2011.01.06 07:00 - The Extraordinary Hides in the Ordinary

The Guardian for this meeting was Bruce Mowbray - subbing for Storm. The comments are by Bruce Mowbray.  Attending were Arch, Boxy, Gaya, and Bruce.

Bruce Mowbray: Good morning, Arch.
Archmage Atlantis: Morning, Bruce :)
Bruce Mowbray: How's it going today?
Archmage Atlantis: No Blub again today?......Some other aspect here today?
Archmage Atlantis: I am stuck in a cloud it appears
Bruce Mowbray: Blub still sleeping. . . no other aspect. . . just plain old ordinary Bruce.
Bruce Mowbray: You look perfect to me.
Archmage Atlantis: OK, just checking
Bruce Mowbray: brb -- running for RL coffee....
Archmage Atlantis: Hum,,,,oh well, .....ok
Bruce Mowbray: back.
Bruce Mowbray: Are you still appearing as a cloud to yourself?
Archmage Atlantis: Yeppers
Bruce Mowbray: if so, that might be a cyber artifact of your "new shape"
Bruce Mowbray: hee hee.
Bruce Mowbray: (or 'she she' -  as the case may be).

Archmage Atlantis: Actually, this is my usual dull old self
Bruce Mowbray: Mmmm. . . .
Bruce Mowbray thinks he'll wait for Arch to be able to see his own form -- after the clouds lift.
Archmage Atlantis: Probably some artifact of the newest phoenix viewer, since I just changed over this weekend past
Bruce Mowbray: yeah, perhaps.
Bruce Mowbray: I noticed that when using that viewer I could switch male/female forms with a couple of clicks.
Archmage Atlantis: :)....not a problem..........I can speak from burning bushes, heavenly clouds and underwater as good as in real sl
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Arch and Bruce :)
Archmage Atlantis: Hi, Gaya
Bruce Mowbray: Hey, Gaya!

Confusion about 'Dream Workshop, ' Dream Circle', 'Dream sessions' -- weekly, monthly?

Archmage Atlantis: I was disappointed to miss dream session this time, but it was an "under the weather day" for me
Gaya Ethaniel: ah ok
Bruce Mowbray: Oh -- sorry to hear that, Arch. But actually I don't think they had that session.
Gaya Ethaniel: We did last month :)
Bruce Mowbray: Yeah - last month, but not this month. Folks came here on their way to Maxine's group. . .
Archmage Atlantis: I'm pretty sure I missed the Dec session
Bruce Mowbray: then they returned from the cafe saying there was no one there.
Gaya Ethaniel: ah Maxine's workshop ...
Bruce Mowbray: yeah. That's scheduled weekly, though , is it not?
Bruce Mowbray: perhaps I'm confused. . . because I've attended it only a few times -- not being able to remember my dreams once awake, you know.
Archmage Atlantis: I have been to Maxine's workshop, but I'm not a regular
Gaya Ethaniel: Yes her workshop is weekly one ...
Bruce Mowbray: Do you know the day/time, Gaya? I'll put it in my datebook.
Archmage Atlantis: I like the PaB workshop a bit better, as, in my experience, there is more intimacy
Archmage Atlantis: But the PaB session is still only once a month, I think
Bruce Mowbray: Mmm. . . OK. But which one, Arch? Ways of Knowing, Time Sessions, Dream Circle, . . . Working Group?
Bruce Mowbray doesn't know which "PaB session workshop"  Arch is referring to.
Gaya Ethaniel: ok it is on 1 pm SLT on Tue but this is my old notes ... give me a sec ...

