Bock in SecondLife

How My Soul Was Saved

2012-02-15T23:11:00.002+01:00

Let me start by saying that both Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise can go jump in the lake, because my own personal vampire is far sweeter, more stunning and cleverer than the two combined!

I am now at liberty to share his name and true appearance with you all. You may remember I told you about his coming out as a vampire to me in my earlier post My Soul Is Intact (url). At that point in time I had not yet asked for his permission so I showed you a picture where he was masked. Here is the unmasked version.

I and Drey

Some of you may recognize my darling brother in-law Drey Messmer after his makeover, and you would be correct. Well, my BIL is these days an out and proud gay vampire and I support him thoroughly.

As some of you may remember, we did some tests that I reported to you in the post mentioned above and concluded that my soul was safe. However, my BIL is no dumb-ass so he discussed my case with his vampire liege - the guy that had bitten him I am guessing - and they reached the conclusion that my soul could still be in peril and further testing was needed.for a correct diagnosis to be made.

Drey, my personal vampire

So my BIL came over for a new visit and we started the testing. Before the testing could proceed I had to wear the garlic necklace again and deactivate it and I also had to deactivate my Animation Override (AO)

"The GarlicNecklace: Your Garlic Necklace Vampire Bite Ward has been deactivated. You arenow vulnerable to Vampire bites".

It felt a little scary to do this in the presence of a cute vampire, but I trust my BIL implicitly and of course I was never in any danger. Following the deactivation Drey made a new scan of me after first assuring me that if there should be a problem there was also a cure.

"HUD[Thirst::Bloodlines] 3.4: Bock McMillan's soul is in Limbo. To rescue it, theyneed to drink the Wormwood potion. If they register, their soul will go toTitania Bracken."

When I saw the result of the scan and the name I remembered the incident where I had been attacked by this awful Titania woman at a concert where we had been dancing in some obscure place. The bite was sent under the guise of a farewell hug and as any decent Swede I never deny I a hug (we are all bad that way) whereupon she bit me and stole my soul.

Drey told me that the only thing that had prevented my soul from being lost was the fact that I never joined Bloodlines. If I had done so at any point after the my soul would have gone to Titania´s soul-count.

Now for the cure Drey teleported to the sim Liquid (SLurl) to purchase the Wormwood potion and send it to me. He told me not to use it until he returned.

Drey, my savior

When my BIL was back and I had unpacked the potion he had sent me, he told me to wear the bottle, hit it and then choose "Drink" on the dialogue window that appeared.

As soon as I had drunk the potion I received this message "TheWormwood Potion: Your soul has been rescued from Limbo".

Drey made a new scan of me and got this message; HUD[Thirst::Bloodlines] 3.4: Bock McMillan's soul was in Limbo, then they drankthe Wormwood potion. Once they have registered for Bloodlines and been bitten,their soul will go to the next person to bite them.

Yeahaw!!! My soul that had been in peril had now been saved by my beautiful, wonderful BIL.

The next thing I did after giving Drey a hug was to activate my garlic necklace again!

For Apmel

2012-02-15T19:02:00.000+01:00

(via J.M.G.)

This made me think of you bosom buddy, with a big smile on my face!

... and then this...

Bock, you are 17 % Hippie,. You are almost as far from being a hippie as one can be

The Hollywood Style Party

2012-02-15T01:22:00.003+01:00

The birthday boys, Ziggy & Holter

When the new lovers Ziggy and Holter discovered that both of them had a first life 24th birthday coming up they decided to throw a bash in their new house on the Pure sim.

Unfortunately I arrived a little late due to teleportation issues but I understand the party started as it was meant to go on, with the two birthday studs arriving to the party on their Harley Davidson motorbikes and crashing them both into the swimming pool. What a start and the party escalated from there.

Lars Kaz and DJ Shep

DJ Shep supplied the great music with his hunk Larz Kaz as a beautiful appendage.

Scott and Garcin in the back with Thorn and Hurtful in front

As could be expected the supply of beautiful gay men was abundant and there were even three good looking women present.

People came and went and came back all the time I was there so its rather difficult to say how many where there.

Regi Yifu always stylish

Alas I could not stay longer than midnight (my time) as I was working the day after, but I suspect that more guys came in after I had left.

I had a really fun time and am sure that goes for the others there also.

More pictures from the party can be seen on Ziggy´s blog Ziggy On The Edge Of Second Life

Love, Respect & Courage

2012-02-14T23:29:00.001+01:00

In honor of Valentines Day I would like to remind myself and everyone else that love, respect and courage have accomplished most of the things we are proud of in the history of mankind. They do not always conquer all bad things or situations, but even then they help us through the bad experiences.

Hate, disrespect and cowardice on the other hand has never given us anything worthwhile.

Reflections on a Monday

2012-02-13T23:07:00.000+01:00

Sunday was a hectic day for me. My feelings were all over the place, swinging from sorrow to happiness and then back and forth a few times. All in all it was a good day though.

Can one actually celebrate a wedding anniversary if the spouse is dead? That was one of the things on my mind early in the day, but I soon decided that "Hell yes, sure I can" because it was one of my happiest days in SecondLife. "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (which in Bockese directly translates into "Bugger those evil minded bastards who think ill thereof")

Then I was reached by the news of Whitney Houston´s death at an early age in tragic circumstances. The first song that came to my mind was "I Will Always Love You" from the film where she starred against Kevin Costner, "The Bodyguard". Not very original I know but...

The last Coffee and Pajamas Jazz Show with Elfay at Circe´s Sunset Jazz Club brought laughter and sad and happy memories. That club and that show and Circe, Elfay, Diana, Margo and Carol, Mari and Ex and all the other regulars there, meant a lot for me during a difficult time. I cannot even begin to explain how important it was for me to have that place to go to every Saturday (and later Sunday). It was a sad parting of sorts but still not because they will all remain in SecondLife and hopefully we will all keep in touch.

The Sunday ended on a very happy and festive note with the birthday bash of my buddy Ziggy Starsmith and his studelicious man Holter. All the gay hunks of SecondLife where there and I should think some more came after I left at midnight (my time) to catch some sleep before work today.

In between the show and the party I had good conversations with my sister Millimina, my brother in-laws Dejerrity and Andrey...hmmm sorry I mean D R E Y. My avatars soul was after further investigations proven to be in mortal peril and was finally saved.

But more about the last show, the birthday bash and the tests and the scary treatments I had to undergo to save my soul in future posts. I need to gather more energy for that.

Ohh I will also reveal the identity of "my vampire", the most beautiful vampire that has ever existed, including that silly Tom Cruise´s rendition.

Hostile Takeover Bid for Apple Inc?

2012-02-12T17:32:00.000+01:00

The financial markets all over the world today went rampant with rumors that the SecondLife-based BMcM Corporation may be launching a hostile takeover bid for Apple Inc. This news followed the recent news that Apple Inc is now worth more than Microsoft and Google combined or the GDP of the Kingdom of Sweden for one year.

The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm, prince of Cascade Falls and filthy rich owner of BMcM, smiled enigmatically and declined to comment on this rumor when he was confronted in the company of a stunningly beautiful man in a sordid backstreet bar in the ill-reputed Zindra Region.

Prince Wild Zepp, the official spokesman for the McMillan household, only snorted "Ridiculous!" and then turned his back to this reporter and refused to comment further.

This "tactic of silence" from the McMillan household is well known from similar business deals in the past. We will return of course keep following this story as it evolves.

Ziggy´s & Horten´s Birthday Bash

2012-02-12T16:13:00.002+01:00

My buddy Ziggy Starsmith and the man in his second life Holter are celebrating their first life birthdays today Sunday February 12, 2012, 2 PM SLT with a big bash.

EVERYONE IS INVITED! (SLurl) (Yup, you are correct of course they live on the sim named "Pure")

For late updates on this invitation please check Ziggy´s blog Ziggy On The Edge Of Second Life (url)

Rest In Peace, Whitney

2012-02-12T10:48:00.000+01:00

"God gave me a voice to sing with, and when you have that, what other gimmick is there?"

Whitney Elizabeth Houston

August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012

My Second Home is Closing

2012-02-12T10:24:00.002+01:00

It is with heartrending sadness I keep rereading this note card from my amazing friend Circe Broom entitled "Closing Notice". I had somehow missed it in the onslaught of messages that meet you when you log in to SecondLife but my reliable friend Diana Gilderoy forwarded it to me.

Circe Broom
"It is with profound regret that I must announce the closing of my Laurel Arts Isle venues (Sunset Jazz Club, Memphis Pavilion, Luxor Stage, Cairo Theater, and Sanctuary), which will take place on February 20, 2012.

I have run venues since 2004, but can no longer sustain the cost of maintaining the sim. I thank you all for your visits over the years. I am grateful for all the wonderful music and poetry that has taken place in my venues. It is hard to let go, but I simply must.

Thank you. I will never forget the wonderful times we've had. Join us during these last weeks of our existence, take pics, post them, send them to me, whatever - so that we can remember Laurel Arts for another 8 years!

I want to thank those of you who have donated at the venues, helping to keep the Laurel Arts venues running this long. Due to the recession and a seeming paradigm shift in Second Life, not many people deem it necessary to support entertainment in SL, causing many venues to close down. Sadly, my venues now join those who have come to this bitter end.

The final shows on Laurel Arts Isle will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2012.

Special thanks go to my assistant, Angelstar3 Stonewall, and my partner, Vincent Merricks, for their staunch support, especially during my illness and absence.

The Circe's Circle of Sounds group, which is over 4,000 members strong, will remain intact, and artists/poets can use it to announce their shows anywhere after February 20.

Warmest regards, Circe Broom"

I have been a regular patron at the Laurel Arts sim during the last four years of my existence in SecondLife. In the beginning with Ars and later alone. We especially made it a habit to visit there for Elfay Pinkdot´s "Coffee and Pajamas Jazz Show". I have met countless of sweet, wonderful and supportive friends there who have become dear to me.

Today Sunday 12, 2012, 10 AM - 12 PM SLT, Elfay will bring us the last Coffee and Pajamas at Circe´s Sunset Jazz Club. So dig out your PJ´s from your overloaded Inventories and

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!

My Wedding Anniversary

2012-02-12T00:45:00.001+01:00

Soon after I had logged into SecondLife on February 12, 2010, my beautiful Ars also logged in.

After we had said our hello´s, he asked me to check my e-mail. When I asked why, he told me "Just check it now, Bock!"

As I opened the mail a message popped up from SecondLife which read:

"Dear Bock McMillan,

You have received a Second Life partner proposal from Ars Northmead.

Please visit the link below to view the proposal:

https://secure-web39.secondlife.com/my/account/partners.php

This proposal will expire on Friday, February 19, 2010."

I was totally elated and hurried to go to the SecondLife website to accept the proposal. When I have done that I got the message "Congratulations Bock McMillan you have now entered into a partnership with Ars Northmead!"

I was both laughing and crying with joy when I came back to my Ars, because this had been a very surprising move on his part after more than two years together. Both of us had often declared a rather skeptical and dim view on SecondLife partnerships, after seeing some acquaintances going through a series of partnerships that never lasted for long. However, we both believed that with our long past together we would do a better job of it so we spent a very happy day together.

Not too long after this Ars went missing for a few days. I could not reach him either by e-mail or any of his phones. Those days were awful and I was very worried for him. When I finally got hold of him again it turned out that Ars´s father had found him in a very poor and weakened state and had taken him to the parents house so they could look after him.

Ars still had a fever and sounded very weak when I talked with him, but he told me he was going to the hospital for a check-up the next day. At the same time I talked with Ars sisters and they promised to keep me updated on Ars condition.

The medical examination the next day showed that Ars had double pneumonia and was in a terribly weak state so the doctors admitted him for further care and treatment. Although the doctors were hopeful in the beginning this changed when complications set in and Ars passed away on March 12, 2010, exactly one month after we had been partnered.

About a fortnight after Ars had passed away I was asked (for the first time), "Do you think Ars married you because he knew he was going to die?" The question really surprised me because it hadn't even crossed my mind and was blurted out by someone not close to either of us. I just told the person "No! Please don´t talk to me ever again."

However the question made me think if that could be the case. The following occasions I was asked the same question - in kinder ways and by people who mattered - I was better prepared.

I have told those who asked, that I honestly do not believe that Ars knew he was even sick, let alone would be dead soon, when he proposed to me. After a few months of pain and agony due to a broken femur things had actually just started looking up for him again. He had signed up for a gym to get back in shape and we had also begun discussing some changes on the sim. At the time of the proposal Ars was happier again. More than anything I felt like I had passed some sort of test, by sticking with him and supporting him through the bad time that he had just gone through.

We were happy together and no one will ever convince me of anything else. This was, is and will always remain a happy day for me!

The pictures of Ars in this post were taken in December 2009 by Kent Hutchinson of KH Photography.

