Ribbons Learns to Swim

Floaties, Punishment and The Freak Out

2011-01-07T05:18:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago, Michael Hyatt published a delightful little piece entitled, "Why I Stopped Reading Your Blog". It was then that I realized that I am guilty. Guilty as sin. Horribly guilty and worthy of some form of internet based punishment beyond the fall in rankings, beyond the tsk tsking of Google analytics.

I am sorry dear friends. For life got the best of me. Yet here I sit. Before the keyboard. In a panic. The next few months will be some of the most challenging in my life as I prepare a graduate thesis atop a full course load, applications for new programs, then packing and life making. It is my hope that in time, I will again be able to provide you useless, snarky criticisms of virtual life. Because you know, we all need more elucidation in our world. (See how I used the big word? Aren't you proud?)

In the meantime, I'm off to find some floaties and learn to float in the pool of life. Swimming comes later - let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

I leave you with a favourite clip from a favourite movie that summarizes exactly where I am. Daily. Hourly. By the minute. Enjoy!

You're My Hero!

2009-08-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

With the passing of John Hughes comes the end of an era. "Ferris Bueller, you're my hero!" will no longer be said with the zest it once was, but instead, with a slight sadness in tone, a reflection of time past, a longing for understanding that all Hughes films gave us in our teens. That understanding kept us going, told us it was better to be ourselves than anyone else, and that it's smart to take inspiration from anywhere, not just those places - or people - who are "cool".

In all of the reading I have done lately on the late Hughes, no one said it better than Scott Bradley in an August 13th article entitled Don't You Forget About Me, in the New City. Here, Bradley gives us "Scooty's Mollyfesto": quips and wisdom from 1980's Midwest films that touched our hearts.

1. It is futile to compare your inside to another's outside; we are all outsiders on the inside.
2. Even if it's applying lipstick with your cleavage, take pride in your small accomplishments.
3. Don't take Ducky in your life for granted; true friendship will always outlast fleeting romance.
4. Face life's little humiliations with a dramatic roll of the eyes and move on.
5. Bite your lip to bring clarity to confusion.
6. Never trust the pretty rich people; they really don't care about you. No, really. Unless, of course, they are played by Molly.
7. Be open to inspiration from the most unlikely sources, even the geek in braces.
8. When life hands you ugly pink fabric, make yourself a hideous dress and dance!

John Hughes, you're my hero.

Top SL Blogs

2009-08-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

As a service to you, gentle reader, I provide an extensive list of many active Second Life blogs, compliments of virtual pal ArminasX Saiman's Second Effects. Yes, you will note RLTS made the list which, given I had been out of world when this was collected/written and relatively offline for six months prior, I am honoured, not to mention surprised.

Dying to know the top ten? Check 'um out. And be sure to visit Second Effects for the full list.

Second Life Blogs by Technorati Rank

( 1 ) Massively
( 2 ) Official Second Life Blog
( 3 ) iheartsl.com
( 4 ) Virtual Worlds News
( 5 ) New World Notes
( 6 ) Raph's Website
( 7 ) VintFalken.com
( 8 ) Torley Lives
( 9 ) Not Possible IRL
( 10 ) Free*Style

Oooo and one more thing - patience paid off. This walking party provider made the iReport in re: SL6B. Go figure.

Confessions of a Book Junkie

2009-08-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

With the beginning of the new school year it should be no surprise to learn that I totally dig books. In fact, I am known to hang out in more than one reading room in SL. This should not surprise anyone given I grew up in a place where I spent at least 4 hours, five times a week across the street from a book store so big it took up a whole city block. When I hit my teen years, they put in a cafe across from the old and rare book room (OMG). And they also opened up smaller satellite stores including one of nothing but techno junkie manuals. Yeah, I have a bibliophilia problem - I am a bibliophiliac.

The list below has apparently been floating about the blogosphere according to dear virtual pal Thoria Millgrove. I have stolen her idea and bolded those I have completed, starred those I love, and italicized those on my reading or soon-to-read list.

Thanks Tho!

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen*
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible*
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams*
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll*
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy*
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis*
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery*
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert*
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett*
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray*
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens*
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl*
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

With that I say, "Let go of the mouse, step away from the computer and pick up that bound pile of paper over there. Yeah. That one. They call it a 'book'."

Less Than Seven

2009-08-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

Long time aquaintance and award winning videographer and documentarian Draxtor Despres is at it again, this time sharing his chronicling skills at the Second Life Community Convention in San Fransisco, California. Draxtor lays down the whole gig in under six minutes. Really.

I would say it is odd to see so many faces in RL whom I have known for a while in SL but honestly, it is not. People are people as the good song goes. All I can say it it is nice to see a smile without the glowing white prim-teeth. I only wish I was there to join the girls on their treck for the ultimate pumps.

Do you wanna date?

2009-08-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

I have hosted a virtual personality since 1988. With a minor break (due to an accidental run in with a certain system that will remain unnamed), I returned in 1991, just before the burst of the internet and the adolescence of BBS and chat systems. It was not long before the beauty of video gaming exploded onto the scene, bringing character to virtual life.

Back in 1988 however, it was me, a kid, and a few others, posting to a BBS. I met a couple of them and learned the hard lesson of chemistry. You can truly appreciate someone online but meeting them in person can and will change everything - sometimes for the better, sometimes, well, not.

So I offer to you now the dynamic work of The Guild. Enjoy the tunage.

Welcome Baby Linden!

2009-08-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

It is a pleasure to welcome into the world a child who will be much loved and if I dare say, is quite famous simply for being born. This child was brought into the world by Plurk.com friend Washu and her husband Damain Fate. We are all delighted to celebrate this new life and pray for much joy, peace, and love in the coming years.

With the recently discovered Baby Linden Plurk Page comes the baby package. All good plurkers must have a few welcome items. First off is the gift of food. No doubt Mom Washu will provide much of this but nothing will be as good post weening as daily Food Porn. Secondly, a decent smilie site is a must. I offer the rubber duck to begin. Third, Baby Linden has his own MyBrute for much wrasslin and squablin in his future. And lastly, the gift of tinysong so that he may be lulled to sleep via a quality music plurk.

Welcome Baby Linden! We cannot wait to meet you!

drooling

2009-08-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

Things have been pretty crazy around here lately, so crazy that I rejoyced as I was able to log into SL for a total of 13 minutes last night - the first time in about a month. I was delighted to have a conversation with a total of two people - Catty and Earth -- all for about 2 minutes each before falling alseep.

And yes, I drool.

Get Inspired at SL6B

2009-06-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

The Inspire Space Boys are at it again, this time creating a breathtaking build, their gift to you for Second Life's Sixth Birthday: SL6B's Inspire Space Park Light.

These boys produce perhaps the most detailed of astral bodies in SL. After you force midnight (or even sunset), sit on a pose ball and soar through space. Or perhaps relax and find your center with a little virtual Tai Chi.

Even if you do not have the computer to run graphics at high draw distances, do not worry! All heavenly bodies are so close you'll feel as if you are walking among them.

Take a breather and a chill pill and visit Inspire Space Park Light. Earth Primbee, SL6B Virtuocity

The Walking Party Provider

2009-06-24T03:54:00.000-07:00

SL6B is here! Finally!

Okay forgive my enthusiasm. I really am excited as I have many friends and acquaintances who spent countless hours building, organizing, babysitting, and managing the coming of the gig. It is nice to watch them finally be able to breath. Unfortunately many of them are so tired they cannot even enjoy their handy work. We will just have to enjoy it for them.

The rollout of SL6B was a wee bit rocky. I was so far out of the loop I could not even be helpful to managing a solution. (How often does THAT happen?) My Greeter perms did not roll in until two days before open. And by the way? Not to be a complaining pain, but it would be REALLY helpful for Greeters to have access at least the day of an event so that they might be able to explore a little bit and know where things are located. I am not trying to be rude or demanding. But I spent three hours at a post having no idea that a stage for which I was welcoming people was above my head. It took Dusty Linden to come and say, "Did we make that too difficult for you?" before I had to bite my tongue. "Me point to teleporters right under noses." Never mind that they did not work for 60% of us. Where it took us, who cared so long as it worked, which, again, for many of us, it did not.

I understand a rumour (mind you, it is just a rumour) that the value of Greeters was not recognized this year. Allow me to explain just how helpful we can be.

This is a typical day in the trenches. It may seem drama ridden but this is what mentors and greeters face every day. This is our job.

We are standing at a landing point in a sim. Most gathered for Philip Linden's opening remarks as the main stage apparently filled quickly leaving SL6B main staff, exhibitors, volunteers, moderators etc all clambering for a position. Most also missed his remarks despite efforts to share with them the external url. And most were none to happy about it.

Imagine for me, what it is like to have six exhibitors and two moderators IMing you as a brand new Greeter to whom no one gives any information, asking why they cannot get into the main stage. Had someone simply said, "the main stage is limited to 40 people however..." we as greeter/mentors could have managed the crowds with grace leaving a much happier bunch.

It did not help that we had a reporter from CNN standing around asking for comments about how people felt being locked out of the speech. I put on my happy face. We are all cool about it, of course! We are there to be with one another and darnit, if we cannot be where we want to be, at least we are together. And that is what SL is all about. Oh, and here is the SL6B media contact who can help you with your article. (For this she seemed delighted.)

This calmed the natives, or at least put them in a position where they had to be grateful rather than cranky.

Course, I said that just before we all got dumped from SL6B and sent to various telehubs and help islands.

Which put me into another situation with REALLY cranky people. Do you know what it is like to stand among extremely cranky exhibitors who have invested so much time into their builds that their virtual eyes have turned red, who are unable to be WITH their builds at the grand opening? Granted everyone seemingly was locked out but no one told them that.

So I lied. I told them that. It leveled the playing field and put them at ease. "Just hang in there for a bit. Here! Have some cake!" No, I am not kidding. Yesterday, I handed out more cake than you can imagine. It helps to be a walking party provider. Cake chills people out. Trust me on this.

Eventually, because I have several friends on staff, one of them sent me a TP. God bless this woman. I was locked out of course, but she recognized instantly how important we had become and made an effort to get me where I needed to be. Which brought me, after nine tries, to the stage in the air with the TP mushroom that did not TP half of us.

Now comes the part where Greeters AND Mentors are helpful. For SL6B, I am a Greeter. This means I take off my Mentor hat and become focused purely on helping people have a great time at their Birthday Party. This means that I cannot dedicate two hours to helping a noob learn to put on a shirt. There simply is not time.

Enter Paul.

Paul landed at the main stage just after I did. We both arrived having found a noob standing there. Poor noob was friendless, skilless, and girlfriendless (which seemed to be his largest complaint). How a noob landed there before the staff, Greeters, Lindens and all the rest who came through did is beyond me. But he was not the last. There were several newcomers to SL who slipped through that spot. Paul stepped up and we tag teamed.

God bless this man. He instantly realized that I could not greet and mentor too. So he mentored while I shuffled people to where they needed to be, answering questions (okay, guessing at answers since I had not seen the place before and to date have not left that landing point), fielding reporters/bloggers, and directing traffic. The dance with Paul lasted most of the afternoon. From this point forward, I will invite any mentor brother or sister to stand by my side (or in front of me!) during major events to help manage the influx of people.

My SL6B boss shot over a SURL to a goodie bag which I took as my reward for a very long shift. Oooo! More cake!

But here is the best part.

CT stood by my side. He encouraged me. He jumped in when he could. And he smothered me with IM smooches to keep me good humoured. Thus the value of a SL partner over any SL mentor in world.

But what is there to do?

2009-06-24T03:12:00.000-07:00

Tis that time again, the time when Second Life boasts its existence with a birthday celebration. Can you believe it has been six years? Welcome to SL6B.

What is it? the noob asked. Why, it's a birthday party! What's there to do? The Greeter and Mentor looked at each other in IM and burst out laughing. What's there to do. That's a good one. With region count in the double digits, there is PLENTY to do. No shopping, but loads of freebies in hundreds of exhibitor booths. Who are these exhibitors? They are hand picked pieces of Second Life who applied to have a built out presence there. From a mystery performance troupe to builders, fashion designers to non profits- it is all there in 17 different categories. Just about every facet of SL holds a presence at SL6B. I must say I am saddened to see that Ballet Pixelle and the SL Shakespearean Company do not have a presence this year. However, RLTS friends Grafix, Earth and Raph from Inspire Space Park were granted exhibitor space to build a mini space park for all to enjoy.

RLTS friend, the ostentatious and snarky Crap Mariner, is operating Dallier's Hope Messenger - the seemingly official blog of the SL6B. Surf on by and enjoy his witty repertoire covering all that is our SLBirthday!

SL6B runs June 23-July 6.

Split ends and a little style

2009-06-19T04:02:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in a previous blog that Hair Fair was coming up. I cannot stand it any longer as my split ends are frizzing. I had to post on some details especially as it starts Saturday and I need a new style.

Beta Technologies is sponsoring the 4th Annual Hair Fair in world. Last year, they raised over $9,500 USD for Locks of Love, an American charity that provides hairpieces to disadvantaged American and Canadian children who are medically ill and suffer from hair loss.

This year's Fair boasts 125 designers including long time favourites Adam n Eve, Deviant Kitties, and Truth. Operated by the lovely ladies of Hairspray, Hair Fair is always a destination shopping stop for all SLers. The Hey Girlfriends should keep their eyes peeled for Catty Loon's contributions from Audacity Hair.

The picture provided here is one of the Hair Fair Flickr contest winners, submitted by Ai Baroque. Just one of many talented images for which I encourage you to take a peek!

Hair Fair runs from June 20th through July 4th. Stock up and help a child in need. MUAH

Got a Fantasy?

