The End of Niko Donburi?

A letter to all fans of Niko Donburi:

No one ever thought Niko's virtual music career would brought short by foul play. Then again, that's how rock stars become immortal, so it should not have been unexpected. It just wasn't expected to happen so soon. While attending Esch's gallery opening, Niko and his date were attacked by an unknown assailant utilizing some form of technology not seen before in Second Life. Both were killed.

For a long time there were concerns, rumors, that the Lindens were plotting on a way to get rid of their biggest critic next to Prokofy. Every time they would make a change to the grid or SL, a song would soon be produced lampooning them. For a while it was thought that Niko would be permabanned, particularly when word got out that he was in possession of a contraband t-shirt which featured the Second Life hand. Pathfinder had it in for him from the days of SLCC2007 when Niko blackmailed him into giving him a tip whilst busking in the halls and Philip was enraged when Niko demanded money to not play while the television news stations were covering the event.

There were other enemies too, of course. Sim owners at whose venues Niko refused to perform. Crazed fans miffed that he wouldn't play all of their Second Life favorites (you know who you are). But many long time Second Life residents maintain it was the Lindens taking revenge for Niko's revealing SL secrets a certain Linden revealed to him shortly before that Linden was eliminated from the world he helped create....

Niko will be missed by all who loved Second Life, quirks and all. Rather than delete everything here, it has remained as monument for all those past, current and future residents of Second Life who want to smile, laugh or remember an early time. A time when Second Life was something new, something incredible.

Interview with Rosa Gardner: SLocial butterfly

[20:26] Niko Donburi: Also, I'm doing an interview series with my friends in SL. Care to take part?

[20:26] Rosa Gardner: whats the interview about ?

[20:27] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose "Gardner" to be your last name in SL?

[20:27] Rosa Gardner: oh ...hehe well ....*blush* okay here goes...

[20:28] Rosa Gardner: I used to play "the sims online" game.. where there was a NPC character the gardner.. he ran arurnd in yellow pants and red suspenders and nothing else. it was a ongoing joke .. we plant LOTS of flowers in the game to keep the sexy gardner around. when i made my name in sl .. I couldnt resist the inside joke to some of my TSO friends who came over too to "finally get the gardner" :D

[20:30] Niko Donburi: lol
[20:30] Niko Donburi: Can I quote you on my blog?

[20:30] Rosa Gardner: sure.

Update

Just an FYI as to what I've been up to:

• I've uploaded my fourth machinima to YouTube, Virtual Stranger. It was shot by chugabug goodnight at the Barcelona concert
• I've been posting some of my poetry on my original blog, Think About It.
• I've stumbled upon an old travel journal from 1988 when I first arrived in Japan. They are in chronological order from the date of my arrival. September 23, 1988.
• I had a good Thanksgiving with my friends Rocky and Elseamae and their RL son. Look for them on my land in Tyta.

something to remember

In Germany, they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

They came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Pastor Martin Neimoeller

how to find a poem

hush, my child don't you weep

the dream is as long as the sleep is deep

remember, remember

the light of the moon

comes from the sun that will be around soon

hush, my child, don't you cry

the valley's as deep as the mountain is high

What I told my kids about Christmas

Christmas is approaching, a time of year that I dread. It's not the religious significance that I don't like--it is, after all, the Celebration of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It's the commercialism.

Yes, I know that sounds trite. But it's true.

Christmas has become chri$$ma$. All those dollar signs. All those purchases. Stimulate the economy. Buy something for them. Or just Buy.

So this year I decided to do something different. Their mother was taking them to the toy store this afternoon to look for a gift for their two-and-a-half year old little brother. They weren't particularly pleased. Their little brother routinely messed up their rooms, took their toys, stood in front of the television when they were watching it, made noise when they were trying to listen to something, cried a lot and got most of the attention from Mom and Dad. No, they weren't pleased at the prospect of spending an afternoon in a toy store where they couldn't get anything for themselves but had to find something for him instead.

So I told them something from the heart: the best part of Christmas is not in the getting of gifts, but in the giving.

They rolled their eyes.

"I know that, Dad," said my daughter.

"I know you do," I replied. "And do you know the name of that feeling you get when someone gives you exactly what you were needing, you were wanting, you were looking for, hoped for and missed not having so so much that you'd do anything you could to get it?"

"Like the Littlest Pet Show Zoo?" my daughter asked.

"Yep. Or the coolest Spiderman wrist rocket that shoots real webs," I told my son.

He nodded, eyes serious.

"Now, what's the name of that feeling you get inside?"

She thought for a moment, then responded. "Happy?"

I smiled. "That's right. Now, what Christmas tells us is that there is something that feels even better than that. That feeling comes when you give someone that feeling."

"Happy happy?" laughed my son. "Have a happy happy christmas!"

I shook my head. "No, we say have a MERRY Christmas. Only most people have forgotten what merry means. But now you two know."

With that I closed the door on the minivan and waved at them all as my wife backed the vehicle out of the driveway.

May you have a very, Merry Christmas.

notice

The recent client update is causing some technical glitches which are preventing me from logging in SL. I am trying to figure out what it is, but due to the coming holidays and current economic malaise we are weathering, I'm otherwise a bit preoccupied. I am trying to spend what little free time I have playing guitar and reworking some of my SL songs. I'm also in the process of going through hours and hours of past shows and cull out particularly good versions of my non-SL songs and occasional cover.

As I find them I'll be converting them to mp3s and uploading them for your listening pleasure. I'm also posting the lyrics on the off-chance that anyone actually wants to read them.

Email me (nikodonburi @ yahoo.com) if you want to reach me.

Machinima: "Virtual Stranger"

Music by Niko Donburi, Video & Editing by chugabug goodnight. Chug also does a very nice introduction to the song so be sure and check it out!

Show disclaimer: Second Life, SL, Linden, Linden Lab and all other words or references used in this performance are either trademarks of Linden Research, Inc., or ought to be. My use of these words, phrases or references does not mean that I am endorsed by, sponsored by, supported by or even known by anyone at Linden Research, Inc., let alone an acknowledgment by them of the matters contained herein.

12 Songs about Second Life

A performance on the beach in Barcelona sim

the Linden

SLCC2007 in Chicago

.

living virtually

a song about virtual friendship

.

my favorite things (about Second Life)

pretty self-explanatory

.

should I log in or should I go now?

sometimes it's no fun to be in SL

.

dear Linden, dear Linden

hello, Lindens, are you listening?

.

virtual stranger

for those who are in SLove

.

SL man

what I hope to become

.

it's the end of the world as we know it (in Second Life)

despite it all, we're all still here

.

44 lines about 22 Lindens

who they are and what they do

.

escape - the Second Life song

the story of my life

.

wastin' away in Second Life

IMHO, SL is the greatest time sink ever created

.

Second Life (that's where I want to be)

the anthem of Second Life

.

the ABC song

one for the kids

Missed the Show?

Live TV by Ustream

Vlad at www.shiny-life.com recorded this, which was simulcast from Second Life out onto the web. There is a minute or so of no audio as he is getting his settings tweaked, so be a bit patient. Pretty amazing technology, if you think about it. I'm in RL playing and the music is being streamed into SL where it is heard by other people all over the world as part of the shared concert experience with the whole thing then streamed out of SL and onto the web for those not in SL to watch, live. Whew.

List of Sims where show can be heard

Xerses has provided me with the list of parcels where the show will be streamed. Here is a list of the sims, coordinates and plot size: 16 = plot size; sim name and coordinates. No time to make slurls, sorry!

