skogga

I've been away from the Second Life Military Community for about a year, enough time to think about my role in the games avatars play.

SL combat is role playing albeit unscripted, I played the part of a skilled murderous bitch fairly well when the curtain went up. That's misleading if you've never been part of one of SL's standing militaries; 99% of my time was spent as my virtual avatar kept a virtual rifle off the ground. I lived for that 1% though, it was my time to be somebody, to show what I could do, show what anyone could achieve if they really wanted it bad enough.

I used to be curious why very few people wanted to train and practice the curious arts of fighting in SL. Why wouldn't someone want to learn the unique quirks only found in SL's physics engine to make yourself a better player? Why wouldn't someone want to know how to identify and counter the viewer tricks opponents used to cheat? Why wouldn't anyone want to go out on an alt and harass their own sim to find it's weaknesses and strengths to better defend it? My knowledge and experience went nowhere to no one, no one wanted it.

Time has shown that my particular kind of dedication and skill were pretty worthless since the only people who are recruited and sought after by various factions are scripters and builders. The greatest and most anticipated announcements you could make in a group was a new album of guns coming out soon, but new guns never improved anyone's ability to use them. Were all the other members of these military groups RP'ing as gun collectors just biding their time until the next album release? I could be right, most recruits first questions concern the weapons they're going to get and how do they get more. Builders and scripters make the candy that keeps the kid's noses pressed against the candy-store glass.

Being a skilled murderous bitch became boring, I had to downgrade my weaponry sometimes just to make it harder on myself. My notices sent out offering training were ignored or unattended. If I played too hard in public combat sims the other combatants would leave. One master, no apprentices. I've cobbled together a syllabus of "SL combat 101" and a script for a you/tube series which may be the only way anyone will ever have access to what I've learned and been professing for years to deaf ears, however I'm skeptical as to it's worth.

I'm Vokey Juneberry, formerly member of:
Valor
BSM
XAF (alt)
Merczateers
2142nd
Silver Hawk Army (alt)

Most of the construction and repair projects I do around the house and vehicles are out of necessity. Ever since I had to straighten a poorly-assembled carbine I bought at a gun show many years ago I've tended towards building my own, for fun!

Today I painted an AR I assembled a few weeks ago. Nothing fancy just two rattle-cans of Rustoleum and one Krylon, both freehand and with a piece of fiberboard which I punched a few holes in for highlights. I feel good right now.

Nawww, I never played the game. Wrong plumbing.

I have been a volunteer for the Hard Knox Roller Girls, this being my 5th full season as a track crew member. I appreciated the trust of the team and staff, and the feeling of being more than just a fan who shows up and warms a seat. But this has still been just a spectator sport from my side, and I'm tiring of watching others have all the fun.

With 3 more home games left this season I wonder if I will ever go back as a fan? Hard to say, being a nobody who lays strips of masking tape on a concrete floor to a nobody who pays admission and watches from the stands doesn't sound like fun. I'm old and have always preferred participation and have lots of other things vying for my time and money. I can't even say I'm a fan of any player in particular; I used to get calls from a few but they've moved on or retired before they became casualties of injury or drama. I don't cheer for anyone anymore...

I'm eating more meat, so it's not a mood issue from my diet hehehee.

OK, just took a 600-mile joyride to pick up a motorcycle frame. I have all the parts to complete it, I needed this frame because it has good papers! My skill set includes fixing old motorcycles; I'll fix'er up all spiffy, hoon around for a bit then sell it. This one will not be a loss as I refuse to sell for less than I've spent on it. Most of the people doing what I can do are getting old and quitting which doesn't make my services more valuable rather they are becoming rare.