Diamonds are a girl's best friend exhibit

 

Through the years Dani Durant ( longtime resident in SL) has sent me some of her creative Diamond Art Paintings. I know she says "I just do it because it is so much fun and people enjoy it, " but the time each piece requires makes them worth so much more.

What is Diamond Painting? Diamond painting (also known as crystal art) is the process of applying tiny resin rhinestones (known as "diamonds") to a pre-printed design, usually an adhesive board to create sparkling, vibrant, and uplifting pieces of mosaic-style art.

I have brought some of these pieces that she created into Second Life for its own exhibit. If it was not for Second Life I would have never met Dani and would never have these artworks in real life.

I named this special exhibit " Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and is located at the beautiful Retreat.

Art happens to come in so many forms and Diamond Art Painting is a beautiful and unique art form that allows people of every age and ability to create dazzling works of art. From part-time hobbyists to full-time artists. 

The Grand Opening for the Exhibit is on January 30, 2024, at 6PM SLT with a live DJ. There will also be a free gift for all who attend. The exhibit will be open until February 29, 2024. We hope that you can join us for the event or stop by at your leisure.

Thank you Dani Durant you are like the paintings a true diamond.

No more winter here

 As the rest of the country in the USA in real life freezes and digs themselves out of the snow, why not stop by the Retreat.

I decided to let winter go early here this year, after all, that is what Second Life is all about to maybe escape the harsh winters in real life. I always have a little of my real life hidden in the Retreat mainly from my childhood in Germany. Whether it is the cemetery that holds my parents and beloved sister or the old ruins of Burg Gleiberg.

If you are ever in Giessen, Germany make sure you visit. The ruins of the Gleiberg Castle are located at a height of 308 meters (1010 feet) above sea level. Owned by the Gleiberg Association since 1879, the castle now houses a namesake tavern with a wonderful beer garden. The ruins also offer the ideal venue for an intimate wedding reception or local cultural festivities. I love that I can bring this into Second Life.

The fields around the old castle in spring are covered in yellow phlox and look so warm, perfect when you want to escape the winter. I found some similar flowers and you can see them all over the Retreat to add to the warmth that we all need just about now.

Don't forget to visit the Gallery of watercolor paintings I have done throughout the years. I am adding a new exhibit that will be ready in February that will feature a good friend of mine I met here in Second Life who had sent me numerous pieces of her diamond paintings, too good to keep for myself. Look for that event coming up :)

Stay warm and safe this winter and find some getaways, even if they are virtual they can warm up your mind and heart. 

Hippiestock

“Hippiestock The Watercolour Edition” is an art installation by Ceakay Ballyhoo and a month-long music event.

No, I am not tagging this car. The colors are amazing!

This is a beautiful colorful place. I love the watercolor art very much. The place also has some events with live DJs, so check out this schedule.

Hippiestock is a virtual festival celebrating its 13th year in Second Life. Running from January 1st to 31st, this watercolor-themed event recreates the Woodstock '69 area, curated by Ceakay Ballyhoo. With a diverse lineup of musicians and DJs, Hippiestock promises a soulful experience for all. Ceakay's interactive art installation adds a unique touch, inviting attendees into a living painting. Embrace your inner hippie, connect with the community, and join the festivities at the grand Hippiestock Festival.

" I remember hippies all those years ago
and a place called Woodstock where they used to go
spreading words of peace and an end to war
only flower power and be free again once more
they flocked in their thousands to the Woodstock ground
singing songs of love spreading love around
but that was years ago now the hippies have all gone
no one left to spread their peace or carry their love on "

Fifty shades of Pink

pictures taken at Cherry Blossom Cove

The delicate pale pink Japanese cherry blossom petals have for thousands of years symbolized spiritual rebirth when they fall each year. Pink was all over in 2023 from Christmas Trees, decor, and even Santa in a pink coat. 

Why Pink? 

Pink just makes you think of warm Spring days and childhood innocence and it is not just for girls anymore, in fact, it was considered a masculine color before it was turned into the "pink is for girls" thing.

You will either love pink or hate it, but either way, pink is a color of calm and relaxation, it can have positive physical effects on the body. It’s been known to reduce anger and aggression, as well as stress levels. We sure needed that in 2023.

