Thanksgiving was yesterday here in the US and after all the turkey and fixings it’s a day in which to give thanks. 

I dedicate this post today to everyone who has made my SecondLife truly special.  The photo  with this pic was inspired by Nat.  Nat is using a similar pic for her entry in the Gallery of Lights new theme – Dreams.  It was a fantastic idea and a small miracle to get us all together at the same time!

Thank you Nat for making this happen.

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog, a small glimpse into my SecondLife.

Thank you to everyone who has commented on one of my flickr pics.  I was inspired to start taking pics and to learn photoshop and now to improve those skills by some very talented people.

It’s been my pleasure and my honor to know all of you, to call you my friends and family and to be able to share each and every day with you!

I love you all!

Anyone who has rezzed a prim has probably deleted part of their house or changed the texture or moved it some random amount straight up in the air and has no idea how to fix it.  At that point after you panic you frantically call someone to come and help you praying they have more skills than you.  I’ve done it many times and I wouldn’t call myself an in-experienced builder.  I learned by watching other people, by disecting what they created to see how it was done, by asking questions and literally by messing things up.  As with most things, practice will enhance your skills but when you don’t know what you can do how can you practice right?  Well I’m going to help with that.  I’m going to offer some building classes.  We aren’t going to make anything though.  We are going to destroy stuff and put it back together.  We are going to learn about how texturing works.  I’m going to show you how stuff is made, how to look for the root prim, how to resize stuff and how not to panic.

Interested?  Good.  Drop me an IM in world.  I’ll do the first class in the next couple of days.  It’ll be on Angel Square.  I’ll send a LM out to whoever is interested.

Thanksgiving is this week here in the states, Thursday to be exact.   It means something different to everyone. 

For many people it’s just a great meal, lots of football(the American version) and a day or two off from work.  

For others it’s the beginning of the holiday shopping season and some folks will be waiting outside stores at 4am on Friday in order to be the first in line when the doors open.   I think they’re insane btw…

For others it’s a time to give back to the community.   They’ll spend time volunteering at a shelter or food kitchen.  Some of these people only do it at this time of year but they do it, more than can be said for most of us.   Something about the holidays and the colder temperatures brings out their compassionate side for their less fortunate fellow man.

For some it’s a time for family.   A chance to reconnect with family rarely seen due to distance or circumstance.  No matter what the circumstance, family is family.  Always try to keep them close to your heart.

And for all of us, it’s a time to give thanks.   To be grateful for what we have and to show compassion to those who have nothing.  To be grateful for those in our lives, those who have touched our lives and those you’ve yet to come into our lives.

I’m taking this opportunity to give thanks for all that I am grateful for.   Family, friends I adore, a roof over my head, food to eat, a job that pays well, good health, and a few days off from work (lol).

For those of you in the states, enjoy your Thanksgiving and whatever that day means to you. 

For my friends throughout the rest of the world…  This may not be your holiday but it’s no reason you can’t join us in saying thank you to someone who has done something for you, or being grateful for something/someone in your life.  

We don’t walk this path alone.  We all have someone who has touched our lives.

… twice shy?  I think not!

I’m sure the majority of you have noticed the obvious changes in my appearance in the past few days.  Nope, don’t need sun.  Yes, my teeth have grown.  Yes my eyes are … different.  

There is no need to be worried, I do not eat my friends.   Cross me and all bets are off though. 

And before anyone asks, no I won’t turn you, no I don’t need slaves, and no I don’t need human servants.  Thanks for all the lovely offers but really, no.  This particular Vampire is quite happy as she is.

Let me answer a few questions shall I…

1.  Yes I wear black a lot.  I’ve always worn black a lot.  It’s nothing to do with being dead, it’s just what I like.  Oh yes it does look good against my skin, thank you for pointing that out.

2.  No, I will not burst into flames in the sun.  I live on a tropical island ffs. 

3.  No, I do not sleep in a coffin.  Nor do I sleep underground.  I’ve a nice comfy bed tyvm. 

4.  I love garlic.

5.  Just because I’m dead doesn’t mean I’m going all emo.

6.  Yes Dev knows, no I haven’t bitten him, no he doesn’t mind.

So, there you have it.  I’m a Vampire. 

Oh, don’t even try with the stake thing…  It doesn’t work, it’s a myth.

It’s been a year since Prad, Kendra and I opened the Crown and Pearl.  In that time we’ve had ups and downs.  Days when we thought it was for nothing and others when we couldn’t believe the generosity and love from those we call friends and family.

It’s been a long road but one that has been the best ride I’ve been on.  Tonight was the Black and White Ball.  So many friends old and new came by to celebrate, to dance and to try and break the sploder. LOL  I DJ’d tonight, 4 hours worth and had the best time.

I wanted to say a special thank you to everyone who came by tonight.  But I also wanted to say thank you to a few people who without their love and support I wouldn’t be in SL.

Landsy:  Although our friendship is fairly new, silly girls we are , you’ve been a source of strength and laughter on some of my darkest days.  I don’t know what I would do without you to talk to, without your shoulder to cry on.  Thank you, you’ve no idea  how much you mean to me.

Ari:  Two years have seen a lot between us.  You are my dearest friend.  No matter what life throws at us, I’ll always be there for you.  You’ve heard me laugh, cry and yell.  You’ve seen the good and the bad and through it all, we’ve always been friends and always will be.  Love you hon.

Prad:  What is  it that brings two people together that are so very different and yet become the closest of friends.  You’ve taught me much in the past year and a half.  I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again here, some day I’ll see you in the news for some amazing thing you’ve created and be able to say, “I knew him when…”.  There aren’t enough words to be able to say Thank You enough for everything you’ve done for me.  Love ya kiddo.

