the thrill of the hunt

Okay I am so not a huge hunt girl. I tend to get distracted easily if I'm doing it alone and some folks really want to make you hunt for the hidden thing and that frustrates me lol. But I'm sad I missed the one at Retrology. It's my fault I didn't check all the fashion blogs I could have but I dying cause I want the Miss USO dress from Ingenue and the nice one from Pinup Dolls and assorted other items I have seen posted that are just too damn adorable. I did hear about the Cinderella hunt and I suddenly developed a taste for glass slippers so I will be looking forward to that one. If you hear about a good hunt let me know. It's how I found my walking elephant that is just too funny for a number of reasons. See ya later

You're Just Not Good Enough

Now the life of the model, especially a new model, is full of rejection. People don't know you or your reliability enough to take a chance on you. Filling out dozens fo agency applications and getting no response well that's par for the course too. On the rare occasion you'll get back a pretty standard you aren't what we're looking for at the moment but we'll keep your app on file response or the more common: we feel you need more training here's information on our academy. All of which makes sense, an agency has the right to hire or not hire whomever they want. And it's up to us as models to decide if we want to shell out more lindens for more training on the off chance that we might end up working for the agency. I don't mind being told no or honestly I don't really expect to hear anything back when I apply for things but yesterday I and several other models got a pretty nasty one liner about our results from a casting call. At first my brain joked that my strike outs had gone into extra innings. I can admit it wasn't my best walk so really I wasn't stressing over not being selected. I think it was the way the information was relayed that annoyed me and apparently even more models who weren't as polite or in this case docile as I was in responding to the IM. I had wanted to be just as snippy back but the industry curse came into my brain then. It only takes one or two people talking about you being difficult or bad at anything for you to just basically be turned down by everyone. And in some cases it's as basic as the situation I just told you about. Nasty initial comment, appropriately nasty response. We do have a few outlets to voice our opinions but again we always have to decide if it's worth potentially not working. It's a catch 22.

And the kid strikes out

My streak at JCNY has come to an end. I will not be a showcase model for the 5th straight week which actually feels kinda weird but I'm sure people were tired of seeing me lol. I already told you that I was out of contention for this round of Miss Virtual World and I just discovered that I'm now out of the running for the Next Top Model Challenge as well. I am having a blast stretching my wings in SL fashion and the rejections are to be expected. Just gotta keep working on my look and putting myself out there. Not my best week as a competitive human but also not my worse by far lol. We'll see what's around the next curve.

Words of Wisdom from Grasshopper

Our challenge topic for the day, well mine since I'm a challenge newbie: What did you get out of your experience? Do you think it will change the way you blog in the future?

I think the blogging experience has been really cool in that 60 odd other people were all writing about the same things at once. And since we're all very different no matter what we have in common in SL it's interesting to see what everyone did with their topics. I have enjoyed it immensely and I hope that people that have stopped by have gotten something more than inane drivel out of what I've said. I don't think it will change the way I blog in the future. I like to talk but I normally get distracted and end up doing something besides blogging life in my digital world. I will be more vigilant about posting I think which could be a result of the challenge. All in all this has been a blast and I can't wait to see what other folks come up with in the future. I still want to do Hamlet's favorite movie scene challenge but finding the outfits I want has proven to be more challenging than I anticipated. Oh well off to forage for food.

Challenge Day Five

Today is a free for all. Not sure what I want to talk about today. I was planning on updating this anyway, like yesterday because I was expecting to be replaced on the runway lol. Got a few days reprieve for the moment. Saw the June casting call for Miss Virtual World and no surprise wasn't on the list but I have taken some much better pictures since then and think I'm getting more handy with putting together a piece quickly and working out my details for the outfits I'm wearing. I'll try again, not sure if it will be for July or August but it never hurts to put your face out there. I made the initial screening for the Next Top Model Challenge but don't expect to hear anything about who made it to the actual competition until this weekend. If I hear sooner I'm sure you will too lol. Totally off tangent, I downloaded the new update on the off chance that it would fix the chat issue---so hasn't---but it has stopped my weird font issues and finally recognizes my graphics card from my shiny new computer. It's also doing some things differently when you mouse click on yourself or objects so be careful. Things look better which I can only attribute to it recognizing my card finally. And wrapping it up for today. I've been wondering if it's better to look pretty consistent as a model or always be willing to show someone something new. I change my hair, skin, shoes and eyes so often I never know what I'm going to look like until I'm done. It's great lol. Okay enough babbling for me, let me focus on what I'm supposed to be doing. I will talk to you about some new possibilities if they come to pass soon.

