SNOWY MOUNTAIN RESORT

Before I came to Snowy Mountain, I was wondering how I should start my report. I had never seen it before and did not know what to expect, except snow and mountains. Even, I could get that!

But when I rezzed here, on the veranda of the log cabin, I turned round and the view took my breath away. It was an immediate emotional reaction!

In front of me was a lake surrounded by a low circle of snow-covered mountains and the snow was falling hard. The Canada Geese took the weather in their stride. I had a strong urge to look for a scarf, at least!

So, armed with a woolly scarf, I went for a look round.

To the left of the lodge was a 7seas fishing point. But hey, you may have to walk to the water across a stretch of ice. I stayed close to the shore! I rented a rod for L$1 and you know what? I caught something straight away, with my first cast. Yeah, come on dude, what have you got, here? What! A bikini bottom?

Ah, maybe I’m not as good as I thought. Tell you what, though, this fishing lark is great fun. (Now, come on, try harder….). That’s more like it! I caught an orange goldfish. Yeah, this is cool. Oops, I’d better get on with my work. (Puts away rod!)

By this time I was at the edge of the ice on the lake. I could see blocks of ice floating in the water, so I knew I had to be careful. However, I’d done quite well and caught two fish and half a bikini (I wonder where the other half is?)

Circling the lake are two rings of log cabins of differing sizes. I had sneaky look on a couple. They are so inviting and warm looking. If you fancy sitting on your ownverandah overlooking a lake, doing some fishing or just feeding the geese and REALLY chillin’ contact Annabelle Edgeworth and get your name down on the list for renting.

Facing the cabins is a beautiful hunting lodge, where I came in. Round the back, there is an area with split log benches around a roaring fire and a hot tub. That was inviting. Get the chill out of my bones. I can imagine a small party of people having a really good time there, under the stars. Lying back in the warm water listening to the swish of skaters on the ice. Didn’t I mention the skates? They’re just round the front on the right as you face the lodge. Have fun!

I went in to the lodge through the back way and into a very large room with loads of comfortable seating. A refreshment bar offered coffee, chocolate, hot apple cider and banana nut muffins. Just right for this kind of weather. It’s beautiful but you need warming up! You can go and sit ant the table at the back and just look at that beautiful snow! Where I live the only snow we get, is on TV!

There’s a video screen in the large room with a large selection of TV and videos on it. But if you want a little quiet, there’s a smaller room to one side, with it’s own log fire.

Upstairs there is a working pool table. I can just see it. Hear the click of the balls and the laughter. People talking and having a good time.

Round the back towards yet another large room, there is a cosy area by a huge window. This place is so good! There’s so much atmosphere. You could get together with your friends and have a really good time.

Yay! I found the bar. “Rum and Coke, please”. Just right. That went down well. I’m all alone and there’s a dance floor. I’m waiting for some mysterious lady to approach me and…Dream Kim, dream on.

I tell you what. This place would be fantastic for a party. It’s got everything. Roaring log fires, bar, dance floor. The owner says she can do catering, of you want. But ask first and arrange a date with AnnabelleEdgeworth. Apparently she does really good cakes on RL, so the SL ones are bound to be delicious.

Sipping on my Rum and Coke, I was wondering if that black bear was still up in the hills. He looked harmless enough. I took one look and ran for the lodge. Silly really.

I’ve got to go home, now. Pity, really. I’d rather stay here. It’s warm and welcoming, an amazing place to stay and live. Bring your friends round, feed the birds, play pool have a drink and you won’t get arrested on the way back.

If you fancy a good time in a good environment come to SNOWY MOUNTAIN RESORT at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Restless%20Times/83/134/22/

Kim Trefusis

The Skybeam Fox Hunt

Skybeam had a number of events to celebrate it’s third anniversary. There was a “Worst Dressed” contest. There was a snail race. There was a spoof of “Wheel of Fortune” called “Wheel of Lindens,” in which I won a hundred Lindens on. But what to me was the most memorable was the fox hunt.