NEO Shares Jewels

2012-02-11T18:01:00.000+01:00

Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol

My friend and co-blogger NEO Timeless shares two interesting clips with me - and you all - on his blog Free Your Mind.

The first clip To Bock McMillan (url) shows the creator of our dreams and our amazing world Philip Linden, in first life also known as Philip Rosedale, talk about the origins of SecondLife and the directions we may be heading.

The second clip To Bock McMillan (nr 2) (url), is the first part of three in a series of conversation called "BAN6 Conversations @ YBCA - Radical Identities". In the first part we can hear a mind boggling conversation between anthropologist Tom Boellstorff (url) and Philip Linden about our identities in first and second life and the interactions between them.

Celebrate with Mid

2012-02-11T15:45:00.000+01:00

My friend the beautiful, creative and always busy Midnattsdotter Fride (Mid or Fride, to those of us who love her) is celebrating her rezday today and invites us all to join in.

Teleportation service to the Legolas Beach (SLurl)

Happy rezday, dearest Mid! I am already getting excited to listen to strum Diesel at your beach again, the very same place where I heard him the first time:

Kandi´s Rezday Party

2012-02-09T22:57:00.002+01:00

Here are some pictures from Kandinsky Beaumont´s rezday party! All the the five Apmels where there and quite a few others.

After arriving back home today from a two day visit to Stockholm I was too tired to stay long, but as long as I was there the party was going strong!

The rezday girl Kandinsky dancing for the camera

Apmel Goosson shows NEO Timeless some new moves. NEO doesn't seem too impressed...

Four Apmels and one ush

Happy Rezday, Kandinsky

2012-02-09T19:35:00.003+01:00

Young Kandi partying while old Bock looks on (last weekend)

Tonight is the night that we celebrate my friend the beautiful Kandinsky Beaumont on her rezday. In polite society a lady´s age is usually not discussed because women are forever young.

This rule of discretion does of course not apply to the oldest living Swedish female avatar in SecondLife, Ms. PetGirl Bergman, who will be seven (7) ~~eight (8)~~ years very old later this year, which is almost equal to 95 ~~100~~ in first life.

Our mutual friend Apmel Goosson has sent out an invitation welcoming everyone to celebrate the rezday girl.

Apmel tells us that Kandi isn´t much for celebrating her age but that some friends will join her at her house tonight just to show their love and respect.

The celebration will start at 12:30 PM (noon) SLT and will most likely go on for a few hours at least. You are more than welcome to join us!

Landmark to Kandi´s home in SecondLife (SLurl)

Russia to Silence All LGBT People

2012-02-07T23:15:00.003+01:00

Homophobic Russian twat Vladimir Putin

All Out today informs us that

"The party led by Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin is pushing discriminatory legislation against lesbian, bi, gay and trans people that could eliminate their freedom to speak publicly and assemble.

Russia is a signatory to numerous international human rights treaties - including the European Convention on Human Rights. We call on you to urgently speak out and hold Russia accountable to its treaty obligations - and stand with LGBT Russians whose ability to speak for themselves is under attack."

Lawmakers in Saint Petersburg could pass a bill tomorrow that will crush freedom of expression for Russians and make LGBT people invisible. But leaders around the world can help stop it.

Sign the petition here!

If this bill passes Russia will clearly demonstrate how far behind they are when it comes to human rights and democracy! I hold Vladimir Putin personally responsible for this and I hope the leaders of the democratic countries see him for the antidemocratic dictator that he is.

Thanks to my dear friend Zigadena Gabardini for pointing this out to me.

UPDATE (from All Out) "February 8th: This morning, St. Petersburg legislators passed the 2nd reading of the outrageous "propaganda" bill that will silence millions of Russian LGBT voices. Our friend Polina reports that we still have time to call our world leaders -- the final vote will come next week. Call your foreign affairs office now, and spread the word HERE."

Bock Quoted in First Life Media

2012-02-07T22:43:00.001+01:00

I happened to Google my name today and to my amazement I found this article on CTV News.ca from August 30, 2011 where they actually quote a comment I made on copyranter´s blog.

Link to the article http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110830/salon-black-eye-ad-campaign-110830/

As I am an International first life celebrity now the price of my autograph just went up to 5 L$.

Ruling on Prop. 8 Today

2012-02-07T21:38:00.001+01:00

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today issued a ruling that Proposition 8 in California was unconstitutional by banning same-sex marriages. With this ruling (by 2-1) the Court of Appeal upheld the previous ruling by judge Vaughn R. Walker on August 4, 2010.

The ruling today was stayed in anticipation of an appeal, so same-sex marriages will not resume yet.

It is expected that the ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Read more about this story on Eddi Haskell´s Second Life (url) and Joe.My.God.

The Swedish Homo of 2012

2012-02-07T21:05:00.001+01:00

Photo: Christian Hagward

Anton Hysén, the Swedish 20 y.o. professional soccer player who came out as gay in 2011, has been awarded the title "Swedish Homo of the Year" at a gala held by the Swedish gay news and cruising website Qx,se (url).

Anton was awarded the title after a vote among the 105.000+ members of the site and in competition with three lesbians and a gay blogger. The gay blogger is named Andreas and has a very popular blog on the Qx-site which is called "Daskadasenibordet" (url), loosely translated "Slap-the-schlong-on-the-table".

The title "Swedish Hetero of the Year" was awarded to the American David Lazar, rabbi of the Jewish congregation in Stockholm. He competed in this category with Glenn Hysén, father of Anton and a Swedish soccer legend.

(Photos from Qx.se)

Tableaux Vivants, Lag & Sim Crashes

2012-02-06T22:00:00.003+01:00

"Lag is a state of mind" a wise, semi-old but still extremely hot and sexy avatar once said, who´s name escapes me at the moment.

That is of course very true but sometimes SecondLife tries it´s very best to destroy a good party. Terrible lag, a sim crash and a sim restart almost succeeded at Kandinsky Beaumont´s and Apmel Goosson´s party at Solace Island yesterday. Luckily most of us who were there were old troopers at dealing with such misfortunes and we came back as soon as it was possible every time.

Tableaux vivants means "living pictures". The term describes a group of suitably costumed actors or artist's models carefully posed and often theatrically lit. Throughout the duration of the display, the people shown do not speak or move. The approach thus marries the art forms of the stage with those of painting/photography. (Wikipedia).

"The Extraordinary Adventures of Kikas and Marmaduke" give SecondLife a humorous and modern day interpretation of this 19th century art form. No show is ever the same because of the interaction with the audience at each performance.

Due to the delay caused by the misfortunes I unfortunately could not stay through the whole show and the party afterwards but had to log off at midnight, but as long as I was there I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Without further ado, here are some pictures from the show. Please note that I am only showing a few of the pictures and not in the order the tableaux were presented.

Enthralled audience; Bock, Emarald, Mid, Ziga, Blanche, Kandi & Apmel

Besides myself, the sim was full of all the avantgarde art elite in SecondLife. Here are a few more shots of the audience.

SaveMe Oh trying to catch the eye of some rough trade

DJ Eifach

My Soul is Intact

2012-02-06T20:43:00.001+01:00

I and my beloved vampire

If you are a vampire in SecondLife, I guess it can sometimes be as difficult to admit to that to close family members - and the rest of the world - as it can be to come out as gay. Well yesterday one of my beloved family members told me he had recently become a vampire and had allowed himself to be bitten. It was a surprising revelation indeed and I did not see it coming.

In instant message my family member only told me that he had something he would like to talk with me about and could we please meet for a hug and a talk before I went to the party at Solace Island. I said of course he was welcome over. After the welcome hug, we talked on a bit about this and that and then he cautiously told me the news.

Since rather early on in my second life I have had contact with many vampires. Those were the rogue kind who just wanted to pounce me and sink their teeth into my delicious neck to take my soul. These constant, tiresome, attacks made me put on a garlic necklace because I was fed up with their unwanted attention.

I and Ars have also had close friends to the family, like Yannis Martynov and his beautiful wife Orchid Arado, who were kind, respectful and dignified vampires. My family vampires coming out surprised me a bit, I must admit, but changed nothing for me in our relationship. I know from earlier that although his soul may now be lost, his heart will always be pure gold.

As I had always wondered if the garlic treatment had really worked or if I had just been lucky after using the necklace, I asked my vampire about it. He showed me this message from his vampire-HUD:

[11:46] HUD[Thirst::Bloodlines] 3.4: Bock McMillan has worn the garlic necklace, pleasedon't disturb them.

I was really happy that I finally got some proof that the treatment had actually worked. I then continued to ask him if he could possibly see if I still had my soul intact or if it had been taken by one of the early attacks.

My beloved family member told me that he cannot send requests at all when someone has worn the necklace. And as the HUD still told him I was protected I still had my soul, if my soul had been taken earlier the garlic treatment would not work to protect me.

So there you see, I have proof that my soul is intact. How many can say that?

And if you are mean to me, beware! I now have a vampire who loves me and will bite you if you don´t behave.

(I have not revealed my family member by name here because I firmly believe it is up to him to decide when he comes out and to whom.)

Recharging...

2012-02-05T16:57:00.003+01:00

My head is thumping, my ears are burning and my feet are killing me from all the dancing and music yesterday. Add to that that my cute derriere and my other not-so-cute appendages are still freezing from the breezes of going "au naturel" yesterday and you will understand my need to recharge the batteries for the upcoming party at Solace Island tonight.

While I lay there resting on the lounge chair Bora Rossini gave me for Christmas, my thoughts started wandering about the party yesterday and the one tonight.

"I wonder what I should wear? Well, Apmel and Kandinsky have never been fussy about clothing so I am sure I will work that out before 1 PM. Damn it, I should have checked the pictures I took of Vampi, Gittrika and Mid yesterday. I know the cat is always all over Vampi and of course he had to come in the way all the time yesterday and the other two being partly grey was not pretty. But sirhc did look truly amazing in the tartans and I can never stay angry with him for long anyway. Ziga was delicious, you can always see that she and Em have a very sure taste for fashion. Hmmm this Einfach DJ-person could he be the same guy I made a translation from English to Swedish for a video back in 2007? I don´t think that Einfach was a DJ though..., well I never really knew him/her so who knows. I hope Millimina will come to the party today, I really missed her yesterday but first life must be given priority sometimes, yeah sometimes but this is her home sim so she will probably be there. Who was that cute stranger yesterday, I wonder? Even if he looked very much on the young side and only stood there in the doorway watching the whole party. Probably a noob, but there are some nice noobs. Well, most likely straight then, so don´t think more of him. Now thinking about cute guys, I wonder where Frostland was yesterday? Svessa was looking wonderful though, but then she has always been one of the most beautiful female avatars. And Vira, that was an eyeopener, so sexy in that see-through dress. I always thought she was the very "hel-ylle" (all wool, I have no good translation for it) kind, but yesterday she was amazing. Iendi was so beautiful too and she actually talked to me a little, that was kind of her. Apollon, well he always looked better than most straight male avatars. One does notice which of those that give a damn about their looks, and he has always been sweet. I like the guy. And remember NEO, I am actually starting to love his pale skin and advanced hairdos, and he does work hard promoting SecondLife in first life. Hey time for you to go get a short nap, the party at Solace Island goes on until midnight and its a workday tomorrow..."

SEMA 2011 - Oh What A Party

2012-02-05T00:49:00.000+01:00

Finally the long awaited evening arrived. As an old hand in SecondLife I arrived early at the venue, The Fallen Gods Club at Yadkin. I have missed to many events before by not getting my ass on the sim in time.

The laird resting before the party stasrts

Once I was safely there I could take a smoke, eat a little and prepare for the party to start.

Oh what a great party it was! All the men were stunningly beautiful and the women looked reasonably OK too, even if some of them were showing a lot of their legs and boo.. uhmmm lets say chests.

Apollon Allen, DJ and one of the organizers

Emarald Harvey (in the background) with his partner Zigadena Gabardini

Iendi LaVille

Svessa Hax

My Sergeant at Arms sirhc DeSantis-McMillan

Vira Broome, one of the organizers

Blanche Argus, cbreak, Apmel Ibbetson and Kandinsky Beaumont

Chaplin Early and his partner Stella Guardian, Aake Roffo in the background

Some cute stranger

NEO Timeless, one of the organizers

I had a wonderful evening and an unexpectedly great time, most people actually spoke with me. It was good to be able to in some little way show my appreciation of the hard work the event makers do for us. All in all I had a splendid time with no bad lag surprisingly because avatars were crashing left and right.

I would like to finish by once again thanking Apollon Allen, Vira Broome and NEO Timeless for giving me this opportunity to extend my thanks to the event makers. I know I didn´t get all of them on my camera, for which I especially apologize to Vampi Twine-DeSantis-McMillan-McMillan (honorary and through handfasting), Midnattsdotter Fride and Gittrika Mint. All three of you looked wonderful, but my pictures of you were ugly and not publishable,

I just noticed that my bosom buddy Apmel Goosson has also been working hard and has already published his great pictures from the event here (url).

