We look at the Hunt (organised by the Meeroos and BeYou), the Breedables Fair, the Art Gallery andone of the great courtyard spaces that were prominent this year – this time for FIN. And we also talk to the designer SkyRider Varriale, who exhibited at the Expo this year, sponsored a region, and donated two houses to the popular Home Decoration competition.
Home and Garden Expo – Decorating Contest, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont
And we take a good look at the twelve houses that were featured in the Decorating contest, including a fantastic slideshow from Wildstar Beaumont. And we discuss the contest with Reven Rosca who was one of the organisers, with Kaerri Rae and Saffia.
We look at the Hunt (organised by the Meeroos and BeYou), the Breedables Fair, the Art Gallery andone of the great courtyard spaces that were prominent this year – this time for FIN. And we also talk to the designer SkyRider Varriale, who exhibited at the Expo this year, sponsored a region, and donated two houses to the popular Home Decoration competition.
And we take a good look at the twelve houses that were featured in the Decorating contest, including a fantastic slideshow from Wildstar Beaumont. And we discuss the contest with Reven Rosca who was one of the organisers, with Kaerri Rae and Saffia.
We talk to the organiser of the Expo, Nikki Mathieson, and to Stingray Raymaker, the ACS representative in Second Life, who tells us about some of the changes Relay for Life in Second Life has seen this year. We also talk to two of the designers who were at the Expo – Robert Galland and Cassie Eldamar, and of course, there’s a lantern release to see!
Home and Garden Expo, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont
And there’s plenty to see of the Expo itself, including a fantastic slideshow from Wildstar Beaumont.
Home and Garden Expo, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont
Home and Garden Expo, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont
We talk to the organiser of the Expo, Nikki Mathieson, and to Stingray Raymaker, the ACS representative in Second Life, who tells us about some of the changes Relay for Life in Second Life has seen this year. We also talk to two of the designers who were at the Expo – Robert Galland and Cassie Eldamar, and of course, there’s a lantern release to see!
And there’s plenty to see of the Expo itself, including a fantastic slideshow from Wildstar Beaumont.
Shaye Dezno takes the stage today at The Home Expo!
There’s quite a lot going on today on this 6th day of the Home & Garden Expo with the Breedables Fair! Since opening last Saturday it’s been a blast, catching up with old friends and meeting lots of new ones. Thank you for visiting our event and showing your enthusiasm for some of the BEST home life creations in Second Life along with visiting the stages and enjoying the amazing talent that we are so lucky to have in our virtual world.
Today we’ll start with the Expo classroom. At 5pm, on the Expo center region, today’s class will be presented by Beryl Strifeclaw , who will be instructing guests in building for roleplay. The class will last approximately an hour and seating is always limited for the Expo classes so plan ahead to get in and get your seat!
On the same region, at the main stage area tonight’s musical entertainment kicks off at 5 with the incredible sounds of Erik Kottzen at the mic. Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, his shows feature pop, rock, hard rock and more covering bands from Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Guns’N’Roses, Journey, Metallica, Mr. Big, Whitesnake, Queen to Originals and more.
At 6pm the incredible Shaye Dezno will continue to move us with her delightful vocals. Streaming in from Ontario, Canada Shaye has an incredible range of music on her songlist from country to rock and she is sure to include her endearing personality as she draws her audience in close with her charming giggles and wit. Her shows are such a treat and we’re happy to have her at The Expo!
At 7 pm DJ Titan Hawksby takes us through the next 2 hours while he spins the tunes from the main Expo stage. Titan Hawksby has been a popular DJ in Second Life for many years and he is sure to keep us all in party mode as we wrap up another fun and exciting day at the event that benefits RFL of SL.
On the Home Expo 6 region at 5 pm today we have another interview in our series ‘Talks and Discussions‘ with Prim Perfect’s Saffia Widdershins. Today she sits down for an hour with H0neyheart of Elite Equestrian. Bring your questions and come out for an interesting conversation with one of SL’s popular horse creators.
Following this chat, at 6, DJ Tristan of WHIP radio will close out today’s entertainment on Stage 2 while he spins the tunes and dances us through the end of another wonderful day at the Expo. Much going on today and it’s a great day to continue browsing through all the many displays!
INTERVIEW WITH OUR SPONSOR: Nicolyti of Stray Cats
photo by Roman Godde
Q: Hello! Thank you so much for sponsoring the Home & Garden Expo and for your support of Relay For Life! Is there a particular reason you chose to sponsor this year?
