Transcript: Pat Davis, CEO of Passion Parties

transcripts by: Cybergrrl Oh
edited by: Twstd Ruggles
photos by: Vorren Voltaire

[12:03] PatDavis Braveheart: hi everyone, great to join you today, Pat :)

[12:03] You: but we are just here to get the questions rolling

[12:04] You: Hi LadyFarrah

[12:04] You: Hi Aurora

[12:04] LadyFarrah Giano: Hi there

[12:04] Twstd Ruggles: hi please grab a seat once you rezz in

[12:04] PatDavis Braveheart: Did you know it is national orgasm month?

[12:04] You: this table should seat up to 40

[12:04] Evil Titler: LadyFarrah Giano has removed a locked item! Cheat! Cheat!

[12:04] Aurora Llewellyn: sorry ladyfarrah

[12:04] Irisgrl Saphir: Hi Cybergrrl! and everybody

[12:05] You: Hi there Irisgrl

[12:05] You: nice to see you

[12:05] Twstd Ruggles: hello Kris

[12:05] You: Hi Krisbott!

[12:05] KrisBott Gears: Hey Everybody :-)

[12:05] You: Ok everyone

[12:06] You: let's get started. First, my rules

[12:06] You: Simple: If you have a question, type QUESTION in front of your question

[12:06] You: that way we can see it easily

[12:06] You: I will help Pat track the questions

[12:06] You: and then if you have a comment

[12:06] You: it is a free for all so just speak up

[12:06] You: Don't be shy!

[12:06] You: The fact that you are here to talk about great sex means you aren't so shy!

[12:07] Twstd Ruggles: `*~*`WooT WooT`*~*`

[12:07] You: Before we introduce Pat, let's do a quick personal intro and let's all speak up at once!!

[12:07] You: That way we don't take too much time

[12:07] You: I'm Cybergrrl Oh, co-owner of this lovely Isle. We have some space for rent here if you are interested. I love hosting expert guests in SL. And Pat is definitely an expert!

[12:07] You: Everyone - intros, please!!

[12:07] KrisBott Gears: I'm KrisBott, I'm a resident of Athena Isle and host the REAL BIZ in SL screenings here Mondays

[12:08] Twstd Ruggles: aloha i am Twstd Ruggles owner of Oahu, Hawaii sim and LZ Productions.

[12:08] Madison Carnot: I'm Madison and I'm a resident of NOwhereville. Kind of a new media gal so I'm just here to listen in since I usually have to miss these!

[12:08] You: anyone else care to introcue yourself to Pat?

[12:08] You: Hi Alanagh!

[12:08] Irisgrl Saphir: Hi from Iris Saphir, resident and here for the event

[12:08] Aurora Llewellyn: I'm Aurora Llewellyn and I co-host a bipolar group on Support for Healing and dance at the Twisted Orchid

[12:09] You: Welcome Iris, welcome Aurora

[12:09] Vorren Voltaire: I am Vorren Voltaire, builder, consultant and co founder of The Playpen voice club

[12:09] You: Anyone else? We can get rolling if not.

[12:09] Alanagh Recreant: :) I am Director at Uthango Social Investments in South Africa - nonprofit company with a special virtual worlds project in SL... not here in business capacity today ;)

[12:09] You: Shy people!

[12:09] LadyFarrah Giano: I'm LadyFarrah. I go by Lady. I am founder of the Temple of Lust.

[12:10] You: Temple of Lust! Sounds great!

[12:10] LadyFarrah Giano: heh

[12:10] You: We're a little more low key here on Athena Isle.

[12:10] You: But without further ado, let's introduce Pat Davis. She is the CEO of Passion Parties and a relationship expert. No question is off limits but we will all maintain a tasteful demeanor. Right?

[12:11] PatDavis Braveheart: everyone has a passion diva inside, some tucked away more, my job is to teach how to bring out diva to play for you and partner to enjoy

[12:11] You: Hi Pat, welcome to Athena Isle. Please let us know more about what you do.

[12:11] You: Can men have Passion divas too?

[12:11] PatDavis Braveheart: everyone has a passion person - his may be passion dude

[12:11] You: Vorren, we don't want to leave you out!!

[12:11] Vorren Voltaire chuckles

[12:11] You: So tell us about your company Passion Parties?

[12:12] You: And the URL is http://www.passionparties.com

[12:12] You: if you want to do research or explore...

[12:12] PatDavis Braveheart: passion parties offers a fun confidential place to see , touch learn about ways to enhance their love life!

[12:12] Teak Wood Chair Multi-Sit 2 whispers: Touch the seat to change animations.

[12:12] You: or buy something!

[12:12] PatDavis Braveheart: yes and to buy bedroom accessories.

[12:12] You: I tell people it is like a Tupperware party with sex toys

[12:12] You: I wonder if Tupperware appreciates that comparison

[12:13] You: haha

[12:13] PatDavis Braveheart: we call it the ultimate girls night in and the guys wait anxiously for their return

[12:13] PatDavis Braveheart: in home party plan is the perfect environment to purchase and learn about these items

[12:13] You: QUESTION: How many reps do you have at Passion Parties holding the parties?

[12:13] PatDavis Braveheart: over 15,000 in US and 2,000 Canada, over 10,000 parties per month

[12:14] You: QUESTION: How much can a good rep make from selling product?

[12:14] You: I figured I'd ask all the biz questions and leave the sex questions to all of you

[12:14] PatDavis Braveheart: up to you , from $1,000 a month to my top rep that makes $400,000 annually

[12:14] You: That is a great income!

[12:14] PatDavis Braveheart: for as little as $10

[12:15] Alanagh Recreant is lost of the website... trying to regroup

[12:15] You: QUESTION: So what are the most popular products?

[12:15] PatDavis Braveheart: for as little as $100 you can start a business with Passion Parties and make 40% of ave $500 party

[12:15] Alanagh Recreant: lost in :)

[12:15] You: Alanagh, very funny!

[12:15] PatDavis Braveheart: Pure Satisfaction is #1 - enhancement gel -makes faster and stronger orgasms

[12:15] Twstd Ruggles: oops sorry

[12:15] You: Easy to get lost in those products, I'm sure



[12:15] Alanagh Recreant: no... CG... what it funny is that you only wanna ask business questions!

[12:15] PatDavis Braveheart: don't forget it is national orgasm month in October -

[12:16] Alanagh Recreant: :P

[12:16] You: I'm just getting started Alanagh

[12:16] Alanagh Recreant: hehe... ok :))

[12:16] You: Everyone else is so shy!

[12:16] PatDavis Braveheart: do you want some top 10 Diva tips?

[12:16] You: QUESTION: So what makes for a great orgasm?

[12:16] You: Sure!

[12:16] Aurora Llewellyn: Is anyone else hearing a voice presentation about Cysco?

[12:17] You: Aurora - maybe you have your sound on? I turned my volume down

[12:17] PatDavis Braveheart: remember that 75% of women need clitoral stimulation

[12:17] Twstd Ruggles: just turn off your media player

[12:17] KrisBott Gears: It's probably the screen, if you turn off your multimedia player

[12:17] PatDavis Braveheart: don't be afraid to add toys to help with that need

[12:17] You: Funny ot have a Cisco Systems soundtrack to a sex talk

[12:18] PatDavis Braveheart: Being sexy is how you feel not how you look is a great thing to remember

[12:18] You: QUESTION: How commoon is it to have a box of sex toys under the bed?

[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh pushes the box back under her bed.

[12:18] PatDavis Braveheart: lots of people have toys and hence the box under the bed

[12:18] LadyFarrah Giano looks under her bed.... I think it's very common for me :P

[12:18] Aurora Llewellyn: lol, mine is top shelf of closet so kid does not find, lol

[12:18] PatDavis Braveheart: you also need variety in toys just like in your shoes, different ones for different occasions

[12:18] Twstd Ruggles: welcome

[12:18] Alanagh Recreant reflects... I almost missed orgasm month!

[12:18] You: QUESTION: How do you introduce sex toys to your partner who hasn't used them before

[12:18] Twstd Ruggles: ops

[12:19] Twstd Ruggles: LUU

[12:19] PatDavis Braveheart: lubrication is the first toy accessory as wetter is better

[12:19] KrisBott Gears: LOL almost missed orgasm month

[12:19] You: Wetter is Better - can I make a tshirt with that?

[12:19] PatDavis Braveheart: first never bring anything into bedroom bigger than him and start with a couples toy

[12:19] KrisBott Gears: oh wow

[12:19] You: Size DOES matter when it comes to sex toys and your partner's feelings

[12:19] Twstd Ruggles: good tip

[12:20] KrisBott Gears: QUESTION: Example of couples toys?

[12:20] PatDavis Braveheart: a couples toy could be a vibrating ring that makes him a human vibrator and gives you clit pleasure as well

[12:20] LadyFarrah Giano: Great tip

[12:20] Twstd Ruggles: LuSvoboda, please have seat here with us when u can se it

[12:20] Cybergrrl Oh makes a note about that vibrating ring

[12:20] PatDavis Braveheart: also add editables

[12:20] You: edibles?

[12:20] You: She did mean edibles!

[12:20] KrisBott Gears: editables is for SL ;-)

[12:20] You: Edible undies

[12:20] PatDavis Braveheart: bring all 5 senses to the bedroom, sight ,sound, taste, touch smell

[12:21] KrisBott Gears: QUESTION: Recommendations for sound?

[12:21] You: QUESTION: Can we buy products online as well or only from a rep?

[12:21] PatDavis Braveheart: big tip - biggest sex organ is tongue and I mean for talking - communication is key

[12:21] KrisBott Gears: Sorry, I'll try to speak in full sentences, I'm stuttering

[12:21] You: hahaha

[12:22] PatDavis Braveheart: sound - favorite music and as well as the oohh and aws from responses

[12:22] You: I think the groaning works best

[12:22] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: Are you edible products low calorie?

[12:22] PatDavis Braveheart: buy on line but will go thru a rep

[12:22] PatDavis Braveheart: no purchases direct from company as we want you to get the great service that a rep offers

[12:23] Aurora Llewellyn: QUESTION: I'm married to an older man who is starting to have problems with erections and orgamsn. Help with making our sex life still fun withouth pressure on him for performance?

[12:23] PatDavis Braveheart: calories aren't as important as vaginally safe which they are, yes low call

[12:23] Twstd Ruggles: ok ty

[12:23] PatDavis Braveheart: c-rings are a great addition and slow it down for him, start with more foreplay for him

[12:24] PatDavis Braveheart: normally women need 20 minutes more foreplay than men

[12:24] You: QUESTION: What about allergic reactions? How can you test before using?

