Singer OhMy Kidd's Rezzday at "The Pocket"

It was "Friday Night at The Pocket" Australian club on the evening of April 20-April 21. The event started at 8 SL time, with a number of live singers that night. Finally at 10PM SL time, it was musician OhMy Kidd's turn. And he got his guitar and began singing. Saraine Sands was by his side as the "percussionist," tapping on a metal bell, and getting a few "needs more cowbell" jokes from the Americans in the crowd.

Finally someone pointed out, "Hey, it's OhMy Kidd's rezzday!" And the audience cheered and wished the singer a happy rezzday. Among them were CNN iReporter Any1 Gynoid, and a certain kangaroo avatar dancing with her.

The Pocket is at the Fendahl sim at (240, 85, 31), with Cellandra Zon as manager. The club was founded by the late Delinda Dyrrsen, a noted resident in Second Life media.

Memorial Celebration for Delinda Dyrssen

On the weekend of Saturday December 18 and Sunday December 19, a large musical tribute was performed by a number of artists in honor of a mutual friend: Delinda Dyrssen. It was one month before in which she had passed away.

The event began at the Sailors Cove Theater at Fishers Island at 9:30 AM Saturday December 18, with a performance by Pmann Sands. The schedule did not go completely as planned. At one point to substitute for someone, Beth Odets and Strum Diesel did a violin and piano duet that went over very well for the audience, which was packed (not all the avatars showed up on the picture). There was a bit of funnery when someone sat on the elephant up for display for anyone who wanted to take pictures. The music went on past 9 PM SL time.

The following day, the second half of the musical tribute took place at Delinda’s club “The Pocket” at Freestar Bay Isle (229, 3, 23). There were more musicians showing up, as well as other talents such as comedian Lauren Weyland. Most soloed, but there was at least one duet when Von Johin stayed on stage to perform with Moondoggirl Moomintoog. The music went on late into the night, to Midnight SL time and possibly longer.

Durring both days of the event, those attending were invited to contribute notecards with comments to a notebook, of which the contents would be sent to Delinda’s family in real-life. People were also invited to make contributions in support for kidney disease research at the kidney.org website, “If you choose the ‘Memorial Gift’ option Delinda's family will get a note from the Foundation. ... Please make memorial gifts for Denise Williams rather than Delinda Dyrssen.”

One of those attending, Angie Mornington, took a number of pictures of the event, and placed them up for display on her web album at picasaweb.google.com. Of the memorial gifts, Angie commented, “I can't think of a more lovely tribute than for them to get hundreds of notes so they know how much Delinda was loved.”

Chestnut Rau, whom was one of the main organizers of the event, posted some comments in her blog, among which, “Some people can do more in a short life than others do in a century ... Delinda loved to bring people together, and promote the things about Second Life.”

“To Delinda's real-life family, I hope her Second Life Memorial showed you how much we loved your Denise. I hope there is some comfort in that for you. I know there is nothing that we can say or do that eases your pain but we would if we could. Thank you for sharing her with us and with the world.”

Sources: Second Life of my Dreams, Angie Morrington's Public Gallery

Bixyl Shuftan

Memorial Celebration for Delinda Dyrssen this Weekend.

A two day Memorial Celebration of the incredible life of Delinda Dyrssen will take place this coming weekend, Saturday 12/18 and Sunday 12/19. There will be live music, comedy, an art auction, a grand sail around Sailor's Cove on Saturday afternoon and tributes to our dear friend. I know several musicians have written songs for Delinda so you can expect to hear beautiful original music over the course of the weekend. The schedule is not entirely finalized so expect some additions and changes.

