Crazy

I have been trying my best, after this week's past events to bite my tongue on a few things and continue on with this blog and future posts on a lighter more positive note, but it seems to be an impossible task.

I have always said that one of the SL requirements to join should be a mental health check, instead of adult verification, but then again our idea of a perfect virtual would be very empty.

This does bring me back to that "Matrix" moment when agent Smith tells Neo that the first Matrix project was in fact "perfect" but it cost them many human units as people kept killing themselves, which pointed out the fact that humans on some level did enjoy suffering and overcoming obstacles.

May this same concept apply to our user created reality? do we in fact enjoy, seek and fuel drama? are we not happy without our daily dose of conflict? I don't know, these questions might as well stay forever unanswered, but as far as I'm concerned, I have made an early New Year's resolution when it comes to my SL interactions and that is some proactive use of the mute button.

We all have issues, we all have things to deal with in RL, our own personal and daily struggles and we come home, let go of all of that and log in to our idea of the life we want, with a number of tools to make that a reality, so then I still wonder, what's with the sudden surge of crazy lately in the platform? Spam chat, anger issues, people banned from clubs, death threats, it's all there.

Maybe and only maybe we should all make an effort and try and use SL to bring out the best in us and not the other way around.

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls

Equal rights but no Equal Rules

It always amazes me how, as a collective we are constantly fighting for equality, equal treatment and for us all to feel that we are being fairly treated by our governing bodies which seem to ignore a few of our must basic citizen rights, yet when it comes to the inner circle of our community, equality is not precisely common practice.

I've seen it happen too often in Second life, where people are discriminated by size, sexual practices and so on, we have groups within our groups that divide and have their own established rules on who they let in and who is left out, but then again when thinking about it, each segregated group within a group is free -and entitled- to allow anyone with their same life philosophy into their community, as they may see fit.

But what happens when an event that is supposed to promote equality doesn't treat all contestants equally -this by breaking the rules you as an organizer are expected to uphold to begin with-, this is when adjectives such as "fixed" "preferred" and nouns such as "favoritism" come to mind and truly tarnish the good name and image of our fight for equal right.

I have heard a lot of complaints about the pre-selection for the finalists of the Mr. Gay Contest, where many clubs and hopefuls planned events to select the fittest to represent their venue -and many others chose to opt out guessing how things would go-; rules were clear on this, wear The Tag of the Club you are representing and have a completed FULL profile as well, something that many of the finalists didn't have -either the tag or the profile- which sent on a bitch trip to those who didn't make it to the finals and had gone through the trouble of following the clearly stated rules so they would not be disqualified.

Judging by who was in charge of the event and the general organisation, I am not surprised some were given preference over the CLEARLY stated rules; why have them if you have no intention of following them? I won't name names but this person has been known to have issues with rules in the past to favor a few asses he enjoys kissing... all part of rimming I guess.

We're all fags, but no we're not all equals, not even when rules are created to ensure we're all fairly treated.

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls

Tipping: Not only for cows

When you work in the entertainment sector in second life, you do it mostly and mainly because you enjoy socializing and more specifically in the case of second life DJs, because you love sharing your unique view and taste of music with those who are willing to listen.

Tips of course are always expected and wanted, but are not the life force that moves a DJ to go the extra mile to please the crowds during a set -at least not in my particular case-, but there are kinds of people out there and they all have their own unique working ethics; some will ask for a salary on top of tips to DJ at your club.

Then there are moments in your professional life when you are asked to DJ private events -a rezz day party, a wedding, and so on-, this is always good because it means that you are doing a good job and word of mouth is working for your own benefit, and these events are most of the time, paid aside with the agreement on both parties to either let you accept tips or not.

A friend and also SL DJ was asked to do a private event last night, I won't go into further details because those are really irrelevant to the article, but what happened to him was in my opinion the worst tipping protocol a person can undergo during a party. There were around 30 people dancing and listening and during the two hours the event went on, not a single person tipped him; it would have been a total loss if it hadn't been for the lone fact that he had been paid to be there to begin with.

