World Aids Day 2008 Karuna

This blog entry is out of sequence and not part of my continent tour. Today is World Aids Day and it is the day that a site in SL at Karuna opens. (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Karuna/180/149/23 ). Words don't do this justice. It combines memorials, education, place to be with many many features including very discrete but touching stories. A must visit and today a must remember.

This is the dawning of the age : Club Aquarius

Ok nice to see some diversity :) As usual clubs are closed when I visit but the schedule gives clues ... Tuesday Furry and Neko night ... Wednesday ... Futa and Shemale night (what is a Futa ... and do I really want to know?) .. Thursday ... Female Muscle Body Night. Welcome to Club Aquarius (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Baechu/193/167/79). And it is nice to see places that welcome other forms. In SL the beautiful model like human form dominates and some places even exercise a kind of discrimination by banning those that choose non human avi forms. Lol maybe one day we will see a Neko president ;)

Awed again: Lilipily

I keep getting awed by the care and love that has gone into some builds and it's a little sad that I'm here on a UK Saturday evening and they are deserted. There is a complex of really nice dance places, romantic settings, jewelry shops in the Lilypily complex (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Omurice/94/202/46) It's just so sad that it's so quiet. Must have been a helluva place in its heyday

Welcome to our world : Starshine Dance and Gardens

Next stop was a sim where an SL couple have apparently opened up their house and gardens for visitors to enjoy, Starshine Dance and Gardens Ballroom (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gimchi/230/158/28). I must admit I like the music I heard played but then I'm ancient ;) Felt a bit strange being in someone's house though even if they put signs up saying "won't you come on in". It's a shame the hosts weren't around for a chat.

Widdle Twains and Cute Stuff: Doobie Doobie Doo

Next a shop selling stuff for kids (and parents). Maybe I dont understand mainstream SL but I thought all the real kids were away on Teen SL so who the heck is in mainland SL as a kid? Anyway if you have a happy little family with your little role playing kids then you can buy them jolly things to play with. Alternately you can buy yourself some toys at Doobie Doobie Doo (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caeshu/220/54/42).

Lord won't you give me .... : Lord CHurch land

Ok it takes all kinds and the world is a wondrous and diverse place. So if you want to make your own virtual place of worship hey why not. I have to admit to not being totally comfortable. It's a while since I stepped into a RL chapel but they have always been either quiet places of contemplation or full of friendly welcoming people. I don't get what Lord CHurch land (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caeshu/38/3/53) is all about and I have to admit being too chicken to ask. I sat in quiet contemplation for a little while then made the sign of the cross and left. Finally had a look at the box thing. Holy camping? Blessed are the patient for they shall make $2L per 15 minutes.

Hearts, Hearts Glorious Hearts: realMoM Usenet Jungle

You know once in a while in SL you have one of those random encounters that turns out to be truly magical. And it is never where you expect it. So I spotted an event marker nearby on the map with a couple of green dots nearby. This led me to drop into realMom Usenet Jungle (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Moolbora/36/215/57). Taking a quick look there was a lot of information in German. I later found that this sim is sponsored by realmom a usenet site. I'm kind of learning though to say hi to people even when the surroundings are maybe not what you would normally choose and even if their avatars look different from yours. I'm really glad I did. I had a wonderful blether with a really friendly German guy who explained what the sim was all about. But the thing that was magical was that when I told him I was from near Edinburgh he started typing in lyrics to Heart of Midlothian Football Club (soccer team) supporter songs. This really cracked me up. Go to a virtual world, find a German by accident and he's into the football team I grew up with (I'm originally from Edinburgh). Anyway great chat and I'm going back when they build their aquarium. Total recommend this for a random visit to try something different and meet the friendliest staff so far in the continent.

Wanna See My Weapon: LK&M Weapon

And what role play sim wouldn't be complete without an extensive weapon mall next door. LK&M (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nemo/124/32/54) is a weapon shop. Find your own BFS (Big Sword) or BFG (Gun) complete with exotic name. I was almost tempted by the little black wrist crossbow. Brought back memories of David Gemmell's Waylander books. However, mall overload is kicking in again so time to move on.

Help Me Obi Wan: I Have a Role to Play

Travelling east from Freebie Heaven I came across some interesting looking scenery. Popped down to check it out. And yes it's a role play. Dromund Kaas - Massassi Sith / C (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Soye/82/240/50) is a role play sim. So for starters Elvis had to go temporarily and I donned my Jedi cloak. RPers can get awfully upset if you don't play along with the game :). I'm not really into these but there are a ton in SL if you want to dress up and have fun with friends. In essence there's usually a combat system (for example, DCS 2 is a popular one) that lets you see your health and has all those Dungeons and Dragony attributes. To be honest, I've never really seen the point of RPs in SL (I'd be happy for someone to enlighten me in game by the way). I had a serious World of Warcraft addiction so if I'm go to bash your head, it will probably happen in Counter Strike or WoW. Still all good clean fun (at least if it's a Star Wars role play). I once served some time in a Star Wars role play sim but it was too much like being in the territorials/national guard for me. Lots of training etc. But hats off this sim is small but pretty.

