Second Life Thoughts

Even though us "broke" people can't afford the big expense of owning land in Second Life, there is plenty for us to do and plenty of ways for us to interact with our URU friends.

I've rented a house close to Tsogal in Eder Gira. It's good to have a place of my own to go to. It's nothing like Relto. I miss Relto. But I think this is even better. Because it's almost like a Bevin, open to others. And that's my policy on this place. Everyone's welcome to visit and hang out anytime they like.

While I don't like the way SL is so monetized, I do think it's a great way to connect with our explorer buddies, learn about creation, and just stay in a touch in a more personal way until Cyan gets the open source code ready for us.

January 17, 2010

Beginning Note: Even though I've been in Second Life for over a year, my true experiences only started about a week ago...maybe a little longer. Forgot exactly what day I really began looking at SL as an alternative home. That is where my journal begins. First post is a compilation of that time.

I vowed not to spend $ in SL, but I've grown fond of our Myst sims and using $ allows me to help support the generous owners of these Age "instances."

So, I rented a house on Eder Gira. Close to the Tsogal area where memories of our door calling days surface. Behind is a Gira Rock Lagoon. Sometimes I sit on the roof and wish Shroomie would appear.

On the surface, this past 14 months have been filled with many stressful challenges: broken family, parents on their last days, the passing of our two aged canine companions, letting go of my two horses, financial woes, friendship woes, and assisting others with some pretty bad tragedies, all tempered with the birth of our first granddaughter and the appearance of the second due any time now.

As with the deep D'ni cavern, the Second Level, as I've come to think of the Myst sims, brings a new home and a new family where those woes do not exist. The wonderful Age instances, infused with each builder's personal touch, renew my soul and rejuvenates my spirit to love life.

I'm an introvert, a hermit at heart. I don't small talk well. I'm not a person who loves the dance, although I will a little. But I love the company and feel secure knowing that my friends are there. Luckily, the past time in the cavern allowed me to grow out of that almost complete seclusion and now I'm attempting to become a bit more sociable at an easy pace.

Settling in to my new house was so easy. After I rented it, I found many wonderful D'ni inspired items to put in it.

LOL. I'm not much of a shopper. Although hubby complains that we can no longer visit Walmart without checking out every toy that's available for our granddaughter. Probably a good thing we're not rich. *grin*

And in SL, I've spent hours shopping. Originally, I was looking for something to wear to match my Isis namesake. Only, anything with sufficient coverage was too expensive. I found plenty of free pieces and even a few modestly priced items outside of the Egyptian area. But I caught the shopping bug during a particularly stressful hour and bought like crazy once I found my way to a few areas selling for very low prices and offering a lot of freebies. I now have a lot more clothes and trinkets than I need. LOL

I also bought an airship. Now, why in the blazes would I do that? I don't need an airship and the prim count exceeds any space I'd rent. LOL Crazy

Through great patience, Colorado and Anarta have been helping me control my prim count. Hopefully the days of calling to them for aid in recovering a lost inventory item that's threatening the Age's prim count limit are over.

SL may help me professionally with my research for clients and personal projects. Shopping areas are a great resource for seeing cultural traditions, dress and architecture close up.

I walked through a multitude of wonderful Egyptian temples, through a beautiful Stone Henge, and shopped on Diagon Alley. I look forward to seeing more culture inspired areas.

With SL magic, I'm free. I can do and wear things that are impossible on the surface. In addition to flying.

1- I don't wear dresses - can't wear women's shoes because of a physical limitation. In SL, I'm wearing all kinds - well most. Still refusing to wear and deleting some dresses to maintain my modesty to an acceptable degree.

2- High heels - Ties in to the dresses - I'm finding and experimenting with high heeled shoes and boots.

3- Showing my belly. Yeah, we won't talk about that one. LOL

4- Changing my hair to match my mood. And having full bodied hair. On the surface, my hair is naturally thin and I get to choose one color for the year. In SL, I have 20 colors now.

5- Some days my particular situation keeps me locked inside the house - unable to get out at all - on the surface. That's never a problem in SL.

There's lots more I want to do and see, and friends I want to hang out with in SL. Now the biggest challenge is finding the time to fit it all in.

January 18, 2010

Today was just a short visit to recharge. Going through some of my inventory. Hoping soon that I'll catch up on all the freebies I've collected and know what I have where. Deleting the clothing that covers nothing, the boots that look like they were made for robots instead of people, opening what I expected to be a trinket and turned out to a statue bigger than my house - deleting it as quick as I can before it rezzes. Scary. I think once I'm done, I'll have my wardrobe down to a manageable level.

I am keeping my little butterflies that follow me around. Love them.

Only walking script I found was a sexy walk. It works for the flowing dresses pretty well. So much better than the corncob stuck up the butt walk that we're given. Do hope to find a smooth walk script soon.

