Aug 22, 2015
Dollarbie Tux and Free Rose details at Nibbyzor on Wordpress
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Dollarbie Tux and Free Rose details at Nibbyzor on Wordpress
Life in Greyscale: The Truth
There's an old saying about truth setting you free. Don't buy it. Sometimes the truth slams the cell door shut and throws a thousand bolts.
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Rick Yancey, The Fifth Wave
Download the Kindle edition of The Fifth Wave
Visit the Grey November Gallery in Second Life
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Skin, hair mesh shirt, tee, pants and cowboy boots - Ruby Skins, Jared, 10L gift at in-world store
Eyes, Pulse, Van Brown (found your Linden Labs Library folder) *FREE*
(Black and White portrait challenge.)
Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas
Have a holly, jolly Christmas; It's the best time of the year I don't know if there'll be snow, But have a cup of cheer. Have a holly, jolly Christmas; And when you walk down the street Say Hello to friends you know And everyone you meet. Oh, ho, the mistletoe Hung where you can see; Somebody waits for you; Kiss her once for me. Have a holly jolly Christmas, And in case you didn't hear, Oh by golly, have a holly, Jolly Christmas this year.
-- Johnny Marks, Have a Holly, Jolly, Christmas
Download Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas by Lady Antebellum
Visit Giano Estates New England Family Community Role Play and Residential Sim in Second Life
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Hair - D!va, Diva2 (Cats eye), *FREE* group gift at in-word store (group free to join)
Skin - Hush, Holiday Shiver (Sugar), *FREE* group gift at in-world store (group free to join)
Dress - Soulglitter, Couture Dress X-mas, *FREE* group gift at in-world store (group free to join by invitation) or 10L! on SL MP
Jewelry - Cazimi, Gold and Peach Partial Set, 1L! on SL MP
Shoes - Alyce, Seductive Heels in 22 Colors, 150L on SL MP
Caveat: All Angels are Terrifying
We wanted to do a religiously themed Christmas entry until we came upon the problem of angels.
You see, Second Life and Second Life Market place have sexy angels; slutty angels; snow angels; robot angels; fallen angels (who look very much like all the other sorts of angels, only wearing black clothing and, perhaps, black eyeliner); angels in loincloths, togas and medieval armor; something that looks remarkably like Elvis with wings; angel guardian warriors in purple latex; and hamster angels. To name a few.
But for a brief moment, and for the sake of the Christmas story, let's speculate. What do angels, if you believe in them, really look like?
Both Jewish and Christian sacred texts have much to say about the subject.
Angels are not human.
They are not men; they are not women; although sometimes they may appear as either.
Some have wings; most do not. Madeline L'Engle described a singular seraphim, for example, as a “drive of dragons.”
A huge dark form strode swiftly through the woods and into the pasture; it reached them in a few strides, and then stood very still, so that the folds of the long robe seemed chiseled out of granite.
"Do not be afraid," he repeated. "He won't hurt you." He?
Yes. Charles Wallace's drive of dragons was a single creature, although Meg was not at all surprised that Charles Wallace had confused this fierce, wild being with dragons. She had the feeling that she never saw all of it at once, and which of all the eyes could she meet? Merry eyes, wise eyes, ferocious eyes, kitten eyes, dragon eyes, 'opening and closing, looking at her, looking at Charles Wallace and Calvin and the strange tall man. And wings, wings in constant motion, covering and uncovering the eyes. When the wings were spread out they had a span of at least ten feet, and when they were all folded in, the creature resembled a misty, feathery sphere. Little spurts of flame and smoke spouted up between the wings; it could certainly start a grass fire if it weren't careful. Meg did not wonder that Charles Wallace had not approached it.
Again the tall stranger reassured them. "He won't hurt you." The stranger was dark, dark as night and tall as a tree, and there was something in the repose of his body, the quiet of his voice, which drove away fear.
However, seraphim, even singular ones, do not deliver messages from God.
There are, however, messengers. They do not all look the same. And while they may not have wings, they *do* fly. Their faces are dazzlingly, blindingly, full of light. And they are terribly fearsome to behold. Perhaps that is why their first words, upon meeting any human being, are, “Don't be afraid!”
Who, if I cried out, would hear me among the angels' hierarchies?
and even if one of them pressed me suddenly against his heart: I would be consumed in that overwhelming existence. For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror, which we are still just able to endure, and we are so awed because it serenely disdains to annihilate us. Every angel is terrifying.
With these few cautionary words, our faith-based Christmas entry will contain no pixels from Second Life, only the words of an old book.
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First quote – Madeline L'Engle, A Wind in the Door, available at Amazon
Second quote – Ranier Maria Rilke, Duino Elegies, “The First Elegy”, available at Amazon
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Rockin' around the Christmas tree At the Christmas Party Hop Mistletoe hung where you can see Every couple tries to stop Rockin' around the Christmas tree Let the Christmas spirit ring Later we'll have some pumpkin pie And we'll do some caroling You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear Voices singing, "Let's be jolly, Deck the halls with boughs of holly" Rockin' around the Christmas tree Have a happy holiday Everyone dancin' merrily In the new old-fashioned way
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Johnny Marks, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Download Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Toby Keith on Amazon
Visit Christmas Santa Village in Second Life (rez your own poses!)