2009-06-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

There are fairs and then there are fairs. We all know Hair Fair is in the works, and Fashion Fair is soon to be concluding. But where do elves go to find a new pair of ears? Or neckos to discover the perfect adornment to their paws? Enter Fantasy Faire.

Nine sims, each dedicated to their own breed, er, brand?, of fantasy figure. Need a new ray gun? Stop by Sector SciFi. A new wand? Elvencourt boasts the best. Something fluttery? Wings Wands and Wonders. A new purr animation? The Neko Industrial Park. A new dragon avi? Via Obscurium. The hot new fantasy thing this year seems to be mermaids. Bring your breathing aperatus as the Mer Market is completely under water.

Proceeds go to help find the cure for cancer via the Relay for Life. Opening today, visit the Fantasy Faire website for a complete Sim list.

Live long and prosper.

Traveling Pixel Party, RSVP?

2009-05-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

I was bored. This has been happening a lot lately. I find my SL has become the people I know and I do very little exploring these days, opting instead to spend time with the folks if they are online. I blame Yvette for not being around to show me the hot spots. Doesn't she know that that is part of her job?

Then Luna Jubilee plurked a request for warm pixels to join her. She's working on a project called the Traveling Prim. I TPed over and found myself facing a tower of cubes, each with snapshots of RL places, pictures, etc. What the heck? Friend and idea spawner Ryoken Vendetta jumped in.

Ribbons Whitfield: Now, tell me about this project (if you've a moment)
Ryoken Vendetta: Sure :) Basically, the idea is bring a lil bit of SL into your RL and a bit of your RL into SL
Ribbons Whitfield: LOL I do that every day. LMAO Damn fax machine never rezzes right.
Ryoken Vendetta: Most people don't want the two lives to ever meet. This was a fun way to encourage them to take a step back and look at the balance between their lives... and hopefully merge them a bit more
Ryoken Vendetta: As for what people actually do... you make a 2 inch (or 5cm) cube and show the prim your real life. then you take pictures and/or video of the experience and submit them to the relevant Flickr and Vimeo groups I made.
Ryoken Vendetta: The cubes are aggregated at the blog http://ryo-baka.net/tpp and then also aggregated in world here. Eventually, for prosperity, http://ryo-baka.net/tpp/join-in/

Build a prim. Take it with you throughout your day and snap pics of it. Then share it baby, share it! The collection can be seen at MIT.

Boom Baby, Locks and a Whole Lot of Love

2009-04-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

So many things happening lately! My dear friend Adeline Paule of Envisage Public Relations has signed up to help CT Xue in his quest for the ultimate branding logo. I've been enlisted to help her out behind the scenes which mostly includes getting her coffee and making sure she has enough well sharpened pencils. She also motions in CT's direction with a brightly coloured writing device and points saying "Go sit on him please." This is usually in an attempt to contain the boiling over mind that is Xue. For those curious as to what the Ultimate Branding Logo Quest is all about, CT has invited people to design a logo for him. Finalists recieve a Linden cash prize, second place, a new laptop, and the winner picks up an all expense paid trip to SLCC in San Francisco. Think I'm kidding? Check out the plurk.

Things are a-changin' at the Xue compound as now former neighbor Aisuru has demolished her property. CT created a viewing area behind a safety screen so visitors could gather and enjoy the destruction. Being the smarty pants I am, I came by at an appointed time, found no one there, slipped out to run an errand and when I came back, nothing. All gone. BUILDING GONE POOF. I missed the whole show. Thankfully Aisuru posted the photojournalistic experience for all of us to enjoy. I know she will be missed by CT and friends.

In other news, plurkster Washu Zebrastripe has been a busy little bee as she organizes the 2009 Hair Fair. Dates are now set for June 20th - America's Independence Day (July 4th). Last year's festivities raised over $9,000 USD for Locks of Love. We all look forward to the hottest new styles in this years festival.

I've been helping Adeline get her SLife together with a makeover. Next time I volunteer to do this, would someone please remind me that I SUCK AT IT? The only thing I could contribute to this poor woman who had to put up with me was the discovery of some decent hair at Analog Dog. It only took
seven stores. Yes, seven. I stink that bad. So here is to patient friends with big sticks that make you sit on people!

Libidinous Epidermis: Eden

2009-04-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

With my return in world, I needed a little something something to brighten my look. Course, I wasn't aware of this until after I got a make over. That's why you have girlfriends. They take a look at you, blindfold ya, spin ya around three times, then cover you with a mud mask, tweeze everything known to mankind, and induce enough dancing to make you loose a dress size.

Plurk friend Ryker Beck is one of those friends. "Here, try this!" she said as she sent me over a new beta test skin called Eden. Right. Sure. Try this. No big deal.

It is a big deal. Beck had been working on this baby for months. She combined the best of the best in resources for the skin's design. And the part for which I did my infamous snoopy dance? You got it. Freckles. The most lovely freckles I've ever seen. That wasn't the end of it. She created a new set of eyes (which by the way, I later found out come with every skin purchase) to compliment the skin.

Now, I'm not known to draw a lot of flirtatious attention in public places. Occasionally someone will strike up a conversation but I'm almost never complimented like many of the other girls. Or I should say, I wasn't. One day in Eden and I was receiving more attention then I had in almost two years in SL. Now I am not an attention hog but I have to admit it was refreshing. Interestingly, my sister decided she wanted a makeover too. You'll dig her before and after shots I'm sure.

Return of the Fatale and A Little Speed

2009-03-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

We all take hiatuses from SL from time to time. I think they are healthy and give you some perspective about what you like and don't like about being in world. I had my little sabbatical recently and feel 100% more happy with my SLife. But I am not the only one.

You see, dear friend Nexeus Fatale has returned to spin the Thursday Night Dance Par-tay. (I think I just like saying par-tay. I like the way it rolls off the tongue.) And I couldn't be happier about the move.

Last fall, DJ Tarsis and I concluded our regular gigs in world as new things were happing for the Alterntive Classix in RL that required more attention. That, and well, Tarsis wanted to have an actual life with his wife. ;) Me on the other hand, I was on sabbatical and had other responsibilities to which I had to attend. But, the decision ended not just our weekly Friday night gigs, but also our Wednesday night Bossa Nova Beach Party which, interestingly was not on a beach but at the high - Nexeus'old digs.

I went from three regular events to nothin. Nada. Zip. Zilch. And until Nexeus' return to the TNDP, I had no idea how much I missed it. I missed it so much in fact that when talking to Tarsis, he took the words out of my mouth when he said we needed to get back to SL and spin a party soon. This is when I did my happy dance. This looks a little like the snoopy dance but with elements of the Cha Cha Slide and a sort of Soldier Boy edginess. En pointe.

What was super cool is that when I returned to SL, I was essentially homeless and aquaintance GoSpeed Racer stepped up and gave me a landing spot to call home. So, a DJ's manager now resides at the home of Kona Radio. With two DJs. On the land of the idiosyncratic Crap Mariner. Needless to say, I've learned to keep my head down for incoming missles.

Speed, Rav and Crap have become quick friends. My mentoring has stepped up again. I am making gigs from time to time. I have managed to support a few friends in their SL efforts. I have rediscovered some of my long lost sarcasm. I even changed clothes a few times although I am still frustrated with the lack of really REALLY snazzy shoe styles in world. And I enjoy my time again in SL.

Here's to returns, alternate realities and a bright bright future!

Rails Bailey Saved my Second Life

2009-03-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

Probably over a year ago, I reached one of those frustration points in a mentor's life that made me want to not just walk away from the program, but throw a lot of shoes at the program managers heads. Heavy shoes. With really pointy heels.

Working with some of my colleagues had become stressful because of a very small set of people who were unable to get along with the wider group culture. This caused Linden Labs to eventually (too late in my case) crack down with the "If you guys cannot play nice then we will take away the swing set privileges" threat. While I still disagree with the resulting rules, I do not offer blame as I am not sure I could have come up with a more viable solution (better yes, but better does not mean viable).

It was then that God brought a guy into my life who, frankly, no words can describe my gratefulness.

You see, Rails Bailey saved my mentoring job.

I love helping new folks out and I love digging around for answers. Am I good at it? Not really. Do I get frustrated navigating the wiki? Yep. Do I rely on my other mentors too much? Probably. But they are good people who put up with me. Rails is the avi who gave me a little perspective and offered me a mentor home with Mental Mentors. Not just a home but a place where I belong. And even better, he gave me time to calm my sorry butt down because I was HOPPING MAD.

One of the things I love about this guy is that he gives his knowledge away. Rails is not a political, power, or money hungry hack. He's the real deal. He loves SL. He loves mentoring and helping people. He is able to see what is really important. And he is wise enough to get the job done. His passion for mentoring is obvious - he receives no compensation for spending most of his time on mentoring projects. He is available to everyone. Period. No questions asked.

All that said, Happy Rez Day my friend. And thank you for saving my Second Life. And thank you for setting the example of the kind of mentor I hope to be.

Down with Adult Content!!!

2009-03-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

Today, Linden Labs released their plans to address the issue of "adult content" in world. Three major steps make up this plan and include moving adult content to one area on the grid, creating a mechanism in search to filter out adult content, and the idea of toying with age verification for adult content access which may or may not include particularly bloody (or particularly violent) games.

Several bloggers have commented on this topic but two SL heavy hitters stand out to me: Nexeus Fatale and Crap Mariner.

Let me make this clear: I object!

I find it frustrating that people "need" someone to censor their behaviors. I have been in SL for a long while (two years in April) and never once have I voluntarily set foot inside a sex palace or any other place of "adult" content. (I must admit however that I was once sim hopping and accidentally landed in a Gorean sim and I also, at one point, stumbled into a rather risque position while shopping by sitting on a shower pose ball.) Despite these occurrences, for nearly two years I have self censored my travels and avoided all things "sex". I also firmly believe that while I may have an opinion about such things, not everyone agrees. Forcing my standards on another is disrespectful of their soul and right to make decisions and in no way inspires "better" behavior (as I see it). In fact, it instills in people resentment which often leads to more anger and more less desirable behaviors. Again, my personal opinion, one I realize in which a lot of people will disagree. They are entitled to their own and I respect their right to have it. (I just hope it is well thought out!)

Nexeus makes two excellent points about this: what exactly is "adult content" and what about privacy? LL has stated that only 2-4% of content on the mainland is classified as "adult". This is the content which we are discussing, not "mature" and not "PG" rated entities. I applaud efforts to reorganize certain content to one grid. And I am delighted that I might be able to soon filter my searches to keep out what I consider to be smut. I am also broken hearted when I think that theoretically, without verification, I would be unable to visit in the future many art galleries, sculpture gardens and other artistic expressions depending on how LL chooses to apply the new regs.

However.

Censoring anything, which the age verification regulation will do, is a slippery slope. Make one change "for the good of all" (or to "protect" all or to "help" all) and the next change towards stricter rules is accomplished with much more ease and much less resistance. History tells us this is how fascism begins - making changes to "protect" us from ourselves and supposedly, others. It is because of this reason that I have VERY mixed feelings about the new verification standard.

Luckily LL is welcoming your two cents. Visit Upcoming Changes for Adult Content to weigh in.

What Mentors Do Behind the Scenes

2009-03-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

The mystery of mentors behind the scenes is solved. This* is what we do when no one is looking.

Mentor 1: Did anyone get a notecard regarding Science week? Or is it just on the website?

Ribbons Whitfield: Oooo Science week! *Swooning*

Mentor 2: Science Week?

Mentor 1: Yes starting tomorrow through next week, got a notice in email from [insert emailer here]

Mentor 3: Part I - The Science of Cement and Baking

Ribbons Whitfield: Part II: Chemistry - blowing things up in the virtual kitchen

Mentor 2: Part III -- Baking and Setting Fenceposts: Keeping it Real

Mentor 2: oooh! I want to take the blowing up class!

Mentor 3: Part IV - Rock Candy - an Alternative to Gravel in Architecture

Mentor 3: Part V - Gingerbread Houses and Green Energy Construction - learn how cotton candy can increase the R value of your insulation

*Disclaimer: Mentors who wish their name to be included here, please contact me in world or via email and I will make the appropriate adjustment. Regards!

SL Statistics

2009-02-22T05:05:00.000-08:00

Apparently, just under 1/3 of SLers Plurk when SL is down. Interestingly, Plurk is not the major cause of drama. Thanks to Haley Salomon for sharing this insightful research project with the RLTS readers.

And by the way - when I don't respond to an IM, I'M WORKING. No, I'm not interested in cake and yes, my graphics card does suck. I'm just saying....

Brought to you by The SL Revolution

Cheap Vinyl

2009-01-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

There is one thing I really miss in RL. I miss being able to walk into a record shop - one in particular that reminds me oh so much of Championship Vinyl in High Fidelity - and absorb the surroundings. I miss the smell. I miss the romance. I miss the cute guy behind the counter. And I miss walking in a hearing the deep rhythm of Talking Heads Burning Down the House thumping through the speakers.

I recently discovered ROLE Magazine and stumbled into an article on hotspots in SL featuring Fabulous Soul Club in Fabulous Soul (210, 146, 25). An open air club, the real gem is the record store within. You too will instantly be reminded of the musty covers, the stained carpets and the vintage joint inside a historic inspired building. Rest your feet in the lucky chair or take your place at the deck.

No matter what you do, make sure your volume is up and your soul is ready for the drop dead beats from the 70s and 80s. Funk, Latin, Jazz, House, R&B, Blues, Bossa Nova - your body will be moving and your soul singing to the warmth and depth of a music of long ago.

Special thanks to Plurk friend Ofelia Laval, Editor in Chief of ROLE Magazine.

The Great Move

2009-01-15T19:46:00.001-08:00

I love change. Well, controlled change anyway. I was laid off from my SL job, moved out of the tree house in SL, and lost my SL boyfriend to RL. I also quit my RL job, moved out of my RL house, and gained a RL boyfriend.

