Neighbors and Neighborhoods

Tags

home, RolePlay, Wendigo Lake

boarding house in Wendigo Lake

Lately I haven’t been hiding in the skybox as much as usual. I have several “homes” at this time and no matter how carefully one chooses, there can be weird neighbors and the neighborhood may turn out to be more unsavory than it seemed at first.

my room in the boarding house

The Wendigo Lake dark adult roleplay sim opened for beta play less than a week ago. I’ve joined the groups, including the land group, and picked out a room at the boarding house. I have one “domain point” and am allowed to place 50 prims. When the website is ready, I’ll be required to go through a character creation process and will need to be an active player to maintain my domain. This is much easier for me to choose a place now, as a human on my own, than for the clans, packs and families who will be living together in the larger dwellings.  

The owner and a colleague are working diligently on the website and I’ve very impressed with the patience, focus and humor they’ve displayed in the group chat regarding all the questions.

I got one of the first rooms because I pounced and I picked one that wouldn’t require much stair climbing. I hadn’t expected to be able to use my two pieces of Mission Furniture that I got at Collabor88 so soon. I also placed a deco chair I got at the Deco Genre from a few months ago and two wallhangings from the Asian Genre that’s going on right now. I put a yoga mat and a suitcase on the floor and also have a simple, low-prim bed and floor lamp. There’s a small vase with a white rose on the dresser.

I’m sure none of my neighbors will furnish their places in a similar style. Of course, none of the doors lock here. As more people move in and I can “hear” them in local chat; I have reason to believe that my character may not fare well.

When I brought some groceries back yesterday I saw this guy in the hall.

Victorian London roleplay

And whatever century I find myself in and whatever neighborhood, there are always dangers, disturbances and troubled characters.

Outside of roleplay and my skybox, I share a country home on the mainland with roommates. Our neighbors have ugly ban lines and I guess they have their reasons.

Our location used to be a club and the landmark is still out there. We don’t like to bother the landlord and haven’t had any serious trouble but people do get on the property. We’d been thinking it was one of us who kept lighting the fire in summer and also leaving the back doors open. Then we thought maybe it was a glitch with the cottage. But there’s a POST cabinet and a few other things that get opened and shut by someone other than us on a regular basis.

Today I put down a “bloody floor needs cleaning” prop. If I had the skills and more time I’d have a notecard giver about “the last person who trespassed”. Just kidding.

We don’t get to spend much time here and it’s nice to share with visitors. It’s a quaint little spot and we like it.

 

Approval and Blurring Lives

Tags

virtual destinations, Wendigo Lake

inside the Lodge at Wendigo Lake

My typist has been surprised to learn that people she knows have had therapists recommend they give Second Life a try. She rarely talks about her experiences in virtual reality but lately it’s come up in conversations, mostly with people who speak of grief counseling they’ve had in the past.

Some of her friends have the sort of careers where their insurance and corporations offer counseling whenever disruptive things happen in their lives. She’s aware of SL residents who are there for such reasons but these are people she’s known a while and has been secretive with about her time spent in virtual worlds.

These photos were taken during my recent exploration of Wendigo Lake. SLurls can easily be found in today’s post by Honour McMillan and the post by Caitlin Tobias on August 22nd.

Anyway, my typist is a great listener and the anniversaries of loss make their way into conversations. Grief and regrets are kind of wave-like so there are the current feelings to be discussed as well as what the other person is doing for relief. Really, so much of what we choose to do is for the seeking to simply feel better.

It sounds like the Second Life recommendation is received after the client has nixed other suggestions for reasons such as having no time to make connections with others or being too exhausted to do much of anything when they get home from work.

When my typist has asked, their reasoning for not looking into it sounds like they don’t believe they can learn it. She thinks if she’s able to muddle through, finding value and learning more about herself and life in general, then they could do so as well.

Now she feels the need to hide her involvement less, as though the approval of mental health professionals makes it more legit. She could possibly sound a little smug, including her virtual reality therapy in the mix when she casually mentions some of her other self-care practices such as avoiding neuro-toxins as much as possible and staying well-hydrated and such.

Cognitive Dissonance

Tags

RolePlay, virtual destinations, Wendigo Lake

taken at the Lodge at Wendigo Lake

Yes, I’m walking down that street again and not only will I be falling in that hole but I’m jumping in. Like the adult child of alcoholics who keeps getting involved with substance abusers—wait, that’s all too dramatic.

My typist, being human, has her own types of cognitive dissonance; mine is beginning new roleplays in Second Life. I keep trying to make it right and with each disappointment I vow never again.

landing area at Wendigo Lake

Thursday evening my irritable typist checked the WordPress blogs she follows and saw a post by Caitlin Tobias about a new dark, adult roleplay sim called Wendigo Lake. (If you want SLurls, you can access Caitlin’s blog through the column at the left and her post on August 22 is easily found.)

