Poetry, poetry every day

I must have been going to poetry meetings every day now. Yesterday I went to Persephone's session at the Blue Angel. So many of my friends were there. I shared "Take It Easy!", which seemed to go down well with the audience; Ina howled, Secundo "wooted", Persephone applauded, Phorkyad appreciated the dramatic pauses and vocal inflections, Kghia Gherardi was awed as it was as "like Catherine captured her life", and Bobby said, "I'll applaud as soon as I stop laughing! Oh that is sooo true!". Persephone also set a challenge for the evening — to write a 100-word piece. Most people came up with something beautiful and meaningful. When it was my turn, I announced, "I have a 100-word poem in iambic pentameter," and then said, as quickly as possible:

"I like to spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,

And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam,
And spam, and spam, and spam, and spam, and spam!"

It was great to get an excuse to spam people like that. If I had done it anywhere else I would have been banned and AR'ed. Three cheers for artistic freedom!

And today Secundo did more live reading. I brought my new friend Aianna to it. Aianna is a newbie; Sister alpha brought her to Faeria after finding her wandering aimlessly around on an island, and she hangs out at Faeria nowadays. I hope she had fun. She is sooooo sweet. She has a new cat called Elsa who got along very well with Daisy. They were talking to each other.

All the poetry is fun but I should really get back to doing my music. Everything else has been left gathering dust while I was preparing for the Bach festival. I played through some of the folder with my rlae's music, simple and relaxing. The melodies were like the voice of a child. It was nice to be able to take things at my own tempo and put in rubato wherever I liked. I felt comfortable and at home again.

That "Farewell Waltz no. 2" is really beautiful. I must bring it to the stage, or make a recording of it before something bad happens in RL. One never knows what might happen.

I want to take hold of your heart
and wrap it round and round with my threads of sound
and when I have control I will twist you, break you, squeeze out tears from you
so that our souls will be linked, linked by the memories of the threads of sound
and you will never forget me...

Bach Festival

I did a recital today. It was fun. There were lots and lots of people and some in the overflow garden too. They were all so sweet. I love people. Love love love love love!

Tyrol Rimbaud started the event with a wonderful speech that really touched me:

"Welcome, Welcome to everyone!

Thank you all for coming to this special finale concert of our week long celebration of the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

I know you are as excited as I for the incisive interpretations of our dear friend Catheirne Moody, so I will try to be concise.

Some three hundred and twenty two years ago Johann Sebastian Bach was born into a world quite different from our own.

His was an age of the culmination of monarchial rule and the subservience of artists.

As an unprepossessing bourgeoisie we do not think of Bach as a revolutionary. He lived simply, and in the comfort of his family and circumscribed world.

But he did help fashion the age of enlightenment and the rights of the individual through his humanitarian understanding of the importance of a life enriched by beauty.

Three hundred years later his musical creations still move us to inspiration and nobility; solace for solus souls, if one were to say.

What does his music mean to us in this age of technological ghosts?

Yes there is rationalism in these measures; the structure that appeals to our desire for order. But that rationalism is balanced, perfectly balanced even, by the most acute understanding of human pathos.

Bach's music delights us with its intellect and its expressive nuance. But its effects are far greater.

The joy of experiencing these artisitic creations carry with us into our lives; moving us to share with our fellow travelers the compassion that Johann Sebastian Bach wrought from his pen some three hundred years in the past.

I thank everyone for being here today and sharing with me and my friends your fellowship. This is an event for all of us to come together and become united as a community, thank you.

There will be an intermission today of short duration So, stretch your legs, have some lemonade this Sunday, and please do say hello. Donations of appreciation to the artist are welcomed. Also, you may need to turn up your volume on external speakers to hear today's concert more fully."

Lorelei Saintlouis: /lovely Tyrol!

Daisy: Meow! I'm Catherine Meowdy's tip cat. Please feed meeeeeeow generously with linden dollars. Meow.

JayJay Klees: nice!

Tyrol Rimbaud: [continuing] As many of you know, this is my great honor and privilege to introduce to you my close friend...... AND, my Second Life daughter..... whatever that may mean.......

Catherine Moody gasps!

