The Ever-Turning Experience Of Joel Eilde

 

By Netera Landar

 

“If I want to make the listener cry, I add Indian music. If I want the listener to rock out, I add Arabic music.”
---Joel Eilde
 

 

It was a Friday afternoon when I ran into Joel Eilde. I had just left an Amforte set on Kona Beach. Amberle would be singing at Nevermore at 4 PM, so I teleported there. Shortly after arriving at the entrance, Joel said “hello.” He reminded me that I’d interviewed him for the Metaverse Tribune ten years ago. What a good memory he has. He was also a guest on the Netera Landar live chat when his band was called “Dragonfly.” That was years ago on Terric when I had a chat studio.

Branded as “Joel in Real Life,” his band’s vibe is “ambient, world, spiritual music with enough edge to keep it off the speakers in supermarkets and elevators. Joel said so himself. 

Joel is so easy to talk to. He’s like the friend you’ve known for 15 years. Catch his video for “Crimson Seas” on Instagram. Joel sings and plays acoustic guitar. The harmony and violin accompaniment have a Scottish vibe. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CO6RTxcDyVd/)  You will be easily swept away by the music. 

 

Joel’s also a member of Red Heaven, an experimental rock, metal, and blues band. I am personally more drawn to this band's music and have attended Joel’s gigs at both Nevermore and Hammerhead Harbor Club. He also performs regularly at After Dark, Templemore, The Octagon, and Feed A Smile. Red Heaven’s music has been featured on Second Life since 2011. He has performed over 3,000 shows on the grid since then. It’s all original music.

I think I’ve listened to “The Ever-Turning Wheel” about seven times. Why? Because the music is unlike anything I’ve heard. The best way to describe it is as a blanket woven from nature, relationships, memories, time, friendships, and the rejection of conformity. 

 

I touched base with Joel Tamas of Ontario, Canada, to learn what makes him tick and when music’s rhythm first filled his mind and soul. He stated that he’s been a musician since he was 14. He took guitar and bass lessons when he was younger. 

“My musical life and my inner ‘spiritual’ life grew up together, and, because that inner self is what propels us to make art, the two sort of evolved in parallel. You can see it in how my songs have always mirrored the spiritual condition I was in at whatever point I wrote them in the last 43 years. As I grew and my mind opened to subtler and deeper understanding, my music did too.”

Joel said that as time passed, in his 40s, he took jazz improvisation and flamenco lessons. He worked with real masters.

“Drummer Aaron Ferrera, for one, who grew up with me and taught me a lot of rhythmic concepts that a guitarist probably wouldn’t pick up on his own,” Joel said. “I owe him a great debt for that. I also worked with sitar master Anwar Khurshid for several years, and I learned a lot about classical Indian music from him.”

Joel established Red Heaven and writes all the songs, music, and lyrics. You can purchase his music on Bandcamp (https://redheavenlive.bandcamp.com) and through Apple Music. You can listen to his first single, “Martyr,” and watch the video at https://redheaven.ca/martyr.

I wondered why there were two bands and asked Joel; he replied that “Joe in Real Life” was formed in 2018 because he couldn’t keep all his music under a single band identity any longer. 

“On one hand, I’ve done so much hard rock and experimental music, but on the other hand I also love creating gentler, ambient world music…so I do both. It really was too confusing for listeners to figure out how to receive the material. For instance, sometimes I would finish an alt-metal gig, and then, when I came off stage, someone would approach me wanting to buy a few CDs,” he said. “I would then have to explain which CD’s sound like what they heard on stage and which CDs were all hang drums and meditative bells, etc. It was too confusing, so I split the product line and now market it under two different brand names to make things clearer.”

He brings his rocker energy to Red Heaven. He admits that’s where he puts his dark music, the thunder and lightning. He describes Red Heaven as if Tool and Kate Bush had a baby that grew up in Istanbul. He says it’s a weird way to describe it, but if you hear the material, it makes sense.

“Joel in Real Life” has a “world music” vibe that would work well for meditation or reflection sessions. If you were to ask him, he’d say it’s inspired by his interest in the Bahai Faith’s philosophies and concepts. Red Heaven is more autobiographical.

When you hear him perform a song online, it begins with parts he develops himself. He brings the parts together in his studio and tries them out on the crowd in Second Life.

“Once the song is ready to transition to a recorded release and/or an album, that’s when I get more serious and bring in the pros. Aaron Ferrera and his son Jacob Ferrera have both provided years of top-end drumming work for me. On a rare occasion, I bring in drummer Mike McNeil,” Joel said.

He told me that Anwar Khurshid plays all the sitar we hear. He’s also brought in MJ Cyr, Chimwemwe Miller, Olga Zoubkova, Bruno Randimbiarison, Dergham Aqiqi, and Liz Aday to sing with him. I know that Liz is a Second Life singer. For violin, he called upon Hannah Michel in the early days of the band, and, later, Marie-Claire Saindon. For harmonica, he brings in Marc Seguin. 

“I mostly play my own bass and guitar tracks, but when I wanted something special, I’ve brought in Tom McMahon (bass) and Trevor Lubin (guitar). On the new album, Trevor plays mandolin, which is an instrument Red Heaven has never used before. It sounds really great, too,” Joel said.

On stage, he’s worked with a long list of players, but has settled on a lineup he really loves. Jacob Ferrera on drums, Maddy O’Regan on violin, Trevor Lubin on guitar, Cyrus TR Orkish on bass, and Ally Bruneau on vocals and guitar.

“What’s cool is that, despite each one having vast experience and top-level skill, they’re all actually on the young side. So, I get all the amazing youthful energy, but each has the artistic mastery of much older, seasoned players. These guys are like my desert island band lineup. They are absolutely stellar in every way. I mean, when you see them doing their thing in full effect, they’re incredible. I’m very blessed to have them,” he admitted.

When Joel’s in Second Life, he sings and plays guitar live. He uses backing tracks for the things he can’t do live. He focuses on performing as a singer and guitarist, but it’s impossible for him to simultaneously play drums, bass, a second guitar, a third guitar, sitar, violin, and sing his own backups. He creates all the tracks he uses. Even though it’s recorded, it’s still his music and his performances and those of the people he hires. 

Besides attending many of Joel’s gigs, I’ve added Red Heaven’s “The Ever-Turning Wheel” to my personal “tune into music” sessions. I love how eclectic this digital album is. Of course, Joel wrote the songs. I asked him to tell me about them, and he said he could probably write an encyclopedia about each one and still not cover everything.

