Sometimes the best photos are the ones that end up forgotten in a folder somewhere... so here's a little random life update and a chance to finally give these screenshots the attention they deserve!
First up, I had an absolutely wonderful birthday, thanks in large part to my amazing fiancé, who somehow managed to pull off a surprise birthday party without me suspecting a thing. And trust me... that is no small feat! 😂
I was completely caught off guard. He, along with everyone else involved, deserves an Oscar for keeping the secret because not one person let it slip. It was such a thoughtful surprise, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate. I'm one very lucky girl.
These next photos were just some fun ones that somehow slipped through the cracks and never got uploaded. I can't decide what vibe they're giving. Is it more glamorous 1940s Hollywood, or does it lean into that elegant early 1960s Jackie Kennedy style? I'm honestly torn, but I absolutely love the classic, timeless feel.
And finally, here's a photo from our first night attending Viral Voice. I have to say, the entire production is incredibly impressive. The stage design, lighting, special effects, and overall presentation are all top-notch, and you can tell a tremendous amount of work goes into putting it together.
That said... the chat spam unfortunately took away from the experience for me. I completely understand wanting to cheer on your friends who are competing, but when local chat is moving so fast that nobody else—including the judges—can actually have a conversation or type a response, it starts to feel a bit excessive. Maybe I'm just getting old, or perhaps this is a "Roni Rant" for another day. 😂 Regardless, it was still a fun evening, and here's the obligatory photo!
Anyway, that's my little photo dump for today! Life has been wonderfully busy lately, which also explains why my screenshot folder has become a black hole where perfectly good pictures disappear for weeks at a time.
Thanks for stopping by and catching up with me. Whether you're celebrating birthdays, experimenting with vintage-inspired fashion, or simply making memories with the people who matter most, I hope life gives you plenty of reasons to smile.
Until next time... take care of yourselves, be kind to one another, and thank you for stopping by and sharing a little piece of my Second Life journey with me. ❤️
In case you missed this "Hey Roni" letter from the previous week....
Hey Roni,
My wife and I made the mutual decision to adopt a Zooby baby. I thought it would be fun. I was wrong.
At first everything was fine. Feedings. Diaper changes. Bottle time. Story time. The occasional tantrum. You know… normal pixel parenting. Then things got… weird.
It started small. I’d walk into the nursery and the baby would already be looking directly at me. Not in my general direction. At me. Every. Single. Time.
Then I noticed something else. Whenever I picked him up, he’d immediately start crying. My wife picks him up? He giggles. Our friends pick him up? Happy little baby noises. Me? Instant screaming.
Like he’s filing a formal complaint with SL’s Child Protective Services.
I’ve also caught him staring at me from across the room when I’m trying to sort my inventory. If I move… His head follows me. I swear the kid has mastered eye tracking.
Last Tuesday I logged in after work, and somehow he was already sitting in my favorite chair. MY chair. My wife insists that’s where she left him before logging off. I don’t believe her.
Yesterday I walked into the kitchen and found him holding the stuffed bear my wife gave me for our anniversary. I know I didn’t give it to him.. but what’s worse is one of our kitchen knives was laying on the floor nearby.
Pretty sure I walked in on something devious and at this point, I’m convinced he’s plotting something.
Meanwhile, my wife says I’m “being ridiculous” and that he’s “just a scripted baby.” Easy for her to say. He’s nice to her and oh so sweet whenever she is around.
Am I losing my mind, or is it possible our digital offspring has chosen me as his mortal enemy?
Signed, Sleeping With One Eye Open
Dear Sleeping With One Eye Open,
Well… you’ve come to the wrong person for an unbiased opinion. I have a confession to make. Zooby babies have always creeped me out.
I know, I know… before the angry mob of pixel parents comes charging toward my house armed with bottles, diapers, and parenting HUDs, let me say this:
I completely understand why people love them. Thousands of residents absolutely adore their Zooby babies. Some treat them like adorable little roleplay companions, while others dedicate a huge part of their Second Life to raising families, celebrating milestones, and creating memories together. There is nothing wrong with that.
But me?
If I walked into my kitchen and found my digital child clutching my anniversary teddy bear with a kitchen knife lying nearby, I’d be checking the return policy before I started asking questions. That said…
Your wife is technically correct. It is just a scripted baby. Soooo… Go change the script.
I’m serious.
You could spend weeks trying to win the little gremlin over. Read more bedtime stories. Give more bottles. Change every diaper with a smile on your face and hope one day he decides you’re worthy of his affection.
