#298 Strawberry Singh's Yearbook Smile Challenge Meme

Just the other day I was thinking that I must look for some blogger challenges as it is a while since I have done any.  They are a great way to stretch yourself as a blogger, as well as being fun to do, and I love seeing other bloggers interpretations of the meme too.  So I was really pleased to see that Strawberry Singh has restarted her much missed Monday meme, with the Second Life Yearbook Smile Challenge which you can find here.  If you want a laugh at Zsa's expense, click here to see my first ever meme, again one of Berry's.

This meme challenges you to share a photo of your avatar smiling yearbook style.  Ok, I can't deny it, Zsa is a bit shy and not a good smiler, but she said to tell you that she was smiling inside!   She also has no experience of Yearbooks as we don't have them where I live, so please forgive us if this is not an authentic Yearbook photo.

Anyway, in the search for Zsa's smile, I tried out the toothy smile on various huds but they were seriously creepy, so in the end I settled on the basic smile on the Anypose Expression hud, one of my "can't do without" tools that I have probably used in 98% of my blog posts.  The hud also contains a toothy smile, which I was also going to include but decided it would give you nightmares for weeks.  So, in the photo above, Zsa is using just the plain "smile" while wearing a fresh faced toothy skin by *YS & YS* .   

Credits:

Lunasea As If blouse (this will be shown fully in an upcoming post)

Alice Project Blue Jeans (VIP MM)

Redgrave eyelashes

IKON Hope Eyes

*YS & YS* Sugar 05 Candy Teeth
Izzies headshot
Anypose Expression Hud (free on mp)

Berry's Black and White Portrait Challenge

I am a bit late with this one, as I have been moving home and studio in sl, so have not been able to work on blog posts as much as I would like.  Anyway, the latest challenge from Strawberry Singh, the Black & White Portrait Challenge, is right up my street as for as long as I can remember I have had a real love of black and white photography.  You can find Berry's original post and challenge instructions here: 

Here is the original:

I don't use Photoshop, I do my cropping etc in Picmonkey, which is where I created the black & white pic - but as a lover of old photos, including a sepia, I checked to see if they had that option, and they did, so I thought I would share all three. Out of the three I have a definite favourite - if you do, let me know, I would be really interested to see if anyone agrees with me! 

Credits:

Body

Skin:  Glam Affair - Mokatana

Hair:  Analog Dog Fix

Eyes:  IKON Spectral Eyes

Hands:  SLink Avatar Enhancement

Make-up

Eyelashes:  Maxi Gossamer - Eyelashes - Party - Swallow Wings

Eyeliner:  Izzies 

Manicure:   A:S:S - Slink fingernails - Galaxy

Clothing

Jewellery:  Maxi Gossamer -  - Karina Court Earrings & Ring

Extras

Poses:  Glitterati (now only on mp)

Backdrop:  KaTink 

Info

There are usually more photos of blogged items on my flickr account here.

SLURLs are current at time of posting.  If you need help with anything I have blogged, feel free to send me an email, inworld IM or nc, or a plurk (all links on contacts page).  

Berry's Helpful Tools Meme

Tools, Gadgets and Mugshots

I am a real geek when it comes to gadgets and tools in all lives, so this meme is right up my street.  I am showing a screenshot of my setup when blogging – I don’t leave these huds on normally, instead they are replaced by texture change huds if my current outfit has them.  

