Whats Happening in Second Pride?

I do not fully understand what is going on within the Second Pride organization at the moment, but hopefully things will be cleared up in the near future.

Anyway, the latest notice in the Second Pride Festival Group and it's attached note card increases my confusion instead of alleviating it.

The note card is from Karl Kalchek, who in the absence of a Community Relations director on the board was asked by the board to head the Election Committee for the 2016 election. It reads as follows:

"Greetings members. 
Following our general meeting in August, a call for candidates to run for the open seats on Second Pride's Board for 2016-2017 was announced. At that board meeting I volunteered to serve to run the election as a past elections chair. The call was posted for 10 days in August after which the election would take place.

One candidate volunteered for Events Director. That candidate is Devon Zepp and we thank him for stepping forward to fill this very important position. We did not get contesting candidates for that position nor any candidates for the other open positions leaving the posts of Treasurer, IT Director, Marketing Director and Community Relations Director vacant. Because it is critical we have a Treasurer, the current treasurer Marge Beaumont has kindly volunteered to continue in this role until another Treasurer with accounting experience can be found to take her place and complete this term.

In view of this, I recommended to the Chair that Devon Zepp Be recognized as Events Director, that Marge Beaumont be recognized as continuing Treasurer, and that they join the rest of the board who are serving the remainder of their two year terms. additionally, I recommended that a general meeting be called at which the new board be recognized and installed, and that as soon as practical, that a second meeting be announced in which the board call for candidates for the remaining open board positions.

Sincerely,
Karl Kalchek, past board member"

It's Time for A Change

Those of you who have been following my blog may already have understood that major changes aren't really my forte. Or as my stepson Guyke bluntly tells me, "You don't like changes!" 

I don't completely disagree with him, but I would hasten to add that my qualms with change are mainly on an emotional level. When I feel safe and loved I don't mind changes in other areas of my life one bit.

It's a new year and time for a new project at Southern Charm! Faithful readers may remember the last major change on the sim happened during the summer of 2013 when the old ugly house I had been living in since 2008 was torn down and a new modern house was erected in it's place.

This year I got a new house as a Christmas gift from Guyke, after he had carefully showed it to me twice beforehand. The first time I saw the villa I was adamant and told him I didn't like it at all and that I wasn't ready to go through the hassle of moving again so soon after the last rebuild. The second time I saw it I absolutely fell in love with it!

It is a classic french villa with large open spaces called Luton Manor and is made by Redgrave Houses & Homes.

My building team this time around consists of the royal consort and the royal groundskeeper, Tomais and Butch. The two have also benevolently agreed to advise me concerning decorating and other interior design niceties.

The old house has been emptied and taken into Inventory, the beautiful villa has been placed in a preliminary spot, I am awaiting advice on the definite placement from a landscaper who has been contacted, but not yet contracted. He will hopefully also be hired to help with the necessary work on the immediate surroundings of the villa.

The Next Step

The time was exactly 8:10 on a beautiful and sunny Tuesday morning when I suddenly found myself laying full length and facedown on the cobblestones outside the main railway station of Malmö.

I had been hastily making my way from the railway station to my sweet, old, Hungarian doctor's surgery nearby, for one of my regular visits. It is still unclear to me whether I tripped on a curb or slipped, but somehow I had barely prevented myself from smashing my teeth and nose on the ground. I could however taste the dust and grit from the street on my lips.

At first I was simply embarrassed and grumbled to myself in my native tongue "satans, helvetes, förbannade, djävla skit", then slowly I started checking sensations from my body to ascertain its condition. I felt a slight pain from my right hand and and wrist and from my right knee, otherwise everything seemed OK. As onlookers hurried to my assistance and asked how I was doing, I slowly rose to my feet again, dusted myself off, smiled shyly and told them that I had been lucky and everything was fine.

The visit with the doctor was good. I could honestly tell him that I was feeling excellent and that I had not had any mood swings since before the summer. He, in turn, informed me that my observations were corroborated by the results of the blood tests, which apparently showed vast improvements from the lifestyle changes I had made.

