27 March, 2015

I can't come out to find you, I don't like to go outside

This just happened:

[17:50] Ixxxxxx Txxxxxx: [Pxxxxx] - do you collect just tea cups or things in tea cups too?

Of course, it started small, as all things do. With a conversation about collecting teacups and things in teacups.

[17:51] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: both [Ixx], as long as it's a teacup.. she'd probably even collect a teacup ride if she could find one in a gacha lol
[17:52] Ixxxxxx Txxxxxx: lol


Just to be clear, I've decided that, with posts from this particular group, I'm bolding moderators' names. Also, just to be clear, this was conversation captured in between several links to lucky boards and sales at various stores.

[17:52] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx giggles and leans over to [Ixx], "I think she's ignoring us"
[17:53] Ixxxxxx Txxxxxx: She is probably drooling over her latest one
[17:54] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: oh sorry, was texturing a rack to put them all on!
[17:54] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: ive got snails with teacups on their backs too
[17:55] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: ive got several with plants in them. and some with tea, this latest one has a cake covered in whipped cream


Yes. She collects teacups. Mostly from gachas. Everyone has a hobby. There was more chatter about teacups and gachas, and links were posted in between. But then...

[18:01] Jxxx Rxx: OCD is a condition, not a thing. I'm sorry but it is so often used as a ... ugh .. being meticulous is not at all having the very real condition of OCD.

Okay, I get that, and I frequently have this kneejerk reaction flash when certain topics are discussed. Including OCD. And she isn't entirely out of line, here, but considering what she said later, this is where it started.

[18:02] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: obsessive compulsive, very aware what it is =) when it drives you nuts that something is out of place, or you have to wash a million times. wasn't making light of it, sorry if it seemed that way
[18:02] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: maybe expand the house do you can have a potter room and a who room
[18:03] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: she can't expand the house [Pxxxxxx] cause that would eat into her gacha treasure prims
[18:03] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: or would it be a whoville
[18:03] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: lol
[18:04] Jxxx Rxx: Not saying you aren't. You are just using OCD out of the realism of one with the disorder

Yeah, not exactly. She's using OCD according to her perception of OCD, which is likely from shows like Monk, and others. A lot of people are fixated on sufferers of OCD being only clean freaks and devoted to organization. Not all of us are like that; there are different manifestations of the illness.

Slight derail, but okay, we all accepted and went on with the previous discussion:

[18:04] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: what is the chinese piggy called
[18:04] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: dinner
[18:04] Jxxx Rxx: a fortune cookie
[18:05] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: lol
[18:05] Jxxx Rxx: those things are just fat and nasty


...And there she goes again. So, all pigs are "fat and nasty", or just Chinese pigs, or...there's a lot of things that can be inferred from that statement.

But we tried to get back to chatting, and passing on links:

[18:05] Lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Lucky Piggy is the oriental teacup pig
[18:05] Zxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: someone post some links pls


Oh, hello, a new voice has been added.

[18:06] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: nope dont have that one. cupid, steamy, original, pirate, potter, who, teachers pet, sinful, sundae and .. pork patrol
[18:06] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you can post too [Zxxxxx]
[18:06] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it's a collaborative group
[18:06] Zxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i dont wanna mess with this interesting gacha chat



Ooh, bitchy. That was actually helpful advice, you dolt.

[18:06] Bxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Oo
[18:07] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: [Zxxxxx], if you don't want to post some MM's or something then don't complain about the conversations :)
[18:08] Ixxxxxx Txxxxxx: ssometimes things are slow and we chat silliness
[18:09] Bxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: actually i thought this chat was FOR finding and sharing links ..
[18:09] Zxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I thought so too [Bxxxx]...
[18:09] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: [Bxxxx], it is also a chat group..
[18:10] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes, you can also do search on your own for links [Bxxxx], i just typed "Shey" on search and guess what the first result was
[18:10] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: if y'all want a group where no one talks, might want to start your own with chat turned off and allow everyone to post notices =)
[18:10] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: logs out and goes to bed before her grumpy gets out of control and she says bad things


Oh, I so understand. Both the urge to say bad things, and the urge to just detach and try not to get into trouble.

[18:10] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: some people just don't want to bother doing their own searches...
[18:10] Bxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oO. duly noted
[18:10] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: And actually, compared to most freebie groups, we're luck that we are allowed to post boards here
[18:10] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i have not been sarcastic once tonight ali :)
[18:10] Jxxx Rxx: The group as far as I knew was for sharing the frees, MM's and lucky boards. Sometimes the chat just takes over
[18:11] Sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx bangs head on desk and hits the X.... as the grumpiness is taking away the lighthearted mood
[18:11] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: I know [Pxxxxxx], you're doing good, and I think I'm gonna follow [Sxx] and let someone else mod the group cause I'm DJ'ing and don't wanna deal with grumps
[18:11] Jxxx Rxx: Chat is sometimes to much. The group looses purpose.


