Meeting Arahan and Raul

Last night, Tobie and I visited the Super Fun Happy Club. She had yet to go, and she wanted to see it before it closes later this month. I was happy to go again, as I found my first trip there to be very informative, and I like to support socially conscious art such as Arahan’s.

After being there for a while, Arahan himself teleported into the exhibit. I had commented on Arahan’s work on Flickr before, and I had IMed with him one time in world, but this was the first chance I got to actually meet his avie face-to-face. The three of us talked for a long time, during which Arahan showed us some of his . . . um, interesting avies Later on, Raul Crimson, whose pics I had also seen on Flickr, dropped in. Things got a little crazy with some interesting hats being worn, etc.

To end the night, we all jumped on a giant sperm which was raised into the sky for pics. Why a giant sperm? I have no idea, but it was funny

It was a fun night, and I hope to meet up with these guys again sometime

Oh, and once again, if you haven’t been to Super Fun Happy Club, I would suggest you do so now, as it will be closing soon.

You can never go home?

Beware: overly introspective and (possibly) unnecessary post

I’ve been thinking a lot about time in Second Life because . . . um, sometimes I think too much (and other times, not nearly enough). It just really seems remarkable to me how long ago my rez day seems, though the same period in my RL doesn’t seem all that long ago. Why is it that three months seems so long in SL?

I contemplated all of this last night when, on a whim, I returned to the land I first rented after starting Second Life. I was just curious about how much things had changed in the two months since I had moved from there to the land I had bought in Farstone.

I started by visiting the 512 sq.m. plot where my house once stood. Currently, the lot is empty, though someone has rented it. I remembered how nice it was to finally have a little virtual place of my own. A place where I could dress and undress without worrying about being seen (I didn’t know how easy it is to cam through walls at the time). A place to relax and watch the virtual fire in my virtual fireplace. A place where I could rez objects so I could sift through all the freebies I was picking up. Yes, a place to call home

An early pic of me standing in front of my house.

Me, sitting on the empty lot where my house once stood.

I began feeling nostalgic for those days, when SL was new and I did a lot of exploring. When I was excited about the possibilities and wanted to try out everything.

It hit me what my early days were like: a new, virtual childhood. Once again, I was introduced into a new world and had to figure out my place in it. That first month was a process of maturing, and at the end of it, I was much more knowledgable about the ways of SL than I was at the beginning.

I think that is why these three months seem abnormally long. They have been filled with many, many experiences that have taken my avie from absolute newbieness to where I am now. It’s like becoming an adult again.

The night I bought my first neko skin—a big step in getting me to where I am now—I stopped at a park down the road from my house and sat for a bit, thinking. I have no idea what was going through my mind then. The only thing I can remember is that I was happy with my new skin. It just felt good to wear it.

In the park the night I bought my neko skin.

I stopped by the park again last night. At first, I didn’t think it existed anymore, which saddened me a bit, but then everything finally rezzed, and I was happy to see it again. I sat in the same spot I had over two months earlier and wondered if things would continue to change at such a rapid pace. I thought about the relationship I just started. What will it be like in two months? Will there even still be a relationship?

My return to the park.

Of course, I don’t know the answers to these things. I’m looking forward to finding out, though

We’ve all heard that you can never go home, the idea being that things change and what once was safe and comfortable is now alien. The idea was once somewhat disheartening, but I like it now. I believe change happens because, in one way or another, it is needed. And if we find ourselves unable to go home, maybe it’s because we’ve outgrown it.

Catching up

I hate it when I go a few days without posting. Leaves me with so much to talk about, yet I don’t want to write an overly long post. Anyway, here goes . . .

On Friday, I got to spend some time with Tobie. Yay! I was shopping for tats when she logged on (had just bought my tattoo of the symbol for Cancer), so we started there, then we went to Koreshan for a bit, and we finally ended up in Imogen. There I met Menno Ophelia, Devo Whippet, and Aemilia Case, all very talented people whose work I know from Flickr. We sat and talked for a bit (actually, I don’t think I said much, but I usually get that way when I’m in a group where everyone else seems to know one another). Afterwards, Tobie and I walked around Imogen to see everything that has changed. I had only been to Imogen once before, but I spent quite a bit of time there (was talking to a new friend for hours while roaming about). Imogen has totally been transformed. It still has the same feel, but the landscape is much different.

I snapped this pic right before we left Imogen. I was fortunate that the sun just happened to be setting as we were leaving.

After Imogen, Tobie and I went to the space museum (don’t know what the official name is). We walked around for a bit, I got ran over by a tour bus and flipped it over, Tobie showed more concern over the bus than me . . . yeah, good times We took the space flight (something you have to do if you go) and checked out all the various planets. I even stood on the rings of Saturn, until someone knocked me off (OK, that’s the last time I’ll bring that up).