Anyway, on to my tools:

1. PoseAnywhere – I think I found out about this from a Strawberry Singh youtube tutorial, and it is one of the best things ever.  From what I have read on other blogs, I use it quite differently to most people in that I have a HUD for every pose maker that I use, plus other “special” huds, for example headshots, foot shots, jewellery shots etc.  I tend to remember poses by the maker so find this works best for me.  I have a folder full of huds, but really well organized (I can’t say that about any other folders in my inventory!) so there is rarely an issue finding anything
2. AnyPose Expression –. This was one of the first huds I was recommended when I first started blogging, and I couldn’t blog without it.  I particularly enjoy making ZsaZsa cross-eyed when things aren't going right with a blog, and it is all her fault - which of course it always is!
3. Animare Pose & Animation System I am quite new to this, but have already found it invaluable for moving hands that are getting eaten by outfits or hair..
4. CTS Wardrobe - This is truly one of the best L$699 I have spent.  Again I appear to use it differently to most as I never actually have the hud on, use rlv, or use the inworld wardrobe. I do it all from my wardrobe web page, which is open constantly.  My mugshot – er, I mean screenshot - of my current Wardrobe page is below. I initially started putting outfits in it, but somewhere along the way it turned into a place to catalogue my backdrops, hair, eyes and skins – and I can't imagine how I would blog without it.  I am constantly flipping over to it when putting together a blog post, to help me find the right eyes, hair, skin etc.  This shot is from this morning when I had been adding some eyes and some skins I picked up yesterday in the League sale. I have 3367 items in my Wardrobe at the moment, and add new stuff as it comes in.

5. PhotoTools - I use this all the time to play with windlights, change settings quickly.
6. My UI - I use Firestorm, and have my buttons organised according to how I use them, on the left and right - I rarely use the bottom buttons so should really get rid of them to save screen space

You will find Berry's original meme and instructions here.  I am off to learn more about MystiTool as mentioned by Berry, and see if it is another gadget I will enjoy playing with :).

Berry's Introspection Meme

Meme instructions: Answer the following questions and don’t forget to leave a link to your post in the comments.  You will find Berry's Original Meme here.  

1. Regardless of your current number, how old do you actually feel?  Some days my responsibilities weigh me down and I feel older old old, but generally I feel much younger than I am.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? Never trying, definitely.  If you don't try, you will never know what you could have achieved.  Some of my best lessons have been learned through failure.
3. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? Travel, travel, travel and travel some more, and not worry so much about what others think of me.
4. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? Boring as it might sound, I always try to do the right thing. Of course, at times I fail, but I always try, even when it comes back to bite me on the bum.
5. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? No question, joyful simpleton, because I am sure my life would be much easier if I didn't analyse or over think things.
6. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? In all honesty, probably not, because I can be pretty useless at initiating contact with people.  I guess I just don't crave company, I just pootle around happily in my own little universe (or my "burrow" as my best friend irl calls it), and time goes by without me realising it.  It doesn't mean I don't think of my friends, because I do, but I am not good at putting the thought into action.  My oldest friend in sl, the only person I "brought over" to this sl incarnation, probably doesn't realise how much I appreciate that he has not given up on me yet in spite of this.
7. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?  No it doesn't matter, and I rarely think of it, but sometimes something will remind me and I get that familiar sinking feeling in my stomach.
8. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? No, because my job is caring for a disabled relative.  If I was still employed in my last job then hell yes, I would leave in a heart beat.
9. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?  My family and my cat.
10. What do you feel is the difference between being alive and truly living? Being alive is waking up every morning and doing whatever you need to do to get through the day.  Truly living is when you find something (or someone) you are passionate about, and live in that moment, not letting what has past or what might be, come between you and living.
11. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Because we fear people are judging us, because we grow up in a society where failure is seen as a sign of weakness.
12. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?  Wow, tough one.  I really cant think of anything right now.
13. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't stick beads up your nose.

Credits

Jeans & t-shirt:  Lapointe & Bastchild

Skin:  Belleza

Hands:  SLink

Feet:  Gos

Hair:  Truth
Pose:  Kuro in Motion - Only Words

Google Meme

I haven't done the last few memes for some reason, so here is my attempt at today's:

Meme instructions: Google your SL name and answer the following questions. Don’t forget to leave a comment with a link to your post so we can all drop by, read and be nosy. Optional: click over to Emily’s blog and do her Google challenge as well. Don’t forget to leave a comment in her post if you end up doing it, so she can come stalk you guys too!

