Ars In Memoriam 2018

Joseph Douglas Wilson Jr., in SecondLife also known as Ars Northmead,

★ April 21, 1953 (First life)
★ October 25, 2006 (SecondLife)

† March 12, 2010

"Ars Forever, Forever Ars"

Brexit Negotiations Start

Article 50 negotiations just started. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/xxbt5ayrqz

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) June 19, 2017

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This should take awhile, I'm guessing.

I am also a bit confounded by the Britons talking about a "hard-Brexit" or a "soft-Brexit".

What do they expect? I should think it would be naive to believe that these divorce proceedings will let them off the hook easily. The European Union has no interest whatsoever to set an easy example for other countries to follow should they make the same choice.

Putin: No Shower With A Gay Man In A Submarine

pinknews.co,uk reports: 

The Russian President (...) was speaking to filmmaker Oliver Stone for The Putin Interviews. In a discussion about the military, Stone had asked the leader: "If you’re taking a shower in a submarine with a man and you know he’s gay, do they have a problem with that?"

According to the Daily Beast, Putin responded: "Well, I prefer not to go to shower with him. Why provoke him? But you know, I’m a judo master and a SAMBO master as well."

He added: "I can tell you this, that as head of state today, I believe it’s my duty to uphold traditional values and family values. But why? Because same-sex marriages will not produce any children. God has decided, and we have to care about birth rates in our country. We have to reinforce families. But that doesn’t mean that there should be any persecution against anyone."

Putin is often hostile to Russia’s own LGBT community, signing the country’s ‘gay propaganda’ law back in 2013.

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Interesting answer isn't it?

Notice how Vladimir "Little Father" Putin, expects every gay man to want and not be able to resist his luscious and delightful body, how he will be able to deal  with the assault with his athletic prowess in martial arts an combat sports. And he does it all because "God has decided." And to calm us gay and liberal westerners he concludes that this doesn't mean there should be "any persecution against anyone".

The last part sounds extremely fake coming from a man who legislated again "gay propaganda" and doesn't lift a finger or much less does anything else to control his Chechen henchmen in killing, maiming and abusing gay men. 

Deep Sorrow, Frustration & Anger

The horrible news from London yesterday fills me with deep sorrow, frustration and anger.

My thoughts go to the families of the innocent victims and their families. This was yet an outrageous attack on a western democratic state to create havoc and incite hatred.

Do not for a moment let yourself be lured into believing that this has anything whatsoever to do with religious beliefs or cultural norms. It has as little to do with Islam and Muslims as the Crusades once had to do with fighting for Christianity or Christians.

No, these horrendous and vile acts of terror are all orchestrated to intimidate and disrupt the people of the western democracies as a part of a struggle for power, influence and money. The puppeteers behind this unprovoked violence are more likely to be found in Moscow, Peking and Pyongyang than in Baghdad, Beirut or Tehran.

Assange: "I Do Not Forgive Or Forget"

The guardian.com today reports:

"Swedish prosecutors have dropped their preliminary investigation into an allegation of rape against the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, bringing an end to a seven-year legal standoff.

The decision was taken after prosecutors concluded that “at this point, all possibilities to conduct the investigation are exhausted”, Sweden’s director of public prosecutions, Marianne Ny, said on Friday.

“In order to proceed with the case, Julian Assange would have to be formally notified of the criminal suspicions against him. We cannot expect to receive assistance from Ecuador regarding this. Therefore the investigation is discontinued.

“If he, at a later date, makes himself available, I will be able to decide to resume the investigation immediately.”

Julian Assange's response to the news was to tweet a happy picture of himself and then later another tweet saying: "Detained for 7 years without charge while my children grew up and my name was slandered. I do not forgive or forget.”

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Well, all I can say I is, that neither will I forgive or forget that Julian Assange is a suspected rapist who evaded the judicial process for seven years by holing up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He has only himself to blame for the drawn out process of this case.

It is too much to hope for that he will set foot in Sweden before 2020 so that he can be brought to court to answer the serious allegations against him. 

Happy 29th Birthday, Big Brother!

Today my big brother Dejerrity Mycron, The Lord Protector of The Laird's Delectable Body (short version, The Lord Protector), turns twenty-nine (again).

Happy first life birthday sweet man, love you, always!

This is Dej and my special song (with lyrics adapted by me), please enjoy!