I think this was the first time we went out and did something together other than shop. It was fun, and I hated to say goodbye that night.

I didn’t log back onto SL until late Sunday night due to going home for Mother’s Day. Unfortunately, I logged on too late to see Tobie, but I did get to spend some time with Dirk. I started the night looking for some pierced neko ears and finally found some at Kalico Kreations. Afterwards, I looked around the new Block for the first time. It’s pretty cool, though it was really laggy for me. You can see a few pics of it on my Flickr page, including this one:

I actually don’t think I spent any money at the Block. I wanted to buy a new top to go with the overalls I’m wearing in this pic, but I didn’t find one I really wanted. Dirk did some shopping though, and even modeled his purchase for me . . . but I won’t show those pics here. Let’s just say he put the boy into boy shorts, and the results weren’t pretty And I won’t even comment on the hot pink Playboy thong.

I ended the night helping my friend Sexy pick out a dress for her wedding. Sexy’s in no way conventional (which is a good thing), so her dress isn’t either. She bought one from 7 Deadly Sins in which she looks stunning, and I can’t wait to see her in it at her wedding. I’m *so* happy for her and wish her nothing but the best

So . . . that’s it for now. This is Chloe of Streeter Scene, signing out

Crouching neko . . .

Didn’t do a *whole* lot last night, though I was on for several hours. I did get the opportunity to speak with many friends, though. I believe I started out talking to Katrina, who is proving to be a very cute and energetic little kitty We sent IMs back and forth as I took pictures and she did some writing. Eventually, she had to log off, and I think I did as well for an hour or so before logging back on.

I also got the chance to speak with Codie, Dirk, and my friend Sexy, who I hadn’t spoken with for quite a while. Of course, I talked a lot about my new relationship with all of them, and they were all very tolerant of my rambling I’m thrilled that everyone has been so supportive and happy for me You guys are fantastic!

D’oh, I almost forgot! I visited Arahan Claveau’s Super Fun Happy Club (I hope I got the order right there) installation. If you have not visited it yet, I would suggest you do so soon, as it will be closing. I don’t have the SLURL, but you can find it on Codie’s blog (check my links). I also got to speak with Arahan through IMs last night, which was a thrill. From what exposure I’ve had with Arahan and his work, he’s proven to be a very creative and conscientious person, and he really deserves our support

Anyway, last night I had a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon theme in mind for my pics. You’ll notice that they look different than what you might expect from me. I wanted to give them a slightly dreamy look, so I manipulated the images quite a bit (one thing you’ll likely notice is that raised the saturation *a lot*). So, um, enjoy, and feel free to tell me what you think

Tobie

OK, so this is the third beginning I’ve written for this post. This is one of the most important (if not the most important) posts I’ve written on this blog, so I’m trying to make sure I do it right

In the 3+ months I’ve been in SL, a lot has changed, both in RL and SL. I started SL thinking it was a game like The Sims. I quickly learned that there was much more to it, and I began making friends—good friends whom I love just as much (and sometimes more) than friends in RL. I found people unlike those I encounter in my daily life, even at the university. Because I found *so* much in SL that was missing in my RL, I quickly became hooked and found myself spending many, many hours on the grid.

As certain things went sour in RL, I found solace among my online friends. These weren’t just avies, but real people who could understand and help me with what was going on in RL. They helped me to grow as a person, and I think I’m much better for it.

One of the friends I made was October Hush. I began noticing her pics on Flickr early on, and there was something about them that grabbed my attention. It wasn’t long before I added her as a contact (the first contact for whom I made the inital add), as I wanted a glimpse into her second life. I was intrigued at her being a neko, and I soon found myself purchasing my own neko skin, ears, and tail.

I don’t know *exactly* how I began talking to Tobie. I imagine that it started through comments, progressed through Flickr mail, and then ended up with e-mails. I was thrilled that she would ever consider me a friend, as I thought she was *so* cool and I’m . . . me We started talking a lot more (well, I kept bothering her with e-mails), and we became good friends.

I think I knew early on that I liked Tobie as more than just a friend. The thing is, I’ve never felt that way about another woman before, and if I hadn’t gotten a little push ;), I don’t think I ever would have considered it.

This may come as a surprise to many of you, as you know I have a bf in RL. What you don’t know is that relationship has been ending for quite some time, and at the end of the month, we will be splitting up. I know, this is a lot of RL stuff, but since it has implications on what’s going on in SL, I’m including it.

