Wow. I really didn’t realize how long it had been since I had posted.
I guess I better make this worth your time. The reason you’re here is probably related to the title or the tattoo. The title wasn’t intentionally misleading, for the hell of it. I just like being unpredictable.
At the risk of offending a very select few, who were previously aware, I feel like I have to do this. I understand why they might be bothered by me sharing this with a group, en masse. For that i’m truly sorry. I hope you understand why.
The fact is… I’ve left pieces of myself strewn across the internet. I’ve had my reasons for scattering them about, as I have. I won’t bore you with all the details. I believe there are enough clues as to why I was rarely dispensing them in multiple places, at the same time, & why they landed where they did.
The disconnect was intentional. There were times I needed to be connected, on my own terms. There were times I needed to unplug. Ultimately, there were walls that I had a hard time breaking down.
I think it’s about time I did something about that.
I guess i’m finally ready to wield my virtual sledgehammer.
Don’t call it a comeback. Coda might be more accurate.
I haven’t posted for some time & more than a few have noticed. While I appreciate the inquiries and concern, the world(s) will continue to chug along just fine with or without me and my blog. The SL blogosphere will continue to thrive as long as there are virtual ken/barbie dolls to dress up & digital drama to spread. I doubt there will be a shortage of either anytime soon.
Why post now? I’m really not sure. It’s not that I feel anyone is owed an explanation. Maybe i’m just looking both ways before I cross the road.
In the beginning this was just another creative outlet. It was a way to be myself through someone else. Over time it may have evolved but ultimately it was always a way to stand in the spotlight while remaining unseen. While I may have provided an occasional glimpse into who I really am it’s no secret I gave away very little and i’m ok with that. This is my merry-go-round. You didn’t have to ride & the admission was ridiculously underpriced.
This has nothing to do with something someone else has said or done. Whatever this is… it’s of my own doing. Always remember, I run this bitch. *smiles sweetly*
Many assumptions have actually worked in my favor, even if a few have annoyed and/or infuriated me, so I can’t complain in that regard. I never got around to filling out my “real blogger” application so some might even embrace my absence from the feeds, as they should. It’s easier for the cool kids to pretend they’re pretty on the inside when no one is around to stuff them in a locker.
So…
I’ve said a lot, without saying much at all. I’m fully aware of this. Maybe I just have nothing else to say. Maybe, in the spirit of the about section I wrote long ago, I’m going to burn it down to build a better me.
Only after disaster can we be resurrected. -Tyler Durden
* Raindrops skip and spatter against a liquid mirror, cool, not quite cold to the touch. The sun begrudgingly peels back sheets of night, leaping over mountains, racing across the sea, to paint the first breaths of day across his back. He relaxes clenched fist feeling the ocean wrap around him and, if only for a moment, feels unburdened… weightless… and alive. *
*The river grumbles and sighs through a deep cut bed of stone worn smooth by time. He finds the water’s unrelenting complaints calming, a wall of certainty, in a world of opaque and obscure. Eyes closed, he feels the sticky-slick grit of a playing card in his hand, hears the scattershot percussion of a long forgotten song. Slowly, the sound of the water creeps back into his mind and bring the unnerving feeling of knowing. He looks down at the card that isn’t there, aware the song exist only behind his eyes, and wishes he couldn’t remember.*
*he turns the ringer off and sits silently, starring at the flicker flash of the answering machine in the dark. Lifting his hand, once again, he finds himself frozen…. unable to press play or delete.*
*Shadows swirl, slithering around and over weathered rocks. His eyes settle on the unstable silhouette of a distant shoreline, blurring through the haze of a sweltering summer day. The fading sunlight dances across the water, playing tricks behind his eyes, as crumples the hastily written note in his hand. He lets the stationary slip between his fingers and float to the ground, watching it it skip and slide across the sand and stone. His eyes follow the paper, as it’s blown into then under the surf, before turning to walk away*
Ghost under Rocks (Passion Pit Remix) by Ra Ra Riot
posted on 07.06.09TIYSL Style: How ˚That Guy˚ Rolls #1
TIYSL was never intended to be a fashion centric blog. For those new to the freak show you’re rarely going to get two remotely related post back to back. With that said, like my friend Raul, i’m serving a slice of style pie today. Eat it up. It is delicious. *noms*
This appearance, of the potentially semi-regular TIYSL Style feature, is the result of a couple of unrelated motivating factors.
1. I’m just not able to coherently express the feelings tied to my recent pic, at this time. Some things are better left unsaid, without context, and i’m not willing to provide it to the dime store therapist that litter the metaverse. A few know why I toss and turn. That’s enough.
2. The reaction to my last post, here, on NWN, and on WTFug. With great dismay *coughs* I realized that some straight guys found it offensive. Prove me wrong penguins. Until then you really should take notes from a power player. *smirks*
Kicks: Chelsea (Black/White) by Unique’s [available @ WMD] *insanely detailed*
FTR I don’t think all the straight guys in SL are poorly primmed penguins. Just most of them. I’ll continue to do what I can to help. Not so much for them, because many just don’t care. I do, what I do, for the women of SL. They deserve better.
Until the rest of the boys get in line it’s not that bad being one of a select few, who get it…. in more ways than one. Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.