However, the beneficial news and my lousy results on a Spirometry test that had been conducted recently, moved him on towards urging me to "take the next step", which of course is the favorite subject of any one from the medical professions when they encounter a smoker, i.e. to quit smoking.

My doctor knows me well enough by now than to try to badger me, so the dear man spoke softly and convincingly with me for about twenty minutes and finally made me agree to "move forward". I have now made a commitment to quit smoking and also have the Champix-medication to help me in doing it, whenever I decide to start the cure. It will be my secret and I am not telling anyone, except a few chosen ones so that they can keep their eyes open to signs of recurring depression and other negative side effects.

Later the same day, after lunch, I began feeling stronger pains from my right wrist, especially if and when I tried any rotating movement, and I also noticed a pronounced swelling of my hand and around the wrist. These problem have continued during the rest of the week, but are now slowly getting better. As I am completely right handed, this at the time being means that I prefer chatting in voice and that my last remaining sexual thrills are totally - albeit temporarily - screwed. Hopefully this will soon pass so I can stop feeling sorry for myself and start the new project in making beneficial changes in my life.

"Gone Fishing"

Today at 4 pm I started my glorious three week vacations, but this year I have a hectic program lined up in both my lives.

First Life

1. Monday June 17, 2013, 10.30 AM local time - Eye-examination and possible laser surgery
2. Wednesday June/19, 2013, 1.30 PM local time - Doctors appointment for check up on my blood sugar and to get a referral to a dietitian.
3. "Rehabilitation program" to change my first life back to what it was and become a healthier, fitter, slimmer and more "old myself". Eat better! Sleep better! Exercize more! Socialize more! In short get back a first life worth calling "a life"!
4. Take care off and see more of my first life parents and hopefully friends also
5. Have sex...maybe, hopefully, perhaps...
6. ...and relax and have a lot of fun...

SecondLife

1. Second Pride Festival celebrations 
2. SL10B - the celebration of  SecondLife's tenth birthday
3. Take care of my SecondLife family and friends
4. ...and relax and have a lot of fun...

My "New" First Life (Updated)

According to the agreement I made with my boss, my new life starts today.

It's off to a bit of a rocky start because yesterday I went for a visit with friends, a now retired coworker and her husband. We had a great evening, eating, drinking and talking all through the mild early summer evening.

Before I arrived I had decided to drive home later in the the evening, but that plan flew out of the window when they enticed me with a gin and tonic. So we started with that then had wine during the delicious barbecue dinner and ended up with a glass of brandy followed by several single malt whiskeys (of Swedish and Japanese origin).

I didn't go to sleep until around 2 AM (local time) and slept deeply through the night, except for the two times I managed to roll of the edge of 90 centimeter bed and crash onto the floor. Luckily I did not wake up my hosts, I don't think so at least. This morning we had a full breakfast (I usually only drink coffee the first three hours after awaking.) while we chatted some more, so I did not start my drive home until around 11 AM.

Today we have had semi-lousy weather with showers all through the day. Besides I was a bit tired after last evening, so I decided not to start my new regimen until tomorrow.

As it also happens I have made a date "for coffee" ('hint, hint*) tomorrow with a man I have been chatting with on a Swedish cruising and gay news forum. We have been talking for about two years there and still haven't met, he has been uncommonly patient with me for someone you meet at such a place. I have been reluctant to meet for several reasons, some are known to you already, but another one is that he is already married to another man.

Today I decided it is not my concern or business to worry about their marriage, its his responsibility and his alone. Let's see what comes of it all, I am not sure that I have completely convinced myself...

Update
I just read a message from "the man" where he cancelled for tomorrow, because his brother and family have decided to pay him a visit and stay until Monday. He asked for a rain check and I said "Sure, lets do it when you have the time".

My Feet Examination

Today I - as a part of preparing for the forthcoming changes in my first life - had my feet examined by an orthopedic technician (Profession corrected after reading Eddi's comment below).

The orthopedic technician was so absolutely enthralled by my feet that for a minute I was almost expecting him to start kissing, licking or - at least - sniffing them.

