Sweet Home Alabama!!!

This is not referred to the song or the movie...this is all about the room I created for Greg. Originally, I planned it for a guest room and then some people suggested it should be a nursery. Well, no. 

I was trying to get the color Crimson just right, but I think it does not match perfectly and Greg thought that was pretty funny.
But, hey I think it looks pretty fantastic made by a non roll-tider.

Stop by the Retreat and check it out and if you have some Alabama outfits, this would be a great place to show them off at.
Good Luck!!!

Roll tide, roll!

Sacred Ground Grand Opening

Here is the direct link:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Urban%20Style/25/189/23

Yasminia

at the cemetery 

If you have a little time, I recommend vising the sim Yasminia. This is a peaceful coastal place with plenty of country charm as well. I would say a photographer's paradise.
Come and visit the small chapel and the cemetery, it is very peaceful. 

Cemeteries by Alessio Tummolillo

I kill time in cemeteries. 

Sticky, humid cemeteries in the summer.

Golden, dead cemeteries in the fall.

Barren, watchful cemeteries in the winter.

Greeting the new dead in the spring.

When I have time to kill, I do it in mausoleums, sepulchers, graveyards.

I use, abuse, and muse over the refused, when I have time to kill.

To remind myself I’m alive.

To remind myself I’ll die.

To remind myself to remember I’ll be forgotten.

To remind myself I’ll be

      Reduced to ashes

      Behind marble plaque

      Underground.

      Thrown in the sea,

      Where I’ll rest for eternity.

Just to remind myself I’m not alone.

That we’re all headed to the Sunset Limited.

I plan to return here very soon and take some more photographs of this beautiful place.

I like it when you smile...

... but I love it when I am the reason.

There is this certain feeling at times that brings us back to the first time we started being together and how people somehow wanted our relationship to break up. It is that Schadenfreude that so many enjoy and we all have been there in one way or another because it is part of Human Nature.

Taking pleasure in someone else’s pain – no matter how subconsciously we do it, isn’t something you’re meant to admit to. Yet it’s become an endemic part of human nature. Social media sites wouldn’t exist if we didn’t feel constantly compelled to mark our achievements – professional and personal – against other people’s. And if you set the bar for your own success against other people’s achievements then it stands to reason that you measure your failures against theirs.

I hate to disappoint all of you on that because we are stronger than ever together. We do not listen to village gossip.

We flocked around....

Candi, Dev, Dani and Anj

I guess Dani did not understand the saying: "Don 't flock with the Flamingos", and was ready to take one home with her.
I want to thank the Rhodes-Lescher family for stopping by the Retreat and hunting down the blue Flamingo. Nazil was very fast indeed. :) 

Special thanks to Kylie and Mickey who went exploring. DJ Dandy and Miss Deb for their kind visit. Candi always as sexy as can be made it so much more fun. Dev and Dani you two are a ton of fun to have around. And last but never least a big thanks to Greg who puts up with all my crazy ideas like this one for putting out 148 flamingos all over the yard.

The Rhodes-Lescher Family

Kylie and Mickey found the blue flamingo

It was such great fun and we will most definitely have more events coming up here at the Retreat. Fall is around the corner and all the trees will be transformed which is a beautiful sight to see and such a great photo opportunity.

Always an adventure...

One thing I can count on it has always been an adventure with you and that is a good thing. We had so much fun just relaxing in our pool after the big "Mile High Club" Party.

If you missed that special set at the Basement Club, don't worry we will have more coming. Usually, there is one special theme per month. You can always catch us here Friday, Saturday, and Sundays for fun and laughter.

Here are some highlights from the clouds above...

Flight attendant Deb was busy entertaining the Pilot and Co-Pilot. Captain Jack waiting for his personal flight attendant Shy to arrive and Candi was praying that the plane won't go down.

Protected by some naughty angels, we can begin the descent to the ground.

Time to put on the parachutes because as soon as the set is done, we are all going down.

I think this was a lot of fun, nobody got hurt and we all made it back down to the ground. Don't miss the next BIG adventure at the Basement Club...look for announcements at the Club or join the group.

We've been flocked!!! Open House @ the Retreat

We are so excited that the new House at the Retreat is finally all set up and ready to show to all our friends and the rest of the second life community.

Wednesday,

August 16, 2017

8-10 PM SLT

We will be here to greet you.
Come party with us as you walk around the Retreat and see the more than 100 flamingoes. They will all fly away soon, so this is a short event.

There will be ONE blue Flamingo that is packed with some gifts for you. So hurry and stop by. The blue one will not be out until Wednesday itself.

We encourage you to come and take pictures and post them in the Retreat Flickr Group. Never know I might just pick a winner for an additional gift.

THE RETREAT

"Killer" and my road trip!!!

It was time for s short road trip with "Killer" and myself. We all need some maintenance and Killer needed some new tires. I stopped at this fine garage to get him serviced.

Here are a few mental and physical self-care ideas you can (realistically) incorporate into your day:

• Take 3 deep breaths when feeling stressed
• Get 15 minutes of sun on a lunch break 
• Have a quick, 20-minute nap to recharge the mind
• Journal your thoughts for 15 minutes a day
• Watch your favorite funny YouTube video for a midday laugh
• Listen to your favorite music for 20 minutes. No texting or browsing — just you and the music.
• Meditate for 10 minutes a day. Clear your mind. Don’t hold onto or push any ideas away — accept them and move on. 
• Go on a 30-minute walk. Notice the world. Notice the part you play in it.
• Drink more water by keeping a bottle at your desk and always refilling when empty.
• Take a relaxing bath instead of the usual quick shower. Make it an affair. Light candles, play music, prepare a book you don’t mind getting wet.

