Second Life Relationships: Rachy and Dark Folsom’s Story

February 3, 2012 by 2 Comments

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, this is the perfect time to talk about Second Life relationships. Like all chat rooms, social sites and other virtual worlds where people come together, a few are bound to pair together. Second Life is no different, but it seems that having a relationship in this virtual world has a little extra kick that makes it stand out from the traditional chat rooms and  dating sites. Over the next few weeks we will be telling the stories of three different couples who have met in Second Life and are now in a relationship. These are all long-term relationships. 

Dark and Rachy Folsom in Second Life

“ We first met in a club and Dark was standing in my way, I couldn’t hit the teleport button so I asked him to move. He was a big avatar, back then I guess we all were, it was SL’s Amazon Era. Anyway the way I asked him to move wasn’t very nice so once when I got into the club, I sent him an instant message and apologized for being rude. We started talking in IM for a few minutes and he complimented me on my dance moves. I was a little confused about this and asked him how he knew my moves were good. He was in club too and had been watching me this whole time, he then asked if I wanted to dance and I accepted. We danced together and just talked the night away.

The next day when I logged in he IM-ed me and asked me what I was doing that night, I honestly wasn’t expecting anything from him and I didn’t think that it would turn into anything. Nevertheless we went out dancing that night and I think its safe to stay that it all went from there. It just became a relationship without either of us ever saying it was. We just fell into naturally.

We have had arguments, every relationship does and at one point we did split up because he didn’t feel he could carry on with the relationship. The biggest thing was time difference, I lived in the UK at the time and he was in the USA so the time difference was by 5 hours. We did talk about it and I think the reason for the split was he didn’t  feel that he wanted just an online relationship and didn’t feel he could ask for it be any thing other than that.

We did bring some of the relationship into real life. We talked through Skype and phone calls. We often talked about real life and how we would like to meet each other and then about 3 months after meeting and talking I did fly over to see him and met face to face. I was

Meet Rachy and Dark in the flesh

there for 2 weeks. Our first meeting was a bit weird, because it wasn’t like I was meeting someone I met online, it was like meeting an old friend. We felt like we had known each other for years and that allowed us to take our relationship to whole other level. During my two weeks he asked me to marry him in Second Life. When I flew we did just that, then after eight weeks of being in the UK, I couldn’t take it any more. I packed my bags and flew back to the states for a three month visit. About three weeks before the three months were up, we started talking about what it was going to be like with me not being there, what it would be like back in the UK and to be honest it was too much to bare. We did a quick check with immigration to see what would happen if I stayed and about two weeks before my visa was up we got married in real life. We got the correct papers and everything and here I am in the states four years later, still very much in love and still playing Second Life.

August will be our 5th year of marriage in Second Life and Real life. Meeting in Second Life was a big advantage because if we hadn’t met in SL we would have never been together now because there is simply no way, no chance of meeting your soul mate who lives half way across the world.

I believe the reason why relationships in Second Life work out is because of communication, our relationship was based on communication because we didn’t have anything else, no TV, no Movies, no nights out just SL. When you’re in world what else can you? Yeah you can dress up but mainly it’s talking and back then it was all keyboard talk so you really get to know that person. Dark and I, are very like-minded and added to the fact that I really liked him in real life makes it even better. I got the best of both worlds, I got a man I could talk to, a man I found very attractive and a man who is my best friend. Of course everyone’s experience is different, I was just lucky, I guess. “

Now they have a family. Awwwwww!!!!

All Second Life relationships are different, not everyone will find their soul mate in this virtual world, but it seems that a lot of people are falling in love and sometimes relationships form but never go into Real Life.

Don’t miss the next Second Life Relationships, when another long-term SL couple will tell their story. 

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Raid the Marketplace: The Bridal Outfits

January 24, 2012 by Leave a comment

While doing research for the Grumble Wedding, I stumbled upon another marketplace store that would be awesome for those who are looking for a wedding or brides maid dress.

