Learning to Set Limits

Apart from being A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) not yet diagnosed, if it weren't for technology and the advent of our beloved internet, frankly, I don't know how I could ever keep myself from going bonkers. My RL BF has learned to accept the fact that I come attached with a Laptop on my person, much like an avatar becomes Xcite Enabled.

Back in the DOT.COM era when millions and millions of dollars were made from start-up tech businesses no one could've conceived that the Internet would soon be a portal to a vast array of 'money making' schemes and dreams where you did not need a physical office or a handful of employees. You could make your millions just by sitting in bed, nude if you wanted to and with a few clicks of the mouse, (and of course some time invested being online) you could reap what you 'virtually' have sown.

Freedom is an empowering feeling. Especially if it's financial freedom that you have attained. But really, are wealthy people truly empowered but their millions? And does being financially empowered also include the ability to attain Peace of Mind? Can you even purchase 'Peace of Mind'? Of course not, though some may beg to differ.

You see, I am an 'all or nothing person'. It has always been my greatest challenge to find moderation in what I do. When I am off, I can easily be on the computer for days on end with little or no sleep, much less forgetting to eat. I do not surf porn, nor do I have an online business. I have several blogs of which I have let lagged and I do not shop online per se, unless it is to browse thru endless sims of malls in SL. Why don't you read a book, people have asked. Hmmm, well, I do, did, can, could, except I already have an account with Audio Books and all I have to do is download the ebook into my iPod and instead of reading, I can listen. Read the newspaper? Well almost all the major newspapers from all over the world are online too. Go out with friends? Mmm okay, but most of my good friends are in other parts of the world so email, and chat usually is the way to go. Pathetic, I know .. but hey, this is the tech revolution.

So, I spend most of my free time in SL. Why? Because SL has truly become my Second Life. No where can I spend L$5,000 on clothes, new fabulous furniture, a new home or two or three, and all the gadgets a GEEK person like me could ever want. My lastest hobby in SL is to browse thru the Land Sales Listing and visit the different Sims offering island parcels of 4096 sq m2 or more. And if a great find just so happens to coincide with PayDay then I usually end up buying an Island and immersing myself with creating on it, a very comfortable living space for myself.

It's like moving to a plot of land and picking out a new home and shopping for all the right furniture pieces and then landscaping the surrounding area. (So very therapeutic for my creative side that never fruitioned into a career and also my undiagnosed A.D.D.).

But when is it enough? When will I realize that having one island with one beautiful home, furnished with fabulous furniture be enough for just Maxine Montale to live in all by her little self. Afterall, how many single women in RL own their own secluded Island with a three-storey glass and concrete home? Some but not many. And certainly not alone.

Perhaps, after acquiring my tenth Island, I should be ready to stop. After allowing my ego to run amuck in SL (with the hopes of distinguishing it from my RL self) I should still be able to find my 'centre' and just be. That would be nice.

Or, after my tenth island, I could just upgrade to owning my own SIM and having a region named after me! Montale Isles! Talk about ultimate Ego tripping! Only in SL, only in SL.

Sigh ....

The Concept of a Split Mind

Granted there are days when I feel as though I were two or people in one body but we won't go into that here. What I did want to bring up was the notion of the relationships we create with our avatars and if in fact we do.

If humans are the 'brains' and 'control centre, so to speak, behind the actions and words of our avatars then what separates us from the personality, psyche and mind set of our avatar?

I've spoken to a myriad of avatars from all walks of SL and asked them kindly what was it that made them choose a particular avatar lifestyle or skin or image altogether (i.e. Gorean, Furry, etc...). Most said that they were affiliated or connected to an RL group counterpart and wanted to carry that association in SL, others said they wanted their SL to be completely different from their RL (understandable, for what is a Second Life if you chose to mimick your First) and a few of these made the effort to point out that privacy both in SL and RL was essential (meaning, they did not want their connection known between RL and SL). Some people had no rhyme or reason for their choice and maintained the mind set that SL was 'just a game', and then there were those handful that had carefully thought out the 'how, what and why' of the sheer existence of their avatar life in SL (yours truly accounted for).

For as many reasons that there are for the way people live their lives and choose to react to their surroundings in RL, there is no difference in SL.

I would think that within each individual, be it human or avatar, one would need to make a conscious or unconscious choice for their Modus Operandi, conscious would be more favourable.

