When the night has come
And land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
♫Stand By Me♫ – Bootstraps
(Originally Performed by Ben E. King)
Very rarely do I ever write about my reasons for a post or any background on them (usually they speak for themselves). Though for this I want to give a little bit more because finally being able to use this song choice as a theme of sorts is a long time in the making. When I did finally use it, I wanted to make sure that I was able to really do it justice and lately my work has started to help me become more confident than I have been previously.
Since I was a younger man, music has been a passion of mine. While I never could quite get the hang of being able to create it myself, it has helped me in so many ways that I could easily lose count. The song “Stand By Me” has been easily one of my favorite classic songs of all time and it found itself tied in with a novella turned into motion picture of the same name.
Beginning as a short story in a book of collected novellas, “The Body” by Stephen King transitioned itself into the 1986 film, “Stand By Me”. It featured young actors who would later become some of the more well known ones (some of which you still see today in various projects). Tragically, one of it’s stars, River Phoenix, became a fixture of the party scene and fell to addiction and anyone in their early to late 30’s will remember the news of him overdosing and dying in front of the Vyper Room night club in 1993.
The inspiration for this post came when my friend, Chucky Hollak (owner of Modulus) released the “River” hair for Hipster Men’s Event. I knew instantly that the style was reminiscent to the fallen actor (of which most of his films I’ve seen). It brought me back to “Stand By Me” which falls easily into my movie top 10. I guess you could consider it a tribute of sorts.
I’m also featuring items from MESANGE, Go&See (brand partners), as well as Deadwool and two brands that are new to me (Newphe and Millo Copperfield). As for the events covered within this blog entry, we’ve got Hipster Men’s Event, Limit8, and another fresh round of Men Only Monthly.
Lately I’ve been using a few new things I learned and have been applying them to my work. It’s given me a lot more confidence in creating when I’m doing both the shoot and also the small bit of post production on the photos (I don’t feel overdoing it gives a true view of the items I’m featuring). By doing this it has made me want to try and create and post as much as I possibly can. I want to be able to provide looks that might entice you to run out to a store or an event as everyone deserves to have great items in their closets.
While I would like to try to get at least one more look in before the ball drops at midnight on the 31st, this could very well be my last blog entry for 2017; if that is the case then I feel like I went out with a bang. It’s been a year of many different ups and downs (as I’m sure it has for many of you). I hope that you continue to come on this journey with me in 2018. Be well and be safe in the last few days of this year and to a refreshing new set of adventures for all of us.
Onto the next conversation…
⊰HAIR⊱ Modulus – River Hair – Browns @ Hipster Men’s Event ⚜ NEW
As previously stated, this hair is inspired by late actor River Phoenix. It’s a nice longer mid-length hair that is combed more to the left side of the head. There is a choice of 5 color packs (each with 5 colors inside) distributed via a HUD that has a color tint option to enhance your styling preferences. It also works well with the “Joel” hairbase which you can find at the Modulus flagship store.
⊰HAIRBASE⊱ Modulus – Joel – Browns 1
⊰HEAD⊱ CATWA – Victor ⚜ NEW
⊰EYES⊱ MESANGE – Ollie Eyes (9) @ M.O.M ⚜ NEW
What is likely the last release for the MESANGE brand in 2017, the “Ollie” eyes offer 15 stunning eye colors from shades of blue to the golden orbs you see on me. Compatible with any Omega enabled eyes via the applier HUD, this product also includes regular mesh eyes and system eyes for those who do not use mesh eyes or prefer using system eyes (such as with a LAQ Bento head).
⊰FACE⊱ Stray Dog – Nate T2
This skin debuted at the November round of Shiny Shabby but I was still very heavily relying on my LeLutka head and Stray Dog’s “Cody” skin for most of my looks. Once the CATWA “Victor” head was released I tried and demo’d a bunch of skins but once “Nate” finally landed in their main store location and I tried it on there was no going back for me. I really like how it looks and I didn’t need to tweak the shape much if at all to get the look I desired for myself.
⊰BEARD⊱ -Nivaro- Rugged
⊰BODY⊱ Belleza – Jake
⊰JACKET⊱ [Deadwool] Genoa Jacket – Teal
I really wanted to use this jacket when it first was released at the District 20 event but I couldn’t really find anything I liked to combine it with. The jacket is great and has quite a few options to it even if you don’t purchase the FATPACK (which does come with an exclusive style). The jacket has an included HUD that allows you to change the shirt color (12 to choose from) as well as two different armbands (I have mine disabled for this look). Denim jackets are something I am fickle with because I don’t really wear them much and that’s a bit of my fault because I do enjoy them. I think those of you reading who have been on the fence about this product should give it a try. Once I put it on I was highly impressed.
Compatible With: Belleza, Signature and SLink male bodies.
⊰JEANS⊱ Millo Copperfield – Basic Marine Jeans @ Hipster Men’s Event ⚜ NEW
With events like Man Cave and Hipster Men’s Event, I’ve found that some of the newer brands are included and it’s a good way for them to get discovered. That’s the case for me with Millo Copperfield. Before walking around HME I did not know of them but I cam across their jeans at the event and I liked how they looked and they had a fit for my body so why not? The hardest part was picking a color and I chose to go with the darkest shade of blue they had but it was down to that or the lime green ones (because I like to do different now and then). The jeans have two types included (regular and slim cuffs) so that you can pick your footwear accordingly.
Compatible With: Belleza, Signature and SLink male bodies.
⊰SHOES⊱ {kokoia} – Leon Sneakers
I enjoy wearing snearkers, that is probably one of those things that you can easily pick out about my tastes when it comes to shoes. {kokoia} is a solid brand and I am not afraid to say I own a few different pairs of footwear from the brand. The customization they feature is really a good thing because I like to be able to breathe new life into a product I have blogged before and want to come back to down the road. I never want to consider items to be a one and done thing that’s just a waste of money then if you use it once and then it fades out of your mind. With 10 colors to choose from and 5 different areas you can apply the colors to it gives you a lot to work with and that adds value to me. These are worth looking into!
Compatible With: Adam, Belleza, Signature and SLink male bodies.
⊰BIKE⊱ PopArt Store – Harley Bike (Decor)
I came across this item during a 1 Linden 1 Hour special at the store (thanks Dad!). The bike has two different versions included (one that is rideable and the other just for simple decor as I’ve used here). I felt that it helped set the scene as a prop along with the backdrop that I’ll be getting into in just a moment here. With each version you get a choice of Black, Classic, Green, Purple, and Red bikes to use at your leisure.
⊰BACKDROP⊱ Newphe – Tennessee Backdrop Limited @ Limit8 ⚜ NEW
When I was trying to figure out what exactly this backdrop was supposed to be the only conclusion I could come to is that it was the outside of a motel where there is an office that you go to pay and get keys. I figured it would be a great front to put a bike at and stand by the bike which kind of makes it a play on words while using the song that is a part of the theme; I feel like this all worked out from conception to finish.
Authors note: This item was part of the Limited Editions at the event, there is a possibility that it may no longer be available for purchase.
Go&See * Gallant * Bento Animation Pack (3b) @ M.O.M ⚜ NEW
When I first received this review pack I thought it was static poses but after I unpacked it and started playing around with it I realized it was animations (such as you would add to an AO). I really liked the fluidity of the animations but one of the things I don’t feel that I am very good at is capturing an image from an avatar that is moving but I did it as you can see! There are 5 animations included (two of which have alternate versions for a total of 7 altogether). These would easily fit into your AO for you to use in your everyday adventures.
These Conversations Kill 