Dolmere Talamasca asks:
Today's not-a-meme challenge is a question about your usage patterns. This could be things you do when you login, things you do just before logging out, activities bordering on OCD, etc :)
"Do you have any Second Life usage habits?"
The first thing I always do is check to see who else is online. I don't always start an IM with others, but its nice to know I'm not alone.
The Second thing that I do is get dressed. I'm not sure why, but I refuse to let my avi wear the same thing twice in a row. When dressing, I usually try to pick something which reflects my mood and what I hope to be doing. Sometimes this is an easy process, accomplished quickly. My inventory is pretty well organized so I know where to find things usually. Unfortunately, I'm also indecisive as hell and I can easily spend half an hour just figuring out what shoes to wear.
The worst thing about this is that it fuels my SL shopping habit, because I often find that I don't have exactly the right shade of top to wear with the skirt. So it's off to the stores and ooooh look, they have a new dress on sale.
The sad thing is that there really isn't much variety in the way I dress.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The Other End of the Spectrum
Recently I've mentioned a few stores that are worthy of note not only for the products they carry, but also for the design of the space they use. All of them are highly polished, and despite their contrivance, they feel like places I'd like to visit in Real Life. In fact, they feel like places I have visited in RL.
On a whim, I decided to re-check out Unpopular Designs, run by Gabby Lime. Unpop is the origin of both my avi's glasses and my all-time favorite skirt, and I really like the unpredictably eclectic selection of clothes and accessories. While I was there I ran into Gabby, and she pointed me to her other shop, Tacky Shit.
Oh wow. Ms. Lime is a master of prim-work, but that's not what makes Tacky Shit amazing. Prim-wise, it's beyond simple. It's the textures that are frightening. Stepping into the building made me feel like stepping into a Neil Gaiman short story. The hand-drawn (scribbled might be a better word) doodles on notebook paper which make the walls and floor show more life than any Photoshopped version of reality. And looking out the front window is like looking upon the world not just through a child's eyes, but from his mind. Everything about the place takes me to the edge of... something, I'm not sure what. And I stare down into that depth without ever quite being pushed over, but wanting to be, all the same.
It makes me think that perhaps too much of Second Life tries to emulate our First ones.
On a whim, I decided to re-check out Unpopular Designs, run by Gabby Lime. Unpop is the origin of both my avi's glasses and my all-time favorite skirt, and I really like the unpredictably eclectic selection of clothes and accessories. While I was there I ran into Gabby, and she pointed me to her other shop, Tacky Shit.
Oh wow. Ms. Lime is a master of prim-work, but that's not what makes Tacky Shit amazing. Prim-wise, it's beyond simple. It's the textures that are frightening. Stepping into the building made me feel like stepping into a Neil Gaiman short story. The hand-drawn (scribbled might be a better word) doodles on notebook paper which make the walls and floor show more life than any Photoshopped version of reality. And looking out the front window is like looking upon the world not just through a child's eyes, but from his mind. Everything about the place takes me to the edge of... something, I'm not sure what. And I stare down into that depth without ever quite being pushed over, but wanting to be, all the same.
It makes me think that perhaps too much of Second Life tries to emulate our First ones.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Aly Revealed
Vint Falken has posted Not-A-Meme challenge #13, and as my friend Coyote so cleverly intuited, it is one that catches my attention. It's a two part challenge; the first part is to reveal something about my second self, and the second part is to reveal something about my first self. It's a very yin-yang sort of thing.
This assumes, of course, that there is a difference between the two. I sometimes wonder. Are we not but two faces on that which is Aly? My first life shapes my second. For example, I usually wear glasses in both. Though my Avatar presumably has 20/20 vision, she dons spectacles also in an expression of solidarity with her RL counterpart. And of course, my second life seems to shape my first, if by no other means than the sleep that I am deprived by my avi hanging around the Shelter until the wee hours. We are linked.
But distinct. I sometimes refer to my avatar in the 3rd person, as it is natural to do using the "/me" feature in chat. Speaking this way is not something I do in real life. Alyia dares to wear clothes that I would not. Some of her skirts are a tad shorter than I'd be comfortable walking around in, and exploring the world in high heels is definitely not something I'd do on a regular basis. She just makes it soooo effortless. Alyia's a graceful dancer and has better hair.
So what is a secret about this Alyia Coanda, a girl whose self proclaimed mission is to explore her world? She owns a motorcycle. I suppose this isn't a secret to some people, as apparently I've become a t-shirt posterchild for catsuit coolness.* But it's not something I generally tell people.
It's not that there's anything wrong with it. People buy things all the time, and this really is no different. I've even been assured that it is a beautiful bike and that she looks, well, damn good on it. The reasoning for the purchase was arguably legitimate: I bought it as a means to explore large areas of SL (though this hasn't worked terribly well due to the laggy nature of many sims). So neither I nor Alyia have reason to be embarrassed. Except that it is so ridiculously indulgent since I can simply fly and teleport where ever I want. But so can everyone else. Not everyone rides a cool black motorcycle around Second Life.
Admittedly, I bought the bike to look cool while I explore.
