Ana Lutetia

blogging Second Life® since 2006

interview | Terry Toland

Posted on September 1, 2009 by Ana Lutetia | 4 Comments


Terry Toland

Second Life name: Terry Toland
Rez Date: 12/14/2006

Look of Terreh

On the Edge I

1 – How did you discover Second Life and what made you create an account?
One of my college hall buddies introduced me to Second Life at the end of my first freshman semester. I was originally using text-based forums to interact (mostly for roleplay), and he showed me a sim where there was similar gaming. So, having a friend and also wanting to take RP to that next level, I signed-up.

2 – How did you come up with your Second Life name?
I was tired of using one based off an anime-fandom, and I wasn’t feeling terribly creative, so I chose one based off of my real life name.

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?
Initially, it was the roleplay feature. I’m a huge fan of storytelling, especially when other people are a part of it. Unfortunately, this entertainment became an addiction a few months into it as I experienced a great deal of turmoil in my real life. Thanks to the support and help of many people, I’m in my third year for a love of roleplay, SL art, and general interaction.

4 – What have you been doing in SL? Tell us your story: what have you been up to or what have you created.
After a dry stint, I’ve gotten back into serious RP with other people; I play a fae creature in a medieval/fantasy realm and a human hybrid in a sci-fi environment. When I’m not roleplaying, I’m either photographing/editing something, writing a blog entry, modeling, driving my friends insane, or some combination thereof. I’m an amateur builder and creator, with most of my work being for roleplay.

5 – Have you found, developed or improved any skills because of SL?
Before SL, I would draw often; however, my ideas did not necessarily transfer themselves well to paper. The medium of SL has really allowed me to breathe life into my visions. My need to further tinker with photos has prodded me into improving my skills with Photoshop.

6 – Could you share a funny or awkward story that happened to you in SL?
I wrote a whole story about one: The Cat Owner. It deals with a very strange customer service incident that helps remind me that things could be a lot stranger.

7 – What would you change or improve in Second Life?
I’d line up all the board-member Lindens and perform a giant slap to the back of the head. Speaking seriously, I would change LL’s current business trend of promotion towards outside business and educational organizations to look inward at technological and community stability. Current actions concerning adult content are not being handled in a way that supports artistic freedom in an American-based program while also being sensitive to international cultures.

8 – Can you share your current and/or future projects for SL?
Yes, I have the ability to. I’m hoping to do some blog series in the future focusing on three themes that I love: overgrowth, harlequin, and Lady Marmalade boudoir. Otherwise, I hope to do more story-blogging and song-themed posts.

9 – Have you ever had any issues whatsoever within Second Life? If so, how did you reported and was the feedback positive?
When I was a Game Moderator for a major roleplay area, I was often harassed. One time, I was seriously threatened after banning a player; I immediately reported them through the AR system. Their account disappeared, so I personally thought the results were positive.

10 – Is Second Life merely an online game or do you consider it more of a metaverse or a virtual world?
Whenever I describe SL to someone, I use the term “social networking platform”, as that’s what in large part it is designed for. Non-SL users take me more seriously when I use that instead of “online game” (perhaps solely because of the big words). For myself, SL is a realm much like Carl Jung’s collective unconscious – fantasy and reality blend together to form nonsense and deep meaning among a group, rather than just in the typical dreams of one individual. I can be beyond the norm and share that experience with others.

11 – Imagine a new resident asks for your help. What would do? What would you tell him/her?
This is going to sound horrible, but I actually try to avoid new users because a lot of people tend to take my politeness as a signal that I want to be their best friend; I just don’t handle that sort of interaction well. When I do meet new residents, I try to give them information about New Citizens Incorporated and landmarks to places like the GNUbie store… and then try to make a quick exit. There’s a reason I’m not a mentor.

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

Look of the Carnevale

Your urls
Blog: http://brokeandnotorioussl.wordpress.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/green_dream/

Mentions
http://rezzable.com/users/terry-toland
http://nocturnemodelling.com/
http://www.achariya.net/

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


Comments

4 Responses to “interview | Terry Toland”

  1. Ceidru Gothly
    September 2nd, 2009 @ 03:35

    Yey Terreh!

  2. Terry Toland
    September 2nd, 2009 @ 06:15

    Itsa’ me! \o/

  3. achariya
    September 2nd, 2009 @ 13:50

    Awww, it’s my terreh! I liked your description of SL as Jungian — that jives with how I’ve been playing it, although…I tend to be an island cut off from the main.

  4. Mayor of DC: Autumn Additions « Lifestyles of the Broke and Notorious
    October 27th, 2009 @ 17:20

    [...] also showed up on Ana Lutetia’s blog as part of her interview series. The activity gave me the kick in t he butt I needed to actually [...]

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