Pearls of "Wisdom" : Tiamet (1)

Sometimes people tell me that I've said something that's wise. Sometimes They just think they're silly comments. So I'm going to share some of the things that I have said in SL with you. Mind you they are out of context, so you might not get the whole story, but I hope you enjoy them anyway. I know that thinking back on the situations they come from brings back memories to me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tiamet: sex doesn't always have to mean something you know
Tiamet: sometimes sex is just sex.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tiamet: we are all human, we just wear different masks.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tiamet hugs you and goes back to reading "just remember, some of us will remember and miss what was, what will be won't be the same, and it will always be measured against the past."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tiamet: mmmph sleep will come when all things pass.
Tiamet: it's a mercy for the mind, sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tiamet  looks sad for a fleeting moment then plucks up "Nothing in here ever stays, it is in flux the same as the seasons in our rl... except it moves much faster in here, because the virtual reality limits the depth to which we truly experience the company of others. Thus though some of us use this as a social place to delve and search out like minded folk, there are some folk who often forget that there are real people behind an avatar, and simply use it as a game to meet their own ends and desires. So whenever going anywhere it is advisable to remember that the idea is to enjoy that which is available while it is there, for come tomorrow it may be gone.  Simply take it all as it comes, and revel in the sparkling moments, because they never EVER last forever." 

What to do with Rule 7

When you're in Second Life and wandering through various sims I'm sure you've seen some people with a Rule 7 or Restricted tag on. This in no way, shape or form excludes them from role playing. This is written to help those who are restricted by Rule 7, as well as to help those who feel that their experience would be boring if they chase or choose to rp with someone under rule 7. So please read with an open mind.

Restrictions when it come to role play are usually created in order to create some sort of power exchange between those involved. These may not be limited to simply sexual role play. Sometimes a character is restricted from saying certain things, or discussing certain topics. They can be instructed not to wear certain items. This is not a rule, but just an idea about some of the things that can come up when meeting a character that is restricted.

So what exactly is Rule 7? Rule 7 is a part of the Village rules created to protect the power exchanges established in a storyline or relationship. Specifically it is intended to protect sexual restrictions, while allowing people to continue interacting on a social level as well as rp safely. This is not something to use because you feel like you don't want to role play a sexual situation. Picking and choosing when you want to 'enforce' rule 7 isn't going to work. But I'll cover that further down.

WHAT IS RULE 7:

7. SEXUALLY Restricted prey can come to THE VILLAGE Slave Hunt™ and visit and interact with the people in the Village without threat of sexual restriction being compromised if they are owned and under these circumstances:

a) They have their owner clearly listed in their profile and listed as being sexually restricted.

b) Their owner must list the prey in their own profile and list that prey is sexually restricted.

c) Title their meter "sexually restricted to (owner name), non sexual RP only, see Village rule # 7".

d) Note this rule does not exempt you from being captured, or roleplayed with in other aspects, it only excludes you from sexual role play.

That is what Rule  7 is in the Village rules. As you can see, the only thing clearly taken away is sexual role play. There are still a lot of rp scenarios that are still open to them. What might some of these be? Well I hate to say it, but the ones I use most frequently during times like open hunt are chores.

Chores may not be the most glamorous thing to rp about. But they can be used to create some interesting situations. Some common ones that are easy enough to use reliably are cooking, drink serving, window washing, flower picking, and laundry. These are all tasks that have a variety of motions and parts that can be role played up. Giving both parties something to work out.

Another enjoyable task I highly recommend is dancing. Dancing is a very important feature, everyone should be able to rp dancing. There is so much to describe, everything from hand movements, to the flow of fabric and hair as one moves. Dancing is not sexual, but it can be erotic and entertaining depending on the writer. Not to mention it can be delightful to watch.

Rule 7 is not a pick and choose who you have sex with thing. Rule 7 can be taken away if you are found having sexual relations with someone other than the one listed in your profile and tag. It is not a rule to be abused. It is intended to help enhance rp. So try not to ruin it for those that use it properly.

