smoke 'em if you got 'em, 'cause it's going down

Another day, another attempt to get to the tower at White Veil. All right, you rock bastards, let's go.



So, same thing, start at the beginning, agree to the experience if you've never been there before, and start out. "Simple"...



Found out what the squares do. So this is pre-their effect (on my second attempt running up the side of the course), but they attach with a variety of squeaking sounds, before bouncing you up in the air. I don't know if it's an always thing, but at least they didn't dump me back into center track. Always off the track entirely, crashing into trees or penguins.



Oh, what's this? A little bridge out to...a TV? Why?



A TV that's just showing a still image, even. Hmm. But that did remind me, I meant to watch the video the artists released of the exhibit. And there are a few clues in there for how best to access the track.



Finally made it to the tower! I felt accomplished! And I was almost immediately sent back to the beginning because...the winding ramp up has little discs SHOOTING PUSHING ORBS AT CLIMBERS??? Bryn, WHYYYYY?



Made it to the winding ramp again on the third try, and dodged the little shooting discs, and...RIGHT INTO A MAGNET I COULDN'T ESCAPE FROM ARE YOU KIDDING ME.

Which held me until the big rock was released down the ramp, and rolled right over my face. And I got sent BACK to the start for the third time.

I have a certain point I always reach with restart games, that started when the organizers behind the Twisted hunts decided it was more fun laughing at tortured souls than actually giving them a reasonable challenge. Three's about it, and I'm at my frustration limit. Which may be the point, I don't know, but I do know it's going to be at least another week before I try again.

I still don't know what's at the top of the tower.

yells with my voice, tears with my hands

Well, this is someone irritating.

[11:40] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: If someone seens Travesty87 in the Village, he seems to have griefing tools

So, this isn't exactly a new policy, but since this is the second time using it in the past week, I will explain: griefers do not get anonymity. Griefers get named.

[11:47] Emilly Orr: This is very strange. From his bio: "I am a beginning builder and hoping to learn how to script. I am usually social in second life, but sometimes I get sick of drama and chat places." Year old, RL pic as his SL profile pic, but actually seems like he has a working brain. Why would he be a griefer?
[11:54] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Misbehaved in the writers' meeting, Apparently he had a cage gun
[11:54] Emilly Orr: That's really dumb of him, then.
[11:54] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Out of my range at the moment

I thought about it, and thought, based on the fact that his bio does paint him as a relatively earnest soul...I IMed him. As the conversation below will prove, this was a mistake.

[11:55] Emilly Orr: So, just a tip for future Caledon relations: you've already damaged your name. You are being termed a griefer. Caledon does not deal with griefers in any way. I don't know what happened at the writers' meeting, but if you want to do *anything* else in Caledon Oxbridge Village, you might want to never use that cage gun again.

He didn't answer for a very long time, and in the meantime, the conversation in ISC chat continued.

[11:56] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I had to eject him from the meeting
[11:57] Bxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: what's a cage gun?
[11:58] Emilly Orr: Well, the elder tech was simply, rez a cage, move it over an avatar, avatar was trapped. The 'newer' variation was a gun that fired at an avatar, rezzing the cage that then trapped the avatar.
[11:59] Bxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: ah
[11:59] Bxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: but couldn't the avatar just tp away?
[11:59] Emilly Orr: Cages are still very annoying. And yes, the avatar can, now, but when they were first developed, part of why they were so frustrating is that they stuck to the avatar. Even porting away wouldn't help.
[12:00] Bxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: oh yuck
[12:02] Emilly Orr: Early days of SL, a lot of the early "self-defense" huds would be termed griefing tools now. For example, I had one that I would type someone's name into, in the same region, and it would crumple them into a small spiky ball, set them on fire, and force-log them off.
[12:02] Emilly Orr: Granted, I only *used* that when people were shooting at me, or launching cages, but it was still just as annoying.

And then Travesty wrote back.

