Summer 2015 Blog Header

My wonderful Tomais made me this beautiful blog header for summer 2015! 

Tomais & My Booths at The Festival

Tomais and I both have booths at the Second Pride festival this year.

Please feel free to come around and take a load of your feet to

• enjoy a free tropical drink, 
• eat a roasted pig, 
• look at - or even purchase - some of Tomais' photography, 
• read my blog, 
• acquire your own personal "Flat Bock", 
• get my fashion forward The Jesters Hat - Pride version. or simply
• rent a bike.

You will find our booths here: Tomais' & Bock's booths at Second Pride Festival (SLurl).

SPECIAL OFFER: Take-Home-A-Bock

Copy/No Modify/Transfer

There is a special gift to all fans of Bock in SecondLife at my booth at Second Pride. You can all get your own copy of me to take home with you. Simply touch the vendor and you will receive your very own "Flat Bock".

Get your free copy at my booth at the Second Pride Festival (SLurl).

Instructions for use: The Flat Bock is laminated for your protection and to prevent staining. Rinse in lukewarm water and wipe clean after use or abuse. Not dishwasher safe. Do not place in microwave or dryer. 

Pride 2015 - Day 2, The McMillan Parade Ball

Dancing with Tomais in front of the beautiful Pride Globe
that Jak Calcutt has built for Second Pride

The second day of the Pride festival opened with the McMillan Parade Ball, an event sponsored by this blog, so of course I had to be there in my family tartan with my consort Tomais at my side.

DJ Kahvy with his host and spouse Garrett gave all of us who were there a wonderful time and a great warm-up for what was to come later in the day.

The photos above are by my friend Gigi Swansen, with whom I had the pleasure of dancing a couple of dances before she had to go off to work.

After Gigi left I asked my sweet Swedish friend Helene Dragoone for a few dances. She did me the honor of leading so I could just relax and enjoy the rest of the event.

I had a fabulous time and I hope all the others had as fun a time too.

SP Festival Events - Saturday June 20th

The festival continues with a full day of fun and entertainment.

You can find the complete festival schedule of events on the Second Pride website here. (Please note that the schedule is subject to change, so check it every day to make certain there haven't been any changes affecting your plans.)

8 - 10 AM SLT "The McMillan Parade Ball" at the main stage (SLurl) with DJ Kahvy and host Garrett (Formal dress, tartans are highly encouraged but not required.)
This event is sponsored by Bock in SecondLife

Don't have a tux? No worries, there is a sale on tuxes (non-mesh) at Vanbeek's (SLurl).

10 AM - 12 PM (noon) SLT "The Second Pride Parade" at the parade route (between the SP main sim and the East sim).
If you wish you are welcome to join me on my float "Saturday Night Fever", it seats 5-6 avatars.

12 PM (noon) - 2 PM SLT join DJ Antonio TooCool" at the main stage (see SLurl above).
This party is sponsored by Brook Hill Estates.

2 - 4 PM SLT join DJ Cupidity at the East stage. This event is sponsored by Awesome Breed Creations.

4 - 6 PM SLT "Elfwish" at the main stage (see SLurl above). This event is sponsored by Galadriel's Mirror.

6 - 8 PM SLT join DJ Hotboy and/or DJ Sarco at the main stage (see SLurl above). This event is sponsored by GMP.

8 - 10 PM SLT join DJRez at the main stage. This event is sponsored by Lakeside Estates.

It's Pride Week!

The Second Pride Festival starts today!

I will be there and to flaunt my pride and my colors, to meet old friends and new ones and to enjoy as many of the events as I possibly can - given the restrictions set by timezones. However, as I have wisely planned my vacation to start at the same time as the festival I should be able to be on later than usually.

You can find the festival schedule of events on the Second Pride website here. (Please note that the schedule is subject to change, so check it every day to make certain there haven't been any changes affecting your plans.)

The events of the first day include the opening ceremonies with
4-6 PM - DJ Wes at the main stage (SLurl)
6-8 PM - DJ Shep at the main stage (SLurl)
8-10 PM - DJ Regi at the main stage (SLurl)

Besides these scheduled events there are lots of other things to do and enjoy on the three sims.

The Second Pride Parade is tomorrow Saturday 10 AM-12 PM (noon).

The parade starts after one of the most important events of the Pride Festival, which of course is The McMillan Parade Ball, 8-10 AM at the main stage (SLurl) with The Smith Boys (DJ Kahvy and host Garrett).

This is a formal event so dress to your teeth! Tartans are highly encouraged, but not required. This event is sponsored by Bock in SecondLife.

Reminder: Last Hours of Reader Survey 2015

There are now only 15 hours remaining to get your responses in on Bock in SecondLife's reader survey of the year.

Read this blog post Who Are You? - Reader Survey 2015 and then answer the polls in the right column.

I am very much obliged for your effort and cooperation.

