Poor Dear Silly Spring

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise! ~Wallace Stevens

It’s coming! It’s coming! The sun is out, the snow is melting, the world is puddle wonderful! I admit I was starting to doubt with the many inches of snow, the never-ending unrelenting cold, and the fact that a groundhog bit the mayor of a town in my state. I know I am overdoing it with the flowers here, but spring is coming and I can’t wait!

TheAnnex is offering this lovely dress among others in their gacha at The Luck of the Irish Gacha that Depraved Nation is holding. There are a kazillion gachas full of all sorts of awesome stuff like this, so bring lots of change. My shoes are HauteCoutureDesign’s original mesh set, and they come with a HUD with six wonderful springtime colors with a darling t-strap design and a wedge heel.

I outfitted my parcel with this great gazebo from Winter Thorn, which also comes with a beautiful cozy fireplace, though I opted to use the more open one so I could take in the promise of spring in the air. I dropped in minor decorations from Sway Dench and a hanging mobile I picked up at Origami by gin Fhang.

Skin Fair opened at midnight and the sims were INSTANTLY jam packed. (Find all the details here.) You can find this gorgeous skin from Hart Larsson on Sim 1. As usual, he decorates the skin with a cateye liner and lovely lips and features, all hand-drawn and refined. And since Hart is a programmer himself, he managed to unlock every kind of major applier, including that for the Belleza body, so you can rest assured you are PXL top to bottom. My hair is one of Thora Charron’s newest, a lovely romantic look with a twisted lock that pulls to the back and beautiful waves, all with her clever texture-change HUD. And a branch of blossoms from Siestabril Nitely, also from Origami, completes the look and brings spring, finally, to my blog!

Hair: .LeLutka.Honor hair.M by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Skin: [PXL] Aeryn SK ~ Makeup 04 LEB C2 by Hart Larsson for [PXL], available at Skin Fair *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Deep by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples, available at The Men’s Dept.

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: The Annex – Spring Fling – Dress – Pink Floral byTheAnnex for The Annex, available at The Luck of the Irish *

Branch: SakuraAsobi-Shunmin-Hand by Siestabril Nitely for un Jour, available at Origami

Shoes: Poute Timber High Wedges by HauteCoutureDesign for Poute *

Poses by VestigeCreations for Vestige Poses *

Gazebo: {what next}Toscana Gazebo (with lights) by Winter Thorn for {what next} *

Décor:

• HEART – WILDFLOWERS – Buttercups and Daisies Display by Lilith Heart for Heart Garden Centre, available at FaMESHed
• Sway’s [Heart Birds] garden stake by Sway Dench for Sway’s *
• *:..Silvery K..:*tsurushi hina_TypeB(T) by gin fhang for Silvery K, available at Origami

The Male Gaze

When I was in college studying theater one sad last senior semester (when you take classes like “Feminist Theater”), I bumped up against the “male gaze,” which was a theory proffered by Laura Mulvey (quite a while ago) that the audience for films is always put in the perspective of men, specifically straight men. That is, when we see a movie, we always see it through a straight man’s eyes. A scene will linger on the beauty of a woman and will do so as if a straight man were looking at her as opposed to another woman, for example. (I would argue that one of the reasons men in SL don’t have a lot of hair choices is because the male gaze insists on the decoration and objectification of women first. Look at it this way—the hegemony of the male gaze makes those boobs come out so darn big and insists on cleavage skin, k?)

What do you do, though, when the gaze is not straight? It could be argued that gay men have a certain power in our society, much more so than ever before. What about the gay male gaze? Of course, I am stereotyping the gay’s gaze (I couldn’t resist that pun) with this ensemble. (After all there is a whole spectrum of desire and taste within the gay community.) This particular version of desire shows an uber-masculine man displaying his masculinity in a very overt manner with bright colors, tight, revealing clothes, and rich details.

Shea Paule, a gay man made this outfit, so presumably it is what he would like to see on other men. I *really* love the Carnaby Street pants (thanks, T, for the reference), the low slung belt, the um.. prim package included with the pants, the open shirt and its rich pumpkin color. Check out how these pants fit on our guy—they are just tight and just right. It could be argued your average straight guy just could not pull this off but a strong and confident gay man make this look hot.

