the following Outfit will be a little on the posh side of things, yet all materials are valid for any kind of medieval role-play. I was kinda inspired by…guess who? The red priestess Melisandre. Love, love, love her. She’s, besides Margaery, Olenna and Arya my favourite female character. Which is yours?

I really would love the outfit offered by Coco Designs even more if it cam ein separate pieces. I don’t know why awesome mesh creators are not realizing how much more versatile there creations were if they allowed them to be mixed and meshed some more. :/

Magika has released some new hair which is a very simple and sleek look, which matches Melisandres style just perfectly. I am generally a HUGE fan of Magika’s hair, it always seems to fit my head just perfectly, unlike some other hair creator’s hairs.

The skirt by Milk Motion seems to be new as well, and damn, it comes in so many colours perfect for gorean caste role-play (wear an undershirt!) or rp in general.

Hair: Magika (Sabina Gully, Mesh!! NEW!!)
Eyes: Dead Apples (Soleil Reid, Mesh!!)
Ears: Illusions (Siyu Suen, Mesh!!)
Nails: How Vexing (Myuuji Bubble)
Blouse with Cropped Sweater: Coco Designs (cocoro Lemon, Mesh!!)
Skirt: Milk Motion (Marie Lauridsen, Mesh!! New!!)
Boots: Lassitude & Ennui (Jackal Ennui, Mesh!!)
Gloves: Soedara (Marbella Pronovost, part of Clan Maiden Outfit)
Belt: Tea Time (Eloindir Davi)
Scarf: Tee*fy (Azure Electricteeth, Mesh!!)
Spaulders: Handverk (Daphner Klossovsky, Mesh!! @ WE LOVE ROLE-PLAY!!)
Necklace: MG (Maxi Gossamer, Mesh!!)
Ring: Zaara (Zaara Kohime)
Knuckle Duster: Fanatik (Kendra Zaurak, Mesh!!)
Headpiece: Glam Affair (Aida Ewing, Mesh!! not available anymore)

Location: Awesome (Non-Role-Play), Taiga

Location: Hazardous (Non-Role-Play), Misali

So, this isn’t going to be overly SL related. To explain why all these things came to my mind: The new XBox One with the Kinect Camera by Microsoft has been presented to the public and I was sorta shocked when I read this article:

Spiegel.de – XBox One – Microsoft kann jetzt ihr Sofa sehen. Here is an english article, pay attention to the last two paragraphs: Microsoft unveils the new XBox One. Anyone who will use the XBox One as intended (as some sort of substitution for all the media/media controls in your living room or wherever you hang out most), it won’t be always on…but a LOT of your time.

So, is it just me or is this really fucking creepy? Collecting data by filming you the entire time while that thing is connected to the web (which is seemingly amost always the case when it is turned on)? Filming how you sit on your couch, who visits you, how you come home drunk and puke all over the table, film your kids, your parents, your dog. Filming arguments and what not? Your family hanging about in pajamas, your daughter forgetting to turn it off and running around half naked in her room? Seriously? How far do people let them go? I was really looking forward to the new generation of consoles but this makes it an instant NO BUY for me.

I hate being observed and having my life interpreted by data collectors!

I am tired of being observed, having my every step filmed, my data collected just to be swarmed with TONS of lameass advertisements, advertisement calls, more advertisements…and more rubbish. There are some really annoying offenders out there already: Apple, Facebook, Google and our wonderful politicians with their “security plans”. Ever since 9/11 the “terrorists” are the ever valid excuse for all politicians to support any sort of permanent observation and intrusion upon privacy. I am sick and tired of it.

To quote Bejamin Franklin who said something VERY wise about this issue:

“Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Granted, this is an old quote, but it still applies. I don’t want to give up my privacy and personal rights in order to live more ‘secure’.

Here a few examples:

Apple: The IPhone used to collect exact data of your geographical locations in an unprotected file, easily accessible by others. Does it still? I won’t buy one. Iphone-Article

Google: Oh, we all know our best friend Google and how it saves our searches keywords and displays all the right advertisements and links JUST FOR US. Such selfless, kindhearted people with good intentions, aren’t they? Fuck that shit, I want to google porn without having others watch over it and interprete my favourite sexual desires. Oh and don’t forget Google Streetview! Everyone knows where you live know and what curtains you use. Yay!

