OH THE PLACES WE GO!!!!

Feeling the need for a bit of R & R , I decided to slap on my compass and go exploring in the vast land we call Second Life. As always, I was looking for something different, out of the ordinary and something that would well...knock my socks off! Come with me on my journey as I explore 2 sims: Japan Kanto and Japan Chubu . Click on the names of the islands for a SLURL!

Japan Kanto is designed to look and feel like a classic Japanese market . The market is filled with some amazing Japanese furniture, art, buildings and more, all very detailed and high quality. The market borders the edges of a Zen garden, which is not only beautiful to look at but has some areas within for meditation and quiet reflection. In all honesty, I loved the garden more than the actual shopping! After all, I was looking for R & R!! One of the most quaint areas I came across was a tent that housed a 'magic lantern' that showed slides of real life Japan. Take a minute to relax and enjoy the slide show. I love how this is a mix of SL's creativity and RL pictures! Leave yourself plenty of time to browse through the market and try out some of the more interesting things...they have rickshaws!!!

The Japan Chuba sim houses a re-creation of one Japan's most historic castles: Matsumoto Castle. Not only is the castle impressive in its likeness to the REAL castle but the grounds of this island make you feel as if you have been dropped right into the heart of this gorgeous region of Japan. Certainly have a wander through the castle and on the grounds but also fly over the island so you can absorb, in full , its grace and beauty. This sim is part of a group of Asian themed sims, all easy to traverse and explore with each offering something unique and special.

As always, breathe deep and ENJOY!!!

In Tribute to Miep Gies

I have always had a fascination with people who do extraordinary deeds and yet who are insistent on their ordinariness. Miep Gies died today at the age of 100 . She was one of a group of Dutch people who hid not only Anne Frank and her family but another family of four during World War II. She never saw herself as a herione , instead in her own words she described herself in the following way:

"There is nothing special about me. I have never wanted special attention. I was only willing to do what was asked of me and what seemed necessary at the time."

In tribute to Miep Gies for her acts of courage , her extraordinary sense of humility and her to exceptional display of human kindness.

For a 'visit' to the Anne Frank house, click HERE

Tribe Island Showcase

Today, I was doing my usual daily sim check (checking lag and stuff) and I was struck by how awesome you guys make the Islands look. The Islands start as a blank canvas and the Natives make it come alive.

So Alexxa Despres and I thought we would show the world how fab your homes all look. So here is the first Showcase of the wonderful sights to be found on Tribe Islands. Don't worry if you're not here in this post...I WILL get to you....SNAP SNAP!!!

Enjoy!! (click on the image to enlarge)

Click Here To Visit Tribe Islands

OH THE PLACES WE GO!!!

It's nice to have friends but it's nicer to have friends that show you places that are cool and interesting to visit. I must give due credit to Blu Jupiter for finding this ever so lovely place! There seems to be something magical about winter wonderlands and especially for those of us who rarely if ever get to experience real ones. Winter at Never Never land is certainly no exception. If you want to just go and soak up the atmosphere you can relax by a cozy fire or if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, grab a pair of ice skaltes and take a spin around the pond. There 's even a sled if you are more into sharing the icy cold with someone . My personal favorite: a snowball maker!!! I have challenged both Drift and Blu to a snowball fight...we'll see which one of them has the NERVE!!!

For the romantic in you, grab your sweety and go for a whirl around the dance floor surrounded by glistening snow-covered trees and stars that twinkle in the night and then afterwards for a cuddle beside the fire. There a quaint little cabin with mistletoe JUST inside entrance where you can surprise someone special with a stolen kiss.

Hope you all enjoy Winter at Never Never Land...even the name promises something just a bit magical!!!

Click HERE for the SLURL!

Unwritten Blue Mars

A lot of people are talking about Blue Mars and as this virtual world has just gone to Open Beta it is hardly surprising. There is talk that it is a Second Life killer and that it is THE virtual platform where real world commerce can find viability. Well, as it stands, it is neither. As you wander around this visually stunning world you quickly realise how sterile it all is. Yes the visuals are gorgeous and even the avatars are not bad (albeit with spooky stares) but when it comes to being able to actually do something you quickly realise that all that glitters is not gold.

However Avatar Reality, the company behind this project are keen to stress that this is a world for the developer and that it is their world to create and that Avatar Reality are purely there to facilitate. The question is how quickly are the dev's going to be able to make this world something that has more attraction than simply it's graphics.

Content creation relies on higher skill sets than are required in Second Life, with proficiency in, high end 3d Modelling and animation software like Maya, 3DSMax also knowledge of LUA is needed for those wishing to script. But given the massive amount of 3d content already out there (just check out renderosity.com and turbosquid.com) I am sure that there are Dev's who will see Blue Mars as a major opportunity.

For Blue Mars to be successful it will quickly have to add substance to the backdrop. I would thoroughly encourage people to visit www.bluemarsonline.com and download the client (when available, any day now)and have a wander, it is worth it for the scenery alone. Time will tell whether Blue Mars is able to fulfill it's true potential.

