an invitation to your personal disaster

This was supposed to be continued directly from part one, but I think I lost a few lines, somehow. So we pick up from what remains.

[23:00] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I was leaving him alone.
[23:00] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Which is nothing compared to what 20s Berlin has to deal with ALL THE TIME. People come to be asses just because.
[23:00] Lxxx Sxxxxx: But now you're not.
[23:00] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: He changed the rules.

Did he? Really? After my trip to Oxbridge, reading through the extant notecard found on-site, I can't see where this policy conflicts with anything previously in the Covenant.

[23:00] Nxxxx Rxxx: He told me he would LOVE to be just a renter.
[23:00] Nxxxx Rxxx: That is his privelege.
[23:00] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He changed the rules, because he's the owner and he can do so.
[23:00] lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I've booted several people from Oxbridge who showed up calling themseslves a Nazi or spouting any sort of hate speech. And will continue to do so.
[23:00] Wxxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxx: When someone does that at Oxbridge, their onsim expectancy reduces to about two seconds.
[23:00] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: nods.
[23:00] Lxxx Sxxxxx: If you don't want to live here under those rules, talk to him and get your money back.
[23:01] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Exxx], he owns the place, he makes the rules... why is it that if you own a region, people totally think it's ok to just ignore you and do what they please?

It's a good point. And Des is a gentler land baron than many--all he wants, truly, is for folks to obey the Lindens' rules, and his own limited ones. Stay in theme, be polite, try not to cause drama--done.

[23:01] Lxxx Sxxxxx: But if you're breaking a new rule just because it's a new rule, then you're just being a troll.
[23:01] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: All estate owners deal with this stuff. It's part of the "job". And long time estate owners can handle it. They would not still be estate owners if they couldn't.
[23:02] Lxxx Sxxxxx: This has become a bigger problem, and you're just jumping on to be part of the problem.
[23:02] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: The Ebil Land Barons have absolute authority and ..."The Forms Must Be Obeyed" ;-)
[23:02] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: It's odd, I am the head estate manager and head of security for Roclciffe University... and people come there all the time, see the rules and violate them while standing right there in front of the rules board... then get pissed when you tell them about it... *sigh*
[23:03] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I just looked at the Covenant. Teleported over to Oxbridge just for that. It hasn't been changed. Still has that nice long section on Freedom of Expression.

Right. Because flying a Confederate flag has NOTHING TO DO with free expression "Free expression" does not mean "governmentally guaranteed free speech".

Also, a notice sent by Des to update said Covenant supersedes the 'official' posted notice, because it is a living document, it can change. Wait a few days, I'm sure the language will be updated to include the ban.

[23:04] Wxxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxx: Same happens at Oxbridge, [Nxxxx]. Tell a vampire that being a vampire is okay, but no vamp role-play on the sim, they ignore that and get booted.
[23:04] Mxxx Mxxxxxxx: http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2015/07/second-life-confederate-battle-flag-linden-lab.html
[23:04] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: [Exxxxxxxx]....Don't....really just don't fight this...you will lose and feelings will be hurt....just don't.
[23:04] Mxxx Mxxxxxxx: seems like Des is following LL community standards
[23:05] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Covenants get updated. It happens. Residents can choose to abide by the rules or to go to another estate with rules that are a better fit for them.
[23:07] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Or they can stand around saying "I dare you to kick me out!"
[23:07] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Which is not a very good thing to do.
[23:07] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Well, yes
[23:08] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Well people, I have to go to bed, I have an early VA appointment to go to... lets see if they get it right this time... ta ta for now all
[23:08] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Good luck
[23:08] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I hope he doesn't, but from tonight's conversation, it's clear that everyone hates me now for standing up for free expression, so what do I have to lose?

Your reputation? Your dignity? Any shred of self-respct you may have had?

[23:08] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I wish he would get on with it, though. It is already 1 am here.
[23:08] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Nobody hates you.
[23:09] Emilly Orr: We may be perplexed by your opinions, but we don't hate you.

Also, there are two major problems with your argument here, Miss [Pxxxxx]. First is, you're not standing up for free expression, because one, there is only the amount of free expression on a private virtual land that the estate owner--and, ultimately--the server owner--chooses to allow, as it is not a venue for free speech. And second, you're not standing up for free expression because flying a Confederate flag of any configuration, especially after Des has explicitly and clearly banned such, means you're standing for the values of your ancestors who originally chose that flag as their symbol, in the rise of the early civil rights movements, as a way to keep 'colored people' down and afraid of retaliation from whites. Is that really what you want to stand proudly behind?

[23:09] Lxxx Sxxxxx: And if you're waiting for him to log back in just to boot you, you're going to wait a lot.
[23:09] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: thanks Lady... apparently in service injuries ajust aren't what they used to be. lol
[23:09] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Exxx], don't hate you, don't even know you...
[23:09] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Nothing is anymore
[23:10] Lxxx Sxxxxx: We just don't agree with you.
[23:10] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: He logged out?
[23:10] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I would have thought he would at least boot me while I was here.

[[Note from the Editrix--Wait, I just caught this on the editing reread. I won't say all residents in Caledon are friended to Des, because I'm sure there are some outliers, but in general, if one maintains a Caledon residence, Des offers friendship.

[[Now, there are many reasons why Des would cease to be friends with anyone, and many of them are not sinister in the least--I still remember how Des discovered the thousand-friend cap that Linden Lab possessed at the time. However,, I think it's of note to point out here: Miss [Pxxxxx] didn't know that Des had already logged off. She is not on his friendslist.

