A Random Act of Kindness

Gentle Reader,

Sometimes I find it difficut to separate the SL Jeanne from the Jeanne at the keyboard. And oftentimes, there are more interesting things happening to me in real life, than in SL. So I hope you don't mind reading my musing about what is happening to me in the outside SL world.

For instance, this morning on the way to work I drove through my local Starbucks. When I drove up to the window I was told that the lady in the car ahead of me had paid for my order, with the hope that I would pay for the car behind me. What a wonderful surprise...that is, until I discovered that the order behind me was several dollars more than my own. Of course, I paid it. And I wonder what the reaction was of the person in the car behind me when they were told their expensive order had been paid for!

And that's what random acts of kindness are all about. A way to spread some good will to a stranger and perhaps impact their day in a positive way.

The internet is full of ideas and images and words about random acts of kindness. I won't be redundant by copying those here, but you know yourself from personal experience what a difference a kind word, or a smile can make in your day. There are times when you can really be in the slumps and someone will come along and with a spontaneous or planned selfless action that will completely change your day.

I think today I will advocate that we all practice at least one little act of kindness...either to someone randomly...or to someone you know.

I would love to hear about any random acts of kindness you have received...and what the effect was to your outlook.

Shake it up, baby!

What a momentus day on the east coast of the USA. Of course, everyone knows there was a 5.8 earthquake centered near Washington DC and that it was felt widespread thoughout the eastern US. As far as I know, thankfully, no one was injured by this quake.

All of us who felt it will have our own story of where we were and what we were doing and how the earth movement made us feel. Someday people will say "remember when?"...and our thoughts will go back to that exact moment.

My story is that I was sitting in my parked car. I began to feel the car move and at first, I thought it might be wind, then I thought it might be a large truck going by, then I thought it might be someone bouncing on the trunk....then I said to myself, "If I was in California, I would say this feels like an earthquake." And after 30 seconds, I said, "This IS an earthquake!!"

I've had some experience with earthquakes, oh yeah!  Growing up in Southern California, I have felt more than my share of them. Whenever I go to visit my family there, I am relieved when I am able to leave without experiencing another earthquake. Sometimes I can be sitting on a sofa at my brother's house, and I start to imagine things are moving, when they really aren't.

One thing I have always enjoyed about living on the east coast is the lack of earthquakes. That is...until now. Those quakes finally found me...guess it's time to think about moving on!

A Successful Beach Party

Today was the long awaited party on Schimmerland. I had always planned that someday I would have a party there, but it seems I kept delaying it. Finally, I made the arrangements with DJ Cindy Johnsky and the party was held.

When you schedule something like this, there is always the concern that people will have competing things on their schedule and that no one will show up. But I'm happy to report that in this case, although we didn't fill the sim at 20 avatars, the party was well attended and with a good mix of people.

I treasure my friends in SL. These are people I would never know except that SL has brought us together. We have bonded and formed a community and we enjoy being together.

There was a lot of laughter, bantering, good music and dancing. I'll use this post as a public way of thanking Cindy for the excellent job she did DJing and picking out good songs. And no party is complete without people enjoying themselves and expressing it. The party is for and about the people.

So to all my friends...I say thank you!  Thank you for coming and for making my party the success that it was. I love you all!

The Call of the Sea

This past weekend, there was a mermaid convention in Las Vegas. Billed as the largest mermaid gathering in history, this convention pulled in around 800 participants from all over the world. News media covered the event, including NBC and USA Today. Apparently, there is a large mermaid population out there, probably most who have learned to survive somehow out of water the majority of the time. I saw some pictures from the convention and could sense the excitement. Step aside vampires…mermaids are pop culture’s latest rage!

All this mermaid commotion got me thinking about the presence of merfolk in Second Life. I confess to being a part time mermaid myself. It is fun to don my tail and AO, and swim the waters of Second Life. There is a graceful, flowing movement you feel when gliding through the water. It is fun to sneak up on unsuspecting sailors and see their reaction. But mermaids are a discreet species and can be elusive.

