Yes!

Not every ass has long ears.
— German Proverb

Don’t be an ass. Be supportive of Pink Shirt Day’s anti-bullying movement and those like Lawless McBride who have gotten behind it.

Say ‘YES’ to Pink Shirt Day’s anti-bullying in solidarity with:

• Autumn Hykova, Dakota Buck and Twiggy Whippet
• Beanie Canning
• Candy Cerveau
• Chiara Tizona
• Dionysus Qualcar, Elysiana Eilde, Elysium Eilde, Kay Fairey and Vixie Rayna
• Dove Swanson
• Elusyve Jewell
• Grazia Horwitz
• Hibiscus Flossberg
• Lawless McBride
• Makenzie Irling
• Malkavyn Eldritch
• Saint Barracuda
• Sean Black
• Strawberry Singh
• Sugarr Delight
• Tesa Jewell
• Whimsy Winx
• Winter Jefferson

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Photo Credit: Strawberry Singh

Feature: My ‘Date for Down Under’ Charity Auction Date with leah Pleides

After being threatened with demands for buttsecks from a certain pinay fashionist were she to receive the winning bid on my date, I was relieved to have been auctioned off to a less adamant bidder. Following the Date for Down Under charity date auction on February 15, I briefly chatted with philanthropic sweetheart, leah Pleides (the winning bidder on myself and Newdoll Nikolaidis), about her non-buttsecks-related expectations for the ensuing date (although, I mentioned buttsecks a lot on our date … because she wore a buttsexy dress). Casual or formal? She couldn’t decide, so, we did both.

During the following day’s date, I had an opportunity to introduce leah to some activities and spots that were new for her – which was fun. While test driving a Sentra at the Nissan sims she drove us over the guard rail, into the water and onto a rocky outcropping. Strangely enough, when she tackled the looming loop-d-loop she pwnd it. Straight track fail, but curved-in-the-air track win?

Next stop was Straylight’s 7Seas fishing hole, where she got to see my lack of skills with a rod. Dream up all the puns you want. I didn’t catch a single fish at my former obsession, but she did, and we did get a chance to catch up with one another’s interests in-world and in real life. I got a peek at some of leah’s real life artwork and learn about her aspirations in transferring her talents into Second Life™.

Winding down, we headed to Bogart’s Jazz Club. After questioning whether wearing black would be acceptable, leah teleported in wearing a dress with a plunging everything line – neckline, backline. It seemed like all the lines were competing to see who could get the lowest. A waltz or two later we stopped off briefly at Monkeh Island to visit Sean before teleporting to Luna Jubilee’s platform for shenanigans with Express Zenovka and Strawberry “♥” Singh before heading to bed.

It was uber fun.

You can read leah’s account of the night’s events on her blog.

VIEW THE SLIDESHOW

Results from the auction were posted on the In Cold Blood: Aftermath and Seven Ultra Lounge: @The ‘Date for Down Under’ Charity Auction sites.

According to Dakota Buck’s blog, an integral participant in the in-world Victorian Bushfire Appeal, over L$2M were to support the Australian Red Cross’s efforts in assisting the areas and persons affected by the Victoria Bushfires. Thanks to all who made this possible.

Announcement: Tonight: ‘Date for Down Under’ Charity Auction

[ Reposted from 7ultralounge.com/blog ]

Tonight at 7PM SLT, residents from various Second Life™ and real life backgrounds will be auctioning off their dateworthiness in a united effort to raise funds to support the initiatives of the Australian Red Cross in light of the recent tragic events that continue to grip Australia.

Though the event promises to be fun, its intent is to generate funds to provide continuing relief to the affected persons and areas during the aftermath. Human and animal life, the environment, and the economy have felt the ripple affect of the devastation and concerned residents want to help.

We are hoping to raise big numbers.

Residents slated to appear on the auction block include: Achariya Maktoum, Ashia Tomsen, Autumn Hykova, Bianca Darling, Callie Cline, Catero Revolution, Cherelle Capra, Dakota Buck, Dove Swanson, Faery Sola, Felicity Blumenthal, Glamoramama Boa, Grady Echegeray, Hibiscus Flossberg, JohnJoseph Shippe, Jonny Tobias, Lawless McBride, Lazaro Nakamichi, Malkavyn Eldritch, Newdoll Nikolaidis, Ruina Kessel, Ryker Beck, Seikatsu Koba, Stephberry Delling, Sylar Boyd, Tesa Jewell, Truth Hawks, Vasean Talamasca, and event organizer Winter Jefferson.

Any changes from the line-up will be announced during the event.

Though it would be very prim conscious, auctionees, unlike the models used in event marketing, will likely be clothed. So … don’t get your hopes up.

