Tinies With Attitude!
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Anyone who has seen me wandering around the grid, either hanging out or searching for my next story, will know that if there is one thing I don't really try to achieve with my "look", it's cuteness. However, with the current love affair that SL is having with the Tiny avatar, I, like everyone else, want to get involved, especially with all the great things and adventures that are available within the tiny community (much like the Loco Poco's treasure hunt that we explored recently). So I decided I would go on a bit of a shopping spree, to see if I could find myself a tiny avatar that was not quite so, well, cute. A badass Tiny, if you will.
The first thing that caught my eye was Tedwood Portsmouth's "Death of Tinies costume" (200$L). However, while this neat little outfit, with it's Terry Pratchet inspired name, has a superb gothic charm, and would make the perfect Halloween costume for any Tiny, it still requires wearing a frankly adorable animal avatar underneath, thus making it not exactly what I'm looking for.
I decided to move away from the gothic, and try out something a little more funky and futuristic. After much searching, I found the "Tiny Kabuki Robot" by AKIBE Sixgallery(300$L). This highly detailed avatar combines intricate traditional Japanese patterns and costume, with funky neon robotic styling. However, maybe it's the fact that it's samurai blade is purely decorative, or perhaps it was the quirky cartoon blinking eyes, but when I took the avatar down to the neon city of Insilico, I felt that, although it looked fantastic, it was hardly intimidating and wasn't really making anyone take me very seriously.
Maybe what I needed was something with more muscle. More macho. So what could be better than a tiny wrestler! "Mary's Tiny ;; Fukumen" by makitan Kidd(110$L) matched the bill superbly, turning me into a mini-luchador totally ready to mix it up with any other Lycra clad warriors. I felt the need to try this out, so I headed down to Second Life Championship Wrestling's Ambrodome Arena, where there happened to be a match on. I hung out amongst the audience and the other wrestlers, thinking, "Well, Rey Mysterio can be short and a champion?". But the nail was hammered into my badass wrassler image when Katheryn Blackadder, winner of the match that night, spotted me, and said "Check out the lil luchador! How Cute!". Failed again, I guess.
Back searching again, I decided that if anyone could make a tiny avatar with attitude, it would be a brand called "Fucker Family". "Skeleton Boy" by Karshr Demonia(150$L) mixes urban street style along with a dark supernatural monster charm. An undead dude with punk sensibilities. You can even buy a rock and roll guitar or bass, that plays a kickass riff when you type. What could be more badass than that! I was all happy to call it a day there, and say that I had found the avatar I'd been looking for, but it just so happened that I had bought a gift for someone that I couldn't transfer. I called the creator over to my land, and was discussing the problem, and once I'd finally come to an agreement with her, as a parting comment, she turned to me, and said "btw, your avatar is very cute". ARGH!
So, I decided, I needed something that could never be called cute. Something that, regardless of size, would strike fear into the heart of any avatar. I needed to get properly scary. And then I found it:
"Evil Clown Tiny Avatar" by Jenne Dibou's Mechanical Toy Factory(490$L) is NOT cute. From it's automaton metal skin, to the burning red eyes and little razor sharp teeth, and the fact that it is an evil clown, it has everything you need to intimidate any avatar you bump into. Pleased that I had finally found something that no-one could call cute, I started showing off my find to my friends. And they all agreed that it was indeed a completely uncute tiny. They also agreed that unless I changed out of the avatar, they might feel the need to run away screaming.
So, in conclusion, it is possible to find a tiny avatar that is not cute. However, whether it is possible to find such an avatar, without your friends hiding behind sofas and pretending not to be around when you call, is quite another matter. I guess there are worse things than being cute.
Trin and Voo go Loco (Poco)
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Trinity Dechou: Following on from my previous article and experience of Loco Pocos Island, I suggested to Mr Buwan (fellow explorer) that Trin and Voo should attempt to do the infamous Loco Pocos Treasure Hunt.