Saturday 12/18 - Sailors Cove Theater
LM http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fishers%20Island/13/125/23

9:30am Pmann Sands
11:00am Christopher135 Quan
11:30am Astronimus Randt (or Astronimus Galaxy) with Cellandra Zon
12:00 pm PonDman Haalan
12:30 pm Tpenta Vanalten
1:00 pm Remembrance in Voice
2:00pm Remembrance in Words
3:00pm Remembrance Messages
4:30pm Truelie Telling
6:30pm Nesto Silverfall
7:00pm Noma Falta
7:30pm OhMy Kidd
8:00pm Pato Milo
8:30pm Anek Fuchs
OPEN MIC

Sunday 12/19 - The Pocket
LM http://slurl.com/secondlife/Freestar%20Bay%20Isle/229/39/22

9:00am Pilgrim75 Swashbuckler
9:30am Lorin Tone
10:00am Arimo Teixeira
11:00am Frets Nirvana
12:00pm The Follow
12:30pm CraigLyons Writer
1:00pm TwinGhost Ronas
2:00pm Guitar Zane
3:00pm ZeroOne Paz
3:30pm Zak Claxton
4:00pm Phaylen Fairchild
4:30pm Lauren Weyland
5:00pm Maximillion Kleene with Cellandra Zon
5:30pm Wytchwhisper Sadofsky
6:00pm Zachh Cale
6:30pm Ande Foggarty
7:00pm Blues Heron
7:30pm Vaughan Michalak
8:00pm Freestar Tammas
8:30pm Von Johin
9:00pm Moondoggirl Moomintoog
9:30pm Kit Guardian
10:00pm Matthew Perrault
10:30pm RoseDrop Rust
11:00pm ColeMarie Soleil
OPEN MIC

We do expect the sims to be crowded so if you want a quiet place to listen you are welcome to do so at my home http://slurl.com/secondlife/Harbour/194/144/24 or at Crap Mariner's Clocktree Park http://slurl.com/secondlife/Edloe/118/108/28. If anyone else would like to stream the Memorial on their land please let me know.

Enjoy more than 30 art works graciously donated by creative friends of Delinda's for the art auction and you are encouraged to bid generously. The funds will go to KDIGO which is a charity that was near to Delinda's heart. There will be art displayed on both sims so please visit Sailor's Cove and The Pocket to enjoy the works.

One of the goals of the Memorial is to raise awareness about kidney disease and the international database for paired kidney donation that Delinda was promoting when she died so suddenly. KDIGO is a global non-profit foundation dedicated to improving the care and outcomes of kidney disease patients. Please visit the KDIGO webpage and read more about the organization http://www.kdigo.org. If you are interested in learning about how you can give the gift of life by donating one of your kidneys please visit the US National Kidney Registry at their webpage http://www.kidneyregistry.org/.

Delinda's RL family and her SL friends encourage you to consider making a Memorial donation to the The National Kidney Foundation, which is part of KDIGO, in Delinda's name. If you want to make a donation I encourage you to do so via the webpage at this link: http://tinyurl.com/2fhn3vw.

If you choose the "Memorial Gift" option Delinda's family will get a note from the Foundation. I can't think of a more lovely tribute than for them to get hundreds of notes so they know how much Delinda was loved.

Chesnut Rau

"The Pocket" Plays on

Last Friday, Nov 26, was the first night at "The Pocket" Aussie club since Delinda Dyrssen, whom had part ownership in the club, passed away. "Roo Wrangler" Cellandra Zon carried on with running the club in her absence.

But Delinda was not truly absent. A memorial had been set up to her. And there is talk of renaming the club "Delinda's Pocket."

Another example of how she is missed.

Bixyl Shuftan

In Memory of Delinda Dyrrsen

By Robert69 Little, a recording of a tribute to Delinda, with a number of pictures of her.



By Mozy Pera, a candle set to sea for Delinda.


OhMy Kidd sung this song in Delinda's honor.

