Athena Isle Women (formerly Second Life Women's Club)

Transcript for Marjorie M Liu Event

2009-08-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the edited transcript from the event on August 4 in Second Life with New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M Liu. Her new book is The Fire King.

[11:00] Cybergrrl Oh: Marjorie - how are those thunder storms?
[11:01] MarjorieMLiu India: Those thunder storms are raging! I hope we don't have flooding in town.
[11:01] Cybergrrl Oh: Everyone - coffee is fresh on the table over there
[11:02] Cybergrrl Oh: First of all, thank you to Marjorie for being here - we're thrilled to have you!
[11:02] Terry Lightfoot applauds
[11:02] MarjorieMLiu India: I'm thrilled to be here. Thank you!
[11:03] Cybergrrl Oh: The format today is roundtable
[11:03] Cybergrrl Oh: We do have some questions prepared...
[11:03] Cybergrrl Oh: that were submitted by fans of Marjorie's and we want to start with those, however...
[11:03] Cybergrrl Oh: We also want you to have the chance to speak directly with Marjorie but Alas and I will moderate.
[11:04] Cybergrrl Oh: Please put Q in front of your questions. Feel free to comment at will. If it becomes too confusing, then we'll resort to private IM questions to me.

[11:04] Cybergrrl Oh: Now without any further ado...
[11:05] Cybergrrl Oh: Let me intro myself first.
[11:05] Cybergrrl Oh: I'm Cybergrrl Oh, co-owner of Athena Isle and co-owner of Conversify social media marketing group.
[11:05] Cybergrrl Oh: Alas, please introduce yourself and then our wonderful guest!
[11:06] Alas Zerbino: I'm Alas Zerbino, co-owner of the Story Mountain Center for Writers here on Athena Isle.
[11:06] Alas Zerbino: I also write the blog WRITERS IN THE (virtual) SKY about writing resources in Second Life.
[11:06] Alas Zerbino: Welcome, Marjorie!
[11:06] MarjorieMLiu India: Hello!
[11:07] Cybergrrl Oh: You have the questions from the fans, Alas?
[11:07] Jenny Bolero applauds :-)
[11:07] Cybergrrl Oh applauds
[11:07] Alas Zerbino: Marjorie is one of those amazing people I envy -- a fantastic, prolific author!
[11:07] Amy305 Guardian: applauding marjorie!
[11:07] Alas Zerbino: and from my part of the world, even (I live in WI in RL)
[11:07] MarjorieMLiu India: lol Thank you for having me here!
[11:07] Alas Zerbino: So, let's begin with the questions from the fans.
[11:07] MarjorieMLiu India: WI? I love WI.
[11:08] Terry Lightfoot: (Wisconsin, no?)
[11:08] Alas Zerbino: Yes, Wisconsin.
[11:08] Cybergrrl Oh: (yes, Wisconsin. Cheeseheads?)
[11:08] Alas Zerbino: Question from Holly: Why did you choose to write Soria with one arm?
[11:08] Terry Lightfoot: lol
[11:08] Alas Zerbino: LOL -- cheeseheads indeed
[11:08] Cybergrrl Oh: One moment...did we intro our guest? Bio?
[11:09] Cybergrrl Oh: Also, we need to set the stage for all of us who haven't yet read Marjorie's books (shame on me!)
[11:09] Alas Zerbino: Marjorie M Liu is a NY Times best-selling author
[11:09] Alas Zerbino: she writes in various genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal romance
[11:09] Alas Zerbino: often all in the same book.
[11:09] MarjorieMLiu India: :-)
[11:09] Alas Zerbino: She has written many novels, and in several series.
[11:10] Alas Zerbino: Her latest novel, The Fire King, has just been released.
[11:10] Alas Zerbino: It's the latest in the Dirk & Steele paranormal romance series
[11:10] Amy305 Guardian: loved it!!!!
[11:10] Cybergrrl Oh: Marjorie - why not tell us first about your Dirk & Steele series and bring us up to speed to The Fire King - then we can launch into the fan questions and then branch out to the group!
[11:12] MarjorieMLiu India: Sure! The Dirk & Steele series is about what a group of individuals - psychics, gargoyles, mermen, shape-shifters -- creatures out of legend who work together to...well, make the world a better place.
[11:12] Cybergrrl Oh: oooh mermen!
[11:12] Alas Zerbino: I love it!
[11:12] Amy305 Guardian: loved soul song too!
[11:12] MarjorieMLiu India: They hide in plain sight in this modern world, sometimes using magic, and get into all kinds of crazy trouble.
[11:12] Alas Zerbino: Is The fire King the 8th or 9th in the series?
[11:12] Cybergrrl Oh: (Amy is a tried & true fan! The rest of us are going to get sucked in...willingly)
[11:12] MarjorieMLiu India: The Fire King is the 9th.

