Raevyn Addams

Took the kids for a walk through a few of the new Bellisseria regions with @momomoonusagi. Here we are at SSPE359. The trip there was a good laugh going up and down all those hills with babies in strollers. We must have looked insane!

Spotted a Mole yesterday while taking Riley for a walk around the Well Springs, Goodbury, and Rocky Heights regions. It's Frost Mole! (I love the jacket and shirt! Said 'Mole' on the back too). I didn't want to disturb, obviously Frost wasn't around to socialize and had work to do, but I will admit I just wanted to TP over and give her a big hug! Partially it was fan-girling about Moles in general (let's face it, Moles and Lindens are equivalent to celebrities in SL - at least to me) but more to say thanks for all the hard work they do, for creating such a beautiful continent, and for all the work that goes on behind the scenes that we don't see or know about. Needless to say I didn't hug anyone and Frost vanished not long after. Was still great to see! --- Also I wasn't sure on the protocol regarding bears - namely the ones they give away? I've been in SL many years but don't know much about them nor ever had one. Is it just Lindens that have bears or select Moles too? I was under the impression it was rude to ask for a bear in IMs but had to ask in local? That seems obtrusive to get in anyone's face and ask for something, especially if they're in the middle of working. It's not that important really. I was just curious. Anyway, thanks @Frost Mole and all the other Moles (and Lindens) too. Love your work. Big fan. 👍🤩❤️

This concerns me as taste is subjective and as we've seen can sometimes offend or disrupt their neighbours, be it inadvertently or otherwise. But I love the rest and truly think it's fair and necessary. Thanks for clearing it up and ending the debate @Patch Linden and team! 👍

Thanks to you and Miyo for a great day out. I had so much fun. And Riley made a new friend - her first! We should so make this a weekly thing! Rally the Bellisseria parents! And this is Riley and I at Pal Park today.

And here in Outback Australia. *waves to geographical neighbour* The way I see it, those who wanted to celebrate Halloween were free to celebrate Halloween provided they stayed within parcel boundaries and of course ToS. Why should Christmas or any other seasonal festivity be different? Personally I don't associate snow with Christmas as it happens to be summer that time of year here (unless Santa is wearing board shorts) but I don't bemoan those that do associate or enjoy it. If you want to decorate with snow, do it. I'll just derender if you happen to live near me. The same as I do anything I find offensive, triggering, or unsightly according to my personal tastes. And none have to be the wiser. While there are those who say we shouldn't have to, the fact is we can. Surely that's easier and quicker and more proactive on our part than initiating an AR, or confrontation with our neighbours if it can at all be avoided. As much as I love the look of snow (as I don't have to live with it, ever) I don't expect (or want) LL to go changing the terrain to suit. It would be visually nice, yes, but far too much work for far too little gain beyond our enjoyment which could just as easily be gained with no effort on LL's part by decorating a mainland parcel that doesn't share the same restrictions as Bellisseria. Say snow was allowed, where does it end? What about those who expect monsoon rains? Or spring showers? Or falling leaves and all orange/bare trees? Or how about dust storms and dry cracked earth as that's MY reality and a good percentage of my country for Christmas? Keep Bellisseria the way it is and utilize mainland for anything else. Simple.

The problem may be in the policing of said compromise. What happens to those items returned by people that for whatever reason weren't able to pick up all their objects still rezzed after that period? What about the potential headaches sure to come by those who lost gacha or no copy items? On top of that trying to police what people rez now, as well as trying to ensure people stay in their parcel boundary lines, seems like added work when they're already busy. As others have said not all countries experience snow at Christmas and not everyone celebrates Christmas. LL encourages residents to celebrate what and how they like within the ToS but I'd be very surprised if allowances were made for one holiday. Where would the allowances end?

Thanks! And updated! 😉

Continuing on from the post above I'll add that I'm consciously inspired by my neighbours. If I see some piece of landscaping that I think works well I'll try and use it too. It's not so much to copy as it is to continue the theme along the street. I'm one of those that like balance and harmony so you won't find jarring colours or shapes here. And since the inside is so cluttered I've kept the outside clutter-free. I did briefly try to fill the back yard with grass and trees and boating decor etc but felt too much. Less is more sometimes, at least for me. 😁

