I’ve been wound up with outside affairs this past few weeks, and I just managed to squeeze in a run through this year’s Fantasy Faire. There were several extremely creative regions this time through, and I snapped my favorite views in photos, so to preserve their memory and share it with others.
There will be two sections here; the first is a gallery of landscapes, while the second shows what I wore, built mostly from offerings at the various vendors. You can click on the gallery for larger views, and there’s a link at the bottom for full size. (Some of these are 1920 wallpapers.)
It’s taken me a few weeks to get back into gear, what with coping with current situations, and Diana’s temporary leaving. But I’m back in harness, and should be able to keep going with some careful juggling of money.
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You’ll find several churches in the Ville de Coeur regions, and one cathedral, which I discovered through the Destination Guide. (Yeah, we’re spending a lot of time in the Mediterranean lately. That’s how it’s working out.) This church (which holds services most Sundays at 11:00 a. m. SLT, as I understand) is a fairly faithful recreation of the Real World’s Amalfi Cathedral, also called Il Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea (dedicated to Saint Andrew).
It’s as good a time as any for a holiday trip, as the Europeans would call it, down to the Mediterranean coast.
I was thinking of calling this article “Harper’s Morning Macchiato,” ripping off Morgan’s piece from a week or two back. But it doesn’t alliterate as well (sigh).
Never start a morning without caffeine of some kind. (That is, if you can handle the buzz.) Fortunately, this mobile coffee shop was handy.
Whoever designed this synagogue, which I found in a place called Israel Island, did a wonderful job of artistry. When I showed Harper the photos, she told me she’d visited the island once or twice herself, and told me about two pieces she’d written with this sim as the backdrop. (Here’s one, and here’s the other.)
Inside is just as beautiful. I especially like the menorah here in the lobby (I don’t think you’d call the room a “narthex” in a synagogue). The sanctuary is through the arches; and the Torah scrolls are kept behind the blue curtain in the back.
I decided to photograph myself outside of the building, as I’m wearing this jumpsuit. It’s sleeveless, which (I understand) is frowned on by the more orthodox, and I’m easy with respecting that for their sake. As for the outfit itself, you can change the colors of both the suit and the scarf, including several ombré choices.
Skin: Belleza Bianca (BoM BASE Mocha – Blk Brow)
Head: LAQ Zahra 3.07 Bento
Body: Maitreya Lara 5.0.2
Eyes: Ikon Sovereign (Rustic)
Hair: no.match no.rain
Outfit: OA-MEO Cake (Available at Swank through April 30)
As promised, here is the short story I’ve been working on with Jem’s and Conan’s help. It’s long by blog standards (nearly 3,000 words), and thoroughly illustrated, so I’ll be breaking it up into pages. (Which also gives me a chance to experiment with some WordPress tweaks.) Just look for “Pages” beneath the Related Posts section at the bottom of each page, and click on the next page to continue.
If you have questions, such as Ariel and Adam’s backstory, contact me in world, or write harper.ganesvoort at gmail dot com, and I’ll do my best to answer them.
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Visits to Terra were an extremely rare thing for Ariel Sherman, despite her dual positions as a successful performer across multiple modes, and head of the interstellar corporation known as the Cyborg Condominium. Most questions of business could be taken care of in a holographic quadcomm conference call, after all. Considering how far the distance was between the ancient mother planet and the Videra Sector, which contained the star Eta Pegasi and its inhabited planet of Videra, that was just as well. The Limlight Republic was spread across well over two thousand systems, and the trip between the two sectors, even in hyperspace, took nearly a month one way.
But some companies insisted on face-to-face meetings, and real sign-manuals on plaspaper contracts instead of electronic signatures, and so Ariel found herself far removed from the comforts of her home on the pleasure planet Videra, and from her revue show at The Land of Fantasy Theatre. Not that her surroundings were uncomfortable at the moment. The hotel suite she and Adam Sandhara, her husband, occupied for their stay in Old Manhattan was sinfully luxurious; and it should be … after all, it was owned by the Condominium. Even if most of the trip could be written off the taxes as a business expense, the bean-counters preferred keeping those expenses to a minimum.
The cost of the meal could still be written off, though, because Ariel had chosen to make a virtue out of a necessity, and ply her preferred trade in a new sector of the Republic. Before leaving Videra, she had informed the hotel manager that she would be bringing her nightclub act to one of the clubs inside their hotel for a surprise appearance.
Curtain time was approaching, and the ’borgs were finishing their meal with a few glasses of champagne, and a cigarette on Ariel’s part. Glancing across the floor where his wife would soon be performing, Adam grinned and said, “There are times, Ari, when I don’t know why I indulge you as I do. Coming over 200 light-years from Eta Pegasi to perform at a nightclub is a bit of a jaunt, even in this day and age.”
