Sometimes, from time to time, i like to sit and think about anything. I would say i have some like a passion for analyzing almost anything, or to try to look back and see how everything changes.

Most of the times i keep my thoughts for myself, sometimes i share them with some friends and sometimes i write about them, like i’m doing now, so it seems this will be a rambling post…

Last October was my third rezday, three years in Second Life, wow, that seems a lot, and someway is. Lot of things changed, not only technically (i mean how SL works and all that), also the people, how people lives SL. Three years ago i saw Second Life as a world of fantasy, a world where anybody can be anything and do anything. Also saw it as a world of freedom and coexistence, with his issues, of course, but only small ones. And even always there were some conflicts, some “racism” (against furries, tinies, whatever…), most of the people was pretty open-minded. There was… how to say it?… some respect to others, some feeling we all were pioneers exploring different paths. I presume this feeling was even stronger in people really old in SL, i mean older than me. Maybe all that was that way, or maybe i was just too naive, who knows? Anyway, then the number of active residents was quite lower and the maximum number of residents in the grid at the same time was maybe 8000 or 10000.

With the time all this changed. More and more residents came, with different views about things and the social structure of Second Life changed. Someway the Second Life society became more “mainstream” and the “minorities” became real minorities since most of the new residents were “Augmentationists”. This is an old SL dilemma, “Augmentationists” vs “Inmersionists”. I’m sure most of you know what these words means, but well, in short, “Augmentationists” are the ones who feel and live Second Life as an extension of the “Flesh Life” (or Real Life, but well, both lifes, SL and FL are pretty real) and “Inmersionists” are the ones who consider Second Life a different world and life, isolated and individual, totally independent, with its own rules and existence. Personally i consider myself an “augmentationist” with some “inmersionist” streaks. This two definitions are pretty extreme and i think most of us are somewhere in the middle but they are interesting as definitions.

This process where Second Life became more “mainstream”, as i said before, reduced the presence (in relative terms) of “alternative” cultures-communities as Furries, possibly because they were not enough attractive for the new residents. Does this process damaged Second Life as a community? Well, i don’t think so, just made it slightly different. But made it better or worse? Ah! That’s the big question!

I think is not worse, but is not better either. I love some things of how Second Life society is now and i dislike some others, exactly as it happened always. I miss more diversity, but at the same time i think a lot of people are creating right now amazing stuff. I dislike that feeling of living in a eternal high school year with gossip and drama some blogs use as main topic, but we can consider it a Role Play that takes itself too seriously (OMG! Just found the connection between Gor and SCD! ) and have fun with it.

OK… i know all this long text can be written in a few words: “I love Second Life as i loved it always, but i miss some more diversity and that feeling of being pioneers, but that feeling can’t come back since time passed and things changed. I miss also some respect to others.” So don’t get upset with me for making you lose some minutes reading 500 words of something that could be said in 40… i said in the beginning i was rambling.

Maybe is not a secret anymore i have a female alt, but actually was not a secret.

Since this is a new year and my blog have a new appearance i thought in doing something else new, a “fashion blogpost” for women. Anyway, the outfit was not intentional, just wanted to make her look good and that was the result of some exploration in some shops and a few of imagination, but when i saw the result the show of “Victoria’s Secrets” came to my mind.

Is interesting how we percieve avatars, for me Raul is totally me, an expression of myself, and this one is some like a toy i use for pics or to dress her like a doll, that’s why i don’t socialize with her. But this topic deserves a full blogpost.

List:
Hair: Zero Style – *Camille* (Strawberry Chocolate)
Eyes: Eyes by LL (Lano Ling) – bright – Gold Beach
Skin: :: Exodi :: Eden v2 (Clove) “Nouvelle”
Hat: **Illusions** “Astaire” Top Hat
Mask: **Illusions** Ebony Mask
Angel Wings: **Illusions** Chibi Angel Wings
Bodice & Bow: Paper Couture – In like a Lion
Panties, Garters & Stockings: *Shai* The Duchess Coat in White
Shoes: Paper Couture – Pastel Pink Butterfly & Orange Floral

Some weeks ago Chou Skinstad and Kali Marville asked me to collaborate with them in a project they had for a Xmas special issue of Uncover, of course i didn’t knew what was about exactly, but knowing them i said: “ZOMG yesh!”, i knew the result would be great… and it is!