Sail On Delinda Sail On
Sail On Delinda Sail On
Though we’ll miss you now you’re gone
We’ll keep singing ‘cos it’s all that we can do
And we’ll smile whenever we remember you

The kindness in your heart
Bought us all together from world’s apart
In our shared grief our friendship links us more
Than it ever did before

Sail On Delinda Sail On
Though we’ll miss you now you’re gone
We’ll keep singing ‘cos it’s all that we can do
And we’ll smile whenever we remember you

You saw everything so clear
It was always fun when you were here
Now those good times are our treasure
In our memory forever

Sail On Delinda Sail On
Though we’ll miss you now you’re gone
We’ll keep singing ‘cos it’s all that we can do
And we’ll smile whenever we remember you

Still I can’t believe you’re gone
Not sure how to carry on
So for now I’ll sing for you
And remember while I do

Sail On Delinda Sail On
Though we’ll miss you now you’re gone
We’ll keep singing ‘cos it’s all that we can do
And we smile whenever we remember you

Located at http://www.thesixtyone.com/#/s/9nkiMknlYSP/

SL Video: Morning Sail

From Toxic Menges: "Delinda asked me to do a machinima on one of the things she enjoyed very much in Second Life,sailing. I've been in two minds about whether it would be the right thing to do to release this, but this feels like the appropriate thing to do in the circumstances."

Music by OhMy Kidd. Machinima filmed and edited by Toxic Menges

Looking Back at Delinda Dyrssen

It’s hard to believe when a friend passes away, especially when she’s young. Delinda Dyrssen was one whom had done so much, and had promise to do much more.

When I signed up with Second Life Newspaper in late 2007, Delinda (Denise WIlliams in real life) was one of the other freelance reporters. She did a variety of articles, notably ones related to music. As a freelancer, she could still work with other media. And she took a position as one of the staff at Paisley Beebe’s “Tonight Live” show. Over time in 2008, she became more involved with the show, as well as becoming part-owner of a music and dance club, “The Pocket,” and the articles we got from her few. But she and I remained friends. She was part of the reason I would drop by the set of “Tonight Live” time to time.

In 2009, with Paisley’s help, she began hosting a show of her own: Live ‘n Kickin, what Paisley called Delinda’s “baby.” Having a love of music, the show allowed her to put new talent in the spotlight. “I want ... the artists we showcase to get to as many avatars as possible,” Delinda explained, “to sell their albums, and to get booked for gigs, both real-life and Second Life, and to get offers and good deals from being exposed on our show. I hope that happens. They deserve it.” Live n Kickn would play for over a year, showcasing many artists and locations, until the show was finally canceled in October 2010.

Delinda ended up on dialysis in May 2009. her kidneys failing. Months later, she was able to get a transplant through a donor exchange program. She considered herself lucky, as those under dialysis develop complications as time passes, her doctor explaining, “of the 450 or so renal patient load he carries about about 70 of them die each year after an average of 6 to 10 years on dialysis.” After her recovery, she decided to take “a little trip (of a lifetime,” going around the world. Besides sightseeing and running into a few of her online friends, “I needed to take advantage of an opportunity to do some good in the world. ... Yes I know, I am just as important as a grain of sand on a beach, But I also know that just one person can make a difference, and even if I fail, at least I will know that I tried.”

She continued to go online between flights and sightseeing, updating her blogs, helping out with Treet.TV and the Pocket, and keeping in touch with friends. In one post, she described one experience in Tunisia in which the doctors were uninterested in new treatments for kidney disease, appearing to prefer their dialysis patients remain sick. Her last entries were on November 13, her Twitter stating she was “feeling a tiny bit under the weather.” I didn’t think much, until when I heard on Saturday November 20th that she had fallen into a coma. Before lapsing, she had thought she would be only be in the hospital briefly, and asked friends not to worry. Still, her friends at the Pocket gathered, and arranged for music to be played in her hospital room the night of the 19th. It was told that she was close to being awake and tears came to her eyes. So everyone was hopeful, including the doctors.

But to everyone’s shock, her heart gave out and she died. She was 32 years old.

As word got around, people gathered at The Pocket, talking about her and what she had done. Musicians, media personalities, and regular fans, we were all united in remembering our now departed friend, whom had given so much of herself so others could shine. Chesnut Rau created an SL group, Delinda Dyrssen Memorial, for updates ,"This group is to organize a memorial concert to benefit her favorite charity and to honor her endless enthusiasm." Her family has stated they will post information on real-life services on the old DWkidneyupdate blog.

