Victory! I have searched for so long to find a corset that was straight across the chest, rather than cups and I found this at Abyss, there are lots of colours there but I wanted black so it didnt look totally like underwear.
Hair is on sale at Deviant Kitties 20L per colour pack on old designs, Skin is an old favourite of Detour and gloves are sinistyle :)
Friday, 29 January 2010
V
Victory! I have searched for so long to find a corset that was straight across the chest, rather than cups and I found this at Abyss, there are lots of colours there but I wanted black so it didnt look totally like underwear.
Hair is on sale at Deviant Kitties 20L per colour pack on old designs, Skin is an old favourite of Detour and gloves are sinisty
Hair is on sale at Deviant Kitties 20L per colour pack on old designs, Skin is an old favourite of Detour and gloves are sinisty
Sunday, 24 January 2010
What's beautiful near me.....
I took these pictures a few days ago on my new camera phone, as it was foggy and a bit moody and uploaded them to flickr, I got some good responses so wanted to blog them too.
This is part of a route I take daily, the church itself is 150years old and I can see the top of the steeple from my house, so it's not far.
This is part of a route I take daily, the church itself is 150years old and I can see the top of the steeple from my house, so it's not far.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
The PhotoLIFE saga
Very very long and very very boring, however....
June 2008, - Bought a cheapy photostudio and started work as a photographer in SecondLife, as I had no interest in stripping/dancing/escorting and I couldn't build or make clothes that werent awful, and I had worked as a RL photographer for many years. I was small and only a tiny plot, got the occaisional customer, averaging 1 a week developed my style and worked on photoshop as a beginner, watching tutorials regularly and practicing practicing practicing. After outgrowing the studio, and becoming frustrated by the lack of options, I decided to look around for a 'proper' studio.
September 2008 - Bought the Photolife 2.0 system for 8000L all singing all dancing system, with great customer service and classes on the use of it - this swayed me and I bought it. However there were no classes on the system scheduled for my time zone, and I was not prepared to get up for 3am to learn technical stuff, I was told they were adding Euro friendly classes 'soon'. So I waited.
October 2008 - Classes were stopped due to the impending upgrade to the version 3.0
October/November 2008 - After many weeks of kicking my heels I asked for help regarding some of the more complicated aspects of the system, spent 10 days in offline IM with a Certified Photographer trying to install a prop to the system. Arranged an appointment with another CP to meet with me to get some couples poses installed into the system, She never showed and never contacted me.
January 2009 - After hearing that the classes would not be resuming until after the release of the V3 which was pushed back till April, I decided to apply for CP status myself, by this time I had learnt the system inside out all by myself, and was helping other people in the group chat. There were set criteria set down, which I complied with, plus I thought I had the added advantage of being online when all the other CP's were asleep, thus serving a lot of PhotoLIFE customers who were previously ignored.
April 2009 - The CP program was opened up again, with a call for people to apply for the status. To be announced on the 2nd May, however 2 weeks prior to the 'reveal' I discovered 2 members were already accepted to the group, Gidgette MacMoragh and Shane Giordano - this was a shock, and the information was denied point blank regarding Shane by Greg Paslong despite the fact she was in the group, she was in the blog and she was in the flickr as a CP, so then I knew there were only 5 or so spots left.
May 2009 - The Cp announcment is made, 8 people were chosen, voted on by the existing CP's however by a cursory check on their profiles and flickr streams, the vast majority of new Cps were very close with the existing Cps and many of them didnt fit all the criteria set down. I was understandably very upset and angry at this news, as I had worked extremely hard within the group, often alone helping people, my work had improved a lot and I was recieving compliments on it.
