Gaia Community: Happiness' Blog

SECOND LIFE EVENTS & NEW WORLD NOTES

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:43:20 -0000

The "Best of Second Life Events" are published each week in James Au's fascinating blog, New World Notes.

Many of you have been reading my posts of these Events each week, but what you have not had a chance to see is the ongoing reporting in NWN of notable news from Second Life.

I will not be posting these weekly event updates for awhile, because of other commitments right now, but I would urge you each to not only check in to NWN for the event updates, but also for the news and articles about cool things happening in SL generally.

The link for New World Notes is:

http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/

Here are some current articles, by example, of what you can find if you check out and follow James Au's excellent reportage from "in-world."

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Universe In The Metaverse: Garrett Lisi Explores An E8 Polytope In Second Life

The E8 Polytope, on display in Rezzable Visions-- direct SLURL teleport at this link

Last weekend a candy-colored platinum blond named Wizard Gynoid stood in Second Life space, while a latticework of colored lines that describe the entire known universe were drawn around her. After some time, she was joined by a tall bald man in a white robe named Garrett Netizen. Some courtesies were exchanged, and Mr. Netizen surveyed the multi-colored latticework that started to surround them.

"Kind of looks like the inside of my head," he observed. Which as it turns out, was quite true.

Offline, Garrett Netizen is Garrett Lisi, a veteran surfer and snowboarder who also happens to be the author of "An Exceptionally Simple Theory of Everything", which many people far brighter than me consider the most likely candidate to become the unified field theory, bringing all our knowledge of the physical world together into a single, elegant, comprehensible explanation. Einstein died trying to create one, but after hearing Lisi explain his theory, a co-founder of loop quantum gravity pronounced it “one of the most compelling unification models I’ve seen in years.” (This recent New Yorker profile is a good introduction to Lisi and his thesis, and the controversy over them.)

In between frequent stints on Maui's waves and Tahoe's slopes, and answering that whole ticklish fundamental question to all existence, Lisi occasionally visits Second Life. "I first tried out Second Life at the SIGGRAPH conference in San Diego in 2003," he tells me by e-mail. "I step my toe in every now and then to see how it's progressing." Usually too consumed in real physics, he adds, "This last visit was inspired by Wizzy's invitation."

Which brings us back to the platinum blond with the "Wizzy" navel ring glinting from her exposed midriff. What she created in Second Life and wanted to show Lisi was an E8 Polytope, an extraordinarily complex algebraic system geometrically represented as a kind of fragile, intricate crystal sphere. In Lisi's "Theory of Everything", the E8 Polytope is the framework which explains the working of all known physical particles. A former philosophy of science student, Ms. Gynoid and her colleagues created a Second Life scripting system that converts all the vertices of E8 into thousands of multi-colored fiber, which constantly draw and re-draw themselves. "The full color is the whole object," she tells me. "It cycles through subsets of the object. Each color is a set of strut lengths."

So last Sunday, Wizard Gynoid held the official opening of her E8 Polytope model, which floats in the inky blackness of Rezzable Visions. (Direct SLURL teleport at this link.) By the time I arrived, near a dozen avatars were there, furiously discussing the math and physics of her project. Shortly after I got there, Lisi himself showed up. Which from one point of view, is sort of like Einstein wandering through a museum diorama about general relativity.

"Garrett inspired this build with his Theory of Everything!" Wizard tells her audience, by way of introduction. An impromptu cosmological conversation from within the center of the E8 polytope ensues:

Continue reading "Universe In The Metaverse: Garrett Lisi Explores An E8 Polytope In Second Life"

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Monday, October 06, 2008

British Telecom Has A Second Life-To-Real Life Call Service. But Do You Want It?

Following the footsteps of Vodafone, UK telecom giant BT has AvaTalk, another service for communicating from within Second Life to someone's mobile phone. (Via Digital Urban, here's a video of it in action.)

If I'm reading the site right, however, AvaTalk recently ended a trial period, but updates are promised. Which gives us time to ponder, is this something you'd actually find useful? As opposed to another metaverse bridging channel like Skype, Twitter, or even SLim?

The site's visuals sort of position AvaTalk as A Hip Device For Young Singles On The Go. In my opinion, however, the most compelling application of this technology, is political dissent: An anonymous communication channel from within repressive countries. Unfortunately, that's mostly out of the question: according to BT's service FAQ, you can't use AvaTalk to call numbers in, say, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, or Sudan, among many nations with lots of people with important things to say and lots of authorities who'd punish them if they tried.

That off the table, what other applications can you imagine for it?

Image: www.btavatalk.com. Hat tip: Digital Urban.

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Wikitecture Featured In Architectural Record

Is this the article that will finally push the architecture profession to embrace Wikitecture, the SL-based, award-winning building system? It's in Architectural Record, a top publication in the field, and it nicely outlines the creation of Wikitecture by Jon Brouchoud (Keystone Bouchard in SL) and Ryan Schultz (Theory Shaw in SL.) And I love the accompanying mixed reality images, merging the design incubated in Second Life with photos of the Nepalese who stand to benefit from it.

Posted at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0

SECOND LIFE EVENTS: Oct 2-8 (From New World Notes by James Au)

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:24:30 -0000

Burning Life Ends This Sunday!

Don't forget Burning Life ends this Sunday, October 5. Be sure to catch the fascinating builds and interesting events before it is too late (and be sure to share them here)! Tere is a full calendar of Burning Life events available here on the official blog as well as interesting info on the unofficial blog. (Cilck here to teleport to the arrival area)

CHECK THIS LINK TO MY FLICKR SLIDESHOW OF BURNING LIFE PHOTOS:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25788300@N05/sets/72157607548051767/show/

Charlanna Beresford’s weekly round-up of upcoming SL events…

Do you love comics? Then you'll love Met@Morph, the first annual Web Comics Comic Con and Conference which starts at 8 AM on Friday, October 3. The Comic Book Bin, along with The Center for EduPunx and the Institute for Comics Studies are sponsoring the event and have put together a full schedule that features an international roster of web comics creators, Second Life comics creators, scholars, teachers, students, and designers. In Front Range-- click here to teleport and look for the pirate flags. (Wonder Lanna and SuperBotgirl Questi image by Botgirl Questi.)