“I will tell you that there are a lot of old songs on ‘The Ever-Turning Wheel’ that I’d been wanting to record and release properly for years, and some for decades. ‘The Invisible World,’ ‘I Could Love You Better,’ ‘What I Am,’ ‘The Closest Thing To Love,’ ‘Now in Love,’ and ‘Ordinary People,’ had all been waiting around for a long, long time for their chance. And I decided ‘The Ever-Turning Wheel’ was an opportunity to get them released the way they deserved. There were lots of new songs too (‘Messages From The Storm,’ ‘Becoming,” et al), but when I close my eyes and think about that album as a whole it feels to me like a retrospective on 30 years of songwriting.”

Once the album was done and dropped, there were no songs left from his youth or bygone years waiting in the wings to be released. So, the upcoming Red Heaven album, “Let The Dead Things Die,” features songs no older than 2-4 years old. He wrote all the new songs within a short window of time.

“It’s one reason why I think the new album is going to feel both fresh and unified in a way previous albums didn’t.”

 

 Whether he’s dressed in a kilt or in a T-shirt and jeans, you will become immersed in the Joel experience. So put on your headset, adjust the sound, and sit back and get lost in his music. You will find Red Heaven’s discography at redheaven.ca.  Help support Red Heaven through patreon.com/RedHeavenLive. I signed up, so now if I miss one of his SL gigs, I can hear the show and see the titles of the songs he sang.

Red Heaven’s albums include:

(2013) AMPLIFICATION

(2015) MOTH

(2020) ECHOLOCATION

(2021) MEANWHILE

(2022) THE EVER-TURNING WHEEL

(To be released on Oct. 10) LET THE DEAD THINGS DIE

Netera Landar 

 

Reader Submitted: Interview With SL Wrestler Alpin Criss

 

By Charlotte Williams

 

Welcome to In Conversation with Charlotte: Beyond the Ring, Inside the Mindset.

I'm Charlotte, and in this series, I sit down with personalities from the Second Life wrestling community to discover who they truly are, what drives them, and the stories behind their characters.

Today, I'm joined by Alpin Criss, a man many consider the Godfather of SL wrestling.

His name has been woven through the history of the industry since its earliest days, through its growth, rivalries, controversies, and evolution. And with recent events bringing old tensions back into focus, this feels like the right time to hear his side of the story.

C: Alpin, welcome to the show.

AC: Thanks for having me, Charlotte

C: So we're currently in Season 28 of Overload. At the end of Season 27, TLC refused your instruction to attack The Ace, which ultimately cost him the Heavyweight Championship. Afterwards, you attacked TLC. From your perspective, what caused this breakdown between you and TLC?

AC: First, after all I'd done for him all season long, he had the nerve to turn his back on me. Then he put his hands on me. Nobody turns their back on me, and nobody puts their hands on me unless they're willing to face the consequences, and the consequences are exactly what TLC got.

C:  Wow. Well, if I was TLC, I'd be a bit worried right now. I don't really know what could be happening with him, and I'd guess I'd be watching my back.

So now you're back as an active wrestler. You've returned to active competition. So why now, and what's driving that decision?

AC: Well you see, Charlotte, El Jefe reached out to me and he made me an offer I just couldn't refuse.

I'll lace up my boots for anyone, anytime, if the money is right. But getting some payback on the likes of Vince or some of these other jokers on the Premier roster, well, that's just gonna be icing on the cake

C: Sounds juicy. So speaking of Vince Aftermath, he is the owner and founder of Premier Wrestling, and you've mentioned there's still some unfinished business between yourself and Vince. So now that we're in Season 28 of Overload, how do you see that situation evolving?

AC: Well, Charlotte, I just don't know if there's any business left. I think Vince learned his lesson. When he ambushed me and put his hands on me, he learned exactly what TLC learned, that you don't put your hands on Alpin Criss unless you're man enough to accept the consequences.

Vince got the consequences, and I don't know what was sweeter, the sound of his knee snapping or that stupid Walmart cowboy hat crushing when I dropped my elbow on it.

I don't know, maybe it was the whimpering. I'll tell you what, I knew he was the kind of guy that whimpers.

“You don't put your hands on Alpin Criss unless you're man enough to accept the consequences” – Alpin Criss

C: Dare I ask how you knew that, Alpin?

AC: You can just look at some guys. Some guys you know are gonna be tough, and then you look at Vince

C: And what, what do you see when you look at Vince? What does Alpin Criss see when he looks at Vince Aftermath?

AC: I think they say it best in Texas, he's all hat and no cattle.

C: I'm gonna leave that one there. I think that sounds like a Vince/ Alpin issue, so I'll leave that as it is. Maybe Vince will have a comeback at some time. We'll have to wait and see.

C: So, week two of Season 28 of Overload Alpin, TLC had a match against Malice, and you came out during that match. What, what was that about? What was your plan there?

AC: No real plan. You see, Charlotte, I'm a professional wrestler, and I mean professional. These other guys just play at wrestler, but I'm the real deal.

So when I have an opponent that I know I'm gonna end up facing at some point, I'm gonna watch what he does, I'm gonna study him, and I'm gonna figure out every part of his game. So by the time he steps into that ring, and he goes through those ropes, and he's gotta face me, I'm gonna know every move he's got.

C: So if you had a message for TLC right now today after you've seen, after you've been out during his match, is there a message for him or are we just keeping it a mystery for now until he has to wait to see what, what Alpin Criss brings out to him?

AC: Oh, the message is simple. Alpin Criss is unimpressed

C: TLC, I hope you're listening…

C: So Alpin, you've called yourself the greatest wrestler of all time, a living legend, and I guess this is for the ladies, a real man. When it's all said and done, what do you want the name Alpin Criss to represent in Second Life Wrestling history.

AC: Well, that's a funny thing, Charlotte. The funny thing is, it was all said and done. History was written on Alpin Criss. The book was closed. Then Katherine Blackadder died, and Mad Mike brought me back to SL with that charity show. A one in a million long shot. Now, my place in history is cemented. Win, lose, or draw, I'm always gonna be Alpin Criss.

Now, what does that mean? A guy wins a title and it makes him important. Alpin Criss wins a title and it makes the title more important. You see what I mean?

C: I do, I do see what you mean. So Alpin Criss wins a title, and it makes the title more important. So these guys coming after you today, should they be wanting to beat Alpin Criss, or should they be wanting to have a title that Alpin Criss holds or has once held?

AC: Well, that's, that's just it, Charlotte. It doesn't matter, you know, a guy wrestles me, a Champion wrestles me, anybody wrestles me, and it's something on their bucket list. They can go and say, "I wrestled Alpin Criss."  And that's the difference. You see? That's what I'm talking about.

