Selfie

 

“Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them.” Bob Dylan

I took this picture up above, while laughing the entire time with a friend of mine. While smiling and having fun, I thought about how those memories are so important. You never get those moments back, but they’re imprinted there in memory. I live for those moments with belly laughs, till you almost cry. I smile a bit more, when there’s fun to be had. Those little moments are so very important in living. It’s also really easy to forget that they are worth more than gold.

I think about the people on the other end of a keyboard sometimes. I read in someone’s profile that you should leave others feeling better, when you walk away–than how you found them. It’s important. I think. Their profile is s right. There’s hidden stories beyond the keys. Your happiness and joy that you inflict on others can lift people up and help them to move along in those waking moments of real life. I’ve been really lucky on my journey in sl to find people, even now, who have lifted me up, when I was down. I’ve made some great memories. Tonight definitely was no exception. I had a lot of fun taking this picture. And I’m so thankful. I needed some laughs. Who doesn’t??

To continue on with the good times, I took my happy and laughing self to District 20. I bought this blazer and head piece from GizzA, which is called Nightspot–available at District 20. I took this picture in the wee hours of the night, so it’s fitting in so many ways. I also got this hair from Collabor88 from Spellbound—Netherworld. You will have to hurry though. Time is running out, before the next round of C88 opens. I hope that others have a night full of joy and laughter. We all deserve a little laughter in our lives. It’s good for the soul.

So bring a friend, go shopping, and check out District 20. There are some amazing things at this event. Also before I forget, be sure to join the group to get a small discount on all of your items.

As always, be kind to one another.

Violet XOXO

Credits

Head–LeLutka –Simone by Minnu Palen (I’ve been misquoting this for awhile. I am so sorry to the creator.)
Ears–Mandala –Season 5 by 菊之介王子 (kikunosuke.eel)
Headpiece, blazer, body mesh–GizzA–Nightspot by Giz Seorn, available at District 20
Eyes–IKON–Charm Eyes by Ikon Innovia
Body–Maitreya –Lara by Onyx LeShelle
Eyeliner–Veechi–Matte Winged by Aiubrey Snoodle
Lipstick–Veechi–Velvet Creme Lipstick by Aiubrey Snoodle
Nail Polish–Alme.–Summer glam by Chloe Electra (chloeelectra)

Pose–DB Poses–Weekend Trip–available on the MP

Hair–Spellbound–Netherworld by Kohana Xue

Male

Body–Belleza–Jake by Tricky Boucher
Tux–::GB::–Chain Lock Tux by Takuya Jinn
Head–Catwa–Daniel–by Catwa.Clip (catwa.clip)
Ears–Mandala –Season5 by 菊之介王子 (kikunosuke.eel)
Eyes–IKON–Triumph Eyes by Ikon Innovia
Hair–Stealthic–Like Lust by Hunter (stealthic)
Skin–Stray Dog–Lewis by Gac Akina

Quiet Contemplation

“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.” Aristotle

As a kid, I did quite a bit of contemplating. Then as I got older, I did more doing and not a lot of thinking. It was always a laundry list of things to do–go to class, laundry, work, dishes, cleaning, shopping, and….well you get my drift. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. Second life can sort of be like that too, if you keep yourself busy. It gives you time to fill up spaces that need covering up in the mind–like bad memories. This week seems to be particularly rough. I suspect the holiday season sort of influencing moods around the grid. The hustle and bustle doesn’t really allow for those quiet moments of solitude.

