Transition from One World to Another by MerlinZZ Magic

The virtual world gives new direction to those who have major real life shifts. Merlin discovered that success transitions from one to another.

Transition from One World to Another by MerlinZZ Magic, Club 80’s

Other than eating, doctor’s appointments, food shopping, and religious services in real life, or perhaps posting pictures of shows daily to Facebook, most of my real life time is spent in Second Life®. (Yet I do make my play lists when in real life.) In addition to DJ’ing, I host a live show.

As a consultant in the aerospace and defense industry, I advised on performance measurement of large aircraft, avionics, and satellite programs—a niche area of finance related to program management and meeting government requirements. In 2008, I was laid off, as the California defense industry was reduced successively by influence of the new administration of Mr. Obama. When I left my job, I had 300 people listed in my cell phone directory—people I regularly worked with successfully and shared mutual respect. However, I could not find a job as a consultant; companies were getting rid of consultants and relying on in-house labor. Though I applied for jobs, my age, years of experience, as well as salary history, made me un-employable. I could not get even a starting salary at less than half what I made! I knew more than managers hiring me, so no one wanted to risk bringing me in. Though I loved what I did in real life, I retired.

I have always loved music and gone to live concerts, listened to the classic rock songs I play now. But discovering Second Life opened new possibilities. I went to music shows, DJ shows, and immediately I was recruited by an owner and a manager of a club. He hired me to be a host, then a DJ, then a manager. Planning ahead, managing details, scheduling, and keeping commitments were all things I did well in real life. I had also been successful in my real life job because I was very social and outgoing. I was friendly to management, and able to effectively communicate with engineers, manufacturing people, Quality Assurance, and customers. These attributes and talents enabled my easy transition to SL and to my hosting, DJ’ing, and club manager careers. Being a DJ is the same as is hosting. Running a club successfully means communicating and helping people to be happy.

A great DJ has a love of music, love of people, and a good knowledge of him/herself. A good DJ is responsive, but many just play what they want to, and the guests are happy with it or leave. Personality is important, but it does not mean that voicing as a DJ is necessary to deliver good music. Actually, voice takes away from the time, and most who try are not well trained for voice. They say things that perhaps they don’t need to. And many people over-talk, so I just avoid it. I learned many years ago to say what is necessary after music ends and before it starts. I do not need it for my ego—I already have all of the ego I want. Not talking also saves me to do other things. I try to meet and greet everyone, and I keep track of the local chat, contributing as appropriate or as called upon. Sometimes I handle the dances if Allie is not here. I take pictures. I change the playlist as I find out what people want to hear or get requests.

Though I set up a playlist how I think it should be played in advance, during the actual show, the make-up of the guests and their tastes often lead me to alter it. Some DJ’s take forever to add requested music. But I have time to get a song, even download if necessary, and so requests are handled quickly. I have close to 100 gigabytes of music, and even then run into songs I don’t have, but most I do have.

There are new challenges too. Allie and I have run clubs with 12 to 18 hours a day schedules, and it becomes almost impossible to stay sane. So many people cancel shows, that sometimes I DJ’d five nights a week to fill in. Even having good people, because it is SL, can make it troublesome. The scheduling is not so hard, but having people stay to their schedules is. Absenteeism is considerable. For those committing, it is wise to not over-commit or make decisions not thought out. Dependability matters and is valued in a world with little of it.

Growing the audience is a priority, for we are always happy to have more people come. But it is very nice to have a group of appreciative people, so we have a warm and fun time. —MerlinZZ Magic

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Please see more insights from Merlin in “Border Patrols— How DJ’s Manage the Boundaries Between Virtual and Real,” the in-world article that compares his views with others in his circle. The in-world edition is a complement to this online series, and together comprise a publishing suite.

Enjoy different, but related, issue versions: online and in-world (available at the Second Life® SSJ office (Innu 42, 35, 1649) or download PDF here Sim Street Journal #13
Back issues are available on MARKETPLACE.
— The in-world magazine has topics that relate to those who understand the virtual context, including photographs, parallel articles. It has tabs for information landmarks, and web links.
— The online magazine expresses what the virtual world offers the real one. It is a mirror that reflects parallel articles, hot topics, and provides more links.Contributions are encouraged if covering topics relevant to real world readers.

Please see the INDEX for all contributors and articles.

JOIN THE SIM STREET JOURNAL GROUP IN FACEBOOK FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

PLEASE THANK THE  SPONSORS FOR SIM STREET JOURNAL #13

Back issues are available on MARKETPLACE.

QUICK LINKS TO ISSUES
INDEX for all contributors and articles
Sim Street Journal #1: Virtual Reveals Real
Sim Street Journal #2: The Old in the New
Sim Street Journal #3: Magicians of Meaning
Sim Street Journal #4: Telling Stories
Sim Street Journal #5: Champions of Expression
Sim Street Journal #6: Overlapping Realities
Sim Street Journal #7: Luck Created
Sim Street Journal #8: Facing the Inevitable
Sim Street Journal #9: Motivated Learning
Sim Street Journal #10: Serious Fun
Sim Street Journal #11: Fantasy Fulfillment
Sim Street Journal #12: Insights from Extremes
Sim Street Journal #13: Bridging Boundaries

Contributions are encouraged if covering topics relevant to real world readers.
Comments and opinions are also encouraged: simstreetjournal@gmail.com

Advertising Opportunities to reach subscribers and viewers both in-world and out

– – – – – – – – – – – – –  CONTACTS:

Sim Street Journal explores the relevance of virtual to real commerce and culture.

ONLINE: https://simstreetjournal.wordpress.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/simstreetjournal

IN-WORLD: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Innu/40/36/1650

MARKETPLACE: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/148961

EMAIL: simstreetjournal@gmail.com

ASN: http://www.avatarsocialnetwork.com

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Eleanor Medier (avatar of Liane Sebastian)

BLOG: http://www.eleanormedier.wordpress.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eleanor-Medier/735735156500378?ref=bookmarks

ASN: http://www.avatarsocialnetwork.com

EMAIL: eleanormedier@gmail.com

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Liane Sebastian wears an editor’s hat, designer’s coat, and artist’s shoes.

BLOG: http://www.publishingpioneer.wordpress.com

PORTFOLIO: http://www.lianesebastianillustration.wordpress.com

LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/in/lianesebastian

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/liane.sebastian

EMAIL: lianesebastian9@gmail.com

Sim Street Journal explores the relevance of second to first life.
© 2015 by Liane Sebastian/Eleanor Medier, Sim Street Journal.
Articles cannot be reprinted without permission.