[12:02] Travesty87: i dont give a [f*ck] what you think my reputation is
[12:02] Travesty87: i dont
[12:02] Travesty87: did i grrief there?
[12:02] Travesty87: no
[12:03] Emilly Orr: You used a cage gun at the writers' meeting. The man running that meeting ejected you from the parcel.
[12:03] Travesty87: proove it
[12:03] Travesty87: i did not
[12:03] Travesty87: thats a lie
[12:03] Travesty87: lie
[12:03] Travesty87: lie
[12:03] Travesty87: lie
[12:03] Emilly Orr: I don't have to, but I will ask.
[12:03] Travesty87: lie

I didn't bother to respond, I just went back to ISC chat.

[12:03] Emilly Orr: And my, he is an aggressive little troglodyte. He's telling me he didn't do anything wrong. I am dubious.
[12:04] lxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Holy cow.
[12:04] Emilly Orr: And, based on his language, I would definitely agree with Mr. [Sxxxxxxx]. I have banned him from my parcel just in case.

Not that he had plans to come here, but always better safe.

[12:04] Travesty87: i was going to talk to yall about mycerial killer porta potty idea
[12:04] Travesty87: but no
[12:04] Travesty87: you gonna be snops

I was done with him. He'd amply proven that Mr. S was entirely correct in terming him a griefer. I hope he's banned throughout the Caledon estates.

[12:05] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Good.

Indeed.

[12:07] exxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Insulting behavior in the meeting was bad enough.then he tried to use [Axxxxx]'s mics
[12:14] Kxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Not very good behavior.
[12:15] Emilly Orr: Oh, that's not good at all.

Let's hope he doesn't hurt anyone else in Caledon.

you're just like everybody else

So, yesterday was a friend of mine's birthday, and he spent it as he does many Saturdays, playing excellent music in an all-ages club. Just to note: there is nothing wrong with this. That isn't what this post is about.

This is:

[15:17] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: um
[15:17] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is this a childrens disco?

So remember when I said it was an all-ages club? It's an all-ages club that generally caters to the under-four-foot set, but the kids are friendly and the music is good. I'm usually tied up on Saturdays when he does his set, so I've missed a lot of his DJing, but like I said, this time he personally invited me, and it was his birthday, and I wasn't about to say no.

[15:17] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: everyone is welcome!
[15:17] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this is the [name of club]
[15:17] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: YESH
[15:17] Emilly Orr: Yep.
[15:17] Emilly Orr: So if you can't size down, at least dress PG

I didn't think saying that was unreasonable. It is an all-ages club.

[15:17] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: Where kids rule, but adults are cool too
[15:17] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: :|

Enter Idiot J. Idiot J didn't seem to like the fact that it was an all-ages club.

[15:18] Emilly Orr: First time I came, a friend brought me. We were both older.
[15:18] Emilly Orr: [Jxxxxxx], if it really bothers you, this is also a charity event. All bodies welcome to give to charity.
[15:19] Wxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I have a white van, and some candy. Any kids want some candy?

Enter Idiot W. You know that adage, there's always one more idiot? We seemed to get a lot of them in the last half hour of the set.

[15:20] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: Someone wants a ban from here.

Yes, yes, they're begging for it.

[15:20] Emilly Orr: [Wxxxxxx], these are savvy kids, they're not interested.
[15:21] xxxxxxx Txxxx: Where's van? I like to bite into snack vans. :3

Rawr!

[15:22] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: we have a giant cat on standby and we're not afraid to use it :)
[15:22] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: *giggles*
[15:22] xxxxxxx Txxxx: Cat? Where?
[15:22] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry, no cats here
[15:22] xxxxxxx Txxxx: Well I suppose a fox is a dog running on cat software.
[15:22] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: at least no non-disguised ones :D
[15:23] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oops fox my bad :D
[15:23] Emilly Orr ponders. Well, catlike?

Because to go dance in the club, I'd taken off the human guise, and climbed into a much shorter Kemono with the anime Venus head. But with tail and ears, so I was definitely cat-esque, if not exactly cat.

[15:24] xxxxxxx Txxxx: I'ma silver fox but I came here red to not be called a wolf and now I'm a cat. lol
[15:24] xxxxxxx Txxxx: *mews*
[15:24] Axxxxxx Fxxxxx: These things happen
[15:24] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: [Txxxx]'s a cool cat
[15:24] Axxxxxx Fxxxxx nods
[15:24] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry [txxxx], its the DJs poor eyesight

It's not always easy to determine species in a dance club with a lot of flashing lights.

