Tag: My SL

Art in the Park: progress to date

Posted on by Inara Pey
The new pavilion at Holly Kai Park
The new pavilion at Holly Kai Park

In the latter half of October, I blogged about taking on a new role in Second Life as curator of the Holly Kai art park. Since then things have been progressing slowly, as I’ve been contacting artists I’d like to see participate in the park’s re-lunch exhibition, and have been working out how best to change things around at the park without undoing all the hard work already put into it.

That said, things have now reached a point where I’m comfortable in revealing progress to date, and to say that all things being equal, the first exhibition will be launching in early December. I’ll be contacting the artists who participating with details on arranges a little later this week, so they’ll have plenty of time to prepare.

For those used to mooring at the park, you’ll find things have changed a lot; there are new slips on both the east and west sides of the park to accommodate more boats coming alongside. Auto-return is set to 60 minutes to allow people time to explore the park, and re-rezzing of boats is allowed.

The moorings on both the east and west sides of the park have been revised to offer more room for boats
The moorings on both the east and west sides of the park have been revised to offer more room for boats

In addition, some tweaks have been made to the beach area behind the west side slips to give a little more room for those simply wishing to spend time on the beach; there’s still more work to be done with this, but it’s not an immediate priority.

Within the park itself, new wooden decks have been installed to offer artists more formal spaces for displaying their work. Most of these are up on the hill in the centre of the park. The park walls connecting the east and west sides have new lighting which should provide soft illumination during the SL night. There’s also a new stone pavilion where visitors are welcome to rest for a while.

The biggest change, however, is on the west side of the park. As well as altering the moorings here, and at Caitlyn’s excellent suggestion, I’ve added a small venue, the Caitinara bar. Over time, this will hopefully become a place for regular music and dancing for smaller groups.

Some of the new deck spaces where artists can more readily display their work, complete with easels for showing their photo / giving their bio
Some of the new deck spaces where artists can more readily display their work, complete with easels for showing their photo / giving their biography and notes on their work

In talking things through, Nber and I have also decided to add a further arts venue to Holly Kai, which will probably be up and running ready for the 2016. Borrowing a leaf from Windlight Magazine’s book, the new Holly Kai Art Garden will be available free of charge for periods of 25 days to any artist who wishes to use it, with both indoor and outdoor display spaces. In addition, those apply to use it will also be able to book either the Pavilion or the Piano Bar for any associated opening / closing events they might wish to hold.

To help manage everything, there will be a new website launching at the time of the first exhibition in the park, and this will include application forms for those wishing to join in the group exhibitions in the park, or who wish to apply to use the new Art Garden.

Caitinara, the bar at Holly Kai
Caitinara, the bar at Holly Kai Park

I’ll have a further update as the work progresses through the rest of November!

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From a forest cabin to a beach house in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Skye Beach House - superb accommodation for Second Life
The Skye Beach House – superb accommodation for Second Life

It’s no secret that I’m an admirer of Alex Bader’s creations in Second Life. I’ve loved his castles since I first encountered one by chance during my travels, and I have a fair few of his landscape and texture sets stuffed into my purse (aka inventory) as well as making a fair amount of use of them on the home island.

One of my favourite items obtained from Alex earlier in the year was his Luxury Forest Cabin, which has been my home since April 2015. It’s an outstanding and stylish design presenting a spacious 2-room living space, fully furnished and packed with detail (and animations) for a land impact of just 55, and a tidy footprint of 23.5 x 21.5 metres. However, as is the way of things in Second Life, it has now been retired to make way for a new house. And guess what? It’s again from Alex.

The Sky Beach House (steps by the pool my addition, using a copy of the original steps supplied)
The Skye Beach House (steps by the pool my addition, using a copy of the original steps supplied)

Truth be told, I’ve been quite taken by the Skye Beach House for a while now, but haven’t had reason to invest in it as I have been very comfortable with the Forest Cabin. However, As a recent encounter has come to be something rather more, the desire to have a new home has grown.

This is a contemporary design with a similar footprint to the Luxury Cabin (24 x 19.5 metres), but benefiting an upper floor to provide a third room. Fully furnished and complete with a swimming pool, the house has an overall land impact of 61, and offers a lot of living space in a compact layout.

Plenty of interior space (sofa, cat and piano not supplied!)
Plenty of interior space (sofa, cat and piano not supplied!)

To cater for beach locations, where the terrain can be uneven, the house and its deck are raised up on legs. This can leave the pool, located at the front of the house, looking like a bit of a brick, but overall, the approach works well and certainly overcame the unevenness of the rock-top location on our little island. Access is via a set of steps leading up to the deck, which has glass railings to two sides and offers a fair amount of space for additional outdoor seating.

