The Further Adventures of Miss Kitten

This is the ninth of thirteen articles I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. For more information, please see the Grid World News page.

Virtual Vincent
Experience Van Gogh Like Never Before
By Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar name)

Opened in March of 2007, the Virtual Starry Night museum features an impressive collection of paintings and plenty of information about Dutch Impressionist painter and tortured genius Vincent Van Gogh. Most of us know the story about how Van Gogh cut off a piece of his own ear during an argument with fellow Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin, and then mailed the ear to a prostitute. But were you also aware that before Van Gogh became a painter, he worked as a clerk in a bookstore, an art salesman, and even a preacher?

Some of the many ailments, both mental and physical, which Van Gogh is believed to have suffered include: temporal lobe epilepsy, bipolar disorder, thujone poisoning, lead poisoning, hypergraphia, and even sunstroke as a result of spending too much time out in the sun while painting. Van Gogh famously committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, “for the good of all.”

All this contributed to the art of Vincent Van Gogh – a lifetime of physical pain and mental anguish rendered in thick brush strokes, in which one can literally immerse oneself at the Virtual Starry Night.

The museum’s collection is divided into three categories: portraits/people, landscapes, and still-lifes. These are on display in different sections of the building, causing one to meander and wander not unlike the mind of Van Gogh himself. Never fear – the indispensable tour guide extraordinaire Liza Gibbs is usually on hand to show one around and answer any questions.

What really sets Virtual Starry Night apart from the average art gallery is that it gives visitors much more than the opportunity to view Van Gogh’s best work. The owners and designers of the museum have achieved something unique and quite remarkable. They have taken the paintings off the wall and rendered them into three-dimensional, interactive simulations. Instead of simply viewing Van Gogh’s paintings, visitors are given the opportunity walk through them, interact with them, and truly experience them. The results are positively breathtaking, and something that needs to be seen to be believed.

Have you ever imagined sipping a glass of vin rouge at the Café Terrace under a brilliantly star-filled sky? Ever wanted to sit in Gauguin’s Chair, or sleep in Vincent’s bed in his Bedroom at Arles? Ever longed to walk across the Bridge in the Rain?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then head over to the Virtual Starry Night museum and prepare to be dipped in Van Gogh’s palette.

This is the eighth of thirteen articles I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. Please see the Grid World News page for more information.

Book Island:
The Natural Habitat of the Common Bookworm
By Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar name)

Rest assured all you book lovers out there: you’re not dreaming or hallucinating, nor have you died and gone to heaven. This is better. You’ve arrived at Linden’s literary sanctuary Book Island, located right next door to the publisher’s paradise, Publishing Island. If you’ve ever been called a bookworm, then this is where you belong.

Book Island is full of old-world charm, home to an entire town of book shops, publishing houses, art galleries, and creative writing schools. These are all neatly arranged in aesthetically-pleasing, red-brick buildings along cobble-stoned streets and central grassy squares. All the streets and place names are literary references such as, “Gutenberg Avenue” and “Pulitzer Square.”

While exploring the offerings along the “Avenue of Bestsellers,” I encountered the owner of Bad Wolf Design, located in the publishing district of Book Island. When asked about his thoughts regarding Book Island, he responded, “It’s a haven.” Indeed, Book Island seems to have been designed with the habits of the bookish in mind. In addition to the bonanza of book shops and plethora of publishing houses, there’s also the Writer’s Block Café and Bar. The common bookworm survives on a steady diet of books and cappuccino, and the café contains plenty of the requisite caffeinated offerings, plus lots of big pillows and comfy couches for literary lounging.

There’s no need to worry about getting kicked out of a book shop for loitering. Many of them have selections on display and available to read. At Bergman Books for example, one can happily flip through the pages of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” or Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s “Venus in Furs,” among other selected titles. Browse before you buy is the rule here.

