4th of July Town

4th of July Town

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elizabeth%20Town/132/143/21

Bird's eye view of 4th of July Town...I so wish I were a bird...

Just in time for Independence Day...my review of yet another of Laura Liberty's awesome theme sims...4th of July Town.  Whether your a tried and true red, white n blue American or just want to check out what those crazy Americans are doing in every City, town and backyard today...you NEED to check this place out!

The key to any good look....accessorizing :p

Packed with things to do, ranging from fun to downright silly...there is something for everyone here.  Get your camera ready cuz as anyone knows that has been to one of Laura's theme sims before, there is no shortage of photo-ops here.

On our knees...eating pie..wait, is this allowed here? (checks sim rating) ;)

Upon hitting the landing zone, you find yourself in the heart of the sim, surrounded by all sorts of fun activities. Pie eating and a Slip-n-Slide on one side and an awesome Statue of Liberty with fireworks behind her on the other.  If your more competitive in nature, I highly recommend the sack races. :)

Silly? No baby, you look fine, but...I think you need to jump higher for the next box :p

Exploring outward from the square you'll find a whole host of shops filled with fun Independence Day themed items and clothing as well as a whole bunch of additional activities to enjoy...

Wait....are you serious? There WAS a movie playing? (grins) Didn't notice...

Among these activities is a really slick Drive In theater where you can snuggle up with a loved one in back of a vehicle (hands to yourself now) and take in a movie...

Hmmm...Is it just me or does George look like he has a secret?

As well as a really cool rendition of Mount Rushmore in all its glory. If all this American pride just gets too deep into your blood and you feel the need to express your pride...

No baby...your other left...your OTHER left...oh forget it, just blow that horn :p

Grab the free instruments and join the marching band on the parade route! Not only can you play the instruments but even don the free uniform and look the part if you wish.

Floating up into the heavens...lucky for me I brought my own angel with :)

Further along you will find a sample of the small town celebration, complete with fun things like Face painting, water balloons, a dunk tank and a red, white and blue hot air balloon. As you will see below in the additional pics...Ally REALLY loved the dunk tank :P

I know, I know....wrong country, but seriously....WHO CARES ;)

Now, all this activity will probably leave you a bit warm and in need of a cool down...so be sure to visit the star shaped, incredibly patriotic pool before you go :)

Conclusion: Once again, Laura Liberty has "hit one out of the ballpark" with her latest theme sim offering of 4th of July Town.  Despite having an amazing amount of things to do here, she somehow manages not to make it seem to busy. Every proud American owes it to themselves to stop by and take in this latest masterpiece. 

Additional Pics

Fireworks...NOT the frat boy farting with a lighter trick :p

Humming "America the beautiful" is not only allowed, but encouraged :)

Baby, I have no idea how that buttery finger print got there...wierd!

This shot ONLY took about 20 minutes and 45 shots to get just right...grrrrr!

Still don't understand why you wont trust ME with the brush hun...lol

You throw like a girl!!!! oh SHIIIII......(cough, sputter....)

Busts out into song...."Shine bright like a diamond!!!" My apologies to your ears ;)

Almost Wonderland

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mandi%20Isle/169/121/827
Rating: ✭✭✭✭

Classic case of why you should NOT judge a book by its cover

Here, There -n- Everywhere makes its triumphant return with a visit to a surprising and very picturesque Sim called Almost Wonderland.  Upon hitting the landing at the Sim the first thing that hit me was the gorgeous use of colors and textures to create an ethereal glow somewhat reminiscent of the night scenes in the movie Avatar

OOOOO,,,,look at the pretty lights....

Once Kari and I were done oooh'ing and ahhh'ing at all the pretty colors we soon spotted the sign telling us to follow the white rabbit. I know...I was shocked too! Imagine, a white rabbit in a "wonderland" Sim...lol, but I digress.  

What? I soooo did NOT push you!!!

Being the intrepid explorers that we are, we didn't even think twice before hurling our pixel bodies down the hollow at the base of the tree in pursuit if the white bunny.  Once our faculties returned following our rough landing, we took in our surroundings...a funky checkered design on the walls with a hallway with a series of doors and....

They are NEVER gonna get that stain out....

A very ominous message...."Madness is not a state of mind, it's a place...lets go there together"...that appeared to be scrawled in blood upon the floor.  Kari and I looked at each other, my mind filled with one thought...Daddy....but, that's a whole other story.. :p  Now...Kari and I get along very well if for no other reason that we are both closet peeping Tom's.  So, the first thing we naturally did is throw the doors open to see what secrets they held behind them...

hmmmm....are words even needed? ;)

And...were totally disappointed...lol. Behind the doors were rather bland and boring 2D images enacting scenes from the classic Alice tale.  Hell, they weren't even in full color....and then....we found the last door.  A teleport in disguise.  Kari, being rather brave and wanting to show off her new boots volunteered to go first...

I knew it! I knew it! Size DOES matter

Finally! Let the fun begin...  It was at this point that my initial impression of this being a rather boring Sim started to be disproved.  After gulping down the magic potion the world heaved and grew (or did we shrink?)  As the awe of the effect started to wear off, we spotted yet another door...

The time? hmmm...I've got....quarter after hottie....I mean....twelve

Bringing us to a very cool, floating chess board surrounded by other smaller chunks of the board and a huge floating clock that just needed to be melting to be very Salvador Dali.  Lots of great photo ops here folks...and once your done snapping away....yet another teleport on a door sitting at a funky 45 degree angle. Next stop....

ERP!...omg....where are the air-sick bags!!! Quick!!!

and once your done snapping away....yet another teleport on a door sitting at a funky 45 degree angle. Loved the eerie way it felt and appeared from the angled piece of floor.  Once more unto the breach!  Next stop....

