A Day in the Life on Home…
by Dlyrius, HSM team writer
Ever since Urban Camo was introduced, I’ve loved the whole idea of it.
I mean there are times we all want to blend into the background, right? The thought of chasing a laughing recliner around whilst trying to sit in it brings back fond memories of the stunts they pulled on the Candid Camera Show. Not to mention, this brings the whole idea of talking to your plants to a totally different level, because now they talk back and other people can see it too!
After having a lovely conversation with a rather large rock in the newly-opened Adventure District, it occurred to me that this section of the multiple selections available at the Home store is sorely ignored and deserved a spotlight so to speak. So I got myself an Urban Camo bundle and set out see how Home life is for an animate inanimate object.
This is a review of my adventure into the happenings of a simple trash can on Home, for a whole day.
Disguises can have dangerous unseen dangers lurking everywhere!
The first thing you notice is how short you are. I am 6’1” in real life, so suddenly being at belt level with everyone was a new experience to say the least. I parked myself at the Hub on the dance floor. While eavesdropping (or reading as the case may be) isn’t too difficult on Home as a rule, doing it while in camo is much easier. It didn’t take long for me to be noticed even though I was sitting perfectly still and kinda slowly slid into place as quietly as possible when I arrived. My first visitor was just fascinated by a talking inanimate object and took a seat on the floor next to me. While we chatted about this and that, we both noticed a fourteen-year-old girl nearby. Boy, was she talking trash! I must say, while it would be super funny if Urban Camo came with an outhouse option, considering the garbage coming out of this girl’s potty mouth, I am afraid had I been disguised as a toilet, she really would have dumped on me. As Dennis Miller once put it, in order to make room for the internet we had to get rid of the Literacy Channel and the What’s Left of Civilization Channel.
Next was a young fellow who claimed to be under the influence of some kind of mood-altering substance. He was a little freaked out when I said, “GIVE A HOOT, DON’T POLLUTE!” I assured him that since he was on Home, a talking trash can was perfectly normal and he wasn’t hallucinating.
(Editor’s note: imagine running into a Homeling formation…)
While he pondered that and decided he wasn’t losing his mind after all, another fellow came up and used me to relieve himself upon. I wasn’t expecting that! I protested just a tad and all he did was laugh at me. Then he dropped a burning bag of poop inside my opening and was gone. Of course I thanked him but thought to myself…I get no respect. But it is nice to know that even while disrespecting the can, he still respected the environment.
I also had the opportunity to help out a new user. She was a little hesitant to talk to a trash can at first, but once we got started with info on how to dance and where to find freebies to help her get started, she was perfectly comfortable. She asked me, “Why do you sit and spy?” I told her I wasn’t really spying; I was just getting a different perspective on Home.
What a fun way to make new friends.
An hour went by and I truly began to blend in to my surroundings. Folks were carrying on conversations like I really was part of the scenery, not just an avatar in disguise. I awaited my next opportunity to present itself while I ate my lunch.
About the time I was ready for a real break, some of my friends showed up. Knowing me like they do, finding me dressed as a trash can wasn’t that odd. Most just chatted like I was in my usual attire until a friend I hadn’t seen in several months showed up. He was having a very difficult time placing me, and since I was dressed rather “trashy” I didn’t make it any easier. I reminded him of where we met; things that had happened over the course of our friendship and still nothing. Finally, I changed into my regular avatar for just a moment so he could see my face. Still nothing was ringing a bell. It wasn’t until I was back in my can and preparing to leave Home for a nice afternoon nap when it suddenly hit him. Funny how a phrase can become your signature, isn’t it?
Life can be lonely sometimes
There was one friend who showed up and was not the least bit happy about what I was wearing. He asked me to change, and I refused, after explaining I was doing research for an article. He typed a frowny face emoticon and left abruptly. I would have like to have asked him why he had that particular reaction. Mind you he showed up in costume, so I’m not really sure why he was so upset about the one I was wearing. I can only surmise he felt foolish being seen talking to a trash can and chose to speak with me some other time when my appearance was more suitable in his opinion. What constitutes “suitable appearance” in virtual reality is an interesting sociological question, indeed.
Having begun this social experiment at 8 A.M., by 8 P.M. I had had more than enough of my can after twelve hours (not to mention twelve hours of the Hub’s musical fare, for which I neglected to mute for reasons unknown). So far I had been urinated upon, thrown up in, and had been given a burning bag of poop to deal with. I was also questioned about where Oscar the Grouch was. I simply explained that he had not paid his rent and had been evicted from this upscale can, only to be forced to return to his Sesame Street can. Most folks were quite nice, and we had a lot of laughs. I even managed to fool a few into thinking I was just a new part of the scenery on the server.
Urban Camo is just plain fun to wear! While I didn’t try any of the other disguises that came with the bundle I purchased, I am pretty sure the trash can was the best choice for my purposes. However, it would be interesting to see what kind of reaction(s) my flower pot, rock, barrel, tree, or mailbox would bring.
I do know one thing: next time I will chose something that smells better, even if it’s only virtual!
April 12th, 2012 by Dlyrius | 11 comments
Dlyrius, a native Oregonian, has been an internet chat addict since the days of the old BBS services.
Great article D! I think the part that strikes me most is the friend that requested you change your clothes. I think most people understand that there is a vast array of costumes here. I mean such a vast amount that somebody in a trash can is fun, and ingenious, but not that far out that it is offensive, especially if he was in costume. Good idea hiding in a duck blind and watching people. Very smart idea, now I am jealous that I didn’t think of it. Great job.
…also I did forget to mention that I think those are great costumes, and once in the Creature Cantina, I met a person walking as a trash can, I poked some light fun and we actually became friends…they are cool andd fun costumes.
lol Thanks! I didn’t include it in the article, but at one point I was breifly joined by a recliner and another trash can (the Oscar model). I also managed to generate some sales after receiving more than one inquiry about “where did you get that?!?”
Over all it was a lot of fun!
Fun article Dlyrius! I have seen several people try this at various spaces. I saw a guy with a elf or Santa figurine one sitting at the Lockwood during Christmas. The only way you could tell him from the decorations was the name above his head. Fun read!
Thanks Burbie, I did the same thing at Lockwood with the giant snowman snow globe thing. Went to see where to buy it and it moved! LOL
That was humorous and I’m sure a learning experience for you. It was for this reader.
I saw a slot machine in the Casino and went up to it to see if I wanted to play it. It was an urban camo outfit I guess because it started talking.
I am wondering if in your case your choice of disguise gives new meaning to the term urban decay? Nah! I think not.
Have fun
LOL, just the usual trash talk and general rubbish being tossed around
Ah, sorry about the reward Slurpee cup I tried ramming down your throat, you really looked like a trash can!
Ted: hehehee now that one I used, got my sammich and cup outfits.. yay for dumpster diving!
WONDERFUL article D!! I was laughing all the way through. I love laughing through articles…humor..”tres magnifik” (not a clue how to really spell that..but it’s the thought that counts.) I did happen to see you on that day…although I knew you were there somewhere, as you were on my friend’s list and I’d come to speak to you, I ran right by you! Looking around frantically, and for the 3rd time at least, running right by you…you finally said, “Hey, you ignoring me…you ran right by me!” LOL I have to say that I am very impressed at your dedication to writing an amazing article for HSM. You put so much into your writing and they are so very lucky to have your talent!! HUGS Gurly!
hehehee I remember that, I was tempted to throw some trash at you, but considering I was at the Hub, I really didn’t think you would notice one more bit of garbage thrown your way LOL!