What I think

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    Bento

    Byaemeth Fashion, Friends, Guest Post, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Mesh, Second Life, Skins, What I think
    2 Comments

    Bento

    Bento is here! Both official and Firestorm clients with Bento have been released now, so you’ll see a lot more people wearing Bento items around the grid. Everything from mesh heads, to tails, to giant avatars are already being released. Even Bento hands and AOs, which means you can have an animation override where your individual fingers move!

    For this entry, I wanted to talk about a cheaper Bento head for those interested in Bento but not wanting to pay a lot of money for some of the high-price options out there. Lightstar is a smaller store but has released two great heads to pick from. As of this entry the price has been raised to 2,000L for each of them. Still, that’s cheaper than some less impressive Bento heads I’ve seen so far. The mesh head you’ll see in this entry is Lightstar Marian.

    This Bento head is Omega-friendly, so you can wear all your favorite makeups with it. You can also purchase a separate expression HUD (250L) for about 29 different expressions. Here are some of my favorites:

    Bento

    Lightstar is a great option for those who want to look different but still use their favorite skins. I don’t like the default skins that come with the package, but once you install Omega it’s all uphill from there. Well worth the price to check out! Head to their store to pick up a demo.

    Bento

    There are soooo many new Bento things I want to check out and feature here! I’ve got my eye on Medhue Animations’ elephant avatar, and I’m waiting for the attachable Bento horse coming soon from Water Horse. Organica is also working on a wearable wyvern!

    Have you purchased any new Bento items yet? New heads? What’s your favorite so far? Lemme know!

    What I’m Wearing
    Lightstar Marian Head
    Pink Fuel – Kiyomi Skin (no brows, Latte tone)
    Belle Epoque – Caelan Armor (We <3 RP)
    Moon Amore – Crystal Queen Tiara RARE
    Lamb – Dust Bunnies
    HEXtraordinary – Elven Throne (We <3 RP)

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    Holiday Magic

    Byaemeth Friends, Guest Post, Hot Tips, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, What I think
    0 Comments

    Holiday Magic

    Happy Holidays! We’re now headed into the slew of special days to finish up the year. I wish you an awesome journey through this season, no matter what you’re doing or celebrating.

    For some of us, we’re going to find ourselves in a stressful situation somehow. Maybe you’re interacting with family you don’t want to deal with. Maybe you have no family to interact with or you are sorely missing someone. I’ll list a few pointers and articles to help you out if you’re that someone.

    • Remember you are fully able to excuse yourself or turn down invitations to deal with family who is toxic. Don’t put yourself through that, and don’t let that person guilt you into dealing with them if you don’t want to. Lie if you need to stay away from them. It’s not a sin to put your mental health first.
    • If someone veers into politics over dinner and you know it’s going to get ugly, assert that you don’t want to talk about it because you just want to enjoy holiday vibes. Tell that person they can call or email you another day if they really want to get your opinion on current happenings.
    • Too many people? Step outside for a moment, breathe some fresh air, or take a short walk. Reassure concerned family that you’re just wanting to enjoy the weather as a part of the day.
    • Know your alcohol limit! A party can be great but if alcohol tends to get the family into unhappy debates, sit it out or dip early. Practice the art of having “just enough” where you don’t veer into stomachaches or become disagreeable.
    • If you’re alone for the holiday and feeling the blues, treat yourself if you can. Do not blame yourself for being alone. It happens to everyone! If you feel super down and want to cheer yourself up, find something to donate and visit a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. Also, avoid listening to sad songs and don’t drink too much if you know it’ll encourage depression. Put on your favorite movie or find one on Youtube to make you laugh. Or just laugh at the misery of everyone else who is stuck in the cold right now. That’s not you!
    • Actually no matter who you are, you should treat yourself during holidays anyway. You deserve it.
    • Create your own holiday celebrations with friends in the grid if you need to. Family’s one thing, but friends? The ones who mean a lot to you? That time spent with them can do you a world of emotional good, even if you’re sitting around a pixel table.