16Adscita (30,246) 16Afton (210,40) 64Afton (78,254) 16Aglia (226,228) 32Agravain (18,218) 16Ahnpyung (254,104) 64Albulata (6,102) 96Alcis (30,58) 16Amorissa (34,2) 16Amorissa (34,30) 16Amorissa (42,14) 16Amorissa (46,14) 16Amorissa (62,30) 16Anilis (218,190) 16Aplasta (122,186) 16Aplasta (226,186) 16Aplasta (40,178) 32Apoda (182,254) 16Arches (70,182) 16Armon Gill (226,194) 16Asanga (34,206) 16Atropos (94,46) 16Auric (70,228) 32Auriga (227.666,250.05) 144Auriga (6,218) 16Avignon (2,94) 16Babel (130,194) 16Bagworm (178,146) 144Baikal (2,142) 48Balwin (234,182) 16Bam (216,214) 32Bandicoot (2,236) 64Bassett (150,242) 16Belphegor (104,62) 64Benham (126,248) 32Benham (66,102) 16Bennafield (130,250) 16Bietschhorn (210,6) 16Birchwood (114,102) 16Birchwood (118,98) 16Birchwood (124,102) 32Black Lion (150,250) 16Black Lion (78,34) 16Blackmount (230,134) 16Blacksticks (42,98) 16Boggabri (76,62) 32Bogong (226,190) 16Boksik (194,230) 16Boksik (2,54) 16Boksik (238,254) 16Bombalai (136,152) 64Bretton (254,142) 16Brithys (4,254) 32Brolga (14,62) 16Brolga (2,62) 16Brooks (126,12) 32Brooks (156,76) 64Brooks (92,4) 64Brownlee (218,18) 16Bundz (176,218) 32Cadborosaurus (250,222) 16Cadborosaurus (254,218) 16Caeshu (110,158) 16Caeshu (54,232) 224Caeshu (66,182) 16Caeshu (70,186) 16Caeshu (82,250) 16Callisto (138,134) 16Camorro (18,206) 16Campbell Plateau (74,122) 16Canfield (226,130) 16Carlisle (182,230) 16Carmine (206,246) 16Cass (92,4) 64Castlederg (122,58) 16Cavedweller (126,14) 16Cavedweller (60,140) 48Celerio (164,210) 32Celerio (182,210) 16Cevert (218,158) 16Chamonix (142,190) 16Chamonix (174,26) 16Chamonix (204,166) 32Chapel Stile (160,254) 64Chaska (40,30) 80Chasseforet (154,58) 16Chebi (88,190) 64Cheonma (22,190) 16Cheonma (26,114) 16Cheosan (246,82) 16Chima (178,194) 16Chindo (242,230) 16Chindo (246,230) 16Choa Nu (74,114) 80Chokki (194,158) 16Chopsaw (122,142) 16Ciraco (226,42) 16Cisseps (158,158) 16Clanis (166,134) 16Claremorris (180,134) 32Clay (84,34) 32Clear (154,114) 16Cleary (132,250) 32Cleary (98,210) 16Congrua (20,114) 32Congrua (22,102) 16Congrua (70,18) 16Craigavon (208,242) 96Crumbi (250,186) 16Cycnia (114,18) 16Dark Matter (4,252) 48Darkover (106,118) 64Deadwood (158,22) 16DeCheau (10,66) 16Demorgan (106,166) 48Denshore (16,188) 80Denshore (18,40) 96Diablerets (112,86) 32Diablerets (134,90) 16Diablerets (170,100) 32Diablerets (174,98) 16Djorven (4,82) 32Donalbain (158,190) 16Donders (36,254) 32Drax (192,254) 32Durango (252,90) 64Durdane (246,98) 16Eagle Rise (98,100) 32Eddings (138,92) 32Ekota (94,184) 64Eldora (230,150) 16Eldora (246,176) 64Ello (50,68) 32Ello (62,60) 32Enceladus (52,252) 48Epilais (88,102) 32Epirrhoe (254,242) 16Epirrita (114,110) 16Epirrita (92,74) 64Erzulie (88,130) 32Ethmia (206,134) 16Ethmia (4,148) 48Euiryeong (226,170) 16Euiryeong (234,222) 48Eunpyung (14,26) 16Ferguson (114,254) 16Ferguson (126,254) 16Ferguson (94,242) 16Firmans Haven (126,126) 16Fishii (78,210) 48Flagg (244,46) 32Flint (146,234) 16Fraxini (130,2) 16Gangkhar (108,30) 32Gangkhar (162,66) 16Gangkhar (162,78) 16Gangwon (12,40) 96Gangwon (242,106) 16Gangwon (30,42) 16Gangwon (30,54) 16Gangwon (36,30) 32Gartogg (22,218) 16Gartogg (22,226) 16Ge (162,94) 48Geoje (172,108) 64Gilbut (186,136) 96Gilbut (188,194) 32Goangeo (110,102) 16Gonkbrunk (118,158) 16Gorderonis (126,138) 16Gorgon (2,116) 96Gorlen Bay (14,22) 16Grace (182,170) 16Granville (90,164) 64Great Staughton (18,94) 16Grishin (82,50) 48Grolphook (154,46) 16Grolphook (162,58) 16Gyeonu (212,172) 48Hamlin (154,214) 16Harbourne (238,86) 16Hardrada (122,246) 16Hazeldean (122,186) 16Hemaris (104,250) 32Hemaris (90,250) 16Herald (242,134) 16Hewes (86,70) 16Highcastle (216,222) 32Horseshoe (234,114) 16Horseshoe (236,110) 32Horseshoe (246,122) 16Houlihan (120,22) 64Hughes (138,102) 16Hughes (14,230) 16Hughes (140,116) 48Hughes (168,2) 64Hughes (214,10) 16Hwaryeo (146,74) 16Hydes (146,6) 16Hydrathan (6,246) 16Idunn (194,14) 16Idunn (226,66) 16Ingvar (130,10) 16Jessgate (80,58) 64Jingyo (90,122) 16Julia Creek (44,62) 32Jumeoni (110,202) 16Jumeoni (68,124) 64Jumeoni (94,248) 64Junghee (198,254) 16Junghee (34,178) 16Junghee (44,184) 80Jungreung (158,28) 32Jungreung (201.856,13.4771) 64Kallabow (66,178) 176Kallabow (94,190) 16Kanes Project (62,92) 32Kendall (6,238) 16Khanuy Gol (234,230) 16Khanuy Gol (250,230) 16Khanuy Gol (252,234) 32Kitster (254,186) 16Kiuek (98,230) 16Klens (230,150) 16Knieff (126,154) 16Knot (94,254) 16Krypto (142,190) 16Kuhrang (222,122) 16Kumho (178,74) 16Kumiho (248,68) 96Kuusamo (136,56) 64Kuusamo (146,62) 16Kyle (62,86) 16Kyle (64,70) 32Lappet (226,238) 16Lappet (246,170) 16Lappet (50,40) 64Laserlight (130,62) 32Laurier (74,98) 16Leelight (26,222) 16Lendrum (46,254) 16Lhotse (130,182) 16Lhotse (94,150) 16Limtessa (150,38) 96Loepa (142,222) 32Lonsdale (110,6) 16Lonsdale (190,2) 16Loveland (210,196) 32Lunalis (230,94) 16Lusca (250,138) 96Lynnwood (134,130) 16Lynnwood (6,194) 32Lythria (62,122) 80Maemi (26,178) 16Makalu (10,146) 16Makalu (2,146) 16Makalu (44,152) 64Malacosoma (94,150) 16Malchior (26,86) 16Malgeungaram (122,22) 16Mallee (244,82) 32Manduca (166,248) 32Manitoba (166,222) 96Manitoba (170,230) 16Manitoba (184,222) 96Mantle (190,2) 16Maquapit (114,242) 16Maquapit (122,246) 16Maquapit (126,242) 16Maquapit (138,246) 16Maquapit (46,178) 16Marcell (242,66) 16Marcell (254,66) 16Masan (162,30) 16Matamata (34,86) 16McIntyre (254,90) 48Mephit (66,174) 112Meribel (198,134) 16Meyonohk (178,166) 16Miliaco (20,66) 32Milmeranda (190,250) 16Milyang (190,2) 16Mimas (38,80) 64Minchau (30,102) 16Minchau (30,226) 128Minchau (42,180) 64Missauke (34,254) 48Misto Presto (134,50) 16Misto Presto (74,22) 16Moa (62,78) 80Momil (226,24) 64Moolbora (130,126) 16Mooter (100,178) 32Mooter (130,160) 96Mooter (152,170) 32Moran (52,20) 32Mordus Hall (164,198) 32Mordus Hall (186,200) 64Morestello (18,246) 16Morgawr (4,178) 32Moth (130,30) 16Moth (146,30) 16Muinstown (126,238) 16Muinstown (200,106) 32Mullein (178,204) 96Mullett (10,178) 16Mullett (24,254) 64Mullett (84,138) 32Mullett (90,130) 16Mullett (94,140) 32Mumun (18,170) 16Mumun (42,244) 32Mumun (46,238) 16Murderous Motion (74,46) 16Murderous Motion (76,42) 32Murderous Motion (76,62) 32Myeolchi (165.968,129.993) 96Nagarjuna (110,254) 16Nagarjuna (166,222) 112Namhae (22,190) 16Namhae (30,190) 16Nanda (14,46) 16Nessie (132,110) 32Nijole (122,170) 16Nijole (138,138) 16Nimnam (168,238) 32Nimnam (174.994,231) 80Nimnam (186,242) 16Nina (142,150) 32Noguri (22,186) 16Noguri (242,182) 16Nordloop (18,70) 112Olexandrovich (162,4) 32Oppeano (194,146) 16Oppeano (70.0857,92.0565) 32Oppeano (78,34) 16Oppeano (82,6) 80Oppeano (84,70) 80Oppeano (94,138) 16Orache (10,194) 16Pan Ho (68,140) 64Parva (58,246) 16Pavet (10,104) 32Pavet (118,118) 16Pawpaw (106,42) 16Pilatianus (70,158) 16Pilatianus (98,184) 32Pinemont (162,34) 16Poggiodomo (162,242) 32Polkadot (90,198) 48Raimondo (126,46) 16Rannels (114,116) 32Rannels (136,142) 32Redear (126,26) 16Redear (136,254) 64Redspire (230,2) 16Rethymno (42,158) 16Riddings (78,154) 16Rideau (6,102) 48Rollie (226,4) 32Rollie (234,4) 32Romanenko (190,166) 16Root Squared (150,182) 16Rumgally (14,234) 16Sababurg (14,110) 16Sabnock (50,102) 16Saena (18,240) 128Saengseon (168,250) 112Sallow (226,82) 16Sanddalgi (14,98) 16Sanddalgi (194,230) 16Satbyeul (250,6) 16Satoo (126,250) 48Scamp (102,46) 16Scamp (110,46) 16Scamp (22,206) 16Scamp (58,182) 16Scamp (98,34) 16Seefeld (104,252) 64Selenia (182,2) 16Seneca (10,246) 16Seneca (198,66) 16Seneca (254,28) 32Seneca (40,238) 32Seneca (42,250) 16Seneca (94,14) 16Seogyeo (222,26) 16Seonggye (206,30) 16Seopophang (22,188) 32Servo (232,4) 80Servo (92,74) 80Seyanforth (166,146) 16Shantos (94,246) 16Shark (122,64) 32Shark (170,222) 16Shelter (22,90) 16Shikotsu (132,2) 32Shouldice (106,126) 16Sirrakuk (114,250) 16Skutter (198,250) 16Sliderule (104,188) 128Slyme (34,58) 16Sokri (204,4) 80Solbim (10,6) 112Sooseunhwa (26,130) 16Soulgiver (2,174) 16Specter (194,14) 16Specter (198,18) 16St Lion (192,156) 64Star Scythe (74,98) 16Star Scythe (86,106) 128Stepanovych (130,138) 48Stingray (170,170) 16Storgosia (94,90) 16Sunwi Do (102,170) 16Sunwi Do (150,198) 16Sunwi Do (34,128) 32Sunwi Do (38,130) 16Sunwi Do (88,158) 32Sunwi Do (90,162) 16Swain (10,126) 16Taean (248,30) 32Taesot (2,34) 48Tangun (50,102) 16Tarfang (246,230) 16Tarfang (70,60) 32Tarfang (78,34) 16Theretra (60,170) 32Theretra (66,142) 16Theretra (78,130) 16Thunberg (102,254) 16Thunberg (4,158) 32Tigerclaw (34,166) 48Timescape (128,44) 48Tlahuelpuchi (62,226) 16Tlahuelpuchi (94,126) 16Tofalar (142,102) 16Tofalar (156,78) 32Toroge (242,230) 16Toroge (250,226) 16Toshimora (156,124) 48Toshimora (158,118) 16Trellumare (18,90) 16Tridens (58,186) 16Trinovantes (254,254) 16Tsering (178,162) 32Tsering (178,190) 16Tsering (186,94) 16Tumblebrutus (82,2) 16Ungnyo (202,254) 16Uzume (26,250) 16Uzume (42,254) 16Valkyrie (198,6) 16Varsity (30,36) 32Velox (78,186) 16Villeneuve (102,82) 16Volvod (70,138) 112Vyacheslav (86,2) 16Wallaby (30,6) 16Warmouth (194,26) 16Wasp (254,170) 16Weber (122,158) 16Webwinder (126,110) 16Westport (122,250) 16Wunb (158,230) 48Xanthorhoe (14,98) 16Xtoh (150,82) 16Xtoh (158,82) 16Yarna (30,42) 16Yeoseot (134,138) 48Yosu (206,174) 16Yucca (34,70) 16Zakarisz (200,8) 96Zakarisz (202,58) 16Zakarisz (206,54) 16Zap Cannon (42,122) 16Zugspitze (134,100) 80Zugspitze (254,146)

