A "Bat-Tacular" Birthday Party

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 It was recently my birthday. Usually I don't write about it as I don't consider it too big a deal. It's been some time since I've had a cake. In real life, maybe a little pizza with a few friends, either on the day or a weekend near it. Second Life is often where I have my fun on my birthday. Being at a dance party with friends, especially longtime friends and music, it's a happy time that I can look back on with a smile.

But this year, my wife Charlee decided to do a little something special for me. It started off with her updating my mesh bat avatar, which usually gets worn only this time of year and a few Best in Wings events. She would also update hers. 

It was Thursday, and she had a set at the Happy Vixen. 

 

It went well with a crowd of "Charlee's Angels" as her fans sometimes call themselves showing up. 

We planned on heading to Scorn for the set of our friends DJ Juana and hostess Noc. But the venue was different this time, a "Bat Venue." And getting there, I had a surprise. 

Charlee had gotten together with Scorn's owner, Gwen Winchester, and they decided to not just throw a birthday party, but since I loved Halloween and thought bats were a cool critter, they had a bat theme to it.

 

 And the two of us in our "bat-tacular" looks were dancing away. 

A closer look of Juana and Noc.

And there were some cool decorations. 

 

 

People were soon dropping in, and in all kinds of costumes. There were plenty of bats, but also a naga. 

DJ Scratch Musikat and his love Muertos, who is his hostess at his Happy Vixen sets on Friday, were there, him in a witch outfit. 

We ended up with a couple mice, Zee and Brandi Steussel ... okay, a mouse and a dragonmouse. 

Mato, the manager of Club Zero Gravity, showed up.

My friend Foxy came as a dark fennec.

Someone couldn't affoard a costume, so he came in a barrel.

 

Others showed up as well, including Gwen and her husband Atterius, and others I don't have the space to mention.

It was truly a great combination Halloween and birthday party (Charlee insists it was just a birthday party with a bat theme added). There were plenty of bat and vampire jokes, along with other Halloween ones. After DJ Juana was finished at 10PM, Gwen took over the DJing.

In the back was a "Be My Boo" photo stand that Charlee and I tried out.

from Charlee

Thank you everyone, and thank you my sweet Charlee for a birthday I'll never, never forget.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

"A Child’s Journey Through Cancer: The Musical"

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday October 6, I went to a stage play held as one of the events at the "I Pink I Can" fundraiser, "A Child’s Journey Through Cancer: The Musical." It was held at 1PM SL time.

 

 

 Our show is the story of a child’s journey through cancer told in music and dance. It takes us through the fear, joy and hope experienced in a cancer journey.

 

"Thank you everyone for coming today. And welcome to our presentation of 'A Child's Journey Through Cancer' told in music and dance. This show was conceived and choreographed by our littlest Roo, Patty Flow, with musical assistance from Kayla Flow. Our cast includes members of the Roos With A Dream RFL team, our good friend, and Cure Chaser, Sienna Thor, our creator friend Brooklyn Ansar-Elfing, the violin of Roo Aragain Siochana  and the singing voice of Cure Chaser MrMikie String."

 

 The first act was of kids having fun in the park, with the music being Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." 

 

Those in the audience approved, "Yay Patty!!" "They are so cute!" "I also want that  jungle gym in back"

 

But then came Act 2, with the music "The Luna Sequence" by Whitewash Currents playing, "Act 2 opens with our heroine in the doctor’s office with her mother and the doctor. The mood is somber as they await the diagnosis, while her friends wait outside fearing the worst. ... Fear gives way to rage... It’s cancer!" 

The audience had a number of comments, "Oh no! My sweet little girl." "The words cancer and children should never be linked together." "I love this play, but I'll be a wreck after it." "It always brings me to tears." "A story of far too many people and must be stopped." "Very much so." "This is such a powerful show." "I'd comment for what I really think of cancer, but there are children present." "They think it too Bain, I'm sure of it." "And their parents."

 

The narrator would add, "But the doctor explains that due to the hard work of dedicated researchers, many funded by the American Cancer Society, there are treatments available and there is hope for a normal life again."

 

Then came Act Three, with the girl in a hospital ward, with her mother beside her, her treatments leaving her bald and wearing a bandana, "In Act 3 our heroine has been through treatment and is now in the hospital nervously awaiting word on the results." The audience had a few comments, "Chemo and radiation, kiss me goodbye." " Hope our little girl's hair grow back soon."

 

 

And the nurse delivers some good news, and everyone cheers, the narrator adding, "And, of course, the ringing of the bell!" The audience cheered as well, "I heard a BELL!" "I did too!" *looks over at the bell she was given upon completing radiation therapy.* "Bless the survivors and God keep the survivors and caregivers in your arms."

And in Act Four, the kids were dancing around at the playground once again, to the music "The Impossible Dream," " In the final act, our story of hope concludes to the sounds of our good friend MrMikie String singing about achieving impossible dreams... like ridding the world of cancer by daring to take on the task." There were cheers from the audience, "She's got her hair back!!"

Then the cast came out and took a bow, Patty saying, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my cast and especially those that stepped up to the plate at the last minute following our set back of loosing some of our regular cast to real-life. Some without any experience worked with us as a team last evening and saved today's show for your enjoyment," The audience cheered more, "Oh wow! that will be wonderful!" "Everyone did a super job." •*★¨`•  Aρρlɑuѕɛ  •¨`★*•.* *sniffle* "Amazing"

 

One of the cast would say, "Thank you everyone for coming." One of the audience would respond, "Thank you so much, Patty, for reminding us there is hope." "Patty...I will always love this show. Thank YOU ♥" "Makes me so proud to be part of this community" "I have heard that Patty is working on another performance! I cant wait to see it!" "Oh wow! that will be wonderful!" "Just wait and see, you will love it." "This moment in time..was so inspiring." "Such a wonderful play, darlin."

Patty was touched by the comments, "Makes me so proud to be part of this community." Ealwen would add, "Thank you everyone for coming to see us we are honored and humbled." "Thank you all of you for what you do!"

There were a few more comments and hugs, and I had to depart after giving my own compliments. And so went the play dedicated to all children who had to suffer through that dreaded disease, the doctors doing their best to help them, and the researchers bringing us closer to the day children will no longer have to worry about the word "cancer."

 

 Bixyl Shuftan