CMORE Bridal White - 199L$

CMORE Amelia Pink  - 100L$

The CMORE store is just as awesome and affordable take a look! 

(Special thanks to Lily Stoop and Jensien Danick beautifully for these pictures)

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Here Comes the Bride: An SL Wedding

January 23, 2012 by 2 Comments

A few weeks ago I introduced the Weddings of Second Life, now its time to show what a Second Life Wedding looks like and how to get one. Of course you need to be engaged to be married first of all and you can’t do that without being an Second Life Relationship. If you haven’t realized yet time in Second Life moves fast and as soon as you first that special someone you share a connection with. It isn’t long before you are asking her/him for their hand in marriage. Here is the Second Life Wedding/ Partnering of June Carlson and Smorkola Resident very much in love allowed us to document their Second Life Wedding. This is the Second Life Wedding that has been done on a Budget, using only clothes from the store Grumble Grumble and their wedding venue Eversong. We used the gift cards that are already available through the in store Mini & Midnight Mania boards which are available to Grumble’s ever-growing shoppers.

Grumble Chapel 750L$

 

As Bride and Groom stand at the aisle exchanging their vows to each other you can see that the traditional ceremony in Second Life isn’t much different from a real life one. Bride Maids, Maid of Honor  with the best man and grooms men with families on each side.

Usually the Bridal parties’ outfits would cost a bit more than 1000 dollars each:

Satin Cascade Cocktail Dress (Pink) : 125L$

Cascade Gown ( White) : 150L$

Taking to the dance floor the Groom men’s change their outfits for a more less formal vest suit:

Men’s vest ( different colours) : 85L$

Men’s dress shoes : 60L$

Complete suit (from original photograph) 300L$

The most expensive thing in the whole wedding is meant to be the wedding dress. Not in this one. It looks awesome and happens to be the second most expensive thing in this wedding.

Victorian Gown White including Veil, Pearl Necklace and open toe Stiletto: 425L$

We will like to introduce to you, Mr and Mrs Carlson. The total tally for their wedding would be (without the Grumble gift cards) 2455L$.

Your Second Life wedding can cost as much or as little as you want. It all depends on how much money you have to spend.

(Big thanks to Grumble to letting is do our Grumble Wedding!) 

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Smooth Jazz at Bella Vida Jazz Club

January 12, 2012 by Leave a comment

The sounds of the decades are flowing through the walls of this Jazz Club. One thing you have to love about SL is that it is a very musical place. Every where you look you can find, clubs, and pubs that range musically, from classic rock to modern, from blues to hip hop, from classical to jazz all are available in Second Life. We have looked at classic rock, urban and Metal clubs before., but never a Jazz Club. Personally I am a firm lover of Jazz and my first SL Jazz club will forever be Phatcats, but that review will come sometime later. For now lets concentrate on Bella Vida Jazz Club.

Smooth Jazz of the Decades flow through this amazing club, I happen to come to this club on a day that there was a live artists. The fabulous and funny Wytchwhisper Sadofsky, who lit up the stage. When there aren’t any live artists running around being just incredible and making you tap your feet to their tunes, Bella Vida slows down with the sounds of the old favourites, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and new favourites like Norah Jones.

Any good club must have friendly people and Bella Vida is OK in that department. If you are a music lover and want a place with a relaxing atmosphere this is the place for you.

Newcomer Friendly: 5 out of 10

Music: 9 out of 10

Lag: 6 out of 10

Over all experience: 6 out of 10

 

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Weddings In Second Life

November 29, 2011 by Leave a comment

Second Life is a very wonderful place. I know, I know you have to be crazy to want to get married in a virtual world, but it does exist and it has become one of the most popular events that could happen in your second Life. The Second Life weddings are taken seriously, just like their real life counter parts. Every detail is planned out, there is a ceremony, and although Second Life relationships might not last as long as a real life one, it shows that there is a very sacred bond between partners. You can have a very expensive wedding and you can have a wedding on a budget. Then again you could always to a Wedding Fair, to find out what is it there and affordable. But before you get to that all important wedding day, there are a few steps you have to through, Second Life dating, Second Life Relationships, Second Life Partnering and Finally the Second Life Wedding.

