Simploring 2021 (12) Skrunda-2

14 Mar 2021 Leave a comment

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

When I was checking scoop.it SL Destinations on Sunday, February 21st, I came across Skrunda-2. The entry led to a blogpost of Maddy Gynoid “Simtipp: Skrunda-2“, which I read before visiting myself.
The landmark description is precise and a short version of what to expect: “Skrunda-2 is loosely based on the town of the same name in Latvia. It was run by the Russians to host radar. They left in 1998 and what remains to this day is a complete, but empty ghost-town, a time capsule to Cold War paranoia and Soviet styling.”

Skrunda-2 in Second Life is built on a full region. It is owned by Titus Palmira and was designed by Megan Prumier and Sofie Janic. I remember that either Megan or Sofie had invited me over but busy me had forgot about it.

Skrunda-2 – bird’s eye view and overview map

I strongly recommend to read more about Skrunda-2 before visiting. You will get offered a notecard upon entering the sim, that contains the main information. But a look into wikipedia might also be very helpful.

Skrunda-2 in the physical world

When I started my tour I kept the preset windlight which is set to night. It gives the scenery an even more odd atmosphere. I went to the residential blocks in the center and visited the water tower. The lights are set nicely to illuminate the abandonned town. Nonetheless the pictures were a bit dark and won’t show the many details. Therefore I decided to change my environment setting to “Anan Adored Realistic”.

Skrunda-2 – at the landing, the water tower and the residential blocks.

There is really a lot to explore and discover at Skrunda-2. Unfortunately the sim was quite full and even without using shadows and with a low drawing distance the lag was quite heavy and made moving around difficult for me. I enjoyed my visit nonetheless.
I went to what I named “meeting hall” first. The hall seems to be used for events nowadays. But in general every building looks like it was just abandonned, there’s garbage, graffiti, stuff, furniture as if the town was just left yesterday. But what proves that is is already empty for many years is the returning vegetation that slowly takes over the place again (as in RL I assume).

Skrunda-2 – at the landing / the meeting hall

From another former residential part only ruins are left over, dogs stray through the roads and there’s still furniture outside and other relicts of former life. I’m sure there’s more to discover but lag prevented me from sneaking into every corner.

Skunda-2 – the residential ruins

Of course you also find the leftovers of the Russian army, cars, barracks, water and fuel tanks, antennas .. and you find spots to sit and to think about how it might have been here in those days.

Skrunda-2 – Impressions

Quite outstanding is a large building with many antennas on its roof. Inside you find several large rooms with art on the walls, vegetation inside of the building… and a funny statue on the roof. I have no idea if that building is part of Skunda-2 in the physcial world (it might be) and what its purpose was, yet the art inside is impressive.

Skrunda-2 – the Military complex

The residential blocks are a very good replica of those in the physcal world. Again you can go inside and see the leftovers of life. I did not explore this part in detail as navigating was too difficult for me, but Maddy had some pictures in his blogpost. I visited the old indoor pool, found a statue overlooking the sea and went into another building which purpose I couldn’t find out. I decided to name it “Logistics” as there were cardboard boxes inside, and large piles of bags of coal and some ropebelt conveyors.

Skrunda-2 – indoor pool, residential blocks, the statue overlooking the sea, logisitics building

Skrunda-2 is a paradise for photographers as there’s so much to discover, so many backgrounds you don’t easily get some place else. It is a place I’d never visit in real life, I didn’t even know about it. It reminded me immediately of Serene Footman, who also had many installations of odd places in real life. Hence for me this visit was also educational and made me doing some research.
There is much more to see than I saw during my visit of 1 1/2 hour.

And Randonee Noel made a short video of Skrunda-2. In the video you see the bunker. It is quite close to the landing, just turn right after you passed the entrance barrier.

Skrunda-2 – the bunker and the barracks close to the landing

I enjoyed my visit a lot and I learned a lot and I took many many pictures and I finally traveled to a foreign place again which made my day particularly during these times. Thank you Titus Palmira, Megan Prumier and Sofie Janic!

