Ana Lutetia

blogging Second Life® since 2006

interview | Achariya Maktoum

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Ana Lutetia | 9 Comments


ach


profile_picture_for_ana, originally uploaded by Achariya.


bpdreads01, originally uploaded by Achariya.

1 – How did you discover Second Life and what made you create an account?
One day my dissertation prof said: “Achariya, you should look into the educational possibilities of Second Life.” I looked. Sadly, I found fashion first, and never got any farther.

2 – How did you come up with your Second Life name?
My first name is Achariya. My last name is something arabic from my husband, so I wanted a similar-sounding name. Of course that makes no end of confusion when people see my real name in my google blog account and try to find me in SL…

3 – Lots of people only stay inSL for a week or a month after creating an account. What made you stay and what motivates you to log back in?
Honestly, avatar fashion hooked me somewhere deep and fundamental. I can’t quite explain it, but after the initial rush of exploration went away (okay, that part hasn’t entirely gone away), what remained was my joy in putting on and taking off clothing. In fact, that’s pretty much all I do here, except for the few people who chat at me. Okay, and I write.

4 – What have you been doing in SL? Tell us your story: what have you been up to or what have you created.
Two years ago, I posted my first blog post. I started my blog as an exploration of the academic side of Second Life; mid-way through, I realized that I’d done a flip in perspective. Instead of writing from an Etic point of view, a real life person writing about Second Life, it became Emic, a Second Life person writing from her own perspective. Achariya Maktoum’s blog soon took on a will of it’s own, and became my main ‘job’ in Second Life. The blog soon began to focus upon fashion, so I added it to the Fashion Planet feed, and people actually read it…
I remember my awe when Puma Jie of Corduroy handed me a folder of socks — it was my first-ever folder of items from a designer, and I have them still. Thank you, Puma! Now, almost two years later, I am humbled and excited by the number of bloggers out there. I love reading the many different perspectives about SL, and realize that I’ve gotta get better at what I do to stay interesting and relevant!

5 – Have you found, developed or improved any skills because of SL?
Oh God, I’ve learned so much. One of my best friends in SL is hyasynth Tiramisu of ~silentsparrow~. She said, “Some people are born with a photographer’s eye, and some have to learn it. It’s really hard to learn!” She’s right. I wince when I scroll back to my first few Flickr posts, but then feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I click my way back to present. I worked hard on my photography and Photoshop. I made a vow to post in my blog every day, regardless of anything else in my life, and because of this I think I’ve managed to improve.

6 – Could you share a funny or awkward story that happened to you inSL?
I can’t share my most awkward or funny story, because it involves an entire sim, several eminent slebrities, a real-life meeting, and a resulting flamewar. BUT, suffice to say that it was memorable and I wish all the people involved well — from a distance.
Also, when I put on boy-Acha (my less female alter-ego), things tend to happen. I won’t say what, but they do.

7 – What would you change or improve in Second Life?
I cry for designers. Anyone who tries to make money in Second Life right now is @#$#ed, and I wish I was independently wealthy so that I could set up a fund for Second Life designer health insurance. I would also bump up SL prices to adequately pay for the time that some designers spend on their projects.

8 – Can you share your current and/or future projects for SL?
I plan to continue my blog, come hell or high water. I also write for Rezzables, which I love. I’d say “One day I will learn how to make something other than a box,” but I know I won’t. Some people might be motivated in this way, but I’m not. I’d also like to expand my writing business.
Want an advertisement writer-for-hire? I charge very reasonable rates. :D

9 – Have you ever had any issues whatsoever within Second Life? If so, how did you reported and was the feedback positive?
*knock wood* Er, not yet. Please let that not curse me.

10 – Is Second Life merely an online game or do you consider it more of a metaverse or a virtual world?
Uh, it’s actually a handy box in which I extend myself around the world. I also get to be creative and play with art and writing. What’s not to love?

11 – Imagine a new resident asks for your help. What would do? What would you tell him/her?
Last time a new resident asked me for help, I whisked her on a three-hour tour of SL’s best n00b freebies. :D She ended up looking awesome, if I do say so myself.

12 – How would you describe yourself in one word?
Geek.


waiting_002, originally uploaded by Achariya.

Your urls
Blog: http://www.achariya.net
Flickr: Achariya’s Flickr
SLurls: My writing shop — tp into the shop and ’show destination’


kitteh, originally uploaded by Achariya.

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Category: AVANISTA, InQ Connections, MV-SL-General, Planet SLBazaar, SL Blogosphere, Second Life®, interviews, news


Comments

9 Responses to “interview | Achariya Maktoum”

  1. achariya
    August 6th, 2009 @ 18:54

    *laughing* i’m such a dork. thank you for posting this, ana!

  2. hyasynth
    August 6th, 2009 @ 19:22

    d’aww. But an impossibly sweet and infinitely patient and smart! geek. Who I adore. *scritches her sim cat*

  3. Afternoon monsoon at Fashion Feed of SL
    August 6th, 2009 @ 19:52

    [...] from HUZ. (SLURL to Ohmai) (SLURL to Pink Fuel) (SLURL to ~silentsparrow~) (SLURL to HUZ)Edit: Thank you for interviewing me, Miss AnaLu!(SLURLs here)Orangey:***Boots: *Kurotsubaki* feather boots orange***Hand tattoos: hart.thorn&thistle [...]

  4. Shelby rasmuson
    August 6th, 2009 @ 20:36

    I loved seeing Achariya’s first post! She was one of the reasons I started blogging…never boring and dances to her own tune!!

  5. Ana Lutetia
    August 6th, 2009 @ 22:07

    Ach,
    you’re one of my favourite bloggers! <3
    Thank you for responding.

  6. Theodore Nacht
    August 6th, 2009 @ 22:16

    That’s definitely my favorite interview you’ve done so far. Ach is so funny and candid.

  7. Terry Toland
    August 6th, 2009 @ 23:59

    Yay, Ach! :D She’s a terribly awesome friend and great blogger role model. :3

  8. Faery Sola
    August 7th, 2009 @ 23:18

    Achariya is, in my opinion, one of the best bloggers on the grid… it’s not just her sense of style, it’s how she puts the story together, her photography and the commentary… Acha is someone for up and coming bloggers to take notes from.

    She is also a truly lovely lady, I love to chat & hang out with her… although BLOODY IMPOSSIBLE TO SHOP FOR! The woman has everything already! LOL

  9. Puma
    August 18th, 2009 @ 16:57

    Achariya <3 You totally just put a smile on my face!

    You're so sweet!

    xoxo!
    Pu

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