The beta period started today but it was open for visiting then and still is. I called one of the dogs to go with me and after checking my scripts with him and my new flapper dress I teleported over to take a quick look. I was very impressed, took about 40 pictures (and no, I won’t be showing them all) and looked around for about four hours.

I had to make some choices. I used low graphics for speed instead of ultra for picture taking. I didn’t take great reporter-ish notes because I wanted to go through every door that would open before the roleplay begins when it will, of course, be inappropriate.

The landing area is in a church. I went outside and a few steps to the right is a notecard giver with information one needs to get started. I was favorably impressed with the set-up and philosophy, although I’d not heard of World of Darkness. (I checked out several websites for info.)

I enjoyed seeing that the bus station is a building by eku Zhong, whose work I admire. (My photo didn’t turn out well.) Anyway, I liked that not only the architecture is pleasing but the landscaping as well. There are woods, fountains and other places to attack relax.  Some of the places have attractive furnishings and there’s also room for personal touches as the stories progress.

Two of my favorite places are the Chinatown, where I recognized some lovely POST things, and the Lodge which is gorgeous. There’s quite a diversity of businesses: a boxing club, flower shop, fortune teller, gourmet market, hair salon, funeral parlor, bars, bait shop, sweets shop, lounges and coffee shops. There’s also a Sheriff’s Dept. and jail. What I didn’t happen to see is a hospital–maybe that step gets skipped.

Jon Vetinari, the builder/owner, whom I have not met, was around the whole time I visited. I followed my general M.O. and left him alone. The notecards give steps to take for asking questions and requesting to join the beta play.

I’m going to give it a try. I’m still involved in the informal, private 1850’s London roleplay some friends are doing; that’s only been happening about an hour a week because of schedules and such.

And I will enjoy Wendigo Lake while I can. Earlier this morning, as I read the post by Yordie Sands about taking down her Harvest Moon Cafe and Zen Garden, I was reminded of the best way to experience the ephemeral nature of Second Life.

Regarding the roleplay, as usual, I intend to respect the privacy of others and generally shy away from complaining and negativity although I do tend to tell the truth as I experience it. My recent disillusionment with much of the inflated egotism, relentless commercialism and pressure to conform (regarding blogging) in Second Life has been fading, especially since I’ve been learning that I’m not alone in wincing at some of the trends.

So perhaps instead of saying I’m jumping into a hole again, I would best say that I’m willing to get back on the horse with optimism and to play with other creative people.

SL Viewer Audio

Since the latest SL Viewer update I’ve experienced a lot of annoying problems. I thought the speakers were messed up on my laptop which isn’t even two years old; I kept running diagnostics which didn’t indicate anything wrong.

It takes away from the experience of going dancing with someone when I can’t hear the music stream. It turns out that it has something to do with the viewer and I have to keep going into preferences to fix it.

By itself, that wouldn’t be much to deal with and at least now I know more about what’s going on. Now I might be more willing to socialize for a while again.

 

Self-Image

taken at Yordie Sands’ Harvest Moon Cafe

This evening I put on my kimono, called the dogs and returned to Harvest Moon Cafe (after checking my script usage) to experience the peace and beauty and discover if I could gather enough of my scattered thoughts to write a blog post.

One of the dogs, Luna, went with me and was patient as I changed some of my graphics, not all, to what is recommended.

I picked a great time–had the place to myself–and took some photos.

I’ve been doing other things inworld too. Someone let me have access to his mediadeck after assuring me I couldn’t break it. I’ve sampled about half of the approximately 67 scenes. Moods change and my favorites at this time are a simple hidden cove and an abandoned looking house with vintage wallpaper, lots of books and comfortable furniture.

My typist has felt irritable about things, including being viewed mostly as a consumer to be marketed to in both first and Second Life, but I was allowed to go shopping at Collabor88 for the first time. That was mostly because this month there were actually things that reflect my taste. I got two dresses and two pieces of Mission furniture. I also got the somewhat prim-heavy, cute stag and bunny chairs (which have been renamed to be found more easily) and I can take them in and out of inventory on a whim.  I feel accomplished about all that and the actual shopping was even sort of an adventure. 

Life has been busy and I’m pleased I made time to revisit the Zen garden while it’s still available. There have been times in the life of my typist when she’s been attracted to Buddhism. It’s been of psychological and practical help to her especially in understanding Yin energy, which has it’s own strength, in this culture that emphasizes Yang and Masculine energy. At other times she becomes weary of intellectual pursuits, of which she sees Buddhism as one, but the images and ambiance in this place was quite restorative.

