Kudos to Rafael!!!

I use this blog and my twitter account to complain when my Alienware computer fails, and I feel Dell isn’t listening. So I must use it to tell you that Rafael of Alienware Tech Support positively ROCKS!!!!!! I was VERY bitter Tuesday evening when my “repaired” M17x came back and promptly failed in SL again. Armed with a glass of wine and a few unscheduled evening hours, I called Alienware support on Wednesday evening.

Rafael took my call. Yes, I DO know his last name and I’d be thrilled to tell all of you and even more thrilled to tell his management. But I did not get his permission to publish his name, so this will have to do. Rafael – you are THE BEST!!! He was upbeat, positive, and determined to fix my machine. We were on the phone for at least 90 minutes, probably more. In that time he ran a test or two, but mostly he LISTENED to me and he READ the account log. What a concept. Listening to the client. We talked about the problem, we both agreed it was the driver. I had 2 new graphics cards but the same old drivers. The error message had been saying “driver” all along.

Rafael researched, searched and downloaded the latest drivers for my cards. It was my very good luck that nVidia had just published new drivers the week before. Getting that driver installed, however, proved to be a bit trickier. Suffice it to say that Rafael stayed the course, double-checking with his peers, and working diligently to get the drivers updated. He came inworld with me to watch me push the SL settings to the max and begin throwing continually changing video information at the machine. We encountered my good friend Greg at the Fogbound. Greg chatted with me and Rafael. I felt VERY good about that because not only was Greg knowledgeable and articulate, but he was backing up everything I’d said to Rafael earlier and all of Rafael’s own conclusions.

So – Rafael is a STAR!!!! My beloved Alienware M17x is in working condition yet again. I have my full pixel count – 1920×1200. Things are rezzing quickly and beautifully. I have shadows, reflections and depth. Yay Rafael! Yay Alienware Tech Support! Okay – I’ll even give a shout-out to Dell – that’s how happy I am to have my Alienware M17x back and running. *HUGS* to all!

Still Dreaming

Some days it’s not so much reaching for the stars, but just trying to keep my head above water. *grin* I was driving home from work the other day (the LONG drive home from work, not the short-but-commuter-congested-traffic drive) and this song came on just as I pulled out of the corporate gates. It’s been playing in the back of my head for days. Sometimes I focus on the first verse, sometimes I focus on the final chorus. Either way, seems to me that it’s where I’m at.

Every time when I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It went by, like dusk to dawn
Isn’t that the way
Everybody’s got the dues in life to pay

I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it’s everybody sin
You got to lose to know how to win

Half my life
Is books written pages
Live and learn from fools and
From sages
You know it’s true, oh
All these things you do come back to you

Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears
Sing with me, just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good lord will take you away

Yeah, sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear
Sing with me, just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream until your dreams come true
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream until your dreams come true
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on
Dream on

Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear
Sing with me, just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
Sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear
Sing with me, just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away.

I’m Ahuva Heliosense. I’m Rising!

One In Three Women On The Planet Will Be Raped Or Beaten In Her Lifetime.

One Billion Women Violated Is An Atrocity.

One Billion Women Dancing Is A Revolution.

.

Join V-Day on
02.14.13
STRIKE, DANCE, RISE
in your community &
Demand an
end to violence
(copied from the official One Billion Rising url)

I hold strong views on many subjects. I try not to preach to my friends and coworkers. But in this instance, I believe so strongly in this movement, that I am speaking out to you. Yes – YOU. I mean you – male and female both. Join the revolution. End the violence.

I hope to rise in both SL and RL. I’ve found 2 possible RL events. In SL – it’s running 24 hours, from midnight Wednesday, Feb 13th through midnight, Feb 14th. It will be LIVESTREAMED. There are going to be live performances by well-known SL entertainers (*grin* one of my personal favorites is rumored to be the closing act)

To get you revving – watch the video. Yep, I’m there. Honour is there. Saffia is there, Pyper, Tatiana, sooooooo many others. There is still time for you to be there too, on Feb 14th. Schedules will be posted later this week. Pyper Dollinger, Tatiana Kurri, Saffia Widdershins, Petlove Petshop, Honour McMillan, and Aisling Sinclair have done a FANTASTIC job on this video! You have to LOVE The Dazzlers. I want to be a Dazzler when (if) I grow up!

You need to get yourself over to Prim Perfect and pick up the poster and your t-shirt. They have both male and female mesh shirts, in a variety of sizes, both black and white backgrounds.

Strike!

Dance!