In addition: my land at Koryo 121,16 will be streaming, my parcel in Tyta (245,124,126), Phoenixa has set her parcels on Soju, Solbitgil, Avaron, and Yangpa sims to the stream, Xerses has his at Darkwood 24,95,23, Mauve 180,102,36 & Atlas 108,228,36 and I don't know Rocky's info but since I'm using his stream I know it's playing there too!

Interview with Yngwie Krogstad: SL DJ

[20:21] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Krogstad as your last name in SL?

[20:21] Yngwie Krogstad: Well, do you know who Yngwie Malmsteen is by chance?

[20:22] Niko Donburi: The guitarist

[20:22] Yngwie Krogstad: Yes.

[20:22] Yngwie Krogstad: When I signed up I had no clue what I wanted to call myself, but I was listening to Yngwie at the time, so I decided I'd name myself after Yngwie. Since Malmsteen was not an option, I found the best last name that sounded like it'd be from the country he came from.

[20:22] Niko Donburi: cool

[20:23] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you on my blog?

[20:23] Yngwie Krogstad: Go for it

[20:26] Yngwie Krogstad: Killer. Don't forget to mention that I'm a DJ, and maybe that I won the Keep The Rock A Rollin' Award, presented for promoting the indie artists of garageband.com, I'm only the third person in all of SL ever to win it, and you can of course mention I play Niko Donburi too.

[20:27] Niko Donburi: Done

Interview with Bree Birke:

[15:56] Niko Donburi: while we are waiting for Astrin. can I ask you two a question?

[15:56] JellyJellyJelly Benelli: BRB have to beat the children

[15:56] Bree Birke: sure :-)

[15:56] Niko Donburi: I"m doing an interview series of people in SL

[15:56] Bree Birke: we're both straight lol

[15:56] Bree Birke: (kidding)

[15:56] Bree Birke: well, not really kidding

[15:56] Niko Donburi: Bree; why did you chose Birke as your last name in SL?

[15:56] Bree Birke: sorry, being silly

[15:56] Bree Birke: oh

[15:56] Bree Birke: interesting question

[15:56] Niko Donburi: :-)

[15:57] Bree Birke: It's German for "birch" as in tree

[15:57] Bree Birke: and of all the choices it appealed to me most at the time

[15:57] Niko Donburi: ah!

[15:57] Niko Donburi: why?

[15:57] Bree Birke: there were a lot of choices at that time

[15:57] Bree Birke: I have no idea - maybe the others sucked

[15:57] Niko Donburi: lol

[15:57] Niko Donburi: is it OK if I quote you on my blog?

[15:57] Bree Birke: but I've always been a bit of a tree-hugger ;-)

[15:58] Bree Birke: lol if you think that's worth quoting

[15:58] Bree Birke: :-)

[15:58] Niko Donburi: yep, I do

[15:58] Bree Birke: :-) sure

Sunday show details

This is the location of Sunday's show, 11/9 at 6pm SL. Here is the slurl which will take you into Second Life and put you right outside the stage area:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Barcelona%20del%20Oeste/56/192/23

Here is the link by which you can listen to the show as streamed audio:

http://silver.neostreams.info:11294/

This is the link for viewing it over the web:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiny-life

Special thanks to Vlad at Shiny Life for the help and the posts!

Interview with Robin Dale: Non-Social Socialite

"Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans: it's lovely to be silly at the right moment."
---Horace, 65 - 8 B.C.







[2008/11/04 18:57] Niko Donburi: Robin, I am doing a study of the geneology of last names. I was wondering if you knew the history of your family name, Dale?

