Yareach and Farshore Mercantile

By Bixyl Shuftan

Shockwave Yareach and Cynthia Farshore are noted for their activities and builds in the Sunweaver Estates. Recently, the two have teamed up to run a store in the Caledon Steampunk community: "Yareach and Farshore Mercantile" at Caledon SouthEnd. I met up with them to discuss their new venue.

Cynthia, whom already has a location at the Sunweaver  community, "The Puddle Jumper" at the Pacific Waters sim, explained she was "expanding my stores." Just after I had gotten there, a train chugged by. "We have a whistle stop right in front of us," Cynthia mused with a smile. Shockwave then walked over, "I can never catch that thing." Both were dressed in the Victorian style of the location, Shockwave explaining with a grin, "Gotta look good on my lady's arm."

Cynthia explained how the store came to be, "Well, I wanted to have a residence in Caledon and when I found this building, it became clear I could make it a shopkeeper residence, as it is an 19th century building with a living flat above. ... Since I already had steampunk vendors, it was a cinch to set up a store in Caledon. Shocky and I are adding in our own goods to sell as they are ready." Taking a look inside, there was already a variety of wares. The items being offered for sale, Cynthia explained, were, "Victorian, Steampunk, and Western wear and goods. Vendors include Doc Wrangler Men's Wear, Swank Brothers, Golden Oriole, and others. ... I will be constantly looking for new products to sell and in work on many items of my own. ... I have some items that will be updated to a sculpted object so as to reduce prims."

Shockwave added, "The infamous innertube system is for sale here - first time ever and only in her shops." Amused, I asked, "How is it infamous?" He answered, "I'd put some out, see what was good and bad, improve it when I was bored. ... You know how frequently I'm bored in SL? Rarely. I'm delighted to have a patient partner like Cynthia." I then asked, "Was this the inner tube system at the original Angels Beach Club?" Shockwave answered it was, which brought to mind some incidents in the past of "accidental furpiles" caused by groups of people using the inner tubes at once, and instead of the tubes fading away when reaching the shore at the end of the ride, they'd stay on those using it, and if no one got up, the result was a pile of inner tubes with the people still in them. "I see why it's infamous now," I commented with a grin.

Cynthia went on about her building, "I am learning to use Blender, one item I made using it is on the table, an Iron frying pan." Shockwave commented, "I can't use blender.  Can't wrap my head around it." Cynthia spoke, "Now I am limiting what I sell here to what fits the theme of Caledon so more modern things will be at the Puddle Jumper."

Shockwave continued, "And the lady has an iron-clad warranty on parrots purchased here." I then pointed to one that was "sleeping" on the counter, "Like that one?" Cynthia looked over, "Umm, Oh yeah. We had a problem with a customer claiming we sold him a dead parrot." I chuckled, "What's the story there?" Shockwave stated it wasn't entirely unsimilar to what happened in a pet shop in "Monty Python." Chuckling, I asked, "so how many parrots has the store sold?" Shockwave answered, "10,000! ... Well, 100 ... 2 actually ... including that one." He looked to Cynthia, "And um, love, did we decide to count the one that flew away as a sale?" Cynthia answered, "Uh noo hun I counted the fly away as a lose for income tax purpose." Shockwave responded, "Ah. One parrot." I chuckled, "Sounds like your customers have given you the bird. ... So I guess the parrots haven't done so well?" Cynthia told, "I think we'll no longer carry them, hate changing the newspaper in the cages. NOT yours of course!" I chuckled, "Old editions of the 'Herald?' " Shockwave mused, "The only newspaper that smells fishy before you wrap fish in it." Cynthia remarked, "problem is getting the fish to stay wrapped, it doesn't want to be wrapped in it."

After some more chuckles, I asked, "So besides the inner tubes, what else looks especially promising?" Cynthia answered, "I have been working on home items such as this kerosene lamp." She then placed on on the counter, "This is almost ready but it needs to make light." Shockwave commented, "Hurricane lamps I've heard them called." Cynthia turned it on, "It shows the flame but it needs to cast light yet. ...Now I will also have it set so you can say light or light out and a number of lamps in your house will all go on or off together. Or you can touch each and only one will light." She went ahead and tried it out, though my saying the key words did nothing, "... it already has a secure script. Anyway you see how that will work."

