Merry Christmas Eve!

XOXO
B

Hoarding Hurts Everyone..

Did you know that 250,000 animals per year are victims of hoarders? (Source: Animal Legal Defense Fund)


According to the Humane Society, animals kept in hoarding conditions often suffer extreme neglect, including lack of food, proper veterinary care and sanitary conditions. Officers investigating hoarding situations often find floors, furniture and counters covered with animal feces and urine. In extreme cases, decaying animal carcasses are found among the living animals. Insect and rodent infestations are also common.


Filthy conditions under which animal hoarders live also attract disease vectors such as insects and rodents. This can also threaten neighboring households. Often a house that is home to a hoarding situation must be condemned by the health department due to unlivable conditions.

The animal cruelty laws of all states have provisions stipulating minimal care standards (e.g., food, shelter, veterinary care, and sanitary conditions) for animals. Legislation has been enacted in a few states specifically addressing animal hoarding.

In situations where the animal hoarder is unwilling to accept help and the animals' conditions do not warrant animal cruelty charges, non-animal agencies often step in to force change. For example, fire departments can cite hoarders for fire code violations, health departments can intervene where there are disease issues and housing code violations, and county zoning boards can step in to force change if there are local ordinances regarding the number of animals a person may keep. The charges may be necessary to help the hoarder understand the gravity of their situation.


For more information, please check out the Humane Society!

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/facts/hoarding.html

Remember.   

Hoarding hurts everyone.


XOXO,
B

Happy Holidays!

From my family to yours..best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday.  :)

XOXO,

B



If You Really Love Your Pet...

In every community, in every state, there are homeless animals. In the U.S. as a whole, there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted, and tragically, the other half are euthanized. These are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great companions. 

Millions of pet deaths each year are a needless tragedy. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.  (The Humane Society)

Did you know..it is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States?  The  estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million!  (ASPCA)

For more information on spaying or neutering your pet, please visit The Humane Society (http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/tips/afford_spay_neuter.html) or the ASPCA (http://www.aspca.org/Home/Pet-care/spayneuter.aspx).

Don't believe me or the Human Society?  Maybe you'll believe the lovely actress Katherine Heigl.

Come on..I said..they said..she said it.  What are you waiting for?


XOXO,
B

Art Basel Miami Beach 2011 - The Good, The Bad, and the Underbelly..

I've been lucky enough to spend the last four days of RL in South Beach, Florida enjoying an amazing weekend of some of the most amazing artwork, exhibitions and displays from artists and galleries all over the world.

Below you'll find some pictures I took, along with links to the various shows and exhibitions.  :)

If you ever get a chance to attend..I highly recommend it.  The experience is unique, and in many instances, captivating.

http://theunderbellyproject.com/
http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/
http://nadaartfair.org/about/
http://www.seven-miami.com/
http://www.rfc.museum/
http://thewynwoodwalls.com/
http://www.solfirearts.com/
http://www.inkartfair.com/
http://www.mrbrainwash.com/
http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/go/id/eof/
http://www.bassmuseum.org/

These are just some of the amazing things I came across in Miami - though there were tons more and something for everything.

I even found an amazing french macaroon truck on the steps of the Bass Museum.  :) 

Hope you enjoy the pictures.



XOXO,
B

Happy Thanksgiving

We all know Thanksgiving is a very unique time of year for me. 

Two years ago, my dad suffered a massive heartattack on Thanksgiving day at the kitchen table.  We thought he was gone..lost to us.

But he laid in a coma for eight days, and on the day we agreed to let him go, he woke up on his own.  And two years later, he's home and recovering from a very sucesseful prostate cancer surgery. 

Can anyone ask for a better reason to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day? 

So today, I wish all of my friends a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving.  I'm thankful for every one of you in my life.  Blessed, even.

Enjoy the day.  :)

XOXO,

B

Concerned Bloggers Association

Aside from being a huge fan of Marleen Vaughan's designs and blog, Coffee Smoke, I think this is an amazing idea:

http://concernedbloggers.wordpress.com/

:)  Check it out when you can - it's pretty awesome.