In short, if one wishes to read, buy, sell, write, publish, discuss, worship, eat, breath, or sleep books, then there no better place on the Grid to do so than Book Island.

This is the seventh of thirteen articles I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. For more information, please see the Grid World News page.

Only Good Clean Naughty Dirty Fun at the Midnight Sun
More of Linden’s Scandinavian Awesomeness
By Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar name)

About a month ago someone over at the Second House of Sweden casually invited yours truly to become a member of a Scandinavian dance club known as the Midnight Sun Dance Bar. I nonchalantly accepted the invitation and didn’t give the matter a second thought. But ever since then I’ve been regularly receiving notifications of events. There always seemed to be something happening there. Eventually curiosity got the better of me and I teleported on over to see what all the fuss was about.

Even though the Midnight Sun is owned by a Norwegian (the aptly-named Norseman Eriksen), it doesn’t offer much in the way of a genuine Norwegian cultural experience. It does, however, offer experiences of a naughty and decidedly adult variety.

Things at the Midnight Sun are delightfully dirty every sense of the word – specifically the mud wrestling pit. Don’t hesitate to strip off all of your clothes and jump right in. Go ahead and climb onto one of the club’s two stripper poles. Don’t be afraid to make the biggest fool of yourself ever by disappointing the crowd with your own rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” at the club’s karaoke microphone. And, while you’re at it, be sure and buy way too many drinks from the stripping waitress who strips off an article of clothing with every purchase. These kinds of opportunities don’t present themselves very often.

If one had never been to the Midnight Sun Dance Bar, one might be tempted to think that Scandinavians in general, and Norwegians in particular, are a dull people whose idea of a good time is drinking beer while ice fishing, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The atmosphere was enough to inspire someone who looked a lot like me to give lapdances to complete strangers.

Alright, it was me.

A word of warning: before visiting the Midnight Sun Dance Bar make sure it’s agreed upon that the Las Vegas principle applies – whatever happens in the Midnight Sun stays in the Midnight Sun. That way one can participate in the all of the delicious debauchery with the assurance that such behaviour will never be mentioned again outside of the club’s doors.

So get over there and explore all the awesomeness. You know you want to.

This is the sixth of thirteen articles I wrote for the now defunct Grid World News website. Please see the Grid World News page for more information.

Attention Fashionistas
Presenting the Best of Linden à la Mode
By Gwen Maddy aka Weng Merlin

Ah, fashion. People have been preoccupied with it ever since first prehistoric human spied a passing sabre-toothed tiger and thought, “You know, that would look simply fabulous on me.” Fast forward thousands of years and leopard skin is still fashionably hot.

Whether one is a designer or a discerner of fashion, there’s certainly no shortage of opportunities in Linden. So many indeed, that it can be hard to narrow it down. Therefore, this intrepid reporter has gone on a fashion hunt in order to find the best options Linden has to offer.

A designer looking for a venue should have “no worries” finding one at the Hakuna Matata Fashion Center which claims to be: “The best fashion designers gathered in one quality place of beauty.” They’re not kidding. Just some of the many design boutiques available there include: ZZ Design, SK Design, and SC Design. If one has always wanted a boutique with one’s own initials attached to it, come on over to Hakuna Matata and make it a reality. There are lots of spaces for rent.

If one’s tastes are too discerning for the average design boutique, then look no further than the incomparable House of Nyla Here in the most luxurious of settings, one can browse through hundreds of Nyla’s exquisite couture creations. The word “boutique” does not even begin to describe the opulence of the place, which caters to those for whom money is no object. However, each House of Nyla creation is the highest of haute couture, and therefore one shouldn’t think if it as expensive but rather, “priceless.”

Sadly, not all of us have unlimited funds at our disposal, so thank the fashion gods and goddesses for Dany Carter Ms. Carter’s fashion store offers stylish and attractive women’s clothing and jewellery at a fraction of the couture cost – perfect for those of us living on a budget but still needing a fashion fix.

