Use your Power to Stop the Bullies

"When people hurt you over and over,

think of them like sandpaper.

They may scratch and hurt you a bit,

but in the end, you end up polished and

they end up useless."

 

Anonymous

 

 

Dear Diary:

 

Bullying is a horrible mean-spirited act of cruelty that we all have been involved in, whether it's as an observer, a contributor or as a recipient.  This act has been visible everywhere, in the school, at work, at home or in senior's centres.  At one time, bullying was kept rather isolated but with the Internet, these tormenters are able to reach a wider audience with more hatred and often drastic results.  Online provides a person anonymity that seems to make these antagonizers more scathing in their attacks.

 

Poulet Koenkamp, of PurpleMoon Creations, has made this tee for men and women.  In her note, she makes a statement that I really like.  She writes: Stand against bullying without saying a word, by slipping into a pink T-shirt.  For a donation of 10L, you can purchase it at her store but a larger donation is certainly welcome.  Your donation will go to CKNW Orphans' Fund in support of Boys & Girls Clubs Anti-Bullying programs. 

 

Even though Pink Shirt Day was last Wednesday, you can still pick up the tee and donate until March 4.

 

Here are some interesting facts to read:

A Movement against bullying Nobullying.com

Bullying Prevention Character Education Partnership

Cyber-bullying 

 

Don't let anyone take away your power.

 

Good Night for now.

 

Tee: PurpleMoon Pink Shirt Day - Bullying Stops here

Hair: [INK] Hair Benzie

Pose: Ma Vie

 

 

 





The Book Worm

Dear Diary:

 

Berry's Monday Meme was right up my alley this week.  Books and me....me and books!

1. Are you a bookworm?  Absolutely!  I read whenever and wherever I can.  I'm always reading something.  If it's not an actual book, it could be a magazine, newspaper, even a flyer.  I particularly enjoy it after work, after supper, when the house is dark and quiet and I'm cozy and comfy.

 

2. Which do you prefer: hardcover, paperback or electronic?  Hardcover, paperback and electronic in that order of preference.  There's something about the *crack* of a hardcover.  And of course the old hardcovers appeal to the senses.  There's the feel of the old leather covers; the look of the paper; and thought of ancient readers.  I buy paperbacks because they're cheaper and I consider them [almost] throw-aways.  I don't like electronic very much but it does come in handy when I travel. 

 

3. Which book is your favourite?  "The wise man reads both books and life itself".  Any book by Lin Yutang.

 

4. Which children's book is your favourite?   I love children's books and some of the newer ones cover current topics that explain things to kids in their own terms.  There is one book that always brings me to tears when I read it.  I bought a copy for my Mom and we both sat crying while reading it.  It's "Love you Forever" by Robert Munsch.  Everyone should read this and pass it on to a mom / child.

5. What's the last book you read?  It was "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova.  The author interpreted a very real scenario of an intellectual woman who suffers with Alzheimer's.  I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book but I'm glad I did.

6. Name your top five favourite writers:  It's difficult to pick only five but - Robert Munsch, Guy de Maupassant, Robert Galbraith, Alice Munro and Tomson Highway.

7. Name a book that had a strong impact on you: When I was a kid, I got really sick one year and had to spend some time in bed.  My Grandmother passed on a book to me that had been given to her by her mother.  It contained 2 short stories entitled, "The Cuckoo Clock and The Tapestry Room".  I was enthralled by the stories full of magic and mystery.  The vivid descriptions peaked my imagination and made me live each page.  I was no longer a captive in my room...I was a magical cuckoo in a clock on the wall full of tapestries.

8. Favourite & least favourite book genres?  I'll read anything!  I like history, philosophy or the latest on the best seller list.  My least favourite subject is the newest publications of the vampire kind. 

9. Favourite & least favourite book-to-movie adaptations?  I usually read the book first and then I'm always disappointed on how movie people portray things on the screen.  I thought the movie "Life of Pi" was really well done and I think I liked it better than the book.  "Time Traveler's Wife" was better left in the paper version.

10.  Have you ever bought a book on the cover alone?  No I haven't.  The cover often attracts me and I will pick up that book to have a look at it but I always turn to the back or the inside to read what the story is actually about.

11.  Where do you usually buy your books?  I buy at Chapters Indigo at the mall.  I have often ordered from Barnes & Noble or Amazon if I can't get it locally.  I miss the small individual book stores where you could get some different books.

12. Do you go to the library?  Yes all the time.  I've had a library card since I was a kid.

13. How many books do you own? If I buy paperbacks, which I often do, I pass them on to friends or donate them to the used book store or the library so I don't accumulate a lot of those.  The hard cover books I keep since they've been passed down to me from Great Grandparents.  I probably have 100 of those.  I've also kept some of my university text books [not sure why] but am beginning to realize the info in them is getting to be ancient!

