Simplify!!

I have curtailed my vast and somewhat insane list of projects. I think do to stress and must plain nuttiness, I was looking to keep myself busy to keep from dealing with life. In the last couple weeks, I've made strides on actually dealing with things, so these other ventures have become unnecessary. Maybe in the future, but not now.

I sold all of Aeryn's mainland and gave up the rental business. I'm not concerned with adding products to her shop for now. If I'm going to rent store space though, I will have to do something. So, for now, I am managing Marco Island and the Savoy, and DJing probably too much, at least until I find RL work.

I'm feeling quite a bit better about stuff now. :-)

I've Lost It!!

Seriously.....

I know as of this moment, I'm unemployed, mostly by choice....but damn.

If you're confused, I'll get to the point. I'm busy in SL....very busy. Don't get me wrong, cause I'm having alot of fun with new ventures, but....here's my SL.

I DJ as Crighton eight gigs a week, at two to three hours a show. I also run Marco Island. I also run The Savoy Jazz Club. As Aeryn, I have as shop that sells shapes and am looking at other possibilities as well. And my newest venture is renting skyboxes above mainland, however, this is small scale as of now. I do hope to grow the rental business, though.

So, what the hell? I enter into new ventures, and then wonder why I am doing it. Hmmmmmmm.

The DJing I love, since I truly love music. I had a great week this week, and by that I don't necessarily mean that my gigs were packed (some of them were,) or that I made alot of money (I did okay,) but rather the people that were there had a blast and I felt that I spread some joy. And that is what music is for me. If I can do that, then I'm very happy. :-)

Running the Savoy has been a joy as well, as it is music related. All my DJs, artists and hosts are exceptionally professional and I really don't have much to do, other than lead by example and give support. The actually work is minimal, for the most part. Running Marco Island is about the same, as the sim is fully rented as of now. The only real work is attending to minor issues like malfunctioning security units, and listing rentals if someone moves out.

Aeryn's shop and her rental business are where some work comes into play, as this requires some time and effort to get off the ground. I guess the worst case scenario is that if it requires too much time and energy, I'll bag it and move on. It's not like I really need this, but it is fun! :-)

The one thing I need to keep in mind is how this infringes on my SL relationships and friendships. Simply put, the people are what is important here, and if I can remember that, then I will be fine, no matter what the rest of my SL brings me.

Two Year Reflections.....

It was two years ago that Crighton Johin first rezzed his noobie ass in SL.

Jenda and I joined about the same time, and as noobs, we wandered aimlessly, fascinated by SL and what we found. We were both looking for things that interested us, both together and on our own. I found the live music scene and AA and was hooked. This is particularly amusing considering when I joined it was only for Jen to get a referral fee reward. Honestly, I was getting bored, but after finding the music and AA, I realized that SL was much more than I bargained for.

After a long time as wandering around as a newbie, I eventually succumbed to the lure of a nice skin and my appearance evolved over the months to something a bit more handsome. I fell in love and was amazed at the bond that we could make in SL. I also found out first hand that the pains of relationships in SL are just as real as in RL. My love of music and my frustration at finding decent internet radio stations led me to the art of SL DJing, thanks to friends who pushed and mentored me. (hugs to Jocelyn) This led to a new level of socializing, that in RL was unheard of for me. I settled into my life as a SL DJ and loved it. Not only did I have the awesome privilege of playing music I actually liked (I was horrified at the thought of playing pop music,) but I actually made some decent money doing so. Getting paid for doing something I love? This was definitely better than RL!

Along the way, my life got busy and complicated and being a solitary person, I was having a hard time dealing with the rigors of being *gasps* somewhat popular, so I decided to create an alt. By this time, I had become quite curious about the female avatar and decided to create an alt that was female. Thus, Aeryn was born. Quite quickly, she became a relatively big part of my SL. She spent my money and eventually became my favorite avatar to use during free time. I'm sure much speculation ensued about me and my Aeryn *grins* but there was really nothing perverted or nefarious about her. She shopped and danced and eventually opened up her own shape shop. Yes, I found out that I had an eye for proportion that some don't have, and tried to capitalize on that. I ran out of gas on that venture, but still have the shop open and may do something with it in the future. Most of my friends now know about Aeryn and I think they humor me and my double life and I love them for it.

Last year, Bill Mondegreen and I talked about jazz and opening up a jazz club. Bill built and and was instrumental in it's opening. I merely showed up and spun jazz on a regular basis. I was amazed that we actually garnered a following that grew steadily. Bill eventually had some RL issues to deal with and the management of the club fell on me. We steadily added more gigs, blues and jazz. We added a couple fabulous female live vocalists to sing and our traffic grew. I can now say, without hesitation, that the Savoy is a success and is, in my opinion, the best jazz and blues club in SL. I am honored to be working with the DJs, hosts, and performers we have at the Savoy. And is it really working if I have a blast?

