Tim Robbins
During
my wanderings across Second Life (SL), I’ve been nude and
I’ve visited BDSM
sims. But, I’ve never done both at
the same time. So, as I’ve been asking
myself a lot lately inworld about a lot of things, why not?
I
decide to head out and visit a few BDSM clubs in the altogether. I hoped to take a friend along as several had
indicated a willingness to accompany me on a jaunt like this but no one is available
when I plan to go. As in most things in
my life, both SL and Real Life (RL), I’m on my own. (Significant Other believes that when I’m off
on my misadventures I should be on my own.
However, I’m always welcomed back.)
After a
quick scan on SL’s search tool, I identify a few BDSM clubs to visit, check to
make sure I’m naked (Yes, SL’s etiquette is different, isn’t it?), and off I
go.
I begin with
The
Rose Unleashed BDSM Club. I arrive
at a club entrance in front of a marina.
The club is fairly typical if not outright vanilla. A dance floor, a bar, a discussion area, and
a game room (I see my first billiards table in SL here.) upstairs that opens
onto the dance floor below form the club.
When I
arrive a few people in various states of dress are dancing out on the dance
floor. I wander about. A few patrons greet me but seem nonplussed by
my state of undress and uninterested in me.
(That’s not a criticism. Anything
less than outright aggression is fine with me.)
Walking
back to the entrance I see a destination guide and select the “Play House”
which TP’s me to another building filled with BDSM furniture and
equipment. No one is around which is a
shame because the facilities are fairly complete for a variety of
practices. Since things are quiet, I
move onto my next destination.
My port of
call is The
Gateway to BDSM where I rezz into an open area in front of several
destination boards. Buildings in a
classical Greek motif surround me. A
group of clothed people are sitting around talking and take no notice of
me. (I’m unsure if they were either just
politely ignoring me or just too busy talking among themselves.)
I return
to the destination boards and select the “Theme Area” and am TP’d to a large
room filled with a few pieces of BDSM equipment. A large image of a crucified
woman dominates the space. But, as at my
last destination, no one is about. I’m
noticing a pattern here. (Although, in
fairness, my biological clock may be running contrary to everyone else’s.) So, once again I move on.
My third
and final stop is Naughtyland
BDSM Castle. I land in a fully
enclosed room with no doors or windows.
(I don’t know about anyone else but I hate these places inworld. What if there’s a fire? How do you get out? They’re worse than casinos in Las
Vegas.) The space is crammed with BDSM
equipment, furniture, and gaming equipment.
A walkway
reached by stairs surrounds the open area.
One side has a large fireplace with comfortable armchairs which I avail
myself of. (What? Walking around like I do would tire anyone
out.) On the other side, several rooms,
one made out for private encounters of an intimate nature, open off the
walkway.
Still no
one around. Although I do spot someone nearby
on the map whom I IM after reading her profile.
(Always read the profiles, they’re there for a reason.) She practices Wicca in both SL and RL. I’ve been trying to meet members of this
community inworld for a story and will shortly come back with one about Wicca
in SL.
From here
I return to my home in Nowaki.
What have
I learned from my nude foray into BDSM in SL?
First,
there are BDSM clubs out there that accept nudity. What I also learned is that there may not be
too many patrons there when you drop in.
Going alone may not be a good strategy. (Unless of course, you’re a
wandering blogger who doesn’t know any better.)
Bring along a friend or friends (Wow, imagine that, actually having
multiple friends!) because the
facilities are well equipped and can be enjoyed. Of course, varying the times
of your visits may produce larger crowds than I encountered. (And, no, unlike what Siginificant Other
suggested, I don’t think all of SL is trying to avoid me!)
Next,
while most of the clubs have similar facilities and equipment, their styles and
layouts vary. (What’s with all those
large black and white posters of women in bondage? Doesn’t anyone ever tie up
guys? Sheesh!) You should be able to find something you
like. I suspect that the atmosphere and
clienteles vary as well. I only selected
three for this story. There are many
more. Go out, explore!
Another
observation as I traveled about. All the
clubs have tip jars and notices asking for donations to cover costs. If you frequent these places regularly please
make a donation to help maintain them and remember to tell your friends, or
strangers for that matter, if you enjoyed yourself.
Below
please find links to some pictures that I took along the way. Since as Glorf
Bulmer would say we’re not that sort
of blog, everyone has their clothes on. But
you can see the clubs. Go inworld if you
want to see anything else!
As
always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to
talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.
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.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
Photo No. 1 The
Rose Unleashed Club - Entrance
Photo No. 2 The
Rose Unleashed Club – Destination Guide
Photo No. 3 The
Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House I
Photo No. 4 The
Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House II
Photo No. 5 The
Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House III
Photo No. 6 The
Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House IV
Photo No. 7 The
Gateway to BDSM - LZ
Photo No. 8 The
Gateway to BDSM – Destination Guide
Photo No. 9 The
Gateway to BDSM – Theme Area I
Photo No. 10 The
Gateway to BDSM – Theme Area II
Photo No. 11 The
Gateway to BDSM – Theme Area III
Photo No. 12 Naughtyland
BDSM Castle - LZ
Photo No. 13 Naughtyland
BDSM Castle I – Truth or Dare Game
Photo No. 14 Naughtyland
BDSM Castle II – Bedroom
Photo No. 15 Naughtyland
BDSM Castle III - Fireplace
4 comments:
Next time you go...tell me. I'll go eith you. Hitomi
The impression I get - which may or may not be accurate - is that male subs are considerably under-represented in SL. Not unknown; I believe we both know someone in a Gorean style relationship with a male avatar - but definitely under-represented.
One possibility, of course, is that RL males are exploring the submissive lifestyle as SL females... which leads us into the whole business of SL versus RL gender, transgender RPing, and sundry other issues. These are deep waters, Watson. (And, of course, my impressions and my suppositions may have no bearing on reality at all!)
Hitomi,
I'l definitely let you know the next time I go!
Thanks for reading!
TC
web
Glorf,
Welcome back!
And, yes, your question of identity in SL is a very deep one that I look at every once in a while.
TC
web
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