Gestures allowed • No cover charge (L$0) • Dress code in effect (see: ‘House Rules’)

Teleport to: Isle of Endless Dreams (167, 203, 24)

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Related Links:

• Listing of content creators with fundraising items for sale (c/o Dakota Buck)
• Google News feed: query: “Australian Bush Fires”
• Australian Red Cross

Announcement: Date for Down Under Charity Auction – Sunday, February 15

[ Reposted from 7ultralounge.com/blog ]

You are invited to “Date for Down Under”, a fun and flirty charity date auction fundraiser to support those who have been affected by the recent tragic devastation to Victoria, Australia.

Bidders will enjoy a two-hour date with the auctioned residents at a mutually agreeable time.

Residents currently up for bid include:
Achariya Maktoum – F
Ashia Tomsen – F
Autumn Hykova – F
Cherelle Capra – F
Dakota Buck – F
Dove Swanson – F
Faery Sola – F
Glamoramama Boa – F
Grady Echegeray – F
Hibiscus Flossberg – F
JohnJoseph Shippe – M
Jonny Tobias – M
Lawless McBride – M
Lazaro Nakamichi – M
Malkavyn Eldritch – M
Newdoll Nikolaidis – F
Ruina Kessell – F
Ryker Beck – F
Seikatsu Koba – F
Stephberry Delling – F
Sylar Boyd – M
Tesa Jewell – F
Truth Hawks – M
Vasean Talamasca – M
Winter Jefferson – M

Proceeds from the “Date for Down Under” charity auction will go to the Australian Red Cross to support their relief efforts.

For further information on this event, please contact Mr. Winter Jefferson in-world.

Commentary: Missing from the Feed

Since June of 2008 Delora Starbrook has been trying to get her store blog for Haven Designs added to Fashion Planet. After sending two emails and several note cards to the feed administrator, Tao Takashi, she’s all but given up. Though Fashion Planet is a great forum for sharing, inclusion is not a given. Those who regularly follow it are well-aware of its flaws.

“There’s no point in blogging if I’m only getting a couple views a day,” she says. “When I had another person who is on the feed advertise my product for me, I saw tons of traffic and sales. As in … my sales tripled.”

Haven Designs, which  specializes in quality silks and specialty hairstyles, promotes each release in the Fashion Consolidated update group, Savoir Hair, the Gorean Fashion Syndicate and several other Gorean groups, in addition to its own 2,000+ member subscribe-o-matic group.

Says Starbrook, “Every time I release something new, I have a potential audience of approximately 13,000 people – not accounting for group overlap and alts – but no one actually reads fashcon’s posts unless it says FREE in it.”

In January 2008 Starbrook co-hosted a week-long daily-release event in conjunction with Analise to promote her products, which were posted on the Analise blog. In viewing the pattern of her sales, she believes that the Fashion Planetexposure from the event resulted in about $300USD in additional sales – a surplus which enabled her to purchase a much-needed new desktop and a few other peripherals.

Taking advantage of the efficiency in being added to Fashion Feed of SL  is not an option for Delora, as her product shots oftentimes show nudity, which is a barried to includsion as Delora is not willing to obscure her shots.

“I won’t put stars on my pictures (it hides detailing) and I won’t put my images behind a cut since that essentially ruins the impact of the post,” she states. “I need to get on fashion planet where the occasional stray nipple or butt cheek isn’t going to make people tear their hair out.”

Many residents create blogs to voice their opinions or showcase their mash-up talents and desire to share their news and views with others. It’s important to note that the feeds are a very powerful promotional tool – especially for those making a real life income from their Second Life™ career pursuits.

If interested in the subject matter, please subscribe to the following blogs (via Bloglines, Google Reader, etc.) that have been left off of the feeds:

Resident Perspective

• Boned by Bone Mosten
  
• Brutal by Dancien Graves
• More Than Meets the Eye by Grazia Horwitz
• The SL Revolution
• Sex in the 2nd City
  

Fashion and Retail Culture

• Haven Designs
  
• The Loft
  
• Love.love.love
• Oscaresque
• Pink Outfitters
• Prim Perfect
  
• Second Sales
  

Know a great blog that has not yet been included in the SL blog community listings? Please leave comment with the URL.

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Photo credits: L to R: Delora Starbrook (in Qadesh Silks/Haven Designs), Catero Revolution (in Min Silks/Haven Designs).

Overheard: The Customer is Always Right?

Many American businesses abide by the philosophy pioneered by the late department store owner Marshall Fields, that “Right or wrong, the customer is always right”. Anyone who has worked frontline as a customer service representative (CSR) knows that this ideal is highly flawed.

In being a business person in Second Life™ there are no corporate layers that lie between the developers of the product and the customers;  it’s one person being a jack of all trades – product research and development, accounting, store (franchise) operation, public relations, marketing and advertising, customer service representative. If the demands of the business become overwhelming – because, well, there is this thing called real life that should come first – many entrepreneurs hire and employ their own customer service rep(s). In that case, one would want all easy-to-answer questions, concerns and comments filtered through that frontline staff with only the heavy-hitters falling on one’s shoulders for decision-making or response, saving valuable time that could be spend reinvested in the business or focused on real life. 