[11:12] MarjorieMLiu India: Yay, Amy!
[11:12] Amy305 Guardian: thanks!
[11:13] Alas Zerbino: (I've been sucked in already)
[11:13] Jenny Bolero: Totally sucked in :-)
[11:13] Cybergrrl Oh: Now when we give you fan questions, Marjorie, you will have to explain a bit more to us newbies!
[11:13] MarjorieMLiu India: They're thrillers, romances, adventures, etc.
[11:13] Sufia Shepherd is getting interested if not sucked :))
[11:13] Alas Zerbino: Great characters, amazing plots
[11:13] Amy305 Guardian: :D
[11:13] Cybergrrl Oh: So we can move to the fan q's first
[11:14] Cybergrrl Oh: And of course they all know what is going on!
[11:14] Alas Zerbino: So let's begin with the fan questions submitted to Marjorie
[11:14] Alas Zerbino: Question from Holly: Why did you choose to write Soria with one arm?
[11:14] MarjorieMLiu India: I had been hearing about a lot of soldiers coming home from war missing limbs, and it really...got me.
[11:14] Alas Zerbino: (Soria is the main female character in Fire King)
[11:14] Darkling Elytis murmurs softly, nodding
[11:14] Alas Zerbino: wow -- awesome -- wouldn't have thought of that
[11:14] Amy305 Guardian: such an amazing woman btw!
[11:14] MarjorieMLiu India: So when I started writing The Fire King, it seemed natural, part of her character, that she have this terrible injury that she had been living with.
[11:14] MarjorieMLiu India: I wasn't trying to make a statement...it just fit the character, and what I was feeling at the time.
[11:15] Alas Zerbino: It really adds to the novel, too.
[11:15] MarjorieMLiu India: Thank you, I appreciate that.
[11:15] Cybergrrl Oh: ok, I'm breaking my rule and asking a Q now so everyone please do pipe in. I'll track.
[11:15] Amy305 Guardian: i wanted to cry for her when she wouldn't
[11:15] Alas Zerbino: Next question:
[11:15] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: Does one-armedness play a key part in the action or just in her character development?
[11:15] Alas Zerbino: Question from Lori: Do you have any idea of what your next Dirk and Steele book/ story will be about and when it will be out?
[11:15] MarjorieMLiu India: It's just part of her character development, Cybergrrl.
[11:16] Cybergrrl Oh: Got it, thanks! very interesting!
[11:16] MarjorieMLiu India: The next one will be out in June 2010, and will be a pirate/merman/cryptozoologist/mass worldwide conspiracy story.
[11:16] MarjorieMLiu India: Taking place in the South China Seas.
[11:16] Darkling Elytis: oh, fun!
[11:16] Amy305 Guardian: soria was just so strong!
[11:16] Cybergrrl Oh: oooh, cryptozoologist! ;-)
[11:16] MarjorieMLiu India: :-)
[11:16] Sufia Shepherd: lol
[11:16] Alas Zerbino: Ooh! Sounds incredible!
[11:16] Amy305 Guardian: ooohhhh i likey that!
[11:16] MarjorieMLiu India: I'm having a really good time writing it.
[11:16] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: Are there audiobooks available? Kindle versions?
[11:17] Jenny Bolero: I was wondering that.
[11:17] MarjorieMLiu India: I don't think there are audiobooks available for Dirk & Steele (yes, for Hunter Kiss, though), but they are on Kindle...except for the latest.
[11:17] Cybergrrl Oh: just like us geeky folks to want the digital formats!
[11:17] MarjorieMLiu India: I love my Kindle. :-)
[11:17] Amy305 Guardian: lol
[11:17] Cybergrrl Oh is thinking of buying a Kindle.
[11:17] Alas Zerbino: I know -- Fire King is NOT on Kindle yet :(
[11:17] Alas Zerbino: I LOVE my Kindle!
[11:18] Alas Zerbino: The description of your next book feeds into the next fan question....
[11:18] MarjorieMLiu India: I'm really shocked it's not on Kindle yet.
[11:18] Alas Zerbino: me too
[11:18] Alas Zerbino: Question from Samantha: I love the detail you go into when describing different countries. You manage to make it fit without sounding like a tourism advert. Do you pick the characters first, then the location or do you visit a location and then envision the characters there?
[11:18] Cybergrrl Oh: Q from Moonshadow: Q, You are on the best sellers list, can her books be aquired from any book store?
[11:18] MarjorieMLiu India: I pick the characters first, and then think about location.
[11:18] Jenny Bolero: Give us your publishers email, we'll spam them ;-)
[11:18] Terry Lightfoot: lol
[11:18] MarjorieMLiu India: Moonshadow: Yes, I hope so!
[11:19] Terry Lightfoot: (BRB)
[11:19] Cybergrrl Oh: What is the location of The Fire King?
[11:19] Moonshadow9 Blanco: great i will be looking for you books at my local bookstore then ;)
[11:19] MarjorieMLiu India: As for placing my books in different places around the world, I love to travel, and it gives me an excuse to do research -- even if it's just by reading about a place.
[11:19] MarjorieMLiu India: The Fire King is set in Central Asia.
[11:20] Sufia Shepherd: UK?
[11:20] Sufia Shepherd: welcome to pop in...
[11:20] Sufia Shepherd: Asia more exotic
[11:20] Amy305 Guardian: Q: ever think of visiting Canada? HEHE!
[11:20] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: So where did you travel that inspired the locale for The Fire King?
[11:21] MarjorieMLiu India: I've been up around Mongolia, and the history of the region, including the Silk Road, has fascinated me for years.
[11:21] Amy305 Guardian: sounds amazing
[11:21] MarjorieMLiu India: Thank you, Amy.
[11:21] Lula Luminos: thankyou - hello :)
[11:21] Amy305 Guardian: ;)on
[11:21] MarjorieMLiu India: Hi Lula!
[11:21] Alas Zerbino: Another question from a fan...
[11:21] Alas Zerbino: Question from Gail: Are you writing the series as an open-ended until the ideas run out thing or do you have an overall storyline that will end in a grand finale? If the answer is B, how many more books do we have to look forward to?
[11:22] Bart Kling: Q: Shame on me I did not read the book...but I would like to ask you how social media has changed the relation with your readers?
[11:22] MarjorieMLiu India: The series is open-ended, though I will be dealing with tying up some loose ends, or at least, explaining some of the conspiracies, over the course of the next two books.
[11:22] Cybergrrl Oh: Great question about series or open-ended. I always wonder about that with authors.
[11:23] Amy305 Guardian: yay!
[11:23] Alas Zerbino: Bart, good question about social media.
[11:23] MarjorieMLiu India: I wish I was a better planner when it comes to my series, but I play things by ear!
[11:23] Amy305 Guardian: sometimes that makes for the best stories
[11:24] Alas Zerbino: Q: How do you see the world of books changing (if at all) due to e-books, the ubiquity of the Internet, social media, etc.?
[11:24] MarjorieMLiu India: Amy - I do like to write by the seat of my pants, that's for sure.
[11:24] Amy305 Guardian: give me real books any day over any digital version!
[11:24] MarjorieMLiu India: Alas, good question - it's hard to say, really. I think there is room for both, and what I've found is that some NY Times Bestselling authors were discovered/first published by e-publishers.
[11:24] Amy305 Guardian: i like to have my hands on a good juicy novel!
[11:25] Jenny Bolero: Oh I don't know, 50 books in my pocket can be handy, but sure, print is king ;-)
[11:25] MarjorieMLiu India: Personally, I love both e-versions and the physical books. When I travel, the Kindle can't be beat.
[11:25] Amy305 Guardian: ;)
[11:25] Alas Zerbino: Q: Why do you write series? And why more than one series at a time?
[11:25] Sufia Shepherd: hey SBC
[11:25] MarjorieMLiu India: But when I'm at home on a rainy day? Holding that book in my hand is wonderful.
[11:26] Cybergrrl Oh: Did we answer Bart Kling's Q: Shame on me I did not read the book...but I would like to ask you how social media has changed the relation with your readers?
[11:26] Amy305 Guardian: ya i got ya there Marjorie
[11:26] MarjorieMLiu India: Alas - I love to tell different kinds of stories, which is why I write two series.
[11:26] MarjorieMLiu India: And it's fun to play in various universes!
[11:26] Alas Zerbino: Makes sense!
[11:26] Amy305 Guardian: definitely
[11:26] MarjorieMLiu India: Did Bart just ask a question that I missed?
[11:26] Jenny Bolero: That it is :-)
[11:27] Alas Zerbino: Bart Kling's Q: Shame on me I did not read the book...but I would like to ask you how social media has changed the relation with your readers?
[11:28] MarjorieMLiu India: Sorry I didn't catch that earlier, Bart. As for Social Media...I think it brings the author closer to the reader, certainly. And I love that, to be honest. I have the best readers, and my blog/twitter is a good way of keeping in touch with everyone.
[11:28] MarjorieMLiu India: Not just advertising for the books, but talking about writing, life, etc.
[11:28] Amy305 Guardian: yes, some of the blogs have been amazing
[11:28] Cybergrrl Oh: Chepooka can you paste in her Twitter URL and blog URL?
[11:29] MarjorieMLiu India: Writing is an isolating business, to some degree, and it's nice to have 'contact' with the outside world!
[11:29] Alas Zerbino: Yes! I totally agree, which is one of the great things about SL, too
[11:29] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: Speaking of writing as isolating, not to get too personal, but how does your writing affect your personal relationships?
[11:29] Chepooka Laval: Marjorie on Twitter: http://twitter.com/marjoriemliu
[11:29] Moonshadow9 Blanco: so true Majorie
[11:29] Cybergrrl Oh: As I writer, I find it difficult to leave husband & 3yr old daughter just to WRITE.
[11:30] Alas Zerbino: Here's another question submitted by one of your fans:
[11:30] Chepooka Laval: Marjorie's Blog http://marjoriemliu.com/index.php?/blog/
[11:30] Alas Zerbino: Question from Cindy: All of your characters have such interesting names, how do you come up with them? Do you use a name book?
[11:30] MarjorieMLiu India: I have made wonderful friends that I wouldn't have, had I been doing something else with my life -- like practicing law. So in that sense, writing has been GREAT for my personal relationships!
[11:30] Chepooka Laval: Dirk & Steele blog http://dirkandsteele.posterous.com/
[11:30] MarjorieMLiu India: Cindy - I don't use a name book, unless I'm really stuck. Usually the names just come to me as I think about the character.
[11:30] Chepooka Laval: The Dirk & Steele Detective Agency on Facebook :) http://bit.ly/85kc9
[11:30] Amy305 Guardian: amazing!
[11:31] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: How about a character bible? I've not tried my hand at a fiction novel but seems to me it might e an interesting challenge to keep all the characters straight w/all their backstories.
[11:31] MarjorieMLiu India: I tried to write a character bible, and a series bible, but lost them on my other computer. HA!
[11:32] Amy305 Guardian: uh-oh!
[11:32] Cybergrrl Oh: LOL. Perils of electronic book writing!
[11:32] MarjorieMLiu India: It's easier just to rely on what's in my head.
[11:32] Chepooka Laval: haha whoopsies
[11:32] Darkling Elytis: technology can set us free... or delete our work in the wink of an eye ;)
[11:32] Cybergrrl Oh: Darkling, so true so true
[11:32] Amy305 Guardian: heh heh heh
[11:32] MarjorieMLiu India: Not always that accurate, though -- so sometimes I have to re-read a previous book to remind myself of what's going on.
[11:32] Chepooka Laval: :))
[11:33] Amy305 Guardian: and gee like that is a hardship eh? LOL
[11:33] Terry Lightfoot knocks on...plastic? at Darklings deletion comment
[11:33] Alas Zerbino: Q: You keep talking about the ideas, characters, etc., just come to you. Do you write from an outline ever?
[11:33] Cybergrrl Oh: Ah, the old fashioned "archive" method - reading past books of your own
[11:33] Alas Zerbino: LOL, Cybergrrl!!
[11:33] Cybergrrl Oh: great question Alas
[11:33] MarjorieMLiu India: I try to write from an outline -- or rather, I have tried -- and usually I deviate completely within the first couple pages.
[11:34] Amy305 Guardian: lol
[11:34] MarjorieMLiu India: Outlines are extremely useful. I'm just REALLY bad at writing them.
[11:34] Chepooka Laval: If you visit Marjorie's blog, she has some amazing articles on her writing process in recent archives
[11:34] Sufia Shepherd: :))
[11:34] Alas Zerbino: lol!
[11:34] Cybergrrl Oh is going to Amazon to buy herself a Kindle and the early Dirk & Steele books to catch up.
[11:34] MarjorieMLiu India: lol!
[11:34] Alas Zerbino: haha -- good!
[11:34] Sufia Shepherd: bulk buy?
[11:34] Moonshadow9 Blanco: hehe im right behind you cybergirl
[11:34] Cybergrrl Oh: Chepooka, that is awesome. For all of us aspiring novelists, hearing about process is a revelation.
[11:35] Alas Zerbino: Q: Do you ever think about *where* the ideas, names, etc., come from?
[11:35] MarjorieMLiu India: Everyone has a different way of going about writing a book. It's so personal. :-)
[11:35] Alas Zerbino: Yes, it is personal.
[11:35] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: Marjorie - do you know how beneficial it is to the author - financially - for us to buy Kindle versions vs. paper books? Should we buy both to support your work?
[11:35] Cybergrrl Oh: Alas - maybe she is channeling something/someone? ;-)
[11:35] Alas Zerbino: And it's so valuable for a novice writer to realize that each writer's process is unique to them.
[11:36] Alas Zerbino: LOL, Cybergrrl!!
[11:36] MarjorieMLiu India: Alas - just depends....I get ideas from the news, myths, non-fiction, poetry, etc.
[11:36] MarjorieMLiu India: Yes, I'm channeling!!! :-)
[11:36] Alas Zerbino: I was actually thinking of her background....
[11:36] Alas Zerbino: In a sense, all writing is channeling!
[11:36] Alas Zerbino: :D
[11:36] MarjorieMLiu India: Kindle vs. hardcopies...hard to say. E-books have a different royalty structure, usually, but that depends on your contract.
[11:36] Terry Lightfoot: perhaps existence is channeling...
[11:37] Bart Kling: Q: if one day you should decide to change complete the genre of novels you write, which one would you choose and why?
[11:37] Alas Zerbino: good point, Terry!
[11:37] Terry Lightfoot: constant rp...
[11:37] Terry Lightfoot: ;-)
[11:37] Cybergrrl Oh: yes terry, we are all channel something at one time or another!
[11:37] MarjorieMLiu India: I will be writing a mystery, and have plans for a YA. I love writing all kinds of stories.
[11:37] Alas Zerbino: Oh wow, you are really versatile!
[11:38] Cybergrrl Oh: YA = Young Adult?
[11:38] MarjorieMLiu India: I get bored easily. :-)
[11:38] MarjorieMLiu India: Yes, that's Young Adult.
[11:38] Amy305 Guardian: well she is amazing alas!
[11:38] Alas Zerbino: Thank goodness for us readers you get bored!
[11:38] Amy305 Guardian: lol
[11:38] Alas Zerbino: lol, Amy
[11:38] MarjorieMLiu India: ha!
[11:38] Amy305 Guardian: ;)
[11:38] Alas Zerbino: Which relates to another question . . .
[11:38] Alas Zerbino: Q: Your books, as well as others, are "genre-blending": scifi, romance, fantasy, action thriller, urban fantasy, shapeshifter romance, etc. Is this changing publishing & reading habits?
[11:39] MarjorieMLiu India: I think so. Publishers have always been open to good stories, but now writing something that crosses genres is an asset, rather than a marketing nightmare. :-)
[11:39] Alas Zerbino: So it seems.
[11:39] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: How so? Because they can market to various channels? Or?
[11:39] Terry Lightfoot: :-)
[11:40] MarjorieMLiu India: I think, perhaps, because it makes books stand out from the crowd.
[11:40] Bart Kling: Q: How do you choose the covers of your books?
[11:40] MarjorieMLiu India: The hardest thing, though, is still trying to decide where a book should be shelved in a store -- romance vs. fantasty, for example.
[11:40] MarjorieMLiu India: Nope, no choice over my covers. I've been lucky, though!
[11:41] Terry Lightfoot: ahh..hmm...that would be a challenge. restricting them to one category seems a shame...
[11:41] Cybergrrl Oh: Even NYT bestsellers don't get to choose covers?
[11:41] Amy305 Guardian: love the tiger eye cover!
[11:41] MarjorieMLiu India: No!
[11:41] Alas Zerbino: yes, and there are new subgenres being added -- paranormal romance, urban fantasy, etc.
[11:41] MarjorieMLiu India: Thank you! That was my first book, and when I saw that cover, I almost cried (because I liked it so much)!
[11:41] Amy305 Guardian: :D
[11:42] Chepooka Laval: :)
[11:42] Cybergrrl Oh: Thank goodness!
[11:42] MarjorieMLiu India: I recently found out that the cover model to Tiger Eye is a friend of a friend.
[11:42] Alas Zerbino: Oh wow! Small world!
[11:42] Bart Kling: Q: your answer leads to another question......do you always like the cover of your books?
[11:42] MarjorieMLiu India: Tell me about it!
[11:42] Amy305 Guardian: she looks exactly how i would have pictured dela
[11:42] Alas Zerbino: amazing
[11:42] MarjorieMLiu India: I don't always like the covers of my books, but for the most part, I've been extremely pleased.
[11:43] Alas Zerbino: Q: Do you think you'll ever write a "mainstream" novel that isn't a specific genre?
[11:43] Amy305 Guardian: Q: what ones are on the bottom of the list for you?
[11:43] MarjorieMLiu India: Alas - I suspect I will. In fact, I'm pretty certain of it. :-)
[11:43] Alas Zerbino: Cool!
[11:43] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: You seem very active online interacting with fans and also running great book promotions. How much time is that taking you and how do you balance promoting and writing books?
[11:43] MarjorieMLiu India: Amy - as for covers...I had long discussions about the cover for The Last Twilight. It wasn't right in the beginning.
[11:44] MarjorieMLiu India: Luckily I have some wonderful help in the online promo department. Ahem ' Chepooka' ahem.
[11:44] Chepooka Laval: Aww *blushes*
[11:44] Alas Zerbino: Yes, I love your website design that Chepooka did.
[11:44] Amy305 Guardian: i like how it turned out though!
[11:44] Jenny Bolero: :-)
[11:44] MarjorieMLiu India: Oh, man - I love that website!
[11:44] Chepooka Laval: *bow* ty
[11:45] MarjorieMLiu India: She's totally genius!
[11:45] Cybergrrl Oh: Chepooka is a Goddess of design.
[11:45] Alas Zerbino: that's for sure!
[11:45] Chepooka Laval: stop lol okay next Q ;)
[11:45] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: You seem very active online interacting with fans and also running great book promotions. How much time is that taking you and how do you balance promoting and writing books?
[11:45] Amy305 Guardian: yay chepooka!
[11:45] Chepooka Laval: :))
[11:45] Alas Zerbino: Great question, Cybergrrl
[11:45] MarjorieMLiu India: You know, writing my blog and writing books still = writing. I love words. It's no burden.
[11:45] Amy305 Guardian: lol
[11:46] MarjorieMLiu India: Some days my blog is more thoughtful than others, though!
[11:46] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: Some authors feel blogging is "giving away their writing for free" - how do you feel it helps/hurts what you do?
[11:46] MarjorieMLiu India: And if I've got a deadline, I just don't post.
[11:46] MarjorieMLiu India: I think it definitely helps! As for giving away writing for free...honestly, I think that's silly.
[11:47] Chepooka Laval: :) lol
[11:47] Alas Zerbino: Like someone would want to pay for my opinion!!
[11:47] Winston Dufaux: any writer should be grateful for exposure
[11:47] Alas Zerbino: lol
[11:47] MarjorieMLiu India: Exactly!
[11:47] Alas Zerbino: Q: What value, besides entertainment, do you think novels provide for readers?
[11:48] Cybergrrl Oh: Hey, I'm the gal with 12 blogs. LOL.
[11:48] Chepooka Laval: whoa, heavy question alas!
[11:48] Chepooka Laval: :)
[11:48] MarjorieMLiu India: I can only speak for myself, but novels are an escape for me, a chance to experience and live another life -- say, in Victorian England, or the Old West, or Outer Space!
[11:48] Alas Zerbino: lol (sorry - heehee)
[11:48] Chepooka Laval: cybergrrl down to just 12? ;)
[11:48] MarjorieMLiu India: 12 blogs? Dude.
[11:48] Chepooka Laval: sounds like SL! lol
[11:48] Cybergrrl Oh: Novels are escape for reader - never thought they'd be escape for writer, too...!
[11:48] Cybergrrl Oh: LOL. OK, I only tend to 6 regularly (semi).
[11:49] MarjorieMLiu India: Writing books can be an escape, too. :-)
[11:49] Winston Dufaux: some can even provide healing, personal growth
[11:49] MarjorieMLiu India: An escape into INSANITY! Ha!
[11:49] Cybergrrl Oh: good point Winston
[11:49] Jenny Bolero: lol
[11:49] Chepooka Laval: haha
[11:49] Amy305 Guardian: i love "escaping" from my kids!
[11:49] Winston Dufaux: seeing the world in new ways is always beneficial
[11:49] Cybergrrl Oh: A reason to delve into insanity!
[11:49] Alas Zerbino: A long time ago, in a universe far away (i.e., my college days), my lit profs used to say that reading novels is the best way to learn about people. Q: Do you think that's true?
[11:49] Terry Lightfoot: that sounds more like sanity to me....
[11:49] Terry Lightfoot: ;-)
[11:50] MarjorieMLiu India: I do think that true -- when a book is done right, you can get peeks into the human condition that you might not normally experience.
[11:50] Cybergrrl Oh: If you want to learn about mermen, gargoyles, etc... then it must be true!
[11:50] MarjorieMLiu India: lol!
[11:50] Alas Zerbino: lol
[11:50] MarjorieMLiu India: Yes, I love those mermen.
[11:50] Cybergrrl Oh: Hey, I'm all about the mermen. Can't wait to see how they compare to human men.
[11:50] MarjorieMLiu India: Ironically, I hate swimming.
[11:51] Alas Zerbino: I wonder if sometimes those "fantasy" characters don't shed more light on people's foibles than "human" characters.
[11:51] Amy305 Guardian: ok
[11:51] Amy305 Guardian: yay
[11:51] Amy305 Guardian: YAY YAY
[11:52] Amy305 Guardian: woot woot!
[11:52] Alas Zerbino: Super!
[11:52] Chepooka Laval: It will be posted to the Dirk & Steele blog at http://dirkandsteele.posterous.com and of course http://athenaislewomen.blogspot.com/
[11:52] Jenny Bolero: Q: I once worked with a friend wh's a writer, using role-paly to develop characters adn situations for her work. Have you ever trird this kinda method or anything like it. If so, who do you trust to share your characters?
[11:52] Winston Dufaux: the fantasy characters are still created by a person's mind, so naturally they would reveal aspects of life
[11:52] Alas Zerbino: Good question, Jenny!!
[11:53] MarjorieMLiu India: You know, I don't role-play as a means of developing characters, but I do stare in space a lot and listen to loud music.
[11:53] Darkling Elytis chuckles throatily.
[11:53] Jenny Bolero: lol
[11:53] Alas Zerbino: LOL!!
[11:53] MarjorieMLiu India: I can see that being a lot of fun, though! I start fires with my mind!
[11:53] Terry Lightfoot: he he
[11:53] Chepooka Laval: LOL
[11:53] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: Who are your trusted readers? And what music do you like?
[11:53] Cybergrrl Oh: By READERS I mean the ones who read BEFORE you submit.
[11:53] MarjorieMLiu India: My mom is my first reader. :-)
[11:53] Amy305 Guardian: sweet!
[11:53] Alas Zerbino: ("beta" readers is the latest term for those)
[11:53] Jenny Bolero: That's cool :-)
[11:53] Chepooka Laval: Marjorie and I created a blip.fm channel for one of her characters - that was fun :)
[11:54] Cybergrrl Oh: Beta Readers! LOL
[11:54] MarjorieMLiu India: I know if she's bored, there's a problem.
[11:54] Alas Zerbino: :D
[11:54] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: What music really inspires you? That you play really loud?
[11:55] MarjorieMLiu India: I have a thing for 80's Power Ballads. And really moody alternative/electronica/vocals...like Darling Daughter or Imogen Heap, or Bjork.
[11:55] Cybergrrl Oh: 80s Power Ballads like...?
[11:55] MarjorieMLiu India: Steve Perry!
[11:55] Cybergrrl Oh: Sister Christian was the first one that popped in my head.
[11:55] MarjorieMLiu India: That, too!
[11:55] Cybergrrl Oh: Ah, yes, 80's Journey!
[11:55] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: For Chepooka, can you give us some more URLs & highlights of Marjorie's social media stuff since you're the Goddess of creating those things?
[11:55] Amy305 Guardian: woot woot!
[11:55] Winston Dufaux: don't stop believin
[11:56] MarjorieMLiu India: Tina Turner.
[11:56] Alas Zerbino: Q: What's the best thing about writing full-time? Worst thing?
[11:56] Amy305 Guardian: great vocalist there
[11:56] Jenny Bolero: Q: Yeah, what's the Blip channel? :-)
[11:56] Chepooka Laval: one sec :)
[11:56] MarjorieMLiu India: The best thing is that I'm always writing. The worst thing is that, well, I'm always writing.
[11:56] Bart Kling: Q: What about some '70 progressive rock as source of inspiration?
[11:56] MarjorieMLiu India: I'm at home, so I don't leave the job at the office. But that's pretty trivial, given that I love what I do.
[11:57] Cybergrrl Oh: Q: What is the best TIME for you to write? Worst time of day?
[11:57] Amy305 Guardian: :)
[11:57] MarjorieMLiu India: Oh, the 70's....let's see...
[11:57] Alas Zerbino: LOL!! I understand ... best & worst are the same.
[11:57] MarjorieMLiu India: Best time? Morning, I'd say. And late evening.
[11:57] Chepooka Laval: This is a character from Marjorie's Hunter Kiss series, Grant Cooperon (*swoon*), the playlist is embedded near the bottom http://marjoriemliu.com/index.php?/GrantCooperon/index/
[11:58] Jenny Bolero: Thanks :-)
[11:58] Chepooka Laval: for those of you still using MySpace http://www.myspace.com/marjorieliu
[11:58] Bart Kling: Q: I mean stuff like Gong, Faust or the first albums of Genesis...concept albums with an incredible story line....
[11:58] Alas Zerbino: Another submitted fan question: Will we be any of the old characters such as Dela, Hari, Elena, Artur, Dean and Blue?
[11:59] Chepooka Laval: Marjorie is also on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/32686909@N07/3168575463/
[11:59] Cybergrrl Oh: Oooh, first Genesis album!
[11:59] Chepooka Laval: Marjorie just got disconnected
[11:59] Cybergrrl Oh: Well, there you go!
[12:00] Cybergrrl Oh: Thunderstorms finally got to her.
[12:00] Amy305 Guardian: Q: Marjorie any plans to visit Canada?
[12:00] Chepooka Laval: the storms are pretty bad
[12:00] Alas Zerbino: Well, shoot, the hour's up already! This has been fabulously interesting.
[12:00] Alas Zerbino: thank goodness she was able to hang in for the whole hour.
[12:00] Cybergrrl Oh: Thanks for being here everyone! And thanks to Marjorie for her time and candor.
[12:00] Alas Zerbino: So, thanks everyone for coming.
[12:00] Cybergrrl Oh: Chepooka - tell her we loved having her!
[12:00] Kghia Gherardi applauds
[12:00] Hedda Hazelnut: Great presentation!! I am going to look for the books now.
[12:00] Chepooka Laval: sorry guys, she wants to say thank you to everyone!!
[12:00] Cybergrrl Oh: And I really did put the Kindle in my Amazon cart along with some of Marjorie's books BTW. Hitting Purchase in a moment.
[12:00] Jenny Bolero: Yup, and you've got at least 2 new readers here. Thanks :-)
[12:00] Kghia Gherardi: excellent event
[12:00] Cybergrrl Oh: Please tune into the Athena Isle blogs for the transcript:
[12:00] Chepooka Laval: and she is really sorry that she can't get back on
[12:00] Darkling Elytis applauds :)
[12:01] Cybergrrl Oh: http://athenaisle.blogspot.com and
http://athenaislewomen.blogspot.com
[12:01] Alas Zerbino: And if you haven't read any of her books --you're really missing out.
[12:01] Terry Lightfoot applauds
[12:01] Chepooka Laval: she had a great time!! :)
[12:01] Cybergrrl Oh: And Join Athena Isle Events to find out about more author roundtables coming up soon!
[12:01] Liadona Rau: Thank her for us
[12:01] Darkling Elytis: thank you so much for speaking with us, Marjorie
[12:01] Hedda Hazelnut: Thanks very much to Marjorie!!!!!
[12:01] Amy305 Guardian: Thank you!
[12:01] Jenny Bolero: Ask her when she's going to open her own themed sim here ;-) That's be awesome.
[12:01] Alas Zerbino: Yes, thank you Marjorie, from wherever you've teleported to right now!! :)
[12:02] Alas Zerbino: That would be awesome, Jenny.
[12:02] Cybergrrl Oh: Her own themed sim - right on! - FINAL

