Friday, October 26, 2007
Oh no..!
This morning, I found out that the first person I met on campus..Glad Kidd .. was attacked by a peeping tom behind the dorms. I can't help but think that if I was at the dorm, acting like the RA I am supposed to be, that it might not have happened. Maybe I would have seen the creep before he hurt her...chased him off...something. I'm skipping classes today to go to the hospital and check on her. I can't believe this could happen at a place like this!
Another night...another event
The following is an IC post from KSU.
----
I'm slowly getting moved in. The few things I shipped to myself haven't arrived yet. I forget how slow mail can be from Africa. It seems odd having a room to myself now. I hadn't even thought about living arrangements here. All of the girls have their rooms completely decked out. Then there is me...bare walls and a plain bed. I don't need more. But if I want to fit in, I think I'm going to have to decorate like they do. Luna offered to help me with that, bless her.
Last night was the charity date auction. I'd never been to anything like it before. Almost the whole campus had turned out. It seemed like another good opportunity to mix with my fellow students. But, I didn't offer myself up for auction. I wanted to see how it all worked first. In hindsight, I think it would have been a good idea. The students being auctioned were brought up on stage, had to say a bit about themselves, and answer a (sometimes odd) question. A chance to introduce myself to everyone was missed. As it was, I felt a bit invisible in the crowd. Luna and Ducky were there, so at least I knew a few people.
But, I just don't seem to click well with everyone. I thought that volunteering to be an RA would help me meet everyone. But I think it is making it harder. Now it is like there is a wall between us because I am an 'authority figure' and they don't want me to catch them breaking the rules or something. Gah! It's just like growing up...I could play with the other kids, but I was always one of 'them' because my parents were the aid workers, and their parents were the refugees. Well...it's a role I know well, I had just hoped I could escape it here.
----
I'm slowly getting moved in. The few things I shipped to myself haven't arrived yet. I forget how slow mail can be from Africa. It seems odd having a room to myself now. I hadn't even thought about living arrangements here. All of the girls have their rooms completely decked out. Then there is me...bare walls and a plain bed. I don't need more. But if I want to fit in, I think I'm going to have to decorate like they do. Luna offered to help me with that, bless her.
Last night was the charity date auction. I'd never been to anything like it before. Almost the whole campus had turned out. It seemed like another good opportunity to mix with my fellow students. But, I didn't offer myself up for auction. I wanted to see how it all worked first. In hindsight, I think it would have been a good idea. The students being auctioned were brought up on stage, had to say a bit about themselves, and answer a (sometimes odd) question. A chance to introduce myself to everyone was missed. As it was, I felt a bit invisible in the crowd. Luna and Ducky were there, so at least I knew a few people.
But, I just don't seem to click well with everyone. I thought that volunteering to be an RA would help me meet everyone. But I think it is making it harder. Now it is like there is a wall between us because I am an 'authority figure' and they don't want me to catch them breaking the rules or something. Gah! It's just like growing up...I could play with the other kids, but I was always one of 'them' because my parents were the aid workers, and their parents were the refugees. Well...it's a role I know well, I had just hoped I could escape it here.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
College part 2
Oh my....what have I done?
I arrived at KSU late two nights ago. A closed party was happening for pledges to the popular fraternity and sorority. I don't know if I would have anything in common with them anyway. Besides, I cannot support hazing in any way. There is enough real violent, degrading and dehumanizing behavior in the world already. I don't need to see more in the name of 'fun'!
In any event, I was locked out and so were a few others. I seemed to hit it off with two girls right away, Luna and Ducky. Ducky had built a huge bonfire in the parking lot, and we had a very good time dancing. The highlight of the evening was right after the Greeks unlocked the doors. Ducky stripped down to her all-together and streaked through their party! Someone came running out shortly after she did, and wanted to know what was going on. I played dumb while Ducky hid and dressed. It was late, so we went our separate ways, they to the dorms, and I to my off campus home since I don't have a dorm room yet.
Yesterday, I arrived fairly early. I had heard that there were some dorm spots opening up and I wanted a crack at them. Each of the three dorms had a few openings. But the Red dorm also had an RA spot open. I don't know what came over me, but I volunteered to be one of the two RAs at the Red (Girls only) dorm, and was accepted! At least I have my own room now. And the rent is very cheap, so it doesn't bite into my budget. Heck, I spent more on my favorite pumps than it costs to rent the room for 3 weeks.
Shortly after hanging my name on the door, I received an IM from Luna. She invited me over to the rec center where a movie was starting ("The Neverending Story"). She and Ducky were already there. When they saw my RA tag, and figured out that *I* was *their* RA we all had a good laugh. Again, it was a very fun time watching the movie. Maybe I will make some friends here after all? Here's to hoping!
Tonight is a big party and student auction. I guess we will see how it goes.
I arrived at KSU late two nights ago. A closed party was happening for pledges to the popular fraternity and sorority. I don't know if I would have anything in common with them anyway. Besides, I cannot support hazing in any way. There is enough real violent, degrading and dehumanizing behavior in the world already. I don't need to see more in the name of 'fun'!
In any event, I was locked out and so were a few others. I seemed to hit it off with two girls right away, Luna and Ducky. Ducky had built a huge bonfire in the parking lot, and we had a very good time dancing. The highlight of the evening was right after the Greeks unlocked the doors. Ducky stripped down to her all-together and streaked through their party! Someone came running out shortly after she did, and wanted to know what was going on. I played dumb while Ducky hid and dressed. It was late, so we went our separate ways, they to the dorms, and I to my off campus home since I don't have a dorm room yet.
Yesterday, I arrived fairly early. I had heard that there were some dorm spots opening up and I wanted a crack at them. Each of the three dorms had a few openings. But the Red dorm also had an RA spot open. I don't know what came over me, but I volunteered to be one of the two RAs at the Red (Girls only) dorm, and was accepted! At least I have my own room now. And the rent is very cheap, so it doesn't bite into my budget. Heck, I spent more on my favorite pumps than it costs to rent the room for 3 weeks.
