The Kicki-effect

I have told you earlier about my observations about the surprisingly increased amount of visitors from Egypt.

Here are some graphs to show you the evidence.

This is what my friends from Egypt and most of the other Arabic speaking visitors come to my blog for; Kicki Springflower in Naked Avatars in SL 102.

I wish someone could explain to me what "Nakny in Wuxi" means.

Dreaming of Bridges

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." (John Donne, Meditation XVII)

The thing I miss most since losing Ars is the the knowledge that no one is waiting for me, that no one will miss me if i don´t happen to log in that day.

Ars would usually be waiting for me on the back porch when I logged in-world or teleport in from wherever he was. We would greet each other with a "Hi babe!" and a hug or a kiss and talk awhile before we got on with what was on our individual or joint schedules that day, all the while keeping in touch with each other.

I know I have friends in SecondLife - even close friends, but it is still not the same thing at all. At times I have slipped into moods and have allowed myself to feel like a lonely castaway on a rock in the middle of the Pacific. This has never been really true of course, my friends have always looked after me and cared for me, but still...

There is a big difference going out into the world together with someone you love and trust and doing it alone. Ars was always there by my side and admittedly I sometimes became complacent and let him do the ground work for me, because it always came so easily to him. He was more outgoing. Not that I am not outgoing, but sometimes I become very self conscious and if my overtures aren't received as I expect I just clam up. I think it may be a Swedish thing...

Lately I have started dreaming a lot about bridges and I realize that it is now up to me to build those bridges and maintain them so that they remain strong and secure. Some days that comes easy, others not so easy. 

However it may be, now I have finally accepted the fact that Ars is no longer here, I have to deal with it myself. It´s my own responsibility.

My Favorite Geek

Philip Rosedale, my favorite Chairman of the Board and computer geek, is seen here talking geek-talk and more with Kevin Rose. It´s a truly inspired and wonderful interview/conversation.

I understand all the words they utter but much of the technical dialog is totally wasted on me. I watch it because I love seeing the fascination in Philip´s face and for the non-tech talk of how it all started! Thats the creator of my dream-world!

This is reposted from Sven Idyll´s blog opensweden. I just had to have it myself!

(P.S. Did I ever tell y´all I love computer geeks? My Ars was one of them too!)

Conversion Under the Gallows

Rupert Murdoch, media mogul extraordinaire, tells us he is sorry for the wrongdoings of his companies that have been exposed recently. The allegations are that the tabloid authorized the hacking of cellphones belonging to celebrities, politicians and the families of slain schoolgirls and fallen soldiers in its relentless pursuit of scoops. Police say that up to 4,000 people may have been targeted.

Whom does Rupert Murdoch think he is kidding?

Sadly this story is only unusual by it´s enormity and the fact that this time the editors and journalists themselves are in the searchlights. It is not unusual for modern journalists to tamper with and interfere with police investigations or to disregard all human dignity.

I would like to emphasize that I do support investigative journalism wholeheartedly when it is directed towards the movers and shakers of the world, but not when it focuses on the victims, the innocent and  the meaningless bystanders. My problem with this occurs when journalists start to create or mould the stories instead of covering or exposing them.

Sweden - Closed Due to Summer

When I was at Elfay´s show this weekend I was chatting a bit with my friend Diana as usual. Somehow we got to the subject of vacations and I understood that she was puzzled by the fact that I - being a lawyer - could take a five week vacation.

The easiest way to explain this is to point to the fact that Sweden for a large part of it´s modern history (1936-1976, 1982-1991 and 1994-2006) has been ruled by the Social Democratic Party of Sweden.

One of the main pillars of the party´s ideology has been "the welfare of the people" in all aspects of life. They are thus rightfully considered the main designers of what once was "The Welfare State" where the citizens were always under the benevolent protection of the state, from the cradle to the grave.

This welfare state began crumbling in the 1990´s and is since then slowly being dismantled, piece by piece, to expose the surprised Swedes to the market forces.

However one of the benefits created that has not yet been removed is the Holidays Act. According to this law all employees are entitled to a holiday whether employed by the hour or the CEO of a company. (No employed person is excluded, even the Swedish Prime Minister takes a vacation.) Everyone who is employed is entitled to a minimum of five weeks vacation, four of these weeks they are entitled to receive continuously during the period June-August.

During a period of about six weeks (July - mid August) Sweden comes close to a complete standstill. Only the most essential services are maintained and the workforce of any given company is reduced to half - or less - it´s usual size, some companies even choose to shut down completely for a month.

I think one of the main reasons we Swedes accept these conditions is that we ourselves wouldn't want to lose our summer vacation.

Summer is important to us Swedes, just saying!

Bock Is Pissed

 A certain blogger is taunting me by naming my blog anything except "Bock in SecondLife", so I decided to take the same liberty.

 

Julian Is Back in Court

Julian Assange appeared in court again today for his appeal hearing against extradition to Sweden, where he faces allegations of sexual assault.

Read the coverage at guardian.co.uk, because I cannot be bothered to write about him right now.