PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Reign Congrejo
Arya Braveheart
Cara Paine
Coco St. George
Compe Lockwood
Gin Blade
Jamee Sandalwood
Némesis
Reign Congrejo
Stevie Basevi
LAYOUT
Viktor Serrao
COVER PHOTO
Jamee Sandalwood
COVER MODELS
Jan Bacon
Nemesis
Arya Braveheart
July is here, and in Second Life, that means one thing: it’s beach season! Time to soak up some virtual sun, ride the waves, and feel the sand between your toes. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore the stunning sights of Second Life, dive into fun activities, and finally show off that fabulous new swimsuit.
So, slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, and come along as we tour some of the most amazing beaches Second Life has to offer!
Discover pure tranquility at Big Sky Over Florence, a serene coastal retreat where the calming sounds of the ocean invite you to unwind on pristine white sand beaches. This lovely spot offers ample public spaces perfect for gathering with friends or indulging your passion for photography amidst an abundance of picturesque views. Everyone is welcome to simply enjoy the peace and tranquility and truly relax in this beautiful setting.
Escape to Luanes World - Le Monde Perdu Summer, a truly photogenic and romantic seasonal island designed for ultimate relaxation and inner peace. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, this serene destination offers a tranquil retreat where you can unwind and simply enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. For an even more exclusive experience, beautiful private parcels are also available for rent.
For those chasing the perfect wave and a laid-back atmosphere, One Love Beach is your ideal destination. Here, you’ll find fantastic waves for surfing, inviting you to grab your board and ride the swell, and a wonderfully relaxed space to just hang out and soak in the good vibes. Enjoy the friendly community spirit and embrace the quintessential, laid-back coastal experience that makes this spot a true gem.
Imagine an intimate island where the soft lapping of waves sets the rhythm for gentle kisses and quiet smiles—a secluded beach made for two. Here, lovers and dreamers can wander along sandy shores, let the sea breeze carry their whispers, and chase the sunset as it paints the horizon with fiery hues, getting lost in moments, discovering hidden coves, and sharing secrets by the water’s edge. Whether you’re cuddling, enjoying a romantic date, or dancing under the vast, open skies, this beach offers the perfect backdrop for quiet romantic explorers to connect and create unforgettable memories by the sea.
DIVE INTO THE BEST BEACHES
At Sandy Cheeks Resort, water truly is key, offering a vibrant and relaxing photogenic spot filled with endless aquatic adventures and hidden gems. Whether you’re craving the thrill of horse riding along the shore, soaring through the air on a zip line, catching waves while surfing, or enjoying a peaceful paddle boarding session, this resort delivers an abundance of water sports and so much more!
For a truly serene coastal escape, look no further than Shamone Beach, where soft sands, swaying palms, and gentle waves create a tranquil paradise. Explore ten distinct scenic areas, each adorned with picturesque palm trees, unique seashells, comfortable lounge chairs, and even jet skis for a bit of fun. While ambient sounds of nature soothe your senses, you can also head to the next sim for an exhilarating surfing experience.
Escape to SunRayz Coast, a tropical island brimming with Caribbean vibes, where you’ll find warm, soft powdery sands and gently swaying palm trees. Tucked away on the island, a charming art gallery and cafe invites you for a relaxing coffee, with plenty of hidden nooks to explore around every corner. Whether you’re dreaming of a picturesque beach wedding or simply looking to unwind, a friendly beach club is ready to entertain you with its welcoming atmosphere.
Coco St. George
Remember Vietnam? No, not the country—the war. The armed conflict that marked a whole generation, permeated the Zeitgeist, and influenced political activists and artists alike. A war that fueled a lively protest movement throughout the United States, one that eventually spread beyond its borders and inspired young people in other countries to take to the streets to protest their own local grievances.
One can only wonder what the impact of musicians like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez—and visual artists like Peter Saul, Leon Golub, and Faith Ringgold— would have been without the context of the antiwar movement. There were also writers like Allen Ginsberg, who actively protested the war and infused antiwar sentiment into his poetry; Norman Mailer, who participated in marches and wrote Armies of the Night, chronicling the 1967 march on the Pentagon; and Kurt Vonnegut, whose novel SlaughterhouseFive was embraced as a powerful antiwar text during the Vietnam era, though it actually deals with World War II.