There are so many people I could single out and say Thank You to for everything they’ve done, said, inspired in me.  For all of you, Thank You.  You all mean so very much to me.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the last year at the Crown and Pearl.  I look forward to seeing what the next year brings us.

See you all at the Crown!

Love,

BL

First, thank you to everyone who stopped by the Crown last night to celebrate it’s first anniversary.  It was a spectacular party.  Ahuva posted pics on her flickr as did Natty .  The fireworks were awesome(thank you Praddles ) and I totally enjoyed DJing for all of you.

Second, please don’t forget to send me your stories and pics from the past year.  Creating a book of memories from the last year is for all of us.  We’ve said it often enough, the people make the place and you are our family(twisted and deranged, but family none the less  lol ).  Only fair to have a family album. 

We’re having a black and white ball on Sunday.  Not sure what time, probably around noonish SLT.  So get your fancy duds on and come down to the Crown.  One of the fantastic Crown DJs will be spinning tunes so you really don’t want to miss it.

The following was written by Prad Prathivi and sent out to the Crown and Pearl group.  I’m reposting it here with his permission as he has said this much better than I.

A year ago today, three people opened a new bar from the ashes of a Second Life institution known as The Three Lions Pub. Our motives for opening The Crown and Pearl were different.. Bailey Longcloth and Kendra Fallon both wanted a new venue that welcomed all the old patrons and replicated the fun atmosphere of the old pub. I just wanted to get you gits off the roof of my house.

We work hard everyday to help train and bring quality DJs and to maintain a friendly atmosphere that’s not tainted by in fighting. A large part of running a successful venue in Second Life is not just being able to make tough decisions, but knowing when you’ve been wrong. We learnt from our mistakes of the past, and we continue to learn from mistakes we make, and we adapt to make sure that the Crown remains one of the finest places in Second Life.

I’m often asked by other venue owners how we can sustain such a large group of regulars when we don’t have any income. The answer is simple.. although a lot of time, love and money goes into the Crown, the core of the place is the people. It really is you guys who make the Crown and Pearl one of the most vibrant and pleasant atmospheres to be in.

There have been good times, and incredible times. There have been times when we’ve thought about closing the non existant doors and moving on. But, simply put, the Crown is home. It’s where a bunch of friends come together to chat, laugh and be happy.. and that in itself is priceless. We’re thankful that you all enjoy hanging out in the Crown and Pearl, because you’re all friends, new and old. And together, we make the place somewhere special to be.

In a grid that’s becoming increasingly commercialised and sex-orientated, it’s nice to have somewhere you can just getaway and be yourself, without the plague of green text, camping or escorting.

So here’s to one year of The Crown and Pearl. I hope it’s as special to you as it is to us.
Bailey Longcloth
Prad Prathivi’

Thank you everyone so much for everything!!

Welcome to the brand new spangly blog!  I have to thank Prad for doing the heavy lifting.  He also made the gorgeous new header for me.  HUGE hugs!

So, here we are.  All moved in.  Everything works (mainly cause I didn’t do it LOL).

So stay tuned for newness here!

Cheers!  BL

Some of you may have noticed an increase in new residents over the last few days.  When I say increase, I mean a constant stream of new residents landing on the islands where new residents take their first steps.  If you aren’t a Mentor you may not have noticed.  I am a Mentor and spent a few hours on one of the Help Islands working with these new residents.  Why the influx?  Well apparently the media in Europe had been broadcasting about sex in SL and a RL couple getting divorced because of it.

It shouldn’t be much a surprise then to find quite a few new residents looking for sex in SL.  It happens every time one of these stories runs.  You never see this kind of coverage when for example the Crown and Pearl last year raised in the neighborhood of $3,000USD for Cancer Research.  Or when the Relay for Life raises thousands of dollars and has hundreds of people involved.  Nope, we get the big media push for sex.  I suppose people would rather read about sex than any charity.  Ok, fair enough but, if the media was really doing it’s job, it would do a bit of research.  There are positives and negatives to everything.

So, back to sex and the noob.  Sounds like a game show huh.  lol  Felt like one over the weekend, or perhaps it was a combat simulator.  In any event, I was asked more than once how to have sex, where to have sex, if I would have sex, would I teach them sex, and oh my favorite, *can I haz money to have sex with you*.  Sorry, I don’t pay people to have sex nor do I pay them to have sex with me.  I’m soooo not that desparate. LMFAO

So if you see a naked noob running around asking for sex, now you know why.

With so many rezz days and anniversaries it occurs to me how much we forget after a year.  So I’m going to collect yours(memories that is ).

The Crown and Pearl’s birthday is Wednesday and I thought what better way to share the memories of the last year than to collect them all in a book that we can all keep.  So… send me your stories.  The funny, the sad, the weird, and the ugly, I want them all.  Please just one per person though!!!  Feel free to send a pic or two along with it.   Keep in mind this book is going to be out for public viewing so if you don’t want someone else to see it or read it, don’t give it to me.

Send me your stories and pictures by the end of the week.  Either send me a notecard in world or leave a comment here or email me at mayfairwtch20@hotmail.com .  Please leave me an IM if you send me something so that I don’t miss it.

I’ll put them all in a book and leave it at the Crown for everyone to see.  If you ask nicely I may even give you your own.

I have so many fond memories of the last year picking just one will be near impossible but I hope that everyone can find one they want to share.  One very special memory for me is a moonlit dance in a very crowded CnP with a very special man and not noticing anyone but him.  It was a beautiful night and one I’m not likely to forget any time soon. 

The new theme will be going up in The Gallery of Light this week as well.  You’ll just have to come by and see it for yourself.

Watch for notices to go out in the Crown and Pearl group later today.