Don't forget Burning Life ends this Sunday, October 5. Be sure to catch the fascinating builds and interesting events before it is too late (and be sure to share them here)! Tere is a full calendar of Burning Life events available here on the official blog as well as interesting info on the unofficial blog. (Cilck here to teleport to the arrival area)

Also this week: ChangHigh Trinity Sisters jump through flaming hoops, The Rings, and the opening of Bradburyville. All that and more, after the jump...

(All times in SLT, "Second Life Time"-- i.e., Pacific Standard)

***
Thursday, October 2

1 PM - Cetus First Thursday
Come down for the 1st Thursday in Cetus to enjoy some wonderful art in the 25+ galleries in Cetus while enjoying some great entertainment. The music starts at 1 PM with DJ Doubledown Tandino, Joaquin Gustav at 7 PM, Digby Smalls at 8 PM, and DJ Jaxx Tardis at 9 PM. In Cetus (click here to teleport).

4 PM - MetaKiosk Launch Party
Come and enjoy the music, prizes and fun on hand for the launch of the new metaKIOSK; a virtual kiosk that consolidates products from vendors all over Second Life into one simple portal at a single location. In Monogramia Prime (click here to teleport).

4 PM - Banned Book Week Dance Party: Arabian Nights or The Thousand and One Nights
As part of the American Library Association's Banned Book Week, this dance celebrates Arabian Nights or The Thousand and One Nights; not allowed into the USA (1927-1931) and confiscated in Egypt (1985), said to threaten moral fabric of citizens. In ALA Island (click here to teleport).

7 PM - Lyndon Heart at the Clocktower
The very talented Lyndon Heart has an eclectic repertoire of acoustic rock, Compose Postfolk, and blues and a playlist of originals, popular covers, and lesser-known gems. Lyndon's gigs are all about good time music. In Edloe (click here to teleport).

***
Friday, October 3

6 AM - What Do Social Workers Do?
Gabrielli Rossini (Robert Vernon of Indiana University School of Social Work in RL), will will explain social work education and areas in which social workers practice. He will answer questions about how we might want to work with social workers. This will be the first in a series about the helping professions, which was suggested at a recent focus group of our members and a class of nursing students. In Virtual Ability (click here to teleport).

12 PM - ChangHighTrinitySisters at Octoberfest
Come enjoy the great ChangHighTrinity Sisters Fireshow of Light, Life and Love at Octoberfest! It is a hot artistic experience with fire and dance. In Munich City (click here to teleport).

2 PM - The Rings
CARP (Cybernetic Art Research Project) has followed-up their highly regarded production of THE WALL V-2 with The Rings. The Rings is a rock opera that “celebrates the miracle of the Metaverse.” The show has composed lyrics and music, building and scripting, costumes, shape changing, flight, dance and drama underpinned by new use of in world cinematic techniques. This show will be performed every Friday and Sunday at 2 PM. In NMC Labs (click here to teleport).

3 PM - Exhibit Opening: 5 X Real 55 X SL at TowerVisions
Vision Planer (Bernd Bötzel in RL) has created TowerVisions, the adaptive re-use of Bethanienturm, a church in Berlin that was heavily damaged during World War 2. Come for guided tours of this spectacular build and the opening of an exhibit showcasing work that recently opened in Berlin in RL. Featured works include the SL photography of Harper Beresford, the painting of Vindi Vindaloo(Vinya Cameron in RL), the RL photography of Parker Noriega, the paintings of Mario Dalpra (RL), and the photography of Gundrun Senger(RL). Meet Harper, Vindi and Gundrun in SL and dance to the music and mash-ups of DJ Todd Action. In Plush Avenue South (click here to teleport).

***
Saturday, October 4

1 PM - Indonesia
Ratna Markova is a free-lance journalist and photographer in RL . In this exhibition she lets us look back at Indonesia, the country where she was born and raised, through a series of images frozen in time. These confront us with aspects of daily life in this country. Unknown persons look back at us, everyone telling a silent, different story. These images thus allow us to look back over several years, lifting the cover that has hidden them. In Helvellyn (click here to teleport).

3 PM -Calling all SL researchers/educators to collaborate
Come learn about the opportunity to get virtual land for collaboration between online researchers and educators. The American Anthropology Association is promoting this opportunity and encourages research anthropologists and related disciplines such as sociology and psychology to get involved. If you are interested but cannot make this session contact Sarasvati Kohime. In Anteater Island (click here to teleport).

5 PM - Banned Book Week Author Appearance
Celebrate Banned Book Week with author Chris Crutcher. Chris is one of the ten most frequently challenged authors of 2007. Join this discussion on his books and issues related to intellectual freedom and censorship. In ALA Island (click here to teleport).

***
Sunday, October 5

12 PM - House of RFyre Fall Fashion Show
Come see the 2008 Fall fashion show of the renowned SL design house. In Best of SL Boulevard (click here to teleport).

4 PM - Grand Opening of Bradburyville
Come to the grand opening of Bradburyville which is designed to be a unique, immersive walk-in book experience that is linked to the Big Read of Fahrenheit 451 by writer Ray Bradbury. Visitors will dress as the books protagonist, literally walk through the cover of a large copy of Fahrenheit 451, then watch and interact as scenes from the book appear around them. Narrations describes the action and themes of the story as the scenes change and evolve. In addition to experiencing Fahrenheit 451, additional events and activities will be available during the grand opening. There will be guided Tours from 4 -6 PM and a lecture by Professor Logsdon of Eureka Collegeentitled Bradbury the Man. In Bradburyville (click here to teleport).

***
Monday, October 6

12 PM - Metanomics: Social Research Foundation
Did you ever wonder who is in Second Life, how they interact with virtual and real-life businesses (or represent them), and whether it actually IS getting harder to find work in Second Life? Join Metanomics to hear the results of one of the most comprehensive panel surveys, conducted by Andrew Mallon of Social Research Foundation, with commentary by Erica Driver of ThinkBalm. This event takes place in a variety of partner venues, please visit the Metanomics page for one of the multiple SLurls.

7 PM - Alice in Wonderland with storytelly Caledonia Skytower
Join Caledonia as she reads the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. In West of Ireland (click here to teleport).

