Eddi & Ryce Photograph Second Life

Great Second Life Destinations: Gorgeous Light Over Maderia Springs

2019-03-03T01:02:00.001-05:00

There is no better way to celebrate the arrival of Northern Hemisphere Springtime in three weeks time than to visit the gorgeous soft landscape of Maderia Springs. Designer Thaihiti Baroque did a masterful job of weaving together disparate elements in a landscape that appears to be far larger than a single homestead region. Although I used some custom Windlight photographic settings in these images. the standard light programmed in this region will dive the visitor just the right amount of warm light for brilliant springtime landscape photography.

Your taxi to this highly recommended destination:

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maderia%20Springs/169/133/20

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of Maderia Springs over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/topic/second-life-destinations?q=Maderia+Springs

I used the following Windlight Settings used for these images:

Sky: (SS) Atmospheric 14:00b
Water: Glassy

Link to Maderia Springs Flickr Pool:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/maderia_springs/pool/

Link to Maderia Springs designer Thaihiti Baroque's Flickr Photostream:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/thaihiti_baroque/

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

For more photography from this destination head over to Ryce's blog:

https://ryceskytower.blogspot.com/2019/03/second-life-travels-ryce-visits-maderia.html

I used a soft gold reflective setting with DXO's Color Efex Pro Software when processing these images.

Congratuations to Ben Aquila for Reaching One Million Blog Views!

2019-02-23T23:30:00.000-05:00

Congratulation are in order for Ben Aquila for reaching one million views with his excellent blog, benjaaquila.com.

Ben started publishing his blog a little over six years ago in January 2013. His blog now focuses on political issues, and LGBT news and rights, and other topics which interest his readers. Ben has quite a large international following, and covers stories often overlooked by the mainstream news media.

If you have not checked out Benja's blog, make sure to do so:

http://www.benjaaquila.com/

Congratulations Ben!

Great Second Life Destinations: A Clear Winter's Day At Maison de L'amitie

2019-01-04T00:51:00.000-05:00

Maison de L'amitié, or House of Friendship offers a dramatically rich landscape. Gently falling white snow realistically drifts on the land to good effect. Just the right number of softly lit pines with strings of white lights work so well here. The monochromatic approach to landscape design and decorating makes this standard parcel seem far bigger far bigger than it actually is. This is a spectacular winter landscape, and a highlight of the current winter season.

Your taxi to this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Orchid/181/162/22

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of Maison de L'amitie over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=Maison+de+L%27amitie

Windlight Settings used for these images:

Sky: Riverrock Night
Water: Phototools- Breakwave Building Water

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

See my photography from this destination in the autumn of 2016 here:

https://www.eddihaskell.com/2016/10/great-second-life-destinations-twilight.html

Bon Nadal from Ben and Ryce

2018-12-23T21:39:00.001-05:00

Bon Nadal = Merry Christmas in Catalan in case you are wondering.

Great Second Life Destinations: The Forest- Winter Wonderland

2018-12-12T22:58:00.000-05:00

Gorgeous twinkling lights, a working streetcar system and ski lift, and merry moving reindeer and assorted wildlife creatures make The Forest a charmingly irresistible destination to visit this winter holiday season. I particularly liked the simple charm of this destination. Every vista turn revealed a new surprise, whether it was a harvest moon or twinkling northern lights. I highly recommend a visit.

Your taxi:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Misty/27/201/3604

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of The Forest over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=the+forest+winter+wonderland

Links:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/theforestsl/

Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2955061@N24/

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

All photography is taken using actual Windlight water and sky settings programmed at the destination. I applied a soft gold finish to the photography using Nik Photographic Color Effects in post-processing.

Great Second Life Destinations: A Silvery Winter's Night Settles Upon Snow Falls in Hrodas Fen

2018-11-24T02:02:00.000-05:00

I begin my coverage of 2018 Holiday Season Winter Photography at Summer Falls located located at the Hrodas Fen Homestead Region. Although the architecture at Elyjia Baxton's and Brayan Friller's had a North American feel, I was reminded of the fjords of Norway on my recent visit. The interplay of blue light and rolling coastal mist rolling into mountain-lined waterways makes this destination a true work of art.

