I Am Aries

Her head ached. More than that… her head wanted to explode with pain. But what can you expect when you’re after the umpteenth attempt to break through a door by – literally – ramming it? There were times when she actually hated her job, albeit the profession she chose fitted her perfectly. There were times when she felt like fish in the water... now that was a mixed metaphor, she thought a second later, given that she wasn’t fish. She was ovine, with a pair of beautifully curling horns, and sheep seldom swam. “Ooohh... it’s starting again!” – she was silently howling as the dolour hit her forehead one more time. “An hour, maybe an hour and a half, and my shift is over!” – she thought thankfully, and she gave in to the excruciating pain.

The soldiers had been attacking the castle relentlessly, for days and days. They used a battle ram to bring down the main gate. The heavy instrument broke into pieces but not before it smashed through wood and iron, allowing the conquerors to pour in the fortress. The siege was over, the weapons were dropped for a while, and nobody cared about a destroyed battle ram lying in the moat.

I might have mentioned now and then that one of my absolute favourites among SL avatar creators is doubtlessly Alpha Auer. Now you have a unique opportunity to stock up on her wonderful beings for a ridiculous price reduced by 50 %, as 30 full avatars from the main collection will be permanently removed from the inworld store, and after April 7^th they will only be available at the SL marketplace. You still have a long, long weekend to shop, so visit alpha.tribe.island, it’s definitely worth it!

I am Aries IRL so I visited the current Zodiac event, dedicated to my sign, with extra curiosity. I didn’t regret the trip, as the spectacular horns by *BOOM* would make any ovine truly proud of being fiery, headstrong and smart. :) 

Avatar: “Crop Circles” by alpha.tribe – special discount price until April 7^th (375 L$)

Horns: “I am Aries” in Gold by *BOOM* - special offer at the Zodiac Event until April 14^th (199 L$)

Hair: “Madam Pompadour” in Black by Vita’s Boudoir - 200 L$

Eyes: “Feral Eyes” in Ginger by Sterling Artistry – a previous hunt gift now available for sale (65 L$)

One life, one chance...

High on the cloud mountain the citadel of memories nestled between stone and iron. Each dwelling a fortress for those within its protection, when stepping outside into thick hanging mists meant madness and death. Darkness and swirling winds wrapped around each strongfast, pressing in against brick and glass...

Such special glass, poured aeons earlier it seemed, deep in the mines of the mountain, where no light but coalfire ever reached. It filtered moonlight from the mists, lighting the rooms where it was wanted, letting those who remained inside see what they would. Sylba liked to see, liked to watch. Her watchroom was filled with screens, lit in the gloaming with flickers of those spirits beyond the walls, the ghosts who wailed in the mists.

Within the walls though, she felt as a caged bird. Stories of such, or the lingering memories of them at least, had played on her screens for so many years. Sylba had seen them there, flying free, through skies of blue. Skies far different in time or miles from the purple and green bruised skies above her own cage. The feeling grew stronger each day, demanding recognition. That was when she called for Gryphon.

She called for him each time the lost souls came too close; through the glass high above, and from the screens before her. Gryphon wandered the wilds more than she, charms and sigils added the touch of tradition to his protective clothing, now discarded at the airlock. He would come when she called, whenever he was needed. There were bound together, heartstrings and ropes.

The designs that filled her mind would be etched on her skin by his touch. Already rendered in inks were her fear of living as the caged bird, never free to fly as intended. The sun still shone brightly, if only here in her world of moonlight. Flowers and insects long gone from the lands, but not forgotten, remembered by Sylba as part of herself. The sacred heart, a recent addition, had been inspired by Gryphon. As he had walked through the rubble and wastes of the old city, far from the current citadel, spirits long at rest had stirred again. Following the living, singing the stories of their souls. Belief rained down that night, longing poured over the screens like wine into cups at a feast. That image, that symbol, burned in their minds and soon found a place in her to rest. She had called him again tonight, skin would lie on skin, and images form. What they would be, only the spirits could tell, each had their life, and this one last chance to be remembered...

