Just Say No to Pay to Vote Contests

I was asked again today (I am asked at least once a week it seems) to vote for a good friend in a pay-to vote contest for Mr. hunky leather twink 2009, or something or another.

I had to very apologetically say no, and explain why I no longer vote if I have to pay:

1. There is a huge potential for fraud. Although one fashion blog now is under criticism for alleged fraud in 2008, I specifically will NOT point them out here--- this is not the point, and not the reason why I am writing this post.

The point is that voting tallies if not audited can be rigged, alts can win contests, the owner of a contest can "donate" money to someone who will then kick back a percentage, and so on.

I am NOT saying that all contests can be rigged, and I am NOT pointing to any one contest. I'm just saying that the potential is there.

2. I don't want to have to vote! I feel I should be able to vote for free. It's a personal thing. Why do I have to give money to vote to see a friend win? I don't like it.

That's my two cents, and I would like to see these contests discontinued. If the argument is "we have to pay tier", so do I. Hey this recession is hitting everyone, and I would rather give any spare money I have to a charity, like www.breadandjams.org

That is my two cents. If you want to submit an opinion on this, you can do so in a comment.

Photo of the Day: When to use a color focus

I photographed myself in this little blue JGD speedo and wanted to highlight the nice blue color. Picassa (easy to use) and Photoshop both give you the ability to feature color with a gradual black-and-white tune out. The subject matter in the center then becomes the focal point of the picture. I'm still experimenting with this, but the results can be quite interesting.

Photo of the Day: Simple Overexposing Can Yield Some Very Interesting Results

It is not hard to overexpose images in free simple programs such as Microsoft Picture Editor and Google's Picassa. You don't need Photoshop to do this. Take a look at this monochrome enhancement I did of Jago and myself.

Photo of the Day - My Son the Jazz Singer

I've been busy over the past few days doing photography for several articles for a new publication called SL Vibe. While Sherrie Shepherd and I covered Eleni Lurra's club, Eleni's SilverBeach Resort, a very nice romantic club for quiet get-aways I decided that singing on the microphone- with Sherrie playing the piano- would make a nice shot!

What is this music Eddi?

In honor of the publishing of Jason Feingold's Deep Throat Diaries at SL InWorld Today this week, I am playing a totally politically non-correct sound track with a Deep Throat theme that is sure to offend everyone! Enjoy!

Photo of the Day: Man over The Dresden Gallery

The Dresden Gallery has to be one of the nicest builds in Second Life. By the way, I'm showing this photograph to show you how NOT to photo. That tiny shape above the rotunda is me- flying above the sim for a cam. Only problem is I put myself in half the photos. Make sure to check it out, and go into some of the well done interiors.

Dresden no longer looks like this- it was destroyed in February 1945 in a controversial bombing raid three months before the end of the Second World War. I was there a few years ago, and they are doing a good job of rebuilding it brick by brick.

The Dresden Gallery

The Deepthroat Dialogues Are A Must Read!

Has you mouth ever dropped at reading something - and found it so compelling you cant wait for the next installment? And then have you ever found out that you yourself might be mentioned?

It seems that Jason Feingold of InV Daily has been giving the highly regarded Natalie Niven, one of Second Life's most influential journalists, inside information about his very controversial publication, and publisher Ammon Pera. These conversations took place over the past eight months in the guise of an avatar named "deep throat Thespian". This double-cross makes for some very compelling reading.

The report started on Sunday. Yesterday, I was mentioned. Here is what Natalie Niven writes:

"Its was in the wee small hours of the morning that I first met Deepthroat Thespian in the shadows. In the beginning I started of being very suspicious of the identity of this informant, but I knew from the things he told me, that he had a very, very strong hatred and resentment for Ammon Pera, Jade Collins, Demerrick Creely, Edith Uborstein, Cole Sirnah, Shorne Destiny, Doc Spad, Eddi Haskell and Adham DeCuir.These are a handful of the people that Deepthroat decided to drop info onto me about through the summer and autumn of 2008."

Natalie Niven will be running installments of the Deepthroat Files over the several days or so. I have no idea what surprises are in store for me, but I can't wait! You can link to the Deepthoat Diaries at SL InWorld Today here:

Rotunda by Jago on sale at Liberation Square

Jago's certainly been busy building lately. Besides the Venus Point Lighthouse, he's also built this nice rotunda gazebo which he is selling for 50 linden at Liberation Square. Its well detailed and only 50 linden. Just touch it and buy a copy. He's also come out with a line of GORGEOUS wallpapers which I will write about later this week.