[12:24] PatDavis Braveheart: remember foreplay begins in the morning with a wink, touch to each other, set the mood in the a.m.

[12:25] Irisgrl Saphir: Tuning in to Aurora's question--are there many reps/parties/ideas for older couples?

[12:25] PatDavis Braveheart: all products have ingredients listed and are generally safe for all

[12:25] You: setting mood in the morning is great advice!

[12:25] PatDavis Braveheart: if have specific allergies, just read lable, we don't have issues

[12:26] PatDavis Braveheart: i have been married 47 years and it is never too late to spice it up, communication is huge key here

[12:26] You: QUESTION: do you sell any videos, too?

[12:26] Chrissia Tyles: hello

[12:26] Twstd Ruggles: helo Chrissia

[12:26] You: Hi Chrissia

[12:26] Alanagh Recreant: QUESTION: Is the mailorder business stronger than the party component?

[12:26] Twstd Ruggles: grab a seat once u can see them

[12:26] PatDavis Braveheart: in my book, the Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex, lots of tips and techniques for all ages

[12:26] Chrissia Tyles: Cybergrrl, may i invite a guest?

[12:26] You: yes, Chrissia

[12:26] Chrissia Tyles: thank you

[12:27] PatDavis Braveheart: Videos - some mild instructional, have to go elsewhere for video

[12:27] You: Everyone, you can click on the poster of her book to purchase it from Amazon

[12:27] You: Or click on her poster and go to Passion Parties web site, too

[12:27] PatDavis Braveheart: party plan better than mail order because you get to talk and ask questions to your needs , more personal and much more fun

[12:27] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: Any suggestions for the ver tired mom who takes care of kids all day and wants more energy for fun time at night with hubby?

[12:28] PatDavis Braveheart: you can buy book faster at passionpartis.com web site

[12:28] You: QUESTION: What about for same sex couples? Do you target them in your marketing or serve them specifically?

[12:28] Chrissia Tyles: how do i get in

[12:28] Chrissia Tyles: ?

[12:28] Twstd Ruggles: we are over here

[12:28] PatDavis Braveheart: doesn't matter who your partner is or if you are flying solo, you can have fun and enjoy sex

[12:28] Chrissia Tyles: sorry, Pasky

[12:28] Pasky Magic: np

[12:29] PatDavis Braveheart: book also gives products to use with tips with a passion pantry

[12:29] You: QUESTION: How do you spice things up after kids? Women's bodies change so much - difficult to get revved up again

[12:29] Irisgrl Saphir: "passion pantry"--what a great idea!

[12:29] PatDavis Braveheart: have to set time for it - don't let life get in the way of your relationship

[12:29] Alanagh Recreant smiles at River

[12:30] PatDavis Braveheart: have date night even if you have to trade off with other parents, they need date night too

[12:30] River Kaestner smiles back

[12:30] Twstd Ruggles: good idea

[12:30] You: QUESTION: What about kids? How do you play with toys with kids around?

[12:31] PatDavis Braveheart: you need to take responsibility for your pleasure, and your pleasure will pay you back

[12:31] Twstd Ruggles: hi Jaharta

[12:31] PatDavis Braveheart: passion parties are so much fun and offer a giggle with education

[12:32] You: QUESTION: What if there is not a passion parties rep in your area?

[12:32] PatDavis Braveheart: amazing how many people don't understand their bodies, like how to find the elusive G Spot

[12:32] PatDavis Braveheart: Then if not a rep, you need to be that rep. that is how we grow a lot in the company. Very easy to do.

[12:32] Twstd Ruggles: oops sorry

[12:32] Alanagh Recreant: QUESTION: Are you also in other countries? (thinking.... business opportunity!)

[12:32] You: QUESTION: How DO you find the GSpot?

[12:32] PatDavis Braveheart: Just in Canada as international now

[12:33] You: QUESTION: How do you become a rep?

[12:33] PatDavis Braveheart: G spot is called UFO of body parts, but it is there

[12:33] You: I always learn so much from Pat!

[12:33] PatDavis Braveheart: we also have a g spot creme to help plump it up to find it and make it more enjoyable, only company that has this creme

[12:33] Twstd Ruggles: wow

[12:33] PatDavis Braveheart: using g spot toys help as well

[12:33] Twstd Ruggles: teehee

[12:34] PatDavis Braveheart: if you have had a g spot orgasm, you know how great it is and if not, is worth searching for

[12:34] You: And that is what I found at the Passion Party I attended - I learned a LOT

[12:34] You: QUESTION: I heard the G Spot orgasm feels like peeing

[12:34] You: is that tru?

[12:34] PatDavis Braveheart: diagram of body parts will help you find it

[12:35] LadyFarrah Giano thinks it feels better than peeing

[12:35] PatDavis Braveheart: yes some think it is urine, but is g sport ejaculation - can be up to one quart - amazing.

[12:35] You: QUESTION TO ALL: So is everyone learning something new?

[12:35] You: Don't be shy - throw out your burning question...so to speak

[12:35] Aurora Llewellyn: Definately

[12:35] Vorren Voltaire writes down everything for later use

[12:35] You: If any of you have a blog, I sure hope you blog about this, too! I will link to it from my blogs if you do.

[12:35] PatDavis Braveheart: great sex is like dining, sometimes fast food, sometimes lengthy dining - quicky vs long lovemaking

[12:35] River Kaestner does the same as Vorren....

[12:36] You: we will have the transcript on our Athena Isle blog as well

[12:36] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION:How great is the business opportunity? Is this 2nd income or can it be only income for the rep?

[12:36] PatDavis Braveheart: just make sure to deep alive the magic in your love life, keep each other's interest,

[12:36] Alanagh Recreant: QUESTION: Can you share with us some of the unintended/unforeseen benefits/values that clients get from parties?

[12:36] Vorren Voltaire: Question: Have you found more men getting involved in the passion parties?

[12:36] You: If you want me to remove your avatar name from the transcript for privacy reasons, please let me know by IM

[12:36] PatDavis Braveheart: include talking, cuddling, sharing, trying new things

[12:37] Aurora Llewellyn: QUESTION: OK, you have the kids out of the way, you have the toys ready, how can you get past the awkwardness of starting lovemaking

[12:37] PatDavis Braveheart: Education is biggest thing we hear about parties and being with just other women makes them comfortable to chat about sex

[12:38] You: Twstd, you might have been away when she said up to $400,000 a year or as little as you want

[12:38] PatDavis Braveheart: start with massage, using tasty massage creams, get relaxed and then nibble the cream, fun

[12:38] PatDavis Braveheart: remember sex is not rocket science, relax, have fun and enjoy

[12:38] Twstd Ruggles: oh ok thanks...must of been when i crashec

[12:38] You: Great questions everyone!

[12:39] PatDavis Braveheart: at a party you will learn techniques that maybe you have no one to talk to about and ask questions

[12:39] Irisgrl Saphir: QUESTION--are passion parties ever with our men, or just for men? Girls only?

[12:39] You: Vorren Voltaire: Question: Have you found more men getting involved in the passion parties?

[12:39] PatDavis Braveheart: men are involved in being the other half of the partnership and enjoying the products that the women bring home

[12:40] PatDavis Braveheart: we do have a few men reps, but our company is based on women helping women and men of course are receipients

[12:40] You: Aurora Llewellyn: QUESTION: OK, you have the kids out of the way, you have the toys ready, how can you get past the

[12:40] Irisgrl Saphir: QUESTION are the guys usually OK with that or need special ways of intro?

[12:40] You: IrisGrl the parties are just for women

[12:41] PatDavis Braveheart: actually men love for the woman to take more initiative - they find that exciting

[12:41] Chrissia Tyles: and these are done out of the homes?

[12:41] Chrissia Tyles: like the Avon and Tupperware in the past

[12:41] PatDavis Braveheart: parties are mostly done in the homes, however, some may be after work in office, but mostly in homes

[12:41] You: QUESTION: How can I turn my bedroom into more of a boudoir?

[12:41] PatDavis Braveheart: hostess gets lots of free products too

[12:42] Alanagh Recreant: QUESTION: I believe I missed this, but are these parties also in SL... I am thinking about the massive educational value here!

[12:42] Alanagh Recreant: follow-up... I mean, are there RL reps in SL as well?

[12:42] You: Alanagh - that is what I've been hoping to convince Pat to do! And get some virtual versions of her products in here. I'd host it here on Athena as a store/workshop area

[12:42] PatDavis Braveheart: bedroom changes, get all laundry out, all clutter, make pretty, drape scarf over lamp, light candle, spray sheets with silky sheets (we have many flavors)

[12:43] Jaharta Tigerpaw: Question: searching pleasure, searching the g spot.;searching to get..is it not exactly what men are doing since 10 000 years and bringing women on second plan, in the shadow because originally women they have pleasure first without men... without masturbation too... when you become fertile, when you give birth... and to buy something to get something is typically male..no ?

[12:43] PatDavis Braveheart: set the mood is important as brain is important sex organ too

[12:43] Chrissia Tyles: the interior design makes a big difference in a bedroom

[12:43] PatDavis Braveheart: passion parties in second life would be a great idea, happy to work at that

[12:44] PatDavis Braveheart: no matter the age, there are always questions that you just don't have anyone to ask

[12:44] PatDavis Braveheart: we don't have virtual passion parties, but what fun would that be....I am game

[12:44] You: Jaharta Tigerpaw: Question: searching pleasure, searching the g spot.;searching to get..is it not exactly what men are doing since 10 000 years and bringing women on second plan, in the shadow because originally women they have pleasure first without men... without masturbation too... when you become fertile, when you give birth... and to buy something to get something is typically male..no ?

[12:45] Alanagh Recreant: CG - GREAT plan!

[12:45] You: See, Alanagh, she is GAME!

[12:45] You: Whoo Hoo!

[12:45] PatDavis Braveheart: virtual still not as personal as a like party where you can touch, feel, taste the products

[12:45] Twstd Ruggles: i have Passion party with friends atleast once a year...its alot of fun...if anyone wants to see a clip from our last party you can check it out on youtube here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSg-y8F0M78

[12:45] Twstd Ruggles: :)

[12:45] You: Pat is one of the coolest CEOs I've ever met. And I've interviewed hundreds and hundreds.

[12:45] Alanagh Recreant smiles.... will talk later... I am GLAD PatDavis

[12:45] Chrissia Tyles: doesn't too much "education" take away the naturalness of sex?