Chou and Kali joined together a crazy group of residents to help them making this (in magazine from page 34 to page 105) and some really funny letter to Santa too. As always the magazine edition is really good and i’m sure this is the best gift we can receive: fun moments, smiles, etc…

Thanks to Chou and Kali for letting me be in it, to the Uncover team for making every month a so good magazine, to the rest of the people in the project for making it so fun… and to you all… Merry Christmas!!!

Patron (SLurl) in the personal project of Eliza Wierwight, a beautiful place to visit, a mix of an art gallery, a furniture store and something else.

Not only the place is beautiful, moreover it has personality, surely the personality of Eliza. Personally i really like Eliza, she is a really interesting woman, creative, and with a wicked sense of humour (yes, and beautiful).

Some time ago Eliza asked me to participate in a show in Patron, with no special theme, just the pictures i like the best of my own. Since i don’t use to sell my images, except for good reasons, we decided to give 100% of the sales to Amnesty International-E to help them in their projects.

She must be quite proud, since right now Patron is in the SL Showcase (as The Patron in the Arts section). And Patron deserves that for sure.

I wanted to ask Eliza about what’s Patron for her, she said:

Patron is my creative heart and home Inworld after finally settling  into my own design style. It’s the environment I HAD  to create , it’s the build I HAD  to endure as my insatiable desire to express myself in my own time , on my own terms, evolved.   Patron  found it’s own momentum unraveled beautifully before me almost   instinctively.  To keep that momentum over 5 months was exhausting , I don’t regret a  single minute though.

One thing I’ve learned about creation Inworld in the last year thanks to the experience of creating Patron and her surrounding enviroment and contents,  is  to stay true to yourself, your passions.  Patron is Eliza, Eliza is Patron. So many stories, people , friends, lovers , revelations  and histories of mine all united.

If I’ve learned anything of the experience and the joy I’ve had in sharing her and including the Art and creations of the smexy talented people whose creations & Art that   I’m honored also to represent at Patron,  is to never deviate from your own dreams.  Patron continues to evolve, I never want to see her stuck in a time warp of ambivalence. I want her to reflect my personal best as I continue to learn and grow as a Creator. When I find time to sit back, when I see Patron and especially the contributing works of those I respect and adore gracing her, I just kind of resonate with charmingly  smug  happiness and guess what, it’s contagious ~winks~

The end !

Images by Eliza Wierwight published under a Creative Commons license.

Yes, i confess… I ♥ Tom of Finland. I find it extremely erotic, and i know the drawings are from the 70’s, and i know it uses cliches and all… but although all that it keep being so erotic, and sometimes i think the drawings created the cliches, instead of the cliches created the drawings.

I’m not into BDSM, nor in SL nor in FL, but i like the aesthetics, the concept. Is some like a distorted vision of masculinity and sexuality. Sexuality is natural, but all this distortions make sexuality human. All mammals have sex, but only humans do that, that’s what makes all this so interesting for me.

Also, is not easy to find a fashion blogpost about this kind of clothes, so that’s something i wanted to do… and damn, i look really hot!

