AM Radio at IDIA Laboratories

One of my favourite artists and creators in Second Life is without question, AM Radio. Well known across the grid for his installations featuring wheatfields and in support of Heifer International.

The first AM Radio installation that I ever visited in world was The Far Away (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dreamworld%20North/220/130/22). It was my first exposure to the wheatfield with all the highly detailed objects and hidden treasures to be found when clicking the correct places. The installation had an incredible horizon and sky that made it feel very realistic and certainly ungridlike.

Since the Far Away, there have been a number of subsequent installations and exhibits...The Space Between the Trees (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Welsh%20Lakes/167/71/23); Husk (http://slurl.com/secondlife/IDIA%20Laboratories/19/157/21); The Space Between These Trees (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Welsh%20Lakes/167/71/23); Beneath the Tree that Died (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Welsh%20Lakes/94/131/1028); The Radio (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Welsh%20Lakes/137/119/516); and The Red and the Wild (http://slurl.com/secondlife/IDIA%20Laboratories/94/160/545).

Flickr groups abound and alot of AM Radio-related images can be found there. Each installation typically has a Flickr group dedicated specifically to it. I have a set of AM Radio images on Flickr which can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pj_trenton/sets/72157617149336779/.

His latest installation is an interactive exhibit where visitors can tag train cars. You create your graffiti works on an interactive web site and they appear in world on one of the 5 train cars in world. It is being hosted on the Institute for DIgitial Intermedia Arts (IDIA) at Ball State University. AM Radio is their inaugural artist-in-residence.

I highly recommend taking a run through the various AM Radio installations. They offer up some incredibly detailed content creation and a great place to lose yourself on the grid.

Even King Kong Needs a Vacation

Imagine my surprise to have run across King Kong while dropping in to one of my favourite Second Life destinations, Las Islas - Las Rocas (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Las%20Rocas/203/152/21). This is a region of beautiful tropical islands with a real Caribbean feel...white sand beaches...beautifully ocean vistas.

Las Rocas has changed a bit since I first discovered it, but still a very nice place to come and relax.

For more photos of King Kong on vacation, have a look at the small set I created on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pj_trenton/sets/72157622359675413/. This is certainly one very cool avatar...previously spotted in the Victorian region of Caledon; see the Primgraph Aetheric Log at http://primgraph.blogspot.com/2009/09/caledon-oxbridge-terrorized.html.

PJ Fundraises for the 2009 Boobie-Thon!

2009 marks the 8th Annual Blogger Boobie-Thon. Bloggers from all over the globe send in photos of their boobies (covered and uncovered) to help raise money for Breast Cancer Research. In the past seven years they have raised over $50,000.00 for Breast Cancer Research and are back to do it all again this October !

Serra Anansi and Eva Bellambi have organized a series of events in Second Life to raise money for this cause. One of those events is the Limerick Contest will be held on October 7th (the last day of the Boobie-Thon) at 6:30pm SLT.

There will be 4-5 people in the main event, including yours truly. The event consists of three rounds with each having a different theme or topic which must somehow be incorporated into the limerick.

The judging of the limerick contest be by a group of individuals who have bid the highest in order to have the right to judge. In addition to bidding for the right to judge, we are also looking for individuals to contribute to our donation kiosks at the event.

I am calling upon everyone to help support this very important cause by bidding on the right to judge the limerick contest and or making a donation to my kiosk.

After the main event, there will be the opportunity for all others to share in the fun - A Limerick Melee! Popular vote will determine this winner.

The Boobie-Thon’s mission is to create a fun and lighthearted event that created awareness and raises money for breast cancer research.

For more information, please visit http://www.boobiethon.com/ and thank you in advance for your support!

Crottin de Chavignol of the Quest for the Golden Prim

Over the next number of months, readers of the Quest for the Golden Prim will be introduced to the various characters that make up the story.

Crottin "Crotty" de Chavignol, a native of Aquitaine Coeur, attended boarding school on the mainland. A red wine connoisseur, he lives on an allowance of family money, stretched by teaching French at Caledon Oxbridge. When his late-night society activities allow, he enjoys flying with his friend Ralph Montcalm, who has been unsuccessful in urging him to join the RCAF.

Crotty is played by His Serenity, Otenth Paderborn, Jarl of Orcadia, Duke of Murdann, Viscount Ormsby of Little West Sniggery and
Giggleford, Thegn of Aa.

http://crottindechavignol.blogspot.com/

Step Up! Make Your Voice Heard Over Content Theft.

In the wake of the wholesale theft of sims and content over the past weekend, it has become clear that many people wanted (and need) to do something about it – and also about all the other content theft that has been fought for so long – in the Content Creators Association and in magazines and on TV shows.

Through those discussions, people have come up with the idea of the Step Up! campaign; a campaign centered on a special day of action that everyone can become involved with, and that can empower and inform people.

Find out more at http://step-up-sl.ning.com/ or at http://stepupsl.wordpress.com.

Paddle to the Sea

I watched a rather depressing documentary on the Great Lakes last night entitled Waterlife. Narrated by Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, this documentary took a look at the state of the Great Lakes and the impact that we have had on this vital system of lakes.

