Friday, July 24, 2015

Second Life Red Light District

Things have changed a lot in SL since I started in 2006, but the one thing that will never change is the fact that sex is big business in-world.  Back in my starting days, I saw some very interesting and a few disturbing things that you don't see as much now. I have wrote about my first few weeks in SL as a hot blooded male, exploring free sex islands, strip clubs and escort services.  Some of those adventures made me question if Second Life was really a place I wanted to spend time in.  Old man avatars having sex with child avatars was one of them.  I did not see this just once, but several times.  At the time I didn't know about the AR button or that you could and should report such activities.
Since then Linden Lab has restricted adult contents to an adult community.  No longer will you see sex animated animals and dildo's sold next to household appliances and clothing.  One of the most popular adult content communities is "Amsterdam's Red Light District.  Here, residents can sell or buy sex, watch porn movies or pick up a hooker on the street.  Sex workers sit in red velvet lined open windows so potential customers can check out the goods before buying.  There are voice and webcam escort services and strip clubs with discrete back rooms. I interviewed one of the escorts to find out more about the Red Light District.  Kara R. aka BimboSlut was candid with her answers.

ISL: "Why would someone pay for sex in SL when there are many male and female residents willing to do it for free?
Bimbo:" Paying for sex gives the customer the power.  That's a turn on for many.  I do get men who ask me for a "freebie" but that isn't happening.  I have regular customers that see me once or twice a week.  One reason is that there are no strings attached.  They don't have to date me or chat me up.  They come pay me, tell me what they want and they get it.  I have one customer that is partnered or "married".  He loves his wife but the sex has become stale.  I am very discrete and he knows that I would never betray his trust."

ISL: "So do you do it for the thrill or the money?
Bimbo: "Both really.  I get to do things in SL that I would NEVER do in RL.  It's a turn on to have someone willing to pay you for sex.  I work hard to look good and my customers validate my hotness. LOL.

ISL: "What services do you offer? And if you don't mind me asking, How much money do you make on a weekly basis?
Bimbo: " I offer both IM chat and voice chat.  I don't have many role play limits. However, I won't be caged or shackled for any longer than the time they have paid for. And of course no permanent death.
The amount of money I make varies from week to week.  Some weeks I can make $100-500 USD and some weeks I barely make enough to pay my tier fee's.  I use to offer webcam services and I made over $1,000 USD in one week.  But I had a stalker that really scared me.  He tried everything to find me in RL.  He used facial recognition software with my webcam pictures.  I decided that it wasn't safe to webcam anymore and not worth the money to be stalked and possibly harmed in RL".

ISL: "What is the biggest allure to the Red Light District?"
Bimbo: "LOL, sex of course!  I know what you mean *smiles.  It's a combination of things.  The whole atmosphere is so hot.  It just draws you in.  Seeing the large XXX and SEX neon signs and the sexy woman in the window boxes. What drew me to the escort service I work for now was a really sexy woman who was standing at the door calling people to come inside for a show and some dancing.  She sent me an IM and asked if I wanted to come in and hang out.  She told me I was stunning and offered me a job. I have been there ever since  We take turns "door sitting".  We try to engage with everyone walking down the sidewalks.  We aren't standing there selling anything, just offering people a fun place to hang out, listen to music, dance and have a look at the "goods" we offer. Amsterdam Red Light District is just so exciting and naughty and that's what draws people in".

ISL: "Do you get many griefers or protesters?"
Bimbo: "Oh sure.  You get that everywhere in SL. We had a group come in once handing out notecards with Bible scriptures on them and asking if we had accepted Jesus Christ as our lord and savior.  All you can do is boot them and ban them.  I have had my fair share of assholes but most people are there to get turned on and laid.  I mean, SL sex is safe sex.  No matter what anyone does to you in SL it can't hurt you in RL.  No diseases, no STD's, no scars. And we are human and we need sex, it's a part of our nature. The ARLD is a place that people know they are sure to get sex.without the hassle of getting turned down.  When stupid, immature avi's come and act like fools, the people who are there to have a good time usually shut them down fast.  No one wants their good time ruined by a joker.  And management is quick to ban anyone not following the rules."

So if your feeling horny or just curious, go check out Amsterdam Red Light District. and bring some Lindens with you and as BimboSlut says "help a hooker go to college".  Peek times are weekends and evenings.  On a few occasions while "researching" for this article, I found the sim pretty empty but on a Saturday night, it was hustling." (Pun intended)

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Relay For Life in Second Life July 18-19

Put on your running shoes and join thousands of SL residents in one of the biggest fund raising events for the fight against cancer.  This weekend July 18-19.  This years theme is "The Future Is Now".  The relay track is made up on 40 sims and teams have constructed amazing builds along the way to reflect this years theme.  This is the 10th anniversary of RFL in SL.  Our residents have raised over 2.5 Million US dollars since the first RFL in SL event in 2005.  There will be donation kiosks along the track and you are encouraged to give what you can.  Be sure you are donating to official RFL kiosks by checking the creator.  Official RFL kiosks creator is relayforlife AmericanCancer.
Below is the schedule for this weekends celebration.

