Author Archives: Namaara MacMoragh

Gosau Dachstien SL Offers More than Holiday Shopping

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I don’t often write about other regions, but this place is AMAZING!

Gosau am Dachstein in SL has all the elements of a perfect winter experience.

There’s a fun little market when you first land. Santa stands there with his list and checking it twice. The market booths have traditional and fun gift ideas along with some standard SL fare. I especially enjoyed the treats and holiday spirit of the market. The fun thing is that there is someone nearby to welcome you, share information about the real Gosau am Dachstein in Austria, and to answer questions.

As I strolled through the village I found myself stopping by the petrol station’s store. It wasn’t an empty filler building. Instead, it was a well thought-out community shop (again with treats I enjoyed). I took in every detail from the postcard stand at the register to the meats hanging by the butcher counter. And I admit this has motivated me to create a similar experience for the Etopia Food Co-op.

From the shop, I continued along the road, grabbed a pair of skis, and made my way up the hill to explore the alpine setting behind the village. There’s a first aid station, skiing trails, and a real “in the mountains” feeling. You can imagine yourself standing on the crest of a slope, ready for the exciting ride down the mountainside as you breathe in the crisp winter air of the Austrian Alps.

The homes I saw were traditional alpine style homes. Some even had snowy vehicles parked outside. These touches – vehicles, recycle and trash bins, a snow shovel by the door – are the little things that make the visit feel special. As always, when visiting communities in SL, it’s best to stay out of homes.

I’ve been to many winter wonderlands in Second Life. Visiting Gosau am Dachstein ranks as one of my absolute favorite places to enjoy the season. I look forward to see what they do for the summer. Gosaukamm cable car? Zwieselalm mountain pasture?

Harvest Party With Our Etopia BESTies!

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We know that because of COVID many Americans could not spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends as in past years. So, we hosted the BEST Etopia Harvest Celebration in Second Life.

Friends of BEST and Etopia came from across the grid and around the world to celebrate friendship, the bounty of our harvest, and the preciousness of life. Guests from across the US shared how enjoyable it was to spend time with friends because otherwise, they would have been alone and isolated.

Some people in our community who logged in and joined us for the festivities live in Europe, Canada, and Australia. Even though Thanksgiving is an American holiday they loved coming together in appreciation of all that we have and for one another.

The day was filled with fun things to do so everyone had an appetite for dinner. We started the morning with Tai Chi at Serenity Park to relax our minds, limber our muscles, and let the feeling of gratitude fill our bodies and hearts.

There was a carnival with rides, games, food, and souvenirs. We set it next to Ginny’s Arcade because they’ve got the best pinball machines around!

We had a drumming circle with dancing and singing and sharing of things we are grateful for. After that, we gathered at Tsidel’s for a dinner buffet packed with harvest goodies, fine wine, and more than a few desserts.

The event was such a success we’re excited about the upcoming Holiday Dance to celebrate the winter solstice, the holidays, and the new year.

A Little Green Living At Inspiration Island

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Have you ever wanted to visit a place in Second Life that was about health, but fun?

The folks at Whole Brain Health in Second Life have done just that at Inspiration Island. They have over 60 engaging and informative spaces on four different levels. Some of their activities are self-paced and others are facilitated. From discussions and hands-on building activities to workshops and regular music events you just might miss the fact that everything is focused on wellbeing and having a healthy brain. (Be sure to visit the Brodmann Brain … one of my favorite areas)

Wisdomseeker and her team use current research to improve day to day function of your brain and support its vitality over time. They know that exploring these ideas in a 3D space, like Second Life, allows a level of engagement that is unique to online brain-training programs. According to Wisdomseeker, founder of Whole Brain Health in Second Life, “When you move through space in avatar form, your interaction with what you are learning is very direct and powerful.”

At Etopia, we know this to be true, too. Teaching visitors to live more sustainably and in harmony with the world around them is what we do best.

 

Recently, Etopia was invited to build a sustainable living demo area at Inspiration Island. We couldn’t wait to team up with Inspiration Island and contribute some simple ideas that can make a big difference in someone’s quality of life. We even hosted a tour and some discussions.

There are several areas that address specific aspects of living sustainably. Each area has storytellers that share information and engage visitors to interact with different activities.

 

There’s an organic garden with tips and information along with planting and harvesting activities. You can even contribute your own ideas.

 

There’s a Farmers Market with storytellers sharing the benefits of buying local. Bring your sweetie over to the flower stand and buy get them a rose or take your turn at the potters wheel.

 

There’s even a “green” home with ideas on sustainable family living.

 

As Wisdomseeker says, “while your avatar is exploring locations on the island, you will be doing the most extensive form of brain training you can find online. Everything here is designed with that goal in mind. And what you try in-world can be carried out into the rest of your life, if you wish.”

50 Years of Earth Day

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Make Every Day Earth DayThere are many concerns that going outside might infect us with the COVID-19 virus. That is especially true for close spaces with other people such as stores, offices, buses, planes, picnics, sporting events, and more. Not all of us can go out into the woods for a walk alone. Going for a walk in your neighborhood wearing a face mask and remaining at least 6′ (2 meters) apart may be okay, but feels uncomfortable for most of us. If you’re sick or someone in your family is sick we must stay at home.

Regardless of whether you enjoy an afternoon in your backyard or in your living room, there’s plenty to be thankful for this Earth Day.

For those of us under a stay-at-home lockdown order or those who are abiding by a stay-at-home guideline there’s still plenty to do this Earth Day.

If you’re home schooling your children here’s a list of engaging Earth Day activities with educational benefit from We Are Teachers; https://www.weareteachers.com/meaningful-earth-day-activities/.

These are just a few of the many online events and activities available for Earth Day this year.

Remember Earth Day is about taking care of our Mother Earth, our non-human kin, and each other. Be mindful. Stay healthy. And if you cannot go outside safely then stay home and enjoy some of these online activities.