Saint Pete City

12 Nov 2015 1 Comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , ,

A visit to Saint Pete City (1)

A visit to Saint Pete City (1)

This week I found time to do a bit of simploring again. I went to Saint Pete City. Of course I was following a recommendation by Inara Pey again. There’s a quite detailled description of Saint Pete City in her “Living in a Modemworld” blog. Her report is titeled “The streets of Saint Pete’s in Second Life“. Inara describes Saint Pete City -as the name suggests, as an urban environment with a strong Dutch influence in terms of architecture and feel. Well, if you count the bicycles, you must feel like being in the Netherlands. But the architecture isn’t Dutch in my humble opinion, although I can’t really localize it either.

A visit to Saint Pete City (1)

A visit to Saint Pete City (2)

A visit to Saint Pete City (1)

A visit to Saint Pete City (3)

A visit to Saint Pete City (1)

A visit to Saint Pete City (4)

The creator Neva Xenga (neva.crystall) wrote about Saint Pete City “When u need the  wonders, noises and sweet delights of a magical city burried in stories and treasures waiting to be found, open the gates of St. Pete, i put my heart into it..”

A visit to Saint Pete City (1)

A visit to Saint Pete City (5)

 

What really adds to the “Saint Pete City feeling” is the sound, a mixture of  the sound of the sea rushing, the cries of seagulls and mayn people talking. I roamed a bit around and noticed that whatever street you take, it leads you back to the main street, but you don’t get the feeling that the city ends. The courts and streets are so nicely planned that it feels a lot larger than it is. There are a some active shops and art galleries and some nice places to sit down and relax. Of course I took a lot of pictures and will only publish a few of them here.

During my visit I got a call from Nina, who needed shortly my help and I went to the beach to teleport her in as it is a moderate sim. But it was too tempting not to take another shot.

Diomita and slave Nina at the beach of Saint Pete City

Diomita and slave Nina at the beach of Saint Pete City

Finally before I ended my visit, I looked up the creator’s profile and found that she is also the creator of Baby’s Ear, a sim that I visited in July
(https://themaurers.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/babys-ear/). So I went there to finish my simploring.
“And whenever you may need the music within the sea, the light from an old lighthouse, the joy of picking up apples in the back yard of a home, far from home, welcome to Baby’s Ear.. a place to get lost in.” (Quote taken from Neva’s Profile pick)

Returning to Baby's Ear

Returning to Baby’s Ear

Thank you Neva for these two lovely sims. I enjoyed my visit and it won’t be my last!

Related link in Inara Pey’s Living in a Modemworld blog:
http://modemworld.me/2015/11/10/the-streets-of-saint-petes-in-second-life/

Related link about Baby’s Ear in this blog:
https://themaurers.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/babys-ear/

Landmark Saint Pete City:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Saint%20Pete%20City/106/149/22

Landmark Baby’s Ear:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Babys%20ear/162/149/47

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers (III)

27 Oct 2015 Leave a comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , ,

Discovering the foliage in KiLu (1)

This year I seem to get a lot of “October” fun. Yes, I’m really glad to live in a world where there are Ocotbers. And fortunately I do get the according landmarks where to look for the foliage. Inara published another blog entry about sim to enjoy Ocotber feelings: KiLu. If you want to read a detailed description, I recommend that you read her text, which is titeled “Escaping October’s darkness in Second Life“.

I’ll keep it short and will just quote what the owners, Salty Kimchi (Kimbra Iridescent) and Luis Lockjaw, wrote about their sim: “KiLu sim is the perfect dream escape brought to reality in Second Life. Come explore the pathways and enjoy the photogenic scenery and views. Autumn foliage decorates the sim and you’ll never know what picturesque hidden treasures you’ll discover“

Discovering the foliage in KiLu (2)

Discovering the foliage in KiLu (2)

Discovering the foliage in KiLu (3)

Discovering the foliage in KiLu (3)

Discovering the foliage in KiLu (4)

Discovering the foliage in KiLu (4)

So I just walked around and found some of these hidden treasures and took pictures.
Have fun exploring yourself.

