spooky scary skeletons

Spell Block Tango, anyone? Watch it. It's awesome.

So, I got a better landmark, and I guess the big spooky mansion is the Tiny Ride of Terror this year. I just...as yet...see no ride.

(from the haunts album; I get stairs this trip!)

But look! Stairs! Whee!

(from the haunts album; teeny tiny haunted outfits)

And upstairs...oh. Just vendors. Don't get me wrong, innovative Tiny wear for very reasonable prices? Always a good thing! But there must be more to this...

(from the haunts album; why does this keep happening?)

Eep! Blood from the walls is NEVER a good thing!

(from the haunts album; home medical lab? Ew.)

Why is it always medical labs??

(from the haunts album; the haunted theatre.)

And also upstairs, they have a full haunted theatre!

(from the haunts album; the haunted basement.)

Finally, I felt I'd explored everything, no sign of a Tiny ride anywhere to be found...so I turned to the basement. On my first trip through, there was some sort of event either in the basement, or near the house, and I couldn't move for the lag. On my second trip, I made it upstairs, and then crashed. On this trip, I made it to the basement...and was frozen in place for forty minutes while my browser pondered whether or not it was going to crash.

(from the haunts album; the haunted basement.)

I'm going to say the problem well could have been me, and my 130,000+ level of inventory, but on the other hand...Raglan Shire has nearly eight thousand active scripts, so that may share some wee part of the blame.

(from the haunts album; the haunted basement.)

So is it worth going? Well, there's a good level of innovation, and L$75 Tiny costumes cannot be passed up, but...it's no Tiny Ride of Terror, that's for sure. Which is sad; I wanted to check that out this year. Guess they went in a different direction.

I search out the light

Think outside the box.

Also, PrimBay is on its way. As of now the categories are publically viewable; if you see anything that desperately needs to be there, IM Casper Warden or Sphynx Soliel (honestly, Sphynx is generally easier to get ahold of, but seriously, either one will do) and chime in. This is Casper's attempt at making a functional, basic Marketplace that actually works and tracks sales for merchants...as opposed to the Marketplace we have now, that doesn't.

Three days to go before the veils thin to translucency, and this year, instead of feeling the pull of the wild winds, I just want to stay indoors, and pile blankets on my head, and cuddle with soft things that can't hurt me. (Which, technically, is an impossibility in my abode, because seriously, the amount of sewing needles and straight pins I've put into stuffed animals "just for now" and found later inadvertently...it's psychotically high, is what I'm saying. Anyway.)

Normally, the beginning of October rolls around and I start collating songs on a theme. One year it was classic spooky songs, one year it was harvest songs--that was a hard year; two years ago, I think, it was songs that got under my skin and dug into viscera, and okay, fine, never doing that again. This year...well, who's surprised, really?

(from the dolly album, because where else would I put it?)

My theme seemed to be broken dolls.



So let's talk about ∆AIMON, which is a name that may not translate well to all browsers. The "∆" before the A is apparently deliberate; they have a long and interesting explanation as to why they chose that spelling, and what it means to them, but mainly, I found this song while wandering the darker reaches of YouTube searching for something else entirely. I actually found this video first, which uses images from Twin Peaks, an obsession of the band, to illustrate its major themes:

into the night
I cry out
I cry out your name...
into the night
I search out
I search out the light...

Apparently, ∆AIMON is part of a new (to me) musical style called "witch house", which I'm not entirely sure--even after reading that Wiki article--actually exists. Especially as it seems to trade heavily on one thing I absolutely, absolutely loathe to my core in SL--namely, the use of Unicode symbols in words.

Which is why I cringe at recommending ∆AIMON, because, look at the name...but I really, really like this song.

You can find them on Facebook and Soundcloud.

From there I started finding a lot of tinkly, broken-music-box pieces, and I'm going to link a few of them here.



Nox Arcana is a darkambient, gothic band headed by gothic fantasy artist Joseph Vargo. He and fellow musician William Piotrowski have been quietly putting albums out since 2003, and at this point, they've gained equal acclaim in several areas to become a name alongside Midnight Syndicate (and personally, I think they're better).



This one was hard to track down, because a friend sent it to me under the title "Unknown (Kouri_Sen)". In actuality, this is Kouri Kuchiniwa's "Furui Ningyou", or "Old Puppet" piece, written for the horror game Ib. It's a haunting little broken-notes piece, and it fits stunningly well with everything else.



This is Kanon Wakeshima's "Still Doll (Music Box Version)", which was the first version I heard when searching for similar-sounding pieces a couple weeks back. Turns out it's actually an actual song with lyrics:

What kind of dreams
Hi, Miss Alice, do you see
with your eyes of glass?
do they fascinate you?

again, my heart is torn
and bleeding
I mend it but
my memories pierce the openings

Kanon began learning cello at the age of three, and by fifteen, was performing in her high school's baroque quartet. Initially discovered and produced by Mana (if you don't know, Mana is the one in blue in the photograph), she's since transited to a successful career as a recording artist. This particular song was used as the ending theme for the first season of Vampire Knight, which is not where I first heard it, but it does make me tempted to watch the anime.

You can find her on Facebook and MySpace.



And I'm going to end the music-box section of things with Philip Glass, and the piece he wrote for "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candyman_(film)", simply titlted "Music Box".



Crystal Castles is a strange band. Formed almost by accident--or accidentally via subterfuge--in 2005, the first "officially" released single was released without the permission, or even the knowledge, of the lead singer of the band. And while most of their music is intensely chaotic, driven, and deafening, this particular song is reflective, ethereal, and haunting.

mercy, we abstain
hope you're entertained
snow covers the stain...

foray forever
foray forever
foray forever
foray forever...

taught them with solace
they know a soft caress
to lower their defense

hide all that you could
done for the greater good
it's later understood...

You can find them on Facebook, Tumblr, and their own site.



This is actually not an officially released song; Fisher wanted to record and release this song, using their music and vocals but taken from a Sylvia Plath poem called "Mad Girl's Love Song". Unfortunately, they couldn't get permission from the Plath estate; finally, they used the music they'd written for this piece and composed different lyrics for it; it's on the Lovely Years CD.

I close my eyes and all the world drops dead
I lift my lids and all is born again
The stars go waltzing out in blue and red
as all my darkness gathers in

I close my eyes, the world drops dead
I think I made you up inside my head
Inside my head...

You can find out more about them on their website.



Finally, this isn't techincally a Halloween song, but it has power, and it speaks to some of what I'm going through (from a different direction) right now, so it's in the mix with the rest. It has a rather odd not-quite-backstory, too, which is worth explaining (at the first link below).

it sucks when for a little kid living means lying
and the only place you feel safe is pretending you're flying
and you'd rather be caught dead than be caught crying
will you hold my hand?

This video, a live performance from Santa Cruz, California, in 2009, has more of the background behind the song--while it was written long before the events she speaks of, she still sings this song in tribute of these children. Plus, Ms. Dawson was raised partially in the social service system, and knows well its flaws and failures first-hand.

As of this date, I can't find any information newer than 2009 but there is a blog dated 2008 that has a whole bunch of contact info for both Oregon and Virginia, if you want to find out more directly what's happening from the participants involved.

Happy Halloween.

now I'm rotting to the bone, but my heart's still beating

Nuclear fusion in our lifetime? Maybe. It wasn't a sustained reaction, but it was an observable one. It's quite exciting.

