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<channel>
	<title>JUST VIRTUAL &#187; Communication</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.justvirtual.com/category/communication/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.justvirtual.com</link>
	<description>Stories and voices from virtual worlds</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:39:57 +0000</pubDate>
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			<item>
		<title>Film of the Virtual Pink Floyd &#8216;The Wall&#8217; Show</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2008/08/25/film-of-the-virtual-pink-floyd-the-wall-show/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2008/08/25/film-of-the-virtual-pink-floyd-the-wall-show/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:38:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Building]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Creative Collaboration]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Digital Art]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Environments]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Experimental]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Machinima]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Performance]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Second Life]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Alexandria]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[animated puppets]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[animated sequences]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[CARP Wall]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Celeste Moonlight]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Floyd]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[GARY HAZLITT]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gypsy Paz]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Holland]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[joyfulness]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Messenger]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Metaverse]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MixedRealities]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[NMC]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Observer]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Pink]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Producer]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[resolution photographs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Southern Riptide]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Stockholm]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[stockholm sweden]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[WoW]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.justvirtual.com/?p=347</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
I was asked by Debbie Trilling, the creative director of this show, to be the machinimatographer on the last two performances of Pink Floyd&#8217;s The Wall in Second Life recently. It was great listening to music I remember growing up with being performed by a passionate group of people from all over the world who [...]]]></description>
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<p>I was asked by Debbie Trilling, the creative director of this show, to be the machinimatographer on the last two performances of Pink Floyd&#8217;s The Wall in Second Life recently. It was great listening to music I remember growing up with being performed by a passionate group of people from all over the world who recreated elements of the film, animated sequences and live show in one of Second Life&#8217;s most spectacular displays of creative coordination. It was created by The Cybernetic Art Research Project <a href="http://diabolus.ning.com/" target="_blank">CARP</a>.</p>
<p>There were audiences of 60+ crammed into the <a href="http://sl.nmc.org/2008/07/27/summer-hit-wall-v-2/" target="_blank">NMC sim</a> which slowed things down a touch, but not noticeably (I was still getting 15 fps or so ). I have a lot of footage to edit into a short 10 minute and the longer full 90 minute film but for now I selectively scanned the footage for interesting frames and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/sets/72157606931702012/" target="_blank">created 107 medium resolution photographs</a> which capture a little of the atmosphere and thought put into this.</p>
<p>The performances haveÂ  received rave reviews over the past few weeks and over 2000 avatars have now seen the show&#8230;</p>
<ul>
<li>&#8220;Amazing. Not so much viewed as it is experienced&#8221; ~ Metaverse Messenger</li>
<li>&#8220;All I can say is WOW. GREAT show&#8221; ~ Second Arts</li>
<li>&#8220;Nothing short of spectacular. A complete immersion&#8221; ~ Looking Glass</li>
<li>&#8220;Impressive, touching and thoughtful. Second Life at its best&#8221; ~ MixedRealities</li>
<li>&#8220;Never seen anything like it.20A perfect amalgamation of creativity&#8221; ~ sl-newspaper</li>
<li>&#8220;Cutting edge art and performance&#8221; ~ NMC Observer</li>
</ul>
<p><a title="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-57 by Gary Hayes, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/2794798166/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3046/2794798166_9cc564f327.jpg" alt="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-57" width="500" height="377" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Stills (on this page and on flickr link <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/sets/72157606931702012/" target="_blank">here</a>)</strong> - Taken from Gary Hazlitt&#8217;s Machinima of CARP&#8217;s &#8220;The Wall in Second Life&#8221; - video available soon. Stills medium &#8216;video&#8217; resolution.</p>
<p><strong>Production Credits</strong></p>
<p>The CARP Wall Team:</p>
<ul>
<li>Creative Director: Debbie Trilling (UK)</li>
<li>Producer: Velazquez Bonetto (Germany)</li>
<li>Wall Design: Elfod Nemeth (UK)</li>
<li>Animated Puppets: Duggy Bing (US)</li>
<li>Animations: Caravaggio Bonetto (Austria)</li>
<li>Original Music: Junivers Stockholm (Sweden) &amp; Josina Burgess (Holland)</li>
<li>Stills Photography: Adec Alexandria (UK)</li>
<li>Dancing &amp; Joyfulness: Klute Copploa (France), Southern Riptide (US)</li>
</ul>
<p>with valuable contributions from:</p>
<ul>
<li>Scio Kamanchi (US)</li>
<li>Gypsy Paz (US)</li>
<li>Lyddyn Tzara (US)</li>
<li>Celeste Moonlight (US)</li>
<li>DJ Jenns (UK)</li>
<li>George W B ush (US)</li>
</ul>
<p><a title="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-66 by Gary Hayes, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/2794797176/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2794797176_c12693d001.jpg" alt="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-66" width="500" height="377" /></a></p>
<p><a title="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-71 by Gary Hayes, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/2793950237/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2793950237_630574fa11.jpg" alt="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-71" width="500" height="377" /></a></p>
<p><a title="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-67 by Gary Hayes, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/2794796804/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2794796804_b661fa53ce.jpg" alt="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-67" width="500" height="377" /></a></p>
<p><a title="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-03 by Gary Hayes, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/2793948615/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2793948615_66673d8007.jpg" alt="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-03" width="500" height="377" /></a></p>
<p><a title="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-48 by Gary Hayes, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/2793947825/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2793947825_4a5596dc58.jpg" alt="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-48" width="500" height="377" /></a></p>
