Don’t Want No Cure

My name is Ahuva Heliosense and I am enamoured of Komuso Tokugawa. I “discovered” him several months ago. I LOVE his music. I love his singing. It makes me crazy that he is in Japan and that means that whenever I want to hear him, I am staying up WAY past my bedtime. And most times I don’t know that he is playing until maybe an hour before show time. Which means I have been thinking that I am going to sleep and all of a sudden I realize: no, I’m staying up to hear Komuso. So the other day when Komuso sent out a notecard stating upcoming concerts, I was thrilled. I could PLAN my sleep schedule around his concert schedule! *grin* Even better than planning naps, I could invite RL friends to come inworld and hear Ko. I’ve been raving about him for so long but I never know in advance so that I can bring friends in.

Isn’t it fun when you are talking to someone in RL and you discover that not only have they HEARD of SL, but they have an avatar???? OMG, I was thrilled. We were heading to a RL rock concert and talking about work and such. Turns out he rezzed back in 2005. *grin* He’d not been inworld in awhile, but as we talked, I could see his eyes light up. He asked about places and musicians. Turns out we listen to the same SL musicians. Of course I shared about Komuso. AND mentioned the upcoming concert. I didn’t think much more about our conversation. But the next night, Dz and I were dancing at the first Komuso concert when I got an IM. Mickey was saying “hi!” “Did I know who Mickey was”, he asked? LOL. That was easy. I replied that he must be my “date” from the night before. Indeed, that was who that was. He’d actually come specifically to hear Komuso as well as to reconnect with SL. I sent him the taxi and the 3 of us rocked on to Komuso. Of course it was a great show. Can Komuso DO a bad show??? I’m happy to say that Mickey agreed with me that Komuso was great and he enjoyed the show as well.

After that show, we had time before Ko’s SECOND show of the night (and all at reasonable hours for me, I must say). So we played a bit, chatted, did an art opening (LOVE Calli’s work). Then it was time for the 2nd show. I texted to Faust and told him to get himself inworld – Komuso was playing. LOL. Didn’t take HIM long to log in. Then while the 3 of us were dancing and having a wonderful time, another friend IM’d. He also likes live music, so Gryph accepted the taxi I sent. Another Komuso Tokugawa fan was born. *grin*

I really truly LOVE Komuso’s music and playing. Many of you have heard me groan in mingled agony and ecstasy when I’m just about to log for the evening, and the Chat comes along: “Alrighty then….. ” And it’s Ko and he’s telling us he’s about to play. I cannot log while he is playing. I had my head on the table in front of my keyboard, nearly weeping from fatigue and from joy at the music. That night Komuso played a version of House of the Rising Sun that was practically orgasmic. It was raw, gritty, rough, ripping. I mean – I honestly don’t know any other way to describe it. A peak experience??? I had one of those singing with Michael Tilson Thomas and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, but that was an out-of-body experience. Komuso’s music is so much more visceral. Earthy. Fills my soul. My blood runs hotter when I listen to Komuso perform. *smile* I like his music. I IM’d him the other night and told him my description of his House of the Rising Sun. He laughed and played it again that night. Bliss. I may ruin my health by giving up sleep for Komuso, but what a way to go.

Secret Bunker

The other day I was hanging about in SL, relaxing, looking for something to do. I didn’t want to work – this was just after pulling a near all-nighter to landscape an island. I was in a musical mood, having seen Bruce Springsteen LIVE the night before, and hearing Komuso the night before that. *smile* Life can be so sweet at times. HellSpawned and I were IMing, trying to decide what would be amusing. Suddenly he said: “oooo – a friend just sent me a tp to a private concert. this could be good!” (Well, HE probably didn’t say “oooooo”, but I’m writing this story.) So Hell followed the tp and sent the taxi for me. It reminded of “The Pajama Game“. *grin* We were being allowed into Hernando’s Hideaway!!!

Just knock three times and whisper low, that you and I were sent by Joe.
Then Strike a match and you will know you’re in Hernando’s Hideaway OLE!

So I rezzed in to Misch’s secret bunker. Oh yes, that is what he said. This was his secret bunker (I think there was a big sign outside that SAID Secret Bunker) and he was going to play guitar and sing for friends. I settled onto a box as people continued to tp in. Only in SL can you be hanging out in a secret bunker and someone decides to ride a giant slug. *smile* It was a very interesting crowd of friends.