Also, did you know there are folks attempting to build the Enterprise? So where's the IP rights argument in that? I mean, if they build a physical object that's (loosely) based on a Paramount property, obviously it's not going to be used for copyright infringement for another series, but for space travel. Still, it's interesting that they're openly using the design, and calling it the Enterprise.

So, several weeks ago, I had several ideas for blog posts, including several haunted house posts from folks in the community I've covered before.

(from the haunts album; am I in the right place?)

...Obviously, that didn't happen. For a multitude of reasons which I won't go into, however...I stand in Raglan Shire now, waiting for the stairs to rez in.

Well, technically, I don't need them, but...it's the principle of the thing.

(from the haunts album; I'm still not sure this is the right place...)

I guess they're not coming. Bother. And it's raining out. So I'm going in.

(from the haunts album; two translucent twin Tinies. Uh...hello, there.)

It occurs to me, this may not be the Tiny Ride of Terror. This may simply be a Tiny haunted house...

(from the haunts album; that is one terrifying baby doll.)

Looks like someone's been on the Twisted hunt...

(from the haunts album; okay, we're fine, we'll just carefully walk by the little voudou dolls...)

Eeek! Surrounded by Tiny little dolls!

I must run to the next room!

(from the haunts album; ow. OW ow ow ow. OW.)

Oh, good, I've found the kitch--OW!

(from the haunts album. Great, well-fed rats.)

Oh, joy. They have rats. Well, at least he has a nibble.

(from the haunts album. Great, well-fed rats.)

Nothing in the fridge worth the risk, and the chef seems...iffy. Onward!

Or...not, because at this point, I completely lagged out, and my little behatted bunny could not, at all, move to any other rooms.

There is an upstairs and a downstairs; with any luck, I'll be able to check it out again before it closes, but I still don't know if I was in the right place! Bother!

(Also, just as an aside, mid-way through the matting portion of this entry, Gimp decided nothing needed to be transparent, whether I saved as a .jpg or as a .png. So...sorry? Because if I wait to see if I can fix it, it's going to be November before this is posted, and I have more haunts to cover! Augh!)

come inside, the show's about to start, guaranteed to blow your head apart

Keloid. Look into it. To say anything, I think, will take away from the impact of the short film, but I will say this: if you are unnerved by mannequins, you might not want to see it. (But if you like big faceless mechs, you definitely need to.)

Meanwhile, from before the last Twisted hunt ended...

[19:06] axxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: In store number three been looking for hours is there another hint?
[19:07] Axxxxx Bxxxxxxx: There is only one official hint. That cube and the hint that goes with it also changes frequently.
[19:09] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: tp me if you want help

So far, so good. Mr. axxxxxxx wanted more help; Ms. Rxxxxxx wanted to help him. Seems innocuous enough.

[19:12] Lokii Violet: Pro tip - escorting people directly to the box will make me move it really fucking fast.
[19:12] Lokii Violet: I suggest not doing it that way. Carry on.

Warnings for language from here on out; I'm leaving her name because it was her store, but also, Lokii Violet is the store owner of Malfean Visions, the two mentioned above were in Malfean Visions, and Lokii was watching them. These are important things to remember.

[19:12] Cxxxxxx Mxxx: o.O
[19:12] Emilly Orr: Plzplzplz don't make her move it, it was nearly IMPOSSIBLE to find the second time!!!

I mentioned that only because some store owners, as the hunt wore on, had the habit of adding new things to the box. I didn't know if Lokii had plans to do that, and I'd already picked the wrong box up once, thinking it was the only one I needed to find.

[19:13] Pxxx Oxxxxxxx: What store is talking about moving things? xD
[19:13] Lokii Violet: #3.
[19:13] Wxxxx Sxxxxx: Oh yes please, give Lokii a reason to move the box. Please. I wanna see what she does next 'cause she's a freakin' genius at hiding it :D

There were a few changes this year from previous years. First, this was the tenth anniversary hunt, so folks tried to go all out. But second, this was the tenth anniversary hunt, and merchants this year were tired of babysitting anyone who'd been on previous hunts.

So in a few stores, people (and by "people", I mean "store owners") were armed. And they shot people being dumb in their store. And by "dumb", I generally mean really dumb--standing at the port-in point after being warned in local chat and IM; telling people where the boxes were in local chat; hassling other hunt participants--that level of dumb.

Very, very few people in the hunt group protested this, by the way. Except...the really dumb ones who got shot.

[19:13] Lokii Violet: (And yes I'm watching. I suggest not doing it.)
[19:13] Exxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: You grumpy yet, Lokii?
[19:13] Emilly Orr: And for the folks *IN* Malfean Visions, if you're the one she's talking to, please stop being dumb. Thank you, the rest of us.
[19:14] Cxxxxxx Mxxx: Lokii will you be kind enough to share the name with other store owners?
[19:14] jxxxx Wxxx: yes please Lokii please share
[19:14] Exxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Sharing the names of stupid people?
[19:14] Lokii Violet: Too late.

And there it was. Around 19:10 Mr. axxxxxxx and Ms. Rxxxxxx were both in the shop; only four minutes later Lokii had had enough and picked up the box to hide it again.

Lokii is not a perfect being--which of us is? But to irritate someone enough to make her physically pick up a hunt item to hide it again...during a high-traffic hunt...that takes special, extra-stupid skills.

[19:14] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: I'm sure she'll share it with the merchants in the hunt.
[19:14] Lokii Violet: Warned you.
[19:14] Lokii Violet: It gets moved now.
[19:14] pxxx Oxxxxxxx: Does that mean it's been moved?
[19:15] Exxxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: Lokii, Are you yelling at them in chat too?
[19:15] Emilly Orr: DAMN it!
[19:15] Cxxxxxx Mxxx: means it is getting moved
[19:15] Emilly Orr: Stupid, stupid hunters, not playing by the rules...
[19:15] Lokii Violet: Nope. Taking my time relocating it.
[19:16] Pimm (pimm.olivieri): Does that mean it's not on the map anymore?

*facepalm*

[19:16] Lokii Violet: ...it means I'm moving the *box*
[19:16] Emilly Orr: Nope. "it is getting moved" means she picked it up and is wandering around looking for a better spot.
[19:16] Axxxxx Bxxxxxxx: Beginners Hunt tip: If you do anything that someone might consider cheating, do not announce doing so in local or in group chat.
[19:16] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: theres a shooter at gwen
[19:17] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: flagship store

Let me make note of this, again--Ms. Rxxxxxx was obviously following chat; had obviously picked up the part about Lokii moving the box; and then had the temerity to complain that Ms. Mxxxxx, a store employee who was armed by will and fiat of the store owner, was shooting infractors. This is getting pretty high up in the stupidsphere.

[19:17] Cxxxxxx Mxxx: Lokii when you have a moment please toss me the name of said person?
[19:17] Lokii Violet: I don't have the time. K? Busy.

Also, if Ms. Mxxx had been reading along in the chat as well, both participants in this ill-advised escapade were mentioned, several times.

[19:17] Rxxxx Ixxxxxx: uh oh who pissed Lokii off?
[19:17] Rxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: some idiot
[19:17] Emilly Orr: Also angry. Also understandably.
[19:17] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: Like I said, I'm sure she'll share it with MERCHANTS WHO ARE IN THE HUNT
[19:17] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: And [Exxxxxxx], I shot you just cause ♥

Also important to note: Mr. Dxxxxxxx, mentioned above, is a friend of both Ms. Mxxxxx and Lokii Violet. Moreover, he's used to getting shot in the store. However, this was also mentioned openly in chat, so again: Ms. Rxxxxxx was reading chat; she was in the store under discussion; and she now knew (if she didn't before) who was firing. Nothing's being hidden here.

