Sunday, March 08, 2009
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest 2008 results have been announced. ...and the winner is:
"Theirs was a New York love, a checkered taxi ride burning rubber, and like the city their passion was open 24/7, steam rising from their bodies like slick streets exhaling warm, moist, white breath through manhole covers stamped "Forged by DeLaney Bros., Piscataway, N.J."
One of the runner-ups:
"Hmm . . ." thought Abigail as she gazed languidly from the veranda past the bright white patio to the cerulean sea beyond, where dolphins played and seagulls sang, where splashing surf sounded like the tintinnabulation of a thousand tiny bells, where great gray whales bellowed and the sunlight sparkled off the myriad of sequins on the flyfish's bow ties, "time to get my meds checked."
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/scott.rice/blfc2008.htm
"Theirs was a New York love, a checkered taxi ride burning rubber, and like the city their passion was open 24/7, steam rising from their bodies like slick streets exhaling warm, moist, white breath through manhole covers stamped "Forged by DeLaney Bros., Piscataway, N.J."
One of the runner-ups:
"Hmm . . ." thought Abigail as she gazed languidly from the veranda past the bright white patio to the cerulean sea beyond, where dolphins played and seagulls sang, where splashing surf sounded like the tintinnabulation of a thousand tiny bells, where great gray whales bellowed and the sunlight sparkled off the myriad of sequins on the flyfish's bow ties, "time to get my meds checked."
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/scott.rice/blfc2008.htm
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The New York Times today gave a heads up on a Pew internet report from Dec that says "Girls continue to dominate most elements of content creation. " http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/230/report_display.asp
The Times offers possible explainations. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/fashion/21webgirls.html
They also offer sites like this as example: http://sodevious.net/
Just looking at Second Life and this all comes as no surprise.
The Times offers possible explainations. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/fashion/21webgirls.html
They also offer sites like this as example: http://sodevious.net/
Just looking at Second Life and this all comes as no surprise.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I had heard about the "Double Happiness Jeans" garment factory and I wanted to see it. I was hovering 90 meters away and had just taken this picture when someone flew up to me...
[17:02] Manager: are you an employee here?
[17:03] Manager: are you an employee here?
[17:03] You: no, sir. but I once worked in NYC's chinatown at a social service agency. we visited all the garment factories in chinatown to let people know of english language classes. I wanted to see this
[17:04] You: I have been thrown out of most of the garment factories in the lower east side. I am used to it.
[17:04] Manager: ahh at this time im sorry but only ppl that are employees here are allowed here at this time if you woulc ome back in 1 hour we will help you with any questions you have.
[17:04] You: so if you are asking me to leave, I understand :)
[17:05] Manager: for an hour yes.
[17:05] Manager: then you are welcome to come back and look.
[17:05] You: be sure to lock the fire escape doors for added realism
[17:05] You: have a good day
[17:05] Manager: likewise
Monday, January 21, 2008
I have lost a very good friend. I lost a friend without even a good bye. I suppose now that doesn't surprise me too much. She did it gracefully and on her own terms.
She came to Second Life two years ago this week. I had literally seen her walk into the Ahern Welcome Area for the first time. Even though only one minute old, she displayed a cheerful confidence. She stood out from every other new person I had ever seen walk into the WA. It was obvious that she was very special. Someone else told me later that others that knew her in those early days of the WA assumed she must be an alt. It never mattered to me if she was or not. She had begun chatting immediately with people. I dropped a folder of freebie clothing on her as I was apt to do back then and she walked up to me and her first words to me were "You are so beautiful." I will never forget that. She continued talking with people. Someone else, I no longer remember who, took her to buy prim hair. I left the WA for an hour or so and when I returned, someone told me that she had been asking for me after she returned from hair shopping. A few minutes later, she was back again and offered friendship. The next few days I would help her with SL. She would message me as soon as she logged on. She became friends with the people that I knew and for the next several months we all had many happy adventures together. I began to realize that I was happier than I had been in years. I felt that I had a virtual friend who would always want to do things with me. It was a very good time.
I also began to understand that she approached SL differently than many others. For her SL was the opportunity to have fun and be silly. Everyone that knew her was amazed by her endless energy. It was fun being with her. I don't think that she ever fully appreciated that for many others SL was the only opportunity to socialize and have friends. She was always very popular and many people became attached to her. Someone said "At one point or another, we had all fallen under her spell". Someone else said that "she can make you feel like the most important person in the world one day and less than nothing the next." I watched people begin to drop away. I saw more than one person who had been caught up in her energy turn and leave SL. She asked me once after a friend had left "why are people so stupid?" I don't think she ever understood what was happening. I very nearly left SL myself but stayed because I knew that I would miss my other friends. She is a good person. She is an amazing person. She approached SL as if it were a game. It was a healthy approach for her, but I don't think she ever understood what brought so many others to Second Life. I was no longer hearing from her by the time that she had decided to leave. I wish that we could have talked. I don't think she ever understood me.
