Friday, July 23 found special visitors at Parky’s Pub for Celtic Kitchen Sink. While we at Parky’s believe all of our patrons are special, these two visitors were extra special. DJ Isobela Capalini was in search of “the Boob Fairy”. She has had a grievance with this fairy for a long time. Check out the lyrics to the Deirdre Flint song, “The Boob Fairy” http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/d/deirdreflint1112/theboobfairy50667.html.
I sent out the notices indicating Isobela’s request (she didn’t know what I was doing). As the doors were opening, our first special guest arrived, the Butt Fairy. This fairy stated that she came in her sister’s stead as she did not know where her sister was, but knows many have grievances with her. No one wanted the services of the Butt Fairy unless she decreased the size instead of augmenting. The owner, however decided to use this to her advantage and was able to keep the rowdy group in line by telling them instead of ejecting them she would send them to the corner with the Butt Fairy.
It seems that after people around the grid began receiving the notices they sent out beacons looking for the Boob Fairy to help Isobela and while the crowd was dancing away to the wonderful Celtic tunes a new fairy flew into our midst. This time we had the one and only Boob Fairy. Together, the two fairies danced and played with the patrons who came from all over the grid just to become acquainted with these two fine creatures.
I am always excited about the patrons who frequent Parky’s Pub and when we can have two such very special guests who mix and mingle with everyone else it is all the more exciting for me. We have been visited by special guests since the pub opened 10/9/08. From refrigerators to spaghetti monsters and even Frankenstein in a kilt. Perhaps one day I can get all the fairs and perhaps a leprechaun or two to visit at the same time (our usual furries and blue angels are always welcome).
The Boob Fairy and The Butt Fairy
Tags: Boob, Butt, Celtic Kitchen Sink, Celtic Pub, DL Bach, Fairy, friends, fun, Irish, Isobela Capalini, Parker Janick, Parky, Parky's Pub, Second Life
I have been going through a financially difficult time lately. This is due in part to a medical condition and in part the recession. Last week a friend I used to work with came by to take a letter to mail for me as I was having a bad day physically and couldn’t get out. When he came he brought me some tomatoes and eggs from his father’s farm. He commented that the eggs were colorful. I kind of chuckled and mentioned that they were all still eggs. I couldn’t get this thought out of my head. Seems when I am feeling my worst, my tornadoes really start to twist and turn the words around in my head. I thought about how some folks say that brown eggs are the best and others aver it is the white eggs you should choose. I have never tasted a difference in either. After I was feeling better, I took the carton of eggs from the refrigerator and just looked at them. There they sat, ten eggs of various shades of white and brown. there was even one that was a kind of rusty color. It was almost as if the hens which laid the eggs wanted to celebrate the Christian holiday of Easter.
My thoughts weren’t just about the eggs as eggs. I kept thinking how I said that eggs were all the same no matter the color. This is like people. No matter the color of your skin, eyes and hair, every human being is the same. I recall the old movie Tammy And The Bachelor. During the course of the movie, the uneducated swamp girl, Tammy makes a startling statement about war. In essence she said that if people would remember that under all the armor and clothing there is nothing but flesh and blood, perhaps there would be few wars. Oh, the innocence.
Those who have followed my blog for any length of time have already figured where I am going. My favorite topic to write about in here – PEACE. Just like those eggs in my refrigerator, people are the same. We may look different on the outside, but inside we are flesh, blood and bones. The shell may be different sizes or colors or perhaps shapes slightly off; but inside there is a yolk and the whites.
When we focus on the differences we have there is strife and war. It will only be when we focus on what we have in common (i.e.: being human beings for one) that we can truly accept others and bring about peace in the world. Greet people without noticing what is on the outside. Nearly three years ago, to escape the illness that has invaded my body, I entered Second Life (I have a blog just about that and have mentioned it before). I began getting to know people where all I could see of them was their avatar representative. After a while I was getting to know them not as their Second Life persona, but who they are in the real world. It hit me one day that had I been walking down the road in the real world and passed most of these people, at the most I would have just given them a glance, but we would never have become friends. I used to think I was not a prejudice kind of person, that I was very accepting. I learned how wrong I was. I can now boast that I have friends from all walks of life, skin colors, religions, races, nationalities, etc. I got to know them as people keeping in mind that there was a human being on the other side of the computer, not just a bunch of pixels.
