I know people say the most compelling thing about Second Life is the friendships we develop. There is a lot of truth to that idea. Over the years, my primary virtual friendships have moved out of SL and into other online platforms. I connect daily via Twitter, gtalk and skype. Plurk comes and goes depending on my tolerance for and interest in the latest drama du jour that always seems to be percolating.
In addition to my friendships in SL, what always called to me were the projects in which I was engaged. I started out hosting at Molaskey's Pub and for years listening to music there was part of my routine. Then I began writing for New World Notes and the focus of my SLife was tracking down interesting events and writing about them on a weekly basis. For a time my 365 photo project held my interest and after that Art Screamer was born. Talking with Zachh and Amase and working with the talented artists we hosted on the sim was probably the most fun I have ever had in Second Life.
Then last year I got sick. I knew something was wrong and I was really stressed out. Doctors and tests and trying to figure out what the hell was going on was my priority. During this timeframe I was offered a job writing for AVENUE magazine and while I was very excited and honored to be asked to write professionally again, I was in the middle of biopsies and procedures and scans and I just could not make it work. Frankly, it was a bleak time for me.
Now, my life has settled down and I know I am not dying. This is a very very good thing!! I find my bandwidth for nonsense is thin and my connection to things in Second Life that used to be important to me is hanging on by a monofilament. I am drawn to being inworld but I am like the proverbial noob -- I don't know what to do with myself when I am there. My SL friendships thrive without my avatar's presence and yet I crave the wonder and excitement I used to experience. What to do?
I need a project!
Zachh and I talked about reviving Art Screamer again. I don't know what will come of that. There are many volunteer opportunities out there. I could make good on my promise to myself to learn to build once and for all. I really don't know what direction I will take just yet.
My plan (today) is to do another 365 project. I am going to log in to SL every day. I am going to look for a project. I am going to take pictures and write words. Maybe something will come of this effort and maybe not. Time will tell. In any case, I am glad this blog is still around and I hope to dust it off. I hope someone is still out there reading.
If you see me in SL please wave. I will probably be in my park standing around wondering what to do next.
Cheers!
7 comments:
One word: trebuchet.
-ls/cm
Yay! I'm so glad you're doing another 365 project. I'm just happy to read any of your writing.
I'm often standing around my parcel too wondering what to do. Perhaps we could wonder and ponder together sometimes. :)
I should build a trebuchet! That is it.
Carrie we certainly should!
definitely still reading!! good to see you blogging :)
I'm new to your blog, but I'll continue to look.
YAY!!! Happy happy!
So, Marx and I were on my photo slab, and I'd been working on a letter tree, and I wasn't happy with it, and Marx decided to play with physics and BOOM- letter explosion all over the sim. My apologies for the rogue Times New Romans you'll find lying around. Please delete 'em.
Glad to see you here. I wave every time I see your yellow dot beside mine. ;)
xoxoxo
Having a project waiting for me in SL always gives me the smile to know I'll have something to do if I want it. Problem is, I've filled up so much of my time with so many different projects that I sometimes miss taking time to "stop and smell the roses" or just to wander about, either from the road ahead of me or by teleporting to places selected from reading other people's Picks or Blogs. Sometimes NOT having a project is good, sometimes good are having ones that you know can be accomplished in a short time period (especially good if you have short attention spans or time to dedicate to your project), and sometimes having long-term projects are good. The best thing is to know that you can pick and choose what suits you best for certain times in your SL lifestyle. I have both long and short-term projects to pepper my time with. I hope you'll find something(s) that will keep you inspired and engaged. SL provides many opportunities to supplement RL projects and time with! :D Best wishes, Dahlia Jayaram, explorer, photographer, writer of The Great Balloon Adventure and many other inworld adventures.
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