Santa Claus is coming to AAi!

All the festive decorations have gone up - some say things like 'Wow! This place looks incredible'. Some say 'It looks like Christmas threw up in here' but mostly they just say 'Very Festive!'.

As a little teaser, I give you a picture of Thom looking coy, sitting on Santa's lap. I wonder if he has been a good boy this year?

The Wizardry Mixtape (Dec. 2013)

Starting last month, I began making a monthly mixtape that features what I like to consider "hawt jamz."  Called The Wizardry Mixtape, it features the best in electro, indie, hip hop, remixes, mashups, and other fun stuff.  Of course, I can't help but slip of on my own tracks inside.  Here's The Wizardry Mixtape for December 2013. Enjoy!

-Chris

Thanks - the Post GP Clean-Up!

Cosmic - Sweet Transvestite with Das and Heavenly

Thom aka Bryan Ferry from Love is the Drug

Meri rides her wrecking trout (fish courtesy of Jammeh)

Becks in her 90s pink boots and Guns n Roses outfit with Fat Elvis (Iain)

Graz is Cyndi Lauper proving Girls just wanna have fun

Last night went by in a flash, the Guilty Pleasures Festival is now over for another year (probably) and everyone can put away their shameful fetishes until then. I snapped a few pictures - sorry there aren't more but I was reet laggy last night and worried about crashing.

A huge thank you to every one of the 6 DJS who took part in making it such an awful spectacle. You are the lifeblood of AAi and your joie de vivre and can do attitude make it a pleasure to be a part of.

Thanks to everybody who dropped by to point and laugh, without you, we'd just be a bunch of geeks playing in a pixel box.

Love to you all xoxoxox

Don't beat yourself up...

For loving the Guilty Pleasures. Embrace them.

We have six of our DJs embracing the whole concept of Guilty Pleasures this Saturday for our fourth GP Festival at AAi.

Fancy dress is encouraged, I already have my costume and no! I'm not telling what it is. I have my 45 minute set ready with the scary nugget of my own personal rendition in there too. Honestly, my song wasn't even guilty before I sang it, but it sure is now.

You should get there for 12pm slt for Ricco and bring your drinks, snacks and get comfy, cus it doesn't finish until 4.30pm slt with Graz.

I'm trying to be so cool about it but it's kind of hard. I'll be up at the crack of dawn on GP Day itself to theme the absolute shit out of AAi in preparation. I'm excited... hope you are too, Meri x

Featuring...

Ricco Monday 12.00pm slt

Cosmic Beres 12.45pm slt

Thom - 1.30pm slt

Meri (me!) 2.15pm slt

Becka - 3.00pm slt

Graz - 3.15pm slt

A little treat for you from DJ Chris

Chris has made a mixtape for everybody to listen to and download. How decent of him! Chris's Mixtape Holy Moly

You can catch Chris live and unfettered on the first Friday of each month at AAi <3

Guilty Pleasures Festival... it's coming

Wednesday's child is full of WHOA!

Poise Collin's "Think Indie" set on a Wednesday night 1-3pm slt, at AAi seems to have assumed an identity all of its own. She plays indie that makes your heart sing, from all over the world and then links it all together with her voiceovers (faints).

To celebrate the success of her set, she has made a special edition jacket on the "Think Indie" theme and she's offering it free (yes, gratis!) at her clothes shop 'Poised'.

I've taken quite a few photos of it, it seemed a great excuse for Meri glam up and dig out the bad girl image and I also have the navy version of the Reputation jacket available in-store. I wore it all with Poised's jeans which come with a HUD allowing you to choose from a range of colours and stages of beaten-upedness (that so is a word haha).

Go get your fab free leather biker jacket now... what are you waiting for?

Poised Mainstore

Hahaha ---- sweet Jams with DJ Chris

You have GOT to go listen to this AAisters... Holy Moly! Chris will be mixing live at AAi, doing what he does best this Friday 1-3pm slt.

Spotted! At AAi last night...