Get Butch Fashion Show on April 4 at Club Thunder

Several of us are working on putting together a fashion show on April 4 at Club Thunder to benefit http://www.breadandjams.org/. We will be featuring the collections of Butch Adzebills Get Butch swim and casual wear. Things are still tentative, but I asked Jago Constantine to pose for a concept photo for the poster last night. How does he look? Can i go with this picture?

Liberation Square Wintergarden

Jago and I just finished building the Liberation Square Wintergarden connecting the Museum of Sex Furniture and Eddi Haskell Gallery. Its enclosed in glass, and has a nice fountain, and is simply a hot place to hang out. The Museum of Sex Furniture Gift Shop is on Level 2, and temporary exhibition space for Eddi Haskell Photography is on level 1.

Some of the Club Thunder Dancers dropped by in their new Chippendale Outfits (from left to right Jared Palianta, Kelly Boyington, Caivan Hancroft, and Brandon Briggs) to and posed for the camera! Drop by for photography of the Hinterland Light Houses by myself.

Congratulations Jewell and Ilian!

I am officiating the wedding today of two wonderful people today in my capacity as a Second Life Minister, my dear friend Jewell Munro, CEO of JM Models, and Ilian Garrigus, who I have only just met but is as nice and considerate as he is (Woof!) handsome.
If you are interested, I design custom marriage agreements (sometimes called a ketubah) like the one above, which you and your partner agree to before you marry, and which you can then show in your home. Contact me if you are interested. I am also a wedding photographer and can produce slide based videos for you tube. But i like officiating as a minister most of all.
So Jewell and Ilian, here's too a great future together!

How To Play your own music whenver you want on your parcel

I just discovered how to play your own songs on your own parcel without a Shoutcast Server.

This does not give everyone the power to be a full DJ with voice and smooth transitions, but it does let you play your own MP3's when ever you want.

I also discovered how to get an MP3 web streaming address address from Project Playlist (there is a player on this blog and many others) in the event that you are looking for a song you don't have.

What is good about this is that I can now play music, for example, when I perform a wedding if I have the power to change a music setting on a parcel. Or, if friends want to dance to a certain song and I have the MP3 web link I can play it.

This is rather technical, and probably not for beginners, but here is how I did it.

1. Make sure that you can change the music setting in about land (property owners and people with group powers in group owned land, you can check this in roles can do this).

2. Make sure that in edit, preferences, automatically play media is selected.

3. Use your own web based MP3 files. They should begin with HTTP and end with MP3. Test them as a regular web address to see if they stream automatically. Just cut and past them in the music setting. Note that you have to wait a few seconds for the stream to activate.

In the event you want to use Project Playlist MP3's there is a simple way and an more complicated way if you want to get links for multiple songs.

The easy way:

1. At the bottom of every song listing, there is something that says Visit Site. Click on this link. When you go there, there will be a URL that begins with HTTP and ends with MP3. Test that in a web browser. That should play inworld if you cut and paste it into the land music setting.

The more complicated way that works with playlists:

1. generate a playlist from http://www.playlist.com/

2. generate code for your playlist. Generate code from option E. Get the playlist code for any website

3. Within the code look for this file: It will look something like this but will have profileplaylist.net on it It will be towards the top of your code.
http://www.profileplaylist.net/loadplaylist.php?playlist=56708038&t=1235028739

4. Put that in as a web address. It will generate allot of code.

5. Sort out the url for each MP3 file on your playlist from that code by doing the following:
For each of your playist songs you will see something like this:
it will always BEGIN with http and end with mp3.
if you put this in chat or IM it will generate an underlined url for you.
The code with look something like this:
http://www.brynkenney.com/bryn/mp3/americathebeautiful.mp3

6. Check that the url link works in a regular web browser.
it may take a while for the song to download.

7. put that in your land media settings.
And voila! you can play mp3's for individual songs without a shoutcast server.

I am such an ass sometimes!

You'll have to see Sex Aficionado today to find out why!

Reverend Eddi

Most of you did not know that I am ordained clergy, did you? I actually love to perform weddings and vow renewals, and have a wedding scheduled for this Saturday. I have several outfits avaialble depending on your denomination including:

• Father Eddi for Catholic Residents
• Reverend Eddi for Protestant Residents
• and Rubber Rabbi for our Jewish Second Life Residents (Similar to Rubbercop - but I wear a yarmulke instead of a police helmet).