Those of you who have already answered have the option to change or complete your responses until the poll closes today at 12 AM (midnight) SLT.

Comment Moderation

Comments on this blog will - until further notice - be reviewed before they are published.

I fully recognize that this is censorship and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. I also appreciate your understanding.

"Earn Money and Help SecondLife Grow!"

From The SecondLife Featured News blog:

"Did you know that you could be earning money while helping Second Life grow? The Second Life Affiliate Program makes it easy!

The Affiliate Program rewards you for associating your website, blog, social media channel, or other means of outreach with Second Life. You earn a commission every time someone becomes a Second Life user (registering an account and logging into the Viewer) within 45 days of clicking a Second Life link on your site. In other words, you get paid for helping Second Life grow with new users.

To learn more, including regional restrictions on participation, and to apply to the Affiliate Program, click here."

*Note: Only sites that are in compliance with the Guidelines for Using Linden Lab’s Trademarks can be accepted into the program, so before applying, please check to be sure that your site is in compliance. You can learn more in the Second Life Brand Center.

(Tipped by Bock in SecondLife reader Tomais Ashdene)

Happy Easter 2015

Bock in SecondLife wishes all it's faithful and devoted readers a Happy Easter!

We're Outta Here!

Yesterday my hubby Tomais and I had a long and serious discussion after which we decided that enough is enough is enough...

I myself have been in SecondLife for over eight years while Tomais has been here for close to six (not sex, which is the same number in Swedish) and a half years. We both feel that there can be more to life than the constant drama and bickering we encounter in this beautiful world.

Today, Wednesday April 1, 2015, will be our very last day in SecondLife. We are pulling up stakes and moving to World of Warcraft (WoW), where we plan to form a band of lovers in the tradition of The Sacred Band of Thebes consisting exclusively of male lovers and kick some ass in that game.

As we leave SecondLife together this blog that is dedicated to my existence in SecondLife will also close. I am not sure yet whether or not I will start anew once we have established ourselves in WoW.

Farewell friends, we will miss you all! If you ever join WoW, please look us up there. Kisses and hugs to those who loved us, the rest can burn in their own self-made hells.

600,000 Pageviews

Today is another landmark day for Bock in SecondLife as the total number of pageviews passes 600,000 (since Blogger's counter started on Juni 1, 2010).

The blog has been around since August 25, 2009, 

Belated Fifth Blogoversary

I have always been terrible with dates, anniversaries and birthdays! Today I discovered that I had missed the fifth anniversary of Bock in SecondLife, which was first started on August 25th, 2009. 

Before moving on to the singing, cheering and toasting with champagne in crystal glasses lets summarize the blogs existence with a few numbers. During the past five years the blog has accumulated 589,270 pageviews, 2,923 posts, 6,505 comments and 113 followers (of whom 6 prefer to remain hidden).

Now all please rise and join me in singing belated congratulations to "Bock in SecondLife"

Happy blogoversary to you,
happy blogoversary to you,
happy blogoversary to you Bock in SecondLife,
happy blogoversary to you!

May you have many more,
may you have many more,
may you have many moooooooooooorrreeeee,
may you have many more!

Three cheers to "Bock in SecondLife"!

Hip, hip!
Hooray! Hooray! Hooraaaaaaaay!

Commercial Break

Supersecret Revealed

It is now time to reveal my supersecret project!

Just as at Second Pride Bock in SecondLife  will be providing a resting place for visitors to the GA SummerFest who may need to take a breather during their shopping and partying.

My storefront will be hosted by my sexy Latin American cousin Esteban de McMillan y Torres y Cortez y de la Mancha y Gomez y Gomez.

Esteban will see to it that the visitors are provided with free coffee, chocolate chip cookies and beautiful cupcakes to look at, games to play and comfortable and luxurious seating.  (Please note that Esteban is supposedly straight, although it is rumored that he may become bi-curious after the fifth shot of tequila or vodka.)

Should the visitors wish there will also be a click-able link to Bock in SecondLife on one of the walls to provide some cultural diversion and nourishment for the their eager and curios minds.

Freebie: A wonderful and fashionforward hat made by my own hands for the most daring of fashionistas.

I will try to be at the storefront to hobnob with visitors and readers of my blog as often as humanly possible for a ruler of the Commonwealth of Southern Enchantment and a man with my busy agenda.

Transportation to the Bock in SecondLife storefront (SLurl) (first it takes you to the forced landing point, then you click again to get to my place). By all means do take a look around, there are some awesome exhibits and stores!

SP Members Fill Me With Pride

Like Tomais and myself, my buddy Eric Quimby and the commentator "someone" many other members seem to have been saddened by the sight of the many empty storefronts at the Pride sims.

"Where are some of the merchants, designers and creators whom we lavish our pink linden dollars on all year round? Why aren't they they here giving back a little to the LGBTQ-community that supports them throughout the year?", we asked ourselves I am sure.

