Dulcie Makes her Debut at PoetryFest

I recently participated in the 2012 PoetryFest at Milkwood.  This event, now in its 3rd season, took place over three days from Friday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1 and included the readings of over twenty poets.  This was my first time being involved, and I was quite impressed both by the quality of the readings and the professionalism of the preparations.  Although I couldn't attend all the performances, I heard they all went smoothly and, despite SL's quirkiness, I neither crashed nor had any issues hearing or using Voice.  Harriet Gausman and Ginger Jorgental, of Virtual Writers, were also immensely helpful in answering my questions and helping me with the textures for my poem's displays. 

I read 11 of my poems, all of which featured Second Life.  Below, I've included a few of them, as well as a machinima of my performance at the Fest. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnQAa1rPHSs

SL's Cinderella
by Dulcie Mills

She's looking for a SL Man

at all the virtual clubs and bars

checking out the profiles

of all the handsome guys.

She's looking for a prince among the virtual frogs

tangoing on the dance pole

seeking someone to satisfy her

that's her goal

She's trying to find a partner
who really means all those hugs and kisses

flirting shamelessly

shaking those long tresses

She's out to catch an avatar
so be careful if you get an IM from her

She has the sexiest words to say

but they haven't yet gotten her too far

She'd trade an SL wedding
for all her one-night stands.

When she complains about rl and SL men,

all her friends understand.

She's looking for a SL Man
one with no attachments but who has an attachment.
She's hunting high and low for all male avatars in sight
looking for Mr. SL right.

She doesn't require gifts, but will take them if given.
She loves to dance and try out the latest animations.
including the Xcite ones which catch her fascination.

She's a lady avatar on a mission
aware of timezone differences
so every night she joins the party
either at noon or midnight SLT.

She's hoping someone will find her glass stiletto
that she lost while changing clothes from her inventory
A prince, a vampire, a goth, or just one special fella
to live happily every second after with SL's Cinderella.

SL Neighbor
by Dulcie Mills

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
to help you in a jam

rerezz your house when you accidentally take it down

gives you good advice and doesn't repeat it twice
helps you in any way he can.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
one who doesn't block your land
with eyesores or dinosaurs
or holds any sim crashing parties without inviting you.
That's what virtual neighbors are for.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
someone who respects your privacy
but opens his doors to you when you need
feeds your virtual pets while you're offline
and sends you notecards that you might like to read.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor
who always remembers your rez day
gives you plants for your garden or boats for your lake
lets you borrow lindens when you're broke
and never asks you to reciprocate.

There's nothing like a good SL neighbor.
It's so virtually true
that I'm so lucky to have such a good SL neighbor
as you.
 

Lonely in SL


Just like RL, you can be lonely in SL,
Just like RL, people can hide behind a mask
call it an avatar, call it a face
They can hurt you if you get too close.

Just like RL, people can lie
Just like RL, it's hard to know why
call it life, call it unfair
They can hurt you and not even care

Just like RL, you can be lonely in SL
Just like RL, people play games
call it virtual or call it real,
It's very much the same.

But just like RL, people can be kind,
Just like in RL, there are friends you can find
call it connecting, call it reaching out
Relationships are what SL's about

Just like RL, you choose who you trust
Just like RL, this is a must.
Call it being cautious, call it what you like
Just like in RL, you don't need to be lonely in Second Life

Spring has Sprung in SL

For most of us, Spring has sprung.  In SL, many sims are replacing their snowy landscape with gardens and picnic areas.  Shops are selling warm-weather clothing. Virtual birds are chirping in virtual trees.  Partners and friends are strolling through SL gardens.  Everything is in virtual bloom, and Easter hunts are starting.

On Seahorse, I've done some digging in my inventory and started my virtual gardening.  I've "planted" several trees and put out my pretty swan pond and a picnic area.  My horses are out grazing. There are lots of butterflies around the sim now, and my neighbor even has an area where it rains.

My  new "Italy" house came with a full garden of roses and other shrubs and included a reflecting pond and wrought iron benches, perfect for spring into summer living.  I added some patio furniture and an iced tea giver for another comfortable place to relax when spending more time outdoors in the nice weather.