You mean, "too much", and also "loses". Also, I realize that it's a legitimate complaint--this particular group is very chatty--but as noted, it's chat interspersed with links, gift offers, notes on sales, notes where to find things...It's a multiracial, multispecies chat of shoppers, who share what they find. So really, ANYTHING can show up as links--or in chat.

If that bothers you, Ms. R, find another group that's less talkative.

[18:12] Jxxx Rxx: Sad really
[18:12] Ixxxxxx Txxxxxx: I disagree
[18:12] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Sad?? that people socialize? O.O


Yeah, no doubt. That's an awfully judgmental thing to say. And I should know--I am a very judgmental person at times.

[18:12] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: I suggest if you have an issue with the chat, Take it to [Axxxxx] :) that's all I'm gonna say..
[18:12] Zxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: o.O
[18:12] Ixxxxxx Txxxxxx: We never lose focus, we sometimes socialize
[18:12] Vxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well it's like this... to post links, people have to FIND links, so if there are not enough for you, go sim searching and find more



Also a helpful tip.

[18:12] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sad that someone is ONLY interested in things and not in people at all
[18:12] Jxxx Rxx: Oh [Axx], I'm sorry. I didn't ask
[18:13] Nxxx Zxxxxxxx: Seems like a lot more chat and a lot less TPs lately lol
[18:13] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: some of us just have adhd and get distracted by shiny things and teacups
[18:13] Jxxx Rxx: Yes [Nxxx]. I agree

You would. [18:13] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: and the ones who are complaining are the ones who rarely post it seems.. really says something.. Goodnight [Dxxxxxx], it's all yours darlin
[18:14] Jxxx Rxx: And that you would also be wrong about [Axx]
[18:14] [Ixxx Fxxxx]: LOL thank so much [Axx] :P
[18:14] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx passes [Dxxxxxx] some tea and a condolance card
[18:14] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: but i want the cup back when youre done
[18:14] mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: omg... do you even realize [Axx] is a mod Jynx? what is wroong with you??
[18:14] Jxxx Rxx: Moderators seriously should not comment on things they aren't all aware of since they themselves aren't on 24/7

Let me repeat that, because I think it's vaguely important: "Moderators seriously should not comment on things they aren't all aware of since they themselves aren't on 24/7."

If you separate that statement out, then she's saying moderators of groups, where they aren't moderating twenty-four hours a day, should never speak. Group moderators. Really? Really??

You're a prejudicial little puffin, Ms. R, and if we bother you that much with our occasional discussions about teacups and breast sizes, mesh bodies and gacha sales, then you should march your counterproductive, discriminatory little tush on down the road and find another group that works better for you. Because you're not contributing anything to this one but disdain and bile.

[18:15] Jxxx Rxx: Thank you [Jxx], does that answer YOUR question?

Yes. You're a spiteful person and you're insulting the mods of the group, which is never a good idea.

[18:16] Jxxx Rxx: I post a great deal as well as tp those who need it after logging in at the end of a post ... so .....
[18:18] [Ixxx Fxxxx]: [Jxxx], everyone has the right to be free and have an opinion, you have yours, [Axxxx] has hers and I have my own! Let's stop here please
[18:21] Jxxx Rxx: Who is [Axxxx]?


Seriously, now you're picking apart peoples' names?!? Gods, you're negative.

[18:21] Cxxxx Rxxxxxxx: personally I am on here mostly for the links, but at times the chat is very interesting. However, for those who are looking for good links, I took down a few over the past few days and I will post some of there here so folks who want to shop can shop while we chat :)
[18:22] Jxxx Rxx: Oh .. sorry ... lol, all us breathers :)
[18:22] Dxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Brains...
[18:22] Dxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Oh, ah, I mean... I'm alive :)
[18:23] [Ixxx Fxxxx]: Jynx, yeah sorry to sometimes I do a mystake or something :)
[18:24] Jxxx Rxx grins. "S'ok."
[18:24] Kxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Jxxx], I get what you mean lol... I have it, diagnosed, and I get pretty offended sometimes, but I let it go.
[18:26] Jxxx Rxx: Ah, yeah. Past that [Sxxxx]. Thanks for support though. Not for me but those I love dearly.
[18:26] [Ixxx Fxxxx]: I asked if I could post here, I'm waiting the answer


I know you're joking, because you're also a mod, but dear gods, YOU CAN POST HERE.

[18:26] Zxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes
[18:27] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok dorthy sure why not
[18:27] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but just this once ok ??


I thought you were supposed to be going to bed.

[18:28] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: hey, would y'all please tell me how many times an hour I'm allowed to talk without being called an attention whore? Cause evidently I am
[18:28] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: even though I havent chatted for like two weeks
[18:28] Jxxx Rxx: 10 times an hour


Yeah, I don't think you get a vote.