[15:29] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: why are we still here
[15:29] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this is like
[15:29] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: club peed

Because you're an idiot?

About this time I sent a private IM to Idiot J:

[15:30] Emilly Orr: Listen. You don't like it, you can go.
[15:30] Emilly Orr: But it's the DJ's birthday, so don't make a fuss here.
[15:30] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry
[15:31] Emilly Orr: The music is good, the people are friendly, you don't have to date anyone on the dance floor.

Why is this hard to understand? It's not hard.

And then...

[15:32] lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: AH!! :o!
[15:32] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: EEEeeeeekkkk!!!!
[15:32] Emilly Orr: Uhhh...
[15:32] Emilly Orr: Is this from one of our two troublemakers?

Because I only knew of the two idiots at this point. So what's happening--that no one is seeing, because I couldn't even get the photo function to open--is someone bombed the center of the dance floor with a griefing object, that spawned zombies and thundering shards of brightly glowing glass. It went off three times, and each time pushed us farther and farther off the dance floor, until all of us were literally pressed flat against the walls of the club.

[15:33] lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: omggg
[15:33] Axxxxxx Fxxxxx: Its a generic off the shelf grief tool attack!
[15:33] Axxxxxx Fxxxxx sighs
[15:33] Emilly Orr: Yeah, but why?
[15:33] Axxxxxx Fxxxxx: I don't think there needs to be a why...

I always think there needs to be a why, because it's both more baffling, and more contentious, thinking people are just doing this with zero thought whatsoever.

[15:33] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: who was that
[15:33] oxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wtf
[15:34] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Its bibble
[15:34] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: she's outside

Just outside of the club, where Mistah G with the banhammer couldn't reach her. And since Bibble (full name given later) was the griefer who owned the object, Bibble does not get anonymity.

[15:34] lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: laggg
[15:34] xxxxxxx Txxxx: who is doing this?
[15:34] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: swat

Or Bibble, AKA, Idiot B, who came with Idiot J and Idiot W and stayed outside. Which meant they planned this.

[15:35] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: banned
[15:35] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thx [gxxxxx]
[15:35] mxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thank you, [gxxxxx]
[15:35] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: it was ilbrendenli (Bibble)

AKA, Idiot B, the owner of the griefing object that lagged out the club for no good damn reason.

[15:36] bxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes my eyes and ears thank you
[15:36] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: he he
[15:36] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: I don't even bother talking to those people anymore
[15:36] Axxxxxx Fxxxxx: Its never worth talking to them
[15:37] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: lift my axe and they're gone
[15:37] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thumbs up
[15:37] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Go go [Gxxxxx]!
[15:37] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: they need the attention, feed the monster, watch it grow
[15:37] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: What'd I miss?
[15:37] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Zombies
[15:37] Bxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: ah, ok
[15:37] Nxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: make a big spoffer and they think em are hack gods
[15:37] Nxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: o m g!
[15:37] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: just another day in SL :D
[15:37] Axxxxxx Fxxxxx: A generic off the shelf grief attack tool

Not even a particularly creative one.

[15:38] xxxxxxx Txxxx: lol so 2004
[15:38] Emilly Orr: Thank you, [Gxxxxx].
[15:38] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: this is a generic off the shelf pedo convention

SHUT UP.

[15:38] Emilly Orr: Will you STOP, [Jxxxxxx]? For the love of all things. No one is interested in dating you.
[15:38] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I reported you all

I doubt that.

[15:38] dxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the axe is poised [gxx]?
[15:39] Emilly Orr: Please do tell me it is
[15:39] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx whispers: [N*gga] why this sim full of pedophiles
[15:39] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: how did all you pedo's meet up
[15:39] Emilly Orr: You're a jerk

He really was. They both were. I despair of any troll who proves out to be a being capable of rational thought.