[19:18] Nxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Alright you pissed Lokii the god of mischief off? Did we not watch The Avengers? LOL
[19:18] Axxxxx Bxxxxxxx: Beginners Hunt Hint # 2: Merchants reserve the right to eject, ban and shoot people they consider to be cheating or rude.

Also true. It's in the rules.

[19:18] Sxxxxx Zxxxxx: Why is it that this year is horrible for people and the hunt?
[19:18] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: i was helping a man ..lol didnt say a word
[19:19] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: he asked for help in chat
[19:19] Lokii Violet: That doesn't mean walk right to the bloody box and into the wall where it was perched at.

It's a good point.

[19:19] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: i was standing still is all
[19:19] Lokii Violet: ...directly under it.
[19:20] Sxxxxx Zxxxxx: Thats pretty much rude...
[19:20] Emilly Orr: Yeah, [dxxxx], that'd get you banned, blocked, or shot.
[19:20] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: yes so he could find he said he was ther for hours
[19:20] Rxxxx SMxxxxx: Look. Lemme be perfectly blunt. You're being a cunt and eliminating the need to HUNT FOR A FUCKING ITEM. Enjoy your bullet sammiches.
[19:20] Emilly Orr: That's what IMs are for, [dxxxx].
[19:20] Oxxxx Txxxxx: Also, it's a Bad Move to brag about derendering in local, in Twisted chat, and to Twisted Assistants in IM.
[19:20] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: i was in im
[19:21] Cxxxxxx Mxxx: *facepalms*

Yeah, really. Ms. Rxxxxxx just didn't seem to get it, at all. It wasn't just misunderstanding of the basic problem; it was like she was deliberately denying she did anything wrong even with visual sightings of her and her actions to back the store owners (and employees) up.

[19:21] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: i dont know i didnt do anything wrong i grabbed the box
[19:21] Wxxxx Sxxxxx just joins Cxxxxxx in facepalming
[19:21] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: stood there thats all
[19:21] Oxxxx Txxxxx: If you're going to park idle, don't do it in front of the target.
[19:21] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: i was there for less then a min ..so sorry it bothered you
[19:21] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: ask the man
[19:21] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: [axxxxxxx]

Cue greater facepalming. So: not only was Ms. Rxxxxxx standing directly under the hunt item (presumedly, so Mr. axxxxxxx could manage to find it), but also, she was openly talking about how difficult it was and how she had to derender things to find it to a store employee in IM?!?

This isn't just stupidity, it might actually be organic damage.

[19:21] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: btw.. I'm the shooter. :3

Again: asked and identified. How Ms. Rxxxxxx continued not to know who banned her and shot her "friend" is beyond me.

Five minutes later...

[19:26] Lokii Violet: Relocated. Hidden. Hint updated. *throws fingers, goes back to her movie*
[19:26] Emilly Orr: That took less time to hide than the last time this happened. Should we be worried? [19:26] Lokii Violet: Yes. You should.

And as it turned out, we were right to be. (Though that has nothing to do with this escapade.)

[19:26] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx:

19:25] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: i didnt do anything wrong rydia ..i had finished the hunt and was just helping a man who was there for hours...is your perogative to ban me ...i dont cheat..i dont have huds ...anyway goodluck to you
[19:25] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: You're an idiot. You took someone RIGHT TO THE BOX. That is cheating. But you go on with your delusional self!
[19:26] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: sighs whatever
[19:26] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: take a pill
[19:26] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: relax its sl
[19:26] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: And you're a douche 8D
[19:26] dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: i have purchased at your store you lost a costomer
[19:26] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: aww muffin

[19:27] Sxxxxx Fxxxxxxx: And now she breaks the TOS. Real piece of work, this one.
[19:27] Lokii-ikthya (lokii.violet): ...well, I wasn't going to ban, now I am.
[19:27] Lokii-ikthya (lokii.violet): Real smart there muffin.
[19:27] Emilly Orr: Y'know, every time someone says "Relax it's just SL", I lower them several points on the intelligence scale.
[19:27] Mal Martynov: good job daisy, posting ims within sl are against the ToS

Seriously, who doesn't know this by now?

[19:28] Oxxxx Txxxxx: Moo's guide to surviving MV:

1) Move away from the landing point.2) Actually hunt (or shop)3) do NOT tell locations here, or in local. (What you do in IM or on Skype is your business)4) Do not stare/idle at the right cube(s)5) Do not tp or walk folks right to it either6) Or simply: Don't be a stupid git.

Pretty much. And, for the record, those are good rules for any hunt, not just Twisted.

[19:28] Rxxxx Mxxxxx boops and nuzzles Moo
[19:28] Emilly Orr: Yeah, there's a lot of Wheaton's Law in Twisted hunting.
[[19:28] Oxxxx Txxxxx moos.

Upshot of all this is: don't be a jerk while hunting, because bad things can and will happen. Some of the Twisted shop owners go armed, and know how to fire. Others simply ban, either temporarily, or permanently. Mr. Demain from FallnAngel Designs, during his hunts, has been known not only to ban people who pull stupid things on hunts, but now puts out a detailed set of rules to follow--which, if not followed to the letter, can and has resulted in him moving all the hunt objects, which is beyond annoying for the rest of us.



I'll leave you with Wheaton himself explaining the origin's of Wheaton's Law. And as he said, as a legacy, it's not a bad one. And more people on SL need to follow it.

you're a little bit damaged, I'm a sucker for that

From an anonymous spammer on a very old entry on the blog:

At the least 8-10 candidates were killed from the function-about the political election, and there are others acquired every day loss of life dangers.

Comply with a comfortable diet program that consist even more of proteins and dietary fibre and fewer acrylic, carbohydrates and starchy foods.

The spanish language is usually a gorgeous language to equally converse and take note of and is particularly viewed as by a lot of to get one of the easier dialects to find out.

part similar to the point here [link redacted]

Well. These are surely words of wisdom. I know I will particularly heed the instruction to get less acrylic in my diet. Because I'm sure that's very important.

This next one's a bit more gruesome, but it is that time of year--an urban explorer has discovered the decaying remains of a former veterinary school in Brussels, with what looks like dozens, if not hundreds, of teaching samples simply left behind to rot. The pictures are fascinating but two questions keep springing to mind:

1. Why were all the samples left behind? And
2. Why were most of the samples left uncovered?

I can't figure those two things out, and it bothers me.

Moving to the lands of cute things, how about Hello Kitty eyewear? And by 'eyewear', I mean costume contact lenses.

They seem to be simply tinted violet along the outer ring--where the Hello Kitty heads are printed--so the base color of the eye shines through, but...to walk around with teensy little kawaii kittens on your eyes, do you really care?

And this may be the cutest thing that ever cuted this week. An anime Japanese spirit dances with the animated shoes of Gene Kelly, before he takes her to a showing of Singing in the Rain. It's touching, beautiful, and--as stated--very, very cute.

hold my tongue before I say too much

I've been having some trouble sleeping, of late, so these past few days have seen far too many very early mornings. Apparently, people don't think clearly early in the morning...

It started here:

[09:50] Txxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: THE POTION DEPOT
All Potions = 35L
Shubbie Food = 35L
10-PACKS only 299L!!! ㋡
[09:50] Axxx Zxxxxxxxx: How goes it hunters/fishers? been a while.
[09:51] Txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: waves
[09:52] Kxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [actual Marketplace link redacted]
[09:52] Gxxxx Hxxxx: [[Group moderator issues a warning for Kxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx]]

So, this particular group, something like this happens every day. It's one of a few hunt/fish/find groups I'm in, currently, all of which exchange either time or treasure for Lindens (or at least, bits of Lindens), that once one reaches at least one full Linden, one can then cash out. They're all pretty much based on various models of sim traffic generation, and I'm happy to help them refine their techniques for small amounts of personal gain.