[[Interesting.]]

[23:10] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He doesn't want to boot anybody.
[23:11] Emilly Orr: If you're talking Des, no he's offline.
[23:11] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: He'd rather not evict anyone.
[23:11] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: It might take a few days for him to update it on the sims. I think Caledon is divided into multiple (technical) estates. That's a lot of covenant updating.
[23:11] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: No. There is only one copy of the Covenant now. It is in Oxbridge
[23:11] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He switched to keeping the covenant on Oxbridge so he didn't have to update all of them.
[23:11] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: The rest of the sims just have a note saying go read that copy
[23:11] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: he is forgiving on tier (to a certain extent) he's forgiving on other issues...
[23:12] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: It makes it much easier for him.
[23:12] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Ahh - ok. That makes total sense.
[23:12] Mxxx Mxxxxxxx: And for a while years ago the covenant was causing bad lag

Likely because it's a long and specific document. I can understand that.

[23:13] Lxxx Sxxxxx: But he doesn't want to boot you, or anybody else. He just wants you to follow the rules, as lenient as they still are.
[23:13] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx wonders what she missed

Soooo much. All the things.

[23:13] Nxxxx Rxxx: Yes. It was causing lag.
[23:13] Emilly Orr: Apparently a lot, I just logged in a short while ago.
[23:13] Emilly Orr sets off to try to find the covenant in Caledon.
[23:13] Nxxxx Rxxx: See Des's recent notice.
[23:13] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Caledon Oxbridge is where it is.
[23:14] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: click the land tab when you get to Oxbridge

And I did. Clear as day there. No changes that aren't already in like with Linden official policy. I'm baffled by this entire controversy.

[23:14] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Des has been getting complaints about Confederate flags, and so he logged in and said "Please don't do that."
[23:14] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: A change to the convenant.
[23:14] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ah
[23:14] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: *covenant
[23:14] Emilly Orr: Ah. Well, if that's all it is, I see no problem with it.
[23:14] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Not the convent ;-)
[23:14] Lxxx Sxxxxx: So, please don't do that. :P
[23:14] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: We need a convent here, too.
[23:15] Emilly Orr: We used to have a few, but they were...hmm. Convents of the original meaning?
[23:15] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Indeed
[23:15] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: just don't get into any dirty habits
[23:17] Lxxx Sxxxxx: A couple of years ago, I kept driving by a house in England with the Texas flag flying over it.
[23:17] Lxxx Sxxxxx: I thought... "Well that's something."
[23:17] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I just realized I had not been flying the proper flag until just now. I had the horizontal offset messed up on the back. It is now corrected.

I'm sure all the one of you is thrilled.

[23:18] Lxxx Sxxxxx: [Exxxxxxx], if you are really that insistent that you are going to fly that flag until you are kicked out, you are GOING to be kicked out.
[23:18] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: Don't play games of "chicken" with land baron's and EM's, you will lose.
[23:19] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Either that or just having it returned on a regular basis.
[23:19] Lxxx Sxxxxx: I'm not sure why you want to take a stand over something that has been building hate for at least 80 years.
[23:19] Lxxx Sxxxxx: It's not the flag's fault, but this will be yours.
[23:19] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Is there an EM online who would like to kick me out?
[23:20] Lxxxxxx Mxxxxxx: why are you so eager to be kicked out?
[23:20] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Because it will make them ... happy?

Why do you think so?

[23:20] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I am not. I want Desmond to rescind the rule change.

It won't. He won't change his mind.

[23:20] Nxxxx Rxxx: I gather her point is she resents the change in the Covenant because freedom of expression is very important to her. I don't think her chosen method of protest makes any sense because it will not only cause Des MORE headaches, but it will truly upset others who have nothing to do with the Covenant change.
[23:20] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He's not going to.
[23:21] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx kind of thinks that is not going to happen
[23:21] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He's spent a decade trying not to change it.
[23:21] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He's not going to unchange it for at least another decade.
[23:21] Lxxxxxx Mxxxxxx: seems to me that insisting on being kicked out is only going to make the rule more solidly in place after the fact
[23:21] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: as a Brit and an outside observer I would observe that there are much more important issues in the world to take a stand over than a war that has been over for more than 150 years
[23:21] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I agree

Exactly. This makes no sense.

[23:21] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: [Exxxxxxxx], a hypothetical, if I was an Ebil Land Baron with a rule against that flag and you said what you have been saying, I'd just evict ban right now.... I might refund your L$ in the meter, or not..... but I am not as....easygoing as some. I'm going to suggest again, to not play chicken with EM's and Land barons.
[23:23] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Des does not want to kick anyone out, and he does not want those flags. You are choosing to be kicked out, on purpose. So if you're that mad, then leave.
[23:23] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: If the war has been over for 150 years, why are people suddenly now refighting it? Do they think the Confederacy didn't lose hard enough the first time?

Apparently not, there's a bunch of Southern yahoos still insistening on flying this flag as part of their 'cultural heritage'.