Ask the Author: Marjorie M Liu

2009-07-30T06:08:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday August 4th, 2009 at 11am SLT (PST), Marjorie M Liu will be making a very unique appearance on Athena Isle in Second Life to discuss her latest Dirk & Steele book, The Fire King.

(Stay tuned to http://athenaisle.blogspot.com/ or email marjorieweb@gmail.com for details.)

But we need your help! Now is your chance to have your burning questions about the Dirk & Steele series answered. Send your questions to marjorieweb@gmail.com and Marjorie will select 5 lucky winners to receive an autographed copy of The Fire King!

Your questions can be about character, plot, or even Marjorie’s writing process, but it must be Dirk & Steele related in some way to qualify. We will be accepting questions until midnight PST on Sunday, August 2nd so don't delay!

If you are unable to attend the Second Life event, a transcript of the interview will be made available on the Athena Isle blog http://athenaisle.blogspot.com/ and the Dirk & Steele blog http://dirkandsteele.posterous.com.

If your question is not selected for the interview, we will also be posting a select number of additional Q&A to the Dirk & Steele blog (http://dirkandsteele.posterous.com ) throughout the month of August so stay tuned.

Marjorie M Liu on Athena Isle, Second Life

2009-07-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

=
We are pleased to announced that New York Times bestselling author Marjorie M Liu will be our guest on Athena Isle, speaking about her new book The Fire King, the latest from the paranormal romance Dirk & Steele series.

When: Tuesday August 4
11:00am PST / SLT
Athena Isle - Click for SLURL to transport to Athena Isle

Athena Isle Women seeking Female Authors for Appearances

2009-07-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Cover via Amazon

We are looking to feature female authors on Athena Isle, our virtual space on Second Life devoted to women's art and creativity. In the past, we've featured Sarah Susanka (The Not So Big Life), Janice Taylor (Our Lady of Weight Loss), Pat Davis (Great Sex), Susan Shapiro Barash (Tripping the Prom Queen), and Roberta Isleib (president of Sisters in Crime).