Just a Reminder.

There's no such thing as too much fun when it comes to SL. Here in this digital world we get to explore a lot of ideas and possibilities that in rl may be improbable for us to experience. We can travel the world. Explore the pyramids, see a museum, tempt our senses by attending a concert, or even find a wonderful view to help promote meditation. But regardless of what we do we share this amazing digital world with others.

Every player in SL has their own observations and take on what is going on in our digital world. So in order to have the best experience possible it is highly recommended to keep an open mind. This is crucial as it helps to offer us each the maximum number of opportunities that we can explore. None of us are right, neither are we wrong when it comes to what we can do or be. So remember to keep an open mind.

The Dresden Dolls : Missed Me

missed me missed me now you've got to kiss me
if you kiss me mister you must think i'm pretty
if you think so mister you must want to fuck me
if you fuck me mister it must mean you love me
if you love me mister you would never leave me
it's as simple as can be!

missed me missed me now you've got to kiss me
if you miss me mister why do you keep leaving
if you trick me mister i will make you suffer
and they'll get you mister put you in the slammer and forget
you mister then i think you'll miss me won't you miss me
won't you miss me

I'm a what?

I'm sitting here thoroughly amused by something I was told recently.  And I'm not angry about it at all, I'm actually highly amused. There are differing opinions on the matter though. But I'm going to be looking at this from my point of view, instead of trying to reflect on why other people may think that it's wrong. Admittedly, it is downright impolite and childish to call other people names. But there is always a silver lining.

So what was I called? Well it wasn't just me who was caught in the cross fire of name calling, but I'm content to wear the badge for now. Slut. Mhm, that's supposedly what I am. Writing the word actually brings a rather amused smirk to my face. So we'll start with a definition of the word, as well as some information concerning the way it has evolved.
_______________________________________________________________________

slut

1.a. A person, especially a woman, considered sexually promiscuous.

   b. A woman prostitute.

2. A slovenly woman; a slattern.

4. an immoral woman

5. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) Archaic a female dog

(defined by the dictionary)

The following is a quote from Wikepedia.

"the term has been used as an expression of choice to openly have multiple partners, and revel in that choice: "a slut is a person of any gender who has the courage to lead life according to the radical proposition that sex is nice and pleasure is good for you." A slut is a person who has taken control of their sexuality and has sex with whomever they choose, regardless of religious or social pressures or conventions to conform to a straight-laced monogamous lifestyle committed to one partner for life. The term has been "taken back" to express the rejection of the concept that government, society, or religion may judge or control one's personal liberties, and the right to control one's own sexuality.^"

 ^{__________________________________________________________________________________________}

So in all actuality there isn't a reason that I should find offense in being called a slut. It is a rather... odd word, and not one that I hear often. In fact part of me finds it kind of thrilling to have someone label me with it. Why? Because I haven't had anyone else try to classify me with it before. That doesn't mean  that it is right. But what it does do is have me open my eyes and reflect on what I do. Do I really seem that bad? In my opinion, no.

To live life is to have experiences. Even in second life we are entitled to trial and error. There is no designated right to wrong way to do things. We go through the digital world testing new experiences, making friends and acquaintances along the way. So what if I wanna try out a new vertical mambo pose ball for kicks? It's just pixels. 

Unlike the real world, Second Life holds less danger in exploring thoughts and ideas than real life does. I don't have to worry about who my partner was last with, and what kind of nasty heebe jeebie I might be the lucky recipient of. Unless I want to role play pregnancy, I don't have to worry about that either (And honestly I really don't want to RP that). It really is a place to explore thoughts and ideas without being worried about judgment.

Which leads me to my next point. Many of you are thinking that there must be something wrong with me if I'm trying to say that I accept this as an alright definition of myself. It is not ideal in any way, but I find it amusing. The one word I find to be most useful for expressing why is the one I'm defining next. Immoral. I will explain why this is the key to understanding this issue for me.

