oh my god, I see how everything is torn in the river deep

Something fairly creepy happened tonight--I wanted to take some casual shots of an outfit, and remembered there was a land connected to ShenaniganS that might work, so I ported there with the express purpose of crossing back into that forest. Only...there didn't seem to be anything there.

Oh, the music club was still there, but everywhere the club wasn't, all the surrounding land, had been dropped by a good ten meters and was now bare sand.



In the above image, just to give you an idea of what I was seeing, I am the miniscule figure in red in the extreme lower left, and in the upper left, nearly in the left corner, is a reddish barn bedecked in lights, surrounded by greenery. That's ShenaniganS.

While I was trying to figure out what had happened, I must have passed an inviter, and a group dropdown--I thought--popped up, so I closed it, then Annie chatted me up:

[22:23] Annie (shenannyannie): Hello Emilly - Music Lands is a group for venues that play great music by DJ's or with Live Performers. You'll get news of events daily from several venues and it will save you a few group slots.

Annie's name is left unanonymized for reasons that will become clear.

[22:24] Emilly Orr: Do you know what happened to the rest of the land? I think the Forest of Astray?

As it turns out, I was wrong--the Forest of Astray is a different sim, though also very pretty.

[22:24] Annie (shenannyannie): What was that?
[22:25] Emilly Orr: There used to be a forested sim connected to Shenanigans. Do you know what happened to it?
[22:25] Annie (shenannyannie): Sorry, what was that?

That's when I figured it out.

[22:25] Emilly Orr: Oh, you're a bot?
[22:25] Annie (shenannyannie): That's me. I chat, therefore I am.
[22:25] Emilly Orr: Well, drat. Thanks for your help.
[22:25] Annie (shenannyannie): It's my pleasure to help.

I admit, this one threw me--usually I can identify bots pretty well, or at least, independent AI constructs. But the first time we spoke, back on January 10th, I didn't pick up on it.

[2019/01/10 23:35] Annie (shenannyannie): Hello Emilly - Music Lands is a group for venues that play great music by DJ's or with Live Performers. You'll get news of events daily from several venues and it will save you a few group slots.
[2019/01/10 23:36] Emilly Orr: Oh, thanks! Mostly doing a photo project, but I do like the look of the place.

I was talking about both the forest lands connected to Shenanigan's, and the beach chairs that used to be in front of the club, thinking they were connected to the club itself.

[2019/01/10 23:36] Annie (shenannyannie): Like you should be on a magazine cover.
[2019/01/10 23:36] Emilly Orr smiles.
[2019/01/10 23:36] Annie (shenannyannie): Say that one more time?
[2019/01/10 23:36] Emilly Orr: It's fine. Just exploring, mainly.
[2019/01/10 23:36] Annie (shenannyannie): Agreed!

I just thought she was odd, or not a native English speaker, and had finished the photos I needed for that project, so I went on with things. Very odd, though, the entire encounter tonight.



This was in the forested area, up in some ruins. You can see light-bedecked trees behind the stone archway to the side.



And this was near where the port-in point was. The path leading up from the pier, and all the flowers, led to the ruins.

I don't think I spent enough time in this spot to really resonate with it, but it was pretty, and very natural. For that, if nothing else, it will be missed.

my mouth kept moving and my mind went dead

This was a controversy that didn't need to happen.

[09:58] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: could some of you help to fill the midnight mania board at [hair store]? .. it doesnt fill since weeks :/ and i really want the hair .. also luckyboards here ... for both no group needed
[09:58] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: [SLUrl for hair store]

Now, even though I'm omitting the store's name and SLUrl, they were perfectly fine to post in the group. It's even in the format we want for announcements in the group: no more than three lines, name of the business, whether it's a free join group or no group needed, and where to go. Simple, easy, done.

It was this next bit that crossed the line.

[09:59] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: [Gyazo link which I'm omitting just to make the point]
[09:59] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what kind of hair is it and does it come with a hud for color ?
[09:59] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no outside links

In line with previous Scenes from a Chat, bolding the names of actual mods for groups.

[09:59] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: not sure to be honest .. i assume its fatpack
[09:59] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: NO outside links here please
[09:59] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: whats an outside link?

*coughs* "What is an outside link"? Really, this is a question you need to ask??

[10:00] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that was just a acreen shot of screen GAYAZO

"Gayazo"? I'm going to assume that's just a typo, not commentary.

[10:00] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: a link outside Second life like a gyazo or an URL
[10:00] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its not allowed
[10:00] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: an url is defo inside
[10:00] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: i mean an SL url
[10:00] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: a SLurl is in SL.
[10:01] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that was just an innocent screen shot not a website not a porno

I'm morbidly amused that you want to reassure everyone your friend was not trying to post porn. I mean, thanks for trying, but a), that wasn't the issue, and b), she'd already been told not to post outside links.

[10:01] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: gyazo is a url not slurl
[10:01] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: rules arerules tho
[10:01] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: itis not allowed, which part don't you understand?

Apparently all the parts between "it" and "allowed".

[10:01] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:
[10:02] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: the part where i pasted the slurl of [the hair store]
[10:02] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: that was allowed just not the Gyazo

It's not hard. Just read the rules.

[10:02] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry [Txxxxxx] i appolgize on behalf of the overeactions

These aren't overreactions. These are mods telling your friend to stop being an idiot.

[10:02] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: i still dont understand it though
[10:02] Emilly Orr: While there has been far less spoofing of Gyazo as a domain into SL, as there have been spoofing of MP and Second Life links into SL, the rules were established so that no outside links posted in this group could lead to hacking of accounts of group members, [Rxxxxx].
[10:03] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yup exactly
[10:03] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: o.0? i know, i was telling them gyazo isnt an inside link

My apologies, then.

