We all need laughs right now. Even Justin Trudeau, my Prime Minister here in Canada, is contributing … contributing inadvertently, but he’s doing his part! The relevant moment of strangeness is at about 0:50 below.
Justin regretted his phrasing almost on the instant, of course. But there it was, out there for the world to take advantage of.
Contact Sheet is an irregular column of selected photographs and portraits from Residents of Second Life. All rights to featured images are reserved to the artists under appropriate copyright laws and/or allowances under the Creative Commons. Click on the links as necessary to go to the required blog or Flickr page. Please go to these artists’ pages in any case to leave comments, (as well as comments here).
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Many of you probably heard today of the death of Kenny Rogers. The singer was most known today for his solo country singles from the time of “The Gambler” forward, and his duet with Dolly Parton, “Islands in the Stream.” But Kenny had a career dating from the Sixties, when he started with The New Christy Minstrels during the later part of the Folk Revival.
Rogers eventually left the Minstrels, along with a few other members, and founded The First Edition. The group was never a rock sensation, but they did score two good hits: “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In” … and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” the much more successful of the two.
Alsatian Kidd worked fast today, and put this photo together with help from another avatar. A fantastic tribute to an excellent singer.
We of Around the Grid always try to remember the men and women who have served in the military on Veterans (or Remembrance) Day. This year, I want to touch briefly on one group of veterans from World War II. It’ll be brief, only a few paragraphs, because I’m far from a professional historian, and all that the unit did in the European Theater would compose a book of its own.
This blog always salutes our veterans of today in a more international manner, by recalling those who gave their all in service at one time or another, representative of the bravery those who are still with us showed. This year, while considering what I would be writing about, I happened back across this story from World War II, not much remembered today by those of us obsessed with the fight against terrorism, or who champion veterans for more political purposes. These four men show that there are many forms which bravery can take, and it can be exhibited even by those who swear never to take another’s life.
I was never planning on making this a political blog, but recent events in American politics are rather pulling posts in that direction, at least for a brief time. This won’t be a habit, but we wanted to put this in for your thought.
In the light of the world’s Marches on Washington this past Saturday, we’re sharing with you a blog article I found. I hope you will read it all when you hit the link, then take the power we share out into the street and the state house and the ballot box, and continue the struggle both for bread and for roses — the equality of the sexes, the recognition that we are people and not to be marginalized or objectified, the struggle for human dignity for all people, no matter sex or creed or country.
An offering to the Crows: Photo courtesy of the Illustrious Katie Rose
“What the woman who labors wants is the right to live, not simply exist — the right to life as the rich woman has the right to life, and the sun and music and art. You have nothing that the humblest worker has not a right to have also. The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too. Help, you women of privilege, give her the ballot to fight with.”
—Rose Schneiderman, 1912
As we stood circled and gave final thanks to the Gods, spirits, and allies that inspirited the temple, the crows called outside and the sacred space shifted, changing it’s role like a breath held at length finally released. Where a moment ago stood the Temple of the Morrigan and Her Tribe, was a simple bare hotel room stacked with sacred items and offerings. …
We at Around the Grid just picked up the news of Dani Plassitz’ sudden death on December 15. While not a friend, I admired Dani’s dressmaking skill many times, and her abilities as a singer and performer are also well known to many in Second Life. Her many friends will miss her, and I hope you will join us in praying for her and her family at this time — an especially hard time to lose a loved one.
Ham Au at New World Notes passes on a Facebook post from Seth Regan, seeking donations for the family of Brandy Maltas. Brandy is another Resident who has recently died of cancer (why is it that cancer has such a high rate of incidence among Second Lifers?), and her children are in straitened means. You will find a link to Seth’s PayPal account at both links above, if you wish to add to the fund; I’ve put in a contribution just before publishing this.
Nothing sensational today; just a photo of us on my patio yesterday, before we got down to work on a massive photo project. I’ve come up with an idea or two for a new story, and Conan and Jem are willing to help in the storyboarding and illustration. It’s good to have some help these days; it doesn’t get the articles written or published any faster, necessarily, but it also lets me do more in some areas, and brings in some fresh eyes.
I’ve often used Second Life as my platform for bringing my stories to life — or, alternatively, for writing stories that frame the photos I take for the blog and Flickr. It’s hard work, and it can get expensive, but it can be fun, too. You’ll see a shortened version of this story on the blog at some point in the future, if all goes well. Heads up / shout out to Poulet Koenkamp and PurpleMoon — your goodies will be featured!
As you can see here, a simple top or T-shirt doesn’t need to look sloppy. I ran into Melyna last night/this morning at Fantasy Gacha, and just had to take a photo.
Second Life® with Harper, Conan, Jem, Diana and Morgan
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