do you ever feel like everyone is slowly letting go? do you ever feel that incredibly alone?

Here we go again, with a chat capture from That One Group:

[12:11] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: This is all incredibly frustrating.... I dont know how to do mesh heads or mesh bodies.. in the shops I cant even move around because of lag and cant see anything because of lag and the shop being crowded. The print for directions on posters is far to small to read and all directions act as if you already know. There is no one who explains any of this to anyone not even an assistant in the shop. How can I pick a head without knowing what the skin will look like and how can I get the skin on it without being able to find the skin (no labels of what the exact name of the skin is). Gods sake. I have to hop around to 5 different shops to get one look. And good luck getting anything at all with the drastic lag.

First things first: I totally get her frustration, here. It is hard. It's not easy for someone to just plunge into the world of mesh heads, or mesh bodies, and completely understand everything on the first go. A lot of mesh head demos have limited settings; we can play with some of the dimensions, maybe, but we can't necessarily change skins. Do we have skins in our inventories that will work? Do we need to buy whole new skins to go with the head? Which head is going to work? It's a lot to take in.

[12:11] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Cxxxxxxxx]. Please keep your posts down to 3 lines.[12:12] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Please.

[12:12] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: how could I say that with 3 lines? I am livid. Sorry.

[12:12] Emilly Orr: While I understand why you said that, [Dxxxxx], she has a point.

[12:12] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: not everyone experiences that much troubles hun and your lag is user end meaning it has to do with your settings, your computer and your net .. which can be helped with proper adjustments ... yes dressing an avi takes time and shopping and ...

Yes, but if you expect people to upgrade to the best, fastest net service, you're woefully unprepared for the reality of most working adults. At least in the US, super-fast broadband simply isn't available everywhere, and even in those cities where it is offered, it's generally at a higher price point than many can afford.

[12:12] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Complain to the stores you are dealing with.
[12:12] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: I just wonder who else agrees.
[12:13] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Probably many points, this is not the venue.
[12:13] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i dont think its a store issue [Dxxxxx] .. more an issue perhaps learnin curve
[12:13] Sxxx Sxxxxx: If you havent already turn your graphics down, and draw distance, and then show friends only ...
[12:13] Emilly Orr: Trust me, [Cxxxxxxxx], I've been mesh-head shopping for two years now, haven't found one yet.
[12:13] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: I am literally on the lowest settings possible. :((( So sad.
[12:13] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: omg Emily. :(
[12:13] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: graphics slider main .. isnt the the way to lower your lag hun
[12:13] lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: once i figured out catwa i fell in love
[12:14] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: I just want SL to grow and honestly this is way to hard for any newbies to do. I have been here for 12 years and I can barely figure it out. We need solutions.

And again, she's not wrong. While the advancements in technology have brought really great things, Second Life as a whole is largely becoming an investment--set aside shopping, rent on the grid, and the like, there will come points with advances in which the problem becomes user-end--in that, we can no longer lower our settings enough to minimize the lag, we have to upgrade our computers.

And I don't know about you, but I just don't have L$1500 lying around every day. (I didn't the last time I upgraded, in fact, it was a gift from a dear friend.)

[12:15] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its really not that difficult .. newbies figure it out daily .. and Ive been here 13yrs as many other this group
[12:15] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: People do figure this stuff out, I did. You can.
[12:16] Emilly Orr: Some take longer to learn things, [Dxxxxx].
[12:16] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yes.
[12:16] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And that is ok.

Is it? Because your entire attitude, and the attitude of many commenters, is "Suck it up, you'll be fine, it's your fault anyway". How is that 'okay', in any sense of the word?

