Thank you

This past week has been a very full week. A bit of an emotional roller-coaster. There were definitely some points in this week that were a bit difficult. Things got better, however, as they usually do when you take a moment to breathe in, relax, breathe out. Many good things began happening, with perhaps the most exciting happening at the very end of the work week. I received some feedback on the work I’ve been doing. *grin* Positive feedback, in case you were wondering. I feel extremely happy and proud. I would even say “validated”.

validationIn my mind, I see a straight progression from the day I first heard about “SL” to the end of this week. The mind is wonderful that way. 🙂 It can make sense out of anything if it so chooses. I was talking with a friend last night, discussing everything. She made the point that I did the work. Yes, that is true. But in my mind and heart – I could do the work and push forward and stay determined because of my friends. Actually – these people were not my “friend” at the point where they reached out and offered a hand. (They are all my good friends today.) I see many people who could have simply shrugged and said “not MY problem” and ignored me. But they didn’t. Each one of these people made what probably seemed like a simply, easy gesture. But to me, the recipient – the combination of each of those little actions was life-changing.

It is so easy to be kind, to be helpful, to be generous. You can’t always see the consequences of your actions immediately. But it could be a life you are saving.

Perhaps you know this nursery rhyme:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

I like the meter, I like the simplicity of the message of that nursery rhyme, but I don’t like that it’s a negative approach. I prefer to phrase things postively.

In response to an email a friendship was born –
Encouragement offered instead of just scorn.
In response to introductions more people were known
Volunteering accepted, a challenge was sown.
In response to distress call an offer was made
A task was completed and yes, “face” WAS saved.
In response to that project a new path was taken
A new life was picked, confidence still unshaken.
And all from the help of my friends.

JUBILATION!!!!!!

YES!!!!! I’m me again!!!! I’m not a cloud!!!! I LOVE YOU KATE LINDEN!!!!!!! WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!! Look out world – here I come!!!!! (good thing I wasn’t venturing out of my hideout however – Kate confirmed my suspicion that I was indeed unclothed. oops.)

with apologies to Simon and Garfunkle:

Oh SL, you’re breaking my heart
You’re shaking my happiness daily
Oh, dear SL, I’m down on my knees
I’m begging you please, no more clouds!

Changing clothes back on Monday night
When SL did crash, I’m in such a plight
I logged back but cried out loud
When I got inworld
I found I was a cloud!

Jubilation, I’m human again!
I jump in the air and I’m laughing!
Jubilation, I’ll party tonight!
Dear Chestnut please send the TP!

Okay, so what really happened? Beats me. SL had major problems back on Monday night. Tuesday night I tried tech support. I did get my inventory back, but I still couldn’t rez, couldn’t edit my appearance, couldn’t change clothes.

Foolish me – I waited patiently, hoping someone from tech support would contact ME about my open ticket. Hah! I do 3rd level support in FL. (by the way, I’ve decided I prefer First Life to Real Life – deal with it – 🙂 ) I know how these things really work. If it matters to you, follow up.

So today, on my lunch hour, I logged in and opened a chat. This time I knew that my issues were inworld and clicked the correct link. Almost immediately Kate came on the line (so to speak). I explained my issue. We went through the now familiar steps – change your preferences, check mesh details. yeah, been there, done that. Then Kate told me to tp to a region where there wasn’t much going on so there wasn’t much lag effect. She met me there. She agreed that I was a cloud. We stood there a bit as I ran through my inventory. And then Kate said: now I see your avatar. YES!! Except I still saw only a cloud. And I was definitely naked.

I told Kate that I was glad I actually still had a body, but that the naked part was a little uncomfortable. 🙂 So she built a box around us! Now THAT is what I call Very Considerate! We tried re-baking me. Nothing. Then Kate had me go to the Test Female Avatar on the Help menu. And THAT worked!!!! I had a body, I had clothes!!!!! I looked nothing like myself, but I was THERE!!! Hallelujah!!!!

Kate stood by patiently while I pieced myself back together from my inventory. She had me go into Edit Appearance and do a Save As so should I lose myself again, I can recover. My hair is not exactly right (I think I had let it grow out a little from my original cut, LOL) but otherwise I seem to be me!!! Which means with any luck I can get to Shengri La Love and hear Grace McDonnough play tonight

WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!