Related link in Inara Pey’s Living in a Modemworld blog:
http://modemworld.me/2015/10/25/escaping-octobers-darkness-in-second-life/
Landmark KiLu:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Majorca/98/176/26

 

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers (II)

18 Oct 2015 1 Comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

Warm Springs in October

Warm Springs in October

Did I mention that I love the foliage in autumn? I certainly did!
This time Inara’s blog brought me to Warm Springs, designed by Irina Forwzy.
“Welcome to the Town of Warm Springs, with a population still countable in two hands! A town filled with nooks and crannies and tranquil spots for you to converse, or dance and entertain your friend with fun music.  You can simply just stroll the town and take pictures while admiring the scenic view of the beach or the olden and ancient oaks and banyans.  Or simply relax, and fall asleep to the sound of the sea and the cries of mockingbirds in the far wind. You may never even wish to leave this small town. Watch the seasons change and the grass slowly die as the trees slowly shift from their lively green selves to their reds and autumn hues.  Or the snow slowly drizzle on the grounds as winter comes to pass.
The sim is mostly a recreational, photogenic sim for those that just want to relax and admire nature and decorations.”
(Quotation from Inina Forwzy’s notecard about Warm Springs).

Warm Springs in October:

Warm Springs in October: I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Ocotbers!

Sounds like a sim for me. And it is. The colours a beautiful and there’re many spots to sit, relax and dream. I simply enjoyed it. I played a bit with the light effects that the firestorm viewer offers with the phototools (alt-p). Ok, the Picture above looks a bit kitschy, but the colours are as intensive as in this picture. While I was exploring, Vero, Sarah’s sub, came online and I took her over to enjoy with me.

Diomita and vero at Warm Springs

Diomita and vero at Warm Springs

Warm Springs is worth a visit and I’ll add to the places to go to, just to relax.
Related link in Inara Pey’s Living in a Modemworld blog:
http://modemworld.me/2015/10/09/warm-springs-in-second-life/
Landmark Warm Springs:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Warm%20Springs/166/240/23

Diomita in Warm Springs

Diomita in Warm Springs

Vero and Diomita on the top of the lighthouse in Warm Springs

Vero and Diomita on the top of the lighthouse in Warm Springs

Warm Springs in October

Warm Springs in October

The Scary Season

10 Oct 2015 Leave a comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Each Season has it’s own attractions. This time of the year is not only the year’s last loveliest smile, it’s also preparing for Halloween. And Halloween is something particular in Second Life. Almost every sim is decorated for Halloween, pumpkins and other decorations are set out. And whole sims are created just for this time of the year.
For me Inara’s blog seems to be an endless source of exploring proposals. This time it brought me to Ironwood Hills. You can read her description of Ironwood Hills in the Living in a modemworld blog, her post is titeled “Amidst the Ironwood Hills in Second Life“.

Ironwood Hills (1)

Ironwood Hills (1)

Although not designed exclusively for Halloween, it’s the right time to visit Ironwood Hills. I strongly recommend that you follow the instructions that you’ll get when entering the sim. Turn “Advance Lighting” on (in Firestorm hit alt-p and check the first checkbox in the Light tab). You will also get a flashlight offered when you enter the sim. Wear it! WOW … it’s foggy, steam rises from the gullies and the flashlight beam adds to the overall scary scenery. Unfortunately my graphic card came to it’s limits when I also turned avatar shadows on in the phototools (alt-p, 2nd tab). But I managed to take at least some pictures before crashing.

I went to Ironwood Hills several times, the first time together with sklavin, slave Flo and slave Ashley. In one part it is heavily raining and there are the rests of a parish fair with a carrousel and a big weel. It is raining cats and dogs and so heavy that you literally walk through a sea. And the flashlight makes the scenery sort of unreal.

Ironwood Hills (2) - with slavin, slave Flo and slave Ashley

Ironwood Hills (2) – with slavin, slave Flo and slave Ashley

My second visit was with Jenny and slave Flo and we had a real good time there and took lots of pictures. When you explore Ironwood Hills, be aware that sometimes you’ll see girl in a skirt full of blood stains sometimes and all of a sudden, scary! And this girl will appear not only once, she is really haunting you wherever you go.

Ironwood Hills (3) - the girl with the skirt full of blood stains secretly watching us

Ironwood Hills (3) – the girl with the skirt full of blood stains secretly watching us

Ironwood Hills (4) - Jenny at the big wheel

Ironwood Hills (4) – Jenny at the big Wheel

Ironwood Hills (5) - slave Flo nearly looses his flashlight when the girl appeared in her flashlight beam

Ironwood Hills (5) – slave Flo nearly looses his flashlight when the girl appeared in her flashlight beam

Ironwood Hills (6) - Jenny and the scarecrow

Ironwood Hills (6) – Jenny and the scarecrow

Ironwood Hills is sort of obligatory for those who like the scary season and for those who love taking pictures in SL in a particular environment. To finish this blog post, here’s the best picture I took at Ironwood Hills (at least I think it’s a really good one). Enjoy your visit!

