For instance this, where Dane Flemming Congrejo produced this small piece about the climate changes in a not so distant future. You might say it’s primitive… But it sure works in my opinion.

On the blog mirrorworld.dk you can find more on Machinima and other SL and Virtual World stuff.

Thanks to Jimmy from Mirrorworld for the tip and thanks to Charlotte S. H. Jensen for the link to the video.

Lately I’ve dived into the community of devoted fantasy roleplayers. Fantasy is huge in almost all parts of the world – also in Second Life.

Yesterday I stumbled across a place called ‘Elven Forest‘. A extremely well designed place obviously made by people knowing what they’re doing.

Elven Forest is primary for elves – hence the name. Although the place is full of creatures from the luscious wood- and grasslands and plenty of ballet-like fairy-dance poses. Buzzing insects and most of all harmony and tranquility. A tranquility that lasts throughout the night as well.

Elven Forest owner Voy Sands in the middle of her virtual paradise. (from flickr)

It dates back to 2007 where a young german woman named Voy Sands got a piece of SL-land as a gift from a friend. Fascinated by the forest surrounding her local neighbourhood in RL, she started up this green paradise.

I met her in her ‘homeground’ where I asked her a bit about the fantasy forest.

“There weren’t that much forests at that time [in SL]. That was when the idea came up to create a forest here in sl as well …//… a place to chill out, meet with friends and enjoy the beauty of nature.”

However the connected RP, that almost always follows in fantasy’s footprints, Voy Sands tried to avoid.

“I do have a love for fantasy as well since I read many novels in my youth. But I didnt want to create a RP-place … just a place where all those fantasy creatures could gather together, meet, chill or just be. The RP-places were all so scrict… too many rules for me”

Although Elven Forest still works mainly as a resting place or retreat for elves and fairies, some RP [RolePlay] has found its way into to Elven Forest. And that is perfectly alright with Voy, as long as other avatars isn’t bothered or unwillingly involved in it. There is as such no written rules and most RP is done spontaneously and with no interference from Voy or any of the managers.

One of those RP’ing in Elven Forest is Serafina Draconia. A more than usual beautifully made figure catched in the shadows of some moonlit ruins. A woman with fairy wings, glowing eyes and … twinkling fangs?!… was floating near the wall.

Fae Vampire Serafina Draconia in Elven Forest. (from flickr)

Serafina is a Fae Vampyress! I’ve never heard of fairies ‘gone bad’ before. But as always Second Life offers the visitor to interact and learn new stuff. Serafina Draconia is a member of a 60-70 member clan of vampiric fairies, lycans and other creatures of fantasy origin. She uses Elven Forest for resting and some RP – and only at night (no wonder). She’s mainly in it to socialize and have fun. As such her clan doesn’t have any fixed goals – they make it up as they go.

Another (more ‘usual’) fantasy-being in Elven Forest is Wistful Mactavish. She’s is as fae’s are – vivacious, vivid and uncatchable. You can’t help but to like her. She knows the forest inside out, and I really recommend her as tour guide round the premises. You can tell by her lines and lingo she makes stories up on-the-fly. An amazing and playful little butterfly who also mainly uses the forest for socializing and entertainment.

Fairy Wistful Mactavish trying to pull the sword in the stone in Elven Forest. (from flickr)

Wistful – like Serafina, myself and most others – enjoys SL with no strings attached and obligations to fullfil. The prerequisition for our fun has already been paid for by Voy Sands. And forests like Elven Forest, doesn’t come cheap. Besides the US$500 a month fee for the land endless amount of hours going into building and keeping the forest. Many users tribute with donations. But according to Voy it only takes care of less than 2% of the monthly cost. But then the Elven Forest group counts more than 1500 members shows a blatant succes, that is the entire workload worth.

- – -

NB: Check out the Elven Forest blog @ www.elvenforest.com

That means that not all in the menu (widgetwise) is back on track yet. I’ll try to straigthen it all out a.s.a.p.

Until then… I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry… And thanks for reading this blog.

Yours

Ley Wrangler

In earlier posts I wrote posts about charities for cancer victims, and now I found an entire society of nature lovers.

See more shots from the habitat on flickr.

The Habitat Trust has found it’s way into the virtual world. ‘Hobbit Land‘ it’s called, and it works out more or less the same way, as the RL Habitat Trust does. In Hobbit Land you rent yourself a home, and the profits from your rent goes to the RL trust fond.

I’ll spare you from more talk now. Just urge you to go have a look for yourself. If you’re looking for a cosy home in fabulous and calm surroundings, this could be just the place for you. From the signs on the meeting platform, there’s still a few vacant houses left.

