Fun at the Fair

I'm trying to write this post quickly because the Summer Country Fair and Carnival at Aero Pines Park ends on August 31.  However, there is always something fun to do at this enormous park, and a new attraction will be up in September. 

I went to the fair with a few friends, and we all had a great time.  Unlike some other SL fair attractions, there were many rides to choose from and also games and other activities.  There was also a rodeo where you could ride a bull or a horse.  Of course, there was lots of food, too -- cotton candy, popcorn -- usual fair food.  I also did not realize until checking back for more research for this article that you could purchase a free ticket roll and earn tickets for prizes by playing the games.  Lastly, if you have room in your inventory, there is a freebie area.

Although flying is allowed, and there are other free transportation vehicles to rez around the park, there are also LM's provided on signs to many of the attractions.

The Fun House features a tricky maze

Dulcie in the Hall of Mirrors

The Wave Carousel is much like its rl counterpart.  Warning - don't eat before riding this.
 

I won a prize for being stronger than I thought

A friend enjoys some popcorn

Bull Riding can leave one in the dust

This ride will turn your world upside down

 

The Log Flume ride is long and winding

 

 

 

http://secondlife.com/destination/summer-fair-carnival

 

 





 

 

Two SL Blarney Stones and a St. Patrick's Town

Although this is a little late, I wanted to post about my visit to a few attractions that are fun not only on St. Patrick's Day but all year round.  Two of them are Blarney Stones, but one is the SL version of the RL stone in Ireland that is located in Blarney Castle on the O'Hare Gap's sim; the other is the Blarney Stone Pub in SL Dublin. The last is St. Patrick's Day Town, a fun place to celebrate the Irish SL style. 

When you teleport to Blarney Castle, there's a tp in the wall to go up to the Blarney Stone.  The kissing animation here will literally knock you on your back, and you will get a certificate for the attempt.  There's not much else to see in the castle, but the town is quaint and nice to stroll through. 

The Blarney Stone pub in Dublin is a cute place and appears pretty popular by the crowd it attracts.  It's casual, friendly, and has some great music and dances.  I didn't get a chance to explore the rest of Dublin, but this is definitely a good stop for any visit.

Some friends and I dancing with the leprechauns

Last, but not least, a third attraction I visited with some friends was St. Patrick's Town.  Although it had some cute games and features (gold flying coins that you supposedly could ride but weren't easy to maneuver; step dancing with leprechauns; dunking in a giant beer mug; and other assorted Irish stuff), shopping seemed to be the predominant objective.  However, I would still recommend a stop here if only to listen to the great music and get in an Irish spirit.

A Grand Place to Visit

Text by DULCIE MILLS

Photos by CLARK ABISMO

Originally published in RezLibris Magazine
See Fall 2011 issue for photo slideshow

One only has to check the Destination Guide for a sampling of the incredible sims in Second Life. From roleplaying to Arts, from Education to Fantasy, there’s a category for every interest. The Real Life category usually features depictions of real places. One example that stands out in this category is the SL version of the Grand Canyon. Want to go somewhere that is picturesque? Want to hang glide, be shot out of a cannon, ride a horse through mountainous trails, ice skate? Want to go on a date, find romance, or get married? Want to have fun with friends and play games for prizes? It’s all there and more, scattered among three distinctive sims connected by zip lines, helicopter tours, boats, and convenient teleport boards.

The history of the Grand Canyon began when Lissisme Dubrovna and her brother, TD Tremmor, purchased TDT Estates in Oct. 2009. In January 2010, Dubrovna, an experienced builder, visited a texture store and fell in love with a texture that became the rock for the Grand Canyon that she had recently visited in RL. After having a dream about the texture and the Grand Canyon, she did a search in SL to see if there was already a Grand Canyon, and discovered there wasn’t. She then went to work and created the Grand Canyon in 18 hours.

In March 2010, she began working with her partner, Tiger Zepp. “The whole idea behind these sims is to give residents of SL an opportunity to get away from shopping and sex and pressures in SL,” Dubrovna said. “It also gives new residents a chance to learn valuable skills in a fun recreational way.” She added that the success of the Canyon sims came about after Zepp taught her his “stickiness theory.” Zepp explained, “. . . it’s about engagement with the environment. It’s all well and good just admiring views, etc., but if you, as a visitor, can engage with the terrain . . . say, with skiing, climbing, swimming, fishing, paragliding, horseback riding . . . you see the place again and again from many perspectives and find hidden places. [It] literally would take you a week here solid to find things. We have over 35 destinations over the sims in our board.”

The three sims that currently compose the Grand Canyon area are the Imago sim that contains Lake Tahoe and Crater Lake and is most known for its winter sports and activities; the Grand Canyon sim that features the main attractions and adventure sports; and TDT Estates sim that specializes in romance and weddings. Some of the things you can do at Lake Tahoe and Crater Lake include ice skating, skiing, slalom racing (sleds and snowboards are free), and even white water kayaking. You should beware of crocodiles and the bears that make this area their home, but some persistent explorers have found prizes in the trash bins by the bears.