That's what they mean when they call me a Legend. Everyone else is just wrestlers. Even the Champions are just wrestlers. But when you wrestle Alpin Criss, you're wrestling a Legend.

“A guy wins a title and it makes him important. Alpin Criss wins a title and it makes the title more important” – Alpin Criss

C: So in saying that, Alpin, do you think that's how other wrestlers view you as a living Legend, as the greatest wrestler of all time? Or do you not care?

AC: All I know is whenever I log on to Second Life, whenever I'm in world, whenever I step into any arena in the virtual metaverse, I'm contacted by everyone.

People beg me to have matches with them. People who own feds, people who run feds, people who have been in this business for 15 years, since the beginning, they reach out to me. They all want a match with Alpin Criss, and that's the difference. That's why I'll always be Alpin Criss, and everyone else will be just everyone else.

C: Alpin, if you could ask anyone in the wrestling, SL wrestling community one question, who would it be and what would you ask them?

AC: You know, I already asked, and El Jefe said the right thing with the right number of zeros behind it. Now Premier's roster gets to deal with the consequences, and I'm gonna have fun the whole time, and I'm gonna make a lot of money the whole time. Vince has gotta deal with the consequences.

TLC, Ace, Derek, Moe, Chris, Dany, DHA. I don't even know who else is on the roster, but they're all gonna have to deal with it. I can keep going. All I need to ask is, are they ready for Alpin Criss?

C: Are they ready indeed? Is anybody ready for Alpin Criss? It remains to be seen.

Alpin, it has been an absolute pleasure having you here today. Thank you so much for being in the studio with myself, and thank you for your time.

AC: You are so welcome. Thanks so much for having me, Charlotte.

 

That was Alpin Criss, the Godfather of SL Wrestling.

A man whose influence can still be felt across the industry he helped shape, a legacy that continues to echo through Second Life Wrestling today. And if our conversation proves anything, it's that while history tells us where we've been, some stories are still being written, and some legacies continue to shape what comes next.

Thank you for joining me today. I'm Charlotte, and this has been In Conversation with Charlotte.

Check out this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/7hWZD3LJ0C8

 

After the Cameras Stopped Rolling

Although the cameras had stopped rolling, our conversation hadn't. With the formal interview behind us, Alpin was just as candid, reflecting not only on his career but on the philosophy that has guided him since the earliest days of Second Life wrestling.

C: During the interview, we spoke a lot about the legend of Alpin Criss. It made me wonder - when Alpin Criss first stepped onto the scene, what did you want people to feel the moment they saw you?

AC: A small taste of what wrestling is to me. Not whatever passes for wrestling these days. I wanted them to experience a small taste of what wrestling was.

It's a short but telling answer, one that perfectly captures how Alpin views the industry. For him, wrestling has always been about preserving something he believes has gradually been lost over time.

One subject I was particularly interested in exploring was the man behind the character. Alpin Criss has built a reputation as one of the most recognisable personalities in Second Life wrestling, but how much of that confidence is performance - and how much is simply who he is?

C: How much of Alpin Criss is really you? Where do you draw the line between the man and the character?

Alpin didn't hesitate.

AC: I probably turn the volume down on SL. Talking through an avatar is different than talking to someone face to face. So Alpin is really a watered-down version of me - filtered by the technology - but he's still all me.

He was quick to point out that there are still a few obvious differences.

AC: I've got a much better wardrobe than Alpin in real life. A lot more tailored suits. I'm not blonde, either. And I'm about ten pounds lighter than Alpin's 242. I'm lifting every day trying to get there, but packing that much muscle onto a six-foot frame isn't easy - and I'm not interested in going on the gear.

It's a surprisingly grounded response from someone whose on-screen persona projects unwavering confidence.

One thing that has always separated Alpin from many of his peers is that he didn't just compete in Second Life wrestling - he helped redefine how it worked.

C: You created the Alpin Criss Pro-Wrestling System (ACPWS) back in 2007 and recently upgraded it. What inspired you to build it in the first place?

For Alpin, innovation has always begun with the same question.

AC: I see a limitation in Second Life and ask myself, 'Is there a way to do more?'

He recalled that when he first encountered SL wrestling, it relied almost entirely on pose balls.

AC: I tried it and was completely deflated. I asked myself, 'Is there a way to move around the ring and still animate two avatars?' ACPWS was born, and wrestling changed.

That same mindset later led him to develop the Alpin Criss Pro-Boxing System.

AC: Boxing back then was basically Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. I wanted knockdowns, offence, defence—an actual boxing game. ACPBS was born, and boxing changed too.

Listening to him describe those early years, it becomes clear that innovation has always been every bit as important to Alpin as competition itself.

When I mentioned the name SugarCube, Alpin immediately smiled.

Although many associate SugarCube with the introduction of the first targeting system, Alpin was quick to explain that Sugar's contribution came almost entirely behind the scenes.

AC: He never wrestled with SLCW/DCWF. He just appeared, helped with scripting, and disappeared again. He was a huge help because I had no idea how to script back then.

According to Alpin, the targeting system fundamentally changed what was possible inside the ring. Being able to register multiple avatars and switch targets at will suddenly opened the door to tag team matches, referee bumps, multi-person contests, and match types that simply hadn't been possible before.

Looking back over nearly two decades in the business, I was curious what Alpin considered the biggest challenge.

C: Looking back, what was harder - mastering the technical side or finding your place in a growing wrestling community?

His answer came immediately.

"The politics."

Competition, he explained, had never intimidated him.

AC: I've always been athletic. Champion swimmer. Champion wrestler. Track. Tennis. I was raised with a blue-collar work ethic, and I've always been competitive as hell.

For him, the real challenge wasn't performing inside the ring - it was navigating the people around it.

AC: I'm a straight shooter. I say what I mean, and I stick to my word. Politics was always the hard part.

Whether you admire Alpin Criss for his accomplishments inside the ring, his innovations behind the scenes, or simply his unwavering confidence, one thing is difficult to dispute - his influence on Second Life wrestling continues to be felt nearly two decades after he first arrived. Love him or disagree with him, Alpin remains one of the defining figures in the history of SL Wrestling and judging by his return to competition in Premier Wrestling, he has no intention of becoming part of its past just yet.

If you'd like to learn more about Alpin Criss, watch Premier Wrestling, or explore the ACP Wrestling and Boxing Systems, you'll find the relevant links below.