The author events will take place on Tuesdays at 11am SLT (PST).

This live appearance requires broadband connectivity and technical savvy, however, we can provide some tech support to make this happen and will create a custom avatar for the author. Events are promoted using both Second Life and social media and can augment book promotions in unexpected ways.

We are looking to feature female authors on Athena Isle, our virtual space on Second Life devoted to women's art and creativity. In the past, we've featured Sarah Susanka (The Not So Big Life), Janice Taylor (Our Lady of Weight Loss), Pat Davis (Great Sex), Susan Shapiro Barash (Tripping the Prom Queen), and Roberta Isleib (president of Sisters in Crime).

Please send a brief synopsis and author bio if interested to cybergrrloh AT GMAIL dot com, and we'll send the technical specs before confirming an appearance date.

Cover via Amazon

We are looking to feature female authors on Athena Isle, our virtual space on Second Life devoted to women's art and creativity. In the past, we've featured Sarah Susanka (The Not So Big Life), Janice Taylor (Our Lady of Weight Loss), Pat Davis (Great Sex), Susan Shapiro Barash (Tripping the Prom Queen), and Roberta Isleib (president of Sisters in Crime).

The author events will take place on Tuesdays at 11am SLT (PST).

This live appearance requires broadband connectivity and technical savvy, however, we can provide some tech support to make this happen and will create a custom avatar for the author. Events are promoted using both Second Life and social media and can augment book promotions in unexpected ways. There is no cost for this appearance.

Please send a brief synopsis and author bio if interested to cybergrrloh AT GMAIL dot com, and we'll send the technical specs before confirming an appearance date.

Transcript: Pat Davis, CEO of Passion Parties

2008-10-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

[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

2008-08-06T13:30:00.001-07:00

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)

2008-06-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Name Changes on Second Life

2008-04-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

Due to the Linden Lab trademark announcements, I'm changing Second Life Women's Club to Athena Isle Women. Please join Athena Isle Women, Athena Isle Writers or Athena Isle Events to stay updated on meetings, parties, networking, classes, and special guests on Athena Isle.

And stay tuned for updates on the purchase of the Second Shores sim and renaming it Athena Isle. I'll be joined by a small consortium of creative women who will split the sim with me. Our mission will be to empower women in and through Second Life.

We hope you'll join us!

Upcoming Events on Athena Isle!

2008-04-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Upcoming events on Athena Isle - Awesome women speakers and authors. Stop by to meet them!

04/08/08 TUE 12-1pm SLT - Diane K. Danielson, author of "The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)"

04/15/08 TUE 12-1pm SLT - Amy Power, Power Public Relations, Your Brand: Define It, Tell It, Sell It"

04/22/08 TUE 12-1pm SLT - Sandra Gordon, co-author of "Consumer Reports Best Baby Products"

Transcript: Pat Davis, CEO, Passion Parties

2008-03-12T01:57:00.001-07:00

11 March 2008

[12:25] PatDavis Destiny: Hi, I'm Pat Davis
[12:25] PatDavis Destiny: president of Passion Parties
[12:25] PatDavis Destiny: and author of "The Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex"
[12:25] PatDavis Destiny: a Random house best seller!
[12:26] You: tell us about your company

[12:26] PatDavis Destiny: we're a direct selling party plan company
[12:26] Liadona Rau: somewhat like Pampered Chef or Creative Memories?
[12:26] PatDavis Destiny: Party planning industry
[12:26] PatDavis Destiny: parties in the home
[12:27] PatDavis Destiny: yes, like that
[12:27] PatDavis Destiny: to help women have fun in their sensual life
[12:27] You: can you be specific?
[12:27] PatDavis Destiny: we have products to enhance your relationships
[12:27] You: can you be more specific than that
[12:27] PatDavis Destiny: my book says it all
[12:27] You: give us some tips to great sex, then
[12:28] PatDavis Destiny: every woman has a passion diva within
[12:28] PatDavis Destiny: some are tucked away more than others
[12:28] PatDavis Destiny: and some are on the surface
[12:28] PatDavis Destiny: those that are secure with their sexuality
[12:28] PatDavis Destiny: and our goal is to give you tips to teach your diva how to come out and play
[12:28] PatDavis Destiny: so you and your partner can have more fun
[12:29] You: type QUESTION in front of questions so we see them
[12:29] You: QUESTION: how can people sign up to lead these parties?
[12:29] PatDavis Destiny: go to the website http://www.passionparties.com and click product or party or have it as a business
[12:29] Liadona Rau: QUESTION - how are your parties organized? What do you do to make your clients comfortable with the concept?
[12:29] You: QUESITON: how much does it cost?
[12:29] PatDavis Destiny: parties are free and you actually earn free product and you get free goodies
[12:29] PatDavis Destiny: just invite your girlfriends over
[12:29] PatDavis Destiny: its the ultimate Girls Night In
[12:30] PatDavis Destiny: Liadona - that is our specialty
[12:30] PatDavis Destiny: we know that every woman has questions
[12:30] PatDavis Destiny: and has nowhere to go for them
[12:30] PatDavis Destiny: We specialize in education with a giggle.
[12:30] PatDavis Destiny: and we really provide a comfortable environment for women.
[12:31] PatDavis Destiny: the guests at the party are clients to help them find products to enhance their love life
[12:31] PatDavis Destiny: it is okay to have bedroom accessories
[12:31] PatDavis Destiny: from foreplay, lubricants, edibles, to things that buzz in the night
[12:31] You: QUESTION: What is the price point for items?
[12:31] PatDavis Destiny: it varies
[12:31] PatDavis Destiny: we go from $4 item up to $150 dollar item
[12:32] PatDavis Destiny: average product price point is $125
[12:32] PatDavis Destiny: it depends if you want lotions, potions or toys
[12:32] PatDavis Destiny: we have something for everyone's pocketbook
[12:32] PatDavis Destiny: we have passion that everyone can afford
[12:32] PatDavis Destiny: or have a party and get it free
[12:32] You: please take photos of this event for me as I take dictation from Pat
[12:32] You: Please get some nice shots of her avie and poster
[12:32] You: and email me at cybergrrloh@gmail.com
[12:33] You: ok, shy folks - any questions?
[12:33] PatDavis Destiny: Here are some Passion Diva tips
[12:33] PatDavis Destiny: #1 Sex is good for you!
[12:33] PatDavis Destiny: #2 Sex burns calories
[12:33] PatDavis Destiny: #3 Sex is a stress reliever
[12:33] PatDavis Destiny: #4 Sex helps better circulation
[12:33] PatDavis Destiny: #5 It is OK to have Great Sex
[12:33] PatDavis Destiny: Don't you all agree?
[12:34] Chepooka Laval: yes!
[12:34] Alesus Afarensis: hello everyone where do i go here
[12:34] You: At least Chepooka is not shy
[12:34] You: Hi everyone - we are upstairs
[12:34] Chepooka Laval: haha
[12:34] PatDavis Destiny: Are there some passion divas out there? What diva is ready to speak up?
[12:34] PatDavis Destiny: Another tip is you have to take responsibility for your pleasure and if you do, your pleasure will pay you back
[12:35] You: QUESTION: So how did you come up with this idea and how did you start your company?
[12:35] PatDavis Destiny: HI Alesus - grab a seat
[12:35] PatDavis Destiny: We listened to women
[12:35] PatDavis Destiny: We knew what they needed
[12:35] Alesus Afarensis: hey everyone
[12:35] PatDavis Destiny: and doing the party plan provided the perfect environment for confidentiality which is key
[12:35] You: QUESTION: When did you start it?
[12:35] PatDavis Destiny: and it has to be fun
[12:35] PatDavis Destiny: and Party Plan is fun
[12:35] PatDavis Destiny: 1994
[12:35] You: with whom?
[12:36] Alesus Afarensis: sorry I'm late
[12:36] PatDavis Destiny: In the United states and we are in US and Canada
[12:36] PatDavis Destiny: All our Passion Consultants are independent consultants
[12:36] PatDavis Destiny: and they make anywhere between $1000 per month
[12:36] PatDavis Destiny: up to our top lady makes $400,000 a year
[12:36] PatDavis Destiny: so passion can be profitable!!
[12:36] Alesus Afarensis: wow
[12:36] You: Now that sounds like good business

[12:36] Liadona Rau: QUESTION - what are the entry costs?
[12:37] Alesus Afarensis is more than she makes..ll
[12:37] PatDavis Destiny: Hi men - I love men, I've been married 46 to my soulmate
[12:37] PatDavis Destiny: and I love him and like him because you can love 'em and not like them
[12:37] PatDavis Destiny: soulmates are made not born
[12:37] Alesus Afarensis: married here 7 yrs...2nd marriage
[12:37] PatDavis Destiny: Liadona - entry into the business - $100 minimum - as low as $100 - average is $250
[12:38] PatDavis Destiny: $250 gives you $500 in product to start your business very well - you can really start it with that
[12:38] Alesus Afarensis how to go about that?
[12:38] PatDavis Destiny: To hold a party is free and you get free product - free stuff
[12:38] PatDavis Destiny: and have fun - your friends will thank you
[12:38] You: Any takers?
[12:39] PatDavis Destiny: The Passion Parties are so successful because our passion parties have no problem getting bookings
[12:39] Alesus Afarensis dont know if i can afford it right now
[12:39] PatDavis Destiny: it is tasteful and everyone wants it
[12:39] PatDavis Destiny: some people are tired of tupperware, candles, cosmetics but never tired of Passion Parties
[12:39] PatDavis Destiny: we can never have enough Orgasms!
[12:39] PatDavis Destiny: you can have too much Tupperware
[12:39] PatDavis Destiny: Remember that parties are free to have
[12:39] Alesus Afarensis lols at Pat...true
[12:40] You: any other questions?
[12:41] You: hey Mal - can you move to the side for a sec?
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: If you want great sex, you have to bring the right woman to the bedroom
[12:41] Malburns Writer: yes sure
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: and to do that, you need to include all 5 senses
[12:41] You: ty
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: Sight
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: Taste
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: Smell
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: Hearing
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: and Touch
[12:41] Malburns Writer: standing to avoid crashes
[12:41] IYan Writer: ouch
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: and all these tips are in my book
[12:41] PatDavis Destiny: you can go to Amazon.com
[12:42] IYan Writer: sorry for landing on you sloan
[12:42] PatDavis Destiny: everything you wanted to know about sex but were afraid to ask
[12:42] Alesus Afarensis: i thought this was for moms?
[12:42] PatDavis Destiny: it is very detailed
[12:42] PatDavis Destiny: but tasteful
[12:42] You: Alesus - this is for any woman - and man
[12:42] PatDavis Destiny: married, single or flying solo
[12:42] PatDavis Destiny: by choice or design
[12:42] Malburns Writer: Hi IYan, iAlja
[12:42] iAlja Writer waves
[12:42] IYan Writer: hi all
[12:42] PatDavis Destiny: all ages - 18-80
[12:42] PatDavis Destiny: Different needs at different ages though
[12:43] PatDavis Destiny: which can be right after babies
[12:43] PatDavis Destiny: or midlife
[12:43] PatDavis Destiny: there's the Rediscover Intimacy age
[12:43] PatDavis Destiny: sometimes we get so busy, we forget the loved one
[12:43] PatDavis Destiny: and we have to make time for him or her
[12:43] PatDavis Destiny: I have date night every week
[12:43] Liadona Rau: QUESTION: How much training do your consultants have?
[12:43] You: Hi all, nice to see you
[12:43] PatDavis Destiny: after 46 years I have date night every week
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: Liadona - a lot
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: in various ways
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: local, nationally, videos
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: videos
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: my book is the best training they can get
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: my book is just full of tips and techniques
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: training is critical and we make sure it is provided
[12:44] You: QUESITON: any great anecdotes from satisfied customers?
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: Absolutely!
[12:44] PatDavis Destiny: We even have babies named after our consultants!!
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: Our #1 product that we sell is called
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: Pure Satisfaction
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: and I think that is what we offer is pure satisfaction in everything we do
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: but our #1 product says it all
[12:45] You: QUESITON: what is it?
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: makes for stronger, faster, more memorable orgasms
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: an enhancement gel for men and women
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: and multiple!
[12:45] PatDavis Destiny: it is an enhancement gel
[12:46] PatDavis Destiny: Use it on women and men
[12:46] PatDavis Destiny: imagine where you would put it
[12:46] PatDavis Destiny: once you use it you will have an itch that needs scratching
[12:46] Movies1963 Beck: multiple??? WooooooooooHoooooooo, I had 3 last month!!!
[12:46] You: Ok, men, give us some chat here
[12:46] Malburns Writer: multiple for men?
[12:46] PatDavis Destiny: Our number one TOY is GiGi which is a toy for the men
[12:46] PatDavis Destiny: Malburns - sure, why not!
[12:47] PatDavis Destiny: GiGi is a male masturbation sleeve
[12:47] PatDavis Destiny: but it can also be used as a couples toy
[12:47] PatDavis Destiny: used alone or used together
[12:47] You: hmmm - how does that work?
[12:47] PatDavis Destiny: it is modeled after a real vagina
[12:47] PatDavis Destiny: couples use it with alot of lube
[12:47] PatDavis Destiny: lube is critical
[12:47] PatDavis Destiny: lube is the first pleasure product you buy
[12:48] PatDavis Destiny: as a couple, many women enjoy it because it can simulate oral sex
[12:48] PatDavis Destiny: a lot of men like that, a lot of women don't
[12:48] PatDavis Destiny: GiGi becomes your best friend and both are happy
[12:48] You: Shyness settles in...
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: Sex is something everyone talks about but no one talks about it
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: you need a forum
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: and that is what our parties are about
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: they are for women only so women have comfort at the party to talk
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: and the men wait at home eager for the information...
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: they never wait home eager for the Tupperware!
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: and the products
[12:49] Malburns Writer: hah
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: Our plastic is more exciting!
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: Tupperware burps, we Buzz
[12:49] PatDavis Destiny: much more fun
[12:49] EvansMom Goodspeed giggles uncontrollably
[12:50] You: lol