However I’m back now trying to make a good use of my 2nd domain – www.2ndblog.net.

Today I ended up in a nostalgic reunion with my ancient egyptian relatives. A beautiful place called ‘Upper Kingdoms‘ – of course resembling the time and period of the REALLY old Egypt, where in fact Egypt were two Egypts

Lower Egypt – which is in the north – and Upper Egypt, which of course was in the deep south (Nubia). Anyway, I can really recommend a visit. If not for the many really authentic looking buildings and sculptures, then for an exceptional photo-op when the environment is set to ‘Sunrise’.

Have fun

I have earlier written about the still growing crowd of Duranies (fans of the british rock/pop band Duran Duran) gathering in SL – mainly in the Club Interference, run by german Chrissy Welinder.

• Duranies celebrate John Taylors 47th birthday

• Duranies celebrate Simon le Bon saturday 27th
• Another great celebration at the Club Interference

Being nothing but a kiddo-hang-around I suddenly found myself being invited to join the cheering choir of people singing “Reach out for the Sunrise”, when the Birmingham-band was to play in KB Hallen in Denmark.

I shall spare you for alot of deepfelt envy (if you are a fan too). But I had one of the coolest concert days of my life. Being a VIP at a Duran-gig is as ride. Even if you don’t get to meet the band (they where there though, I swear) you get to meet the stunningly happy Duranies. THEY are worth the trip even if the band doesn’t play

The concert was a blast. In my danish blog, I reviewed it as a 4 of 6 stars gig. Apparently the more professional reviews were even better (the otherwise tough danish tabloids gave it 5 of 6 stars and some VERY nice words alongside).

One of 25 pics I shot during the concert with my Nokia N95

The RL-connection where made. Ley Wrangler met Ken Ley… And some other until recently only virtual beings. Second Life became gateway to a bunch of really cool new friends. Now next goal for me is to meet Simon, John, Nick and Roger in SL and RL too

Thanks to all you superior guys from: Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, France, UK, Slovenia and Germany.

Extended thanks beyond the horizon to Chrissy Welinder for making this experience possible and for getting hold of the crowds – in both RL and SL

The set list of Copenhagen 2008 (as I remember it):

• The Valley

• Red Carpet Massacre
• Night Runner
• Hungry Like the Wolf
• Planet Earth
• Falling Down
• Come Undone
• Skin Divers
• The Reflex
• Save a Prayer
• A View to a Kill
• Last Chance on the Stairway
• All She Wants Is/Warm Leatherette
• I Don’t Want Your Love
• Skin Trade
• Tempted
• Notorious
• Girls on Film
• Papa Was a Rolling Stone
• Ordinary World
• Sunrise
• Wild Boys
• Rio (extra)

Tonight (passed midnight in Denmark) I came back… Back to SL, and what I thought to be a fast moving world of ‘secondary’ relations turn to me right away and greeted me welcome back.

Especially greatful I am for my good friend (even better than I thought possible) Mystra Gide who owns the Island Mystical Kingdom, where my house is located. She kinda sensed, that I needed to take care of something in RL… And kept my house for me. Up until 10 minutes ago I owed her rent for the house… Now I “just” owe my friendship in return.

Think about about it… A woman – whom I never met in RL – across the Atlantic… cares for a virtual vain viking in Denmark… I am amazed!!!

Well… and looking at the photo below, you understand why you’ll always feel welcome by Mystra at the Kingdom See you there, huh?

Ley Wrangler by the hot choc-shop at Mystical Kingdom.

It’s my ambition to change it back to normal in 2008. And with your help and participation it might be sooner, than I expected three weeks ago.

I have received some mails and other comments – during my worst december ever – that leaves me to believe, there’s still some good in the world – thanks to you all. You are the best

Meanwhile a friend of mine – the genius Lars K. Jensen – found this little gimmick for new years: “how readable is your blog”. How it actually works I don’t know.

/Ken

I’m sorry for letting you all AND the blog down lately. Private matters has been in the way, and they will for some time ahead too.

However I promise, I haven’t forgotton about you and I will return for more virtual living as soon as possible.

Yours Ken (aka Ley Wrangler)

Don’t get this wrong – it’s NOT at step back. On the contrary. In fact the website can end up being an example how to connect traditional web-users to the SL-users. A short intro to the AICR in SL helps the interested on the way.

Pay the new AICR-site a visit in your next lunchbreak. It’s worth it:

http://www.aicr.org.uk/secondlife.stm

/Ken

P.S.: Thanks to Kristopher Munro (Kristopher Tenk, SL) for the tip about the website.