No, they didn’t hunt yours truly. Amethyst Starosin, the Skybeam event manager, and Erix Oh, donned feral fox avatars, purple and red respectively, and volunteered to be the targets. There was also a third fox, Kiwako Snook, who was the gray decoy. There were free horse mounts available to those who didn’t have one, but as demos they were no longer redeemable once the player got off them, or 45 minutes had past. Anyone who wanted the traditional red riding outfit, however, would have to get it themselves.
To catch the foxes was a cager, just go in mouselook, aim, and click.

So at 10 AM SL time on Saturday the 14th, people began gathering. My presence led to a few chuckles, not just because of my avatar’s vulpine appearance but also the raptor-like mount I had for a “horse.” But no one tossed a cage at me. It was soon time to give the foxes a head start, and then everyone on horseback charged to capture them, or in my case on raptorback to “rescue” them.

But not surprisingly, I lost sight of them. I had heard all of Skybeam, not just that one sim, were open to the fox hunt. Peaking at the map, there were plenty of green dots here and there, so I wandered about, going through fields, over rocky hills, and by homes. I didn’t think I’d find the foxes, but I was having fun exploring around the sims and taking a few pictures.

Finally checking the map, I saw that the sim the hunt had stared on, suddenly had a mess of green dots. Was it all over? I ported over, expecting to hear that it was. Instead when things were rezzing, I saw people (on horses) running around, and people shouting, “Someone get her!” The hunt was still on!

To my surprise, the purple fox darted in front of me. I promptly zoomed into mouselook, took aim, and ... nothing! As I had test-fired it once before, I wondered if it was a one-shot weapon, and went back to the starting point to get a new cager. But when I got it and turned my raptor mount around, I heard, “TWIZT GOT HER!!” “Yay Twiz!!” “CONGRATULATIONS TO TWIZT YING FOR CAGING THE ONE THAT COULDN'T BE CAUGHT!!”
And so the hunt was over. Twizt's response was simple, “Wow. I didn’t even see the cage.”

After that was the post chase chatter. Earlier on, Erix Oh had been caged by Neil McCullough. Amethyst had proven much more frustrating, “That was so frustrating having her right there in front of me and not getting her.” “I'm sorry ... but last year Neil had me in like 90 seconds ... this was great.” “Did anybody get a picture of me caging myself?” “... what'd you say, where I ‘rested’ on my sim, hidden in a hollow stump?” (decoy)“I almost morphed dragon a couple of times, just to give a horse a fright. (grin) ” “Eeeek a dragon!” “Oh my God! Scarey dragon!”

Amidst the laughter, there was talk of having another fox hunt in December, and Amythest the purple vixen getting a few belly rubs. And after a while, people soon left for the next event. And so ended the Skybeam Fox Hunt.

Among my furry friends, reaction was a bit mixed. Some thought it odd. Others joked about holding a different kind of fox hunt. Many thought it should be the foxes on horseback and hunting the “hummies.” But there was also one suggestion for getting a shy human guy and have him being chased by a band of scantily-clad, giggly, vixens.

"Tally ho!"

Bixyl Shuftan

Skybeam celebrates 3 years with a giant snail race

In an exciting finish the giant snail race was won by Baldi McMillan with a photo finish called for 2nd and 3rd place

Gareth8 Albatros was judged second with Angelista Janick a very close third.

Congratulations to all and to skybeam for a lot of fun over the weekend showing exactly what a community is all about!

Club Zero Gravity

In the Sunweaver Space sim, at stratospheric heights over the ground, there’s a dance club that really stands out. With it’s space-age design, and it’s great DJs and dancers, it is truly “out of this world” : Club Zero Gravity.

“One of the more open space clubs that I've seen or been to,” owner Ranchan Weildman described the club, “maybe one of the highest in altitude at around 1200 m high. Always have a good set of DJ's that love playing music and love doing song requests, play to the crowd often.”

Ranchan did not create Club Zero, but volunteered to run it for the Sunweaver group after the former owner, Spectra Ninetails was seriously hurt in an accident. When she got it, the place looked like a huge black cube, “I've revamped the club from a boxed in borg cube to a much more open feel club. ... There have been a huge volume of positive comments about how the feel was much more relaxing and not claustrophobic.”

