tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86794377605849102592024-03-05T23:46:00.930-08:00The House of PoeOctober Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-42858317155064633162014-07-15T22:34:00.001-07:002014-07-15T22:34:58.660-07:00Respect, Identity, and Lables: An Insightful Discussion with an SL Submissive<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>I have a wonderful habit of running into people at random
times and places. Much of the time, I never see them again, usually due to a
total lack of chemistry. Other times, I meet a mind that is intriguing and intelligent
and full of amazing and independent ideas. When I was IMed by Echo at The
Chamber, I was immediately charmed by her forthrightness and humor. Later, when
I learned more about her experience in BDSM, I was interested in her views and
ideas regarding the BDSM culture in SL. What follows is an interview-cum-
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</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: What first drew you to get into the BDSM culture in
SL?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo: I met someone in RL that drew me into it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>October: What was
your first impression?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo: Um... I'm not sure how to answer that. At the time all
I did was for them. It didn't occur to me that what I was doing was something
more... structured? I didn't know it was a 'thing'. I thought it was ours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: You talk about "we". Can you describe the
relationship?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo nods a little. "It started out we were roommates.
She had just graduated college. I... was kind of exploring coming out of the
closet about being bisexual when my parents threw me out. It was a really
complicated time in my life. I needed a place to stay and she offered me
somewhere to go. To clarify, my parents are very traditional. My bisexuality
was the issue. I came home and all of my stuff was in the lawn. I haven't
talked to them since, except once, after Sendai happened. When I moved in with
her... it was mostly out of need. She was an Indian exchange student at the
time. She got her green card a year </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Ah, okay. So how did your friend get you into SL?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo chews her lip. "I never really thought about it
before. By that time we were in a full blown relationship. It happened because
she was hopping video games. We were tired of WoW. I remember I started SL,
didn't understand it, then took it more seriously last spring. I guess the
short answer is I was going wherever she said go."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Are you still with her?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo: No. Something happened. I don't know. One day she was
in my life. The next, gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October nods. "So what made you stay here?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo laughs, "Curiosity I guess. At first? Friends, but
there's so much here to learn about. Scripting, building, ... SL can really be
a place to learn valuable skills. I've been trying to learn everything." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: It keeps you busy...or it can. So tell me about
your first BDSM experience here in SL. We don't need the gory details, but just
kind of on overview and how you felt about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo nods. "My first experience with BDSM in SL was
watching friends. I'd seen it in RL. I didn't know before I came to SL it was a
'thing'. I'd had hints, but everything I'd done had been very private. Here
everyone is almost in your face about it. It's like someone rushing up to know
your blood type. It's startling, amusing, then kind of weird. The weird stayed,
then curiosity replaced it. I guess it is like a part of identity for many
people in SL? 'What are you? Domme, Sub, Switch,' and it's a very serious
thing. I mostly felt... confused.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: You are often forced to pick a side, so to speak.
For women, they are expected to be a sub. What did you end up gravitating
towards, if anything?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo: That's a tricky question to answer. I ... I was pretty
fast shuffled into a 'submissive' category. That's the shortest answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Most women are here, I find. I am not even asked
anymore, and it is met with derision when I say I dont feel like being a sub.
How has your experience been with masters/mistresses?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo: I would say the majority of my experiences have been
frightening, hostile, or simply ignorant and bitter. I empathize with your
feelings that people respond with derision if... my vocabulary is lacking...
It's like people have this template worked out in their heads and if you don't
fit on it then watch out...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Have you found any BDSM outlet in SL that agrees
with you? I know that can be difficult.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo tilts head back and forth. "Yes... and no. Capture
roleplay ... um CARP ... and what aspects of D/s come out in that. It's not
favorite form of situation, but I've found the people there seem... the most
respecting? Scenes are short lives, maybe three days to a month or two at most,
but the friendships last. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October smiles. "Some of the best people I have ever
met, I met in sex sims of some kind. If you could, what kind of environment
would you create for sexual expression?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo chews and thinks, then blushes. "Can you clarify?
'Sexual expression?'"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: It's difficult to find that "special
place" in SL that is friendly and caters to your specific needs. When it
comes to BDSM, how would you create the best environment for yours and others
enjoyment? Who would it cater to?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Echo chews again,
takes a breath out, then says, "I am a really passionate person. I mean, I
will really devote myself to someone if we enter into something like D/s, BDSM,
S&M, etc. For me, It's like a kind of reverence I am feeling when I am
doing this. I want to live in a state of worship for them. So I enter the
situation first with love. I try to move slowly. Sex... isn't so much
important. It's the devotion. Letting them feel that I am reverent to their
existence. I know... that all sounds really intense, but it doesn't have to be.
I feel like most people here rush into something, get their fix, and disappear
like a vampire in the night. There isn't any willingness to build a connection,
nurture it, enhance or vary the details, and generally be 'together' in any
way. So... that really is my answer in one way. Realistically, it seems like SL
people are shallow. Being in a capture situation is... counter-intuitively a
more intimate... safe place... to get to be with someone in SL than a vanilla
or BDSM relationship. The Domme has total control. It's going to be a wild
ride, but at least you are going to really get to meet each other. There's a
chance chemistry might be recognized and built upon. So I suppose my second
answer within this is that I'd want someone to take me completely, with love
and reciprocated devotion and reverence throughout.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October nods slowly. "That, in my own experience, is
the true definition of BDSM and the idea of give and take. It is a deep
commitment with deep trust and love. Many subs here walk in on thier knees and
want to get a fix of love, or whatever. There is a lack of seriousness to the
relationships here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would you tell
a young sub starting out here about how to avoid the usual "collar and
kick" practices of the BDSM culture in SL?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo nods vigorously! "Yes! Absolutely! Do NOT let
someone put a collar on your neck. I mean it. If someone even tries before a
year is up, get away from them. That might sound harsh, but this is not a
reality. SL isn't a place, it's more like a weird quasi-successful
communication medium. If you offer your heart to someone here they will tear it
to shred and hand the bloody bits back smiling gleefully as if they've just
given you a precious gift. If you don't bleed out afterward, maybe they have,
but there is a gentler course.... Don't get involved with D/s in any serious
way on SL for a least a year. Sure, hang out around it, maybe maybe flirt with
it... and by flirt I mean keep your clothes on... because the moment you put
out don't expect anyone to be there for you after. The relationship probably
ended right there. That's been my experience. People here use you. You really
need to be able to see who these users are. Unfortunately that still means
getting in the water with them and trying things out. I don't know if there is
any way to avoid that, but that's not to say being 'brave' and taking some
'risks' here isn't worth it. It is, be brave but use your head. Think. Other
women especially with attack you for this, but over the long term I feel your
self-respect will be preserved a little better... maybe. SL is very hard on
people just coming in. Very, very hard. This should really be a topic unto
itself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: I think people have tackled that subject several
times since the beginning. Relationships here are meat-grinders. But risk is
always a component, no matter what. I think its a matter of being thick-skinned
and realizing that your are, no matter what, a human being that deserves
respect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo nods, "Your profile alludes to that in a fair
way."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Oh, I am a real cunty bitch when it comes to
respect and how people should be treated here. If I may ask, what is your
current status when it comes to Dom/mes and scenes? Do you still play or have
you taken a break?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo frowns a little heavily. "I'm struggling. I don't
think I will ever quit playing the scene completely. At least, not until I'm
out of my twenties. I have a long time before that, but ... last Spring really
messed with my heart. I gave a lot into that relationship, but I feel I was
mostly lied to the whole time. I am not trying to get into details. I am...