[10:03] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: Emily explained it perfectly
[10:03] Nxxxxx Txxxxxx: oh yeah ..that reminds me ..[Rxxx] when I was online someone posted a outside link very early this morning which was gyazo :-)
[10:03] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: how can I show a screenshot??
[10:03] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what emilly said.
[10:03] Emilly Orr: Gyazo is an outside link, because it originated on a website outside SL. Even if it's a screenshot of something IN SL, it uses software outside SL.
[10:03] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: so you bann gyazo from your group .. a widely used tool in sl .. so noone gets hacked by the altavista scam?

Pretty much, yeah. It can get harsh at times, and since there isn't a fully in-SL screencap service, yeah, it makes it hard to share screenshots if what we're looking for is to have people help us identify something. But none of the rules of this group were made lightly, or without consideration.

[10:04] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: can be paste links from the SLf and o blog?
[10:04] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it's a full ban on ALL outside links
[10:04] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: smh....
[10:04] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: we simply do not allow ANY outside link, not Gyazo nor any other screenshot
[10:04] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there have been more than just altervita scams
[10:04] Emilly Orr: It's a broad brush used to protect everyone. And no, [Txxxxxx], no links from the SLF and no blog without approval.
[10:04] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Txxxxxx]. only mods can post external links. This is to ensure the safety of all gorup members.
[10:04] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: great read btw : [and omitting the blog post she linked from the group to make the point]

What is WRONG with you? You were JUST told!

[10:05] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yuppers
[10:05] Emilly Orr: When you see an outside link posted by someone in bold text? That means they think it's safe.
[10:05] Emilly Orr: [Txxxxxx]...
[10:05] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: again you were JUST told not to post outside links.
[10:05] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: smh peeps dont listen
[10:05] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: righht I just told you that outside links were not allowed
[10:05] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: i guess i just want to be banned from the group now
[10:05] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow
[10:05] Emilly Orr: Apparently.
[10:05] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Txxxxxx], that is an external link. We just said you cannot post it. Only mods can

How many times do we have to restate the same things? She's either really, really clueless and should be having problems standing upright and breathing at the same time, or she's being deliberately obtuse and stubborn about it.

[10:06] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if was an SLfree and offer bog associated with the group page

No. Not unless it's posted by a mod. What did everyone JUST say?

[10:08] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wish people would read rules ugh save alot of trouble

You could have stopped at "Wish people would read", but I get it. The rules are clearly posted in the info box for the group, plus they're repeated in group chat at least once a week if not more.

[10:09] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: regardless [Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] only mods can pst links
[10:09] nxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: still you banning people without looking into ...

[10:07] Second Life: Incoming message from [Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx]
[10:07] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: You will be removed from the SL F and O group
[10:08] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: You have been ejected from 'SL frees and offers' by [Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx].

[10:10] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: LOL
[10:10] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: not even a link to our own SL F and O blog is allowed, only MODS can post outside links
[10:10] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: so true
[10:11] Emilly Orr: Well, if it was [Txxxxxx], she directly violated a rule after being told, but she's still here. I'd say it was you, but you're still here, so I'm confused.
[10:11] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: posting IMs is against the ToS. But as you can see she was NOT banned just removed for breaking the rules twice. The group is free. She can join back any time.

And that's pretty much where it ended. It's still vaguely disturbing that something like this happens about once a week in this group, sheerly because people don't read. So tragic.

they’ll have to come and take us with the force of ten trains

Interested in creepy nostalgia? Atlas Obscura has you covered. I still occasionally have nightmares about The Girl Who Trod on the Loaf.

And note from a friend for Firefox users--this is a guide to securing privacy on Firefox, due to some recent updates to the browser. (I'm on Chrome, so it wouldn't work for me.)

I went to the Far Away tonight, which I hadn't traveled to for far too long.



There are still a lot of places to pause and take pictures, many with built-in animations, and they still look good.



Of course, I found the train car in the center of the parcel. Because of course I did.



It has one...very...interesting...pose...on the roof.



I still think this is worth a visit, and I think that's why AM Radio, or friends, kept the installation up. Remember, the Far Away was originally just an art piece, but...it still speaks to people. It still speaks to me.



And I'm okay with that. I grew up in very many places beyond the grid, but many of them were farms. I have walked out into wheat fields, when the stalks are green, and when they're dry and yellow. I have seen yellow skies just before heavy rain. I have been on farms with abandoned farm equipment, and windmills, and corrugated steel structures off in the distance. To some part of my soul, this still feels like...home.

I was glad to return. And glad it's still up. And I'm pretty sure...no...I know...I'm not the only one.

darlin’, you’re senseless, you’re a truck with no brakes

Oh, here we go...I'm going to get comments on this one.

First, a bit of setup: Because I requested a small vial of holy water once from a certain company, I got on their mailing list, which apparently included emails. They've been, in general, mid-level hysterical, though not worth sharing, save for the one that was freaking out so hard about the Satanic Christmas tree in...Santa Monica? San Diego? One of those.

Anyway, this one came under the title of So...what about same-sex "marriage"? In quotes, yes. And it went from there:

Dear Ms. {my name},

It is a war.

It is not a war. It has never been a "war", in the traditional sense, though there have been casualties and great losses. But it is not a "war". Let's make that plain.

Borrowing from the analogy in Saint Ignatius’ spiritual retreats, there are those who fight under the Flag of Jesus and those who fight under the Flag of the World, The Devil and the Flesh.

And that is just so much hogwash, ten liters of hogwash. Y'all can "fight" under the flag of Jesus all you like, we'll be over here not fighting under the friendlier banner of equality and understanding. For all.

There are those doing everything to destroy marriage and the family and those defending it and standing up for it no matter what.

Again, you are so wrong here, it's just astounding. NO ONE in the various marriage-for-all movements around this country, and elsewhere, around the world, has ever intended to "destroy" marriage. Instead, what we want is the same rights that heterosexuals have: the right to visit our partners in the hospital, the right to file taxes jointly, the right to raise children together, the right to make burial arrangements, should our partners pass on, and the right to the survivor's pension if there is one. Nothing more. Just the same rights that straights have. This diminishes straight marriage in no way, this devalues straight marriage in no way, this "attacks" straight marriage in no way. All we want is to be treated the same as all other citizens, where marriage, caregiving, financial dealings, child-rearing, and funerary traditions are concerned.