To visit this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hrodas%20Fen/84/127/24

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=snow+falls+hrodas

Snow Falls has a Flickr Group:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/4552400@N20/

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

All photography is taken using actual Windlight water and sky settings programmed at the destination.

Great Second Life Destinations: Cooler Weather Arrives At Kekeland & BarDeco

2018-10-19T01:38:00.000-04:00

Kekeland is a charming Italian seaside village. An arrival lane on a hillside leads into a square and residential courtyards - all fronting a craggy shoreline. A lighthouse and assorted watercraft add to the oceanfront charm. There is great charm and late 20th century design here, with both European Continental and Americana inspired design featured. This is a gorgeous destination and one that I highly recommend for anyone interested in learning how to pack a maximum amount of design in limited space.

Here is the SLURL to this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Saint%20Martin/133/162/31

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=kekeland

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Photographic Information:

All photography was taken using the water and sky Windlight settings programmed at the destination with some silver tone post finish reflective processing.

Flickr Groups:

Kekeland: https://www.flickr.com/groups/kekeland/pool/

Bar Deco: https://www.flickr.com/groups/2678600@N21/pool/

You can see my photography from Kekeland in 2016 here:

https://www.eddihaskell.com/2016/07/great-second-life-destinations-kekeland.html?zx=e0218fc90d409e01

For other Autumn 20018 Photography:

Dagger Bay: https://www.eddihaskell.com/2018/10/great-second-life-destinations-bruges.html

Frog Hollow: https://www.eddihaskell.com/2018/10/great-second-life-destinations-frog.html

Zone One: https://www.eddihaskell.com/2018/10/great-second-life-destinations-autumn.html

Jacobs Pond: https://www.eddihaskell.com/2018/09/great-second-life-destinations-autumn.html

Great Second Life Destinations: Bruges In Autumn at Dagger Bay

2018-10-15T22:32:00.000-04:00

Bruges, the medieval capital of west Flanders in Belgium, was one of the most important cities in the world from the 12th to the 15th centuries. The city stopped growing in the 16th century and went into a period of genteel decline. However, its gorgeous canals, churches, bell towers, and bricklined squares make it an incomparable if less known destination in Europe for many North American tourists.

Second Life's Dagger Bay is quite simply one of the best designed two sims on the grid. Textures and shapes blend together perfectly with the interplay of water and light -- taking advantage of dense virtual foliage and delicate interior detail. I found this to be one of the best autumnal sims anywhere in Second Life.

To visit this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dagger%20Bay/101/236/24

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=dagger+bay

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Photographic Information:

Windlight Sky Setting: [TOR] MIDDAY - Baskaholic

Windlight Water Setting: SPARKLING DEPTHS

Great Second Life Destinations: Frog Hollow - An Autumnal Masterpiece on an 8176 Parcel Must Be Visited

2018-10-09T01:59:00.000-04:00

Frog Hollow is a masterpiece in economical landscape design. Stella Mahogany has simply performed a miracle on an 8176 parcel. Every square meter of this parcel is a joy to behold -- and no prim, no corner, no view has gone to waste. Frog Hollow simply has to be visited right now in its autumnal glory, so make sure to visit before the landscape turns to early winter snow. Get over here now.

To visit this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Blue%20Nile/6/219/22

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=Frog+Hollow

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Frog Hollow has a Flickr Group:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/3153481@N24/

Photography and Windlight Information:

I used Windlight Sky Setting Annan Adored Morning Dream in these images. I brought out red and orange autumnal hues in post processing with photographic image filters.

In case your viewer does not automatically this Windlight Setting as an option in Advanced Environmental Editor, you can ad this by downloading a Zip File from this location and adding the setting to your Windlight folder. Instructions are carried on the home page of the link:

https://interstylefashion.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/my-windlight-settings-2013/

Great Second Life Destinations: Autumn arrives at Zone One, Stargazer Galaxy

2018-10-04T03:57:00.000-04:00

Zone One is the location of Ohemo and Soul Identity mainstores and also open for gorgeous autumnal landscape photography. Designer Lam Erin has constructed a landscape that is rustic and open, using rust and copper colored oaks, birch, ashes and maples at the height of mid October fiery foliage brilliance. Make sure to peek inside the interiors of some of the homes, and also look at the nautical coastal areas beyond the bends to check out the detail that makes Zone One such a delight.