Ironowwd Hills (7) - the girl on the bridge

Ironwood Hills (7) – the girl on the bridge

Related link in Inara Pey’s Living in a Modemworld blog:
http://modemworld.me/2015/10/03/amidst-the-ironwood-hills-in-second-life/

Landmark Ironwood Hills:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yardley%20Manor/107/247/30

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers

03 Oct 2015 2 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , ,

Autumn at The Trace Too in Second Life

Autumn at The Trace Too in Second Life

A bit of simploring again. Inara Pey’s blog brought me to The Trace Too again. When I read her post Autum at The Trace Too in Second Life the name immediately rang a bell. And yes, I’ve been there before.
When I visited in The Trace Too in spring I wrote “Visiting “The Trace” was for me like travelling to the US East coast with a few mouseclicks” (see Exploring Second Life – Sunday tours).
And it was like this again, when I visited this week, Kylie Jaxxon, the creator of the sim, brought memories alive. But this time memories of the lovely foliage season in New England. From the landing point you walk along a alley of colourful trees, leaves on the ground and on the left and right side of the alley are benches to rest and each of them has a saying or quote about autumn.

The Trace Too: Autumn in Second Life

The Trace Too: Autumn in Second Life

leaves, fall, die, glowers, away lengthen night and shorten day
every leaf speaks bliss to me. fluttering from the autumn tree
(emliy bronte)
……………………..
Autumn the year’s last loveliest smile
(William Cullen Bryant)
……………………..
The Autumn alley at The Trace Too

The Autumn alley at The Trace Too

sweaters. boots. bonfires. fall. leaves. scarves. hot chocolate
cuddling. jeans. pumpkins. tea. hoodies. crisp air. late nights
………………………….
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers
(L.M. Montgomery)

…………………………

There’s more to explore, I personally liked the little greenhouse in the forest near to the above alley. It is decorated for the season with the first pumkins. You will find a lot of places to cuddle, not only the benches along the alley. When Jenny and I visted, we tried several place to cuddle, for example in a rowboat and in a tent – and at one of the benches.

The little greenhouse at The Trace Too, decorated for the season

The little greenhouse at The Trace Too, decorated for the Season

Diomita and Jenny cuddling at The Trace Too (1)

Diomita and Jenny cuddling at The Trace Too (1)

Diomita and Jenny cuddling at The Trace Too (1)

Diomita and Jenny cuddling at The Trace Too (1)

Another pavillion at The Trace Too

Another pavillion at The Trace Too

Related link in Inara Pey’s Living in a Modemworld blog:
http://modemworld.me/2015/09/30/autumn-at-the-trace-too-in-second-life/

Related link in this blog:
https://themaurers.wordpress.com/2015/04/02/exploring-second-life-sunday-tours/

Landmark Diamond Bay:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Trace%20Too/128/128/22

 

 

Diamond Bay – Pandora Box of Dreams

19 Sep 2015 Leave a comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , ,

Today I went simploring again. There’s always something to discover in Second Life. My main source of new places to go is Inara Pey’s “Living in a modemworld”-blog. Today I went to Pandora Box of Dreams at Diamond Bay, a sim created by Jackson Verlack and Mizaki Resident. It’s all about autumn, the whole sim is densely wooded and I ranged the these woods.

Diamond Bay - Pandora Box of Dreams (1)

Diamond Bay – Pandora Box of Dreams (1)

Of course there’re places to sit and relax and to cuddle. In particular one glass pavillion offers many seating opportuinties. I sat down and listened to the rustling of the treetops that filled the air. You can literally smell autumn.

Diamond Bay - Pandora Box of Dreams (2)

Diamond Bay – Pandora Box of Dreams (2)

If you turn shadows on, then the light is breaking through the treetops and you really feel like walking through a forest.

Diamond Bay - Pandora Box of Dreams (3)

Diamond Bay – Pandora Box of Dreams (3)

Related link in Inara Pey’s Living in a Modemworld blog:
http://modemworld.me/2015/09/16/a-pandoras-box-of-autumnal-dreams-in-second-life/

Landmark Diamond Bay:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Diamond%20bay/172/141/2001

Exploring

13 Sep 2015 Leave a comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I found time for a bit simploring again on Saturday, Sept 12th. I went to Sommergewitter and to Tranquility Dreams. Just the right thing to do before summer is over for this year. Both sims are described by Inara in her blog and I will add the links to her descriptions and the landmarks at the end of this blog post.

