ExplorElora!

Tears of sorrow

2010-02-22T15:08:00.000-05:00

I've not posted for a long time and I've been absent from SL. I hope to change both of those things. My apologies to those who feel neglected. I've missed my friends and exploring.

Don't read past the picture, if it bothers you to read things that don't pertain to SL.

Last week, I learned of my uncle's death. My tears started before the phone call ended. I had to know... Why was I crying for a person that was a source of frustration, pain, anguish in my life? Oh, the stories I could tell... But I won't dwell on those right now. I can simply say I was curious about him at first. Eventually, over the years of exposure, my thoughts changed to disdain for this man, which turned to pity and sometimes compassion within our long time of knowing each other. This tumultuous relationship of ours is significant to who I am today. I believe, the people who are in our lives leave marks into our soul. The experiences both good and bad alter the thought process and reactions we have.
After some research, I found that ... Scientists studying tears of emotion have detected a chemical that cannot be found in tears from irritants - it seems that simply by weeping we produce tiny amounts of a natural painkiller [leucine enkephalin] that hits receptors in the brain and, in turn, dulls our pain.
So according to my brain... I did love my uncle, even if he was a bigoted, condescending, manipulative miser of a human. Our bodies have internal defenses to protect us from ourselves. I was crying because my brain knew I needed to cry, even if I was not cognizant.

Reality Television

2010-01-11T00:35:00.000-05:00

I said I wanted to be ON T.V. NOT IN.

365 days: 15

Be responsible...

2010-01-10T00:11:00.000-05:00

for your own happiness.

[smiles] ok get your mind out of the gutter, or is that just me?

I was thinking of an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" (something Leonard's Mom said ... LOL)

What I'm referring to has nothing to do with a type of gratification that can be a duel effort. I feel a compulsion to write out my frustration. It bothers me to see, hear or to read of someone blaming others for their unhappiness.

Monkeys: Quaintly, Elora and Wry

For example, I'm trying to teach my daughter Dagny to overcome this....I'll ask, "why are you feeling so angry?" She'll respond with her jaw clenched and fists held tight against her thighs, "Anya is ALWAYS getting into my stuff, touching my stuff doing things to my stuff. Anya is ALWAYS making me angry! SHE is so annoying, she makes me..." I stop her at that point.
"Whoa... whoa... slow down..." I try to explain, "YOU can only control you. Everyone has the power... immense power to take control of HOW you react to the things that happen around you. YOU can not make/control someone elses actions." In response to what I'm trying to explain to her, she exhales loudly and groans a little. Welcome to parenthood.

I am by no means an expert on this process, I have to remind myself of this often. Yet, when you do it's splendiferousness... there is nothing that can hold you back from enjoying life.

[reads what I just wrote and laughs... I sound like some sort of "self help" article.]

His Closet

2010-01-05T23:58:00.001-05:00

I raided it.

365 days: 13

Drifting Through Time

2010-01-04T21:14:00.001-05:00

As I drift along I wonder...

Do I have control over time...

Or does IT control me?
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kuso/252/252/14
Thank you Bon

365days: 12 [yeah I'm going to try again]

Growing old is mandatory;

2010-01-01T23:58:00.004-05:00

growing up is optional...

and when you take a trip to Disney World...

EVERYBODY is five years old.

Disclaimer: RL blathering mixed with SL
and some RL photos

The reason for the break in daily photos was our vacation to Walt Disney World. For me, it has always been a magical place. I was five the first time my family visited the Magic Kingdom. I could not tell you the number of times I've enjoyed going to Walt Disney World. It might be close to twenty. Really, honest... I live in Florida and if someone visits they want to go to Mickey's World. I'm not complaining. I love going. I love watching others become infected with the magic. So, you might be wondering... what makes this trip so special? It's the little ones that we took. Our little girls ARE our little princesses and sometimes pirates.[Arrrrrrrr] We fought off good intended grandparents for almost seven years. They kept hounding us to let them take their granddaughters. We had decided when our first child was conceived that we would wait until we didn't have to worry about diapers for the first trip. Fantastic plan but difficult to uphold. It was the longest period of time for me to not visit. The excitement and thrill increased the closer Merrick and I came to Orlando. Our daughters had no concept of what they were about to experience. We joked that their heads were going to explode with the overload. Waves of squealing and jumping up in down commenced as the main gate approached. [wicked grin...Merrick included] I promise this will not be an exact recount of our adventures. I just needed to express the joy. This was the best vacation....by far to Disney World that I've EVER had, nothing marred it in any way.

