Blinded By The Light

1 Kuro The Three Lamps

I often have a concept for a photograph that in application, runs a bit awry. I honestly thought this picture would be relatively simple to pull off. I was thinking Casablanca, Moroccan nights, mystery and illumination, all designed to show off these pretty lamps against a setting sun. Three re-shoots and quite a lot of time in Photoshop later, this is the final product.

I am sometimes disappointed that I can’t capture in print what my mind’s eye sees. I am in love with lighting – blinded by it, even. I can get caught up for ages playing with Windlight, tweaking, adjusting and just marveling at how powerful Second Life images can be. With music thumping in the background I get lost in the wonder of how a particular light setting can completely change an image. Add in a little post-processing magic and the result can either be rewarding or frustrating.

I didn’t quite pull off what I saw in this little brain of mine. So close your eyes and listen for the rustling of the wind in the palm fronds, the surf pounding against the rocks and the strains of “I’ll Be Seeing You” wafting across the water. You will hopefully come a bit closer to my vision.

The lamps from Kuro are available for this month’s round of The Challenge. The theme is Moroccan and there are a lot of lovely and exotic offerings. Check out the The Challenge blog to keep up to date. I will do my best to post more in the coming days.

Here’s looking at you, kid. By the light of three lamps.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Lamps: Kuro – The three lamps (black, silver & copper) by Luana Dawg (available for The Challenge May 2014)
Trees by Tobias Novi
Rocks/waves: Las Islas – Naima Coralline Barrier by Naiman Broome

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD

Guitar Hero

1 Focus Poses Guitar 6

I am a rock chick and proud of it. Give me Hinder, Shinedown and Alter Bridge over Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake any day. Driving bass line, wailing lead guitar and the primal beat of the drums are what I love. Throw in the heart-stopping voices of singers such as Brent Smith and Myles Kennedy and I am a happy girl.

1 Focus Poses Guitar 7

Focus Poses has an awesome rock pose set available at Pose Fair 2014 called “Guitar.” There are lots of poses in this set, many more action-oriented than I am showing here. It includes not only the poses and guitar props, but an amp, foot pedal and even the stage and a separate LCD screen flashing images of the crowd wildly cheering you on.

Groupies and roadies are, sadly, not included.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Bikini: Luas Store – Urban Style Liberta Bikini Fluor by AinaraLuas (please note: this bikini is linked as one piece. I was only able to use it wearing it with pants by using the guitar to cover the bottoms that showed through)
Pants: Maitreya Leather Skinny Pants * Black by Onyx LeShelle
Shoes: ieQED rumba sandals prism by SigiFaust (previous 21Shoe exclusive)
Glasses: Sax Shepherd Designs – ! !SSD ~ 80’s Glam ~ Pince Nez by Sax Shepherd
Tattoo: [ZENTRO] Music tattoo 2 Unisex by Chrome Midal
Hair: Magika [Hair] Safe by Sabina Gully
Nail appliers: {Wicked} Peach – Melody by Autumn Amaranth
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT PetalPink MEB C2 by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) High by Siddean Munro
Hand & Feet appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand & Feet Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

* :: Focus Poses Guitar_6 :: by Carol King (available at Pose Fair 2014)
* :: Focus Poses Guitar_7 :: by Carol King (available at Pose Fair 2014)
*Stage, Amplifier & LCD screen with images part of Focus Poses Guitar Set by Carol King

My Blogging Journey Challenge: Bloody Blogger

1 Bleeding Blogger

It has been about a year since Miss Berry asked us about why we blog. I was truly a “baby blogger” then, having only created this site three months prior. I have changed a lot since then, not just in terms of what and how I blog. There are times I have thought about just giving it all up; I am sure I could spend my time more productively. But then, I have an inspiration for a post or get caught up in a challenge or just crave sharing the photos I have taken and those thoughts just disappear.

Here is what Miss Berry has asked us to do this time around:

Meme instructions: Copy and paste the following questions and answers to your post, delete my answers and input your own. Don’t forget to leave a link to your post in the comments (of this post) so others can come by and read your answers as well!

1. Which electronic devices do you use to blog with? I only use Esteban (my pc) to blog. I have the WordPress app installed on my phone, though, and I use that sometimes to reply to comments, particularly when I wake in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.

2. Do you have a mission statement for your blog, if so, what is it? No, I don’t. A mission statement seems too corporate to me. This blog is strictly for enjoyment – not something I associate with the corporate world!

