A Wedding Fit for a Princess

by: Lucy Halberd
Most of us women have thought about our perfect dream wedding at least once. We have thought about the details of who we would like to marry, where the wedding would take place, and who we would invite. Even more of us have fantasized about the perfect wedding gown that would make us look and feel like a princess. So, what would it be like to have that fairy tale wedding? I’ve been talking a lot with a Tiny Empire princess, who would like to share with us just how much work goes into having the perfect royal wedding!

Bachel Destiny is an ordinary gal who, just like us, has thought about her perfect fairy tale wedding, however there is one detail that sets Bachel apart from the others; she really is royalty. It all started in November of 2007 when she decided to join thousands of others in playing Tiny Empires. Tiny Empires is a HUD game that runs in the background while you run about your business in Second Life. As long as scripts are enabled on the land, you are able to earn gold (separate from regular Linden currency), buy land, and purchase items that will help make your land more profitable, such as oxen, field hands, and various farming tools. Each turn takes 3 minutes to complete and gives you prompts to let you know when land is for sale, when others would like to buy your land, or to tell you someone would like for you to join their kingdom. In TE you have a liege above you and can have your own subjects below you. The acres of land you own, as well as that of your subjects, determine what your title is. At 0 acres you are a wanderer, at 1 acre you are a peasant, 5-squire/squiress, 10-knight/dame, 25-baron/baroness, 50-viscount/viscountess, 100-count/countess, 200-marquis/marquise, 400-duke/duchess, 1000-prince/princess, 20,000-king/queen. Bachel is a princess in the kingdom of Sparta and will be marrying her prince, Dorren Plunkett on February 29, 2008, at 4PM SL time.

Dorren and Bachel actually met in a Yahoo chat room years ago and are a RL couple as well as SL. They have been engaged in RL since July of 2007 and are in the process of planning their real wedding. The couple views their Second Life wedding as a way to have what their Real Life budget could never allow. Their ceremony will have an estimated 100 guests, 99% of which she met through Tiny Empires. Bachel has recently been awarded the title of Royal Recruiter of Sparta by King Elexor, who will be walking her down the aisle and giving her away. The location for the wedding has been fitted with a long aisle runner covered in their crest and has enough seating to accommodate the large crowd.

When did he propose in SL?
He proposed December 28, 2007.

How did he do it?
Well, I was going through my inventory at the time and he seemingly waited until I had the worst outfit on. He called me out, dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. Dor actually wanted to ask me at our Christmas party, but my rings were not finished. So as soon as they were finally complete, he could not wait to pop the question!

Where will the ceremony be held?
It will be held at a place called Pussy Palace (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Diablo/129/234/25/), built by Skyy DeCuir. We are getting a special deal... only L$1,000!

Where is the reception to be held?
The reception will be held at the Pussy Palace as well. Not a lot of places in SL are able to hold that many people at once!

Who is officiating?
Sundance Arizona is our minister and will also do our RL wedding if possible.

How big is the wedding party? Who is it made up of?
Ariyahnna Ember and May Rosebud are my “flower girls”. They will actually be dragons that throw out butterflies! The dragons were designed by Sundance Arizona. We have one lady in waiting, Darla Catteneo. Darla also designed my wedding cakes! Our greeter is Opal Dreadlow. Buck Coeyman is the captain. Krizz Fall, Storyguy Kidd, Pippistrello Bonetto and Jaymee Dragonash are all part of the honor guard. Jaymee was the one who custom designed Dorren’s sword for him with our crest. Our ushers are Toy Halfpint, Waylong Blackthorne, and Maddison Meredith.

Who are the mother and father of the bride?
Opal Dreadlow and Buck Coyeeman

Where was the gown purchased from?
May Rosebud custom designed my gown for L$2,000. My hair was also custom! It was made as a gift just for me by Roka Niu.

Dorren’s suit was custom made as well?
Yes! Luthander Zhou custom made a suit of armor for Dorren. The suit has our crest on it and costs L$800.

Will you be having any readings done by anyone at your wedding?
No, but I think Toy Halfpint will be singing for us! And Dorren and I have written vows for one another that will no only be used in our ceremony here, but in real life as well!

Who is your photographer?
Samira Hanson is photographing the event for us as a wedding present to us!

Who is the DJ and what type of music will be played?
Samira Hanson is our DJ as well. She will be playing a lot of romantic music, but a mixture of all kinds, really. Of course she will be playing my dedication song to Dorren, “Everything I Do” and his dedication song to me, “You Are My Everything”.

Why did you base it off of TE?
Well, I am a princess in Tiny Empires! The options in SL are awesome if you know where to look, and since we can’t afford this sort of wedding in RL we are going all out!

Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
Believe it or not it is a lot more work to plan a wedding in Second Life than it is in RL! Oh… there is a chance that the wedding will be filmed and placed on youtube, so keep an eye out for that!

"I would like to give my personal thanks to all the special people that have come together to make this wedding all that it can be, but especially to those that worked behind the scenes.

Giget Padgett, who also does work to raise funds for people with special needs. She has so much to offer.

Ultralite Soleil, emperor and the creator of Tiny Empires. This is so much more than a game within SL. It gives us not only a sense of family, but a feeling of loyalty as well. All of my wedding came from within Sparta, just one group out of many within Tiny Empires.

Sundance Arizona, who is so much more than a friend. She is the one that helped me create my double dragons as a theme. She worked really hard at decorating for our wedding.

Skyy Decuir and Patriot Writer, who gave me such a great deal so that I could even afford to have the wedding of my dreams. I am also the very first one to hold an event at this new dream land. It has been fun to watch this new land grow.

Storyguy Kidd, who works for Patriot, also a subject under me, my loyal Prince. He has been there to help with the process of getting my wedding put together.

May Rosebud, who created my wedding dress off of a picture. This dress is awesome.

Luthander Zhou, who created our suits of amour for all our men of the royal guard. His patience for last minute details.

Roka Niu, for creating my hair.

Jaymee Dragonash who created our swords using our dragons. His place is awesome for training people how to use their swords.

Elexor Matador, not only our king, he created our wedding set, plus our crowns and tiaras. He is doing me the honor of walking me down the isle.

Darla Catteneo, my wedding planner. She created my wedding cake. Her wedding shop is any girls dream.