In other words, lots of change going on. Promise to be back in SL soon with oodles of new fun to be had.

In the meantime, I share with you the following. Please note especially numbers 89, 94 and 100. These have a special place in my heart. 50 More Rules in Second Life (Yes, there are 50 more prior to these! Enjoy!)

Ribs

New Beginnings

2009-01-03T06:17:00.000-08:00

When you have fifteen things to do in a day, they all take an hour each, and you have to worry about eating, sleeping, and the normal showering, something has to give. And when something big happens, something so totally cool that you want to drop everything, reality kicks in. You have to reorganize.

The AC Live team will miss sharing our tunes in world. We're excited about the future and can't wait for you to be too!

Happy New Year to one and all. Here's to new beginnings!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

May your Christmas be filled with love, joy and hope in the coming year.

~ Ribbons Whitfield

Glad Tidings

2008-12-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

Hello Gentle Readers! Yes, thank you for the emails - quite surprised to receive them. I'm quite fine, I assure you. That pesky Real Life took some turns, some amazing, some awful, and I was dragged away, kicking and screaming to attend to them. No worries!

Sadly my SL time has become somewhat limited so swimming in the big pond of pixels has not been happening as much as I like. Fewer things to blog too. Although I must say that those of you who know me well, thank you for being such terrific friends. As promised, I did not blog any of your silly escapades even though RLTS readers would LOVE to hear about them. I'm just that good of a friend.

A few things are up. The Alternative Classix LIVE returned to the Cetus Gallery District two weeks ago. DJ Tarsis rocked the house AGAIN, like always. The new Riverwalk Coffee Company is really beautiful. Stop by on Friday evenings and bring your requests to share over a martini or a cup o' joe. Tars is also spinning Brazilian Groove on Wednesdays at the high in Skiddaw. Salsa shoes recommended.

Also had a chance to sit with upcoming photographer Conor Newall. He was kind enough to send over a few shots (see the one above). He's an eye for color and detail which is fresh compared to most. Looking forward to seeing his style develop.

With the season upon us, I send you all warm wishes for a blessed Christmas filled with love and joy!

Using your head.

2008-11-05T12:39:00.000-08:00

My grandfather is a wise man. For years he would tell me to "use my head". Before major events he'd say, "Use your head." When something went wrong he'd say, "Use your head." And when I DID something wrong, he'd say "Why didn't you use your head?"

Linden Labs used their noggin today. Check out the new OpenSpaces policies established in response to you, the users comments, thoughts, criticisms and complaints. Wait, were there compliments? Hmmm

Enjoy!

Land Conservation

2008-10-28T01:05:00.000-07:00

I was in a National Park the other day in RL and was delighted to see that developers were in the process of knocking down the trees to build 1500 residences, all with 3 car garages, a landing strip for the airport, three new schools and a very large shopping area to support the new residents with groceries and gas.

*pointing* This would be my sarcasm face.

Linden Labs (LL) recently released a new policy on the use of Openspace land. This has caused a lot of ruckus lately and upset a lot of people. Let me be clear by stating I am happy and sad about this change.

Much like my scenario above, when Openspace owners rented out their land to people to build their homes etc, the technological strain was significant for LL. The land was never intended to be used for rentals or for that matter, significant traffic constantly calling up a new pair of pants as they put an outfit together. Basically, they abused the land they purchased and now LL is working to correct the technological problem they caused with misuse.

I know a lot of people are angry. Some will have to move their businesses, others their residences. I feel for those who were innocent in this - confused in their purchase/rental. The "laws" of LL can indeed be confusing. But for those who knew better and yet opted to set up shop on Openspace saying "everyone does it" well shame on you. Just because everyone does it does not mean it is right. And shame on you again for complaining when someone came about to correct your stealing because that is essentially what it is. You've stolen server and asset draw space.

Harsh? Not really. Most folks knew exactly what they were doing. Some owners did it to be popular with their friends (giving them low cost space to "help them out"). Some did it to be greedy in another way - to make as much cash as possible. Some probably did it because they didn't have the skill to produce pretty space and left it up to others to fill in the gaps. Reality is, open space is meant for conservation and beautification, not a shopping mall, a sex palace, nor residential tracks.

Am I delighted with LL's crack down? No. I'd have liked them to instead have put their foot down with those sim owners who abused the opportunity. Instead of working it through with them one by one (hey, they could have contracted with me to manage this project!), they opted to raise their rates for all.

While many think they are victims, the real victims (aside from all of us who loose our beautiful space due to rate increases) are the non profits and educational use clients. Because of the greed of some, several non profits will suffer. Yes I know, University of North Carolina can probably afford the increase. But can a small non profit? Perhaps not. Disappointing.

So what does this mean? It means that some entrepreneurial folks are already on top of it, creating new developments for the mass exodus of people who need a new home. Ultimately, the LL economy lives on and the only loss is perhaps the sailing space, forests and gardens we all once enjoyed.

****

A very nice counterpoint written by MarkTwain White on openspace sailing.
Protest vote page to stop the rate increase.
Jack Linden's response

Happy Noob-a-licious

2008-10-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

I really have to log in more often and hit my regular spots.

Giant Noob at the Cork Factory. It's terrifying.

Tootsie Treat

2008-10-15T02:59:00.000-07:00

I have been on the hunt for an elegant shoe for MONTHS. Most shoes I like are either too tailored or they look beautiful until you zoom in and discover they have spikes. :/

Then I discovered Sven Olbers. Sven is an evil, evil man. EVIL. His Bow shoe is perhaps the most elegant (despite the spikes) I've seen in SL to date. Now mind you, I don't get out much so don't rush off to insult my intelligence (or lack thereof). If you've noticed, I don't blog much about fashion. I've just no eye for it.

Worse, I couldn't resist the Curl clog. To. Die. For. Tropical flowers adorn the top of the foot with a whimsical heel. I want them in all colours. I mean it. I WANT THEM IN ALL COLOURS.

Wait until you see the rest of his work. Heels in every style. Matching belts and accessories. Boots in every style from platform to spike to thigh high to feather. Someone get me out of here before I go broke!

By the way, there is a fantastical pair of Halloween shoes at NONKO. Group gift of course. But Ohhh the fun I will have with these next week!

Happy. Happy. Joy. Joy.

2008-10-11T04:12:00.000-07:00

I just had the most unexciting, under expectation meeting, lackluster time I have had in a very long time. Jewelry expo was less than dazzling.

A few of my favourites where there. The Eolande build was creative and some of the jewelry from a couple of designers was decent to perhaps even good (even a couple of "huh, that's interesting" pieces).

Once I took a class to build jewelry last year and the basics. I couldn't help but to think that my classmates produced a better product than several of the vendors there. And that wasn't that great.

The expo design itself was a bore. I know how painful it can be to hear that someone dislikes your work, but I have to ask, was any creative work put into this at all?

Freebies are around. I've only found a few things that made it interesting. I imagine those able to participate in the hunt might find some choice pieces.

Jewelry Expo ends today, Sunday. Have fun!

Plurkisms

2008-10-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me that many of my plurk friends have created a culture over the last few months. You can count on a guy named Class Tax to have a new crush every week (he'll edit the name in the lead plurk often). We will have at least some culinary discussion at least once a day. We will celebrate karma boosts with drive-by plurks and emoticons. We will share personal challenges and be encouraged by one another. And every Friday or Saturday night, one of us, idiots that we are, will have a few too many and will drunk-plurk. This is something I'd like to discourage. But it will happen and sometimes the results are hysterical.

When I joined plurk, there were very few folks around. But my friends list exploded overnight. I wish I could tell you who the evil person is who ... er... the nice person was who introduced me to Plurk. He created a monster... er.. provided me a means to explore further social networking.

From a social media standpoint, this is somewhat fascinating. When I joined, none of this existed. We created the drive-by "naked cartwheels" (thank you Trinners). We created the banana dance welcome. We wake up to each other in the morning and tuck each other in when it is bedtime. And we do it across time zones, all over the world.

I've seen the frustration of one plurker who was dealing with citizenship issues, the pain of another who was trashed while she made every effort to be professional, break ups, get togethers, and even medical issues. Where, in all the world would such an environment be where this kind of encouragement exists? Have we come to the place where we can no longer do this in real life, but must now find our support and affection from 140 characters or less on a social media site, by strangers?

I'm delighted we have each other. I am saddened that this acquaintanceship doesn't exist in real life for many. And I look forward to my plurkdom growing and prospering with all things good and none of the nastiness that comes from people who don't know how to be grown ups.

Here's to a great Plurk!

UPDATE: I stand corrected. Plurk is not technically a "social media" but instead a "microblogging network". Thank you guy-who-gave-me-the-link!

Army of Women

2008-10-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

I don't often write about the real world. But, in honor of a real life friend who has been there four times, I offer that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. With one in eight women having breast cancer throughout their lifetime, it makes sense that today they've launched an Army of Women.

One of the reasons (they say) that the research isn't done for breast cancer is that they don't have the bodies - healthy and ill- to study. So one bright gal got the idea to put out the call.

Want to help? Sign up. If you fit the mold for a study, they will email you. You can then request more information and see if it is something in which you want to participate. If it is, let them know. If not, delete.

Where? http://www.armyofwomen.org. Join us today.

Outter Particle Rim

2008-09-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

Earth Primbee sends me an invite to hear Grafx Newbold spin some ambient during the particle show by Tomo Ritt & Evets Igaly. I cannot tell you how lovely this was at the Inspire Space Park Outer Rim in Butsu. So instead, I'll just show you. :)

Teddy Bear Nomis

2008-09-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

Tonight, at the Breakers... Nomis Oyen arrived with his entourage in tow. He then proceeded to perform a reading as follows (from the song):

If you go out in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go out in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for teddy bears,
The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares,
And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily dance about.
They love to play and shout.
And never have any cares.
At six o'clock their mommies and daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little teddy bears.

If you go out in the woods today,
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely out in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home.

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

CHORUS

Every teddy bear, that's been good
Is sure of a treat today
There's lots of wonderful things to eat
And wonderful games to play

Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

CHORUS

Donations to Nomis' mental health care fund can be sent to Ribbons Whitfield in world.

Hogwarts

2008-09-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

There are a few places in SL that tickle my fancy. Despite the uproar by some of the horrors of Harry Potter, I find the stories fanciful and imagination invoking. That, and the cinematography is sometimes breathtaking.

Given that, it's no surprise that Hogwarts in Liquid Heat is a delight. The moving staircases lead you to wonderful rooms to explore. Drop by the dining hall for a little twilight delight. But beware the dungeons!

Explore away and don't hesitate to grab a student for a little tour. Most are lovely and happy to show you around! By the way, check out the paintings - little surprises await!

UPDATE! Michele Hyacinth's blog takes note of a free navigation HUD for Hogwarts. The things I miss! Thanks Michele!

101 For You

2008-09-19T05:59:00.001-07:00

It didn't occur to me that this was my 101st post until, well, blogger.com was nice enough to tell me.

Given my technological limitations, I've never been able to provide those spectacular windlight images that make you drool. So in celebration of the virtual world to which Ribbons Learns to Swim is dedicated, I offer you Koinup:Your Virtual Life. Koinup is a depository of some of the best pics, machinima, and other creations. Gather up your favourites and share!

Intimate Gatherings

2008-09-06T03:24:00.001-07:00

With the closing of Harmony Cafe, the Alternative Classix Dance Party was in need of a pretty quick spot to call home. It was at that point that Cetus Gallery District Xander Ruttan stepped up and said, "Hey! Stick with us!". And the AC once again had a home.

But what home? Cetus is growing and undergoing some changes. And the AC definitely had a place in the future, but what about now? So we all took a stroll and decided that the Cetus Community Center would work just fine, at least until the new digs were completed.

Last night Xander popped over to try and "bring down the space". You see, the community center was a very large, cavernous facility designed to hold many many people. It was not set up to create an intimate feel that good nightclubs emanate. I was thinking, maybe set up a hostess stand with some ropes to control the "usable" space. But Xander had a whole different idea. He created a building within the building. Beautiful glass walls encased the new "club" - a new floor, a new backdrop on the stage. A few new furnishings defined it further and literally, in a few moments time, the community center went from a spot in which you could play football to a warm, welcoming, intimate lounge for people to gather, share a martini, and relax. I should mention that Xander seemed rather uncomfortable. The only reason is that the work wasn't up to his standards. But believe me, no one minded one bit - heck, no one noticed!

We had more than 30 people stop by for the party last night. Thank you all for your patronage. We love you all. The AC is back!

Ayibobo

2008-08-23T22:48:00.000-07:00

Few people know this but in my spare time I am manbo. I practice my maji on unsuspecting fools, calling on lwa, and preparing for nago. All will fall to my will by the power of the spirits.

Okay, not really. But it is a neat throne, no? Boojum Island is undergoing a little reconstruction at the moment and it is really amazing what they have done. Subtle changes, but they make all the difference. Stop by the vodou hut for a brew and wander the island in search of booty, or even a little love. Tons of little surprises to explore!

One delightful surprise is the mooring of the Manhattan 158 - perhaps the most beautiful and well done yacht in SL - at least of what I have seen. She is pure luxury. Does she belong there? I do not know. But wandering her luscious decks was pure delight. I think I will leave a little zo devan for them in blessing.

Girls with Guns

2008-08-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

You know when you stumble upon something and you know you really shouldn't look further into it -- like you are walking along and hear something in an alleyway and you just KNOW you shouldn't go down there? Plurking is kind of like that.

You see, Zoe Connolly plurked that Virtual Girls with Guns now has 8 members. I took the bait and headed over to check out exactly what VGWG was... I'm sorry but you cannot dangle a piece of chocolate in front of a chocoholic and expect them not to want it. That's just cruel.