[12:46] PatDavis Braveheart: never too much knowledge, combine that with relaxing and you have a great combo of fun

[12:46] You: QUESTION: I'm moving to Tok Alaska - very remote Alaska. If I held a Passion Party, how do I keep it very discreet so nobody in the very small town gets embarrassed? Should I limit attendance and keep it private verbal invite?

[12:46] Alanagh Recreant believes the education is part of liberation... we see the importance of it here in Africa with many women not knowing enough

[12:46] Alanagh Recreant: it is almost a rights issue in my opinion

[12:46] Chrissia Tyles: good point

[12:47] PatDavis Braveheart: you would be surprised how excited the remote area would be to see a Passion Party. don't prejudge people, all are curious

[12:47] PatDavis Braveheart: remember Passion Parties are so tasteful, you will never be embarrassed by having had one, actually your friends will thank you

[12:48] Alanagh Recreant: QUESTION: What is your best seller?

[12:48] PatDavis Braveheart: remember we don't come with manuals, so guys and gals can have more fun with added tips and ideas

[12:48] PatDavis Braveheart: Pure Satisfaction #1 and bullet in top five and also GiGi, male masterbation sleeve a top seller

[12:49] PatDavis Braveheart: we have items from $10 to $150, so can fit everyone's budget and pleasure

[12:49] You: Xmas presents!

[12:49] PatDavis Braveheart: have some new holiday items to assure a ho ho ho orgasm holiday season

[12:49] You: I'd love to put a vibrating ring in my husbands Xmas stocking!

[12:49] Twstd Ruggles: :)

[12:50] PatDavis Braveheart: have a candy cane toy that everyone will think is part of the holiday decorations but has "added benefits"

[12:50] Twstd Ruggles: haha

[12:50] PatDavis Braveheart: ring of ectasy is the couples toy you want

[12:50] PatDavis Braveheart: animals make a difference - turtle heads give more direct clitoral stimaulation while butterflies give labial stimualtion.

[12:51] You: QUESTION: How do we find a rep in our area? I want to find one in Anchorage Alaska before I move to Tok. To stock up!

[12:51] PatDavis Braveheart: who knew the animal kingdom had added benefits.

[12:51] PatDavis Braveheart: go to passionparties.com and click you want a rep, if you get one out of your area, she can direct you to your area.

[12:52] PatDavis Braveheart: can also call 1-800-4- passion and ask our company rep for rep nearest you

[12:52] You: Ah thanks! helpful!

[12:52] PatDavis Braveheart: we have reps in every state in US and Canada. We are #1 sensual party plan company in north america

[12:52] Alanagh Recreant smiles

[12:52] You: We're almost out of time...get your questions out there before too long or you'll be kicking yourself later!

[12:53] PatDavis Braveheart: time flies when you are having fun. I am just now catching on and time almost up

[12:53] PatDavis Braveheart: Just like sex, sometimes over too soon

[12:53] Cybergrrl Oh laughs

[12:53] KrisBott Gears: I want to chime in that inworld Passion Parties would be really cool

[12:53] LadyFarrah Giano: I agree.

[12:53] Twstd Ruggles: i just wanted to say i think your company is awesome andi have ben to many pleasure parties and Passion Parties is the most reasonably priced than the other companies and their selection is bigger as well.

[12:54] You: We like BIG selections

[12:54] PatDavis Braveheart: we are tasteful as well

[12:54] You: But I'll keep in mind that size is important when bringing a toy into the bedroom with a partner

[12:54] PatDavis Braveheart: some like big seletions,some like variety, we have it all

[12:55] You: Hey, wouldn't it be great to do a TV show on SLCN.tv called Great Sex with Pat as the host?

[12:55] PatDavis Braveheart: have to learn to type without spell check...

[12:55] Twstd Ruggles: lol that would be great

[12:55] KrisBott Gears: That would be great

[12:56] Alanagh Recreant votes YES

[12:56] PatDavis Braveheart: I do a lot of interviews and this one is fun and I love it

[12:56] PatDavis Braveheart: I have so much to share as do our Passion Consultants and we are happy to spread the passion

[12:56] You: Any last questions before we say our farewells to Pat? And of course, hope she will be back soon!

[12:56] Twstd Ruggles: thanks for coming Pat

[12:56] Twstd Ruggles: `*~*`WooT WooT`*~*`

[12:57] Alanagh Recreant: thank you for letting me know about this talk

[12:57] You: Now that she is all set up, she can come back any time!

[12:57] LadyFarrah Giano: Thank you Pat

[12:57] Alanagh Recreant: enjoyed it

[12:57] KrisBott Gears: Yes thanks so much!

[12:57] PatDavis Braveheart: Just check us out at passionparties.com....enjoy

[12:57] You: Of course, running a multimillion dollar company might keep her a bit busy

[12:57] Irisgrl Saphir: Thanks----such fun idea!

[12:57] Aurora Llewellyn: Thank you

[12:57] You: Make sure you click on the posters here to get to her site and to buy her book!

[12:57] You: Everyone - thank you so much for being here.

[12:57] Alanagh Recreant nods and slips out... thanks!

[12:57] Twstd Ruggles: yes thanks everyone for coming today

[12:58] You: And special thanks to our hunky security guy who kept things SAFE for us

[12:58] Vorren Voltaire: Thanks for having us. Great event.

[12:58] PatDavis Braveheart: better to buy book at Passion Parties, as Amazon on back order sometimes

Pat Davis, CEO of Passion Parties, RETURNS to Second Life

Back by popular demand! Pat Davis, CEO of Passion Parties!

Stop by Athena Isle on Tuesday, October 20 at 12pm SLT to meet Pat Davis, president of Passion Parties, "the North American leader of at-home party business specializing in sensual products" - an $80 million+ company in the U.S.

Earlier in 2008, Davis released the Random House best-selling book The Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex. The book utilizes real-life tips and techniques to improve couples passion she has learned over the years working with tens of thousands of her consultants and the hundreds of thousands of women Passion Parties has helped.

Get your questions ready for this lively text-chat roundtable discussion!
Fnd out more about Pat's company at: www.PassionParties.com.