Samira Hanson, who not only is our DJ for the wedding, but our photographer as well. This girl's work is amazing.

Opal Dreadlow and Buck Coeyman who are my SL parents. They were all the time passing me lindens to help pay for this wedding. They also work very hard for Sparta. Can not find anyone more loyal.

Ignorance Quinell, who also gave me lindens to help pay for this wedding.

Lucy Halberd, for covering this story. I have enjoyed very much our time together.

And condolences to Kitten Mostel and Deka Bikcin.
Today I marry Dorren Plunkett. I hope that you are able to move on. We both wish you the best here in SL. Dorren is now planting flowers in my garden. He is my husband, not only here in SL, but we are getting married in real life too. We hope that you find someone to make you just as happy. Best of luck to you."

Diary of The Ghul Prison Sink Freak (part 3)

Day 2: The Tower Revisited.
I woke from a nightmare but overall did not get much sleep, due to keeping one eye open on my leather clad cell mate. I shouted for a guard and one that I hadn’t seen before duly arrived.
“Good morning Sir” I said wearily.
“Morning DeSantis..sleep well?”
“Not really Sir but a dream about shooting a guard gave me the hots…...a joke Sir. Can you let me out so I can pee and take a shower, Sir?”
“Sure DeSantis..out you come”.
“Thanks Sir”.
I trotted after him like a puppy, ‘Nice bum’ I thought. Once in the shower room I stripped and started to wash.. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the door open…
“Shut the F’ing door you moron” I lashed out.
“WHAT YOU JUST SAY DESANTIS?”
I looked again and there stood Mr Grumpynuts, the guard from yesterday.
“ I said..watch the floor your on Sir..it’s wet” I quickly replied, thinking fast.
“Mmm I’m sure that is not what you said but switch the water off and get dressed..I want a word” he snorted. I’m sure he was gazing at my xcite tackle.
“Oh ok Sir…Is it about the sink Sir?”
“ For God’s sake DeSantis, enough with the sink thing already!!!”
I could still feel his eyes on me as I dried off and dressed. We left the shower room, me following him.
“You got a problem with hygiene DeSantis” he snapped once outside.
“No Sir” I sniffed and realized maybe HE had the problem. “it’s not me Sir, it’s the fact that there is no sink in the toilet”.
“There you go again with the sink thing DeSantis!!!”
“Sir, it’s not me it’s the sink or rather the lack of one” this was starting to get to ME now, but I have to continue with my persona and mission.
“Sir, it’s simple. Health & hygiene regulations clearly state the every toilet/lavatory/rest room or whatever MUST have a sink in order for the user of said facility to wash his/her hands after using the facility concerned”. I couldn’t help but smile and turned to walk away to the yard.
“DeSantis, DO NOT WALK AWAY WHEN I AM TALKING TO YOU..AND NEVER TRY QUOTING REGULATIONS TO ME OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF STAFF IN THIS FACILITY” he stormed.
I turned round, hands on hip, ready to make another cute remark..and stopped in my tracks. He had some sort of leash in his hand. I could feel the blood drain from my face.
“You understand NOW DeSantis?” and this time he was eerily calm. I backed off a bit and simply replied “Yes Sir”.
“Good, now get out of my sight maggot. Get in the yard..NOW!!!!”
I made a hasty retreat and was met with stares and messages from the other inmates. They warned me that I had been skating on thin ice and NOT to push Grumpynuts too far. Point taken, I decided to work out in order to calm the situation down. After the workout, I went for another shower and overheard the following ..
Guard X: God is Desantis in the damn shower again?
Guard Y: yep, maybe he is hoping for company lol”
Guard X: LOL. Has he asked you about a sink yet?
Guard Y: Sink? No. What does he want a sink for?..he’s always in the shower!!!
Guard X: Ask deSantis about it, but I warn you..that guy is going to be trouble!!”
Guard Y: Looks ok to me, works out and is social!”
Guard X: Well, just don’t get him on the sink thing and have a lash ready in case He starts on the subject!”
Aha..looks like I am getting to them but have learned not too push too hard at one time. Hehe, this is going to be fun.. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I dressed in fresh clothes and returned to the yard to find myself alone. I sat on a bench, smoking. A guard appeared, quite cute. What grabbed MY attention however was that he had his xcite tackle showing!! ‘Aye aye’ I thought, ‘What has this guy been up to?’
I could not resist myself and duly clicked on his privates. Up came the menu and I smirked as I pressed the ‘squeeze balls hard’ option.
“Stop that” came the immediate response. Needless to say I continued to click on the painful option, even as he walk away and vanished. I kept on clicking as another guard appeared. I asked him what the regulations stated about staff flashing. He replied that it was not usual for that to happen and asked why. I said that I was just interested and that it wasn’t important, meanwhile clicking away like mad on the menu hehe.
The cute guard appeared from nowhere, his face dark as thunder and his tackle gone.
“DeSantis, just what the hell do you think you are doing?”
“Me Sir, what Sir? I am just sitting here having a smoke Sir”
“Oh a funny man are we? Right..maybe it’s time we found out just how funny YOU think this is. The Tower…NOW” He smiled as his chain locked onto my collar and dragged me to that evil building.
I was about to find out just how bad things could get.
Due to the graphic nature of the punishment inflicted by that guard, I cannot write it here. I am in the process of creating a SL book with the full story, unedited. All proceeds will go to charity.
Next time: Day 2 Part 2.…The Tower AGAIN!!!