Or…
Open the settings and force the tiny dictator to like you. Technology is a beautiful thing.
Now, if your wife objects to this plan and insists that your scripted offspring should be allowed to continue psychologically terrorizing you… Well… I think we may have uncovered the real problem in this household.
And here’s where things get interesting. If you update the script and this child still gives you the stink eye… Sir… I’m not saying it’s possessed…..
I’m just saying I’d seriously consider taking it back to the adoption agency. Or running.
Whichever seems easier.
P.S. If you ever log in and discover he’s standing beside your bed at 3 a.m. with glowing eyes… don’t message me. I’m already gone.Deuces!
Well I am a little behind with updating my blog with the 'Hey Roni' Articles from the SLinsiderGuide.com. Posting here for the archives, and also in case you missed it ♥
Hey Roni,
I love my husband. I really do. We've been together for 12 years, and in every way that matters, he's wonderful. He's kind, funny, loyal, and he still leaves me random flowers and silly notes when he knows I've had a bad day.
But, Roni...The man absolutely refuses to update his avatar. And when I say refuses, I mean REFUSES. This avatar is from 2009! He still wears sculpted hair. His skin has the texture of an old baseball glove. His shoes are attached to his pants. His AO consists of standing like he's waiting for a bus and walking like he's carrying invisible buckets of water. And I swear, every time he smiles, I hear dial-up internet noises.
Meanwhile, I've spent years keeping up with mesh bodies, heads, skins, and fashion trends. I don't expect him to become some twenty-year-old legacy model, but I would like my husband to look like he was rendered sometime during the Obama administration. Every time I gently suggest updating, he says things like, "This is how you met me," or "I don't care what people think," or my personal favorite, "Why fix what isn't broken?" His belt buckle has more polygons than the rest of him!
Last week we attended a formal event and someone actually asked him which museum exhibit he belonged to. He laughed. But I nearly died.
Am I shallow for wishing he'd at least enter the current decade? Or do I simply accept that the love of my life apparently intends to spend eternity looking like an extra from a Second Life history documentary?
Signed, Married to a Vintage Collectible
Dear Married to a Vintage Collectible,
Oh darlin', I feel your pain. Trying to convince someone to update their beloved "cartoon person" is no easy task. I have seen residents cling to outdated avatars with the dedication and emotional attachment of people preserving national landmarks. So I totally sympathize.
And let's also acknowledge the obvious. Twelve years. (wow!) Random flowers. Sweet notes. Loyalty. The man clearly adores you. That part is worth more than all the PBR skins and jawline sliders in the world.
But... Second Life is a visual platform.
Before anyone starts clutching their pearls and yelling, "Looks aren't everything!" let me say that I agree. Looks aren't everything. You're connected to his heart, his mind, and his soul, first and foremost.
However, a little eye candy never hurt anybody.
After all, I imagine he appreciates when you put together a pretty outfit, style your hair, and make yourself look nice for date night, doesn't he? Why should that effort only go one way?
Otherwise, the two of you could just sit in Discord voice and stare at cat memes. The visual aspect is part of what makes Second Life... well... Second Life.
Now, before you attempt to drag this man kicking and screaming into the Mesh Era, I think you need to understand why he's resisting. Is it the Lindens?
Because let's be honest, a modern avatar makeover can cost enough to make a grown resident hyperventilate. If that's the issue and you're determined to retire Captain Sculptypants, you may need to help him financially, or at the very least make it a fun project you tackle together.
Maybe it isn't about money at all... Maybe he's intimidated. Maybe he's afraid of looking different. Maybe he's attached to the avatar you fell in love with because, in his mind, that's the man you've loved for the last twelve years. If that is the case, that's kind of sweet.
Buuuuuuut .....here's what I would tell your husband:
Sir, nobody is asking you to become a twenty-year-old underwear model with abs sharp enough to cut glass. Nobody is demanding neck tattoos, broccoli hair, and an expression permanently set to "Blue Steel."
Your wife isn't trying to erase you. She's trying to update Windows. So perhaps you could frame this... not as something he needs to do, but as something he could do for you.
Turn it into an adventure. Go shopping together. Laugh at demos. Try on terrible hairstyles. Spend a weekend creating a modern version of the man she fell in love with. Because after twelve years, relationships aren't built on grand gestures.
Sometimes they're built on small acts that say, "I know this matters to you, and because you matter to me, I'm willing to try."
