Out of My Mind.....with Noxluna

Rules are like promises....?

2010-11-14T11:12:00.000-08:00

So often in life, we find those people (or perhaps, you reading this, are one of them?), for whom either the rules do not apply, or they consider them to be like promises, and are made to be broken.

Now, I am known for being a bit of a rebel, having "problems with authority", not "taking direction well" and a few other things that show my stubborn, non conforming side. However, when it comes to outright rules, or laws, they are there for a reason, and I try to follow them. I do not always agree with certain ones, and yes I do abuse the posted speed limit (of course when traffic is going 80 in a 50,if you don't keep up you will end up with someone parked in your rear end..so just go with the flow there).

When one "lives" in a virtual world and your character is set by your deeds, where actions really do speak louder than words, how you treat the stated rules can have a large impact on how you are viewed. The impression you give is set by what you do and how you do it.

In real life, too often people forget the importance of honor, integrity and even loyalty. Most of the time it is not a very high profile sort of thing, and "lapses in judgment", mistakes and the like can be easily overlooked, again and again. As time goes on we forget what has been done or said. However, in the virtual world, where everything you type is preserved for posterity, one's lack of honor, is well highlighted and thusly, becomes well known.

So, look at WHAT you do, HOW you do it and ask yourself what impression you are really giving? Are you following rules or are you trampling over them, for the personal gain it will bring you, and by deed those that do follow the rules for the good of all?

Is that what you wish people to take away when they see your name in print?

Truthfully, it matters not to me, I know the person you are, by what you project, and your actions and your existence is meaningless to me if you are one who cares nothing for others, as proven by your actions. There are those though who DO care, who still believe in magic, in the basic goodness of humanity....is it really necessary to dash their hopes?

Now for the personal stuffs

2010-10-31T20:18:00.001-07:00

As you might remember, I had formed a rather special relationship with someone rather special. He not only kept me safe from the sharks as it were, and as there are, but he started me on my path to dj'ing. Back in June we closed down the special side of our relationship an discovered that we are the best of friends, always there with a kind word or helping hand. I'm exceedingly happy to say that he has gone on to form a relationship with a supremely amazing woman(and you can check his blog to read about that ).

In the meantime I met this person. Brilliant, clever, talented, and very silver tongued. He insists he's quite shy...I don't believe it. He can make works of 3d models so beautiful you could cry at their sheer beauty and he's a master virtual builder and artiste.

Amazingly, this incredible man seems to think that there's something about me too. His name is Hamish Stuart, yes the one from Tesh. Now the really amusing/magical? part is that we had both been in SL for years and never met, and yet in this huge virtual world inhabited by so few people, where the odds of meeting someone is actually lower because the few that are there are mostly busy creating and yet we met. After a rather amusing conversational interlude that I might tell you about another time he proceeded to sweep me off my feet.

Two weeks later he was asking me to be his partner, and between the two of us (my small ideas and his huge talent) we've managed to bring his skills to a greater level and create regions of great beauty. Regions I'm proud to say I own (Isle of DarkMoon and DarkMoon Rising) and proud to let everyone know that he landscaped and did the builds for...

We have formed a true partnership, limited only by the distance of being 7 hours apart from each other...but that is the magic and the wonder of being in a virtual world too, the heart can find something it didnt know it needed, and would never have found prior to the onset of virtuality.

Never underestimate the power of magic or the universe or the metaverse in bringing people into each other's lives whom need to be there.

Huggggs!

Noxluna Nightfire (Eclipse)

New (In)worldz to conquer!

2010-10-31T10:46:00.000-07:00

As I posted way back in January, Inworldz was my top pick for the next big virtual world. As of this date, I'm more than pleased to tell you that it has been declared to be the 2nd largest grid...and as of this date it is getting between 1000-2000 new members each week.

It has come quite a long way since my first log in back in July of '09. However, some things are (and happily) the same. We still have the same founderz there as started the grid. They still have the same dedication and integrity that has been so lacking in some other grids. They still are working towards making the program that the vitual world/s are based on a stable, reliable and well honed "machine" if you will.

So, what is new? Well, quite a few of the big name creators from SL have set up shop there, and this has been beneficial in that those avis whom wouldn't come out of fear of trying something new, now have their old standbye creators to rely on. One can now log in and find entire sims of their SL creators all huddled together and on the various sims they own. If lack of SL designs was keeping you away, come on in, the water is fine!