Next up on my thrilling ride through SL fun and insanity was Aeryn's turn to the dark side. Yes, she became a vampire. As if I needed something else to occupy my time, while looking innocently for a nice pair of fangs, Aeryn was seduced to the dark side by a handsome Frenchman with pointy teeth. No, there was no funny business, just some neck biting....lol. Immersing myself into Bloodlines with Aeryn pushed me to a whole new level of socializing and I found myself having fun helping.....newbies? Yes, that's right. A vampire with a heart of gold. :-) Don't get me wrong, she still wants your soul, but I found that through BL, I ran into more newbies than every before, and used the opportunity for good, rather than collecting souls. Don't forget though, Aeryn still wants your soul.

Next on the winding road that is SL, Marco Island was dropped in my lap. Yes, I now own a sim, which brings with it a whole new set of responsibilities and pressures, not the least of which is real life money. Things have been good so far and I think I've done well with it. I try to keep a healthy balance between being fair to my fellow Islanders and being smart with rent so I'm not left owing money. We haven't changed much, but we're looking at improvements and ways to help us all in our endeavors.

So last night, we had a two year rez day party for me. Kimala did such a good job setting it up and I had a blast. I let my ego run wild and played some of my favorite rock music, and I hope I didn't run anyone off. ;-) And through all this post, I have not even talked about the most important aspect of SL, at least for me. Friends. That will be my next blog entry, as I've already gone on and on here. But I've been so fortunate in my SL to have found the absolute best bunch of people that I call friends. Second Life has had a set of pitfalls that I've stepped in, including my obsessive/addictive nature. I've also been struggling with the whole concept of doing something I love in RL, rather than just in SL. It has shown me how dissatisfied I am in my RL career, or lack thereof. But that is something I will have to deal with.

In the mean time, I love Second Life and my friends there. Considering that I was there only temporarily, it's turned out to be quite some trip....dare I say a long strange trip?

Ch-Ch-Changes.....

...but not big changes. Last night I DJ'd at Bistro Olive for the first time and had a wonderful time. I've given up two gigs and I believe another one will be going by the wayside also. I'm quite sure I'll be picking up another to replace that one, though. *winks at Parker*

So things are changing. A few months ago, I was DJing nine gigs a week, which is too much. I was having fun and making lots of Lindens, but I started getting burnt out. Then I have this problem of saying "no" and not wanting people to be upset with me. Another form of sefishness, really....

So, now, if things shake out the way I think they will, I'll have six gigs a week, which should be okay. That gives me more time to do the RL stuff I need to and the time on SL to dick around and have fun. I can always pick up another or do a special gig now and then.

And a treat to do with the topic of this post....Time by Pink Floyd

I'm bored in SL.....

....in some ways.

I love my friends and DJing. That's basically why I log on anymore. I recently, or not so recently, moved into a new house on my own beautiful private island on an open space sim. Lots of water, etc. I still have not decorated or furnished my house. I'm just not interested in that right now. I think I SHOULD be, but I'm not. :-P

So lately, I'm logging in to DJ and to take care of things that need to be done. And, of course, to hang out with my friends. The changes in my RL, which obviously color my SL, have been taking me through some ups and downs. Changes will do that, so I'm riding it out, and I feel good about things now. I feel like a lot has changed and I have a positive outlook. :-)

I'm sure when the weather turns....when it gets colder, that SL will be more attractive to me. I'm guessing too, that I will be re-inspired to do something special and create something or do something more than I am now. But I'm not pushing so much. I'm very excited about life right now, and I have not felt that way for a while. I mean, certain things excite(d) me, but life as a whole...not so much.

Bottom line, SL better save up it's energy for me, because I'll be back with a vengeance baby!! Unless I pull a muscle or something.

;-)

Random Ramblings....

This is the post with no theme......but who knows. Maybe a theme will appear.

I haven't posted for a long, long time. I haven't done a lot of things in a long time. And the sad thing is, that I haven't got a lot done in SL recently either. Of course, maybe I shouldn't be focussed on what I'm getting done in SL so much. It should be fun, right? Well, lately it hasn't been very fun a lot of the time. I've been DJing a lot which many think is too much work. They forget that I love music so much that it really isn't work for me. It's joy for the most part. I probably have two too many gigs going, but that can change quickly in SL. The nice part is I have a nice mix of different music I play. I do three rock gigs, two blues, two straight ahead jazz and one smooth jazz gig.

I'm trying to take the time to learn to build, but I'm not having much success. Between DJing and playing and spending time with those who matter, it's tough finding time. I'm also starting to put together a Shape Shop that will be run by Aeryn, in her never ending quest to overthrow Crighton as the main, and make him her subservient alt bitch. Ahhh...the inner battles that ensue with alt craziness....I love it!! Anyway, be on the lookout for Lovenkraft Shapes or something similar. I hope to be building soon too. I would love to learn skins too, but that looks hard...lol.

Last week, I was honored to help raise money for two worthy causes, which were both smashing successes. At The Bee Hive, with Kim and Blissie, I worked two nights to raise money for Relay For Life. The Date Auction was a blast, although I got so wound up I couldn't sleep and ended up missing work on Saturday....lol. Saturday night I DJ'd an hour for Blues For Autism, which was also a huge success. I want to thank Magi, Kim and Blissie for asking me to help. Hugs to you all, and I honor the love in your hearts that sparked this amazing week.