The new Cps were as follows
Shane Giordano rez day 2.2.09 - not 90 days old and had Greg Paslong and Viviene Janick in picks and in flickr stream
Gidgette MacMoragh - born August 2008 - has Greg Paslong and Viviene Janick in picks and flickr stream
Keltio Recreant - Has Cherie Parker in picks and has never contributed in group chat (that I have seen)
Trinidad Anatine - Has Ludwig Prinz in her picks
Brie Pinazzo - big friends with Shane/Gidge/Greg/Viv and Lucy Eberhardt - doesnt know how to enter couples poses into the system
Vikki Paulse - has Greg Paslong in her picks and has never contributed to group chat (that I have seen)
Darcy Foxtrot - never contributed to group chat (she has said this to me herself :) )
Taylia Tarber - big friends with Shane/Gidge/Greg/Lucy
Some of these new Cps had no easily accessable price list and 2 didnt even have a LM listed in their profile or search.
I spoke to Greg Paslong direct about the choices, and their friendships, which he denied completely that it had any deciding factor.
exerpts from conversation with Greg Paslong
and later spoke to Oompoppamowmow Snookums, the PL creator regarding it.
After a few days of conversations (damn i forgot to keep the logs) and long chats with Oom, my frustration didn't change, and I felt like I was being strung along a little, so I wrote him a giant notecard, going over old ground but consolidating my thoughts on the whole thing.
It had always been denied that any favouritism went on, and I was told by Oom, the reason for my not getting it was due to the appearance of my studio (although this was not in the original cirteria) so within 24 hours I had completely changed my place to generic boring but very aestheically pleasing studio.
I was then told it was my image (again no mention of this in the criteria) professional image, again within 24 hours I had redone all my notecards to customers and laid down a mission statement and customer service agreement.
I have now been told to 'relax' and 'be patient' I sent the following Notecard to Oompoppamowmow on Sunday May 9th....
Now, I may come across as a bitch, I may come across and moany, but I have been having problems that havent been resolved for the best part of a year, and the system is expensive in SL terms (in RL not so much ;) ) and it is continued to be sold to people in non-US timezones and under the impression that there is full CS and support/classes for them. The situation has improved, there are more people now, so more people to help, but there is still a gap in the day when there are no CS, no CP's online. I have never asked for special treatment, I have only asked for equal treatment, and to have PhotoLIFE turn out to be just like every other SL 'Professional' company basically a cliquey group full of yes men, wannabe's and children is sad. I have reached the point now where I don't actually care one way or the other - I wanted it, and I worked for it, didn't get it, but now I seem to be more about making 'em squirm :) Thank you for reading, it's helped me a lot to get this out of my system. I never attended an American High School, and I have no wish to do so now.
There is more, loads more, where at this point (June 2009) there are still no classes, and the latest drama documented on SCD http://shoppingcartdisco.com/?p=2358#more-2358
All in all, I have enough
Darkley :)
June 2008, - Bought a cheapy photostudio and started work as a photographer in SecondLife, as I had no interest in stripping/dancing/escorting and I couldn't build or make clothes that werent awful, and I had worked as a RL photographer for many years. I was small and only a tiny plot, got the occaisional customer, averaging 1 a week developed my style and worked on photoshop as a beginner, watching tutorials regularly and practicing practicing practicing. After outgrowing the studio, and becoming frustrated by the lack of options, I decided to look around for a 'proper' studio.
September 2008 - Bought the Photolife 2.0 system for 8000L all singing all dancing system, with great customer service and classes on the use of it - this swayed me and I bought it. However there were no classes on the system scheduled for my time zone, and I was not prepared to get up for 3am to learn technical stuff, I was told they were adding Euro friendly classes 'soon'. So I waited.
October 2008 - Classes were stopped due to the impending upgrade to the version 3.0
October/November 2008 - After many weeks of kicking my heels I asked for help regarding some of the more complicated aspects of the system, spent 10 days in offline IM with a Certified Photographer trying to install a prop to the system. Arranged an appointment with another CP to meet with me to get some couples poses installed into the system, She never showed and never contacted me.
January 2009 - After hearing that the classes would not be resuming until after the release of the V3 which was pushed back till April, I decided to apply for CP status myself, by this time I had learnt the system inside out all by myself, and was helping other people in the group chat. There were set criteria set down, which I complied with, plus I thought I had the added advantage of being online when all the other CP's were asleep, thus serving a lot of PhotoLIFE customers who were previously ignored.