To the rest of the world I offer this advice – Put your blinders on and meet some eggs.
Tags: Acceptance, blood, bones, differnces, DL Bach, eggs, fear, flesh, friend, history, PEACE, pixels, pro-peace, Second Life, United States
In November 2004, I first presented with symptoms that ten months later would be diagnosed as Meniere’s Disease. As the illness progressed and I became unable to do the things I used to enjoy such as dancing, hiking and swimming, I found myself slipping away. After my knee injury over a decade ago, I went through a deep depression and knew I didn’t not want to go back there. Since I could no longer do the things I used to do to relieve stress, I knew it was very possible for me to slip into another depression. I was not going to allow this to happen again.
In February 2007, I was at home watching the Law & Order: SVU episode where they were looking for a person who was involved in a virtual reality world called “Another Universe”. This gave me an idea. I found that Another Universe is fictitious, however there is another virtual reality world that was alive and well called Second Life (later in 2007 Second Life (SL) would be depicted on CSI). I had my laptop at work and created an avatar and entered the world. Due to not having internet at home at the time and issues with my laptop I did not make it off Orientation Island. I put SL aside and went on with my life. In the midst of Meniere’s I dealt with the death of my father and a treatment that took away my immune system and left me fighting colds and infections.
October 2007 I watched the CSI episode involving SL and was reminded of my failed attempt at entering that world. I couldn’t recall my avatar’s name and password. So I created a new avatar and called her Parker Janick (Parky). I made it into SL this time and began exploring. I would spend my free time at work in SL (I worked nights at a television station and was all alone there) During my exploration I was clicking things and not knowing what I was doing things would happen. One time I clicked something and received a blue box and clicked yes. I then went to change a tape and when I returned, my avatar was dancing. I sat there and cried for about five minutes. I could no longer dance in Real Life (RL), but I could dance in SL.
I continued to explore and ultimately got internet at home where I could explore more. I made friends, learned how to swim and do many other things in SL. I finally found my life again. Along my journey I began meeting other people with chronic illness and issues. There are those who are bed ridden and others who are in wheelchairs. I have even met three others in SL who have Meniere’s Disease. It helped at one point when I begin attending a support group in SL for people with chronic illnesses and/or their caretakers. One thing was certain, we all came into SL for the same reason, to do things that we could no longer do in RL.
I can’t do much in RL that I used to do, but in SL I am thriving. I own a Celtic Pub where everyone is welcome (as long as they obey the rules) and I host twice a week at a friends jazz and blues club. I am involved with writing groups and even attend a Writer’s Circle once a week where I read some of my own work. I recently submitted a poem for a contest in SL and won first place. I even wrote a short story called The Damsel And The Dragon about why I am in SL and it was published in a SL magazine.
I highly recommend SL to those with Meniere’s Disease or any chronic illness that keeps you from doing the things you love to do. You can do those things again by using an avatar in SL. Use this link http://secondlife.com/. to find your life again, even if it is virtual. I would still much rather be dancing, hiking and swimming in RL, but for now I will do these things in SL and keep my mind active while meeting new people from around the world and making friends (gaining contacts) in the process. Don’t let your illness deprive you of your life.
A staged shot taken to accompany my short story The Damsel And The Dragon
A staged shot taken to accompany my short story The Damsel And The Dragon
Tags: Blues, Celtic Pub, chronic illness, DL Bach, friends, Jazz, Meniere's Disease, Parker Janick, Parky's Pub, Second Life, The Damsel And The Dragon
A while back I got to talking to some of my friends on Written Word Ning about meditation. I decided to log in to Second Life and go exploring for Meditation spots. A couple of the guys on the Ning offered their suggestions. I also came across some in my inventory of LMs and off I went.
Some of these spots were really nice and picturesque with soothing music playing for relaxation and meditation. One I recall was nice, but they were playing Nutcracker Suite. I can’t really focus on meditation with Dance Of The Sugarplum Fairies ringing through the stream. I muted the tunage and pulled up the ambient sounds. That was a bit better. I continued on in my journeys. I came across a spot that offered a “re-birthing” experience. I have recently had someone to suggest this to me (although not in SL). So I clicked to TP to the spot.
