Emotional Support Circle

I apologize that I am yet again not posting about a real destination in keeping with the theme of this blog.  However, the Emotional Support Circle, a new CVL (Community Virtual Library) group, may be a place worth visiting for those seeking help with problems and emotional concerns.

The idea for an emotional support group came from my neighbor and friend, Re Spiritweaver. While I have run groups before (RezLibris, Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial Center), Re is good with creating textures for posters and with building.  We decided to hold our initial meeting at Rainbow Estates which is behind Rainbow Gardens and right in Re's backyard.  For future meetings, we might consider a skybox such as the Grief Center or Sci Fi Space Station if more privacy is needed. 

With a Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/CVLEmotionalSupport/ as well as an inworld group, the Emotional Support Circle group is growing.  We don't want it to get too large, but it will be nice to have a few supportive people who can share, listen, and support one another.  Life is not easy whether it be RL or SL, and it really helps to have a group of friends to talk to when the going gets rough.  What's even nicer is that the Community Virtual Library is already a community of great folks who share so many interests and many of the same issues.  It is the hope that this group can only draw us closer together.

To join the Emotional Support Circle or for further information or suggestions, please contact Dulcie Mills or ReneeIlene Spiritweaver.  The first meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 3 at 4:30 pm SLT at Rainbow Estates http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/206/38/26.

Second Life as a Destination

I've previously posted about specific places or destinations in Second Life.  But, for a change, I am going to write about Second Life iself as a destination and some things I've learned and am still learning as I travel its "roads."  I don't refer to SL skills such as building per se but more to social skills, something not usually covered in any SL tutorials or classes.

I've been in SL for nearly 7 years now and have met many different avatars and made several friends.  My initial reason for joining was my curiosity about the librarians there, as I am a librarian myself in RL.  As I also have always had an interest in reading and writing, I worked for the first few years as a writer for the Metaverse Newspaper covering library news and then as an Associate Publisher and Publisher for RezLibris, a magazine for librarians.  Although I enjoyed being involved this way, it became too stressful to handle along with my own full-time job and family life, so currently I just manage a pet memorial center, Rainbow Gardens, that I opened after my rl cat died to help others mourn their own lost pets. 

 

While my Second Life might be considered boring by some, and I do admit that I haven't tried the wild side of SL, it has been fulfilling in many ways.  But something happened recently that made me realize that I haven't been making the most of my limited inworld time.  I haven't been exploring the many opportunities for relationships, cultural and educational experiences, and just plain fun in this awesome place.  The following is what happened to help me realize that.

Some people have a hard time adjusting to change.  They want things to stay the same because they like feeling safe.  I have moved several times since I've been in SL, both my homes and my memorial center.  Each time offered a new, yet scary, experience to me.  But, like the saying of when one door closes, another opens, it is true of all new experiences whether in virtual reality or real life.  Unfortunately, there can sometimes be pain associated with change, like growing pains or the pain of giving up something long treasured.  For me, it was the loss of a very special friendship.

Most things do not happen overnight.  Close relationships take time to develop.  The same is true of things that fall apart.  A piece might come loose or a section begin to rot with age, misuse, or neglect.  Eventually, it all breaks down.  Nobody can be sure how it started, but the end is very obvious.  That is what happened with me and my friend.  It's not that we exactly grew apart, although people do change over the years and their needs change, as well.  Some friendships are long lasting.  I'd known him for more than 5 of the 6 1/2 years I'd been in SL.  We'd shared a lot of our SL as well as RL lives, both inworld as well as through emails and Facebook messages. 

There started to be disagreements, a few arguments, miscommunication between us. He never seemed to have enough time for me, and I became too demanding of what time he had. We tried very hard to talk things out.  I won't go into detail here, but the situation wasn't improving.  My friend saw no alternative but to end the relationship.  I was deeply hurt.  I kept feeling it was my fault, and although part of it was, it takes two to tango, so to speak.  But it didn't matter who was more to blame, the end result was that this person who I cared about very much was gone from my SL life (and my RL, too).  He had defriended me from Facebook and from his SL friends list.  It was one of the saddest days of my life.

But sometimes things happen for the best.  In the midst of my sadness, I reached out to some old friends who were offering to listen without giving advice.  One of them even invited me to a concert to try to cheer me up and had a song dedicated to me.  I was so touched by this.  I realized that I'd been neglecting these old friends because of being too caught up in my relationship with the friend who had left me. 

At this point, I don't feel any anger toward the friend who is gone.  I am not calling him an ex-friend because, in my heart, he is still a friend and maybe, some day, we will be able to reestablish a relationship again but one that won't hurt either of us and will be based on mature caring and not obsessive need. For now, I'm making the most of my virtual life, and I hope he is, too.  There are so many places to see, things to do, and people to meet in SL.  It's possible and probably likely that I will get hurt again in the future, but you always run that risk when you get close to someone, in SL or RL.  It's never easy to say goodbye or to hear it, even in SL where virtual friendships come and go.  Some are pure fantasy, but some are as strong as those in RL.  I know people have left SL after being hurt, and others go on and to make even better relationships.  It takes time, and the process is painful.  You keep taking two steps back for each forward, as memories and other feelings return.  In a long relationship, there are always reminders. 

