Second Chance - Episode One - by Lacy Muircastle

Second Chance is book #2 in the Second Life© Love Stories series.  This book is taking the form of a serial.  I intend posting an excerpt of an episode a week in the SL Enquirer.

Here we go:

Second Chance

Episode One

Seb Livingstone

I teleported into the club as I’d done many times since discovering Second Life©.  I hadn’t felt this nervous for a while.  I enjoyed singing covers, but tonight would prove whether I could still hack it with my own stuff. 

My IM pinged.  Damn not now.

Stacey Windsong:  Hey, baby, how’re you? 

Seb Livingstone: Good thanks, Stace, just getting ready for BB’s.

Stacey Windsong:  Oh, I don’t have anything booked for you for today?

Seb Livingstone:  I made the booking myself.

Stacey Windsong:  I see.  And I’m not important enough for you to tell me what you’re doing?

Seb Livingstone:  Please don’t start.  Look, I have to go.  Come here if you want to, if not I’ll catch up with you later.

            More pinging.

Blue Benelli:  Hey, Seb, how're things swinging?

Seb Livingstone: Hey, B, do you really wanna know. Lol.

Blue Benelli: *Laughs* You ready then?

Seb Livingstone: Oh yeah.

Blue Benelli: Break a leg buddy.  Give me a yell when you’re ready for me to announce you.

Seb Livingstone: Cool.

BB’s was a simple, uncomplicated venue that has graced Second Life© since late 2008. It was Blue’s mission in Second Life© to provide one hundred per cent live music all the time.  I was following – The music whisper – Russell Eponym, and after my set, Pol Arida would be taking his thumping set centre stage.   I oriented my avatar on the stage behind the mic.   My breathing became rapid and shallow.  My pulse pounded in my temples.  I sat on the stool in the middle of my home studio. The laptop set up to stream my music in-world.  This was it, make or break.

I typed in Blue’s IM:

Seb Livingstone:  I’m ready to roll B.

Blue switched to voice - “Hey everyone, good to see you all here.  Give a huge round of applause to my boy Dr Livingstone.”

Applause and cheers ran up my screen.  I looked out from the stage, at the packed club.  The buzz was invigorating.   It never got old seeing people waiting for me to start a set.  There was nothing quite like an enthusiastic audience to get the blood pumping.  I loved performing.  I was addicted to the adrenalin rush.  It made me feel alive.

“How are we this afternoon?” 

The crowd erupted.   Chants of – ‘Dr Livingstone, Dr Livingstone’ and ‘Sing ‘Tears’ sing ‘Tears’ and applause rained down the screen again. 

“Yeah, yeah J, it’s in the set, but today I’m launching two new songs. ‘Avatar’ is the first one I’ll sing for you.  No prizes for guessing my inspiration for this song.” 

Cheers flowed again. Then the crowd quietened as my music stream came through.

You’re beautiful, you’re gorgeous

You’re an avatar,

Lifelike, surreal

Ethereal, how bizarre

Here one minute

Gone the next

     The crowd applauded wildly. Catcalls and shouts of TUUUNE ran up the screen.

 

     On my own in my home studio, I fist-pumped the air.  Yes.  The feeling never got old.

     “Glad you liked it, and for my next new song.  No prizes for noticing a bit of a theme going on is called Virtual Reality.”

Humans will always be humans

Whether they be pixels or

Living breathing beings

Virtual reality no responsibility

What an opportunity

     Comments like - Dr Livingstone, is there going to be a new album?” and “Where can we buy those tracks?” ran up the screen like credits at the end of an epic movie.

     I felt stoked that my new material had met with such vocal approval.  I closed my eyes and let the crowd’s reaction wash over me.  It was the jump start I needed and how it was supposed to be.  I still had it. 

     I could take it into the real world.  My second chance was going to happen.           

     My computer continued to ping with comments and accolades — what a rush.

     “To answer some of your questions, you can buy the tracks as singles off iTunes, and it’ll be on Genius and YouTube, and yes, I’ll be working on a new album.  I’m hoping to get signed to a label soon.”

     Requests poured in.

     “Okay everyone here’s the one you’ve been waiting for.  “Tears”.

