My Venture Into The Gangsta World

Dear Diary:

I always wanted to be a "broad" - a kinda bad girl but with class.  Maybe "moll" is a better word.  (She's the accomplice of a gangster.)   The era would be in the 20's or 30's.  It would be a dangerous time.  I would be the girl who lived on the edge around Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel,  or Pretty Boy Floyd.  Maybe I wouldn't like what these men did but the times were hard, the businesses were corrupt, and that kind of money came big.  I found my dream roll when Gangsta Fair started.

The sim has a feel of the 20's, 30's gangster days.  The decorations are great so I couldn't resist taking a picture in front of the bank with the police close by.  Where's Al when I need him?

The Gangster Fair runs until May 15th.  Hop in your vintage car and take a ride to see the great buys and interesting venue.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing from the Gangsta Fair:
Hair: Vanity Hair L.A. Confidential
Dress: Kelini Vintage diva Leopard (gold)
Pose: Vestige Poses

Gun: Walther P99 v2.1 (no longer available)
Money: from old prop (no longer available)

Location: Gangsta Fair

I'm Reflecting on Earth Day

Dear Diary:

Last Wednesday, I sat outside in the sun after washing my car, having a great cup of coffee, listening to "Uptown Funk" and reading my email (as I do several times a day).  I decided to see just went on this past Earth Day and when I searched, I got some very interesting and "pointing-the-finger-at-me" facts. 

More than 6 million Canadians participated in Earth Day activities.  Last Wednesday marked the launch of "Earth Day Every Day" which will hopefully help Canadians reduce their carbon footprint 20% by 2020.  This is the website.

I also found a few interesting facts that made me jump off the hood of the car:

• Canada has 607 vehicles for every 1,000 people
• our greenhouse gas emission reached over 690 mega tonnes, on the increase
• every year Canada throws away over 8,800 tons of plastic
• we throw out 23 kg of household hazardous waste such as batteries
• we consume about 17,000 kwh per year in electricity, ranking the 4th highest
• over 62 trillion SPAM email messages are sent in a year, and each produces 0.03 grams of carbon dioxide

It will be interesting to see if we improve over the next few years.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Lipstick: Izzie's dark vibrant
Hands: Slink AvEnhancement v2.1 (casual)
Hair: Truth Hair Joanna

Tee: 22! Earth Day Green (no longer available)
Jeans: Emery skinny jeans (worn)
Shoes: Indie Rose Floral Ballerinas

Earrings: Caroline's Large Hoops (gold)
iPod: RC PlayPod (no longer available)
Laptop: What Next (blog laptop for desk)
Coffee cup: Tim Horton's Coffee

Pose: Imeka

Location: DATS Door and Texture Store

My TV Meme

Dear Diary:

It was a difficult decision for this Monday Meme.  I don't watch a lot of tv but I do have a few favourite shows that I like to see.  I decided to pick a Canadian production and a popular sci-fi show Orphan Black, now into its third season.

The story line is based on the aspect of cloning.  Tatiana Maslany plays the part of several different people who seem identical but in reality are clones.  The story started with Sarah Manning, a con artist, witnessing the death of a detective, who looks identical to her.  Sarah assumes the detective's identity.  During the first season, Sarah realizes she and others identical to her are clones and people are trying to kill all of them off.  She starts to search for every one of them to warn about the harm.  Three clones are already dead, and 2 will follow. 

There have been almost a dozen clones in the story, all played by Tatiana Maslany.  All have different looks and different personalities.  Most are female but one is a transgender male.  Often she has to play 3 or 4 different clones in an episode.  I have shown 4 of the characters: Sarah Manning; Alison Hendrix; Cosima Niehaus; and Helena, Sarah's twin sister.

The third season has started with promises of more twists and turns.  The story does get complicated at times but if you like sci-fi, it's a good one to watch.  It also gets one thinking of all the implications, moral, ethical and political, of cloning.

There is an end in sight to the show.  The co-creator, John Fawcett, has said the series will end after the fifth season.

If you live in the United States, you can see this program through the BBC America network.

Good Night for now.