The business owner’s profile is filled with FAQ, a link to the store blog (which may have additional information to address any concerns a (potential) customer may have) and the request to contact their CSR for everything.

So, how does a store owner with a CSR respond to this?:

[0:26] nyla Uriza: (Saved Mon Jan 19 23:18:17 2009) Has anyone told you that your profile is really bitchy?
[0:26] nyla Uriza: (Saved Mon Jan 19 23:18:43 2009) be thankful people buy your overpriced prims, bitchface
[0:26] nyla Uriza: (Saved Mon Jan 19 23:21:57 2009) really…150L for a rug….750L for a effin couch. Girl, you are going to hell for charging people so much

Or this, when one responds that rudeness and jealousy won’t get them very far in life?:

[14:34] nyla Uriza: (Saved Tue Jan 20 14:25:36 2009) Jealous of a negro?
[14:34] nyla Uriza: (Saved Tue Jan 20 14:25:44 2009) chuckles
…
[14:34] nyla Uriza: (Saved Tue Jan 20 14:31:39 2009) the only reason you even responded to me is because deep down you know you are a pompous bitch and feel the need to defend yourself.

Tonight: Singles Night @ Seven

[ Reposted from 7ultralounge.com/blog ]
Wednesday, January 14/09 @ 8PM SLT/PDT
No cover • Dress code in effect*

————————

No cover change tonight as Seven opens its doors for our first ever singles night, hosted and orchestrated by Alexandria Paine with DJ Sierra Sugar at the turntables.

Our staff are geared up to provide attendees with good music, a chillaxed mood and flashing lights to create the ideal setting for lovestoned singles on the look-out to meet that special someone.

Peacocking and and bringing your wing men and wing women highly is encouraged.

Teleport to: Isle of Endless Dreams (167, 203, 24)
————————
* House Rules
————————

Mijn Boa’s Artwork on Sale @ L$50 for a Limited Time

Many of us were first introduced to the art of Mijn Boa, who goes by the handle Mijn Schatje (meaning “my little treasure” in Dutch)  in real life, many months ago when her works were showcased in the Tableau art gallery, when the sim was themed like a Mexican desert. Mijn is an illustrator and graphic artist based in Paris, who is associated with the Arts Factory Gallery (Paris) and refers to herself as “a digital lowbrow/pop surrealism artist”. Her artwork has been displayed in galleries across Europe as well as in the United States.

Using Second Life™ as a medium to bring about new awareness of her work has allowed Mijn to expose people from around the world to her signature style. If you haven’t yet seen the idyllic fairy tale faces of her wide-eyed dolls, your time is limited within the realm of SL. On January 14, the gallery shop in which she sells her works along with those of fellow artists Marmite Xue (IRL: Eli Effenberger) and Chris von Steiner will close for an undetermined amount of time while Mijn focuses on moving and shaking in real life.

All works within the Mijn and Marmite Gallery at Aura (57, 79, 22) are being sold at the insanely affordable price of L$50. Mijn hopes to use the proceeds to buy a badge machine and turn her art into wearable pieces.

- – -

TP:  Aura (57, 79, 22) 

Keep informed:

• www.mijnschatje.fr
• www.myspace.com/mijnschatje

Singles Night @ Seven Ultra Lounge

[ Reposted from 7ultralounge.com/blog ]
Wedesday, January 14/09 @ 8PM SLT/PDT
No cover • Dress code in effect*

————————-

Good music, a chillaxed mood and flashing lights may just be the ideal setting for lovestoned singles on the look-out to meet that special someone.

On Wednesday, January 14 @ 8PM SLT/PDT, please join Event Host & Coordinator Alexandria Paine and DJane Sierra Sugar as they set the mood for SLove … or something less long-term.

Put on something that shows off your best features, bring your friends, grab a beer and boogie to the beat as you check out the prospects in the crowd.

Based on the success of the event, it could be an on-going and regular event.

* House Rules

Making Shapes

It seems like everyone who has been a resident of Second Life™ for some time develops their own signature of aesthetic values. Every person has their own take on shapes – what they should be, what they shouldn’t be and everything in between.

Over my time spent in SL™ I’ve made my fair share of shapes for fun or profit, and after many months of perseverating about whether or not I should start a shape business I’ve decided to just dive in and create Manifest Shapes, which will be:

• Limited edition
• For male avatars only
• Well suited to a variety of skins and tones
• Tailored to different body type preferences

I think the most significant aspect, which is reflected in their cost, is the fact that they are limited edition. Sure, their pricing is set at 4-figures … but you won’t have to be overly concerned with seeing clones of yourself wandering the grid. Once the sale limit has been reached, the product will no longer be available,  so, purchasers retain a small sense of uniqueness. 

Currently, 3 shapes available at Retrology (84, 30, 31) in the underground subway depot:

Mauro @ L$1,500 (10 available)

Nesbitt @ L$1,250 (15 available)

Snider @ L$1,000 (20 available)

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• Manifest Blog URL
• Manifest on Flickr