[12:16] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: mesh bodies head been around now for several yrs .. its not hurting growth, the better graphics have actually helped it alot
[12:16] Emilly Orr: [Cxxxxxxxx], I'd recommend hitting Strawberry Singh's blog. She covers a lot of mesh heads, finding and fitting mesh heads, and laying skins over them. Solid advice.
[12:16] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: Where would I find that Emily?
[12:17] Emilly Orr: It's...a blog? Google Strawberry Singh, or if that doesn't work, Strawberry Singh Second Life. It'll pop right up.
[12:20] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sounds like you been out of the loop for quite a few years [Cxxxxxxxx] .. if just returning maybe good idea take it slowly .. one piece of update at a time
[12:22] Axxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Emily Orr, I agree with your recommendation for a blog. Also I find the genus head inworld group chat very responsive and helpful and you don't need to buy the head, it's a free group.
[12:22] Emilly Orr: Maybe. Or maybe she's like some of us who've been on the ground the whole time, never left, and still don't quite grok the concepts.
[12:23] Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: on the lag front, if you haven't done it already I would recommend turning down the maximum complexity of avatars so they all jelly doll

Which helps, but I'm not sure the whole 'jellydoll' thing is a part of any viewer save for Firestorm. Has it been adapted officially? Because contrary to popular belief, not everyone on the grid runs with Firestorm.

[12:23] Emilly Orr: That's actually a good idea. Joining a group for a head you like the look of, or joining a group just for mesh body/head support, you can ask a lot of these questions there and get good answers.
[12:24] Axxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It depends a lot on your computer too. My 9 year old "fruit" computer was just not up to SL - it was immensely frustrating - I ended up looking at the blog Emily recommended and getting a new computer based on SS's specs.
[12:24] dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I thought we gave good answers when people needed help

Yeah, I did too. What happened today, people?

[12:24] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: also have a look at bandwidth it could be set far too low dragging you down
[12:25] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if you have alot trouble in large groups and shops ((vendors i know can get heavy for some)) .. use the show friends only while shopping
[12:26] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Cutting back on the groups you allow to send you notices helps too.
[12:26] Emilly Orr: And remember most Marketplace makers do offer demos, so in a pinch, you can just log into a sandbox, order a bunch of free demos, and play with the settings without other people and items to clutter the view.
[12:26] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: turning OFF name tags helps alot too

That I did not know. Does that really work? I tend to highly value knowing who's talking to me without clicking for their profile to find out first, but still, it's worth keeping in mind if it works.

[12:27] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I buy my heads via MP.
[12:27] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: How do you show friends only? I have limited notices coming in, sometimes gone to showing no avatars at all but then had to deactivate that to see myself lol, brought down all the graphics settings I could find.. etc.
[12:27] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I never make any large pruchases via MP cos you do not if can get redelivery always
[12:27] Ixxxx Mxxxx: A good and normal bandwidth for SL is 1500 Kbps
[12:27] Emilly Orr: If you're on Firestorm, it's World to Show Friends Only, at the bottom of the list.
[12:27] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: If anyone has tips for reducing lag Ill pay you to learn them ;D ha. No really.
[12:28] Emilly Orr: If not, then I don't know how to get there, but it's probably still somewhere in the world menu options.
[12:28] hxxxxxx Dxxxxxxx: iis your vewer updated?
[12:29] yxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Youtube videos. Some YouTubers give very detailed explanations how to about mesh heads, skins, fittings and settings.
[12:29] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no need pay .. I sent you an IM [Cxxxxxxxx]
[12:30] Emilly Orr: I keep forgetting about YouTube tutorials, I'm more a reader. But that's a good tip, too.
[12:30] yxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I prefer the old try and mistake. You are slower, but laugh more. *Giggles*
[12:30] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: Its just for 20 us dollars I wish there was help.

Hence her level of frustration. And I get it--for someone who lives in the tax bracket where $20 is a single drink, then they won't consider it a huge expenditure. For someone who expects $20 to feed a family of three to four (and yes, a lot of us out here, thanks), it's a significant investment, that needs to be seriously considered. Which is where sources for help would, y'know, actually help. Instead of most people in this chat going "oh well, it's on you, everyone else is fine".