Eventually the ladies convinced me that I needed to be a member. So I signed up. And I searched my inventory for a weapon.

This was a terrifying happening. Apparently, my weapons like to be worn sort of hanging off my tooshy... or on my right ear... or my knee - even when attached to a hand. I got one to shoot with some satisfaction but quickly realized maybe it would leave casings on my neighbor's lawn and thought better of it. How sad that a girl who can handle a weapon in RL is a complete clod in SL.

My plurking sisters didn't miss a beat. Zoe quickly reminded me that VGWG was about "helping sisters to pack heat". Looks like my next few weeks in SL might resemble more my RL than I'd like... I really wish I hadn't posted on REC now. It's coming back to haunt me. lol

I can say this: weapon proficiency in SL seems a far better use of time than learning to work the catwalk... Why this seems to be the case I will never know.

Murdered.

2008-08-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

I debated posting this little find mostly because I object to the glamourization of violence. That said, this post is most certainly for the most mature of us and should not be shared with our youth, nor those faint of heart.

b.places describes the REC sim as "... [it] recreates the apartment of the REC horror movie, so in case you haven't had enough watching it, try to test your nerves on this disturbing place!" Disturbing it is, its creepiness magnified with the REC HUD you snag at the start. The HUD lets you wander through the house as if moving through the eyes of a video viewer -- mostly in mouselook. Wander through and click areas that sparkle. Of course, the first thing I clicked left me for dead, in a pool of my own pixel oozing blood.

Kind of reminded me of some of the things I see in RL.

Gorey and certainly heartbreaking that there could be so much evil in the world, but an amazingly creative sim worth the stop on places to see in SL.

Popped the Cork

2008-08-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

Secrets. I love my pals.

It's 3 AM and I just got back to bed from a RL emergency. I logged to apologize to those whom I fell asleep/ran out on earlier and zap! In came an IM from Nug (see The Drink). Nug tells me he has something to show me. This usually ends up being something either exciting, creative, or highly questionable.

So I pop on over to the plot where Old Skool once stood and where do I land? Not in the drink but instead, my home - the Cork Factory.

In order to understand my love affair with this place, you need some history. The RL Cork Factory was a stop off point for some of the top "rave" DJs in the late 80s and early 90s. Since that time, they turned the place into high priced, fashionable, super trendy condos. You see, the boys paid homage to the Cork in SL with a replica - right down to the graffiti on the walls -- some of it probably original.

I found the Cork purely by accident. I was stressed out, frustrated and annoyed by a SL business venture in my early days and went searching for live venues to decompress. I stumbled into the joint to the sounds of a DJ named Nomis who actually spun (get this) REAL VINYL.

The Cork Factory became my home for a variety of reasons - some of them RL. My heart broke when it closed. The boys new venue, Old Skool, was cool but just wasn't the same.

So I welcome the Cork back to life. When asked if I was granted permission to blog it, Nug told me, "you write what ya want....we open now....no drama...no business plan....we plan when we can....we not livin on tips........we just here to have fun". I couldn't have said it better myself.

Joy and Ribbons

2008-08-11T02:38:00.000-07:00

I love my spontaneous friends. And I hate it when I misunderstand what they are trying to tell me. So here is one I blew - my long time SL girlfriend Yvette was RL married. She tried to explain it all and I missed the timing. How did I figure it all out? Plurk. (Thank God for Plurk!)

With that, I pray for much happiness and love in her home. I am delighted in her joy, and am hopeful for all things calm, patient and loving in her life.

Welcome, Dante, to our lives! You've made our girl so happy the last several months. I cannot think of anything better and I thank you.

I guess that means we have to work out a signal on the door at the tree house or something... Maybe a ribbon!?!?

The Drink

2008-08-11T02:21:00.000-07:00

Last night, old time pals Nomis and Nug both logged. I leaped with joy as I rarely see either online anymore. These boys built my much beloved Cork Factory and eventually, Old Skool. Both old school DJs (no pun intended), they would spin historic techno, beat mixing it until your heart had no choice but to sing and your feet to move.

I TPed on over and the boys plugged in for a little 50s, 60s and even a little 70s. We danced. We chatted. We made fun of our friends. Happily, I dozed off and danced with the sandman...

So this morning I awaken, log in to catch up on IMs from my friends on the other side of the world and found myself in the drink. My guess? They logged for a last blast party. But once again, sadness takes me and I cannot help but to feel like we've ended yet one more SL era. (Don't get all whooped up -- an SL era is really short...)

Sacrifice on a Wall

2008-08-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

When I was a child, we went to visit family who lived in the DC area. It was then that we went to the Air and Space Museum (feeding my addiction of all things space science related), the Washington Monument (closed for construction) and Arlington Cemetery (where I saw family). But one of the most memorable moments for me was a trip to the Wall.

I knew of no one who was family. But I saw others come and go, weeping. There was one volunteer there that day who was making charcoal impressions for visitors. He asked if he could make one for me. I said yes of course and he wanted to know which one. I said any and I cried a bit as he went about taking the tracing (bewildered). You see, I understood even at a young age what this meant. I grasped what those lives did collectively for our country. And I wept for their sacrifice and for the families left behind who had little comfort in knowing their loved one died in a war or conflict.

Meme Science entered SL with a goal of recreating The Wall. For those who have lived or visited DC you'll be struck by how familiar the walk is from the landing spot. Accept the notecard - it's packed with information about videos, how to search for names, leaving gifts, other memorials etc. For more information visit http://thewallsl.com.

AFK Prank War

2008-07-29T06:41:00.001-07:00

I don't usually do this but dang, it was just so sooooo funny.

Methinks Crap Mariner is trying to start something... AFK pranks. Check it out.

The Crash Monster

2008-07-26T05:15:00.000-07:00

Hanging at the Blarney in the morning, I ran into a rather unusual avi - Maximus Madfes. Thing is, he's one rather nasty looking bat. Tends to hang from the ceiling too which threw all the newbies for a loop. It was just then that one lovely woman was struggling to recover from the new version install and continued to crash. As anyone who knows me knows, I beat the daylights out of the crash monster on a regular basis -- that mysterious monster out there responsible for lag, crashing, and other nasties.

Maximus Madfes: I think she crashed
You: Poor girl
Maximus Madfes: That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it
You: Do you ever get full Max?
Ribbons Whitfield freezes
You: Wait.
You: Are YOU the crash monster?
Maximus Madfes: Shhh

Apparently, he prefers Avis doused in garlic butter...

Retro Girl

2008-07-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

In light of being suckered... er... um... encouraged to sign up to become a Mentor Buddy, it occurred to me that it was time for a new profile pic (new pic --> see left). The one I had been using was taken my first month in SL and well, I've changed a bit since then. It's affectionately been referred to as "old school". That said, I turned to a guy who has tremendous talent but who refuses to let me use his name. Basically, he wants to continue to do in SL what he does, without any interruptions. This kills me because hello, check out his talent.

Thoughts? Opinions? Criticisms (be gentle)? Lemme know!

Bossa Nova Latin Love

2008-07-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

Everyone who knows Bossa Nova LOVES Bossa Nova. However, not everyone knows the smooth beats of the genre. Usually I invite folks to join us on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8 SL at the high in Skiddaw as Tarsis spins Latin heat with the soothing, rhythmic, beats of Bossa. But not everyone "gets it". That said, I provide Fifty Years Under the Spell of Bossa Nova, compliments of the Chicago Tribune. Welcome to the world of soothing waves, chrystal clear notes, and hot summer nights!

A Ghost Club

2008-07-20T15:46:00.001-07:00

Urbanity.

One of my favourite places in SL. And yet I have never ever seen another soul there. I'm starting to wonder...

Plurk, or Not to Plurk, That is the Question

2008-07-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when plurks get new shoes. Welcome to the massive plurk maintenance day.

UPDATE I: The one hour maintenance is, well, a bit longer. This original post was blogged at 6:15 am. It's now 1:45pm. Guess they're having trouble getting all the animal-plurks back in their pens...

UPDATE II: It is now 3:55 and we seem to be all go at Plurk.

Language Barriers

2008-07-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

When speaking with my Brazilian friend, I'm always put to shame as the only foreign words I know generally name food while his English is flawless. That's why I am taking this opportunity to share the one moment in nearly six months that he was not familiar with an American phrase.

Ribbons Whitfield: How did it go today?
Guy: Let's say that if I had lots of bananas and a baby chimp, the job would get done exactly the same way. Might have been the most tedious mission ever, but it's all done now.
Ribbons Whitfield: To the victor go the spoils?
Guy: I have absolutely no idea what that means... but it can't be good
Ribbons Whitfield: He who wins the war gets the gold
Ribbons Whitfield: Or he who takes the village gets the pillage rights
Guy: LOL
Ribbons Whitfield: You know, and the best virgins.

Peer Pressure

2008-07-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

Join my plurk.

(You know you wanna.)

MUAH.

No More Nuclear

2008-07-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

One of those days when a staple is going away. Nuclear Boutique will be closing its doors on July 31st after two years of fashion contributions. The Ribbons Learns to Swim and I do. teams wish Ari all the best in her future pursuits.

In her words,

"Rather than being unavailable for my customers (as I've been for the past 2 months), I'd rather close the store than lower my standards for customer service...not to mention the lack of new products I am able to create with my current schedule.

"I'm a little sad as this has been a great time...nearly 2 years I've spent building Nuclear Boutique and I will miss it and my friends I've made here. I am hoping to work on other fun projects and spend more time with my friends when I'm in SL and look forward to some free time.

"When/if time permits I might re-open Nuclear Boutique, but for now it's best if we close down.

"Thank you everyone for your support and friendship and for making Nuclear Boutique a great success. I am forever grateful."

Blessings and warm wishes for continued success in all you do!

The Future: VR, Beartender, and a Pizza

2008-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

I entered into virtual reality at the tender age of 12... Or maybe it was 11. In any case, I was a tween before we knew what a tween was. In fact, I actually remember the 300 baud rate and what a great guy I thought my Dad was when he stepped me straight up to a 1200 baud, skipping the 6. That's kind of like going from one of those elementary age cell phones that will only dial your parents straight to the new i-phone with unlimited usage requirements.

Anyway, by the time I turned 13 I was hanging out in a virtual bar, with a virtual bartender (known as Beartender, or, Kevin in RL) struggling over how to spell "heels" so as to not look like a 13 year old in an adult virtual space. Now I just know SOMEONE is protesting saying "It's not possible! At 300 baud you were..." and they're right. We were hanging out on a BBS - aka Bulletin Board System. Think pre telnet and pre packet radio connection.

So we hung out, the lot of us. I made a lot of friends early and of course, was part of the original development of some of the emoticons. For instance, :----->* meant blowing a kiss. Betcha didn't know THAT one.

Our little minds spun. I remember the day I had this great idea. We could one day create a world where you could create little cartoon people to make them look like you (or anyone else or anything you wanted), and we could all meet in a real virtual bar. Wouldn't that be cool? Oh and it would sell virtual beer. Ooo and what else could we sell? We could create a whole world of this stuff! How neat! Imagine the economic models you could play with... not to mention the games you could play against people from all over, like you know, Bobby from over three blocks. It wasn't long before a bunch of us were chit chatting about what the virtual future would look like, and of course, what technologies were coming along that might lead us there one day.

So after a long hiatus involving a little mistake with the Milnet and a computer that reminded me certain things were off limits (thank you Global Thermal Nuclear War), I re-entered the VR in college, post Al Gore's invention of the Internet. While I still don't get gopher, I can now navigate my way around most settings and programs.

Having been in SL now for well over a year, I find it interesting to look back and think on what we imagine it to be. We weren't too far off. We also never dreamed all of this.

It was not too long ago that Google, or Yahoo, or Sony or SOMEONE was discussing the integration of an X-Box (or like gaming cube) to SL. Then someone mentioned the other day the effort to integrate Warcraft and other VR systems so that you could TP from one SL sim (say, while surfing) to a portal in Warcraft (or other VR entity). This is a little exciting to me because we have come from 300 baud rate to integrating VRs from all over the world, probably under one code which is as close to digital nirvana as one can get.

So here is your future: You'll conduct a round in Warcraft, TP over to a SL beach sim where you can decompress from a hard day, order a pizza through a virtual kiosk HUD that will be delivered straight to your RL front door which is opened by remote, but paid through your Linden account, and check your' child's homework completion status all from your desktop. And to think, it all started at least for me, at 300 baud.

Texture Texture, oh Where Art Though?

2008-07-11T05:33:00.000-07:00

I love bragging about my friends success mostly because I want my other friends to enjoy the first friend's success to begin with. So I do, I shall, and I will.

That said, let me introduce Kid. Kid's a nice guy. His background might surprise you. He's witty. And he's cute - well, it's rumoured that he's cute. I've never seen his face due to the welding mask. He's also talented. When Kid and I were introduced, I was told of his building ability. He's humble enough to consider himself one of many. I tend to think he's extraordinary but I get to 'cause he's on my friends list.

After months of nagging by Hey Girlfriend Yvette and by me, he finally produced some wearables and is selling them under the men's store name of HAZARD. What makes these little beauties not just tees, but ART, are his textures. All tees are $75L copy/mod/no trans. Check out two of the many below.

What I absolutely ADORE though, is his belt. Complete with a multi texture (there is that fabulous word again) menu -- count them 28 TEXTURES -- for every informal outfit, this thing has four - count them FOUR - shape versions for all your fashion deliciousness. (I'm just sooo excited and apparently really like to count...) Classic Belt $300L copy/mod/no trans

I should add that Kid has asked that I make the point that his stuff is custom designed for the male avatar shape. I discovered this as the belt didn't fit me and as I tweeked, I made a mess of things. He warned me (see enclosed notecard at purchase for details), but like all good tech savvy persons, I didn't read the instructions. His texturing is also specifically designed to complement the male form. I've been wearing a few of the tees around lately and have been receiving complements. But not all of them work for me given my uh, physical personality. By the way, Disturbed is pictured -- the more you wear it the more disturbing it becomes. Trust me. lol

HAZARD has five stores in world. Get yours while they're hot. ;)

UPDATE! 14JUL08 Looksie who discovered HAZARD!