Even more pictures from the event at Blanche Argus blog now (url) and on Ewa Aska´s blog.

UPDATE:
Oh, I forgot, the evening actually ended very well when Blanche Argus finally found the humongous and enormous tip jar for the event makers.

I understand her completely because I have been there myself countless times! Sometimes tip jars are just too big to notice, one cams above, around, behind and under them... I cannot remember all the times that Guyke, Ars or some other friendly soul has had to drag me in front of them for me to see them.

We Owe Them Gratitude - SEMA 2011

2012-02-04T14:35:00.000+01:00

Day in and day out, week after week and all year long they work tirelessly to give the rest of us in the Swedish community in SecondLife, and our International friends, a possibility to meet, chat, dance, listen to music, meditate and have a good time together.

We owe these avatars loads of gratitude and love for doing that!

Apollon Allen, Vira Broome and NEO Timeless got together and created "The Swedish Event Makers Award" (SEMA). The purpose of the SEMA is to celebrate the creative and committed avatars for their efforts during the past year.

"The only thing wrong with the SEMA", said the Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm and prince of Cascade Falls in an interview to CNN today, "is that I didn't come up with the damn excellent idea myself. Of course I will be there - and in full colors - to give back a little to all these these wonderful people!"

Ms Gittrika Mint : Proprietor of Måndagsbörsen (The Monday Exchange) where she has a theme party every Monday evening. She also runs Greenroom on Wednesdays for formal dances.
The Monday Exchange (SLurl)

Ms Iendi Laville: Proprietor of La Grenouille Inn where she throws parties with live music and also proprietor of the inworld radio channel "The Swedish Transistor".
YADKIN VALLEY (SLurl)

Mrs Vampi Twine-DeSantis-McMillan (honorary) and Sergeant at Arms sirhc DeSantis-McMillan (adopted) owners of Club OrmDricka (by the laird and his clan lovingly referred to as OD) where they throw parties - with or without themes - every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
ORMDRICKA (SLurl)

The Connemara Hills collective: (Mrs. Rultan Zeppelin, Mrs Blanche Argus, Mr. Peppe & Mrs Trulte Firecaster who own and operate Connemara Hills together) The collective has a Celtic evening every month and arranges meditation sessions every Friday.
CONNEMARA HILLS (SLurl)

Princess Midnattsdotter Fride, lovingly referred to as Mid or Fride: owner and operator of the Frides Club & Lounge, where she has events once a week with International DJ:s and Fride Live with International Live Musicians once a month (this was the venue where the laird heard the awesome Strum Diesel the very first time)

LEGOLAS SIM (SLurl)

Mrs Ewa Aska: Proprietor of Viking land of Birka where the theme is mostly viking, but she also arranges Bollywood parties once in awhile. (Earlier venues have been Vadstena Castle and The Ice Hotel - ahhhh all the great memories I have of that beautiful venue)
VIKING LAND (SLurl)

Ms Kicki Spingflower : Proprietor of "Club Kicki´s Jetty" where she has tea dances in the mornings and nude parties on Fridays.
KICKI´S JETTY (SLurl)

Ms Fia Wycliffe: Proprietor of Fia´s Porch Club where she - usually on Fridays - throws parties that are called "Friday cozy ups"
FIA´S PORCH (SLurl)

Mr Alfdeejay Cooper: Proprietor of the Avalon Club & Garden Beach and Xanadu Club. At Xanadu Club the theme is usually ´80s or Disco. He also owns and operates the radio channel Alfdeejay Radio around the clock.

AVALON (SLurl) and XANADU (SLurl)

Mr Ix Heron: Proprietor of Euroclub, where he DJ´s himself on the theme Eurovision. .
EUROCLUB (SLurl)

Ms Jini Shearer: Co-proprietor of the September Rainforest which is a sim filled with romance, beautiful waterfalls and a dance floor in the middle of the jungle (great for dating and marriages)
SEPTEMBER RAIN (SLurl)

Be there or be square!
...and for the love of everything that is important to you lets show them all our love and gratitude by having FUN!

What: The SEMA 2011
When Saturday February 4, 2012, 1 PM - 3 PM SLT
Where: Fallen Gods Club (SLurl) (Reopening of the club)
Who: Everyone who wants to see Swedes go crazy is invited
Clothing: Gala/Formal (which means tartan for me)
Host/DJ: Apollon Allen

SL Bloggers Group

2012-02-04T00:34:00.000+01:00

My buddy Eddi Haskell has some interesting information for SecondLife-bloggers in his post "SL Bloggers Group Back in Business..."

I have sent in my application and hopefully will be allowed to join.

UPDATE: My application was accepted - WooHoo!!!

Butch Does It Also

2012-02-03T19:59:00.001+01:00

I am just going to give you a slim strip of the picture I just saw over at "My Avatars Name Is Apmel". In the post Apmel - as the darn hetero dude that he is - asks "More Nudity! Where Are the Chicks?"

Some men huh? There is just no way to satisfy them - they always want more, more, more... Head on over and check out Butch Diavolo in the flesh... *blushes*

Oh Apmel, be warned! I did ask a few more guys and a chick or two to send you pictures, perhaps they just didn't get around to sending it to you yet... of course they could be too shy...

"von Dardelesque"

2012-02-03T14:59:00.000+01:00

As part of the New Years Day histrionics my blog was referred to as being "von Dardelesque". I did not understand what the blogger meant at the time.

The way my mind works, is if I don´t understand something I return to the mystery over and over and over again to grasp the meaning. I cannot put something behind me entirely until I have in someway - at least for myself - found a satisfactory explanation.

Yesterday (I am very slow sometimes) I think I reached an explanation to the expression that was used. I believe the blogger was referring to this beautiful piece of art by the Swedish post-impressionist painter Nils von Dardel (1888-1943).

"Den döende dandyn" (The Dying Dandy) (1918), by Nils von Dardel

The work is a part of the permanent collection of Moderna Muséet (The Swedish National Museum of Modern Art). On its website I found the following analysis of the painting.

"A young man lies surrounded by mourning friends, with a look of suffering on his face. The mirror in his hand enhances the impression that he remains self-centered up to his last moment. The Dying Dandy is one of Dardel's most famous paintings. Although the subject appears straight-forward, this is nevertheless a work that continues to daunt viewers. Is it an allegory about the trials of creativity? Or could Dardel even be portraying unlawful homosexuality? The intensity of the colors and the billowing lines are obvious influences from French artists such as Matisse. Yet Dardel manages to create his very own atmosphere and mood, where sorrow goes hand in hand with the mottled-blue background."

There, that conundrum is solved as far as I am concerned. I understand and am rather happy the blogger was thinking of me in such a beautiful context. I can now put that to rest.

Onwards now, dear friends, onwards and upwards!

A Worthy Cause

2012-02-02T18:14:00.000+01:00

(via J.M.G.)

If you wish to support the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) you can make a donation here.

This should be interesting to follow, in both the case 40 years ago and in the new case the discrimination is based "solely by the gender of her spouse".

The SEMA 2011

2012-02-02T16:05:00.000+01:00

(via Free Your Mind)

A new prize has been constituted by Apollon Allen, Vira Broome and NEO Timeless in Swedish SecondLife, "The Swedish Event Makers Award" (SEMA).

The purpose of the SEMA is to celebrate the creative and committed avatars for their efforts during the past year. All the nominees are presented in the video above. At the festivities on Saturday the SEMA 2011 the event makers themselves will be celebrated.

What: The SEMA 2011

When Saturday February 4, 2012, 1 PM - 3 PM SLT

Where: Fallen Gods Club (SLurl) (Reopening of the club)
Clothing: Gala (which means tartan for me)
Host/DJ: Apollon Allen

The generous donors welcome everyone to the event on Saturday!

LiIVE: UK Supreme Court, Part 2

2012-02-02T11:00:00.000+01:00

Today the UK Supreme Courts hearing continues at 10.30-16.00 GMT (02.30-08.00 AM SLT) in the case of Julian Assange (Appellant) v. The Swedish Judicial Authority(Respondent) concerning his extradition to Sweden.

The issue that is to be heard is"whether a European Arrest Warrant (“EAW”) issued by a public prosecutor is a valid Part 1 EAW issued by a “judicial authority” for the purpose and within the meaning of sections 2 and 66 of the Extradition Act 2003."

You can follow the proceedings here. (Url)

For additional information see my previous post LIVE: UK Supreme Court Hears Assange

Hopefully Cloudy

2012-02-02T09:00:00.000+01:00

Its Groundhog Day. According to American folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog looks out from its burrow on this day then spring will come early. If it is sunny, the groundhog will see its shadow and go back into its hole and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

Apmel Made Me Do It

2012-02-01T20:36:00.002+01:00

This picture is just to prove that the Swedish blogger, my bosom buddy and enfant terrible, Apmel Goosson is spreading damned lies in his post "My Avatars Name Is Apmel; More People Are Jumping On The Trend".

This was the one I was going to post when Apmel F-O-R-C-E-D me to get naked to promote his and Kandinsky Beaumont´s event on Solace Island on Sunday. I feel cheapened and exploited. Do not believe the horrible mans lies! (OK, I admit I was not hard to convince but anyway...)

It is well known in both lives that I am the most patient man in SecondLife, everyone tells me so all the time! It is not yet widely known that I am also in fact one of the shyest avatars in existence.

There is a lesson to be learned from this everyone; "Don´t trust the straight guys, they only want our bodies!"

...and yes you are correct in believing this post is grossly exaggerated...

Blog Stats for January 2012

2012-02-01T14:42:00.003+01:00

Bock in SecondLife reached a new all time high during January 2012. The number of pageviews for January 2012 is 14 334 pageviews, while December 2011 had 10 814 pageviews and November 2011 had 12 711 pageviews.

The previous records were set in October 2011 (13 436 pageviews), September 2011 (12 749 pageviews) and July 2011 (12 477 pageviews). I should imagine that this record was reached much due to the traffic caused by the uproar that followed on New Years Day when Ars´s existence was drawn into question by a mudslinger.

Sweden still leads as my all time largest reader country with 60 520 pageviews, while the United States comes in at 40 448 pageviews and the United Kingdom in third place with 6 252 pageviews.

The three largest language groups among my readers in January 2011 were English (59,1 %), Swedish (25,5 %) and German (8,3 %).

Please note The aforementioned pageviews do not include my own visits as I have used the opportunity Blogger offers to exclude visits from my own browser from the stats.

LIVE: UK Supreme Court hears Assange

2012-02-01T13:39:00.000+01:00

On February 1 and 2, 2012, at 10.30-16.00 GMT (02.30-08.00 AM SLT) you can see the live broadcast from the Supreme Courts of the United Kingdom hearing in the case of Julian Assange (Appellant) v. The Swedish Judicial Authority (Respondent) concerning his extradition to Sweden.

The issue that is to be heard is "whether a European Arrest Warrant (“EAW”) issued by a public prosecutor is a valid Part 1 EAW issued by a “judicial authority” for the purpose and within the meaning of sections 2 and 66 of the Extradition Act 2003."

You can follow the proceedings here. (Url)

Background (from the UK Supreme Courts blog)

"The appellant, Julian Assange, is the founder of Wikileaks. Assange is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by the Swedish Prosecution Authority, which sets out allegations of four offences of unlawful coercion and sexual misconduct, including rape. Assange surrendered himself for arrest in the UK and, following a hearing, his extradition to Sweden was ordered. Assange appealed to the Divisional Court against his extradition on four grounds. He lost on all four grounds and the order requiring his extradition was upheld.

The High Court refused Assange permission to appeal to the Supreme Court but certified one issue raised by his case as being of ‘general public importance’. The Supreme Court subsequently granted permission to appeal on this issue.

...

In certifying this issue, the High Court made clear its view that Assange’s chances of success in the Supreme Court are ‘extraordinarily slim’. Should this appeal fail, his only further remedy is to apply to the European Court of Human Rights, which will reply within 14 days stating whether it accepts the case. If the ECtHR agrees to hear the case, Assange will remain in the UK on his current bail conditions while the matter is decided. If the ECtHR declines to hear the case, he will be extradited to Sweden to face trial."

Early Notice for Sunday

2012-01-31T23:04:00.003+01:00

"Kikas and Marma are back!

Extraordinary Adventures in an Uncontrollable Environment of Unexpected Dangers and Temptations has struck them while the rest of us have been trotting on safely in our dull everyday lives.

But they managed to document all and now they will give us proof of their survival ability!

All this gibberish means: a totally new show, all scenes are new and never before shown!

Have you never seen Kikas and Marma? Be sure not to miss them, they are unique entertainers.

Come see them at Place des Petits Bourgeois (SLurl) now on Sunday the 5th! The show starts at 1PM SL-time.

Shortly after 2PM there will be music and dance and DJ is the excellent Eifach (Url), well known from at least a couple of worlds.

