A Second Start

I'm nearly four months old; no longer newbish, but still a far cry from being anybody of consequence. I've befriended a few people, bought more digi-wear than a fashion-driven emperor, and even tried my virtual hand at a bit of design. I find myself at a bit of a crossroads, but that's not quite right. It's not the right metaphor, since it implies a both flat dimensionality to the experience, and that there is, should I choose, a way back to my origin, the place I lived before I ever had a Second Life.

But there isn't, is there? I could simply leave, but that's not the same thing. Second Life, due to its sheer interactiveness isn't just a book, movie, or even video game. It's not even a proper simulator insofar as I understand the notion.

But it's not life, either. At least not as we understand it. So I'm left adrift. Treading water, so to speak. I haven't got a direction, and so the currents just pull me. I suspect I'm caught in a bit of an eddy, but I don't have enough perspective to know that for certain.

So I'm drifting. I stumbled across a web article which lists the top 20 places to visit in SL. Im usually morally opposed to the tourist traps, preferring instead to discover my own. It's not exactly a list of the wonders of the second world, but it seems like a reasonable place to start looking for... whatever it is I'm hoping to find. Maybe I'll find gateways to greater discoveries.

1. Black Library: Doesn't seem to exist. Not a good start.
   
2. Dragon Moon Resort: A quiet place with lots of, um, dragons. A sort of plastic Jurassic Park, Bermuda-style. Other than the mythological models (which are well done) it seems to be typical tropical island fare, with beaches, waterfalls, birds, undersea life, and lots of foliage. Of course there's lots of places to sit and enjoy the scene in contemplation alone or with friends. The music didn't add anything to the experience, and I was disappointed that there wasn't any room to actually take the jet-ski for a spin. On the flip side, the scuba diving was kind of interesting, if only for novelty's sake. It's all nice, but I can't help but feel the place is a bit contrived. Dragons and beaches just don't inhabit the same world in my mind, though I suppose they could. Even dragons need a holiday I suppose.
3. The Cliffs of BonnyDoon: Also MIA. Ah, the transience of the online world.
4. Galaxy: Trekkie heaven. Under construction. What I saw looked like Star Trek.. but what do I know? The effect was lost on me, but not on the folks in the sim, who were taking it very seriously. All it needed was some Klingon griefers to complete the scene.
   
5. Gris-Gris Land: Gone gone.
6. Intermundia: Exists, but also under construction.
7. Little Silent Hill: (in Braunworth) I confess that I have less interest and knowledge about Silent Hill (it's a game, right?) than I do about Star Trek, and this place did nothing to stimulate me. It might be impressive, but I don't know. The neighboring infohub provided more entertainment value.
   
8. Mars Japanese Gardens: (in Albion) Now this is a worthwhile visit. It is a thoughtful garden nestled into a small valley, and it feels... safe. Is any part of SL unsafe? I certainly don't feel like anyone is assaulting me for L$, or propositioning me for cybersex. I've been sitting here, unmolested for the better part of a half hour watching the sun sink into the water (sunset seems to be the best time to visit). There is an organic orderliness to the space, inviting reflection and peace. Odd to find in a digital space. I feel transported, a feeling simiar to when I played the original Myst game (years ago!) and the room had darkened so that it was simply me and the virtual world. Me in the virtual world. I suspect that my avatar wants to do yoga, but lacking the requisite animations, she'll have to just sit quietly and reflect on the nature of her reality. Meanwhile, Second Life becomes Real Life. I am scared, but breathing.