GA Winterfest - The Opening

Saturdays in SecondLife have lately meant a lot of strange problems for me. All my remarks in Instant Message and local chat are repeated, any tip I give get repeated also until I leave the sim and my HUD´s and AO´s turn themselves off anytime I try to use them. Frankly it´s more than a little tedious!

If I weren't the most patient man in SecondLife I would complain and rant ferociously, as it is you just get this whimper instead.

Today I had one of my "have-to-go"-events lined up, the opening of the Gay Archipelago´s Winter Festival. My son Guyke was a grass widower (Ziggy was away in first life for one of his hellish weekend work shifts) so I forced the boy to accompany me.

Well, once I thought I was ready dressing and teleported to the party I landed in snow, which really shouldn't have been a surprise to me considering it was a winter festival duhhh! As a trendsetter and fashionista extraordinaire it was of course impossible for me to go to this particular party in a tee and capris, so back home I went to change a-g-a-i-n. I choose to blame it all on my bad cold and my fever, although I should think others will have alternative theories on the matter.

Mitch and Garth, the happy couple

We got there a bit late and missed out on George Michaels and Ricky Martins appearances, but were in time for DJ Avacar´s great set and in time for the two most thrilling events of the party, the northern lights show and my buddy Garth Raleighs proposal to his beau Mitch Underwood.

Luckily - and to Garth´s and the party guests great joy and relief - Mitch immediately and happily accepted whereupon heartfelt congratulations to the happy couple ensued, totally against the rules of the Winterfests ban on chat spam, but no one really cared about rules at that point.

Guyke and I

GA Winter Festival 2012 - December 8-16

My friend Garth Raleigh at the Gay Archipelago has kindly sent me this invitation to share with you all.

"It is with great pleasure that the Winter Festival, 2012 - 'ICE AGE' Team invites you to attend the Opening Festivities of the Festival! 

Please join us for the event in which we will enjoy an amazing performance by George Michael beginning at 12pm slt followed by the incomparable Ricky Martin at 1pm slt. 

All Brought to us by the folks at Gay Fun World!

After we have had a chance to laugh and dance together with all the Festival Guests at the Festival Sim with these two iconic performers, we'll all enjoy a pyrotechnics spectacular at 2pm slt at the same site.

When: Saturday December 8, 2012, starting at 12pm slt
Where: Winter Festival Sim

We're all looking forward to seeing you and to having you at the Opening festivities - as well as all the events being held from December 8th through December 16th, 2012. You can find the full calendar of events at: http://www.ga-weblog.com

Yours in ICE AGE glory,
The GA Winter Festival, 2012 Team
❂ Garth Raleigh, GA Lead
❂ Mitch Underby, Winter Festival Sponsorship Coordinator
❂ Avacar Bluestar, Winter Festival Events Team Lead
❂ Megan Strom, Winter Festival MarketFair Team Lead
❂ Othon Weiland, Winter Festival Publicity/Public Relations/Promotion Team Lead
❂ Geo McAuley, Winter Festival Buildings & Grounds Team Lead
❂ Judas (craig.jules), Winter Festival Sim Team Lead
❂ Caoimhin (luckas.horsley)
❂ Praetor (PQ)
❂ Draghan Marksman
❂ Aragorn Fox Nicolei (martin.terr)
❂ Belko Rau
❂ Asharr Antonius
❂ Parvin (xcept.atlas)
❂ Peri (periplus. gran)
❂ Rico (ricogenu)
❂ Alum Dagger
❂ JeanMark Nightfire

A Message From The Chairman

Group Notice From: Second Pride Festival, Doc Spad

Time to declare yourself as a candidate is running out... we still need a few god people....be part of Pride this next year and be part of the fun... check out the website  http://second-pride.com/  hit the "About Us"/ SP Bylaws tab...look over the positions on the Board... then drop us a note card with the position you want to run for. send note cards to Avacar Bluestar or brett Fargis.

Be part of something that makes a difference...

Doc Spad
your Chairperson

Avacar and Butch at Pride

On Sunday I visited the SLT-morning dances at Pride to support my buddies Avacar Bluestar and Butch Diavolo. Both of them stepped into this on rather short notice, Avacar after the former lead DJ at his club had quit yesterday and Butch stepping in for a DJ that didn't show up at the venue.

I am very happy to inform you that they both performed extremely well and kept us entertained with good music and chat for two hours each.

I was so happy to see Paul Maracas again at the set. Paul is an old friend from the Sarco Sound days whom I haven´t seen since the wake after the first memorial for my Ars at Saint Magnus Kirk on Hinterland.

Over to the pictures.

Avacar

DJ Butch

My fellow blogger Jeff Ellsworth watches as my buddy master builder Levi Ewing dances

Model Joe Lycomedes

My old friend Paul Maracas

Mt friend Tienkie shows off her furry bush

DJ Sarco´s Early Morning At Pride

Sarco Halderman is an old time friend of mine, I first made his acquaintance in 2007, when I started "stalking" my Ars around in SecondLife.