[23:23] Emilly Orr: Miss [Pxxxxx], I doubt EMs or Des himself will kick you out. They will, likely, return your flag.
[23:23] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Apparently not, because the idiots waving it around now seem to think it gives them superpowers or something.
[23:24] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: I'm sorry, did you not see the people with flags saying things like "Jews will not replace us"?
[23:24] Emilly Orr: And chanting "Hail Victory"--which is what "Sieg Heil" means in English?
[23:24] Emilly Orr: Or throwing Nazi salutes? No, Charlottesville upped the game.
[23:24] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: and as some might put it "Jim Freaking Crow"
[23:24] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Ms [Pxxxxx], because of what the flag always meant and what its supports still believe it represents
[23:24] Emilly Orr: And Des has been having this fight, OVER and over, for YEARS now.
[23:25] Emilly Orr: It wasn't even the original flag of the Confederacy!
[23:25] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: That makes no sense. "Jews will not replace us"? Jews are less than 1% of the population. They were probably saying "you will not replace us"

Wow, you are a clueless block of ignorance. What would saying "You will not replace us" have fixed, or have made better? It was still a bunch of idiots threatening protesters with burning torches, yelling slurs and insults.

[23:25] Emilly Orr: It was adopted AFTER the war was over!
[23:25] lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Hate doesn't go away easily.
[23:25] Lxxx Sxxxxx: No, they said both.
[23:25] Emilly Orr: There are recordings, Miss [Pxxxxx].
[23:25] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: I'm sorry, but I Heard it VERY clearly.
[23:25] Emilly Orr: They can clearly be heard.
[23:25] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: That makes no sense.

Maybe to you, but to anyone with an actual, functional creasining capacity it makes perfect sense.

[23:25] Lxxx Sxxxxx: They were yelling JEW on purpose.
[23:25] lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Jews get the rap for a lot of things that don't make sense.
[23:25] Lxxx Sxxxxx: THEY make no sense.
[23:25] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Well, I never said they were not idiots.

Yet you're on the side of those idiots. Beware the company you keep.

[23:25] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: hello anti-semitism!
[23:25] Lxxx Sxxxxx: And you are siding with them, in this fight.
[23:25] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: And they clearly don't know their history well.
[23:26] Mxxx Mxxxxxxx: He's not going to change the change. This is me talking, not that an EM is an official anything or gets any inside scoop, but his RL time is short. These issues eat up his time. Bluntly, you like Caledon? Or want to grind him so that when he looks at the books and sees the late tier payment he think "why bother?" You want to push that issue? Des wants Caledon to go on and on but why flipping push the man?
[23:26] Lxxx Sxxxxx: You apparently like making Des miserable.
[23:26] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: Don't play chicken with land barons and EM's you WILL lose.
[23:26] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Because he pushed me first.
[23:26] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He didn't push anybody.

Let me restate that, because it sounds vaguely important. Des did not push anyone into doing anything. He was putting his foot down in a meaningful way to preserve the overall peace of a region under his control. Anyone, or anything, that threatens that region he will find a way to deal with. If Ms. [Pxxxxx] continues to threaten that region, he will find a way to deal with her.

It will not make him happy, but one resident over the masses...well, it's always going to come down to the residents that aren't violating the covenant, isn't it? That's just simple logic.

[23:26] Wxxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxx: Be that as it may, the usage of a symbol can change its meaning, as happened with the Swastika.
[23:26] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: his regions, his rules.
[23:26] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Hoo boy...
[23:27] Lxxxxxx Mxxxxxx: he didn't push you. He made a rule about what he's willing to deal with in his reigon as is his right.
[23:30] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: But why pick on the Confederate Flag? The covenant doesn't even ban Nazi stuff? It's just weird.

Because when Caledon first rose from the virtual sea, the only people who affected Nazi uniforms and symbolism were griefers and trolls. I'm sure no one felt that they needed to institute an estate-wide ban, because what sane person would embrace Nazis in any way?

[23:30] Wxxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxx: Ultimately, all estates in SL are private property.
[23:30] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Well, Nazi stuff would be out of period, of course.

That too. Yes.

[23:31] Lxxxxxx Mxxxxxx: Nazi stuff is covered under hate speech and symbols, I believe

Also that. Ultimately, while private estates can make their own covenants of behavior--and many, including Caledon, do--the overarching terms of service Linden Lab maintains is the ultimate standard of conduct. And they have banned hate speech and symbols since they've been a virtual world in the first place.

[23:31] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: not really, the views and hate have historical roots
[23:31] Lxxx Sxxxxx: He wants people to play nice.
[23:31] Lxxx Sxxxxx: THAT is his rule.
[23:31] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: pogroms went on against Jews for 100s of years before the Nazi party was invented
[23:32] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Yes, I know my history.

Not very well, apparently.

[23:33] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yet you want to support this symbol?
[23:33] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: European Christians, (both Catholic and Protestant) persecuted Jews from the time that the Roman empire adopted Christianity as the state religion.
[23:33] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I'm not flying a Nazi flag.
[23:33] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Apparently they just want the right to make people uncomfortable before they will stop.
[23:34] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 'those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them' or some such
[23:34] Wxxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxx: As [Cxxxxx] said, Nazi stuff would be cover under hate speech because it has become symbolic of such speech.
[23:34] Wxxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxx: - "An avatar may express ideas and opinions without fear of retribution. - Please note that slander, libel, hate speech (racial, ethnic or homophobic, or gender slurs), scamming, fraud, harassment &c. are not considered free speech and thus not protected."
[23:34] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: That's good. Because that would get you kicked out of SL. Nazi stuff is against LL's TOS.

And always has been, from day one in the alpha.

[23:34] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I thought the discussion was about the Confederate flag? which has been taken over by people with the same message as the Nazis?
[23:34] Lxxx Sxxxxx: That's part of the problem.
[23:35] Lxxxxxx Mxxxxxx): it was, but [Exxxxxxxx] commented that it's not fair 'cause not even the nazi flag is mentioned
[23:35] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Victorian England (which Caledon is modeled after) in Real Life colonized and conquered nearly half the world. Let's ban steampunk.

