Discussion: Shapeshifting, soul changing?

This week's topic was "Shapeshifting, soul changing? - the in's and out's of change in SL (Second Life)!". Second Life allows for a lot of diversity and change. We talked about how big an impact this possibility has on all of us. Changing our avatar's shape tends to stir the most interesting reactions in others and in ourselves! The discussion was kick-started with the question "Why do we feel the need to "change" in SL? Simply because "we can" or is there something deeper?". It was interesting to see that most felt "change" in SL as fun and experimenting and not exactly as a "need". For some, change was also a test to others. The group talked a lot about how changing into an appearance that strides outside the norm triggers the most unexpected attitudes in others. Someone in a wheelchair or who has an avatar that goes outside the "norm" is often invisible. This generated a bit of debate as some didn't fully agree with it! The group also discussed how much one changes during the course of his/her SL experience. For some it was a matter of changing until they found their "look" that, in a way, is their identity, finding it now difficult and awkward to have a different look by changing something as simple as a skin. For others, change was an integral part of existing in SL, something that made things far more interesting. Does change transfer from SL to RL, not only physically but psychological/emotionally too? Everyone agreed that it does. It may be in small things, such as a new found clothing style, or in extremely important issues like feeling more confident for instance. As a conclusion, the ability to change is a very important part of being alive, both in RL (Real Life) and in SL. It should also be reason for enjoyment in SL and not finger-pointing. Wouldn't it be great if SL could give a big push towards understanding and tolerance in what our outer (and inner too!) shape is? Join us next time at LnL for a new topic anda lively and interesting group of people! Looking forward to seeing you! :)

One year anniversary at LnL!

April 22 2009. London and I had just changed our SL life completely for reasons that went beyond our choices. Scattered all over the grid were our friends. With no place to meet, we felt that a good way to stay in touch would be to create a group. And that was how L&L Square was born, a square where we could "meet"! After many unexpected turns, LnL became a brand as well. A very small clothing store was opened at first with TShirts only. Then we felt the need to expand considering the good feedback and results we got. The collection started offering complete outfits as well. April 22 2010, LnL continues to gather people, its starting objective, through events, for instance a weekly discussion group open to the whole grid, the participation in hunts, the creation of special environments for the hunters to enjoy a more immersive experience, a few parties, and there are plans to grow even more! There will be an extension to the store (check out the composit London prepared for the blog!!) with a new, totally different, line of clothes that will be absolutely amazing! It was a great year and London and I wish to thank you all for making it possible and for taking part in this wonderful project!

Discussion "The Love Word - relationships in SL"!!

The topic for Tuesday of last week was "The Love word! - relationships in SL". A relationship is in itself a very complex issue. Add to that the SL-factor and it might become something unpredictable! The group started by talking about what drives the beginning of an Second Life (SL) relationship. Some defended that it is the same as in Real Life (RL) while others believed that factors like anonimity or geographical distance are crucial for people to feel bolder. Having the possibility of total privacy in SL makes it possible to not waste time on trivialities and people tend to be more direct, talking about their feelings and emotions. Sex seems to be possible more easily as well, some defended. The group talked a lot about fantasy in SL. Is an SL relationship a fantasy? All agreed that it is what one intends it to be, fantasy or reality, despite the fact that when expectations are different from one partner to the other that might be the cause for serious problems both in SL and in RL. Regarding intimacy in SL, all agreed there is indeed intimacy, although this was not an easy concept to define. To the question, what makes SL relationships work, things like open communication, honesty and respect were mentioned. For some the relationship stays in SL, for other RL is inevitably a part of SL, changing it and influencing it. To the fact that SL relationships seem to be fast-paced, starting and ending quickly, some suggested spending too much time together was a stress factor while others pointed out that there are close to no consequences if a relationship collapses. This was a very interesting and lively discussion! Many new faces attended and a lot of familiar ones as well! It was great fun! Join us next time for a new topic at LnL's Lounge! :)

Discussion April 6 at 2pm SLT - postponed!

UPDATED: Due to RL taking over, this discussion will be postponed one week. It will take place on April 20 at 2pm SLT.

Topic "The Love word! - relationships in SL"
Time: Tuesday, April 6 at 2pm SLT
Discussion: A relationship is in itself a very complex issue. Add to that the SL-factor and it might become something unimaginable! What drives them? What kills them? Are they irrealistic? Why the drama in many of them?
Drop by LnL's Lounge to discuss the rocky paths and the sweet sides of relationships in SL. We are looking forward to seeing you! :)

Enileda Hunt on till April 15!

The Enileda Hunt is on till April 15 and it is so much fun! This photo is of the set up LnL has for the hunt! It's hidden! ;) We dare you to find it! Do click the red "I" at Landing Point to get info about the ongoing hunts, for example the object you are looking for and hints! Come on over to LnL!