Tyrol Rimbaud: Catherine Moody was found playing in a garden, and today she is still playing in a garden. She is a delight to me everyday. And I am thankful for all that she has already imparted to me. Today you will be able to experience that magic yourself, as she interprets for us the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Tyrol Rimbaud: Fellow travelers, our good friend Catherine Moody.................
Ged Larsen: - applause -
Alphonsus Peck: applause
Margo Despres: applause
Roko Johin: applause
Alphonsus Peck sighs.
Tyrol Rimbaud: / The Well-Tempered Clavier: 48 Preludes and Fugues No. 1 in C major

Great Party At Faeria!

Yay! Today we celebrated the Grand Opening of Great Mills' gallery, "GraceFull Photography", in Faeria Village. I played some music and then we went in the gallery and then we trashed it! WOOHOO!








In this picture you can see Great Mills' sign saying "GreatFull Photography", and all the chaos going on inside the gallery!









We even had a flashing sign....

More nonsense for my friends

“Alphonsus' Revenge”, or, “Upon Losing an Imaginary Game of Chess to Alphonsus”

Alphonsus Peck! Alphonsus Peck!
I think I've lost—Alas! Alack!
Upon these squares of white and black
As I served you, you've served me back!
This time round, you changed your tack;
Your strategy I did not expect.
With lined-up rooks and queen you hacked
Till my defense began to crack.
My crumbling keep you quickly sacked,
It could not brook your fierce attack!
To your superior intellect
My poor white king has lost his neck.
We're even now, o Master Peck:
Let's call a truce—please sign this pact!

Catherine Moody, 2007-5-25.

Take It Easy!

If your clothes have disappeared,
If your avie's grown a beard,
If your TPs keep on failing
And your graphics card is ailing,
Just relax and close your eyes,
Imagine you're in paradise.
Linden Labs will take the blame...
Second Life is just a game!

Our presidents, to win our votes
Promise lots of action,
And play “Warcraft” with tanks and troops
In time for next election!
It's just a giant game of Risk
With strategy and fighting,
Plus eloquent oratory
To make it more exciting. So...

If your hair is in your crotch,
If inventory is botched,
If your balance doesn't show
And your lamps have lost their glow,
Take your shoes off and your socks,
Mute th' alarms on all your clocks,
Linden Labs will take the blame...
Second Life is just a game!

If your pastor bashes gays,
If he says you'll go to hell,
He's seeing hookers other days
And paying for the meth they sell,
To see if he can pull it off
Before his buddies ring a bell.
It's just a game of cat and mouse.
--------------(And sheep, as well.)

So, if your notices don't post,
If you “can't connect to host”,
If you're permanently gray
And your audio doesn't play,
If your prims refuse to rez,
If you crash... and crash... and crash...
Lie down low and dream a dream,
Enjoy your strawberries and cream.
Linden Labs will take the blame...
Second Life is just a game!

If you go out with a pretty date
Remember it's all just for fun:
She just wants you to bite the bait
before she hooks another one.
If Cute Guy showers you with praise
Declaring “love for evermore”,
Don't be fooled by his cunning plays:
He just wants to see if he can SCORE!

-----------------Therefore:
If you're permanently gray,
And your audio doesn't play,
And your notices don't post
And you “can't connect to host”
And your balance doesn't show
And your lamps have lost their glow
And your hair is in your crotch
And inventory is botched
And your TPs keep on failing
And your graphics card is ailing
And your clothes have disappeared
And your avie's grown a beard
And your prims refuse to rez
And you crash...
and crash...
and crash...
Turn the music up and chill,
Feed the cat and pay your bills,
Close your eyes and breathe in deep,
Just relax and try to sleep,
Rest your hands and hum a song,
Grid recov'ry won't take long:
Linden Labs will take the blame...
Second Life is just... a... game!

By Catherine Moody's RL alter ego, 2007-5-24.

In Celebration of Faeria

Almighty Lindens! Blessed was the day
and holy place, as we ourselves were blessed,
Where Mykyl Nordwind, fairest of the fae
and mermaid clan, into this world did rez.
O noble Queene, we welcome you today
to grace us with your simple loveliness.

You spent much time to make your dream come true;
Your work bore fruit as Faeria slowly grew.
You labored long and hard on every prim,
You built a pathway right across the sim.
You met adversity at every stage,
Adversity that caused you tears of rage;
Dark days of anguish have you left behind
That I, your humble bard, do call to mind—
Try as you did, you could not get us in:
Casinos, wild with greed, were strangling Huin.
Where others had despaired, you stood your ground,
Gathering an army from around,
To file a stern report of grave abuse,
To call upon the power of the Word.
Your fervent pleas at last the Lindens heard—
The camping chairs in number were reduced!
The battle over, traffic trickled in,
And gradual signs of life returned to Huin.
Not only we, but all your neighbors too,
Professed their heartfelt gratitude to you.
Humble Catherine shall sing your praise,
And all the region echo with hoorays.

