Torley Lives

As I was thinking about how we discover kewl stuff, I self-admitted that Second Life uberexplorers are so rare: I specifically refer to those who don’t just “go places”, but chronicle where they’ve been, too.

Often, it’s a blog, but an accompanying photo stream (like on Flickr) is also key. Originating and continuing as one of this kind, I have strong feelings about benefiting others by exposing them to amazing inworld adventures, and showing off some of the awesomest which Second Life must offer.

(Verily, it’s a Gladwellian Maven-Connector hybrid archetype.)

I’ve seen a number of promising SL exploration journals that started off with a lot of steam, but froze months, or even weeks, later. In my earlier days, it was possible to run out of kewl locations, but I’m no longer convinced that’s probable for a span of days. Y’see…

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Video courtesy of my gorgeous wife, the exquisite Ravenelle Zugzwang
 

I love experiencing exceptional stuff in Second Life, and this is an exception among exceptions! Disclosure: I’m beta-testing Damien Fate’s newest creations, the Loco Pocos, which effectively translates to “Crazy Tinies” from Spanish. What a catchy name, and a nice guy: he graciously gave my wife and me a tour of the forthcoming Loco Pocos Island, and you can learn more at the Loco Pocos website.

So why I am I gushing so much over these beautiful creatures? Simply put, they excel on many levels: I’ve known many SL products which were great in some ways, but felt like they were missing quality in others, and would benefit from a collaboration or further development on the part of the maker. For example, a well-crafted club which lacks event hosts so it’s always empty, or a brilliantly-scripted device which looks like crap. (What I say: can’t do it yourself? Team up with a friend… or friend-to-be!)

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In Second Life, you can start a cult about just about anything — that isn’t “cult” in the mind-control, freaky-deaky kinda way, but something friends and followers get together for and have wacky fun with. I love being gladdicted (glad + addicted), so there’s no question one cult which has caught my watermelon eyes is THE CULT OF TOAST. Which actually has no capital letters, but they’re obsessed!

My own interest in toast goes back to when a cousin encouraged my brother and I to try sugar + butter + toast. Delicious and not the most healthy, but delicious. Then came the After Dark screensaver, Flying Toasters.

And what is a toaster without the toast?

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