No, I’m not dead yet
I’m losing myself to the darkness in my head
Suffocating
Getting hard to breathe, everything is caving in
I won’t let it
I keep weighing me down but this isn’t how it ends
I’d regret it
No, I’m not dead yet
Fame On Fire, ♫Not Dead Yet♫
Just a couple more days left for the September round of Pose Fair. I encourage everyone that hasn’t been there for some reason or another to take a look at the multitude of excellent pose creators participating in this event. There are too many good ones that I wouldn’t want to take away from any of them by only listing a few. That would just be discourteous.
In the scene I’ve photographed today I’m using a pose from the “In My Head” set by XTC Poses. It’s a set of sitting poses that for me is great because I tend to want to do more poses where I’m sitting but usually never find the right one and I give up way too easily. This particular set really caught my eye so it all just came down to which pose would win out and be the one I used.
While I’m not much for decor, I found myself really liking the “TimeRoomSet” by Kazza that is available for a really inexpensive price for Happy Weekend. It is also something worth checking out too for anyone who might be looking for some furniture that looks great. There is not much to say about my look other than most of it is comprised of some of my favorites like my hair by Stealthic and my clothing by Cold-Ash. The only other new item besides the pose is the “Seth” skin by Stray Dog which can be found at this month’s TMD (The Men’s Department).
It’s the end of the summer
It’s the end of it all
Those days are gone its over now were moving on
It’s the end of the summer
But we’ll see it all again
So hold on to this moment till then
It’s the end of the summer
Theory Of A Deadman, ♫End Of The Summer♫
Later today begins a brand new round of Pose Fair. I made mention of it in two of my previous posts to not only get myself even more hyped up about it but also get anyone who checks out this blog out hyped as well. When I did the “A Day Without Poses” post it truly made me realize how fortunate we are to have creators and events like this to help make our photos more meaningful. We’d be stiff as boards and there would be no emotion or feeling that could be attached to them.
Summer is coming to a close soon so I wanted to make sure that I got at least one more beach shot if I could manage it and found the perfect clothing to make it all work. Lapointe & Bastchild has the “Jett” Tank and Board Shorts at the recently opened September round of TMD. There are a lots of combinations and it took me a while to find the right combination but I like how everything turned out.
Down the black hole
Hope is shallow
Tell me where were you?
Time can be so
Cold and hollow
Tell me where were you?
Flight Paths, ♫Shallow♫
Greetings! It’s been a while since my last entry and I hope everyone out there is doing well and staying safe in whatever part of the world they are at. I’ve finally found some inspiration with the newest release from Cold-Ash. The BLAISE Tee is at this current round of The Men’s Department. Be sure to also check its companion release, the LARKHAM Jeans.
I’ve also included a fun prop from lock&tuft: a nifty walkie talkie that has several hand/arm positions to choose from. I really like things like this (always have) because it helps makes scenes come together.
Another day fades out of time
Into nothing, pay you no mind
In outer space so paralyzed
It’s not too late
Open your eye
I’m writing again these letters to you aren’t much, I know
But I’m not sleeping and you’re not here
The thought stops my heart
Letters To You, ♫Finch♫
Session Skins recently released a new skin just for Catwa called Rocco in Tone 02. It’s designed specifically for the Stanley head which is what I’m using but it’s entirely possible that it would look just as good with other heads from the same brand. Rocco comes packaged with a Catwa applier HUD that offers a clean face, beard and no brow versions; there is also Bakes On Mesh for those who have been bitten by that bug. There are quite a few pros and cons about it that I haven’t completely bought in but as I keep saying, I’m not ruling out using it.
Hopefully creators don’t stop using HUD based appliers in the future in favor of completely adopting to this revamped feature.
The Men’s Department is in full swing with their February round and the latest clothing merchandise from Cold-Ash will be sure to make the girls swoon and break some hearts. The Finch V-neck Sweater is multi-functional in that you can wear it as it is (as you can see in my photo) or make use of the shirt and tie add-on. If you want formal or casual it truly is the best of both worlds.
For potential owners of the Fatpack this is what you will get: The standalone version and also the shirt with tie version as well as a HUD that contains 12 sweater colors, 18 shirt options and 12 tie options. Finch is compatible with Belleza (Jake) and Signature (Gianni) mesh bodies.