From outside, Club Zero appears in orbit in outer space around a planet. It can be considered three sections. The landing pad is where most people arrive. On this platform are a number of Star Wars ships, plus one of the Thunderbirds. There is also a rideable rocket that seats up to three people. Every few minutes the crafter either launches and drops to the surface to land at the Sunweaver Space Port and Sunweaver Airfield, or launches from the ground to dock at the station. In the back is the store and gaming area, with a number of Zyngo games and vendors for items from vehicles to furniture.

The middle section is the dance floor, where naturally people at the club spend most of their time in. The place has a unique look, no real outer walls, but a force field around metal bands curving around the interior. In the middle is the DJ stand, with announcement boards above, and on top of that a tree. Surrounding that are a few floating platforms for poledancers, with coin stacks that get taller the more tips the dancers get, and spokes under the glass floor slowly rotate around. Combined, the result is a high-tech look that one would expect from a space-age dance floor in a science-fiction movie.

Much of the club was contributed to Ranchan during the rebuilding, such as Rita Mariner giving her the spaceships near the entrance, “That was part of the plan, but Rita beat me to putting them down. ... The big super sphere that surrounds the entire club ... was laid out by Jo Sapeur. Then there are Rita's zyngo machines. The big tree was put up by Adrianna. that a good friend of ours, ( well one that i'd met being with Adrianna) Ravenna Soothsayer.  (built). Her sculpting work has just gone from good to amazing. Adrianna, my partner, as well as Jo are great and inspirational builders as well.”

DJ Nydia Tungsten describes the club, “like someplace a might have for spacers to go while their ship is being unloaded or repaired, where the crew could go for some down time.” The club events “are always fresh, and the weekend is for the adult as well.” Saturday nights are sometimes called “SL-exy Saturdays, when things can get a little on the wild side, with a relaxed dress code after the contest and sometimes some slightly cheeky song parodies, “It is the only club that I know of that the DJ's strip with the dancers. ... Out of all the clubs I deal with it is one of the few I will drop everything for to DJ for .... I always have fun there, and there are always fun people there.” She went on to say she’s seen someone find their mate there.

“The music runs the gammit of genres,” DJ Lsai Aeon explained about the tunes played at the club, “I’ve got a little of everything as does Nydia. Lexi seems to have a good bit of techno, and more new age. ... We are a friendly bunch, anyone is welcome. We like to have a good time, and work hard in hopes that everyone else is having a good time too.”

“One of my favorite things is trying to make it more like you're in zero gravity space as you're dancing,” Ranchan detailed, “the dance floor is see-through. It is also the dance ball.   There is a second level as well that had been put in recently.  But one of the better features is the couples dance ball animation that allows you to dance with your partner in a series of couple dances, of which you can do anywhere on the dance floor, or even on the side walk way.”

The dance party events usually have themes, along with a small prize for the one best-dressed to the theme. Some examples are a particular fashion of clothes, such as military uniforms, avatars, or just hold a trivia night. “The themed events usually are easy enough to take part in, since the more that can take part in them usually means the more that can come by and meet new people, or find some older friends that they've not talked to in a long time.  I do like to try a wide variety of themes to touch on everyone's interests. Anime events are always fun to go to, as you can see what people like about other cultures specifically Japanese plots and subculture. ...  there are a few that do stick out,  like a sixties event, or the period events.  Canine type events and Bunny events tend to be more popular, but also during trivia nights when there is more cash handed out in portions for those fast enough with the right answer.”

The club is usually open three nights a week at 6 PM SL time, Tuesday & Thursday, and 8 PM Saturday.

“Any club would like to succeed, it's all about work, dedication, effort and love that goes into building the ground work and sweat and tears in those first critical few months of a club’s life.   The benefit of trying to start what was Club Zero, into Club Zero Gravity is that there are a lot of people already that like the parties and getting together with some people.   But a club's best success is word of mouth and advertising.  Word of mouth usually carries a lot of weight. But it's more than just the building and the owners of the club that really bring out the club’s vibrant life. It's the people, the DJ's, the dancers that give true life to a club.  Zero Gravity is full of that.”

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sunweaver%20Space/128/128/2

Bixyl Shuftan

CHRISTO ISLAND

When I landed on Christo Island, I had a quick look round to get my bearings.