There are many places devoted to providing beautiful, secret, underwater swim areas. Unless you purposely look, you might be surprised to find there is a whole underwater culture that is thriving. You might also be surprised that even the Lindens have placed beautiful and unexpected underwater reefs, fishes and shipwrecks in the Linden seas.

Have you ever noticed small black areas on your mini-map when out on Linden water? When you see those, look downward. It usually means there is something of interest to see underwater and the larger the black area on the mini-map, the larger the underwater area is to explore.

So much of our experience is SL is based on fantasy. Why not experience that fantasy as an exotic and beautiful mermaid…complete with long flowing hair and beautiful fins and a tail?

If you would like more information about the mermaid life in Second Life, I suggest you contact the Gold Mermaid, Cynthia Maine, or join the Safe Waters group.

If you have a favorite underwater mermaid area that you would like to share…leave a comment or IM me in world. It would be fun to feature them in a future blog post!

Just a little post

Some friends have been asking me when I'm going to post again. My mind has been wandering around elsewhere the past couple of days. So to appease those who want more blog posts...here you go!

<img src="http://www.weblogcartoons.com/cartoons/sifting-through-ideas.gif" alt="cartoon from www.weblogcartoons.com" />
<p>Cartoon by <a href="http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/">Dave Walker</a>. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at <a href="http://www.weblogcartoons.com/">We Blog Cartoons</a>.</p>

A-Mazing Maze!

The other night I went in search of a certain store. After browsing the store, I stepped outside and decided to explore the sim a bit, since it looked interesting. Little did I know, that it would be hours later before I would emerge!

Among other interesting things there, I saw a ladder going down into a shaft into the ground. It looked curious, so I began my decent down.



Oh a shaft to the ground with a ladder!
 How exciting..let's see what's down here!

Much to my amazement, I ended up in what appeared to be a dungeon-like room. As I looked around, I saw torches to take and carry with you.


Hmm, this appears to be a dungeon.

Taking a torch to help see in the dark, I began to explore. Going down one corridor, led to another and another and soon I discovered that this was a maze. Some corridors were dead ends, others had twists and turns. All the corridors looked alike and soon I discovered I was hopelessly lost in this dungeon maze. 

The torch bearer.



As I roamed around (feeling a bit like Indiana Jones) I discovered secret doors and hidden items to take that would be helpful later while searching through the maze. I found a brick, a key, a crowbar, and a belted sword.

Ready for battle!!

 I won’t tell you how those items were used, so as not to spoil the fun should you decide to explore this on your own. But if you go, be prepared to become frustrated and spend a lot of time there!

Oh no, captured by a spider web.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gypsy%20Falls/60/61/46

Schimmerland, Part Two

Creating something from scratch is exhilarating and exhausting, exciting and … frustrating. If the end result is pleasing, then it brings enthusiasm, energy, and enjoyment. I felt all these during the creation of Schimmerland. It was born out of an idea and grew into something that was more than I could have imagined. Yes, I’m pretty pleased with the result.


Schimmerland was created to share with friends…the more the merrier. I have learned that unless a creation can be shared and enjoyed with friends, then it seems to become pointless. Getting positive feedback from others is very satisfying and makes it all seem worthwhile.


It really is with much sadness that I had to make the decision to close Schimmerland. It will be there until at least the end of August…possibly into September, but that is yet to be decided.


Let’s continue our tour and let me show you the green side! I hope you enjoy the trip.

The pirate tunnel takes you from the tropical area into the other side
of the island. You will find evidence that not everyone makes it through
the tunnel to the other side.

If you make it through, you will find this pond and waterfall on the other side.

A friendly parrot awaits you!

Looking out to sea, you will see a long abandoned raft...with the remains
of the last passenger.  Looks like he met a sad fate.

Atop pirate hill are some ruins and a pirate camp.
I wonder when they were here last.

I take a brief rest on the cannon.

You will pass through pirate territory into the wood by crossing this bridge.

You might want to take a dip in the 'ole swimming hole.
But watch out for that swinging rope...I warned you!

