Second Life

Angie · Post by **Angie** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 10:31 am

I'm not much on computer games (I spend enough time in front of a computer at work!), but I read a magazine article about an on-line "life simulator" that sounded pretty interesting. It is called "Second Life" and can be found at the following link:

http://www.secondlife.com/

I decided to open a free account and create a person known as "Angie Escape". I thought "Escape" appropriate as a last name since that's what my "better half" is usually trying to do from underneath my male exterior. I built my avatar as close as I could to my appearance when presenting as female. That is to say, she's a linebacker in a tie-dye skirt.

Anywho, I thought it would be wonderful if some of the ladies from the board wanted to get together on line in this "world" to chat, shop or just learn more about Second Life. It's a big place, so we would probably need to set some times/places to meet.

Sound interesting?

Take Care

Angie

CJ · Post by CJ » Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:09 pm

Hi all,

Angie, you bad girl, you!

I just spent over two hours exploring Second Life! Where did the time go?

It's a huge environment, for sure, but I think that either I haven't got nearly enough RAM to explore it without a hitch or that my cable connection is woefully slow; the world is very choppy. I know it's possible to stop the animations so I might just do that next time.

I chatted with a few people (newbies such as myself) and walked around "Help Island." It was fun. Believe it or not, I even got whistled at!

Here's a shot of my avatar (and, believe me, boys and girls, the possibilities are practically endless). My name in Second Life is "Christina Visconti" (and I did tell them, Angie, that you'd referred me).

Love,
CJ

Angie · Post by **Angie** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:27 pm

CJ,

I'm sorry that I led you down the primrose path!

After seeing your avatar, I can understand why you drew such favorable attention!

It is a pretty impressive environment and one that I will have to spend some more time exploring when things slow down a little. Here's a "photo" of Angie Escape - linebacker/Boho chick extraordinaire:

Take Care

Angie

CJ · Post by CJ » Sat Jul 22, 2006 10:48 pm

That's so cool, Angie! I love your sandals; where'd you get them?

I hope our paths will cross there some day. That would be fun!

Love,
CJ

P.S.
What nobody knows is that I'm wearing leopard-print panties.

Angie · Post by **Angie** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:37 am

CJ,

On "Help Island" there is a Freebies Store. Just find one of the map kiosks or just fly over the island and you can't miss it. By clicking on one of the screens in the store, I picked up a "Sparkly Dress" ensemble. I ditched the skirt (far too "urban party girl" for me), but kept the top and sandals. Voila! Miss Missmatch.

If you ever make it down as far as the great state of North Carolina, let me know!

Well, I'm making good on my comittment to get out more around town. I've got to make a trip to the grocery store this morning. Hopefully, I won't scare the "natives" too much.

I'll skip the leopard print undies, however. With my "ample" frame someone would shoot me thinking I was being attacked by a large wild cat!

Take Care

Angie

CJ · Post by CJ » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:03 am

Hi all,

Angie,

I did go the Freebies Store. I picked up that Sparkly Dress ensemble you mentioned and I also picked up a short-waisted black PVC jacket that goes fabulously well with my outfit.

While there, I started chatting with another newbie resident, "Neicy" by name. She was very nice. We tried to figure some things out together and then went exploring. She asked me if "Christina" was my real name. I said it was but that people usually just call me "CJ." I also told her that, in my First Life, I wouldn't be caught dead in such a short skirt! She laughed and told me she would never wear "leggins" in real life. It was sort of cool. We "made" a friendship!

All this got me thinking about how it's possible (or not) to "pass" in a virtual world where people have no access to info regarding your true gender. I'm wondering if it's possible for me to pass as a woman in an environment where cross-gender identities abound--a sex change is even one of the much-touted options--but where men nevertheless get "found out" pretty quickly (I mean, there are only so many times another woman will openly comment on your outfit before you start suspecting there's really a man hiding behind that facade, you know?) I plan to see how far I can carry my role as "Christina Visconti" before someone sniffs me out. So far, it's not a problem. But, then, as usual, I'm more interested in who people are (yes, even in a virtual world) than I am in what they look like (and some of them are totally funky-looking!) or in whether they're men or women. It's an interesting experiment. Again, thanks for the link, Angie.

Love,
CJ

Jessie · Post by **Jessie** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:12 pm

I have thought of setting up account there but as I have several persons over the internet, one being Jessie, I could never know how to build my character and I also never seam to have the time to set it up. Is that hard??? Is there a cost involved???

These are things I would like to know

Oh yea I forgot I also go by the Empress of Chat. I wounder if that is taken

Danette · Post by **Danette** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:45 pm

Hello Everyone,
I went to the site and unfortunately the system requirements say that you need cable or DSL connection. I was kind of disappointed but living here in the sticks is the price we pay. We just got phone lines run to us last year, So phones are kind of new to us.

Anyway I hope you all have fun with this and meet some interesting people.

So Sad,

Danette

SilverLady(SO) · Post by **SilverLady(SO)** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:15 pm

Hey, Danette -

Do you mean to tell me that Timbuktu, MI *finally* has phone service? Gheesh, even Flushing and Hell have had that for some time now!!

And for those that don't know, there are actually cities in MI called Flushing, and Hell, and Hell has been known to freeze over even if the Detroit Lions haven't won the SuperBowl!!

Come to think of it, have they ever won a game????

I feel your pain, Danette - we still have archaic dial-up in my southern neck of the woods, too!!

- SL

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:03 pm

That sounds so cool!!

I'm going to check that out, I have plenty of puter power and DSL, so I guess I should be good to go.

I'll get back to you all on my trip there. I think that could be fun for several of us to meet up together there!

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:20 am

Ok.... I signed up and also spent 2-3 hours roaming and exploring.... and, just plain trying to figure everything out!

My Second Life name is Paula Paverini.

Let's see if we can all make plans to meet there at the same time. Could be fun to have a group together.

Have fun all!

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:21 am

Well, I went and checked it out and, if you run into Kathy Morellet, that's me.

I can see how it can be easy to lose track of time. I spent about four hours wandering around in there. Do talk to the mentors, though. They are very helpful and I now have a lot of cool clothes to wear.

I'll try to get a pic of my avatar to post.

Kathy

Cindy Barnes · Post by **Cindy Barnes** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:38 am

Cool !
Looks like fun

I'm going to have to spend some time there when I get home tonight !!

Cindy

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:39 pm

This really is an interesting place. I said above that I'd try to get a photo of my avater so, here she is:

Also, a pic of Kathy's new house:

Hope to see some of you there.

Kathy

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:55 pm

That is so cool, Kathy!

I still need to figure this place out for building.

Maybe we can all plan to meet up soon and help one another and of course, go shopping!