GA Winter Festival: Ice Age Opening Today

The Gay Archipelago presents Winter Festival 2012, celebrating the winter months.The Festival will open at noon today with an opening ceremony featuring Ricky Martin and George Michael tribute performers, sponsored by Gay Fun World. The first day of the festival is sponsored by Gay Fun World and TT Designs. Be sure to thank these sponsors for support this wonderful event. Don't forget the incredible shopping available surrounding the main stage area of the sim. Be sure to follow the Gay Archipelago blog for the entire festival's schedule.

♦ LIGHT UP THE SKY! – Pyrotechnics Spectacular                      2pm                                           Main Stage, Festival Sim

TTdesigns

♦ Three Boys Celebration w/DJ DM                                        3pm-5pm                                      Brasil Litoral

♦ San Pablo’s Escape w/DJ Jared                                           7pm-9pm                                      Main Stage, Festival Sim

♦ PLUGGED IN2 – The Real AfterHours w/DJ XADE                9pm-12am                                      The Gay Riviera

Good Things Come To Those That Wait!

Join us on Wednesday December 5 at the beautiful Gayhaven Parish to celebrate the holiday issue of Blithe Magazine. Our friends Kent and Jorge Hutchinson, whose Gay Parish sims are featured in the upcoming issue, have created a cool winter environment where we'll be launching the issue with the hot tunes of DJ Zach Kelberry. Come on by at 6pm SLT to kick off the holidays in a Blithe way. 

Though complications in Case and Merrick's RLs have conspired to delay the release of the December issue of Blithe, it will be worth the wait! We have a packed issue of stunning style, gorgeous places and the fascinating personalities behind many of our community's well-known names, all in a newly rebranded magazine with a fresh new appearance. 

Blithe magazine December issue launch party, Wednesday December 5, 6pm SLT

Last Day to Experience Guernica in SL!

I'm late to calling your attention to the stunning interpretation of Picasso's mural Guernica created in SL by the talented Lizzie Gudkov and London Junkers. The exhibit closes tomorrow, November 30, so don't waste any time in getting out to experience it.

Guernica detail

 I say "experience it" purposely, because this is not a piece that is merely "viewed" or "observed." The original artwork is deeply moving, and bringing it into SL in three dimensions heightens that response.

Guernica detail

Early in my SL, I visited the Starry Night sim, where talented builders had brought the works of Van Gogh into SL in three dimensions. As I wandered the fields of the Starry Night and perched on the chairs at the Night Cafe, I experienced the paintings in a new way, an immersive way. When I later enjoyed the privilege of seeing those same paintings at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, it was not the hundreds of flat reproductions of the works I'd seen in my lifetime that came back to me, but rather those moments in SL when I passed through the artworks and participated in them. Such is the power of art in SL, to offer people a new view of an old masterpiece.

Guernica detail 

Experiencing Guernica in SL had a similarly powerful effect on me. I haven't had the opportunity to view the original, and I may never, but the three-dimensionality of this interpretation moved me in a way that no mere print could ever do.

Guernica overview

Guernica offers a powerful message about the impacts of war, something that for many of us is blessedly distant from our day to day lives. All the more reason why we should take the time to recognize its horrors and remember its devastations. Visit Guernica in SL before it's gone; it will be time well spent.

See Guernica in SL at LEA6 before it's gone.

GizzA and .:villena:.

I set up most of this look a bit ago when .:villena:. released this incredible fleece parka. The steel blue is totally in this season. To complete the layer effect, the parka is paired with a sweater and tie from PHILO (SEEKER SWEATER - BAT). The pants are GizzA's new Casual Pants in black with black belt. Finishing the outfit are my previously shared [GOS] Desert Boots in Blue Tartan.

Photo taken at the gorgeous Hutchinson Parish. If you need a place for blog photography, fun, or are looking for a wonderful place to live, check it out. It's incredible.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate today.

A Celebration of Life - Call for Photos

In order to prepare the Fabrice Snook’s commemoration taking place on Chilipepper on November 23 from 1:00 pm SLT, we need your help.

We’re seeking your pictures (full perm) of our friend Fabrice for a special project to celebrate this man’s time with us in Second Life.  We're looking for all types of tasteful photos-funny, serious, goofy, casual (no adult photos, please).

A special souvenir book will be distributed at this event.

