"Second Life: The Official Guide"

I love books.  Nowadays, actual books are a little old-school for a tech savvy 24-year-old, but I can't quite get into the eBook thing.  I suppose I enjoy the tactile sensations that come with reading.

(Yes, I bought the book mentioned above.  Yes, I realize that makes me a huge dork.)

Anyways...  Having somehow skipped over Orientation Island and all that, this guide has proven to be a worthwhile read.  It is broken up into parts and chapters, organized in a chronological fashion--the most basic and important stuff is mentioned first.  Although it is over 300 pages long, it's actually a quick read due to the wide margins and numerous full-color photos.  The version I have is a little outdated, but it honestly doesn't make that much of a difference.

I loved learning how Second Life came into existence and seeing what the famous hot-spots were.  Another really helpful chapter explained the overwhelmingly vague Appearance menu, where I learned how to fine-tune my shape.  (I have a free one from Betty Bish.)  Before those hints, I moved the little sliders around randomly, hoping to make myself look decent!

This is what I used to look like--yikes!!

Ugh...not much better here.

Probably the most useful things I've read about so far (I'll keep you updated) are about Animations/Gestures and Inventory.  Learning to use movements really adds to your SL social experience.  I won't get into it, but there are Gestures in your Inventory that you need to activate and practice using.  And the Inventory--you arrive in SL with a whole bunch of useful stuff for free!  You really don't need to buy anything because of all the stuff in there, plus in the Library folders.  Don't overlook it.

South Side Snakepit

Talk about a playground!  South Side Snakepit is a grungy sex-playground for adults who like it a little trashy.  Look at that naked guy trying out the poseballs, teehee!  (Clicking on a poseball allows you to do a specific action.)

Wonderful, detailed scenery.  Note the smoke coming from the car.  And the blue poseball would make me suck a dick "against" my will.  This place is really cool; I just wish I had a partner.  I know I could probably just go up to some random guy there (or anywhere in SL) and say, "Wanna fuck?"  But I like to fuck girls.

However, I'm not a man-hater or anything.  In fact, one of the cool things I found at SSS was The Penis Gallery.  I believe they have Xcite! products there--the best in the biz!  If you haven't heard about Xcite!'s special genitalia, HUDs, and attachments you're missing out.  They have a ridiculous amount of products to make cyber-sex as realistic and enjoyable as possible.  Check out their website.

Of course, this was actually a place to buy penises; not just look at penis artwork!  You can also buy vaginas and various sex HUDs.  (HUDs are little controllers that allow for more specific movements/animations.)  Note the silver cock sculpture!

SSS also happens to be where I learned about Second Life drugs...but that's a whole other post.

How To Be a Pornstar

If you're interested in Second Life's porn community, Emmanuelle Jameson's blog is definitely a great place to start.  Emmanuelle is a beautiful and experienced pornstar who shares tons of links to adult machinima (SL movies).  She even has a page dedicated to getting started in porn.  If you are interested in this topic, I am sure you will find some very useful information.

 "Undisclosed Desires"

My favorite type of porn is females masturbating!

(Sorry; couldn't help it!)

Virtual Hedonist

I never really had a "set" of goals or expectations when I joined Second Life.  As I've mentioned before, I am most of all fascinated by the idea of a virtual self (which connotes immortality) and the user-created focus of the world. 

However, if you've been following this blog you'll have noticed my unintended focus on the adult areas within SL.  The virtual realm has allowed the inner pervert in me to come out and play--something that is obviously limited in RL.  To my surprise and utter delight, there is a huge and diverse community of perverts in SL!

"Warning! Perv Bitch Sin Playground! No Church in Town!"

Now, I'm not new to "forbidden pleasures", as some may call them.  I used to be a stripper in RL, I prefer sleeping with women, had a couple of three-somes, worn a strap-on, enjoyed watching porn videos, and sex in public places.  Now that I've gone square (I work with kids in RL, so...yeah...), my sexual life has been seriously lacking.  :(  It is wonderful to have a new outlet!

This photo is from Gawker.

By the way, if you have questions for me or just want to hang out, feel free to comment on my blog or look me up in SL.  My name is the same: MissAshleyDoll. 

Island of Penises

An awesomely random place in Second Life--which I will just mention briefly--is the beautiful Aeros Island in Real Angel Bay.  I don't know how I happened upon this place...it is an island of penises!  Actually, they're penis sculptures--large, curved, and beautiful. 

Unfortunately, this island was completely empty of people when I visited, so I didn't stay very long.

The Crack Den

One thing about Second Life that many people don't realize is that it's not a game in and of itself.  It's actually a world within a world, often referred to as a metaverse.  However there are many games within SL--gambling, bowling, hunting, chess, and racing are just a few.

What I personally found fascinating was the role-playing games (RPGs) and communities, of which there are also many: historical, steampunk, and of course vampires!  I chose to join an urban RPG called The Crack Den, which is full of crime, drugs, gangs, and prostitutes. 

WTF?, you may ask.  But, honestly it's a lot like Grand Theft Auto--you play it because it's so far from your real-life situation.  Afterall, that's why we join SL...to engage in our dark and dangerous fantasies...

This is my character's "background story":

Destiny Scaggs grew up in a trailor park with her mother and 3 brothers.  Having 3 brothers made her grow up tough--she doesn't allow people to take advantage of her.  But she doesn't trust anyone either, and has difficulty forming relationships.  Destiny has never met her father, but she has heard stories about him from her older brothers.  He is a drug-smuggler and Destiny's mom left him after he got sent to jail.  He's out now, and Destiny wonders where (and who) he is...

The 2 pics above show an old church that was turned into a strip club.

Xtra Ordinary Brothel

The Xtra Ordinary brothel and strip club, often abbreviated as XO, lies in Half Moon Caye.  Obviously, this is adult-only location.  The owner(s) seem to be German, as many of their announcements are auf Deutsch.  The inside is classy and they play mostly pop music.  When I visited, there were no other people!  It must have been bedtime in Germany when I visited.

The ammenities include platforms with poles, large private rooms, and several different themes--including the taboo rape scenario.  It's definitely a place I'd like to work, but I'm still less than a month old which means many jobs are off-limits.