I logged into facebook this morning and was promptly reminded that today my blog is officially three! I'm absolutely astounded I've managed to be as constant with my posts as I have been, and above all, I'm amazed at the personal journey I've been on and the growth that has occurred since the start.
When I began this blog, it was to appease a force in my life that was not only rather manipulative, but also never complimentary towards me after our first week of meeting. I tried over and over to 'start' but it wasn't until we'd parted ways that I realized I didn't have to satisfy anyone but myself.
Kaleidoscope has seen me through the loss of friendships and the birth of new ones, helped me feel more confident in myself both in SL and RL, and has allowed me a channel that has served as a sort of therapy for me. It has become a labour of love. A place for me to be unequivocally me.
At first, I was scared to write. I still wonder some days why anyone would want to read my drivel, but knowing that there are others who face similar issues to me has led me to believe in myself more, knowing I am not alone in the way my brain might work occasionally is a massive relief.
At the start, I never even thought about applying for blogger positions within SL. The idea that somebody might want little ol' me to promote their items when there are so many insanely talented photographers and bloggers about was akin to insanity... but let's face it, I'm slightly bonkers! After a few months I did begin to apply and while I have faced many, many rejections there have also been celebrations when brands I have always adored have taken me on. Some were temporary. Others were tiny stores at the start that have gone on to accomplish some wonderful things, and watching these brands and events grow as I have has been the most brilliant experience.
For anybody that is still trying to get their foot in the door in terms of blogging, the only advice I will give you is to do it for you. If you don't love it, you're not doing yourself or your future brand investors justice. I truly believe that every picture I take comes from my heart, and I will continue attempting to weave stories and improve my photography until... well, just until.
Happy Birthday, Kaleidoscope.
Thank you, yeah - you, for reading and peeking my pictures.
Today I'm joined by a mystery guest, because he's shy... and the only thing I know he's wearing is the pants, from legal insanity @ Fameshed, so uh, go there if you like them!
In this picture, we're in a waiting room. I'm not really sure what kind of waiting room it is, but we'll pretend it's for something innocuous like... dentistry *nods*.
I'm sure it's not for anything serious, as Man-Pickle has perfect, sparkling teeth akin to a Hollywood movie star. *shrugs*
Anywho, there's details below so check them out!
xoxo
Here's a natural light picture of the skin by Clef de Peau, and the face shape from Cataclasm available at TMD.
I'm doing this super quickly! As usual, TMD has offered up some amazeballs goodies that you can grab for your Man-Thing. I'll stress again, don't be worried about shaking things up, lads! SL is for experimenting!
I'm not going to write a great deal now, because I've already posted once today and I think that's enough Pickle-Dribble for one day.
Instead, please enjoy a regular installment of Man-Pickle for your viewing pleasure - and remember, TMD closes soon, so this is your last chance to pick up the amazing offerings for this round, so get there quick!
xoxo
All of the things :
Body, Hands & Feet : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body
JIAN Pudgy Persians 14. White Grubbin' Kitten (Gacha)
Sometimes when I take a photograph I'm not aware of a story before I've taken it, so I make one up on a whim until it makes sense in my head.
For this, we're in the not-too distant future. Man-Pickle is venturing out on his own for the first time, just him and his kitty, Chronic (idk, it sounded manly in my head. Love me?)
There are plates in the sink, because who likes washing up anyway, and there's a soup on the stove that will probably last him four or five days, because who even cooks?
His cupboards are almost bare, but so long as he and Chronic have a roof over their head, and the basic amenities, he's content.
I really enjoy the bizarre juxtaposition of the semi-futuristic arm and the retro-esque kitchen in this picture, and as usual, I have absolutely zero complaints about anything shown, except the very minor clipping of the sneakers and the pants - but c'mon, it's so tiny I can't even be mad about that and didn't edit it out at all >.>
xoxo
All of the things :
Body, Hands & Feet : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body
Skin : STRAY DOG - TREY @ TMD (Body textures updated, get a redelivery @ the mainstore!)
I'm having immense troubles using my brain today, so this will be quick!