When walking along the Greenbelt in first life, my typist keeps well to the right of the trail as she limps along with her cane; runners, cyclists and almost everyone actually pass her by. No one has been an ass enough to suggest to her face that since she’s unable to do what others can, she ought to just stay home and not bother to enjoy what is within her ability. In virtual reality it’s also possible for people to enjoy where they’re at, to accept what is and to express in a diverse way that is unique to them.

“Being preoccupied with our self-image is like being deaf and blind. It’s like standing in the middle of a vast field of wildflowers with a black hood over our heads. It’s like coming upon a tree of singing birds while wearing earplugs.”–Buddist nun, Pema Chodron.

“I think that by retaining one’s childhood love of such things as trees, fishes butterflies and…..toads, one makes a peaceful and decent future a little more probable.” –George Orwell

Sleepless Nights

taken at Fiction and Chaos and [House of Usher] Main Stores, Sleepless Nights

One of the places I like to revisit is Fiction and Chaos and House of Usher in Sleepless Nights.  

And then I like to tweak the photographs.

Canyons and Caves

taken near Bitacora Land landing point

When it’s hot and smoky outside I like visiting sims with lots of water. Yesterday evening I visited Bitacora Land though, at first just to get a landmark for later. There’s lots to look at and I wandered through the caves to see the different beaches.

I liked being there at a time when it wasn’t too crowded; I especially liked the shark and the chairs in the water near the piano.

Lazy Days

location–private land

I hope I haven’t signed an agreement to let Linden Labs harvest my organs. I went inworld at an agreed-upon-time and was confronted with the new ToS. I accepted so I could get on with things and found it seemed to be causing a lot of speculation and confusion in some of my groups.

It appears to be too early for the deciphering to understandable terms in other SL blogs.

A few people that I met at my last roleplay have started up their own private one in a skybox. It too is set in 1850’s London. They are very new to roleplay and don’t follow the “serious rules” but have enthusiasm, vision and a willingness to learn.

The above photo is my “home” above the tavern there and I have some familiar decor items out. Funny how that can give a feeling of stability and groundedness.

roleplay tavern

Now that I’ve stood up for my right to manage my blog as I please, I haven’t been in the mood to post at all. The pressure to conform to standards other than my own has abated. I prefer to be laid back but I guess my willingness to appear uncool when pushed to an annoying level was underestimated.

Zen Garden Visit

taken at Yordie Sands Zen Garden

Saturday morning I visited the Harvest Moon Cafe and the nearby Zen Garden, which is the current project of Yordie Sands. She was there and gave us a tour explaining what the symbolism of the beautiful objects meant and sharing her love of Japanese gardens.

Harvest Moon Cafe

I was quite pleased that some friends I don’t see often enough were also there at the same time. I set my graphics to most of the recommendations, but not all, and enjoyed taking pictures as well as listening to the music, ambient sounds and reading local chat. More photos can be seen on my Flickr which can be accessed in the sidebar.

the strolling garden

Many of the numerous photos I took are for my private collection of architectural details. My favorite part of the area was the bamboo forest.

The place isn’t open to the public; more details can be found in Yordie’s blog which can be accessed in the sidebar of this page.

There are neighbors on this private land. The cafe and garden will be up through the end of the month. I’m glad I got to experience it and may visit again during low-traffic times.

Yordie sharing with us the symbolization of the various objects

When asked, Yordie wasn’t sure about her future plans; she’s quite busy in first life.

Recently I visited a garden in Portland Connection but didn’t take any photos. I might return there or seek others out. There’s just something about these places.

Ending the Week

taken at Lost City

This is a raw shot with region settings; I love visiting this place. The last time I was there was to look at the study for Mechanical Circus.

I made some changes to my blog. There’s now a disclaimers and disclosure page. Also, it took a while but I added links to some blogs that are must-reads for me. I’m not done with the list, in case you notice that yours hasn’t been added yet, those of you whose posts I like and who receive comments from me.

taken at Franks Elite Jazz

After my typist got her first life list done and worked on the blog, I put on a formal gown and went to Franks Elite Jazz to listen to an Etta James tribute concert. The singer is named Clarice Karu and there were lots of people in attendance. It was only the second time I’ve been there. There was quite a bit of lag as I walked in about twenty minutes early but I found a table out of the way while my typist did other things online.

The first time I went to Franks was to go dancing with a friend a little over a week ago. I wouldn’t have expected to go back alone but when I saw the tribute concert scheduled I wrote it on my calendar.

Variety is good.

taken at Franks Elite Jazz