Chasm - Red

Figured out how to add music to a machinima.

Quote of the day.

"I don't do drugs, I am drugs."
-- Salvador Dali

Although I do like and admire some of his work, I wouldn't consider Dali one of my favorite artists because he's one of those artists that EVERYONE likes. However, this quote is amazing.

New 'Chasm' machinima

Just another short teaser:

My first machinima ever

This is nowhere near as good as Arahan's, but I wanted to make a very short machinima to upload to Flickr:

'Chasm' machinima by Arahan

Holy shit!

My dear friend/partner in art-crime, Arahan Claveau, has taken some footage of 'Chasm' and crafted it into an amazing, flawless machinima that really captures the mood of the installation.

Sim project - update #3

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cow/196/42/23

The title of this installation is 'Chasm.'

I have added two major structures to the sim today. You can fly up and through them. Also, you will quickly notice that there is only one way to get from one side of the sim to the other (if you pay attention to details you will figure it out). I have also changed the terrain textures a little bit.

Turning your draw distance to maximum is advised.
(Edit - Preferences - Graphics - Check the "custom" box if it is not already - Draw Distance: 512)

If you do not have a flight assist, you will need to wear a Flight Feather to explore. There is a dispenser with a free Flight Feather at the arrival point.

Please see the previous update for Windlight information - I have a special setting in mind that is essential to viewing this installation. Instructions are included here:
http://chromotive.blogspot.com/2008/07/sim-project-update-2-windlight-music.html

More details soon.

A thought on the non-permanence of art

Have been thinking lately about Sabine Stonebender and the loss of her huge, amazing installation, Zero Point. [I'm glad I got to see it before it disappeared; I wasn't able to visit prior to upgrading my video card which I did only a few months ago.]

ArtWorld Market wrote about it on his blog and in SLArt (r) Magazine and had this to say about it:

"...Whatever your opinion of Zero Point, or of the system in general, if you want to create in Second Life then you need to protect your investment. What happened to Sabine could happen to almost anybody. Your build can disappear and your inventory can be wiped out, whether from a technical glitch or an accounting error..."

He has also raised the question:

"...What can I say to the readers--artists, collectors, gallery owners, curators, writers, business owners and institutional leaders--who now doubt whether they should continue creating, collecting and investing in a virtual world where years of work can disappear irrecoverably?..."

Well, here are my thoughts on the subject.

The disappearance of Sabine's Zero Point is definitely a huge loss and will be missed; that goes without saying.

However, in virtual worlds as well as in the "real" world, nothing is ever permanent.

[I am in no way making excuses for Linden Labs; they should make every effort to restore what was lost; and to take measures to prevent these sort of things from happening in the first place, of course.]

A lot of people have expressed sentiments to the tune of, "Why should I create/buy anything in SL when it could disappear tomorrow because of technical issues?"

In that sense, why do anything in RL either? Why paint a picture, or make a sculpture, or build an installation, or knit a sweater, or make a sandcastle, or buy a home, or collect stamps, or do anything? Anything you create or own can be broken, burned down, washed away, torn, used up, worn out, stolen, lost, destroyed...

There is ALWAYS the risk. Second Life is no different from First Life in that sense.

Take precautions to preserve what's valuable to you, certainly; but NOTHING lasts forever; enjoy it while you can. Part of what makes ANYTHING valuable, in ANY life, is its impermanence.

And I'm not about to let that stop me.

Gratitude

I'd like to dedicate this post to show my appreciation to several people who have gone above and beyond for me lately.

First (and this is long overdue), I would like to thank the members of COW, the agency who have allowed me the use of their sim. Thank you, Russell Wertmuller, Dirkthecow Writer, Shelley Soderstrom, ChampagneSupernova Lane, and of course Bettina Tizzy (of NPIRL) for making it all possible! I am doing my best to create something amazing on the sim and I hope I do not disappoint.

Second, I would like to thank my friends SunShine Kukulcan and Klink Epsilon for their recent donation -- wow!! I am floored and extraordinarily grateful. I'd also like to thank them for continuing to help run the Art & Artist Network group when I am unable to. You guys are amazing; thank you for continuing to support me.

There are many more people I want to thank & I will do so very soon!

Sim project update #2 - Windlight & music stream

To visit the sim please use the following SLurl:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cow/197/41/22

I added a music stream today (SomaFM's 'Doomed'), so be sure to listen in when you're visiting the sim.

Turning your draw distance to maximum is advised. (Edit - Preferences - Graphics - Check the "custom" box if it is not already - Draw Distance: 512)

I also have a Windlight setting for optimal viewing.

My friend sp00ky has been helping me out a bit with my project and created Windlight sky & water settings that complement the setting perfectly.

Installing them might seem a bit complicated but is actually quite easy and takes only a moment or two, and I promise you the effect is worth it.

1.) Download the zip file here --
http://www.crabcult.com/ShineMod_DarkWater.rar


2.) Unzip the files (if you don't have Winrar, you can download that for free here -- http://www.rarlab.com/) and extract them to the following locations:

Dark%20Water.xml -- C:\Program Files\SecondLife\app_settings\windlight\water
Shine%20Modified.xml -- C:\Program Files\SecondLife\app_settings\windlight\skies

(Note: if you use the Release Candidate version of SL, be sure to unzip these to the appropriate Release Candidate folders instead.)

