Friday, January 09, 2009

Virtual Botanical Gardens

A couple years ago, I read that Microsoft was conducting screening interviews with people's Avatars in Second Life. In classic curmudgeon form I muttered to myself:

What the heck is an Avatar? And, what is Second Life?

If you're familiar with Second Life you can find me here. Near the ocean on my purple [velvet!] lounge chair, in the Botanical Gardens.

I hate to be the last one to know what's cooking. So, I downloaded Second Life [think of it as a computer game on steroids,] and I created an Avatar ~ which is just an imaginary me.

How often does one have the freedom to lounge beneath a Wisteria tree?

In Second Life, I discovered a place called the Botanical Gardens where I can take my little Avatar for a walk.

Heading toward a greenhouse.

The really fun aspect of this is that I'm literally tip-toeing through the tulips!

Enjoying the rush of a waterfall.

It's a beautiful, expansive, blooming garden by the sea. With sounds of birds and rushing water, ocean waves and gentle rains. As I wander around here, I grow more and more impressed with the artists who created this lovely place. I've read that it took them several years. Which makes sense. It takes a long time to grow a garden!

I wish I knew how to talk to these people in the first life, because I'd love to join in the fun.

PS: They even have a riding club. :)
* This one is for you, Omega - something interesting to explore on a bitterly cold Alaska winter day. Bonus! It's free.

PLEASE NOTE: As with any internet community, this joint has it's fair share of oddballs and weirdos but you don't have to interact with anyone. I'm not very familiar with Second Life because I only frequent the Botanical Gardens and the stables. I figure if an Avatar loves flowers and horses they can't be all bad.

10 comments:

Granny J said...

Thanks for the brief tour of 2nd Life -- you're the second person I know who's in that scene. The Q is, however, how do you manage the time?

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Sleep disorders free up a lot of time!

Anonymous said...

Now that sounds like fun! I'll have to check it out, especially since it's snowing here and a lovely garden to walk in sounds fabulous! I love your blog. :)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thanks, Jeannie. That's very kind of you to say. :)

thismngardener said...

Wait-if you are going in and doing this, then why aren't you on fb? Oh, that's right, you are an INTROvert.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

IMHO Facebook is stupid.

thismngardener said...

ouch

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

I guess that came off as a little harsh, Jane. Sorry. Everyone keeps pressuring me to be on Facebook. I just don't see a real purpose in it.

thismngardener said...

no worries kate. i was just kidding.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

I'm still mad that you called me an introvert.