August 17th 2018 Show

I sat huddled around the small fire that burned in the rock circle, pulling the shabby plaid woolen blanket more tightly around my humped over shoulders. A faded pink floral quilt lay across my legs. I closed my eyes and tried to curl the fingers of my right hand into my left for warmth. They felt like ice sticks.

I felt a sudden warm spot behind me where something was blocking the draft from the open mouth of the cave wherein I dwelt. Sniffing, I caught the strong wind of stale sweat masked with Gucci Guilty Eau Pour Homme cologne. Whoever it was, it was no friend of mine. Wrinkling my nose, I raised the shotgun that I kept resting across my lap at all times and pointed it back over my shoulder, tilting my head away from it as I pulled the trigger. I heard a thud behind me as the raider hit the stone ground in a lifeless puddle of human waste. Glancing back, I frowned at the mess. “BILLY” I yelled, “Come clean this up! And bring me some coke with ice in it. Move it, lardass!”

Of course, that is bullshit, for if I actually did fire off a shotgun that close to my ear with one hand even aiming backwards, I’d prolly be in rather bad shape myself. But this is my reality, where I can do what I want, and in my reality, I indeed dropped that raider with one hand and no harm to myself. Because in my reality, I’m cool like that.

Billy toddled up with a delicate porcelain pink tea cup. Inside was coke with broken bits of icicle. That was the only ice we could get. We lived in a cave, there was no frig, no freezer. And yes yes I know ‘frig’ is not a word. Piss off. This is my reality! In my reality, nothing has to make sense and I never have to explain anything. And in my reality, ‘frig’ is a perfectly good word. *runs to look it up* Well I’ll be dipped in batter and deep-fried, it is a word *just looks incredulous* this is not what I had in mind:

frig1
frɪɡ/Submit
vulgar slang

verb
verb: frig; 3rd person present: frigs; past tense: frigged; past participle: frigged; gerund or present participle: frigging
1. have sexual intercourse with.
masturbate.

noun
noun: frig; plural noun: frigs
1. an act of sexual intercourse or masturbation.

exclamation
exclamation: frig
1. expressing anger, annoyance, or contempt.

Origin
late Middle English: of unknown origin. The original sense was ‘move restlessly, wriggle’, later ‘rub, chafe’, hence ‘masturbate’ (late 17th century).

So what do we know, ‘frigging’ is a real word. I thought Australians made it up. Australians have their own language, founded in English, but it is not really English anymore. What they did was, they took the English language, ripped all the feathers off it, rearranged all its parts, then dipped it in beer, rolled it in grit, and deep-fried it. Once it had that golden brown sheen, they placed a mortarboard on it’s head, handed it a laser pointer and sent it out to confuse the rest of the world.

Okay, just unsee that entire part of this story. ‘Unsee’ is another word that exists in my reality, don’t make me look it up! Refrigerator. There. You made me type it out. We had no refrigerator or freezer. Because we lived in a cave. I gave the cup of coke a glance then looked at Billy who was kneeling down with bowed head, terrified of making eye contact with my haggard self. I was a grizzled old woman with a personality to match. But this time, I was almost nice to him.

“I was only joking. I don’t want coke with ice. I want a coffee with Baileys! You should know that, dummy, it’s freezing in this cave!” I waved him away with the sweep of a dismissive hand.

We had it rough, having had to move into a rock cave in the side of a mountain after our house and city were destroyed in the apocalypse. We did manage to bring a few comforts with us, but amenities were sparse. We got by as best we could. Coffee and Baileys helped heaps.

I rose and trudged over to a chair on the other side of the fire. Sitting down, I tilted my head back a bit as pale, blood-shot eyes scanned the computer monitor in front of me. Ahhhhhhhhhhh, there it was, the Elysium stage in The Empire Room on Copperhead Road sim. And there was that hunk of a DJ, Gunner von Phoenix playing some of my favourite tunes. I heard Paul call out, “Welcome to the Weekend!” He was standing with Jilley greeting guests as they came through the door….

I smiled.

I leaned back, ready to enjoy the show as Wiz began the introduction. Billy appeared at my side with a coffee that smelled amazing, steam rising with the sweetness of a bit of Baileys to warm my blood. I reached for my tweezers and began absentmindedly plucking out my chin hairs as I watched the show.