At the moment I see it as more of an acquired taste than something everyone wants to gorge on.

For More Info Visit:
Avatar Reality (Blue Mars Creators)
BlueMarsOnline (Blue Mars Official Site)
Metavercity (A Blue Mars Community Forum)

New Look secondlife.com

As was previewed at this years SLCC in San Francisco, Linden Lab have rolled out their new look website for all to gaze upon and wonder and ponder.
Certainly the change has caused a stir from people threatening to leave the platform entirely in protest at the greenyness of it all and to those wanting to partner the designers. The forums are full of comments , and as one would expect the spectrum of views is vast.
For me, I think it needed to be freshened up but it also needed to be better accesible to new users, thus encouraging browsers to grab the client download and jump into the world of Second Life. Well fresh it certainly is, but for the latter I am not so sure. It is too clunky for me and for sure needs tweeking. With all the fancy pop up menus, and picture links etc it has all become a bit too fussy. New users and me for that matter prefer simplicity.
Anyway what do you think....love or hate...or is there a THIRD way?

OHHHHH....the Places you GO!!!!

Sunday…Monday…Happy Days!!! Tuesday…Wednesday…Happy Days! Who remembers THAT theme song? If you are longing for a retro 'fix' and a taste of the fifties, when the air was clean and getting frisky meant kissing at the Drive-In, here’s a fun place for you to go to in Second Life.

From a roller rink to a highly detailed, vintage Diner car to the cool Drive-In move theater,there’s lots to see and do at DecoRetropia. Need s new leather jacket a la James Dean? DECORETROPIA has stores with vintage clothing and ooo laa laa.... a Burlesque Club! Seeing as I have never been to a REAL Drive in movie, I thought I would give the one at Decoretropia a whirl. They were showing vintage YouTube videos and from what I gather, they will be showing full length retro movies in the near future. (See what I did there…talking about the ‘future’ in blog post about a RETRO sim? ) I also took a spin around the roller rink, which was actually quite fun. They have skates for sale, starting at just 75 L$ and the skates are scripted to do tricks! So put on your poodle skirt,get your hair slicked back and go enjoy an evening out…in 50’s style! Click HERE for SLURL!!!

BEST PLACE TO WATCH PORN!!!

Okay..so this video had me in STITCHES!!!!! I was watching something else on YOUTUBE and well.... this one caught my eye. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!

MORE CHOICE FROM TRIBE ISLANDS!!!!!

The Tribe Community is growing all the time and I constantly wonder at the fabulous diversity within it.Every continent on the planet is represented and so many individual countries. With this diversity it falls to us at Tribe to offer more diverse environments to match our community. With this in mind we have expanded our portfolio of land to include the following:

Full Tropical Homestead Sims
Full Lush Green Lakeland Homestead Sims
Lush Green Lakeland Plots (sizes and prims to suit)
Individual Tropical Islands (sizes and prims vary)

If you require to upgrade to a larger plot with more prims or for that matter just want to add more prims contact Alexxa Despres and she can help you out!

EXPLORING SECOND LIFE!!!!

Always in search of new and different places, I was lucky enough to happen upon a realllly cool place. Well, 'happen upon' is not exactly the right phrase...'dragged there' is more like it! Whimsical and delightful and just so incredibly well -done, The Drill Factory blew me away! Go check out the glass merry-go-round and the snow globe! Make sure you fly around so you can see all the fun stuff! One of the things that amazed me most was the feeling one gets of being weightless as you fly around...almost like you are floating in space. I know that sounds odd, but you just have to go there to see what I mean! I STILL can't figure out how the creator makes you feel 'floaty', can YOU? Tell me what you think of my new discovery! Happy exploring!!!! CLICK HERE FOR THE SLURL!

xxx Alexxa

TRIBE ISLANDS FIRST KARAOKE NIGHT!!!!

For those of you who attended Tribe's first Karaoke Night at The Deck, you got to enjoy a real treat! Think double scoops of ice cream topped with the yummiest of chocolate suace, whipped cream and a cherry on top! For those of you who weren't able to attend, you missed something really special! We never realized just how much talent resided within the Tribe Community!

The night began with Rai Blaylock taking center stage and getting everyone in the mood and warmed up! We heard from several Tribe natives...including the one and only.....Driftwood Miles! For those of you who are wondering, I was urged to get up and sing, but only by those of you who have never heard me actually sing! Fortunately for EVERYONE, I politely but adamantly declined. For those of you who didn't make this karaoke, never fear!!! I looked in the crystal ball and I see KARAOKE in the future!!! Or maybe it was that last glass of wine I had!

Thanks to everyone who made the night so super special! You guys were all THE best!

TASER TANTRUMS!!!

You may already be aware that Taser the company that manufactures those "fun for all the family" electroshock weapons that use electrical current to "disrupt voluntary control of muscles"had filed a Law Suit against Linden Labs. Citing that Linden Lab and others had damaged their companies sales and brand by allowing the sale of Taser like "weapons" inworld.