Indoors, there is a large lounge which is pre-furnished with armchairs, tables, a dining table and 4 chairs, paintings on the walls, etc. Alongside of this, and up a set of three steps is the second ground floor room which is nominally the bedroom and opens-out onto the pool patio. The third room sits over the lounge and by default comes with armchairs, table and telescope. There are lots of other touches – lighting, picture frames (just drag and drop your own photos), books, etc., which make this a complete out-of-the-rezzer home, while allowing anything to be swapped out as required. A pose system allows for various poses (single and couple) to be used on the deck and on and in the pool

The house atop the island, replacing the Skye Luxury Forest Cabin
The house atop the island, replacing the Skye Luxury Forest Cabin

The house is copy / modify, making any necessary small changes relatively simple. For me, that meant a slight resizing of the pool and the addition of an extra set of steps alongside it to make access to the house easier. Convenience of use also meant shifting the bedroom upstairs, where the balcony also gives a great views of the setting sun :).

As with all of Alex’s work, the attention to detail is exemplary, and the use of materials exquisite; one of the most attractive things about both the Beach House and Forest Cabin is the manner in which the windows naturally “reflect” light, be it sunlight or from a scripted source.

Home sweet home (and note the sunlight reflected in the upper floor windows... I do so like that!)
Home sweet home (and note the sunlight reflected in the upper floor windows… I do so like that!)

All told, this is another fabulous product from Alex Bader, and one we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending.

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A new role in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Holly Kai Park
Holly Kai Park

I’m taking on a new role in Second Life, and I have to admit to being both excited and a little terrified at the prospect. I’m taking over curating art displays at Holly Kai Park in Second Life.

This is a pretty big step for me, moving from art reviewer to outright curator, and I’m also stepping into some pretty big shoes: the arts displays at Holly Kai have been the work of Autumn (AutumnxRain), who worked closely with Nber Medici, the owner of the Holly Kai Estate where the park is located, to bring the art exhibits to the Park, but who has been forced to step aside from Second Life to focus on matters in the physical world. I’m also very flattered that Nber places her trust in me to carry Autumn’s work forward, and to help grow the Park as an arts venue.

Holly Kai Park
Holly Kai Park

Things won’t be happening all at once, however. With Nber’s permission, I hope to make one or two small changes to the Park with the aim of bringing forth the art on display, and am currently in the process of contacting  artists who might be interested in exhibiting at the Park – and there will be more details on this coming soon.

That said, one of the things I hope to achieve is to get Holly Kai Park more widely recognised as an arts venue / destination, so don’t be surprised if I do tend to make mention of it in this blog from time to time 🙂 .

Holly Kai Park - events area
Holly Kai Park – events area

In the meantime, Holly Kai Park is still open to visitors, and any changes made hopefully won’t disrupt things should people opt to drop-in and have a look around. As well as the art currently on display, the park has woodland walks, a sandy cove area, seating area for visitors, moorings for boats (60 minutes for auto-return), and an events area which may also see further use as exhibitions in the Park resume under my stewardship.

If all goes according to plan, I’ll have more news in mid-November; but if I seem at all nervous or distracted in the meantime, now you know why! 🙂 .

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A Baron comes to the castle

Posted on by Inara Pey
The DSA G58 Baron sans floats - my latest light aircraft
The DSA G58 Baron sans floats – my latest light aircraft

So, I’m a bit of an SL aviator, as I’ve blogged in the past. Over the course of the last 12+ months in particular, I’ve become quite partial to DSA aircraft, having both the C90 King Air GTx and the C33 Debonair. I particularly like this make due to the ability to swap between wheel and floats for the landing gear without having to swap the plane in and out of inventory.

As a result of various things, I found myself at the weekend debating whether to add another DSA ‘plane to my collection – and if so, which one. I was caught between the Model 17 Staggerwing biplane, the Spitfire and the G58 Baron. In the end, on Sunday, the latter won out – although the Staggerwing could well be a future acquisition!

No. 1 on the runway at Juneau, about to start rolling ...
No. 1 on the runway at Juneau, about to start rolling …

The G58 is another twin-engined plane, sitting between the Debonair and King Air in size, offering seating for up to 5 avatars + the pilot. It’s a smart-looking, clear design which hasn’t really aged over the decades, and comes supplied in DSA’s usual offering of the default black / red / white Beechcraft colours. Having converted to using VetronUK’s paint and scripting options my ‘planes, I also grabbed a paint pack and Vetron’s float rocking and enhanced lighting scripts for the Baron.