XOXO,
B

The Evolution of the Chase

So let me nutshell this for you lovely folks.  Here's how things go in the story of Boy and Girl:

1.  Boy meets Girl.
2.  Boy decides he will do anything to get Girl.
3.  Girl plays hard to get.
4.  Boy can't get enough time with Girl.
5.  Girl falls for Boy.
6.  Boy loses interest and spends more time with other things.
7.  Girl tries to get his attention, with no luck.
8.  Boy believes that having won the girl..means he won't lose her.
9.  Girl leaves.  Boy has no idea why.
10. Repeat the cycle.

And NOW!  Some music love for you. 

One of my favorite voices of SL shared this cover of "Wicked Games" by HIM.  Check it out.  :) 

XOXO,
B

Blissie Boucher's Guide to Women (For the Clueless Man)

Dear Clueless Male,

So you're reading this...thinking to yourself.."This doesn't apply to me.  My lady's happy.  *insert profuse ball scratching*"

Well.......are you sure about that?

Just so there's no confusion..here are Blissie Boucher's rules to keeping your lady happy.  And just for you extremely colorful folks..I'll put it to music.

Rule #1:  Catcalls and Compliments

"Some day, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight.
You're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight."
~Frank Sinatra, "The Way You Look Tonight"

Make your lady feel pretty.  No, not just pretty.  Beautiful.  Make her feel like she's the only one you see in a crowded room (regardless of how true or untrue this is..).  Why?  Because women love to know that the effort they put into picking the right dress to impress you..is appreciated.  Know those catcalls that women on the street hate?  Sometimes, it's a nice thing to do at your OWN girl (imagine that...).  Compliment her hair..her eyes..her smile.  You like it?  Say so!  Believe me..you will never suffer for giving her a compliment - you can ONLY prosper.   

Rule #2:  Make.  The.  Time.

"In the time it would take you to learn from your mistakes
In the time it would take to dial the phone
In the time it will take you to realize her greatness, she'll be gone, she's moved on
To someone who takes the time
Her love wasn't a priority to you
You had other things on your mind
And now that it's much to little and so far too late
The busy signals all that's left behind
You're all alone"
~Ne Yo, Time

Yup.  We've all got things to do.  But here's the thing my dad always taught me - and this is one of the biggest keys to a happy relationship - 'Time isn't something you have.  It's something you make.'  It's all very simple, really.  If you don't make the time for her...you will lose her because someone else will.   Not a complex rule, guys.  The same time and courtesy YOU expect, you should give to her as well.

Rule #3:  What Does She Like?

"Running out of room begging for more up against the wall that has been scuffed by my stilletos
Again
You pry apart my thighs and tell me to be still
And I willingly submit to you because I love the way you dominate me"
~Jose Nunez, Bilingual

This one...is VERY VERY important.  Do you know that thing she does that drives you crazy?  That thing she does simply because you like it?  Well..ask yourself......"What drives HER crazy?"

If you can't ANSWER that..you've really screwed up.  But this can be fixed.  What does it require?  DING DING DING!  It requires time and attention.  Take the time to talk..to explore..to taste test, so to speak.  That's part of the fun..finding each other's sweet spot.  But being a selfish lover will ALWAYS get you dumped.  Seriously.

Rule #4:  Doesn't Hurt to Give..

"And no, I ain't perfect - nobody walkin this earth's surface is
But girlfriend, work with the kid
I keep you workin' at Hermes, Birkin Bag
Manolo Blahnik, Timbs, aviator lens
600 drops, Mercedes Benz
The only time you wear Burberry to swim
And I don't have to worry, only worry is him
She do anything necessary for him
And I do anything necessary for her
so don't let the necessary occur, yep!"
~Jay Z & Beyonce, '03 Bonnie N Clyde

Does your girlfriend go on and on and on about a necklace she saw?  A bag?  A cupcake at the bakery?  Here's a hint.  Buy it.

Yeah!

Buy it for her.  If she knows you like something......doesn't she buy it for you?  So why aren't you taking the gifts?  Hello?  Presents are good.  Doesn't need to be jewelry or fancy things.  Know she likes KitKats?  Buy her the big pack.  Surprise her with it.  Just..don't make her tell you what she wants.  Pay attention..and you'll know.


