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*
*she unflinchingly settles to the ground, grinding her knees into the dusty gravel floor of the the ramshackle shelter. Glancing up she unknowingly tracks the lightning’s dance through the sky as regret relentlessly rumbles through her torn and tormented soul. A mascara stained tear slips across her cheek as she slowly closes her eyes, wishing, wanting this cutthroat busted sunset storm to wash away the pain*
*striding to the ocean’s edge his steps scuff against the coral and echo up the rock face. He glances down watching white sand sift through the water as it darkens the well worn leather of his boots. He comes to a stop as nature’s white noise is abruptly pierced by the piston-like whoosh and thud of an approaching helicopter. Watching the unfamiliar silhouette grow larger, just above the horizon, he calmly shifts his hands to his lower back firmly wrapping them around the polymer grips of his P99’s. Thumbing the safeties off, he leisurely slides the pistols from their holsters and lowers them to his side. Momentarily closing his eyes, he feels the clear, blue, liquid landscape rhythmically shift around him as he inhales the crisp salty spray. He grins, anticipating the impending rush of adrenaline, slowly opens his eyes and turns toward the warmth of the sunset. *
posted on 05.05.09SL Designer Tantrums (O teh dramaz!)
People like good deals, and free stuff? *GASP*
People (in any world) feel a sense of entitlement? *GASP*
Bloggers will lose their mind, and waste thousands, upon thousands, of words to “prove” their side of any issue is correct. *GASP*
Context:
A few residents (Faery Sola and Ziggy Quirk) have called for a ban on freebies.
Ziggy’s post in particular is full of passion and win. In a concise manner she airs her grievance, thoroughly dresses down the subject of her ire, and suggest a nuclear solution to end such behavior. In a followup comment she acknowledges this isn’t likely to happen, and rationally suggest there could be a better way to promote businesses.
End of story, nuff said, right? *coughs*
Chaos ensues as overly wordy platitudes and emotional rhetoric run rampant through the SL blogosphere and plurk timeline.
One prominent blogger drives right of the cliff of reason with a rant full of pompous proclamations and absurd theories that make Chicken Little sound like Plato. Don’t get me wrong. I agree with Prad more times than not, and enjoy most of his post. With that said, his latest makes him sound like an elitist fashionista who has lost touch with the average SL resident.
Case in point:
“We had the foresight back then to see there were entitlement issues forming” -PP
“The sense of entitlement comes when there is an influx of high quality freebies” -PP
Foresight? Orly?To notice that people have a sense of entitlement is not foresight. That’s stating the obvious, and it’s nothing new. A sense of entitlement has nothing to do with freebies. Second Life is a microcosm of society. Drive by any government housing installation. See that guy wearing Air Jordans, a $200 throwback jersey, and sitting on the hood of a car with $2000 rims? There’s a good chance he is all of the following: 1. Able bodied. 2. Lazy 3. Refuses to work. 4. Drawing welfare 5. Connected to the internet with a broadband connection.
Does it surprise you that this guy’s avi would bitch about not getting enough things for free? Does it surprise you that he might complain about the things he did get?
In response to those who question Prad’s stance against freebies:
“Because I actually give a damn about Second Life and its content creators.” -PP
Why so serious?Prad’s statement implies that anyone who disagrees doesn’t care. I have friends who are original content creators and I want to see them succeed. That doesn’t mean I think freebies are the end of the virtual world. Last time I checked KMADD and Belleza offered amazing freebies to members of their group and were pretty damn successful. I still love ya man but please don’t be such a drama llama.
While there are hysterics on both sides of this issue, i’d like the “sky is falling because of freebies” contingent to read up on brand loyalty. It’s not something earned by generalizing, labeling, belittling, attempting to tell your customers what they like, or thinking you can control a free market.
There are those who have managed to give a little and reaped huge rewards.
posted on 27.04.09We hate what you’re wearing (update)
Seriously. We really do. Click the logo and find out why.
In reference to a few IM’s I’ve received recently….
A. New pics coming soon.
B. I am considering doing product reviews. Send me a well organized folder, including product, LM, and a notecard with relevant info. Be careful what you ask for.*
C. I am considering doing SL photography for others. If I choose to do so it will be on my nonnegotiable terms.**
*I won’t pimp your store for freebies. There are tons of fashion bloggers who will be glad to give anything a poorly written positive review for a back link. If you’re not interested in a candid assessment, from someone who knows what looks good, send them your product. It will look great on their train wreck avi.
**On location, outrageously priced, and by appointment only.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way….
I give you today’s TIYSL slow groove:
Summer Madness by Kool & the Gang
Can you think of anything this song would be good for?
posted on 06.04.09Cheap Love Song: Second Life fashion gets a well needed punch in the nuts.
The old adage is “you get what you pay for.”
Admittedly, this holds true about 95% of the time. Well made clothing that actually looks good on a moving avi is the exception instead of the rule. When you find these diamonds in the rough they are typically made by talented designers that know they’re good, and it’s going to cost you.
The metaverse is littered with poorly textured fashion tragedies, and some of you can’t resist adding them to your inventory because you think they’re a good deal.
You don’t have to hemmorage Linden to find good clothing value. Do yourself a favor and check out Cheap Love Song, the collaborative effort of Emilee Magic and Spudgy Dean. CLS is home to an eclectic mix of men and women’s clothing with an edge.
It may be the only place on the grid that has well made women’s blouses and t-shirts featuring Carlton Banks, Mr. T, and Jesus.
Click the CLS logo for a quick TP and thank me later.
When you’re done, check out Ms. Magic’s fashion tips, quips, and musing
No. I won’t model for you. Let’s consider the slim possibility that you’re a good photographer. The pics would be great, because I’m in them, but here’s the rub…
You can’t touch me there. I know you want to.
Everyone does, but I seriously doubt you can afford me. If you could, you’re going to expect me to be there in the morning, and remember your name.
Damn, I look good. (begrudgingly revised/reposted)
I get it. All the ways you wish you could be, that’s me. I look like you wanna look, I fuck like you wanna fuck, I am smart, capable, and most importantly, I am free in all the ways that you are not. I feel your pain. *feigns sympathy*
Honestly, I’m just tired of people asking. In an effort to save keystrokes,
This is your Second Life
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.
Light the fuse with the preeminent guide to Second Life.
TIYSL is an unfiltered insider's take on the bleeding edge fashion, photography, art, music, clubs, sims, avatars, and all things crucial in an ever expanding virtual world.
Come with me.
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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.