Diary of The Ghul Prison Sink Freak (part 2)

Day 1 (part 2)
So there I was standing in the shower room and I thought.’why not’. I got undressed and stepped into the shower, after turning it on of course. It was refreshing to get rid of the blood and other yucky stuff, though the hot water stung the lash marks that made my back look like a road map of the USA.
I dressed then shouted for a guard. As there is no paper or pen in my cell, the conversation that followed went like this. ( M=me G=Guard)
G: What is it DeSantis?
M: Could you come to the shower room please Sir.
G: Dammit, one minute DeSantis.
M: No problem Sir, I’m not going anywhere it seems.
G: Watch your lip.
M: (whispers..Gotcha) Sorry Sir.
The Guard arrives at the door
G: What is it?
M: No sink Sir!
G: What? !!! (door opens)
M: No sink Sir.
G: You taking the piss DeSantis?
M: No Sir, just had one, that’s why I need the sink Sir.
G: What the f*** for DeSantis?
M: To wash my hands Sir.
G: WHAT?!!!! (now seems to be getting angry haha) What you on about?
M: Obvious I would have thought Sir…Take a leak..wash hands. Only I can’t Sir.
G: Can’t what DeSantis? Take a leak or wash hands?
M: Are you thick Sir, just said I took a leak but no sink Sir.
G: Use the shower (I think he is testing me now) and watch your mouth DeSantis!!
M: Waste of water Sir. Ouch
15 seconds later I am back in the cell.
G: Now let me get this straight DeSantis. You need a sink to wash your hands?
I roll my eyes, think he is starting to get the point..
M: Yes Sir
G: And you can’t use the shower for that as it is a waste of water?
M: 2/2
G What the f*** is 2/2?
My god this guy is thick but I smile sweetly..
M: It means two out of two correct Sir
G: You bad mouthing me DeSantis? ..coz if you are…
M: No Sir, I wouldn’t dare Sir (even though I was!)
G: Then shut up about the damn sink and stay there.
M: Yes Sir! (whispers..Can’t go anywhere anyway you moron)
He walks off and I’m left on my own for a while. A few minutes go by and a new guard appears
G: You new DeSantis?
M: Yes Sir
G: OK, out to the yard.
M: But Sir…
G: No buts…out!
I’m thinking of telling him about the other guard’s order but hey, if it gets me out of the cell so much the better. We get to the yard and I start chatting to the other Guys. Suddenly I am on my back, I stupidly answered yes to an animate request. I look down and there is some nutter trying to hump me.
“What the f***uck you doing man?” I scream
“Pouncing you buddy” the idiot replies.
“Get off me you twat, I’ve only just showered and you look filthy” I retort.
“No harm done bud” ‘Pouncer’ answers.
“NO HARM..NO HARM.. I’m filthy now asswipe” I scream and rush off into the shower room. Whilst in there I hear them chatting.
Prisoner 1: What’s up with him?
Pouncer: Dunno, is he new?
Prisoner 1: Yeah, second shower he has had already. Wants a sink too!
Pouncer: A Sink? What for?
Prisoner 1: To wash his hands apparently?
Pouncer: he a nutter or what?
Prisoner 1: nah, you’re the nutter in here Pouncer lol.
Pouncer: Right..that does it.
I stroll out to find Pouncer trying to hump the other guy. Looks like this place isn’t so bad after all. My mistake.
“DESANTIS..WHAT THE F*** YOU DOING OUT OF YOUR CELL?!!!!”
‘Oh Christ’ I thought ‘here we go again’.

End of part 2. Next episode; Day 2 ...The Tower revisited;
Footnote: Pouncer is not the real name of the prisoner.

Diary of The Ghul Prison Sink Freak (part 1)

Part 1: Day of Incarceration.

It happened so fast it made my head spin. After spending hours getting ready for the party (one likes to looks ones best), I arrived. Just about to say Hi to everyone and then WALLOP!! I’m arrested.
A bloke is standing in front of me looking none too pleased.
“Baron DeSantis you are under arrest for exposing yourself in a public toilet.” With that he slapped a collar thing on me and dragged me to a cell.
Well as you can imagine, this came as a bit of a shock… especially when I could hear cries of pain in the background.
“Get in DeSantis, get some sleep, you’ll need it” the quite hunky Guard growled, menace and evil slipping out with every word.
“Hey, you can’t do this to this to me, I’m innocent and …..and well I’m innocent !!” I shouted…bad idea.
“DeSantis, that’s what they all say and DO NOT SHOUT or it’s the Tower for you prisoner”.
You know what?, the twat even smiled as he said it, but not a nice one.
“Ye ye you still cannot do this to me. I’m a member of the press and I’ll sue the ass off of you, you prick” I shouted again. REAL BAD MISTAKE!! Before I could even say sorry, a chain appeared on my collar and I was dragged, non too gently, to the Tower.
Modesty and the bad memories forbid me to inform you what happened. It was not pleasant for me, but the guard thought it funny…twat.
Duly subdued I was returned to my cell where I hastily IM’d the crew to say what had happened, mainly asking for a lawyer. I was too sore to sit and the mattress looked non too clean so I stood there waiting.
“Shall I shout again” I thought “m.. maybe not”.
I looked around the hell hole I had been placed in and I cringed… filth everywhere. My cell consisted of said mattress and bench. Nothing else apart from a leather guy grinning at me (where did he come from?). I looked up and there was a guard grinning at me too, that’s when I noticed the awful truth. A sign above my cell read “Baron DeSantis”, it was true then, I was a prisoner. The guard told me to follow him and opened my cell door.
“Ugh ugh “ I thought, he’s taking me back to the tower. “No way José am I going back there” hastily adding a Sir to it.
“Don’t panic DeSantis, I’ve had my fun for this hour. You have a visitor, follow me”.
“A visitor” I thought yes ! A lawyer. I decided to toe the line (for now) and duly followed Mr Grumpynuts to the Visitors room. There sat my boss , James T Juno. I won’t repeat what was said as that has been covered in a previous article by Dana Vanmoer. The long and short of it was that I was here for the duration. The meeting lasted just minutes and Mr G took me back to the cell, then a surprise! He ASKED if I wanted to go outside
“But don’t get excited DeSantis… I mean The Yard”
Damn. I again followed, bumping into the walls, due to being unsteady on my feet with nerves and shock from the inflicted beating and CENSORED. He led me to the large exercise yard where the weights etc are located. I looked around and there were other people looking at me. I spun round to look for the guard but he was gone. Gulp.
“Hi” I typed and was bombarded with hello messages. The natives were friendly.
(This is were I got my idea for my character whilst inside) “Is there somewhere I can clean up? I’m kinda sticky with blood and stuff“.
A convict showed me the shower room and thankfully left me alone.
It was then I realized..shower…toilet…dirt…wash hands. I checked and BINGO.. NO SINK, my persona of The Sink Freak was born.
More in Part 2

Beauty is Far Deeper..

Hmm…sometimes stories just walk right up to you. I had promised my very lovely editor that I would try and write an article for the Redlight section. And so I found myself standing like a goof in the middle of one of SL’s public orgy rooms, waiting for inspiration to strike. Several ideas flitted through my mind. The interest some men have wielding penises like light-sabres, for one, and how the orgy rooms seem to be a popular first port of call after Orientation Island, for another. But then he walked past. I’ll let the story unfold through our IM conversation, shall I?