[Nov 07 19:56:12 2008] Robin Dale: Hi, Niko. I don't know anything specific about the history of the name Dale. The word's Old English, with roots all over Scandinavia, I guess always meaning "valley." At a guess, it might have started in old England with someone identified as "Joe from the Dales." That'd be analogous to names like Hillman. The Robin Hood legends have the minstrel, Alan-a-Dale, which I suppose might be a form of "Alan of Dale." I've sometimes thought that I might have had an ancestor named Rob o'the Dales.

[18:36] Niko Donburi: Thanks, Robin, for the info. Is it OK if I quote you on my blog? I'm doing a survey of residents inquiring about their last name.

[18:40] Robin Dale: Sure. Hope other folks have better info, though. Hey, hope Sunday night goes well... I expect to be there somewhere!

Press Release for Sunday's Show

This Sunday, 11/9, at 6 o'clock pm (PST) virtual history will be made.

Niko Donburi, better known as the "Weird Al" of Second Life, will be holding what is being called the largest live music event ever held in Linden Research, Inc.'s virtual world.Niko's debut of his second collection of satirical songs about Second Life will be streamed to parcels of land located on more than 400 individual sims, or Second Life regions. The parcels are part of the virtual "Arbor Project," a movement to thwart the increasing commercialization of Second Life by planting virtual trees on small parcels of land throughout the main grid.

Niko is considered by many to be one of the top live music performers in Second Life. He was selected to be one of the featured live music performers for last years' Second Life Community Convention held in Chicago, Illinois, and his songs about Second Life are frequently heard in the clubs and venues of that virtual world.

More info can be obtained at: www.nikodonburi.com and you can listen to the concert via http://silver.neostreams.info:11294/ on Sunday, 11/9/08 starting at 6 pm PST

Arbor Project: Beautifying Second Life 16m2 at a time

The Arbor Project plants trees on small lots in Second Life that otherwise would contain ads. Lots are available for 30L per meter to anyone who will join it to an adjacent property of at least 300m2. Contact Xerses Goff for more info.

[19:50] Niko Donburi: hey, do you still have the Sl Arbor Project going?

[19:53] Xerses Goff: yes, we are still giving away land

[19:55] Niko Donburi: giving away?

[19:55] Xerses Goff: yep, we are trying to get about 600 small plots recombined

[19:56] Niko Donburi: ah; can you set the music on each of those parcels to a single stream?

[19:56] Xerses Goff: yes,. we used to have them set to the station.

[19:56] Xerses Goff: they are open now.

[19:57] Xerses Goff: we have a bot that does it.

[19:58] Niko Donburi: I was wondering if I could get you to turn the parcels' streams to my show this coming Sunday, 6 pm SL
[19:58] Niko Donburi: in exchange for some announcements about your project
[19:58] Niko Donburi: we are going to pack the sim, I think, or at least try (as you've seen from the notecard)

[19:58] Xerses Goff: sure, I will be happy to do it anyway, just send me a notecard with the url
[19:58] Xerses Goff: yep
[19:59] Xerses Goff: don't need any mentions though you can let everyone know that they can listen from those plots.
[20:01] Xerses Goff: with the bot, it takes about 1/2 an hour to reset them all.

[20:01] Niko Donburi: ok

[20:01] Xerses Goff: I will do it tomorrow night or Staurday.
[20:01] Xerses Goff: just get me the url

[20:02] Niko Donburi: http://silver.neostreams.info:11294/

[20:03] Xerses Goff: got it, will let you know when it is done

[20:03] Niko Donburi: the show is Sunday, 6 pm SL

[20:03] Xerses Goff: you can say it is being beamed across 400+ sims :-)

[20:04] Niko Donburi: yep, as part of the Arbor Project

[20:05] Xerses Goff: great

That's right, the show on Sunday is going to be heard in more than 400 separate sims in Second Life. As far as I can determine, it will be the largest concert ever held in SL.

Oops!

Well, due in no large part to confusion created by myself, Sunday's show didn't quite go out as planned. I was surprised, however, at the number of people who did turn up just for the show. Turns out it was just a dry run for this coming Sunday. Yes, we are going to try it again. 6 pm SL in Barcelona sim, on the beach.

Last Sunday I had planned to tell everyone all of the following but in the confusion of finding a new location, getting a stream (thanks Rocky!) and TPing everyone, sending out a notice to the group, AND playing and singing, I just plain forgot. So, here it is in print so as least I know that they are somewhere....

While are you are at the show, you are more than encouraged to take snapshots, video capture, audio capture, tweet, blog or do anything else creative to capture the mood. I will be mixing and compiling all such items provided to me in a machinima. So as to allow the greatest flexibility when it comes to the editing, I would ask that everyone read through the following ten items:

(1) set your environment settings to "dusk" or evening setting. I've asked Liam and Chrissy to put out torches, fires, etc so that we can have a cool location. It will be on the beach in Barcelona so a much more relaxed and "outdoor" setting than the Cafe.

(2) if you take snapshots or video capture, please don't get your UI unless it is absolutely necessary (that's you, Phoenixa!).

(3) the simplest way to get me the photos is to "send as postcard" to my email (nikodonburi @ yahoo.com). You can also post them to your Flickr page, which I encourage, or download them to your computer (particularly if you want to photoshop them) and email or ftp them to me later. Please DON'T save them in your inventory as it will cost you L10 per photo. If you DO have any in your inventory you want to send me, that's fine, too. The free way is better, though!

(4) machinima will be mixed for posting to Youtube so record it in at least 15fps, preferably 30.

(5) I would ask those of you who are audio recording to be sure and record the ambient sounds, background sounds, etc. I am recording the actual music track so there is no need for you to do so (unless you want to, of course!). What doesn't get captured on my end are the sounds (clapping, ambient) that you all hear. Only the music. If you could, please get a couple of minutes of just ambient sounds without music for mixing.

(6) Those of you making machinima of your own who are looking for a great location for an event to happen, this is your night. Feel free to film your own event at my show. You are welcome to use the music, with attribution.

(7) By clicking on the TP button, slurl or LM that takes you to the show, you are expressly agreeing that your AV can be used in any works by any of the attendees for any purpose. That gives every attending resident the ability to use the resultant footage as they wish.

(8) Please bring a guest, dance balls, pose balls and whatever else.

(9) Feel free to grief, just don't be an asshole about it. Particle effects are particularly welcome.

(10) Any and all publicity is encouraged. That means blogs, tweets, email, notices, IMs or whatever else you can think of.

Should I log in or should I go now?

written and performed by Niko Donburi

Lindens, you gotta let me know
should I log in or should I go?
If you say the grid is fine
then I'll log in here all the time

so you got to let me know
should I log in or should I go?

When it is lag, lag, lag
then Second Life can be a drag
One day search works the next it don't
and on your blog there's not a note

why can't you let me know?
Should I log in or should I go?

Should I log in or should I go now?
Should I log in or should I go now?
I've got some better things to do
then deal with griefers and grey goo

so come on and let me know....

There's something else that's bugging me
verification of ID
want to prove maturity?
require credit cards and bill me
but that won't help your numbers grow

should I log in or should I blow?

Should I log in or should I go now?
Should I log in or should I go now?
Perhap's instead I'll join Warcraft
or go upstairs and take a hot bath

So please won't you let me know
should I log in or should I go?

SL Man

written and performed by

It's nine o'clock on a Sunday eve
the regular crowd's logging in
there's a nooby standing next to me
with a box fully rezzed on his chin

He says, "Hey, can you spare a few Lindens?
I'd like to buy some prim hair."
I felt so sorry for him I bought him some skin
'cause all of us once had been there

La, la, la, de de da
la la, de de da da da

Sing us a song you're the SL man
Sing us a song tonite
We're all in the mood for a melody
just make it about Second Life

Now Elwood, he's a friend of mine
we met at SLCC
He's logged in every night but he say's it's alright
'cause it's better than watching TV

He knows Second Life can be an addiction
one that's not easy to face
since you don't leave your house
and a click of your mouse
logs you right back into this place.

La, la, la, de de da
la la, de de da da da

Sing us a song you're the SL man
Sing us a song tonite
We're all in the mood for a melody
just make it about Second Life

Rocky was a single father
when he first found Second Life
and then one day he met Elseamae
and soon she'll become his wife

'Cause now they are living together
they no longer are alone
they once shared a world that is virtual
and now they are sharing a home

La, la, la, de de da
la la, de de da da da

Sing us a song you're the SL man
Sing us a song tonite
We're all in the mood for a melody
just make it about Second Life

It's a pretty good crowd for a Sunday eve
Liam and Chrissy IM me a smile
'cause they know that it's me you're all coming to see
to forget your real life for awhile

So I'll play you my songs about Second Life
while the lag makes us all move so slow
and I just want to say thanks for coming today.
That's something I thought you should now.