A new day dawns. The flowers spread their love,
The sun smiles bright upon the village green;
While butterflies dance breezily above,
Do grateful voices hail their Faerie Queene.
A curious squirr'l observes us from a tree,
A chirping bluejay fills the air with cheer.
A wishing well gives wishes (for a fee!);
A sign proclaims that all are welcome here.
A palace looks on proud, its marble floors
and curtained stage inviting us to dance.
As lovers occupy the cuddle balls
Good Faeria hath her visitors entranced
with scenes of rustic peace upon the walls.
Gentle melodies drift o'er the land,
Born of some unknown composer's smile,
Played by some unseen musician's hand,
Infusing open hearts and open doors;
A penguin, touched, recites a poem, while
from open pages a wingèd spirit soars.

.............................................O pretty Faeria!
The souls that circumstances kept apart,
You bring together. How your mission shines—
A haven for expression of the heart,
A celebration of diversity,
A sanctuary for all creative minds,
A conflux of divine activity.

My friends, let us with one united voice
Renounce the dross of shallow vanity;
In friendship, truth, and love let us rejoice,
The golden warmth of true humanity.

Almighty Lindens! Aid us as we strive
To realize our dreams in Second Life.

Catherine Moody, 2007-5-23.

ERRATUM

I just discovered that my signboards in Maemi, Huin, and Blue Hound read "Bach Festival Sunday May 27 5PM SLT" instead of "2PM SLT". DUMB DUMB DUMB da DUMB DUMB da DUMB. I had to go round and correct all three of them.

Why can I never get dates and times right?

Nonsense for my friends

I hope to write more complimentary stuff in the future! I love you all.... -Catherine Moody, 2007-5-23

You're a wonderful friend to us, Mykyl,
And I do enjoy hearing you spykyl.
But when you start on mythology
And gossamer-ology,
I'm afraid that to me it's all Grykyl!


On Winning an Imaginary Game of Chess against Alphonsus

Alphonsus Peck! Alphonsus Peck!
Despite your fearsome intellect
And wise grey beard, I do suspect
You're in hot soup up to your neck!
Your pawn formation is a wreck,
Your queen is gone, your king's in check:
It's mate in three. Am I correct?
I'm stopping here, 'cause what the h*** —
There's nothing else that rhymes with "Peck"!


Our dear sister alphaTest03
is a genius at scripting and poetry;
I propose that we vote
alphaTest to promote
To the office of Brotherhood Notary!

Assorted Nonsense

Hamlet to himself said he
in delirious soliloquy:
"Am I to be, or not to be?
Is this a bee I see by me?
A bee? Two bees? ... Or is't just me?
Do bees, too, mock my misery?"


Trochee! trochee! List' to me,
William Blake was fond of thee.
"Tyger, Tyger" starts with three...
Oh, scrap this silly parody!


Wyllyam Blake, he wrote so well,
But I must sai he could not spell.
Nor could he rhime. Have you read hys
"Mercy, Pity, Love and Peace"?


Catherine Moody, 2007-5-23

HelloMultiTool-v6 (hug/kiss/goto/etc)

Of all the things I've seen in life,
The coolest of the cool
Is Jester Spearmann's (version five)
HelloMultiTool.

This small device is pretty neat.
It fits both guys and gals,
It helps you rez a magic seat
To take you to your pals.

If you say "exclamation ping"
And name a nearby friend,
A pretty stream of colored things
To him or her you send.

Or if you're in a jovial mood,
Try "exclamation stand":
Ta-da! You're up on her caput---
I just love that command!

This gadget gives you lightning speed
To fly from place to place.
Be careful with it, or you'll need
a TP back from Space!

But here is why I recommend
the HelloMultiTool:
It lets you hug and kiss your friends!
Aww! Isn't that cool?

Prefabricated feelings in
convenient freebie packs...
I wonder when they'll come up with
prefabricated sex!

Poetry meeting in Faeria Village

Yay! Tonight we had a poetry session in Faeria! There were so many people, and the poems were very good.

I'm a poser!

