Revelations

Now that the rains have subsided, things took a somber and compelling turn on the Island. As the castaways gathred around the campfire to discuss the events of the previous week, each one noted that Lucita seemed distant and quiet. It didn't take long for the others to question her departure from her typical self. Finally, when asked, she said thats he felt as if she has already lost, and that it was just a matter of time before they voted her off the show, she claimed that she felt alienated and disliked by the group members.

She had given up. She no longer felt like she was able to compete and had all but conceded her place in the game.

Naturally, the others jumped to assure her this was not the case and asked her why she felt she had no chance at winning... Lucita then brought forth a revelation that shook the very Island they made their home.

Lucita is a 75 year old woman, and while her Avtar is youthful and attractive, the player behind the facade was feeling tired and hopeless. The others reacted with enormous shock, but one thing united them - Their support for Lucita. For a moment in time, game politics had been set aside, and throught an emotionally riveting campfire conversation, Lucita explained that she believed this was her opportunity to bridge the gap between generations, to show the world that just because she is older, does not mean she is incapable of advancing with the rest of society, she loves her computer, she loves Second Life, and despite her age, her mind is young, sharp and beautiful. Lucita had kept her age a secret deliberately since her arrival on the Island, and felt that this was the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about her situation. The other castaways shared their thoughts with herm explaining age is only in the mind, and one is only as old as they believe they are. However, Lucita claimed thats he was tired of living with prejudice and being labeled and misjudged because of her age. She does not want to begin limiting her life experiences and retire into obscurity just because of the years behind her... there is still so much left ahead.

However, Lucita's fate is not yet decided. Will this weeks revelation spare her from elimination in the next round? We can only wait and see.

Episode 4 Recap!

The 4th episode of Celebrity Survivor: Second Life was probably the most emotional - Since the players have been on the island, 3 weeks have drifted by and now the declaration of a winner is impending… The eliminations are taking it's toll on the Islanders, and each sits on pins and needles wondering who will be nominated next! Elisea and guts were each nervously questioning their future since both had been nominated for elimination last week…who will remain on the island?

The show changed locations! For this week the stage is the magical atomsphere of Pantelleria, the rebuild of the famous south italian island. There were special appearances by the opinionist Ryder Mcleod, the avatar of a famous italian blogger, and the previously eliminated players Mauve Applemoor and Lucoronet Vita.

The audience decided ultimately that Guts had to leave the game, so elisea can remain on the island. She's really happy about this because she has been a diiligent player and wants to win the game!

At the end of the show there was a surprise awaiting the Islanders: Newcome Alexander Avro made his first appearance to take the place of LuCoronet who had made an early vouluntary exit.

MONSOON! ~ Come on baby, light my fire.

A Monsoon has hit the Island! Over the last couple of days, a torrential rain has been perlting the ground, lightening flashes through the sky, and the Survivors must act accordingly or suffer the consequences. In a large shelter, each one of our Islanders, including the new player, Alexander, rest wearily as the darkness outside seems perpetual. With the new enviromental conditions, the Islanders realized that it was talking a toll of their health and energy (Remember, their life statistics are measured by a HUD they wear, and are suseptible to any condition their environment or circumstance proposes!) and as a result, found a way to make a fire.

It seemed a blessing from the production Gods that chinks of burnable wood began appearing in places throughout the island, and although our survivors had to wander out into the frigid cold to get it, it was worth the effort! As long as they keep wood on their fire, they should stay safe and warm...

...But if that fire goes out, they risk getting sick, or possibly some other affliction might befall them. The staff is amazingly innovative, and even the Islanders aren't exactly sure how they could be affected for certain by changing conditions. This world on the Island is very complex, and ingeniusly devised. Every care must be taken to ensure their health and safety while in the Wilds, for Death here is possible, and that means immediate elimination.

New Player:::Alexander Avro

Okay ladies, get out your fans! It just got a little bit hotter on Survivor Island. After the stormy exit of LuCoronet last week, which left the Islanders all left with a bitter pill to swallow as she scolded them on their ethics of play, there was one empty cot that needed filling.

Enter Alexander Avro, who has entered the game to fill the vacancy left by LuCoronet. We'll be getting more about his Biography shortly, but we are anxious to see how the other players react to the new castaway... he has not had many of the struggles the other players have faced over the last 4 weeks, and essentially, he is a stranger coming in at the last minute. Mahem has always been a little territorial, and with Alexander on the Scene, we wonder if Mahem feels a refreshed sense of competition. Let's not forget, he won the last challenge, but now he may have to work harder for it! The others, who have been together for a month now, might embrace Alexander, or they may shun him, feeling he has no right to the prize as he's come in mid-way. It will be interesting to watch how things unfold!

MAUVE ELIMINATED!

During the third Primetime show, Mauve was eliniminated and Elisea and Guts are the new nominees.