I also do non-sectarian weddings as Judge Eddi, and may be getting an Elvis outfit for Las Vegas type gigs.

Although I don't charge for doing this, I do ask that you make a donation to help feed the homeless at http://www.breadandjams.org/ instead of paying a fee.

So please let me know if I can help you tie the knot for eternal Second Life Bliss!

Point Venus Lighthouse on sale at Liberation Square

Jago Constantine's gorgeous Point Venus Lighthouse is now on sale at Liberation Sqaure for only 500 Linden

This description is written by Jago Constantine:

Modelled after the beautiful light house at Point Venus in Tahiti, which was built on the site of famous explorer Captain James Cook's astronomical observation of the transit of Venus in 1769.Unlike many lighthouses, the Point Venus Lighthouse is square-sided and rises in tiers to its viewing platform.There are six levels, including the platform, connected by a ladder. The five internal rooms have some space for storage of props and accessories, and four levels have windows to look out from.The walls are rendered with a detailed and lightly weathered white facing which unobtrusively adds realism and character to the building as a backdrop.As seen in the photograph, the Point Venus Lighthouse looks perfectly at home in a tropical environment, and there are few lighthouses in Second Life built for such a setting.Nevertheless, the Point Venus Lighthouse is a striking and romantic addition to any coastal location.

The Point Venus Lighthouse can be viewed and purchased inworld for only 500 Linden at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Liberation/141/12/22

It also can be purchased at Xstreet (formerly SL Exchange)

I'm Kvelling!

To find out WHY Eddi's mama is kvelling in Boca Raton Florida you will just have to see Sex Aficinado today wont you?

IT CAN'T BE! DOES EDDI FINALLY GO STRAIGHT?

You will just have to check out today's Sex Aficiondo to find out wont you?

Photo of the Day- Insilico Blue

I photographed the amazing Insilico science fiction sims and have a temporary exhibition at Eddi Haskell Photography at Liberation Square. Your all invited!

Come Ride Our Carousel for Presidents Day!

Its Presidents Day in the United States, and the Liberation Square Carousel is all decked out in Red White and Blue for the occasion! By the way, this year we celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. This is perhaps the best Carousel in Second Life, and you need to ride it to experience it. Make sure to touch the sign up front the start the ride, and turn your sound up and music off to hear the Carousel music. That's Danr Raymaker and myself riding the horses! Make sure to check out the Eddi Haskell Gallery and Museum of Sex Furniture while you are at it!

He's Back!

Despite rumours to the contrary, Jordyn (JC) Carnell is back on Second Life after taking a few days off to reflect on some things.

I agree with JC's conclusion. The same people who have been attacking many of us on Second Life in their poor excuse for a web publication suffer from envy, since they themselves cannot contribute anything of value to Second Life. You can read about it here in JC's superb Midcourt blog.

JC, we luv you, and we simply won't put up with you leaving Second Life for more then a few days! Welcome back!

What is Eddi Doing at Tristar?

You will just have to read Sex Aficionado for details!

My Castle for a Week

I'm renting this nice castle in the Scottish Highlands in Second Life for a week. I took the top shop with the blizzard effect in advance sky, and the lower shot with the Gelato effect. Thought you might like to see it!

Come to Liberation Square for Valentine's Day!

Its a very romantic place! We have dancing and kissing animations, a cool new carousel that you can ride, and a wonderfully romantic fountain! While you are there make sure to visit the new Museum of Sex Furniture and the Eddi Haskell Gallery along with several shops. But most of all come to be romantic! Happy Valentine's Day to you and that special someone!

Liberation Square

I'm Modeling Silks!

Check it out in Sex Aficionado!

My European Series Avaialble for Download

I've put my entire European Sims in Second Life series up on my Picasa site. They are available for free download. I was going to frame most of these for my gallery and sell them but I don't have the time now to do this, so I'm making them available to you. I originally took these photos for a major article in SL Illustrated June 2008- A Grand Tour of Europe. Venice if on top, and Amsterdam is below.

Happy Valentine's Day from Jago and Eddi!

We thought we would share this Kodak Moment with you. Our dogs are Albert the German Shepherd and Boris the Rottwieler.

Yachts For Sale at Liberation Square 90% off

I have Monaco Royal Manhattan 82 yachts for sale at Liberation Square. They are gorgeous They were originally 3000 linden and I am selling them for 300 linden. Here is the catch- they are drivable, but I can't find the note card with instructions. They look good stationary though.

