Eshi Otawara Dress Auctioned for L$460,000

In a bid that almost surely takes the second place as the highest auction bid for a virtual object, a pair of avatars pooled their money to win the last copy of a very limited-supply item.

According to New World Notes and  Kay Fairey and Clarabelle Cazalet, a pair of Second Life models, combined to purchase the last copy of Eshi Otawara’s famous “fishhook” gown.  The proceeds of the auction went to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, one of the Grid’s favorite charities.

More information available at Not Possible in Real Life — which this dress surely qualifies for!

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A side note:  Eshi is also known for her ongoing battle with U. S. Immigration, which is attempting to deport her on a charge of “green-card marriage.”  The fight is continuing; while I take no sides in the question here, being unfamiliar with the matter, I link to her current status, and ask you to judge for yourselves.   If you support Eshi, please consider contacting Immigrations and Custom Enforcement, and your congresscritter or senator, to bring this to their attention.

Temporary Build by AM Radio — The Refuge and The Prospect

While rummaging through Hitomi Mokusei’s photos on Flickr — she is one of my contacts, since I’ve enjoyed her photographic work so much — I came across a set which she put up just a few days ago.

The set details some of the latest build created by Hitomi’s friend, AM Radio, the avatar also responsible for the tremendously popular Far Away build, a sort of rural Andrew Wyeth landscape. There is truly something about AM’s work that needs to be seen in person and experienced — and then imaged in detail. I haven’t been there yet myself, but I’m going no later than tomorrow, I think. You should, too, for this build is temporary, and it’s going down after March 6! I’m sorry I discovered it so late, especially to spread the word, but better late than never. Enjoy!

RL and SL merging?

Charlot Dickens at Charlot’s Web points out that it’s getting harder and harder to tell whether you’re in Second Life or the Real World at times, depending on where you are.

Her evidence?  Read the article and see the pictures….

A Taxing Affair

Maxie Mostel at Pixeltheatre reports about getting a notecard today with an invitation to a party:

Tonight I’ll be DJing at H&R Block from 5:30ppm (sic) - 7:30pm for the 2008 Tax Season. While I’m DJing, H&R Block will have 2 tax advisors answering your questions with free tax advice!

Let’s see: a party thrown by accountants. How Ben Stein….

Actually, that’s not a bad idea, and I’m planning on dropping in to see what happens. I’ve already filed our taxes, and gotten our refund back (Hal-le-LOOOOOO-…jah!!!), but who’ll turn down a good party…? I assume the times are in SLT (Pacific Time, for those who don’t believe in the virtual time zone).

Here’s the SLurl.

Ewing Fashion Agency Design Awards

The Ewing Fashion Agency held its 2008 Design Awards on January 20th. While I was unable to attend, I had some interest in this season; 1, it was my first season in Second Life; and 2, I had purchased nominated items from two of the designers in the competition.

And I’m very glad to say that both of my nominees won! Personal congratulations go out to Ann Otoole for her Andromeda gown, which I wrote up and modeled as one of the holiday trio between Christmas and New Year’s Day; and to Digit Darkes for her wild Cher-like mohawk hair called Defiance, which I just couldn’t resist! And a batch of general congratulations and best wishes to all of the winners.

Andromeda, by Ann Otoole

Defiant, by Digit Darkes (gold catsuit by Nicky Ree)

A Vicious Saturday Night

Vicious Studios was celebrating a grand opening, or re-opening, this past weekend. I was asked to do some guest-blogging for them while they were busy with the building and decorating, and Gidge Uriza invited me to the festivities in thanks for my small contributions.

I was able to take her up on the opportunity for a party last night, the venue being their dance floor on top of a shark pen. (Well, they are Vicious.) The theme of the party was “Come dressed as you’d appear on American Idol,” and I’ll admit I stretched it quite a bit. I showed up in the “silver appliqué” top and pants I found in the Canada in SL mall (which I’ve been favoring quite a lot in my less formal times lately), hair like a celestial biker chick (Omayrah Silver from Sinsation), and the excellent dark silver skin from chroma — yes, that’s how it’s spelled if you search them up. Gidge said I looked fantastic, and I think I heard at least one jaw drop — virtually, of course.

The music was hot, spun by disc jockey DJRobyn Writer, and Robyn was hot herself in a set of royal blue silks that had me voting for her in the best-dressed woman contest. And whoever programmed their dance system was a master; I was doing moves I’ve never seen, or dreamed of, before, while the entire crew danced along in almost simultaneous formation. Partway through, Vic, the owner, put in an appearance, complete with his guns; Vic likes guns, you see (grin). When he started shooting them — over our heads, I emphasize; the man’s not a lunatic to drive away his customers — I rezzed up a katana and wore it on my belt for the rest of the night. It actually seemed the thing to do, since the rest of the Vicious staff had all pulled guns as well, and were dancing with them. I felt a little undressed without some weapon, even if it was a prop sword….

En fin, a splendid time was had by all, many sweepstakes prizes were awarded from the sim’s merchants, and I ended up in a 3-way time for best-dressed woman with Arcadia Nightfire and one of the Durants (I can’t remember which, but congratulations!)!! A cool £300 and several of the raffle-ball prizes, plus that dancing, made for a very nice night.

More photos are available at my Flickr stream.

Starlight Ballroom Reopens

Your Reporter is writing right now from the floor of the Starlight Ballroom in Shangri-La, Bolsena region, where proprietor Imogen Cascabel has reopened her club after settling it down to grid-earth. The crowd’s been in a good mood, dancing to the Euro-country sounds of singer Carmen Roeth, and now we have an electric violinist named XanderNichting Writer playing.

Starlight is a smaller venue as such places go — based on my experience, at least. That means nothing compared with the fun of the party, though; I’m told by old timers of the good times at the Elbow Room — a club based in a minimum-sized plot of land (512 m²). This place does a good job from the looks, and Imogen works with the crowd to keep the enthusiasm up for her performers. The fans help, too, of course; I’m surrounded right now by supporters of Xander, whose jazz violin is really very good. (That’s me in the foreground right holding the rose.) The feel of the place, located in a plot in a seaside region, also has a certain intimacy. Though this could be an illusion; for Stardust has a good-sized dance floor, large enough to hold a chunk of the cast of Riverdance as they step-dance their way through a number [1].

With Imogen, your hostess (who lives in a nearby castle), in attendance, festivities can get going quickly. For those who are interested in something other than the norm, Imogen has held parties on themes. Recently, just before this re-opening, she threw a “master-and-slave” party for those who wished to bring a taste for the Gorean out of those sims into an opener venue.

For announcements of events, join the Shrangi_La Beach group. (Yes, that spelling’s correct [grin].)

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[1] Incidentally, when I took this shot, in the line with me were at least two samurai and a woman in kimono, all with katana (sheathed, of course). It made for an interesting visual experience!