Twenty Questions

The latest Strawberry Singh meme is a lot of questions! I'm taking a deep breath and jumping in.

Meme instructions: Answer the following 20 personal questions about your Second Life. Don’t forget to share a link to your post in the comments!

1. When and how did you discover Second Life? – I read an article in the New York Times about Second Life in early August 2007.
2. Did you know about virtual worlds before or was this your first experience with them? – I had no clue. I'd played the Sims a bit, but that was all.
3. Has Second Life met your expectations? – I don't recall what my expectations were. I do recall that SL was very complicated and I'm amazed I stuck to it. Thank you newbie mentors! When I attached a box of household goods to my body and asked how to remove them, the poor mentor had to deal with a newbie on a Mac who didn't even know how to right click.
4. If you could teleport back to the first ten minutes of your avatar’s slife, what would you tell yourself? – Hmm....I'd probably tell myself to forget most of the freebies and to invest in a decent skin. Oh, and to take off the dumb freebie nipple tattoos.
5. How long did it take you to master avatar flying and driving vehicles inworld? – Wait, we can FLY??? I'm still not good at it. And I can't drive in SL worth a darn.
6. Do you have a mystery alt? – No. I'm quick to tell my friends who I am on an alt. I get lonely otherwise!
7. Is your SL avatar a reflection of you, or someone you wished you could be? –Physically Dolly is a younger me with a better ass. Personality wise, it's just me unless I'm roleplaying, and even then it's an exploration of sides of myself.
8. Is there an individual you met in SL that inspired you in your RL? How? – Probably, though I can't think of anything specifically.
9. Do you feel it is easier to create stronger bonds/relationships with people you meet inworld as opposed to the real world? – Not stronger bonds, but I was surprised at how attached I became to my Second Life friends.
10. Did you ever imagine or believe people could fall in love with someone they never met before Second Life? – I never imagined it.
11. How has your perspective of dating changed (or not) since you started playing second life? – I don't really think my perspective has changed. But my dating life in Second Life has been wilder, because for the most part it's a safe place to explore sides of my sexuality that I wouldn't feel comfortable doing in RL.
12. How has your perspective of employment changed (or not) since you started playing second life? – I've always admired entrepreneurs, so not really.
13. Name three things in both your lives that overlap each other significantly. – I'm not sure I understand this question.
14. If you could live your life more immersively in a virtual world, would you? (Kind of like the Matrix) – No, SL is the wild west. It's a great place to visit, but I have to be able to turn off the computer.
15. How do you think behavior changes for people if they’re inworld vs in real world? Why do you think that is? – Not many people in my real life have looked me in the eye and acted like a troll, so I agree common courtesy suffers from anonymity. On the plus side anonymity can be freeing when respect for fellow residents is observed.
16. How has second life consumerism changed your perception of spending habits, the value of money, the need to be “bleeding edge” with fashion? – I do spend money in Second Life, but I can indulge myself for a lot less than it costs in real life, so I don't begrudge my shoes and hair. In real life I practically live in jeans.
17. Do you think virtual worlds like SL drive and redefine human interaction or do they narrow and limit it? – Human interaction is changing with or without SL. I text instead of talk on the phone these days just like everyone else.
18. If technology progressed tomorrow to allow you to send emotions to people the way you’d send text or voice messages, would it enrich your SL experience or infringe on it? – If you can write or speak you can send emotions. You just have to be willing to talk about them.
19. Name three skills you attribute to having learned or honed in second life alone. – Interior design and talking photos are skills I've honed in SL.
20. If your grand kids googled your Second Life Avatar’s name, would they be intrigued, disgusted, proud or something else? – The good news is that it seems grandchildren accept their grandparents more than those kids' parents do. At least that's my observation. They'd be curious, probably.

Credits:

Pure Poison - Pin - It Girl Wedges (at My Attic)
Tee*fy Laura Unbuttoned Knotted Shirt Check (at Collabor88)
Zaara Elina shorts navy (at FaMeshed)
LeLutka - AMANDA'S hair - StrawberryShortcake (New Release)

Purple Moon Coco Sunglasses in Cherry

Zenith Butterfly Ring (Silver)
Izzie's - Neva Skin rosy GB

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Mid
IKON Promise Eyes - Green (M) 

Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower 

 

Happy Memorial Day!