It was a night much the same as any other, only Sunday. And this meant it was time for Thom to dust off his turntable after a few weeks gap and play some funky music. To cut a 2 hour long story short, great music was had by all, many stripes were worn and Meri took some photographs of some of the people who attended. Deelish.

Josie - the Trebor Queen

Meri and Thom

Sylvia Baxter aka Denice the Menace

Chris contemplating his navel (cool earphones)

Becka looking dreamy

Iain and Wurfi

Never too late for a Halloween costume - Josie dead and risen

Cosmic - ready for battle

Meri kicking Cos in the crotch

Meri giving Cos a little chin music

The Interview Sessions - Iain Lordhunter

The second interview, in what promises to be a lengthy and somewhat embarrassing process, puts the spotlight firmly on Iain Lordhunter. I first met Iain when he played at The Hacienda in SL when I went along to one of his sets and decided to ask for a request. He played it (well, he played the closest he had to it which was totally acceptable) and was very nice about it. I friended him and promptly forgot all about him until sadly, the Hac closed. I then sent Graz to hunt him down and bag him for AAi, for Graz has a nose like a bloodhound and ways of entrapment.

Since then Iain has become a stalwart of the club and of my friends. He was kind enough to give us Ms Becka Blackrain, giftwrapped, which was a fine hour.

What follows is his interview...

How many chucks would a woodchuck cut if a woodchuck could chuck wood? (show your workings out)

I knew this interview would be rigged.  These questions are going to be harder than the last interview aren't they, to make me look stupid?  I don't even know what a damn wood chuck IS, and even if I did, it would depend on whether s/he was chopping the wood for personal use, or for commercial purposes.  Maybe it wanted to set up it's own furniture business? I don't know.....?

(Meri note: It was a form of exercise Iain, obviously... the woodchuck had put on weight over the past year and wanted to do something productive, and yet active. Tsk. Very cute woodchuck video for your education follows.)

If you were a lady, which male in AAi would you most want to have a sexual relationship with and why?

They'd have to have filmstar good looks, great fashion & music sense, be a master emoter, and not be sporting an ugly, ill-fitting freenis.  Which I suppose pretty much describes myself.  Although if I WAS a lady, then I guess my male self wouldn't be available so.....sigh...another case of what might have been:  two shits passing in the night.

(Meri note: Freenis is a term copyrighted by me and available for general use at a very reasonable cost and... the video below is kind of X rated, so don't watch it if you are squeamish.)

No preview, cus bluntly.. it's vile SL Porn

Please explain, in detail (for those who might not know) what is it about your jean cuffs/boots and height differential that causes you a problem?

OK, this is more like it.  Put simply, men's jeans should fit nicely round the waist at the top, and sit naturally over boots or shoes at the bottom.  Before mesh days this was easy, as clothes fit naturally to your shape, and cuff attachments stopped your shoes poking through.  But nowadays, most mesh jeans seem to be either skinny things that give you twig-like legs, which you could drive a bus between, or else they sag like a kid who's filled it's nappy.

There's often an invisible ring around the waist due to the alpha, and not having cuff attachments or resize-ability means boots poke through the denim unless you tuck your trousers into your footwear.  There are many good things about mesh, but this isn't one of them.  If it was a non-mesh issue, people would laugh at it like ill-fitting prim collars or whatever.  But people too readily worship uncritically at the Cult of Mesh.   And as for my height differential issue....I've run out of space, and my blood's boiling enough now as it is.

(Meri note: Wow! I really wanted people to see just how grumpy you are about mesh jeans and it worked!)

Which 007 are you in your head and why?

I think Roger Moore gets a raw deal.  He's always seen as the naff Sean Connery replacement,  favoured by Alan Partridge.  But his were the first Bond movies I saw and I liked his fights with Jaws. He also stars in my fave ever Bond movie, Live & Let Die, with Baron Samedi and the New Orleans voodoo, in which he cements his legendary status by escaping a bask* of crocodiles, using them as a bridge and running across their backs.  That's exactly what I would have done.  I also feel I could do the Moore eyebrow, and would look great in safari shorts.  (* thanks, Wikipedia)

Is size important?