See ya
Rouge

When I grow up

Or Day Four of the Big Bad Blogger Challenge. Here's the topic du jour:

If there was someone you could trade places with for one day in Second Life, who would it be and why? Bonus points if you find this person and snap a picture with them!

You know I have never even thought about this. Who would I be in SL if I wasn't me? I mean given my current interests I guess I could shot for one of the supermodels in SL or one of the more successful magazine publishers but really I could still possibly do those things as just plain old me. I'm not sure I have the economic fortitude or business acumen to be her but the thought of being Anshe Chung does intrigue me. I mean who wouldn't want to be the first SL millionaire? At a time when I'm just waiting to start breaking even on the lindens I spend versus the ones I make, that just seems like it would be fascinating to me. Would I stay in my RL profession or would I just bail on it entirely (I could always downsize it I guess)? Would I be able to explore my other interests or would I be so tied up with running my enterprises that wouldn't even be a possibility? Would the money allow me to actually finish and shop around any of the half dozen books floating around in my head? Not a clue but having the financial security in place to even bat those ideas around would so rock. I'd adore that, oh and I'd be able to pay off the intrepid student loan company and buy us a large enough house that I could forget I have a guest or two when I wanted. Provided I didn't become complacent and just say screw the business now that it's making money for me. I'm almost always mostly content with just being me but every now and then I wish I had the drive of an Anshe Chung to see where that might push my endeavors.

day 3

You've been given a sim of your very own to use for free for one year. However, there are 3 rules. It cannot be residential, it cannot be commercial, and it has to be open to the public. What do you do with it?

I think I'd break it up into a few museum esque spots or concert venues. I love live music and if I could provide a less laggy area for folks to enjoy a good show and dance around that would be fantastic. Could also be used for a Shakespeare in the Park venue if there were no shows. Beyond that I would love to do a Rhythm and Blues/Jazz museum featuring prominent artists in the genre and slightly related genres so people could see the history of the music and what it has evolved to now--not that I dig a lot of what is on the radio now but it's always good to see the transitions. I'd also love to recreate the historically Black fraternity and sorority movement as it was when our organizations were founded so we can see as much as can be gleamed from historical and publically available sources acted out to some degree. Again to see the transition from what was envisioned to now.

Big Bad Blogger Challenge

I just saw this as I roaming the blogosphere instead of working and I'm a day or two behind so this one will be a two-fer.

How long have I been blogging and how has it enriched my life?

Well I guess it would depend on what you consider blogging. I've had a blog on blogspot under various names since 2005. My primary blog is more about my relationships and life in RL and well this is all about what I'm doing in SL with all my wonderful pixelated friends. I did do some minor blogging on BlackPlanet once upon a time and I'd be surprised if that thing was still up. Blogging lets me meet a lot of people in another virtual platform. They share their lives with me and vice versa and we are typically of good support to one another and can see the world through each other's eyes. I have met some fantastic friends that way--one of whom I need to send a belated birthday card to because I spazzed yesterday--and in general I've been able to develop more of whom I am and who I want to be because I'm alllowed to just spew stuff out sometimes and take risks that I wouldn't otherwise take.

What would my perfect day in SL be like?

Honestly I'm not sure. There are things that would rock mightily if they happened but I'm not sure if I would consider that perfect or not. It would be nice if the following things all occured on the same day and I am sure I wouldn't complain.

• I'd be in a position to have to turn down work as a model because I was already booked solid with shows or shoots or the like with designers I admire and models I respect.
  
• I would be safely over the number of required acres in Tiny Empires with a downline who lovedededed me and never wanted to go anywhere else so I could ascend and become queen of my own empire.
• I could then have a party with the fabulous Kingdom I'm in, my new Queendom and all the folks that introduced me to the game and kept me playing.
• I could spend that party in my partner's arms as we joked and I stepped on his toes---he's much taller than me.
• We could relax for a bit before I head off to a runway show or contest in which I place, doesn't have to be first or second but top 10 would be a blast. If I won I'm sure I'd have to log off shortly there after so I could get amazingly toasty drunk cause I'd be in shock.

Last question from New World Notes: For the inventive bloggers out there, discuss a mixed reality application of Second Life you use now, or think could become generally useful in the future.