Luckily for me we had company so, with a deep sigh and a shudder of restraint, he controlled his urges and instead went ahead to inform me that I had the most beautiful high arches he had encountered during his ten year career. Likewise the hyper-mobility and over-supination of both my ankles was way past anything he had seen before.

In his judgement I would need very steady shoes to walk and/or run much without the risk of getting injuries. At least we would start there and see if I needed additional aids as time passed. He kindly assisted me to choose a pair of running shoes that were extremely comfortable and should help me with keeping my feet steady despite their hyper-mobility.

The chosen footwear

After today's experience I am bound to look at my feet in a completely new and more respectful way, Im sure.

Apologies

I must apologize to my family and friends in SecondLife for not being in-world at all the last days.

Let me first tell you that I am doing well but just thinking about and mentally preparing myself for the coming changes in my first life is taking its toll on me.

The tests on Tuesday went well and showed what could be expected. I am overweight. My heart is strong and steady, the blood tests show that my hematocrit and cholesterol and liver values are excellent as always. However my Oxygen uptake (VO2) shows that my physical condition is lousy and my fasting blood glucose indicate that I am pre-diabetic and need to shape up and change my dietary and exercising habits.

I am to have a meeting soon with a dietician who will give me some guidelines about what to eat and on Monday I have a new meeting with my health counsellor where we will decide on the goals we are going to set for the coming three months.

So all can still be salvaged - or so they tell me - but it is going to take some work and commitment on my part. I am so grateful for Diana reminding me that the change will not feel as a punisment six-eight weeks into the program.

Initiating Changes

We have been laying plans for the commencement of the changes to come in my first life.

The steps we agreed upon to improve my overall physical condition are
- improving dietary intake and eating habits (regular meals, no junk food and no snacks),
- improving my fitness through exercise,
- improving my sleeping habits,
- reducing my cigarette consumption or quitting smoking,
- reducing my weight and
- reducing my absenteeism.

The exact goals to be achieved during the three month period from June through August of 2013 are to be agreed upon by me, a personal trainer and a dietician. The hope is that this kick-start will get me on the right track for keeping it up on my own afterwards.

It will all start already on Tuesday with a complete health examination and an expanded health and lifestyle survey, including a fitness test. If I should wish so along the way I can also receive some counseling or other psychological or motivational support.

In the spirit of "Mens sana in corpore sano" it is also hoped that the physical changes will improve my psychological and emotional condition.

Sounds like quite a plan, huh?

To Butch on Change

This poem by the Swedish author and poet Karin Boye (October 26, 1900 - April 24, 1941) has always meant a lot to me when I run into hateful changes in my personal life. It gives me hope and optimism, even though everything looks dark.

My dearest Butch, this is my way of telling you that I totally agree with you, Life is change and change is life, but to me that doesn't always exclude the possibility that both life and change can suck sometimes...

I have always loved Karin's own reading best, unfortunately I can only find a recording in which she reads the first verse, but still it gives you a sense of rhythm and how it - in my opinion - can best be read.

YES, OF COURSE IT HURTS (Interpreted by David McDuff in "Karin Boye: Complete Poems")

Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking.
Why else would the springtime falter?
Why would all our ardent longing
bind itself in frozen, bitter pallor?
After all, the bud was covered all the winter.
What new thing is it that bursts and wears?
Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking,
hurts for that which grows
                    and that which bars.

Yes, it is hard when drops are falling.
Trembling with fear, and heavy hanging,
cleaving to the twig, and swelling, sliding -
weight draws them down, though they go on clinging.
Hard to be uncertain, afraid and divided,
hard to feel the depths attract and call,
yet sit fast and merely tremble -
hard to want to stay
                    and want to fall.

Then, when things are worst and nothing helps
the tree's buds break as in rejoicing,
then, when no fear holds back any longer,
down in glitter go the twig's drops plunging,
forget that they were frightened by the new,
forget their fear before the flight unfurled -
feel for a second their greatest safety,
rest in that trust
                    that creates the world.