trying to find a way to talk about communication issues. In SL it seems as
though there is a very common belief that BDSM, D/s, and S&M are either all
the same thing or very distinct things. In the same manner, all of these things
are um... how to say... the are all... everyone I have ever talked with seems
to have a very structured idea about what these things are that does not agree
with even their own definitions. If you point this out to a dominant they'll
usually fall apart or have some kind of mental episode. Really. On the other
hand, if you ask questions trying to reach some kind of idea about what you
want... prepare yourself to be thrown out. Submissives are supposed to be
brainless sluts I guess... I don't understand my place in all this as SL
culture is currently."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Questioning the authority is never allowed, hehe. I
experienced this recently. And as we are intelligent women, it is difficult to
carve out our own place in this world. We are as we are, we do as we wish, and
fuck you if you don't like it, you know? It's not very well accepted. This
rings true in RL as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo smiles appreciatively and nods. "Especially if you
don't have an iron jaw and look like Brienne of Tarth."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Hey, she is a sexy woman! In fact, she was a model
and looks good when she isnt covered in blood. But I digress...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo smiles, "Can I digress us a moment?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Please do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo chews, "This is brings up a topic that's been
bouncing around in my head on and off as we've talked. This is slightly getting
personal so please forgive me, but since this is text I want to mention
something that is visual? You, to me, appear Russian. I appear and am in fact,
Asian. For you, your nationality (just from appearance) comes with certain
privileges. You are universally a figure which speaks, 'sex' and if you have
the Russian accent many people adore it. I'm Asian. I'm constantly self
conscious, quiet spoken, prone to wearing earth tones... You are given a kind
of free pass toward iconification as someone empowered. My racial stereotype
spells me as 'intelligent' but 'submissive'. I find this to be an incredibly
difficult struggle daily in SL. It has a very... 'white' culture'. There are
hidden mine fields."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Oh, I totally get that. There is a certain amount
of "white privilege" in SL, no doubt. I have been other races here
and I have seen it. And it extends to those who are transgender or furries or
anything beyond the norm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo nods. "It seemed something that really needs
mentioning. SL can cut you to pieces if you come here as yourself and if
yourself includes a race other than white... it's hard. It's really hard."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Given that I am a white female in RL (thought I
look more Irish), I can't say for certain what I might look like here if I were
not a white woman. But people are not taking real advantage of the lack
of...how do you say...I guess the lack of knowledge of who or what a person
really is. Its mental interaction, that's all. Who cares what gender or race
they are? It should be a place to dispose of cultural prejudices. But alas....I
saw someone refer to themselves as a "nigger slave" and I squicked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo facepalms! "SL can be shockingly vulgar too. I
suppose it's just for plain fun though. People should try that more. It's
healthy." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: I agree. I don't mind saying that I am honky-ass
white. A healthy dose of non-PCness is good and can explored here, as well, as long
as you are good with it being thrown back at you. It's that thick-skinned idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Echo smiles and nods
a bit. "Yeah, it is hard to find that balance at first though. You kind of
have to have had an experience first time find. At least, for myself I needed
to have a few experiences that were that way before I learned to enjoy them for
what they are."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: It's like being a child again. You have to learn
the right way to walk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are there any
other ideas you want to express before we wrap up?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo: Maybe a couple... I'm struggling for the right words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Take your time</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo: I know... this is hard for a lot of girls. I say girls
because I don't think of myself as all that old yet. I'm saying my age, by the
way! But! That is a good place to start. Identity and cornering. That's
something that should really be talked about. People are very ignorant about
those issues in a negative way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Explain what you mean by "identity and
cornering".</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo nods and thinks. "Identity is really complicated,
but in saying that is should be intuitively simple. Maybe it is for some
people, but usually people don't give this enough though. I am an introvert. If
you gave me an IQ test I'd be in the top percent, but that also makes me
'weird'. I see things others don't, presume that they do, and jump to
conclusions that probably leave where they are. At least, in social situations
this is very true of me. This is NOT my 'identity', but it is a piece of my
'character'. People... can really break with this or presume too much about
you. I believe it's because people believe everything in instantaneous in SL.
Remember, all of the information they are getting is really just them reading
and seeing a computer screen. They are never going to get to meet 'you'. They
probably won't try to hang out with you. The most they will do is 'friend' you,
and then perpetually sit on your friends list waiting for you to IM them. Despite
this, they will usually try to say that the few random things they've met about
you so far is 'you'... I call that cornering. It's part of how i ended up doing
Capture Roleplays. I was happy with a light vanilla experience. Really happy
with it, but because I was nervous people thought I wanted it 'rougher'. The
nice people started to isolate me to protect me. I wanted to try a scene so
guess who was left?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October nods. "Dealing with the projections put upon
you. And if after they get to actually know you and find that you aren't what
they projected, they act like it's your fault. Very frustrating. Sometimes, its
easier to have a few moments with someone in a "light and fluffy"
roleplay, rather than attempt a full-on relationship with someone who may get
mad at you for being who you are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>nods seriously.
"This is slightly tangential, but in the 60s I think it was, there was a
study called ... um... shoot... Deviance in the Dark. I know, hilarious name.
Anyway, they put a bunch of people in a dark room to see what would happen. The
people actually were really sweet and even kind of um... sexual with one
another. Each decade the study has been repeated. Do you know how people are
today? The last study everyone moved equal distance apart and barely talked
till it was over. People are not as used to 'genuineness' any more. They see it
as something threatening."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Yeah. Being blunt isn't polite, I guess. Cultural
and societal norms are exceedingly important now. Deviation is frowned upon,
even as we embrace diversity. We are scared of being open for fear of
offending, I think. Dent touch that person because they might not like it and
get angry. We can't be ourselves because we might be "wrong", if that
makes sense. And to bring it back to SL, we embrace diversity here as well. But
at the same time, we have a cultural norm to deal with. And when it comes to
BDSM, women are submissive, sometimes dominant, but they MUST fit into a
predetermined hole or be considered an outcast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>laughs a little.