You never know what you are going to find in the way of live music in SL. Most is pretty good. Some is “ouch”. Misch – well, all I can say is that *I* hope Misch does not remain a secret. I so enjoyed his playing. I liked his playing, his song selection, his sense of humor. I had a great time. He played for over an hour. I didn’t leave until he gently told those of us there that he really needed a RL break, and he was going to stop now. I decided that was probably a hint for: please go home now. *grin*

Thank you to Hell for bringing me with him. Thank you to Misch, for allowing guests of guests to bring guests. Thank you to Misch for a wonderful afternoon of music and good humor. Please have more concerts in your secret bunker. Please make sure to let me know – I want to be there!!!

Time to Raise ANOTHER Cow

Back in January we raised a cow for Heifer International. It’s time to do it again. This benefit is dear to me for many reasons. First and foremost, Heifer International is a charity that is very special to my family. Both my son and my brother actively raise funds to support Heifer. The other special factors for me: the various people involved, all of whom are talented, creative, generous individuals. We raised a cow in January. We can surely raise at least one cow on Sunday.

On Sunday, May 31, sunset will fall at AM Radio’s The Refuge and the Expansion. Please join us for a final benefit concert to raise funds for Heifer International.

ColeMarie Soleil at 3 PM
Joaquin Gustav at 4 PM
KelvinBlue Oh at 5 PM
(all SL time)

These performers return to The Refuge and once again are donating their time, talents and tips to Heifer International. Please donate generously to show your appreciation for their performances and their generosity.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Welsh%20Cove/8/124/30
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wales%20Springs/236/127/30

In AM Radio’s words:

“After a longer than expected stay, The Refuge and the Expansion’s second iteration (hosted at the art installation sims Wales Springs and Welsh Cove by Alexandar Vargas, as curated by Callipygian Christensen) will be sunset. Thank you all who made this installation possible and thank you for your support of the arts. The Refuge and The Expansion was a redux of The Refuge and The Prospect. It represented a laboratory, an opportunity to experiment with ideas and techniques that I had been kicking around since The Far Away (wheatfield) location. I have enjoyed seeing all of the wonderful creativity and reaction to the space. The Flickr group has managed more than 1600 images, recording the space, but also recording how people explored, utilized, and felt in the space. I can think of no better record to document the sim. Thank you all,critics and advocates alike. I learned, I progressed, and all of you will have influenced the next version of this sim, which is sure to be created soon.”

Information on Heifer International can be found at www.heifer.org

Images of The Refuge and the Expansion can be found at http://www.flickr.com/groups/therefugeandtheexpansion/

Thank you, Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle. I have been undergoing a crisis de faith this week. I lost my way. But you. You never falter, do you? I am sitting here, tears streaming down my face, playing your rendition of “Memory”, over and over and over. Thank you. Thank you for the song. Thank you for you. Thank you for your belief in yourself. Thank you for showing the way.

Can music save your mortal soul?

It can sure save mine. Always. If I am sad and feeling down, dispirited – a live concert by Noma Falta or Von Johin will get me rocking and happy. If I am happy and want to party on well, guess what – a live concert by Von Johin or Noma Falta will keep me going strong. *grin* Last night I made plans to meet up with Honour at Von Johin’s anniversary party at his French Quarter sim. I spent a good part of the day working on AhuvaHair Version 2.0 (wait til you see it – it will be SO much better than round 1) and helping a friend. So my to-do list and conscience were both clear when showtime rolled around.

The French Quarter belongs to Von and Harlee. They bought it a year ago and all day was a celebration. Honour and I were standing about talking, waiting to see which stage Von would be using. An avatar rezzed in. To my great delight it was my friend DZ!!! The three of us headed over to the music. Honour and I tagged onto DZ’s chimera and danced the night away. That is another thing that I really should have. After all these months, I still do NOT have a way to dance by myself. I am still dependent on the local dance balls or someone’s chimera. /me makes note to self…. buy dance animation thing. *grin*

This will make your heart soar

This is among the most wonderful, amazing things that I have ever seen and heard. Take the seven minutes and WATCH THIS NOW!!! I have listened to it 3 times already. My heart is soaring in joy from this woman. Susan Boyle – you are magnificent!

Sus

Snapshots of the Past Week

Some weeks I have nothing much new or interesting to report about my life. Other weeks – I can’t catch my breath. This past week was breathless. Since I’ve become a bit sporadic about posting, I figured I’d get these snippets up while they were still fresh in my mind, giving me joy. Shengri La turned 3 years old recently so a great deal of my week was involved with that. That will all figure in the next post. But there were a few other things happening as well.