Crucifixion, Armageddon and The Channel

2008-07-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me I hadn't done a mentoring update in a bit, not since my experience with SL Armageddon. This thought came to me as I was listening to a relatively new mentor express her... no VENT her frustrations over a mistaken post to "The Channel" where they attempted to crucify her. All I could think was, "Yup. Sounds familiar."

Anyway, while I was exploring the aquarium the other day, a Mental Mentor was having a bad day. This is one of my mentors for being a mentor - the one who talked me down in June from quitting all together. I offered to help take the person off his hands rather than dump the client which was of course received as humourous - this batch doesn't pass problems downline, nor do they give up on people. In an effort to convince him, I made the point that I was happy to do it in the spirit of the mentor who had patience with me when I was going mental. He asked who that was and I responded, "You."

There was a long pause.

Then another.

And another.

Then, a note telling me I was just signed up for the MM officer team.

All I could say was, "And I drank what?"

**Special thanks to all the MMs and the leadership team. You guys have been terrific! I love mentoring again!

How to Catch a Liege

2008-07-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

In recent news, due to some recent drama I have acquired a new Tiny Empires subject named Loran. She was kind enough to give me a tour of her home which happens to include a lagoon garden that is breathtaking.

In an effort to make her feel welcome, I TPed over my liege, Prince Marcus. Unfortunately, the Prince has RL worldly responsibilities that prevented him from staying with us. However, he left his pixels under water during the lagoon tour. Interestingly, when I logged back on, he was still standing there.

It didn't take long for Loran to pop back and the idea was raised by *someone* that the Prince should be captured. That said, the following resulted...

Loran Loire: how amused will he be?*grins*
Ribbons Whitfield: Amused, yes. How much so? Unknown. LMAO
Loran Loire: you know he will blame you *giggles*
Ribbons Whitfield: Eh. I'll say I found him that way and it was all your fault.
Loran Loire: in for a penny, in for a pound
Ribbons Whitfield: Fabulous.

Hey, at least we left him a breathing apparatus...

Footsie Lovin'

2008-07-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

Oh My Gosh!!! I'm drooling! Only one *real* reason for that. SHOES.

You see, the 2008 Footwear Expo is coming up July 17-27th. Where? I have no idea. Who? TONS of footsie favourites - Tesla, Enkythings, Zhao -- all in one spot. Proceeds benefit the ASPCA.

The big question? What shoes shall you wear when you go?

Oh I almost forgot! Don't forget to check out the 2008 Say I Do Bridal Expo too!

Chalk Drawings and a Sense of Finality

2008-07-06T15:28:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken at the high in Skiddaw, owned by Nexeus Fatale.

All I can say is I found Nex this way. That, and I didn't do it.

TE on Sale?!?!

2008-07-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

Complements of a contact in a TE group:

Greetings all! This is to let you know that Tiny Empires is on sale for half-price, starting right now and going through this weekend. The Full version is L$249 and the Federation hud is L$149. If you're in the U.S., Happy Independence Day! Sale ends Sunday night July 6th 8pm SLT. Giftbox version is not eligible.

Dig it? ;)

Swiming with the Fish

2008-06-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

I'm bored lately. So to find something interesting, I started cruising my friend's picks to find something nifty. I stumbled upon a simple, but nifty, place: the Aquarium in Largo. It's really a lovely little place with beautiful fish.

Need a quick 10 minute break? Surround yourself in the calming waters. And don't forget to take a peek at the sand in the tanks - a few cute surprises there!

UPDATE! The aquarium has sadly been moved to a Volunteer Island for Mentors. Sorry folks! (JUL08)

Happy Birthday Second Life!

2008-06-23T07:35:00.001-07:00

It's no wonder that Second Life is a cancer. Crabby crabby, lag ridden, crash-a-lot Cancer. But none the less, we love our little home making SL!

So cheers to five great years! You can get your free Linden Lab Birthday Bear from Grim Babies and I have no doubt you'll find a few pints lifted at your neighborhood pub. Cheers!

For more information about SL5B gigs and events, visit the Wiki.

Temple of Doom

2008-06-23T03:43:00.000-07:00

Looksie what I heard!

The Indianna Jones Temple of Doom SIM opens today at 12.noon.

...Just don't call him "Junior".

Earth is Old

2008-06-21T19:28:00.001-07:00

After some difficult RL days, including my RL birthday, I was reminded by buddy Grafx Newbold of our pal's super double secret rez day party for Earth Primbee. Earth, as many of you know, is one of the three creators of the Inspire Space... well... universe. He's also the founder of Virtual Life Media.

The beauty of Grafx's efforts for such a party is that not only is the location hot hot hot, but Galaxy Girl stepped up to DJ for a bit (always a treat!), Voicedude Reinoir made an entertaining appearance, as did a whole host of SL favourites, all blowing out the candles for Earth.

And just for the record, I briefly saw a tag that read, "Save Earth". I kid you not. And no, I DIDN'T DO IT!

Happy birthday pal! And thanks for sharing your talent with the world.

Cherry Blossoms for Life

2008-06-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, another good cause. (I'm a sucker for good causes!)

What: The Cherry Blossom Relay for Life Festival

Think of it: two sims, breathtaking Japanese scenery & architecture, events and daily activities including …

a picnic under the falling petals of cherry blossoms
interactive games to play with your friends
the East meets West Ball, rave/techno party, live musicians to get your toes tapping
cherry blossom strolls past art for charity bid
several charity auctions including special pieces by participating vendors
photo opportunities at specially created picture points with the stunning scenery
a cuddle or smooch with a loved one
and more!

WHEN: Friday 13th June - Friday 27th June, 2008

WHERE: The Virgin Island Sim

Happy Birthday Lix!

2008-06-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Few know that today is a special day. Today is Lix Korobase's birthday.

You may be asking yourself, "Well, that's nice but why do I particularly care?". You see, if it were not for Lix, Second Life would not have DJ Tarsis. In fact, REAL life would probably not have DJ Tarsis. She is the great woman behind the great guy.

So today we celebrate the beautiful Lix and offer her our thanks. She's my girl and I love her.

Happy birthday baby!

SL Boredom

2008-06-09T04:58:00.000-07:00

When crusty SLers get bored...

Random house. Sim owner allowed build. *shaking head* I should be critical and say this was a horrible infringement but I cannot stop laughing long enough to do so. lmao

When Your Avi Walks and Talks...

2008-06-08T02:19:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in a RL English Pub, watching a RL Euro Cup game and I look over and see a woman who is not only striking, but extremely familiar. I turn to my friends and, with my jaw dropped, point as I am unable to verbalize any other response. (I still feel guilty for pointing - my mother would have had a fit!)

My companions turn to look in the direction of my rude point and also drop their jaws. It was most unfortunate that I didn't have a camera -- this woman looked exactly, I mean almost EXACTLY like my avi. SHE was Ribbons.

Why do I suddenly feel bad? LMAO

(Photo from blog.rlove.org)

SL Lovin'

2008-06-06T05:22:00.001-07:00

I'm talking to a friend about a woman he recently met in SL. Things are progressing in an interesting way it seems as they both are aware that, well, they are pixels. These pixels are experiencing new pixel love. They aren't in love as of last reports but anyone who has been there knows the excitement of meeting someone amazing and new.

He goes on to say that he was having a little trouble explaining it to his friends. Being a newbie, the RL friends don't quite get the hang of it yet.

So she's pretty?

Oh yeah! Beautiful red hair... But sometimes it's chestnut... And when she goes blonde... Well... um...

*blank stare*

Okay... What did you guys do?

*grinning* We went to the beach to go windsurfing... and then we went skydiving... and the other day we were in Paris and she looked so cute on the Eiffel Tower with the sunset kissing her cheeks...

*blank stare*

Oh. um...

Well, is she a good kisser?

She's absolutely amazing... er... wait... she's... um... her pixels kiss soooo well.

Wait - you're telling me you took her to Paris?!?

Nothing like a little SL lovin'.

Silent Sparrow and Bad Apples

2008-06-05T17:09:00.001-07:00

I log in. Hey Girlfriend IM chat window immediately opens in mid conversation.

"It's just terrible."

"I can't believe people would do that."

"Can you believe that?!?"

So of course, I ask, "Wait, what'd I miss?"

Silent Sparrow has been so abused by those taking advantage that they are removing their freebies from the store.

"It is with a bit of a heavy heart I write this: I will no longer have the old freebies out for people to pick up. They will be available for newbies though, so you can bring your friends who are just starting out to pick up all of the old sets. (Please make sure they are 30 days or younger). I love spoiling the ~twittery birds~, but the harrasment (nasty IM's and general rudeness) has gotten out of control. From now on starting 6/12, when I release a new group freebie the group will be closed for the week while that set is available."

ACK! NO!

"It happened at Sn@tch too."

"I just don't understand people sometimes"

"Others too... people harassed their models and sent them nasty messges demanding they send them the freebie themselves."

Ribbons Whitfield: I don't understand. Why would people be upset?

I mean honestly - it's a freebie! You should be grateful that the designer was generous enough to put one out!

"Because there's a bunch of people who think that they are supposed to be given everything."

"Some people feel entitled."

"They are entitled to that boot in the butt."

"Yes. And they were brought up to think that by their parents."

Ribbons Whitfield: Don't get me started.
Ribbons Whitfield sighs

"I'm holding off from starting, myself."

"I remember when a freebie t shirt was a big deal!"

"A few bad apples gotta ruin it for the whole bunch."

"So true!"

"And the saddest thing about it, those bad apples probably don't even have a clue..."

"No, they probably don't - in all senses of the phrase."

Need I say more?

SL Armageddon & a Savior

2008-06-02T04:30:00.000-07:00

**All names have been changed to protect the innocent... er... guilty... er... well, everyone. Yes this is another venting and is in no way to take away from the great program that is SL Mentoring. Despite this outburst, these are wonderful people who do a GREAT job. You couldn't have a better SL calling. On with the vent.***

SL Mentors IM Chat:

Amy: Is something going on with SL that we don't know about? This is my third relog in about ten minutes...
Steve, Fawn & George: no probs here...I'm fine too.... All fine here, video, music, IM, TP all nominal
Phil: Maybe SL Armageddon is coming, read your SL bible

I couldn't help but to laugh hysterically. In one line, "Phil" reminded us to use our resources rather than open up a window and disrupt hundreds of mentors. Cheers Phil!

Sara, being helpful mentioned that "you can check the grid by yourself". So, standing firm to my principles about chat, I asked Sara if she would "remind us how to check the grid please," for which a link was provided. This helps all new (and rusty) mentors remember how to be proactive.

Of course I was immediately reminded that because I posted that, because I helped people, because I did my job, I'll likely be moved back to apprentice status by Linden Labs for having broken the chat rule. Tell me again how this is worth my time? I'm a professional, educated person who spends her day in crisis intervention. And you want to demote me back to learning level because I was helping people?

Yes, this rule gets under my skin. Why? *grumbling* *grumbling more* *throwing a shoe* I believe in self sufficiency. I believe in respecting others and their time. And I humbly appreciate what it means to have chat windows pop up all the time and be frustrated by that. But I also feel that by signing on as a mentor, you have to have a certain amount of respect for the learning process and, frankly, a responsibility to help other mentors too. Rules that punish people for doing just that realllllly get under my skin, so much so that I have a kink in my shoulder from the experience.

Of course, making this even more frustrating was that as this was going on, I was in the process of three mentor jobs at once, one of them quite serious with RL implications.

So I whined to a crusty old mentor who has heard it before. And get this - he talked ME down. ME! The one who talks everyone else off a cliff. Not only that, he gave me some tools to feel empowered again, provided a network of people who do the more advanced work, helped me learn, and encouraged me. So thank you Sir-to-be-Named-Later-if-he-Lets-me!!! You made my Second Life a whole lot better. And as such, saved yet another mentor from an early retirement!

How To Make Friends in SL

2008-05-31T05:34:00.001-07:00

While discussing ways of recruiting new subjects in Tiny Empires, I may have made a friend.

Thalia Jie: Maybe we should go on a fishing expedition?
Ribbons Whitfield: I'm happy to go along and hold the bait
Ribbons Whitfield: Anything I can do to be helpful
Thalia Jie: <---- happy to BE the bait.
Ribbons Whitfield: Hey, anyone named for the Greek muse for shoes is hold worthy. In fact, we should just bow down.
Thalia Jie: *laughs* ... Ribbons I think we can be good friends. :-)

Cuba Drool

2008-05-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

I was putzing around SL a few weeks ago and TPed over to Cuba, mostly because of Looker Lumet Photography's piece. Easily one of the best photographers in SL, Looker provided pictures that were so - there is only one word I can think of that describes it - romantic that you nearly wanted to lick your monitor. Then again, Cuba has always inspired that in me so maybe I am biased.

In part, Looker had some help. The Emvee Cuba SIM creator's textures are so rich and delicious that three quarters (if not more) of Looker's work was done. Then again, I know nothing of photography so don't take my word for it. Visit Cuba yourself.

When you land, pick up your tourist camera and look for the blue camera spots. I did and the best I could come up with is here - note the blue block on the right. Idiot proof photography. Perfect!

One More...

2008-05-28T05:56:00.000-07:00

Missed one!

For our professional computer geeks, educators, programmers, tech journalists, content developers, etc etc, the Virtual Worlds Expo is a go for LA (California, USA) in September.