Voodoo Buwan: As a break from the norm for our little Trin and Voo jaunts, on this particular excursion, we decided to drag our respective significant others along for the ride
Trinity Dechou: I was appointed (by myself) to lead this little expedition so I arrived at the Loco Pocos Main Store (as the adorable red Loco Poco Fox) and teleported the equally adorable Loco Pocos Gray Cat, namely my partner, Aimee Trescothick.
Voodoo Buwan: Myself and the beautiful Allanah Tomsen met up with Trin and Aims, but of course, we decided to go all non-conformist. Allanah wore a non-Loco Pocos black cat avatar, although with a very cute Loco Pocos hat and trainers, while I turned up in my tiny Cosmic Boy avatar, a self customised piece, created mostly using the Seisaku Kit from Kuroboro Works.
Trinity Dechou: We quickly wandered the shop to pick up any essential equipment for the adventure; this is where Aimee decided it was essential to purchase a tank for the trails. Having been mercilessly mowed down by the tank a few times, we decided to start off our adventure.
Voodoo Buwan: We headed down from the main shop, to the roots of the massive tree that dominates the island, and started searching for the notes from some long forgotten Pirate, which would guide us on our way
Trinity Dechou: We spotted a shipwrecked boat and decided this would be a good place to start our adventure. Once we all fell aboard we began looking for these hidden books which detail the history of the island, and its inhabitants. Allanah exclaimed that she had found the first book and we all set off trying to find her.
Voodoo Buwan: I was amazed at how our feline counterparts were coping so well with all the water!
Trinity Dechou: Having rescued the kittens from the water, while voodoo tried to guide his cosmic boy creation into the first room, we all stood waiting for our snapshot as he arrived on the floating door and prepared to strike his cosmic pose.
Voodoo Buwan: Boy did I look cosmic! However, I looked less impressive when we went to find the other book on this boat, as it required falling through a grate, which everyone else managed with ease, while I got my massive planetoid sized heed stuck in the bars.
Trinity Dechou: We decided with two wet and angry Cats, and the huge headed Cosmic entity, that we had had enough of the boat so I lead the party back to dry land. Aimee decided around this time she no longer wanted her camouflaged tank to blend in, and she changed her tank to a tan appearance. We stumbled upon a REALLY tiny village and decided to stand around in an intimidating fashion.
Voodoo Buwan: Oh how I envied the little mushroom houses! Tiny is good, but I can't wait until someone invents the miniscule!
Trinity Dechou: Before Aimee flattened the pretty village we wandered round the island further and discovered a rather tricky and hidden book under a little ground bush.
Voodoo Buwan: It was at this point, that the primberrys reminded Aims that tank fired primberry bullets. Which she then spent most of the rest of the trip shooting us with. Ignoring this, we battled on, eventually finding an entrance into the giant tree itself.
Trinity Dechou: As Allanah, Voodoo and myself tried to find neutral ground away from the tank we fled up the tunnel and arrived in a large open space with falling starts and yet another book. Aimee ceased firing for just long enough while we grabbed a quick pic.
Voodoo Buwan: Once we got the photo, everyone headed out, while I predictably fell into the pool there, for the fishermen who frequent that room. After spending a couple of minutes running as fast as I could on my little cosmic legs to catch up, I was told that Allanah had to go deal with some rl things, but that we should carry on.
Trinity Dechou: Offering a towel to the soaked Cosmic Boy we happened upon another tunnel this one filled with portals to other worlds. After collecting another book we took the fiery red portal into a lava filled world.
Voodoo Buwan: This is where the real fun began, as not only did these magic portals give the chance to find more books, but also to get special prizes! These prizes didn't come easily, as you have to complete challenges to earn them. In this particular zone, you had to hop from rising and falling platforms, above molten lava, from one side of the room to the other.
