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.