I am also beginning to see that people DO choose from which stand of 'person' they choose for their avatar, be it first person or third person. A few do not even take the stance from any person that I can see, but rather, wantonly and randomly pillage their way thru SL creating much of the same rucus and arbitrary crime as we find here in RL. (So much for my Utopia).

But getting back to the topic of this entry ... I was thinking of the types of avatar/people mind set and started wondering what the difference was from those people that chose complete anonymity and a totally different life from their RL and those who were not particularly concerced if their RL and SL connection were known.

I realize this is a lame thought since the answers are obvious. Perhaps Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton or the Pastor of your Church would not be too inclined to reveal their presence in SL (this is just hypothetically speaking). Of this I can totally understand. But deeper still is the question of "what is it that separates your avatar SL from your RL?!"

I ask this because your avatar would not exist without your RL person getting online and working the mouse or arrow keys.
I ask this because, as much as there is some degree of role play involved, be it all or none and any degree in between, that 'role play' still comes from the person that maneuvers the avatar.

I particularly ask this because there is also some degree of 'role play' involved in our RL - no doubt about it. If that is so, then what really is the difference between our avatar and our 'self' in RL if our avatar is to some extent an extension of 'whatever' part of us we happen to choose to play out in VR?

Isn't it obvious that we share one 'mind'?

If we share one 'mind' with our avatar(s) and our RL person then can there really be a TRUE defining boundary that says SL is separate from RL? (metaphysically speaking ...)

For no matter how different we choose to live out our SL from our RL or how much the same or any degree in between, there can really be no concept of a split mind since it is all ONE mind that operates both 'self representations' in SL and RL.

Whatever reasons people choose for their avatar presence both in appearance and behaviour - it still is clearly an extension of their RL self. I feel at this point (due to this entry topic) the separate mention of SL and RL is redundant.

Which brings me to think about fantasy role play. If we all perform some degree of 'role play' in RL thus not being our TRUE selves, what about those people that live out their fantasies in SL that they cannot otherwise do in RL due to inhibitions - thus being their TRUE selves????? WTF???!

To Be or NOT To Be ...

To be or not to be. That was the question I was just faced with earlier.

Upon joining SL I hadn't a clue as to what I would do with my avatar as it explored the SL world. Shopping of course was a must. Where can a girl teleport to so many shopping malls all across vast regions and point and click and Chaching! No where but on SL .. hmm unless you're Paris Hilton? Then came the opportunity to buy a small and quaint island for myself where I spent countless hours looking for the right furniture pieces to go with my minimalist style. Then it was done. Complete. Now what?

After a few days of exloring and looking for nifty tech gadgets to play with in my SL home it suddenly happened. Well, not suddenly, but it was as if a personality (if I can call it that) started to form within my avatar. From where I know not but it was there. I somehow gave up the asymmetrical, olive, miniskirt and midrif bearing, see-thru, white shirt and diamond studded, belly button ring (I kept the stiletto heels) and started wearing suits! Business suits from a great place called Little Rebel (for those of you that want to know) and black rimmed glasses and a pulled back hairstyle.

I suddenly felt that it wasn't enough that my conversations with people were genuine and honest but that I also had to dress the part of someone who could be taken seriously.

Now this is really somewhat of a mind bender for me since I've always harped on IMAGE being important in the three dimensional world but was not essential in the big scheme of things. And as this blog is on the influence of Greater Consciousness, it was obvious that the Greater Consciousness was not with me that day I decided this.

Now of course the Greater Consciousness cannot be WITH you or you cannot be WITHOUT it since you ARE part of it but somehow it seemed as if I was separated from it or rather NOT AWARE of it. Or was I?

I started taking on this role of what I have always wanted to do in RL.

Eversince that fateful day in October 1996 when I gave up my life for the Greater Service of humanity I've only had glimpses that I was on the right path. You see, I've heard that the spiritual path was often the most difficult, I can attest to this, but even so, the challenges can get so overwhelming that I often felt I veered far off from the road less travelled and in fact jumped on a Gray Hound bus to Tijuana!

In SL you still have those challenges and tempations but it is easier to take a step back and be aware of your actions and how it affects others because you do not have the variable burden of work, family and financial matters to get in the way. You can actually BE the THIRD eye of your avatar and watch it, consciously manoevering its way around SL from behind.

And of course your avatars perceptions and its reactions to things are based on your preceptions and reactions to things in SL as well as RL - thus affecting your avatars behaviour.

Earlier, I had the opportunity of allowing my avatar to indulge in the free act of sexual exploration with a very kind and rather witty male avatar with whom I had met a few days ago. His candor and expression of 'avatar sexuality' was incredibly appealing. But I had chosen to refrain from engaging despite his charm and harmless flirtation.

