(Inside) Mithral * Small Ficus Umbellata Mithral * Tall Pilea Peperomioides BALACLAVA!! Books [vertical B] Mithral * Green Oxalis Triangularis (Pack A) Mithral * Calathea Medallion (Pack A) Nutmeg. Bohemian Loft Bed Mithral * Geo Pipe Hanger KraftWork Anne Collection . Assorted Books Pile B BALACLAVA!! Books [horizontal A] Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 10 {BE} Vintage Books Elm. Clarissa Curtain [Neutrals/Straight] Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 4 BALACLAVA!! Books [vertical B] Mithral * Full Hoya Fitchii Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 7 FINCA – hanging pot ivy – green ionic : Herbst Folk (poster) Mithral * Small Monstera Deliciosa (Pack A) DISORDERLY. / Neutral Spring / Cabinet (stretched) Mithral * Plant Shelf Duo Nutmeg. Familiar Mess Desk Natural v2 Nutmeg. Familiar Mess Chair Natural v1 Nutmeg. Gentle Melody Frames {vespertine} – animal planters. – fish. Nutmeg. Magazine Stack Nutmeg. Country Terrace Iron Stool Nutmeg. Quiet Daybreak Rug / Color4 Nutmeg. Framed Pride Print / 2
(outside) REZ Sunbeam LB_EmeraldElm.v1{Animated}4Seasons LOVE – SUMMER DREAMS MEADOW – 4 Apple Fall Eden Wall Kit HPMD* Garden Vine02 – green Nutmeg. His Bicycle / Decor
I recently finished listening to the 4-part series from the Wall Street Journal How To Build A Metaverse and while it was actually a great look at the early days of Second Life and its evolution, the ending left me with a bad taste in my mouth. It seems like every time someone does a review or report, their lack of knowledge and understanding of this virtual world causes misinterpretations galore.
“I’ve been thinking about whether I’ll return to the metaverse after this series is over, and I think I probably won’t be back. Not to Second Life and not to Meta’s Horizon Worlds, which if you ask me, has a lot of the same problems, but none of the charm. I just don’t have enough reason to be in Second Life right now. Reality has been feeling pretty rich lately….” “The metaverse is this thing I can slip into if I ever find myself wanting to tweak my reality, or just be someone else for a while.”
The conclusionary comments by the reporter made it sound like this was a ghost town haven for antisocial gamers living in their parents’ basement. Yea, it’s a form of escapism but it’s so much more than that. Maybe I’m feeling defensive because she missed the fact that commerce is a big part of the driving force behind the survival of SL, or that thousands of people are discovering real-life skills they never knew they had. Or maybe it’s that I myself am an introvert and terrified of trying new things in my first life.
Like all the rest, she over-simplified it. But even though she focused mostly on it being a replacement for personal deficiencies, she at least admitted the purpose people have for staying wasn’t always a lack of alternatives. Part 4 titled “Why Build A World?”, made me reflect on what world I built and also wonder what my true purpose is for being here. It’s changed over time, but something does always keep me coming back. At first, it was a stubborn insistence that I could, in fact, figure out how to dress my avi and walk a straight line. Then I started exploring and experiencing some seriously stunning imagery created by sim builders, which led to an attempt at becoming a photographer. I also learned that I actually enjoy managing people and projects. That was most surprising because I’ve always avoided that occupation in my first life.
As for wanting to be someone else, for better or worse the majority of us are our true selves in Second Life when it comes to how we show up emotionally and mentally. That’s reality. But we exist in our fantasy bodies, living in our fantasy houses. We dance our asses off for hours and don’t sweat. We command entire mountains to rise up and move to our will. We fly, teleport, and change our gender and species with a few clicks. It’s a heightened sense of reality, but a reality nonetheless thanks to the lifelike detail of the bodies, the landscape, and the environment as a whole. Because we’re only experiencing Second Life on a screen, however, there’s typically no confusion about the fact that this is an extension, not a substitute for real life. Knowing that our real-world physical and material qualities aren’t typically factored into what people think of us levels the playing field considerably. I think that’s what appeals to a lot of people. That and the safety with which we can try new things without fear of our body language betraying our embarrassment or disappointment.