When I read Inara’s post about Sommergewitter I was already attracted by the name itself. Sommergewitter is German and means a typical summer thunderstorm that usually happens at the end of a very hot summer day. It cools the air down and steam arises from the hot ground afterwards. The sim was empty when I went there and of course it was raining. The whole atmosphere was a bit melancholic but very nice. I didn’t do much but walked around a bit and enjoyed myself. And I was attracted by the drum kit that is placed there just in the middle of nothing. I sat down and played a bit. There’s sound and animation (try it!) and the sound did even fit to the music i was hearing in the background. Thanks to Nida (Nidatine) and Seraph Nirvana, who designed this sim!

Dio visiting "Sommergewitter"

Dio visiting “Sommergewitter”

Sommergewitter - playing drums in the rain

Sommergewitter – playing drums in the rain

Actually I’ve been to Tranquility Dreams already several times. Tranquility Dreams is a new region recently opened by Elvira Kytori. It could be somewhere in New England. I really like it there. Actually you can rent houses there at the White Dunes Estates. Each house has access and view to the beach and each is different and they all fit perfectly into the environment. When I went there, I was mostly alone and had the whole sim for myself. Sitting in a chair on the beach and listening to the waves of the ocean has something very relaxing. During this visit Mii got online and after a short chat I summoned her over. Of course she was wearing latex and was not at all dressed suitable for the beach. But on the other side the pictures I took do look particular due to her latex clothes.

Dio and Mii at White Dunes Estates Beach (tranquility Dreams)

Dio and Mii at White Dunes Estates Beach (Tranquility Dreams)

Dio and Mii at White Dunes Estates Beach (tranquility Dreams)

Dio and Mii at White Dunes Estates Beach (Tranquility Dreams)

Mii and I were still at the beach when Kitty showed up online. Mii wanted to show me her new latex skybox home and so we all met up at her place. On her second floor she has installed some nice cages. It was way over Kitty’s bedtime. What is better for an undisturbed, recovering sleepover than a padded cell? Nothing! So I put Kitty in such a cell, actually it looked a bit like a laundry machine :-). And Mii had to make sure that Kitty will sleep well and tight and thus she was placed in another cell nearby.

Good night, Kitty (at Mii's latex skybox home)

Good night, Kitty (at Mii’s latex skybox home)

Later that Saturday our sklavin was online and I was still in “beach” mood and mode. So I took her over to Tranquility Dreams. She did not complain (ok, just a little bit as she felt overdressed for the beach) but she bravely sweated in the midday sun before I took her into the shawdow. Overall, that was a nice variation to what I do normally in SL.

Dio with sklavin at White Dunes Estate

Dio with sklavin at White Dunes Estate (Tranquility Dreams)

Dio with sklavin at White Dunes Estate

Dio with sklavin at White Dunes Estate (Tranquility Dreams)

Related links in Inara Pey’s Living in a Modemworld blog:
http://modemworld.me/2015/09/05/tranquil-dreams-in-second-life/
http://modemworld.me/2015/09/08/coastal-storms-in-second-life/

Landmarks
Tranquility Dreams:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tranquility%20Dreams/137/26/24
Sommergewitter:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cosima/64/129/22

Forgotten City

02 Sep 2015 1 Comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , ,

20150901 Forgotten_006I love the variety of Second Life. Yesterday I explored Forgotten City, once again inspired by Inara Pey’s blog. Her blog is an unfailing source of great sims to visit and discover. Here’s the link to her post about Forgotten City: http://modemworld.me/2015/09/01/a-farewell-to-forgotten-city-in-second-life/.
At the end of Inara’s post is also a video that she made to keep the memories of Forgotten City, which is going to be closed some time in September. So hurry, if you want to see it. The city is very different to what I visit and discover usually. It’s huge in it’s dimensions, it’s empty like a ghost town, Inara used the term “mechanoid town” for it. Time stands still in Forgotten City since about 100 years? Forgotten City offers a lot to do. I personally saw the race track where you can speed with oldtimers.

Diomita at the race track in Fogotten City

Diomita at the race track in Forgotten City

You can take a ride with a Zeppelin and enjoy the views on the City. I did that alone and together with Jenny later yesterday. And we visited the factory shop. Wow! They offer games, toys, cars, buildings, Halloween costumes, silly stuff, planes, ballons and some of the stuff you can see being used in Forgotten City. I was excited about a historic mechanical horse race game as well as about the model railroad. The shop is really worth the visit and if is just as eye candy. I checked and it is also available via the Marketplace (search for Jenne Dibou), at least this stuff will stay available even when Forgotten City closes ist doors.