April 2009 - The CP program was opened up again, with a call for people to apply for the status. To be announced on the 2nd May, however 2 weeks prior to the 'reveal' I discovered 2 members were already accepted to the group, Gidgette MacMoragh and Shane Giordano - this was a shock, and the information was denied point blank regarding Shane by Greg Paslong despite the fact she was in the group, she was in the blog and she was in the flickr as a CP, so then I knew there were only 5 or so spots left.
May 2009 - The Cp announcment is made, 8 people were chosen, voted on by the existing CP's however by a cursory check on their profiles and flickr streams, the vast majority of new Cps were very close with the existing Cps and many of them didnt fit all the criteria set down. I was understandably very upset and angry at this news, as I had worked extremely hard within the group, often alone helping people, my work had improved a lot and I was recieving compliments on it.
The new Cps were as follows
Shane Giordano rez day 2.2.09 - not 90 days old and had Greg Paslong and Viviene Janick in picks and in flickr stream
Gidgette MacMoragh - born August 2008 - has Greg Paslong and Viviene Janick in picks and flickr stream
Keltio Recreant - Has Cherie Parker in picks and has never contributed in group chat (that I have seen)
Trinidad Anatine - Has Ludwig Prinz in her picks
Brie Pinazzo - big friends with Shane/Gidge/Greg/Viv and Lucy Eberhardt - doesnt know how to enter couples poses into the system
Vikki Paulse - has Greg Paslong in her picks and has never contributed to group chat (that I have seen)
Darcy Foxtrot - never contributed to group chat (she has said this to me herself :) )
Taylia Tarber - big friends with Shane/Gidge/Greg/Lucy
Some of these new Cps had no easily accessable price list and 2 didnt even have a LM listed in their profile or search.
I spoke to Greg Paslong direct about the choices, and their friendships, which he denied completely that it had any deciding factor.
exerpts from conversation with Greg Paslong
[11:26] Darkley Aeon: [2009/05/03 9:46] Darkley Aeon: Can you let me know where i went wrong with the CP entry? So i can make changes for next time please? [2009/05/03 9:57] Darkley Aeon: im going offline, but could you let me know please? [2009/05/03 12:17] Greg Paslong: (Saved Sun May 03 18:19:07 2009) hello Darkley, that is a very tough question. I know your work is strong and your involvement in chat is good. 10 people voted.....so it's haed for me to pin point exactly. I do think you should do some remodeling at your studio. I know many of the current Cp's visited each studio. All I can say is this....the competition was tough. 38 entered and 20 of them could have been Cp's. Don't get discouraged, there will be additional voting this year.
Darkley Aeon : I remodelled the studio last week, put up new displays, but my scanner shows nobody came by to see it. I am very disappointed in the results, as the new Cp's are all very good friends with the existing ones, I don't know if it would be worth me applying again, as I am not part of the clique
[2009/05/03 12:17] Greg Paslong: (Saved Sun May 03 18:27:33 2009) that choice will be yours.
Darkley Aeon : the rules seemed to have changed too, Shane Giordano, although very good is not even 90 days old, nevermind run a studio open to the public for 90 days
[
2009/05/03 12:17] Greg Paslong: (Saved Sun May 03 18:28:14 2009) Shane has been on SL for years.
Darkley Aeon : can only go by peoples rez days, and hers is february this year, I do not know her previous incarnations in sl, only her friends must know that. I cannot help how i feel, I am so disappointed, to have worked so hard, to be on my own for hours and hours at a time when there is no other help but me, only for people who are great friends with the current Cp's to get voted in. If the voting isnt impartial, I would in theory apply over and over again and never get in, always to be overlooked in favour of peoples buddies
Darkley Aeon : not all were known by you, and don't get me wrong the new Cp's are good, but Trinidad has Ludwig in her profile, Keltoi has Cherie in her profile, and Gidgette, Shane, Talyia and Brie are good friends with you and Viv, even having pictures of the pair of you in some of their flickr streams. I understand that it was a vote, and I don't presume that I should have been made a CP, but you must understand how it appears, to everyone who spends 1 minute looking, that the people voted in are well known to at least 1 voter each. The garage went last week, I have a new building, but the garage still passed the criteria in that it was easily accessable, had a price list available and a display area for people.
and later spoke to Oompoppamowmow Snookums, the PL creator regarding it.