EC: Hi Ancien?

Ancien Beauchamp: Hi

EC: You have just walked past me and I am interested in your avatar

Ancien Beauchamp: Thx (he returns)…also your avatar is interesting... :-)

EC: I have to be frank, it's refreshing to see an avatar that isn't 25 and buff…

Ancien Beauchamp: Well... I have no tattoos

Ancien Beauchamp: and I am some kilos overweight

Ancien Beauchamp: I need glasses

Ancien Beauchamp: and my hair has gone

EC: The sunhat is a touch of genius

Ancien Beauchamp: It’s because of my…er…hair... you know.

We adjourn to a nearby sim with park benches out of the way of the light-sabres and a tattooed avi who is over-interested in the Cortes curves. I find myself worrying about Ancien’s knees…I don’t want to force him to sit on one of the orgy room’s low slung cushions…

EC: I should come clean. I am a journalist for the SL-Newspaper and I was going to write about one of the orgy rooms but it was leaving me kind of uninspired. Recently I wrote about project called the Avatar Identity Research Centre and I got interested in how different avatars are perceived in SL. I have met VERY few age-orientated avatars. I am really interested in why you choose to present yourself in the way you do and what reactions it provokes.

Ancien Beauchamp: Well…I have to admit... this is not the only avi I have. First of all... I have to say that with this one... well... more girls are contacting me than with the others

EC: Are the others male too? More conventional?

Ancien Beauchamp: Yes. One is a very normal male, not so muscular, etc. If you like, I can show you.

EC: Sure!

Ancien Beauchamp: So you can have an idea…

And so he shows me. Gone is the little dumpy man who reminds me of a mix between my grandfather and Truman Capote and there is a, well, handsome male avatar. And even then I can see that there’s something bland in this Ancien compared to the “old” Ancien.

Ancien Beauchamp: Something like that.

EC: Ok. So, what do you think makes “old” Ancien more appealing to women?

Ancien Beauchamp: No, not more appealing… I think they (you) think it is strange that a man chooses an ugly av.

Ancien Beauchamp changes back into dumpy old bald Ancien and asks for my advice on his camisole …one sporting a lovely feminine 1970s floral pattern, in mauve.

Ancien Beauchamp: and the sun hat... :-)

EC: They are excellent choices

Ancien Beauchamp: When this avi is on, I go around and look. It is very interesting to see reactions. But, well... if you want to know... with this avi I haven’t had sex. However, some escorts try to offer me a rebate…( he mimics) “50% off…300L$ normally, but for you 150L$”

EC: I can see that if I print that, more men may be trying on an old avi. Do you notice a difference in the way people speak to you?

Ancien Beauchamp: A couple of girls surprised me; they started talking to me and they said that wasn't so much important how I looked. But other girls, when I said "Hi!” said "Hi-bye"…

EC: Nice...

Ancien Beauchamp: Yes

EC: What prompted you to create Ancien?

Ancien Beauchamp: I wanted to experiment. I started with a "normal" one with size and skin similar to me in RL, very conventional, then I tried to change something, to have a more muscular one and then this one, old and deformed. I always went to the same places but with different looks and I experimented with different reactions.

EC: So, what have you got out of the experience?

Ancien Beauchamp: Before I tried this “old” avi, I thought that only good looking female avatars were interesting people but then I started to be interested also in other ones.

Ancien Beauchamp: but they must have something in their profiles

EC: for example?

Ancien Beauchamp: I don’t know…a phrase or a picture, or something else…

And, do you know, I found myself hoping that there was something in my profile that Ancien liked. The person behind the keyboard had a sexier mind than one could hope for in a room full of porn Jedi. Of course, these are the edited highlights of a conversation that ranged over music and SL orgy rooms, and that started to build a friendship. I find myself feeling sorry for the “hi-bye” girls. They have missed out. Big time.