La, la, la, de de da
la la, de de da da da

Sing us a song you're the SL man
Sing us a song tonite
We're all in the mood for a melody
just make it about Second Life

Wasting Away in Second Life

written and performed by Niko Donburi

I'm logged on every weeknite
if I'm not it don't feel right
this virtual world is all that I need

Strumming my six string
earning Lindens while I sing
an original song or a parody

Wasting away the day in Second Life
searching through my vast inventory
some people claim that it is just a game
But it's not to you and me....

I don't know the reason
I find SL so pleasing
given the problems I have logging in

always dealing with updates
that give me nothing but headaches
I'm just glad that I don't own a sim

Wasting away the day in Second Life
searching through my vast inventory
some people claim that it is just a game
But it's not to you and me....

A surge blew up my desktop
so I've borrowed a laptop
I can barely log in
with this old Mac Book Pro.

But I'm not complaining
'cause it's entertaining
to see you all grey
and moving so slow

Wasting away the day in Second Life
searching through my vast inventory
some people claim that it is just a game
But it's not, to you and me....

Yes, some people claim that it is just a game
but it's not to you and me.

* * * *
Contrary to popular belief, I am not a Buffett fan in real life. That made parodying this song even more difficult as I had to listen to it a couple of dozen times to get the feel. Perhaps one of you Parrotheads out there can let me know how I did...

44 Lines about 22 Lindens

written and performed by Niko Donburi

Torley is the famous Linden
He's the one that does the blog
Robla works in management
He's just another Linden cog
Meta is the data cruncher
for the common metrics team
Poppy Linden finds the bugs
that cause us residents to scream

Pathfinder sends his snapshots
to his famous Flickr page
Mia rounds up volunteers
who do good work but don't get paid
Chiyo Linden is Japanese
we all call her Chiyo-chan
Colossus works with Jesse
keeping live music going strong

Brad is making Windlight
to turn the weather on and off
Bridie helps to fix the grid
when it starts to hack and cough
Elle is the French Linden
she's the one I'd like to meet
Blue Linden is famous
for the avatars that look so neat

He's also known as Cyan Linden
on the teen grid

Frontier's techy articles
I can never understand
Ginsu made the final call
on who or what got permabanned
Catherine's gift at marketing
helps Linden Lab stay in the press
Steve makes the SL Viewer
so Second Life will looks its best
Phoenix works on Open Source
for which he gets a lot of grief
Harry's making help search better
that should give us all relief
Cory's Linden Scripting Language
is what our world is based upon
but Philip Linden had the vision
so he's the one that ends this song

Thank you Lindens.
44 lines about 22 Lindens.

* * * *
After the success of "Dear Linden, Dear Linden" I noticed that there was a lot of animosity being expressed at my shows towards those that ran our virtual world. While some of it was certainly warranted, not all of it was. I wanted to write something that would thank the Lindens for all that they had done, and hopefully stall off them permabanning me from Second Life for my writing songs about them. I'm still here, so I guess it worked!!

The Linden

written and performed by Niko Donburi

On a warm summer's evening
on a train out of Chicago
I met up with a Linden
we were both too tired to sleep

So we took turns at trying
to sniff out someone's wi-fi
'til boredom overtook us
and he began to speak

He said, "You know, I've made living
being a grid monkey.
I helped debug the client
and the flexi-prim.
Phillip, he's a friend of mine,
and I know all his secrets
and if you promise not tell
I'll share some of them."

So I gave to him my promise
and he turned to his computer
found an unprotected node
and logged into Second Life
the lag was non-existent
and the rendering amazing
He said, "If you're going to play the game
you've got to use Windlight.

And you've got to know when to log in
know whom to IM
have a couple secret alts
and know which scripts to run.
Don't ever count your Lindens
while they're trading on the Lindex
they'll be time enough for counting
when the transfer's done.

Now every Linden knows
that if you want to turn a profit
make enough to pay your tier
and have a bunch to keep
you've got to buy land like Anshe
or peddle porn like Stroker
and the best job you can hope for
is with Electric Sheep."

And when he'd finished speaking,
he turned to his computer.
Logged out of Second Life
and put his laptop to sleep.
But just a few days later
that Linden, he was fired
for telling me them secrets
that I could not keep

You've got to know when to log in
know whom to IM
have a couple secret alts
and know which scripts to run.
Don't ever count your Lindens
while they're trading on the Lindex
they'll be time enough for counting
when the transfer's done.

Virtual Stranger

written and performed by Niko Donburi.

Karen had a lonely day
couldn't wait to put the kids to bed
all her troubles went away
when she logged in and became someone else instead
of who she was
or whom they wanted her to be.

In this new world, she was free.

But no one told her of the danger.
Nobody told her that the secrets she'd tell
Would be used by a virtual stranger
to break her real life heart as well.

Henry worked from one to nine
logged in as soon as he got home.
Barely gave his wife the time
couldn't wait until he was all alone
IMing
and staying up much too late

In this new life he was great.

But no one told him of the danger.
Nobody told him that the secrets he'd tell
Would be used by a virtual stranger
to break his real life heart as well.

What happens in your second life
should stay in your second life
but what happens if your second life
won't stay in your second life?

How can someone whose virtual
cause so much pain that is physical?
How can someone whose virtual
cause so much pain that is physical?


Nobody told me of the danger
Nobody told me that the secrets I'd tell
would be used by a virtual stranger
to break my real life heart as well.

* * * *

For what it is worth, this is my favorite of my SL songs. Like Living Virtually, it is an original, and touches somewhat on a similar theme of the power of a virtual life. This one, of course, takes a somewhat sadder view of what can happen when the bright line between the virtual and the real starts to dim.

All Souls Day Celebration: Sunday, Nov.2nd

All readers of this post are hereby cordially invited to attend an All Souls Day Celebration in Barcelona Sim beginning at 6:00 pm SL this coming Sunday. Music entertainment will be provided by yours truly, Niko Donburi. Please be advised that the event will be recorded for use in a machinima.

Interview with Sokmunky Rutabaga

[19:06] Niko Donburi: Hi, mind if I ask you a somewhat off-the-wall question?

[19:06] Sokmunky Rutabaga: HI! what's up?
[19:07] Sokmunky Rutabaga: I like questions.

[19:07] Niko Donburi: Why Rutabaga? Why did you select that for your last name in SL?

[19:08] Sokmunky Rutabaga: cause I like rutabagas. they're yummy. and it's fun to say.

[19:08] Sokmunky Rutabaga: and most people don't know what they are.

[19:09] Sokmunky Rutabaga: so my native name would be something like foot-covering-cuddly-toy tastes like yummy ground root, or something.
[19:10] Sokmunky Rutabaga: also, rutabagas containa compound that breaks down into cyanide. which is cool.

[19:10] Sokmunky Rutabaga grins

[19:10] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:11] Sokmunky Rutabaga: how's that for an answer?

[19:11] Niko Donburi: mind if I publish your response on my blog?

[19:11] Sokmunky Rutabaga: ok, as long as I can link it :)

Interview with Lina Lageos: ZeroG SkyDancer

Pursuant to her request, this interview has been removed.

Interview with Circe Broom: The Queen of Live Music

[19:57] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Broom to be your last name in SL?

[19:58] Circe Broom: I'm a witch
[19:58] Circe Broom: and thought it funny

[19:58] Niko Donburi: were you a witch in RL before or in SL?

[19:58] Circe Broom: in RL before

[19:59] Niko Donburi: a wiccan?

[19:59] Circe Broom: yes, but my own kind.. just as with any religion, I dislike extremes

[20:00] Niko Donburi: not with a coven then?

[20:00] Circe Broom: I was solitary for years, then found folks up here in of like mind

[20:00] Circe Broom: and yes, but three of them moved away
[20:01] Circe Broom: and some of the spirit was lost..

