2007 RETROSPECTIVE, and SECOND LIFE

{first written December 31, 2007}

In my excitement and optimism about the future, I want to jump to the new ideas for 2008... And throw out the old, 2007... But the more methodical side of me says I must take stock of 2007.

Looking back helps me understand: Was I an active player or a passive recipient in what came to pass? What would I change if I could do it again??

Yes, I was an active player. No, I would probably not change anything, despite not imagining beforehand how events might unfold. OK, well I do sincerely regret sleeping on and breaking my eyeglasses...

The biggest impacts on my life in 2007 were (1) inviting my now foster son into my home to live with us; and (2) spending time in Second Life.

I was not seeking another son. This boy came into our life after I received a phone call in 2006 from a friend introducing a boy who seemed compatible with us and who needed a place to stay. He started to live with us in 2006 but fate put him with another family and I almost lost him. Then in 2007 he was in need again, and this time I was ready. The social work paperwork to bring a foster child home is incredible. Let's say it's worth it!

And Second Life?? I first heard about SL from a former co-worker who wanted me to see the SL "island" hosted by my new workplace. Lent was just starting at the time... For Lent I had given up "comedy TV". LOL! Wow, talk about replacing one addiction with another!! I spent probably too much time in SL, I admit it.

For this blog, let's say why I'm thankful for SL. Two of my "real life" friends, who are also in SL, are now better RL friends. I became friends with people all over the world in SL. After not reaching out to foreign friends after 9/11 and the Iraq War, it felt good to talk to non-Americans once again. I have tended to make more long-term friends in SL than one-time conversations. I'm thankful that after nearly one year in SL, I can still meet and greet the same people almost like old friends. Friends from Germany, Austria, UK, New Zealand, and Brazil - these are the places where just a handful of new SL friends come from. In the US, there's New York, Mass., North Carolina, Penn., NJ, Colorado...

I am thankful for their examples: genius, faith, sensitivity, friendship and fun. Hope, conversation, caring, initiative, humor, and sensibility. I learned LSL (the scripting language in SL) and found ways to be creative. SL is probably not a place for everyone. Sometimes you come face to face with thoughts and situations that you didn't need, but which end up challenging and changing you. If you can keep things in perspective, the benefits of SL will help you grow. My annual renewal comes up soon, and I think the SL glass is half-full, so I will renew. Better yet, I hope to strike a balance: be better friends to my SL friends, while not going too deep inworld (you SLers in too deep know what I mean) and to learn more next year.