A quite stream flowing from the hillside.
I love to listen to the sounds of the water trickling over the rocks.

Coming back into the cove area is the rocky shoreline.
Such a nice place to sit and relax after our tour.

Schimmerland is located at:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monhegan%20Island/106/121/23

Schimmerland, Part One

I’m a little adverse to highlighting my own sim, yet that is what today and tomorrow's post are about. Schimmerland is located on Monhegan Island. This sim was originally located in the SL New England estate, but was pulled away and placed elsewhere on the Second Life grid as a standalone sim…that is, it has no neighboring sims.


One advantage of this is that I was able to create this exactly as I wanted…no restrictions and no theme to follow. I considered my options…what kind of theme would I like on this sim? I knew I didn’t want to make a fantasy theme, but I couldn’t decide on what kind of geographic area I wanted.


So I came up with the brilliant (?) idea to put a bunch of different regions on one sim. I’ve seen that done before and it mostly looks pretty bad. People sometimes use a backdrop or mountain divider and suddenly you are in a different kind of landscape.


I wanted to try to make the transition between the different regions gradual and more natural. I decided I wanted a New England type harbor, a tropical area, a surf area, a pirate area, and a wooded area. So began the challenge of creating all that together.


One of the reasons for my chronicling this sim now, is because I will be giving it up soon. I spent a lot of hard work creating it and I wanted to be able to preserve it somehow.


So, let’s go on a little tour.

An ariel view of the island. Doesn't look like much, does it?

The Rose Cottage. This home has breathtaking interior walls and ceilings.

The horse barn just before heading onto the pathway.

The pathway from the main landing point heading into the tropics.



These pathways lead into the tropical jungle area. It is shady and cool here.

Here is the marsh area with a heron looking for fish.

The dancing deck...with surf spray!

Every beach scene needs a token lighthouse!

A beach to relax and catch some rays.



Hippie Surf Beach! Grab a board and come on!



The tour is taking a bit longer than I expected. Tomorrow we will visit the green side of the island. I hope you will have a chance to come visit Schimmerland soon.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monhegan%20Island/106/121/23

Musings about Second Life

When I first arrived in Second Life, I had no idea how real this virtual world would become to me. In the beginning, I was determined to just explore and have fun without spending any money. My avatar would sit on those camping chairs for a long time, trying to earn a little spending money. I frequented freebie stores. But in time, I became frustrated that I was unable to afford some of the beautiful clothing, hair and household items that I was seeing everywhere.

Eventually, I broke down and added my credit card information, so that I could participate more fully. I rented my first home and I bought furnishings to decorate it. I discovered the joy of moving things around with just a click and a mouse drag….so much easier than in real life. Why, even easier than those “moving men” furniture slider discs that are supposed to make moving heavy furniture a breeze!

Second Life became and has remained an important part of my life. It has allowed me to explore deeper parts of my personality…parts of me long hidden and forgotten. I have had a chance to get back in touch with the real me…the Jeanne underneath the surface.

I have tried things I would never do in real life..living out the dream of owning a store (or two), living on an island, building furniture, being a mermaid…and more. And I have made friends from all walks of life and from all over the world…people I would never have met were it not for Second Life.





Papparazzi!!

 

Mermaids!



Skydiving!



To be part of a community of people, working together to build a cooperative ideal society based on scenic New England, has truly been my good fortune. To be accepted and then asked to take on certain responsibilities as an estate manager (in my case mostly landscaping and welcoming new residents) has given me some much needed self-confidence and allowed me to demonstrate my people skills and my creative ability. My shyness has taken a back seat as I reach out to the community in Second Life in trying to be a friend to those who are hurting, an encouragement to those who can use some, and a helper wherever I have the skills to do so.

My musings cause me to consider my life without Second Life. And honestly, if my computer was to permanently break and Second Life was to go away….I would miss it tremendously. Oh, I guess I would survive somehow. I would have a bit more spending money each month. I would retain the richness in my real life because of the things I have learned about myself. But there would remain a huge void that could never be replaced.