Be safe, be in good time!
Kandinsky Beaumont and Apmel Goosson"

----

I will be there for sure, especially to check out that DJ Eifach. Back in 2007 I did a translation to Swedish for a German film about SecondLife for someone named Eifach. I wonder if it could be the same guy...?

The Funniest Invitation

2012-01-31T22:41:00.004+01:00

Today I got the funniest invitation to an event ever (See the next post for the particulars of the event).

First check out my invitation! I started with a decent (fully clothed) version, but at my bosom buddy Apmel Goosson´s suggestion I made this bare-assed one. I solved the problem of having my "appendages" tucked away in Inventory nicely, don´t cha think?

Attempted Murder

2012-01-31T19:59:00.000+01:00

My friend Eddi Haskell - who should know better when I am standing with one foot in the grave with the worst cold in Christendom - almost killed me off completely with these moving clips of "adorable Auntie Edwina and slutty Cousin Bockella" on his blog Eddi Haskell´s Second Life.

Artists and Other Animals

2012-01-31T15:57:00.000+01:00

"Bock" by Chade Dagger

Here is a bonus poster for all my fans to put up over their beds or in their living rooms. Those who aren't one of my fans can use it to throw darts at or on the shooting range if they bother.

I have been thinking about the word "artist" and who can - rightfully - claim to "be an artist". As it turns out artist is not a well-defined or protected title. Anyone can at any point in time decide call themselves an artist if they wish to do so, but that does by no means mean that others must accept their claim.

For me an artist would be with involved with art forms concerned with pure visual or performing arts for the purpose of aesthetics or concept rather than practical application.

Designing household appliances, skins or clothes are indeed important creative activities but do not usually count as fine art in my book. However, there are exceptional instances when I would consider items of these activities as art. Only to mention one example I will point at my own creation "The Jesters Hat - only for the most daring of fashionistas" which is sublime.

Suddenly...

2012-01-30T22:54:00.003+01:00

"Moon Above Wheatfield" by Gary Hamburgh

Suddenly on Sunday afternoon I was hit with the worst case of the common cold I can remember ever having.

It started with three heavy sneezes. Next thing it was as if my head exploded with the worst headache ever and I felt my sinuses filling up with snot and my chest was congested. The sound of my coughing is terrible and woke me up several times during the night.

Although I felt sicker than a wildebeest I dragged my carcass to work this morning because I had an important meeting in the morning. The rest of the day I avoided close contact with everyone and just medicated with paracetamols to keep the fever at bay and had rolls of toilet paper in every pocket so I could blow my nose every 5-10 minutes. The tip of my nose is red and raw by now, not a pretty sight.

Suddenly yesterday I also felt a tremendous insecurity overwhelming me when I was going to write a post about my new tipping practices in the Swedish venues in SecondLife. After being criticized recently for intimidating others with my "overly generous" tips I started tipping only small amounts in the tip jars and the rest of my tip directly - on the body part of my choice - to the person I was tipping. It´s a hassle and I don´t know how long I can keep it up.

On that subject I was going to tell the story about what Ars once told me when I asked him what the correct tip was. He said - of course - that there is no correct tip, you tip as much or little as you wish and can afford. Ars also stressed the fact that it is essential that the receiver should graciously acknowledge all tips whatever the size. "Even a very small amount could be all the money that person has earned after hours of camping or all they have."

I know why I got insecure and I have claimed I didn't give a damn, but somehow I did anyway. It could of course also be a sign of my weakened state brought on by this uncommon cold.

Sunday Brunch at Hinterland

2012-01-29T15:14:00.002+01:00

Hiroku, Mitch and Chade

Today I visited Hinterland for Sunday brunch. Well to be quite honest. I went there to catch a set at The Den but as it turned out I was 24 hours too late.

Still, when I got there I was welcomed to join Chade Dagger. his partner Ronan Juran and Hiroku Kamachi and Mitch for a good chat and some strong coffee around the fire,

Hiroku, Mitch, Chade, Ronan and I

I hadn't seen the guys in a while so it was good to catch up. The men of Hinterland have always been good to me and to Ars too. Ars used to have a regular set at The Den on Saturday mornings (somehow I confused it with Sundays), so I was a very regular patron. The first memorial for Ars was held at Saint Magnus Kirk, the church that is seen in the background on the top picture.

Next Saturday, 1-3 AM SLT, there will be a Scottish event at The Den, I will be there for sure (if I can only schlepp my tired ass out of bed) wearing one of my leather kilts.

Introducing the Exodus Viewer

2012-01-29T11:54:00.001+01:00

My buddy Ziggy Starsmith shares some interesting viewer-experiences with us and introduces us to a new and exciting third party viewer. This viewer seems to be designed for maximum performance. I for one am looking forward to trying it out.

Read more about it on Ziggy On The Edge Of Second Life: "The Exodus Viewer.... The New Viewer On The Block" (Url). Please don´t forget to see the video with the grungy but sexy Pesto Portland and his cute German accent.

Trash-talk

2012-01-29T00:25:00.003+01:00

In the blogging world you can always complain that other bloggers
...are faking their statistics.
...are writing about the wrong subjects.
...are whining.
...are too self obsessed.
...are not serious journalists like yourself.
...are not able to give the readers what they want, expect or need.
etc. etc.

I will always, like the French philosopher Voltaire, maintain "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too."

Every blogger has the freedom and the right and the bloody obligation to write whatever suits them as long as it is not discriminatory, defamatory, against the law of the land or against the guidelines of the blog provider. If you do not like the content of a blog, you should not waste your valuable time by reading it. Just move along and find something better to occupy yourself with.

I have stated this before, in both Swedish and English, this blog is mainly written for my own benefit. I am grateful and happy if others like to read it also, but that is by no means my main objective. This blog is not a public service or a news blog, I don´t charge you anything to read it, nor do I receive any of your tax dollars for writing it. I make no pretenses of being a journalist or catering to the needs of others.

As my buddy and enfante terrible the Swedish universal genius, philosopher, rebel, blogger, author, artist, cartoonist etc., etc. and the honored recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the Bock McMillan Art Foundation (a part of the BMcM Corporation) Apmel Goosson once wrote (well, only a few hours ago), "The day I start suspecting that what I write is governed more by what I think the readers want to read than what I myself think, I promise to shut down my blog and permanently stop writing anything at all"

*Bock stretches out his arm with the hand held in a vertical position and says, "Talk to the hand ´cause the face ain´t listening!"*

I Shall Return

2012-01-27T23:49:00.002+01:00

"Lunch Atop a Skyscraper", Charles C. Ebbets (1932)

I had this picture in the first life tab on my profile in SecondLife almost from the start. I cannot remember if I still do, but I think so.

The picture of the Mohawk construction workers taking a lunch break out on a beam has fascinated me since the first time I saw it. It´s not only the fact that they are sitting there completely relaxed high above the New York skyline, but I also try to imagine the balancing acts they do when sitting themselves down or when they get up to go back to work.
---

All is well with me, I have just been enveloped in my first life the last days and too tired afterwards to blog or go inworld.

Normal services should - hopefully - be resumed during the weekend.

Friends or Players?

2012-01-26T07:48:00.002+01:00

"Three Brothers" (Evander, Ars and Bock) by Evander M.

This picture was taken on December 8, 2007, shortly before Ars and I became an item. Evander M., the photographer, was one of the "Three E´s" that I have mentioned a few times before. At that time he was a good friend of mine and my landlord.

Even if I hadn't seen the date in the properties of the snapshot I would have guessed it was late in 2007, because we are all in hair from Naughty Designs - the only place you could get decent hair from if you had any taste and didn't want to walk around in ugly hair from Badazz.

Evander and his wife ElenaS. M. had a campaign going to expose Ars to my lovely personality as often and as much as possible because they both knew that was infatuated by Ars. I had told Elena and Elena had told Evander - or so we thought at the time. This day Evander had taken me to Ars home in Moa for a visit.

According to the stories Elena and Evander were spreading among all of us in the Sarco Sound group they were a young Dutch couple who had recently been blessed with a wonderful baby boy. Elena was mostly online as she was home with the baby the first months after his birth, while Evander only came in on evenings and night. Suddenly they brought in "their good friend Emile" and started introducing him to us all. Emile was allegedly gay or bi-curious or whatever.

When this happened I heard mention of the word "alt" for the very first time. I think it was Guyke or Ars who explained to me what that meant, even if I really did not understand the concept. It was said that Emile was an alt of Elena created to get even closer to some of us. Somebody called the bluff and it became a funny thing. I am not sure if any of the others at that time believed that Evander and Elena were the same person, but I certainly had no idea until a few months later.

Early in 2008, after Ars and I had moved in together at Southern Charm, "the three E´s" suddenly decided to kill off Elena in her "first life". The young mother was allegedly killed by being run over by a drunk driver when she was out on the town. I was completely devastated over the bad fortune that had befallen my dear friends and the young family. This lasted for a couple of weeks, when we started being reached by rumors that all three of them were the same Dutch man who was playing a game with us.

Somehow some of the tech-savvy of our little group got this confirmed and the uproar over the deceit was total. I was especially upset by the cruelty of letting us believe that Elena had been killed and the commiseration we had shown for Evander during the long weeks that followed that news.

Even if I should have learned a lesson from this, even now I rarely suspect or believe that anyone is using alts to manipulate and play games with me. I just don't want to believe that about my fellow man.

Party for Three Beauties

2012-01-25T23:40:00.000+01:00

This was the party for which everyone in the "Who is Who in Swedish SecondLife" turned out.for, and even a few of the up and coming SLebrities and some International guests. The only one missing was the third rezday girl, Gittrika Mint who had ISP-problems.

Apollon Allen and sirhc "Junior" Weatherwax did a great job to entertain us. Good music and great company are the two core ingredients of a party in SecondLife and you can even add a drink or two in first life to make it even better!

Lots of all friends, some sexy studs I must confess but I kept my hands to myself - this time...When I left just after 11 pm was still going on strong. I should imagine some of them kept it up the rest of the night.

3 x Happy Rezday

2012-01-25T20:32:00.001+01:00

Today I would like to congratulate three beautiful Swedish women who share the same rezday. The three are (in alphabetical order) Blanche Argus, Gittrika Mint and Second Renoir.

I am happy to inform you that since yesterday all three are friends of mine - again. Forgiving each other is a thing friends do, isn´t it?

Happy rezday girls, I am looking forward to see you all at the party today!

Job Applications

2012-01-24T00:37:00.002+01:00

This picture is called "Fred with tires" and was photographed in 1984 by Herb Ritts. I saw it - again - on Christo Spyker´s blog "Christo´s Second Live" recently. I am using it here because it is beautiful, it has nothing to do with the rest of the post.

Today I have been reading job applications all day in my first life. I have gone almost brain dead out of boredom. I never, ever, want to see the words "samarbetsförmåga" *, "stresstålig" ** and "utmaning" *** ever again.

Please give me your most solemn promises never to use any of those three words in an application for a job, especially if you think I may be reading it. If I could I would run all applications with those words in the bloody paper shredder at once. Instead I have decided to show those applicants who have avoided using those boring words with my utmost favor

Oh, to try to tie in the post with the picture, if you should decide to send a picture with your application make it an interesting one. (And you do not have to show skin to make it interesting... but sometimes it is helpful...)

________________________________
*) interpersonal or collaboration skills,
**) stress resistant
***) challenge

I See the Light

2012-01-22T23:29:00.000+01:00

(Click to enlarge)

Today was the first time since Ars passed away that I rezzed something new on Southern Charm, with the exception of his memorial.

For a long time I have been thinking that a lighthouse would look great on the sim, so today I went ahead with it and teleported over to one of my favorite shops in SecondLife, Tuff Old Boats (SLurl), to see what they might have in store for me. As usual I was not disappointed, Rya Nitely and Jarnz Dench always have what I am looking for. Besides being excellent builders they are really nice guys too, I met them once, and are good friends of my stepson Guyke.

Ars was more of a Barnesworth Anubis aficionado, but I always preferred the works of Rya and Jarnz. Luckily we both liked what the other loved.

So here is my new off-sim lighthouse and I totally love it! (However, I am already considering talking to the guys about the sits out there in the lighthouse, they are just a little too heteronormative for my taste.

My Busy Saturday

2012-01-22T14:58:00.002+01:00

In hindsight it was a great Saturday evening and Sunday morning, even with all my crashes and the strange weekend shit happening. So what was it I did, lets see if I can recall it all...?

First I went to look at some new hair to party in. My brother in-law D R E Y (a.k.a BIL) had dropped a landmark on me last we spoke. It was a beautiful shop with some great hair, I will look up the name when I get back in SecondLife and add it here. B-something that rhymes with barley if I remember correctly...Aah got it! Burley (SLurl) was the name! (No picture yet!)

With my new hair down I went back home to pack a gift for Eddi Haskell for his fifth rezday. What does one give to a man who has been around forever and probably has everything he ever wanted to have?