Making a surprise return to the Island, shocking everyone, was Lucoronet, who wanted to take one last stand and let each and every one know what she thought of them. Elisea was the one that suffered most as a result of LuCoronet's premature departurem because they had become close friends, so she was delighted to see her reappear to give some closure after 4 days gone.

In this third episode the new leader is Lucita, the winner of a treasure hunt. After the show thursday evening, the production staff organized a surprise party on the island for irulan’s birthday’s and all players gathered in mutual agreement to simply enjoy the evening together, Politics aside.

Unfortunately, a bite of cake doesn't solve the increasing food shortage on the island. They are suffering hunger now after 3 weeks on the deserted island. During the day, they walk around the island in hopes of discovering something to eat. Mahem and Lucitam in an effort to keep a hand up on the other players, swim around the island in an effort to keep whatever fish they find for themselves. Eventually, all players decide to divide all they can find in equal part for everyone. Only Lucita disagrees, and tells the others thats he is looking out for herself, and herself ONLY, and anything she finds she will eat alone. Naturally, a fight ensues between Lucita and the group. Moran thinks that Lucita is playing in a bad way. After two days when they understand that if they don’t eat they will suffer dire consequences, they all decide to eat more, the best strategy is to divide the food with friends and with the people that find it. So whoever sleeps all day will not have food from the others.

This is the difinitive case of "The Early Bird Gets The Worm."

Update Update Update!!

During the second prime time television event, the Islanders are faced with the first leadership competition. It consisted of an obstacle course. The winner was Moran.

The second week started with the nomination of Mauve and Mahem for elimination. On the island now there are 2 groups - The first being mauve and Mahem, whom, after the nomination, grew incredibly close. The other group is, well, vitually everyone else on the Island. All the others have slowly come to dislike the two, believeing the talk to much and behave more like actors, constantly demanding the spotlight.

The Islanders, for the most part, believe Mauve has not been honest with the rest of the group, and hr self-important attitude has everyone tired of her insistance that the world revolves around her.

At the same time, Mauve just believes she's misunderstood.

Sunday changed the game forever. Tension between the two groups mounted, and in an explosive turn of events, Lucoronet decide to leave the island - AND the game, refusing to live another moment with the other players, particularly Mauve.

United by the fact that the others on the Island despide them, the relationship between Mauve and Mahem is becoming much more intimate, and they define it quite like a engagement even if it’s difficult live it in this situation with all world watching on them.

Irulan and guts have something in common too. They're each the youngest players on the Island and as a result, they seemed to gravitate toward one another. The others look on with a raised eyebrow and joke, but the two insist they are only friends.

FAMINE!!!

Currently on the island there is a dreadful food Shortage! Our Islanders need to find food to stay alive while stranded on the Isle. As most of you know, each Islander is affixed with a complex HUD system that requires them to eat, drink and sleep or it reduced their energy until they Die!
On the island there are mango, coconut, and bananas to find, and the production staff provides the players a daily ration of food consisting of rice, water and some fruits... but this is not enough!

The are feeling the heat now... Next Thurday, during Primetime, reveal who will be eliminated and who will be the next two nominated.

No one is safe.

Middle of the week!

Bags have washed ashore, and with dancing delight the Islanders realized it was full of stuff from their own inventories and more: some clothes, little tools, a little help for the survivors' life. Interaction between the contestants is now becoming more structured. However, the relationship between Lucita and Mahem can now be defined as confrontational... She accuses Mahem of being there just to achieve some level of Real Life notoriety, while the real goal, in her opinion, should be to simply enjoy the virtual adventure. In her stance, she recieved support from Lucita, Moran, and Guts as they engaged in a long conversation about the contestants' mutual relationships.

A hysterical female lingerie fashion show took place today, but this might a little different than you imagine. The male islanders were the models. Most surprising was the perfect female super model walk AO they used. You Go Girl!

Today the survivors also tried to guess who will couple up. Most of them agreed that Mauve and Mahem, despite their very vocal challenges, are the more probable.

Opposites attract?

Interview with Eladon Galsworthy Celebrity Survivor: SL animator

I got wind recently that Eladon Galsworthy had been commisioned by the production staff of Celebrity Survivor: Second Life to create animations for things - in an effort to more fully make the Island itself a living, breathing environment, complete with resources, danger, and more.

This busy gentleman was kind enough to lend me a few moment of his valuable time to discuss with me his role in creating content for CS: SL and how he feels about the contributions such entities make to our World in general.

I arrive at Galsworthy's enormous store in Pondlife where I find him and his Lovely wife Maggie. Here is the discussion that transpired.

PF: Hi, pleasure to meet you both! I promise you I'll be brief!

Eladon Galsworthy: As you can see we are inprocess of remodeling the store , we recently added another sim and spreadingthings out somewhat. Maybe this time next year I might be able to take a day off.

