Moving Out - SL Style

Circumstances just turned out that I will have to give up my skybox in Second Life shortly and find a new home. I have moved several times since I've started SL, but for some reason, this feels like it will be the hardest relocation for me. Maybe because I was the most attached to this place. I'm sure I will find something new and possibly even better, although I may have to spend more than I'd planned. I actually have been very lucky in that I've had free office and home space for so long thanks to the AVL/CVL. And it's not that I mind paying so much. It's just hard to start over again, but I'm sure it will also be fun and a nice new start. I just tend to dislike change and take things a bit seriously, two traits that are really not compatible with SL which is a very changeable and non-serious place. What's nice is that I've already had offers from some good friends about rentals and even places to stay for free while I'm land hunting. I did rent a space already but am not too sure it will be permanent.

My real life friends and husband both think I'm crazy to spend so much time and express so much angst over this situation, but some of my SL friends understand. It's almost like I'm losing my real life home. And anyone who has moved in real life, can understand how disruptive it can be.

I can remember sitting on my gazebo last summer as the sun set looking over at my pond as my swan swam across it and thinking how peaceful it was. It made me feel nice just to have a spot away from the craziness and stresses of real life just for a few moments to myself. And then when I hung my Christmas stockings over my fireplace mantle this Christmas and put up my virtual tree, it was nice to decorate in SL and it added to my holiday cheer. I was looking forward to spring planting soon and I know I can still do it elsewhere, but I will have to say goodbye to this particular place. And I am reminded once again that life is full of goodbyes to people . . to places . . . in SL and RL. I'll get over it, but I'm still sad ):

Back to Writing

As my Rez Day approaches, I've been thinking of a few things I'd like to do in my next three years in Second Life (if there is another three years, one never knows). But, anyway, I really would like to learn to do some basic building. I still feel like a newbie in that regard. And if I have the time, I should try to take some classes. But since that is not where my talent really lies, what I really want to concentrate on is getting back to writing both in real life and in Second Life. After I wrote my virtual romance "Cloudy Rainbow," I tried writing another book but developed writer's block and then got involved with a lot of other SL activities, mainly working on RezLibris, http://rezlibris.com the magazine for librarians, which I am happy to report will be under new management soon but which I will still contribute, too.



I have been amazed to note how many writing opportunities there are for writers in SL. From poetry groups to writing clubs to magazines and newspapers. There are open mic nights, contests, anthologies, book readings, so many creative ways to promote your work. The Reader's Garden is a great venue and the Sci Fi Portal for Science Fiction fans. BookStacks is a wonderful group. Inksters has a large and active membership. The Learning Experience has a publishing division and offers many classes and workshops on writing. Netera Lander operates a coffee shop, tea house, and conference building where she conducts author chats. The Blue Angel's Poet Dive is also has a popular open mic poetry reading each Sunday night. The Virtual Writer's group is a great source of writing information on all SL writing activities. There are so many places and groups I can't list them all, but may can be found through a SL search.



So I am starting to let the creative juices flow because SL is the place to do that. I truly believe that SL attracts creative people. I have seen the products of so many creative individuals be it those that produce photos, machinima, builds, or stories. I hope that this will rub off on me. I know I have the stubborness -- lol and lots of ideas. All I need, alas, is the time.

No Resolutions This Year

Every year on New Year's Eve I make a list of resolutions that I end up breaking within the first few days of the New Year, so I decided not to bother this year. Yes, there are things I'd like to accomplish and it's true it always helps to have goals. Yet resolutions should be ongoing and not just once a year plans.


2009 was not a very good year for me. I was sick quite often and developed asthma for which I was hospitalized this past summer for a week. Although I published my first novel, "Cloudy Rainbow" in 2008, sales were not wonderful, and I have not been motivated to either promote it or complete a follow-up book. Due to my health issues and needing more time for myself, I also made the decision to resign from my position as publisher of the online magazine, RezLibris, which was aimed at librarians in the virtual world of Second Life. I don't regret that decision, but there's always a little sadness when you give up something that's been important in your life especially when it is hard to find someone to take over your position.

So other than trying to find ways to relax more, take better care of myself, and stay healthier in 2010, I'd also like to enjoy my five year old daughter more (she's hinted at a trip to Disney World for her 6th birthday next fall which I think will do us all good), find more time for friends, and maybe I'll be inspired at some point to start writing again or, if not, that can always be my resolution for another year. For this year, being healthy and happy is my priority, and I wish that for all of you, as well.

Searching for the Virtual Meaning of Christmas

It seems to pass us by each year in the rush of crowded malls and shopping centers, and I have to admit I do most of my shopping online now to avoid a bit of that. But while the season seems to start earlier and earlier each year, some decorations going up right after Halloween (and many catalog and online items being advertised in late summer), Christmas always ends up speeding by in a blur of torn wrapping paper and blinking holiday lights. Not much peace, not much joy, too much hectic, too much stress.

So I take a break and look at what the virtual world of Second Life offers, some beautifully decorated winter sims decked out with Christmas trees and ice rinks, falling snow and lovely ice sculptures. But yet again not too much in the way of the blessed. A few churches but not many nativities or mangers except those you can buy on Xstreet. I guess Virtual residents are more interested in ice skating or having virtual snowball fights than reflecting on the season, but that's okay. The magic is still there behind the pixels if you believe. And even if you don't, there are still some pretty sights.