I've always had a thing for a sailor, but for this Memorial Day I salute all the Armed Forces and their families for their bravery and sacrifice. To our Afghanistan troops in particular, come home safely and soon.

Credits:

Fishy Strawberry Navy Uniform Pin-Up Top, Bottom and Hat - Blue (at My Attic at the Deck)

Hucci Pinup Peep - Moonglow (at Collabor88)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink AvEnhance Feet High
Tram Hair D428 hair / maroon (at Collabor88)
Izzie's - Neva Skin rosy GB (at The Liaison Collaborative)
Izzie's - Neva Eyeliner black
Izzie's - Freckles
Izzie's - Lipstick cherry

Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower

IKON Spectral Eyes - Blue

Kirin - Burlesque Poses / Cane Pose 5

Did I Buy It All?

It sure seems like I've been buying out the stores and events recently. I had to fatpack the Hucci shoes on sale at Collabor88, because I knew I'd need every color eventually. Then Lelutka released new hair and coldLogic released the perfect floral summer dress. What's a fashionista to do?

Credits:

coldLogic dress - valeri.blush (New Release)
Hucci Pinup Peep - Pink (at Collabor88)

Zenith Butterfly Ring (Silver) (at FaMeshed)
Izzie's - 80's Sunglasses (black lenses)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink AvEnhance Feet High
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Emma

LeLutka - AMANDA'S hair - StrawberryShortcake (New Release)
Adam N Eve Carolyn 2 Tone C Applier HUD for Slink Visage Head
Adam N Eve Skin Carolyn 2 Tone C Bare

Pose and props from Adorkable (not available)

Just Call Me Gilda

I went to The Liaison Collaborative which reopened with all new fashion, home and pose offerings. The theme this month is a Riviera vacation. I immediately fell in love with the new Izzie's skin Neva in a new tone called Rosy. It's a full skin release, so all of your favorite Izzie skin tones are available with mix and match lipsticks, eyeshadows, freckles and moles.

The pretty Shoreline necklace and earrings from Cae come with a color change HUD to change from gold to silver on a whim.

Truth's new vintage Thelma hair has a no-bow option which makes this hair perfect for a wide variety of looks. I feel like Rita Hayworth in Gilda. Just put the blame on Mame, boys.

Credits:

Izzie's - Neva Skin rosy GB (at The Liaison Collaborative)

Izzie's - Lipstick rust (included)

Izzie's - Neva Eyeshadow brown (included)

Izzie's - Freckles (face only) (included)

Mandala Simple Ears Hutuu

Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower

Baiastice Sophia jumpsuit-orange

Cae Shoreline Earrings (at The Liaison Collaborative)

Cae Shoreline Necklace (at The Liaison Collaborative)

Truth Hair Thelma [w/o headband] (at Collabor88)

IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Just Me and Mesh

After looking so scary in the last post I thought I'd better try a more normal look today for a couple of reasons. Reason number one is that my friend Clay was a little disturbed that my zombie av could have such sexy hair, so I thought I'd wear the hair for him while looking more normal. That's also who the wink is for! Reason number two is so I could remind myself how good mesh can look. Zombie Girl aside, most of the new female avis in our library are just ugly. Poor noobs.

I'm in the mood for casual, and have chosen a few of my recent casual items to wear today. The Pure Poison wedge sandals with the cherries on them are adorable, and work so well with my cherry necklace from Yummy Accessories. Of the several pairs of jeans I've bought recently, Mon Tissu's rolled up cuffed ones are my favorites. The latest coldLogic release has the cutest summer tops!

Digs has a lot of beautiful new home furnishing releases that can be used indoors or out. The Genoa lanterns (currently found at The Liaison Collaborative) are definitely going on my patio. I used an animation from the Digs Jensen Footstool for this picture because I thought it showed off the shoes and my casual attitude today.