*tilts his head slightly to one side, grinning wryly*
late
PS
Much love to my plurk frunz, who put up with me on a daily basis.
When I fist joined the WTFug staff, I expressed my disdain for the “I can’t afford to look good” excuse used by half the ugly avis on the grid. I proposed a new feature, called Corrective Action, with the initial focus being a blueprint for those who just don’t know the ins and outs of looking good on a budget. After consulting WTFug readers, fellow writers, and friends, I got to work on the two distinctively different goals stated in the original post.
Upon doing so several things quickly became apparent.
A. It’s much harder to put together a well dressed, and economical avi, than some might believe. Much of the grid’s content is tailored toward female residents and many designers seem to be demonstrate a general attitude of indifference towards male fashion.
B. The metaverse has very few great looking male avis and nearly all of those fall into one of the following categories:
1. Alts. Many of which were created by female residents.
2. Gay men.
3. Myself, and about 5 other straight men. (Sad, but true)
That’s not to say every female created alt, or gay man, has a great avi. You’ll find your share of train wrecks in every segment of the SL population, but it seems like straight guys really need the most help. With that in mind, I had a target demographic, and set out to find a guinea pig…. I mean… volunteer. Enter stage left, ˚That Other Guy˚, Jude.
Our 1st objective: The Budget Beau
Equipped with the best freebies, dollarbies, and some amazing values, this avi makeover is targeted toward the true n00b or a legitimately budget restricted resident.
Jude (Budget Beau Version) Style Sheet and Notes
Hair: Reed (Mesh black 04) by UW.St - $0L (In store freebie)
Eyes: Realistic (Light Blue) by Miriel - $0L (in Store Freebie)
Shirt: Toastie by Cheap Love Song - $1L (in Store Dollarbie)
*CLS also has a ton of creative, well made, T-shirts for $50L*
Jeans: Still Crazy (Limited Red) by LikeA - $0L (group gift)
AO: Basic Male by Long Awkward Pose -$0L (for avis 30 days old or less)
Shape: Gauge Custom by ˚That Guy˚ (not currently available for sale)
*Maschienenwerk has a nice selection of free male shapes for those not comfortable tweaking those sliders. The Mika Shape is a good starting point*
Skin: Belleza Gift Skin by Belleza - $0L (in store freebie)
*Belleza also offers a free skin to all group members when a new line is introduced. Membership in the group is currently $250L, a very reasonable cost for a quality skin.*
Total cost of pictured avi: $51L
Our Second objective: Smokin’ hawt hunk for under $2600L
The goal here was simply the best looking avi possible for under $10 USD.
Jude (Smokin’ Hawt Hunk version) Style sheet and Notes
Hair: Reed (Angel Shine) by UW.St - $0 (In store freebie)
Eyes: Medium Tones (Shallow Water) by Poetic - $250L
Shirt & Jeans: One Shot One Kill by WMD (includes alternate T & gloves) - $350L
Skin: Absolute (suntan/chest hair/face B) by LeLutka - $750L (50% sale)
*Normally a good value. An absolute steal on sale*
Shape: Gauge Custom by ˚That Guy˚
Total cost of pictured avi: $2699L ($10.35 USD)
While I went slightly over budget, on the second makeover, i’m very pleased with the final results. This is only intended as a basic roadmap, or template for the fashion challenged. Could I have done without an AO? Sure, but if you want to interact with people and not look like C3PO, with an anal fissure, you don’t want to be seen rocking the default animations. Can someone survive on freebies alone? Absolutely, but most men will need to invest a little L, or a great deal of time, to do so. It’s going to take some effort, on your part. Just take it one piece at a time.
A few random notes:
Cheap genitalia is never good. Please understand that freenis is an IQ indicator.
Is bling ok? No. I should smack you for asking.
Can you be like ˚That Guy˚? No, but that doesn’t mean you have to be, “that” guy.
One more thing. (because I feel some need this in writing)
I could use all the letters on the internetz and still couldn’t write a tutorial on how to fix a douchebag’s personality. Good looks only get you so far. If you’re a prick/bish to one of my peeps I will find you when you’re fugly and make an example out of you. You have been warned.
*hugs anstuffs*
late
PS
Suggestions and feedback appreciated. Please share with those in need. *grins*
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Actually, it's mine,
because yours might suck.
It's not your fault.
You might not know how to improve it and that's where I come in. It's what I do.
Burn it down, and build a better you.
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Unauthorized use infringing upon the Creative Commons Licence of ˚That Guy˚s content, images, materials, genius, and general sexiness is strongly discouraged. TIYSL and associated subsidiaries can not be held responsible for impending, and repeated, SL or RL system crashes resulting from any such compliance infractions. -Gauge
Warning: If you are reading this then this warning is for you. Every word you read of this useless fine print is another second off your life. Don't you have other things to do? Is your life so empty that you honestly can't think of a better way to spend these moments? Or are you so impressed with authority that you give respect and credence to all that claim it? Do you read everything you're supposed to read? Do you think every thing you're supposed to think? Buy what you're told to want? Get out of your apartment. Meet a member of the opposite sex. Stop the excessive shopping and masturbation. Quit your job. Start a fight. Prove you're alive. If you don't claim your humanity you will become a statistic. You have been warned - Tyler.
