Mission 1: The Contact (A Double-O Dame Adventure)

Ah, the misty throes of dusk - when Bill and Jane Normalperson have finished their Salisbury steak TV-dinners and are settled in for a night of Law and Order reruns. Not all are comfortably numb on their sofas, or in front of their computers trying desperately to get into the Truth sim. No, not all. Not me. Not the Double-O Dame!

At this shadowy time of night, when small, fragile creatures huddle into their burrows and the fierce predators begin to stalk, this is when my work begins.

 

Tonight's mission: liaise with a contact from the notorious DMA crime syndicate. Lives were threatened and many hats were lost arranging this most secret of meetings. The Agency would not leave it to a rookie to carry out this mission. No - only the best would see it through. Only the Double-O Dame.

What would be learned? Was this a tryst.. or a trap? Would we finally know the name of the mastermind behind the ring of heinous criminals? Would we discover the motive and full scope of the DMA's secret HAT campaign? Would we finally know what DMA stood for in the first place?

Soon, hopefully, I would have some answers.

The smoke of his cigar mingled with the heady scent of his oiled Italian leather shoes - a stark contrast to the dark, dank abandoned subway he insisted we meet in. My guns drawn in anticipation, I listened to his breathing around the corner. A gruff whisper cut the silence.

"Has the beaver badgered the bologna?"

"The salami remains intact."

 

"Ah, they sent the Double-O Dame."

"Only the best for you, mister..."

"You may call me Harris Pilton. Do you have the requested payment."

"I have payment, although how much depends on what you are offering, Mr. Pilton."

"Only evidence to blow the entire DMA organization sky-high."

"Show me yours and I'll show you mine."

"Wait... what was that?"

Blip: When it rains, it pours ... and pours and pours and then, of course, it floods!

Unless you've been living under a rock, darling, I'm sure you've heard of the horrible flooding that has been happening in Australia over the past month. Three-quarters of Queensland has been declared a disaster area. For perspective - that's as big as Texas and California combined, and an area the size of France and Germany combined remain under water! Many have died. Many are still missing. Hundreds of thousands are stranded.

In Second Life, friends gather from all over the world. If you've been here even for a short amount of time, at least one person you've met has been affected by this ongoing disaster. Sanura Sakai of the Home of Sanu has organized a special Extend a Helping Hand Event, aimed at raising money for the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal, which will be used to assist those affected by the floods. Many vendors have donated items where some or all of the proceeds go to this fund.

At this event you'll find everything from shoes to skins to gowns! I'm wearing the Mavi dress donated by Miamai for the event. There are even items for the young men! Wilmur is modeling a fine cardigan donated by Young Urban.

Being safe and dry far from where so many aren't, it is easy to feel unsure of how one can help. This is one small way that you can. More information about the Extend a Helping Hand Event can be found here, and to follow what is happening with the floods, you can go to the official Queensland Government flood website here.

A Day at the Shore

Good afternoon, darling! Oh, so good of you to notice! Yes, I am all aglow, aren't I? Tut dear, of course it's not love - just a day at the shore!

It's been such a stressful winter, my nephew Wilmur and I were in danger of losing all our cheer. Why, last week, I went four entire days without wearing a hat! Can you imagine?! Surely, a small holiday would get us both back in fine form.

As soon as we arrived with our trunk, the healing rays of the sun and the frothy crash of the surf began to sooth our ruffled souls.

As the concierge handled our trunk, Wilmur and I enjoyed a lovely brunch. What did we have to eat? The best no-calorie pastries and mocha I've ever tasted! No, I'm sure it was all calorie free. The waiter said so... something about the salt air interacting with the sugar, blah blah blah. I'm no chemist, darling! I don't understand how it all works - I just have faith that it does! 

As Wilmur called to confirm a tour reservation, I eyed the beach. It's been ages since I felt sand between my toes... in my fingernails, in my hair, in my ears, in my mouth, and everywhere else - mostly where it isn't wanted.

Just as I was second-guessing the whole beach adventure, Wilmur burst from the telephone booth in his swim trunks, let out a whoop, and ran down the boardwalk to the water's edge, completely ignoring my warnings about swimming so soon after eating.

Ah, the call of the sea! Has anything ever inspired the hearts of men more?

By the time Wilmur was finished swimming for the day, ("Look, Auntie Edith, my skin is almost as pruned as yours is.. only all the time!"), it was time for us to get ready to head to the lighthouse for our tour. Wilmur was quite brave and took the stairs to the very top!

Tosh, of course I wasn't scared to go all the way up! It's Sammy Davis, Jr. Jr. He has a fear of heights, you see. I couldn't just leave him, scared and trembling, as I went on without him! No, I was content to stay on the lower deck, enjoying the view.

After our tour, Wilmur and I separated to have some alone time. I'm not sure what Wilmur did, but I'm sure it was exciting! Bungee jumping? Sky diving? Who knows?! He's such a thrill-seeker!

As for me, I enjoyed just sitting under the tree, chatting with a handsome new friend. Tut tut, darling - what happens at LISP and Art Dummy stays at LISP and Art Dummy!