To see Alpin in action, check out Premier Wrestling and purchase tickets: https://www.premier-wrestling.com/

To purchase the Alpin Criss Pro-Wrestling System (for free): https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/ACPWS-EDGE/28222411

To join our Discord: https://discord.gg/uJKzK78yz

Charlotte Williams

 

Corey In The House, SL Avatar Statue Builder

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

I recently heard about someone in Second Life who makes quality statues of avatars, Corey In The House (jjws888 Resident). 

 

My friend Nydia sent me to a teleport to his place in the Dog sim. After initial greetings, "Welcome to Agora II," he told her, "You should check out the museum while you're here Nydia." We went into a building with a sign "Agora Sandbox." "Welcome to the Agora sl history museum" someone greeted. Among the items there was "The Linden World Gem," created in the days of the Beta Grid, in October 2002. There were also some older maps. Someone commented there was also some "genuine fetted inner core stuff." I heard Corey speak at one point, "Oh, (name) this doesnt belong in the museum, but I'm putting it down to get people to come inside the museum."

Eventually, Nydia, Corey, and I left the others behind and headed to  a skybox in Collaborative Build, BaikUn. It was a gray globe around a gray platform. "Okay," he told Nydia, "pick out your pose for me while I switch viewers." "Okay," Nydia responded, "Is this hair okay, or remove it?" Corey answered, "Unfortunately its flexi-prim hair so we cant keep it. You will have to add it (to the statue) after the fact if you want to use it." I asked, "What can be done about the hair?" Corey told me, "Well the model will come out normal and she can place the hair on the model, like putting a wig on it, as this technology doesnt work well with flexi-prims, semi transparency, or super thin and small objects. The whiskers will have to go too for example."

Then Nydia found another problem, "Aw crap, this head doesn't had a hud." "You talking about the blinking?" "Yeah." "It does use an old form of animation that doesnt freeze when i pause the world, so if you could turn that off it would be great. But I can carefully work around it if you can't." "Yeah, no hud to stop the blinking, sorry." "It is what it is. We can work around it. Remove your whiskers for me and get in your pose and we can begin." "Whiskers?" Nydia facepawed. "You have very tiny whiskers on your face." "Damn!" "If you cant get rid of them then its not a huge deal either." I cammed over, then commented, "Just BARELY noticable as I cam around." "I can always edit them out," Corey spoke. "Sorry," Nydia responded, "I am neither a builder OR a modder. I know JUST enough to ruin things." "Okay are you happy with your pose then?" "Yessir." 

 

"Okay now we move out of the photo dome so it's only Nydia," Corey told me, then turned back to the vixen, "Nydia please refrain from typing in local as your mouth still moves since it's animated the old way as well.  Okay Nydia, IM me your opinion on this (image link)." After about half an hour, "Okay we're all done here." "Thank you Corey," Nydia spoke, "Bix you may want to talk to him Now while you have him *laughs*"

 

I would have a few words with Corey, "It;s not all the time but sometimes a lot of time is spent in what I call pre-production, where we have to make subele changes to the avatar to get it ready for (the) photoshoot." "It's understandable different avies would take different amounts of time," I responded, "especially if there's small complications like the hair." "Nydia isn't like a usual client with new mesh stuff, so we have to account for her old-style animated head and her flexi-prim hair. They also removed their flexi-prim parts for the photoshoot so they could add them on later. It's a rare circumstance for sure. But I do what I can."

 

"I'll spend about 20 minutes taking photos from a bunch of different angles," Corey would say about the process, saying Nydia needed, "219 images takes. Nydia's (appearance) is simple so we didnt need to break 300." I asked how many pictures would an avatar need, and he answered, "(It) depends how much clothing, you tail size, height, etc. It's a bunch of different things, but the more detailed the more pics it usually takes."

It was about this point he asked me to pause the conversation, logging off to switch viewers, and we ended up teleporting to a racetrack where friends of his, furry and human, were having a friendly competitive race, "OK now I'm available. I just have to play the waiting game while the model gets generated." 

 

I then asked how he found out about Second Life and what brought him here. Corey answered, "My friend in high school was a hardcore furry and told me about it. He told me you could have sex and make money and I thought that sounded pretty sweet. But I stuck around because I realized the depth of the customization options. I could do so much and implement my talents so quickly into the virtual world by uploading stuff. That's basically it." 

"Sounds like your first days were eventful, and you kept finding more to do." "I managed to get introduced to this guy who made sculpted furry heads, and he asked me to design a logo for his new furry club called YIFF. The club is still open and they still use that logo. So, I'm a little proud of that." 

 

"I see on your profile, you call yourself a 'former SL hobo'?" "Homeless and living the backpacking lifestyle. I still rock the look sometime but I have an SL home now. So it wouldnt be fair to continue to call myself a true SL hobo, not any more anyway."

 

Asking if the club logo led to more work, Corey's response was, "Not too much more. I hung out with the furries of SL for many years, taking month and years long breaks while playing Second Life. I learned to make my own models when mesh became a thing and made a little money. But it's not like riding a bike. I totally forgot most of what I learned to make totally original mesh. But with what I do now, I'm in blender an awful lot."

 

"So, when did the idea of making statues come about?" "It was a few years ago. I was in this sandbox called Candlewood, now known as Sandbox Not Found, (and) there was this girl who was trying out 3D scanning objects in real life like flowers and other plants. Then she tried doing the same with in-world objects like linden bears and people's avatars. They didn't come out well, but I saw so much potential in it. So I experimented for several months, trying different techniques and softwares and just experimenting, seeing what worked and what didn't. 

 

"Eventually I became confident enough I just went up to people and asked if I could make them into statues. They weren't very good at first, lots of holes and errors I didn't know how to fix. But I needed the practice. Eventually someone asked if they could pay me for one, and I said of course. Once I got paid for that first statue, that's when i realized I could make this into a thing. And I became (to my knowledge) the first person to use 3D photogrammetery, a technology used for physical spaces in the real world, with the virtual spaces of Second Life. I just had to make sure the camera of SL mimicked the specs of a real camera, and the software picked it up like if the avatars were real physical objects. 

 

"I just kept doing it and the word spread. Most of the feedback was very positive, I've only had two examples of people reacting negatively about it. Well, to my face anyway. I've heard stories of people thinking what I do should get me banned, someone even approached Linden Lab about it in one of their round-tables, and as long as I wasn't copybotting or ripping anything there wasn't much reason to do anything about me. What I do follows the TOS in regards to photography, as that's basically all I'm doing." 

