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    Grumpy Cats and Missing Moles

    A Big Cat

    Have I shown you guys my new Persian cat from Rezz Room? He’s so grumpy looking that I named him Ron Swanson, after the character from Parks and Recreation. I showed my friend a photo of my new cat, and she said, “That’s a big cat.” It is! I have no idea how to shrink him because there’s no resize option in the pop-up menu, so please say hello to the biggest cat in Second Life.

    Speaking of things that make me grumpy…

    I’m sensitive to changes in Second Life. That’s not to say I dislike change, but I notice when things are different, and when those changes happen without an explanation, it bothers me.

    On Monday, I noticed that some Linden Lab contractors, affectionately known as “the Moles,” had changed their last names. Some still have the Mole last name, while others now have ordinary resident last names. This is confusing because I’m in several Second Life groups where Moles are present, and residents regularly turn to them for help. We’ve always been able to say, “Ask a Mole!” But now what? Ask some random resident?

    Anyone can put “Linden Department of Public Works” (LDPW) in their profile and claim to work for Linden Lab. The Mole last name has always been an easy way to identify these contractors, and it’s also a little piece of Second Life history.

    I opened a forum thread to discuss the changes, and so far, there’s been no official explanation from Linden Lab. I find that a little disrespectful. If you’re going to make a noticeable change to something that’s been part of Second Life for so many years, why not tell residents what’s happening?

    We don’t need a detailed explanation of internal decisions, but Linden Lab should at least acknowledge residents’ concerns about impersonation, preserving Second Life history, and how we’re supposed to identify official contractors going forward. They could even pop into the forum thread and say something. Anything!

    Imagine if Lindens were suddenly no longer required to use the Linden last name, and one day they just started showing up with ordinary resident names. No announcement, no explanation. Wouldn’t that be confusing?

    This brings me to one of my biggest frustrations with Second Life: communication. For a company built around a virtual community, Linden Lab is remarkably bad at communicating with that community. News is scattered across different channels, announcements are inconsistent, and residents haven’t been given a reliable, central place to look for important updates. Then everyone wonders why nobody seems to know what’s going on.

    No offense, Second Life, but you can do a lot better. I love this virtual world, and I think the people who have helped build it deserve recognition, just as residents deserve a little communication when things change.

    A Big Cat

    What I’m Wearing:
    Ricielli – Dusty Cardigan, Dusty Dress
    Truth Collective – Silhouette
    Truth – Element Bangs
    &
    Rezz Room – Persian Cat

    A Big Cat

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    A Pretty Little Swamp on New Zindra

    Rainy Swamp

    I’ve told just about every single one of my friends that I want a pretty swamp on New Zindra. My sweet friend Malayaa delivered exactly that! It’s still a work in progress as we settle into the south coast, but I’m already in love with it. I’m very spoiled in Second Life. Sometimes I don’t even decorate my own house. I just tell my friends what I’m envisioning, and the next time I teleport in, they’ve created something magical. Can you believe this is MAINLAND?

    I’ve learned a lot about Mainland ownership over the past few weeks on New Zindra. One thing I’ve noticed is how quickly people rush to cover every inch of their parcels with buildings, walls, and platforms, leaving very little room for landscaping or even a little virtual fresh air. I think that’s such a missed opportunity, especially on a brand-new continent with interesting terrain to work with. Sometimes a few well-placed trees and a beautiful view can do more for a property than another giant building. I’m no land expert, but I think I know nice when I see it!

    Of course, the beauty and frustration of Mainland is that you have absolutely no control over what your neighbors do. That’s part of the charm, I suppose! I’m determined to carve out a beautiful little corner of New Zindra for my friends and me, so I’ve acquired enough surrounding land to give us some breathing room and a nice buffer of trees. Hopefully, all this greenery will inspire a few neighbors to plant some virtual trees of their own.

    Speaking of land, if you’re looking for prime waterfront property on New Zindra, I still have a few parcels available! You can browse everything on my Mainland Land Sales page. I’m happy to combine or subdivide parcels where it makes sense, too. The page will stay up until I’ve sold everything I’m planning to sell. I’m not a land baron, just a girl who really likes land, especially fresh new Mainland that nobody has ever owned before. How often do we get an opportunity like this in Second Life? It’s practically a once-in-a-few-decades experience, unless Second Life surprises us with even more new land!

