Here are my personal highlights from the first day of SL8B.

Bears!

The Lindens aren’t the only ones producing celebratory bears: Winter Ventura has been making them since 2009, covering major celebrations and holidays from around the world. It was a delight to learn she has them all at SL8B, including her newest editions – one of which has a particular link to some of my more … eclectic … interests. Can you guess which one?

Roller coaster

The NYHealthscape roller coaster – the ride still turfs you into the water when you get back to the station, but less violently than I experienced; and it is worth it for the ride. Just don’t forget there is a serious side to the exhibit.

Grace O’Clock

I finished what had been a lightweight visit to SL8B due to other commitments in the only way possible: listening to Grace McDunnough for a wonderful session of Grace O’Clock.

Grace is one of those amazing talents that bring so much to Second Life; her music is, like her blog, thought provoking and immensely enjoyable. Truth be told, I get to hear her all too rarely (although I’m a keen follower of Phasing Grace. Seeing her at SL8B, therefore, was the perfect way to round-out a day that had been so very mixed, with a definite high note.

As usual Grace presented a range of songs that were both entertaining and strongly emotive, drawing-in her audience for a solid hour, during which time I was able to introduce my friend CS to her music, and catch sight of a few familiar names also attending the set.

Also in attendance was the inimitable and incorrigible Mr. Carp Mariner – himself one of those aforementioned talents, whom I still love for bringing us the Death of Vinnie Linden – a deliciously clever parody.

As one might suspect, Crap was in something of a satirical  / mischievous mood, appearing in a part of his own exhibit at SL8B. Having watched Game of Thrones earlier this evening, I couldn’t help but dub him the Hand of Second Life. And now I’ve seen the hand, I will have to find his entire exhibit – look for pictures here!

But in the meantime, back to Grace. If you’d like to know more about Grace’s music, take a look (and a listen) at her music website. All-in-all couldn’t have asked for a better end to the day other than by spending an hour listening to her.