The Vietnam War has also been an important theme in American cinema, with gems such as Born on the Fourth of July (Oliver Stone, 1989), Good Morning, Vietnam (Barry Levinson, 1987), Platoon (Oliver Stone, 1986), Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979), and Full Metal Jacket (Stanley Kubrick, 1987). Many of these movies explore not just the war itself, but also deeper questions about morality, identity, politics, trauma, and national purpose. Unlike WWII films, with their clean-cut, well-defined characters, Vietnam War movies tend to portray morally ambiguous figures—perhaps as a reflection of the war itself.
The impact of the Vietnam War on American society in the ’60s and ’70s owed much to the fact that, for the first time in history, civilians at home could watch the horrors of war unfold in their living rooms during the evening news. That spawned a nagging question: “Why are we fighting in a jungle halfway around the world, in a place almost no one could find on a map?” The Average Joe couldn’t understand why they were sending their boys 8,400 miles away to fight an enemy they had never even heard of.
But it wasn’t as if the Average Joe had never heard of Vietnam before. As early as the late 1940s, the United States had been assisting France in its fight against Vietnamese guerrillas in its colony of French Indochina. In 1954, after France’s defeat in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the country was divided along the 17th parallel into South and North Vietnam. With U.S. backing, Ngo Dinh Diem was installed as president of South Vietnam, while in the North, the leader was the Communist Ho Chi Minh.
U.S. involvement in Vietnam increased dramatically after the Gulf of Tonkin incident. That occurred in August 1964, when the U.S. claimed that North Vietnamese boats attacked two American destroyers.
While the first attack likely happened, the second was later shown to have been misinterpreted—or possibly fabricated. Still, it led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers to escalate U.S. military engagement.
That’s when our Average Joe began questioning the wisdom of taking on a war that wasn’t originally theirs. Meanwhile, U.S. officials invoked the “domino theory” to justify military intervention in such a remote corner of the world. That theory, by the way, turned out to be valid only within what was once French Indochina—Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—but not beyond. The Cold War, the broader geopolitical context in which U.S. strategists placed the Vietnam conflict, was also too abstract a concept to justify the deaths of 58,220 American soldiers and the permanent disabling of over 150,000 others.
How do you like the smell of napalm now? Pronounced by Robert Duvall as Colonel Bill Kilgore in Apocalypse Now, that phrase became a symbol of the absurdity and horror of war, highlighting its dehumanizing effect. One truth stands, though: albeit brutalizing, we like to play war. Brought into the context of a game, war offers a neat chance to prove ourselves within a well-defined framework of friends and foes, following a clearly agreed-upon set of rules.
So, it was only a matter of time before the Vietnam War reached the role-playing community. We are in Second Life. Of course we can fight the Vietnam War if we are so inclined. If you think that could be also your calling, you may want to talk to Sidney Pobiesky, founder of the US 7th Fleet in Second Life group. She will be more than happy to welcome you in one of the eight regions that make up Indochina in SL. If you are familiar with VICE combat, you may start fighting right away. If not, don’t worry, you’ll receive all the training you may need. The USS Kitty Hawk flight deck is an excellent starting point to visit the area.
You can find it here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gulf%20 of%20Tonkin/156/82/42
Join the group here: secondlife:///app/group/b7760c48-e9d2-499f-c3fbd862f92ac6c9/about
Compe Lockwood
Grace Loudon loves to sing for others. Others love her doing so. Lots of others.
They come to her performances in venues across Second Life. They flock to social media for concerts, live or recorded. And most recently, they gather by the thousands, the collective audience of The Viral Voice, a talent competition between some of the greatest vocalists in SL.
Grace Won.
She is the winner of Season 6 which is not easy. As Abby Alexander, founder and CEO of Parallel Universe Productions, explains, “Viral Voice is a virtual singing competition inspired by The Voice and American Idol. Professional singers across
Second Life perform live on themed episodes and are scored by a panel of celebrity judges, live audience votes, and external online voting.”
The competition features the best of the best, such as Grace Loudon, who describes the process of being selected, what goes on behind the scenes, and her musical journey to be here.
