Stress is a fact of life. It is part of the natural order of things. Not all stress is bad, of course. Sometimes it is very stressful going up in one of the latest models of lighter than aircraft, but it is also fun despite the known risks that are causing one to feel tense and stressed.
In general, stress is related to both external and internal factors. External factors include the physical environment, one's job, relationships with others, one's home, and all the situations, challenges, difficulties, and expectations one is confronted with on a daily basis. Internal factors such as physical health, emotional well being, mental health, and how rested one is will contribute to how well one responds to the external stressors.
For those of us in virtual environs the in-world tension producing stressors can sometimes become quite overwhelming or debilitating in and of themselves. Add to those the demands and stresses of real life, and one has the making of quite a drama or disaster.
Despite all the growth in the Steamlands of SL, the communities remain relatively close knit. Many of us not only communicate in world, but also on any number of social networking sites. This can increase our chances of talking with and enjoying one another, but can also increase the distribution of hurtful, painful comments - fueling stress and problems. The flip side to this is that we can be quite a support group for one another.
Fortunately the number of outlets for this stress are legion in SL. Find what you like to do and relieve that tension. Like to create content? To build? To tell stories? Go for it! Like to dance, strip, make a little whoopie? SL's got all that, too. Feel like smelling of smoke, cordite, steel? Feel like blowing the daylights out of someone or their ship? We can manage that, too! And DO most every Thursday night.
Those of you who know me well, understand that I am generally quite even keeled. It takes a lot to provoke me. I will calmly work my way to a happier place if at all possible. I am a glass half full kind of person. But I am also a realist. Sometimes things just are what they are and there is no improving them. What can sometimes really take the edge off of RL and SL stress is to participate in the Ironclad battles.
Nix Sands, Amplebeak Tinlegs, and I watch the first round
After changing back into human form, Nix makes his airship ready.
Our battle last night was to attempt to take down the behemoth - the beast - of Admiral Calamari's Navy. I was only able to be a gunner in one round. The rest of the time I was working and ensuring that other avatars were not roaming into the war zone. Admiral Calamari was bested the small attack boats every single time. Congratulations to all!!
Earlier in the evening, though, I sent MrBunwah and AngusGraham a message via secure channel. They helped me bring an idea to life. For some time now we have been talking about ways to run combined Navy and Infantry operations to life. We had some prototypes that could use some testing (AngusGraham's 'splody shack - as I like to call it). And I asked MrBunwah to make me something that we could put textures on for target practice, "and make them with lots of BOOM and fire!" Because of the roughly (very roughly) human shape of his prims, we began affectionately calling them effigies.
At the end of our battles we put the call out. Come have some fun! Blow stuff up!!
People came from all around, actually. And blow things up we did!
Jed, MrB, Linus, Hotspur, Caladon, and I watch as Magdelena sets her flamethrower to the task.
Mags and her flame thrower
Lunar, Caladon, and Riven
Everyone was commenting about how fun it was. How they were feeling better than they had in ages. We passed mod copies out and some decided to put pictures of things/avatars/ideas that they wanted to blow to the high heavens.
'Splody things!!
Cannon wielding ladies
Damn you all to hell, "right-sizing"!!
Take THAT ex-lover!!
Eat iron, cancer diagnosis!!
You'll never hurt me again, mean person!
Think you can steal MY content and not die!! HA!
Take ownership of THIS!
Nabila and I jig with glee!
It was ridiculous! And therapeutic.
Come on punk. Make my day.