Don't worry pink is not fading away in 2024 because the new color will be fuzzy peach. Is that another shade of pink? Of course it is, it is changing its shade. Hold on to your Second Life pink Christmas decor, it may be in again this next season. After all everything old is new again.

Papperlapapp

 Seriously I wonder who comes up with those surnames (last names) in Second Life? 

To me that all sounds like Papperlapapp which is the German translation for rubbish or total nonsense. Even the names before that were nothing that I would ever pick. 

I know Linden Lab lets you suggest a name as well, but all of this comes with a cost. Yes, nothing is free, even in Second Life.

I often ask myself why people or should I say residents want to change their names? 

Although this is Second Life, the people in front of the screen psychologically still use the power of a name as a way to reflect their self-image.

Social identity: Who you are based on your membership in social groups, such as sports teams, religions, political parties, or social class, and here in Second Life all come into play in the self-image.

Self-concept develops, in part, through our interaction with others. In addition to family members and close friends, other people in our lives can contribute to our self-identity. So keep some good people around you, who build you up and accept you regardless of your name. That is all "dummes Zeug" and won't bring you any more friends. 

I am not saying that you should not buy one of those surnames, by all means, if that is what brings you self-indulgence, then do it. Happiness comes from within. Do what makes you happy. The hobbies or passions that are important to your sense of identity influence your understanding of yourself. This can be your avatar and the name you have chosen for yourself. 

The case of the Thermos pants

I used to check my windows
each night for UFOs,
convinced that aliens were
going to take me away.

Someone the other day said my pants look like a Thermos. Way before the Stanley Cup became a thing, there was the Thermos. This metal and plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in the 1960s. The box has a glass liner, a red plastic screw-on cup lid with a handle, and a red, beige plastic, screw-on stopper. The bottle has a red plaid design. They might be worth more than the current Stanley Cups if you have one in real life.

Right now at the Basement Club, you can get your own red tartan thermos for free just for stopping by. I also saw on Marketplace that you can buy one as well. That is the cool thing in Second Life you can have what you have in real life plus more.

I like the red tartan plain and I just realized that I wrapped all my Christmas gifts in this kind of pattern.

As far as the aliens in the picture above, well that was inspired by the recent set I did at the Basement Club because we can never have enough aliens around.

What if aliens existed?
what if UFOs flew so fast that if we blinked we’d miss it?
what if we do not know of their presence
because we were
excuse me we were
not looking in the right place
what if you as well as I were an alien life?

In Second Life I can have all the aliens I want and I can wear the Thermos pants and none of them would even mind. 

I hope you stop by soon and check us out and get your free gifts for sure. Viva la Second Life!!!

 

Never give your password to your SL Partner

 ...and here begins the new year. So, an old friend in Second Life for over 11 years sent me a message that he now has to delete us as friends in Second Life.

Apparently, he gave his SL partner his password so she could redo his avatar. She told him she did not like it and that he was friends with me. I mean I only exchange 5 words with the man in a year. 

It is ok I honored the request but I also deleted and blocked him in real life. I do not need a person on my friend list who is so desperate to have a partner and have her control him. That is kind of narcissistic and insecure. Come to think of it, he was never very honest when it came to women and would lie.

Some people do not consider snooping to be controlling behavior, but in reality, snooping can be a sign of a very controlling girlfriend. While you should never try to hide anything from your partner, and you should always be honest and truthful, that doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to tell your partner every little bit about every single day. If your girlfriend is so controlling that she snoops on your phone or goes through your things to find out what she missed, that can be a sign of controlling behavior.

Your controlling girlfriend may not agree with all the people in your social circle. She may even discourage you from spending time with your family, especially if she senses any distrust from them towards her. She will likely try to initiate plans with you on a day you already made plans with your loved ones or friends. 

Just be careful giving out your password to someone in Second Life, the results could end a real-life friendship. Giving a best friend or a romantic partner your password for things may seem harmless, especially if you really trust them. The hard truth is that relationships can change. If the ending of a relationship goes badly, there is a risk of that person logging into your accounts to snoop, send messages, and post embarrassing photos.