     I braced myself for the wash of emotion it always launched on me and clung to my microphone as though it could save me from being carried away.

Tears, tears, inevitable
Smiles there were a few
And when the tears ran out
We were numb and so blue

Why, why, why, shattered dreams
Why, why, why, shattered dreams

     The crowd roared in appreciation.  But this song would forever haunt me.  It was a constant reminder of the past, of disappointment and the despair that had followed.  

My IM pinged:

Stacey Windsong: You okay?

Seb Livingstone: Are you here at BB’s?

Stacey Windsong: Obviously.

Seb Livingstone:  Thanks. I didn’t see you. There are so many people here.  And yes, I’m okay.

Stacey Windsong:  Why do you keep singing that song?  You know it’s not good for you.

Seb Livingstone:  It’s difficult to say no to the audience.

Stacey Windsong: Oh, please, Seb, I think you're just masochistic.

Seb Livingstone:  What about the two new songs, did you catch them?

Stacey Windsong: I did.

Seb Livingstone: And?

Stacey Windsong:  They’re not bad.

     I frowned at my screen.  Hell.  Not bad, what the fuck?

Seb Livingstone:  Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Stacey Windsong:  You know that I don’t think you should still be singing after everything you’ve been through.

Seb Livingstone:  And you know that’s not going to happen.

Stacey Windsong:  I’m here to keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t fall off the tracks again.

Seb Livingstone: I can hardly forget since you remind me all the time.

Stacey Windsong:  You should be putting all your effort into getting a real job in the real world.  None of this virtual world malarkey.  It’s a waste of your time and mine.

Seb Livingstone:  I didn’t ask you to be here.

Stacey Windsong: Excuse me, that’s unnecessary.  I too have a vested interest in you, so I want to know that you’re okay.

Seb Livingstone:  There’s no need for you to be in SL to know that I’m okay since you see me in real life.  Please do us both a favour and leave.


For the rest of  Second Chance - Episode One - pop on over to Amazon.  You can pick it up for free on Kindle Unlimited.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YTXCYTF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Lacy+Muircastle&qid=1570620657&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Future Episodes will feature graphics by the extremely talented Skip Staheli, so be sure to look out for them

If you feel so inclined, please leave a review in the SL Enquirer, in the comments section.

I hope that you'll enjoy reading Second Chance - Episode One.  I'll catch up with you next week.

Lacy

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Love Made In SL - Lacy Muircastle reporting...

...And Second Life© is a wonderland where you can find the magic of love.  Linden Lab / @SecondLife and @draxtor have initiated a mini series - Love Made In SL - #lovemadeinsl.  Take a look at Draxtor's twitter feed for links to the episodes already aired.

Love Made in SL logo created by Marianne McCann with permission from Linden Lab

The series kicked off with the fabulous story of  residents, Teal and Wolf, whose love story crosses time zones and oceans to reach a very exciting chapter...  THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED in real life.

This makes the romance writer in me absolutely extatic.  Take a look:

http://bit.ly/2BrL6fl 

We would love to hear your Love Made In SL story.  You can contact Draxtor - @draxtor via twitter or me at lacy.muircastle@gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing about your #lovemadeinsl stories.

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New Blog Devoted to Virtual Sex & Romance

A new blog features discussions and information about sex, romance, and related issues in virtual worlds: www.virtualsexromance.wordpress.com. (Note that there is no “and” or “&”). Sex and romance are among the most popular pursuits in SL.As in RL, they occasion many questions and discussions, which the new blog will cover. “I’ve had interesting talks in SL about virtual relationships,” said Eugene Rodgers, who created the blog. “For instance, does a person in a committed RL relationship cheat if they have virtual sex with someone else? And why is BDSM popular in SL? Contributions to my blog should prove enlightening.” Rodgers is the author of “Femme Fatale Online,” a mystery novel with an unidentified villain who acts through an avatar in a virtual world like SL. “She tries to seduce the married hero into a virtual sexual relationship,” Rodgers said. “He agonizes over whether to go along. I first planned a blog to address this and other issues raised in the ebook, but decided there was a greater need to focus entirely on sex and romance.”

