Cate Foulsbane

I think of animals that look like they are suffering, look like they are terrified, and wonder...do they really feel this or do I just think they do? I prefer to believe they really are scared and terrified and, if I can, I do something about it. I think of dogs, in particular, who are terrified of men or of sticks (or other objects that might be used as weapons) and wonder if maybe that dog was once abused by a man or beaten with a stick. I don't know, but I choose to believe that the animal remembers abuse and quite consciously puts the "blame" on men with weapons.

Claim? Hmm. Is that a value judgement about what somebody else says they feel? As for feelings in a virtual world, we ARE talking about human beings, aren't we? Don't human beings have feelings no matter where they are? Maybe you see SL as a game and this forum as part of the game. Maybe human feelings are not supposed to enter into the play, might spoil the fun, or something. I am mystified.

I just don't get this business of counting how many posts a person makes and I REALLY don't get how counting "likes" matters at all. Is this middle school? Does anybody remember Slam Books? Gah!

I didn't know that. But I also don't know how anybody can tell who is or is not an alt. I have two alts, one female and one male. I created the female so I could do landscaping, etc., without constant interruptions. That didn't work as the alt didn't have the necessary inventory. Duh... The male was created to test how people would react to me depending on my gender and appearance. That didn't work, either. Long story. Anyway, I bring out the alts when I am in the mood, but it's rare. And I never ever use them around people I know without making sure everybody knows it's me. Not really an issue as they can figure me out pretty quickly even if I look like a man. I'm just not good at pretending to be somebody else. Anyway, I am, as Cate, as close to the RL me as possible...though Cate looks way better and younger. If I post here or am chatting in SL, I am me...always. I assume, because I don't give it much thought usually, that everybody who encounters me accepts me as "real"....and I do the same with others. I live in a bubble I guess. So, it always amazes me to discover that Sally is not really Sally but is Bill.....or that my new friend Margaret is actually the old friend Patty who left SL last year. In some cases, I can understand that sort of change or pretense. In other cases, I feel betrayed, pissed off, played for a fool, etc. I can accept Bill and understand his/her story. I can NOT accept being played...that person goes byebye from my life right away. As far as alts posing in this forum..so far, it's not an issue for me. If it turns out to be one in future, I will decide what to do...ignore or block or whatever.

I entered SL in early 08 and I can promise you that plenty were rude and nasty back then, too. Remember griefers? They are still around..perhaps a bit more sophisticated, but still getting their jollies by causing trouble for others. Yes, there were a lot of good folks around...creative, artistic,, friendly, warm and cuddly. And those sorts are still around if you go to the right places and do the right things. What I have experienced is that there some who come here to explore, to escape from something in RL that is painful, restrictive, boring, whatever. Some come for sex. Some, once here, realize what an opportunity the place can be for artistic expression, for creativity, and they blossom. Some come here to "play" SL as if it is nothing but another video game. The latter, in my opinion, are usually the rudest, the most unfriendly, and the most apt to cause trouble. In other words, yeah, things are different...but the potential for personal growth, artistic expression, and damned good fun still abounds. Pick your places and your people and things will seem a lot better..betcha!

Even I, a hulking expensive human avatar, have played bingo with tinies or at least squatted on a pad and watched when I was fortunate enough to remember when and where!

Update! My accountant set me straight on all this....it was of course my own bad addition and difficulty understanding any number of things having to with land and numbers and such. Everything is, and was, fine. Whew! I thank each and every one of you for patience and advice and help!

Do it! The only "rent" I pay now is for that little plot on a friend's private region...it's about love and support. But I sure do prefer owning mainland and paying for it. If I pick the right spot, and have terraforming rights, etc., I can turn a flat lot into anything my heart desires more or less and within reason. I just unloaded a big place that I created and maintained in bits and pieces for nine years..all open to everybody, blah blah. I am SO tired of owning and maintaining public places..phooey...leave me alone now and get off my lawn!

I crunched them with an earth moving machine and came up with 1024 and it should have been 11 something. I can't add or subtract...without help from a calculator, but I'm the one who operates the calculator so good luck with that!

I finally got to talk to my accountant and, among other things,, he pointed out that my addition was off...it's 11 something,,not 1024. He could feel a high blood pressure moment approaching so told me to take screen shots of everything..every thing!..and send to him. He will devote part of his vacation time figuring it out and then explaining to me. He did threaten to call on Saint Linden to help him, but that is NOT a good idea. Anyway, you have made such good clear sense..and for me that is a miracle!..that I can probably figure it out on my own. Not snotty at all..wonderfully well put. Thank you! Eventually, after abandoning, you do pay less...but, between abandoment time and your next tier payment, you are charged tier for the MOST land you owned during that previous period. If my tier is due on April 10, I don't pay less because I abandoned land on the 1st of April..I pay whatever was highest sq m up to Apr 10.

Yeah, i know...they have been so good to me re: land stuff I mangle. I could tell stories..but I wont. Last time my brain shorted, and I accidentally dumped a ton of land, I used that route and ended up with a helpful LL who spent a good half hour with me trying his best..and never once seemed about to shoot me. My partner now calls him Saint Linden. I will wait a bit before I bother those folks yet again. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HELP AND ADVICE..THANK YOU ALL! i AM NOW TAKING MY HEADACHE TO BED.

Uh....I don't know how to answer that question. My current cost includes land I have dumped or sold and will remain that way til next month. I am currently in change mode which is why I looked at my tier level in the first place...praying I can see it go down, downer, downest.

I bother those people so much. I'm afraid they will get fed up and toss me out! I think it's best I have a good talk with my accountant (my partner) and have HIM figure out what is going on with either billing or my brain. I appreciate all the advice, folks!

Yes, the private parcel is 1024. I have my 1024 Linden neat and tidy ticky tacky suburban house and also a ramshackle joint on a bayou with some bugs and chickens and weeds and stuff which, thankfully, no gators have had for dinner...yet. Somehow all of that is on a 1024. Two parcels, each 1024..one is free and one I pay rent/tier for on a monthly basis.

I get that...rent versus tier...but am used to it being referred to that way and got really confused when a mysterious 1024 showed up.