Just a dingy-tinged mole, that taupe…

After two sultry sets, something within urged me to take taupe elsewhere. Somewhere dark, gritty, and generally unpleasant (although not so far as that there will be mass-meter-bashing tentacled genitalia). Digging into the grime of my closet, I tugged on a tattered top and torn pair of jeans before strapping on a belted shrug. Sifting through the dusty drawers, a dull glint caught my eye, and my green-stained fingers plucked out two rusted dog-tags from urban-adventures long since past. Nearby, I found an off-colored box with a variety of odd copper bits, so I did the intelligent thing and recycled them – into piercings. I then scooted my butt across the floorboards to my bed and reached amongst the dust bunnies and monsters, grappling onto my old mechanic belt and combat boots. With my gear in check, I rolled out to one of my favorite photogenic haunts, the strange town of Innsmouth.

It may have left it’s mark on me.

Top 1: Tattered Top Husk from [Dark Eden]
Top 2: Ruin Hoodie Mushroom from [Dark Eden]
Bottom: Deconstructed Jeans – brown low from Nomine
Mouth: Bone Collector Lip Piercing from Nomine [tinted]
Neck: Sculpted Dog Tags from SiniStyle [tinted]
Naval: Belly Piercing – Pirates! from +DV8+
Waist: Scrap Mechanic belt (Virus Co.) [no longer in world]
Footwear: Long Combat Boots from TonkTastic
Ears: *~*Abyssal Ears: Fairy/Naturals from *~*Illusions*~*
Eyes: Thaumaturge SE: Alchemist eyes from ][.Ruin.][ [now known as .{Rue}.]
Skin: Envy@TYPE.o3-hairBASE-E.o4/w.JEWELS from [redQueen]
Location: Innsmouth, a dark New England coastal town

Hold on to your divine blush, your innate rosy magic, or end up brown. Once you’re brown, you’ll find out you’re blue. As blue as indigo. And you know what that means. Indigo. Indigoing. Indigone.
— Tom Robbins

Indigo. A colored defined by Sir Isaac Newton so that the scale of light would match the scale of sound. The tone associated with the sixth chakra Ajna, the third eye. The etymological evolution of indikon, the Greek word for ‘dye’. Fittingly, I pieced together a serene, spiritual ensemble featuring one of my oldest, treasured garments: the Mana Moon from Ravenwear. Not quite a dress yet something more than a silk, this item has been nestled warmly in my inventory for 3 to 4 years, slipping out when I need to slide into something mystical and unique. The details of the textures still rival some of today’s newest creations, and works beautifully with the intricate markings of the Shiva – Creator skin. I carefully added to the aura by wearing bare feet and a simple shaved-style, and finished with a woven jewelry set of crystal and silver.

Outfit: Mana Moon from Ravenwear
Hair: vine shaved hair base blueblack from booN [limited edition freebie]
Feet: Jolie Pied v2.0 Barefeet Low from SLink
Skin: Female – Shiva – Creator from *Illuminati* [now known as Gauze]
Eyes: Tranquil Eyes – Truth from IBANEZ Eyes
Jewelry: Crystal Charm Set – For Creativity from EarthStones
Location: Al Naifah

Sienna, the pigment of burned earth.

I may as well have been lost int he jungle with how long it’s been since I last blogged, let alone participated in the 52 Weeks of Color Challenge. Fortunately, I managed to capture a few photo sets to help me get back on track, starting with the rich tone of sienna. As I prepared to assemble an ensemble, my friend – nursing a few needle pricks and sore knuckles – noted that one of his recent creations in leather might be just the right shade. Sliding on the medium brown hide and chains, I not only felt like this unique silk was the right choice, but an earthen, wild aura wrap around me. My fingers dug deep into my inventory, plucking autumn leaves to press onto my cheeks with an emerald resin before pulling out a fine-hair brush to stain my skin with a wicked design. Tussling my hair into a shaggy red-brunette, I ran off to the savage garden of Lost World, my friend chuckling as he dashed after me.

Outfit: [E.S.] Oh Sister Medium Brown from Hope Legion
Tattoos: Retrieve Tattoo – Medium Ink (A) from :Wicked Tattoos:
Feet: Jolie Pied v2.0 Barefeet Low from SLink
Hair: Melissa – Sienna from LOGO [freebie]
Eyes: Tranquil Eyes – Marmalade from IBANEZ Eyes
Skin: LionHeart-Poet-Saga-Autumn Rain from :[Plastik]:
Location: Lost World

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don’t give up.
~ Anne Lamott

Extending a Helping Hand is stretching past the borders of January and will run until February 8th, and more and more vendors are joining the exhibition. As of the 16th, Sanura Sakai – the owner of Sanu and leader of the EaHH Event – reported that “At last check, the approximate amount raised (approximate, because the exchange rate of lindens does fluctuate) was at US$3,907.87″. In the face of floods, the devils have raised hell for hope.