[Dej]
You wait, little boy, on an empty stage
For fate to turn the light on
Your life, little boy, is an empty page
That men will want to write on

[Bock]
To write on

[Dej]
You are sixteen going on seventeen
Baby, it's time to think
Better beware, be canny and careful
Baby, you're on the brink

You are sixteen going on seventeen
Fellows will fall in line
Eager young lads and roues and cads
Will offer you food and wine

Totally unprepared are you
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken

You need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do
I am seventeen going on eighteen
I'll take care of you

[Bock]
I am sixteen going on seventeen
I know that I'm naive
Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet
And willingly I believe

I am sixteen going on seventeen
Innocent as a rose
Bachelor dandies, drinkers of brandies
What do I know of those

Totally unprepared am I
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared am I
Of things beyond my ken

I need someone older and wiser
Telling me what to do
You are seventeen going on eighteen
I'll depend on you

Ars In Memoriam 2017

Joseph Douglas Wilson Jr., 

in SecondLife a.k.a Ars Northmead

★ April 21, 1953 (First life)

★ October 25, 2006 (SecondLife)

† March 12, 2010

Bock & Urinals

I had no problems with urinals whatsoever until the summer when I was 22 years old. Up until then I thought of it as extremely convenient fixture. You go in, take a broad manly stance in front of the fixture (so as not to cramp the flow), pull down your zipper, haul out your tackle and just let it flow.

However, the summer I was 22 I was out backpacking through Europe for a month. On the evening before the last day of the trip I was at "Gare du Nord" in Paris and was going to take the night train to Copenhagen.

While waiting to board the train, I felt an insistent need to relieve myself and knew I wouldn't be able to wait until I got on the train, so I went looking for a restroom.

I soon found a huge "Gentlemen's" in the cellar of the railway station. The first part of the room consisted of two lines of 15 urinals on the opposing walls. Almost all the slots were filled, except one almost at the end to the right, so I went there and started doing my business.

Just as I had started, I felt a nudge on my right shoulder from the man standing next to me. I looked at him, wondering what he wanted. He looked me in the eyes, then looked downwards. As I followed his gaze I saw that he was masturbating. Not only that, but all the other occupants were also erect and playing with themselves and looking towards me. Not only that, but as I looked over my shoulder I noticed that the row of men behind us were also jacking off and looking at me.

To this day I'm not sure why, but my external urethral sphincter - which supposedly controls the voluntary peeing - immediately cramped shut and my body started shaking as I felt more than 25 men looking lustfully at me.

Although I was gay, by no means a virgin and in my best shape ever, 5'8" (172 cm), 132 lb (60 kg) and fit, my mind started screaming "Danger! Danger! Get your ass out of this place - NOW!"

Maybe I thought I was going to get gang-raped or otherwise molested, but whatever I rushed out of there, without even tucking in before. I did that outside the room, luckily before anyone had seen anything.

Anyway, since that evening I am not able to use the bloody contraptions without getting feelings of panic and my sphincter shutting off, except when I am very, very drunk or very certain that I will be alone.

Google Celebrates Lairds First Life Birthday

My dear friends over at Google surprised me with a cute doodle today on my first life birthday. When I scroll over it it says "Happy Birthday, Bock!"

Thank you Google, that was very sweet of you!

9-11 In Memoriam

There was something "spectacular" over the acts of terrorism we all witnessed on live broadcasting on September 11, 2001. Events that usually unfold under the cover of darkness or in remote places were happening before our eyes.

I am guessing most of us, who are old enough, have a vivid memory of where we were and what we were doing when we got the news fifteen years ago.

I had just been released from hospital the day before  and was still on sick leave. My father called on the phone and told me to turn on the TV because there was something going on in America. Swedish television was also broadcasting live.

Just a few seconds after I had turned on the TV-set - and before I understood what was going on - the television screen showed a passenger airplane flying suspiciously low close to the tower that had been hit first. Then I saw the plane steering right into the second tower, flames erupting around the hole that had been caused in the structure halfway up on the building.

 I was baffled, shocked, sad, angry and frightened. After seeing that I remained in front of the television all that day and well into the night to follow the news. There were many speculations concerning the amount of casualties, so once the true numbers were released I was strangely relieved that they were much lower than the initial speculations. 

2,977 people died in the attacks and many more were wounded, it's a scary thought that I could feel relief at such a high toll.  

In my mind's timeline there will always be a before or after 9-11, Everything changed, or at least my outlook on everything changed,

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I will always remember that day and all the lives that were lost and disrupted. May the dead rest in peace!

Why Am I Expected to Think?

It's happened again! I have come home with the wrong kind of pills. 

Why I am expected to think and scrutinize when I am out shopping for my painkillers, I simply cannot understand. I really do have more important things on my mind.

Packaging of medications shouldn't be so confusing that I can mistakenly pick up the suppository pills instead of the ones that I want, which are to be taken orally. 

To add to the confusion the pharmacy have both kinds next to each other on the same shelf, dammit! And naturally they will not take them back after I have left the premises, who know in what way I - or some really crazy person - could have tampered with them.

When the Fog Descends

It cannot be easy, when the once familiar landscapes that are your life and your memories are covered by a slowly descending fog. Who are you, when you lose your memories of events, people and your actions, your reactions, your feelings, your relationships and your position on the map?