Transcript: Majorie Brody - A Woman's Guide to Reward & Recognition

[12:06] Cybergrrl Oh: THE ONE RULE: Please type QUESTION before you ask a question so we can keep track. If you have a comment, jump in any time.
[12:06] Marjorie Quandry: Welcome Alasgal
[12:06] Cybergrrl Oh: Marjorie Brody is an award winning author, executive coach and world class speaker.
[12:06] Cybergrrl Oh: She has written a number of books but today we'll be focusing in her book "Career Magic: A Woman's Guide to Reward & Recognition."
[12:06] Cybergrrl Oh: You can find out more about her work at http://www.marjoriebrody.com
[12:06] Cybergrrl Oh: Before we go on, let's intro ourselves
[12:06] Cybergrrl Oh: Me first
[12:06] Cybergrrl Oh: I'm Cybergrrl Oh
[12:07] Cybergrrl Oh: I co-own Athena Isle
[12:07] Cybergrrl Oh: and I host these roundtables
[12:07] Cybergrrl Oh: Let's go to my right
[12:07] Cybergrrl Oh: Please intro...
[12:07] Twstd Ruggles: Aloha, I am TWstd Ruggles.
[12:08] Twstd Ruggles: I am co owner of the non profit sim Oahu, Hawaii
[12:09] Twstd Ruggles: Marjorie i am done
[12:09] Marjorie Quandry: I'm Marjorie Brody, the author, and CEO of BRODY Professional Development in Philadelphia...
[12:09] Twstd Ruggles: oh ok :)
[12:09] Marjorie Quandry: I picked my avatar name, because this is all a quandry to me!
[12:09] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:09] Twstd Ruggles: lol
[12:09] Marjorie Quandry: But, I am here to answer your questions ....
[12:09] Rain Ninetails: wow, I'm Rain Ninetails, and I am interested in online business and exteding it to rl
[12:09] Marjorie Quandry: and if it involves more time, I can answer you offline ...
[12:10] Marjorie Quandry: Finished
[12:10] Cybergrrl Oh: next
[12:10] Alasgal Gourdou: I'm Alaskgal Gourdou
[12:10] Twstd Ruggles: Welcome Goldie
[12:10] Goldie Katsu: Thank you
[12:10] Cybergrrl Oh: Hi Goldie
[12:11] Alasgal Gourdou: New to SL - as you can tell from my too cool hair
[12:11] Twstd Ruggles: :)
[12:11] Irisgrl Saphir: Hi Alaskgal, I started as Harajuku Gal, too and look at me now!
[12:11] Cybergrrl Oh: We're just doing intros
[12:12] Cybergrrl Oh: Is Goldie the last one to do an intro?
[12:12] Goldie Katsu grns
[12:12] Twstd Ruggles: i think Irsigrl is next
[12:13] Cybergrrl Oh: Thanks!
[12:13] Irisgrl Saphir: SL froze my computer --sorry; looking for new career path in USA, seminars or editing, etc.
[12:13] Twstd Ruggles: great
[12:13] Irisgrl Saphir: before we get into it, where will the transcript be?
[12:13] Cybergrrl Oh: The transcript will be on Athena Isle blog but if you want to be removed, I can always do that
[12:14] Irisgrl Saphir: removed?
[12:14] Cybergrrl Oh: some people want privacy
[12:14] Irisgrl Saphir: No, I keep up with AI blog
[12:14] Cybergrrl Oh: Great!
[12:14] Irisgrl Saphir: got it--no, I'm fine in not removed
[12:14] Cybergrrl Oh: ok
[12:15] Twstd Ruggles: Goldie its your tun for intro
[12:15] Goldie Katsu: I'm Goldie Katsu I've been in SL for a while and I'm really here just to learn.
[12:15] Twstd Ruggles: cool!!
[12:15] Goldie Katsu: I do building and scripting and *points above her head* linden bear hunting.
[12:16] Twstd Ruggles: :)
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: Linden bears!
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: OK, glad to meet and see everyone
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: I'm going to start with the questions
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: Then Twstd will take over
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: THE ONE RULE: Please type QUESTION before you ask a question so we can keep track. If you have a comment, jump in any time.
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: Marjorie, we're jumping in
[12:17] Marjorie Quandry: Ready
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: What is an executive coach?
[12:17] Marjorie Quandry: A person who works with leaders/execs within organizations and ...
[12:17] Marjorie Quandry: corporations so they can acheive their professional best
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: What inspired you to write your book?
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: The Career Magic book
[12:18] Marjorie Quandry: I believe in making things happen ...
[12:18] Marjorie Quandry: rather than waiting for them to happen ...
[12:18] Marjorie Quandry: I'd noticed much frustration from women ...
[12:19] Marjorie Quandry: who were uncomfortable with self-promotion.
[12:19] Marjorie Quandry: I wanted to teach them how to do it.
[12:19] Alasgal Gourdou: Question: do you know where this discomfort comes from?
[12:19] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: What exactly is Career Magic?
[12:19] Marjorie Quandry: We as women believe the myths .... we heard when growing up.
[12:19] Cybergrrl Oh: Twstd will help track questions
[12:19] Marjorie Quandry: Things like "It's not nice to talk about yourself ...
[12:20] Marjorie Quandry: whereas young boys do something well ....
[12:20] Marjorie Quandry: and beat their chest. ... that seems to be accepted ...
[12:20] Marjorie Quandry: girls are more sensitive to what others think of them...
[12:20] Marjorie Quandry: one upmanship has historically not been accepted for females ...
[12:20] Marjorie Quandry: this carries over into our professional lives. Cybergrrl .... to answer your question ...
[12:21] Marjorie Quandry: Career MAGIC is about having choices ...
[12:21] Marjorie Quandry: in order to do that, people have got to know what you want ...
[12:21] Marjorie Quandry: and what you are capable of doing.
[12:21] Marjorie Quandry: Do you want me to explain the MAGIC formula now?
[12:21] Cybergrrl Oh: Yes!
[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: We want our magic
[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: ;-)
[12:22] Marjorie Quandry: The M in MAGIC stands for Manner ...
[12:22] Marjorie Quandry: THe way you come across to others ...
[12:22] Marjorie Quandry: how you walk, how you talk ... how you meet people ...
[12:22] Marjorie Quandry: and how you treat people
[12:22] Marjorie Quandry: The "A" represents advocates ...
[12:22] Marjorie Quandry: people who know you, believe in you ....
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: and are in the position to hire you, promote you ...
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: give you referrals, put you on teams, etc. -- in other words ...
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: your personal salesforce
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: The G in MAGIC is about growth ...
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: if you aren't green and growing, you are ripe and rotting ...
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: It is critical to be a lifelong learner, always looking for ways ...
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: to enhance your knowledge, increase your skillset ....
[12:23] Marjorie Quandry: and be willing to take risks
[12:24] Marjorie Quandry: The I in MAGIC is to get involved within your organization, industry, and community
[12:24] Marjorie Quandry: In places and activities where you will meet potential advocates ...
[12:24] Marjorie Quandry: and develop skillsets
[12:24] Marjorie Quandry: the key is NOT just to join, but take leadership responsibilities
[12:24] Marjorie Quandry: FInally, the C ....
[12:24] Marjorie Quandry: is about creating Commentary...
[12:25] Marjorie Quandry: In order to get brand recognition, you need to be perceived as an expert ...
[12:25] Marjorie Quandry: So, speak up at meetings, volunteer to speak at association meetings ...
[12:25] Marjorie Quandry: and write articles within company and industry publications
[12:25] Marjorie Quandry: That's the MAGIC formula
[12:25] Marjorie Quandry: I can personally attest to the fact that it works!
[12:25] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: How can I get Career Magic?
[12:26] Marjorie Quandry: Are you talking about my book or the philosophy?
[12:26] Twstd Ruggles: philosophy
[12:26] Marjorie Quandry: The book can be ordered from the shopping cart at ...
[12:26] Marjorie Quandry: brodypro.com.
[12:26] Marjorie Quandry: As far as the philosophy ...
[12:26] Marjorie Quandry: Start working on each of the letters ....
[12:27] Marjorie Quandry: The good news is that the concepts are universal ....
[12:27] Marjorie Quandry: and applicable within all industries and all career levels
[12:27] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: Why do you think some women sabotage their chances of getting recognition and rewards?
[12:28] Marjorie Quandry: I think many women are uncomfortable with being ...
[12:28] Marjorie Quandry: in the forefront, and others unknowingly do things ...
[12:28] Marjorie Quandry: that limit their power and potential
[12:28] Marjorie Quandry: Some examples include ...
[12:28] Marjorie Quandry: having a voice that's too soft ....
[12:29] Marjorie Quandry: using rising intonation at the end of declarative sentence ...
[12:29] Marjorie Quandry: so it sounds like you're permission or a question ...
[12:29] Marjorie Quandry: They use "power robber" words like "I guess what I'm trying to say is ...
[12:29] Marjorie Quandry: Or, "I hope ..." "maybe" sorta" "kinda"
[12:30] Marjorie Quandry: They don't "own" their own success
[12:30] Marjorie Quandry: WHen it comes to dressing, frequently, women are too provocative ...
[12:30] Marjorie Quandry: which focuses attention on things other than their achievements
[12:30] Marjorie Quandry: They don't always speak up at meetings ....
[12:30] Marjorie Quandry: That's enough for examples ...
[12:31] Marjorie Quandry: Other questions?
[12:31] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: What can each of us do today to get more recognition and rewards in our career?
[12:31] Marjorie Quandry: Be clear about what you want ...
[12:31] Marjorie Quandry: and don't be afraid to let others know.)
[12:31] Twstd Ruggles: Does anyone have a career issue or question related to our topic that they'd like to ask Marjorie?
[12:32] Marjorie Quandry: While you're gathering questions ....
[12:32] Marjorie Quandry: One thing I was surprised to discover when I wrote this book ...
[12:32] Marjorie Quandry: I was surprised by how my concepts applyto entrepreneurs, administrative assistants ...
[12:32] Marjorie Quandry: and corporate professionals ....
[12:33] Marjorie Quandry: it was also surprising to learn that even women in ...
[12:33] Twstd Ruggles: wELCOME cHEPOOKA
[12:33] Chepooka Laval: thank you!
[12:33] Marjorie Quandry: senior level positions often have trouble self promoting.
[12:34] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: Do you find that women struggle with showing their success without coming off looking too over confident or even conceeded?
[12:34] Marjorie Quandry: Yes ....
[12:34] Marjorie Quandry: there is a fine line and a double standard ...
[12:34] Twstd Ruggles: i think so too
[12:34] Twstd Ruggles: how do we stay on the right side of that fine line
[12:35] Marjorie Quandry: keep producing results ...
[12:35] Marjorie Quandry: stop getting ready to GET ready, just DO it ...
[12:35] Irisgrl Saphir: QUESTION How to overcome fear of approaching new age/business group as a freelancer?
[12:35] Marjorie Quandry: and have faith in yourself and realize that you won't ...
[12:35] Marjorie Quandry: please everyone.
[12:36] Marjorie Quandry: Irisgrl, introduce yourself and start creating ...
[12:36] Marjorie Quandry: relationships with people that are in these groups ....
[12:36] Irisgrl Saphir: Ah faith in yourself when you're on thin ice---that is the hard part
[12:36] Marjorie Quandry: have samples of your work, and testimonials.
[12:36] Alasgal Gourdou: Question: is there a danger in being too self-promoting? Or is that my girl-myth talking?
[12:36] Marjorie Quandry: My question to you, Irisgrl is why do you have such a negative outlook?
[12:37] Marjorie Quandry: Yes, you can be too self-promoting, Alasgal ...
[12:37] Irisgrl Saphir: Because I was out of USA for long long time and out of my depth here
[12:37] Marjorie Quandry: Look for ways to develop advocates, so they can promote for you as well, Alasgal
[12:37] Marjorie Quandry: As for Iris ....
[12:38] Irisgrl Saphir: I like the "develop advocates" idea--new one
[12:38] Marjorie Quandry: US culture is much more forgiving about self promotion. ...
[12:38] Marjorie Quandry: than most other cultures
[12:38] Marjorie Quandry: If you wait your turn, you might never get it!@
[12:38] Irisgrl Saphir: "develop advocates" before self-promote sounds like a good route for me
[12:39] Marjorie Quandry: it's really looking for ways to help others, so they are able ...
[12:39] Marjorie Quandry: to "sell" you.
[12:39] Goldie Katsu: I think there is also a question about what it means to "Self promote"
[12:39] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: We have a lot of writers here today. Who is your book publisher and how did you get this book published?
[12:40] Marjorie Quandry: Self promotion is making others aware of what you're capable of doing ...
[12:40] Marjorie Quandry: and what you want to do ...
[12:40] Marjorie Quandry: it is BRAND recognition.
[12:40] Marjorie Quandry: As for my book .... my first 6 books were published by large NY publishers ...
[12:40] Marjorie Quandry: After that, I decided I wanted both control and to make more $ ....
[12:41] Marjorie Quandry: so I started my own publishing firm for my books called "Career Skills Press." ....
[12:41] Marjorie Quandry: We're in bookstores, won awards, and on amazon.com...
[12:41] Marjorie Quandry: It's much more profitable this way ....
[12:41] Twstd Ruggles: GREAT!!
[12:41] Irisgrl Saphir: So self-publishing works?!!!
[12:41] Marjorie Quandry: in fact, I had a large publisher approach me ...
[12:41] Marjorie Quandry: several years ago, wanting to buy the rights to one of my books ....
[12:41] Marjorie Quandry: What I heard what the advance would be, I told him ...
[12:41] Marjorie Quandry: "If you want to add a zero to that, I'll be happy to talk!"
[12:42] Twstd Ruggles: LOL
[12:42] Twstd Ruggles: great answer
[12:42] Marjorie Quandry: Self publishing can work ... if you have means of distribution .... don't forget my training company helps sells these books, too -- for our programs ....
[12:42] Marjorie Quandry: and my audiences ....
[12:42] Marjorie Quandry: as a professional speaker