Let's go over the tipping protocol once more, you are NOT expected to tip, but they are ALWAYS appreciated; don't tip anything under 10 L$, if that's all you have keep it and come back when you have more to spare and focus on enjoying the music. If you make a request, always tip no matter the amount, it shows the DJ your appreciation for the work she or he has put in not only finding your song and playing it as soon as is humanly possible.

"it's not good to make people feel obligated to do that which isn't an obligation" Skylar Silent, but some loving to the hard working staff is always welcomed.

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls

Boys just wanna have fun

Social platforms are by simple concept a distraction from your real life issues which help you socialize with others you would be unable to under different circumstances, but people being complex, fun is never alone and some drama will be entertained for a number of reasons, Sometimes however, you will be the target of some who simply cannot get away from the shadow your ass produces.

This also applies to real life, it can be that you have nicer hair, a faster car, a nicer family, a killer body, a successful business, any excuse is valid to make you the target or even try to replicate anything that you have going and which they think can do best -and by consequence getting you out of the picture-.

When it comes to SL clubs, much like those businesses in RL, the ones that stand the test of time are those who follow an original formula and which stick to a simple set of rules which make people want to work there and patrons feel at ease -to have fun in the simplest of concepts-.

Sadly, the fun concept doesn't seem to quite sink in, but bear in mind that people already have enough issues on their day to day to add on top of that the ones you gratuitously create on a virtual platform, no matter how much money you have invested in the business. One of my bests hosts and staff manager in our SL club -and a good one if I may add- had the bad idea to join the ranks of a person whose idea of a venue seems to revolve around copying what others do, making the club look like the others he has visited, to later make staff responsible through bullying, of his own inability to keep a fun and attractive club functioning.

With that in mind, and not wanting to name names, I'll simply add a word of advice: more bears are attracted to a single spot with honey than with vinegar, specially if they have to be under the sun...

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls

Phat Kats are too short

Clubs in second life, much like in real life have their own personality and rules concerning how things are handled, specially when it's about staff or patrons. Trying to keep staff following the basic rules and code of conduct while keeping patrons interested while having fun can be complex, specially when it comes to patrons, one bad move and you find yourself with an empty club.

Last night I decided to take my boyfriend out for some jazz & slow dancing and our first choice -like most people's in second life- would naturally be Phat Kats, the few times I have been to the club it's been a very fun experience, this until last night that is. As we get ready to go to the club I browse through my choices and decide to wear an somewhat formal outfit with a short jacket and a see through shirt -no tie-, simply because I was in the mood and I looked simple fabulous -even combed my hair back for that extra sleek look.

As we get to the club, I find to my surprise that there's a live performer, of which I was very pleased as I planned to make a heartfelt dedication while we danced. None of this happened however, at least not in this club as I was approached by the host pointing out that what I was wearing was not formal enough, to which I replied "this is formal to me" -I was very bothered at this point- and he did not think of a better idea than to point out that my jacket was too short to be considered formal and that I could wear one of their complimentary tuxedos.

The only thing short I found in that club was their mind, it'd seriously help their business if they invested their energies in being a bit more open minded about the different types of formal wear that exist in the fashion industry. Sorry Phat Kats, your club is too short sighted for my idea of fashion -and like myself thousands out there-, good luck scaring patrons away, you guys are doing a fabulous job at it.

Many clubs open and close daily in second life, so I'd be careful on how unbend-able my rules are, patrons are after all, your bread and butter.

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls


Los Clubs en el second life, como los de la vida real tienen todos su propia personalidad y reglas en lo que concierne a el equipo de trabajo y a las personas que asisten al mismo. Intentar balancear estas reglas para mantener a los trabajadores y al público satisfecho minetras trabajan en armoniosa diversión puede resultar complicado, especialmente cuando se trata de tus clientes, un mal gesto y te quedas de la noche a la mañana con un club vacío.


Anoche decidí llevar a my novio a dar una vuelta, para bailar al ritmo del jazz y nuestra primera elección -cómo la de muchos en el second life- fue sin duda Phat Kats, las pocas veces que lo he visitado ha sido una experiencia divertida, hasta anoche. En lo que nos preparábamos para ir al club reviso mis opciones de trajes que ponerme y decido ponerme uno que incluía una chaqueta corta, una camisa semi-transparente y obvio la corbata, simplemente porque me apetecía y me veía fabuloso para ser sinceros -incluso me peiné el pelo hacia atrás dandome un look incluso más formal.

