Dancing Up a Storm

Last weekend was my daughter's dance recital.  She's been taking dance classes the last four years since she was 3 at Ella Marie Dance School.  In all her previous recitals, she performed once on a Sunday.  This year, for her ballet recital, she had to perform in three shows -- one on Friday night and two on Saturday!  For all of this, she received her first trophy (in the last three years, she just got a ribbon).  Now I think I am eligible for a trophy, as well, for attending each performance, getting her ready for each performance, toting along all her touch up supplies, etc.  But, in the end, it was all worth it.  Below are some photos of her in her costume before and after the show and also of her receiving her trophy.

Exploring the Atlantis Aquarium on a Field Trip

On May 29, I went on a field trip with my daughter's class.  Despite the hot weather and the bus ride with a group of second graders (an experience to remember), it all turned out nice.  The Atlantis Aquarium (recently renamed the Long Island Aquarium), has many sites to see, shows, and exhibits.  Holly especially enjoyed feeding the stingrays and bought a stuffed one in the gift shop. 

One of the best exhibits, besides the fish, sharks, sea lions, penguins, and monkeys was the butterfly and birds exhibit.  Set in two wonderland-type rooms, the children enjoyed seeing the beautiful butterflies and were actually able to feed the birds (using hand sanitizer).  My daughter was a bird feeding expert from her time at the White Post Farms bird area.  Many birds landed on her and one took up residence on her head for a moment!

We had lunch in the cafeteria and then departed on the bus after a day of fun exploring.

My Daughter's Communion: A Day to Remember

My 7 year old daughter made her first Holy Communion at Holy Family Church on Saturday, May 12.  Although her allergies were acting up, and we were all suffering from a case of nerves, the event went smoothly.  We had beautiful weather, and it was great to see so many friends and relatives at the church and the party we had at Fanatico's Italian restaurant afterwards. 

Here are some photos from the Communion and party.  The food and cake were incredible.  Holly changed her clothes once we got to the restaurant to be more comfortable.  It was a truly memorable day. 

Goodbye Seahorse

I wrote a poem in tribute to a special place where I and some friends used to live.  I am also illustrating it with some photos from the two years we spent there.  While Second Life isn't a real world, I've found you can grow attached to the places, things, and people in it.  I don't believe that's wrong or crazy.  Just like in RL, you move on after saying goodbye, but it hurts for a bit, even though the memories are sweet.

Goodbye Seahorse (February 2010 - April 2012)

by Dulcie Mills

You weren't the first

or the last land I will own,

but for two years, you were home.

Through all the seasons

fireworks and fireplaces

visiting with friends

or just in my own spaces

In the sunset

and in the storm

sailboats crossing

by lighthouse glow

On swings and porches

by pools and lakes

waterfalls flowing

Your choice was no mistake

Over footbridges and horse paths

by gardens before the sea

where butterflies played

and cats and dogs ran free

Once there were four

sharing a treehouse with three floors

for parties, dances, and games

or just to meet or hang out with the gang

Skating and Sledding

Barbecues and teas

swimming and chatting

how hard it was to leave

rez days and birthdays

Weddings and holidays

special moments and more

we remember celebrating on Seahorse

Goodbye, Seahorse

so long

Dulcie Makes her Debut at PoetryFest

I recently participated in the 2012 PoetryFest at Milkwood.  This event, now in its 3rd season, took place over three days from Friday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1 and included the readings of over twenty poets.  This was my first time being involved, and I was quite impressed both by the quality of the readings and the professionalism of the preparations.  Although I couldn't attend all the performances, I heard they all went smoothly and, despite SL's quirkiness, I neither crashed nor had any issues hearing or using Voice.  Harriet Gausman and Ginger Jorgental, of Virtual Writers, were also immensely helpful in answering my questions and helping me with the textures for my poem's displays. 

I read 11 of my poems, all of which featured Second Life.  Below, I've included a few of them, as well as a machinima of my performance at the Fest. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnQAa1rPHSs

SL's Cinderella
by Dulcie Mills

She's looking for a SL Man

at all the virtual clubs and bars

checking out the profiles

of all the handsome guys.

She's looking for a prince among the virtual frogs

tangoing on the dance pole

seeking someone to satisfy her

that's her goal

She's trying to find a partner
who really means all those hugs and kisses

flirting shamelessly

shaking those long tresses

She's out to catch an avatar
so be careful if you get an IM from her

She has the sexiest words to say

but they haven't yet gotten her too far

She'd trade an SL wedding
for all her one-night stands.

When she complains about rl and SL men,

all her friends understand.