Well I think I finally found a good gift when I decided to give him one of the beautiful jars made by Second Renoir, the Swedish first and second life artist. I love those jars, and have almost all of them myself.

While I was gift wrapping the jar I talked a little with my in-house (or on-sim) brother in-law Dejerrity. It is always good to check in with him. he makes me feel warm, safe and happy.

Happy with having the gift decided and packed I dropped in at Mid´s Super Fride Party with DJ Gwenni. The set looked really true to the original, but after a while it got to be a bit too overwhelming and it was quite difficult to make out the other avatars among everything that was going on there.

Super Fride

While i was listening to the great selection of music played for us by the amazing DJ Gwenni, who was a new acquaintance for me, I got a surprise call from my darling brother Martial.Eisenhart, who had been missing for awhile. It was so good talking with him again! As always we talked about everything between heaven and earth and all at the same time. His mind works nearly as mine, but he is a sweeter, kinder and much less judgmental version of myself.

When Martial had dozed off I got the call that Eddi´s party at Tadd's Cabaret had started, so I quickly changed into something stylish to fit in with the crowd at one of Eddi´s parties. (Black suit with a black t-shirt showing off my chest hair.) The place was full when I got there and filled up even more while I was there.

Somewhere in between this I got the chance to stand up for my dear friend Zigadena Gabardini, who was - for no rational reason at all - being clobbered at by the extraterrestrial hag from InWorldz in the comments on another blog.

I found a safe spot close to the hunky host Scott and started flirting wildly with him, although I don´t think he noticed much. The only man that ever understood when I was flirting was my Ars. He told me once, that I should drop all the subtleties because people are so busy with everything else going on. To which I answered, "Do you suggest I tell them in local chat that we should leave and go fuck?". He laughed when I promptly sent him an IM saying exactly that. But what the hell, all my flirting is only for fun still, I have no intentions whatsoever of following up on them, perhaps the guys sense that somehow.

While I was busy with that, lo and behold, I suddenly saw my name called in local chat. It was my buddy, the studly Ziggy Starsmith that had arrived to the party. He looked grey, sultry and sexy as all the others at the party, except for the hunky Scott.

I tried all my tricks to get the world to rez, pulling down draw distance and changing the group tag, but nothing worked. And then SecondLife kicked me out.

When I tried to log back in I almost made it three times but was kicked out again with the message "The system has logged you out because you are trying to log in from another location"? Interesting message and it was the first time ever I got it - after five years in SecondLife. I don´t understand what it means though.

Finally I gave up going back to the party and went back home instead, which worked fine. Soon after I got back on I got an IM from Ziggy asking if he could come over for a visit and take a look at Southern Charm. I was absolutely delighted to invite him over.

Ziggy came over and looked excellent this time. I gave him the grand tour of the sim - both the house and the grounds - and we had a good time talking about ourselves and our lives (both of them). After about an hour Ziggy´s new man, Holter, logged in when he got home from work in first life and was called over. At that point my darn computer and SecondLife started screwing with me again and kicked me out and started giving me the same strange messages when I attempted to log in again.

When I at last succeeded to get inworld again it was 7 am in my first life and I was starting to fall asleep over my key board so I had to make my excuses soon afterwards to go to bed and catch some sleep..

Happy Rezday, Eddi

2012-01-22T00:35:00.002+01:00

"Eddil as a noob", Eddi Haskell (2007)

The Jewish saying "The day is short, the labor vast, the workers lazy, the reward great, the Master urgent." may indeed be true, but lets have fun as long as it lasts!

Happy 5th, Eddi you very, very, very, very old man! (You do know time passes four times faster in Secondlife dontcha?)

Tier

2012-01-21T19:40:00.001+01:00

This is a comment to the present discussion in the Swedish SecondLife blogs concerning tier.

My tier for Southern Charm at the moment is L$ 5,55 per prim for four weeks (including the VAT-tax enforced by the European Union on all EU-citizens who rent directly from Linden Lab).

Without the European Union penalty tax for renting directly from the Lab my cost would be L$ 4,44 per prim and four weeks. To the best of my knowledge no one who rents from anyone other than Linden Lab ever gets hit by this deeply unfair tax.

(The interpretation of the reasons for the tax given above is mine, I am sure the bureaucrats in Brussels would describe the reasons differently.)

Start Off the Weekend

2012-01-21T18:21:00.002+01:00

This is a mix by DJ Herbie James. Let´s Paaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrttttyyyyyyy!

DJ Herbie James (webpage)

Mlksundaycode3 by Herbie James
(via J.M.G.)

Little Boxes

2012-01-21T02:12:00.000+01:00

A discussion about tier pricing on Sven´s (Swedish) Idyll - "Solacegate" made me think of this little gem. Sometimes SecondLife and Suburbia are strikingly similar.

Little Boxes

by Malvina Reynolds (1962)

Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same.
There's a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.

And the people in the houses
All went to the university,
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same,
And there's doctors and lawyers,
And business executives,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry,
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school,
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university,
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same.

And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.
There's a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.

A Message From Love

2012-01-20T23:11:00.001+01:00

"Dear Bock (I edited the name from my first life one),

If you are a transgender person in Sweden wanting to change your legal gender, you are forced to undergo surgery that will render you permanently infertile and unable to have children in the future. That's right: in 2012, Swedish law still mandates forced sterilization in order to do something as simple as changing the gender on your driver's license.

Despite a massive push to repeal the law, including support from 90% of Swedish MPs, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has stayed silent on the issue: allowing one small conservative party to block the change.

Right now a reform of the law is being debated in Sweden. We need a massive show of support across Sweden and Europe that finally convinces PM Reinfeldt to speak out and break the deadlock. Will you take one minute to sign our urgent letter? RFSL, the Swedish federation for LGBT rights, will publicly deliver our signatures directly to the Prime Minister and demand that he intervene right now: www.allout.org/stop_forced_sterilization

Forced sterilization has a long and frightening history in Sweden. Beginning with programs in the 1930s that tried to eliminate certain "undesirable" traits in society by forcing individuals to be sterilized, Sweden has long grappled with the painful history of stripping from citizens what we now consider to be a basic human right. Even Prime Minister Reinfeldt has publicly called sterilization law a "dark chapter in Swedish history".

Now he has a chance to close that chapter for good. A reform of the law is ready to be presented directly to the Parliament - where 90% of MPs are in favor of banning forced sterilization - but without a push from the Prime Minister, the conservative KRISTDEMOKRATERNA party will use its seat in the government to block the change.

We know he is on our side: whether you are straight, gay, lesbian, bi or trans, will you take a moment to raise your voice and ask Prime Minister Reinfeldt to take a stand for human rights?

Our friends at RFSL, the Swedish LGBT Federation, will deliver your signatures directly to the Prime Minister's office.

www.allout.org/stop_forced_sterilization
Thank you for going All Out.

Best, Andre, Emmy, Erika, Flavia, Guillaume, Jeremy, Joseph, Oli, Tile, Wesley and the rest of the team at All Out"

----

If you haven´t done so already I think it is time for you to sign the petition now! ... and Love is actually a Swedish male name, if you were wondering. It´s pronounced like the young man does in the beginning of the video.

Bara & Free in Concert

2012-01-20T03:42:00.000+01:00

Free Balan & Bara Jonson

Last night I had the exquisite pleasure of catching a gig with my buddy the Swedish singer/songwriter Bara Jonson and his new singing partner Free Balan.

There are only two words that can fully describe what it sounds like when they sing together, pick one of them or use both. The words are heavenly and orgasmic (not the exploding kind but the slow and flowing kind. that rolls over you like waves in the the sea and make you shudder from head to toe and then back again and leaves your body tingling with pleasure a long while).

Although I was nauseous when I got to the beautiful venue I completely forgot about it as soon as they started singing. And this, ladies and gentleman, was after they had been practicing with their first life band Ma´am all evening since 6.30 pm CET until just before they came inworld for the gig that started at 11 pm CET.

Can you all imagine how I will react to their voices when they are fresh? I will most likely need diapers, a straight jacket and more than "a few good men" to keep me in my seat!

The venue was by no means full, but that was mostly due to the scheduling. At 1 pm SLT on a week night the Euros have gone to bed or are preparing to do so and the Americans are still at work, school or eating lunch. Those of us that where there were thrilled out of our socks although most of us kept our clothes on!

Calicivirus

2012-01-19T20:47:00.002+01:00

Human Calicivirus - beautiful isn´t it?

Since Wednesday I have been sick as a dog and feeling nauseous all the time. My boss - who has no medical training at all but a phobia against vomiting and is a mother of two (not including me) - diagnosed me with suffering from an outburst of Calicivirus. We Swedes have a lovely name for it "the winter vomit disease", as it usually comes around in January-February.

I was ordered to stay well away from her and everyone else at work. I am now bored to hell, when I am not sick, and daytime television almost killed me off completely.

This is just a fair warning if you don´t want to catch the bug when I come into SecondLife this evening.

Spam

2012-01-19T17:25:00.000+01:00

Lately I have been receiving an abundance of spam e-mail from Russia or Ukraine. Whenever I open my e-mail I get three or four of these.

They all - more or less - look like this. (Snipped from my preview in Outlook)

The worst part is that most of them are supposedly coming from g-i-r-l-s who all covet my oh so hot body and wonderful personality.

I would really appreciate it if the spammers targeted me with more suitable mail.

Enough Is Enough

2012-01-18T21:12:00.002+01:00

OK, I simply cannot hold on to the blackout any longer, I have pictures to show and stories to tell!

However, it is my firm belief that if the United States Congress should pass legislation like the ones proposed in SOPA or PIPA it would set an extremely bad example for the world and for the future of freedom of speech.

My bosom buddy Apmel Goosson has on his blog "My Avatars Name is Apmel" today published a statement by the American lawyer Chris Savage that express my thoughts and sentiments on this completely:

"Speaking only for myself and not any clients, SOPA is a horrible, protectionist over-reach by content-owning industries. It is bad for the Internet and even bad, in a "spoiled versus tough love" sense, for the content industries.

The Internet makes distribution easy and cheap. That makes stuff easier to copy. They can either live with that and find a business model that works within it, or they can go the way of the player piano."

STOP SOPA & PIPA

2012-01-18T03:23:00.001+01:00

In solidarity with Wikipedia, Google, Reddit, Tina´s Universe, My Avatars Name Is Apmel and other major sites and blogs, this blog is blacked out today (January 18) in protest against SOPA and PROTECT IP laws. These laws are a threat to free speech and to the freedom of the Internet. If you are a citizen of the United States of America please contact your congressional representative and tell them to vote 'No' on this law. Take a few minutes to visit here to learn more about this at Sopa Blackout (url).

If you are not a citizen of the US. What can you do? The US State Department constantly speaks out against Internet censorship in other countries. Pressure them to speak out against America’s new domestic censorship system. Email the U.S. State Department (url)!

New Necessity for Mac-Users

2012-01-17T21:33:00.002+01:00

(via copyranter) Click picture to enlarge.

Essential commode/commodity for Jobsites, sometimes also referred to as "The Holy Sect of Mac".

As could be expected the user interface in the iPoo Toilet is impeccable and the design is immaculate! For more information please visit Milos Paripovic - iPoo Toilet (url).

The Wonderful Bara

2012-01-17T18:55:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I - for the first time in a long time- had the possibility to catch a set by my dear buddy Bara Jonson, SecondLife (and first life) singer/songwriter extraordinaire. It was bloody awesome!

Bara has a wonderful warm voice that goes straight into my heart and while there plays on all the strings it can find. Those of us who were there, also got to hear a new song by Bara - which was wonderful even if I have forgotten the title - and the splendid news that Bara, his new co-singer Free (whom I haven´t had a chance to listen to yet but have received excellent reports about) and his band now have a manager in first life.

During my post-set talk with Bara we talked about his family, Nickel and Kris (who are still in the U.S.) and Bara mentioned that they were both coming over to Sweden this summer. He also mentioned that Kris was going to be christened during his visit here and then said "As I have often told Nickel, there is only one person whom I can imagine as Kris´s godfather..."

A few years ago I was in a very small part instrumental in seeing to it that Bara got his ass over to the U.S., where he met up with Nickel in real life, shared some vodka with her and corrupted the beautiful innocent woman so badly with his charm and vodka that nine months later she gave birth to their beautiful son Kristoffer.

I was totally blown away and elated by being asked to perform this honor for my friends, even though I did not admit it at the time. Sadly, I had to tell Bara that "Even the Church of Sweden has a few standards and one is that the godparent belongs to the church and has the faith".

Alas, I no longer fulfill those small requirements so I had to decline with a broken heart - after I had quickly and quietly considered rejoining the church again.

Well Jonas and Elizabeth (Bara´s and Nickel´s first life names), even if I cannot be Kris´s godfather I will do my very best to be his guardian angel and/or partner in crime!