But if all else fails... and his belt buckle still has more polygons than the rest of him, You may have to classify him as an official historical landmark and contact the Second Life Preservation Society.
About a year ago, my darling fiancé and I decided to become fish parents. We bought the tank, all the fixings, medicine, fish food, and even a fancy little tank-cleaning setup from Fancy Decor. And of course, we named our tiny new family member... Junior.
Now, I won't pretend we were model fish parents right out of the gate.
There were... let's call them growing pains. It took us a few tries to figure out exactly what our little finned friend needed to thrive. In fact, we failed. Not once. Not twice. But five times.
Each time we welcomed a new little fish into our home, we carried on the legacy, naming them Junior II, Junior III, Junior IV, Junior V...
Rest in peace, little Junior dynasty. 🫧🐠
By the time Junior VI came along (or Jr. VI, as we affectionately called him), we'd finally figured things out. We had become better fish parents.
Well... let me humble myself here, because if I'm being fair, it was mostly Alex.
He was the world's best fish daddy.
Junior wasn't just our fish. He was his little buddy. Every morning before work, every evening when he got home, he'd stop to check on him. And Junior always seemed to know. The moment Alex walked into the room, he'd come swimming over, wagging his little finlets and caudal fin with all the excitement a tiny fish could muster.
Unfortunately... today we came home to this...
The moment we walked through the door, I heard my sweet love cry out,
"Ohhh nooooo... nooo, Juniorrr!"
My heart instantly dropped into my stomach.
He didn't have to tell me what was wrong. I knew from the sound of his voice.
For 316 wonderful days, Junior VI graced our home with his tiny presence. He may have only been a little fish, but he brought us far more joy than anyone would expect from such a small creature.
It's funny how attached we become to the little lives we care for.
Losing a pet, no matter how small, leaves a surprisingly big hole in your heart.
Alex is so heartbroken that he asked me to let our friends know, because he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
We're not sure there will be any formal memorial services. Knowing Junior, he probably wouldn't have wanted us to sit around being sad. He'd much rather we remembered him happily swimming up to greet his favorite human every day.
So tonight we'll remember our little fishy with grateful hearts, a few tears, and probably a smile or two as we laugh about the adventures of Juniors I through VI.
Swim free, little buddy.
You were deeply loved, and you'll be dearly missed. ♥️
Honestly, I had no idea what to call this one. And seeing as I haven't had a good rant in a while (I've been a little busy with The Decor Edit, answering Hey Roni letters, and decorating for my wedding—yay! 💖), I might be a bit out of practice. But this one has been brewing for quite some time, so we're just going to roll with it.
Actually, this is going to be a combination of three things that drive me absolutely bonkers, and they all revolve around one simple concept: fix your shirt. (Though I accidentally typed "fix your shit" at first, and honestly… that works too. 😂)
Now, I know I may upset some designers, and perhaps even some people who genuinely find this fashionable, but I've never been known for holding my tongue, and I'm certainly not about to start now. 😆
Fix Your Shirt #1
Okay… what is this? Why? Just… why?
Never in my real life have I gone out in public and seen a man wandering around with his shirt half on like this. I meannnn… were you running late this morning? Did you get distracted halfway through getting dressed? Is one arm experiencing a heat wave while the other shoulder is suffering from frostbite? I have questions.
I just don't get it. I don't understand why designers make it. I don't understand why people buy it. And I definitely don't understand how this somehow became a fashion statement.
Because, if memory serves, ZZ Top told us that "Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man." They did not sing, "Every girl's crazy 'bout a man half-dressed man."
Look, I'm all for creativity. Fashion doesn't always have to make sense, and heaven knows I've worn some questionable things myself. But this trend?
Sir.
Your sleeve has escaped.
Please fix your shirt.
Thank you.
Fix Your Shirt #2
Is there some sort of static cling epidemic I'm unaware of?
I mean, sure, this is Second Life. We've all got nice boobs. They're perky, buoyant, gravity apparently doesn't exist, and nobody has ever heard of a sports bra. Fine. But this takes perkiness to an entirely new level if our shirts are somehow getting caught on our nipples like they're tiny coat hooks.
Who thought this up? Seriously.
We have an entire world of fashion here. People spend hours styling outfits and taking photos, and yet somehow someone sat down and said:
"You know what would really elevate this top? If one breast accidentally escaped and the shirt just… stayed there."
Brilliant.