Sylba

Hair :   Magika Rewind - Colourpack 2 L$ 250
Such a pretty, and realistic hair. Love it.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Magika%20Land/127/127/22
Skin :   :Sugar: [5] DB Bay / InK {1} Clevage
Still a favourite
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Magic%20Moment/194/41/1751
Tattoo:   +REDRUM+ One Life Tattoo L$ 159
Not all of the tattoo is visible here I know... there is a more revealing picture if you click through to my Flickr stream!  Well worth it to see a bit more of this fantastic original design. I may be convinced to take more, still missing the fabulous moth.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Death%20Row/196/83/56
Corset :   *League* Nyx Corset -Leather  L$ 295
Blown away by this. Found this particular corset at League's Whore Couture2 store and fell in love. So many options (HUD driven) for the spikes, great range of colours. 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Duende/154/129/39
Skirt :   *Tentacio* Kay Skirt black L$ 70
Another great item from Whore Couture2! Longer at the back than the front, this unusual skirt is a nice break from the norm
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cies%20Island/130/126/23
Boots :    Razor /// Regulator Combat  Boots  Dirty  L$ 279
I'll admit it... I saw someone wearing these, didn't have the time at that moment to chase them down myself to find out where they got em, so set a friend on the stalking trail. Found, Bought, Love.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Depraved%20Nation/140/157/70


Gryphon

Hair :   *Dura-Boys&Girls*20 - Dark 6 Colour Fatpack L$ 360
Love this style - Messy, but secure.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dura%20Dura/64/129/1002
Skin :   AKERUKA Kal V2  (Group Gift)
Cost of the group join is WELL worth the skins available as group gifts. Amazing detail.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Akeruka/128/138/36
Tattoo:    Angels&Demons_GoK_soft 2  L$ 250
Still utterly enamoured of Garden of Ku tattoo styles and imagery.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Huggies/117/68/23
Armour :  [Exiled Inc.] Neck corset grey straps armbrace  L$ 150
Love love love this. Two versions included in the price - with the arm brace and without. Armour with a hint of style, while not straying too far from classic shaped leatherwork. 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Date/62/36/601
Jeans : +REDRUM+ Grandpa's Jeans - Grey  L$ 89
These jeans are made with a fanatastic texture - very unusual, not your normal denim. In the blue - they look great - here in the grey option - they look like roughed up old tweeds. You can see the shredded material on the knee.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Death%20Row/196/83/56  

Well Done Bun Bun

He was exhausted. He had supervised the colouring of about six and a half million eggs... and before that, he had had to talk millions of anxious mother hens into surrendering their future brood for a nobler purpose. Oh my... luckily, he spoke Hen fluently. Then the manufacturing of chocolate bunnies, what a headache. His hired workers, some dumb elves from Santa’s factory on vacation, wanted to make each and every chocolate bunny to his image, like they did with the chocolate Santas in wintertime. What a personality cult... he had always known good old Claus loved adulation, but the extent of the man’s vanity, experienced from close, was astounding. “I’m so glad Easter is over!” – he thought. “Being the Easter Bunny is no fun at all. Carrots, on the contrary, definitely are.” He lowered his front paws so that he was on all fours, like a cute ordinary bunny should be, and he happily hopped away, towards a nearby orchard. He was free for one more year. He felt one lucky hare.

Happy Easter, everybody! :)

Bunny avatar: *DollCoco* Easter gift in the shop – 0 L$

Balloons: Vita’s Boudoir Easter Hunt Gift - 0 L$

 

This aint a love song...

I should have seen it coming when roses died, Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes

I should have listened when you said goodnight, You really meant goodbye...

Baby, ain't it funny, how you never ever learn to fall?

You're really on your knees, when you think you're standing tall,

But only fools are know-it-alls and I played that fool for you.

I cried and I cried, There were nights that I died for you baby... 

I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby... 

If the love that I got for you's gone, If the river I cried ain't that long 

Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song...

Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time, Like we got away with the perfect crime,

But we were just a legend in my mind, I guess that I was blind... 

Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade? The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade, 

You and I were the renegades, some things never change...

It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby...

Now it's so sad that whatever we had, ain't worth saving

If the love that I got for you is gone, If the river I've cried ain't that long 

Then I'm wrong, yes I'm wrong, this ain't a love song 

Stop press : Preview  Stop press : Preview  Stop Press : Preview

 

The XY Room event is rolling around again! - where all items are L$ 100 or less-  It starts on April 1st so theres a couple of days yet to wait! When the time comes, head over here...

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tamire/13/127/2304

Shown here are items from  :Sugar:  :Sugar: A. Rocker (Pink) This is a top / belted skirt combo, you can wear one, the other, or both - alphas are included for whichever option you like. Theres the usual MESH sizes, the skirt also comes in a magical 'flexi mesh' version!