At least until I find a job I think I can a) do well, and b) trust enough to be loyal to, after my checkerboard past employment history.

In this particular group, there are pretty strict policies. No advertising unless it's from a merchant in the group, and related to this group's products/goals, no drama (or at little as possible), no cursing, keep things friendly and polite.

So the Potion Depot, being both a registered fishing spot, and an occasional coin-hunting spot, qualifies on both levels for this group, and has permission to send out text ads on occasion. Mr. K, he of the wholly non-related "come buy my clothing that looks like a lot of other mainland clothing shops' lines" store, was not allowed to send out advertising.

[09:53] Kxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok

And Mr. K even agreed afterwards. Sent, warned, done, right? ...Well, not exactly.

[09:54] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: WHY IS THERE A WARNIGN FOR Kxxxxx?
[09:55] Txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: he is posting links to MP in here we dont allow advertising.

Also, it's spelled "warning". And you managed to misspell Mr. K's name, there. It's only five letters, come on now.

But demonstrating her total lack of understanding...

[09:55] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: [09:50:27] Txxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: THE POTION DEPOT
All Potions = 35L
Shubbie Food = 35L
10-PACKS only 299L!!! ㋡
[09:55] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: ISNT THAT ADVERTISE?
[09:55] Txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that is advertising OUR products
[09:55] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: OOOHHHH
[09:55] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: OK
[09:56] Cxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxx: [Kxxxxxx], is your caps lock stuck?

I thought it was a pretty reasonable question. Many of us were thinking it, after all.

[09:56] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NO [09:56] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: I TYPE IN CAPS ALOT

"A lot". And why?

[09:56] Cxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxx: oh ok
[09:56] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: CUZ EVERYONE ELSE TYPES IN LOWER CASE
[09:56] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: SO I LIKE TO BE DIFFERENT
[09:56] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BLAHAHAHA

..."Blahaha"?? Also, "because". But "blahaha" is still getting me.

[09:57] Hxxxxx Rxxxxxxxx: so you need attention ? well most people will simply mute you
[09:57] Axxx Zxxxxxxxx: [Kxxxxx] I THINK YA LANDED THE DIFFERENT ROLE WITHOUT THE CAPS PRETTY EASILY...JUST SAYING IS ALL.
[09:57] Axxx Zxxxxxxxx: ACK
[09:57] Axxx Zxxxxxxxx: it's contagious!!!

That's when [Axxx] noticed his caps lock actually was on.

Ms. [Kxxxxx] hadn't caught on, how'ver.

[09:57] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: HUH
[09:57] Mxxxx Lxxxxxxx: caps is classed as shouting

And also generally considered rude.

[09:57] Emilly Orr admits to struggling with the temptation to mute [Kxxxxx] just for the all-caps thing.
[09:57] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NO ITS NOT
[09:58] Mxxxx Lxxxxxxx: yes it is
[09:57] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: CAPS DOESNT MEAN SHOUTING
[09:58] Emilly Orr: Yes, yes it does. It always has.
[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NOW

Now what?

[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NO

Oh. ...Wait, now she can't spell two-letter words without mangling them? Really?

[09:58] Txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: pretty much yes unless you have a disability.
[09:58] ixxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx ~stuffs [Kxxxxx's] mouth with marshmellows~ shhhh... shhhhh
[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: A "!"
[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: THATS SHOUT

So...it's only shouting at someone else if exclamation points are involved? That makes no sense.

[09:58] Mxxxx Lxxxxxxx: yep
[09:58] Emilly Orr: That temptation is becoming stronger.
[09:58] Cxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxx: [Txxxx], im going deaf in here :)
[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: CAPS IS FOR GRAPPIGN ATTENTION

"Grabbing".

[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: I WOULD KNOW

Apparently not, because she was still yelling at everyone.

[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: OR PERSON EXPERSSION

"Expression".

[09:58] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: I STUDIED IT IN COLLEGE

You went to college, Ms. [Kxxxxx]?

[09:58] Uxxxxx Nxxxxx: Thank god for muting

I was beginning to feel strongly the same way. But I had an ethical dilemma--she wasn't using racially insensitive words, she wasn't cursing a blue streak, she just wasn't as bright as she thought she was. I'd be the worst sort of elitist--and I tend that way anyway, which is something I'm trying to correct--if I muted everyone who couldn't type on the grid.

[09:58] Txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you can type on caps here ........ but if it goes into drama causing behaviour then it will be handled .
[09:59] Emilly Orr: I think you mean "expression", there, Kxxxxx.
[09:59] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: coming from someone with a disability, I agree with terry.
[09:59] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NOT ME
[09:59] Emilly Orr: Also "grabbing".
[09:59] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: WELL THEY DECIDED TO COMMENT ON IT
[09:59] Emilly Orr: Because you're yelling at everyone!

I think that's fair, isn't it? She's blaming the rest of the chat for her poor behavior, as if everything would have been perfectly fine had we not said a word on her shouting at the group.

[09:59] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: UM NO
[09:59] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL

Oh, gods, on top of everything else...She's a lolperson. Gyaaaah.

[09:59] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: WELL BOLD MEAN SHOUTING AS WELL THEN

It can, yes, though it's far more difficult to add emphasis in SL text, due to the lack of emphasis text. What we can use, and frequently do use, are conventions like *this*, or _this_, or ~this~. There are others, but all of them are fairly standard ways to indicate text that should be read as italicized, or bolded, or even as a direct emote/descriptive line.

We can even use ALL UPPER CASE to indicate bold text, but...then the problem becomes, since any emphasizing text is just that, for use to emphasize the non- emphasized text...then how are we properly supposed to read text from an avatar who NEVER HAS NON-EMPHASIZED TEXT?

Answer, virtually anywhere on the grid or on the net: as shouting. The fact of which seemed to mystifyingly elude her comprehension utterly.

[09:59] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: HAVE A GREAT DAY
[09:59] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx rubs her temples, sighing.
[10:00] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BLAHAHA
[10:00] Cxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxx shakes his head
[10:00] Emilly Orr pulls [Kxxxxx's] profile and is honestly not surprised by the all-caps nature of almost everything there, too.
[10:00] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's funny that I have Aspergers yet I'm more polite then someone without it.
[10:01] Gxxxx Hxxxx: 6.5 - Group chat is a place for friends to enjoy mature and amicable conversation. It is not a hotbed for drama. Instigators of drama in group will not be tolerated. Personal, highly political or emotive issues should also be sorted out on a personal basis and not in group.
[10:03] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NO WHERE IN THAT DOES IT SAY I CANT TYPE IN CAPS
[10:03] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: DDUUUUUUHHHH

Maybe not, but I do believe her actions led to group drama, which is discouraged. Also, I believe being rude to a moderator of the chat is never a good idea.

[10:03] Emilly Orr rolls her eyes.
[10:03] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx facepalms.
[10:04] Cxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxx: oh good lord [Kxxxxx] still here
[10:04] Axxx Zxxxxxxxx .../facepalm
[10:04] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Are you five.
[10:04] Emilly Orr: Still fighting against that temptation to mute.
[10:04] Axxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Kxxxxx] how old are you.
[10:04] Txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lets move on

And we all tried to, because [Txxxxxxxxxx] is another mod in the group.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the end of things for me, because...for some reason known only to her spinning neurons, she IMed me.