Let the musicians she has helped throughout her time in Second Life be her memorial.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." -- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (tweeted by Delinda Dyrssen on Oct 29).

Bixyl Shuftan

Sources: Delinda's brb blog, Delinda's afk blog, Delinda's Twitter, Tonight Live blog, New World Notes,

Delinda's Friends Gather at The Pocket

After news of Delinda Dyrssen's dying spread, people from around Second Life stopped by the Pocket to pay their respects, and talk about the good she had done.

Rest in peace, Delinda.

BREAKING NEWS: Delinda Dyrrsen Passes Away

We had only just heard Delinda Dyrrsen had fallen into a coma, when worse news came in.

It is with a broken heart I write this note. I was to meet Dan (her RL friend) this morning to take him to more events so Delinda could hear the music she loves so much. He contacted me this this morning to inform me that we lost her. He did not provide a lot of details, I don't think he had them but he did say her heart stopped and they could not get it started again. I know this will hit very hard since we thought she was improving but I would like for you to join me in continuing to pray for Delinda's family as they process this and grieve. Her cousin will try to keep us informed of any RL memorial services via her twitter thread at http://twitter.com/DWkidneyupdate.

Tangle Giano

If you care to gather the Pocket has opened it's doors for everyone.

Later on, came a more official buliten:

I regret to have to tell you, Denise passed away this morning at 8:05 am from cardiac arrest.

Her Dr said that her kidney illness had taken a toll on her heart and unfortunately she could not hold on. Last night we all saw how much people on Secondlife loved her and they now consider them a part of their extended family. They want to thank them from the bottom of their hearts for bringing so much love to her last few hours on this earth. Her doctor told us that the tears we saw in her eyes were probably a reaction to hearing her friends who got to talk to her.. and the music that brought her so much joy.

Her family is requesting In lieu of flowers, people may send a donation in her name (Denise Williams) to http://kdigo.org/ and / or Shay kelly of Project 50/50 http://www.shaykelley.com/ who inspired her more than she (Shay Kelly) would ever know.

Denise was 32 years old. She had so much she wanted to do in this world. We will miss her.

God takes the good ones early.


The Pocket is at Freestar Bay Isle (242, 22, 22)

Delinda got her start at Second Life Newspaper, later getting a job at Treet.tv and Tonight Live, and becoming part owner of "The Pocket" dance club. She ran the Live n Kickin music show on Treet until it was recently canceled.

Delinda Dyrssen Challenges Second Life Users to “Mentor a Linden”

In one of her recent posts on “Delinda’s Diary,” Delinda Dyrssen brought up that a number of people she communicated with felt that ironically most of the people behind Second Life, the more important workers of Linden Labs, don’t go about on the Grid much, “Hence the (Viewer) 2.X.”

Paisley Bebee wrote in a reply to a blogger post on the subject:

... unfortunately I have to say that in my experience there are quite a few Lindens who don't know how to cam to click and sit, and certainly don't shop for clothes, skin, hair, ect. Therefore don't know how to adjust clothing, or wear it, or even find it after purchase. This is clear when you see Lindens wearing the same outfit year after year, same original system skin. .... I'm afraid rightly or wrongly, it is suspected that you don't care enough about your customer base to use your own product! And I don't mean, click and sit in a chair. I mean make machinima, take photo's, build something - create something, shop and rez something, wear something, find an event based on a narrow perimeter, go looking for an object that is really obscure on Search (etc.).

Considering what’s been going on in the Metaverse, this might explain more than a few things. Blue Linden was one willing to mingle among the residents, but he’s not around as a Linden any more.