[15:39] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: it's very sharp [Dxxx] :D
[15:39] Sxxxxx Axxxxxx: Hello everyone..
[15:39] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I don't want to date none of this children
[15:39] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: who do you think i am

An idiot?

[15:39] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you silly mare

Cat, thank you.

[15:39] Emilly Orr: Good, then stop complaining
[15:39] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i don't have a van parked round the corner
[15:39] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: emily here trying to date kids

You can shut the hell up, too.

[15:39] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: like all these other people
[15:39] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sick [f*ck]
[15:39] Dilly the Swear Llama: [axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx] has just said a badword, they need to pay the swear jar L$10!!

Bet they won't.

[15:39] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: emily why u wanna date kids
[15:39] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: do you all take names out of a raffle
[15:39] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: at the end of the night
[15:39] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: another one bites the dust

Mistah G was doing what he could, but apparently it takes more now to set up and execute bans now.

[15:40] Emilly Orr shakes her head and gives up
[15:40] Emilly Orr: Not worth the drama
[15:40] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and you select them that way
[15:40] Emilly Orr: But keep going, [Jxxxxxx] you'll be next
[15:40] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: next for what
[15:40] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: van loving?
[15:41] xxxxxxx Txxxx: I'm Glad [Gxxxxxx] is here when the mentally ill show up to spice it up :3
[15:41] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: smell my hankey
[15:41] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it's magical

Like I said, no rational thought.

[15:41] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: there is plenty of room on the ban list
[15:41] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx:
[15:42] Emilly Orr: [Gxxxxxx], I'll enthusiastically volunteer [Jxxxxxxx] for your ban list
[15:42] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i'm fine where i am

Far from.

[15:42] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx tosses [Gxxxxx] the "Banhammer'
[15:42] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no neeed to ban

Every need to ban.

[15:42] Emilly Orr: Then behave.
[15:43] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: is that what you tell the kids
[15:43] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: before you towelflick them into the van

I don't even know what that means.

[15:43] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: executed
[15:43] Emilly Orr: THANK you
[15:43] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: :D

And with that, Idiot J was gone.

[15:43] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: any more volunteers?
[15:43] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: he he
[15:44] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thats was a nice headshot [Gxxxxx]
[15:44] Gxxxxx Exxxxxx: he he
[15:44] Emilly Orr: Indeed.
[15:44] Sxxxxx Axxxxxx: Sorry all we aren't welcome i guess

Not if you're part of Idiot J, Idiot W, and Idiot B.

[15:44] Sxxxxx Axxxxxx: [15:41] [axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx]: why u got a sim full of kids
[15:41] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: are you sleeping with em all
[15:42] sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: excuse me? ain't my sim
[15:42] sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: thanks!
[15:42] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Why u hanging out with children
[15:42] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: u sick [f*ck]
[15:44] Dilly the Swear Llama: [Sxxxxx Axxxxxx] has just said a badword, they need to pay the swear jar L$10!!
[15:44] Emilly Orr: Nope, one doofus still here

Then Idiot J IMed me back:

[15:45] Jxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: why did you ban me
[15:46] Emilly Orr: I didn't, I'm not a mod here, but you were being rude.

So I started yesterday getting bounced from a group, while Peppah asked for any more volunteers, and ended the day encouraging someone else to ban people, while they asked for more volunteers.

Synchronicity is odd at times.

she has hairy legs, and she eats raw meat

OH, man. This is the weirdest thing that's happened in a while. So, there's an event called Kink(y) Monthly, and usually, there's a lot of interesting Adult-themed items--common features are lingerie, collars, leashes, spanking benches...you get the idea. It's occasionally laggy, because many folks (I'm ashamed to admit, I'm among them) go in full mesh with scripted HUDS on, and y'know, that increases the lag at busy shopping events.

There are many ways to deal with this problem. The most common include lowering your graphics settings, or setting everyone but you to impostor status. Recently, there's been a couple advancements, including jellydolls (Firestorm allows you to set how complex the avatars you're trying to render are), friends only (another Firestorm setting which renders only people on your friendslist), and derendering all avatars temporarily. While some of these are less well known, they are all useful techniques for events with lots of active scripts, vendors, and people.

