Tag: R2A

[#507] This Is How It Feels To Not Believe

Letting out the noise inside of me (Letting out the noise inside of me)
Every window pane is shattering (Every window pane is shattering)
Cutting up my words before I speak (Cutting up my words)
This is how it feels to not believe

Yellowcard, ♫Way Away♫

Lately I feel like I’ve been on a small run of creativity so I’ve been wanting to hammer out these ideas while I remember them and if some of the items that helped produce it are still in an event to promote them while they are still available at these places. This is likely one of the first times that I’ve ever blogged a backdrop as one of the main sources of inspiration for a post; most of the time it’s a pose, clothing or an accessory that helps me put an idea together.

Joplino’s “Skatecave” is definitely the photography aid for those who are big fans of action sports or just skateboarding in general. It has several different spots within its structure that still pictures can be taken or with a skateboard for that grinding/shredding action. The walls have graffiti on them which gives it a skate culture feel.

As such with a backdrop there’s not really a lot I can speak about concerning “features” like I can with clothing and accessories. It’s very cut and dry that you see what you get and it’s definitely worth your time going to The Men Jail event and seeing it for yourself and you have until the 28th of July to do that but why wait until then? Head over there now!

Pose Fair still has a good amount of life left for it’s July round as well and as a late entry, Image Essentials has released three new pose packs but I am focusing on one for the guys and it goes by the name “B-Rad” and that seems rather fitting for a skateboarding type scene wouldn’t you think? The poses are all static as well as bento capable and if you were to ask me to best describe it, I would say they are all very chill and laid back stands which is right up my alley when I don’t feel like doing anything intense that requires action.

Image Essentials B-Rad (b) Pose Set features:

  • Bento enabled (requires bento viewer to properly see)
  • 5 different static poses
  • Mirrors for each pose included
  • Available @ Pose Fair until July 31st!

This post is rather heavy with items from The Men Jail (included the backdrop I’ve already mentioned), in fact I would say close to half of my look and outfit are items from the event; as you can see there are a lot of various items you can get at the event which is nice to have a variety. Most men’s events do have these things but there are just so few of them that you have to take what you can get.

L&E has this hair/bandana combination for sale at TMJ which I thought fit my needs exactly for what kind of look I wanted to achieve for a skater dude, the way the hair is styled reminds me of professional baseball player Bryce Harper, which reminds me of his appearance recently during the 2018 MLB Home Run Derby. It’s has the wet look to it with strands sticking up here and there and also really could be worn for maybe a summer photo working outside in the heat as well.

The headband (which is also packaged individually) has quite a few choices for designs that I almost had a hard time choosing which one I wanted to use and I looked at them all and narrowed down my choices and finally made a decision. Having options is a great thing but I don’t have to tell anyone that because it’s just one of those truths.

L&E Bandana Hair [Black] features:

  • 3 versions included
  • Standalone headband included
  • HUD to change bandana (6 different designs)
  • Available @ The Men Jail until the event closes on July 28th

Sticking with my coverage of The Men Jail, I am also wearing the R2A “Vest Shirt with Bag” (the bag itself I didn’t include in the shot) with the thought that it most definitely gives the skater vibe that I was looking for. It’s not a full sleeved shirt and it’s baggy as well which is good for movement and wouldn’t be restrictive to someone that skateboards. The bag that comes with it is comparable to a fanny pack (if you are younger and are not familiar google it now but don’t forget to come back!) I chose to omit it from the photo because I didn’t feel like it worked with the idea I had in my head but it is a cool added feature.

R2A Vest Top features:

  • Black Bun Bag included with Top (resizable)
  • HUD changes top color (18 different colors)
  • Fitted for Adam, Aesthetic, Altamura (Dante), Belleza (Jake), NX-Nardcotix (David), Signature (Gianni) and SLink Physique mesh bodies
  • Currently for sale @ The Men’s Jail until the 28th (July)

I haven’t forgotten The Men’s Department as I mentioned in one of my previous posts that there would be more items from the event featured on the site and that comes in the form of these Capri Shorts from TonkTastic, who have been making some excellent clothing items in the last year or so (including the collabs with Hermony which were fantastic). These shorts are at a length that I like but the fact that there are so many choices color and fabric wise that it caused me to choose because buying the entire collection was not an option for me at that moment so I chose to go with denim because I don’t recall having anything like it in my wardrobe.

It fit with my ideas for what I wanted to wear for the photo and all fell into place naturally. It doesn’t always work that way as many bloggers will tell you there is generally a snag in even the easiest plans which is why when putting everything together and not having any hiccups upon the shooting process.

TonkTastic Bermuda Shorts Denim features:

  • Belt included inside packack
  • HUD included offers 12 different belt color options
  • Fitted for Belleza (Jake), Signature (Gianni) and SLink Physique male mesh bodies
  • Available now @ The Men’s Department until the 31st of July

I also have to give props to Versov for the skateboard I used as a prop, it’s from their gacha that was first released at the June 2018 edition of The Arcade. You can play the machine at their store and get all the different longboards as well as the two RARE skate shoes which I’ll eventually get around to featuring in a blog post considering I love shoes a ton (like a metric ton).