I can understand the fear, the bewilderment and the panic, when you simply cannot remember what you did two days ago or what you said or talked about just a few minutes ago.

Still, it isn't easy to accompany someone on their journey to oblivion, when the fogs are descending and everything that was once important to both of you is being forgotten by them, bit by bit.

North Fork Fog by Lolly Shera

Everytime I visit with my mother these days our talks always start with her telling me how good of me to come, because it's all so terrible and I have to help her. "He" has left her, she tells me, and has moved in with another woman just across the market square from her apartment and "he" now wants a divorce. She is referring to my father who died in January last year after 64 years of marriage.

It is a familiar routine now, to remind her that my father has not left her but has died, that she actually was there when it happened. She then tells me, "Yes, now I remember. I saw through the window how they were trying to resuscitate him. I saw when he died." But then she continues, "Why does he want a divorce, we have always been happy..?" 

After talking it through for a while, she settles down and can talk about other things, mainly about me, my sister and her grandchildren. At least she still remembers us and our names, although most other people are forgotten as if they never have existed.

She has now been prescribed inhibiting drugs to slow down the progression of the dementia. My sister and I and my nephew and nieces all work during the week so we also have her on home care services five times a day, mainly to see to it that she eats properly and takes her medication in an orderly fashion.

Still, I feel a lot of guilt at not taking care of mother properly.

"The Journey to Me"

Today I have new addition to my blogrolls, both the SecondLife and the first life ones as it - perhaps - will straddle  both.

The blog is my dear friend and Royal Gardener, Butch Diavolo's latest attempt at blogging ("for the umpteenth time", as he himself says) The journey to me. I am certain I will enjoy reading Butch's thoughts and opinions and rants, and hope that you go too.

A Scent of Man

My brother Dejerrity Mycron, the well known philanderer and man eater of SecondLife, is of course renowned for his humility, devastating charms and his non-Mesh beauty.

His longtime admirer Mirco Dinzeo, owner and creator of Dinzeo™ in SecondLife and first life, is now releasing a line of men's care products in celebration of the iconic Dej.

First in line is this perfume. "...the scent of Excess, Desperation and Gin. Available at Macy's and Home Depot. ", as my sweet brother - with his usual self effacing humor - chose to describe it to try and cover his pride over having a perfume named after him.

When Shit Happens... Let the Show Go On

As an oldtimer in both SecondLife and in first life, I know that sometimes shit happens. The important thing is how you deal with it, usually you just step over it and move on.

Sasha Laryukov as Madonna

That is what the cast of The Madonna Virtual History Tour had to do this evening when their dance master - who was going to lead all the newer dances of the show - was hit by a power outage in his first life and dropped out and couldn't get back in. Sasha and the remaining crew championed on and did the best they could without him.

I have seen the Virtual History Tour three times earlier - without technical difficulties - but I must say that this was the time I had most fun and was most moved.

A big reason for enjoying it so much was the wonderful and warm interaction between the crew and the audience in the face of adversity.

The fact that the show also was a beautiful tribute to our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Orlando in a very touching way that brought tears to my eyes. Unfortunately I couldn't get any pictures of that part due to a bit of weekend lag so the photos of their faces didn't rez for me.

I would like to thank Second Pride and all the performers for a wonderful experience!

Help Bri Graduate College

My friend RickJ has started this great initiative with the assistance of the Starlight Ballroom, Garrett and Kahvy Smith, to help a young woman fulfill her dreams to become a teacher.

I am very happy to share it with you.

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CALL FOR CONTENT CREATORS

"Hi! Thank you for taking the time to read this! We are going to do a benefit to help Bri become a teacher and we need YOU!

A dear friend of ours and a well known and loved member of the SL community, Tomais Ashdene, has recently bumped into some bad luck due to corporate downsizing. His amazing daughter is studying to become a high school history teacher. Unfortunately that is a costly education, so she started a GoFundMe campaign to pay for school on top of her part time job.

We at Starlight Ballroom are passionate about education and want to help her become another great teacher! The world needs more people like her in our schools!

Read the information on Bri's GoFundMe Page: https://www.gofundme.com/2wbq2uvd
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What do we need?

• What we are looking for is people who would be willing to donate one or more of their creations for sale during the event.
• Sales will start as early as may 7 and will run the entire month of may. When participating we'd love to have your item by may 14 at the latest, if possible.
• Since prims and space are very limited low land impact items and/or boxed up items and/or items that can be viewed in one's own store or showroom are preferred. We sadly don't have the prims open for big displayed items. 
• We have a full perm free vendor for you to use, just put your price and percentage you want to donate in the script

Market stalls go first come first pick. You do not need a group for rezzing.