[11:29] Darkley Aeon: 2009/05/03 0:07] Darkley Aeon: Hey Oom, I just wanted to find out if there was any reason I wasnt chosen to be a CP? I would like to know so I can make changes for next time I try and apply
[2009/05/03 0:11] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: hey Darkley .. we'll try to meet sometime soon .. I think you're in good shape .. we were limited .. but I'd love to meet with you
[2009/05/03 0:11] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: Im swamped for the next couple of days
[2009/05/03 0:11] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but call me monday or tuesdays
[2009/05/03 0:11] Darkley Aeon: im very upset about it, and i understand you are busy,
[11:29] Darkley Aeon: [2009/05/03 0:12] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I'll definately meet with you
[2009/05/03 0:12] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: it would be a pleasure
[2009/05/03 0:12] Darkley Aeon: lol, you dont have to say that
[2009/05/03 0:12] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I never felt i did
[2009/05/03 0:12] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: :)
[2009/05/03 0:13] Darkley Aeon: ok, you are busy, so ill leave it till tomorrow, but i am very disappointed
[2009/05/03 0:13] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: well be sure to meet with me before you jump to conclusions
[11:29] Darkley Aeon: 2009/05/03 0:13] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: you'll be glad you did
[2009/05/03 0:14] Darkley Aeon: i havent said a thing to anyone, i justlogged in to see i wasnt chosen
[2009/05/03 0:14] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: its okay
[2009/05/03 0:14] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: just be sure to meet with me
[2009/05/03 0:14] Darkley Aeon: ok, im ready when you are just give me a shout when you ae free
[2009/05/03 0:15] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: call me monday sometime if you can
[2009/05/03 0:15] Darkley Aeon: monday is a public holiday, so ill be here
[2009/05/03 0:15] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: perfect
[11:29] Darkley Aeon: [12:32] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums is offline.
[9:55] Darkley Aeon: Hi, are you able to meet with me now?
[9:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I have an appointment in 5 mins
[9:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: as soon as I get out
[9:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I'll call you
[11:30] Darkley Aeon: 9:56] Darkley Aeon: how long is the meeting?
[9:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: hopefully less than 30
[9:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: its a photo session
[9:57] Darkley Aeon: ok, hopelly ill still be here, nice!
10:45] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: how are you?
[10:45] Darkley Aeon: hectic bank holiday weekend, but good
[10:45] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: lol yeah
[11:30] Darkley Aeon: [10:46] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: you getting ready to burn someone at the steak?
[10:46] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: hope its not me!