"I forgot about this, but that brings up one of two more tops I really
wanted to get to talk about. It was kind of what got us together to do this
though... Predetermined holes... Girls... watch out for these these. They will
other girls and old women you would never expect it from will shred you to
pieces on these. I know last spring, what messed me up so much was that I was
doing everything my Domme told me to do when suddenly it was wrong. It was
wrong because I deviated from a social norm. She was German I am a mixed
nationality. Her expectations of me were NEVER informed of me. One day
everything simply was not okay. I tried to ask why. I tried everything I could
think of to find out what was wrong. Then her older submissive, a refuse to
call her a sister, went basaltic on me. I've seen this pattern repeat itself
three times now. I'm really convinced this is an issue of virtual having
cultural expectations bleeding through from RL. All I want to say here is that
be careful of hidden expectations because there are nationalities and diverse
life experiences mixing her which should not be presumed are any way easily
associable or intuitive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>October: Come with an
open mind, yes. Desire to understand, not push into your own mold.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo nods! "Yes, exactly. I guess I'll slip over to the
last thoughts before I forget and let you finish up questions?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October: Feel free</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Echo : Getting into D/s, in
real life or SL, is very challenging. It is like 'coming out of the closet'. I
have very little self-confidence. Experience over the last year has really
helped me with this, but it's really easy to have that confidence torn down. I
don't think people realize how much bravery it takes for most women to go out
and do something independently. Especially men, I feel, don't understand this.
Boys, we're not dressing up for you. We dress up for other women. We dress how
we do because of other women. Really. So, when other women attack what we are
doing, it's a really serious thing. Especially if you are only just independent
of your parents. The most vicious things in our lives are usually other women.
So coming 'out' and 'open' about being into anything is also leaving ourselves
vulnerable to subtle attacks and quiet isolating condescension from other
women. If you don't know what I'm talking about you probably shouldn't be
anywhere near women yet or possibly ever. If you are another woman that can't
comprehend this... you have god powers. For me, simply trying D/s was a huge
growth in my sense of self empowerment. I discovered that actually it is only
because of other people's actions that there is anything 'wrong' with being
nude. If I could I would stay nude, all the time. I hate wearing clothes now.
Clothes are only a utility. They are not 'me' and do not define 'me'. Sex and
sexuality is this way as well. When I am deliberate and when I am genuine...
these are things that are 'me'. That is what I have discovered from D/s.
Everything is is coloration and tone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don't feel most of us (women) are encouraged to discover things on our own.
Whenever I become interested in something I never share it with other girl
friends. We are not generous in the way men naturally seem to be. We do not
respect one another as people. We see one another as competition, as a source
of conflict. I blame this hurtful attitude so common to us on older women.
Women do not live in the same world as men. We are demanded of... there are
expectations forced on us that do not exist for me. We almost never have our
own lives. Because we are sensitive and because we feel so much for everything
we are possessed of an inner climate of feelings that I do not believe men
have. We need time to metabolize our experiences. That's why we get together
with other women and chat about things. When something upsets us we need time
without upset in our lives, equal to that stretch of time we are trying to
process and then some, or its impact on us will not abate. This is why we are
so evasive about all that we do I feel. We are trying to get away from all the
things impacting us so it doesn't adversely color our personalities and mess us
up. Maybe this is a biological thing? Maybe in the same way that we are often
physically attractive we are also frequently emotionally attractive. We try to
safeguard both. Older women are jaded. Younger women are cruel. Together both
will tear away at your character and force false impressions on your identity
trying to make your existence climatized to their needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a young women looking for adventure and sovereignty over
what we do with our lives I feel our greatest challenge is other women. Our
feelings are always wondering, tagging new things, and transitioning. This is
the atmosphere we breath 24/7. It puts more information into an experience that
just a stretch of time. There's so much information that we lag a little bit.
We need to talk to someone else for perspective. That's where we get into
trouble. Other women have their own options, but no generosity. We have to
contend with this while dealing with our own inner atmosphere of feelings and
desires. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I say generosity I'm not talking about compassion or
empathy. A woman or a man has equal potential to give compassion. That's how I
feel about it. Empathy seems to be a thing more pronounced with us. We feel and
have internal feelings not representative of the world around us. It lets us
resonate with our immediate context. So, generosity is not either of these
things. A man seems to possess generosity though. Men are always offering
physical gifts. I don't think they can help themselves. It's hardwired. We
don't do this. We may try to offer climates, emotionally pleasantries, but we
will not physically do anything for another person unless we are in a
relationship with them usually. I feel this is possibly why we end up being so
vicious to one another and those around us. We don't have the instinct to
consider doing something for another person's physical existence. It doesn't
resonate with us. We don't have any awareness for it. In D/s this becomes
extremely problematic. If we go to another women for help, especially those
older than us, she may empathize with our feelings, but she will not care to do
anything about them. In fact, usually, we're treated very badly. We may be
called a slut casually or discarded from friendship as we are inferring with
her climate of imposed serenity. I believe this is why most women simply don't
know what to do when we want to discover something for ourselves. We have no
avenues for support. We're alone in this. </div>
<i></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Thank you to Echo for her helpful and enjoyable insight.</i></div>
October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-64429672579293920472014-01-26T21:38:00.000-08:002014-01-26T21:38:34.595-08:00Blood, Souls and Family Values: An Interview with the Fatal Moon Rose Clan<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRtVU4MMTJ-b2j8OSvclubKBZRpZuZXRdkNFi7e_W_iq-8Ec7lD-qw8cqkx35WVXufcDvhIGVpsOxfhCTmo1Edfokw8bJCfRwYqecSXRt-Fw17_tRbLSROXn2I_XdtAC4VvSAUjum3pU/s1600/FMR+Pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRtVU4MMTJ-b2j8OSvclubKBZRpZuZXRdkNFi7e_W_iq-8Ec7lD-qw8cqkx35WVXufcDvhIGVpsOxfhCTmo1Edfokw8bJCfRwYqecSXRt-Fw17_tRbLSROXn2I_XdtAC4VvSAUjum3pU/s1600/FMR+Pic.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Say the word <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Bloodlines"
in a random sim in Second Life <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and you
either get people who are rabidly for playing it, or rabidly against it. People
who are against it speak of the exorbitant prices of the HUDs and equipment, as
well as the seemingly never-ending need for blood and souls. Signs sprinkled
all over the grid often discourage biting and "turning" people in
certain sims, a rather annoying side-effect of the games point of gathering
souls, drinking blood, warring with other clans and supernatural creatures just
to go up in rank. It's time-consuming to try to keep your soul out of the abyss
(the term used for people who have abandoned Bloodlines on the registered site)
and people don 't want to fend off over-zealous players who just want to get to
the top. It's a good case for some bad press. </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others who play, of
course, have a different perspective. Aside from the gaming aspect (the grind
to the top) and the power plays, there are those who play for a very different
reason: family. It has grown commonplace for other avatars/players to
"adopt" and form family units on the grid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this is not part of my own SL
experience, I can see how having this virtual family would be a comfort, even
in RL. For the Bloodlines clans that choose to set aside the grind, they are
not just role-playing vampires; they are part of a bigger unit that chose them
not for their soul, but for their personality and friendship.</i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i>As I often do, I ran across my interviewees randomly while
poking around Bloodlines: East. There was a small group of avatars hanging
about that appeared to be part of a vampire clan (group tags are useful). I
approached the one labeled "Queen" and gave her my pitch for an
interview. Graceful Crystal, as she was called, was true to her name and graciously
agreed to allowed me to go to the castle of the Fatal Moon Rose Clan to speak
with herself, Prince Hideki Hayashi, Clan Champion Sika and Priestess Victorian
Silversmith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made ourselves
comfortable in the throne room (along with a little white dog named Beefie) and
talked. Though not the most in-depth interview, the sense of family was obvious
and it made the time spent with them very comfortable and enjoyable. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: So, long have you been a clan?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: For about a year now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>October Poe: Okay.