• There are no rules to what you donate and how much of the sale revenue you want to donate (though we hope for 100%)
• You can donate anything you like, but things to do with teaching or history will be extra cool!
• The item does not have to be new or exclusive, nor are there any rules on selling it during or after the event, but promoting the event is of course appreciated!
• There's no rules on permissions other than No Full perms with licenses attached to avoid any DMCA issues.

The benefit will have a big party with DJ's and live artists on Sunday May 22 during which we will promote your store/brand as part of the sponsors! We will also have a strong presence on Social Media!

If you wish to be a part of making a teaching dream come true, let us know and we'll hook you up as soon as we can.We would LOVE to have you be a part of making this dream become reality!!! Please talk to Rickj Ewing or Kahvy Smith for more info or to sign up for this amazing benefit today!!!!
Much Love

The Starlight Team

Starlight Ballroom is the oldest LGBT Ballroom on the grid. Our gorgeous materials enabled mesh build forms the perfect decor for Second Life's BEST Live performers! It's classy elegant atmosphere and tongue-in-cheek team guarantee an amazing night out!

We are listed in the SecondLife Destination Guide and have our own Facebook page. You can also visit us inworld http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dynamo/78/100/2501

A Match Made In the SL-Heavens

Oh my, have I got news for you all! It is so exciting I can hardly contain myself, filled with jubilation and excitement as I am.

At the editorial meeting today I met with The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm etc, etc, at his mansion (a.k.a. "Gossip Central" due to the always well informed laird's highly dependable sources).

The laird had a particular bit of thrilling information to impart today, "directly from the two involved horses mouths" as he chose to phrase it.

Please sit down and breathe deeply three times before reading any further. This blog cannot be held accountable for any damages you may incur while reading this post!

OK, here goes!

His lairdship informed us that my Philip (a.k.a. Philip Linden in SecondLife or Philip Rosedale in first life) and my Ebbe (a.k.a. Ebbe Linden in SecondLife and Ebbe Altberg in first life) are romantically involved. So what we all thought was merely a bromance between our wonderful dreamer/creator and the best damned C.E.O. of Linden Labs we've ever had has evolved into a deep love between the two.

The guys have decided to move in together with both of their first life families as well. For that purpose a large mansion (sixteen bedrooms with ensuite baths) has been bought outside San Francisco for them and their families.

It is reported that both the wives and the families on either side get along famously with each other and are all for this somewhat unusual arrangement.

This is a marvelous - albeit unforeseen - development for SecondLife and all it's residents. Let us rejoice with the happy couple and their families!

Awesomeness Recognized In First Life

Tomais Ashdene, the spouse of The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm etc., etc., has finally been recognized as an a-w-e-s-o-m-e photographer in first life also.

The website Upworthy's stated mission is to host the intersection of the "awesome", the "meaningful" and the "visual". It uses virality to promote stories with a progressive bent on political and social issues.

One of Tomais photographs in his Flickrstream was recently used as the header for an article by James Gaines and Caitlin Duffy entitled upworthy.com: 6 creatures from fairy tales that actually roamed the earth.

Congratulations my darling!

Karadzic Sent to the Slammer

Marlise Simon at the New York Times reports:

"Radovan Karadzic, the former Bosnian Serb leader, was convicted of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, by a United Nations tribunal on Thursday for leading a campaign of terror against civilians that included the slaughter of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica in 1995 and the nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo.

Mr. Karadzic, 70, was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia convicted Mr. Karadzic of genocide for the Srebrenica massacre, which aimed to kill “every able-bodied male” in the town and systematically exterminate the Bosnian Muslim population there. The bodies were dumped in a mass grave.

(...) Mr. Karadzic was (also) convicted of persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer and murder in connection with a campaign to drive Bosnian Muslims and Croats out of villages claimed by Serb forces during the country’s 1992-95 civil war.

In addition, Mr. Karadzic was found to have been “instrumental” in a campaign of sniping and shelling that terrorized the civilian population of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital. And he was convicted of leading the taking of United Nations employees as hostages, to obstruct NATO from carrying out airstrikes on behalf of besieged Bosnian Muslim civilians."

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It's great to see that one of the world's worst war criminals is condemned for the atrocities he has committed while he is still alive. Hopefully it will be a warning for a couple of other villains.

So one down, and hopefully Bashar Al Assad of Syria will follow soon.

Round Up

Fijne verjaardag! Ik denk nog steeds over u en zorg voor u, zelfs als ik nooit in staat zal zijn om weer met u spreken.

Don't blame me for the lousy translation, blame Google translate.

P.S. Ooooppps, this is a week early, but anyway....
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And in other news...

• Today I start my five (5) day long Easter vacation. No early mornings until Tuesday next week. Yeehaaaaaw!
• My hearing impaired mother managed to break her hearing aid yesterday. Which means the poor miserable woman will be completely incommunicado by telephone and will not be able to listen to radio or watch television (if the programs don't have subtitles). The good news is that she will hopefully get her hearing aid back on Tuesday.