Experience the First Shropshire Rolling Hills Viking Renaissance Fair | Some Hints On Obtaining Passports | Events & Announcements | New Locations

EXPERIENCE THE FIRST SHROPSHIRE ROLLING HILLS VIKING RENAISSANCE FAIR

Are you ready to don your finest Viking garb, quench your thirst with mead, and test your skills with bow and arrow? Then mark your calendars for one of the most exciting events in Second Life® this season—The Shropshire Rolling Hills Viking Renaissance Fair! From October 4-7th, 2024, this grand celebration of Viking culture and Renaissance charm will open its gates, and you won’t want to miss a moment.

Viking Renaissance Fair Gallery

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A Celebration of Culture and Craftsmanship

Set against the stunning backdrop of Shropshire Rolling Hills Farm, the fair will transport you to a world where the past comes alive. The atmosphere will buzz with activity, from artisans proudly displaying their handmade wares to the warm glow of the fire where storytellers weave tales of ancient Norse legends. 

Once you've toured the stalls, settle in by the fire and enjoy a hearty tankard of mead. The stories you’ll hear are sure to captivate and inspire, making you feel like you’re sitting right there with the Norsemen of old.

Adventure Awaits!

Feeling competitive? There will be plenty of ways to test your mettle, whether you're keen on trying your hand at archery or taking on other medieval challenges. If you’re more in the mood for something romantic, you can always grab your special someone and head to the dance floor, where the spirit of the Renaissance will truly come alive in the music and movement.

Limited Edition Stamp—A Must-Have for Collectors

One of the highlights of this incredible event is the release of a special limited edition Viking Renaissance Fair stamp. Passport enthusiasts and stamp collectors, take note! This exclusive memento will only be available for the duration of the fair, making it a highly sought-after treasure. Be sure to get yours before it’s gone!

Dress the Part

What better way to fully immerse yourself in the Viking Renaissance than to dress the part? All attendees are encouraged to wear Viking era apparel. Whether you're a fierce warrior or a regal shieldmaiden, your outfit will help you stand out and enhance the overall experience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to break out your creative side and show off your best period costume.

An Unforgettable Journey Through Time

Whether you're there to shop, enjoy the performances, test your skills, or collect the coveted limited edition stamp, the Shropshire Rolling Hills Viking Renaissance Fair promises an unforgettable journey through time. It’s a celebration of history, culture, and community—all within the vibrant world of Second Life.

So, grab your friends, throw on your finest Viking gear, and get ready for four days of epic fun. We can’t wait to see you at the Shropshire Rolling Hills Farm for this one-of-a-kind adventure. Skål!

Article & Photographs by Liberty Fairelander

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SOME HINTS ON OBTAINING PASSPORTS

Self-Service Passports and Redelivery

Passports for citizens of SL's Mainland Continents (Corsica, Gaeta, Heterocera, Jeogeot, Nautilus, Sansara, Satori and Zindra), the generic all-SL passport and the special Mole passports are issued and, if necessary, redelivered by self-service on a trust basis. No proof of residence is required. You can then join the Continental Passport Control Board (CPCB) group, which is open to all. There you can get support in group chat and receive notices etc.

In Bellisseria, however, self-service is only for redeliveries, once status as a resident has been verified. To obtain your original passport, you need to complete a special application form. A bureaucrat then visits your home to verify your application and your passport is manually created and delivered. You are then manually invited to join the closed BBB User Group (BBBug), which gives access to the group chats, notices etc. and entitles you to gifts like the BBB Buggy.

Some clever rogues discovered they could cheat the system by applying for a redelivery even though they'd never had a passport! This trick does work, and – for now – we don't plan to close this backdoor. The redelivery system recognises that information like species, photo, etc are not in the system and redirects automatically to a web form that requests the missing data. Once applicants have completed the process, the data is automatically filled-in; giving them fully functional passports to take back into inventory and use.

They won't get an invitation to join the BBBug this way and that does require proof of residence. Those who use the backdoor method will therefore have to IM a bureaucrat requesting a group invite and providing the SLURL (or a landmark) to their Bellisseria address. 

Common errors

It's important to let the system fill in the data on the blank passport template when applying for a self-service passport or for a redelivery (honest or fake). Some unlucky folks have filled in the web form with all the relevant data, but then either failed to click the Submit button or, having submitted properly, forgot to click on the rezzed blank template to fill in the data. They were probably confused by the web form going blank immediately after clicking Submit or by overlooking the instructions in local chat.