Shortly after hanging my name on the door, I received an IM from Luna. She invited me over to the rec center where a movie was starting ("The Neverending Story"). She and Ducky were already there. When they saw my RA tag, and figured out that *I* was *their* RA we all had a good laugh. Again, it was a very fun time watching the movie. Maybe I will make some friends here after all? Here's to hoping!
Tonight is a big party and student auction. I guess we will see how it goes.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
College life
Whew! Am I a basket case or what?
But, something else happened that I hope will perk me up, and change things around.
A few blogs that I read mentioned a new sim Kindly State University. It is a college life roleplaying sim. (Apparently it was a high school before the crackdown on 18+ began)
The bloggers had 'enrolled' and it sounded like they were having a very good time.
From what I can tell, it is a sim that is like a college campus. And to be there, you have to roleplay as a college student, faculty, or other campus person.
So I signed up. I already know some of the students there (although they don't know me, since I lurk on their blogs). It is a ready made community. Hopefully it will be easier for me to meet people there.
I have a new RP-Mereille background for being there.
For KSU, I am now a 21-year old freshman.
I am starting college late because I have spent the last 3 years volunteering with a humanitarian aid organization in Africa. My parents are aid workers. My mother is an American teacher, and my father is a French civil engineer.
Because of their careers, I have spent my entire life travelling with them, and never attended a normal school. They home-schooled me. When we went on holiday, it was on our boat, or travelling to visit relatives in France or the US.
They wanted me to go to college when I finished my high school studies. But I managed to get them to agree to let me volunteer first. Now I can't put it off any longer. I am not sure about college. I don't really want to go. But I do need the degree to be able to continue my parents' work. Travel delays (I was in an area of Africa that has only one airplane a week) kept me from getting to school on time. Now I am arriving a week after the term starts, the dorms are full, and I don't know a soul.
Cross your fingers. I hope this works out!
But, something else happened that I hope will perk me up, and change things around.
A few blogs that I read mentioned a new sim Kindly State University. It is a college life roleplaying sim. (Apparently it was a high school before the crackdown on 18+ began)
The bloggers had 'enrolled' and it sounded like they were having a very good time.
From what I can tell, it is a sim that is like a college campus. And to be there, you have to roleplay as a college student, faculty, or other campus person.
So I signed up. I already know some of the students there (although they don't know me, since I lurk on their blogs). It is a ready made community. Hopefully it will be easier for me to meet people there.
I have a new RP-Mereille background for being there.
For KSU, I am now a 21-year old freshman.
I am starting college late because I have spent the last 3 years volunteering with a humanitarian aid organization in Africa. My parents are aid workers. My mother is an American teacher, and my father is a French civil engineer.
Because of their careers, I have spent my entire life travelling with them, and never attended a normal school. They home-schooled me. When we went on holiday, it was on our boat, or travelling to visit relatives in France or the US.
They wanted me to go to college when I finished my high school studies. But I managed to get them to agree to let me volunteer first. Now I can't put it off any longer. I am not sure about college. I don't really want to go. But I do need the degree to be able to continue my parents' work. Travel delays (I was in an area of Africa that has only one airplane a week) kept me from getting to school on time. Now I am arriving a week after the term starts, the dorms are full, and I don't know a soul.
Cross your fingers. I hope this works out!
Friendship...?
Ok...multiple posts in one day. I'm feeling a little down today so I guess this is my therapy. It is very long, so I'm breaking it up into multiple posts. :)
First...Friends...
I have been in SL almost two months, and I have exactly 0 friends. Oh...I have people on my friends list. But that is where it ends. We never seem to get together and do anything. At best we exchange hellos on IM. Some I have never talked to again. I know it is partly (mostly) my fault. I am not, by nature, a very outgoing person. I tend to wait for things to happen, instead of making them happen. It is very hard for me to introduce myself. I tend to hang out on the sidelines, looking like a forlorn wallflower. And when someone does offer friendship, I am not likely to try to start a conversation later when I see they are on. I get an overwhelming feeling of not wanting to disturb them, or be a bother. In fact, now that I think about it. That is my driving fear. I don't want to 'be a bother'. How sad is that? I would rather wander around alone than take the chance of being a burden or feeling unwelcome.
It also doesn't help that I either stay at home working on a project, or I go to a club (Either Bogart's, Phats, or the Seabreeze...all jazz clubs). I guess that just like RL, if you want to make quality relationships, a club is not the place to spend your time. So when I am on, it is always what do *I* want to do. Where am *I* going. When what I really want is a community. I want to be asking where are *we* going. Do *we* want to check out this place I've heard about. I just can't get past this 'being a bother' fear.
Second...sex...
I've been putting off thinking about how I feel about this. In almost two months, I haven't done anything. In fact, I think I have gone out of my way to avoid it. At least, when it comes up, I do my best to change the subject. I even have a bathing suit with a skirt. It is a two-piece, but about as modest as they can get. In fact, I had a date with one guy who took me to a secluded beach, and he actually said "I expected you to have a one-piece". He thought I was a complete prude! (Which is probably why I haven't heard from him again... c'est la vie)
Forcing myself to think about it, and looking back at how I have behaved, I can see what he meant. I'm not against the idea of sex. In fact, the more comfortable I am getting in SL, the more comfortable I am becoming with it. Early on, I even spent one night touring various places: public rooms, beaches, even dungeons, bdsm clubs, and a Gor sim or two. A lot of what I found was disturbing, a little sparked my imagination and peaked my curiosity. But...the instant someone would talk to me (and for a girl in a sex sim it can be measured in nano-seconds!) I would panic. Oh no! He said something...he wants sex! And I would change the subject..."No, I'm just visiting", "I'm exploring", basically anything I could think of to put the person off.
And there we come back to it: panic....fear. Just like with friends. I don't want to 'be a bother' or in this case 'be a flop'. When it comes to online, I have never done it before. I'm not sure I know how. Oh, I know what goes on. But when I try to imagine myself doing it, I get to "what am I going to say?", "what can I describe the the other person will like?", "what if they don't?".
