the headline read in black and white, "An angel falls from grace"

Oh! Hi there! It seems to be September.

And (who's surprised, really?) I'm still counting, so--welcome to Day 378!

Caught on a random profile:

Single. Poly. Don't want a relationship but I do want a bunch of friends I'm in love with. We can all live on a commune, take care of each other, and watch horror movies every night.

That's so sweet.

(Also, OMG OMG Wally Darling has a Makeship plush out AAAAAAH--)

Excuse me. What I meant to say is...the not-me aspect of the mesh head business? Is even more not-me than usual, because I forgot this planned EvoX-based avatar had a different base shape (Why? No idea. No, I'm serious, I didn't leave me notes explaining things), so apologies for that.

However. I needed to post about some new/revised items from /Vae Victis\! And Sonder called, in the meantime, so to Sonder I went.



The "Sanguis" Hemophage collar you can see in the above picture, but not really sure how the rest of it is coming across...



...and the other tattoo work may interfere, as well. Argh.

[[Ahem. Insert from the Editrix before publishing, WHY IS IT FIVE DAYS LATER, but also, fairly sure I had another tattoo under the Cultist wristlets? Go me. I THINK it's also Vae Victis, from the Zealot set of things, but...coming back to this later, no idea.]]



...okay. So those are the tears from the "Veritas" Cultist set along with the crest (which, I, um, forgot to put on before starting to take pics). Let's see if I can get a good pic of the "Veritas" Cultist cuffs.



There we go. Everything's in Old Gold, by the way, if I forgot to mention that.

[[Insert from the Editrix, again--see what I mean? I'm fairly sure the eyes belong to the Cultist set, but the hatching, not as confident. Or maybe it's the other way around...]]



Okay, best picture I can get of everything. Let's run it down, there's a lot:

• the "Sanguis" Hemophage collar, BOM layer, in "Blood" on the LeLutka EvoX "Kaya" head
• the bonus 'shadow' cover for the lower body, on Maitreya
• the "Veritas" Cultist crest and tears, BOM layer, in "Blood" on the Lelutka EvoX "Kaya" head
• the "Veritas" Cultist cuffs, BOM layer, in "Blood" on Maitreya

...and I've just now remembered the wrist cuffs were a gift for the event which I think I missed by a handful of days...

[[Great, I mentioned it in the blog. So much argh. Malfunction am me.]]

Onward through the frogs, I guess.



And this is everything listed above, only in "Void".

There are fifteen colors total in the "Sanguis" Hemophage collar, which also comes with the bonus 'shadow' layer for the lower body; fifteen combination crest-and-tears for the "Veritas" Cultist set, with an additional fifteen layers for the crest alone, the tears alone, and another fifteen SLUV layers in all the shades; and fifteen shades, BOM, for the "Veritas" Cultist wrist cuffs.

That is...a lot. Incredible.



(And, since I've done all that, let's do the rest of the rundown. I'm wearing:

• the "Sanguis" Hemophage collar in "Rosedust"
• the "Veritas" Cultist Tears and Crest in "Rosedust"
• the "Veritas" Cultist Tears and Crest in "Rosedust"
• the Wicca's Wardrobe "Laerlorn" tiara in "Black/Gold" [it was a gift from something, but damned if I remember where]
• Olive's "High Priestess" hair, Split 4 RARE variation [from a gacha, so maybe still available on Marketplace?]
• !deviantMind's "Falena" set [just Bra/Skirt] in "Blood"
• IDEALIA's "RAINA" ankle wraps [linking the Marketplace because the in-world store appears absent]
• the Lelutka EvoX skin in "Porcelain" from Enfer Sombre [with additional BOM layering for the elf ears]
• the Lelutka EvoX "Kaya" head
• TREND's Witch Eyeshadow [BOM 10] and Witch Lip [the orange one] from the Halloween Collection 2020 [purchased both on their recent half-off-the-things sale, but honestly, I would have been comfortable paying full price. Lovely set of lip tints and 'witchy' shadows]

...and pretty sure the eyes come with the "Kaya" head.

[[Last insert, I promise--somehow it's EVEN LATER STILL, so going with the 15th as the publish date and AAAAAAAGH and WHY DOES MY BRAIN HATE ME???



