Sit Down, Calm Down, and Carry On

I’ve used this at times when I am leaving something, it has served me well over the past year.

I have to admit, not doing “anything” yesterday felt pretty darn good. The down side is I have no pictures to include on the blog. And since I shoot on weekends, I won’t blog again until Friday, it kind of feels good though, like I am truly retired and can blog a life of leisure. But today, blog I must and in advance Draakje Dailey and Peep Sideshow, it will be word and peace, because I have a lot to say.

Want to know what a 250,000L dress looks like? This would be it, isn’t it gorgeous? I asked the bidder why on Earth she would pay 1000US for the gown and she responded, “it’s the right thing to do for such a good cause.” I think I touched grace because she had conviction and a soft heart for good. I believe I spoke to an angel

Well, 2Lei planned; the designers, created, hemmed, pleated, and darned; the models coiffed, made up, primped and preened; the auctioneer donned his suit, studied his script and practiced his spiel; and you, the audience, emptied your bank accounts, showed up, and shared. With so many hearts giving to this project, United Nation’s “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women,” how could it not be anything less than a smashing success? The success? 473,350L’s or approximately 1900US dollars for pixelated artistic creations of Second Life fashion design. We owe it all to you, the kind giving residents of Second Life. First and foremost, thank you!

We also owe it to our designers. Without their creativity, there would be no auction to have, they were: *Chocolat** by Momokaromanomoizu, *LpD* by Nevery Lorakeet, *SoliDea FoliEs* by Mila Tatham, .::Dead Dollz::. by Kiddo Oh, AD Creations by Aliza Karu, Azul by Mami Jewell, {{BSD}} by Babychampagne Sass, C&N Designs by Thor Vespucciano, Chrysalis by Kristine Lowey, DeHat by Dellipop Cresci, Diamond Style by Teyara Mayo, Finesmith by Yula Finesmith, Flighty Pixels by Natzuka Miliandorvic, Gizza by Giz Seorn, HMAEM by Riri Bazar, In-Pose! by Trinity Graves, Kawaii Dolls by Catlyn Sahara, La Malvada Mujer by Faina Cortes, Living Imagination by Bodza Blackadder, Lybra by Lybra Rage, Lyrical Bizarre by Lyrical Bizarre, Orage Creations by Elletra Gausman, Prism by Journey McLaglen, Pure Poison by Shaleene Kenin, Romance Couture by Elseren Briana, Sascha’s Designs by Sascha Frangili, Shiki by Shinichi Mathy, Vero Modero by Bouquet Babii, Violator by Soraya Vaher, and last but not least (these were in alphabetical order) Zanze by Zzoiezee. Without your help we would not have a 473,350 linden donation and thank you for creating the unique item for this project. Your support can not be replaced.

My friend Isoldel created the pose and picture of the women helping a woman for our stage, isn’t it wonderful? Thank you Iso!

The auction could have gone on without models and the auctioneer to steer the bids, but I seriously doubt it would have as much success. Seeing the art in “living” form brought the creations to life. These people selflessly gave up four grueling, chaos filled (trust me, I know. I was exhausted) hours of their life for this cause. So first to our auctioneer Orian Wirefly, thank you. I think you could sell a Sherman tank to my gramma and we love you for it, I can’t tell you how many people IM’d me and told me they wanted to take you home with them. To the models who participated, I just love you all. It was chaotic at times, some of you were given multiple outfits until we got it all right and you acted professional through it all. You showed up, were patient and I know you had to be as tired as me half way through, but not a single person complained. So thank you to: Anna Sapphire, Averil Resident, Calima Dufaux, Chevia, Danity Mynx, Dax Dover, Draakje Dailey, Ekaterina Tolczyner, Eleseren Brianna, Eva Luxuria, Gloria Silverstone, Ivyana Szondi, Jessicaann Wrigglesworth, Kestrel Sorrowsong, Kiana Lexenstar, Leezahkaddour Resident, Linnda Scofield, Lola500 Magic, Payton Heron, Rhonda Pennell, Roxaane Fyanucci, Sienna Bellios, Silly Avro, Sungyoung Jang, Sylphia Constantine, Trinity Graves, Tyra Eiren, Yashi Audion, and Zionp Resident. You guys are my rock and I was honored to have worked with each of you. (please Lord, if I left anyone off, let them know it wasn’t intentional). ❤

And finally, on this, my last project before retirement from modeling and *SoliDea FoliEs*, I can’t think of any people I would rather have finished with but the next three I wish to thank. People don’t realize, I was really just a face, I showed up, blogged a little and that was about all of my participation, it is these three who deserve all the kind comments I’ve received. First of all my best friend in both worlds, my little dragon Draakje Dailey, who has been my savior since my first days of modeling three and a half years ago. I don’t know how it happens a little dragon takes a little cow under her wing and it’s been a long and at times rocky road, but I’ve loved every minute of it because of you. Draakje used her typical professional and excellent organizational skills to keep the models in-line and informed. And with the numerous changes in model availability, shuffling of outfits and designer issues, let me tell you, she has the patience of a saint. I’d like to thank Bodza Blackadder for her work with the designers, passing out information on deadlines and dates; you worked very hard to make this the grand success it was. Because I know personally (Mila) how hard it can be to pin down designer’s at times, they live with their heads dreaming in the clouds. And last, but in no way least, I can think of no one I would rather work with than my beloved Mila Tatham. It was my second 2Lei with Mila (and Draakje) and though at times stressful for us all, Mila kept us all focused on the good of this project, the reason for it. To stand for these women who needed us, these mothers, sisters, friends, strangers, family members, all women who through no fault of their own find themselves at the hands of abusive partners.

The take from? Sure, we can sit now but let’s not stop. Help one, empower just one woman and you could change their world forever. Violence against women is not inevitable, violence against women and girls can be systematically addressed, reduced and, with persistence, eliminated. We may not be able to save the world, organizations like the United Nations, with our help, they can do that. But we can save just one and just think how much safer the world would be if we all help just one victim. I kinda like the thought of that.