Yes, but in what way depends on the circumstances.  For example, Manimal would sometimes need to turn into an elephant if he required brute strength, but maybe an insect if he wanted to crawl under a locked door.
Although to be honest, he mostly just turned into a falcon or a panther.  So I guess more important than size is speed.  And the ability to fly and see long distances.  As I'm sure any girl will tell you.

(Meri note: Looove this answer!)

Who is sexier, Meri or Thom?

Ahh another unfair question.  I think you change all the answers to Meri anyway before posting, but really what could possibly be sexier than this image:  [13:49] Mericat Ireland: i'm a brain in a jar with a beard.

(Meri note: Hahaha! I would never, ever change the answer to me if someone put Thom, not ever.)

What band does everyone else love and you think is rubbish?

I can't think of any AAi-friendly bands that I'd refuse to play because I hate them so much.  But there are a lot of groups that people rave over, that I think make pleasant-enough indie tunes without me being able to get madly excited about them, the way I am with other bands.  Included in this would be Gaslight Anthem, Teenage Fanclub, Tapes 'n' Tapes, Sugar, Phoenix, The xx, and later Radiohead.  But I'm sure they're all very good and one day I'll 'get' them, like I have with other bands in the past.

(Meri note: I doubt it. As I have gotten older, I've been less patient with middle of the road stuff too. Someone call the Karma Police so we don't have to listen to recent Radiohead)

When was the last time you cried in RL?

You mean before I read this list of questions?  Maybe when Dalglish inspired Liverpool to beat Everton at Wembley in 2012, turning back the clock 25 years.  I usually get angry rather than cry when I'm upset, but 40,000 people singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' has been known to set me off like a great big baby.

What are some of your pet peeves about SL? What makes you GRR?

Ohhhh the usual things.  When it doesn't bloody work, when I lag like crazy, when I crash mid-DJ set, inappropriately-timed region restarts etc (Meri note: Please see conversation below for more information).

Also, people who use their profiles as some kind of cack-handed attempt at misdirection re: their true selves. E.g...
"I can be your best friend or your worst enemy, but you don't want me as an enemy.  You mess with my family and it's ME you'll answer to!"  (rl: a 4ft woman)
"I'm a 21 year old bi female English student. Not looking for a relationship, just good sexy fun. No voice, no cam" (rl: 4ft man)
"If you want drama, take it elsewhere!! I don't DO drama!!" (rl: 'does' drama on a daily basis) etc etc.

And men's mesh trousers. (btw why can't you buy jogging pants where one leg isn't rolled up to the knee like a Freemason at the gym?)

(Meri note: I don't know E, it's something I have puzzled over myself - the jogging pants! I can't quite believe I'm going to post an Erasure video now, but I surely am.)

If you could choose between being very handsome or very intelligent, which would you choose?

I'd hate to lose either one of these traits, as both go a long way to make Iain Lordhunter the legend that he is.  [I do get final edit on this, right?].  If I have to choose....I do think life is probably a lot easier for the handsomely vacant amongst us, and I don't tend to do things the easy way, so: I'll choose very intelligent (and hide behind dark glasses).

(Meri note: Hahaha, good choice Iain, do watch this vid, it's hilarious... "I thought Europe was a country!")

Do you touch wood, avoid crossing knives, greet magpies and walk around ladders?

Joke answer:  I've been known to touch magpies, cross ladders and greet wood, which is probably why people walk (a very long way) around me.  In truth, I DO walk around ladders, but mainly to avoid whoever is up them from dropping anything on my head.

Iain, thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions, you've been an exemplary interviewee. For those thirsty for more, read on to see the chat we had after the questions...