Send your photos to Zaza (Nefaso Resident)
Thank you in advance for your contribution to this project!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Stay warm in this cozy coat from GizzA and stylish pants from [Sleepy Eddy]

Glasses: Kumaki Glasses Style - K_gs dub 1.00 at The Mens Dept.

Coat: GizzA - Padded Coat Male in Blue.

Pants: [Sleepy Eddy] - Corduroy Bush Pants in Off White at The Mens Dept.

Boots: [Gos] - Desert Boots in Blue Tartan

Impunity

xelisa, owner of **Lisa**Style** converses with others after  copybotted items were removed.

Her name was on the boxes. Her name was on the sign. I'm quite sure that her name was on all the clothing inside the boxes. Yet, after the copybotted items were removed, she was still wandering the sim. Don't even bother telling her that her account will be banned, she won't be. She laughs when you say that. She has self-appointed diplomatic immunity. The only way we'll wipe that smug smile off her face is to get Linden Lab to pay attention to us. If they don't care that copybots are hurting their profits, maybe the shareholders will:  But we need some help. Read on for more.

Pretty much a noob looking store, but really nice clothes, right?

All photos except for the 2007 photo and copybotter photo provided by Auster Elan of GizzA.

Arguably, the best gift given to us by Linden Lab are the Intellectual Property Rights that were granted early in the creation of SL. To keep this simple, this means that we are given the rights to what we create in the world of Second Life. We own our work. In the case of what happens in Second Life, we're given copyright over our work (since we're artists, not inventors). This is such a great gift because it means that, other than rights Linden Lab retains to use our photography in marketing (which is generally considered an honor) or our work for other matters as outlined in the provisions of their gift to us, we have the ability to take our work and use it in other worlds. Our outfits can cross over into other virtual worlds. A gorgeous photograph of a beautiful sim can be used as the image on one of those fancy create-your-own credit card things, or even printed out, framed and sold in RL (if the covenant allows, of course...respect our artists). We aren't limited with what we can do with our creations.

Zombie Rez Day Bash!

photo by Eddi Haskell

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Merrick's rez day last night in scary zombie style and big thanks to Blithe SL staff Bastien Berboral and Jesse Belavidorico who made it all happen. Tangier was rocked by zombies, skeletons, corpses and vampires, as well as the hot sounds of DJ Lex Solari and friendly greetings of host Christian Holland. MIM Dance Troupe entertained with "Thriller" moves that awed (and frightened) the assembly. Big thanks to our friends Ramses Meredith of Egoisme who generously provided a frightfully fantastic zombie skin for the event and Jacks Rhys of Verse Eye who created some custom zombie eyes for Merrick's special day.

See more photos from this creepy time on Eddi Haskell's blog.

You're a Customer, Not the Resident of a Dictatorship

I tend to keep Blithe away from political issues, but this is something that really matters to all of us. It occurred to me today after a discussion in a Facebook post by Petr Hastings-Vanbeeck that our Second Life mindset may be helping perpetuate Linden Lab's lack of involvement in helping stop the extortion, theft, and harassment by criminals inworld. SL is, by nature, immersive. It draws us in so deeply that we become our avatars, and that's what helps us create businesses, become celebrities, fall in love, and create the stunning environment we've created throughout the grid. 

Sociology in Second Life is intriguing. We've created an incredible city. However, we really lack something essential to any society. We lack a criminal justice system. There is no possible way for us to police someone who violates laws that are in place throughout the real world to protect people. We can't hire police to arrest those who steal, put them on trial and lock them jail. It just can't happen. For this, we depend on Linden Lab.

Here's where our mindset fails us. We see ourselves as residents of Second Life, and Linden Lab as our government. Live Help is our police department and our police department sends us to the courtroom: Abuse Reports. The Abuse Report system is a known failure. Criminals who extort repeatedly, copybot, harass, steal, and grief are given a 4 day suspension, then allowed back in to do it all again while individuals who are victims are perma-banned or ignored. Our government knows how the criminals are committing the crimes and doesn't take steps to eliminate those means. We feel frustrated and paranoid because we are subject to a dictatorship that doesn't care what is happening to it's citizens.

But, what if we took a step back and really looked at our situation? You see, Second Life is not a life, it's a creation of a corporation. We are customers of that corporation. They are not our government, they are the business providing a service to clients. Out here in real life, corporations are subject to laws designed to protect the consumer. In Petr's post, I referred to a case involving a woman who spilled McDonalds coffee in her lap, resulting in massive burns. She received a huge settlement. The settlement was based on the fact that McDonalds knew their coffee was too hot, yet refused to lower the temperature, resulting in damages to a customer. Linden Lab knows their coffee is too hot and their customers are being burnt. 