[[Past five days. Gah, six days now. Whyyyyy.]]

(And you've seen the pic that this was directing you down here to explain, but nonetheless: the little insert was doing as much as I could to highlight the Rosedust tone. It's like frosted, melted, then refrozen rose gold. Very subtle. Perfect for the Biblically accurate angel in your life. So--hope that worked!)

right in your space, I just walk through your door, but I'm still so far away

The oddity of SL:

[23:40] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Yeah, I have no idea how I combined Em's original measurements, and spacing on the RL face, and got Emilia Clarke.

Nevertheless, still in winter, dreaming of spring, so let's talk the redo of the Pillar of Inun from /Vae Victis\.



Out comes the pouty elven glitch, because this set used to lack EvoX support, and now it has. So this is "Automa" in Gold, for mesh bodies with EvoX heads. Now, application is seamless and precisely in place--before, with the earlier set I had, I had to juggle layers until I hit the right combination that would texture Maitreya body, system head. I will grant, this IS easier.



This is "Dium" in Abyssal--it's the same pattern, but this time the gorget is textured in magma tones of burnt rock and laval flow.



This is "Huld" in Purple, and so far, I know this is going to be one of my favorites from this set. Stark metal blacks and charcoals, with details picked out in ultraviolet tones.


This is "Invi" in Delirium, with a close-up of the side patterning, and how far the gorget rises to the lower cheeks.



This one, "Le'er" in Crystal, really goes with the background I chose for these pictures, which, as it happens, is somewhere in the Fairelands Junction. Serves me right for thinking the Junction had a solid port-in point.



And finally, the "Vitii" in Blood.

There are--in the fatpack--thirteen different shades for the EvoX update, and two "bonus" shades additionally, which are not rigged for EvoX (as shown above, the "Bris" in Delirium which amused me greatly. The other bonus shade is "Tene".)

As it's an update of an existing product, it's at the mainstore, and you can make it your very own for L$450!

give me hope, help me cope, with this heavy load

The more things change, the more they break the same. It took the better part of two and a half hours to bash some kind of functionality into the Kaya head. And in the end, what we have is...not me.



And I am beginning to believe it just never will be me, and...why is everything so hard?



So, welcome Not-Me to the cast of characters, the rest of which are usually me, because I wanted a functional EvoX head to put EvoX layered things onto.



And if she does nothing else, pouty elven bitch that she is, she can at least stand around and get made up. It's ridiculous.

Something I sent to an otherlove when I finally gave up on making her look any better--or worse:

[15:41] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): Gods, when did I log in...around one? And it's now...now...and I have JUST finished finding an outfit and bashing a mesh head into at least surface-usable condition, and...now I'm exhausted.
[15:42] Emilly Shatner-Orr (emilly.orr): I hate this, I love you, I'll see what I can do with things this evening, and I'm off for a nap.

All I wanted to do is review EvoX layers for things. Why is it this stupidly difficult?

it's my pleasure to introduce to you Hell's latest arrival

I don't even anything. Why don't mesh heads make sense?

*breathes*

So, let me get this straight...



When I wear a skin designed for LeLutka EVO-X, which I'm informed won't WORK on non-EVO-X heads, on the LeLutka Kaya EVO-X head, I get lips on my forehead and rows of teeth on my chin. But when I wear a skin designed for LeLutka EVO-X, on the LeLutka Lilly head, which is (at least as far as I know) NOT EVO-X...it works???

Make it make sense. Please. What?



(This is pre-shape adjustment, by the way. Yes. I realize I look like Meg Tilly as a space alien. I'm *hoping* that will improve later on.)

I've been playing at self-worth again, ain't it fun to play pretend?

Finally got around to unpacking the new mesh head acquired in December from LeLutka...



Good, good, that's helpful...

...and none of the skins I own that SAY they're for LeLutka EVO X--or even LeLutka original, in case I somehow didn't buy EVO--work to remove that, so...right. Setting that aside until the next time I decide to fight with it.

what do you want from me? why don't you run from me?

And this is why I still don't have a mesh head.



This is OUT OF THE BOX. Granted, out of the box for the second time, but I did nothing with it but wear it and wear the shape it came with. That's all.



Even worse? THIS is the head I bought--with HELP, I might add!--because I thought it might be close to how I look now. Argh!