Today, my sexy and charming avatar friend told me something to the affect of, ".... it's too bad that you cannot allow yourself to enjoy and be free here in SL. Isn't that what SL is about? A place to let go of your worries, to just enjoy and relax and have fun? For what is the point of having a SL if you are still bounded by the same restrictions you have in RL?"

WOW.

I knew that my behaviour stemmed from a conscious choice to NOT engage in such matters but after my avatar friend told me that .. I had to wonder.

Why did I make that choice to maintain a certain level of conduct here in SL. Was it really important to present a certain image in SL? Did it really matter how my avatar behaved or what activities it chose to engage in? Afterall, everyone knows that SL is just a creation by Linden Lab. And one of the purposes of having an SL is so you can reinvent and be anything you want to be had you had the opportunity of an SL. You can CHOOSE to BE .....

I am aware of this fact. I am aware of the nature of SL and that it opens an avenue of opportunity for self exploration or neurotic self expression. I am aware. But for some reason, I have not been able to separate the "me" of RL with the extension of "myself" in SL.

I suppose that the key word in the last sentence is 'extension'.

Are our avatars really just an extension of our selves? And if so, what allows some avatars to choose 'freedom' from social norms and socially accepted behaviour in RL and me, Maxine Montale to remain 'disengaged'?

Why am I unable to freely express my sexuality and feel comfortable with it in SL? Especially when I have not been able to do the same, for years .. in RL?

Can't Keep the Corporate Out

My vision of a virtual Utopia or mild Atlantis is starting to fade but I must have faith. Without faith in TRUTH married to intuitive, Galileo and Columbus would have never achieved that status they have now. Ummm sadly, it took over 350 years for the Vatican to clear Galileo of heresy in reporting that the earth did in fact revolve around the sun. I'm not sure how the Vatican trial system works but come on! 350 something years?! And you didn't need DNA testing to prove his claim. So what does that tell you about the Vatican System? Okay, I won't go there.

SL now has more than a million residents and their daily profit has increased considerably. I have no doubt that this will be the trend - a steady increase. After reading a few online articles here and there and blogger opinions it is almost disheartening to see that as much as SL can BE a realm of exploratory fantasy and character building and soulful connections, and as much as Linden Lab is soon becoming a Corporate something or other, the fact that RL corporations are starting up their own regions/islands is a reason for me to sit and wonder.

Will the influence of corporate giants in SL influence the acts and motives and behaviour of the residents? After all, RL corporations are the big game players when it comes to RL. It seems as if everything is dictated by these moneymaking/investor driven organisms. Note that I said organisms and not organizations.

Will the presence of these corporate leaders start to dictate the tone and flow of SL? What the hell are you talking about Maxine? You on drugs?

Drugs? Hell no! I respect my body, thank you.

I mean, if Starbucks opens up a region/island (and they will), will residents hang out there just to be pretentious and to meet other pretentious avatars that want to be seen and associated with STARBUCKS? And so what if they do?! Nothing, absolutely nothing.

If Starbucks is a platform for people to come together to meet up and exchange ideas and even 'hook up' then so much the better. But what about these corporations that want an SL presence and will obviously restrict access to employees etc? Is that so bad? No, not at all.

Then what is my point? Exactly, I may not have a point yet, but I will.

It would be nice to see if these RL corporations in SL will allow their employees to create their own avatar in whatever way they want and to obviously dress in whatever way they want OR will they expect their employee's avatars to dress appropriately and act appropriately and maybe even have Casual Fridays?

And what about sexual harassment issues? If an employee avatar is Xcite enabled and another avatar accidently clicks on a certain body part, is that considered sexual harrassment?

And what will happen to office affairs or to those employees that have been attracted to one another but never DID take the plunge? Will they be sneaking off to some Free Sex Community and play there?

Oh the never ending questions.

Fact is, corporations are a living, breathing form of organisms that can never be kept out of anything or anywhere. They live to exist and they will do what they will do. If we can't keep the corporate out (and that may be a good thing) then we can sure as hell keep opening our minds and hearts to a deeper understanding of the social and global consciousness.

We must try to achieve and maintain integrity in what we do and who we are, both in SL and RL.

Good news. The U.S. Congress has not yet found a way to tax SL investments!