About how many people are in your clan?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: Well, we have about 26 people, so we are
very big.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: That's pretty big. Who started the clan?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: My son, Hideki. He is very intelligent for
his age. At first,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not know how
(to play), so he helped me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: Hideki, why did you start this clan?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: I wanted to start a clan that was different
from most, where people didn't feel left out or just used for their soul and
tossed to the side, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or have to feel like
they have to leave due to their injustices of their liege. I wanted to have a
family that was also not based on soul count as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: Yes, and what we can do to help others who
been abandoned, as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: I see. So what is your family based on? What
are the core values?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: The core values I have for the clan is just
be yourself, have fun, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and hopefully find your place. Because not everyone are good
hunters, they need time to learn or have other skills that they can contribute to make this clan feel
like home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: I see that you have a few positions I have not
seen, like Priestess and Champion. What are those positions about? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: "Champion" is another word for
warrior. So it's like the Guardian, because that word is over used or cliché in
Bloodlines. Priestesses in this clan are in charge of most of our ceremonies, like
our turnings and weddings, things like that. I hope to add more for the
priestess and champion tags because it goes a long well with our clan values: everyone
has different skills they can contribute to the clan without having to worry
about how many souls they have to get<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to
be something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: We value skills and team work the most.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: Bloodlines is sometimes looked down on in SL. I
see "No Biting" signs a lot. What is your perception of how people
see Bloodlines in general?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: Well, I don't like it. It's a personal choice
to become a child of the night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
can be either/or, you know. I don't blame them for having those signs.
Bloodlines can be good or bad based off your own personal experience. Some
people even try to quit SL because of their Bloodlines experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About the signs...well, I guess it helps
from random biters who are hungry for souls who try to make everyone in
Bloodlines look bad, so Ithink the signs should stay. I don't mind them at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: Understandable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: Keep the humans and Bloodlines all in
check.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: People almost always ruin things for other
people. It's just based on how you react to it. Are you going to rebel and or
you going to be understanding and move on?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: What has been the best experience while you
have been in Bloodlines?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: I would have to say meeting new people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: The friends i have made, past and present.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe smiles</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: And also the cool parties we throw. Most
people don't come, but we as a family still have fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: Alright. Sika, Victoria...how about you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Victorian Silversmith: So far, I've enjoyed making new
friends and my family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sika: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I just
started. I guess meeting people as well and the feeling of having a family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: People in and outside of Bloodlines often love
the aspect of having a family here. Is that why you joined Bloodlines, or did
it start out as just a game?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graceful Crystal: We
coexist with all type of beings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: I started out as curiosity. I've known a few
people who were randomly bitten into it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: For me, I started out of the fun of
playing as a vampire.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Victorian Silversmith: Mhm, same.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: I started as a lycan because I was lucky
enough to have a liege who gave me a choice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: Do you take all kinds into your clan, or just
vampires?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: All kinds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: Yes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe points at Beefie. "I see you include
puppies, which is nice"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: Yep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love animals. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually named
him after my RL dog.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: He's cute!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: Thank you!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what
would you tell someone that wanted to take part in Bloodlines for the first
time? Any advice, cautions, etc?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: I would tell be careful who you liege to,
who you give your soul to, and be always willing to teach yourself. Don't be
afraid to ask questions, be open. Find the family that fits for you, and when
you do, don't let go. Remember to have fun and don't worry about getting to the
top. Take your time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
October Poe: Anyone else have anything they would like to
share?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: Don't get mad with power!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Graceful Crystal: Have fun with it. Don't get caught in
number of souls counts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sika: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree, have
fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Victorian Silversmith: I agree totally with Hideki. Just
have fun and be careful who you liege to. Most are in it for the soul count.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hideki Hayashi: When you learn what you can, don't be afraid
to pass it down .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Many thanks to the Fatal Moon Rose Clan for speaking with
me. Be sure to visit Bloodlines: East (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Liquid%20East/66/129/239)
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for more information and to start your
own Bloodlines game. </i></div>
October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-50279658190061360512013-10-11T21:32:00.001-07:002013-10-11T21:34:11.106-07:00The Gorean Perspective, Part I: An Interview with Rhuun Ghennyn<i>This is part one of (hopefully) a short series of posts about Gor, its lifestyle and the people who live it in SL. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Depending on who you ask, Gorean role play in Second Life is either the greatest thing ever since John Norman wrote the first book, or it's a bunch of sims filled with asshole masters and drama-laden slaves. No matter where you fall in that spectrum, there is no denying that the Gorean lifestyle in Second Life has had a huge impact on BDSM and D/s activity since it first started. Even if you aren't familiar with the books, you probably know what "silks" are, and how one would be "collared". There is a huge amount of vendors and many sims that cater to the large base of Goreans that come into Second Life solely for the purpose of living as a Gorean master or slave. So no matter what you think, it's here, it's strong and it ain't going anywhere.</i><br />
<br />
<i>In my quest to shed some light on this Second Life culture, I went to the Gorean Hub in the hopes of running into someone who maybe owned a sim or was someone of great importance within the community. After a few false starts, I ran into a man named Rhuun. Polite and charming, he agreed to meet me for an interview in a Gorean sim...as long as I wore silks. I figured that it would be a good experience to be perceived as one of these lovely silk-clad slaves for an hour or two, so I agreed.</i><br />
<br />
<i> We met in Sulport, a Gorean sim that was relatively quiet and would be able to give us a decent amount of privacy. After we managed to make our way through the gate at the front of the city (a task in and of itself), we found a nice place to have a seat and chat. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
October: What brought you to Gor? What is the attraction for you?<br />
<br />