The hunting continues! Enjoy!

Here is an update on the ongoing and future hunts!

Ongoing:
*The Enileda Hunt - until April 15
*Irontail Hunt - until April 30
*MHOH - until April 30

Future:
* DarkKatz Hunt - starts May 1o
* Myths and Legends Hunt 2 - starts May 15
* Go4Goal Hunt - starts June 11

As you get to LnL, make sure to click the red "I" to get a notecard with plenty of info about the ongoing hunts, namely the object you are looking for and hints! Have fun with the cool prizes we have prepared for you!

Discussion on Communication in Second Life!

Tuesday we met at LnL's Lounge to talk about the topic "What?! I'll mute you... - Communication in SL!" (great picture London prepared for the blog! Thank you, thank you!!). Communication in general and especially in SL, with its constraints and limitations, is one of the most fascinating issues! This was a very interesting and lively discussion! Again a great group and a lot of interesting opinions. Everyone thought that communication in SL is complex, not to say difficult! Anonimity seems to open the door to a more informal speech which for many reasons create misunderstandings. For non-native speakers of the language that is being spoken in a particular moment/location, have an added difficulty when verbal language is the main means of communication. On non-verbal communication, the group agreed that gestures and emoting help make things clearer. There is a lot of "noise" in the communication flow in SL. For example, IMing, notices, the use of voice by people we are not talking to, group chats. The group thought all this information was positive but that it demanded an extra effort from all of us. To end the discussion, the group suggested ways of improving communication in Second Life: listening before speaking, being respectful, using full sentences (for example for those who are not native-speakers or those less used to all the abbreviations that are common in SL/online), being empathic, kind and understanding. As a conclusion, communication is absolutely vital for all social interaction. Giving a bit of thought to the way we say things in SL might be the difference between a stressful catastrophe and making sure all sides are being heard and understood. :) Drop by LnL next Tuesday at 2pm SLT to discuss a new topic!

10 000 plus visitors!!!

More than TEN THOUSAND visitors at LnL!! WOOOHOOO!! The counter was set up in January of this year! Isn't it amazing? Thank you to all who have given LnL support and friendship! :)

NEW Release at LnL - Outfit 36!!

Outfit 36 is an amazing unisex outfit in tones of salmon and black. This elegant outfit has a top that evokes an armour, gloves and pants (mod so they can be worn with different types of shoewear). It also brings a flexi bottom skirt and a collar. The final touch is a pair of boots. All the accessories come with a resizable feature for a perfect fit. Drop by LnL to check it out! :)

The storm continues!

Here are a few more photos of Retropolis, Captive Island , Tricia Farella's sim that is absolutely amazing!

A dragon, dangerous jumps and killer spiders! These are a few of the challenges you will be faced with!

If you are looking forward to spending a good time in a very well built place, do drop by Retropolis! You will start in a storm (see a previous post) and find your way through several cool locations! Enjoy :)

Discussion: Escaping into SL!

Last Tuesday we gathered at LnL to discuss the topic "I ran so far away... - Escaping into Second Life!" (absolutely amazing photo London prepared for the blog and so fitting too! Thanks!). The word "escape" is not an easy word for its negative connotation, yet everyone agreed to use it to simplify the understanding of the different sides of what was being discussed. The group thought that Second Life (SL) was a very effective way of escaping Real Life (RL). It was interesting to see that this "escape" was experienced as something mostly positive as it allowed for new experiences, creativity, exploring and learning new skills. SL works for many as an empowerment tool. Businesses are created, stores, that allow for a sense of purpose. But it was also mentioned by the group that sometimes one gets more than one expects or is ready for and the paradoxical experience of feeling the need to escape SL/within SL (for example creating an alt) becomes a reality. Speaking of reality, to the question whether SL allowed one to escape further and further into oneself, becoming isolated as a result, the group went on to discuss the meaning of "reality" and what is real/not real in SL! Very interesting! We did "escape" the topic a few times this week! LOL And how thought-provoking it was too! :) As a conclusion, running away from RL, running away from problems, boredom, an angry ex, from SL's issues, are only a few of the reasons that make some use SL as a form of escapism. As paradoxical as it may seem, let's hope "escaping" becomes the trampoline for positive life experiences! Drop by next week for a new topic at LnL's!

A storm at high seas!

A storm, winds, the deafening sound of the waves, a few seagulls struggling hard and... you!
This is what you will encounter at Retropolis, in Captiva Island! It is an amazing place created by Tricia Farella's talent and certainly worth a lengthy visit to explore every mysterious corner!
There are a lot of places where you can sit or... hang from (you'll know what I mean when you see them!) to enjoy the very immersive experience!
London and I took the time to dance a bit while we were enjoying the storm!! LOL
Retropolis is an amazing place. We strongly recommend you dropping by for a visit!! :) And keep an eye on the blog. We will blog other corners and magical locations of Retropolis soon! Enjoy!

