For Old Times sake - Auld Lang Syne

One of the things I love about the grid is the places that are inspired by real places in real life, like Auld Lang Syne.  Created by Eloise Blake and inspired by parts of Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides, she has brought some parts of Scotland to the grid.

Aptly named Auld Lang Syne, a song which was submitted to the Scots Musical Museum by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, who claimed the words were taken from an old man's singing.  The lyric's in the Scottish version is about good friends sitting down together and recalling adventures and memories of long ago.

I've tried several times to come up with a description of what you will find but I have to admit, like Scotland, it's hard to describe.  You will find rough terrain and soft gentle spots to rest your feet, which is Scotland.  It's a land of contrasts, with harsh and weathered cliffs that the sea beats on it, day-to-day, and then the soft gentle moors, with the heather sweetening up the air and enchanting you as you walk by it.  And yes, that is what Eloise pulled into SL, the whole atmosphere that makes Scotland such an amazing and beautiful land.  With that said, I think in ending, I will just leave you with the Scottish version of Auld Lang Syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And auld lang syne?

(Chorus)
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne, 
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 
For auld land syne.

We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine; 
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn, 
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd 
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught, 
For auld lang syne.

Credit:
Lyrics and information obtained at Encyclopedia Britannica

Something Wickedly Haunting Has Arrived

My favorite time of the year is here, with the breezes becoming crisper with fresh, cool air and the colorful palette of fall covering the landscapes in RL and in SL.  Tours are in the last stages of planning for the season and you can feel an excitement thrumming through fellow Fall lovers, all eager for the turn of the seasonal clock.
At this time of the year, I do tend to be more involved with landscape photography.  I cannot help but try to capture all the amazing sights that are put together and created by so many talented artists.  With that said, I felt that starting with Pendle Hill and the owner and creator of the sim, Lauren Bentham, was only right since her work was the first I seen in SL, back in 2009.
Lauren Bentham has created and owned some amazing sims over the years, including the Baja Beach regions, Arranmore, Everwinter, Storybrooke Gardens, Netherwood, and Bentham Manor.  Each one is very high quality in appearance, right down to the smallest of details. 
There is a group that is available to join with a one time fee of 175L, if you wish to rezz things, which goes to the upkeep of the land.  (Remember to pick up after yourself though please).  The region is a moderate rating and it is up all year long.  They also have a Flickr group that you are encouraged to submit your photos to, if you have taken photos at Pendle Hill.

For the windlights, I was using Jay's Battlescars newest ones that were released recently in the large 26 in 1 pack from his blog.

Happy Halloween Athenaeum

Well, I am down to my last post for Halloween, on Halloween Eve, no less.  I think it is fitting that it is Athenaeum that is the last post.  A sim that is fully done up for this day, in particular, that achieved a perfect sense of the eeriness and a bit of the macabre in their decor.  They went with a more classic, vintage-style, which is very well suited for this season and then added the perfect touches to bring an atmosphere that is almost palatable, on their sim. 
If you have any last minute photo work that you wished to do, this sim has been set up to be a visual treat that is quite photographic, with a number of areas for you to visit, enjoy, and get your Halloween spirit into the mood.

The alluring draw of Pacifica

In the last couple of weeks, I have heard several people request for underwater areas to take photos.  The original intent today was to find the Halloween area that is being set up over at Pacifica, but alas, that was not open yet.
As I stood on the dock, debating on looking around, I noted their diving gear and signage about an underwater area.  Unable to resist the urge to peek, I slide under the blue waves near the pier to find a breathtaking underwater world open up to me.  As I moved further through the water, I found many areas of wonderful beauty, just waiting to be discovered.  With thriving aquatic life surrounding me and a landscaping set up to amaze you, I started to feel the draw and pull of the sim as it showed me it's beautiful layers of visual treasures.

Telrunya - Forest of Dreams

I admit, I have a deep fondness for fantasy themes that go with Fae or Elven.  It's probably from my days in roleplaying, when I first started in SL.  The outfits and looks were amazing and the only limitation was what your mind put on you.
Telrunya truly fed all those things in me and more.  To say that this sim is breathtaking does not do it justice.  The designer, Nessa Zamora; not only invites us into her dreams and fantasy world, she creates a dreamscape of color and composition that blends, flows together and allows her guests to indulge in a plethora of different areas filled with fantastic beauty and secret gardens.  As she states in her own profile, "A haven for  those who look for a tranquil environment, a home for fairies, fauns, elves and those who love to be lost in a dreamworld... "
**Side note:  the sim is not only amazing and beautiful to see, it is also graphically demanding.  This is not for those computers that are faint of heart or weak in the graphics card division."

Credit:
Sim designer and owner:  Nessa Zamora
Telrunya