Ontology is Sexy!

Every campus has one: the sexy male professor, the one that make the women (and men) suddenly become serious about postmodern theory because it’s just so delicious to hear him say “ontology” or “zeitgeist” or “paradigm.” (Can you say Indiana Jones..?)

The really sexy professor is the earnest one, the one who is so oblivious to girls’ and boys’ admiring glances as he eagerly buries his head in another issue of The American Journal of Semiotics. He wears a jacket (this from Yaszi Mornington) and khakis (thrifted at Floatie Hocks’) to school so he looks older than the kids and wears practical and handsome oxfords for walking to class from his apartment nearby (these being the newest from Eponymous Trenchmouth) and designer glasses—his one indulgence (from Kalnins). He carries his books in his beaten messenger bag from grad school (suitably battered by Guu Nishi) and flings a scarf he picked up in India over his shoulders for a touch of flair (embroidered by Zaara Kohime). (He may seem like an absent-minded professor, but he understands beautiful bricolage just fine, thanks.)

Thank you to Hart Larsson, I have brought my sexy professor to life with his newest men’s skin. Hart has built in so many options with these skins—whiskers, hair bases, emo eyeliners, and an optional scripted cock that he sculpted himself. I will not comment upon the cock, except to say that Hart is an excellent programmer and has made it to have 6 positions. When I wore this skin, I literally gasped. Hart’s artistry is readily apparent with his talents at drawing and illustrating clear. The eyebrows are well-shaped and masculine without being those of a primate, his eyes are simply drawn and mature, and his face is handsome without being dainty. I think this will soon become the skin men flock to.

Seduction is always more singular and sublime than sex and it commands the higher price. ~ Jean Baudrillard

Hair: Bryce ~ Cooper – Blacks – Tuxedo by Bryce Tully for Bryce

Skin: [ PXL] Daniel NAT Face01 Dark H by Hart Larsson for [ PXL ]

Jacket: Meriken Co. “Rhett” -black- by Yaszi Mornington for Meriken

T-Shirt: *TSM* Equilizer V-neck Tee in Steely Rust by Helena Stringer for The Stringer Mausoleum *

Pants: HB – Quin – Khaki – with belt by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop *

Glasses: Kalnins Optics Glasses – Faust #1 v1.45 from Kalnins Optics

Scarf: ZC : pashmina scarf  *rust* by Zaara Kohime for Zaara

Messenger Bag: HOC – Leather messenger bag – Brown by Guu Nishi for HOC

Shoes: DB – Russet by Eponymous Trenchmouth for Jeepers Creepers *

The Person Behind the Screen

Supposedly, all of us in SL are old, balding paunchy men. Every single one of us. (Now having met and seen photos of quite a few people from SL, I can tell you that is SO not true. In fact, some people in SL look better than their avatars. You know who you are, Callie….) Let’s indulge that fantasy, though, and show you the *supposed* man behind the screen (again, this is not me!!!!).

Our guy occupies a certain character named Speedlvr458 Seymour in SL. “Speed,” as he prefers to be calls, runs a club called “Trancepositive,” where the playlist includes trance and psytrance. He likes to dress up like a big bear furry and dance with big colorful particles while iming with his partner, Haruhi Spitfire, a darling little fox furry, who is a 25 year-old female automotive repair student from Fenny Stratford, UK (whom he constantly exhorts to “Stay in school!”). His staff loves him; they think he is the coolest thing since paperclips. They engage enthusiastically, working their patrons into a frenzy of particle- and music-induced mania every Tuesday evening, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoons during the school year for tips to spend on their furry goodness. SL is his favorite hobby and his “family” is his touchstone for the kindness and the openness of people around the world.

In real life, Speed is named Frank, and Frank is the Building Superintendant of a 8-apartment building in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He doesn’t need to dress up—he’s behind the computer or attending to his work in the building. He’s neither famous nor infamous. He’s just a guy. But in SL he’s a big furry warm bear.