Landmark to Skrunda-2
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rockford/206/20/22
Wikipedia about Skrunda-2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skrunda-1
Maddy Gynoid’s “Simtipp: Skrunda-2”
https://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2021/02/simtipp-skrunda-2.html
Video Randoneenoel
https://www.flickr.com/photos/randoneenoel/50943905512/in/pool-14746851@N23/
Sofie Janic’s flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/154984823@N02/
Megan Prumier flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/meganprumier/

Simploring 2021 (7) Valium SL – MARFA

16 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

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

For my simploring tour on Tuesday, January 26th, I picked Valium SL – MARFA from scoop.it SL Destinations. The entry led to an entry of Susann Decuir “Neueröffnung: Valium SL- MARFA (Moderat)” (the post is in German). It attracted my immediate attention because of several issues: Firstly I visited often places created and/or owned by Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender), secondly Fred Hamilton, Lotus Mastroianni and Sofie Janic built the sim, and thirdly the published picture reminded me of “Kun-Tei-Ner”, another place that was built by Fred Hamilton (frecoi) and Lotus Mastroianni (read here).

In addition I visited Marfa, Texas, already in Second Life back in 2017 (read here) and had done some research.
Marfa was founded in the early 1880s as a railroad water stop. The town was named “Marfa” at the suggestion of the wife of a railroad executive. The Marfa Army Airfield served as a training facility for several thousand pilots during World War II. It was closed 1945. Marfa has a population of about 2,000 people, hence it is really small.

Impressions of Marfa, Texas (source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marfa,_Texas)

Today, Marfa is a tourist destination and a major center for Minimalist art. Attractions include Building 98, the Chinati Foundation, artisan shops, historical architecture, a classic Texas town square, modern art installments, art galleries, and the Marfa lights. The city is also 37 miles (60 km) from Prada Marfa, a pop art exhibit, which might be the most photographed and visited site in Marfa. The area around Marfa is known as a cultural center for contemporary artists and artisans. In 1971, minimalist artist Donald Judd moved to Marfa from New York City. Since Judd’s death in 1994, two foundations have worked to maintain his legacy: the Chinati Foundation and Judd Foundation. Every year the Chinati Foundation holds an open house event where artists, collectors, and enthusiasts come from around the world to visit Marfa’s art (Source: wikipedia).

As mentioned above Valium SL – MARFA is built on a full moderate region owned by by Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender). Fred Hamilton, Lotus Mastroiani und Sofie Janic have rebuilt Marfa quite realisitc. You recognize the buildings, the art and the weiredness of this place in Texas, art in the middle of nothing. No wonder that many people visit it nowadays.

Valium SL – MARFA: Bird eye view and orientation map

The landing is admist the town center next to the fire department. If you zoom out, you can see how in the middle of nothing Marfa is located. Close to the landing point is a Motel, a garage and a gas station. And right across the street is one of the largest buildings, the “Empty Chair Gallery”. I visited the gallery first before further exploring Valium SL – MARFA.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (1): around the landing

In the Empty Chair Gallery Vally showcases pictures that she had collected. All pictures are about empty chairs: “I felt that the ’empty chair’ in most cases created the emotion of being lonely, sad, or waiting, and wanting from the observer. They seemed to ask the same question over again and that is “Do you feel what I am feeling about my empty chair?” And often time the chairs instilled a sense of happiness, knowing perhaps, that soon someone would occupy their empty chair.”
The pictures exhibited right now at the Empty Chair Gallery are from Adam Cayden, Cecilia Nansen, D e F o e, Duna Gant, GlitterPrincess Destiny, Key Monk, Loegan Magic, Powder Grau, Samyi Basevi, Sander Sunborne, Shawn Shakespeare, Sunset Theas and Venicio Armin,

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (2): The Empty Chair Gallery

After visiting the gallery, I first explored the little town. There’s a lot to discover and I didn’t see all. Close to the residential area is a nice flower store and I saw an antiques store, both decorated with love for details. The largest building in town is the countyhouse. It was built fitting the original building in Marfa, Tx.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (3): countyhouse, flower store, antiques store

In the residential area you find several house, some of them were still empty duing my visit but that might have changed in the meanwhile. Between two houses closer to the town I found a nice little court to sit and enjoy. Also quite close to thre residentail area is Thor’s Café & Bar. I recommend that you have a look inside. The decoration is outstanding. I think these little details make Valium SL – MARFA so particular. For example you find a wardrobe in the form of a cactus.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (4): Residential area and Thor’s Café & Bar

