Anybody Else In Second Life

[Guest Emeraude]

I sometimes play in a virtual world called Second Life. One of the great things about this is that you can design your own avatar and then roam this virtual world in that new body.

It was a turning point for me in this whole cross dressing thing when, when it came time to choose an avatar, I chose a woman. I actually get to be a virtual woman in this virtual world, and interact with other people as a woman! Talk about "passing"! It took me a little by surprise when I did it, and so did the feelings I got from having the freedom to be a woman. (Of course, she's young and beautiful. She's the avatar I'm using here) That's also when I chose my fem name, another big turning point. And it all happened very suddenly, when I was deciding who I would be in this second life and I realized I wanted to be a woman there!

Isn't this a great metaphor for us?

And, oh, the shopping!

Anybody else in Second Life?

--Emeraude

[Guest AllisonD]

what a great name.

I've been wearing a body powder by that name for 40 years.

I guess it's a trademark of mine.

I always found the name beautiful so I'm glad to see such a beautiful girl using it.

Allison

[Guest mia 1]

Yes I've heard of it. There was a spread about it in the NYT magaazine a few weeks ago and it was about a guy who started a R&B band and it became so real that the participants in the "Second Life" insisted the "Avatar" start a band for real instead of in the virtual reality game.....amazing "E" girl.......thanks for the revelation

[Guest Donna Jean]

OMG, Sweetheart....

Laura's IS my second life.....lol

I don't think that I could take on anymore!

But I have friends that practically LIVE in there!

It must be fun...But, I'm afraid to go there...I'd get hooked!

LOVE

Donna Jean

[Guest ChloëC]

I joined some months ago, and like you, created a female avatar. It took me a little while to learn some of the basic controls and I was able to leap that first chasm and then I came to that sort of gathering place and others started talking to me. And I freaked because I didn't really feel ready to interact with others until I understood what was available and how to make my avatar work and all that. I realized that to do it right I would have to spend some time and I just didn't think I really wanted to. So my avatar is basically abandoned, tho I do get invites from others off and on, which I think are just random come-ons.

Stray, I think it is possible to mis-lead others if you get carried away and start bringing in real life things, like suggesting you're like how you're avatar is being portrayed. But I think the whole point of Second Life is to give you a chance to act out in some different form other than your real self, be it age wise, gender wise, or even ethnicity (I think). And since most others are in on the conceit (they're doing the same thing), I don't find a problem with it.

Also, I participate in another role playing (sort of) web site and now with Laura's, both are eating up any available time, so Second Life is put aside, but if I had time, I would consider getting back into it.

[Guest rachael1]

I haven't heard of it before so I checked out the website, it sounds interesting so I may pop in for a visit.

Rachael

[Sally]

I don't even have time for my first life!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest BeardedMan]

Hey Emeraude and everybody -

I'm a huge fan of SL - I'm a grad student doing research on virtual worlds, so of course I would be. But it's a great "place" for a lot of people for many different reasons. My avatar's actually CD; in my case, it's an opportunity to experience "going out" socially while dressed in a safe environment. I've only been dressing for a year - thanks to my fiance's encouragement - and am really nervous about going out, especially because I don't intend to pass (fiance and I both love my beard).

But in Second Life, I can have many of the same experiences virtually. In particular, for anyone who's interested, there's a group called "Gender Transgressors" that is welcoming (not simply tolerant) of all gender expressions. You can find them using the Search function under Groups. They have both social and informational gatherings, and are encouraging and supportive. If anyone wants more info, you can contact me privately.

And yes, Emeraude, the shopping!! Did you happen to catch the Shoe Fair a couple of weeks ago?

-- Beard

PS: This is my first post in the Playground. I can't tell you all how great it is to have found a community like this!

[Guest Emeraude]

what a great name.

I've been wearing a body powder by that name for 40 years.

I guess it's a trademark of mine.

I always found the name beautiful so I'm glad to see such a beautiful girl using it.

Allison

Allison, you are so sweet! It was so strange that the name popped into my mind the way it did. There must have been some subconscious associations going on, and it sounds like your body powder is a good association to have. Thanks for the compliment!

--Emeraude

[Guest Emeraude]

Hey Emeraude and everybody -

I'm a huge fan of SL - I'm a grad student doing research on virtual worlds, so of course I would be. But it's a great "place" for a lot of people for many different reasons. My avatar's actually CD; in my case, it's an opportunity to experience "going out" socially while dressed in a safe environment. I've only been dressing for a year - thanks to my fiance's encouragement - and am really nervous about going out, especially because I don't intend to pass (fiance and I both love my beard).

But in Second Life, I can have many of the same experiences virtually. In particular, for anyone who's interested, there's a group called "Gender Transgressors" that is welcoming (not simply tolerant) of all gender expressions. You can find them using the Search function under Groups. They have both social and informational gatherings, and are encouraging and supportive. If anyone wants more info, you can contact me privately.

And yes, Emeraude, the shopping!! Did you happen to catch the Shoe Fair a couple of weeks ago?

-- Beard

PS: This is my first post in the Playground. I can't tell you all how great it is to have found a community like this!

Beard,

I missed the Shoe Fair! That's a staggering disappointment! Let me know if there's another one.

--Emeraude

[Guest Emeraude]

SL is all about fantasy, as far as I'm concerned, and people seem to mostly keep their real life (RL) dissociated. You'll notice, for example, that almost everybody is young and beautiful!

There's a whole fashion subculture that I love, and tons of designers for not only the kinds of fashion you're used to (clothing, shoes (!) etc.) but also "skins", or how your avatar looks. You get to pick your body size and type and coloring and facial features and eye color and hairstyles, it goes on and on. And you can change them whenever and however you want.

It's great fun, even tho I only have time to duck in from time to time. You know, it's interesting that my avatar is not CD, but a woman . . .

And, Beard, welcome! Maybe I'll run into you in SL. I'll check out the Transgressors next time I'm in world.

--Emeraude