So I put on a smile and some nice SL clothes and try to find my way down the SL road again toward unknown destinations.  I need to keep looking forward, although it's not wrong to occasionally look back.  We all learn from our mistakes, or at least we should.  The biggest lesson I've learned is not to become so dependent on someone.  It isn't easy when you truly care for someone, but for the sake of the relationship, you need to do it.  The worst thing is to hold onto something so tightly that you smother it. 

Second Life is a destination where you can experience many things, and SL relationships are destinations, too.  You need to find them and enjoy them while they last.  Like sims that often disappear overnight, the same can happen with a friend.  But new sims are always opening and new people always joining SL.  Some sims also come back, often in different locations and in different forms, and old friends can return, too, although the relationship may be different.  It's all part of the journey.

Fun at the Fair

I'm trying to write this post quickly because the Summer Country Fair and Carnival at Aero Pines Park ends on August 31.  However, there is always something fun to do at this enormous park, and a new attraction will be up in September. 

I went to the fair with a few friends, and we all had a great time.  Unlike some other SL fair attractions, there were many rides to choose from and also games and other activities.  There was also a rodeo where you could ride a bull or a horse.  Of course, there was lots of food, too -- cotton candy, popcorn -- usual fair food.  I also did not realize until checking back for more research for this article that you could purchase a free ticket roll and earn tickets for prizes by playing the games.  Lastly, if you have room in your inventory, there is a freebie area.

Although flying is allowed, and there are other free transportation vehicles to rez around the park, there are also LM's provided on signs to many of the attractions.

The Fun House features a tricky maze

Dulcie in the Hall of Mirrors

The Wave Carousel is much like its rl counterpart.  Warning - don't eat before riding this.
 

I won a prize for being stronger than I thought

A friend enjoys some popcorn

Bull Riding can leave one in the dust

This ride will turn your world upside down

 

The Log Flume ride is long and winding

 

 

 

http://secondlife.com/destination/summer-fair-carnival

 

 





 

 

Dulcie's Second Life Bucket List

I've scooped some articles about SL residents posting their bucket lists on their blogs, so I decided to join them.  Below, in no particular order, are the 10 things I'd love to do in SL before it's either no longer around or I quit playing (both of which I hope don't happen).

1.  Visit two new sims a week (that's over 100 a year).  There are so many great places to see and new ones opening all the time.  The Destination Guide lists some but not all of them.  I would love to have the time to explore more and, when I say visit, I mean really scope out the places because many of these have more on them than meets the initial eye or cam.  It's also nice to be able to go with a friend because some people are better at zooming over a sim or finding the hidden stuff than others.

2.    Get involved with the writing groups in Second Life.  As a librarian and an author myself, I keep meaning to get involved more with the writing groups.  I belong to Virtual Writers, Inc. and have even given a poetry reading at the annual Poetryfest, but I often find it hard to have the time to go to many of the writing activities or participate in any of the writing challenges.  It's hard enough to find time to write, which should also be on my rl bucket list, but mingling with SL writers might be worth the time.

3.  Reestablish a Second Life magazine for librarians.  As a librarian and previous editor of RezLibris, it was sad for me to see that publication come to an end after I left, although my followers tried to keep it going on for awhile.  I know the stress of having to put out a magazine, even a quarterly one, promoting it, finding other editors and writers to write it, etc.  But I also know that it could serve an important part in featuring articles and news that the Librarians of Second Life community would benefit from.

4.  Find a partner.  Okay, I'm married in real life, so I'm not talking about a SL husband.  I would just like to find a guy who would enjoy dancing and exploring with me.  I do have a friend I do this with occasionally, but I would like someone who had more time to spend with me and who would consider me a platonic partner, as well.  Perhaps, we could pool our money and have a home and land together, too.

5.  Have a home again on a nice sim.  This kind've goes along with #4.  Right now, I just have a skybox over my non-profit land, but I used to have beautiful homes, still in inventory, when I shared a homestead with some friends.  Unfortunately, that land disappeared, and my friends went their own way with land.  While I'm saving some money now, I really miss having my own place to decorate and use for entertaining or just plain enjoying on my own.  The skybox is okay for privacy and to use as a closet (to help me sort my inventory - lol), but it doesn't compare to land with enough prims to rez gardens, pools, etc.

6.  Have a big Rez Day bash at a private club.  I think the last time I had a big party, a few years ago, a friend threw it for me.  I didn't even do much for my 5th rez day, even though I wanted to.  I turn 7 next year, so hint, hint, if any of my friends are reading this, my rez day is March 6.

7.  Meet SL friends in real life.  I think this would be interesting, especially meeting the ones from other countries (if I can travel there or they could come to the U.S.), but even meeting people from other states that I know in SL would be cool.