Wedding Fair Expo 2011

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Life 2.0: When Strangers Click

August 24, 2011 by Leave a comment

Dating online isn’t anything new, with the amount of dating sites that around these days. Sitting in front of your computer and having a relationship with a person has become a norm. It isn’t strange when a person in SecondLife says their in a relationship, since it is socially acceptable in our virtual world. With the ability to have partners, weddings and children it isn’t surprising that a lot of these cyber-relationships become more and spill over into the real world, but does this mean that Virtual Worlds have become substitutes for the real thing? Has meeting someone in a world like SecondLife mean that there is a solid relationship forming behind it? What do you think?

In Light of the film Life 2.0 featuring on Oprah Whinfrey’s TV Network.

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Avilion Castle Ballroom – Wonderful Evenings

July 15, 2011 by Leave a comment

If you want your date to feel like a princess or a prince bring them to Avilion Grove Castle Grand Ballroom.  Though laggy the ball room harkens back to a time of lords and ladies and kings and queens.  Formal attire is required in the ballroom.  That means tea length dress or longer for women, suit/tux/formal medieval attire for men.  You may get a free tux and/or ball gown by using a teleporter near the  entrance  that will take you to a small store.

To enter the castle and the ballroom within, walk up the steps.  At their top you will see the dance floor below.  To make your grand entrance go right or left to the red carpeted stairs leading down to the dance floor.  There are several dance balls throughout the dance floor but all may be in use at times.  If so you can wait and pounce on one that someone leaves.  There are balconies on either side of the main ballroom, each with a couples dance.  You may choose to wander around the grounds fo awhile.  There is much to see and do in this very romantic sim.

Edge Catteneo

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Angel manor: The ingredients for a perfect night in Second Life

June 23, 2011 by Leave a comment

When you combine the great skills of building, the superb view of textures and details, the love of art in all forms and the desire to entertain people and make them feel at home you have the wonderful sims of Kaya Angel. The Rose Theatre and Angel Manor Estate.
When you teleport with this link. You will be surrounded by a wonderful waterscene with beautiful fountains.
If you walk south you’ll enter a huge building which is absolutely worth to visit. If you like to be entertained, this is the place to be. The Rose Theatre has a wonderful ballroom, an incredible theatre and even a nice cinema.
The Rose Theatre has also a nice gallery with many styles of art.

I have a great fascination for bows, don’t ask me why but I adore bows in architecture. In real life I added several bows when I enlarged my house and still feel excited about them every day. Because I can’t log off my real life person in Second Life, you probably will understand, that I bring this fascination with me in Second Life.
The architecture of The Rose Theatre won’t fascinate only me. Kaya misses a lot of warmth in the modern buildings in real life and tries to add this in the architecture he makes here. The buildings he made are created with so much detail and love. I wished they created buildings like this in real life.

On the east and west of the start location you will be amazed with impressive gardens. You will be entertained here with a stunning view. You can dance there or even swim. And isn’t it romantic to have a breakfast with your lover on a paradise like this?

This year Kaya has surprised us and created a new sim. When you walk north from the start point you will find his newest creation. Angel Manor Estate. A new impressive and wonderful sim. About this part I’ll write today.

I walk up the big stairs and enter the building. I’m already amazed, the floor of the entrance is spectacular. The textures are a bliss.

From this point you have 3 ways to walk. I take the entrance to the west and arrive on a dining room. There’s so much to see here. Kaya didn’t forget any detail. Try to explore every room on the west wing, every room is a surprise to see. I love the library.
Back to the entrance I explore the east wing. This is a piece of art also. Don’t forget to watch the art here too. It fits perfect in this building. And the garden from up here is amazing.