It was a such a lovely day. By the time Wilmur and I met back up for the early bird dinner, the sun was low in the sky. As we sat and watched it sink below the horizon as we waited for our taxi, a tinge of sadness tugged at my heart. It really was a shame to leave such beauty behind. But then I remembered all the lovely frocks and hairpins at home, and knew I was returning home to beauty. A different kind of beauty, perhaps, but beauty all the same.

After all, one can't simply sit and marvel at the natural beauty of the world all the time. It is just as important to share the experience and inspiration of that beauty to those around us - through art, music, hats, or in many other countless ways. That way, when our days are dark and our cheer has left us, we can always dig into our memories and remember what we saw and how we felt, and allow ourselves to again be moved.

~~~~~

(To keep my already long story posts from being painfully longer, credit details are in the comment section below, or you can find credits to specific pictures on my Flickr Page. A directory of SLurls can be found here.)

Holiday Horror!

Oh doctor, thank you so much for fitting me in today! I know you therapists must be so busy during the holidays. There is just so much pressure. So many parties, so little time!

I can't tell you how relieved I am to see you, though. I'm just beside myself! I haven't had a good night's rest in ages! Every time I drift off to sleep, the same dream grips me!

No no, darling. Not that dream. The holiday nightmare! You remember... the one where the North Pole is under martial law because the snowmen have gone completely crazy!

I don't mean 'crazy' as in "Let's have a purple aluminum Christmas tree this year, dear" or "Oh, look at these festive True Blood themed ornaments!" I mean truly, psychotically insane!

Oh the horrors I have witnessed, darling. Murder! Mayhem! Homicidal maniacs, every last one of those snowmen! It's not funny, doctor! It's terrifying!

Charged with riot control, my fellow reindeer had to employ desperate measures to establish order. Normally, I don't mind a nice frosty drink or dessert, but I must say, devouring Frosty himself... chilling!

Just as we start to eat the snowmen, that's when the giant goldfish swoop down and carry us off. Rescue? Perhaps, doctor, but those dead black eye spots and those fixed grins... who knows what they are planning!?

Oh, doctor, the horror of it all! Even now whenever I hear a snow blower, I swoon and call for my nephew to bring the smelling salts. Well, of course I know we're in Florida, but still!

Yes, darling, perhaps you're right. No more snow cones before bedtime, and cut down on the cheesy fish crackers. Ah yes, and a nice warm hug. I feel better already!

All of the snow horror picture poses, the giant goldfish, and the final hug pose is the brilliant work of master therapist and amazing Reindeer Pajama maker Katharine McGinnis of Intrigue Co. The fabulous goldfish come as both a carousel and as riding mounts!

Sadly, the 'charity' behind the benefit this post was supporting, the Superhero Epilepsy Combat Syndicate, is a sham. The leader, Epileptic Dreddmor, raised an estimated $500 on behalf of the Epilepsy Foundation from benefits and direct donations over the course of several months. Unfortunately, no money ever made it to the Epilepsy Foundation. When pressed, she admitted this and later it was discovered all the money was gone and she had used it for her own interests.

Many generous people donated their time, items, and money in an attempt to help the Epilepsy Foundation. One person's selfish actions do not diminish the good intentions of those she took advantage of, and I applaud every one of the creators and kind people who tried to support what they believed was a worthy cause.

As for me, I learned a great lesson: never put efforts into something that isn't 100% transparent and honest. If something smells fishy, it is fishy.

I apologize for my association with the S.E.C.S. and urge everyone to be wary of the level of support they show this group and it's leader.

~~~~~

(To keep my already long story posts from being painfully longer, credit details are in the comment section below, or you can find credits to specific pictures on my Flickr Page. A directory of SLurls can be found here.)

Grace Under Fire

It's quite easy for a lady to show grace and elegance in trouble-free times.

It is during times of strife and alarm that our mettle is tested!

 

 Can we face trouble head on with courage and maintain our composure?

Perhaps we can even find the strength to fight back and prevail, removing the power menace has over us - now and in the future.

Maintaining one's poise and grace under fire is difficult to master, but it remains an attribute that every lady aspires towards.

~~~~

Sadly, the 'charity' behind the benefit this post was supporting, the Superhero Epilepsy Combat Syndicate, is a sham. The leader, Epileptic Dreddmor, raised an estimated $500 on behalf of the Epilepsy Foundation from benefits and direct donations over the course of several months. Unfortunately, no money ever made it to the Epilepsy Foundation. When pressed, she admitted this and later it was discovered all the money was gone and she had used it for her own interests.

Many generous people donated their time, items, and money in an attempt to help the Epilepsy Foundation. One person's selfish actions do not diminish the good intentions of those she took advantage of, and I applaud every one of the creators and kind people who tried to support what they believed was a worthy cause.

As for me, I learned a great lesson: never put efforts into something that isn't 100% transparent and honest. If something smells fishy, it is fishy.

I apologize for my association with the S.E.C.S. and urge everyone to be wary of the level of support they show this group and it's leader.

(To keep my already long story posts from being painfully longer, credit details are in the comment section below, or you can find credits to specific pictures on my Flickr Page. A directory of SLurls can be found here.)