In Quiet Moments, We Find Our True Selves

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Meeting with LL Leaders

On Friday, 24 January 2025, I attended a Zoom meeting with Second Life leaders, including Executive Chair Brad Oberwager, Chief Technology Officer Philip Rosedale, Patch Linden, and others. The meeting was open to all members of the Second Life Blogger Network and various SL creators. Its main purpose was to address content theft in Second Life and discuss upcoming measures to implement harsher penalties for such violations. Unfortunately, I didn’t take notes during the session due to distractions at home, so I won’t attempt to provide a detailed recap. However, you can read an excellent overview written by Salt Peppermint [HERE].

Though I occasionally dabble in creating poses, I would never call myself a creator. That said, as a blogger, I feel strongly about avoiding any items that have been stolen from the hardworking creators who contribute so much to SL. Supporting authentic work is essential to maintaining the integrity of our community.

As a side note, this was my second time attending one of these Zoom meetings. Some have expressed that these discussions should be held in-world, and I’ll admit that was my initial reaction as well. However, I’ve grown to appreciate the Zoom format. Seeing the real-life faces of bloggers I’ve followed for years, as well as creators whose work I admire and purchase, adds a personal, humanizing touch. It’s a valuable reminder that behind every avatar is a real person simply trying to enjoy and contribute to the world of Second Life.

About the Images

One of my goals this year is to push the boundaries of my creativity in photography. To kick things off, I decided to revisit black-and-white photography—a style I hadn’t explored in about three years (though I did play around with sepia in this post). I found myself thoroughly enjoying both the process and the results, so you can definitely expect more black-and-white images from me in the future!

For this post, Serena is showcasing the latest release from Mellow Elie (one of my new favorite designers) for the new Flagship event. According to Seraphim, “Flagship is a mainstore release initiative with brands releasing new items over the course of the next 7 days.” This round began on 18 January 2025 and will run through 17 February. Many of the participating brands have yet to release their items, so stay tuned for even more exciting finds!

Deciding on which color of loungewear to buy was no easy task—they were all so beautiful. I finally settled on the silk robe in Powder (a soft blue) and the knit set in Oyster (a creamy off-white). Ironically, after all that deliberation, I ended up turning the photos black and white, lol! If you’d like to see the original colors, though, check out the unedited image in the slider at the bottom of this post. If I had this outfit in real life, I’d absolutely be lounging by the fire with a coffee in one hand and a novel in the other—just like Serena in these cozy poses by Extra.

Of course, Serena’s pup is also dressed for the occasion. She’s wearing the newly-released University Sweater for Zooby Animesh Puppies, which comes with a handy HUD offering five color options.

Full credits are below the story. Store and event SLurls are available on the Store & Event Links page.

The Story

The wind howled against the windows of Serena’s house as the first snowstorm of the season blanketed the world outside in pristine white. Inside, however, the atmosphere was the epitome of warmth and tranquility.

Serena sat on her overstuffed chaise lounge, nestled near the marble fireplace that bathed her bedroom in a flickering golden glow. Flames crackled and danced, their soft pops a counterpoint to the occasional whistle of the wind. Fiona, her loyal Pomeranian pup, lay curled at her feet on a plush, cream-colored rug, her little chest rising and falling in a rhythm that matched the peaceful ambiance of the room.

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Serena reached for her mug of coffee resting on the small glass side table beside her. The ceramic was warm against her palms, and the aroma of dark roast mingled with the faint scent of cedar from the fire. Taking a sip, she let the richness wash over her, the hint of vanilla she’d added complementing the drink’s natural bitterness.

In her other hand, a well-loved book sat open, its pages slightly worn from years of use. Tonight, she was revisiting an old favorite—a historical fiction novel she’d adored in high school. The characters felt like old friends, their struggles and triumphs playing out in her mind as she turned the pages.

Fiona stirred, stretching her paws out toward the fire with a soft sigh. Serena glanced down and smiled, reaching out to gently scratch behind the dog’s ears. “Comfy, girl?” she murmured, her voice soft and low. Fiona wagged her tail lazily in response, thumping it against the rug before curling back into a tight ball.

The firelight cast shifting shadows on the walls, illuminating the bookshelves that lined one side of the room. They were crammed with novels, photography albums, and journals, each one a testament to Serena’s varied interests. Several framed photographs sat on the shelves as well—one of her and Gavin at an apple orchard, another of her with her mother during a shopping trip last fall, and another of her with her best friends Luna and Ella Rose at a Halloween party.

Serena’s gaze lingered on the photo of Gavin for a moment, her heart warming at the thought of him. He’d called earlier in the evening to check in, his voice comforting even from hundreds of miles away. He was out of town visiting his parents for the weekend, and though she missed him, Serena treasured nights like this, where the solitude allowed her to recharge.

The wind outside intensified, rattling the windows just enough to make Serena glance toward them. She watched as snowflakes swirled in the darkness, illuminated briefly by the streetlamp outside. It was the kind of storm that made the world feel hushed, as though nature itself demanded stillness.

Feeling a sudden urge to stretch, Serena marked her place in the book with an old ticket stub and set it aside. She shifted in her chair, reaching down to stroke Fiona’s soft fur. The little dog looked up at her with sleepy brown eyes, wagging her tail again.

“Want to head to bed soon?” Serena asked softly. Fiona tilted her head as if considering the question before hopping up and settling into Serena’s lap. Laughing quietly, Serena cradled the dog, savoring the simple joy of the moment.

For a while, they sat like that, Serena humming softly as she watched the flames dance. The storm outside roared on, but inside, her world felt perfectly still. Tomorrow, the snow would bring its own kind of magic—quiet streets, fresh powder on the trees, and maybe even a morning walk with Fiona.

But tonight was for peace. For the crackle of the fire, the warmth of her coffee, and the companionship of her dog. As Serena leaned back and closed her eyes, she realized she couldn’t imagine a better way to spend an evening.

CREDITS

Serena

TRUTH Drift
Angel Eyes Messy 17 Hairbase
IKON Lucidity Eyes Eternal Pack
Glam Affair Liv
Izzie’s Soft Winter Glitter Eyeshadow
Cazimi Holiday Glam Lipstick
DEAD DOLL Basic Earrings
Mellow Elie Ara Lounge Knit Set
Mellow Elie Ara Lounge Silk Robe
e.marie Keira Rings
Belle Epoque Vanessa Nails

Puppy

Zooby Animesh Puppy Light Pom 3.0
Zooby Puppy Sweater University

Poses

-Extra- Brewed Bliss
-Extra- Bookmark

The Scene

Onsu Rochester House
Onsu Sienna Rug
Dust Bunny Sweet Dreams Wall Art
FINCA Carved Marble Fireplace
What Next Chloe Sheer Curtains
Dust Bunny Sweet Dreams Lamp
Dust Bunny Sweet Dreams Nightstand
Dust Bunny Sweet Dreams Books
Dust Bunny Sweet Dreams Alarm Clock
What Next Toasty Slippers (group gift)
DaD Les Palmiers Lounger