***
Tuesday, October 7

8 AM - Stepping into Health Conference
Using virtual worlds to promote health and healthcare is the topic of the next installment of the Stepping into Virtual Worlds conference series. The day-long conference sponsored by Alliance
Library System and LearningTimes and is open to the public. The cost for this day-long conference is $79, and participants may register for the conference at www.steppingintovirtualworlds.org

3:30 PM - Thinkers: Building Dullsville?
Morgaine Dinova commented, "You would imagine that virtual worlds would offer the ultimate opportunity for human storytelling, since they are not bounded by physical limitations. Yet, look around us, across all of SL --- it's all uniformly identical, instead of exploring without restraint. SL has become a bastion of political correctness, and role playing has become almost sordid, with furries being the last holdout. I'm beginning to wonder whether VW globalization might not destroy the "cultural differences" (by RL analogy) that could allow VWs to provide that wonderful storytelling framework." To what extent is this comment correct? Come and discuss with Extropia. All welcome. In Support for Healing (click here to teleport).

***
Wednesday, October 8

2 PM- What is(n’t) Digital Humanities?: Mellon seminar in Digital Humanities at UCLA
The seminar will investigate What is(n’t) Digital Humanities? as part of Digital Humanities studies at UCLA. Through dialogues with expert guest interlocutors and practitioners from various fields, seminar participants will examine, historicize, and critique the emergent field of "digital humanities." Bringing together insights from media, game, literary and cultural studies, we will attempt to take stock of humanistic inquiry at the start of the 21st century. Co-organized by Jeffrey Schnapp (Stanford University, Stanford Humanities Laboratory, and Mellon Visiting Professor of Digital Humanities, UCLA) and Todd Presner (Germanic Languages and Comparative Literature, UCLA). The monthly mixed reality seminars are open to graduate students, faculty, and the general public in RL and Entropia in Second Life. In Entropia (click here to teleport).

***
The Wild Card!
Looking for fun and adventure? The Wild Card! highlights just the day, time and a SLurl for an event. The Wild Card! may be anything, but I’ll try to pick something that promises to fun, lively, or interesting.

Monday, October 6 at 12 PM (click here to teleport)

***
Join Lanna’s group on Eventful.com to stay up to date on what's happening in SL-- info on submitting event notices below.

BURNING LIFE & MORE ON SECOND LIFE! (New World Notes)

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:05:39 -0000

Lanna's List for September 25-October 1: Burning Life, Metanomics Interviews Philip, and more...

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A Note from Happiness:

PHOTOGRAPHY IN SECOND LIFE

The virtual world of Second Life is an ongoing miracle as a convergence of technology and creativity. One of the most exciting ways to discover the infinite possibilities for personal creativity is to take photographs of your travels. If you are already a photographer, you will be thrilled at the opportunities to take your skills to a higher level, visiting the thousands of beautiful locations, and using the enhanced photo tools such as WindLight to create unique atmospheres and moods.

I am posting my Second Life photography at a site on FLICKR, and invite you to come and travel along with me to wondrous new worlds. Here is the url that will take you to my PhotoStream section, and you can then view individual Sets from there (just click on the thumbnail galleries to the right:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25788300@N05/

If you are not already a Resident of Second Life, come on over and discover how much fun you and your camera can have.
And it is all free,unless of course you want to buy cool stuff, or take classes, or buy a virtual ranch!

Please come visit some of my new photos from Second Life at the end of this Weekly Update!

Happiness

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Charlanna Beresford’s weekly round-up of upcoming SL events…

(All times in SLT, "Second Life Time"-- i.e., Pacific Standard)

***
Thursday, September 25

11 AM - Nokia Connected Worlds
This event will bring together five themed virtual communities in Second Life, for an exploration of how their unique cultures interact with the diverse overall community of Second Life, and their ability to function in a mobile society. The five communities are: Wastelands, Steelhead City & Europa, The Ordo Imperialis, New Caledon, and Harry Potter. This is a voice event; text is welcome but voice is preferred. Expect some creative chaos, as moderation will be minimal and only as-needed. At Wulfenbach's Airship In Nokia (click here to teleport).

12 PM - IVC Conflictive Role Play
This class covers general guidelines for conflictive RP and is intended for new RPers as well as seasoned players. When this class is finished, participants will know how to handle a conflictive situation with little confusion. In Insight Virtual College (click here to teleport).

7 PM - Inventory Control
Almost everybody in Second Life has an out of control inventory. Come for some advice and a look at some of the products available to help you tame the inventory beast. In Dreams (click here to teleport).

9:30 PM - Post Human Summer
How do you take a picture that conveys a season in a world where the temperature never changes? Come see images of Summer taken by Second Life residents. In Adrift (click here to teleport).

Also this week: Make-a-Wish Concert, All About Furry, and Burning Life opens. All that and more after the jump...

***
Friday, September 26

1 PM - Third Annual Make a Wish Concert
The Third Annual Make a Wish Concert is a 72 hour event that includes some of Second Life's top musicians. All proceeds benefit the the Make a Wish Foundation which works to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. For a full schedule of this event which wraps up on Sunday, September 28, please visit the venue. In Massine (click here to teleport).

5 PM - All about Furry SL vs Furry in RL vs Other WWW Furry
All about furry is back. This time the topic is about the differences between furry on SL and furry everywhere else in RL and on the web. the moderator for this discussion has been a furry for 11 years and will guide the discussion. All are welcome and invited. Bring any questions you have about furry and what it really is and it will be discussed. In Black Lion (click here to teleport).

***
Saturday, September 27

Image by Nils Apfelbaum. Used under Creative Commons License.

1 AM - Burning Life
Saturday marks the opening of the 6th annual Burning Life festival. Burning Life is the Second Life version of the real life Art, Fire and Community festival known globally as Burning Man. This event covers 22 sims and showcases some of the best creativitiy SL has to offer. The Burning Life wiki holds a schedule of events for this not-to-be-missed festival that runs until October 5th.

