I don't do much RL online shopping, but I decided to peruse Amazon after getting a voucher for Christmas. I'd always been interested in those funky charcoal masks, so I picked one of those up first, and then still had enough left over for something else.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned this book before, but it's called "Yes Man" and it's by a guy called Danny Wallace. He's an English dude, and the way the book is written is right up my alley. Complete sarcasm, infused with utter nonsense, with a little bit of a moral, too. Because I liked that book so much, I picked up a copy of another of his books, called "Random Acts of Kindness".
I expected this to be very similar to his previous book, but it is in fact, entirely different.
It's literally just a list of suggestions of how to make someone's day a bit better and I can't describe how much I freaking love it. There's ideas anywhere from planting a tree, to buying a tub of coleslaw for a Portuguese man called Rui, and applauding someone for making an effort.
On that note, I want to invite you to do something nice for someone today.
Doesn't have to be much, doesn't have to cost you a thing... but just do something that will make them smile, and sit back and see how it affects you, too.
I was lucky enough to stumble across this gorgeous sim by Eripom Moonwall thanks to my friend Jakeb. For flickr fans, you may already be aware of Eripom, and you can find their stream >Here< and Jakeb is completely responsible for my in-world profile picture and you can find his flickr stream >Here<
TMD opened for a new round yesterday (5th August), and as usual, the selection of male fashion is out of this world. I'm kinda loving how man-Pickle looks today. Being blonde in SL has always been a struggle for me, moreso as a guy because of the restrictions you get on hairbases etc. It's REALLY hard to tint hairbases to blonde, but thanks to the roots on the L'etre hair shown in todays picture, I had absolutely no problem making my base brown, and still rocked the blonde!
One thing I've noticed as a guy is finding shoes and pants that fit together is almost impossible. Today, instead of wearing the Gianni fit shoes I've decided to go with the unrigged version, and edited my height accordingly. Don't be afraid to experiment with sizes, even if it's not for your particular mesh body - because sometimes, creating an outfit that doesn't clip equals making adjustments to the way you would usually wear your outfit.
Man-Pickle is looking a little contemplative today, mayhaps that's because he's a mish-mash of styles in what is essentially a greenhouse.
So let me explain what's been going on in the world of Pickle lately.
Something inside me changed when I posted the "Hold tight" blog (you can find that >Here<).
Part of my issue with leaving the house has been that I was completely caked in guilt and shame. I was horrified that I could be a person who gave up their child, even to family, and that lead to me worrying profusely about how to field awkward questions from people.
I remember vaguely being "okay" enough to leave the house and go to a coffee shop with a friend about 4 years ago. I was fine, until a complete stranger turned to me and said "So what do you do?"
I didn't - and still don't - do anything. I remember not being capable of answering his question. Of sitting there, gripping my latte in my hands, staring intently at the swirls in the milk wondering how I could tell this person I didn't know that I did nothing. That I am essentially a failure. So, being the overly emotional Pickle that I am, I sobbed silently until my friend noticed, and led me out of the coffee shop and took me home. Luckily, she's an amazing, understanding woman who is completely supportive of me.
FLASH BACK TO TODAY.
Until two or three weeks ago, I hadn't left the house for 18 months. When I received the outpouring of support I suddenly realized that although there are people who will no doubt sit and judge, there are also people who will not only completely understand what I am going through, but will also hold me up and cheer me on.
I've always held to the belief that there was a switch in my head that needed to be flipped, that one day I would wake up and want to change... and I can only describe what happened as the switch flipped. Things had got bad. I was dating shitheads in SL that I allowed to abuse me (that's another story, after all, how can you be abused in SL?). I wasn't taking care of myself, or my home. I was ignoring everything that meant anything, because I just couldn't deal with the fact that I was such an epic failure and how could I POSSIBLY be any use to anyone, given the mess I'd already made. Essentially, I was alive - but I wasn't living.
Now don't get me wrong, things haven't magically improved to the point that all the negativity I felt has dissipated. I still harbor a ton of negative thoughts... but now? Now I feel like I need to live. I need to get up off my arse and do something. I need to try and make a difference in the lives of the people around me that mean something - REAL LIVES.
So, I've been making slow changes. I visited my parents and my daughter over the last few weeks, and this weekend I stayed there.
I've been to the doctors. I'm now starting the steps I need to take - steps I have taken in the past, that now feel entirely different - to get myself healthy. I am taking medication. I'm going for blood tests. I'm starting to fight back.
