The Broken Dreams Project

By Deaflegacy

I came upon a memorial recently.  I took a look all over the location.  There are so many monuments here, and they are all about people whose lives were taken away before their time.  There are young people who passed on from AIDS, cancer, and suicide.  Some of the monuments pass out notecards, describing about each memorial.  There are some memorials about certain young adults.  Some memorials are about groups of people. 

These memorials have names on them. Each memorial comes with a notecard, giving us a description of what the particular memorial is all about. While the memorials are sad, they also serve as what they are meant to be – a memorial to those who passed away.

I have gotten notecards from three memorials.  The first one is from Jamey Rodemey's memorial.  The first paragraph is, “Jamey Rodemeyer (March 21, 1997 – September 18, 2011) was an openly bisexual teenager (although he referred to himself as gay on Tumblr and some You Tube videos, known for his activism against homophobia and his videos on You Tube to help victims of homophobic bullying. He committed suicide as a result of constant bullying and being called gay.”

The second one is from Ryan White's memorial.  The first paragraph is, “Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS at age 13. He and his mother Jeanne White Ginder fought for his right to attend school, gaining international attention as a voice of reason about HIV/AIDS. At the age of 18, Ryan White died on April 8, 1990, just months before Congress passed the AIDS bill that bears his name – the Ryan White CARE (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency) Act. The legislation has been reauthorized five times since – in 1996, 2000, 2006, 2009 and 2013 – and is now called the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.”

The third one is from 2016 Pulse Nightclub Shooting memorial.  The first paragraph is, “During this difficult time, we offer heartfelt condolences to the families of the 49 victims who lost their lives during the Pulse tragedy. To the families and friends of the victims, your city is with you and will continue to be with you as you deal with this unimaginable tragedy.”

The memorial is there for a reason.  It's to help us remember people who have passed on.  As I head out from the memorial, I leave with a feeling of sadness. So many lives which ended too soon.


https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Reckless/202/41/22

Deaflegacy

Editor's Note: Somehow the wrong SURL got put it. It's been corrected.

Forest of Dreams

By Gemma Cleanslate

“Step into my dreamworld and I will show you what my happy place looks like...... A world straight out of a fairytale where you can find magical creatures around every corner. A haven for  those who look for a tranquil environment, a home for fairies, fauns, elves and those who love to be lost in a dreamworld... Welcome!"

And so it is! This is the world of ღ .ηєssα zαɱorα. ღ (Noralie78 Resident), who does landscaping and terraforming in Second Life. I visited her winter sim, which offered so much winter beauty and fun for visitors that I spent a lot of  time there skating and roaming. Now her latest build is just filled with trees, flowers, waters and magical settings to explore and enjoy alone or with a lover or friend. Tiny fairies will greet you as you land and follow for a while.

There are so many places to dance or cuddle in solitude (unless a nosy reporter comes by). Teleports offered to take you to various places, and I did take them. They are glowing rocks placed in each area for you to use. But then I walked the region along the paths through the trees, and through lots of foliage over hill and dale. Shafts of light focus your eyes on what you see. I passed deer and unicorns hidden in groves.

In one area I found quaint elven homes, much like the hobbits, built into the land. Inside it is cozy, with chairs made of branches, comfortable for elves who still use nature to surround themselves inside as well as out.

The Temple, almost hidden and built inside a rocky hill, is a place to listen and look and reflect. There are candles placed against the walls, drifting light shafts, and a rushing water fall, a place of peace. I found a boat and oars and took a quiet ride through the waterways that wander the sim passing resting areas and small gazebos scattered along the way. I climbed a long set of stone stairs that lead to ruins on a hill which gave a wonderful view of the region. Across a wooden bridge I found a meditation circle with soft musical sounds or relaxing tones that surround you and circles of soft light drift in the air. It is located high above the treetops.   

 The sim brought back memories of the lost Apollo sims that I used to enjoy so much, long gone. It is all enchanting and a delightful place to visit in spring . Put it on your list. It is all there for your pleasure. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Peace/65/34/22

Gemma Cleanslate