We don't have the tools to police Second Life, but the corporation that provides the service does. If we approach the corporation through real life means, we're more likely to get their attention than we are through worthless Abuse Reports and calls to ineffective Live Help. Promote this petition. Share with your friends. Blog it. Take control. You're a customer, not the resident of a dictatorship. You don't have to remain a victim.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/linden-labs-punish-criminals-on-your-platform/

THE EVIL QUEEN?

Over this past weekend AVENUE celebrated it's fifth year with a series of fashion shows, this outfit is from A:S:S for it, and is available at the Cinque Retail Venue. It is quite complete and requires little styling but we all can add a bit of our own flavor. Personally my look is inspired by a mating in my head between a Cenobite from the 1980's+ HELLRAISER film series, and the evil queen Malificent. Hope you like it here it is!

Body Tattoo, Head Piece, & Skirt "Tearstainer" from A:S:S

Boots "Macae" wedge boots in midnight from ::HH:: HUCCI 

Both at Cinque Retail Event

Makeup from Madrid Solo October Series-You Haunt me, may no longer available however there are many options to choose from at Madrid Solo which will allow you to express your creativity here is the LM Madrid Solo

Necklaces - [AB] St. Barts Tennis Chain Style 6 for L' Accesoires

Pose by Posesion  "Fashion Life 10" & "Gown 10" You will find a host of creative poses here to choose from that will enhance your pictures!

Happy Shopping always XOXO

Fashionably Yours, Bastien B.

ART - ENERGY FOR YOUR SPIRIT

FEED YOUR SPIRIT WITH LIGHT AND ENERGY THROUGH ART 
AT
THE LIFE EXHIBITION

Alchemy ( Alchemy9 ) Abye creates art because she feels the work is her destiny. Prompted by an irrepressible urge to follow her spiritual path creating what she refers to as Spirit Art. As Alchemy explains Art is always subjectively in the eye of the beholder. In the case of her work, she feels it is energy made into art channeled by spirit guides through her. 

These spirit guides send messages for many. Her belief is that individuals are drawn to a piece of her work, and view what it is they are intended to. Not all are intended to see beyond what is painted on the canvas. For others the images may change in their perception as they focus upon them she tells me. Some may feel totally drawn to a particular work as it is in their that a message lies in wait for them. 

Ultimately she hopes that if nothing more all can leave with these messages of “Life”, being hope, faith, and love... as well as a fulfillment of positive thought and emotion. Perhaps reflecting on deeper levels of awareness than before. Alchemy’s mindset is that “The Life Exhibition” is a rather apt title for her work.

In her own word it is all about life. Perhaps not conventionally as life is recognized,  rather on all levels of awareness. Second Life seems to be one of them, won't you join us in viewing this marvelous exhibit of color and canvas which captures the essence of the soul? 

The Life Exhibition Premieres Today at - La Galeria Mexico

        Ometeotl SIM

    1:00PM SLT

Come and show your support for this and all of our artists as they rely on support from their local communities to continue enriching our Second Lives.

Tolerance is the Only Way

A new fashion event in SL is combining beauty, creativity and activism to combat the harmful effects of homophobia.

Tolerance is the Only Way is a fashion fair in support of COGAM, the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender & Bisexual Collective of Madrid. In its own words, COGAM seeks to:

• Defend the Human Rights specified in the United Nations Charter, especially those that affect lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people, their human dignity, their freedom to be themselves, their quest for social equality, the right to live free from discrimination, and so on.

• Work to make society more inclusive and respectful, by promoting conditions that will let people truly benefit from freedom and equality, both as individuals and as members of their respective segments of society.

• Promote full legal and social equality for all people, regardless of one's sexual orientation, gender identity, or emotional/sexual relationships with another consenting person or persons.

• Work to eradicate homophobic and transphobic behaviors.

• Work to eradicate discrimination against those of us living with HIV, and promote the right of all HIV-positive people to have free public medical care, psychological services, and social services.

Many of SL's major designers have produced dedicated designs in support of this worthy organizaiton, which are on display at a large, two-storey build on the  Cash Island 4 sim.

The two floors of designer goods include such well-known names as Champagne, Gizza, Tres Beau, SF Designs, Pekas, and Egoisme, along with dozens of others. Like most fashion events, the designs are largely geared towards women, with elaborate gowns, fanciful makeups, and glittering jewellery dominating the vendors. The items dedicated to men may be fewer in number, but no less in quality.

