09 September 2008

SLick SLick SLick: Sept inV magazine

Check out the new issue of inV magazine

This is one SLick zine, incredible graphics design and great stories too. The interview on Emery the fashion designer, kicked ass; but dude, what about the 'badass' look, where do we go to shop for that? LOL


For newbies: SLurls won't work inside inV. A SLurl is link that will take you from your web browser, automatically launch SL, you log in, and you will be at the location originally linked in the web article.

If you are inworld, the easiest way to find a store or club is to use the Search button. Enter the name of the club, store, etc. (spelling matters!) You should get a tp icon to the store.

If there's a problem with that and you have the SIM name and coordinates, try this:

1. Write down SIM name (exactly) and coordinates

2. When inworld, hit the "map" button at the bottom of the screen.

3. To the left of the "Search" button on the map screen, enter the name of the SIM, then hit the Search button.

4. The SIM will then appear on the map. Then enter the coordinates in the 3 boxes under "Location"

5. Then hit "Teleport"

Here's an example for Club High Energy @ Nasturtium Island 83,86,25:






Voice in SL

I haven't used the voice feature in SL a lot. SL is a new world, and we are free to express ourselves in our choice of lifestyle and look. Therefore, we can relax and release the inhibitions and let our fantasies reign supreme. In my opinion, with voice, part of the veil of anonymity is dropped.
When I voice chat, SL crosses too far into RL. My RL voice is controlled by years of "polite conversation", and SL KM is anything but polite.

However, last night I was with a friend who invited two other friends, and they began to voice. One gayvie is from New Zealand, with a unique accent: "better" sounds like "beater". Another female avi is from Australia, so suddenly I'm living "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". And the other gayvie from Canada, so very, very, very nice. It was astonishing to reflect that RL KM, sitting in central California, was chatting with ppl from time zones from +3 to +18 hours. The smalltalk flowed smoothly and I'll admit RL KM enjoyed it. But SL KM was on hold, since RL KM's voice can't channel the badass/gun-toting/gansta SL KM in.

Of course, there are gayvies who prolly get off on voice-sex with their avis, just like webcamming or calling one of those 900 phone numbers. During SL sex, I have to express a physical movement in words, i.e. "KM gently bites your necks, observes a bead of blood, spreads it on his lips and kisses you". Voicing that would be a challenge.

The jury is still out, but at this point, I think I'll keep voice for my bona-fide SL friends (i.e no SL sex). It creates a closer bond, despite the obvious loss of the badass KM as the discussion turns to topics such as favorite wine and the just outed gaseous alien from Pluto, Sarah Palin.

However, SL KM will continue typing away, brandishing his collection of guns, refusing to be a pretty boy, and loves pretty boyz lapdancing for him in their undies (black sheer preferred).

07 September 2008

Big Obama Fundraiser!!!

Good going NARO NAGY!!! I'll be there.

Here a link with more info: Obama Event

Big Loss--Devil Inside Club

I tried to tp to DevilInside a few days ago, and got the message that the SIM was no longer there. Then I read in JC's blog midcourt that it has officially closed. It's too bad, cuz this club was extremely well designed and built. I enjoyed going there just to see the imgaination and talent of the builder of the club. Also, dances were fun too.

Since I've been in SL over 2 years, I have seen a lot of clubs come and go. A LOT! I empathize with the club owner, cuz I know he/she spent a LOT of time building the club, and probably invested a hefty sum of Lindens. I hope, in these cases, it was a labor of love for them. As I don't know how a club can really generate RL returns for the owners: no cover charge, no liquor to sell, as in RL.

I spoke with a buddy who is a tekkie in RL. He has created a few objects in SL which he told me earns him the equivalent of US$400/mo, and covers his tier. Now, all he does is watch his Linden balance grow as each of those objects sells. My point is that there are RL returns that can be made in SL, if that is your inclination. I don't know what kind of returns the clubs get, but for the amount of time and energy, it would be nice to know that they earn enough to at least earn their tier.

I don't know what the solution is. I will miss Devil Inside, I have some very fond memories of that club. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment.

05 September 2008

Gayvie Events and Venues

Gayvie clubs and venues in SL are numerous, fun and hot. I believe SL has done a google on us, and the SL search engine prioritizes based on how much the advertiser is willing to pay. Ugh. Therefore, it seems on of the top clubs a gayvie might visit is Tristar. Don't get me wrong, you can find me hanging there frequently. But it isn't because of the content of the venue, basically it looks like a Howard Johnson's convention room which has been set up with a bunch of sex gear. The shag red carpet almost seems like it would be crusty from cum stains. This isn't a judgment call, heck, seedy bars are entrenched in gay culture. Whatever....

The sad thing is that there are SO many other cool gayvie venues: dance clubs, sexclubs, entire Sims (i.e. Brokeback Mountain), shopping malls, and places to hang out. As a newbie, its imperative to realize that not all gay SL is Tristar.

What is additionally needed is a centralized calendar of events for all gayvie venues. I know there are competing interests in the dance clubs, and this may never work.

So I went ahead and created a social website: "gay second life events" which can be found at gayvatars.ning.com If you already belong to Ning in RL, I suggest you create a new SL profile, otherwise yur RL profile will appear.

Gayvie event planners will have special access (i.e. be 'administrators') to post their future events, contact me for this. This will give gayvies time to plan for the event (i.e. what the theme is) and to check the calendar for upcoming or current events.

Also, there is an RSS feed from the site, which will help gayvies keep updated.

Let me know if you have any suggestions or feedback.

Ciao for now.
 
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