To visit this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Stargazer%20Galaxy/123/125/24

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=Zone+One%2C++Stargazer+Galaxy%2C+

Lam Erin's Flickr Photostream:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126703837@N02/

Windlight Photography Information:

Sky Setting: TOR Midday Nostalgika

Water Setting: NB Sparkling Depths

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Great Second Life Destinations: Autumn Arrives at Jacobs Pond

2018-09-30T03:17:00.001-04:00

The Pines at Jacobs Pond changes with the four seasons into unique North American environments. The current rendition is that of a country village right at the beginning of the fall foliage season. . Shops and straight country lanes yield store signs and charming vistas. This is a great place to hang out and enjoy the glorious sunshine of Indian Summer before colder rains and snow arrive in the Northern Hemisphere.

To visit this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jacob/113/93/21

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=The+Pines+at+Jacobs+Pond

See more of my coverage of more great Second Life destinations (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

To see how this destination looked in the autumn of 2016 in a different light setting:

https://www.eddihaskell.com/2016/10/great-second-life-destinations-pines-at.html

Windlight Photography Information:

Sky Setting: Fine Day (standard in Firestorm and other viewers)

Water Setting: Destination

Check out Scoop It! Second Life Destinations for more great destinations:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

See more of my coverage of more great Second Life destinations (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Saturday's Memorial of NakedCarl Paneer - From Bock McMillan's Blog

2018-09-23T13:46:00.001-04:00

Photography of NakedCarl Paneer's Memorial Service by Bock McMillan

Carl Gee, aka Blogger NakedCarl Paneer was remember by his friends at a warm and moving memorial service yesterday at Viper Isles yesterday.

Over 49,000 Linden was raised for various real life charities that NakedCarl supported at a dance party after the event.

Ryce Skytower was one of the speakers at the event.

From Bock's Blog:

"Let anyone who says anything negative about Second Life be answered with "Yes, but you did not know NakedCarl Paneer." And may all of us hope that all virtual worlds in the future be fortunate enough to have their own NakedCarl to let sunlight shine in all parts of the electronic universe." (Ryce Skytower at NakedCarl's memorial service, 9/22/2018)

For more coverage of the event and more photography please head over to Bock's Blog:

https://bocksl.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-memorial-of-nakedcarl-paneer.html

NakedCarl Paneer Memorial Service Information --- Set For Saturday, September 22 @ 12:00 Noon SLT

2018-09-21T11:54:00.001-04:00

As many of you already know, our great friend, fellow blogger NakedCarl Paneer, passed away this week. His memorial service is set for tomorrow, Saturday, September 22, at Viper Isles, and will begin at 12:00 Noon SLT. A Charity Fundraiser and Celebration of Life Party will follow.

The location will be open one hour early -- at 11:00 a.m. -- for arrivals.

Here is the landing area:

SLURL:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Viper%20Isles/107/83/4027

-------

DJ Ez Mirabella has sent the following message to everyone who will be attending the service-

PLEASE!!! Remove any and all huds (Vampire Huds etc) and scripts you have to avoid any possible lag issues during the event while on the sim we do expect a large number of people and the less lag we have the better it is. for anyone here to pay their respects.

As you arrive at the Landing Point we ask you take your time to walk down to the service site, you will see pictures of about Naked Carl Paneer some done by himself, Others by Markarius Viper and Bock Macmillan. These pictures will block you at a few points from going the wrong way and direct you down the hill to the service site

These pictures will give you and others the time to look through Carl's life in Second Life and the amazing journey he had.

Carl passed away on what would have been his 8th Rez Day in SL and I am sure there are many people around the Gay Grid who have come to know and meet him during his life here. During the service, you will hear some of the many things about this many and his life he was proud of outside of SL. So there is more for you to read and see.

Please don't TP down or take a TP from a friend.

When you get to the service area there will be a short walk to the seating, but just before the seating, there is a guestbook you can sign and leave a few words or comments. Carl's Real Life Family have selected the charity of choice for them is the SOMC HOSPICE, the Southern Ohio Medical Hospice, You can support this charity by depositing some lindens into the donation. Or after the service at the fundraiser party to follow all DJ tips on the 22nd will go to the above-named charity.