<p><a title="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-92 by Gary Hayes, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/2794794760/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2794794760_72ec661e30.jpg" alt="Pink-Floyd-Wall-in-Second-Life-92" width="500" height="377" /></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Experience the Drama of the &#8216;Human Mind&#8217; in Second Life</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2007/09/02/experience-the-drama-of-the-human-mind-in-second-life/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2007/09/02/experience-the-drama-of-the-human-mind-in-second-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:41:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Bio World]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Creative Collaboration]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Environment Design]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Environments]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Experimental]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Game Design]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Identity]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Machinima]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Second Life]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Social Experiment]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sound Design]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Worlds]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[GARY HAZLITT]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[hazlitt]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.justvirtual.com/index.php/experience-the-drama-of-the-human-mind-in-second-life/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[or a quick case study of my role as SL designer, producer and builder in moving a film/book/stage &#8216;idea&#8217;, Thursday&#8217;s Fictions into the metaverse of Second Life. First, to give you a taste, a short video of my friend Kylie (who has gone a bit goth) walking through the environment. (note: An important thing missing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>or a quick case study of my role as SL designer, producer and builder in moving a film/book/stage &#8216;idea&#8217;, Thursday&#8217;s Fictions into the metaverse of Second Life. First, to give you a taste, a short video of my friend Kylie (who has gone a bit goth) walking through the environment. (note: An important thing missing on the video is Richard James Allen&#8217;s meditative texts that appear all around as you explore and of course visitations are usually at a much more relaxed pace.)</p>
<a href="http://www.justvirtual.com/2007/09/02/experience-the-drama-of-the-human-mind-in-second-life/"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a>
<p>I have noticed that this blog is turning into mostly things I have created in Second Life or close friends, not a bad thing I suppose as long as those creations are worth singing about. I believe this one certainly is. I was lucky to work with Richard James Allen and Karen Pearlman (of <a href="http://www.physicaltv.com.au/ArtisticDirectorsBiothePhysicalTvCompanyRichardJamesAllenAndKarenPearlman_498_1081_3_0.html" target="_blank">Physical TV</a>) who are the drivers behind an &#8216;idea&#8217; called <a href="http://www.thursdaysfictions.com/" target="_blank">Thursday&#8217;s Fictions</a>. This idea has been manifest in film, book, theatre and my task was to be the designer, producer, builder etc: in Second Life. It was only a small project compared with many of the multi sim creations I have done and are currently working on, but it excelled in being a worthy, experimental, artistic and aesthetic statement. It fell strongly into something I call Story Environments - spaces that have narrative embedded in them at varying degrees, more on that later.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/903896146/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1074/903896146_a19f3ad27e.jpg" alt="Thursdays Fictions Prod Stills 11" height="375" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>The basic premise of the story is a woman who lives for one day only is trying to take her most valued creative possession (her dancers in a trunk she carries with her) between various reincarnations. There is more to it than that of course and the themes of death, love, life, mind, body, spirit all intermingle to create a fascinating pot pourii of philosophy, psychology and self awareness.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/929707648/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1395/929707648_6e7a2e3d1a.jpg" alt="Thursdays Fictions Production Stills 19" height="375" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>My challenge was to find appropriateness in Second Life which is itself an allegory of the themes of the piece from the outset. In other words, <a href="http://slcn.tv/thursdays-fictions-second-life" target="_blank">as I mentioned in this panel interview on SLCN.tv</a>, (yes I talk!), SL is a space that is already routed in parallel existance, new incarnation and so on. It was about trying to find something that was different enough from quite a few existing &#8217;spiritual&#8217; areas in SL but also providing links back to &#8216;real world&#8217; perceptions of spiritual architecture.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/901952059/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1203/901952059_bb7ffce598.jpg" alt="Thursdays Fictions Prod Stills 04" height="375" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>I haven&#8217;t time in this blog post to go into vast detail but to say the build was done very rapidly and I worked iteratively with the writers (that included script consultant Rock Sonic - SL name) who are all relatively new to the true creative potential of this world. Some of the techniques used to deliver the narrative elements included invisible sensors that talked to you randomly, spirit &#8217;spheres&#8217; that whisper as they pass through you, moving and still texts of various forms on the walls, objects and nature that chats residual and direct thoughts, sound and embedded gate-keeper questions.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/1061487345/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1044/1061487345_19a6824389.jpg" alt="Thursdays Fictions Visitors 11" height="347" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>There are effectively two longer form experiences at the moment. Purgatory, a series of halls and alcoves exploring a range of ideas mostly routed in one word &#8216;choice&#8217;. What life to go to next, what to take, decide what happened in the previous one, choose a state of mind and so on. The second experience is one life you inhabit, the &#8216;fractured&#8217; mind of one of the characters. For the latter I created something that was slightly unnerving and disorientating yet also welcoming and familiar. It was loosely based on the sets of the film but I injected some play and elements of confusion. Go see and you will understand. The first main area purgatory is populated by Richard&#8217;s a range of texts, my favourite being the &#8217;self-destructive&#8217; lines (in the floating spirits in the main hall) from his book Kamikaze Mind. I also wanted Purgatory to show how music, sound and visual effects, text, signs, places to explore and architecture create a new kind of  experience in SL that becomes very cinematic. There were many compromises that had to be taken but happily they are all easily overcome in future experiences I will create in this and many other properties. I/we also wanted this experience to be as social as possible. In a full 3D social space anything that doesn&#8217;t allow a shared user journey through it is doomed so it has been great watching couples and small groups exploring.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/1298652487/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/1298652487_29c0460492.jpg" alt="Mirror Mirror on the Wall_001" height="355" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>There are many more elements planned for this &#8216;idea&#8217; of Richards and these will include another 6 or 7 more life journeys that will attempt to cover a broader spectrum of the &#8216;human drama&#8217;. To go to this experience now here is a link to the starting grove - <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Esperance/239/41/21" target="_blank">SLURL</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/1167446668/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1055/1167446668_f883787bea.jpg" alt="Thursday's Fictions Visit" height="392" width="500" /></a></p>
<p>Posted by Â© Gary Hazlitt from inside Second Life</p>
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		<item>
		<title>The Boisterous Billabong Bar</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2007/07/01/the-boisterous-billabong-bar/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2007/07/01/the-boisterous-billabong-bar/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jul 2007 05:20:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Environment Design]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Environments]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Role Playing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Second Life]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sent In-World]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Social Experiment]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Tourism]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Worlds]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[edge]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gary hayes]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[GARY HAZLITT]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[hazlitt]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.justvirtual.com/index.php/the-boisterous-billabong-bar/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ .flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 

The Pond Bong Overload 07, originally uploaded by Gary Hayes.
