Owl always love you art exhibit

Woot, Just in time for the new year to start, I created a new art exhibit at the Retreat Gallery.
I have always admired owls and I often draw and paint them. I collect owls and owl postcards in real life as well as in Second Life. 

I am grateful to all those creators who have handcrafted owls into Second Life. Thank you!!!

Throughout the Retreat, you will find an owl here and there. See if you can figure out how many there are.

You will find a selection of different media art in the gallery. I often draw and paint at work and sometimes it is not professional art supplies, but hey you can make beautiful art even with that. I teach the children how to paint and draw in simple steps.

Have a wonderful new beginning in 2022...

"An owl is the wisest of all birds because the more it sees, the less it talks."- Christie Watson.

Baby, it's cold outside.

 

People get so upset over things and especially this song. What is the big idea? Men, as well as women, have pursued each other forever they existed. If men would suddenly stop giving those little hints that they are interested women would scream and yell and call men cold and without feelings. So, chill!!! If you do not want to stay then simply leave or let him warm you up. Might as well.

Looking for a warm spot in second life? Come see us in the Basement Club. We have live DJs M-F from 6-8PM SLT with a variety of music. Anything from Underground 80s, punk, Indie, and eclectic rock.

We also have occasional themes and ask our patrons to come and share their interpretation, but you are always can come as you are.

We hope you come and check us out. We have been around for over 5 years now and we promise the music you hear here is the best kind. We try not to play the everyday pop and rock tunes that you can hear on the radio or at most clubs in Second Life. We thrive to be different and unique.

Happy Holiday Season!!!!

If you are celebrating the holidays or not or just enjoying the decorations, the food, the music, the love in the air we at The Retreat and Basement Club want to wish you a very peaceful holiday season. Be safe and do not eat too much and I love the way we can eat and eat in Second Life so much and never gain a pixel.

I forgot to mention shopping. This is a season full of shopping joy. I spend way too many lindens during this time of year and the inventory keeps growing and growing. Help!!!

But how can you resist the wonderful new creations from so many talented people in Second Life? You just can't. 

There are many Winter Wonderlands to discover as well. Second Life is so festive around the holidays, I just love how everybody gets into the mood of decorating their places, their stores, and even dress for the occasion.

Come visit the Retreat for picture opportunities for your holiday photos. No crowds, just peace, and quiet while you stroll through the snow. 

The Retreat is open to all residents and even my private home, feel free to visit it.

Enjoy this time of year and reflect on what is important, not the material things but friends and family. Make every day count!

Is Hanukkah the Jewish Christmas?

No, and no again. Hanukkah is a totally different holiday and has nothing to do with Christmas other than a miracle that had happened. Hanukkah follows the Hebrew Calendar so the days may vary and yes, there are times when it falls near or even on Christmas.

 

I see many places in Second Life that have a Christmas Tree and a Menorah, which is really not necessary. You do not have to be politically correct by putting up decorations for both holidays. Unless you are Jewish, just skip the decor. 

Did you know that latkes were not really part of Hanukkah? the Maccabees did not eat latkes; they only celebrated the miracle of the oil burning for eight days. Now, I love latkes (potato pancakes) all year round and I do not wait until Hanukkah. And, yes don't forget the jelly-filled donuts that are called sufganiyot.

Somebody asked me why are there no Hanukkah parties in Second Life? Hanukkah is basically celebrated at home, not at a party. You celebrate the festival of lights and the dedication of the tradition behind Hanukkah.

So, if you hear of a Hanukkah party it is probably a private event for Jews and their guest (which could be any religion). Feel honored if you are invited to a party like that.

There you go a little history about this holiday and whatever you celebrate remember the meaning behind it and why it is celebrated. Not because there are gifts or food involved which of course are great, but because it is the dedication we put into it.

Happy Hanukkah!!!

Why do we call it "Black" Friday?

Friendsgiving or also known as Thanksgiving in the USA is over and we begin the official holiday season starting with black friday.

Why do we call the Friday after Thanksgiving "black? One of the reasons that I found researching this was that merchants were finally out of the red financially and everything from that day would make a profit that was greatly needed. To entice people to come and do their Holiday shopping they would have many items on sale.

Another reason for the term "black" Friday was that many workers would use the day after Thanksgiving to call in sick which impacted retailers and other workforces, therefore it was referred to as Black Friday.

These are just a few of the reasons why we call it that now and the term has made international fame because other countries also kick off their holiday shopping with this day and call it the English term "Black Friday".

Most people also put out their Holiday decor the day after Thanksgiving. Kind of true for Second Life as well. The season has begun and you can see the stores all decorated and the sales started. If you are looking for some spectacular savings for Black Friday go check out this website that lists many of the stores in Second Life that have sales:  Seraphim

And off I go to snag some of the great deals out there. Happy Black Friday Shopping to you.!!!

