It has been awhile...

It has been awhile since I last updated this blog. I've had a lot of time to reflect and think about what I do next. I once had another more 'Real World' blog that had quite a following for about seven years. Then the whole Windows Live thing came crashing down and the blog vanished into digital obscurity.

I am thinking of putting more support behind this blog; there is no reason Bernard Broono can't share his thoughts and feelings about 'Real World' issues and topics. The man might not be Real but his ideas are very Real.

I am a devoted futurist; I constantly seek to get a peek at what might be just around the corner. The fact is I don't have any crystal ball to look into but I do have the tool of a bit of informational analysis and a lot of news sources to draw upon. I am also an avid student of history. In my opinion you really can't reasonably speculate on the future without some knowledge of the past.

So let me get started with a morbid fascination of mine...

The Sarajevo Moment

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

I think that history is full of 'fulcrum points'; decisive events that change the course of history in, sometimes, a single dramatic moment. June 28th, 1914 was one of those days. On the streets of Sarajevo, a city then within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a man by the name and title of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg would be assassinated by a student revolutionary by the name of Gavrilo Princip. The two bullets fired in this moment in time would ignite a conflict that would eventually topple three governments, bring on one of the bloodiest wars in history and start waves of political and social revolution that continue to this very day.

I sometimes wonder if Gavrilo had known what was going to result if he would have pulled that trigger?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Archduke_Franz_Ferdinand_of_Austria

Gavrilo Princip

Now the human catastrophe that would result from the assassination of the Archduke and his wife Sophie was only the culmination of events that had been building for decades in Europe. It was like a house of cards built from arms races, ethnic hatred, futile alliances and a lot of human folly. It might have all been inevitable and if the Gavrilo's bullets had not started the First World War then some other incident would have. The fact remains though, Gavrilo's two shots on an obscure street in Sarajevo changed the course of human history.

Sophie

Now this all leads me to wonder...

We live in a world today that might be just as complicated and filled with risk as the world of 1914. Today though, instead of Sarajevo, the place where such a triggering event could be Jerusalem or New York City. Now I'm not some survivalist who is all bunkered up with guns, MREs and paranoia; I am just somebody who can't ignore the cold facts that the world seems to be heading in some dangerous directions.

Inside the Ring: China warship grounded - Washington Times

Just one little headline from an area of the world that is becoming increasingly volatile. When you read the whole story you see that this incident was weighing heavily on the minds of some. Maybe they could also see the potential for another 'Sarejevo Moment'...







Four weeks and so much has happened...

Isabella, Kwai and me.

   It has been four weeks now since Isabella and I were formally married within Second Life. She and Kwaibebe still wear my collar and we are a family as such within this virtual world. Both of my ladies are now enrolled at the Solace of Submission Academy and I can proudly say they are doing very well there.

http://www.solaceofsubmission.com/

I have been engaged in a rather large scale effort to improve the studio space on both the Rossers Landing sims. I've opened six completely new studios and am currently working on the plans for a final one. At this time I've only done some work of Kwai and Isabella in these new spaces but I can see a time coming soon when I'll be using them for commercial work. In fact I have had a few people approach me about doing fashion work recently. Of course I'll do fashion work! Just show me the linden!

Isabella Wikifoo in fine form.

   I have to admit that I don't think either Kwai or Isabella would really have a problem modeling either. Both of them love the camera almost as much as I do. The fact is both Kwai and Isabella achieved something of a dubious honor this last week; they were both selected as 'Wicked Goddesses' by a Flickr group I am an officer in.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/slwicked/

   I'm engaged in one rather large project for Wicked Photographers at this time. I can't say much now other than it might be one of the most significant photographic endeavors I've yet made within Second Life.

I'm sure the Wicked Photographers appreciated this shot of Kwai.

   At this point in life I am really very happy with where I am at. Do I have regrets about the past? Not many really. People are all ultimately responsible for the course they chose to take. I find it sad that some chose a path that I could not follow. There was good reason for me not to follow them. At this point in my virtual life I am committed to my Kwai and Isabella. I also know others who might someday share in my adventures if they chose. No matter what others decide, I am committed to this journey.

  

Building a family...

It has been a little more than two weeks since Isabella and I were formally married in Second Life. Quite a bit about our relationship hasn't changed; she still wears my collar and usually refers to me as Master. The fact that she and I exchanged our vows has effected how we relate to other people within our virtual world. Some have had a hard time accepting it and this doesn't matter to any of us in the least.