Rule #5:  Speak

"Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again"
~John Mayer, "Say"

We're not mind readers.  We don't know why you do what you do..say what you say..so it helps to speak up.  Tell us what's on your mind.  It doesn't have to be constant chatter.  Just the things that maybe we need or want to hear.  If you let us in..way less fighting.  Communication is key.

So..these are some of the golden rules to having a happy lady.

There are more, of course, but these are the big ones.

Remember..if you don't love her right..someone else will.  And that's the truth.

Happy Monday!


XOXO,
Bliss

Happy Halloween from The Savoy

Had an amazing Halloween Eve party at the Savoy Jazz Club last night.  :)  The amazing decorations were compliments of the ever-fabulous Cataplexia Numbers, who subsequently DJed a great set.  Stop by tonight, or whenever!  Great club, great folks and some say..great music! 

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Marco%20Island/207/65/22
  

Happy Haunting!!


XOXO,
B

Looking For Love in All the..Virtual Places..?

So, I've recently gone on a campain to hold singles mixers at the Savoy Jazz Club.  But in order for me to understand what would lure a single person into the Savoy, I needed to know what the single scene actually was like.  I was single in SL for maybe all of 3 months, and that was two years ago. 

So, I searched up Singles.  What I found, actually really surprised me.  SL is a a hub for...dating services.  I wandered a few to see how things were run and what the candidates looked like.  Something that struck me as odd..was that a lot of the avis there were very new to SL.  Maybe two to three months old. 

So that leaves me to ask...is SL not any fun without a partner? 

So, I IMed one of the avis hanging around the dating service and asked him why he was there.  Why didn't he hit places like Phat Cats or Franks for loving?

His answer was simple..and actually made a lot of sense.  He said..

"Not everyone at those places is interested in anything more than dancing."

So..where do you go when you're looking for love?

I've honestly never had to look for love in SL.  It kinda always..happened.  Even when I didn't want it.  

How far would you go in SL to find love?



XOXO,
B

Dinner..

Quinoa and scallops.  :)  My secret?  Four different kinds of freshly cracked black pepper.

Enjoy!

Going Home..

I had a long conversation with a very old friend last night about relationships.

See, a long time ago, I made a statement that stuck with her. 

No matter how far I wander, or where my SLife may take me, I always find my way back home. 

Home being the one place that you always belonged - never felt like a stranger..never needed to explain yourself..just the place where you could be you. 

I still stand behind that statement - that we all have a place that is home; whether it is romantic or a clique..we know where we are happiest.

For me, Mr. Moo was always home.  Even when we ended our romantic relationhip, we were still friends.  Still neighbors.  Still there.  When I was down, sad or bored..he was always there for me, and vice versa.  He was my SL home.

So now..take stock of those in your life.  Where do you feel like your home truly is?


XOXO,
B

Fashion Bloggers..

Is it wrong that I feel all teary eyed because my two favorite fashion bloggers that were a couple..broke up..and now have different fashion blogs?

Breaks my heart.  :( 

I loved their joint blogging. 



B

2 Years and Counting..

How do I explain Cisqo? 

Well......he's my favorite Colbie Caillat love songs made real.  He's sweet, funny and so hot.  He makes me feel so..happy that I can't find the words to describe it. 

He's the guy that met me..and wanted to introduce me to his friends and landlord and make me a part of his world without question or hesitation. 

He's the guy that when I hesitated and stepped back from relationships, he sat patiently and waited for me.  We used to joke that I lived on the corner of Mistrust Lane and Suspicion Blvd.  And he was sitting on my porch steps waiting for me to let him in.

But I did.  And I'm not sorry.

He's been the most drama free romance I've had in Second Life.  A two year drama free record?  Hello?  That's unheard of. 

:)  I dunno..what do you say?  Two more years?

I dedicate this super sappy song to him. 

XOXO
B

Some Wife..

Dead on the floor..and she just keeps eating her popcorn.

That's some love there....

Same Old Story..

If you read this blog, I'd hope that you've learned a few things about me.   The most important thing is that I firmly believe that you have to live for today.  Your entire life can change in a single second - for better OR worse.