[12:30] Axxxxxxxx Mxxxxx: The Altamura Design group has videos - see the profile of the manager, DaddyStickler Picks -
[12:30] Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I've only ever had two mesh heads. I got an altamura one on special at an event and used that until BOM came out and I got a Tonic one to go with my body
[12:30] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: 20 for the head, about 10 to 15 for the body and then theres so much else to buy.
[12:30] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i have err several from most of the designers and least one body type from each maker lol
[12:31] Emilly Orr: Yeah, mesh heads are spendy.
[12:31] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I can help and am willing .. but .. you need be willing let me
[12:31] yxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Except Normie. Only 500L$. *takes out her head for kiss it*
[12:31] kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the normie head is around 500L I think on mp
[12:32] kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol beat me to it
[12:32] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Normie isnt actually bad. it is bento and reacts well to 3rd party facial huds on MP and the mesh is omega so is bom as well
[12:33] kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes I love mine
[12:33] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: Is Normie a head that you can change? (Features)

Sort of?

[12:33] kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes
[12:33] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes it is bento
[12:33] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: bento means new skeleton ... so has the ability uise most the sliders
[12:34] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: theres a demo .. so you can demo skins and shape editting before ever buy
[12:34] yxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: bento, shapeable, Omega compatible, the only limitation is the slots for makeup
[12:34] sxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I use normie too... it's cute, skews a little young, but has fewer makeup areas

Well, sure. Because Normie's a Utilizator product. Utilizator makes anime avatars and anime-centric furs. And that's really all he does, plus a few clothes/armor sets/weapon sets designed to fit Avatar 2.0 and Kemono, and the Venus and Normie heads.

[12:34] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yes, DEMO everything.[12:34] Cxxxxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: So is bento the best head to buy then?[12:34] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there also LAQ which is a very nice brand and gets alot support .. you can get the head for 1500 .. the hud is 2500 but you dont have to buy it till want to[12:34] Emilly Orr: You can change the Normie head, but it starts off with a fixed jaw shape, and that never really changes. If that's your shape, you're gold. But if you try to get, say, a pointed chin, it's never going to happen with Normie.

And I wish it could. Without that fixed jaw line, I could really get into using Normie.

[12:34] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Static works well.[12:35] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I buy my alts static heads.
[12:35] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: dont think anyone wants static these days .. they wanna be able edit their shape lol

Most of us do, yeah. But I think 'static' here is used to mean 'non-animated'.

[12:35] Emilly Orr: There are no Bento heads, strictly speaking. Bento is a way of moving mesh. There are mesh heads ENABLED for Bento, viewers enabled for Bento.
[12:35] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And I do not use the bento in this head.
[12:35] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I suggest demo demo demo as much as possible and see what the heads/bodies can do . They ALL have pros and cons depending on what look You will want/need
[12:35] yxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yikes!! no kissing, licking, winking and teasing, [Dxxxxx]?
[12:35] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: most dont [Dxxxxx] and she specifically asked about being able change its features
[12:36] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yep, [Yxxx]!
[12:36] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Our beloved [dxxxxx] is old school :D
[12:36] yxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that is respectable and remarkable, anyway :)
[12:37] axxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i cant handle expresssionaless lol

I think it's more a case of what you've grown used to. I'm used to fairly static expressions, with shifting 'moods' only through use of a HUD, and that I generally save for photography. But Bento-rigged heads were a great advance--instead of a choice of fairly static/smiling/looking shocked/looking angry/jaw moves randomly when talking, we suddenly had jaw movements synched to syllables spoken, winking, eyes widening, several grades of smiles and frowns, tongues sticking out--it was a whole new world.

Essentially, it comes down to how much research we're willing to do, apparently on our own, to become expert at something that most people aren't expert in. Because if this is the kind of help people are willing to offer, it'd be easier to pick up the nearest hammer and strike ourselves once between the eyes. We'd probably be less hurt by that, too.

is it time for you to jump into the next train?