9 AM - NCI Class: Sculpties - Basics & Rokuro
Learn to make sculptured prims! Learn what a "sculptie" is, how they are created, and how you can get started creating your very own sculptured prims (without losing your shirt on expensive 3D modelling software). Please download and install Rokuro prior to attending this class. Basic building skills are a prerequisite. In Nova Civis Caledon (click here to teleport).

12 PM - Book Discussion: The Subtle Knife
Join Miss Serafina Puchkina in the Winterfell Library for a discussion of the second book of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. All are welcome no matter if you read the book years ago or yesterday. Bring your friends and share your thoughts! In Winterfell (click here to teleport).

***
Sunday, September 28

9 AM - Talk Loglan
Come and learn about Loglan. Event organizers describe it as the "language of the future." In HUMlab (click here to teleport).

1 PM - SL London Fashion Week
SL London Fashion Week runs from Sunday, September 28th to Sunday, October 4th. In addition to showcasing some of SL's top designers, there will be daily catwalk shows at 1 PM. In Kensington W8 London (click here to teleport).

5 PM - September Birthday and Rez-Day Party
Do you have a birthday or rez-day in September? MenDance is having a party to celebrate! In Mens World (click here to teleport).

6 PM - Madame Butterfly Play
An original adapton of Madame Butterfly based on the true story presented by the Gion Kobu Hanamachi Theater Group. Located at the Gion Kobu Kabuki Theater, In Farrah Island (click here to teleport).

***
Monday, September 29

12 PM - Metanomics: Philip Rosedale's Vision
At the recent Second Life Community Convention in Tampa, Florida, Robert Bloomfield was granted a rare interview with Philip Rosedale, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Linden Lab. In well over an hour of questions, a number of significant themes emerged, from the specific future of Second Life to the widespread promise of virtual worlds. Join us at Noon on Monday, September 29, as a panel of experts responds to Rosedale's vision. This event takes place in a variety of partner venues, please visit the Metanomics page for one of the multiple SLurls.

***
Tuesday, September 30

5 PM - Lanitan Discussion: Your SL vs. Your RL Self
How much is your Second Life self like your Real Life self? Don't just think appearance, but personality and habits. Are you more outgoing here? Have more friends? Dress a different way? Roleplay a completely different persona? Spend time attending silly discussion groups? Come join this lively discussion about digital identity. All are welcome and respected and all who attend are expected to be welcoming and respectful. In Black Lion (click here to teleport).

***
Wednesday, October 1

9 AM - It's a Virtual Virtual Virtual Virtual World Online Conference
Join Alliance Library System and Learning Times online in Adobe Connect for two days of discussion of virtual worlds and librarianship. To find more information about this conference, go to the conference website at http://www.thevirtuallibrarian.org/

***
The Wild Card!
Looking for fun and adventure? The Wild Card! highlights just the day, time and a SLurl for an event. The Wild Card! may be anything, but I’ll try to pick something that promises to fun, lively, or intersting.

Friday, September 26 at 3 PM (click here to teleport).

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Some of Happiness' recent photos, from a series titled "Mindscapes"......................

pretty lat/long

VISIT SECOND LIFE! Current Events (New World Notes)

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:03:49 -0000

Lanna's List for September 18-24: Halfway to St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, Botgirl's Identity Circus, and more...

*************************************************************************************************

PHOTOGRAPHY IN SECOND LIFE

The virtual world of Second Life is an ongoing miracle as a convergence of technology and creativity. One of the most exciting ways to discover the infinite possibilities for personal creativity is to take photographs of your travels. If you are already a photographer, you will be thrilled at the opportunities to take your skills to a higher level, visiting the thousands of beautiful locations, and using the enhanced photo tools such as WindLight to create unique atmospheres and moods.

I am posting my Second Life photography at a site on FLICKR, and invite you to come and travel along with me to wondrous new worlds. Here is the url that will take you to my PhotoStream section, and you can then view individual Sets from there (just click on the thumbnail galleries to the right:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25788300@N05/

If you are not already a Resident of Second Life, come on over and discover how much fun you and your camera can have.
And it is all free,unless of course you want to buy cool stuff, or take classes, or buy a virtual ranch!

************************************************************************************************

Vidal Tripsa, Dunan Wilder and Charlanna Beresford looking for pirate fun!

Charlanna Beresfordâ€™s weekly round-up of upcoming SL eventsâ€¦

Arr, mateys! The grid is bustling with events for International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Put on your best pirate or wench finery and be ready to dance, talk like a pirate, listen to great music, earn doubloons or plunder.

12 PM - Pirate Night at Club Cathedral. In Cathedral Island (click here to teleport).
2 PM - Talk Like a Pirate Day Party at Nowhereville. In Nowhereville (click here to teleport).
6 PM - Pirate Rave. In Shengri La Joy (click here to teleport).
7 PM - Pirates All Aboard. In City of Madrid (click here to teleport).
8 PM - Bring Yer Booty and Shiver Me Timbers. In Arden (click here to teleport).
8 PM - Talk Like a Pirate Day at Ye Olde Terrier's Inne. In Seventh Eye (click here to teleport).

Have fun me hearties!

(All times in SLT, "Second Life Time"-- i.e., Pacific Standard)

***
Thursday, September 18

12 PM - Opening: Glyph Grave: At one with nature at Chakryn Forest
Over ten new pieces by artist Glyph Graves, will be featured in the deep forest setting of Chakryn, with numerous elements of surprise now through October 6th. Begin at the Stone Heads, follow the path and be sure to have your sound all the way up and streaming music off. In Chakryn (click here to teleport).

1 PM - Dream It. Do It. Iniatiative Main Grid Info Session and Launch
Global Kids and Ashoka Youth Venture s are bringing the Dream It. Do It. Initiative (D.I.D.I.) to the main grid. Through January of 2009, the D.I.D.I. Initiative is supporting up to 40 teams of young
people to launch ventures that benefit their communities, either within or outside the virtual world of Second Life. This initiative is open to young people and student groups in Second Life. If you are a young college-aged resident of Second Life or an educator working with young people on SL's main grid you are invited to attend one of the info sessions. Sessions will also be held Thursday, September 18 at 6 PM and Friday, September 19 at 12 PM. In Teaching (click here to teleport).