I picked up the handsome Bruno suit from SF Designs while I was there and couldn't wait to get home to try it on. Don't let my crummy photo deter you, this is a sharp suit!

The Tolerance is the Only Way event culminates in a series of fashion shows to be held October 27 to Novemeber 3. For more information, visit the Tolerance is the Only Way blog and visit the fair at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cash%20Island%204/49/164/23

Vitamen Fashion Show Tonight

Vitamen and tou-Gen-kyo present VITAMEN GOGO BOYS CLUB tonight, October 13th, from 9 pm to 10pm SLT. The sim opens at 8:30 pm SLT, so be sure to arrive early while room is available. A second showing will be held tomorrow, October 14th, from 5 am SLT to 6 am SLT with the sim open at 4:30 am SLT for seating. Arrive in swimwear or underwear and settle in for a sexy display of Vitamen's hot styles.

Phantom Skulls Of Morgul: Wicked Halloween Decor

On sale until 4PM SLT 10/13/2012. Don't miss out!

Bonus Aether Skull Pedestal

Elicio Ember of Cerridwen's Cauldron has just released the first of a new line of products, Cerridwen's Creatures, and to help spice up your Halloween, he's made sure these are spooky and fun. The Phantom Skulls of Morgul are incredible floating skulls that will haunt you and any visitors to your home.

Red skull rezzer.

The skulls are born in an Orb of Morgul that looks innocent enough, but once activated, it becomes the spawner of evil skulls that fly around, screaming, chattering, and laughing (don't worry, you control how loud they are)! The Skulls of Morgul pack comes with six orbs in different colors (all orbs are copy, so you can place as many as you wish).

Lava Skulls!

Through the menu, activated by a 2 second touch on the orb, you can set up a variety of option, including selecting the types of skulls to release (there are five and you can choose any combination or all), number to release, distance, sound volume and more. There's even an option to keep the orb quiet until an avatar approaches.

Dark and Bone Skulls!

As a Halloween decoration, or even a year-round decoration for dark or fantasy sims, this is an incredible find that you won't want to miss. This pack includes 6 Orbs of Morgul, 5 unscripted skulls for landscaping, and special bonus skull pedestals for just L$375 on sale or L$550 full price. Join the Cerridwen's Brew group to keep informed on future 24 hour post-release sales.

Warrior Inside

Dirty is the New Black

Drop by Warrior Inside and check out a wide array of grungy, hip, sexy separates like the new Transparent Singlet #3 tank top which comes in 4 trashy colors in an asymmetrical bias cut, paired with these naughty Bitch Hole Jeans. Designer Requiem Wonder uses innovative templates combined with wicked textures to create one-of-a-kind, high quality casual wear that you won’t want to miss. 

Sometimes Fashion fills the Gaps

Hello Blithesome Hotties, this is the first time I post so I may do this absolutely wrong. If so my apologies come to you in advance. Here is a little taste of my usual styling, I hope it is helpful you can IM me in world any time I am online if you need help. Hugs and happy shopping.

Fashionably Yours, Bastien B.

NAIL MANDALA SHORT PALETTE

On marketplace

Mandala

AOTREO HAIR RAZOR CHESTNUTT2

AOTREO

CHRONOKIT WATCH NO. 36 DIO GOLD

CHRONOKIT WATCH SHOP

ENTENTE COULEUR JEANS HOMME CUFF

ENTENTE

KAL RAU CASUAL BLAZER M4_WASHED

KAL RAU

[LB] DRESS SOCKS WHITE

LEATHER BOUND [LB]

EYES

POETIC COLORS : CLASSIC GEN4 Deep Sea - Small Bright

POETIC COLORS

Teeth

EGOISME - EVIAN TEETH ADDON - NORMAL BASE

W - EVIAN TEETH ADDON ALPHA - MOUTH 1

EGOISME

Tattoo Layers

AOTREO HAIRBASE CHESTNUT (See SLURL above)

FRUK FACE FUZZ - THE SIDEWINDER PLUS GUYLINER

FRUK - FRECKLES AND GUYLINER

FRUK - MANLY LIP GLOSS

FRUK

L.FAUNA - DIMPLES FRECKLES - TAN

L.FAUNA

JACKET & GLOVE LAYER RECKLESS OBEY ME

CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE ( CREATOR: Landon Mode ) 

SHOES - JUDAS ::: THE REVOLUTION “HERMES SUEDE LOAFERS” ( RED )

JUDAS :::

GLASSES: KUMAKI - K_gs GAPP 1.0

KUMAKI

HOOT NECKLACE - BRASS & RUDE BOY HAT - BOTH FROM KARI

KARI

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS & IT SORT OF MATCHES THE MOOD WHERE I WAS WHEN I TOOK THE PIC ~ XOXO

Masks of Mystery at Gay Riviera

There's always a good time to be had at the Gay Riviera, and Halloween is no exception. The talented, creative and generous team have scared up a sim-wide event that will have you shaking in your shoes.