So, I am not against a SL sexual relationship. But, I think I will need to find someone that I know I can trust completely, who understands my hangups, and who will help me work past them at my own pace. Not exactly a small order! Until then, my little xcite bits (yes I actually bought them. I don't know what I was thinking that night!) can stay right there in their folder.
First...Friends...
I have been in SL almost two months, and I have exactly 0 friends. Oh...I have people on my friends list. But that is where it ends. We never seem to get together and do anything. At best we exchange hellos on IM. Some I have never talked to again. I know it is partly (mostly) my fault. I am not, by nature, a very outgoing person. I tend to wait for things to happen, instead of making them happen. It is very hard for me to introduce myself. I tend to hang out on the sidelines, looking like a forlorn wallflower. And when someone does offer friendship, I am not likely to try to start a conversation later when I see they are on. I get an overwhelming feeling of not wanting to disturb them, or be a bother. In fact, now that I think about it. That is my driving fear. I don't want to 'be a bother'. How sad is that? I would rather wander around alone than take the chance of being a burden or feeling unwelcome.
It also doesn't help that I either stay at home working on a project, or I go to a club (Either Bogart's, Phats, or the Seabreeze...all jazz clubs). I guess that just like RL, if you want to make quality relationships, a club is not the place to spend your time. So when I am on, it is always what do *I* want to do. Where am *I* going. When what I really want is a community. I want to be asking where are *we* going. Do *we* want to check out this place I've heard about. I just can't get past this 'being a bother' fear.
Second...sex...
I've been putting off thinking about how I feel about this. In almost two months, I haven't done anything. In fact, I think I have gone out of my way to avoid it. At least, when it comes up, I do my best to change the subject. I even have a bathing suit with a skirt. It is a two-piece, but about as modest as they can get. In fact, I had a date with one guy who took me to a secluded beach, and he actually said "I expected you to have a one-piece". He thought I was a complete prude! (Which is probably why I haven't heard from him again... c'est la vie)
Forcing myself to think about it, and looking back at how I have behaved, I can see what he meant. I'm not against the idea of sex. In fact, the more comfortable I am getting in SL, the more comfortable I am becoming with it. Early on, I even spent one night touring various places: public rooms, beaches, even dungeons, bdsm clubs, and a Gor sim or two. A lot of what I found was disturbing, a little sparked my imagination and peaked my curiosity. But...the instant someone would talk to me (and for a girl in a sex sim it can be measured in nano-seconds!) I would panic. Oh no! He said something...he wants sex! And I would change the subject..."No, I'm just visiting", "I'm exploring", basically anything I could think of to put the person off.
And there we come back to it: panic....fear. Just like with friends. I don't want to 'be a bother' or in this case 'be a flop'. When it comes to online, I have never done it before. I'm not sure I know how. Oh, I know what goes on. But when I try to imagine myself doing it, I get to "what am I going to say?", "what can I describe the the other person will like?", "what if they don't?".
So, I am not against a SL sexual relationship. But, I think I will need to find someone that I know I can trust completely, who understands my hangups, and who will help me work past them at my own pace. Not exactly a small order! Until then, my little xcite bits (yes I actually bought them. I don't know what I was thinking that night!) can stay right there in their folder.
Deafening Silence
I am finding that I don't think blogging is for me. I just don't have time to get it all done! Between RL, and wanting to spend as much time as possible in SL, trying to keep up a blog is one thing too many.
Plus, I have never found a good reason to blog. I thought maybe just a diary, but then very little has been happening to me recently. I've worked on a few scripting projects. Trips to my favorite clubs have been bland at best. I get hit on by guys that either go from "Hi" to "My place" in one breath, or they can't seem to put two words together at all. Where are all of the nice guys that can carry on a conversation without hinting at sex every other breath?! In fact, the one good night wasn't with a guy at all. I standing there trapped by this guy who thought "I've heard what they say about you" is a good opening line...when a woman asked me to dance "to teach these guys a lesson". It was the best time I've had there, before or since. (Thanks Tanya!!) But...now it is back to the same thing...sitting around waiting for a dance partner. ::sigh::
I don't have a business to blog about. I have done some contract scripting for a few clients. But I'm not sure how to use a blog to help with that business.
I thought that maybe I could blog about my shopping trips. At first it sounded like a nice idea. But there are loads of shopping blogs already. I'm not sure what else I could add. Every entry would be: I looked at these blogs, then did a search of classifieds, then wandered the malls looking for the smaller merchants.
So there you go...little time, and no direction. I'm not giving up on blogging yet. I'm too stubborn! But this is why I might not be posting frequently.
I know I don't have any readers, but just in case someone trips across me, thank you for your time! :)
Plus, I have never found a good reason to blog. I thought maybe just a diary, but then very little has been happening to me recently. I've worked on a few scripting projects. Trips to my favorite clubs have been bland at best. I get hit on by guys that either go from "Hi" to "My place" in one breath, or they can't seem to put two words together at all. Where are all of the nice guys that can carry on a conversation without hinting at sex every other breath?! In fact, the one good night wasn't with a guy at all. I standing there trapped by this guy who thought "I've heard what they say about you" is a good opening line...when a woman asked me to dance "to teach these guys a lesson". It was the best time I've had there, before or since. (Thanks Tanya!!) But...now it is back to the same thing...sitting around waiting for a dance partner. ::sigh::
I don't have a business to blog about. I have done some contract scripting for a few clients. But I'm not sure how to use a blog to help with that business.
I thought that maybe I could blog about my shopping trips. At first it sounded like a nice idea. But there are loads of shopping blogs already. I'm not sure what else I could add. Every entry would be: I looked at these blogs, then did a search of classifieds, then wandered the malls looking for the smaller merchants.
So there you go...little time, and no direction. I'm not giving up on blogging yet. I'm too stubborn! But this is why I might not be posting frequently.
I know I don't have any readers, but just in case someone trips across me, thank you for your time! :)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
How (NOT) to interior decorate!
I have a confession to make...
I gave up on furniture shopping.