[10:46] Darkley Aeon: me, a idea by my sl partner
[10:46] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: )
[10:46] Darkley Aeon: :)
[10:46] Darkley Aeon: so you said don't jump to conclusions
[11:30] Darkley Aeon: 10:46] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: right
[10:46] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: about the Cp's
[10:47] Darkley Aeon: im very disappointed
[10:47] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: well .. here's the thing
[10:47] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: Im pulling up the voting
[10:47] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: one moment
[10:47] Darkley Aeon: ok
[10:48] Darkley Aeon: the reason for my asking about it is because I dont know what else I can do, there is still a 4 hour gap every day when there ae no cp's online, and the people who werre voted in, although good are major friends with the voters
[11:32] Darkley Aeon: [10:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: let me show you something
[10:56] Allison Millet is Online
[10:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: this is pL3
[10:56] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: this is the new studio
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I love the team
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: when I work for 6 months
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: those who own photolife
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: get it free
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I work very very hard
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: there's a lot we can improve upon
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but I want to treat you well
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: and make you proud of pL
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: so when i did the update
[10:57] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I could have said .. no free update to 3.0
[10:58] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: only 2.0 new versions
[11:32] Darkley Aeon: [10:58] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: and that wouldnt have been wrong
[10:58] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but I didnt
[11:36] Darkley Aeon: 11:23] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I cant make everyone do everything like I'd like [11:23] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but I can lead the group [11:23] Darkley Aeon: i know [11:23] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: and I want to see it functioning [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: having a useful purpose [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: and benefitting everyone [11:24] Darkley Aeon: you need to bring down the cliqueyness [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: if you knew [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: what i knew [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: you wouldnt feel so strong there is a clique [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but I see [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: shane [11:24] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: gidgette [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: brie [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: greg [11:36] Darkley Aeon: [11:25] Darkley Aeon: from th outsie lookng in,there is clique [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: yes [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I see [11:25] Darkley Aeon: big time [11:25] Vanessa Cardway is Offline [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I see that [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but know [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: Cherie [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: Keltoi [11:25] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: Trinidad [11:25] Darkley Aeon: trinidad has ludwig all over her profile, keltoi has cherie in his [11:36] Darkley Aeon: 11:26] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: neither were picked from Ludwig or Cherie [11:26] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: Cherie is very private [11:26] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: she doesnt have a lot of close friends [11:26] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: she doenst want lots [11:27] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: Ludwig is the same in many ways [11:27] Darkley Aeon: and i never heard of vikki before the annoucement [11:27] Darkley Aeon: and i know that gidge was selected a long time ago and it was kept secret [11:27] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: let me show you something [11:37] Darkley Aeon: [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: first [11:28] Darkley Aeon: ok [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I know you have complained about the program to other people [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: some have called me [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: and told me that you call them [11:28] Darkley Aeon: oh really? [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: and tell them about the things you are upset about [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I want to show you something [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but I want you to promise [11:28] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: you will not give it to anyone [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: its just not the right timing [11:37] Darkley Aeon: [11:29] Darkley Aeon: because I complined to you, grg andcolleen direct and i bumped into someone yesterday who asked me why i was upset [11:29] Darkley Aeon: i promise [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: kk [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: fair enough [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: its not a huge secret [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: but its not the right time yet [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: I have other things to do [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums: this is the outline of how the Cp program will move forward [11:29] Darkley Aeon: ok, what do you want to give me? [11:29] OomPoppaMowMow Snookums gave you photoLIFE Certified
After a few days of conversations (damn i forgot to keep the logs) and long chats with Oom, my frustration didn't change, and I felt like I was being strung along a little, so I wrote him a giant notecard, going over old ground but consolidating my thoughts on the whole thing.
Hey Oom
I need help, I don't know if this a good idea to send you this, and it may do more harm than good, but I think it would be cathartic for me to get it all out one and for all. Clear the air, start fresh and all that other stuff. i would like to move on, but I do need structure, a framework so i can plan for the future. I currently don't see the bigger picture maybe, so I you can help me with that, i would be grateful.
I needed to say something, and ramble on a little, but basically I don't know if i can get past this stuff with PL, and the fact is I did pass all the criteria set down, whereas others did not, then to be told its due to something that wasnt in the criteria - yet others were allowed a free pass on actual criteria set down. I pride myself on my integrity and professionalism, and shouldn't be surprised when others are not the same, but i always am.
I have done everything and more that was asked of me, yet it wasnt good enough, and i don't believe that it will be ever good enough, because they vote based on their own personal opinion, and i am not high in their opinons either because I've pissed them off, or they just don't know me as they are offline when i am online and vice-versa. They are human, and as humans always have agendas they had a conflict of interest regarding their votes, so naturally and understandably they would vote for their known friends rather than a relative stranger - despite the amount of work or lack thereof regarding Cp related activities. And despite that many of them do not know how to enter their own couples poses, enter props or aware of the different functions of the system.
i work very hard in SL, I do have happy customers,repeat customers, and recommendations, I have won contests for my pictures, exhibited in art galleries and have adverts for my studio up for free in 2 shops based on work i have done for them.