[12:42] Irisgrl Saphir: QUESTION do you do appearances like book signings?
[12:43] Marjorie Quandry: Yes, when I have to .....
[12:43] Marjorie Quandry: but do much better by being interviewed by radio, TV and in magazines (and now SL!)
[12:43] Irisgrl Saphir: Ah--great tip!
[12:43] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: How can your advice help women who own their own business?
[12:43] Alasgal Gourdou: Thanks Marjorie - I must go but this have been very interesting to think about.
[12:44] Marjorie Quandry: First ... remember, I do own my own business -- BRODY Professional Development ....
[12:44] Marjorie Quandry: and I apply these techniques regularly
[12:44] Marjorie Quandry: Secondly ....
[12:44] Twstd Ruggles: ok Alasgal..thanks for coming
[12:44] Marjorie Quandry: in the book, I interviewed other entrepreneurs ...
[12:44] Marjorie Quandry: and business owners ...
[12:44] Marjorie Quandry: and got their insights and examples, as well.
[12:44] Marjorie Quandry: Thanks Alas! Feel free to visit my site/email me anytime.
[12:45] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION:How can your advice help women who don't work? Such as stay-at-home moms?
[12:45] Marjorie Quandry: It will help stay at home moms or non-working women ...
[12:45] Marjorie Quandry: be involved within their own communities ....
[12:46] Marjorie Quandry: this can also help to build a resume, in case at some point ...
[12:46] Marjorie Quandry: they want to start working full or part time
[12:46] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: What are some of the worst things a woman can do in terms of her career?
[12:46] Tajah Arashi: yes...yess
[12:46] Marjorie Quandry: Let others define her potential ....
[12:46] Marjorie Quandry: not go after what she wants ....
[12:47] Marjorie Quandry: Keep waiting to be "perfect" ...
[12:47] Marjorie Quandry: Not delegating or hiring or asking for help on the home front ...
[12:47] Marjorie Quandry: That's it ...
[12:47] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: How can a woman repair any career setbacks?
[12:47] Marjorie Quandry: Please define "setback" because my answer will depend on the situation
[12:48] Twstd Ruggles: Well say they started off not very confident and now she wants to be able to change that so other people see her confidence.
[12:48] Marjorie Quandry: Oh ... OK .....
[12:49] Marjorie Quandry: Start behaving differently ....
[12:49] Marjorie Quandry: at first people will think that's strange ...
[12:49] Marjorie Quandry: but consistency will make the difference.
[12:49] Twstd Ruggles: QUESTION: What is an example of Career Magic that you have experienced in your own career?
[12:50] Marjorie Quandry: I was able to leave the hallowed halls of academia ...
[12:50] Marjorie Quandry: after 22 years of teaching, to start a training corporation ...
[12:50] Marjorie Quandry: serving the Fortune 100-500 (and others) ....
[12:50] Marjorie Quandry: that took "balls" !
[12:50] Twstd Ruggles: wow
[12:51] Twstd Ruggles: how did u get them to let u in the door
[12:51] Marjorie Quandry: And, I had NO corporate experience
[12:51] Marjorie Quandry: Lots of phone calls ...
[12:51] Marjorie Quandry: Doing a great job ....
[12:51] Marjorie Quandry: Asking for referrals ...
[12:51] Marjorie Quandry: Building a network ...
[12:51] Marjorie Quandry: of advocates. ...
[12:51] Marjorie Quandry: and applying the MAGIC formula that I've laid out today
[12:52] Twstd Ruggles: great!!
[12:52] Twstd Ruggles: well that is last of my questions...does anyone else have any before we wrap up?
[12:52] Tajah Arashi: I'm sorry i missed the first half
[12:52] Marjorie Quandry: I'd like to mention my newest professional development "product" after questions are over .....
[12:52] Twstd Ruggles: hi Tajah its ok we will post entire forum on the blog
[12:52] Tajah Arashi: thx
[12:52] Twstd Ruggles: ok great
[12:52] Twstd Ruggles: so anyone else? last call
[12:53] Irisgrl Saphir: Glad I came..
[12:53] Tajah Arashi: great advice i may frame some of your statements for my wall
[12:53] Marjorie Quandry: First, thank you ALL! .....
[12:53] Marjorie Quandry: For making my first SL experience an interesting one.
[12:53] Chepooka Laval: thanks Marjorie!
[12:53] Tajah Arashi: Please come back!
[12:53] Marjorie Quandry: Tajah -- sounds great ....
[12:53] Twstd Ruggles: thank you again for being here Marjorie
[12:54] Marjorie Quandry: I want to let everyone know ....
[12:54] Twstd Ruggles: I look forward to reading your book.
[12:54] Marjorie Quandry: About BRODY BOOST Camp ... my new public career development ...
[12:54] Marjorie Quandry: seminars ... coming this fall in the Philadelphia area ...
[12:54] Marjorie Quandry: Thanks , Twstd!
[12:54] Twstd Ruggles: you're welcome
[12:54] Marjorie Quandry: It's BRODY Boost Camp ......which will be held October 30th ...
[12:54] Marjorie Quandry: and again on Nov. 13 ....
[12:55] Marjorie Quandry: I will share the secrets and strategies that can boost careers ...
[12:55] Marjorie Quandry: and expand visibility for individuals ...
[12:55] Tajah Arashi: could you do a camp on SL we have Linden dollars...
[12:55] Marjorie Quandry: Check out www.BrodyPro.com for the details. Any SL citizens who IM me TODAY ....
[12:56] Marjorie Quandry: will receive a 10% discount off the early bird price ...
[12:56] Cybergrrl Oh: Wonderful!!
[12:56] Marjorie Quandry: Tajah ... I am now exploring doing business in SL ....
[12:56] Marjorie Quandry: Anyone who wants to be added to my RL mailing list .... please email me or IM me soon ....
[12:57] Marjorie Quandry: And, copies of Career MAGIC can be bought by visiting Estore at www.brodypro.com ....
[12:57] Marjorie Quandry: I'll autograph it, if you contact me ....
[12:57] Twstd Ruggles: wow thanks so much
[12:57] Marjorie Quandry: Thank you all again! Remember ....
[12:57] Goldie Katsu: Thank you all.
[12:57] Marjorie Quandry: go out and MARKET Your MAGIC!
[12:57] Twstd Ruggles: `*~*`WooT WooT`*~*`
[12:57] Tajah Arashi: Thank you for spending time with us.
[12:58] Marjorie Quandry: My pleasure.
[12:58] Goldie Katsu: Yes, thank you Marjorie.
[12:58] Marjorie Quandry: I'll be on SL until 4:30 ET today ... for those interested ....
[12:58] Goldie Katsu waves goodbye "I'm off to my next meeting"
[12:58] Twstd Ruggles: thanks everyone for coming today
[12:58] Tajah Arashi: Bye goldie
[12:58] Marjorie Quandry: bye!
[12:58] Twstd Ruggles: bye goldie
[12:58] Cybergrrl Oh: Bye Bye!
[12:58] Cybergrrl Oh: everyone - thanks for being here
[12:59] Marjorie Quandry: Thank you Cybergrrl again for inviting me!
[12:59] Cybergrrl Oh: Thank you so much for being here
[13:00] Cybergrrl Oh: The transcript will go online in a few days

Leslie Carol Roberts in Second Life to talk about Antarctica

Stop by Athena Isle 12 Aug Tue at 12pm PST/SLT to meet Leslie Carol Roberts, author of The Entire Earth and Sky: Views on Antarctica (Nebraska 2008).

She was the first Fulbright Fellow in Antarctic Studies in the world and has delivered talks and papers on her interdisciplinary work worldwide and SOON in Second Life.

Stop by also to view some of her amazing images of Antarctica.

This will be a roundtable text chat discussion so you can ask Leslie anything about her journey.

Personally, I'm curious to know what it is like as a woman in Antarctica. I mean, what if you get your period - where do you buy tampons? (kidding!)

Transcript: Sarah Susanka in Second Life (as Susanka Queler)

Here is the transcript from the live text chat with Sarah Susanka on 17 June 2008. Photographs by Thursday Xu.



[12:11] Cybergrrl Oh: Our guest today is Sarah Susanka, author
[12:11] Cybergrrl Oh: Or Susanka Queler in SL
[12:11] Santilaire Convair: It keeps telling me there's no empty chair to sit in. I think I'll just stand.
[12:11] Malburns Writer: http://www.notsobiglife.com
[12:11] Susanka Queler: Is this where I begin Cybergrrl?
[12:11] Kain Scalia: Let me make one for you, Santilaire
[12:11] Cybergrrl Oh: Sarah asked that I give her some time in the beginning to share her ideas
[12:12] Cybergrrl Oh: So I will turn this over to her in one moment
[12:12] Susanka Queler: Thank you Cybergrrl
[12:12] Cybergrrl Oh: But first, welcome...
[12:12] Kain Scalia: Here you go Santilaire, over here.
[12:12] Cybergrrl Oh: and why is another table being set up...
[12:12] Susanka Queler: What I'd like to describe to start is an insight I had
[12:12] MystiTool DynaTable: Attempting to fix chair positions. One moment, please.
[12:12] Santilaire Convair: Yay! thanks.
[12:12] Susanka Queler: before entering SL
[12:12] MystiTool DynaTable: All chairs should now be moving into correct positions.
[12:12] Susanka Queler: I had just begun to consider the notion of a dream world
[12:13] Cybergrrl Oh: Welcome to my table ride
[12:13] Susanka Queler: when I discovered that there actualy was one! SL
[12:13] Cybergrrl Oh: Susanka - we're still doing an intro
[12:13] Susanka Queler: It provides a wonderful metaphor for something
[12:13] Susanka Queler: that I had been trying to explain in my most recent
[12:13] Susanka Queler: book, The Not So Big Life.
[12:13] Susanka Queler: We live in a real world, or so we think,
[12:14] Susanka Queler: but what I wanted my readers to understand was that our "real" world
[12:14] Susanka Queler: is as much a made up world as SL.
[12:14] Thursday Xu: YES
[12:14] Susanka Queler: We actually create our idea of ourselves,
[12:14] Susanka Queler: just as we do in SL.
[12:14] Pebbles Hannya: / me nods
[12:14] Susanka Queler: So you can see perhaps why I am so excited about SL
[12:15] Susanka Queler: I can actually give people the understanding
[12:15] Chrissia Tyles: excuse me, do we also have sound?
[12:15] Susanka Queler: by having them join SL and create themselves all over again.
[12:15] Cybergrrl Oh: We don't have sound - this is text only
[12:15] Tara Yeats: Chrissia - no, just text
[12:15] Susanka Queler: No sound I'm afraid, just frantic typing



[12:15] Susanka Queler: So, anyway,
[12:15] Susanka Queler: I wanted to find out from each of you
[12:15] Susanka Queler: how did you create the idea of yourself here in SL
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: Great idea
[12:16] Susanka Queler: and are you doing some of the same kinds of things in
[12:16] Susanka Queler: this life, or are they completely different.
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: Would you like to proceed with answering this Susanka?
[12:16] Susanka Queler: I'm very interested in your inisights all of you.
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: Meaning getting answers
[12:16] Susanka Queler: Yes, please.
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: OK, let me step in as moderator
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: and say that before we go on, I have a rule
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: for everyone who participates
[12:16] Cybergrrl Oh: actually 2
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: Rule 1 - if you have a QUESTION for our guest, please type QUESTION before it
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: that way we can track all the questions.
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: And Rule 2...
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: if you have a comment, feel free to comment anytime. However...
[12:17] Thursday Xu: your avatar - no matter how "creative" is nonetheless a representation of your self.
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: for right now, let us go around the table and
[12:17] Cybergrrl Oh: individually answer Sarah by saying....
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: 1. How we created our SL self and is it same or different from RL.
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: and if you are not comfortable sharing, just say PASS
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: I'll start...
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: Cybergrrl Oh is an extension of me in RL - Aliza Sherman
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: She is also the re-vived version of my 1995 brand Cybergrrl
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: so Cybergrrl does in SL all the things I do in RL but she can also fly and have lots of different hair colors.
[12:18] Cybergrrl Oh: But I bring my personality and values to her.