Now you're being silly.

[23:35] Axxxxxxx Lxxxxxx: all i know is that SL has been terrible since Charlottsville, every sim i go to has people arguing about the stupid confederate flag and other CLEAR symbols of racism :(
[23:35] Lxxxxxx Mxxxxxx: so we pointed out it's covered
[23:35] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: And that's a good point.
[23:36] Mxxx Mxxxxxxx: We're expected to be adults with common sense and manners. Bento nose picking motions bug me.
[23:36] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I bet people in India would find Caledon pretty damn offensive.
[23:37] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Or in Southern Africa.
[23:37] Lxxx Sxxxxx: And if they do, they have every right to go somewhere else.

Maybe, but that's not under discussion. I do know Miss Kamenev had a wonderful series of talks some years back on Orientalism and steampunk, pity I can't track them down now, but in essence: yes, the free adoption of Indian details (along with Japanese and Chinese ones, as Britons traveled the world) was offensive because of why the British did it: namely, that as whites, cultural appropriation didn't strike them with any impact, because anyone not a member of the Great and Shining Island didn't really matter, in any realistic sense. And yes, that's a very offensive idea.

But at its core, we are steeped in our modernity. We can understand why a people did a thing, and how, without fully committing to their flaws of logic. And we may learn from the racism and prejudices of the past without adopting them ourselves.

Something Miss [Pxxxxx] seems to have missed in all of this.

[23:37] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the 3 people from that heritage I was talk to yesterday think it is wonderful
[23:37] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Southern Africa is more Dutch problems.
[23:37] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Northern Africa is more French problems.
[23:37] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: one of them is a 2000 day old AV
[23:37] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Where the British not only oppressed the black people, but the white people, too.
[23:38] Wxxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxx: Ultimately, Des has the authority to make and interpret the rules and enforce them either personally or by delegation. While he tries to be fair, his interpretation of what a symbol means is the bottom line. The covenant includes that he is not Solomon. It also says "Please note that we are not constitutional rights experts, this may be an imperfect document, and we may not make perfect decisions every time. But we promise to try to do things right in good faith.."
[23:38] nxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: interesting as this is, it is off the point
[23:38] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I will give the British Empire credit for banning the slave trade.
[23:38] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: And being willing to enforce it with their Navy, even to the extent of treating slave ships as pirates.
[23:39] lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And the people demonstrating and waving around Confederate flags today, are against anyone who is different from them. I doubt most of those punks have a clue about most of the history.

I would tend to agree. But then, I'm already wondering how deep Miss [Pxxxxx]'s apparently 'knowledge' of history goes, as well.

(Continued in part three.)

dire straits and dirty consequences

This is going to be in several parts, but I can't stand back and not cover this. Because this is ridiculous privilege on an insane level.

Also, I made the choice not to anonymize Desmond Shang, because as soon as the rest of the chat mentions Caledon, he'll effectively be named anyway.

[21:57] Desmond Shang: ok, about to do an announcement
[21:57] Desmond Shang: if anyone's interested.

Des, for those who may be new to the blog, owns the Independent States of Caledon.

[21:57] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: O.O
[21:57] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: I am
[21:57] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: cries gloom and doom!
[21:57] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the skye is falling
[21:57] Desmond Shang: I'm sorry we didn't have much of a public discussion about changes as we normally do
[21:57] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we have discussions?
[21:57] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: makes a note

Actually, quite a few policy decisions have been hashed out in ISC chat over the years. It's not an everyday thing, but it has happened.

[21:57] Desmond Shang: but this one, I think people will understand ~ I've got to make the call and stick to it.
[21:58] Desmond Shang: well ti's been ages since we had anything like this.
[21:58] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh no!
[21:58] Desmond Shang: looks like you will be the only one on chat to hear it :)
[21:58] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no there are others out there
[21:58] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Oh?
[21:58] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: Meep
[21:58] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: see.
[21:58] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: I'm here
[21:59] Desmond Shang: a couple others
[21:59] Ixxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm here
[21:59] sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx): I'm listening
[21:59] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: puts on her rabbit ears
[21:59] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the rabbit gave a good fight
[21:59] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: before i got them off
[21:59] Desmond Shang: this was a long time coming, I'm afraid... anyway, here goes.
[22:00] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: your the boss
[22:00] Pxxxxx Rxxxxxx: WHAT?!?!
[22:01] Bxxx Pxxxxxxx: I am on too, and I say HEAR, HEAR! I applaud the decision.

This makes it sound like he'd sent the notice, but I didn't receive it until the time mentioned below. But these do seem to be reactions to that notice.

[22:01] Pxxxxx Rxxxxxx: FINE, I'm LEAVING THE GROUP! THAT IS OFFENSIVE TO WHO I AM AND WHERE I CHOOSE TO LIVE!!!

Well, now I'm just confused. Is she seriously talking about leaving Caledon over...a flag?? I don't get it.

[22:01] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: maby we should just say alright and moveon
[22:01] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: The Govnah has spoken
[22:01] Pxxxxx Rxxxxxx: Too many Sheeple
[22:01] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: *sigh*
[22:02] Pxxxxx Rxxxxxx: You allow non inclusive arabic names and such, but not My flag?!?
[22:02] Pxxxxx Rxxxxxx: Farewell Caledon

Is she...kidding? I really hope she's kidding.