This limited edition avatar set is another tantalizing treasure from The Stringer Mausoleum’s EaHH spot, and comes with skin, eyes, hair, and coils for the bum and bosom. The brilliant hot pink creates a striking effect against the lush teals, purples and blues throughout the ensemble; a truly breath-stealing look for those that like to make a splash before disappearing into the depths. Many more delights await at the Extending a Helping Hand Event, including avatar sets, attire and accessories- swim through to see what you can snatch.

Hair: Tenta – L.E. Bleeds4 from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item; part of Tenta Avi Set~100% Charity Item]
Body: Tenta Avi Set from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item]
Feet: Jolie Pied Exotix for Women Flat from SLink
Eyes: “Creature Series” Leaping Lizard Eyes~L.E. Sandreen from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item; part of Tenta Avi Set~100% Charity Item]
Skin: Transition Skin~Shadowthinger in Kort(6) from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item; part of Tenta Avi Set~100% Charity Item]
Poses by: Long Awkward Pose
Location: Realm of Mystara

Help can come from the most unlikely of characters…

More often than I care to count, video games and internet communities have been framed as unproductive, unhelpful, and even unhallowed; that, somehow, people that work or entertain themselves with these digital mediums are utterly vain and lacking in virtue.

But then, we’re the one’s Extending a Helping Hand.

It’s not the first time we, as Second Life citizens, have reached across wires and waves to touch the lives of others: Fall of 2010 saw floods rip through Pakistan and the creation of Project Donate, while Hair Fair 2010 supported Wigs for Kids and the Jewelers of SL raised money for Oxfam International. And this was only one season of one year.

I guess while the angels are away, the devils will save the day.

Led by Sanura Sakai, Designer/Owner of Sanu, the Extending a Helping Hand Event features casual, fantasy and a touch of goth genres and ranges from separates to props to body parts, such as the demonic goodness I’m sporting. Everything shown (except my shape… and the sim environment) is available. The FIRE SALAMANDER skin is a limited edition creation from Fallen Gods, Inc.’s SCALES series; originally part of the Wild Released Hunt, the vendor provides both male and female versions… for now. It’s unlikely that this serpentine gem will be readily available on the floor of the Temple after the event due to its exclusive nature, and may only appear again at such special engagements.

Adorning the ruby scales are the horns and tail from the Novae Demon set, Leaping Lizard eyes from the Tenta Avi set, and a limited edition color of the Reversed Double Duster, all provided by The Stringer Mausoleum. In order to help everyone get the chance to lend a hand, Helena Stringer is offering some of her creations at low prices (the Novae set is selling for L$25!). And as urged by the space demoness herself, even if scales n’ tails are not your thing, fly into Extending a Helping Hand to see all that is being offered and see what you can lend in return.

Hair: Reversed Double Duster – L.E. Night Shines Red from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item]
Head: Novae Demon Parts~Horns~Special EaHH Edition from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item]
Back: Novae Demon Parts~Tail~Special EaHH Edition from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item]
Eyes: “Creature Series” Leaping Lizard Eyes~L.E. SeervorOpal Eyes from *THE STRINGER MAUSOLEUM* [EaHH Item]
Skin: FIRE SALAMANDER xy SKIN+ natural from +Fallen Gods Inc.+ [EaHH Item]
Pose I BirdOprey01_Jump01 from 5ifth Order
Pose II BSpider_CrouchArms01 from 5ifth Order
Pose III Dog01_Stand01 from 5ifth Order
Location: Pteron

O words of love, O words divine!
The silver thought, the golden line!
Of all men’s words, there’s none so fine,
As these three words: ‘I’ve got mine!’
~ Hagar the Horrible

Just something simple for silver.

Big Satyr
Neck: Messed Memory Wire Set – Necklace from .:Acid & Mala:.
Wrists: *~*Cord Bracelet from from *~*Illusions*~*
Head: *~*Runed Horns: Nivicola from *~*Illusions*~*
Lower Body: Titania’s Faun-White Titania’s Court by Riann Maltese
Hair: Nora – silver from >TRUTH<
Eyes: Silver Eyes (unseeing) from -=Watchtower=- [No longer in world]
Skin: MSkin_VIP_Pale from [ATOMIC] (KEYS TO THE VIP HUNT prize)