All of us are wearing:
Skin: Izzie's Romy
Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)

Sarah:
Hair: LeLutka Lumen
Pants and boots: CoCo Design
Jacket and tee: (very old; not sure where it came from)

Alison:
Hair: DH Clara (no longer available)
Dress: Vrsion Rival
Shoes: G Field slingback

Cosima:
Hair: Discord Designs Roni
Lab Coat: G&Q Fashion lab coat (SL Marketplace)

Helena:
Hair: Alli&Ali Nyota Ombre
Sweater: Malt cropped knit (lavender)
Jeans: (very old; not sure where it came from)
Shoes: Yulicie slip on

A Night At The Museum

Dear Diary:

I love Dove chocolates so the other night when I ate my daily allowance, the message on the inside of the red foil wrapper spoke to me.  It said "Renew your sense of discovery".  I needed to do that again.

I always enjoyed reading about dinosaurs, as a kid and as an adult.  I wanted to be a paleontologist.  I did study anthropology in university but went on to pursue another career.  I decided to look in this world for a place to look at dinosaurs again and I found the Museum of Natural History and it turned out to be a fantastic trip.


The museum featured meat eaters;


Allosaurus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

plant eaters;

Stegosaurus

and an example of a large marine reptile, all from the Jurassic Period. 



Plesiosaurus

One of the outstanding fossil exhibits is also from the Jurassic Period, a very large and imposing herbivore.  I just had to stand in a position to show how massive it was.


Diplodocus

Some of the exhibits have notecards that you can receive while others have the ability to see some movement or hear a roar.  I believe all dinosaurs are built to scale.

I've been to museums in Canada and United States, always looking at dinosaurs.  I was very impressed with the one in Second Life.  If you get a chance, fly out to take a look at the exhibits there.  There are many more than I've shown. 

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair with hat: LeLutka Chill

Blouse: OverHigh Nova Loose T-shirt (gray)
Jeans: BoHo HoBo Mesh skinny jeans (black)
Sweater: tram J.l. cardigan
Shoes: fri basic flats (charcoal)

Location: Museum of Natural History Vienna

Take 2 For My Digits

Dear Diary:

Another Monday Meme that makes us think about ourselves.  Love it.

1. Do you currently own a mesh body? If so, do you wear it all the time or just once in a while? If not, skip to the fourth question.  I own Maitreya Lara Mesh Body.  I only bought it recently so I can't say I wear it all the time...maybe most of the time.

2. What is your preferred mesh body available on the market right now?  My preferred mesh body is Lara by Maitreya.

3. Have you changed your shape since you started wearing the body?  Since my body purchase has been quite recent, I haven't had a lot of time to fiddle with my shape.  My digits from last year are very close to what I have now.  I decreased my breast size, and hand size but increased my saddle bags.  Yikes!  Gotta fix that!  I think I should increase my body fat a bit since I'm looking thinner.  I seem to be taller but I thinks that's the stilettoes...heheheh.

4. How do you feel about mesh bodies in general?  I tried a few other mesh bodies and I must admit that threw me off for awhile.  Some were harder to work with than others, some required a lot of shape adjustment.  I tried the Maitreya Lara body and loved it instantly.  I found it a lot easier to use and more compatible with some of the mesh clothing I already had.  When I finally refine it to my liking, I'm sure I'll find it
indispensable.

5. What is one thing you would request from designers when it comes to mesh bodies?  I agree with Berry and the others who have said a universal applier system would be wonderful.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Mesh Body: Maitreya Lara
Skin: Izzie's Romy (pale)
Lipstick: Izzie's Romy (rust)
Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)
Lashes: MC Falsies
Hair: LeLutka Sheena

Blouse: Maitreya Lisbon top (indigo)
Pants: Maitreya Mesh Zipper skinny pastel (coral)
Shoes: Maitreya Gold Liason (coral) (gift)
Earrings: Mandala Segyu (legacy)

Ruler: OO Avatar Ruler (SL Marketplace) (free)

Pose: Purple Poses

A New Store to Me #13

Dear Diary:

As I'm shopping around the grid, I find I'm attracted to the smaller stores.  Yes, there are a lot of larger ones that I'm used to and I truly love them, but when the stores are new to me, I like to be able to see the merchandise easily without having to "fly" from area to area.  Last week I found a store that was just perfect.