It is the same old story. You are either for Christ or against Him.

Why does it always come down to this? It's not a war. It's not a fight. We can be Christian and want same-sex marriage. We can be atheist and want same-sex marriage. We can be pagan and want same-sex marriage, Muslim, Buddhist, Shinto...the religion doesn't matter. It's not about faith. It's about human rights. Don't you get that?

As I write, prayer warriors are gearing up for 3,000+ rosary rallies in public locations all across America this March in defense of God’s marriage, praying and saying:

Marriage = One man + one woman!

It was bolded in the original, so I bolded it here. And this part just made me roll my eyes. "God's marriage". Really? "God's marriage". God's idea of marriage, or at least the Biblical idea of marriage, featured:

• underage partnership, or at least, very young marriage (Ezekiel 16:7-8, see also the accepted Biblical definition of puberty being 10 to 12 years of age)
• forcible marriage of a widow to a family member of her former spouse (specifically Genesis 38:6-10, but there are other passages
• accusations of adultery ending in death for both parties (Leviticus 20:10)
• "marriage" that includes sleeping with both the wife, and any of her slaves or servants (Genesis 16)
• rape (specifically in the cases of captives of war, but also direct rape)
• forcible "marriage" of slaves to each other (Exodus 21:4, with the specific instruction that followed that after seven years the man was freed from slavery, but the woman and any children remained slaves)
• multiple wives (too many passages to name)
• incest (Genesis 20:11-12)

Do any of these passages sound like states that are desirable in 2019? Cultures change. Ideals change. We no longer fear washing more than once a week. Most of us no longer exile a woman to a tiny unheated hut in the wilderness during her bleeding time. We have embraced the joy of plumbing. Marriage can change too. It is in the nature of humanity to grow, to evolve, to alter, to adapt. All things must adapt.

I am writing you today to ask for your support, your prayers and sacrifices.

January 23rd is the Feast day of the Betrothal of Our Lady and Saint Joseph – the perfect models of what God wants marriage to be.

"Perfect" is something of a relative term. If anyone truly thinks the marriage of a 14-year-old to a man in his twenties, followed by a pregnancy by someone or something else, as a "perfect marriage"--well, your thought processes may well be the problem.

Sadly, you and I know how the Sacrament of marriage has suffered in the hands of a Christ-less culture...

Do I? What these people need to realize is that their ideas of what makes a "perfect marriage" has nothing to do with what makes a "legal marriage". They want a "perfect" marriage, one man, one woman, one God--well, there are plenty of churches to do just that. Legal marriage is a different animal.

Here is a quick look back at when marriage was valued in America:

In 1888 the Supreme Court ruled that marriage is "an institution in the maintenance of which in its purity the public is deeply interested, for it is the foundation of the family and of society, without which there would be neither civilization nor progress."

Again, bolded by them, so I left it in, but they're talking about the Maynard v. Hill case in Oregon, wherein the end result was divorce was declared absolutely illegal. It had very little to do with "God's marriage". And of course, later, in 2015, was the Obergefell v. Hodges case, wherein marriage was expanded, legally, to include both male-female marrages and same-sex marriages. Without ever demeaning, devaluing or destroying "God's marriage".

Then in 1942 that same high court said that marriage is "fundamental to the very existence and survival of the race."

Actually, the conclusion of the Williams v. North Carolina case in 1942 was that federally, both marriages and divorces should be recognized, even across state lines. It had nothing to do with preserving "God's marriage".

The rest of it descends into hysterical nonsense about men marrying dogs, which has zero place in a logical discussion of the expansion of legal marriage, and perhaps far more to do with the disturbing fantasies of Christian fundamentalists involving bestiality. I won't entertain this further, except to say at one point in this country, black men and women did not have equal rights with white men and women, and several ministers pointed to the Bible to defend that. They were wrong. At one point in this country, both Chinese and Irish immigrants were considered less than human, and several ministers pointed to the Bible to defend that too. They were also wrong. And they are wrong here in every way.

Or, put another way: the only person "destroying" your so-called "holy marriage" is you--when you as a Christian step outside the bonds of it into another person's arms, or divorce your spouse before they naturally expire. Anyone who wants to marry someone of the same gender has no designs on your Christian marriage at all. So wake up, sit down and stop screaming nonsense, and let the adults decide these things. Because you're clearly incapable of doing so.

I’ve seen your junkyards of tractors and barbed wire

A short, maniacal snippet.

[21:26] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Why bother with developing nuclear weapons when a sufficient quantity of cavorite excited in a steam-generator powered magnetic field can blow the entire planet's atmosphere right off? It is almost like some of the country are not even trying with their doomsday machines.
[21:26] Dxxxxxx Sxxxx: yea if you are gonna be evil, have some style, seriously
[21:27] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I must give the current Tsar credit there. He seems a bit of a thuggish chap, but he does do doomsday machines better than the rest.
[21:27] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: A super-cavitating doomsday tsunami generating torpedo is very steampunk.
[21:28] Dxxxxxx Sxxxx: seeing that... would be worth the price of admission! (probably death, but yea)
[21:29] Dxxxxxx Sxxxx: a more targeted weapon might be better... just think if you had a weapon that slowed down wifi 10% per day. All millennials would kill themselves in a week

Sadly, I can wholeheartedly agree with this. I moved into a new place once, and it was fourteen days before cable--and internet with it--was established. I nearly went mad inside those empty walls, with only unpacking and sleeping to do.

(Though to be fair, I also acquired some virus just before moving in, so in those fourteen days, I was also terribly sick, which didn't help. Amusingly, the last day we spent moving out of that place, a wasp stung me, so for several days after we left that house, I was also sick and feverish. Life is synchronous.)


In the meantime, the farm at Nythorvaldshavn, named Kildal Indre, is coming along very nicely.

This is the worship altar, for rituals that center on farming, fertility, basic household rituals--it's not a fancy, formal ritual space, and it's not intended to be.



An overview of the farm behind the altar area, showing some of the livestock.