 	When I built the Pond islands over 6 months ago I intended this area to be the most organic of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<style type="text/css"> .flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } </style>
<p class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/610811861/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1414/610811861_6ff92bcb87.jpg" class="flickr-photo" /></a></p>
<p><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/610811861/">The Pond Bong Overload 07</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/garyhayes/">Gary Hayes</a>.</span></p>
<p class="flickr-yourcomment"> 	When I built the Pond islands over 6 months ago I intended this area to be the most organic of all the spaces on the then three Pond islands. This area was also designed to provide a gateway to the outback and Uluru and the juxtaposition of busy bar, social space and real open space (a whole sim for the outback) was planned. That zen like combination is important, psychologically we like to be on the edge of wilderness - facing open sea, deserts and mountains. The call of the wild. Some other parts of the islands were not rich, social and detailed (due to other forces) and that is reflected in how popular they are.  Anyway.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/559556986/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1316/559556986_17a7c61c96.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Telephoto Bong" /></a></p>
<p class="flickr-yourcomment">&nbsp;</p>
<p> The bar itself was roughly designed on my own memories of Queenslander and Western Australia shacks and bars in the outback. I had to use some Western USA textures on the walls etc: due to time contraints and the whole thing took about a day to do - plus a few extra hours later on the internal details like the beer pumps and original seating.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/601430715/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/601430715_a6530cfd88.jpg" width="500" height="320" alt="Crowded Billabong Bar1" /></a></p>
<p>I noticed after a couple of weeks that people were also gathering outside the bar in front of the Pond so I quickly added a fire, bbq and seating plus extra flooring. This has now become one of the busiest 4000sqm areas in SL. The area at launch was supposed to have live bands, singers, streamed music and so on. These are still being planned but it is slow to materialise on a commercial sim, as it costs real money plus a bunch of legals - yet I am amazed that avies still gather and meet here in such large numbers. Less to be entertained but more to socialise, get away from the less aesthetically designed sims and gather before heading off elsewhere.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/610814419/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1402/610814419_b5c3c7eb16.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Tegg and Friends" /></a></p>
<p>The other night we had over 60 avies all gathered in this small area after a TV programme in Australia. The top picture is a shot I took of that. Below are other images that give a feel for what takes place here including floods, small battles and endless winged flirting. Quite a few folk are already creating deep stories and role playing in this space which is great and there are many secret places for the initiated, the pash room for one <img src='http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';-)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/557342871/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/557342871_ae56fe8694.jpg" width="500" height="347" alt="Pond Flood 02" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/559555120/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/559555120_f285f4b89a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="XMas Early in Oz" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/551925496/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1355/551925496_1bb76ff774.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Birds of a Feather" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/677788917/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/677788917_09f50762a7.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Second Life Pond Wars 04" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/540620582/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1081/540620582_f614c306bd.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="Pregnant Flur at Billabong 01" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/559915215/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1073/559915215_09d919f792.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Giraffes on Ice" /></a></p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt from inside Second Life</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Intelligence Jim But Not As We Know It</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2007/07/01/intelligence-jim-but-not-as-we-know-it/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2007/07/01/intelligence-jim-but-not-as-we-know-it/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jul 2007 03:58:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Bio World]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[Experimental]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[gary hayes]]></category>

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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.justvirtual.com/index.php/intelligence-jim-but-not-as-we-know-it/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ .flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 

Second Life ABC Bot 02, originally uploaded by Gary Hayes.