I'm rather a casual type of girl so Overhigh was the place for me.

My first purchase was my normal attire in either of my worlds.  When I'm home from work, it's jeans and a tee.  I loved these jeans from OVH.  They're straight legged, with a hint of a cuff.  They also have a bit of a sheen which is quite nice.  They come in various denim shades, but I chose the aqua, since my closet didn't have that colour in jeans.  The oversized tee also comes in various colours.  I liked this tee, since it did have a sporty look without the numbers or logo that most have.

My next buy was a sleevless dress that could cover any occasion.  This shade was entitled "pink" but it has more of a rusty colour to me which I prefer.  In the store, there are a variety of jackets or sweaters that you could put over the dress to give it more of a casual look.  The clutch has a 2 poses that work well with other animations.

Overhigh certainly has a variety of casual clothes from jeans to shiny leggings, from trendy skirts to jumpsuits and from casual flats to funky stilettos.  The prices are very reasonable.  I will go back again.

**UPDATE** I went back to OVH on the weekend to pick up some more items and they now have a nice selection of Southwest clothing.  There are two different ponchos, patterned skirts and a very cute gaucho-like hat.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing from Overhigh:
Picture 1:
Loose Tshirt (black)
Sia jeans (aqua)

Picture 2:
Ivy Dress (pink)
Greta bag (carmel)

Hair: Truth Hair Riley (picture 1)
          Analog Dog Val (picture 2)

Necklace: Finesmith Mixgold (picture 2)

In both pictures:
Hands: Slink AvEnhanced v2.1 (casual)

Locations:
First location: Bubblegum Club
Second location: Done Wiv a Twist

Double Up The Threat

Dear Diary:

Now what could be more intriguing than to get 2 Dreamers to answer the questions for Berry's Monday Meme?  I'm afraid they're not much of a threat though.

Two online screen names you’ve had:  The name I have in SL now is the only one I've ever had.  Ai Li on another game.

Two video games you’ve played:  Sims and Tekken

Two things you love about Second Life:  I enjoy the creativity of all the talented people who produce the marvelous sims.  I can participate in a lot of social activities where I've met a lot of friends from around the world that otherwise I would never know.

Two things you’ve done in Second Life:  Shopped...a lot.  Then decorated my home and myself.
 
Two things you still want to do in Second Life:  I would like to improve my building skills.  And always try for better photography.
 
Two things you like about your Second Life avatar:  I like the idea I can be a chameleon whenever I want.  And I never seem to get any wrinkles!

Two of your Second Life Pet Peeves:  Finding a wonderful photogenic sim for pictures then discovering you can't rez anything there.  Also not being able to fly around a sim.  I understand the reasons for restrictions but they are still pet peeves of mine.

Two things you did as a newb that you’re embarrassed of:  Walked around with "demos" showing for awhile thinking I was the only one who could see it.  Could never get the hang of changing clothes and waiting before teleporting; hence showing up nude in the middle of a crowd. 

Two of your closest friends in Second Life:  I have several close friends so I'd rather not name the two I feel the most in sync with.

Two of the most beloved things in your inventory:  A music box that plays "Russian Lullaby" and a pair of very pretty earrings, given to me, free, by a famous jewelry maker when I was a newbie.


Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Skin: Izzie's Romy (pale)
Lipstick:  Pink Fuel Glossy Pink (milkshake)
Eyes: Ikon Sunrise (deep hazel)
Lashes: MC Falsies
Hands:  Slink  AvEnhanced v2.1 (casual)
Nailpolish: Figure Basic nail set (mauve)
Hair: D!va Hair Nene

Dress: Earth and Sky design Claudia summer dress (green pattern)
Earrings: Maxi Gossamer Shell earrings Teardrop (sea pearl)

Happy Easter!

Dear Diary:

What I wouldn't do for a chocolate egg!!  Uphill - all the way!!

I hope you have a wonderful Easter day no matter how you celebrate it.