First: I know this is a little late – but do catch the end of the Beyond Blogging Conference today:

April 8th
08:00 PDT 11:00 EST Homesteading in the IBM Grid
09:00 PDT 12:00 EST Lessons Learned from IBM’s Academy of Technology Virtual Conferences (This should be VERY informative and interesting! But I bet he doesn’t mention the landscaping… *grin* )

I have spent most of my work week sitting on the ground, contemplating my rezzer. I was quite alarmed at how much I’d forgotten from my scripting lessons with Hell. So I probably spent several hours just kicking my brain back into scripting mode. But by the end of the week, my rezzer worked, my graphs appeared, things rezzed in the right location and the right color. And my brain seems to be back in the proper mode for thinking and developing. If only I had more time……

One of the best things that happened this week was a reunion. I didn’t post on it here, but Dale posted on his blog. He had to leave his shack at Pier. That was my first home. Literally. When Dale rescued me from Orientation Island, SL set Pier to my home location. And it stayed my home until I finally moved here to McIntyre. If you go back to my posts on my first hours in SL, I’m sure that I mentioned the wonderful black kitty that lived on Dale’s couch at Pier. I LOVE Kitty. Kitty was my best friend on many an occasion. I’d go hang out with Kitty, model my new outfits for him, feed him tuna snacks (oh does Kitty have fish breath sometimes!!!). I’d cuddle Kitty and we’d confide in each other. And then… Pier was no more. Kitty was locked away in inventory. A little piece of my heart was broken when Dale and Kitty left Pier. But we were reunited this week. After a party Dale and I went back to visit Kitty, and see his new home. Oh joy!!! We sat forever, talking and relaxing and loving Kitty. It was heaven. It’s not Pier, but it was still Home. Ah Kitty – *hugs* I love you. /me fills back with tuna treats and marks calendar for next visit.

And there is the great Mainland is Ugly propaganda. Well, I live on the mainland. Yeah, my next-door neighbors put up a landing strip. You know what – it has never bothered me. THEY have never bothered me. Almost nothing that happens around my house has bothered me. Until this week. Finally a neighbor did something that I did indeed find not to my taste. I like to sit by my pool, at my table with my laptop, drinking coffee while I work or blog (as I am doing now). The other morning I sat down, looked up across the way, and there was a large revolving religious symbol. Very large. Very obvious. As close to my property line as they could put it without going over the line. It actually was brushing against some of my tree branches. So I stared at that a bit. Decided that I really did NOT want to see it anymore. They were entitled to their opinion, but having seen it, I didn’t need a constant reminder. So I put up a thicket hedge. Shenlei had given me this particular hedge when I moved in – she used it to block an ad farm near the back of my property. So I tossed the tree that was there, put up the thicket and there you go. Problem solved. I guess us Mainlanders are pretty flexible folks.

I spent so much of the week not being “me” (I’ll explain that more in another post). It’s not so bad when I’m staring at my rezzer. I mean – I am okay with how I look there. No AO, which annoys me. No boots, which also annoys me. But the hair and clothing aren’t too bad. And I’m working, so mostly I don’t even notice. But by late Saturday evening, I needed a bit of comfort. Von Johin was playing the blues. I tp’d home, put on my boots, jeans, and hair, and headed over. I spent a wonderful hour chatting, dancing and admiring an extremely neat cat avatar. I think that maybe I will buy an av like that and spend a week as a cat. I need a break.

Wow. I didn’t think I had anything to say, but I went on and on, didn’t I? That’s because this will have to hold you through the week. It’s Pesach, and RL takes precedence this week.

Fricker Fraker

Fricker Fraker is one of my first friends in SL. I met him at a gathering and we got to talking. It was back in the days when I was first thinking seriously about buying land. Fricker had land to sell. We went to see the property and talked about music, life, work and SL. Our paths cross only periodically but each time is always a pleasant experience for me. Fricker was one of the friends who came TP’ing in for the Bubble Chair extravaganza. The other night I got to TP to Fricker, to hear him play the Native American Flute live. The setting was beautiful: Paradise Garden, which is owned by Brianna Beresford.

I arrived there early enough to get one of the cushions. As I sat and listened to the sounds of the water in the background I cammed about, enjoying the beauty of the build. Brianna welcomed us all and Fricker began to play. The flute is hauntingly lovely. There was drumming as well as story telling and reflections on life. The setting of water, waves, trees and flowers was the perfect accompaniment for the performance. The music was soothing, lending itself to meditations and relaxation.

For myself, one of the interesting aspects was checking out my fellow concert-goers. I knew quite a few of them, even though my connection with Fricker had never had any intersection with the other people. I’m beginning to believe the people who keep telling me that SL is really a small place. Also gives credence to the fabled 6 degrees of separation.