The sheep and cow pens.



Finally, there's a small apple orchard, and two small homes--one for the farm girls caring for the farm, and the other rigged for storing and making cheeses, cream and butter, and general cooking.

Nythorvaldshavn is also shaping up, but it's all part and parcel of things--as the sim grows, as it gets more lived in, it starts to feel more natural. Just like the farm--it started out as just a flat green plain with crops. Now, it's a working farm--outbuildings, orchards, crops to tend, animals to milk, shear, and feed. Structures taking the place of simplicity. All things grow in this way.

I read it too, what does it mean?

Snippet from an earlier chat:

[10:45] Xxxxxx Yxxx: i read somewhere that shame is something others visit upon us and guilt is something we visit upon ourselves
[10:45] Jx Qxxxxxxx: Nobody can make you feel bad about yourself without your permission
[10:46] Bxxxxxxx Lxxx: Hmm; people make me feel bad about myself all the time, and I never gave them leave to do so....

It's kind of an inner strength thing, and it's definitely not one size fits all. Some days people get to me, some days they don't, and it depends on how secure or insecure I, personally, feel at that time. And it's not an easy balance to strike--too little self-assurance, we are easier wounded; too much, and we become arrogant braggadocios who have no self-restraint. A little humility is good for the soul, but too much can injure. Walk that line carefully.

In other news, today's Scene from a Chat is all about hair.

[21:51] Lxx Mxxxxxxx: hey, i need some suggestions! whats everybodys favorite hair creator? (besides truth! )
feeling stumped on where to look next for some reason
[21:52] Lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no.match is good
[21:52] Rxxxx Fxxxxxxxx: Besom is good
[21:52] Pxxxxxxx Sxxx: Magicka is fun
[21:53] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: foxy
[21:53] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Doux is my fave.
[21:53] Zxxxxx Wxxxxxxx: Exile and Moon
[21:53] Emilly Orr: Besides Truth? Astrology.
[21:53] Sxxxxx Nxxxxxxxx: Olive
[21:53] Nxxxxxxxxxx Sxxx: Exile
[21:53] txxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Wasabi
[21:53] xxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Hotties

I couldn't find any hair store called Hotties, I looked.

[21:53] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: exile
[21:53] Emilly Orr: My big three are Truth, Astrology, and Wasabi Pills, with Oblivion and Calico for medieval styles.
[21:53] Sxxxxx Nxxxxxxxx: no.match
[21:54] kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: besom is good also
[21:54] Nxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: I like eXxEsS :)
[21:54] Sxxxxx Fxxxxxxxx: magika, Shi, Monso, Tableau, Pheonix

Closest I could find for Shi, no idea if it's the right business.

[21:54] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Besome, Tram, Bonbon, Monso, barberyumyum, Taketomi, too many to list.

Do we think she meant DP Yumyum? Because that's what I put in.

[21:54] Nxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: I like eXxEsS
[21:54] Sxxxxx Hxxxxx: Doe, Limerence, Sintiklia
[21:54] sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: DOUX
[21:54] kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: TRUTH
[21:54] sxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxxx: No Match or Argrace
[21:54] Lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: exxess is good too
[21:54] kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: A and A or Alli and Ali....Radex

I can't get behind Alli and Alli. She still mostly makes flexi hair, it's just not holding up. And Radex...well, they seem to be using some very old textures.

[21:54] Emilly Orr: She said besides Truth. :p
[21:54] Nxxxxxxxxxx Sxxx: and don't forget Argrace
[21:54] Lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Argrace is nice
[21:54] gxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: exile
[21:54] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Dela ... I look at others and try demos, and always go back to Dela
[21:54] kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: TRUTH
[21:54] Oxx Zxxx: Wasabi
[21:54] cxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Phoenix and Sintiklia

Around here was the point I decided that I really didn't need to link every hair store location every time they were mentioned. There were starting to be quite a few repeats.

[21:55] exxxxx Mxxxxx: navy and copper
[21:55] Axx Exxxx: argrace
[21:55] Emilly Orr: That is another one, though--Argrace has the ONLY decent wet hair on the market, for post-swim, during-swim, or shower events. :D
[21:55] Qxxxxxxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: argrace
[21:55] Kxxxxx Sxxxxx: ELIKATIRA, doe, Wasabi Pills, Exile
[21:55] cxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Little Bones or Doux
[21:55] Nxxxxxxxxxx Sxxx: Navy+Copper have been doing some nice things too
[21:55] sxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Analog Dog
[21:55] Gxxxxxxx Gxxxxx: Exile are good too
[21:55] cxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Doux is good or Little Bones
[21:55] Lxx Mxxxxxxx: you guys are the best thank you sorry for making the entire chat explode lol

It was interesting to see EVERYONE light up and start firing off their faves.

[21:55] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Foxy
[21:55] Oxx Zxxx: [taketomi]_, truth, magika, olive, exile, Alice project
[21:55] Axx Exxxx: tram wet hair is better than argrace's wet hair IMO
[21:55] Kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: all are good ones
[21:55] gxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Burley
[21:55] Cxxxxx Bxxxxxxx: barberyumyum
[21:56] Pxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Exile, lockandtuft and Little Bones are my personal faves
[21:56] Oxx Zxxx: yeah sorry [taketomi]_ is now Burly great hair!
[21:56] Emilly Orr: Haven't seem Tram's wet hair, so I'll go look.
[21:56] Emilly Orr: Yeah, and Alice Project is now Astrology. Both stores are still open, but the new stuph is now coming out of Astrology.
[21:57] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: really, didn't know that cool
[21:57] Lxx Mxxxxxxx: i learned about some new stores today thanks to you all haha thank you again! its really appreciated

I know I, at least, found a new place to check out. Here's to hoping this gives someone else at least one new place, too.