    Got any more tips? Leave them in the comments!

    What I’m Wearing:
    Logo Alex Head
    Chemistry – Mila Hair
    RC Cluster – Fantasy Floater AO
    RC Cluster – Spell Book of the Good
    Neve – Pull Over Sweater (Neutral)
    Neve – Artist Frayed Jeans
    ROC – Martens Boot

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    Pumpkin Spice Lattes?

    Byaemeth Exploring SL, Friends, Guest Post, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    0 Comments

    Haunted

    It’s October! You know what that means, right? Halloween, pumpkins, and coffee made with pumpkin puree that might have squash mixed into it. (Pumpkin and squash are in the same family, so…yep.)

    It’s my personal theory that squash is being mixed in Starbucks’ pumpkin spice lattes. But because they technically wouldn’t be lying by saying their drinks are made with 100% pumpkin, squash can definitely get in there if it means saving their company tons of cash. Besides–you’re drinking a vegetable in the latte anyway. It still tastes awesome. I’d still use pumpkin puree in my pies even after knowing what the puree is made of.

    Would you drink pumpkin spice lattes if it were true that some squash were found in the drink?

    Ruining Everything Forever,
    Cake ❤︎

    What I’m Wearing

    Logo Alex Head
    Chemistry – Mila Hair
    Neve – Artist Frayed Pant
    Neve – Tuesday Stripe Top
    RC Cluster – Nights Watch Confident Candelabra

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    The 2016 Guide To Skin-Painting Basics

    Byaemeth Art, Friends, Guest Post, Hot Tips, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    4 Comments

    The 2016 Guide To Skin-Painting Basics

    I got a letter in the SL mail from someone asking for skin/makeup/tat-making tips. This post is a response to them, as well as anyone else looking for a boost.

    There are many tutorials on the web on how to paint makeup or skin for avatars, however, most, if not all, of them seem waaaay outdated. I would like to create makeup, skin, and/or tattoos for both the default avatar and the mesh ones (like lelutka mesh head or maitreya body)….

    I was wondering if you had any tips or suggested tutorials on how to go about creating such things. I don’t quite know where to start….

    Read More “The 2016 Guide To Skin-Painting Basics”

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    Mindfulness

    Byaemeth Friends, Guest Post, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, What I think
    1 Comment

    Mindfulness

    The fundraiser is over and the tragedy has passed. You’ve collected money and made a fantastic donation. It’s sent off and you feel good for your contribution. You will hopefully help someone who never even plays this game.

    But at home, are you mindful? Do you practice good allyship on the grid?

    Do you listen to those who look like the victims you just raised money for? Or do you tell them their reactions to racism on the grid are too strong? Do you yield the floor for them to express their frustrations, or do you block them and tell your friends to block them too?

    Do you listen to how they feel trapped and don’t have good options for finding places that are welcoming? Have you ever searched for a hangout that has the words “trans” and “genderfluid”, that isn’t an inflation dickgirl fetish sim? Do you know how few places welcome people who are actually nonbinary and don’t view them as a sexual adventure?

    Do you ask yourself what someone feels when they combine the anger and fear of Black Lives Matter with the anger and fear of people on the grid laughing at Caitlin Jenner around you? Have you ever spotted an avatar in a club wearing a penis attachment under a skirt and their profile says they’re a “t-girl”, and it made you, the person who is nonbinary irl, feel like an imposter?

    Do you know what trans racism is? Did you know it exists on the grid too?

    The grid is not an escape for some of us. It’s a place where we can figure out who we are both as people of color and as members of the queer and nonbinary community. We can figure out what style is best for our desired appearance. We can come to understand how we wish to present. We don’t run from real world problems and when we see them here, we call them out.

    Not to make waves, not to make people upset, but because if we don’t, we will suffer a shrinking space where we feel welcome and free to be ourselves–our true selves, where we know we can go to a place where the folks there will accept us for everything. Not part of us, not make slight slurs about race or gender or queerness when you think we aren’t listening, but 100 percent of our being. If we aren’t allowed to do so, then the grid is no good to us at all. The grid becomes a place that is welcoming to straight white people only.