    Rainy Swamp

    As for today’s outfit, I’m channeling a little Gothic Victorian romance with a black corset mini dress, delicate lace sleeves, and enough ruffles to make any Victorian lady jealous. I love the contrast between the structured bodice and the playful short skirt. The burgundy rose-trimmed parasol and matching hair accessories add just the right amount of drama. It’s a little Gothic Lolita, a little vampire princess, and completely perfect for October. And what better place to wear it than my very own pretty little swamp?

    What I’m Wearing:
    Sparkle Skye – Black Widow Hair Pin (Red Gold Ruby) @ Hallow Manor
    Dhoma – Seraphine Outfit Dress
    Truth Collective – Silhouette
    Truth – Element Bangs
    Toksik – Vicious Collar (Rare)
    Tetra – Lace Lingerie (Bra) Black
    Puddles – Basic Heels
    Yummy – Lover Earring Collection (Heart Solitaire)
    Insomnia Angel – Witch Wand Umbrella (Gothic Lolita)
    Izzie’s – Knee Woulnds (Bandaid R) Light
    LeLutka – Ubon Mesh Head
    Glam Affair – Gwen (L003)

    Rainy Swamp

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    Welcome to New Zindra! Thanks a Million, Second Life!

    Welcome to New Zindra

    After 11 rounds of the New Zindra land lottery, what an adventure it’s been! Second Life kept us on our toes, and I had so much fun touching kiosks and running around checking out new land with my friends. What started as a little game turned into some beautiful new places to call our own, and I can’t wait to start making beautiful spaces on New Zindra!

    For anyone who hasn’t been following along, New Zindra is an expansion of Second Life’s existing Adult Mainland continent, Zindra, with 92 new regions. The land was originally added to accommodate residents relocating from Gaeta 1, which Second Life had planned to close. Then came the surprise announcement that Gaeta 1 would remain open after all! Once displaced Gaeta 1 residents had their chance to relocate, Second Life offered the remaining New Zindra parcels through a lottery, giving residents a chance to claim a little piece of the new continent.

    And would you look at that dreamy view behind me? I won this gorgeous island in Hog Tide during the lottery, and I couldn’t be more stoked! I especially like the New Zindra terrain with patches of green grass mixed with sandy beaches, this is not something you can find anywhere else in Second Life. It’s such a pretty combination, and I’m already imagining all the possibilities.

    Of course, I can’t keep everything! If you love the island and that gorgeous view behind me, Hog Tide could be yours! Check out my available parcels at JuicyBomb Land Sales page, or contact me in Second Life if you’re interested.

    A big thank you to Second Life and the land team (Wendi Linden, Kady Linden, Kit Linden, Guy Linden, Oatmeal Linden, Whitney Linden) for making the lottery such a fun experience. Here’s to new neighbors, beautiful views, and making New Zindra feel like home!

    Read More “Welcome to New Zindra! Thanks a Million, Second Life!”
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    New Shop & Hop Build

    2026 Halloween Shop & Hop

    It’s that time again! What time is it, you ask? Shop & Hop, Trick or Treat on Bellisseria, and a whole lot of spooky goodies popping up all over Second Life! As a Second Life resident, I feel like I have to wear wings every now and then, so I decided to bring out my favorite Mini Wings from 2AM and pair them with the new Celestine Dress from Dhoma, available at FaMESHed. I love the rich emerald green satin, the corset-inspired bodice with lace-up details, and those gorgeous puff sleeves with delicate lace accents. The short, flouncy skirt gives it a romantic fairy-tale look, but it’s also a little cheeky in the back! Paired with my wings, it’s giving me major Tinker Bell vibes, only a little more grown-up.

    I’m also really impressed with the updated Shop & Hop build this year! The new layout feels more like a shopping mall, and the outdoor spaces are especially cute with all of the autumn landscaping and twinkling lights. I’ve always had a soft spot for Shop & Hop because it’s one of those events that welcomes such a wide range of Second Life creators, from established favorites to smaller brands you might not have discovered otherwise. And of course, the gifts are always a big part of the fun! If you don’t feel like hunting through every store to find them all, you can grab FabFree’s Halloween Shop & Hop shopping guide and plan your shopping trip!