Kwaibebe remains my desired slave and continue her duties to the Castle Ivana. She just has a beloved sister in her submission to me now. I do see Isabella making efforts to be close to Kwai that I never saw in my prior relationship. This matters to me greatly since they both wear my ring and my collar, one in RL and the other in SL. Kwai is delighted in her new sister and supportive of the relationships we are all building.

This is about building a family now. Relationships within Second Life can be considerably different than what you see in the Real World. Though I know it exists in the Real World I am certain that practicing the Master-sub relationship in Reality would get you branded as a pariah at best or even thrown in prison at worst. Within the virtual confines of Second Life Isabella, Kwai and I are starting to build our own family of sorts. I don't know what the future holds but I am planning on meeting it with my treasured ladies.

I found this article on Second Life and just had to post it. Not sure how many people are going to read this but it is one heck of a statement.


http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/free-for-all-second-life-the-little-75-million-dollar-engine-t/

Our first week...

   Isabella and I have now been married for one full week. It hasn't changed some aspects of our relationship very much; she still wears my collar and serves me wonderfully. The only thing that has changed is the level of our commitment to each other. We live and love others in the Real World but in Second Life out devotion to each other is very evident to anybody.

   One thing that we have decided is that we are engaged in an ongoing honeymoon of sorts. In the Real World a couple takes a honeymoon as sort of the culminating event of a marriage. It is finite and hopefully provides memories for a lifetime. Isabella and I see no reason why our honeymoon should be finite; this is Second Life and so much more is possible. Our marriage will be an ongoing honeymoon in which we take time out to work and make lindens.

   We are so very committed to each other in love, devotion and passion. We are both not going to make the mistakes of prior relationships. Isabella will not neglect the others I love and I will take the role as Master that she desires. I can only see a wonderful future for both of us.







June 15th, 2012

At a little after 7:00pm SLT...

Aboard the RMS Titanic, in the company of friends, my precious Kwaibebe Kaventipovic and members of the crew of the RMS Titanic, I exchanged vows with Isabella Wikifoo. I placed a ring on her finger to be worn with my collar on her pretty throat. I have made her my loving wife within Second Life.

Though it is easy for any to see the collar on her, it might not be so easy to see the golden chain she has wrapped around my heart.

With the Ladies at the Horse Auction

Kwai, Lexi, Isabella and I at the Horse Auction

It just so happens that Isabella and Kwai share an interest in Amaretto Horses. Today Isabella was putting up a few for auction so I invited myself along. Lexi was into Amaretto Horses herself at one time - she is a breedable tiger person now - but I asked her along as well. I don't often get several of my ladies together at one time so this was a bit of a minor event for us.

Kwai doing a demo of the new 'Property of Bernard' Halter Top.

This was also a great chance to show off Lexi's creation the 'Property of Bernard' Halter Top. All three ladies were rather striking in them. I doubt if I'll be giving out too many of these at this point.

Isabella Wikifoo in my collar.

Besides, with Kwai, Lexi and Isabella what more could this man want? Another 100,000 linden? Don't worry, already working on that.









So very much has happened...

I've been a bit neglectful of this blog lately; I have had so much going on within Second Life that I barely have time for many things. Right now part of me is struggling to find the words to express so much of what has been happening.

I have been aggressively working to promote my photographic business within Second Life. To a lot of people this virtual world is just some sort of game. Let me say this, it is no longer 'just a game' when you can start pulling real money out of what you do there. There are people who make Real Life Livings off what they do in Second Life. It only takes hard work, dedication and a bit of creativity. I do my photography with just this sort of passion and drive and it is starting to pay me back.

The entrance sign for a small collection of images I have at the Castle Ivana.

I photograph women and I do a very good job of photographing them. Quite frankly it is the only images I really want to shoot. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I sincerely love the company of women. In Second Life it is not a bad market decision though. According to some information I found from Linden Lab women spend about six times more on the appearance of their avatars than men do. It only stands to reason that they might be willing to pay for pictures of their hard efforts.

Lexi Ceryos

There are a lot of photographers in Second Life; it doesn't take much to become a photographer. All you need to do is find the snapshot control and you'll be off and running. In order to be an exceptional photographer it takes passion. You need to put your desire and energy into the images you take. The mark of a professional though is when you can do this upon demand and manage a profit. I am starting to see those profits.

