Tuesday 30 November 2010

30days of Truth-Day 11

Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

This is a toughie too, there is a fine line between saying what people like about you and just plain old bragging. Do I talk about compliments regarding a physical attribute or compliments about other things? So I will do one of each.

The main compliment I get in real life is that I have nice eyes and I am witty.

The main compliment I get in SL is that I have great style and er well witty.

Quick and as painless as I could make it.

30days of truth-Day 10

I am feeling less than great at the moment anyway moving swiftly on.

Into double digits I am sooooo far behind on this challenge now. I am pulling a double (or treble, depending on how by brain holds up)

Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn't know.

I am struggling to think of someone who is in my life that I don't want there.

I have no problem removing people from my life when it's called for. If they don't belong there for whatever reason they are gone. I have been called single minded and callous on several occasions.

This is not the most endearing facet of my personality but it is what it is.

With very few exceptions, I don't regret meeting the people who have passed in and out of my life.

I am undecided about how prudent including the next paragraph is, but this is 30 days of truth so it will stay for now.

One of the exceptions is someone I don't know. I met this person once and I wish with every inch of my being that I had never laid eyes on him and yes I am desperate to forget he ever existed.

30days of truth-day 9

Someone you did not want to let go, but just drifted.

There have been too many people in my life who I never wanted to let go. But for one reason or another I drifted away from, or they drifted away from me.

There are lots of reasons we let people we love and care about drift away from us and no definitive answer as to why.

Our lives are in a constant state of flux, people change, lives change, the common bond that drew you to a person may no longer be there for one or the other of you.

Time! I always think there is more time, I will ring/go see them.... later, tomorrow, definitely next week, when I am less busy, when they are less busy, when the kids go back to school, after my vacation, at Christmas, for sure to wish them Happy New Year....the list is endless and as the saying goes 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions'

It's part of the human condition, we drift away from people because we are lazy and self centered and assume that the friendship or relationship will tick along as it is, was with no effort on our parts.

Do I miss some of my 'drifted' people? Yep! Will I ever let it happen again? Probably so.

Monday 29 November 2010

30days of truth-day 8

I have really had to think about day 8. There have been a few people, who at the time I considered were making my life hell, looking back I see now that they weren't they were just giving me a hard time.

There was one person who kept coming back to mind, who at the time set out to humiliate and upset me and generally send my life to hell in a hand basket.

He was a teacher who taught me French when I was 12 years old, he detested me from the moment he laid eyes on me.

In my first year of senior school I was a bright eager little thing who enjoyed her lessons particularly learning to speak another language ( I think it may have helped that I had a little crush on the tall dark and adorable French teacher) subsequently I tried really hard and came top of the class in my end of year exams.

My second year of senior school started and the pupils were moved from mixed ability classes to ability based groups and as I had done well in the French exam I was put into the top group.

When the first class of the new term started I noticed it was full of children who I didn't know well and I felt vulnerable and unsure of myself. Mr Phipps (yes I will name and shame you) came into the class and my trip to hell began.

Our first task was to tell the class in English what we had done that summer (and for homework write it out in French). The furthest I had been that summer was my grandmothers house(divorce x no money + mum at work = no vacation to write about). Joy oh joy he chose me to go first. I innocently started to tell him about my summer holidays and how I had gone on bike rides with my brother, gone to see my grandmother, the look of distaste on his face was so evident I thought I had misunderstood what he had wanted me to talk about.

He cut me off after about 5 minutes of talking and said 'Let us move on to someone who actually had a summer break this year' I didn't know what I had done wrong. Most of the other children in the class then went on to talk about going to France or Spain etc. during the school break

It was downhill from there, he would single me out to speak in French and then belittle my pronunciation and accent, my homework was ripped apart and covered in the dreaded teachers red pen comments, he often reduced me to tears and wouldn't let me go to the bathroom to wipe my face or dry my eyes. I remember sitting with my head on the desk crying.

I really do believe he delighted in humiliating me in front of the class. I think he disliked me simply because I was not part of a 'go abroad type family with a mummy and a daddy'.

This went on for the full school year. The year end exams rolled round again and le diable was not there, he had had to go into hospital or something (my voodoo doll must have worked ) another teacher came in to moderate the spoken part of the french exam.

Surprisingly I did quite well again. The results were given to us on the last week of the school term by which time my tormentor was back.

He read out the results and said to the whole class "coming fifth from top this year is........... and laughed giving the class a knowing smile he added "maybe we should ask for a recount eh class, as this can't be right now can it?"

I would like to say that he apologised profusely for doubting my intelligence and that the year ended on a concilliatory tone but alas it did not.

The following year I was not in his class and things returned to normal for me but I will never forget how he made my life a total hell that year.

If your still out there, still torturing young girls RETIRE!

Saturday 27 November 2010

30days of truth-day 7

I am falling behind on this challenge and don't want to, so without further ado here is day 7, 'Someone who has made your life worth living for '

It's a no brainer, the person who made my life worth living and continues to do so on a daily basis is my one and only son.