Sarco is one of the best DJ´s SecondLife has to offer, and he showed that at his set between 3-5 AM SLT. The crowd may not have been large but the quality of the music was still the best - as always.

DJ Sarco

Aelred Huet, Fabi Ishtari and yours truly

Close-up of muscle man Aelred

I am enjoying myself

Dodo Ahanu

Harley Homewood, a great DJ in his own right and Sarco´s partner

DJ InsyX Piranha grooving

MadeInRussia, Chace Nizna and Preston Benoir

Zim Gunsberg

Avacar Bluestar came in close to the end of the set

The Fabrice Snook Foundation

THE FABRICE SNOOK FOUNDATION

ESTABLISHED: January, 2012

MISSION: To provide support to the LGBT Community in Second Life via fianancial donations to help promote a vibrant, active LGBT presence. In loving memory of Fabrice Snook.

STATEMENT from the Board Members: 

Not long after the news of the passing of Fabrice reached those of us in Second Life, it was determined that the legacy of this great LGBT activist and friend to all should continue with in-world, grid-wide impact.

Since Fabrice was a businessman in SL, and his successful ventures continued to operate (namely: Crazy Garden, Kikoo Designs, Flag Factory), it was decided that all proceeds from sales at these established businesses would be directed to a fund set up in this Foundation name – to be managed and distributed to LGBT organizations and entities in Second Life upon approval from the Board. We anticipate extended longevity of this Foundation as the treasury receives consistent replenishment from sales generated at various in-world store locations, planned fundraisers and miscellaneous donations.

Applications for funding along with guidelines for qualification can be obtained from any of the following Foundation Board Members (NoteCard, please – IM’s get capped easily). Applications are currently in the English language pending translations into multiple languages:

Avacar Bluestar          

Draghan Marksman         

Garth Raleigh
MissK Magic

Othon Weiland

Zaza (nefaso.resident)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Questions/interviews – contact Foundation Spokesman Othon Weiland who will assist you.

* The Fabrice Snook Foundation operates impartially and independently from any other LGBT Organization.
* This announcement will repeat in several languages and locations throughout varying venues available for Press Release.

Unscheduled Events

Yesterdays main event in SecondLife was going to be my first prom, but things happen and I ended up doing so much more.

It all started going off the well planned track when my brother in-laws Dejerrity Mycron and Jeb Nicholls came over to bring me to Dej´s parcel at the Southwest (please note I got it right this time) corner of the sim. They had been landscaping and decorating and wanted to show me what they had achieved so far.

Even if they both claim they are not done yet and that there is a lot of texturizing remaining, the spot already looks wonderful.

We sat there together at the camp fire for a good while talking about everything between heaven and earth, men (of course), life and loves, my chest hair (too little according to them both), how long Dej can keep a computer in working condition (he just got a newer one after eight years), earlier building projects they had been involved in (The Damocles Project and Ghoul Prison), how Jeb could fuel the Peoples Republic of China by daily flossing and about Ars (of course).

Time passes very fast when you are happy and when we were done covering the essentials I discovered I had already missed the Euro prom, so I had four hours to kill.before the American prom party started.

My buddy Butch Diavolo was doing an impromptu set at the Sanctuary, he always does that when he knows I am busy with other stuff. However, I was able to drop in for the last 30 minutes of his set and had a great time with great music and hilarious chat. Butch is a motormouth who is able to pull up the wittiest remarks at the drop of a hat.

I took a meal break after Butch´s set and was then called by my ex-missus for-a-day, Iendi Laville, to my buddy Apollon Allen´s jetty. Apollon was playing music for the gathered crowd (mostly Swedes) while they were dancing or enjoying the Jacuzzi.

Let me just give you a warning here.

All straight men are not avers to giving you a good time in a Jacuzzi. Ethon Sands has wandering feet that are wonderfully soft and flexible. I am not sure if he was playing with others under the water too or if they were just mocking me when they all started repeating "Ooooooooo Ethoooooon, it feels so good!"

Finally the time came to get ready for the American prom, so I reluctantly got out of the tub with the memories of Ethon´s feet still lingering on my mind.

By the time I got to the prom the party was well on it´s way and people were having a good time. I was too tired to take pictures but thoroughly enjoyed myself for an hour before leaving for bed at 4 AM my time. Avacar Bluestar was DJ-ing (the first time I heard him) to our enjoyment. Beautiful Kharissa Indigo and sexy  and notorious Ryce Skywalker were there among a whole lot of other sexy men and pleasant women.

Oh, you may be wondering if I did get a date to bring me to the prom. No such luck I am afraid, although I did try to entice the studelicious Ziggy Starsmith over with a blind teleport (He absolutely loves them!), but he was at another party and "couldn't come" (Have you ever heard a lamer excuse when being invited to a party by a sexy blond Swede,I ask?), or so he claimed.

Men, you cannot live with them, nor without them! All the same, I had a great Friday evening and early night, and have left out a lot of what happened being the soul of discretion that I am known to be.