As for my First Life? This, as others who have taken the challenge have noted, is perhaps more difficult. For me the challenge doesn't really come out of some desire to be someone other than who I am. I wouldn't say that I necessarily try to keep my second and first lives separate; I'll respond to most questions if asked. The challenge is that I have a hard time believing that anything about my first life would be remotely interesting to anyone.
The most interesting thing about myself that I can think of is that I am full of contradictions, and that I relish them. Watch out. I am shy, but a shameless flirt. Other people annoy me, but I dislike being alone. I walk innocently, but my thoughts play in the gutter. I love the person I am, but I'm never satisfied with what I have become. Like a cat I reserve the right to change my mind a thousand times.
I don't think of myself as confused. Rather, I am right at home.
*Ask Coyote Pace.
This assumes, of course, that there is a difference between the two. I sometimes wonder. Are we not but two faces on that which is Aly? My first life shapes my second. For example, I usually wear glasses in both. Though my Avatar presumably has 20/20 vision, she dons spectacles also in an expression of solidarity with her RL counterpart. And of course, my second life seems to shape my first, if by no other means than the sleep that I am deprived by my avi hanging around the Shelter until the wee hours. We are linked.
But distinct. I sometimes refer to my avatar in the 3rd person, as it is natural to do using the "/me" feature in chat. Speaking this way is not something I do in real life. Alyia dares to wear clothes that I would not. Some of her skirts are a tad shorter than I'd be comfortable walking around in, and exploring the world in high heels is definitely not something I'd do on a regular basis. She just makes it soooo effortless. Alyia's a graceful dancer and has better hair.
So what is a secret about this Alyia Coanda, a girl whose self proclaimed mission is to explore her world? She owns a motorcycle. I suppose this isn't a secret to some people, as apparently I've become a t-shirt posterchild for catsuit coolness.* But it's not something I generally tell people.
It's not that there's anything wrong with it. People buy things all the time, and this really is no different. I've even been assured that it is a beautiful bike and that she looks, well, damn good on it. The reasoning for the purchase was arguably legitimate: I bought it as a means to explore large areas of SL (though this hasn't worked terribly well due to the laggy nature of many sims). So neither I nor Alyia have reason to be embarrassed. Except that it is so ridiculously indulgent since I can simply fly and teleport where ever I want. But so can everyone else. Not everyone rides a cool black motorcycle around Second Life.
Admittedly, I bought the bike to look cool while I explore.
As for my First Life? This, as others who have taken the challenge have noted, is perhaps more difficult. For me the challenge doesn't really come out of some desire to be someone other than who I am. I wouldn't say that I necessarily try to keep my second and first lives separate; I'll respond to most questions if asked. The challenge is that I have a hard time believing that anything about my first life would be remotely interesting to anyone.
The most interesting thing about myself that I can think of is that I am full of contradictions, and that I relish them. Watch out. I am shy, but a shameless flirt. Other people annoy me, but I dislike being alone. I walk innocently, but my thoughts play in the gutter. I love the person I am, but I'm never satisfied with what I have become. Like a cat I reserve the right to change my mind a thousand times.
I don't think of myself as confused. Rather, I am right at home.
*Ask Coyote Pace.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Second Thoughts on Sale!
Another reason that I find some of the SL merchants interesting is that their spaces are more dynamic than many of the parks. Part of that is due to the shifting nature of the merchandise, but it seems that sellers are more attuned to constantly tweaking or updating their spaces to provide the most attractive or attention-capturing store. It's to be expected, really.
Unfortunately, many of the locations in Second Life are quite static, and this, of course, makes them uninteresting. We're used to living in an ever-changing world, and if it were to stop changing, it would be unusual. Downright disconcerting. So despite the virtual three-dimensionality of Second Life much of it ends up being flat.
I'm not talking about big changes here; they can be subtle, even repetitive. Something to give places a pulse. It never rains in Second Life, the leaves never fall. It's like an idealized Hollywood.
On a less philosophical note, I found a working swingset. I'm sure it's not the only one in Second Life, but it's the first one I encountered. It's in a skatepark behind the Wrong store in Alternation. Wrong has always been a favorite not only for its simple, Gap-like fashions, but also for the clean, unencumbered layout of its store. This makes it easy to scan for and find products. The store is beautiful in a functional way.
Unfortunately, many of the locations in Second Life are quite static, and this, of course, makes them uninteresting. We're used to living in an ever-changing world, and if it were to stop changing, it would be unusual. Downright disconcerting. So despite the virtual three-dimensionality of Second Life much of it ends up being flat.
I'm not talking about big changes here; they can be subtle, even repetitive. Something to give places a pulse. It never rains in Second Life, the leaves never fall. It's like an idealized Hollywood.
On a less philosophical note, I found a working swingset. I'm sure it's not the only one in Second Life, but it's the first one I encountered. It's in a skatepark behind the Wrong store in Alternation. Wrong has always been a favorite not only for its simple, Gap-like fashions, but also for the clean, unencumbered layout of its store. This makes it easy to scan for and find products. The store is beautiful in a functional way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)