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Other items shown :


Skin: :Sugar: [5] DB Bay / InK {1}
Such a beautiful skin deserves another outing - huge variety of body mods - appliers for Lola's - Dark Brow, Light Brow, Red Brow, Teeth. List goes on!  Be warned - Everything in the store was literally up in the air when I visited today - some remodelling going on!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Magic%20Moment/194/41/1751
Hair + Hairbase :   RAW HOUSE :: Urban Savage 2 [Momoiro ] L$ 250
Punk hair couldn't be more perfect!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Slums/207/243/28
Eyes : REPULSE - Arcane (Violet)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/REPULSE/181/159/1095
Nails : SuPerBia NaiLs *BanDs 2* PinK FuSioN - Hunt Prize L$ 5 - Pink Fusion Hunt
http://depravednation.com/pink-fusion
Shoes : :  S u g a r : Dangerous Heels  L$ 499

Still my favourite - very rarely off my feet. 
Pose Seats :  Captivity Co. - Theatre Chair L$ 450
I'd originally bought this at the Cinema event - ages ago I know - and this is the first time it's been out of the box. Shameful! The poses are wonderful, and it looks great! MESH - 6 female poses, 6 male poses - a real prop for pics - seats one at a time.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pluto/40/216/33


You can listen to the track here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nlDy6h-v9c
Enjoi!

Pink Fusion

Sponsored by Razorblade Jacket, 1 Hundred, AlterEgo & Sassy! PINK FUSION is a hunt for the ladies, including over 50 stores. Each store has a new release item, exclusive to the hunt throughout its duration, set for sale at L$5. Most of the stores have provided an optional hint, which can be found, along with the SLurls on the Depraved Nation blog here...  http://depravednation.com/pink-fusion

As the name of the hunt suggests - there is a LOT of pink to be had here! From hot and fuschia all the way to the softest baby pink, if you ever wear the colour  - there should be something to suit you!

Skin :  Mystic Canvass - Pink Fusion Hunt Skin D-Cup Smokey Eye
Tattoo :  Endless Pain Tattoos - Mehndi
Facial Piercing :  .:ellabella:. -  Rain - Pink Fusion
Top : DuckNipple - Mesh: Fusion Top
Skirt : .: Somnia :. Dotty for Pink Tiered Skirt
Nails : [ S H O C K ] So Cute Nails




Skin :  Mystic Canvass - Pink Fusion Hunt Skin D-Cup Smokey Eye
Tattoo :  Endless Pain Tattoos - Mehndi
Piercing : :Hebenon Vial: PINK FUSION piercing excl. *Mesh*
Necklace :  .HollyWeird. Strength -Necklace-
Nails :  SuPerBia NaiLs *BanDs 2* PinK FuSioN
Corset : Even.Flow  - Boudoir Corset
Pants : [:Mirror's Enigma :] Medow (PF) Mesh Skinny Jeans - worn here with the Alpha layer from the prize from [ bubble ] as it provided the coverage on the legs my av needed.
Shoes : .:cheeky:. Pinky spike Heels! Mesh Pink Fusion




Skin :  Mystic Canvass - Pink Fusion Hunt Skin D-Cup Smokey Eye
Tattoo :  Endless Pain Tattoos - Mehndi
Mask : ~G O L A Industry~ Bunny Face
Piercing : :Hebenon Vial: PINK FUSION piercing excl. *Mesh*
Ring : MiWardrobe - Glitter Ring - Lila
Dress : [American Bazaar] Heart Dress Pinky
Tights : *HolliPocket* Teeny Tighty-Starry-Liliac

Go on, get out there, get hunting, and get your Pink Fusion on!

Relay the news...

Relay and Fashion for Life in 2013 is a massive event, with some of SL's best designers putting what are often exclusive objects, items and outfits up for sale to raise money for the American Cancer Society. You can find the  Fashion for life SIM here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fashion%20For%20Life/128/128/2

I do have to say that I'm concerned that the organisers may not be making the most of the event. Following the link on the SL login screen, or by searching for the event, you get to the SIM above (often under the floor). Here, you can find the gatchas - where you randomly get one of several different versions of an item by paying a low low price. This is of course, great - but this is all that many visiting the event seem to find.

