L'Amour Diversity Magazine Issue 28 February 2020

ISSUE 28, FEBRUARY 2020

Celebrating uniqueness not trends!

The Models of L’Amour Diversity Present

WORST FIRST DATE EDITORIAL

Publisher’s Note

It has been that time of year again for me, when I am so busy I don’t know day from night or sky from…. well, you get the idea. MMI is in high gear and I must say, I am a bit disappointed. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into MMI. Now, yes, people leave I do get that. But when it gets tough, don’t leave, pour your heart and soul into it more. I promise what you learn will totally outweigh everything else.

Also, I got to sit down with L’Amour MMI COO, Cyberdawg Foxclaw.

Speaking of hard work, he is one of the hardest, strongest people I know. He puts all of himself into MMI every year. So, read about Cy in this issue also.

I am right in the thick of things, doing the fashion show and having the L’Amour models showcasing their Home & Garden outfits to raise money for RFL and the American Cancer Society. I am very excited to be working with Home & Garden Expo 2020, in a very different capacity than in the past. More information on that change will be in this issue of L’Amour Diversity Magazine.

I also got together with all the gang from Moulin Rouge and what they do over there will blow your mind. If you want to dance, take in a burlesque show or have a quiet dinner, Moulin Rouge is the place for you. You will be able to read all about it in this issue.

Write on!!

n i m a h Ava J

Celebrating uniqueness not trends!

ISSUE 28, FEBRUARY 2020 STAFF PUBLISHER Ava Jhamin EDITOR IN CHIEF Rienna no Ouji FASHION EDITOR Nani Xue WRITERS Trinity Aironaut Ava Jhamin Nani Xue PHOTOGRAPHERS Trinity Aironaut Ava Jhamin Nani Xue DIVERSITY MODELS Jan Bacon (Jan1Ying) Resmay Bloodstorm (meishagirl) Vickie Maidstone Amanda Sicard (Magic1Lady) Jude Tatham Viana (Curiosse) Nani Xue

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It's also the month when we take the time to let our loved ones know just how much they mean to us. I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. Since it's four days after my birthday, I've always considered it to be kind of my holiday and I love it for that reason. I spent mine with Tony Soprano, as I have been rewatching that series for what is probably the fifth or sixth time.

In this issue of L'Amour Diversity Magazine, we have some great stuff for you. The models of Diversity are on a bad date in our editorial section this issue. We also have some lovely gods and goddesses to show you in this month's Spotlight Story section.

Ava brings us a real life love story of Iceeee and her SL turned RL romance. She also did a story about the Moulin Rouge, which many of you know is the place that absorbed the employees from Frank's Jazz after they closed.

I really hope you enjoy this issue.

Editor’s Note

Well, it's another February and for me, that means my birthday. This is a bit of a monumental one as I am now half a century old. I never thought this day would come. It sounds so ANCIENT. I still feel like I did when I was 18, in my head anyway. Physically...well, that's another matter altogether -- but I digress.

Fashion Editor’s Note

Greetings and Salutations Dear Readers: Believe it or not, I am not in the majority of little chubby cupid haters.

Sorry to disappoint with that shocking bit of information. I am actually, personally fond of this sentimental time of year. I enjoy all the red, pink, white, purple, glitter, confetti, and lets not forget chocolate everywhere.

Though really, Feb. 15th should be the holiday for half off candies. Don't get me wrong, I totally used to be the type to remind everyone of all the great massacres, tragedies and mayhem Valentine’s Day has historically been known for. One fateful day, six years ago, over blueberry pancakes and messes up to my elbows that all changed. Then, that day became my "wedding anniversary,” so I am a fan and supporter. in this issue, we do get to bring you some fun off color fashion choices this month. The powers that be are not fans of cute, over the top cheese fest celebrations of the "season,” and I can not say President’s Day makes a fun fashion statement to play with, at least not one they would have let me get away with.

So instead, we bring some nightmarish first dates, and an age-old, tried and true battle of the sexes. Because let's face it, that tale is as old as time and maybe space itself. We have some very interesting things coming up in the world of fashion since L’Amour is right in the thick of MMI 2020, which I have been honored to and enjoying judging people, well I mean more than normal, actually doing it the proper way. We are also getting ready to move forward with some new, never before seen secret projects with Home and Garden as long as I don't forget the film for the camera we should be good there.

Until next time, if you are alone, together, or with your furbabies keeping warm - remember love yourself first above all.

Namaste

Table of Contents

24 Spotlight Story - Gods and Goddesses Check out love the divine way with our warring gods and goddesses piece

36 Editorial - Worst First Date The L’Amour Diversity Models take us on an adventure of worst first dates

58 Letting Go of a Sister - Sidney Abbott A tribute to a fabulous woman who will be dearly missed.

72 A Second Life Love Story Ava brings us the SL turned RL romance of Iceeee and Adam.

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76 Living in Bellisseria Trinity Aironaut shares her experience of living in Linden Labs’ Bellisseria community

88 Moulin Rouge Ava Jhamin brings us an interview with the staff of Moulin Rouge

100 Home & Garden Expo

The inside information on this year’s Home & Garden Expo

110 L’Amour Chronicles Ava brings us an interview with MMI COO Cyberdawg Foxclaw

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Spotlight Story

The Battle of Mars vs. Venus Tis the season to be freezing... Well, in some parts of the world that is. But it is also the season we here at Diversity, through our fashion art pieces, are celebrating an age-old tradition...