@Marianne Little; That looks great! I went and checked it out in world (as you're not that far from me) and have to say you scored a nice plot too. Removing the Linden grass and hedge there has improved your view too I think but is not so jarring you really notice anything missing in your pics. Also you know it never occurred to me to make the floor wood? *hangs head in shame* Anyway, love what you've done as always and can't wait to see the finished product! 👍 * Continuing the Adams love I've been tweaking mine too (constantly) and was inspired by a neighbour in Goodbury and another not-quite neighbour I had in Pantelleria (when I was in my former plot). I originally did try to use the pergola I made way back at the start of the first release of homes but since it didn't fit I decided to recreate it as an add on to the Adams porch. Have to say I much prefer it open-aired than with a ceiling/roof. I spend most of my time out here admittedly and it's nice to switch to a night sky (usually (SS) Atmos 6) and watch the stars and sky change colours over the sea. With a sound orb of the waves it's so incredibly relaxing. (WL: Annan Adored Dusty)

I LOVE Petulance! Actually I can say with confidence I love everything you do! Seeing your work makes me think of a graphic novel, like a comic. Only with more sense and far more visual aesthetics. The head-tilt and expression in this picture are far more interesting than what could have been a more stock-standard solemn pose of head bowed in prayer. I just love it all; The props, the decor, the time-appropriate appearance, and the lighting! @Catrie, @MiakisTheUsagi, @momomoonusagi, @halebore Aeon, @Orwar, @Angelina String, @LaraCremona, @Matty Luminos, @Chic Aeon and so many others. It's amazing to see so much talent here with each pic telling a story in some way, whether edited to the max or just capturing a moment. (And while I know this will likely be seen as playing favourites I hope not). ❤️🥰😍

Thanks! I wonder sometimes if long posts are glazed over (which I'm sure the majority are) but I usually only rant when I have something to say. Hommage paid to a thought-provoking question if nothing else. Referring to the bold part: I've been thinking about this thread/topic since wring that response and I honestly think it has a lot to do with the writer/reader mentality. I wouldn't really stray too far into psychology or the ability to compartmentalize (though also a possibility) - I really think it's because I spend so much time writing stories and hearing dialog all day that (for the most part) I can differentiate between "my" thoughts, subconscious thoughts that just spring out of nowhere, and consciously created thoughts to drive the made-up constructs forward to a point I can put proverbial pen to paper. Since I was a child I was writing stories. I grew up in libraries (though probably should have veered away from the horror section admittedly). I have always lived inside my own head. So in a way Rae (and S before her) were nothing more than extensions to those voices. Since they were initially created for the sole purpose of RP in SL anyway it makes the most sense. It's only since I've walked away from RP that Rae has come into her own and to whatever degree taken on more familiar traits, with the whole mother-thing being the most poignant. Here's an interesting footnote to my long-winded rant of earlier; Out of the blue the other day (almost about the same time I posted that long post actually) I bought some hair for my avatar from a reputable hair store. Rae's hairstyle has often resembled mine in terms of RL; long, brunette, almost always over one shoulder, no fringe/bangs; refer to the picture in that post. That's been my RL norm for almost 20-some years. Fast forward to that purchase it's a style with a fringe/bangs. I added it to my avatar and thought... "I wonder how this would look on the RL me...?" So I asked my housemate what she thought of my proposed new look of getting a hairstyle to "match" (without telling her where the idea came from). She seemed to think it a good idea and a much needed change. Guess who has an appointment with the hairdresser this afternoon? So my avatar might not reflect my RL mood but it will DEFINITELY reflect my RL appearance in a few hours (and probably mood as a result; a change of style always makes one feel better/worse directly afterward). Thank god I didn't opt for an outlandish style for her at least...

Bloodlines. Though that may be less a fad and more a "cult classic" among its most die-hard supporters. Never understood it personally, but doesn't seem as in-vogue these days.