I have a set price list, a set location, I have work available for people to see I have a flickr stream where i get comments and favorites from strangers, not friends. I do freelance work for Magazines, and store ads, again based on my Customer Service and photography skills.
I am instense, and impatient, and thats who I am, and maybe that does come across as harsh or blunt, but that is not intentional, and I do believe is a cultural thing. Many of the PL Team come across as insincere to me, although it is likely not meant that way. I have many friends and contacts within SL who have always appreciated my sense of humour and honesty.
I appreciate you help, and the time you have spent with me, and I do think it's helped - the studio is prettier, and I have tidied up my customer information. So i thank you very much for that.
Now for the moaning ;) - I think the reason I am having so much difficulty is because its all vague, and its been vague for a very long time. I have been waiting for classes since last September and been very patient about it, in fact the only reason I now want the classes is so I can be considered for CP status. There is no set timescale for anything, and it makes me crazy, I am very goal orientated and I do feel I am blowing in the wind - the next CP vote is possibly the end of the summer and again, who knows who will get voted in, because I can't seriously expect them to change and actually vote based on merit rather than voting for people who profess BFF for them in their profiles. The system isnt working, the group chat isn't working in my opinion and I don't know if any changes have been or will be made to either. If Team PhotoLIFE is a family then I am the black sheep or the crazy aunt.
What else do i need to do to enable me to become a CP in the next round. The current criteria are
***photoLIFE must be the primary photography studio. YES
***Must portray a level of photography that is both unique and excellent in style. YES
***Maintain a strong customer support program and approval rating. YES
***Operating a photography studio that does photography for the general public in Second Life for a minimum of 90 days. YES
***The photography studio should contain an entry area where visitors teleport to. YES
***The entry area should have an easily accessable pricelist that doesn't fluxuate more than once a month. YES
***The entry area should have a gallery for visitors to see work samples. YES
***Be able to provide portfolio work and compose THiNC Book or like products. YES
***Cp applicants will be screened by photoLIFE staff. Those who meet the screening criteria will be submitted for approval to the Certified photoLIFE group. Any objections from the group would need to be addressed and a 3/4 majority of VOTES RECEIVED would be needed for entry to the program.
I know that you believe that this is not about being a CP, and I understand and accept that. But I do not know what else there is at PL for me. I am a team member, I help people out all the time, often when there is no CP's online. i go to new studios, help set them up, been to help people set up their couples stand, and props. So within PL as far as I can tell its stay a team member, or be a CP. I don't know what to do, I am still very upset, and I don't have any direction regarding PL.
Professional image is done, in my opinion, and I am watching the feed for charity events to offer my service, I have also updated my notecard to offer newbies a upload fee only snapshot for their profiles, if they are under 30 days old. Personal image, is more complex, because I am different things to different people, and thats an ongoing processs.
I know you always say 'relax' and i try, believe me I try, and sometimes even succeed.
So sorry for rambling on, yet again ;) and I promise it wont be mentioned again, there is only so long you can flog this horse. Hopefully I'll talk to you soon.
I sincerely hope I haven't burned my bridges with PL, as I think it could be amazing, a real place to 'go to' regarding second life photography, where people can learn, be appreciated in a honest manner, where people talent and skills work for them. I would really like it if we could all learn from each other, give tips, hints and constructive critisicm in a grown up way.
Darkley
It had always been denied that any favouritism went on, and I was told by Oom, the reason for my not getting it was due to the appearance of my studio (although this was not in the original cirteria) so within 24 hours I had completely changed my place to generic boring but very aestheically pleasing studio.
I was then told it was my image (again no mention of this in the criteria) professional image, again within 24 hours I had redone all my notecards to customers and laid down a mission statement and customer service agreement.