Thanks to the incredible work of Lorac Farella, I can bring Frank to life. Her artistry goes beyond the simple pretty to skins with character and skins that tell stories. Lorac made this as a gift for her husband on his 1000 day in SL. (This, supposedly, is what 1000 days in SL looks on a person.) The shirt is from Rob1977 Moonites, SL’s resident friendly Irishman and male clothier extraordinaire. Pants were thrifted at Floatie Hock, where clothing for the retro set can be found. Shoes are from the amazing Eponymous Trenchmouth, who is even cooler than you imagined. Glasses were found dropped off the elevator at Svarga but appear to be made by Guu Nishi.

Today’s show has been brought to you by the letter B.

Hair: Bryce ~ Nicholas – Whitewash – Chalk by Bryce Tully for Bryce Designs

Skin and Shape:  Pulse Gift-1000 Days in SL/Male by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins * (no longer available)

Shirt: *FIR* White Wife Beater by Rob1977 Moonites for Fir *

Pants: HB – Leonard – Golf shorts and pants by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop

Tattoo: /artilleri/ maggie tattoo (no chest) (ushirt) by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Glasses: HOC – Aviator Style Glasses – Unisex #003 by Guu Nishi for HOC

Shoes: Scratch – Sand by Eponymous Trenchmouth for Jeepers Creepers

Funny How Time Slips Away

Well hello there
My, it’s been a long long time
How am I doin’
Oh well, I guess I’m doin’ fine
It’s been so long now and it seems that
It was only yesterday
Ain’t it funny how time slips away

~ Willie Nelson, “Funny How Time Slips Away”

Today’s post was inspired by an old recording of a Willie Nelson song, “Funny How Time Slips Away,” the one recorded in 1962 with the ladies crooning in the background. He also wrote “Crazy,” very famously performed by Patsy Cline. Hence today’s look, which is built on the foundation of a great skin by Keiko Morigi, poignant in its illustrative character (so unlike the many airbrushed looks we see around the grid). I top it with a great vintage ‘do from Bubbles Clawtooth, one of many vintage pieces he offers.

The shirt’s from Floatie Hock, who has a good thing going with her vintage wear (and great sims). This can be worn by a man or a woman (as most of her items, they look great on either sex). I wanted to find a big full skirt, ala Patsy Cline at the Grand Ol’ Opry, but nothing was turning up, so I ran over to Antonia Marat’s and found these cute rockabilly-style highwaist pants. Finally, the cowboy boots are from Cerberus Noel and appropriately decorated. No cowgirl would be seen dead on a horse on these but in front of an audience of music lovers, yes indeed!

Well ain’t it surprisin’ how time slips away…

Hair: Clawtooth: True Betty – Uptown brown by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth

Skin: &Bean – hounds of love LIGHT Rav  1  brow by Kieko Morigi for &Bean

Top: HB – Wyatt – Black by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop *

Jeans: /artilleri/ nina highwaist pants *black* by Antonia Marat for /artilleri/

Cowboy hat: **DD**Resistol  II Cowboy Hat White Leather by TOmmy Fairplay for Dragonfly Designs

Earrings: Earring – Pearl Stud – Black – Unltd by Random Calliope for Worthwhile *

Nails: *[PM] Sculpted Nail V2 – Platinum Edition V2 : Gloss by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode

Boots: *GF* Short Western Boots -black- by Cerberus Noel for G Field

Bowling Night

People in SL have regular nights. My Sunday night I *always* go to Tiphares, almost without fail, to dance with my pals and chat about .. well.. geeky things. We have gotten to be good friends just from this regular meeting. We visit each other, we send support and greetings, we care about each other from that simple weekly exchange. It’s the 21st centure version of a weekly bowling night.

