OVER THE RAINBOW IN THE
REAL WORLDS OF FANTASY
By Barclay
February has the unique identity of containing Valentine’s Day. Once again, this year, it falls on the 14th. Who knew? In the real world, flower shops have been preparing for half a year to grow enough roses, baby’s breath, order enough water tubes, boxes, cellophane, tissue paper and bows to cover the most mercurial rise in a specific sale market from the retail world. Hallmark, and the myriad other card manufacturers go through the same process. Billions are spent annually on all the aspects that go along with the 14th.
Fast becoming a routine in so many households is the worlds of the Ethernet. Whether RLC, EROS, or SECOND LIFE, along with many budding worlds of pixelated fantasy, Major real world holidays and celebrations such as Valentine’s Day, gather some large scale momentum in attracting 100 plus crowds to virtually mix and match, show off the best attire, share in the moments in very similar fashion to those of the real. Gala Balls, complete with contests for best dressed singles, couples, prizes and sponsors for trivia, ray, or clam drops, along with hired DJ’s, hosts, themed deco in the venues will all make the night warm and cozy to all that attend. The upside of these events is that there is no travel time either to or from them. The events also give the opportunity to dance next to someone across the globe. So many countries represented in a single venue, in effect, shrinking the real world to the size of your computer screen, adding to the mystique of the night. If you choose to drink, you don’t need to drive, and when you get tired, you just shut down the laptop and go to bed.
Among the fascination with the Ethernet pixelated parties, and the worlds in general, is the ability to be whomever we choose. While many assimilate their appearances to the real, quite often the lust for that alter ego, or who we wish we might be, used to be, or just the illusiveness draws us in. Once created, the fantasy begins, our pixels then only change when we choose to change them. Its February, love is in the air, so for many, finding the right date, for the night, the week, often longer becomes the quest. Anything is possible and virtually real when in game. What is fascinating beyond the surreal fantasy attraction is the very real relationships that do come from these pixel figures. There are many couples that have met in world as pixel friends, and through the same fact finding, inquisitive probing for connections, that have found that love and lasted for years as a couple. With travel amongst the worlds as easy as logging into a different Utherverse, some have travelled between worlds, still together as a couple. Taking the Yellowbrick road another step, there are a growing number of relationships that have gone from these games to real world physical togetherness. Some of these in game couples have moved across oceans to be with the person they met as an avatar, thus-far, living happily ever after.
No matter what the challenge, desire, or goal if you choose to call it that, it’s ok to leave Kansas and take that yellow brick road. Search for your Dorothy or Tin-Man moment, somewhere over the rainbow, where you can be who or what you want to be. Fantasy has always had a way of turning into reality down the road, and perhaps your journey over that rainbow will land you in a dream so real, you will choose to make it so. Happy Valentine’s Day!
As of this date, no venues in any of the worlds have posted events along the theme of Valentines. However, all loading transports and game profiles have links to discover when and where those are.