleeping beauty left her rose covered coffin in these woods. I had to try it out. I think was hers but maybe another beauty.

Look into the Mirrors on the trees and listen and chuckle a bit.

There is so much hidden in the spectacular installation it will take time to discover it all and I plan to do it.A little bird told me there are hidden caves. Over the weekend there will be entertainment and dancing all day and all night. At the entrance there are directions that will help you get the best experience while you are there. I hope you love it as much as I did. I know the parties will be outstanding. I plan to attend a few! 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spark/67/155/36 

Gemma Cleanslate