Five Years in Second Life

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring 

         

          The occasion of the annual anniversary of my blogging about Second Life (SL) is also my excuse to become somewhat introspective about SL and my journeys there.  (Significant Other wants to know since when do I need an excuse for navel gazing.) 

Oh, for those of you who have read my SL profile and have asked why I’ve been inworld for six years and only count five years for this story, it’s because for that first year I was pretty much lost during that time as I prepared my blog.  (Not because as Significant Other suggests I’d miscounted when I first started this series.)  

          I have several key takeaways about my time inworld especially this last year. 

          First, there’s family and friends.

          I say family deliberately.  A short while ago, Becca Kellstrom and I became siblings in SL.  I feel Bec is like a sister to me, an extension of my Real Life (RL) family.  She works tirelessly to help her congregation at First UCC, but still finds the time to be the wise

cracking L’il Sis who’s always ready to out her older brother in his place and knock his ego down a peg or two when needed.  (I’m becoming increasingly concerned though that Bec and Significant Other are comparing notes.)

          Then there are my friends.

          My old friends are always there to welcome back into SL and invite to their many community events.  Perry Peterson, the Mayor of Mieville and I go back aways together.  The crew at Devilhand is always welcoming.  First UCC always has a seat for me.  Lisah Blinker Lorefield invited me to her wedding.  

          There are those old friends who come and go. You know who you are and I hope all is well with you in both SL and RL.  May our paths cross again!

          Making new friends is one of the best parts of my job inworld!  This year I welcome the Casterly Rock community, my friend from Antarctica (because of whom, I’ve now met

inworld someone from every continent in RL), and the woman who showed how she lives courageously without her RL disabilities inworld.  I welcome all of you and thank you for allowing me to become part of your lives in SL.  (Significant Other wonders if they’re as happy to see me.)

          Next, after family and friends, I’m continued to be blown away by the creativity shown by so many inworld.  

          The video work by Suzie Anderton of Inworld Films, the photography of Fanny Vermont, Lora Chadbourne’s incredible builds of RL and scifi scenes, Ashley Carter’s

ongoing pictorial stories, and the dance productions of Paramount Players Dance Troupe all testify to the extremes that creativity can be taken inworld.  I strongly recommend seeing all the wonderful works from all these very talented people.  

          While third on my list of takeaways but very important to the health of SL communities is the willingness of so many residents to help others both in and out of SL.  Relay for Life (RFL) raises money every year for cancer research.  A good friend is seeking assistance for another condition and receiving it from their SL friends.  (She still needs help and if you check here!)  

          Last on my list of takeaways is my continual exploration of SL whether the actual sims or their residents.  I’m still exploring castles, started a dungeon crawl, and continue to explore the sexual side of life inworld with a look at shibari.  

          After another of exploring SL, I still enjoy SL! 

          Making new friends and staying close to old ones are still enjoyable pastimes for me.  I’m noticing that the older, more elaborate are slowly going away.  The newer ones that

replace them lack their attention to detail and complexity but do seem to have more community involvement around them.  The fact that new builds are occurring at all is an encouraging sign!  

          SL is still going strong I’m happy to say!

          Maybe SL is not the RL media darling that it once was but it does have a talented cadre of experienced builders and community organizers who are doing marvelous things! 

          I’ll still keep exploring and blogging!

          Maybe I’ll meet you along the way in the coming year!       

    

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!  

          My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

I can be found on Google+ as webspelunker Ghostraven.

My flickr Photostream is located here.

On Skype I’m webspelunker Ghostraven.

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. 

          Open roads and kind fires!  

A Friend’s Wedding in Second Life

 Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

 

          Recently, I received an invitation to a wedding in Second Life (SL). 

          A good and long-time friend, Lisah Lorefield, was finally tying the knot with her partner, Sven Blinker. 

          Always one for a party especially a happy occasion like this, I accepted promptly.  Since I hadn’t been to a wedding inworld since my first one way back when (It was a vampire ceremony any very touching.) I was pumped! 

I’d first met Lisah several years ago as I was wandering about inworld as I tend to do.  Lisah is an exceptional builder and an enthusiastic participant in the communities that she participates in.  We stayed in touch over the years, chatting about our respective lives inworld.  She became my “go to” person for questions both technical and social about SL.   

          Somewhere along the way, Lisah met Sven and the rest as they say is history.  (I didn’t catch how serious they were until I received the invitation but then Significant Other says that I’m generally clueless about these matters.)  Sven is a pilot, flight instructor, sailor,

and other high energy occupations inworld.  (He probably likes puppies too and helps little old ladies cross streets in Real Life (RL).  No wonder Lisah was drawn to him!) 