And I know Second Life isn't real life, but are there places in the real world where women are just casually walking around Target with one side of their shirt mysteriously stuck halfway up on a boob?
"Oh this? Haha. Silly me. My left breast got caught in my sweater again."
But honestly.... and I'm sorry if this offends some folks, but it screams just a tiny bit of desperation to me. Are we really so starved for attention that we need a perpetual nip-slip while simply standing around at the club or shopping event? Is subtlety officially dead?
And when I say "we," I mean the designers making these things and the people buying them. Not me.
Because my OCD is far too powerful. I'd spend the entire evening with anxiety, desperately trying to pull the shirt down and smooth it out.
"Honey, are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay, Alex. MY SHIRT IS STUCK ON MY TITTY."
Maybe that's the real problem. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned. But personally, if my shirt is fighting for its life and hanging on to one boob like Jack clinging to that door in Titanic…
I'm fixing it.
Fix Your Shirt #3
A while back I did a segment on shirts designed with permanently pocketed hands. You know the ones. The poor avatar has apparently lost all use of their arms and is doomed to spend eternity standing around with their hands sewn into their pockets.
Well folks...We've somehow managed to evolve backwards.
Now the hands aren't in the pockets. They're in the shirt.
I know I often joke that everyone in Second Life is ridiculously attractive. Perfect skin. Perfect bodies. Perfect hair. Not a single pore in sight.
But have we reached a point where we're literally walking around fondling ourselves now?
Is this confidence? Is this vanity? Is this a cry for help? Or are these avatars simply so touch-starved that they've decided: "Fine. I'll do it myself."
The more I look at these shirts, the more ridiculous they become. Because let's really think about the logistics here, the practical side of this for a moment.
These avatars have apparently dedicated an entire arm to... holding themselves. Forever.
Not adjusting. Not fixing. Not scratching an itch. Just permanently stationed there like a security guard protecting the merchandise.
Imagine trying to go about your day like this. "Dancing tonight?" - Can't. Busy holding my boobs.
Want to wave at your friends? - Sorry. Occupied. Hands are full.
Let's talk about the sweater versions. Those aren't even casually lifting the shirt. Those women are practically carrying their own boobs around like they're fragile antiques or like someone attempting to smuggle their own chest through customs.
Why? Are they heavy?
Did gravity suddenly kick in halfway through the shopping trip? Do they need assistance? Should I call someone?
At least with the pocket-hand shirts I could pretend the avatar was trying to look relaxed. This? welll.. yea I got nothing.
And what happens if you need both hands? What if somebody throws you a football? What if you need to carry groceries? What if a bee shows up?
You've already dedicated at least one entire arm to maintaining whatever this situation is..... What do ya do? 😂😅
I swear, every time I see one of these shirts, I imagine the creator pitching it: "We need something fresh." "Something sexy." "Something nobody has ever done before."
"What if..." "...the shirt came with built-in self-fondling?"
Look, wear whatever makes you happy. If this is your thing, rock it proudly.
But every time I see one of these outfits, my brain doesn't think "fashion." It thinks the avatar is performing a routine self-check to make sure all their parts are still attached.
You gotta admit .. That's a strange thing to build an entire shirt around.
So there you have it, folks.
The Half-Shirt. The Stuck-On-Boob Shirt. And now... The Self-Fondling Sweater.
Three fashion trends that leave me staring at my monitor looking like a confused golden retriever that just heard a strange noise. Hmm maybe I need to start a 'Crimes of Fashion' series. Pretty sure these would all fit.
I fully understand that fashion evolves. Trends change. New styles emerge. Some of them I love. Some of them take a little time to grow on me. And some of them leave me wondering if the designer lost a bet.
This category falls firmly into the last group.
But hey, if these styles make you happy, wear them. Lord knows I've worn things over the years that probably made other people question my sanity too.
Just don't be surprised if I walk past, squint a little, tilt my head, and find myself asking:
"Are you okay?" "Do you need help?" "Would you like me to pull your shirt down for you?"
Until next time, this has been Roni's Rant #13 And for the love of all things fashionable... FIX. YOUR. SHIRT. 👕😂
Here is last week's "Hey Roni" - just in case you missed it !
Hey Roni,
About two weeks ago, I met this woman in Second Life. We hit it off immediately. She's funny, gorgeous, and let's just say there have been a couple of very enjoyable "getting to know each other" sessions that definitely didn't involve discussing the weather.
Since then, we've been hanging out almost every day. We've gone dancing, to some regular voice hangouts, played games, even chatted in discord.