Vetron paint kits are simple to use; drop a script into the plane, wear the HUD, click a button to add the paint scheme, then use the Advanced option to add materials to various surfaces, and add any other options supplied with the kit (the Debonair paint kits, for example, allow you to re-texture the cockpit dash with a new set of controls, while the King Air’s kit allows you to switch between the C90 and C90 GTx variants). A full set of maps are supplied full perm with each kit, making customising them easy.

The cabin obviously isn't as expansive or plush as the King Air, but seats up to four in the back
The cabin obviously isn’t as expansive or plush as the King Air, but seats up to four in the back

For the Baron’s paint scheme, I didn’t stray too far from that supplied by the kit: just some small tweaks, the addition of my own registration and familiar monogram, plus a little work on the floats so that they better matched the rest of the ‘plane.

The enhanced lights and rocking scripts (L$25 each) simply drop into the ‘plane (make sure you purchase the scripts designed for your aircraft). The lighting script greatly enhances the aircraft’s nav, strobe and landing lights, while the rocking script is Linden Water sensing, and when on water with the floats deployed, adds a rocking motion to the aircraft as well as the sound of water lapping against the floats, etc. When on land, the rocking ceases (although I’ve found the sound continues to loop).

If you’ve flown any DSA ‘plane, you’ll know how the Baron handles: very well. The HUD is the usual DSA offering and works exactly as expected. In addition, the Baron share’s the Debonair / Bonanza engine sounds (and, indeed, paint templates). Once in the air and trimmed, with the yoke set to wide, the Baron is again great fun and graceful. It handles region crossings with the usual DSA aplomb and accepts aerobatics well, if you’re so inclined, and perhaps with a little more grace than the King Air.

The Baron (front) and the King Air in their "matching outfits") largely based on VetronUK paint kits
The Baron (front) and the King Air in their “matching outfits” utilising VetronUK paint kits

In buying the Baron, I had it in mind to maybe swap it with the King Air as my main twin-engined ‘plane, and then perhaps swapping the Deb for the Staggerwing. However, with only 7 LI difference between the Deb (39) and the Baron (46), I ended up retiring the Deb to inventory instead. Plus, I simply adore the King Air, so I also gave it a new Vetron paint finish, again with my own small touches, so it and the Baron share similar designs. Sort of her-and-her outfits, you might say 🙂 .

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A cruise ship, a gathering and a mole with a wand in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
A short notice announcement of a get-together aboard the SS Galaxy marks her official return to Second Life
A short notice announcement of a get-together aboard the SS Galaxy marks her official return to Second Life

The invitation was somewhat low-key, and the date subsequently changed from the scheduled September 1st, for Reasons Unknown (well, at least to me!), but the message did get through:

Join us in-world at the newly re-opened SS Galaxy and explore the decks of this historic Second Life cruise ship! We’re meeting up near the pool, and will be taking pics and enjoying a little casual relaxation time! See you there!

I would actually have been none the wiser of the event, had it not been for Vick Forcella whispering in my ear via IM  – he is ever the gentleman! But, as the message was received, and despite the need to be in several places at once (Happy anniversary, Firestorm! Sorry I missed it!), I hopped over the Galaxy to sea  what was going on (see what I did there?).

I’d been fortunate enough to cover the return of the SS Galaxy to Second Life waters ahead of any official opening after Frost Mole kindly pinged me about the ongoing work aboard the ship and invited me for a look around as she sits at her new location, just off the Honah Lee estate south of Blake Sea. However, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to mark her “official” return to our waters.

Given this was the first time a crowd had been aboard the Galaxy since the commencement of her refit, Vick and I undertook took it upon ourselves, and purely in the interests of our fellow passengers' safety - to test the poolside bar
Given this was the first time a crowd had been aboard the Galaxy since the commencement of her refit, Vick and I  took it upon ourselves, and purely in the interests of our fellow passengers’ safety – to test the poolside bar as Frost and Xiola arrived

On arrival, I found Vick to already be there and – where else?  – at the poolside bar. Climbing the steps, I demanded that as he was the barman, he pour me a drink – only to discover I was actually standing behind the bar and so should rightfully be serving *coughs*. Following an embarrassed silence broken only by my attempted soft shoe shuffle (you try being quiet when in heels on a wooden deck) to a bar stools, Vick graciously handed me a drink without commenting on my faux pas. (see, I said he was a gentleman).

