An Artist Passes from Our Midst - Artistic Fimicoloud

The Passionate Redheads, a SL Relay for Life Team was reminded in a most personal way the importance of what they do when one of their members, Artistic "Fimi" Fimicoloud, Stephanie Koslow in real life, passed away on Monday afternoon having succumbed to cancer. Upon hearing the news of her passing, members of the team, her friends and admirers of her art gathered at Park Galleries of Art to remember and honor her life, first and second. The outpouring of love and sympathy of the mourners has left a memorial scene complete with flowers, poems, candles and pictures of Fimi.
After arriving at the memorial site I paid my respects to her memory and then found her gallery. While sitting and admiring her work, I scanned around the space and came across this quote from an article written about her in the Poughkeepsie Journal on January 7, 2007:
Seeking solace from the fears that surrounded me, I began to paint - not the fears inside me, but my joy for the landscape I so loved. Flowing from some deep-seated force within me, out it poured - color, light and energy - not mourning what I'd lost, but celebrating the gift I'd been given.
I couldn't help but smile thinking of a woman I'd not met, seemingly not afraid of what life had dealt her and using it to share with us her passion for living and the visions she saw reflected in her art. One could see in her paintings the vivid colors of the Hudson Valley landscape she loved. A note card that came with a picture of yellow tulips I bought, told me that in each of her paintings, "I've tucked a small pink breast cancer ribbon into each painting which people love hunting for."
A bit later I spoke with a member of her RFL Team Members, Daaneth Kivioq who was at the at the memorial when I returned from the gallery. I introduced myself and offered my condolences. "Thank you Nazz, she will be missed." He replied then continued: "We are, in her honor, putting up special donation kiosks until the end of the SL RFL halfway there fair, on Sunday June 1st. Let me pass you a note with the SLURL's. All donations to these kiosks will be matched 1 for 1, up to 100,000 L."
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Southern%20Colorado/163/55/26http://slurl.com/secondlife/Park/235/43/79

I also spoke with another of Fimi's RFL team members and fellow artist Tricia Aferdita who had this to say of Fimi's passing in an announcement to her Cetus Art District Group: "This week, the SL art world lost one of its bright stars... The little pink fox who was known as Fimi … She was an amazing artist, kind person and beautiful soul. She will be missed."
In remembrance, a friend of Fimi's, Angel Enoch has written the following:
Fimi - Her Royal Pinkness
When I built Park Galleries of Art in Park Region...I advertised for artists wanting an inexpensive place to show their work. One of the creatures who showed up was a little pink fox...Artistic Fimicoloud.
She was brash, bold...right in my face. Even though two other people had appeared wanting the empty gallery before her, I had to give it to the little pink fox who announced loudly to all she was a breast cancer survivor, a real life artist also. Before I knew what was happening to me, Park Galleries was full of little party-happy furries and our first DJ party was the best that ever happened!
After some time, I felt Park had become quiet … and I felt it was time to end the galleries there.Fimi was so upset! I didn't realize that she was so attached to the little space, and she begged me to sell it to her. With Fimi at the helm, Park became alive again. It was the life within her that gave it a new spark...it blossomed, most of the artists who were there previously stayed on.
I feared it would become a museum instead of a gallery, with nothing new ever happening, but she proved me wrong again and again. May it always be so....and now that I've learned Miss Fimi is comfortable making her transition to another world....I know there is something in Park that will live on. Someone with that spark of life touches everything, and you find yourself in love with them and everything they do in spite of yourself. : )

And now every time I see a pink furry tail I'll think of Fimi!

By Nazz Lane

Breezes Thoughts

Well! Arian wants the green to roam looking for adventures he says to me. Adventures or his pretty white Uni he fools not me. Sorry , she is hiding from you Arian I think we best come yet another day. Fields of clover await you and me.
Glory be Arian -you think this beach is for your pleasure?

Let me off, I see a well roasted bird on the fire bed o'er there Yum go romp and I will chomp hahahah ok my friends this is the end for today.

bree and bird roasting waiting for feasting won't you join me?

Breezes Thoughts; ACS Event

I have come so close to many dear people in this Fantasy land. The American Cancer Society is full of the most amazing strong supporters of those with Cancer, those that have cured, those that are trying desperately to battle this terrible disease.
Many are cured , some are not, but they battle til they can do no more. They are so brave. The survivors, the Caregivers, the Physicians, Nurses, The Educators oh so many people involved.
Yes , I know it is just not Cancer, but many many illnesses that touch us all. I must concentrate on Cancer right now if you will all bear with me.
This Memorial Day weekend is a huge event taking place at Haute Couture Sim; Kissing Booths, Great Dance and Dj's for your entertainment. Wonderful designers have donated the fantastic clothing, there is a huge Yard Sale, clothing furniture, everything, you will be sure to find so much, and ALL yes All the proceeds from this event is given to the ACSociety.
In fact we raise monies for months in Second Life We need your support, so come on out. Dance with us, shop with us, Laugh with, Talk with us and give what you can. Any amount large or small is truly appreciated and for such a great cause.
Thanks for reading.
Bree

Teleport HERE

Why are you in SL?

