Short Essay #1 Topic and Thesis

Topic: Religion and Spirituality

Thesis: To some in the real world, having faith and spirituality are a distinct way of life, and in second life, Sims practice the same faith, worship, and spirituality just as ceremoniously.

****Rough draft thesis****

Let Me Introduce My Second Self!

When choosing an avatar in second life, there is no limit to what someone can make themselves appear to be. Instead of making myself look completely different or outrageous, I decided to go with what I thought to be a similar resemblance. I did, however, want to change my outfit. The pink polka-dot dress just wasn't me! I decided to go with a nice pair of dark slacks and a plain white t-shirt. I tried to make my hair to be long and dark, like it is naturally. I made my eyes a pretty shade of green, because in real-life, I think they are a pretty unique shade.

As far as my appearance in second-life, it's probably pretty simplified. I like to look around at the other persons in second life, and see their very unique styling's. I'd like to, once I get more experienced, change my appearance, clothing, etc. As I learn more and more, I am excited to make wacky outfits and hair-styles, things I'd love to try in real-life, but would never have the guts to do!! Though for now, I think my simplified look represents me, and how I feel in second life, still getting the feel for things, but watch out! Who knows what I'll end up looking like!!!

Snapshots in Second Life

When starting out in second life, I was very skeptical, and honestly had no clue what I had gotten myself into! As I began "playing" around, and getting more comfortable, it started to intrigue me more and more though. While I was still unsure on what was in store for me when I would begin teleporting, I couldn't have imagined where it would be taking me!

My first teleport in Second Life brought me to Info Island. I was roaming, investigating what the Island had to offer when I discovered I was in a Library. This would be the Alliance Virtual Library, which was quite big, and at first confusing considering I entered into the top floor. It wasn't til I reached the bottom floor, where I saw some information I happened to be interested in. It was all the information on The Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. There was area's for note cards about him, his family and Joe Biden and his family. Apparently I had come a little late, as a the info was taken. As I continued on walking through Info Island, I saw many snowmen. They seemed to be reading books and looking for some kind of donations. I decided that would be a good picture, because, as most of you know, it's been awhile since we've seen any snow!!!

My Next teleport, which I believe to be the most interesting happened in Peace Park. I found Peace Park to be, well, peaceful. It was full of flower's and information on many different religions. I picked up some note cards about Hinduism. I would of also liked to get some on Buddhism, but there was none available at the time. As I was leaving Peace Park, there stood this lady, with shoes that were sparkling! I just adored them, and so I mentioned how much I liked them to her. She returned a thank you via a translator, which I found interesting. Then she sent me a gift of a teleport to a location named France Pittoresque Seychelles. I took a snapshot in front of what I assume is the welcome sign, I'm not so good with the french! It was very interesting to say the least!

My last picture is of me with some interesting artwork in Thursday's Fiction. Now, I'll be honest, when I first arrived, I was spooked to say the least! It was very foggy, with rocks all around and arrows pointing the way to go. Naturally, being the curious cat I am, I walked the direction of the arrows until I reached a dead end with a sign. As it cleared, the sign read purgatory, so I clicked and down I went. It was the same fog, but this time with trees that whispered interesting quotations. Besides being slightly creeped out, it was pretty cool. I'm not sure how, but returned to a different area of Thursday's Fictions and found all this interesting art.

Of all the places I first vistied in second life, I found these to be the most memorable. I thought the lady that gave me the teleport was so cool. How nice complete strangers can be! I'm excited to use all my new learned knowledge in writing my papers, and get actual expreience with topics and resources that I don't have to just read ot of a book!