--BELL--

Bruce Mowbray: OK. THAT one (which meets weekly at the Kira Cafe, I think) is at the same time as the session here - that I'm scheduled to claim every week - Tuesdays, 1 p.m. slt
Archmage Atlantis: Officially it is the "Dream Circle" according to the wiki
Bruce Mowbray: Yes. . . but I've also noticed that sometimes it meets HERE instead of at the Cafe.
Bruce Mowbray: so -- I'm a bit confused.
Archmage Atlantis: I have it as a recurring session on my calendar
Bruce Mowbray: yes.
Gaya Ethaniel: It's still at 1 pm SLT on Tue weekly (at the cafe). I think Arch is talking about the monthly Dream Circle at PaB.
Gaya Ethaniel: Those two are different meetings ...
Archmage Atlantis: Yes, Gaya
Bruce Mowbray: Oh! So there are both weekly and monthly Dream groups.   well then, no wonder I'm confused!
Gaya Ethaniel: :P
Gaya Ethaniel: So the weekly one is at the cafe with Maxine/Fox ... and the monthly one is here with Eliza/Lucinda :)
Gaya Ethaniel: well ... and me :P
Bruce Mowbray: OK -- That explains it, then.  Thanks, Gaya.
Gaya Ethaniel: Maxine used to come to the monthly session ... I miss her input.
Bruce Mowbray: The monthly one meets at 7 a.m. - here - I think.
Gaya Ethaniel: mhm
Gaya Ethaniel: Last Wednesday of each month - 7 am SLT
Bruce Mowbray: ahhh --- that goes into my datebook right now (!)
Bruce Mowbray: thanks.
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Archmage Atlantis: Actually, Bruce, Gaya is a/the 'moderator,' for lack of better terminology
Gaya Ethaniel: not really ... Eliza and Lucinda help with all that too.
Gaya Ethaniel: I'm glad you enjoy the sessions Arch.
Archmage Atlantis: Right, got it, Gaya
Bruce Mowbray: I've stumbled into that session a few times -- now I have it "officially listed"
Archmage Atlantis: I really do enjoy them
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Bruce Mowbray: Is that the one you referred to as being "more intimate," Arch?
Archmage Atlantis: I think it confuses folks who stumble in cause it meets at a regular PaB time and here at the fountain
Archmage Atlantis: Yes, Bruce, that is correct
Bruce Mowbray: ok, thanks.
Archmage Atlantis: brb, coffee
Bruce Mowbray: brb, Cheerios. . .
Gaya Ethaniel: hehe
Bruce Mowbray: (back)
Gaya Ethaniel: wb
Bruce Mowbray: ty!
Bruce Mowbray: Are you preparing for the Art of Being project, Gaya?
Gaya Ethaniel: mm ... I don't think so ... is it about alts?
Bruce Mowbray: Yes, it's about alts and how our feelings change when we use different ones - and how the perceptions of others change - when they interact with us.
Gaya Ethaniel: Sounds interesting ... do you have alts, Bruce?
Bruce Mowbray: I have several forms that Bruce takes... and I also have another av with a different name, sex, age, and race.
Archmage Atlantis: Actually, I sort of had the same question as Bruce, Gaya, as you've changed your appearance.......at least according to my last memory of that :)

Bruce Mowbray: Yes, I also think Gaya has changed her appearance...

Bruce Mowbray: btw -- can you see Arch yet, Gaya?
Gaya Ethaniel: Arch has been visible all along ... you can't see him?

--BELL--

Gaya Ethaniel: oh, I changed a lot but kind of got bored of it :P
Bruce Mowbray: I have seen Arch perfectly all along. . . but he said he could not see himself.
Bruce Mowbray: [silence]
Gaya Ethaniel: hehe
Archmage Atlantis: I can't see myself. [silence]
Archmage Atlantis: Hi, Alfred :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Hello Alfred :)
Bruce Mowbray: Hello, Boxy!
Alfred Kelberry: aww, gaya the bunny :)
Alfred Kelberry: hello, pablings :)
Archmage Atlantis: We were just asking rude questions about that topic Alfred *g*
Alfred Kelberry: what topic?
Alfred Kelberry: bunnies? :)
Archmage Atlantis: Sorta......moving right along........yes the project is about alts this month
Alfred Kelberry: oh, right
Alfred Kelberry: yay! the cute bunny is coming :)
Alfred Kelberry: *giggles watching gaya*

