Tuesday, 18 September 2012

The Bongo Mouse Band

Nothing to do with SL. just something Me and Mael came up with. My words. His pictures. I hope you like them.

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You’ve never met Bongo Mouse, But if he ever came to see your house You’d know he was there all night and day,
‘cos the bongos he just loves to play. And if his bongos aren’t around He’ll use anything he finds to make that sound. He’ll tap his paws on the skirting board. Tap a tune on the bathroom light cord. He’ll tap the bath, run up the stairs, But bongos are best: they come in pairs. When Bongo went to the park one day He heard a sound that made him say,
‘Who’s that singing? I hear a hum. But it would sound better if it had a drum.’ He followed the sound and what did he see? There with his piano, was Keys Pawski. ‘Hi,’ said Bongo. ‘I love that song. Mind if I sit and drum along?’ The two mice sat and played all day, Happily strumming and drumming away. When bedtime came they sadly parted, But little did they know what they had started.

The next day Bongo went back to the spot. Keys Pawski was there. ‘Hello,’ He said ‘What Do you say to my friend playing too? Hi name’s Quiffy Sax.’ ‘Pleased to meet you,’ Said the mouse, and he started to play.
Bongo listened to and decided to stay. Keys played the piano and Bongo drummed, While Quiffy played sax and all three of them hummed. By the end of the day they’d drawn quite a crowd. Three mice playing music was awfully loud. They went on their way, but promised they would All meet up the next day to see if they could Get people to come and listen along To them sitting, and playing, and singing a song.



When Bongo arrived at the park the next day, He really didn’t know quite what to say.
The first thing he saw was a really big bow With a cute lady mouse, who was standing below. ‘My names Fiddlina.’ Said the fluffy young mouse. ‘My friend Quiffy Sax lives in the same house. He told me you might let me play on my fiddle.’ ‘Why not,’ Bongo said, and with a quick paradiddle The four friends were off, all blowing and drumming, And fiddling and playing the piano and humming. They had a great time. It was really good fun. They enjoyed jamming along in the warmth of the sun. They were terribly sad at the end of the day, As they all parted again and went on their way. But inside they were happy because they all knew That tomorrow they’d meet and play music then too.

 Next day Bongo got to the park nice and early And saw a new mouse, whose whiskers were curly. ‘Hello,’ shouted Paws, ‘I’d like you to meet My very dear friend, Mr Sachmo Squeak.’
Bongo looked at the mouse. ‘So what do you do?’ ‘I play on the trumpet. Can I join in too?’ ‘Of course,’ Bongo said. ‘You’re welcome to join us.’ And off went the mice with their playing harmonious. By the end of the day the mice were worn out, But they’d had so much fun there was really no doubt They’d all meet again the following day. As they said their farewells to go on their way Young Quiffy piped up, ‘I like our sound the way we are, But we really need a mouse playing guitar.’ ‘I have a friend who can help us with that. His name’s Twangy Doodles.’ Sachmo pulled on his hat. ‘I’ll bring him tomorrow.’ And off he went. ‘I’m sure you’ll all like him. He’s rather a gent’


The mice were excited to meet their new friend. They’ hoped he’d follow their musical trend. Sachmo was waiting for them the next day.
With a mouse wearing glasses who started to play. ‘I’m Twangy,’ he said and carried on playing While the other young mice stood on the spot swaying. The friends had a ball, and the crowds came along And joined in with the music with a hum and a song. The friends parted happy later that night. The little mouse band was a funny old sight.



When bongo arrived at the park the next day He was stunned to see even more mice in the way. ‘Everyone please meet’, said little Fiddlina, ‘My friends, Tich and Tupper and Tina. ‘Hello,’ they all said, and the older one, Tich, Started playing triangle, so perfect in pitch. The other two mice started banging as well.
And the other mice joined with a whoop and a yell. The crowds now knew the place they should go To hear the young mice and their impromptu show. Young Bongo on drums, and Quiffy and Keys, The other young players all followed with ease. Sachmo and Twangy and young Fiddlina, And the triangle trio: Tupper, Tich and Tina. The crowd loved the mice and cheered and danced And sang along to the music as they pranced. The mice had such fun and their music was snappy That all who heard them went away happy. If you go to the park, the mice are still there. How can you find them? I hear you ask where? Just follow the sound of the piano and sax, And the trumpet and guitar, and no looking back. Listen for the, triangles, fiddle, guitar And you know that the mice won’t ever be far. If you got down to the park today, Be sure to visit your friends and say ‘Come with me. I’ll give you a hand. You have to hear the Bongo Mouse Band’.

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

A Christmas tale (sorta)

This has nothing to do with SL, but it's something that happened to me in RL and it gave me such a laugh at the thought of what will happen to some dad's on Christmas Eve I just had to share it.