I fear that I will never hear from her again. I count her among the closest friends that I have ever had. Others knew that she is planning to spend less time in SL. A few hours ago, during the middle of the night, she sent out a group message informing the rest of us. I have dozens of pictures of her. The name of this blog comes from what she often would call me. Nearly everything I have done for the past two years has been connected with her in some way. She is part of everyone who knew her. I am already missing her. I hope she is ok. I wish her well.
She came to Second Life two years ago this week. I had literally seen her walk into the Ahern Welcome Area for the first time. Even though only one minute old, she displayed a cheerful confidence. She stood out from every other new person I had ever seen walk into the WA. It was obvious that she was very special. Someone else told me later that others that knew her in those early days of the WA assumed she must be an alt. It never mattered to me if she was or not. She had begun chatting immediately with people. I dropped a folder of freebie clothing on her as I was apt to do back then and she walked up to me and her first words to me were "You are so beautiful." I will never forget that. She continued talking with people. Someone else, I no longer remember who, took her to buy prim hair. I left the WA for an hour or so and when I returned, someone told me that she had been asking for me after she returned from hair shopping. A few minutes later, she was back again and offered friendship. The next few days I would help her with SL. She would message me as soon as she logged on. She became friends with the people that I knew and for the next several months we all had many happy adventures together. I began to realize that I was happier than I had been in years. I felt that I had a virtual friend who would always want to do things with me. It was a very good time.
I also began to understand that she approached SL differently than many others. For her SL was the opportunity to have fun and be silly. Everyone that knew her was amazed by her endless energy. It was fun being with her. I don't think that she ever fully appreciated that for many others SL was the only opportunity to socialize and have friends. She was always very popular and many people became attached to her. Someone said "At one point or another, we had all fallen under her spell". Someone else said that "she can make you feel like the most important person in the world one day and less than nothing the next." I watched people begin to drop away. I saw more than one person who had been caught up in her energy turn and leave SL. She asked me once after a friend had left "why are people so stupid?" I don't think she ever understood what was happening. I very nearly left SL myself but stayed because I knew that I would miss my other friends. She is a good person. She is an amazing person. She approached SL as if it were a game. It was a healthy approach for her, but I don't think she ever understood what brought so many others to Second Life. I was no longer hearing from her by the time that she had decided to leave. I wish that we could have talked. I don't think she ever understood me.
I fear that I will never hear from her again. I count her among the closest friends that I have ever had. Others knew that she is planning to spend less time in SL. A few hours ago, during the middle of the night, she sent out a group message informing the rest of us. I have dozens of pictures of her. The name of this blog comes from what she often would call me. Nearly everything I have done for the past two years has been connected with her in some way. She is part of everyone who knew her. I am already missing her. I hope she is ok. I wish her well.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Friday, November 02, 2007
Wow, it is hard to imagine but I started Second Life two years ago on Nov. 1, 2005. SL was rather quiet for me yesterday. I enjoyed being able to visit with Avi Arrow in Zoe. I did hear from a number of good friends. Patch & Nevada also started SL on 11/1/05. It was good talking with them. :)
Good ol' Zoar entered the ELITE haunted house photo contest and received word late last night that she has won 3rd place. (Yaay!) The only rule was that the photo had to have been taken at the house. I had learned from Osprey to mess with some of the client controls in order to get some weird effects for photos. I figured the haunted house would be perfect for trying this.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Today is the 675th day I have been a resident of Second Life. I think there have only been two or three days that I haven't been in-world. I have been asking myself for the past several months what it is that brings me back to this place. I came to Second Life with no idea what to expect. I immediately felt out of place. This is a feeling that has not left me. Early on I was curious about what people had done here and I explored the mainland. Later, I was lucky enough to get my own house. I still have that house. It will remain as my home in Second Life for as long as I stay here.
Once that I had some roots, I began to meet other people. The idea of being part of a community rather than just being a roaming nomad excited me. I have made a few friends who have been very kind to me. I have seen people come and I have seen people go. Many of those who are gone left crushed and broken hearted. I have seen people leave and be completely forgotten immediately by others. It makes one feel very insignificant. I realize that what I had seen as community is largely illusionary. I have enjoyed Second Life. It has made me laugh. It has also made me feel very sad and isolated. The loneliness here can often be overwhelming.