Lexi Ceryos and Kwaibebe Kaventipovic join me in a picture.

This sort of work does not mean that I can't have some fun and even take some personal joy from my images. The fact of the matter is that it does not seem like 'work' to me at all. I would do this even if I didn't collect one linden. I think one of the secrets to success in life, Real or Second, is when you can finally make a living by not working at all. When work becomes play you have discovered one of the keys to happiness.

Ivana dancing with me one fine morning.

Life can have a funny way of changing the whole face of your existence very suddenly. Sometimes this can be in a traumatic fashion such as a car accident or the unexpected death of a loved one. Sometimes, if you are fortunate, it can be a euphoric change. In this case think of discovering that somebody you had thought you had lost is still there waiting.

Kwai and I have found a very comfortable home in Honey Isle and at Castle Ivana. I do enjoy the company of the ladies and Kwai enjoys her new role in Second Life. I imagine I would have been just fine if things had continued like this. The thing is fate had a different plan for me.

Please meet Isabella Wikifoo

Isabella Wikifoo

I've been working to expand my photographic business. I'm trying to move it into the Second Life modeling industry more; there is a potential for Real Money in commercial photography within Second Life. Quite a bit of this work involves doing product shots with female models. To cut a long, complicated story to a shorter story I had known one of these models once. She isn't just any model either; she might be one of the most talented and awarded models within Second Life.

I had first met Isabella Wikifoo about three years ago. I had actually met Isabella before I met Rocksie Slade. The fact is Rocksie might have been my first wife in Second Life but Isabella had been my first love in Second Life. Eventually I had to make a choice between the two ladies and I picked Rocksie then. I can still painfully remember the day Isabella parted from me for what I thought would be forever.

From what seems like another life now.

I don't want to say that all of my time with Rocksie Slade was anything bad. There was some very real love there for a very long time. Things change though and she found another man she valued more than me. I'm past the pain of that now.

So just recently I reached out again to Isabella. I fully expected her to slap my hand away and tell me she had no time for me. That didn't happen. We talked and we danced and we began to know each other again. We both found out that there was something still there even after three years. We had both grown as people while we were on our different pathes.

Kwai and Isabella

We both also found out how willing we were to share each other's lives. She has befriended Kwaibebe so very much and so very much to my delight. The fact that they can be friends only makes this so much more important to me.

It eventually came to a moment of decision for me. I had recently had a conversation with somebody in which she told me she had been restricted by her Master. I'm not sure exactly why but that made the decision for me. So last Friday, the 25th, Isabella took off the collar of her former Master and then kneeled in front of me to accept mine. She did so with love and tenderness that I never expected. My very first decision as her Master was to partner her immediately. Yes, we will have a marriage ceremony in the near future. Kwai is helping me to find the ring for that. Right now though, I want the whole world to know that Isabella Wikifoo wears my collar and is mine.

10 Days Ago

The auburn haired woman came up behind Bernard Broono with the silent grace of her training as a pleasure slave. She lowered herself to her knees and looked out into the same night sky that Bernard seemed to be peering into. The only sound around them was the crashing of the ocean waves nearby their balcony overlooking the see.

The slave turned her head slightly to look at the man, her Master, standing beside her. He seemed an imposing figure in his suit and hat. He also seemed troubled to her.

"What troubles you Master?"

He continued looking out into the night sky. His eyes intently watching something nobody else could see. It was almost as though he did not know the beautiful slave was kneeling beside him.

"I received a message today Kwai."

"What sort of message Master?"

He took a cigar out of his coat pocket, carefully trimmed it and then contemplated it as though there was a message hidden within it.

"She is being put up for auction."

The slave, Kwai, felt an almost electric sensation in his voice. There was a tension to what he was saying and she could feel he was coming to some sort of decision. She then watched as he lit the cigar he was holding and he put it to his mouth. The glowing tip of it cast a gleam over his face as he puffed on it.

"What are you going to do Master?"

He exhaled a cloud of white smoke and said nothing. His eyes seemed lost for a moment as they continued their vigil of the night skies. The slave turned to look down at her hands resting on her knees; she bit her lip slightly.

"Buy her Master."

Bernard broke his stare from the sky and turned to look at the kneeling slave. The hint of a smile broke across his face. He reached out and gently touched the top of her head.