The Battle of Mars vs. Venus.

That's right, we brought you a visual love is a battlefield representation of the masculine against the feminine in the form of divine dance of "Mack" combat. We get to see the goddess Freya, Nott, Frigga and Nefertiti square off against the gods Anubis, Korolkov-belbog and Krishna. Maybe pantheons and traditions facing each other in a flurry of might and light.

You will have to see if you can decide who won, or if it was, as has always been, through the ages at an impasse... because yin cannot exist without yang, after all.

Richard De Grataine Suoh (RichardGrataineSuoh) Viana De Grataine (Curiosse)

By: Nani Xue

Worst First Date

As you wonderful Diversity readers know we like to push the envelope a little bit every now and then as we bring you our look through the fashion scope lens. This month is no different, but it certainly was a quiver of arrows for me! Which is better than cherries and bowls cause I do not like them. At any rate this time around we get to see from the fairer sexes point of view what happens when you perhaps get set up on a date you already know you do NOT want to go for round two. We have some hysterical takes on the worst first dates for your viewing pleasure.

We bring you everything ranging from ladies who are just the all around bad girl you wont take home to mom, to girls who left rollers in their hair and smoke

poured from their lips. Lounge acts who didn't even bother getting dressed to tell their dates no, a less than glowing mom to be and a bit of perfectly cute but clearly crazy as the day is long. Not to mention a literal heart taker.

We as always want to thank Poses with Attitude for providing all of our editorial poses, and the Models themselves for choosing their own hot-mess styling this time around.

Amanda Sicard (Magic1Lady)

Jan Bacon (Jan1Ying)

Jude Tatham

Nani Xue

Resmay Bloodstorm (meishagirl)

Viana (Curiosse)

Vickie Maidstone

People & Community

Letting go of a sister 58

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When you are a part of an online community like Second Life, you form very real bonds with the people you choose to make a part of your experience. Anyone that has been close to someone in Second Life that has a chronic illness knows, even when you know the road the friend you love must take is finite, you are still never prepared when the time comes. It feels like a kick in the stomach, the pain, and can make you say, “why Lord did you take her?” But I always say and I mean it, I believe God puts people in our path for a reason,

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and I thank God every day for giving us Sidney Abbott, she truly was an angel.

I remember meeting Sidney Abbott at a Classic With Style Event that my daughter Nickle Sparrowtree was in.

My first impression of Sidney was, she was one heck of a classy lady.

Overtime, I got to know Sidney more and just loved her. She was always there helping others, and was willing to put aside her pain, and her own personal struggles to help others.

Sidney never really talked about her

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real life struggles, that just wasn't her.

She didn't want pity. She just wanted to be there for the models and staff of Audace and its owner, DebbieDoo Tigerfish.

Sidney was unique and special to me.

She was the voice of reason. She was the one that would always tell me when people would spread rumors about me, “you don't know them Ava, and they don't know you, so why shed a tear?” Both Sidney and Liberty Lighthouse honored me with the title of sister, and I cherish them both in that role.

pieces, not because I am sad for me, it’s because she was my friend. Just think, with all her awful, terrible and painful suffering, and her inability to go out, or do all those lovely things, that she enjoyed so much, that she was always so cheerful and fun when she was online with us all. I know I could not have acted with the grace and dignity that she did.

She will inspire me until I take my last breath. I do not wish for the things she had to suffer on anyone, it was truly horrible. I try my hardest to be strong and move on, but this last bit of news has truly broken my heart.

In this tribute article to the woman we The lady who told me, did the right all knew as Sidney Abbott, I would like thing, and I love her dearly for it. It took a lot for her to tell me, and I will to share some thoughts from her SL always love her for this. I simply had friends and family. to know.

First, I want to open with DebbieDoo Audace was all about Sidney, and I Tigerfish’s letter to the models and once told her without her, there is staff of Audace right after we all no Audace. Of course that is true, learned Sidney had passed: but we are also about her memory.

So Audace lives on and is so much Hi lovelies, A dear friend of Sidney’s, told me new better for having her as part of the adventure. things about the way that she was suffering, that I cannot imagine. I am I just cannot bring myself to think not going to break my promise and tell you what I now know, but believe about anything else now, and as a result, I think we use the next three me, Sidney did not have a dignified months to really make what we have last year, it was a nightmare mixture special. In those 3 months we will of pain and other horrors that just plan and practice to make things kept coming and coming. It was 1 million times worse than I could ever better but let’s just close shows and the school for a short period to get have imagined. It’s difficult to think ourselves through this. For now that she is in a better place now. though, I am so stunned, as indeed we Indeed, she is, but why did she have all are. to suffer so much?

It has broken my heart into a million

I am so lucky to have friends like

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Sidney, who are so dignified and lovely, despite suffering so horribly in RL. Nina and Maggie, Mary and Zee, that's you. I am lucky to have friends like Jasmine, who is such fun, and keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Sheila keeps me thinking about pizza, and Zed about cheesecakes too. Others like Alexa and Ash have faced horrific challenges in RL, yet they are so kind. Lydia is an inspiration with her amazing sons and they will grow up and become young men, who will love their mum and make her so proud of them. The worst thing I ever did was cycle into a hole and break some bones, not exactly bad. We also have Vicky, who makes me laugh so much and makes SL truly lovely. Love you all so very much.