Safest Sex is in Second Life

Now it had recently occurred to me after visiting a few 'special' places in SL that the safest sex you could ever have is 'cyber-sex'. I'm not too sure if that is the latest term for it. I am thinking that the words 'cyber-sex' will soon evolve into other words later on.

Of course these 'special place' visits were part of a self motivated/personal study/observational research stint that I had conducted over the past month, looking into the world of virtual sex.

I was amazed to see some of the things that I had actually witnessed. Almost like a no holds barred scenario and the funny thing is, it may be hard for anyone to stay monogamous. Not that monogamy is the state to be in, when you are in SL, since anything goes in SL. And not that monogamy is a state to be in, in RL either. I mean, I must've blogged over a dozen entries in my other RL blogs about how I believe that monogamy was not a natural state. The only reason why civilized nations promote monogamy is for emotional stability that equates to financial stability that equates to economic stability.

I do feel somewhat of a liar now. After just reading the last sentence of the previous paragraph I realized that monogamy cannot be really that for any one nation, economically speaking. It may seem that way all in paper but not in reality.

For instance, once of the largest money making industries is pornography. I am not saying that pornography discourages monogamy. I am just saying that it is a definite money maker. Also, there are those exportation and importation of women as 'entertainers' from less privilieged countries into more privileged countries - stimulating economic growth in a more backstage sort of way.

However, in SL there can be no form of abuse or use of power where one party is totally not in control because in SL, people do what they want to do and are fully aware of their actions and are in control of their actions - except for when an XCite script takes over and then again, nobody ever complains when that happens!

People are more liberated to explore their sexuality and sexual fantasies without the hassle of well, the kind of hassles you get in RL.

Although I have met a few SL residents that have had to stop their SL relationships because their RL partners told them to. Hmmmm.......

And that leaves me with the question of, is having sex in SL considered cheating on your RL partner? I mean, it IS a SECOND LIFE. And in your Second Life, shouldn't you be able to have and live a life totally different and apart from your Real Life? Wouldn't the two lives simply be that - two separate lives? Or will doing one thing in SL affect your RL?

And should we let it? And should it even be an issue?

I still think that the Safest Sex you can ever have is in Second Life - hands down! Based on observation of course.

Esssentially NOT a Game

Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle (SF Gate.Com) wrote about our fellow SL resident and In World Reporter Adam Reuters from the RL Reuters Agency.

Just click on this posts Title to go to the link on the article.

The article doesn't mention anything new, that we of the In World do not already know, however, I personally cringed every time he referred to SL as a Game?. Granted there are games that you can play and certainly a large part of the entertainment of SL is in some of the various role playing that goes on ( for me it is the shopping ). Of course I am aware that SL can easily be misconstrued that it only IS a game. A huge game where people spend US$ for L$ and make money in return but this blog would not exist if I did not take the stand point of SL being essentially more than a game .. if even I would dare to call it that.

Dear Mr. Peter Hartlaub,

Pardon me but Second Life is not any more of a game than Real Life is, if you want a comparison.

People role play every day at work, in relationships, in almost every social setting. There are marriages that are based on role playing where the couple or one of the spouses wants to leave but cannot find the courage to do so yaddah, yaddah, yaddah, so they stay. That's a HUGE game right there!

People commit infidelity, cheat the government ( and vice versa ), and gamble with their lives when they smoke, drink, eat unhealthy and carry on lifestyles that are not conducive to achieving a balanced state of mind! Gambling with your LIFE is a HUGE game in that aspect and of course you always loose.

So, I guess if you say that Second Life is a game then I give that to you. Afterall, aren't we all players just trying to win?

And yet .. there is an intuitive pang inside of me that keeps telling me to wake up and stop playing.

A Good Question

A fellow SL resident Akela Talamasca posed a good question in a recent blog entry in the Second Life Insider. I pasted my reply. ( note that I am the 11th commenter!)

11. I spend most of my free time in SL! Why? Because I can! But mostly because, like what a lot of other commenters have already pointed out, it's the only place where one can imagine, create and BE!

You know as well as I do, and others here too (someone even said it). Whatever phenomenon Second Life has created for the masses .. it IS the WAY OF THE FUTURE! Definitely.

Some say I'm nuts! But who wants to be normal anyway. I keep coming back because IT IS THE FUTURE and I am going to be a part of it no matter what!

This was a great question to ask!~ Thanks for asking it. I enjoyed reading the comments of those before me.