8 PM - Grand Opening: Starchild Designs
Come to this circus-themed opening of a new shop with vintage and modern fashions. There will be a big top, jugglers, trapeze, and $500L prize for the best clown suit. In Balamara Atoll (click here to teleport).

Also this week: Tuna Oddfellow and Juel Resistance at 7 Days Bakery Opening, Elven photography contest, and Beyers Sellers has the tables turned in Metanomics. All that and more after the jump...

***

Friday, September 19

8 AM - Dark Mysteries: What Is the Universe Made of?
This talk by CalTech Astronomy Professor, George Djorgovski is geared toward the general public about what makes up the universe. All are welcome to enjoy the lecture and to ask questions or make comments. This talk is part of a series of popular talks organized by the Meta Institute for Computational Astrophysics (MICA). In Spaceport Bravo (click here to teleport).

7 PM - Isaias Alanis at Mi Pueblo Cantina, Info Island International
Info Island International is celebrating Hispanic Heritage by presenting Mexican performer, IsaÃas AlanÃs. Come listen and dance to traditional songs from Mexico. In Info Island International (click here to teleport).

10 AM - Opening of the Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Festival
West of Ireland hosts this three-day festival of music, storytelling and art is a celebration of the spirit of Ireland and Irish people. The festival starts at with DJ Jimbo at 10 AM on Friday and wraps up with Tone Uriza performing live at 6 PM on Sunday, September 21. Full schedules are available in here in West of Ireland. All performers, artists, instructors, and staff will be donating their time in order to raise donations for Project Children , a charity that reaches out to the kids of Northern Ireland. In West of Ireland (click here to teleport).

***
Saturday, September 20

9:30 AM - Sim Opening: 7 Days Magic Bakery
The European baked goods brand 7 Days opens the 7 Days Magic Bakery themed village. Virtuoso SL performers Tuna Oddfellow and Juel Resistance will be performing at 9:30 and 10 AM, repsectively. In 7 Days Magic Bakery (click here to teleport).

10 AM - Oktoberfest Begins in Neufreistadt
A fifteen-day celebration of Oktoberfest and the fourth and anniversary of the Confederation of Democratic Sims begins with a triathalon at 10 AM and an opening flag ceremony at 10:45 AM. This celebration is complete with parades, street fair, music, soccer matches, and more! A full schedule of this exciting, not to be missed event is available here. In Neufreistadt (click here to teleport).

1 PM - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Portal--Book of the Month Discussion: Guns of the South
Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove is set in an alternate history where the South wins the Civil War in a surprising way. The discussion will cover how it happens and the consequences of real world scientists finding a way to make it possible. All are welcome to share ideas and insights, whether you've read the book or not. In Info Island (click here to teleport).

7 PM - Exhibit Opening: Keith Extraordinaire - Elements and Inspirations
Sunfire Gallery presents Elements and Inspirations,The Landscapes, Portraits, and Prims of Keith Extraordinaire. In Sunfire (click here to teleport).

***
Sunday, September 21

9 AM - Sunday Sax with Seba Sideways
Come enjoy the musical brunch with Seba Sideways at 9 and DJ Buttaz at 10 AMand tour the model of Future Green Chatham sustainable home. Come enjoy some fantastic music, dancing and a chance to see a model green home for our first lives. In Etopia (click here to teleport).

Image by Botgirl Questi. Used under creative commons license.

11 AM - Exhibit Opening: Botgirl's Identity Circus
Botgirl Questi opens her art exhibition exploring virtual identity and will feature a variety of works ncluding the premier of the "Night vs. Human" comic, the debut of an avatar morphing video and an interactive "Cuddle With a Bot" exhibit. In New Caerleon (click here to teleport).

6 PM - Elf Clan Fall Stroll and Snap
Come join in a celebration of the colors of Autumn and take some photographsto remind yourself of the beauty of Elf Clan lands. There is a contest for pictures taken with prizes for the top voted photos. In ElvenMyst (click here to teleport).

***
Monday, September 22

12 PM - Metanomics
Metanomics opens it's second yeat live from Copenhagen as Benjamin Duranske, author of Virtual Law and editor of virtuallyblind.com turns the table and poses questions to Metanomics Host Robert Bloomfield about his experience producing the first year of Metanomics and to discuss the three major subfields of virtual world economies -- immersionist, augmentationist, and experimentalist. Sisse Siggaard Jensen will be On the Spot to talk about her own research project and the many organizations collaborating to bring virtual worlds to life in Denmark. Robert Bloomfield will close out the show with commentary about this week's dramatic financial events and their relationship to the metaverse. This event takes place in a variety of partner venues, please visit the Metanomics page for one of the multiple SLurls.

Image by Crap Mariner

8 PM - Capo Freenote at Blue Fusion
Capo Freenote plays a mix of originals and covers that balance his blues, rock and Americana influences. In Blue Fusion Island (click here to teleport).

***
Tuesday, September 23

2 PM - Blogging for Dummies at TLE
If you are a beginning blogger, or just interested in blogging and why, how and what to do, this workshop is for you. This session encourages audience participation and reviews blogs of those in the workshop. Participants will learn the nuts and bolts of setting up a blog, how to do it, what NOT to do, and what to expect from your blog. In Akamu Cove (click here to teleport).

7 PM - Beginner Avatar Making
Participants will learn how to build an Avatar and put it on. All the tools needed are handed out in class. Please come with voice enabled so the instructor can talk while you type questions. In Dreams (click here to teleport).

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Wednesday, September 24

7 AM - Toxic Tunnels Halloween Maze
It's that time of year when thoughts begin to turn to Halloween. Come visit the Haunted Tunnel Maze for a fun adventure to get you in the Halloween mood. In Hong Kong Island (click here to teleport).

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The Wild Card!
Looking for fun and adventure? The Wild Card! highlights just the day, time and a SLurl for an event. The Wild Card! may be anything, but Iâ€™ll try to pick something that promises to fun, lively, or intersting.

Saturday, September 20 at 12 PM (click here to teleport)

SECOND LIFE FUN: Sept. 11-14 (James Au's New World Noted

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:43:54 -0000

Lanna's List for September 11-17: Pillflowers, Extropia Party with WoW Horde, NPIRL Safari and more...