Beauty captured...layer upon layer...and the Sim looked good too

The heart of the Sim...and WOW!  Clearly the creator of this dark version of wonderland spent a lot of time getting this just right.  The colors and textures were practically exploding off my screen.    This was like the original landing point...but on steroids.

Breaks out into song and dance...."I always feel like, somebodies watching meeeeeee"

Pathways lead you through a meandering journey of breath-taking color as well as some excellent effects.  I particularly loved the plants with the eyeballs that followed you as you walked.  Kari being the stunning woman that she is and used to being stared at, didn't even notice them until I pointed them out :)

Wow!

Speaking of stunning...found some spectacular places for photos.  a blossom alongside a waterfall that was almost as beautiful as the woman resting within it...

Rubs his soar head...."I was just following direction hun...." :p

A bottle, floating in the air on its side also with a number of great poses.  The best part of this one is the fact that two people can be on it at the same time.  While there were no snuggles here, there are some other spots hidden amongst this fabulous fantasy background...

"I'm a little teapot short and stout....."

As well as some fun things, like the gorgeously rendered Teacup ride so similar to the teacups ride of Disney fame.  The only thing I wished was that the seating would allow for cuddles for couples too as well as the seating across for the non-couple explorers. 

Wonderlandmart....all your Alice goods under one roof

While most may think that the haunted house style of building may clash with the whole wonderland theme...here, it just seemed to fit.  Inside are a number of the building blocks used to create this gorgeous Sim.  So if you have ever thought about creating your own wonderland, it is a great place to visit and get ideas and the stuff needed to bring your own wonderland to life.

Conclusion:  While it may start a bit slow, this Sims hidden gems greatly reward those willing to dig a little deeper.  Kari and I were both impressed with the attention to detail that was shown.  The only major fault I could find with this Sim was the lack of any kind of music.  Set a great soundtrack to this place and our rating would go up even more.  That said, we both strongly recommend a visit

Additional Pics:

yes...those ARE mushrooms...lol

awwwwwww!

thinks to self...."well, I cant find the bathroom...nobody will ever know...."

Fin

Humanoid

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilmour/94/116/21

Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

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It is with great pride and honor that Gabs and I are happy to present to you all....HUMANOID!  Without question, the very best looking Sim that we have both come across in our combined 8 years as members in this amazing community known as Secondlife, and the VERY FIRST FIVE STAR rated Sim in the short history of Here, There -n- Everywhere.  Not only is this a great looking place, but with its shear number of places to see you will enjoy yourself whether alone or with that special someone...So, sit back and enjoy our guided tour of this amazing place.

This saying at the landing gives little hint to the wonders that await visitors

Upon landing in Humanoid...the first thing that will strike you is how rich and inviting the colors are.  The effect of the grasses and water against the sky are simply phenomenal.  After zooming out to see the thought provoking and inspiring message... 

Serenity awaits a step through the doorway...

You find yourself surrounded by a series of eight doors...seemingly placed at random.  Don't worry, you will very soon find out that their placement here is anything but.  Now, in doing this review...I debated back and forth with myself (yes, my kids DID think I had lost my mind) whether or not to do a step-by step review or not.  In the end...I decided to just give you all a small taste of what Humanoid has to offer so you can all discover the joys, wonders and secrets that are scattered throughout this breath-taking location yourself.

Bareback riding at it's finest :)

One of the first doors Gabs and I went through brought us to this almost surreal circus-like location. Complete with a giant rolled up rug, placed in a meadow filled with flowers.  A tight rope with great animations and of course an amazing carousel complete the picture.  The colors and textures used are astounding.  I am sure many a photo has been snapped here with many more to come.  Back through the doorway portal and on to the next...

Alice and her wonderland ain't got nothing on this place

where we find ourselves in yet another dream scape of colors and textures, random inspirational saying, floating musical instruments and to the lovely Gabs delight...a swing :)

Any doubts why I have dozens of photos from this visit?

Back through the portal to the eight doors and on to the next and this time we find ourselves in a stunning world with gorgeous white dandelions glowing against a black background.  To say this place is photogenic is the grand daddy of all understatements.

May want to grab the anti-hystemine before visiting :p

After clicking away like mad on the snapshot button...back to the doorways and on to the next...this time an amazingly romantic setting with a boat floating lazily on the water.  Loaded with great couples animations, you special someone will LOVE this spot.  The animations were for the most part very well done, and even had a few we hadn't seen.   Always a welcome surprise for SL vets

Are words even needed?

And on and on it went...It took Gabs and I two nights to take them all in, and if that were all the Sim consisted of it would be awesome...(puts on my infomercial voice) But wait! There's more!!  LOL...sorry, just had to do it.  Anyways, as if all of the amazing destinations through the 8 doorways weren't enough, the Sim proper itself is scattered with stunning locations, such as...

And...

AND......

Getting the "picture" yet? lol....

Final Thoughts:  Wendy Xeno, the brilliant talent behind Humanoid needs to be applauded for her amazing work.  We can only hope that this masterpiece will not be her last.  Gabs and I have seen a LOT of Sims in our time here in SL, but nothing has ever taken our breaths away like this place has.  Amazing colors, fantastic textures, the sheer brilliance of the artistic randomness of the place is astounding and definitely someplace that EVERY resident of SL should find their way to at least once.  You wont be sorry, just....make sure you leave yourself time to explore :)

Additional Pics:

Best carousel EVER

I can see forever in those eyes....

Beauty is a never ending symphony

I can still hear the music

Poetry in motion

Awwwwww

Sorry baby, I just had to take this one ;)

so innocent....

ok....never mind that last caption....lol

My, what a pretty little birdy you are

Redefining the term "swinging" one photo at a time

Wow!