Rhuun: Gor is a great social experiment. Its a world where you can live a million lives, love a million loves and make many mistakes without paying too high a price. I had heard of John Norman and his books, quite frankly I wasn't impressed. I never thought a life could be lived following these guidelines, but I found SL Gor, and I have a couple of things to say about that! LOL<br />
<br />
October: And what's that?<br />
<br />
Rhuun: The attraction that Gor represents is what I consider my role itself in the Gorean world. See, to me the true meaning of Gor is not a world you can live, or a fun adventure, let alone basic role play, but Gor is about women's sexuality. At least I understand it as such. Its a world constructed around women, with them in mind, by a man who understood them very well. I didn't come here to live, to have fun (though I have) or to have +50 slaves in a chain, but to understand the feminine sexuality better.<br />
<br />
October: That is the first time I have ever heard that explanation. I have read the books and have heard several women (mostly feminists) that think they are misogynist. How do you feel that Gor explores women's sexuality?<br />
<br />
Rhuun: Please be aware this is a work in process... I said I came to understand, not that I had achieved understanding... but here goes nothing.<br />
<br />
October: Gotcha. Let 'er rip.<br />
<br />
Rhuun: John Norman wasn't a writer. Yes, he wrote, but he was a professor of philosophy by trade.<br />
Now I've come to assume that in his ramblings, he came to figure some sociological theory of some sort he thought was important. And as such he published it, but not in a scientific nature, but in sort of a parable: Counter Earth Gor. Now, what do I think he realized? Nothing much complicated, but very controversial. He realized women are submissive creatures by nature and men are dominant creatures by nature. But men are here (in his story) to serve women's submissive cravings, nothing else.<br />
<br />
October: In some ways, that kind of puts men as the submissives.<br />
<br />
Rhuun: Mmhm... and if you live in Gor enough you will see that is exactly the case: many master's become handled by their alleged slaves.<br />
<br />
October: How many men, do you think, acknowledge the idea that they are just servants of another kind? Or that they COULD be.<br />
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Rhuun: I am yet to find the first, but this man submission is only because I believe Norman looks at it from the point of view of the woman. Maybe I can explain myself better: Norman wanted to tell us about feminine sexuality, not man's...he wasn't interested in that. He just wanted to tell us about women. He wanted to tell us that women are naturally called towards being possessed, controlled, overpowered and coveted<br />
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October: I see. And I don't entirely disagree with that.<br />
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Rhuun: There is some biological switch inside women's head that activates automatically once one of these buttons gets pressed.<br />
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October: But I think women want to be controlled and possessed by a man, as opposed to a man who isn't really a man. A tiger as opposed to a kitten, that kind of thing.<br />
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Rhuun: You mean a man in attitude?<br />
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October: Yes.<br />
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Rhuun: Absolutely. Women measure their man, namely, they test him until they are sure he meets all their expectations. Once she is sure, she lowers her guard and gives in entirely.You can see this in the fact that women are often the last ones to fall in love in a relationship, and the last ones to forget the relationship... with a degree of error.<br />
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October: Indeed. We are picky creatures.<br />
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Rhuun: They want to be shown their man can overpower them...physically yes, but most importantly, psychologically.Here is where SL Gor comes into place.<br />
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October: Candidly, do you think that SL Gorean masters really have an inkling as to what the concept really is? For that matter, do you think any kajiras do?<br />
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Rhuun: Well, that is based on the assumption that what I am saying is true. It might as well be the true concept is simply what gets practiced here. But If I am right, I haven't met many masters who agree with me, but kajiras, tend to agree once Ive explained myself. Perhaps it is, just as Norman, I care not what masters think, but I am very interested in kajiras on whom I run all my "studies".<br />
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October: "Studies"?<br />
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Rhuun: LOL...double entendre for sex, with philosophical feminine sexuality chat...<br />
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October: Gotcha.<br />
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Rhuun: Study the woman, study the sexuality.<br />
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October: So why do you think the majority of masters are in Gor?<br />
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Rhuun: Have you seen most of these guys? I wish not to be harsh, but most are middle-aged, in frustrated marriages, probably shy in real life.Who can refuse to have 20 girls at your disposal with that kind of life?<br />
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October: A need to express the "man within".<br />
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Rhuun: True. Who knows...a need to get off to something else than their horrible wives<br />
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October: Possibly.<br />
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Rhuun: No offense to the wives. But at any rate...men come to get off, women come to fulfill their sexuality<br />
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October: Moving on from the concept of SL Gor....<br />
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Rhuun: Ok<br />
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October: What is the best thing, in your opinion, about the role play in the Gorean sims?<br />
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Rhuun: Ugh...that it's hanging by a thread. We need more of it, and more interaction. Gorean role players are without doubt the most skilled role players of SL. There are exceptions, but as a general rule, you find great quality here. We just need more of it.<br />
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October: How long have you been involved with SL Gor? What's the basis for comparison of then as opposed to now?<br />
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Rhuun: My current character is the second I've had. I entered SL in 2007, and with this one since 2009. I created Rhuun specifically for Gor, so you can do the numbers. I've had three home stones in total. I almost made it through BC boot-camp and 'Ive been a wanderer for the rest of the time. Outlaw rules.We had greater quality back then, or perhaps its that I'm detached now, but the numbers have thinned, the graphical quality of the sims has fallen, and the general IQ of Gor has skipped back a couple of points.<br />
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October: I have heard, and to a point experienced, some of the negative aspects of Gor. Quite frankly, unless one is a part of it, one tends to dislike it. What is your opinion on that?<br />
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Rhuun: I would have to know what do you consider those negative points are, please elaborate.<br />
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October: The misogyny, masters that are exceedingly full of themselves, incredible amounts of drama, etc. Do you think this is valid, or a misunderstanding by those outside of it?<br />
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Rhuun: I think all troubles in Gor are unfairly blamed on Gor itself. Every bad experience draws from the inexperience of the master or kajira in question. We masters believe we are supposed to be strong, but strength is not only measured in the bone crushing mechanical force of our hand, but in our willpower, tact and ability. Wit is stronger than the strongest arm and Masters fail to grasp that concept, often hurting their kajira in the process. I think there is a greater problem with Gor and SL in general, one that almost everyone fails to acknowledge, perhaps due to the sadness of realizing it: we all come to SL and or Gor to fulfill a Void in our lives. Something is missing that we feel completed through this wonderful interaction. But by doing so, we close the doors to coming to a solution in the real life, where the problem exists.We come to SL to stop being alone, and become more lonely in the process. That, to me is the greatest danger of Gor and SL in general.<br />
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October: I think many would agree with you.What is something that you consider to be very positive about Gor in SL? Something that people in SL could understand and maybe embrace?<br />
