The Open Flame is closed

It is with deep regret I must close the doors of The Open Flame yet once again. The landlord has moved and the cost of purchasing the land is more than I can handle.
I believed when I opened the club and still believe that it has a purpose in SL.
I got a call a while ago from the Lindens. They wanted to make sure the comments in the forums had not hurt me to much. The question was also asked how I could be so out online. My answer was simple. You see I live a life of recovery. That means I must walk in my own integrity, and that means I take my life (all my life) with me everywhere I go. I am gay out here I am gay in there. That is just the way it is. Besides, I am proud of what I am. My people have a rich long history in this world, and I celebrate it any chance I get.
Having said all this however, I also have things on this side of the screen I must take care of. This week it will be my knee AGAIN. I am going in for a third surgery on my knee and will be out of the loop for a bit. I will not be able to find a new home for the club and build it again before then.
I want to take this moment to say how much I have loved being a part of this grand experiment. I do not beta test for other companies EVER. Our company keeps me busy beta testing all our stuff, so I don’t spend time on other companies stuff. I did not see SL as a beta test however. I see it as a chance to do it right. A chance to build a world where even if it’s just in VR people can get along and respect each other. I have made great friends here from the get go.
From day one, Char and Haney were always popping in to see what I was building now. Steller, Bel, Cahterine, Fen, Misnomer,Button and many others have helped me and hung out just to have fun. I have been mentored and had the opportunity to mentor and it’s been grand.
I have seen a trend lately toward hostility and hate in SL and it saddens me. I know we are not building Shang Ra La but I hope we are not doing all this just to prove that humans can’t get along in any environment. Let’s all try a little harder please.
So I am off to get sliced and diced in a few days. I am a little freaked out by the whole thing, but the ice cream will be good.
Again thank you all for the great time I have had so far and hope to continue to have.


Karen (AKA Thai)

Hang in there!!! When your done being sliced and diced...contact me ingame. Its good for family to hang to gether

Whoah, Buckeroo!

Is this a done deal? There is no need to wear yourself out over this. There are other folks in SL that might be pleased to help out. If you have time, drop me an IM and let me look around a bit. There are MANY places to set up shop, and many folks to ask for help.

Can't hurt to give it a try.

Kissling isn't totally dead. Thai is actually going to be a partner in the new and improved Kissling. He will own land and manage it as he sees fit.

I never booted Thai, I would never do such a thing.

Thai and I are tuning the details on how to redo Kissling, We will keep ya all uptodate

All please take notice altough I was very upset and did whine a bit. I never said Chaslie booted me. There were issues beyond everyones control and bad things happened. Here is the cool thing. Chalie is one of the people that I have met in SL who is able to say yep that might not have been my best move ever. He came to me to make it right, and we are going to make Kissling(the new improved Kissling ) work. Thanks all for your support. Ummmm and when I get back on after the surgery we will have to have a " Wow look my knee works party"

Well, my offer stands. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.

And let me know when you're open for business again.

I do hope that the knee thing goes well - we are thinking of you!