Stop Forced Sterilization

2012-01-16T15:28:00.004+01:00

In Sweden sex change is regulated by the "Act (1972:119) concerning the determination of sex in some cases", which includes both transsexuals and intersexuals.

The Swedish law today requires that any person who on the basis of transsexualism applies for sex change should be:

- Unmarried (i.e. unmarried, widowed, divorced and not in a partnership)

- Swedish citizenship

- Eighteen years or older and

- Sterile

to be granted permission for new legal gender identity and gender corrective surgery.

The current requirement of sterility has by the Swedish National Board of Legal Council and the courts been interpreted as requiring that no viable reproductive cells from the person may be available.

An investigation on social care and assistance for transsexuals has, in its recommendations 2010, proposed a number of legislative changes among those that the requirement to be unmarried and sterile should be removed without being replaced with other requirements. As for the citizenship requirement it proposes that this should be replaced by a minimum level of domicile in the country of at least one year.

The Swedish government has so far refused to act on the recommendations of the investigation. The inaction on the governments part is due to the influence of the Christian Democratic Party, which is a part of the ruling so called "Alliance".

The Christian Democratic Party holds the The Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs under which this issue falls. Although there is an overwhelming majority in the Swedish parliament for the proposed changes (including the other three parties that make up the governing Alliance) the extremely socially conservative Christian Democrats have succeeded in deadlocking the government from taking any legislative action.

On Thursday we were reached by rumors that the government has reached an unofficial agreement between the four parties that form the Alliance to propose a renewed investigation on the issue of whether sterilization should still be mandatory.

This unholy agreement was reached in spite of the fact that the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights in a so-called issues paper entitled "Human Rights and Gender Identity" already in July of 2009, found that any requirement to undergo medical or surgical procedures to obtain a legal change of sex is contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights and suggested all Council members to stop the sterilization or forced treatment.

---

This issue doesn't affect many people but it is still a very important one. It is time for Sweden to change this anachronistic, heinous and discriminatory law, especially bearing in mind our earlier sordid history on forced sterilizations.

All Out and RFSL (The Swedish National Organisation for Equal Rights of Homosexual, Bisexual and Transgendered persons) have joined forces to collect signatures for a change. Go there and sign the petition to tell the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and the others that it is time to move ahead for human rights, for human dignity and against the bigotry of the 4 % that vote for the Christian Democrats.

Please sign the petition here (url).

Second Pride 2012 - General Meeting

2012-01-16T01:36:00.000+01:00

I am not on the board of Second Pride or anything, but I find it interesting to be at the general meetings. All the Board meetings are also open to the membership if something isn´t said about it.

The meetings are conducted in English and with a set of formal American rules. I mostly shut up and am learning as I go along.

The meetings are lead with great aptitude by our Chairman. sexy Doc Spad..

Doc started by informing that there was now a candidate for the empty post of Membership director on the board. The guy would leave a CV. and this would be voted upon at the next meeting.

Over to the next question about how the surplus from 2011 should be handled. There is some tension in the rather small group about how SP2012 should handle the matter of the surplus of L$ 373 757 carried over from SP2011.

It seems the board of SP2011 took a decision that all the surplus should be payed on to a charity.with a very long acronym that I cannot remember, while the present board had decided first to use parts of the surplus for necessary investments before paying the vast majority to the charity with the long acronym. (The difference is fairly small, L$29 400 or USD 115).

To some of the membership it has now gotten to be a tiresome matter of principle and the matter always pops up one way or an another despite the fact that the issue has been thoroughly discussed, voted on and decided, now at least two times. Today the board decided to reiterate their former decision about how the funds should be managed. We will see when it is brought up again next time.

Khar Indigo reported from the Christmas fundraiser, which had been well visited and rather successful, and three more monthly charity events for the future. She has always seeed a a very competent woman to me and seems to have her ducks lined up.

Avacar Bluestar informed us that things were going as planned with establishing the new website. He encouraged everyone to re-register on the new website.(http://second-pride.com/).

Pierrick reported that he was handling the new Facebook page and that the other on the board were welcome to post there too. He was going to give them administrative rights to it a.s.a.p. We went on to ask for help from previous board members and others of information about the largest contributors during earlier festivals. (It seems there is a list of this in the documents he should be able to access but hasn't found yet.)

---
My only criticism concerning these meetings are twofold, it seem that members feel free to rehash matters that have already been discussed, voted upon and decided if they did not happen to attend the meeting where all was decided.. The second objection goes to the fact that some people talk in riddles about some conflict which is not known to me in which it seems both Zach Preminger and Lemonodo Oh were involved. I dare not even guess if it was the same thing or what could have happened. I don´t care really, what I am objecting about is the not uncommon references to them and something that happened. If you don't want to spill the beans to us all just chose not to talk about it at all.

Saturday Crashorama

2012-01-15T01:15:00.000+01:00

Well, I have now officially had my worst evening in SecondLife since the very early days.

I was going to give you all a show and tell from a gathering of fashionistas and designers for the inauguration of the new KMADD Lounge (SLurl) with the launch of L’Homme, a new style magazine for men.

But alas there will be no report from that event where I rubbed shoulders with SLebrities, nor will you get to see any pictures of the gorgeous redhead I saw at the party because every time I tried to take a picture I CRASHED. And even if I didn't try to take a picture I CRASHED. And then I CRASHED again and CRASHED again and finally I CRASHED one more time. So I gave up went to my home sim, talked a little with my brother in-law Dejerrity and then logged off.

Enjoying A Sunny Evening

2012-01-14T08:19:00.001+01:00

I had a good evening at the sim, just resting, sunbathing and listening to Sarco´s channel. It is good to feel relaxed and alive and still not necessarily have to go out and meet others.

New Psych Eval For A.B.B.

2012-01-13T22:00:00.000+01:00

The Oslo District Court today decided that a new psychological evaluation should be made of the Norwegian mass murderer A.B.B and has appointed two psychiatrists to conduct the evaluation.

A.B.B. killed 77 people with a bombing in Oslo city center and by shooting on the island of Utøya on July 22, 2011.

The courts decision comes as no surprise since the earlier evaluation by two court appointed psychiatrists, that found A.B.B. is suffering from psychotic schizophrenia and therefore legally insane, has been heavily disputed among other psychiatrists and also undermined by the opinions reached by a team of psychiatrists and psychologists in Ila prison where A.B.B. is held in custody until the trial. See my earlier posts "Legally Insane" (url), "Sane Enough" (url) and "Sane or Insane?" (url).

According to one of the two trial judges, Wenche Elisabeth Arntzen, the decision was reached so as to "illuminate the matter in a broader way". She continues that whatever conclusion the new evaluation reaches it will be valuable for the courts to have the additional material when deciding the case.

It is uncertain whether or not A.B.B. will be willing to participate in the new examination, but according to expertise there is enough material of video and sound tapes from the police inquiry, the previous evaluation and the diatribes published on the Internet by A.B.B. for the evaluation to be conducted without him.

Go Easy On the Nasal Spray...

2012-01-12T20:42:00.000+01:00

(via copyranter)
...or else you might end up this way!

I am semi-addicted to nasal decongestants around this time of the year because I cannot fall asleep if I cannot breathe through my nose.

I usually blame my co-workers with children in day care for this condition. They bring all the infections that have been running wild among the kids to us poor guys who have no immunity against those upper respiratory tract infections.

Feeling much better, but still tired. See you all in the weekend!

Schumann

2012-01-11T21:11:00.001+01:00

Photo by Peter Leibing

The dramatic picture shows Hans Conrad Schumann, 19, defecting from East Berlin on August 16, 1961, two days after East Germany had started to build the Berlin Wall to seal of its inhabitants from the West.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Schumann returned to his birthplace. He was not welcomed by his parents or siblings and shunned by the other inhabitants of his hometown for what he had done. Schumann hanged himself in 1998.

---

Yesterday I woke up 20 minutes before the alarm went off, feeling well rested after a good nights sleep. I got to work at ten to eight and was focused, energetic and sociable all through my work day. When I left work to drive the 20 kilometers home it was like all the energy was drained out of me. I almost fell asleep twice during the short drive home.

I went to bed for a nap hoping I would feel better after that. Three hours later I woke up due to a nature call, logged into SecondLife to congratulate Apmel and send him his rezday present. Fifteen minutes later I was back in bed and slept through the night. All-in-all I slept thirteen hours and still felt exhausted when I woke up this morning.

I wish I could also take a brave leap and change my future and circumstances (but with hopes of a better ending than Schumann got).

Hope to see you all tomorrow!

Happy 5th Rezday Apmels!

2012-01-10T00:35:00.002+01:00

Apmel in an installation for Naked Avatars in SecondLife

Apmel Goosson, the lovable enfant terrible of the Swedish SecondLife community celebrates his 5th anniversary in SecondLife today.

Apmel Jr, uncle Ib and Apmel Sr.

I am proud to call Apmel a friend and indeed my bosom-buddy, He is not always easy to be around, but hell he is well worth the time!

Apmelina in Naked Avatars in SecondLife

Apmel is of course the head of the well known artsy SecondLife family of avatars the Apmels of Solace Island. Apart from Apmel himself hius family consists of uncle Ib, Apmel J.R., Apmelina and Apmelsprivatabankman, Robotina and perhaps some more that I have not yet been introduced to.

Apmel is of course also the owner and writer of the blog "My Avatars Name is Apmel", which was the Bock McMillans Art Foundations (a part of the BMcM Corporation) lifetime achievement award for 2011,

Happy rezday Apmel, may you have very many more!

Should SecondLife be "Pleasantville"?

2012-01-09T22:12:00.002+01:00

If you haven't seen or heard about the film "Pleasantville" (url) please read up before continuing.

First of all let me make it completely clear that I am not a behavioral scientist or anything like that. I have, however, in my line of work as a lawyer in first life, dealt with other peoples conflicts all my professional life. And I have had a few in my own personal life too.

I have also been taught by my parents, my community and my schools, to speak up and take a stand if and when I encountered anything I did not agree with. To state my case and share my opinions and arguments.

Taking a stand and showing your position by necessity creates a conflict. In SecondLife every sign of conflict is dismissed and belittled as "drama" and that is viewed as a bad thing.

Especially since I started blogging about my first and second life I have met the attitude "Can´t we always be friends all the time, everyone?". If and when a conflict showed signs of brewing or was becoming apparent I have been told by close friends and people I love and respect, "walk away", "ignore it" or "don´t acknowledge it" or something of that sort.

In my not so humble opinion conflict is drama and conflict is life! The difficult trick is of course to discuss what has been said or done, not what the person saying or doing something is. It does not promote discussion or reaching a consensus to stamp your opponent.with "He/she is stupid", "He/she is a drama queen", "He is a man, all men are animals and always try to oppress me and other women".

Honestly I can say that in all my 42 years in first life I have only one person with whom I have an entrenched and bitter relationship. In my almost five years of second life I have strangely enough succeeded in accumulating four such relationships through - from my point of view - personal attacks on myself or someone I love. I am sure that the opponent has the reversed view.

I would hate to live in a world of fake harmony and stifling pleasantness, but it would be great if we could acknowledge that conflict is healthy, beneficial, creative and absof***inglutely sane! Conflict forces us to rethink our values, find solutions, forgive and all-in-all evolve as human beings by taking a position and saying what way we want to move. By individual evolution we help the society we live in to evolve and become a better place.

My response to my own initial question is therefore a resounding, Hell no!

But the difference between me and those seeking a drama free and pleasant second life could be that they are just in it for a few hours of entertainment, while to me it actually is a second life. I´m not sure.

Sweet Memories (Updated)

2012-01-08T23:22:00.002+01:00

Drizz, I and Ars (Photo by Drizz McMillan)

All of my gestures got deactivated recently - some would say "Thank God" and Ars would have been one of them - but due to that unfortunate happening I struck gold in my Inventory today.

Looking for a gesture I got from Mr and Mrs Twine-DeSantis-McMillan (sirhc and Vampi, to those of us who love them) I typed in "bock2" in the search field of my Inventory and lo and behold, not only did the missing gesture turn up but these three pictures also. They were taken way back on July 26, 2007.

In the pictures you see me as a brunette with my cousin Drizz McMillan with the Mohawk and my sweet Ars. Unfortunately I was not given them with full rights, so I had to use my snipping tool to copy them.

That brown hair was my first SecondLife hair ever, I still remember how good I thought I looked and how happy I was for it.

At this point in time Ars was of course not "my Ars" yet, that wouldn't be until a few months later, but I was already madly infatuated with him and had started stalking him to all his Euro-sets. I never thought I would have a chance with him though, because he was always surrounded by hordes and droves of stunning looking guys.

As you most likely can see, it wasn't for his looks that I chose him (they improved over time though, as we all did), but for his warm, kind and loving personality, his jawline, his wonderful voice and his happy, mad, wild and contagious laughter. All the bling he is wearing makes me suspect he had dressed up for some bling-bling theme at a club. He usually never wore that much jewelry.

