The New Skin & Head

After I bought a new skin and a mesh head I was told I that I didn’t look like me, so some pictures were in order. Left to right, the skins are Lumae Adore Aegean, Lumae Iriana, Lumae Eirtae T9 – Java Freck, Lumae Eirtae T7 – Nutmeg Freck. The second one is the newest release from Lumae (see here) and the reason for this post.

The SLink “Hourglass” body is topped with a Utilizator “Normie” mesh head. A quick note about this item: I’ve tried a dozen mesh heads and even bought shapes and appliers in an effort to get one to look like me. The Normie looked enough like me out of the box that I bought one for me and one for Xandah.

Maybe I was wrong. Or the tweaks I did to the head shape weren’t enough. Or, it’s the skin. I’ve had the head for about a week and the person who said I didn’t look like me hadn’t said so before I bought the light blue skin. Let me back up a bit.

Years and years ago, there was a brand called “SinSkins” and everything in the store was marked down to 10$L per item so I bought nearly every skin there for me and for my Zyx characters. Each of the Zyxs started life wearing a blue SinSkin (see here) and continued until mesh bodies were available. Then each switched to the Lumae Aegean you see above, left, the younger Zyx also getting the Lumae T7 Java shown second from right, above. Like me, each also has other skins, almost all from Lumae, but that’s another post or few.

I loved that blue skin so much that I searched long and hard for a few years but only recently did I corner Lumae’s creator, Lumiya Rae, to create one. I even showed her this NSFW pic from Flickr as an example. Little did I know, she had one in the works and she released it (with other skins) at the Mesh Body Addicts Fair (SLurl). After the announcement and 20 minutes of going SQUEEEEEEEEE I picked one up. And it is lovely. After buying a pose and setting up a shot, I showed the pic to a friend and was told it wasn’t me.

The Normie head seems to be based on Second Life’s “classic” or “system” avatar and so it was 98% “ME” out of the box. I tweaked it with several Windlights and even gave my shape to an alt to do an overlap comparison. I got it close, really. But texture on a mesh prim vs. texture on a system head (a form of mesh, but a different kind) will show differences. And I started wearing more makeup when I got the mesh head. But I do have to concede that the skin can make a big difference. When I finally bought a commercial skin a few years into my Second Life I had to adjust my nose. The Curio “Acorn” skin made my nose look so narrow compared to the freebie skin I had been using, and this was before mesh (see here)!

Looks like I still have some tweakery to perform. After a few days with the new head, the eyes are still not quite right. Still adjusting my ears, too. But I’m very happy with the new skin.

The 500$L Blouse

A demo for Layla’s Brooklyn Top has lived in my Demos folder for some time now, waiting for me to decide if I should spend 500$L or not. That’s expensive for a blouse in one color, even one that can be “stripped” like this one can. You or someone you allow can click the blouse to make it open up in steps until it is completely off. In this picture, it is four steps from full closed. The transparency can be adjusted, too. The stripping feature makes it several blouses, I suppose, but I still hesitated to buy it. Then I was dressing and thought of it when I put on Zaara’s Arpora Fisherman’s Pants (fitted mesh) *so chic* (a gacha purchase; SLurl) and got an idea. The pair would make a great, casual outfit for Summer. I zipped to the store (SLurl) and bought the blouse right away.

Location: Las Islas – Las Arenas, Second Life (SLurl) G-rated

Avatar details:

• Skin: Lumae Eirtae – T7 – Nutmeg // Bare (Freck / Brow 4)
• Hair: Ayashi Makoto hair-Fatpack
• Eyes: theSkinnery Happy B-day! Eyes
• Body: Maitreya Mesh with Mandala: Steking Unisex Ears – Season 5
• Jewelry & Makeup: Aisling Circe [Chakra ThirdEye/DBlue] necklace; Punch Hoop Earrings; PUNCH / Nyan Belly Piercing (for Maitreya); kunst – Fox ring / gold; Luxuria Simple Liner and Shadow (smokey neutral); Gyaru Nose Tattoo; Mad Line Lips

On Being Poly(chromatic)

Some of the most wonderful people I know in Second Life never change their avatar. Ever. And haven’t in over a decade. On purpose. Others adamantly stick with one general concept: Unicorn, pre-teen, mole, faun, etc. They all have identities. Then there’s a few, like me, changing their avatar more often than they change their Real Life underwear.