In both cases, they end up with a functional but blank passport without, for example, a photo on the front page. If that happens to you, just obtain another passport/redelivery of the same type, and repeat the procedure. To avoid the error, we've now also added the instructions to the web form, rather than relying on local chat.

It may be hard to believe, but a few people have mistaken the request for a passport photo on the application form as a request for an RL photo! To be absolutely clear, the BBB will never ever ask for any RL data. The disclaimer on our web application forms now also emphasises this

 

Some people have also tried to update their passports by resubmitting the web form. Our systems do not permit this so your application will be rejected. If you ever need to change information (e.g; your name,  species or photo) on your passport please wait until your passport has been delivered – whether manually or automatically. Then just use the easy self-service Passport Content Changer available from a dispenser at BBB HQ. It will allow you to recreate your passport with all your desired changes from a new blank template within a minute. All your collected stamps will automatically reappear on your changed passport.

 

We hope you find these tips helpful and wish you lots of fun using your passports – even if you're one of those clever rogues!

 

Article and illustration by Robert Rhodan

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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have one of our stamp terminals and you're having an event or would like to make an announcement, just let us know and we'll be happy to feature it here. Please drop a notecard on the Editor, Dave (Lord.Junibalya) in-world or use the Email the Editor link in the sidebar to send us your information, posters and/or photos.

 

Wild West Oktoberfest @ CDS

Sep 28 (Saturday)– noon SLT

You can bring your lederhosen and your dirndls, because Oktoberfests happen in the Wild West too! Or grab your stetson and slacks ... in any case Wild West Oktoberfest at CDS will be a ton of fun! A Wild West town has sprung up in the middle of Alpine Meadow, and we will be partying to DJ Hammie's great country music spin...

 

Come and join us from noon SLT this Saturday, September 28th! Here's your ticket for the stagecoach

 

YEE-HAW (or maybe JOLOHAHITY)

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The First Shropshire Rolling Hills Viking Renaissance Fair

The inaugural event runs from October 4th - 7th and full details are available in this week's leading article above. 

Here's your longboat to get there.

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NEW LOCATIONS

English people are on average six percent Viking, so your Editor will have mixed feelings on behalf of his female ancestors when he attends the First Shropshire Rolling Hills Viking Renaissance Fair. Still, one mustn't hold a grudge for too many centuries. Frankly, when it comes to Nordic cultural impositions, ABBA is more recent and harder to forgive. You can read all about the event in this week's leading article. 

Celebrate World Space Week with the National Space Society in SL. It's an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition sponsored by the United Nations. This years theme is Space and Climate Change. Turn on the music stream to listen to space-themed music as you explore the space dome and exhibits. The event runs from October 4th through 10th.

The Bertram Housing Co-Op strives to provide a fun, immersive and interactive community experience for the suburb of Bertram in Bellisseria. Be it seasonal, inspirational and/or spontaneous - the co-op hopes to inspire and entertain its fellow suburbanites.

The Oktoberfest celebrations continue at the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS). Today (Saturday) there's a Wild West Oktoberfest party at noon SLT. Yeee-ha! 

As always, please note that events are announced in the last issue of The Gazette before they begin. The stamps may not actually be in place until the start date.

Shropshire Rolling Hills Viking Renaissance Fair PE Event: October 4-7
World Space Week at NSS PE Event: October 4-10
Bertram Housing Co-Op BE
CDS Wild West Oktoberfest CDS Event: September 28

Please feel free to leave comments. We welcome feedback! The comment form asks for an email address but that's entirely optional. Just leave it blank if you prefer.

Wonderpalooza! | Events & Announcements| New Locations

SECOND LIFE’S PREMIERE OPERA SINGER TURNS 20 WITH WONDERPALOOZA!

In the topsy-turvy world of Second Life®, where the impossible is merely the start of a grand adventure, an extraordinary event unfolded. Merryjest Starchild celebrated his 20th Rez Day in a most peculiar fashion. As the clock struck a nonsensical hour, the sky turned to polka dots, the flowers giggled, and the gates to Merryjest’s WonderPalooza were flung wide open. What followed was a whirlwind of splendid nonsense, enchanting performances and delightful games.

The Cheshire Cat’s Grand Entrance

With a grin as wide as the moon, Merryjest — the true embodiment of the Cheshire Cat — sauntered onto the scene, eyes gleaming with mischief and whimsy. His tail flicked through the air as he led us into a world where logic is left behind like yesterday’s socks. “Welcome to Wonderland!” he declared, his voice full of magic and mystery, as he twirled on his toes like a dancer who’d forgotten gravity. His merriment echoed through the peculiar woods, where the day was just beginning, and the fun had no intention of following any rules.