[22:02] Bxxx Pxxxxxxx: Oh dear, And I was just about to wonder if it really was an issue here, Caledon being the tolerant and accepting state that it is.
[22:03] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: It is NOT your flag, since the CSA doesn't exist anymore, OUR flag is the stars and stripes. Which I don't fly in Caledon, because....hello Caledon!
[22:03] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Sorry people, but He is the owner, it's his house, he gets to choose what is and isn't allowed in his house...
[22:03] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I never had any desire to fly a confederate flag in Caledon... until I was told I could not.

That's just being contrary for the sake of being contrary. Why?

[22:06] Desmond Shang: I think now, some of you may be experiencing the sort of flak and feelings I've been dealing with daily for a while.
[22:06] Lxxx Sxxxxx can imagine, and doesn't want to.
[22:06] Lxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I agree, Des. Thank you.
[22:07] Lxxx Sxxxxx: RL is crazier than SL at this point.
[22:07] Desmond Shang: After 12 years of it, and last week, that was pretty much it.
[22:07] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: (heck I'd fly the caledon flag from my cabin cruiser but it's a MODERN cabin cruiser)
[22:07] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: Wouldn't stop me, Ms. [CC]!
[22:07] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Ms. [CC], never stopped me (LOL)
[22:08] Gxxxxxxx Rxxxx: Were there a lot of Confederate flags flying in Caledon? I had to deal with this years ago when I owned New Toulouse.
[22:09] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: As for that "non-inclusive Arabic name" remark, that was directed at me over our rebuilding efforts. I see it didn't go as deep as I thought it did - at this point, I think Miss [P]'s basically lost all of her credibility with me.

As I mentioned in a previous article, the naming of Mondrago-risen has been an issue of some note. Though now I'm wondering about the 'non-inclusive' name reference, because Mondrago is not, and never has been, Caledon. So what does she actually mean?

[22:09] Gxxxxxxxx Rxxx: Seeing as we were based on New Orleans. And St John is too, although it's never been an issue here.
[22:09] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: isn't Mondrago like Al-Andalus but meditteranean?
[22:10] Kxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxx has one look at the notice, laughs, and goes to make the biggest bowl of popcorn in years.
[22:10] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: Yes, in fact, judging from the name, I'd say Al-Andalus wouldn't have been very far from our successive Balearic city-states.
[22:10] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: New Tolouse said no last year
[22:11] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: The Republic of Cala Mondrago has always been somewhere off the eastern coast of Spain.
[22:11] Gxxxxxxx Rxxxx: I had already said no when I owned it in 2012. ;-)
[22:11] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: Avoid wars you can't win, and never raise your flag for an asinine cause like slavery. :)
[22:12] Axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: OK we need to stop now.
[22:12] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: Sorry, [Axxxxx].

Then the notice--at least, for me and some others--came out.

[22:12] Desmond Shang:

Group Notice Sent by: Desmond Shang
Rare Caledon covenant change from Des.
It's pretty rare the Caledon covenant changes (it has been YEARS) but there will be a change. In short: no Confederate flags.

There is probably an appropriate venue for discussion of the fine points of 'why' or 'why not' vis a vis the Confederate flag, but in short, that venue isn't here in Caledon. This has been a pernicious issue here for years, and I've tried to be as patient as possible, but after the RL events of last week... it's time.

Des

I think that pretty much says it all, doesn't it? Well...not for some.

[22:12] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: So... back to the eclipse

And...that should have been where it ended. But...no, of course it didn't end there.

[22:13] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I think it is something to have a discussion about.

According to Des, he's been dealing with this issue since Caledon launched, so believe me, all relevant discussion has likely already occurred.

[22:13] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It is done
[22:13] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Kind of funny, it's happening the day before a doctors appointment I have had schedualed for like a year and a half
[22:15] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: They asked me if i could remember it. I said well it's the day after a major eclipse... I'll remember that when the lights go out and come back on... I should get my eyes checked... lol
[22:15] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: :-)
[22:28] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Would anyone like to come to my lighthouse and see my confederate flag flying high over the tower?

No.

[22:29] NNxxxx Sxxxxxxx: *sigh* and people wonder why the world is less than it was... here it is
[22:29] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx: geez
[22:29] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: waves at skye.
[22:29] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx waves unhappily back
[22:30] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: If Desmond is going to pull the free expression part of the Caledon Covenant, I at least want a reduction in my rent.

You won't get it. Because you can always leave and live elsewhere.

[22:30] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx: I'm quite stunned....
[22:31] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Nobody wants to come see the stars and bars flying over Stormhold?

Nope.

[22:31] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: It's almost like... no one cares?

After Charlottesville? No, I think the problem is that many of us started to care, where we didn't before (and joined the rest of us who have cared for a great while). We are not supporting neo-Nazis and rebranded white nationalists. As a teacher on Twitter said, you cannot be a patriotic American and a Nazi. Because we fought a literal war over it. The whole world participated.

[22:31] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx: you don't wanna get me started, [Exxxxxxxx]
[22:31] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Hmm...
[22:31] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: It's not freedom of expression, you are flying the flag of someone who was an enemy of the United States... *sigh* As a Veteran, and someone who faught in a war, this right here pisses me off...
[22:31] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx: I hate it when rl dribbles into sl like that
[22:32] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I did not start it.
[22:32] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx: me either - I'm originally a yank
[22:32] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: But its here now. The Governor brought it in.

Yes. Des brought it in. Do you know why he brought it in, Miss [Pxxxxx]? Because of PEOPLE LIKE YOU who refuse to listen to reason. He's fought this battle for years now, and after Charlottesville, he cannot continue the controversy on his lands. He is saying no. It is his right to say no. You don't have to live in Caledon. You can live elsewhere.