Heaven I'm In Heaven: Freebie Heaven

I saw a pile of green dots on the map and though ok that's a sex joint. But no. Pleasant surprise it was Freebie Heaven http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sooseunhwa/55/98/69. Everyone in Second Life loves free stuff and this is a sim full of it. Loads and Loads. Including a free Evil Bunny Avatar, Star Trek stuff, clothing, vehicles, gadgets, avatars, etc, etc, etc. More etc, etc, etc than the King of Siam.

Post Apocalyptic Poser: 5ifth Order

Sometimes Second Life is like a 3d comic book and I've often seen post apocalyptic and dark urban landscapes while travelling. 5ifth Order http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ahndang/94/80/36 has just that look. It's tougher picking through debris than through a conventional mall/shop sim but I saw poses, shapes, etc all in the Reality Under Siege theme of the sim.

Beasty: Ecstacy Island

Couldn't last could it. I knew that diner was going to be an oasis. So next stop I found is sex. But hey combine the mighty creative powers of SL residents and what do you get? Beast sex. It is worth a look, once, but there are some really funny things like dogs, horses, unicorns, gorillas. SL is an experiment so why not experiment with ur sex? Anyway Ectasy Island http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dongmoon/76/68/500 is up in the sky - no wonder.

Play Trivia: Sharon's Diner

Phew. Not everyone is sex obsessed (well not all the time). I found Sharon's diner http://slurl.com/secondlife/Doldari/107/122/67 which was running a 9am trivia event. Nice soundtrack, nice atmosphere, friendly folks. Just well nice. Especially after the run of hot spots that lie to the north and east. A little oasis of nice.

Lonely, Need Company, Got Lindens? : On Duty

So you're a Linden guy (or girl) with loads of money but no time to socialise. Or you're a talented and beautiful avatar who can't craft, can't sing or play music but you still need to earn a buck. What do you do? Escort of course. Ok so now the problem is do I have to hang out in some sleazy escort club. Hoot no! On Duty http://slurl.com/secondlife/Jeongam/216/197/53 have just the concept for you. How about a free personal organiser penis? Ok maybe I'm over selling it because there's no calculator function but this free penis HUD has a built in advert that shows all the online escorts on the On Duty network so that you can get in touch with one. Might give this a whirl next time I come across a sex sim ;)

I Wanna SexGen Bed: Furniture Adagio

If you haven't seen it check out the avator parody version of the Rockstar song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX6uLlWdxZo. Anyway once you start building your little virtual sky nest you'll be needing a SexGen bed, so welcome to Furniture Adagio http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dongjak/193/169/57. Huge place with a ton of bedrooms, living rooms, and loads of other furniture ... and so far as I can tell no furniture salesmen. Hey if you're into public sex, bring your friend and test drive ;) By the way is it just me finds the name Dongjak funny and fitting for sex gen?

Girls Only: Ladies Night Out

The rather nice guys at Ladies Night Out http://slurl.com/secondlife/Moran/41/166/55 were really friendly to me despite me being a bloke. I couldn't go into club but they did nice pose for me on the stairs. One of my alts has danced for months so you kind of get a sense when a club has a good vibe or not and if I were a lady this place would be an interesting hang out ;)

All in the best possible taste.

You Keep Me Hanging: DeathDealerZMall

Not far away is the delightful DeathDealerZ Mall http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gaori/191/201/34 together with its hanging campers. I won two non transfer dresses from the lucky chairs (wild card round) so I guess I'm set for my sex change. Lotsa girl goth/vamp/emo clothes but as usual tougher to find a guy outfit. The sim backs into what looks like a Wicked Fairy subsidiary store (see earliest post). I'm feeling lonely and missing people. I can see why folks use the search events etc to get to somewhere because it does take a pile of time in the desert walking about.

Wicked SL: Wicked Fairy Lands

Ok so you're bored with regular sex pose balls. What next? Well theres always Second Life's BDSM scene to check out. Came across Wicked Fairy Lands http://slurl.com/secondlife/Jungreung/218/185/58. Its home to the Wicked Fairy Nipple Spreader amongst others. Think I'll pass on that one. Mind you, getting interesting isn't it? Buy your slave then kit her/him out ;)

Be My Slave: Mystical Slave Auctions

The first place that I actually had fun chatting with people and it's a slave auction I think. some shops too. Mystical slave auctions http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hamchorom/235/49/58. No one on sale at the moment and here was me hoping for BOGOF (UK supermarkets do Buy One Get One Free offers and I'm a sucker for them). But hey friendliest northernmost staff/people I've met. If I ever want to be sold as a slave or buy one I'll check it out. Nice medieval touch to the decor too

OMG Sex Piano: Myungsimbogam

Ok so sex beds, sex couches, sex tubs, sex showers. Been there, seen that, done that eh? Ok how many people have seen a sex piano before? Upstairs in that gadget store there's a little room. Like the top rack in the newspapers racks where the 18 stuff lives. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Myungsimbogam/137/196/51. And yes there's a sex piano. Oh grand master tinkle your ivories.