Some goodbyes are both sad and sweet. My sister, Dawson, is leaving Second Life today. Her intent is to rarely return, if ever. And so, a vast void looms large in my second life that was once filled with adventure and discovery, sailing and helicopter thrills, laughter and sound advise, and so much sisterly affection and love. This is the sadness. That impending loneliness that would be unbearable but for the sweet.
For Dawson, this is a day for which she worked long and hard. Daw was born in China but was raised and lives in Holland. She is separated from her partner, residing in China, the love of her life. But in just a few hours, Daw's partner will arrive in Holland as a new immigrant, and they will begin their life together, never to be separated again. Dawson's life will be filled leaving little room for Second Life, she says. The sweet is my joy at my sister's impending happiness. And I find that the sweet has blended with the sadness to produce a melancholy that is warm and unexpectedly comforting.
A Portrait of My Sisters and Me
We said our goodbyes at Jaysun's new house. My sister Victoria was also there. And, as Jay noted, it was a rare gathering of all three of us. There were hugs all around. But was it a final gathering? I harbor a hope. Dawson is a creative force, and that creativity had an outlet for expression in Second Life. That creativity and the love of people here for her may someday pull her back, if only for abreviated visits. And the picture above may not be the final group portrait of my sisters in Second Live.
I had plans to attend the Costa Rica Independence Day Ball and needed a formal gown. The ball was one of a number of events celebrating the second anniversary of Cost Rica. Costa Rica Sims is possibly the most beautiful estate in Second Life and contains some of the more prestigious addresses on the grid. Costa Rica advertises itself as providing 'the luxurious experience of living in harmony with nature and being surrounded by the best Second Life has to offer.' Naturally, the ball would be a veritable fashion show of formal gowns by Second Life's top designers. I was putting myself in a situation where my fashion sense would be put to a severe test
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Every woman attending a ball wishes for a gown that will shine the spotlight of the evening on her. Attracting that spotlight requires a gown that is dramatic and original; yet, elegant and graceful. Sounds like a search for the Holy Grail of fashion. But I found it. It is called Fierce, and it was designed by Journey McLaglen of Prism by Journey Woman's Clothing, Bal Harbour. It's priced at $380L. Fierce juxtapositions the exotic stripe and spot patterns of two great cats - the White Tiger and the White Leopard - to dramatic effect. The stark contrast between the black patterns and the white background and the interplay of the tiger stripes and leopard spots immediately sets you apart in a sea of formal gowns. The originality and drama of this gown may attract attention; but, its beauty and flowing elegance will keep it on you.
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The ball was a marvelous affair. As expected, fashion statements were being made by the ladies (and the place was crawling with Miss Virtual World finalists). One of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the winner of the Best Parcel Award which went to WK Ganesvoort. WK's residence and grounds are truly magnificent. I was thrilled for WK and also for my dear friend Jaysun Dagger who designed the interiors of the manor house. After the ball, a number of people gathered at WK's place for some more dancing. I took advantage of the opportunity to take pictures of my gown using WK Ganesvoort's wonderful garden and residence as background for the fashion shoot. Did my fashion sense pass the test that evening? I did receive many complements for my dress. But you be the judge. Click on the pictures to enlarge them for a closer look.
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It was also important to have the right hair style. I found the perfect hair at DrLife. Not only does DrLife make the best skins in Second Life, they also make some of the best hair. The styles and the quality of the textures are outstanding. The hair I am wearing is called Mei Wave and was designed by Leena Ying, the owner of DrLife. Mei sells for $350L which gives you a complete set of hair colors (Chocolate, Dark Blue, Dark Brown, Black, Blonde, Gold, and Red). I am wearing Black.
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I hope that you enjoyed this post. If you are in the mood to shop, try stopping by Prism by Journey and DrLife. There is fashion magic to be had. .