I wear one of Hart Larsson’s deliciously masculine skins. I like Hart’s work because it is hand drawn and not overdone. Our guy is clean cut, but still strong, not stubbled but still masculine. Tousled tresses from Truth top our tantalizing tiger. A great necklace from Jon Ree provides the perfect amount of decoration and aviator glasses from Guu Nishi hide where our male chooses to gaze.

You know what they say:  You can’t teach a gay dog straight tricks.  ~ from South Park

Hair: >TRUTH< Jason – cocoa by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [ PXL] Daniel NAT Face00 Dark by Hart Larsson for [ PXL ] *

Shirt: HardWear “Bewildered” Shirt (pumpkin) by Shea Paule for HardWear *

Pants: HardWear “Nightshade” Pants/Waistcoat (amber) by Shea Paule for HardWear *

Glasses: HOC – Aviator style glasses #003 Male by Guu Nishi for HOC

Necklace: MTP Sly Fox necklace by Jon Ree for Mustang Trading Post

Shoes: Colbert – Brown (Copy OK, No Transfer) by Eponymous Trenchmouth for Jeepers Creepers *

Awareness

There are a lot of functions centered around “awareness” of this or that thing in SL lately. Personally, I’ve attended a number of these “awareness” events and am shocked at how little they do to actually make people aware other than putting it in their title (and, to be honest, I wonder if – in some cases –  it is a ploy to boost business by saying it is “for” something.) There is so much more to say than “be aware” and give it lip service. Let’s go beyond the virtual and get real about this.

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s not about being aware that breast cancer exists—we know that. It’s about being aware about your risk, about treatments, about the need to fund research to help treat and eradicate it. (Meanwhile I will show some virtual breasts—I can’t skip the picture/review portion of this blog and perhaps it will catch people’s attention.. heh heh).

Skins, left to right, clockwise: L.Fauna {Lola . Tan 1} [Whisper] by Launa Fauna for L. Fauna; no.07 :: Demetris – Natural :: Beard 02 – Bald by Aeon Jiminy for no.07, [LeLutka]-LOLA_stan-makeup2(L Brows) by Minnu Palen for LeLutka; -Belleza- Elle Dark SK 4 by Tricky Boucher for Belleza

Here are some quick facts. (Please note I have linked all my sources—please check them. It’s important to think critically about what you read. I am not just shoving some “statistic” in a notecard without proper attribution to a credible source.)

• Breast cancer happens substantially more in women than men. But.. it does occur in men.*
• It is estimated that 207,090 women will be diagnosed with and 39,840 women will die of cancer of the breast in 2010* Death rates have been decreasing since 1991, however. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.*
• Based on rates from 2005-2007, 12.15% of women born today will be diagnosed with cancer of the breast at some time during their lifetime.*
• In 2010, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.*

&Bean – hounds of love LIGHT Rav  1  brow by Keiko Morigi for &Bean; []::Tuli::[] Audrey (tone 3/br) :: 07 by Tuli Asturias for Tuli; 04   Dark-Tan Skin -Tyson-/goatee+base+chesthair  *REDGRAVE* by Emilia Redgrave for Redgrave; :GP: Sundust [Dark] June-Pure 3 by Gala Phoenix for Curio

Wanna get even more real? I recently had my first mammogram. I did it on the instigation of my friend, Raven Pennyfeather, who knew that I was overdue for my first exam and whose father was recently (successfully) treated for breast cancer himself.

Since some of my readers may not have had this valuable exam, let me explain to you my experience. My breasts were each placed on a platform and pressed down by a clear PETG plastic paddle—gently and briefly. (I know so much about the paddle because in my former life I helped manufacture them.) The discomfort was temporary. Ripping off the little band-aids that were put on my nipples hurt the most. The woman who did the exam was fabulous—she has seen boobs all over on every age and size of woman and man. I felt no shame at all.

