D/s Academy Newsletter - 12/09 to 12/15

Welcome to the D/s Academy Newsletter.  This weekly is intended to give the group a heads up on what's coming for the week and will include some items of interest, such as spotlights on staff and management, the history of the D/s Academy, focuses on selected locations in the sim, group members who are for some reason noteworthy.

Did you know about........ 

The D/s Academy has many areas all of which are open to the members and their guests for social use.  One area that changes with the seasons is the pond.  At this time of year, it's frozen over and referred to as the Ice Pond [Ice Pond, House of Scrolls (LIbrary) & Eric's & ella's retreat, Respect (223, 220, 24)] .  There is a gazebo, ice skates are provided, and there are skating animations as well both for singles and couples.  Skating parties are hosted weekly through the season by Jaymie Melody (Sundays at 10am SLT).  The D/s Academy, Mirjam, Sid, and Jaymie welcome one and all to enjoy the scintillating snow and ice, the warmth of commeraderie, and the joy of skating.


D/s Academy events for the coming week:

Monday December 9, 2013

Noon Monday Munch @ Temple (Julala)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21
 

Tuesday December 10, 2013

1pm D/s Lounge @ Temple (Zano)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21
 

Wednesday December 11, 2013

8pm BDSM Discussion @ Temple (Genny)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21


Thursday December 12, 2013

Noon Workshop Academy @ House of Scrolls (Marion & Orchid)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/235/216/25

1:30pm Field Trip @ Temple (Jaymie)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21


Friday December 13, 2013

1:30pm Literature & Likes @ PCX (Mirjam & Serva)
 http://slurl.com/secondlife/Moonspell/125/95/22

6pm Friday Munch @ Temple (Cy & Lolli)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21


Saturday December 14, 2013

8am Rise 'N' Shine @ Temple (Princessbbygurl)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21

1pm BDSM Discussion @ Temple (Zano)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21



Sunday December 15, 2013

9am Switches R Us @ Temple (Anna)
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21

10am Ice Skating Party @ Ice Pond (Jaymie)
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Respect/224/225/25

Noon Sunday Social @ Temple (Cy & Lolli)
 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Respect/232/169/21



A Thumbnail Sketch of the D/s Academy

The D/s Academy of today bears little resemblance to it's humble beginnings, though the core values and concepts that were it's foundations remain the same.  The D/s Academy of today is a sprawling estate with several areas and a large group.  In early 2007, it was just the embryo of an idea held by a young and impressionable submissive Second Lifer named Mirjam Munro.  Mirjam began the D/s Academy in the Spring of 2007.  Having recently entered the world of BDSM in RL, she wanted to participate in an affirming and supportive group in SL that could share and express thoughts and ideas related to BDSM in RL.  Unable to find one, Mirjam approached a friend named Adven, owner the "Leather and Lace Island" Sim, who hosted her in a 100 prim skybox.  The "Leather and Lace Island" ended, Adven moved on, and Mirjam found a new home for the D/s Academy in another skybox over a residential sim managed by Dorilys, a woman from Germany and one of Mirjam's best SL friends.  Together, Mirjam, Dori and Mattie, a guy from the UK, became the staff of the D/s Academy.  The trio agreed that quality was better than quantity, so membership was kept to invitation only and Mirjam vetted interested prospects.  The group numbered about 20 in the early days.  By year's end, membership had grown to 100, the staff numbered 5 to 10 at any one time, and each week saw one or two discussions and and educational lecture.  Dori and Mattie retired from SL and Mirjam met Sidius Core in Autumn of 2008.  Sid had been a tenant on one of the earlier sims where the Academy resided and met Mirjam at the Twisted Orchid Club where Mirjam was a dancer.  In time, Sid joined Mirjam as SIM Coowner and Chief Technical Officer.  A third sim owner, named PatrickR, who has since moved on, contributed dramatically to the D/s Academy and much of how it looks and operates owes to his contributions.  Today, nearly six years later, the D/s Academy has many more members and staff, 15 weekly events, it's own sim, but still holds to it's core values: education, support, non-profit (there is no charge for discussions and a portion of the tips to the moderators goes directly to support the sim), and openness ~ the D/s Academy is open and free to all regardless of sexual orientation, avatar shape, or experience level.  Anyone with an interest, an open mind, and a desire to learn is welcome at the D/s Academy.

----------------------------

Thank you for reading the D/s Academy Newsletter.  Any suggestions are welcome and wanted.  Please contact Mirjam Munro, Sidius Core, or Cypher (cwynyd) with any thoughts, comments or suggestions.