3. How do you feel about blogs that use their platforms to spread negativity? I don’t read them, unless a particular post is pointed out for some reason. As for how I feel about them, I guess ambivalent is the best term to describe it. It is their blog; they can write whatever they want.

4. Are you a grammar junkie? Do you thoroughly check your blog for errors before posting and/or do you judge other people’s posts if they contain errors? I am a good speller and have a strong grasp of grammar, but I don’t consider myself to be a grammar junkie. I do write in a certain style and some of my stylistic choices would be considered grammatically incorrect. However, I always make sure my posts are readable. I do proofread my posts and I have been known to correct very old mistakes if I spot them much later on.

I am not generally bothered by spelling and grammar errors on other blogs. Many I read are ESL writers and knowing one language only, I admire them. I think the one thing that annoys me is when writers of any kind are lazy and don’t bother to do any type of proofreading and have constant misspellings. Yes, anyone can make a typographical error, but WordPress has a spell-checker and I’m pretty sure Blogger does, too. Use it! *Edit: 12 hours later and I just edited to fix a grammatical error *facepalms*

5. If you could switch blogs with another blogger who would it be? Whiskey Monday. Although she is no longer active, I always loved Whiskey’s blog. Her photos are true works of art, as is her writing. I got to know her a bit in Second Life and she is one of the smartest, funniest, most sincere and truly creative people I have met, in either world.

Thank you, Berry, for your Facebook link to Ziki Questi’s blog post on the upcoming closing of Whiskey’s gallery in world. I was struggling with a photo for this post and I was actually about to give up for the day when I decided to go see Whiskey’s work before I logged off. That is when I saw the artwork that is the background for my photo and I knew what I wanted to do. I know I don’t hold a candle to her talent, but I wanted to pay homage to her creativity.

6. Has your blog/blogging style evolved over the year(s)? How? I don’t know that it has. I have only been blogging for a little over a year so it is a bit early in my evolution as a blogger. I didn’t do credits when I first started and there was more focus on client work. It is still a blog about whatever I feel like sharing on a particular day.

7. What is the most extraordinary thing that has happened to you because of blogging? I am happy to say that I have a rather active group of commenters on my blog. I have developed some very special friendships with some very special people through blogging. Some have been bloggers I have met while doing challenges but mainly it is through blog comments. I only wish Blogger would put in a simpler comment approval system; I find it hard to engage in that format, so I am sure I am missing out on many more friendships and acquaintances just because of their Captcha system!

8. When it comes to Second Life blogs, there are different styles: Fashion bloggers, Lifestyle & Travel bloggers, Informative bloggers, and more. Which style do you prefer and where do you feel your blog fits in? LOL well, I guess a little of each. I probably am more of a fashion blogger than anything else, but I have dipped my toe into each of the aforementioned types at one time or another. I am a bit of a blog junkie; I read a bit of each style. I guess the only type I am not crazy about are strictly look-of-the-day blogs. There is a place for them, certainly; they are just not my cup of tea.

9. What has blogging taught you? Blogging has taught me to be a better photographer – one who still cringes occasionally at a picture, though. It has taught me that when I am having a crappy day there will be someone out there who will leave a comment or hit Like on my blog to cheer me up. And it has taught me that my inventory can reach epic numbers and NOT explode!

10. Share your top 3 tips for new bloggers. 1.) Do your very best to reply to comments and comment on other blogs. It is a great way to network and make friends. 2.) Don’t beg creators for items to blog. Check their picks or store for their blogger’s policy and follow it. 3.) Be prepared to spend a LOT of money!

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Jumpsuit: ISON – v-cut jumpsuit – (black) by Harry Hyx
Shoes: ieQED chacha.sandal.red hots by SigiFaust (previous 21Shoe exclusive)
Necklace: Pure Poison – PP – Leah Necklace – Gold by Shaleene Kenin (Group Gift)
Earrings: Pure Poison PP – Triandre Gold Earrings by Shaleene Kenin (Group Gift)
Ring: Cae :: Promise :: Ring by Caelan Hancroft
Hair: *ARGRACE* Akane – True Red by rika Oyen
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE NAT PetalPink MEB C2 by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) High by Siddean Munro
Hand & Feet appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand & Feet Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Artwork: Writing by Whiskey Monday (available at The Viewing Room for the next few days ONLY)
Typewriter: floorplan. typewriter gacha / red by Tegan Sara

Pose: aDORKable Poses: Touch Me 5 by Adorkable Peapod