Indulge me and I will give you a little back story.

I was only 18 when I became pregnant and not to mince words I was verrrrrry shocked, blame this on the contraceptive pill and anti-biotics, nobody told me that one actually cancels out the other.

I remember the moment he was conceived- yeah I know it sounds strange but I really do. It was one of those morning romps (don't worry it wont get anymore graphic than that) and afterwards I remember thinking hmm what just happened there? I felt all glowy and off balance.

Fast forward three weeks and something that should have arrived didn't. Panic set in, what the heck was I going to do with a baby? I didn't like babies, I liked being with my bf and shopping for clothes and going clubbing. Two more months ticked by of denial and thoughts of oh it's not true, I am just tired/stressed/insane/not pregnant..but indeed I was.

Once the initial shock had worn off I watched in fascination as my bump grew but I felt somehow detached from it, yes! I was pregnant but it seemed to be happening to someone else. At about 7 months I had a scare and was taken into hospital, it was then I knew just how much I loved this baby and how desperate I was to meet him/her.

Finally the day came and he was born, they wiped him off and put him on my chest his eyes were wide open and looking at me. I recognised him and fell instantly in love with that tiny little person- that was my boy, my son my everything.

Every day is a blessing with my son he warms my heart with his smiles, he makes me laugh so much, it's why I get up in a morning why I go to work to give him everything I never had, my heart beats in rhythm with his.

This child changed my life, made me a better person, someone I could love unconditionally and who loved me back in return, he is an amazing boy and I love him, so thank you 'J' for choosing me to be your mum.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

30days of truth-day 6

What I hope I never have to do is, outlive my child, nothing more to add.

3 years and counting.

That's Asia looking fabulous in December 2007 at PhatCats

Today 24th November 2010 is my third rez day.

I have been reflecting about my time in Second Life, no great insights or wise words I am sorry to say. So instead I am going to write a mini Asia bio.

Asia is technically my alt. My first avatar crashed into SL in July 2007. I made Asia, because at the time I was being semi hassled (babies first stalker :p) by some random bloke and I also thought I was an expert avatar maker at this point (ah the young... so confident so..... FULL OF IT) and I wanted to try to make another avi. The idea was that I would delete my first avatar and just bring Asia to SL.

I thought the name Asia Romano was just cute now I get asked, Are you Asian? nope!, Are you Italian? again nope!

This idea went the same way as most of my brilliant and cunning plans-nowhere! I periodically dusted Ms Romano off and let her out of her darkened room for a while but I remained tied into my first avatar (not telling you her name).

Close friends knew Asia was not my main girl, and had both my main and Asia in their friends list.

In September 2009 I had a parting of the ways with my then SL partner and I didn't come to SL for a while, when I returned I found I was not comfortable with my main (still not giving you a name) so I pulled Asia out again, gave her a tic bath, cut her toenails and reintroduced her to the big wide world.

As the months went by I tried a couple of times (yesterday being the last time) to bring my original girl into SL and it doesn't feel right anymore. I will never delete Ms July 2007 but at this point I can't ever see me going back to her either.

Asia is me now and long may she remain so, I like her she is a sassy girl.

A couple of lines to say Thank you to the people who have been with me for parts of my SL journey in no particular order: (real names used in some cases to protect the innocent lol)

  • Greenie (my honey bunny)
  • Spirit
  • Barney
  • Flicky
  • Liam
  • Mich
  • Dylan
  • Steve
  • Rob
  • Night
  • Lee
I feel like I am giving an acceptance speech for an Oscar :)

Tuesday 23 November 2010

30days of truth-day 5

There are many things I want to do, some more achievable than others so in no particular order here are the highlights:

  • Live by the ocean
  • Swim with dolphins
  • Trace my family tree
  • Bring my family closer together
  • Live in a warm climate
  • Be a better daughter
  • Learn to cook better
  • Learn another language
  • Leave a legacy for my son
A varied list and there are more but that will suffice for now.

Monday 22 November 2010

30days of truth-day 4

I have to forgive someone who let me down very badly at a time I really needed them, they doubted me at a time when I really needed their support.

Outwardly and as far as they are concerned it's all in the past. I have not forgiven this person and I really need to.

In retrospect I see how difficult it was for this person to understand the situation although this does not take away the fact that when I needed them they were not there for me.

I need to forgive them but if I am being brutally honest I am not sure I can.

Saturday 20 November 2010

30days of truth- day 3

On to day 3 of the 30 days of truth blogger challenge-Something you have to forgive yourself for.

I have a lot of guilt and unresolved feelings attached to my Dad

He died a few years ago. We did not have the closest of relationships because he lived quite a long way from me and because he, like many other men, seemed to forget his children after a divorce, but I really loved my dad and would bend over backwards to try to make him happy and proud of me when I saw him.. My dad had his own personal demons which sometimes effected how he spoke to and treated me.