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Avatar and Clothing - Surreal Products - Female Mesh Avatar Magi, *FREE* on SL MP
Shape - Hush Skins, Autumn, *FREE* former group gift (group free to join and new shapes and skins added frequently) at in-world store
Hair - Analog Dog - Tantrum House Wine, *FREE* in the Analog Dog Free Ball at in-world store
La Befana
La Befana was an old woman who lived in a small village in Italy. She was known throughout the village for her wonderful baking and the cleanliness of her kitchen. She was often seen sweeping the area in front of her home. And many had heard her say that she was so busy baking and cleaning that she rarely had time to do anything else. One winter day, while La Befana was sweeping in front of her home, three travelers stopped to ask her for a drink of water. They told La Befana that they were astrologers (they were often called the three wise men) who were following a star to the birth place of the Christ child. She kindly gave them water and then invited them to dinner.
After dinner the astrologers prepared to continue their journey and asked her if she would like to come with them to see the Christ child. La Befana shook her head saying that she could not possibly take the time needed for such a journey. She was secretly itching to get back to her cleaning and cooking. She stood at her door and watched them leave.
La Befana went back to her sweeping. But hours later she began to feel that she had made a mistake. Maybe she should have gone with the three wise men to see the Christ child. La Befana decided to follow them. She quickly grabbed a basket and filled it with baked goods of all kinds. She then put on her shawl and with her basket and broom hurried off into the night practically running to catch up with the wise men.
La Befana traveled through the night but never caught up with the wise men. It is said that she ran and ran until she and her broom were lifted up into the air!
Ever since that night, La Befana is believed to fly through the night or run over the roofs in Italy on Epiphany eve. She stops at the home of every child, leaving them treats in their stockings if they are good and a lump of coal if they are bad.
She hopes that one of the children she visits will be the Christ child.
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La Befana as told by Lauren Lanita, The Stories La Tells
"La Befana still visits the children of Italy on the eve of January 6, Epiphany. She fills their stockings with candy or a lump of coal. It is also believed that she sweeps the floor before she leaves. Many households leave her a small glass of wine and a small plate of goodies."
Visit Luvro in Second Life, but hurry because it will be closing soon!
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Hair - Calico Ingmann Creations, Desiree, *FREE* at Hair Fair 2013 (Calico Ingmann Creations has lucky chairs with free hairs at the in-world store)
Skin - Complete Avatar - Meta_Body Godiva, “FREE” at in-world installation
Dress and Shoes - Fat Bosk Gorean Market & Freebies, Lady Mila Green Mesh Dress, 10L! on SL MP
Cloak - DB Forge, Witch's Cloak, *FREE* on SL MP
Hood - LIFE (SL) - Hoodie Sculptie Kit, formerly *FREE* on SL MP, Store is now closed
Eyes - Eyes - Az, Promo Realistic Brown, 5L! on SL MP
Sweeping Broom - Holey Moley, What a Mess!, *FREE* on SL MP
Flying Broom - !Soul, Mesh Witch Tuxedo and Broom (former *FREE* gift on SL MP, but other gifts are available!)
Santa, Baby
Santa baby, just slip a Sable under the tree for me; Been an awful good girl, Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby, a '54 convertible too, light blue; I'll wait up for you, dear; Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Think of all the fun I've missed; Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed; Next year I could be just as good... if you check off my Christmas list
Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot; Been an angel all year; Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa honey, one little thing I really need... The deed... to a platinum mine, Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with the duplex and checks; Sign your 'X' on the line, Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.
Come and trim my Christmas tree with some decorations bought at Tiffany; I really do believe in you; Let's see if you believe in me...
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing... A ring... I don't mean on the phone; Santa baby, So hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight Hurry, tonight!
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J. Javits, P. Springer, T. Springer - Santa, Baby
Download Santa, Baby sung by Eartha Kitt at Amazon
Visit LISP Bazaar in Second Life
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Hair - Analog Dog, Ladonna Nutmeg, *FREE* group gift at in-world store (group free to join)
Skin - Al Vulo!, Aisha, *FREE* former group gift at in-world store (group is free to join, new free skins are added regularly)
Eyes - Az, Promo Realistic Brown, 5L! on SL MP
Makeup - Glamorize, Minikit Combo 2 (eyes and lips), 3L! on SL MP
Dress - Prism, Serena by Journey, *FREE* group gift at in-world store (group free to join)
Stockings - Plausible Body, Tintable Stockings and Panty Hose in 10 Styles, *FREE* on SL MP
Shoes - Deluxe Body Factory, L's Latex Stilettos, 1L! on SL MP
Jewelry - Cazimi, Gold and Peach Partial Set, 1L! on SL MP
To Every Thing There Is a Season, and a Time to Every Purpose Under the Heaven
A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
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Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Visit Gods War: Lost Vegas, a Second Life Roleplaying Sim
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Suit - Harm's Way, Zane in Brown (includes hat, boots, gloves, pistols, belt with bolsters), 699L on SL MP
Bowler Hat - Little Bones, Elle Bowler, Brown, 109L at in-world store
Hair, D!va, Ange in Amber (two styles, flexi and mesh), 200L at in-world store (D!va offers many free hairs for members as well as lucky boards!)
Skin - Birdy, Aria Porcelaine, 799L at in-world store (free skins and makeups for group members, 50L fee to join group)
Victorian Burlesque Dress - Cain, Burlesque Corset Dress, *FREE* on SL MP
Boots - Blackburn's, 19th Century Classic Lace-Up Booties, *FREE* on SL MP
Top Hat - Rag Dollz, Feather and Pink Roses Top Hat, 50L on SL MP (modify, roses re-tinted)
Neck Bow - Bowtique, Sash Accessory Pack (neutral), contains neck and wrist bows, 60L on SL MP
Bottoms - Gawk, Ultra High Waist Panties (black), 185L on SL MP
Gloves - Light Star, Unisex Color Changeable Gloves, 150L on SL MP
Hosiery - ancient inventory item