 

"Banned? For making statues of people with their permission?" I asked. "Ignorance is a powerful thing, some people just have very strong opinions about things they know very little about." "They didn't know you were doing so only with permission?" "Copybotting is a Second Life taboo, one of the few that can get you in actual trouble anymore. And people would assume that's what I was doing. One creator of a mesh head even approached me, someone told them i ripped their work. Once I explained what I did and showed them an example, they immediately understood it wasn't that. And we had a nice conversation about it. I've only ever gotten one Karen who told me I was reported and I was gonna get banned and I deserved to be sued. I tried to explain to her what I did, and I think at once point she understood. But her pride was too strong that she ended up blocking me instead of admitting fault in any way. As it only happened once, I look back on it with humor."

 

I then asked how many statues he made, "I think about that a lot, and I believe I've done about 150 at this point. Maybe more, maybe less, but in that ballpark. I used to only be able to do one photoshoot a day and take about three days for a model. But since I learned so much doing so many, I can do multiple shoots a day and have a simple model ready within a day."

 

Corey stated there are three options of model available, "based on how difficult each one is to do. A low-prim statue captures the basic shape and look of an avatar, but I don't spend time doing close-ups of detailed accessories, so it only takes about 10 minutes to do a photoshoot of that. It's the option for people who want a statue cheaper or with reduced land impact. The Deluxe statue option is me trying to cram as much detail of your avatar into my photos, so I take extra photos to capture small details as well as big. The third is the same as the deluxe, but I pose your avatar in a t-pose and rig it so it's fully animated. That one takes the most effort, I completely taught myself how rigging works in blender, and when people give me glowing reactions to their finished animeshes, I know that effort was worth it." Of the prices, Corey would say, "It's 3500 for a low-prim model, 8000 for a deluxe model and 12k for an animesh."

I then asked about the challenges of pre-mesh avatars. Corey responded, "After doing so many statues,I learn what I can do and what I can't. The way SL hair used to work before mesh hairs were an option don't mimic how real hair works, it creates the illusion of hair using many small paper-thin flexi-prims. And just because it fools our eyes, doesn't mean it fools a computer. So I have to take each person and view them like a computer would, adjusting things accordingly." "What's the best remedy for that?" "I run into all kinds of issues with people's avatars, each one requiring some little or big changes. Sometimes I have to say no to people with too many things that aren't compatible.But when you run a boutique business, you have to have some rules. I do my best to include everyone who wants a statue though, and I haven't turned away many people at all."

 

I would ask whom among his clients stood out. Corey responded, "Well I attracted the attention of Madpea over a year ago and have done statues and animesh for a few of their quests. They were using NPCs with models that didn't really fit into the SL artstyle. Once I showed up and showed them I could make NPCs using real avatars, they were immediately interested. I haven't done work for them in a while, but their heist quests are filled with my work. I've also done work for the owner of the Crack Den and a few other RP sims to create AI-powered roleplay NPCs that remember who you are, which I think is a perfect use of what I do"

I asked, "So what else do you imagine you'll be doing with this in the future?" He responded, "I'm just happy people like what I do and enjoy the end product I made them. So I'm happy to make them as long as people want them. It certainly looks interesting on a resume."

When asked if there was anything else he wanted to add, Corey answered, "The funniest thing about my rise was how I advertised. Before anybody knew who iI was or what I did, I would set up illegal stalls in big shopping events. I would attach a ramshackle stall to myself along with a few examples and just stand in an empty spot where a seller would go. People would come by, ask questions about what I did and such, I did this at every shopping event I could get access to. Got banned a few times, but it's all part of the hustle. The biggest sucess I had was at Abnormality, the furry shopping event. The owners let me stay probably because they thought it was funny or clever. But I haven't had to do that for a while. I get pretty regular work from word of mouth alone. Of course, happy to share what I know with people."

Not long after the interview, Corey would finish Nydia's statue. Nydia was so impressed, she would order a second one, this time of the character with her name in the "Switched Destinies" novel. Both can be found at the Happy Vixen Beach Club. If you have tags disabled, you might think it's really her. With real life often keeping her away from the club, Nydia would comment it's one way she can always be around. Her partner Brandi Tungsten would also get a statue, setting hers up at Club Squeaks.

 

So if you want a statue of yourself, get some Lindens together and message Corey.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Interview With Twin Ghost

 

By Netera Landar

What can I say about Twin Ghost that will help you understand the depth of his music? That when you’re in a virtual room with him, you have an instant connection. That he reaches your very soul. 

I think the first time I heard him sing was in Key West’s outdoor venue. That was a long time ago. The song I loved to hear was “Live Again.” The wolves howl in unison. Twin plays the guitar. He is pure magic. I write paranormal fiction in real life, and that always inspired me.

“Once upon a time….

You came to me in a dream

I knew you were… the one

I’ve lived a thousand lives a million times…”

Buy the digital album here (https://twinghost.bandcamp.com/album/live-again). Support Twin and enter his world. You will not be disappointed.

Twin agreed to an interview, which blew me away. When any musician can make time for you, it’s like your birthday and New Year’s wrapped up with a red bow.

Of course, I had to ask him what was the first song that he heard that made him think that’s a hell of a song?

“‘Rubber Band Man’ by the Spinners!” he admitted right away. “I don’t know if 7-year-old me would’ve said, ‘That’s a hell of a song.’ But I did wear out that 45 record! It certainly had an effect on young, Twin! ‘Love’s In Need Of Love Today’ by Stevie Wonder – That’s a hell of a song.”

Then I slipped in, "What is it about music that makes you want to devote your life to it?” 

“Because it’s magic! Creating joy out of thin air is something I will never take for granted,” he said. “When I’m performing, and that energy comes back at me. Man, that’s it! That’s where the magic is!”

Twin added that performing in Second Life is very powerful in that way. That the connection is instant and that this form of energy fuels him in a very positive way while he's playing.

I then asked him about his past. I wanted to know when he learned to play the guitar. If he took lessons or if he was self-taught. 

I learned that Twin’s father bought him a small acoustic guitar when he was 7 or 8 years old. He tried to teach Twin the three chords he knew.

“The word ‘f*ck’ was definitely expressed several times as I failed to make the chords correctly. (laughter),” he told me. “The end result was the guitar collecting dust. When I was around 14 or 15, I bought a bass and an electric guitar and simultaneously formed two bands with two groups of friends. The kids from my neighborhood and the kids from school.”

Twin was a rebel in high school, and he was fortunate to have an important friend during those years. Gary owned a Les Paul Electric Guitar and a guitar amp with distortion. 

“We’re talkin’ life-changing moment here!” Twin admitted. “The first time he handed it to me, it felt like I was being handed the holy grail! I knew my life would be changed forever. Gary was a Rock Star!”