Mericat Ireland: One day, when we have time, I'll tell you a funny story about Roger Moore
Iain Lordhunter: Hahaha ok
Iain Lordhunter: Also, hes English, and Bond should be English, but I stopped short of saying that
Mericat Ireland: Oh ye gods yes
Mericat Ireland: We don't need the Scots after us
Iain Lordhunter: Lmao. Exactly
Iain Lordhunter: Ohh and shits isnt a typo, obviously
Mericat Ireland: No I got that
Iain Lordhunter: Hmmm...  each time I re-read it, I want to change things
Iain Lordhunter: I'd drive you mad if you were my editor in rl
Mericat Ireland: Well you have an hour :)
Iain Lordhunter: haha
Mericat Ireland: Nah, cus once it goes to editor, that's it
Iain Lordhunter: I think inappopriately-timed region restarts should be inconveniently timed.....or do I just need to chill now and let it go
Mericat Ireland: Ok well, just bear in mind, I'm not beyond including this convo in the final intervew
Mericat Ireland: as I did with Becks
Iain Lordhunter: :O
Iain Lordhunter: Nononono, that's cheating
Iain Lordhunter: and against the ToS!
Mericat Ireland: So you don't want me to illustrate you as uptight and anal?
Mericat Ireland: but a chilled out cool guy?
Iain Lordhunter: Yeh, chilled and cool.  Airbrushed and paintshopped.
Mericat Ireland: Okies, so no more edits
Mericat Ireland: and I won't publish anything after this point, promise
Iain Lordhunter: Scratches chin
Mericat Ireland: Grins
Mericat Ireland: Ok just that scratches chin bit
Mericat Ireland: Deal?
Iain Lordhunter: Haha
Mericat Ireland: I know you're scared to speak now
Iain Lordhunter: Yeh. Not saying owt now all night

Iain Lordhunter - chilled and cool. Airbrushed and paintshopped ;)

The Interview Sessions - Becka Blackrain

In the first of a few sporadic and off-the-wall interviews due to be published on this blog, I was fortunate enough to get a volunteer. Yeah... the only other person in AAi who might be expected to think that an in-depth interview, nosing around her knicker drawer and publishing it to the world, could be classed as "fun".

Please folks, give it up for our very own *drum roll* - Becka Blackrain!


What's your worst habit in rl? No holds barred... we want farting, nose-picking and other disgusting details :)

Road-rage:  I get so angry if the person in the passing lane is going too slow.  Then I get mad at the person that's always trying to go too fast, weaving in and out, 'horning' everyone (That's a new phrase I've adopted). It's something I am trying to work on, and I made an entire disc of calm tunes to put on during just these occasions.  I won't bore you with the track list.  Also, I'm sad to report the calm tunes aren't helping much. Grrrr!

Question 2 - If you could only take unlimited supplies of one food item to a desert island, what would it be and why?

Crushed Red Pepper!!  Then I would learn to fish and hunt, and everything I caught for food would be flavorful and spicy, until I was one day rescued by a diamond encrusted helicopter with butterfly doors (Just humor me).  :p

(Meri note: Give a woman a fish and she can eat for a day, give her crushed red pepper and she has inspiration forever)

Question 3 - What music do you listen to when you're sad?

I have my 'go-to' songs on those moments.  Mariah Carey, Christina Perri, Aerosmith, Whitney Houston, and of course I am always adding to my 'sad songs' list.  But isn't it funny that when we are sad, sometimes a sad song that makes us cry is just what we needed.  Like we need those songs to take us to that place, so we can get it out of our systems and move on.  Wow, I am a total nerd.

(Meri note: I thought I was the only person who listened to Aerosmith on the quiet! Oh well, here goes nuthin')

Question 4 - Is Becka the avatar styled on anyone in particular? Like.... famous people you admire, for example?

Nope.  I just went with the blonde starter avatar.  I was bombarded by people trying to scam me into buying shapes and what not.  Finally I just chose one and it sort of shaped what I looked like from then until now, with many slight variations along the way.  I have sandy blonde-ish hair in rl (although in the winter some would say it's nowhere near sandy blonde, haha), and I've always just liked the look of bright platinum blonde hair.  Now it would just feel odd to be anything else other than a blonde on sl.  

(Meri note: This next song is a must listen to for anyone who loved Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith - Not in Love)

Question 5 - Who is sexier, Meri or Thom?