List:
Hair: LH hair13 rabi black
Beard: distort – dB-Beards – Fidel (jet)
Glasses: [Armidi Gisaci] Lifestyle Aviators – Light Silver
Cigar: {Gentleman} Collector Gigar Leaf
Harness: STN-Full Harness Set
Gloves: Drawmachine Bikergloves
Chaps and thong: STRAPS – Wide Waist Zipped Chap Set
Boots: Kboots – black

Some time ago my friend Arahan Claveau told me about a project he was working on, some like a cross-reality event, about Jazz. Finally he sent me some information about the project… and i think is really interesting! Let me paste some of the info:

The real and the virtual interact as digital artwork on a monumental scale provides a stunning virtual landscape while real-world jazz gigs, broadcast live from a small London club, are injected into the cyberspace. …

… JAZZLIVE at the Crypt presents a short season of jazz concerts celebrating the wealth of talent in the UK jazz scene. The concerts will be broadcast live from the Crypt into a virtual venue in the virtual world Second Life. …

… Those attending the concerts in the Second Life venue will also be exposed to great artwork commissioned especially for the events by some of the virtual world’s most respected artists DanCoyote Antonelli, Oberon Onmura and Juria Yoshikawa. Those attending The Crypt will also experience the art show, as it will be viewable on big screens in the venue. This two-way interaction is an essential element in the project. …

… Also to be screened are excerpts from a forthcoming film about JAZZLIVE by multimedia artist Steve Millar (also known as Arahan Claveau in SL). …

So if you like Jazz and Second Life don’t miss the next fridays at 08:00 PM in London, in The Crypt (RL side) or at noon SLT in Second Life, in the Jazzlive sim (SLurl). Or why not… in both sides at the same time!

Find more information about this project in the “JAZZLIVE in Second Life” webpage.

So here i am, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (my Halloween costume for this year ), exploring the dangerous sim… the darkest prison in Second Life, opened to the public for the first time… THE CORN FIELD *tchan tchan tchaaaaaaaaaan (thriller music here)*.

This Halloween Linden Lab decided to open to the public, for the first time, The Corn Field. And… what’s The Corn Field? Well, according to the SLwiki is:

The Corn Field is a region of mythological status where once naughty avatars were sent to think about what they had done. “The corn field” is a vast star-lit field of corn and was cut off from communication with the rest of the world (a reference to the classic Twilight Zone episode, “It’s a Good Life”).

It is located at the North-West tip of Orientation Island 1 and closed to the public. Perhaps one day the prison will be open for viewing?

So… ZOMG!!! It was the prison of Second Life!!! I should confess i always wanted to visit it… some like a “forbidden place”, and finally i’m there!!! Anyway, once the Halloween ends they should keep it opened and close in there all the copybotters in SL… so they will have nothing to copy.. but corn Oh, if you want to visit, here you are a SLurl.

The other place in the grid dedicated to Halloween specially this time is… The Channel Island Asylum!!!

This building, integrated in Bay City, is opened to public always. Is, under my point of view, one of the best works of the LDPW (Linden Department of Public Works). An abandoned asylum in an island, full of weird sounds and some surprises… but this time is even worse, totally ready for Halloween. This is the SLurl.

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Find more information in this post in the Second Life Blogs.

Today, Oct 26th, it’s my 3rd Rezday!!! So, when i logged in Second Life this morning and i saw there were none of my friends online (becuase they are working or sleeping) i decided to have a rezday cake only for me! This is the moment when i’m just about to jump over it and eat it all. But no worries! I’ll make another one for my friends!

Three years in here… wow!… Actually that seems a lot! But well, there were really good years, where i learned a lot about myself, about others, and where i learned… in general.

Is good to have the wonderful friends i have in Second Life and to have the oportunity to share all this with them, the creativity, the experiences and everything (including the LOLs, of course). This is the best rezday gift!

Before i start writing i should say i’m an Emerald Viewer user and i’m a user for many reasons, some of them are:

• Client built AO
• Radar
• Temporary texture uploads (possible the best feature)
• Clothing-layer protection
• Animations window (with individual control over them)
• Lots of precharged Windlight presets
• Easy access to some graphic settings: Windlight preset, Drawing distance, number of particles…
• Lot of options on UI (user interface) skins
• Auto response choices
• Avatar physics

Also some people with more technical knowledge than me say the viewer doesn’t consume so much memory as the “official” one.

