Jinx Pasteur
You've come a long way, baby.
Jinx turns 18 this week! Since he rezzed for the first time in 2004 he has taught me a lot about myself. He's introduced me to some incredible people, including some who have become RL friends. He has brought me joy, love, sadness, loss and lots of laughs. He's even helped me find the courage to take healthy risks in my own life.
In February 2004 I was in a dark place, barely working in a dead-end job, fairly isolated after a failed, toxic relationship, broke and depressed. Yes, I probably spent too much time in-world then, but SL kept me connected to others. It was a place to escape and to laugh with friends and to be creative. SL helped me through some tough days.
Over time I turned my life around and now have a fulfilling career, a loving partner of 16 years, and a very full real life. I can't give Jinx all the credit, but he certainly played a significant role in my journey to the RL I have today. I still love SL but my relationship with it has changed. Now I don't spend quite as much time in-world. I visit to be with friends and to play creatively, not to escape.
Over the years I have tried to explain to others how SL and my alter ego Jinx have been important to me. I am always met with uncomprehending, blank stares. They don't understand why I have an attachment to a "game". Years ago, when I tried to explain to my therapist how Jinx had helped to ease my social anxiety in RL, he didn't know what to say. I'm pretty sure he saw the whole idea as mentally unhealthy lol! My gamer friends aren't interested. Even my RL partner, who has heard about the ups and downs of Jinx for years, doesn't really understand.
But I know that you understand, my SL Flickr community. Maybe you don't have the same level of attachment to your avatar but I know you understand how a bunch of pixels moving around in a pixel world on a flat screen can mean a lot to a flesh and blood human.
Happy Rez Day Jinx, my old friend!
You've come a long way, baby.
Jinx turns 18 this week! Since he rezzed for the first time in 2004 he has taught me a lot about myself. He's introduced me to some incredible people, including some who have become RL friends. He has brought me joy, love, sadness, loss and lots of laughs. He's even helped me find the courage to take healthy risks in my own life.
In February 2004 I was in a dark place, barely working in a dead-end job, fairly isolated after a failed, toxic relationship, broke and depressed. Yes, I probably spent too much time in-world then, but SL kept me connected to others. It was a place to escape and to laugh with friends and to be creative. SL helped me through some tough days.
Over time I turned my life around and now have a fulfilling career, a loving partner of 16 years, and a very full real life. I can't give Jinx all the credit, but he certainly played a significant role in my journey to the RL I have today. I still love SL but my relationship with it has changed. Now I don't spend quite as much time in-world. I visit to be with friends and to play creatively, not to escape.
Over the years I have tried to explain to others how SL and my alter ego Jinx have been important to me. I am always met with uncomprehending, blank stares. They don't understand why I have an attachment to a "game". Years ago, when I tried to explain to my therapist how Jinx had helped to ease my social anxiety in RL, he didn't know what to say. I'm pretty sure he saw the whole idea as mentally unhealthy lol! My gamer friends aren't interested. Even my RL partner, who has heard about the ups and downs of Jinx for years, doesn't really understand.
But I know that you understand, my SL Flickr community. Maybe you don't have the same level of attachment to your avatar but I know you understand how a bunch of pixels moving around in a pixel world on a flat screen can mean a lot to a flesh and blood human.
Happy Rez Day Jinx, my old friend!