Meri is sexier, ... unless Thom is wearing his Tweed suit with the elbow patches.  Rawwwr!

(Meri note: I couldn't agree more :))

Question 6 - Do you believe in God, Santa, ghosts and magic?

I really do want to believe in all of those things so much!  I wish I could just see a ghost for myself, or real magic, if there is such a thing.  

I once held a seance in my attic at midnight with a few friends, hoping to see or hear something,.... anything!   And we asked all kinds of questions, but nothing happened.  So I'm not a believer in ghosts, or magic.  

I looved Santa until I was maybe 6 or 7 years old and my friends were telling me that Santa was fake and that basically my Mom had been lying.  Well, Mom confirmed the news, and I cried and said "I guess that means the Easter Bunny isn't real either?!"  I still get picked on for saying that.  

As far as God goes, I wouldn't necessarily say I am religious, I never go to church ever, I haven't opened a bible in years, and think a lot of it is nonsense.  But I will say this... I think when it helps make someone's life happier and better, then more power to ya!  Believe anything you like, if it's helping you to be a better soul.  I will also add that I do say my prayers every night... "Dear lord in heaven, God bless Mom, Dad, Rach, Rex, Me, Mittens, Elmo, Kashmir, Ruby,.... etc etc".  The list is always growing.

(Meri note: Santa isn't fake Becks... ignore them)

Question 7 - What is your favourite inventory item?

Ohh, I dunno.  For a long time I had a fainting goat, and I thought it was funny, but I didn't realize until like a month ago that fainting goats really do exist!!  After I watched the video of them, it only made my fainting goat even funnier.  It all makes sense now, thank you very much. :p

Question 8 - Does size matter?

Size doesn't matter.  It's the moment, the way he touches you.  The feeling of it all, and entire vibe.  It's much more about how he holds you than the size of his penis.  I've said way too much already.  -.-

(Meri note: This conversation continued a little after the questions as follows:

Meri: I say as long as it's reasonable, you know, average etc. upwards

ßєςʞş: LMAO!!!

ßєςʞş: upwards!

Meri: if it was teeny or huge, that might be a probelm

ßєςʞş: hahahahahahahaha

ßєςʞş: totally, its true. it does have to fit within a certain boundary of reasonability)

Question 9 - What song do you think best represents you?

When I close my eyes, and hear the soundtrack of my life, I instantly hear Mates of State - Desire.  The way they talk about laying in the back room, and how the house could crack soon.  Also, my favorite line talks about not being shy again.  I feel like my shyness has caused me to miss so many opportunities in life, and I'm only now learning how to speak up. My favorite line of the song..."I will not be shy again"

Question 10 - If you ruled SL, what is the first big change you would make?

Meri would be instated as Mayor, 1st of all.  Secondly, all lag would be outlawed.  I think free tours for noobs would be nice too.  Also, and I'm sure the committee will back me up on this, a 3-strike rule would be put in place at all clubs and places of interest, therefore stating that after you have announced your departure from the club or gathering spot, you shall wait a minimum of 15 seconds before teleporting away, and a maximum of 25.  If you fail to comply with this, you will be given a strike, and after you acquire 3 strikes, you will be promptly banned from said place for no less than 3 days.  I call it "ObeckaCare" and it's already happening folks, you can't stop it.  

(Meri note: I'm still laughing about ObeckaCare :))

I should say before closing this interview that Becka has not suggested any of the songs that I have inserted to illustrate the question and answer above it, and that it does not in any way reflect her or my taste in music nor are you likely to hear them at AAi. Cept at the Guilty Pleasures festival, which can't be long away now can it?

Thank you Becks for a super bunch of answers to some very stupid questions. Shine on :)

Spotted...

You're not even safe from the paparazzi in a place like AAi, as these photos go to prove...

Ashes and Jannick with their little pet dog (Cabuchon? I can't quite remember)

Jess Fanbridge working those legwarmers

Peri <3 - Kisses

The lovely DJ Poise Collins and hubby Azrrael Faromet

Thom looking lovely in his new coat - Eggplant - if you say so :)

He's wubbly, he's fluffy, he's adorable - Wurfi fall :)

Wynn Klaar and her moustache of twirly doom

Poised for Action!