I arrived and found this surfboard like object to sit on and the sounds of heart beat all around. The textures were amazing. I followed through fully clothed, not knowing what to expect. After the initial time, I wanted to fully experience the process. I TPd back up the the womb and removed all my clothing (actually my meditation ALT did) and I put on some long hair to provide a wee bit of modesty. Then I took my time and went through the re-birthing process. I found this to be a great experience. Educating as well. I went back up one more time and staged the happy snappies to post here.
The outside of my womb
- I sat on the surfboard like area and curled up into the womb
- Standing up I looked toward the exit
- I made my way to the exit and received a note saying to take my time and when I felt ready – jump
- This can be a very nice experience for anyone seeking to do a re-birthing, but wanting it to me more virtual and spiritual than physical. If you take a large group, don’t worry. The SIM has two separate re-birthing areas and two people can use one at the same time. I have added the links to both. This is where you will find a TP ball that will take you into the womb. Make the experience what you need it to be and have a happy re-birth.
- http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hauwai/99/205/86 http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hauwai/37/177/94
Tags: healing, meditation, Parker Janick, PEACE, rebirthing, Reiki, relaxation, Second Life, spiritual, Written Word Ning
It’s time to talk honestly and truthfully. Okay, I usually do that, but now we need to be more candid. It is always fun in Second Life® (SL) to talk about the funny situations we find ourselves in in Real Life (RL). I remember the time I was at the drug store and then remembered I needed hair dye (I am a natural bottled redhead in RL, just like Lucy). I honestly didn’t think of it as; “Oh yes, I need to go over and get hair color”. In stead my thought was; “Oh yes, I need to get new hair”. This was the first conscious moment I had where SL and RL met. Yes, I had had dreams with my SL friends in them, but never had I thought in SL terms.
One of my funniest moments was walking through WalMart doing my marketing and there was a display of books and one was the latest vampire book. I am not a fan of this genre in books or otherwise. However, my SL friend Aeryn is a SL vampire. I recall picking up the book and looking at the back cover and thinking; “This looks interesting. I bet Aeryn would enjoy reading this. I wonder if it is on SLX so I can send it to her.” I put the book on the shelf and began laughing. People thought I was crazy. I went home and e-mailed Aeryn’s human host who also got a big laugh from it and then immediately set about organizing an intervention for me.
One Sunday morning I was hosting my usual Sunday Morning Blues and Coffee at The Savoy when a friend IMd me. She began telling me how her RL sister had bought a new skirt and came over to show it off. Her sister wasn’t sure of the fit and mentioned it. My friend asked her if it were “mod”. Thinking this meant “modern” the reply was, of course. My friend went on to tell her sister it was an easy fix and she could walk her through the steps and to just “right click and select edit”. Yes, her sister now believes my friend is ready for an institution.
I found myself one day sitting in my front room looking at a bare corner. I thought for a moment and then recalled a really sweet chair that would look lovely there. I tried to pull up my inventory to look for it. Finally realized I don’t have access to my SL inventory in RL. So glad no one was around to see the fit I threw when I came to my senses. Another time, I was standing in WalMart. I was in a bout of Meniere’s due to the rain, but needed groceries and a photo frame to complete my uncle’s birthday present. I couldn’t make it to the frames and just stood there crying. My head was going in circles and I felt the strong desire to live in SL where I could either find what I needed in SLX or cam around the store without moving and get the items I needed.
I have often looked around my little skybox and pondered. If it had a kitchen and toilet with running water, I could actually live there. So often I have discussed (half joking, half serious) the idea of a TP system in RL. How nice it would be if all we had to do was click on the map the place we wanted to go to and in a matter of seconds we were there hanging out with our friends and dancing and laughing and just having fun. This morning is what has prompted this post. With the rainy weather causing issues for my Meniere’s, I had to take my medication before bed last night. One of the side effects is that my head is very foggy the next morning and the fog doesn’t really lift for several hours. My laptop was several feet away from me as I had booted it up and went in to get dressed and upon returning to the front room, I sat down on the couch to attempt to get my head together. Desiring to journal and check my e-mail, I kept looking at the laptop. Oh how I wanted to be able to right click, edit and move it to my location. Alas, I had to conjure up the strength to go over and bring it to me.