[ Edit -- For Mac OS X installation instructions, please read here. Special thanks to Sean Clancy for help with this!! ]

(click pictures for higher resolution)

Extracting files

3.) To see the new Windlight settings, you must restart Second Life. Then, in the 'World' menu, select 'Environment Editor.' Press the 'Advanced Sky' button and choose 'Shine Modified' from the list. Press the 'Advanced Water' menu and choose 'Dark Water.'

Environment Editor



Advanced Sky



Advanced Water

You can reset the skies/water at any time by choosing a different Windlight setting or by reverting to region default under 'Environment Settings.'

Sim project - Update #1

My original 'Top Secret' plans have been scrapped and I am starting over. However, rather than waiting to open the sim, I will now allow open access so that anyone who is curious can come check out the work as it progresses. I only have the sim for about another month so I may as well make the most of it.

There isn't much yet here to see, but you may come visit by following this SLurl:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cow/197/41/22

More updates soon!

"Beware of the SOCIOPATH! They are human poison for the soul!"

Unfortunately, I have had bad experiences with sociopathic people in my past. Considering certain recent events that have come to pass, I thought it would be relevant to post this information here to share with other people who may have dealt with a sociopath without realizing it. If I can share my knowledge of what they are & what they are capable of, then this blog entry will have been worth the effort.

If you are reading this, and you believe that someone in your life is a sociopath, PLEASE bear in mind that sociopaths are virtually beyond help; they will never change (mostly because they feel no guilt, or any need to change) nor are they capable of being helped or "cured." No matter how much hope & patience you have for them, they WILL NEVER CHANGE. The best way to deal with a sociopath is to NOT deal with them, period. As long as they are in your life, they will make you miserable.

[ From http://www.factnet.org/discus/messages/6/840.html?1115519341 ]

Sociopaths are the smartest, smoothest, sweetest, con-artist, actors. They will sweep you away, use your emotions and keep you hooked until you are DEAD --what they really are.


Glibness/Superficial Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.


Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They may appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. He dominates and humiliates his victims.


Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "his right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with his own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality.


Pathological Lying
He has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities.


Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at his core. Does not see others around his as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.


Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since he is not genuine, neither are his promises.


Incapacity for Love
While he talks about "love" he is unable to give or receive it. He is very harsh in testing it from his clients and expects them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.


Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge, yet testing the gullibility of their "clientele" with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.


Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the clientele cannot believe their government would callously hurt them, they rationalize his behavior as necessary for their own "good" and ignore the abuse. When the client become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "rape" to them.


Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believes he is all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for his impact on others. he sees himself as near perfect.


Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.


Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerning about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame their clients or others of their family. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the clients.


Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
He may frequently practice promiscuity, homosexuality, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their clients, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc.





Other Related Qualities:

Contemptuous of those who seek to understand him

Does not perceive that anything is wrong with him

Authoritarian

Secretive

Paranoid

Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where his tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired

Conventional appearance

Goal of enslavement of his victim(s)

Exercises despotic control over every aspect of his victim's life

Has a psychological need to justify his crimes and therefore needs his agency's affirmation

Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim

Incapable of real human attachment to another

Unable to feel remorse or guilt

Extreme narcissism and grandiose

May state readily that their goal is to rule the world

Further reading:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sociopath.htm

Religious Wack Jobs

One doesn't have to live in the Bible Belt to encounter crazy religious people -- I'm from the northeastern U.S. and we have our fair share, too.

I work in a retail establishment and this is a mere sampling of the various pamphlets, cards, and religious tracts handed out or left behind at our store by Christian nutjobs.

Sellout?

I have been accused of being a sellout because I chose to sell some JEWELRY I made at one of the Rezzable sims.

Wow.


The attack I got in IM -- from someone I thought was a friend -- really, really knocked the fucking wind out of me.

My artistic integrity is EXTRAORDINARILY important to me. I do not feel that I compromised my vision even remotely by taking part in this event, yet it still hurt me a great deal to be accused of it.

It was mine first.

So, I will no longer be the only 3-eyed avatar in Second Life.

Without going into too much detail, I found out late last night that someone is selling a Fantasy/Sci-Fi-esque avatar that has a third eye.

It doesn't look exactly like my eye, and the avatar itself doesn't resemble me, but despite that... I was devastated to find out.

I talked to the creator (who is someone I know), and I know he/she doesn't mean me any harm, nor did they intend to copy me at all, and I know I am not even remotely the first person in the history of the universe to think up the concept of the third eye, but still... I am pretty sure I was the first person to have a third eye in Second Life. I had hoped that I would be the only one, ever.

Perhaps not everyone has an emotional attachment to their avatar, but I do. My virtual self is like a 3-dimensional self-portrait that is always evolving and changing, and I have invested a LOT of time and effort customizing it to reflect the essence of my being. My physical appearance in Second Life was not created for purely aesthetic reasons; it is an amalgamation of my artistic and introspective subconscious. If that makes any sense.

Ambivalence

Dunno what to do.

Meh.

Might spend a bit less time logged into SL for a couple of days. I haven't felt motivated to really do much of anything and I end up staring off into space. Maybe I'll just fuck off and read a book or something for awhile.

SL "wtf" of the day.

Are you fucking kidding me? 35k in-world and log-ins are closed? This is the first time I have ever been restricted from logging in due to the number of residents.

New link added

Finally added Watashi Wa Iru to the links on this blog. I need to start visiting it and contributing to it more!