 	Not sure who Jim is but the steel man sitting down is one of many early prototypes of an Artificial [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<style type="text/css"> .flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } </style>
<p class="flickr-frame"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/677820531/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/677820531_229270016a.jpg" class="flickr-photo" /></a></p>
<p><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/677820531/">Second Life ABC Bot 02</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/garyhayes/">Gary Hayes</a>.</span></p>
<p class="flickr-yourcomment"> 	Not sure who Jim is but the steel man sitting down is one of many early prototypes of an Artificial Intelligence Chat Bot I am experimenting with. The back-end engine for this one is freely hosted at Pandorabots.com and I am using a mixture of existing libraries across a range of subjects but also creating specific ones to various commercial and non-for profit sim developments.</p>
<p>I have started to use several off the shelf sculpties (single, colour map formed smooth prim) of the human form. On this one you can see I also mapped a 360 scan of one of those bio forms which makes it look a little stupid - especially with the hat. I am also doing a script at the moment that will make his head turn and arms move in synch with his chat, but the easiest way to do this is to log in as an avatar and attach the chat bot &#8216;object&#8217; to the body of the avie that is kept awake artificially.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/678518525/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/678518525_06bef2fe67.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Second Life ABC Bot Closeup" /></a></p>
<p>The quality of the automatic responses is improving each day and I think we are only a couple of years away from having a chat bot that is unrecognisable (in chat at least) from many, if not most, of the current SL inhabitants.</p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt from inside Second Life</p>
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		<item>
		<title>A Wonderful World</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/12/26/a-wonderful-world/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/12/26/a-wonderful-world/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:39:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Bio World]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[Machinima]]></category>

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		<category><![CDATA[marni]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.justvirtual.com/index.php/a-wonderful-world-which-one/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I know it has been a long time since the last post, but I have been extremely busy with many exciting developments. As well as the many commissions coming along to design and build islands, trying out some more advanced LSL (scripting) and delivering lots of SL training sessions, I have bought, and am now [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I know it has been a long time since the last post, but I have been extremely busy with many exciting developments. As well as the many commissions coming along to design and build islands, trying out some more advanced LSL (scripting) and delivering lots of SL training sessions, I have bought, and am now sharing a WHOLE Island with four friends. Yay! It is wonderful to have such a low lag existence and be close to some extremely talented avies, protected nature and next to all amenities (namely Esperance and other <a target="_blank" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/index.php/where-is-australia/">Australiana</a> sims).  More to follow on all these cool developments in the next post. Such investment, is of course contrary to the sentiments of this video post as you will see. It is the end of the year and the bio world are celebrating something called Christmas, so it has been pretty quiet in here. I took the opportunity to make a little video on Christmas day called &#8216;A Wonderful World&#8217;, complete with me singing, yes, and arranging the music on my magic white grand piano (where any sound is possible!).  Anyway here it is, if you were around the grid on XMas day you may even be in there!</p>
<a href="http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/12/26/a-wonderful-world/"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a>
<p>Now for excuses. I only had about five hours to do everything and the frame rate of the video was quite slow on the day for some grid &#8216;bug&#8217; reason but I went ahead regardless. Half way through the production, which shows some of the magic of this place, I suddenly thought of having some parallel text that gives a perspective of that bio world - how society is unfairly distributing wealth, people are dying and how natural resources are depleting. The statistics I found were very depressing but I put them in as they added an important counter-balance, although you see some of this raised in this, Second Life world.</p>
<p>I think the video really works on four distinct levels:</p>
<ol>
<li>A celebration of the world of Second Life</li>
<li>That this place has the potential to also raise serious issues</li>
<li>There are many things we should learn and take heed of from the bio world</li>
<li>That many bios are escaping into this world and letting their own &#8216;real&#8217; world degrade</li>
</ol>
<p>I would be interested to see what you think of the video as it was done in a bit of a rush, but I enjoyed all the flying around and of course you get a sneak preview, in many of the scenes, of Marni (our new island) and my new house which I have nearly completed - but the quality of the video doesn&#8217;t do it any justice, wait for some great pics in the next post.</p>
<p>For some light entertainment I have been training lots of avies and taking them on tours of the world. We had some fun last week when after various lessons in filming, building, lots of trips we did a short lesson in avatar changing - so a bunch of TV folk posed by the decorative &#8217;seasonal&#8217; tree on Esperance for the obligatory group photo - not a crowd you would want to meet on a dark sim! (I&#8217;m the large black dragon BTW)</p>
<p><img alt="ABC Second Life Training Group" id="image260" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/abc_team.jpg" /></p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt from inside Second Life</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Reaching out to the Bio World</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/10/24/reaching-out-to-the-bio-world/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/10/24/reaching-out-to-the-bio-world/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2006 16:46:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Bio World]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.justvirtual.com/index.php/reaching-out-to-the-bio-world/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Some strange things been happening recently. With the voice thing in the Robbie class in the last post and now being seen and chatted to from the bio world. Not sure exactly what is going on but a young lady &#8216;noob&#8217; type avie called Destroy Television, is apparently broadcasting (in short bursts) our world out [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img alt="InWorld Cam" id="image216" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/inworld-cam.jpg" /></p>
<p>Some strange things been happening recently. With the voice thing in the Robbie class in the last post and now being seen and chatted to from the bio world. Not sure exactly what is going on but a young lady &#8216;noob&#8217; type avie called Destroy Television, is apparently broadcasting (in short bursts) our world out to the bio world and they are talking back through her. Yes you heard it. I met Destroy on Sheep Island and multiple people were chatting through her from the bio world! Crazy.</p>
<p>The bios see what Destroy sees (the small lady on the right with &#8220;Broadcasting SL Live&#8221; over her head.)</p>
<p><img alt="DestroyTV" id="image215" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/destroytv.jpg" /></p>
<p>I was then joined by the co-creator of this SNOOPYbrown Zamboni who told me what was going on. Destroy&#8217;s view is being sent to a website called <a target="_blank" href="http://destroytv.com/">destroytv.com</a> and to flickr. It should be streaming video (next version) but at the moment is just still images. SNOOPY called it betaverse. Viewers on the bio website get updated snapshots but can also send chat through the website, and through Destroy&#8217;s avie to our world. Very cool. Now I can find out all about those bios out there. See what makes them tick. I said it would be good to have a camera so we can &#8216;perform&#8217; to it and the bio audience, so I gave SNOOPY a camera I had built based on bio world designs. You can see it in all the shots here. Perhaps they may use it? The other creator Rik Reil appeared briefly and was talking to a bio called Jerry on the other side. Still trying to work out the consequences of this.</p>