Abnor Mole takes in the sun while Frost Mole enjoys people enjoying the fruits of her labour
Abnor Mole takes in the sun while Frost Mole enjoys people enjoying the fruits of her labour

Fortunately, folk quickly began to arrive, including several Lindens – Patch, Keira, Dee, Guy, Xiola, Shaman, together with moles, and a celebratory mood quickly ensued – helped, no doubt by the hourly firework display going off as well. In short order, people were enjoying the pool (some fully clothed!), wandering the decks, admiring the view or … propping up the bar.

The conversation was soon full and flowing, Shaman took over bar duties, Keira found a sun lounger and Abnor Mole followed suit, Patch dodged cameras and Xiola and I talked chocolate. Then the buffalo arrived.

“What on earth are buffalo doing on board a cruise ship?” you might well ask. I know I did. Problem was, I was too distracted by the sudden onset of a fish shower and then being struck in the small of the back by a large, speeding train…

No, we weren’t hit by a griefing attack; merely a mole (in the form of Michael Linden) with a wand (and a fit of the giggles). Not just any wand, mark you, but a Starax wand. What’s more, it transpired that Shaman had been slipping him cocktails – a mix of (and I quote) “scotch, scotch, scotch… and, oh, scotch!”

Thus the pandemonium rolled on, amidst further gleeful (and high-pitched) giggles of a furry variety. At least until the word “water!” was uttered by said wand wielder …

“Water!” a certain wand-wielder proclaimed. Then rather wished he hadn’t, having forgotten to scamper out-of-the-way as the giant faucet, in full flow, materialised over him…

After that, things quieted down (well, a little!) as Michael was handed a towel, and the conversation resumed a little more placidly (no, I’m not going to mention the shark. Or the dolphin, OK?).

Joking aside, this was a very pleasant get-together, smaller in size than previous events of this nature, and that may well have contributed to the amount of fun being had. I’ve no idea if this low-key approach will be used at times for future get-togethers, but I do hope that this one is merely the first of many and varied events we’ll see staged at the SS Galaxy in the future.

My one suggestion would be – to echo a comment left on my last piece on the ship – that some of the helipads are returned to their former use (and made short-term rezzing areas?) as it would be fun to be able to fly to the ship for an event and then return home the same way afterwards 🙂 .

In the meantime, welcome back, SS Galaxy!

More ruins on the the rock

Posted on by Inara Pey

 

The new island layout. Like the previous island layout, only different :)
The new island layout. Like the previous island layout, but different 🙂

Back in May I wrote about the (then) latest changes on my little island home. At the time, I indicated that I was satisfied with the overall results, but couldn’t entirely rule out changing things again.

Well, guess what?

As a result of a recent project, I’ve ended up with an Inventory containing quite a few things I never expected to own, and which  – truth be told – are unlikely to see much use in the future. However, it seemed a shame that all of them should end up boxed away once more, consigned to the darkness of an inventory folder; and one in particular, the Fanatik Rocky Island, has been  nagging me.

The house sits rather nicely atop the Fanatik rock island, and the footpatth and other flat areas on the plateau mean I have room for garden paces and a nice walk either down to the moorings or to the ruins
The house sits rather nicely atop the Fanatik Rocky Island, and the footpath and other flat areas on the plateau mean I have room for garden spaces and a nice walk either down to the moorings or to the ruins

At 64×61 (ish) metres and 39.5 metes in overall height, this is a piece widely used around Second Life, both for shoreline scenes and inshore, which can blend easily with a landscape to present a dramatic plateau or rocky outcrop, complete with a path winding up one side. If I’m honest, the textures do suffer from being a tad blurry / stretched, but not enough to prevent its use. Fortuitously for me, width and length wise, it fitted into the north end of my parcel with only a little bit of resizing (although I admittedly also reduced the height so as not to completely terrify the neighbours into thinking I was building some Sekrit Island Lair 🙂 ).

The ruins are still there, complete with my pavilion and piano, all now on a slightly lower plateau. The ruins retain Kriss Lehmann’s Forest Tower, still one of my all-time favourite pieces of atmospheric architecture, as the main feature, the archway providing access down to the main quay, as before. I’ve also used Alex Bader’s excellent waterfall kit, to add,well, a waterfall, as hopefully a nice finish.

Couldn't resist adding a waterfall
Couldn’t resist adding a waterfall

I’ve fiddled a bit with the moorings as well, making them smaller, and reducing the number of things moored / parked there, so hopefully the neighbours now feel less like they’re living next door to some kind of air taxi service. There’s a second dock at the foot of the house plateau, but already that spot is nagging me to turn it into a beach; time will tell on that.

But sand and waves aside, am I happy now? Yup. Absolutely. That’s it. Done. Finished. time to relax and enjoy.

Well, for now 🙂 .

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