What's most fun of all is if you own a home and can decorate it. Just watch the prims, and you're okay. It's also usually a lot easier decorating your virtual tree or hanging your virtual stockings from your virtual fireplace than doing it in your real home, and Santa would be proud to come down most virtual fireplaces. In fact, there are quite a few nice plates of cookies and hot chocolate that most virtual bakers sell that can be left out for him.

What about Christmas cards? Well, in real life, sending cards is often a chore and postage increases each year. But in the virtual world, sending a card is only a click away. Just drop them on your friends and spread the cheer.

So whether you celebrate in real life, Second Life or both, the main thing is to enjoy the season among family and friends and to remember the true meaning. It doesn't have to cost a lot to show you care. And in giving of yourself, you always receive much more back.

Reality Can be the Perfect Fantasy

My daughter just celebrated her fifth birthday at the end of October. Her party was at a farm because she loves horses. It wasn't the best day weather-wise, but she and her little friends all got to take pony rides, feed baby animals, and listen to animated chickens sing the birthday song (she even got up and did a chicken dance). Just a week earlier, she had been thrilled to lose her first baby tooth and receive a dollar bill from the tooth fairy (inflation has caused the TF to increase her allowances). She was also busy this week with a Halloween party in her Kindergarten class where she dressed up as, what else, a horse. She also went back one day to her pre-school for a Halloween parade and then ended the week with trick-or-treating in the horse costume for yet another time. It was fun seeing her get all excited, although I do have to admit it was a bit exhausting for me.

Besides her birthday party at the farm, my daughter also went on a field trip with her school the day before to another farm where she said the kids got to pick pumpkins and even milk cows. She told me her cow didn't give her any milk, but she still enjoyed trying to get some. My daughter has a way with words already, but I guess it's in the genes. I showed her my farm in Farmville on Facebook, and she was so excited when one of my friends gave us a horse. But then she wanted to ride it, and I had to explain that, while you could do that in Second Life and some other games you can't do that in all games.

Next year, my daughter informed me, after she'd asked if there were anymore new gifts that I hadn't shown her, that she wants her sixth birthday party in Disney World. Will it cost too much, she wants to know, to fly her whole class there? And can we just please look at their party room?

Well, I have to say, I am tempted by the idea. I've taken out some books from the library and even showed Holly around a replica of Disney World in Second Life. She wanted to go in Cinderella's castle but was disappointed when all that she saw there were shops. She got bored, so I told her to wait for the real thing. Sometimes reality is more interesting than fantasy, but often a mixture of both can be the best combination. I can't wait until next year.

Exhibiting at a Virtual Writer's Expo

Although my book , Cloudy Rainbow, was published late last fall, I missed the spring writer's exibition in Second Life. I visited it, though, and was impressed by what I saw -- the number of authors who participated and the many opportunities for promotion. I vowed I would get involved when another event was planned. So when I heard that the Autumn Writer's Exhibition (AWE) was open, I applied for an exhibit space and was given a free tent to put up my work. I already had a poster of the cover of my book with links to my website, http://debbiedelouise.com/ and a few note cards that I had used when I'd done some virtual book talks for book groups in Second Life, so I used that as the focal point of the exhibit. Then, since rainbows is a big part of my book and one of the words in its title, I added a rainbow above a comfortable book seat where visitors could sit while visiting the tent.

While this is my first time exhibiting at a virtual writer's expo, I am hopeful that it won't be the last. I don't expect to sell a lot of books through this promotion, but you never know. It also helps to network with other writers, attend the numerous events that are also offered, and just have fun. Where else can you have this type of opportunity for free?

For more information on the Autumn Writer's Exposition, see http://www.writtenword.org.uk/

Home Sweet Virtual Home

There are many people who never have homes in Second Life or any other virtual world and, I have to admit, I did question the importance of having one when I first joined over two years ago. It seemed strange to want to have a place when you wouldn't spend much time there (or, at least I didn't expect to spend too much time there when I joined). But I guess the same reason people buy real homes are the same ones that persuade virtual residents to create their own cozy virtual nests -- to have a place to call "home" (especially useful to change clothes in SL); to have a place to invite friends (and hold those wild SL parties if you're so inclined); to have a spot to display your art, hobbies, or other interests as long as they don't take up too many of those precious prims that we are all so short of and that in real life are equivalent to space; and, in some cases, to have a place to share with a SL partner as one would a husband, wife, or family in real life.

I've had several virtual homes so far. Since I've moved a few times, I've changed homes with each move. I've also accidentally taken up my homes and decided to replace them with new places rather than having to bother putting them out again and figuring out where everything goes (a good excuse to redecorate). Currently, I have a new home that was built for me by a friend who heard of my plight when I took up my last home while changing clothes. He told me there was a way to lock my prims so I wouldn't keep having these accidents, so I might just be stuck with this place for awhile. I actually don't mind because it's rather cozy and fits well in my skybox.

It's really amazing to see what people do with their virtual homes. Virtual interior and exterior decorating is really a unique art form. And virtual builders also do an incredible design with so many house styles. Virtual gardening and landscaping is also a major pasttime, as is decorating one's home for the holidays. So put out those welcome mats, fresh prim flowers, and glasses of wine, it's time to toast your virtual home sweet home even if it's only on your computer screen.