[18:29] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i am not an attention whore i am just ummm nvm

*snerks*

[18:30] Pzzzzz Pxxxxxxxx: Ok, every six mins. setting my timer
[18:31] Jxxx Rxx: lol [Pxxxxx]
[18:31] Sxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Who's calling you nasty names [Pxxxxx]! Talk as much as you want! :-)
[18:34] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i am always up for the hunt.. is just the kill that sometimes grosses me out a bit [18:34] Axxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry [Pxxxxxx]


And we were off on posting about hunts and store boards again.

Some groups have options for 'quiet' versions and 'talkative' versions. Some don't. If it really crumples your brain to that extent, Ms. R, maybe you should take it up with the group owner and see if you've got enough support for a notices-only group. Otherwise, stop dripping poisonous irritants into our eyes. It's an annoyance.

23 March, 2015

picking up things we shouldn't read

For those on the grid who prefer a less youthful appearance, it can be difficult to find appropriate holiday attire. DarkDharma aims to fix that, at least partially, with a complete Mrs. Claus avatar. It retails for L$795, which sounds a tad steep, but it includes:


  • the full mesh avatar for Mrs. Claus
  • the full outfit, including sculpted boots
  • mesh hair and mobcap
  • capelet and glasses
  • the alpha layer to make everything work
  • and a detailed, sculpted cookie tray which can be clicked to offer cookies to guests or wandering friends
I won't say it's a steal at that price, but considering everything that's included, it's a reasonable deal.

The above is in a box, because I wrote it--obviously--in December of 2014. How'ver, I recently checked and yes, the avatar is still available on the Marketplace for that price. So my question now is, can it be used for other things? Like, can you dress the base Mrs. Claus avatar up in other mesh clothing? If so, that might well be a good look for the seeking-wrinkles set.

In other news, I'd never heard of hanging bridges before today, and now I'm fascinated.

18 March, 2015

everything here's been wrong too long

While it's far from a new form of discrimination on SL, it's apparently getting rather prevalent again, which is what I didn't know:

[15:37] Bxxxx Bxxxxxx: omg :| whats up with so many clubs having minimum heights
[15:37] Txxxx Rxxxxxxx: they are idiots


Well, some, maybe, but I'm more interested in why it's suddenly a thing. I've gone to more mature-content stores in frothy cupcake dresses and been told to change due to my appearance, definitely. I've gone to events and been told to change because I was wearing too many scripts. But if I'm just short and going out to dance at a club? I don't expect it then.

[15:37] Kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ikr i wanted to make an halfin with big boobs. :(
[15:37] Kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: halflins are 4.3 damn it to small! lol


I'm assuming Ms. K means "halfling", here, not something closer kin to a Dwarfin? Which admittedly, does strike me as odd as Petites with breast implants, but they make Petite implants, so obviously there's a market for it.

[15:37] Bxxxx Bxxxxxx: I have a Kobold and Doll AV

This actually explains some things, I think. Not the Kobold avatar so much, but the doll avatar. Being involved in the doll community in SL has exposed many of us to a great deal of prejudice, especially for the ball-jointed and the porcelain-appearing dolls. Why? The Lolita/EGL wear mostly, combined with the fact that most dolls--whether they're system dolls or mesh-body dolls--are, by and large, short and youthful-looking.

[15:38] Bxxxx Bxxxxxx: both iwht big knockers

And there's this. Even if she's wearing a perfect china doll av, with big anime eyes, blonde curls, and a dress that drips white lace, if she has breast implants she is not portraying a child. When will people finally understand that being under seven feet tall doesn't mean we're pretending to be children?!?

[15:38] Bxxxx Bxxxxxx: I'm not allowed ANYWHERE

No, if your avatars are generally short, that might be a problem. Because far be it from folks to actually take in specifics of attire, hair and makeup, and presence of implants or mesh body parts before saying, newp, under eight feet, you gotta leave.

[15:38] Bxxxx Bxxxxxx: hell my gnome isn't even that short and I can't go anywhere with it
[15:38] Kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im a love doll whos alive. its awesome the looks i get from women who have guys with them lol


Oookay, in all fairness, this puts you in another category. Depending on what kind of love doll you're playing, it could be that they're reacting to, and just giving you the excuse of the hat. Because there's a big difference between this:


(from a film by Hirokazu Koreeda and Fortissiumo Films called "Air Doll", credit to KPBS)

and this:


(from Iris Ophelia's doll article on NWN in 2011, featuring DOLLCOCO's ball-jointed doll avatar)

[15:39] Txxxx Rxxxxxxx: people have it in their heads that short = child which is not only wrong but annoying and a great way to lose customers

That's the part we've known about for years. Ever since the great virtual-pedophilia scare in the early days of SL, the dolls of SL have taken a hit simply for being dolls.