Bowling night.. it’s where people meet up and tease and cajole and celebrate together. I wanted to put together a sort of vintage look so I relied on this terrific top by Floatie Hock, generous proprietess of the Car Wash sims and creator for Hell Bop. Check out the great detailing on this shirt—the pocket placket, the wrinkles, the little logo over the pocket. Floatie has a terrific sense of “retro,” and she outfits men even better than women. (This shirt looks absolutely terrific on a man.)

I found the jeans at Ayame Musashi’s sim, called Musashi on the map but called Hoshikuzu as a community. She has one of the best arcade areas I have seen.. I can almost smell the popcorn and soda spilled on the floor and feel that sort of sticky grimy dirt on the machines.

The skin is a new one from Keiko Morigi. She gives copious instructions in her notecard about how to adjust the mouth so it doesn’t look like… well, an intimate body part. I didn’t have to adjust my mouth, however; the lips look great on me. So if they ARE turning out to look bad on you, perhaps it really is your shape making you look like.. you have an intimate body part on your face and not the skin. The skin is beautiful—wistful and nostalgic—her ads look remarkable but they are clearly true to the skin. I especially like her eyebrows this time and the delicious little beauty marks.

I show it with Bubbles Clawtooth’s 50L loveliness. He keeps cranking ‘em out week after week, to the delight of us all. I think this hair deserves more than 50L. I can’t wait to see him bring it out in other colors.

Finally the shoes. I have gone on and on about Eponymous Trenchmouth’s craftmanship and artistry. These babies are years old and still stand the test of time. These are all prim, baby—none of that sculpty stuff. And look at the details—stitched soles, shiny and even eyelets, terrifically textured laces. Epy’s da man!

Mine’s Sunday night. Todd or Erehwon show up with the music, Aki supplies the beer, Zha brings the chips, and sometimes Mir shows up with artichoke dip or Love and Peta bring some pork rinds. Me? I provide the fashion show ;)

Hair: Clawtooth: Woman of the Year – Delicious wine by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth

Skin: &Bean – hounds of love LIGHT Rav 3 brow by Keiko Morigi for &Bean

Shirt: HB – Mike – Bowling Shirt Red by Floatie Hock by Hell Bop *

Jeans: SlowRez Jeans 701 by Ayame Musashi for SlowRez

Glasses: /artilleri/ gladys glasses *red* by Antonia Marat by /artilleri/

Earrings: bowling pin (made into earrings) by FuzzyHusky Crumb purchased on XStreetSL

Bowling ball: Made by me

Shoes: ST Women’s R&B Strike! WH by Eponymous Trenchmouth for JCS-Jeepers Creepers

Tomboy

Underlying a lot of discussion about SL is the issue of identity and representation. People come to SL to represent themselves, to represent some part of themselves, to represent some creative expression, to… well… represent.

Many images of women in SL are based on heterosexualized imaginings we have about women—perfect bodies, perfect hair, perfect wardrobe. It could be argued that this is a result of the prevalence of the “male gaze.” But I think there is a resistance to that across SL—you find furries and short people and even butch women.

Beebo Brink has decided to create a woman shape that is much adored—by other women. Her “Boi in a Box” kits, which include shape, skin and styling notes, have been much embraced by the lesbian community in SL and by those who are looking for a look that represents them. I got her Tom Grrl kit and jettisoned the skin enclosed for a Tuli Asturias skin (though Beebo’s was nice). I topped it with messy boy cut and outfitted myself with some great vintage pieces from Floatie Hock and chucks from Coke Dreadlow.

Beebo’s woman is winsome and approachable while not being “typical.” She makes the avatar shorter, makes her eyebrows and eyes open and inviting, makes her smile inviting—for conversation, friendship, and human connection. This tomboy could be your friend or your sister. And she is.