At the risk of repeating myself, Poise Collins is debuting at AAi tonight! Yay! Her internet connection now seems to be okay and she's ready for you all. She'll take the world on with her indie set - be there or be a porcupine in a sewing shop.1-3pm slt.

HEADS UP!

Looks like DJ Becksicle as she has never asked to be known - Becka Blackrain to you sticklers - might have to move her set from her normal 1-3pm slt time on a Tuesday to 2-4pm slt on a Tuesday. This is cus she lives in another land where time is later and she has to go do a horrid job and they don't let her play out the times she'd like to.

So get your jammies on first, and then be there for 2 hours of super duper fabulous indie. oh ja.

She normally moves more than this but times is 'ard.

1990s - how long ago?

Billboard in AAi.. click for info.

Poised for action!

For those of you who might have been disappointed that Poise wasn't able to make her debut on Wednesday after all, I have good news. The men from the doo-flob have been out and mended her diddle-dwot and now her internet is all working again. Yay!

She will make her debut next Wednesday (2nd October) at 1pm slt. Don't miss it (and that applies to all DJ and guests lol).

<3

In other news... Wraith played a mammoth four hours last night, until the last dancer dropped to the dusty floor and died. (The last dancer was me, although Brook was a close second). Texan girls do it hard 'til the end - or something like that :)

Toooooonight - nothing! I'm hoping for some fun over at the Bannister, but we'll see what slife brings.

New DJs!

Yes, two more people are mad enough to enter the insensible family at AAi.

Tonight, the one and only Poise Collins makes her debut at AAi. Poise says she 'misses playing an indie set' and so it'll be a real treat to hear her each Wednesday. 1-3pm slt.

Graz (who has played Wednesdays for years now) has his rl band rehearsals on Wednesdays, and what with that and his BSC wax, his mani-pedi and signing fan mail, has had to give up his regular set. Fear not Furyists... he'll play impromptus when he can.

Saturday nights will (from this Saturday onwards) be the domain of Ricco Monday. Ricco is well used to the club and the insanity so I'm sure he'll fit right in with his indie set. 1-3pm. Monday on a Saturday - more fun that it at first sounds I'm sure :)

I'm so excited I might wee a little.

A night UNDERCOVER with DJ Chris

Chris aka NathanaelWest is a name you might remember from such sets as "Aww Yeah" (the funky set) a few weeks ago at AAi.

Last Friday he did "Undercover" which was a set of covers which were by people that didn't sound like the people they are, or something. Whatever the criteria for the music, it was fabulous and included such gems as the amazingly talented Ben Folds covering Dr Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit"

Of course, being an undercover set, Chris and the rest of us decided to be suitably incognito and I took some snaps...

The Wolf (Heavenly Villa) and Thom looking completely normal "face off"

Chris is a tree, nothing to see here

Del Ectonite brought nachos, chilli tits and twerking along - god help us

Futuristic time-travelling super spy and not Meri at all

Paolla Piglet Flux looking adorably cute (as usual of course)

Evil Laa looking, well... evil.

So, as you can see, a lot of fun japes, slut drops and twerking was had by all. While the outfits may have been in slightly bad taste, the tunes definitely were not and Chris reigned supreme as our favourite "DJ who pops up now and again with a lairy idea".

I'll let you know when the next one is, it's sure to be worth a visit.

Tonight - Lulalulaulaby at AAi

Let my tunes sing you to sleep this Sunday night. I'm not telling what I've got but let's just say there will be some exciting pre-release tracks from some big names, some recent grooves and a couple of super covers. You should turn up, for sure :) It might even be my best yet (sentence reproduced courtesy of Becks) 1-3pm slt at AAi.

Click here to teleport to AAi

DJ Chris presents... Undercover Friday at AAi

It should be a riot of ridiculousness and great music. Come and see what he's got for yous.

Teleport to AAi in Secondlife