In the corners of my mind, I think about significant things that have had an impact on my life. Second life has some dusty corners in there too. But if I’m completely honest, it is not the pixels that plague a mind in the wee hours of the night. It is not the ghosts of second life pasts that plague and haunt me. It is the hustle and bustle of real life.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that behind the story boards of a pixel world, there is a life beyond the hardware of a computer. Our real lives can touch every bit of ourselves. Not every faceless person exposes the inner depths of their soul to complete strangers. As a direct result, residents are sometimes impacted by the lives untold stories. It’s easy to forget the narratives that we don’t share with residents. A blog post, a title, a quote, or emotion planted on the second life pictures and blogs may not tell a whole story, but yet only a part. In my last post, I talked about perception. It’s easy to perceive the actions of others as only being the direct result of the virtual web we cast upon the thing called second life. Although sometimes our virtual world inspires a picture, blog post, or social media update, it’s the silent real life story untold, which becomes our muse–silently in those virtual paintings.

In the last six months, I’ve had deep thoughts about what the meaning of life is. Or to be precise, I’ve thought about the meaning behind my life. I’ve had many misconceptions and premeditated ideas of who I am as a person from others. We forget about the waking moments, which don’t include a glow of a computer or the use of wiring for communication. It is our real lives that have direct solid impacts on the non virtual body–a doctor’s visit, a real life hug, or even the view of human emotion in front of us rather than told behind text or captured in a headphone. Life has been omnipresent in my virtual life. My real life untold events away from the keyboard have impacted me and other residents. My attention isn’t always here on the grid. It can be misconceived as ignoring others, when I’m really just stuck in my own thoughts.

I’m sorry that I am not always present inworld. My mind wanders and my body fatigues. I’m not always infront of my computer. I lay down and fall asleep–or forget to log out. I seek out wild and scandalous stories and adventures. Or I seek out a new friend to talk about the new clothes coming out at the next event. I share a moment to help another. It is kindness that allows me to be strong. It is kindness that I seek, because in the end… life is not easy. It’s hard and complicated. Sometimes pixels and stories make us strong to get through life’s wrenching and difficult times. We forget those untold stories influence our virtual paintings.

To help me paint my virtual self in my own imagined image, I went to Kustom9 and played the Zenith Gacha. The oversized comfy sweater is called oversized hoodie and the boots are called winter mid leather boots with socks. I also won bear bow earmuffs from Zenith. The only part of this outfit that was a little difficult is the earmuffs don’t quite cover my ears and the they stick out a little. But other than this small issue, I love this outfit. I also headed over to rewind and bought this beautiful makeup by Veechi–a company that I adore and seem to always buy. Finally, one of my favorite hair companies–stealthic created this hair for Kustom9 called Lithe, which has some amazing textures. For more details, please check out my credits below.

Be Kind To One Another,

Much love Violet XOXO

Credits.

Earmuffs–Zenith–Bear Bow Earmuffs by 喵 仙 人 (miffyhoi.rosca)–Kustom9 Nov. 2017
Hoodie–Zenith–Oversized Hoodie in Rose by 喵 仙 人 (miffyhoi.rosca)–Kustom9 Nov 2017
Boots–zenith–Winter Mid Leather Boot with Socks by 喵 仙 人 (miffyhoi.rosca)–Kustom9 Nov 2017
Tights–Izzie’s–Heart Tights by Izzy Button
Eyeliner–Veechi—Pin Up Eyeliner–by Aiubrey Snoodle–Rewind, November 2017
Lipgloss–Veechi–Monroe Lipgloss by Aiubrey Snoodle–Rewind November 2017
Pose–DB Poses –You Should be here by Denny Ballyhoo–available on the marketplace

Hair–Stealthic–Lithe–by Hunter (stealthic)–Kustom9 Nov 2017

 

Into The Dark

 

The moon looks upon many night flowers; the night flowers see but one moon.

Jean Ingelow

I know this isn’t my usual amount of blogging.  However, I’ve been planning this picture for weeks. And I was really excited to take it. A good friend of mine Kody Myers has a photography company and I really wanted to take his picture. I also want to promote his photography company. I always believe it’s important to support each other, rather than knock each other down.