Speaking of shoes, the ones I am wearing for this look come from The Men’s jail as well and are from Dossier (whom I’ve worn in several blog posts recently). The “Slip-On Konshu” are similar to like the Vans slip-on shoes you can get out in the real world and with this release you get all of the color/styles in one release. Yes you get the entire FATPACK and the cost of them is a value. If you need some slip-ons these will do well for you and that’s definitely a bargain you can feel good about.

Dossier Slip-On Konshu features:

  • HUD includes 12 different styles to choose from
  • Unrigged Size for classic avatars
  • Fitted for Belleza (Jake), Signature (Gianni) and SLink Physique male bodies
  • Includes Maitreya (Lara) size for the ladies
  • Currently @ The Men Jail until July 28th so head on over!

Now that all the information I can think of about the majority of the featured products of this blog are done with I think that it would be fair to wrap this up so that I can start to plan the next scene and get it photographed by the weekend (or possibly sooner maybe). There’s still plenty of things that I’d like to show on these pages and also Men Only Monthly is coming back for the July/August round which is exciting as well.

The productivity I’ve been feeling over the last few weeks is also a pretty good one and not in a way where I feel like I’m just trying to hammer stuff out to meet a deadline. The ideas have been coming along with the help of products I’ve received from events or ones I’ve purchased on my own accord. I hope that I can keep a steady pace and as July transitions into August come in swinging heavy.

That’s all I have for now but check back soon to see what else is new out there. Until our paths cross again, onto the next conversation…

HAIR: L&E – Bandana – Mesh Hair [Black] ✦ NEW @ The Men Jail (07/08 – 07/28)
HEAD: CATWA – Daniel ✦ Previously Blogged
FACE: L’etre – Toni – Pearl Tone ✦ Previously Blogged
BEARD: Birth – Bristle Beard ✦ NEW @ TMD (07/05 – 07/31)
BODY: Signature – Gianni v4.6 ✦ Previously Blogged

SHIRT: R2A – VEST TOP ✦ NEW @ The Men Jail (07/08 – 07/28)
SHORTS: TonkTastic – Bermuda Shorts / Denim ✦ NEW @ TMD (07/05 – 07/31)
SHOES: Dossier – Slip-On Konshu ✦ NEW @ The Men Jail (07/08 – 07/28)

SKATEBOARD: VERSOV – LONGBOV (VHS) ✦ Gacha
BACKDROP: Joplino – Backdrop Skatecave ✦ NEW @ The Men Jail (07/08 – 07/28)

POSE: Image Essentials (Store / MP) ✦ NEW @ Pose Fair (07/01 – 07/31)

[#453] It’s Always The Same

Go ahead, tell me you’ll leave again
You’ll just come back running
Holding your scarred heart in hand
It’s all the same
And I’ll take you for who you are
If you take me for everything
Do it all over again…

♫All The Same♫ – Sick Puppies
Inspired by Free Hugs Campaign

When you are reminded of a good song that you find has inspired you in some capacity you realize you want to share it with as many people as you can; in this post that is exactly what I’m doing. Combining two different versions of the song (one that was made by the person that inspired the photos I took and the other being the version that ended up on the album) I’m bringing you something that means something to me and I hope by the end of this post you will see that it’s more about clothes and poses and sims.

It’s about the human connection.


In the “Free Hugs Campaign” video, the person behind it all (whose name is Juan Mann) is walking around with a sign that reads “Free Hugs” and people don’t seem to want to have anything to do with him. I’m emulating that very thing myself but instead of a sign I have on a shirt that says “Free Hugs” that is part of the February group gift from R2A. I enlisted the help of my good friend Illuminatra to pose with me as one of the people who do not wish to get a free hug and would rather I buggered off.

Thank you for helping out with this blog post Lumi, I truly appreciate it.


In the picture above I’m basically taking a break because no one seems to be giving me the time of day even though all I’m doing is trying to promote good will and show the world that the human spirit can triumph over anything if you just give it the chance to. I took all of the pics you see in this blog on location at the Mopire City sim which I previously used as a location for the blog post #441 (Ride). It’s a really nice city to explore and of course take pictures at if you ever find yourself looking for that kind of environment.


Modulus has two new releases available right now at The Men’s Department and for this blog I am showing off the “Carl” hairstyle. You can see it up closer in the above shot and I used the BROWNS HUD and chose one of the colors that had some light streak tinting on the longer part of the hair. It gives it a more unique look and feel which is something I’m definitely all about.

The Man Cave recently opened and EQUAL released another low top shoe and I was so torn about what color to buy (as I knew at this moment I could not get the FATPACK as I might have before) so I thought long and hard and chose the black pair because it matched my outfit and it’s one of those universal things that will go with any outfit you might wear.