Twin learned a lot from the “cats” he played with over the years. When he turned 17, he signed with Warner Records, released a few albums, and toured the U.S. He was in a hardcore punk band with friends he grew up with. His connection with them continued into his 20s. His life was filled with music, day and night, when he lived with talented artists and musicians.

“It was a very creative time in my life,” he stated. “Living together as a band, practicing all the time, and playing gigs. Some great nights where the band would play for hours, constantly reaching…for what? Who knows! (laughter). But we were all in and fully devoted to the cause. I learned a lot from those kinds of experiences. Good and bad.”

I asked Twin, as a songwriter, which song he is most proud of and what its message is. 

“I think the song most people respond to is ‘Pieces of My Life.” It’s a song about the effectiveness of listening. And perhaps sometimes just being an ear for someone is more fulfilling and useful than words or advice. But really, it’s just a love song.”

Twin admitted that he learned the most about his art during the years he performed in Second Life. Those were his best shows, his fondest memories, and personal musical achievements. He believes that this specific virtual world is where singers and musicians can enjoy live music, develop as artists, and craft their sound and performance. It’s the perfect learning ground because of audience feedback and support.

I asked him what brought him back to Second Life. He’d been gone for a while. 

“Gone, but hopefully not forgotten! (laughter). I certainly did not forget SL. Thought about it nearly every day. Missed it greatly. In short, life happened. But the good news is music heals. What brought me back? Music is meant to be shared (and it was painful keeping it inside). For me, live music is therapy! It has the power to heal both parties when we’re in it together. And that’s what it feels like when I play in SL, like we’re all in it together.”

Twin is booking in Second Life exclusively these days. You can find him on the grid all summer. Join his group to stay informed about his gigs, and head over to his website to purchase an album or two. 

He’s on YouTube and Bandcamp, and you can stream his music on all platforms:

https://www.youtube.com/user/twinghostfilms
https://twinghost.bandcamp.com/

The link to his calendar:
https://tinyurl.com/3xaenmha

Netera Landar
 

Interview With Maestro (Mythrilweaver Atlas)

 

By Netera Landar

You never know who you are going to meet in Second Life. I just happened to attend a political rally where RoseDrop Rust and Justine Johndory were singing. Not only was I impressed by the event, but I also met Maestro, who has incredible talent. I checked out his account on reverbnation.com.

I was lost in his song, “Wicked Thing This Way Comes.” When a song is written well, it takes you away. How far away is up to your imagination. He told me that he wrote the song about 12 years ago and that he’s made some small changes. “Under the quiet of the night, under the moon’s soft glow….” he sings, and you are transported to somewhere dark because of a curse. All is cold. Beware.

I asked him to tell me about the name Konstantin the Mithrilweaver on his ReverbNation account. 

“Well, Konstantin is my last name. Mythrilweaver comes from when I used to make chainmail armor, as the knights wore. I was using aluminum instead of steel because it is lighter to wear. Somebody asked me at a Ren Faire, ‘What is the metal you use?’ Thinking quickly of my love for Tolkien’s writings, like ‘The Hobbit,’ I said, ‘It is mithril,’ since aluminum was almost impossible to refine until the common era, so in the 1400s, it did not exist in the world in the form we know now. And he answered, not expecting that answer, ‘So you fancy yourself a weaver of mithril, do you?’ And I answered, ‘A mithril weaver? Well, me thinks I may just be good, sir.’ “And the rest is history.”

 

In real life, Maestro is a voice actor. He does radio commercials, character voices, and admits that he’s pretty good at imitating accents. 

Maestro began writing country music in 1984. His music was popular in the small Texas town where he’s from. He wrote a song a few years later, which George Jones recorded, and he got paid for it. For a teenager living at home, that was a lot of money. He signed away his rights and later learned that he didn’t receive credit on the album for his lyrics. Maestro said that was not all that uncommon back then. He began writing more Country and Southern Rock songs, and then this year chose to write Soft Rock and Blues.

He’s not sure of the exact number of songs he’s written, but said he has probably written the lyrics to over 200. He records all his own material and released one digital album in 2014.

Having listened to “Wicked Thing This Way Comes,” I had to ask him if he likes writing about the supernatural.

“I like the whole Edgar Allan Poe vibe,” he admitted. “For a while, I got well known for giving performances with a voice and delivery like Christopher Lee’s (the white wizard in The Lord of the Rings), using my newly deeper voice. I like gothic themes and classic monster movies, like Dracula from the 30s, the Wolf Man, from the 50s, and I like the more recent underworld movies, as well.”

Asked what genres he likes to sing, he replied, “I like most kinds of music. Until I was in my thirties, my voice was much higher. I got really sick, and it damaged my vocal cords and lowered my voice a bit. Now, I am a baritone naturally. I have sung in Second Life and recently started singing songs locally.”

Around 2005, Maestro began writing poetry. He also participates in poetry slams and has won more than 30 over the years. 

“I have been performing in the spoken word poetry genre for almost 20 years now. On reverbnation.com, I have been ranked #1 in my genre several times over the years,” he stated.

In terms of performance art, he said. “I’ve gotten some notoriety in the RL poetry scene across America,” he said. “I also do what I call bardics, where I read and sing in the same piece, which makes me fairly unique.”

He also wrote a satirical piece for the opinion section of his local paper. Readers appreciated his wit and encouraged him to focus on it.

When he has free time to come in-world, he enjoys exploring, going to concerts, and visiting friends. 

“I enjoy poetry, socializing, and doing artistic things, like building in SL. I have a massive tower on my mainland in the Horizons area that I modified from its original dimensions,” said Maestro. “I also built an 8-story castle in the air.”

Check out his reverbnation.com page: Konstantin The Mithrilweaver: https://www.reverbnation.com/konstantinmithrilweaver/

 

Netera Landar 

 

1890s Creede, Colorado

 

By Netera Landar

Let’s head into 1890 Creede, Colorado, a role-playing community loosely based on a real town in the Upper Rio Grande Valley in southwestern Colorado, near the headwaters of the Rio Grande River.

First, you should learn about the original town. Henri McKeenan provides the history lesson. She, along with Robby Lock, established 1890 Creede, Colorado, in Second Life. 

“In the mid-1800s, an influx of settlers from New Mexico and homesteaders from the East drove out many of the native, nomadic Ute people. By the 1870s, the area became a tourist destination. Stage services and the Denver & Rio Grande Railway provided a way for eager tourists to enjoy fishing, hot springs, and mining opportunities,” explained McKeenan. 