I’ve been so excited to do this photo because I very rarely pose with people. I would like to practice posing with others and taking pictures of other people rather than myself. So it was so wonderful, when he agreed to put up with me :). He was ever so the gentlemen and I really appreciate it. He is also a very talented wedding photographer, but he’s interested in taking clients for profiles. His name inworld is Kody Meyers. Here is his Flickr, if you’re interested.

Okay, now I want to switch gears and talk about the quote up above. It reminds me of perception. It’s how we see something differently than others. I have thought so much about perception in the last few months. I talked about it with other residents too. I have a friend whose style is completely different than my own, yet we appreciate being different. Seeing things differently can be almost calming. If you go through a tough time in life, those who see something in one light can be changed by another shining a different light at another angle. I was feeling really blue, but I saw things differently. It has definitely made a difference. Inworld or real life, we need the perspective of others to guide us sometimes. If it weren’t for others, we would get stuck in our own head. It’s important to see a new angle or a different idea–even learn how to do something differently. It’s how we grow as human beings. My friend reminded me that sometimes we put our own emotions into what we read. And I think she’s absolutely right. Any way, on to shopping…

To help me relax, I went to N21. I bought this lovely dress from Mossu called Precious Dress in beige. Despite N21 being over, most stores do put those items on the market place and/in their main store. I hope second life finds you and lifts you up in the most saddest of times, because we all need respite.

As always,

Be kind to yourself and others—you never know what the other person is going through behind the monitor.

Much love,

Violet XOXO

Credits.

Dress–Mossu –Precious Dress by Stephen (akirakiyoi)
Hair–Exile–Flickering lights by Kavar Cleanslate
Lipgloss–Izzies–Daphne Sheer lipgloss by Izzie Button
Eyeshadow–Izzies–Metallic Eye by
Izzie Button

Kody

Tux–Deadwool— Peak TUX by Masa Plympton
Ears–Mandala–steking Ears by 菊之介王子 (kikunosuke.eel)
Hair– Stealthic — Like Lust by Hunter (stealthic)

 

Freedom

 

“Pursuit and seduction are the essence of sexuality. It’s part of the sizzle.” Camille Paglia

I’ve been waiting to write this blog for awhile now. I was searching for words in my head and thinking about what to say. I knew the title from the start. I know what to say because it’s all on the tip of my tongue. But knowing what to express and being able to express it are two totally different things. It’s a battle that I’ve fought with my entire life.

I named this blog freedom. Sometimes second life gives people the freedom that they have always sought. It’s here that I found bravery. It is here that I learned it’s okay for me to be me. And it’s also here that allowed me to slowly shed the skin of self hatred and expectation.

I needed freedom like I needed water. I had a few friends long ago who were brave enough to be themselves in all worlds. I looked up to them at times. I was jealous of them and I envied them. But I was also incredibly happy for them too–all at the same time. Being human is tough sometimes with all those emotions floating around.

I needed the freedom to take this picture. I also needed the freedom to say that I was Bisexual in this world….all worlds really–pansexual is always up for debate with me, but for now it’s that box that I fit into in rl–but like my pics state humans don’t belong in boxes. We’re more complex. However, this is not a title that I have declared until this year. I was incredibly uncomfortable with who I was as a person. I can’t shout it from the mountain tops in real life to my blood related family, but I can definitely shout it in my second life.

Despite my recent acceptance, I had one very regretful fight inworld with a friend. I have always felt remorseful for that fight. It all stemmed from things about me. I held deep seeded shame. I wasn’t okay in my own skin. And I needed time to be okay, which sometimes takes more time than people realize. They only saw me as rude and defensive. Maybe I was. I wanted so badly to explain those feelings, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to tell them that I was ashamed and embarrassed. I wanted to explain why, but I was afraid my friend would assume that I rejected them—because I was rejecting myself. I was definitely in a pickle.