Here's to the new boss, same as the old boss...AKA, here we go again:

[11:16] Mxxxx Gxxxxxx: eek someone gives me a giftcard of 250 linden or something and i dont know the person ! anyone else having this ? i discard it
[11:17] Mxxxx Gxxxxxx: account eventweek2 Resident made today

I've been seeing this, or something like this, hit several groups I'm in since yesterday.

[11:18] Txx Axxxx: delete
[11:18] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: delete it and report that user!
[11:18] pxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: probably should discard and report, sounds fake
[11:18] gxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: definitely delete
[11:18] Sxxxxx Axxxx: ugh delete that
[11:19] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Message didn't go through. I haven't had that happen yet, but I don't think I would use that. I'd delete it.
[11:19] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: am getting store notices warning of that issue
[11:19] Wxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: guess eventweek1 was already taken....lol

No, that's actually another name the current scammer group is using.

[11:19] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: stranger danger!!
[11:19] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: lol
[11:19] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Delete it and report it
[11:19] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: add them to mute list
[11:20] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes I have been seeing reports of event ava handing out a HUD that will take your L$ too :/
[11:21] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That account is fake. Ive had another group warn me about one simular yesterday.
[11:22] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: last night (SLT) there was someone handing out free Catwa heads. also was created last night that account.

That, I hadn't heard, but it's a bad step up on the scam concept. While a lot of people question things, there are people that buy mesh heads for others, as a kindness, or just because they want to. And due to that, well, people could accept what they think is a gift of a mesh body or head. Dangerous.

[11:23] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: if you have received that kind of thing or even if you DO put it on, dont panic, it can only take your lindens if you give it access. When you put on a hud that wants to take lindens, Firestorm at least asks you just to make sure. Never give access to your lindens unless totally sure its a official store and you just tried to buy something there.
[11:23] Axxxxxxxx Cxxx: seems like its one person behind it all
[11:23] Axxxxxxxx Cxxx: everyone one of them has been named event something or giftevent something
[11:28] 5xx Rxxxxxxx: eventweek2 just send me 350 ls giftcard lol
[11:28] Pxxx Lxxxxxxx: [11:12] eventweek2 gave you this object: Group Gifts - GIFT CARD 350L$ #Rare
pleasxe delete card and ban and block this person
[11:28] Pxxx Lxxxxxxx: name is eventweek2
[11:29] Lxxxx Oxxxxx: I just got one too...lol
[11:29] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes keep getting them too

It seems like half of everyone, or at least half of the active shoppers, on the grid are seeing these.

[11:29] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: person is 1 day old
[11:29] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: I already muted them
[11:29] Pxxx Lxxxxxxx: i reported this bot
[11:30] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you can find the group owner
[11:30] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sent them a message , not that it willl help
[11:30] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: muting is stupid, report that account.
[11:30] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thank you for the alert, guys.
[11:30] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: be aware folks that even at the stores you know you can trust you can't always trust people who drop into those stores

Exactly. And the call to block AND report is a good one. Always report instances of fraud to the Lindens.

In other news, another attempt at phishing:

[11:25] Catalina (catalinaa400): Fitted Mesh*ONLY FOR BODIES MESH. We cover the mesh bodies applitud of the market.Maitreya/Slink / Belleza / Omega System & More. {phishing link containing the words "altervista"}
If you have mesh body and are interested in Gifts / Promotions and New Items! Always up to date with Meshbodyfriends!Group FB {Facebook link which may or may not be real}

Why yes, I'm leaving her name clear. As a seven-year avatar, her account probably got hacked, but even if it was, and there was a real person behind it, there's not now. She was blocked and reported by a bunch of us.

As far as "Meshbodyfriends" being mentioned, that is an actual group, but they may not have anything to do with that particular scam, or the scammer. They may have just picked that up so it sounds somewhat legitimate.

