A long while ago I won first prize in one of Osprey’s photo contests (Hi Os – I *will* start taking shots again, I promise ) and donated the money to someone called Random Unsung of the SL Public Land Preserve (1). I had the joined the group not really knowing much about them and as it is not an active group I’d all but forgotten about them. Now I think that at the time of this win, the owner of the group had sent out a group notice or IM asking for donations towards tier (2) so I sent my winnings to him (3). On the way out of the gallery Janey & I ran into the mercurial Hank Ramos who did his usual, wonderful thing of running around dropping money and being quite charming. I picked up the loot and thanked him, explaining I would donate this to the SLPLP cause too, which led Hank to throw even more money to us. Janey was a brick and donated her booty and winnings to the same cause so between us we sent a couple of grand or more into the fray.

Fast forward a few months and I’m reading the blog of someone called Prokofy Neva. I can’t remember if it was on his blog or in his profile, but I saw a mention of Random Unsung and it turns out they are one and the same. It turns out that Prok likes to keep places in SL open for all too – and people say he has no nice side, tsk! (5)

Jump ahead to now (well, a week or two ago) and Prok’s blog had a long post all about his work to renovate the land around the ancient Moth Temple in Iris which is, and here is the last linking pin, held in the SL Public Land Preserve! See, it was a long journey but we got here in the end. Sit down, kick off your shoes and have a slice of cake – you did well. Let the next part of this post wash over you. Fancy a back rub?

He and Jessica Ornitz have been hard at work for a loooooong time to make this historic landmark and infohub something people will remember and find useful. To read more of Prok’s designs and places, as well of the concept of a Memory Bazaar, check out his post here. Meanwhile, as I’m much shallower than Prok, I am content to simply visit, photograph and tell you about what a great build it is – Read on McDuff…

A TP there lands you on a small jetty, part of a network that criss-crosses the sim:

By the TP point you can pick up a great, free set of moth wings (made by Os the Ace):

They are perfect for flying up and flitting about the wonderful temple:

Back on the jetty system, and with my newly acquired wings neatly tucked away, beautiful lamps and jars of fireflies light the way:

Along the jetties small wooden huts are open to all and sundry, part of Prok’s planned Memory Bazaar I think. Each one will help noobs orientate themselves and each one has been lovingly created by Jessica…

The job hut:

The entomologist’s hut:

The opium den – I can confirm I did try a pipe, but I did not inhale. Much:

The noodle bar – yum yum!:

The tattoo parlour (and after a few beers in the nearby bar, I now sport a rather natty tat on my bum. Does anyone know who Ryan is?):

The wash house – I had a very nice soak here so look away of prime gazelle flesh offends thee:

The dentist’s hut – complete with nifty sex education poster!

The local bar (but who is Ryan?)

There is a whole heap of other great stuff to see and I don’t want to spoil all the surprises for you so go on over to Iris now and have a good old explore – don’t forget to click the SL Public Land Preserve boards (like this one) to find out more about the group:

Yours in Travel,
HeadBurro Antfarm
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(1) I’ve always been keen on green spaces and public land in SL – see my posts on the SLPRS / VPRS for more info.

(2) I’m a dope at these things. I know tier is rent so just asking for L$ makes sense, but some folks as for a different type of tier that I think is a temporary signing over of land. I think. I don’t know. Anyhoo, this wasn’t that type of ask, Random wanted money.

(3) For which I never got a thank you and I cried for a week. I’m delicate like that. Actually, I just thought I’d been scammed, but I hadn’t – go back up there and read on to find out why. Who was this mysterious Random chap? Did he contact me again? Have I ever seen Hank since? All these questions and less may or may not be answered (4).

(4) Prok. No. No. Thereyago!

(5) He just hides it well