En lo que llegamos al club, me encuentro para mi sorpresa de que hay un cantante en vivo, de lo cuál me complací bastante ya que tenía planeado hacer una dedicación a mi pareja mientras bailábamos. Nada de esto ocurrió, por lo menos no en este club, ya que se me aproximó el anfitrión del evento apuntando al hecho de que mi traje no era lo suficientemente formal, a lo que yo respondí "lo es para mí" -ya me encontraba bastante incomodo a este punto- y por supuesto no se le ocurrió mejor idea que añadir que una chaqueta tan corta como la mía no era lo suficientemente formal y que era bienvenido a ponerme uno de los trajes de cortesía de los que disponían.

Lo unico corto que había en ese club era su mente, creo que ayudaría seriamente a su negocio si invirtiesen la misma cantidad de energías en ser más abiertos de mente cuando se trata en los diferentes tipos de trajes formales que existen en el mundo de la moda. Lo siento mucho Phat Kats, pero tu club es demasiado estrecho o "corto" de mente en lo que se refiere a la moda y sus muchísimas opciones -y como yo miles ahí fuera-, buena suerte espantando a los clientes, están haciendo un trabajo fabuloso en ese respecto.

Muchos clubes abren y cierran día a día en el second life, así que tendría mucho cuidado en cuan infranqueables son mis reglas en lo que respecta a los clientes, que son al fin y al cabo, el pan que los alimenta.

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls

Properly staffed

In you professional life much like during leisure, this being second life or real life, the importance of being properly staffed does make a difference. Anyone can have the proper tools but knowing how to use them in order to leave everyone satisfied by your performance, that's where success lies waiting for you.

As the years go by, I do see how the saying and its meaning comes true "it's not how big it is, but how you use it" as I have faced in countless occasions situations in which I have had to give instructions -I am sorry but I am at a point in my life where teaching some basic stuff is not my idea of fun- on what to do with what and put it where.

This can be transferred also to the club scene in second life, the minute your venue starts being mildly successful , a whole lot of people will come offering to be staffed and to be part of the fun, but not all people are a right fit for the spirit you have going for your club -each club has its own personality and the type of people that makes it tick and work like a well greased machine-, so a screening process is essential; I personally like to go for the "show me what you got concept".

So keep this in mind, this being recreational or professional, the careful consideration of a good staffing, will make the outcome a whole lot sweeter for all parties involved, nothing better than a good staff after all.

https://www.facebook.com/spikecls


En tu vida profesional come en la personal, ya sea esta la vida real o el second life, la importancia de un buen equipamiento have la diferencia. Cualquiera puede hechar mano a la herramienta adecuada pero el saber como usarla para dejar a todos satisfechos con tu actuación, he allí donde yace el exito.


Según pasan los años, veo más claro el dicho aquel que dice "no importa cuan grande es, sino como la usas", ya que me he encontrado en numerosas ocasiones en situaciones en las cuales me ha tocado dar instrucciones -lo siento pero estoy en un punto en mi vida en el que enseñar los pasos basicos no entra en mi idea de la diversión- de que poner que y donde .


Esto también puede ser transferido a la escena de los clubes en el second life, el minuto en el que tu negocio empieza a ir medio bien, un montón de gente desearán apuntarse para disfrutar de tu equipo de trabajo, pero no todos encajarán bien en el espíritu que hay -cada club tiene su propia personalidad y un tipo específico de personas que lo hacen funcionar como una maquina bien engrasada-, asi que un proceso de selección es siempre importante; yo suelo ir por el camino de "a ver muestrame lo que tienes"

Así que mantén esto siempre presente, ya sea en el terreno recreacional ó profesional, escoger bien a tu equipo, hará que el resultado sea mucho más dulce para todas las partes involucradas, a fin de cuentas no hay nada mejor que un buen equipamiento.


https://www.facebook.com/spikecls