Bottom line? I've got some work to do to re-order my life. I've got things to do in RL that have been neglected. Yard work, inner work (meditation and yoga, etc) have taken a back seat and I must bring those back. I've been so unfocused, in RL and SL. Virtually no discipline and it shows. Instead of creating the world I want, I'm reacting to whatever happens. Story of my life. After I realized the possibilities in SL, I decided that I would use it to create, and then try to bring that also in to RL. I was successful for a while I think, but I've got off track recently. I think much of it has to do with stress and stuff that I have been ignoring. Well, I can ignore stuff for so long before it slaps me in the face and that is what happened this weekend.

And then there is the little issue of sleep, or lack thereof. I have got to get on a somewhat normal sleep schedule. Last week was devastating. In bed by midnight and up by 7am is my goal. God I love staying up late though. I think a lot of that has to do with my son being asleep and I can just really be by myself or with Jenda. Very selfish, I know.

Anyhoo, I'm posting a long and rambling blog, which should make Blissie happy...lol. See you laterz!!

All that jazz........

Life is so amazing. You can be minding your own business, and something jumps up and grabs you. Or maybe something jumps up and smacks you and says, "Hey!! Where the hell you been?" Well, SL is the same. And here is another example....

A few weeks ago, I went with Jenda to hear a friend of ours DJ some blues. Bill actually played "real" jazz. Now, I'm sure most of you have been to jazz clubs in SL and I have too. The music is nice and romantic and great to dance to. But, for the most part, it's not jazz. Frank Sinatra was a great singer, but really didn't do jazz. Billie Holiday sang jazz. Don't get me wrong, many of the clubs there are fun and very nice to go to, but Bill and I started talking and he wanted to open a club where he could play the real deal. I agreed. About this same time, someone contacted me about DJing some jazz at a club she managed. So I started DJing at JD's Jazz & Blues for the owners and for Parker. Talk about synchronicity or serendipity.....two different events occurring within days to lead me to where I need to go.

The thing is, I used to listen to jazz a lot, and I had quite a good collection on vinyl. After selling most of my albums during my addiction, I recovered most on CD, but still have a ways to go. I have not listened to jazz hardly at all in years though, only when it comes up randomly on my stream. So Bill decided to open this club and I'm involved in that with him, along with Jenda. And it has been amazing for me spiritually. There is not another form of music that I know of that is as rich creatively as jazz. It's one thing to write a great song, and go into a studio and perform and record it. There may be some improvisation during the solos or some vocal embellishment here and there. In jazz, you have a few guys (or gals) who may just have a general outline of what they're playing. And they just wing it....and I know that's oversimplifying, but it is so amazing to hear it done well. The thing about jazz is, they players aren't just playing what's in their heads, they are actively listening to each other, responding and playing off of each other. Listening is so important.

I really know so little about jazz. I know what I love. I cannot speak eloquently about it as I would like. I know that when I hear Horace Silver play Song For My Father, I get chills every time, particularly when I hear Joe Henderson's tenor sax solo. I know that EVERY time I hear Miles Davis and his sextet play So What, I'm utterly blown away....by every note...it's perfection. I know that when I hear Scott LaFaro and Bill Evans play together, I'm witnessing a psychic connection that I'm honored to be able to share in. I am humbled by these musicians, for what they achieved cannot be matched in any other genre of music, or possibly any art. And this is art...the height of creativity. There are so many aspects....Stanley Turrentine's tone, John Coltrane's epic virtuosity, Charlie Parker's...well, Bird did everything....lol. Listen to Miles Davis play anything. He doesn't fill your ears with notes, like Coltrane might, but he understood better than anyone, the spaces between the notes and that they were also part of the music. Listen to Billie Holiday's phrasing....I cannot explain what she does well. All I know is that I hear someone who has better pipes (think Christina Aguilera) and how they have no idea how to get to the soul....the heart of a song. Most pop stars today really need to listen to Billie and Miles, and stop with the lame embellishments. (Beyonce and Christina, this means you)

I'll close by saying, this is one more thing that SL has added to me life. Or rather, somthing that SL has reminded me of....brought me back to. I've played more jazz in the past weeks than I have in years. And my life is richer for it....my heart is fuller...my soul, happier. Thank you to Parker and Bill, and to Jenda for encouraging me.

I'm laughing inside because yesterday, I started out DJing blues at Not Too Hot, then played pop/rock at the Hive, and finished up last night with Jazz at The Savoy. I can't keep this up too long, as I'll get burned out, but damn it has been fun. I would like you all to join us sometime at the Savoy Club. This is Bill's baby, and I'm happy to be along for the ride. Please join us. If you love jazz, this is the place for you. If you want to learn about it, we can help...heehee. I should say, Bill can. He's extremely knowledgeable. Personally, I need to do my research better. I've caught myself announcing incorrect personnel on song....the horror. And jazz is about the players, so I need to make sure I get that right...lol.