Grey Magic Sim

As Winter is approaching, I prepared myself to visit some sims in Second Life to explore the wonders of this cold season.

Today my recommendation is the lovely sim called "Grey Magic Sim". It is such a beautiful setting as the snow falls quietly. It reminds me of a song by Sia called Snowman:

I want you to know that I'm never leaving
'Cause I'm Mrs. Snow, 'til death we'll be freezing
Yeah, you are my home, my home for all seasons
So come on, let's go
Let's go below zero and hide from the sun
I love you forever where we'll have some fun
Yes, let's hit the North Pole and live happily
Please don't cry no tears now, it's Christmas, baby.

The sim owners and creators of this lovely place Dan and Kimma Grey have an alluring photo contest going. All that is required is to take your favorite pictures at their sim. Find out more on their Flickr group page.

I believe you will find many opportunities to be creative and take some pictures. You will feel like you have entered a William Shakespeare sonnet and will love it.

"How like a winter hath my absence been from thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen! What old December’s bareness everywhere!"

I wish you lots of joy exploring here and good luck on the contest if you are entering it.

Hurray for Live Performers in Second Life!

Oblee did an outstanding performance in the Basement Club. If you have never heard of him, you will have to check out his website and listen in. His music is innovative and refreshing and always easy to the ears. We most definitely will ask him to return. 

I believe everybody had a great time. Thank you to Dandy for the Pre-Show and managing skills to book Oblee for the Basement Club. You are very much appreciated, even if I tell you in a German way how things are run.

I do want to also thank the wonderful people who came and listened in. You guys have great taste in music. Isn't it amazing how Second Life connects live performers with people all over? Yes, this is what Second Life is all about.

I always enjoy these kinds of things and feel that I am right there because I am and I was :)

Thank you Oblee for hosting you again. We loved it!!!!

What are you thankful for in Second Life?

Interesting enough is the fact that in the United States and here in Second Life, the residents skip the decor for Thanksgiving, which should be an important Holiday in itself. I know many just think of this day as Turkey Day and lots of food, but thanks to the Natives the English Settlers may not have had some of the deer (not turkey) they shared with them. 

So as you celebrate this day and share your food remember that the Natives are a big part of this traditional meal.

We have so much to be thankful for. If I think of material things we can name a warm bed and clothing and family and friends. I also think of the social aspect of Second Life and how it has helped so many people to interact with, especially through the pandemic, but also during times when some could not be mobile to meet people and socialize.

This has been a blessing to me when I came here 10 years ago. It helped me stay sane. That is why I share my Retreat, gallery, and the Basement Club with others. It is open to all residents and it always will be this way.

What are you thankful for this year? I do want to thank all the people that I have met in Second Life and I mean all of them. Many have taught me wonderful things and whether they were heartfelt or painful, they shape me to be me. Who would have thought that Second Life could be this way when some people just call it a game. All of us know that it is not a game and much more than that. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, even if you are not celebrating this day I am sure you can be thankful for some things. 

Who is Parsen Brown?

Yes, it is this time of year again when most of Second Life turns into a Winter Wonderland. This brings me way back into my childhood in Germany when Winter looked like Winter with snow and frost and pine trees glistening. I am so glad I can recreate this in Second Life and never feel cold. 

In the meadow, we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, Are you married? We'll say, No man
But you can do the job
When you're in town

So, who is this mysterious fellow Parson Brown? Was he a real person? Winter Wonderland was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard. This popular song has inspired over 200 artists to perform this since its inception. I believe the reference to Parson Brown was just a poetic injunction so it could rhyme with 'town'.

Whatever it may have meant, you can pretend you are in a Winter Wonderland and conspire as you dream by the fire and face unafraid of the plans that you've made walking in a winter wonderland here at the Retreat. 

Maybe you will even run into Parson Brown along the way and he may ask you if you are married. Just say no sir, however, the Retreat does have a lovely chapel that you may consider for your venue of marital bliss if you so desire. I had several weddings here at the Retreat including a lovely Winter Wedding. Either way, the place is a wonderful and peaceful place where you can hang out and take pictures.

If you want to get all cozy and warm come on down to the Basement Club for some nightly music entertainment. We have DJs here M-F starting at 6PM SLT with a variety of music.

Don't forget this Thursday starting at 7PM SLT we will have OBLEE performing live. 

Now get ready to hear Holiday Music throughout Second Life and see a variety of Santas and Snowpeople. If you do run into Parson Brown, tell him I say hello.

Transforming the Retreat

With Halloween being over and Winter will soon arrive at the Retreat. The transformation will take a few days, maybe a week or two, but soon the snow will be falling. I have to dig through all of my Holiday decors and maybe buy some new things as well.

I love decorating here in Second Life, if it was just as easy in Real life and I could rezz a tree fully decorated, it would make life so much easier. 