[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BLAHAA
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: I JUST ADD ALL MY ALTS
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL

And I would care...why, exactly?

[10:05] Emilly Orr: Not talking to you if you're going to scream at me.
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: DONT
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: Y NOT JUST EJECT ME
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL

Now I was really confused. Did she know she was just talking to me, and not to an actual group moderator? Had one of the mods written her with a warning, and she wrote me back by mistake? I was baffled.

Also, that would be "why not just eject me", [Kxxxxx]. Just so you know.

[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: U WANT THE NUMBERS
[10:05] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BLAHAHA
[10:06] Emilly Orr: Because I'm not a moderator or an owner of the group, you nitwit.
[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: SO STOP TALKING TO ME

Let me get this straight. Ms. [Kxxxxx] wanted to send me a personal message, so she could tell me not to talk to her, when I had no interest in talking to her in the first place!

I began to wonder if she was either on drugs, drunk, or off her meds somehow.

[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BLAHAHA
[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: DUMB ASS
[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:07] Emilly Orr: Nah, I'm just seeing where this goes for later publication.

I was, too. I'd started taking notes while this was going on, for two reasons: one, this entire interchange never ceased to be baffling, and two, it was a somewhat refreshing break from pixel-aligning the new build.

[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: DOESNT MATTER
[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: STOP TALKIGN TO ME
[10:07] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:08] Emilly Orr: "Talking".
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: ITS CALLED A TYPO
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: DUMMY

Oh, just savor the irony. The woman who can't spell is calling me dumb for correcting her spelling mistakes. That very nearly made me smile.

[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NOW
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: STOP TALKIGNT OT ME
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:08] Emilly Orr: "Talking". Also "to".

I know, past a certain point it's more like poking a baby in a crib, not an honest intellectual challenge...but she was irritating, and I'm far too easy to irritate most days.

[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LET SEE IF U CAN FIGURE THIS ONE OUT
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BIWTCH
[10:08] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:08] Emilly Orr: Seriously?

And I just have to wonder...was she trying to mispell that word, or did she mangle it further in her attempt to be "cool" or "amusing" or...whatever it was she thought she was actually doing here.

[10:09] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: STOP TALKING TO ME
[10:09] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: HAHAHA
[10:09] Emilly Orr: You started this.
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: OL
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: NO
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: I HAVE MY OWN RIGHT TO TYPE

As I keep correcting people on the grid, no one has the right to free speech there, because it's not a public holding, it's a software company. Linden Lab is the sum total decisionary on who says what, when, about what, and for how long. That anyone, including our bubble-headed screamer here, thinks they have a "right" to say anything is so beyond laughable, it swings around into tragically sad.

[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: I DIDNT
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: AND IM
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: YOU DID
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: IF YOU DIDNT WANT ME TALKING TO YOU YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID SO ;
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LIKE I JUST DID

I admit, I'm failing utterly to grasp whatever logic point she's trying to make, here. It eludes me.

[10:10] Emilly Orr: No, actually, *you* IMed *me*.
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BUT YOU CONTINUE TO TYPE
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: SO THAT MEANS YOU REALLY DONT UNDERSTAND
[10:10] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: WHICH MEAN EVEN IF YOU DO DECIDE TO REPORT ME
[10:11] Emilly Orr: Who said anything about reporting you?

Seriously, who mentioned reporting? If I say I'm going to report someone, I usually say I'm going to abuse-report them. Most of the time, I go ahead and AR them, then tell them they've been ARed. I don't bother to warn anyone in advance.

If I--and again, this is a largeish "if"--tell someone I'm considering their words for publication, that means here, or on one of my other blogs. Because I do have a few, chiefest of which is actually linked on the web section of my SL profile. It's hardly a secret.

[10:11] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: MY RESPOND TO LL IS THAT I PLAINLY ASKED YOU SEVERAL TIMES O STOP TALKING TO ME
[10:11] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: AND YOU REFUSED
[10:11] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: AND I CAN REPORT YOU
[10:11] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BLAHAHA

For...what, exactly? Holding a conversation? In which I say very, very little beyond correcting her spelling? Yeah, that's going to go a long way.

[10:11] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: JUST LETTIGN U KNOW UR CHOICES SWEETY THATS ALL
[10:11] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: BLAHAHA
[10:11] Emilly Orr rolls her eyes and goes back to building.

I did, too. I'd had it with her nonsense. Everything past this point came in after I'd closed the window.

[10:11] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: AND FOR SOMEONE THAT DONT WANT TO TALK YOU SURE ARE RESPONDING
[10:12] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL
[10:12] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: GO BACK TO BUILDING
[10:12] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: AND PLEASE DONT TALK TO ME
[10:12] Kxxxxx Kxxxx: LOL

I have no intention to, but I do feel sorry for her friends, and--assuming it's actually happened--any loves she might have. Those poor, sainted souls putting up with Ms. [Kxxxxx] screaming at them at all hours. They're very brave.

I am never the first to know

Is it an original or a duplication? It's going to get harder to tell.

T-shirt, I am in you!

Also, enjoy several long-haired men with exquisite updos.

And some questions from xkcd.

Library police, GO!

"Soft Loki, warm Loki, little ball of blue..." AKA, Chibi!Loki is chibi.

[15:28] Christina Gilderoy: Is there going to be a Pirate Party tonight?
[15:28] Emilly Orr: Aye, lass, if there's not, there should be.
[15:29] Emilly Orr: Also, Disney gets to clock in in the Unaware of the Irony Department: "Avast, mates! Pirates of the Caribbean Online will be closing on September 19, 2013."
[15:29] Emilly Orr: Talk about bad timing.
[15:30] Christina Gilderoy: HA!
[15:31] Miles Crowley (clockworkcrowley): LOL
[15:31] Miles Crowley (clockworkcrowley): That's just...beautiful

Kept the names in for once because it's not a question of privacy; but it's a point. Did Disney simply not realize what today was? Did they do it intentionally? To be fair, the entire chain of games, including Disney Interactive itself, is closing down today, but still. They could have picked a better day.

cross the rose rings and tie the leather ribbon

I'm excited about this. Used to be, once a year, Lokii Violet would host a DJ set on one night with all tips and donation proceeds going to the National Kidney Foundation. This year, she had more interest, so she decided to go bigger--like, all of five days bigger. And creators jumped on her bandwagon to join the fun.

As Lokii put it earlier:

"We've got a steampunk revolution. We're tired of all your so-called evolution. We've got it back to 1886 - don't ask why that's how we get our kicks..."

A Clockwork Spiral has opened! A dark and steamy event for five days only set on the sky island port of call above Cursed.

Two new releases of High Society and Victoria with 6 colors in both, and two special fade limited release sets with proceeds for the Natl. Kidney Foundation. Donne the goggles!

Indeed. Starting today, and going until the 22nd on the Cursed sim, you'll find items to adore and inspire, and I can't wait to go and wander. This year (which is my way of saying, I hope this is the first year of many), the theme's steampunk, obviously, so all the makers did their best to come up with appropriate gear.

Discord Designs was one of them.

(from the Charity efforts album)

So first up: goggle hair!

(from the Charity efforts album)

This is "Abney" in Brunette, with the "Munchflower" tattoo hairbase (also in Brunette). I'm not entirely sure this style is flattering to me personally, but the goggles are amazingly detailed.

(from the Charity efforts album)

Honestly, I'd wear this one for the goggles alone, they're that impressive.

