Every resident of Second Life experiences it differently. It's the beauty of the sluniverse, a vast place full of wonderful, engaging, unique goings on. AND the ability to create the life and space and places you might want to be a part of. My experience has been a fully-lived one that has brought me closer to my faith, that has expanded my family (even into first life), that has helped me recapture my love of video and storytelling, that has educated me on research interests of mine (race, online spaces, and identity), and that has brought me my wonderfully-awesome SL mate (love you, Earth!).
Recently, I snagged a dear friend of mine, Sweetz Fierenza [check her out on Facebook], and talked to her about her experiences in-world. She's been in-world a year longer than me, 4.5 years, and that time has shown that many of the experiences found in-world mirror what's experienced in first life.
The first question you have to ask anyone that comes in-world mirrors the question I was asked in first life when I moved from Baltimore to Louisiana: How did you get here?
For Fierenza, her arrival to Second Life came through a friend's suggestion. "I had just been through a real life break up, and my friend felt like it'd be a getaway for me," Fierenza said. "All she said to me was that it was like The Sims, but you could talk to the people that played .... that was the only expectation I had."
You only have to be in Second Life for five, six seconds to accumulate good and bad experiences; that's how fast SL can move sometimes. Because of that, I wanted to know what Sweetz had experienced in-world. What her best and worst experiences were.
All of her best experiences came from connecting with other people: "Meeting my kids and several close friends," she said before adding, "Pledging a sorority. Meeting my RL ex." Her worst experiences, again, dealt with connections with other people, and I'm sure many people (hand raised) know about this negative: "Tons of drama and people making alts to try to get revenge."
Sweetz beat me to the punch by mentioning her kids because my next questions dealt with two activities that many people in-world engage in: developing relationships and having/raising children.
When asked about relationships in SL, Fierenza said, "I have been in a relationship in SL, but I am not currently. I do date in SL as well. I feel that dating in SL is a fine balance. You have to be able to roleplay the relationship without getting real life attached, unless you are also open to dating in real life. You have to make sure to set boundaries and such initially so that there is no miscommunication and nobody gets hurt."
Those in relationships... about to get in relationships... thinking about getting in relationships? Good advice above.
I was intrigued with Sweetz's comments regarding children in-world. She brought a fresh perspective I never considered about child-rearing in-world: "Being that I don't yet have children in real life, having children in SL gives me a chance to experience motherhood. Especially being that I'm lesbian, my mate cannot physically get me pregnant in real life, but is able to in SL, which is a nice experience if roleplayed well."
Earlier, I mentioned how some of my in-world experiences have seeped into my first life. It's an important question to ask of any person's SL experience as both worlds deal with living, loving, having fun, sharing experiences, learning, etc. It's only natural that some of it would move to first life. Some of it did move into first life for Sweetz.
"I met someone in SL who I ended up being with in real life for three years. I have also made some real life friends via SL that I have met or plan to meet in real life."
I initially asked Sweetz about her expectations before she joined Second Life. She didn't really have any. After almost five years of being in-world, however, she did say that she "wasn't prepared for the emotional attachment that can come with playing SL."
I think a LOT of people can attest to this.
In the end, it looks like my girlie has had a good experience in-world, much like first life: it's had its ups and down, its connections and disconnections, and its revelations.
"Overall," Fierenza concluded, "I am glad that I started to play SL because if I hadn't, I would not have been able to escape from some real life tough times, nor would I have made some lasting real life bonds."
SLE Ticker
Monday, July 29, 2013
The SL Experience through My Friend's Eyes - Shon Charisma reporting...
Monday, July 29, 2013
avatars, children, experience, family, Friendships, real life, relationships, rl vs sl, Shon Charisma, SL Avatars, SL experience, SL relationships, SL Romance, sle, Sweetz Fierenza, The SL Enquirer
1 comment
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
I was at the barber shop the other day and I saw the magazine rack, a required fixture in ALL Barbershops. Flipping past "Popular Pixe...
-
PERVERTS ZONE - SL's NEWEST WAY TO CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED ADULTS. JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING.OK..Soooo..those of you who have followed us for a while know that the SL Enquirer is a great place to learn about the hottest, clubs, enter...
-
Question: What do Sylvester Stallone, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, and George Bush have in common? Answer: In addition to their contr...
-
Any long-term resident of SecondLife has encountered one of Petra Steele's creations. Her varied and engaging style has brought enjoymen...
-
As a writer for the SL Enquirer, I get to travel the Grid in search of the absolute best creations by our many residents, and seeking the ul...
-
Have you ever wondered who the top SL hair designers are for both men and women? There are 834 pages of hair designers on the marketplace ...
-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Unleash Your Talent at the SL Enquirer Open Mic Songwriter Auditions - L$5000 for Best Original/Cover! Mark your cal...
-
******ADULT CONTENT WARNING****** Who can resist clicking where they see the word "cannibalism" on a web page? ...
-
After months of waiting and suspense, LUXE Paris finally has its new ambassador! VanessaJane won the prestigious LOOK of the YEAR tiara and ...
-
Petra Steele is back in SL running yet another live music sim with her characteristic emphasis on quality and personalized care for guests ...
Labels
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2016
2018
2019
2020
2023
AD options
Adult
Adult Entertainment
advertise
Advertising
advertising options
American Cancer Society
art
Avie Poll
bereavement
breast cancer awareness
charity
culture
Ely Catronis
fashion
lacy muircastle
Lanai Jarrico
Lanai's diary
music
Obituary
Orion Baral
persia bravin
police report
press release
prince sonoda
sl enquirer
SL enquirer
SL Equirer
SLE Ad Sale
SLE Advertising
SLE Job
SLE News
sle police report
SLE Police Reports
SLE Spotlight
slenquirer
SpaceX
SpaceX in Sl
sponsorship
spotlight feature
stacey cardalines
The SL Enquirer
The SL Enquirer Media Center
The Slammy Awards
Thomas1 Bellic
thomas1.bellic
Great read!
ReplyDeleteThank you Pops for allowing readers to see bits of SL through your eyes.
Great job Bun on the write up. (LU2)