"Virtual Worlds Expo is dedicated to helping businesses harness the power of virtual worlds to engage with their customers, partners and employees. Conference agenda will include consumer worlds, enterprise worlds, investment and strategy, education uses of virtual worlds, virtual law and visionary/future development" These guys pick up heavy hitter sponsors like Electric Sheep Company, IBM, SL Grid, Virtual MTV, Cisco, etc.

Interestingly, if you sign up now, you same some MAJOR Linden... er... um... dollars. As in US dollars!

Good Stuff to do in (and out of) SL

2008-05-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

Two biggies this week. Yeah yeah, I know. I'm a little late getting them out. So sue me. [Shut up my friend(s) you- know- who- you- are- attorneys- who- have- nothing- better- to-do- than- hang- out- in- SL!!!]

The first is that it is prom season. I know, you're dying for the details. Me on the other hand, I'd not even mention it - reliving a prom I never went to in the first place (for very good reasons) doesn't sound like a party to me. So "why bother?" you ask? It's for a really great cause: the American Cancer Society.

Stealing from the promos....

"There will be live music, fabulous DJ'ing, dancing, and more encompassing four islands. Scheduled to perform on Saturday night are Maximillion Kleene and srv4u Conacher. Scheduled for Sunday night are Jano Runo and Dann Numbers. Mixing it all together both nights will be Gwen Carillon. The music will be broadcast across the four regions.

"Each night there will also be a very special, one-of-a-kind auction for the Prom King & Queen crowns and the Prom Crashers Party King & Queen crowns! The crowns will go to the highest bidder, and all bids will be paid directly to Relay for Life.

"It wouldn't be a Prom without the pictures! Photos will be taken for a small donation, and yearbooks will be made available after the Prom.

"If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tigerlily Koi, Haedon Quine, or any other member of the Designers in Seclusion Relay for Life Team!"

Who: American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
What: Prom 2008
Where: Skin City (99, 105, 586)
When: Saturday, June 14th from 3pm to 7pm SLT and Sunday, June 15th from 5pm to 9pm SLT.
Why: To raise money to help support efforts to find the cure for cancer.

In other news... grab your wallet, your swimwear and your non prim business cards and head on down to Tampa, Florida (USA) for a little real life partying in September. You think I'm nuts? The folks at the Second Life Community Convention (SLCC) opened their registration for the hootenanny last week. "Who goes to these things?" you ask? SLers. Builders. Somebodies. Business people. Socialites. Fashionistas. Scripters. DJs. Nobodies. Musicians. Educators. Basically, everybody.

"Huh?" you say? In 2005 a bunch of SLers enacted a "real life invasion of Linden Lab" as they put it, arriving in San Francisco. It ballooned from there into an international gathering of people from all over SL meeting in RL. This is what I officially call Worlds Colliding.

Ticket prices are $220 USD (or $58,220 Linden). Register Here.

Interested in becoming a SLCC sponsor? Contact Nexeus Fatale. Questions? Contact Nexeus Fatale. Complaints? Contact Nexeus Fatale. Questions about housing? Contact Nexeus... wait... no... Call the Marriot.

I do... really... I do.

2008-05-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

I received a message from someone who had asked why I am taking on this new endeavor. Let me begin by saying that I am creating the wedding blog I do. because I am absolutely nuts.

Few people know this about me but in RL, weddings are part of my work. I'm nuts about joyful moments in peoples lives and I love weddings. Over the years, I've picked up a few tricks here and there, heard and shared some good advice, and drooled over the occassional gown. I've helped brides pair just the right veil, select jewelry that complimented rather than overpower, and said "you know, you can always buy shoes and have them dyed to match that perfect bridesmaid gown" at least 300 times.

I have seen real life Jewish weddings, Chinese weddings, Korean weddings, and African weddings (wait, no, that was an African funeral...). I helped plan an outlandish wedding for one very cool retro hipster who absolutely loved Marlyn Monroe, putting her bridesmaids in peacock blue ball gowns with matching arm length gloves and enough bling on wrists and tiaras on heads to blind you. I have helped to plan simple, traditional, intimate weddings with candlelight dinners and clean lines on the tablecloths. I also used to teach basic etiquette to small groups. Real life professional, no. But a graduate of finishing school, modeling school and a bunch of other schools that mean little to anyone but etiquette junkies.

With society being what it is, etiquette seems rarely appreciated with one exception: your wedding. It is at that point in time when people break out Emily Post and panic when they discover that yes, you have to put a postage paid envelope in your invitation if you expect a RSVP, and no, it is not appropriate that you ask for money as a gift. Yes, you have to invite that guy who makes the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard every time he swallows just because he happens to be the brother of your finance. No, you do not have to invite your ex BFF from gradeschool just because you promised each other when you were eight. And yes, I advise that you consider your preference of a formal wedding, semi formal, casual, or informal. There actually is a difference. And honestly, the gifts really should be delivered to the bride's mother's home, not taken to the wedding or reception.

I do. is dedicated to all the wonderful things that make up a perfect SL wedding: you, your friends, and the best photographers, designers, places, even planners SL has to offer. Here's to you!

God bless!

Ribbons Whitfield

Yet Another Milestone...

2008-05-22T04:14:00.000-07:00

While these things mean nothing, I cannot help but to admit that I was a little giddy this morning when I logged on and discovered that Ribbons Learns to Swim made, for at least a moment, the Second Life Top Sites number one slot.

Thanks to all the readers who helped make it happen. We're now officially well, officially... Official. :)

Another Milestone...

2008-05-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

[19:29] Catty Loon: Thanks everyone
[19:30] Ribbons Whitfield: Wow... I did not just do that
[19:31] Ribbons Whitfield sits, stunned.
[19:31] Catty Loon: What did you do??
[19:31] Ribbons Whitfield: Did I just contribute fashion advice????
[19:31] Catty Loon: Yes you did!!!
[19:31] Ribbons Whitfield chokes, falls over onto the floor
[19:31] Catty Loon fans Ribbons
[19:31] Catty Loon: Someone have some smelling salts?
[19:31] Gloriana Congrejo: She choked, do the Heimlich
[19:31] Catty Loon: It's ok Ribs really....it'll be ok, you'll survive this
[19:32] Ribbons Whitfield groans and mumbles incoherently
[19:32] Catty Loon fans faster
[19:32] Catty Loon: Someone slap her!
[19:32] Catty Loon isn't good at violence
[19:33] Ribbons Whitfield: Don't... You can't... Yvette must not know.
[19:33] Ribbons Whitfield sits up, then passes out again.
[19:33] Catty Loon: Yvette would be proud!!!

It's always so heartwarming to know you have Girlfriends to help you through difficult times.

Brazilian Bossa Nova Moves!

2008-05-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

It is with some delight (and giddiness and excitement and joy and woot!) that we've moved the Brazilian Bossa Nova night to the high in Skiddaw.

Thanks to the generosity of Ribbons Learns to Swim friend Nexeus Fatale, Tarsis will spin all your Bossa Nova favourites on Wednesday nights. Join DJ Taris, Geda Hax and the team for a little salsa, samba, some hip wiggling and maybe a caipirinha or two.

And we promise, no virgin (nor shoe) sacrifices.

Virgin Sacrifice

2008-05-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

A nice conversation over why I am no longer wearing shoes in SL....

You: I've sacrificed some of them. There was this whole virgin and volcano thing....
You: I convinced the village women that my shoes were a greater sacrifice than, well, me.
Marcus Chalet: The shoes were virgins?
You: They were.
Marcus Chalet: My shoes...they've been around.
You: Yeah, I don't want to know about your slutty shoes.
Marcus Chalet: The volcano god would invite them in to drink hot lava and tell stories - but would not want them as a sacrifice.

Words of Advice for SL People

2008-05-20T04:29:00.000-07:00

People often ask me if I have any words of advice for young people. Well here are a few simple admonitions for young and old. Never interfere in a boy-and-girl fight.

From William S. Burroughs' "Words of Advice for Young People"

What is amazing to me is the number of people in SL who are struggling. Granted, we are all struggling (that's just life). But the number of people SL draws who seek out it's comforting nothingness as a means to escape, no avoid their RL is astounding to me.

So, some thoughts.

1. You are not as popular as you think. With hundreds of thousands of people in SL, you are one. Callie Cline is an exception. You are not Callie Cline. And by the way, do you have ANY idea how many people have NO IDEA who she is?

2. If you don't know how to make RL relationships work, you probably will not be able to make SL relationships work. SL relationships have their own set of challenges in addition to the RL relationships. To expect that you'll make a go of it without the work and effort is silly. Worse, you bring your standard of how you "do relationships" to SL and apply it there. If it isn't working, either you are doing it wrong, or you are choosing the wrong people.

3. To our ladies, if he dumped you because of a rumor or something someone said, count your blessings. If he truly cared about you and was man enough to be a good mate, he'd have come to you to work out the problem. If your relationship is so flimsy that you two are not working together in complete trust and harmony, then you don't have a relationship. You have a partner in a game.

4. Pride. Pride gets you into all sorts of trouble. Being honest with yourself and admitting that it's okay that you do not know everything will get you further than bragging that you are something you are not. That will get you into trouble every time and likely cause much drama. By the way, if you really THINK you are all that, and others are upsetting you telling you you aren't take a reality check. Maybe you are and you have bad friends. Or maybe you aren't and you're kidding yourself.

5. The irrational. If you see someone who one minute claims they are desperate, then the next is bragging in the same conversation, I would advise that you question their stability. Which means you question why they are in SL. Which means you ask if this is a person with whom you should be working/involved.

6. In SL, people claim they are a lot of things. If you stumble into someone who claims that they are a CEO or a famous person, it isn't likely that they are who they say they are (official events aside of course, although, frankly, even then you never know as expert SL handlers may be running their avatar on their behalf). I have been blessed to know a few RL celebrities (business and entertainment alike) and most opt to run around SL incognito. That noobie might just be Bill Gates.

7. Given people are not always what or who they claim to be, have you considered how simple it is to create a relationship of trust? In most cases who end up on my proverbial couch, it usually takes not more than two minutes to get someone to open up. I know their story, their fears, their kids names, their home town, what they drive and sometimes even where they work. I might know where they hang out, if they go to church, where, the college from which they graduated and the fact that they go to the movies on 2nd and Wood every Tuesday night at 7pm. If I were someone of bad intentions, I would have all I need to track you down. "Oh that will never happen to me" is something I have heard all too many times, and sometimes, never heard as I have held the hand of the survivor because "me" didn't make it. Protect yourself and protect your kids.

8. You are only as good as the choices you make. If you choose to be with people who treat you poorly, do not blame them. Blame yourself for choosing to be with people who treat you that way. This, I think, is the source of a LOT of SL drama. I've been fortunate. My friends in SL work together to be friends. My acquaintances, while all kind, nice people, may or may not (we'll see!). But I make sure that the people whom I give some trust are people who guard against being eaten by drama.

9. "But she's my friend and I want to help her!!!" (If you had any idea how much this one is a red flag....) If you are going to help anyone, the first rule is that you cannot become a part of the problem issue. You MUST be able to draw a line and stay objective. If you are unable to do that, then you can be supportive but you probably will NOT be able to help anything. You may bring comfort. You may remind someone that they will not walk alone. But help? No. Call a wise friend. Call a therapist. Call a clergy person. Call a psychiatrist. Call a social worker. Or call the police to help bring someone to a place where they can get their mental health back.

10. Second Life is not a life. To get a life, you need to meet REAL people in REAL life. While SL is not just a game, it does not count as a life. A life is when you get up from your keyboard, get your shower, step outside into daylight (remember that?) and go meet real people in a real place... Like maybe a cafe. Or a bookstore. Or church. Or a park. Then you, get this, talk to them. THAT is where you start having a life.

Burroughs finishes off his advice with the following- it just seemed so appropriate to SL business I couldn't help but to share it.

An old junk pusher told me -
Watch whose money you pick up

Everybody is doing it.

2008-05-19T05:11:00.000-07:00

Doing a read-by on Wrath Pain's blog and stumbled upon this nice little quiz (I could never do him justice). Turns out, everyone is doing it. In light of my new decision this year to be a follower, I've opted to start here by being one of everybody. We'll see how this works out.