[12:19] Cybergrrl Oh: Next - let's go to Pebbles - are you next to me?
[12:19] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:19] Pebbles Hannya: Yes, I think so...
[12:19] Susanka Queler: So you are a version of the You in real life
[12:19] Pebbles Hannya: So I run a market research company in RL, and do that here too.
[12:19] Pebbles Hannya: In that sense, Pebbles in I are one in the same.
[12:19] Cybergrrl Oh: Susanka - yes, a little skinnier maybe and my hair is brown vs. pink in RL
[12:19] Pebbles Hannya: Physically we look nothing alike.
[12:19] Pebbles Hannya: But we definitely share a personality.
[12:20] Susanka Queler: So you've made a different physicality
[12:20] Pebbles Hannya: And I do find that my interactions here come back and also shape my RL to some degree.
[12:20] Cybergrrl Oh: so true, Pebbles
[12:20] Cybergrrl Oh: Vivistar - are you there?
[12:20] Pebbles Hannya: When I first joined SL all of the pictures of avs I had seen looked like cartoons.
[12:20] Susanka Queler: Can you see how you created the "you" that you are in Real Life?
[12:21] Cybergrrl Oh: Oh Helena - did I skip you?
[12:21] Pebbles Hannya: So the first cartoon character who popped into my head was Pebbles Flintstone (obviously too much tv as a kid)...
[12:21] Helena Kiama: np, lol
[12:21] Cybergrrl Oh: Sarah - if we go too fast, let me know
[12:21] Pebbles Hannya: Hannya was available as a last name, which was close enough to Hanna from Hanna and Barbarra...
[12:21] Susanka Queler: Let me make a couple of comments after each person is done
[12:21] Pebbles Hannya: ... and Pebbles was born. I tried to make my av look like a grown up version of her.
[12:21] Cybergrrl Oh: I want everyone to have a chance and you can sift thru comments, also, by clicking on the local chat button
[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: Everyone -please keep your comments to 2-3 sentences - summaries - so she has a chance to ask more
[12:22] Susanka Queler: So, I think let's move on for now to the next person
[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: That was Helena
[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: Helena?
[12:22] Helena Kiama: K, when I first came into SL, there were only 3000 online at a time
[12:23] Helena Kiama: and no redheads, I wanted to be different
[12:23] Susanka Queler: An early bird!
[12:23] Cybergrrl Oh whispers WOW
[12:23] Helena Kiama: lol
[12:23] Helena Kiama: My av looks nothing like me
[12:23] Helena Kiama: but I deal with people like I do in RL, except I'm more outgoing in here
[12:23] Helena Kiama: my values are the same in either place
[12:24] Susanka Queler: So you can see that you are living a similar dream in both worlds
[12:24] Susanka Queler: Why do you think you are more outgoing here?
[12:24] Helena Kiama: It seems easier to talk with people, perhaps not worrying about being judged?
[12:25] Susanka Queler: That's a biggy for a lot of people. Let's move on to the next person.
[12:25] Cybergrrl Oh: Vivistar is way
[12:25] Cybergrrl Oh: away
[12:25] Cybergrrl Oh: so next is...
[12:25] Cybergrrl Oh: Steeven?
[12:25] Steeven Jameson: OK. Frankly, I'm alt, for someone who has a very busy SL...
[12:26] Susanka Queler: what does alt mean?
[12:26] Rhiannon Chatnoir: a secondary avatar
[12:26] Cybergrrl Oh: alternative avatar
[12:26] Steeven Jameson: Here, he's a journalist and a stockbroker, who acts as he does in RL...
[12:26] Rhiannon Chatnoir: so not the main avatar she/he might use
[12:26] Steeven Jameson: I use this alt to get away from his "IM Hell" sessions.
[12:26] Susanka Queler: So you can be two avatars here at once?
[12:26] Steeven Jameson: BTW, several of you know this alt, LOL
[12:26] Cybergrrl Oh: not always simultaneously
[12:27] Susanka Queler: I love it.
[12:27] Steeven Jameson: With two computers going, you can.
[12:27] Pebbles Hannya: You would need to be running two versions of SL at once.
[12:27] Susanka Queler: So you can be more "too busy" than even RL?
[12:27] Cybergrrl Oh: but you can if you have more than 1 machine or if you code in something when you log in - you could
[12:27] Steeven Jameson: Yes!
[12:27] Susanka Queler: My Not So Big Life book is all about what Time really is
[12:27] Cybergrrl Oh: Sarah - do you know the concepts of immersionsists and Augmentationists?
[12:28] Susanka Queler: and we don't fully grasp it's impact on our lives
[12:28] Susanka Queler: No I don't know those terms
[12:28] Cybergrrl Oh: look up on Google - very interesting and could relate to some of your ideas
[12:28] Susanka Queler: I have a feeling that Steeven would enjoy the book
[12:28] Susanka Queler: Will do.
[12:28] Cybergrrl Oh: A very quick definition - and someone correct me if I'm wrong:
[12:29] Pebbles Hannya: Birefly augmentationalists see SL as an extension of their RLs whereas immersionists see this as a totally separate reality (and want to keep it that way).
[12:29] Cybergrrl Oh: Immersionist - one who immerses self fulling in SL and is who they are in SL - meaning no human acknowledged or attached
[12:29] Cybergrrl Oh: Augmentationist - someone who uses SL and their avie as an extension of themselves
[12:29] Cybergrrl Oh: Tara - your turn for your intro!
[12:29] Susanka Queler: Fascinating
[12:29] Pebbles Hannya: I'm guessing by virtue of our presense at this session, we are mostly augmentationalists
[12:29] Tara Yeats: I'm much the same in SL as in RL, aside from visually... LOL!
[12:30] Steeven Jameson: Yes! LOL
[12:30] Tara Yeats: SL doesn't afford itself well to representing pudgy 60+ year olds...
[12:30] Tara Yeats: and I don't mind having the flexibility to jump, run and fly I've never had in RL
[12:30] Cybergrrl Oh: I had a friend use my actual photos to create my avie but am creative with hair and outfits
[12:30] Tara Yeats: I do have an alt for some music-related activity in SL, which is easier to keep separate that way
[12:31] Susanka Queler: So many of you have alts that allow you to be different people
[12:31] Susanka Queler: for different types of activities?
[12:31] Cybergrrl Oh: yes
[12:31] Thursday Xu: yes
[12:31] Steeven Jameson: Yes
[12:31] Helena Kiama: yes
[12:31] Tara Yeats: that's what I use her for
[12:31] Susanka Queler: This is equivalent to our having different personality patterns
[12:31] Tara Yeats: (sounds funny putting it that way!)
[12:32] Cybergrrl Oh: I have one alt to manage 25 more groups for me since we are limited to 25
[12:32] Susanka Queler: which exhibit themselves in different situations.
[12:32] Thursday Xu: yes!
[12:32] Pebbles Hannya: Alts are also useful for convenience. Like Steeven mentioned, when you want to get stuff done without responding to a lot of IMs or seeming rude because you are not responding.
[12:32] Susanka Queler: Except here, you can have a different avitar to go with that pattern.
[12:32] Cybergrrl Oh: Rhiannon - your turn for an intro!
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh: did you hear what we are saying?
[12:33] Rhiannon Chatnoir: thanks
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh: how similar is your SL self to your RL self
[12:33] Rhiannon Chatnoir: My avatar is an extension of the RL me, albeit an idealized one that doesn't have to go to the gym :P
[12:33] Rhiannon Chatnoir: My RL background is a designer; I worked for many years as a designer in a corporate environ and coming to SL appealed to the creative in me, but within SL I gravitated towards more philanthropic uses of creativity. Probably due to longing to work outside of the typical corporate landscape.
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh says Note to Self...must go to gym in RL again.
[12:33] Rhiannon Chatnoir: The longer here within SL the more this influenced things and it led to me leaving my corporate job, co-founding an SL dev company & eventually working with the nonprofit Global Kids on their SL initiatives. So RL influenced SL influenced RL back.
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh: interesting
[12:34] Cybergrrl Oh: I think many of us are more philanthropic here
[12:34] Cybergrrl Oh: and others much more entrepreneurial here than in RL
[12:34] Rhiannon Chatnoir: baically I got involved in more and more activities over time that I think professionally weren't there initially in my 'work' life.. :P