But along with the visual, this beautiful season isn't complete without some nature sounds.  My cherry tree has a tinkling windchime, and crickets and owls can be heard from the nests they build inside it.

Spring is definitely one of the prettiest seasons in SL, as it is in RL.  Enjoy it!

Rez Day Reflections

Today is my 5th Rez Day in Second Life, so I decided to write a post about what it means to me.  As I posted on Facebook, for friends who can see, I've seen a lot of changes in SL during the time I've been a resident and not all of them have been good.  I won't go there, but one thing that hasn't changed over the years is the main reason I stay -- the wonderful friends I've met in this world that make a Second Life worth living.  We all know the struggles on time that it demands.  I've often questioned the rewards.  But I've met people from all over the country and all over the world, most of them librarians like myself.  I wish I had more time to share with them.  I used to attend a lot more of the CVL events and was able to find time to view some of the great inworld exhibits.  Now I'm lucky I have time to do any exploring at all, and it's an effort to keep up my commitments at my Rainbow Gardens Pet Memorial, although the great members there are so supportive.

What would I like to do in my next 5 years if SL is still around, I truly don't know.  I miss the days when I used to write articles for the Metaverse Messenger or RezLibris because they forced me to ask questions, visit other places, and speak to people I wouldn't ordinarily meet.  Someone did a survey once that revealed most SL residents spend most of their inworld time at their homes or where they change clothes and very little time at other sims.  While I believe this, I also think it's a waste of time when there are so many creative, educational, and beautiful places to see in SL.  Of course, visiting these places is usually more enjoyable with a friend or a group.  This takes me back to my feelings about friends in SL.  Just like in RL, it isn't easy to make true ones and it also takes time to nurture these relationships, even if they are strictly online.  I'm aware that a lot of relationships dissolve either through neglect or too much drama.  But the ones that survive are the strongest and the ones that make living a Second Life worth it. 

Thanks to all my friends who have made these five years so much fun.

A Tea and a Tour

Taking President's Day week off with my daughter for her winter recess, I tried to find some activities to keep her occupied.  Our library's Children's Room always has some notices posted about local events for kids, and I found one about a children's tea and a tour of Walt Whitman's birthplace in West Hills.  I was able to make a reservation for Holly and her friend, and the two girls met there Monday where they had tea (actually apple juice) in a delightful setting with a bunch of other registered girls.  Afterwards, they were taken on a tour of the historic home.

Although the famous poet's birthplace consists of two floors of a few small rooms, the girls found the tour guide's information abou the time period very absorbing.  Holly was so impressed that, after we got home, she pretended to light fireplaces and get water out of a well.  I read her a children's biography of Walt Whitman I had taken out of the library, and she learned of his involvement with the Civil War and listened to some of his poems.

It turned out to be a fun and educational experience for both girls.

Introducing Dulcie's Destinations

I recently started a new blog called "Dulcie's Destinations" that will feature articles about a variety of travel and entertatinment places in Second Life.  This blog will not replace "Rainbow Notes."  I hope to keep both blogs up on a regular basis and also increase their readership. 

In "Rainbow Notes," I will continue to write about my rl and sl pursuits including my writing, reading, library activities, and other activities that I  hope will be of interest to readers.  However, all Second Life travel-related articles will be on the new blog (along with some previous articles I've reprinted from "Rainbow Notes," "Eye on the Grind," and "RezLibris Magazine."

But exploring a virtual world or even taking a trip in real life is not the only way one can travel.  Reading is a wonderful journey in itself.  Lately, as I've been exploring the ebook offerings from our library's Overdrive service, I've read a great new author, Ernest Cline, whose "Ready Player One" just happens to be about a virtual world.  I won't give away any of the plot, but I would highly recommend this book to any SL resident or anyone else interested in virtual worlds, the 80's, or just wants a good read.  Don't look for any x-rated scenes in this book, though.  There is a romance, but the book is mostly an adventure and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you travel with Wade Watts through the OASIS to find the "Easter Egg" hidden inside its virtual world that can bring great fortune but also death to those who seek it. I also found that many of Wade's observations about virtual relationships are right on target. 

