Oh Look, Someone has Been To The Neo Japan Event

The Neo Japan is a bi-annual event which offers all kinds of interesting creations with a distinctive Japanese influence! The event ends on April 22nd.

Take me to Neo Japan (Slurl)

The Book of Daniel, September 10-20, 2016

From Mischa Moyet's reasons for this benefit, SL Destinations R Us; #630 The Book of Daniel Fundraising Event.  

"I admire and acknowledge all the hard work that our designers do to be able to create the stunning articles and designs that us as bloggers advertise for them. One of my designers is that of Zerkalo and I was shocked and alarmed to hear that Daniel Estro, 29 years old, (co-owner of Zerkalo, Shiny Shabby and The Crossroads) has cancer and desperately needs our help.

The fight for his life began when doctors discovered a malignant tumour in his brain, about 7 centimetres in diameter. Daniel underwent life-threatening surgery to remove the tumour. The surgery went well. However, several weeks later what was left of the tumour spread throughout his brain and started affecting his brain function.. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy. He is fighting as hard as he can to survive but as many of you might know, fighting cancer is very expensive.

Our dear Neva Zenga has created this event with an astonishing amount of designers to raise money for Daniel so the medical expenses can be less in burden and expense.

Zerkalo was the only source of income for Daniel and his wife Anais. Anais is unable to work without Daniel because he was the brand’s designer and mesh creator. They are so young and in love. They are two pieces of one whole, they give meaning to each other's stories, and one cannot exist without the other. Please help us support these wonderful people in every way that we can."

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To me it sounds like a very worthy cause and after visiting I can honestly say that there is some quality item, mostly for women as usual but some for the men too.

The Book of Daniel - Fundraising Event (SLurl)

The U L T R A™ Event, July 15 - August 15

"Roman Godde of The SL Registry™ in collaboration with Bad Unicorn are proud to present a brand new event called, U L T R A™ Event, that will commence on May 15 to June 15, 2016 and every other month thereafter.

A fascinating cluster of shops flanking a modern, one of a kind atrium promenade, rich with Palm Springs charm. A total of 35 elite Second Life designers will offer a truly unusual array of exclusive fashion, furnishings and all things from antique to contemporary.

From July 15 - August 15 (the) U L T R A™ Event will showcase the products and services available from the most prestigious luxury brands across the grid, which include men's and women's fashion, luxury automobiles, real estate, fine jewelry, mesh avatars, animations, skins, hair, accessories, furnishings, home and garden and much more.

For connoisseurs seeking the very best and the latest that Second life has to offer, The U L T R A™ Event is the essential one stop luxury resource."

Your luxury transportation awaits to take you to The U L T R A™ Event (SLurl).

New Logo for Bock in SecondLife

Bock in SecondLife is delighted to unveil its new logo.

The logo is to be used when the blog is represented at various SecondLife events, such as the Second Pride Festival or the Gay Archipelago SummerFest (among others).

This bolder, more retro and ironic approach features a Pristina font, which is the work of British designer Phill Grimshaw, a calligraphic typeface that displays all the natural, unrestrained qualities of cultured penmanship.

The logo is clearly inspired by the traditional Japanese Imperial flag and is designed to be both recognizable and highly visible. It comes in a variety of clear pastel colors which are pleasing to the eye, but it is also everso slightly asymmetrical, to indicate that the editor in chief is an opinionated and headstrong bastard who doesn't always aim to please.

The logo was created by the blog's own favorite graphic designer Tomais Ashdene after a concept by the blogger himself.

Keep Safe with Tom of Finland

I don't usually run first life product advertisements, but once in a while I may be convinced to do so without monetary gain.

Nonetheless, when this press release from Jalo Helsinki appeared in my email, I knew I simply had to run it.

Tom of Finland and Jalo Helsinki are ready when things start getting hot at home

"Finnish fire safety company Jalo Helsinki and Tom of Finland Foundation have teamed up to create a new line of red-hot fire safety products. Four of Tom of Finland’s iconic drawings will appear on Jalo Helsinki’s fire blankets, raising the temperature on interior design goods.

The blankets can extinguish small fires, but while there are no flames, users can have Tom’s art on display to enjoy, within easy reach and in case of emergency.

“A fire blanket by nature is quite a practical application, but we also want it to be beautiful and meaningful beyond its primary function” says Olli Nuutila, CEO of Jalo Helsinki. “By launching, we want to communicate Tom of Finland’s message of love, respect, tolerance and freedom through display of our fire safety products” he adds. 

The Jalo Helsinki team worked with Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles to identify inspiring and iconic drawings to grace the fire blanket covers. Dubbed The Leader, The Aviator, The Hero and The Dog are quintessential examples of the Finnish artist’s work featuring men depicted as powerful, distinctive and unafraid - notions that ran counter to the prevailing sentiment in the late 1950s when Tom of Finland drawings first started appearing.

“This collection of fire blankets is a wonderful hybrid between art and design, and further elevates Tom’s work to heroic proportions. We are honored to partner with Jalo Helsinki in making Tom’s drawings and message easily reachable and always available.“ says S.R. Sharp, Curator at Tom of Finland Foundation.

“When we started our collaboration project with Finnish designers and artists - some iconic, some emerging - we knew that we wanted Tom of Finland on the list. He represents freedom, pride, and promotes a respectful attitude towards other people. His body of work embodies this universal message that we also stand for as a company” says Nuutila.

Jalo Helsinki’s fire blankets comply with EU fire safety standard EN 1869:1997 and are available to buy online through the Jalo Helsinki shop."