Credits:

Yummy Fruit Necklace - Cherry (at Collabor88)
coldLogic shirt - bates.snow (New Release)
Mon Tissu Harlow's Cuffed Jeans ~ Medium Wash
Pure Poison - Cherry Wedges (New Release)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) - Mid
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Becky

Adam N Eve Taliya Genesis Tone B Basic Applier for Slink Visage Head
Adam N Eve Skin Taliya Tone B Bare
Argrace Hair HARUKA - Russet
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

 

The New Mesh Starter Avatars Are Here

I must admit, I was underwhelmed by the new mesh starter avatars released yesterday for Second Life. That is, until I got to the Zombie Girl. She may be scary - but at least she's supposed to be! Actually she's awesome, as is the male zombie.

The facial expressions of all of the mesh avatars are fixed, and there is no way to wear any clothes that require an alpha with the new mesh bodies. Some of the clothes are nice, but don't necessarily fit other mesh bodies, which should leave newbies scratching their heads.

Speaking of heads, I kept my Argrace hair on while I tried all the female avatars and a few of the males. They all came with mesh hair, but not as nice as they could be. Check your library to find all the new mesh avis and try them for yourself. You will love the zombies, I promise.

Mad Women

No spoilers here but this was my face at the end of Mad Men this week. OMG! What a pearl clutching moment!

SLink's Visage mesh heads are still so much fun to wear. My only complaint is there aren't enough new skins coming out for them. The store with the most Visage skin appliers, and perhaps my favorite, is Adam N Eve. Sachi Vixen, its owner/creator released a new applier called Taliya. I had to have it.

Collabor88 is a vintage style lover's dream this month. My dress, hair, pearls and glasses can all be found there for the rest of May.

Credits:

Yummy Bombshell Beads - Pearl (at Collabor88)

Yummy Ellery Glasses - Black (at Collabor88)
Clawtooth: Lady Julliette - Strawberry cream (at Collabor88)
The Secret Store - Betty Swing Dress - Pink Polka (at Collabor88)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Visage Mesh Head - Becky
AE Taliya Genesis Tone B Basic Applier for Slink Visage Head (New Release)

Adam N Eve Skin Taliya Tone B Bare
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Friends List

I was lucky enough to catch Ayla Barzane online before she went to bed. She was kind enough to pose with me for Strawberry Singh's Friends List Meme. It's like old times! Which is why we went vintage - well, that and the fact that Collabor88 is so deliciously vintage this month.

Meme instructions: Grab a friend from your second life friends list (optional) pose with them and/or answer the following questions. Don’t forget to leave a link to your post in the comments and share your picture in the Blog Memes Flickr Group.

1. What is the number of contacts on your Second Life Friends List? (visible in firestorm viewer or your web profile) Seeing Berry's friends list makes me feel totally antisocial. My list is only 126.
2. Are you picky about who you add to your list or do you usually add most people? Apparently more picky than Berry. I never thought I was! One dirty little secret is that I have almost never turned down a friend request, but I've deleted a few the minute they've logged.
3. Who is your oldest contact? (check your calling cards) I couldn't figure out how to sort them by date. I'm guessing Malloc Rau. I've tried to delete my calling cards to reduce inventory because I never use them (it doesn't work, they always show back up).
4. Who is your newest contact? (check your calling cards) That one is easier. Winter Sorex.
5. Do you know every single person on your list? Almost all of them.
6. How many do you speak to on a daily (weekly) basis? Daily one or two. Weekly maybe three or four. I'm not nearly as social in SL as I used to be.
7. How many do you see/get together with in-world on a daily (weekly) basis? Two or three.
8. Who on your list do you have the closest relationship with? Clay Cowen, Ayla Barzane, and Aprilmae Devin.
9. Who do you wish you knew better? Berry, because I just adore her from a distance. She is so incredibly sweet and talented. And Cajsa Lilliehook because she is knowledgeable about progressive politics. I really admire her.
10. Who on your list is the funniest/most entertaining? The winner of the funniest person on my list is Friar Tyles.
11. How did you meet most of the people on your list? (work, parties, etc…) I used to meet loads of people through role play. Now it's mostly bloggers, creators and random folks I chat with when wandering the grid.
12. Do you ever clean out your list? Not often. I've done a couple of purges.
13. Do you have a crush on someone in your list? Clay Cowan and I have hung out together for years. Can that still be a crush? 
14. Is there anyone on your list that you would trust with your password? Yes, but it hasn't ever come up.