[12:50] You: more question from the men!
[12:50] PatDavis Destiny: Does anyone want to hear about foreplay?
[12:50] EvansMom Goodspeed: that would be the question of the day!
[12:50] PatDavis Destiny: on the average, women want 20 minutes more foreplay than men
[12:50] PatDavis Destiny: men are like a microwave, women are like an oven
[12:50] PatDavis Destiny: they need preheating
[12:51] PatDavis Destiny: that's a tip for the guys
[12:51] PatDavis Destiny: so you can have more fun by bringing massage, edibles, and things that taste good to extend and enjoy foreplay
[12:51] PatDavis Destiny: here's an example
[12:51] PatDavis Destiny: a strawberry edible massage cream
[12:51] PatDavis Destiny: to massage each other
[12:51] PatDavis Destiny: and go from stress of the day - from stressed out to make out
[12:52] PatDavis Destiny: an edible massage slows everything down for that pre-heating
[12:52] PatDavis Destiny: then add a smitten and a vibrating bullet inside the Smitten and massage in that wonderful strawberry cream with a vibrating massage mitt
[12:52] PatDavis Destiny: and I think you're starting to get the picture!
[12:52] PatDavis Destiny: slow it down
[12:52] PatDavis Destiny: relax
[12:52] PatDavis Destiny: and then trade places
[12:53] PatDavis Destiny: you do it for him, he does it for you
[12:53] PatDavis Destiny: Connect
[12:53] PatDavis Destiny: Communicate
[12:53] PatDavis Destiny: Enjoy
[12:53] You: This is the quietest group I've ever hosted.
[12:53] You: I can't believe my not so shy friends are suddenly mute
[12:53] You: lol
[12:53] PatDavis Destiny: That is why they need to get the book so in the privacy of their own home they can read everything
[12:53] PatDavis Destiny: Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex
[12:54] EvansMom Goodspeed: i'm just sorry it took so long for me to get here
[12:54] EvansMom Goodspeed: stupid SL
[12:54] You: Everyone - click on any poster of the Diva and it will take you to Pat's web site
[12:54] Liadona Rau: hey - I am chasing a 19 month old who just woke up. stalls the typing
[12:54] IYan Writer: (DST tricked me)
[12:54] EvansMom Goodspeed: Pat, do you do parties just for men? and i apologize if someone asked that question already
[12:54] PatDavis Destiny: No - just for women
[12:54] PatDavis Destiny: sorry guys, you have to buy the book for the tips
[12:55] You: Or send your woman to passionparties.com
[12:55] EvansMom Goodspeed: see, someone has to teach these men these things too
[12:55] PatDavis Destiny: have your wife give a party and she will share all the tips with you
[12:55] EvansMom Goodspeed: maybe they'd believe you as an expert
[12:55] PatDavis Destiny: I suggest buy the book, flag it, tag it and highlight it for each other
[12:55] PatDavis Destiny: start a new communication with your partner
[12:55] PatDavis Destiny: guaranteed Diva Fun!
[12:55] PatDavis Destiny: for both of you
[12:56] You: WE have about 5 more minutes - any last questions for Pat? And don't forget that JueL Resistance will be here in a few to play a 1hour set. And put on your Sexy Diva Costume and we're giving out prizes including colorful vibrators from Stroker Serpentine and also Nyte'N'Day gift certificates - sexy clothing
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: we have over 1000 women coming to las vegas in 2 weeks
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: we'd love to do some fun things here
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: after that
[12:57] IYan Writer: (sorry if this was already asked) what kind of business model do you use? revenue sharing?
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: it is my goal to make sure everyone enjoys their partner
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: and finds time to do it
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: IYan - the business is not available anywhere but US and Canada regretfully but the model is
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: party plan
[12:57] PatDavis Destiny: you join with a kit - from $100
[12:58] PatDavis Destiny: you make from 40-50% commission
[12:58] PatDavis Destiny: from sales of product
[12:58] PatDavis Destiny: and then you make up to 5% of those people who you bring into the business
[12:58] IYan Writer: I see, thanks. well, it's a brilliant idea :) tupperware for sex toys :)
[12:58] PatDavis Destiny: we also offer a bonus award, a car bonus, even a home bonus
[12:58] PatDavis Destiny: travel incentives
[12:59] Liadona Rau: QUESTION - A home bonus?
[12:59] EvansMom Goodspeed: how many affiliates do you have?
[12:59] PatDavis Destiny: we have people making $1000/month up to $400,000 a year
[12:59] PatDavis Destiny: you can build an incredible business
[12:59] PatDavis Destiny: it is all up to you
[12:59] PatDavis Destiny: EvansMom - we have had since 1994 over 60,000 women join our business
[12:59] EvansMom Goodspeed: @IYan .. more like Discovery Toys for grownups!
[12:59] PatDavis Destiny: Yes, IYan, absolutely
[12:59] PatDavis Destiny: we are the number 1 sensual party plan company in North America - we're the top one
[13:00] Malburns Writer: Hi Beyers
[13:00] PatDavis Destiny: Don't forget http://www.passionparties.com/
[13:00] PatDavis Destiny: We'd love to share our passion with you
[13:00] PatDavis Destiny: Whatever your needs are, we're here for you
[13:00] PatDavis Destiny: Party, business, book
[13:00] You: Hi Beyers
[13:00] Beyers Sellers: so did I miss it?
[13:00] You: you're late!
[13:01] Beyers Sellers: good!
[13:01] Beyers Sellers: Beyers blushes too easily anyway
[13:01] Malburns Writer: WooT
[13:01] Malburns Writer: Hey Juel -
[13:01] iAlja Writer: lol
[13:01] IYan Writer: hi JueL
[13:01] PatDavis Destiny: His Diva Dude is tucked away but that's ok
[13:01] Beyers Sellers: I am not sure I want to know what that means
[13:01] PatDavis Destiny: you should buy the book and teach your Diva Dude how to come out and have fun, Beyers
[13:01] PatDavis Destiny: Guaranteed Passion!
[13:01] JueL Resistance: hi ya :)
[13:01] You: hi JueL
[13:01] JueL Resistance: hi Cybergrrl :)!
[13:01] JueL Resistance: Hooo!
[13:01] PatDavis Destiny: JueL's diva is out there, healthy and active!!
[13:01] Liadona Rau: Hey, JueL
[13:01] PatDavis Destiny: Go JueL!
[13:01] Beyers Sellers: I am going to go with the interpretation that my Diva Dude is a persona...not a....
[13:01] Kara Janus: lol
[13:02] JueL Resistance: i'll be down there, afk for a bit......
[13:02] IYan Writer: i think you still have your Diva in the inventory Beyers ;)
[13:02] You: thanks Juel - we'll be down shortly
[13:02] Beyers Sellers: ah, you mean "Sexy Shape: Female"?
[13:02] PatDavis Destiny: My middle name is Jewel
[13:02] PatDavis Destiny: I thought I had a sister passion twin!
[13:02] IYan Writer: ah, I always had you pegged as a neko :)
[13:02] PatDavis Destiny: I want to thank everyone for being committed to their new passionate life.
[13:02] You: Thanks so much Pat for being here
[13:03] PatDavis Destiny: Thank you!
[13:03] IYan Writer: thank you very much Pat!
[13:03] Liadona Rau: Thank you, Pat!
[13:03] Malburns Writer: Thanks Pat
[13:03] EvansMom Goodspeed: thank you pat!
[13:03] You: Everyone - click on the Diva posters to get to Pat's web site to find out more about her products, her book, the parties
[13:03] PatDavis Destiny: come check us out!
[13:03] IYan Writer: sorry for being late, DST tricked me, but I'll check the transcript at Cybergrrl's blog later
[13:03] You: Now I hope you can stick around for music by JueL and the Sexy Diva Outfit costume.
[13:03] You: The transcript will be on http://cybergrrloh.blogspot.com/ in a day or so
[13:04] You: If anyone took photos, please email them to me at cybergrrloh@gmail.com
[13:04] EvansMom Goodspeed looks at the posters and feels so inadequate!
[13:04] You: Thanks for being here!
[13:04] PatDavis Destiny: Looking forward to being invited back
[13:04] Alesus Afarensis: thanks..
[13:04] PatDavis Destiny: You're the perfect Jewel triple tasker woman, Cybergrrl!
[13:04] EvansMom Goodspeed: she sure is!
[13:05] PatDavis Destiny: Bye all
[13:05] EvansMom Goodspeed: bye pat
[13:05] PatDavis Destiny blows a kiss to everyone
[13:05] IYan Writer: bye Pat!
[13:05] iAlja Writer: bye!
[13:05] PatDavis Destiny is Offline

Are You Ready for Great Sex Day? March 11 Second Life

2008-03-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

Stop by Athena Isle on Tuesday, March 11 at 12pm SLT to meet Pat Davis, president of Passion Parties, "the North American leader of at-home party business specializing in sensual products."

Earlier this year 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.

Then hang out for the 1pm SLT live concert by sexy singer/songwriter JueL Resistance!

And don't forget to wear (or change into) your sexiest Diva Outfit to win prizes including Gift Certificates to Nyte'N'Day and sex toys by Stroker Serpentine!

Great Sex Day with Passion Parties!

2008-03-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, March 11
Starting at 12pm SLT

Meet Passion Parties founder and CEO Pat Davis in a 1 hour text chat hosted by the Second Life Women's Club.
Peruse sex toys created by SL sex entrepreneur Stroker Serpentine.
Dance along to the sexy sounds of SL singer/songwriter JueL Resistance. (1:30pm)
And wear your sexiest Diva Outfit to win prizes! (Winners chosen at 2:30pm)

Be there!

New Blogger's First Post: It's All About Me!

2008-02-28T13:42:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to the amazingly patient Cybergrrl Oh, who invited me to join her in this excellent blog just before I fell under a crush of RL work. Here I am now and ready to contribute!

But let me introduce myself first. I'm EvansMom Goodspeed (named for my RL son), and I've been in Second Life since August 2006, attracted by the marketing possibilities, but then I drank the SL Kool-Aid, met some friends, had adventures, became a Gorean slave, had a partner, bought land and contributed mightily to the SL economy in both lindens and dollars. Although both my slavery and my partnership ended, I still love to meet friends and explore this amazing virtual world, lag and crashes notwithstanding.

