Dante... Dante... where for art thou Dante? Everywhere!

After I got done surfing today, I went by Naughty Island, as I do every now and again to see what new stuff they got for a snazzy kitty like myself. While I was standing looking at the clothes, I couldnt believe how many guys were there with Dante skins. In varying forms and with different shapes and colors.

Is this a Dante invasion?

When I first started on SL like most newbies I looked like crap! Some skin I picked up from some store (I dont even remember). I changed that skin for a Cryogen's Bryan skin which became my look when I started modeling. After I signed up with Atlantis, I did switch to the Dante skin.

I thought about it long and hard. Did I really want to be in a sea of Dante's? LOL... Dont get me wrong! I mean no disrespect and I think it is one of the best and most pleasing appearances in SL for guys.

What gets me is how many don't personalize theirs. To give it their own feel you know? I do see some do this, but I see many stores that use models with this skin looking the same. Hmm....

This was how I looked before my Dante skin. I pretty much kept the shape in tact. I was quite attached to my Cryogen skin, but i wanted something that looked a bit more 3dimensional with more realistic skin.
Now they have a new skin called Gabriel which is quite an angelic looking lad. Fell straight out of heaven, wings in tact into some ladies lap. he he...
I'm not seeing it around as much yet though. Oh well... I suppose we Dante's will continue to converge all over SL, giving each other the thumbs up when we pass by one another.
I've put some pics here of Bad Girls. I stopped by to catch the party people in motion. Man that place is packed and I always see some of the wildest outfits in SL there.

Surf for the soul...

After such an emotional day yesterday, I stumbled upon Laguna Beach Club in SL. After lying about in a beach chair, I ventured into a surfboard store they had there. I found Namiko surfboards for sale. A scripted object that promises a true surfing experience in this virtual world. They work in coordination with specially scripted waves on natural Linden water designed by Heather Goodliffe.

After surfing about on the regular beach waves (I couldnt figure the thing out XD) the owner Valiant IMed me that I was surfing on the wrong waves. "The interactive waves are in the lagoon." she informed me.

After a very cool turn of the board, I immediately caught a wave and was slammed into the beach wall! LOL!

In about 10 minutes I'd gotten the hang of it and set my board to advanced. What a difference! I think I surfed for over 2 hours. I just couldnt stop myself. I didnt want to. I felt the need to just drift and enjoy the sea.

I've done alot of stuff in SL, but this has got to be the best thing I've done so far. After I'd tired myself out surfing, I flopped onto the sand letting all the anxiety just drain out of me. I finally felt relaxed and more myself again.

This is probably going to cause me to take up surfing in RL, which is great since I'll be going on holiday this summer for sure (long over due) and experience the real life sensations.

It did clear my head and set me straight on some things I've been mulling over.

Is SL addictive. Yes. Are there places that offer nothing that will thrill the soul? Yes. But there are things to experience in SL that can really help you in real life. And yes I do have a family support system. Its just kind of like when you were a kid. You had a problem or something weighing on your mind. You know your folks are there for you. But you just have to sort it out yourself. That's pretty much where I was at yesterday.

SL isnt just clubs and escorts and fashion. If you look hard enough, you can feed your virtual soul.

^^

When SL gives you lemons....

You ever have one of those days where you just dont know which way you are going? You want to say something so bad... so bad you can taste it! Its right on the tip of your tongue.

But you dont.

Instead, you clam up. Keep it inside. Swallow it and push on. Ok ok I know I'm not alone in this, but jeez. Man... grrrrrrrrr!!!!!

Oh well.. There's nothing I can do really. The moment has passed yet again, and I've exited out the back door with my feelings tucked deep inside. I know I have to ease off. Just take a step back and get myself back in control. *sigh*

Well on a happy note! (didnt see that coming did ya?) I've made some new chairs. They turned out really nice. I'm very pleased. I think maybe I'll put them on SLX and see how they do. Oh and I get my Graphire XL this week! Now I can stop drawing with my mouse in PS. Man is it like drawing with a bar of soap or what???

After I get my art cleaned up, I'm having them printed onto Tshirts and peddling them at the local boot sale! Yippee!! The printer for this is so expensive. Over $1K easy. But well worth it.

Well back to work I go. Theatre rehearsals tonight.

Peace out!

Grrrrrrr!!!!! Teleport is driving me nuts!

There was a time when 15K people on SL was so laggy and you couldnt teleport anywhere. Now its 25K. Progress I guess.
I'm online now and there are 15K people logged on but I still cant TP. I'm even using Lady Frost's very helpful tip of TPing to a Linden location first then tping where you want. Which always works! And that's not even working now.
Instead I'm stuck at Builders Paradise being bumped into by every newbie that needs a job. Why don't they check the classifieds? Or spend some time at New Citizen's plaza before they delve into the rest of SL?
Ok I'm venting and being a whiny kitty. :P *swishes his tail in annoyance*

Modeling rocks!!!

Well I've signed up with another modeling agency called Sophisticated Models. It's a very nice group.

If you think its all about the clothes then you are in for a wake up call! There is so much stuff to learn. Camera controls, how to make outfits so you can dress easier. Ok I admit, I've been on SL now since May of 2006 and alot of this stuff I did not know.

The class today was almost two hours, but well worth it. Sophie is a very good instructor and showed us loads of tricks to make getting through the shows easier.

Of course nothing can combat lag I suppose *cough cough at SL* But guess you cant have everything!

On a good note, we only have to cast one more male role for the Yule play we'll be performing hopefully the last week of January. It is a short play, only 3 scenes and 6 characters. I've had all the sets made and they look great! I cant wait to start! Now if I could just find Lucas. Lucas! Oh Lucas! Are you on a book signing tour? he he...

Peace out ^^

SL Men and Men's Second Style

Dont even waste time reading this! Jet to these sites Asap if you are a man in Second Life and dont want to walk around looking like a newb on the loose!

Men's Second Style

SL Men - blog

Its so needed and so very appreciated by us stylish guys *natch*. I admit I got into modeling for the clothes. Well maybe to show off a bit too ^^

My Momo!!!

Momo!

Well to all manga fans, if you've read Kimi wa Pet (american title "Tramps Like Us") you know all about the loveable Momo. An young elite japanese career woman, Sumire, takes in a homeless boy as her *coughs* pet. Takeshi Gouda is a dancer with a heart of gold. (Though he does know how to manipulate and does so often when it suits him)

This is where I got my Second Life name from. I was catching up with a designer friend of mine recently and met Mystikal, owner and designer of Mystikal Hair Designs. (Check it out and buy or I will hunt you down and cough up furballs on you :P)

Well we got to talking and I told her of my dilemna to find someone who would do Momo's hairstyle. I sent her a few choice pics. And ta da!!!! The result is smokin! You would not believe the colours and the skillz this girl has! I get lots of compliments on it.

It did drive her a bit crazy. Seems the first attempt got blown to all hell when SL did something weird (which is the norm more times than not). So she took a few days off before she tried again. I think it turned out perfect. It got a great review from Second Man as well.

I've included some pics of the real Momo. Said character created by Yayoi Ogawa. Read her stuff!!!

Peace out!!!