What to do? Delinda had this suggestion:


I believe the idea is ... If some of the really hard core users who spend many hours trying to educate, work, create, collaborate and or play in SL were to spend a few hours with some of the key Linden Labs employees.. one on one..doing what they do..showing these talented Linden Labs people the pitfalls.. the needs, the it would be cool or useful if we could, just even how to sit down or put on a pair of shoes (Phillip did say it was difficult to do that). Then .. and only then could they really come up with a viewer and platform that serves most people needs in a “Fast Fun and Easy” way.


Delinda’s suggestion was that the higher profile bloggers could get their attention, “Pssst, Philip ... “ Her suggestion was that involved Lindens would spend 4 hours inworld with their mentor, phone off the hook with nothing to interrupt baring emergencies and maybe a few breaks. Paisley Bebee felt the mentoring time probably should be a week, “Not only would you learn an enormous about your software, you would learn about your customers!! AND the PR would be fabulous, absolutely fabulous. Linden Lab you need to do this. Most other companies do this these days. Good customer service and increased sales demand you get over your ego, admit you DONT know it all. And be humble enough to find out what we the customers use your product for, and what we want.”

So what do you the readers think? Do you feel the Lindens, to borrow Paisley’s words, can get over their egos to get a mentor? How would you feel about mentoring a Linden? How successful do you think such a program would be?

Bixyl Shuftan

Music Event at China Tang

This is a clip of "Live n Kickin" recently filmed at the China Tang sim, which we recently did an article on.

Jamm for Genes

From Friday August 6PM SL time to Midnight on Saturday, “The Pocket” club hosted the “Jamm for Jeans” marathon live music event. “Jamm for Genes 2010 at The Pocket!” Delinda Dyrssen, the owner of the Australian club advertised, “Come on down for 30 hours of SL's best musicians and singers all performing for a common cause, Genes! here at The Pocket! ”

"’Jamm for Genes’ is part of the annual ‘Jeans for Genes’ fundraiser for the Children's Medical Research Institute, an Australian charity with global benefits," singer Cellandra Zon explained, “ ‘Jamm for Genes’ is all about live music raising money, for research into cell biology that helps with both prevention and cure of childhood, congenital and genetic diseases.”

The day and a quarter event offered a variety of singers in Second Life. Besides Cellandra Zon, there were Truelie Telling, Lyn Carlberg, OhMy Kidd, and many more. There was also a wide variety of styles. At one point, OhMy played as part of a pop music band, The Kidds. ZeroOne Paz offered more relaxing, ambient, music with his xylophone. Alienspeaking, whom spoke in a voice that sounded like “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” had a strange series of odd tunes that one might describe as an acquired taste. Delinda commented, “Someone in Second Life once told me that a venue cant mix rock and roll next to ambiant or country or whatever ... but you know what, music is music. It’s all good!

On Saturday at 9PM SL time, “Jamm” finally reached the 200,000 Linden mark. The final tally at the end was 241,399 Lindens, with a last second 1000 L donation arriving just in time. Delinda felt the event had the potential to be higher, “definately see the economic impact. Three years ago I did a 36-hour non-stop and by now we had 400,000. That was Unday for thrombosis research. And AngelAid we did two 8 hour days. We hit over 1 million in 16 hours. That was three years ago, though. And this event always falls shortly after Relay for Life, and people are burned out.”

Still, a quarter million Lindens had been raised for genetic research. Another example of Second Life aiding people in real life.

Source: Afk - But Not For Long

Bixyl Shuftan

Delinda Dyrssen "Taking Flight" at the Snail Races

Delinda Dyrssen took part in a “Special Edition” snail race as part of Relay for Life. To her relief, she and the others took part in smaller snail avatars than normal. Although it was much easier for her to steer, quite a bit went wrong, the results sometimes hilariously awry.

Read the story in People.

Paisley Bebbe’s “Tonight Live” holds Third Anniversary Show

This Sunday the 27th of June, Paisley Bebbe held the Third anniversary of her popular weekly talk show in Second Life “Tonight Live.” Paisley interviewed some notable guests from her first episodes, as well as Treet.tv’s CEO. But once the cameras went off, things got a little interesting.

Read the story in People.