Americana in Flux

Flux returned after a very long haitus this month, just in time for a very country-specific holiday that is also oddly universal. July Forth as Independence day is very United States-centric, but many different countries have their own days of Independence - or even independence days layered over each other as their longstanding cultures remade themselves again and again. One thing often not spoken about Independence Day - the US one in particular though this is probably a valid shadow on other independence days - are those for whom it is the opposite, for whom it is the celebration of their murderers and destroyers, for whom "independence" is better recognized as "oppression."

I am an odd sort of US Patriot - overall I like the Constitution, though I recognize it as a flawed document made by flawed people who trumpeted liberty while owning slaves and living on land bought by the murder of those who had lived there before. I believe that to be a true Patriot one must not succor oneself with thoughts of US exceptionalism or perfection, but rather realize that some ideals were laid high for us in the early days and we are still far from recognizing many of them, but that is motivation to try harder and not to give up. I think we can do better, and I think honoring where we came from by trying to rectify the mistakes of the past and alter our actions in the present is a better way to live than pretending it didn't happen and we're all post-racial buddies.

Flux is an awesome time to rock the red, white, and blue though, and I think even the French might be willing to swing by for some Tricolor action. The only overtly US Flagish thing I'm wearing are these awesome boots from Momento Mori which I simply couldn't resist; I'm not normally a distressed style of person, but in this case it seemed very appropriate. They are gorgeously textured and really a lot of fun. The three-color stockings from Orc Inc underneath them are also available at Flux, and in addition to being a fantastic fit for anyone they have the added bonus of a SLink Enhanced System compatible food HUD, so you can show off your tinted toes in stocking feet if you want to. The dress, sadly, is not a Flux release, but it was an awesome release from Souzou Eien, and I really loved the drippy detail on the bodice. I also had lots of fun playing with the shadows between the layers - so~ awesome~. I sadly neglected a single frontal shot of this, though a mixture of distraction and enjoyment of these very fun balloons from Weather or Not which were also released at Flux - three options in one, and bobbing fun for the whole family.

My awesome headband with it's little hearts in bright colors is also a Flux release from Lark - and if I remember correctly was either free or extremely inexpensive. Well worth picking up, and I was able to match it up to the headband built into the new release from Wasabi Pills - having a headband already in place made matching it up a breeze, which is a tip I will definitely remember for the future. My awesome nails are one of a whole slew of them also from Orc Inc, and it was really hard to pick the one I liked best; there are even some blue and white and red and white in there for the Danes and Guatemalans among us. My jewelry again drives us into not-Fluxlandia but harkens to an event still in the building stages, the Love Donna Flora event. Casja released a report stating the money is already coming in, and also noting a change in venue for the Donna Flora main store. Hopefully this will ease Squinternet's days and demonstrate how dear she is to so many in Second Life.

( More pictures here. )

Credits:

Skin: De La Soul, Candace Creamer
Hair: Wasabi Pills, Tanya
Hairband: Lark, Heart of America Headband (Flux)
Ears: Illusions, Seelie Ears
Eyes: De La Soul, Mesh Eye Rainbow
Eyelashes 1: SLink, Mesh Lashes
Eyelashes 2: Flugeln Brise, 05-A
Eyeshadow: Mock, Faerie Punque in Navy
Eyedecoration: White Widow, Asia
Lipstick: Adore & Abhor, 13 Lips Blood
Lipgloss: Mock, Mizu Venetian Red
Wings: Deviance, Titania Mesh Fairy Wings
Jewelry: Donna Flora, Monia set
Hands: SLink, Rigged Mesh Hands
Nails: Orc Inc, USA (Flux)
Dress: Souzou Eien, Kureji Loli Blue
Stockings: Orc Inc, Red Blue White (Flux)
Shoes: Momento Mori, Easy Rider Boots (Flux)

Poses: Weather or Not

Location: Flux
Light Settings: Places, Las Legunas
Water Settings: Glassy

Photographed by Deoridhe Quandry
Post processing: Cropping, only