Rise!

Note: Check out my new hair up top. I’m sure I’ll still be wearing my Analog Dog “Astrid”, that I’ve been wearing for 4+ years now. *grin* But Queue Marlow won my heart yet again with “driven” in butterscotch.  :)

Casting Call

Hey there! Yeah – YOU. I’m talking to YOU. Ya wanna be a star? Ya wanna make it in the Big Time? C’mon over heah. I got an “in”. I can help ya break into the ranks of the top dancers in SL. Really. And – at no cost. /me nods sincerely.

What? Ya think I’m foolin’? pfffft. Here – read it yourself: CASTING CALL

One Billion Rising is coming to SL. You can be part of it. The only requirement? Female avatar in appropriate attire.

What’s One Billion Rising? I’m glad you asked that…… Click the link and read about One Billion Rising in SL. Click and get the most fabulous ear-worm you could ever hope to have.

One Billion Rising. Be one of a billion. February 14th, 2013. All around the world and inworld. Break the Chain.

There’s still time to be part of the pre-recorded videos: Drop a note card to Samantha Ohrberg inworld.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
[ THEME ]               [ TIME ]              [Dress Attire]
Steampunk            3:00pm SLT      Steampunk Costume
Tropical                  4:00pm SLT       Beachwear –not swimming costumes
India                       6:00pm SLT       Indian (clothes & avatars)
—————————————————————————————–
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
[ THEME ]               [ TIME ]              [Dress Attire]
Post apocalyptic   3:00pm SLT      Post Apocalyptic/cyberpunk but
.                          .                        .            NO injured skins
Oriental city          4:00pm SLT       Modern Oriental (clothes and avatars)

True Love

My husband not only loves me, he not only understands me, but he indulges me. *smile* Check out the tee shirt he gave me today.

In Memoriam

The gentleman known here as Lalo Telling departed this existence today at 2pm. He died as he lived – gracefully and peacefully. Emspar thanks you all for all the love and good wishes sent from the virtual world to her and Lalo. She asks that you observe her period of mourning by holding off on direct messages or tweeting to her. She is grateful for your kindness and support and caring but needs a time for grief and reflection.

Lalo – Your memory will be for a blessing. <3

December 5, 2007 – December 14, 2012


 

Change of Plans

See – you can’t always believe those office rumors. No relocation. After discussions with the outside expert consultants, it was decided that a move would be counter-productive and unduly troubling. Most of the office business has slowed to a halt. Not too much activity, so no need for sharpened pencils. It’s fairly quiet at the office. Friends came by at lunch and are expected back later this afternoon/evening. They’ll be lighting the 5th candle. Emspar and Lalo know about the candle-lightings in SL and IWz. As always, they thank you for the warm thoughts and affection. Other than that, nothing much to add at this time. *hugs*

Heard At The Water Cooler

The rumor is that Mr. Telling is going to relocate. The current location has been fine, and the local staff has been great, but some functionality would be better addressed in a different location. Emspar has been working on that today. Nothing new really to report about it, other than it’s being investigated. I bet free coffee will still be included. *grin* Do you think we could lobby for complimentary chocolate too? Other than that, today was quiet. Lalo and Emspar got a chance to relax together and rest up.

I went out on a road-trip assignment last night. I wasn’t able to be with Lalo to light the Chanukiah, so I can’t give you the shot of Night 3. But I did get the chance to celebrate with some of Lalo’s friends in SL. I got inworld in time to head to Edloe for the candle lighting. I don’t take very good photos – I don’t have the patience to set up lighting and angle and all. So the really good shots are by Honour. The one where the lighting is poor is by me (don’t want to taint Honour’s reputation with my (lack of) skill.

When I say “Lalo’s friends in SL”, you need to know that it wasn’t just SL friends. Many of the InWorldz folk came in too, so that we could all be together in Lalo’s honor. We lit the candles, said the prayers, and then raised a toast to Lalo. So, Mr. Telling, if your ears (whether furry,pointed avatar ears or rounded humanoid ears) were burning last night, it was because we were toasting you. Gee Lalo – you should hear all the nice things we say about you. We’re not quite as witty as you or as quick with a pun, but we did our best to do as you’ve taught us. *grin*

Chanukiah lighting takes place in InWorldz at 4:30pm SLT on Nova sim. Wizzy has set up a healing garden on Lalo’s Inworldz parcel where you can rez: Takamaka/51/204/22. Chanukiah lighting takes place in SL on Edloe at 5:00pm SLT at Edloe/188/205/48.

