My 5th year in Second Life begins…

I've never been big on birthdays — I don't really observe my "first life" ones. Not because I'm a party pooper (you know better than that), but because I rejoice in life every day. It doesn't take a single day set aside to be special, but as the earth goes around the sun, this isn't entirely arbitrary either.

September 15, 2004 was the first day I came into Second Life. I blogged about it then — declaring myself to be "Living a Second Life" — as I continue to share my adventures now. The beginning of my Second Life was indeed the start of extraordinary things to come, and a whole-life transformation that would use this virtual space to change my reality.

I've come to share a lot of what I've learned; as some say, "gave back to the community". I suppose there is a certain "hometown pride" in that, too. Mentors taught me many of the elementary skills I know. Like our cavemen ancestors, I learned to fashion tools by rezzing prims. Making fire, er, editing particle scripts was a revelation in itself, too. And rather than kill pixel-creatures to clothe myself, I learned to make clothes with the assistance of Photoshop on the outside.

Elliott Martynov wearing my "Torley Sr." avatar, which was sadly damaged

My lives have endured a multiplicity of twists and turns: I originally started blogging to showcase my music. Then, hyperacusis struck. (Search my archives and know more.) Things changed to becoming SL-centric (I still fondly recall "jumping over the fence" when James Wagner Au — who in large part I discovered SL through — encouraged me to submit my blog if half my content was SL stuff), and from there, fed back into first life. I eventually became comfortable enough to share my piano music, Torley textures, etc. and embark on many adventures which I've had the pleasure of sharing with you.

Along the way, I began work for Linden Lab. This wouldn't have been possible without (when I was applying) Philip, Robin, Char, Jeska, Daniel (who's moved on) and the ever-increasing number of Linden Lab employees I've had a great time working with. There's always more credit to give. You know who you are, and not only that, I'll continue to sing your praises whenever I tell stories of our majestic feats. LL is a company made out of exceptional people, and I wouldn't have been interested in getting a job if some Liaisons hadn't floated into the Ahern-Morris Welcome Area to say hello. I remember when Jeff, in his Matrixy suit, descended upon the crowd, bringing witty humor and =) emotions! I remember when Haney (who's also moved on) was  the "human firewall" at Town Halls! All these moments won't be lost like tears in rain. BTW, for more great vintage SL photos, be sure to see Pituca FairChang and Goshua Lament's Flickr photostreams.

OK — ready for more unapologetic gushing?

Ah, I continue to thank the Lindens as I am still a Resident — this coming from someone who was, like, a total Linden-bear-collecting and Linden-following fanatic back in the day. (Proof!) There's always change, but some periods are more turbulent than others, and that was a major shift for me, too. Funny how small some things are in hindsight, but I remember reading and responding to concerns that I "sold out" after I was hired — the simple truth of the true story is expressed not in a single wordy reply, but my continued passion for being here.

To say the least, I've experienced much of what can be done in Second Life. And with more change comes more to do — whether it's giving new test viewers a workout and learning what features they have for future video tutorials, or finding a kewl new island to jaunt upon. I get all manner of exciting correspondence in my inbox, Resis using my contact form to reach out and share awesomeness. To each person I've given thanks personally, thank-you again… you've turned me on to such a plethora of discoveries which span the human emotional gamut. 1,000s who I've had the delights to talk to, avatar-to-avatar, have influenced me positively.

Much advertising has been bandied about when it comes to the human imagination being limitless. But in Second Life, I now know how true this is. From my very first avatar to these latest incarnations (I did a count and I have 70+ neon watermelon avatars, including self-customized ones and gifts), I've been a wide variety of selves, somewhat differing in personality, but all of them espousing the same "FRIENDLY GREETINGS!" you're familiar with. Diversity revolving around core themes, like pink + green!

It gets better!

Yesterday for my "rezday", Samantha Poindexter hosted Torley Day in honor of a certain fellow dubbed "St. Torley", in the canon of Lord & Savior Philip. She even made a marvelous press release (top-notch copywriting, I must say); Ravie and I were there to hang out for Kala Pixie's particle show,

and being recognized reminds me so strongly of the love, spirit, and strength I've found through Second Life. Thank you Samantha, Kala, and each & everyone who was there. Sometimes people say "I'll not let it go to my head" to ward off narcissistic tendencies, but I'm sensibly down-to-grid, and realize that a main reason why I've become so visible and popular is because I'm earnestly spreading what others have enjoyed. People can't help but share their passionate interests, which is at the core of what I mean when I proclaim:

"I amplify your awesome."

I make you better, and hope you do this for someone else too.

On Saturday (incidentally, the timing worked out nicely…) I had an opportunity to speak about "My Second Life with Asperger Syndrome" @ the Bounce for Autism event. If you didn't know I have this condition which has challenged me to relate more to others, you do now. SL's beneficiality (it's a word now) for mental health can't be understated, and through expressing myself and becoming a proficient socializer despite my shy roots, I've shown that I can do it — and want to keep inspiring others to, too. Helpful organizers Brett Stand, Crysta Laville, JewelKicker Spearmann, and all who attended… thank you. Here's a partial recording of what I said filmed by Geo Meek of Thinkerer Studios and the Second Life Hobos, the Q&A part towards the end of my talk. Geo also filmed the "Torley Thank You" video on top… how it makes me SMILE to see them dancing on Here island, dressed in fluorescent pink + green!

And a picture gallery by my lovely wife — I love a good documenting!

Perplexity Peccable graciously provided an on-the-fly text transcript despite adversities! Some of it won't make sense if you weren't there, but I hope it gives you a better understanding of what happened! One correction: Torley Linden is my original avatar account. I had a name change from "Torley Torgeson" (ah, how alliterative). Torley Olmstead was started later, in 2006, for pleasure purposes.

This isn't an Academy Award stage, so I carry no concerns about the band playing me off the stage. But if I've ever affected you positively — maybe you've read my blog and I've been able to help with a problem… I'd go into many more examples but they're just that, many more, and hence, tough to summarize — thanks for reading this and being with me. As alien as things may seem on occasion…

Thx to Coke Supply for my newest avatar!

through time & space, we aren't alone.

Part of my joyful frustration in writing this is expressing how difficult it is to sum up everything that's happened. I can't. There are highlights, yes, but there are also moments that seem banal which gave way or profoundly influenced later ones. Quiet times when I was thinking to myself, and noisier times when I had to ROCK ON! It all happened, it all had an impact on me. We don't come through life without growing, and the same is true of Second Life.

YAYZERAMA!!!!

Tagged as: Featured