Halloween happenings include the Mystery Mask Hunt from October 13–31 and a Haunted Masquerade Party with DJ Zann Baxton on Sunday, October 14 from 4–7pm SLT.

To enjoy the tricks and treats, grab a Magic HUD at the Masks of Mystery shop and start searching for the mystery masks. But it's not so easy – your search is being watched by evil spirits who will try to trick and scare you. You'll need to be brave to find the masks, but if you do, the shopkeeper will let you pick an amazing gift from his prize room!

The shopkeeper has also called upon friendly ghosts who have seen where the masks have been hidden and can help you on your hunt. They have stashed a surprise and clues to the masks locations inside Tricky Treats. Grab a candy bucket from the Masks of Mystery shop and prowl the streets collecting the treats scattered all over the Gay Riviera! Will you fill your bucket and collect all the clues and surprises?

And, if the hunt and its prizes aren't enough spooky fun, get yourself out to the Haunted Masquerade Ball & Beefcake 2012 Halloween Preview Party

Join all your spooky fiends at a grand Masquerade Party in the graveyard as the demonic DJ Zann spins some macabre tunes to rattle your bones! Dress up in your favorite scary or sexy Halloween costume and win fabulous prizes! Beefcake will be there unveiling their new lineup of arousing and provocative costumes for 2012, so you don’t want to miss it!

The Gay Riviera is always a great place to find treats, and the occasional trick!


www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc2SaM5k73o&feature=plcp

Mask of Mystery Prizes Provided By: BEEFCAKE, Lazybum, Vice, Pillow Biters, K!ng, Dirty, Viper Gallery, Sophie's Choice, Alryx and T'eeze!

Demon Couture from CHAMPAGNE

Enzo Champagne is BACK, showing the world that his boundless spirit & amazing creativity cannot be stopped!

If ever there was sexy and deliciously wicked couture, this is it!  For both the boys and the girls, EVIL is an eye-popping, fun, and spicy way to celebrate Halloween by CHAMPAGNE Sparkling Fashion! The outfit is styled with eye makeup from Madrid Solo. 

Use your imagination to style this outfit and make it your own, just as Bastien Berboral creates his own fabulous look shown below. 

We're Getting Ready, Are You?

The party's starting in less than 3 hours. Here's the number to the limo service when the doors open: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Boston%20Nightlife/230/194/22 See you there.

daPerfect Monday Party

Click it for readability.

Join us on Monday, October 8th from 4-8pm SLT as we help daClub and daPier kick off their October-long ACT-Oberfest, a series of events to raise funds the AIDS Committee of Toronto. The kickoff will include four hours of great music from DJs Johny A, Rik Nayar, mikedacook Dinzeo, and Ryder Yowman. Throughout the event prizes from Blue Balls and ABD will be won. There will also be auctions for great products with proceeds going to this worthwhile charity. Stay tuned because your ride will be available here and inworld through DJ and Community groups.

____

Fundraising Information

The AIDS Committee of Toronto is an organization providing support and assistance to those living with HIV/AIDS or at high risk for HIV/AIDS while providing information and education to help prevent the spread of the virus. Chaz Macarthur of Blue Balls has worked with ACT to bring their presence to Second Life. The charity maintains a Second Life avatar to place fundraising bins, ensuring that donations go directly to the avatar without passing through the hands of a middle-man. 100% of all tips to daClub and daPier ACT-Oberfest kickoff staff will be donated to this very worthwhile cause.

The Unreal Loss of Real Talent

Enzo Champagne

Update: Enzo has returned to Second Life.

In Second Life, as in real life, anyone can fall victim to criminal acts. In SL, we depend on Linden Labs to mediate our disputes when it comes to frauds, theft, or scams. As we've seen recently, the Linden Gods often drop the ball when we don't have paid accounts. But this would never, ever happen to a big name, right? Wrong.