_________________________________________________________________________

Immoral

1. transgressing accepted moral rules; corrupt

2. sexually dissolute; profligate or promiscuous

3. unscrupulous or unethical

4. tending to corrupt or resulting from corruption

_________________________________________________________________________

I do not feel that anything I do or have done is in the intent to corrupt others. I do not feel that I am unethical. And I sure as hell do not feel that I am promiscuous. In fact in all honesty I feel that I am more likely to hold up moral rules than to try and get around them. There is nothing in second life that defines what the moral values and codes are across the board. In fact what is and isn't acceptable changes not only on a daily basis in this digital realm, but by sim. You can go to twenty different sims, and each one will have different values, rules, and expectations.

That said, sure if you want to call me a slut. Fine, call me one. But there are a lot of things that you don't know about me. In fact, there are thousands of things you will never ever know about me. What you do know is from experience and what I have admitted. I would advise that those who are pained by the words of another to really think about what is driving that person to sway what they are saying. Are they frustrated? Jealous? Angry? Lonely? Nine times out of ten their words will be driven by jealousy.

The green eyed monster can make people say horrible things. It can make them do horrible things, and they won't even realize what is altering their behavior in such a horrible way. So smile, and wear your badge of dishonor.  They're only giving it to you because they're not getting what they want.

Role Play...Can it Push Boundaries?

I was recently in a conversation with an old friend in SL whom i hadn't seen for a while, we caught up over prim Starbucks & poor sipping animations in a diner on the New York sim, it was a nice hour or so and we mused over old times and past relationships, we laughed and joked and it was nice to have a connection with someone who held quite a bit of my history.  We soon shifted onto some of the contents of my picks in my profile, she had spotted during a nose that i had several picks relating to role play, she hummed and hared over quizzing me about it and finally i just said to her 'You think it's weird don't you'

She laughed and said no, she explained how she does not entirely understand it and wondered if its any different from the kind of antics you get up to in IM with a partner? 'No...well...yes, sort of' i said to her, It's different for everyone i'm guessing...but for me and many other people i know, it's that creative out let, it's a story unfolding and it can end in one chapter...or it can carry on for many, some even write whole books over the course of time with the same person...but when the story ends and you come out of character...that's it.
'So its a free and easy well for people to get laid guilt free then?' she snorts...i laughed at her bluntness, 'Its not always about sex' I tell her, plenty of people i know don't sexually RP, they may have some kind of romance or tease but like with real life, when things get too steamy there is always the word NO.
It would be arrogant of me to assume that all people who RP do it just for the sex, but such a large percentage do, not often for sinister reasons, but to have that fantasy, to be that gallant knight or that filthy pirate who chases the captains daughter as she flee's around the shipwreck, shrieking and trying to escape...when secretly hoping he catches her..oh and what if he also catches her sister who is hiding in the jungle? with all that rope he could quite easily tie then both up & they would be at his complete mercy!
My friend burst out laughing at this notion and suggested that i take her along to a carp sim one day...quickly adding that she was joking, as she is very happily partnered. So she then asked me...'What if feelings get involved?' Good question.
A friend who also RP's said to me that she is fed up of men assuming they were becoming romantically involved after they had got intimate during RP on a few occasions. I said, Well you just must be THAT GOOD! of course not too far from the truth as men seemed to fall all over her and she was merely interested only in creating stories with people. Were they right to get huffy? Mm not so sure...but on the other hand men and women have been sleeping together, no strings attached, since way back...and it has been the cause of so much drama...men sleeping with multiple women, women doing the same with men..people finding out...tears and tantrums...
So what if feelings DO get involved? Sometimes or often RP can be intense, fast, passionate,creative...i heard one session being described once as 'The whole room vanished and it was just me & him there, typing to each other like crazy...' It's like the first throws of love & passion, it can get your heart racing...so when its over?...do we just turn our feelings off? and what if then you know that its likely that person will be making some other persons heart thrash the next day, while you sit there and pout to yourself.
And what if it's one sided? YOU think it was amazing...out of this world...but the other person logs off and thinks..'Well that was aright i guess' i suppose we never know.
And then comes the big old question... Can we RP with close friends more than innocently?
A friend asked me straight up if i think that could affect our friendship...i was positive it would, not down to the fact i wasn't attracted to the person or cared about them, but because RP to me is fantasy, i can save those precious moments of being intimate with someone i like,and i mean REALLY like...remove myself and be with that person on a more whole level rather than it being the non consistent act of simple RP.  So to be so casual with a friend will in my opinion, push boundaries.
I have the utmost respect for the NSRP'ers, it's something that can be a bit of a taboo on the carp sims, looked down on a little and questioned, it's simple really, as humans we are not all the same, we have our own needs and desires and we act accordingly to those...i am often in awe of the non sexual male who keeps to his word & says 'Thank you...but no' to the ladies...although its rare...it does happen! It says to me, a strong person with respect for himself and women...or maybe just very shy! (laughs out loud)
So in conclusion, i think that RP in its many forms can push boundaries, depending on the person ...
I don't think it at all right or acceptable for a person to literally walk away or cut out a previous player, it's polite and respectful to be gracious to that person, understanding to any feelings they may have...treat other players as they treat you, RP is after all a huge community based on communication...
It's all supposed to be fun...but don't forget that we are all humans behind the words guys :)