Friday afternoons at 2:00 pm SLT at Nantucket is a special time and place because Shantu Selene will be performing onstage at Nantucket's open air theater. Musician, singer, and composer, Shantu is among the most popular live performers in Second Life. And it's no wonder. Spending an hour with Shantu is a guaranteed good time. He will rouse you and set you rocking with one number and touch you and leave you sighing with another. His warmth and personable style on stage connects with his audience, and his fans adore him.
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Fridays 2 pm at Nantucket - A Special Time and Place
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In real life, Shantu is Danny Bowman. His bio on his website tells us that "Danny was flirting with music long before he picked up his first guitar. His mother favored country artists, but he couldn't stop singing Elvis tunes. Even as a child he was arranging, singing into a vacuum cleaner hose to create reverb." To the delight of his fans, he still loves to sing Elvis. He gives Elvis, Beatles, Hendrix, and Clapton as influences on his music as well as old time rock and roll with touches of blues and country. Shantu sings the songs he grew up with; but, the highlight of his performances are the songs that he wrote himself. Songs of joy, sorrow, passion, and love sung with the depth of feeling and experience that fathered their creation. This Love is perhaps his signature song and displays his considerable talent with the guitar. And what girl's heart doesn't flutter when Shantu sings Come Dream With Me? But, it was Dance With Me that made me a fan.
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This week's performance at Nantucket was a most special event. Nantucket and Shantu's fan group planned a celebration of Shantu's third Rezzday in Second Life. And Shantu was truly surprised and overcome by the show of affection for him at the performance. Second Life allows us to explore and become. Always a lead guitarist, Danny Bowman wanted to be a singer. As Shantu Selene, his voice and musical talent have won him the devoted following of fans in Second Life. Memories were being stirred at Nantucket that day, and my thoughts went back to my first Shantu concert.
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Erin Kinkade, my best friend at the time and a Shantu fan, brought me to Nantucket. It was early in my second life, and not only was it my first Shantu concert, it was the first time I attended a live performance in Second Life. Naturally, I was impressed with Shantu and found his music irresistably danceable. Bored with doing homework while inworld, I got out of my chair and started stepping and swaying to the music. The song was Dance with Me. Closing my eyes, the music and lyrics drew me in. I became so dreamy as happy emotions lifted me ever higher and higher. Too high. My knees went suddenly weak and my legs tottered. I grabbed the chair to steady myself. I was stunned. Such a thing has never happened to me, should never happen to me. I always think of myself as highly rational and collected. But Shantu Selene made me swoon with his music and poetry. It's from that moment that I became a devoted fan.
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Happy Rezzday Shantu
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I hope to see you at future Shantu Selene performances. Shantu takes requests. I highly recommend requesting Walking in Memphis as Shantu's rendition compares with, if not surpasses, Marc Cohn. For sheer exuberant fun, request Sally Anne. And please request Dance with Me. Request it for me. . Shantu Selene on YouTube:
Danny Bowman (Shantu Selene) website with free downloads of his music:
Next week, the new Fall Semester begins for me. I am entering my junior year in college, and its hard to believe that I was a freshman when I first stepped foot into Second Life. I am enjoying my last days of summer and have placed some pictures in this posting from the closing weeks of August. .
On the Road with Brit and Dawson .
Dawson drove underwater all the way to Nantucket.
Ain't Second Life awesome? I was able to hold my breath all the way.
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Jaysun and I explored an Irish sim on horseback.
Nathan Hale, my horse, enjoyed the outing. .
The rugged coastal vistas are magnificient. .
The main inhabitants of this sim are sheep. Nathan Hale despises sheep. He calls them mutton heads and complains that they always vote Democrat. Well, only in Second Life can a horse call sheep nasty names on the basis of their politics. Shame on you, Nathan. Some sheep are actually highly educated; however, they do vote straightline Democrat. But, that's understandable, don't you think? They are sheep, after all. .
Putting on a new dress in my townhouse. . Lulubelle and I dress up and wear elegant hats when visiting this New York City Brownstone. Jaysun designed the interior of the house. . . .
Jaysun and I ran into this Giant Bunny on Long Island.
Like their smaller cousins, these giants are Vegans, lucky for us.