Love, Sophie DebbieDoo Tigerfish: I am going to write these few paragraphs as if I am talking directly to my friend Sidney.

Sidney, you have always laughed at how I tell you the way we met when we were at that CWS show, and you won. You won a place at the CWS school, where I first got to know you, and became your teacher and friend.

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You laugh because that is not how we met, and tell me I am remembering someone else. I wonder who I was talking about, and cannot remember how we met and became friends.

I am going to treasure that false memory as it is always something we laughed about.

So, my lovely, let me not talk about the last moments, the sad ones, which leave me empty, the fact that we will never hear each other’s voices again, or will ever have the pleasure of seeing each other come online.

I want to talk about all the fun times, so many that I could go on for hours.

The way you would tell me about your mad parrot, and the birds in your garden, and your amazing hubby. We also would love to talk about how I see you as living in paradise with Flipper the dolphin, and the manatee thing, that you often see.

The loveliest thing is how we say goodnight. I will always tell you that I love you more than..and then, make something up like, “I love you more than Sausages and gravy,” and you would tell me you love me more than apple pie, although only just, as you love apple pie so much. I know you are now in a lovely place my Traci and

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are suffering no more. I so so so miss everything about you but will never miss the memories I have of you. You are now like the birds in your garden, so fly freely into the sunset Traci, and please put in a good word with God for me, as I am hoping to come visit you when my day comes. Until that day Traci, I will never forget you...and my love and admiration for you will never fail to glow and warm my heart, love from your Sophie..xxoox I don't need a special day, to bring you to mind. the days I do not think of you, are very hard to find.

Each morning that I wake, I know you are gone.

My thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill.

In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still.

I took parts of this from an unknown author. To me this fits Sidney very well. If you knew her and were close to her, you'd know what I'm talking about.

I don't think she ever knew a stranger. Once you met her you were her friend, until you stepped on her the wrong way, then the wrath of God would come down. But, if you got that, you knew that in a few days when things had settled down, she would forgive you. I will miss her terribly even though we fought like sisters. Both of us are very strong headed. But we cared for each other like we were actually family. We would laugh and cry at the same time. She could be so funny sometimes. For a

long time when she voiced, she would cut out and I would only hear a few words. She would tell me "I never have any trouble talking to anyone except you," it was always me. But one day she found out that she hadn't plugged her mic in right, and we laughed and laughed.

Another time we were each doing an outfit for a show and were voicing and carrying on and we both deleted our homes at the same time. The memories I have of you, Sidney will never go away. What a wonderful, fun and caring person you were, Sidney.

You will stay in my heart forever and someday, someday we will meet again. - DebbieDoo

Kiraalyn: It's been a long time since I modeled with Sidney or did a fashion show.

I took a three-year break from SL after my Dad passed away. But when I came back, I saw Sidney was in-

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world so I said hello to her. We spoke for a few minutes and she was so kind, like she always was. She truly listened to people without judgment.

Sidney always was a lady, and she could model and style better than all models. She did her styling to perfection.

I remember we were in a contest for Lilli Lou's and our last challenge was styling a gown out of all the other outfits we had styled throughout the previous challenges. I was so confident that I would win until I saw Sidney. Out of the five of us left, she not only did the best with her styling, but she also deserved to win. And win she did.

peace, and we know she is in a better place. She will be missed.

Zee Zee: My fond, everlasting and endearing memories of dearest Sidney; I remember you as a cousin, mother and grandmother. I first got to know you as Naomi when I was a brand new model and came to Audace.

We were like cousins; seeing and chatting with each other every day it seems -- comparing stylings and flying off, window shopping, oohing and aahing at all the lovely clothes and accessories.

To me, you metamorphosed into Sidney at Audace. You were the Sidney was special. She never complained about her life or said she matriarch of Audace, raising the bar. was sick or in pain. May Sidney rest in You held very successful monthly,

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themed styling challenges and annual pageants. You attracted top models for awesome fashion shows that you produced. I remember well, when there were 73 people present at one show.

Like a mother, you encouraged and watched me mature. You freely scolded me if I stepped out of line.

You got me so upset on one occasion, that I “ran away” and literally dropped all my friends and left second life. But as a good caring mother, you brought me back, to mature.

I assisted you with shows, and you cautiously began sharing your real-life hardships with Type One Diabetes and the side effects. Like a grandmother, you had the sweetest loving voice ever, and you hid from me and others the true pain you were suffering towards the end. But you, in your clever and caring way, managed to subtly arrange for your legacy to carry on.

Your love and memories live in my heart, and you are now enjoying eternal peace.

friends and us, long talks. You told me often about you being a diabetic and how dangerous it could be.

I never thought it could be this bad. I never thought we had to miss you so early. It was an honor to know you, dear friend and I will never forget you.

Who knows, we can come live in Second life after we're gone?

Wouldn’t this be great? Build again, with all the friends our paradise as we like.

A big hug Sis, and it’s not the end. We will meet again... love you a lot, Sis! Jack Rock: An amazing and beautiful person.