Press contact:

Olli Nuutila,

CEO & Co-founder

 olli@jalohelsinki.fi

+358 40 578 0109

Media Kit

About Jalo Helsinki Jalo Helsinki is a Finnish design company turning fire safety products into beautiful design objects and improving user experience with the help of internationally famous designers. The company’s current products range from smoke alarms to fire blankets. Jalo Helsinki was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. More information: www.jalohelsinki.com

About Tom of Finland/Tom of Finland Foundation (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish 1920 - 1991), is the creator of some of the most iconic and readily recognizable imagery of post-war gay culture and is regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. He produced thousands of images beginning in the 1940s, robbing straight homophobic culture of its most virile and masculine archetypes (bikers, hoodlums, lumberjacks, cops, cowboys, and sailors) and recasting them through deft skill and imagination - unapologetic, self-aware, and boastfully proud enthusiasts of gay sex.

In 1984, the nonprofit Tom of Finland Foundation was established by Durk Dehner and Touko Laaksonen. As Tom had established worldwide recognition as the master of homo-erotic art, the Foundation’s original purpose was to preserve his vast catalog of work. Several years later the scope was widened to offer a safe haven for all art in response to rampant discrimination against work that portrayed sexual behavior or generated a sexual response. Today the Foundation continues in its efforts of educating the public as to the cultural merits of erotic art and in promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality. More information: www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org

The Amazing Samuel

As you all know by now, I have engaged the skilled landscaper Samuel Fallen, of Lytton & Fallen, to help with some landscaping around the new mansion.

Shabby-chic stuff from Apple Fall combined with a
Quidditch set from somewhere else in a beautiful way.

Well, you should also know that Samuel isn't "only" a landscaper and gardener, he in fact designed The Luton Manor (the new house I have bought) for Redgrave Houses & Homes and is also a marvelous interior decorator.

I got clear and irrefutable proof of the latter when I logged into SecondLife the other day,

The evening before I had dragged out some things by Apple Fall, that I knew I wanted to use in the decoration of the house, out of my Inventory and just left them in a mess on the floor to deal with another time. Well, when I logged in, the things had been tastefully arranged in a shabby-chic display by Samuel. I couldn't in a million years have done anything as good or better with them.

My new strategy will be to - sort of recklessly - leave things floating around and see what marvelous things Samuel will come up with. Please do not tell Samuel!

Otherwise the landscaping project is at somewhat of a semi-standstill as we are awaiting the arrival of spring and new stuff to arrive at Botanical. Tomais is busy interior decorating, while I tag along and help where I can, mostly by carrying the heavy stuff around and saying "Oooooo" and "Aaaaaa" at suitable intervals.

SP Members Fill Me With Pride

Like Tomais and myself, my buddy Eric Quimby and the commentator "someone" many other members seem to have been saddened by the sight of the many empty storefronts at the Pride sims.

"Where are some of the merchants, designers and creators whom we lavish our pink linden dollars on all year round? Why aren't they they here giving back a little to the LGBTQ-community that supports them throughout the year?", we asked ourselves I am sure.

I could mention some pretty large and well reputed brand names who are miserably invisible on the sims, but am choosing not to.

I am certain one reason for the empty stores is the fact that the seasoned Marketing Chair Merrick Genesis became sick and was hospitalized as we were getting close to the festival. The core duties of a Marketing Director had to divided between two of the other directors, who already have a full list of other responsibilities. I am certain the rest of the board had to step in and help too.

However, many members seem to have reacted like myself and Eric and have decided to take action by getting a store to fill out the empty holes and support our beloved Second Pride. Yesterday the Second Pride East sim looked much better although there were still some gaps. I was so proud to see this happening that my heart was filled with joy and pride and my eyes with tears. I love being a member of Second Pride!

I myself have set up a store for Bock in SecondLife. Just a small place for those who feel tired of walking and wish to take the weight of their feet for a while as they sip some strong Swedish coffee. (Today I will start serving freshly baked cup cakes every hour on the hour. Tomais darling, you better put your apron on!) You can also take a date there to cuddle up and have a good talk without the noisiness of a party surrounding you and your friends looking on.

When you hit the blog header on the back wall you get a link to "Bock in SecondLife" to have something to read while you rest. You can also - if you are daring enough and a true fashionista - collect my Pride 2014 Exclusive Version of my renowned The Jesters Hat. (Free/gratis/at absolutely no cost at all - AMAZING!)

Please come to The Bock in SecondLife Store @ Second Pride East (SLurl) and enjoy a quiet, relaxing, moment, I will be there from time to time to meet & greet with my readers too.

If you also wish to purchase a store take a look at the Festival Packages and follow the excellent instructions or get in touch with Karl Kalchek or Baz Ceawlin. (When contacting the board members please do remember that this is an extremely hectic time for them and do not expect immediate attention.)

Video Commercial

(Tipped by longtime Bock in SecondLife reader - who also happens to be my SecondLife son - Guyke Lundquist)

This is a video commercial for an exceptional store in SecondLife. Miamai. The store is loaded with lots of interesting and unusual stuff. It proves beyond any doubt that SecondLife is still alive and kicking and that we have wonderful, imaginative and skillful creators, designer and builders.

Yesterday I got the wonderful black hat from there, just because it is beautiful work. I will alas only be able to wear it on those rare occasions (once a year) that I do drag.

Word As Image

(via copyranter)

The challenge: Create an image out of a word, using only the letters in the word itself.

The video is made by Ji Lee (이지별) a designer who was born in Seoul, South Korea, raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and today lives in New York, U.S.A.

I totally love this, apart from the fact that it makes me miss my BIL Andrey!