1. What time did you get up this morning? — 3:34 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? — Well, diamonds are quite lovely, especially for evening attire. I'm probably about the age that I can carry them off without being tacky. But I am a classicist and appreciate the soft glow that a strand of real pearls provides, softening features and bringing about a general sense of femininity.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?— Hmmmm Honestly I cannot remember but it may have been the last Bond film.
4. Favorite TV show?— Don't watch a lot of T.V. but I have always been fond of the Golden Girls.
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?— Lunch.
6. What is your middle name?— Michael. No I am not kidding.
7. What food do you dislike? — Seafood & veggies. Don't mean to steal this from "everyone" but it's really really true.
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?— My i-pod.
9. Favourite sandwich?— Oooo wow.... um. Probably the taco sandwich ring I make for tea parties
10. What characteristic do you despise? — Selfishness- you know, the "all about me" people who forget that they live in a community and their actions DO impact others. ALL of their actions. And I really despise those who say, "That's their problem." No honey, it's YOUR problem because you making them cranky makes for cranky communities and then you wake up one day and live in a place YOU hate.
11. Favorite item of clothing?— my jeans and either my Ropers or my 4" heeled sandals
12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?— World Tour. I kid you not.
13. What colour is your bathroom?— At the moment, it's beige with white spackle streaks. Last room in the house yet to be refinished.
14. Do you make friends easily? — Friends? No. Acquaintances? No, not really.
15. Where would you retire? — You mean I get to retire? Wow. I thought I'd be stuck in the tree house forever. That was a nice thing! Thank you for sharing!
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday?— Well, my 22nd was pretty memorable. Not really a good memory but a memory none the less.
17. Favourite sport to watch? — At the moment, HOCKEY! Futbol, football, rugby, pool and ski ball.
18. How many towns have you lived in?— 17 I think. I put cities in there too.
19. How many people do you think will send this back?— pft
20. What’s on your bedroom floor right now? — my life.
21. Favorite saying?— Fabulous! or Absolutely! I have no idea where I picked them up. They are mildly annoying I am sure.
22. When is your birthday?— Yeah, see, we don't discuss that day.
23. Are you a morning person or a night person?— I perk up around twilight and warm up at sunset.
.24. What is your shoe size?— Little.
25. Pets?— Two dogs, a cat, and a friend's 38 year old son.
26. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?— Nothing you want to hear. Everyone SAYS they want to know but they never really do.
27. What did you want to be when you were little?— Astronaut. Really. Until I was about 15. I couldn't keep up with the math.
28. Which talent would you most like to have?— Self value. And maybe something creative like all the rest of my friends.
29. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?— Absolutely. NO WAY. Hooray! and probably "You may want to turn your volume down a bit" which isn't very SL friendly unless you are actually on voice.
30. What is your favorite flower? — Anything unusual (and no, birds of paradise are not unusual). I had a boyfriend in college who used to take me to wildflower fields and pick me bouquets. I really dug that.
31. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?— The one where I get to take it off.
32. What color are your eyes?— Like all the rest of "everybody", gray blue green pending mood, tears, nuclear explosion and the occassional drink.
33. What was your favorite toy as a child?— the big huge pillows I was allowed to use to build forts. And interestingly, I was into this construction toy I had... *thinking*
34. Summer or winter?— Oh geeze, SUMMER. Like that was even a question.
35. Hugs or kisses?— Huggles and smooches that help express my love to my love. I don't have a love...
36. Chocolate or Vanilla— Tin Lizzy. No really. But with almonds or maybe pistachios. Or Chocolate. And yes, you can mix chocolate with SO MUCH.
37. Do you want your friends to send this back to you? — I'm mildly curious. But it won't kill me.
38. When was the last time you cried?— Cried? Cannot remember. I don't cry. I got a little misty at a dog memorial last week.
39. What is under your bed?— dust and shoe boxes.
40. Who is the friend you have had the longest in SL?— Well, Tarsis. You know, it's his fault you all have to put up with me.
41. What did you do last night? — Came off the job, ate, hit the sack and tossed and turned from flashbacks. Oddly, they weren't the ones that everyone would be concerned about.
42. Favorite smell? — Onion rings and cooking onions. Certain flowers. The smell of the Montana mountain air up near Glacier Park. Fresh pears. I could go on forever.
43. What are you afraid of?— Mean criticism that has an impact other than on my ego (which if I stopped to think about it, the only way that happens is if it hurts my ego).
44. Plain, sweet, or salted Popcorn?— Not a big popcorn fan. Prefer it with a ton of butter. Always hated kettle corn but a guy made a special batch for me on Saturday and added Cajun seasoning. THAT was fabulous - warm, sweet AND salty! It was a party in my mouth (shut up Wrath). (Shut up Nex.)
45. How many keys on your key ring?— Depends on the day. At least 6. As many as 40. I don't have a "ring" I have a (c)karabiner. A big one.
46. How many years at your current job? — Eight I think... although this latest twist, since Halloween last year
47. Do you have any scars?— Sure do. I'm the daughter of a jet-setting playboy. You'd have scars too.
48. Favorite day of the week?— I kinda dig Thursdays. It's kinda like, "Whew! I made it!" Then Mondays cause you know, "Whew! I made it!"
49. How many people will you be sending this to? Sending? Nada. Posting, Absolutely.

Some people deserve recognition.

2008-05-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

[20:31] You: How DO you want to make the blog?
[20:31] Marcus Chalet: Oh, I have a draft.
[20:31] You: Send it darling. I'll review it.
[20:32] Marcus Chalet: I'll tune it up a little, then.
[20:32] You: Do Marcus. It's due on Friday
[20:34] Marcus Chalet fades into the sunset, unmentioned in the blog...

There. Happy? LMAO

Show Me Some Skin

2008-05-09T04:38:00.000-07:00

I'm hanging out with pals yesterday and a girlfriend rushes in all aflutter. She'd been helping another friend with two upsetting matters. One, a rl boyfriend and two, a much more upsetting issue, a stolen skin.

Shopping Cart Disco recently posted a note received from a rather upset RL graphic artist who claims that her work was stolen by Minnu Skins. She provides a series of photos (such as pictured) that demonstrate the accused rip off. Frankly, they appear convincing.

While a copyright violation is possible, perhaps even likely, I would urge everyone to take pause. Simply because someone claims their work has been compromised does not necessarily mean that it has indeed been stolen.

When I was first approached on this matter of content theft several months ago, I encouraged a self governing board to gather, made of skilled artists who can help review these matters and bring some fairness to the system. Otherwise, liars can take graphics that do not belong to them and make a skin (or other item), and liars can claim that their work has been taken and ruin reputations. Unfortunately, no such board exists (to my knowledge) and we continue to have little recourse in the interest of truth. Mediation seems to me to be a viable SL Content Theft option for resolution.

I do not know the Minnu Skins creator, nor am I of the acquaintance of Danae Kotsi. But I do feel it necessary to make the call towards temperance and perhaps, encourage a sense of justice - that one is innocent until proven guilty and everyone has a right to defend themselves.

Let us all hope this is a mistake, one that can be properly explained. Otherwise, the SL Drama will have an impact in lives beyond the pixel. I can only imagine the stress, frustration and perhaps anger of Ms. Kotsi. The feelings of Minnu remain a curiosity, but I have no doubt are not pleasant.

Kiss Kiss Kiss

2008-05-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

So we're hanging at the high for the Thursday Night Dance Party and I am hostessing for Nexeus Fatale. While sitting on the bar, in an IM with Hellman, I engage in a conversation about the value of sticking out one's tongue. You know, like this :P . The conversation ended up somewhere along the lines of don't stick it out if you don't intend to mean it. Next thing I know is the following... IN MAIN CHAT:

*Hellman stands up, looks Ribbons deep in the eyes, raises her chin lightly with his fingers, kisses her full on the mouth and licks the tip of her nose lightly, "Yes, I was ready to use it."
*You: Yikes!
*You: Er um...
*Hellman sits back down and smiles
*Ribbons Whitfield turns red and falls backwards over the bar
*You: Some guy. Does that and leaves me on the floor...
*Hellman picks her up and sets her back on the bar

Word to the wise - if you are going to randomly go around kissing strangers, make sure they are not bloggers, twitterers, Live Journalists, or MySpacers (etc.).

Nexeus chooses this moment to play a new song (appropriately titled) and after, assumes responsibility... you know, in his own way...

*Bashir: kiss kiss kiss
*Ribbons Whitfield sighs
*Nexeus Fatale: who what?
*Nexeus Fatale: :-p Ribblet don't be blaming things on me!

All I could think was "Oh no. Here we go again with the :P"

My pretty...

2008-05-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

While updating my Twitter, I discovered something kinda neat. Ribbons Learns to Swim friend Nexeus Fatal twittered that he was recently added to a nifty site called Alltop.

Alltop takes RSS feeds from any given topic and drops them into category pages - anything from shopping to music to virtual worlds - kind of like a dashboard of info of interest to you. Nex was recently added as his own box (congrats Nex!). But what I dig about this is that DANGIT! They list FREEBIES. YES FREEBIES! Freebies my pretty!

They also list news. And some gossip. And Linden updates. And professional SL services. And charitable events (hooray!). And some other stuff of interest. And did I mention FREEBIES???

Yup. They've got virtual worlds covered.

Mentors Mentors Everywhere!

2008-04-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

I had a little time yesterday and decided to give it to a volunteer program close to my virtual heart. So, being suddenly responsible, I joined several of my fellow mentors for a mentors meeting. I know, I know. You're shocked at my sudden sudden sense of Linden patriotism.

Honestly, I would be delighted to go to more of these if the players were all a little more professional. Don't get me wrong - the Lindens are almost always lovely. And most of my mentor colleagues in attendance are a hoot. But I really do struggle with one issue that gets under my skin. It's the problem of the group IM chat window.

Cranky mentors don't play well together. If someone needed assistance, they asked for it in a chat window. And generally, people responded. This worked well for me for a few reasons.

First, I had a handle on what was going on with the grid. For instance, the problem of the skirt. My skirts would appear for 1 second, then poof, leaving a small panel across my tooshy and a transparent cylinder around my ankles with what looks like a webpage reflected in light hues. This ended up being a glitch that is being addressed. But in the meantime, here I am, walking around without a skirt, bewildered as to why my bathing suit wrap looks more like some weird restraint device. Open problem solving chat would have put me on to that answer WAY sooner than it took me to navigate the Wiki (which I find a bear as I have no knack for getting around that thing yet).

Secondly, open chat helps me learn. You all know that I stumbled into the plague a few months ago which was solved with mentors from another mentor group (God bless those guys!). It's a semi rare thing, but common enough that lots of people know how to resolve it. And yes, it is on the elusive Wiki (which I searched for over an hour and never found). Had a newbie mentor stumbled into it, and had they posted to chat, and had people responded, we would have witnessed the process by which they corrected the problem and when I stumbled upon it, I would have had the knowledge to walk her through it rather than disturb what ended up being 7 or 8 mentors (all patient, humorous, knowledgeable and a joy with whom to work).

Frankly, I hate spam. Most of us do. But there is a distinct difference between a decent conversation and a bunch of silly flirting or rambling. Instead of learning to work together, the IM chat has been limited to "Chinese speaking mentor needed at THIS PLACE." and "Resident in need of assistance regarding missing inventory. Please IM me." That "please IM me" part is now a REQUIRED thing to have lest you risk be kicked out as a mentor.

God forbid someone actually respond in chat!!! They'll spend the next 5 minutes being rudely attacked, listening to other mentors scream about the rules and how (s)he is a spammer. This has happened to me. Before I was aware of the irritation of others, I responded in chat with some satirical quip (which received chuckles and lols) and before I knew I had three or four people screaming at the top of their non existent virtual lungs about spam and how unprofessional I was. Apparently their OCD doesn't allow for the tiniest bit of patience to leave a chat tab open until things settle down so that they can safely close it, comforted in the knowledge that the discussion is over.

Of course, in our mentors meeting, all was going decently well (okay I tolerated it) until near the end when our Linden buddies make a statement about honoring the chat rules and threatening that if they are not followed, they will shut it down. The language used was beyond stern. It was flat out tyrannical.

I took several deep breaths and tried to be patient and limit my boiling irritation. I wanted to firmly make the comment that people who lose their patience over something so silly should have their mentoring tags removed and be booted from the program. Why? Because if they loose their patience and are rude over conversation that might be helping someone, imagine what they do with residents who are not their perfect little mentoree subjects.

My other mentors group, Open Chat for Volunteer Mentors, rocks. Made of mostly crusty SLers, you post a problem. There is this odd lull. (I imaging the crusty brains processing the problem, their mentoring box in their head scrolling through mentor notecards until they pull just the right one and scream, "Ah ha! By Jove, he's got it!") Then suddenly, someone clearly posts either a pointed question or a solution. If it's a question, I answer it. And during the lull as they roll their Rolodex of answers again, I thank them for taking time to help. I do mean it sincerely, but the timing of doing it is really because I feel bad for asking and disturbing their day. They may not feel disturbed but after the drama in the other chat, I feel compelled. Eventually they work out a solution, we get the resident on their way, and we exchange sarcasm and tea and crumpets.

I think my hesitation and mousy approach to asking developed from drama abuse. Why do I say that? Because that kind of behavior is seen in women who were abused by husbands, children who were abused by parents, and weak men when they approach someone in need of something for themselves. It's a behavior that takes years of therapy and behavior modification to overcome. The result of all of this?

I'm a victim of SL Mentor Drama Abuse.

Don't Mess with the Best

2008-04-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

Said one notable Girlfriend having crashed, "Oh darn it! And I need a makeover!".

Word of advice: if you are going to run a scam, or try to pick up women with "free makovers" don't try it on a Girlfriend. And by the way, for those of you out there who don't know better, don't try it looking like a 12 year old middle schooler who doesn't know how to pull up his pants.

It was a little after 6:30 SL when a Girlfriend posted to the Hey Girlfriend group that someone offered her a free makeover. Of course, the IM noted a strong opinion of this uh... person. His name is Dre Back. His profile shows him as a 20 year old American male. He's an expert on make overs you know - with no groups, no profile "about", no interests and no picks. But he's a makeover pro - for $500 of your hard earned Linden.

With that, we decided we ALL had to get in on that offer. So our Girlfriend TPed us over for a personal mob vending of the boy. We passed the champaign, and rescued other helpless gals from the uh... makeover... Just goes to show that you don't mess with a Girlfriend.

You know when...

2008-04-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

I’m in a group IM with the Genovians and also another with Hey Girlfriend… It started like this…

You know you've been in SL too long when....

Half of your inventory is missing?
You are ruthed and naked?

