One of the reasons for keeping this blog is to build a kind of memory board, or diary, because so much happens in such a short time in Second Life that developments often get lost to the memory simply because they are so fast.
So here we go.
First. I changed the sky and ground textures again.

Neither will be a long-term change, but I am exploring different settings ahead of a possible Furillen ‘spring’.
In response to my recent post on this question, many of you said you’d like to see seasons at Furillen. Some said you wouldn’t …

What you can be sure of is that the unusual atmosphere at the sim will be always be retained, if not the snow (although there is more snow than ever, right now).

As I’ve said before, this means searching for a combination between realism and something akin to hyperrealism or even surrealism. I usually know when a combination is right when I see it.
It’s never quite a eureka moment, but it is a little bit like this …

Second. One of the hotel rooms has been changed and I’ll be moving more things around in the next week or so, as time permits. As always, the rationale I follow is about making pictures.
Inevitably, perhaps, reflections are involved …

Third. The first Furillen art event, featuring portraits by Moon Edenbaum, happens this weekend. There will be minimum disruption, but it will be intriguing to see how the sim looks and feels with something going on there.

There may be one or two closures, just look out for group notices.
As always, please let me know what you think.
Fourth. A new Furillen gift has been left out for visitors, located next to most tip jars – just touch the prim and it will give you three items, the rest should be self-explanatory.

The gift is a beautiful album of Furillen words and pictures that was made – without my knowledge – by Anna, whose flickr stream is here. I am very grateful to her for allowing me to make this available to everyone who wants it.
Please let her know if you like it.
Fifth. I hope to feature some guest blogs here in coming weeks. If you’d like to write something, let me know. Anything Furillen-related or photography-related.

You don’t need to be a fabulous writer, I can edit what you do – and I’ll do the layout here. (Do you imagine I’d allow anyone else to do that …?)
And don’t listen to all that Hemingway shit …

Sixth. The competition seems to be hotting up. Please join in.

If you say you don’t want to because you ‘don’t like competitions’, think about this. I have made clear that this is a competition with a difference – less about the prize, more about the process; less about competing interests, more about community; less about one person or committee deciding on the ‘best’, more about people deciding together.

Having heard me say all of that, and if you still don’t want to join in … well, perhaps the problem isn’t really competitions at all …
So come on. Remember that great Ghandi line. It may seem cheesy now, and he was talking about somewhat more important things than a Second Life picture contest.

But I need to end somewhere, so I may as well end here.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
By all means prioritise alleviating world poverty, dealing with climate change and ensuring that there are no more wars. But by comparison, submitting a picture to the Furillen competition pool isn’t too big an ask.

Is it?
Enjoy your day, wherever you are. And see you inworld … you know where.