Sidney was not only my SL mum but a best friend, inspiration and so much more to me. Sidney was one of my first mentors and directors from my very early days in SL, and from the first time we met I felt a special bond and looked up to her like so many others.

If you’ve had the pleasure to meet Please now, enjoy dancing and singing and work with her you know she put with the angels, as you watch over us. all her efforts into everything but was always there with love and support Lin Carlucci: for whoever needed it. Sidney was an amazing person and a pleasure Message to Sidney: to work with. Her productions were always very well coordinated, amazing Sweet Sidney, I thank SL for meeting and fun. She will be missed so much a nice woman like you. We had often by so many. our moments together as sisters, best I miss you mum. It was such a friends because you said we were the same. So true; Modeling, art, our pleasure and I am honoured to have L’Amour Diversity Magazine | Issue 28, February 2020

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had you in my SL life. It’s still surreal that you are no longer with us but I know it is a better place where you are now. My thoughts and condolences are with your family and pets. I am grateful to have known you, you will be forever in my heart and the memories of you will live on inside me and many others

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So, we say at last to Sidney Abbott....Rest in peace sweet, sweet woman, and know even though you are now in the kingdom of the Lord Almighty, that here you will be missed and never forgotten.

Thank you to all those who contributed to this special goodbye.

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I love more than anything to hear about love stories in SL. Boy meets girl, they fall in love and take it to real life. But I really love it when it's someone I know. I don't even remember when I met Icceee (icemint.haven), I just know as long as I have been on SL, she has been around and in my life.

Most people in real life look at Second Life truly like a game, but the real-life couples, who build lives together on the grid and then carry that over to real-life are some of the best couples I have seen. I think what people don't realize is that Second Life is all about communication and communication is the foundation to any good relationship. Keep communication strong and you will have a longlasting marriage.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting her guy Adam Rousselot until now, and from what I have seen so far, he is perfect for Iceeee. I sat down with Adam and Iceee to hear their love story.

When I asked them how they got started in SL, Adam told me, “friends put my wife into the world, who then passed it on to me. Iceee said, “my late husband told me about SL, because I used to play the Sims, so, I decided to venture in and I’m still here today. Adam told me that he used to camp

When Love Finds You In SL

for Lindens when he first started SL and now he DJs and enjoys playing Tiny Empires, an in-world mini-game that uses a HUD. Iceee started hosting and eventually became a model. Now she is the General Manager for two venues.

They both tell me that neither of them was initially looking for love on Second Life. Iceee says, “I was married in real life. But when my husband passed, after 2 years I wasn't looking for it, but it just happened.” They both tell me that one day they agreed to meet for coffee and the relationship grew from there. Adam says, “I just knew. Some things just work that way.”

Many couples that try to cross over their Second Life relationships into real-life find that they run into problems at times. Adam and Iceee say they have not had any issues and Iceee says, “both of us being from the UK helps.” Iceee tells us that Adam had moved to her place and they are engaged to be married Sept 4, 2020. Adam says, “Iceee has agreed to marry me in RL, which I ask her every day and that makes me a happy man.”

The truly sweet part of this story is that they both tell me they knew from the moment they saw each other that they had met “the one.”

By: Ava Jhamin

Out on the Grid

Living in Bellisseria

By: Trinity Aironaut

My name is Trinity Aironaut and I am a designer, builder, and resident of Linden land and have been for quite some time.

When the new homes were revealed at the Christmas Expo 2019, I went over and checked them out. Then, I took my guy over there, Shocker Munro, who also felt the homes were great and amazing and we decided we had to have one. Shocker and I have been living in Bellisseria since the traditional houses opened to

residents as part of the premium member package last year. We have been very happy there. The traditional homes were wonderful, but the brand-new Victorian houses were even better! They truly wowed us.

We have always loved the sense of community Bellisseria offers and with the opening of the Victorian area, the landscaping has delighted us. We moved to the Victorian areas once it was released and were impressed with the size of the new houses and

the expanded decorating choices they Linden Labs really has stepped up to the plate and I can’t wait to see what offer. they come up with next!

Everywhere we look has a beautiful view and the standards set by Linden Labs ensure that the areas will never look like regular mainland. We also love the open air and water Linden Labs offers to sail or fly in. In all honesty, I think the reason Shock got a premium membership was to live on this amazing premium continent.

I would say for myself and my guy,

IF IT IS SPECIAL TO YOU, IT'S SPECIAL TO OUR STAFF

B Y : A V A

J H AMIN

Moulin

ROUGE palais BALLROOM

THE BALLROOM

IS ALWAYS

OPEN.

FOR DANCING AND PUBLIC ENJOYMENT, OFFERING COSTUME BALLS, THEMED EVENTS, CONTESTS, THEATRE PRODUCTIONS & SO MUCH MORE.

The Palais Ballroom at Moulin Rouge - offers entertainment in the form of costume balls, themed costume events, contests, theatre productions, live musicians from all over the world, and so much more. The ballroom is always open for dancing and public enjoyment. A staff member can be paged at any time to tend to your every whim.

XANTHIA LISLE SHE AND HER TROUPE CAN PERFORM ANY OF THEIR SHOWS AT YOUR VENUE OR CUSTOMIZE A SHOW AROUND A THEME YOU PROVIDE!

