Going back in time to The Free Dove!

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. I've been super busy in RL, it's a hugely busy time of the year plus I've been randomly sick with colds and other medical junk that was leaving me too drained for blogging about SL. Anyway, nuf o' that.

I was going through my Second Life landmarks in inventory this evening to weed out those that were dead, had moved or were otherwise useless. Lo and behold (seems appropriate to say this time of year), I came across an LM for The Free Dove. Or as it's listed in the LM, THE FREE DOVE as if ALL CAPS will make it even more FREE!

I have to give Palomna Casanova (the owner) props for hanging in there against all odds. Since 2006, THE FREE DOVE has been handing out freebies to newbs and regular folks alike. And generally speaking, the quality has always been pretty good. I still have a ton of Penguin and other prim shoes from TFD that I still wear now and then. I mean sometimes blocks and buttons and tortured prims make great wearables (LOL).

So on my quick swing through the store, I picked up an interesting skin, a nice bobbed-cut hair, 3 mesh dresses, and a pair of pink ankle boots. (I'm a real sucker for ankle boots.)

Everything was well crafted. The boots are awesomesauce. And I'm just totally amazed that THE FREE DOVE is still around for freebie goodness.

Yay Palomna!

Give the store a visit if you're in the mood to shop for freeeeee! SLURL below:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gallii/116/51/33

Linden Lab announces changes to Second Life Marketplace

Good write-up on changes scheduled for 2015 here: http://modemworld.wordpress.com/2014/10/11/lab-announces-viewer-managed-marketplace-on-the-way/

Yes I'm still here but sadly an old friend is not

I have been hugely busy working in real life so I haven't any spare time to attend to my blog or login to SL much. My girlie needs a vacation. :(

Last month I was completely caught off guard by the RL death of an old SL friend, Tav Palen. We had been friends since early on in SL -- both of us hanging out at and eventually working at Blackhearts Cafe. Even dating a few times.

A few months ago, Tav told me in IM was trying to beat back cancer and I was stunned. From then on, I kept checking on him via IM but there came a point where he wasn't online any more. I found out about his passing through a mutual friend of ours who was connected to him in RL. Tav was a free spirit in SL and wore his heart on his sleeve (a silly expression but in Tav's case it fits).

Sigh. Most of the time when people disappear from SL, they've either become tired of it or have found RL alternatives that suit them better. I really wish that had been the case here.

Linden Lab building new virtual world

Per Wagner James Au's New World Notes,
"Linden Lab Confirms It's Building New Virtual World "Far Beyond What is Possible with Second Life" 

The Lab's official statement reads in part:

"Linden Lab is working on a next generation virtual world that will be in the spirit of Second Life, an open world where users have incredible power to create anything they can imagine and content creators are king. This is a significant focus for Linden Lab, and we are actively hiring to help with this ambitious effort. We believe that there is a massive opportunity ahead to carry on the spirit of Second Life while leveraging the significant technological advancements that have occurred since its creation, as well as our unparalleled experience as the provider of the most successful user-created virtual world ever.

For the complete text, go to the link at the top of this article.

I have always felt that the biggest improvements to SL from a techy standpoint would be a better avatar mesh (more detail + maybe optional realistic naughty bits that aren't "tack-ons"), smoother sim crossings, less lag and the ability to get more "stuff" into a SIM. Maybe even the concept of a SIM is just outdated. I dunno.

"Sara" - A "bratty" new mesh outfit from Inga Wind

One look at "Sara" from Inga Wind and I knew I had to take a photo with my tongue sticking out! It has a dash of snark that makes you feel like being a brat! Outfit complete as shown including sandals. Comes in 5 sizes with alphas for top, shorts, sandals or all three.

For reference, I'm wearing a size S top with S shorts.

Price is $195L with 10% off for group members. Demo available.

SLURL to Inga Wind Main Store

Great commentary on Linden Lab grid meltdown!

I think this blog post from Torric Rodas is dead on with respect to Linden Lab's recent grid problems and Landon Linden's very open and public response to what actually happened. I can seen the fingerprints of Ebbe Altberg on this and I sincerely applaud him and Landon for it!

New cuteness shorts outfit from Inga Wind

Nicki by Inga Wind

Inga keeps turning out winners week after week. This time, it's "Nicki" -- an adorkable mesh short set featuring a cropped over-jacket and peek-a-boo top. Outfit complete as shown with ballet flats. Comes in 5 sizes from XXS to L with alphas for jacket, shorts or both.

I'm wearing a size M top with XS shorts. This one is definitely going into my "wear often" folder!

Price is $220L with 10% off for group members.

SLURL to Inga Wind Main Store