Lalo and Emspar appreciate all the love and good wishes you are sending. I’ll do my best to keep this blog posted with information daily, even if it’s just to say nothing much new to say. /me heads off to clean the white boards, sharpen the pencils, clean the coffee cups.

Candle lighting crowd (and please forgive me if I’ve missed a name – I’m relying on my chat log): Feline Slade, Honour McMillan, Chestnut Rau, Orchid Jameson, Crap Mariner, Explorer Dastardly, Maxwell Graf, Wizard Gynoid, Leanna Caerndow, Jim Tarber, Victoria Lenoirre, Pearlygurlee Ducatillon, AlexHayden Junibalya, Astra Thorne, Luna Jubilee

Mr. Telling’s Office

Well, I think my first full day on the job went okay. I had a lot of coaching from Emspar. (Thanks for the inside scoops!) And Lalo was understanding about my gaffes, especially the one with the faucet. I think he rather enjoyed that one. See – these new fangled faucets don’t have knobs, they have sensors. I got caught several times yesterday. First I moved a tray from one side of the sink to the other and – splash! – yes, I filled the tray with water. *grin* Then I reached across the sink to get something and drip drip drip – that’s my sleeve. But I was told I’d still get my holiday bonus, so I guess the mood is still upbeat.

Sunday was a quiet restful day. Shortly after the Rabbi left, Emspar arrived and we talked and talked. Lalo woke and we all had some conversation, talked about all the incoming messages, about you all, about the weather. It was a very rainy dark day outside. Definitely the kind of day that inspires naps and doing a lot of nothing. So that’s what we did – afternoon naps. It’s what our cats have taught us. We lit the 2nd candle, sang some psalms, and then napped.

Late in the afternoon some friends dropped by to visit. We talked about the local football game, about growing up, the weather, the do’s and don’ts of lighting Chanukah candles and, of course, SL. We shared pictures of many of you and tried to explain SL and virtual worlds. Lalo’s explanation, and I’m paraphrasing here (because I don’t remember exactly and what I DO remember will lose my PG blog rating), was “Either you GET it or you think What the heck”. *grin* I had to agree, don’t you? I mean – we all GOT it and still HAVE it. We aren’t the ones who said “Huh???” We talked about music in SL: the places we love to come and hear music, the DJs we know and love, the live musicians. We didn’t try to explain pose balls this time around. *grin* We dealt with basic avatar issues and prims.

It was a lovely visit and it was great seeing everyone but after that we were pretty tuckered out, so it was lights out time.

From the Desk of Lalo Telling

Wheeee! Lalo has hired me as administrative assistant! I’m very excited to have my first writing assignment on his behalf. He wanted to let you all know how much he appreciates your tweets and notes and posts. Last night he spent a good bit of time reading tweets, laughing, commenting on them, opening pictures. He was in good spirits and we had a lot of fun. We lit the Chanukiah here in the room. Emspar found a beautiful electric Chanukiah. At candle lighting time Mary, one of the nurses here, joined us. Lalo, being Lalo, explained the ritual to her. He said the blessings and we joined in for the Amen. It was a truly special moment for us all. This morning Mary mentioned it again so I wrote out the blessings for her. (last night she used my iPad).

After that we looked at a bunch of pics from SL and talked about what had been going on when the pics were taken. We had some great memories of the Bay City parade and celebration. Soon after that it was time for lights out and some rest.

This morning found Lalo checking out the radar (it’s raining) and reading all the tweets from last night. I passed on all the hugs, hand squeezes and smooches you all sent. *grin* One of the perks of this job. . We’ve decorated the room with blue and silver bows to complement Emspar’s Chanukiah and Gelt. (it’s the gold foil milk chocolate gelt, for those of you who want to know ).

We’d just finished with the decorations when we had a visit from the Rabbi. Talk about small world syndrome. Not only did this rabbi know Lalo’s rabbi, he knows MINE as well!!!!! Considering we live I don’t know how many states apart, that’s pretty amusing. It was a lovely visit. Lalo has been having a bit of difficulty hearing in the last few days. He apologized for that to the Rabbi and then said “worst thing for a rabbi, no?”. We all burst out laughing and agreed with him. *laughing*.

After that Lalo read tweets a bit more. Mary the nurse was back. She likes hanging out with us. The nurses love Lalo and are convinced his FL job is as a stand up comedian. He does tire easily, especially his eyes. Right now he is napping so I took he opportunity to let you all know he’s thinking of you loving you and appreciating the constant support and love you are sending him.