I walk to the north and arrive in a room with staircases. I walk downstairs and arrive in the basement. Here’s a pool and the visual effects are incredible.
From the basement you can take a little tour by boat.

I go back upstairs and walk north. I arrive in a wonderful ballroom. And also on this wing, the building has amazing rooms. All unique but fit together perfectly.
If you want to chat with your friends and need a location where you can relax in a warm environment. The bar is a perfect location.

I walk back and take the stairs up and walk south. Immediately the enormous chandelier catches my eyes and the balcony gives you a good view of The Rose Theatre. Mmmm I love all those bows!

At the end of the hall on the west wing is a room where you can dance and relax. Take some time to watch the ceiling here and the wonderful light effects. Do the same when you explore the east wing.

On this part of the sim, there’s another paradise for nature lovers. There’s a wonderful garden with butterflies.
And you even can find a zoo with many animals. For example okapi’s and ostriches.
Kaya also paid attention to the beach lovers. There’s a small private beach where you can cuddle with your lover and watch the ocean.

Kaya started The Rose Theatre on a smaller parcel. He wanted to make a ballroom in 1930 style. Nowadays it turned out to a complete entertaining location. And the good news. If there’s something you like, you can buy most buildings and furnitures here!

Kaya has many plans with The Rose Theatre. You will hear much more in the future from the Rose Theatre. Kaya loves art and want to give people a chance to perform or exhibit.
Both sims will give you a chance to have a complete night of entertainment.
Kaya doesn’t like commerce and though you can buy everything, you’re welcome here just for entertainment too. But if you see something you like. Please buy it, it will support the sims.

The Rose Theatre can be found on the internet as well.
Click here to find The Rose Theatre on facebook or watch the website of the Rose Theatre.
If you like machinima, there are some nice movies of The Rose Theatre.

Thank you Kaya Angel for making such incredible art and sharing it in Second Life.

Hugs,

Justum

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Frog’s garden, a garden where you can smell nature

June 6, 2011 by Leave a comment

I’m sitting in a boat, listening to the amazing music of Chouchou. Around me is an incredible peaceful and realistic garden.
I’m located in a paradise inside Second Life. I’m in Frog’s Garden.

I start my journey in the little cafe.
Every monday from 4 – 7 am SLT the creators of this amazing place, Kaoru and Lycoris invite you there to relax and have a good time.
This isn’t a bar like you see most of the time. This is a great family cafe, where you can enjoy some nice cakes, take a picnic on one of the locations in and around the cafe. I love the terrace!
The atmosphere is warm and a superb location for young lovers, that want to walk and talk in peace. But don’t forget to look at the impressive work the creators made too. The realism of the textures and the buildings. Everything matches.

When you’ve relaxed enough. Let’s walk outside and enjoy this amazing garden. I take the steps down and am surrounded by a great diversity of different but realistic flowers.

There are many fantastic garden here in Second Life, but we want to pursuit our garden as realistic as possible.
I want to make the garden where even the wind and the smell can be felt.

And I can tell you, it doesn’t need much fantasy to feel and almost smell the flowers.

When you walk further you’ll discover two other amazing buildings. Originally Kaoru and Lycoris made just the garden, but people wanted to buy their creations. They decided to make a little shop on Frog’s Garden. It’s a great way to support this location and you’ll have a nice souvenir.

I continue my walk to the forest. You’ll cross a bridge and will walk underneath beautiful pergolas.
Enjoy the amazing waterfalls and try catching a nice butterfly for your lover. In case you won’t catch one, I’m sure your lover will accept a romantic dance with you too. Don’t forget to activate ambient sounds on Frog’s garden, because it makes the environment complete.