“The contest never seemed complicated when I was on the other side of it,” laughs the West Virginia
resident and singer of 40 years. “The finals are two days but there is a lot of work to get to that point,” she adds.
“We have a tremendous amount of preparing to do from day one of the contest. We must figure out and create sets. Songs must be chosen and possibly learned. You must work with other people to coordinate your act. I was actually surprised at how much went into that.”
For some, nerves come into play. “But I was not nervous,” Grace recalls about singing. “I have performed so many times over the years, I do not think about it (nerves) anymore. But I was anxious.”
She adds, “I was anxious because the show is so unpredictable. You could never just tell how it was going to go. Just when you might have thought ‘I got this figure out – boom! – surprise! – you were wrong!”
The finale is the accumulation of almost 4 months of work and qualifying. “It is a long commitment,” adds Grace, about devoting 16 weeks to Viral Voice.
The Season 6 finalists were Grace, Raven Roxley, and Sujeito Rock, all excellent in their craft. Perhaps Grace sealed the deal in her performance of Demi Lovato’s Anyone. “It is a song about trying to pour out your heart into music and having people listen and feeling like you are not being heard,” she says. “It is a very poignant song, very meaningful.”
Today the lights have dimmed. The stage cleared. The auditorium is empty. That’s showbiz.
Soon Viral Voice Season 7 will be underway. Meanwhile, Grace continues, singing and writing music in the life she loves.
Grace’s musical career spans 4 decades. “I didn’t really have a lot of influence in the early years – it was just adrenaline, fun, and youth that inspired me,” she says. “In the later years however it was definitely
God. My last and longest group was a Christian Southern Rock band.
Like many in the SL nation, Grace turned to Second Life when Covid hit the first one. She recalls, “Our touring schedule was canceled. There were no festivals, no venues. I decided to turn to SL as an outlet to share my music.”
She does not remember how she originally heard about Viral Voice. “I do recall seeing one of the Viral Voice shows. I probably heard about it in an SL notice.”
Fast-forward to today. “I stay pretty busy,” she notes. “Pretty busy” is an understatement. Her current calendar as of this writing includes gigs at Hammerhead tonight, The Beach Bar on Friday, Burning Star Estates, Paisley Place, Aisling Isle, and Studio 66 on Saturday. Mula Rouge and Audiohouse performances are on Sunday.
“I’m of a certain age now “coughs” when the future is not quite as wide and open as it used to be,” she laughs. “I will continue to play in SL when I can. I have also picked up a few RL gigs here and there. I keep writing songs and hopefully will just keep enjoying it all.”
In addition to Second Life, Grace’s music and Viral Voice competition are available on social media platforms. Through the metaverse, she shares her gift of music in voice, a viral voice.
Gown | Moon Amore - Butterfly Haven Gown
Sleeves | Moon Amore - Butterfly Haven Gown
Bolero | Son!a Edge - Aynna Bolero
Bikini Bottom | deviousmind - Meerilyn Bikini Bottom gold
Mini skirt | Dieseldeluxe - Christina Leather Skirt Golden
Pantyhose | Tville - Pantyhose Silky nude
Heels | deviousmind - Meerilyn Starfish Heels gold
Umbrella | Arkona - Sea Diamond umbrella