I have now been told to 'relax' and 'be patient' I sent the following Notecard to Oompoppamowmow on Sunday May 9th....
Oom, its me, your regular pain in the arse Darkley, I do appreciate the time you have taken with me, you didnt have to, yet you made the effort, so thank you. I do think of you as a friend :)
I still dont know what my future is with PL, if there is any at all, and right now, im thinking none, I've pissed off too many people, and you never give me a straight answer about anything, and I've kind of reached the point where I don't want anything to do with PL. I am tired of pushing to get in somewhere where I am not wanted. I'm fed up with working really hard for nothing - I go to the store at least once a day, I check if their are any classes updates and I reset all the studios. I help out in group all the time, ALL the time, even helping the CP's - I love helping but im not a idiot.
Surprising as it may seem, I hate moaning, I hate complaining. I feel I have been pushed into that postion by the consistent barriers placed in front of me due to the fact im 8 hours ahead of SLT, I understand you can't cater for every timezone, you have a RL and you have to sleep, but that doesnt change the fact that there are lots of customers are around when the CP's are snoring away in their beds.
Yes I am a total pain in the arse, I admit it, but in my small defense I have to say that I have been treated very badly by PL, I had repeatedly asked for help with my studio since I bought it last September and didn't recieve any till I got stroppy around Christmas, I have been dismissed, ignored and rejected. . I have been at times immature, lashing out, but I don't think you understand the anger and sadness that it came from, I believed all the notecards about Team PhotoLIFE, the company and being 'The Best' and truely thought that I would get the CP status on merit. The reason I was rejected- my studio setup is just boggling to me its so minor, yet I unlike another CP wasn't given a 'pass' - It was changed within 24 hours of it being mentioned to me, yet the fact is I know the system inside out, I take good photographs and I help out loads. You are right, I don't need PL, I really wanted it, worked hard for it, did everything to my knowledge to achieve it but know I am not so sure I want to be part of that.
You talked to me about faith in the company and faith in you, and I do have faith in you, but I think that you are running a business, and I am just 1 person out of thousands of customers/contacts that you have to deal with, and I shouldn't be taking as much of your time as I have, and because of no evidence to the contrary I don't believe PL has changed. The Title of CP has been devalued because of this, and I am not the only one who thinks so. So my decision has been made, I will leave my application in the running, but I am not holding my breath and when I don't get it in August I will not say a word to anyone. I will leave Greg and Colleen alone, for good promise, I have left the Flickr group, and the Break Time group and won't go back to the store unless I need something. I tried to take down my entry for the contest and couldn't.
I will stay in the Team PhotoLIFE group, for notices and thats it, I need that seperation now, and as it would go against everything I am to arse kiss anyone, I just will stay quiet.
No trouble, no hassle, no snark, no drama, and it's very sad that I can't be involved, because I think I would have done a very good job. :)
Cheers
Darkley
Now, I may come across as a bitch, I may come across and moany, but I have been having problems that havent been resolved for the best part of a year, and the system is expensive in SL terms (in RL not so much ;) ) and it is continued to be sold to people in non-US timezones and under the impression that there is full CS and support/classes for them. The situation has improved, there are more people now, so more people to help, but there is still a gap in the day when there are no CS, no CP's online. I have never asked for special treatment, I have only asked for equal treatment, and to have PhotoLIFE turn out to be just like every other SL 'Professional' company basically a cliquey group full of yes men, wannabe's and children is sad. I have reached the point now where I don't actually care one way or the other - I wanted it, and I worked for it, didn't get it, but now I seem to be more about making 'em squirm :) Thank you for reading, it's helped me a lot to get this out of my system. I never attended an American High School, and I have no wish to do so now.
There is more, loads more, where at this point (June 2009) there are still no classes, and the latest drama documented on SCD http://shoppingcartdisco.com/?p=2358#more-2358
All in all, I have enough
Darkley :)
The Sorry Saga.....