I have met up with several friends lately, all who have been in SL for over a year, most seem to be feeling a little jaded with being inworld and I set out to find out why?
One reason is the obvious problems with stability and content loss. Some have worked hard to build up businesses and are now snowed under with requests from, mostly justifiably, angry customers demanding the item that they bought that was never delivered.
Yes, hopefully a temporary problem but it leads to making them feel very disheartened with the platform and human nature as a whole.
Others have had content stolen and have little or no recourse, they spend hours creating and working on designs for someone to come along and rip it and then either resell it or even give it away - no wonder they lose heart.
There are those that make a business and it just doesn't take off, not through any lack on their part but just the fact there are too many doing the same.
Then of course there are those that came here to find friends and maybe even love.
After finding what they are looking for why stay in SL? If you have found real love here you take it out of SL and of course have little time to play.
You would prefer to be with your new found love or friends and even if its not physically possible there are other ways of being close that are more reliable, for instance skype, windows live etc.......
One friend said to me she just didn't know why she had lost heart maybe because she had seen all there is too see, so much beauty and content here but after all even map hopping gets boring after a while.
Being part of something is what keeps people in Second life, part of a community or having things in common with others.
Its very easy to become isolated doing the things you wanted to do, achieving that SL dream takes time and commitment and while you are concentrating your efforts on those friends fall by the wayside. There are also those that never had a dream here, they came out of curiosity, made friends and stayed to discover more.
Then those friends moved on, that favourite club went out of business and they are left adrift feeling like they have nowhere to go and no-one to talk to.
The most contented friends I have are to be found in the role playing communities, I don't know, maybe because it enables them to live their fantasies and completely immerse themselves in another life, compared to those who come here to lose their real selves and end up being exactly the same.
Maybe the real reason is that they are no longer playing a 'part' they are still as much themselves in Second life as they are in real life.
Maybe they have loved and lost or found that the grass isn't greener on the other side?
If you are unhappy with your real life you MAY immerse yourself in a pretend one but at the end of the day one thing will never change and that's YOU.

Story reprinted from 'Bridging the Gap' with kind permission
Click here to get your copy
Pictures by Strawberry Holiday from our flickr group

Breezes Thoughts

Tai chi and Bree
I was having an emotional hectic day in rl, so Bree donned her duds and came to Tai chi and her eyes opened wide and smiled with delight.

Her friends were already ready there in the darkest of nights. the stars overflowed with their twinkling and the comets and shooting stars soared thru the heavens. Lifting my spirits.

I gazed through the evening as the iridescent bubbles, flowing through the air. Surrounding little red hearts swirling o'er head, and flurries of snowflakes in the cool night skies came fluttering down to the ground, oooooooooooooooohhhh and here comes the pastel particles thick and and lovely, adding to the aura.

Amidst all this splendor and awesome music I see Emi's Dalmations proudly displaying their devotion to their mistress.

Jazzman is the Poppa of these, his offspring, columbo ( a big name to live up too). He lies sleeping besides his Momma Linus as Jazzman circles and warily protects his family .

Oh how proud he is of himself. Brings smiles of delight to me, and all my friends.

One of the songs I heard as I entered Tai Chi was "Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake seemed quite fitting at the time, then filtering in was the eerie music of flutes and violins and big bass drums a symphony of sounds, very pleasing to hear.

I strolled the paths at Hosoi Ichiba I even got brave and waded in the streams , fingers trailing the waters sharing with me and looking rather wild eyed were the koi, laughter comes forth from Bree , Please oh lovely Koi share the tranquility with me.

My dear friend Glyn has supplied the effects that delight Bree's soul and helps raise her spirits > Kalderi has entered the scene , oh I wished she had seen from the beginning all that transpired, my dear friend Sio and I exchanged smiles with Glyn.

You see what can happen in Second Life if you give your mind the chance. Yes, there are many more friends at Tai chi who I wished had been present to see this rare delight. A Lovely evening fading away awaiting the dawns early light.

