One Year Later
by FEMAELSTROM, HSM team writer
June 26th will mark the anniversary of my first year here on Home, and I thought I would reflect on where I started, and where I am a year later. It has been a life-altering experience that has happened so fast in so many ways. And yet there has also been the gradual and organic growth of my footprint here.
I guess I could say that it all started in Central Plaza, as it did for so many others. I had a favorite bench to warm, when back in the days of the Central Plaza I strolled, over by the knee-high wall that ran between the theaters and the mall. I would simply spawn in front of the Harbour Studio doors and amble on over to the bench, which was usually empty. I could sit for a long time and just watch the plaza in all its hustle and bustle.
I marveled at the avatars that stood on the circular benches. I would think to myself, “How do those kids do that?” I asked more than once, but usually got foul answers, so I would stroll back to my bench and again simply watch the day move on, though there was always sunshine in the Central Plaza. At the risk of revealing my age, I always thought that it would have been funny to have a bag of bread and a small flock of pigeons to feed to add to the effect. I met a few people that ranged from nice to odd. I don’t mind odd, not at all, but these people were creepy odd. So I learned to stay to myself and just watch.
I started to gain a few friends, and I now found that between my friends and my budding collection of homes and items, I could spend more time in Home away from the rude people. But I still went back to that bench that I loved so much. Places started to sprout up that filled my Favorites list in the Navigator, and I frequented them a lot. I met people that I could invite to my homes and who would invite me to their homes in return. At this point I had never heard of a Homeling or a Home Community Volunteer. I did not know that there was a group of fans that were so dedicated to this place that they had started an online magazine on the topic of Home.
"Engage", wait, that's not me.
All I knew was that I was alone in a big world without a rudder or a sail or a mast or even a Captain Stubbing to guide me. As time marched on I amassed more friends, more stuff, and more homes, and the adventure grew for me. I watched my friends list change like a poster marking profits and losses –always growing, but with occasional dips reflecting losses. I plowed on. Slowly I started to hear rumblings about notable groups. I heard the name Homeling and heard about the Home Community Volunteers. The groups themselves, though, were still phantoms like the elusive pictures of Bigfoot somebody whips out every few years.
My first grand step was finding a friend I could “friendwork” with — that is, I could friend their friends, and thus increase my own friend count. I don’t use this as a manipulation, a ploy or an intention; it always comes naturally and organically for me. That friend is Riff Raff Se7en. She is one of the smartest and nicest people that I know in this realm, and has been a real inspiration who has helped me realize that Home can be a positive force. She is a person who has worked to surround herself with good people, people that help push forward a positive agenda. She was also instrumental in introducing me to the people who would eventually turn out to be the Grey Gamers.
From that fateful day at the “Burn Zombie Burn” public space, my footprint here has grown by leaps and bounds. I have begun to see the larger view of the community, and came to appreciate it for all it’s worth — as a place that can be rough sometimes, but also where one can grow beyond their wildest dreams. I now write for this respected online magazine that has welcomed me with open arms and great encouragement, and helped me see a whole new world of value in this place we call Home.
Where once there was a ship without a rudder, I have now found North on my compass, and found a purpose. I have amassed a great deal of home decorating items, as well as clothes and spaces and companions. And while that is certainly fun, allowing myself to grow beyond the confines of my clothes and possessions has made all the difference in my walk here.
Yes, I did this with the influence of a friend, and I took a chance to make that friend. This place can be about a solo walk, or a walk with others. But when we stretch out to positively influence others, it lets us see the value of this social environment. However, like standing on a mountain, you can see the totality far better than when you stand on the highest peak.
A great view, but how to get there?
My friend list is as long as it’s ever been, and though sometimes I still suffer unexpected drops, the friends I am keeping are better and more steadfast. I have finally met a Home Community Volunteer, and now know a few Homelings.
I am miles away from that lonely little bench, and the Central Plaza is long gone (sort of), just like the solo player who once occupied that bench.