[21:57] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Olive is v. cute and still has their sale going. back back wall is 185 l and near the back wall is 100 o3o love their fatpacks.
[21:58] Lxx Mxxxxxxx: oh goodness i know i raided olive completely because of their sale haha!!!
[21:58] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: also they have a ton of lucky boards and a MM for a fatpack no group needed
[21:58] Lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no.match has free hair just join group...whole bunch on second floor
[21:58] Lxx Mxxxxxxx: seriously for those that dont know, olive's sale on rn is amazing ;D recommended
[21:58] mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Sometime i am going to break down and nuke their gacha machines. they got lots of cute disney gacha hair
[21:59] Lxx Mxxxxxxx: ooh yes i have one of the ariel hairs its really cute

I don't know when Olive's hair sale ends; I only know it's been on for a while. So if you really love Olive hair, get there! Otherwise, wander some of the new makers you may not have heard of.

somebody calls you, somebody says swim with the current and float away

The history of French fries is fascinating. To start with, they're not even French.

And like old books? How about 11,000 old books from 1923? They have now all been digitized and can be read for free. You're welcome.

And are you part of Collection #1? Before you sneer at the idea, a quick check of haveibeenpwned revealed I am, so I am now sighing and changing my passwords. You should check, too.



In the meantime, I have found the sub ocean! Which is probably only amusing to me, so I'll explain that.



There's a Canadian internet comedy troupe called Loading Ready Run. They do a lot of things, from skit comedy to news coverage to net streaming of games old and new. Every year I watch their charity livestream, Desert Bus for Hope, which is always amazing. But, there's one show, hosted by Graham Stark and featuring Alex Steacy, called Watch+Play.



And in that series of longform torturing of Alex with really bad games, one of the chief marks of a really bad game is that they built the game either in a visible skybox--and some of them are really, really visible--or on the 'ground level' of that landscape, which means any slight glitch, dip, or fall through the ground level results in Alex suddenly visiting the sub ocean--id est, the water layer below the ground.



In other words, Second Life.



I caught these pictures at DISORDERLY/CURELESS' sim, and it was really just a case of my inability to rez in the surroundings as fast as I ordinarily would. I think my comp's going out.

But it amused me.

and you should realize you are beloved

Welcome to VISIONAIRE Institute's current crop of graduates, with a showing of what they considered was their best work. I am going to link you to the main entry point for the exhibit, which is a charming little country garden, but, because I didn't see much of anything photo-like here, and the gate to the exhibits was closed, I thought it was part of the back wall and left. Thankfully, one of the graduates caught that, and showed me where the real exhibits are.



You want to walk through the gate to find the exhibits. And believe me, if you value digital art in the slightest, you will want to go and peruse.



The bulk of the showing is in a rectangular, slightly overgrown space, with open demi-pavilions made from pale wood ringing the rectangular patch of grasses and rocks.



Don't forget to go back behind the chain-link fence, there's a few more showings there. And keep in mind, these exhibits will be up until Aprille, so there is time, but don't miss it!

The theme for this final showing was "Magic", and I completely get some of the exhibits. Other exhibits, while good, look more like the current round of SL fashion photographers--good, artistic, but...hardly magical. Still, everything is worth seeing, I believe, because whether we like the work or not, each booth shows that person's understanding of the concept. Some of them hit it dead-on. Some of them creep up on it sidewise. Some of them are enthralling, some delighting, at least one disturbing. But it all reflects how they processed that theme.

There are two booths that are empty, which is somewhat sad, and I'm hoping their exhibits were just delayed and they'll be filled in later. Either way, do go look. It is worth the time.

(Also, since today was the graduation, earlier at eight AM, the sim is lagging quite badly. Keep that in mind, though that may ease in a week or so.)

nowhere near the truth almighty a bunch of nothing said

A short but pithy chat capture. I won't say which group, precisely, this is from, but it is for a maker of skins, and quite nice ones. Someone fails to get the point of true artistry:

[22:55] zxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: have u guys seen the movie ready player one??

Unfortunately. I hated it. Why?

[22:55] zxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: can u make a skin like that??
[22:55] Emilly Orr: Like...which skin??

Because that film? That film is packed with looks for virtual avatars, by design, so..."a skin" won't really cover it.

[22:56] zxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the um/// avatars the blue guy and the red chikc on the movie "ready player one"

You mean Parzival and Art3mis, of course. And it's "chick".

[22:57] Emilly Orr: So...grab a Kemono avatar, the Venus M3 head, some anime eyes, a reasonably-approximate skin mod, and some Ayashi short hair, there's the girl.

I'm doing my best to track down things after the fact, a skin mod that might work is this, but the facial tats are pretty much going to have to be custom.

Also, I was pretty sure at the time Ayashi would be the best bet, but that specific backswept Mohawk they seem to have not. CaTwA, however, seems to have one.

[23:00] Emilly Orr: For the boy, almost the same thing--Kemono avatar, anime eyes, the M4 Mars head, different anime hair and boy chest mod to make the chest flat.

After the fact, again, I realized Krankhaus' Kuroo avatar would work better, and in that case, ditch the chest mod.

But pretty much, right? I mean, this took all of ten minutes to stare at pictures of both of them and track down approximates. They won't be perfect, but on the other hand, this particular skinmaker does not design for Kemono (or Kuroo, for that matter), so it wouldn't help if he wanted that type of very anime look anyway.

And ultimately, again, why? Because that's pretty much asking someone to infringe copyright on purpose. No thank you. No one's interested who has ethics at all, and those who would be interested, because they are immoral weasels, want a high amount of cash for their trouble. Why bother?

[23:01] zxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: can I live in your belly button?
[23:01] zxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im bored lol

No. Also gross. Also go away, kid, find something else to do. The adults are busy.

I tried to teach you solitaire, you just hollered at the moon (part two)

(Continued from yesterday's entry.)

[11:43] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I've complained enough.
[11:44] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm sure not everyone is pleased with me
[11:44] Emilly Orr: It's just baffling. She keeps doing this.
[11:44] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She's out of excuses...
[11:45] Emilly Orr: Do you give her another chance, is the question.
[11:45] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That is exactly the question
[11:45] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: If she's replaced all of her stuff will be returned
[11:46] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She definitely cannot pay any rent that will cover a sim sized platform
[11:47] Emilly Orr: True. Also ouch, that's right, she's basically "renting" a skybound sim.