One of the additional features on the DVD was the classic Canadian short Paddle to the Sea by the National Film Board of Canada. Based on Holling C. Holling's book of the same name, Paddle to the Sea is Bill Mason's film adaptation of the classic tale of an Indian boy who sets out to carve a man and a canoe. Calling the man "Paddle to the Sea," he sets his carving down on a frozen stream to await spring’s arrival. The film follows the adventures that befall the canoe on its long odyssey from Lake Superior to the sea.

Filmed in 1966, it has been years since I saw it. I was glad of the opportunity to view it again...bringing back fond memories from childhood of a classic of Canadiana.

There is an official web site for this short film where you can watch it online. Visit http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=10584.

Emily Lockhart from the Quest for the Golden Prim

Over the next number of months, readers of the Quest for the Golden Prim will be introduced to the various characters that make up the story.

Emily is blessed, or some would say, cursed with boundless curiosity. She is continually poking about and challenging the status quo. Earning her degree in English Literature at Caledon Oxbridge was much easier than finding a job, Emily discovered. An independent woman with a degree who models herself after Nelly Bly was not an attractive prospect to most employers, but Emily has found a sympathetic editor at the Primgraph willing to take a chance on her. Her mother does not approve.

Her eagerness to prove herself a newspaperwoman and a modern woman causes her to ask the uncomfortable questions and
seize whatever opportunity she can to get the story.

Emily Lockhart is played by Serafina Puchkina who in her wider Second Life is a resident of New Babbage and Caledon. In New Babbage, Serafina is co-host of the Aether Salon, head librarian of the R.F.Burton Library, and proud Fire Mistress. She maintains several blogs relating to her activities in SL and if you are good, she will share them with you.

Prim Perfect Issue 20 On Virtual Newstands

A very special issue of Prim Perfect for Fall (or Autumn – for the Europeans among us!) features an exciting and vivid region for Sim of the Month – and we also have our first ever article on an Open Grid development – our Reader’s Home of the Month – an amazing creation on the Science Sim!

In the Northern hemisphere, the days are drawing in – longer nights and colder weather. Trees are beginning to take on rich autumnal shades as the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is with us once more. And at Prim Perfect, we’ve decided to explore a region that draws its inspiration from an area that is, for many people, synonymous with the beauties of – as they would say – Fall: the Islands of New England.

You may find the latest issue of Prim Perfect by visiting
http://en.calameo.com/books/000004234bdd9fd51cfeb.

Autumn Evening by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Last night was another great poetry night at the Speakers Circle in Avalon Town. In honour of the changing seasons, I decided to read the following poem by Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942).

Autumn Evening
Dark hills against a hollow crocus sky
Scarfed with its crimson pennons, and below
The dome of sunset long, hushed valleys lie
Cradling the twilight, where the lone winds blow
And wake among the harps of leafless trees
Fantastic runes and mournful melodies.

The chilly purple air is threaded through
With silver from the rising moon afar,
And from a gulf of clear, unfathomed blue
In the southwest glimmers a great gold star
Above the darkening druid glens of fir
Where beckoning boughs and elfin voices stir.

And so I wander through the shadows still,
And look and listen with a rapt delight,
Pausing again and yet again at will
To drink the elusive beauty of the night,
Until my soul is filled, as some deep cup,
That with divine enchantment is brimmed up.

Library of Congress on Flickr

As a huge photography enthusiast and history buff, I was very excited to learn today that the Library of Congress (the national library of the United States) has a photostream on Flickr. I have had a cursory glance at what they have up so far which seems to be a rather significant collection of very cool, historically and geographically significant images. I look forward to spending lots of time perusing their collection...and hope you do too!

A fabulous addition to Flickr! Their photostream can be found at http://www.flickr.com/people/library_of_congress/.

Boobiethon 2009

Boobies. Cuhuangas. Breasts. TaTas. Bazooms.

They are called many things and although they come in all shapes and sizes (large, small, saggy and perky), they have one thing in common: The ability to develop cancer.

Even though there is no cure yet, Serra Anansi and Eva Bellambi are joining the annual Blogger Boobie-Thon (www.boobiethon.com) to do our part part to make breast cancer a thing of the past.

Come join us as we host the 2ND ANNUAL SECOND LIFE BOOBIETHON.

This year we will have a week of events from the kick off Boobie Ball in the Winterfell Community Center on October 2nd to the ending ceremonies held at the Isle of Skye (Winterfell Anodyne) on October 7th! All funds collected in Second Life will be matched in part by Serra and Eva and then donated to the Susan G. Koman Foundation via the Blogger Boobie-Thon.

Please contact Serra Anansi or Eva Bellambi if you are interested in hosting an unique event to help up raise awareness and funds to bring Breast Cancer to an end.