For males with truly discriminating tastes in clothes there is the Mall of Alexandria at the Design Lighthouse After all, it’s not just women who appreciate fashion. And for males and females who prefer to keep things simple and would rather not teleport all over the Grid, there’s always Vista – a department superstore where one can find just about anything. It’s also a great place to meet like-minded people.

If one has a fetish for fashion, Linden is the land of opportunity for buyers and sellers alike. Everything from couture or counter culture is available here. It’s simply a matter of knowing where to look.

Well, go on then. What are you waiting for? Go and get fabulous, darling.

This is the fifth of thirteen articles that I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. For more information, please see the Grid World News page.

Fetch the Comfy Chair!
Support some of Linden’s Local Artists at this Gothic Gallery
By Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar name)

A wise man once said, “No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!” However, he had obviously never been to the Dark Tower, a torture chamberesque art venue wherein one definitely expects to see red-robed figures lurking in every shadowy corner and gleefully shouting, “Confess!”

The Dark Tower is owned by Linden artist Mika Korhonen, and features a permanent collection of her work. Most pieces of art both in and outside the gallery are for sale. In the gallery courtyard one can enjoy several pieces of sculpture ranging from the spiritual to the just plain odd. Also on display in the courtyard are a few charmingly adorable drawings and paintings by Ms Korhonen’s chip off the old sculpting block niece. These pieces are not for sale, but are intended to help her niece gain some recognition in the Linden-based artistic community.

Ms Korhonen is a versatile artist who doesn’t confine herself to one medium. Inside the gallery one can see several charcoal drawings of various subjects, including Johnny Depp and Eric Clapton. The subsequent floors of the multi-story tower feature more pieces of sculpture, paintings, and charcoal drawings, as well as a temporary display of oil paintings by another Linden artist: Yves Delacroix.

Ironically, what is perhaps the best piece of art in the gallery is part of the tower decor and not actually in the collection: a three-dimensional, stained-glass sculpture of a spider and a spider’s web in one of the tower windows. It is absolutely stunning and very gothic indeed.

Be not afraid, oh timid ones. There’s nothing truly sinister about this dark tower, but if one seeks a little gothic titillation with some artistic flair then seek no more. From the creepy spiral staircase to the many tastefully-displayed works of art, the Dark Tower Gallery definitely lives up to every aspect of its name.

This is the fourth of thirteen articles I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. For more information please see the Grid World News page.

Voulez-Vouz Dancer Avec Moi?
Get Shaken and Stirred at Phat Cats
By Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar)

From the crystal chandeliers to the martini glass shaped lamps on the tabletops, Phat Cats Romantic Ballroom is one happening and classy piece of Linden nightlife. It reminds one of a much cooler era, when nightclub hopping hepcats wore tuxedos and evening gowns, sipped two-olive martinis, and smoked cigarettes from arm-length holders.

If one falls a bit short of PHAT, or Pretty Hot And Tempting, stay cool daddy-o. The nearby shopping area and skin mall has lots of free ritz to put on. Guys can get tuxedoed here, and for the ladies in the house, the mall offers a variety of evening ensembles. From formal to flirty, they’ll have you phattened up in no time.

Yours truly was feeling flirty, so I opted for a strapless oh so little black cocktail dress. Guys are helpless to resist its powers. As I made my way to the dance floor I noticed a handsome young man who appeared to be dancing the Hot Salsa solo. But the course of true love never did run smooth. Two seconds after I jumped into the empty spot beside him, I found myself abandoned by this solo-dancing, John Travolta wannabe. I guess I’m not as irresistible as I thought.

However, there’s never a shortage of partners at Phat Cats. Just as I was gathering up the shards of my shattered stiletto-clad ego from the dance floor, I received three simultaneous offers to dance and became entangled in a sordid love quadrangle. The little black dress was doing its job after all—a little too well, as it were.

