Birthdays

Not everyone can say they have two birthdays.. well some of us can. I remember three years ago, I was given a name of a Virtual World and was told that I would enjoy it, they seemed to think I had an Inquiring mind! I had not been what is called a true internet gamer, I spent most of my time in Yahoo chats, which if you have ever done so know that it can be fun, and also trying on ones patience at the same time. Your subjected to whomever,
bombarded with constant IM's with the most common phrase "age, sex and Location, and in that order! These certain Im's seem to follow you no matter where you go as well, doesn't matter what room your in, they just keep demanding it. I put up with it for I had gained many friends on Yahoo, and lasting ones at that! As I say in my Novel that I am writing, it was time for a change...although I still look in on my friends there, I have for the most part moved on!

I had no idea three years ago, that I would be still talking today of this Virtual World, called Second Life. My early days there were not so pleasant, I was thrust from help Island within the first hour by my also curious son, by accident, to spend my next two days wondering in the dark in a swamp. Was about to call it quits when I met what we call an avatar representation of oneself ( Yeah right lol), who at the time was an Angel of light for me! She even had to show me how to click my in world task bar to chat, looking back it was quite embarrassing moment for me. Her name was Maddy and about a year into our friendship she up and disappeared, I will forever be grateful for her compassion that night, she even showed me where to get free clothes and introduced me to some of her friends. Its not easy being a Newbie!

My years in sl Ive had many great adventures and developed many lasting friendships. Its not everyday you meet people from all over the world in one place! I also have discovered so much about myself as well, and I don't think I am the only one who has experienced changes, for me they have been awesome! What makes the SL experience over the last years give me a warm and fuzzy feeling, has been to discover the person next to you dancing is bedridden in rl and, or cannot get out and socialize anymore, and they are having the greatest time! That makes every time a build disappears, or inventory ends up missing, or a loss of friendship occurs in sl a blessed day anyways! We never know who is behind an avatar, so always respect others.

About three and half months into what I first called a game, I had complied lots information, about the people and places in SL. That produced a light bulb moment to write a book of these very creative and sensitive, and some not so sensitive people I had met. During the beginning of January through the end of February of 2007 I had done just over 400 interviews, mind you they were not lengthy, but got the main information that I wanted to know, and that I hoped others would find interesting.

The next coming months changed things a quite a lot, seems most people in SL find relationships, seems many are compelled in some way to do so. I mean deep seeded beyond friendships sort of relationships. I also fell into that category, unbeknownst to me it would last so long, could say almost a two year period..
during which my perspective on writing took a turn. Interest's at the time had turned to Art.. and that is where it ended some time later.

Since Relationships for the most part end in Sl and statistically is almost 99% they do, I am not surprised at mine ending as well. This last year since that occurred, I couldn't be more happy, my rl and sl lives are very good and finally put back into perspective. My book never the less changed, well I tore the old one up, and have rewritten it into a Novel, it will only have fictitious names, so all will have to guess at who you are. I plan to write another with actual names if all are in agreement, we will see! If it gets written will be better than the first I attempted to write.

This is my rezz day, (sl birthday) and spending a bit different this year! I will be attending my SL brother of 3 years wedding! I am extremely happy for him. I hope he and his lady will change the stats on SL relationships! It will be a great evening, probably the best I have ever had! For the compassion and trust of true friendship out weighs all!

By the way I haven't given up on Love LOL ...............Butter