Cybergrrl invited me to blog on women's issues here in SL, and I plan to begin contributing in my next post. In the meantime, look me up in-world to chat or -- once I really do start posting -- to agree or disagree. I'm a big girl; I can take it.

And in the meantime, do come out and join us on Athena Isle, to chat in a discussion group, wander around the friendly sim or shop a little in Cybergrrl's store. Need a ride? I'll be glad to send the limo.

Live Psychic Readings in Second Life

2008-02-25T23:03:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, 26 Feb - Join us on Athena Isle for Live Psychic Readings by M.W.

From her bio:

Inspired by the works of Edgar Cayce, M.W. (aka Kim Stempien) began developing her psychic abilities using her dreams. Through years of experiments, she learned that we all dream each others' dreams, and have many predictive dreams too. Currenly, M.W. downloads much of the original content in Precognito Magazine from the Akashic Records, and is proud to bring much of Mary Magdalene's teachings that "God is Within" forward using this resource.

She earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Engineering from Michigan State University, and is currently purshing master's studies in Forensic Psychology.

Known for her highly detailed and accurate predictions, "M.W." has been a featured psychic on VH1's 2003 celebrity special "Rockstrology", Lifetime TV's "America's Psychic Challenge", and has made numerous radio appearances across the U.S. She is also the creater and owner of the popular and inspirational magazine "Precognito" available in the U.S., Canada, and abroad.

Janice Taylor aka Janice Tairov Transcript

2008-02-18T20:51:00.000-08:00

[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: OK, let's get started. Janice - please introduce yourself and set the stage for your chat today. We are very interactive here. All I ask is that everyone type QUESTION: before their questions so we can track them easily.
[12:22] Naj Potez: I live in Dubrovnik, Croatia
[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: Naj- sorry to interrupt -
[12:22] Janice Tairov: Hi Everyone! Thanks for coming ... from near and from far!
[12:22] Cybergrrl Oh: Croatia - wow!
[12:22] Janice Tairov: and for dressing so nicely for the occasion.
[12:22] Janice Tairov: I am Janice Taylor, author of Our Lady of Weight Loss - and I am a personal life coach and a certified hypnotist.
[12:23] Janice Tairov: AND a 50 pound big-time-loser.
[12:23] Janice Tairov: Yup, I permanently removed over 50 pounds 6 years ago.
[12:23] Scarlett Qi: Woohoo! Good for you
[12:23] Janice Tairov: Our Lady of Weight Loss was and is my guide!
[12:23] Cybergrrl Oh: See the before and after pics on the posters!
[12:23] Janice Tairov: That's the short of it!!! And yes, I'm hypnotizing you all right now!
[12:23] Cybergrrl Oh: I'm getting verrrry sleepy
[12:23] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:23] Janice Tairov: You might fall over!
[12:23] Cybergrrl Oh: So what is your book about exactly?
[12:24] Janice Tairov: My book is a companion book to any diet.
[12:24] Cybergrrl Oh: oops - QUESTION: So what is your book about exactly?
[12:24] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:24] Janice Tairov: We all know that any plan works ... if you follow it!
[12:24] Janice Tairov: So this book keeps you motivated, inspires, and keeps you laughing.
[12:24] Skye Qi: nods
[12:24] Janice Tairov: Plus ... I'm an artist and it's filled with gorgeous work, if I say so myself!
[12:24] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: So your book is a motivational partner to any diet - not a diet in particular?
[12:24] Janice Tairov: Exactly! A motivational partner! I like that ... and ...
[12:25] Cybergrrl Oh: I love this sig file in Janice's email: Spread the word (NOT the icing!).
[12:25] Janice Tairov: there are recipes ... and letters from OUr Lady's fans to her asking some pretty great questions.
[12:25] Keykey Underwood: I love the poster illustration. It tells the whole story.
[12:25] Cybergrrl Oh: Reminder: I will have a chat transcript up on the Second Life Women's Club blog this week. http://secondlifewomensclub.blogspot.com/
[12:25] Janice Tairov: Great! That's some of my art ...
[12:25] Scarlett Qi: QUESTION: Is it written to a particular religious audience?
[12:26] Janice Tairov: No - other than her name ... there's not much 'religion' in there.
[12:26] Janice Tairov: Well, none.
[12:26] Cybergrrl Oh: Click on the posters to get to the Amazon page where you can read more about and buy Janice's book, BTW.
[12:26] Janice Tairov: I'm pandenominational. I live in NYC, so I figure I'm a bit of everything.
[12:26] Janice Tairov: Thank You!
[12:26] Janice Tairov: I know you have some questions ... you're eating your babies' food ... crying as they grow up and leave.
[12:26] Janice Tairov: What other challenges do you have?
[12:27] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: How do I return to my healthy diet when all I'm doing is noshing on baby's leftovers?
[12:27] Janice Tairov: First, I want to say that there is no such thing as will power ...
[12:27] Janice Tairov: there's only want power! So you first have to ask yourself ...
[12:27] Janice Tairov: how badly do I want this?
[12:27] Keykey Underwood: Question: I'm like Mark Twain who said giving up smoking is easy, he'd done it hundreds of times.
[12:28] Cybergrrl Oh: WANT Power! Clever and true!
[12:28] Janice Tairov: Well, here's the thing ... there's a part of you that WANTS to eat healthfully and there's a part that wants to soothe yourself.

[12:28] Cybergrrl Oh: and a part of me that WANTS dark chocolate
[12:28] Janice Tairov: Again, there is no such thing as will power. BUT I do want to keep these 50 pounds off, so I don't keep foods that call my name in the house.
[12:29] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: What foods call your name?
[12:29] Keykey Underwood: Dark chocolate is a healthful food. We call it the brown group in my house.
[12:29] Janice Tairov: Yes, dark chocolate is healthy and 1.6 ozs is 170 calories.
[12:29] Janice Tairov: So have one little square, if you can!
[12:29] Cybergrrl Oh: grins and nods at Keykey
[12:29] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Is that good or bad? 170 calories?
[12:29] Janice Tairov: I make an incredible fig balsamic sauce that calls my name.
[12:30] Keykey Underwood: It better be very healthful for all those calories.
[12:30] Janice Tairov: And it's OLofWL approved. ... so you see, if you put your mind to it,
[12:30] Janice Tairov: you can find foods that satisfy.
[12:30] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: What is the biggest "dieting" mistake women make?
[12:30] Keykey Underwood: Question: What's the recipe?
[12:30] Janice Tairov: Biggest dieting mistake first:
[12:30] Janice Tairov: you eat one tiny piece of cake and go off on a 10 year detour!
[12:30] Cybergrrl Oh: Janice - you will have to email me the recipe for the fig balsamic dressing so I can post it on our blog - or at least distribute it privately to the women here!
[12:30] Janice Tairov: Our lady's mantra ... All Is Forgiven, Move On!
[12:30] Keykey Underwood: Been there= done that
[12:31] Janice Tairov: Don't quit. That's the biggest mistake.
[12:31] Cybergrrl Oh: Going off the Diet Wagon
[12:31] Janice Tairov: Falling off w. a thud and not getting back up!
[12:31] Janice Tairov: Feeling defeated. Depressed. Deprived.
[12:31] Janice Tairov: It's just a piece of cake.
[12:31] Keykey Underwood: So you're saying dieting is a piece of cake?
[12:31] Janice Tairov: As for the recipe; I'm working on a video for my beliefnet. blogspot and it is me cooking the fig sauce. I'll let you all know when it's up.
[12:32] Cybergrrl Oh: Perfect Janice -I'll link to it!
[12:32] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: What is the URL to that blog?
[12:32] Janice Tairov: Anyway ... sorry to say, no magic bullet. www.blog.beliefnet.com/ourladyofweightloss.com
[12:32] Janice Tairov: You find everything on my website ...www.ourladyofweightloss.com
[12:33] Janice Tairov: The video is very funny. I have electrician's tape on my mouth.
[12:33] Janice Tairov: My recipes are too good. Only way I won't eat them!
[12:33] Janice Tairov: LOL
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh: Duct tape could also do the trick
[12:33] Janice Tairov: I do think you've got to have a sense of humor about this!
[12:33] Janice Tairov: Yes, any tape!
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: you have a new book coming out - what can we expect from that? All Is Forgiven, Move On: Our Lady of Weight Loss's 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville (pub date May 15 2008 - Studio/Penguin)
[12:33] Eshi Otawara: i don't have a kitchen
[12:33] Janice Tairov: I'm serious about weight loss, but not heavy.
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh: Arlo must leave for a meeting but thanks for being here!
[12:33] Cybergrrl Oh: Transcript will be up this week
[12:34] Janice Tairov: Yes, next book coming soon! And there's hypnosis in it. You can self-hypnotize yourselves.
[12:34] Janice Tairov: And ... I do groups on the phone. Use some hypnosis there.
[12:34] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Self-hypnotize to lose weight?
[12:34] Janice Tairov: Shall I tell you why hypnosis is important in this?
[12:34] Keykey Underwood: Question? Tell us more about hypnosis
[12:34] Janice Tairov: Perfect! We're on the same page ...
[12:34] Janice Tairov: It talks to the part of you that wants the chocolate.
[12:35] Janice Tairov: Simply ... your unconscious mind is here to protect you. So ...
[12:35] Janice Tairov: if somewhere along the way it learned that chocolate makes you feel better, you will reach for the chocolate even if you don't want to.
[12:35] Janice Tairov: Hypnosis talks to your unconscious mind.
[12:35] Janice Tairov: Sends it the message that we thank you for protecting us, and now we have new ways of doing so.
[12:35] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Can everyone be hypnotized or hypnotize themselves?
[12:35] Janice Tairov: Then we 'embed' suggestions.
[12:36] Janice Tairov: Sometimes people 'change' immediately' sometimes it takes a few sessions.
[12:36] Janice Tairov: Key though ... you can't make someone do something they don't want to do.
[12:36] Janice Tairov: So if you really don't want to lose weight ... you won't.
[12:36] Keykey Underwood: A few sessions still sounds pretty fast
[12:36] Janice Tairov: It depends on where you are ... everyone is different.
[12:36] Janice Tairov: And of course, you do have to eat healthfully.
[12:37] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Do you find humor really helps with dieting?
[12:37] Keykey Underwood: Question: What diet did you use to lose your 50 pounds and how long have you kept it off?
[12:37] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: And doesn't it go beyond dieting? Exercise? What else does it take?
[12:37] Janice Tairov: Yes, humor is key! I was fat my entire life ... yo-'yo'ing all over the place ...
[12:37] Janice Tairov: and I was depressed and dreary. So humor is fabulous.
[12:38] Janice Tairov: It's a mindset ... yes, exercise is good because it also helps with the mind and tones the body ...
[12:38] Janice Tairov: but it may not burn as many calories as you imagine.
[12:38] Cybergrrl Oh: I have to say I do love the humor. From Janice's site:
[12:38] Cybergrrl Oh: Our Lady of Weight Loss Prima "...kooky genius - see if her idiosyncratic diet plan will work for you." O, Oprah Magazine The BLOW the FAT CELLS from your MIND NOW! Home Study Cure -sign up NOW Home of the ™® CLICK HERE for this week's KICK * E-CARDS! *BLOG All Is Forgiven, Move On Mission Bracelet The color BLUE can: Suppress Appetite, Calm,Soothe Remove Guilt and more ... ORDER NOW!!! Click to continue Pre-Order NOW / Coming May 2008 ORDER NOW! Click to Continue Janice Taylor was born fat - the only baby in the hospital nursery to gain weight. An ominous sign. At age 8, she weighed 112 lbs. After a lifetime of yo-yo dieting (performed gracefully), Janice finally and permanently removed over 50 pounds 6 years ago.
[12:38] Cybergrrl Oh: OOps - just meant to print the part about being a baby and gaining weight
[12:38] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:38] Janice Tairov: Yes, O, the Oprah magazine said I am a kooky genius!
[12:38] Janice Tairov: Thanks to O!
[12:38] Cybergrrl Oh: Janice Taylor was born fat - the only baby in the hospital nursery to gain weight. An ominous sign. At age 8, she weighed 112 lbs. After a lifetime of yo-yo dieting (performed gracefully), Janice finally and permanently removed over 50 pounds 6 years ago.
[12:38] Janice Tairov: I believe in kooky!
[12:39] Cybergrrl Oh: that part
[12:39] Janice Tairov: Hey y'all ... I'm having a contest.
[12:39] Janice Tairov: You get together with your friends, family, whomever and write me,
[12:39] Janice Tairov: send a video, a poem ... whatever ... telling me
[12:39] Janice Tairov: what foods you find irresistible ... and you could win...
[12:39] Janice Tairov: ME!
[12:39] Eshi Otawara: o-O
[12:39] Janice Tairov: When on the book tour, my publisher will send me to you.
[12:39] Eshi Otawara: STEAK, RARE
[12:39] Eshi Otawara drools
[12:39] Janice Tairov: Love it!
[12:39] Janice Tairov: Four ounces ...
[12:39] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: How do we enter the contest?
[12:40] Eshi Otawara: hell no
[12:40] Eshi Otawara: pound
[12:40] Janice Tairov: Info to come soon! ... write me and I'll tell you.
[12:40] Janice Tairov: A pound is fine if you are doing that high protein diet.
[12:40] Cybergrrl Oh: Janice - definitely keep me updated - I can promote this stuff on our blog
[12:40] Janice Tairov: Great! thanks.
[12:40] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Doesn't the high protein diet give you bad breath?
[12:40] Janice Tairov: I did it for 2 years a long time ago.
[12:40] Janice Tairov: And YES! Ask my husband.
[12:41] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Tell us about the all is forgiven bracelet you mention on your site.
[12:41] Janice Tairov: I lost about 20 pounds on it, but couldn't lose more than that ... and then gained 30 back.