[ PXL] Daniel NAT Face00 Dark H by Hart Larsson for PXL; :: DUTCH TOUCH ::kEIra:: Olive – Dawn CL1 EBblack by Iki Ikarus for DUTCH TOUCH; *Sawode* Ada Umber Skin Makeup 1 by sanalyildiz Yalin for *Sawode*; Adam n Eve Skin – Marina t3 Delight by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve

I had put off getting it the exam done because I feared the discomfort and the embarrassment. And deep inside, I feared finding out something negative—my grandmother had breast cancer. It was very quick and easy and my test results were normal.

Many of you out in the metaverse are doing what I did—putting off this very important and easy exam. Why? I told you it’s not bad. (Really! It’s not!) The person doing it was very experienced and very helpful. And while my insurance paid for it, there are many places that offer this exam for free in the US. Not having insurance or the means to pay for one is NOT an excuse! Click here for more information about free mammograms in the US.

Pulse Skin Dance With Me-M1 by Lorac Farella for Pulse; -tb- {Light} DU Echo’s Meadow – Dark Thick Brows by Julliette Westerburg for tres blah; [dekade.] SKINS -Brooke 2- Sunkissed/Hair/L Brows/TDR by Kira Ahn for dekade; LaVie Mark Chin Beard Hair Base Normal by KaoZ Kobe for LaVie

I know the mammogram is not the sole means of detecting breast cancer. I do frequent self exams and also visit my doctor for an annual exam (while I get my annual pelvic exam and um, yeah.. I won’t be blogging THAT). I am also aware of my risk for developing breast cancer. Being female and past a certain age (*ahem*), it’s already increased. Do YOU know everything you need to know?

There is so much more to say that I can’t cover in this blog, but at least I put out something of substance and value. Want to know more? Click through on these links:

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Page

Mayo Clinic

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Blood and Sand

Everyone’s a romantic, especially the tough girl with the heavy eyeliner and shirt sleeves rolled up. She’s romantic because she believes wearing one’s toughness on the outside makes a difference.

That’s why our girl wears a romantic film t-shirt made by Darling Monday—Valentino’s “Blood and Sand.” I love this series of t-shirts. Usually you find them with silly sayings or bold and rather cliched graphic artwork. This set has movie poster artwork, “silkscreened” on with a distressed worn appearance. The art is compelling, the titles are fun, and the shape is great. I like the rolled up sleeve, though it doesn’t work well with AOs—something about that attachment point—the shoulder–just messes things up and attaching it to the pec didn’t help. I wish the t-shirt itself had a cleaner edge so the prims could just not be worn.

Smokey eyes are provided by Hart Larsson, who has given us a much edgier set of skins with his Dafne set. I had a hard time climbing into this skin but once I got it, I got it and really loved it. (And you’ll probably see more of this skin very soon because I am really getting into it.) He provides a very plain eye or a very smokey—almost raccoon eye–with this set, and a very sparse eyebrow, so the skin seems naked either way—either in its minimalism or its exaggeration—which makes our girl even more romantic. Hart’s work is, as always, a piece of art.

I love this hair from Mirja Mills. It’s well shaped, cute, coy, and youthful. Mirja pays attention to the details on this one, making little curled strands out of prims around the nape and ears, running dark to the roots. I fell in love when I put it on.

Wears her heart on her sleeve—rolled up:

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * ANCHA * / flames by Mirja Mills for Emo-tions *

Skin: [PXL] Dafne PA EX PaleLips MEB by Hart Larsson for [PXL] *

Top: fri. – Film.Crew (Valentino) by Darling Monday for fri.day

Jeans: * Ibizarre Lolo Jeans – blue-black used by Anyusha Lilienthal for Ibizarre

Shirt around waist: DYN Brown Check Shirt (Tied) by Fred Kenorland for DYN (no longer available)

Earrings: TSS – Looped Multi Earring by SweetThing Baker for The Sweetest Sin

Eyebrow Ring: Aitui – 1 Captive Bead Eyebrow Ring /surgical steel/ by KiKi Miranda for Aitui

Cuff: Aitui – Plain Wrist Cuffs (R) -Small- by Jesseaitui Petion for Aitui

Nail polish: Symphony Skins- Fingernail Polish Gloves by Claire Harford for Symphony Skins

Shoes: z [mm] Sneakers Hunter special by Magnifico Miggins for Magnifico Exclusive *

Ontology is Sexy!