    2026 Halloween Shop & Hop
    2026 Halloween Shop & Hop
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    Glitter Tears

    Glitter Tears

    I love the start of October. Not only is the weather finally starting to cool down a little and the fall colors are coming in, but it’s also the one time of year when I feel really inspired to pull out all of my spooky-cute things. And what could be more perfect for October than spider hair jewelry? I’m wearing Sparkle Skye’s Along Came a Spider set, which includes spiders and spider webs that you can arrange pretty much any way you like. Scatter them throughout your hair, crawl them onto your clothes, or completely cover yourself in spiders if that’s the mood!

    Another thing I love around this time of year is pulling out all of my bloody lips, cuts, scrapes, and other slightly creepy little details. I scored these free Glitter Tears from Pity Party at an event recently, although I can’t remember which one. They’re just the cutest way to cry in Second Life. If you’re going to cry, why not make it glitter tears?

    Glitter Tears

    My outfit today is the Dusty Outfit from Ricielli. Ricielli has always been known for quality ensembles and sexy lingerie, but one thing I’ve especially admired about the brand is the way they texture fabrics. There’s something really distinctive about their clothing that looks different from a lot of other brands in Second Life. This knit set is to die for, and I love that the dress and cardigan work just as well together as they do mixed and matched with other pieces in your wardrobe. You can find the Dusty Outfit at the Ricielli store (temporary location).

    Glitter Tears
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    Thumbelina

    Thumbelina

    Sparkle Skye’s latest jewelry set, the Devon Autumn Earrings & Tiara set, immediately reminded me of Thumbelina, one of those childhood movies that I absolutely loved. The tiara is meant to be worn as a diadem across your forehead, but you can also flip it around and wear it over your head like I have here. I love jewelry that gives you options, and something about this particular set made me want to go full tiny fairy princess.

    So I sat down on the rocky coast in the Second Life rain and suddenly felt very small and very Thumbelina. Even though AI editing is all the rage right now, I still love taking a good raw Second Life snapshot, and everything you see here is raw, even the rain. Second Life weather has come such a long way! I don’t actually know which rain effect Sparkle used to decorate this spot, but it might be the best rain I’ve ever seen in Second Life. It completely made the atmosphere of this photo.

    You can get Sparkle Skye’s Devon Tiara and Earrings at The Fifty!

    Thumbelina
    Read More “Thumbelina”
  • Back to Copperfield Heights

    Copperfield Heights Linden Home

    Happy Fall, y’all! I decided to move back to my original Copperfield Heights 1024 Linden Home, just in time to enjoy the autumn colors and seasonal landscaping. I really do have a soft spot for this little place, despite abandoning all of the other homes I’ve had in Copperfield Heights. Apparently this is the one that survived my revolving door of Linden Homes!

    As for my Linden Home addiction… it’s managed! I only have three Linden Homes today, so that’s progress, right? My friend Fay did an amazing job with the landscaping and decorating the interiors here, and it feels so cozy for fall. I won’t post the SLurl publicly, but if you happen to come across this house while exploring, you’re more than welcome to peek inside.

    Despite everyone chasing the 2048 Linden Homes, which are constantly sold out and obviously in high demand, I still like the 1024s way more. They’re a much better bargain for me, and I prefer the squarish land parcels. I’m not really a fan of the long rectangular parcels on many of the 2048s, and the price increase doesn’t appeal to me either. Even though I’m a Premium Plus member, I’d rather use my extra tier elsewhere on Mainland.

    Now, if only Linden Lab would fix the EEPs on the older themes and update some of those textures to PBR! Please don’t abandon the older Linden Home themes. I think the Victorians and Traditionals, especially, could benefit so much from those two updates and get a whole new life without needing to be completely redesigned. And while we’re making wishes, could we please get some more natural exterior colors for the Victorians instead of so many pastels? That would be a great little Christmas surprise. HINT HINT

    Copperfield Heights Linden Home
    Copperfield Heights Linden Home
    Copperfield Heights Linden Home
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    Is DLSS 5 a Glimpse Into Second Life’s Future?