After starting the same way that I did with the house (Yadni's Junkyard), and wading through all of the furniture from the boxes I got there, I just haven't had it in me to start an extensive furniture shopping trip.
Oh...I started. I really did. Honest. But the choices of furniture are immense compared to housing choices. I started the search with 'furniture' in the classifieds. Then it hit me...I can't even really look for furniture without considering the poses! There is furniture pose free, with standard poses, and the 'hot' variety. Some furniture maker offer mod, others are no mod. Then what if I love the piece of furniture, but hate the pose that has been put in it? If I place any 'sex' furniture, will visitors think that because it is there, then I must want sex with them? (Right now, if I placed it, it would be because I hate limit my options. I have all kinds of stuff for 'just in case'!)
Just when I would feel overwhelmed, I would conveniently find something else 'more important'. Maybe one of the few friends I've made IM's me and invites me out for the night. Maybe I really 'needed' to see the latest releases at Adam & Eve, or Sirena's Hair and Fashion.
So I have taken the easy way out for now. I saw a nice living room set where I bought my house. Upstairs is fairly barren, with just a bed from Yadni's.
BUT on the other hand....I have a brand new look! (Ok...I was hiding from furniture shopping...but I really like it)
Here is the new me! (Hair: Phoebe (by Sirena), Skin:OMG.Freckles(by RealSKIN) )
I still plan on furniture shopping. But I think I'll just take it more slowly. Besides, I really need to decide on how I feel about placing the 'hot' furniture in my house. And that means I really need to decide on how I feel about sex in SL. I haven't tried it yet. I have to confess to being a bit intimidated by the idea. I know that two of my guy friends would like to. When they bring up the subject I freeze, So far, they have respected my desires and not pushed it. But this is a topic for a whole new blog entry!
I gave up on furniture shopping.
After starting the same way that I did with the house (Yadni's Junkyard), and wading through all of the furniture from the boxes I got there, I just haven't had it in me to start an extensive furniture shopping trip.
Oh...I started. I really did. Honest. But the choices of furniture are immense compared to housing choices. I started the search with 'furniture' in the classifieds. Then it hit me...I can't even really look for furniture without considering the poses! There is furniture pose free, with standard poses, and the 'hot' variety. Some furniture maker offer mod, others are no mod. Then what if I love the piece of furniture, but hate the pose that has been put in it? If I place any 'sex' furniture, will visitors think that because it is there, then I must want sex with them? (Right now, if I placed it, it would be because I hate limit my options. I have all kinds of stuff for 'just in case'!)
Just when I would feel overwhelmed, I would conveniently find something else 'more important'. Maybe one of the few friends I've made IM's me and invites me out for the night. Maybe I really 'needed' to see the latest releases at Adam & Eve, or Sirena's Hair and Fashion.
So I have taken the easy way out for now. I saw a nice living room set where I bought my house. Upstairs is fairly barren, with just a bed from Yadni's.
BUT on the other hand....I have a brand new look! (Ok...I was hiding from furniture shopping...but I really like it)
Here is the new me! (Hair: Phoebe (by Sirena), Skin:OMG.Freckles(by RealSKIN) )
I still plan on furniture shopping. But I think I'll just take it more slowly. Besides, I really need to decide on how I feel about placing the 'hot' furniture in my house. And that means I really need to decide on how I feel about sex in SL. I haven't tried it yet. I have to confess to being a bit intimidated by the idea. I know that two of my guy friends would like to. When they bring up the subject I freeze, So far, they have respected my desires and not pushed it. But this is a topic for a whole new blog entry!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Chez Mereille
Ok The scripting projects I've been working on are done, delivered and paid for. I have some time to myself again.
Bill Stirling DesignsBill Stirling Designs is a nice place. He has worked on many high-profile builds in SL. He built the USS Galaxy cruiseliner! His main vendor has a variety of designs from a Japanese Teahouse all the way to a Castle.
I fell in love with this home...the Lady Stirling (850L$)! The main drawback is a lack of model homes to walk through. (Or at least I couldn't find them)
After this, to have some models to compare to, I hit the Classified search...term: House :D
AE IndustriesAE Industries is a nicely laid out place. At the arrival spot is a large board listing the styles available. Clicking on the picture will take you to the model home. Each home has a sign with the important information (footprint, prims, features)
Most offerings are for larger plots. Some are very nice.
GP HomesNext stop, GP Homes. Again some nice, clean designs. I did find navigating more difficult as there is no guide. You have to wander the land looking at the demo home. This home stood out to me. 20x25 footprint, it has a built in hot tub on the terrace. But at 140 prims, I just couldn't justify it.
Hydro HomesHydro Homes has to offer some of the most unique homes I have seen. Very high-tech, with sleek curved lines. Again, I found a design that I loved here. But these home are also fairly high on the prim count. The 1024 sized homes would be much better suited to a larger lot.
IO HomesIO Homes has a selection of small footprint homes with very low prim count. The designs are all open concept, with clean lines and textures. This 30x30 villa is only 67 prims, and comes furnished! (all for only 699$L!)
Blue PearlBlue Pearl's designs tend toward the island feel. The layout is mixed. Several model homes are layed out around the land. There is also an auto-rez vendor with additional designs. While most designs are for larger plots, there were a few worth looking at in my size range.
Ta-Da!Ultimately, the choice was very difficult. There are many, many fine house builders out there. I am sorry that I couldn't cover them all in this blog. I couldn't believe how difficult this decision was. Finally, I picked a design from Blue Pearl. The working chimney I think was the final selling point.
Here it is! Home Sweet Home! Now to furnish it. (Aargh!)
But now is the big question...why should I even bother writing this blog? Is it just to pat myself on the back and say..hey look at me? Is it to keep a diary that I can look back on to remember? Most good blogs have a purpose. I don't know what mine is yet.
But I promised a report on my house shopping! So here goes...
I knew that I couldn't build my own house. When it comes to building I can't even make two prims to rub together!
So the best place to start seemed to be the freebies out there. A quick trip to Yadni's Junkyard resulted in literally hundreds of buildings to wade through. I did find several designs that I liked. But, many of the freebies are unfinished. They lack doors, or other things that would need added. I wanted a turnkey home.