Amid the merry chaos was none other than Alice herself — Liberty Fairelander — dressed in her familiar blue attire – eyes wide with wonder. With curiosity in her heart and a smile on her lips, she weaved through the absurdities and immersed herself in the revelry – lost in the twists and turns of this whimsical Wonderland.

The Queen of Hearts’ Command

On her splendid throne, Dreamy Fairelander, Queen of Hearts, ruled over the celebration with grace and grandeur. Her gown shimmered with fiery hues and her laughter was the only law. “Off with their heads—unless they sing!” she bellowed with a wink. And sing they did! Music filled the air as the Queen tapped her feet, her heart swelling with joy for each performance.

A Wonderland of Performances

Wonderpalooza was a feast of musical marvels. First to grace the stage was Dorian Dragon, reigning Viral Voice champion, his infectious energy as dazzling as the colourful mushrooms of Wonderland. The crowd roared, their cheers weaving together like a tapestry of celebration, including Pru and Clairwyn, whose voices added to the joyful chorus.

As the clock spun backward (or perhaps it didn’t), a surprise performance arrived from none other than the Cheshire Cat himself. Merryjest took the stage, his voice wrapping around the audience like a warm blanket on a chilly night. The hour flew by in a blur of enchanting songs, leaving the crowd spellbound and eager for more. It was the most delightful ensemble of songs, sung by one of the most talented singers in SL.

Next came Maribol Inshan, whose voice floated through the crowd like a dream filled with heartache and hope. Even Merryjest, with all his flair for the dramatic, couldn’t resist joining her onstage, dancing between outfit changes that left the audience in awe. Gypsy Witch Sands and Remi J. Crowley were especially moved, their applause echoing through the magical air.

Then, as if pulled from the mists of time, the beloved and legendary duo EffinJay—Frogg Marlowe and Jaycatt Nico—emerged with harmonies as smooth as the White Rabbit sliding down a moonbeam. Their soulful melodies captivated everyone, including Merryjest, who declared their rendition of “The Sound of Silence” to be even better than the original. Time slipped away unnoticed as timeless tunes left Wonderlanders wishing for just one more song.

Lastly, the powerhouse Lady Q took the stage, her voice soaring like a ship navigating the stars. Her rendition of “Send in the Clowns” held the Cheshire Cat himself spellbound, her performance the final flourish to a day filled with magic, mayhem, and memories.

The Mad Tea Party

Not to be outdone, the Mad Tea Party unfolded in the midst of the celebrations, with bumper cars spinning wildly across a checkerboard floor. Crashes and laughter rang through the air as Liberty-Alice found herself between worlds—clapping for musicians one moment and flying through the air in a bumper car the next.

Candyland Madness

No Wonderland party is complete without a game of chance, and so Candyland appeared, its board a vibrant maze of sugary traps and colourful chaos. Liberty-Alice looked on, laughing at the joyful mayhem as Merryjest declared his fate to be at the mercy of the dice.

“NOOO! I’ve been sucked in by a donut!” Merryjest cried, much to the delight of everyone gathered. Even PuppyKia Dawg, who had stumbled into Wonderland quite by accident, found himself caught up in the whimsical fun, rolling the dice with Trixie Vondergeist and Sunny as they navigated the treacherous, candy-coated path.

As dice tumbled and players fell into donut holes, Taká, the game master, chuckled, “Candyland is how you teach kids they live in an unfair universe.” 

Off with the Old, On with the Fun

As the sun dipped beneath the clouds of cotton candy and the Queen of Hearts prepared to return to her duties, Alice sighed, the weight of reality creeping in. “I hate to leave after such a lovely day,” she said, her heart full. “It’s been a wonderful escape from the chaos of real life.”

Merryjest, always full of love for his friends, sent her off with a grin that seemed to stretch across the sky.

The Cheshire Cat’s Promise

With a final grin and a wink, Merryjest’s Wonderland faded into memory, but the magic of the day lingered. For in SL, as in Wonderland, true enchantment lies not in games or performances but in friendships formed and laughter shared. And so, as the Cheshire Cat himself declared, “We’re all mad here—and isn’t that just the way it should be?”

Thus, the most wondrous of days came to a close, but the spirit of Wonderland remains, waiting for the next grand adventure, ready to whisk away anyone who dares to dream in a world where anything is possible.

Wonderpalooza will be rebuilt at a new permanent location for all of SL to enjoy. It will be issuing a stamp there for your SL passport. Please keep an eye on our New Locations section for more information in due course.