[15:39] Kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ikr?
[15:40] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: half the time in sl short = height of a women IRL
[15:40] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: realistically
[15:40] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Bloody 'ell, i have this same debate going on in two groups

And that's maybe the saddest thing in all of this, that it's happening in enough clubs to be a point of contention in more than one group.

[15:41] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Someone is claiming that all content needs to be rebuilt to a "normal" scale

Well, it wouldn't hurt...Things in SL have been freakishly scaled for years.

[15:41] Vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 'Normality' depends upon one's point of view, which makes it objective
[15:41] Vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: One person's "normal" height, can easily be short to another, and tall to a third
[15:44] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: well I mean IRL women are general 5.4
[15:44] Kxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 5.2 here

I believe the average female height, at least in the US, is 5'5" at this point, but that's in the ballpark. While there are many tall women, most women in general are not six feet tall. So many of us do feel that most women in SL shouldn't be nine feet tall.

[15:44] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: it would be nice if everything were to RL height because it uses less prims when mesh is small and makes a smaller area seem larger in my opinion
[15:45] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It is what it is because of camera angle
[15:45] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: penny wrote a nice article in her blog about why it makes sense to make things RL height
[15:45] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: you can change the camera angle though
[15:45] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You can now

Yes, but you couldn't always, unless you were using a specifically coded device. And that's part of the problem--the fixed position of the camera for so many years predisposed folks in SL to be taller than they really needed to be. And being taller, they needed taller doors, taller homes, taller everything.

[15:45] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: and frankly should
[15:45] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: LLs should permanently change it
[15:45] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: to a more realistic height
[15:45] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That makes no sense for them to do that

Well, it does and it doesn't. The original camera mapping predisposed folks to be taller; which affected buildings and other structures. But LL by and large didn't build their world; the residents did. The residents made the choices to be taller than perhaps necessary, which created a culture of height in SL for all the years thereafter.

[15:46] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: it does though
[15:46] Bxxxx Bxxxxxx: I just wanna be able to make cute midget AV's with big boobs
[15:46] Txxxx Rxxxxxxx: LL aren't the content creators
[15:46] Vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[15:46] Txxxx Rxxxxxxx: they just maintain the servers and collect the sim rent

Pretty much.

[15:46] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: especially on the level that smaller plots of land will seem larger to buyers

There's that too, which is actually an excellent point. The standard 'intro' land, in many places, is still 512. 512 feels very small if one lives ten feet tall with twelve-foot-high entryways and fifteen-foot-tall rooms. But, if we're building to a five-to-six-foot avatar height, you'd only need, max, six-foot entryways, which would lead to eight- to ten-foot ceilings. Smaller buildings; smaller scales for objects; more land.

[15:46] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: which would make people feel like there getting a better deal for there money tbh

Exactly.

[15:46] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: If you hard reset the camera then most existing content no longer looks right. Do you want to be the one to explain to people that 11 years of content no longer looks right because things are more "normal" now?
[15:47] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: the content still looks fine IMO
[15:47] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: I've already set my camera angle to that height
[15:47] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Maybe it's something they could do for SL2
[15:47] Mxxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxx: it's something they should do for SL2
[15:47] Mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: But honestly, it's a waste of time to bother doing it for SL


Maybe, but it's still a good idea. Regardless of the appropriateness of changing the culture of height on SL, though, we still don't have a good reason behind the sudden influx of club-based height prejudice. I'll have to dig more, see what turns up.

15 March, 2015

a full indentured servitude can reflect on one's attitude

A few days ago, someone attempted RP in a freebie/gift group I'm in. It was unclear whether it was a wrong window, as the original author did not reply after the RP passage. There was some initial controversy (uncaptured, I crashed briefly), but this was the rest of the conversation afterwards:

[00:05] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow do people actually criticize?
[00:06] Vxxxxx Bxxxx: or rp in here? lol
[00:10] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: you wouldn't believe it, [vxxxxx].. i've met a person whose entire sl is him acting a character because he's under the impression that his avatar is a seperate entity from himself.
[00:11] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: dude was NEVER out of character


I've met people like that. Actually, I have gentles on my friendslist in SL like that. And the best way to be around them is to accept what they're playing. Because aren't we all playing something in SL? Sure, we, ourselves, may not be playing a specific named character from something else, but I guarantee you, even if you had a programmed-from-your-RL-form-by-scientists-and-engineers mesh body, with a scan of your real face over it (and that actually has happened in SL, for certain corporate ventures), you would still be playing a character, because you behind the screen are not virtual. It took me a long time to actually grasp this; not that I wasn't "real" in SL, but that me playing me was just as much of a "character" as someone actually playing a character.

I admit, I do have an issue when I walk into a store and there are two Batmen, five Supermen and a Wonder Woman with inflatable breasts standing around...but that's mostly because I value originality, not conventionality.