Things happened, we argued over the phone and the relationship became even more strained,(as my mother tells me I am my Fathers daughter both extremely stubborn) and for two years I hardly spoke to my Dad.

One day I got the call everyone dreads, he was very ill and that I should get to him as quickly as I could. I raced up to Scotland as fast as I could,my Dad was so ill, I almost didn't recognise him. I tried to talk to him but he was heavily sedated and really didn't say much to me at all, I wanted to tell my dad I loved him, but I didn't, shortly afterwards my dad died and I never got to tell him that.

I felt guilty about it for years, did he die not knowing I still loved him ?

Time is a great healer but I miss my dad every day I need to forgive myself for not letting him know that one last time. Deep down in my heart I know he did.

I Miss you very much Dad and I love you xx

Friday 19 November 2010

30 days of truth-day 2

Hmm, chews pen, scratches head, looks out of the window at a cat skulking across her garden, wonder where he is going? how cool would it be if cats could talk, why don't cats have cool little tartan coats like dogs do? (daydreaming police intervention here SNAP out of it) OK! day 2 what I love about myself.
(note from Editor, she is stalling)

This is a toughie but I have had a good rummage about, turned over a few dusty boxes and found something I think. I love my sense of humour and my ability to make people laugh.

Apparently even as a child I could make my mother laugh until she cried and now my son does the same thing for me. I have a very dry sense of humour which is not to every ones taste, but for the people who share my sense of humour I am a complete hoot. I don't tell jokes I would say it's more observational humour

I love to hear people really really laugh to the point where they are out of control if I can make someone laugh like that it lightens my heart.

Not as tough as I thought it was going to be, surely not many of us are comfortable thinking about what we love about ourselves, but that is another post for another day.

Thursday 18 November 2010

30 days of truth (Day 01)

While prowling round the interwebnet I stumbled across chloe's blog . I don't know if this is meant to be a blogger challenge but it piqued my interest, so if it wasn't apologies Chloe, and if it was yay!! count me in.

The challenge(assuming it is) is to write something everyday for 30 days, below are the topics:

Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Something I hate about myself.

I really hate my total lack of self confidence. This has impacted massively on my life.

As a younger woman say in my late teen to early twenties I had so much confidence I could have bottled it and sold it to other people, I was fearless, nothing phased me or intimidated me, no situation had my palms sweating or me looking for excuses to not go/try/accept.

Then somewhere along the middle twenties I noticed feelings of self doubt creeping in I began to worry about not being good enough or clever enough to the point where I would not even put myself into situations where I felt judged or measured.

I have tried a couple of things to try and rid myself of this, I have taken confidence building classes, I have read books both of which gave me some useful self help techniques but I still battle everyday with feelings of inadequacy and low self worth.

In more rational moments I know I am quite an intelligent and a capable woman and when I take a step back to look at the situation I can see how ludicrous it is.

So whoever stole my mojo, can I have it back please.

Monday 15 November 2010

Nod and smile


I am not the most outspoken person you are ever going to meet, I sometimes say very little.

In both RL & SL this has been misconstrued as being stuck-up, distant, anti social etc, none of which is true, the simple fact of the matter is I find it really difficult meeting new people, I am not one of those people who can converse with complete strangers easily. In RL situations I do a lot of smiling and nodding along with the conversation simply because I don't feel that I can contribute with confidence. In SL situations I fall back on the :) and the yeah, it's not because I am not interested in what the person is saying it is because I don't feel confident enough to chip in. I am an expert in type-backspace-type-backspace, shall I shan't I hit send?

If I admit to being shy/uncomfortable in these situations the standard response is yeah right you are so not shy (er yeah I am)

I have recently been introduced to my SL partners nearest and dearest, who are lovely people and who I really do want to get to know and therein lies the rub, how do I gauge this ? do I pounce on their IM window and say' hey how are you?' the second they log in (and appear to be stalker gal-needy much!) or do I stay in my comfort zone and come across as little miss aloof?

My total fear and it borders on phobia if I am being honest is to be seen or thought of as pushy and in peoples faces.

So there it is kiddies,I am not stuck up I just am a little bit uncertain and timid with new relationships, friends and acquaintances, give me time and I will talk/type your ears off.

Monday 1 November 2010

Free Style

I love a bargain, and this past weekend I grabbed the mother of all bargains.

Those fabulous people at Lelutka gave us not one, not two or even three but four plus -zero cash down, zero repayment beauties.

The coat, shoes, and trousers were part of the Halloween give away, and the hair is one of the hunt gifts in the Avenue mini hunt (one style for the boys there too).

The coat and trousers were the men's Halloween gift, but the coat is resize and I think it works out ok. Lelutka style for free, can't beat that.

The Halloween gifts are gone now but the hair is still available, so run don't walk to Lelutka

http://slurl.com/secondlife/AVENUE%20at%20GOL/173/96/22

and grab yourself some Lelutka goodies.