Denied access to the outside world, I yearn entertainment. DVDs aren't going to cut it anymore and there are only so many flies I can chase around the house with a zapper before I start to get bored of insecticide.
Thus I found myself taking up Katey's challenge. She had suggested I go on Second Life to actually experience it. So I did. The next few days will be a kind of diary of what I see and do on there. For the record, I do not understand code or what the hell skins and avatars mean. This could be torturous.
Anway, I found the site and went for the girl next door character. I didn't think I could pull off a CyberPunk personality, though I was tempted to masquerade as someone completely removed from myself. However, I didn't think I'd find it very enjoyable if I had to try and remember to act a part whilst navigating this world.
After a few hiccups with installation, I found myself plonked online in a giant castle designed to help out newbies such as myself. This amounted to me owning a chainmail shirt (for when you really need some dungeon porn outfits?), taking a photo of me with blank, white eyes staring back (I hadn't mastered the appearance bit) and giving myself a tremedously huge arse (art imitating life).
I played around with some settings, ended up naked but then finally got my clothes sorted out again. I think I now have a pair of black trousers on...a shame the arse cheek of which has what appears to be a white "Hello Kitty!" logo on it. I then, through trial and error, found myself at Waterhead or Waterworld or something, along with similarly bemused avatars wandering around.
Instantly, I was confused. I could hear noise, like people's conversations. I walked around, collecting notecards and the like to gather as much information as possible. However, to paraphrase Shakespeare, they often signifyed nothing. At least, nothing immediately useful.
I have found flying to be quite fun. It's the closest I'll ever get to being a superhero. However, I haven't mastered the art of landing. Oh, I can use the "stop flying" button all right, but I have a habit of using this whilst at great heights. If my avatar were a real person, it'd be long dead, a corpse I insist on chucking from high altitude.
Right now, I'm back at the Waterhead area listening to two guys discuss the Tree of Life and Christianity. It's weird as it feels like I'm intruding. It would be something I take more seriously, but I keep hearing "boing!" and "woo!" noises in the background. Oh and some douche is shouting at them, "STOP BREAKING GOD'S LAWS!". Now he's screaming like Tarzan.
I've joined a couple of groups: I'm in a writing group, belong to an indie nightclub, visited an art gallery and even went to see a Star Trek museum (best not to ask). I'm actually beginning to understand why people like it on here so much. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. I wonder, though, if I only feel like this because I can't do this stuff in real life right now.
I'm still too scared to talk to anyone yet, though, thanks to Tarzan out there. We'll see how it goes...
Thus I found myself taking up Katey's challenge. She had suggested I go on Second Life to actually experience it. So I did. The next few days will be a kind of diary of what I see and do on there. For the record, I do not understand code or what the hell skins and avatars mean. This could be torturous.
Anway, I found the site and went for the girl next door character. I didn't think I could pull off a CyberPunk personality, though I was tempted to masquerade as someone completely removed from myself. However, I didn't think I'd find it very enjoyable if I had to try and remember to act a part whilst navigating this world.
After a few hiccups with installation, I found myself plonked online in a giant castle designed to help out newbies such as myself. This amounted to me owning a chainmail shirt (for when you really need some dungeon porn outfits?), taking a photo of me with blank, white eyes staring back (I hadn't mastered the appearance bit) and giving myself a tremedously huge arse (art imitating life).
I played around with some settings, ended up naked but then finally got my clothes sorted out again. I think I now have a pair of black trousers on...a shame the arse cheek of which has what appears to be a white "Hello Kitty!" logo on it. I then, through trial and error, found myself at Waterhead or Waterworld or something, along with similarly bemused avatars wandering around.
Instantly, I was confused. I could hear noise, like people's conversations. I walked around, collecting notecards and the like to gather as much information as possible. However, to paraphrase Shakespeare, they often signifyed nothing. At least, nothing immediately useful.
I have found flying to be quite fun. It's the closest I'll ever get to being a superhero. However, I haven't mastered the art of landing. Oh, I can use the "stop flying" button all right, but I have a habit of using this whilst at great heights. If my avatar were a real person, it'd be long dead, a corpse I insist on chucking from high altitude.
Right now, I'm back at the Waterhead area listening to two guys discuss the Tree of Life and Christianity. It's weird as it feels like I'm intruding. It would be something I take more seriously, but I keep hearing "boing!" and "woo!" noises in the background. Oh and some douche is shouting at them, "STOP BREAKING GOD'S LAWS!". Now he's screaming like Tarzan.
I've joined a couple of groups: I'm in a writing group, belong to an indie nightclub, visited an art gallery and even went to see a Star Trek museum (best not to ask). I'm actually beginning to understand why people like it on here so much. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. I wonder, though, if I only feel like this because I can't do this stuff in real life right now.
I'm still too scared to talk to anyone yet, though, thanks to Tarzan out there. We'll see how it goes...
4 comments:
I think I just had an orgasm of delight. HURRAH! When do I get to come and meet you?
I know you won't give much of a stuff about shopping (but, just think - high heels don't make your feet hurt in SL!) but we'll give you a quick and painless makeover and then you're free to wander the vitual world without looking too awful.
Search for Katey Coppola and friend me?!
I knew it, i knew you protested too much and so on...oh lord, it's only a matter of time before your brains all link together to form a giant computer...
Kate, I will befriend you as soon as I steel the resolve to head back on there :-)
Pixie girl, I'm taking down the system from the inside...
I'll be around tonight after the nephews are in bed if you fancy it :)
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