Your flaws are perfect for the heart that’s meant to love you.
Trent Shelton
Crash you’re going down without a sound
And I’ll pass you up before I explode
Breaking until I’ll see it through
You won’t keep me down when I crash through you
Crash, ♫Decypher Down♫
With this being potentially the last Pose Fair post I do before the event ends (of course I’d like to try and do more but things are getting busier), I wanted to try something different and of course branch out from doing a post that is showing my face. In fact that makes it two entries straight so potentially that’s a personal record. Another thing is that virtually setting up a shot where I’m attempting to ski (but failing) which is something I’ve never done in reality for several reasons. One being that I’m definitely not coordinated enough and secondly it would definitely make my anxiety level creep to an uncomfortable level due to being up so far and having to make it down a hill of unknown length.
Then there are of course trees and no matter how hard I would try there’s no doubt I would find one.
Hopscotch Poses have released over the years some really fun things in the form of gachas (at events like The Arcade) and poses like “Down The Slope” which of course is a part of the winter round of Pose Fair. I love the variety of poses that are a part of this pack as well as the fact that you get the ski’s and poles (or sticks if you are from another part of the world). The poses seem to be in a sequence of being upright to making a descent down the slope into eventual chaos and ending up flat on your face as I am in my pic. Of course I don’t think it helps that I wasn’t properly dressed for the occasion with dress shoes and pants but they look good so pfft.
There are 5 poses within the set and as mentioned above comes with the included props. Ski lessons are NOT included!
If you’re not falling, you’re not learning.
Unknown
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine forevermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I’m sixty four?
The Beatles, ♫When I’m Sixty Four♫
Sometimes when I can’t sleep I come up with ideas for things that are not my usual type of photo. I’ve been told that I tend to take a lot of similar kind of shots with similar angles all the time (usually front facing) and I can’t argue with that. Another thing that I spent a lot of time doing before I needed to step away from blogging is that I was so focused on getting likes and wanting to be one of those people that everyone talks about that I didn’t really think about the bigger picture and how it was really putting a strain on me as well as others in my life. Upon my return, I’ve changed some things and continue to work on improving in others but it’s a long process sometimes to climb uphill. Having fun and doing what I want and need to do for myself artistically is steps above having the prestige of blogging for “brand x” or the disappointment of not getting chosen.
I still have stores that I blog for that I love and that enjoy what I have to offer and that is what fills my heart. 2020 is fast approaching and I’ve already begun to figure out what it means for me creatively. Finding what makes me happy is one of those things and it’s not some thing that will be figured out overnight (and very well may even take the next year but why rush?)
Cold-Ash released new footwear this month to be the addition to last months “Raphael Shirt” and “Alessio Trousers”. With such a classy and formidable style as the “Monk Buckle Shoes” provide, they are a fashion trend that’s been around for ages and caters to the formal male. Of course these shoes look great with the aforementioned trousers but I’d be bold enough to say that I think they could go with a nice pair of jeans as well without losing the sophistication. Throw that in with a blazer and a t-shirt and you have a casual outfit that makes a handsome devil out of a man.
A feature I like about this pair of footwear is that for the owners of the Alessio Trousers that also wear the belt, a version with the colors of the shoes is included (this applies to the FATPACK version for sure but not 100% sure about single colors). There are two versions of the shoe as well (with and without a sock top that has it’s own HUD with 15 colors); the main shoe itself offers 11 leather choices with 2 metals for the buckle. The Monk Buckle Shoes are compatible with Belleza (Jake 2.0), Signature (Gianni) and an Unrigged version.
Grab these up at The Men’s Department before the 31st of December otherwise they’ll be put out in the store sometime thereafter in the new year.
Lastly I incorporated the awesome cat by Rezz Room from the “Gacha Grouchy Cat Set” that was a part of Equal10 back in August. I would have blogged one of the kitties from this set sooner but plans change and of course things happen. I love that the creator(s) behind the store made a really cool version of my favorite cat (I’ve made it known quite often in other blogs) and an idea came right to me when I was sifting through my virtual closet several days ago. I found a way of showing off the great pair of footwear and sharing the spotlight with the grouchy one (though we all know it’s really grumpy but y’know red tape type stuff so shhsh).