Whatever precautions you take so the photograph will look like this or that, there comes a moment when the photograph surprises you. It is the other’s gaze that wins out and decides. ~ Jacques Derrida

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Adin – Oynx by Shylah Honey for Damselfly

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Hope  (fair/br) natural by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Shape and Bald Head: Tom Grrl (6′) by Beebo Brink for Brazen Women Shapes and Skins

Shirt: HB – Gilbert – Racing – Charcoal by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop

Pants: HB – Danica – Dickies Jeans by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop

Bracelet: Gritty Kitty: Snake Charmer Psychadelic Scales by Noam Sprocket for Gritty Kitty

Shoes: UBU PornStar Lo-Tops by Coke Dreadlow for Urban Bomb Unit *

Cool But Not Cold

Lately I have been exploring questions of Otherness and identity in my friendships in SL. It’s a long story but one that has found me poking around into putting on other avatars and looks. A friend challenged me to make a man and make the one I would like. Well, truth is that I like lots of types of men. And making men here is not exactly an easy task for me—there is something indefinable about men for me—elusive and mysterious. I always struggle, probably because I am not male.

Check out my guy. I worked hard on him. Are we allowed an alterego? This might be mine. I start with a guayabera shirt. I just have a thing about them—I think they are sort of retro and sexy and Latino-tinged all at once with a casual cool elegance. This one, made by Floatie Hock, is the first one I have found in SL, and it’s all I need. Floatie has a whole treasure trove of vintage and cool clothes in her store, by the way, and she does this white shirt deftly with all the appropriate wrinkles and pockets. (And designing white clothes is no easy task.)

I accompany the guayabera with cool pants from my pal Rob1977 Moonites. I met Rob when he and his partner, Lexie Jansma, double-handedly pulled off the Menswear Fair. Rob had some great designers there but he’s no slouch himself. Rob is a straight-forward guy, and he understands that the typical guy in SL—one who is not into RP or glam, for example—just wants a decent pair of pants. He provides that in these black cords.

The skin is a photorealistic rendering from iLLNiniA Palmer, one of ten male skins she has recently released in her new store in the Wastelands. I was prompted to seek out her skins after I read in plurk that someone felt they were the ugliest skins she had ever seen. In our world of airbrushed cartoon realism, elven ears and sour puss faces, perhaps a real looking male face is kind of startling, but it certainly isn’t ugly. Who hasn’t had a crush on a guy like this at one time or another, zits and all? The guy is, even with his little flaws, cool. Let’s face it. Please note that this skin is worn over my regular male shape—not the one provided with the skin. It still works pretty well.

Hair is from Truth Hawks. I was pretty stuck on this hair but I wanted the hat, so I jammed Maddox DuPont’s hat with hair over the Truth hair and moved prims around to make it all fit together. So, yes inside my head is another whole head of hair. The glasses are a cute color-change pair I received from Posy Trudeau. They include scripts to change the glasses to one of five cool tortoiseshell patterns or several other colors, and they are offered in small or large sizes.

Boy’s got his mojo on:

Hair: >TRUTH< Hank – almond by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<

Skin: ILLNINIA SKINS-06-JOSHUA-LIGHT NO HAIR by iLLNiniA Palmer for Illninia Skins

Shirt: HB – Juan – guayabera – mexican wedding shirt White by Floatie Hock for Hell Bop

Pants: *FIR* Black Cords by Rob1977 Moonites for *FIR* *

Hat: .::MADesigns HAIR::. ~ CHRIS casual F3 ~ MTBR I by Maddox DuPont for .::MADesigns HAIR::.

Glasses: Homespun Hornrimmed Glasses – LG by Posy Trudeau for Homespun *

Shoes: Shanghai Black/Red by Eponymous Trenchmouth for JC’s

Cigar: (Tableau) Lunar Lounge Cigar by Polyester Partridge for Yummy! (given as a freebie on the Tableau sim a while ago)

Thank you to my buds, Skarat and Erehwon, for reviewing my maleness and giving me approval. And Eshi, darlin, if I were this guy, I would do you too ;)