Heh.....some of my old faves, with a new twist! TOO funny!
*Peace*
Tel
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Total Assimilation.....
Well, it was bound to happen.... the lines have blurred to the point where there is no knowing where one world ends, and the other begins.......
I'm nearly done with my sabbatical from SL. I actually logged on a while last night, and then again today. I miss it, but RL HAS to take precedence. The emotional tempest is nearly finished. The job search goes on. I miss my SL friends and family, though.
Much love to all.
*Peace*
Tel
Friday, May 7, 2010
Grrrrrrr........ in response to a FB post... and my response reposted here....
I am still a little incensed at the news article that I posted earlier. I am of Irish/Italian/French/Jewish/Dutch/German/English/Native American (and goodness knows what all else!) descent. I am gay. I chose none of these, nor do I have a particular "pride" in any of them.
These are merely genetically predetermined elements of my being, and none of them define "me". I CHOSE to be pagan, and I CHOSE to be a middle of the road Republican. I CHOSE my profession, and I CHOSE where to buy my home, and what kind of clothing and auto to own. Why do people seem to think that they deserve special privileges based on things that they did not "choose"? I have pride, yes, but mine comes from the things that I have worked for, the accomplishments in my life, and the adversities that I've overcome. I do, however, want the same rights as any other tax paying citizen in this country...
To be able to be in a civil union with whomever I choose.. (Marriage shouldn't be recognized by the government anyway... it's a religious thing!).... to live where I want, w/o fear of recrimination or discrimination, to get jobs based on my qualifications, and not on my gender, race or sexual preference.
In short, I want to be an American Citizen, in what still is the ONLY country that I want to live in, (though I enjoy travel to and respect others!), in this country that every other country in the world USED to look up to, as the leader in civil and personal rights and freedoms!
I will now just sit back, and wait for BOTH sides to hate me, but, know what? I don't care! LOL! I am sick and tired of the "special interest groups" in this country telling me what I can and can't think.... what I can't and can do, and how I can and can't vote. I don't like the fact that there is a United Negro College Fund, and not a Caucasian American one. (Neither did my African American ex boyfriend, BTW!) I don't like the fact that my Native American ancestors were brutalized by my European ones, nor do I like the fact that there is a good possibility that some of MY Southern ancestors might have owned some of my ex boyfriend's ones! .... (This country puts TOO much stock on paperwork.... my mother is 1/8 Native American... she should have qualified... BY LAW at the time ... for college assistance, and a whole bunch of other things.... but... her grandmother was born on one of the "Trail of Tears" forced marches .. of mixed tribal descent, and the only proof we had was the family Bible, which the govt wouldn't accept!)
However, that being said... they are facts..... but they are PAST facts, and not relevant in today's society at all. It seems to me, that we had better take our heads out of our collective asses, pull together, and work TOGETHER to try and recover the glory and optimism for ALL of our citizens that is what this country was based on in the beginning! (and, BTW, for my religious, Right Wing, RL friends that read this... our founding fathers were Deists, NOT monotheists.... do the research, I did!.... separation of Church FROM State is what they really meant!)
I am tired of my hard earned money going to support women who have child after child, and choose not to work.... AND the men that father those children! Welfare and public support should be for those who NEED it and have earned it, NOT for those that merely abuse the system. I know many hard working people, some with handicapped children... some with physical/mental/emotional problems themselves... that DO deserve to have the government "have their backs", but I know FAR more that just sit on their lazy asses, never look for jobs, and pop or father one out back to back.
Such things as race, color, gender, sexual affinity... these are NOT something that you choose..... and, fortunately, in our legal system, you are *supposedly* not judged by which church you choose, or choose not, to attend. (Doesn't always work that way here in "Small Town USA")
Sorry for the long rant, but that story REALLY touched a nerve with me. Yes, those young people were more than likely trying to start some shit. They were teenage boys. That's what they DO, unfortunately, these days. Can't say as I blame them, though......To be perfectly honest... except for my Native American ancestors..... ALL of my fore bearers were immigrants... but LEGAL ones! ILLEGAL immigration has taken its toll on our economy... LEGAL immigration is welcome, and should be encouraged...... and with so many kids taking guns to prove their points in school these days, I feel that these young'ens should be applauded for making a statement, however crude, in a nonviolent, acceptable fashion.....fortunately, the school board for that district ultimately agreed! Kudos to them!
