Shoe Fair photo contest results....

I peeked, looked again, and then finally absorbed another contest, here and gone without my name anywhere near the winners circle. I really loved my shoe pictures, thought they were innovating, out of the box, definitely pictures of shoes....so what do I do that is so wrong? Well, for me...it is all that edge...trying to get that edge. My friends all loved the pics, and I hope you all see the artistic value in the shots regardless. They will always be some of my favorites and will add them to the many I have shot before...and will shoot again. *waves goodbye to Shoe Fair 2010*

Time Spent..

Not everyone in SL spends a multitude of time with a multitude of people. I am one of those "types". If I had to guess, I would say probably my time is split on SL 80/20....80% alone, 20% with someone in conversation, and it may not ever be in the same SIM. I am not one that needs oodles of interactions with the locals to have a very full Second Life. I do own a SIM, that I rent out and I have the absolute best renters out there :) I have a couple different businesses, Outer Expression Designs, Comfortable Liaisons, and The Ugly Mug. Yes, they all take a some of my time, but not a huge chunk. I spend most of my time in SL, out of SL. I am in PSP, Blogs, Flickr, reading email or articles (may or may not be SL related), listening to music, downloading music and sometimes I literally forget SL is running. I gracefully float around the grid listening, watching, exploring, and taking pictures. I do love to create whether it is re-texture of a build, taking photos, or even landscaping property. I pick out a contest, usually web based that I find on Flickr and run with it. On a good submission I will take between 30-50 pictures and play around. Sometimes I get lucky, I'll come up with something that makes me say "wow, I did that". The Shoe Fair 2010 contest is now complete and winners will be announced tomorrow. I did one final shot for that, and it was totally a last minute once I put these shoes on. Wish me luck, I am gonna need it :)

Shoe Fair 2010

I am an absolute shoe hoar. THE LAST place I needed to go to was the SL Shoe Fair. I am the one that will spend hours searching for a pair of shoes or boots to wear with one dress or outfit. In approximately the first 5 minutes, I found these awesome shoes by SLink...and to be quite honest, I had never seen this brand of shoe before and I do consider myself somewhat well versed in many designers shoes including N-Core, Nardcotix, J's, Shoo Fly, and Zaara just to name a few. I loved the ease of the hud and how these shoes made my feet look, and yes...went out and bought a few things to SHOW THEM OFF.

So let their be no doubt, SLink shoes will be added to my "MUST HAVES"....and by the way, the picture above was submitted to the Flickr Shoe Fair Contest--you can find that on the link provided. http://www.flickr.com/groups/shoefairslflickr/

To Lead, or Be Led...For Ourselves or For Others?

The largest part of my SL has been spent in world with one person. The saga spans about 2 years...on and off, with various break ups, trials, and of course, tribulations. The conclusion of all things important have now turned inward as I have spent this time analyzing myself and my constants throughout this period of time. Strangers, as we all begin in SL, are just extensions of an ever expanding universe. An extension of a further family as we all are connected in the greater scheme of lives. In a virtual world, it is difficult for some of us to ascertain the "game" in it as we connect, re-connect, and our core "person" remains a direct reflection of our real selves.

We begin at birth, knowing and remembering those closest to us. Parents, siblings, friends....all connected by time, closeness, and love. As our lives progress, we continue to meet and nurture our relationships outside of that initial core. We may see things in people, they don't even see in themselves. We connect, disconnect and at times dissolve those relationships either by choice or by fate. In mine, it has happened by both means...usually by choice, rarely by fate.

I never understood, how people between two computers could connect and have a relationship, as SL is my initial chat client, but now have a better understanding of how these things happen and perpetuate out of control. How the emotions and feelings cut through our very souls, hitting those brain receptors that give us the most pleasant of experiences. The absolute need to return over and over again, to feel, experience, and yes interact with those closest to us.

But, with all of the good feelings there is a flip side as we immerse ourselves into a very virtual world, there also is a despondent reaction when those interactions are done without circumvent and prudence and you feel as if you are beginning to drown, and your SL as a whole becomes absolutely unbearable. The significance of people and of one person, the one that we align as extensions of "us" can bring you tears and a horrific deep sadness as we roam around the mega-verse carrying those last words trying to understand how and why they were said. Those feelings are "ours" but hit the same receptors as the pleasurable one. The absolute confusion of personalities, the inadequate ability to be able to articulate all the thoughts and emotions that one person may cause another takes you to a frustration that is beyond anything I have experienced before.

It has taken over 2 years with so much intermittent commotion with a continuation of thought regarding my own escalated emotions, I can not begin to explain how it remains so befuddled. The Real Life feelings will remain embedded with me for the rest of my life, as will all the various other emotions, but the negative ones, those will fade with time. I always long and yearn for the touch, the kind words, the intelligence, all that elate those wonderful receptors that give me such a pleasurable experience. I also choose to disembark from those particular emotions that lead me to places within myself that bring me to such chaotic thought and emotional mayhem. It is time for me to lead for myself and not be led by the impudent remarks and unjustified interactions of anyone else.

Where did the Summer go?

It amazes me how fast summers go. Lives change, people change is such a few weeks, I find it amazing and refreshing. All of us go through our lives, defining then redefining ourselves until when? For me, the summer always holds such promise. The sun is out, sprinklers going, people out and about....then comes the fall and winter. We again readjust ourselves to more inside time then outside (I hate the cold btw). This summer brought me a different type of wisdom and peace. I had a return of a very close friend...cemented more relationships...and continued on with so many that I have known for so long. I am looking at the date...back to school for kids in a few weeks with all the hustle and bustle that brings. The Labor Day weekend quickly approaches...that last BBQ...as the leaves begin to turn, the frost starts to appear, then the holidays are quickly upon us. Enjoy these last weeks of summer...I know I will.