I nodded. Life was harsh, but at least we still had internet.

Like I said, my reality.

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Jilley
with Paul, Pea and Ant
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Jumpin’ Jack

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Luna
with Carol, Spice, ŻєŃα and Syykyr
Nakita , by Elton John

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
I understand how one gets caught up in life’s choices. One dose not want to be there but finds themselves in too deep.

2. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
Nikita, a young woman who was rescued from death row by a secret government agency known as Division. Division faked Nikita’s execution, giving her a chance to start a new life and serve her country. At least, that’s what she is told. In reality, she is trained to be a spy and assassin. After three years in hiding, Nikita seeks retribution against her former bosses who deceived her and does everything she can to expose and destroy Division’s covert operation, even as Division continues recruiting and training other young people to become cold-blooded killers.

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Simi
Devil Woman by Cliff Richards

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Wiz
Ursine Vulpine – Wicked Game

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Lina
with Jilley, Baby, Josie, Nara
ZZ Ward , Criminal

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Antonio
with Hailie
Moves like Jagger Adam Levine and Christina Aguliera

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to?
It was part of a body parts challenge, and I’ve always like the song.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
Sorting the lips out once I came up with the idea to have them open at the start of the number.

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
It’s just a bit of fun, It was a good way to branch out and tinker a bit, the lips and mouth were fun for me, and having myself an Hailie walk down tongues.

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
Not really was just fun to work on, a lot of it came about by being bored at work, and I escape by planning my sets there.

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Nara
Ride a White Horse by Goldfrapp

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Babypea
Ladytron – Black Cat

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
I’ve been sitting on this song for ages because it is so weird. I finally decided it would be perfect for a Lovecraft Festival act, so I decided to use it for Lovefest 2018.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
I bring a giant leech in from the back of the stage towards the end of the dance. Unfortunately, the Lovefest stage is butted right against the edge of the sim. Thus, my prop would not rez because it was rezzing off sim. I tried to make the leech smaller, considered other ways to bring it in, but none of this worked. So I had to pull this act from Elysium’s Lovefest lineup. Was a bummer, but I can still do it at venues that allow space around their venues so that mad people can rez mad sets.

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
It’s just a bit of fun, enjoying the weird and the silly. I don’t take this stuff too seriously, my focus is more on having fun with it. I know which fork to use first, but I ENJOY eating with my fingers and playing with my food. Don’t you wish you were on the menu? *triple reverse snorts with a backwards twirl*

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
SexyS Quintessa made the leech in my dance… her first mesh that she uploaded to SL!! Thanks SexySssssssssssss…. She is my baby mama, BTW.

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Eva
Crowd Dances

Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Closer to the Edge”

Queen – Flash (Official Video)

Rick Springfield – Human Touch

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Welcome to the Weekend!

If it’s Friday, it’s Elysium Cabaret!

Tell your family.

Tell your friends.

Tell complete strangers.

They will thank you.

Friday, August 17th at 6pm SLT in The Empire Room at Copperhead Road sim.

It’s the place to be and the show to see… welcome to the weekend!

Thank You, From Jill Robinson and Animals Asia Foundation

Wanted to share this. I did a screenshot of the email but it was too small to read once posted to the blog, so I copy/pasted it below and then included the screenshot. I blocked out my middle and last name to protect my own privacy. Thank you again to everyone who participated with Elysium Dances for the Bears.

The email said:

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for supporting our projects. Your kind donation will go directly to helping our animal welfare initiatives in Asia.

End Bear Bile Farming: The barbaric bear bile trade sees over 10,000 bears – mainly moon bears but also sun bears and brown bears – kept on bile farms in China, and around 1200 in Vietnam. Most farmed bears are kept in tiny cages for up to 30 years. Animals Asia works to end this cruel practice, which continues despite the availability of effective and affordable herbal and synthetic alternatives.

Cat and Dog Welfare: Through our Cat and Dog Welfare programme, we work to end the trade in dogs and cats for food in China, and lobby to improve the welfare of companion animals and promote humane population management.

Captive Animal Welfare: Through our Captive Animal Welfare programme, we work to end abusive practices such as circus-style animal performances, feeding live prey to predators for the amusement of audiences, and using wild animals as photographic props. We also provide training to improve animal management and veterinary skills, and work to increase awareness of the welfare needs of captive animals.