What I change most often is my skin. By “I” and “my” and “me” the character Uccello Poultry should be inferred. My alts hardly change other than upgrades (newer wings, other hair, etc). Uccello is heavily polychromatic. Here she’s grey. When she logged in she was chocolate. Often people see her in a blue skin. This is something I’d rather like to do in Real Life. Might it end racism? Probably not. I’m Irish-born and there are places I wouldn’t be welcome regardless of color.

This isn’t meant to be a diatribe on any politically sensitive issue, though. Elsewhere I’ve written about being tired of identifying as Caucasian and related topics. Instead, I’m just expressing myself through polychromatism and how my attitudes about Uccello are changing. Of late, I’m trying to gel her overall look much as my other characters have. Xandah is far more upscale than Uccello and definitely favors Indian fashion. Zyx (not the young pixy) is somber, almost always in black, leaning toward otherworldly clothes and never, ever speaking. An alt I share with my brother is always a robot. And so forth with other alts, as you can imagine. Each also follows a strict rule of being in character at all times, except in private conversations with close friends.

Uccello is far more organic (a polite euphemism). Over the years I  haven’t tried to pin any standards to her and thus she has (and her Inventory has) become quite chaotic. Perhaps that’s because I am much the same in Real Life – rather directionless. My wardrobe is entirely bland, but I have never really developed me. I’ve gone from hiding in plain sight and avoiding people to being cooped up nearly 24/7 as a caregiver for a decade. Now that I’m 30 years old and really facing life more or less on my own, I need to start defining things. It is time I do so with Uccello, too.

Lately, she’s been wearing the same nose and lip stripe makeup at all times, tinting it as needed. Jewelry is far more common. Something blue is always worn even when her skin is not blue. And I’m trying to have her dress less like a trollop. Well, at least in public. All part of creating a more cohesive identity. Rather like growing up, I suppose.

Edit: After posting this I was reminded by someone of Robert A. Heinlein’s novel Friday, the story wherein an almost throwaway mention of a technology that allows one to change their skin made a devastating impact on a certain 10-year old girl, scarred from violence and wanting to be anyone but herself. Part of an identity, one might say.

At the Seogyeo Woods Pool

Like many in Second Life, I have a few homes. The Seogyeo Woods (SLurl) Is the first I’ve ever given a backstory. Along with the adjacent Seogyeo Retreat (a cabin that Angela and I have lived in for a little while), this land was part of a royal residence ages ago, specifically the Bathhouse. Some of the ruins are visible. More need to be excavated. The large pond was once the main pool, but nature has reclaimed it. Ducks, fish, and otters enjoy its waters now and at times you’ll see an osprey from the nearby ocean roost in a tree.

The pool pictured here was part of the original complex, but stones from around the site have been reworked to make it more modern. Weaving in a bit of pixy magick with some assistance from a clever beagle, the pool is now my favorite place in all of Second Life.

Very seldom have I ever blocked access to my homes so all are invited to drop by at any time. The pool still had fresh grout after being finished before strangers were already using it. Just be prepared as I’m often half-dressed when I’m home. The SLurl is listed above and the Zany Zen Railway is adjacent so you can take the train to visit.

 

Click the image above to see it embiggend on Flickr.