Asking her what else has she been working on, Cynthia answered, " Well I'm looking at expanding to airship parts, even including boilers like what the Cutlass club has." They also directed their attention to a "Wheel of Fortune," Cynthia saying, "The wheel of fortune is sold in the Golden Oriole vendor. But you will provide the cash prize so you have to grant money transfer." She had set the one in her shop set to giving out one or two Lindens. It was at this point a shopper entered the store, whom Cynthia invited to give a spin. She won a boxed avatar "ruler." Others continued to enter, "Congratulations on your new store, Miss Farshore!"

Cynthia again explained that the story's inventory would continue to grow. As for plans for expansion, "This store will be a humble little store in keeping with the neighbor hood. But I am looking at the concept of a skybox above to house large items like airship parts, like a storefront with a hidden warehouse. You can all see such that Shocky and I have made in the airship (Club) Cutlass. It has functioning aircraft elevators."

It was about this time Shockwave had to head out, so it was this time we parted ways. But with customers continuing to drop in, no doubt word has been getting around about the store.

So for quality items for a Victorian/Steampunk themed place, check out "Yareach and Farshore Mercantile."

Caledon SouthEnd (128/91/24)

Bixyl Shuftan

Betty Tureaud’s LEA27

By Gemma Cleanslate


“I have packed my suitcase

walk out the door without looking back
Leaving hopelessness and take the bus
to the city

With the hope of a better life
I stand in the dust, waiting for the door to open
on the way to the city

My last money is used for a plane ticket

Hope and uncertainty awaits me in the foreign
I am on my way without looking back.”  

This is Betty’s poem and vision, as expressed in the invitation I received.

What a surprise I had when I visited Betty Tureaud’s installation, The City, in LEA27. I had  stopped by about two weeks ago and roamed the city, however, not enough it seems. The entrance is a desolate desert  landscape littered with animal skulls and other remnants of the past. I was instructed to board a plane I could see in the distance so made my way there .

After landing and making my way to the distant city, I rezzed a plane and circled around  to see all the different stark white buildings. There are many copies of important buildings you will find in various cities around the globe and some by architects of note, all gathered here for you to click and learn . I walked the streets and viewed some sculptures in the squares. I took a trip to the top of one building to peer down. Then began the surprise. I found a building on the outskirts with an glowing orange door. This was a tp to the beginning of what turned out to be  distinctly different and enjoyable levels to explore. So the city became more of a city than I expected. 

I visited all the levels and enjoyed each one, distinctly different and interesting. As I reached the last level, another surprise. I entered the next sim to find it also was part of this same endeavor. Betty was near so I reached out to her for answers. She explained that this is a collaboration with four artists in four LEA attached sims. Tansee had the one that I landed in from Betty’s. The other two connected sims have the work of Gem Priz and Mandel Solano. 

I was able to make my way to several of Tansee’s Dimensions (there are ten) but have decided to do my article before I continue.  As you know Tansee is a master of particles, and they are evident in her enticing dimension.  There is so much to see and do in all the sims and I want you to be able to get there and start your  journey through. I can’t wait to have the time to continue on my own travels. I will be going to Gem’s after March 7 since there is a change of the presentation taking place on that date. 'Wrecks' opens then.  

http://slurl.com/secondlife/LEA27/164/159/1003   Follow the footsteps to the plane. Bon voyage!

Gemma Cleanslate

Calas Galadhon's Wine Bar and Gallery

By Gemma Cleanslate

After reading Alysabelle‘s article on Glanduin, and feeling the need for a taste of spring during these months of winter I wandered over to the newly reopened Calas Galadhon sims to enjoy the feeling and take a horseback ride. I heard that the Gallery has a new wine bar so stopped off there to check it out. The building is not far from the entrance.

 While there I took a tour of the artists showing their work there now and it was a delightful experience. On the first floor Hamish Blakely is exhibiting his works. I found them absolutely lovely. Most of the works are of dancing pairs in Argentine tango from various views. Each seems to be so alive and moving gracefully in the dance. Hamish is a prolific artist who has shown works in many museums and galleries. He lives in the UK and is a contemporary realist. I sat for a while enjoying his works. I took a look at his website to see other works he has created aside from the dancers. They are lovely especially the Angel collection. 

On the upper floor there is another prolific artist, Paul Van Ginkel displaying his work. I say prolific because his exhibit includes delicate flowers, portraits of flamenco dancers, and many, many horses, from rearing colts, horses with riders to herds of horses thundering across the rivers and plains. I spent a lot of time here too looking at each piece. There are several portraits of Native Americans that I found very beautiful. Paul lives in Canada and has a gallery in Calgary which is considered the “west” of Canada. Of his work he says, “I feel each painting is a creative expression similar to a piece of music, dance performance or poetry. For me, the symbolic ritual of signing the painting represents the completion of the creation, however, also the beginning of its long journey through an unknown future.” and says he is still evolving. 