Rodgers is restricting the blog to serious discussions and legitimate questions. “I’ll remove any salacious material or improper solicitations that may be posted,” he said.

Blog topics include:

Best places to make friends and go on dates

Questions and advice about virtual relationships

Is it acceptable for a committed person to pursue virtual sex or romance?

Meeting in RL  LGBT & BDSM

Best clothing-free sites

The Future—How will virtual reality affect online sex and romance?

Other Virtual Worlds

Be among the first to raise questions or initiate discussions at www.virtualsexromance.wordpress.com!

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SLE Valentine's Poetry Contest Winners

And here they are, our three winners for our 2017 Valentine's poetry contest...

Three very different poems.  Thank you to all of you who entered, we appreciate the support.

First Prize Winner:

Written by shortfoxwife in dedication to her husband and beautiful children.

I'm sure this is something you have heard, 

"Love is more than just a word."

When I think about what love means to me, 

Its not about what I hear, its what I see.

My smiling husband, full of pride,

As he gives our son a piggy back ride.

It's singing songs on some old back road,

Living for today, no fear of growing old.

It's painting a picture with my little girl, 

And staring in awe at her cute, bouncy curls.

That ecstatic moment when your man takes a knee,

Promising to love you for an eternity.

Watching movies, making love,

Saying your prayers to The Man up above.

Next time you're brightening someones day,

Remember it's your gestures, not just what you say.

Second Prize Winner-

POEM by Sizzelle

What cliche betrays the heart of the needy, the timid, and the weak?

The silence of the bold is the passion I seek

Heart shaped bubbles and chocolate truffles, empty calories won’t fill the soul

And, if a diamond ring makes your heart sing,

Then you’ve sold yourself for a drop of gold

Oh the impetuousness of youth they say

But the grey and the restless also play

Little games on clever phones

The lucky lovers roll their bones

They turn and turn until the grave

Then gladly go their separate ways

I will not settle for fear of silence

Or tolerate the video violence

The games … the films that you adore

In which you are hero and I am whore

I pity those players trapped by your rules

I pity those brainwashed media tools

Who propagate the Book of Lies

‘Till all we trust withers and dies

They sell the roots of their family tree

For fifteen minutes on TV

My love is mine and all I need

My love is mine in words and deeds

My love is secret and I will not share her name

… For money or for fame

Third Prize winner:

To you  - by Laurel B

It was instantaneous

You blew my mind

How did it even happen?

But there you were

You wandered away a few times

I should have known better

I couldn’t let go as much as I tried

The magnetism was too much

Time went by

I loved you more and more

I tried leaving you

But our friend said you needed me

Then you left

I knew she existed

But it was supposed to have been me

You said we were soulmates

You were supposed to rescue me

But you went off and married her

Then you came back

How could you?

Our love was intense

Our love was ferocious

But was it all a lie?

Was it even real?

We called it a day, it was inevitable

The colour to life has faded

I think of you everyday

My broken heart is yours forever

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SL Enquirer Valentine’s Day 2017 Poem Contest

Whether it’s the memory of Love, Love that has stood the test of time, or the rush of young Love, that’s what we celebrate each February 14 on Valentine’s Day. What could be more romantic than to express through your own poetry about that special Love for your loved one to read (and for our readers). So it’s time to send us your poem about those tender feelings and romantic thoughts to our poetry contest.

Express your love – in 250 words or less and tell the metaverse what makes your Valentine special!

Write a poem about, or to your Valentine and submit it via email to lacy.muircastle@gmail.com or lanaijarrico@gmail.com

Be sure to include your avatar name and for whom (fiancée, spouse, parent, child, lost love, etc.) your poem is written.

2017 Prizes:

First prize is Linden$ 5000

Second Prize is Linden$ 2000

Third Prize Linden$ 500

Lanai Jarrico and Lacy Muircastle will select the winners.  Entries must be received by 12.30 pm SLT February 12, 2017. The winners will be notified on Monday, February 13, 2017. The winning poems will be published in the SL Enquirer on February 14, 2017.

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Be my Valentine - Lacy Muircastle reporting...