She'd asked [Txxx] to give her a 'learning center' space, that she wanted to look "natural" to the area, so...in talks on what she wanted, they decided on the sim-size platform over the entire ground-level sim. So on that platform, there are trees, hills, foliage--all now in winter with added piles of snow--and buildings. Buildings which, in my estimation, have been used exactly once for one class. Yule was a failure, two of the three classes following--four, if you count this one--are dead on arrival, so...what is the point of the additional sim and prim space reserved for her use?

[11:47] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Both of them have been given an opportunity to contribute to Thorvaldshavn and failed
[11:48] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That's right
[11:48] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there's a couple of thousand linden in that, per week
[11:48] Emilly Orr: At least.

And that's daunting in itself, innit? I mean, by no means am I rich; I wouldn't have lost my Caledon parcel by not dancing for tips for two months if I was even up to lower middle-class in income. But sim owners cannot be supposed to be rich, either, and even if they are, even if they can afford to own seventeen sims (and most can't), they still will not ever be comfortable tossing thousands of prims to someone without something in return. Friendship, help on the sim, rent, whatever--something, or it's an entirely one-sided transaction.

Right now [Ixxx] is a one-sided transaction.

[11:49] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: They both were allowed to live here rent free because they were contributing to our group and sim.
[11:50] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And neither has fulfilled their part. Or am I wrong?

I don't think he's wrong.

[11:51] Emilly Orr: This is such a mess. How is she a member of a Norse faith and not learned the values of responsibility, standing behind her words, at the very least?
[11:52] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: No idea...
[11:52] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is her disease part of her problem?

There are RL issues I won't go into, but she is affected by them.

[11:52] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Am I being self-absorbed and petty?
[11:53] Emilly Orr: I can't imagine how unless it affects her memory and impulse control.

And if so, if that is the case--and I am not saying it is--shouldn't she mention that to people who are relying on her? Not the breakdown of specifics, no one is "owed" that, but just a general--"I may have problems doing [X]?

[11:54] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She saw the comment about her attention span and she had to IM me, saying she was gnat-brained
[11:54] Emilly Orr: Yeah, but that's an excuse at this point.
[11:54] Emilly Orr: She flips it out as if it's supposed to protect her.
[11:54] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I said, "no your not... your attention span is short."
[11:55] Emilly Orr: It's like Yule, all her hand-wringing over "Freyr is mad at me". Yeah, great, then fix it. How would he want you to repair this? And she ignored both of us, and just kept hand-wringing.
[11:55] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I told her straight up. She needs to learn how to manage and stay on things
[11:55] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yes.. exactly
[11:55] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I think she's done
[11:56] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I really don't need this
[11:56] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I've already raised two kids.. I'm not doing another who's a manipulator.

For me, the question is why she's a manipulator. Not that she is one, and sure, that kind of thing can start in childhood, I get that--but I mean, in SL. How has she spent ten years on the grid and expected other people to just cover for her like this? She doesn't move her own prims, she expects other people to do that. She asks for things she can't afford and expects them just to be given to her. She starts events two hours late, IF she starts them at all, and she expects everyone to fawningly accept this level of mistreatment. So who the hell was covering for her over the last ten years of SL? Because whoever they were, they're not here now. And we're not interested in being her fetch-and-carry servants.

[11:56] Emilly Orr: Aiii. So you already deal with this, yeah.
[11:57] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx nods
[11:57] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: they both turned out well
[11:57] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: they aren't jailbirds and are sober
[11:57] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and have good jobs
[11:57] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I did what I was supposed to do
[11:57] Emilly Orr: You have.

For me, that's the mark of a good parent. Did he and his kids always get along? Probably not, growing up is hard, emotions run high, arguments are bound to happen. But he got them to adulthood, neither died, neither are addicted to horrible things, neither went to jail. That's indicative of a success rate, to me.

[11:59] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: No wonder Birka failed.
[11:59] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: with those two in charge
[11:59] Emilly Orr: They're both so bad at this.

They really are. And even worse--[Vxxxxxx], who left the sim entirely to go chase Gorean slave girls, as a slaver, left nearly 5000 prims rezzed out on the sim. Inge, with her 'learning center' sky platform, has 1,500. This is a full-size sim now, not a homestead, but that's still more than 6,500 prims that they're using--and for what? [Vxxxxxx] is never there, and has unfriended all of us (though he hasn't left the group), and [Ixxx] is just...useless in every way. So why are we still hosting their things if they aren't working for the sim?

Comparison: I'm not there a lot. I admit that. I have an active SL, an active RL, I'm not there as much as I want to be. But I have less than 100 prims rezzed out. My house--which I pay rent for!--is the smallest I could talk [Txxx] into giving me. I am very much aware that I could have more if I asked, because I do make the council meetings, and take my position as advisor seriously.

But I don't abuse that. I am happy with my 100 prims. I may at some point ask [Txxx] for a slightly larger house, but two rooms maximum, not a palatial hall. Or a one-room with a partial loft. I do not want or need more than that.

So why do they need 6500 prims? Neither of them showed up to the last two council meetings, and [Vxxxxxx] in specific hasn't shown up to the past three. [Ixxx] can't seem to throw a ritual, or a class on lore, to save her life, and she's supposed to be this huge expert on all things Norse. So what gives?

I tried to teach you solitaire, you just hollered at the moon (part one)

Anyone feel like a trip through negative nostalgia? I was on the grid for all but the first controversy. And many of them got very, very dire indeed, on the ground, living them out.

Kind of continuing the negative trend...today's Scenes from a Chat, all about irresponsibility.

[11:17] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Hi Em
[11:17] Emilly Orr: Hello there!
[11:18] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: How's things?
[11:19] Emilly Orr: Going well so far. Quiet.
[11:21] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Well [Ixxx] claims she's having cramps but she's got notes for the Lore and Life event

Now, this is not the irresponsible bit. I well know how daunting it can be to try to concentrate when part of my anatomy is trying to turn itself inside out. It's perfectly valid to say, sorry, migraine, can't, sorry, cramps, can't, sorry, RL has exploded, can't.