Near the entrance to the Wine Bar there is also a vendor containing some lovely tapestries from the Calas sims. Don’t miss that on the way by. I picked up a tapestry of a Great Blue Heron. The new wine bar is conducive 

Proceeds from the sales of any item go  to support the Calas Sims which are free for all to enjoy. The owners maintain these sims for the pleasure of those in second life without sales or rentals. Stop into the Gallery and enjoy.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Calas%20Galadhon/50/96/22

Gemma Cleanslate

"Roots" by Cica Ghost

By Becky "Sha" Shamen

Sometimes, we just put all the possible destinations on the wall and put on a blindfold, spin around three times and shoot a dart. This time, I hit on one called, "Roots," by Cica Ghost. It was described as a sim art project. The illustration showed some odd looking buildings that beckoned exploration. An Artist and Architect in our own right, we decided to go see if there was anything cool to report on.

Arriving at the landing tower, as things rezzed, the music is first to make a good impression. Words like Majestic and Peacefull come to mind. We begin our tour with a spring in our step. From the tower, there are two ways to explore the sim. A balloon ride comes by and give a ride around, with a birds eye view, or you can just walk down the path and tour on foot. Flying is also allowed. Viewing the neighborhood gives us a split impression. On the one hand, the scenery looks like a child's urban creation, made in the sand lot behind his house, but long forgoten and left to nature and her seasons to take back. On the other hand, this place is anything but dead. One senses that the sim is one large, living compost pile, preparing the ground for a lush new life. This sim has an air about it....one that should be kept away from open flames and sparks.

Adding to the "look", the sim's largest resident, a giant snail, with a mud hut for a shell, slimes his way past us, probably on his way to the races. We tried thumbing a ride, but the house was small and he smelled like something that shouldn't be stepped on. We move on to higher ground, where the homes aren't mobile.

Several of the structures had animations, allowing one to gaze out an upper window, while contemplating images, stirred up by the beautiful music. We were somewhat shocked to find one house that was occupied by a little girl and a black cat. Fortunately, they were only statues, so no need to make the sign of the cross or throw salt over the shoulder. Moving on, we spot a large tower, that looks like it would give a great view of the sim, if we could get to the top. A long ladder was shy by 6 meters of the top, but a large flat rock travelled up and down, like an elevator. At the top, naturally a little contemplation came into play, imagining ourselves as a tiny mouse that made it's home here.

Before ending the tour, it was imperative that we take the balloon tour of the sim. Returning to the landing tower, we grab the next available flight and keep our seat for several go-arounds. On the second pass, a young lady popped into the adjacent seat. Always pleased to share our adventures with others, we smile and say, "This is a fun place, isn't it?" She agrees, then, red-faced, jumps out and waits for the next flight.

Overall impressions of the sim? My hat's off to Cica Ghost, for taking objects and textures of child-like simplicity and crudeness and melding them into a grand and masterful artwork, the size of a sim. It's like walking around inside a painting and you can almost smell the rich humus, ready to sprout any seed that finds it. Maybe it's just the viewer I'm using. Perhaps our readers should visit and see if their latest, greatest viewer comes with [SMELL] parameters.

I give "Roots", by Cica Ghost, a big thumbs up. I recomend you go see it and if you agree, leave a little tip in her balloon tip jar, by the landing.

Night Atoll (36/185/42)

"Sha"

Avatar Review: The KzK "Will o' Drake"

By Foxiethejamie

The Will o' Drake, a kzk exclusive, is an avatar resembling a bug, saytr, and human. It, like all of their avatars, is a furry avatar, but this avi takes it to the next level.

The avatar comes in many colors and each version is cleverly named. For example I bought the black version which is named Dark Matter. But the name isn't what gets people talking. The many factors that came together to make this avatar make it a great one.

Let's start at the head and make our way down shall we? Starting atop the head we have a set of horns and antennae. We then have large ears and a uniquely shaped head. On the face we have large solid eyes and a short, but cute, snout.

Just below the head we have a tuft of fur covering the neck and perhaps providing warmth for the avatar. Just below that on the back we have small shell plating with wings protruding from the openings. The wings are nearly invisible and are doubled up. Just below that we have special markings on the belly of the being.

Then we have a stinger like tail coming out of the back of the creature. Inside this carapace you can easily see a large orb like object inside it, most likely the egg sack or some poison pouch. Just below the tail we have uniquely shaped legs that start out at the thighs and then taper down. The feet of this small creature are small with four claws on each foot.