Mermaid Anya and Princess Dagny

We returned home and it was full steam ahead.... Holiday celebrations to prepare for, school winter break for our girls and all the other daily chores. Study time for Merrick... with a few breaks.

These weeks have flown by too quickly. Most important, everything worked out well... Merrick graduated.... yay!!!!!

Unfortunately all the activity and stress took a toll... all the females in our house have been under the weather since the winter break began from school. We are only starting to see the end of Doctor visits, mountains of tissues and medicines with the start of the new year. AND I only have six weeks remaining before I tackle a marathon. [mumbles what did I get myself into?]

Oh yeah...ummm I feel some guilt in not posting pictures since... NOVEMBER 14th! Will I ever keep to a challenge???

Maybe...

I'll just pick up where I left off and justify the blip-snag-gaff and missing posts by my own logic. I stopped for a little bit cause I NEEDED/WANTED to stop. There is only so much time everyday to do everything.

For the new year, I resolve to not let time slip through my fingers and be wasted. I hope you make the most of everyday. This song by ABBA is one that I had forgotten. Thank you Merrick for bringing it home to me, for me it speaks volumes.

365days: 11 of 365 Pictoral Reminiscence

2009-11-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

"Her mind seemed wholly taken up with reminiscences of past gaiety" (Charlotte Brontë).

Krissy posted some photos from her archives. It's an excellent idea worth copying. The next few entries will be a look back, starting with this lovely photo. This is my avatar, first day in SL. [state the obvious... jeez] I was very proud of the skin I manipulated and all the details I put into her... then I was booted out... crashed... confused and unsure of myself. I thought I did something wrong. When I could NOT log back into SL I was certain I messed up. I was so naive. Lucky for me, I knew someone in SL. Merrick helped me get back in and introduced me to people who could change my look. [de-NOOB]
This is the result. I loved the red hair and new skin. The photo was taken at "The Lost Gardens of Apollo". I was 9 days old.

Look at that Facelight!

365days: 10 of 365

2009-11-13T00:12:00.000-05:00

Sooooooo [inhales slowly and exhales with a sigh] some of my former self portraits have me as a tiny little piece of the photo, barely visible. A "Where is ~~Waldo~~" Elora?
Aren't there times when you feel "little" within the total picture of life?

No, I'm not feeling "Emo". I'm more of an Ernie type of gal. [hee hee hee] Okay....ok, so that's obscure for someone who doesn't know me. I'm quirky that way.

My perspective is always changing. My goal is to have a perspective that's IN perspective.
[no... i'm not in an altered state, lol]

365days: 9 of 365

2009-11-12T10:30:00.020-05:00

Pixel Dreams

365days: 8 of 365

2009-11-11T23:17:00.003-05:00

Place to dream...

Mao - land of the Great Wall of China

365days: 7 of 365 Record Ride

2009-11-10T17:29:00.000-05:00

Let the music carry you away.

[overloading with Halloween candy helps]

365days: 6 of 365

2009-11-09T23:59:00.001-05:00

Colorize Your World

365days: 5 of 365 Precipice

2009-11-08T12:56:00.001-05:00

Brink of a dangerous situation.

Soft falling snow.

Does snow feel soft when you fall?

365days: 4 of 365 Big Picture

2009-11-07T23:58:00.002-05:00

Which emotion do you see???

Super smize

365days: 3 of 365

2009-11-06T16:14:00.000-05:00

Peace and Light

365days: 2 of 365

2009-11-05T05:00:00.009-05:00

Do you ever get THAT feeling...

someTHING is watching you?

365days: 1 of 365

2009-11-04T13:08:00.000-05:00

No Time to write. I'll explain later.

Whisperings

2009-10-06T16:24:00.001-04:00

Foul Whisperings Strange Matters, Macbeth

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Macbeth/48/51/54

Every now and then, in wandering the grid, you come across a place that totally surprises you - really speaks to you. And so it was thrilling to find this place dedicated to Shakespeare's Macbeth. The words of William Shakespeare have always held a special place in my heart (which is a story in itself for another time), but I would never consider myself an expert on the subject. I'm just a groupie.
My friend Sophia passed me a wonderful notecard compiled by Casja Lilliehook packed full of places to see. I really can't thank them both enough for such a wonderful gift/notecard. As my eyes scanned the notecard, this was the first one that called out to me... "come to me" it whispered ... visit, explore. So, off I went to investigate.
Like most places in SL, give the area time to fully rez before heading off to explore. I never want to spoil the adventure that awaits, but I will give you one piece of advice to start you off: click on the "?" on the base of the small fountain ... you will need what it provides to fully appreciate this sim.
I took plenty of photos but I decided to only show a few - the rest ... that's for you to see.