I thought to myself why not play on words the fact that human years and cat years are completely different. I’m not looking for an argument with the fact that Grumpy passed at the age of 7, which falls short of 64 cat years but had this lovable feline lived to 12 human years (which we would all would have loved) then it would have made for absolute perfection. Let’s just all agree that it’s a cute moment that inspires fun and a happy memory of a celebrity that brought so much joy to many by looking miserable (but not actually being it).
Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.
Jim Davis
You know the stars are shining just for you
Let’s take a walk and we can follow the moon
Until we reach the place we could stay
Maybe kiss a bit and dream away
Kissing Under The Mistletoe, ♫Loving Caliber (feat. Emmi)♫
After a small break with that last entry, I’m back at it again with more goodness from the Pose Fair; I couldn’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy doing photos with Brenna. This time we’ve come together to show everyone the “Kiss Me” pose from Space Cadet. It works well because we are both fans of this brand and when I see them at an event like Pose Fair I gravitate towards it and I make sure that I put together a scene as quick as possible. This sweet pose is included with the mistletoe prop so that anyone can get in on the fun.
It also seems that Brenna also has most of the new items in her look then I do but of course I’ve previously blogged the skin I’m wearing as well as the hat/hair (that I’ve not found a good angle to capture yet still but bare with me, I’m trying!) She’s wearing hair and a skin from the Doux/L’etre gacha from The Arcade (and was also kind enough to hook me up with some spares for one of my previous entries). There’s also the “Dove Sweater” by Miss Chelsea that has two exclusive designs at the Anthem event for just $99L through the course of the event so ladies if you haven’t taken a look at that it’s worth doing.
Admittedly this probably wasn’t the greatest scene setup that I’ve ever used in one of my photos but I wanted to focus on the pose and the closeness of Brenna and I. This time of year is not that easy for me and probably even more so now without getting into detail but the best way to put it is that being with those you care about helps with some of that and I’m all for those moments…and besides I don’t think we’ve ever done a photo before where we’re kissing with mistletoe.
I wouldn’t be opposed to more of them in the future.
Mistletoe. I surmount all obstacles.
Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers
‘Cause my monsters are real, and they’re trained how to kill
And there’s no coming back and they just laugh at how I feel
And these monsters can fly, and they’ll never say die
And there’s no going back, if I get trapped I’ll never heal
Yeah, my monsters are real
Shinedown, ♫Monsters♫
Thought I would just take a one small break between posting wintery posts for Pose Fair and sneak in a little something different. I felt like it would be a good time to do what likely a lot of people are doing and posting Negan pics because of the Stray Dog “Jeffery” skin that was released at TMD this month. It’s a fantastic likeness of the man who first came into our homes as the Patriarch of the Winchester boys of Supernatural. After many different films and being cast as the psychotic sociopath that wields a bat on The Walking Dead, the virtual world is getting a facsimile that is pretty darn close to the real thing.
Jeffrey has several options built into it’s HUD including a clean shaven face as well as his post apocalyptic beard. There are also two different styles of eyebrow types built into the applier along with a no brows version as well. A lot of skins by Stray Dog that have been released pay tribute to great actors and each one has definitely been a hit (I can’t see how they couldn’t be!)
I definitely chose the right styling for this blog post as a while back Cold-Ash released a version of Negan’s jacket so pairing that with my new favorite pair of jeans by Lapointe & Bastchild’s Swear imprint has brought the charming yet evil as sin character to life virtually as I took to the Bartertown sim. Also I went back and dabbled with the Black Dragon viewer after updating it to the latest version (and also putting in the settings I had that were wiped out). I think that it’s going to take me a lot of messing with this before I end up using it for photography permanently instead of Firestorm.
I’m also wearing the “Bad Santa” hat/hair combination from Lock&Tuft (available now at Tannenbaum) but I plan to do more posts with it so that I get a better angle of it but it’s definitely tougher to do as I’ve done a couple of photos with it including this one and I haven’t captured it well in any angle that I’ve tried but I’m going to keep trying until I’ve got it 100%. Certain hair styles make it harder to capture well, especially with the addition of the Santa Hat because of it’s curvature.