In my rl childhood home, LGBTQAI topics were never discussed. It wasn’t an option. It wasn’t a choice (not that being who you are is a choice). I couldn’t declare it, without rejection from family. Growing up that way had a deep impact on so many things. I never declared my sexuality. If people made the assumption of straight, I never corrected them. Looks can always be deceiving. I’m guilty of explaining too much, but in a repressed household—explanations can be damning. So yeah, I explain a lot because it’s freeing to do so.

I finally said the things in this blog that I have always wanted to say, but never had the courage to–until now. And I myself am learning to be proud of the person that I am and not shameful. One day, I know that shame will leave my soul and acceptance of myself will be right there waiting for me—and I know that the people in second life have definitely been part of that path and I am forever grateful.

Speaking of friends inworld, I have a friend of a friend who’s a designer and made this really hot lingerie for Collabor88. In the ad, there are wings, but the outfit does include a hud to hide them. My friend with the red, low back and short dress bought it from the Kinky event. I really enjoy these two events and usually go broke. So I highly recommend both. If you find these outfits to be hawt, check my credits down below.

As always, be kind to one another and to yourself.

Cheers,

Violet XOXO

Credits

Me with the dark hair

Hair–Magika–Fool For Love–Sabina Gully
Eyepatch–::Supernatural::–Circe headband and eyepatch, sold together by Sombria Baily–ROMP Nov 2017
Head–LeLutka –Simone by Thora Charron
Gloves, and lingerie–Elivah–Runa’s collection by e l i a v a h ღ (eliavahazaleia)–Collabor88
Eyeshadow–ItGirls –Goddess shadow appliers by Annie Jolifaunt
Lipstick–The Studio Exposure –Dramatic by A S H K E Z E N N (ashamti)
Nail Polish–Alme—black and white shiny by Chloe Electra (chloeelectra)
Skin–DeeTalez–Jolie by deetalez.com (steffi.villota)

Pose–Infiniti –The Sweetest Pose by Brandi Monroe–ROMP Nov 2017

Boots–Reign–Marylin by KENADEE REIGN (kenadeecole)

Location–My house

 

The Blond

Rings–Yummy–Dark Magic RIng Set by Polyester Partridge–C88 Nov 2017
Head–Catwa–Lona by Catwa.Clip (catwa.clip)
Eyes–L’Etre–Real Eyes by Dᴀᴠɪᴅ Cᴏᴏᴘᴇʀ (dam1710)
Body–Maitreya –Lara by Onyx LeShelle
Hair–Rama Salon –Kendall Hair by Katarina Monk– At FaMESHed Nov 2017
Dress–Sweet Thing–Charisma by Aya (ayashula)–Kinky Nov 2017
Shoes–Reign–Maaike heels by KENADEE REIGN (kenadeecole)–old gacha item, availability limited.

Skin–Lola–L’Etre — by David Cooper (dam1710)

Change Of Plans

 

“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” Lao Tzu

Whew, this blog was hard to write. I planned on writing it the other day but Flickr went down. Then, I planned to take the photo soon afterwards and I had issues logging in. I was intent on creating this earlier, but life had another journey for me. Like the picture says, I had changed plans and I had nothing to replace those plans with–so I was forced to be a good traveler.

According to Lao Tzu, I’m a good traveler. I am not living a life that was planned in second life or real life. Just like my avatar’s expressions, it left me a little angry and frustrated. But I believe everything happens for a reason. I also believe when one door closes another one opens. It’s hard to see the light of options, but they are there.

I needed a road with no destination and I needed to talk to the travelers along my path. My second life has been that road. The residents have been those travelers. Some never understood the person behind the keyboard. Not every person is going to understand you, because they weren’t there for all the parts of your life that shaped you. Nor do people live inside your head and know how things effect you.