PF: how would you describe it? Home interiors?

Eladon Galsworthy: well we cover a large range of items from landscaping to home interiors and homes. We devote a fourth of this sim to Asian stylings as well.

PF: And now, I understand you're providing animations for Celebrity Survivor: SL?

Eladon Galsworthy: Dellybean North and I are , shes the animator , I am doing them some food and somce custom scripting for the animations.

PF: Ah so you two have a team then.

Eladon Galsworthy: yes , it takes a team to be able to do high quailty end products , everyone has their own strengths and talents. Just like doing a quailty TV show it takes a team to do it right.

PF: So let me ask you, have you done work for other Real world entities in SL before?

Eladon Galsworthy: just minor things, I have been contacted before by various RL enterprises but most of them haven't followed though on their end

PF: Let me ask you, what are the positive consequences of having real life entities come into Second Life. Obviously it creates jobs and enriches the economy...

Eladon Galsworthy: Exposure to the public , the legimatic it gives this forum as well the side effects of the exposure and giving it legimatic is what spurs things on a wide scale. if you just look at thesurface of SL it loooks like a way for people to cyber and have animted online sex lol ... but there is so much more to it than that. There is a large Christian population in here with multiple churches that hold services even , and some of the build make me stand back and go WOW.

PF: I think to the casual eye, yes, on the surface just a glorified chat room, but I believe many people eventualy see that there is so much more beneath... it is a living, breathing world. We are, in fact, our own country. And we are the most diverse country, with so many different cultures and interests, sure there are the pixel bouncers, but also the people who work here from 9 to 5, entreprenuers, people who employ others and it has real world financial implications, and many many people make their living here.

Eladon Galsworthy: If you look it has something for everyone , live music is extremely popular , and its from what I have seen been the most covered by the media overallEladon Galsworthy: our local Nashville paper did a big story and mostly focused on the music , front page sunday, but this being Music City I see why they took that angle. I truly believe this is the fore runner for the future of much online

PF: Exactly, one of my favorite aspects of this world is the live entertainment, musicians, and concerts, and game shows, and reality shows like Celebrity Survivor: Second Life. Having something like this here, it contributes so much to the world, it tests the boundaries and introduces us to new potentials.

Eladon Galsworthy: One is only limited by their imagination and most of the pleasure of ANYTHING is derived from one's imagination , in viewing it , or interacting with something, why so many get such a pleasure creating in here, even if its fixing up their own little home and corner.

PF: Yes, without question. I think it can be quite addictive. Given the possibilites are endless! Essentially everyone and everything has a place here. I think people forget just how massive we are. We are not, per say, detached from each ther here, we are all connected by one thing or another, be it the grid, common interests or business.

Eladon Galsworthy: Yes, and its soo much easier to find and connect with others of like minds in here than it is in RL... and you can even surprise yourself and find love :)

PF: Yes, it absolutely is, and the society here, to me, is beautiful, it's a really not segmented, as diverse and unique as people are, they share this world indiscriminately. Lets discuss that for a moment, do you view SL as a learning tool? Do you think it has value in regards to impacting people's social mentalities and opening them up to new things, different kinds of people, diversity?

Eladon Galsworthy: Yes, in many ways it is, and people can experince things that are to scary in RL , either ebcause of the safety risks involed or the way people around them will view what they are trying to learn about.

PF: Exactly! Now, for a moment lets talk diectly about Celebrity Survivor, are you familiar with the show in real life formats?

Eladon Galsworthy: Yes , lol I live under a rock but its not that big a rock :) all the media about it I doubt a hermit living in the tundra hasn't heard about it.

PF: hahhaah, are you excited about seeing how your creations are implemented into the game? They have such a compelling plan here, and they have executed it so beautifully!

Eladon Galsworthy: It always give me a thrill seeing my items being used , its as sastifing to me as the monetary aspects, I LOVE hearing from customers how our creations have made SL better for them.

PF: It really is one of the most elaborate and technically efficient events I have seen in years. It's awesome to see hard workers, and content creators like yourself involved to such a degree where your talents are used and implemented in so many things, privately and in a business format!

Eladon Galsworthy: I never started creating with intent to make a living at it , it kinda happened by accident... and things just kept expanding and expanding lol

PF: Really? So what percentage of your efforts here actually contribute to your RL living?

Eladon Galsworthy: I make more in here that I did in my RL job.

PF: when i describe sl to people, I say, It is the place where housewives can become millionaires. SL can change your Real life, and for sooo many it has.

Eladon Galsworthy: I will say in looking at SLs econimic staticis I fall in the top 100 of people in here with positive cash flow, but we have been building our business for close to 2 years now , and we do really work at providing things that you can find no where else in SL, like our interactive dining tables and bathes and showers , our picnic blankets are very poular too... and you have to keep working to get better.

