Showing posts with label Nudists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nudists. Show all posts

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Sex and the Single Avatar in Second Life XVII - Exploring Nudity in Second Life



Nudity quickly becomes unremarkable when generally practiced.

Martha Nussbaum



           While I’ve blogged a few times recently about nudist sims in Second Life (SL), I haven’t talked about nudity per se inworld for a while so I thought given how it’s summer now where I reside in Real Life (RL) that this would be a good time to do so.  (Significant Other’s eyes roll.  I’d like to note who teased me into going nude inworld in the first place.) 
  
          I just want to share a few observations about nudity in SL with my three loyal readers and whoever else would like to read them, the “naked” truth if you will!  (Significant Other cringes.)

          I still wander around nude inworld.  

          “Why?” you may ask.  

          First off, many places that I visit inworld for my stories require nudity. (Why I visit such places will be the subject of another story!)  

          Next, I freely admit that I’m too lazy to keep changing clothes in SL.  (L’il Sis has cast a critical eye on my sartorial choices inworld.  (She is one of many who has only seen me clothed!) Significant Other makes similar comments in RL.  Once again, I think these two are comparing notes about me when I’m not around.)  

          Finally, running around nude is something that I would never do in RL and SL gives me the chance to try this without embarrassing myself.  (Significant Other merely sighs.)

          Another question I get a lot is, “Are you a nudist?"

          No, I’m not. 

          Although, I have many friends inworld who insist that I am.  (I have noted that these are folks who would never be nude either inworld or anywhere else.)  

          I happen to be in undress at certain times inworld because it’s appropriate for and necessary for my writing and exploring.  Contrary to popular belief, I’m not always nude.  (I
really wish that L’il Sis would stop reminding me constantly to make sure that I’m dressed when I visit First UCC!  Sheesh, I used to be an altar boy back in the day.  I know something about the decorums!)  

          While nudist sims tend to come and go, I find that nudity itself is alive and well inworld. 

          There tend to be two major categories of nudists in SL.

          The first are like naturists in RL who are nude for the sake of nudity and abhor the sexual connotations that many associate with wandering around nude in public with members of both sexes.  (While I understand and respect their beliefs, I’m still trying to figure out why they act so surprised when others, generally clothed, make this obviously erroneous assumption.)  

          The second group of nudists throw caution to the wind and happily indulge in sex inworld whenever they get the chance and couldn’t care less what others think.  (Caroline Resident will be very happy that I wrote this.)  

          (There’s also a third, smaller group of people who go about semi-nude inworld and generally hang out in clothing optional sims with nudists.  I’m still trying to understand them.)  

          Both groups have their own sims but do often mix together.  (Although, when this does occur, I find it does make me think about the juxtaposition of voyeurism and
exhibitionism inworld.)  

          Many like me only practice nudity inworld and would never dream of doing this in RL.  (I get the look from Significant Other.) They’re only exploring and testing their limits.  

          Some do practice nudity in RL and come inworld for new experiences or possibly when it gets too cold where they live.  (Interestingly, I’ve met some who only practice nudity in the privacy of their own homes.)  

          Have you ever practiced nudity inworld? Once? Frequently?

          Do you just do it inworld or do you practice nudity in RL?  (Your shower doesn’t count.) 

          Please share your experiences with us and I’ll try to write a follow-up piece on this topic!

          One last point, you won’t find pictures of nudists with this story.  I’m still not that kind of blog!

      
    The pictures included are from SL nudist sims past and present.  

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!  



Saturday, April 9, 2016

A Close Call in Second Life!



Buy the ticket, take the ride.
Hunter S. Thompson



          While initially sitting down to write this story, something unusual happened.  (In case anyone is alarmed, this all happened in Second Life (SL) but does have Real Life (RL) implications.)

          Something that doesn’t happen too often when I’m writing.  A major swing in the story changed the angle that I had completely!  Not only that, but it was good news to boot!  (Significant Other does agree that it’s rare for me to be the bearer of good news.) 

          Here’s what happened!

          A few days ago, I learned that Naked, the beloved, nudist group of sims, was going to close at the end of June this year.  I’d first come across Naked over three years ago when I first started exploring nudity inworld.  This would have been a major loss to the SL community.  The sims were beautiful and regularly updated.  Some of the most extensive
erotic art galleries inworld were available for viewing and guest artists exhibited regularly.  There were areas dedicated to sailing, bondage, and, of course, plain old vanilla nudity.  

          The sims were a great place to wander about either by yourself or with a friend.  Besides the beautiful vistas there were quiet corners for partners to be alone and intimate.  Residents were friendly and respectful of one another.  I made several good friendships from Naked. 

          So, when Devorax, one of the owners, published an announcement that the nine sims which comprised Naked were closing early this summer, I was both shocked and saddened.  Devorax was spending over £1,000 a month to maintain the sims and he just wasn’t spending enough time inworld anymore to justify the expense.  He did leave open the possibility that someone could take over from him on generous terms.  However, I’d seen this happen too many times before inworld where nothing ever comes of these offers. 

          Except this time!

          Catori, a longtime Naked community member, has stepped forward to take over ownership of Naked later this year!  

          I only learned yesterday of this news and was only able to confirm it this morning.  (I
hope my three loyal readers appreciate how I stayed on top of this story for them!)  I don’t have all the details yet, but it appears that Naked will stay open as is.  

          I haven’t met Catori yet and I’m trying to schedule an interview with her. Catori’s generous offer will mean that the communities that comprise Naked will continue.  

          The implications here are significant.  A successful, long running SL community has been saved and has avoided joining the list of once thriving sims that have shut down for one reason or another.  I won’t say that this a major turning point in what has been an unending litany of closures but it’s certainly a good sign!  We will have continuity for a community inworld and not see its residents either thrown out to wander aimlessly across the Grid or to leave altogether.  

          Naked has always been one of my favorite nudist communities inworld.  (Significant Other’s eyes roll.  Need I say who gave me the idea to go about in the altogether inworld in the first place?) and everyone should celebrate its staying open.  Drop by and visit, especially if you’ve never been there before.  (Don’t be shy!)  If you can contribute
financially when you visit, I’m sure Catori would appreciate the help!  If you can’t, not to worry, then just show up and show your support for a wonderful community in SL!   

          I’d like to thank Devorax for all the years of fun and community that he supported inworld!  He’ll be missed!  I don’t know where his journey will take him but I wish him the very best and I hope his path leads him back to SL from time to time!  

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!  

Additional pictures from my visits to Naked can be seen on this flickr page.  (No, no nude bodies, we’re still not that type of blog!) 

          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!