[12:34] Cybergrrl Oh: Susanak - did you want to comment now or move to the next ?
[12:34] Susanka Queler: You can live your passions without being fettered by "reality"
[12:34] Rhiannon Chatnoir: well it crosses back and forth
[12:34] Susanka Queler: That's fine for now. Let's move on.
[12:35] Rhiannon Chatnoir: I work remotely in RL now for Global Kids and also for other clients
[12:35] Cybergrrl Oh: Ezandria next?
[12:35] Rhiannon Chatnoir: but they go back and forth
[12:35] Susanka Queler: Who is next?
[12:35] Ezandria Shippe: This av is as close as I could get to the rl body that I have.
[12:36] Ezandria Shippe: I got on here to just escape. My life if EXTREAMLY stressful and hecktic
[12:36] Susanka Queler: And is your life here less so?
[12:36] Ezandria Shippe: Very much so.
[12:37] Susanka Queler: So you've been able to try on a different "you" entirely
[12:37] Ezandria Shippe: I can actually talk to people w/o them hearing a screaming child in teh back ground
[12:37] Susanka Queler: How do you like it?
[12:37] Ezandria Shippe: yes, except for my morals and appernce
[12:37] Susanka Queler: Does it inform any of your real life experience?
[12:37] Ezandria Shippe: so far so good. I jsut started a few weeks ago
[12:37] Susanka Queler: Aha. It'll be interesting to check in in 12 months and see
[12:37] Ezandria Shippe: not sure i understood the question
[12:38] Cybergrrl Oh: Ezandria - does what you do in SL affect what you do in RL?
[12:38] Susanka Queler: Do you take any lessons from the calmness you have found here?
[12:38] Ezandria Shippe: Yes, it's taught me to observe rather then react on instinct. to process the information instead of jump on the adrenaline rush.
[12:39] Ezandria Shippe: and to be more out going with my emotions
[12:39] Susanka Queler: Excellent. That's what I was asking. We can learn to be in our lives differently
[12:40] Susanka Queler: as we try on a different way of being,
[12:40] Susanka Queler: and in today's over stressed world it is very difficult
[12:40] Susanka Queler: to do this in every day reality, but SL gives you that option
[12:40] Cybergrrl Oh: Did I skipped Thursday Xu...should be next
[12:40] Susanka Queler: at least for a while, until you get way into your SL world creation
[12:41] Thursday Xu: me?
[12:41] Cybergrrl Oh: oh, sorry - I'm having a hard time tracking
[12:41] Cybergrrl Oh: I think Alas is next actually
[12:41] Thursday Xu: yes
[12:41] Cybergrrl Oh: these tables are great but hard to see who is next to whom
[12:41] Alas Zerbino: I stumbled into SL for business -- instructional design -- but then discovered the vast opportunities for writers (which I also am). I've made wonderful connections with other writers and focus most of my efforts on collaborating on support for creative writing--and dropped my interest in SL training stuff!
[12:42] Alas Zerbino: Although my name & looks are different, my personality is my RL one, only freer to do things because there aren't immediate esteem-dashing consequences. :) SL has expanded my RL focus on what I love most, too.
[12:43] Alas Zerbino: Sometimes I sorta forget which life I'm in!
[12:43] Thursday Xu: esteem-dashing ;-(
[12:43] Malburns Writer: lol
[12:43] Susanka Queler: That was what I was seeing the potential of yesterday--the creative potential that is
[12:43] Cybergrrl Oh: Very creative
[12:43] Alas Zerbino: extremely!
[12:43] Cybergrrl Oh: Chrissia is next when Sarah is ready
[12:43] Susanka Queler: So in not fearing consequences of being judged, you can do anything you want, or long to do
[12:43] Susanka Queler: I'm ready.
[12:43] Cybergrrl Oh: You can still be judged here
[12:44] Susanka Queler: Really? How does it happen?
[12:44] Alas Zerbino: not anything....just be braver, I guess
[12:44] Alas Zerbino: Judgement is very much alive and well here!
[12:44] Pebbles Hannya: The appearance of the avatar, for one thing.
[12:44] Rhiannon Chatnoir: well appearance choices and reputation still exist evn in virtual world spaces
[12:44] Cybergrrl Oh: Anyone pipe in on this one but yes, people judge everything about you here
[12:44] Alas Zerbino: anything of yourself you offer in here is exposed for judgement
[12:44] Thursday Xu: avatars - and the selves can be harassed
[12:44] Cybergrrl Oh: SL is not free from societal limitations in many ways - we often bring our biases and prejudices with us
[12:44] Pebbles Hannya: Also behavior.
[12:45] Susanka Queler: Do people tell you they are judging you, or is it your perception?
[12:45] Cybergrrl Oh: we attack one another
[12:45] Cybergrrl Oh: feelings are hurt
[12:45] Cybergrrl Oh: I offended a very dear friend here who I only knew in SL
[12:45] Alas Zerbino: the difference is that if worst comes to worst, I can delete Alas and create someone new
[12:45] Cybergrrl Oh: made what I thought was a harmless teasing joke
[12:45] Helena Kiama: It can be more intense in here than in RL
[12:45] Steeven Jameson: And because it is fairly anonymous, people can be more blatent in their behavior
[12:45] Cybergrrl Oh: she thought I was judging her and our relationship has been in tatters ever since
[12:45] Pebbles Hannya: Or TP away from someone who is annoying.
[12:45] Alas Zerbino: but then I'd lose everything I'd gained here.
[12:45] Rhiannon Chatnoir: quick example of the worst that happened to me.. was in a cathedral setting up things and happened to be dressed up as a dark drow elf .. hd someone come up and actually racially slur me
[12:46] Rhiannon Chatnoir: granted hasnt happened often.. but people are still people here in avirtual spaces
[12:46] Rhiannon Chatnoir: and they bring what they want of their personalities to the table
[12:46] Cybergrrl Oh: that does happen often - if you don't look the same, then you are "different"
[12:46] Alas Zerbino: Also, text chat doesn't have all the connotations that voice chat does (like email)
[12:46] Susanka Queler: Where do those feelings exist? In the av or in the RL person?
[12:46] Helena Kiama: person
[12:46] Rhiannon Chatnoir: the real person I am sure
[12:46] Susanka Queler: I ask this because we assume we know who we are
[12:47] Cybergrrl Oh: But immersionists will say in the avatar since there is not a person there behind the avie