I decided to go for a flying survey of the whole island, to look at the big picture, so to speak. I could immediately see that it is very beautifully designed. Somebody has a good eye for detail. In the north West corner, there is a smallholding with a wheat field and a small vineyard and a vegetable garden. I’ve got to say, it made feel really good inside. It had a very soothing effect on me! Behind it there was a mountainous island which only added to the atmosphere.

All around this part of the island were landscaped areas, all designed with a master’s touch. It was relaxing just to walk around as see the beautiful countryside. This appeared to be more private than the commercial area that I was to come to next, so I thought it would be best to leave. Didn’t want to pry!

As I left, I passed a small harbour overlooked by a lighthouse and noticed that there was a jetski to use for free, so I jumped on and scooted off. I am NOT the best jetskier! However, I did get to see more of the island than I would have done, otherwise. There is a seclude beach on the west coast, which I assume must be for the residents and next to it is a derelict church and graveyard, peaceful but a bit sad, as they always are. Quite beautiful, really.

PART II

As I walked into town, to my right was a shop with high-resolution low relief carved panels for sale. I was astonished by the detail, especially as I soon realised that they were available to buy in Real Life, very impressive. There were a lot of Thai and Buddhist images of amazing quality, there. Well worth a visit.

Opposite the shop was the Body Temple gym, a men only gym. A gym where men could get together for all sorts of fun! There were poseballs scattered around offering multiple choices for sex. There was one very funny one in the shower!

I walked over to the information centre and learned just how much I had missed on my first trip round the island. A very detailed map gave me all the information I needed to see that there were a lot of facilities for the gay community.

As well as the gym there was a members-only cinema. The selection of available movies appeared to be very wide, but I did not stay to watch. I had a job to do! There’s a nice little room next to the cinema where you can meditate for a while and even have a wish. Seems that I’m going to be lucky in love!

I next went to the Sex Ship and the Donut factory and the Dungeon, which offer similar facilities to the gym, but with very different surroundings. After that, I thought I ought to stroll down Timothy Street, the main road of the commercial area. Past the gas station, there were some shops to rent. I counted eight. So come on you entrepreneurs, if you’ve got the right stuff, like Yang Boyd’s sexy underwear, get yourself down here and start trading! As a shop-keeper, you get access to the private sandbox, very useful.

Just past the cinema, there is the shop and office of Christo Design. On display there was jewellery and antique stationery. I bought the inkwell. All I need now is a Victorian house to go with it! Take a look, there’s some good stuff there.

Further down the road I was surprised to see Jean Luc Picard selling vegetables opposite Rod’s clothes shop, which sells some very cool gear, from underwear to shirts and swimwear. The posters of real guys wearing the clothes were a very good touch. Rod’s shop is three stories high and well stocked with good, stylish clothes.

Next to that is TWW Publishing. They will publish your books, magazines and catalogues for you. Contact TimothyWilliam Waco to find out more. Outside you can sit and have a drink and read the paper or watch the sea.

Turning the corner, I found the TRACS  nightclub housed in an old factory. Cool atmosphere, cool music. There’s a dance floor downstairs and a chill-out area upstairs with stairs leading to the roof. Looks good.

I took a long time at Christo Island, for selfish reasons. The landscaping and design were of the highest quality and it would make an excellent place to set up in business.

There is something special about the place, which I can’t quite put my finger on but I truly recommend a visit to Christo Island.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Christo%20Island/234/60/22 

By Kim Trefusis

Skybeam celebration schedule

When Charlene Trudeau bought the first sim that started Skybeam Estates in November, 2006, she never thought three years later she would be celebrating a vision that had come true for her. If you sit and read her covenant she begins with a welcome that follows:      
     
"In Shakespeare’s Richard II, John of Gaunt expresses his love of England and his worries about the nation’s future with a speech that includes the following lines:

'This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,
This Earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise ...
This precious stone set in a silver sea'

While these regions are not about England, the spirit of the quote seemed appropriate to the quality and richness of the environment I wish to foster for the building of a warm friendly community."
That quote explains exactly what you will find if you come to live or have a business here at SkyBeam Estates. And, this year, it is the community that will be hosting the party to celebrate with Charlene the success she has had in Second Life.
The celebration will start on Friday evening and continue through the weekend ending with an 80's party.  Below you will find the complete schedule of events.  Also happening this month are some special land offers for anyone looking for a "warm friendly community" to live or work in . So, if you are in the need of land or know anyone who is please have them contact Charlene Trudeau or Nevar Lobo for assistance.
Events  highlighting the weeked include the Original SkyBeam Fox Hunt, Trivia Game shows, Fishing Contest , Speed Building and in combination with RacerX , The Giant Snail Race is coming to SkyBeam.  Prizes given away at every event.  A full weekend of fun for everyone.