It shames me to admit, that I - possibly - finally got Ars full attention through both my persistence and with a little guile and deceit.

My powers of observation have never been strong. One day ElenaSanoraly Milena told me that Ars was pissed because he had a new skin for a week and no one seemed to notice or comment about it. That evening at the Sarco Sound Grounds I asked in local chat - in my most innocent way, "There is something different about you lately, Ars. I cannot put my finger on it. Did you get a new skin?". Ars was elated when everyone started complimenting him on his great choice.

From then on. I was always very observant of any slight changes in my babe´s appearances, because it always made him so happy when I noticed.

I and Drizz (Photo by Drizz McMillan)

Drizz and I (Photo by Drizz McMillan)

D R E Y Is Back

2012-01-08T04:42:00.001+01:00

My darling brother in-law D R E Y (the spaces are important and make him look younger, he hasn't said so but it´s what I suspect).

As always when my BIL comes back from a hiatus he has made a complete makeover and is now a stunning blond with a skin he will have to take care with in the permanent sunshine of our world.

It was late (or early) in my first life but we do not meet that often so when the occasion arose we just had to meet and talk a little, it happened to be at Fabrice´s memorial site because I was there when he came inworld.

I love my BIL, it was good to see and talk with him again.

DJ Dave Huge - A Huge Year

2012-01-07T19:25:00.001+01:00

A Huge Year by Dave Huge
(via J.M.G.)

Joe Jervis finds the best music!

Rewriting the Rules

2012-01-07T17:04:00.000+01:00

NEO is the blond dude sitting

Ars and I had many things in common. One of them was our deep love for SecondLife.

Although I have lately gotten (un)friendly suggestions that I should perhaps consider emigrating to another world, I have no plans to do so - ever. The other worlds hold no fascination for me, as they only seem to be cheaper knockoffs of SecondLife.

Today NEO Timeless has a post where he shows us two parts from a documentary called "Digital Nation".

NEO tells us it makes him proud to be a SecondLife user. Well, I am as proud as you are, NEO!

Watch the two videos on NEO´s blog "Free Your Mind", "Digital Nation, parts 6 and 7 - SecondLife (url).

Oh, and after seeing those videos. no one will ever be able to tell me that Philip Rosedale (a.k.a. Philip Linden in SecondLife) has ever lost faith in his creation. I love that man again, purely, simply and platonically!

At Fabrice´s Memorial Site

2012-01-07T11:48:00.001+01:00

Yesterday there was a memorial Mass in honor of Fabrice Snook at the Parroquia Santa Maria de Guadalupe (SLurl). As I wanted to leave room in the church for those closer to Fabrice, I visited his memorial site later in the day instead.

While I was at the memorial site we were about 6-7 avatars on the Open Spaces sim (which only holds 10 avatars) where it is placed. It was apparent by the many greetings, gifts, candles and bouquets that the site had been visited by many.

If you also wish to pay your respects the site is located here (SLurl). (The memorial is behind the building at the landing spot.)

Man At Work

2012-01-07T04:38:00.001+01:00

Often when I log in to my second life, I see a little green dot on my mini-map telling me that my brother in-law Dejerrity Mycron is at home.

Sometimes I go over to him to have a nice little chat or we just talk in IM. Usually he is there with his avatar even if he may be running around in his first life home doing chores or resting. Not so today though, he had left his avatar working away at the back porch of his beautiful home while he was AFK.

It´s a good thing having him on the home-sim, it makes me feel safer. With Dej there, I know we can handle every crisis that could come along.

Burn, Burn (Updated)

2012-01-06T16:13:00.000+01:00

"Burn, Burn"

Writer: Lewis, Michael Richard/Watkins, Ian/Oliver, Richard James

Where do I begin, with this life we're living in
Market youth their uniform, make us all fit in
But do you think, that we're that blind?
That we can't see through all your lies?

[Chorus]
Cause if it's no good
Burn burn the stations
We'll burn it down
Burn burn the truth
Enjoy the flames
In celebration
Enjoy the sound
For us, for them, for you

I know that I've been told
My integrity was sold
Price and placed upon the shelf
It's worth it's weight in gold
But do you think we've lost our minds?
Yeah we can see through all your lies?

[Chorus]

Burn burn the truth the lies the news
Burn burn the life that you can't choose
Burn burn the hate that gets you through
Burn burn for us, for them, for you [x4]

Cause if it's no good
Burn burn the stations
We'll burn it down
Burn burn the truth
Enjoy the flames
In celebration
Enjoy the sound

For us, for them, for you [Repeat x5]
---

I always loved that song by the Lostprophets.

On somewhat the same theme I would like to add a quote from "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac, that I was reminded of when adding the music. The quote describes the people that interest and fascinate me. The ones I seek out and want to be around and have around me.

Some would of course suggest that the reason for this is because I am so boring myself and I would wholeheartedly agree with them. I am the moth around the flame or the reflection of the fire in other people.

"They danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn..."

And then again, I need the sane and balanced ones also.

Mass For Fabrice

2012-01-06T11:43:00.001+01:00

According to a notice in the GWNews group there will be a Mass celebrated in honor of Fabrice Snook today at16:00 CET/7 AM SLT.

All those who wish to honor the memory of Fabrice are welcome

The memorial service will take place in the church Parroquia Santa Maria de Guadalupe (SLurl)

Fabrice Snook In Memoriam

2012-01-06T01:48:00.001+01:00

Fabrice Snook (February 9, 2007 - November 23, 2011)

It was with great sadness I today learned that the primatar of Fabrice Snook has passed away on November 23, 2011. The news was totally unexpected and has shocked the whole of the LGBT community in SecondLife.

Fabrice was a strong champion for LGBT rights in SecondLife. He was also the founder of the Gay Archipelago (GA), a cluster of approximately 140 LGBT sims. He was the first Chairman of the Gay Archipelago Council board and was until his demise a part of the Council in a non executive role.

Besides being an activist Fabrice was also an accomplished designer, a great mentor and a true friend to many inworld.

I did not know Fabrice well, but the few times we met and talked he was always kind and supportive. The last time we met was at what was to be the taping of The DJ Insyx Show with Spike Clemenceau on November 20, 2011, see my post The DJ Insyx Show - Spike. (The show was cancelled due to technical difficulties.)

Fabrice landed on my head as he teleported in to the studio where the show was going to be taped. We started talking and he was giving me kind praise for a post I had done on GWNews and gave me a few things to think about for future articles. I have actually been waiting for him to be online at the same time as me to continue the discussion.

My heart goes out to all of Fabrice´s family and friends in both his first and second life.

Rest in peace, Fabrice, you will be sorely missed!

---
Landmark to The Gay Archipelago community´s memorial site for Fabrice here (SLurl). (When you visit, please pay your respects swiftly and leave as soon as possible, as the Open Spaces sim only holds 10 avatars at a time)

If you wish, you can leave your condolences on the GA blog here (Url).

Welcome Home, Millimina

2012-01-05T23:59:00.002+01:00

"Millimina at sea" by Millimina Salamander (stolen from her blog)

My little sister Millimina is back after a short vacation.

Welcome home, sweetie, we are many who have missed you a lot!

What You Need To Know About CPR

2012-01-05T23:41:00.002+01:00

(via copyranter)

Shocking News x 3

2012-01-05T18:54:00.000+01:00

***Warning!***

You had better sit down before reading this post. I will emphatically refuse responsibility for any injuries or damages (physical, mental, emotional or whatever) caused to you before, during or after reading it..

1. Laird refused sex by Canadian biker dude

Read the background to this story here..

The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm and prince of Cascade Falls reportedly took this news with great composure although tears could be seen in his eyes.

"We must always rejoice when our friends find true love. The reasons he gives for this decision are all valid and I will do my best to support him in keeping that resolution", he said with a slight tremor in his voice.

2. Eating cat meat may kill you

Read the background to this story here.(Tip by buddy sirhc DeSantis is gratefully acknowledged)

The laird´s reaction to this story was utter disgust. "Ewww you meant to say they still do that? There isn´t much meat on them after all, just look at my buddy. Skin and bones he is, skin and bones!"

3. Renewal of old friendship

In the aftermath of the recent drama created by the two harridans of the virtual worlds it is reported that Gittrika Mint and the laird have decided to let bygones be bygones and have exchanged mutual excuses for past wrongdoings.

"Gittrika acted in a most courageous, magnanimous and forgiving way by speaking out in that drama despite our differences. I will always remember that and in the light of this bravery our past differences seem very trifling indeed.", said the laird when commenting this story. "We have, however, respectfully agreed to disagree on a certain topic but will not let that stop us from doing the right thing. I am very happy that something good came out of that pitiful incident."

Parading the Colors

2012-01-04T23:55:00.001+01:00

When I put in my order for the McMillan tartan with full regalia for my buddy sirhc DeSantis, the beautiful designer Elle74 Zaftig ordered her seamstresses to work at full speed. With the delivery of sirhc´s present she also gifted me a full new outfit of the newly designed version.

I absolutely love it, so after the photo exhibition I took a walk around the estates. Although it was a windy evening the cold breezes didn´t get at my ba...uhmmm testis, not much anyhow. All was calm on the sim and all the animals were accounted for.

On the picture you see me parading the clan-colors next to a jar made by the artist Second Renoir. She is according to rumor actually a well known artist in first life also. She is also the first life sister of Mrs. Blanche cbreak.

I have quite a few of those jars placed around the sim, they are great focal-points.

cbreak´s Photo Exhibition

2012-01-04T23:24:00.002+01:00

The artist and his wife in front of a piece I bought

Today I looked in at cbreak´s first exhibition in SecondLife of his first life photography. I had been planning to go to the opening the past weekend, but some crap got under my shoe.

I must say I liked a lot of what I saw. Some things more than others, but isn´t that the way it always is? Some pieces actually struck me as being a fusion between first and second life in a very interesting way although, I am sure, all the pictures were taken before cbreak had joined us in SecondLife.

While I was looking around I was joined by the artist himself and his partner Blanche (née Argus). We had a pleasant talk about his work and the fact that they had met, fallen in love and partnered so early in his second life. My conclusion to the happy two was, that whenever you meet love just accept it.

It should be worthwhile for anyone interested in photography or art to make a visit. cbreak hasn't gotten used to the SL artists exorbitant rates yet, so he is selling his stuff dirt cheap.

Take the SLurl to the exhibition.The exhibition continues through January 8.

Sane or Insane?

2012-01-04T20:14:00.000+01:00

Prosecutor Svein Holden, said in a letter to the Oslo district court today that three psychologists and one psychiatrist at Ila prison in Oslo, where the mass murderer A.B.B. is held in pretrial detention, informed him they have not observed any signs that he is neither psychotic or schizophrenic. The prison has not started medication of A.B.B. or seen any need to move him to another facility. Neither have any signs of suicidal tendencies been noticed.

These findings contradict the report of the court appointed team of psychiatrists which found that A.B.B. was legally insane and suffering from psychotic schizophrenia, see "Legally Insane". These findings have earlier been disputed by the Swedish psychiatrist Johan Cullberg, see "Sane Enough".
...

I guess we will have to wait and see how the courts rules on this issue, but the line between sanity and insanity is sometimes very, very thin.

...now I am logging into my SecondLife to go see a first life photo exhibition by cbreak.

Sean Chapin - "I'm Married and I Know It"

2012-01-03T21:01:00.001+01:00

(via J.M.G.)

Prevention of Historical Revisionism

2012-01-03T20:42:00.001+01:00

Before moving along, as I promised to do yesterday, I am taking the precautionary measure of posting this extract from the comments on the mudslingers blog. This because I was alerted today about the fact that comments and even entire blog posts so easily disappear. (Copy/pasted here but I have used my snipping tool as well).

The benefit of copy/pasting is that you can copy and get the comments translated yourselves, as I have now also been accused of having made an incorrect translation.

The only thing I have changed below are the names of the two harridans of the virtual worlds and the links to the blog post or the identities of the other two, I am instead using the more suitable names I have chosen for them.

Now, I am done with those two and my beautiful world is waiting..

"The extraterrestrial hag from InWorldz" sa...

Jag har själv blivit mobbad av Bock McMillan somattackerade mig våldsamt i sin egen blogg samt strök mig från alla tänkbaravänlistor och skrev hemska kommentarer i min blogg. Varför vet jag inte. Jagfick aldrig någon ursäkt heller.

Folk påstod att det var synd om honom och att han inte visste vad han gjorde.Whatever. Såna dramaqueens går fetbort i min värld iaf. Troligen är det bara såatt "kärringen" är ur balans och måste ha nån att slå på ibland.
Happy New Year! :]

31 december 2011 17:18

"The mudslinger" sa...

