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Last year, during my “rookie” period (lol), Harper introduced me to Fantasy Faire. Beyond the good work that will be done for the American Cancer Society, this event, maybe the biggest in Second Life each year, is just plain fun. I loved roaming around in costume last year, from full kimono to barbarian princess. In fact, the barbarian princess mode I was in was my inspiration for some of the costumes I’ve shot myself in since.

As of today (March 31), there’s 20 days until the gates between worlds open once more. Start saving your money, put together your most fantastic costume, and drop in beginning on April 20. Harper, Conan and I’ll be doing our usual photo work, as well as coming up with fresh costumes from what we pick up in the fifteen regions of the Faire. And, when you can, be generous in your giving to the Relay for Live vendors or kiosks. Cancer is something that’s touched almost all of us in one way or another, both in RL and in lost SL friendships.

See you at the Faire!

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Ham Au at New World Notes passes on a Facebook post from Seth Regan, seeking donations for the family of Brandy Maltas.  Brandy is another Resident who has recently died of cancer (why is it that cancer has such a high rate of incidence among Second Lifers?), and her children are in straitened means.  You will find a link to Seth’s PayPal account at both links above, if you wish to add to the fund; I’ve put in a contribution just before publishing this.

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Jem and I modeling outfits from the fundraising event

I just picked up the news from Jamee Sandalwood on Facebook — the donation has been sent from Models Giving Back to the Canadian Red Cross, on behalf of their benefit for the victims of the Alberta wildfire.  The final tally was some L$375,000, which works out to CAN$1,870.  The government in Ottawa chose to match (at a percentage) all contributions to the CRC, so the final contribution is CAN$3,100.  Well done, people!  The money goes in at just the right time, as well; people are beginning to move back into Fort McMurray, according to the CBC News.

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Calas Galadhon Park is one of the popular places to visit, wander and take photos in.  With a little imagination, you can see a fragment of the landscape of Canada compressed into this photo — though it’s missing the central plains of the provinces of Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta, as well as the colder reaches of Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.  But why is the sky so red?  Is it the End of the World?

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For some in Real Life, it is.  My photo was inspired by events taking place now in northeastern Alberta, around the town of Fort McMurray.  It’s a tinder-dry wildfire season, and this area has been burning for over two weeks as of this writing, forcing evacuations of the entire town and surrounding areas.  The destruction, and the disruption of life, is massive; and a small army of firefighters is working to contain the blazes, including additional forces from Saskatchewan to keep the fire from spreading into the neighboring province.

Second Life’s Models Giving Back has quickly organized a benefit sale to help Albertans, with all donation funds going to the Canadian Red Cross.  Being a Michigan native, with something of an affinity for our northern neighbors, I’m glad to give the event a helping hand here.  I hope you’ll drop in and purchase some of the yummies available.  (Landmark is below)

These two outfits are among the many available for purchase.  I’d show more closeups here to give you a look at the makeup, but the WindLight I chose for the red sky doesn’t allow for a good look.  You’ll get the full list below in the credits.

I’m wearing this lovely sundress from AlaFolie, appropriately in the Albertan colors of blue and gold…

…while Jem chose an even more casual look in a top and capris (the pants again in blue and gold by HUD choice) from Prism.  Once again, the WindLight setting doesn’t help the cause on the pale pink of her top, but you’ll see better in more natural light when you’re standing in front of the actual vendor.

Please stop by and shop, or contribute via the several donation kiosks scattered about the area.  If you prefer, you may also donate by credit or debit card directly to the Canadian Red Cross.

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Harper wears:

• Skin: Glam Affair Cleo (America – Clean B)
• Eyes: Poetic Colors gold flakes eyes (sapphire)
• Hair: NO.MATCH NO.JOY
• Attachments: SLink Avatar Enhancement Hands (Casual) and Feet (Deluxe)
• Dress: AlaFolie Baba Dress
• Shoes: KC Shoes Sharon wedges
• Jewelry: Kunglers Sile earrings (Fucsia)
• Makeup (application order): Musa Glitter eyeliner (Dark Red); MUA All the Ways eyeliner (Pack 1 – 1); MUA Counturing Blush (Normal – Full); Oceane Body Design Jade Lips (Copper); Oceane Body Design Absulala mesh lashes

Jem wears:

• Skin: Amacci Skin Tyne (Cream – 01 Natural)
• Eyes: Avi-Glam Ada Eyes (Green – S)
• Hair: rezology Mezzaluna
• Attachments: SLink Avatar Enhancement Hands (Casual) and Feet (Deluxe)
• Outfit: Prism Eloise top and capris (HUD controlled)
• Shoes: Emporium Mabelly heels
• Jewelry: Modern.Couture Tokyo Earrings (Gold)
• Makeup (application order): Arte Glamorous Eyebrows (ash blonde); Sascha’s Designs Smokey Eyes (No. 3); Zibska Arca (07); MUA All the Ways eyeliner (Pack 1 – 1); Amacci Tattoo Eyelashes (3); Senzafine Color Theory: Shift Lipstick (Red to Green 01 (Vibrant))

