Second Life used to shut down for many hours while server-software and databases were updated. This sometimes happened as often as weekly. It also nicely rhymes with the beginning of the story arc.
The puff of particles that takes place when someone logs off or teleports elsewhere is very hard to catch on camera. Even harder if you're the one who is doing it :)
Actually as a still shot, the particles don't look convincing. Moriash Moreau gave me this little particle gadget that actually looks far more convincing in a snapshot than the real thing does.