If you don't already know, a few days ago I arrived at one the SL6B sims to find 2 of my photos being used, unlabelled and without my permission or knowledge to promote the PhotoLIFE studio system.
I was a member of the PhotoLIFE group in world and on flickr, and own a PhotoLIFE studio.
These are the pictures in question, nothing special, not for any purpose, just vanity pictures of myself:) I spoke to other PhotoLIFE members at the time and was told they were asked for their pictures and had labelled them accordingly.
I first of all tried the group chat, trying to find a member of staff, however due to timezones there was nobody available.
A few hours later Greg Paslong appeared in the Sim and the chatlogs were posted (edited only to remove extraneous material such as mystitool and my friend yumi talking about the skin she made)
http://shoppingcartdisco.com/?p=2358&cpage=1#comment-33414
The only comment I made was to give Copyright info. At no time was I personal.
http://shoppingcartdisco.com/?p=2390#comments
And then from Ryker Beck :) http://www.rykerbeck.com/douchebaggetry-at-its-finest/comment-page-1/#comment-901
Since then Cherie Parker - PhotoLIFE CP, CEO of something at Opium (linked with Oom) http://bluntfashionsense.blogspot.com/2009/06/read-all-about-it-photolife-trial.html
and here
http://opiumsim.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/read-all-about-it-photolife-trial-by-cherie-parker/#comment-179
Cherie has continued to state that the prim was set for 10L, despite me giving her a long list of people who were actually there and witnessed it at 1000L.
I think thats all for the moment.
Now, I have heard rumours that I had lied, and that I have planned this, I don't see how, Oom has apologised properly and accepted that I have not lied, and all the evidence shows that I am telling the truth.
Now, how can I plan for someone to take my work, upload it, put it on a prim, set it for sale and get him to talk to me in a derogatory manner? and then how can I plan that someone would 'ask me to leave' and 'end all association'
Wow, how machiavellian.
The issue for me was in 3 parts.
My work was taken without permission - breaking TOS and copyright
I was spoken to in a very poor fashion
I was 'asked to leave the group' and given a passive aggressive qualified apology.
I have heard through people I know still in the group that there are jokes in group chat about copyright. I have been offered a resolution from PL, but that involves in me returning to the group - a group that thinks little of IP and has shown me time and time again how little they think of me.
As I have said, I haven't been personal in all this, yet Colleen Criss has attacked me several times, accusing me of being a liar and accusing me of wanting this outcome. I told her that if Greg had apologised at the start, it would have gone away, and if she hadn't kicked me from the group, it would have gone away, but she doesn't believe me. I had nothing to gain by giving this info to SCD. I do not want anything from PL. For the record - 'asked to leave' and 'end all association' is the same as being kicked out.
I have had issues with PL in the past, due to their CS, their CS is marvellous, amazing, incredible - if you are online after 10amslt. If you are on before that however, it is utter garbage. The people who 'offered' to help me in the past could not be available in my timezone - not their fault, but not my fault either. The complaint's I have made to them in the past were legitimate - to offer service to ALL their customers, not just the ones convienent to them.
I have chatlogs, from months and months ago, which I will not post, because it won't do me or them any favours, I want to make it clear that my actions were due to what happened at SL6B - and my subsequent treatment.
I am a paying customer, and I do love my studio, Oom has always been good to me and I accept his apology. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for the 'staff' involved.
Update....
http://bluntfashionsense.blogspot.com/2009/07/if-these-walls-could-talk-challenge-to.html
Now, it seems to me that the apology I recieved is now negated, and it's now my fault that this series of events has occured.
I don't know who is doing their PR but I was stunned when I read this - paying for a review = bribe or at best its a cheap advert. You can't place restrictions on a review.
Then and Now
I joined SL originally in June of 2007, and created this avi in the December
It was hard to find any early pictures as I didn't get into that till later, so I will show you what I have.
It was hard to find any early pictures as I didn't get into that till later, so I will show you what I have.
The first 2 images were not taken by me. I have no idea why, but I used to be a lot more topless :)
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