Article and Photography by Liberty Fairelander. Additional graphic by Merryjest Starchild.

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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have one of our stamp terminals and you're having an event or would like to make an announcement, just let us know and we'll be happy to feature it here. Please drop a notecard on the Editor, Dave (Lord.Junibalya) in-world or use the Email the Editor link in the sidebar to send us your information, posters and/or photos.

...beautifulinsanity12's Dee's Cabin est. 8/2024
I really tried to get a fun, vintage vibe for my outlook home, while the backyard screams overgrown and serene, and really ties in with the woods aspect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Oktoberfest 2024 in the CDS

CDS turns 20 this year, and so does CDS Oktoberfest, so please come help us celebrate! This year our events go well into October, come check them out and join in the fun!

Oktoberfest starts this Sunday, the 22nd, at 12:30 pm SLT with the Oktoberfest Parade and Party (DJ Speelo Snook) at the MarktPlatz in Neufreistadt. We don our lederhosen and dirndls for these!

Then we will have events every weekend, with a stamp for each!

Sat Sep 28: Wild West Octoberfest

Oct 5: Oktoberfest Concert

Oct 12: MoCA joins Oktoberfest!

Weekend of Oct 19-20: Oktoberfest Formal Ball

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NEW LOCATIONS

I Pink I Can is a Strides event for The American Cancer Society. All money donated goes towards breast cancer research. This is an all-ages event – all are welcome. There will be DJs, Dance Performances, Live Singers, Raffles, Auctions, Vendors, Trick or Treating and more!

There is another Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW) location this week – once more at the spectacular bridge built by our beloved Moles, which connects the Ranch lands to the Mediterranean regions. The time the stamp terminal is on (and celebrates) the Ranch side.

Oktoberfest starts this Sunday in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS) with the Oktoberfest Parade and Party at the MarktPlatz in Neufreistadt. Then there will be events every weekend until 19th/20th October, each with its own stamp! CDS turns 20 this year, and so does CDS Oktoberfest, so why not go along to help celebrate? Put on your dirndl or lederhosen (or just come as you are) and join in the fun!

As always, please note that event stamps may not be available until the event starts. They're announced here in the last edition before commencement.

I Pink I Can - Strides Event PE Event: Sep. 27th to Oct. 20th
Intercontinental Bridge Ranch Side BE
CDS Oktoberfest CDS Event: 22nd September to 20th October

Please feel free to leave comments. We welcome feedback! The comment form asks for an email address but that's entirely optional. Just leave it blank if you prefer.

Out & About with Liberty: A Night to Remember at Muddy’s Café | The Ancient Scrolls of Second Life® | Events & Announcements | New Locations

OUT & ABOUT WITH LIBERTY: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER AT MUDDY’S CAFÉ

The atmosphere at Muddy’s Music Café was electric as the evening's DJ, Andy Sunbelter, cranked up the tunes, drawing in a crowd ready for an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and pure fun. As always, the energy was infectious. If you weren’t grinning from ear to ear or tapping your feet within five minutes of arrival, you might want to check your pulse!

Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by Mia Kleene, who was doing her usual fantastic job of making everyone feel like a VIP. Hi Liberty! Welcome! she called out, with her signature enthusiasm that makes you feel like you've just arrived at the world's most exclusive party. Mia’s energy could power an entire grid on its own. And let me tell you, at Muddy’s, everyone really is a VIP.

Katie Summers was already in mid-performance with her impromptu karaoke session, belting out lyrics—though not exactly on time with the music. C’mon, C’mon! Jump a little higher! she typed enthusiastically, and I’m fairly certain if she could, she’d be hopping around her living room in real life too. Squishy McMittens chimed in, I loooooooooove this song! but, with a sly twist, added, Though the real fun is in watching Katie get those lyrics right!

There was something about the way Katie fumbled Accidentally In Love that made Andy laugh so hard he nearly missed his next track cue. Okay, let's see someone type these lyrics, he challenged, knowing full well it would be chaos in the chat. Maggie Runo, however, immediately threw in the towel, claiming, Sorry Andy, my fingers are on strike tonight. That got a round of virtual chuckles as the group moved on to what they do best—dancing, typing, and making fun of each other.

Over by the dance floor, Remo Williams and Nikirain Farstrider were deep in conversation about the trials and tribulations of their virtual wardrobes. I swear, I spent more time choosing this outfit than it took me to make it, Remo confessed. Nikirain nodded in solidarity, adding, Yeah, and yet I somehow still managed to wear two left shoes when I teleported in! Ah, the challenges of Second Life® —where your avatar might look flawless, but only after battling with inventory folders that seem to have a life of their own.