We are happy to enclose your official receipt. Again, thank you for your generosity – the support of donors like you is crucial for helping us continue with our work.

To stay informed about our work, please visit our website, which is packed with information on all of our projects. You can also keep up to date via my blog, or our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

From all of us at the Animals Asia team, our grateful thanks and appreciation.

With enormous bear hugs,

Jill Robinson

Animals Asia, Founder and CEO

Andy’s Video of the Bears Show

Thank you Andy for this.  Please pardon my typo on the NC about the bears, I triple checked it but I guess it says 5600 bears have been rescued… it was 500, and last count I heard was 600, and I think I missed deleting the 5 when I was changing it to a 6.  So I apologise for that.  You can always check the Animals Asia Foundation website to get any updates on the bears that have been rescued.

https://www.animalsasia.org

Here is the video of the show, again with my thanks to all who participated:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXj-gPleWpI&t=10s

 

Elysium Danced for the Bears

Thank you to everyone who participated in any way with Elysium’s fundraiser show today. Thank you to all who choreographed, danced, donated, helped with the busy details behind the scenes, or helped spread the word about Animals Asia Foundation.  Thank you DJ Gunner and Paul Woodrunner for hosting and helping to promote.  Thank you to Web for helping to promote and for so much more.  We raised what converted into 300 AUD for the bears, and it has been sent to AAF.

Here are some pictures from the show.

Ame – Earth Song

Taema with Ame, Pea, Web, and Kelly – Jungle Jive

Seb with Gunner, Kyser, and Antonio – Can’t Be Tamed

Panda – While My Guitar Gently Weeps by Regina Spektor

Antonio with Hailie, Seb, Pea, and Miss Amekins – Derek Hough – ‘Kairos’ Ft. Lindsey Stirling | Official Music Video

BabyPea/Web with Web and Panda – AURORA – Through The Eyes Of a Child

Kyser and Taema – Cat people

Babypea – Turin Brakes – Save You

https://my.animalsasia.org

Here is copy of receipt for payment made, I did top it up a tiny bit to make it an even 300 AUD, and I also blacked out my personal details because well I am not posting my address and phone number on the net.  I have too many *fans* and well, don’t need the attention.  And yes, I am being facetious with ‘fans’ LOL! But if anyone wants proof of payment for their records, there it be:

August 10th 2018 Show

I stepped into the old room with the weathered sepia-stained walls, dim golden light giving presence to shadows in corners and under furniture. It had been a long time since I had returned to this farmhouse. Many years I had lived here, and then I just left, taking nothing but a few clothes… I had planned to be right back. That was five years ago. I was finally back and finding everything right where I had left it, untouched except by dust. Not a lot of dust since the door to the room had stayed closed for all this time.

I glanced around fondly at the antique iron bed that sat so high off the floor, the mosquito netting delicately cascading around it, the old vanity table with wooden-framed mirror, dressers and bureaus, old trunks and chests spilling over with lace table covers and wool blankets, shelves laden with old dusty leather-bound books, and the old dressmaker’s mannequin in the corner on which was displayed a wedding gown never worn. Well, not by me, I had bought it on eBay for cheap just to have for show, because I thought it was pretty and enhanced the decor of the room. I had positioned a standing full length mirror next to it and hung a frame on the wall nearby which displayed antique ivory silk gloves with dried purple flowers. Everywhere was pictures and paintings, vases and statuary, a display of antique hats on one wall next to a giant armoire, a wreath of dried flowers on another surrounded by tiny colourful porcelain tassel dolls. Floral patterned rugs covered the floor which was just really old concrete, crumbling in places and cracked here and there. It was nice in summer, because it was cool to the feet. In winter, the high bed far from the floor helped keep a body warm. The room was large but it was packed with treasure. My treasure, hidden away from life, kept safe from change.

I stepped over to my vanity table and sat down on the little stool, eyes falling to admire the antique brush and comb, sitting on a legged mirror. And it was then I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head to look over by one of the dressers, and there from under it, I saw a crack in the floor where the rug did not quite reach. And from that crack, I saw large bugs coming out. They were long and flat, like long oval seed pods that had collapsed. But they had tiny legs and small heads, they were not pods, they were bugs, longer than my fingers, some as long as my hands.