Bachelor #1: “Hey there cutie. Wanna dance?”
Me: “Why, thank you for the offer. Yes I wo…”

Bachelor #2: “COME DANCE WITH ME!!”
Me: “Uhm, thanks but I’ve already got a par…”

Bachelor #3: “You dance?”
Me: “Oh dear. Now there are three of you wanting to dance with me and I don’t know who to choose.”

Bachelor #2: “PICK ME! I’M THE BEST!!”

At that moment I seized the microphone and made a brief announcement, “All those wishing to dance with yours truly please form an orderly line and wait your respective turns like gentlemen. There will be no cutting, pushing, shoving, or fighting over little ole me.” Sadly, that last part isn’t true…but I did end up dancing with all three suitors plus many more during the course of the evening.

There are always lots of happening people hanging at Phat Cats, so if you’re looking to turn a few heads and break a few hearts then get on down there and get into the groove, baby. Phat Cats Romantic Ballroom has everything one could want in a nightclub, or a potential mate: class, charm, personality, and of course, sex appeal. Ooh la la.

This is the third of thirteen articles I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. For more information, please see the Grid World News page.

Adrenaline Junkies Wanted
Second Sweden: not for the faint of heart (or stomach).
By Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar name)

By now, residents of Linden may have noticed that this place is remarkably rich in all things Swedish. Included among the Sweden-related locations in Linden are: the Swedish Institute which houses the Swedish Embassy, and the Museum of Teacups featuring an assortment of teacups and other objets d’arts collected by a Swede.

Then there is Second Sweden containing everything one probably expects to find in such an aptly-named place: red and white-trimmed houses, a café that serves Swedish meatballs, a pair of sheep grazing peacefully on a rocky hill, and of course a sauna located right next to the beach.

Second Sweden, however, is also a place for thrill-seekers to push the envelope. Be sure and check out the lighthouse, but be warned that it’s definitely not for the agoraphobic. Teleport to the top for an amazing view of the sea and the countryside. From way up there one might spot an odd looking four-seated vehicle. Upon closer inspection the true nature of this object is revealed. It’s a skydiving pod…dude, that’s like, so extreme!

Indeed, what better way to get an even more spectacular view of this picturesque land? Help yourself to a parachute, strap yourself in, select “skydive,” and everything happens automatically: ignition, lift-off, free-falling, deployment of parachute, and of course landing. However, the pod won’t take off unless one is wearing a parachute. Safety first.

If you fancy yourself an extreme-sports aficionado, come on over to Second Sweden and get your adrenaline fix. Then maybe have a waffle at the Seagull Café. Just don’t eat right before skydiving. That’s a little too extreme, dude.

This is the second of thirteen articles I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. Please see the Grid World News page for more information.

Tea and Zen: Enlightenment Awaits at the Museum of Teacups
by Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar name)

If one visited a spot that calls itself the “Museum of Teacups,” one would naturally expect it to be full of…well, teacups, and probably very little else. But if there’s one thing we’ve all learned from time spent in Linden, it’s that things here are rarely what one expects them to be.

With that in mind, it’s hardly surprising that the Museum of Teacups, located in Dreamtime, contains very little in the way of teacups, but the cups that are on display are delightfully quirky and look nothing like your grandmother’s china. The collection features some eclectic and unique, if not entirely functional, designs. Notable examples include the Eiffel Tower-inspired Eiffelcup and Kittea cup, from which it appears impossible to drink without poking out an eye.

Head up to the roof to see more teacups on display, as well as engage in a variety of activities. One can relax in the big teacup chair, play a riveting game of hangman, try one’s hand at Whack-a-Mole, or sit down for a cup of tea while contemplating the magnificence of the Great Golden Teacup. Should you wish for a more intimate experience with its Greatness, fly on over to the Great Golden Teacup meditation spot – one of many meditation opportunities in the museum. Take a deep, cleansing breath and be one with The Cup.