Bag | Tara - MerMaiBag & MerMaiFishes
Pearls chest | Ersch- Azurea pearls chest
Earrings | Slavia - Mermaid earrings
Bangs| Studio Exposure - Oceanne Bangs D Blonde
Hair | Studio Exposure - Oceanne Mesh Bun Blonde
Hairbase | Studio Exposure - Lelutka X Oceanne Hair D
Blonde
Makeup | SuXue - MV7 Makeup gold
Eyeshadow | Celesticat - Aphrodite Eyeshadow
Lashes | Olive - the Softly Lashes
Blush | tutti belli - summer blush cheeks
Mole | tutti belli - doll moles
Body Pearls | Find the Fish - Doria Pearls
Legs Tattoo | Nefekalum - Triton (Blue) Legs Tattoo
Nails | Love - Mermaid Lagoon Nails
ZIONP
Skirt | Fashionably Dead Satin Midi Skirt Blue
Shoes | Pure Poison Diana Pumps
Bag | Majesty Crystal Sphere Bag White
Earrings | Gaury Big Pearl Hoop Earrings
Rings | Kunglers Elise Rings
Eyeshadow | Top1Salon Yukdo Eyeshadow
Lipstick | Jackspoon Blotted Lipstick Balm
Top 1 | Secrets - Amarillys Top Blue
Top 2 | Ison Meghan Lace Bustier White
Hair | Truth Possession
XTAIN
Dress | Madame Noir - Gilda gown Aquamarina
Bolero | Madame Noir - Yiva Bolero White
Panty | Hilary Haalan - Leisha C-String
Rings | Real Evil Industries - Turquoise and Silver Rings Set
Shoes | Dirty Princess - The Jet Set Heels Silver
Nails | Shey - Almond Nails Aqua
Earrings | U Refined - Summer cuff Silver
Hair | Jack Spoon - Fingerwave white/aqua
Eyeshadow | Kenodoxy - Willow Eye Makeup Aqua
Lipstick | Oliva - The smudged Balm aqua
NOW THROUGH JULY 5TH
"Memories from the Southeast" is a visual journey across the diverse and storied sights of Southeast Asia—a region where each sunrise casts light on hills, river deltas, coastal villages, and ancient pathways shaped by time.
This collection captures the essence of place: open wooden homes framed by greens, quiet fields welcoming the day, vibrant market boats lined with color and texture, and water where boats rest at dusk. Each scene reflects a deep connection between land, water, and tradition.
These images evoke a region where the environment holds memory, meaning, and quiet strength.
"Memories from the Southeast" invites you to explore the character of place—where nature, architecture, and landscape speak in tones of resilience, continuity, and calm.
- Jerzzie Reece
ADONIS HANSOME
Top | Pare - Santi Camison
Trousers | toksik - Leather leggings
Hat | David Heather - Heidi Fedora
Glasses | Zoom - Predaria
Loafers | David Heather - Jackson
Bag | Klubb - Brooklyn Puff Totebag
SELENE TAKEDA
Dress | YWL - Pincushion Off Shoulder Tiger
Leg Belts | Sheba - Tiger Cal Leg Belts
Bracelets | Earthstones - Kinda Bracelets Tiger/Amber
Choker | Muse - Royale Perpetua Choker Tiger Eye
Earrings | Muse - Royale Perpetua Tiger Eye
Shoes | NX Narcodix - Kelly Stiletto Tiger Print
Bag | Xclusive - Tiger Duffle Bag
Leg Tat | Bad Faith - Tiger
Nails | Omea - Tiger Gold
AVAJEAN WESTLAND
Shirt | Erratic - Kyle White Pinstripe
Pants| Erratic Akira Pinstripe
Tie| Heartsdale Jewelry - Divo Necktie Red
Corset & Suspenders | Lettie's Design - Krista Red
Hat | Entente - Odilon Fedora & Hair
Shoes | Pure Poison - Queen Pumps
Earrings | Nyoko - Mira Silver
Bracelets | Kunglers - Mae
Pipe | Kunst - Roman Carbon
Cane | Pixit Cane
LOLITA PARAGORN
Trouser | Pixicat - Andrea
Top | Lowen - Lover tie
Jacket | Coco - JacketOverShoulders
Bag | DDL - Good for you
Hair | Doux - Lia
Sunglasses | Magnificient - Vita
Necklace & earrings | Yummy - Serenity
Ring | Orsini Jewel Care - Amber