A Colorful Tuesday

It’s no secret that I have an obsession with – even a fetish for – women’s breasts. Some of this is, indeed, sexual. Afterall, my bi-sexuality leans 90% women so it’s ingrained in who I am. But part of my obsession is that breasts are treated with misogynistic inequality. In many places in and out of Second Life women must cover thier torsos when men are not required to do so. To me the eunequal treatment is a lack of maturity. If someone can’t handle the sight of a woman’s breasts, what other problems do they have?

Like skin color (AKA, race). You don’t have to be on Twitter or Facebook or other social media to have seen the rash of people behaving badly when they see a person of color. Here’s the most recent example I’ve seen:

One of my first thoughts was “I’m embarrassed to be white.” Nearly every instance I’ve seen of this sort of abuse involves someone white being stupid. White pride, huh? Does someone have to work at being white? And is this how they practice? This lady probably needs more practice as she’s driving a Japanese car.

In Real Life (iRL) I’m a pasty white Irish girl, about to turn 30 and giving into gravity. I wish my iRL boobs were as perky as my SL ones*. But moreso lately I wish I could be polychromatic. Above I’m wearing Lumae’s Eirtae T9 Java Freckles but in shorthand I call it Chocolate. When i’m not in the mood to be my usual dark blue (Lumae’s Adore Aegean skin) or another color I usually wear this skin rather than one of my several Caucasian skins. Just not comfortable being white any more.

If only I could color-shift in Real Life as I do in Second Life.

Iris Okkido dropped by the arboretum for a Topless Tuesday picture.
This and my solo pic are on Flickr.

*Especially my perky new Nifty Bits – Boobies Moundz 1.5e “implants” (Marketplace).

SL15B: On Flickr

Second Life’s 15th Birthday is gearing up and the builds are looking fantastic! Sadly, pictures are not allowed. I’ve snapped a few while assisting a couple exhibitors and I’m ready to put them in the newly-opened official Flickr group. Stay tuned!

2018 Yearbook

For Strawberry Singh’s 2018 Second Life Yearbook Challenge. I landed on the Main Grid on my real life 18th birthday. Now you do the maths. Click the image to see it embiggened on Flickr. The challenge gallery is here.

ZZR Photo Competition

When I received the following Press Release from Zen Swords (zenriaco Resident) about a photo competition for her lovely railroad, my thought was “I have lots of photos I could enter!” Then I thought “Probably wouldn’t be right to enter as we are family.” Turns out I have just one photo anyway. Read on to see how you could win L$3500 and bragging rights!

The ZZR Needs You! to take photos of Little Coverston!

Hello there,

Thank you for your interest in this competition, Little Coverston has been without a Land Picture for a year almost. The Land Picture is an important thing as when people search for a place they tend to go off the picture to see if its worth it. So what does this have to do with you?

I want you *boops your nose* to take the most awesome picture you can of Little Coverston. If it is awesome enough. you will win 3500 Linden. Simples!

How To Enter:

(1) Take your picture.

(2) Send it to Flickr

(3) Submit it to this group with somewhere in the description of the photo “Little Coverston Photo Competition”: https://www.flickr.com/groups/thezanyzenrailway/

(4) Send a Notecard or IM inworld with the Flickr Link to your picture and your Second Life Username to ZenriaCo Resident inworld.

(4) On the 31st of May, the winner will be announced!

How it will be Judged:

Me (ZenriaCo Resident) and The ZZR Managers will go through the pictures and find which one we like best then we will discuss till we all come to a clear winner.

“But why not hold a public vote and let the public vote what they think is the best?” I hear you ask. While it was tempting Public Votes tend to consist of people bringing in their friends, alts, and bots.

RULES:

(1) All Photos must contain Little Coverston in them.

(2) The main focus must be Little Coverston (you can be in the photo but not in the centre focus).

(3) No super wide panoramics. Think small box!

(4) You may put a small watermark/tag in the corner of the picture.

(5) Editing/Photoshopping is allowed.

(6) 1 Entries Max Per Person.

(7) All Entries must be submitted by 31st of May.