    DLSS 5 vs Raw Second Life snapshot (Slide to view before/after)

    Thanks to Hamlet at New World Notes for the mention! Be sure to take the DLSS 5 Survey and share what you think.

    DLSS 5 is so much fun to experiment with, but it’s not magic. It’s not going to suddenly make your avatar look drastically different, and it’s definitely not like AI editing that can sometimes turn a cartoon avatar into a realistic human. My Second Life avatar still looks completely recognizable. The textures may look a little better, details may stand out more, and there’s additional shading around the face, hair, clothing, and environment that gives everything a little more depth. Sometimes the difference isn’t even that dramatic, but there’s just enough added dimension that I really like the overall look.

    Of course, there are going to be critics and purists, especially people who are against anything involving AI, but I don’t understand the need to loudly discourage other residents from experimenting with it. Whatever happened to Your World, Your Imagination? In real life, people put filters over their photos every day using phone apps, Photoshop, and a million other things. Second Life photography has always involved experimenting with lighting, advanced Third Party viewers, graphics settings, post-processing, etc. DLSS 5 is just another thing to play with.

    I’ve posted thousands of raw Second Life photos across my social media over the years, so I don’t think using DLSS 5 suddenly means someone lacks photography skills. Sometimes I want a raw SL photo, sometimes I want to edit, and sometimes I want to press F6 and see what DLSS 5 does. If you want to try it, try it! You might love it, you might hate it, or you might decide the difference isn’t worth the trouble.

    As I sit there pressing F6 to turn DLSS 5 on and off, though, I can’t help thinking that I’m getting a tiny glimpse into what Second Life might eventually look like. I can imagine creators continuing to push textures and materials in this direction, especially with hair and face skins, where more detailed shading can add so much depth. Maybe someday we won’t need an experimental filter to get this look at all.

    Read my tutorial: How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life

    Read More “Is DLSS 5 a Glimpse Into Second Life’s Future?”
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    Must Haves at the Spoonful of Sugar Festival

    Death Valley

    Every year I make my way to the Spoonful of Sugar Festival to support Doctors Without Borders and, of course, pick up some goodies from some of my favorite Second Life brands while I’m there.

    Just like last year, AlaskaMetro has an amazing L$10 gift at the event. This year it’s a pack of Vintage China nails, which I’m wearing today and absolutely love. Izzie’s also has a Chest Details pack at the festival, and you wouldn’t think I’d willingly add imperfections to my perfectly good pixel body, but apparently I do! The pack includes chest freckles, redness, and moles, but I like the chest redness, so I’m wearing that with today’s look. Sometimes those tiny imperfections are exactly what make a Second Life avatar look a little more interesting and realistic.

    Death Valley

    The Spoonful of Sugar Festival runs through September 27, so you still have time to shop and support a good cause. There’s also a gacha and raffle area where you can win even more goodies and gift cards from some popular Second Life brands. If you’re going to shop anyway, you might as well do a little good while you’re at it!

    SOS Festival SLURLS: https://thesosfestival.com/spoonful_of_sugar_sim_list.html

    Death Valley
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    How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life

    How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life

    Previously, I shared my first DLSS 5 photo and promised I’d return with the full process, comparison photos, and everything I learned while getting it working in Second Life. What I expected to be a quick installation turned into a much deeper dive, but after plenty of reinstalling, troubleshooting, and comparing files, I finally found a setup that works for me.

    DLSS stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling, an NVIDIA technology that uses AI to improve graphics. DLSS 5 goes beyond simply sharpening or upscaling the image by enhancing lighting, textures, materials, shadows, and small details in real time. The result still looks unmistakably like Second Life to me, only more polished and realistic.

    The process may seem confusing at first, but once you have the correct files, installing it on another viewer should take about five minutes.