Part of my RL involves setting up displays in various stores. One of my tasks for this year was to build a dolls house to go on display. After I'd finished I thought about all the poor fathers who will be putting this together on Christmas Eve, after their little girl has gone to bed. This is what will happen.

Ok. We have a flatpacked dolls house in a box. First thing - get it out of the box. So that's a bit of a tight fit. After shaking the packaging you eventually end up with - another box with a dolls house in. This is extra tightly packed so after a few attempts dad gives up and rips the box off. He's now sitting with several bits of wood and lots of ripped up cardboard. We'll come back to the box later.

Dad takes a sip of vodka and start to identify the pieces. Those 2 have slates on them - they must be the roof. They're pointed - they're the side walls. Those are the doors. 2 brown bits with holes? Ah, the floors with room for the stairs. And 2 bases? Dad then looks at the plan and the 2 square bits. Panel A and Panel D. Ok so the plan will say where they go. 'Screw Side A to the base'. Oh right that helps. Which is the base! After a sip of vodka and much looking where holes are drilled, Dad eventually identifies the base. The other bit gets put to one side for now.

So side A is now screwed to the base. Next to screw the floors to the side. Well that's easy enough, they're both the same. Oh. One of the screws doesn't have anything drilled out of it to screw it with. And there's no spare one. Hmm. Dad then stops and thinks. Ok, so he leaves the bottom screw out and he'll worry about it later. Looking good already. Next, screw the other side to the base and the floors. Dad stops and looks and has a celebratory sip of vodka. Next - screw a small metal plate to the middle floor. ?? Ah - of course. That's where the doors clip to. Ok so where are the holes. Dad then looks at the plan and the floor and the metal clip. Then he looks again.

Dad then gets the screwdriver and undoes Side 2, and the 2 floor pieces, and puts them all back together again. One of the floor bits had 2 very tiny little holes for the metal clip, but the plan never said that. Right, that's the clip sorted.

Dad has a quick sip of vodka and looks what's next. Screw the hinges on the house and then to the doors. Well, that's fairly easy. Dad looks for screw P. He needs 6 of those. After working out which way round the hinges go, he sets about screwing the hinge to the wall of the house. Damn but these screws are small. He tips the house on it's side and eventually manages to get all 3 screws in. (After stopping several times to pick them up off the floor where they keep flying off). Dad then has another sip of vodka and steels himself to do the other side. Eventually the hinges are on the house. Next to attach the hinges to the door! Oh dear. Dad takes a sip of vodka and tries to work this out. With one hand he needs to hold the door against the hinge, while holding the screw with the other, and the screwdriver with another? Ok that won't work. Time to get reinforcements. Dad takes a sip of vodka and calls for mum.

Mum arrives and holds the door in place for dad to screw the hinges on. Just 3 little screws. 3 very little screws. 3 very fiddly little screws which keep flying out on the floor. After several attempts the door is now attached by 2 screws. (One of them flew off somewhere). Dad then looks at the other door and realises he's got to screw that one on now. Dad takes a big sip of vodka and steels himself. After lots of swearing and looking on the floor, they finally have the doors on the front. Mum wanders back to wrap presents and dad sits and looks at the house. Nearly there! Dad then takes a huge sip of vodka in celebration.

Next is to screw the back on. Oh - so that's what the other base was - the back! Well that makes sense. On goes the back. Just the roof left. Dad eventually realises that the 2 windows he's been looking at screw in to the holes in the roof. Well that's easy enough. Oh Phew, these are screw Q, they're bigger. Dad has another sip of vodka and finally looks forward to going to sit down.

JUst the roof to go now. Next step - oh no! Screw hinges to the roof. And Dad can't rest the roof flat because he's just screwed to windows in to it. Dad takes a sip of vodka and calls mum. Mum's now a bit fed up because she's trying to wrap last minute presents and keeps getting interrupted.

After a few minutes struggling with one screw Dad ponders whether contraception would have been a good idea! but no, he promised his little princess a dolls house and she's damn well getting one. After several more attempts to find screws under the table, the hinges are on the roof. Just 2 screws left!

Mum goes off to finish the presents and Dad takes a huge sip of vodka. Just line up the holes on the roof with the holes in the side. Erm. Line up the holes............... At which point Dad hits the roof. Mum comes rushing in to see what's happened. Yes that's right. After spending 2 hours putting together a simple little dolls house, Dad discovers that the holes in the roof don't line up with the holes they're supposed to. Not only that but they're not even close. One set overhangs by a good half an inch. In short, there is no way the roof will go on. Dad then sits back and finishes the vodka in one swig.

So as long as his daughter doesn't touch the back where the screw is missing, or touch the roof then it's fine. It's wonderful! It'll do! And soon as the shops open it's going straight back.............. Dad then looks at all the bits of cardboard where he ripped the box open.