My next ebook is already lined up (actually I've been waiting on a long list for it).  It is also by a new author, Deborah Harkness, and deals with witches and vampires instead of avatars, and it is also the first book of a trilogy.  I might review "Discovery of Witches" in my next column, but, in either case, I think I will enjoy the journey.

Exploring Virtually



On top of the world, Venice @ Prada

A Second Life friend of mine found a beautiful sim and invited me to join him to explore it.  The sim is Venice @ Prada http://secondlife.com/destination/venice-prada.  The scenery here is lovely and is enhanced in sunset setting.  From the waterfront to the quaint village shops and buildings, there is lots to see and do here with an emphasis on "see", as the appeal of this place is truly visual.

Of course, any virtual rendering of Venice would be incomplete without a Gondola ride, and my friend proved to be a good Gondolier aside from getting stuck in some dead ends.  The full moon over the water and the sim's music stream added to a delightful and relaxing ride.

Before and during exploring the village, we stopped and chatted at the numerous waterside cafe tables. I felt like an Italian tourist and had tried to dress the part with my white Stole and designer SL jeans but made a quick change into a dress for dancing. 

The TP sign by the dock took us to the New York Jazz Club (yes, even in Italy, I could feel at home).  The warm wood textures and varnished floors of this dance venue along with its wonderful skyline windows were charming and atmospheric.  The only drawback was that the return TP to Venice was either missing or well hidden, so keep the LM handy if you want to continue your exploration.

All in all, virtually exploring Prada @ Venice was fun and immersive.  I felt like I'd traveled to Italy for a few hours with no jet lag to recover from.

Kindle Fire Hot in the New Year

Okay, so one of  my New Year's resolutions was to write more often for this blog, so I'm trying to catch up.  I hope everyone reading had nice holidays.  Most years, I don't get many gifts that I really use, but this year I received a Kindle Fire.  I wasn't so sure I would use it much either because I like print books.  But, as a librarian, I realize that one must keep up with new trends, so I put the Kindle Fire at the top of my Wish List for Santa.  It seems a lot of other people did, too, as the Fire was one of the most popular gifts this season http://androinica.com/2011/12/2011-holidays-the-best-ever-for-amazon-as-the-kindle-fire-continues-to-be-their-top-seller/. 

I like the size of the Fire because it is very portable, fitting into a large purse or carry case.  The screen is quite readable (although I haven't tried it in bright sunshine yet).  As an Android device, it has some of the familiar options (I also upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy phone recently).  Still, there is a learning curve, as there is with any technical gadget.  The user guide is adequate.  My main goal was to download ebooks.  A nice benefit of being an Amazon prime member is that many ebooks (and also videos and other downloads) are available free.  You are allowed to download one ebook per month if you are a prime member, but not every ebook is eligible under this option.

The Kindle Lending Library at Amazon is quite easy to navigate, but I found Overdrive's Digital Library Collection harder to use.  Consulting both the Overdrive online help screens and our own library's FAQ sheets created by our computer tech, I managed to download my first Overdrive library book.  Since then, I've managed to check out, return, and even place several ebooks on my request list.  Some of this, I discovered through trial and error.  For instance, I thought it would be fine to just delete an Overdrive title from my library, but I later learned that if you don't return it to the collection (using the Manage my Kindle option in at the Amazon website), you might be holding it up from someone who is currently on the reserve list. 

How do I like ebook reading?  Well, I've managed to read over 50 % of the novel I selected, and I still have another 5 days to finish it.  Overdrive loans are two weeks in duration.  Compare that to the library print books I've had to renew several times before finishing them (Overdrive books can't be renewed but can be rerequested).  It seems I can find a little more time to get to read from my Kindle, although maybe it's the novelty for now.  Some other cool options include automatic bookmarks and access to a dictionary for any unfamiliar words I come across in the text.

I would recommend the Kindle Fire to anyone who didn't get it as a gift and doesn't currently have one.  There are many others out there and more being designed, but I would say to try them and see if you like them.  You may be pleasantly surprised.  I was, but it doesn't mean I won't ever check out another print book.  It just means I am getting on the tech bandwagon and having some fun, too.  My library is also purchasing its own Kindle Fire and a Nook for training and demonstration purposes (with possible loaning options in the future).