Jolie Vendetta

What is an avatar?

“An avatar is an Internet user's representation of himself or herself, whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games, a two-dimensional icon (picture) used on Internet forums and other communities, or a text construct found on early systems such as MUDs. The term "avatar" can also refer to the personality connected with the screen name, or handle, of an Internet user.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_(virtual_reality)

When I first learned of our assignment, to create an avatar for ourselves, I thought to myself, this is cake. I’m supposed to create an avatar resembling myself…a mini me if you will. In this sense, my interpretation of what an avatar is was very similar to the definition above. I assumed I’d log onto Second Life and I’d create a three-dimensional model of myself. Same long legs, same mocha skin, same chocolate brown eyes, same chocolate brown hair with gold and bronze highlights and undertones. My avatar would dress very similar to how I dress. It’d be like creating a Barbie version of me. When I actually began the process of creating my avatar I was shocked by how quickly my interpretation of what an avatar is and what an avatar can represent changed. In the beginning I thought I’d just breeze through the selections always opting for the attributes that most resembled my own; I found this wasn’t the case. In fact, it was far from the case. Instead I found myself selecting traits that were representative of characteristics of my personality rather than my physicality. As a result, even though my avatar doesn’t necessarily look like my clone it is as accurate of a representation of me as possible in the three-dimensional world of Second Life…

***

A name that’s not even my own tells my story best. In Second Life I am…

Jolie Vendetta. I am tall. I am confident. I am uncontainable. I am feisty. My eyes are like the ocean—both empowering and humbling—they speak of my strength, persistence, and consistency. My body is a temple—like Evey’s body in "V for Vendetta" and Angelina Jolie’s body—it is a beacon of sexuality and strength. My lips are plump and luscious. They are meant to draw you in. They are tempting like the apple in the Garden of Eden; an apple that proved too irresistible, too powerful. Like the apple in the Garden of Eden my lips represent the capacity to do both good and evil. You see language is a powerful asset; if used correctly it can be a weapon or a life saving device. My lips are a reminder that I am sweet to the sweet and well... not so sweet to the unsweet ;-)

Enchanté,

Jolie Vendetta