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Rhuun: I find that hard to answer. Ive only dwelt in the dark sad side of things, because it's what attracts me, but I would have to refer you to my previous comments. Gor teaches, and if that knowledge can later be applied in RL towards a successful and fulfilling relationship, I find that very positive indeed.<br />
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October: I think that's true of many kinds of BDSM, D/s and other alternative lifestyles here. People often learn a lot when they are allowed to explore.<br />
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Rhuun: Absolutely, but it must be taken as a therapy session, bound to expire. Get in, enjoy, live it to the max, get out. If we do not set an expiration date to our transit through SL and or Gor, then it's counterproductive. Think about drugs: in the beginning its all pleasure and almost no pain, but as time goes by, pleasure decreases as pain increases...to the point whee its totally backwards<br />
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October: Indeed. If you could sum up in one paragraph the best reason to role play in SL Gor for someone who has never experienced it, or might be nervous about it, what would you say?<br />
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Rhuun: I would say,, enjoy it to the fullest, and above all, never let anyone ruin the experience for you.<br />
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October: Excellent advice. Is there anything else you would want to add?<br />
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Rhuun: I think we covered pretty much everything. I would like to extend my invitation to everyone to come and play with us. I would also say that Gor is a philosophy, not a literal way of life. It's a game after all, with very deep reasoning underneath the skin. Play it as such. Come find me and let's raise a little hell together.<br />
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<i>Thank you to Rhuun Ghennyn for his time and insight. Keep an eye open for the next post on Gor. </i>October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-82457158937335574322013-08-13T22:08:00.000-07:002013-08-13T22:09:29.607-07:00Transylvania's Vampire Empire: An Interview with Obscuro Valkyrie <i> As everyone in Second Life knows, sims come and go regularly. Most sims last only a few months, maybe a year, and then fade into obscurity. It takes a huge commitment and a loyal community to make a sim a true home on the grid. This month, Vampire Empire celebrates its ninth year as Second Life's first vampire-themed sim. And I can believe it: when I was a newbie in 2005, one of the first places I visited was The Empire. So naturally, I wanted to find out what makes this place so special. I managed find the sim's founder, Obscuro Valkyrie, and he graciously took time to answer some questions about this long-standing and much beloved sim. </i><br />
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October: You have been in SL since 2003. How, when and why did you come up with The Vampire Empire sim: the ideas, who helped, how you set it up at the beginning, etc.<br />
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Obscuro: I learned about SL from a friend of mine who has since passed on, Feliciaa Feaver. I had been involved in another online world called <i>Vzones</i> and was a part of the team in the world called <i>Seducity</i>. In <i>Seducity</i>, I met other people like myself so naturally when I came to SL I brought my group of friends here and became SL's first Vampire and started a community. In 2003 there were only 13 Sims and I owned one of them called Stanford and there we began.<br />
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October: What would you say is your goal with the sim? What are the basic rules and ideals that make up the Vampire Empire?<br />
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Obscuro: Vampire Empire was the name before I bought the sim named Transylvania. The goal was to have a non-role play sanctuary where like minded people mingle. The rules are simple: Loyalty. Everyone wants to belong to something in SL and Transylvania has helped many during difficult times in their RL.<br />
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October: What will you NOT allow within the sim?<br />
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Obscuro: Vampire Hollywood role play. A vampiric lifestyle is just as legitimate as, say, a gay or BDSM lifestyle.<br />
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October: You have the longest-running and, in fact, first vampire sim in SL. What are the best and worst experiences you have had with the sim?<br />
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Obscuro: The Worst- I once had a trusted Girlfriend return the whole sim...every single prim...The Wall was all that remained with us sitting on it. The Best- everytime I embrace a new fledgling to my circle.<br />
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October: There are tons of vampire communities in SL. After nine years (this month!), to what do you attribute your longevity?<br />
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Obscuro: Love, Trust and Family.<br />
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October: How do you feel about the different alternative communities in SL (BDSM, furry, vampire, roleplay, etc. ) and how they are represented?<br />
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Obscuro: I feel that SL is an open platform for every community and as long as no one is harmed I respect that.<br />
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October: I noticed that you have Bloodlines info around the sim. Bloodlines is often much maligned outside of their particular sims. Do you fully support the game or tolerate it as a by-product of the vampire roleplay in SL?<br />
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Obscuro: I don't agree with it, it's mockery of a real lifestyle that some don't choose, they are born that way. Transylvania embraces only those aspects of the Vampyr mythos that include a love and respect for all life, physical immortality, individual elegance, proven wisdom, civilized behavior, worldly success, and personal happiness. Transylvania rejects those aspects of the Vampyr mythos that are negative including any that are anti-life, anti-social, deathist, crude, arrogant, self-defeating, or criminal.<br />
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October: As a gamer, I am curious as to how you feel about Vampire: The Masquerade, since it has a following here.<br />
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Obscuro: It's just that: a game. Real Vampires are real energy takers and some really need it daily to get by. The only reason that the term vampire is a attached to this is because we suck life from other humans in many different ways. This is our subculture...our chosen family, not an internet game where you bite people and are turned into a vampire.<br />
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October: Are there any sims you work closely with in terms of events, building, etc.? Do you have any events coming up?<br />
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Obscuro: I used to build special projects for Linden Labs in the beginning, and as far as events, we have them weekly as well as DJ's daily. The wall is a great place for music and solitude if you want that. We don't think you are snobbish if you don't speak.<br />
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October: What is your favorite thing about Second Life? What has kept you in-world for so long?<br />
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Obscuro: I was so happy when SL allowed music streaming. In the old days, we had to upload sound files and script them to play one after the other. We used to have CD parties. Now I'm totally into mesh.<br />
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October: Is there anything else you would like to add or expound upon?<br />
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Obscuro:<br />
<br />
If you feel the tender draw of the night <br />
you may be one of us. <br />
If you sometimes suspect there are <br />
hidden mysteries behind ordinary life<br />
you may be one of us. <br />
If you are one of us <br />
these things will all seem somehow familiar to you. <br />
If you are one of us <br />
you will recognize us once you meet with us. <br />
And if that happens <br />
then nothing will stop you from joining us.<br />
You will have come home.<br />
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<i>Thank you to Obscuro Valkyrie for the interview. The Vampire Empire celebrates its ninth year on 8/13/13.</i><i><br /></i><br />
<i>http://slurl.com/secondlife/Transylvania/46/207/30</i>October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-69647531767640054682013-07-03T21:12:00.000-07:002013-07-03T21:17:40.575-07:00Hard Alley: A Conversation with Hard Rust<i>Many moons ago, when I was but a young avatar under a different name, I stumbled upon a skybox called Hard Alley. This was the first time I had seen anything other than the usual BDSM that is almost pedestrian in Second Life. It was filled with muck and garbage, and the people that played there were into hard-core sex, and lots of it. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked and quite fascinated. Every so often, I would find myself back there and watched it slowly grow from a tiny space to a full sim. Years later, I decided to speak to Hard Rust, the creator of Hard Alley, and see what he thought of the whole business.</i><br />