Paypal: Ohh Paypal, you customer friendly, selfless, wonderful institution. Such a good pal you are. Allowing third parties of all kinds (banks, marketing companies, companies that collect data about your directions, identity etc.) insight on our data. Pages of pages of WORLDWIDE companies having access to your data. Granted, the longest list is the one for the marketing companies. Many people use Paypal for Secondlife, have they ever truly read all the TOS? Find the list here, because apparently I am too dumb to even find it on the english Paypal site: List of who has access to your bankaccount/Paypal Data

Facebook: Isn’t it still terribly creepy that whenever you upload a picture FB recognizes you and your friends and makes correct tagging offers? That it is incredibly hard for new users to find out to turn off all those apps, privacy thingies and what not? Yes, such a SOCIAL network.

Cities: In Germany, whenever you register yourself as a citizen (for example, after moving to a new town/place within the same town) in the City’s Office, you have to specifically ask to be handed a form where you have to put your signature to disallow them to share your data with marketing companies. O_o

Politicians: The terrorists are EVERYWHERE. Ev-ery-where. The constant fear-mongering of course works wonders: People don’t care anymore that you cannot move in some cities without being filmed, that it might just be possible that people are listening in on your private phonecalls. Security above all! Read the above quote by Benjamin Franklin again and think about it. And of course…one can always win an election when promising ‘more safety’.

I am sure there are more. It’s the little things at times that piss me off. Take the gaming area: For how many games (EA Games being very prominent in that regard) do you have to STAY connected to the internet, even though it is a single person offline game? How many games cannot be resold anymore, because they are registered with your personal data? Isn’t that a little odd? You buy something and cannot resell it even though you have legally paid for it? How creepy is it that EA Games (and others) apparently find it fancy to collect your data while you game? O.o At least they sort of cut their selfproclaimed rights a little to browse any of your data for their purposes by now. It’s the sole reason why I still haven’t bought any Assassin’s Creed games (Ubisoft), even though I want them badly.

Funny thing is: Apparently companies in Germany are now considering to overview the amount of energy you use as well. Politicians are discussing currently to implement a mandatory (!) chip in refrigerators to be able to turn them off whenever they think a so called Blackout might be happening. Or…whenever they think you use up too much energy? Who knows. But soon enough, the kitchen is no safe place either anymore if you want to escape the everpresent collection of data/observation.

Be careful!

I use Google. I am on Facebook. However, I am super careful with what I reveal about myself. The youngest age that allows you to enter Facebook is 13. I am a teacher, and most of my little 13 years old in 7th grade had NO idea what they signed up for. They got a lot more careful about certain things after we did a little Facebook-Project. Isn’t 13 a little young for a network in which adults are? Can parents really keep track of everything their kids do on the internet? I doubt it, and I am rather much sure that Facebook and other wonderful companies are well aware as well.

So yeah, I  am done ranting.  I want my peace. Get out of my livingroom! Or wait, are you in my bathroom already? Do showers now have cameras to watch our bathing habits? The wall of text ends now and I feel a  little relieved because I had to get this off my shoulders. Gah.

<3 Arica

Location: My Homeparcel. <– OPEN for Pictures!

So, as I already said, World Goth Fair started. There is PLENTY of neat stuff to choose from. Two of my favourite pieces are the little bolero offered back at the FF already and now again Lassitude & Ennui and these awesome dresses by Bilo called Salome. They come in a wide array of colours many of those more than perfectly fitting for role-play, also for Gor.

Another creator who has a stall at the World Goth Fair, but isn’t yet featured in this post, is Senzafine. Check them out! Their stuff is nice, especially the stuff they have at their mainstore for the not so gothly people. Don’t forget to check out The Muses‘ stall either! Very pretty dress to get there.

Mesh and system layers??

Many people loathe system layers ever since mesh was introduced. I think that is pretty damned naive tbh. They are -awesome- still for layering and for creating unique outfits. One of my largest petpeeves with mesh dresses is the fact that it is incredibly hard to mix and match them with just about everything else. I already blogged about House of Fox’ awesome meshdress, and now Bilo did the same!! I LOVE it! The skirt is mesh, combined with a system layer. Perfect in size and you can combine it like crazy! I really hope more creators will start doing this.