Credits:

(Left on Dolly)

Lamb Hair Cry Baby - Butterfinger (at Collabor88)
Tee*fy Laura Unbuttoned Knotted Shirt Tropical (at Collabor88)
Tee*fy Leah High-Waisted Skinny Jeans Used (at Collabor88)

Glam Affair - Vera - America 08 F

Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands

(Right on Ayla)

TRUTH HAIR Thelma (at Collabor88)

e! Odette Top - (Floral Pink)
Tulip  Vintage Cut-Offs Abyss

MAGIC NOOK Lasso Hoop Earrings (Gold)
Glam Affair - Cleo - America - 06 D
 

flowey's original Shake My Milkshake / breakfast (at Collabor88)

 Standby Inc. - Jukebox (OakBlue) (at Collabor88)

The Loft - Gerzzo Chair and Table (at Collabor88)

floorplan. soda crate stack (at Collabor88)

What Next Cafe Clock

Color and coldLogic

The new release from coldLogic and Strawberry Singh's color meme are a terrific combination for today's post. In Second Life and in real life I always get a lift from reds. Anything from rusty orange reds to deep cherry reds make me smile. Pair red with black and I'm ready to swoon. The coldLogic release of shirts, shorts and skirts have plenty of great color combos for this fashionista besides cherry and black. The detailing on this blouse is adorable in any color!

Meme instructions: Blog a picture of your favorite color or a variety of colors that you like. Don’t forget to leave a link to your post in the comments and share your picture in the Blog Memes Flickr Group. 

Credits:

coldLogic shirt - sisney.cherry sheer (New Release)
coldLogic shorts - davar.black&cherry (New Release)
Maxi Gossamer - Earrings - Nova Dream Moon
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
TRUTH HAIR Elyse
Pink Fuel Sora <Alabaster> - No Eyebrows
IKON Spectral Eyes - Blue (M)
Mynerva Eyebrow Style 2~Brown Light
Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower

Drows at We Love Role-Play

I wasn't quite sure what a drow was until I researched it after seeing the beautiful Pink Fuel skin at the We <3 Role-Play event. It comes with SLink appliers and every other applier you can think of. FATEplay makes a gorgeous dress called Lena in blue and silver for the event. The very useful updo from Mina, and the silver circlet from Keystone finish off my fantasy look.

The gate, fencing, and well in the photo are wonderful mesh items by Atelier Visconti. Look for it at Fantasy Faire on the Sanctum sim.

Credits:

FATEplay - Lena Dress - Silver (at We <3 Role-Play)
MINA Hair - Mientje (materials) (at We <3 Role-Play)

Keystone Eni's Forged Circlet - Silver (at We <3 Role-Play)
Pink Fuel Drow <Dusk> - Pure (at We <3 Role-Play)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
IKON Spectral Eyes - Blue 

Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower

Pose by Olive Juice

You Know You Need New Bloomers

My friend Ayla IM'ed me and asked me to keep an eye out Victorian clothing because she's roleplaying on a Victorian sim. So of course I told her about the new bloomers from Luminary and hair from Mina, both at We <3 Role-Play. The event, bigger than ever and heavy on fantasy fun, begins today on May the 4th (be with you).

Credits:

Luminary Anke - Pink (at We <3 Role-Play)
MINA Hair - Mientje (at We <3 Role-Play)

Distorted Dreams Hooper Earring - bronze (at We <3 Role-Play)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) S - Flat

Glam Affair - Vera - America 01 F
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower

Fantasy Goddess

You know how many of us wish we were princesses? Not me. I aim higher. Call me the Goddess. Put me on a pedestal and worship me. Who would want a mere tiara when you could have this amazing Pure Poison headdress fit for a goddess? It's a rare gacha item for the Fantasy Gacha Carnival, opening to the public on May 4th. That's right. May the fourth be with you.  ;-) I just had to say it.