As my jaw dropped, eyes widening in horror, I saw more movement. Looking around the room frantically, I saw more of these bugs coming out of cracks in the floor, and not only from the floor but from cracks in the walls and out of openings in furniture, out of the drawers, out of the vases, out from under the pillows on my bed. I jumped up and tried stamping on the bugs but they were already flat and did not react to being stamped. So I grabbed cloth, shawls, silk scarves, anything within reach and started plugging up the cracks, the openings, slamming chests and trunks shut, stuffing fabric everywhere that a bug was coming out of.

I was sweating and shaking, my head felt light and my breathing was so shallow, I felt I could not catch my breath. I then darted from the room to find Leigh. The farmer… the father of my now-grown daughter. He had to come, had to see this, had to fix it!

I found him out in one of the sheds and begged him to come, I told him there are bugs, big flat bugs, crawling out of everything, in the walls, under the floors, the place was infested! He just gave me that bored expression with the subtle eye-roll, the same one that had defined our relationship, the expression that had undermined our rapport, the one that had caused me to leave and be gone for so long. He didn’t believe me. So I pulled his arm and told him to come see for himself.

He begrudgingly followed. I could see he had no interest in investigating this phenomena, he just wanted to be left alone in his man-hole with his porn and his fantasies. I would have been happy to leave him there, except for… bugs. I dragged him into the house, to find a small group of visitors collected in the dining room. Screaming about bugs, I ran to my bedroom, popped open the door and surveyed the room with a fast eye. The fabric blocks were holding. They were not escaping. But I could feel them there, the walls and floors pulsating with them, I could feel the sound waves from the scurrying of thousands of tiny feet, I could sense the movement. They were going to implode this place.

Suddenly, I heard someone yell out, “Dorothy, wake up!” I huffed out a strong breath of air and opened my eyes, sat up in bed. I looked at the clock. The alarm was sounding. My other half Gunner was standing over me. “It’s time to get up for the show.” I considered him narrowly as I stepped from my low-to-the-floor bed in the wooden frame. I was not at the farm. I was home.  I was not in the presence of my offspring’s missing link of a father. I looked around distrustfully, allowing reality to sink in. “It was a dream,” I said to no one. “I was having a creepy dream. There are no bugs. It was just a bad dream.”

I walked down the hall to the lounge and sat at my computer, logging in to Second Life. I still felt surrounded by bugs.

I teleported to Copperhead Road. Paul and Jilley were there at The Empire Room, greeting arriving guests. I studied them both carefully, making sure there was nothing moving around under their skin. DJ Gunner, my other half, was spinning tunes to warm up the crowd. I heard him on mic say, “Welcome to the weekend!” I looked at the over-stuffed chairs, waiting for some sign of movement, but there was none. I sat down. I poked a cushion. Nothing. No bugs. There was Wiz, giving the show opening greetings. My fingers went to my hair, feeling around for bugs as the curtain opened and the show started.

Bugs. There are NO BUGS! No bugs EVER!

Don’t ask me about the fish.
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Adam
with Bella
Zedd, Alessia Cara – Stay

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Ariel
with Devlin, Rhonda, Adam, Bella
Purple People Eater

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Luna
with Carol and Dion
Super heros from Twilight

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Sarah
with Ginty
Wonderwall (Epic Stripped Version)

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Queenie
with Jo, Lina and Jilley*
Fergie~MILF

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
I saw the video and heard the song and knew I had to do it. All these sexy asses…gotta show them off!

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
The costume was a challenge but surprisingly looking up MILF on marketplace brought me to it! Imagine that!

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
Just some sexy ass shakin’ fun for hot moms

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
“Now lemme see you milfshake
I got that MILF money”

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Nadi
with Taema and Gracie
Dimie Cat – Everybody Wants To Be A Cat

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Corri
with Nara, Gemma, Joszef, Ray, Antonio and Seb
Christina Aguilera ft Redman – Dirty

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Jilley
SEVDALIZA – HUMAN

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Antonio
Crowd Dances
Wall To Wall (Main Version) – Chris Brown
P Diddy Come to me feat Nicole Scherzinger Explicit
Usher – Yeah! ft. Lil Jon, Ludacris

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to?
Just a few fun songs to while letting everyone dance in Zero Sum the club from Black Dagger Brotherhood.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
This one was actually easy although I wanted to put some on the bar but couldn’t because they would be dancing in the shelf.

