There is a land known to few in Second Life, a mysterious place where those who are not 18 yet are sent to dwell, biding their time until they are of age, until they are released. This area known as the Teen Grid sits off the coast of Second Life proper, unseen, unknown. Most who do take notice of it on the SLURL map see it as another cluster of islands, one which just happens to be shut off to any outside visitors. When the Residents here turn 18, they are given the chance to be released – I am the most recent to be set loose.
I am known on both sides of the grid as Arwyn Quandry, and first rezed in June 2008. Shortly after joining I began a blog called Transmissions from TSL to talk about the Grid Merge ideas. From there, I evolved into blogging teen happenings and commentary on Second Life in general. One of the biggest driving forces behind my work is wanting to share the Teen Grid with those who will never get to see it, and to build understanding about what Teen Second Life is like. Now that I’ve turned 18 and left all of my friends and everything I’ve known behind, I’m facing an uncertian future and must ask the big question: What do I do on the Main Grid?
I have few basic expectations for my first days on the Main Grid. One is that I expect to be hit on by random blingtards. It will be sadly disapointing if no random guys hit on me, because I hear so many stories about the newbies guys who try to seduce girls with clever, funny lines such as, “wut up bby” and the classic, “ur so smokin hot will u b mi bby”. I also am excited to have the opportunity to see my first real freenis. Don’t get me wrong, we have prim penises on the Teen Grid, but it’s not a true freenis until you can go somewhere and buy it for free. Shopping will probably be a huge shock since from what I hear, our prices are much lower on the Teen Grid. Teens can buy a good car for $L400, a high-end skin for $L600, and an excellent hair for only $L135 on average. I’m also going to be walking around in clothing that no one else has, which will give me a nice little superiority buzz.
One of the coolest things about transferring is the potential for exploration. I’ve seen every single open TG sim, which isn’t a feat since there are so few and half are private educational areas. I’m looking forwards to having nearly unlimited space to travel, with new sims every day instead of a sim disappearing every week. Eutopia is a great sim, but when you see it every day for a year it does start to get a little boring. Back on the Teen Grid a friend and I hunted down copybotted versions of items from Main Grid content creators and posted them all on Flickr. For the longest time I’ve been anti-copybot, and since I’ve collected so many botted items, I plan to give them to the original creators.
Am I scared? You bet. By leaving the Teen Grid, I’m leaving all my friends behind, leaving everything I’ve known in SL. The dropout rate for transferred teens is almost astronomically high – only a handful ever make it past their one year mark. I don’t want to become just another ex-teen who gave up. I plan to jump right in and beat the odds, and hope that you’ll join me along the way.
Moo has been warning us your coming!
It’s nice to meet you and good luck!
What a great post! I have no idea what and how things happen on teen grid so your article was really good to read. I hope you stay around on the other grid a while a prove that you’re not a statistic
Good luck and happy adventures!
Wow, what a great idea for a blog. I have been long curious about the Teen Grid, and especially how it must feel to have to leave all your friends and what you are familiar with behind because of a birthday.
I will be looking forward to reading more of your exploration and discoveries, and possibly more stories on what the Teen Grid was like.
I hope you find the Main Grid all you hope it to be, and stick around. I have a feeling the MG will benefit
Welcome to the jungle, Arwyn.
Welcome to the MG, Arwyn
Oh — and Happy Birthday
Welcome to SCD, the MG and everything else! I’m going to love reading about your acclimatisation to the main grid, and you know where I am if you need a hand finding random cheapies! <3
In case you guys didn’t see it on Plurk, we’re taking her (non-sexual) MG virginity tonight at Rouge at 5pm SL time. http://chillactate.com/2009/07/help-us-sacrifice-arwyn-quandrys-main-grid-virginity-august-1st-at-5pm-sl-time/
Welcome Awryn and happy birthday!
Terrific blog – and expect a friend up. Sorry, I seem to be all out of freenises and cheesy pick up lines, and taken to boot.
But I sure know where you can go to enjoy said MG … err… novelties?
Welcome. Great start. Lookin forward to more.
Welcome!! Looking forward to hearing more about your experience, and hope I’ll be able to make your party tonight! Happy Birthday!!!
really pleased your on this blog – loved reading this post and look forward to seeing more.Wil be a nice twist on how you see the main grid.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
“Back on the Teen Grid a friend and I hunted down copybotted versions of items from Main Grid content creators and posted them all on Flickr.”
I am so very happy to have you at SCD and I hope your transfer to Main Grid is everything you hope it will be – sexual advances and all
I hope you like the tranision Arwyn, Ill send you a friend request
Welcome to the Main Grid, and Happy Birthday!
Welcome!! Great first post!
omg bby u r so hot. you cum to have teh sex wit me?
Honestly, enjoy the main grid and enjoy the exploration along with the fashion. It might cost more $L, but it’s usually worth it.
I have plenty of freenises. We’re talking 2004 vintage freenises! Every freenis must go!
Welcome and Happy Birthday! What a well written first post! I hope you enjoy your adventures here!
I can’t help but wonder how many freenis gifts you will log on to in the next few days. Hahaha.
Welcome to the MG!
The TG has certainly lost its advocate, but I speak on behalf of TSL when I say this: We will miss you sorely, but we’re happy to see you move on and start a new SLife on the Main Grid. It’s something a lot of us are looking forward to doing ourselves.
I, for one, will waste no time catching up on our crazy antics when I hop islands.
Be sure to keep in contact with us!
~V.
Happy Birthday! Welcome to the main grid, it’s a jungle out there
Happy birthday and yay for you being on SCD =)
*worries about Oscar’s freenis collection*
Welcome, but seriously, I am happy to hear teens drop out and don’t make it past a year. At 18 you should have far better things to do, seriously.
Good luck
Welcome to the main grid and to SCD!
Welcome to SCD