Posted at 6:56AM on Oct 18th 2006 by Maxine Montale (Second Life Resident)

As with all NEW things, people are always skeptical. They don't take the time to understand, or see the good. It's always the negative that is seen first. Surely, there is a right to be cautious and weary. I grant that to those that are 'sleeping sheep'. But technology has advanced multi-trifold in the last few years and these advancements and opportunites have created a spur of creativity in developments, vision and global community.

Actually, there is an energy that has been with us for quite some time now that is responsible for this RUSH in creative thought. Hmmm, I was actually going to type 'Collective thought'. I think that the term 'Collective thought' seems more appropriate.

Of course there will always be opportunity as well, to exploit NEW territories and to try to find a way to capitalize and invest. That is the 3rd dimensional nature of man. However, overall, in the bigger scheme of things, a plan that has been in the works for a very long time now is soon being organized quickly and steadily.

That plan is a call FOR humanity and TO humanity to open their eyes (third eye really) and realize the TRUTH that exists yet we do not see, that in our hands is the capability for greatness towards our future in that we can together create Peace and Harmony so that we may continue to inhabit this wonderful world we live in.

I DO believe that the Greater Consciousness is using Second Life as a vehicle to reach out. There I said it.

No Boundaries Just Bandwidth

I was over at the CNET News site just a few hours ago and there were mixed feelings about the 'selling' of names, last names in particular. by Linden Lab Last Names in Second Life are Linden generated and although the list is extensive I can see how some people would want to maintain some sort of 'physical' tie to their avatar. Though why would you really?

The 'selling' of names are being considered for corporations or groups of people who have a Second Life presence and would like to maintain their affiliation for 'branding' sake. That's how I see it anyway. So if say JP Morgan Chase Bank signs up in SL then their employees or Chase/SL affiliates would carry the last name of "Chase".

The price of a last name is not cheap. There is an up front cost and a yearly maintenance charge.

I feel lucky to have chosen an SL name that I like a lot. Yet it seems so strange that one would get charged for the use of a last name?

I am starting to see .. or observe rather thru articles and blogs that whatever issues are happening in RL they are now slowing infiltrating themselves in SL. Really, this is a sad. I was looking forward to SL being like that land of paradise where everyone gets along and there are no governments involved. As it is, there's research being done by RL governments looking closely at the economic structure of SL and whether or not people that make money in SL will need to pay taxes! OH for the love of ... !

I think I am going to start an activist campaign in SL to restrict the use of RL mentality that will eventually place boundaries inside our alter life.

The only boundaries I want to have to deal with (although not pleasant) are bandwidths .. and those silly red "cannot access" lines that people in SL place around their land making it harder for flyers to explore!

11:11 Phenomenon in SL [Soul Connection #1]

It's been a week since I met my 'wonder twin' in SL. I was shopping for some pose balls and had returned to a store that I often frequent, then I met him. I didn't feel like making small talk. I just wanted to get in and get out but the guy said "Hello" so what's a girl to do?!

It turned out we had a lot in common, both living in the same state, his birthday was THAT day (10/10) and my RL bf's was the following day(10/11). His RL gf had the same birthday as mine (2/11) and the same career as well. We kept laughing "Lol .." at the strange coincidence, but I already knew too well that there ARE no coincidences in REAL LIFE and there are no coincidences in Second Life either. It's called SYNCHRONOCITY - look it up.

After a breather from typing, I sat against the wrought iron headboard staring at the computer screen waiting to see if 'wonder twin' was going to comment more or perhaps the conversation had run its course.

Then I saw it. He typed it.

"I've been seeing the number 11 a lot lately." He said.

I silently freaked .. silently In-World that is, because in RL I was screaming.

Then I looked at the corner of my computer and it was 11:11.

How many of you have been noticing 11 or 11:11 lately? The time is near.

Creating a State of Mind

One can definitely 'create a state of mind'. It's easy. You just have to think it and believe that what you are thinking is indeed a 'reality'. People do it all the time. They do it unconsciously though. They do it not knowing that their 'belief' is in fact a form of denial.

The truth of the matter is, people create 'states of minds' without even knowing it and then they get locked into a way of thinking or belief system that really has not validation other than it's not REAL.

Like for example, believing that if you leave from a relationship, you will be hurting that person when in fact, if you DO leave a relationship - it is just a simple act of 'force of nature'. On the other end, the person that you are leaving will also 'believe' that they will get hurt and thus, does get hurt, instead of seeing it as an opportunity from the Universe to move on and continue 'growing'. Ah .. but nobody's perfect .. or are they.