My past of not wearing women's shoes has made me prejudiced. I am not satisfied with any of the heels or pumps. They're all good. But don't seem like me. So, right now I'm in one of the fairy dresses with bare feet. Perhaps I'll become the barefoot Myst explorer.

January 19, 2010

Today, I was in SL on a mission. Either to sit and work at home or to find writers like myself. I did find others. Joined the Virtual Writer's Inc today.

Trying to get the hang of making the artwork ready for use. Seems I still don't control things well. Made a picture of the "perhaps the ending has not yet been written" graphic and lost it while trying to hang it on the wall. Either it's in the wall in back corner - or it flew off somewhere. I tried to find it but can't. Guess, Colorado and Anarta will need to help me once again. At least it's only one prim this time.

Also not so afraid of someone walking on me while changing clothes with my open door policy. I made a changing area in back corner behind a divider, complete with a posing stand for trying on jewelry and hair.

Not knowing SL the way you all seem to be able to figure it out...I received this today...maybe helpful?

Misty Ahnonay is soon to be permanently dismantled. Most parts of it have been
set to free to copy / full perm. If anyone who remembers URU would like any
souvenirs (including clocks and cathedral) you have until midnight GMT (4:00pm
SLT) to collect your booty. Enjoy.

Probably too late...as always...

I have taken up residence in the rented Bevin house next to Isis' -- in #28. It is still a bit sparse but I have installed a comfy bed and a hot tub. I am taking full advantage to all the things I wanted to do in URU but couldn't -- skinny-dipping for one.

Turns out I can really get my naughty on in SL -- from slinky clothes to impossible shoes that I couldn't even stand up in IRL. I adore the neighborhood lying as it does between Gira and Tsogal, my two most favorite gardens, the latter in particular. Colorada and Anarta have done a wonderful job of recreating those places I loved so much in URU.

Anyway if you want to use the hot tub, come on by.

Sad to have only spent a few moments in SL today. Got an incredible migraine that makes me sick, so I couldn't do what I needed to. I did find Sharper's rug at a Myst/Uru store, so I bought that. I put the Riven writing desk by the window, next to Sharper's tank, with the Riven bookcase beside it, and Gandhar's office graphic above. The colors match.

Also put up wall replicas of wolves in main area and a Gypsy Vanner horse in changing area. Still have lost picture stuck in wall back there. Didn't feel like asking for help with my headache. No hurry. I'll get it out sometime.

The same store where I found Sharper's rug is also selling gallery bundles of URU/Myst artwork. Not sure if that affects my gallery idea or not. I have some ideas of creating a Myst inspired reading room type of situation with the gallery pictures. Would like to have them in three areas, if my meager budget allows it.

I sat at my Revelation desk working today. On my break, I managed to load three items into my bookcase. A poem and story by me and a little spoof for writers. That bookcase will soon have much to read.

The bahro were very quiet today.

'Nomads in Afghanistan...The pelting was vaguely familier'....Sorry, my uncle Greg wrote this story back in 1973 when he was in college called 'Naked Lettuce'. Those were the first words..how ironic now...

If you find anything you want included in my bookcase, I'm willing to add it. I have it set where the bookcase opens for the visitor and they can take a notecard. I'll probably have up to 15 in it. I'd need the name of the author too with anything.

I did walk around the replica of Firefly ship (Serenity). Pretty cool. This was after hanging out in front of the fireplace with Inanna while she played with her new cat, Bastet or Yeesha. Not sure which name she chose. Before that, I hung out on the Eder Gira beach in front of Zandi's trailer with old friends dancing, while Watashi banged on the drums, Peni jammed on the guitar and bongos, and DMom tickled the ivories on the piano. Good to be back with great company.

Almost thinking of doing an outdoor memory walk for Uru/Myst as my gallery. Would mean renting land. I have ten days to decide.

I'll be switching my urulover journal over to Issis soon and will post that link when I get the pictures in place.

In the meantime, I sneaked next door to Inanna's and took a pic of her new kitty that was sleeping while she was gone. Bastet or Yeesha, not sure which she named it yet.

Checked on Inanna's cat while she was gone. Still happy and still purring. She's got quite the purr on her. Hear her at the front patio before I even walk in. LOL

I believe I finally have my place all set. It's now known as my studio and library, with a new sign outside and a notecard inviting anyone to enter. Plenty of places to sit. I'll be in there a lot working during the week. After I get my three items rescued from the back wall that seems to want to suck everything out I place too close, I'll add my sketch pad and pencils and I'm done. Yay!

Also put in a ball for Celtic air dancing. Defy grafity with grace.

Oh, if anyone ever wonders what's going on up on the roof...I'm designing the blocks that will hold my pictures in the outdoor gallery walk.

Did you know if you happen to place the cross leg sit pose ball upside down, you end up on your head? LOL I learned that today.

Sigh...not sure my gallery will be an outdoors one. Land rental is a little bit over my meager allowance...unless I gave up the studio. And I'm not doing that. May have to rent either space in a market, a small cabin or an apartment. Doing that will allow me a little bit to advertise the writing with on my budget. Have until Monday to figure this out.

