The SL Enquirer: SL relationships

Thursday, May 28, 2015

I undertook to do another of the SL Enquirer’s Avie polls and the question that was to be answered was as follows: Is it possible to find true love in Second Life and make it in Real Life?

This question struck a chord with me and I decided it has more legs to it than just a straight forward poll, and I obtained permission from Lanai Jarrico, the owner and publisher of the SL Enquirer to turn it into a series of SL love stories

Second Life is not a dating site, but by its very nature it is a social place and for many people it is their third place or third space, which is the social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place"). The following hallmarks indicate a true "third place" -

Friday, August 01, 2014

I am posting this press release, because it is very much a story after my own heart since I have just completed writing a book about just such a scenario, although my story is a work of pure fiction. I this instance the production team of Happily Ever Avatar are looking for REAL stories.

by

on

Earlier this year, we blogged about a British documentary company that was seeking stories from couples who had met in online communities, for a series to be called “Happily Ever Avatar.”

The production team has since filmed five couples who first met in Second Life and found happiness together other offline as well. The team notes that “this is a positive look at virtual relationships. We are determined to open people’s minds to the possibilities that virtual worlds offer.”

One story they have yet to capture is a couple that is just about to meet offline for the first time, and so they’re currently seeking a Second Life couple open to having their first offline meeting filmed for the series. Ideally, at least one person involved would be in the UK. The deadline for filming is October, so they’re hoping to find a couple planning to meet in August of September.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, you can find out more by contacting zoe.dobson[at]back2back.tv.

Friday, October 11, 2013

One hears horror stories of people getting the short end of the deal on Second Life™ (SL) many times. You wouldn't think it happens to seasoned SL veterans until you hear of one, especially someone who’s closer to you than just a casual acquaintance. This is the story of “Miss S.” who lost her life savings as well as her firstborn. By prudent record-keeping, she was able to win her assets back, and is now happily reunited with “J,” her baby boy. Here’s how it all happened.

Miss S. says she was looking for a family, a long-time aspiration of hers on SL. She met a gentleman who subsequently changed partners, and became friends with her new “mom”. She in turn had a son whom she introduced to Miss S. They hit off so well that Miss S. and the “son” partnered in August. Miss S. tells: “We clicked together and he was so sweet person. I heard his voice once or twice, but never heard the mom and the son talking on same moment. We talked on Skype.”

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Dear Lacy, I have been in Second Life for over two years and have been in the dating scene just as long. Within my time here I must have slept with about 25 guys. As time passes, my interest in sex in SL has faded and doesn’t seem as exciting as it once was. I recently met a great guy that is so much fun to hang out with but he is interested in more. I am afraid if I don’t put out, he will move on. How can I bring back that desire again so that we can have an exciting relationship? Should I just fake SL sex to make him happy?

Struggling with SL sex

Monday, July 29, 2013

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.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

In our quest to be of service to our loyal readers and to the SL community at large, the SL Enquirer now offers an Agony Aunt column.

That’s SLife … with Lacy

Your SL Enquirer Agony Aunt

Really? And what exactly is an "agony aunt" I hear you ask? According to that 100% accurate repository of all human knowledge, Wikipedia, an agony aunt is "[a]n advice column . . . in a magazine or newspaper written by an advice columnist (colloquially known in British English as an agony aunt, or agony uncle if the columnist is a male)."

Do you have a burning question about manners, style, sex or relationships* in Second Life? Lacy has experience with all of these, in spades, and she will knowledgeably answer your questions about them! (And, unlike your real aunt, she won’t judge you.)

How do you ask advice from Lacy? Simply ask your question by sending me a detailed notecard inworld or emailing me at lacy.muircastle@yahoo.com. I will then post your question and my answer below in the SL Enquirer, in a relatively timely manner. Your question may be modified slightly for clarity/brevity's sake or in order to omit identifying information, or ignored if you're clearly just messing with me.

* Lacy will not give legal advice, but may be able to point you in the right direction
Lacy regrets to inform younger readers that this column is for persons aged 18+.
Lacy reserves the right to decline to answer any letter.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Lacy

Friday, June 28, 2013

Ever walked down the beach and someone jumped your naught? Well, guess what… It happens at least every five minutes to my friends and I. It always can go one way- decent conversation, maybe a new friend, or the other- total mess wanting to get into your pixel panties and watch the avatars do the humpty hump. So I went around asking avatars from different SIM’s and Second Lifestyles about their best and worst. I thought that people would think the same thing as I did, but everyone seemed to have something different to discuss, and all the memories these lines brought up. It’s something to sit around and talk about on a boring day, because we’d never really discussed it before and I haven’t laughed so hard in a while.

Nikki: I’d have to say the worst was… I want to lick you like ice cream.

Me: And your best?

Nikki: The best pick-up line…. You are the goddess of my world; will you do me the honour of a dance?

Nikki likes to hit the clubs, she likes to check out the BDSM lifestyle, and has been around for a minute. ::giggles:: Everyone has been around a bit longer than me though.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Subject of many studies, lying on the Internet is a sensitive topic with many dark contours. Today we will restrict this subject to our virtual home, Second Life. On a platform for socialization, written words have a paramount importance as they translate facial expressions and carry a strong emotional charge. They are the eyes that cannot be seen and the voice that cannot be heard. Therefore, the same word can have different connotations when addressed to different targets. Although the lie is not a colorful word, it is necessary to take the context into account by going deeper into this subject and ask ourselves why we are in Second Life and how we use this platform.

Monday, April 01, 2013

Drama makes the world go round doesn't it? Think about it…. There's a lot to be said for drama in our everyday lives. Sometimes we even create it ourselves just so that our life has some meaning and purpose, so that we feel alive.