Thank You In Advance

Mourning the Passing of Blogger NakedCarl

2018-09-20T16:38:00.002-04:00

Our good friend, blogger NakedCarl passed away on Sunday, September 16.

He will be missed by many good friends.

For more information read the post over at Bock McMillan's blog.

I Am Revising My Prior Report. The New Firestorm Viewer Is Stable.

2018-09-11T12:34:00.001-04:00

In a prior post, I expressed some reservations on the new version of the Firestorm Viewer.

I can now report that after six weeks of usage the new viewer is stable. You can install it without recommendations.

Benja and I both thought that the new viewer was somewhat slow when rendering complex landscapes compared with prior versions, but has some advanced features you can read about over at Inara Pey's Blog. We use very different graphic settings on Intel devices, AMD and Apple users may have different experiences.

Benja and I both do clean installs -- something mandatory whenever upgrading viewers due to increasing application complexity.

You can download the new Firestorm viewer, version 5.1.7.55786 at the Firestorm download page:

http://www.firestormviewer.org/downloads/

My Recommendation on the New Firestorm Viewer -- Proceed with Caution

2018-07-27T23:36:00.000-04:00

I installed the new Firestorm Viewer last night - the recommended upgrade.

I installed the Windows 64 bit version for Second Life only.

I did a clean install.

My system would be considered "high end" by many - it is an Intel I7 based custom gaming computer running an NVDIA 970 graphics card. I run my graphics setting at the level right before Ultra.

Here are two initial caveats -

1. I crashed tonight. This is the first time I have crashed in Second Life in about two years.

I was with Benja on our sim and he had no problems, and has not upgraded, so the problem was not a sim crash. I also had internet connectivity at the time - a sudden connection loss (always a problem in Florida summer thunderstorms) was not the issue.

I will be going back and doing another install if this problem continues.

2. My cloud TGA files (in Windstorm Optional Preferences) may not be rendering properly. These are for the optional cloud versions that may be selected. I need to check this, and this could be a problem with the new install and conflicting files.

I have a second computer, a new Acer Laptop running an Intel I3 chip that I usually run at high graphics settings that I have not upgraded yet. I am going to hold off for now.

---
The new upgrade does seem faster, but the crash is concerning. I will let you know if the problem continues.

Great Second Life Destinations: SALT by Eliza Wierwight at LEA 7

2018-07-09T05:57:00.001-04:00

Eliza Wierwight's "salt" art installation up for viewing at LEA (Linden Endowment for the Arts) 7 invites the viewer to view the immersive work "as experiencing-dining from a pre-set menu of somewhat unpalatable stories & truths". A more detailed statement on salt can be found on her mission statement on the LEA blog link given below. This is a gorgeous and amazingly well designed work that is one of the highlights on the LEA series of exhibits this calendar year and should be mandatory viewing for anyone who appreciates great virtual art.

http://lindenarts.blogspot.com/2018/06/lea7-salt-eliza-wierwight.html

To visit this highly recommended art installation:
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA7/12/146/27

For other reviews of salt at LEA 7:
https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=Salt+-+LEA+7

All photography was taken with the recommended light settings used at the destinations in ultra environmental light and processed with a pale gold reflex film effect to bring out three dimensional natural elements of the constructive elements.

For more information on LEA (Linden Endowment for the Arts):
http://lindenarts.blogspot.com/

Looking for more places to visit?

To see more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):
http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It Second Life Destinations for more great places to photograph:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Great Second Life Destinations: Cape Florida Lighthouse and State Park

2018-06-18T03:05:00.000-04:00

Cape Florida Lighthouse and State Park is a highly realistic virtualization of the nearly 200 year old lighthouse in Miamis Bill Bagg's State Park, which is located on the south side of famous Key Biscayne. The Second Life destination really struck men as one of the most true to scale and realistic, and frankly most relaxing depictions of the native Florida Coast --- the parts that are a bit away from such crowded and trendy areas such as Key West, or South Beach. but still well tended and very picturesque.

Key Biscayne Island where Cape Florida is Located, San Marco and Sanibel Island on the West Coast, and Delray Beach in Palm Beach County and Singer Island a bit north come to mind as well tended and private areas with great food and levels of serves that can march the images set here.