Archmage Atlantis: It has been interesting to talk about the different perceptions of the roles alts play for different folks.
Archmage Atlantis: I have 3 others.
Gaya Ethaniel: Another friend requested the bunny recently ... ^^;;;
Gaya Ethaniel: oh brb-  something wrong next door
Alfred Kelberry: well, whenever i see gaya, i imagine a cute cuddly bunny :)
Alfred Kelberry: uh oh, hope this 'wrong' is not a bad thing
Alfred Kelberry: bruce has a boy child alt :)
Gaya Ethaniel: oh I see :)
Gaya Ethaniel: She must have left her dog alone again ... :( He's howling ...
Archmage Atlantis: I didn't know one could put one's av name in the format you are using Alfie.....ie,.......boxy(alfred.kelberry)
Alfred Kelberry: aww, poor puppy
Alfred Kelberry: oh, it's a new feature in v2
Alfred Kelberry: you can change your name once a week (if that's what you mean)
Bruce Mowbray: I use V2 -- How can I do that, Boxy?
Alfred Kelberry: go to your profile
Bruce Mowbray: ok (listens)
Archmage Atlantis: Two years ago, when I started to be in sl a lot more, it was easy to offend people if one commented on alts , clothes, real identities
Archmage Atlantis: Perhaps it still is outside the groups I choose to frequent
Alfred Kelberry: then 'edit profile' and you'll see an edit button next to your display name
Bruce Mowbray: OK -- I see it now. Thanks!
Alfred Kelberry: :)
Alfred Kelberry: *likes how gaya's paws are crossed on her knees* :)
Gaya Ethaniel: hehe
Archmage Atlantis: Hmmm, phoenix has a display name feature, let me try that out
Gaya Ethaniel: Bruce, can you tell me a bit about your practice group[s]?

Bruce was looking down at his keyboard and completely missed Gaya's question until off-line later when he edited this chat.  Sorry, Gaya.

Bruce Mowbray: Perhaps people were "offended," Arch , because they identify so closely with their alts ("immersed") - - so much that ANY comment about them might seem invasive, or something like that.
Archmage Atlantis: Testing, testing, testing
Bruce Mowbray: I actually appreciate it when folks tell me what they like and don't like about my alts - - because it gives me a new perspective on them.  a sort of "reality test."
Archmage Atlantis: Hey! it works~!
Alfred Kelberry: arch, it works!
Alfred Kelberry: :)
Bruce Mowbray: Yayyyy ---- Arch and Bruce just changed their names!!! (well, their displayed names, anyway).
Alfred Kelberry: :)
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Alfred Kelberry: gaya could be "bunny" :)
Gaya Ethaniel: That'd be too narrow :P
Alfred Kelberry: ok "cute bunny" :)
Gaya Ethaniel: lol narrower still
Alfred Kelberry: haha

--BELL--

Bruce Mowbray thinks - W-I-D-E Bunny ???
Bruce Mowbray: [silence]
Archmage Atlantis: Gaya can choose to be whatever Gaya chooses, I think that is the point {silence]
Gaya Ethaniel: tada there you go, appearance :P

Gaya has changed her display name to "Phaenomena"