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ALLOW US TO HELP YOU MAKE A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES

02

01

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (SPECIAL EVENTS)

CAFÉ DE LA PAIX CONTACT CELESTINE BARCELOS

Are you looking for a romantic place to plan a date night for your special person? A place that will pamper and treat you like royalty? Make a reservation for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Proposals, Engagements, if you consider it special, so do we, and will make it an event to remember. Allow us to help you make a lifetime of memories right here at the Café de Paix.

MR OF SL

Planning events can be stressful, Moulin Rouge has the solution for de-stressing, we have a wedding and event planner on site just for you. Are you planning a wedding or other special ceremony or event?

A WHIRLWIND OF ENTERTAINMENT 03

MOULIN ROUGE CONCERT SERIES

The Moulin Rouge Theatre

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Featuring a wide variety of live theatre shows not to be missed.

The most unique and creative in SL, we are the longest running and performing theatre and dance troupe in SL, and winner and nominee of several AVI Choice Awards. Live shows are every Saturday Night at 7pm SLT (and the occasional Sunday matinee at 12pm SLT.

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The Most Unique & Creative in SL

Acco r Avi Cding to hoic e

The title of this story is a Whirlwind Of Entertainment and this is so true that I can’t wrap my head around all that the Moulin Rouge (MR) and their incredible staff do.

For this article, I will interview many people with different parts from the MR staff.

MOULIN ROUGE MALL

Kingston Martian, came to Second Life after watching a program about it on TV. In his time on Second Life, he has enjoyed many aspects of life on the grid. He says, “I have roleplayed in different types of environments.

Approximately seven yrs ago, I came to the MR, where I started making videos of the shows. I have also DJ’d in clubs throughout SL, as well as parties for individuals.

OUTDOOR VENUE

Owner, Xanthia Lisle comes from a background of dance and theatre in real life and has brought that knowledge with her into Second Life.

She started dancing from the age of eight with ballet, tap, modern and jazz. Later, she naturally transitioned to Latin style dancing as a result of her love with Latin culture and language.

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KINGSTON & CELESTINE

I started DJing the Moulin Rouge Theater dance shows and I am now a co-owner of the Moulin Rouge, stage manager, security, teacher, builder, day-today operations and am responsible for hiring new dancers, staff, and DJs -- and any other hat that needs to be worn”

She was in Abranimations looking for some dances and one of the dancers from MR was in there and they started talking during the course of the conversation, the dancer invited her to the show.

Lara says, “I went to watch the show and was hooked... it was amazing and looked like so much fun, so I applied and Xan hired me as a dancer.”

During this time, Lara became “SL homeless” and she says, “Kingston and Xan took me in, gave me a place to call home with them, made me a part of their family, adopted me and haven’t been able to get rid of me since.”

PALAIS BALLROOM

General Manager, Lara Martian, originally came to SL in 2008 and ended up in Gor, of all places. After a few years because of some circumstances beyond her control laraesa/Lara was born. Lara found the Moulin Rouge around 2013.

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MOULIN ROUGE BURLESQUE

MOULIN ROUGE STAFF

THE MOULIN ROUGE Lara tells us that “when Xan first hired me as a dancer, I had no idea how to do any of it, I just knew I wanted to do what they were doing, I wanted to be like the amazing dancers I was seeing. I had zero building skills at the time, of course had no clue how to do even the basics of choreography. I knew how to get dressed and that was it. But Kingston, my daddy, and Xan took me under their wings and taught me. I know if it weren't for them, I wouldn't know anything about building and choreography like I do now seven or so years later.”

MR. She says, “I loved it there, it quickly became like my second home and family. I worked my way up from Hostess, to Host Manager, then Sr Manager, then to Asst GM.” Lara was also the GM over the FEG Galleria shops and did themed event and holiday decorating for Frank's and the Galleria and assisted at Bogart’s as needed.

In late 2017, when Deyna decided to step down because she had met the love of her life and was taking it to RL, was when LaraI was promoted to the GM position, and when Nanceee Sinatra learned that she had building and decorating skills she trusted Lara to handle all the decorating for seasonal, holiday and special event decorating and set-ups for Frank's, When Lara began the Galleria and dancing at MR, she became friends with one Bogarts. of the other dancers.

“She saw that I loved Deyna Broek who was building and decorating also the GM at Frank's and did a good job at Jazz Place. Through it, so she allowed me to her she applied to be a spread my wings even hostess at Frank's and started working there in more in this regard which honed my skills in addition to dancing at

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this area. She gave me many tips and advice on building, as well as advice on how to be the best GM I could be. She wasn't just a "boss”, she

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I loved it there, it quickly became like my second home and family.

was a friend as well.”

Lara shares with us that “my time at Frank's in all the positions I have filled was some of my

best memories I have in SL. Yes, there were some bumps in the road here and there, but the people I met

from all over the world, the friends I made, the Frank's family that became my second SL family...all the good times and all the memories I have are irreplaceable to say the least.”

“When Nanceee decided to focus more on RL and close Frank's, it was a very sad time for me and for so many of us.

Although we wish her and Eric nothing but the best, we all hate to see her go and Frank's Jazz along with her. It’s been a mainstay for so many people for so many years and it will be sorely missed.”

Next on the staff for the Moulin Rouge I talked with Celestine Barcelos. Here is what Celestine has to say, “When first life fails you and you need a creative outlet you start looking for something to do. An online gamer friend of mine, mentioned Second Life. I came onto Second Life to meet people and learn new ways to show my creative side.”

