The Waterfall

I entered another building contest at Dreams, the subject is waterfalls.   The events area was transformed with hills and water and a boardwalk.  My project is the one on the far corner from the entrance.  It looks very simple, in comparison to many of the other entries.  I have one small waterfall that flows partially down the hill and then freefalls to a pond like area.  I used
Linden trees by the dozen to make a natural, in the woods looking scene.  I had a path that led up to my quiet spot, which was furnished with a log to sit on.  The problem was falling off the path and over the side of the hill and into the water.  I solved the problem by constructing a structure with high sides and then using totally clear as the texture. 

In my instructions I included a poem. 

There is a place in the forest

Where people stop to admire

A waterfall

And take pictures,

Paint, and draw.

But those who choose,

Follow the treacherous path

To be embraced by nature

And soothed by her heartbeat.

 

 

Dreams Contests have two different winners, a judged winner and a popular winner.  As much as I would like to win, I have to remind myself that the important part of the contest is what I learn from it.  Today, the day I am posting this, is the last day to vote.  Friday the build will just be a memory as the contest will be over and the winner announced. 

I will actually miss this build.  I have found that sitting on the log is a peaceful hiding place.  Like I said in the poem, only a few will take the time to climb the hill to sit and be embraced by nature.  SL is no different than RL.  We get so involved with doing things and interacting with others that we have no time for introspection.  So, I am not going to apologize for my sporadic blogging.  I am not asking for votes.  I am just suggesting to slow down and take time to sit and clear the brain.

SL Wedding

Asphyxia Lemieux and Furlop Duport were married last night on theFurry Vermin Island.  Agent Strangelove presided.

I arrived at the wedding site early, but not too early.  Dressing for weddings can be such a problem, and I wanted to look my best.  I wore a black dress with blue polka dots.  You have to understand being a rat and dressing for a formal occasion can be a real problem in SL because of attachments.  Only one thing can attach at any one spot.  Most flex skirts attach where my tail attaches and I can’t look like a rat without my tail. My next problem is the hair.  My hair inventory far surpasses my clothing inventory.  I settled for a short “do” with blue tips.  Since this was an outside wedding and it is winter I wore my emerald cape.  I did look smashing if I can say so myself.

 

I looked around at the other guests.  I didn’t know what music was playing because all that came to my mind is “Froggie went a courting’ and he did ride.”  Second Life seemed to be imitating Mother Goose.  The furries, cats, rats, rabbits, and what ever, were dressed in their best.  There were even people looking like, strangely enough, humans.  The setting was just perfect.  The ceremony, solemn. 

I will take the liberty to share sections of the transcript of the wedding which in itself describes the wedding.  I will delete the repetition of the speaker’s name. 

  

Agent Strangelove coughs softly.  “We are gathered here tonight to witness the extraordinary coming together of two furs, Asphyxia Lemieux and Furlop Duport, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. Like the passing lunar eclipse which took place a near hour ago. This lapine, who like the earth will merge with this skunkette as his moon, will become one as they join together on this special and joyous occasion.  To these young furs, this marriage signifies the birth of a new spirit, a spirit which is a part of each of us, yet not of any one of us alone. This “birth of spirit” reminds us of winter, the season when all life is cold and lifeless. It is appropriate, therefore, that this wedding of Asphyxia Lemieux and Furlop Duport be in the winter, and that it be under the open sky, on this beach near this broken Lighthouse, the symbol of their relationship.  We leap forward at the flow of the tide and resist in terror of its ebb, for we are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity. But the only possible in life, as in love, is in growth, in fluidity and in freedom, as dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in creating the same pattern.”

 Agent Strangelove: The beliefs and thoughts about love which motivate these two furs are perhaps best expressed in the words of Kahlil Gibran:  “Love is the most awful weapon known to the human and furry races. It can twist a male, wring him up into a tight wad until his blood spills out upon the stone reality, until he shrivels, and is a dry husk. If you ever search for evil, begin with love…”Agent Strangelove frowns and shakes his head apologetically and says: “Erf, hmm. Wrong quote. Sorry folks.” Clearing his throat the fox continues with the propor quote. 

I will shorten this to get to the ring ceremony and the vows. 

Furlop Duport: “I, Furlop Duport, take you, Asphyxia Lemiuex, as my friend and love, to fetch me pie and have dinner on the table, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, to nag me never and not question my judgement, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know of yet, in all the ways that life may find us.  I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, because this ring has no end or beginning, it symbolizes your unending devotion to me as my *faithful* wife.”

Asphyxia Lemieux: “I Asphyxia Lemieux, promise to allow you, Furlop Duport, to love, honor, cherish and *obey* me for the rest of your days, as my friend and love, beside me, and apart from me, on your knees as you worship me, from now until you draw your last breath, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us. I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow to you. Let it be a reminder that you are forever bound by my side and that you will always be a faithful partner to me.”

 

The reception was held in The Dragon’s Roost where the guests danced away the night to a live DJ.  I stayed until my head was falling too close to the keyboard. 

 

I started with being more human than furry, now I am more furry than human.  In fact when I got into SL, I didn’t understand the furry.  The more I got to know them, the more I liked them.  Then I got my rat av.  I have learned so much from the fur. 

 

Last night I saw that the bonds of Asphyxia and Furlop were not the bonds of sex and luv but a true and deep friendship based on the respect of each other and seasoned with laughter.  Their ceremony reflected them, respectful, and flavorful. 

 

Thank you, Asphyxia, for including me in your friends list and inviting me to your wedding.  I am deeply touched.  I propose a toast:  “May the partnership you share with Furlop last all your days in SL and your friendship with him grow and continue to be well seasoned.”