When Fricker stopped playing, we all still stayed there. The serenity and mood were so lovely, no one seemed to want to move and break it. I took some time to sit in the meditative garden. Brianna has created a beautiful beautiful spot. Even if Fricker is not playing, you should head over there to enjoy the scenery and beauty.

We Raised a Cow

Bruce Springsteen sings that Adam raised a Cain, but Saturday night dozens (almost 70 at the busiest time) of SLers raised a cow for Heifer International. Instead of existential despair, we raised hope. One Heifer International cow in less than 90 minutes.

Saturday night I was at the Crown and Pearl having tea with Dark and Mow, getting ready to logout and sleep when Calli sent an IM. She told me there was a great blues concert starting in about 10 minutes. Oh. I love the blues. And I’d heard of this person before: Komuso Tokugawa. One incredible night I heard him and Noma Falta rocking out. That was a phenomenal night. Chestnut had blogged about this as well, but I’d forgotten that it was happening (Ches always knows what’s going on!) I knew I had to catch at least a little of the concert. In addition, the concert was a fund raiser for Heifer International, a charity to which I have a special connection in RL. For my RL friends – think Red Heifer, Golden Calf, March 13, 2004.

So Dark and I headed to Wales Spring region. That is where AM Radio has his creation “The Refuge and The Expansion”. I know that you can google AM Radio and get scores of hits and learn about his work. I’ll point out that AM never sells any of his work for profit – he uses his talents here to raise money for Heifer.

I’d like to take a moment and also acknowledge Alexandar Vargas, himself a talented creator. Alexandar owns the sims that host “The Refuge”. It is generosity such as this that enables the arts and creativity to flourish in SL. Without people like Alexandar, many artists would be hard-pressed to create the wonders that we all enjoy. Kudos also to Komuso Tokugawa, who donated his time and tips to Heifer International, and to Callipygian Christensen, who put the event together. SL is filled with wonderful, generous, creative people.

Komuso was scheduled to play for an hour. At the end of the hour, we had raised over half a cow. So he said he would keep playing until we could raise the rest. So he did and we did. Friends tp’d in to help the cause and hear the great music. Many of us ante’d up again to keep the good times going. Within 90 minutes we had managed to raise over 500 $US – the cost of one cow. All in all, it was a great time. EXCELLENT blues, wonderful cause. I ran into many friends there as well, which made it clear to me why they are my friends. Also linked up with some people I’d only known casually in the past. These are the stories that the RL news services should be publicizing. Music and good deeds. SL is full of that.

Female Artists

Most of this may be old news for all you “oldbies” out there. But who knows, SL is such a big place, maybe this will be new to you, too.

I just discovered La Reve because of a new post. Indagatricis is a relatively new blog. It is fiction inspired by SL places and things. I was reading it the other day and saw this post inspired by art in La Reve. I enjoyed the story and I found the art intriguing. I suggest you add Inagatricis to your blog list. I plan to visit La Reve as soon as time permits. In the meantime you can do as I did: google it.

I found a new vocalist that I REALLY enjoy. You know how much I like Grace McDunnough. I try to catch her whenever I can and belong to her group. I was listening to her sing a few nights ago at the Trax Live Music Resource Center (See Chestnut’s blog for more information about this wonderful new place.) Grace finished her set but I was sitting about chatting with friends so we stayed put, instead of tp’ing out.

Noma Falta came on. Oh WOW! Another great voice, this time doing the Blues and Jazz and rocking too! Signed up for her group right away!

I’ve been a member of Phoebe Ann Theas’ group for several weeks as well. Another warm, rich voice that can really put over a song. For my RL friends – if you join a group, you receive group messages about events of interest to that particular group. So I receive messages telling me when and where the artists I follow will be performing. There are also “generic” music groups. I belong to one of those as well – it sends me messages about live performances by a variety of artists.

My post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Callipygian Christensen. Calli is a phenomenal photographer and artist. I had the great pleasure of spending some time with her in one of her galleries as she explained to me how she does what she does to SL photos. She showed me the pictures in the various stages of moving from great photos to great art. She has 4 galleries in SL as well as posting her work to Flickr. Calli has galleries at Antiquity Harbor (
Antiquity Harbor (73, 169, 23), Rasczak (Manzanillo Artist Enclave, Rasczak (239, 10, 21)), Caledon Cay (Caledon Cay (110, 76, 23) ) and what may be my favorite, at Shengri La (Shengri La (240, 167, 25)) where the gallery has four floors of portraits, landscapes, and erotica.

There are a lot of very positive, healthy things to do in SL.