The age old question... Is it a game?

Over the last two years, I've had some interesting discussions and even arguments with folks on whether SL is a "game" or not. And my final conclusion is that it is different things to different people. For me it's a game/past time that I use to satisfy my social cravings and let me play with a few fantasies. The title of my blog explains some about that... I love burlesque, but that's pretty much out of the question in my RL, so I get to "play one on TV". I can't, nor would I want to be a demon, neko, vampire, fairy... but sometimes it's fun to pretend! I think in a lot of ways, I never outgrew the desire to play dress up. :)

I know that for some of my friends who have very troubling and/or traumatic RLs, that SL is absolutely NOT a game, it's an extension of their RL. They go there when they can't cope with some of the issues that have come up in their RL. It can be a place to hide, a place to safely explore or experiment with hidden fantasies, a place to learn more about themselves. They have hit the pinacle of happiness and the pit of depression. I've had the chance to learn and grow within myself as well, but I've always had some very strong boundaries that I think in alot of ways have helped me maintain my own sanity and keep me from getting completely swept away by the fantasies.

I love my RL and that really helps me keep a firm grip on my reality. I really think that if I wasn't as grounded in RL... it would have been far easier to loose myself in the posibilites that SL presents. My husband spends works the graveyard shifts, so I don't get out much at night, so SL for me is a great social outlet that lets me meet new people, visit with friends and just have fun while I'm at home with sleeping little ones.

Second Life is, in my humble opinion, what you make of it. That's the beauty and the danger. It can be a tool, a game, or an addiction and you have to figure out how to safely explore and enjoy without letting it ruin your RL. So go out there, and live... love... and enjoy your world!

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

A turkey in the ten!

*giggles at herself* So we went bowling last night in SL and I had an absolute ball! (Pun intended) My SL sweetie decided for our anniversary to have a surprise party for Ahnya and her friends at a bowling alley, and I learned something very important! I SUCK at bowling! But I love having my dear friends around me just relaxing and having fun. I wind up spending so much of my time in game focusing on the club and other work related things that it's soo nice to just kick back and have fun together with a group again.

It's always interesting thinking and trying to express myself as two different people... Ahnya and I (her typist) because in some ways we're very much the same... and in some ways we're very different. I think that's probably common for many folks but it's always odd trying to explain how she can have a sweetie when I'm so happy in my RL relationship. My husband always laughs at me and rolls his eyes when I try explain that it's almost like having a "Choose your own" romance novel, but he humors me.

I have the distinct pleasure of becoming good friends with Ahnya's beau's typist. A really wonderful man and a fantastic father. It's been fun learning about him and his life over the last year, and also just enjoying some fun RP time in game when our schedules seem to collide.

I want to take this time to thank everyone who's made my time online such a joy. And even thank them for the occasional pain... because it reminds me how wonderful reality is. I know we in the US just celebrated Thanksgiving and I think that maybe that's why I'm waxing poetic on the past, but I just have so much to be thankful for! Love you all! Here's a fun little quote that I've heard paraphrased in several different ways, but the message clicks for me...

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming, 'WOOHOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!'"

And um... why are we here again?

With a gentle prod from a dear friend of mine (thank you Bettye! *blows you a kiss* I finally decided to take your advice), I have decided to jump into the wild world of blogging. I always have these silly little tidbits that amuse the hell out of me that I always forget later, so I figured I'd use this forum to keep track of them for future reference. I have no idea how often I'll toss out my deep thoughts or ridiculous musings, but we'll see how it goes!

I suppose I should start out with a bit about me. In my real life I'm a wife and a mother of two, my beautiful baby girl who's about to turn 3 and a darling 10 year old step-daugher. I am disgustingly happy with both roles! I'm deeply smitten with my fabulous husband of 7 years. I'm an online gamer who has travelled through various MMORGs and MUDs before landing in the crazy world of Second Life. In my second life I just celebrated my second Rez Day and somehow have somehow found myself the proud owner of a rather unique, vintage burlesque theater there called the New Champagne Rooms. You can find out more about that here if you're curious!

So I guess that's enough for now, but I thought I'd leave you with my amusing quote for the day...

"I will find that special person who is wrong for me in just the right way" ~Andrew Boyd