[12:41] Janice Tairov: The All is Forgiven, Move On mission bracelet reminds you of your goals... and it reminds you to forgive yourself and move on. Need be.
[12:41] Janice Tairov: Also blue is a healing color.
[12:41] Cybergrrl Oh: Something else from Janice's site: Butter-up your boss, not your roll.
[12:42] Eshi Otawara: that explains why i have been building everything blue lately
[12:42] Eshi Otawara: hahah
[12:42] Cybergrrl Oh: $2.49 - http://www.ourladyofweightloss.com/artware/cards2.asp
[12:42] Cybergrrl Oh: I'm a regular Janice Taylor commercial! LOL
[12:42] Janice Tairov: Thanks,Cybergrrl. Lots of people buy them for themselves and their friends!
[12:42] Janice Tairov: You can be my PR person! You're great. thanks.
[12:42] Janice Tairov: They're fun. And who doesn't like jewelry, even if it's rubber.
[12:43] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: IF we were to start today, what would be the first thing we should do to get a grip on our overeating or eating the wrong things?
[12:43] Janice Tairov: Clear out your cabinets.
[12:43] Janice Tairov: Remembering that there is no such thing as will power; get rid of the foods that call your name.
[12:43] Eshi Otawara: woah
[12:43] Eshi Otawara: hold on
[12:43] Eshi Otawara: haha
[12:43] Janice Tairov: And don't tell me that your kids need full fat potato chips.
[12:43] Janice Tairov: At least make your home a safe haven.
[12:44] Cybergrrl Oh: LOL - I'll go as far as saying she needs full fat milk and yogurt and cottage cheese, tho
[12:44] Keykey Underwood: Good advice. How about portion control. That's my downfall
[12:44] Connecting to in-world Voice Chat...
[12:44] Janice Tairov: That's fine ... but not full fat chips!
[12:44] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: What about the new findings that FAT FREE actually can cause weight gain?
[12:44] Connected
[12:44] Janice Tairov: Buy as many things as you can that are pre-packaged.
[12:44] Janice Tairov: It's a lifestyle. Once you get in the groove, it's no big deal.
[12:44] Janice Tairov: I promise ... no big deal. If I can; you can.
[12:44] Eshi Otawara: that's a load. then you are just buying packaging and emptying your pockets
[12:44] Janice Tairov: Both books are filled and overflowing with tips.
[12:45] Janice Tairov: You could buy a big bag of something and pre-package with baggies at home.
[12:45] Cybergrrl Oh: Personally I think fat free is poison. There isn't anything real in it. And there is still such a thing as "good fat," right?
[12:45] Keykey Underwood: QUESTION: By pre-packaged do you mean individual portions?
[12:45] Eshi Otawara: there indeed is will power...
[12:45] Eshi Otawara: i mean if you truly decide to change your life.
[12:45] Janice Tairov: Yes, olive oil and avocado. But again ... you only need 3 fats a day.
[12:45] Janice Tairov: Yes, you need to truly decide to change your life.
[12:45] Eshi Otawara: i quit smoking cold turkey after 15 years of smoking
[12:45] Eshi Otawara: will power
[12:45] Janice Tairov: And you have to have a compelling future.
[12:46] Naj Potez: I did Atkins diet once...
[12:46] Cybergrrl Oh: So a salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and some avocado takes care of 2 of the 3 fats...
[12:46] Janice Tairov: You have to see your future. VISIONING.
[12:46] Naj Potez: .. and I lost 12 kilos
[12:46] Janice Tairov: Probably 10 fats.
[12:46] Janice Tairov: Great Naj.
[12:46] Janice Tairov: I can give you a formula ... ready?
[12:46] Keykey Underwood: Naj, did you keep it off?
[12:46] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Is it really about a formal diet like the Atkins or the South Beach or is it more about good food education, balanced nutrition, exercise and changing your outlook about food in general?
[12:46] Naj Potez: But not really healthy
[12:47] Cybergrrl Oh: Janice - The Formula?
[12:47] Janice Tairov: All plans work. Healthy works too. It's about a permanent lifestyle change and a shift in your mindset.
[12:47] Naj Potez: It came back in a year or two
[12:47] Janice Tairov: Yes ... ready for my formula!
[12:47] Keykey Underwood: Ready
[12:47] Janice Tairov: Write VISIONING on a piece of paper.
[12:47] Eshi Otawara: it is about not being a whiny kid as far as healing self with food, and also not celebrating with food either. our system of self-rewarding is wrong- we have been conditioned into consumers
[12:47] Janice Tairov: Underneath it the word: PLANNING
[12:47] Eshi Otawara: that's the issue.
[12:47] Eshi Otawara: lol
[12:47] Janice Tairov: under that ... the word DETAILS
[12:47] Janice Tairov: and then make a water line. squiggle any line you like.
[12:48] Janice Tairov: and under the waterline write the word
[12:48] Janice Tairov: PROBLEM
[12:48] Janice Tairov: and then DRAMA.
[12:48] Janice Tairov: Are you all with me?
[12:48] Eshi Otawara: so fat
[12:48] Eshi Otawara: *far
[12:48] Eshi Otawara: haha
[12:48] Cybergrrl Oh: Yes - I'll have this on the blog, too
[12:49] Janice Tairov: Okay ... now ... first you do the VISIONING. See yourself a year from now at your ideal weight, energy level. As much detail as possible.
[12:49] Janice Tairov: Then you need to come up with a PLAN to get there.
[12:49] Cybergrrl Oh: Hi Plum!
[12:49] Janice Tairov: Then the details of the plan.
[12:49] Janice Tairov: Now ... pay attention.
[12:49] Plum Zeluco: Hi all!
[12:49] Cybergrrl Oh: pays attention.
[12:49] Janice Tairov: You are going to hear that voice in your head tell you what the problem is ... why you cant do it.
[12:50] Janice Tairov: And then you're going to get into your own drama!
[12:50] Janice Tairov: The problem and the drama are under the waterline. People get stuck there.
[12:50] Janice Tairov: All you have to do is push up (like you fly here) and go back to your VIsIONING.
[12:50] Janice Tairov: If you are underwater ... ask yourself. How long am I going to stay underwater?
[12:50] Janice Tairov: REally ... how long can you hold your breath?
[12:50] Cybergrrl Oh: Good analogy
[12:51] Janice Tairov: Get back to the plan and stay out of the drama.
[12:51] Janice Tairov: I hope that helps. I've never done this kind of coaching in a chat room where people can fly!
[12:51] Cybergrrl Oh: interesting
[12:51] Keykey Underwood: It works here as well as out there
[12:51] Janice Tairov: Cool. I hope that was helpful.
[12:51] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Plum - where did you get that curly hair? I looked all over for curly hair for Janice!
[12:51] Cybergrrl Oh: lol
[12:52] Scarlett Qi: QUESTION: What are the plan and details?
[12:52] Janice Tairov: After you 'see' your compelling future, you need to plan how to achieve it.
[12:52] Eshi Otawara: nice meeting you all-
[12:52] Plum Zeluco: lol. I have to search for the vendor but I will im you.
[12:52] Janice Tairov: In the case of permanent fat removal (I prefer that to weight loss ... if you lose it, you will find it) ...
[12:52] Janice Tairov: you pick the food plan; and then strategies.
[12:52] Eshi Otawara: Janice good job, you don't look like your own mother anymore
[12:52] Eshi Otawara: :D
[12:52] Cybergrrl Oh: Good point!
[12:53] Janice Tairov: HA!
[12:53] Cybergrrl Oh: Plum - please do. If Janice ever wants to come back, I want to get her hair right. I did find great cat-eyes for her, though
[12:53] Eshi Otawara: i see myself and at 27 i look like my own grandma (body wise)
[12:53] Eshi Otawara: disgusting
[12:53] Janice Tairov: Okay GOOD! Not liking yourself is a good place to start.
[12:53] Eshi Otawara: anyway- i am out of here. my game plan is quit being a whiny bitch and eat stuff i ate in Croatia.
[12:53] Janice Tairov: Because now you get get enough energy up to start moving forward.
[12:53] Eshi Otawara: hehe
[12:54] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Why are we so obsessed with our appearances do you think? Is it really the media or our peers or society in general or...??
[12:54] Janice Tairov: I didn't like myself - the old me ... but I'm kick-tush now!
[12:54] Janice Tairov: Hey that reminds me ... I write a weekly e-newsletter called
[12:54] Janice Tairov: KICK in the TUSH Club.
[12:54] Cybergrrl Oh: And your avatar kicks tush, too!
[12:54] Cybergrrl Oh: LOL
[12:54] Janice Tairov: It's free. sign up for it at my sight! LOVE my avatar. Thank you for creating me.
[12:55] Cybergrrl Oh: Janice thought her avatar's ass looked great. lol
[12:55] Cybergrrl Oh: Janice - see my question above
[12:55] Plum Zeluco: They are by arthur despres--the curls that is.
[12:55] Cybergrrl Oh: QUESTION: Why are we so obsessed with our appearances do you think? Is it really the media or our peers or society in general or...??
[12:55] Janice Tairov: I've never had a behind like this one!
[12:55] Cybergrrl Oh: Naj, Eshi - thank you so much for joining us!
[12:55] Janice Tairov: I think it's all of the above.
[12:55] Janice Tairov: It's pervasive.
[12:56] Naj Potez: thank you for your hospitality
[12:56] Janice Tairov: If I could pass along anything, it would be to like yourself. Love yourself.
[12:56] Cybergrrl Oh: Naj - please join one of our groups to stay in touch
[12:56] Janice Tairov: Thanks ! visit me !!
[12:56] Cybergrrl Oh: Or all of them if you'd like
[12:56] Cybergrrl Oh: Everyone - click on the posters to read more about Janice's book or to buy it!
[12:56] Janice Tairov: Is someone standing on the table?
[12:56] Naj Potez: sorry
[12:56] Keykey Underwood: Actually, I think she's standing in the table
[12:57] Cybergrrl Oh: Any last questions or comments for Janice?
[12:57] Janice Tairov: Love it!
[12:57] Skye Qi: (nice to meet you all,,, thank you Janice...slips out quietly)
[12:57] Cybergrrl Oh: a more intimate setting for a smaller group - magic table!
[12:57] Keykey Underwood: I'll look forward to reading you book
[12:57] Janice Tairov: Thank you! I so enjoyed this!!