The "evolution" of Rae over the years, since we're showing pictures. I'll get to that first one in 2011 in a bit... How much do you relate to your avatar's appearance? Very. Initially and consciously Rae was created fairly close to the RL me. Not exact of course, I was never happy enough in my own skin to the point I wanted to be myself here, but enough similarities that I felt comfortable with or could in some form relate to. That changed over the years with the release of mesh, etc. There's always been fundamental aspects to Rae's appearance that will likely never change; such as hair colour or even body shape. And I say that because the few times I have tried it never feels "right" so I quickly just revert back to what I know and feels most like "her" - and that's an important distinction to make here. As similar or relatable as Rae the avatar is to the RL me I have never seen her as a direct extension of the RL me. She has facets of me, even down to what she wears at times, but we are not one and the same. That was a deliberate choice at the start and over the years she has literally grown into her own identity; an offshoot of me. An alter-ego that is at times a projection of who I wish I could be. And who, after all this time, people expect her to be. Does your avatar change with your RL moods? Yes. But I'll give a little back story first that may help make some sense of all this... As some of you will have read over the years Rae was not my original account. My original was a male account featured there in 2011 and blacked out in that pic above on purpose. Because when he was created he was, essentially, a male form of "me" or Rae the alt, that would be created soon after. I'll call him "S" for the purpose of this post. When I joined SL initially my intention was purely to role play. After migrating away from text-based Invisionfree RP forums I brought my male character here and gave him a face that was most relatable; mine (or to a degree, Rae's). I had no intentions on "playing" as a woman here at first. S was my main and appeared as a man. Whether it was the circles I ran in or the shift in values (away from pure fantasy when I first joined to having to prove or validate one's self or be seen as guilty for "hiding" behind an avatar as it is these days) S was prematurely retired and Rae was born in his place. In an odd way I felt like part of me died when I shelved S. Most certain'y his avatar did. He had been my character at other places for so long he had developed his own personality. Since Rae wasn't planned she grew first from sheer appearance alone. And since both S and my real self are/were both fuller-figured Rae's genesis appearance-wise started purely from that. She quickly grew as S did into her own "person". In RL I can't have kids though I always wanted them. Rae became my "mother" account. She adopted a child avatar at one point, RP'd the virtual pregnancies, discovered sisters of varying ethniticies, and has over the last year or so really matured to a place where her in-world attitude and forum voice are essentially one-and-the-same. But this is where things get even more shady. Rae is still not "me". It probably sounds odd to some but after all these years R, and to whatever degree S before her, have developed their own personalities that seem to exist separate but at the same time in-sync with me. I'm not schizophrenic (though I've often joked SL encourages it) but how I respond, how I dress my avatar, how I style their home is both a reflection of what I want in the real world, and how I feel in the real world, while at the same time still being true to their unique personalities in some inconceivable way. Example: in RL I have something of a quick temper (though I've admittedly mellowed out over the years). You wouldn't know it because Rae doesn't share this trait. The minute I log her in she is there and I take a step back. My RL ends to some degree at the keyboard. I log in to escape being me, and so I plug into her. While I may seethe at some perceived slight, what others read on the screen from her will sound far more patient and tolerant than I actually feel in RL. Though I don't think this is intrinsically Second Life more than it is perhaps to whatever level some form of maturity. How we respond to any situation is a choice, and I choose not to respond with snark or sarcasm even if my RL brain impulsively thinks it. To each their own. But the point to make is at times now I don't even have to think about how to respond. She does, even though the words originate from the same source. It's the same whether fictional story or long-winded forum post; sometimes I sit back and read over and get a sense that someone else wrote it. Because to some degree someone else did, subconsciously. When I am upset in RL I have a tendency to wear black-eyes in SL; completely black or demon eyes. Sometimes horns too. Coincidentally a close friend that I met and made in SL took to mimicking me and adapted it so we could communicate without the need for words, we could just see when the other was having a bad day, or run of bad days - which was handy when we were for a time partnered in SL. Sometimes dressing a certain way can be like a protective suit of armour to keep the world at arm's length. I'm guilty of this in both RL and SL, though it rarely fits Rae for long. In RL I live in black all year round. Rae does at times, but she is more flexible than me in that she can get away with wearing clothes or hair styles or add-ons that I as the RL me would never dare to don in RL. She's both my freedom of expression and something I won't ever be. At times when I'm feeling particularly flirty or girly Rae's choice in clothing or colour-scheme will change too. It sounds odd perhaps but there are times I look at photos