So tell the truth. If not to me via comment, then to yourself for a bit of a giggle or a chuckle (or even a big ole belly laugh). How do your lives collide? It is easy to allow and acknowledge how RL seeps into SL, especially the better we get to know those we spend the most time with. But how has your SL invaded your RL? Have others noticed? Do you acknowledge your SL friends to your RL friends and associates? Or do you just refer to them as another SL friend of mine does simply as your “imaginary friends”? Come on now, be honest and fess up.
Tags: Cam, DL Bach, Editing, friends, Inventory, Moving, Parker Janick, Parky, Re-locating, Re-sizing, Real Life, Second Life, Shopping, SLX
Parky will prattle no more. If there is information regarding my SL friends or Parky’s Pub then I will relate it here. however, it has been brought to my attention that my ramblings and prattlings are not welcome and should be kept to myself. Thank you to those who have provided the feedback needed to clean up this blog. I do have a couple posts I am working on, but am having issues uploading the happy snappies. As soon as I figure out how to cure this problem, I will complete those posts and provide you some nice and pleasant reading.
Tags: Parker Janick, Parky, Parky's Pub
Last night I watched the Kennedy Center Honors program on CBS. All five honorees were well deserving and well honored. I found myself laughing and crying as they revisited the past achievements and even a couple bombs of the ones being honored. There was so much history in that balcony as well as on the stage as I watched in awe and amazement with every detail and every utterance. One thing struck me as they were honoring Dave Brubeck for his work in jazz, everyone was affected by this presentation. Yes, it seemed that The Boss received more accolades and folks standing and swaying to his music as it was performed at the end. Then there were those whose faces lit up with the wonderful tunes once performed by Grace Bumbry. Rousing laughter nearly took the roof off the building when Robert De Niro and Mel Brooks were honored. However, Dave Brubek’s music moved me more than I thought possible.
I have loved jazz for a long time. Jazz and blues are very closely related so I am a fan of each. Seems everyone knows my favorite is Louis Armstrong. It is often said that jazz is the black man’s music and white men have tried to take it for their own. I have also heard it called African Music. I honestly do not believe any of this. Jazz is the music of peace. It transcends race, gender and age to bring everyone together for a meeting of the heart, mind and soul. President and Mrs. Obama were seated in the balcony with the honorees. Secret Service were there as well. The agents assigned to protect the president are to be alert and always focused on what is around them. I usually think of Royal guards who aren’t allow to move at all while they are standing guard when I think of the Secret Service agents. While the cameras were capturing the faces of those in attendance during the performances I watched. During Dave Brubeck’s presentation I noted the faces and posture of those the cameras caught. When they were focused on the First Couple I noticed the Agent seated behind them. His eyes were focused and watching everything around them, but his head was moving to the beat of the music.
Wide shots throughout caught everyone with heads bopping, feet tapping and fingers drumming to the fine jazz music being played. Black, white, Hispanic, male, female, actor, musician, president. It didn’t matter who they were, they felt the heartbeat of the music that is jazz. If it moves your body, even your toe to tap, then it has reached your soul. And that is JAZZ.
Tags: ages, black, Blues, Dave Brubeck, DL Bach, Grace Brumly, heart, Jazz, Kennedy Center Honors, Mel Brooks, mind, music, Parker Janick, Parky's Pub, PEACE, races, Robert De Niro, soul, The Boss, white
A year ago I came to learn of a song. It isn’t a new song by any means. The song “War Is Over” was written by John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, in 1971. With the US in the midst of the Vietnam War, John Lennon was very vocal in his anti-war beliefs. At a time of war it is usually construed that Anti-war is the same as Pro-peace. Pro-peace is so much, much more than just being against war and violence. Some say that true peace can only come from Yeshua. Others believe good Karma and meditation are the path to real peace. All of this is good and so many other things as well.
I came to know this Lennon song after losing my hearing. I knew I liked the music but didn’t know what the words were saying. I did know it was played in the course of a Christmas segment of some sort. I had a conversation with a friend who loves music and is a wonderful DJ in Second Life™. I told him some of the words and finally he said it sounded like I was talking about John Lennon’s Happy Xmas. I promptly went to Google and found myself listening to the song streaming on YouTube with the lyrics showing on the screen. I listened and read for about 3 hours. Yes, the same song for three short hours. I cried so hard as my heart listened to the words as I read them.