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
Just a bit of fun an a way to share one of my sets with the crowd, an other dancers.

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
Keep calm dance, drink gray goose vodka an read black dagger brotherhood..

We had a celebrity at Elysium tonight… THE LEGEND!! WIRE FROST!!

AND we had a PRIEST KING! WOOT!

Why Elysium is Dancing for the Bears

Elysium Cabaret “DANCING FOR BEARS”
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11th 2018 AT 2PM SLT

This is a dance show fundraiser in support of Animals Asia Foundation. All proceeds from this show will be donated to Animals Asia Foundation. This fundraiser is registered with Animals Asia Foundation.

Jill Robinson founded Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) in 1998. This year celebrates 20 years of rescuing these small, gentle bears used in the horrifying bile trade and trying to stop the unspeakable, sadistic practice of bile collecting. AAF raises awareness of the inhumane methods used in bear bile, which involve bears living up to 30 years in small cages, with metal catheters inserted into their abdomens for bile extraction, or even open wounds through which the bile drips. The organization also works “to reduce the demand for bile in Asia by promoting affordable, effective and cruelty free alternatives.”

AAF headquarters is in Hong Kong, with sanctuaries in Vietnam and China. AAF has rescued more than 500 bears. Last count was 611 bears! These bears were taken from a life of torture and cruelty to experience grass under their feet for the first time, nutritious food, toys and friends, being able to walk around and bathe and swim, climb trees and simply BE bears. Please join us in helping Jill and AAF in their tireless devotion to putting an end to the horrific practice of bear bile farming. Today, we dance for the bears! Elysium Cabaret in The Empire Room on Copperhead Road sim. Please support AAF any way you can. Every bit helps. Donations of funds to pay for housing, food and medicine, sponsor a bear, spread the word on your social media and other methods… please don’t look the other way. Together, we are making a difference, awareness is being raised, legislation is being made, and bears are being rescued.

Until the cruelty ends.

Find out more: https://www.animalsasia.org/

SL URL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/74/64/2754

Watch the documentary “Cages of Shame”: http://www.cagesofshame.com and watch the whole film at http://www.guinnessentertainment.com

All donations to this fundraiser will be given to Animals Asia Foundation. AAF’s goal is to raise funds to help bear recovery and rehabilitation at their bear sanctuaries.

Their world-class bear rescue centres in Chengdu, China and Tam Dao, Vietnam provide the bears with comfortable dens and semi-natural enclosures where they are able to recover in safety and spend the remaining years of their lives in the company of other bears. To date, 611 farmed bears have been received into AAF’s care.

Animals Asia Foundation is a group that works tirelessly to rescue, treat, and provide sanctuary for Asia’s gentle Moon Bears. They are the smallest and most gentle of the bear family. These precious animals are often caged as cubs where they live out a miserable existence with a tube inserted to extract their bile, used in ancient Asian medicine. The bears are confined to “crush” cages so small they often cannot even turn around. They are provided no comforts and are fed a thin rice gruel each day, just enough to keep them alive. They are kept in this inhumane condition for up to thirty years, until their deaths. This diabolical treatment of vulnerable, helpless creatures is appalling. It is proven the bile extracted from their gall bladders is ineffective as a medicine. Bear bile treatment is founded in ancient folklore, and modern medicine provides much better treatments for the ailments the bile is used for.

Jill Robinson founded Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) in 1998. The organization raises awareness of the inhumane methods used in bear bile, which involve bears living up to 30 years in small cages, with metal catheters inserted into their abdomens for bile extraction, or even open wounds through which the bile drips. The organization also works “to reduce the demand for bile in Asia by promoting affordable, effective and cruelty free alternatives.” AAF headquarters is in Hong Kong, with sanctuaries in Vietnam and China. AAF has rescued more than 600 bears.

To find out more about Animals Asia Foundation and the plight of the moon bears, visit: http://www.animalsasia.org

Watch the documentary “Cages of Shame”: http://www.cagesofshame.com and watch the whole film at http://www.guinnessentertainment.com

Animals Asia is devoted to ending the barbaric practice of bear bile farming and improving the welfare of animals in China and Vietnam. We promote compassion and respect for all animals and work to bring about long-term change.