Not sure if this is what the blogger is looking for but on my goodness my life would be so fabulous if I could do a few things in RL that we do in SL and take for granted. While I like being a curvy girl, clearly, it might be nice once in a blue moon to get slinky via a mouseclick so that I could be the last amazing dress on the rack which is only available in a size 3. I don't think I was ever a size 3, I got curves in the 5th grade and was a 7 then. I don't really want to be taller unless I can stop from having pants hemmed or wearing heels in order to not have things dragging on the ground. Instant clothing fitting would be great as would being able the accesorize all of those things but really that's just one big category of altering appearance. The thing I would love the most and I think would have the biggest impact on humanity would be the ability to TP wherever we wanted to go. Cuts down on travel time, conserves energy for things we need it for, and could remove people from the system/area who aren't authorized to be so it could dramatically lower crime rates. It wouldn't necessarily work for the family to go at the same time like on Star Trek but getting up 30 minutes before work, showering and then teleporting to the office would be so wonderful. I could sleep in every morning or actually have breakfast instead of rushing out to fight traffic. I'm sure there would still be traffic around for massive transportation things or folks who didn't want to TP around the world but being able to go to work, a concert in Vegas, dancing in Paris and Rome and back before work again on Monday would be fantastic.

Just Keep Swimming

newstand3
Originally uploaded by Rouge Anthony

Well it's been a few days since I've even thought about posting. I was busy with rl job until Friday and then this weekend my brain was just kinda on the fried side. In the middle of my fourth week at JCNY, I'm probably busier than ever. The runway is still kind to me which is good, we have been exchanging note cards about sales, castings, agency applications and workshop notes which have been good to have and exchange. I'm a big believer in spreading the good karma around even though it may not come back to me initially, it probably will sooner or later.

I've put out a few more agency applications lately and have heard back from one of them and was hired. Another one has said they were swamped with apps but would get back to us ASAP and well the other hasn't said much but hey that is the nature of the business. Not everyone will love what they see in my portfolio or will feel I'm a good fit for their agency. Miss Virtual World for the month has now closed and here lies the not so painful wait for them to announce who made it to the live callbacks. I say not so painful because honestly I was just glad to get it out because I wasn't sitting quietly at home wishing I had done it. I'm so not anticipating leapfrogging over the plethora of models (for example 8 rows or so of 17 pictures and another 10 rows of probably 10 pictures) to be in consideration for the actual contest. Would it rock? Only totally and completely. Am I holding my breath? Well not so much. I also entered the Next Top Model Competition and expect to hear something I guess this week about if I'm a yay or a nay and then what to do if I made it.

The picture above in this post is for the DCNY contest. I chose the Farrah in red and thought it would look cute with the sort of page boy hat and hair from ETD. That made me think Newsies (the old movie) and thus a news stand was sought out to take the photos. You can't really see it in that picture but in a few others on Flikr you can read the whole sign behind me and you should cause it's funny. For someone reason the picture overall is looking much darker on this computer than it did when i was tweaking it on my laptop. May have to adjust it later. All the fashion details are attached with the photo. Now I'm going to try to stay awake until it's time for my last client of the day and then try not to yell at people as I speed down the highway.

Have a good one,
Rouge

What is Rouge Wearing Episode 1

I couldn't come up with a good title today so you are getting the not random tag after I came up with something and changed it just then lol. I totally and I do mean totally forgot that today was Wednesday and thus a new group of fabulous girls would be chosen for JCNY's MODEL'FEST. When I logged on and saw that I had been ejected from the group that the models work in I figured my streak had come to an end but then I got to moving through my messages and started getting im's and thanks to Ireland's congrats and Sparkie reinviting me to the group I found out that I was back in for another week before I got to read the message itself from JCNY. The saddest part is I was getting dressed and preparing to go down to the runway as I was doing all that because once again I forgot that I more than likely was getting replaced this week. Because of that I figured I'd do my first What is Rouge Wearing picture posts too so everyone can see what I almost strutted myself down to JCNY full of embarrasment in.






Skin: Laqroki Imani Ebony Skin Makeup 4
Eyes: Prismatic Brown Sugar
Hair: House of Heart Una in Mahogany
Dress: PixelMode Godiva
Shoes: Shiny Things Sugar Pumps in Black
Jewelry: JCNY Queen's Diamond Collection
Location: The Renaissance

I know I mentioned before that I was entering more contests and I am. I'm going to show you the photo I submitted for Miss Virtual World 2010. I doubt that I will make the cut but it was a chance to work on my own photos and get my foot out there some more. I also plan on applying for more agencies after a spate of applications went no where fast. Till next time, toodles.