All this features are not included in the “official” Linden Lab’s Second Life viewer and possibly some are also in some other 3rd party viewers. I can’t talk about them basically becuase i didn’t tried them, well, i tried Imprudence, and it works pretty good, but personally i prefer to use Emerald for all these features and also i don’t like much the type of letters in Imprudence, but that’s only an aesthetical preference.

Anyway, if you want to know the 3rd Party Viewers, please, check the page about them in the Second Life Wiki.

But some days ago Cyn Linden posted something in the Second Life blog about some changed in the policy of Linden Lab towards 3rd party viewers, let me paste some of the text (anyway, of course, is better you follow the link and read it fully):

There are currently many third parties who create and distribute viewers. Most of these viewers are useful because they are innovative and many enable a more customized Second Life experience for those who use them; however, it appears that some of those third party viewers also contain functionality that is being used to copy content without the right to do so, facilitate griefing, enable phishing, collect user data without clear disclosure of such practices, and distribute software that contains harmful elements.

We will create new guidelines and policies outlining the standards that third party viewers must meet in order to connect to our platform, as well as tools and programs to help the developers of third party viewers and the wider community learn about and comply with those guideline. One of the tools will be a “viewer registry” that will allow developers to list their viewer in a third party viewer directory maintained by Linden Lab, identify the features of their viewer, and represent to the Second Life community that it complies with Linden Lab’s guidelines for third party viewers.

At the same time Cyn invited the community to join a discussion about the new policy. And then the tension began…

Actually the discussion has some interesting and constructive messages, but some of them are only rumours, half lies, or Prokofy Neva’s comments… I think Linden Lab wanted to do some work against some viewers that are working out or against the TOS, or the ones who jump over the Owner and Creator permissions and restrictions. But what was a discussion about this became a discussion about what features are acceptable or not and even about Open source itself. Some comments were specially about Emerald Viewer, not sure if is becuase that’s one of the “leader” 3rd party viewers or for some personal reasons. There were some comments about IM encryption and about the “famous” Breasts Physics on female avatars (both features of Emerald). Finally Linden Lab updated their post with some comments to clarify (more or less) their position and the team of Emerald Viewer decided to publish an oficial answer.

About the question in the title, does Linden Lab want to take the control back over viewers? i think the answer is NO, but YES. I mean, i can agree some control is needed, specially regarding if a viewer can “ignore” or “to be ahead of” the permissions of copy, modify, transfer, but at the same time i agree that can’t limit the development of 3rd Party Viewers meanwhile they are respecting the TOS and the IP rights. Personally i agree basically with the team of Emerald Viewer in their answer.

Possibly some can agree with what i just said, possibly some not. Anyway, read and have your own opinion. Sometimes i think i should end all the posts with this sentence.

Burning Life is running in Second Life® from October 17th to 25th, so is running right now in the moment of publishing this post.

I was exploring it around, well, is quite big (34 regions) but i took some pictures and videos you can see in the slide-show above. Click in the image you like and you will find an SLurl to arrive to the place directly.

There are some really good installations and sculptures in Burning Life this year, but i’d like to point specially at two of them:

• Among Other Things: AM Radio’s one, a train in a dead railway ready for you to graffiti it! A really good work in interactivity and collective creation. SLurl
• Vessel’s Dream: by Bryn Oh, a trip inside a dream… SLurl
• Fusion: by four Yip, sensuality, music, chocolate melting, all together… fascinating… SLurl

Also i think the stages, Tokyo and Berlin, are specially remarkable and, possibly, some of the best buildings i saw in Second Life. Burning Life is not only about 3D art, is also about music, performance, DJ sessions…

Also this year i find is not so laggy as was last year, maybe i was lucky and i visited it in the “not so rush” hours… who knows.

If you think SL is about creativity this is one place to be, anyway, not all the installations are so good, as you can imagine being a space opened to everyone to participate you can find stuff of diverse quality, but i presume the important is still to be part of it if you think you have something to say and if you thing you can say it right.

Find more information in the Burning Life site. Explore it and tell me what you think. And burn the man!!!