Photographed at Calas Galadhon Park’s Grey Havens, looking toward Misty Mountains

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Last week, Cajsa Lilliehook put up an article on It’s Only Fashion to speak about one of the Grid’s nicer hair designers, Bubbles Clawtooth, the owner of Clawtooth by Clawtooth.  Cajsa’s article will tell more about it; in sum, though, Bubbles is dealing with RL family difficulties that require his full attention.  He hasn’t had much chance to create new hairstyles, and he could use some financial support to keep virtual body and soul together, if not the RL half of the equation as well.  Cajsa’s thrown down a challenge, which you can read better at her article; essentially, though, it consists of exhibit some old with the new, using three Clawtooth hairstyles.  I chose to feature the wigs with one new dress — Uma from PurpleMoon, in “Tropical” print.  There are several different patterns to choose from, on a dress with thin crossed straps both in front and behind, and a laces slit along the left leg of the midi skirt.  Poulet hits it out of the park again with this one, and Bubbles’ hairstyles go nicely with it….

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Photographed in The Golden Delta, Fantasy Faire 2016

…But Fantasy Faire 2016 is not forgotten.  Especially the amount of good that has been done here.  As of my check a few seconds ago, the Relay for Life has raised L$ 7,380,456, or better than $29,000 in RL money.

The builds won’t be forgotten, either.  My favorite (where I’m posing here, as Latifah) was The Golden Delta, based around an Egyptian theme, and there was also moody, misty Blackmoor, which I didn’t get any photos of myself; however, Conan shot some in a few spots.  Jem and I both enjoyed our day at Sapphire Moon Lake — not surprisingly, as that was the home for the arts activities.  You can see all our photos as I add them to my album on Flickr, or at our individual streams.

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Latifah wore something similar last year, and most of the jewelry is the same, so we’ll just look at the changes to the costume here.

• Skin: Fallen Gods Blessed (Fantasy Faire exclusive)
• Eyes: Orbs of Wonder from Orbs Pack 4 by Mynx Legend
• Gown: Arwen’s Creations Tiye (Black Leopard)
• Makeup (application order): Sascha’s Designs Smokey Eyes (No. 3) (this gives a matte background for further colors); MIASNOW XP eyeshadow (“green/TEAL/blue”); MONS Burning Eyeshadow (gold); a.e.meth Egyptian Glam (Gold) (vintage); cheLLe Eyelashes (6); Pink Fuel Glossy Pout Lipstick (Royal)

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I’ll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through
In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children’s carousel
The chestnut trees, the wishing well….

***

Actually, since I’m talking about Second Life’s Fantasy Faire, I won’t be seeing you, or any of my friends, or anybody, for that, at anything like that.  Not unless you know where something like that (especially a carousel) is in any of these sims; I haven’t been everywhere yet, but I haven’t seen a single park or cafe or carousel anywhere so far.  I have seen a whole lot of big white rings and vendor boxes looking for donations, which will be passed on to the American Cancer Society at Faire’s end.

Of course, in this costume (which is from a Marketplace purchase of a gacha goodie), I may not be seeing you, but you’ll be seeing a lot of me!  From what I’ve found so far, though, Fantasy Faire is the perfect place to wear this, in many ways.

Harper decided to go a lot more demure than me, and fed another gacha machine (off Faire) until she put together this costume.  This is what we opened Fantasy Faire with, but I suspect we’ll be changing clothes a few times before the last day.

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I’ll be seeing you
In every lovely summer’s day
In everything that’s light and gay
I’ll always think of you that way
I’ll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I’ll be looking at the moon
But I’ll be seeing you

“I’ll Be Seeing You,” by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal

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The gates are open at last; Fantasy Faire is here!

I’ve only been to two regions so fair, Fairelands Junction (of course) and Sapphire Mirror Lake (the arts region, where I’m standing here), but what I’ve seen so far has impressed.  I’ve told the others to get themselves in here and take plenty of pictures as well as do some shopping — it will be worth it.  And, while you visit, remember to be as generous as you can, not only to the stores, but to the main goal of Fantasy Faire, to raise money to fight cancer. through the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life program.

I’m wearing the Orianna gacha gown from Luas, which you can obtain quite easily from the gacha at her store.  Or, I’ll tell you right now, I’ll be setting up a Marketplace store, and I’ll offer colors that you can pick and choose from for L$60, just L$10 over the gacha’s cost.  I have a few I need to get rid of, you see, in my quest to get the rare [read ULTRARARE] jewelry items….  (Sigh)  I’ll announce here when the store goes up.

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The Doors open tomorrow!  Are you looking forward to this year’s Fantasy Faire as much as I am?  It’s been good before, but last year’s sims were fantastic, and I’m hoping they can pull it off again.  I remember the orgy of photography I drowned Flickr with last year.  Some of the photos were even good.  (Laughing)

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April 21 is the opening date; get ready!