Santi and I were exploring yesterday, after many, many days of me saying "TAKE ME SOMEWHERE NEW!" he stumbled across this sim. Let's be honest, SL has and is becoming a place where we tend to introvert more, standing alone or with friends on platforms has taken over and finding pretty places to hang out, even for photography is more and more difficult because the pretty places are generally kinda private, or involve a heavy fee to get into. This sim... THIS SIM... is someone's home. They have clearly lovingly created a place with exceptional taste, with nooks for cuddles for intimate moments, and areas where you can invite friends and sit and chat. I am beyond flawed by the quality of this sim, and this photograph of the delicious Man-Pickle does not do it any justice. I implore you to visit, the only thing the sim owners request is that you are nice, so don't be a dick, k?
Also worth mentioning, rezzing is open, with a timer... so you can throw a pose down but it WILL get returned to you promptly, unless you're sitting on it. ♥
All of the things :
Body, Hands & Feet : [SIGNATURE] Gianni - Mesh Body
So i'm sitting here wondering about what to type here. I'm naturally over thinking because of the little weirdo that I am, and the only thing I keep thinking is "Hey, you're Man-Pickle. Talk about boobs!"
I'm not quite sure that's appropriate. >.>
For today I'm going to stick to the items I'm showing. And let's begin at the hair, because DUDE. Look at my effing HAIR!!!
I squealed rather loudly and in a very un-masculine way when I accidentally fell upon this hair from Speakeasy. Turns out the entire store has been re-done. It looks so good! It's also been separated into specific areas, so you can find poses, shapes, hair & tattoo's a whole bunch easier now.
The hairbase comes with the hair, and yup! Love that too!
Complex has been bashing items out left right and centre. There's no doubt the guy is working his butt off at the moment, bringing out new items in new events. As a fairly new brand he's definitely one to watch. Not only does his mesh fit perfectly, but the styling is 100% on point for anything urban.
Obviously, one of my go-to stores for sneakers right now is Versov, and these don't disappoint. Man-Pickle is wearing the gold version because he's kinda a baller on the down low, the kind of dude to give that hot chick a grin and make her entire world stop for a moment, before jogging to catch the next bus, cus yanno, he's a baller, but keeps it real.
I've been accused of being pretty interchangeable, of not being the same person from one day to the next. Although I feel that -mostly- i'm the same, I can understand where this viewpoint comes from.
In terms of SL, I feel like every day I can be something new. I can be a neko, a human, a minotaur (i've not tried that yet, but now it's on my to-do list. Do they come in girl-form?), a goth, a babygirl etc etc, and generally when my clothing changes my mood does a bit too.
Where I believe my soul is ultimately the same daily, every interaction, every slice of information I learn *I* think shapes my view of the world. Sometimes I can come across as quite the pessimistic asshat, other times, I'm legit telling you how content I am with things exactly as they are, and in the next breath wishing I could do -this- better, or be -that- to someone.
We're complicated and sometimes, while we're busy trying to figure out ourselves, we lose pieces to situations, other people, and often our own selves in an attempt to fit in, or shelter ourselves from former hurt.
Over the last few years especially, I've been trying to understand myself.
My theory is - I'm not a label.
Much like the premise of the film "The Breakfast Club" back in the 80's, we're more than just the labels we attempt to define ourselves with, instead we're all just humans, peopleing.
I think we often forget that ideal. It's so easy to be "Hey, so you like Cats right? Guess that means you hate Dogs!" as though because you enjoy one aspect of a 'thing' you hate another 'thing' automatically. We're too quick to assume and judge for the most part, and in making those assumptions and judgments we're missing out on scenarios and other humans who could benefit our lives in ways we've never imagined.
I'm making myself a promise to attempt to be more open. I'm not afraid of being interchangeable, I'm not worried about enjoying different styles of dress, or having my opinions challenged (in an adult & constructive fashion of course).
We're multifaceted individuals, and our past has shaped us in ways we can't define. No one person has walked your path, in your shoes, except YOU.
It's time we started accepting the good parts, while being unafraid to voice the negatives in a forward-thinking and positive light. Someone's hurt your feelings? TALK to them. If we don't understand each other, how can we ever be at peace?