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Celestine tells us she “spent five years of College Art and I wanted to try new things. Spent years building items, clothes, pictures and then moved to dance and set building. I have loved the challenge and new things that come with it. I can be who I want, build what I want and express my passions in new ways. I love Moulin Rouge, it's my home.”

to sit down with Patrick and pick his own brain on all he does with Moulin Rouge.

I asked Patrick the question I ask everyone, how did he find Second Life.

He told me, “My wife (Addi.Ohare) and I came originally from another virtual world known as Utherverse. She knew of Second Life via other friends and asked me to come explore with her in 2014. At first, we treated Second Life While her real Life mom is also on as a "vacation getaway" until we finally Second Life, Celestine says, “I have decided to move here permanently another family here. King, Xan and Lara have become my family and just because there was so much to see like family, we squabble at times, but and do and we loved it here too then we always end up working it out. much.”

I wouldn't know what to do without Patrick told me that when they first Moulin and my King.” came to Second Life, they began to explore around the grid and Next, I talked with Patrick, who does “stumbled onto the rich diverse the live concerts. I got the chance

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nature of music in so many forms; Rock, Pop, Blues, Jazz, Country and to top it off, live singers which blew us away many times over.” They are both DJs, so, they decided to “tip our virtual toes into the pool and soon got work DJing the romantic sets at Frank's Elite as well as various venues to get a rich blend of different genres” Patrick also tells us that, “my wife added into her designing styles by providing clothing and other items into our store, Simply Chic Boutique.”

I asked Patrick to share a bit about what he does for the Moulin Rouge with his concerts and he told me, “This leans back to my helping carry the torch of a fabulous DJ that passed away back in Sept 2019, DJ Jay Jones, who really spearheaded the group that came to be known as The Usual

Suspects. I became a part of the group as a band member and was a friend of Jay’s. Not long before his passing, he asked me for a more regular role to help do one set per month so I did.”

“Over the course of over a year, I did my best along with my band members to make it come to life in Frank's Elites "Concerts Under The Stars (C.U.T.S)".

When Frank’s officially closed their doors, as we shared with you in the December issue of Diversity, the staff and DJs have been asked to help carry the tradition of concerts under the Moulin Rouge banner.

At MR, Patrick and his wife created a new group called Platinum Entertain Group (P.E.G.) and one of their founding members, Whill Robertson, formed "The Good Timers.” Patrick

tells us that they do everything from Rock, Country and Pop, to Blues and Jazz at their concerts and that their concerts are scheduled weekly, each Friday evening starting at 7pm SLT and last anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours.

This is far from making any slight to the others around but this one truly is remarkable.”

I asked Patrick what his favorite shows he has performed are and he said, “my three favorites are Michael Buble, Queen and Coldplay. Doing Michael Buble is very satisfying for I asked Patrick to share with us their so many reasons but I can identify process of choosing which concerts with the artist's style which catches to perform and he said, “with the help of both P.E.G. and Moulin Rouge the audience so well and my wife also adores his works... I’m going staff, we put ideas through as to to date myself a bit here and say which styles of concerts would be that I loved doing Queen because worthwhile to help promote Moulin it reconnects me with that classic Rouge and to keep people coming back for more. This can include many 80s vibe in my high school days and Coldplay because the blend of upbeat genres, from acapella and heavenly melodic rhythms strikes a chord in me voices to standards of the day with mentally and it was part of a tribute to romantic undertones and upcoming styles.” While Patrick said that they do Jay Jones’ passing.” not currently do private concerts, it has been an idea they have discussed recently and that they are “flexible to be available depending on people’s needs, so never say never.”

Patrick says that his satisfaction on SL and from working at the Moulin Rouge stems from “the hope that the audience and the band enjoy the concert and want to come back for more again and again and that they appreciate the rich high-quality concert as well as the visual tapestry of the stage.” Patrick told me what sets the Moulin Rouge apart from other venues is “the depth and visual acuity that brings the stage to life makes it quite magical for both the band members as well as the crowd goers at large. It can be tailored to fit the needs to something very grand to something so intimate and charming.

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The Moulin Rouge Revue's home is the Original Moulin Rouge of SL. Xanthia tells us she and her troupe can perform any of the above at your venue “or customize a show around a theme you provide! We also do private parties, weddings, birthdays, etc.

Please ask us to customize an event for you! Contact us for booking rates.”

Aside from being one of the most impressive structures in Second Life, MR is the home of artists, thinkers, lovers, dreamers, poets, and thespians. The most impressive of all, are the MR patrons, who are some of the most imaginative and friendly people in SL. The atmosphere of MR is as dynamic as the people who call it home. The island features everything you could possibly need for a vacation, romantic outing with a loved one, a wild night on the town, shopping sprees, interaction, and so much more.

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February 13, 2020 - March 4, 2020 Home & Garden Expo is the biggest event on the grid supporting relay for life. I have been involved with Home & Garden for the last three years and I think what they do is extraordinary. Unless you have experienced Second Life, it’s hard to understand the fascination with it, but the passion some of the citizens of SL have for charity, and all the work volunteers put into this event, in particular, is mind-boggling.