    And I cannot abide in a place like that. I won’t make paintings to hang in rl galleries of a grid that doesn’t value me as a person. I just won’t.

    Practice mindfulness. Wherever you raise money, ask yourself on the grid if there’s someone suffering in a similar way. Ask if you’ve crossed paths with them before. Then ask how you can behave differently next time.

    Skybox – The Cyberpunk Apartment by Djehan Kidd

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    AnacondaS Wave Dancer

    Byaemeth Exploring SL, Friends, Guest Post, Hot Tips, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Mesh, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    1 Comment
    AnacondaS Wave Dancer Boat
    The Wave Dancer. Get that free demo, yo.

    When Second Life gets a bit stressful, it’s time to put down the obligations and do something fun. My suggestion? Get out on the water. Grab a free boat, visit the Blake Sea, and start sailing. Whether you do so with a motorboat like the Magellan, or a sailboat like the Fernseed Keelboat, you’re sure to calm down after listening to the sounds of the pixel ocean for a while. (Don’t forget to grab this free swim HUD too.)

    After a while, you might get tired of free boats and want something a bit nicer. If you have the Lindens to spend, take a look at the AnacondaS Wave Dancer.

    It’s amazing how spacious the Wave Dancer is inside. You won’t need to adjust your camera unless you prefer driving in mouselook or third-person. It also comes with a full working kitchen, bathroom/shower, cabin/bed, and dining area. There’s a media player just behind the driver’s seat for if you want to play videos while you’re out boating. The dashboard holds a fuel gage, working GPS system, and radar. Even the microwave works, which I found to be charming.

    You can seat 14 people on it–great for parties or running a tour around the Blake Sea or other body of SL water. The boat turns a little too fast for my tastes in the water, but that’s because it’s meant for driving primarily in mouselook. If you’re using an Oculus with this boat, however, you’re in for a pretty great time.

    The drawbacks of it are small but ultimately decided why I didn’t buy it yet. For everything the Wave Dancer has, the one thing it doesn’t is a multi-sit system. For 2900L, this is something I’m hoping the builder will fix.

    You see, when you’re out boating, you need to be able to move around your boat without standing up. If your boat doesn’t have a system where you can click and choose various poses on the craft, you’re going to inevitably have to stand up–which might cause your boat to be returned while you’re in the middle of the sea. Multi-seating systems solve this problem while letting you “live” on your boat. Some boats like the A-T Portal Tug even have a roaming system that lets you walk around the boat without ever getting out of your seat.

    I’ve sent a request to the Wave Dancer’s builder to see if they’re interested in implementing a multi-seating system. If they do it, I’m snatching up this boat as soon as I can.

    I still highly recommend you trying out the Wave Dancer, though. The demo will let you drive the boat for up to two hours. It only counts the minutes the boat is actually in the water! It’s great for letting boaters decide if they’d like to purchase it or not.

    If you know of a boat I should check out, contact me in-grid (Aemeth Lysette). For more destinations, check out the SL Sailing directory. See you on the water!

     

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    My Wishlist For Project Sansar

    Byaemeth Friends, Guest Post, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Tech, What I think
    6 Comments

    My Wishlist For Sansar

    What would it take to make Sansar thoroughly engaging? Sure, Linden Lab can update the graphics and make it much easier to load and navigate the game, which I imagine they’re doing right now. But what would make it stand out from the previous grid? What would draw in new users, as well as ones from SL?

    This is an ongoing list that readers are welcome to add to. If you want to suggest a feature here, please do so in the comment section! Maybe someone from the Lab will see it and think it’s a good idea, too.

    Read More “My Wishlist For Project Sansar”

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    Sword Art Online

    Byaemeth Friends, Guest Post, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, What I think
    0 Comments

    Sword Art Online

    I’ve been binge-watching Sword Art Online lately. An anime about players who are unable to log out of an MMO until they defeat the final boss, it explores all kinds of philosophical subjects that have to do with online gaming. That’s right up my alley! I love deep things like that.

