Six years … and counting

Posted on by Inara Pey

Is it really a year since I last wrote about logging-in to Second Life for the first time as Inara Pey? Wow. Back then I covered the arrival of my fifth rezday with something of a retrospective on SL itself. The times certainly have been interesting.

I’m not about to delve into another retrospective as with last year – you can follow the link above or wait for my Review of the Year. What I will say that this year, while it has been very uppy-downy for me at times (don’t worry, I’m not going to delve into that either! Suffice it to say there are a couple of people out there – and they known who they are – to whom I’ll always be indebted for their time and shoulders), has also been something of a renewal of SL discovery for me.

MaleoIsle-2_001
Maleo Isle

Given all the doom and gloom which swirl around SL, one can never underestimate the value of getting out and about and simply exploring. While there may well be clouds gathering on the horizon, it is still not too late for the storm to be averted – and in the meantime, there is still so very much to see and enjoy – as I hope my “Destination” articles in this blog have shown over the course of the last couple of years.

This year has also seen me start into a couple of new pastimes in Second Life – flying and sailing. I get an enormous pleasure out of the two, for very different reasons. Flying, at least in the right aeroplane, can be an enormous amount of fun. I’m totally in love with my Terra Stingray (which also doubles at times as a very good boat), and more recently my Warbug  has brought an entirely new meaning to the word “fun”.

Warbug Patrol: keeping the skies over Linden homes free from...errr....
Warbug Patrol: keeping the skies over Linden Homes free from…errr….

Sailing is an altogether different pleasure; one more easily shared with friends in easy conversation, broad sails overhead a fresh winds from behind under warm skies. Whether I’m out in the middle of Blake Sea or hugging the coastline around one of the continents or navigating my way to a destination like Second Norway, just being out on the water – like its real-life equivalent – is strangely liberating. I don’t care if I don’t have the biggest, fastest, best-looking or easily operated boat in the world, I’m having enormous fun out on the open seas…

Soon we were out on the open waters of the sea, and I gave the orders to raise the sails, cutting the engine as I did so. for a moment or two, the Exotix coasted forward, the windlasses rattling as we wound them, the sails rising limpy up the tall mast. Then with a canvas-like snap, they caught the wind and Exotix heeled to starboard, racing forward as the sails filled, and I felt the wheel kick with joy in my hands...
Sailing: an SL pastime I’ve really come to enjoy…

All-in-all it’s been a great SL year for me; one capped-off by having friends old and new with whom I can share it, both in-world and through these pages. And while I don’t want to particularly seem to be plugging it, the fact that so many people appear to enjoy reading this blog (wrats, um w-a-r-t-s and all :)) does genuinely touch me.

I’ve no idea what the next twelve months will bring; Second Life is officially ten years old in 2013, so I can’t help but feel whatever it is won’t be a closing of the doors, and I still feel that while they may not be working on anything big and sexy, LL are still plugging away, somewhat hamfistedly at times it’s true, trying to improve SL on a technical level, improve our in-world lives and give us more toys to play with.

All things considered, it’s been a great year; perhaps my only disappointment is that Linden Lab don’t seem to be in the mood to celebrate with me. While others get their rezdays marked with a Linden Cake, I see nary a crumb :(. Ah well. Maybe next year. To the rest of you out there, however, whether near or far, thank you for your friendship, your support and your encouragement.

It really is appreciated.

Sea-1_001

Published by Inara Pey

Eclectic virtual world blogger with a focus on Second Life, VR, virtual environments and technology.

25 thoughts on “Six years … and counting”

  2. To my new found friend… Happy Rez Day ♪♫ Hope there are many more….you contribute so very much to SL .. they should send cake AND ice cream. 🙂

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    1. Awww, Thank you! 🙂

      Hey, did you get the camera issue sorted? Don’t forget to give me a nudge / whislte / throw something at me in-world if not :).

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    1. Thank you, Indigo – and thank you for all your work with the community in-world and through Twitter. It’s very much appreciated.

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  4. Happy Rez Day Inara! You do know that you are likely to find your incoming inventory jammed with cakes now, right? (I won’t add to the cakejam, but the thought is there).
    And thanks for doing your blog – it’s a welcome relief from some of the doom and gloom out there. Always a good read.

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  5. Time to wish You a Happy Rez Day on Your blog as well. As for the cake… i think i can arrange something. In fact, i just did. Thank You for Your presence and for everything. You are wonderful to be around and Your blogs are a fine read. Once again… Happy Rez Day and know i’m thinking of You.

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  6. Happy Rez Day !! I have no idea what I did before I found your blog and I read you daily ! They should be sending you cake, ice cream and thank yous for all you do !

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    1. Thanks, Alex!

      You keep on looking after yourself, and let’s both keep bantering on Twitter 🙂

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    1. Noooooo!!! 🙂

      Actually, I’ve written a few pieces on myths about SL and LL, myabe it’s time for one on the cake! 🙂

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  9. Happy 6th rezday, Inara. 🙂

    I have always enjoyed reading your blog posts because they are interesting and very in-depth. I read on a daily basis and thanks for keeping us all updated on SL happenings.

    I hope 2013 will be better in Second Life and i’m looking forward to the 10th birthday of Second Life in mid-June 2013. 😀

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    1. Thanks Daniel!

      Keep you chin up about SL, and keep on doing what you’re doing with your blog; it’s a unique and uplifting read :). Will doubtless see you at SL10B, and most likely well before!

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      1. Happy Rez Day Inara!

        May your birthday bring
        You as much happiness
        As you give to everyone
        Who knows you

        Happy Rez Day again!

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