Oh thank you so much for looking in on Yeesha (my cat ) I can't be there all the time for her and I really appreciate having a neighbor who likes kitties. From Feb 15 through Mar 1 my internet connection will be "unpredictable" and so keeping an eye on Yeesha is really appreciated.

At least there is no litter box to clean.

Don't worry. I can even hear her meow from my studio. LOL

I'm going to be taking the apartment space at the Tokatah alley link in spot for the memory gallery. I hope to start on it Monday and hopefully it won't take too long to build.

Please PM me your profile pics from MOUL for a section I have in mind.

I've also asked Inanna to offer her posters on one wall, so be sure to check those out.

Can someone give me the D'ni Voice from today? I was working on something at the time it came through and accidentally hit "OK", which tells it that I refused it. Darn thing.

Quote :

Can someone give me the D'ni Voice from today?

Am I missing something...Is this something in SL?[

Yes.

It's sent through the D'ni Refugees group.

No one sent me a copy, so I'll either have to ask for it. Or see if it's posted at the forum too.

Nevermind...they just started posting it online too.
http://thednivoice.wordpress.com/

lalalala...

Anxious and frustrated. I set aside time to work on the gallery and I'm still waiting for my money for the rent to arrive at my Linden account. It left my bank on Friday. Grr... The site says it can take up to five days, depending on the bank. Well, it's obviously not dependent upon my bank. LOL

The fantastic speed of the electronic world.

Hopefully soon...

I made some wonderful pictures that will go well with Inanna's series. Anxious to show them.

And I made my first planter.

The Uru Memory Gallery is officially started. When you link into the city from the Eder Gira linking board, you're right at the gallery. I have a sign up, so you can't miss it.

There is a lounge area on the main floor and then some relaxation areas on the balcony downstairs.

Right now, I just have four of my prophecy posters available. I ran out of time to get the rest done today. I imagine it will be a week before everything is in place. Upstairs will be items that can be purchased. Downstairs will be just a place to show memories of Myst/Uru/Friends. Gandhar's pictures will be there and probably out on the balcony a bit also.

Uru Memory Gallery is coming along slowly. I'm a bit distracted by a publishing deal and with work for the two magazines I run. Plus, my daughter keeps telling me to be on stand by because she "feels funny." Our granddaughter, Sonia, is due to join us any day. I fear she's going to be a little terror to Mommy and torture her for a week or so before arriving.

I'm in and out a lot. Sometimes you'll find me sitting on the roof of my house while I'm working. I put a writing table up there. I also put the Celtic air dance ball there for those who wish to dance on air.

Inanna got a dog now. Cool! I was looking to adopt from the same place, but couldn't make up my mind, so I didn't. Should have. That would have been really interesting if we adopted at the same time.

The gallery also has a stand at the Fomoiri Market Place and an ad at the Celtic Dreams Market. I also took a tent there, but waiting on owner to help me with the rezzing rights. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to put pictures up.

Happy to know you both have found a niche in Sl, it's a far different world than URU and took some getting use to, but I must say I'm finally comfortable there. I have a friend who has a sim where I stay when I'm there. Haven't been to the city in a while because I haven't been in SL, but I will be sure to look you both up when I'm there. Hope to cya soon.

PS Isis try Wetherby's she gives away dresses daily for the more modest woman lol. I'll drop you a lm.

Almost have the gallery all settled in now...planning on sending out the announcements tomorrow for the open house we'll have this coming weekend. Filled with lots of Gandhar's posters. Money's help support the sim. Either by going towards the gallery rent, that goes to the sim, or by me donating, which is what I'm doing with the gallery through the excess earned from Gandhar's pictures.

Many seem to be missing the gallery doors, so I'll talk to Anarta about a sign or two pointing the way when people teleport in.

I've got a new cat named Atrus at the studio on Eder Gira island. He's really cool. Except he keeps losing his toy ball and crying about it just like a real cat. LOL

It's decided. Excess money from Gandhar's pictures in the Uru Memory Gallery goes to Cyan, to help keep Uru going.

Anxious to get into SL today, but think I'll wait awhile. Checked other threads. Seems that some people are getting in to the Cavern. I'll see if I can be one of them first.

For anyone visiting my house (studio)

The red macaws flying around do nothing.
The hummingbird may come up and greet you.
The blue macaw is awesome. He will talk to you. Try punching in /2 hello into local chat and see what you get. :-)
And then click the sign on his post for a really cool thing.
The cat inside is Atrus. He's a mooch. He loves to be petted and will beg for them. He has a ball that he loses a lot. If you find it, please roll it to his scratching post. I've rescued that thing from the weirdest of places - behind fireplace, on top of bookcases, etc.

And in Uru Memory Gallery, feel free to say hello to Sasha, the Siamese kitty, and enjoy the butterflies on balcony.