“Oh, I think I can come up with a few reasons why you indulge me, darling,” Ariel laughed as she blew smoke toward the ceiling ventilation ducts. Soft lights shimmered off the silk of the lehenga sari from New Karnataka that she wore. “Reasons which I heartily return, by the way. That’s the reason we stay married, even after twenty-something years. Anyway, you should blame this on the company that insists on face-to-face negotiations in a board room and an actual signature on a physical contract, signed in person before a roomful of lawyers and notaries public. We could have solved everything from Videra with a few teleconferences and a blockchain signature. This company doesn’t do that kind of thing, though.”
She tapped off her ash in the ashtray, and added, “And don’t tell me you’re not taking advantage of your little ‘vacation’ here to meet up with old clients for Micronan, and maybe hunt up a few new ones. That’s the only real reason you needed to come along, other than spending time with me when my meetings break.”
“I admit you have me there, lady,” Adam smiled, the lights of the club glinting off his metallic “skin,” as golden as his wife’s. “I still say you’re giving in a little to ego here, looking for some applause even when you’re technically away from the stage.”
“I may grant you that one, lord. But I see it more like I’m drumming up fresh trade myself for the revue. Even without us on board as the constant star artists anymore, the revue is still hugely popular; but keeping the name out there in fresh areas helps keep the business up.”
“Mmhmm … that’s what they all say, I’m sure,” Adam said with another grin … and then he laughed as he caught the napkin Ariel threw at him. He tossed it back as Ariel took a final sip of wine; she patted her lips dry, then kissed her husband, and trotted back to the dressing room set aside for her, to do a last repair on her makeup before coming on.
Unsurprisingly, the hour-long concert set proved a hit; even two hundred-some light-years from Videra, the star quality of Ariel Sherman enthralled spectators. She accepted the enthusiastic applause of the audience, none of whom had known that she would be singing for them; as she bowed, though, she glanced around the room, and noticed that Adam had vanished. It wasn’t unusual for him to meet her in the dressing room, however, and so Ariel worked her way “backstage.”
When she made it inside the dressing room, there was no sign of Adam. She noted, however, a “message waiting” advice on the wall commpanel, and tapped it on. Adam’s face appeared, and said, “Darling, I’m sorry, but one of those old clients of mine called with an incredibly urgent consultation request. I can’t put him off, so I’ve gone down to the comm lounge to handle it. I’ll meet you in the bar after we’re both done. Sorry.”
Ah, the joys of running insanely successful corporations …. Ariel grinned as she shook her head, cleared the message, and returned up the halls to the bar area, passing by the transsteel door to the businesspersons’ communications lounge. A glance inside showed Adam still there, pacing back and forth as he spoke to an image on his digicomm. Seeing he was occupied, Ariel moved on.
The nightclub’s bar wasn’t a large one – most drinks were served at the tables – and was tended by a single ’droid. Ariel ordered a small white wine and turned to gaze idly toward the club’s outside entrance; then she started as she focused on the door, her lips falling from their smile and her optics locking on the woman who was entering.
This well and building are only part of a lovely build called Otter Cove, with lots of opportunities for photography. See below for the landmark.
Still half asleep, I sought the hill and found My vantage place, then stood a moment there To probe the wind for some familiar sound; But no vibrtation moved along the air, And I learned nothing that I did not know From the far east’s faint conglomerate glow.
A lovely build deserves a lovely dress. This spring outfit from Meva fits the need quite nicely!
I asked the stars, what destiny awaits Beyond this dark incalculable night? … And suddenly, incredibly, the gates Of morning opened to approaching light; Then, somewhere near, a bird began to sing — And my heart heard the whole world listening.
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.)
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.
We’ve been trying to cope with way too many projects here at the blog, and so a whole mess of events are closing under us without having found a chance to write anything up. From what the boss tells me, that’s something of a tradition at Around the Grid anyway, but it’s still frustrating.
Like this outfit, for instance. It’s available at the current Tres Chic … but today is the last day. I don’t know when it will be taken down, so you may have more time than I’m afraid of. I’d get there as soon as you see this, though; otherwise, you may have to wait a while before this “playsuit” appears in the creator’s store or on the Marketplace.
And it’s definitely a cool and breezy outfit! You can’t get much breezier without this one-piece hot-pant suit turning into a bikini. It’s fun to wear, and just made for wearing with boots, like the ones I have on from Phedora (not at Tres Chic, so you can get them at the main store). The hair also debuted at TS, from Vanity Hair, and the earrings are from Shanghai.
Second Life® with Harper, Conan, Jem, Diana and Morgan
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