A: We try to participate in at least one RFL event every year. This is such a worthy cause and much needed. Stray Cats enjoys helping however it can.
Q: Have you been involved in other events with Relay For Life of Second Life? Have you been to a real world Relay?
A: I’ve not had the opportunity to go to a real world relay yet, but it’s on my bucket list. In terms of other participation, we have also been in the last two or three Winter RFL fairs to help with support.
Q: Tell us what you’re bringing to The Expo this year. Especially about the items you created for Relay. Any other exclusive items you’re planning to release at the Expo?
A: Well, as it is springtime, we created a new breed of Fawn kitty for exclusive release at this event. The fawns are precious, and available in many colors of pelts. Our OOAK is a Gryphon kitty, a wannabe gryphon, shall we say 🙂 Half eagle/half lion. I’m not sure where that idea came from, but it’s what I came up with, lol. Strong and powerful and able to fight the fight against cancer.
Q: When did you first arrive in Second Life and what brought you to Second Life?
A: I started Second Life over four years ago, and like many, followed a friend from another game I played. You know, at first, I wasn’t sure it was for me, but I am a people-person, and it was a great fit for me.
Q: Tell us about more about your SL business?
A: I am actually the General Manager for Stray Cats, the owner being Ken Edge. I work for him also in real-life as an assistant and manager of sorts. Stray Cats are so darling, a truly lovely little breedable, but not without their ups and downs in the past. I have been managing for 1.5 years now, and love love making new kittens, pelts, eyes, ‘stuff’ for the community. I strive for not only to keep the creative and fun aspect of breeding these kitties alive and well, but also, to create and maintain a happy, homey, comfortable environment for all our breeders and patrons. We all know that Second Life can have maybe a little too much ‘drama’ sometimes…. Well, within this little kingdom of mighty felines, we are a family.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about how you’ve spent your Second Life, besides building an amazing residential community? Hobbies, interests.. things you’ve learned along the way ?
A: You know, I said earlier that I am a ‘people person’.. .that wasn’t always the truth. I was rather closed off in many ways. Second Life has changed me, for the better. In the beginning of my SL journey I explored and experimented, like most, but that random wandering isn’t really for me. I like to have purpose, meaning, and I love to help people. I actually enjoy keeping my ‘campers’ happy, and I love creating all the new kitties, and learning, in baby steps, the scripting aspect too.
Q: Are you looking forward to Second Life’s new generation platform and will you also set up a community there? Do you have long-term goals for your business in Second Life, too?
A: I have mixed feelings on that. I believe the owner of Stray Cats would like to expand to that platform as well, but I will remain here and continue the good fight 🙂 There is only so much of me to go around….lol
Q: Do you want to share a look at your life outside of SL with us? What do you or did you do for a living? Does your family support your SL aspirations?
A: I am happily married, with two grown boys. My mother doesn’t really understand Second Life, lol, but they all support me in my endeavors in it, and actually think ‘its cool’. I work for the same man, the owner of the cats, in real-life also, managing his many servers and his radio company and just about anything and everything he throws at me….it can be a lot!
Q: Anything else you’d like us to know about you, or a special mentor, friends or someone who has really inspired your business?
A: Not that I can think of, at this moment. My breeders, my fellow cat-lovers are my inspiration, every day. I love getting to know them, to care for them, and to keep ever-growing in the myriad of possibilities that these wonderful Strays can be.
MtFB Radio takes the airwaves today at The Home Expo.
The radio station designed with the grid flyer in mind. Tune in to live broadcasts or listen to recordings of previous ones. A nice mix of music that goes well with flying, boating or just about anything you are doing.
They are available to do a live broadcast of your next aviation event. IM Luke Flywalker to set up a show.
Now available by popular demand 24/7 Music to Fly By parcel media stream sponsored by The SL Aviation Network. Now listen to the awesome mix of tunes from classic rock and country to techno and anything in between anytime on your parcel. Let Luke know if you would like an announcement for your airport, group or aviation event. Happy to promote your aviation related activities free of charge.
We start our day with 1,419,750L in the monies raised for Relay category. WooHOOO! How exciting for us and for RFL of SL. If you’d like to join in on this year’s fundraising season, you could IM Nikki Mathieson for the official tools and set out kiosks at your mainstore locations. This year’s RFL of SL theme is, ‘United We Relay’ and we’d love to become united with even more of you!