<p>I was given this shot of what the bios see on their websites.</p>
<p><img alt="Website" id="image218" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/website.jpg" /></p>
<p>You can see our meeting in a series of images at this <a target="_blank" href="http://flickr.com/photos/destroytv/">flickr stream website</a> thing. My meeting is around the 20061023 08:57:30 series of images. This is one of those images.</p>
<p><img alt="Flickr Image" id="image217" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/on-the-flickr-site.jpg" /></p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt from inside Second Life</p>
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		<item>
		<title>The Sound of Second Life with Robbie Dingo</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/10/22/the-sound-of-second-life-with-robbie-dingo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/10/22/the-sound-of-second-life-with-robbie-dingo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Oct 2006 02:58:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Creative Collaboration]]></category>

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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.justvirtual.com/index.php/the-sound-of-second-life-with-robbie-dingo/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Had a wonderful experience on Tuesday teaching eight students on the island I built and manage, AFTRS Esperance (slurl). They were here to learn how to approach professionally designing sound for games and worlds like this ours. From my perspective they appeared early in the day and I took trained them for five hours in [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Marimba" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rd01-marimba.jpg"><img id="image206" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Marimba" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rd01-marimba.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Had a wonderful experience on Tuesday teaching eight students on the island I built and manage, AFTRS Esperance (<a target="_blank" href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Esperance/73/142/28/">slurl</a>). They were here to learn how to approach professionally designing sound for games and worlds like this ours. From my perspective they appeared early in the day and I took trained them for five hours in the basics of communication, moving around our world, building, general management of one&#8217;s assets but most time was spent on intermediate sound design. I was stunned how quickly new students nowadays pick things up so quickly as I took them further through the scripting for our amazing world. From relative babies of this world after five hours they were flying, dancing and more importantly building and adding scripts to sound objects all over the place. A mixture of ambient sound, transient effects and interactive sound. There were even two screen composer students who were adding evolving music around the spaceship and ghost castle sets I mentioned in my previous post.</p>
<p>To put the icing on the cake we were joined at the end by Robbie Dingo for an hour master-class. Robbie, who develops the best musical instruments in our world (<a target="_blank" href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Scafell/81/143/51/">click here</a> to go to his store) and a sound guru, had set up a great interactive walk-through on one of the backlots and we were treated to listening to him speak (and my students spoke back), yes really weird, hearing avies in this world speak - where does their voice come from? Robbie did a post on his in-world blog called &#8216;<a target="_blank" href="http://digitaldouble.blogspot.com/">Virtual Lecture&#8217;</a> that may explain it. Anyway Robbie took us all through the basics of scripting sound showing large boards with key examples on. We then listened and interacted with each example as we walked around in our class-like huddle. At the end we saw some of Robbies wonderful musical instrument creations, synchronised marimbas and his incredible installation &#8216;The Whisper Box&#8217;. I have installed his Elven drums and other instruments around the island already and Robbie has kindly left the Whisper Box on the island for a while <a target="_blank" href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Esperance/150/46/23/">click here</a> to go to precise spot.</p>
<p>All in all a great day and an example of how new people in this world can with the right guidance and mentorship really learn some great skills. From zero to a hundred in six hours.</p>
<p>Here are some images.</p>
<p>Robbie prepared a wonderful interactive teaching walkthrough</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Masterclass set" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb02-wide-view.jpg"><img id="image207" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Masterclass set" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb02-wide-view.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>We all listened intently as Robbie took us through some more complex scripts.<br />
<a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Script Group" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb03-group-script.jpg"><img id="image208" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Script Group" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb03-group-script.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>I had already taught them the basics of looped, ambient and some trigger sound and this is one of the sets we sound designed.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Spaceship" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb04-spaceship.jpg"><img id="image209" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Spaceship" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb04-spaceship.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Robbie explains the wonders of the CollisionSound script, we all seem to crash into things regularly in this world.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Close Script Shot" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb05-close-script.jpg"><img id="image210" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Close Script Shot" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb05-close-script.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>and here we are about to test that out by each of us walking through the trip wire.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Collision" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb06-trip-group.jpg"><img id="image211" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Collision" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb06-trip-group.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Beware the objects that listen and sensor us. We walk into the sensor circle which triggers a sound. Normally one wouldn&#8217;t see the dome of course.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Sensor group" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb07-sensor-group.jpg"><img id="image212" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Sensor group" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb07-sensor-group.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>and a fun bit as bees sounds swarm and circle around our heads.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Bees" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb08-the-bees.jpg"><img id="image213" alt="Robbie Dingo and Gary Hazlitt Sound Design - Bees" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/rb08-the-bees.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>There are <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/sets/72157594336795064/">more images on flickr</a> that someone uploaded of this event.</p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt from inside second life</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Everybody Needs Good Neighbours</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/09/24/everybody-needs-good-neighbours/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/09/24/everybody-needs-good-neighbours/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Sep 2006 02:14:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Architecture]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