(I have the same issue in Neverwinter, when I go back to Protector's Enclave and see ten elves named Legolas, or eight Drow named Drizz't...The whole Drizz't thing has become a complete joke, no one takes them seriously at this point because there are so, so many of them!

[00:11] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: guess it takes all kinds to make the sl world go around lol
[00:11] Zxx Bxxxxxx: and the Oscar goes to.....
[00:11] Lxxx Txxxxxx: Well, while I would never do that, gotta hand it to him for managing to pull it off.
[00:11] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxxx: that would be immersive RP. not all that unusual actually.


Not really, no. Though it's more rare than it used to be, simply because immersive RP sims are getting thin on the ground.

[00:12] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: omg i hope sl is sepearate cause if it isn't there is a whole lota mean people out there
[00:12] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yeah ther are quite a few mean ones out there but it is easy to act like that behind a keyboard.


Also true, sadly.

[00:12] Lxxx Txxxxxx: I roll on an RP server in my MMO of choice. And there are a lot of folks that never break character. All of the content and stuff they take as 'real'
[00:13] Dxxxxx Sxxxx: anytime you add a layer of amnesia/anonymity people are much more extreme and likely to act badly
[00:13] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: i wouldnt call it immsersive rp, i would say the dude was full on off his rocker.. guy was under the impression that nobody else in sl was a person and we were all just intelligent AIs programmed to be in his single player mode
[00:13] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: i also know ppl in here who take the sl partnership way to seriously


What's too seriously? There are many couples I know who met on SL, became close, and moved in with, or married, each other. (In fact, one of my RL loves, Miss Neome, started as an SL flirtation. She's been with us for five years now, and I look forward to many more to come.)

[00:14] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I just come here to shop, dress my avi up and make my land look nice.
[00:14] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: seen a lots of this kind dudes who thinks we all doll around
[00:14] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I don't think i could RP.


Not everyone can, and that's not a failing. I won't even say that some people lack imagination to do so, because that's not it. It takes a certain type of mentality to invent a character and roll with what that character would do. Authors, artists, even makers of toys and players of games, all of these contribute to characters to drive their creativity forward, but there are others who are perfectly happy simply being themselves, without the need to play 'what if'. And that's fine.

[00:14] pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we are all here to be and do as we wish.....just as in RL, we will not always agree on what that is exactly
[00:14] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: i've done tons of roleplays, and i'm just so burnt out on it.. lol..


Admittedly, especially if one's style of RP tends towards the intense, it can happen. I freely admit the reason I don't haunt the RP sims these days is that I know now that I tend to get lost in it. I conflate the situation that is happening to the character I'm playing, with what's happening to me as a person. This is not a healthy mindset, and I realize that.

[00:14] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: However Im taking my avi serious enough, I put quite some efforts in her
[00:15] Dxxxxx Sxxxx: I love RP like D&D but I have not been able to wrap my head around RP in secondlife
[00:15] Lxxx Txxxxxx: I greatly enjoy RP. But I keep it on rp sims.
[00:15] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxxx: i miss RP. the last several places i have gone were more about 'discussing' RP and arguing about it than actually DOING it. sighss.


Ouch, that's hard.

[00:15] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yeah there are lots of places closes too i think.
[00:16] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Some mythical ones i think?


I believe Mystara, was it? Closed recently. Black Veil closed months ago; they had a devoted core staff, but other people just didn't come by with enough frequency to support good storylines or the sim itself. On the Adult end of things, Demon Beast Island closed, though there are hints there's a new sim coming with a similar theme.

[00:16] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: RP is a good way to use all the stuff we have, isn`t it?
[00:17] Lxxx Txxxxxx: Oh man. My alt has so much stuff and I'd change several times a day in the RP sim much to the confusion of some of the other players. xD
[00:18] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: last good RP i did was a green lantern thing.. then the admins got way out of control and gave us times we had to come and guidelines for things we had to say for exposition's sake.. and i just quit because it was getting less like a roleplay and more like acting out somebody's stupid fanfiction


I've been on sims like that. It gets oppressive.

[00:19] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: omg i almost got stabbed once in sl for saying sl babies are just prims
[00:19] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: prim babies are creepy.
[00:19] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: ikr
[00:19] bxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but they are, unless they're mesh
[00:19] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: if you like them, go you, but i think they're creepy.
[00:19] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: and tummy talkers gimmie nightmares


Oh gods, yes. Me too.

[00:20] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: rofl even mesh ones are prims
[00:20] bxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ahaha, tummy talkers, seriously? I have never met an avi with one, I dont want to, ever
[00:20] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxxx: HAHAHAHA. i think i caused someone to seize up once cause i suggested tossing the primbaby on the grill. in all fairness, i was a very hungry Demoness at the time XD
[00:20] Ali Manifesto (alikat.steampunk): I don't mind some tummy talkers, but the ones that spam chat like every 5 minutes, or scream every time you get bumped irk me
[00:20] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: i think avatars that have faces like 12 year olds and bodies like 25 year olds is creepy, the reverse is also creepy.
[00:20] Lxxx Txxxxxx: I ran into a few that talked every thirty seconds. That person was muted.
[00:21] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: ok now i am all for gay cples having kids but u wanna talk freeky a man being pregnant and delivering a prim baby
[00:22] rxxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: litteral buttbaby
[00:22] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxxx: o.O


Yeah, that was a bit much.

[00:22] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: Ladies....
[00:22] Bxxxxxx Axxxxx: sorry off topic i will stop
[00:23] Ixxxxxx Txxxxxx: I had a friend that did that. He's an odd duck to be sure.
[00:23] Nxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: SL is an amazing platform for hybrid role playing. By hybrid I mean using both your avatar as well as text-based role playing in unison. That being said, however, there's a time and a place for role play and as a role player myself, it's important to know when to go OOC. Not everyone in SL is a role player and we have to be mindful of that. I prefer manual text-based role playing (doing the work yourself, instead of relying on a script to do it for you). Having said all that, let's get back on topic. I can't wait to log onto my PC tomorrow to hunt for freebies. :D
[00:25] Mxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: waht OCC means?
[00:25] Axxxxx Sxxxxxxxx: OOC Vania, and it means "Out of Character"


As in, the separation between "IC"--"in character", as in, playing the chosen character in that RP setting--and "OOC", which is generally indicated in chat by statements surround by (( parentheses )) or {{ brackets }} (depending on that sim's rules for OOC communication).

And today, this happened:

[20:42] Rxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 110/125 .........85/125 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vero%20Modero/246/19/1501
[20:42] fxxxx Rxxxx: shakes head sadly
[20:43] fxxxx Rxxxx: no one from white mans town take you in and care for you?
[20:44] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is that a racist remark?
[20:45] Emilly Orr: (( No, he mostly plays a First Nations person, I think? ))


Note the OOC parentheses, because I wasn't sure if there'd been a conversation prior to that that I'd missed.

[20:45] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: not if it's in rp... chill
[20:45] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this group is not for RP. Nor is it a place to make racist remarks.
[20:46] Emilly Orr: While it's not generally for RP, it's not a racist remark if it's in character.
[20:46] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it was not in character, it was insulting. The world has enough haters without spreading that s**T in here too
[20:47] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: seriously?
[20:47] Sxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxxxxx: oh good lord!
[20:49] Emilly Orr: You...are taking this far too seriously, I think.


I still do, though nothing on his profile suggested a specifically racist background to First Nations folk, just Union soldiers.

[20:49] Emilly Orr: Which is odd coming from a Confederate vampire, that you're objecting so strongly to a Native American.
[20:50] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it's a back story, and I didn't put that in a clothing group for everyone to read, did I?
[20:50] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: nicely put Emilly, and way more tactful than what I was thinking *grins*


Thank you. I was trying.

[20:50] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I understand RP
[20:50] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this wasn't the place for it
[20:50] Emilly Orr: Public profile. And I'm not saying you're RPing that character *now*, but you're objecting to someone else making an RP comment.
[20:51] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: had you considered it may have been a "wrong window" thing?
[20:51] Sxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxxxxx: it could also have been put into the wrong window -
[20:51] Emilly Orr: What's morbidly amusing me is that [Gxxx Wxxx] hasn't said anything else.
[20:51] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes, in here yes. On a RP sim, nnope... fair game.
[20:51] Emilly Orr: Yes, exactly.
[20:51] Axxxxx Uxxxxx: Lord have mercy you ever hear of a wrong window blunder? Just shut up, shut the window and get over your damned self already sh*t
[20:51] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ROFL.... Ok guys. Points made
[20:51] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the fact he hasn't said anything else screams wrong window
[20:51] Emilly Orr: It does.
[20:51] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yup, most likely.


Probably intended for it to be said in main chat in the sim he's in, and didn't comment further because he was back in local RP.

[20:52] Emilly Orr: But yes, generally, this group is for clothing and MM announcements, which, btw, I tapped, so hopefully they'll lock.
[20:52] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hehehe... yes, please come and slap the boards, I want this one
[20:52] Emilly Orr: And thank you, sir, for conceding the point. You are a gentleman in truth.
[20:52] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx grins
[20:53] hxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what is the male's item now?
[20:53] Emilly Orr: I'm not sure, but they're both in the same color palette of red and black, which is interesting. Perfect for couples?
[20:54] Rxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 118/125 .........95/125 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vero%20Modero/246/19/1501
[20:54] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: um... one of the native outfits funnily enough after all that


Irony.

[20:54] rxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so the outfit has changed?
[20:54] hxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: black and red? ummmm anyone that is the caste of torturers?
[20:54] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Akmik
[20:54] Emilly Orr: Oh my, is it?
[20:55] Emilly Orr: Well, now, that would be interesting.
[20:55] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the savages didn't have castes
[20:55] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol, but I wouldn't complain
[20:55] Emilly Orr: But if used by a non-savage, it would be attire for a torturer and his kajira?
[20:56] Bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well could be I guess, but it is classic savage wear, I doubt a civilized free would normally wear it


I don't know much about Gorean castes, because I don't RP in Gor. I know the books, and I have Gorean friends, I know the basics, but I couldn't tell you at a glance the difference between a kajira's silks and a savage woman's silks. Obviously.

But now I'm curious--how many out-of-context RP sessions are going to occur in fashion or freebie groups? Is this a thing now? I'm used to it in Caledon chat, because we're all characters there, really, but not so much in a store group. And obviously, others don't expect it either.

11 March, 2015

some do magic and some do harm

Thought I'd post what amounts to a warning, since it's been seen everywhere this week:

[17:02] ixxxx Rxxxxxxx: ***CLOSING SALE MY STORE ALL OUTFIT 3L$!!! ( fullperms mesh HD quality creation male and female, texturized and ready to use and resell vendor included!!) http://marketplacesecondlife.4rog.in/[deleting the rest but leaving the first bit so you get the idea]
[17:02] Txxxxx Txxxxx: SCAM
[17:02] lxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its a scam dont do it
[17:02] Axxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxxxxx: mhm
[17:02] Sxxxx Gxxxxxxxx: o.o
[17:02] Txxxxx Txxxxx: SCAM SCAM SCAM
[17:02] Axxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxxxxx: the url is wrong, DONT click that, just ban the person
[17:02] Ixx Cxxxxxxx: thank you
[17:03] Sxxxx Gxxxxxxxx: tytyty
[17:03] jxxxxxxxx Sxxxxx: omg was about to click on the link.. thankyou for the quick response
[17:03] sxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: damn was wondering cause i like that store

What store?!? That was a scam marketplace link, designed to steal your info and empty your accounts (RL at least, if not SL) if you buy anything there. So what store?!?

[17:03] mxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: IKR!
[17:03] Sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ty blocked.
[17:03] Cxxxx Exxxxxx: wow ty
[17:04] Axxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxxxxx: ill file a report with LL as well. if you got a minute, do the same and they can block the account


And many, many reports on the person were sent to LL.

Later, in another group:

[17:04] ixxxx Rxxxxxxx: ***CLOSING SALE MY STORE ALL OUTFIT 3L$!!! ( fullperms mesh HD quality creation male and female, texturized and ready to use and resell vendor included!!) http://marketplacesecondlife.4rog.in/[deleting the rest, but it was the EXACT SAME LINK]
[17:04] Vxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now THAT is a bad url, lol
[17:05] Mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: ugh.... scam.... I'm sure you all are smart enough not to click on that link
[17:08] yxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yes this new PHISHING attempt is turning since a few days
[17:08] Mxxxxxxxxx Nxxx: it's actually not new ...they have used it many times, [Yxxx] =D

Yeah, it's far from new. The sad thing is people are still clicking these links. Gentles, listen, if it doesn't look like a marketplace link, IT IS NOT A MARKETPLACE LINK, so DON'T CLICK IT.

I haven't seen it today, which is good; it may mean that account has already been banned. But I'm sure, like gold spammers in MMOs, another phishing attempt will pop up, another day. And the cycle of theft and deception goes on...

09 March, 2015

so much for the afterglow

So this just hit one of my groups:

[00:45] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hello
[00:45] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Mxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxx] is a poisonous bitch defaming her ex partner: Guys that beat their wives should be hung. yeah [Sxxx]. you.
[00:45] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: She is trouble
[00:46] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: huh??
[00:46] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thats in her profile
[00:46] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: wrong chat?
[00:46] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:
[[link omitted because it's a vile fouth-mouthed excuse for "journalism", SL or otherwise]]
[00:46] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: write chat
[00:46] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Dxxxxx], no outside links. Only mods can post outside links
[00:47] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: why do you need to post that crap here?
[00:47] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Dxxxxx], please do not talk about other people in the group like that. If you have any comments about person, IM the person in question, do not talk about them in group chat. Thanks
[00:48] Mxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thank you [Axxxx]


So...I did some checking, since I have the names, and the edited chat won't show them.

Ms. C does, in fact, quote this from her profile:
Some people are like herpes... they just keep coming back as a painful reminder of a bad decision that should have never happened

Guys that beat their wives should be hung. yeah [Sxxx]. you.
Having no idea who her ex-partner is, that's pretty much the end of my curiosity there.