          So, I was very happy for both Lisah and Sven as they’re both wonderful people.  Right, after accepting their invitation, I immediately rounded up my SL sister, Bec Kellstrom, (Wait, you didn’t know about our mutual sibling adoption?  Another story will explain all.) to accompany me.  In true good, little sister fashion, Bec began to pester me with, “What, couldn’t get anyone else but your sister to go with you?”  (Significant Other sighs and wishes there a RL counterpart nearby.)

          The wedding took place at a wedding chapel since closed.  The building is a large glass and metal framed structure reminiscent of the Crystal Palace from the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.  (And, no, despite Bec’s insinuations, I never saw the original.)  The layout is traditional with an altar and seating at one end forming the chapel area and an open area for guests at the other end. 

          Over two dozen guests attended the ceremony.  The men, even me, wore formal and the women wore colorful gowns.  Bec was happy to note that the minister was female, observing that most weddings inworld that she’s attended have had such.  (Bec is always quick to make sure I catch these details in case I was distracted by the occupants of the colorful gowns.) 

          The reception took place in on the second floor of a banquet hall down the road from the chapel along a path strewn with rose petals.  The room for Lisah’s and Sven’s function was fairly large and centered around a big, multi-tiered wedding cake.  A spacious dance floor formed the middle with tables and chairs at both.  Frescoes adorned the high ceiling.

          The wedding ceremony itself was simple, traditional, and beautiful.  (Significant Other arches an eyebrow while wondering when I became so romantic.)  The groom and best man, Ingmar, with the minister, Pepper Curie (Who was also the DJ.  I pointed out the moonlighting opportunities to Bec.), waited for the bride and her bridesmaids to walk up the main aisle.  The bridesmaids, Aria Teodosio and Misty, preceded Lisah to the front of the

chapel.  Lisah was resplendent in her white bridal gown designed by Son!a Luxury Fashion and her hair was by TRUTH HAIR.   Traditional wedding music played as the party made its way to its other members.  The wedding vows were simple and short.  Lisah and Sven were now husband and wife!  (If only in SL!) They turned and left the chapel to the thunderous wedding march.  There was a short receiving line and the wedding party went off for pictures while the guests strolled over to the reception hall to await their first formal entrance as husband and wife.  (Seemed a lot like RL didn’t it?) 

          After Lisah and Sven arrived, they had their first dance as husband and wife followed by the cutting of the wedding cake and their first pieces.  (No, no one shoved cake in anyone else’s faces.  A decidedly American tradition frowned upon in some circles.)  There was a garter toss and I didn’t catch it.  (I didn’t try.) There was singing, music, and, most of all, there was dancing! 

          Bec and I had a great time at the wedding and enjoyed ourselves immensely.  (OK, except for being with me, L’ill Sis had a great time.)  We’re both very happy for Lisah and Sven.  Their wedding showed the best features of SL.  A successful relationship with between a loving couple, a community coming together, and a well planned social event that was successfully executed. I hope we see more celebrations like this inworld! 

          I’d like to thank Lisah and Sven for inviting Bec and me to the happiest day in their lives inworld together so far!  I wish them much joy and happiness together in their journey across the Grid!  (BTW Lisah has changed her name to “Lisah Blinker Lorfield.” She believes in tradition as she explained to me!)

          I’d also like to thank Bec for joining me.  Like every older brother probably discovers to his dismay, I turned around and L’il Sis was a grown woman who dressed stunningly for

the occasion.  I want to thank her for taking the pictures which I used for this story and additional ones that can be found on this flickr page.  (You can see who has the talent in the family.) As I wrote earlier, I’ll tell our story soon. 

          Foxie Dinzeo was the wedding photographer her pictures from the wedding can be found on this Facebook page. 

          Jen Waddington was the live singer who sang at the reception.  She’s a friend of the newlyweds who is very popular inworld. 

          Harmony Lockhart was the wedding planner.  Sadly, Lisah’s and Sven’s wedding was the last one at this site as it closed immediately afterward. 

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

My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

I can be found on Google+ as webspelunker Ghostraven.

My flickr Photostream is located here.

On Skype I’m webspelunker Ghostraven.

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.

          Open roads and kind fires!               

 

Farewell to Utopia in Second Life

Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment that was known
As Camelot. 

Arthur, Camelot

 

          This is a sad story for me to write. 

          Just several days ago, I learned that Utopia Naked Isle Resort in Second Life (SL) will be closing on March 31^st. 

          I’d first visited Utopia last May shortly after they opened.  I was visiting nudist resorts inworld (No snickering please, they’re a large community inworld.  And, yes, Significant Other is aware and is content to have me at home – where shoulder surfing is possible.) 

          Then I met two of the three owners, Dai Aloix and Lori66.  They took the time to answer my questions, show me around, and make me feel welcome.

          I found a well laid out clothing optional resort with a tropical theme and a very active social calendar.  For those seeking something a little quieter there were pathways, beaches, caves, and jungles to wander off into either by one’s self or with a friend.  The free areas were well appointed and fee based VIP zone added additional features.  Utopia was not was of those sims bloated with every AO that was ever scripted inworld. 