OH THERE'S A PARTY TO GO TO NO PROBLEM JUST LET ME GRAB MY COAT--



And this? This is what I got when I took off the mesh head. Which is big and square but still, recognizeably human!

WTF did I do to that head the last time I unpacked it? Because it needs to be FIXED, STAT!!!

part time dreamer, would-be player

Look! Finally I have my Arctic fox back.



Yes, I know, it takes me a long time to decide. But I wanted to be sure, and I demo'ed a lot of options, and sure, while it would have taken much less time, effort and demo testing to simply buy an all-in-one like AVP's white fox, we're back to that whole "feeling like me" thing.

Keep in mind, this was my first fox:



And do take note of the vintage, nothing looks like that, I know. That head was all prims and pieces and one wrong move could take the entire thing down to components. I know that. But...back in 2007? That was me about a third of the time.



Now I have this. It's Whisk's Gelato mod for Maitreya, using Cerberus' Canis Bento head. I can't remember what store sells the neck extender, but fluffylittlellama made it. And Whisk made the eyes, their Calm Eyes in the Variety pack.



I'm going to take the additional hit today and pick up Apricot Paws' Feety Peets for female canines, because as much as I adore having shoes, she's telling me she wants paws. Who am I to argue?

And I definitely have to find a better outfit. This one's cute, but it was also an extremely lucky pull of Alchemy's 'The Wilds' outfit in Celestial, and...that's the only color it comes in? And I'd prefer a longer skirt. So...more shopping.

And I haven't decided if she needs whiskers yet. My brain is saying yes, but the people who made the Canis head don't have whiskers for sale, so...maybe not? I don't know. I'll think about it.

But either way, I have her back. One more piece of the past me that I want to retain in the new world. It's a good thing, I think.

let's get it right dear, give a good fight dear

Agh. Comment to a friend:

[3:10 PM] Emilly Orr: Someone in SL is really sick. Just popped into a store to check a sales item, and a lady rezzed in next to me. Little titler over her head said "I've infected 12 people" [3:10 PM] Emilly Orr: It changed to "I've infected 16 people" while I was blinking at it, and I realized it ticked off every person she was close to.

It would be one thing if it were a tool that talked about the virus, and how important it is to stay at home when possible, and how easy it is to infect others, but...the way it was phrased makes it sound actively malicious. Like she was proud of virtually infecting residents.

This is not a joke, people.

Anyone remember this? I'd received one donation towards it, and today received another, and merrily went off to Akeruka to find my destiny. AKA the Valentina.

But...turns out I was wrong. Very wrong. A conversation in group, that led to a notecard to the designer, followed by a conversation with the designer, told me that Valentina was never a head that Mr. Koba made. So...who did make it, then?



Turns out it was from Altamura, after all. So...now I have to play with it until I figure out the limitations, and see how it looks post-demo. Wish me luck.

In other news, punctuation is important (and I apologize in advance for the formatting errors, I can't track it down and I'm just letting it go):

[10:12] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajaja

It begins.

[10:12] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: noooo
[10:12] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajajajajaja la apoyamos a ella ("we support her")

[10:12] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lo pongo bello y despues compro esposas y se las coloco ("I love you and buy your wives and put them on"--oh, come on, Google Translate, that makes no sense)

[10:12] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: así como misstress ("as a mistress"?)

[10:12] Mxxxxx Fxxx: :v nosotras queremos ayudar, pero no expresa sus sentimientos, digo dudas ("we want to help, but don't express your feelings, I say..." Doubts? But doubts is duvida, so...?)

[10:12] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ayudan y divierten al mismo tiempo ("help"? Maybe? Then "have fun at the same time")

[10:12] sxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hay maldad aqui? ("there is evil here"?)

[10:12] Mxxxxx Mxxxx: muxa x lo q leo jaja ("muxa" failed to translate, the rest of it's close to "or what leo"?)