Jewelry and Hair!

Bliensen & Maitai is a store that completely fell off my radar for reasons I cannot quite fathom. They got super creative (mesh-) jewelry and accessories. Pretty sure I will shop there some more and we also got the creator, Plurabelle, in for the We Love Role-Play Event. I really like this necklace a lot. And Eaters Coma…..yay! Finally I can tint the hair. My biggest beef with them was always that their red tones are everything…but not red. Not even ginger. Just a very odd tone. But now I am happy and this new hair is pretty!

Hair: Eaters Coma (Kumii Yoshikawa, Mesh!! NEW!!) I tinted this hair a little!
Ears: Illusion (Siyu Suen, Mesh!!)
Eyes: Dead Apples (Soleil Reid, Mesh!!)
Wings: Losthaven (Lucia Cyr/Tala Laval, Mesh!!)
Bolero: Lassitude & Ennui (Jackal Ennui, Mesh!! @ World Goth Fair!!)
Dress: Bilo (Mayaa Thistle, Mesh!! NEW!!@ World Goth Fair!!)
Corset: The Plastik (Aikea Rieko, Mesh!!)
Gloves: Soedara (Marbella Pronovost, part of Clan Maiden Outfit)
Necklace: Bliensen & Maitai (Plurabelle Laszlo, Mesh!!)
Bangles: MG (Maxi Gossamer)
Rings: Manna (Manna Yoshikawa)
Headpiece: Glam Affair (Aida Ewing, not available anymore)
Crown: GSpot (Jalilah Jewell, part of Dreamy Outfit)Upper arms: Sinistyle (Krius Misfit)
Staff: Losthaven (Lucia Cyr/Tala Laval)

Location: Studio Sky (Alex Bader’s Landscaping Store, Non-Role-Play), Skye Neist Point

The WORLD GOTH FAIR opened its doors and damned there is some awesome stuff to be had. Stay tuned for some things that I will blog either today or tomorrow. Lots of good stuff to be had also for us role-players than do not necessarily care much for the gothic lifestyle!

New League skin is out!

League finally released their newest Aria Skin and it is really something new! It only comes in three dark skintones, so all of you girls who love to play darker skinned avis, this skin is for you. The lips are really juicy, however I am really sad there are no lighter skintones, and I am not 100% sure, but it looks to me as if the face is slightly crooked looking on purpose? I have to test it yet, just judging by the pics I saw. Seems to be the newest Cool thing to do, but I’d really prefer if the creators would leave if it up to me to make my face look crooked. :/ Matter of taste, again. Overall though I am of the opinion that this new release is pretty damned nice.

Hair: Truth (Truth Hawks, Mesh!! NEW!!)
Ears: Illusions (Siyu Suen, Mesh!!)
Eyes: Dead Apples (Soleil Reid, Mesh!!)
Facepaint: Handverk (Daphne Klossovsky)
Tattoo: La Malvada Mujer (Faina Cortes, Freebie!!)
Lashes: Lelutka (Thora Charron)
Bodice: Knickknack (Levia Larsson, part of Evellyn Outfit)
Undershirt: Bilo (Mayaa Thistle, part of Salome Dress (Mesh!!), NEW!! @ World Goth Fair!!)
Skirt: Senzafine (Synjari Myriam, Mesh!!, part of Mellissa Outfit)
Pants: Ison (Harry Hyx)
Boots: Senzafine (Synjari Myrian, Mesh!! NEW!! @ GENRE Event!!)
Gloves: Soedara (Marbella Pronovost, part of Clan Maiden Outfit)
Belt: Mandala (Kikunosuke Eel)
Armwarmers: Knickknack (Levia Larsson)
Bracers: Caverna Obscura (Elvina Ewing, part of Anariel Armor)
Chest/Shoulder Armor: Soedara (Marbella Pronovost, Mesh!! part of Here comes Woches Outfit)
Feathers: Sinistyle (Krius Misfit)
Collar: GSpot (Jalilah Jewell, part of Extremely Coy Outfit (Mesh!!) @ WE LOVE ROLE-PLAY!!)
Rings: Manna (Manna Yoshikawa)
Crown: GSpot (Jalilah Jewell, part of Queen of the Forest Outfit)
Dagger: Innocuous (Circuitous Resident, Mesh!!)
Bow: EZ Weaponry (Deccan Arida, Mesh!! @ WE LOVE ROLE-PLAY!!)