Story of a ' Lifer': krystal Lebed

As mentioned before, a ‘Lifer’ from The Ghul Federal Prison contacted me, saying that they would be willing to be interviewed. Despite the name, I was not sure whether the inmate was male or female until I was escorted by Vince, into the interview room, rather than the visitor’s area. This is a transcript of what transpired (some points have been deleted for legal and security reasons)
Baron DeSantis: Thank you Krystal for being willing to be interviewed. What inspired you to become an inmate, especially a 'lifer' ?
Krystal Lebed: I have a very hectic real life. The thought of having a controlled environment appealed to me. I have not found the rping spirit, nor the community that I have found here, anywhere else in SL.
BD: MM interesting. what is it exactly that appeals to you by being an inmate?
KL: One of the main reasons I come here is for the intrigue, right now I am involved in several plots, the twists and turns of them are like creating a book but also being a character in that book at the same time. Gavin [The governor] has been able to set up a medium which is stable enough to allow this to happen. It lets you look ... Hmmm…it lets you be bad, when you’re not really... I suppose, you can explore parts of characters that you can't of course in real life. For example... in real life I haven't touched a drug in all my life... I don't even know the right words for them, (making it hard to role play by the way.. without the slang, you just sound like an idiot) but here... I can pretend.... try and act the part... although in this case I am rather lousy.
BD: Sounds like life in here is not as dull as I imagined. So how do you pass your time?
KL: The inmates and the guards set up their characters... when we talk to each other like I am talking to you now, we are 'in role' if we are out of role we put (OOC) in front. So a lot of the time is spent, if alone in the cell, hatching plots with a neighbour. Had a great one to assassinate the warden... sighs.. but 'they' found out
BD: And what happened?
KL: There was a random cell check, and to play the game fair I had to say there was a gun in there.. took me months to get it.
BD: How did you manage to smuggle a gun in (if you don't mind me asking)?
KL: A guard that wasn't on the up and up, some of them you can bribe (smile)
BD: Just as in RL I would suppose. How long have you been in here?
KL: The person behind the avi, October... but changed avi's in December because the first name was more a BDSM character and I wanted to make a rich bitch who everyone loves to hate.
BD: Have you based your avi on anyone in particular?
KL: No, hmmm I just always think, how would I act if my parents had always given me everything... ohhhh I know like that girl on Charlie and the chocolate factory, the one who wants the squirrel. I am the only one is the whole prison who has a pillow! Because when Krystal came in she whined so much about the lack of decor Gavin finally caved in a bit. Krystal is still working on the window, a matching blanket and some nice Victorian curtains.
BD: So your cell has a window?
KL: No the character is working on trying to get one but don't think Gavin will be worn down that much. He is getting too busy nowadays anyway... its amazing, it used to be just him and I in the mornings, and now, there are soo many people!
BD: OK. So you spend a lot of time in here, how do you interact with other inmates. Male and female?
KL: Depends if they are on my side or not lol
BD: So there is a clique style of friendships going on in here?
KL: No, behind the role play we are all friends. In fact there is a big faction between my character and another lifer... but we ‘ooc’ all the time, then yes, we have little groups in the girls section... who is cool at the moment... who can get drugs in, who etc.
BD: So basically you all interact as if in a film/TV play?
KL: Sort of I guess, except there is no script.. and if something goes badly we can back track. The other lifer and I sometimes plan as well.. where our characters are going and who we are going to use to get there *grins*
BD: OK, how much freedom to move around do you have?
KL: Some of the guards are really nice, or it is their character that is nice, and you can even ask them to let you out into the yard etc. some Guards portray bastards. It really depends on who is guarding or policing at the time. and how your two characters get along. We are let out fairly often though, meaning within the prison. I haven’t been out of the prison since Krystal was created December 1st last year.
BD: I know that each inmate is assigned a guard, how do you get on with him/her (in RP)?
KL: I don't know mine very well actually, we don't do a lot of RP as of yet. This is just a new thing though. Vince is the one responsible for me, the one that brought you here. If I wasn't convicted, he would probably have to do more.. interrogations and that sort of lovely stuff
BD: Yes, I noticed him lol. How do you fill your time when in world. I know you mentioned plots etc ?
KL: Having it out with each other, distressing over someone's injury, Guards going crazy over this and the other, gun's shooting when they shouldn't be, there is drama every day. I am not involved in even half of it. Watching it is sometimes more amusing then being in it. And just as Gavin said in his interview, there’s sex, and relationships, and trying to get out of things you’re in, trying to get into things you’re out of. Really it isn't boring to me, or hasn't become that way yet.
BD: That's good to know (and between you and I) I am due to be in here for a few days, for charity. Any advice for me?
KL: ohhh neat!! hmmm ... short term right?
BD I hope so lol, have a thing about confinement eek
KL: grins... well would say think of a character, and try and interact as that character, see what the others do in response, be someone that you have never been before, just to explore it a bit. Or if you just want a feel of the place, be friendly to all and 'usually' the characters will be friendly back...if you’re ever in trouble give me an IM lol
BD: Thanks for that, will bear it in mind when arrested.. Speaking of which.. Were you arrested or did you 'volunteer to be inside?
KL: I am the only one here that we role played as being transferred
BD: So there is a lot of active interaction between you and 'them' in the way the RP goes?
KL: These days, my rich bitch character just broke under the strain of lack of material goods, and bad treatment, so she is now under psychiatric care. So the interaction right now is a bit stifled, but in the back ground, I have poisoned another inmate (actually mommy did it for me ) so I will be held up on charges for that when I am declared sane. As Gavin said,, the lifers have long plots.. weaving with and in other characters...
BD: This is fascinating.. why did you arrange the poisoning (don't have to answer)?
KL: Because the bitch took my best friend~ she had to pay!!! Krystal had a friend here that was taking the guard’s heat for her...The one I poisoned took Krystal's friend away. The girl pretended she was poisoned had to go to the infirmary... etc. And you can write that up if you want, I would love if part of our plot lines got into the newspaper.
BD: So life in here is not as bad as I thought then?
KL: No no... its a lot of fun.
BD: So what will happen to you when you get found out?
KL: Well, I am waiting for trial, and have been kept in 'the tower', as a dangerous prisoner to myself. but I haven't confessed.. I still maintain my innocence!!
BD: Maybe I could do a regular update on the 'events' inside Ghul?
KL: Everyone has a story here. When Krystal first came here, she was so offended by people who couldn't come up with a better word then fuck that she bit some guards penis.. poor guard.
BD: Ouch
KL: She has calmed down a bit thought .... Grins… don't worry too much. I had to think to myself...how uppity would a rich bitch be after a few whippings, so I tame her down as the months go by.
BD: Sounds like I may have a good time in here then lol but I'll make sure I stay dressed when near you when I come in then .
KL: Laughs.. she doesn't do that anymore, and what is to say he wasn't dressed? (yeah he was naked lol ) This place is what you make it, if you just stay in your cell and don't interact.. Then you are going to be bored. But if you want to try out something new.... delve into another... character, explore and have some fun.. this is a neat RP to do it in.
BD: OK will remember that, you have given me loads of ideas for when I come in (grins) and you have certainly changed my mind as to the whole rp side of things in Ghul.
KL: Good!
BD: It has been a pleasure talking to you and again, thanks for all the info. Look forward to seeing/talking with you again. Next time it may be that I, too, am an inmate.
KL: Great thanks for coming, you are my first visitor.
BD: What? No-one has visited you before?
KL: Nope
BD: Why?
KL: Good question!!! I haven't told anyone my avi outside, she was born on Dec 1st and been here ever since.
BD: Think we should start up a 'Friend of Prisoners group' or something.
KL: That would be hilarious! Could you smuggle in another gun? I really have it in for that warden. How dare he put me in a cell without a blanket..it is ...... a human right!!! and it has to be matching.. also a human right!
BD: Ok…..Do I need to call the guard now?
At this point the interview was terminated and the Governor was called in to remove Krystal so I made a hasty (but dignified) retreat to the outside world.
So there you have it folks, there really are ‘lifers’ in Second Life Prisons. Give them a call, visit them, but remember.. They are there for a reason.... "GUARD!!!!!"

A Friend’s Special Valentine’s Day in Second Life

By Bixyl Shuftan

Sometimes Valentines Day is just a sad reminder of me not having found anyone, or as another avie put it, "Happy Stick It to Singles Day." But for a friend of mine, the holiday turned out well.

