Experience: Sailing For The First Time in Second Life

Experience: Sailing For The First Time in Second Life

As we all know in a virtual world, we can do whatever we want right? We can experience new things, try things we never would in the real world, the possibilities are endless. I decided to dip my virtual toes into something completely new. Something I never thought I’d do you’re probably wondering what that is? I put my sea legs out and set out on a whole new adventure with virtual world sailing. Sailing? You’re probably thinking but believe it or not Second Life is one of the best boating and sailing simulators at the moment. There is a large vast body of water specifically the Blake Sea that I’ve been using. I discovered sailing in Second Life during hurricane Dorian when Florida was supposed to get hit but was completely bypassed with just some offshore winds and heavy rains. Luckily, I didn’t lose power, or I wouldn’t have been able to explore this new hobby I’m now super into!

My Avatar while exploring the Blake Sea when Boating.

Now keep in mind I’m a noob when it comes to boating inside of Second Life at the moment. I recently have just been cruising around on my expensive sailboat that I did a lot of research and digging to find and use. It did come with a manual thank goodness! Otherwise, I’d be super lost at what to do and how to operate it. It said that it would take me about 2 hours to operate it well and be able to drive it fast and that is for people who know how to sail in Second Life. Let’s just say it only took me half an hour to learn how to use my boat effectively with all the researching I’ve been doing on it. I even dropped by a WordPress blog specifically written to help beginner sailors that were written a long time ago, but it was still relevant which I’ve realized while continuing my research and it helped with a lot of questions I had.

This is an experience I’d try if you want something fun to do to spice up your virtual life. You’re able to explore new places specifically little islands that Linden Labs created to stop at or drive around. There are lighthouses, Buoys, and other boaters out in the sea with you. It’s so much fun to explore new places and meet new people it brings the free spirit out of you. I’ll be honest, I went sailing in the Blake Sea again today and it was so much fun! I discovered a medium-sized island with people on it relaxing and people out on their boats there were even some avatars that were dressed up as mermaids swimming in the lagoons and sea waters in the area. So many people hang out in the Blake Sea keep in mind this sea is a huge body of water it’s a bunch of individualized sims (land plots) pieced together specifically for sailing and water activities ONLY. There are some residential areas off the waters but for the most part, you’ll find marinas and islands to explore and take part in.

You might be thinking to yourself the same thing I was thinking if you’re reading this post “wow! That sounds so interesting how do I try it out and get started?” well to be honest with you I’d research first before jumping right into it. I honestly did just jump into it, but I had time to learn how to do everything since I’ve been stuck in the house for a few days. But if you buy a boat and you’re ready I’d suggest the Bandit (The Mesh Shop) for buying your first boat. If you’re serious about it the investment is worth it. You’re looking at spending 2,500 Lindens – 3,000 Lindens for a nicely made boat with a compass, real sounds from the ship, etc. Their nice mine is one from their shop. Was I super serious at the time when I bought my boat? No. But I’m glad I invested because I’ve been sailing in the waters every day. Just a head’s up though if you don’t have the best computer or you tend to lag a lot in world just know you might be logging every few sim hops. That was my issue a lot and I have a gaming computer so that’s just to let you know what you may experience while driving over sim borders. I only had to relog once in 2 hours so not too bad, but it is a possibility even on a well-made computer. But if you’re planning on sailing a lot or it’s something you really want to do make the investment you won’t be sorry especially with the Bandit ships they’re mesh super well made and can seat not only you but if you want to bring some of your friends with you out into the open sea then they’re great for that. The poses on the ships are nice they’re not those free poses you’ll find at a freebie shop and I would hope not for the price of the ship you’re spending. I’d be a little disappointed if it was. So, if you’re on the fence about sailing there are free boats you can get as well as I said just do your research. I will also make a post for you guys with the 101’s about sailing in Second Life and a how to get started post for you guys who are super interested. I’ll also be typing up a new post in the future with a review on my specific Bandit ship that I have.

Bottom line, if you’re one who loves to explore new places, meet new people, and sail the open seas this is a way to spice up your virtual life. I hope this has helped you make up your decision if you were on the fence with it. If you’re new to the concept, in general, I hope this has provided information and helped a little bit telling you what you can experience by sailing in a virtual world setting. It’s a whole lot of fun and there will be more posts to come about it!

Stay Tuned!

Alleviating Drama

Alleviating Drama

Let’s be honest this is already a constant battle in reality but maybe this post will be able to help you not just in your virtual life but in your reality as well. I’m hoping the advice and thoughts I give here can be used wherever you are in reality, online, etc. To begin, I shouldn’t have to but I’m going to put a disclaimer on this post I’m not a psychologist and what I say shouldn’t replace a medical professional if you see one or need one. These are ways I’ve coped with drama in a virtual world setting and my thoughts and ideas that I have used that I’m sharing with you to possibly help you alleviate the drama you might be experiencing in your virtual life. With that being said let’s jump in!