Lanna with Melody Regent, one of the event organizers

Charlanna Beresford’s weekly round-up of upcoming SL events…

A full day of events have been planned to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Set in the beautiful and moving New York NY sim that is complete with ethereal copies of the World Trade Center towers, the events begin with a gathering at 5:15 AM SLT. Starting at 5:46 AM, the names of all 2974 victims who perished in the attacks will be read by a series of SL residents. A long moment of silence will follow the reading of the last name at approximately 8:50 and there will be a dedication of a replica of the FDNY Memorial Wall at 9 AM. The day’s events wrap up at 3 PM with a special dance of remembrance and renewal with DJ Jonas Lunasea; formal attire is requested. In New York NY (click here to teleport).

From the serious to the silly, 7 PM on Saturday, September 13 marks the inaugural Battle of the Fashionistas. Organized by the incomparable and fabulous Kate Amdahl, the Battle of the Fashionistas gives a whole new meaning to “dressed to kill.” Kate loves SL fashion but recognizes that sometimes could use a bit of, well, taking itself just a touch less seriously. Come looking as fabulous as you want and bring your weapon of choice to start the Battle with someone “based on not liking their shoes, or on being jealous of their shoes, or on anything you love or hate about their look.” You can die or not, but the last one standing must wear system hair. In Cape Suzette (click here to teleport).

Zada Zenovka, Wrean Mechanique, Kate Amdahl and Lanna prepare for the Battle

(All times in SLT, "Second Life Time"-- i.e., Pacific Standard)

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Thursday, September 11

10 AM – NCI Building Class: Power Tools
This class will help participants learn to build faster and more easily with two very useful but often overlooked building tools: Create Copy & Ruler Mode. Explore the Create Copy tool options and uses, plus discover its shortcomings and how to work around them. Participants will also learn what Ruler Modes do, and how and when to use each mode, including Reference Mode. Participants must have completed either the NCI Building – Basics Class or demonstrate basic proficiency. In Boomer Island (click here to teleport).

7 PM – Digby Smalls at The Firefly
Digby Smalls has been his acoustic guitar skills for the last 15 years and brings great vocals to his mix of covers and originals. His blend of mellow alternative rock has been influenced by The Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam. Stone Temple Pilots, and The Beatles. In Pemberly (click here to teleport).

8 PM – Socrates Café
Do you love philosophy and discussing it with others? Then come join the conversation at the Socrates Café, a group philosophical discussion session open to any and all. In Tintafel (click here to teleport).

Also this week: The Rings, SL Shakeshpeare Company's One's a Pawn of Time, and Shiki Autumn Moon Festival. All that and more after the jump...

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Friday, September 12

2 PM – The Rings
CARP (Cybernetic Art Research Project) has followed-up their highly regarded production of THE WALL V-2 with The Rings. The Rings is a rock opera that “celebrates the miracle of the Metaverse.” The show has composed lyrics and music, building and scripting, costumes, shape changing, flight, dance and drama underpinned by new use of in world cinematic techniques. This show will be performed every Friday and Sunday at 2 PM. In NMC Labs (click here to teleport).

4 PM - IVC Role Playing: Playing the Average Joe
This class is intended for beginning RPers as well as seasoned veterans. When you finish this class you will know how to play an average nobody character without becoming victim to everyone else on your RP sim. In Insight Virtual College (click here to teleport).

6 PM – The Orphan Train Poems
Muse of Fire presents The Orphan Train Poems by Zayante Hegel. This moving group of poems are about Orphan Trains and a group of people affected by their relocation, both physically and emotionally. This will also be performed again on Saturday, September 13 at 6 PM. In Runtrop (click here to teleport).

7 PM – One’s a Pawn of Time
The Second Life Shakespeare Company (SLSC) presents a modern play to open their Autumn 2008 season. The play, One's a Pawn of Time, is described as “a fast-paced and clever one-act play about relationship drama that may arise through hasty time travel.” Also presented on Saturday, September 13 at 11 AM; Sunday, September 14 at 3 PM; and Tuesday, September 16, at 1 PM. In sLiterary (click here to teleport).

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Saturday, September 13

10 AM – Exhibit Opening: Pillflower World
Pillflower World is a mixed reality exhibition that will be shown at the Australian National University, Canberra, September 22 – October 3, 2008 and within the ANU gallery in Second Life. In SL, Nar Duell (Lynne Heller in RL) has created an environment in a giant snow globe with a garden made of flowers whose petals are pills and capsules. The exhibit has gotten wonderful reviews from those who have had a sneak preview. In NMC Campus (click here to teleport).

12 PM – Extropia Parties with The Horde
Extropia welcomes the Horde from Azeroth in World of Warcraft with a full line up of events to welcome Horde Ambassador Singularitea Skytower as she opens her new facilities in SL on Sen’jin Island. Her outpost on Sen’jin Island will be home to the Blood & Thunder Beach Club, Club Suncrown and The Diversionarium. The party starts with a grand re-opening of The Diversionarium at noon and will run all day and all night with live DJs and special events until 10 PM. In Dirac Sea (click here to teleport).

6 PM – Not Possible In Real Life Safari
Join this multi-sim exploration of Not Possible in Real Life art with Tayzia Abattoir. The first visit is at the Crescent Moon museum, one of the first museums of Second Life, will move to the Aho Gallery at the NMC, and eventually on to discover other amazing places that organizers can’t reveal. This collaborative project is being supported by NWN partner Koinup and the Not Possible in Real Life and Impossible in Real Life working groups. In FairChang Village (click here to teleport).

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Sunday, September 14

6 AM – The Shiki Autumn Moon Festival
The Shiki sim is celebrating the Autumn Moon Festival with their own two-part gathering. The first hour is the Masquerade, a fashion show where the best-dressed Moon God and Goddess on the moonwalk will win for themselves great prizes of L$1000 each. All are welcome to come dressed as a moon deity from your own culture. In the second hour, the ChangHigh Trinity Sisters and MoShang Zhao will be teaming up to bring an hour of fantastic music and smooth acrobatic moves. In Shiki (click here to teleport).