The visitors and I assume in particular those who visit the Marfa Lights Festial live in a seperate camp in containers, in tents and caravans. In the center of the site is an event area. really amazing is the the gate to the site has exactly the same form and symbol as in real life. The containers did remind me of “Kun-Tei-Ner” (read here). I didn’t have the time to go into every tent or container but they are furnished and I bet there’s also a lot to see. If you get hungry after all what is to see at Valium SL – MARFA you can take a break at the bbq stand right next between the camp and the Lights building.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (5): containers, tents and caravans and the bbq stand

The “Lights-Building” is another landmark of Marfa, Tx. in RL. It has a pertciluar egg form and daylight just comes through a small gap in the ceiling. The entrance and the exit are built in a waythat avoids any light coming it. Marfa is renown for its art. And you find it spreaded around the town. There’s the renown Prafa store, a care on a concrete box, a large board showing James Dean (I think at least) next to a scaffold in the middle of nothing

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (6): Lights building, Prafa and other art

And finally there is art spread on ranch land, many boxes and cubes made of concrete, iglus, and inbetween grazing cattle, quite weired.

Impressions of Valium SL – MARFA (7): Art and cattle, the railroad

I was impressed of my first visit. Fred Hamilton (frecoi), Lotus Mastroiani, Sofie Janic and Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender) created a really outstanding place. I enjoyrd seeing Marfa, Tx. again. In these days and age where you can only travel virtually it was a feast for me. A big thank you to all who were and are involved in realizing Valium SL – MARFA.

Landmark to Valium SL – MARFA
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ValiumSL/179/131/59
Valium group flickr page
https://www.flickr.com/groups/valium/
Vally Lavender (Valium Lavender)’s flickr page
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vally-lavender/
Susann Decuir “Neueröffnung: Valium SL- MARFA (Moderat)”
https://mein-zweites-leben.blogspot.com/2021/01/neueroeffnung-valiumsl-marfa-moderat.html

Simploring 2020 (57) Kiyori

27 Aug 2020 1 Comment

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

After my visit to Voodoo Land (read here) I had a nice chat with Megan Prumier, one of those who had built Voodoo Land. Megan hinted that I should visit Kiyori, another city she was involved in building and that had just opened in early August. I went to Kiyori on Monday, August 10th.

Kiyori is an immersive nightlife location based off of various Asian influences. It is a full adult region and has a lot to offer. Kiyori is owned by Jasmine Kiyori. It was buildt by Megan Prumier, Sofie (Sofie Janic) and Jasmine Kiyori.

The landing is at a subway station and it doesnt take long until you notice that you’re in an adult environment. On my way upstairs to town I came across a vending machine for dildos and sex toys, the posters at the wall did also indicate that at least this sation is leading up to a red light district.

Impressions of Kiyori (1) – the landing point in a subway station

Once I left the subway I was admist raceways, big billboards, lights – wow. I went into the game room, a place for gaming and I had my first smile looking around inside. I liked in particular the offered female bums for 25 cent *grins*.

Impressions of Kiyori (2) – first views in the city / the game room

After this first adult fun I walked to a park. In the center of it is a restaurant. It is quite well designed and rich of details. If you’re hungry you shouldn’t look at it. The food looks really yummy. The park itself is what you’d expect seeing in a city.

Impressions of Kiyori (3) – the park

Of course there are markets with stands, little restraunts, cafés, bars, food stands, discos and all what you’d expect in a big city. I read on a poster in the subway station what all I could have seen (I didn’t see that all):
“Tantra Gentlemen’s Club, Oriental Motel, Love Hotel, Adult Entertainment Store, Numerous Bars (Gay Bar, BDSM Bars), Red LightRooms, Massage Parlour and Spa, Qinglong Bar, Adult Arcade, Adult Movie Theatre, Sushi Bar”
Quite a list of things to do and to see!

Impressions of Kiyori (4) – bars, restaurants and the Maneki Café

I roamed around getting more impressions. Kiyori is surrounded by a very colourful high-rise building sim surround. The sim surround melts perfectly into all the lights in the streets and is a way better background than I thought on the first glance. Looking into the bars and restaurants is fun as most offer a lot of details.