    Here’s a paraphrased quote someone says in the series: “The choices you make in a video game can affect who you are in real life.” This quote doesn’t mean simple tasks or clearing levels, but how you treat other players. I agree wholeheartedly with this.

    Second Life is especially prone to this because it has no end goal unless you create one. If you attack the grid like it’s a game, manage your business like a ruthless CEO, or discard of people you meet in rp sims like they’re little more than an NPC to be used, you’re going to change irl if you aren’t that way already. You can become someone you didn’t think you would ever be. You will slowly but surely become a low-key sociopath. I’m not kidding.

    Sword Art Online

    The power anything in this game can grant you can end as soon as the grid itself goes away. Do yourself a favor, and always remember what’s really important in life. Your happiness. Your sanity. Your friends. People who love and care about you. Power and cash are not the end-all. Don’t let a lust for these things and the setting of a virtual world turn you into someone you don’t recognize anymore.

    It might be a strange word of warning all of a sudden, but let’s get real: Sansar is something LL is creating because it needs to retain its users, or else the company may flop and both grids can be lost. We’re looking at a possible endgame here with our surroundings. But don’t let that take away what’s important. Love conquers all, and will be there when all your virtual swag has disappeared.

    That’s all for now!

    What I’m Wearing
    Verve – Coco Skin
    Logo Alex Mesh Head
    glYph – Acolyte Hood and Skirt*
    Bliensen + MaiTai – Viper’s Nest Necklace*
    Empyrean Forge – Borealis Sword*
    JIAN – Wolf Companion*
    Moon Elixir – Mira Tunic*
    PEQE – Trumpet Sleeves
    Wicca’s Wardrobe – Joyce Necklace*

    *available at We <3 RP until the end of the month!

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    Life2 versus G&S

    Byaemeth Exploring SL, Friends, Guest Post, Home & Garden, Hot Tips, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, What I think
    3 Comments
    Life2 versus G&S
    G&S shots of weaving and farming.

    I love farming and fishing. When I was a kid, my father took me fishing all the time. My stepmother kept our backyard filled with plants, and taught me the importance of keeping a garden. I love both of these so much, I’m more likely now to play video games that feature these two activities.

    Imagine my joy when I discovered both the Life2 and G&S systems in Second Life. Although clearly meant for different time periods, both systems feature cooking, gardening, and eating to keep your energy up. Life2 is more for the modern period, geared towards city sims with families. G&S is created with Gorean and medieval sims in mind, expanded to include mining, crafting, carpentry, fishing, and raising animals.

    For the player who wants to invest and bring more entertainment to their SL experience, the task of figuring out which system is best for them can be daunting. Which one should you pick? Thankfully, I’ve shelled out the cash on both of these so you don’t have to–read on to check out my comparison of both.

    Read More “Life2 versus G&S”

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    Double Love

    Byaemeth Friends, Guest Post, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Mesh, Second Life, What I think
    17 Comments

    According to some people, I’m an “online crossdresser”, most likely because they don’t understand how Second Life works for those who are nonbinary (meaning, a gender identity which doesn’t fit with just “male” or “female”). If you want to understand a bit more, listen in on my story and see how this might stack up against your original opinion of nonbinary users in SL.

    Back in 2003, I didn’t know what being genderfluid was. I do, however, remember making a beeline for the men’s section in a department store and buying slacks and oversized shirts to hide my figure. I had no idea why I was doing this. I was just doing it. Before I had a name for what I was, I did it and was happy, not caring about the weird looks other people in the store were giving me.

    About ten years later, I began “masking” (as my people call it) for performance art and to play with gender again. I liked the way I felt when people said, “I can’t tell if you’re a man or a woman”. It made me feel powerful, like I had defied something and become a completely new person entirely. I took it and ran with it–it was my life, my rules, but those were not the things I practiced in SL yet. When a newspaper asked me to talk about my work, I talked about shifting genders when masking. I was proud of who I had become and you can find that article to this day. Read More “Double Love”