and can see my moods. In the last few months I've discovered a new interest in photography beyond snapping whatever's going on in world to actually setting up scenes, something I rarely did before now. Even these staged pics reflect my mood right down to the amount of light I use. Some are brighter and more colourful and happier, some less so. Though strictly defining pictures to mood doesn't take into account what else might be driving it, like a certain outfit or accessory. But the psychology of photography is its own conversation and best left for another time, considering this post is going to be long enough... Have you ever experienced an avatar appearance that just felt uncomfortable or off? Yes. Rae as a skinny blond avatar simply doesn't work. I tried. I don't feel her at all. Nor does she shine through non-human avatars. Though I did buy her a zombie avatar once because it was on special and thought it would make for a good picture. I was wrong. I don't think she's worn it beyond that one time she tried it on. On top of that certain add-ons lend themselves more to what Rae feels like than what she doesn't. It's hard to explain I guess unless you are someone who like me tweaks their avatar's appearance almost constantly. Some faces or shapes just "fit" and some don't, and there's no way I can explain how I know beyond what I feel at the time. Sometimes the RL me grows restless or bored and seeks change in the form of re-working Rae's appearance; I have a multitude of heads and bodies and skins and such to choose from, but for whatever reason keep gravitating back to or as close to what I had before I started. Rae's never been the stereotypical girl next door type. Trying to push her into that mold does not work. We disconnect. It's only when she is back to something familiar that I feel her again. I really can't explain it beyond that. As others have said, I can't begin to explain much less rationalize the concept of an independent personality consciously created from one's brain that feels at times as real as a separate "real" living being - but there it is. And funnily enough not that long ago I actually did change Rae's appearance and drastically slimmed her down. My best friend logged in and saw her and immediately said "What's wrong? That's not Rae at all." So even she had a sense of Rae and could tell when something was amiss. After years of having her be a certain way much deviation from that was jarring, not just to me but to others too. That had me thinking. And that's one more facet to this story I want to add. During RP, both before SL and now during it, I have always written stories or collaborated with other people. The more I wrote the more Rae (and S before her) kind of grew into their own, or most certainly helped to flesh them out beyond pretty pixels on a screen. I still collaborate to this day, so when I'm not in world in SL Rae is still with me in whatever sense. I'm still thinking of plots for stories and she's still in my head as a voice giving me dialog to write. And I'd be lying if I said what I write and what she says in RL didn't spill over into SL and translate in some physical/digital sense. Hence appearance and mood. Which leads me to... Does your avatar's appearance ever change your mood and what you get up to in SL (as opposed to your mood changing the appearance)? I can't say what I see changes mine, on reflection it's more the reverse is true. But I can't help but wonder at times if Rae (or her personality or "voice") doesn't influence other facets of my RL mood in that perhaps she sees things or approaches things in ways I as the RL me wouldn't. By that I mean more reacting how Rae would, or adopting her motherly persona that's really just some facet of the RL me blown up and inflated from my RL ego to appear as a separate identity. I'm sure Freud would have a field day with that; conscious Dissociative Identity Disorder. But perhaps more telling is how I relate to S. He may be offline for the most part but he lives on through stories in my head. So he went from being a concept, to a character, to an avatar for years, to a voice that still lives on in my head - almost like the devil whispering in my RL ear as the Yang to Rae's Yin. I may be looking at this too deeply but you could almost say that S was an off-shoot of some "dark" side of my RL personality, and Rae was a "light" off-shoot of his that has brought us back closer to full-circle (or triangle as the case may be). If their voices in my RL head influence how I make them appear on the screen that in turn influences my mood then I have to wonder who really is in control of this proverbial ship; them or me, or both of us, or something else entirely. The best way I can answer all this is to repeat what I have said for a while now; I see Rae (and S) as characters in a story - the way author Stephen King would no doubt address Carrie, or Pennywise the clown. My avatars originated from my head and grew into their own personalities that I relate to, at times, or try and inject myself into, and sometimes they feel so independent from me it's like dealing with someone else entirely. That's how I address Second Life; I see every avatar as a character, regardless how invested others may see themselves in their avatar. As an audience we all know these fictional character's aren't real but when you read the book or see the movie the characters certainly feel real, and live on on some sense long afterwards whether as a fear of clowns or appreciation for fashion that wasn't there before the character (or avatar) was born. This is why I will be sad the day that SL does eventually end (and let's face it, nothing lasts forever); I've made friends here both figuratively and literally. It will be sad to see them go - from this format at least. 🤔