[20:01] Niko Donburi: yes, the greater the number the greater the power

[20:01] Circe Broom: stuff happens
[20:01] Circe Broom: yes
[20:02] Circe Broom: we've done really fine stuff, I think.. and I think maybe I am alive right now because of our power...
[20:02] Circe Broom: and we have been a positive force in our neighborhood... are well regarded
[20:03] Niko Donburi: good

[20:03] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you for the interview?
[20:04] Niko Donburi: I'll need a jpg or the one you just sent and any links you want your name linked to

[20:05] Circe Broom: ooh let me get a better one! My hair's a MESS LOL
[20:05] Circe Broom: LINKS ooh baby

[20:05] Niko Donburi: lo
l[20:05] Niko Donburi: nothing but the best here..!

[20:06] Niko Donburi: so, is that a yes?

[20:06] Circe Broom: YES

[20:06] Niko Donburi: lol

Interview with Xerses Goff:

[19:22] Niko Donburi: I was going to ask you, why did you chose Goff to be your last name in SL?

[19:23] Xerses Goff: lol, it was the last nome of a former footabll coach at my college.

[19:23] Niko Donburi: Can I quote you for my blog?

[19:24] Xerses Goff: sure.

[19:24] Niko Donburi: send me a jpg via nikodonburi@yahoo.com and any links you want linked to

[19:24] Xerses Goff: just doen't use my spelling, lol

[19:24] Niko Donburi: lol

Ever find yourself just a few Lindens short to buy something you want? Hate when that happens. Here's what I want to buy next, but only had L1141 left in the account after purchasing all the machinima apps. So, guess it's time to do another concert! :-)

Interview with Chrissy Cordeaux: Mistress of Barcelona

[18:58] Niko Donburi: (1) why did you chose Cordeaux to be your last name in SL?

[19:02] Chrissy Cordeaux: because I liked the way it sounded....It might sound silly, but I wanted my name to sound cute but sophisticated at the same time.

[19:04] Niko Donburi: mind if I post your response on my blog?

[19:04] Chrissy Cordeaux: sure, go ahead

Saw a tweet by Torley which had a tinyurl. Followed it to the above. Is that cool or what!

Thanks Torley!

Saw a tweet by Torley that gave a tinyurl. Followed it and found the above. Is that cool or what?

You must see

Interview with Chugabug Goodnight: Machinamist

[19:21] Niko Donburi: Hello, Miss Goodnight!

[19:21] chugabug Goodnight: Niko!,, how are you?

[19:22] Niko Donburi: Just checking out Nautilus after reading Radar's blog

[19:22] chugabug Goodnight: ah, cool.. his pics came out really good

[19:22] Niko Donburi: Yes
[19:23] Niko Donburi: I wanted to ask you a question or two, if it's okay

[19:23] chugabug Goodnight: sure

[19:23] Niko Donburi: first one... why did you choose Goodnight as you last name here in SL?

[19:25] chugabug Goodnight: I knew ppl would think of "chug a bug" as a drinking "connotation", so.. what do you do when you drink?... You wanna go "goodnight"!

[19:25] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:25] chugabug Goodnight: I do, any way
[19:25] chugabug Goodnight: lol
[19:26] chugabug Goodnight: and, chugabug has NOTHING to do with drinking
[19:26] chugabug Goodnight: #2?

[19:26] Niko Donburi: wait, since you opened the door I'm going to ask: what, then, does chugabug have to do with?

[19:26] chugabug Goodnight: haha
[19:27] chugabug Goodnight: curious?
[19:28] chugabug Goodnight: when I was a kid.. in a neighborhood game of football (co-ed) I could run the ball down the field, dodging everybody and my friends said "you can CHUG a ball down the field!" "cute as a bug in a rug". Make sense?

[19:29] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:30] chugabug Goodnight: true story

[19:31] Niko Donburi: want the second question?
[19:32] chugabug Goodnight: sure, if you wanna ask it

[19:33] Niko Donburi: every other person I've interviewed has at least SOMETHING in the "About" section on their profile.
[19:33] Niko Donburi: You have nothing.
[19:33] Niko Donburi: Why?
[19:33] Niko Donburi: Why nothing?

[19:34] chugabug Goodnight: Hmmm, good question

[19:35] Niko Donburi chuckles

[19:35] chugabug Goodnight: In my skype profile, my quote is "I've got nothing", and I guess that means I don't have much to say
[19:36] chugabug Goodnight: guess, I don't have much to say
[19:36] chugabug Goodnight: until you get to know me...[19:36] chugabug Goodnight darts her eyes up

[19:36] Niko Donburi smiles

[19:37] chugabug Goodnight: this for your blog?

[19:37] Niko Donburi: yes, and with your permission I'd like to post it.

[19:38] chugabug Goodnight: ah, cool

[19:38] Niko Donburi: so is it ok?

[19:38] chugabug Goodnight: it's ok, yes

[19:38] Niko Donburi grins

how :-) turns to :-( in five minutes

So, do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Good news: this morning I check my mail (nikodonburi at yahoo.com if you ever want to reach me) and my standing Google search reveals that someone has been talking about me. Not just an ordinary someone, but my friend, the famed podcaster Radar Masukami of SL Under the Radar. He did a post on his blog Reading Radar about me with a nice comment.


Bad news: I then go and click over to listen to his podcast. This is where it gets sad. SL Under the Radar is no more. The 39th episode is the last.

I can appreciate the need to change. If you've ever taken the time to start at the beginning of this blog and read through you will undoubtedly noted that I have taken some time off, had a bit of a career change, renewed my Second Life by spending some time off the computer and in the real world. But I've always come back. Let's hope Radar does the same.

How Stuff Works has a list of 59 famous people who died before 40. I note the following passed at 39:

56. Anna Nicole Smith (39)


57. Dennis Wilson (39)


58. Malcolm X (39)


59. Martin Luther King, Jr. (39)



I propose that we add the following: 60. SL Under the Radar (39th Episode)

machinima: svarga

This is the second composition from Music for Virtual Worlds. The footage is captured at my favorite sim, Svarga, a virtual ecosystem. A detailed description of Svarga with an interview of its creator, Laukosargas Svarog, can be found over at New World Notes.

Interview with Yxes Delacroix: SL Podcaster / SL TV Producer

[19:37] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Delacroix to be your last name in SL?

[19:38] Yxes Delacroix: hehe i thought it looked good with Yxes. :)
[19:38] Yxes Delacroix: why do you ask?

[19:39] Niko Donburi: guess that makes me want to ask, why Yxes?

[19:40] Yxes Delacroix: cuz it is just sexY backwards! (and i never thought i would have to "say" either of them!! hehe)

[19:41] Niko Donburi: can I quote you in my interview series?

[19:41] Yxes Delacroix: why is that? why are you asking about my name?
[19:41] Yxes Delacroix: sure, you can quote me....

Machinima: Koryo

As those of you who routinely attend my in-world shows will now, in addition to my SL parodies and other originals I typically play a solo acoustic guitar composition sometime during the set, or more than one if the venue is appropriate it (such as Barcelona).

I'm in the process of compiling these into a machinima collection entitled Music for a Virtual World. Here is the first track, filmed in my corner of the virtual world: koryo.

Interview with Kaklick Martin: Live Music Performer

Considered one of the elders of the Second Life music scene, Bryan "ka-klick" Baker is a good friend to me and many others in SL. Be sure and check his regular Friday in-world show.


[2008/10/17 20:57] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose Martin as a last name?

[20:00] Kaklick Martin: Because it sounded good w/ Kaklick and it was a Guitar Maker's name. Sending you a time sensitive thing on Yahoo.

[20:25] Niko Donburi: Is it OK if I publish your comment on my blog?

[20:29] Kaklick Martin: which one? but yeah, probably

[20:29] Niko Donburi: the one about your lawt name

[20:30] Kaklick Martin: is that like a hawt last name?
[20:30] Kaklick Martin: lol
[20:30] Kaklick Martin: sure

Interview with Nethermind Bliss: Social Media Activist

Nethermind Bliss was the heart and soul of SLCC2007. Without her hard and thankless work, there would be no live music at the Convention. Example #1: SLCC2008.




[20:29] Niko Donburi: May I ask you a question?

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: hi, Niko, long time no chat :)
[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: sure thing

[20:29] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Bliss as your last name here in SL?

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: interesting, and unexpected, question :)

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: I chose it for two reasons
[20:30] Nethermind Bliss: because one, it was short, whereas Nethermind was a long name, so for linguistic reasons, it was musical in nature
[20:30] Nethermind Bliss: and two, because it's ultimately what most seek, by different definitions

[20:31] Niko Donburi: nice answer.