*and steps OUT of his personal pulpit, before he *should have to* pay taxes for going political in church!*
!LAWLZ!
How would YOU feel if told that you could not wear your country's "colors", because it might offend someone that you worked with/went to school with/lived next to.... IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!!!! Sheesh!
'Nuff..... bedtime....
*Peace*
Tel
These are merely genetically predetermined elements of my being, and none of them define "me". I CHOSE to be pagan, and I CHOSE to be a middle of the road Republican. I CHOSE my profession, and I CHOSE where to buy my home, and what kind of clothing and auto to own. Why do people seem to think that they deserve special privileges based on things that they did not "choose"? I have pride, yes, but mine comes from the things that I have worked for, the accomplishments in my life, and the adversities that I've overcome. I do, however, want the same rights as any other tax paying citizen in this country...
To be able to be in a civil union with whomever I choose.. (Marriage shouldn't be recognized by the government anyway... it's a religious thing!).... to live where I want, w/o fear of recrimination or discrimination, to get jobs based on my qualifications, and not on my gender, race or sexual preference.
In short, I want to be an American Citizen, in what still is the ONLY country that I want to live in, (though I enjoy travel to and respect others!), in this country that every other country in the world USED to look up to, as the leader in civil and personal rights and freedoms!
I will now just sit back, and wait for BOTH sides to hate me, but, know what? I don't care! LOL! I am sick and tired of the "special interest groups" in this country telling me what I can and can't think.... what I can't and can do, and how I can and can't vote. I don't like the fact that there is a United Negro College Fund, and not a Caucasian American one. (Neither did my African American ex boyfriend, BTW!) I don't like the fact that my Native American ancestors were brutalized by my European ones, nor do I like the fact that there is a good possibility that some of MY Southern ancestors might have owned some of my ex boyfriend's ones! .... (This country puts TOO much stock on paperwork.... my mother is 1/8 Native American... she should have qualified... BY LAW at the time ... for college assistance, and a whole bunch of other things.... but... her grandmother was born on one of the "Trail of Tears" forced marches .. of mixed tribal descent, and the only proof we had was the family Bible, which the govt wouldn't accept!)
However, that being said... they are facts..... but they are PAST facts, and not relevant in today's society at all. It seems to me, that we had better take our heads out of our collective asses, pull together, and work TOGETHER to try and recover the glory and optimism for ALL of our citizens that is what this country was based on in the beginning! (and, BTW, for my religious, Right Wing, RL friends that read this... our founding fathers were Deists, NOT monotheists.... do the research, I did!.... separation of Church FROM State is what they really meant!)
I am tired of my hard earned money going to support women who have child after child, and choose not to work.... AND the men that father those children! Welfare and public support should be for those who NEED it and have earned it, NOT for those that merely abuse the system. I know many hard working people, some with handicapped children... some with physical/mental/emotional problems themselves... that DO deserve to have the government "have their backs", but I know FAR more that just sit on their lazy asses, never look for jobs, and pop or father one out back to back.
Such things as race, color, gender, sexual affinity... these are NOT something that you choose..... and, fortunately, in our legal system, you are *supposedly* not judged by which church you choose, or choose not, to attend. (Doesn't always work that way here in "Small Town USA")
Sorry for the long rant, but that story REALLY touched a nerve with me. Yes, those young people were more than likely trying to start some shit. They were teenage boys. That's what they DO, unfortunately, these days. Can't say as I blame them, though......To be perfectly honest... except for my Native American ancestors..... ALL of my fore bearers were immigrants... but LEGAL ones! ILLEGAL immigration has taken its toll on our economy... LEGAL immigration is welcome, and should be encouraged...... and with so many kids taking guns to prove their points in school these days, I feel that these young'ens should be applauded for making a statement, however crude, in a nonviolent, acceptable fashion.....fortunately, the school board for that district ultimately agreed! Kudos to them!