Over the roofs of Forgotten City

Over the roofs of Forgotten City

Forgotten City: The Zeppelin tour

Forgotten City: The Zeppelin tour

Diomita and Mistress Jenny chatting next to the factory store at Forgotten City

Diomita and Mistress Jenny chatting next to the factory store at Forgotten City

Here’s the LM to Forgotten City:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forgotten%20City/207/73/103

Jenne Dibou and Mandy Marseille built this world. Thank you, I’m really impressed!

Impressive Impressions

23 Aug 2015 Leave a comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

It’s Sunday and I found the time to explore a bit. This time it was kind of a very special exploration. Inara has her own art installion in SL now. Too bad that it is temporary! I’m really impressed.

Impression: Inara's art

Impressions: Inara’s art

The center piece of Impressions is Inara’s personal interpretation of Fallingwater. Fallingwater or Kaufmann Residence is a house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, 43 miles (69 km) southeast of Pittsburgh (see Wikipedia). Looking at the original house, Inara’s interpretation is quite close to it.
20150823 Impressions_012The house is fully furnished and there’re lots of details to admire. All walls are used to display Inara’s pictures all of which are taken in SL. In addition there’re video boards where you can watch her videos clips about the places she visited. This way at least parts of this temporary virtual world is saved for longer. I really hope that Inara takes lots of videos of her own place. Exploring the house is a bit tricky as you have to find your way to get to the different Levels. I saw a lot of pictures of places that I visited mainly by recommendation of Inara. I felt home.

Inara's art is displayed at Impressions

Inara’s art is displayed at Impressions

Spread over the house and outdoor you’ll also find sculptures by the young artist CioTToLiNa. They are not dominating the place but fit into it very well, making the house and the sim a pure exhibition for those who love this kind of art.

Sculptures of CioTToLiNa are spread around at Impressions

Sculptures of CioTToLiNa are spread around at Impressions

Last but not least, Inara has also created a beautiful place. Her Fallingwater is embedded in a lovely New England landscape and there’re enough spots to sit and dream, to cuddle and talk or to simply enjoy the views. I also liked the little pavillion at bit below of the house. I really can imagine to sit here, to listen to the piano or to have a drink with friends at night.

The pavillion at Impressions

The pavillion at Impressions

Dio dreaming sitting in the pavillion at Impressions

Dio dreaming sitting in the pavillion at Impressions

I really love the place. I’m a fan of great architecture and particular of this house (and yes, I saw it already in real). And as a follower of  Inara’s blog I’m really excited about her first own Installation. Thank you so much, Inara!

Fallingwater at Impressions

Fallingwater at Impressions

Ok, most important, here is the URL to Impressions: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA6/81/219/36
And of course there’s also a post about Impressions in Inara Pey’s blog. Here’s the link to it: http://modemworld.me/2015/08/22/impressions-a-personal-view-of-second-life/

Enjoy your visit!


Eclectica

14 Aug 2015 3 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , ,

A visit to Eclectica

A visit to Eclectica

Finally I went exploring again enjoying the beauty of Second Life. In Inara Pey’s “Living in a Modemworld” I came across Eclectica
(http://modemworld.me/2015/08/10/an-eclectic-visit-in-second-life/). And the sim is as beautiful and varied as Inara described it.  So I walked around and explored in particular all the cosy places to sit down and relax and I look forward having a Dance with Jenny in the gazebo there.  I also had the chance to exchange a few words with Maddy (nibby.riddler) who created this sim. Maddy has also a webpage for the sim (www.eclecticasim.com). There I found one sentence describing Eclectica in short “Wind your way through this enchanting sim with an eclectic blend of forestry, fantasy, folklore, whimsy and magical exploration, with wonderful photo opportunities amongst the ruins, hidden caves, lovers spots and romantic Meadows”.
Maddy is actually going on building in a neigbourhood sim, so besides the dance with Jenny there’re more reasons to come back here. Thank you Maddy for your great work and for allowing the public to visit and enjoy it.

A visit to Eclectica (2)

A visit to Eclectica (2)

A visit to Eclectica (3)

A visit to Eclectica (3)

Eclectica: What a great palce to wind down!

Eclectica: What a great palce to wind down!

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