Founded in 1998, the Animals Asia team has been rescuing moon bears since 1994 and is the only organisation with a bear sanctuary in China. Our founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, Dr.med.vet. h.c., is widely recognised as the world’s leading expert on the cruel bear bile industry, having campaigned against it since 1993.

Animals Asia has rescued over 600 bears, caring for them at its award-winning bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam. From its small beginnings in Hong Kong, Animals Asia has grown into a respected international NGO with over 300 staff and offices in Australia, China, Germany, Italy, the UK, US and Vietnam.

To facilitate the bile extraction process, the bears are commonly kept in cages known as extraction or crush cages. These measure approximately 79 cm x 130 cm x 200 cm (2.6 feet x 4.4 feet x 6.5 feet). Because the bears weigh between 50 to 120 kilograms (110 to 260 lb), these cages prevent the bears from being able to stand upright, or in some cases, restrict the bear’s movements even more.

Farmed bile bears are often malnourished and in poor health, living to an average age of five years; healthy captive bears can live until age 35 and wild bears live to 25-30 years. If the bears live past age five, they are most often killed around age 10, since by then their productivity usually drops off. They are then sold for their meat, fur, paws, and gall bladders.

Living for 10–12 years under such circumstances results in severe mental stress and muscle atrophy. The Chinese media reported an incident in which a mother bear, having escaped her cage, strangled her own cub and then killed herself by intentionally running into a wall. World Animal Protection sent researchers to 11 bile farms. They reported seeing bears moaning, banging their heads against their cages, and chewing their own paws (autophagia).

In January 2006, the Chinese State Council Information Office held a press conference in Beijing, during which the government said that it was enforcing a “Technical Code of Practice for Raising Black Bears,” which “requires hygienic, painless practice for gall extraction and make strict regulations on the techniques and conditions for nursing, exercise and propagation.” However, a 2007 veterinary report published by the Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) stated that the Technical Code was not being enforced and that many bears were still spending their entire lives in small extraction cages without free access to food or water. AAF also noted that the free-dripping technique promoted in the Technical Code was unsanitary as the fistula created to access the gall bladder allowed for an open portal through which bacteria could infiltrate the abdomen. The AAF report also stated that surgeries to create free-dripping fistulae caused bears great suffering as they were performed without appropriate antibiotics or pain management and the bears were repeatedly exposed to this process as the fistulae often healed over. The free-dripping method still requires the bears to be prodded with a metal rod when the wound heals over and under veterinary examination, some bears with free-dripping fistulae were actually found to have clear perspex catheters permanently implanted into their gall bladders. In addition to the suffering caused by infection and pain at the incision site, 28% of fistulated bears also experience abdominal hernias and more than a third eventually succumb to liver cancer, believed to be associated with the bile-extraction process.

The monetary value of the bile comes from the traditional prescription of bear bile by doctors practicing TCM. Bear bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). It is purchased and consumed to treat hemorrhoids, sore throats, sores, bruising, muscle ailments, sprains, epilepsy, reduce fever, improve eyesight, break down gall stones, act as an anti-inflammatory, reduce the effects of over-consumption of alcohol, and to ‘clear’ the liver. It is currently found in various forms for sale including whole gall bladders, raw bile, pills, powder, flakes and ointment. Because only minute amounts of bile are used in TCM, a total of 500 kg of bear bile is used by practitioners every year, but according to WSPA more than 7,000 kg is being produced. The surplus is being used in other non-essential products such as throat lozenges, shampoo, toothpaste, wine, tea, eyedrops, and general tonics. Reports on the efficacy of bile products are mixed. It has been stated “These products have absolutely no benefit to health” and “Scientists have scrutinized the health effects of bear bile but have come to no definitive conclusions”.

It’s Almost the Weekend

It’s almost Friday, and Friday means it’s Elysium Cabaret! Fancy some imagination? In The Empire Room at Copperhead Road, Friday, August 10th at 6pm SLT the dynamic performers of Elysium Cabaret take the stage to bring you a solid hour of entertainment! Featuring elaborate sets and choreography sequenced to an eclectic genre of music, Elysium Cabaret offers something for everyone. Grab your friends and get there early because the sim fills. Come celebrate Friday! Welcome to the weekend!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/74/64/2754

A Word About Stage Usage

Elysium uses a very large stage. This is so that complex acts requiring a lot of room will have the space they need to fulfil the creator’s vision. However, some acts would be better served using a smaller stage. Such a large space can be intimidating to fill for acts that do not require so much room. Trying to oversize a smaller act can cause a set to look vacuous or displeasing to the eye, for example from textures being stretched too large or props taking on an unnatural relation to walls. Here is a solution.