Shoes | Gos - Sarah
Lips | Holloway - Petra
Eyeliner | Goreglam - Club classic
CAESAR LANGER
Jacket | Legal Insanity - Kanan
Undershirt I Ascend - Abel Vintage Bomber T-shirt Add On
Pants | Rowers - Ocean
Shoes | Unfolded - Gabriel
Necklace | Pomposity - Rolled Link Necklace Short
Rings | L'Emporio&PL - Errant
Phone | Buy Me Poses - Cell Phone (add on for pose)
Bag | Milk Motion - Small Bucket Bag
ISSY FLATLEY
Top | Giz Seorn - Miera Set Top Print IV
Sleeve | Tachinni - Eva Sleeves
Pant | Boys to the bone - Glansig Pants
Shoes | Gos Boutique - Elie Glamour Pumps pattern
Hair | Emo-tions - Hairbase 2.0 + HP B
Makeup | Izzie's Lipgloss Apricot
Makeup | Mila - Blooming spring Eyeshadow
Jewelry | Chop Zuey Couture - Le Mondrain Demi - Parure
Headpiece | Lode - Head Accessory Grapes and Roses
AME MORNINGSTAR
Accessories | Havoc - Adventure Mug and Passport
Bracelet/Watch | Mandala - Billionaire
Bustier | Zaara - Natasha
Hair | S-Club - Cyndi
Jacket | RIOT - Jameela
Necklace | Meva - Hazel
Nose Diamond | Chop Zuey - White Gold
Pants | Blueberry - In Control
Rings | Chop Zuey - So In Love
Shoes | N-core - Donna Glass
Sunglasses | S-Club - Cyndi
JAMEE SANDALWOOD
Nails | Eventyra - Winter Serenade HUD
Top | Havoc - Rebecca Top Copper
Pants | Giz Seorn - Miera Pants Print VII
Shoes | Cult - Nathalie
Hair | Rama Salon - Millie Hair
Eyeshadow | Lucci - I Gotta Go Eyeshadow 5
Lipstick | Delicatta - Essence Collection 8
Necklace | Sigma - Danae Necklace
Belly Chain | Secrets - Biah Bellychain Silver
Belly Piercing Moula - Reversed Navel Jewellery Silver
Rings | Livia - Queen Rings
Phone and card | Hive - shopaholic phone only
NAARNISSE ABSINTHE
Dress | Valentina E - Halle Dress Blues
Bag | Movement - Mini luxe bag blue
Shoes | Supernatural - Noor Heels Fatpack
Hair | Truth - Mood Brunette
Armband | Sigma - Metal arm cuff
Earrings | Sigma - Taxco earrings
Rings | Sigma - Chunky stone rings
Eyeshadow | Amara Beauty - Valerie Eyeshadows BOM
JAN BACON
Pants | Coco Designs - Wide Leg Trousers Stripe
Hat | Dernier – Kourtney Hat
Shoes | Gos Boutique – Lucia Strappy Sandals
Top | Ison – Alayana Silk Shirt, Print
Bra | Kimberly - Bra Yellow
Rings | Kunglers – Gwen Rings
Bag | My Bags - My Avenue Bag Yellow
Handbag | Revienne – The Besoin d’Amour Handbag
Necklace | Sigma – Knot Necklace
Earrings | Sigma – Maeve Hoops
Hair | Studio Exposure – Noir Hair w/Bold Curve Ponytail
NEMESIS
Hairbase | Studio Exposure - Mirage
Blush | tres beau. - oh my blush!
Lipstick | Velour - Superb
Eyeshadow | Goreglam - Noire
Earring & Necklace | Miamai - OfEther
Bra & Panty | Real*Kira - Striped
Skirt | Pixicat - Aimee
Top 1 | MOB - Tamera
Top 2 | Le'La - Mellisa
Bag | Charm By Sibilla - Audrey
Nails | Tantrum - Mi Amor
Heel | Aurun - Jeni
WYATT FROST
Sweats | TwoSided - My Cool Sweats
Tank | Gosh - Stripes Tank 3
Cap | Ascend - Josh Baseball Cap
Shoes | Emerald Man - Milos Sneakers
Tattoo | Corazon - Tattoo Vasuki
Gym Bag | Since 1975 - Gym Bag
Water | Caligula - Sport Water
Band Aids | Little Foxy B - Band Aid 1 Type 1 &2
ALEJANDRA
Accessory │ FurtaCor - Keychain
Bracelets │ Zoom - Polly Marble Bracelet
Clutch │ Klubb - Faith Clutch
Hair │ Truth - Angel
Phone │ FurtaCor - Smart phone
Rings │ Ysoral - Luxe Set Rings Nemesis
Shoes│Utopia Design - AERYN
Shorts│ Seniha - Monica Short
Sweater │ Coco - Gift Sweater Tied Around Neck
Top │ Hilly Haalan - Ember Top
Watch │Ysoral - Luxe watch Mya