Impromptu!

You start by helping a few people who are new in Second Life. You show them how to open a box, how to wear the contents of that box (and how to detach the posestand that makes you look like you are wearing a shield!). After several hours of hard work, someone offers you a beer and a lot of laughs! At the command of "beer!", everyone wearing the beer mug starts dancing! Well, people continued to arrive for the STEAM Hunt and they too were offered a mug of beer. The end result was what you can see on the photo London took of everyone dancing, having a good time and a lot of laughs! :) It sure was fun and, the best part, we got a few new friends too! One never knows what will happen next in Second Life!

At 3pm SLT, discussion!

Tomorrow's topic: "I ran so far away... - Escaping into Second Life!"

Time: Tuesday, March 23 at 3pm SLT
Discussion: Is SL a way of escaping Real Life? Or is it a tool of empowerment? Why is it so successful and simultaneously so... dangerous? These are only some of the issues we will talk about!
Location: LnL's Lounge
Drop by to share your opinion on this topic! We are looking forward to seeing you! Join us! :)

Discussion on "Working in SL!"

Tuesday at LnL's Lounge, we discussed the topic "The need to engage? - working in Second Life!". Many people choose to work in Second Life while others decide never to do it. Today we will discuss what stands behind these decisions. To the question, why do people decide to get a job in Second Life?, many replied that it was a way to get a sense of purpose, a way to have fun and certainly a way to get money. Some stated that they would not get a job in SL that would be an extension of what they do in RL, others stated that if they could make SL their source of RL income, they would seriously consider it. This latter possibility was discussed quite a bit. The majority defended that despite the state of world's economies, SL presents itself as a business opportunity, despite the tensions and influences that exist. Why do some decide not to work in SL? Well, the group was of the opinion that that happens because they want to enjoy SL without adding responsability to what they already have in RL. So, whether you have decided to make work a part of our SL or whether we have decided to stay away from it, it is interesting to experiment, making our "second life" in this virtual world a challenge! Join us next Tuesday, March 23, at 3pm SLT for a new topic of discussion with a friendly and fun group.

New Group Gift!

LnL has been growing steadily lately and London and I decided to put out a new Group Gift for new and old members of the group! Drop by LnL and click on the box you see on the photo! Don't forget to wear the Group tag! :) The prize is a wonderful TShirt with a very cool eagle! Beautiful sunset tones and a powerful image! We hope you enjoy it!

Enileda Hunt starts tomorrow!

LnL continues to take part in several hunts! Tomorrow, March 15, starts the Enileda Hunt, organised by a very nice lady, Enileda1978 Tomorrow. So drop by and let's make this hunt a big success! You will be looking for an E! The prize is a very elegant outfit! LnL will also take part in the Irontail Egg Hunt and the MHOH Hunt in April. Until the end of the month you can enjoy The Gridwide Button Hunt and The STEAM Hunt! Oh, see that I on the photo? Click it to get more information and hints for the hunts. Have fun!

Discussion next Tuesday at 3pm SLT (with time correction)!

Update: Due to Daylight Savings Time, SLT has also changed. So The discussion on Tuesday will be at 3pm SLT and NOT 2pm SLT. :)

Topic: The need to engage? - to work in Second Life!

Time: Tuesday, March 16 at 3pm SLT
Discussion: Many people choose to work in Second Life! Why? Is it a way not to get bored? An attempt to try different fields of work one has no experience in in RL? Or simply the need to have some pocket money? Why do some people decide not to work in SL? And which are the pros and cons of working in Second Life? These are only some of the issues we will talk about!
Moderator: Lizzie Gudkov
Location: LnL's Lounge
Drop by to share your opinion on this topic! We are looking forward to seeing you! Join us! :)

New Release Outfit 35!!!

Outfit 35 is a classic outfit with a touch of modernity! Its tones of blue and red enrich the wonderful textures that have very elaborate details! It includes a jacket (worn as a shirt layer), pants (mod so they can be worn with any type of shoewear), a flexi coat bottom (adjusted to the female and male avatars), a collar and gloves matching the outfit. It also includes a pair of boots! All the accessories come with a resizable feature for a perfect fit!

Of a steam station and whimsical magic!

LnL is participating in two hunts at the moment, The STEAM hunt. and The Gridwide Button Hunt. For these two events, we have created unique outfits with a lot of very cool extras of high quality and fun look! To make this a more interesting and immersive experience, LnL has created two special ambiances only accessible when you find the hunt item in the store! You are looking for a Button and a Gear. These will have a Landmark each to these two locations!

We invite you to drop by and explore around! Oh! At the Landing Point, click the I to get hints! Enjoy! :)