So we’ve hopped straight from Halloween to Christmas on the grid, and you know what? It’s *fabulous* Unlike in real life when Xmas can become a stress-fest, in SL it’s all about the sheer enjoyment of the season… I prefer a grid Xmas to a real life one! For example, in SL you can go MAD on your christmas decorating and not have to worry about the electricity bill come January:) Anyway-Winterstock. It’s Beautiful; loads of market stalls and shops featuring a vast array of festive fun, LOTS of freebies and some really cracking ideas to make this your best SLXmas ever! I’m LOVING this present pose set which would make for fab Xmas cards to your chums! L$300 from Glitterati..it’s smashing!
posted by Kitty Otoole on Merry Christmas using a blogHUD : [blogHUD permalink]
Author: Lisa Millar
Kitty on content theft..
If you’ve been reading the feeds recently you cannot fail to have noticed how much the ‘Step Up’ campaign has been making the headlines, and how much controversy has surrounded ‘The Artist’s Voice’ campaign.
There are two trains of thought; not uploading new content to the grid today, or not participating in anything related to SL; be it blogging about products, buying, selling or uploading.
Because of the way my shifts have dropped in real life I’ve not been able to go in-world and gauge reaction from my friends, but I know from reading the various blog posts about the subject that this day of protest has generated as much copy as the actual problem of content theft. Like both campaigns, I heartily agree that something needs to be done.
OK, backtrack: Yes, I am blogging today. But that doesn’t mean I disagree with the protest proposed by The Artist’s Voice, which I think shows the determination and militancy that this issue genuinely needs. That said, I don’t support the idea of not buying content today, nor do I support the non-blogging gesture (obviously) but I’m not opposaed to anyone following that course of action. My own personal feeling is that it is very important that content creators don’t suffer, and they are suffering enough due to the distribution of stolen goods, so those thoughts have shaped my response to the campaign.
Like any protest, it is up to the individual to decide how to voice their concerns, either individually or through a representative organisation like the Artists Voice or Step Up Campaign.
My ideas? I think a formal union should be created, which content creators can join en masse. The organisation should therefore be huge due to the amount of creators in world. I think a board should be established, by vote, to represent the members of the union. I then think the union needs to hold regular meetings with Linden Labs working towards resolution of this issue, and any others that the union becomes involved in. There is no doubt that there is strength in numbers, and through campaigns like Step Up, and groups like The Artist’s Voice, we can show that we refuse to take Linden Lab’s lack of action anymore. This is Linden Lab’s opportunity to show the metaverse that they take this isuue seriously, and it’s time for them to prove to the in-world residents that after all, pay their wages.
In fact, why don’t the two campaigns merge? It’s obvious that both feature prominent individuals from our world, and this is not an exercise in ego, it’s an exercise in achieving a common goal that, like climate change in real life, has a genuine impact upon our beautiful virtual world. The Lindens need to understand the impact upon morale that this issue is having and they need to act because failure to do so will inevitably lead to the decline of Second Life, and none of us wants that to happen.
Leave your pride at the door and let’s unite on this issue, step-up to the challenge and find our Artist’s Voices and say NO to content theft.
Remember, Remember…
..it’s the fifth of November, which means bonfires and fireworks and roast chestnuts and all kinds of associated madness. The fact that the UK still celebrates Bonfire Night is pretty amazing really, but I personally feel that has more to do with the enthusiasm of firework retailers than it has the British public’s need to see burning effigies of a chap who attempted to blow up the houses of Parliament and failed. Truth be told, a lot of people in the UK would probably welcome Guy Fawkes with open arms at the moment, judging by the reaction to the MP’s expenses scandal..but hey, that’s real life and there’s no place for that upon this blog.I wanted a look suitable for a Bonfire party and unable to resist I got myself one of those glorious ponchos from LeLutka that are so prevalent across the grid right now, but that’s probably because they are an exceptional quality product:) I’ve teamed it with hair by Magika that comes with a colour change hat..that I colour changed to match the outfit, obviously:) The leggings are from Elephant Outfitters, and the wellies are by UBU. Bonfire Night is always a drizzly occasion; it practically always rains, so you have to have sturdy pair of wellies, and UBU’s really take some beating. Finally the shape that I’m wearing is called ‘Sparkler’ and it’s a special edition available in my store at Malt.
Ok, stand well back…..
Ok, stand well back…..
Sable & Amanda’s Wedding
A match made in heaven. I had the honour of giving Amanda away at her marriage to Sable, and as you can see from the picture they both looked absolutely amazing. It was a genuinely lovely affair; beautiful vows and pure emotions were on display for all to see.
A lot of people dismiss SL relationships as pure twaddle, and I’m sure for some people they are nothing more than a passing fancy..but for a minority the love blossoms into something that is all too real, even if it is just limited to the metaverse. I also know of relationships and real-life weddings that have stemmed from SL romances, and although not all relationships follow that blueprint, I actually think that it’s something very positive and wonderful..Yes, naysayers will dismiss it, but it’s all about love…and after all, isn’t that all something we need more of in our own lives, in one way or another?
I raise a glass to Amanda and Sable, and wish them a very long and happy Second Life together…with lots of love xxx
Kittywitchin' 