1. Google your Second Life name in “quotations” and share your results. 11,100.
2. What is the first link that comes up? My Google+ account which is surprising as I rarely use because I haven’t taken the time to work out what to do with it.
3. Which link were you surprised to see? Nothing really, it was pretty much just links to blog posts – but what I did find funny was that I didn’t recognise the names of some posts and had to check them – and I have only been blogging 4 ½ months!
4. Click on the “Image” tab and tell us where the first 5 pictures listed are from.   The first was from Melroos Place, which surprised me, but on checking I realized I had commented on her post about Inventory Management (one of my obsessions!), then there 3 were from SLUniverse which is no big surprise, as I am on their feed, but one is from Picasa, and I have no idea how or why.
5. Click on the “more” tab and then click “news” and share your results. Nothing, I am a boring little ZsaZsa J.

And here are my answers to Emily’s questions: Click over to her Google challenge and answer her questions. Her instructions were to Google ourselves under both our real life name and our second life name and share what comes up. Here are my answers:

1. How did the two digital footprints compare, and did that surprise you? There are slightly less for my real name, but none for the real me, it appears that my name is quite common and there are loads of “me's” around the world who are far more interesting than I am J.
2. Does anyone interesting share your name? Nope!
3. Are you happy with the size of your digital footprint, or do you wish either one was larger/smaller? I am surprised at how big ZsaZsa’s is but am not quite sure why, as she does so much on the internet it makes sense that she has a footprint.  I guess I am surprised how small my real life one is but I am really happy with that.  
4. If you woke up/ logged in one morning to discover over night you had suddenly gained rock-star status, and everybody knew who you were and wanted to know what you were doing… what would you do? I would run away and live in a cave until everyone forgot about me - I would hate it, I like being little anonymous me J

Don;t forget to leave a comment on Berry's blog if you do the meme.

Credits:

Skin:  Belleza

Eyes:  IKON

Earrings:  Maxi Gossamer

Hair:  Analog Dog

Eyelashes: Redgrave

Eyeliner:  Izzies

Berry's 42 Second Life Groups Challenge

““The Answer to the Great Question... Of Life, the Universe and Everything... Is... Forty-two,' said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.” 
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”

A bit late on this one, but I am am growing to really enjoy challenges/meme's, particularly when I am a bit lost for inspiration as I have been the last couple of days.  I couldn't find any clothes that jumped out at me (Imy invo is only 48k so I practically "have nothing to wear"!).   So, I decided not to bother with clothes, and just show you some of the newness from Elikatira  and some Maxi Gossamer goodies with a twist (meaning I am wearing the necklace back to front)

Anyway here are the meme instructions, followed by my brief answers (and trust me, brief is not easy for me).

Meme Instructions: Answer the following questions about groups and share some of your favs with us. 

Have you reached the 42 group limit? 

Oh goodness, yes, I never have a spare spot.  And I can remember my early days in SL (almost 7 years ago) when you only got something like 12 group slots (don’t quote me on the amount, but it was very small)  

Do you do a lot of group hopping to keep up with all the groups you want to stay a part of? 

I try not to, it gets too confusing.  I have created a "mini Zsa" and I am having to lose some of my groups and add her to them (which is dangerous as next thing I know she will be nagging me for mesh feet and hands).

What makes you want to join a group? 

Now I have started blogging more and more of my groups spaces are taken up by blogging groups and blogger support groups, so any other group spots are those for designers whose work I really enjoy.  Plus of course my land groups.

A lot of store VIP groups have a group fee which you have to pay to join. How do you feel about paying group fees? 

I can understand a nominal fee to keep spammers out but if a group offers benefits such as regular gifts or store credit/discount for group members, and I really love their stuff I will pay up to $250 (grudgingly!).  Anything more than that, I won’t do it.

Name a few groups that you are a part of that you feel everyone should look into joining and share your reasons behind that.