*and steps OUT of his personal pulpit, before he *should have to* pay taxes for going political in church!*
!LAWLZ!
How would YOU feel if told that you could not wear your country's "colors", because it might offend someone that you worked with/went to school with/lived next to.... IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!!!! Sheesh!
'Nuff..... bedtime....
*Peace*
Tel
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
An apology....
Just wanted to apologize to those that have written and IM'd about me not being online much. RL has me down a bit, and I've been focusing on some issues there. Miss y'all, but just a little bit of SL burnout going on, too.... drop me a line, and I'll respond when I AM on! (Usually, here lately, I just have the music on if I AM inworld, and off doing other things..... )
*Peace*
Tel
*Peace*
Tel
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A great evening, and getting back to my roots.....
A few days ago, an old high school buddy... an absolutely wonderful lady that I've been really good friends with since seventh grade, told me that she worked with a gentleman that was on SL, and gave me his name for Facebook. I thought, WTH!, and sent him a friending......... with really interesting results!
Turns out that he and his partner in RL, who is ALSO on SL, live just three blocks from me! We had a lovely dinner together last night, after watching the Kentucky Derby on the telly. A little wine, good conversation.... how delightful to have such witty, charming hosts, and an evening of intellectual conversation! And all right here, in my little backwater town! "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!" Once again, the blender has mixed my two worlds, and in a truly delightful manner! What are the chances, in this little town of 13,000 people? NYC, Chicago, LA... yes, I could see that, but to me, this is a wonderful happenstance!
My SL son, Spanki, recently posted on his blog about re-attaching his ears and tail. I dunno, it just struck a chord with me, somehow.... I dug out my horns, and hooves, and got back to my "Roots" on SL as a Satyr. Like Neko is to him, it's "me". A randy old goat, somewhat older, a little more mature (hopefully!)....yet still frisky and playful. A creature of Myth and Legend, yet very real to me, especially as I age, in many, many ways.... a "balancing" of the duality of human personality... Dark and Light, with a WHOLE lotta Gray areas. It's an admission of guilt for many things, and also a manifestation of freedom and reconciliation with that guilt. Maybe it's just the springtime, the Renewal time for Mother Earth, or the RL relationship that is at the same time strange, strained ( the strain comes not in the relationship, but with both of us being tied to family responsibilities, and just don't have the time together that we'd like!) and yet wonderful.... but I "feel" Majick in the air these days.... and needed my "inner self" manifested physically (digitally?) again. I think a daily dose of majick is good for everyone, whether you choose to use it on a phychological, emotional, spiritual or psychic level. As I have been guilty of so much recently, don't lose sight of the wonders of life! Blessed Be, my friends!!!
Tel
Turns out that he and his partner in RL, who is ALSO on SL, live just three blocks from me! We had a lovely dinner together last night, after watching the Kentucky Derby on the telly. A little wine, good conversation.... how delightful to have such witty, charming hosts, and an evening of intellectual conversation! And all right here, in my little backwater town! "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!" Once again, the blender has mixed my two worlds, and in a truly delightful manner! What are the chances, in this little town of 13,000 people? NYC, Chicago, LA... yes, I could see that, but to me, this is a wonderful happenstance!
My SL son, Spanki, recently posted on his blog about re-attaching his ears and tail. I dunno, it just struck a chord with me, somehow.... I dug out my horns, and hooves, and got back to my "Roots" on SL as a Satyr. Like Neko is to him, it's "me". A randy old goat, somewhat older, a little more mature (hopefully!)....yet still frisky and playful. A creature of Myth and Legend, yet very real to me, especially as I age, in many, many ways.... a "balancing" of the duality of human personality... Dark and Light, with a WHOLE lotta Gray areas. It's an admission of guilt for many things, and also a manifestation of freedom and reconciliation with that guilt. Maybe it's just the springtime, the Renewal time for Mother Earth, or the RL relationship that is at the same time strange, strained ( the strain comes not in the relationship, but with both of us being tied to family responsibilities, and just don't have the time together that we'd like!) and yet wonderful.... but I "feel" Majick in the air these days.... and needed my "inner self" manifested physically (digitally?) again. I think a daily dose of majick is good for everyone, whether you choose to use it on a phychological, emotional, spiritual or psychic level. As I have been guilty of so much recently, don't lose sight of the wonders of life! Blessed Be, my friends!!!