Now, by the time this occurred, I had left due to lag. I'd seen all the offerings, picked up a few demos for outfits to try on later, and poofed away to a far less laggier locale. But my friends stayed, and...that's when this happened:

[23:39] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: fawkes you better get the [f*ck] away from me
[23:39] Fawkes Allen: I can't even see you! I have Avatars disabled due to lag
[23:39] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i will harass you if you keep bumping me

Keep in mind, this is not in IM. She is saying this IN OPEN CHAT.

[23:40] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I don't giva [shh*t]
[23:40] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: poof away, nothing here for you
[23:40] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You are here just to bother others
[23:40]Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so just log off or tp out
[23:40] Fawkes Allen: I am here to shop, same as you.

The arrogant assumptions in her statements are galling. Mm. Allen, due to having derendered everyone, had, near as we can figure, bumped this aggressive little trash fire ONCE. After that SINGLE bump--to which all that was really required was "Hey! Don't bump me!" followed by an apology from Mm. Allen--she made it her mission in life to ruin everyones' night.

[23:40] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Oh yeah? Shopping for female panties you idiot?
[23:41] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you are standing in the wrong spot

Yeah, so...it's known that Mm. Allen--and many others in SL--are genderfluid. Sometimes he's male, sometime's she's female, sometimes it's a robot--because Mm. Allen frequently roleplays in various communities. Shopping for panties is not at all uncommon, but more than that, what's wrong with any male-identified avatar shopping for lingerie? They could have a wife, a girlfriend, a mistress. Maybe they're shopping for a friend who can't make the event. Maybe there's a birthday or anniversary coming up, and they're wondering if their partner(s) or friend(s) would like something like it. Or maybe, just maybe, they want to wear it themselves.

[23:41] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I saw you bumping everyone here and standing on that girl's head

The phrase "standing on that girl's head" is especially telling here. I won't lie, we often shop in a clump, and when we do, we generally select one person to port us places. Which she does by standing in place and sending out ports. This often results in us arriving before the last person has moved off the port point, so it's not at all uncommon that we will--briefly--find ourselves standing on someone's head.

But--and this is key--this happens in general outside the venues, or if inside, to the side of where the most people might aggregate. This tells me that this rampaging loony was considering Mm. Allen bumping us while getting untangled from the teleport clump as "bumping everyone here".

Thanks for being offended on our behalf, you knuckle-dragging Visigoth, but really, we're fine. Ask first before assuming someone else is completely in the wrong.

[23:41] Fawkes Allen: Yes? Beyond the fact I have multiple characters, It's nice to see what might be interesting to suggest to people I know.
[23:41] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: So go [F*CK] YOURSELF
[23:41] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You are not that clever lol
[23:41] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: leave
[23:42] Fawkes Allen: No, now stop being so rude, I'll stand still if that'll make you happier and Cam
[23:42] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok,

And then she did--something--which shotput Fawkes out of the building and near the edge of the sim. After Mm. Allen flew back, confused, the conversation continued. Again, IN MAIN CHAT:

[23:44] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you want more?
[23:45] Fawkes Allen: You're the one Griefing me?
[23:45] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yeah so?

Open admission of griefing tactics used on another SL avatar in main chat. Abuse reports began to be filed. From IMs in a group conference we were using:

[23:46] Fawkes Allen: Assault or Harassment?
[23:47] Fawkes Allen: What's the category for Griefing?
[23:47] Axxxxxxxx Axxxxx: Hmm, I don't know actually, I've never reported anyone before, I thought Griefing was it's own thing
[23:48] Emilly Orr: Assault.
[23:48] Emilly Orr: Bumping, pushing, or shoving someone--deliberately--in a safe area
[23:49] Axxxxxxxx Axxxxx: Yah, I'm glad I walked over, this is great
[23:50] Axxxxxxxx Axxxxx: Wish I had popcorn
[23:50] Emilly Orr: It went on?
[23:50] Emilly Orr: Oh dear gods, she's saying all this in OPEN CHAT??
[23:50] Axxxxxxxx Axxxxx: It's still going, and yep

Another friend had walked over at this point, trying to keep the peace.