(from the Charity efforts album)

And the "Abney" in Pillarbox Red (showing the right side of the goggles, because it's detailed all the way 'round).

(from the Charity efforts album)

There's a new "Codie" style, called "Corroded", which isn't exactly steampunk, because ethernet cables didn't exist in the 19th century.

(from the Charity efforts album)

On the other hand, I can so see this getting used, a lot, on heavy SF rp sims. I like this one. I may wear it for the rest of the day.

(from the Charity efforts album)

And the best thing about it is how realistic it looks on the head.

(from the Charity efforts album)

Now, this is "Teagan" in Discord Red, which is an older style, but the new styles didn't go as well with the "Teal" fascinator hat I wanted to show off too, so here you go.

(from the Charity efforts album)

It's also menu-scripted to change colors.

(from the Charity efforts album)

And it comes in a larger size, for which I forgot to hit "add", and just hit "wear", so...killed the hair. Oops.

(from the Charity efforts album)

Still. Really impressive. I like that the metal rivets change colors; I'd like it if the feather changed color, too, but still, very nicely done.

(from the Charity efforts album)

And one last shot of "Codie" in Corroded, because damn, she did a good job with the texturing.

(I'm wearing Nomine's "Cohawkin" steampunk dress, half because I love it to death, and half because Nomine's closing at the end of October, which still makes me sad. The boots [which you don't see] are old, but they're from Lassitude & Ennui--do go check them out, they're doing what they did before, but in mesh now, so they're not only much less primmy, but much more detailed.

(The eyes are from Rue, her "Rose Eclipse" eyes, with the mesh additions. They're more than slightly unnerving, with the AmberFawn Doemance skin I've got on [made by the Sea Hole back when it existed]...but I like them, so nyaaah.)

it feels like we're pulling teeth

So...this happened:

[19:24] mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: can someone please explain something to me if something is ggaist the law as discrimination then how can there be discrimination on sl?
[19:25] Axxxxx Txxxxxx: huh?
[19:25] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: Huh?
[19:25] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: huh?
[19:25] Sxxxxx Gxxxxxxxx: wat
[19:25] Rxxxxx Rxxxxx: discrimination?
[19:25] Mxxxxxxx Gxxxxx: SL is a virtual world, not a physical world

Pretty much. We were all kind of confused. (And no, I've left typos intact.)

[19:25] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: amybe someone that has been on sl longer than 3 years like me or leis is fine

She seemed to be implying that the longer we live on the grid, the less culpable we are for our actions. Which is patently false, and also, confusing again.

[19:25] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sl is like someone's living room
[19:25] Axxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxx: just like muder is against the law but there is still murder just cause its against the law doesn't mean people wont do it
[19:25] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: oh so people do what they want to here?
[19:26] Mxxx Hxxxxxxxx: some do
[19:26] Txxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: They do that anywhere

Also largely true, but we were still trying to figure out what she was saying.

[19:26] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no, they do what they want within the ToS
[19:26] Txxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: If people want to break laws, they will
[19:26] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: There are some things that will cost you your account if you're caught.
[19:26] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Linden makes the rules.
[19:26] Mxxx Hxxxxxxxx: speeding is against the law, who can say they don't speed?

What?

[19:27] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: well one is safer going with flow of traffic if everyone is speedeing
[19:27] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: people have to abide by LL ToS but like RL laws not everyone does
[19:27] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: What exactly are you being discriminated by?
[19:28] Axxxxxx Txxxxxx: yeah, i was gonna ask what kind of discrimination?
[19:28] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You can discriminate on a a personal level RL, just not on a professional level
[19:28] Emilly Orr: And yes, Ann, while there are rules on SL, some folks don't bother. Sometimes that gets them in trouble, sometimes it doesn't. Kind of like RL.

Which, annoyingly, is true everywhere. It's why everyone's so paranoid about copyright infringement still, because on the grid it's still so terribly easy to do.

[19:29] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: well i never went to a gay bar so i put on short shorts tank top combat boots and mylie cyrus hair and i was ejected cause they said mails only and your name is [axx] so out u go

And there we had it. Confusion solved. And new confusion retained, because seriously, this is a completely baffling thing in the first place. And to be angry over supposed online discrimination, because she went to a gay bar and got kicked out for not being male...because she wasn't...I mean, honestly, talk about your straight girl privilege speaking. Jesus.

[19:29] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that's absolutely ok.
[19:29] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: Make a male alt.
[19:29] Mxxx Hxxxxxxxx: thats not discrimination
[19:30] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: eww
[19:30] Emilly Orr: That's not discrimination.
[19:30] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: or find a bar that allows both genders
[19:30] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: it is discrimination for sex

No, no it's not. First of all, there's no strict discrimination policies against genders clubs on the grid are forced to allow in. It's their clubs. If they don't want people with purple skin in their clubs, they have the right to tell them to get out. Same thing goes for women in male-only clubs, men in female-only clubs, et cetera. That's not discrimination.

Or, to put it more plainly, there is absolutely nothing in the Community Standards that prohibits owners of a bar from disallowing a patron access to their club, simply on the grounds that she was the wrong gender. If they don't want girls in their clubhouse, they don't have to have 'em. Same thing goes for all-female sims who don't want males on their property. That's allowed.

What's not allowed is being vicious, insulting, racist, or generally bigoted about it. Which, from everything she'd said so far, didn't sound as if that was the case.

[19:30] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that's your mistake, [Axx] - know where you're going.
[19:30] Emilly Orr: they're allowed to do that. Just like there are lesbian-owned sims, and only women are allowed.
[19:30] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: that sounds more like trying to crash a private club

Exactly.

[19:30] Mxxx Hxxxxxxxx: they have the right to set rules like that, and I can direct you to a bar for women only if you wnat
[19:30] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: We're allowed ot chose to not have sex with people.
[19:30] Txxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: If its males only, its males only. Not a gay/lesbian bar
[19:30] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: it is if i own a restaurant

And we were confused again. The hell did that even mean?

[19:30] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: If you own a private club you set the rules.
[19:30] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: Sims are private property, not public.

Also a very good point.

[19:30] Sxxxxxx Rxxxx: I have seen places that are women's only too
[19:30] Axxxxxx Txxxxxx: this is second life
[19:30] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: get over it, [Axx] - move on.
[19:30] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: and i have sing that sayd whites only and i am baptist so no gays i get in big trouble

Well, yes, because that's an idiot position to hold in this day and age. But that's RL you're talking about, not SL.

[19:31] Emilly Orr blinks
[19:31] Emilly Orr: Wait, you're saying that because you own a restaurant in SL, you shouldn't be discriminated against? What?
[19:31] Mxxx Hxxxxxxxx: so have I, and never been in a mens only one
[19:31] Emilly Orr: Let me make sure I'm not misunderstanding. You own a restaurant, and you have a sign in it that says whites only, and no gays allowed, and you're angry over discrimination??
[19:31] Qxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: omg

Because seriously. Not only was that a stupid thing to say, it was an incredibly racist thing to say. And after starting the conversation bleating about being discriminated against...I swear, at the time I thought I literally heard my brain fall out and hit the floor.