I was walking around for ages, buying from the gatchas, and searching for the stores. Many MANY others (so it wasn't just me not knowing where to go) were doing the same, confusion about the lack of stores was leading to annoyance.

To make things clear - the seven SIMS around the main Fashion for Life SIM, named and styled after the seven wonders of the ancient world are where you find the stores. I tp'd to one as a last gasp hope before giving up and leaving.

THERE THE STORES WERE! I started imming those who had been similarly frustrated in the main SIM - and sadly many were too annoyed at the time they had spent there already to want to go shopping. This is potentially a massive loss of revenue, so if you go, PLEASE let those around you know!

I've not even made it to all of the SIMs yet - I will be back, most likely with enough new stuff for another post.

Relay for Life 2013 is on now!  Here in RL, Cancer Research UK has just begun a new style of ad campaign to raise money for the cause. Very different to earlier campaigns, focusing on the sadness, and hope that go hand in hand with a cancer diagnosis, this is all about fighting back. It's positive, it's inspiring, it's time. Go shopping, spend all you can, get fantastic stuff while donating to the most worthwhile cause of all. Life.

Watch the video here :

Red dress photos - taken in the Colossus of Rhodes SIM:
Skin : -Belleza- Amy Med FFL BL 1 - Recommended donation L$ 200
Eyes : Amacci Fudge Eyes - 19 - From the Gatcha - L$ 25
Earrings : Bliensen + MaiTai - Amore - Madonna - Earrings  - From the Gatcha -  L$ 50
Dress :  [LIV-Glam]WINTER-2012- ANASTASIYA Peacock Gown - Recommended donation L$ 275

Fountain photos - taken in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon SIM:
Skin : -Belleza- Amy Med FFL BL 1 - Recommended donation L$ 200
Makeup : PMD - Colour me pretty 5 - From the Gatcha - L$ 25
Eyepatch : LIKKA*HOUSE Daisy Eyepatch -red- - From the Gatcha - L$ 50
Eyes : Amacci Fudge Eyes - 19 - From the Gatcha - L$ 25
Sweater : Vengeful Threads- Dia de los Muertos Sweater - From the Gatcha - L$ 25
Skirt : ArisAris Igs49-1  handkerchief  Skirt - From the Gatcha - L$ 30
Shoes : *Epic* Mega Spiked Pumps {Camo} - Recommended donation - L$ 200

Well, it's been a long day...

So they said at the end of each day, and the end of each night, as they traipsed in, singly, and in pairs, filling up the booths and barstools at the Supernaturella Café.

Nyx and Electa had been friends for many years, having met right here at the end of another long, and long forgotten days work. The Café was out of time, having rested, in one form or another, exactly where it lay through time out of mind. The faces frequenting it altered, new ones came, old ones faded, or burned all the brighter for their years. None of them came here for the coffee, that sludge had not lasted so well, but it passed the time while waiting for friends, warming hands that passed through the ether to lead the living, for fair reasons, or for foul. The demon and the ghost were often on the same side, the overruling passion of mischief uniting their goals. Still, sometimes each would do what was right and good to their own eyes, putting them in opposition, but work was work, and at days end, their friendship was stronger than anything.

As the evening drew on, they were joined at the sticky, coffee-ringed table by other friends, also longstanding patrons of the Café. Few places attracted such an eclectic clientele, it was a place to rest after all, to replenish, where causes and concerns, and battles for souls and lives were left outside. Ezriel and Kip had shared many nights, many drinks, and even more laughs in this rusty old Café. Sliding over the vinyl seats, resting weary bones in the company of their mates. As the last Buddy Holly track flipped into play in the old jukebox, the evening of relaxation, of sharing stories in safety wound to an end. Rising, they headed outside, arm in arm, ready now to find more fun in the darkness, as the 'CLOSED' sign was flipped in the window.

More Meshy goodness from the delectable Mz Wytchwood at +REDRUM+. A series of relaxed t-shirts for both sexes, with theological, or perhaps antitheological designs. You get two colours in each design pack - black and grey - with the exception of the Lucipurrr design, where you get dark grey and green. There are five designs in all to collect. Each pack costs L$99.  You can find them on marketplace here...

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/112400
Or inworld at the shiny new mainstore here...
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Death%20Row/196/83/56

*Pops some champagne corks - having just hit the one year mark of blogging here - Yeay!*