[22:32] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx: but I still think the thing is pointless
[22:32] Sxxx Fxxxxxxxx hangs up
[22:32] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: IT'S HIS PLACE! HE MAKES THE RULES!

Precisely. Why are you bucking the system, Miss [Pxxxxx]?

[22:34] Nxxxx Rxxx: Personally I think the Covenant should read ONLY steamlands flags, or only caledon flags
[22:34] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Nxxxxx], I agree.
[22:35] Lxxx Sxxxxx: Freedom of expression says you can rip up a picture of the Pope, too. It doesn't say anybody has to like you after you do it.
[22:38] Mxxx Mxxxxxxx: This is a hot issue in RL today. and people are acting, in my opinion, all Salem Witch Trials. Of course slavery is disgusting but why not fix today's evils - like imprisoned sex workers.
[22:38] Bxxx Pxxxxxxx: [Nxxxx], I kind of like that idea, because it cuts out RL entirely.
[22:38] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Sure looks pretty up there... Not quite flapping in the breeze because I don't know how to do flexi-prims, but you get the idea.

I, for one, really don't. Feel free to paper the inside of your skybox with Confederate flags, if you wish, but keeping it up, publically displayed, after Des has stated firmly that no Confederate flags will be allowed...that's less standing up for freedom of speech, Miss [Pxxxxx], and more like a tiny chimpanzee flinging poo. It's definitely showing poor manners, at best, and at worst, deliberately trying to test Des' control. It won't work.

[22:40] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Mxxx], while I agree with you, people who keep sex slaves aren't walking into clergy conferences and beating them up, they aren't marching to incite riots, and they aren't ramming their cars into innocent people...
[22:40] Desmond Shang: I'm going to point something out, just to be totally clear.
[22:40] Desmond Shang: Free speech, USA style, literally includes Nazi flags.
[22:42] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Funny thing, in Germany, a free democracy of sorts, if you fly that flag, or Nazi salute, you will get beat up, and arrested...
[22:42] Desmond Shang: Quite frankly, I'm not going to blow up Caledon over a 'cause' ~ not this one. I had people demand free expression over child avatars too. I'm done with this one.
[22:42] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Arrested.
[22:43] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Yes, arrested...
[22:43] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: yep, considering what happened they take Nazi expression VERY seriously.
[22:43] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: I can kind of understand where they are coming from. Clearly as a nation, after starting two world wars, Germany doesn't have the maturity or self-control to deal with that sort of thing.

Maturity and...self...control...Miss [Pxxxxx], are you TRYING to piss people off?

[22:43] Desmond Shang: [Exxxxxxxx], I'm a jew. just fyi.
[22:43] Cxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxx: I wouldn't say that, they might think that they are being mature by dealing with it the way they are.
[22:44] Cxxxxxxxxxxx Fxx jew-high-fives Desmond
[22:44] Desmond Shang: good night, all.

And with that, Des of the massive storeholds of patience, had potentially reached his breaking point. He left rather than wallow in the conversation that followed.

What can I say? I'm a wallower.

[22:44] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Most Germans don't understand why we allow the confederate flag...
[22:44] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: Oh. Did you know that the Secretary of State of the Confederacy was a jew?
[22:44] Cxxxxxxxxxxx Fxx: Night Des :o
[22:44] Nxxxx Sxxxxxxx: good night Govnah
[22:44] Cxxxxxxx Wxxxxxxxx: Goodnight, Guv!
[22:45] Cxxxxxxxxxxx Fxx: I just logged in. Looks like I missed a chat!
[22:45] Bxxx Pxxxxxxx: Goodnight guv
[22:45] Exxxxxxxx Pxxxxx: They did not hate jews

No? Jews were also targeted for late-night runs of men in white hoods. They generally weren't left lynched on the trees, though. They were simply beaten, shot, and buried, so their families never knew what happened.

But you are right in that, during the Civil War, they needed staunch fighting men on their side. So Judah Benjamin, a strong supporter of slavery, was elected to the office. He was the first Jew to be elected to the State Senate who had not renounced the faith.

But, Miss [Pxxxxx], where you're dead-on wrong is that the Confederate flag you seem so determined to fight for wasn't adopted as a symbol during, or even just after, the Civil War. It was widely adopted between the mid-1930s and the 1940s by so-called 'white supremacist' groups, that vowed that anyone darker of skin would never be comfortable in their 'modern' South.

What began as a regiment's charge became a racist symbol, and that symbol, like the swastika, cannot be reclaimed.

(Continued in part two.)

I rode a lion to town, use a rattlesnake whip

(This poster of Olivia Wilde was drawn by Shephard Fairey for the ACLU fundraising campaign of the same name.)

Ran across this image and the following passage, reproduced below, on someone's profile.

"Most Americans want a great, kind and strong democracy. We got lazy - we got fussy. Not enough voted. Not enough acted.

"Get active. Pick any good cause, this is one of mine. Planned Parenthood. Or send some candy hearts to the Badlands National Park Service! Anything, small or large. Get together and organize!

"A catastrophe for America and the world is unfolding and we must stop it. Get in with love, and get to work.

And look, cynicism as a response to everything is an immature person's idea of sophistication, and a small-minded habit of otherwise smart people. It's cheap. It's easy. It's BORING. It demoralizes the people we most need. Hawk that dollar store plastic cutlery set elsewhere."

I felt it needed to be said. I'll also add this, and urge anyone who has the funds and a desire to help to send help - financial preferred, but even notes of support are tangible things--to one or more of the organizations listed in that article, to help the affected in Charlottesville.

