Second Chance - Episode One - by Lacy Muircastle

Second Chance is book #2 in the Second Life© Love Stories series.  This book is taking the form of a serial.  I intend posting an excerpt of an episode a week in the SL Enquirer.

Here we go:

Second Chance

Episode One

Seb Livingstone

I teleported into the club as I’d done many times since discovering Second Life©.  I hadn’t felt this nervous for a while.  I enjoyed singing covers, but tonight would prove whether I could still hack it with my own stuff. 

My IM pinged.  Damn not now.

Stacey Windsong:  Hey, baby, how’re you? 

Seb Livingstone: Good thanks, Stace, just getting ready for BB’s.

Stacey Windsong:  Oh, I don’t have anything booked for you for today?

Seb Livingstone:  I made the booking myself.

Stacey Windsong:  I see.  And I’m not important enough for you to tell me what you’re doing?

Seb Livingstone:  Please don’t start.  Look, I have to go.  Come here if you want to, if not I’ll catch up with you later.

            More pinging.

Blue Benelli:  Hey, Seb, how're things swinging?

Seb Livingstone: Hey, B, do you really wanna know. Lol.

Blue Benelli: *Laughs* You ready then?

Seb Livingstone: Oh yeah.

Blue Benelli: Break a leg buddy.  Give me a yell when you’re ready for me to announce you.

Seb Livingstone: Cool.

BB’s was a simple, uncomplicated venue that has graced Second Life© since late 2008. It was Blue’s mission in Second Life© to provide one hundred per cent live music all the time.  I was following – The music whisper – Russell Eponym, and after my set, Pol Arida would be taking his thumping set centre stage.   I oriented my avatar on the stage behind the mic.   My breathing became rapid and shallow.  My pulse pounded in my temples.  I sat on the stool in the middle of my home studio. The laptop set up to stream my music in-world.  This was it, make or break.

I typed in Blue’s IM:

Seb Livingstone:  I’m ready to roll B.

Blue switched to voice - “Hey everyone, good to see you all here.  Give a huge round of applause to my boy Dr Livingstone.”

Applause and cheers ran up my screen.  I looked out from the stage, at the packed club.  The buzz was invigorating.   It never got old seeing people waiting for me to start a set.  There was nothing quite like an enthusiastic audience to get the blood pumping.  I loved performing.  I was addicted to the adrenalin rush.  It made me feel alive.

“How are we this afternoon?” 

The crowd erupted.   Chants of – ‘Dr Livingstone, Dr Livingstone’ and ‘Sing ‘Tears’ sing ‘Tears’ and applause rained down the screen again. 

“Yeah, yeah J, it’s in the set, but today I’m launching two new songs. ‘Avatar’ is the first one I’ll sing for you.  No prizes for guessing my inspiration for this song.” 

Cheers flowed again. Then the crowd quietened as my music stream came through.

You’re beautiful, you’re gorgeous

You’re an avatar,

Lifelike, surreal

Ethereal, how bizarre

Here one minute

Gone the next

     The crowd applauded wildly. Catcalls and shouts of TUUUNE ran up the screen.

 

     On my own in my home studio, I fist-pumped the air.  Yes.  The feeling never got old.

     “Glad you liked it, and for my next new song.  No prizes for noticing a bit of a theme going on is called Virtual Reality.”

Humans will always be humans

Whether they be pixels or

Living breathing beings

Virtual reality no responsibility

What an opportunity

     Comments like - Dr Livingstone, is there going to be a new album?” and “Where can we buy those tracks?” ran up the screen like credits at the end of an epic movie.

     I felt stoked that my new material had met with such vocal approval.  I closed my eyes and let the crowd’s reaction wash over me.  It was the jump start I needed and how it was supposed to be.  I still had it. 

     I could take it into the real world.  My second chance was going to happen.           

     My computer continued to ping with comments and accolades — what a rush.

     “To answer some of your questions, you can buy the tracks as singles off iTunes, and it’ll be on Genius and YouTube, and yes, I’ll be working on a new album.  I’m hoping to get signed to a label soon.”