I'm not saying everything has changed - I'm incredibly weak right now, and this is going to be a terribly long journey, a journey I have started and failed in the past... but again, this time, it just FEELS different.
I am not only being honest with myself for the first time in a long time, but I am being honest to people around me, and I hope that in the long run, SL will become less of a crutch for me, and I will be able to use it in a healthier, more productive way. I hope that I'll become a proper, functioning member of society.
I don't doubt that I will have bad days - today especially is emotional, and I think that's just because over the weekend at my parents I was forced to not only socialize, but also to see things in real-time that I had been happily ignoring for a long time.
Once again, I have no idea what the point of this post is, other than to act as a form of therapy for me, so selfishly, that's what I'm doing. Maybe, just maybe, it'll help you too.
xoxo
All of the things :
Body, Hands & Feet : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body
Being the crazy English bird I am, I took a chance on heading over to the Peaky Blinders sim, which is of course based upon the Peaky Blinders series. I was incredibly pleasantly surprised by the composition of the English Countryside they've achieved here, It's absolutely beautiful, and there are so many lovely little spots to take pictures. Apparently they even do Open Mic nights and have rentals.
I ran in to a couple of the owners, and they were super welcoming too, so I really feel like this is a place to watch out for. Thanks for bringing the creativity & beauty to SL guys, big thumbs up from me!
Also, I'm well aware of how weird it is to claim I'm an "English bird" when I'm rocking Man-Pickle in all his manly glory. Pls just love me. <3
xoxo
All of the things :
Body, Hands & Feet : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body
I love this Foxcity set, and the moment I saw the colours, I knew it had to be done. It's not new, and I know i'm late to the game, but just go with it okay?
I live about 40 miles or so from Central London, and as with most big cities, it's really difficult to get into the middle of the Capital by car. I've had a few experiences with London Transport, and for a while it was a very regular experience when I would need to travel into London to head north to Scotland. Everything about this Photo Booth is familiar to me, from the fabric on the chairs to the vents under the seat and the no-smoking signs. It's been a while since I have traveled into London via Train/Underground now, but looking at this picture I can still hear the automated voice of the announcer stating the name of the next station, and the loud echo of footsteps along the platforms.
The one thing that does seem to be missing that I'm not at all mad about is the worn-out feel of the seats, the scuffing of the floors, the graffiti and chiseled in initials and words along the windows of the train, this is definitely a new carriage, and that's pretty darn rare!
I'm feeling oddly nostalgic now, and I can't help feeling like Man-Pickle is doing the same thing. He might be off to meet the boys for a casual night out (most nightclubs around London have a dress-code, he'd definitely not be allowed in with sneakers and a cap) at a regular pub hangout. He's just chillin' out, getting comfortable, watching the world go by. I only hope that as the carriage becomes busier he's not too much of a dick to stand up and offer his seat to somebody who needs it. Be a freakin' Gentleman, Man-Pickle!
xoxo
All of the things :
Body, Hands & Feet : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body
Hold on to your hats, here's a little extra information about the Go&See * Liam * Skin at Mens Only Monthly
Shown in the Summer tone, you can clearly see the eyebrow options here. I've chosen not to show the freckles version, as they're in the main picture.
One thing I want to bring to light is that just because a skin looks a certain way in an ad, doesn't mean it's going to look the same on YOUR SHAPE, on YOUR HEAD. I feel that with guy-things, it's easy to look at a product and nope it out without giving it enough attention. Many skins, many products will work for you, if you just give them a chance. It's also important to go into demo-ing with an open mind, try things out, expand your horizons, guypeoples! Be a more fashionable you!
OO will ya just look at that package! (Not really. it's stuffed.)
I wanted to show you the hair and no-hair options on the Liam body. On the hair option (Left) you can also see that there's fine hairs along the lower arms too - and if I remember rightly, there's some hair on the legs too.
That's all, folks!
P.S, Adam, this song and WHOLE POST made me think of you. I hope you're homesick! ♥
I don't know anything about Basketball, except that you throw a ball in a hoop.
Enjoy this pretty picture of Man-Pickle being awesome at playing basketball, and Santi looking up at him in awe of his skillz & shiz. (Also, please note the familiarity of Man-Pickle's face. Kinda got a bit of Stifler from American Pie going on, I think?) ♥
All of the things :
Body, Hands & Feet : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body
Skin (& Beard) : [theSkinnery] Javier (Catwa Applier) @ TMD