How much do I believe in Inworldz? Well, i put my money where my mouth (or typing fingers as the case may be) is and invested in them quite a while ago. I have two regions now, Isle of DarkMoon which is my commercial sim and home to the wonderful creators and their businesses: Effie's Designs, Gor Jus Animations, EStyles, Jana's Temple, Ashluna Skins to name just a few. My other region is for residential rentals and the home of The Moody Dragon IW (yes, Fido is there too), and is called DarkMoon Rising. I only have a small number of rental spots available as I'm going for luxury, privacy and tranquility for people and not high density noisy etc. so there are only 12 spots and right now only 9 of them are available. Nice (very) size and generous prim and low cost...come find me in IW (Noxluna Eclipse there) and I'll show you and tell you the pricing ;)

3rd Rock Grid is still there and still a very nice place, with the same dedicated group of people running it as my last post, but (and for purely subjective reasons) my heart belongs to IW. I do, however, encourage you to try out both worlds for yourself and see what you think (for those of you with experience of the virtual world especially).

Blue Mars Online...well no comment really.....

Back to ME though. I'm still dj'ing and you can find me at The Moody Dragon in inworldz on Saturdays at 2 pm pdt (4 pm central time) and I do a number of special events there too, come join a group in either sl or iw to find out when/where.

I've also learned how to make clothes (no the dress on the pic is not my work...but I have lost faith in THAT designer due to some EXTREMELY poor customer service, so I will be posting a different pic soon), I've also learned how to make textures (and the outfit I wear in the next pic will probably be one of the ones I made, including textures), animations for the virtual (as well as 3d environment at large), and even (using a creator kit mind you...) skins for the avatars in IW or SL (or most virtual worlds I guess).

Being in a "beta" or "frontier" virtual world has been both liberating and exhausting. I've learned new skills and uncovered talents I didn't know I possessed and it's been one heck of a ride so far!

Some of my favorite creators are (aside from the ones I listed up there that are on my region) are:

Tesh - the one and the original..the one owned by Hamish Stuart (the other one is a very naughty name copy cat....). The original Tesh products are amongst the finest and most realistic of plants and trees that you will find. They are also amongst the ONLY ones that do not have that hideous "white cobwebby" look to the texture and do not blur and make your eyes cross when you zoom in on them. Yes, some creators have not bothered to update their stock and are STILL selling the same tired, outdated and passe items that they created years ago. It's called progress people...give it a try.

Soror Nishi - Makes the most fantastical of trees, very...fairy tale like. Her items are more artwork than plant like, sculptural and a treat to the eyes. There is a LOT of talent in this lady and she lets out it on a grand and delightful scale. She is also one incredibly awesome human being. If i can attach any pictures to this I will add some of her work, and other people's too, for your viewing pleasure ;).

Aya's Emporium - owned by Ayasano Serpente (he's on my region too btw). He makes some interesting little gadgets and fun things. The things that make life (virtual) a little more fun, yet are totally not necessary. Just like in the "real" world, we do need our frivolities. Ayasano is also the person who makes all my custom sculpts I use for my dresses and other clothes. I, so far, have little ability or talent for sculptie work. Aya also does my scripting I need. If you need something special and/or custom, give him a shout.