Anyway, I’m entering a very exciting and very scary part of my SL right now. Not only am I in an SL relationship (which I never intended), but it’s with another woman (something which I never could have imagined). I’m hoping that all my SL friends, whom I *really* love, accept this. This is a huge adjustment for me, and while I’m thrilled that Tobie has chosen to include me in her second life, not everything about this is going to be easy.

So, that’s the big secret I posted about previously. I have fallen for one of the most beautiful, coolest, and nicest kitties in SL, and I’m happy I get to share this with everyone now. And I hope you’re happy for me, too

Love you all,

Chloe

Koreshan Pointe

One of my favorite sims in Second Life is Koreshan. I discovered it fairly early in my SL days, I think when I was looking for EGL dresses. That brought me to Draconic Kiss, which at the time was located in the carousel building (which afterwards housed Etch’d but is currently unoccupied). I instantly fell in love with the sim because of its run-down amusement park theme, as well as some of its very cool shops.

I find that many times when I’m bored, I’ll stop in at Koreshan just to see if anything is different. Recently, there has been quite a bit of change. Since I first visited the sim, Draconic Kiss has moved and expanded, Gritty Kitty has opened up in a roller-coaster-themed shop, and stores such as Refuge have moved in. Also, a substantial portion of the sim has been redone, and it appears that new shops will be opening soon.

I wish that more developers put this kind of thought into sim design. This is one of those places that really makes SL worthwhile.

Secrets, secrets

So, the last couple of days in SL have been pretty special to me . . . but I’m not yet quite willing to share why.

Of course, this leaves me with nothing to talk about. Sorry about that.

I’m sure I’ll more than make up for it later

I did take a couple of pics, though, and that’s something, right?

I promise I’ll be more entertaining soon

New look

I thought it was time for a change, so I picked a new template for my blog. I’ll probably change it again soon, as I’m not completely sold on this look.

SL tonight was interesting, to say the least. Tobie teleported me into a get-together for bloggers at Zoe Connolly’s. Because of a RL party I was at Saturday night, I wasn’t feeling all that well, so I didn’t really talk that much. Seems like a nice group, though, and I’ve added the blogs of those present to my links. I know I didn’t get everyone listed (couldn’t find everyone’s blog), so if I don’t have you in my links but you want to be there, just let me know

It was very cool to meet everyone. I finally met Vint in world, though I didn’t say much to her because of my hangover :/ Maybe next time I’ll be more energetic.

SL actually changed for me quite a bit tonight. But that’s something for another post

Three months

Today, May 5, marks three months for me in SL.

I’m astounded that so much has happened to me in SL in that time. I look at the same period in RL, and it all runs together—about ninety days of teaching class, studying, and procrastinating. But in SL, my avie has transformed significantly.

Who am I kidding? I have transformed significantly in that time.

It’s strange, but SL has helped me to work out some things in RL, and at the same time, it has introduced new issues I have yet to deal with. Externally, I am the same person in RL, but my time in SL has helped to alter some of my perceptions and discover some new things about myself. At this point, I think the SL Chloe reflects what’s going on with me better than could ever be perceived from the RL Chloe.

I’ve finally lifted some of the restraints from SL Chloe to see where she’ll go. Though it’s a little scary, I’m excited to see what happens.

Celebration time

Forgive me, but I once again have to let RL intrude. Today, I finished the few things I needed to complete the work on my M.A. That’s it, folks. I am done. Woo-hoo!

So, I don’t have a whole lot to cover about the last couple of days. Yesterday, I went sword shopping, as I had an idea in my mind for a series of pics I wanted to do, and I needed a particular type of sword. I called upon quite a few people to help me out, from Codie (who consulted with a friend of hers) to my friend Dirk, who actually came shopping with me. After I finally decided on a sword, Dirk came shoe shopping with me as well How many guys will do that? Very cool fella.

Today, I went to Curious Kitties with Tobie. I bought a new set of neko ears and a nekolace While there, I also took quite a few pics of Tobie. I even caught her in a dress that wasn’t green, black, or gray

By the way, there is almost no way to take a bad pic of this kitty

Afterwards, I logged off for a bit. When I got back online, I played poker with my friend Tommy. I got up early, but then I ended up losing what I had won (and then some) to Tommy, who SUCKED OUT in one particularly big hand (yeah, those caps are for you, Tommy). Anyway, I made a bit of a comeback, and I ended up about L$125 richer when I cashed out. Ah, big bucks

The last thing I did was visit Mew Island and take some pics of an awesome sculpt which I learned about from one of Silvia Mills’s pics on Flickr. I did a bit of work to one of them, but it could still use some more tweaking.

There was one more significant thing that happened tonight, but I’m not telling you about it :p Sorry, you can’t know everything