Credits (left to right, top, down): [Con.] Lag Poster [Vile XXX] – Chesterfield 3 Piece Sofa [Con.] Forbidden Poster Fancy Decor: Salvador Table (on table) HIDEKI – Domino (on table) Mithral * Tiered Cactus Planter (Pack C) (on table) hive // stay hydrated . decor BUENO– SEA Signs-Beaches KraftWork Hanging Clothes Clutter . Summer Dress Pride Nutmeg. Grungy Clothing Rack / Long Apple Fall Wall Mounted Skateboard – Wood {what next} Hanging Guitar (Chelsea) Apple Fall Signed Vinyl in Frame Apple Fall Pride Flag – Pansexual Pride tarte. astronomy prints Neon Dreamz – Gen-X [Vile] – Anime Gaming Poster Hanger (from [Vile] – Vile Ink Studio Back Drop) [Vile] – VL Gamer Gaming Table with Equipment [Vile] – VL Gamer Gaming Chair Black Leather ADULT Second Spaces geeky powerstrip with cords 7 – Wall AC Unit (Outside) tarte. hanging spider plant draped cloths unlined from various Nutmeg furniture [Vile XXX] – Chesterfield DS Bed Apple Fall Shoeboxes Nutmeg. Sunroom Purse draped cloths unlined from Nutmeg furniture Nutmeg. Concrete Bench PG [Vile] – Vile Ink Studio Back Drop
They say the chances of being killed by your cat are low….but never zero. That about sums up the tone I can imagine poetry taking if it was created by cats. That’s not a random thought, it’s due to the title of this book: I Could Tear This Shit Up: And Other Poems By Cats. Very fitting. Aside from their destructive nature, nocturnal chaos, and the fact that the Polish Academy of Sciences has declared them an invasive alien species, most of us aren’t in the slightest deterred from loving them more than humans. I have them in Second Life, but it’s not the same. No 3 AM gagging or layered slices on skin in various stages of healing. Mesh KittyCats just herk and jerk from one benign movement to another and have zero capacity for staring unprovoked daggers into your soul. I had mine rezzed for a whole year and he never once made me question my life choices.
I’m wearing: [hair] TRUTH / Friday [top] .BF. Babelove White Top [shorts] ELEVEN – Yuyi Short [socks] TETRA – Warm socks [glasses] [Z O O M] BVLG Sunglass [tattoo] Lotus Love Leg TaTToo [CAROL G] [book] e.marie // library book – poems / [coffee] Serenity Style- la buvette Capuccino Mug
(left to right)
Apple Fall Leather Moccasins
Apple Fall Oxford Wingback Chair
Apple Fall Milton Curtains hive // macrame hanging plant . purple polka hive // hanging devil’s ivy plant . dark
Apple Fall Althea Rug – Antique Dark
Apple Fall Loose Heart String w/ Scissors Nutmeg. Forgotten Library Book Pile
Apple Fall Books & Map
Apple Fall Oil Lantern
Apple Fall Pumpkin – Fairytale III
Apple Fall Pumpkin – Fairytale I Apple Fall Apothecary Cabinet
Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 4 (inside Apothecary Cabinet)
Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 3 (inside Apothecary Cabinet)
Apple Fall Moroccan Urn (inside Apothecary Cabinet)
Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 1 (inside Apothecary Cabinet)
Apple Fall Tied Books (inside Apothecary Cabinet)
Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 3 (inside Apothecary Cabinet)
Apple Fall Books – Arrangement 2 (inside Apothecary Cabinet)
Apple Fall Cosmos Flowers – Candystripe (on top of Apothecary Cabinet)
West Village Ginkgo Branches (on top of Apothecary Cabinet)
West Village Billy Ball Stems
Apple Fall Books Occasional Table w/ Blanket
Apple Fall Plan Chest
Apple Fall Pinecones & Hazelnuts (on Plan Chest)
8. Apple Fall Treats Platter (on Plan Chest)
Apple Fall Book & Nectarines Tray (on Plan Chest)
4. Apple Fall Candy Corn Cauldron (on Plan Chest)
6. Apple Fall Coffee To Go (on Plan Chest)
7. Apple Fall Scattered Golden Acorns (on Plan Chest)
Apple Fall Kingsbury Pendant Lamp
Apple Fall Masculine Bar
7. Apple Fall Scattered Golden Acorns (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
Apple Fall Kiwi & Blueberry Cheesecake (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
5. Apple Fall Gold Leaf Cherries w/ Cup
2. Apple Fall Chocolate & Cherry Tart (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
Apple Fall Fig & Blackberry Cake (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
10. Apple Fall Caramel Apples (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
Apple Fall Pumpkin – Black & Silver (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
Apple Fall Pumpkin – Buckskin I (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar) Nutmeg. Disarray Wooden Candlesticks (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
5. Apple Fall Gold Leaf Cherries w/ Cup (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
9. Apple Fall Pumpkin Snowman (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
7. Apple Fall Scattered Golden Acorns (on top of Apple Fall Masculine Bar)
Apple Fall Milton Curtains
Apple Fall Annan Bed w/ Curtains
Apple Fall Original: Swan Study
Apple Fall Shield Terracotta Pot (with 3. Apple Fall Magnolia Spray x3 inside)
Apple Fall L’Olivier
Apple Fall Times Newspaper
Apple Fall Stacked Books
Apple Fall Dutch Parlour Chair Remastered
Apple Fall Pumpkin – Fairytale IV (on Dutch Parlour Chair)
Apple Fall Pumpkin – Buckskin II (on Dutch Parlour Chair)
Apple Fall Pumpkin – Buckskin I (on Dutch Parlour Chair)
Apple Fall Recipe Books
Apple Fall Harrogate Grandfather Clock
West Village Spring Tulips – White (on top of Grandfather Clock)
Wearing:
[hair] TRUTH Labyrinth – Selection
[dress] 1313 Mockingbird Lane – Delirium Dress (coming to Black Fair Oct. 5)
[leg wraps] 1313 Mockingbird Lane – Gizelle Leg Wraps
[head] GENUS Project – Genus Head – Classic Face W001
[body] Maitreya
[shape] my own
[pose] DM – Can’t reach toes #2
A certain pumpkin-pondering protagonist once referred to the post-consumerism state of being as the ‘ecstasy of psychic liberation.’ I think I’ve been chasing that dragon since I was old enough to experience buyers remorse over using all my allowance to weigh my stone washed jean jacket down with a gazillion MTV-inspired buttons. Like a true Xennial, I wanted for much, much more than I needed.