[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: what made you ask?

[20:31] Niko Donburi: May I quote you on my blog?

[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: absolutely
[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: I am as transparent as they come :)
[20:31] Niko Donburi: hehe

Interview with Nethermind Bliss:

[20:29] Niko Donburi: May I ask you a question?

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: hi, Niko, long time no chat :)

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: sure thing

[20:29] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Bliss as your last name here in SL?

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: interesting, and unexpected, question :)

[20:29] Nethermind Bliss: I chose it for two reasons

[20:30] Nethermind Bliss: because one, it was short, whereas Nethermind was a long name, so for linguistic reasons, it was musical in nature

[20:30] Nethermind Bliss: and two, because it's ultimately what most seek, by different definitions

[20:31] Niko Donburi: nice answer.

[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: what made you ask?

[20:31] Niko Donburi: May I quote you on my blog?

[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: absolutely

[20:31] Nethermind Bliss: I am as transparent as they come :)

[20:31] Niko Donburi: hehe

Interview with Haroldthe Burrel: SL Relay for Life Team Captain

[18:59] Niko Donburi: Why did you chose Burrel to be your last name in SL?

[18:59] Haroldthe Burrel: heya Niko
[18:59] Haroldthe Burrel: Genesis

[19:00] Niko Donburi: As in the Bible or the band?

[19:00] Haroldthe Burrel: i came here from Mystonline, and my name there was Watcheroftheskies

[19:01] Niko Donburi: So you are a transient from another world

[19:01] Haroldthe Burrel: nope, really like Peter gabriel. lol

[19:01] Niko Donburi: lol
[19:01] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you on my blog?

[19:01] Haroldthe Burrel: not at all

Interview with Serenity Brezoianu: Music Afficionado

Serenity is someone I met at a show. We've IMd a few times we've seen each other on and I always enjoy having her in the audience. By her profile uou can just tell she's a deep person:

We build walls. We wear a mask pretending to be what we aren't. We build the wall around us so high that people can't really know us. We are afraid of truth. We run as far as we can from it.
Then, there is the other side! A small part just wants to be heard, to be who you really should be. Fear keeps you from it all. Fear, I think is one of the most intense feelings. Fear. Fear keeps you from being the friend you could be. If you shared that ... you just don't know.



[18:37] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose Brezoianu as your last name in SL?

[18:38] Serenity Brezoianu: =) because it sounded weird =)

[18:38] Niko Donburi: lol

[18:38] Serenity Brezoianu: and it has lots of vowels

[18:38] Niko Donburi: why the vowels?
[18:39] Niko Donburi: why did that attract you to the name?

[18:39] Serenity Brezoianu: not ordinary... and at the time i didn't want to be ordinary ...

[18:39] Niko Donburi: and now?

[18:41] Serenity Brezoianu: now... the name fits... just different... I am described by someone I met here that I date now as Quirky =)

[18:42] Niko Donburi grins. You are.
[18:42] Niko Donburi: lol

[18:42] Serenity Brezoianu: =)

[18:42] Niko Donburi: mind if I quote you on my blog?

[18:43] Serenity Brezoianu: lol yes it's fine =)

Interview with Rocky Merosi: SL DJ

Rocky is one of my closest friends in Second Life. More about him later!

[18:32] Rocky Merosi: WOO
[18:32] Rocky Merosi: lol you are on

[18:32] Niko Donburi: hey, a question
[18:32] Niko Donburi: why did you choose Merosi as your last name in SL?

[18:33] Rocky Merosi: complete randomness :P

[18:33] Niko Donburi: lol
[18:33] Niko Donburi: why doesn't that surprise me?

[18:34] Rocky Merosi: Hey I am a random sorta person lol
[18:34] Niko Donburi: can I post your response to my blog?

[18:34] Rocky Merosi: sure lol

Now available: Live at the Cafe in Barcelona

Live at the Cafe

Been going through Niko withdrawal for the past month or so? I've been working on a new music video collection, Music for a Virtual World, which is busy consuming my free time. I've also been updating my blog and related sites so be sure and look around.

So that you won't suffer too much, I've edited down and uploaded a live show to my last.fm site. It's one big mp3 file and contains all the usual between song chatter I often indulge in. All songs are originals and subject to the usual license arrangement elsewhere in the site. Feel free to listen to the stream or download it to your iPod or play any of the songs on your podcast. The lineup is just under an hour in length.

Here's the song lineup:

1. Dear Linden, Dear Linden
2. Living Virtually
3. Naive Mind
4. God Doesn't Care
5. Virtual Strangers
6. Won't Be Home Tonite
7. Escape (The Second Life Song)
8. Christmas Cake
9. Second Life (That's Where I Want to Be)
10. Dearly Beloved
11. The Next Gone
12. My Favorite Things (About Second Life)
13. It's the End of the World (In Second Life)
    

As many of you know, The Cafe in the Barcelona Sim is one of my favorite venues. Rendered in brick-for-brick detail of the central plaza in Barcelona, it is a hub of the international live music scene. I'm planning on recording a video there on the new album.

There are four kinds of people in the world:

1. Those who read books.
2. Those who write books.
3. Those who sell books.
4. Those who ignore books.
   

Which are you?

Niko Donburi SL Satirist

Niko Donburi SL Satirist, originally uploaded by Paisley Beebe.

Check this out. Found it while running a flickr search on myself. Paisley Beebe rocks. Check out her Tonite Live! I need to remind myself to give her an IM to see if I can come back on when my new mp3 collection is release, "Dancing with Lindens"

Interview with Savanah Markova

[2008/10/18 20:19] Niko Donburi: can I ask you a question?

[2008/10/18 20:19] Savanah Markova: yeah sure
[2008/10/18 20:21] Savanah Markova: what's up?

[2008/10/18 20:22] Niko Donburi: why did you chose Markova as your last name?

[2008/10/18 20:23] Savanah Markova: lol
[2008/10/18 20:23] Savanah Markova: I liked it the most out of the available options
[2008/10/18 20:23] Savanah Markova: why do you ask?

[2008/10/18 20:24] Niko Donburi: can I post your response to my blog in my interview?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Niko Donburi: I"ll need you to email me a great jpg of yourself and any link
you want people sent to

[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: what?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: why?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: for what>?
[2008/10/18 20:24] Savanah Markova: lol

[2008/10/18 20:25] Niko Donburi: I am doing a series of iterviews of people I know in SL
[2008/10/18 20:25] Niko Donburi: asking them why their last name was chosen
[2008/10/18 20:26] Niko Donburi: why "markova" and not "miller" or something else

[2008/10/18 20:26] Savanah Markova: I see

[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: so...
[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: can I?

[2008/10/18 20:27] Savanah Markova: idk
[2008/10/18 20:27] Savanah Markova: lol

[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: please
[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: post to the site
[2008/10/18 20:27] Niko Donburi: ?

[2008/10/18 20:28] Savanah Markova: I'll think about it?

[2008/10/18 20:28] Niko Donburi: you'll be listed as the one who got away
[2008/10/18 20:29] Niko Donburi: :-)

[18:20] Savanah Markova: (Saved Sat Oct 18 22:35:37 2008) yeah go ahead and post it

Interview with Flameheart Sol - Proprietress of the House of Flames

[2008/10/17 21:05] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose "Sol" as your SL last name?

[2008/10/18 9:01] Flameheart Sol: Hey there handsome...how are you???? What a question :). I chose it because it is Spanish for sun, and I am full of fire and passion (redheaded, Sicilian, Leo). I had no idea what my first name should be, but once Sol was chosen, Flameheart was the first thing that came to mond. Funny thing is that now I am also called Flameheart in real life. The name muist fit :). What is going on wtih you????

[2008/10/18 9:03] Niko Donburi: I'm well, thanks. Thanks also for the info. Can I quote you on my blog?

[2008/10/18 19:42] Flameheart Sol: sure you can quote me :)

Interview with Katronix Serf: Podiobook Producer and Podcaster

[19:43] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose "Serf" as your last name?

[19:44] Katronix Serf: dunno, it was just one of the options, when I joined :-)
[19:45] Katronix Serf: why?

[19:47] Niko Donburi: But why THAT one and not, say, Donburi or something else?

[19:48] Katronix Serf: honestly don't know... I don't even recall if back then we had a choice of last name

[19:48] Niko Donburi: Yeah, there was a selection screen. We are similar in rez day
[19:49] Niko Donburi: I'm doing an interview of people in SL asking them why they chose that particular last name.