Last year I had my SL apartment fully decorated for the holidays and I had the Kosher Pickle Hunt. This year there is a new cozy home at the Lake, that I will decorate. Feel free to check it out often as I transform this into a warm and cozy Winter Retreat.

Whether you like it or not, the holidays are coming and here in Second Life it is celebrated throughout the sims. 

OBLEE will be @ the Basement Club

Mark your calendars for November 18th at 7PM. If you have never seen Oblee or heard about him, this will be your opportunity to get a close-up look and listen.

Who is Oblee?

"Oblee is a one-man musical juggling act consisting of a guy called Eric who has worked as a drummer, bassist, keyboardist, and guitarist over the years across multiple genres. The original songs are created live with the aid of an argumentative old Boomerang looper. A very diverse set of influences have made the original compositions daring, An equal love of pop music has kept them somewhat sane. There is a spontaneous element to the live shows, and new versions of songs are often improvised and combined. It is unclear what genre this music fits into, but it is certainly unique and full of life. "

Besides performing on live stage in the real world, Oblee also performs in Second Life. He is always present at the Second Life Birthday celebrations and various venues throughout SL. Once you have experienced this talented artist you will become a fan.

Here at the Basement Club, we are honored to have Oblee perform for a second time.

Please check out his music on his official website, as well as his social media below:

Spotify
Facebook

Live from the Hotel Chelsea October 30, 2021

“Once upon a midnight dreary,”

The Raven is probably known by many people as a talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the man's slow descent into madness. Perhaps Poe himself was a little mad and he fits right into Halloween, where things are spooky.

I love it when I travel around Second Life and see ravens and crows in a field. They add this element of fright into a scene. Crows are more aggressive and a bit smaller than a raven. Perhaps the differences are not as noticeable at first. Crows make a higher-pitched, lighter noise that sounds like they’re saying “Caw!” A raven’s call, meanwhile, is a lower, more guttural croak.

Whichever you prefer these birds are all part of the sounds and terrors we so love during Halloween.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

Let the goosebumps spread and the hairs stand up on Halloween and let the candy fill your dreams.

Happy Halloween!!!

From the Retreat and Basement Club!!!

The Pirates of Monte Likka Hunt will be up and running until November 2ish or so...hurry and find the goodies.

The Boystown Haunted Experience

WAIT!!! DON'T SHOOT!!!

 

If you love scary things and an amazing experience of SL's finest, you stop by and take the Boystown Experience. I love all the sound effects and the entire scene. When you do visit this place make sure you have enough time to get through it all. It does take some time, but it will be worth it. 

A 20+ Minute Experience — This spooky walk-through attraction with interactive experiences is designed to terrify and entertain. Start out at Horror House, where an innocent visit to Madame Ruby’s Fortune Telling turns out to be a gateway to a demonic world with incredible monsters, amazing special effects, and fearful places.

I may go back and take some more pictures as well. So many cool spots to take photographs. Wear a costume I guess that will make it even better.

A very creepy cemetery

Turn your sound on, probably best with headphones, but be aware every step you take may trigger something that will frighten you.

I love all the details throughout the experience. It was very well thought out and deserves more than one visit. In fact, tell your friends and bring them here. This is what Second Life is all about. You step into the haunted experience and become part of it. No worries, you will come out of it alive...I think everybody got out. 

If you do not like clowns, run through this part because they are all over. It seemed that way. You just have to tell yourself, it's not real, it's not real. It looks real, but ok it is not real. (Screaming and running out of there).

Red Balloons reminded me of an old German song of 99 Luftballons, but these here had a different meaning. Makes a note, never to buy red balloons, they are kind of creepy.

So, don't hesitate to get over there today and have a wonderful Halloween. Tell 'em Anjelikka send ya. 

Witches lives matter !!!

There is a misconception about witches. Most of them are portrait to be evil and mean and that is not true. People long ago feared witches because they creates healing spells. The evil witch from Hansel and Gretel is a fairytale and does not exist. Early witches were people who practiced witchcraft, using magic spells and calling upon spirits for help or to bring about change. Most witches were thought to be pagans doing the Devil’s work. Many, however, were simply natural healers or so-called “wise women” whose choice of profession was misunderstood.

Once Halloween was widely commercialized witches are often shown as mean and evil. It all makes sense because horror and gore sell better than a sweet witch trying to heal you. I love how in Second Life you can actually fly on the broom. Just think if we could do that in real life.

Some people are afraid of the color black and that is why witches mostly are shown wearing black and have black cats. Hey, I have a black cat in real life. Fear me now? I am harmless.
When choosing a pet to welcome into your home, please consider, that just like humans, the color of our skin does not matter…it’s what’s inside our hearts that does. The same equality should be for animals.

Let's go, Brandon!!!