The pumpkin-pondering protagonist also made mention of the fear he felt that the things which he acquired to satisfy the pressure to settle down would soon control him and restrict his movements. That’s one expectation which I’ve always bristled at – the notion that in order to be accepted as a properly functioning adult, I needed to create some sort of permanence via personal identifiers such as “career”, “street address” and “offspring”. Society romanticizes the concept of being tethered to these things which I have no desire for. Of course, life does require a certain level of conformity in order to survive in this jungle so I went ahead and put in the least amount of acceptable effort to appear as though I was complying while living the bulk of my life by my own definition of happiness.
So, when a Facebook stranger recently asked their followers to describe themselves in one word, and the first one to come to mind for me was ‘restless’, I knew it was about that time again. I’m sure part of this has to do with a lack of balance between the tangible and intangible contributors to my happiness lately, but that can always be alleviated with a little good old fashioned human interaction. The rest runs deep though. The reason I’m always preaching adaptability as one of the foremost answers to life’s little miseries is because ever since I could remember, I’ve been flitting from one life to another. My favorite statement, which I used to tag walls and stalls with was “Gotta go.”
Call this all rationalization of epic levels of commitment phobia, or call it selfishness or immaturity – call it whatever you like, but it doesn’t change the fact that I once happily moved 2000 miles just to entertain myself and I rarely ever bother collecting things any more. Which brings me back to the ecstasy of psychic liberation…for me it’s that feeling I get when I’ve delayed the gratification of a new adventure as long as I possibly can and I finally decide to clear the path. I’m sure I’m not alone in this fear of stagnation. I wonder just how many of the people around me who’ve settled into so-called “stable existences” experience claustrophobic moments. I just happen to act on them.
Wearing:
[hair] TRUTH Elixir – Selection
[glasses] Izzie’s – 90’s Glasses
[top] Kaithleen’s Veronika Set – Tshirt
[shorts] Decoy – Kae High Rise Shorts: Dirty
[head] GENUS Project – Genus Head – Classic Face W001
[body] Maitreya
[shape] my own
*pumpkin-pondering protagonist is what I call the lead character in Tom Robbins’ Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates. You can see more about the book and the character here.
Happy 4th to those celebrating! Today I opted out of the annual boat ride with a bunch of loud half drunk people I barely know, celebrating independence from their jobs for one day, and opted for lounging on a shady porch in my comfies. I hadn’t planned on taking a picture but this outfit was just too cute. Actually, I was already wearing it when Truth dropped the latest VIP style on us and it’s a perfect match.
[hair] Truth – Gwen (NEW VIP group style)
[top] !APHORISM! Joonie Top (@ FaMESHed)
[skirt] !APHORISM! Joonie Maxi Skirt (@ FaMESHed)
[bag] =Zenith=Spring Picnic Rattan Basket A (Cream)
[glasses] Cae :: Sylvia :: Sunglasses
[rings] **RE** Dragon Rings, Bracelets & Claws (@ FaMESHed)
[bracelets] *AvaWay* KEEP TIME Bracelets & Rings Set (@ FaMESHed)
[earrings] Zaara : Varsha jhumka earrings
[arm chains] Zaara : Raksha arm-chain (maitreya)
[head] Catwa – Catya
[body] Maitreya
[shape] my own
[pose] A&RPoses standing1-1
decor (left to right): .peaches. le petit chariot – vintage sign .peaches. le petit chariot – blue .peaches. Let’s Play! Water Balloon Fight – Water Balloon Giver (NEW @ Summerfest) KITE – Russian Blues – Treats COMMON .peaches. Anchors Aweigh Beach Chair .peaches. Let’s Play! Water Balloon Fight – Hose /w Balloons (NEW @ Summerfest) .peaches. Let’s Play! Water Balloon Fight – War Zone Sign (NEW @ Summerfest) SAYO – Palm Trees NOMAD // Beach Huts // Blue
the Shameless Shopper 