But this isn’t a story of my “greatness”. Anybody who knows me can attest to the fact that the words “greatness” and “my” are rarely used in the same sentence. This is a tale about the simple fact that when you put yourself out there and take a chance, meet (good) people and try to become a part of this experience, you can be far more than I was or could ever be. More than a bench warmer in a corner of what is a large world full of possibility and activity.
I overcame the hurdles of my almost debilitating shyness and my desire to run headlong back into the Harbour Studio and stay there indefinitely. I stepped out into the world and stuck out a hand to strangers. Sometimes I got bit, and some times I got a shake. But I risked and won. In the case of my friend Riff Raff Se7en, I found her by way of the musical reference “Claire De Lune” by Claude Debussy, and that was pure coincidence, but I was emboldened enough to approach a stranger and make a friend who turned out to have a huge impact on my growth here in Home.
In the end, we are who we are, but we are also who we want to be. If a person is content to be quiet and stay in the corner, then that is their free choice. But if a person wants to grow and expand beyond themselves, becoming a positive influence on Home, they need to make themselves larger than their possessions and step out to make a positive impact, so others may benefit from their experience and knowledge.
Hopefully these track lead to a better place each day.
Being part of a larger cause or effort makes all of Home a better place. There is no shortage of ways to participate. The trick is to just get out there and take the chance and make friends and make a positive difference. That is what really brought me to greater heights than I ever dreamt of, and it can happen for everyone. We all just have to get out there and try it. I know I did, and it has made Home a far better place for me.
It has been a great first year, and I hope for more — more friends, more involvement, more caring and more helping. Yes, I want to get more Home items and clothes, companions and homes, but that stuff pales next to the thought that I have positively enlarged my footprint here in Home, and gotten myself a better view than I ever had on that bench in Central Plaza.
June 3rd, 2012 by FEMAELSTROM | 5 comments
FEMAELSTROM came to Home in June 2011 and never wanted to leave, even at weekly maintenance when he usually gets booted. The sand box environment appeals to the explorer in him and often is out and about as he ‘geeks’ out dressed like some sort of sci-fi character, while he people watches in popular public spaces. An artist and writer, FEMAELSTROM loves making friends and meeting people. He loves sci-fi and decorating Home estates and loves to respond “here” when people ask “where are you from?” in public places.
It has been thrilling for many of us to watch you blossom this year, Strom. You realize, you can never escape us now.
Great article, Strom! Since I am somewhat in the beginning of my own journey in Home, I will say that you have set a positive example for me. For the few months I’ve been on Home, I’ve been one of those people who have taken a mostly solitary walk. Since meeting you and the other Grey Gamers, and since discovering this magazine, I’m realizing just what this world of Home really has to offer, and I am so grateful for the friendships that are starting to develop. Again, nice article, and thank you for illuminating the path for the rest of us who are just starting where you did on that bench.
Nice and… soothing
I’m barely older than you, homewise. I too walked the lonely path first, or i should say tried. lol From a slow walk i went to jumping bling. Stumble and raised.
I will bookmark that one. For the days i feel frustrated by a network or some member of my beloved comunity. You cant change the world in one day. But a slow walk can travel a long way.
There’s a wonderful quote by Lao Tzu that can apply not only to Home, but to life in general: “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.”
Enjoy the journey for the sake of the journey itself, and you’ll never be disappointed.
Keara-What says I want to escape, we’re a cult…I mean friends, and I love it. Home has been a great experience for me and I hope to experience so much more, and with friends like I have, I will. MaeBell99-I know that you are on the first leg of your journey, and it’s a pleasure to have cast even a little glow on your path as you say, as you venture away from your bench. Find good friends and they will always help you with anything you need. Dr_Do-Little- I agree with your last line so much. The only way to make the whole journey sometimes is to take your time. Marco Polo didn’t run to China. Terra_Cide- I agree there too, sometimes it’s the journey not the destination.