Midday Get Away: Whatever You Do, Don't Miss This Adorable Aeronautical SL Machinima

 
Janine "Iris Ophelia" Hawkins' ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

When I went poking around on YouTube for new Second Life machinima to share, I really wasn't expecting to come across this little gem. An adorable avatar, a gleaming red plane, a long stretch of runway, an even longer stretch of water, dotted with beachy little islands and cozy-looking homes. I'll admit that I never really understood the culture or the allure that developed around piloting virtual planes in a world where characters could fly with the tap of a button... But I think now I'm starting to get it.

If you like this sweet, cinematic little music video, you may want to poke around the rest of creator ChanAndMe C's YouTube channel for a few other outstanding videos in the same vein, including a series inspired by western films and this action-packed surfing montage.

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Iris Ophelia (@bleatingheart, Janine Hawkins IRL) has been featured in the New York Times, and has spoken about SL-based design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and with pop culture/fashion maven Johanna Blakley.

Comments

[Jaqua]

it's a high quality tranquil and relaxing break from griefer, pony, wedding, and furry videos

[Cube Republic]

Sweet :)

[Phadrus Karu]

"I'll admit that I never really understood the culture or the allure that developed around piloting virtual planes in a world where characters could fly with the tap of a button...But I think now I'm starting to get it."

And this is precisely why blogs such as this one should consider contracting an additional writer who actually *does* get it.

The breadth and scope of vehicles in virtual worlds is vast; Second Life is no exception.

Consider this, everyone in Second Life possess at least one vehicle in their inventory. Yet, how often is this topic featured by major publications whose sole focus is Second Life itself?

Indeed, the few individuals who dedicate their efforts on producing such material via social media find themselves consistently marginalized and sidelined in favor of fashion designer #523, gardiner #394, interior designer #483, arhictect #604, breedable maker #271 and abstract artist #893.

Yes, I will conceed that on any given day, the market for vehicles will never approach the level realized by avatar customization and pets nor would Second Life be complete without interior decoration, art and grand structures.

However, is it really too much to ask to feature vehicle developers and their work more than once every two years? Instead of interviewing the usual suspects, give the people who bring us those impressive automobiles, ships, aircraft and sci-fi vessels the due they deserve.

If Linden Lab of all entities can see the wisdom of including a sports car as a token foreground item on its homepage, why can't the SL media at large see the pivotal role played by vehicles in the activities of SL residents?

[CronoCloud Creeggan]

As a fashionista I have two things to say:

1. The pilot looks too young to fly...because of that @#$@# snow rabbit head!

2. Phadrus has a point, because there are "vehicle communities" in SL. While SL may not be the best platform for vheicles, but people do fly and sail and drive. I may be a fashionista, but amongst my prized possessions besides the fashion stuff are a few vehicles. The last time I drove a vehicle in SL was...I think it was last week in Heterocera. Heck I've flown and drove a boat near that area in that video I think, it looks familiar.