How to find good homes? My first step was to take a gander around the neighborhood. If I saw something I liked, I could see the creator. As luck would have it, I saw this right next door!
How to find good homes? My first step was to take a gander around the neighborhood. If I saw something I liked, I could see the creator. As luck would have it, I saw this right next door!
Bill Stirling DesignsBill Stirling Designs is a nice place. He has worked on many high-profile builds in SL. He built the USS Galaxy cruiseliner! His main vendor has a variety of designs from a Japanese Teahouse all the way to a Castle. 
I fell in love with this home...the Lady Stirling (850L$)! The main drawback is a lack of model homes to walk through. (Or at least I couldn't find them)After this, to have some models to compare to, I hit the Classified search...term: House :D
AE IndustriesAE Industries is a nicely laid out place. At the arrival spot is a large board listing the styles available. Clicking on the picture will take you to the model home. Each home has a sign with the important information (footprint, prims, features)Most offerings are for larger plots. Some are very nice.
GP HomesNext stop, GP Homes. Again some nice, clean designs. I did find navigating more difficult as there is no guide. You have to wander the land looking at the demo home. This home stood out to me. 20x25 footprint, it has a built in hot tub on the terrace. But at 140 prims, I just couldn't justify it. 
Hydro HomesHydro Homes has to offer some of the most unique homes I have seen. Very high-tech, with sleek curved lines. Again, I found a design that I loved here. But these home are also fairly high on the prim count. The 1024 sized homes would be much better suited to a larger lot. 
IO HomesIO Homes has a selection of small footprint homes with very low prim count. The designs are all open concept, with clean lines and textures. This 30x30 villa is only 67 prims, and comes furnished! (all for only 699$L!) 
Blue PearlBlue Pearl's designs tend toward the island feel. The layout is mixed. Several model homes are layed out around the land. There is also an auto-rez vendor with additional designs. While most designs are for larger plots, there were a few worth looking at in my size range. 
Ta-Da!Ultimately, the choice was very difficult. There are many, many fine house builders out there. I am sorry that I couldn't cover them all in this blog. I couldn't believe how difficult this decision was. Finally, I picked a design from Blue Pearl. The working chimney I think was the final selling point.Here it is! Home Sweet Home! Now to furnish it. (Aargh!)
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Yup. I'm a nerd
I've been seeing this on quite a few blogs, so figured I'd see where I fall.
Uber Cool High Nerd! But I'm Uber Cool! :) :) :)
Uber Cool High Nerd! But I'm Uber Cool! :) :) :)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Home Sweet Home
Whew...I know I've been quiet for a few days. It's been a very busy time for me. I placed a "scripter wants work" post in the main board classified section, and have been swamped with work. I'm finishing up my projects in the next few days. Hopefully, I can take a break and have some fun again. It is nice to have some spending money though. :)
In the meantime, my spare minutes have been spent house and furniture shopping. It has become much more of a chore than I first thought. The problem I've found is that there is plenty of 'how to buy land' help. But not nearly as much 'what to do once you've got it' help out there. There is much more than finding a nice house design that fits your land footprint!
House sizes...how much is enough?
My first thing was to measure my land so I know what I have to work with. My plot is technically 1008sqm (16sqm was reserved by Dreamlands for community features). This works out to a 32x32 lot with a corner cut out. But these lots do not have the full size to work with. My lot has one side with water that the covenant forbids moving. Measuring my flat land give a 32x26 rectangle (the little 16sqm cutout is underwater so doesn't affect my buildable land). Dreamlands also reserved 4 prims for that water, so my free prim count is 230.
Prims...the new budget
The neighbors that I've managed to find and chat up have all agreed on one thing. Prim Count is Everything! With only 230 prims for the lot, I have to keep that foremost in mind.
For my home, I'm not worried about money. If it's the right one, then I'll afford it. With the money I saved on land, I can splurge on the house if I need to. Plus did I say I've been free-lancing as a scripter! :)
But with 230 prims, I think that budgeting is needed, or I could run out of prims before I set all of my (soon to be new) furniture.
With this in mind, and talking to neighbors, I think I'm targeting (for a 1024 size lot):
House: 50 - 80 prims
Furniture: 50 - 70 prims
Yard: 50 prims
That should put it at 150 - 200 prims total. So I'll have 30 or so prims left over for projects and rezzing new purchases.
Next post, I'll go over my search, and reveal the house I selected. :)
In the meantime, my spare minutes have been spent house and furniture shopping. It has become much more of a chore than I first thought. The problem I've found is that there is plenty of 'how to buy land' help. But not nearly as much 'what to do once you've got it' help out there. There is much more than finding a nice house design that fits your land footprint!
House sizes...how much is enough?
My first thing was to measure my land so I know what I have to work with. My plot is technically 1008sqm (16sqm was reserved by Dreamlands for community features). This works out to a 32x32 lot with a corner cut out. But these lots do not have the full size to work with. My lot has one side with water that the covenant forbids moving. Measuring my flat land give a 32x26 rectangle (the little 16sqm cutout is underwater so doesn't affect my buildable land). Dreamlands also reserved 4 prims for that water, so my free prim count is 230.
Prims...the new budget
The neighbors that I've managed to find and chat up have all agreed on one thing. Prim Count is Everything! With only 230 prims for the lot, I have to keep that foremost in mind.
For my home, I'm not worried about money. If it's the right one, then I'll afford it. With the money I saved on land, I can splurge on the house if I need to. Plus did I say I've been free-lancing as a scripter! :)
But with 230 prims, I think that budgeting is needed, or I could run out of prims before I set all of my (soon to be new) furniture.
With this in mind, and talking to neighbors, I think I'm targeting (for a 1024 size lot):
House: 50 - 80 prims
Furniture: 50 - 70 prims
Yard: 50 prims
That should put it at 150 - 200 prims total. So I'll have 30 or so prims left over for projects and rezzing new purchases.