Try simply using a smaller template for your set. Make a size that works for you. Consider using different shapes than the standard ‘box’ template.

Then use prims to box your set onto the stage, filling in open spaces.

You can colour your prims black or use decorative textures, even animated ones.

So please do not feel you must use all that space for every act. Just use what your act needs. Sometimes, small, cosy and intimate suits an act perfectly. Feel free to comment if you have any thoughts regarding stage usage.

August 3rd 2018 Show

I leaned back in my chair, continuing to file my nails as my eyes intently scanned the playbill. Elysium Cabaret, Friday night at 6pm, in The Empire Room at Copperhead Road. Sebastian Bourne performing He’s a Tramp. My eyes pierced his image on the poster, gazing deeply into his. Though it was just a picture of him, I was sure he was looking directly at ME, summoning me. Even just a photo, I was sure his image was aware of me.

I stood up and stretched, in my boudoir that had walls plastered with pictures of Sebalicious. My pillow cases, imprinted with images of his face, sheets with full body images of Seb in nothing but a thong. I slept with my mouth next to his, wrapped in his arms. The curtains specially made with full-length images of him. I had my Seb alarm clock, lunch box, and trinket box. Autographed playbills, posters, and calendars. And my most prized Sebula possession, the rare Seb thermos that I had won at skeet ball in an arcade. Took me 3500 tickets to get that thermos.

I was not obsessed. I was a fan. That was all. I collected Seb paraphernalia. But there was one item missing from my collection, and I was determined to procure it tonight at the show.

I wanted that damn blue ribbon. Not just any blue ribbon, THE blue ribbon. Don’t ask what blue ribbon… sacrilege! How dare anyone NOT know which blue ribbon I speak of! THE blue ribbon that adorned Seb’s anatomy, under that infamous kilt… I wanted to BE that blue ribbon. But in lieu of not being able to BE the ribbon, I was willing to settle for simply owning it. And tonight, I was determined to get it.

I dressed in a simple black evening gown, nothing flashy or revealing. I wanted to blend, not stand out. Hair pinned in an updo, understated jewelery. Simple, plain. I headed out for the show.

The night was hot.

No.

The night was humid.

No.

The might was moist.

No.

The night was… sultry!

I arrived at the glamorous and elegant Empire Room, warmly greeted by club owners Paul Woodrunner and Jilley Roo. I found my seat, sitting back appearing calm, arms stretched out, hands resting softly on the overstuffed cushions of my chair as I surveyed the audience, glass of champagne on the table next to a small plate of cracked crab. My gaze crept over to the stage, then to each side, casing out the paths to the backstage. From there, I could find my way to the dressing rooms under the club.

My heart pounded in my ears. I tried to control my breathing. I just needed to get downstairs. Then I could search his dressing room. Panic filled me, the thought that he might not have that blue ribbon here but may have taken it home for safe storage. But I was prepared for this challenge. I had a slab of clay in my handbag. I would find his keys while he was onstage and imprint his house key. Checking his driver’s license, I would find out where he lived. Then I could make a key from the clay imprint, go to his house while he was working, let myself in and have hours to search for that blue ribbon. I hoped he hadn’t washed it. Sealing it in a Ziploc bag would be a much better idea.

Manager Wiz was giving out the opening welcome to the show. My heart raced as I waited for the curtain to open on the first act. I heard DJ Gunner announce, “Welcome to the Weekend!” I frowned because his voice had changed, and I wondered if he had perhaps taken a trip to Thailand. Looking over to his stand, I saw Eva was filling his boots tonight. No, not with concrete!

She was really filling them, with herself. Apparently, his car broke down on the way into work, so Eva was kind enough to fill in for him. As the show began, it was time to make my move… blue ribbon, you shall be MINE! I clenched the cushions, digging in my nails. I felt dizzy. I had to be strong, be brave, be clever. I wanted that Blue Ribbon, dammit!