At which point Dad just gets the bottle of vodka, fnishes it off and goes down the pub. And this is what really happened to my dolls house:)

Saturday, 7 November 2009

info for triviathon

Sme info for those who want it for the Triviathon (which is already rocking!)

If  you plan to stay for the full 24 hours, please make sure you send an im to Paige Foden every hour. She won't reply but send them anyway.

To donate - simply find the big thermometer on the stage, right click it and select 'pay'.

Please also try to keep your attachments and HUD's down - we've got a lot of people here and we want to try to keep the lag down for all of you:)

And we have our first challenge!! If we hit 30K Juke will go bald for a week. Hit 40K and he dresses up as one of the J---- B-------! so come on guys!!

Friday, 6 November 2009

Triviathon is here!

Well it will be at 10am tomorrow, Saturday 7th November, at our new home in Trivy Isle. First up is Thornton with his regular trivia slot, and there follows a lot of some of the best hosts in SL. The final list has been drawn up, the sponsors are in place, prizes are ready to be given. We just need you to come along and help us reach our target. Relay for Life is a cancer charity, and although the link is for the American Cancer Org, there are teams in other parts of the World helping to raise funds too.

We hope to see trivia regulars as well as some new faces. If you haven't been to a trivia event before then please do come along and see what it's all about. All the hosts have their own unique style and format, and somewhere will be an event you can relate to.

Thanks also go to Monochrome and The Metal Shop for sponsoring some of the events, and also to DJ Angelo who's helping out with a couple of events. And the hosts - well you all rock!

Full list of times is :-
10.00am - 12.00pm - Thorny Trivia with Thornton Writer
12.00pm – 1.00pm – Lous Clues with Lou Netizen (Sponsored by MonoChrome)
1.00pm - 2.00pm Analytical trivia with AnaMaria Quintessa
2.00pm - 3.00pm - Double Standards Host Traian Khandr
3.00pm - 4.00pm - Zoo Bar trivia with Chaddington Boomhauer and Shale Nightfire (sponsored by Zoo Bar)
4.00pm - 6.00pm - Trivia with Lotus Ceriano and Nelly Swindlehurst, aided and abetted by DJ Angelo
6.00pm - 8.00pm - Circeschism trivia with Circe Falta and JoshuaStephen Schism.
8.00pm - 11.00pm – Chaos trivia with Lette Ponnier and Rach Borkotron (this one's in the cave in the games area)
11.00pm – 1.00am - Maggies Wheel Of Fortune - she's celebrating with her 50th set of questions too.
1.00am - 2.00 am - Trivia with Mako Kungfu (sponsored by MonoChrome)
2.00am - 3.00am – Double Standards trivia with Devin Velinov
4.00 am - 6.00 am – Trivia with Chaddington Boomhauer
6.00 am - 7.00 am – Trivia with Billy2Times Krams (Sponsored by The Metal Shop)
7.00 am - 8.00 am - trivia with our very own host Hummingbird Forster
8.00 am - 10.00 am – Cully’s Alphabet Smart Ass Trivia with DJ Angelo.

(Traian, Devin, Ana, Humm and Chad all sponsored by Double Standards)

Our goal is 20,000L and we're already off to a good start - so come along anytime between 10am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday and join in the fun.

Monday, 26 October 2009

24 Hour Charity Triviathon

Starting 10am on Saturday 7th November and finishing at 10am on Sunday 8th November, Double Standards will be holding a 24 hour Charity Trivia Marathon.

We will be raising money for Relay For Life and we will have live trivia hosted by real live hosts for the whole time.
We are finalising the details but here’s the line up:-
10.00am - 12.00pm - Thorny Trivia with Thornton Writer
12.00pm – 1.00pm – Lous Clues with Lou Netizen
1.00pm - 2.00pm Analytical trivia with AnaMaria Quintessa
2.00pm - 3.00pm - Double Standards Host Traian Khandr
3.00pm - 4.00pm - Zoo Bar with Chaddington Boomhauer and Shale Nightfire
4.00pm - 6.00pm - Trivia with Lotus Ceriano and Nelly Swindlehurst
6.00pm - 8.00pm - Trivia with JoshuaStephen Schism
8.00pm - 11.00pm – Chaos trivia with Lette Ponnier
11.00pm – 1.00am - Maggies Wheel Of Fortune
1.00am - 2.00 am - Trivia with Mako Kungfu
2.00am - 3.00am – Double Standards trivia with Devin Velinov
4.00 am - 6.00 am – Trivia with Chaddington Boomhauer
6.00 am - 7.00 am – Trivia with Billy2Times Krams
7.00 am - 8.00 am - trivia with our very own host Hummingbird Forster
8.00 am - 10.00 am – Cully’s Alphabet Smart Ass Trivia with DJ Angelo

Thanks go to all the hosts for offering to help and we know this is going to be a great event. Monochrome are sponsoring some of the events as well so thanks to Jez for that. We hope you'll all turn up for at least some of the time to support this worthy cause and I look forward to seeing you:)

Sunday, 18 October 2009

Double Standards moves - and more!

