Second Life Merfolk

Currently, sunny and... 41 degrees (5 degrees Celsius).  Not mermaid weather for sure.

In my last blog post, we were advised by author Margot Datz to (1) Improvise oceans, and (2) Seek the company of other mermaids.  One way to do both is to join the active community of merfolk in the virtual world of Second Life.

In Second Life, you can transform your avatar into mermaid form in under 30 seconds.  Hundreds of colorful tails are available by a number of vendors.  Prices range from free to $5.  Swim around the ocean, chase a sailboat or two, and be back in human form for an evening concert.  Of course, once you get your tail wet, you many never want to leave the water!

You are not alone in this virtual world.  The group 'Safe Waters Foundation' has meetings each Saturday morning.  New merfolk are encouraged to ask questions, and everyone is given time to share information such as their favorite places to shop and swim.  The SWF headquarters contains information on mer mentors, shopping, places to explore, and tours of underwater areas. Grace, the group's founder says, "Safe Waters Foundation is a not-for-profit group supporting the development of harmony and safety for merfolk and aquatics of Second Life. We bring together designers, retailers, sims (blocks of land and/or water), merrow, mermen, mermaids, sirens, aquatics and lovers of same."

Safe Waters Foundation meeting - Feb 2011

For a mermaid or merman, interacting with humans in Second Life can be great fun.  While merfolk are not uncommon here, there is always a chance that you will be the first merperson someone meets...

Bob: psssstt... there's a mermaid in the water, Deb.

Debbie: oooh

Debbie: I've never seen a mermaid yet

Debbie: hi :)

Jane: ooh I'm a part time mermaid

Cynthia: hello

Debbie: omg ok i rreeeeally want a mermaid outfit

Jane: have a great sea garden

Bob: Hi, Cynthia

Bob: What's the best tuna?

Debbie: tha's fabulous!

Debbie shakes her finger at Bob

Bob: singing... Ask any mermaid you happen to see....

Debbie: lol you goof :P

Bob: grinnin

Cynthia: teehee

Bob: Never had the opportunity before.

Bob: Bye, Cynthia

Cynthia: bye

All names except mine have been changed for privacy.  The above chance meeting was fun for several reasons.  I love the way Debbie called Bob a goof for asking me what the best tuna is.  He just never had the opportunity before.  And... Debbie almost turned mer on the spot!  Poor Jane, they totally ignored her.

Even though this is a virtual world, many people react to seeing a mermaid much as they would in real life...

Early picture of Mermaid Cynthia in SL

Cynthia: Hello

Sara: HEY!!!!

Sara: wow, you're beautiful

Cynthia: thank you

Sara: I love mermaids

Cynthia smiles

Sara: wow!!

Sara: ahaa I got a little excited when I first saw you, and fell right into the ocean

A friend and I were swimming near an island when we came across a couple in a sailboat...

Bill: I see mermaids

Laura: do I need to tie you to the mast, Bill???

In my final example, Dave sees a dot on the map and goes underwater to see who could be there...

Dave: hmm....I think you are better adapted to this environment than I...lol

Cynthia: there you are

Dave: yeah....thats me...the one holding his breath

Cynthia: please don't turn blue

Dave: oh I dunno....then maybe you'd be compelled to save me

If you are not yet a member of Second Life, and decide to give it a try, be sure to say Hello.  My Second Life name is Cynthia Maine.

A big wave and splash to my mer friends in Hawaii, where it's almost always mermaid weather!

Best wishes and starfishes,

-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

Mermaid Adventures

A young mermaid is getting ready for bed.  She pulls the woven seaweed blanket up to her neck and settles in. Her mother smiles, and is about to leave her bedside when her daughter says, "Read me a story, Mommy!"

It is true that humans as well as merfolk love a good mermaid story.  In today's blog post, I will relate some of my favorites.  Please let me know if you have other favorites that I didn't cover.  As some mermaid adventures are written to an adult audience, I will cover them separately below.

Books suitable for all ages

While written for teens, the novel Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs can be enjoyed by both mermaids and mermaid fans of all ages.  There are a number of plot twists to keep you guessing, and it is easy to relate to the characters and the emotions they are experiencing.  Lily is a student at Seaview High, and has a major crush on swim-team star, Brody Bennett.  Her obnoxious next door neighbor, Quince Fletcher, always seems to be around when he is not welcome.  This would be enough to drive any teen girl crazy, but Lily also has a secret...  she is a mermaid princess.  She must win the heart of Brody before her 18th birthday, which is quickly approaching.  The story continues in the sequel, Fins Are Forever.