Looking around, checking for security, I chanted silently to myself, “BE the ribbon, BE the ribbon.” Lights flashed, music sounded, the curtains opened….

THROW MAMA FROM THE TRAIN!! BONZAI!! *runs to look that word up and make sure it is spelled right. Hmmm. Okay, it is, not to be confused with Bonsai, the tiny trees*
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Babypea
with Gunner and Web
Kings of Leon – Closer

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
I love the ominous feel to the song and the music, almost a desperation.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
Not much really, turning the goat and human sacrifices into the goat demon took a bit of work with the smoke and particles and all, but it was not hard, just time consuming. Could always use more hours in a day.

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
It doesn’t have any meaning to me personally but it makes me feel weird, like something is coming to get me, and I love the feeling of being stalked.

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
I think Gunner is much sexy as a goat demon.

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Denyaii
with Melvis
RHIANNA/CIARRA MIX

1. Why diD you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
LOVE THE ARTISTS AND THE SONGS KISS ME BETTER AND DANCE LIFE MAKING LOVE….SELF EXPLANATORY

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
WORKING WITH THEM DAMN HENMATIONS CPL DANCES

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?’
DEEP…MMMM LEAVE IT THERE

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
FEEL THE MUSIC

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Jilley
with Web and Babypea
Katy Perry – Rise

Since Jilley doesn’t usually do the mini-interview, I will take the liberty of answering her mini-review questions for her!
1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
It was a chance for me to corrupt Babypea. She is so sweet and innocent, and I really wanted to get my talons into her and make her do bad things.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
Trying to keep Babypea from jumping on my mover. The attention seeker, always trying to be centre stage!

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
It was a heap of fun, turning the adorable and precious Pea into a warrior consumed with blood lust!

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
Babypea was freshly showered and clean before my dance. Just look at her now! She is filthy and needs a shower!

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Taema – Mynx
with Kyser
Cat People (a special mix)

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Seb
with Jo, Baby, Jilley, Denyaii
He’s a Tramp

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Dear
with Paul
Calum Scott – You Are the Reason

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
It is just so beautiful, the words.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
Cameras. It is the 1st act I have ever used the Metaharper cam system. Setting them up properly was a real challenge.

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Antonio
with Hailie, Jilley, Web, Baby Pea.
Adam Lambert – Cuckoo (CDQ) Official Audio (Full Song)

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to?
I heard the song a long time ago, then I got some props from the Dance Queens Prop challenge and well it fit. I’d wanted to do it for a while so it seemed like a sign.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
Finding just the right parts to use, for an asylum I actually trashed 3 sets before this one came together.

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
Just a bit of fun, I am a fan of the Joker and Harley Quinn, although please don’t try to make me pick the best joker I can only say Jack and Heath. .

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
If it were not for the Dance Queens Prop challenge I may still just have it on my list. it’s good to do challenges sometimes makes you step out of what you would normally do. And yes Jilly and Baby bite thats why they had the masks on, Web has only pinched so far. But usually Harley an myself can keep them in line with the knife and bat. “Why do serious, come dance an put a smile on your face.”

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Kyshra
Eternal Breath

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Lina
Crowd Dances
Fall out Boy- Church
Hozier-Take me to Church
Depeche Mode/Doors mix

1. Why did you choose this song to create a dance to? What was your inspiration?
This week my choice for the crowd dances was my quest for that divine inspiration. It seemed there was a general opinion that I was deeply in need of salvation and Jesus so here it comes… LIna style.

2. What were the particular challenges you dealt with when creating this dance?
This one came together pretty easy as far as the build, I tore apart a few items from my friends from Anxiety, Joseph and Josh. The tough part finding just the right songs and tempos to give it the feel I wanted, so I chose some remixes to keep it fresh and entertaining.

3. What does this dance mean to you? Is it a bit of fun, or is there a deeper meaning?
This was all pure fun and a little sexiness thrown in for good measure.

4. Is there anything you would like others to know about your dance?
This week’s crowd dance is done for all of you bad girls of the Elysium and all of you who enjoy us 🙂

Chopper is so innocent and trusting. He dances, unconcerned or more likely unaware of that which lurks behind him. This begs the question: what is more scary, to have the Pope dancing behind you or…. *cue the theme from ‘Silence of the Lambs’*