Breezes Thoughts

Jule Arida home in Yuja
The quietest lovely home of my dear friend and adopted brother. Jule has built this quiet repose , a lovely place to come and reflect of days gone by. To seek what is lying in the future, to dance in the moonlight, to swim in the sea.
I wander the hills, what do I find? A ghost town! Yes complete with a saloon, a store for the adventurous gold and silver seeker.
To visit the steepled little Church is a humbling experience on this beautiful piece of land. Complete with a ghost rising from the ground. Fear not my friends she comes to smile upon you as you search her grounds. What is her story? I have yet to find the answers. I stand in awe in the hot air balloon, I drift with the winds:


He is my protector while I dwell alone on this land. He romps and plays while we wait; Wait for what?
A tall handsome Duke who found me staring across the waves, he stood in silence lest he was afraid I would be frightened. Startled a bit, but not frightened, a bit wary to say the least. Smiling now, remembering those days have long since past. What I am trying to tell you all is that in this Second Life you can find the most amazing people.
Jule had sent this duke to make sure that Bree was safe, as she stood there for the longest time wondering what life had in store for her.


I found a lovely long lasting friendship with these two men which continues into real life, we may never ever meet in the real world but talking thru voice and email and written cards across the seas makes life a truly beautiful place for Bree.
I have found many such friends and have loved every minute of it. so get out there explore this new found life, take your time , it isn't always easy, but what in life can always be easy?
If they stick with you you have found life's rewards.

Breezes

Interview with Pelton Darkstone

DD: What made you decide to be an non human in sl?

PD: Well, actually I still believe I'm human in SL.... after all, I made myself to resemble my RL me.. !
Only my hair grew into ears and my back spine grew out of my body... I can't help that... blame the Lindens... lol !
But to be honest... Nekos fits the Grunge/Urban style (which I believe resembles RL the most) very nicely and I feel pleased with that...
It happens to be the style I like to develop for or dance around in for that matter.

DD: What is the difference between Furries and Nekos?

PD: I can't really tell... I heard they say Furries stand for gay men and Nekos for lesbians, but I believe that is made up by some adolescent kid, with a not so good feel for aesthetics... Because if you pay real close attention, you will notice that very many good developers are either Neko or Furrie. And I just happen to like cats very much.... but if I liked wolves, I would probably resemble one of those and I would be in the Furry camp....

DD: How have you found people to treat you as a Neko?

PD: I found that people are sorta scared or confused by Nekos or Furries... Maybe intimidated... Because clearly their appearance is a display of design... I know I was when I first came to SL... although not very intimidated, but more intrigued. And u know what they say... 'curiosity killed the cat' :)

DD: If given the chance to start over would you and if so would you pick the same type of avatar again?

PD: I guess so... I have an alt... which I made into a Furry first, but now it's a Neko too. I just find them a little more cute and leave more place to design clothes and accessories that go nicely with 'normal' people ! And besides the fact I just like cats... I feel Nemuri-neko and what is noted on wikipedia...: ... is explaining what Neko stands for to me =^^=

DD: Extra Thoughts?

PD: I believe the best designers are very often dragons, who custom build their own sculpties for their appearance... But I wonder in which camp they are... Clearly they aren't Neko... and they are not very Furry either... I guess there is something like the Draggies too ?!


Hhmmm. This kind of got me interested in his point of view so I decided to spend a day myself as a Neko. Let me tell you, it was not as easy to find something I was comfortable in. My Neko experience took me into places I don't normally go, and my look was more animalistic then just most Neko's. I ended up being something of a Hybrid (not really Neko not really Furry )














Photos by reporter Dashwood Dayafter

Breezes thoughts

The Dragon Lady is today the Lady in Red. Whee, do you know that attraction to the Lady in Red is astounding. Perks you right up. Yes it does. Try it. Bats her eyes and smiles ever so slightly.
Laughter following in her wake. You may follow me, but you will ever ever catch me.
I will take you to distant lands, land you on roof tops, or on the ocean floor. Visit castles and hope for a glimpse of a friendly ghost.
A Friend of mine told me the most wonderful story. I must share it with you. So if you have ever doubted there be a ghost - doubt no more.
As a young boy walking the shores with some friends, they saw a group of brightly dressed men way ahead of them. The boys said amongst themselves "wonder where those people are going' Let us follow and see where and what they are up to. So they followed for awhile, it was so strange to hear some voices from afar , not being able to hear what they were saying, but curious to say the least. These men were dressed as pirates of old, gnarly in appearance and bold as brass. Wait! do not go so fast, the boys wanted so to watch , but roaring seas and dark clouds above, the mist came rushing o'er them.
The mist and air was calming, and when it cleared they could see naught. They were gone - vanished. Ghosts of the past - smugglers in this region long ago could it have been them? could it have been the crews, could it have been a figment of the boys imagination?
I say no, not at all, I know must be so.
Now the Lady in Red smiles for the past unknown and into the future she must roam, sure to discover something to delight her.
Breezes