          Overall, a nice place to visit and hang out at. 

          During the course of the last year, I visited, not as often as I should have.  As I suffer from in Real Life (RL), I have a very bad habit of regretting not going to see someone or visit somewhere until it’s too late.  (Significant Other tries to reassure me that I’m not as bad I make out.  This is one of those days when I’m not so sure.) 

          My first story came out.  It was received well.  Utopia even put my picture on their friends’ wall at the landing zone.  (My RL mother didn’t even have my picture on her walls!  Significant Other cautions me about bring up my mother.)  I wrote another about the time I accidentally almost caused a near riot at an erotic story telling event.  (I still say it was all an accident.)   Another was about the beautiful renovations recently done on the VIP zone.  My story about Utopia’s Winter Wonderland was fun to write.  I was planning a series of stories to coincide with the first anniversary celebrations in April. 

          Along the way I made many friends.  Lisah Lorefield is one I’d like to call out as she helped me with background for my stories and showed me several other sims which will be the basis of future stories.  Lisah was also a great help to me when technical problems kept me off the Grid for a while last year and she helped get messages inworld for me.  Meanwhile, she was doing superb work as a builder in Utopia. 

          But, now, all this will be gone in a few days. 

          Utopia had a weekly tradition every Tuesday evening called Pack the Bar (PTB) with a different theme each week.  This past Tuesday, March 24^th, Utopia had its last PTB event with a Disney theme and I made sure I attended.

          I arrive on time and walk down to the dance floor.  Since there was short notice, I didn’t have time to find a Disney costume so I wandered around nude.  All the other guests who eventually arrived wore some sort of costume (although a few might have raised old Walt’s eyebrows) but, Utopia being Utopia, no one even noticed. 

          I ran into Dai dressed as Minnie Mouse and asked what happened.  She replied that trying to balance RL commitments and running Utopia was getting a bit complicated so the decision was to shut down.  I guess it’s better to go out on a high note unlike some sims that outlived their useful lives and still don’t know to shut down.  (No names!)

          I stayed for most of the evening.  Guests continued to arrive.  This was the largest crowd that I’d ever seen at Utopia which is saying a lot. 

          DJ Xavia did her usual superb job of spinning the tunes mixing Disney songs with favorites from PTB’s gone by.  Occasionally, the crowd broke in song singing along.  There was banter about Disney movies and characters.  Somehow Marvin the Martian snuck in and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang played but no one seemed to notice.

          The mood was festive and happy.  People didn’t focus on this being the last dance.  A few like me wished they had come more often.  As guests left they said farewell, wished everyone well and hoped to meet them again elsewhere inworld.  Bubbles flowed overhead and the most poignant moment for me was when the closing theme from the original Mickey Mouse Show was played. 

          Then it was my time to leave for the last time.

          The dance floor was full as I made my good byes and took my leave.  I walked a short ways toward the landing zone and turned to look back for one last time.  What I saw was how I want to remember Utopia.  People laughing and dancing, having a wonderful time with their friends.  That’s what I want to remember.

          I then teleported home. 

          I’ve blogged before about loss and community in SL.  Since I began my journey across the Grid way back when I’ve learned that the value and the enjoyment inworld come from the people and the groups they form and where they hang out when they rezz in. 

          Whenever we lose an individual or a community we all lose.  Yes, maybe in this case we know what happened and we’ll probably get to meet everyone again someplace else.  But, that one brief shining moment that was known as Utopia will be gone shortly and SL is the poorer for it.

          Utopia will be open until March 31, 2014 and then will be nothing but a memory.  I encourage everyone to visit and walk around (Remember either bathing suit or nude!) and see what a really beautiful sim could be like.  Dai says the VIP group will remain open for possible future events so you may wish to consider joining.

          I’d like to thank Dai, Lori66, and Max, the third owner, for all their hard work over the last in creating Utopia and a fun, welcoming experience for all their guests during this past year.  It was a great run guys and I hope to see you doing something soon elsewhere in SL.

          I also want to thank Lisah and all my other friends from Utopia for their friendship and the good times we shared.  I’ll be seeing all of you around the Grid!

          Below, I’ve included links to a few pictures from Utopia as it is and some earlier shots from prior stories.  But, please go and see for yourselves before all that we have left will be these pictures!        

My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

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.

 

 

Photo No. 1 Utopia Logo

Photo No. 2 webspelunker on the Wall

Photo No. 3 Final Iteration of the Arrival Area

Photo No. 4 Utopia Welcome Sign

Photo No. 5 Utopia Pathway

Photo No. 6 Waves Breaking on the Rocks at Utopia

Photo No. 7 Ruins at Utopia

Photo No. 8 Lisah Lorefield

Photo No. 9 VIP Area

Photo No. 10 Gazebo in the Rain at Utopia