14. If you were to write a book about Second Life, which topic would you focus on?  Wow!  I'm sure that book would cover every genre from Art and Architecture to Crime and Mystery to Fantasy.  I think I would title it "My Virtual Migration: A Journey Beyond Myself".

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hands: SLink AvEnhanced (casual)
Manicure: Izzie's Nails applier
Hair: Analog Dog seven
Tee: ufo boyfriend sweater (universe)
Leggings: Coco white leggings (gift)
Earrings: Caroline's Jewelry large hoops (silver)
Glasses: je suis charmante (silver)

Chair with pose, end table: Just My Imagination Cleom comfort chair
Light: floorplan metal floor lamp

Location:  My house from La Galleria (Palo Alto)

 

I Got Rid of the Cold...Now It's the Snow

Dear Diary:

A few weeks back I wrote about the extreme cold I was having.  Yes, that was a miserable time.  It has warmed up a little but as always, with a warming trend comes the snow.  Now I have that to complain about.

Last week, 45cm [almost 18 inches] of snow was dumped on my area.  The plow went by and it was impossible to get out of the driveway.  The snowblower came out and I spent an hour before work blowing, shovelling and digging out.  Now here we are a week later and it's happened all over again!  Wet, heavy sloppy snow is blowing around outside.  The street plow and sidewalk plow have managed to, yet again, force me to put on the toque, parka and tall boots to clear my path to the road.  But this morning I was saved - a bit.  The city has closed the schools and encouraged people to stay home.  Suits me just fine.  

My friend Chloe and I flew to a wintery sim for a snow ball fight.  At least in my second world I can have some fun without shovelling or snowblowing first.  I enjoyed this a lot better.

Good Night for now.

Chloe is wearing:
Hair: Clawtooth Cozy Cutie
Vest: Meli Imako Mesh ladies padded vest (SL Marketplace)
Pants: Coco Shiny leggings
Gloves: Izzie's Basic Fluffy Gloves (orange) for SLink AvEnhanced hands
Boots: DECO Mesh Some Boots (spray)

I'm wearing:
Hair: Mina Hair Carlijin
Jacket: Meli Imako Ladies Padded coat (SL Marketplace)
Pants: Coco skinny jeans (gift)
Gloves: Izzie's Basic Fluffy Gloves (rose) for SLink AvEnhanced hands
Boots: GField Long Fur Cuff Boots (white)

Location: Santa's Magical Wonderland

Hope is For Today, Tomorrow and Always

Dear Diary:

 

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,

show life that you have a thousand reasons

to smile

We have all had losses in our lives.  It might be the death of a loved one, the termination of a friendship or the demise of a partnership.  The emotions attached with those damages are hard to bear.  But I handled it.

I had a journal.  I wrote in pencil.  I scribbled vile words.  I recorded tearful thoughts. I composed vengeful acts.  I scrawled self-blaming causes.  I detailed jubilant satisfaction.  I created humiliating reunions.  I scribbled pathetic emotions.  I drafted confident retribution.

I came to the end of pain.

Time passed.  Words faded.  Heart healed.

I became a stronger person.

Good Night for now.

A Day to Spend with Your Family

Dear Diary:

In my province, Ontario, the third Monday in February is designated as Family Day.  In 2007, Family Day was established as a statutory holiday by the provincial government.  However, an employer can substitute any other day in place of this one.  Luckily my workplace is closed today so I'm staying in my jammies all day.

Enjoy your time with your family today.  It certainly is a time when we can be together.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair: Wasabi Pills Betty
Housecoat: G&N Quality Design Cosy Gown (blue) (SL Marketplace)

Chair: La Galleria Indigo Contemporary Linen Chair
Wall decal: Dazzling Designs Family Decal (SL Marketplace)

A Special Day for Your Heart

Dear Diary:

I must admit Valentine's Day doesn't mean a lot for me.  My post last year told how I like to spend the day but my friend Sam just gave himself a makeover with new everything, especially an awesome tux so he begged me to set up a pic for us.  I thought I could forgo the candy and help him out.  So I glammed myself up and called him.  He was excited to put on his new self and pose.  So here we are!

Actually we don't look too shabby!

Happy Valentine's Day.

Good Night for now.