I could mention some pretty large and well reputed brand names who are miserably invisible on the sims, but am choosing not to.

I am certain one reason for the empty stores is the fact that the seasoned Marketing Chair Merrick Genesis became sick and was hospitalized as we were getting close to the festival. The core duties of a Marketing Director had to divided between two of the other directors, who already have a full list of other responsibilities. I am certain the rest of the board had to step in and help too.

However, many members seem to have reacted like myself and Eric and have decided to take action by getting a store to fill out the empty holes and support our beloved Second Pride. Yesterday the Second Pride East sim looked much better although there were still some gaps. I was so proud to see this happening that my heart was filled with joy and pride and my eyes with tears. I love being a member of Second Pride!

I myself have set up a store for Bock in SecondLife. Just a small place for those who feel tired of walking and wish to take the weight of their feet for a while as they sip some strong Swedish coffee. (Today I will start serving freshly baked cup cakes every hour on the hour. Tomais darling, you better put your apron on!) You can also take a date there to cuddle up and have a good talk without the noisiness of a party surrounding you and your friends looking on.

When you hit the blog header on the back wall you get a link to "Bock in SecondLife" to have something to read while you rest. You can also - if you are daring enough and a true fashionista - collect my Pride 2014 Exclusive Version of my renowned The Jesters Hat. (Free/gratis/at absolutely no cost at all - AMAZING!)

Please come to The Bock in SecondLife Store @ Second Pride East (SLurl) and enjoy a quiet, relaxing, moment, I will be there from time to time to meet & greet with my readers too.

If you also wish to purchase a store take a look at the Festival Packages and follow the excellent instructions or get in touch with Karl Kalchek or Baz Ceawlin. (When contacting the board members please do remember that this is an extremely hectic time for them and do not expect immediate attention.)

Happy Midsummer

Bock in SecondLife wishes all it's readers a very happy Midsummer!

Picture of the Day - 103

"Jhones Malus" Photography by Antonietta Canucci 

If you wish to see more of Antoinetta's photography, please visit her Flickr photostream here.

Starting today, every picture that is chosen will receive this seal of approval in the comments.

If your picture has been chosen earlier and you would like me to add the seal, please contact me and I will be happy to do so.

Second Pride Festival 2014 - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DETAILS OF THE NINTH ANNUAL SECOND PRIDE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED

CELEBRATION SET FOR JUNE 20- JUNE 29 2014

LARGEST EVENT OF ITS KIND IN SECOND LIFE AND VIRTUAL REALITY

Second Pride Headquarters, Second Life – May 20, 2014

Contact: Petr Vanbeeck, 2014 Second Pride Chair
Email: petr.vanbeeck@gmail.com

Second Pride, promoting and supporting the LGBT community in Second Life since 2006, is pleased to announce the ninth annual Second Pride Festival, set for June 20 -29 2014. The festival will showcase LGBT merchants, artists, entertainers and their friends and allies. Festival details and registration information can be found at www.second-pride.com.

Second Pride is the first and largest event of its kind in Second Life and virtual reality. The event, to be held at 3 sims including the Second Pride regions, is eagerly awaited by the Second Life LGBT Community and other Second Life residents who wish to celebrate diversity in all its aspects. Nine days of dance events and other parties will feature Second Life’s top DJ’s and other entertainers.

Petr Vanbeeck, Second Pride Chair, is confident that the 2014 event will be the best Second Pride ever. “The festival will feature a custom designed parade complete with interactive floats and balloons which will be open on a 24 x 7 basis throughout the celebration” says Vanbeeck, “and will include such a major exhibit of virtual art in several formats and in several themes, including Gay Gor”.

Second Pride is pleased to be working with Patron Sponsors: Fire Island, Vanbeeck’s, Twink Nation; Platinum Sponsors: Celebration of Male, Bock in Second Life, Gay Gor Hub; and Gold Sponsor: Starbuck’s Lair Gay BDSM Dungeon. We would like to extend a special thank you to: Fire Island Lifestyle, who are sponsoring the vendor/entertainment sims and our media partner for this event is SL Live Radio (http://black.neostreams.info:8167).

For more information:

Web Site: second-pride.com

Facebook: facebook.com/SecondPride

Twitter: twitter.com/SecondPrideSL

###

Regular Blogging Is Resumed

The editor in chief of Bock in SecondLife begs his faithful readers indulgence and thanks them for their continued patience and support.

Nothing bad been going on, I have just been too happy and complacent. Perhaps I have also had a spell of spring tiredness, which has lead me to overthink my blogging too much instead of just doing it.

I felt that I was not at my best or passionate enough in my blogging if I wasn't angry, sad or desperate, but that self-doubt has passed now. I have come to realize that I need the blog to think things through and process events in both my lives even when I am feeling good.

So whether you like it or not, I am here for a while longer to share my not-so-profound insights, thoughts and wisdom with the world.