Well turns out that this media attention piece of showboating has been pulled by Taser, although they did use those wonderful words "without prejudice" (which basically warns that they can file again if they see fit) when they pulled.

To be perfectly honest....I was stunned @ this lawsuit in the first place, surely whoever made the decision had tested that Taser's "take down power" one too many times. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need for copywriting and image rights etc but geez , whats next? Plastic Surgeons suing because Prim Boobs are doing them out of a living!!!?

Social Networking Piece on CNBC : Featuring Second Life

As the wreckage of the credit crunch is being cleaned up companies and individuals look to ways to "get out there" and reduce costs.

AWESOME NEW CHAT SITE - METACHAT

TO TEST DRIVE METACHAT - CLICK HERE!!!

A fun NEW chat room open for testing and Tribe Residents have been invited to be the first to try it out!!!

METACHAT is dedicated to the avatar community of Second Life and offers a LIVE CHAT platform to meet other SL users. You can trade youtube links , images even music files A cool place to chat about all things SL , get help or just chinwag.

The site is open now and we hope you will help out in giving it a thorough testing. Sign up is easy, you can sign up as a guest, so any unique Username will do the job BUT we recommend you sign in as a Member!! Have fun and see you there!!!

TO TEST DRIVE METACHAT - CLICK HERE!!!

GET YOUR REGGAE ON!!!!

You all remember the awesome Naphtali Hawks??? GREAT NEWS! He is back on Tribe Islands! WHEN???

Saturday, July 25th @ 2pm SLT on the beach at Cougar Caye!

Unique in SL, with multiple RL international releases, Napthali Hawks aka DADDY TEACHA has been gaining a FAB reputation in Second Life! Naphtali delivers an exciting , distinctive live vocal show of reggae music that is without a doubt one of the higest energy shows I have ever been to!!! He is TONS of fun and well, you just have to come to see what I mean!

It's a beach party, a rasta party, a come and drink rum and have some fun party! As always, CRAZY and DEVIANT times to follow! Come party with us!!!

Hope to see you THERE!!!!

CLICK HERE FOR SLURL TO PARTY!

TRIBE ISLANDS' MISS JULY!!!!

Ever since I was a teenager, I have been intrigued with the concept of Hugh Hefner, the Playboy mansion and well to be honest,the Playboy bunnies! What in the world did they have that I didn't? So after lots of thought and a bit of imagination. I decided I knew JUST the thing that I needed: AUTHENTICITY!!!!

Well, I finally MADE IT! I was voted Miss July ! (who cares that it was just Drift , Blu and Rai voting....they count, don't they????) Just wanted to share my STELLAR achievement with all of you! Hope you like it!!!!!

xxx ooo Alexxa

CALLING ALL DIVAS & CROONERS, YODDLERS & YELPERS!!

KAREOKE COMES TO TRIBE!!!

So you fancy yourself as a bit of a Whitney or a Sinatra do ya? Or are you keen to listen to those that do?
Well, here is your opportunity….KAREOKE night @ Cougar Caye hosted by our very own Rai Blaylock!!!
If you want to sing (all done through the miracle of SL voice) just contact Rai and she will get you on the list..but be quick it’s an ever lengthening list of the brave!! AND here is the added bonus of hearing some…yes ….some Tribe Staff belting out some tunage.
We invite you ALL to come and support the brave…hope to see you there.

The dress theme is BEACH WEAR and there will be prizes for various things throughout the event….REMEMBER 2PM SL TIME FRIDAY 17TH JULY.

CLICK HERE FOR SLURL to COUGAR CAYE

WORD PLAY, ANYONE???

To change the tone just a bit, a bit of WORD play! I do love a good play....on words! Hope you all ENJOY! And for those who like a CHALLENGE, post your OWN or share YOUR favorite one of the these!

Here is a sampling of Washington Post's Mensa Invitational which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are some of the winning entries:

1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

LETS HEAR YOUR OWN VERBAGE IDEAS!!

ARE YOU A MOON LANDING CONSPIRACY THEORIST? BUZZ WANTS A WORD!!

July the 20th 2009 will be the 40th anniversary of humankind first setting foot on the moon.

July 20th 1969 at 4:17pm EDT Neil Armstrong took that famous “small step” from the Eagle LEM and placed the first human footprints on the dusty surface of our closest celestial neighbour.

But were those footprints actually placed on the moon OR, as some would have us believe, were they all part of an elaborate hoax.

Why are so many of the official NASA photographs showing inconsistent shadows and lighting?

Why does an American flag appear to wave on the surface of the moon where no atmosphere exists?

Did Stanley Kubrick agree to produce a “fake” film of the “landings”.

ARE YOU MAD????? OF COURSE THEY LANDED ON THE MOON!!!!!! BECAUSE BUZZ ALDRIN SAYS SO!!!!!” And here is how he deals with those that disagree:

TRACK THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION LIVE!!

For those with an interest in the cosmos.........check out this natty little script that lets you track the position of the international space station!!

There is a complete site dedicated to tracking satellites...so if your interested in watching those that are watching you, visit this site!

SAT TRAK