[10:12] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajajajajajajajaja

[10:12] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: aaaaajajaja

[10:13] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: bueno ("good")

[10:13] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: el tiene una cabeza espantosa, como ya dije ("they have an amazing head, like my day")

[10:13] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: y ahora compro un shape precioso que no ha servido poara nada ("and now I buy a precious shape that hasn't served for anything")

[10:13] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: porque sigue feo ("why follow", but "feo" didn't translate)

[10:13] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajajaja

[10:13] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajajajajaj puede q lo este aplicando mal ("I can use this badly")

[10:13] Mxxxxx Mxxxx: eso es, si no sabe manejarse con el shape mejor comprar uno ("that is, if you don't know how to manage with the best shape buy one")

[10:14] Mxxxxx Mxxxx: evitara tener cabeza cono ("will avoid having headache as" I think?)

[10:14] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: primero deben usar los demos jajajajajjajja ("first they should use the demos", maybe?)

[10:14] Mxxxxx Fxxx: talvez es porke no compro todo lo de la style card .. falta skin, cejas y no se que mas tenga ..ojos pelo (" maybe it's because I don’t buy all of the style card .. skin is missing, I don’t know what it is but it’s still .. today at" was the best Google Translate could do)

[10:14] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: English please

[10:14] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: mmmmm

[10:14] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no se nada de eso ("no if nothing"?)

[10:14] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hare algo ("there is something")

[10:14] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok habla en ingles o habla en privato con tu amiga ("ok speaking in English, speaking in private with your friend")[10:15] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: :)

[10:15] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lo enviare a este grupo ("send it to this group")

[10:15] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajajajaja

[10:15] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: y que nadie separa que hable de él ("and that no one separates me from talking about him", which again, is not in Portuguese, but Spanish? But didn't this conversation start out in Portuguese?)
[10:15] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ..

Now, that's not exactly what the mod said. She sapid "English please". That's a request, and not even an out of line one.

[10:15] Mxxxxx Mxxxx: banned to speak sanisxh [sxxxxx] lol

Banned? Who said banned?

[10:15] Mxxxxx Fxxx:

[10:14] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxx: English please a boy ask for help in spanish xD we try to help

[10:15] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: then you go in private

[10:15] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and talk with him

[10:16] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ooh

[10:16] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry

[10:16] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol

[10:16] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: maybe some other spanish wants to prodive his/her knowledge too

I think you mean 'provide', here?

But, things seemed to be moving back on track...

[10:16] Mxxxxx Mxxxx: talk with you boyfriend [jxxxxx] in private, yes lol
[10:17] Mxxxxx Fxxx: lol hahhaha why you get angry ..
[10:17] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hahahaha (english laugh)

I mean, seriously, what's an English laugh?

[10:17] Mxxxxx Mxxxx: [jxxxxx] dont listen to your girl friendo you are not ugly, you can fix your shape,..
[10:18] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: they should do a disclaimer in group description
[10:18] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: "english help only"

Some groups do, some don't, it varies. But again, this is not what she said.

[10:18] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no is not just english help but i understand spanish
[10:18] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and the chat was not not only technical help
[10:19] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: myself when is needed i help in other languages as well but is not a convo is a technical help
[10:19] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now if you want to play joke and laught and so in other language since is a chat for everybody you can go in private
[10:20] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i have read you before talking in ur native language too, and i can assure u it was not only [store] related
[10:21] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Sorry [Sxxxx], the fault was mine ... I did not know that you could not converse through this chat, that it should only be limited to "technical help" and in English
[10:21] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [sxx], i can tell you was only about help a customer and was not a serie of jajajajajajjaja

[10:21] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: my convo
[10:21] Mxxxxx Fxxx: mmmmm yes and yes.. but like others all can close the chat, and if some one need help can say (o.o)/ hi i need help..
[10:21] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Although there is never a bit of humor, especially now when everything is so tense and complicated
[10:22] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: So spanish chat in banned from group from now on? just to be clear

Nope.

[10:22] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [sxxx] if you want to do a humor for everybody then talk in english
[10:22] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so all ppl can understand and partecipate to your convo
[10:22] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no spanish help is allowed

And here is where things got somewhat hostile. By the end of this you'll understand why I said punctuation is important, but they were asking if Spanish, as a language, was banned, and the mod says this. Easy to misinterpret.

[10:22] mxxxx Rxxxxxxx:

[10:22] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: easy like this

[10:23] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if you want to play and jerk and laught and so in other language then you go on private

[10:23] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I don't want to make humor !!! Humor is spontaneous and shouldn't be exclusive

[10:23] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [10:08] Mxxxxx Fxxx: o x el* xD no sea que no seas el novio ("or x the * xD lest you not be the boyfriend", but again, in Spanish, not Portuguese?)