The Grand Canyon offers a multitude of experiences and activities. The skywalk is noted to give the “same sense of awe and wonder,” as its rl counterpart in Arizona. For thrill seekers, the hang gliders, bungee jump, human cannon, parachuting, and rock slide are just some of the activities offered. For those who like more relaxing past-times, there is a picnic area, mermaid park, and fishing pier. If games are your thing, you might want to spend some time trying your luck at the shooting gallery, horse shoes, and knife throwing area where prizes are awarded to high scorers. There’s also a yacht club and Indian camp. To top it all off, you can even go on a helicopter tour of all three sims with a friend, date, or partner.

TDT Estates offers all you need to plan a romantic date or the perfect wedding – a bridal shop, romance ballroom, hot air balloon rides, a drive-in theater, and a dance club. Throughout all the sims there are campsites, caves and waterfalls, and lots of pose and dance balls. As stated in “The Grand Canyon Magazine” published by Imago Builders, “GC is a place of beauty, health, open air, RL sports, and skill enhancing activities.”

When asked what she personally likes most about the Grand Canyon in SL, Dubrovna replied, “I have to say I love it all - it has been a wonderful project but one thing I truly love is seeing others have fun and relax and the loyalty they show the Canyon.” The Grand Canyon group is free to join, and members are scouts. Events are announced through the group such as the Friday night dances at the Canyon Club. Dubrovna also said that singers and live performers appear often and that, besides weddings, many engagement parties, rez days, and meetings take place at the Canyon. They are also about to launch a series of educational events on the topic of global warming and its effects on the environment. The sims are solely supported by visitor donations, and Dubrovna mentioned that she will soon be seeking sponsorship for a “very amazing build – totally new to SL.” A few new additions are also planned for the Grand Canyon – a Cable car and video documentaries of the real Grand Canyon.

To visit this lovely and fun place, search for The Grand Canyon in SL Places or take this Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Grand%20Canyon/99/194/111

First Travelogue Tour

I recently joined the CVL (Community Virtual Library) Travelogue group, a new group that will offer tours of a variety of Second Life places on a quarterly basis. Our first tour's theme was "Places to Play." We visited 3 locations: Chelsea's Diner and Bowling Alley; http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vitae/127/162/1503, and the Celestial Game Tower.

Chelsea's diner and bowling alley
1st stop on Travelogue Tour

At Chelsea's Diner and Bowling Alley, our guide, Aiyden Crystal, showed us around the diner and bowling alley that also featured a nice game room. The bowling alley has three lanes that can accomodate groups of 4 per team. He also showed us a bit of the Butterfly Kisses sim which is PG-rated. We saw the ice cream shop, and he pointed out some of the clothing and other stores that are on the sim, as well as a mini golf course. Everyone agreed this is a great place to go with friends.

Bumper Cars next to the Movies @ Vitae
2nd stop on Travelogue Tour

The next stop on the Travelogue tour was the Movies and bumper cars @ Vitae where I showed the group the theater that features a concession stand with popcorn and other goodies and shows full-length films. By clicking on the box in front of the screen and adjusting your media settings, you have your choice of shows. All directions are on a notecard, and you can even sync the movies for your friends to watch the same shows with you. Next to the theater is the bumper cars which temporarily rez at your command and disappear when you vacate them. Groups can have a lot of fun playing on these, and our group enjoyed a hands-on demonstration.

Celestial Game Tower
Final stop on Travelogue Tour

The last location visite was the Celestial Game Tower where owner, Sorina Garrigus, showed us an amazing collection of all types of SL games that can be purchased or played on-site. She said there are over 300 games on display!

The next set of tours will be of historical places, and I am looking forward to attending, if not leading the group this time. There are so many places to see in SL, so a group like the CVL Travelogue is one that can help introduce residents to those they have never visited before and may definitely want to explore further on their own.

Originally posted in "Rainbow Notes" blog

My Rockin Rez Day

I just turned 4 in Second Life yesterday, and I celebrated with some friends. We went to a bowling alley and then to a fifties-themed sim. We all dressed up in 50's clothes. It was a real blast.

Chelsea's Bowling Alley and Diner

The Chelsea's diner and bowling alley is on the Butterfly Kisses sim. Besides bowling, there are several other things to do both indoors and outdoors including a movie theater and mini golf course. The building that houses the bowling alley also has an arcade room and diner. The bowling alley has 3 lanes, and 4 people can be on a team. It's a little tricky to learn how to maneauver the ball in mouselook, but my friends seemed to catch on pretty quickly. I still need to practice, but I'd definitely recommend it as a fun night out.