No one wants to deal with the everyday drama we already get it enough think about it… if you’re like me you probably have friends who I’d like to call sometimey friends. Sometimes they’re your best friend on but other days they can be your worst nightmare and you can’t help but wonder if they’re using you for their gain even if you don’t know what that gain might be. This isn’t healthy to be around it’s a form of drama believe it or not you may not think it is but if it is impairing your way of thinking and your emotions then it is toxic. A true friend you won’t feel this around you will feel calm, happy like you can talk about anything, or do almost anything and everything together. It won’t feel like a chore however, people always have disagreements you might fight but in the end, you will pick up where you both left off if you can’t do that with someone then they aren’t a friend they’re either an acquaintance or just someone you know. The fact of life is you can’t friend everyone! I’ve learned this the hard way. Some people are emotionally detached from themselves and reality they see those living a life they want and get jealous. Jealousy is a toxic situation and a killer of friendships and relationships. If you suspect toxic jealousy! You shouldn’t have to deal with that. If you feel unhappy around someone then you probably shouldn’t be around them, to begin with. These are the hardest truths you will ever have to read and hear circling your brain but the quicker you learn them the happier you will find yourself. One thing I want to state is you need to put yourself first this is truly an important concept. I’m not sure reader if you’re into horoscopes but I am and honestly, I’m a Taurus it states that as a Taurus we try to fix people and with me, it couldn’t be truer. I friend broken people without knowing and then try to fix what can’t be fixed. It leaves me in shambles, and this is part of the drama as well. you can’t fix or change a person they can only do that themselves so please for the love of G-d and all that is holy do not friend someone and think you can change their outlook on life or fix them from being a toxic person into someone that’s not. Sometimes it’s just their personality and in that case, it is time for you to move on. You can be a good friend and listen but don’t involve yourself in other people’s problems in life. That is something they need to fix on their own and come to terms with their reality whether it be real life or virtually.

Let’s say you’re in an in-world system using Second Life A&D and Bloodlines as an example. You’re in a clan, horde, family, chorus, etc. Let’s say they all call for a group chat in Discord, Skype, or the world and when you go in the person who brought everyone together start talking bad about another group, or talking bad about someone they kicked out of the group, or even discussing how they dumped someone for whatever reason. This is drama! Don’t stay in that call you have no obligation to stay. If you stay in it, you’re putting yourself in the drama and now you’re just a part of it like the person sharing the drama and everyone else that’s in the call listening. You’re now the drama itself. Don’t do this just leave! Your only obligation is to your real live emotional and physical health don’t let in world crap impact how you feel in reality. This is the most important thing I could say to you! This is all explained from experience and things I’ve dealt with and I’m hoping this can help you with whatever situations you find yourself in. Drama in the virtual world is just as real as the drama you will find in everyday reality it’s dangerous, toxic, and hurtful. Don’t be a part of this there are so many things you could be doing than putting up with drama you could deal with in your reality. A virtual world shouldn’t impact you in a negative way you should be happy, relaxed, and entertained while in one. You should feel like it’s. a true escape from reality not leaving reality to go into the same thing or something worse. With that being said let me share a scenario with you that could be drama-related that you might have experienced at one point or another;

You log in for the night onto whatever virtual world you’re logging into and you find out that your boyfriend is cheating on you with a friend, family member, etc. in world. What do you do?

In this scenario there are a few things you could do you could confront the situation calmly and if he truly is cheating break up with him. Or just break up with him quickly remove him on everything and block him and anyone else that could be a part of the situation even if they were, your best friend it’s not worth your emotions.

You log in for the night and everyone turns on you because someone set you up or made you look like the bad guy what do you do?

In this scenario as hard as it is and will be you remove everyone and start fresh… You remove all the toxicity and move forward it wasn’t anything you did wrong. You have to understand with drama you can’t blame yourself unless you’re the one who started it so you remove everyone and block them that’s the magic of the internet you can actually do that so take advantage and if you’re like me and that’s hard to do then do it log off and go do something else. If you need to cry, then cry were only human! We have emotions as much as they suck, they make us human… This is probably some of the best advice I can give for now, but it is important to follow it otherwise you will constantly blame yourself. You will think everything is your fault, you will feel vulnerable, you will feel lost, you will let your emotions get the best of you and you will become and be the drama or part of it. Don’t do that! Do yourself a favor and help yourself emotionally and physically.

At the end of the day even though everyone online is a human being behind a computer screen it isn’t your reality do not let it get the best of you and don’t let it pull you into a rut or a ton of emotions it’s not worth it. I do hope this helped and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to send me a message on my e-mail and introduce yourself. I’m always happy to chat and listen even if you’re a stranger it’s part of my personality to help others.

Till the next post Chao!

e-mail: ember435@outlook.com