To visit this highly recommended destination:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wildspire/73/127/22

A photography contest is starting in June 2018 for best depictions of the sim. You can find information about the contest at the above arrival area.

For other blogs about Cape Florida Lighthouse and State Park check out Scoop It Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=cape+florida+lighthouse

Cape Florida has a Flickr Group:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/3170381@N23/

To find out more about the history of the lighthouse at Cape Florida:

http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=360

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

To see these images in a silverplate black and white variation check out Ryce Skytower's blog:

https://ryceskytower.blogspot.com/2018/06/great-second-life-destinations-cape.html

Great Second Life Destinations: The South Sea Islands Beckon at The Lost Lagoon

2018-05-13T07:33:00.001-04:00

Eddi & Ryce Photograph Second Life returns after a six month hiatus with a visit to the lush tropical Lost Lagoon. This island has to be one of the most evocative of the South Seas in Second Life. Ryce Skytower tried out various poses and positions available through the wide range of photographic props available for singles and couples.

To visit this highly recommended destination:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sea%20Starr/201/83/22

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=lost+lagoon

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):
http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Great Second Life Destinations: State Celebrating the Season at Kylie Jaxxon's Holiday Trace

2017-11-30T07:59:00.000-05:00

The fresh snows and holiday lights of early Winter are a very short season in Second Life -- with Spring coming early to most destinations in mid-January. Although there is no snow where I live in South Florida, and very little in the way of below 77 degree (25 celsius) temperature at any time, I can celebrate my love of winter snows at classic Second Life destinations, including Kylie Jaxxon's new Holiday Trace.

Kylie has a deft touch with landscaping and village placement that is entirely natural and not exaggerated -- you get a sense of being at an actual real world location here that is missing from many other Second Life destinations.

You can visit the Holiday Trace here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Secret%20Charm/193/96/21

You can check out more blog postings and reviews of this destination over at Scoop it! Destinations:
https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=holiday+trace+secret+charm

You can see my photography for the Winter Trace in prior years:

Winter Trace 2016:
http://www.eddihaskell.com/2016/11/great-second-life-destinations-silver.html

Winter Ttace 2015:
http://www.eddihaskell.com/2015/12/great-second-life-winter-destinations_27.html

The Trace has a Flickr Group:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/thetrace/pool/

Kylie Jaxxon's Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76614164@N02/

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It Second Life Destinations for more great places to photograph:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

The Second Life Winter 2017/18 Destination Guide, including sims decorated for the Holiday Season, can be found here. The number should approach 100 destinations by the end of December, 2017:

http://secondlife.com/destinations/winter

All photography was done with the regional light setting and a silver reflective light effect with indian summer highlights over at Google's Color Efex Software which is available as a post-process free download and which I wrote about there:

http://www.eddihaskell.com/2016/03/eddis-hot-computing-tip-google-nik.html

Sansar Explorations - Mario2 Helstein's Mesmerizing M2D Organic

2017-11-22T03:06:00.000-05:00

Mario2 Helstein's Light Thoughts multimedia installations ran in Second Life from 2015 - 2017 and were some of the most imaginative artworks ever created for virtual reality. When I visit Linden Lab's new virtual reality platform, Sansar, now in open beta, I noticed that Mario had two destinations open for inspection.

M2D Organic, which I photograph here, is billed as "A World of Shapes and Light". This is a hypnotic and almost frightening work - static, and glowing with strange otherworldly lights. Part of the installation seems "dead" -- as it it is some poisoned coral reef that has given up its life to an alien interstellar pollution.

There is a video on Youtube showing M2D Organic on Mario's channel. Make sure to hear the sound effects when you watch the video -- they are key to the mood effects.

https://youtu.be/NNV2D32e5ns

Mario has another destination open for visiting in Sansar, M2D The Border, which has a rather foreboding subtext description "When death imitates life". There is a video up on Youtube showing the installation. I am not sure how long the destination will be available for visiting since it has a Halloween season (October 31) theme:

https://youtu.be/YkFPWELZvos

You can sign up for and visit Linden Lab's Sansar, which is in Creator Beta stage, and open to all Windows users who can meet the minimum system requirements here. See my note on my own system below.