[23:47] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You're not making any sense, [Jxxx]. He's clearly just trying to shop like the rest of us.
[23:47] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Shut up idiot, no one is talking to you
[23:47] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what are you his alt?
[23:47] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [f*ck] off
[23:47] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: What a pleasant personality.

Yeah, really. And apparently she's proud of being her objectionable little self:

[23:47] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yeah, I am not so shut the [f*ck] up ok?
[23:47] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: No one is talking or dealing with you
[23:48] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i am talking to fawkes not you
[23:48] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And did he get to choose to talk to you or not?
[23:48] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You want to suck his lil [d*ck] go right ahead, but I am not talking to you at all
[23:48] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Why would you get to choose who to talk to at will, but other people don't get to choose to talk to you if they want to?
[23:48] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: He bumped me and everyone else if you have to know lol

Yeah, at this point I'm calling shenanigans on this assertion. I know I wasn't there, personally, but I have verification of three other people who were there with Mm. Allen, and they saw him bump her once, period. Once. Only.

[23:48] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Ok you are his alt I get it
[23:48] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: This is a lagfest.
[23:49] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Lotsa people will bump into people.

As is the nature of many large shopping events. Decent people apologize when we can--when we catch it--and if not, for most people, it's a momentary flare of irritation, and then, guess what, they go on with their day. Like rational adults do. Instead of spoiled children, like Ms. [Jxxx] here:

[23:49] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: fawkes, your computer is getting hot isn't it with 2 avatars?
[23:49] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[23:49] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's not like we get physically hurt by it.
[23:49] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: at least make a real "woman" as an alt ffs
[23:49] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: not a monkey

I don't understand the "monkey" thing at all. [Txxxxxxxx] is an elemental female, with ears that are roughly cat-shaped, and a tail made of bubbles. She is alternately composed of water, earth, air or lava, depending on her mood. How does that equate to "monkey"?

[23:50] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'm nobody's alt. I am his friend though. See, people with decent personalities get to have friends.
[23:50] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's kind've a neat perk.
[23:51] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: blah blah blah......take ur monkey tail and your friend elsewhere then
[23:51] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: No.
[23:51] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: We're shopping.
[23:51] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Which I'm gonna get back to doing now.
[23:51] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Cheers!

And when this particular elemental decides to walk away from a peacekeeping effort, you have definitely done something wrong, because she's just about the calmest, most peaceful person I know.

[23:51] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok
[23:51] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: "sheds a tear"

Normally--or at least, these days--I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she had a bad day. Maybe she's under a lot of work or relationship stress. But all that changed when I pulled up her profile.

Turns out she's all of five months old. This is her SL bio:

All I gotta say is play cool with me and we'll be cool! Be a [f*cking] bitch and I will be a bigger [f*cking] bitch....;)...test me! I will own you, so back the [f*ck] off unless you're willing to look stupid ;)

Ooookay. Though I'm fairly sure the only one looking stupid here is her.

Her first life bio?

Only people with a "need to know" criteria will know, otherwise all you need to know is that I don't know what to tell ya!

So she's not smart enough to come up with a bio, she's barely smart enough to spell simple words in main chat at a highly populated event, and she has no picks.

What a total waste of oxygen.

But that wasn't the end of things. She was still ranting, only now, she'd moved to IMing Mm. Allen directly:

[00:04] [00:04] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so that's ur alt?
[00:04] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: monkey tailed chick lol
[00:04] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that is the best you got for me?
[00:04] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: A noobish looking avatar talking big in local?

What's "talking big" in local? Seriously, I want to know how trying to mediate equates to a threatening gesture. Does she view any form of conversation as verbal assault?

[00:05] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That is the best you got?
[00:05] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: 3713 days and that is the best you got for me huh?
[00:05] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You do need better friends you know? Lol
[00:05] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That [sh*t] is no help to you lol
[00:06] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I can help her look half way decent if you need, let me know lol
[00:06] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: As of now, she looks like death lol

Given the choice between my friend's elemental structure, which is original and fascinating, and Ms. [Jxxx]'s spraddle hips, spray-tanned skin, and a thigh gap you could drive a tank through...well, I know which one I'd pick for fashion advice.