The largest building occupied by the Tantra Gentlemen’s Club. It is impressive from the outside but also from inside with its purple light. The red light district has several bars (no, I didn’t see the BDSM bar), there’s a brothel where you can pose in one of the windows and I found another pose next to a BDSM raceway. I had fun.

Impressions of Kiyori (5) – Tantra Gentlemen’s Club and other adult entertainment

At Kiyori you can rent a market stall or you can rent appartments. I saw a luxury appartment and two standard flats. So if you like this kind of city environment, have a look at Kiyori. Kiyori is (adult) fun and is a great place to take pictures in this particular environment.

Thank you Jasmine Kiyori for sharing your sim with the public. I hope it will fulfill your expectations and that it becomes a vivide community. Thank you Sofie Janic for building and thank you Megan Prumier for building and for giving me the hint.

Landmark to Kiyori
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kiyori/97/230/26
Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/kiyori/

Simploring 2020 (52) Voodoo Land

06 Aug 2020 2 Comments

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

For my simploring tour on Friday, July 17th, I picked “Voodoo Land” from scoop.it SL Destinations. The entry led to a post from Maddy Gynoid “Simtipp: Voodoo Land – (Juli 2020)” (post is in German, Maddy took some great pictures too)

Voodoo Land is a moderate full region owned by Sofie Janic and Monkey Wonder. Vegas (jrvegas) contributed to the design. The sim is home for 2 big stores: The Voodoo Community Mainstore, that sells spolders and security tools for clubs and events, and the Vegas Tattoo mainstore owned by Vєgas (abaracdabra).

Impressions of Voodoo Land (1) – around the landing point

The landmark description refers partly to the Voodoo Maintstore: “A community of people from around the globe. Our platform is a tool to enhance your experience in virtual worlds by improving security, and creating opportunities to gain money and traffic while you have fun. Anti-bot & Sploder systems, Trivia, Dance.“

Voodoo Land and Little World – bird eye view and orientation map

Next to the the Voodoo Land full region is a moderate homestead, that is connected my a brige – “Little World”. I didn’t explore it (yet), but it seems to be the playground of Sofie Janic and Vegas. “Always in > Under construction 😛 … by Sofie Janic and Vegas and a big thanks to Megan Prumier \o/”
Megan Prumier is also involved in Voodoo Land, for example the Irish Pub contains objects from her.

Impressions of Voodoo Land (2)

Back to Voodoo Land. The landing leads directly to the Voodoo Mainstore. From there I began simploring. Voodoo Land is – besides the two big stores – a huge modern mega city at night. It is full of illuminated advertisings and has all you’d expect from a megatropolis. Most stores and shops are just facades but in particular bars and entertainment are accessible, just try yourself. I liked in particular the above mentioned Irish pub.

Impressions of Voodoo Land (3) – view on Little World (lower left) / The Irish Pub (upper and lower right)

You will also find lots of graffiti, some are huge and remind more of a big art exhibition *winks*. You find video billboards and raceways, little oasises, a skateboard park and a basketball court. And some little details made me smile. I want to mention the “WcDog’s Hotdog sign”, a sign I never saw before yet in Second Life.

Impressions of Voodoo Land (4)

The whole environment invites for roleplay or is just a great background for taking pictures in an urban night setting. Or you could visit one of the bars with your friends.

Impressions of Voodoo Land (5)

There’s also a video of Voodoo Land, that provides a perfect impression of this mega city.

I had a lot of fun exploring Voodoo Land and taking pictures. I always appreciate when shop owners not just have a store inworld but also gice something back to their clients or to the whole community. Thank you Sofie Janic, Monkey Wonder, Vegas (jrvegas), Vєgas (abaracdabra), Megan Prumier and whoever else was and is involved in realizing Voodoo Land.

Landmark to Voodoo Land (Mainstore)
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Voodoo/148/133/30
Maddy Gynoid’s “Simtipp: Voodoo Land – (Juli 2020)”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/07/simtipp-voodoo-land-juli-2020.html
Video – Second Life Destinations: Voodoo Land
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UhBAzVRoNU
Flickr for Voodoo
https://www.flickr.com/groups/4533239@N21/pool/
Sofie Janic’s Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/154984823@N02/
Voodoo Community store on marketplace
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/40780/
Vegas Tattoos
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/206452
Little World Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/14723516@N22/