They are around 280 prims .

I am selling copy only versions. If you want a transferable version, leave me a note card and I will send you once, and you can then pay me 300.

Check them out, they are nice!

Liberation Square Park Is now open!

Jago and I have finished building Liberation Square Park.
It is open to all of you.
In here, you will find:
It includes a real carousel you can ride, slow dancing and kiss animations for couples, and a cool dancing water fountain. Its just a nice place to hang out!
Nearby is my largest gallery, and The Museum of Sex Furniture and other cools shops including Jago's T-Shirts of all nations.
Our four dogs, Betsy, Albert, Simon, and Boris might come up to say hi You can pet them, just touch them to pet them They don't bite, but Albert the big German Shepherd is a bit neurotic. He needs lots of attention.
Hope to see you there!

What is this music Eddi?

The opening number is Handel's best known Coronation Anthem Zadok the Priest, played at the coronation of every British monarch since George the II in 1727. The last time it was played was at Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953.

If you are an Anglophile, you will like this music period.

I listen to all kinds of music, and I like to hear it while I edit this blog, so I hope you can bear with my surprises in audio feeds.

Museum of Sex Furniture

The Museum of Sex Furniture opened in Liberation Square today. The museum's role is to preserve the erotic heritage of Second Life.
It hosts a small, varied and growing collection of sex furniture ranging from sexy to hardcore to perverse in the extreme.
Artefacts currently on display date back to February 2005, but the museum's staff are confident that earlier antique sex toys will be discovered or donated to the collection in time.
How can you tell the age of an object? Right click on it > More > More > Inspect. The object can be dated to the most recent component.
If you would like to support the museum financially, there is a donation box in the gallery. Major donors will be suitably recognized.
If you wish to donate an object to the museum, please contact Jago Constantine inworld. Donors will be noted when the object is displayed.

(posting written by Jago Constantine)

(note from Eddi Haskell. I asked my partner Jago if this Museum was a bit tongue-in-cheek and he stuck his tongue out at me this morning, and I guess that is his answer).
Museum of Sex Furniture

Thank you Jago Constantine

I am going to share a secret with all of you now, and one that I probably should not be doing.

The guy in the picture is my partner in Second Life, Jago Constantine, an Aussie from Brisbane.
He's the reason why I log onto Second Life whenever I can. He's smart, funny, he does not like hearing how handsome he is from me all the time but he is, creative, and cares for me as much as I do for him. And hes great company to be around.

I was thinking about leaving Second Life in October. I don't want to get into the details here. But it simply became too much work being Eddi. It was not much fun at the time. And I was not logging on as Eddi much.

I met Jago as another identity. I am not very good at hiding alts though. As some once said I am the only person in Second Life who introduces himself as Eddi's alt Ryce Skytower.

Now, I really wanted a new life. Or i thought so. One day, I showed Jago one of my galleries and he insisted that I come back as Eddi, not another identity, and offered to spend our future together.

To be honest about it, I begged Jago to let me go on with my new identity. But he refused. Jago said that I could rely on him to navigate any difficulties which I have. He is a calm rock and backs me up and makes me laugh. I have to admit that I have fallen in love with Jago, and it really has nothing to do with avatar looks or anything superficial. He is an amazing guy. His sense of humour is also great, i never know what he will come up with next.

We got partnered in late November (actually right before our engagment party, we decided not to wait), and I am happier now on Second Life then I ever have been.

So here's to you Jago! Your the best!

Vampire Skybox is now on sale!

I've been working for two weeks on transforming Jago Constantine's Quincunx Skybox into a Vampire Skybox full of moving blood columns, skull torches, bat decorations, and all sorts of fun things. I'll write more about it later but it is now on sale on SL Exchange for 800 linden. You can see it at Liberation Square at Skyboxes by Jago. We will be coming out with more skyboxes, and other cool things, so make sure to visit! The link is in the post below.

Liberation Square is now open!

Jago and I have been building Liberation Square this week and we are near completion.

Please visit:

Eddi Haskell Gallery at Liberation Square

Headquarters of Sex Aficionado

Skyboxes by Jago- Check out our new Vampire Skybox!

T-shirts of all nations - Jago's project to produce a shirt for every country in the world. He has 30 down, and aims to complete almost 180!

Also, I am selling small yachts on this location-- the originally sold for 2800, I am selling them for 300 linden each. One is out at all times.

We welcome you to Liberation Square!