Nearby, Squishy McMittens—clearly the philosopher of the group—dropped some wisdom in between songs. Ain’t we all just in love, but never with the right one? 'Cause they always love something else more.  There was a moment of reflective silence in the chat before Katie Summers broke it with, Oh, Squishy, if I had a Linden for every time that happened, I’d own half the grid! Cue the laughter and a round of applause emojis from the crowd.

As the beats kept coming, the conversations flowed as freely as the dance moves. Damia1, co-host of the night, echoed Andy’s sentiments, typing out, It's all of YOU Amazing VIPs who make this place #1 and fun to be in! She wasn’t wrong. The group at Muddy’s Café was a diverse collection of personalities, each bringing something unique to the night’s festivities.

In the quieter corners of the café, some folks were catching up on old times as a few patrons reminisced about the early days when Muddy’s was just a small hole-in-the-wall. Back then, we didn’t have fancy DJs or these slick dance animations, one noted nostalgically. We were lucky if we could get a slow dance without one of us lagging out halfway through! said another, Now look at us, we’ve got Andy making us dance like pros—though some of us still dance like we’ve got two left feet! And there it was again, that Muddy’s humour—light, playful, and always self-deprecating in the best way.

As the night wore on, the pace didn’t slow down one bit. Newcomers like Shu Mhia and Native American were greeted warmly by Mia and the rest of the group, who seemed to expand the circle effortlessly to include anyone and everyone. By now, DJ Andy had hit his groove, and it was clear that the crowd wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If you're leaving, you're doing it wrong, typed Penelope, who had just popped in. This is where the fun’s at!

And she wasn’t kidding. Whether you were dancing your pixels off, laughing at the antics in chat, or just enjoying the camaraderie that only Muddy’s Café could provide, one thing was certain: It was a night to remember.

So, if you missed out on this particular party, make sure to landmark the venue. You don’t want to miss the next one—because at Muddy’s, everyone really does know your name, and every night is guaranteed to be a good time.

Until next time, stay fabulous, and keep dancing!

Article and photographs by Liberty Fairelander

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THE ANCIENT SCROLLS OF SECOND LIFE

While wandering the virtual hills of Mainland, I stumbled upon an ancient artefact of Second Life®: Abnor Mole’s Good Neighbor Commandments. Now, I know what you're thinking —Isn’t that something you'd expect to find engraved on a prim at a dusty old Linden Lab archive? Well, yes and no. It's more like a relic from the bygone days of common courtesy on Mainland, and boy, do we need those commandments now more than ever.

I mean, let’s face it, we’ve all had that neighbour, haven’t we? You know the one. The guy who turns his parcel into a chaotic fortress of ban lines and blinding neon? Or maybe it's the fellow who somehow managed to construct a giant rotating cube right next to your carefully curated tropical oasis. Truly, these are the struggles of our virtual lives.

But here’s the thing—respecting your neighbour is still important, even if these commandments read like something Moses would have scripted for the pixelated desert. Abnor Mole, bless his pixelated soul, summed it up pretty well:

1. Thou shalt not set thy security orb to teleport people without at least a one minute warning, lest thou beest a jerk. – Can we all agree that being yeeted off a property like you’re on some invisible ejector seat is not a good look for anyone? I’ve been thrown off so many parcels without warning that I’m considering a side gig as an astronaut. A one-minute warning, though? That’s a whole sixty seconds to check if I’m even in the wrong place or if the orb just feels sassy today. Fair is fair!
2. Thou shalt not block roads or sea lanes with thy objects, nor shall ye set ban lines, for they are the suck. – Now, this one feels personal. Let me set the scene: there I am, cruising down the Mainland roads, enjoying a lovely Sunday drive, when suddenly—BAM! A wall of ban lines taller than my avatar’s hair (and trust me, I’m rocking some volume). Ban lines are the virtual equivalent of someone parking a cement truck in front of your driveway. It’s rude, it’s disruptive, and, as Abnor wisely states, they are the suck. Also, why do people think it’s okay to plop down an oil rig in the middle of a sea lane? The dolphins do not appreciate your floating monstrosity.
3. Thou shall allow build and run scripts on thy land and use autoreturn to keep it neat and tidy, for it is thy friend.  – Ah, autoreturn, the unsung hero of mainland life! We’ve all come across those parcels that look like someone upended their inventory in a fit of rage. A random tyre here, a floating chair there. I once saw a literal forest of plywood cubes—it was like SL’s answer to abstract art. But fear not! Autoreturn will swoop in like a digital Mary Poppins, tidying things up with a flick of its virtual umbrella. And letting others build and script-run responsibly? Now that’s just good neighbourliness.
4. Thou shall beget privacy walls, screens, and shrubbery around thy land which please the eye of thy neighbor as they do thyself. – This is where things get interesting. I’ve seen privacy walls that look like they were designed by someone with a deep love for medieval fortresses... and absolutely zero concern for aesthetics. “Shrubbery,” Abnor says. Shrubbery! All I’m asking for is a tasteful hedge or two—something that doesn’t look like it’s going to sprout turrets and arrows. I once had a neighbour who installed a massive billboard on their land. It was visible from space and, naturally, it advertised…adult “accessories.” Nothing says "good morning" like logging in to be greeted by that eyesore. A few bushes, a nice screen, and voilà! Instant harmony.