I on the other hand, Maxine Montale can in fact strive to be perfect in terms of 'always following the path of truth' .. ummm, in SL (Second Life) anyway. Though my counterpart in RL (Real Life) strives to follow this path it is not as difficult in SL as it is in RL. But more on that later.

For now I just want to write about creating a state of mind in SL where you can have a connection in RL.

This for me is almost as close to a state of bliss. Lying on my hammock that I bought at an SL garden centre on a moonlit night listening to the sound of the waves as they lap up against the shore line of my island. Hmmm, my island. That sounds really nice. I find that I often escape here to this spot in SL when I want to relax. The vision of me relaxing on a hammock on an island definitely conjures up a state of 'peace' in my RK Mind.

But I do often wonder if my RL mind is not connected to my SL mind .. or if that they are ONE MIND. After all, the mind in RL is also the same mind that creates the state in SL!

Think on that .. but go deeper.

A Virtual Utopia

Man for centuries has been searching for that ever elusive land of perfection where harmony and freedom exist. Some call it Atlantis and others, Heaven. As intriguing as Thomas Moore's Utopia sounded, even that literary place was wished upon by those that occupy the third dimension.

Fast forward many centuries later and even just a few years ... San Francisco based Linden Labs' Second Life comes into being .. in a virtual reality.

I don't want to get ahead of myself but as I've always been a silent visionary I feel that now is not the time to with hold information. I am not too sure if the people of Linden Labs' have actually planned for their virtual world to have its own Ocean of Consciousness but it doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that even in a virtual world, Our Greater Consciousness remains too have its influence.

Can people of different classes, races, educational level, religion and politics exist side by side without raging wars? Yes they can, and they do - in Second Life. If you hold a premium account and own/rent land your neighbours can easily be so different from you, you cannot imagine, and yet you still get along, building, or rather, creating a community where people are allowed to express freely and live independently of social norms and mores.

Imagine a world where you have no limits to what you can create and envision. Imagine a life where you hold complete control of your destiny and time. Imagine a place where you can be at peace, fly hither and fro and when you land on someone's head, knocking them off the grid, all you have to say is, "I'm sorry" and instantly, you've made a friend!

That is Second Life>.

I invite you to Join Second Life and stop imagining the possibilities .. but actually live it!

Note: Photo above is taken with my neighbour Master Knafelec. We were trying out different 'poses' and quite liked this one. We are not a couple in SL. We just met, and made a 'connection'.

Blogging in Second Life

And why not?!

I blog in RL (real life) so it's no surprise that I should have a blog in SL (Second Life). Commonly known as Digital Femme in my RL blogs I am a bit disappointed that I can not use the same name in SL but I do indeed like my SL name, Maxine Montale.

You can choose your first name in SL but you will have to pick a last name from their list, and their list is quiet extensive almost covering most nationalities. It was not difficult for me to chose the name 'Maxine', as I have always for some reason found that name intriguing. Perhaps because the first and only Maxine I had ever known was my neighbour in Sunny Glenway, whose father was an architect and had totally revamped their townhome interior so that it did not look like all the others. She was older than me and was a ballet dancer and whenever I happened to be in the kitchen looking out at the Don Valley Freeway, I would see her walk by, so straight and elegant like, with that bun on her head. I also really like my last name Montale! It sounds French, no?

It is in the wee hours of the morning in RL as I sit here blogging, similiar to my first SL photo of me sitting in my bedroom blogging on my powerbook by the moonlit sky.

I was introduced to Second Life (SL) by my then neighbour Jerry Villareal of Tumundo.org November 2005. It was confusing at first and I wasn't sure what the whole purpose of SL was, other than to walk around their virtual reality land and change your appearance. Back then, I didn't even know you could fly!

So, after getting really bored oneday I decided to go back to SL and further explore its world. I'm glad I did. As it stands now, SL is at the forefront of a paradigm shift, in the way people interact, get educated, do business and even carry on relationships? Yup, it's true! As easy as it is to find your soul mate thru online chatting, it is doubley more easy to meet up here in SL. But no, I have not encountered any of that type of 'connection' in SL. Actually, I am in the verge of realizing that I may have met my own here in RL. But that's another blog entry some other time.

Making 'connections' is one of the reasons why I decided to create a blog about my experiences in Second Life, actually. For in the past few weeks I have met avatars, (lingo for SL figures, people etc..) that I could swear were placed in my SL path for a purpose. More on that later, as you will soon read about. Also, I thought it a grand idea to document my experiences on SL as proof to my friends that I am still alive and well, and actually going out and socializing ... just more in SL than RL!