[19:31] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: A male alt is a really quick fix to a mens only place, srsly.
[19:31] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Dxxxxxxx], that's bad advice
[19:31] Zxxxxxx Zxxxxx: Just like Frank's and Bogart's don't allow furries..not even just a tail and ears. Has to appear humanoid. They even kicked Torley Linden, with his Linden name on, because he had on an elephant avi.
[19:32] Mxxxxx Qxxxxxxx: oh wow they did?
[19:32] Zxxxxxxx Zxxxxx: yep.
[19:32] Emilly Orr nods. There was a historical old west sim I wanted to go to once, and they allowed nothing with fur, not even cat eyes. At the time I was mostly neko, so I had to go completely human.
[19:32] Emilly Orr: But sims have the right to do this.

Yeah. They do. Someone owns a sim, they pay rent on that sim to the Lab, that gives them certain rights (and responsibilities) over that land. If they don't want a certain species/gender/whatever on their property, we may dislike it all we want, but unless it's outright discriminatory in a major way--like a big "NO JEWS" sign on the entrance, say--they're within their rights to do so. Because it's their sim, and they get to make the rules.

[19:32] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Exactly - it's perfectly acceptable; there are many places you can go - even places to explore things you have no experience with -- but to not accept the rules of an establishment ... well, that's on you lol
[19:32] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: A lot of places don't like furries. I got kicked out of someplace because my AO flies.
[19:33] Qxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: AO files?
[19:33] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: Yup, my stands look like i was flying.
[19:33] Emilly Orr: No, her AO flies. As in, it makes her fly.
[19:33] Qxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: ohhh
[19:33] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: So they asked me to leave. And I did. XD

I don't know if she was talking about the Avilion sim, but I know for a fact that's a rule they have--no flying without explicit permission from the owners. And again--they're allowed to have that rule.

[19:33] Sxxxxx Gxxxxxxxx: eh i get booted from places all the time for being too short
[19:34] Mxxx Hxxxxxxxx: I have a freind like that, they think shes a child avi
[19:34] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: -- but to not accept the rules of an establishment ... well, that's on you lol
[19:34] Dxxxxxxx Qxxxxxx: I've been asked to change if I'm in Lolita gear.
[19:34] Zxxxxxx Zxxxxx: If you have an establishment that you are going for a realistic human clientele, furries wouldn't work.

And all of the above are still true on the grid. Furries are still discriminated against, humans are occasionally discriminated against by furries, and short avatars get called ageplayers nearly everywhere. These are the crosses we choose to bear. Because it's a virtual world--we could always choose to be human (or not), or taller (or not), or tanned (or not)--whatever the standards are in any given place.

[19:34] Txxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx: Basically, a public restaurant is not = to a sim. A sim is more like a private house, the owner sets the rules
[19:34] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: ok thx [Txxxxxx]

And that seemed to be the end of it...but I have a feeling she left without understanding why any of us had spoken against her whining in the first place.

Ah, well. Some avatars never learn.

[19:36] Cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: likes coffee and thunderstorms
[19:36] Qxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: right [Txxxxxx]!
[19:36] Zxxxxxx Zxxxxx: sighs..that would look so good with my collar.
[19:36] Mxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx: oh never mind [Cxxxxxx]

smirking between dignified sips

Seriously, at this point, why bother wearing pants at all?

So, I've gotten involved in a few new groups. And, for the most part, I'm just trying to keep a (fairly) low profile, until I get the feel of the group chat. Sometimes, my best intentions don't matter, because I'm not the one making trouble.

[00:13] dxxx Sxxxxx: [cxxxx] i have warned you onve before about that disrespect and ridicule
[00:13] dxxx Sxxxxx: we do not allow it here
[00:14] dxxx Sxxxxx: group moderator isues warning to cxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx

Now, in this group, this is fairly standard. There are several group moderators, so there's usually one in the chat at any given time. They're very strict about keeping conversation free of personal insults, rude language, and discussion of products and games other companies make. Most of the time, this renders chat fairly civilized.

[00:15] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): dam

I'm also stating that I'm keeping the display name, if not the actual avatar name, of this fellow intact. For reasons that will become manifestly clear later.

[00:18] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): hmm
[00:18] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): no
[00:18] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i dont run from noone

Now, keep in mind: this literally came out of nowhere. The moderator online at the time was disciplining another group member, not this so-called "Vampire From Hell". So his reaction was unexpected and confusing.

[00:18] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i know they say your god
[00:18] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 0.0
[00:18] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): but
[00:18] dxxx Sxxxxx: excuse me?
[00:18] Emilly Orr is confused
[00:19] Fxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: WTH

So say we all. But Sudden Confrontation Man had more to say.

[00:19] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): dam i rached something
[00:19] dxxx Sxxxxx looks outside for full moon...
[00:19] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): this time
[00:19] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: do people ever check what box they are typing in? lol
[00:19] Emilly Orr: Define "rached"
[00:19] Emilly Orr: And not usually

I looked it up. The only thing Google tossed me even vaguely relevant was from the Urban Dictionary, of course. And it didn't seem to make any sense in this context. "Rached" being something that is ugly, disgusting or gross, or "just plain sad". So "dam I rached something"...means...he uglied it up, somehow? Or...something like that?

What?

[00:19] Txxxxxxxxxx: [sxxxx]...um ar eyou by any chance on a phone ?? because your IMs are crossing over
[00:19] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): definealone
[00:20] Emilly Orr: 0.o
[00:20] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): soemily is one i need to talk to
[00:20] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: lucky her
[00:20] Sxxxxxxxx: how about actually talking to her and not us lol

I began to have premonitions that this conversation was going to go more pear-shaped than I thought.

[00:21] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): ok lets talk
[00:21] Sxxxxxxxx giggles
[00:21] Emilly Orr pulls the profile and raises an eyebrow.
[00:21] Emilly Orr: On second thought, don't bother.

Why did I say that? Because this is his SL bio:

LOOKING FOR TRUE LOVE IF YOUR A LIAR DECEITFUL DONT BOTHER IM DONE WITH FAKES AND PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS


HELLION KING OF HELl

LIFE BECOMES DEATH, DEATH BECOMES LIFE WHEN I DRINK YOUR BLOOD!!!!!!

FEEL FREE TO MSG ME IF YOU ILL WILL WHATS THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN BE BITTEN LOL

I MAY BITE AND CLAIM YOUR SOUL but i may fall in love with you to hehe kidding

WATCH YOUR ASS CAUSE YOUR STILL NOT PROTECTED FROM BITES AND SOUL POSSESSION

I've left everything intact as I saw it on the grid, deranged spacing, EXTREME CAPS and all. I had strong, strong reservations about dealing further with this person.

[00:21] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): your call
[00:22] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: omg...i try to keep this chat open for info and to learn...but there is so much crap anymore...it isn't dating service...a club hangout
[00:22] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: wtf
[00:23] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): im not hear to date
[00:23] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: are you fishing or hunting?
[00:23] dxxxx Sxxxx: o.0
[00:23] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): imhar fo
....
What. The hell. Does that. Even mean? "Imhar fo"? Did he mean "I'm here for--"? And if so, what was he here for??

And now we had two confrontative souls. Wonderful.

[00:24] dxxxx Sxxxx: this is a community chat room

Which is a good point, actually, though it's one this particular mod has to make at least twice a week, it seems. It is a wide, diverse community, linked only by our desire to make Lindens and have fun doing it. With that as the only solid connecting factor, yeah, conversation ranges wildly.

But--me being me--I thought I should answer that question as if it were to me, because I was feeling a little irked over being singled out by the VFH.

[00:24] Emilly Orr: Me? Fishing, until/unless a good coin hunt pops up.
[00:24] Fxxxxxxxxxxx: lol
[00:24] dxxxx Sxxxx: chat is not required to be fish or coin hunt related
[00:24] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: i wasn't referring to you Emily

Always good to know.