Been away from SL for over a week and thought I would bring you all up to date with the bay area I live in.  The changes, the new residents and so on. (Here is a bio flickr set with on-going tracking of this Second Life neighbourhood evolving from nothing to very crowded). Firstly, and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="imagelink" title="New Neigbours" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/new-neighbours.jpg"><img id="image165" alt="New Neigbours" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/new-neighbours.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Been away from SL for over a week and thought I would bring you all up to date with the bay area I live in.  The changes, the new residents and so on. (Here is a bio <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhayes/sets/72157594338050383/">flickr set</a> with on-going tracking of this Second Life neighbourhood evolving from nothing to very crowded). Firstly, and sadly, Heather and Max have moved to new pastures as the escort agency (see below) that moved in nearby was too much. She kept getting asked about her rates! But I am staying in touch with them as they have found a great new patch in Hokkaido. Anyway, so what is new in my patch - as if your really interested. But I did promise to keep you in the loop as the area developed from nothing a few weeks ago, remember, good. Well lots of new folk are  moving in. Attracting a good wide selection. Sadly a club. No malls yet though. I did a quick Sunday morning one hour fly around (snoop) to see whats around and said brief hellos to those who were in-world - many are happy to do longer interviews later. Keep watching.<br />
<a class="imagelink" title="Ice Koko" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/icekoko.jpg"><img id="image161" alt="Ice Koko" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/icekoko.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Close to me. Yes thats my place top left, is Koko and Ice. They weren&#8217;t around but in this world one can find much about the people via their profiles attached to the land. So a big traditional house of Ice Franchini and Koko Blackhawk. They met in SL and got married on the 19 Sep - will catch up with them later. For now</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px">&#8220;Koko you gave me the most precious gift there is to give a person, your love and your heart and i will treasure them both till the end of time. You showed me I can love again and i do baby i love you so very much. My love for you will far out last this game in my heart you will forever be mine.&#8221;</p>
<p>awww. So a good traditional couple - at first glance. Anything is imaginable here. More later perhaps. At the other end of the spectrum we have a traditional escort agency. Xposed Escorts and their slogan &#8220;When you want only the best&#8221;. Ummm. Here is a pic of their boat and ground build. Wish some folk would finish the ground before they do the sky! The ubiquitous sky club pic follows.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Xposed boat" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/xposed.jpg"><img id="image167" alt="Xposed boat" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/xposed.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Xposed club" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/neighbours_004.jpg"><img id="image164" alt="Xposed club" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/neighbours_004.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Something more interesting is a very secretive build going on right in the bay below me. Under the water and a strange blue boxey thing growing on top, lots of furious build activity. Home to Inaria and the Avariel Winged Lords. Their mission and convenant.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px">Fun and Flight. Love and peace. To roam the skies. Rarest of the elven races, the avariel, the winged elves, live a reclusive existence, seldom seen by outsiders. Such is their scarcity and seclusion, that their status is almost that of legend. Despite an aloofness that can astound even other elves, avariel rarely exhibit the haughtiness and arrogance many have come to associate with elvenkind, though they pity all races lacking the ability to fly. They have little to do with other races.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Avariel" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/avariel.jpg"><img id="image159" alt="Avariel" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/avariel.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Avariel 02" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/avariel2.jpg"><img id="image158" alt="Avariel 02" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/avariel2.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>As I write, Inaria Oranos (the Speaker of Winds) and builder friend KiVanyel Adria are busy designing a turret or two sticking out of the water. Like the furries (Kitsu&#8217;s) who built their underground burrow these Winged Lords are after a quiet underwater existance and I didn&#8217;t venture into their underwater lair just yet as they seem a private group. More about Inaria</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px">&#8220;Daughter of mermaid and Avariel Lord. Raised on cliffs over-looking the seas. Apart of two worlds and made the most fun of it. Resides on the winds and in the water. Willing to help any soul who asks.&#8221;</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Olivia Sky plat" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/olivia2.jpg"><img id="image168" alt="Olivia Sky plat" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/olivia2.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>To add diversity to this little patch we also have the lesbian (escort?) world of Olivia Marquette (sky platform above). She has built a tasteful, ancient garden with elements of Trompe L&#8217;oeil to add space. I said hello she is happy to do a long interview later. They also have a strange black sky platform, antithesis to the open gardens below. Now what secrets in there I wonder? For now here is Olivia&#8217;s profile to give some insight and a picture of the garden afterwards.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px">&#8220;I am a passionate, loving and caring Mistress. My heart is full of love and tenderness and I give this to my girls who deserve all the love I possess. Sometimes a switch, I can be delightfully submissive in the right hands. I have collared the beautiful and sexy Amelia Hainsworth (first girl), the lovely and adorable (beloved pet) Stacy Fuller, cute and sexy Kitti Meek and poetic Satsuyo Kinsei. They are my girls and I protected them and love them. Any problems with any of my girls IM me.&#8221;</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Olivia Marquette Land" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/olivia.jpg"><img id="image166" alt="Olivia Marquette Land" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/olivia.jpg" /></a><br />
Most of the above is very close to me, within 500m and on adjacent blocks of land. I have been lucky so far that my block of land (what some call a sim) has been quiet. Well there have been some additions on the far edges. First some furries I actually recommended this area too when they were looking around (have some pictures somewhere), Kitsu&#8217;s Korner, the furries on hill. They spent ages building a burrow so from the air you couldn&#8217;t work out there was actually a large space underground, see photo to the right. Then they built a castle. Still havent had chance to catch up with them, they are behind me over the hill, but perhaps some furry/vamp thing happening here?</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Kitsu" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/kitsu.jpg"><img id="image162" alt="Kitsu" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/kitsu.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Literally on the opposite end of the land I am on we have Ellies Home. Elly Crispien has set up a rental business for either the tudor mansion, a range of houses or the castle from $800-3000L pm. Good deal and a community spa! Not too laggy too. Lots of trees and no animations to see.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="Ellies" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/ellies.jpg"><img id="image160" alt="Ellies" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/ellies.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Finally just down the bay and on the peninsula we have a lot of activity. I will explore another time as my alloted hour is up for this but lots of people to speak to and exciting stories to tell. Obviously I need to get a life <img src='http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';-)' class='wp-smiley' /> A third life perhaps&#8230;although still uncertain of what a 1st life is? Here is a pic of more to come, all further along the shore front in view of my once peaceful, uncluttered view.</p>