A HUGE THANK YOU! That's great! *laughs for real* ❤️👍😍

(quote edited so as to not clog up the thread ) This was very helpful, thanks! I've saved this for future reference. I love the fact even after all these years there's still something every day "new" for me to learn. 👍 I wish there was a way to make this public knowledge (and I don't mean just point people back to this post). A lot of people don't know and don't care so they're not going to bother to search for it much less here. During a certain Halloween event objects were distributed for those taking part. Unfortunately in this object there was a flashing light source that was VERY bright with no way to mute it (only remove it altogether). It made me think too late after the event was done that all that flashing wasn't kind to the houses around me not taking part, and it wouldn't have been considerate to those who have photo-sensitivity issues or possibly epilepsy etc. Makes me feel bad now actually. Anyway, thanks so much for this info - guess what I'll be doing when I log in tonight.

Just one. I downgraded my alt once I got my current lot as I didn't see the point of having another property I'd never use, not even for a "holiday home". Though now I'm starting to reconsider. Not because I want a camper, the LI is too small for my inherent need to clutter and drag an animesh kid with me everywhere I go - though I do love looking at the environments and general atmosphere around them. This possible next style has me intrigued. And will also likely have me broke (broke-er?) if I bump the alt back up just for that. I guess we'll see. Personally I wouldn't feel weird having two or more plots, especially not now when it's really not that hard to catch a home of some sort, regardless as to whether that home suits personal tastes. You pay for premium membership, the same as everyone else. So far as I know we're not living under a dictatorship which means you have the right to choose, just like everyone else. I'm not advocating you follow mob mentality at all, but freedom of choice is one of the things that makes Second Life so great. Just remember that old tenet; Do what ye will and harm ye none.

Taking a leaf out of @momomoonusagi's book and posing with my little one for Halloween. (See, told you I'd get one done eventually!) ❤️ Also so sorry for your loss @VictoriaGrwd. Losing a beloved friend, whether furry, scaly, feathered or otherwise is never easy. Just try and remember the good times you shared and take things one day at a time * hugs* 😭

Due to the nature of these forums isn't insane predictions mostly what we do? 😜 (Besides, it's a fun way to pass the time while we wait for the "soon" ™ ©® )

You're welcome. And if that was your goal then I would confidently say "Mission accomplished!" To answer your question; People? No. Objects? Yes. I saw more mesh-prop zombies, monsters, ghouls, and witches than I did actual avatars but I DID get a lot of goodies just the same. But better than that was the amount of places visited that I otherwise wouldn't have seen, as well as enjoy the decoration and sheer dedication some put into this... festivity? And just to stay on topic here's a pic I just took this minute in-world; me out front of my house in Bellisseria atop my giant spider mount waiting for early Trick or Treaters to swing by... A And just in case you were wondering (which you probably weren't), here's a special message on my spider's butt (yes, it's carrying a bucket of treats there too)

This has probably already been mentioned, spotted, speculated over and such but I only just saw this tonight off the coast of Goodbury; Ice Fishing - Shack (Jan 2019) owned by Constantine Linden. Could ^THIS have something to do with THIS... And THIS? (Considering it's located pretty much where the red arrow is pointing to) Or has this already been discussed and I'm just late to the party? Either way it was an unexpected sight to see on my travels. Very cute addition! SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moonia/192/49/21

Love this! You know how they say every picture is worth a thousand words? There's so much unwritten narrative that could be penned from this one picture. It's true art! ❤️

I'm not sure that's even possible now is it? Forgive me if this isn't what you mean, but are you thinking to be able to be rezzed in the exact same location as where the four current trad styles are? The "lego" mock-up models that are used in the building process didn't include other builds beyond the styles we currently have which means there could potentially be clipping from trees etc that may need to be edited IF another style was able to be rezzed in where the current 4 trads are able to be rezzed now. Not impossible but not sure the team want the extra work either. Though as to how much work that potentially equates to or if it competes with creating whole separate regions specifically designed for others styles remains to be seen I guess. I'd absolutely love to be proven wrong here since I want to keep my land, dammit! Of course the builders could circumnavigate that problem by ensuring further styles didn't extend beyond those dimensions used in that mock-up too so... I don't know. All I can think of is PORCH and am mentally making grabby hands for it already. Curiouser and curiouser... 🤔

The texture pack is used to texture objects you create to add on to your build/house boat. They aren't used to change the walls or deck or anything else (UNLESS as said you create add-ons for it as some of us do). The only way to change textures of walls, floors, windows, roofs, and decks in houses, house boats and campers is by using the control panel. That's it. IF you want to change the texture to something else you will need to create something to go over the existing deck and use one of the textures in the texture pack OR a different texture - and you can upload those or find many for sale on the Marketplace. But as you're new I'd suggest don't go crazy with any of that just yet unless you really wish to explore building. And by all means, you certainly can. Unfortunately as many of us have discovered that the textures we get in the texture pack aren't 100% identical to the ones we see on the builds. The ones on the builds have been "baked-on" most likely using the building program that the creator used to make the builds. There is NO way currently to replicate that effect in Second Life. It's just not possible. And the creator of the build WON'T share the exact textures. So the textures provided in the texture pack are the next best thing. So to simplify: again, the only way you can change the deck is to use the control panel UNLESS you build over the top of the existing deck (and use a texture on what you build). That's all you can do.

First thought: OMG LOOK AT THAT PORCH! Second thought: Oh ff-... I mean, dagnammit! I just get settled and this happens... Welp! Time to dust off the alt again and bump them back up to Premium *grumbles under breath but is actually equally excited too*