Burning Out

I love my Second Life for many reasons, not the least of which that I have some really good friends here. SL has also improved my professional life through learning, experimenting and playing at learning! When I noticed today that I haven't blogged in days I tried to figure out why. I'm busy doing things in SL for one thing, but I also think I'm getting a little burnt out on the writing about it. In real life (RL) I'm about to go to the annual VSTE conference. I'm hoping that will stimulate me into better blogging habits and give me a break from the patterns of RL/SL I've fallen into lately. I'm looking forward to face to face meetings with a half dozen or so people who I've only known in SL. I'm most excited to meet Terra S (Louise Borgnine SL) and Matt P (Cyrus Hush SL). My teammates are excited to meet them, too! This is an awful photo of Cyrus at ISTE trying to docent with me Saturday morning. He is "Ruthed" due to a very bad network connection.

VSTE Island Opens to the Group

Our first VSTE in SL meeting was Monday, February 2, 25 days after delivery of the island. We were all so proud! There were 32 people that night! We met at VSTE World Headquarters and sent them on their way on a self guided tour. We had many compliments. Elijah was there in a loin cloth at the Powhatan Village he created, playing drums. :-)

When the hour was over those still around migrated to the Community Center where we danced to music that Cyrus Hush streamed in from his vast collection on his computer in Roanoke. We were exhausted!

Sunday Signage

It was the day before we opened for the VSTE group and we needed signs. I created these posts with arrows pointing to the other areas of the sim. There were signposts at each of the seven areas and each had arrows to at least three other distant places. VSTE World Headquarters had arrows pointing to all other places. The interesting thing was that I learned to add a script to make them teleporters and then I learned how to edit the arrows so it took one click to send you flying to the next exhibit! This took all day! The arrow tips weren't just right visually and it was to be redone by Alfredo three days later, but I got to teach him how to do the scripting and instant teleporting. I realized after I'd put hours into it that I should have gotten the arrow graphic from him to start with. We are all learning so much!

Friday, Jan. 30 VSTE Island Day 21

We made a lot of progress in three weeks. Here are some of the changes after the meeting with Flying where he asked some questions, made some suggestions, and reorganized us. I created a visual distinction for the sandbox, a place where every visitor has rights to build. Mandie did the estate work to give the rights. We still need to create a sign that explains the rules of sandbox play. I placed kiosks in the Community Center that display some websites Flying wanted always available. When you click them your browser opens to those websites as well. In order to define some areas of the Community Center and not have it look like a train station I created four large planters, a dance floor, and a reception area. This seems to be more in line with Flying's vision. It's growing on me. The planters are the first multipiece of building I've done other than framing photos. They aren't exciting, but there is a brick wall with a wood frame filled with dirt on top. Mandie and Alfredo are working on large signs that show where you are and display the VSTE industry partners and supporters. Elijah added three Jamestown houses and many artifacts, but I just accidentally deleted that photo! Grrrr.

VSTE Island Managers' Meeting

Flying, Barrie, Janene, Mandie, Alfredo, Jazmemo, and Thunder met for two hours in world last night to go over a list of observations and requests by Flying. Before the meeting I was feeling extreme emotional fatigue from lack of clear communication. After the meeting I felt 100% better because I have some direction. I know what is appreciated and preferred. I'm encouraged that we will make a commitment to meet every two weeks between now and the conference in February.

Flying Story Tries Out a Treehouse

Last night we just did a little tweeking to the Island. I checked some issues with the furniture in the headquarters. My friend Cyrus came with me to see if we could do something about the cuddle poseballs in the sofa. They can be hidden but come right back. I need to find comfortable but business like furniture for HQ. Identity's stuff is just too "doctor's waiting room." Flying was there and when he comes we all seem to stand around waiting for words of wisdom, or some reaction to what we have done. No news it not good news because we assume the worst when he says nothing. "We" is used loosely here. I think I speak for at least two of us. :P Having the impression that what Flying needs most on the island right now is a place for himself to get away from the rest of us, we told him about a treehouse we found that we thought was fun. The house itself is about 45 meters in the air and sits inside a huge tree. The walls are almost entirely made up of windows and there are two floors with a porch. From the center of VSTE Island Flying can overlook the entire sim. The leaves change color, shades of green, the windows can have blinds, and the doors can be locked open or closed. There is even an access list so we can be kept out if desired! :-)

VSTE January 26

The weekly VSTE meeting was special last night. We met for the last time at the old VSTE building on Eduisland. There were more folks there than ever before. It was especially nice to have Flying Story and some of the key players in real world VSTE there. We attended the Educational Faire hosted by the Lindens together. At the virtual Texas State Technology College Fairwell booth we all got segways! We ran around to the various booths together on our segways and had a blast. Eventually we met back at the VSTE building for a champagne toast. We are thankful to Milosun for starting VSTE in Second Life; to Flying, his board, and the VSTE conference committee for their support of a new island, and to the team from Virginia Beach, who became passionate about enhancing VSTE's presence in Second Life.