Fight against the darkness. There are things you can do. Do them.

running my hands along your edges

It's taken me some time to figure out how to say this. I won't lie that I felt extremely angry over this, and was lashing blame in several directions, though never to any of the folks I truly feel are, at least partially, responsible. I've calmed down since, but the embers are still there. What I'm going to say hurts...and deeply. And it didn't have to hurt at all. That's the thing that galls most, I think.


(An aerial overview of a section of Armada.)

This was part of the build in progress. Yes, the air was thick with the smells of drying fish and diesel, but it was still pleasant to walk the various docks and rope bridges, stopping in at myriad tea shops along the way. Saying hello to passing citizenry. All gone into the mists.


(Another view from a slightly different angle, of Armada.)

The floating circus tent off to the left was a meeting hall for residents. Inside could be found a center rotunda from which to air grievances, and surrounding the main floor were risers, for those who wished to sit, with the outer ring comprised of booths that sold fruit-sweetened drinks, popped grains of various kinds, strips of fish jerky and rough ales. This, too, disappeared when Armada did.


(A shot taken in murky waters underneath the bay, of the old Armadan rotunda.)

Underneath the waters could be found the lost ships that didn't make the whole of the journey, and the ruins of the first rotunda, sinking slowly into the shifting sea bottom. They are all gone, now, too.


(Archduke Hiro Shatner, in happier times..)


And what of the Duke himself? Well, for a variety of reasons (chiefly to do with the motiver behind the glass), he is kept far from the grid, but not some small part must be laid at the feet of the complainants against Armada. The reason he allowed it to dissolve back into the mists in the first place was because he could not stand the dunning missives, the angry IMs, the cavalcade of stampading dissent against him, the sim of Armada in the first place, against what he chose to build.

After months of verbal abuse, he finally could not take another negative word, and it was easier for him to cease its growing life than to fight for it. I do not blame him; I do blame those who spoke against it so vociferously that the only way to end stress from that quadrant, he thought, was to let the dream go.



And what about the denizens of Armada-now-dissolved? I didn't think to ask at the last moment of contact with the Archduke, but many of them were specifically programmed to do their duties on Armada itself. What happens to them?

Like this skyship piloteer. Where have they gone? Have they been packaged up and moved to Gearhaven? But Gearhaven as a whole uses much less complex robotic servitors, so...where do the elite units like this go?


(Being ferried around one of the original four sims; now down to two, or possibly even one.)

I may have more pictures, I'll keep looking. But I hadn't made it a priority to take a great many, because I was waiting for the grand opening. I wanted to announce Armada, had every plan to...and now, like every other precious thing on the grid that's gone away, it's disappeared into the digital mist. All because certain people could not stand the reclaiming of a dream not theirs.

We dream, we build, we pull our fancies into virtual reality. Isn't that the point? We won't agree with everything people build--just on my own small count, I received literally dozens, if not hundreds, of complaints on my various structures, in nearly every sim I've lived in. Part of it is that I'm not the best builder, and I admit that. But part of it is, what wants to crawl out of my head into reality doesn't agree with more than a few people.

I accept that, for the most part. But even I am not immune to criticism. I'm eleven years on the grid now, and I have had exactly one Rez Day party, because of how terrifyingly badly the first one went. Eleven years gone, some of the participants at that party having long left the grid, and it's still a scar on my soul. I may never be able to have another Rez Day party again.

I don't say that to elicit sympathy, or fish for compliments. I'm trying to make the point that that is one instance of a thing that changed me, changed my behavior on the grid. It took some of the luster out of a particular tradition, because of what one single person chose to say.

So how much more so when the complaints mount up? When they're paired with accusations of theft, misconduct, plagiarism--none of which are true? When they result in people complaining to other sim owners, sim owners that have nothing to do with a separate sim entirely? How much more does the stress increase when it's not just one person disapproving, but dozens? And over and over and over again, every single time he logs in?

Here's how bad it got--again, I am naming no specific names, but four individuals (that I've been able to verify) spoke to my direct superior at Sakura House, warning her against my involvement with the Duke. As courtesans, all we really have are our words and our reputations, as t'were, to stand on. And here were four voices dripping poison into her ears, out of 'concern', out of 'worry', that I was somehow traipsing off with a huckster and would abandon my House.

Why plant those sorts of doubts in someone who has control over whether I stay at Sakura or are forced out? Perhaps, to put even more pressure on the Archduke, an extremely underhanded and dishonorable style of attack indeed. But now we are here. Regardless of who and why, we have lost Armada, again, and I, at least, will mourn for its passing.

where the weeping flowers hide

things fall apart, the centre cannot hold...



a shape with lion body and the head of a man...

Da mihi de te solliciti. Obsecro, ubi es?

(The two lines are of course from The Second Coming by William Yeats, written in 1919.)

I'm not gonna be Mercy, I'm not gonna be any kind of support

We start with Zibska, who frequently designs things for aliens, and "Metis" is no exception. This is shown in white and red tones, and seems to just be variously sized spheres.



This is "Aoede", in white. ...I got nothin'.



This is "Hegemone", sort of a...modern carved beehive? Shown in a very dark brown.



This is "Sinope", a series of outward-pointing cones, in white.



And finally, "Thebe", a wave to end all waves, shown in dark brown.

You can find Zibska on the Noirette sim at Hair Fair.



Next up, "Oakley" from Blues, shown in a rose gold tone from the Naturals 2 hud.



This is "Olivia" shown in a deep cobalt from the Colors 2 hud, and a pale blue on the bows from the included accessories hud (all the tones are pastels for the bows).