-Trodde du redan att gjort det Kandi - en sån lysandefeministisk journalist som du, Tina har i alla fall skrivit om detta tidigare.
Kalla mig censor då kan du lika gärna sparka mig i skrevet, dra mig i håret ochsätta tummen i ögat - då förbehåller jag mig rätten att slå tillbaka med fullkraft. Det är inte som prydnad jag har med länken till Reportrar utan gränser.
-Vi har alla sett Bock strö dricks omkring sig på olika danskvällar - vem villschavottera med en tummad tjuga efter Prinsens fabulösa donation.
Vi som inte varit med så länge vet ju inte ens om Ars har funnits eller om detär en alt i syfte att iscensätta någon vonDardelsk installation. -När du gavdig på Kynlif gav du dig på fel person. Hon förlorade båda sina föräldrar i enbilolycka för fem sex år sedan. Trots det reste hon sig snabbt gav sina barn enfin uppväxt och förde sitt egna företag till blomstring. Hon kanske inte sagtnågot, jag vet att hon avskyr när någon ömkar henne.

1 januari 2012 15:40

Bock McMillan sa...

Vare sig du eller Mera/Vesper/Alessia förtjänar någotsvar, men jag vill bara säga att du borde skämmas Vanadis för att ensifrågasätta Ars existens eller betydelse i mitt och andras liv.

Så långt som att undersöka hur det verkligen förhåller sig med detta sträcktesig tydligtvis inte din journalistiska begåvning eller integritet.

Jag beklagar Kynlifs olycka och gratulerar till att hon förmådde återhämta sigså snabbt. Jag visste dock inte att hon därmed had fastställt vilken tidtabellmin sorg skulle följa.

Jag förstår fortfarande inte heller när eller på vilket sätt jag någonsinskulle ha gett mig på Kynlif, men det är egalt nu.

1 januari 2012 16:14

42

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000+01:00

I am now officially at the age when I am living proof that the answer to "The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything" is actually nothing other than 42. The question is still not known though...

Hooray for me!

For I´m a jolly good fellow, for I´m a jolly good fellow

For I´m a jolly good fellow (pause), and so say all of me

And so say all of me, and so say all of me

For I´m a jolly good fellow, for I´m a jolly good fellow

For I´m a jolly good fellow (pause), which nobody can deny!

Where Do I Go From Here?

2012-01-02T23:00:00.001+01:00

After reading the mudslingers vicious attack on my Ars memory yesterday I was in turmoil and totally confused because I could not see it coming.

It is true the mudslinger and I have a history of miscommunication but that she would - or even could wish to - drag my Ars into the equation was totally unexpected and extremely hurtful.

After I had sent out the note card to everyone on my friendslist in SecondLife asking them to bear witness to Ars existence, I got many questions about the identity of the mudslinger and kind advise telling me to ignore the foolish person and let it lay.

I am not going to name the mudslinger at this point in time, as I wish her no harm. Her identity and her blog is however known to many of the other Swedes in SecondLife and they can also testify to the fact that she has actually brought forth the accusations that I have stated.

The mudslinger is dust to me now and has lost any credibility she may have had. I wish no further contact with her ever again. Should she, however. at any point in the future, leave a comment on my blog again I will name her, her blog and link to the post where she sullies the memory of Ars.

The same of course applies to her crony, the extraterrestrial hag from InWorldz with her many avatars. Both of theses two harridans of the virtual worlds have spit on me and the memory of my Ars. The extraterrestrial hag did so only a few weeks after Ars passed away by raising the question if love in the virtual worlds was at all real love or even possible in any correct interpretation of the word.

As to the kind suggestions from many who wish me well, that I should ignore what had happened and let it lay, I can only say that it was never an option for me. I am sure it is a personality disorder of some kind, but I don´t care.

Once again I would like to thank all those of my family and friends in SecondLife who rallied to protect Ars´s memory. I would also like to thank all those friends and strangers who have sent me kind messages inworld or by e-mail. I will try to get back to you all as soon as possible!

I am sorry this post comes so late, but as an aftermath of yesterdays experiences I was completely exhausted when I got back from work today. What should have been a one hour nap turned into a three hours one.

Now, I am going to leave this behind me and never revisit it again. The middle part of yesterday was not a day I wish to remember. I will see you inworld tomorrow!

Thank You All

2012-01-02T00:11:00.002+01:00

When I read the infamous bloggers comment earlier today I cried with hurt, frustration and anger over her gall and self righteousness in questioning my Ars ever having existed and for my life in SecondLife of being a display of mere theatrics.

I calmed myself down enough to write this comment on her blog;

"Neitheryou, nor (one of the bloggers cronies who was also commenting) deserve ananswer, but I would still like to say that you should be ashamed (bloggersname) for bringing into question Ars´s existence or meaning in my and otherpeople´s lives.

Apparentlyyour journalistic talent or integrity didn´t stretch far enough to care toinvestigate on whether your suspicions were true.

I am sadfor (one of the bloggers friends) misfortune (in having lost both her parents in acar accident a few years ago) and congratulate her for her ability to recover fromthat in a speedy manner. However, I did not know that she by doing so had setthe timetable for my own grief. I still donot understand in what way you perceive that I have harassed (the above mentioned friend), but that doesn't matter anymore.

1 januari 2012 16:14"

After this I lost it for awhile and then wrote the post you have been answering to, my wonderful friends, and I sent it out to all on my friends-list.

On this first day of 2012 I had promised myself that I would not get baited by foolish people, but the immensity of her allegation brought that resolution to the ground and I cried because of her stupidity.

Now I am crying again, this time with pride over your response in coming to bear witness over a great man who has indeed lived with us all. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank those of you who speedily came to my assistance when I called out for help! You guys and girls are the salt of the earth, I love you deeply!

I completely understand those who have let me know that you cannot testify in this because you did not know my Ars and those who have told me that the best action is to ignore the girl, I was to upset when I sent out the card to think who could or could not have known my Ars.

I hope all of you a better continuation of 2012, I have as you may have seen prophesied that it will be a most wonderful year. Lets do that together!

Did You Know Ars Northmead?

2012-01-01T16:36:00.000+01:00

I am in total shock at the moment. An infamous Swedish SecondLife-blogger has today had the shameful audacity to draw into question whether or not my beautiful Ars has ever existed as a person or avatar in his own right.

She indeed outright implies that the avatar Ars Northmead is/was one of my alts and also maintains that my mourning for him is a role-play created in my deviant imagination. She also thinks my timetable for mourning deviates from her ideal.

I would therefor ask that all those of you who may have known Ars Northmead come forward and attest to his existence as a person in his own right and that he is not an alt of mine.

If you feel you can do this, please attest to those facts in the comments. Should you know of others who could bear witness to this, please ask them to sign in also.

This has gone too far

There Is Hope For Mesh

2012-01-01T15:41:00.002+01:00

On the first day of the wonderful year 2012 we are reached by the news that there has been a breakthrough in handling Mesh.

Karl Stiefvater is both cute and clever

It seems that Qarl Fizz (formerly Qarl Linden while he was still employed at Linden Lab, a.k.a. Karl Stiefvater in first Life) has made a breakthrough with code that actually makes Mesh adapt to your shape instead of the other way around.

Read more about it and watch the video and the code that Qarl has created on his blog qLabs Blog, or read more about it

in English in Ciaran Laval´s blog entry Mesh Clothing Parametric Deformer Goes Alpha or

in Swedish in the Svens(k) Idyll blog post Lösning på ett Mesh-problem?

This is great news for us all. What an extraordinarily wonderful way to start this year, I love all these brilliant techies that improve my life!

Blog Stats for December

2012-01-01T14:43:00.001+01:00

Bock in SecondLife had fewer hits in December 2011 than in November. The number of pageviews for December is 10 814, while November 2011 had 12 711 pageviews and October 13 436 pageviews (which was an all time high). The previous records were set in September 2011 (12 749 pageviews) and July 2011 (12 477 pageviews).

This means that the number of pageviews for December declined with a further 14,9 % compared to November. which in turn had declined by 5,4 % compared to October.

Sweden still leads as my all time largest reader country with 57 571 pageviews, while the United States comes in at 36 009 pageviews and Egypt in third place with 5 737 pageviews.

The three largest language groups among my readers in December 2011 were English (44,4 %), Swedish (35,8 %) and Dutch (7,4 %).

All Systems Are Go

2012-01-01T05:48:00.000+01:00

My kiddo and Janttu, safe and accounted for ✓

My sister Millimina, safe and accounted for ✓
My brother in-law Andrey (BIL), safe and accounted for ✓

My Wilson-family, safe and accounted for ✓

My first life family, safe and accounted for ✓

My friends, safe and accounted for ✓
Myself, on the mend ✓

Ignore those who drain positive energy and drag down with bullshit ✓

Physical, mental and emotional stability ✓

Energy levels ✓
Navigation and GPS ✓

All systems are go, go, go!

Lets head for the glorious future that awaits us. Life and SecondLife are fun, wonderful, beautiful and friendly places to be in.

---
Sergeant of Arms, the Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm and prince of Cascade Falls etc., etc.sends the following orders to you;

"As you have been on duty all through last week, i.e. also on your rezday on December 30, you are hereby graciously relieved from further duties for a period no less than - but not exceeding - two (2) days.

Please note;, This in no way relieves you from your marital obligations towards covering any needs your missus may have or any demands she may make on your luscious body (gardening, water carrying or such chores - but what do I know about what goes on in a heterosexual relationship. Just clench your teeth, look at the ceiling - or the sky if you happen to be outdoors when she gets the urge - and think of Southern Charm!"

Happy belated rezday, sirhc buddy!,Enjoy your vacation in Secondlife!

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-31T19:48:00.004+01:00

I wish all of my first and second life family, friends. friends-to-be, ex-friends and all strangers but especially all my readers and followers a happy ending of 2011 and a wonderful, fresh, new 2012!

May all our hopes and wishes be fulfilled and may harm stay out of our way. I hope to see you all next year. Together we will make this the best year ever!

Misandry and Zlatan

2011-12-31T15:50:00.003+01:00

It´s been an exciting morning.

First of all, I learned a new word, misandry. (Take the link to Wikipedia to learn the meaning of the word.)

Secondly, I read a comment directed at me on a Swedish blog where the blogger herself referred to me as "the Zlatan of self-pitying". The selfsame blogger also honored me with a blogroll of my own, with the reason given that she didn't read my blog herself but that she wished to perform a public service to her readers.

For those of you who do not know of Zlatan Ibrahimović let me tell you he is the best Swedish professional soccer player ever. (Again, if you wish to learn more about Zlatan take the Wiki-link)

Even if I know I should have ignored her baiting, I could not resist so I dropped her a reply (here translated to English):

Well, (bloggers first name), it is normally not considered pleasant to kick on someone who is already down on the ground, but perhaps there are other standards on the West Coast? No for sure, I know that there aren´t, because I have lived there myself for five years.

If you are tired of my self-pitying, I can honestly say that it most likely is a slight breeze compared to how I feel myself. Unlike me, however, you have the privilege to surf on with a snort; I have to live my way through the crap.

When I began blogging, I promised myself that the blog would be a true, honest and open account of my experiences or else I should not do it. Of course I do not write about everything concerning my dealings with others, but in regard to myself, I am completely open. If this does not suit you obviously you should not read it - and most definitely not give it a blogroll of it´s own on your blog.

December 31, 2011 14:42

---
Enough of this bullshit, now I am getting ready for this evening. Have fun everyone!

Bock: "2012 Will Be Wonderful!"

2011-12-30T22:45:00.000+01:00

"Farm in fog", photography by Gary Hamburgh

OK, I felt the pressure building up inside me as the end of the year came closer.

Just as we watch the fogs slowly lifting over the farmhouse in Gary Hamburgh´s beautiful picture, here are my predictions for 2012.

Universal

The universe as we know it will still be here
We will have made contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence. However, they decline any further contact because they think we are dumb asses.
The answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything will remain 42.

Global

The Arab spring will continue with baby-steps and a few set backs, it will eventually also turn into a Persian spring. There will still be no Chinese spring in sight
The Internet will remain free, power mongers must realize you cannot put the genie back in the can once it is set free.
Barack Obama will be reelected for a second term as President of the United States of America

SecondLife

SecondLife will still be here, things will improve inworld when Viewer 1 has been dropped
Linden Lab will remain as owners of SecondLife and their financial situation will slowly improve
Mesh will... ugh lets wait and see, my answer on this one is 42

Metaversal

The blog "Tinas universum" (Tina´s Universe) will be up and running again, the oldest Swedish avatar known to man cannot hold back long
"Bock in SecondLife" will most likely still be here, lets say 42 on this one
As for the rest - 42

Personal

I will be 42 and Bock will be 5, but we will still look like 32 and act like 12
I and Bock will have had sex again with another human being and/or avatar. Finally!
I will still be on antidepressants but vastly improved

---

That´s it folks! All in all, we have a wonderful and marvelous year waiting for us. Enjoy 2012!