     Requests poured in.

     “Okay everyone here’s the one you’ve been waiting for.  “Tears”.

     I braced myself for the wash of emotion it always launched on me and clung to my microphone as though it could save me from being carried away.

Tears, tears, inevitable
Smiles there were a few
And when the tears ran out
We were numb and so blue

Why, why, why, shattered dreams
Why, why, why, shattered dreams

     The crowd roared in appreciation.  But this song would forever haunt me.  It was a constant reminder of the past, of disappointment and the despair that had followed.  

My IM pinged:

Stacey Windsong: You okay?

Seb Livingstone: Are you here at BB’s?

Stacey Windsong: Obviously.

Seb Livingstone:  Thanks. I didn’t see you. There are so many people here.  And yes, I’m okay.

Stacey Windsong:  Why do you keep singing that song?  You know it’s not good for you.

Seb Livingstone:  It’s difficult to say no to the audience.

Stacey Windsong: Oh, please, Seb, I think you're just masochistic.

Seb Livingstone:  What about the two new songs, did you catch them?

Stacey Windsong: I did.

Seb Livingstone: And?

Stacey Windsong:  They’re not bad.

     I frowned at my screen.  Hell.  Not bad, what the fuck?

Seb Livingstone:  Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Stacey Windsong:  You know that I don’t think you should still be singing after everything you’ve been through.

Seb Livingstone:  And you know that’s not going to happen.

Stacey Windsong:  I’m here to keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t fall off the tracks again.

Seb Livingstone: I can hardly forget since you remind me all the time.

Stacey Windsong:  You should be putting all your effort into getting a real job in the real world.  None of this virtual world malarkey.  It’s a waste of your time and mine.

Seb Livingstone:  I didn’t ask you to be here.

Stacey Windsong: Excuse me, that’s unnecessary.  I too have a vested interest in you, so I want to know that you’re okay.

Seb Livingstone:  There’s no need for you to be in SL to know that I’m okay since you see me in real life.  Please do us both a favour and leave.


For the rest of  Second Chance - Episode One - pop on over to Amazon.  You can pick it up for free on Kindle Unlimited.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YTXCYTF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Lacy+Muircastle&qid=1570620657&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Future Episodes will feature graphics by the extremely talented Skip Staheli, so be sure to look out for them

If you feel so inclined, please leave a review in the SL Enquirer, in the comments section.

I hope that you'll enjoy reading Second Chance - Episode One.  I'll catch up with you next week.

Lacy

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TEAM DIABETES OF SL TO RETURN FOR A FOURTH SEASON

DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

WEBSITE: https://www.teamdiabetessl.org/

SLURL:http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Plush%20Non%20Profit%20Commons/221/30/26

We are pleased to announce the fourth season of Team Diabetes of Second Life! Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorized team of The American Diabetes Association. The mission of Team Diabetes of Second Life is to raise awareness, tolerance, and funds for diabetes in the virtual world of Second Life. According to the World Health Organization (2016): 422 million adults in the world have diabetes and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year.

The official Team Diabetes of Second Life’s season will take place from October 2018 to December 2018, with the following events scheduled to take place:

Off Season Event – October 19 to October 27 – Scare Me Silly Event & Autumn Art Show
November 1, 2018- Team Diabetes of Second Life’s Season Begins
November 1 to 30 - The Red Hunt
November 1 to 30 – National Diabetes Month
November 3, 2018- The Red Ball
November 14, 2018-World Diabetes Day
November 30 to December 9 – Winter Showcase & Winter Art Show
December 31, 2018 – Team Diabetes of Second Life’s Season Ends

In addition to the events mentioned above, individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to hold fundraising events in support of Team Diabetes of Second Life!  The official 2017 fundraising season toolkit will be available to the second life public on October 1, 2018, at the organization’s office in the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life.

About The American Diabetes Association:

The American Diabetes Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association delivers services to hundreds of communities and provides objective and credible information and resources about diabetes.