Feb 8 Friday: Art Opening, Athena Gallery

2008-02-08T08:00:00.001-08:00

Stop by Athena Isle from 1-3pm SLT for the official opening of "Her Seasons," an exhibit of watercolors by Inanna Aya and photographs by Liadona Rau. SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Second%20Shores/51/50/23. Athena Gallery of Women's Art displays work from women artists in SL with new shows every month.

About Inanna Aya
Inanna Aya is a child of the sea. Born in a coastal Alaska town in the mid-1970s, her artwork reflects the shifting moods of an ocean that both gives and takes life. Fluid, organic, visceral. The inner reflecting the outer, the outer giving form to the inner.

After receiving a formal art education at Marylhurst University, in Oregon, Inanna returned to her roots. She moved back to her hometown, became a mom and a massage therapist, and continued developing as an artist. Her primary medium is watercolor, with periodic forays into silver and wood carving.

Inanna comes from a long line of talented and creative women. Both her grandmothers were artists – one an accomplished doll maker, needlepoint artist and painter, the other a painter and silver carver. She draws on their legacy for strength and inspiration.

She invites you to explore her art, from the shores of Southeast Alaska. Blessings to you and your own.

About Liadona Rau
Liadona Rau is fairly new to SL, but not new to the world of nature photography having been behind the camera for more than 30 years in her first life. Her first RL show took place a few years ago at Randolph-Macon College when she showed pieces taken at Chincateague and Assateague islands in the Chesapeake bay in Virginia. As a member of SL, Liadona has been able to take the photos she takes to the next step - in some cases focusing on one or two small pieces within the picture to find something completely new.

In her first life, Liadona Rau is a mother, wife and a federal employee who feels very lucky to live amid the trees.

12 Feb: Janice Taylor, author of Our Lady of Weight Loss

2008-02-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

12 FEB Tuesday at 12pm SLT, the Second Life Women's Club presents:

Janice Taylor, author of Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal

From Janice's web site:

No longer a fig-newton of my imagination, Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal - is HERE!

In this extraordinary book, Our Lady of Weight Loss, the patron saint of permanent fat removal, dishes out fat-free, calorie-free, carb-free, guilt-free heaping helpings of divine diet inspiration!

Our Lady of Weight Loss is the ultimate cheerleader – your best friend – who will keep you on course even when those double-fudge brownies beckon like a siren!

Weight loss artist*, Janice Taylor, most certainly did not wake one morning with a smile on her face and enthusiastically say, "Whoopee, I'm fatter than ever. I'll go on a diet. This will be fun!"

No. She rolled out of bed, pulled up her size XXL elastic-band pants and said, "Oh my, even these are tight. I must stop the fat monster from further multiplying before HE takes me over entirely." She prayed for guidance.

That's when Our Lady of Weight Loss entered the picture. "Who is Our Lady? Where did she come from?" you ask. Janice wonders as well, "Is Our Lady a higher-power, the higher-self, the 'good' Mother that lives within each of us, or is she just a fig newton of her wild imagination? Does it really matter?"

What matters is that instead of eating crazy amounts of fried foods, heavily buttered bread and chocolate in any form, Janice was able to permanently remove over 50 pounds of excess weight 5 years ago. (Butter up your boss, not your roll!)

"I exchanged fat for art," she explains. "Our Lady guides me and 'feeds' me messages, and I illustrate them. At first, I created the art just for myself, but soon friends and acquaintances wanted to know the secret to my oh-so-fabulous success."

Find out more about Janice!

Our First Women's Club Event!

2007-12-26T12:47:00.001-08:00

We have scheduled our first official event!

01/29/08
Tuesday
12pm SLT - note the new time!

Susan Shapiro Barash,
author
"Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth about Women and Rivalry"

The recent rash of books and movies about mean girls may seem to indicate a new phenomenon, but Longfellow observed about a certain little girl almost 200 years ago, "when she was good, she was very good indeed/but when she was bad, she was horrid." The 500 women gender studies scholar Barash interviewed for this exhaustively researched book on female competition confirms that women can indeed be mean. Barash outlines why women compete with each other differently than men do with other men and why women often want to sabotage powerful female rivals.

Male competition is goal-oriented and limited, Barash says, while women compete over appearance, children, the workplace and relationships. Why? According to Barash, for women, competition is about identity and relationships, and they have a harder time setting boundaries to competition. Barash devotes chapters to specific areas of competition, from looks to career, and then presents real-life examples of situations in which resentment and jealousy can be used to improve one's life without destroying anyone else's.

Overall, this study provides a helpful starting place for any woman wondering if it's possible to get what she wants without hurting or being hurt.

Rolig Loon, proprietor, Sa Roligt!

2007-12-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/230/135/25 - The shop located through the pillars beyond the cafe behind Town Square.

"I started about six months ago, making simple things like T-shirts for myself. They were pretty bad, but the experience piqued my imagination," says Rolig Loon, a clothing designer who recently opened her first in-world shop on Elysian Isle. "I became fascinated by flexi and the challenge of creating fabric textures that would look good in SL."

Loon designs her own fabrics and patterns - nothing bought or borrowed from other designers. Her shop, Så Roligt! - Swedish for "Such fun!" - is a tastefully appointed space featuring her pastel toned feminine and classic designs. She says she is fearless when it comes to experimentation, and she works quickly.

"I've always liked designs that draw on nature - not necessarily literal butterflies and flowers – although I like them too – but organic themes that conjure up a natural, outdoors feeling as opposed to stark geometricals," says Loon. "I prefer soft lines as opposed to sharp, hard ones, and I like flounce – clothes that flow with you."

The sign on the front window of her shop says it all "Smart clothes for smart women."

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/230/135/25 - The shop located through the pillars beyond the cafe behind Town Square.

AnnMarie McCellan, LowPrim < HighStyle Furniture

2007-12-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Heathrow/62/203/22

"I wanted a kitchen - but the one I had was about 58 prims. I didn't need all the fancy stuff like opening doors because I wasn't planning on using (it), just wanted it for show," says furniture designer AnnMarie McCellan. "I thought I could keep the prim lower if I got creative with my textures. And now, my 14 prim kitchen is my best seller."

McCellan's furniture is modern and elegant, with simple, clean lines. She says real life art and furniture inspires her, and she often finds herself counting prims in her head. She leaves modify rights on her work allowing customers to match pieces to their décor.

A self-proclaimed "city gal," McCellan's designs are surprisingly affordable, and she'll build custom pieces to boot.

The New Clubhouse!

2007-12-23T14:34:00.001-08:00

So much has happened since I first formed the Second Life Women's Club a few months ago. Namely, I have a new clubhouse on Athena Isle.

Right now it consists of:

1. An outdoor venue accommodating up to 40 people with a stage. For guest speakers, panel discussions and music events.

2. A 3-tiered meeting space. First floor are chairs around a fire, second floor are cushions around a candle and third floor is a Mysti Table for roundtable discussions. Most Isle events will take place here to start.

3. Athena Gallery - Women's art. Officially opens in January. The first month is to market women artists, subsequent months may include artwork for sale.

4. Gallery Rooftop/Party Deck - The deck is for parties, dancing, hanging out. Currently under construction.

5. Cybergrrl Productions Office - I'm trying to keep regular office hours Monday thru Friday between 10am-11am SLT.

6. Sky studio - For my new SLCN.tv show "REAL BIZ in SL" which debuts in January.

7. Cybergrrl house - In the sky. Consists of a little Japanese house and a Zen garden.

Athena's Gallery - Women Artists in Second Life

2007-12-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting article: Virtual Art, Real Money

In the spirit of supporting women in the arts, I'm opening up a gallery of women's art and will hold an opening party soon. This is a co-production with another cool SL female, Safra Jetcity, who is partnering with me on a number of arts-related projects.

If you are a woman artist in SL, please join our group: Women Artists in Second Life (yeah, so original, I know). And also feel free to drop a piece of your work to Cybergrrl Oh for inclusion in the gallery for promotional purposes. One piece per artist to start. Eventually, we'll begin rotating shows for each artist.

Athena Gallery is located on Athena Isle. Currently, we already have pieces by artists Brigitte Kungler, Monroe Snook and Eshi Otawara.

Note of Caution: Make sure you are not at work when perusing the gallery. We have some very FEMALE pieces on display that may not be suitable for viewing at the office.

Through the Looking Glass with Cybergrrl Oh

2007-11-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

Lexa Dryke from The Looking Glass, a new SL online publication, interviewed me for the first issue - at the Second Life Women's Clubhouse.

Through the Looking Glass with Cybergrrl Oh

Support women entering and using SL, that’s the purpose of the new Second Life Women's Club led by Cybergrrl Oh.

This new club, which includes an SL group, a blog and a Clubhouse, is about “hanging out with girlfriends and talking about stuff that is happening in our lives, be it here or in RL”, explains Cybergrrl Oh. With a girly grin, she adds: “Guys are great but they aren't girlfriends!”

Men are not banned from the group but The White Rabbit was the first man to enter the land…

Cybergrrl at Sophrosyne's Saturday Salon!

2007-11-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

Link: Finding Sophrosyne - Sophrosyne's Saturday Salon: Cybergrrlz!.

Join us Saturday, November 3 from 1 to 3:30 PM SLT at the Diversionarium for a very special Saturday Salon! Our Spotlight guest Cybergrrl Oh (Aliza Sherman) has been helping empower moms, daughters and women entrepreneurs since the dawn of the Web.

I love Soph's description of my work. It makes me sounds so...goddess-like! For all you SLers, stop on by for a dynamic discussion about...well, everything that comes to our minds.

SLURL: The Diversionarium in Pandoria

Second Life Women's Club Clubhouse!

2007-10-20T13:51:00.001-07:00

I'm in the process of "building" the Second Life Women's Club clubhouse. I use that term loosely because I really don't know how to build and don't know what I'm doing but having a blast doing it!

Here's what I need right now if you know where I can get them in SL:

1. Small statuettes of goddesses - low prim
2. Low prim chairs for a classroom style set up
3. Low prim whiteboard or announcement board for posting messages
4. Low prim waterfall with lovely water sounds

Here's what I'm putting together:

1. Area for sitting, relaxing, socializing
2. Area for mediation, yoga, contemplation
3. Area for teaching workshops & leading seminars
4. Small orientation area for newbies

This is a gathering place for sharing, learning and inspiration. I'm open to other ideas as well so please comment or drop me an email.

Welcome to the Second Life Women's Club

2007-10-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

OK, here's the skinny - and don't let this scare you away from Second Life if you are new to the service or just thinking about joining.

The first day I arrived in Second Life, I was sexually harassed. The worst parts about the experience were not the nasty things the male avatar was saying to me or the way he pressed up against my avatar and pushed it/me around. It was the fact that my husband was sitting next to me while I was logging into SL for the first time, and the experience was very upsetting to him.

For me, online harassment was something that happened every once in a blue moon. Having been online since 1987, nothing really shocked me. But out of respect for my husband, I stayed off SL for about a month. Eventually, I couldn't resist logging back in to see what was happening in-world. I had a feeling I would love it. And I do.

As a woman in SL, I'm actually not too worried about harassment. Since that first day when I learned that people actually hang out on Orientation Islands to harass new users, I haven't been bothered at all. I find that if you look for trouble - or online pornography for that matter - you'll find it. But if you aren't, you don't just stumble upon an orgy. You really have to go seeking it out.

I now use SL in various ways:

1. Exploring
2. Shopping
3. Networking
4. Making and meeting up with friends
5. Organizing events and attending events
6. Starting a business (selling SL & real world tshirts with fun slogans)
7. Meeting and greeting new users
8. Teaching
9. Building
10. Writing about it (for SLNN.com and on the Cybergrrl Oh blog & Elysian Isle blog)

I feel like my Second Life is just an extension of my First Life - not so separate from it but enhancing it in new ways.

So I've started the Second Life Women's Club for women like me who are busy but enjoy being online and want to get the most out of their Second Life. I believe that women helping women is an incredibly powerful thing. So join our club, stop by our clubhouse (you have to IM Cybergrrl Oh for a landmark), and let's talk!