So here's what I want you to consider:

1.  Forgive your enemies.  What does carrying around the hatred do for you anyway?
2.  Remember good times.  Trips down memory lane always warm the heart.
3.  Tell the people in your life what they mean to you.  Dole out those 'I love you' statements.  How would you feel if you never had the chance to say it again?
4.  Be true to you.  Don't be who other people want you to be.  Be who you love being.  Don't be afraid of what people will think, or how they may perceive you.  Just let all of that GO and be who you are.

Happy Sunday!


XOXO,
B

Happy Birthday To Me....

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

~Abraham Lincoln

I've been blessed to celebrate my birthday with some of the most amazing friends in Second Life for the last four years.  :)  I reflect a lot about the family I've built in SL, about those who have left and those who remain.  My family is large, and sometimes they may all seem very different - but I know deep down they're all the same; good people. 

In honor of my friends who aren't around in SL to celebrate my birthday with me anymore, I offer up the following..

"Though we drifted apart in distance I still think of you as being right here. And although we have many new friends, it is our friendship that means the most to me."

XOXO,
Bliss

Mr. Moo..?

Rumor has it Mr. Moo has left Second Life.  Well, not quite rumor.  More like a notecard from him.

Well, loyal reader, you know my story with Mr. Moo.  Our love, our friendship, our journey.

While I don't think my contact with Mr. Moo has completely ended (come on, he can't get rid of me that easily..), I am extremely saddened to see him quit SL.

Anyone that's ever spoken to me knows that I use my relationship with Borday as an example of everything - because the things we withstood were crazy.  But our friendship was strong enough..and we never gave up on each other.

I wish him all the best, and send all the love and light I can muster to him.  May his travels bring him peace, joy and prosperity - wherever they may take him (hopefully, though..they bring him back to us..LOL).



XOXO,
B

10 Years Later..

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “
- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001


Ten years later..and it seems like everything happened yesterday.  I still have this dull ache in my chest when I go downtown and remember the way things were.  I still feel my stomach sink when listen to someone talk about where they were on September 11, 2001.  I think it's one of those things that, while the rest of the country was able to move on in a small way, New York could never forget.  And this weekend, with the terror alert level raised, I've been harshly reminded that 9/11 didn't just change our lives ten years ago...it changed our world forever.


I used to think the most painful thing I'd ever witnessed in the streets of New York were walking by the Missing posters post-9/11...knowing that none of those people were ever coming home.  That their families...standing on the street corners giving out posters and checking every list available...would never find peace. 


But ten years later, I think the most painful thing is that this has become normalcy.  This way of life...with armed guards in subway stations...checkpoints on Madison Avenue...


This is today's New York City.  This is my city.


Something about that breaks my heart. 


I wandered off to the Second Life WTC Memorial (http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20York%20NYC/222/17/21). The greeting was interesting.    


State Of Liberty:  Blissie Boucher, Welcome to New York, home of the Staue of Liberty and the World Trade Center Memorial. We are getting ready for our 9/11 Memorial event this Sunday. Please remove all weapons. You will see 2996 flags all over the streets, there is one for every soul lost that day. The country lets you know where they were from.


Immensely touching.  And astonishing to see all of the flags lining the sim streets of NYC.  Almost 3,000 lives stolen...cut short...futures and destinies erased in a heartbeat.  The memorial with the names was MASSIVE...much like the real one.  And the each memorial slate held the names of those that were lost in the WTC ten years ago.  The creator of this sim...did an amazing job. 

The more I write this, the sadder I get.


The inscription on the Washington Park arch, which is the hub for the 9/11 SL memorial tomorrow speaks volumes:


Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God. — George Washington


So many things I wish were different, but are not.  So many things I wish I could erase before I bring children of my own into this world, but cannot. 


At the end of the day, all I can truly do today is offer my prayers.  I can pray for the fallen from 9/11.  I can pray for peace for them...and those they've left behind.  I can pray for all of the soldiers that have been lost since September 11, 2011 to today, and I can pray for their families.


And my last prayer is for everyone.

September 11, 2011.  We will never forget.

Ever.

B