Peace Out

Lola  

some thoughts on rp

Role playing is one of the important factors when it comes to participation in second life. You're someone you're not, and can be nearly anything that you imagine. So it would go to pot if you didn't try to script out your character as a separate entity of yourself.

How do you create a character? As we've looked at in the past, you create a unique appearance. You want to have a look that people will know is you. They will become accustomed to you looking a certain way, physically if not fashionably. This is your character's base.

Why is your look your base? What you look like and what you wear is what gives you your basic items to write about. If you do not carry a dagger, for example, how can you claim to fight with one? If you're not wearing a dress, how can you get tangled in it? These are simply things to think about. Of course it is possible to have pockets, bu t you need to keep their contents somewhat realistic.

The other things that you're going to want to think about when working on establishing your character is repeat actions. These actions are things that people will recognize and come to expect from your character. Does your character chew her lip while he watches the fire? Does she twist her hair in her fingers as she thinks? Does she have a sweet or sour disposition?

It's all things to think about. It can help make you a more appealing rp partner, as it will  show people that there is more depth to you than just being a digital barbie doll. You want your character to have aspirations and goals. These are what help you create a point of interest for yourself.

When I first re-arrived in the village my character could be found in the SZ now and then nibbling on flowers. She progressed to eating a snack we have since come to call "cricket crunchies", and  I even got them mermaid approved through rp. She also has a tendency to share fruit, which she has accessories displaying, to other characters. When she doesn't have them equipped, I improvise ways to get access to things. Many folk see me in SZ frequently, so it should come as no surprise that I would hide fruit and things behind the cushions there.

Ok, well that's enough babbling out of me. But just so you can see what I mean am including a picture and a bit of one sided rp. When starting an interaction, sometimes it can seem like you're playing by yourself, but don't be afraid to play. Having fun is the key element to enjoying your time. Here ya go.

Tiamet swims around the cavern, her tail flipping as she circles a pillar deciding that for a moment she can rest.  Her form sinks slightly her elbows coming to rest on the top of the pillar as her eyes stare at her surroundings lazily, a slightly bored expression on her face. The slight movement of the water causes her hair to sway around her face, the crown resting on top of it keeping most of it in place. She watches the bubbles escaping the plants, and playfully tries to let a bubble escape from her own mouth, and with a bit of effort she manages one pathetic bubble which slowly disappears up into the caverns darkness above.

Play like the rules never matter. ~ Tiamet ~