Some may have noticed my profile changed. I made declarations that I haven’t made in the past. Those statements are important to me–not just in sl but in rl too. I’ve hid a lot in my real life in regards to sexuality. Being asked that question is like asking me to do calculus. It makes me sweat and feel the pressure. I’ve met a lot of people in my second life journey that helped me …be okay with me. They may never know that, but they have. I’ve been extremely defensive when certain topics have been brought up inworld. I’ve even hurt people because of my own hang ups and I’ve cried about it. Instead of being a calm person, I was defensive. I didn’t know why, until recently.

I won’t get into the details, because they are my own. However, I will say that putting that pick in my profile is the closest thing that I’ll ever do to coming out and into the light of day. I hated questions about sexuality. I had to go on a journey with a few residents and talk to them–and get to know them. In knowing them, I started to be okay with myself. I still have a very long way to go. One day, I’ll be okay with that question. But for now, I’m just thankful for the journey.

During that journey, I went to the Gacha garden and I took a trip to Blueberry for one of their current releases. I won this wonderful nail polish by Alme. Then, I bought this wonderful cardigan and boots from Blueberry. I love this company and I am way over due for blogging them. The male in the pick above is wearing a peacoat from Gabriel and is available at this months TMD.

I want to add something. I debated adding it, but I think it’s important. I need to stand up for myself–something that I’m not very good at doing. People will talk and say things. I always say let them talk, if they don’t have anything better to do. Love doesn’t die over night. If it does, you never loved them to begin with. I love my friends who I grow close with–which does not always happen in this big little world. I can count those friends on one hand. Even when things are over, I still love people. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I don’t hide from my emotions. Words are more than words. Hearts do break. Sticks and stones is crap. Words hurt people to the core. And there’s no reason for it. And I believe in turning the other cheek. It helps everyone in the end. I will always love people that stepped onto my path and showed me love in return. I love my ex friends and friends on good terms. Love thy enemy.

I am you and you are me. I don’t want to cause hurt on others, because I would not want others to hurt me–make me cry and sink.

Be kind to others. Treat others how you would like to be treated. Use social media to grow as a person and laugh–not to spew hatred. A friend once told me that your past is not a life sentence. He was right.

I am not defined by one bad day.

Be kind to one another and to yourself.

Violet XOXO

Credits.

Me

Hair–Doux–Juniper by Dᴀᴠɪᴅ Cᴏᴏᴘᴇʀ (dam1710)
Ears-Mandala –Steking Ears by 菊之介王子 (kikunosuke.eel)
Eyeshadow–Veechi–Glitter cut crease by Aiubrey Snoodle
Lips–DeeTalez–High Gloss Lips by deetalez.com (steffi.villota)
Nails–Alme–Nudes by Chloe Electra (chloeelectra) —–Gacha Garden Nov 2017
Necklace–Zenith–Leaf Necklace by 喵 仙 人 (miffyhoi.rosca)
Cardigan set–Blueberry–Mill by Blueberry (blueberryxx)–Current Release
Boots/stockings–Blueberry –Mill by Blueberry (blueberryxx)–Current Release
Eyes–IKON–Charm Eyes by Ikon Innovia

 

Location–My house

Pose–DB Poses –true friends don’t leave you alone by Dᴇɴɴʏ Bᴀʟʟʏʜᴏᴏ (denny.ballyhoo)

The dude in the pick with me

Ears–Mandala–Steking Ears by 菊之介王子 (kikunosuke.eel)
Head–Catwa–Daniel by Catwa.Clip (catwa.clip)
Body–Belleza–Jake by Tricky Boucher
Peacoat–::GB::–Jk by Takuya Jinn—TMD Nov 2017
Eyes–IKON–Triumph by Ikon Innovia
Hair–Stealthic –Reach–by Hunter (stealthic)
Hairbase–Stealthic –Male Hairbase by Hunter (stealthic)

 

 

 

 

Dreamers

 

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

Harriet Tubman

Sometimes people forget to dream and it impacts your life. I know that it did mine. I was laying in my bed under a warm blanket and about to drift to sleep, when I had a sudden realization about my own dreams. I shut the door on creating new dreams about the future, because things didn’t go my way. I know many people go through this at some point in life. I never expected for things to turn out differently than I had planned. But there is that saying…..”God Laughs, when you’re making plans.” But it shouldn’t stop a dreamer from thinking of what could be.