The Four Sides of the Column

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The Moral of the Story?

Even though these commandments are old as virtual time itself, the heart of them still beats strong. In a world where everything is customisable and creativity runs wild, a little respect for your neighbours goes a long way. Whether it’s giving someone a sixty-second warning before flinging them into the digital abyss, or simply avoiding ban-line warfare, it’s all about making SL a little more neighbourly.

So, let’s all raise our prim wine glasses to Abnor Mole, who saw our messy world and said, “I can fix this—with commandments!” And remember, my fellow residents, when it comes to being a good neighbour, the shrubbery is always greener on the side that’s respectful.

Article and photography by Liberty Fairelander

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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have one of our stamp terminals and you're having an event or would like to make an announcement, just let us know and we'll be happy to feature it here. Please drop a notecard on the Editor, Dave (Lord.Junibalya) in-world or use the Email the Editor link in the sidebar to send us your information, posters and/or photos.

Opening Party: Colors of Life @ Black Tulip Gallery

The opening party for the Colors of Life exhibition is at 1pm SLT on 15th September. DJ Khaos Republic will provide the music! 

Here's your taxi.

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Weekly Wishy-Washy Event

Please come to my Wishy-Washy Event in my coffeehouse! You can bath and enjoy cold and hot beverages, served directly to you in the bath or on table. And there's a stamp for your passport too. 

Time: Every Wednesday, starting 10:30 - 12:30 SLT to open-end
Follow the landmark

Scout Keysin

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NEW LOCATIONS

The Black Tulip Art Gallery in CDS has regular exhibitions on different themes. The latest will run from September 15 to November  30 and the theme is "Colors of Life." The gallery has a permanent stamp and of course there'll be a special one available during the event. 

The Center for Mindfulness in the Niuka region is where we meditate, share or simply relax in the spirit of finding balance and happiness in ourselves. There are guided daily meditations.

It's been a while since we featured a new stamp from a place built by our dear Moles working for the Linden Department of Public Works. This week we have what our American friends might call a doozy! The magnificent bridge that connects the ranch lands with the Mediterranean regions of Bellisseria is one of their most impressive builds. This week there's a stamp to be found on the Mediterranean side of its span. Who knows? There may one day be a stamp on the other side.

Sunrise and Work is the latest exhibition at the Feel & Focus gallery in CDS. This time it is showing original RL photographs taken on a simple mobile phone by the longshore man Yan in his home town and harbour of Savona, Italy The opening party will be on Wednesday 18th of September at noon SLT and the music will be played by DJ Mandry. The exhibition runs until November 18th. Observant collectors may have noticed we've started to present event stamps as physical stamps (like on letters) to explain why they're so colourful. It makes no sense to have a multi-coloured ink stamp, after all. Designer Sandy in this case has cleverly combined the two, with an ink stamp over a stick-on one!

Colors of Life CDS Event: September 15-30
Center for Mindfulness PE
Intercontinental Bridge Mediterranean Side BE
Sunrise and Work CDS

Please feel free to leave comments. We welcome feedback! The comment form asks for an email address but that's entirely optional. Just leave it blank if you prefer.

Exciting New Initiative: Stamp Hunters Award Stamps! | Improvements to all Passports | Firestorm’s 14th Birthday | Events & Announcements | New Locations

EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE: STAMP HUNTERS AWARD STAMPS!

Attention all avid passport collectors and explorers of Second Life—get ready to embark on an exhilarating new adventure! Whether you're a seasoned traveller of virtual worlds or just starting your passport journey, this announcement is going to make your heart race with excitement.