Alfred Kelberry: :)
Bruce Mowbray: Wow --- This is COOOOL. Now we all have "nicknames"
Archmage Atlantis: yep :)
Gaya Ethaniel: oh I can't change back?
Bruce Mowbray: I love how Gaya has made her name plural -- so, many aspects of "self."
Bruce Mowbray: i think it's a once-a-week deal, Gaya.
Archmage Atlantis: I think that is the once a week limit thing Alfie mentioned
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Bruce Mowbray: yeah.
Gaya Ethaniel: ah ok
Bruce Mowbray: Did any of you see the news coverage of the "Man with the golden voice" this morning?
Bruce Mowbray: the homeless man from Columbus, Ohio?
Gaya Ethaniel: no, was it good?
Alfred Kelberry: oh, i didn't know this word
Alfred Kelberry: no, bruce
Gaya Ethaniel: phaenomena?
Bruce Mowbray: OK.
Alfred Kelberry: yes
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Bruce Mowbray: Well, he has been in the news big time -- because he has a remarkable radio announcer voice .. . 
Bruce Mowbray: and I met him and ate a meal with him - about a year ago.
Gaya Ethaniel: ah
Alfred Kelberry: oh, that's nice, bruce :)
Bruce Mowbray: They took up almost an entire half hour this morning on the TODAY Show talking with him.
Bruce Mowbray: an overnight sensation.   like Susan Boyle.  because of a video that went viral
Archmage Atlantis: How did that meeting come about, Bruce?
Alfred Kelberry: here he found himself :)
Bruce Mowbray: He now has job offers from all over the country -- when only a week ago he was homeless and begging at highway intersections in Columbus.
Alfred Kelberry: i'm glad for the guy :)
Bruce Mowbray: A local journalist saw him on the corner begging for money - made a video of him - using cell phone-
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Bruce Mowbray: put it on YouTube - It went viral -
Archmage Atlantis: Oh, and looking up on net it says "the earliest systematic account of the constellations is contained in the Phaenomena of Aratus, a poet of the 3rd century bce"
Bruce Mowbray: and now the gay is world famous and about to be rich.
Bruce Mowbray: the GUY is world famous. . . (He might also be gay - I have no idea, and it doesn't matter).
Gaya Ethaniel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cl_fMxQCTw
Archmage Atlantis: *chuckles*.......I noticed the spelling Bruce *g*
Alfred Kelberry: bruce, yes... often times 'extraordinary' is right next corner, but we never notice
Gaya Ethaniel giggles.
Bruce Mowbray: Thanks, Gaya (or should I have typed "phaenomena"?)
Gaya Ethaniel: Guess people just saw a homeless person ...
Gaya Ethaniel: Gaya's fine :)
Archmage Atlantis: Also, Alfie (tho I guess I should use 'Boxy') ...... extraordinary hides, in order to survive the ordinary
Gaya Ethaniel: Otherwise I will have to start addressing all of you as appearances lol
Gaya Ethaniel: This nickname thing is not so great for talking to each other ^^;;;
Bruce Mowbray: I had supper with Ted Williams about a year ago in a "soup kitchen" in the basement of St. Sophia's Church in Columbus. . .
Bruce Mowbray: He's SUCH a friendly and positive guy.
Archmage Atlantis: Yes, Gaya.......but Arch is what most ppl call me, so it works for me
Archmage Atlantis: Ah, thks Bruce, for the meet-up info
Bruce Mowbray: coincidentally (if there are such things as coincidences) - A "homeless man" will be staying in my living room in two weeks - and he is also a radio announcer!
Archmage Atlantis: Lots of ppl have trouble pronouncing Archmage in voice sessions
Bruce Mowbray: But he's from Kentucky -- and will be moving on as soon as he finds work and a better place to live.
Gaya Ethaniel: ah ok
Gaya Ethaniel: How did you two meet?

--BELL--

Archmage Atlantis: Good story title -  "The Lost Art of Radio and the Homeless Announcer"
Alfred Kelberry: maybe each one of us needs "a reporter" to come by :)
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Bruce Mowbray: I maintain a website for our Quaker group (in RL), and he found our email address on that site and got in touch with us - and it grew from there. . . I'm hoping he'll be interested in SL and PaB....
Gaya Ethaniel: ah ok
Bruce Mowbray: If he is interested, then you might all eventually meet him.
Gaya Ethaniel: Didn't you mention that you also practice with a Ken McLeod group?
Archmage Atlantis: Time for morning chores.......this has been a great conversation......later guys.....Blessings, Shalom and Namaste :)
Gaya Ethaniel: Enjoy your day Arch :)
Bruce Mowbray: Actually, that's how I came to meet the homeless guy (Ted Williams) in Columbus a year ago -- I'd gone to the soup kitchen with a guy from the Ken McLeod group that had just 'sat' . . . (Wake Up to Your Life - Columbus)
Gaya Ethaniel: ah ok
Bruce Mowbray: Bye, Arch.
Bruce Mowbray: i no longer meet with them, but the group still meets -- and I also listen to Ken McLeod's podcasts. . .
Gaya Ethaniel: :)
Bruce Mowbray: www.unfetteredmind.org
Gaya Ethaniel: I think a few of us already are quite familiar with the site :)
Bruce Mowbray: Great! -- Ken is a fine teacher, I feel.
Gaya Ethaniel: A friend sent me a link early last year actually.
Gaya Ethaniel: Yes seems like a good person :)
Gaya Ethaniel: I should get going ... the dog is still howling :(
Bruce Mowbray is concerned that Boxy's pillow doesn't look very comfortable. wonders if a better seat might be found somewhere.

Gaya Ethaniel: Have fun Alfred and Bruce!
Bruce Mowbray: OK, Gaya. You and the dog work it out and have a good day.
Bruce Mowbray wonders if box-robots have spinal columns...
Bruce Mowbray: Well, my friend, I will be off to edit and post this chat now. I am subbing for Storm this morning -- who is at a doctor's appt with his wife.
Bruce Mowbray: So, best wishes to Storm and Michelle -- and Goodbye for now, Boxy.
Bruce Mowbray: May all be happy and safe.