“In 1890, Nicholas Creede discovered a high-grade silver deposit in the Willow Creek area. Thus, the rush was on. The town’s population quickly swelled to 10,000 – compared to just 850 full-time residents in Mineral County today,” added McKeenan. “Just as Creede was booming, the city of Denver was experiencing legal reform against gambling houses and saloons. As such, many of Denver’s gambling establishments relocated to the central business district of Creede. This vibe has been reproduced in 1890s Creede, Colorado, with the Soiled Dove Saloon and the Silver Mine Hotel.”

Lock and McKeenan created their Moderate/Mature Second Life sim in 2015. Henri said they were discouraged by other Western role-play experiences that involved a hearty helping of drama. They decided to turn their existing sim into a western role-play experience with a no-tolerance policy for drama. They just wanted to have fun. The sim offers the vibe of a booming mining town without gun battles and crime.

Henri said that in February 2024, a Homestead Sim was annexed to the sim in order to create a mining district where residents could explore. 

“The project included a major overhaul of the original sim, which included improvements, such as additional or improved buildings, creation of more immersive experiences, and a touch of whimsy,” she said, adding that mesh has allowed them to do more with less impact.

The Holy Moses Mine is named after the Creede, Colorado, mine during its heyday. Near the mine, you’ll find a mining office, a tent city, and homes. Henri said that tent cities were the first homes for miners until permanent houses could be built.

“Also, there is a mineral water operation, Ute Chief Bottling Company, named after an establishment in Manitou Springs, CO, just west of Colorado Springs. The mineral water is said to cure biliousness,” said Henri.

Next came the Creede Opera House, a newspaper office, an upgraded hotel, and other building upgrades. 

The population increased, as well, and people began attending their weekly dance hall night at the Soiled Dove Saloon, Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. They came to the annual rodeo and the 2-day Fall Festival in an outdoor circus setting with live music, DJs, games, photo opportunities, dancing, and a freak show.

Creede has three real businesses and several for roleplay. Henri said that “real” shopping is across the road from Town Hall. Amori dei Fiori sells household and garden items. Tangerine Studios sells period household items, cabins, and photographs. The Violet Rose is a wedding planning service that also sells wedding jewelry.

As for roleplaying businesses, you’ll find: a general store, barber shop, blacksmith and stable, bath house, Soiled Dove Saloon, Silver Mine Hotel, Post Office, Fancy a Nibble Bakery, The Creede Courier Newspaper Office, Assayer Office, Joe’s Feed & Seed, Chinatown Store & Laundry, Chinatown Opium Den (disguised as a Chinese laundry), Gunsmith (with a Western hat vendor inside), Silver Spur Restaurant and Bar, Medical Clinic, Apothecary Shop and Creede Opera House.

There are no specific storylines at this time. Here’s a glimpse at Creede’s main characters. 

1. Robby Lock - Sheriff of Creede. Originally from Illinois, the son of a Union Colonel. Instead of going to medical school, Sheriff Lock traveled, found his calling after winning a fight in Creede, and was immediately chosen as sheriff by the locals.

 

 2. Henri McKeenan (aka Rev. Henri) is the daughter of French immigrants. She runs the saloon/brothel and is also the minister of the town church. Henri has a unique philosophy: you must take care of a man's physical needs before you can take care of his spiritual needs. She is married to Wylie McKeenan, whom she met when she and her horse and buggy got caught in a sudden snowstorm. He travels between Creede and the Denver area, where he helps on the family ranch near the Wyoming border.

3. Cindy Wellerman - resident of Creede, working under cover for a secret company. Her job is to keep an eye on someone who may or may not have committed a crime. We know she may be from Boston, but we're not sure. 

4. Dr. Raven DuPre' - town physician and veterinarian. Hails from Chicago and was educated in Boston. There she met Henri, who was studying theology. They became fast friends and traveled to Creede together. 

5. White Flower (named "Elizabeth" or "Betty" by her white, adopted family) - White missionaries snatched her from her native home and brought her into Colorado City for "education." Longing for her Ute family, she stole a horse and escaped back up to her village. Knowing the authorities would charge her with stealing a horse, the elders helped her to escape to Denver, where she caught a train to Creede. She participates in the ceremonies of the Ute people, who live peacefully in Creede.

6. Maggie/Mags - a homesteader from out east, Mags was married to a wealthy tyrant known for a cruel temper. He died under mysterious circumstances, and after the legal proceedings, she became a wealthy woman. Mags escaped to Creede, where she's now discovering she’s not the only one hiding secrets!

7. Miss Lindee - also hides a secret or two, mostly about a certain barn that blew up due to one of her steam-engine "experiments." Her father's money and power were used to hush the whole affair, but because of her carelessness, he put Lindee on a train to Denver. She ended up in Creede, where she could work and hide her past. 

8. Caron Parnall - escaped Detroit from a cruel father and cold-hearted mother. With only a carpet bag in hand, she ended up in Creede, CO, where work for young girls was scarce. She became one of the saloon "doves," but then met Joseph "Joe" Parnall, the town's blacksmith. Joseph looked past her employment situation and accepted her as the sweet young woman inside the outer shell. They became husband and wife at a great celebration that included the entire townsfolk. 

An interesting fact is that Henri came up with the idea of Creede Radio. Henri said that music streams come and go, and it’s always hit or miss whether they are active. 

“Robby did some research, and we formed Creede Radio. It is now up to about two weeks of non-stop music, streaming 24/7. Three DJ’s participated in building 2-hour sets of various genres: DJ Caron, DJ Henri, and DJ Una. Each DJ has her own unique style that makes the station rich with diverse genres and sounds,” said Henri.

Follow the station here:

·      In World – http://radio.shoutcheap.com:8320

·      VLC: http://radio.shoutcheap.com: 8320

·      iTunes: http://radio.shoutcheap.com:8320
 

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/xFire/89/60/21

 

Netera Landar 

 

Democracy Defenders

 

By Netera Landar

Democracy Defenders' Headquarters.

A virtual world can be a platform for Americans to protect their rights and voice their disapproval. A January 31 event introduced me to Democracy Defenders, a Second Life group established by Lizbeth Portland, with assistance from Monique Travis, in March of 2025.

According to Lizbeth, Democracy Defenders is a grassroots activist group in Second Life committed to protecting the core values of American democracy.

Educating the public through posters.

“In the face of growing political polarization and threats to our freedoms from the destructive and dangerous Trump administration and MAGA, we advocate for civil rights and the protection of democratic institutions, and we work to ensure the continued functioning of a government that serves all citizens,” said Lisbeth. “Through education, mobilization, and direct action, our mission is to empower individuals to take a stand against this traitorous administration and in support of a just, inclusive, and resilient democracy.”