Saturday, July 18, 2015
10:00 AM   Opening Ceremony
11:00 AM    Survivor/Caregiver – CELEBRATE
12:30 PM    Teams Lap
2:00 PM      Crazy Hats & Hair
3:00 PM      Movies & Musicals
4:00 PM      Holiday Road
5:00 PM      Hawaiian Beach Party
6:00 PM      Space Cadets Fight Cancer Too
7:00 PM      Health Matters
8:00 PM      Purple Power
9:00 PM      Luminaria Ceremony – REMEMBER
10:00 PM    Meet & Make A New Friend
11:00 PM    Your Relay Heritage
MIDNIGHT  The Random Hour
Sunday, July 19, 2015
1:00 AM      Get Active – Sports !
2:00 AM      The 60’s
3:00 AM      Hoppy Ball Bounce
4:00 AM      Relay Around The World
5:00 AM      Heroes – Every Day & Super
6:00 AM      FIGHT BACK
7:00 AM      Happy More Birthdays
8:00 AM      Coffee, Tea, or Relay
9:00 AM      Formal Hour
10:00 AM    Closing Ceremonies
11:00 AM    Victory Lap!  – Walk the track and meet the Relay Committee.  Celebrate YOUR Relay.  Take THAT, Cancer!
12:30 PM    RAFFLE Draw!
1:00 PM     SILENT AUCTION Closes!
2:00 PM     Enjoy Walking the Track and Visiting the Builds

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

4th of July Celebrations

Beat the heat, the crowds, mosquito bites and the smell of burning hair this 4th of July and celebrate Independence Day in Second Life! Hundreds of sims will be having parties, picnics and of course fireworks.  Last year we went to Main Street USA and raced potato sacks, entered a pie eating contest and watched a parade.  This year we are celebrating with a backyard BBQ and fireworks display.
Virtual fireworks are quite a spectacle.  DeCuir Creations has been the leading producer of outstanding fireworks displays in SL for years.  Arrange your display with an easy to use HUD.  The finale is amazing.
DeCuir Creations Fireworks Display

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Support SL's Live Music !!!!

Last year I wrote a post about my favorite Second Life live performers. I got a ton of mail suggesting this band or that singer.  It is true that it was unfair to title the post "Best SL Live Performers" since I had not seen/heard ALL live performers in SL.  This said, I will list some of my personal favorites and update them as needed.
If you have never been to a live performance in Second Life, you need to go see a popular band or singer and enjoy a live concert in the comfort of your own home.  I have come across some amazing talent that just blew me away.  A truly enjoyable experience.  Today is the last day to go see some of these amazing talents at Lavender Fields at the SL Music Fest.  I will be posting a list of my Must-See bands and singers soon.

A Live Concert in Second Life

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Good-Bye Ruth

Recently, I convinced a female friend of mine to try out Second Life.  I sat beside her to guide her through the sign up and log in process.  I knew that the old Ruth was replaced with a choice of mesh avatars, but I didn't realize how bad they looked or how difficult they were to work with.  Her first words were "Eww, I'm so ugly and this dress is horrible".  Ok, it's a freebie and Ruth was no Miss America.  But Ruth was totally customizable.  With some effort you could change the shape and face completely and then get a new skin, hair and some clothing.  You could always find a bargain or sale and with minimal cost, you could look half way decent.  These new mesh starter avatars do not have the shape changing options and you can not wear regular clothes and the mesh options in the library are not very good.  No alpha layers so they are all ill fitting and don't get me started on the shoes.  I always find that it's easiest when you first start a new avatar to buy a "Complete Avatar" set.  One that's not expensive but still looks good enough not to get ribbed at clubs as a Noob.  So we got on MP and found a very pretty complete avatar without hair for L$200.00 from Noya Designs.  We found some nice hair and began the transformation.  You can not put on the regular shape and skin over the starter mesh avatars and you can not take off the mesh avatar.  Your only option is to Ruth! In Avatar Appearance, Test Character, Female.  Only then were we allowed to wear the Noya shape and skin.  This makes me worry about new comers to SL.  I have been on SL for years, but if I had just started with no knowledge at all.  I would be lost and turned off.


Friday, May 8, 2015

Racing for Pink Slips

If your looking for a thrilling SL experience.  Try auto or bike racing.  There are plenty of competitive race tracks with daily races.  Racer's Islands has 10 racing tracks and Cash Prizes. 2Raw Extreme has 15 race tracks. Race both cars and motorcycles there.  WB Motorsports offers a racing league with track and off road races.  Sturgis and Motor World both are motorcycle racing only.  All raceways have plenty of shops to buy cars, motorcycles and gear and some offer free demo cars you can race for free or to try before you buy.  It takes some practice but once you have mastered your vehicle racing is an exciting experience.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Fantasy Faire 2015

It's time for the Second Life Fantasy Faire!  This is a must see event that covers 13 regions.  Creators and artists have transformed the terrain into a land of mystical fantasy.  This is a celebration of fantasy art and shows off SL creations at it's finest.  Fantasy Faire runs from April 23rd to May 3rd and benefits the American Cancer Society.  Go to the magical abyss and beyond.