The BBB is thrilled to introduce holders of all Second Life® passports powered by its technology to Stamp Hunters Award Stamps —a fantastic new way to celebrate your dedication to the art of stamp collecting! It will officially reward explorers who have tirelessly collected stamps from events, landmarks, and special occasions across the grid. By reaching specific milestones, you'll not only earn prestigious titles but also receive exclusive award stamps to display proudly in your passport. These stamps are more than just ink on virtual paper—they are badges of honour that show your commitment to exploration, discovery, and community engagement.

So, what's the deal? Here’s how it works

The Title Tiers

The program offers four distinct milestones for you to aim for. As you collect more and more stamps, you’ll ascend through the ranks, earning both a special title and a one-of-a-kind stamp to commemorate your achievement. Let’s break it down:

1. Stamp Hunter Apprentice: For those just starting out, collecting 101 stamps earns you the title of Stamp Hunter Apprentice. This is the first major milestone in your journey, marking the moment when you’re no longer just a casual collector—you’re a full-fledged member of the passport-hunting community.
2. Stamp Tracker: Gather 251 stamps to become a StampTracker. By this point, you're well on your way to becoming a master collector. You know your way around Bellisseria and its many treasures like the back of your hand, and your passport is a testament to your dedication.
3. StampWrangler: At 401 stamps, you’ll be recognized as a StampWrangler. No stamp is too elusive for you! This title and stamp symbolize your prowess at tracking down every unique piece of digital ink and adding it to your collection.
4. StampMaster: Collect 651 stamps, and you will earn the prestigious title of StampMaster. This rank is for the true élite among stamp collectors—the crème de la crème! As a StampMaster, your passport will showcase an award stamp like no other, a mark of greatness that tells everyone you’ve explored the farthest reaches of Second Life® – and then some.

The Adventure Awaits! These special awards aren’t just about recognition—they're about pushing you to explore even deeper into the hidden gems of SL. Every stamp you collect tells a story, whether it’s from a major event, a charming little café, a scenic nature spot, or an unexpected pop-up party. The programme not only encourages you to find new places but also to revisit old favourites, uncover new updates, and immerse yourself in the evolving landscape of Second Life®.

With hundreds of stamps already in circulation, from underwater utopias to mountaintop retreats, there’s no shortage of adventures to embark on. And remember, this programme is not only for the die-hards who have been stamping for years—this is the perfect motivation for newcomers to dive into the fun of passport stamping!

Special Events and Exclusive Stamps

We love a good celebration, so keep an eye out for exclusive stamp collection events coming soon to mark the launch of the Stamp Hunters Award Stamps initiative. These events will offer limited-time, must-have stamps that will help you climb the ranks faster. You’ll also get the chance to meet fellow collectors, share stories, and maybe even engage in some friendly competition. After all, who doesn’t want to be the first in their group to snag that coveted Stamp Master title?

And don't worry—if you're already an enthusiastic stamp hunter with hundreds of stamps in your collection, we are ready to honour your past efforts. Your existing passport will be counted toward these milestones, so many of you are closer to earning an award stamp than you think!

Passport Pride

There's something incredibly satisfying about flipping through a filled passport, each stamp representing a memory of an adventure you’ve had in SL. The Stamp Hunters Award Stamps programme amplifies that sense of pride, offering you tangible rewards for your virtual travels. Imagine looking back at your passport years from now and seeing not just the places you've visited, but the award stamps that symbolize your place among the greatest explorers!

How to Get Started

Getting started is as easy as visiting BBB HQ or any of the Bellisserian Embassies in-world (SLURLs are in the sidebar to The Gazette). You can apply for (in the case of Bellisserian or CDS passports) or just grab the other kinds at the embassies and begin your quest to become a Stamp Master.

Don't forget to check out events and gatherings—these are excellent opportunities to gather unique stamps and even trade tips with other passionate collectors. This is your chance to join an exciting new era of passport collecting in Second Life®.  Whether you're going for Stamp Hunter Apprentice or aiming straight for Stamp Master, the journey ahead is sure to be filled with discovery, joy, and a few surprises along the way.

So, what are you waiting for? Start collecting, and let the world know that you are a proud member of our élite stamp-hunting community! Happy stamping, and may your passport always be full!

Article and photographs by Liberty Fairelander

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IMPROVEMENTS TO ALL PASSPORTS

As of now, all our passports will automatically have these two handy new features;

• Stamps are now automatically displayed in order of date/time of acquisition: In the past, stamps appeared on your passports in a non-transparent sequence. This made it difficult to check what had or had not yet been collected recently. The new improvement means the most recently collected stamps are always shown immediately on the first page (button <--), followed by older ones on the next pages (button >>). Adding stamps will shift the display automatically but displaying a newly-collected stamp with required a click on the <-- button to update the display.
• Grey Squares Removed: We've made a  cosmetic fix for passports that were showing grey squares on the last page. This affected only passports with fewer than six stamps collected. It had no negative effects and disappeared when a seventh stamp was added.