She's looking for a SL Man
one with no attachments but who has an attachment.
She's hunting high and low for all male avatars in sight
looking for Mr. SL right.

She doesn't require gifts, but will take them if given.
She loves to dance and try out the latest animations.
including the Xcite ones which catch her fascination.

She's a lady avatar on a mission
aware of timezone differences
so every night she joins the party
either at noon or midnight SLT.

She's hoping someone will find her glass stiletto
that she lost while changing clothes from her inventory
A prince, a vampire, a goth, or just one special fella
to live happily every second after with SL's Cinderella.

SL Neighbor
by Dulcie Mills

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
to help you in a jam

rerezz your house when you accidentally take it down

gives you good advice and doesn't repeat it twice
helps you in any way he can.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
one who doesn't block your land
with eyesores or dinosaurs
or holds any sim crashing parties without inviting you.
That's what virtual neighbors are for.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
someone who respects your privacy
but opens his doors to you when you need
feeds your virtual pets while you're offline
and sends you notecards that you might like to read.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
who always remembers your rez day
gives you plants for your garden or boats for your lake
lets you borrow lindens when you're broke
and never asks you to reciprocate.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor.
It's so virtually true
that I'm so lucky to have such a good SL neighbor
as you.
 

Lonely in SL


Just like RL, you can be lonely in SL,
Just like RL, people can hide behind a mask
call it an avatar, call it a face
They can hurt you if you get too close.

Just like RL, people can lie
Just like RL, it's hard to know why
call it life, call it unfair
They can hurt you and not even care

Just like RL, you can be lonely in SL
Just like RL, people play games
call it virtual or call it real,
It's very much the same.

But just like RL, people can be kind,
Just like in RL, there are friends you can find
call it connecting, call it reaching out
Relationships are what SL's about

Just like RL, you choose who you trust
Just like RL, this is a must.
Call it being cautious, call it what you like
Just like in RL, you don't need to be lonely in Second Life

Spring has Sprung in SL

For most of us, Spring has sprung.  In SL, many sims are replacing their snowy landscape with gardens and picnic areas.  Shops are selling warm-weather clothing. Virtual birds are chirping in virtual trees.  Partners and friends are strolling through SL gardens.  Everything is in virtual bloom, and Easter hunts are starting.

On Seahorse, I've done some digging in my inventory and started my virtual gardening.  I've "planted" several trees and put out my pretty swan pond and a picnic area.  My horses are out grazing. There are lots of butterflies around the sim now, and my neighbor even has an area where it rains.

My  new "Italy" house came with a full garden of roses and other shrubs and included a reflecting pond and wrought iron benches, perfect for spring into summer living.  I added some patio furniture and an iced tea giver for another comfortable place to relax when spending more time outdoors in the nice weather.

But along with the visual, this beautiful season isn't complete without some nature sounds.  My cherry tree has a tinkling windchime, and crickets and owls can be heard from the nests they build inside it.

Spring is definitely one of the prettiest seasons in SL, as it is in RL.  Enjoy it!

Rez Day Reflections

Today is my 5th Rez Day in Second Life, so I decided to write a post about what it means to me.  As I posted on Facebook, for friends who can see, I've seen a lot of changes in SL during the time I've been a resident and not all of them have been good.  I won't go there, but one thing that hasn't changed over the years is the main reason I stay -- the wonderful friends I've met in this world that make a Second Life worth living.  We all know the struggles on time that it demands.  I've often questioned the rewards.  But I've met people from all over the country and all over the world, most of them librarians like myself.  I wish I had more time to share with them.  I used to attend a lot more of the CVL events and was able to find time to view some of the great inworld exhibits.  Now I'm lucky I have time to do any exploring at all, and it's an effort to keep up my commitments at my Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial, although the great members there are so supportive.

What would I like to do in my next 5 years if SL is still around, I truly don't know.  I miss the days when I used to write articles for the Metaverse Messenger or RezLibris because they forced me to ask questions, visit other places, and speak to people I wouldn't ordinarily meet.  Someone did a survey once that revealed most SL residents spend most of their inworld time at their homes or where they change clothes and very little time at other sims.  While I believe this, I also think it's a waste of time when there are so many creative, educational, and beautiful places to see in SL.  Of course, visiting these places is usually more enjoyable with a friend or a group.  This takes me back to my feelings about friends in SL.  Just like in RL, it isn't easy to make true ones and it also takes time to nurture these relationships, even if they are strictly online.  I'm aware that a lot of relationships dissolve either through neglect or too much drama.  But the ones that survive are the strongest and the ones that make living a Second Life worth it. 

Thanks to all my friends who have made these five years so much fun.