7 AM – Ballet Pixelle: Shuzenji
Ballet Pixelle (formerly Second Life Ballet) is presenting their ballet Shuzenji with the addition of live singing by Solary Clary in Japan. A ballet set in Edo-era Japan, Shuzenji tells the story of two lovers, Sakura and Tokai, who are separated from each other when Tokai is murdered at the shrine of Shuzenji by jealous Oirans, or courtesans. However, the faithful Sakura continues to search for Tokai at the shrine, and because of her enduring love, Tokai's spirit is freed. What happens next? Solary’s voice is said to “compound the emotional intensity of this beautiful, complex ballet.” In IBM (click here to teleport).

11 AM – Surrealist Dance Hall Closing Party
There will be a closing party for this exhibit exploring surrealism at Caerleon Isle Artist Collective. The challenge: No right angles in a surreal environment that would encompass three distinct themes that cyclically morph from one to the other. There have been some new additions to the exhibit since it opened. Come see it while you still can! In Caerleon Isle (click here to teleport).

1 PM – Renaissance Faire
Renaissance Island is hosting a Faire with jousts, storytelling, period items for sale, and music provided by Gabrielle Riel. In Renaissance Island (click here to teleport).

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Monday, September 15

10 AM – Contact A Family – Meeting Families with Disabled Children in Second Life
Contact a Family, a UK-based nonprofit, has created an in-world advice center for parents with disabled children to meet others to discuss issues in raising a child with additional needs. Their office is staffed by trained parent adviser Seamus Holliday and new media adviser Advisor Somerflek who are present to give advice and guidance information on a wide range of issues including welfare rights, education, short breaks, local services and local support. There is also access to a wide range of publications on money issues, family matters, parental help, health care and current affairs. In Aloft Nonprofit Commons (click here to teleport).

Image by Tauri Tigerpaw

2 PM – Tauri Tigerpaw at Ally B’s
Tauri Tigerpaw specializes in playing love songs of many different genres. She mixes her lovely voice and guitar to bring you a performance of love songs that is truly enjoyable. In Deitide (click here to teleport).

6 PM – How Almost Anyone Can Save and Invest for the Future
Corwin Howlett will lead a discussion and recommend books on saving and investing for the future.
In InvestingInfo Island (click here to teleport).

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Tuesday, September 16

12 PM – Open Relationships
This discussion group is for people who are in an open relationship (SL or RL) or are interested to know more about the subject. Polyamory is the desire, practice, or acceptance of having more than one loving, intimate relationship at a time with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved. The term polyamory is sometimes abbreviated to poly, and is sometimes described as consensual, ethical, or responsible non-monogamy. In AngelGate (click here to teleport).

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Wednesday, September 17

1 PM – Poetry Society SL Stanza Informal Get-Together
This group meets on the Written Word beach for an informal chat and it doesn’t have to be just poetry. This group represents the Poetry Society in the UK and welcomes international members with the goal of promoting poetry. In Cookie (click here to teleport).

6 PM – Hot Topics Discussion: US Election/Politics
As part of its Hot Topics discussion series, Info Island hosts discussions on topics of interest and relevance to your Second Life or real life. This month’s topic is US Election/Politics - What place does politics have in a virtual world? In Info Island (click here to teleport).

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The Wild Card!
Looking for fun and adventure? The Wild Card! highlights just the day, time and a SLurl for an event. The Wild Card! may be anything, but I’ll try to pick something that promises to fun, lively, or interesting.

Sunday, September 14 at 4 PM (click here to teleport)

SECOND LIFE FUN: Sept.4-10 (New World Notes)

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:26:35 -0000

Global Handshake Fair, Fractured Fairy Tales, and more...

Charlanna Beresford’s weekly round-up of upcoming SL events…

Surf’s up in Second Life! If you’ve been thinking about trying to surf in SL, there are fantastic ongoing opportunities to learn to surf. There are surfing weekly lessons on Saturdays at 3 PM at TCH (click here to teleport) and Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 AM at Bishara Surf School in Majini Island (click here to teleport). For those of you who have been bitten by the surfing bug, be sure to keep abreast of surfing sites, competitions through Surfwatch and the Second Life Surfing Association.

(All times in SLT, "Second Life Time"-- i.e., Pacific Standard)
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Thursday September 4th

12 PM – U21 Global Trivia
Sharpen your skills and win some Lindens while attending U21’s weekly series of Trivia Quizzes. Quizzes are 20 questions with a 20L payout for the first correct answer with one bonus question worth 100L. In U21 Global Campus (click here to teleport).

2 PM – Cetus First Thursday
Cetus is a lovely sim with some of the best art galleries in SL. Come for the monthly First Thursday celebration in the Cetus Gallery District. This month’s party starts at 2 PM with the incomparable DJ Doubledown Tandino dropping his staple sounds of deep and funky beats in a live turntable mixset. Later performances include, Winston Ackland at 7 PM, JAMBA Losangeles at 8 PM and an hour with DJ Jaxx Tardis starting at 9 PM. Come stroll the 30+ galleries while getting down to some of the best music in SL. In Cetus (click here to teleport).

7 PM - Steelhead Fractured Fairy Tales Festival: Storytellers and Fairy Tales
As part of its Fractured Fairy Tales Festival, the 19th c. gaslamp fantasy sims of Steelhead is featuring events celebrating fairy tales and the impact they have had on ourselves and our second lives. They are having an Introduction to Fairytales by TotalLunar Eclipse at 7 PM as well as storyteller Elegia Underwood sharing Dragon Tales at 7:30 PM. Also on Saturday September 6th at 1 PM. In Steelhead (click here to teleport).

9:30 PM – Go Kart Ride Benefitting Miles for the Missing
Come have great fun and support a nonprofit at the same time. Race go karts on a challenging track while you try to get the best time! All proceeds go to support Project Jason help more families of the missing, In Remora (click here to teleport).

Also this week: Yachts, Hair Fair 2008 closing events, and Trademark Infringement discussion. All that and more after the jump...