Trinity Dechou: Having watched the tank clad Aimee leap gracefully over the platforms I decided to try. Having failed miserably I decided that I didn't have the skills to attempt these challenges. I however turned my attention to Cosmic Boy. As I watched him rise and fall with much amusement I decided others had to bare witness to this debarkle and I shot a movie; guest star Cosmic Boy!
Voodoo Buwan: Yes, laugh at Voodoo's complete lack of co-ordination!
Trinity Dechou: I have done on many, many, many occasions. It is only fair our fans should see this in real time too!
Voodoo Buwan: Yeah, well at least I tried! Anyway, eventually, we both gave up, and instead figured out that if we stood near the treasure chest, while Aimee made us feel inferior with her platform hopping skill, then when she opened the chest, we could quickly grab the treasure for ourselves too!
Trinity Dechou: This then involved amusement of its very own. While Aimee and I were both in Loco Pocos Avatars, attaching Loco Poco accessories is no issue. However if you are a rebel, like cosmic boy, the accessories don't really fit.
Voodoo Buwan: Yes, while Trin's av sported a flame Mohawk perfectly, I looked like something had caught fire inside my noggin.
Trinity Dechou: As Voodoo decided this really spoiled his whole look, we teleported to the next area, this one has a settlement of houses. We headed into the blue house. Cosmic Boy decided he needed to lay down following the whole lava experience, and Aimee posed with her turret through the fire.
Voodoo Buwan: I needed a brief time out in a comfy bed, to recover from various 3rd degree lava burns, and internal Mohawk scorching
Trinity Dechou: From the settlement the group headed to a lovely boat and yet more treasure, providing we could crack the code to open the box.
Voodoo Buwan: We cam'd around the boat, to find the various clues, showing us the meanings behind the strange symbols above the chest. Once we uttered the magic word, we all gathered a delightful Pirate Hat to wear
Trinity Dechou: When you have a Loco Pocos Avatar you also get the Loco Pocos HUD. With this HUD you can change the colour of your attachments. Aimee decided her current look suited the black, I chose the white, which left the very manly cosmic boy the default pink hat.Voodoo Buwan: Hey, I'm secure enough in my cosmic masculinity to carry that off! Anyway, job done, we headed to the next zone, a maze of sand-walled catacombs for us to find our way through. Problem was that Trin had been struck by an attack of the lag, so Aimee and I strove on while she sorted herself out.
Trinity Dechou: Now being the profound genius that she is, Aimee headed straight to the end. Meanwhile Voodoo and I were sucked into the swirling sand as we kept taking the wrong turns. What is they say about men not looking at maps? My excuse was the lag.
Voodoo Buwan: Now, while I tried again and again, and earned the sense of achievement that comes from managing something yourself, Trin waited until I was done, and then got her girlfriend to come and guide her half blind lagging ass to the treasure room, in what some would call cheating
Trinity Dechou: Personally I would call it an act of love. I was struggling and my lovely partner came back to rescue me... this is not cheating.
Voodoo Buwan: Cheating!
Trinity Dechou: Having made it into the treasure room (by any means possible) we each collected our swag bag and posed for yet another picture. Having finished all the portals we headed back down the tunnel and out onto the island once more. We made our way over to the lighthouse and decided to walk the tall circular staircase to the top, to take in the view and have one last snap.
Voodoo Buwan: Well, to be slightly more accurate, as our scene and this adventure closed, Trin was looking out at the gorgeous view, while Aimee chased Cosmic Boy around the top of the lighthouse, shooting primberrys at him from her wee tank.
Trinity Dechou: That's because you accused her of helping me to cheat, which clearly is an inflammable comment.
Voodoo Buwan: Hmmmm
Trinity Dechou: Why must you always have the last word?
Voodoo Buwan: As if I would
A big BIG small
Thursday, 29 May 2008
We have a very mixed and varied population in Second Life. You can choose to be whatever you want. The handsome rugged guy, the girl next door, the sun sleek and oiled beach babe, neko, furry, goth, cyber punk. One community that has a slightly lower media presence is that of the tiny.