Be careful in the company of monsters that you don’t become one.
Cindy Gerard, Take No Prisoners
Santa Baby, just slip a sable under the tree,
For me.
Been an awful good girl, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa Baby, ♫Eartha Kitt♫
Normally I don’t tend to shake things up too often but when Brenna and I collaborate together anything is possible. As I was discussing the different types of goodies that were available at the Winter Edition of Pose Fair, the “Santa’s Girl” pose by X.T.C Poses made a strong impression on the both of us. We thought that making an edgier Christmas pic would be fun and gave me a chance to play on the time old tune Santa Baby. The version of the song I chose is performed by Eartha Kitt who at one time played Catwoman in the Batman television series starring Adam West. It’s a nerd choice all the way.
The pose itself offers two different options: one coming with a chair and the other with just the poses so that you can choose your own furniture to use. Of course it comes with gifts of its own in the form of the Santa Hat and large tree ornament that I have in my possession to the champagne bottle that Brenna has. Each of these items are transferable so that it’s easy for anyone to be involved in the pose without fear of not be able to use the props.
Pose Fair is now open to the public and I sincerely encourage taking a look at all the great poses from some of the best pose makers on the grid.
Brenna and I thought it would be funny if Santa got caught by Mrs. Claus and going on the “Naughty List” by entertaining one of his helpers in a sense. She’s wearing the “Sasha” bow by Vanilla Bae which is a part of the current round of FaMESHed. This bow could be a lot of fun potentially for both the guys and gals as it has 7 steps of removal before fully coming off so it has a level of interactivity to it.
My attire consists of the “Brandon” pants and jacket from Salt & Pepper. I picked this up last year at the SL Christmas Expo (I think that was what it was called anyway) and intended to use it for a photo but it never materialized. It certainly helps make this idea more authentic though I think my version of Santa is a bit more fantasy based as we all know that he’s rather jolly and not shredded like my version.
Of course I have to thank Brenna for not only conspiring with me for this idea but also setting up the rest of the scenery with the fireplace and Christmas decorations (stockings, tree etc). We are definitely going to be doing more shoots for Pose Fair but this is probably the one that will be the most eye opening and also give a good laugh considering Santa is about to get posterized with a flip-flop.
I certainly don’t envy him at all.
Let’s be naughty and save Santa the trip.
Gary Allen
The nights draw in
There’s a silky moon up in the sky
Children are fantasizing
Grown-ups are standin’ by
What a super feeling
A Winter’s Tale, ♫Queen♫
With this latest round of Pose Fair being winter themed I’ve been getting use out of many of the sims that change from season to season or those new sims that just happen to pop up for a short time for the holidays. Take the Silent Night Resort sim which is a winter wonderland that is a cozy place to take your person on a little quaint date. From the cozy little forts to the coffee/cocoa shack it’s fun to just walk around and see what kind of photographical fun can be had.
Taking advantage of the beverage shack, I felt like it was a good spot to use the Motive8 “S~20” pose set which has five different poses and includes a snowflake cup that is held in the right hand for each one. For the scene it was the perfect marriage of setting and pose so for me when that happens it makes getting things together a snap (there’s a pun there I’m sure).
TMD’s round for December has plenty for the male consumer with a variety of clothing, skins and accessories such as rings, poses and skyboxes and after taking a look through it there’s plenty that caught my eye. Though one of my favorite things to hit the booths is the “Havoc” Sweater by Lapointe & Bastchilld’s Swear imprint. Inspiring warm feelings on a cold day and as such a cold weather sim and picture.
The sweater is also named after the insanely popular jeans and most recently leather pants (which of course coordinates well together). For a more formal look I matched it up with the Swear Slacks which are part of the Edge Suit to make it a classier affair but I’ll be looking forward to wearing with the other two Havoc products. Best thing about this is that the HUD for the FATPACK contains 45 different styles of sweater and breaks down as follows: 18 Cable Knits, 19 Variegated Wool and 8 themed designs (such as the one I’m wearing!)
The Havoc Sweater is compatible with Belleza (Jake), Signature (Geralt + Gianni) and SLink (Physique) mesh bodies.
Winter forms our character and brings out our best.
Tom Allen
These Conversations Kill 