My co-worker at the library recently joined Second Life and is enjoying it immensely. She's experienced some things she could never dream of doing in real life, and I have had a good time (and have also learned) along with her, even though I've been living the virtual life for the past three years. In a virtual world, you never stop learning which is why so many librarians and educators have become involved. We now share a house on my island, although I recently put up a treehouse for her so she could have her own private space. She attended the barbecue at my house at which I introduced her to some friends and neighbors and also had a good time at the Ice Cream Social I had at Rainbow Gardens for the pet book exhibit opening for the Community Virtual Library's summer book fair. One of the highlights was spinning around on an ice cream cone merry go round. Where in real life can you do that?I've also shown my new SL cohort, Twilight, the pleasures of freebie shopping and introduced her to midnight manias and lucky chairs. Where in real life can you sit in a chair with the letter of your first name on it and win a prize or click on a board and have a prize delivered to you if a certain number of other people have done so, too?
And where in real life can you create a memorial center for pets where people can add photos of their deceased pets to a pet viewer and view exhibits or attend events related to pets? Where in real life can you fly on a book to various spots that feature children's books with links to the works and the authors? Where in real life can you see or set off beautiful fireworks without the fear of any dangers or breaking any laws? Where can you buy a gown for $2 or a house for $5 or even get some for free? Where can you find events going on 24 hours a day? Where do you get to celebrate two birthdays, your real one and the date you joined SL (your rez day)? Where can you dress formal, casual, or even as a bunny or mermaid and always fit in? Where can you immerse yourself in your dreams and see them come to life? Where can you meet people from all over the world who can become real friends even though you only know them online?
It's been fun but sometimes a challenge explaining to Twilight how to change clothes (the importance of underwear if you're wearing a dress or skirt and are flying); how to eat and drink; how to join groups; how to open boxes, and how to flirt with handsome avatars (the last I think she picked up all on her own).
So now, Twilight is on a crusade to persuade other library staff to join us in the virtual world. One of my neighbors and a good friend in SL suggested we might get our own library island one day. I kind've doubt that. There's a lot of resistance and kidding when the topic comes up. If naysayers tried it, though, they might change their mind. Twilight even hesitated at the beginning, as did I. Now she is sharing a jetski with one of our neighbors, rope climbing on mountains, dancing by clicking on ice cream sundaes, riding boats down rivers, diving in my inground pool, relaxing on her bear rug in her treehouse -- all just the beginning of the virtual experience. And all it takes is an open mind and a computer.