"Very bold of you slave, telling your Master what he should do."

She turned her head to look up into his eyes. In the star light he observed that a small tear had formed in the corner of one of her eyes. He could see a quiver in her lips.

"You have lost so much recently Master; first your wife and then Aprilla. It does not seem fair to me. I am here for you and love you but also know that you are a man of insatiable appetite. I only wish Master to be happy."

He turned back toward the rumbling sea. His eyes again cast themselves out to the night sky. They seemed lost for a moment in the stars above. He then looked at the glow of the cigar in his hand, contemplating the heat of it.

"I'll buy her. If it is the last thing I ever do, I'll have her in my arms. I don't care about the cost. I'll make her mine."

Bernard turned away from the sight of the crashing waves and walked into his house. The slave sat alone in the dark for a moment and felt some quiet satisfaction in helping Master make his decision. She knew him very well.

He would have Ivana.

Ivana Hanni wears my Collar

Just a little while ago it became official; Ivana Hanni wears the collar of Bernard Broono. It originally started as me simply trying to help out. Things grew from there and took on a momentum all their own. Ivana and I have known each other a long, long time by Second Life standards and maybe this should have happened a long, long time ago as well.

Kwai and I have made a stake and home in the Castle Ivana. Our friends are here, our loyalties are here. It was only one small step of logic, love and friendship to finally snap the collar around Ivana's pretty neck.

The Die is Cast

Kwaibebe Kaventipovic and the Library

I've started a new photographic project today. Castle Ivana has a variety of very nice themed rooms for the entertainment of patrons and VIP members. The only problem is most people don't get to see them unless they have laid down some linden. I've decided to start shooting a set of pictures in each room with the modelling assistance of at least one of Ivy's dedicated ladies. This might give some guests a chance to further consider the delights potentially awaiting them.

For the first room, The Library, I had the assistance of my own lovely Kwaibebe Kaventipovic. She seems quite at home among the books and rich wood textures. She seemed even more comfortable on the window couch.

I'll try to add at least two rooms a week this visual tour and, hopefully, have a different Castle Slave for each photo set. But I am sure that dear Kwai would be willing to stand in when needed.



Aprila Lamplight Missing

It has been almost two weeks now since Kwai and I went dancing with Aprila. That was the last we saw of her. She left me one E-mail the following morning and nothing since. There was no hint in anything she said or in the E-mail she sent. She simply vanished fron our virtual lives.

Kwai and I both hope she is safe and sound regardless. We will put up a candle in our home on Honey Isle to remind us of her.

The Fire is out

I was forced to confront a lot of painful things last night. I haven't slept well in about four days; only about two hours last night. I'll be only nine over the last few days. I'm pretty well exhausted.

When you're a photographer you have to find your creative inspiration. Right now I feel like I've lost mine. Sure, I can still shoot a better picture than 90% of photographers but in my mind the pictures I am doing now lack something. I usually find a magic in my model and manage to capture that in the image. I'm just not feeling that magic right now.

That inner fire that drives me is out right now. I'm not quite sure what to do about it. 

Tonight was a tough night for me

Tonight was a very tough night for me; Rocksie had her marriage to Michael. It would be a lie to say I don't love her anymore. Sometimes the feelings come raging up out of me like some sort of explosion. Sometimes I feel like a part of me has died.

The ladies at the Castle have been very supportive of me during all of this. Today I spent most of my day at the Castle shooting pictures and dancing with some of the ladies. It was good not to be alone.

My dear Goldie

Kwai was the most supportive in all this. She would honestly like to see some kind of friendship emerge from the ashes of all this. It is hard to bear the knowledge of what I've lost. Kwai is always there though. She loves me unconditionally.

My pretty Jill

I've found a home in the Castle. I can practice my photography here with an energy that I haven't had in quite awhile. I'm not sure any of these women can be the model that Rocksie was for me but they certainly do try.

There is nobody quite like Panty

I have no idea what the future holds for me in Second Life. I do know that I'm dedicated now to the Castle Ivana and my new friends there. I also know that two of them have sworn their dedication to me. It might not be the way I wanted things to be but it is what I have.

My precious Kwaibebe

I don't know that I'll ever partner again. Rocksie Slade is a hard act to follow. I do know that I'm finding out who my friends are and that I am still a man capable of love and being loved. Maybe that is all that really matters?