"Go into the Light, Carol Ann!"
*Peace*Tel
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I FINALLY made the switch!
Yes, I've given up my beloved old friend.... the original LL viewer! Thanks to the bloggings of the many folks that I follow, I've been encouraged to try all of the other "compatible" viewers out there, and decided to go with the new Emerald.
Previously, I was NOT an Emerald fan. My old system just bogged down under all of it's "heaviness". I lagged to hell and back, had ALL sorts of TP problems, etc.. However, out of all of the ones out there that LL has OH so graciously decided to bless, as alternatives to that HORRID new one of theirs... the new Emerald most fits my needs.
The user interface is almost exactly like the old LL viewer... a plus to this old dog that is a LITTLE bit reluctant to embrace too many new tricks. So far, I've managed to finds ALMOST all the bells and whistles, and just in two days. Primary functions.... i.e. time settings, inventory, that sorta stuff.... are all the same as the old LL one, so that made actually "using" it an immediate thing..... and NO idiotic tabs floating around on my screen.
Graphically, it's amazing! I think that the images are clearer than even the old LL viewer, and I LOVE the myriad of pre-programmed sky/time alternatives in the settings menu. As an "occasional amateur" photographer, (OK, OK... so yeah.... I'm a BIT on the camera happy side!) they provide some interesting effects, without me having to go to the trouble of moving slider bars around until I get what I'm looking for. Oh, yeah, and I'm lagging less and am having less TP problems than with the original LL viewer, but, that MIGHT be because of the grid wide reset and reprogramming... (doubt it though... when has an LL "fix" ever REALLY helped anything? ;-) )
I haven't found one thing, yet. On the old browser, several months ago, I was given a tip in a group that I belonged to on how to remove the default LL inventory. I did it at the time, and now can't remember how. This eliminates over a thousand items immediately from inventory, ALWAYS a plus to us packrats (read that as *too lazy to sort the damned thing and get rid of stuff! XD). So, if anyone can help me with that, I'll be eternally grateful, and throw in some catnip!
Again, I'd like to thank all of you for pointing me in the direction of this viewer. LL might think that THEY hold all the cards, but, as in First Life..... sometimes the consumer's reviews DO make the most difference!
On a side note, I'm making textures. I think maybe, now that I'm getting used to the buttons on Photoshop, and being a bit of an amateur artist in RL, I might try some building textures. I have had a couple of builder friends express an interest in collaberating on this. I'm NOT much of a builder, but have always enjoyed the design/decorating aspect of this. (Yes, I like show tunes, as well.... Gay much? ROFL!).
Anyway, the first few that I've done, I've just given away as "demos", so am gonna post them here, all but one w/o watermarks. I'd appreciate any honest feedback that y'all might have for me..... constructive criticism is well handled in this household....Goddess KNOWS I get enough from "you know who!" ROFL!
Have a GREAT weekend, my friends. Blessed Walpurgis Nacht...Blessed Beltaine..... and Happy May DAY! (Now, if ANY of you have a spare Maypole just laying around...... make sure it's Xcite compatible, and email that sucker MY way! ROFL!)
*Peace*
Tel
Just one of the 456,675 pics that I've taken with the
new Emerald backgrounds.... LOVE the way they've
done the lighting effects... Amazing!
I started the texture from blank backgrounds, and all are hand drawn, with a little help, occassionally, from some full perm brushes, (although, I've been making my own specialty brushes, as well). I began with stained glass, of course, as I am familiar with it very much IRL, and have done quite a bit of it over the years, both real, and "fake"... i.e. paint on, on rice paper, whatever. I am now working on wall textures, and some other stuff. Since I've been unemployed, I definitely have had the free time to do this! grrrrrr.......