February 14 as a date became a day for love, and it was all thanks to Chaucer.

“Be my Valentine” - the word’s that make the heart beat faster and the world seem dreamier.  I remember at school (back in the day…) how we bought pink cardboard cut-out hearts and wrote a little messages on the back.  Then we’d wait in excruciating anticipation to see if we’d get a heart ourselves on the day.  It was always a successful fund raiser even if it left a few bruised souls in its wake.

 Chaucer the author of Canterbury Tales wrote a poem in 1382 entitled “Parliament of Fowles,” , the birds:

“Birds, take heed of what I say; and for your welfare and to further your needs I will hasten as fast as I can speak.  You well know how on Saint Valentine’s Day, by my statute and through my ordinance, you come to choose your mates, as I prick you with sweet pain, and then fly on your way.”

The popularity of Chaucer’s poem, which likely stems from a pre-existing general belief, at least in medieval England, that February 14 is the day when birds choose their mates, is what truly cemented the idea that Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romantic love.  This belief may have been recorded in medieval bestiaries, popular early books that compiled stories about animals, mythical and otherwise.  Never mind that not all birds mate for life.  Penguins do, as do geese and falcons.  But ducks, for instance, do not—yet the Mandarin Duck is a Chinese symbol for fidelity.

The first known Valentine Card, and reference to someone as a “valentine,” date to only a century after Chaucer’s popular poem.  On 14 February 1477, an English woman named Margery Brews wrote to her love, John Paston of Norfolk:

“Right reverent and worshipful and my right well-beloved valentine, I recommend me unto you full heartedly, desiring to hear of your welfare, which I beseech Almighty God long for to preserve unto his pleasure and your heart’s desire.”

Renaissance images of amorini (little love gods) or cherubic putti were also shaped by Classical images of Eros figures and contributed to the gorwing tradition. Of course, much of the Classical tradition of a winged Cupid or Eros – as seen above in the Romantic Era Cupid sculpture in the Louvre by Antoine-Denis Chaudet –  a prankster often shooting love arrows into unsuspecting humans has also been absorbed into modern Valentine’s Day imagery.

At the British Postal Museum, the first known heart-shaped card is preserved, a sheet of paper from 1790 that folds, origami-like, to literally break apart the painted heart-shaped exterior.  Outside, the card reads: “My dear the Heart which you behold/Will break when you the same unfold/Even so my heart with lovesick pain/Sore wounded is and breaks in twain.”  When the heart is “broken” open, one more line of text lies inside: “My dearest dear and blest divine/I’ve pictured here thy heart and mine.”  These antique valentines, from 1477 and 1790, do not sound so far removed from modern-day Hallmark cards.

The general heart-shape that we now associate with love and Valentine’s Day, which does not look much like a real human heart, may be found in Renaissance art, including Donatello’s relief sculpture, Miracle of the Miser’s Heart (1447-50), as Oxford professor Martin Kemp notes in his recent book Christ to Coke: How Image Becomes Icon.  A Catholic cult developed around the Sacred Heart around the Counter-Reformation.  A burning heart came to be associated with Catholic mysticism and the supernatural phenomenon of “incendium amoris,” the fire of love, in which a worshiper has an out-of-body experience (ex stasis, from which comes the term “ecstasy”) and literally becomes burning hot with spiritual love for God.

While variations on the heart image have been around for centuries, it was not until 1977 that the cartoon heart image was codified by designer Milton Glaser, as part of the “I (Heart) NY” campaign, wherein the heart-shape acts as a rebus, an image standing in for a word or idea.

This Valentine’s Day we hope your hearts desires come true.

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TOP 5 PLACES FOR A PERFECT FALL WEDDING Vapor Paragorn Reporting...

December is upon us which means it’s holiday and snowfall season in Real Life. Accordingly many places in SL are also turning white with snow and being decorated with all things Christmas. But if you are not a fan of snow and freezing weather like me, you don’t have to worry.   In SL you can still find many places with different environments and seasonal settings.

These days SL is vast and more versatile than ever. If you love autumn with its atmospheric beauty, then SL has some very beautiful places that will amaze you. But if you are looking to tie the knot in such a place then it can be bit tricky. You will not find many places with fall seasonal settings where you can also arrange a wedding as well.