[00:06] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I mean wtf is with the tail and the ears? Lol
[00:06] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Is she a monkey?
[00:07] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: tell her to go get a body, a head, and a skin
[00:07] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and get rid of that tail shit deal lol

She's never seen any neko on the grid? She's associated solely with humans her entire five months of experience?

Oh, who am I kidding, she probably has. Probably has no idea that the grid is larger than her filth-filled head.

[00:08] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I won't tell ehr that so I won't be too rude

No, of course not, because you're respectful of other avatars' feelings. Cue my massive, nigh crushing sensation of disbelief.

[00:08] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: but you know better with all the years you got here
[00:08] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: And next time you want to come and [f*ck] around with people, make sure you look at the avatars and read their profiles ok?
[00:09] Jxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Some of us know a lot actually

Some people, sure. Not you, clearly. You're stone-stick stupid, and it looks like you won't be improving any time soon.

[00:14] Fawkes Allen: I do like her 'I don't want to be rude'
[00:14] Fawkes Allen: Like...no

Yeah. Because she passed rude a long time back.

[00:15] Txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yeah, do not engage with toxic personalities, generally.

Yeah. Ever. It never turns out well.

[00:16] Axxxxxxxx Axxxxx: Honestly, I don't think she would care, it didn't really seem like she was reading what you were saying
[00:18] Axxxxxxxx Axxxxx: People like her are why I hate people
[00:19] Emilly Orr nodnods
[00:20] Axxxxxxxx Axxxxx: Ah well, at least her stupidity was hilarious

And saved. More than willing on this one, to give the name to anyone who asks. Just in case y'all want to ban the stupid from your lands or events. I know I'm preemptively banning her from any lands that I own.

And after that lovely bit of strangeness, have some religious nightmare fuel. I don't even. Also, I don't want to be glared at by a robot in diamond-plate armor speaking about God. Thanks, but no.

all the others just disgust me

While spending some time in inventory organization, I caught a few worrying lines from the Builders' Brewery group:

[03:09] Dxxxxx Exxxx: what can you do if trapped in a cage?
[03:09] Axxxxx Bxxxxx: is the griefer named Frank? he's doing it at Little Blue also
[03:09] Mx Lxxxxxxxx: read a book
[03:09] Axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Rezz a prim, sit on it, and edit yourself out maybe
[03:09] Emilly Orr: Port home or log out and log back in somewhere else.
[03:09] sxxxxxxx Jxxxxxxxx: frank (dartman07)
[03:09] Axxxxx Bxxxxx: yep..that's him

In this case, names were not changed to protect the guilty. You'll see why in a bit.

At any rate, it seemed fairly serious, and fairly blatant. And it seemed to be getting worse:

[03:11] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: try filing a report and take a pic
[03:11] Axxxxx Bxxxxx: I did it here in Little Blue...
[03:11] Emilly Orr: Do fill out a report and snap a pic.
[03:11] Axxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yeah I'd want to AR and have snapshots and stuff - cos the cage bit is especially annoying
[03:11] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it takes time sometimes and frank is in the group i see

That statement killed my brain. And he wasn't just in the Builder's Brewery group; he was in the Speakeasy group, too.

[03:11] Emilly Orr: Also, for someone in this group and the speakeasy group to be caging people? I'd say he needs to apologize, or be kicked from the groups.
[03:12] Mxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Now he's got me caged in a Porta-Potty!
[03:12] Lxxx Axxxx: naming someone in group chat can get you into trouble
[03:13] Axxxxx Bxxxxx: Franks reply when I told him he was being reported?..."Cool"...
[03:13] Emilly Orr: If he's running around griefing people I would damn well hope it gets him in trouble.
[03:13] txxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: trouble or not i like to know who to look out for and LL does go after griefers

Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but it's never a bad idea to send them a report so that they know, at least.