In the forest you’ll find a little favourite of the creators. The Deserted house. A lovely building that clearly is deserted, but still a romantic place to be.

Frog’s Garden is a perfect place for people who love realistic, romantic or natural locations. The scenes are well detailed, well textured and the builds are wonderful.
It’s a very nice spot for having a romantic time with your lover but also a great location for wedding pictures.

Kaoru and Lycoris live in real life in a country, that’s rich of nature. They want to bring this atmosphere into Second Life. They change the atmosphere during the seasons, to make the garden as realistic as possible. So it’s wise to keep a landmark and return to it from time to time to enjoy the new seasons.

Frog’s garden was born in 2008. The garden started small and was originally a private location. I’m glad they decided to make Frog’s Garden public. This place is really worth to see. You can see the creators love nature and like what they do here. You see the love in all their creations.
They get inspiration from both worlds. Lycoris grew up in the countryside. She remembers this as a place of freedom and space. She brings this emotion back in Frog’s Garden. Kaoru loves forests, beaches and mountains and likes to bring this atmosphere back in this paradise.
Personally I think you can feel all of it.
Their advice for builders who love to make a paradise like this in Second Life is clear.

Feel and observe everything around you.

For the people who can speak Japanese, 馨 makes a blog about Frog’s garden and the wonderful creations they make. Check it for more information.

This amazing place is wonderful in different windlight settings. You can download here a few settings I used on Frog’s Garden.

Thank you Kaoru and Lycoris for make this paradise in Second Life.
Hugs
Justum

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Salute Restaurant – Wonderful Evenings

May 30, 2011 by Leave a comment

Owner : xinglela Ragu
Sim Rating: Mature
Restrictions:  Building / Rezzing not allowed, No Pushing

Salute Restaurant is a special and Unique place, serving a well rounded menu, along with a dash of romance and a dollop of dancing.  Come with me and let me show you around this wonderful restaurant of fine dinning by the sea.

As you rezz at the landing point you will marvel at the wonderful scenery around the restaurant that will give you lovely views while you dine.  Also you will discover different pose balls, one for a proposal, one for a bike ride together, and also one for sitting together with back towards a beautiful back drop so you will be able take a picture together for your keep sake.

If you make your way north from the landing point you will come to some steps, walk up those and you will find yourselves at the foyer of the restaurant.  Here you will locate a bar,  with stools to sit on while you drink your beverage.  To obtain a drink you can click on the wine bottle or glasses at the end of the bar, you will receive a drop down menu and form there you can choose what sort of drink you would like.  If you prefer you can lounge in the finely upholstered furniture just inside the door.

Once at the restaurant entrance, you will be greeted by a Salute hostess.  If you click the hostess you will get a blue drop down menu of who to contact if you need assistance while dining at the restaurant.  You will find six tables for two people around the edge of the restaurant.  Three are framed by the front windows so you can take in the ocean views while dinning.  There is one table of four in front of a fire place, perfect for a double date.  After sitting at your table of choice, click the place mat and you will receive a blue menu.  The diner may then simply click what it is you want to drink and eat.  Click on the rolled up napkin next to the place mat to be offered eating utensils.  After accepting them, you will find them in your inventory.  Wear the utensil you want to use.  Click on the coaster at your place setting for a menu of drinks.  If your wish to adjust your pose click on the chair and select one from the menu that drops down on your screen.

Your evening can continue after dining with some dancing provided by a couples dance ball at the center of the dining room.  If after dining or dancing you decide to stroll around a bit you may discover a special area  for weddings.  If you want to know more please contact  xinglela Ragu for further details.   You may also Use this land mark to visit a park with great sceanery, owned by xinglela Ragu, that has more dancing as well as painting and picnicing to enjoy.

Come and bring your friends, a loved one you wish to make feel special, or even come to Salute’ Restaurant for a special event.
Hope to see you at Salute Resturant.

Article and photos by: Loulane Perl of Wonderful Evenings

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