[12:47] Pebbles Hannya: I have a friend who is hispanic in RL. Originally he had a hispanic av, but found that people treat him differently when he had something like a robot av.
[12:47] Susanka Queler: we assume that these "feelings" are real
[12:47] Alas Zerbino: good question, Susanka! Not entirely sure!
[12:47] Rhiannon Chatnoir: unless you are somehow in an area that say residents roleplay a specific way.. then you could get outcomes where people are 'playing' a vantage point
[12:47] Susanka Queler: but when we see that these are dream characters
[12:47] Susanka Queler: it begs the question and allows us to see that our RL feelings
[12:47] Pebbles Hannya: In the real person. After all, the RL person and the avatar share a brain and a heart :)
[12:47] Susanka Queler: are also the reactions of dreamed characters.
[12:47] Cybergrrl Oh: I've had things happen to "my avatar" here in SL that made "me" cry - sobbing to the point that my husband got really really worried about where the lines are drawn between SL and RL
[12:48] Susanka Queler: That is the beauty of this virtual world.
[12:48] Alas Zerbino: Sometimes I get the feeling that my personality in First Life is just an avatar for something beyond!
[12:48] Pebbles Hannya: Even if the person is role playing, the RL person determines what role they will play and how.
[12:48] Cybergrrl Oh: Pebbles - you say that as an augmentationist but immersionists do not have that same experience
[12:48] Susanka Queler: It allows us to see that we are living in an imagined universe.
[12:48] Rhiannon Chatnoir: nod, true of anywhere on the internet.. there is a human soul behind the interactions.. just more visceral in a virtual world I think
[12:48] Cybergrrl Oh: If there is an immersionist here, I do hope they will address this, too
[12:49] Susanka Queler: I hope you will read my most recent blog post on www.notsobiglife.com
[12:49] Cybergrrl Oh: Let's move on to Chrissia so everyone has a chance to share
[12:49] Alas Zerbino: Excellent point, Susanka
[12:49] Susanka Queler: it address this, "Who is it" question
[12:49] Pebbles Hannya: I agree that they wouldn't think of it that way Cybergrl -- but it's not like the avatar can control itself.
[12:49] Tara Yeats: I don't think it's really lpossible to maintain a complete separation between a RL self and a SL one
[12:49] Pebbles Hannya: For example, immersionist or not, when the RL person logs out, their avatar goes away.
[12:49] Pebbles Hannya: It doesn't hang around here acting on its own accord.
[12:49] Cybergrrl Oh: Ah Pebbles, so says the augmentationist. How do we know that to be true if we have not experienced that ourselves?
[12:49] Cybergrrl Oh: ;-)
[12:49] Susanka Queler: Let's move on.
[12:49] Rhiannon Chatnoir: you could set up a bot program to run your av when not here and there have been 'group' avatars before
[12:49] Alas Zerbino: /good point, CG! :)
[12:50] Cybergrrl Oh: Chrissia - your turn please
[12:50] Tara Yeats: sounds like a "if a tree falls in the forest" discussion, Cybergrrl :-)
[12:50] Chrissia Tyles: Hi everyone!
[12:50] Cybergrrl Oh: Agreed Tara
[12:50] Chrissia Tyles: Well, where to begin,
[12:50] Chrissia Tyles: believe it or not, i've only had internet for 3 months now
[12:50] Chrissia Tyles: i have been totally immersed in SL
[12:51] Cybergrrl Oh: Xu - we are giving 2-3 sentences that explain how we got here and if our SL self is same/different from our RL self and how.
[12:51] Chrissia Tyles: my avi changes every hour...or so
[12:51] Susanka Queler: And are looking at how that gives us some vision into how we created the idea of ourselves in RL
[12:51] Xu Toshi: i am thursday's alt
[12:51] Susanka Queler: You mean you change how you look?
[12:52] Chrissia Tyles: yes
[12:52] Xu Toshi: we have to leave for an eye appointment now.
[12:52] Cybergrrl Oh: Ah, Thursday, thank you for the lovely demo of 2 alts at once!
[12:52] Chrissia Tyles: my personality stays the same, and i'm myself here
[12:52] Tara Yeats: 4 eyes or 2, Xu/Thursday?
[12:52] Susanka Queler: Thank you. Yes. I had a hard time visualizing that.
[12:52] Thursday Xu: My SL avatar does not look a whole lot like my RL look – but maybe my SL me looks more like the REAL ME than my RL body!
[12:52] Thursday Xu: sorry to go out of turn -
[12:52] Thursday Xu: My research is related to identity and community in virtual worlds.
[12:53] Thursday Xu: gotta go - thanks!
[12:53] Chrissia Tyles: i'm very happy with my RL looks
[12:53] Chrissia Tyles: i like experimenting w/my SL looks to see people's reactions
[12:53] Susanka Queler: In real life is this also an issue? In other words, are you working to fix what can't be fixed in real life?
[12:54] Chrissia Tyles: noooo
[12:54] Chrissia Tyles: what you see is what you get :)
[12:54] Susanka Queler: So it's just the joy of shape shifting.
[12:54] Chrissia Tyles: sure, i also tried shifting the other direction..
[12:54] Susanka Queler: It really does give one the experience of be able to be anything one can imagine
[12:54] Cybergrrl Oh: We are very short on time now. We only have a few more quick intros. Malburns, then Cora. Jeffronius is my client's avatar - i was just projecting this event on a big screen at my client's office!
[12:55] Rhiannon Chatnoir: I find things like that fun too.. I always go back to the 'usual SL me' ... which is the Rhiannon here.. but why not be a dragon one day or some fantastical avatar
[12:55] Malburns Writer: I am slow typing so have mine on clipboard when ready
[12:55] Susanka Queler: Go for it.
[12:55] Malburns Writer: Like Cybergrrl I came here as an extension of my RL self, Mal Burns. Surname was best suitable linden name i could find at the time. My avatar I made look best as i could like me using tools available at start, so am not very aged - lol! Idea was to bring what I was already doing on web into metaverse 3d environment, but learned limitations that still exist and new possibilities at same time. Consider I "live" here as much as in RL now - metaverse is "the" commincations medium of the future. Also found it much easier to be "useful" socially and intellectually here becuase of the sense of "presence" it represents - web communication is less than immediate and not truely 2-way - here it is the opposite. I am certainly more "busy" here than in RL, but it is far less stressful. I see learning "immersion" and associated skills as essential to platform, although I see a divide between "escapists" and "augmentalists". I am the latter mostly. As yet I have no Alt since have had seen no need for one, but there are pr
[12:56] Malburns Writer: no need for one, but there are practical uses for these and may sucumb. Would not "hide" my ID though. There are major advantages here too with the lack of predjudice and pre-conception we experience in RL that I think will change attitudes as time goes by.
[12:56] Susanka Queler: I think so too.
[12:56] Cybergrrl Oh: Malburns and Tara are SL celebrities!
[12:57] Cybergrrl Oh: They have a great show on the weekends.
[12:57] Malburns Writer: huh?
[12:57] Cybergrrl Oh: On the Web
[12:57] Tara Yeats rolls her eyes
[12:57] Susanka Queler: Are they really? I'm honored to be in their presence then.
[12:57] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:57] Cybergrrl Oh: They are, modest as they are, they definitely are quite well known as is Rhiannon
[12:57] Rhiannon Chatnoir: lol.. it is great.... always love Mal's thoughts on social media at large and not just virtual world / SL related things
[12:57] Cybergrrl Oh: They are very active in the social networks and blogs on the Web, too
[12:57] Tara Yeats is a rumor in her own mind
[12:58] Rhiannon Chatnoir: heh.. I am just into everything.. ever curious :P
[12:58] Susanka Queler: Shall we move on?
[12:58] Cybergrrl Oh: One last quick intro from Cara?
[12:58] Malburns Writer: can't perform adequate blushing exercise in SL though!
[12:58] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:58] Rhiannon Chatnoir: ha
[12:58] Cybergrrl Oh: modesty schmodesty
[12:58] Cora Ebbage: Ok, I joined SL purely to play what I saw as the best online game ever.
[12:58] Rhiannon Chatnoir: yup .. group hug later :P
[12:59] Jeffronius Criss gave you Snapshot : Athena Isle HQ Club Community Or, Athena Isle (38, 6.
[12:59] Cora Ebbage: It was just a hobby, something to fill my time on long cold winter evenings with nothing better to do.
[12:59] Jeffronius Criss gave you Snapshot : Athena Isle HQ Club Community Or, Athena Isle (39, 6.
[13:00] Ezandria Shippe: ditto
[13:00] Cora Ebbage: I have had a 6-month break from SL and that was the hardest thing ever for me. I would never have believed that I would miss it so much. My avatar doesn't look like me, except in hair colour but here I can do all the things that I have ever wanted to do in real life and either wasn't brave enough to do, or just never got round to doing.... yet!
[13:01] Susanka Queler: Cybergrrl, may I make some closing remarks?
[13:01] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Who here considers SL a game and who does not?
[13:01] Alas Zerbino: not a game to me
[13:01] Vivistar Benoir: not a game
[13:01] Cybergrrl Oh: Of course - I'm not rushing anyone!
[13:01] Cybergrrl Oh: I don't think it is a game at all
[13:01] Helena Kiama: not a game
[13:01] Ezandria Shippe: it's a chat interface for me
[13:01] Vivistar Benoir: I consider it an experience
[13:01] Steeven Jameson: Nor me
[13:01] Helena Kiama: a social network
[13:01] Malburns Writer: not a game
[13:01] Tara Yeats: no more a game than life itself is
[13:01] Cora Ebbage: It's become more than a game
[13:01] Cybergrrl Oh: so nobody here considers themselves an immersionist - interesting
[13:01] Cybergrrl Oh: Sarah - yes, please, closing remarks?
[13:02] Rhiannon Chatnoir: I see it more on lines with Mal in what SL is
[13:02] Susanka Queler: I want you to stop and think for a moment...you created the idea of yourself here in SL, and if you think back you did the same thing in RL
[13:02] Jeffronius Criss gave you Snapshot : Athena Isle HQ Club Community Or, Athena Isle (38, 6.
[13:02] Susanka Queler: We just can't remember how we did it in RL, but that's what childhood is all about.
[13:02] Malburns Writer: as said - i think immersionist is wrong word - immersion is the skill needed - it is more augmentation versus escapism
[13:02] Cybergrrl Oh: yes, Mal, I see your point
[13:02] Susanka Queler: The Not So Big Life is intended to help you see how you are limiting yourself because of that idea that you have of yourself.
[13:02] Cybergrrl Oh: Sarah - but did we create ourselves or were we partially created by our parents/guardians; our peers; society influences; etc?
[13:03] Alas Zerbino: (an excellent book, NSBL, by the way!!)
[13:03] Susanka Queler: You are not who you think you are. You are something with vastly more potential, and we have the ability to see that by using SL as a metaphor.
[13:03] Cybergrrl Oh: how much choice did we have early on and when did we learn we DID have choice and then how long did it take to work on the changes/choices?
[13:03] Cybergrrl Oh: I do think SL is a metaphor - even if we choose to be something completely "different" than our RL selves
[13:03] Malburns Writer: http://www.notsobiglife.com - very good
[13:03] Susanka Queler: All those influences have shaped who you believe yourself to be, but the point is that you do not have to be limited by those past conditionings.
[13:04] Cybergrrl Oh: Sarah - Thank goodness!


[13:04] Cybergrrl Oh: Any other questions for Sarah before we go? She did a lot more questinioning us, I see!
[13:04] Susanka Queler: I thought you'd be relieved. It's actually what mystics down through the eons have been trying to explain to us all along.
[13:04] Rhiannon Chatnoir: in some ways yes.. but it allows for the benefit of not worrying about geography in the connections you make .. akin to the net.. but more connecting and visceral.. so in regards to the people you meet virtual and have ability to network and work with can exceed the 'average' RL opportunites
[13:04] Alas Zerbino: exactly
[13:05] Susanka Queler: I believe that SL can show people this truth more completely than almost anything I know, because you have the experience of creating yourself here, and then living in that world
[13:05] Chrissia Tyles: i have found that people open up alot more in SL than in RL
[13:05] Tara Yeats: yup, Riannon - that's major, I think... time zones aside
[13:05] Alas Zerbino: Agreed, Susanka! I've definitely found that to be true
[13:05] Cybergrrl Oh: Sarah - I hope you come back to SL often and continue to write about it.
[13:05] Susanka Queler: I would love to.
[13:05] Cybergrrl Oh: I'll make sure to point to that and share what you are doing/thinking with regards to this topic
[13:06] Susanka Queler: And please do read my latest blog post on www.notsobiglife.com
[13:06] Cybergrrl Oh: Everyone - thank you for being here.
[13:06] Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes SL afford the anonymity ifyou choose .. and you can immerse and reveal more of yourself as you feel comfortable
[13:06] Malburns Writer: Yes - loved yr blog this morning!
[13:06] Rhiannon Chatnoir: I have seen that help a lot of SL'ers grow via that easing in
[13:06] Susanka Queler: Thanks so much.
[13:06] Cybergrrl Oh: If you need an invite to Athena Isle Events group or another Athena Isle group, please let me know. For some reason, they are not listed in SEarch.
[13:06] Alas Zerbino: Thank you!
[13:06] Helena Kiama: ty Susanka!
[13:06] Tara Yeats: Susanka - something else for you to ponder: SL allows abilities and options that aren't possible at all in RL - e.g., flying as one obvious example
[13:06] Vivistar Benoir: :) enjoyed most of what I read... sorry to have been absent for a little while
[13:06] Cora Ebbage: Thanks Susanka
[13:07] Susanka Queler: Thanks to all of you for your attention and thoughtful responses
[13:07] Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes thank you :)
[13:07] Tara Yeats: interesting discussion!
[13:07] Alas Zerbino: Yes, wish it could be longer!
[13:07] Steeven Jameson: Indeed
[13:07] Rhiannon Chatnoir: geez.. I am old in SL.. realized I was the oldest av here
[13:07] Rhiannon Chatnoir: although I still think of myself as a sort of 'midbie' :P heh
[13:07] Susanka Queler: I hope to do some further presentations and roundtables in the future.
[13:07] Malburns Writer: lol Rhiannon - we age fast dont we?
[13:07] Susanka Queler: There's a lot more too this than we can explore in one hours
[13:07] Tara Yeats hands Rhiannon some virtual wrinkles
[13:07] Cybergrrl Oh: Thank you so much for being here, Sarah

aut

Gearing up for weekly events again on Athena Isle starting with...

Sarah Susanka, author of The Not So Big Life, will kick off the Athena Isle Summer series of events on Tuesday, June 17 at 12pm PST with "The Waking Dream: Second Life as a Metaphor for Our True Self." The event will take place in the Athena Isle Dome in Second Life.

Read her essay about Second Life.

The event will be hosted by Athena Isle Women and take place on Athena Isle owned by Second Life personality Cybergrrl Oh. The discussion will be conducted in a roundtable format to allow Susanka to answer questions posed directly by Second Life residents in attendance.

In May, Random House released Sarah’s book "The Not So Big Life." In her book, she presents the antidote to the “bigger is better” mentality that drives our McLives.

In conjunction with her latest book, she has written about Second Life in her blog, explaining how it provides an excellent metaphor for understanding how we create our own realities.

"In my book, I introduce the concept of the Waking Dream, the notion that everything that is happening in our lives is a kind of dream in which every character and every event that happens to us is a reflection of an aspect of who we really are," said Sarah. "This is a truth that’s very difficult for most humans to grapple with because it disavows the separate existence of that which they’ve always taken themselves to be."

Sarah said that when she heard recently of the virtual reality world Second Life, she realized that it provides an entirely new metaphor for people's perceptual conundrum, one that allows everyone "to see from the perspective of the source or supreme Self, rather than the individual character."

Audience members can participate in the chat by setting up a free Second Life account at http://www.secondlife.com then going to http://slurl.com/secondlife/Athena%20Isle/51/48/23.

For more information, contact Cybergrrl Oh at cybergrrloh@gmail.com or visit Sarah's site at http://www.notsobiglife.com.