Little Satyr
Top 1: Wet n wild tank – silver sheer from Sassy (?)
Top 2: Shredder Silver from [The Plastik]
Waist: Cropped pants belt from *COCO*
Head: Victims of Siyu’s Rabid Perfectionism, ram’s horns long natural from *~*Illusions*~* [no longer available?]
Ears: Rage elven ears from [The Plastik]
Lower Body: Titania’s Faun-White Titania’s Court by Riann Maltese
Hair: Annette Silver from >TRUTH<
Eyes: Eyes from Romi Juliessi [no longer available?]
Skin: Custom skin from [][]TRAP[][]

Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
~ Noam Chomsky

For being known as the ‘Green Queen’, this shade for this week of 52 was actually difficult. It’s somewhere in between green and teal, and fortunately silentsparrow offers a few items in ‘mint’ that fall into this category. And as I don’t regularly feature jackets, I decided to don this special edition of the ‘caged bird’ and wear silver or dark pieces to accent it. The wild-do is a tinted style from Exile and, with a top hat from Curio Obscura, creates a really whimsical feel.

Top 1: (luckychair)(minty) caged bird JACKET from ~silentsparrow~ [limited]
Top 2: (silvery) sylvan undershirt from ~silentsparrow~
Bottom: sylvan pants from ~silentsparrow~
Head: Free Top Hat from Curio Obscura
Footwear: Elsa Boots – Black from [SC] Surf Couture
Hair: Samara/arctic from Exile (tinted)
Eyes: Tranquil Eyes – Frond from IBANEZ Eyes
Skin: sylvan china white – esoterica aeolian black from Nomine [limited]
Location: Magic of Oz

Cerise, the French ‘cherry’.

Oh cerise, you va-va-va-voom color, you. A bold, teasing madam, you’re a well-kept secret in many wardrobes, and you tickled me pink when I found you amongst the delicious trappings of Katat0nik. Le Milkshake is a perfect representation of your sassy sweetness. And I didn’t have to wander far from your boudoir to find your armoire- Violet Voltaire provided the perfect pieces to accent the ensemble.

Yes, my cherie Cerise, you daring damsel, your sweetness could hide poison while your sugar creates your alibi.

Top: (pink) Le Milkshake Corset from *katat0nik*
Bottom: (pink) Le Milkshake Bustle from *katat0nik*
Legs: (pink) Le Milkshake Stockings from *katat0nik*
Neck: SweetHearts: Stupid Cupid Necklace from {Violet Voltaire}
Ears: SweetHearts: Stupid Cupid Earrings from {Violet Voltaire}
Wrists: Harajuku Girls: Pink Bracelet from {Violet Voltaire}
Footwear: “Tie me up Dolly” shoes Pink from .:Periquita:.
Hair: Cleo Streaked – hotpink from >TRUTH<
Eyes: Tranquil Eyes – Frond from IBANEZ Eyes
Skin: (SdR) Vibrant Tones . Magenta Skin from PixelDolls
Location: katat0nik

Be like Curious George: start with a question and look under the yellow hat to find what’s there.
~ James Collins

The week was long, the road was hard, but I finally made it through to the other side. What made me a week late?

I graduated.

Outfit: Legacy – Yellow from +DV8+ (includes shoes)
Neck: Technomancer Collar – Mystek from [Dark Eden]
Hair: CyberKnot – Carbon Black from +DV8+
Eyes: Toxic: Mezereon (necrosis) from ][.House of Ruin.][ (now known as .{Rue}.)
Skin: Lethean Female: charcoal ritual from ][.House of Ruin.][ (now known as .{Rue}.)
Location: Filthy Cute

“Whatever happens, she’ll deal with it in her art. After her father’s death, she talked about finding an incredible trove of 100-year-old sepia-colored letters in her father’s attic… She talks about what she might do with these letters. She said she might even bring new colors into her palate as a result of the discovery.”
~ Erica Rothman

Sepia, the color of old family photos, aged letters, and antique lace. Its shades imbue an image with nostalgia, carrying the mind through memories and imagination. Fittingly, one of the two limited edition acrobat outfits by Scribble comes in this historic hue, hugging my shape through all its perfections and flaws.

In real life, I’m approaching one of the major events in my life that will exalt or embarrass me for the past four years of my life, and then some if you count I started schooling at the age of four. After going through the motions of the education system and performing through college, I will be graduating this Saturday.

At like any smart trapeze artist, I’m scared and testing my equipment.

Outfit: Acrobat Leotards (Falcon Stumblebum Exclusive) from ~Scribble~ [limited edition]
Ears: *~*Mystic Ears: Drow/Naturals from *~*Illusions*~*
Hair: Brady beachboy from Exile[old group gift]
Eyes: Tranquil Eyes – Coffee from IBANEZ Eyes
Skin: Eden v2 (Clove) “Cigno Nero”‘ from :: Exodi ::
Prop: Pearl Trapeze 11 Poses DU3 Exclusive from ~Scribble~ [limited edition]