Wings On Dreams

Dreams are never gonna come true if you don’t put wings on ’em. Not only wings–they need feet, hands, a brain. You’ve got to work really hard to make a dream come true. ~Dolly Parton

I always buy the November issue of Southern Living magazine, it has the most beautiful holiday decorating ideas within its hallowed pages. (http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/holidays-occasions/holiday-flower-arrangements ) Can’t say I’ve ever had quite the success of their looks, but then I’m more prone to Charlie Brown’s decorating moments than Martha Stewarts. While fingering through the pages an article caught my attention. Jennifer Cole of Southern Living wrote in this month’s magazine: “Dolly Parton. She’s the kindest, funniest, sparkliest thing to ever come out of an East Tennessee holler. But don’t be fooled by all of those self-deprecating one-liners. This Backwoods Barbie is one of the smartest, most respectful professionals in the industry. An appointment is a commitment. Her image drives her business. And she takes the business of being Dolly very seriously.” And it made me think about creating uniqueness in virtuality. In real life we in so many ways try to conform to the norms of our peers, but is it necessary in Second Life?

It struck me, because that is one of the things I have blogged about several times. Being a pretty or handsome avatar is easy. We can make, or purchase shapes, skins, and hairs that were created to give us whatever look we are going for, but to make your avatar unique is a lot harder to pull off. In fact, in virtual worlds there sure is a lot of sameness. So we set out to make our virtual selves unique. And as we add a little here or take a little there, it’s difficult to say how, but as you lovingly create this “vision” of yourself as an avatar, the avatar, in some big way becomes a part of you, much the same as your real life heart is. If you look at the portfolio of Caoimhe, Cow as she is called by so many, and I don’t really mind, because the name kind of fits this gawky, rarely elegant avatar that is me. I digressed, when you look at her portfolio, Caoimhe has not changed very much in 7 years. She didn’t try to copy others; she has always been who she is. I have always said Cao’s face is her “brand” much like a designer has a logo; Cao’s logo is her never changing recognizable face. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told someone will see a picture with me in it and say, “oh, that’s Cao.” I firmly stand by my commitment to what makes me me. I was once told I would need to change my face (perhaps my nose, perhaps my eyes) if I joined an agency, and it was a time when I really wanted to be a part of an agency, but after much thought, I declined and walked away. I am not saying this is the way all models should act; I am just saying models need to set their own rules in regards to their careers. Create your own avatar, but please, please the stress is create your OWN, not someone else’s vision of beauty and self. It’s easy to be someone else, but make a big name for yourself by being YOUR own unique self. It would be quite a feat to outdo the original version of a model, I am not saying it can’t be done, I am just wondering if you would feel as successful if you had done it with someone else’s originality and not your own? Let your image drive your business and let someone else’s brand define them. As the face of your own destiny, shouldn’t your wishes and desires be the catalyst to your success? I don’t know, just something that ran across my brain today, take it for what it’s worth to you. I know, probably not a whole heck of a lot.

Outfit:

Hair/Scarf/Beanie: Maitreya
Coat: ColdLogic, Halfred
Pants: (Lelutka), Minnutary pants

Makeup: Zibska
Friends: *Ionic*

EarWorm: