Meetings

Interviews given: 1 (good); People dropping by: 3 (good); Offices created: 1 (good); No. of cool offers of unpaid work: 1 (good); Strangers observed editing appearance on skating rink: 1 (curious).

Have not mentioned that although island scarcely Picadilly Circus have been a few more people turning up. Was on island last Saturday being interviewed by Marilena whilst lounging by the pool and having nice chat generally. A business lecturer who has come along to a couple of meeting suddenly joined us which felt v. nice as like to feel that island is place where people might like to hang out.

Also Swiss librarian who came to discussion with report from Konstanz meeting dropped in beforehand to take balloon ride and say hello.

Realise haven't blogged that discussion here, but have done so on the Information Literacy blog. The pic here shows Tulle and Marky, after the discussion finished and is basically included so can see rather fine flower arrangement that is now a feature of the office.

Have finally made cubicle space for Ishbel in departmental building, since she is part of team with undergrads in SL. A couple of nights ago she visited it and fortunately liked the way had kitted it out (though as she has SL Skills, she may choose to personalise with her own stuff).

Lastly, after previous Babylon5 entry, was contacted by one of people who run the sim and asked if would like to help with marketing effort of the B5 Experience. Was v. surprised and flattered but also torn as

a) would be v. cool thing to do but

b) am already hiding behind vast piles of Unfinished Work in office and gazing glassy eyed at oodles of emails in inbox with all other zillion things I'm supposed to be doing.

In end said that would like to be part of Team but have to be realistic about time committed. This seemed to be OK so will have to see how it goes.

Is now taking me some time each day just to visit all places where have land/quarters. with personal land will note that number of office blocks have risen which is bit of shame. Also think only person to have bought a photo from shop is Ishbel.

Bought a v. nice Christmas tree though, so can contemplate that when feel stressed.

Snow falling on island

Entries written in reflective learning diary: 3 (good); No. of snow covered trees planted: 3 (good); Amount of snow covering island hills: just right (good)

As part of action research element of the CILASS island project am now creating Personal Learning Portfolio as Evidence for final whatever of action research cycle. Only started it a few days ago, but already find that small amount of time that wasn't already spending in SL or blogging is now spent writing about it all in learning diary.

Anyway, realised that was writing about something that could go on this blog and repurposing is name of game. Topic was snow cover on island. As already mentioned on blog, intended to change Texture of top of mountains from scrubby green/brown to sparkling white and the L$10 snow textures purchased yesterday seemed right for job. However found on investigation that hadn't got actual texture (graphic) of scrubby brown/green in inventory. Various other scrubby brown or green textures but not that one. Most puzzling. Must have got it from somewhere. Problem was that if switched texture without having original in inventory, could never get back to that SPECIFIC scrubby brown/green and would have go hunting through texture shops to find replacement. Personally think texture shops v. dull not to mention hell to find way round with zillions of little texture squares rezzing v.v. slowly.

Should be said that all powerful owners like self determine 4 different textures to cover 4 different levels of terrain: in the island's case - 1) Rippling sand; 2) Slightly scrubby green; 3) Lush green; 4) Scrubby green/brown. Then owner sets lowest point for texture 2 to start and highest for texture 3 - or is it 4?? At any rate realised that solution was to set top level higher than actual land, so that texture 3 (which knew could get back to as snug in inventory, plus I even remember where I got it from) was on top of mountain, then turn THAT to snow.

Result! Pleasing wintery landscape with top of mountains enfolded in snow and slopes just dusted. Patted self on back and planted a few wintery trees. Heart Garden Centre had snow-covered but sadly lacking in bare-branched tree department, but hopefully will come up with something since otherwise will be winter on top of mountain and perpetual autumn below.

I am a sad nerd

Quarters rented in Babylon 5: 1 (good, bad) ; Favourite character in B5: Londo (bad, good, tragic)
So far in blog have not revealed that am fan of sci fi series Babylon 5, have DVDs of all episodes (seasons 1-5) plus am collecting script books. Enough said, as sad nerdiness is evident when say that have even sat through a couple of episodes comparing what is in scriptbook to what reached final cut.

When started in SL immediately signed up with B5 group but zero happened for many months except odd desultry IMs from people asking each other if anything was happening. However, now great leap forward, since B5 ("a port of call, a home away from home for diplomats, hustlers, entrepreneurs and wanderers ... two million, five hundred thousand tons of spinning metal, all alone in the night ...") being recreated and what is more today was announced that could rent quarters! in B5 itself!
Teleported in (achievement in itself since today SL seems about to tip over) scuttled through the Zocalo* and down to Blue Sector, where found indeed 4 rooms, one already rented. One remaining was fitted out with rudimentary furniture and non-operational-Babcom** (see pic). Doors made dinging noise just like in series! Went and out several times to hear it. Whee! Became very over-excited and could not but click RENT thus committing L$400 to 2 weeks stay.

Installed laptop, glowing crystal (rather large for data crystal***, but still) and sake bottle since am intending to channel Londo Mollari****. Fear this does not fit with image of cool fashionista Yoshikawa, although Group owner also seemed well turned out. However, some things are more important than fashion. Perhaps could host B5 party in skating rink*****.

* The central meeting and trading area

**The system used to communicate in B5

***The memory sticks of B5

****Centauri Ambassador

*****Though I don't remember anyone in B5 ever skating

Skating

No. of skating poseball pairs bought: 2 (good); No. of skating poseball pairs disappeared without trace: 1 (bad); No of fairytale skating wonderlands created: 1 (good); No. of hours spent creating same: erm ... mumble (bad)

Scarcely had last pumpkin been deleted and last witch broom been packed into the Halloween folder than SL is filled with revolving Christmas trees and malformed luminous snowmen. Was sim-hopping for possibly sensible reason that now can't remember when was swept away on wave of wintertide sparkle and in particular discovered joys of skating. You go round and round! and round! and that's about it but somehow satisfying.

Had already been building up stock of fairylights as these are things which every prudent island owner should have in inventory for use in impromtu celebration. Had also picked up snowglobes and slightly bizarre santa-bears and santa-cats for amusing Christmas gifts. However was now inspired to shop around for snowflake emitters, skates and snow textures.

Also saw complete weather system which allows build up of snow on ground when switched on, as well as cloud effects etc. Interesting but L$1500 so will consider further before purchase. Of course can change texture of ground on island at click of mouse and think will have mountaintops snowy at least for a while.

Decided must have skating rink. Could purchase complete rink for price of weather system but look rather utilitarian. Instead can purchase skating pose balls, still not cheap, but so cute! Played around with icesheets in Build area on island (was at this point that first set of poseballs disappeared, together with first set of snow textures though latter only cost L$10) SL seemed to be having bad day since twice had found self zipping of into ether without being able to stop and had to crash out.

In end realised that conference platform ideal setting for rink as platform already looks like ice. Had had cypress trees lying round in inventory for some time, as whenever had brought them out they made landscape look v. mournful so immediately put them back, but decorated with strings of lights they are just the thing. Also placed snow emitter strategically over platform, dashed to Divivity to buy some festive foods, adapted the Basic Chair as supplied to all avatars including stretching chair legs to make base for festive table. Eh voila. Still needs some extra titivating but think can already advertise as island feature.

The pics show my skating rink plus at the bottom a rather spooky Christmas display encountered on travels.

Colleagues

Meetings with colleague at 1am: 2 (good); Tiki homes created on spur of moment: 1 (bad and good)

Have been reasonably unsuccessful in luring colleagues onto island, although several have now avatars. Was therefore v. pleased when Nigl (Prof.) turned up on island when was tidying up in office. Nigl had changed appearance since last seen, now sporting admirable level of bling, v. eye catching.

Showed him possible spaces on top floor of building and displayed some furniture option. However, when Nigl expressed interest in palm trees and I was able to produce same out of inventory, together with assorted flowering bushes and saplings, he was v. enthusiastic.

Was carried away by this to suggest creating special tiki office next to main building and so was soon putting in tiki hut, palm trees, wicker sofa and inevitable coffee pot.

In honour of new office, Nigl changed to academic robes. Was still wearing them next day when encountered him at similar hour near haunted swimming pool. Spent some happy minutes on seesaw and agreed this preferable e.g. to acdamic committee meetings. Had made improvements to tiki (vis. gong, walkway, photo board, bead curtain, inflatable ring and more coffee) and finished it with sign giving name and status.

Will now have to find excuse why other people can't have same.

Fat, creepy

Talks given about Second Life: 1 (good); Number of expensive multicoloured shawls bought in RL because of all this talk in SL about "cosy woollens" and "fall colours": 1 (bad); Pounds added to weight when viewed on wide screen: 20 (v.v. bad).

Last week travelled in RL to Germany to give talk at info literacy conference. V. nice conference in Konstanz, lake views, fine chocolate, twisty old-fashioned streets, hearty stews etc. also could show off German language skills (though conf actually in English). Was mainly talking about activity in postgrad class but also spent 10 mins on SL with demo. ppt is here

In fact had not thought would have access so got v.v. excited when saw could go inworld. However excitement turned to horror as saw how enormous bum and all other portions of anatomy look on wide screen computer. Even stick-thin avatars must look plump. Not sure what is to be done except to start campaign against wide screens on grounds that will cause emotional stress to avatars.

Discussion after talk took emotional turn. Someone said that she found SL creepy and she did not seem to be only one. Not sure whether she realised that implied that *I* was creepy but at any event was somewhat unsettling. One question was how students could tell was my avatar and not some raging pervert out to lure innocents into debauched activities (I paraphrase). This has simple answer since had stood in class with students and said "Look, that's my avatar".


Sure that can't be creepy since:


1) Do healthy things like landscape gardening and shopping;
2) Do not wear skimpy clothing;
3) Am not creepy person.

Hmmmmmmm not sure that would convince jury.

Have included pics showing avatar looking slim and, I hope, not creepy, at the Baden-Baden-Wuerttemberg sim which includes a Universitity of Konstanz buidling and the appealing Literatur Cafe.

The horror

No. of minutes unable to log into SL: 30 (v.v.bad); No. of people who nevertheless show up for discussion: 4 (good)

Last week (before dashing to RL conference) had scheduled discussion in SL about the possible uses of the Infolit iSchool island, with me leading it. As usual prepared notecards, arranged seating and so forth, then logged out and rebooted computer to avoid crashing later on.

V. big mistake. Turns out that LL have problem with logging in so spend 30 minutes staring repeatedly at screen (see pic) which warns that Second Life may appear Frozen YES IT WAS FROZEN I COULDN'T GET IN. As hour of discussion approaches feel increasing panic but when has passed time by 10 mins find that strange calm descends, though still have urge to beat forehead against PC screen. Only consolation is that others have same problem, since obviously would be v. bad for hoards of people clamouring for discussion to be assembled in Regent Plaza wondering where I am.

When eventually get in, find no-one there, which could mean anything, really. People gradually arrive and in end there are 5 of us plus anotther person who flits in and out as happens in SL as flitting is so much easier.

Have discussion which is logged at http://sleeds.org/chatlog/?c=176 Seems that idea of conference is popular, only question being - what on? Lorelle also promises to propose solution to the Notecard Overload which am starting to suffer from in the Centre. She later drops notecard with ideas on SL ebooks, which is useful and will have to ponder.

Person naked but for boots and hat walks in whilst meeting draws to close. As we are all v. polite librarians, Brits etc. do not draw attention to this and indeed, when do gently indicate that clothes might be the done thing, said person is mortified having thought that clothes were Worn. Is moral there always to check that clothing is on body before leaving house.

Discussion

Discussions held: 1 (good); No of places where posting about discussion transcript: 7 (getting ridiculous)

Last Thursday held first discussion session (Inquiry Based Learning and Second Life) on Infolit iSchool. As usual difficult decision as to how much to publicise . Wish to avoid the "office cat is only delegate" scenario experienced on one occasion, on other hand if too many people becomes unmanageable. In end advertise on UK educators lists in addition to usual library one, also Art Fossett v. helpfully sets up Facebook group as promised and v. embarrassingly only stumble across it after event takes place.

Prepare Sakura House with extra chairs in inventory should hoards descend. Wear scripted prim skirt so can sit down without revealing underwear. Prepare notecards on "What is IBL" and "This discussion in IBL and SL", create posters and place in Sakura House. Put redirect teleporter in old CILR office and at Regent Plaza on the island. Decide to remove part of back window of House so easier to get in and out. Reboot computer to minimize risk of crashing. Switch on chat log.

Then sit and contemplate sunrise until first people arise. Soon evident that will not just be me and cat, hurrah. Turns out to be largest meeting so far. Transcript of chat is at http://sleeds.org/chatlog/?c=165.

V. interesting IMHO, but also shows that have to refine SL listening/reading skills still further as seem numerous points where indulge in parallel stream of consciousness. Is definitely useful to have 2 people involved in discussions to pick up on different threads and keep on track. Also perhaps need sign in centre of circle which says TAKE A NOTECARD since otherwise start sounding like broken record at start. But venue seems to work, so great relief. Also one participant has video-ed and will be using in presentation in USA, which I think v. cool.

After meeting zoom round and photograph someone talking balloon ride. No. of rides has shot to 28 but does not compare well with over 1000 rides taken on Info International tour vehicle.

Then spend some hours: editing transcript for typos (mostly mine) and taking out XXX IS ONLINE parts of chat, mounting chat using excellent Leeds thingy, updating notecards, updating textures to put on posters with notecards in, rearranging posters in CILR (have now grouped them by broad topic rather than by date) , uploading to Flickr, writing blog entries, posting info on where transcript is to Groups (etc etc). And I've got another discussion this evening. Seem to be making work for self.

Fireworks

Fireworks parties attended: 1 (good) Attempts to explain Guy Fawkes to foreigners: several (bad)

Attended jolly fireworks party on Info International organised by Pam Ribble to celebrate November 5th.

This of course is traditional time in Britain to incinerate guys, let off rockets, burn fingers on poorly cooked sausages, wait for 3 hours in casualty with cinder in eye etc.


SL Fireworks followed usual pattern:
1) Turn light to Midnight
2) Observe lights swooshing around in impressive fashion
3) Find self unable to move and crash out
4) Log back in and enjoy further colourful swooshings
5) Congratulate organiser
6) Spend hours in Photoshop selecting and tweaking photographs

but with additonal feature, namely

4a) Attempt to explain Bonfire Night concisely whilst avoiding insulting people of various faiths and in awareness of fact that cannot remember when Guy Fawkes actually made explosion attempt, so hurrah for Wikipedia.

Am determined to have firework display on Island at some point, so will note down here that firework makers are Allen Park, Sweet Surface and Cubeos.

Whilst SL fireworks were going on, so were RL ones outside so had pleasing RL/SL synergy. Only remembered afterwards that had brought own SL sparkler to add to fun but perhaps this would have been last straw to bring down entire sim.

Clearing up

Vehicles abandoned: 4 (bad); Bottles of Jack Daniels abandoned: 1 (bad)

Island no longer my own as now populated by students in addition to odd colleague or two. This is v. good, but does mean that certain amount of clearing up to do. Had put vehicles in freebie pack for students which seemed to go down well, but is no v. good surface for bike trails on island so inevitably riders end up tangled in water garden or at bottom of river.

This illistrated by various sad pics in this entry. As am now all-powerful Island Owner could in fact delete all items belonging to others with one scornful click of the mouse. However take lesser route of Returning items to people's Lost and Found inventories. After months of having assorted cats, antelopes etc. returned to mine, is quite satisfying to be returning stuff to someone else's.

Also stumble across abandoned Jack Daniels bottle. Had installed Jack Daniels vendor near student residences but without tasting more than one drink. Now emerges that after a few sips, Daniels animation takes avatar over and slumps him on ground in stupor. Do have pic illustrating this but will withold to spare embarrassment, mainly mine in having supplied vendor in first place.

Should I remove it? Think not, in that stupor-effect could be seen as moral warning against perils of drink.

Halloween

Halloween castles created: 1 (good); No of witch brooms owned: 10 (good); No. of freebie Halloween items collected: 25 (if you count all the earrings separately)

Halloween seems to be Big Thing in SL. Can scarcely move for pumpkins. Am swept up in general hysteria and celebrate by creating Halloween Castle out of freebies. First part is Castle, which got in Freebie Corner of House of Effulgence (maker of v. good japanese dewellings inc. the one I'm using as my office). Castle looks as if made from grey cardboard and has no windows, so would be v. depressing as home, but is ideally suited for task in hand.

Have collected various pumpkins, and witches hats, including ones from the University of Guelph Library in SL, which had pleasant aspect like RL Guelph uni library. Also make liberal use of LL freebie autumn tree (puportedly an oak, but seems general Autumnal to me). Had bought gothic room as one of potential student houses (and was indeed third room to be snapped up) and whilst room was not copyable, gothic draping that came with it was, so able to use that to festoon castle.

Did invest $50 on a coffin that you can lie in (see pic) and $40 on a tombstone, but Pile of Treasure, assorted dwarf mining tools, torch and wings were found as freebies. Then created posters with landmarks to some of the most delectable freebies, vis:

- Pumpkin chair

- Witches broom with 10 poses (as seen in first pic)

- Witchy shoes

- Trick or treat bag

- Sculptie necklace

- Very strange item that you wear consisting of bird with pumpkin in beak.

Piece de resistence was perhaps large pumpkin carriage which had in fact collected weeks before an rediscovered in Inventory just in time. Is perhaps worth mentioning in passing that inventory now contains 6, 781 items, so easy to mislay the odd vehicle.

Also made it challenge to find outfit consisting entirely of freebies. Found ensemble that seemed quite elegant, although skirt was in fact not free at all but a Scripted number and in this garb I led my 2nd session with the students on Monday. Will blog more about that in due course (i.e. student activities, not sculpted skirts)

Completed free aspect by using skirt from Halloween Lolita outfit snaffled from Kiki's closet, and made brief sortie to a Halloween party at the Haunted House of Gothic Literature. However, as is often the case with these US led events in SL, by then it was 2 in the morning and so gave up rather swiftly. In any case whilst costume would have done v. well for RL event, soon realised had no chance when were other people appearing as giant pumpkins, blasted trees and the like.

Shop

Shops rented: 1 (foolish); Items for sale: 8 (good); Items sold: 0 (bad)

For lack of things to do, ahem, decided to take plunge as shopkeeper. Had visited La Reina sim in search of Halloween Freebies and decided was v. nice area with refreshing maritime feel. Looked idly at land, but already have more land than is sensible and anyway it was just for rent. However, shops v. cute and only Linden $300 a week (a snip!), so decided to set up shop with autumnal feel selling framed photos of RL autumn.

A click on the Payment Cube and 'twas done. Initial efforts at furbishment thwarted as had not been joined to Group that enabled Building on land, so placed items all disappeared into void, whence some never returned (most annoyingly, swirling autumn leaves that had only just shelled out good Lindens for), though some turned up in Lost and Found inventory.

However, landlady responded to IM, so now shop is set up with artfully placed deconstructed autumn trees, said swirling leaves, the objects of sale (pics) and a fruitbowl. Have made inevitable freebie, namely one of my best pics of sutumn leaf, with part of Keats poem in attractive yet subtly illegible typeface.

Is doubtless whimsical folly, but, hey! am already planning next set of unsaleable pics on Australian Spring theme. Address is: La Reina (185, 170,24).

Water garden

Water gardens created: 1 (good); Visitors to water garden: 1 (good); No of creatures in water garden: 8 (good)

Have spent some time finding right seating for water garden and this seems to be it. Plump cushions with exotic feel and straightforward poses that would not give Wrong Impression to colleagues (e.g. by animating them in dubious fashion).

Water garden inspired by mangrove swamp area of Brisbane (Australia) Botanical gardens, though obviously v. different not least through fact that that is real and this garden isn't. Have good swathe of Decking plus variety of plants including two actual Mangroves which appear to be New Line at Heart Garden Centre (and one mangrove has dreaded Large Prim so may be confiscated by irate Lindens).
Also bought v. nice marble wall fountain which have installed on own property, what with there being a lack of water features (not).

Had gratifying visit from fellow educator/research North Lamar who liked island so could bask in appreciation for short while before returning to rigours of Academic Life.

Have been shamed by jolly blog recounting progress of educational island, at http://internationalschoolsisland.blogspot.com/. This gives all manner of useful info. However, they do not seem to have had to create whole island quickly like self, so have excuse. Have decided that was unconsciously striving for (non existent) prize of Prettiest Sim Created By One Person in Under 3 Weeks.

BTW: creatures in water garden are: frog (croaks); heron (stands enigmatically still); 3 butterflies (flutter); Duck (moves to and fro, to and fro); 2 small birds of indeterminate breed (swoop about and twitter).

Catching up

Islands prepared: 1 (good)

As mentioned in previous post, have been so busy in SL that have had no spare time to blog same.

In next few entries will try to cover key points, but probably more pics than words. At present am still mulling over session earlier in day when students had second session on island. Excitement! But more anon.

Have blogged discussion sessions on Eduserv Island on serious Information Literacy blog. Basically last 2 talks did not suffer fate of previous i.e. people did actually turn up. Also only crashed out once and was able to upload chat history successfully to Leeds Met's useful widget thingy. Here are some nice pics of island, in particular Marsha11, in tree house with Bubble Wand. Also see here the underwater doughnut seating and the cafeteria.

Am so please dwith tree house have demolished large white house on own land and replaced with said tree dwelling, which is fortunately Copy, so could have whole forest of them had I prims enough and time.

Also have added twee fairy bridge to tree house since when was visited by North Lamar found self scrambling in graceless fashion across tree house base. Have been looking for excuse ever since could not decide between twee oak bridge and twee fairy bridge to span river & finally opted for Twee Oak (with Cushion Pose). Have now managed to notch up over 6000 prims. Oh dear.

Island, Island, Island

Buildings placed on island: 19 (bad); Buildings left on island after mature consideration: 13 (oh dear, unlucky for some); Visitors to the island: 5 (good)

Short entry as too busy making island into place fit to take first year undergraduates. Would emphasise that buildings count includes:

- hot tub on platform

- small house in shape of insect

- small house in shape of apple

- small house in shape of strawberry

- shelter containing vending machines near student residences.

Or perhaps that doesn't make it sound any better.

Today Maggie and Violette from the library here saw island for first time and were first passengers to take the Balloon Guided Tour. This was bought in after I took the Guided Tour on the new international island (vehicle moves round specified route and chats commentary to you), however decided to pay extra for Balloon option since .... balloons just seem rather cool. First attempt to script tour ended in disaster since had omitted to set start point properly and balloon merely dragged along ground emptying passengers (me) from basket. 2nd attempt more successful although discovered that is intrinsic feature of the tour that at the end balloon vanishes and passengers tumble to ground.

Was also joined in balloon by colleague Yuxuan (it is a 2 person ballon). Maggie and Violette will be setting up things in the island's Library and Yuxuan will have an office here so it's all happening.

Previously Ishbel and Marsha11 had teleported in and had been particularly impressed with the tree house, which certainly hasn't palled yet. Have decided to put one on my personal land as well.

Pics show Ishbel and I in the tree house; Violette, Maggie, Yuxuan and me in my office; Me suffering from a Drunkeness animation

Before and after

Following on from the last entry, here you can see part of the island as it was delivered, compared with how it is now. Unfortunately as the number of prims goes up, so the ability of my graphics card to cope with the whole scene decreases so you don't get all the detail.

You can see that the mountain on the right is pretty similar, but there is now a river pass cut through - in the middle of the picture. The land has been extended a bit on the right and left banks of the river, flattened out somewhat to accommodate the buildings, and I've fiddled with the water's edge to make it more interesting.