    TL;DR: The Short Version

    If you don’t want to read this entire post, here’s the condensed version:

    1. Make a separate copy of Firestorm.
    2. Download DLSS 5 Swapper v2.2.7 from GitHub.
    3. Add Firestorm-Releasex64.exe, or the executable for your preferred viewer, and select OpenGL, ReShade (default) and DLSS5-Feeder (No DLSS / Incompatible DLSS).
    4. Let DLSS 5 Swapper install the required files.
    5. Replace the renodx-dlss5.addon64 with the older file posted by Krish as v4.55 in the official RenoDX Discord. It appears as approximately 1.61 MB in Windows or 1.62 MB in Discord.
    6. Launch Firestorm and check ReShade’s Add-ons tab for DLSS 5 Feed 0.15.1 and DLSS 5 Neural Rendering.
    7. Press F6 to turn neural rendering on or off.

    If the optional Swapper controls say NOT CONNECTED, DLSS 5 may still be working.

    The Videos That Helped Me Find the Answer

    FlutterWonder’s DLSS 5 video led me to the solution. I reached out in Second Life and learned that the older renodx-dlss5.addon64 file was the missing piece. Thank you, Flutter!

    I also found Athena Felicci’s DLSS 5 video. Athena has a Discord with instructions for another method. I haven’t tried it, but it appears to work for other residents.

    How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life

    How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life

    Step 1: Make a Separate Firestorm Installation

    Copy your Firestorm folder and give the copy a different name. This lets you install ReShade, replace files and troubleshoot without risking your main viewer. Once everything works, keep a backup of the entire folder because newer experimental files may not work as well with Second Life.

    Step 2: Add Firestorm to DLSS 5 Swapper

    Open DLSS 5 Swapper, add a new game or installation, and select Firestorm-Releasex64.exe from the copied Firestorm folder. Be sure you modify and launch the same installation.

    Use these settings:

    • Rendering API: OpenGL
    • Rendering backend: ReShade (default)
    • Installation route: DLSS5-Feeder (No DLSS / Incompatible DLSS)

    Let the installation finish, then check the Firestorm folder for reshade-shaders and the required .addon64 files.

    Step 3: Replace the RenoDX File With the Working Version

    Join the official RenoDX Discord, open the #dlss5 channel, and check the Pinned Messages for the renodx-dlss5.addon64 file posted by Krish as v4.55. Discord displays the file as approximately 1.62 MB, while Windows displays it as approximately 1.61 MB.

    Close Firestorm, open its installation folder, and overwrite the existing renodx-dlss5.addon64 with the older working version.

    Step 4: Launch Firestorm and Check the ReShade Add-ons

    Launch the Firestorm installation you modified, open ReShade with the Home key, and select Add-ons. My installation shows:

    1. DLSS 5 Feed 0.15.1
    2. DLSS 5 Swapper Overlay
    3. DLSS 5 Neural Rendering

    DLSS 5 Feed and DLSS 5 Neural Rendering are the important ones. DLSS 5 Swapper Overlay is optional, so its absence doesn’t mean the installation failed.

    My ReShade Tips

    The default ReShade controls can be annoying in Second Life, so these small changes make the setup much easier to use.

    • Change the ReShade overlay shortcut under Settings if you don’t want to use Home. I use the ~ key.
    • Set Settings > General > Input Processing to Pass on all input so you can control Second Life while ReShade is open.
    • Drag the top of the ReShade panel to move it anywhere on the screen.
    • Press F6 to toggle DLSS 5 neural rendering on or off.

    Important Notes Before You Try This

    • This is an unofficial and experimental method.
    • Use DLSS 5 in short bursts for photos or testing instead of leaving it running all day. My viewer eventually felt slower, and my graphics driver crashed.
    • I tested this on Windows with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti, not on a Mac.
    • Other graphics cards, drivers and viewers may produce different results.
    • Back up your viewer folder and working RenoDX file.
    • Download executable add-ons carefully and only from sources you trust.

    If you try it, let me know which viewer and graphics card you used and whether the older RenoDX file worked for you. This setup is changing quickly, so something that works today may behave differently after a future update.

    Need Help with Installing DLSS 5 to Second Life Viewer?

    Join the Second Life Cafe Discord, dlss5 channel if you need more help: https://discord.gg/cdKVGHmYjq. I will answer all of your questions there!

    The original DLSS 5 Swapper GitHub Link was deleted, you can read more about it on Reddit.

    How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life
    How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life
    How to Install DLSS 5 in Second Life