The remainder of the museum is more spirit than sponge cake. It’s full of mandala tapestries, bronze Buddhas, meditation candles, cushions, and musical instruments – all of which one can interact with and/or buy. Relax on a cushion-covered sofa in front of a soothing fire, while the serene sounds of wind chimes and fountains fill the air. If you’re not in the mood for relaxation, there are plenty of other, more stimulating activities to try. I recommend firing the big cannon or blowing the Elven horn. Indeed, there’s so much to see and do here that one almost needs more than one day in order to experience everything.

A visit to the Museum of Teacups may at first seem like a rather dull way to spend an afternoon, but fear not, oh unenlightened one. Yes, it’s a museum, but it’s not the kind of place to which you’d take your Great Aunt Mildred. Light up the nag champa and say ohm. You’re about to be one with the universe.

This is the first of thirteen articles I wrote for the now-defunct Grid World News website. Please see the Grid World News page for more information.

The House of Sweden: More than Just Free T-Shirts
by Weng Merlin (my Second Life avatar name)

After a visit to the House of Sweden at the Swedish Institute, you’ll take away much more than just a fancy fashion statement. The cultural gifts here are varied and plentiful.

The word “Sweden” might conjure up images of blonde girls named Inga driving Volvos in the snow, of cheap, easy-to-assemble furniture, or of a majestic moose or two. However, one can deduct very little in the way of expectations from the name “House of Sweden.” Would all of Sweden be enclosed in one house? Would I be intruding on some modest family’s day to day? Would they offer me a choice of t-shirts? And would they serve meatballs?

All of these insights were waiting at the House of Sweden, which not only houses the Swedish Embassy but offers visitors a variety of ways to experience some of what this unique culture has to offer.

The House of Sweden building is a stunning work of architectural art. It features classic Swedish design, clean lines, and reflects the Swedes’ affinity for light and space. Inside the building the art galleries are the first areas with wow factor. The National Museum in Stockholm has loaned several of its most famous works of art to the House of Sweden, including Midsummer Dance by Swedish painter Anders Zorn and The Cloud by German artist Prince Eugen.

There are also several objects scattered around the House which might at first appear to be art but which are actually furniture. Go ahead and sit down on them–if you can figure out how. Swedish retailer extraordinaire IKEA naturally provided all the furniture in the House from the comfortable to the weird. I saw two chairs there that resembled giant letter U’s with legs, which makes me wonder if IKEA has other alphabet furniture available. What’s the U for, anyway?

If art and furniture designs are not your thing, fear not–there’s still plenty to see and do. Nearby the House of Sweden is an outdoor stage and cinema where one can enjoy performances and films highlighting this intriguing culture. There are many acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens to explore, along with lots of benches in the gardens. These are great places to park your older relatives or simply sit and enjoy the view.

Of course there’s the bastu, also known as a deliciously hot sauna. No valuable Swedish cultural experience would be complete without one. Any Swede would tell you you’re supposed to enter au natural. However, if you forgot your bathing suit and are stricken with a serious case of modesty, there’s no need to panic. You can rent suits, trunks, and sauna towels in the changing room.

If you’ve ever wondered if whether there’s more to Swedish culture than funky furniture and ABBA songs, then by all means, check out the House of Sweden—if only for the fashion-forward freebie.

During my recent trip to the US, I went through all my grandma’s and mom’s old photos. I had almost no pictures of me and my brother when we were kids and none at all of me when I was a baby. Here’s a few that I selected:

Me, about seven weeks old, and my mom:

A little later on, I’m about seven months old here:

A nice one of my brother and me. I’m about nine and he’s probably seven or eight:

Taken the same year as the one above, here I am with my favorite doll on Easter Sunday. We’re wearing the matching dresses my grandma had made:

I have some more of when I was a little older: me in my cap and gown when I graduated from high school, and a really cute one of my sister and me. Those are hard copies and will have to be scanned later.