Be sure to also visit Tera's website for information on other titles in her collection.

The Book of Mermaids by Patricia Saxton is a collection of easy to read topics such as Where Mermaids Live, Home and Family, and The Arts.  Special attention is made to clothing and accessories, because "Jewelry is an accessory no Mermaid goes without."  At only 28 pages, the book does not take a long time to read.

For those of us that do not live near the ocean that is always calling us, we have A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids by Margot Datz.  Also written as a collection of short topics, the book offers advice such as Dare to Be Bare, Seek the Company of Other Mermaids, and The Importance of Pearls.  When the stress of daily life gets you down, we are advised to Improvise Oceans.  Margot also has a page on mermen, "the rarest men".

Books for adults

Mermaid stories and legends have been around for hundreds of years.  In her book, Mermaid Wisdom, Brenda Rosen presents a collection of folktales and stories from around the world.  In each chapter, the reader may participate in an exercise to discover their inner mermaid/merman and enrich their lives in the process.  The eight chapters include The First Mermaids, The Mermaid's Song, and Mermaid Love.

The novel, Mermaid - A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon is a sexy and absorbing tale of two women and the man they both adore.  The kingdom is at war, and Princess Margrethe has been sent to a convent to keep her safe.  One day as she gazes out at the sea, she sees a mermaid bring a shipwrecked man to the shore and leave him there.  By the time Margrethe reaches the man, the mermaid has returned to the sea.  Who is this handsome man, and will she ever see the mermaid again?

Carolyn's blog, I Am a Mermaid, is also an excellent read.

Goddess of the Sea by P. C. Cast is the story of Christine Canady (CC for short), a Sergeant in the US Air Force.  Alone on her 25th birthday, CC calls upon the goddess Gaea to bring a little magic into her life.  The result is a warm and suspenseful tale of adventure and romance that is hard to put down.  I had difficulty finding this novel in stores, but was able to download it from iTunes.

Until next time, I would like to wish you all Best Wishes and Starfishes for the coming new year!
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

Music for Mermaids

Welcome to my first blog post!  I plan to touch on topics of all kinds.  Some will be related to mermaids, and others will not.  Please submit feedback, and tell others about this blog!

I would like to dedicate this first post to music.  In many mermaid legends, mermaids can be found sitting on nice comfortable rocks, singing a sweet song, and being very distracting to passing sailors.  Let it be known, however, that mermaids also like listening to music.  Let me share with you the music that I believe is perfect for the mermaid or merman that needs to relax after a long day...

Louis Landon has produced a number of solo-piano CD's over the years.  Of particular interest is Solo Piano for Love, Peace, and Mermaids.  The 12-track CD contains the mermaid inspired tracks 'Siren' and 'Light Sea' as well as romantic titles such as 'A Lover's Kiss' and 'I Found You.'

The liner notes for the CD include, "...Landon has expanded on his mission to create a peaceful and loving world for all life forms, including mermaids, who are now classified as an endangered species."

All of Louis' music can be found on his website, and you can find a music video of 'Siren' on YouTube, complete with a mermaid!

You may also be interested in Louis' recently released Christmas CD, Peaceful Christmas.

Heath Vercher's music features solo-piano and orchestrated piano in a wide variety of styles.  Whimsy was released in 2010, and was created to embrace the lighter side of life. Track three, 'Out to Sea' is very special to me, as Heath dedicated it to me on his music website, "A song for my good friend, Cynthia Rivers, mermaid extraordinaire and lover of the ocean. Thanks for everything, Cynthia."

Other tracks on Whimsy include 'After the Rain' and 'The Day We Met'.

You can find more information on Heath at his home website.

Another CD worth mentioning is Calming Sea by Lifescapes.  This CD contains 8 tracks of relaxing music with the sound of ocean waves in the background.  And, for when you're really missing the ocean, track 9 contains over 20 minutes of uninterrupted ocean waves!  Calming Sea can be found on Amazon.com.

Thank you for visiting, and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com