Frustrated

Okay so I waited about a week to write this post. Because of that other frustrations have arose so this post will be a double whammy and I'll start with probably the less controversial one first. It's been a building issue for me to miss castings. Since I'm US based and work normal business hours unless there's a late evening or weekend casting for a show---or if we're picked based on look and then practices are worked around our schedules---I miss 80 to 90 percent of castings for runway shows or agency open calls. I read every notice that hits my screen about shows and often end up taking a deep sigh and discarding the note card. If I'm heading to JCNY or if some of the models i know would be on during that time frame I pass it on but can't do much with it myself. There is also the periodic casting is when I'm free but the show will be smack dab in the middle of my work day. I know I've read about folks being upset that the same rotation of models are at most shows but I'm coming to think its because they are available when the castings are held or the shows will be held. Plus who doesn't want to go with someone they know and can count on? It's just like running into a brick wall sometimes because short of taking time off my RL job I won't be able to see or be seen by most designers. I know it's typically based on what's convienent to the agency or designer just wish there were a few more opportunities for the post 3pm SL crowd. Enough of that.

Initially I said I'd let it go primarily because the industry is fickle and ruffling feathers isn't always appreciated. But you know the issue is relevant to me on a few levels so I had to say something and if it costs me work, well hey what can you do. I appreciate that being a model in SL means we can morph our shapes, shorten or lengthen our hair, change our eye color and wear the most fabulous makeup available to us. But as I've been hitting more shows and checking out more flikr pages I can honestly say I've been a little irked seeing very lovely Caucasian models in very African American skin. There are tons of African American models that could be used and would be happy to be in a show I'm sure but short of one model at a wedding show I've been at and the shows I've been in with another African American model there has been a stark lack of pigment floating around. I've heard people refer to it as skin wrapping and I will admit it's probably easier to just give the model you've chosen the lovely brown skin instead of consider what that might say to someone like me in attendance. I know no real harm is intended it's just a little insulting on one level. I have no issue in changing skins or makeups or hair or shapes or anything else really but as an African American woman my only request is to always be some shade of brown. It's important for me to be a positive African American woman on here and no I wouldn't be in the other tone longer than a photo shoot or runway show but I wouldn't really be me then. I can be a mannequin, I just want to remain one of the brown ones. The look doesn't change just because I'm darker, it actually shows people range in my humble opinion.

Some people will understand both frustrations others won't or won't get why I even bothered to say a word. That's to be expected in anything. I was just hoping this would be (mostly the skin issue) an area were SL was better than RL. Changing skins doesn't share the experience of what it is to be a minority and it won't let me better understand the majority experience. I've heard several people say make sure your skin fits your shape. I don't think my shape is inherently African American but having tried on a variety of tones thanks to those lovely hunts and gifts we're randomly given as dancers and models I know that Rouge is inherently a reflection of me and both of us are happy to be brown. We'll work on that casting thing but brown is here to stay.

Fashion in Review

This will probably be a semi regular post depending on my schedule, ability to track and not get fascinated by the clothes during a show and the ability to get good pictures during that process. You know lag is a bear at almost all fashion shows in SL so that could because a problem. It managed to mix up the order of a few pics I was taking it seemed so I had to relabel some of the ones I caught.

So Thursday ended up being great for my show attendance. As I checked my notices when I logged onto SL I saw that Sascha's was hosting Sonia28 Jie's fashion at her runway later that afternoon. After roaming the grid, I found a spot near the end of the runway so I could try to take a few pics while the models were doing their turn on the catwalk. For those of you not familiar with Sonia28 Jie she makes fabulous clothes for her store Son!a. Her designs are amazingly detailed and run the gamut of detailed and delicate to fun and flirty. Be sure to check her out in world when you get a chance. Let me stop rambling and get on to the show.

The dresses were all immaculate styled and each was actually almost completely different from the ones that came out before it. The first dress to make its appearance was the Carry Wedding Dress. As someone who doesn't dig traditional white wedding dresses this was nothing short of a treat. It was layered beautifully with just enough vibrant color to make the dress pop but without it being overpowering.


After this dress hit the catwalk I wasn't sure what to expect, but there was a steady stream of dresses throughout the show with some models reappearing three or more times. The wedding dresses stood out in my brain more as I was watching the show progress with few exceptions as each seemed to provide an option to every bride including the almost whimsical Pirate Wedding Dress seen below.

I loved everything from the veil to the way the dress flowed as she walked and posed. That was common to almost every item that hit the runway. They all had a lovely flow to them as the models moved about and will surely cause people to remember you if you are ever hitting the scene in SL. As I said before Sonia28 Jie's store is full of a range of dresses that you might not be anticipating as you strolled inside her massive shop---give yourself an hour to wander around at least. The dress that seemed to capture everyone's attention was modeled by Opal Lei later in the show. Take a gander below.

