Sad – some people are

Today I received what I can only describe as a rather nasty IM from a bigot. A foolish bigot.

They started by claiming I must be a lesbian and then they went on to say some things which I will not describe as they relate to a third party.

This was all done very quickly and by the time I had typed my first reply the cowardly person had logged off.

Now I have been called a great many things in my time but never a lesbian – probably due to the fact that I am a man I guess. I really could not care less what a complete stranger decides to call me – I was called all sorts of names by my own father before he walked out on the family years and I’m mature enough (now) to not let such things get to me.

What did hurt though was the snide little comment they passed on to me about a person who I know. They had no need to say such things about the person and I rightly filed an abuse report against them under deformation of character.

Now I happened to be in Avilion at this time but the person who sent the IM could have been anywhere in Second Life but they clearly know of people in Avilion. It is my thoughts that the person who sent the IM is actually an alt of someone and they want to hide.

This disappoints be a lot. I love Avilion because it is a land that embraces the rich diverse nature of the world for only by doing so can we all become what we truly wish to.

Sexuality or the gender of the person behind the avatar is (to me) irrelevant. I am a very tolerant and understanding person but bigotry is something that I will never condone. If the person had an issue with a member of the community then they have made a great mistake. I react poorly to people who talk behind others backs and get others to fight their battles for them. Had they spoken to me like an adult and raised any issue or concern with me, adult to adult, then I would be done all that I could have to assist.

Sadly in SL we have many young people and many older ones who are simply not emotionally mature. We shall not give in to these people though.

I am, and always shall be proud to be a deviant for being normal is so boring.

For those who really care (not that it matters to me for I am the same person) I have loved and still love both men and women. I have been nearly “married” twice, once to Karen and the second time (much more recently) to Joe. Karen and I are still dear friends (she is on her third husband now). Joe and I are on speaking terms as long as it does not involve money as he still owes me a considerable amount.

My current relationship status is single though I share a house with two dear long term friends and we are a lot closer than many married couples. Oh and two dogs of course!

I’ve been through hell in my life, first from an abusive father who nearly destroyed the family then from small minded “friends” because I dared to be different. There are times I wish I could do it all again now for in 2009 it is a lot easier than it was when I had left college in 1984. 25 years has changed many things for the better – it is a shame that some folks in SL are stuck in the past.

Being fair

Tan is the leader of the Rogues in Avilion. He wants the rogues to become as much a part of the life of Avilion as the other combat classes and this is going well. The rogues recently introduced a “minimum activity requirement” for those who are full rogues – all rogues at the meeting agreed it was a fair and reasonable step to take.

Now consider my alternate character within Avilion – Sharl Darkstone.

Sharl became a knight in February 2008 – one of the last before the squire programme was introduced. He does not do much combat but he does supervise CTA’s and attend the knighting ceremonies.

I consider it unfair of me to keep Sharl as a knight if he is not active in being a knight as they were intended to be played. By that I mean taking part in CTA’s, training others in combat and running classes. It would be hypocritical of me to speak of getting the rogues to be active and yet sit by with an inactive knight.

In reviewing this I have made what some may consider to be a very obvious discovery. Having an alternate character is all well and good for role-play purposes but nobody can devote the time necessary on two characters who are in combat classes.

Squires work damn hard to get their knight title and full knights who are not active within the knights group shame these squires and tarnish the shining beacon that is knighthood.

It if for the above reasons that Sharl removed himself from the knghts today.

Sharl will very much continue to be a part of Avilion. I need to be something other than a fae at times and he is that outlet

Changing the Refuge

Avilion Refuge

My what a busy time I have had this past two weeks! I’ve been on holiday to the Lake District, spent far too much on clothing (in RL) and still found time to dig out tons of earth and stone from the land of Avilion Refuge.

The northern area of the land, between the waterfall and the castle was – dull. It was one large expanse of green with trees and just looked wrong. So I got to thinking about expanfing the water more so that is surrounded the castle and graveyard area. The linked islands work well I think – they are small, simple and yet effective.

This also makes the transition from the colourful land of the fae to the more sombre land of the castle less drastic.

The graveyard has been expanded and changed also. The twin grave of the lovers is still there but it is joined with two other graves and some dark trees – very suitable for All Hallows’ Eve. In fact each season can be seen throughout the Refuge now – though winter will of course see the entire land shrouded in snow as well as the decoration of the fir tree.

Why not stop by some time – Avilion Refuge

Circular meeting place

This structure was created for a one-off meeting I held on Avilion Refuge. It took me several hours to get the build completed. Like all my other creations I put it up for sale just in case anyone wants it.

It is rather prim and space heavy – 144 prims and 32×32m so you need lots of space for it.

Farewell dear friend

Abby

A sad day today as at 11:10 Abby, who had been part of the family for 16 years passed away.

Her brother had died four years ago when his heart failed but Abby was made of hard stuff.

She lived for her food and to bark at anyone who dared to walk past her garden. Towards the end she may have been covered in warts, unable to walk more than a few steps and smelt a bit but we loved her deeply.

She will be missed.