Here's the thing though...I wouldn’t consider us boyfriend and girlfriend just yet. ~We~ haven't had that conversation. But apparently she has…. yesterday she sent me a notecard containing a list of matching usernames she wants us to switch to.
Not matching display names. Usernames. Permanent usernames. She says it would be "super cute" and that couples should have matching names so everyone knows they're together.
Roni, I've had this username for twelve years. This thing survived three exes, a vampire roleplay phase, and an unfortunate period where I thought steampunk goggles looked cool with everything.
Meanwhile, I've known this woman for fourteen days. We've had two naughty weekends and shared approximately six pizzas and somehow she's already planning for us to become Mr. and Mrs. SnuggleBunnyForever.
I don’t feel like I am overreacting here, and I really do like her, but changing usernames after two weeks feels a little.....too soon. Truthfully, I'm not even sure I ever want to change my username.
Is this normal nowadays, or is it reasonable to think maybe we should wait until we've at least survived our first argument over whose turn it is to water the virtual plants?
~Still Evaluating the Terms and Condition
Dear Still Evaluating,
First things first, I have a question for you, sir.
Are you genuinely interested in seeing where this relationship goes, or are you just enjoying a couple of naughty weekends and hoping to maintain a comfortable friends-with-benefits arrangement? There is nothing wrong with either one, but before you start worrying about usernames, you need to figure out what exactly you want. Because if she is already shopping for matching names while you're still deciding whether she's girlfriend material, you two may be reading completely different instruction manuals.
Now, on to the matter at hand: No. Matching usernames are not required to prove your love. In fact, some of the happiest couples I know in Second Life have completely different names. You are no less committed because you don't share a surname, a username, or become "SnuggleBunnyForever1" and "SnuggleBunnyForever2."
And frankly, if you don't ever want to change your username, then don't. Full stop.
You've had that name for twelve years. It has history. It has been through a lot with you. You are under no obligation to throw it away just because Cupid struck fourteen days ago.
That said, if you enjoy spending time with this woman and don't want to send her running for the hills, then tell her that. Make sure she knows you like her. Tell her you enjoy hanging out with her. Reassure her that just because you're not ready to become one-half of a matching set doesn't mean you're planning to 'hit it and quit it' next weekend.
However, at this point, you're still learning each other's favorite colors and whether one of you squeezes the toothpaste tube from the middle like a barbarian. It is a little early to be naming your future children and deciding whose username gets custody of the family rabbit.
And speaking of rabbits...
Fair warning, dude.
Second Life relationships can move faster than a fatpack sale at Fifty Linden Friday, but this whole situation is giving me some mildly concerning vibes. Not enough to sound the air raid sirens, mind you, but enough to raise one carefully plucked eyebrow.
Take your time. Observe. See how she reacts when you tell her no. A healthy person will accept that you aren't ready. An unhealthy person will act like you've just canceled Christmas.
And while I sincerely hope she's simply enthusiastic and hopelessly romantic... Make sure she isn't getting ready to boil the rabbit before it's too late.
Yes, this is me dancing my happy dance… and with good reason, because I officially got my very first sponsor — [ba] barnesworth anubis! 🥳
I have been a longtime fan of Barnesworth Anubis creations. In fact, I'm pretty sure my first five houses in Second Life were all his. So when he offered me a spot on his blogging team, I absolutely jumped at the chance!
And here is where it all begins… with these gorgeous Stepping Stones 4-Pack, currently available at Collabor88.
When I say this is a deal and a half, I'm not kidding. You receive all four unique path styles in one set, and the craftsmanship is exactly what longtime [ba] fans have come to expect. From clean, classic pavers and weathered stone blocks to smooth organic stepping discs and naturally rugged flagstones, each path has its own distinct personality and charm.
What I love most is how beautifully they blend into a landscape. The softly worn textures, subtle color variations, and realistic shaping make them feel as though they've been resting in the garden for years, waiting to lead you through a secret woodland retreat, a cozy cottage garden, or a lush tropical escape. Whether you're aiming for elegant, rustic, or something delightfully whimsical, these stones add that perfect touch of authenticity that makes a scene truly come alive.
Honestly, the hardest part isn't deciding whether to buy them… it's deciding which style to use first! 😍
So now that you've seen them, admired them, and know exactly where to find them, I'm off to rez approximately seventeen hundred of these things and continue dancing around like a complete maniac while celebrating my first official blogging sponsor! 💃💕🎉