I saved you :)

Mile High Club Party

This will be a lot of fun and everybody is invited to come by the Basement Club and use the special teleport that will take you up into the clouds into the "Mile High Club" where we will party.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
6-8 PM SLT

We will play the Travis Train Game (Travis Plane Game on this day ) for some Linden cash...also we will have a contest for those with the best contest of either wings, pilots, flight attendants or anything else that has to do with flying. Be creative.

There will be a parachute to grab and then at the end of the set we do the countdown 5,4,3,2,1 and parachute down to the Basement...all of us together. Should be a great sight.

FOR RENT and the new GACHA Store

After we rearranged everything at the Retreat, we now have this beautiful home for rent. It is right at the entrance of the Retreat. Beautiful view!!! It is a steal for 250L$ per week and you get 250 prims to decorate.


2 Retreat Lane House

We also have our apartment for rent as well...just use the teleport here and go on up and take a look.

Now the Priceless Gacha Store and Treasures will have many gacha items and some other unique treasures. You never know what you will find, it changes all the time. Right now some early Christmas Treasures are here. so hurry and stock up.

Neverland Valley

Neverland Valley
Neverland - Replica of Michael Jackson 's real home
In tribute to the King
Train Rail Station - Main House - Amusement Park - Zoo - Theatre

If you like Michael Jackson you may like this place.

The music stream at this place is all MJs songs. If you listen really carefully you may actually hear Micheal here. 
So smile when you are here and enjoy.

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile 
If you just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

You can take a little train around the property and also ride some of the rides...it is worthwhile :)
SMILE

Happy Birthday to me !!!

The picture was taken at the Chapel at the Retreat

I try to be many things to people, but sometimes friendship is not enough. Today on my real-life birthday I reflect on the past year. I feel good, I really do, because those who walked away are still fighting their battle of being themselves. 

Remember :

The hardest battle you're ever going to fight is the battle to be just YOU!!!

That is a very powerful statement and especially for those of us who use second life to hide away from ourselves. Be You, do not divide yourself into several avatars...just be YOU. I must say I am feeling great about the fact that I do not have avatar after avatar running around deceiving people. When you deceive you are never true to yourself. Be YOU!!!

Thank you google :)

"The sweetest nectar is within!"

The sweet little bird of joy, ever so dainty and beautiful, the hummingbird symbolizes great courage, determination, flexibility, and adaptability. The little beauty is only a few ounces in weight, yet it has the courage of a lion. Yes, the sweetest nectar is within and for those lucky ones who get to really know me will see the nectar and the courage.
My message here is to have courage because we all have the strength within us. Do not give up! It reminds me of the poems "Enchantment of life" me and my friend "fisherman" have written way back and they still stand.

5.         Hypocrites

Take the time to roll the dice,

add some flavor as well as spice,

to the work you look now upon,

just be real, and not a con.

You can win this game right now,

if you can only figure out how.

To do that you need to glance,

rhyme with reason and take a chance.

There will always be those ungrateful sows,

who may act like big fat cows,

but to be fair you must overlook,

shortcomings in life that they never shook.

It is their own low self esteem,

that kills any kind of hopeful dream.

Because they are not happy deep inside,

they look to steal away other's pride.

To be successful you must move past,

the sick repulsive behavior they do blast.

Look within to stand on your own,

with perseverance use every muscle and bone.

This is not easy, but very hard,

to yourself be on your own guard.

Make sure you fall not from grace,

living by God's word please do embrace.

It is he we need to follow,

that our hearts will not be shallow.

Therefore we must turn the other cheek,

which will make us strong, not weak.

Those who throw the sticks and stones,

ream INSECURITY with sick dreadful undertones.

The Winners in life will be God's elite,

who  from others withstood satin's verbal heat!

Fisherman

One Tree Hill

I had the privilege to visit the sim called "One Tree Hill", which was really well done.

Karma Avedon
Welcome to "One Tree Hill",  a virtual Celebration of the U2 Album "The Joshua Tree" on its 30th anniversary. Take a walk in the desert and discover how the words and music from this album are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago.  

You can find some real solitude and peace here. I loved the wind light setting it sets the tone of this place.

Make sure you take some time out from your busy second life and come here to reflect a little. This is a very cool place to see.

“Do not hurry yourself...

...in your spirit to become offended.” or  ": Do not be quick to take offense, for the taking of offense lodges in the bosom of fools."Ecclesiastes 7:9.

I think that is excellent advice by the ancient people. They must have known something. If Albert Einstein said it,"Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools."

And yes sometimes I do get angry at people because after all, I am just a human behind this avatar. We all are people behind the mask and we all have some lies and deceit within us. Nobody is the exception.
My Papa always said this to us kids at home when we felt that people were mean by saying stuff about us: 
A fool says what he knows, and a wise man knows what he says.

(Jewish Proverb)

With that said I will let this go and move on and have the world focus on us:

Everybody who really knows me knows I love writing poetry. It is actually part of my studies when I was still attending the university. So here is a poem I wrote and it still stands today.

Power

There lies within me such a force of power

No sun or moon or star could hope to reach.

My slightest thought sparks fourth a fiery shower

Far greater than any fragile mortal's speech.

And yet I have shadows of desolation

That threatens to grow, to diminish the flames,

So in humbleness, I offer assimilation:

And together we can discover the farthest domains.

For you can become the channel, the base, the compassion,

Providing a wellspring for energies I consume,

Relinquishing yourself to my driving passion

Made mortal, yet allowing your mortal self to bloom,

For I will show you worlds: and once you understand,

Even pools of stars will whirl at your command.