Thursday's Travels to Truro

One of the most beautiful sims in all of Second Life New England is Truro. Of course, I am slightly biased, since I owned this sim for quite awhile. My good friend and the current owner of Truro, Laird Townsend has enlisted the help of master landscaper Xander Ruttan to turn this sim into a breathtaking, natural wonderland.

There are little surprises everywhere you turn…unexpected pleasures in the depth, layers and contrasts in the use of textures and landscaping. It is a peaceful kind of place where you can go to just sit and be still and contemplate the beauty that surrounds you. If you listen closely, you can hear the water gently flowing over the rocks and down through the stream to the sea. You can hear the call of the seagulls and waves crashing on the shore. If you allow yourself to become immersed in the sights and sounds, you will be calmed and soothed and experience a sense of well-being.

Come along with me and let me give you a brief tour of this wonderful sim.

A peaceful meadow and a good place to begin the tour of Truro.



A breathtaking waterfall and pool...you can feel the spray and hear the rushing water.



A blue heron looking for his morning breakfast.

Let's walk over and look at the residence...this is a converted boathouse.
Isn't it charming?



Beside the house is a very inviting garden.
I love the pergola entrance and low brick wall.

Don't try to enter the house...or you will be attacked by the two cats!

There is a profusion of beautiful flowers on the hillside.
The colors are outstanding!

A peaceful marsh makes for a nice place to stand and listen...and comtemplate.

Look closely and you will see a tree with hanging moss over this pond.
Another waterfall is off on the right side.

The Truro boathouse in the glow of sunrise.

I hope you will want to come experience the beauty and serenity of this sim for yourself. It is located at:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Truro/128/128/24

Amusement Parks, Part Two...and Racing

Second Life has its share of amusement parks. Overall, I guess I have been a bit disappointed with them. It’s hard to get the same kind of thrill on an SL amusement park ride as you can in real life. 

Cotton candy in the forehead
is one of the dangers of
SL amusement parks.

There used to be a really great replication of a portion of Disneyland in Second Life. It was called Mouse World. The two rides that I really enjoyed were Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Before going on the rides, you had to download the sound first…which took quite a long time. But once you completed that the rides were nearly like the real thing! Even the sounds were exactly like Disneyland. It was quite amazing and I enjoyed those rides because they brought my mind back to childhood memories. Sadly, the Mouse World sims closed last year.



Spinning teacup fun
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bracket/185/133/27

The other day I went to Magic Land in SL. It is another Disneyland like location. It is also quite well done, although I find it a bit laggy. They have a tea cup ride that is a lot like the real thing. I rode on “It’s a Small World” ride there. I never cared for the real life Small World ride and this one is very faithful to that….translating to my not being so fond of this ride either. I do appreciate the care that went into recreating this ride and find it interesting that I have the same reaction I would expect from the real deal…lukewarm to the experience.

I guess I like things to be a bit more exciting and fast paced. Which might explain why I have mostly given up on Amusement Parks in SL and now enjoy racetracks instead!

Yes, you read right. I am turning into a zoom-zoomer! I don’t consider myself to be especially competitive...until I get on a racetrack. Whether it is a bumper car, race car, or motorcycle….I strive to master the twists and turns on the road and then build up speed so that I can leave my competition in the dust. I never knew about this speed demon side of me until I tried my hand at racing in SL. Under the right circumstances and the right amount of concentration…I can be quite fast and several times have come out on top on the leaderboard.

One of my favorite racing spots is on the Damania sim. At this location, they have a race track for racing bumper cars. These cars can be a lot of fun.




Bumper car fun!!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Damania/28/157/30

 You can race around the track, and if you get bumped by someone…it is quite possible to bumped right off the track and onto the ground or under the water surrounding the track. You have to be creative to figure out how to get the car back on the track…but believe me it is quite possible if you are persistent. Ask me how I know…



Look who is in 1st place!

All this talk about racing has got me thinking about whizzing down the track with my SL hair waving in the breeze behind me. Anyone up for a race? Bet I can beat you!