To call this dress ornate would be an insult. You could literally see the dress morph like tree bark as she moved into certain positions. The netting seamlessly simulated a nice evening glow in the woods and wonder of wonders Opal managed to find the absolute perfect poses to accentuate the dress. It was stunning and a conversation piece when I returned to the runway at JCNY with the other models who attended the show. I think the only design that could outdo the Willow Tree was what Ms. Jie was wearing herself at the end of the show. Check out Flikr for a glimpse of that and all of the other designs that were featured that day. Before you head over to Son!a's and I'm sure you will after you see what she had on display, make sure to stock up on your lindens and take your shopping anonymous sponsor with you. It was a great show and if you weren't there be sure to enjoy the snapshots.

Son!a Show--Flikr link

Drumroll please....

So I have officially completed my first JCNY expo and have to admit the event took longer than I thought it would for some reason. I hadn't actually attended one prior to now but figured it would take an hour. Well two hours and many crashes from many of the young ladies there and we had our winner and runner up. GirlyHolic and Katime took home the honors and both seemed stunned. I'm guessing I would be too though. A lot of perks come with the prize so you would have to be super surprised to hear your name called out in either position. They announced then too that the first week of June MODEL'FEST girls would be wildcards selected from the month of May. Imagine my shock to see my name there once again. I mean the runway was packed during the expo with many more experienced and well known models than myself but I won't look a gifthorse in the mouth. I was wiped yesterday after being up late several nights in a row and did not hit the runway again but I'll be there tonight, being silly while I work on pictures and prep contest applications if any look decent. Might not stay as long as I could though, I do want to take some shots soon in my DKNY clothes for that contest as well. Ahh well, busy busy busy. I did end up taking some pics in my Zaara outfit after the show that I think look very nice so I'll probably post them here and to my flikr along with some others later on today or maybe this weekend. Until then boys and girls.

And the Winner is.....or In Other News

First things first, the runway show went AMAZING. No one crashed, the sim was actually full, no one tripped off the runway (like yours truly did in her 2nd graduation show) and the crowd seemed to have a blast. A few people were there that I knew from JCNY so really appreciate the support. Everyone else just seemed to be enjoying the fact that we styled ourselves and found the right poses to accentuate the outfits and not take away from them. I sincerely thank everyone who told me that I was beautiful or that I had a great walk. I can't wait till I get the chance to do it again because for the first time I wasn't super worried about the falling or the crashing and just focused on hitting my poses. Join the Model's Workshop if for no other reason than it's a great group and you'll likely enjoy it a lot.

Okay so we still don't know who won yet. SL was acting wonky yesterday and JCNY didn't want to have anyone miss out on the activities so the big announcement for May Model'Fest winner will happen this afternoon---which happens to be my early day so yeah I won't miss it. I did give in and go get another outfit cause while I was loving the purple gown I was rocking from Sascha's it was partially purchased because yesterday was wear purple day. Actually I got two outfits. My partner thinks I look good in soft colors and we argued over one until I found one that would work for me. But then the net went down and I didn't get to go into make it look perfect mode. Instead I worked on some pictures that had just been laying around and took some more for the Angel Dessous Angel of the Month contest. I had one that might work but in retrospect I'm glad that I went out and took more pictures. One it was just a lot of fun and two it gave me a chance to play with enviornment settings in world to change the shots I was getting. So far I've only uploaded the ones I submitted and the original raw shots I had to my flikr account but I will be tossing in the best of the others just because I think they kinda rock. Speaking of flikr, you can see what I've uploaded and toyed around with now on the page. I'd recommend going to the flikr page directly but hey whatever works for ya.

Okay so we've talked about my minor shopping addiction especially when something is on sale. The past few days, when I was on shopping hiatus, I broke down and just let it rip. Marly's is going out of business. It's a very cute vintage shop that I had never heard of before now which is probably good as I would have been broke. I found tons of cute hair (including the pixie cut I am wearing in some of my flikr shots) there as well as some cute swimwear, dresses and the like. I also stumbled over into the Einstein group sim (phoenix rising and the crew)---please keep me out of there. Too much cute stuff and a lot of cute jewelry either free or 1L scattered about the store. I might enter their Model of the Month contest if I hear about it soon. Didn't see any news about it on their page in May so I'll just have to wait. And last night right before the sale ended I happened to end up in Zaara. There are lots of beautiful things there but the traditional Indian clothing is what I ran over for hoping I hadn't missed out because I was trying to be good and not be all over the grid shopping. Turns out the fatpack of the bridal wardrobe I wanted was marked down to just over 250 of what it normally cost to buy one of them. So I bought those and one other outfit and skipped on out of there.

So now I really have three options to wear to the finals and I doubt anyone would be in any of them but we JCNY models do have good taste so who rightfully knows. I'll be sure to keep you posted.