[10:09] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajajajaja, dejalo como esta, asi nadie se fija en el ("leave it as it is, so no one notices")

[10:09] cxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajajajajjajajajajajajaja

[10:09] Mxxxxx Fxxx: jajajajajajaja que mala  ("how mean")

[10:10] Mxxxxx Mxxxx: si lo amas aceptalo tal cual es.. ("if you love it accept it as it is")[10:10] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: jajaja

[10:10] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: y saldra benefici ("and it will benefit")

[10:23] Mxxxxx Fxxx: haha i gonna ask to owner if is true

[10:22] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no spanish help is allowed

[10:23] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: tell me where is the technical part her

[10:24] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [mxxxxx] then you need to ask to me im the responssable about [the group's] chat

[10:24] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and about many other things about the brand

[10:24] Mxxxxx Fxxx: so ask if [the shop is] racist or exist an other support chat in spanish

[10:25] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: they wer ejust making fun of the guy who wanted help, but just a lil. At last they tried to help

[10:25] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and well i guess i was clear about what i mean if you didnt understood i can explain also in private

[10:25] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and i help in portuguse too

[10:25] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and i helped in spanish too

[10:25] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now im done

[10:25] Mxxxxx Fxxx: you say

[10:22] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no spanish help is allowed

[10:25] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [the store] is not racist im brasilian

[10:25] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i said Spanish help is Allowed 

Ah, but you didn't, actually, you forgot a comma.

[10:25] Mxxxxx Fxxx: so is racist

[10:25] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i think you dont understand ..

I also think you fail to understand, or at least, you failed to catch the missing comma.

[10:26] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ahh sorry missed the , after the no

FINALLY the penny drops. This whole convo could have been avoided, if she'd realized that when it started.

[10:26] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so let me write again No, spanish help is allowed
[10:26] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: he just forgot the comma
[10:26] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now im done did you solved the problem if you still need help in spanish you can write me in pv and i will help you about
[10:27] mxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I need some support in English...
[10:27] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sure you can ask ^^
[10:27] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: im sry, i didnt read the whole convo , the "no spanish allowed" was what caught my attention
[10:27] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[10:28] Mxxxxx Fxxx: ok was funny here.. this get bored so .. good luck for all, is some have an ask about help [in the store chat] in spanish send mp maybe i can help .. have good day for all .. and i f i need help i hope never need help frome angry ppl lmao
[10:28] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [sxx] i missed the coma after the no

Yeah, really. I mean, I figured that out about halfway through the chat, but...I understand why folks got upset.

[10:28] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes u did xD
[10:28] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: he asked if was not allowed to ask help in spanish
[10:28] Sxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and i said no, spanish help is allowed
[10:28] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i understood but she didnt

Well, I think everyone was equally lost, but still.

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.

on the rooftops they dance, Valentino-type tangos

There is good and bad news in this.

After meeting someone with an Altamura head (which I mistook for Akeruka), I joined the Akeruka group. I demoed a few heads with my usual tragic failure rate. Then I drifted over to Valentina.

This is Valentina after the base shape tweaking:



This is my normal system look:



That's...really close. Like, the closest I've come with any mesh head in three years of searching. And it's on sale...for another day.

The bad news? Akeruka only accepts Omega appliers, I believe. But that's not the big problem. The big problem? I don't have L$1,750 to buy it.

In the end, honestly, I don't care how much I pay for a mesh head--honestly, I'll put things aside and save for it, even though I'm tragically inept with personal finances. I care about how much it looks like the me in my head--the system me. So while yes, the price tag is a sticking point, it is something to keep in mind.

But that price tag. So, the search goes on.

In the meantime, Schadenfreude is showing this off at the SaNaRae event:



I showed this to an actually Jewish friend. I didn't think it was amazingly accurate, but I was amused about holiday tentacles. He said he would have wanted a better place for the shamash, and I agree--it's pretty much just plunked on top of the creature's noggin.

But come on, nine different metals, sixteen different candle color options, all for L$175? I think a little historical inaccuracy can be allowed.