Previously, I was NOT an Emerald fan. My old system just bogged down under all of it's "heaviness". I lagged to hell and back, had ALL sorts of TP problems, etc.. However, out of all of the ones out there that LL has OH so graciously decided to bless, as alternatives to that HORRID new one of theirs... the new Emerald most fits my needs.
The user interface is almost exactly like the old LL viewer... a plus to this old dog that is a LITTLE bit reluctant to embrace too many new tricks. So far, I've managed to finds ALMOST all the bells and whistles, and just in two days. Primary functions.... i.e. time settings, inventory, that sorta stuff.... are all the same as the old LL one, so that made actually "using" it an immediate thing..... and NO idiotic tabs floating around on my screen.
Graphically, it's amazing! I think that the images are clearer than even the old LL viewer, and I LOVE the myriad of pre-programmed sky/time alternatives in the settings menu. As an "occasional amateur" photographer, (OK, OK... so yeah.... I'm a BIT on the camera happy side!) they provide some interesting effects, without me having to go to the trouble of moving slider bars around until I get what I'm looking for. Oh, yeah, and I'm lagging less and am having less TP problems than with the original LL viewer, but, that MIGHT be because of the grid wide reset and reprogramming... (doubt it though... when has an LL "fix" ever REALLY helped anything? ;-) )
I haven't found one thing, yet. On the old browser, several months ago, I was given a tip in a group that I belonged to on how to remove the default LL inventory. I did it at the time, and now can't remember how. This eliminates over a thousand items immediately from inventory, ALWAYS a plus to us packrats (read that as *too lazy to sort the damned thing and get rid of stuff! XD). So, if anyone can help me with that, I'll be eternally grateful, and throw in some catnip!
Again, I'd like to thank all of you for pointing me in the direction of this viewer. LL might think that THEY hold all the cards, but, as in First Life..... sometimes the consumer's reviews DO make the most difference!
On a side note, I'm making textures. I think maybe, now that I'm getting used to the buttons on Photoshop, and being a bit of an amateur artist in RL, I might try some building textures. I have had a couple of builder friends express an interest in collaberating on this. I'm NOT much of a builder, but have always enjoyed the design/decorating aspect of this. (Yes, I like show tunes, as well.... Gay much? ROFL!).
Anyway, the first few that I've done, I've just given away as "demos", so am gonna post them here, all but one w/o watermarks. I'd appreciate any honest feedback that y'all might have for me..... constructive criticism is well handled in this household....Goddess KNOWS I get enough from "you know who!" ROFL!
Have a GREAT weekend, my friends. Blessed Walpurgis Nacht...Blessed Beltaine..... and Happy May DAY! (Now, if ANY of you have a spare Maypole just laying around...... make sure it's Xcite compatible, and email that sucker MY way! ROFL!)
*Peace*
Tel
new Emerald backgrounds.... LOVE the way they've
done the lighting effects... Amazing!
I started the texture from blank backgrounds, and all are hand drawn, with a little help, occassionally, from some full perm brushes, (although, I've been making my own specialty brushes, as well). I began with stained glass, of course, as I am familiar with it very much IRL, and have done quite a bit of it over the years, both real, and "fake"... i.e. paint on, on rice paper, whatever. I am now working on wall textures, and some other stuff. Since I've been unemployed, I definitely have had the free time to do this! grrrrrr.......
This one, the first I did, was inspired
by the quote on my son, Spanki's blog
from Dracula, and therefore is dedicated
Spanks, one of the most important people
in ALL my worlds.... Love you, Son!
Heehee... Justyn says this one
looks like lollipops, but he DOES
have a bit of an oral fixation,
methinks! XD!
I actually made this one, called "Pink Lady"
after Justyn sent me pics of his new
"Pink Kitteh" look.... lawlz!
Just a bit of "oriental flair".
This one is for you,
Lucifer's Raven!
This one was actually purchased by
a builder friend, for exclusive use in a project
she's working on! Woot! (hence the watermark initials!)
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