Location: My home Parcel, available for vistors.

Location: My Home Parcel! Open for vistors.

So, today a guy’s post. May I introduce Vanquish to you? He’s a friend of mine (this is one of his 1 Million of alts) and has the ability to create really cool avatars. Imho, he is the living proof that there is in fact enough cool stuff out there for guys to come up with awesome outfits pretty regularly. He’s damned good at mixing and matching and has a great eye for details. However, he sucks at finding poses, vain man that he is it took him ages!

Hair: Ego (Ego Shuffle)
Skin: Belleza (Tricky Boucher)
Shape: his own (not for sale)
Hairbase: Aitui (Jesseaitui Petion)
Warpaint: Katatonic (Kat Passariello)
Eyes: Tableau Vivant (M4rilyn Magic)
Beard: Unorthodox/DPD/M-Arc Mirror (Tonio Harmison, Dais Abonwood, Marcodigi Aeon)
Vest: Rochambeau (Leviathan Flux, Mesh!! Part of Hoplite Outfit)
Flask and pockets: Snatched (Braydon Randt, Mesh!! Part of  Sage Outfit)
Coat: The Forge (Deccan Arida, Mesh!! @ WE LOVE ROlE-PLAY!!)
Pants: Snatched (Braydon Randt, Mesh!! Part of  Sage Outfit)
Boots: Snatched (Braydon Randt, Mesh!! Part of  Sage Outfit)
Scarf: Diram (Djod Karu)
Facial Chains: XtraX (Xanxan Jervil)
Rings: Fanatik (Kendra Zaurak, Mesh!!)
Bow: Centipede Weapons/GTS (Kendra Zaurak/Tetsuia Kohime, Mesh!!)
Sword: LR Weapons (Larion Rhode)
Falcon:Ckit Falconry (Calli Kit)

Location: Winter Moon (Non Role-Play), Winter Moon

I have never been a big fan of the store called Sweet Lies because I always thought their items and store looked pretty meh. The store still does, but Hadarah has released some really, really nice dresses, and they only cost 150-199 Lindens. :O The textures seem really welldone from what I can tell and even though they are templates, she used them in a creative way. I am pleasantly surprised by that! Yay!

Here’s my outfit:

Hair: Magika (Sabina Gully, Mesh!! NEW!!)
Ears: Illusions (Siyu Suen, Mesh!!)
Eyes: Dead Apples (Soleil Reid, Mesh!!)
Haltervest: Sweet Lies (Hadarah Steamer, Mesh!! Part of Osha Outfit!! NEW!!)
Undershirts: Knickknack (Levia Larsson, part of Maynhild Dress)
Skirt: Fashionably Dead (Toast Bard, Mesh!! @ Collabor 88!!)
Boots: The Lounge (Erielle Deschanel, Special Preview for WE LOVE ROLE-PLAY! 50 Lindens! mesh!!)
Gloves: Soedara (Marbella Pronovost, part of Clan Maiden Outfit)
Belt/w apron: Sweet Lies (Hadarah Steamer, Mesh!! Part of Osha Outfit!! NEW!!)
Armwarmers: KnickKnack (Levia Larsson)
Collar: Lark (Sienia Trevellion, Mesh!! NEW!!)
Headpiece: Purple Moon (Poulet Koenkamp)
Rings: Manna (Manna Yoshikawa)
Necklace: MG (Maxi Gossamer, Mesh!!)
Bag: GSpot (Jalilah Jewell, part of Lupta Outfit, Mesh!!)
Poses: Marukin (Valencia Southard), Musa (Filomena Quinnell)

Location: Elysion (Adult Role-Play/Little Pricks Mainstore), Les Reves

Location: Winter Moon (Non Role-Play), Winter Moon