The main centre for tiny orientated events is the Raglan Shire sims and in charge of these islands is Zayn Till. With the forthcoming Art Walk on the Shire sims I grabbed Zayn quickly for a chat about the tiny area and Art Walk.
Trinity Dechou: Why did create a cluster of tiny orientated islands?
Zayn Till: I had purchased 4 sims in august of 2006 from a friend (Jenna Fairfairplay) with the intent of renting out land to folks to be able to pursue their Vision within Second Life in a safe environment. 4 sims became 6 and then I kind of realized that it wasn’t enough to simply rent out sims. I wanted to actually do something with them and have a community.
I had kind of always had a thing for tinys (was a bunny in another chat program 13 years back - Worlds Chat) and we had an opportunity to invite Wynx and Nora who were looking for land at the time to move onto one of our sims.
They agreed and we moved the Raglan Shire sim next to Heron Shire and Athen Shire & started to grow as a tiny themed community. This went well.. the community grew quick.. and Raglan became a very happy creative place. More sims were attached and soon we'll have 8 dedicated sims comprising the Raglan Sim Cluster. With tons of different locales ranging from forested to Old World Wharf to Tropical to Sci Fi /Space themed, there’s plenty of places for folks of all types and sizes to hang out and explore... live in at the 2 residential sims or shop at the various commercial areas about the sims.. add in all the fun activities and events we put on and WHAM. Its a neat place for folks to congregate and be a part of :D
Trinity Dechou: What's the main aim of these sims?
Zayn Till: To have a large enough place with lots of locales for folks to explore and enjoy so that the community can do just about anything they like there. Participate in activities, play games, learn at the various classes we have from time to time.. all of it. Raglan and the cluster is here for anyone to come and feel welcome at. The community itself is very friendly and free of drama. a rarity in SL :D
Trinity Dechou: When did you, and why did you start the art walk?
Zayn Till: The 1st Raglan Shire Artwalk was held shortly after it became a tiny themed sim. I think.. June of 2007.
The Idea came from where I live in Real life... Seattle Washington.. I live in an artists loft building in downtown Seattle. Every month they have a Artwalk here. I love the idea. While I’m not a visual arts artists, I am a musician and have always had appreciation for the Arts.. I thought the Artwalk concept would be AWESOME in conjunction with Second Life so BAM!! I organized the 1st Artwalk, we had about 20 artists show their works on Raglan Shire, everyone enjoyed it so WHAM! We had another in October of 2007! We had about 25 artists that time and it was another great turnout. This time around for the 3rd Artwalk we have 70+ Artists and the Artwalk is spread out over 3 locations on 3 of the Raglan Sims so its very exciting :)
Trinity Dechou: What kind of feedback have you had in the past about the art walk?
Zayn Till: Nothing but positive feedback! IT’S ART! People take art for granted most of the time, but when you actually put it in front of their face and go "LOOK!!! ART!!" they tend to have a positive reaction and take interest in it again.. who knows maybe even get inspired enough to stop taking it for granted or even pursue it. People by nature are creative, most just forget this and bury it down trying to pursue mundane things like money and material stuff. But every so often, if you put ART out for ppl to see.. .. they'll have a positive reaction.. even if they don’t like what they see, it will make them think.. and thinking is always a good first step in the creative process :D
Trinity Dechou: Any future plans to develop the sims or the art walk?
Zayn Till: Ya sure.... i guess... hopefully more people will continue to get involved so the next one can be even bigger :)
I must say having lived within the shire region of sims for a long time the tiny community certainly know how to party! I have always found them to be very friendly and as helpful as possible, with a real sense of ‘community’ I must say I personally find tinys friendlier than most.
The artwalk runs from 29th May to the 1st of June. You don’t have to be tiny to take part in the Art Walk and you also don’t have to be tiny to go and view just heed the advice of Zayn if you are not tiny and “watch where you step”