PF: Yes indeed, the concept of how SL contributes to RL in that way is extremely motivating. I know people here who have developed skills they might never had before, but SL opened that door for them.

Eladon Galsworthy: 95% of our business comes from happy customers , customer service here is a must , I can't believe how many of the merchants in here are rude and uncaring for their customers. It still takes business skills and working with the public just like RL.

PF: I really enjoy hearing how each unique individual percieves second life and how the world worlks for them, because it is such a unique experience for each and every person here, it's never the same twice, no matter who you talk to!

Eladon Galsworthy: if not for her (Galsworthy's Wife, Maggie) I know would not of been as successful as I have been in here. maybe not even learned to build , I had been in SL 3 or 4 months and decided I'd try to make a koi pond fish and asked a friend "ok, where do you get those prim thingies?"

Maggie Sullivan: awwwwwwwwwwwwww... how much mony you want to borrow?

PF: well you both must make an excellent team, and it's beautiful that Sl has given you joy in more than one aspect! I will let you both get back to work here, again I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. I can't wait to see your work in Celebrity Survivor: SL!

Thank you Eladon for sharing your experiences with me! You can visit his store in Pondlife (See SLURL above) and see his beautiful creations.

Secrets Revealed

Tensions rose to a new record on the island today as Mauve and Mahem rammed heads in a power struggle: two strong personalities that are competing to get their own space amongst the tribe; however Mauve seems to get more support from the other women, especially from LuCoronet and Elisea.

Maybe because of those tensions Mauve seemed to be, for the first time since her arival on teh island, less verbose than usual.

Details about survivors' Real Lives are coming, little by little, and strangely enough, Lucita, who had previously been very guarded and secretive, appeared more willing than the others to share telling details about both her lives.

A big debate arose in which the Islanders questioned the consequences of a Second Life: Is it an alienation from reality or something that makes Real Life better? Elisa and Lucita discussed with Irulan and Evalola.

All the survivors eventually seemed to agree that SL is something that might expand social opportunities, and that can have a positive influence on your real life. Lucita stressed the fact that everybody in SL seemed to be very kind and compassionate. To prove this, she opened up for the first time and shared with the group about her experience in the Gorean world. Being curious about how being a hunter would be, she visited a place but after a short time she found herself in the role of the prey! However once captured she was immediately released without harm, being recognized as just as a visitor...

Trying to release today's tension the survivors arranged some sort of free performing contest. Lucita took advantage of her multilingual skills telling the group a poem by Federico Garcia Lorca in Spanish. This also gave her a chance to tell the group about her own story: her family had run away from Spain after the Civil War and she grew up in a melting pot of french and italian cultures, away from the country and the language that still has a special place in her heart.

Today was a calm day on the island... at first! The morning was spent jogging around the island, swimming, talking and playing. The contestants made a hysterical fake TV news program, just for themselves (...and all the audience watching them on the webcams). After that gathered in a group for a nice round of collaborative storytelling, each one submitting a line to further the plot.

The necessity of survival is being felt more fervently now: all the contestants are trying hard to figure out ways to get more food and water, as well as attempting to find clues from the production staff. (Our lips are sealed!)

Focus befell Lucita once again, regarding her reluctancy in using voice and giving details about her real life. She responded by saying that she believes that part of the SL beauty is being in a completely different reality, where the imagination is free to present the Avatar as the player chooses. Implementing real voices and adding real life details is something she views as a limitation of that imagination. Despite her stance, the other Islanders are wondering if Lucita is keeping secrets.

During one of the several jogging sessions all the Islander suffered a blow (Literally!) and found themselves scattered all around the island, alone.

Technical problems? Perhaps. Or an omen from the Game masters... another trial is coming.

Exhaustion is rearing it's ugly head, and thus claims it's first victim on Survivor Island today.
Louie has been expelled from the island for having repeatedly violated the rules. As a matter of fact, he abandoned his computer multiple times despite several warnings from the staff. As we all know by now, contestants must remain online at all times, without fail.

When he put a towel on the camera to hide someone that entered his room, (Yes, they are monitored visually at home, not just in-world!) a decision was finally made by the producers to remove him from the competition.

Ironically the producers approached him to inform of him the consequences of his actions... Louie was away from his computer again...

Interaction between the participants is becoming intimate, contestants are often awake until 4AM chatting...and arguing. Some have found Mauve too verbose, and Lucita had no problems speaking out. On the other hand, Irulan, the resident wallflower, is beginning to find confidence and is more vocal with teh other residents of the island. LuCoronet is also, now that her audio problems finally fixed.
For his not-so-sollicited advices and suggestions Mahem has been nicknamed "The Prophet" while Lucita is experiencing some problems in bringing her RL into the game, an issue that the rest of the group doesn't seem to have.