Still, the fact that this idiot was actually in the group bothered me for some reason. And then it got worse:

[03:14] frank (dartman07): is there a mod on?
[03:14] Emilly Orr: You're kidding, right?
[03:15] frank (dartman07): sorry we have a griefer here & im trying to do some work :(

The absolute gall of this weakened oyster of a man...First, he griefs everyone in a group-only sandbox; then he joins the chat pretending he's being griefed along with everyone else! I mean, really. What kind of a knuckle-dragging Visigoth do you have to be to find this amusing in any way?

[03:15] Sxxxxxxxxx Cxxxxx: Frank, stop the griefing and I'll release you
[03:15] Wxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: there is a griefer at builders brewery his name is dartman07
[03:15] Wxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx): I have reported him to LL
[03:15] rxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: busted frank
[03:16] Emilly Orr: I would say Frank's behavior qualifies as violating the rules
[03:16] frank (dartman07): please get a mod here

The problem was, there were no mods on at three in the goddamn morning. And I found myself actually getting seriously irked that he was still playing the innocent here.

Still, as it's happened before, someone who owned a prim sets it out full-perm, some miscreant grabs it and passes it off as the owner's prim, and not their own scripted griefing object...I figured, I owed it to myself at least to go see what was going on with my own eyes.

So I packed up what I was doing and traipsed over. It didn't take me long from the main beam-in point to find the sandbox (for anyone who doesn't know, it's behind the new Creators' Village, in the north corner of the sim), and what I saw when I got there went a far cry past one simple caging:

(from the bizarre album; griefing attack in the Builders' Brewery group sandbox)

By the time I arrived, the cages were gone, and the last bout of giant pencils were just beginning to fade. The bigger problem was now the scripted bouncing objects, and--closer to the ground--the screaming flat prims. Both ones I'd dealt with before as an estate manager--the scripted bouncers being Mario (I've also seen Suiseiseki being used), and the screaming prims being headcrab zombies (which are especially annoying, as they tend to be auto-generated from transparent cubes that generally hover around 1000 meters up, and spawn anywhere between 800 meters up and ground level):

(from the bizarre album; griefing attack at the Builders' Brewery sim)

[03:17] Lxxx Axxxx: there are no mods in chat as far as I can see by the chat list
[03:17] Emilly Orr: Wau, you're not kidding. Massive griefing attack going on.
[03:17] sxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Is anyone being griefed by someone named dartman07?
[03:18] frank (dartman07): well more fun for me then :D

Remember when I said I was deliberately leaving dartman07's name exposed? This is why. He was bragging about it at this point.

[03:18] Emilly Orr: All owned by frank (dartman07)....and you're complaining about people griefing that AREN'T you, Frank?
[03:18] sunshine Juneberry: just tp out if your being griefed

The problem being--though I may be the only one who does this--is that when I'm reporting a griefing attack, I tend to stay on site so I can accurately record the sim, my position on the sim, and snap a decent image of the attack to send to the Lab.

[03:18] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Massive attack, and using very obscene items too! How can he be allowed here? This used to be such a nice place to create.
[03:18] rxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxx: so that's you dumping all the prims, psycho-frank?

The other problem, of course, is that the attack spread. It took less than a minute for the sandbox to fill up with unwanted, unnecessary prims, and then it overflowed to the sim at large.

[03:19] Zxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: griefers are truly a lower form of life
[03:19] frank (dartman07): hehe
[03:19] Lxxx Axxxx: take pics, collect all evidence and report to group mods and LL
[03:20] Lxxx Axxxx: and don't feed trolls
[03:21] sxxx Xxxxxx: frank your computer will be traced not your account YOUR COMP! so by all means have your fun!
[03:22] pxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxx: It is a child everyone...you are dealing with a child.
[03:22] wxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: you must have a very sad rl life if u need to annoy people on sl to get your kicks, what goes around come around

Karma being what it is. And yes, it tends to, but never fast enough:

(from the bizarre album; griefing attack at the Builders' Brewery sim)

By the time I'd filed a report with the Lindens, and sent a notecard to one of the sim owners, the entire sim was infected.

[03:23] frank (dartman07): kay im tping out now
[03:23] frank (dartman07): enjoy
[03:23] frank (dartman07): next sandbox to hit

Some days I really hate people.