I had logged on to attend to attend a Valentines Day dance at Fortaelia. I doubted I would meet anyone for anything special, just a little time to relax. As the party called for red, white, or pink clothes (presumably only girls would be wearing the last one), I put on the fancy white outfit I had won at a contest recently, and ported over.

Shortly after arriving, one of my friends logged on and IMed me, Zeny. She had not logged onto SL for several days, and explained why. Her boyfriend and partner, Tim, was in the hospital. Although better, it was unsure when he'd be out. And it being Valentines Day, she felt alone and wanted to be with a friend.

And so we danced for a while at the party, chatting about things in both Second Life and Real life. As the Fortaelia party was starting to wind down a little, Zeny got an invitation from someone on her friend list to attend a wedding in Second Life. She was curious and wanted to go. I had been to some real-life weddings, including one with some ethnic traditions added, and had been to a couple roleplayed ones in the "Runescape" game. But I had yet to see one here in Second Life, so as I already had a fancy outfit on, I joined her in the teleport.

It took a little while for things to rez, the chair Zeny was sitting on among the last parts to appear. But the scene was quite detailed, with detailed white structures and flowers all around the walkway, which was next to a forested area. There were several bridesmaids there, as well as the best man and a few other guys. The seats, which were also white, were just about completely filled with guests, mostly dressed neatly though one lady in a formal gown still had a number of tattoos on. And of course there were the bride and groom up by the altar, holding hands.

They were waiting for the minister, and so we all waited, Zeny and I chatting a little about weddings. Then a few people crashed and disappeared, including the groom. So we waited for both them and the minister. They soon reappeared, and then came the minister. Finally the wedding could take place, "If there is anyone who objects to these two being joined, let him speak now or forever hold his peace." One lady typed *readies shotgun for anyone who objects.* And with that the wedding proceeded smoothly.

With people congratulating the couple, Zeny told me with excitement she had just gotten a call through Yahoo from Tim. He was finally out of the hospital. She was a bit quieter as she chatted with him, us following the others to the wedding reception dance. And we joined everyone else there, Zeny getting a blue gown out of her inventory.

Then someone else walked up, Tim. He had logged into Second Life, and Zeny had told him where we were. He went over to Zeny, who was next to a pair of dance poseballs, and they joined the others in the formal dance.

Together again, it was a Valentines Day for my friends to remember.

True Love… in BOTH lives

by: Lucy Halberd

It’s rare to find a couple in Second Life who are happy and 100% committed to one another. It’s even rarer to come across people who are not only SL partners in crime, but RL as well. Here I will focus on three couples, all of whom I know personally. Their love is steady, true, and unwavering no matter what obstacles come their way. Here are their stories:

Anael Destiny and DL Pinion’s love story began by chance one day when she was wandering around SL, TP here and there lost in thought. “He saw me at one place I had teleported out of and just happened to TP where I went next. He struck up a conversation and captivated me from that moment on.” When I asked her what she thought of him at first, Ana said, “DL caught me off guard with his humor, sensitivity, and intelligence. He made me want to learn more and, of course, I thought he was kind of cute!” For their first date they went dancing and he seemed to have swept her right off her feet, because after only six or eight weeks, he had stolen her heart away in both lives. When asked how it happened, she said, “That’s a good question and it really just sneaks up on you. First there is denial, then hope, then admission, and finally, possible plans for the future.” They have yet to meet in person and when I asked her if they have RL plans as of yet she stated, “We do of sorts, but it’s very complicated. I agreed to meet him in seven years.” Smiling for a moment, she added, “If we last that long, we deserve to meet!”

Katy Story and Kryptic Watts met in a dance club and her first thoughts upon meeting him were that, “he was a very sweet and caring man.” When I asked her what they did on their very first date, Katy said, “I took him to a Chinese neko park. We spent the remainder of the day and the entire night together!” Next, I asked her how long they were together before she felt the shift from it being primarily a SL relationship to being a RL one as well, “I would say within the first month of being a couple. After three months, he came to live with me in RL.” Katy says her favorite things about Kryptic are, “his sweetness, his smile, and loving personality.” So far they have spent a very happy thirteen months together and have plans to someday follow the footsteps of their Second Life counterparts and get married.

Aqualyne Kohime and Azure Yiyuan’s story began outside of SL in a game called Dance Online. “He told me about SL and got me started on it. At one point he actually left SL and later returned.” When they first met, Aqua thought Azure was a “very sweet, kind, and wonderful person with strong opinions and a lot of talent.” On their first date they went for a night of dancing followed by dinner at her Second Life home. When I asked her about the amount of time it took for their SL love to grow into something more real she said, “Hmm, wow… um, about two months or so in SL, but we were already close friends in RL by then.” Although they have not gotten the opportunity to meet in real life yet, they are extremely in love and having the time of both of their lives together.

These three couples have found their true loves in one another, but how do the rest of us get that lucky? I asked each of them to leave us with some advice on how to someday reach their level of happiness.

Anael:
“Omg…if you find it, hold onto to it, because it happens only once in a million.”

Katy:
“I would say keep looking, but never look too hard, because that special person will find you when you least expect it!”

Aqualyne:
“Actually, give it your all! You never know what life has to offer, but make sure you both are willing to put in the work and willing to actually be truthful with one another. Be yourself and be open-minded to the possibilities of finding love on a computer.”

A Date Gone Sour

I guess I've done a bit of what could be called dates in Second Life, though the purpose has usually been for just me and a lady friend to just simply relax and have a pleasant time rather than serious thoughts of romance down the road. Sometimes it goes well, a pleasant dance to nice music, a walk in a park, a sim tour on an automated vehicle together, etc., and both of us part ways on a good note.

One time recently, things didn't go so well.

I had come across one girl by chance encounter, and we became friends. We met a few more times. Then one day she invited me to a sim in which the area's name suggested a bit of dating by more serious couples was done here, "Cuddle Cove." As it turned out, a band had come to have a concert, and she thought I might like some time here.

We took a try at one of the dance poseballs, but with all the people in the area, she crashed, and took quite a while to become visible again, which was a little frustrating. But still, we were about to give it another try.

Then a mutual friend of ours came in. She greeted him, "Hi ." , then a second later I did as well, "Hi ." She then typed "Don't mock me!" Puzzled, I asked, "What's wrong?"

(girl) : *slaps Bixyl*

Bixyl: Ow. What was that for?