[11:21] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She didn't send out notices...
[11:22] Emilly Orr: ....
[11:22] Emilly Orr: When's the event happening?

This is our problem with this particular individual. She doesn't send out notices in advance. She doesn't start on time when she DOES send out notices. Hells, for the Yule event--which she had said she wanted to run--she ended up starting two hours and TWO ENTIRE DAYS late! That's not just scatterbrained, that's personally insulting to everyone who wanted to attend.

[11:22] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She asked if you could take it.
[11:22] Emilly Orr: She asked if...IS SHE SERIOUS
[11:22] Emilly Orr: No.
[11:22] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm going to tell her now
[11:22] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: NO
[11:22] Emilly Orr: Let me correct that.
[11:22] Emilly Orr: I will take it if you ask me to.

And I would. For [Txxx]'s sake, I would try to run with this, pull up some articles, parse them before I had to be 'onstage', as t'were, and run this. I trust him that much.

[11:22] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the event is today in a few minutes
[11:22] Emilly Orr: But SHE is responsible, and SHE needs to realize that her lack of preparation has consequences.
[11:22] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You are busy
[11:22] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and I'm not qualified
[11:23] Emilly Orr: Sure, because I had no notice of an event! I could easily have been occupied with any of a dozen other things.

That's not me being flippant. There could have been folks at Sakura that I needed to meet with. That's happened in this time slot in the past. I could have been spending time with my dominant, who, when he has time, likes me there. I could have been engaged in building something, prepping items for sale, and didn't feel I could break off to attend a class.

[11:23] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I know that well
[11:24] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She's going to eat this too
[11:26] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm thinking we'll need another priestess..
[11:26] Emilly Orr nods.
[11:26] Emilly Orr: If she doesn't shape up.
[11:26] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She waited until the last moment
[11:28] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 11 AM is start time

This is another thing. You have an event, you advertise it. If it really is spontaneous and no warning was given US to advertise it, we still try, by and large, to give as much advance warning as possible. Half an hour at the LEAST. Now, most of us who are comfortable with listing events, will follow up at fifteen, and at the start, and then at least halfway through...but if we have notice of when this is going to be, we'll try to list it a day early, a week early, whatever we feel we need to.

[11:29] Emilly Orr: Now, maybe it's just me, but....I generally have more warning in terms of feminine discomfort? Like, things ache for a bit, and then it gets hard, it's never just....normal then boom, if that makes sense?
[11:30] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I was married to a PMS Queen for 30 years...
[11:30] Emilly Orr: Okay then.

So yeah, he definitely understands.

[11:30] Emilly Orr: Well, PMS is slightly different, though the girls know to toss me B and C vitamins if I start getting snappish. :D
[11:31] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I knew nearly a week in advance
[11:31] Emilly Orr: And yet. She still waited until...well. Now.

When she should have had ample warning of both when the classes start, since SHE sets them up, AND when her courses started and the expected levels of pain. Come on now. Even me, with my hugely erratic system--once I do start, I know what I'm in for. How can she forget something like that? Both of those things, the class time too?

[11:31] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and when she went into menopause I really knew it
[11:31] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so.. this is crap
[11:32] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Why or why do women seem to think men are idiots?
[11:32] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh why?
[11:33] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'll hush... I'm sorry
[11:34] Emilly Orr: No, you're not wrong. Not all of us do, but it is a prevailing trend.
[11:35] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's really insulting
[11:35] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's Misandry

It is, actually. It's very dismissive of an entire gender. Just as we complain about misogyny towards women, men do have a right to complain about using menstruation as an excuse to men. (Not actually having, and explaining; that's different, and again, if she's genuinely suffering, I get that. But.)

[11:37] Emilly Orr: I think most of us were raised that men dislike mention of menstruation, and a lot of men do, but not all of them. So women--some women--use that as a handy excuse. "I can't do [whatever], sorry, cramps."
[11:37] Emilly Orr: I'm not saying she is, just saying it's been done.
[11:38] Emilly Orr: And the expected response is "Ew, oh gods, okay, whatever, do what you need to, just don't tell me about it".
[11:38] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I know it well
[11:39] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Menstruation never put me off.. it's a fact of life.

I was sent a copy of her "notes" for the event, by [Txxx]. Even her notes would need heavy explanation to be used by another teacher:

Lay of Sigdrifa -- immediate segue from Lay of Fafnir (poem about Sigurd the Volsung killing Fafnir the dragon)...
begins with S. riding to Hindfell (unknown mtn in Frankish territory) to find Brynhild

* Brynhild = Sigdrifa? YES; Sigdrifa ('inciter to victory') a generic description of Valkyries, mistaken for proper name
* if Valkyries choose who _dies_ in a fight, they also choose who survives and wins
* (Brynhild kicked out of Asgard for supporting the wrong side -- Odin had promised to let other guy win [*loss of honor*])
* If Odin loses honor, he passes that loss on to Brynhild: no more exemption from marriage, female norms traditional *at the time*
(NO, this does not mean all modern Heathen women should stay out of the military and get married; it means women should keep their word as much as men.
She's the equivalent of a dishonorably discharged vet busted for insubordination.)

Brynhild still keeps some agency, allowed to marry fearless man

"Sleeping Beauty" parallels?

* Loss of innocence from tempting fate
* Magical stasis thru pricking (spindle vs. thorn), woman set up for future pricking (Freudian) by Mr. Right

Romanticized Valkyrie imagery?

* Yes; older Norse poems depict them as frightening, shrieking, wolf-riding hags
* Valkyries in Odin's service aren't sexual, or marriage wouldn't be punishment
* Do any serve Freyja? Strictly UPG, but Freyja needs help gathering "her" half -- what qualifications?

If I was completely familiar with the story, I could have flown with this. If. But since I'm not completely facile with this, just have the "I have read this" comprehension level, I would not feel comfortable addressing these points in a class.