Event Details as of September 13, 2009

• Opening Night on October 2nd @ 6:30pm SLT BoobieBall. Winterfell Community Center.
• October 3rd @ noon SLT BoobieBall. Winterfell Community Center. Wear Pink to the Balls if you'd like - or come topless if you dare!!
• October 5th @ 4:00pm SLT Innertube Obstacle Course and Race. Entry Fee L250
• October 7th @ 6:30pm SLT Limerick Contest*. In the sky on Isle of Skye, Winterfell Anodyne (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell%20Anodyne/210/222/2501)

* A little detail on the Limerick Contest. This particular event will focus on education related to men with breast cancer. The main event will showcase the limerick talent of 5 gentlemen in SL in three themed rounds. Those who wish to be judges for this contest need to send Eva Bellambi a notecard with a bid (donation) of at least L500. The top three bidders will be chosen. After the Main Event, there will be a limerick melee. Anyone desiring to enter will notify Eva Bellambi in world during the event. The winner will be determined by popular vote (Linden's donated on his/her behalf). I am proud to be participating in the limerick contest and hope you will support this worthwhile endeavour!

And please, look up the group called "Saving Second Base" and join to keep up with the events and updates!!! All funds raised from the 100L join fee will be added to the over all pot of funds raised!

***HISTORY OF THE BOOBIETHON ONLINE***
Founded in 2002 by Florida blogger Robyn Pollman (www.shutterblog.com) the Boobie-Thon has grown into a well-known event, raising tens of thousands for breast cancer and blogger-charity causes, with over 1500 people contributing pictures. The Susan G. Koman Foundation has, in the past, been the largest recipient of the funds. Both founders and participants are hoping to generate exposure and donations for a worthy cause. Males and females can submit pictures of their breasts. The covered boobies are featured on the free area of the site. The price of viewing the bare breasts is $50. www.boobiethon.com

Hortensia Primm of the Quest for the Golden Prim

Over the next number of months, readers of the Quest for the Golden Prim will be introduced to the various characters that make up the story.

Our first featured character is Miss Hortensia Primm (played by Frau Annechen Lowey) is governess and tutor to Annabella, and a graduate of Oxbridge University. Once a protege of Professor Sophronia Haddington-Scott, she now oversees the studies of her mentor's daughter, Annabella, while continuing to study the professor's notes that led them on their ill-fated journey.

A new episode of The Quest for the Golden Prim is published in each issue of Primgraph Magazine.

I am pleased to be the photograph and designer of this adventure and thank all of those involved for their cooperation, collaboration and sense of fun as we tell this exciting story to our faithful readers.

Primgraph Issue 7 on Newstands...

Issue 7 of The Primgraph is now available. This issue features seaside Caledon and the second Episode of the Quest for the Golden Prim. I contributed photographs for a handful of articles and the cover of the magazine.

You can read this issue of the The Primgraph online by visiting http://www.calameo.com/books/00000423407faa11b4d8e.

Also be sure to visit the Primgraph aetheric log (blog) found at http://primgraph.blogspot.com/ for notes, articles, announcements and postings about Second Life's vintage and steampunk communities.

New SL Art Calendar ning!

Utilizing the social networking strengths of the ning, Tricia Aferdita has created a new social network to help artists and gallery owners in Second Life to promote their work and their shows in one central location.

SL Art Calendar is a public forum for posting and finding art-related events in Second Life. It can be found at http://slartcalendar.ning.com/.

I encourage everyone who is interested in the vibrant SL arts scene to join the ning and keep up to date on artists, galleries and arts-related events across the grid.

Based in Palo Alto, Calif., Ning offers an easy-to-use technology platform enabling you to create and join Ning Networks for your interests and passions. With over 1.3 million Ning social networks created and more than 30 million registered members, millions of people every day are coming together across Ning to explore and express their interests, discover new passions, and meet new people around shared pursuits.

Art of C.J. Ross (aka Winter Nightfire)

Winter Nightfire aka C.J Ross is a self-taught painter from San Francisco, California. Her exposure to Abstract Expressionism began at age 16 in the North Beach neighborhood at Caffe Trieste, where she befriended her mentors, the noted Beat artists Jack Hirschman and George Long.

She displayed her first painting at a group show with her mentors in 2001 at age 24, and has been showing solo at venues across San Francisco ever since.

Winter recently teamed up with Filthy Fluno (Jeffrey Lipski) at the Second Life Community Convention (SLCC) in San Francisco for Artathon. These two amazing, fun and provocative artists took SLCC by storm...armed with paints, pastels and assorted canvases to capture the essence of the convention...in art! Sponsored by Avalon Art District and CounterpART Gallery, the pair created a wide-range of abstract art inspired by the event. The works were auctioned off at the end of the convention; raising $1,000 US for the non-profit organization Virtual Ability!

You can support fabulous artists like Winter by purchasing their wonderful and creative works in real life. You can view works currently for sale and acquire your own by visiting http://counterpartgallery.art.officelive.com/winternighfire.aspx.

The Vernian Deep by Viv Trafalgar

I present to you this fabulous video of the Vernian Deep in New Babbage created by the ever talented Viv Trafalgar. This video is just amazing...great work Viv!



Or visit YouTube to watch and rate it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ITE3HTWvSw!