8.  Attend some building classes.  The only building I really know how to do, if you consider it building, is making a poster.  I keep promising myself that I'll take the time to look for and attend building classes in SL, but, I just don't manage to do it . . . . yet.

9.  Get Photoshop and learn how to use it to create posters, etc.  Even though I know how to "make" a poster, I can't create textures with graphics and words because I don't have Photoshop on my computer.  I know there are less expensive graphic programs out there that would allow me to do this, too, but I've never found the time to check them out or pratice using them.

10.  Find more volunteers for Rainbow Gardens and spend more time there.  Over the years that I've owned and operated my pet memorial center, I've had several volunteers, but people get busy and aren't able to help anymore.  It's hard even for me to spend much time there, although I try to put out seasonal decorations and hold regular events.  If I could find more volunteers or learn to build myself, I could also have more exhibits there.

That's it for my top 10, although I have a few others, especially organizing my inventory (although I think I've given up on that).  Anyone else have a SL bucket list?

Dulcie's Singing Debut and Kitty Widget

On Sunday, July 14, Saor Patrol performed again at the Imagination Island event area for Rainbow Gardens for its country party.  The surprise of the night was when I was called on stage to sing.  Below are some photos from the event and my debut performance.  Also, included is a link to an article from the SL Enquirer on Saor Patrol. As fpr the black widget kitty, I just added him to this blog as well as my Rainbow Notes blog. 




Country Line dancing



Rik and Mac of Saor Patrol on bagpipes and drums

Dulcie making her Singing Debut (and the crowd went wild - lol)



 Link to Saor Patrol article:  http://www.slenquirer.com/2013/07/celtic-connection-production-music-with.html#more

Celebrating Second Life's 10th Birthday

SL10B (Second Life's 10th Birthday) kicked off this week with exhibits, events, parties and many freebies including marketplace and inworld commemorative items such as the t-shirt, baseball cap, jewelry, and varsity jacket I am wearing in the photos below.  The celebration, with the theme, "Looking Forward..., Looking Back" takes place over 22 sims.  Here are some photos from some of the places I've visited.  I did not get to see everything, but I added some additional shots from my explorations of the exhibits.  Happy Birthday, Second Life!
 



The top of the SL10B Cake offers a great view

The SL Hunt Museum includes information on this favorite pastime in SL as well as its own hunt

Another fun exhibit is the summer themed one at Kittycats.  You can also get a free birthday kitty here.

At the DunCarron Medieval Fort you can get a free Scottish Hat and several other items while learning about Scottish history and representation in SL

SL10B is also great fun to explore with a friend.  The Eclectic Diversity Birthday Layer Tree features several levels of games including a photo booth to change expressions and backgrounds

I found it interesting to learn about places and groups I'd never heard of in SL.

This looked like a fun game, but I had no one to play with this day. I was able to keep the bopper.

Of course, I can't help visiting every library I see.  This one is from Lost Eden.

Not sure where this was, but I enjoyed beaming up in it.

This was a fun animation

I didn't have time to view the entire "History Walk," but it looked interesting.

My favorite exhibit, the Behemoth, a very immersive HUD-based story.  This photo doesn't do it justice.

Firestorm put up a fiery exhibit

I thought this was the most creative exhibit I viewed.  Do you see me inside the computer?

Kind've scary, but it was a first responder's exhibit

Arcadia Asylum had a detailed exhibit with some nice freebies

In front of a Wanted poster at Arcadia Asylum

Inside one of the 9 rooms of the Dreams Exhibit.  Despite the fact the link from the Destination Guide wasn't working, I found this and enjoyed it.

Another room in the Dreams exhibit.  Most rooms had interactive props.

Can you see me floating in this artistic exhibit?

This exhibit with water and rock meditation animations was relaxing

One of the scenes from Behemoth, reminded me of a fairy tale

Astor put up this castle with a hunt for prizes including the castle itself.  I found quite a few but not the castle ):

Visiting the exhibits is exhausting, so it was nice that some featured refreshments.

Even though Rainbow Gardens didn't exhibit at SL10B this year, I did put up some balloons and a cake in honor of the celebration.

Besides walking or flying, the SL10B cars were fun to ride in around the sims

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiritum Inspires

One of the things I enjoy about Second Life and that I think most residents do, is its immersive environments.  I recently visited a sim called Inspiritum that offers sights and sounds that are thoroughly immersive.  Composed of several areas, available through teleports at the main landing point and the various locations, this sim (on the web at http://www.inspiritum.org), features art galleries, shops, and activities.


Teleport board outside the Inspiritum Gallery

Machinima inside Inspiritum Gallery



In Nat's Gallery



Behind the curtain of the Gallery is an immersive experience (you might get dizzy)



 





The Capple Store houses shops and pet-able animals in a Western setting

 



Terra is another scenic location worthy of exploring on Inspiritum Island