Free resources are available in English and Spanish at  http://www.diabetes.org/ and 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2382).

For More Information:

Team Diabetes of Second Life’s American Diabetes Association Page:
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=11304578&fr_id=12466&pg=personal

Team Diabetes of Second Life’s Website:
https://www.teamdiabetessl.org/

American Diabetes Association Page:
http://www.diabetes.org/


International Diabetes Federation Page:
http://www.idf.org/membership/meet-our-members

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Welcome to Second Life! A new resident’s tale- Pen Dragon Reporting.

Living in Second Life seems, well, like second nature to most of us. But, do you remember being new? Dealing with issues like how to wear clothes so you don’t get kicked out of everywhere you visit? How did I get a bench on my head and how do I get it off? The struggle is real! Beyond that, do you remember why you came to Second Life? Were you looking for roleplay? Wanted to be like a superhero and fly? Maybe it was because you heard about all the adult sims. Whatever your reason, we all had one and we all had our struggles as new residents. I took some time and traveled to some New Resident Welcome Centers and spoke with people who have just started their journey into their second life.

As I first forayed into the world of the new resident centers was at the London Social Sims. I tried speaking with several people who were only in their first or second day and found that most were away from their keyboard and too busy trying to figure things out to answer. Some were even rude when approached, but I didn’t let that deter me. Next I went to Firestorm social island. The people I met there were much more friendly and willing to speak with me.

I met LilyRose first. She is 19 and from Tennessee,  just ending her first full week in Second Life.

SLE: My first question is how did you learn about Second Life?

LillyRose: I stumbled on it by accident. I was looking for a free download to the Sims 4 and this was the first thing that popped up.

SLE: haha. This place is better than any video game in my opinion. Is there anything you are looking forward to experiencing in SL?

LilyRose: In real life I am wheelchair bound so there are alot of things that I can't do so I want to do them here. Although,  was told there is a replica of the R.M.S Titanic i want to see that!

SLE:  Yes, there is. It's a formal ballroom and quite beautiful.  When you first discovered Second Life by doing your search, did you have any expectations as to what it might be like?

LilyRose: I kinda thought it would be like sims or even imvu where you just talk with people and make an avi to dress up, but this world has been much more than I thought!

SLE: What has been your best experience during your first week here?

LilyRose: I was in the garden of dreams there is a swing there that’s in a tree. It's hard to get there but when you do the view is amazing!

SLE:  Have you found people to be friendly and helpful or have they been rude or made you leery?

LilyRose: Mostly the men are nice. I’ve found that the women like to pick apart how your avi looks. A Lot say its bad if your avi is not mesh. Mesh is expensive.

My next encounter was with KateLove. She has been here a little longer, working her way into her second month in Second Life.

SLE: How did you learn about SL?

KateLove: I saw it on youtube a lot of times and then I downloaded it.

SLE: What was it about Second Life that attracted you?

KateLove: The people. And to and learn more about this place and it looked very fun.

SLE: What interests you the most in SL?

KateLove:  Oh! That i can talk to people and learn more about the outside life.

Unfortunately she wouldn’t elaborate on what she meant by outside life.Instead of pressing into personal matters I decided to move along and find someone else who is new to Second Life. I teleported to New Resident Island at Lawst Paradise. It was here that I met Michelle who is a month old in SL.

SLE: How did you learn about Second Life?

Michelle: Heard about it from the ads on the net. I liked the open game play and customization of the character, so I joined.

SLE: What has your experience over the last month been like?

Michelle: I would good and have had fun which is the most important thing. But there have been some people who have been pushy, but most people have been very nice.

SLE: Great! Is there anything you haven't experienced yet that you are looking forward to?

Michelle: There some places with game play requirements that I would like to try.  At times being booted from a place because I am new can be quite annoying.

SLE: I'm sure! Tell me a little about you, what your interests are, where you are from and your personality.