(girl) : You mocked me!

Bixyl: What?! How could I have mocked you?

(girl) : You said hello to him the same way I did.
She then went to the guy, who had stood in front of us not knowing what the heck was going on, and asked him to dance. They then went to a nearby set of dance poseballs. Confused, there was nothing better for me to do than walk away, porting out after a moment to think.

I guess she was looking for an excuse to dance with him instead, though she could simply have asked me if I minded, which I wouldn't have. Oh well, such is life, or rather Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan

In Search of Identity

Let me ask you a question: just how long did it take you to settle on the appearance of your avatar? And how many conscious and unconscious choices went into determining your SL look?

It fascinates me that, while some of my SL friends haven’t changed their avis’ appearance very much since the first week of play, others almost continually morph from furry to neko to human and back. I have my own rituals of appearance: my SL day is either a black hair day or a white. I may dally with other skins and shapes but they just don’t FEEL like me.


So when I stumbled across the Avatar Identity Research Center, in a trawl through Events yesterday, I had to find out more. What is it that drives us to choose the physical details we do?

I won’t give you any answers here…there is more fun to be had following the link. Rivka Rau and Noctis Oh, sociologists in both RL and SL, founded the Research Center and are keen to expand their research into residents’ perceptions of other avatars. What you will be treated to is a literate and thoughtful slideshow on our search for SL identity, created by Darwin Mizser, the designer behind AVid fashions and the Research Center’s current host. Mizser’s slideshow discusses the restraints and freedoms allowed by technologies available to SL designers and the power of appearance to affect our own vision of our SL and RL selves. The designer makes the provoking claim that an SL avatar offers “ a more accurate portrayal of one’s soul than is the arbitrary real life body.”

I’m not sure if I am entirely convinced by the argument. After all, decades of my own work have gone into creating the wonder that is the RL Miss Cortes, not to mention all the centuries of happy accidents in my ancestry. The marriage of research project and fashion promotion is also a little confusing. But I quite like that confusion. Identity is a subtle concept after all.

Avatar Identity Research Center

9 Questions to ... Josina Burgess

Pelton: I would like to start by thanking you so very much for letting me having this interview.

Josina Burgess: These 9 questions should, in fact, also be asked to Velazquez Bonetto. We are a team since the beginning. Diabolus is him and me. And he did a lot of the technical stuff... He is a professor, engineer, master programmer and architect.

Pelton: Well that is a little hard of course, because the questions are only put to one person, but I can ask the reader to keep this in mind while they read the article.

1. Why did you choose THAT name for your avatar? And can you enclose a Newbee pic of yourself?

Josina Burgess: I chose this name because its my Real Life name as well, my birthname, after my grandmother.

Pelton: But surely your last name was chosen from the SL site , wasn't it ?

Josina Burgess: Yes it was, but I took a name that was as close to my RL lastname as was possible :)

2. How long were you in SL before you felt you could function and enjoy SL to its full (at least the basics)?

Josina Burgess: Well, I went to Second Life just to see what happened here with ART and I saw there was a lot of that going on! Galleries, musea, exhibitions and so on...So I got into contact with a gallery and 2 weeks later I had my first exhibition of images of my RL paintings here on Second Life :) I am a painter, you see ?!

And just like everybody, I got this newbie shape and started to modify it untill I got the looks closest to myself, well as much as possible of course... and younger :)

3. What was the most embarassing moment in SL to date?

Josina Burgess: Embarassing? Uhm, well to see that there is a world in SL that is all sex, and I accidentally came to a place where they had some kind of orgy going on... I left that place as fast I could.

4. Do you have a picture or screenshot of the first place you hung out in SL?

Josina Burgess: This was with Reslez Cheeplechase and Summer Serra at the 1st studio of FCMC radio on Second Life. They arrange manny performances of artist in Second Life and we became close friends.

5. 70% or more of your time in SL is used for ...?

Josina Burgess: When possible, I am in world almost every evening. For an approxomate of 7 hours. But, being here, I am also working in RL working on my paintings as well as ideas how to use them in Second Life. Here at diabolus I work with the CARP group. CARP stands for Cybernatic ART Research Program. It is a group of artists that experiment and develop new Art on Second Life.The Cybernatic Art is Art you can only create on sl... with its animations and scripts.We try to invent new things here and use all what is available in Second Life.The VJAZZ you saw is also a new artform, improvizing with objects that are steered through a menu and a musician plays life on a stream. The artists steer their objects and improvise on the music played.

Pelton: I attended it and I have to agree, it was a beautiful sight.

6. Whats the best item you ever built? Did you sell it? And do you have a picture of it?

Josina Burgess: Ahh, I made so many things here. :) First my dresses... I was the first one that started to use RL paintings as textures. All the dresses are pieces of Art, so I called it Wearable Art.At the moment I am making animated and scripted sculptures, emitters, particles, interactive objects and semi intelligent objects.

7. Are you happy with your avatar, or is there something you still want to change but havent done, or is impossible?

Josina Burgess: I am ok with my avatar. Pretty used to it now. I have no urge to change it anymore.

8. What was the most you ever paid for an item/object in SL? And what was it?

Josina Burgess: Laughs... I payed rent for a house for some time... I don't need a house at all. The rent was 700 per week in those days and I found that very that much, and I still think it's a bit silly to have a house and furniture like in RL.We are in SL, so think SL and don't stand in RL all the time :)That is why my dresses haven't got much to do with RL clothing anymore.

9. If you could sum up your SL in one sentence what would it be? Or if there is a oneliner you want to share with our readers what would it be?

Josina Burgess: 'Go with the flow' is my motto, in SL as well as it is in RL. But here on SL I would say: experiment with the possibilities SL gives you, learn to build , make art, be creative. Do not only hang about, but DO something with the talents you have !