[19:49] Katronix Serf: oh ok.... sorry I don't know... I probably picked the default it chose for me

[19:49] Niko Donburi: You can read the results on my blog at http://www.nikodonburi.com/
[19:49] Niko Donburi: You are the first to either have just randomnly chose one or doesn't want to tell me!
[19:49] Niko Donburi: lol

[19:49] Katronix Serf: lol

[19:50] Niko Donburi: can I quote this chat as your interview on the blog? I will also upload a photo of you and a weblink to whereever you want it to go.
[19:50] Niko Donburi: Also, are you still podcasting?

[19:50] Katronix Serf: sure
[19:51] Katronix Serf: I am still podcasting, but not under my SL name anymore

[19:51] Niko Donburi: you have the coolest SL name, IMHO, why not use it?

[19:51] Katronix Serf: lol thanks

[19:51] Niko Donburi: BTW, how did you come up with Katronix? THAT wasn't on the list!@

[19:52] Katronix Serf: well, my RL name is so incredibly common, I wanted something that isn't common. So I threw letters together :-)

[19:52] Niko Donburi: Damn, that's cool.
[19:52] Niko Donburi: Can I quote that?

[19:52] Katronix Serf: sure

[19:53] Niko Donburi cuts and pastes into his blog post before Kat changes its mind.

Interview: Kira Finn

[2008/10/17 20:35] Niko Donburi: Hey, why did you choose "Finn" as a last name

Kira Finn: (Saved Sat Oct 18 19:33:40 2008) Well....I loved the name Kira even before I knew anything about SL. If I had a daughter that would of been her name. So when I signed into SL I knew I wanted that name and Finn seemed to just fit.

[19:42] Kira Finn: (Saved Sat Oct 18 19:34:10 2008) Can I ask why you are asking?
[19:43] Niko Donburi: Can I post your response as part of my interview of my favorite people in Second Life?
[19:43] Kira Finn: Sure
[19:43] Kira Finn: I'm one of your favorite people in SL?
[19:43] Niko Donburi shakes his head and rolls his eyes
[19:43] Kira Finn: lol

Hey, let go of that Ego Surf

While learning to use Technorati!, I ran across this post by Poppy Linden referencing "44 Lines about 22 Lindens" (you remember: Poppy Linden finds the bugs that cause us residents to scream). He found whilst ego-surfing himself. I found it by doing the same. Guess it's one ego strokin' another, eh?

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Interview with Phoenixa Sol: SL Dancer

[9:01] Phoenixa Sol: hiya, hope all is going great!
[9:02] Niko Donburi: Hi! A question for you: why did you choose your last name to be "Sol" ?
[9:03] Phoenixa Sol: phoenix... firey. Sol... sunshine. (and also, I live in San Fran bay area, and most of the names in that time frame were streets of san fran, which I flat out REFUSED to have
[9:03] Phoenixa Sol: Sol also because spoken could be swapped as "soul"
[9:03] Niko Donburi: lol
[9:03] Phoenixa Sol: i dance from the core of my soul
[9:04] Niko Donburi: is it okay for me to quote you on my blog on how you derived your name?
[9:04] Phoenixa Sol: sure, make sure you say that "Phoenix" was already taken, so I created Phoenixa by adding the A

Interview with Durzle Darkstone: Virtual DJ

[20:47] Niko Donburi: Why did you choose Darkstone as your SL last name?
[20:48] Durzle Darkstone: It was mysterious
[20:48] Durzle Darkstone: grins
[20:48] Durzle Darkstone: and went exceptionally well with Durzle
[20:48] Niko Donburi: lol; mind if I quote you?
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: depends
[20:49] Niko Donburi: upon?
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: why? and to whom?
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: what's the context
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: LOL
[20:49] Niko Donburi: on my blog I am posting the response to all my friends in SL on why they chose their last name
[20:49] Niko Donburi: the story
[20:49] Durzle Darkstone: sure
[20:50] Niko Donburi: send me a SL photo of yoruself, a link or slyrl
[20:50] Niko Donburi: slurl
[20:50] Niko Donburi: it is okay to publish?
[20:50] Durzle Darkstone: how many responses have you gotten?
[20:50] Niko Donburi: two up so far
[20:50] Niko Donburi: www.nikoburi.com
[20:50] Niko Donburi: www.nikodonburi.com
[20:51] Durzle Darkstone: lol
[20:51] Durzle Darkstone: ok, you been drinking?
[20:51] Durzle Darkstone: what's the story behind it?
[20:52] Niko Donburi: just thought it would be something cool, all the neat people I know in Sl. That's why you are among the first asked
[20:52] Durzle Darkstone: how bout you?
[20:52] Niko Donburi: My last name?
[20:53] Durzle Darkstone: nods
[20:53] Niko Donburi: Donburi is a rice dish in Japan.
[20:53] Niko Donburi: Oyako Donburi is chicken and egg on rice
[20:53] Niko Donburi: Quite good. Incidently, it means "Mother and Child" on Rice
[20:54] Niko Donburi: Nikko means smile in japanese
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: shehs
[20:54] Niko Donburi: I shortened it to Niko for spelling
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: deep thoughts
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: that's great
[20:54] Niko Donburi: so, can I post it?
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: I came up with mine so quick
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: and loved it
[20:54] Durzle Darkstone: nods, sure

Interview with Elwood Abernathy: Virtual Landlord of Thousand Palms

[20:42] Niko Donburi: why did you choose "Abernathy" to be your last name in SL?

[20:42] Elwood Abernathy: only because it was at the top of the list, the first one there

[20:42] Elwood Abernathy: i never looked down the list

[20:42] Elwood Abernathy: and Elwood is my fahters middle name
[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: i did not expect to stay
[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: i was going to sign up see what the hype was and then leave
[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: and then in one week i met like 10 different people and had to stay to see them lol

[20:43] Elwood Abernathy: and here i am

[20:44] Niko Donburi: wow

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: with no where to go

[20:44] Niko Donburi: 3 years later

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: almost
[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: we are old timers now

[20:44] Niko Donburi: Can I quote you on my blog?

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: lol
[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: sure

[20:44] Niko Donburi: cool
[20:44] Niko Donburi: feel free to send me a link to a site or something if you want it linked

[20:44] Elwood Abernathy: ok

Interview with Esch Snoats: Artropolis

[20:35] Niko Donburi: Hey, why did you choose "Snoats" as a last name
[20:36] Esch Snoats: I was trying to find a name that sounds like someone clearing their nose when they spoke.. My av looks like someone who speaks with this snooty nasally voice, so "Snoats" sounded good that way :P
[20:36] Niko Donburi: are you serious?
[20:36] Esch Snoats: Yeah :P
[20:37] Esch Snoats: Say my av's name out loud with a snooty nasally voice
[20:38] Niko Donburi: can I quote you on how you chose your name?
[20:38] Esch Snoats: lol sure

Blog alert: A N00b's Progress

Blogger & SLPhotographer Lelani Carver posted a nice entry on A N00b's Progress . Her posts have a definite Asian-vibe, which is really cool. I'll have to remember to play her "Christmas Cake" and some of my other songs from my time in Japan and Indonesia.

Now I have to just figure out how to get on her Flickr page like Maxamillion!

Check out these podcasts!

Since my foray into the wild world of Podsafe Music, I've gotten notices that two podcasts thus far have played some of my SL parodies:

Atlantic Wave Radio out of the UK and Virtual Yooper out of Michigan. His blog is worth checking out, particularly if you ever dreamt of moving up, up and away or ever wanted to be an EMT!

Niko + Podcast = More Listeners?

While all of my songs have been Creative Commons licensed, I took a few minutes and uploaded a few of them to the Podsafe Music Network for those podcasters amongst you. Two of my new songs, The Linden and Virtual Strangers are uploaded for your listening pleasure. Here's the link.

ASD 1 year anniversary show: Sun 9/14 @ 1:30 pm SL

Yes, it's been TOO LONG since I've had a show in SL. The last one being the Music Isle show--which does make for good watching on your iPod, btw.

But whenever I get a chance to perform at ASD Studios, I'm taking it. So mark your calendars, fire up your recording devices and get ready for an hour of SL parodies, audience participation and as much virtual fun as your internet connection can stream.

Drop me an email or IM in-world if you aren't in the group and I'll get you a slurl or TP.