All Things True

I often tell a story, an anecdote as I write in my blog. Tonight, I want to talk about my blog. I spoke with someone I respect earnestly today about blogging as it relates to Second Life. I always always learn from this person and today was no different. Some people are just like that in life, and I count it a blessing that I've met people with wisdom in so many facets of my life, not just my Second Life. I'm also grateful for the way special people impact my world, so that even though it's shared in Second Life, it becomes an integral part of Karen's Life.

Because I cover topics that are not directly related to Second Life and I share topics that relate to Second Life that do not always address Second Life Fashion, I'm not exactly a fashion blogger. It makes sense to me and I made a conscious decision the first of January this year to steer my blog in this direction. I have read hundreds of blogs from so many points of view, and only a portion of them were Second Life bloggers. There are super cool bloggers out in our virtual global world talking about so many many things! When I read Second Life bloggers, I began to identify what I liked and what wasn't right for me, and looked back at my own blog and the direction as well as my heart's sense of where I might go with it.

The bloggers who talk to me, as if they were sitting in my living room with me, are the ones I noticed most and remember long after I turn off the computer. After some time and gaining inspiration, and following my own learning curve, I decided I would feel more real and more 'me' if I did this as well. I talk to you, the common you that tunes in to read my words, as if I were talking to you while you sat across from me. I also talk to you in a way that reminds me of a diary entry. Some of the thoughts are very personal, and some simply me, and I love this outlet. Many communicate in much the same way with Facebook and in far fewer words on Twitter. I just use a blog format AND Facebook and Flickr to share. And while I write and share tidbits of my world with you, I also show you things like these two series of poses created by [[Massoom]]'s content creator whom I just began working with this week. Maybe I share two or three pictures a week and maybe I share two or three pictures an hour. It's just me, being me, and offering you a window to my world. To those of you who let me style and share your designs, I love it and your support. I hope it makes a difference in your world, as you have made one in mine.

Featured [[Massoom]] Poses from Pose Fair Hareem Girl and Jewelry Poses
Featured Chop Zuey Gift from Hollywood Event Paparazzi III Set
Featured Kim Rongyu Yolanda Mesh Dress
1. Custom Shape
2. Mirror's Enigma: Victoria Peach Skintone
3. Face Paint: Individual Lips Gloss
4. N-Core: Caprice Champagne
5. Candy Nail: Teapot Set

I'm On the Edge Just Trying to Survive

It's been one of those difficult days, but in a positive way. I've been granted the privilege of representing several designers in a Model's Workshop show, and I love it... I'm overwhelmed by it, and I love it... I'm learning new things from so many people, and I love it... Many people have invested a lot of time, extra extra time, to make this show work and to encourage new models in the process. I couldn't thank Monica Balut enough for having this event in her group. I also have no words to say how thoughtful and helpful Jena Adder has been. These women are resources like a treasure trove of ideas and information.

There are also mentors, men and women who've had a great deal more time and experience working with a show helping with this one. One of these women have been a part of almost my entire modeling experience so far, Kim Rongyu. She's the type of woman who sees the best in others, and pushes and pulls to make sure she gets the most out of them in a really good way. She's demanding, but only after she's demanded the most from herself. I continue to be grateful to her, from the council she offered to me when I first began working with Face Paint a year ago to this evening, this very moment.

I chose to style one of her items she'd sent me to blog this evening because blogging is one of those safe places I go when I need to unwind and work and think. Kim Rongyu seems able to do just about anything and everything in Second Life and probably off line as well. She's hosting a fundraiser via Marketplace for Sightsavers along with a thousand other projects. I've told her many times and I say it again here. I want to grow up and be like Kim. She's an awesome person.

Featured Kim Rongyu Adele Mesh Dress Copper

1. Custom Shape

2. Mirror's Enigma Iona Native Skin Tone

3. Poetic Eyes: Hot Mocca

4. EMO-tions: Starline Darkbrown

5. Gaeline: Mesh Lashes Divina

6. Face Paint: Sinister 1

7. Sexy Mama Valentine Sculpted Nails

8. Baboom! Mesh Boots Black

9. Finesmith: Mix Copper Necklace

10. Gold Earrings AO1

11. Image Essentials Pose Frame

And All I Gotta Do Is Open My Eyes and See Her - The Mystery Woman

I liked this song from the Allman Brothers, Mystery woman... and the line here "and all I gotta do is open my eyes and see her - mystery woman..."

Sometimes the things we need to see are right in front of us. It should be obvious but we're blind. In the US, we have a saying that's relevant here, "You can't see the forest for the trees." Maybe sometimes we get too close to something and miss it all together. I do.

At Model's Workshop this afternoon, Monica Balut offered part one of a two part class on Second Life Photography. I have been using the Second Life program since March of 2005 and I've looked at loads of tutorials and worksheets and videos, and I still missed this tiny little arrow on the basic snapshot window. When I saw that in the class, I realized that if I had missed that detail, there would probably be many other things I could learn from that class and anything else I attend because things are changing all the time and even when things stay the same, sometimes I miss the forest for the trees. A mystery to this woman... a good thing too. I love learning. Thank you Monica for the incredible amount of information you poured into your class tonight!


Featured: Kim Rongyu - Clio Blue Swirl
Featured: EMO-tions Memory Necklace
1. Custom Shape
2. Glam Affair Skin: Jadis
3. Poetic Eyes: Quicksilver
4. Gauged: Fedora with Coffee Hair
5. Face Paint: Frost Shadow Orange and Face Paint New Lip 5
6. [S H O C K]: Animalier Nails - Giraffe
7. Tights by Caryn
8. DADAbeiz: Black-Half Ankle Boots
9. Di's Opera Poses