This is so hard for me, restricting it to just a few, but here goes off the top of my head:

Belleza:  I just love Belleza skins and don't really feel "me" if I am wearing anything else.  I am trying to branch out for my blog though and have found some other skins I really like.

Gos: Periodic gifts and 10% back on all purchases, and as someone who has worn Gos almost since my rezz day, this is a no brainer.  And Gos loves animals which is an even better reason (but I am talking as crazy cat lady in all lives).

Aeva/Heartsick:  Amesha Jewell is one of the nicest and most generous creators I know. Her group gifts are absolutely fabulous.

The Cookie Jar:  So many great stores included, great for anyone (like me) who lives in a country cottage or a beach house (I live in both, I am weird that way).

KaTink:  Great group gifts, and discounts on new items.

MOCK Cosmetics:  Tons of fab group gifts, hunts, cheapies.

If you want to join in, you can find Strawberry Singh's challenge here

Credits:

Skin:  Belleza – Shyla Tan 3

Hair:  Elikatira - Malia, flame charred

Eyes:  IKON - Destiny, evening

Hands:  SLink - Casual

Eyelashes: Redgrave - 38, classic

Eyeliner: Izzies - Cat Eyeliner 4

Lips:  Belleza – Shy/Betty tan, lips 6

Nail Appliers:  KoKoLoReS – Nails, Nails, Nails! - Set 06

Jewellery:  Maxi Gossamer - Ritzy Shimmer pearls bracelet, Alexa Black Choker Pearls earrings and Necklace (worn backwards)

Pose:  Glitterati (now only on mp) - Head Shots

Strawberry Singh's Inventory Meme

When I saw Berry's latest meme I almost jumped for joy.  I have a bit of an obsession with inventory size, so much so that when I meet someone new I have to fight the urge to say: "Hi, pleased to meet you - how big is your inventory?".   You think I am joking, right? I'm not.   I have been in a state of utter disbelief since finding out one of my friends has only 5k in her inventory, and she is older than me!  Hearing of someone who has an inventory bigger than mine makes me feel so much better - thanks Berry!

About six months ago, I was traumatised when logging in to find that I appeared to be naked except for wearing the contents of my objects folder, as demonstrated in the pic above. I didn't even know I HAD a white horse, have no clue what the tyre type pool thingie is, and as for the rest of it, I am not even going to try to guess.  

This traumatic event meant I took action, my inventory was at 78k at that time and over the next month with regular glances back at this pic to assure myself this reduction was a necessary evil, I whittled it down to just over 40k.  Being someone who finds it hard to delete anything, I did a lot of archiving at first, but that was taking forever, so I started hitting the delete button. 

After I got over the initial shock of actually deleting something, I found it strangely liberating, and haven't yet had any "deleters regret"....but when I got to 40k I did have quite a few moments of "only 40k?? I have nothing to wear" panic.

However, since starting blogging my number has started to creep up again...

1. What is your current inventory number? – 48,845 (but then again, I am in a hair shop so in five minutes, who knows!)
2. If you had to delete your whole inventory and could only keep one thing, what would it be? – I am with Berry on this one, the hair folder is indeed a "thing" and that is what I would keep.
3. What is the last thing you purchased? – Meadow grass with white & red iris for my new garden - I probably have some in my archived home boxes but I can't find it.  At the time of archiving I was living in a furnished apt and had no intention of ever having a "proper" house again - so I didn't make much effort to make sure that I could find home stuff should I ever need it again, as I didn't think I would.  I am fighting the urge to shout "you should've left it at 78k, THEN you would not have had to buy new grass!"
4. Which item do you wear most often? –  Belleza skin & Redgrave eyelashes
5. When you search for the word penis, how many items pop up? Absolutely none - I hang my head in shame at having such a boring inventory!

 If you want to join in with this meme, here is the link:

http://strawberrysingh.com/2013/08/11/inventory-meme-liquid-mesh/