Ok, that's enough for now, will update more often and will add some pics etc for you.

~~~Hugs!

Noxluna Nightfire (Eclipse)

When Dreams Turn to Dust, get out the vacuum!

2010-01-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

So, where to begin? After spending over half a year trying to believe in the promises of a certain virtual world that was trying to compete with Second Life it became sadly apparent that this particular company was all glitz with no substance. After losing more money that I care to admit we pulled up stakes and left. By we I mean myself, partners, friends and the content creators who followed me in there. When openlife lost one person, they lost more than one, and that happens with each person that virtual world loses.

Back we went to Second Life, poorer but wiser. However, in spite of what some people might tell you there is competiton for Second Life out there. Most notably is Inworldz, 3rd Rock Grid, Blue Mars Online and Avatar Hangout.

Here is my breakdown on those grids and this is just my opinion, but it's an opinion based on monitoring these places for the last 8 months or more.

Inworldz: This is my top pick. The founder is one intelligent dynamo. She also had the foresight to see the shortcomings in the OS grid programming and stopped taking their updates and started actually fixing the poor quality of the program that was out there. In doing so she is creating a working, viable, feasible virtual world that will not rely on faulty programming and faultier patches. Additionally the pricing for a region is beyond reasonable and one does NOT have the Second Life prim limits and limitations to deal with.

3rd Rock Grid: My next pick. I have been monitoring this one for quite a while, and took a greater interest in them after a management change awhile ago. The group that is in charge seem very dedicated to providing a virtual world that is what the people from Second Life are used to. The nice part though is the prim allotment was variable, based on what one was willing to pay.

Blue Mars Online: Not at all sure about this place. Its slick, I'll grant that. However, any and everything I read on their website indicates a virtual world for creators, and more specifically creators that use the high end programs. This does not appear to be a land for the casual SL'er, and it does not at all appear to be a place where someone like me can go and stumble across a whole new way of looking at computers and learning a brand new skill set. That is the biggest shame of this virtual world. It does not allow room for the average everyday user to grow and learn and find that there is more to virtual worlds than they could ever have imagined. Now, all that is on top of the fact that it APPEARS that only content developers can own land. Land is exhorbitantly pricey and if the whole virtual world is pretty much keyed to attract the content creators ONLY, there's not going to be anyone to be the consumers........really..someone was so not thinking here. Oh, also, Blue Mars appears to take a 25% cut off the sales. This is all from their own website. I have to say, even though I have a developer account I really do not think it very likely I will be investing my money here.

Last is Avatar Hangout: Everytime I've gone there I have not been able to find help. My avi, after over ayear, is still ruthed. There does not appear to be any denewbing freebie stuff but plenty of houses to rent...and it's pretty much an exact replica of Second Life as far as prim allotment and limitations. So, maybe it was just my bad luck....but have to say I won't be investing anytime soon.

All that being said, and with the improvements and progress I've seen happen in Inworldz in a relatively short period of time, while watching some of the other virtual worlds still struggle with the same old OS garbage, I have to say I like Inwordz chances the best.

I'll keep posting on developments.

Secondlife is still the most viable virtual world, but competion is coming.

2009-08-30T00:49:00.000-07:00

Well, been well over a year since I last posted. In that time I have looked at a couple of other virtual worlds and much as I hate to say it, as SL has some major faults (their customer lack of service comes to mind), they are also really the best out there as yet.

I have continued to make friends from all over the world and I still dj when time allows. Sadly, between work and school, there is less time for play but I still make the time. Especially now as my inworld partner Mortus and I are coming out with a line of furniture that is special to the virtual market and virtual needs.

I've even learned how to make my own animations and am very excited about this project.

I'll try to keep you posted on that. So what else have I learned to do? I've learned how to make textures (which I'm fairly good at) and clothes (which I am not soo good at).

All in all it is still a wonderful way to meet people from all walks of life, and if you're very lucky, you find the people that help fill your life in ways you never expected and never knew you needed.

2008-04-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

So what is the deal with SecondLife? My friends who aren't inworld do ask....and I do tell them to create the free account and check it out for themselves. I joined SL via the CSI portal....love mysteries and thought it would be a great way to have some fun, engage my brain and get a little stress therapy in. Well I did solve some mysteries.....and then I started meeting people and talking to them and making friends.

I made three friends my second week and two of them I am still in regular - daily - contact with! Their friendship and support have meant quite alot to me and I think mine has meant alot to them.

Sadly, I no longer solve mysteries....SL has taken me in a whole new direction. I now DJ about 20 hours a week inworld....and not only do I LOVE it.....apparently I'm rather good at it too.....never would have guessed that in a MILLION years. I've made friends from all over the world and it is the most incredible thing.

Then, of course, there is the very special relationship I have with my inworld partner. His name is Mortus and we have been at each other's virtual side since November 2007. The picture is from our wedding o Feb 16, 2008. I adore him and my world is a much brighter place for having this incredible person at my side. While we may never meet in the real world, other people have found someone to share both their real life (RL)and thier second life(SL)with.

So, when you start hearing that SL is for "losers", because I have heard this being said.....remember that this person, who never thought she could do much in the way of being the life of the party...is now a pretty good DJ, with friends from all over, and while I'm still a bit of an airhead in secondlife....I'm learning....and learning to do new things, and meeting new people is what keeps all of us hoping and living.