To those who know me well, they’ll know that my avie has gone thru quite a few changes in the last couple of months.  The most notable of this is she’s completely neko now.  Not just part time, all the time.  She’s also sporting a lovely leopard skin.

The reasons for making these changes isn’t really the point of this post.  The fact remains that this is who Bailey is.  Now last night I was out shopping with a friend.  This friend happens to be a child av and that child av is my daughter.  The person behind the av is a good friend and I am old enough to be her mother!

The point of all of this was a couple comments directed toward me in IM.  I’ve also heard a number of comments from other people about child avs.  Course I’ve heard loads of comments about nekos in general, Gor slaves, kid avies, furries etc etc  These comments range from the bland to vile things I’d never repeat.

Hearing these comments disappoints me.  This is second life, a place where you can be anyone and anything you wish to be.  Shouldn’t everyone else be able to do the same?  What does it matter to you if I’m out shopping with my daughter?  I’m not asking you to recognize her as my daughter, I’m not even asking you to say hello.  Ignore us if it makes you feel better.   The same would be said for all the others I mentioned above. 

If your out shopping and you see a Gor slave kneeling half naked or a furry, or a vampire or any of the others I’ve mentioned above and you don’t like it, ignore it.  They aren’t asking for you to interact with them.  They are simply there to shop just like you.  Don’t stare, don’t grimace and don’t run to AR them.  Leave them alone, let them shop in peace.  No one is asking you to interact with someone  you don’t wish to. 

I will say though, it’s still polite to say "I’m sorry" when you body slam someone trying to get in the store.

So yeah, I’m disappointed in some of my fellow residents.  Who knew that when we logged in to SL to escape the crap in RL we’d let all that bigotry, hate, and intolerance in.

The next time I’m out shopping with my daughter or son and someone makes a comment, I’m going to ignore them.  I’m not going to waste a moment of my time acknowledging them and their small minds.

The next time your out shopping and you see a Gor slave/master think abou this before you comment, would you tell a neko to take off their tail and ears before going shopping?  Does the fairy or angel need to take her wings off?  Are you going to tell that Vampire , sorry put the teeth away?  What about the robot , can’t even imagine what problem anyone would have with a robot.

Stop being judgmental against someone because you neither understand why they do what they do nor approve of it.  It’s not up to you to like it, or approve it.  They are entitled to live their own second lives as they see fit.

*end rant*

UPDATE:  I’ve closed comments on this post and I will no longer allow comments on this blog that do not stay on track with the message delivered in the post.

That’s the new theme for the Gallery of Light.   I asked each of the artists to show me/us what they are afraid of.

It’s funny, I can choose a theme but when it comes to creating a pic for it, I’m at a loss.   I certainly don’t have a lack of fears.  If I think about them too hard and for too long it almost seems I’m afraid of everything.  

Fear of failure:   No one wants to be labeled a failure.  The fear of failure keeps us from taking risks.   When bought Angel Square I was terrified.  Now it’s had it’s ups and downs and I’d like to see some changes made but for the most part, it’s a risk I’m glad I took.

Fear of being alone:   Not everyone is afraid to be alone.   Some people revel in it others simply prefer a solitary existence.  For those though that need the constant contact of other human beings, being alone can be terrifying.

Being Invisible:   No one wants to be invisible all the time.  Yes sometimes we want to hide from everyone but most of the time we want to be seen and acknowledged.  

Rejection :  Who hasn’t felt the bite of rejection at one point in their life?   Whether from a lover, friend or in business no one likes to hear, *I/we don’t want you*.

Disappointment :  If you’ve ever heard *I’m so disappointed in you* from someone you love, trust or respect then I don’t need to say anything else.   If you’ve never heard these words, then count your blessings because there is no more hollow feeling in the world.

There are countless phobias and other fears that I could go into.   I chose to talk about these because all were concepts I’d considered doing for my entry in the Gallery of Light.   What struck me though is how can I continue to be afraid of something I’ve actually experienced?  

I’ve failed at so many things it doesn’t scare me anymore.   It only makes me angry. 

I am alone and while I don’t always like it, it is my choice.   I prefer my own company as opposed to some of the offers I’ve had recently(this is a whole post itself lol).  

Am I invisible?  Hope not.  I post pictures to Flickr and I know they’ve been seen whether or not anyone comments.  

I’ve been rejected just like anyone else.  It’s not fun and certainly doesn’t feel good.   But not everyone is perfect.   We can’t all be the best at everything, someone will always be better.  

I’ve disappointed my fair share of people and feel the regret to this day.   It’s certainly not something I’m proud of and I’m careful to not do anything to warrant it again.   I’m not afraid of it happening again, I simply won’t allow it to.

So that brings me to what I will do for my entry and you are just going to have to wait…