Clarissa Caxton

Clarissa is another one of the ladies who provide service at Castle Ivana. It's a little hard not to fall a bit in love with her when I take pictures of her. She has a charming elegance to her as well as warm personality.

For both Kwai and I the Castle Ivana has functionally become our virtual home. Kwai and I have been gradually rebuilding both Rosser's Landing sims into a set of gigantic photo studios.

In some ways I am reinventing myself; finding out what sort of man I really want to be both in the Real World and this Virtual World. I have always wanted to be a photographer. About 20 years ago I was, in fact, a freelance photographer with my own business, tax number and trusty Nikons.

I had to sacrifice that business due to Real World concerns. Now though within Second Life I am recapturing some of the same happiness and satisfaction of that past life. I'm even making a bit of linden while I'm at it.

Pictures can be such precious things. They capture a split second for all eternity. In Second Life so many ladies have created such incredible visions of beauty. Maybe this is just my destiny and karma being acted out.







Ivana Hanni

Ivana Hanni was one of my first friends in Second Life. I don't know what she saw in me but whatever it was she seemed to like it. As owner of the Castle Ivana she has made something of a name for herself. She is your go-to person for submissive women and naughty delights. She is also an incredibly intelligent and gentle person. I count myself as lucky that she decided to friend me.

Now during the Rocksie years I would vist Ivy's fine establishment but never partake of the companionship offered there. I was rather loyal to Rocksie during the entire time we were together. Once things crumbled though and I was in a bit of shock over it all I went to see Ivana as one of the sincere friends I had. Nothing happened other than our talking and her consoling me on my loss.

My next visit was a bit less innocent; after my years of fidelity and a certain feeling of betrayal I just had to let off steam. Ivana was more than willing to personally oblige me in my self therapy. This woman is wonderful that way as I am sure any VIP member of the Castle will swear too.

I am such a fortunate man to know this woman.





Aprila Lamplight

I don't have a lot of pictures of Aprila yet but that will change as time passes. She is becoming a new love for me and a wonderful sister to Kwaibebe. Though she wears a collar with my name on it her name is now inscribed on my heart in so many ways.

I'm sure I will be writing more of her in the future. Right now the words to describe how I feel about her escape me. She has shown her submission to me and now I fully intend to honor that commitment to me. Her sister Kwai has also found a place in her heart for our precious Aprila. There is joy again in the House of Broono.

Kwaibebe Kaventipovic

Shortly after Bernard lost Rocksie there were a lot of changes in his virtual life. Maybe the most shocking change for some was to see Kwaibebe Kaventipovic submit to Bernard as his pleasure slave. It wasn't long after that when they set up a home on Honey Isle and Kwai took on a position at the Castle Ivana as one of the Castle Slaves.

Ivana Hanni

The fact of the matter was that Bernard had been a friend to Ivana Hanni almost from the first day he rezzed into Second Life. After he partnered with Rocksie he never once looked for any relationship other than what he had with Rocksie. He would admit that Ivana would tempt him from time to time but he maintained his fidelity.

When things fell apart one of the first people to offer support to Bernard was Ivana. It wasn't long after that when he and Kwai rented a home there and Kwai became a Castle Slave. Even though they have two sims of their own they've become quite comfortable on Honey Isle.

Kwaibebe on the veranda outside the Castle Ivana

Bernard gives credit to Kwaibebe for her love and support during the hard times of the last few weeks. He is proud to have her wear his collar and see her in the service of the Castle Ivana. She will always be first on his chain.













960 Days

July 18th 2009 to March 4th 2012

Two years, seven months and fifteen days

I don't think it happens often that a person can fall in love with somebody they've never met in person. It did happen to me. The fact is Rocksie Slade is an incredible woman in so many ways. She had a personality and magnetism that just wound it's way around my heart. Just watching her avatar walk up to me could send an electric tingle through me.

I do not regret one day of the time we were together. It wasn't always good but it was seldom bad. There was even a magic at times. As a photographer she was my inspiration; it is a true challenge to capture the beauty of a woman like Rocksie Slade. She will always be one of the finest models I've ever known.

Do I still love her? The answer would be yes. Life is about change though and both she and I are changing. I have no idea what the future holds for Rocksie Slade or Bernard Broono but I do know that there will always be a corner of my soul reserved for this woman.