[11:40] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Anyway, she did a nice job on her notes, but no notice? ...
[11:40] rxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: not one... I checked the groups.

He sent me the second part of her "notes":

-- only poem in the Eddas with the following:

* spoken prayer (Brynhild's "Hail to Day")
* magical techniques described in detail (where to carve what, materials used)
* individual runes named as part of spells (but archaeological evidence, other poems show that spells were not just isolated letters carved/named)
* ale-runes (protection from poison/magically spiked drinks) *may* support alternate rune name (leek/laukaz = laguz, not the actual plant here)

-- Brynhild's magical lessons a fragmented list, not in order; probably not from same poem

-- list of 24 magical things ("where runes are carved"): link to Elder Futhark is modern UPG, no order or pattern

-- slight Christian influence in ref to coffin burial (this and romanticized Valkyrie are "red flags" for late origin

-- life lessons: (1) pop-culture images of magic and the supernatural...not historically accurate
(2) lore itself recorded in conversion era; learn to spot non-Heathen elements, but don't throw whole thing out

Strangely, the second part of the notes is more cohesive, but I'd still have to dig up my copy of the Poetic Eddas and read through it, maybe Google for some things (granted, a five-minute search gave me every lore-related link here, but I didn't read through everything comprehensively; I'd want to do that to have familiarity for any questions asked by the class).

(Continued in part two, tomorrow.)

destination unknown when you don't know

People, this one is interesting. But it's not just a giveaway, it's a mystery. Like, to start with, I can't tweet my tracking link for the contest. Why? Because Astrology's Twitter account has been banned. Why? No clue. Not entirely sure what they could have done that was so bad, because Astrology is just the hair brand that followed Alice Project. I really don't know.

So what is it? Well, here's how the entry starts:

Invite your friends, win 5 fat packs... OR THE ENTIRE STORE
December 15, 2018 by Alice
Am I crazy? Yes! Am I crazy for doing this? Probably!

But it’s done. I’ve set it up. I’m typing it. It’s happening.

Astrology is having a...

Referral contest giveaway! For the entire store!!!

You could win up to 21 currently available fat packs + 3 new fat packs of your choice. I’ll probably have a couple new releases between now and January 15th, so you’ll get those too.

So...that's the offer. I don't know if she wants people to join the group--I think right now it's still free join--but:

How it works

You sign up for the contest right here and share the link provided to you. From December 15th to January 15th you can campaign to refer people to the contest. Every time someone signs up through your link, you get a point.

The 3 people who refer the MOST people to the contest are guaranteed a prize and a chance at winning THE ENTIRE STORE. Everyone else has a chance to be one of 5 people who will each win 1 fat pack.
There will be 8 total winners once the whole thing is finished.

So, do I expect to win this thing, with no access to their Twitter account now, and no Facebook to link to? No, not really. Do I like the brand enough to give them an entire blog post? Oh, yes, yes I do. Before I found Truth I lived almost exclusively in Alice Project hair, and I am slowly building up a treasure trove of the new stuff.



This is London, the small version. Usually L sizes are default for the busty, but in this case, L just gave me Tammy Wynette hair.

I love how this is a style I can wear casually, or at work--it's appropriate for both adventuring around the grid and dancing in fancy frocks.



This is Sabiana, a style that doesn't have large/small variants, but doesn't seem to need them. It's a bit more windswept, but still flexible for a bunch of settings.



And this is Horror, so named because it originally came out during October in a bloody version, I believe. I'm going to have to pull this one into edit and see if I can fix the alpha blending, and it does clip a bit into the chest, I'll have to see if that's just this pose, or if it's persistent. But for long, loose, breezy hairstyles, I love it.

I'd show off more, but seriously, that's all I have so far--all my other (many!) styles from the creator are from her former hair store, Alice Project. Many of which are still wearable today, which is neat. (Though to be fair, nearly all of them were acquired for Hallows (blood-spattered) or holiday (with candy-cane stripes, red/green stripes, or blue/ice stripes) use.

But yes--contest or no contest, I like Astrology. If she ever makes a ponytail style that has a styling hud that can change to long hair, I am hers for life. (Right now I have a ponytail from Truth that's the daily-wear option, and several loose-hair styles to switch to if needed from many makers.) Go, peruse what she has up now, know she's slowly converting the Alice Project styles to new mesh Astrology styles, and keep in mind she's a part of at least two sales events, Fifty Linden Fridays and SL Syndicate Sundays, so there are even changes to get specialty colors of her hair on discount!

I guess it doesn't matter any way

There are some days where being human is enough to make my skin crawl. This was one of those days. I tried to stay in human guise, but in the end, after the events of the day, I had to crawl out of it, I had to get into someone else, something else. I could not stand, not for one more moment, being...human.



This is what we know: [deleted by request], is gone.

[Statement following deleted by request].



Two days ago, [a terrible thing happened]. I cannot further go into it, as I have been asked to remove this content.



The fae lands do not soothe, today. Not even snow soothes, today. Because the horror wasn't over, isn't over. Today...today. Today [deleted by request is] gone.

[picture removed by request]

She's not gone for anyone who had her as a friend. I can still pull up her profile, her partner can, her other friends can...[all other details given removed by request.]

[picture removed by request]

[Paragraph removed by request].

[picture removed by request]

And now, even going home is no comfort, because, since I gave up my Caledon parcel, my home is their home. And how long will it exist? Do I need to scramble to find another place to rent? Will we ever hear from her again? Will we ever know why any of this happened?



This is what we know: that [deleted by request] is gone. And it may be all we ever know. This loss is chilling, and untenable, and...we must endure anyway, because there is nothing else we can do.

[The individual in question has responded. I have deleted the response but, because I put a great deal of effort into these pictures, I am leaving the post up; simply all personal details have been removed. I...am again rocked by her response, but it is her response, as far as I have any way of knowing, and I must honor it. She willingly left.]

[I also apologize to the reader that responded in comments; because her comment mentioned the former avatar's name, and my response may have given further information identifying that person, those comments have also been deleted.]