[11:25] Exxxxxxx Lxxxxx: PHISHING LINK DONT KLICK
[11:26] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: FAKE!
[11:26] bxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: DO NOT CLICK
[11:26] Axxxx Cxxxxxxx: YES!!!!!!
[11:26] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes dont
[11:26] Uxx Fxxxxxxxxx: This person is spamming groups with this message

And this one:

[11:32] Sxxxxx Axxxxx: WARNING - do not accept, rez or wear anything from eventweek, eventweek1, eventweek2 If something hits your invent from them without accepting, immediately delete it and clear your trash so there is no risk of accidentally opening it in the future. The one I just got was named Group Gifts - GIFT CARD 350L$ #Rare
[11:33] Gxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Maybe that is how the phishing thing has been going on
[11:33] Sxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: Thank you
[11:33] Gxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a lot of people have had their accounts hacked and the person then bought lindens and did MP gacha shopping sprees

In the hour I've been in world today, Miss C hit two groups I'm in with the 'altervista' scam, and gift card reports are coming in all over. I've counted people in NINE groups I've in so far. And there were four yesterday, so this is a new infestation of thieves. I've also seen the gift card scam used by an avatar named "giftevent".

Stay aware, people. There's a lot of scammers out there.

Scenes from a Chat: Spamming Sub edition

[14:06] Axxxxxx Sxxxxxx: seeking a Mistress

No, really, that's how this nonsense started. In a sale group. One that doesn't even allow Adult listings, even.

[14:07] Fxxx Mxxxxxxxx: Not sure this is the right place for that
[14:07] Txxxxxx Hxxxxx: you didn't say that

Oh yes, yes, she did.

[14:07] Jxxxxx Dxxxxx: pretty sure no Mistress would see spamming groups as a desirable behaviour in anyone......

Oh, I'm sure she could find a wannabe with this approach, but no serious practitioner of consensual BDSM would TOUCH her with this act.

[14:08] Txxxxxx Hxxxxx: Oh, [Axxxxxx], are YOU in the wrong place. There are groups for that. This is not one of them.
[14:08] Jxxxxx Dxxxxx: yus
[14:08] Jxxxxx Dxxxxx: hahaha
[14:08] Txxxxxx Hxxxxx: Somebody spank this girl
[14:08] Emilly Orr: I wouldn't. That's what she wants.
[14:08] Jxxxxx Dxxxxx: exactly
[14:08] bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lmao she will enjoy it
[14:08] Txxxxxx Hxxxxx: I am so proud of you
[14:08] Fxxx Mxxxxxxxx: better to punish her to not spank her, not give her what she wants
[14:08] Emilly Orr: Mmhmm.
[14:09] Jxxxxx Dxxxxx: ignoring is usually a good punishment :D
[14:09] Sxxxxx Oxxxxxx: I would not spank her that is what she wants

Perplexing, but chat moved on. Then, in another group:

[14:25] Axxxxxx Sxxxxxx: seeking a MIstress

SAME DAMN PHRASE. What is she, defective?

[14:25] Lxxx Hxxxxx: Here????????? Spam!!!

Yep.

[14:26] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oo thats gonna get your butt in trouble
[14:26] Lxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: check the pet adoption center
[14:26] rxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You can't afford me and you are in the wrong chat group for that kind of stuff

That's a good answer.

[14:26] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: LOL
[14:26] Lxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hehehhe
[14:26] xxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol me too lol
[14:27] Lxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: SL is a nice world :)
[14:27] dxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: she is going to every group
[14:27] dxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: or he i guess
[14:28] Lxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: maybe someone should pick it up her ;) uhauhauah

Even when I was more on the dominant end of the spectrum, I wouldn't have answered behavior like this. This is the worst example of childish, bratty, uncaring, demanding, topping-from-the-bottom sub behavior. Doesn't care where she posts, doesn't care who she annoys, doesn't care how many groups bounce her out on her pointy little head, as long as she gets attention. Of any kind. 

No, far better to just walk away.