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Little Coverston SLurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gaori/97/242/28

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So what are you waiting for? go get snapping!

The Zany Zen.

What’s in My Closet? A Tux!

Click the image to embiggen it on Flickr

After much hemming and hawing, I bought the new Collabor88 release from r2, the r2: A/D/E Otome set (in gold, as shown, and in black). When I tried he demo with the fatback bonus color (red) it struck me as a no-go for this round. Mind you, I seldom pass up andr2 release. If I don’t get it for me, one of my characters gets it. The price is dynamite and the look really rocks.

When I saw it in black, though, I thought “Tuxedo!” and tried my various colors of skin with it. Then I thought more. And I tried the other outfit colors, consulting with friends at each step, with nearly all my skins. Everyone agreed the gold looked great with my Lumae Eirtae Yrlissa skin (shown here). Immediately I bought the black option. And thought more. After, I bought the gold, too.

Some cheap earrings, some body sparkles, a nice updo hair, added some other jewelry, wore out my fingers for 20+ minutes figuring out makeup, and then made a bow tie out of bits I had in my Inventory. In terms of actual components, this is a simple outfit, but it took me about an hour. Twice as long as I’ve spent on other outfits. So tired now.

By the way, the shadow on the bridge of my nose doesn’t appear in-world or in the snap I shot for my Profile feed.

Another Inventory Issue

Looking At My Storage Solution

Long ago when I started on the Second Life Main Grid, a terrible official book (which shall not be named) about Our World was published, but it had a couple good tips:

1. Create an alt account in which you can store transferable items for safe keeping.
2. Box up to 100 items in a cube then store them in a folder you never touch. Another cube can be used to consolidate 100 of these cubes, creating a cube/sub-cube system.

Since then I’ve employed such a system with each of my characters. As soon as I unpack a new purchase, I box up a copy (or move the original box) into a storage cube. This way if I accidentally delete something I can run to get a copy. In theory.

Just last Sunday I was working on boxing and storing when I found that I couldn’t rez a storage box in a place where I had full rez rights. Then there was another storage box. And another. Moving to another region didn’t help. Relogging made it worse.

Some 90% or so of my storage boxes (like the reddish one shown above) were gone. Folders were empty. Tens of thousands of $Lindens of things were gone. I followed all the standard Inventory recovery procedures, both official and unofficial. I even waited a couple days since it was a holiday weekend and you know how those are in SL.

As a Premium account member, I leaped to the Chat Support and worked with a knowlegeable Linden who didn’t just copypasta the company line (as some do) but nothing worked. So I filed a Support Ticket and waited. And waited. Well, the Labbies were coming back from holiday weekend, afterall, and I figured they’d be busy. So I checked my other characters and they had no such problems. It was just Uccie.

But I had to find something for a Bay City event and I looked inside one of the surviving storage boxes. BAM! It was filled with over 150 items according to the hover text and I remembered it should have had just six items. I keep only 100 items in each box (sub- or storage), as mentioned. When I looked, I found a large portion of missing items. Another surving storage box had more. A third was also loaded. Then it got strange.

Some of the recovered items were things from sub-boxes that were inside storage boxes I hadn’t rezzed in some time. Example: Hundreds of note cards that were in several sub-boxes were emptied into a few different storage boxes. Most of it was from boxes I haven’t opened in years, like my Isle of Lesbos items. Told you it was strange.

So I opened every single storage box that indicated it had more than 100 things inside and a few that didn’t (plus more than a few sub-boxes) just for good measure and started putting things aright. The first round took hours and I still have more to go. All the while I will be working on a letter to The Lab to again suggest that Inventory loss insurance should be available. Perhaps free to Premium members? I like that. Barring this, a very good backup system should be available. If such were in place I could spend more time exploring Our World instead of filling and moving boxes or bothering Support.

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Not that you need to, but if you click the image above you can see an embiggend verson on Flickr.