<p><a class="imagelink" title="More to come" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/more-to-come.jpg"><img id="image163" alt="More to come" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/more-to-come.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt from inside Second Life</p>
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		<title>Four Hearts Living in Just One Mind</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/09/11/four-hearts-living-in-just-one-mind/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/09/11/four-hearts-living-in-just-one-mind/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:58:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Friends]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Identity]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Residential]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Second Life]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Social Experiment]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Virtual Worlds]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Furry]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[GARY HAZLITT]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
I have been meeting the neighbours. One of the first ones I met was Heather Steadham. She has created a lovely Japanese (a bio style apparently) building enhancing the bay and a sky deck with grand piano for those romantic evenings as the sun sets. But Heather has a secret. She has a few &#8216;associates&#8217;, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a title="Heather Steadham 01" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather01.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 01" id="image148" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather01.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>I have been meeting the neighbours. One of the first ones I met was Heather Steadham. She has created a lovely Japanese (a bio style apparently) building enhancing the bay and a sky deck with grand piano for those romantic evenings as the sun sets. But Heather has a secret. She has a few &#8216;associates&#8217;, as she likes to call them, simultaneous and alternate personas that are driven by the same &#8217;spirit&#8217; - inextricably connected in this world. Sounds strange? On their sky deck I met up with Heather, Max and their alternate furry personas on Sunday evening to find out more. I started by asking when this real time, parallel, duality began.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Heather Steadham</strong>: Hmm. I&#8217;d have to say about a month ago or so.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham:</strong> Essentially, Heather was the first to come to SL. She found that among other things, people were much nicer to female AV&#8217;s than to male and were much more willing to help out.<br />
<strong> Heather Steadham:</strong> The female AV has many more friends than the male side. Females from my observations are more willing to assist one of thier own before they would assist a male.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham:</strong> We can get different responses to the same question from the same person depending on our outward appearance.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 02" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather02.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 02" id="image149" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather02.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>They refer to themselves at the start as avs and talk about an unknown force simultaneously controlling them so I dug a little deeper.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Maximillion Steadham:</strong> I&#8217;d have to say our mannerisms and speech / typing styles. They are very similar to each other. The same entity or controller as you call it, operating two AV&#8217;s as one unit. Sometimes it is mind boggling as to how it can be done. We also have additional personas that we can assume.</p></blockquote>
<p>Some people may find this parallel &#8217;sibling&#8217; type existence a little odd so I asked a little about their relationship.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Heather Steadham:</strong> Think of it as good side / bad side. We&#8217;re still trying to determine what our relation ship is&#8230;and I&#8217;m the bad one. :> They sometimes ask about our relationship&#8230; We are delibrately elusive. When pressed, we will respond that we know each other and are exploring further relationship possibilities. There are also times where I will dress completely different from Max as well.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham:</strong> We leave it as &#8220;associates&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 03" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather03.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 03" id="image150" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather03.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Given the obvious connection between the two of them I asked how both would feel if one of them developed a relationship with another av and started to lose contact with each other.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Maximillion Steadham:</strong> That is her choice, much the same way that I am also free to develop other relationships as well. We normally take things one day at a time and keep options open.<br />
<strong> Heather Steadham:</strong> The depth of other relationships is something that gets determined as time goes on.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 03a" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather03a.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 03a" id="image151" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather03a.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Referring back to something Max said about &#8216;additional personas&#8217; I found out that the two of them go deeper into the rabbit hole by as well as the parallel existance they have alternate personas that they use. They both regularly transform themselves into &#8217;skunks&#8217;. Yes indeed. I asked why and what did it mean.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Heather Steadham:</strong> Heather in human form is generally a warm and friendly person. Max knows if I am &#8220;in skunk mode&#8221; to tread very carefully&#8230;or it could also mean that I&#8217;m involved in a construction project. The skunk makes an appearance when the need for &#8220;being left alone&#8221; outweighs the need to be sociable.. i.e.: when building or taking clases. Not wanting attention. That skunk appearance would be a mask I wear to be left alone rather than to interact with others.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham:</strong> When she is in her skunk persona in public, she is also not entirely &#8220;happy&#8221; that day. So, when she is in &#8220;skunk mode&#8221;, I serve as a guardian / protector of her emotional state. It also helps in public when she is in skunk mode to have a much larger human present to ward off criticism.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 04" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather04.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 04" id="image152" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather04.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>I had met both of them a few days ago at a popular furry club and found them dancing together so I asked about their relationship in their transformed state.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Maximillion Steadham:</strong> Yes. Heather and I have been to several clubs where they are furry / human tolerant. Depending on Heather&#8217;s emotional state that day, I can appear as a gray, mature skunk, like a father figure to her or as a black skunk similar in appearance to Heather. The transformation is mostly to ward people away from Heather. The difference being either paternal/familar or as a trusted associate.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 05" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather05.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 05" id="image153" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather05.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>As part of the interview Heather implied that she prefers Max as Skunk, making her feel more comfortable as that persona, which I think surprised Max. This lead to a discussion about their relationship as regards money.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Maximillion Steadham:</strong> There is also the disparity in the division of wealth between our personas.<br />
<strong> Heather Steadham:</strong> I have the income. Max is my trusted employee.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham:</strong> Not really. I control her funds at her request.<br />