Every campus has one: the sexy male professor, the one that make the women (and men) suddenly become serious about postmodern theory because it’s just so delicious to hear him say “ontology” or “zeitgeist” or “paradigm.” (Can you say Indiana Jones..?)

The really sexy professor is the earnest one, the one who is so oblivious to girls’ and boys’ admiring glances as he eagerly buries his head in another issue of The American Journal of Semiotics. He wears a jacket (this from Yaszi Mornington) and khakis (thrifted at Floatie Hocks’) to school so he looks older than the kids and wears practical and handsome oxfords for walking to class from his apartment nearby (these being the newest from Eponymous Trenchmouth) and designer glasses—his one indulgence (from Kalnins). He carries his books in his beaten messenger bag from grad school (suitably battered by Guu Nishi) and flings a scarf he picked up in India over his shoulders for a touch of flair (embroidered by Zaara Kohime). (He may seem like an absent-minded professor, but he understands beautiful bricolage just fine, thanks.)

Thank you to Hart Larsson, I have brought my sexy professor to life with his newest men’s skin. Hart has built in so many options with these skins—whiskers, hair bases, emo eyeliners, and an optional scripted cock that he sculpted himself. I will not comment upon the cock, except to say that Hart is an excellent programmer and has made it to have 6 positions. When I wore this skin, I literally gasped. Hart’s artistry is readily apparent with his talents at drawing and illustrating clear. The eyebrows are well-shaped and masculine without being those of a primate, his eyes are simply drawn and mature, and his face is handsome without being dainty. I think this will soon become the skin men flock to.

Seduction is always more singular and sublime than sex and it commands the higher price. ~ Jean Baudrillard

Hair: Bryce ~ Cooper – Blacks – Tuxedo by Bryce Tully for Bryce

Skin: [ PXL] Daniel NAT Face01 Dark H by Hart Larsson for [ PXL ]

Jacket: Meriken Co. “Rhett” -black- by Yaszi Mornington for Meriken

T-Shirt: *TSM* Equilizer V-neck Tee in Steely Rust by Helena Stringer for The Stringer Mausoleum *

Pants: HB – Quin – Khaki – with belt by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop *

Glasses: Kalnins Optics Glasses – Faust #1 v1.45 from Kalnins Optics

Scarf: ZC : pashmina scarf  *rust* by Zaara Kohime for Zaara

Messenger Bag: HOC – Leather messenger bag – Brown by Guu Nishi for HOC

Shoes: DB – Russet by Eponymous Trenchmouth for Jeepers Creepers *

Golden Girl

Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever. ~ Horace Mann

Gold seems so permanent, but really it’s ephemeral. Think about it—the golden sunlight of a fall day, the golden years of someone’s life, the golden promise of a new love—all over in a second it seems. Ava Lu captures the idea of a golden moment with a dress from the new fall Paper Couture collection, with gold that shimmers. this dress is particularly beautiful with its combination of great system piece use and sculpties.

The collar, loosely inspired by African silhouettes (as is most of the collection it seems), tops a “standard” asymmetrical, just-above-the knee dress. But the fabric of the dress is fantastic—gold underlaid with a distorted liquid metal vaguely animal print. It’s accented by a large gold peapod and flouncy waist tie.  Dark plum tights shot through with gold threads accents the dress.

Hart Larsson’s skins are the only choice for such an elegant dress. With their hand-drawn character (Hart paints in his spare time in RL), Hart creates women whose faces seem less airbrushed and more realistically beautiful, although such beauty is rare. I wonder sometimes if this is Hart’s ideal woman, the one he hopes to meet some day.

“You have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by.” ~ James Matthew Barrie

Hair: =TEKUTEKU=gloss(cream) by momo Foulon for TEKUTEKU

Skin: [PXL] Candy NAT NE NudeLips MEB by Hart Larsson for PXL *

Dress: p.c; Gathered Skins by Ava Lu for Paper Couture, available at the Modavia Fashion Week

Nails: Candy Nail #P027 Clear French 3color change by peche Bury for Candy Nail

Shoes: [Armidi Gisaci] Barcelona Slingback  – Bole w/Gold by Nicole David for Armidi