Now lets take a look at the abilities of this avatar. One of these include the wings actually moving as you fly. Another one is this avatar could be a shining beacon in a very dark place.

Inside the hud you have the classic moving jaw, and changing textures for certain parts. However you can also change the claws on this one from black to white and back. And it even allows you to change the color of the carapaces.

All in all, this avatar is one for the history books. For only 600 L, it's practically a steal. In my opinion this would have to be the best avatar I have ever seen.

"Jenny"

Down South

By Kelly Bloodykitty

Welcome to the sim called, "Down South".  This lovely place is the new land of where I used to work which was the Horse Saloon. Even though I haven't been to this particular sim a lot of times, I find it still beautiful in a sense. This club is basically one that centers around country and is group owned by the staff of Down South. It is located in the region of Heracles and is a moderate sim. The reason why I'm doing an article on basically a revamped version of the Horse Saloon I work in is because I wanted to touch on the new land and give a lot of credit to my friend Cheene for showing me the ropes in hosting and for being apart of both teams!

Like it appears this is of course centered around country, and has a strong vibe, especially with the nature as well as the building, which of course is a barn. In front is the sign signaling as a sort of ad, and a tractor too. There's something going on with my mesh settings or whatever it's considered, so it doesn't appear until I get closer to it. The inside is very wonderful too and right now is decorated for the Christmas season but is still in the theme with the barn with some small animals and such. They have a stage for the DJ and hosts, as well as a bar to sit at. 

Overall I have to say I love this sim despite me only being at it once or twice for a visit. I suggest you go down to the location and come and dance and chat with anyone who may be there! When you are there be sure to give props to Cheene for being quite awesome and for being apart of the Down South staff. Besides that I hope to see you too if you come along because I may be working there as a host, especially if I don't have to resubmit an application, so make sure to say hi to me too!

Heracles (30,45,22)

Kelly

Arcadia Asylum

By Becky "Sha" Shamen

In the article, "Saving Prims," we said, "... Arcadia Asylum, on the Mieville Pond sim.  Be prepared for an adventure there". A conscious effort was made, to keep that sim from taking over the article, because it was worthy of an article of it's own. Returning there, to take notes and pictures, we realized just how understated the line was. It's more than just "an adventure". This sim is a must see, Great Adventure and should be on everybody's to-do list. Aside from the 1,328 free items, there are several fun adventures, to be discovered there.

The landing point, for the sim, is a courtyard, in front of the Cog & Grog Freebie Center. On the other side of the courtyard, we find a teleporter that goes to the various areas on the sim. The areas include; Tropics, Steam Fair, Graveyard, Hobo Town, The Deeps, Space and The Library. Most of the areas can also be reached by walking, flying or just jumping into the water.

The Deep covers as much area as the surface sim and can be reached in three ways. Within the Cog & Grog, there is a stairway that leads under water. On the dock, next to the Chinese Junk, there is an entrance to Cap'n Nemo's Underwater Observatory, which uses tubes to connect to chambers beneath the surface. You can also just jump off any of the docks, to reach the sea floor. In the deep, you will find underwater habitats, plants, sea creatures. You can even get your own whale or even a kracken. One of the most interesting nautical items, the whirlpool, proved to be be a fun ride. I got one to take home, but, unless I terraform, won't get put out from my inventory any time soon. It has a lot of prims, but can be reduced by removing some of the items that circle the top.

 Taking the teleport to the Space area, we find spacesuits, spaceships, planets and asteroids. The most interesting "space" item is found at the courtyard of the sim landing. There, we find a giant cannon, which shoots a bullet shaped capsule to the moon. I had actually been back to this sim several times, before deciding to click on it and see what it does. Next thing you know, the camera switches to an exterior view of the projectile, with your av inside and stars zipping past. We end up on a lunar surface, staring at our crashed ship, with the earth in the distant background. Fortunately, there is a teleport, near by, to take us back down, but, as long as I'm on the moon, I look around for any other interesting things to explore. Sure enough, among the lifeless rocks there is one that has some color to it and there's a large hole at the base, with a churning mist within. Looking in, it seems to go down to a cavern with large gems on the walls. Naturally, Miss been there, done that, had to go into the cavern. All I will say is that, yes, there is an adventure and I went several times, to learn the way out of the conflict with the lunar inhabitants.

Now, safely back home, on my keyboard, I find myself wondering what other hidden adventures are yet to be had at Arcadia Asylum. You can be sure that this writer will return there many times, in the future. 

 

Hope we see you there,

 

"Sha"

 

From "Sha's SL Stories"