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<i>When I was teleported by Mr. Rust to Hard Alley for the interview, he was in the middle of a pre-4th party with several avatars dancing in the club. While many were getting naked and being generally playful, I opted to keep my (fairly conservative) dress in place and settled on just dancing. As Mr. Rust and I danced and talked, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the general attitude of family that he projected onto the sim and its citizens. I suppose after you have had some place like Hard Alley for as long as he has, it becomes home. </i><br />
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October Poe: First of all, Hard Alley is said to be the first sim of it's kind (hard-core sex) in Second Life. How long has Hard Alley been active?<br />
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Hard Rust: Hard Alley will celebrate its 7th Anniversary on July 26. We weren't the first hard core sex sim, but I believe we were the first grungy, urban RP Sex sim.<br />
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October Poe: Ah, okay. Thanks for the clarification. So why did you create Hard Alley?<br />
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Hard Rust: I had joined a group called "Forced Fantasy" and found that they had no place to play. So I turned my small 10x30m skybox into an "alleyway" thinking that would be a great place to roleplay a forced sex scene. I opened it up to the public and thought maybe 4-5 people might use it during the week. It turned out to be much more popular than I imagined. Oddly enough, the Forced Fantasy group did not want anything to do with it.<br />
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October Poe: Go figure!I remember many moons ago, I found myself in Hard Alley when it was tiny. Spent a lot of time sitting on top of a dumpster.<br />
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Hard Rust: We had a lot of people sitting on our dumpsters. A lot of them went on to start their own sites, like Crack Den, Midian City, City of Lost Angels, and Dark Alley.<br />
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October Poe: Really? Did you work with any of the sim owners/creators when they were setting things up in their own sim?<br />
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Hard Rust: A little bit. I actually donated the first flaming trash barrels to Crack Den. Hard Alley was more inspiration than direct involvement.<br />
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October Poe: It's grown quite a lot from a skybox. It seems to take up a whole sim. Do you think that it has stayed with the atmosphere and vision you have for it?<br />
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Hard Rust: Absolutely. I started Hard Alley with one goal in mind: To give people a place where they can have fun and enjoy their fantasies their way. Hard Alley may be bigger, but our core values remain the same.<br />
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October Poe: And what are your core values, specifically? I don't necessarily mean YOURS, but the values of the sim.<br />
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[19:53] Hard Rust: It is my firm belief that everyone should be free to play Second Life in their own way, and I refuse to try to force anyone to do things my way. I won't burden people with a lot of rules and restrictions about the types of roleplay they can have here, other than under-age play of any kind being prohibited. I don't require people to wear certain tags or meters. I don't force them to fill out detailed applications before I grant them access. I leave it up to them to create their own fantasy and live it, and all I provide is the support mechanism: the sim, groups, tags, etc. that are available if they want them. I know some people want a more rigid RP environment, but there are tons of sims out there for that. Hard Alley remains free and open.<br />
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October Poe: That's something that I noticed hasn't changed from when it opened. Do you have a pretty loyal group that has been coming here for a while?<br />
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Hard Rust: Yes. There are a lot of people that have been here from the beginning. This is not just an RP sim for a lot of people. For most of us, it's home. I like to joke that Hard Alley is the friendliest rape sim in SL. Everyone is welcome here. Furries. Demons. Straight. Gay. Whatever your kink is, other than the aforementioned under-age play, you are welcome to live it out here.<br />
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October Poe: "Friendliest rape sim in SL". That should be in big letters at the TP point.<br />
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Hard Rust: LOL! Maybe I'll add that.<br />
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October Poe: There are lots of people that indulge in what I like to call "happy-spanky" BDSM. If they were to come into Hard Alley, what would you want them to know?<br />
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Hard Rust: I'd need to know what "happy-spanky" BDSM is first, lol. But I'd probably tell them the same thing I tell everyone. "Welcome to Hard Alley. Have Fun!" And then I'd push them down a manhole into the sewers and wait for the screams.<br />
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October Poe: Nice! One last question: are you going to have an anniversary party for Hard Alley and can I be on the guest list?<br />
<br />
Hard Rust: Absolutely! One thing we never miss around here is a chance to party, and our Anniversary parties are some of our biggest. You really don't want to miss the annual Hard Alley Halloween party in the cemetery. Everyone is invited. There will be nakedness and debauchery and I'll be giving out prizes and gifts like candy.<br />
<br />
October Poe: Hehe, thank you! Do you have a website?<br />
<br />
Hard Rust: Yes. <a href="http://www.hardalley.com/">www.hardalley.com</a>, although it hasn't been updated in a while because I suck at web site management. I also have a blog at <a href="http://hardrust.blogspot.com/">hardrust.blogspot.com</a> where we've recently posted a series on <u>Introduction to Roleplay</u> for new players, and a Flickr site at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hardalley">www.flickr.com/photos/hardalley</a> where I post pics and event notices. I also have a page at <a href="http://www.naughtymachinima.com/users/Hard_Rust/videos/public">www.naughtymachinima.com/users/Hard_Rust/videos/public</a> where all my porn movies are available. I do Twitter and Facebook, too, because I'm a fucking social butterfly. LOL!<br />
<br />
October Poe: Well, is there anything you want to add in closing?<br />
<br />
Hard Rust: Just that I'd like to thank all the people that have been part of Hard Alley over the years, for the support they've given me and the good times we've had. If it wasn't for the people that come here to play, Hard Alley would be nothing more than a bunch of grungy prims. It's the people that have made this a fun and enduring part of Second Life.<br />
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<i>Many, many thanks to Hard Rust for the interview. Be sure to look for the announcement for the 7th anniversary of Hard Alley on July 26th, 2013.</i>October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-48616166365857752482013-06-18T19:06:00.001-07:002013-07-03T21:14:35.614-07:00Bondage Puppet Theater: An interview with Dr. Kitsune Scribe<br />
<br />
<i>I first met Dr. Kitsune Scribe when I was doing some photography
around his sim. A friend of mine frequents The Bondage Puppet Theater,
and I decided to take a little walk on the Wild Side and see what it was
all about. What I saw was not only worthy of several photographs (full
disclosure: I have recently submitted some of those photos to the
website), but it was filled with scenes and equipment that most people
don't know even exists in Second Life. Hanging trees, guillotines, and
sex beds are set against backdrops of insane asylums and abandoned
circus tents. The Bijou Theater is the potential setting for some very
brutal performance art. Underneath the sim itself is a labyrinth of
tunnels that hold all manner of depraved sex acts. This certainly wasn't
your average BDSM sim. </i><br />
<br />
<i>As I continued to
explore, I began to wonder what kind of person would put together such a
sim, and why. Since I am certainly no stranger to the psychological (as
well as physical) aspects of fetishes and D/s, I found myself really
wanting to talk to Dr. Kitsune about his own reasons for creating The
Bondage Puppet Theater. The conversation that follows is intelligent, candid and very enlightening.</i><br />
<br />
October Poe: So...first off...when did you build BPT and why?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: I guess it was a little over three years ago when I first built something that turned into the Bondage Puppet Theater. I was offered someone's basement. So I made it into a little puppet making laboratory.<br />
<br />
October Poe: Puppets? Can you elaborate?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: The emphasis has always been on the process... the abduction of unwilling victims, the forced enslavement, the anticipation around the transformation Even back then, it was more like a prison than a theater.<br />
<br />