I was taking photos of myself today...

Today sister Alpha showed me her wonderful new toy called The Mannequin. It allows you to make poses. Yay! You can see the mannequin in the picture below. I didn't do a good job with the photo though.

Life in Maemi

By the way, I had missed out on the story of Tyrol and Pat and me. Here is a draft.

When I was a little girl Tyrol and Pat mentioned that they were thinking of adopting me, which made me so happy. Tyrol changed my life by helping me start out as a live musician. It gave me a means to live, as well as another reason to live. She paved the way to my first performance at the Acropolis, although she was disappointed that she wasn't able to attend it herself. Later on, when we met, she took me to a secret place and gave me an eloquent and moving speech, which was something like what Professor Higgins said to Eliza Doolittle after the embassy ball. It also turned out that Tyrol and Pat didn't want to adopt me after all. I was very sad, and I cried and threw tantrums, like Eliza. I went away for a while to look for someone else to be my mommy.

Before long, though, I realized that it didn't matter whether or not someone was officially my mommy. Tyrol did so many wonderful things in nurturing me and supporting me, just like a real mommy, and we loved each other very much---those were the things that really mattered! It also turned out that Tyrol decided to enlarge her Dominion---ha ha ha!---and set aside a 512-square-meter parcel in Maemi, where she said I could build my house and plant trees and do anything I liked. It was so sweet of her.

If you come to Maemi now, you will see Tyrol's home, a cozy house with an open living space on the upper floor. The red path leads down the hill to the Truth and Beauty Assembly in Taedong (it's now the somewhat-ostentatious-sounding "Classical Music Aficionados" garden). In the other direction is Maemi Gardens, an open-air performance venue with posh-looking lawn chairs, where you can often hear live music as well as not-so-live music. The edge of the grass, where it meets the stage area, is a great place for doing leg exercises! To the west of the stage is the frat house "Tappa Kega Day"---a fine creation by Becky Rawley, a sculptor, photographer, and artist. One day Tyrol had a wild drinking party in her house, which was very unusual of her, and then we made a collective decision to invade the frat house to see what was there. We got more than we expected when we wandered down to the basement! There is some naughty stuff behind the house now, too, but I digress.

On the way back from the Gardens you can explore Tyrol's "nature walk", where there is a beautiful little pond, and finally you end up at my little house. Someday I will make it look nicer, and put in something other than the low-prim freebie furniture that is there now. Tyrol is a master decorator and gardener; the whole area is filled with lush greenery and flowers (that may cause you to walk slowly while you are looking at them). I'm a very lucky girl to be living in this wonderful environment.

Now that I can take care of myself, Tyrol has been helping a lot of other people discover their musical abilities in our world---Saki, Clarissima, Lacey, Naftali. Every time I wander over to Maemi Gardens, she is helping someone new set up their stream. Tyrol plants more than trees and flowers; because of her, the arts in our world are blooming! Her latest project is live poetry reading. It was great to hear Secundo the other day. We want more!

Oh well, my real life alter ego wants to sleep. I will continue next time.

Poetry, beauty, and friendship

I'm glad I managed to make it to the poetry session today. It was at the Culture Vulture Gallery in Tupi, courtesy of artists Ada Radius and Coke Bernstein.

It is always nice to be with Hensonian. She has that caring aura about her. Today she wrote a poem especially for me, about me---"The Girl At The Door"!

Mykyl shared some dark and powerful poems with us. I found it almost incredible that in her writing she could put herself into the shoes of someone else. She has the power of empathy that is ever rarer these days.

I made a lovely new friend too, Jennifer. It wasn't so long ago that I was a silly little newbie on Orientation Island; my mind cannot cope well with abstractions or references to classical literary works; but Jennifer's poems were real, human, easy to grasp and appreciate. It was so comforting to find another person so human in a world where many behave like bots. And ooh, she knows Pat!

Last week Sundai got in touch with me, out of the blue. She had come to some of my recitals before and supported me enthusiastically, but I hadn't known too much about her. She took me to her home by the sea, which was really, really, really beautifully furnished. I was in awe the whole time. Later on I played a bit of music for her. There were horrible problems with setting up the stream, and we nearly gave up, but we got it working in the end in the Brotherhood stagehouse. She is many classes above me but she is really sweet and seems to be willing to be a friend.

My dear friends, I love you very much... (That's three ellipses, without a space before.)