Sam is wearing:
Skin: Clef de Peau (Joshua)
Eyes: Ikon Promise (storm)
Hands: SLink Male AvEnhanced hands (relax)
Hair: Redgrave Chris
Tuxedo: Lapointe and Bastchild Modern Black Open
Glasses: Role Optic Arcadi

I'm wearing:
Skin: LeLutka (Lola)
Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)
Eye makeup: mock Miss Vanity shadow with lashes (soft brown)
Lipstick: LeLutka (deep red)
Hands: SLink AvEnhanced hands (casual)
Hair: Diva Daria
Dress: PurpleMoon Donna Dress in red Valentine's Edition (Gypset)
Earrings and ring: Mood Nightlife (diamond and ruby) (SL Marketplace)

Background: Katink Feb-A-Bration Pack (gift)
Pose: Purple Poses  (couple 352) (With Love Fair)

A First Hand Look At The Past

Dear Diary:

The other day I was looking at the Destination Guide and noticed a place that appealed to me.  It was "Prehistorica: The Dawn Kingdoms".  Perfect!  I've loved dinosaurs all my life and even pursued the subject into university.  I flew out to the sim immediately.

The era that is available on the sim, right now is the Mesozoic, which is my favourite and most others too since it's known as the "age of the dinosaurs". 

The Mesozoic began about 250 million years ago.  Small dinosaurs began to appear at the end of the Triassic Period. The plant eating dinosaurs were prevalent in the next period, the Jurassic but the last period, the Cretaceous, the large carnivores came into being.  The most famous was the extremely large and more than extremely dangerous, Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Prehistorica is wonderful and true to the time period.  The environment shows the over abundance of confers; with some flowering plants starting to grow.  The atmosphere was tropical in most areas.

The dead body beside me is an herbivore which was the main staple of the T Rex and other meat eating animals.  There were even large insects flying around the carcass that I like to think are wasps or bees.

Of course I had to get into the theme and decided to dress as a dinosaur, wearing this dinosaur attire made by meilo monotaur for Meta Body.

If you get a chance, step back in time and visit Prehistorica.  It's worth the visit.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Meta_Body (dinosaur)
Location: Prehistorica: The Dawn Kingdoms

Thank Your Weatherman Today

Dear Diary:

Doesn't it seem strange to be having a day for weathermen when this winter has been horrible??  I think so too but when I was checking out what was important about February 5th, this odd acknowledgement popped up so I considered following it up. 

It's not an official holiday or celebration anywhere but I thought it very appropriate to recognize it, especially today.  The Midwest and Eastern U.S. is being pummeled with snow while England is experiencing major flooding.  In my part of Canada, it's still below the normal temp for this time of year, but I can't compare my situation to a city in Russia that reached -50C (-58F) this morning.  No, I'm not that bad off.

Yesterday, I persuaded my friend Sam to be weatherman of the day, although he was very reluctant to play the part.  He told me, "Oh sure! Everybody will hate me!"  I told him that they wouldn't since weather in our second world is perfect anytime you want it.

I guess it's not really the weatherman's fault.  This weather is not his doing.  I'm sure weathermen are always blamed for the treacherous driving; the rainy wedding day; or the chilly family picnic.  So today let's forget the blame game and watch the weather, appreciating what the weatherman does to bring us the forecast. 

That will make Sam feel better.

Good Night for now.

Sam is wearing:
Skin: Clef de Peau (Joshua)
Hair: Redgrave Chris
Jacket and pants: [W] Sports jacket brown & blue plaid (SL Marketplace)
Tie: [W] Bowtie (abstract patterns) (SL Marketplace)
Boots: theosophy Lewiston boots (tan)
 Camera: BN studio camera (SL Marketplace)

A Challenge in Black and White

Dear Diary:

I always look forward to Strawberry Singh's Monday Meme and always find it thought provoking and challenging.  This one served up both.  What to wear!  How to pose!  Whew!  That took most of my time!  Even then, it seems I doubt myself.

I like black and white photos and in my RL I have several decorating a wall.  When you have to take one of yourself and turn it to monotone, it really is a challenge.

Here is my black and white portrait.

 

And the colour version.

 

If I had to do again, I probably would have worn something different and taken a little more time.  But it was certainly fun doing it.

 

Good Night for now.

 

I'm wearing:

Skin: LeLutka Lola (light)

Lipstick: Izzie's dark vibrant lipstick (dark red)

Teeth: Yuki Teeth tattoo

Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)

Eye makeup: mock Miss Vanity shadow with lashes (soft brown)

Hands: SLink AvEnhanced hands (casual)

Hair: Miamai Sakura Teal Party

 

Blouse: SAS Catherine top (black)

Earrings and necklace: Maxi Gossamer Serena white pearls

Ring: Shi Luxe Gift

 

Pose: Glitterati (SL Marketplace)