Next post, I'll go over my search, and reveal the house I selected. :)
Friday, September 21, 2007
A Place To Call Mine
Last night, I took the final step to full citizenship. I bought land.
I don't know what got into me, but I had the urge to turn on the yellow dots on the world map, and start looking at what was available. Since the "First Land" program ended way before my time, I expected most things to be out of my price range. (at least things that weren't surrounded by those annoying little rotating ad boards.). I wanted to keep the purchase price below 10kL. But, after the initial purchase price, I figured that I could afford to pay tier for anything 2048sqm and under.
The Holistic Land Guide
Or...how I shopped for my first spot of land
Many guides recommend answering a few questions before starting a land search. I didn't bother with all of the soul searching. I knew how much I could afford, both up front and in tier. Other than that, I went in with no other ideas on what I would like. Only that "I'd know it when I see it".
Finding land for sale is very easy. I'm no expert, but the two methods I know of are:
1. Turn on "Land For Sale" on the world map. This will highlight all lots that are for sale in yellow.
2. Use the Find window to search Land Sales
I used a mix of #1 and #2. First I would pick a property from the search, and then just wander around the map from there.
At first what I saw was a whole bunch of yuck.
Either the lot was in a sea of empty blackness with rotating "For Sale" signs, or near a club, or 'naughty' place. All had horrid skylines with rotating ad signs.
Ok then...maybe a residential zoned island or estate with a covenant. On the bright side, if I do that I will still have the 512sqm available for a tier-free shop if I ever open one.
Then I saw it! The perfect spot!
It even comes with all of the items here! I can afford tier...how much is the asking price? $16,999. :( Ouch. I'd gladly go over budget for this place, but I can't really afford that much. Goodbye dream home...
Flying away from my dream, I spotted some empty lots with 'For Sale' boxes. "That's odd", I thought, "they aren't showing yellow on the map..." I landed and examined the property: "Starter Land - Accounts less than 90 days old, contact ACS for $1024 price". ACS...Anshe Chung....I'm in Dreamland, where I started 3 weeks ago! Well, I know her sims are reliable.
$1024L for a 1024 parcel? That can't be right. I IM'd the contact. Sure enough, the price is valid. Anshe Chung reserves some smaller lots for new citizens at discount prices. There aren't many, and they don't show up on land searches, but I managed to find one still available what wasn't too horrible. At least there were no eyesores. So I closed the deal, and now own property in Ellis Island, part of the Dreamland 2007 expansion. This is a great deal. It is the same price per square meter as the discontinued First Land program. And it is fully deeded, so I can sell later if I wish to. (Dream Beach house...you aren't dead yet!)
Well...here we are. My new little slice of SLife. It isn't perfect. I still wish I could have afforded the beach house. But I have to start somewhere, and I couldn't beat this price. Plus I have a whole new shopping trip to plan for!
I don't know what got into me, but I had the urge to turn on the yellow dots on the world map, and start looking at what was available. Since the "First Land" program ended way before my time, I expected most things to be out of my price range. (at least things that weren't surrounded by those annoying little rotating ad boards.). I wanted to keep the purchase price below 10kL. But, after the initial purchase price, I figured that I could afford to pay tier for anything 2048sqm and under.
The Holistic Land Guide
Or...how I shopped for my first spot of land
Many guides recommend answering a few questions before starting a land search. I didn't bother with all of the soul searching. I knew how much I could afford, both up front and in tier. Other than that, I went in with no other ideas on what I would like. Only that "I'd know it when I see it".
Finding land for sale is very easy. I'm no expert, but the two methods I know of are:
1. Turn on "Land For Sale" on the world map. This will highlight all lots that are for sale in yellow.
2. Use the Find window to search Land Sales
I used a mix of #1 and #2. First I would pick a property from the search, and then just wander around the map from there.
At first what I saw was a whole bunch of yuck.Either the lot was in a sea of empty blackness with rotating "For Sale" signs, or near a club, or 'naughty' place. All had horrid skylines with rotating ad signs.
Ok then...maybe a residential zoned island or estate with a covenant. On the bright side, if I do that I will still have the 512sqm available for a tier-free shop if I ever open one.
Then I saw it! The perfect spot!
It even comes with all of the items here! I can afford tier...how much is the asking price? $16,999. :( Ouch. I'd gladly go over budget for this place, but I can't really afford that much. Goodbye dream home...Flying away from my dream, I spotted some empty lots with 'For Sale' boxes. "That's odd", I thought, "they aren't showing yellow on the map..." I landed and examined the property: "Starter Land - Accounts less than 90 days old, contact ACS for $1024 price". ACS...Anshe Chung....I'm in Dreamland, where I started 3 weeks ago! Well, I know her sims are reliable.
$1024L for a 1024 parcel? That can't be right. I IM'd the contact. Sure enough, the price is valid. Anshe Chung reserves some smaller lots for new citizens at discount prices. There aren't many, and they don't show up on land searches, but I managed to find one still available what wasn't too horrible. At least there were no eyesores. So I closed the deal, and now own property in Ellis Island, part of the Dreamland 2007 expansion. This is a great deal. It is the same price per square meter as the discontinued First Land program. And it is fully deeded, so I can sell later if I wish to. (Dream Beach house...you aren't dead yet!)
Well...here we are. My new little slice of SLife. It isn't perfect. I still wish I could have afforded the beach house. But I have to start somewhere, and I couldn't beat this price. Plus I have a whole new shopping trip to plan for!Thursday, September 20, 2007
Money...and a night out
So far, I've been getting on with what I can pick up for free, or $1L. Except for three outfits that a shop owner gave me as a "promotion". I think he just took pity on me. :) And a new walk and stance that he also bought for me.
Now that I'm through testing the waters, I need money. Looking at my skills, there isn't much there. I am not very artistic, I've never tried to use the paint and modelling tools to make clothes, animations, or anything. My one attempt at building something with prims ended in a pile of unrecognizable slag. I can script quite well. But I don't know enough about what scripts people might need to start a scripting business. Besides, bare scripts are fairly useless outside of the item they are supposed to inhabit.