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Friday September 5th

6 AM – SLCC: Annual Second Life Community Convention
The Second Life Community Convention (SLCC) is an opportunity for people of all interests to learn about the many activities within the metaverse. SLCC is an opportunity to present and share ideas, learn about new and interesting technologies and to explore what others are accomplishing within SL. This is done by several targeted tracks, each one handling specific topics. The SLEDcc is focused on education and features panels along with hands-on workshops. The Business Track will discuss and explore the many ways people have used SL for business practices. The Community Tracks are a series of half-day tracks that will feature very specific community topics ranging from Healthcare to more technical subjects such as Open-Source. Look at the schedules to see all of the great in-world events in that are being offered in conjunction with this first life event.

8 AM – Dr. Knop Talks Astronomy
Dr. Knop talks about "The Continuing Copernican Revolution: from Heliocentricity to the Cosmological Principle." When humankind first tried to conceptualize cosmology, the structure of the Universe as a whole, they placed the Earth at the center of their models, with everything else centered on it. The Copernican model of the Solar System was revolutionary in that it moved the Sun to the center, with Earth as just another planet orbiting it. Since then, there have been multiple reconceptualizations of our understanding of the Universe as a whole that has continued to move us away from being at the center of reality, up through today's Cosmological Principle which states, colloquially, "We are nowhere special." All are welcome. Feel free to ask questions or make comments. In Spaceport Bravo (click here to teleport).

10 AM – Global Handshake Fair
The Al-Andalus Sims are hosting the Global Handshake Fair aimed at furthering the mission of global understanding and celebration of cultural diversity. There is a fantastic line up of folk musicians, dancing, art, exhibitions and speakers on September 5 and 6. Please visit Al Andalus or click here for a complete schedule. In Al Andalus Alhambra (click here to teleport).

1 PM – Sharing Circle
Come discuss unconditional love, what it is and what it means to you. You may have opportunities to learn ow to change how you think to project unconditional love all the time, as well as living in the now, how to not project negative into the future. In Devonshire (click here to teleport).

5 PM - JWheels Carver: I Can't Walk, So I Figure I'll Run My Mouth
Life observations from JWheels Carver. As JWheels says, " We'll laugh, cry and who knows, I may even give rides. Ask questions , nothing is off limits. I am very open about living my life with my handicap and enjoy sharing what makes life interesting." In Akamu Cove (click here to teleport)

7 PM - Formal Fairy Tale Dance
Come dressed as your favorite (or least favorite!) character from your favorite fairy tale/story for a night of fantasy in the Steelhead Ballroom. In Steelhead (click here to teleport).

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Saturday September 6th

11 AM – Exhibit Opening: Kaleidescope
Oberon Onmura has opened his new work Kaleidescope. A transporter ride from the landing spot takes you right up inside this huge piece, where there are entrancing and enchanting slowly shifting colors and shapes. In Nomanisan Peninsula (click here to teleport)

12 PM - Mixed Reality: Dancing Ink Productions Discusses Peace and Understanding Islam
This is a mixed reality event at SLCC and as part of Al Andalus’ Global Handshake Fair. Eureka Dejavu and Schmilsson Nilsson present Dancing Ink Productions's philosophy that peace is not the absence of conflict but one's attitude toward it as well as our Understanding Islam through Virtual Worlds project. In Al Andalus Alhambra (click here to teleport).

2 PM - Antiquity Yacht Club Regatta
Come visit as Antiquity celebrates their 19th Century lifestyle and maritime heritage with a regatta.
Wind powered sailing craft are invited to race for prize money. Race divisions include Small Yachts, Classic Yachts, Tallships and Longships.Full Regatta course details and Map are available the Antiquity Yacht Club, Antiquity Harbor. Spectators welcome. In Antiquity Harbor (click here to teleport).

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Sunday, September 7

6 AM – Hair Fair 2008 Bandana Day Closing Events
It's the final day for Hair Fair 2008, and the final event is Bandana Day. Come down to Hair Fair and pick up one of over a hundred bandanas available and show your support during Hair Fair 2008's Last Day! Hair Fair donates proceeds to Locks of Love, an organization that donates wigs to children who suffer hair loss due to cancer, burns, and other conditions. This year, all designers at the fair will donate 50% of one style to the charity. In Rezzable Discover (click here to teleport).

11 AM – Attacked by a Ghost?
Please come to this discussion and share your experiences if you ever have been attacked by a ghost or haunted by evil demonic possession. Share you real ghost stories, real monsters in closet and pictures or videos. In Pouncival (click here to teleport).

5 PM – Bedtime Stories
Every Sunday at 5 PM, Aurora Tiny Village will be offering bed time stories. There will be live readings of Grimm Faerie Tales, Dr. Seuss or Original Stories by Aianna Oh. All are welcome at this enchanting community of Tinies. In Gorynych (click here to teleport).

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Monday, September 8

6 AM – Final Week of Caerleon Surrealist Dance Hall
This is the final week for this remarkable immersive art experience exploring surrealism at Caerleon Isle Artist Collective. The challenge: No right angles in a surreal environment that would encompass three distinct themes that cyclically morph from one to the other. There have been some new additions to the exhibit since it opened. Come see it while you still can! In Caerleon Isle (click here to teleport).

Image by Alanjhargreaves.

5 PM – Jonas Lunasea at Mystic Hill Swing
Jonas Lunasea - SWING KING - will be at Mystic Hill Swing for one of his energized performances. In Blacktail Ridge (click here to teleport).

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Tuesday, September 9

12 PM – SLBA Speaker: Trademark Infringement on Virtual Worlds
The SL Bar Association is proud to present the fourth of a four part speaker series. Legal Writer will be speaking on Trademark Infringement on Virtual Worlds. This lecture has been approved for California State Bar CLE. Please register at: http://slba.info/speakers/wu.html . The lecture is free and will take place at the SL Bar Association office, Justice Center, 6th floor, In Malfelonius (click here to teleport).

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Wednesday, September 10

12 PM – Exhibit Opening: University of Kentucky, Celebrating Our First Semester
Please join us for the opening of this exhibit. The exhibit includes information about how we developed our university island and descriptions of some of the significant builds and events from our first semester of operation. Attend the opening to talk with some of the island residents involved in island planning and activities! We want to celebrate the work of our island residents and we hope the exhibit will also be useful to other colleges and universities, particularly those who are just beginning to explore Second Life. In University of KY (click here to teleport).

Friday, September 5 at 12 PM (click here to teleport)

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