Valentine’s Day Vegas Style in Second Life!

A little bit of this town goes a very long way.

Hunter S. Thompson

 

          It’s been the New Year for a few weeks now and it’s time to put the Holidays behind us and start thinking about all the new holidays and festivals that Second Life (SL) has to offer us!

          Festivals are nothing new in SL.

          Some are once offs and celebrated locally inworld while others are recurring and Grid-wide.

          One holiday that is as much a favorite in SL as it is in Real Life (RL) is Valentine’s Day.  (I won’t get into the debate about whether or not this is an artificial holiday created by greeting card makers and candy manufacturers to goose sales.  All I know is that Significant Other prominently marks our calendar for this event every year and that’s enough for me!  Remember, I only look stupid, even in RL.)

          I’ve covered Valentine’s Day inworld before. 

          But this year, my old friend and impresario extraordinaire not to mention the Mayor of Mieville, Perry Peterson told me about his plans to celebrate the day in his usual Over The Top way and I was hooked.  And here’s why…

          Perryn will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a Las Vegas theme this year. 

          This meant three things to me.

          First, given Perryn’s ability to do things on a lavish scale this could only be good.

          Second, a Las Vegas theme can only bright lights and a wild and crazy time.

          Finally, being personally inspired by Hunter S. Thompson, the father of gonzo journalism, and the author of the classic road story, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, I had to do this story.  (Not sure if Perryn knew what he was in for in giving me this scoop.  Enough to say that Significant Other winces every time I mention Thompson’s name.)  

          Valentine’s Day and Vegas are two suitable themes to commingle.

          The holiday’s ideas of love and romance combined with the freewheeling style, if not outright hedonism, of Vegas make for a very intriguing and explosive mixture in my mind. (Significant Other’s head just shakes now.)

          My visit to Valentines in Vegas begins with my arrival at the sim’s landing zone.  Posters for this event as well as the upcoming STEAM X hunt tower over me.  Cyndie Alter did an outstanding job with the former and Tattoo Lane has done her usual creative work with the latter.  (Perryn always seems to be able to surround himself with the most creative types inworld.)

          Walking out onto the Strip, I’m overwhelmed by the glitter and lights of this virtual Vegas.

        

  All the recognizable landmarks are there.  A certain pyramid shaped hotel and another with magical fountains in front.  (Copyright considerations prevent Perryn from using RL names.  What would they do, sue for Lindens?)  Elegant shops and restaurants are in their lobbies as in RL. 

          Casinos are everywhere.  Although, given SL’s prohibition against gambling, one armed bandits have been replaced by gacha machines. 

          High end shops are available as well with some of the finest merchandise in SL.  Clothing, artwork, you name it, it’s here!

          Iconic illuminated signs dot the cityscape as searchlights play across the night’s sky.  Old travel posters advertising Vegas are on the walls.  Stretch limos idle curbside.

          Perry has added a few of his own touches.

          For those tired of walking, free cars (“love bugs” created by CaraCali) are available to use.  (Friendly advice, never let Perryn drive.) 

          The Heartbreak Hotel can even be found here. 

          An amusement ride called Cupid’s Arrow can induce vertigo in RL.  (Don’t ask.)

          And yes, images of Elvis adorn the walls.

          Perryn has successfully married classic and modern Vegas in a pastiche which is true to the original!  Bugsy Siegal would be proud!  I expected the Rat Pack to come around a corner at any time.  The feel of Vegas has been captured.

          Overall, the spirit and style of Vegas has been captured here.

          Mieville stalwarts like Jalynne Ohmai, who laid out the streets and the surrounding

vistas (and is a RL artist and becoming known as a truly innovative builder inworld), and Mike Olbracht, who created those fascinating fountains, are much in evidence with this sim. 

          This is a wonderful place to spend some time inworld with your romantic interest this Valentine’s Day!

          And, maybe take in the mini-hunt while you’re at it!

          Valentines in Vegas is open from January 24^th to February 15^th and can be found here. 

          Tell them web sent you!

          More pictures from my visit can be found at this Flickr page.

          Also, check back here for future details about STEAM X and other Mieville happenings in the New Year!

          I’d like to thank Perryn once again for taking time out of his busy schedule to show me around and for being the guiding light behind all the marvelous activities that happen in Mieville!

As always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.         

My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

I can be found on Google+ as webspelunker Ghostraven.

My flickr Photostream is located here.

On Skype I’m webspelunker Ghostraven.

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

          If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

          Open roads and kind fires!