[14:29] xxxx Rxxxxxxx: I dont get the whole thing mistress and crap wtf

I wasn't about to break it down for Ms. Z, in yet another weekly sales group, but...I wrote the original annoyance:

[14:34] Emilly Orr: [Axxxxxx], seriously, this is a good way to get blackballed by members of the BDSM community. You're being an irritant.
[14:35] Axxxxxx Sxxxxxx: your moms an irritant
[14:35] Emilly Orr: Oh, I see. A troll. Goodbye.

She's NINE YEARS OLD. Nine years old, and no picks, no BDSM groups (just store ones), no FL info. Pretty blank profile overall. In fact, the only thing that mentions BDSM in ANY way is this line from her SL bio:

"[Axxxxxx]!, submissive, female, unowned"

Great. What an idiot.

Then, later still:

[14:26] Axxxxxx Sxxxxxx: seeking a MIstress
[14:27] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Wrong chat, [Axxxxxx]
[14:28] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: she's posting it in multiple groups
[14:28] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm in the MP and it's working
[14:28] xxxx Rxxxxxxx: nah its spamming

Yeah, it is.

[14:42] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Let's stick to PG topics [Axxxxxx]
[14:48] Emilly Orr: Plus, that's the third group I'm in you've hit with this inanity, so take the hint and STOP.
[14:54] Rxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: seeking a bat to hit her with
[14:54] Emilly Orr: Might help.

Void stars, she's annoying.

I anonymized her in actual chat mentions, as is tradition, but because I think she's someone who should be watched carefully, or greatly avoided, feel free to NOT involve yourselves with Artelia Seaside. She should definitely know better, and she absolutely does not care who she irritates in her goal to get under someone's thumb again (and likely boss them around). I'd also go out on that limb and say she's likely a Velcro collar type. Avoid her like she bears actual plague.

Some people should come with warning signs. I think she's one.

I don't need a reason for what I became

From a random profile:

Kintsugi (金継ぎ)

When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful.

This is essentially the Barbara Bloom quote about the practice. I've spoken about kintsugi before, both here and on Twitter, I believe, and it's still something that's become one of my core values. Of course, I have no gold in my makeup, but I do believe that what has broken me in the past has not destroyed me. Everything I have gone through has shaped me into the person I am, good and bad, and while that gives me weaknesses, it also makes me stronger in some ways. And I do not hide my scars.



There's a LifeGate article that goes into the history of the practice, and names who first asked for it to be done. See also "What a Broken Bowl Can Teach Us", this essay on the practice from the Modern Gypsy blog, or Becca Risa Luna's article on the topic.



All I know is, it's a much better mental image for my bad days than stitches, sutures and wounds, and I think it's better for me, as well.

Moving on, an amusing bit of chat I wanted to share from a few days ago.

[14:18] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): I agree with an observation I saw on the internet, about learning foreign languages.
[14:18] Violet Scrivener (violetscrivener): oh?
[14:18] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): Latin: Words like "yes" and "no" aren't important, but let's memorize these 3,000 ways to kill you.
[14:19] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): Greek: Okay, naughty children! It's participles time!
[14:19] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): Egyptian of course is Ancient Pictionary
[14:19] Emilly Orr: HEE
[14:19] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): French: Pronouncing every letter is for chumps.
[14:19] Emilly Orr: Gad, is there one for Welsh?
[14:19] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): German: Let's combine all the words and make Onegiantfrankenword!
[14:20] Fleming Helfenstein (mountainhall) chortles
[14:20] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): Mandarin: lol, what's a verb tense?
[14:20] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): Spanish: LOL what isn't a verb tense!!
[14:20] Emilly Orr: I love these
[14:20] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): English: Welcome to Hell.
[14:20] Violet Scrivener (violetscrivener) grins
[14:21] Emilly Orr claps
[14:22] Emilly Orr: English has also been described as the language that chases other languages down the alley, beats them up, and steals their words.
[14:22] Calla Iris Waydelich (callidus.waydelich): Yes!!
[14:22] Violet Scrivener (violetscrivener): I believe it.

I do. I'm still curious what this bit of the net would say about Welsh.