Six weeks ago, I saw China Tracy's Second Life "iMirror" video. It is a 30 minute film that was shown at this year's Venice Biennale. China Tracy is a Chinese artist named Cao Fei.
"Cao Fei, born in Guangdong, China in 1978. She has been working with video, photography, performance, experimental theatre, documentary and fictional films, writing and other media. She vividly express the intense experiences of a young generation of Chinese urban youth navigating the wave of modernisation, urbanisation and globalisation. With an incredibly fresh but vigilant sense of humour, she examines and makes visible the very realities and dreams of this generation in various contexts from work to play, from suffering to happiness."
http://www.caofei.com/
I like the text she has at the end of part three of iMirror:
"I always imagine human beings behind hollow digits, all those lonely souls. We are not what we originally are, and yet we remain unchanged. Hopefully there's new possibility of combination in our electronic second life, a new force which transcend this mortal coil. On the reality's end of this combined ultra-space there are still love for simplicity and the pursuit of freedom. We are thrown into this world hollow. Every world is an abyss. God loves people, but we are also each other's salvation. To go virtual is the only way to forget about the real darkness."
Here is part three of China Tracy's iMirror:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zB-ILJlnWEE
This is the best of the Second Life videos that I have seen. It is meaningful to me because I do feel thrown into an abyss in Second Life. I believe that many people feel that way. In spite of my experiences of two years in Second Life, I suppose it is the continued hope of community that has kept me here.
Once that I had some roots, I began to meet other people. The idea of being part of a community rather than just being a roaming nomad excited me. I have made a few friends who have been very kind to me. I have seen people come and I have seen people go. Many of those who are gone left crushed and broken hearted. I have seen people leave and be completely forgotten immediately by others. It makes one feel very insignificant. I realize that what I had seen as community is largely illusionary. I have enjoyed Second Life. It has made me laugh. It has also made me feel very sad and isolated. The loneliness here can often be overwhelming.
Six weeks ago, I saw China Tracy's Second Life "iMirror" video. It is a 30 minute film that was shown at this year's Venice Biennale. China Tracy is a Chinese artist named Cao Fei.
"Cao Fei, born in Guangdong, China in 1978. She has been working with video, photography, performance, experimental theatre, documentary and fictional films, writing and other media. She vividly express the intense experiences of a young generation of Chinese urban youth navigating the wave of modernisation, urbanisation and globalisation. With an incredibly fresh but vigilant sense of humour, she examines and makes visible the very realities and dreams of this generation in various contexts from work to play, from suffering to happiness."
http://www.caofei.com/
I like the text she has at the end of part three of iMirror:
"I always imagine human beings behind hollow digits, all those lonely souls. We are not what we originally are, and yet we remain unchanged. Hopefully there's new possibility of combination in our electronic second life, a new force which transcend this mortal coil. On the reality's end of this combined ultra-space there are still love for simplicity and the pursuit of freedom. We are thrown into this world hollow. Every world is an abyss. God loves people, but we are also each other's salvation. To go virtual is the only way to forget about the real darkness."
Here is part three of China Tracy's iMirror:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zB-ILJlnWEE
This is the best of the Second Life videos that I have seen. It is meaningful to me because I do feel thrown into an abyss in Second Life. I believe that many people feel that way. In spite of my experiences of two years in Second Life, I suppose it is the continued hope of community that has kept me here.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Hey! I've updated this blog, lol.
I teleported into a sim for shopping Sunday evening. I wish I had taken a picture. About 10 people run up to me. Pretty silly, but it was fun.
[21:59] Riki Yifu: HI MOLLY RINGWALD!
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: wait whats goign on
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: o.o
[21:59] Riki Yifu: I WATCHED ALL YOUR MOVIES!
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: MOLLY WINWALD OMFG!!
[21:59] Riki Yifu: Youa re SO famous!
[21:59] You: omg, they've recognized me
[21:59] Riki Yifu: MOLY!
[21:59] Meesha Yoshikawa: lol
[21:59] Micah Kuhn: O_O
[21:59] Riki Yifu: AUTOGRAPH!!
[21:59] Meesha Yoshikawa: Konnichiwa
[21:59] You: eep
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: LETS GET HER!!
[21:59] Meesha Yoshikawa: Poor molly
[21:59] Lana Miranda: whaaa!?