Open the box with Dana

You know I have been in SL for over a year now and it never ceases to amaze me, I still see a beautiful sim and am speechless with the creativity and ability of some people. Like the recent Tyche sim built by Ao Kilara and Straylight too.
But over and above this beauty and creativity the one thing that stands out is the pettiness of people. In real life I have spent a lot of time in schools with various age groups and SL reminds me a lot of playground activites - the little groups where you either belong or you don't and god help you if you step into someone elses territory.
The most obvious place to see this kind of behaviour in SL is in the fashion sector, possibly because its one of the biggest of these 'groups'. Most, in fact nearly all, designers and models are lovely people to talk to and are willing to help newcomers to the group - but heaven forbid you make a mistake, wear the wrong clothes or, unknowingly, support the wrong person.
As a whole these are probably the most unforgiving of the groups, make a mistake like this and you find yourself osctrasized or forever tied to the mistake you made.
This happened recently to a friend of mine ( no names mentioned) and she found herself wearing a dress from a texture thief - now you might say 'so what' the problem arose because it was a high profile event and of course the other designers there were horrified that the thief (who will also remain nameless) got to show her theft in such a public manner. For the designers as a group to be upset is understandable but to publicly humiliate the person wearing the dress?
Someone not of the modelling/fashion world would not have known the controversy surrounding this so called designer and no-one told her before the public event.
I know that my friend was very hurt by a lot of the comments and after getting a lot of 'he said she said' it boiled down to one designer who refused to acknowledge she had made a mistake.
Again 'so what' you might think, but my friend may now lose a large contract she was working on all because one designer will not admit she acted rashly and didn't find out the facts before she sent accusations, not to mention the fact that her feelings were hurt and her honour stained forever.
Yes I know as do you that memories, in SL especially, are short but does the fact most people will forget about it quickly repair hurt feelings or stained honour? No but an apology goes a very long way!
Maybe we need to remember who are the adults here in our SL playground and who are the kids?
This is not the only time I have been aware of this kind of pettiness although this was one of the most public and high profile. So much boils down to 'he said, she said' but at the end of the day most seem to think that because they are avatars, and no-one knows who they really are, they can act however they choose. This kind of attitude is seen especially in griefers and newbies, but if you look close enough you will see it in a lot of people, just under the surface, but there nonetheless. They need to remember that what goes around comes around and although we are avatars in SL we have real feelings.

Wolfgang Baur speaks at Third Life

On Sunday February 3, the Third Life writers' sim invited writer, editor, and game designer Wolfgang Baur to the Wordsmith Hall castle to speak about his magazine Kobold Quarterly. "Third Life ... is a community created to provide a venue for creative folks to hang, learn, support each other and kick start careers."

Baur, who appeared as the avatar Quick Sideways, explained, "Kobold Quarterly is a magazine aimed at fantasy roleplayers, in particular D&D and tabletop gamers. ... filling the void where Dragon Magazine used to sit." He told the audience his small magazine needed writers and artist submissions, as well as more subscribers, "Most of it is aimed at playable material for any reader's homebrewed fantasy setting. So, I'm taking nonfiction, game articles, and eventually adventure scenarios ... 1500-3000 words."

"I'm also taking articles that do a broader view of fantasy and myth. Nonfiction summaries of a particular element (say, castles or sieges) would be great. Actually, because D&D is currently shifting to a new edition (ships in June), now's a good time to pitch something that ISN'T specific to the rules."

Baur also had advice for beginning writers, "the easiest way to impress an editor is to put everything in place before the editor has to ask. Then, assuming your query is approved, delivering at the requested length and on time. I'm always shocked at the number of queries I accept that never come back with a completed article. And even more shocked that writers regularly leave basic things like their name and address off a manuscript. Don't make me dig for this stuff."

For more information about Kobold Quarterly, go to it's website at http://www.koboldquarterly.com/. Wolfgang Baur has a site of his own at http://www.wolfgangbaur.com/. The Third Life sim hosts writers' workshops and classes, and has readings of poetry and Greek drama.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Who do They Think You Are?

Never mind SL being addictive: profile surfing is free and fun and the most addictive activity inworld for me. I confess that I indulge on a frequent basis. Why, I hear you ask, should I confess to such a harmless activity? Often profile surfing can be innocent. In a new setting it’s like reading the info before joining a club: if I like the profile, I can be encouraged to engage a little more, even ‘join’ that avi’s gang of friends. It can also be used to catch up on the second lives of friends who don’t always make it online at the same time as me. But then there’s the darker, guiltier pleasure of checking up on those people with whom one has, uh, parted company along the way. And I am fascinated by the stories that profiles sometimes hint at…

Is the most important data kept on the first page of our profiles? When profile surfing, I find myself doing some sophisticated calculations, based on SL days and numbers of groups joined. The 2nd life profile itself actually is the least interesting bit of all. Personally I never know what to write (unlucky!) and I resort to the familiar tricks of making a joke, or stating my interests at the time, maybe citing a poem or song lyric that seems resonant. But I increasingly feel as much a fraud doing this as I would if I kept it blank.

Group memberships are far more entertaining and can alert you to the possible preoccupations of their writers. As a nomad newb, I was forever looking for somewhere to park my carcass. I liked gardens. Unfortunately gardens were a great place to be accosted by lonely avis looking for lurrvve. A soberly dressed avi approached me one evening and asked if he could join me on the rug I was occupying. I flicked through his profile as we made small talk. His group memberships suggested that my feet and not my small talk were of, ahem, supreme interest to him. Feet don’t do it for me so fortunately I was able to steer the (short) conversation far, far away from them.

A lot of avis use “Picks” to pay glowing tribute to the places and people who make their SL experience. Profile grazing offers particularly rich pickings here, especially if you know some additional information from chat and IMs. My guiltiest surfing pleasure so far was follwoing the profile of one chap who decided that he wanted a committed SL relationship. This was after 5 months of playing the SL field. To achieve this, he contacted in turn all the women he had flung a fling with, and told them that they were “the one”. As they considered him, or even entertained him, he would post their pictures and a reverential tribute on his picks. When the relationship hit the wall, on average in the fourth week, the “pick” would be removed and replaced with the next name on the list. This tactic was evident to anyone who checked his profile (and no, I’m not bitter, just amused).

What we say about ourselves in the “first life” page is also highly interesting. I consider myself honest when it comes to talking about my first life but I can’t bring myself to commit the gruesome details to my profile. Others are more forthcoming and it is possible to be shocked and moved as well as entertained by their revelations.

I don’t know if I am alone in my addiction to profile surfing. In RL the growth of social networking groups such as Friends Reunited to Facebook, as well as the SL site slprofiles, allow many others to view the trials of our daily lives. However, I solemnly swear that the day Linden Labs introduces a “funwall” to our profiles, I’ll give my ‘bad’ habit up for good.