Frequently this year I have noticed a sense of avatar beingness in my psyche. This may sound bizarre, but I liken it to that feeling you get when your work is going well and your are transfixed on the work and become the work. Does that make sense?

When I was a software engineer (I know this must seem soooo out of context with my second life, but it’s true) I would sometimes work for many hours, over many days on a challenging program, and the program I was working on became a part of my mind. The program was something that would come to life in a computer’s processor, but also was a living thing in my mind. This is probably starting to sound psycho, right? But the truth is, on those occasions when I was working on a cool project, I would emerse myself in my work, and even loose myself in the work. It’s an amazing feeling when you are working with passion, creating and really doing. All of this reminds me of a quote from the great Lao Tzu, “The way to do is to be.”

This year Second Life has provided several opportunities for me to become immersed in projects, and I’ve been transported to that enlightened, creative mental state. I’ve been so transported that I’ve felt as though I am Yordie Sands, living in this artificial world. The most recent experience occured while I was working on the new teahouse for my garden. I’ve been feeling greater energy and a greater sense of belonging while in-world. And I have gained greater insight into what Second Life can be.

Regardless of my revelations and feelings, I can see tangible results of my work, and this is something everyone can understand.

The teahouse at morning, doors closed.

A nice feature of the teahouse is that both sliding doors can be fully withdrawn, and enabling guests to have a full view of the garden.

Here’s a view with one sliding door opened, the other offers a transparent view.

I take my gardening work more seriously each time I learn new techniques and each time I conceive of a new feature or element I want to add. Also, during this week’s productive surge, I re-edited the cultural papaer I had written and presented about about Japanese gardens, and included it in the new welcome kiosk near the torii gate.

Next time you visit, touch the Visitors Welcome sign and get a copy of “The Japanese Garden” cultural paper (it includes a garden guide).

Perspective: I have a life as an avatar. I harken back to when I discovered that when you are really being your avatar you are really writing a novel or a screenplay, or soap opera. hehe. It is possible that most people will never really understand me? For certain, people who believe Second Life is a “glorified chat room” will never understand me.