SecondGAY Magazine, Spring 2012

SecondGAY Magazine Spring 2012 (Click to enlarge)

The new "SecondGAY Magazine" (url) is out now, just follow the link to read it.

Excellent work by the editors on staff Avacar Bluestar, Eddi Haskell-Constantine and Spike Clemenceau with lots of good tips, interesting articles and great interviews!

Avacar, Get Your Thumbs Out...

My buddy Butch Diavolo has now - despite dental surgery, tooth extractions and terrible pains - fulfilled the requirements for an invitation to the Rhino Bloggers Group by posting three times in a week on his newly started blog Butch´s Ramblings.

Please send the courageous and heroic man an invitation to the Rhino Bloggers group a.s.a.p., Avacar!

Welcome to the group, Butch!

P.S. Never mind, Avacar buddy, I discovered that I could do it myself so I sent him the invitation! ;)

Rhino Writers

"Now forming, Rhino Writers is a gay bloggers group in Second Life, believing there is power in numbers. Formed by Avacar Bluestar & Eddi Haskell, we want to raise up the art form of blogging to a new level.

Description of Rhino Symbol:

Purple Rhinoceros

The purple rhino made its first appearance in December 1974. It was created by two Boston gay rights activists: one source names Bernie Toal and Tom Morganti, another says it was Bernie Toal and Daniel Thaxton. The entire campaign was intended to bring gay issues further into public view. The rhino started being displayed in subways in Boston, but since the creators didn’t qualify for a public service advertising rate, the campaign soon became too expensive for the activists to handle. The ads disappeared, and the rhino never caught on anywhere else.

As Toal put it, “The rhino is a much maligned and misunderstood animal and, in actuality, a gentle creature.” But when a rhinoceros is angered, it fights ferociously. At the time, this seemed a fitting symbol for the gay rights movement. Lavender was used because it was a widely recognized gay pride color and the heart was added to represent love and the “common humanity of all people.” The purple rhinoceros was never copyrighted and is public domain.

Requirements:
Must have posted more than 3 articles in the past six months. And be at least 90% gay :)


IM any member for your group invite, subject to Rhino Checkpoint’s approval (Official membership chairperson TBA).


Our first item on agenda is to create clicker boards (one each) for each of our members’ blogs for placement in the Rhino Writer’s booth at Second Pride 2012. Dimension detail to follow shortly in group notice.


Avacar & Eddi"
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Well, I fit the requirements so of course I joined when I was invited. There is a shortcut on my blog to the page that is being set up at GWNews.

Second Pride 2012 - General Meeting

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.

Jago´s & Eddi´s Third Anniversary Party

After the long seminar with Jessica Lyon it was great to know I had a party waiting to celebrate my friends Jago Constantine and Eddi Haskell on their third anniversary as partners in SecondLife. DJ Insyx supplied the music as a real pro.

It was a fun party with both old timers like myself. Eddi, Jago and Jordyn Carnell and a some almost noobs and all the ages in between. Oh and dogs, dogs, dogs everywhere - even a lesbian bitch dog named Betsy that kept hitting on missK all evening.

Enough talk, here are the tell-all pictures. For even more pictures visit Eddi Haskell´s Second Life Photos from Our Third Anniversary Party Today

The happy couple, Jago and Eddi

We were all relieved that mtd wore a sock on it

Yours truly and sexy missK making some moves

Avacar, Esme and Cambieul grooving

Happy Blogoversary, Eddi Haskell´s Second Life!

Sunday was the third blogoversary of my buddy Eddi Haskell´s blog "Eddi Haskell´s Second Life" and I nearly missed it altogether. Thanks for the reminder to Avacar Bluestar at GWNews!

Another year down, Eddi, and many, many more to go!

Sorry for the belated greeting, you almost succeeded in sneaking it past me. If it hadn't been for Avacar you might have made it.

"I Know I Have Been in SL Too Long When..."

Avacar Bluestar, editor in chief of Gay-Worlds News, posted a question on his Facebook page.

Help me find the funniest answers to this question. Fill in the blank. 

“I know I have been in SL too long when ______ “

Now he has blogged about it at GWNews "I´ve Been in SL for How Long Now?, go there to read the funny answers and add your own. (You must be logged in to post a comment.) Two of my personal favorites are

Danniel Destiny I go to bed and look for the blue and pink pose balls:

Liir Macarthur I look in my mirror and wish I could change my hair and clothes instantly.

---

My own response to this question is:
...I use the wheel on my mouse to zoom in on something or try alt+left arrow to look at something from the other side.

SecondLife Celebrity Spills All

The man, the myth, the legend, the one and only Eddi Haskell agreed to a heart-to-heart with Avacar Bluestar from Gay-Worlds News. Read the interesting result here: Exclusive Interview: Eddi Haskell - Agent Provocateur.

You may not always agree with Eddi but his opinions are always interesting and honest. I am happy to call this man my friend.