Finally it’s here! Double Standards is now situated on a brand new sim all it’s own! The first event took place on Friday, when Devin’s trivia welcomed all the regular faces, and some new ones to the grand opening. And we have some great events lined up for it too – read on for a very exciting one coming soon!

The 7 Seas fishing area - with a brand new lake and watefall. And tucked behind the waterfall is a cosy cuddle cave.

The trivia area with the fire and rugs that make us feel at home, and a brand new stage area for future events.

Just over a bridge is the games area, with the Greedy Greedy table, SLolopoy, Frootcake, On a Roll and Selbyword. And tucked in the corner is another cosy cave for - well - getting cosy.

The mall’s a lot bigger so hopefully a lot more stores for you to choose from as well. All in all – the place is much better and more pleasant – hope everone else thinks so too.

And we’re kicking off with a major event on the 7th and 8th November – a 24 hour charity Triviathon!

This will be 24 hours of non stop hosted trivia (none of those machines) and we’ll be raising money for Relay For Life. At the time of writing we’ve got some great hosts lined up including Lou with Lou’s Clues, Chad and Shale with their Zoo Bar trivia, Thorny trivia, Chaos, Nellotus, Mags with her Wheel of Fortune (or Misfortune ) and an Alphabet Smart ass special. We’ve also got Ana, Trai, Humm and Chad. We do have a few more slots left if anyone else wants to help out and host an event. We’re also hoping to get a couple of sponsors. This should be a fun event for everyone, and we also hope it will introduce some new faces to the world of trivia. It should provide a good showcase for all hosts and we hope a lot of fun for those who take part. Humm’s also working on a prize for anyone who manages to attend the full 24 hours.

More details and a full line up will be announced nearer the time, but we hope to see new and old faces there to have some fun, and of course we’d like to raise as much as we can for Relay For Life.

Watch this space:)

Friday, 2 October 2009

Thunder and Lightning

Meet Thunder and Lightning - our horses. Why am I telling you about them? Well not only are they part of our family, but they represent everything good about Second Life. Lightning is the white horse and hardly surprising that he's Maels. Thunder is the cute little black horse, and the best present I could have had.


Lightning on the left, looking after Thunder on the right.
I never really thought about owning a horse, but it was my special surprise rez day present. And it was a surprise. A package got delivered - I opened it. Hey presto, there was a horse standing in the living room. She wouldn't fit in the lift to go outside either. Having got over that little problem I set about seeing what she could do. (Good job SL allows us to move things by editing them)

Now no disrespect to anyone else who makes horses, but Mael spent a long time looking for one, and I believe he found one of the best on SL. (And I'm very grateful that he didn't choose the one that provides something to put on your SL rhubarb). The people who made Thunder and Lightning quite obviously have an RL love for horses, and it shows in the time they've put in to creating their SL animals.

In sl terms, these are quality items. Not only do they look the part, but they act it too. When we put them in their paddock, they neigh and whinny, stamp their feet, swish their tails and move their ears. Exactly as you would expect an RL horse to be. I've spent many a time just standing watching them, and it really is as close to watching the real thing as you can get. You even get a pose ball and brush to groom them too.

When you ride you can trot, gallop and even jump. I haven't quite managed to time the jumps yet, but Thunder does very well even if I mistime it. Having never ridden a horse (except for a pony trek when I was a kid and my horse just followed the one in front), I can't comment on how realistic riding Thunder is. I do know that it's very relaxing after a stressful day, and even more relaxing standing brushing her. You can even get them to do tricks too, and each pose has been carefully designed.




In fact they are so realistic I found myself talking to Thunder once - and I mean talking. I think that's how you can tell the quality items - you really do interact as if they are the real thing.

We hear a lot about what's bad in SL - the lag, the failing tp's, the griefers and beggars - that it's nice sometimes to remember that there are still some good things to be found. To me Thunder and Lightning represent everything that's good. Yes, they cost a few lindens, but the time and effort that went in to them makes them worth it. The creator has gone to great lengths to make something as realistic as possible, and they have certainly succeeded. The poses, the moves and the sounds have all been painstakingly made and created and there are so many different styles and sizes available too. Thanks to their efforts we now have to additions to our SL family, which are every bit as real as they could be.

It's nice to be able to stand looking out of my window at something which reminds me what Second Life should be about. Creativity, design and caring people.
And let's see if this link works - they came from AKK Ranch.