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair: Analog Dog Friday

Blouse: Tutti Frutti Emma mesh blouse (radiant orchid)
Skirt: Living Imagination (now Whimsical Imaginarium) pencil skirt (morning dew) 
Shoes: Gos Boutique Eva slingback (black)
 
Bracelet: Finesmith  gold knot bangles (gift)

Pose and prop: Icons of Style (free on SL Marketplace)

You Can't Beat the Rockabilly Style

Dear Diary:

Chloe and I just got under the wire last Tuesday when we shopped at My Attic.  The theme was "Rockabilly" and they had some great items supporting that line.  We certainly did buy lots that day.

After we got all glammed up, we wanted to go some place where we could get into the "mood" of the clothes.  We flew out to a great Rockabilly Club where we could sit a tables, listen to the music and talk to other customers. 

I know Elvis and Jerry Lee are exceptional Rockabilly stars but here's a good ole boy band from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Even though this round of My Attic ended, many of these items will be shown in the corresponding stores.

Good Night for now.

From My Attic:
Chloe is wearing:
Hair: Emotions Hair Peggy
Top and scarf: Tutti Frutti Sally corset and scarf (juice)
Pants: Tutti Frutti Molly Mesh leather pants (turquoise)

I'm wearing:
Dress: Dead Dollz Brenda Leigh (blue)

Both poses: NanTtra Poses Rock & Roll Ruby

Location: Ace Café Rockabilly Club of SL

Sticks and Stones From Meanies

Dear Diary:

Berry has brought up a good topic for the Monday Meme - hurtful comments made by people who are probably doing it intentionally.  It was a long time ago but, yes, it happened to me too.

1. Have you ever been subjected to mean comments online by strangers?  When I first came into this world, I belonged to a dance club where I believed I made lots of friends.  One night, a group was talking about a band they liked.  One of the girls turned to me and said, "You have no idea who we're talking about, do you?"  I said no, I didn't know that band.  Then another person said, "Well, what do you expect!  She's from Canada.  They don't know anything there.  They're really back woods".  Then the comments flew around concerning "speaking only French", "living in igloos", "very uncivilized" and of course the everlasting "Eh". 

2. How did you respond to them?  At first I kind of laughed because I'm used to being teased like that and normally it doesn't bother me but the comments were starting to get nasty and rude.  I wasn't willing to sit back and let them run me down...and my country but I felt totally inadequate of how to answer.  So...absolutely nerdy me said, "Oh yeah!  Well who won the War of 1812?"  HONESTLY!!!  What a dumb remark was that!!  Of course I got a lot of "LOLs", "ROFLs" and other not so respectful comments so the ignorant remarks kept coming.  I chose to keep silent and just pretend I didn't hear but I'm not sure that was the right solution either.

3. How did they make you feel?  I felt powerless.  These were people I thought were my friends but obviously they didn't think the same way.  Things don't stay with me for long, so after a day or so, I realized I didn't want them as friends; I left the group and never looked back.  Those were people I didn't need. 

4. Can you share some of the mean comments you’ve received and your thoughts on them?  In all my years in SL, that was the only time I have ever received negative comments.  Perhaps it's because now I have a better choice of friends and I'm not so naïve to believe everyone in SL is there for fun.

5. Have you ever ridiculed or negatively commented on someone else’s work, actions or personality with the intention to hurt them?  Yes I have but never as an adult, and never in SL.  I was bullied in elementary school over things I had no control over.  I was tall for my age and thin; and I was smart.  It lasted a whole year until I went to the next grade level with other kids.  It hurt.  So the next year, I turned it on others until I realized I was losing friends and I was feeling miserable at what I was doing.  I told my Mom and she explained how I was hurting kids like I had been hurt.  I stopped.

Adding my own comments to this, I believe all mean comments stem from jealousy.  If comments are directed towards bloggers, it's because they have talent in what they do.  If people are the targets of nasty remarks, it's probably due to the fact they're friendly and kind.  So...what's the difference between SL and RL?  You wouldn't want these people in your life in RL so why give them power in SL? 

This says it all:

Good Night for now.

I'm wearing:
Hair:  W&Y # 147 (no longer available)
Shirt: Ronsem  check shirt (sou by creationjp)
Jeans: BoHo HoBo Skinny jeans (black) (SL Marketplace)
Sneakers: McChucks (black) (SL Marketplace)

Location: The Junkyard