[21:59] You: this always happens
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: autographnaokthx!
[22:00] Jorgen Friis: i'm confused
[22:00] Note Buaku: What is even going on
[22:00] Teshi Mikazuki: Molly is famouse!!
[22:00] Kurogane Graves: lol
[22:00] Riki Yifu gave you HeartPikopikoHammer.
[22:00] Teshi Mikazuki: stop beating up the celebrity hasbeen riki D:<
[22:01] Lana Miranda: what am i missing? lol
[22:01] Eon Mauriac: no clue
[22:01] Meesha Yoshikawa: No autographs today sorry
[22:01] Teshi Mikazuki: Meesha?o.o
[22:01] You: sorry
[22:02] Lana Miranda: ok! time to find fashion and fun, lol
[22:03] Riki spanked Molly's ass!
[22:03] You: brb, gotta save this chat, lol
I teleported into a sim for shopping Sunday evening. I wish I had taken a picture. About 10 people run up to me. Pretty silly, but it was fun.
[21:59] Riki Yifu: HI MOLLY RINGWALD!
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: wait whats goign on
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: o.o
[21:59] Riki Yifu: I WATCHED ALL YOUR MOVIES!
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: MOLLY WINWALD OMFG!!
[21:59] Riki Yifu: Youa re SO famous!
[21:59] You: omg, they've recognized me
[21:59] Riki Yifu: MOLY!
[21:59] Meesha Yoshikawa: lol
[21:59] Micah Kuhn: O_O
[21:59] Riki Yifu: AUTOGRAPH!!
[21:59] Meesha Yoshikawa: Konnichiwa
[21:59] You: eep
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: LETS GET HER!!
[21:59] Meesha Yoshikawa: Poor molly
[21:59] Lana Miranda: whaaa!?
[21:59] You: this always happens
[21:59] Teshi Mikazuki: autographnaokthx!
[22:00] Jorgen Friis: i'm confused
[22:00] Note Buaku: What is even going on
[22:00] Teshi Mikazuki: Molly is famouse!!
[22:00] Kurogane Graves: lol
[22:00] Riki Yifu gave you HeartPikopikoHammer.
[22:00] Teshi Mikazuki: stop beating up the celebrity hasbeen riki D:<
[22:01] Lana Miranda: what am i missing? lol
[22:01] Eon Mauriac: no clue
[22:01] Meesha Yoshikawa: No autographs today sorry
[22:01] Teshi Mikazuki: Meesha?o.o
[22:01] You: sorry
[22:02] Lana Miranda: ok! time to find fashion and fun, lol
[22:03] Riki spanked Molly's ass!
[22:03] You: brb, gotta save this chat, lol
Friday, February 16, 2007
The personal computer has made powerful creative tools available to millions of people. One does not need to come into a social, virtual world to be able to create for oneself. The appeal of SL for many people is the ability to see what other people are doing and to be able to share one's own creations with others. As a parent, I find that nurturing and encouraging someone's interests comes more naturally for me than excluding or saying no. I believe that "supporting the arts in SL" should be about promoting peoples' participation.
I was very excited last summer to have had something that I had submitted to be accepted for the ISEA New West show and it was very cool to see pictures of the t-shirt that I had made and given out for the show showing up in other peoples' photo blogs. :)
http://www.ludica.org.uk/NewWest/
But I was even more excited to have discovered in December the Photography Studio in Grignano. All SL residents are invited to submit photos for monthly themed competitions. I was very happy to have had photos accepted for December's exhibition and very surprised that one was picked as the month's first prize winner. I am very glad to have had another picture that I submitted be accepted for the January show. Being able to participate is more important than winning. These shows have been a lot of fun for me. I look foward to the next one. I think it is wonderful that Osprey Therian and the other fine folks in Grignano are sponsoring these shows.
I was very excited last summer to have had something that I had submitted to be accepted for the ISEA New West show and it was very cool to see pictures of the t-shirt that I had made and given out for the show showing up in other peoples' photo blogs. :)
http://www.ludica.org.uk/NewWest/
But I was even more excited to have discovered in December the Photography Studio in Grignano. All SL residents are invited to submit photos for monthly themed competitions. I was very happy to have had photos accepted for December's exhibition and very surprised that one was picked as the month's first prize winner. I am very glad to have had another picture that I submitted be accepted for the January show. Being able to participate is more important than winning. These shows have been a lot of fun for me. I look foward to the next one. I think it is wonderful that Osprey Therian and the other fine folks in Grignano are sponsoring these shows.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
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