Act 5, Scene 5, Lines 16–27

She should have died hereafter.

There would have been a time for such a word.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day

To the last syllable of recorded time.

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle.

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

This quote from Macbeth may be the most well-known, and the official interpretation (according to SparkNotes) is that Macbeth believes there is no meaning or purpose to life after hearing of his wife's death and all that transpires within the play . In the depths of his despair, I can certainly see how he could feel that way, but - being consistently the optimist - must disagree on principle. Life always has meaning ... even if it is to simply remind you of the things you value in comparison to the pain you are experiencing. Besides, no matter how dark the emotions being portrayed, how can you NOT swoon when Shakespeare writes it so eloquently? [dreamy sighs]

Bon Voyage

2009-09-19T14:09:00.001-04:00

I've struggled with the recent departure of a friend from SL. Then I came across an advertisement for traveling to Africa, in a copy of National Geographic. This is a quote that really stood out to me.

“Elephants have greeting ceremonies for friends returning from voyages. Secretly, I hoped that when I come back, they’ll remember me as much as I’ll remember them.”

I related to this quote for a few reasons.

A trip to Africa is on my "Bucket list" so this grabbed my attention.
Traveling in both realities is extremely important to me. [We would share LM's.]
The last conversation I had with my friend was about my most recent trip to the local Zoo. [Sadly, he's never been to a Zoo.]
In order to deal with the loss of this friend, I'm going to think of him as being on a voyage. A very "good" voyage.

So in the interest of open admission, I'll admit I'm totally plagiarizing these words for expressing my feelings...

Elephants have greeting ceremonies for friends and family returning from voyages. Secretly, I hope that when my friend comes back, he’ll remember me as much as I’ll remember him.

Shush, this is my delusion ... that my friend will return. Even after Pandora opens the Jar releasing all the evils of mankind, inside the Jar remained one thing... Hope.

My friends are family, and family stays with you always ... even when you are apart.

Love Thursday: Treesome

2009-09-17T23:30:00.000-04:00

Not a typo... Treesome sometimes you just want to be held... in a tree.

Memories of you

2009-08-21T14:36:00.003-04:00

I find that all my memories are entwined
with
not just a picture in my mind
but
all the senses combined.
~ Elora Henig

Of course, the traditional five senses we learn about in grade school are sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste. Surprisingly there are more senses, according to academic studies, but that's another post, maybe.
For me, all five senses overlap in importance depending upon the circumstance. Some memories are triggered by a smell; salt marsh, a taste; french fries with malt vinegar, a touch; sand between your toes, each important on it's own or can combine to form a particular picture.

[Daydreams for a moment]

Ahhhhh, The aroma of a fresh cut lawn and wet earth are a couple of my favorite smells. Focus...Elora focus. [makes note of future post ideas]
Excuse me, my mind is just a mess of wires crisscrossing and they tend to get jumbled up often. For me, I believe, music plays a strong role in evoking powerful emotional flashbacks.
Alright then music... the song that sparked this post is from [plays fanfare] Yellowcard, One Year, Six Months. Although I've not been in SL that long, only one year and almost five months, it's close enough.

(portion of the lyrics)

I'm falling into memories of you and things we used to do
Follow me there
A beautiful somewhere
A place that I can share with you

I can tell that you don't know me anymore
It's easy to forget, sometimes we just forget
And being on this road is anything but sure
Maybe we'll forget, I hope we don't forget

<-------one year, four months

one year ago

It's a lovely song. Listen, if you have a moment.

LoveThursday: Swinging...

2009-08-20T01:15:00.004-04:00

on a Star. Carry moonbeams home in a jar.

Would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a ______?

Fish out of water

2009-08-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

When it comes to writing, I am a fish out of water. It's not my natural habitat. I have tons of visuals to share but I just never know what to say. So here goes my attempt at writing a little.

I was exploring, like I do everyday, and I came across a wonderful person with this avatar from alpha.tribe . She was kind enough to share the LM to obtain it because... I just NEEDed to have that avatar. It is what inspired me to create these images. These two are my favorites, the full body versions just lack something, in my opinion.

So, that is what pushed me back into the water. I love the water. I would live in the water if I had gills and fins. In my quest for water I found a Sim, a collection of Sims really, dedicated to the underwater world. Surprisingly, rather empty of other avatars. I enjoy going back there time and again since the first visit. It never gets mundane to me.

Swimming along the bottom searching this place reminds me of my physical experiences scuba diving in the Bahamas.

Most of the fish and aquatic life are very realistic in size and color.

