vanettda Lassard

I'm six foot three inches in RL. I'm a little taller than that in SL. Which almost always makes me the smallest guy in the virtual room. I would love to just blame this on men, but the women are giants as well. If I am dancing with someone, at best it looks like an amazon gyrating with her son. At worst my face is mashed into her breasts which is more than a little awkward. As a side note, the animations for most couple cuddles or other entwinements are built with giants in mind as well. Be prepared to adjust like crazy. I've also noticed the big body, small head look and I also don't get it. I'm not sure if the person realizes it, but I'm not going to be the one to point this out when there are other body parts in SL are equally as exaggerated. Let them be whatever they want to be. As a relatively tall person in RL, I feel no pressing pressure to be the biggest guy when I stand next to a slider giant. I also don't need arm muscles like thighs. I do have a six pack that looks like a medical condition, but since I am nowhere near that in RL, I justify the indulgence.

When I try to explain SL to someone, or bring them in-world as a guide, the first thing I say is SL isn't a game it's a virtual world. Games have a narrative, NPCs, and friends who share the adventure's series of programed events that moves the story along. SL is a virtual world where every avatar is a real breathing, feeling person who is writing their own narrative as they go. They enter the world and ask themselves what am I going to do today? There is no winning and losing or defeating a boss level. The point of existence is you and what you choose to do with this Second Life. Unfortunately the SL interface is complex and has a steep learning curve. it may take a while before muscle memory kicks in, and basic stuff like navigating feels natural. I've yet to discover a quick fix for this. Like learning how to drive, hours behind the wheel is necessary, but once you learn it, a whole world (literally) opens up. There are people (residents) who log-in just to build. Some residents have virtual jobs. Some residents have talents that they share in-world. Others own businesses that sell virtual assets, and some residents log-in just to socialize. If you are new, I would explore and see what interests you. Join a group and attend group events like dances and introduce yourself. Join in on a discussion. As for not hanging out with 18 yr olds, I get it. As a college instructor I guided hundreds of students through SL. I taught basic 3D modeling concepts, basic alpha and seamless texture making etc. Many of those students are still around. Bumping into them on the grid, outside of the classroom can be awkward (especially if they are walking around a nude beach.) I've made the joke that everyone appears 19 and athletic in SL. Real life (RL) names and ages are kind of moot. Unless they publish their age, there's no way of telling how old they are (or what gender they identify with in RL.) And it doesn't really matter. You may find an old soul who is young or an older (more mature?) resident who acts like a teenager. After 16 years in SL, I can tell you it is worth it -- for me at least. SL has provided an escape from RL, therapy, friends, artistic challenges, love and loss. It's been rich and fulfilling. I've learned a lot about my RL self and am left grateful for the experience.

Recently I was told I was going to die. Or that I might die? Or that the chances were 60/40 that I would not exit the hospital in a gown, but a body bag? Regardless, I had time to set my earthly affairs in order which included all my Sl accounts. I nuked Alma Palmira, and Lucy Rust (or at least I thought I did? I pressed the delete account button but discovered today that they are still alive and kicking? anyway I killed them again.) Before leaving for the hospital in April I cleaned my original vanettda lassard to the bone. no pictures no textures (years of hedonistic discovery before I moved on from that particular SL stage) no clothes except my mesh body parts, hair and what ever I was wearing at the time, and anything that was just hanging out in my inventory. It looked/looks like a new account. Very Freeing. To wrap up, I didn't die. I spent a few weeks in the hospital, a couple months the in rehab, and so far six months of in-home PT. I hope to walk again someday--which beats death...I'm pretty sure...mostly... jury's still out, and after eight months, I'm back. SL is installed on my laptop which is open to anybody, and SL along with a lot of other apps, are on my keychain. So, under similar circumstances, if you were to die tomorrow would you want to delete in your SL inventory, and if so what would that be and why?