For about two and a half years, I would send in an average of one article a week, sometimes two, as well as most of the cartoons. Sadly, the real lives of James and Dana would eventually catch up to them, and my duties changed. In later 2009 and for five months in 2010, I would be the Newspaper's "office manager," posting when Dana couldn't, which became more frequent as time went on. Then the decision was made to close the Second Life Newspaper. After a talk with three others on the team, my role as a reporter would change. And in June 2010, I would take on a new role: Editor and head writer of a new newsletter, the Second Life Newser.
For year after year, I've continued to write the news about this wacky and wonderful virtual world. I would do articles and briefs about the people, places, events, and things here. I didn't write about griefers much, partially because I didn't want to give common goons attention, "Look what I did!", and partially because I wanted people to come here and didn't want to unnecessarily alarm people. I have reported on a few misdeeds and shenanigans over time, but not often. And there were some stories I sat on because I saw little hard proof behind the accusations. I didn't need to stir up controversy. I could always find something else to write about until there was trouble that was truly the public's business to know. While I've reported on many Linden Lab blunders, I've also written about the good this place can offer many times, such as the fundraisers for charity, notably the Relay for Life. And there are the places people can just unwind and relax.
But, there have been a few complications. After a break, my interest in writing fiction has returned and after publishing one novel and working on a few other stories. But that's not the torpedo into my time. In the past few years, I haven't had as much time to write (or game) as I had for some years before that. While my real life job sometimes allows three days off instead of two, it can also mean ten to twelve hour work days once in a while. There's also that I've prided myself in keeping up with the news in real life. In the past ten years, the world as I've known it has undergone great change, and trying to make sense of it all isn't easy. And finally, while I still fairly healthy, I'm not getting any younger. My hair has turned gray in real life, and I imagine the "gray matter" is working a little slower too.
So sadly this has meant some stories get delayed, made into smaller articles, mentioned only in "In Brief" articles, or "small bites" as I occasionally think of them, or not written about at all. This isn't because I've found Second Life less interesting, but regrettably because real life does not allow me the time it once did. Maybe this will change in a few years. We shall see. In the meantime, "when I am busy, I am busy," and so some days will have a "later today" message, or just one small thing that was all I had time to upload. It's not time for me to hang up my pen, not for a long time. I just can't produce as much as big as I used to (at least for now).
Still going to be Second Life's fox reporter for quite some time to come. So keep on coming back here every day for the news. And I'll let you know when my next novel is out as well.
Bixyl Shuftan
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