Celebrating my Rerz Day with Friends at Runaround Sue's

Runaround Sue's is a great 50's themed sim with a full calendar of DJ music playing terrific oldies. The dance floor itself has some incredible dances from the twist to line dancing to just great Rock and Roll moves. There is even dancing inside the ice cream shop/diner that also sells some fifties clothes and hair. The rest of the sim is quite attractive with a lighthouse, lover's lane, and shops selling a variety of 50's items -- all with a laid-back summer feel. Posters of popular fifties personalities decorate the main walkway. It's the kind of place that's fun to visit anytime and is especially fun to go to with friends.

I enjoyed my rockin rez day and hope to go back to both places again.

Originally posted in "Rainbow Notes" blog

Celestial Game Tower

Teleport map board to game areas

We all know that avatars just want to have fun, but what some of you may not know is there is a place in SL where you can go to play all types of fun games and even buy some for yourself. What's even nicer is that there are a few freebie games available there, too. What a neat idea. Just teleport over to the Celestial Game Tower with a few friends or by yourself and try your hand at card games, arcade games, games of skill, sports and action games, mind games, etc. The place is huge but easy to navigate by way of a teleport map and a helpful bot, and you can either buy the games there, tp to the vendor, or just enjoy some free play (although leaving a tip might be a nice idea).

I discovered the Celestial Game Tower when I was trying to select items for a game room my friends and I were creating in our new treehouse. I was looking on the Marketplace and came across a free game that was available from the Celestial Game Tower. The listing said more free games were available at their location. When I teleported over, I was amazed at the number and variety of games that were offered, some I'd never heard about, but others that were common in real life with maybe a few different spins to them.

Slurl: http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://slurl.com/secondlife/Choerom/115/52/146

Originally posted in "Eye on the Grind" blog

1. 
   

Kaaos Effect

Dulcie wearing her HUD and armband
about to embark on her time-travel adventure

Although up until now I've focused on places you can visit with a few friends, sometimes you like to explore alone. For those times, an interactive time travel adventure like that offered by MadPea Productions might just fill the bill. The Kaaos Effect sounded interesting, so I TP'd there to find out what it was all about. Although I didn't have much time to spend initially, I got into the game rather quickly, donning the required armband and HUD.

Dulcie relaxing in the 1970's bedroom,
one stop on the Kaaos Effect

After wearing the HUD, I was transported to a 1970's bedroom where my task was to find four parts of an aerial TV antennae. I didn't quite get that far, but I tried to return when I had more time. It seems I was recognized on my return, but I could not continue the game, although I think you can.

Just to test things out, I went in as my alt, and I was sent forward in time to Seattle in 2050. I was in a very tight chamber and needed a key to open one of the vaults. Before I could locate any key or communicate my coordinatesto the home base which I was told I needed to do, I had to stop playing. But I will attempt this again because I'm interested to see what other times I will visit and how this game develops, and I'm sure I will figure out how to continue where I left off either in the past or the future.. Also, MadPea produces other games within SL and also a Virtual Medical Doctor simulation.

Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/MadPea%20Base/84/209/34

Originally posted in "Eye on the Grind" blog

Chelsea's Dining and Bowling

I always enjoy discovering new places in Second Life, but I often don't have as much time to explore as I'd like. That's why I try to find excuses to teleport away from my home besides to shopping malls. I created a column called "Simseeing" for RezLibris magazine which I still try to write, although the magazine comes out less frequently now. For "Eye on the Grind," I also wanted to try my hand at a travel-related column and thought "Dulcie's Destinations" might be a good title for it.

For "Dulcie's Destinations," I decided to focus on fun places to go with friends. That doesn't mean I won't cover educational places or art venues. After all, I am a librarian, and those places can be fun, too. I also might cover events from time to time. But, mostly, I will concentrate on places where people can hang out and enjoy themselves. My hope is to visit those places with my SING buddies, but I will try them out first and write my impressions to share with them and the readers of this blog.

Browsing the Destination Guide, I found a cute place called "Chelsea's Diner and Bowling Alley" under the games listings. I had never bowled before in Second Life and wondered what it would be like. Teleporting to the sim, I landed right outside a pretty blue and pink building that housed the diner, bowling alley, and an arcade game room. The diner is 50's styled with booths, a juke box, and even waitress service by a girl in period dress.

Bowling Alley at Chelsea's

The bowling alley has three lanes. A notecard gives instructions on how to start a game. You receive a ball that you wear, go into mouselook, and release down the alley. After a few practice shots, all of which ended up in the gutter, I actually started hitting pins. My last round was even a strike. Although I was the only player, I was congratulated for winning the game when my rounds were over. I can't wait to try this with a group. The best thing is it's all free, but you can tip the alley.

Arcade at Chelsea's

After bowling, I took a peek at the arcades room which also seemed like fun, but I didn't have time to try any of the games. I went outside and glanced around the sim which had beautiful flowers and a mountain in the distance. I plan to go back again and see more of it with and without my friends. It's definitely one destination that is worth visiting.

Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Butterfly%20Kisses/48/102/31

Originally posted in "Eye on the Grind" blog