In addition, here's an optional self-service way to fix a cosmetic issue some passport holders have experienced.

• Over-Sized Stamps on Lower Right of Page: Some passport-holders will have noticed the bottom right stamp appears too big on the page. To fix this, wear your passport HUD and right-click to edit. Check edit linked in the edit window and click the right-arrow below until link number 12 is shown. Then click on the object tab and copy the X or Z value (which should be same). Then click the left-arrow to see link number 11 and paste the new value into  X and Z. Then close the edit window. The stamp will now be correctly-sized and the change will automatically apply to all the other pages of your passport.

There is no need for any passport upgrades. All passport holders will benefit from the first two improvements automatically and have the option to apply the third one.

Hint on PP nav buttons: 

<--        takes you to the first page, most recently collected stamps

>>        takes you to the following page showing the stamps in in sequence according to the date you acquired them

<<        takes you to the previous page

>>5     skips over 5 pages

-->        last page, oldest stamps

Robert Rhodan and North Crannock

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FIRESTORM’S 14TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IS TODAY!

Firestorm is turning fourteen! As is our tradition, we're throwing a huge party to celebrate, complete with gifts. The party starts at Noon today (Sat Sept 7) and runs til 3 PM SLT, which some amazing entertainers. The gifts are available starting at 11 AM SLT today and running until the end of the month. Also there is a stamp machine where you can pick up the limited edition FS 14^th Anniversary stamp through month end. 

You can read about it in our blog. You will notice that the location is missing from that article. Typically we put that in at 10 or 11am the day of the party, so check back near the party start time. Instead of repeating what is in that blog, here is a bit of “behind the scenes” information you may enjoy.

This last year has brought some changes to the Firestorm Team. Our founder Jessica Lyon remains but in a less active role. She stepped down from Project Lead at the start of the year due to RL demands.

Beq Janus has taken over the Project Lead role. 2024 is officially Beq’s first year at the helm. She is also a talented developer. When we were planning the party, Beq asked if we could try and get her very favourite singer… and we were able to!! Yay!

Ansariel Hiller (affectionately known as Ansa) is the Lead Developer. Ansa codes/develops so fast, efficiently and skillfully that it makes a person’s head spin to watch. I suspect that if Ansa had a race with AI to develop a new feature, AI might lose that race.

Also, Anastasia Horngold got a very well deserved promotion to become the “buck stops here” top lead of our fantastic Support Team. Anastasia had been in charge of English support for sometime, but now heads all of support. Enigma Conundrum is her right-hand assistant, overseeing the international (non-English speaking) support teams. Fun Fact: Ana’s favorite vodka is Pear.

There is one more team lead we would like to introduce you to; Miro Collas. He is the “buck stops here” senior manager for everything related to the Firestorm Gateway. He has a team of five managers under him, as leading the gateway is a pretty big job. Fun fact about Miro: Miro enjoys sailing for fun, exploring old SL. Also, Miro believes he is the "typo king.”

Now that you know some of the team, we hope you will come by and party with us as we celebrate our 14^th birthday!

Article by Teresa Firelight

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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have one of our stamp terminals and you're having an event or would like to make an announcement, just let us know and we'll be happy to feature it here. Please drop a notecard on the Editor, Dave (Lord.Junibalya) in-world or use the Email the Editor link in the sidebar to send us your information, posters and/or photos.

...XaandarRaain Resident's Drows Delight
est. 8/2024
Taken my love of dungeons and dragons and mixed into Second Life. A fantasy house that has the style of an Elven house but the darker aesthetic of the Drow from the Underdark.

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Latest stats on stamps and passports

All stats as at 31st August 2024.

Statistics and Graphics by Robert Rhodan

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NEW LOCATIONS

Firestorm is turning 14 this week and there will be a big party to celebrate. See Teresa Firelight's article above for all the details (including how to find the party locations). There will be a special commemorative stamp to collect at the event. 

Of Mere Being is a special end-of-summer pop-up until September 30! Kick back, stretch out, look out to sea or up at the stars, and think of the palm at the end of your mind, beyond the last thought.

Firestorm's 14th Birthday Celebration PE
Of Mere Being BE Event: September 7-30

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