War Is Over speaks of reaching out to others; other races, cultures, ages. As humans we pride ourselves in 20/20 vision. Perhaps if the entire world population were blind and deaf we would stand a better chance for peace. We learn to disapprove and even hate those who are different from us. We are so intent on revising and editing each other to chisel out a world-wide society that is identical to us. We are alike. Every human-being all over the world. We all have bones and blood beneath the skin and hair that holds us together. We all have hearts that beat and pump the blood through our veins. We breath air into our lungs.
Where we differ is in our appearances, our beliefs, the way we think. Yes, some of the ideas we hold are in error (i.e.: thinking ourselves better than everyone else), but not all of them. It should be out differences that bring us closer together and give us the opportunity to learn from each other. Perhaps I don’t like to eat pig, does this make those who do evil for doing so? My skin is pale and I have green eyes. Does this mean that a person with olive complexion and dark eyes can’t be a good person or my friend?
There is a war that we are all involved in. It doesn’t matter our age, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. WE ARE ALL AT WAR. The war is for peace. I will post later regarding fighting. But when we say we are a peaceful people, we should live it. Thanks to the wonderful world of Second Life™, I have made friends with people all over the world. They are of different races, cultures, religions and even sexual orientations. We met on a different plain and got to know each other and accept each other as human-beings without adding prejudice and bias. On this last day of Chanukah, I hope those who celebrate it each received a set of blinders. I hope those who keep Xmas will also receive some and then for Kwanzaa the same. Put on your blinders and use ear plugs to fight this war. Use your heart to get to know other people who are not like you in the way you think and believe. No one says you have to change your ways and believe as they do. Education, understanding and acceptance will be our weapons.
Listen and watch John Lennon and do so with your heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNRHrKyaX4
Tags: Acceptance, blind, blinders, blood, bones, Chanukah, Christmas, deaf, Differneces, DL Bach, Education, heart, Human-beings, John Lennon, Kwanzaa, Parker Janick, PEACE, Second Life, Understanding, War Is Over, Xmas, Yoko Ono
If you have a problem with the rules of the pub (discussed in the previous post) you can just TP out when I ask you to follow them. I really don’t care. The pub is NOT there for your convenience and will be leaving soon anyway. So, bye-bye.
Tags: Parker Janick, Parky's Pub, Rules, Second Life
When Parky takes a breath.
Portcia
I should also add this is what happens when Isobela turns her back with the closet slightly ajar. Apparently, Portcia stepped out of the closet and pushed Isobela in and decided to hijack the stream and DJ for Celtic Kitchen Sink. I was slightly skeptical recalling what happened in April when Portcia and Aeryn were left to handle the pub in my absence. It seems as though Portcia has been watching over Isobela’s shoulder and learned a few things about DJing. I kept a close eye on things just in case Portcia strayed and tried to break the rules of the pub. I am pleased to say that she behaved herself quite well.
I know there are some who are wondering about the aforementioned rules. Yes, Parky’s Pub has posted rules. A while back I had to post about the DJ who broke the rules and ended up in a soapy mess. The only dress code is to wear clothes so that your bits aren’t showing. For the rest, No weapons, no profanity, no fighting, etc.; the pub is PG even if the SIM is Mature. Respect for each other is the course. Furries, humans, nekos, tinies, etc are all welcome as well as all genders and various sexual orientations. Being respectful at Parky’s Pub runs the full spectrum. You are asked to be respectful in open chat as well as private IM while you are in the pub enjoying yourself. My only desire is to provide a safe enjoyable venue for everyone.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. DJ Isobela has broken free from her bondage (aka closet) and promises NEVER to let Portcia gain that much control again. I for one would be very sad if Portcia is locked in the closet never to be heard from again. I do miss her as a regular each week and think it would be quite fun on occasion for Portcia to DJ and Isobela to sit back, relax and enjoy. We will have to see what happens.
Tags: Celtic Kitchen Sink, Celtic Pub, DL Bach, Isobela Capalini, Parker Janick, Parky, Parky's Pub, Rules, Second Life