Sunday, September 30, 2007

Community

I met someone new today. So new in fact, that she had been born in SL just a mere two hours prior. As with any newborn, she was in a state of confusion and awe about the world around her. The grid is an exasperatingly huge series of ones and zeros, while a resident is but a small percentage of the tiniest fraction in comparison. To be introduced to the world so suddenly, it can be a bit daunting and overwhelming. But it's also something so exciting and new, and I know it kept me coming back for more.
I remember back to when I was first born. To say I was amazed would be an understatement. A completely open-ended new world to be discovered. I've come a long way since then, but I had help along the way. There were a couple who not only helped me, but befriended me and made the initial weeks and adjustment period that much easier. And although this help and friendship is special to me, I found out later that this treatment isn't all that uncommon. I think I would be bold enough to say that the grid is ripe with it--and I feel honoured to share the branches with so many others.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Living with that community feeling.

In my RL home, I have very little contact with my neighbours. Some I wish would move, others I wouldn't mind getting to no better. Either way, we don't talk much. I can't speak for anyone else in this case, but for my household, the whole community feeling doesn't exist. When I was younger I remember exchanging Christmas gifts and cards with nearly everyone around us. There would be occasions of coffee and cards, and other miscellaneous friendly neighbour like activities. I try to figure out why this kind relationship no longer exists and I can only point to two things: media fear-mongering and the suppressed recession that has allowed us to own everything we need for a fraction of what it would cost if it were produced locally. There's no actual need to cross that property line anymore.
In Mindio, I digitally live at the literal end of the block. On one side is another region, and the other is a line of at least partially developed properties. I've actually gotten to know a good number of my neighbours, one of whom I talk to pretty much every time I'm home. Like me, he's a fairly new resident, and thus is still learning (although he's amassing a lot more knowledge than I am). We have both passed on tips, tricks, and scripts to each other but this isn't the reason we've become friends. We simply share the same area and actually enjoy having a friend next door. An element of SL that I wish could mirror into RL.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Mirror, mirror.

I've always tried to avoid bringing out a false front. I try to wear my mind on my T-Shirt for everyone to see. The only thing that may change, is the colour of the T-Shirt. Let's be honest, there are some days or occasions we may choose to wear our best T-Shirt over all the others, to impress or to woo other residents, but generally they are likely worn in complete and utter randomness.
Last night I was talking with my neighbours (who are great, I might add) and for some reason or another I ended up putting on a little avatar show. During my initial weeks in SL, I had collected all sorts of useful (or useless) free goods for my entertainment. I showed off my mini-mech, my Darth Vader, cartoon characters etc., but I felt really odd when I ended the show with my alternate avatar--my best T-Shirt, so to speak.
When you log onto this blog, it's the best T-Shirt that you normally get to see. Young, dashing, über-masculine looking, white male model. I generally use him for when I'm going out to a club or some other event where I feel that I need to bring my "A-Game."
I'd like to think that Daxiong Ling and his RL host are one in the same person. So it's not a wonder I started asking myself why I was actually doing this. This avatar isn't me at all; not even a T-Shirt. It's more like a completely different outfit that I bought at Hugo Boss which goes COMPLETELY against my natural grain (ouch.. mixing metaphors). Why in Lindon's name would I feel the need to go past my "A-Game" into something that doesn't represent me? The ultimate answer would be, I suppose, to fit in. All your average regions are filled with digitally generated supermodels, and the normal, casual, Daxiong Ling kind of stands out. Thin, scrawny, plain, Asian.
I'm not saying that an avatar should be an accurate representation of it's RL host. That's not it at all. If I were trying to imply that, the whole Asian look I have going for me would be most inaccurate. I simply propose that an avatar should represent the essence of your inner workings. A depiction of who you are. Having more than one avatar is more than acceptable, because your average being wears more than one hat (ohh.. another cliché). Opposite sides to a single coin (I could go on forever).
With this revelation, I will be upfront and say that I will be keeping the "A-Game." The point of it's continued existence will be what changes--it makes a great prop for best-in-show events.