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In the Expo classroom today we’re going to learn how to deal with good ole’ SL lag. This class is presented by Bluezy Bleac, who is a member of the Firestorm viewer support team. The class starts at 10 am SLT. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Expo%20Center/178/41/23
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The Art Show @ The Expo!
While traveling through the Expo grounds, be sure to check out this year’s Art Show. There are many wonderful works of art for sale here. Thank you to the artists who have graced this event with their talent. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Expo%20Center/97/84/23
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On the Expo Center Stage today!
Make plans at 4pm to come out and dance with us while DJ Nuala Maracas spins those tunes! Nuala is this year’s Relay For Life chair (her second year) and part of the Event Leadership Team. Nuala is also a co-owner and longtime DJ on T1 Radio! Adding to her long list of accomplishments is coordinator of the annual Christmas Expo. Here’s your taxi:
The time to enter the Home and Garden Expo Decorating contest is rapidly approaching. If you want to enter and still haven’t submitted an entry form, you can find the details here.
Here is what will happen next:
As there are more entrants than homes available, a draw will take place for the twelve finalists who will each receive a home to decorate.
Those finalists will be notified by notecard, and their names (and allocated houses) will also appear on this blog by 12 noon on Tuesday 22nd – so keep watch in case Second Life decides to be difficult!
There will be reserve candidates. If finalists do not contact us within 48 hours (by 12 noon on Thursday 24th May), their home will be re-allocated to one of the reserves. This is because there is only a limited time to build, and we want to include as many people as we can.
Home and Garden Expo Decorating Competition
As the popularity of the contest means that it may take a little while to organise the next stage, we are extending the deadline on completing the build to 12 noon on Sunday 27th.
Voting will then open, and continue till 12 noon on Saturday June 1st – and the results will be announced shortly after that.
Mondays are awesome at the Home, Garden (and BREEDABLES!) Expo! So much to see and do here. Seven regions of seriously well done displays. Today is a good day to just come out and walk around and SHOP, plan your own home design.. and support the amazing cause that is Relay For Life.
As of this morning our efforts at this event has raised more than 1.3 million lindens and we are just thrilled. That goes towards so many important things in the important fight against cancer. WE ARE SAVING LIVES. We are helping to educate on the fight that cancer is. Let’s keep going. Come out and join us.. we need YOU. When you’re at the Expo, just north of Home Expo 1 region is the gorgeous American Cancer Society Island. Visit it and see where some of the lindens we raise go. The island is there all year round and house many features such as 24/7 support to cancer survivors, caregivers and more.
So, what else is happening at The Expo today, you ask?
Today ends the application process for the Home and Garden Decorating Competition! Prizes will be announced shortly, but the prize pot currently stands at over L$35,000. To get an application in go HERE!
On the same stage at 5pm it’s Show and Tell time! Prim Perfect’s ‘Talks and Discussions‘ series invites the Expo Exhibitor’s to come to the stage and show us what’s new in their line. This has become a very popular part of the Expo series.
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At 10 am in the Expo Classroom, today’s instruction is provided by the wonderful DeAnn Dufaux of Park Place Homes & Decor. She will be teaching Building Fundamentals – Sharing/Deeding/Permissions. Seating is limited in the class so come grab yours! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Expo%20Center/178/41/23
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THANK YOU to the fantastic team of BLOGGERS who have been posting about our Expo. You all just ROCK! Check out all the posts so far. Keep em coming, Team – we love them!
Saffia Widdershins will be talking to Robert Galland of Galland Homes. Robert has been running Galland Homes for 11 years now. What changes has he seen? How have his building techniques changed and developed over that time? And how does he see the future for Second Life?
All this and more will be discussed at 5pm SLT – make sure you’re there!
Whether you are planning on filming your own creations, or thinking of starting a vlog, or planning on creating your own Second Life films, this is the class for you!
Petlove Petshop is one of the most experienced camera people in Second Life, having created her own machinimas (Second Life films) and worked on many of the most popular TV shows in Second Life, including Designing Worlds, Happy Hunting and The Blackened Mirror. Some of her work has been shown at festivals in the real world.
She’ll be exploring how to create machinimas, how to do it cost effectively, the different kinds of software you can use and how to create a workflow that runs from concept to delivery and beyond.
For the second year running, the creators of the Meeros and the BeYou HUD have set up an amazing Hunt that takes you across the Expo and give you fun prizes at the end!
You purchase a HUD for L$250 at a kiosk (you’ll find one here), and then, wearing the HUD, explore the regions to find one of the twenty Awareness Stations that are scattered around the Expo.