Not shown: "Ordinary", because apparently I forgot to take the picture. Oops.

You can find Blues on the Blonde sim at Hair Fair.



Next is Gorgeous Dolls, and their...ponytail?...style called "Foxy Gyal", shown in a brown-to-pale-red ombre from the Sweet Glamour w/Roots hud.



This is "Gloria", shown in a sort of...black to ash lilac?...from the Brazilian Bundles hud.



This is "Maddie", shown in a rich, deep red from the Naturals w/Roots hud.



This is "Pam", a spunky razor bob, shown in a rich blonde with overdyed roots from the Sweet Glamour w/Roots hud.



And this is "Zara", shown in a streaky red and black from the Naturals w/Roots hud.

You can find Gorgeous Dolls on the Brunette sim at Hair Fair.



Last is Runaway, with "Aschera", shown in a foxtail blonde-to-coppery-red ombre from the Ombres & Roots hud.



This is "Cherry", shown in a solid mid-brown tone from the Browns hud. Still not crazed over ballcap hair, but this one comes with nine different styles/patterns, including a solid pink hat that says "CUTE BUT PSYCHO". I've always been fond of that phrase.



This is "Ellie" in a very nice digital cyan from the Colorful hud, and it comes with a styling menu.



And this is "Nicole", shown in a bright, rich red from the Reds hud.

You can find Runaway on the Blonde sim at Hair Fair.

And keep in mind, there are two cam sims this year, to avoid the lag--Foils, for the Blonde and Brunette sims, and Streaks, for Noirette and Brunette. Happy shopping!

And...that's it, that's all I'm covering. Now, to RL moving, followed by digital excavations, turning the Photobucket hostage pic links back into active picture links. Joy.

it keeps on screaming for release

This is "Kasumi" from Ayame Ame, in tone 6 from the Brown/Red hud.



This is "Nejiri", using the provided hairbase to match tone 1 from the Blonde/Beige hud. Why don't they match?



This is "Tozashi", in the deep navy tone from the Essentials hud.



And this is "Tsugai", in the lime tone from the Nippon Colors I hud. I really like the braid-buns on this style, but I'm not crazy about the bowl-cut bangs, sadly.

You can find Ayame Ame on the Redhead sim at Hair Fair.



Next up, Mina, with "Emma", in tone 5 from the Reds hud.



This is "Fiona" in the third tone from the Dip Dye hud.



And this is "Luna" in the last tone from the Pastels hud.

You can find Mina also on the Redhead sim at Hair Fair.



This is Wasabi Pill's short flip "Camille". The attached bows come in sixteen solid colors and four patterns (two polka dots, two ginghams).



This is "Elle", in the third tone from Fireworks (the Roots menu). The attached hair bands come in sixteen different solid colors.



And this is "Sienna", in...I now forget, but it's a blended red/black tone from the Lunar hud. I think tone 3?


You can find Wasabi Pills on the Blonde sim at Hair Fair.



Lastly, Limerence, and their long, wavy style "Jess". This is in a sort of peachy light red tone from their All natural set hud.



This is "Kate", shown in a mid-blue tone from the Colour set hud.



And this is "Laila", shown in the ninth, brown-to-red-shift tone from the Ombre set hud. There aren't set colors for the hair bands, just an RGB picker, but it's pretty easy to use.

You can find Limerence on the Redhead sim at Hair Fair.

And keep in mind, there are two cam sims this year, to avoid the lag--Foils, for the Blonde and Brunette sims, and Streaks, for Noirette and Brunette. Happy shopping!

in hope the tide will grant me stay

Today, we start with Bliensen & Maitai's "Balboa" turban style, shown in a bright orange-red tone from the Reds hud. The bottom of the hud comes with fifteen colors and two metals for the turban, and comes with built-in resizing options for the hair itself. Neat.



This is "Chained", in a gingery blonde from the Blonds hud. The inset image is the actual 'chain' for the style. The hud will tint it silver (shown) or gold.



And this is "Grimhild", with the battle-axe hairpins, in a brilliant scarlet. I'm pretty sure there's no way to change the metals on the hairpins, though. Sad.

You can find Bliensen & Maitai on Noirette.



This is "Cashew" shown in a strawberry-and-platinum ombre tone from the Variety hud.



This is "Hazelnut" in the deepest of reds from the Reds hud.



And this is "Almond" shown in a mid-tone from the Browns hud.

You can find Mithral Apothecary on the Redhead sim at Hair Fair.



This is LCKY's "Jaime", a short pixie cut, in peacock tones from the Neutral II hud. No alpha layer was included, so I'm not wearing one, and this style, at least on me, needs an alpha layer.



This is "Karrie", in several pink, wine and red tones from the Rose hud.



And this is "Zana", shown in a purple/lime overdye from the Acid hud.

You can find LCKY on the Brunette sim at Hair Fair.



Ayashi's next, and this is "Akihiko", an improbably anime unisex style shown in a deep grape tone.



This is "Riya", and I think I want this one--it's a very long style with cat ears, shown here in a bright mauve tone, and keep in mind, the cat ears can be hidden if you don't want them.



And this is "Yuzu", a wavy high ponies style, in a deep teal with teal and pink bows. (The color hud for the bows doesn't work, but it will show you the variety of patterns/colors that the actual hair has.

You can find Ayashi on the Blonde sim at Hair Fair.

And keep in mind, there are two cam sims this year, to avoid the lag--Foils, for the Blonde and Brunette sims, and Streaks, for Noirette and Brunette. Happy shopping!