Just as cancer does not discriminate based upon nationality, neither does H&G or Relay for Life. Each year, more than four million people in 26 countries take part in Relay For Life, uniting communities and taking action against cancer. In 2019, more than $400 million dollars was raised.

Relay For Life of Second Life is an annual fundraising event that takes place in the virtual world of Second Life. Volunteers form or join teams to have fun while fundraising and raising awareness from mid-March through mid-July. In July teams build campsites and walk a track, just like a real-world relay.

About the American Cancer Society: For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together with our global partners and millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society carries out its mission to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives, and Lead the Fight for a World Without Cancer.

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For More Information: http://relayforlifeofsecondlife.org/ http://www.cancer.org/ Share this: Twitter Facebook The people behind the scenes making it all happen are: Kaerri (kaerri.rae) - Main Organizer Allie (allieKat44) - Organizer/Website Plato Novo - Organizer Ava Jhamin - Fashion Show Director Mike (Mike8774) - Organizer/Bloggers OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul) - Entertainment Organizer Crito Galtier - Organizer of exploding stuff Adonis Lubomir - Gacha Rockstar Cain Maven - Duck.

Saffia Widdershins - Talks Dee (deann.defaux) - Duck Herder

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Classes As most years before, we will offer various sorts of classes at the Expo. The classes will be related to the Expo’s theme, but will not be restricted to building.

One of the things that we most enjoy offering at the RFL Home & Garden Expo each year is the schedule of classes for everyone in whatever areas of interest there might be, not only for builders but for the everyday SL resident who just wants to learn how to cope a little easier in this virtual world.

While we do offer classes in simple building projects just for you to have fun with, we also include things from inventory organization to dealing with lag, to the easiest way to move your furniture around in the living room to digging a hole in your front lawn, and more.

RFL Home & Garden Expo. We look forward to seeing you there!

Some New Is Added to Home & Garden Expo 2020

Wearable Art Awards of Second Life Competition And the Fashion Mall The Wearable Art Awards of Second Life Competition is an opportunity for designers to create the unimaginable, to challenge the conventional, and defy creative expectations. For designers, Wearable Art Awards of Second Life offers not only prize money but also profile and promote your work, as well as networking opportunities.

Whether you’re entering to progress yourself professionally or simply looking for a creative challenge, The Wearable Art Awards of second Life is a wonderful platform to push the limits of your imagination and creativity. Each year we will ask designers to be inspired by one of the four worlds that will make up the Wearable Art Awards of Second Life. There will be two recurring sections each year, Architecture and Avant Garde. The two unique sections for Wearable Art Award Inspiration Categories: Architecture Avant-Garde Lighting Landscape Each of the inspiration categories/classes will have a winner chosen, who will receive $4,000L as well as a trophy. Finally, there will be a Supreme Trophy awarded to the overall winner of all categories, who will receive an additional $4,000L.

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Linden prizes are per category not per designer, and they will be split evenly in event of a collaboration but each designer will get individual trophies.

Garments will be judged with equal weighting across five criteria: Artistic Vision: Articulated inspiration or narrative in your Artist Statement The synergy between your artwork and your Artist Statement Creativity and Originality: Use of traditional techniques in a non-traditional way The presentation of unconventional ideas.

Innovative Use of Materials: The innovation, manipulation and transformation of materials Quality of Craftsmanship and Construction: Excellence in form and technique.

Visual Impact: Level of visual impact from all angles.

Wearable Arts Design Exhibitor Space Application The Expo hunt The Expo hunt runs across all the 10 Hope sims, and there is no particular order. Hunt gifts cost 10L each, with 100% donation to RFL. Gacha Arcades ~ 1 of 2 gacha buildings is located on Hope 3‌ the other being on Hope 7 50% of all proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society through the Home & Garden Relay for Life Team.

There will be a ton going on everyday from 2/13/20 through 3/4/20 so come on down everyone on the grid for some great fun, and to raise much needed money for Relay For Life, and the American Cancer Society.

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L’

The premise of the L’Amour Chronicles is to highlight someone from the staff of L'Amour, so that the readers of Second Life can get to know them and see where they fit in the companies of L'Amour.

I remember how tough it was when I had to let go of my previous COO and that I was resolved to the fact that it would just be me. But Cyberdawg stepped up to the plate from the get go. It's odd how someone can step up and have all the strengths for your weaknesses and vice versa. In our sixth year of MMI, we are now like a well-oiled machine.

This particular individual truly has become what embodies Mr. & Miss Model International, Cyberdawg Foxclaw is the COO of MMI. Cyberdawg competed in the first year Ava: How did you find the beautiful of Mr. & Miss Model International and amazing world of SL? was crowned 1st runner up.

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’Amour Chronicles: Cyberdawg Foxclaw

By: Ava Jhamin Cy: I had read an article about a couple who had met in this virtual world called second life and was curious, so I looked it up, created an avatar and I've been here ever since.

Cy: The first thing I tried my hand at was building. I found I wasn't all that good at it, but I enjoyed doing it, so I spent many happy hours in sandboxes or at home just making random things.

Ava: How long have you been in Second Life, Cy?

I sold a few of those things in the first incarnation of the marketplace, but Cy: I have been in SL since May, 2009, haven't done that in years. I enjoyed wandering the grid as well, gaining so I'm pretty old. inspiration from and an appreciation Ava: What are some of the things that for the skill some of the residents here you liked to do when you first started very obviously possess.