Michelle:  I enjoy dancing and chatting with others.  My favorite places are real life recreations especially the Disney Park Sims.  I am from Pennsylvania and I am a creative type. In real life I am very reserved and shy, but sl is fun because I can experience things that I normally will never do.  I am a big Disney and a history nerd.

After speaking with some new residents I wondered what it was like for those people who donate their time to help the new residents figure out Second Life. I was fortunate enough to meet Isa. She has been in Second Life for over 11 years and spends her time helping out at New Resident Island.

SLE: In your experience, what is the biggest hurdle facing new residents?

Isa: I think most people have to learn a lot of things before they are able to "live" easily in SL and they want to learn it too quickly. I always tell them , you needed years to learn to walk, to eat, to dress in RL, so you need to learn it in SL to, it doesn't  take years, but you really should learn it.

SLE: Why do you help new residents?

Isa:  I think because I like to help people. I am in SL for 11 years now, so I know a lot about it.

SLE: Good point! So this is a passion for you?

Isa: laughs. no, no, it is an addiction! When I started, there was no help. After joining SL , I did not know how to teleport , so I left and only after reading an article I tried again. Now there are the Second Life help sims and then people like Treacle, she is the "boss" here , made this help sim.

SLE: What seems to be the most frequently asked question?

Isa: A lot of people also ask, what is the aim of the game. So the big question is: is it a game?

I always tell them that a game need a winner , you have to follow rules to win, to be better than the others then I tell them  "If you think that real life is a game, then Second life is a game to..... "

But for me SL is to do everything I don't dare to do in Real life.

Second Life can be scary as a new resident, but it seems that the ones that join today are having a better experience with more help available than ever before.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lawst%20Paradise/126/21/22 New Resident Island

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Firestorm%20Social%20Island/127/121/33 Firestorm New Resident Help area

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/London%20England%20UK/227/108/22 The London Sims, Social Area

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GeekSpeak – does human nature make fairness and equality impossible? Join the discussion Saturday August 18th at 12pm slt

We all know life is not fair.  What can we do about it?  Does human nature mean that any society must be unfair?  If we are true to our nature will we always build an unjust society?  If we try to change that will we lose our humanity and turn into zombies, who are probably completely fair?

We may make rules for a fair society but don’t we all look for loopholes in the rules?  What would the world look like if there were no loopholes?

Are fairness and equality the same?  Is it possible to have a fair society that is not equal?

Could we at least make the world a little bit more fair?  Come and discuss with us the oddities of our existence.

IM Vulcan Viper if you have any ideas for future subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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New Releases From KiX - Let's Get A Little Dirty!

Introducing the Grunge Pallet Sofa from KiX, a perfect addition to your urban roleplay or dirty basement living.

This sofa comes in 4 versions Male/Female Adult and PG or Lesbian Adult and PG

An original mesh sofa made from pallets and crates with grungy dirty textures stuffed full of KiX original animations and some of the best animations available combined with plenty of props.   It also comes with texture change scatter cushions and a pallet table which rezzes props too to enhance your scene.

The adult versions come with RLV enabled

Sofa 5LI

Texture change scatter cushions 1 LI

Table with rezzable rubbish props 2 LI

The adult versions are at XXX Original Event for August

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zen%20Soul/174/241/25

The PG versions can be found in the Main Store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Miso/173/200/25

or marketplace https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/40440

NSFW images here https://www.flickr.com/photos/89597808@N07/albums/72157698485950871

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Spotlight on SEYCHELLES ISLE- A place where Serenity, Tranquility and Prestige can be Experienced.- Lanai Jarrico Reporting…

Seychelles Isle was formerly known as Irish Estates until its rebirth in September of 2013.  Created by Irishgent Resident, it has become a dream that he has made a virtual reality; a close knit sailing community where everyone knows each other and participates in one another’s events and activities.

Seychelles Isle features a collection of islands surrounded by water, coral beds and magnificent beaches created and designed by the talented Ericaanne Hastings. Together with Irishgent’s vision and her hands on approach, together they captured the essence of all that defines serenity, tranquility and Prestige.

Interview with IrishGent Resident

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