https://www.sansar.com/

You can catch historic reviews of Mario2 Helstein's Second Life works in Scoop It! Destinations:

https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=mario2

Mario has a Facebook Page. You can keep up on his happenings here:

https://www.facebook.com/Mario2-Helstein-497372093626367/

I showed some images from the Sansar Nasa Museum (without any explanatory text) in September:

http://www.eddihaskell.com/2017/09/some-early-investigations-of-sansar.html

Check out Scoop It Second Life Destinations for more great places to photograph:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Note: You do not need a headset or full featured gaming controls to visit this new virtual reality platform. I do not a VR headset, My desktop system is as follows and works adequately (although slow) for Sansar

Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel i7 6700
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 970
Memory: 16 GB + 480 GB SSD

Great Second Life Destinations: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

2017-11-16T17:56:00.000-05:00

All I can say about the highly interactive Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at Far Island is Wow, Incredible, and Amazing! The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will be held next Thursday in New York City is an annual tradition that dates back to 1924 - and ends up at Macy's Department Store on 34th Street at Herald Square in New York City. Floats, marching bands, huge balloons, singling celebrities, and Santa Claus himself always are part of every parade -- and the Second Life version is no exception.

You can see Ryce taking part in the parade here -- which anyone can do by following directions and clicking on parade floats and balloons. Ryce rides as Grand Marshall, as a Pilgrim on the Mayflower, and with Kermit the Frog in the first three photographs. Make sure to turn your media up to hear music connected with each float and marching band as they pass by.

There are many temporary rezzers up which may slow your experience, so be patient. The parade is more than worth it. Ice Skating is available under the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center around the corner. Please consider donating to help with the maintenance costs of the New York experience.

To visit this highly recommended and incredibly fun destination, exit the arrival area and look for the floats and flying balloons.

Your Taxi:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Far%20Island/72/205/700

SL Newser-Design has a comprehensive article about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

http://slnewserdesign.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade.html

I used Windlight sky setting [TOR] MIDDAY - Nostalgika in these images, which I favor for its warm golden light and clear skies. Nostalgika comes as an option in the Firestorm Viewer.

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):

http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It Second Life Destinations for more great places to photograph:

http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Major Article on Second Life Just Published in Atlantic Monthly Magazine

2017-11-14T14:32:00.002-05:00

The article is not entirely positive -- and it strangely does not mention Sansar (at least I did not catch it at first glance). However, Atlantic Monthly, a major United State print publication has run a large feature on Second Life in the December 2017 Print and Online Issue. You can catch it here:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/12/second-life-leslie-jamison/544149/

Great Second Life Destinations: The Haunted Halloween Tour

2017-10-27T22:25:00.001-04:00

The Haunted Halloween Tour is an incredibly gruesome ride which is available to all Second Lifer's. It is a gruesome and frightening ride, and a bit nauseating -- unless you find cut up and bloody human limbs getting ready to enter a giant sausage grinder appealing . Hot dogs anyone? And guess what -- you too are meat filler on this ride! Flying axes will try to cut your throat when you are encased on the coffins that serve as ride carts.

Once you arrive at the portal, at this SLURL, move through the lighted orange entry and board the coffin to begin your nauseating journey:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%201/114/48/54

See more Second Life haunted destinations at the Destination Guide:
http://secondlife.com/destinations/haunted

See more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):
http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It Second Life Destinations for more great places to photograph:
http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations

Great Second Life Destinations: Late October Beckons at Whimberly

2017-10-18T11:13:00.000-04:00

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.

Autumn, by Emily Dickinson, 19th Century Massachusetts Poet

Whimberly is gorgeous is the late October sunlight.

To visit this highly recommended destination:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whimberly/149/196/27

See more blog coverage and photography from Whimberly at SL Destinations:
http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations?q=whimberly

Whimberly has a Flickr Group:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/3216736@N25/

I used Windlight Sky Setting [TOR] MIDDAY - Baskaholic to get a warm golden light and antique burnished glow in these images. This advanced environmental effect comes standard in Firestorm and some other viewers.

Whimberly designer Staubi (engelsstaub) has a fashion blog:
http://staubissecondlifeblog.blogspot.de/

To see more of my coverage of great destinations to visit in Second Life (scroll down):
http://www.eddihaskell.com/search/label/Second%20Life%20Destinations

Check out Scoop It Second Life Destinations for more great places to photograph:
http://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-destinations