So my main squeeze got herself a Second Life this weekend in preparation for CaseCamp Second Life, which she was helping to organize.
Far be it for me to dis anyone for getting all hot and bothered over Second Life - we all know that I could have squeezed out the Great Canadian Novel in the time I've spent playing frikkin' Neopets, which is like Second Life for eight year olds. My own interest in Second Life was actually piqued a few weeks ago when a hip young Second Lifer I met at a real life event (I know - with actual PEOPLE! Who DOES that anymore??) suggested that I stage a reading of my latest lesbonic historical fiction play in Second Life; apparently many people's second lives involve corsets. Mmm. Corsets.
But this week, as Katr set up her sexy avatar, shopped for a special outfit with "Linden Dollars" so that she wouldn't look like a hick at CaseCamp, ran into a friend "in-world" and chatted the afternoon away, I became concerned.
Firstly, Second Life's parallels to the prophetic works of science fiction genius William Gibson (Idoru, in particular) are freaking me right out. Gibson - how did you KNOW??
Secondly, because Second Life assumes that we all secretly yearn to be hard-bodies, pretty much everyone there looks like Lara Croft, even the guys. BLARG.
Thirdly, I realized that Katr's potential avid interest in Second Life could really take a toll on Katr's "paying attention to Roro" time. Unacceptable.
Finally, it seems that my brief investigation of Second Life has reignited my interest in becoming a social media anthropologist. You know, in First Life. Because I LOVE ALL THE LINGO.
Anyway, before I could really torpedo my entire day mourning over losing Katr to Second Life and obsessively reading lingo-laden Second Life blogs in case I need to make a What Dreams May Come-type run to rescue my love, I decided to check the mail.
Nothing jerks you back to First Life like a delightful package in the mail. A package! For me! From Kristen and her family in Nova Scotia! Thank you, thank you! Delicious cookies! Ornaments! Adorable photos of children! A DVD slideshow extravaganza! A holiday card with . . . heeeeeeeeeeeeeey. Is that a CAT? Catspiracy!!
Here's what she sent:
There were three cookies on this top layer of the cookie tin, but I ate two of them immediately when I opened it. Because, uh, I know, from doing research for an article I'm writing about taking good pictures, that just one cookie would make a better shot. Yeah. Classier.
The tree cookie's whimsical sprinkles reminded me of how my mom used to make gingerbread cookies each holiday season and the whole family would sit around and decorate them. The best was the year I took home the "Most Creative Cookie" award for my creation, "Anatomically Correct Moose", in which I applied two brown M&Ms and a liquorice goodie to a moose-shaped cookie. My brother Jaro congratulated me on my "realistic moose junk". It was a proud moment. I think I was 23.
What? No pasta on the ornaments? Kids today . . .
For a catspiracy card, this is awfully cute. I especially like the little bird sitting on the pom-pom at the end of the cat's hat. How long do you think that little bird lasted once the sitting was over? "I have a present for you, little bird! It's a fabulous, all expense paid trip - THROUGH MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM!" That's holiday gold right there, kids.
So thank you, Kristen, for the wonderful holiday treat. These cookies are all that are keeping me going. But I'd better go easy on 'em - I don't want to be busting out of my Second Life corset later.
