The Book of Boris

Friendship

2011-08-23T06:36:00.002+01:00

I have over the last few weeks pondered over the topic of 'friendship', and how it relates to our virtual realm.

I even had cause to look up a definition just to get some foundation on my thoughts - a sorry state of affairs to admit to.

I offer two ideas.

Time is the currency of friendship.
How one 'spends' ones' time is a measure of what you find important.
Making time to chat, dance, explore or whatever with someone is an
indication of the value you place upon them.
A crude analogy I admit. But it got me thinking...

An analogy...

A friendship, or any relationship, is like a bank account. We make deposits - time, gifts, affection, chatting - into that persons account.

We can also make withdrawls too - the wrong word, anger, silence, not making time - these reduce the balance in that friendship account.

For strong friendships you can even go overdrawn, into debt. Maybe from misunderstandings or reacting to a hurt. But a good friend will understand and allow a negative balance as they know you are worth the debt.

Following on from this idea, I suggest the frequency of deposit (friendly deeds) is a major factor. A friendship balance is eroded by time. The rate will be different for different people, even in the same friendship.

Some will make frequent small deposits - the hiyas, waves, chats about your day, the odd dance maybe. This is not unlike the ordinary Joe visiting the bank every few days and chatting to the pretty clerk behind the counter whom he gets to know.

Then there are the 'flash harry' deposits, once in a while the guy who deposits a large amount - presents, fine words, posh venue.

A very over simple analogy, but I hope it conveys an idea.

I wonder which the bank clerk would miss more, who she would turn to chat with if her dog were ill or ask for help in the garden?

Second Life Philosophy.

2011-06-23T06:37:00.000+01:00

A way of thinking

After many years in this virtual realm I have developed a simple philosophy. I try to treat everyone I meet with a quiet respect. I judge them on their conduct towards, and before, me. In this virtual realm of ‘Alts’, ’IMs’ and concealment this is all you really have to guide you.

There are reputations, gossip, rumour and drama abound. While there may well be no smoke without fire, I acknowledge what I hear, but still be polite and kind. I have held conversations with pole dancers on the state of the European economy, with griefers on social exclusion, escorts on relationships and with newbies who do not understand the hate.

You know nothing of their lives, their motives, and their journey. I am a believer in the idea that nurture not nature affects a person’s behaviour. Only they have walked their path, seen their sights, felt their hopes, known their fears, and held their dreams.

Many cultures have their own version of the golden rule, it holds true in the virtual too – “treat others as you would wish them to treat you.”

Some may say of me ‘friend to all friend to none’, but this is how I am. When a Doctor tells you that you have a big heart, sadly it is not always a good thing. Life comes into focus.

I am not perfect, far from it. The hill is steep, the top hidden in mist. But the climb and those we me upon the way are worth it.

Overheard

2011-01-24T12:35:00.001Z

Over this past weekend, while sat in my cat basket behind the Blarney
Stone bar, I overheard a couple of comments about secondlife:

"It's a safe way to meet creepy people"

And

"It's where sad old married people come to get a date."

While I will agree that there is some measure of the truth in both
observations, I like to still think SL is, or can be, more.

The people who made those comments were not Newbies, one of them I
believe has been rezzed longer than me.

It just made me feel more jaded, more frustrated. I very much am a
believer in that 'you attitude determines you altitude' - and not just
in flying (ask Ham to explain).

Leaving old Durham Town

2011-01-13T07:03:00.000Z

I was wandering Dublin last night, taking pictures to remind me of the
place when in my sub-conscious I could hear the Roger Whittaker song
'I gotta leave old Durham town'.

Prophetic?

Remember

2010-11-14T18:46:00.001Z

We Will Remember Them.

I have managed to develop a habit in Second Life.

For each of the four Rememberance Sundays I've been a resident I've manged to be at a virtual cenotaph at 11am.

Some may consider it weird, disrespectful even.

As long as we all show some respect, some thought, some rememberance of those who have sacrificed all.

"Think and remember."

Balance

2010-11-14T07:52:00.000Z

Due to changes in Real Life I've not been in world as much as I used to, some would say regaining a little balance.

The strange effect of Second Life time distortion, be away from Second Life a few Real Life Days and it can feel like weeks to those who remain daily visitors.

Tinkerbell Syndrome

2010-10-04T23:37:00.002+01:00

This is a concept that has occured to me of late. Based upon an
adaptation of 'Peter Pan', where the fairy Tinkerbell begins to fade
and die because no one believes in fairys anymore.
To some extent that is what I feel is happening to the Blarney Cat,
they don't believe in him anymore.

He's been tainted by RL rumour and opinion. The latest generation don't believe anymore.

Glimmer of hope.
A few, many more than I thought, have told me they miss the cat. Maybe
he won't fade after all.

"Hail fellow well met"

2010-09-02T18:15:00.015+01:00

Welcome to my journal of my travels and thoughts in Second Life.

My intention is to record my time in SecondLife:

The Places,
The fantastic creations from buildings to whole regions,
The Venues,
The Bars, Clubs, Meeting places where avatars gather for music, social or other.
The Artists,
The Singers and groups who entertain us in this virtual world,
The Events,
The various activites that can be found in SL
The People.
The wonderful and diverse people who make this virtual world real.
My Thoughts.
The ponderings of a curmudgeon as he wanders.
Real Life,
It sometimes will leak into SL, or events of note.

Well, that is the intention.

Why?
To give my Second Life some purpose. And to Record what I find and share with others.

"Have a Good and Safe one!"