This is the area for offices: on the left the Centre and the Department in a white building, then CILASS, on the right a conference room and my office nearest the camera, and the library further back. Next to the library is a cafeteria area in the open and my head is obscuring a small landing stage. The thing poking in on the top left is the bottom of a skybox that will be the largest conference area.

15000 prims

Islands delivered: 1 (v.v. good); Prims to use: 15,000 (v.v. good); Hours spent on new island: countless (v. bad)

Had refrained from giving ongoing story of Lindens' lack of response to emails, chat, online tickets etc etc as regards delivery of island. It turns out that answer is to email Claudia Linden with tale of woe as after (literally) weeks of inaction, island was delivered within hours of whining email being delivered to her.

As consequence have spent so much time terraforming, planting, buying yet more houses etc etc that have had little time for blogging, sleeping and so forth.

The island (shape 4) comes terraformed but have altered it a good deal, wlthough mountain peaks are still roughly where they started. Also took pic of Object tab showing 15000 out of 15000 prims available for use. The first prim(s) were a stone lantern that I planted on a little outcrop I created at one corner of the island.

Now there are are a good deal less than 15000 prims, namely 11000 and something. Will feature various aspects of island in due course.

Identity, meetings, acorns

No of time in last 2 days people tried to chat up S Yoshikawa: 0 (good); No of times in last 2 days people tried to chat up Dimitrova Shostakovich: 4 (bad); People admiring skybox: 1 (good); Pictures taken of Dimitrova with windmill through nose: 1 (amusing, and not just because it's her that people try to chat up, obviously); No of mentions of this blog in Information World Review: 1 (v. good); Misspellings of "Sheila" in headlines of IWR: 1 (v. bad) ;Squirrels bought: 1 (cute, and appears to generate own acorns)

Have made interesting observation, namely that more people try to engage Dimitrova in idle chat than do me, Sheila Yoshikawa. Is this because DS gets about more? Think not, since SY is ever flitting hither and thither adding to her inventory. Is this because Sheila Yoshikawa is comely but faintly whimsical, what with blue hair etc. etc. and lack of matchstick thin legs, whilst alternative avatar (Dimitrova Shostakovich) has no bottom to speak of, waterfalls of dark hair, classic features and a Russian name which presumably some people (who do not know the work of Dmitry Shostakovich) might take to mean An Invitation To Fun and Frolics (rather than an invitation to meditate on death and the futility of human aspiration).

Could be whole PhD-s worth of research in people's reaction to 2 avatars and indeed think people have already got higher degrees from less. Anyway, both avatars took a turn in a splended new sim, Gion (after the Gion quarter in Kyoto, where the geisha are) which is v. lush and atmospheric. There were free fans and windmills, v. cute but all no transfer, and had decided that both avatars would benefit from having them in inventory. Dimitrova took Orange windmill to start with, but decided Red was improvement, when, alack, hair disappeared and 2nd windmill gave bone-through-nose effect (see pic).

This was comedy highlight of day, so can tell rest of day rather lacking on amusement front.

Last night met up briefly with Ishbel, who expressed liking of self-made sky box. Is definitely something v.weird going on when flexi or scultped prims in box, since prim skirt became transparent. Not good. Or perhaps could pretend was deliberate effect of immersive art.

Was taking photos of new animated grey squirrel in office this evening, when saw that Art was creating cool Giant Tree In Globe at other end of complex. After batting around globe, found way in and admired. Had good talk about possible education meetings.

Must also modestly note that this blog features (with information literacy one) in Information World Review, that esteemed organ, where Sheila Webber is featured blogger. Or, in fact is evidently another alt since Shelia Webber is mentioned in article title. Honestly (sighs).


Final pic. shows Art earlier in evening when had spotted him on Eduserv Island but discovered he was, in fact, Away. Would like, BTW, to emphasise have not taken up stalking to compensate for fact that unknown SL idiots prefer slim brunette avatar. In fact had better drop whole topic forthwith.