Weekend Schedule:
Friday, Novermber 13th:
5:30 pm slt  TGIF Party with Dakota, Cash prizes for Worst Dressed Male and Female
                        Slide show featuring  Memories of SkyBeam.
               http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Muse/30/49/25

Saturday, November 14th:
6:00am slt - Fishing Contest, starting pot of 1000L with top five payout
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Phoenix/163/45/30

10am slt - SkyBeam's Fox Hunt - Free Horses are available for those who need one.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Pastures/187/97/23

12pm slt - Game Show event -  come play some of your favorite game shows.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Scepterd%20Isle/34/64/2

6pm slt - Ice Skating Party with DJ RockAndRoll Michigan
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Tradewinds/189/159/26

Sunday November 15th:
9:30 am slt - Speed Build Contest -   http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Phoenix/190/85/576

11:30am - Classic Giant Snail Race through SkyBeam
to get free snails - Starting Line - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Scepterd%20Isle/110/102/32

2pm slt - Jazz with DJ Cataplexia and Trivia
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Haven/212/59/22

6pm slt -  Fishing Contest, starting pot of 1000L with top five payout
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam%20Phoenix/163/45/30

8pm slt - 80's party with DJ Splash  at Pub Sploosh
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Richland%20Center/87/177/32

Winter Comes to Mystery

Winter has set in at the Mystery sim. The grounds are covered with a layer of white snow. The trees are bare, with a dusting of white on some branches. The lake is covered with a layer of crystaline ice. The changes have ben popular with visitors, though. People ave commented that the lake is now good for a little ice skating, and people find an excuse to wear winter fashion. “The sim looks gorgeous as the snow reflects the colors of the sunset,” one added.” Another thought the place was especially beautiful at Midnight, “The cosy corners seem even cosier.”

At12 Noon SL time on Sunday Nov 8, people came to Debi Latte’s live music event at the Heart of Mystery’s riverboat club, the first weekend after the winter snow came in Mystery. Debbie’s tag read “Singin’ a Latte,” which described the whimsical mood of the event at times. But her beautiful music could evoke tears as well, the audience applauding her.

While Debi sang, the four-footed hostess of the event, Silverwolf Sweetwater, pranced on the floor with the others, sometimes on her hindquarters, shaking paws with those who tipped her, and proudly showing off her purplish-dyed coat. Manager Amythe Moonlight joked about painting her paws green and yellow, which didn’t phase the wolf as she joked about getting paw prints over her dress. But when Amy got a pair of sisciors, Silver went and hid behind Debi, “Don't like scissors,worried for my tail!”

Tygeria Mirabeau, the sim owner, pointed out a grayish figure that lacked a tag, a robot, “That’s the greeter for the parcel.” The robot walked over various places on the dance floor, provoking a few comments, staff member Ayjay Carpenter joking, “Debi is our unofficial robot tester.” Silverwolf responded, “Aww, poor Debi. Those robots are scary.”

And as before when Debi Latte sang, Tygeria brought out the “bite rafflle” ball, the winner Tygeria told everyone, would get a chance to give Debi a little love bite. Several men and ladies entered, the winner being bunnygirl Cool Alsop. Tygeria announced, “Congratulations Cool Alsop for one million bites on Debi!” With a slight gasp and some odd looks from Debi, and some wondering if there’d be much of her left after so many bites, Tygeria corrected herself, “Okay, not one million bites, she neds to rest. Cool gets ten bites, and Amy still has thrity-one bites left (official bite counter)! No word from Tygeria on where the bite counter was.

Tygeria reminded all that the 2000L reward for the “Masked Lover” still stands, the “seducer” still at large, with no leads as to whom he might be.

It was a fun Sunday dance, the first one after the snowfall as Winter comes to Mystery.

Bixyl Shuftan