Rez Day - My Second Life Birthday

Today is New Year's Eve, and tomorrow, the beginning of a new year. Today is also my third rez day, and I enter the fourth year of my sojourn in Second Life. Three years ago, I was a college freshman attending an orientation demonstration of the online services and technologies that are available to students at my university. The presentation concluded with speculations of our online future. Its discussion of immersion in virtual worlds, such as that being pioneered by Linden Lab's Second Life, captured my attention and fired my imagination. And on December 31, 2007, Mariko Nightfire began her virtual life.

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Mariko Nightfire in my first year in Second Life

Mariko Nightfire in my second and third year in Second Life

Mariko Nightfire Today

Today is also the second anniversary of my blog. It's my pictorial diary and travelogue in this virtual world. I never expected its readership to extend much beyond myself and my circle of friends in Second Life.  When I added a counter last spring, I was astonished, thrilled, and humbled by extent of its readership worldwide. A writer is always grateful for an audience. So, I thank all of you, my dear readers, for your visits to my blog. And I hope that I can continue to hold your interest and perhaps entertain you over the coming year.

"Go to the map of Second Life, zoom out, and watch the islands and sims become as stars in a galaxy of multitudinous stars. And know that each star in this galaxy is the creative work of some person or group of persons. The thrill is discovering one that shines bright in the firmament." Mariko Nightfire

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Mariko Magic: A Classic Christmas Rose

Christmas Rose by G Sloane Couture

I love fashions that capture a time and place. And what better time than the joyous Christmas Holiday and what better place than a nostalgic bygone era to which we yearn to return if not for a visit. Christmas Rose is a sumptuous and elegant holiday dress that truly captures those Classic Christmases of yesterday and brings them to our own time. I adore this dress. And I'll be wearing Christmas Rose throughout the holiday season in Second Life. This charming outfit was designed by Geryn Sloane, owner of G Sloane Couture. You can find Christmas Rose in the Christmas Shop located on the third floor of flagship store. Santa Claus is there too. Be sure to sit on Santa's lap to receive a free gift.

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I have received such glowing compliments wearing this dress. Christmas Rose comes with a rose shirt with fur cuffs, a Christmas ribbon skirt, a golden sash, and a golden neckwrap. It seems like it was designed with a gorgeous gift wrapping for a Christmas present in mind. Christmas Rose sells for L$500.

I do feel like a beautifully wrapped Christmas present in this outfit. Saying that, I can just hear my more flirtatious male friends (you know who are) saying that they can't wait to unwrap this present. Well, naughty boys don't receive presents on Christmas. They get coal in their stockings and a right cross to their jaws.

The Christmas Fashion Wreath that I am wearing about my hair was designed by Precious Restless, skin and fashion designer and co-owner, with her real life twin sister Vitabela Dubrovna, of Boudoir. This wreath is a free holiday gift from Boudoir. It's wonderful, isn't it. Thank you Precious and Vitabela.

G Sloane Couture Flagship Store:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cedarwood/234/45/24

Boudoir:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bonaire12/161/130/997

Photos were taken at my home community of Ocelot Valley and at the residence of my dear friend, Jaysun Dagger

Ocelot Valley:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ocelot%20Valley/108/175/25

Related Posts:

Russian Snow Princess (December 17, 2009)

http://mariko-nightfire.blogspot.com/2009/12/mariko-magic-russian-snow-princess.html

A Visit with Santa ... Ho Ho Hmmm (November 29, 2009)

http://mariko-nightfire.blogspot.com/2009/11/visit-with-santa-ho-ho-hmmm.html

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.

Merry Christmas

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An Extraordinary Musical Event

Pianist Zachh Cale, Vocalist Tamra Sands, and Violinist Xandernichting at Truthball

Last week, I attended the grand reopening of Truthball Cafe with its new look at its new location. The celebration was held on the ice skating pond outside the new cafe, and it promised to be a fun evening of music and skating. The big story of the evening was the music. Leesa Donner, owner of Truthball and my dear friend, brought in three of the most talented and accomplished performers in Second Life. All three would perform together on stage. It would be a technically difficult simultaneous triple stream originating from New Jersey, New York, and Belgium. And it was a stupendous success. Complementing each other perfectly, the trio created magical moments. The audience was enthralled. And all agreed that this was perhaps the finest musical event ever held in Second Life. It just doesn't get any better than this in Second Life or in Real Life.

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Pianist/composer/singer Zachh Cale lead the night's entertainment. A Zachh Cale performance is like spending a delightful evening at a party with Noel Coward or Cole Porter, take your pick. He's witty, engagingly entertaining, and a marvelous musician. In addition to his live performances, Zachh Cale is very much involved with promoting The Arts in Second Life. And best of all, this charming man is my SL neighbor.

Zachh Cale was joined by Tamra Sands. In real life, she is Tamra Hayden, Broadway's ambassador to Second Life. A professional actress/singer/song writer, Tamra Hayden performed in starring roles on Broadway in Les Miserables and Cabaret; Off-Broadway in Jacques Brel Returns; and on national tours in Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, and Fiddler On The Roof. She captured hearts at Truthball with her very first number and held them all for the rest of the evening and beyond.

Tamra Hayden's Websites:

http://www.tamrahayden.com/

http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_details/2962524#!/tamrahayden

The duet became a trio with the arrival of Xandernichting. He is Xander Nichting in real life - a solo artist, music director, composer, arranger, and violinist, residing in the Netherlands. He performs on a specially designed six-string electric violin and often accompanies Tamra Hayden in joint Second Life performances. He is an exciting performer, who can thrill you and set you dancing and then mesmerize you with a sound that is  hauntingly beautiful.

Xander Nichting's Website

http://www.xandernichting.com/

Handsome Johnny Firehawk was the indispensible man of the evening.
Johnny managed the triple stream.

Kudos to my friend Leesa Donner for making this wonderful evening of music possible.

The new Truthball Cafe

Truthball Cafe

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Twin%20Goddess/26/206/22

Videos: Second Life must be a very special place to have attracted such talented and accomplished people.

Zachh Cale Performing his own compositions at the Odaesan House

An entire Zachh Cale Performance (74 minutes long)

Tamra Sand at Galaxy Isle

Tamra Sands at Broadway Island Live

Tamra Hayden sings her own composition - Eden Will Bloom

 Xander Nichting - Out Of The Blue

Xander Nichting plays Bluegrass

Xander Nichting plays Tiger Rag

Cheesecake Mariko - A Wintery Dessert

It's about time for dessert. It's winter and cold outside. Perhaps, we should serve something hot and comforting. But, let's go counter intuituive. How about an icy moscatel snow - sweet moscatel wine over finely shaved ice served with luscious red strawberries. Brrrrr!

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