The Lost Treasures of the Sunken City is a great adventure. I would recommend it to everyone. The bonus is there are treasure chests to be found amongst the remains of the sunken city. Plus, I am able to use one of the many mermaid avatars from my collection.

Fishing: You're Doing It Wrong

2009-07-19T14:04:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Merrick's new creation, Fish Hat, I felt the urge to express myself. But I couldn't decide on which caption.

a. I'm NOT a bug!!! [mumbles, stupid fish]

b. There's a fish in my hair! There's a fish in my hair! (forever warped by Disney)

c. Note to self: DO NOT sit close to waters edge while a Fairy.

Which one would you choose? Or Do you have another to add?

P.S. So yeah... I totally failed in the BBBC. \(*.*)/

BBBC 09 - Day 3 : What would I do?

2009-06-16T23:59:00.000-04:00

What would you do oooo ooo for a ... [silly brain and those ear worm commercial jingles, now I want a Klondike®.bar]

What would I do WITH a SIM given to MEeeeee? [I can still hear the jingle tune, faintly :-/]

You've been given a sim of your very own to use for free for one year. However, there are 3 rules. It cannot be residential, it cannot be commercial, and it has to be open to the public. What do you do with it?

The possibilities are limited by my abilities, but if... if... that TOO... was... boundless. [stares off into space to daydream]

O-o

O.k.... I'm back. I need to focus. Let me get back to answering the question.

Based on my first world experiences, I would create (or at least attempt to create) places from my travels. The places that evoke a sense of time and place, to me. I would hope to translate that feeling to the visitors of the Sim. When I've traveled, I've enjoyed taking the time to learn about the place. I read the historical facts before I go. Then I don't over-plan my holiday, vacation or day. I leave time to daydream. I revel in the sights and sounds and smells. [However, I don't think smell can be translated into second life, yet.]

My favorite places in SL are the places that elicite childlike wonderment.

I would do that.

Or do something like this... but different

BBBC 09- day 2: My Perfect SL day

2009-06-15T14:32:00.005-04:00

Describe what your perfect Second Life day would be like.

My perfect Second Life day … is every day.

You ask, “Why/How is that so, Elora?”

{Clears throat and prepares to explain} I find something perfectly wonderful to appreciate every day in and out of SL. I couldn’t narrow it down to a certain set of events. In short, I play The Glad Game … all the time.

Do you know The Glad Game? Good, cookie for you, skip this next paragraph.

The Glad Game comprises being optimistic and finding something to be glad about in every instance/situation. Well, that didn’t take a paragraph. Mmmm ummm that’s all there is to it. :-D I’m glad it didn’t take too long to explain.

I learned of The Glad Game when I saw the Disney production of “Pollyanna”. It must have been the perfect time for me to see this movie. [under the age of 6] It was a pivotal moment in my life. I became Pollyanna from that moment on, it was like: “poof” … you’re Pollyanna! I could have been that way before I saw the movie … but I believe that was when I became cognizant and had an epiphany of sorts. “Hey that’s me, up there in that movie!”

Yikes,I have discovered the only thing that kills The Glad Game and it comes from the word Glad … [drum roll please]

LAG!!! [don’t ask me where the “d” went, SL ate it]

So, I suppose ... my perfect day in Second Life is Lag FREE! Isn’t everyone’s???

P.S. I start my day to this song. :-D

Taking the plunge: BBBC 09 & First Post

2009-06-14T16:57:00.002-04:00

Oh man, the water is cold. [*Shivers and has goosebumps all over while typing this*] My first EVER blog entry AND taking up The Big Bad Blogger Challenge 2009, created and organized by Alicia Chenaux.
[*big smile*] Thank you Ali.

I accepted this challenge for a number of reasons, but the main one is ... I need to be challenged. I thrive on challenges and tests ... I may be quiet and reserved, on all outward appearances, but inside is an aggressive competitive spirit. Writing and posting my thoughts for others to read, if anyone will read besides Merrick, frightens me. English classes and writing formal papers.... ugh I hate them. My brain never works out logical clear concise thoughts. My brain is a multi-tasker that jumps all over the place. See...see I've lost where I was going with this. [groans] It's going to be a long bumpy challenge. I might have a photo collage with little quips as my posts. I have no idea what I'm doing.

So this is how it works. Alicia's challenge is to update your blog at least once a day for a week. She even gives a subject or question to answer in your blog.
Today's topic is: How long have you been a blogger? How has it enriched your life?

I started blogging today, June 14th!!!

Ummm ... we will have to wait and see how it will enrich my life. Come, explore with me.

~ Photo taken at: Miriel
FYI-Miriel disappears from SL June 20th, so hurry.