It’s sad but true. In days gone by, I had an awesome Second Life avatar named Lilly. Since she had gotten taken under the wing of a cyber sugar daddy, she was all decked out: the best skin, shape, hair, face, and Xcite parts Linden dollars could buy. Then I stopped playing for a few months. It’s not my fault. The fact of the matter is, when I was living in Ireland, Second Life was one of the few games I had access to. I overdid it. I had to take a break.
Of course, when I came back, Lilly’s account was somehow magically broken. The password didn’t work; answering questions in the password finder only got me warnings that I’d be shut out of her account forever. Poor Lilly, with her bubblegum pink hair and her blue corset.
A few months ago, I finally gave up on her and made Cheeree Oh, my current avatar. Cheeree means well, but I haven’t had the heart (okay, I’ve been to cheap) to spend the bucks and do her up nice. What I mean to say is, she’s ugly. See for yourself. I’m not used to doing sex research with a frumpy front woman. Besides, Second Life avatars are supposed to look better over time, not worse. Well Cheeree, it’s time for a make over. ‘Cause right now, even I wouldn’t do you.
Bonnie Ruberg is a sex, technology, and video games journalist who contributes regularly to publications like The Economist, Forbes, and The Village Voice. By day she's also a comparative literature PhD student at UC Berkeley, where she studies French, English, gender, sexuality, surrealism and perversion. You can reach her at [her first name and last name, all one big word] AT gmail DOT com.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:01 am
Couldn’t you try to apply for some sort of research grant? Better yet, I’m sure you could write off any expenditures on SL as tax deductible, since it’s part of your work. It’s a bit of a stretch, but so if the idea that strippers can write off cosmetic surgery because of their job (and trust me, they can. My accountant girlfriend told me so). Regardless, I find Lilly’s fate incredibly hilarious. But that’s just me.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:09 am
Regardless, I find Lilly’s fate incredibly hilarious.
Be nice :). The worst part is that she’s still there, floating somewhere in the Second Life ether, holding on to all her cool stuff, etc. So close…
As for what’s tax deductible, I paid taxes for the very first time in my life this year, and the entire thing confuses the heck out of me. Besides, somehow I’m thinking they’re not going to be too happy about writing off amounts in Linden dollars :). But it’s worth a try!
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:27 am
If you aren’t familiar with Bonnie’s other works, you should definitely check into a piece she wrote on Resident Evil 5 and racism. Now because the comments there are so backed up and I want to get my opinion out, in hopes this attention whore will stop encouraging people to look into EVERYTHING for racism where there was obviously no intent…
“Are you serious Bonnie?
My frying pans are black. now the white people use these black pans to cook whatever they want, one could even say they are the tools of the white folk, just like black people were when we were slaves to them!!
Coincidence?
yes of course, but if we are talking like we are fucking stupid then i think we should include it.
it makes sense my pans are black, as almost all pans are. just like it makes sense that in an AFRICAN VILLAGE there are indeed AFRICANS!!
why dont we stop looking into things and trying to make something were there is nothing?
either that or eliminate all creative freedom, i guess that would be nice too. i mean so what the writers wanted a FICTIONAL (key-word) game that is also immersive and realistic set in africa with africans; i see no reason why its not set on… the moon… and the zombies arent africans they are… moon-martians desending from an ancient race of tree-elves… and another thing, why bring back a white character just because he has been involved in the storyline before and is a staple of the series? i say lets make him a blue fucking robot.
thatd be just as realistic and immersive as africans in africa huh?”
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:08 am
Dear anonymous poster,
Your comment is not being deleted or moved to its related post so that you will not feel your opinion-however inappropriately expressed-is being silenced. Clearly we disagree on this issue. I certainly understand that RE5 is fictional, but as a writer trained in literary criticism, I believe in the worth of analyzing art (i.e. fiction) for its cultural and social overtones. If this is not something that interests you, please feel free to ignore my article and enjoy Resident Evil 5.
-Bonnie
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:39 am
For any comments regarding the Resident Evil 5 article, please see the related post here. All RE5 comments posted on unrelated posts will be deleted.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:28 am
Bonnie,
I started SL back in May (I was playing Sociolotron up until then). I must say I’m totally addicted to SL. ;)
That said, there is a TON of free stuff in SL. I know there is a bunch of crap among the free stuff, but if you are willing to sift through all of it, you can find some free gems, including skins and outfits. If you’d like, I’d be happy to go shopping with you anytime. Feel free to IM me anytime! My name in SL is Diannah DeCuir. We’ll get you all prettied up!
August 15th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Ooh, shopping party!
I did go free-stuff hunting a week or two ago, but everything I’ve tried on seems to be, well, mugly. Next time I’m in world I’ll definitely say hi!
August 15th, 2007 at 9:00 am
One of the few things that makes me whimper in SL is to be in the middle of good cybersex and then get an IM invite to go shopping. ;)
But I went freebie shopping last weekend. I’m still sorting through all the great stuff I got (that is NOT exaggeration either). I spent two days organizing my inventory and I still can’t find everything. :P
August 15th, 2007 at 10:49 am
To tell the truth, I had a really newb problem when I went freebie shopping a few weeks ago. I got a bunch of cool stuff, like a new hairdo, then I had a hell of a time just getting the box open. I mean, I’m pretty sure I know how to do stuff *that* basic. But everywhere I tried to open the box it said I wasn’t allowed. I’m missing something super obvious, right?
August 16th, 2007 at 3:41 am
Actually, there are far too many zones that won’t let you open boxes. I recommend finding ANY place that will let you do it, and setting a landmark there. I still have a landmark to a former lover’s house where I go to open boxes.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Well, that’s a pain, but I’m glad to know it’s not just me. Any suggestions of public places for box opening?
August 16th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Personally, I prefer private places, ESPECIALLY when trying on outfits. I’d hate to be out in public with a truly awful outfit. ;)
Along that line, find land for sale or rent. You may get an occasional passerby, but you can enjoy privacy for the most part.
Also, some places even have “dressing rooms”. I know Centauri Prime (a sci fi rp sim with a marketplace at the entrance) has one.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:34 am
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