<strong> Heather Steadham:</strong> I have a tendency to buy on impluse and consult Max depending on the amount.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham:</strong> Essentially, anything over $500 requires my assent to purchase.</p></blockquote>
<p>They both demonstrated how they dance together and talked about clubs they go to, so I prodded again on the question of how people perceive their relationship</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Heather Steadham:</strong> We normally will visit blues/ rock / and slowdancing clubs on the weekend. Max has a list of the ones we can be found in. But we could also be two friends just having an enjoyable time, free from drama.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham: </strong>It&#8217;s up to the other people present to ask. We don&#8217;t volunteer our relationship.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 06" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather06.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 06" id="image154" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather06.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>I politely requested that they transform into their &#8217;skunk&#8217; mode to ascertain if their indeed was a personality shift and to see how they related to each other but more importantly why the need to wear the mask.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Heather Steadham:</strong> This is my general appearance in public when I am in skunk mode - elegant, but also ready to spray you if needed. I would considered Heather&#8217;s more wild, but shy side - if that makes sense. In this state, I&#8217;m usually emotionally vulnerable..They are more suprized to see me as a human than a skunk. This is the persona most people see me with. The skunk came out after about two weeks of first moving into SL. When I lived in Seogwipo&#8230;any male AV would stop by and check out the female AV who had taken some time and pride in making her appearance as elegant and functional as she could. It detracted from being able to educate myself or just relax at home. It has its functions. I can maintain an eloquent appearance, but at the same time keep the general male populace away from me.<br />
<strong> Maximillion Steadham:</strong> We are observed holding hands many times, and it keeps the furs away&#8230;they tend to have a higher &#8220;leering&#8221; factor than the humans do.<br />
<strong> Heather Steadham:</strong> If Max is right next to me in a fur area, it is generally assumed that we have a relationship - and we are not bothered in that way. Incidentally humans in fur areas are generally looked on as newbies without the funds to make the transformation to fur, furrys tend to have the overactive sex drive.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 07" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather07.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 07" id="image155" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather07.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>I mentioned that when I first met them there was a crowd on their big black decking and they came up with the ruse that Max was tired due to being recently serviced. Now I see how it works. The simultaneous existance of the Steadham&#8217;s &#8216;from just one mind&#8217; is rare in this world. I must admit to doing the same on many occasions and have started a &#8216;group&#8217; called the SIMULs which has a growing membership. One of the attractions is the real time, duality of being, whether dual gender or creature or whatever and communicating with individual avs without their being aware. I asked Heather for her reasoning.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Heather Steadham:</strong> That is what also keepspeople from guessing we&#8217;re the same. If we are here at the same time&#8230;kind of hard to say we&#8217;re ALT;s. The typos occasionally give it away too. I can fool people, but if Max is just hanging around, it give the illusion away sometimes. If I &#8220;occupy&#8221; Max, there are less questions.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="Heather Steadham 08" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather08.jpg"><img alt="Heather Steadham 08" id="image156" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/heather08.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>It was great to see fellow simul&#8217;s operating smoothly and obviously enjoying the complexity of dual, triple and quadruple, real time, parallel identities. We did talk much more about the gender differences in this world and how a female av is treated more favourably, freely given more &#8216;gifts&#8217;, has more friends and generally at a social advantage. I am sure we will see an increase in the numbers of simuls in this world as it affords multiple perspectives on the world, which is impossible in the bio world I understand. It is easy to point out that this may be verging on <span class="l">dissociative identity disorder</span> but I see it more as acting and multiple, simultaneous, in-world role playing. Being able to communicate as parallel identities allows me and others to understand more about how others relate to a wider range of person or creature that stands in front of them and that understanding increases your own self awareness.</p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt from Second Life</p>
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		<title>Strange Events in the Birthing Zone</title>
		<link>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/08/22/strange-events-in-the-birthing-zone/</link>
		<comments>http://www.justvirtual.com/2006/08/22/strange-events-in-the-birthing-zone/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:29:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gary Hazlitt</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Communication]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Humour]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Been going through my old snapshots and thought I would send a few through the digital fourth wall to you all out there in bio world. A few weeks ago some friends and I were hanging out as we ocassionally do in the world&#8217;s welcome or birthing area. One newbie said &#8220;perhaps its that urge [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Been going through my old snapshots and thought I would send a few through the digital fourth wall to you all out there in bio world. A few weeks ago some friends and I were hanging out as we ocassionally do in the world&#8217;s welcome or birthing area. One newbie said &#8220;perhaps its that urge to return to the &#8216;womb&#8217; to find identity&#8221; - no idea what a womb is and I dont think I have either found or lost my identity? Odd statement. Anyway inspired by the moment we switched into psychological experimentation mode we decided to play dead and see what the reaction would be (I&#8217;m wearing my black wings btw).</p>
<p><a title="Dead Angels" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/dead-angels.jpg"><img alt="Dead Angels" id="image91" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/dead-angels.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>So we led there for what seemed like hours, and what a confusion. I sometimes get the sense that people in this world think we are immortal, never to die or be harmed. So ill or dead people here are out of the ordinary. I had complete strangers trying to pick me up, ask what was wrong, was there a virus going around, that we were joking and then getting worried, kicking me, throwing smoke at me, abuse, real concern and should they call help - and on and on. Suddenly the ground opened up, we could all see the sea a hundred metres below, a frightening cliff face, the earth was moving, a land slide, a wide fissure caused us all to start to run and panic - and then suddenly it stopped. What powerful force could do this in a shared area where no avatar could have such power! Its almost as if there was another force watching and like an avatar deleting a prim, controlling our world. To be investigated.</p>
<p>So prematurely we all rose from the dead, everyone laughed and shared the joke but before I left there was a real resurrection as a bio character appeared - odd skin, strange eyes, and weird instrument. Some people around said he was called &#8216;Jimi Hendrix&#8217; a famous bio musician from thirty years ago. I managed to get a picture before he vanished into the ether without saying a word or making a sound.</p>
<p><a title="Jimi" class="imagelink" href="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/jimi-hendrix.jpg"><img alt="Jimi" id="image92" src="http://www.justvirtual.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/jimi-hendrix.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>Posted by Gary Hazlitt</p>
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