Asked whether the group follows the direction of a real-life Defending Democracy group, Lizbeth replied that it exists only in Second Life. Her group follows real-life groups and movements such as Indivisible, MoveOn, 50501, the Women’s March, and others to stay informed about nationwide actions like No Kings and to stay connected to and engaged in real-life resistance efforts.

RoseDrop Rust performing during the event.

The goal of the “Smashing Fascism” event was to raise awareness in Second Life about resistance to the current administration’s unjust actions and to continue building the in-world coalition of antifascist, pro-democracy resisters. 

Those who attended were encouraged to join two other active resistance groups: Indivisible and Café Resistance. Group joiners for both groups were posted, and Lizbeth encourages those who attended to join all three groups.

“Many people came to Democracy Defenders feeling as though they are alone in Second Life in their opposition to this fascist regime and are happy to learn that there are many others in Second Life who share their world view,” said Lizbeth. 

She added that music brings people together and that, for many years, musicians have addressed the need for social justice. That the event’s artists, Justine Johndory and RoseDrop Rust, were passionate in expressing their anti-MAGA and pro-democracy views, both in what they sang and what they said. This energized the crowd.

A comfortable meeting area in DD Headquarters.

 

Members of Democracy Defenders meet at 6 p.m. on Thursdays. Other events and protests will be scheduled in the future. Lizbeth hopes the multi-group coalition continues to grow and join forces. Organizers of the other two groups are Lorelei.Lavender of Indivisible and Persephone Phoenix of Café Resistance. 

Lizbeth said the groups’ main goals overlap, but they have distinct activities and unique goals. Democracy Defenders is fairly new, while the other two groups are more established. 

Posters promoting freedom of speech.

“Lori and I have spoken about bringing Indivisible and Democracy Defenders together for a combined action, perhaps around the upcoming third ‘No Kings Day’ in March,” said Lizbeth. “We all cross-promote each other’s meetings and events, and we all make efforts to promote and attend the monthly ‘Live Music and Peaceful Protest’ events held by Blue Fox (theblueeyedfox).

I asked Lizbeth why it is so important to voice our opinions/disapproval of the current state of affairs in the U.S.? 

Read and understand the message.

“This lawless, racist, destructive administration is tearing this country apart --  murdering its citizens, terrorizing its neighborhoods, destroying the social safety net – the list goes on and on,” she stated. “If we remain silent, we are complicit in the criminality. We have no choice but to use our voices to speak out against the death of democracy and the rise of fascism. If we do nothing, nothing will ever change. Every action we take against this administration matters, no matter how small we think it may be. Calling our representatives in Congress matters. Taking part in SL resistance groups matters because it supports RL activist efforts. It all matters. And we need everyone to participate because what’s happening affects all of us – not only in the U.S., but around the world.”

Netera Landar
 

The Harmony Hills Community

 

By Netera Landar

 

“Harmony Hills is a place where happiness and serene nature exist in harmony, where the promise of a bright future beckons from beyond. It will be our pleasure to welcome you home.”  ---Harmony Hills organizers

Harmony Hills was founded in July 2024 with a single region. It recently introduced its fifth. All photos courtesy of the Harmony Hills' owner.

A city bus stops in downtown Harmony Hills and then drives down the road. It’s quiet on a Saturday morning. I glance at the Second Life clock and see it’s only 8 a.m. Walking down the sidewalk in this roleplay community, I gaze at the store signs to see which businesses are here. Bloomberry Dolls is the first store on the street. A blue neon light flashes, drawing my attention to the local Video Games hot spot. 

 

Harmony Hills Hospital, where the doctors and nurses are prepared for any emergency.

 

Harmony Hills Hospital is conveniently located in the center of town. Down the street, I see a familiar pancake house. There’s a coffee shop, welcome center, town hall, bowling alley, yoga studio, and fast-food restaurants. That’s only a sample of what’s there.

Riverwalk Coffee House is just one of the many businesses in Harmony Hills.

 

This place feels like home. 

 

Angeliana Claro, the owner of Harmony Hills, founded the community in July 2024 with a single region that included both a residential neighborhood and a commercial district to support local businesses and encourage social interaction. She was responsible for its layout and vision, and a close-knit group of founding residents helped shape the town’s early identity. Town gatherings and seasonal events were hosted, and roleplay moments brought residents together.

Businesses and a new outdoor cafe area in the new region.

The most recent expansion is the addition of a fifth region. Included are horse stables, more town entertainment, commercial buildings, and a suburban living neighborhood.

“My goal was to create a town that felt alive, not just as a collection of rentals, but a place where stories unfold naturally, connections form easily, and residents feel like they belong. We don’t discriminate against anyone, and all are welcome,” Angeliana explained.

She recalled that in the beginning, the team was small. Four months after its development, the first general manager was hired. As Harmony Hills grew, departments and leadership roles were added to support the expanding community.

“Now we proudly have over 30 staff members, several department heads, and managers. All being rockstars to keep operations in Harmony Hills running smoothly,” said Angeliana.

Formal dining is offered at Chateau Noir.

Asked how the community has evolved, she replied that it’s grown significantly in size, structure, and depth. More regions have been added, more homes and businesses, and a wider range of roleplay opportunities, while still keeping the small-town feel. A number of residents play specific roles, such as police, fire, business owners, or town staff. They can participate whenever they want. New residents introduce fresh narratives.

She stated that interaction and connection are the core goals. Friendships grow naturally from shared experiences, but the focus is on meaningful engagement, storytelling, and community involvement.

“Today, Harmony Hills is home to a thriving and active population. We have roughly 200 residents. Many residents have stayed long-term, while others have moved on, often leaving lasting stories and memories behind,” she said.

A recent Paint & Sip Event.

Regular events are hosted 4 to 5 times a week, including town gatherings, department-based roleplay, seasonal celebrations, and natural story-driven events. Past events have included a classic car show, town hall meetings, a bowling tournament, trick or trivia, Oktoberfest, Fall Fair, Fall Masquerade Ball, Harvest Fest, Paint & Sip Event, Valentine’s Day Prom, Mother’s Day Brunch, and the grand opening of Old Dublin Pub.

Harmony Hills even has a newspaper. Jewels Munro and Tay O’Malley-Munro both report on what’s happening so residents can keep informed. 

Harmony Hills Town Hall.

In terms of real estate, Harmony Hills offers a variety of homes, from modest residences to larger family properties. Angeliana said that prices are fair and the town offers something for everyone. 

 

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/London%20Square/106/146/24 

 

Netera Landar