Hmm.. DJ? No I can't really do that. Event hosting? Um...maybe I should attend events first. :)
A 'mature' career as an escort, or dancer? No thank you. I don't have the skin, don't have the animations, have never tried to cyber, and I doubt I'd be very good at it anyway since it doesn't really interest me. I'll confess to being curious about what the attraction is for a lot of people, though; curious enough that I did poke my head into one of 'those'places (after a night at clubs where I met 4 guys who's "Hey Sexy" was 5 minutes from "Hey" to "Sex"). It was enough to convince me that I could never escort. There are too many things out there that I'm not comfortable with, even in SL with that nice eject button in the corner (Maybe I'll write about that night in another post...it's surprisingly PG rated).
So this week I upgraded to Premium. At least I'll have a small stipend, and can own land eventually. Maybe as I get more experience with this life, a career opportunity will come along. Until then, it looks like my budget is 300L per week.
This week, I wanted to go to someplace classy, which meant formalwear. I made a beeline to Sirena's,bought a dress that I have wanted since I saw it, and headed for Phat Catz Jazz Club. I had heard that it was the most popular jazz club in SL. I needed that tonight.
Phat Catz is a classic jazz scene. It is an open air club, with a large dance floor. And popular it is! It took quite a time for me to fully load, and lag spikes made walking a bit of a chore at times.
Once there, it was everything I had hoped it would be. Excellent music, a wonderful atmosphere, and a hint of romance under a starlit sky. They even have champagne tables!Being a natural wallflower, I had expected to spend most of the night lingering on the fringe, people-watching. But my feet had barely hit the floor before I was bombarded with IMs. Literally! I think I had four dance offers at once. Now...I had picked a jazz club hoping that "Hey Sexy!" would be more subdued than at other clubs. But, my dance card was full all night. I will say that happily all of my dance partners were perfect gentlemen (even if a few could use some cleaning up...jeans and newbie skin/hair...). I don't know if it was the club, my profile rules, my personality, or something else. But I didn't get any "come to my place", or "I know a quiet beach" pressure. I think Phat Catz will become a favorite hangout!
"So...do you come here often?"One funny moment though. A guy with blue hair came up to me and delivered the best "Hey Sexy" I've heard. "Hi Mer, can blue hair dance with red? I think we were made for each other". Natalia...if you read this, I think I've found Mr. "Blue-where-art-thou". LOL.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The First Week
I think I wandered through my first week in a fog. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. And this is from someone who has been online for years, and regularly breathes the heady air of techo-geekdom. I'm afraid that this post won't be too exciting, because only this week has it finally sunk in.
If I had to do it again, and if I were asked by another new person, I would start with two big rules that are never mentioned in Getting Started guides:
1. Take Pictures!
Lots and lots of Pictures! Just like in real life, when travelling to new places in SL, always have your camera ready. You just never know when that kodak moment will arrive. Plus it's fun to sit down and go through those old photo albums.
2. Learn how to make landmarks!
In that first week, I found quite a few places that I would like to go back to, and explore in more detail (and this time take pictures!). Of course, I didn't make landmarks for them, and have no idea what their names were. :(
Now without further ado...
Orientation Island...what Orientation Island?
That's right. When I went through the registration, I saw the page that you pick a starting location. Not knowing anything, I ended up going through Dreamland. Which means that instead of Orientation Island, I ended up on Dreamland's version. I'm sure the tutorials are similar, and there were several boxes of new clothes at the end. I did cause a bit of a scene though. I got all of these new clothes, but I didn't appreciate how to change outfits smoothly. The next thing I know, I'm topless, with a guy landing in front of me (at the time, I didn't realize the default body didn't have undies...until it was too late)! A few fumbled mouse clicks later, the situation was fixed, but I was so embarassed I couldn't say anything. I just flew up and in a random direction until I was alone again. ::sigh::
I do want to say that the greeter in Dreamland was extremely nice. He even gave me 20L to spend at the $1L shop he gave me a landmark to, so that I could get started. And checked in with me for several days to make sure I was getting on fine. It was the follow-up contact that really impressed me. He really seemed to care that I wasn't getting too frustrated with all the newness.
Ok...I'm here...now what
Now the fog was pretty deep. I had no idea of where to go, or what to do. The Dreamland tutorial leaves you with a 'now you know how to get around...have fun' message. But no hints on where to get around to, nor what might be fun.
"Hey...", I said to myself, "That nice greeter gave you a list of landmarks...lets check those out". The rest of the week, I spent looking at the places the greeter gave me (and the stores linked to all of the freebies at these places). All of these are in the many 'Get Started' guides that are out there, so I won't elaborate on them:
New Citizens Incorporated
Free Dove
The Gnubie Store
Yadni's Junkyard
I will say that I like NCI so much, that any time I have questions it is the first place I go. For example, a few days after arriving, I had an unpleasant experience with someone. He walked up to me as if to introduce himself. (I was bracing for a "Hey Sexy" talk) But he stood there for a second silently (probably checking me out), and then said: "Gawd...you hair is awful. You need to do something about that", then walked off. I was stunned! I had nice prim hair, at least I liked it. Thirty minutes of frustratingly trying to see what he meant (at a few angles you could see skull), and trying to tweak it, and I was ready to either scream or cry. I actually had to take a few deep breaths, to get my thoughts together again. "Ok...you need help.", I said. "Off to NCI...I'm sure someone there can help straighten out the hair." And I was right. Several people actually. They spent another half hour with me patiently explaining all about hair, and how to get it to fit right on different heads, giving advice on what might help me (up a little, now left..hmm...let's look at your head...). Now I have over 20 different hairstyles (not counting color), and feel comfortable adjusting them to be just right. Thank you NCI!!!!
If I had to do it again, and if I were asked by another new person, I would start with two big rules that are never mentioned in Getting Started guides:
1. Take Pictures!
Lots and lots of Pictures! Just like in real life, when travelling to new places in SL, always have your camera ready. You just never know when that kodak moment will arrive. Plus it's fun to sit down and go through those old photo albums.