Credits:

Pure Poison - Caprisci Headdress - RARE  (at Fantasy Gacha Carnival)
TRUTH HAIR Zoella (New Release)

Peqe - Hybrid
Zenith Butterfly Ring (Sliver) (at FaMeshed)
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Glam Affair - Vera - America 01 F
Mon Cheri "Falsies" Eyelash - Upper+Lower
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

My Blogging Journey Makes My Feet Hurt Sometimes

It's time for the Strawberry Singh blogger challenge of the week. This time we're talking about our blogging journey. I hung out in my new gazebo from Digs while I thought about my answers to the questions.

Meme instructions: Copy and paste the following questions and answers to your post, delete my answers and input your own. Don’t forget to leave a link to your post in the comments so others can come by and read your answers as well!

1. Which electronic devices do you use to blog with? I only use my laptop to blog. I'll occasionally comment on my iPhone, but I'd never use it to write a blog post.
2. Do you have a mission statement for your blog, if so, what is it? My mission statement is pretty broad - "a Second Life blog about whatever takes our fancy." By that I mean that I'll blog things I like - fashion and home and garden, primarily.
3. How do you feel about blogs that use their platforms to spread negativity? I don't get them. I'm mystified that anyone would take the time to spew ugliness on a regular basis. A big line needs to be drawn, however, between a blog whose sole purpose is to stir up drama and a blog that does an occasional negative review.
4. Are you a grammar junkie? Do you thoroughly check your blog for errors before posting and/or do you judge other people’s posts if they contain errors? I care about grammar and spelling. That said, I make mistakes too, so I'm not terribly judgy unless a blog post is incomprehensible. I do prefer clear posts, though. If a blogger takes great pictures but isn't really a writer, I'm perfectly satisfied to peruse a list of credits.
5. If you could switch blogs with another blogger who would it be? I'm too fickle to want to switch with just one blogger! Neva Crystall takes photos I just want to crawl into and live in. Strawberry Singh's blog, which I obviously love, shares so much fun along with useful information, stunning photos and teaching moments. Who wouldn't want to trade places with Berry every once in awhile?
6. Has your blog/blogging style evolved over the year(s)? How? Maybe it's evolved. It has changed. I started blogging with my friend Ayla, but she didn't enjoy blogging as much as I did, so now it's just me. Doing these challenges has helped me to relax and open up a little more when I blog.
7. What is the most extraordinary thing that has happened to you because of blogging? What is extraordinary to me is that there are people who read my blog. Who would have thought?
8. When it comes to Second Life blogs, there are different styles: Fashion bloggers, Lifestyle & Travel bloggers, Informative bloggers, and more. Which style do you prefer and where do you feel your blog fits in? My blog fits best into the fashion category, but I like all kinds of Second Life blogs. If you scroll down to the bottom of my blog you'll see the blogs I read most often. I have a lot of respect for information blogs like Nalates Things & Stuff, Jo Yardley's Second Life, and Living In a Modem World. They often explain to me the more technical side of Second Life and give me new perspectives to think about.
9. What has blogging taught you? Oddly enough, this question is the one that I'm stuck on. Obviously I've learned things about blogging, about promotion for events and products, about photos and post-processing tips. But I want to answer this with some insight about personal growth through blogging, but have I grown? Have I opened up? Does anyone care whether I have or not? Maybe I just like taking pictures. Maybe the journey makes my feet hurt sometimes.
10. Share your top 3 tips for new bloggers. 1) Don't start a blog to get freebies. Blogging is an expensive hobby if you're doing it right. It's fine to be on a few blogging lists, but make sure they're designers you love, or your personal style will suffer. 2) Involve yourself in the blogger community through blog challenges, inworld groups, charity events, and/or Plurk. You'll make new friends involved in the same hobby and your blog will be richer for it. 3) Be yourself and your style will shine through. 

Credits:

coldLogic belt - zois.sunny (New Release)
coldLogic dress - zois.sunny (New Release)
Kunglers Yara necklace - Golden
Maitreya Hair Siobhan (Mesh) - Ginger
Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands
Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) S - Mid

Beetlebones SUNANTHA SANDALS

Glam Affair - Vera - America 02 F
IKON Spectral Eyes - Amber

Pose from Le Poppycock