I joined this blog after hearing James’ Podcast interview with Micala. And, it got me thinking about my own experience with the sense of community – of belonging – at Mill Pond.
I think it was almost a year ago that I happened across Mill Pond. I was actually looking for Open Latte, where I heard my first live performer in SL – Some lady with a funny French name. But, when I TP’d into Buckler, where the Café USED to be, I was up to my knees in water (Those prims were RUINED btw, and I think Micala still owes me for the dry-pixel cleaning).
In any case, I finally found Mill Pond. What a great place! And they didn’t mind me sitting out behind the old Mill (*Sniff*) and hacking away at new hyper-flute compositions. As a matter of fact, I was made to feel welcome by the folks at the pond; encouraged to keep fooling with the flute (despite the wrong notes) and encouraged/prodded to start writing again after a VERY long time (Thanks GM!).
I guess you could say I came for the music and stayed for the friendships. Where else in SL could you listen to live music; or dance on a flaming sombrero; or rock out to spinning vinyl tracks; or just sit and chat with a friendly, outgoing group of folks. This place – and the very REAL people here – have helped made my journey in SL truly remarkable.
Let me end with a poem I wrote for “socks” theme poetry night last year at Shakespeare & Co. I don’t know what Kristauf was thinking (or drinking) when he came up with this theme, but it worked out for me as a phonetic play on words – with my sincere apologies for the Spanish translation.
S.O.C.K.S
Eso si’. Que’ es [eso]?
Es amigos bailando en el sombrero en fuego.
Es yo; solamente con mis pensamientos en un lago tranquilo.
Es un asilo para el poeta en todos nosotros.
Es el hogar de un pa’jaro cantor hermoso.
Es un lugar donde siento bienvenida.
——————————————
That, yes. What is [that]?
It is friends dancing on a flaming sombrero.
It is me; alone with my thoughts on a tranquil lake.
It is a haven for the poet in all of us.
It is the home of a beautiful songbird.
It is a place I feel welcome.
Jenn that was so nice of you! Send me a bill for the dry-pixel cleaning or you can just deduct the amount from your rent. 😉 – Micala