We are not scared of some ugly aliens either. In fact, we were sitting here waiting for the parade of fools to pass us by. You just got to love Second Life.

Come and visit: The Deathly Halloween Experience ( it is listed as "Dethly" but as a teacher, I had the urge to correct the spelling, sorry)

The 3rd Annual Interactive Trick-or-Treat Halloween Neighborhood and Carnival are open! Wear your costumes and visit each of the 25 uniquely decorated houses. Explore the fantastic haunted maze, abandoned park, creepy cemetery, spooky carnival, and Halloween-themed mini-golf course created by Solstice and Tales of Enchantment. Teleport in to learn more about the interactive trick-or-treat and hunt.

This is a super fun place where you can take all your Halloween pictures. 

Happy Halloween!!!!!

I see you

Whether it is in Second Life or Real Life people recognize me, which can be good and not so good. It all depends on what it is. For example this past week McDonald's was giving out free breakfast for teachers and I thought well why not drive by my local place and get me that well-deserved breakfast. All you had to do is show your school ID, so that was easy. As I got to the window, the lady that: "Oh you do not need to show me the ID, I know you, you were my child's teacher."  (Those things happen all the time in stores, people see me and recognize me.)

It can be a good thing to be recognized because you must have had some impact on the person, whether it was good or bad. You know that from your own experiences you go somewhere in SL and you see that avatar name that left a bad memory in your head. Ugh!!! Then there are those who were absolutely delightful to see again.

Treasure the people who make you smile and appreciate those who find some joy in your presence as well. Life is short, even in Second Life, so smile and smile often and then smile again.

I see you running, never looking back,
towards the endless sea of nothing,
your hands swing by, back and forth, you look from left to right
never looking back, even once.

I imagine that you smile your dimpled smile
when the passing breeze greets you,
I see you tousle your hair,
you keep walking, going farther to the land of nothing.

My eyes begin to betray my vision,
you grow fainter, smaller but taller,
I see the shadow, trailing behind you,
it grows taller and taller.

I fancy you call my name
to come after you, to live with you
in the land, I will never set my eyes on,
only to realize, you don't belong here.

 

You Matter !

I came to Second Life because the Domestic Violence that I experienced resulted in Post Traumatic Stress. This was my place of refuge, a new beginning, a place of peace.

October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. 

Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. 

Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

For those who are going through this it seems like something that it will never end, but trust me it can.

If you need help, call for help when it is safe to do so.

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7:

1-800-799-7233

If you are in Second Life and need help you can also come by the Retreat and see me. You have a friend here. Don't wait until it is too late.

Stay calm and breathe and take care of yourself. You matter!

This was me!

The meaning of dying

He was just dying to dance with me and finally ask. Here is one of those phrases in the English language that is perplexing, because I translate it literally. I would not want someone to die over me. However, there is a big difference when someone is dying of something and dying for something. I know you are dying to know more about this.

What is the meaning of death? Is it that the moment we are born we are guaranteed to die eventually. The problem humans have is that we do not know when we will die, but we know it will happen.

Keep death away as much as possible. So, should it not be in the best interest and live each day to the fullest and concentrate on the happiest things? 

Of course, it does. Fear helps protect us. It makes us alert to danger and prepares us to deal with it. Feeling afraid is very natural and helpful in some situations. Fear can be like a warning, a signal that cautions us to be careful.

If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don’t you ever cry.
The love that’s deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You’ll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.

May all my friends and those who do not like me always remember that life is short and who knows how long death lasts. Make every second count until the kiss of death touches your lips.

Smile in the meantime and enjoy Second Life, because you may one have One Life.

I wonder what goes on night and day beneath the surface of a cemetery.

If you love cemeteries as much as I do, you want to come and visit the Retreat cemetery here in Second Life. This part of the Retreat has been around for several years now and it is located right next to the chapel. 

Some SLers have used this particular cemetery for their backdrop for pictures and it is totally open for anyone to use.

"When you're dead, you are just a stone above." Nobody really cares what you looked like, we all end up the same way. 

As a child in Germany, I lived across the cemetery and I often went there to play. I know that sounds creepy, but it was fascinating and very quiet there.

You will find this spot year-round and not just during the Halloween season.

"The only people without problems live in the cemetery."

Right now the place is decorated for Halloween and you may see a ghost or two wandering around there. The "Pirates of Monte Likka Hunt" will also bring you to the cemetery or at least into the chapel for a little hint here. You still have to search for the purple pearls all around. 

I like to hang out here often because I feel the same serene peace as in real life. This reminds me: live now and make your dreams come true. The most buried treasures lie in the cemetery. There lies buried the dreams that never came true, the goals that were never reached, the inventions that were never created, and the books that were never written. Don't be a buried treasure.

Come visit today!!!

I will leave a spot open for just you :)