October Poe: Why do you call it a theater now?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: The basic narrative is that women get enslaved, transformed, brainwashed into living puppets, who then go onstage to perform lewd sex acts against their will. But "theater" is really a metaphor for SL role playing in general. I provide my whole sim as a stage for people to act out their forbidden fantasies.<br />
<br />
October Poe: Okay. I have done some exploring on my own around the sim, and I was really impressed by all the nooks and crannies that are in that one area. Some of the "equipment" is very much geared towards transformation (I even went through one myself to see what it did). What, if I may ask, is your personal interest in this kind of role play?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: You're asking the typist I take it? I've been into BDSM in RL for 20 years, it is a defining characteristic of my sexuality. SL seems as close as we have to a holodeck in our current technology. As soon as I came here and saw what could be created with words and prims and animations, it was natural for me to exterior-ize my fantasies, just like I do in RL. The only problem is I have no aptitude at all for SL skills like building or animation. But fortunately, just like in RL, I met some amazing collaborators who somehow tolerate working with me.<br />
<br />
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October Poe: As you know, there are is an entire culture in SL that has been built around BDSM, and D/s in particular. There are people that look at the acting out of rape and torture, even killing as kind of...how shall we say...creepy. How do you see it in a sexual/BDSM sense?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: (laughs) You're talking about my target audience. I chose the latest build, "The Madhouse", exactly because of its crossover from BDSM into horror. In RL you can construct non consensual sex scenes that are mutually rewarding for both top and bottom. But in SL, you can really dig deep into your fantasy back-brain. Instead of rape, you can be raped by demons. But keep in mind, that really like any environment, the narrative is just a backdrop for interaction between people. Everything about it is optional. You can wrap your play in deep Lovecraftian horror, or just spank your partner, or anything in between.<br />
<br />
October Poe: I know most women have a rape fantasy: some tall, dark stranger takes them by force in a back alley or something. Lots of women also have bestiality fantasies or anthropomorphic fantasies. Really, these aspects of human sexuality are par for the course. Why do you think most people cannot acknowledge these fantasies, even in a safe, consensual environment?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: I've given this a lot of thought. One thing that I come back to time and again is that s/m is transgressive in its nature. Its power as a fantasy is that it is outre, liminal. If you bring it into the daylight and take all the sharp edges away, it loses its romance. Take for example the queer movement last century. Some wanted to portray gay men as normal, saying "we're just like you." And there was a backlash that wanted queer culture to have its own identity. "We're here, we're queer, get used to it." I think with S/M, you'll never see a million person march for leather rights or leather pride. Because people don't want it mainstream, or it loses its potency.<br />
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October Poe: Have you ever experienced a reaction of "Oh my God, this is awful! How could you do this? You are a murderer!" etc. If you have, how have you dealt with it?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: In SL? No, never. I think with SL it's easier to not log on than to try to hold a moral line. I've felt that kind of anger but not in SL. The mute button is handy for people prone to outrage.<br />
<br />
October Poe: BPT has tons of options, as you said, including simple spanking up to torture and death. Are there things that are anathema to you when it comes to S/M or any kind of similar RP?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: Do you mean at the Theater, do I offer sets for stuff I'm not into personally? I will not destroy the ozone layer for profit.<br />
<br />
October Poe: And we thank you for that!<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: Seriously... there are a lot of kinks I don't enjoy, too many to list. Diapers comes to mind. But I respect the craziness people try to actualize as long as they do it with consenting adult partners. At the theater, I encourage kinds of play that I don't do myself. I wouldn't want to limit the Theater to me. Recently I changed the main group from "Dr. Kit's Bondage Puppet Theater" to "Bondage Puppet Theater" for exactly that reason. It's not my show, it's yours.<br />
<br />
October Poe: Aside from the usual griefers and malcontents, there anything that you would never allow in the sim?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: No underage anything, even among adults. I also really can't stand poachers. I want owned subs and their tops to feel safe playing at the Theater, without worrying about someone coming along and trying to take advantage of the immersive role-play and make off with the slave.<br />
<br />
October Poe: This ain't Gor!(laughs)<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune: Nope! And at the relationship level, I do have some pretty desirable submissive women who play there. They really lose their head-space fast when some digital Casanova comes along trying to "hey baby" or "get on ur nees bitch".<br />
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<br />
October Poe: Okay, last question: if someone were to come into your sim for the first time, what are three things you would want them to know?<br />
<br />
Dr. Kitsune : First, this is an adult, BDSM, and horror role playing sim. If that's not your cup of tea, please keep it to yourself. Second, everything is free. Third, make your own story. This is SL, not TV. You are writing the script.<br />
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<i>Many, many thanks to Dr. Kitsune Scribe for agreeing to the interview. </i><br />
<i>http://bondagepuppet.com/</i><br />
<br />
<br />October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-1509131143434691802013-06-16T15:41:00.000-07:002013-06-16T15:41:39.365-07:00Sex, Violence and Going Beyond the "Norm"To many that have been in Second Life for more than a year, the Grid is a place where many activities, especially that one wouldn't normally indulge in, can be explored without fear of reprisal or condemnation. It is "safe", compared to the difficulties of organizing and performing such activities Real Life. These activities can include acts that might be considered "wrong", "disgusting" or at the very least, "deviant". While most on the grid stick to dancing, shopping, casual pixel sex in exotic locations and the occasional D/s fantasy, there are those who are a little more, shall we say, hard-core.<br />
<br />
Before we go any further, I want to add disclaimer for myself and the people/activities that I will be featuring on this blog.<br />
<br />
1) This should go without saying, but if you have issues with graphic
pictures, sexual situations and things that might make you "squick",
don't read this blog. If you read it anyways, don't complain to me that
you were offended. Please be an adult and monitor your own activity. I'm
not your mom. <br />
<br />
2) Neither myself or the people/activities in this blog condone actual rape, murder, torture or violence of any kind towards anyone or anything. We believe in the "Safe, Sane and Consensual" type of role-playing between consenting adults with no exceptions.<br />
<br />
3) The blog with never, ever, ever, EVER feature any sexual or abusive under-age age-play of any kind. If you wonder why, ask almost anyone in the RL or SL fetish community what they think of it. The very vast majority will tell you that under-age age-play, even between adults, is vile, disgusting and beyond taboo. I share that ideal and will actively work against any sexual or abusive under-age age-play organizations in Second Life.<br />
<br />
4) While not everyone will share the ideals in this blog, I will work to give any Safe, Sane and Consensual adult role-play venue a fair shake. I may not enjoy what you do, but I will certainly defend your right to do it.<br />
<br />
In this blog, I want to feature not only "deviant" role-play, but I want to feature artists, fashion designers and philosophies that go against the "normal" in Second Life. If you think you qualify, contact me. <br />
<br />
<br />
My next post will be featuring the Bondage Puppet Theater sim. Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
O <br />
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<br />October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679437760584910259.post-63935273263288817832013-06-13T20:24:00.001-07:002013-06-13T20:24:58.600-07:00Well, the House of Poe is open for business!<br />
I am very exited to share my work, ideas and the great ideas from around SL. Speaking of great ideas, Strawberry Singh is doing her <a href="http://strawberrysingh.com/2013/06/10/my-sl-movie-poster-challenge/">Monday Memes</a> and this time, I decided to take a crack at it. Yeah, it's a little quick and dirty, but I had fun. The hardest part was trying to come up with the best movie poster! Anyway, here it is: <br />
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<br />October Poehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294122737890974491noreply@blogger.com1