Enzo Champagne, creator of CHAMPAGNE! Sparkling Couture and a supporter of the LGBT community, found himself subject to fraudulent use of his account by hackers, who took his Linden balance and accessed his Paypal, spending the funds at one Second Life business. Upon learning of the fraud, Enzo reported the incident with transactions to Linden Labs, allowing them to see who the thieves were. The following day, the Second Life business returned Enzo's stolen funds and Paypal returned the funds in accordance with Paypal fraud policy. Enzo alerted Linden Labs that the funds had been returned but that they should pursue the thieves. As is normal, his account was blocked while Linden Labs investigated the fraudulent transactions. To Enzo's surprise, he was informed that his account would be permanently terminated with no other reason given then that he had "violated the terms of the TOS." Enzo's appeal was lost and his only hope is the efforts of someone trying to get LL to review his case again.

Enzo is a truly talented designer, a stunning photographer, and a kind, generous man. The loss of his contributions to SL will be a pain we'll for quite some time. If we're lucky, he'll find his way back to us, and find a way to bless us with his incredible talents once again.

Various sit-ins are occurring in Second Life in an effort to get the message to the Lindens that Enzo's account should be reinstated, and it should. However, we are aware that this has happened to many who don't have Enzo's visibility, as well, and stand behind Carilynn O'Hare and Ponchtuti Boucher's efforts to create a petition drawing attention to the errors in Linden Lab's governance system that would allow a known griefer and copybotter to thrive and maintain a store with copybotted items on Marketplace, while permabanning victims of Second Life crime. We will keep you informed of information regarding the petition as it becomes available.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/carilynn-ohare/enzo-champagne-what-happened-to-him-can-happen-to-you/542506082442373

Blithe SL Magazine October 2012

Halloween Horror

Foreboding fright at Malaika

Barkerville was a quiet and prosperous town until the silver mine dried up and the ship landed with its mysterious people and their equally mysterious cargo. At first the townspeople thought the new arrivals would save the town but they were dead wrong. Explore this sim-wide recreation of Barkerville and see if you can unearth the mystery behind the new arrivals. What were they really doing here? Is there anyone still alive in this town? You'll be lucky to get out alive.

You can explore this amazing sim at your own risk from Oct. 1^st to Oct 31^st.

Phenomenal Mesh Avatars

Detailed skins and dimensional muscles make mesh avatars hot.

Animations Rising has been a Second Life presence for as long as I can remember (and I'm much older than I look) and designer, Miro Collas, has always been an innovator. From unique poses and animations to his Living Light line, he has been introducing creative items to the grid for years. His most recent venture along with Prodigal, L'Uomo mesh avatars, brings us a line of muscular, detailed avatars to enhance our Second Lives.

Mesh body hair layer from SJ Thursday

The benefits of mesh avatars often outweighs the costs for those who love a muscular look. A quality modeler can create a mesh avatar like "Bruce" (seen above) with muscles that have lifelike dimensions, rather than those painted onto skins to define our standard avatars. From head to toe, Bruce's details more closely resemble those of a real life muscle man. The fit of clothes designed for the L'Uomo mesh avatars is tighter, fitting to the avatar, rather than hanging off it as so many other mesh designs seem to do. Designers such as SJ Thursday, Georgette, RGDW, and Omega Man create high-quality, sexy clothing designed solely for these avatars.

Black and White and Fascinating All Over

The fascination of Second Life is usually its three-dimensional quality. The ability to pass through a 3-D environment and interact with objects that are textured and shaded to enhance that quality, to make it as life-like as possible, is perhaps the defining feature of the experience of being in SL. What, then, do we make of a sim constructed to the polar opposite of those factors?

This is *C i c a*, the latest Linden Endowment for the Arts installation. It is (apparently) a two-dimensional environment, void of color or significant texture, and peopled by stick figures.

The simple black-line environment is utterly charming. Trees and flowers sway in the breeze, the stick figures interact with each other and their surroundings, and surprising emotion is evoked through the simplicity of the design.

I joined a stick-fisherman on a bridge for a while, looking out over the landscape. It was an odd experience to feel so fully human in SL; the obviously hand-drawn nature of the surroundings made my virtual representative feel less like pixels, having more in common with the line drawings around him than with his operator, and more like flesh and blood.

* C i c a * is an enchanting installation and artist Cica Ghost has created a wonderful venue to either pass through or linger in contemplation.