My 100th Story

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.

Ernest Hemingway

            I’ve done it!  This is my one hundredth story that I’ve posted since I began blogging about Second Life (SL) last year. 

            Now some may argue is this really my one hundredth story.  Was every posting really a story or maybe just a public service announcement or a simple request?  I don’t care.  I’m putting a stake in the ground and declaring this to be my one hundredth story.  (For the fact checkers out there, make sure you include my first stories on CNN iReports before I was unceremoniously dumped – not for cause.) 

            Some may ask “Who cares?”  Well, for one I do.  (After all it is my blog.)  Several readers have reached out to tell me they enjoy my writings and that they look forward to each story. (No, Significant Other isn’t one of these.)  This is important to me because I stuck it out and kept writing.  One hundred stories is an achievement even if I do say so myself. 

            When I began blogging about SL way back when, I looked at other blogs which had great concepts and good writing. Unfortunately, after a strong start, they would peter out after a handful of postings.  At the time, I thought the Great Recession of 2008 had something to do with this.  But, after having written one hundred stories myself, I have a better appreciation for what’s involved in writing regularly.  It’s work especially when interviews and research are involved.  (Contrary to popular belief, I don’t simply “make it up”.)  At the risk of sounding immodest, I’m kinda proud of what I’ve done.    

            Why do I blog?  First, I enjoy blogging.  I enjoy going inworld meeting people, visiting places, and having new experiences.  And, I especially enjoy bringing all this back to my readers.  Second, this is fun.  I get to do things and see things that I wouldn’t normally do in Real Life (RL).  Finally, there’s a need for a blog like this.  There are many very good boutique blogs about SL out there but I haven’t come across too many generalist SL blogs that are still active.  (If I’ve missed someone’s blog, it’s not by intent.  Please send me your link, I’ll check it out, and maybe add it to my blog roll.)  I try to cover the unconventional.  (Who else do you know who has visited BDSM clubs and interviewed a Tarot card reader?) 

            For those of my loyal readers who may ask “Will I continue to blog?”  The answer is a resounding “Yes, I will!”  For all the reasons I just gave, enjoyment, fun, and need, I will continue.  It was only five months ago when I blogged about my first anniversary as a SL blogger.  When I look back to that story and think about the all people I’d met up to that time and all whom I’ve met subsequently, I’m amazed that I’ve been able to meet them all.  (Significant Other is amazed that I still have a RL.) 

            But that’s how SL is.  Meeting people and forming friendships just seems to happen.  People do come and go.  Sometimes they just disappear and we hope that all is well in RL. 

            What have I learned after writing one hundred stories?  Besides the mechanics of blogging (and I still have a lot to learn there!), I’ve learned about the friendship, social life, and humor among residents and their communities.  The creativity of SL is shown in events like the steampunk communities’ STEAM 7 and Day of the Dead events.  Tribute City shows their creativity in one of their fashion shows and Halloween activities. 

            I continued to push the edges of the envelope with stories about naturism and sex in SL.  I also began the series “Sex and the Single Avatar in SL”.  Lifestyles are an important part of life in SL and these stories probed them. 

            I’ve also been exploring the creativity within SL with visits to ancient sites such as Alexandria and the start of a series visiting the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 

            My recent stories are also making me realize that there seem to be two types of sims inworld.  One based around people and the communities they form based on some common interest.  The other is monuments, works of art if you will.  The former have many visitors whenever I rezz in and the latter are empty though striking in their beauty.  Something for me to look into in the future. 

            Any look back wouldn’t be complete without thanking all the people inworld whom I’ve met and have befriended me.  Folks like Perryn Peterson  who organizes his famous steampunk hunts and other events.  GraciAnne Harte for helping me realize my total lack of fashion sense and what I need to do about it.  (I’m a work in progress.)  Jessii Warrhol who keeps me up to date on Tribute City events.  Spec Belfire and his particle dance performances.  Glorf Bulmer, who is my favorite mad scientist in either SL or RL.  (OK, I don’t know any mad scientists in RL but you get the idea.)  My friends, Janey Bracken and Hibiscus Hastings, whom I first met when we all blogged on CNN iReports.  (I will have that game of Greedy-Greedy this year!) 

            There are many others too numerous to mention and I thank all of you! 

As always, I’m grateful to all those, while not being “formal” friends, for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.

I’ve included links to several pictures from my various journeys inworld.  But, as I always ask, please go and see for yourselves.  Pictures, especially when I’m the photographer, are never as good as being there.  The personal interaction alone is worth more than any picture. 

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

     If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

Photo No. 1 Vampire Empire Landing Pentagram

Photo No. 2 Vampire Wedding Party

Photo No. 3 Phaze Demesnes – Flying Crane Tour

Photo No. 4 1920’s Berlin Restored Bath House

Photo No. 5 Wild Coast Naturist Resort

Photo No. 6 Ancient Alexandria Portside

Photo No. 7 Ancient Alexandria Harbor Lighthouse

Photo No. 8 STEAM 7 Laughing Gryphon House

Photo No. 9 Perryn Peterson

Photo No. 10 Mieville Arcadia Asylum City

Photo No. 11 Great Pyramid at Giza

Photo No. 12 El Dia de Los Muertos