[00:24] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): im actually for something else
[00:24] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx)): actually
[00:24] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: fine
[00:25] Emilly Orr: Okay.
[00:25] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: but to me...and several other people i know...it is completely out of hand anymore
[00:25] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): luaim sorry
[00:25] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): about that
[00:25] Txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this group has over 18 thousand members.
[00:26] Pxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx hugs the chat box "its like a circus that i dont have to pay to get into"
[00:26] Lxxxxxxxxx Axxxx: circus on freakin meth

Well...opinions vary, but...yeah, sometimes.

But, with much trepidation, I thought nothing was going to get done unless I tackled the VFH in IMs. So off I went to do that.

[00:26] Emilly Orr: All right, so...if for no other reason than to prevent the rising tide of irritation in the chat...What *are* you here for?
[00:26] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): answers
[00:27] Emilly Orr: To?
[00:27] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx)): i was told i could rachou
[00:27] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): hears thenote
[00:27] Emilly Orr: Define "rachou"
[00:28] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i was told it be hostil
[00:28] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): at first
[00:28] Emilly Orr: Not hostile, just don't understand what you mean.

And I really, really didn't. I had no clue what he was on about.

[00:28] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): im hear to find answers and to hel you
[00:29] Emilly Orr: 1., Answers to what, and 2. help me how?
[00:29] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): well i was told you would tell me
[00:29] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): when i got here
[00:30] Emilly Orr: I don't know you. Did someone mention my name?
[00:30] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx)): a high ranking officer in past town
[00:30] Emilly Orr: Uh-huh...
[00:31] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): your name was given tome
[00:31] Emilly Orr: Who are you again?
[00:32] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): im hellio
[00:32] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): hellio
[00:32] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): hellion

Man can't even spell his own name. I didn't understand any of this.

[00:32] Emilly Orr: No no no, I mean...I haven't RPed anywhere in years, I'm not in Bloodlines, so really, I have no clue here. What are you after?
[00:33] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i was told you say that
[00:33] Emilly Orr sighs.
[00:34] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): said you was at war aed need help
[00:34] Emilly Orr: At war with whom, and need help from whom, with what?
[00:34] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i dont know ask them
[00:35] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): im repeating
[00:35] Emilly Orr: Okay, and 'they' would be...?
[00:35] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): they toldme to tell you they was your queen

I wracked my brain. The only queen I've ever had was a long time ago, in an rp sim far far away, and I'm not talking to her anymore, anyway. Beyond that, I had no idea who he might mean.

[00:36] Emilly Orr: If she was queen of the Unseelie court, not interested.
[00:36] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): no
[00:37] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): queen of hell
[00:37] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): the one that gives yo fire
[00:37] Emilly Orr: Don't have a queen of hell. At least, not one I've ever met.

Which, as far as I know, is still true. This was so very, very baffling.

Meanwhile, in the main chat...

[00:34] LadyWxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow so many ppl with nice pleasant atitudes wow so amazing
[00:34] Rxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yeah somebody please pass the happy pills :)
[00:35] LadyWxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: according to the mods here its been a ful moon for 2 weeks now
[00:35] LadyWxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow im amazed at the briliance in here
[00:35] dxxx Sxxxx: o.0

Oh, the sarcasm...but this becomes relevant later. Just keep in mind that "LadyW" was in the chat.

[00:37] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): you might want to look
[00:38] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): youhave one
[00:38] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): that how i was sent
[00:39] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): lets fire rise
[00:39] Emilly Orr: If you say so.
[00:40] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): are you lettingme threw
[00:40] Emilly Orr: I don't know who you are!
[00:41] Emilly Orr: I don't know who you're talking about, I don't understand the war references, I'm not IN any court...There's a lot of confusion here, and it's all coming from you.
[00:42] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): well im used to hate
[00:42] Emilly Orr: There's no hate. I just don't understand.
[00:42] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx)): ihave worked with most
[00:42] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i was told to talk to o you
[00:42] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): by queen
[00:43] Emilly Orr: So how's that working out for you?

I will own, I was getting a touch frustrated at this point.

[00:43] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): well
[00:43] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): goo
[00:43] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): good
[00:43] Emilly Orr: Okay.
[00:44] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): looks like here two opeions
[00:44] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): youkillme
[00:44] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): ori kill you
[00:44] Emilly Orr: ....
[00:45] Emilly Orr: Where did killing come into this?

My brain. I really thought brain cells were starting to actively die at this point. I had no reference for any of this, and the VFH was NOT helping.

[00:45] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i was told you like to fight
[00:45] Emilly Orr: Are you sure you're talking to the right Emilly?
[00:45] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i want to do things peacefulffy
[00:46] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): if they told me right
[00:46] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): yes
[00:47] Emilly Orr: I don't like to fight.
[00:47] Emilly Orr: More to the point, I don't fight well.
[00:47] Emilly Orr: Though I do tend towards the durable.

Which has always been true, in rp at large. I can be injured, I have been injured, and I'm sure I could be killed. That it hasn't happened yet is mostly luck, not my fighting skill. Because I have none.

[00:47] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): youknow
[00:48] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i never nerber been beatien
[00:48] Emilly Orr: So who, exactly, told you I was this aggressive hellspawn who needed help with some mysterious war?
[00:48] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): someone yu know
[00:48] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): queen
[00:49] Emilly Orr: Name.
[00:49] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): well
[00:49] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): she said was mom
[00:49] Emilly Orr: I don't have a mother in SL.
[00:50] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): are you sure
[00:50] Emilly Orr: Dead sure.
[00:50] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): iits not a title
[00:50] Emilly Orr: Never had one. Never had an SL family in any way.

Which, again, is true. I've had, and in some cases hope I still have, very dear friends, but that's different. I've had loves, but while that makes them family, in a sense, that also makes them close enough to me that they're likely going to meet RL family at one point or another--or already have.

In none of these cases have I ever, not even once, called any woman on SL "mother". It's never happened.

[00:50] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): well she seemed to know you
[00:50] Emilly Orr: Name.
[00:52] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i have given you much and yonot given me anthhing yet
[00:52] Emilly Orr: You haven't given me a single verifiable fact, just posturing.
[00:52] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i ihave gave you that
[00:53] Emilly Orr: Yes, yes you have. Lots of vague pronouncements, lots of posturing, lots of 'you know' and 'this will happen'.
[00:53] Emilly Orr: And you know what? I don't *have* to keep pressing for more information from you.
[00:53] Emilly Orr: You don't want to tell me who she is, fine. My life goes on. No gains, no losses, I'm in the same place as I was before we started.
[00:54] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): but like you
[00:55] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i wont for noten
[00:55] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): you want it
[00:55] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): ill give it to you
[00:55] Emilly Orr: You started this conversation. I'm just playing along.
[00:55] Emilly Orr: I'm still convinced you're looking for a one-L Emily.

Meanwhile, in the main group chat...

[00:58] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): who is lady emily

Seriously?

[00:57] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): hmm
[00:59] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): i think i found out who
[01:00] Emilly Orr: Oh?
[01:01] HELLION Vampire From Hell (sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxx): ilook for [LadyWxxxxx]
[01:01] Emilly Orr: Good luck.

LadyW, wherever you are, I hope you got more from the VFH than I did. And that he made whatever sense he was planning to make, regarding the war, your hellish queen-mother, and whatever else he was blathering on about.

Me, I'm still trying to ponder how he confused "Emilly Orr" with "LadyWxxxxx Rxxxxxxx". They're not even spelled the same!

SL is deeply odd at times.