Now as I resume my quest to give out free hugs (even though previously was a bust) I finally find one kind soul that is willing to bring it in just like in the video when Juan finally starts to see people “embrace” the concept of what he’s trying to do. For the part of the older woman I was able to convince my sister in law, Lucie, to come shoot pics with me (as she has the LAQ female head that is more aged). I have reason to believe that she’ll be posting some shots from this session as well on her blog, Bluebird’s Song. You’ll be able to get her style credits when they are posted give or take in a day or so but I’d say go check out the blog before then because it’s really well thought out and put together.


Here is the actual pic of the first hug given with the nice older woman who probably felt sorry for me because nobody wanted any part of Free Hugs. Though it is a sign of good things to come as others take notice of the event are are possibly compelled to join in on the social experiment. A big thank you to Lucie for joining me and being a part of this blog, it wouldn’t have been possible without your part in the creativity of what has become the end result.


This is probably one of the most pic driven blogs I’ve done in a very long time but it was something that I really wanted to put just as much effort into as I do anything else and it called for the extra photos to tell the story and to really get the feel of it down correctly. It would have actually been longer if I had done shots of police trying to put a stop to Free Hugs as was shown in the video. It went so far as to Juan drawing up a petition to reinstate Free Hugs in the city which garnered thousands of signatures and it was then once again publicly allowed. It goes to show you that if you’re passionate enough about something and you believe in it to your core being that nothing can truly stop you.

For the above pic and the one that is to follow, I was able to get my brother Ethan to be one of the enthusiastic huggers once the campaign/movement started to take off.

A large thank you to Ethan for posing for these with me, I’m glad that we were able to do a photo together because it’s been way too long since we did one last. I’ll make sure the next one doesn’t take so long for me to include you again as I now know you enjoy doing it.


As I wrap this up I want to thank Lumi, Lucie and Ethan for helping me create this visual. Every moment of it has been enjoyable and I hope that when you guys see it you are as proud of it as I am. Without the three of you I don’t think I would have been able to make it work quite the way it did so you guys deserve credit as well for your help.

One last thing I’d like to say is I know that things might be a bit different then they were when Juan Mann started the Free Hugs Campaign and that sexual harassment is sadly on the rise but I feel that sometimes people do need hugs to brighten their day and there aren’t always people out there that are looking to do bad things. A thing to consider is that one person that may need a hug because they are having a rough go of things in their life, if they get that hug to show that someone actually is thinking of them in a positive way just may save their life. That’s all there is for this post but I appreciate anyone who takes a look at it.

Onto the next conversation….

Photos taken @ Mopire City

 

HAIR: Modulus – Carl Hair – BROWNS ✦ NEW @ TMD

M-Cuts (the hair division of Modulus) as I mentioned before have two releases out at The Men’s Department. The “Carl” hair is a side combed mid length hair with closely cropped sides. 25 colors available through 5 texture HUDs or all together in a FATPACK (which is a great value) to have a really cool hairstyle in your arsenal. I love the texture and quality of this hair and was able to fit it to my head with an easy to use resizer. Check out The Men’s Department to get a look at this hair and Modulus’ other release “Stefan” you’ll be glad you did.

HEAD: CATWA – Daniel ✦ 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔩𝔶 𝔅𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔤𝔢𝔡
EYES: AG. Reverie Eyes ✦ 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔩𝔶 𝔅𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔤𝔢𝔡
FACE: ::LV: Designs – Brennan Tone 2 ✦ 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔩𝔶 𝔅𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔤𝔢𝔡
BODY: Belleza – Jake ✦ 𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔩𝔶 𝔅𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔤𝔢𝔡

OUTFIT: R2A – FREE HUGS ✦ NEW ✦ 𝔊𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔭 𝔊𝔦𝔣𝔱

When I saw the ad for this outfit I knew I had to grab it because it reminded me of the video for the Free Hugs Campaign. This outfit comes with more than the shirt and sweatpants, there is also a snapback hat which says “Free Hugs” on it as well. Shoes also come with it but I was having a difficult time fitting them and I had the EQUAL shoes that I wanted to blog as well. The concept of the outfit is great and it looks good (as well as it is high quality). R2A has a lot of great urban clothing options that I suggest you check out because it is very much worth the time. So join the group as it costs nothing, get the outfit and then maybe do some shopping for yourself.

SHOES: EQUAL – Ian Sneakers BLACK ✦ NEW @ Man Cave

Another great footwear release from the EQUAL brand is available at the recently opened February round of Man Cave. These low tops are similar to what I’d call a Converse All-Star only they do note have laces in them which I think is a fantastic and underutilized feature in the virtual world. These shoes come with a HUD that allows you to change the soles of the shoe between two colors as well as the metal color of the eyelets. A really great street type shoe for casual type wear that will be great to wear with your jeans or sweats.

Le Poppycock – And So On A (Nothing To Hide)
Hypersigil – Still Motion (No Thank You)
Bounce This Poses – Walk
Bounce This Poses – Girl Pack
::: Core ::: Male Model Pose – Free Hugs ✦ 𝔑𝔬 𝔏𝔬𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔯 𝔄𝔳𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢
*CS* – All We Need Is Love