Second Life?

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Cy: I entered MMI in its first year, back in 2015. Looking back, that feels like a lifetime ago! I had been out of Cy: There really isn't a lot to tell. I'm a SL and hadn't done any modeling in a rather private person and tend to stay couple years, and was curious to see where my skills stacked up against the to myself a lot. I guess most would current crop of models, and how far say I'm an introvert. About a year after I came to be, I discovered there I'd get in a big competition, was a lack of male models in SL, and So I entered and the experience decided to try my hand at modeling. was simultaneously enlightening, frustrating, fulfilling and nerveI entered a few competitions, won wracking. I think the best thing that a few minor titles for stores and Ava: Can you tell the readers of SL a little bit about who Cy is?

agencies and such, but ultimately decided competing for titles just isn't my favorite thing to do, but I loved runway work. Ten years later, I'm still here, although I don't walk many runways any more.

came from MMI was the friendships I formed as the competition progressed. It was heartwarming to see people willing to help each other and see each other more as comrades than rivals.

Ava: You were amazing as a contestant of MMI Cy. Can you tell the readers of Second Life, what you remember about your experience, and why you chose to compete in MMI?

No, it wasn't all sunshine and roses 24/7, but it was definitely worthwhile, and I feel I became a better person and a better model for having done it.

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hard to swallow. No model wants to be told they're anything but perfect, but looking back at it several months later, there was validity in most of it, and it did have the effect of pushing me to work harder, if only to prove them wrong.

Ava: What made you decide to take on the COO of MMI position?

Cy: After MMI was over, those of us who were in the top 5 were invited to

serve on the MMI Board of Directors, and I was so impressed with the integrity and transparency of the competition that I wanted to be a part of it, so I signed on to the board and did what I could the next year.

the position to me, I accepted, and the rest is proverbial history.

Ava: Thank you Cy, we have the best fit of anyone I have ever worked with, business-wise and personally. MMI wouldn’t be MMI without you, and I truly believe that in my heart. You are the ying to my yang.

Can you tell us, what has been the greatest joy of being COO of MMI? Cy: You know, every year we say

we're not doing this again, but every year, the feedback we get from the contestants makes us remember just why we do what we do.

I think the greatest thing for me is seeing the growth in everyone who competes - in particular of those who Being a very detail-oriented person, maybe haven't ever modeled before. taking on the compilation of judges' Watching them blossom and discover scores, and preparing note cards for contestants and such was a natural fit skills and abilities they maybe didn't know they had, is what keeps me for me. I'd found my niche, so when coming back year after year.

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Ava: What has been the hardest thing met so many people from so many countries and cultures, it really is about being COO of MMI? amazing. I also love the creativity I see everywhere I look.

Cy: I think my biggest frustration is seeing people quit before they've What I don't like so much is seeing even given themselves - or the competition - a real chance. It's hard people being cruel or deceitful to for me to comprehend why someone others because they think SL is just a game and they're just pixels on a would enter a competition and then screen. People need to remember quit before it's really even begun, there is another human being behind as they truly are doing themselves a huge disservice. If they stay, they may that avatar they're having a go at, and

SL is no game. It's real people, with or may not learn a thing or two, but one is guaranteed to learn nothing by real feelings, operating in a threedimensional social network. quitting.

Ava: What are two things about Second Life that you love, and two things about Second Life that you don't like so much?

Cy: What I love about SL is the diversity. We have residents here from all over the world, and I have

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The other thing I don't like so much is rather superficial, but I don't like that women have 500% more options than men do when it comes to clothing.

Let's get some more good menswear out there! Men shop too!

Ava: Okay, Cy, I must laugh, but I’m

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Cy: Thank you, Ava. It's been a pleasure working with you these past five years, and I'm more than proud to call you my friend. We may not always see eye to eye, but we make Thank you, Cyberdawg for sitting it work, and I look forward to many down with me, and being so candid more years of doing just that. and honest in your responses, so Ava: I agree there too, Cy. I have a lot the readers of Diversity can get to of people I know, but I can truly count know you a bit. I appreciate it. You truly have set the bar for anyone that on one hand the ones I trust with my heart, soul, all of it. You are my best works with L'Amour. I know right now, you're right in the thick of things friend, and I literally would say if I had to choose to die and push you out of with MMI, so I appreciate you taking the way of a bus in RL...I would. the time to talk to me. in total agreement with you there, I would never have a male AV for that very reason.

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CREATIVE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS GRAPHICS Magazine Layout by Rienna no Ouji Pgs 88-93 use a template from https://graphicriver.net/user/boxedcreative PHOTOGRAPHY Photos by Ava Jhamin (88-97, 100-103) Photos by Nani Xue (Cover, 4-5, 8-9, 12-13, 24-31, 38-51) Photos by Triniy Aironaut (76-83) Courtesy of Jack Rock (58-59, 66-67) Courtesy of Audace (60-65) Courtesy of icemint.haven (72-73) Courtesy of Kody Meyer (110-111)

OTHER IMAGES 36-37 Image by (Instagram)cdd20 https://pixabay.com/illustrations/painting-creativity-boy-girl-4812491/

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The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher. ÂŽ2019 L'Amour Productions. All rights reserved.

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