Never fear Vapor is here and I have researched the SL grid for you our readers in an effort to find places with scenic fall settings, and where you and your loved one can truly become one. 

1    1. Autumn, a remnant of summers past....

My first pick is Sim named “Autumn, a remnant of summers past”. It’s a scenic sim which features captivating scenery and a magical atmosphere. As the name suggests, the very essence of this place is autumn and it beautifully depicts the mood of this atmospheric season.

It’s a vast and truly magical place which offers much to explore.  The sky is a wash of pinks and purples and the blanket of stars gives it a mythical touch. Just perfect for a romantic date and photography. You will find trees situated on small islands which are aglow in autumn colors. The islands are beautifully connected via floating pathways covered with fallen leaves. All in all this place is truly amazing and enchanting.

On one of the islands you will find a nicely decorated ballroom which can be used for wedding receptions and parties. The ballroom is well furnished and the sparkling particles on its floor gives it a warm touch.  All you have to do is contact the landlady for further assistance and to arrange your wedding ceremony here.

Owner Name: Lilydeelala Haiku

Sim Type: Estate/ Homestead

Sim SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Painful%20Meltdown/174/69/23

2. Eclectica 

My second pick is “Eclectica”. Its floating islands in the sky depict an enchanting forest filled with the charms of wilderness. It’s a mythical place with hint of the fall season in its décor.   The forest is vast and features many romantic spots. It’s perfect for exploring, a romantic date and indeed for photography. The scenery here is worth looking at and the atmosphere is magical.

You will find a chapel for wedding ceremonies and you can contact the Sim owner to have your wedding arranged here. You can visit their website for more information.

Owner Name: LaMaisonDamour Resident

Sim Type: Estate/ Homestead

Sim SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Place/210/110/22

Website: www.eclecticasim.com

2    3. Charming Story Weddings & Ballroom

In third place is “Charming Story Weddings & Ballroom”, it’s a full sim artistically decorated in the colors of autumn. It is vast and has much to explore. Across the sim you will find trees with changing colors and fallen leaves, beautiful expansive fields of golden grass, and the exquisite charms of the wilderness. Which makes it ideal not only for a romantic date but also for photography.

You will also find fabulously decorated dancing spaces all around the sim. The decorative lights in the trees and lighting effects on the floors truly gives it a romantic touch. There are many scenic spots here where your wedding can be staged. All you have to do is, contact the landlady with your date and other details about your ceremony and she will make necessary arrangements for your perfect wedding.

Owner Name: Sammy Raleigh

Sim Type: Estate/ Homestead

Sim SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Charming%20Story/170/58/22

4. Two Hearts Wedding Chapel

Next we have “Two Hearts Wedding Chapel”. It’s a medium sized venue set in a skybox but it’s very scenic. It’s perfect for small wedding parties and receptions. It features trees in the colors of autumn, fields of flowers set in a scenic wilderness and meandering pathways that lead into the small forest. This place beautifully depicts a forest scene in the fall. You will find small chapel for your wedding ceremony with all the necessary poses and a separate reception area and ballroom for the reception party.

The reception area is nicely decorated, and features white tables and curtains. The seating arrangement is quaint with enough space for dancing and an outstanding party. All together this venue is enchanting and perfect for your wedding photos. The cost to use of the venue is 500L$. You can read the notecard for further details. Also you can contact owner for assistance and special requests.

Owner Name: Sweets Actor

Sim Type: Estate / Full region”

Sim SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sumatra/110/175/1487

5. Reed Enterprises

Lastly we have “Reed Enterprises”. This venue features a stunning wedding chapel nestled in an enchanted forest. The whole build is very charming and the seating area for guests is exquisite. It looks professionally designed for traditional wedding ceremonies. Lighting décor in the trees gives the venue a magical appearance.  Your wedding photos will be out of this world.

The ballroom and reception area are well appointed. You can contact the owner with relevant details to have your wedding ceremony arranged here.

Owner Name: DelaneyJenson Resident

Sim Type: Estate / Full region

Sim SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Reed%20Valley/145/53/22

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