Dreams are important. They give you something to aspire to. They give people the fire that lights ambition and drive. I know in my case that dreams effect me this way. It makes me excited to think some dreams can come true. It helps us to be excited for the future rather than fearful. Dreams give us so much, yet so many stop dreaming.

I can never speak about why others slam a door on what could be. However, I can tell you what made my door slam on mine. I left an ideal situation in real life, because of my health. Things were going very well for me, but life had other plans. I was hit by sudden life events that were uncontrollable and not anyone’s fault. I just didn’t expect them. As a result, I sank like the Titanic. I tried to find hope in others, but I realized that it really begins with myself.

Any time people brought up the future, I would wave it off. I made no plans and didn’t look forward to anything. It seemed impossible to think of a different plan for myself, other than the one I had worked so hard to make. It didn’t just effect me in real life, but also in my virtual life as well. I never signed on with companies to blog for them. I wasn’t hopeful, when things changed suddenly. I couldn’t cope with changes, because I couldn’t see past my own plan. I wanted everything to work out perfectly. When things didn’t go a certain way, I gave up on everything.

Even inworld this happened to me, when friendships or families didn’t go as planned, I gave up on the notion that it would go well with others. But it’s not fair to myself or the people around me to give up on possibilities in life. So what, things didn’t go my way, but it doesn’t mean another dream won’t go my way. It takes strength to pursue a dream. You have to be patient, because one dream may not turn out–but another may come to full fruition. Then, you have to have a bit of passion for whatever you do. Passion is the fire that gets you moving. When you put all three of those elements together, there is no telling what you may accomplish or who you will help. Maybe, you will even end up helping yourself along the way.

What did I do with this new realization. Well, it lit a fuel under me for sure. I applied to companies inworld to blog. And I started some pretty exciting and bold things in my real life, despite my own adversity. It’s just time for me to move along and see where life takes me. It may not be the perfect situation, but I can still accomplish a few of the things that I’ve been dreaming about since I was a child. And…..I’m better for it. DB poses welcomed me into their family graciously. Thank you DB poses. And I have exciting news to share over the weekend with friends in real life. Life doesn’t really get better than that. Always appreciate those little dreams that do come true. And remember, if things didn’t go your way, there are always other possibilities. We just have to seek them out and be open minded.

To help me dream, I went over to Uber. I bought my socks from Fri. at Uber, which are called Holly socks. I also bought this wonderful dress and cardiigan from one of my favorite companies, Dead Dollz. It’s appropriately named Cozy cardigan and camisole. Both are sold together. So get warm and cozy in this months Uber, so you can think of a few of your own dreams.

And also don’t give up on people, you never know when those people may help you in the end. They may even help you see or realize your own dreams…..or they may become part of them.

Okay enough of my ramblings, be kind to one another and to yourself.

Cheers,

Violet XOXO

Credits.

Hair–Exile –Go by Kavar Cleanslate–June arcade 2016, gacha item
Eyeliner–Veechi–Dazzle Eyeliner by Aiubrey Snoodle
Lipgloss–Veechi–Genie by Aiubrey Snoodle
Head–LeLutka –Lelutka by Thora Charron
Body–Maitreya –Lara by Onyx LeShelle
Necklace–Ama.–Dreams Necklace
Dress/cardigan–Dead Dollz–Cozy by Kiddo Oh–Uber October 25, 2017
Socks–fri.—Holly Socks by Darling Monday–Uber October 25, 2017
Eyes–IKON–Charm by Ikon Innovia

 

Pose–DB Poses–A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset by Denny Ballyhoo (denny.ballyhoo)—Thank you DB poses 🙂 Available on the MP

Location–My home