But I looked up Mssr. D:



And...that's it. That's his profile page (edited to remove UUID and the rest of his name). There's nothing on his profile, he's all of one day old, and he randomly appears in chat--in which, yes, I checked, Ms. C. is in fact a member--just to annoy her out of the blue. So...is this Mr. [Sxxx] back to harass Ms. C, or just a busybody who knows [Sxxx], and either way, why rant about either on a freebie group?!?

People confuse me.

01 March, 2015

then again the same old story

[Zone] ExperMurdeR@apranax186: zen zen place to buy our man I did not have pulled back zener bought
[Zone] ExperMurdeR@apranax186: zen zen place to buy our man I did not have pulled back zener bought
[Zone] ExperMurdeR@apranax186: zen zen place to buy our man I did not have pulled back zener bought
[Zone] ExperMurdeR@apranax186: zen zen place to buy our man I did not have pulled back zener bought
[Zone] Evil She Demon@Badname86421: my god we get it someone taught you to cut and paste


Seriously, I'm used to this kind of nonsense happening in SL group chat, not Neverwinter.

[Zone] Renshai@therenshai: that's up and enter, same idea different keys
[Zone] Evil She Demon@Badname86421: lol only way to learn is to try
[Zone] Renshai@therenshai: his engrish gets a little more comprehendable each time, maybe eventually we'll be able to get wtf he means


I highly doubt it.

Then, a few minutes ago...

[Zone] Stacee Frostshield@quispeez21: the name moonshae druid doesnt make me picture a lepercon....js
[Zone] Phantasma@sheer13: Leprechaun ...gez
[Zone] Stacee Frostshield@quispeez21: what is gez?
[Zone] Phantasma@sheer13: lol thats geez
[Zone] Stacee Frostshield@quispeez21: which is short for?


Seriously?

[Zone] Phantasma@sheer13: jesus H christ
[Zone] Stacee Frostshield@quispeez21: so dont be givin me crap bout spellin mister


Why not? It's obvious you can't spell.

Of course, that is sort of like shooting fish in a barrel, in your case...

[Zone] Stacee Frostshield@quispeez21: its jes
[Zone] Stacee Frostshield@quispeez21: id accept jees


Why? "Geez" is an approximation of the sound said in a certain language; it's also commonly spelled "jeez" or, rarely, "geeze", and it's been in at least North American use since 1923.

"Jes", on the other hand...has not.

[Zone] Phantasma@sheer13: geez is a slang...leprechaun is not

Nope. Leprechaun comes from the Irish Gaelic, leipreachán, and has been in use since at least the fifteenth century, if not earlier.

[Zone] Phantasma@sheer13: and wasnt intending bad time

Though I will note, it is nice that Phantasma followed that up with graciously detaching from the conversation.

[Zone] Stacee Frostshield@quispeez21: me nirther

*twitch* You're not helping, Stacee. Just stop.

creep up and suddenly I found myself

Mornings do not make us moral. This is good to know.

Americans like to drink bad coffee? I'm not entirely sure their conclusion is correct. I do think that Americans--and busy people, worldwide, who feel stressed by the pressures of work and getting everything necessary done in one day--deeply value convenience. One can have convenience without reducing quality; one just has to pay more to get it. When the Keurig machines launched, they were very expensive--but very convenient.

[12:26] dxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: random IM stats normal, hi, then like a whole rant about how women are players worse then men and a demand for an explanation of what would be the roll of women in the future... that is a new level of weird. I don't even know this guy. was just shopping x.x
[12:27] gxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: how about the "men's right's" groups?
[12:28] Emilly Orr: So seriously, just 'hi' and then 'women all suck'? That's a man with issues.
[12:29] dxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yeah and at some point when I answered that I don't represent the whole of women kind and not their leader, he said I'm lost... lol huh?


No clue. Some people really have issues. Though she still doesn't know why this random moment happened.

Something to be aware of, in these latter days of gaming on SL: where do you live? This is now an important question, because yes, at least one confirmed person was banned whose typist lived in Florida, for attending a concert that was in a club on a gaming sim. By law, the Lab WILL track IPs to remain in compliance with the strictures.

This shouldn't apply to the internationals, but if you're in the US, and you live in one of these states:

ArizonaArkansas
DelawareFlorida
KentuckyLouisiana
MarylandSouth Carolina
South DakotaTennessee

KNOW WHERE YOU'RE PORTING BEFORE YOU GO. It could mean your account.

Finally, the Twisted Spring hunt has been delayed. If you've been having a problem finding the cube, it may not only be that it's semi-transparent--it may be that it's just plain not there. Due to a variety of issues, the Spring hunt is starting on March 5th.

hide away, they say, 'cos we don't want your broken parts

Yeah, so...remember that thing I was recovering from? You know, last year ? Yeah. I did it again. So this is Em Faw Down Go Boom part ...