I’m not happy about this, but I think I need to say a temporary goodbye to this blog. The current situation with the coronavirus is the cause, but more directly the economic downturn we’ll be going through for a time. Second Life fashion can add up, even at the small prices we pay for most things; if I go on a buying binge, well ….
I’ve spoken about this with Harper, and she understands. I may still do an occasional photo piece at the invitation of Harper or the others, but my time and money needs to be focused on my family for now. However, when things take a personal upturn, I’ll probably return. So this is just an au revoir, not a permanent goodbye, at least as far as I can see for now. We’ll speak again in happier times.
Thank God for Second Life right now! A safe place to meet, and mostly a place of calm, where you can get your head together for an hour or two outside of the fears and panic of the times.
And a woman spoke, saying, “Tell us of Pain.” And he said: Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain. And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy; And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields. And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief. Much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity: For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen, And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.
Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, “On Pain”
Skin: Raonhausen Gweneth (BOM; Milk Brows)
Head: LAQ Skye 3.07 Bento
Body: Maitreya Lara 5.0.2
Eyes: Ikon Triumph (Chocolate)
Hair: no.match no.sir.
Outfit: Ricielli Vivian blouse (14) and skort (4) (purchase as separates; available at Cosmopolitan through April 4)
Shoes: Ohemo Daisy block-heel boots (available at Cosmopolitan through April 4)
Teleport to Tokyo-Windhill City (SSOC region).You will not land in the park, as this is a sim with a dedicated landing point! Exit the arcade you land in, then open the Map and change the Location numbers to 133 / 209 / 33, so you will get a beacon to walk toward (no flying allowed in the sim). The park will lie northeast of your landing point, 1-2 minutes’ walk.)
“Mardi Gras, baby. Mardi Gras. Time when all manner of weird shit cuts loose and parties down.”
— Sherrilyn Kenyon, No Mercy
We were walking down Bourbon Street the other night, and came across this sign outside the Absinthe Cafe. Can’t think of a better argument in favor of bacon, can you …?
I decided to catch up on some of the classic old locations again, and so made a visit to Port Babbage. I’ve never been much for steampunk; but I have to say that the Babbage regions are fascinating … if smoggy (lol).
I wasn’t quite in costume. Then again, as I said, I’m not that into steampunk; and anyway, as I understand, Port Babbage and Caledon aren’t that fussy on outtatime visitors.
Skin: Raonhausen Gweneth Milk Brows
Body: Maitreya Lara 4.1
Head: LAQ Skye 3.07 Bento
Eyes: Ikon Triumph (Chocolate)
Hair: rezology Sky 218
Outfit: A&M green moss turtleneck (system); Vextra Messing opaque pantyhose (Blue); Maddict Starlet leather pants; The Annex Belle coat (Gray)
Many of us, especially the newer Residents, are told that the old Mainland continents are little more than a wasteland now, full of depopulated regions and old, out-of-date megaprim ad boards. But, if you’re willing to take the time and do the exploring … that was one of the things that Second Life was all about, a decade or so ago … you can find some pretty regions still in existence, such as Bay City on Sansara. Or like this yacht club area up on the north coast of Gaeta V, situated along SL Route 7. The club itself is across the road, inland; but you have a beach here, and several houses.
Here I am on the dock, near the chaises and a few Jet Skis. You only have a few days left on this before Uber closes, so get over there as soon as doable, and snag it. (I’m wearing this without the shoulder option, it should be noted.)
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Much as I enjoy Celtic Thunder and The High Kings, this isn’t the Rocky Road To Dublin. I found a fantastic place for rural and sylvan photography in the Destination Guide, called Scarlett Isle, and went to check it out. And it must definitely be fantastic, because there were quite a few folk there along with me (relatively speaking).
The extra avatars were no problem; I got in my shots and did a little exploring without getting in anyone else’s way. Here’s one landscape wallpaper (1920 size); you can find others on my Flickr stream, along with the two other finished photos from here ….
Skin: LAQ Rina (1.0 shade)
Head: LAQ Skye 3.05 Bento
Full body: Maitreya Lara 4.1
Eyes: Ikon Triumph (Chocolate)
Hair: rezology Body Unknown
Outfit: Narcisse Vera top and skirt (mango – Flourish exclusive) – available at current round of Flourish; purchase as separates
Shoes: KC Couture Patty wedges
Jewelry: Kunglers Iracy necklace (Citrine) (matching earrings are available)
Note: LAQ just updated the Skye head to version 3.07, and released a skin called Keiko that goes along quite nicely with it. You’ll be seeing this on me in the future.
Yeah, I know; fashion means something new all the time. But we here at Around the Grid don’t operate in that sense. We like fashion; but we all prefer style. Fashion is what’s new, what’s hot; what’s hip. If you want fashion, look at most of the stars on the red carpets today, and you’ll find, some 10 to 20 per cent of the time, that the gown is wearing them. Even with professionals dressing them, there’s some horrendous dresses walking the runways.
Style, on the other hand, not only fits the woman, but complements her appearance, even augments it. Kim Kardashian wears fashion. (Lady Gaga … well, who knows what she wears at times, though she’s improved over the years?) Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy were stylish.
Where’s all this leading to? Well, I was checking out some goodies at the Fifty Linden Friday stores, and picked up some goodies, including at ANE Fashion. While there, though, I looked around at some of the other things on display … that’s what sales are for, after all; to lure you in to buy the full-price stuff as well as the bargains. And it was there that I found this lovely strapless dress that will almost surely never go out of fashion. (And that’s the key to true style; the garment will never “go stale” in the closet.) HUD controls for not just the outside, but the lining as well, with a selection of colors to please most. (You’ll never please them all, sigh.)
With a dress that never goes out of fashion, wear a hairdo that stays with it as well. You can get away with funky or flashy (in taste!) with your makeup and jewelry.
=====
Head: LAQ Skye 3.05
Body and feet: Maitreya Lara 4.1
Hands: Vista ProHands 2
Eyes: Ikon Triumph (Chocolate)
Hair: rezology French Twist
Dress: ANE Fashion Alice
Shoes: ANE Opentoe/Platform slingbacks (Sky Blue)
Jewelry: ANE Forbidden Fruit earrings (Diamond); Roger Paulino silver bangles; Ysoral Inesse necklace and bracelet, and Lynna rings
Second Life® with Harper, Conan, Jem, Diana and Morgan
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