2. Learn how to make landmarks!
In that first week, I found quite a few places that I would like to go back to, and explore in more detail (and this time take pictures!). Of course, I didn't make landmarks for them, and have no idea what their names were. :(
Now without further ado...
Orientation Island...what Orientation Island?
That's right. When I went through the registration, I saw the page that you pick a starting location. Not knowing anything, I ended up going through Dreamland. Which means that instead of Orientation Island, I ended up on Dreamland's version. I'm sure the tutorials are similar, and there were several boxes of new clothes at the end. I did cause a bit of a scene though. I got all of these new clothes, but I didn't appreciate how to change outfits smoothly. The next thing I know, I'm topless, with a guy landing in front of me (at the time, I didn't realize the default body didn't have undies...until it was too late)! A few fumbled mouse clicks later, the situation was fixed, but I was so embarassed I couldn't say anything. I just flew up and in a random direction until I was alone again. ::sigh::
I do want to say that the greeter in Dreamland was extremely nice. He even gave me 20L to spend at the $1L shop he gave me a landmark to, so that I could get started. And checked in with me for several days to make sure I was getting on fine. It was the follow-up contact that really impressed me. He really seemed to care that I wasn't getting too frustrated with all the newness.
Ok...I'm here...now what
Now the fog was pretty deep. I had no idea of where to go, or what to do. The Dreamland tutorial leaves you with a 'now you know how to get around...have fun' message. But no hints on where to get around to, nor what might be fun.
"Hey...", I said to myself, "That nice greeter gave you a list of landmarks...lets check those out". The rest of the week, I spent looking at the places the greeter gave me (and the stores linked to all of the freebies at these places). All of these are in the many 'Get Started' guides that are out there, so I won't elaborate on them:
New Citizens Incorporated
Free Dove
The Gnubie Store
Yadni's Junkyard
I will say that I like NCI so much, that any time I have questions it is the first place I go. For example, a few days after arriving, I had an unpleasant experience with someone. He walked up to me as if to introduce himself. (I was bracing for a "Hey Sexy" talk) But he stood there for a second silently (probably checking me out), and then said: "Gawd...you hair is awful. You need to do something about that", then walked off. I was stunned! I had nice prim hair, at least I liked it. Thirty minutes of frustratingly trying to see what he meant (at a few angles you could see skull), and trying to tweak it, and I was ready to either scream or cry. I actually had to take a few deep breaths, to get my thoughts together again. "Ok...you need help.", I said. "Off to NCI...I'm sure someone there can help straighten out the hair." And I was right. Several people actually. They spent another half hour with me patiently explaining all about hair, and how to get it to fit right on different heads, giving advice on what might help me (up a little, now left..hmm...let's look at your head...). Now I have over 20 different hairstyles (not counting color), and feel comfortable adjusting them to be just right. Thank you NCI!!!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A New Life
Hi! My name is Mereille Despres. I am a new Second Life citizen. I have never blogged before, so bear with me here. My hope is to give an account of my time spent in SL. This effort has been inspired by what I consider to be the best SL diary blog out there. If you haven't, please visit Natalia Zelmanov's Diary. You won't be disappointed!
First, I guess a little bit about me.
I was born 9/4/07. Which makes me a whole 14 days old. This is me.
First, I guess a little bit about me.
I was born 9/4/07. Which makes me a whole 14 days old. This is me.
I'm not much yet, but I tweak myself a little every night. I refuse to use most of the (free) shapes I see. They all seem geared toward the 'model look'...tall, long legs, busty. I just don't see myself that way. So here is little old me. 5'3" (in heels), a little on the hippy side (very little, being short makes it look worse), and a reasonably sized bust. The clothes, hair, and skin are all freebies. I think the nike shirt, and jeans were in a box of various clothes. The hair is the Calla ImSoPretty style that you can find for free at Free Dove. One of the first things I have noticed is that the world seems built for the tall here. What is the average height of a SL female? 6'?
This is really my default...I'm here...look. I have found some nice hairstyles that I like, and a (very) few outfits that are nice (that are free...I love a lot of the pricey stuff). But when I'm just being, it's back to the jeans. My hope is that it will send out the 'I'm busy...don't try to hit on me' vibe. We'll see...
What Do I Want From Second Life
I guess the easiest thing is to start with what I don't want: Drama, and RL complications. I saw a list of rules in a comment at this Natalia blog entry. It struck a chord, so I added the 3 rules to my profile:
#1: i don't mix real life and second life.
which means i don't meet anyone irl from sl nor do i give out pictures, i don't use voice or use webcam. i don't even give out my e-mail address.
#2 i don't ask you about your real life, you don't ask me about mine.
#3: what happens in sl stays in sl.
It has worked well so far, since I put it in my profile. I've only had to say "see rule #2" a couple times, and the person who asked would quickly back off and we'd change the subject. Even for the "Hey, Sexy" talks. :)
What I *DO* want is: FUN
I haven't made any plans other than that. Second Life is a place for me to spend a few hours at night decompressing, not adding to the stress. So if I stress...I leave. In my 14 whole days, I think I can organize my fun list like this:
1. Explore - SL is filled with wonderful places. I am amazed at the time and effort creative people have put into making their sims breathe with a life of their own.
2. Socialize - The few events I have attended have been a blast. Talking to new people, listening to music, watching myself dance. But...I'm a naturally shy person. So it is hard for me to jump into the conversation. I tend to hang out at the edge, quietly watching the action, waiting for someone to notice, and include me. Actually I'm looking for some 'wallflower' type animations since that is what I seem to be at a dance!
3. Shop - Ok..this could be #1. But since I don't have favorite shops yet, and only camping lindens...I'm counting finding new good shops as exploring too! I just upgraded to premium...so we'll see how shopping rises on my list with that weekly stipend. :)
4. Build - I have spent some time playing with build tools. But so far I haven't managed much more than a mangled pile of what used to be shapes. So I tend to start..get frustrated..and go exploring.
I guess that's enough for now. Starting with my next post, I'll try to catch up with what's happened to me so far. (the good, the bad, and the just plain weird)
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