It didn’t take long for it to go here…

You attempt to click a RL building to see who built it or worse, try to derez it
You start talking at length with a really beautiful woman in real life, and in your mind you are just positive she's a guy
You walk by a bench near a bus stop and are surprised there are no campers on it
You look for a lm to go to the grocery store
You get impatient and say to yourself "damn this lag"
Your excuse for not cuddling or kissing is 'the balls are broken and the menu will not open'
You look for the inventory box to get dressed
The TV doesn't look right because there isn’t a T.E. HUD in the upper left corner
You start shopping in RL based on your taste in SL
You see someone annoying and look for the "mute", “eject”, “ban” or “orbit” button
You see a girl with *really* big breasts and bad makeup and think "newbie"
The local teen agers toilet paper your house you scream out your window "GRIEFER", begging for all of your friends to come help
You actually give money to money trees instead of trying to grow one
You’re having a bad day with a jerk at work and reach for your Mystitool to resolve the problem
You zoom in to see something down the aisle at Wal Mart
You’re able to rez your house completely furnished, exactly where you want it
You are running late and walk outside your front door into a flying pose thinking you’ll make it faster than walking
You start to talk/think in roleplay format
You try to attach a tail and ears and walk out the door.. before your friends commit you to a mental hospital
Your house ends up filthy because you don’t have to dust or vacuum in SL
Your acquaintance looses her job for calling her manager "master"
You wish getting a tan was as easy as changing skins
You get your hair cut like your favorite ETD hair
You try to dance in RL like you do in SL, even though you could never dance
You wish you could send your identical alt to work so you can stay home
You catch yourself in a clothing store mirror doing poses from SL
You grab someone's wallet at the grocery store thinking it’s their profile
You are at work and try to zoom or walk around a regular web page.
You buy a retractable leash for your dog with the brand name “flexi” and start pointing and yelling at your dog, “Look! Flexi prim!” (This actually happened to a girlfriend!)
Your sons figure out that the “hot girl” on your laptop is YOUR avatar, sending them to therapy for 15 years

Thanks to the members of both groups for their witty repertoire and well, much loved sarcasm.

Milestones

2008-04-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

My friend was helping me set up Flikr so that I could transfer my photos from SL straight into the browser DB. I had to set up an account which requested my birthday. So I went to go look at my rez day and discovered it was today's date, one year earlier. I rezzed on April 12th, 2007.

Over the last SL year, I lost a good acquaintance to drama ending a 4+ year RL relationship. I've lived in one club, and three homes, the latest a FABULOUS tree house I love. I was selected as a SL mentor. I lost a business, but became more than viable and was in demand for a variety of other jobs. I've modeled. I've beat the plague and countless griefers. I've helped run a fashion agency. I've helped give a start to six businesses. I got a face and shape I like having. I've visited an alien world, Africa, New York, Australia, Russia, and countless other countries and times. I toured the Titanic - both old and new. And I have consulted on countless business deals and personal matches for professionals.

I've made some wonderful SL buddies who have become RL acquaintances. And while I have had no real love interests, I have had a date (or really more of a hanging out) on occasion. I have become a blogger not once, but three times over. And we held the top 100 SL sites for several months. And I have a network of professionals, experts, and talented artists, DJs, sculptors and others, all whom I admire.

Tarsis talked me into SL with much effort. He welcomed me with a gift of $50 Linden to buy an outfit, took me shopping and put up with my indecision over hair. He started something that day because for those people I know well, I pay it forward. Thank you my friend, for not letting me dig in my feet.

So here is to another year. Pay it forward always and live with love in your heart for those you like, but especially for those who are hard to love.

Blessings always-
Ribbons

PS: Guess who talked me into giving up my red hair?!?! Darn her!!!

Out of Africa

2008-04-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

So RL ate my life. I admit it. I'm a work-aholic with no social life and a blog about a second life I also don't actually have at the moment. You should all be so proud. :)

None the less, some fabulous virtual friends and I were standing around talking one night about Africa. You know - the place with the zebras... and princes chasing pretty blondes in boats.

So this guy Life said we should check it out. He zips us over there for a hot air balloon ride, a little wading and a chance to play with the wildlife. (Probably the only wildlife I'm likely to every play with too...)

The elephant is so sweet. He'll raise his trunk occasionally ... And watch your sounds for the hyenas. (Or were they dingos, guys?) The snakes can also be a bit nasty so keep your distance. But enjoy a swim and snag an inner tube if you can!

**When I posted this, I had no idea it was my rez day. Funny how things sneak up on you!**

Onions and Eggs of Russia

2008-03-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

I've been exploring again. You know that's always dangerous. lol

So this time, I wandered over to Red Square. No really. I'm serious. RED SQUARE. Home to military parades hosting the Soviets, the Nazi's and now Russians. Mathias Rust landed a light aircraft on the square in the 80s. And most recently, not only was Red Square one of the first sites in the USSR added to the UNESCO's World Heritage List, but in happier times, welcomes visitors in the winter for ice skating as well as some of the world's top musicians from Shakira to Pink Floyd.

Upon teleporting, the first thing you notice is how empty it is... then you take note of the total and complete lack of cops. You will however notice the swank cars - leaves you with the impression that if you wait long enough, Vin Diesel will screach around the corner and sweep you off your feet. I landed near Lenin's Mausoleum and wandered inside to find a guy in a box. That's it. So I left.

Other sites on the square were lovely on the exterior. One is St. Basil's Cathedral (also known as Cathedral of Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat) known for it's beautifully coloured onion domes. Commissioned by Ivan the IV, the Cathedral was built between 1555 and 1561 by Russian architects Postnik and Barma (although there was rumor of an Italian that I have been unable to confirm). St Basil is said to be burried in one of the chapels and the cathedral itself is said to have been built upon a temple constructed to commemorate the victory of Ivan the Terrible over Kazan and Astrakhan khanate.

If you get a chance, wander on over to Red Square. Take a snapshot or two. But keep your expectations under control. Just like the good ol USSR back in the day, everything is a front - the interiors are as shallow and empty as a hollowed out Easter egg. That's a big difference when you are expecting Fabergé.

Happy birthdays to...

2008-03-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Kallyfaith Rolland had her RL birthday. On Sunday, Nexeus Fatale had his. Kally delighted in peace and quiet as those in her RL let her be for several hours giving the gift of blissful silence. Nex received a black kitten for his birthday and has spent the last several days giddy as a school girl every time the critter breathes.

Kally has been a constant support over my last year in SL, a resource, and a source of great encouragement. Nex's wit and gift of tongue (that means GAB people, sheesh!) have been a companion to me too. To them both, I wish a very happy and blessed birthday. And I offer my thanks for all the good times had this past year. MUAH

Home, Sweet Tree

2008-03-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

I'm fortunate to have friends who open their doors and make their home my own. Over the last few weeks, we've been picking up our parts all over Happy Trees in preparation for a move. This of course included visiting dozens of sims in search of that new place to be. I fell in love with one, only to find they were selling and leaving SL. Of course, we eventually landed a plot that's just right. We named it Serendipity.

I reported to work while my friend started the build. I have attended a number of St. Patrick's Day parties over the last few days but honestly, was bored to death with the music. You can only hear U2 so many times before you realize the DJ's knowledge of Irish bands is limited. And to toss in a jig behind Vertigo, well, it just doesn't really work. This is one reason that I enjoy hearing DJ Tarsis Korobase spin the way I do. Okay, so he threw in a cheesy Irish sounding remake of a Tiffany song... But despite that, his ability to program, make things flow, and keep it interesting keeps me on my toes. You gotta love a good set.

When I returned to the build the next morning, I plopped down on our brand spanking new deck in our new treehouse overlooking the ocean while the burgers grilled on the grill and the breeeze kissed my cheeks. Summer is coming and everything in my being feels blessed with the knowledge that I have good friends who entertain me, house me and share their love.

Me.

PS: Kid. It's WAR.

The Tree Guy, Walking the Plank and Twerps

2008-03-10T06:23:00.000-07:00

Content Theft.

Arg.

You guys may remember I got giddy er... I mean, expressed my concern over this when I mentioned ThereseTammas' naked protest in the middle of Linden Village (A Nekkid Protester and a Rip Off).

And you probably suffered through my rant with Crackers, Onion Rings and the Law.

Well, my sister got a notecard from a well known shoe designer transcripting a conversation with someone who ripped her off. The crackers attitude? "It's just a gaaaaaame." The designer's attitude? "It's my livelihood you little twerp."

While doing my what is everybody up to? search, poor Wrath Paine had it out with a tree designer who had suffered content loss and thought Wrath was the bad guy. It was clearly a mistake that was worked out later and Wrath expects his trees delivered soon to help him continue to contribute his part in the beautification of SL.

And while lost in a shop I had no idea how I got there, I overheard a DJ whine to a gal that someone stream-ripped his set and used it as their own. I can hear the RIAA having a heart attack, gasping for breath, and falling over from their chairs with a THUMP to the floor as they peek with one eye at the door to see if anyone is watching, then immediately acting dead when they hear a stirring.

You may have also heard that the Skin Fair faced a protest that could have, had it been pressed, prevented the open of fair doors. One of the designers discovered that her line had been pirated and the pirate had a booth. The proverbial Everyone put their foot down (which I doubt was necessary - I imagine had they simply asked, it would have been taken care of but you know SL Drama), the pirate was given the plank, and all designers gleefully opened their skiffs for business.

Meanwhile, skin designers have started an ad campaign depicting nude, well, designers. It is an effort to educate people and to ask that they check the creator when buying. Which reminds me. Someone recently told me that if I have skins in my inventory that look like someone else's, and they aren't marked as such, they are ripped off. I found some skins marked CS. Nice skins actually, although a little too bubble gum for me. And I need to track the creator because guess what? I may have stolen virtual property in my own inventory. How is THAT for news? (whoopie.)

Our friend Tarasia Ashbourne has been a busy little bee as she has worked to organize everyone into one big happy family of victims and potential victims. This was a smart move (and I really do mean that). Now there is a base working against content theft, one that is broader than just the handful that was carrying the torch before, protecting everyone from the big ugly when no one else was looking (unless of course, they themselves were hit). These folks by the way, advocate checking your object creator. Tricky when it comes to stealing textures, but at least you'll sleep at night knowing your brand new prim skirt actually came from the person who sold it to you.

I'm curious however, as to how fullproof this whole effort really is in deterring theft. I came up against a griefer a few weeks ago who scripted something clever. The attack tool she used took on the ownership of the target, but without the target's control. In other words, it masked, making the perp look like the vic. So how hard would it be for clever little scripters to do the same with clothing or shoes or in the case of Wrath's tree guy, a bunch of grass?

There was a copier floating around SL for a bit. The thing was for sale for several thousand bucks before Lindens pulled it. All you had to do was wear it, and basically click. The thing did the rest. Copy a skirt? NP. Copy shoes? NP. Copy a tree? NP. Copy a weapon? NP. Copy artwork? NP. You get the idea.

Somehow, the hackers creed no longer seems to apply. Content theft is real and it plays with real people's lives. Fun to steal a pair of boots and resell them as your own until you find out that that pair of boots was putting shoes on five real life kids. Funny thing to me is that the same people who often declare freedom in content the most passionately, are often the same ones that want poor kids to have shoes. Nice to know they can virtually rip them right off their cold little feet. It may be a fun little game for you, but it's life for others. So what does that say about your character?

By the way, where are the folks from CSI-NY when you need them?

What? Like I can't add to the drama?

*** Update! Kitty Box Fashion Show, 4pm, March 11th. To support the fight against content theft. The ad was kinda purrrdy. Black and white n all that jazz you hip cat. Renneville Square, Klapheck (168, 50, 29)

The Floor and the Wall

2008-03-08T05:00:00.002-08:00

A newbie artist friend discovered this little place and in his newbie excitement tp'd me over to check out the spot. This is a gallery in Benvolio. And I think it's a place you need to experience to appreciate. That tree you see is actually embedded into the floor. You walk into the gallery and this artistic display evolves as you walk. It is breathtaking. I can only imagine what it looks like in windlight. *grumbling about video cards that don't like SL*

While wandering around the SIM, my friend also discovered the Wall. The space allows you to choose your Floyd tune and jam out in a surreal area very Floyd inspired. Nothing like getting my classic rock on after so many years of pretending I wasn't a hard rock junkie as a kid.

Gallery Diabolus, Benvolio. Use the pyramid teleporter to move between levels. And remember to watch your radio! ;)

SL Plague or...?

2008-03-07T04:17:00.001-08:00

My sister Gina (Ginna Whitfield). Looks like the plague got her too. And you think that's bad? Her right foot was three times bigger than her left one. Don't ask me what happened to her hair.

I'd think demon if I hadn't seen it before. lol

Last Call for Last Call

2008-03-04T03:41:00.000-08:00

Last Call. *weeping* Official close date is March 31st.

As many know, Ginny Talamasca has "extend the Last Call $100L sale through the end of March, to accommodate customer desire for more shopping time before Last Call closes its doors permanently as she retires from SL." The official word is that all Last Call Fashions will the be destroyed (not those you own - those not purchased!).

Thing is, there are other designs... *gasp* Designs from the past... Retired designs... VINTAGE designs!!! *whispering My Pretty in an evil, obsessed voice*

Want 'um? Me too. Here's what you have to do: drop a notecard to the attention of Ginny Talamasca entitled ‘LC Re-release’ and say "YES I want the re-release! Please!!!" (a simple "yes" will do). Why? "I will NOT do this without express permission from the Last Call update group and SL client base. In short, I am putting the matter to a vote." So, you know, vote darnit!

Vote until March 7th. If it passes, the girls of Last Call will do the final re-release on March 10th until the end of the month. And on April 1st we will all weep uncontrollably. Pity Party anyone?

Impeccable Anna

2008-03-03T04:50:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I was bored, wandering in Cetus Gallery District, and ran into an acquaintance named AnnaLise who was rearranging her gallery. A new display of art was going up from an artist who embraces what I would call "mood expression" - a contemporary expression of how she feels about things around her. We all know that I am an expert *cough* in art deconstruction *cough-yeah-cough-right* so that term is an official term in the art world... or something like that...

AnnaLise held her gallery open this weekend: ImPeccable Art; I had no idea it was her first one. With that, I am duly impressed. The gallery is elegant, with a very distinct use of space. From the playing around she did earlier in the week to the finished product left me actually verbalizing "oh wow! Nice work!". We always focus on the artists in SL - on their work - but we rarely give much thought to the person who arranges the display which is an art unto itself. Anna has a certain gift of her own. Enjoy the show and don't forget to pick up a painting of your own. You'll note how they grow on you once you see them.