When you land in the Delta Project your in the middle of a massive structure floating 2500 meters above the ground.  It’s an RP combat sim with a very interesting (under construction but fun to look at) dance club, plus the usual retail spaces hawking uniforms and weaponry. But if you wait a bit for things to rez you’ll see a sign for the Space Park. The Delta Project structure surrounds a “space anomaly” where you can relax.

It’s a creative little gem. You’re on a green little asteroid, covered with what appear to be space trees. Nothing on Earth has leaf clusters in the shape of soft cubes, anyway. Relax on a topiary couch (or did it grow that way?) and watch the planets spin by.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Delta%20Project/125/125/2470

My friend Pati recommended that I take a trip to the island of Cu Mara, and since she is a woman with fine taste (i.e., she considers me a friend) I set off to check it out. We’ll take a look at that another day, but what blew me away were the islands next door, to which Pati had yet to venture: Templum ex Obscurum and Crucible.

These have to be two of the most hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric places I’ve seen in Second Life. As near as I can tell there is no purpose for them other than looking amazing, which in this case is purpose enough.

Templum es Obscurum is pretty evenly divided between a massive temple (seemingly carved from the living rock) and the roiling waters that separate the temple from Crucible to the north. The water seems to glow in the moonlight…

…which in turn seems to have taken over the trees. There are places to sit that are at once dark yet full of light.

Crucible is more straightforward, but no less fascinating. You wander a dark and wild landscape upon the site of an ancient castle, which would appear to be completely abandoned were it not for some mysterious lights along the path.

You can almost sense the age of the stones around you, and the countless years that have left them in ruins. Its enough to make you want to engage in a little exploratory roleplay, as a hobbit or ranger discovering a long forgotten kingdom.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Templum%20ex%20Obscurum/117/185/22

This isn’t the best planetarium I’ve seen, but it does have the advantage of being a) big and b) in three dimensions.  There’s no information about whether the stars are in their true relative positions or if this is just pretty.  You sit in seats up among the stars, which makes for a nice effect.

Alas, the planetarium equipment on the floor is merely cosmetic. It doesn’t do anything except look like planetarium equipment.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tokai03/225/150/22

I’m taking a few days off for the holiday. I’ll be back soon with fresh explorations, so keep checking back. Cheers!

We had a holiday building contest down at the Shelter (build something in a Christmas theme in an hour). I won third place with my “Santa Coronary.” I’ve cleaned him up a bit (hey, you can do only so much in an hour) and stuck him outside the store as another freebie for you. Becuase if you like flagpole licking and dead reindeer, you’re just twisted enough to want one of these, too.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vigdorova/152/180/84

Just in case you haven’t had enough nightmares this month…

I happened to get a picture of these folks shopping for the (in)famous Buttlight in my store, when I thought of the perfect bit of ad copy:

You know, there’s no Hallmark card that says to the one you love, “You’ve got a fine ass and the world should see more of it.” For that, you need a Buttlight.

This is just one of the many reasons why the world is lucky I haven’t persued a career in advertising.

It was a year ago today (okay, give or take a couple of days) that I first landed in Saliva Skin.  It struck me as so… odd (and sticky) that I decided to start a blog about all the odd (though not necessarily sticky) things I’d seen in Second Life. Well, “odd” turned out to be a little limiting, and pretty soon I was writing about the good, the bad, the silly, and the sick. Pick your adjective. You’ll find something that fits it in Second Life.

Saliva Skin and has come and gone (though apparently you can still buy your very own Saliva Skin online) but I’m glad to say I’m still here. Exploring is a joy in itself, but I honestly appreciate you reading and commenting on these missives from the virtual world. It gives me all the more reason to keep at it.  As a wise person once said:

Saliva comes to want it by going out
There is a skin of the enchantment that
stimulates your desire. Please note it.

Words to live by.

Here’s another little freebie I made for you… a lickable flagpole, a la “A Christmas Story.” Just don’t get stuck. Grab a copy right outside the entrance to the store.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vigdorova/152/180/84