Passions for Pixels - Second Life Shopping.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Off topic, RL related post. Please comment!

I've been complaining a lot about my work conditions on plurk, and I've realized that somebody needs to make observations. What started out as paper rant has now become an actual project. This is by no means the completed version. Comments are most welcome!

Lack of Communication:
-Between department heads
-Between departments in general
-Between management and staff
Communications are not only not open, but discouraged between departments. Tension is created because of impressions that all departments are intentionally working against each other. Even in the customer service department, tension is created by team leaders who give impressions that other departments want to see us “in trouble”. We are often told that other employees are “out to get us” and encouraged to keep records on other employees mistakes.
Possible solution:
Lack of Professionalism:
This is a huge issue in the customer service department. The representatives have no guidance as far as professionalism when speaking to landlords and tenants on the phone.
The general technique is to yell when yelled at. When voices raise on one end, a large number of the CSRs raise their voices in response. Landlords and tenants alike are routinely told “No, you are completely wrong!” in very strong voices instead of the “I'm sorry, you are mistaken/you have been given wrong information.” that is the standard in most call centers. Callers are often called liars, or it is very strongly implied. The initial response on call-ins is becoming increasingly belligerent from the beginning of the call, making it harder to resolve issues.
Possible solution:
Retraining of CSRs to ask questions politely, such as “May I place you on hold?” and examples of how best to convey that the information was wrong without being confrontational. There should be an enforced standards on courtesy instead of just did we give the correct information.
Lack of Consistent Standards:
Procedures for handling calls and issues are not consistently held or enforced throughout the department. Team leaders have different standards, making it harder to consult other team leaders in times of rush or when one is out. It slows down the process of correcting the issues accurately, and often increases the number of phone calls that go out to landlords and tenants for information.
Possible solution:
It would be enormously helpful if there were standardized information sheets that went to all employees. Also, if there were one person who collected the changes and formed them into a weekly or bi-weekly report. This person could also be in charge of the data resource sheets that all customer service employees use for their daily activities.
Lack of Ownership:
The customer service representatives and team leaders are showing constant and increasing lack of ownership in problem solving. In fact, very often, problem solving is frowned upon and seen as more of a bother than anything.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

You make me feel like dancin'!

Except that I can't dance. It doesn't matter though...the new Rebel-X release has made magical things happen!

Mareea - Black Swan's Swansong is a work of beautiful, light textures.. Very delicate and extremely well detailed.

The detail work on the seams are extremely well done, and I probably should have removed all the netting for this picture, but it's just as beautiful as the dress itself..

It's a very transient sort of outfit that could go for a number of occasions. All the prim attachments have a number of locations, so you could probably hook up a nice pair of wings with it as well.

The other wonderful thing is that if you're going out where you don't need the entire princess-like ensemble to get your point across, the jewelry and top go great with a pair of jeans...

I love the new Shag hairdo called Coy with this outfit, but I also love it with the new Reasonable Desires outfit, Alpine Beer Girl.

As with most Reasonable Desires outfits, there are a lot of different wearing options, all awesome. It also comes with a lovely detailed beer, either for drinking or holding..and a goat..which..is an excellent goat. I was attacked by a goat when I was nine, so there will be no goat on this page... Stupid farm animals.

I think this one is my favorite though, being a traditionalist, myself.

Loving the detail work with this dress as well! It always amazes me at the amount of talent you see in SL.

I'm sorry I wasn't very wordy. I kind of feel like both of these lovely outfits sell themselves! The quality of work is outstanding and both designers should be very proud of the work they've done!

This one is for you, Rouge and Austie!

!*Rebel Extravaganza*! - Thibedeau (43, 223, 22)

Reasonable Desires - Reasonable Desires (142, 185, 26)
Shag - Silent (199, 146, 35)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

As promised!!!

Violet Burlesque - Reasonable Desires

Mistress of Ceremonies shoes - Ztique

Torch Song in Noir Black Hair - Ingenue Hair Fair Freebie

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Monday will be better!

For there will be sales.....

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Postin' my Plurky Buddies - Part 1

Two things happened yesterday that made me realize that I wanted to do a posting like this. One, I realized how much plurk had influenced my shopping, and two, Albros Breda released new jewelry. Now, it might seem like I'm picking favorites, which is totally my business if I do(!), but I have some enormously talented people as plurk friends. It could take me years to get done plurking all their fabulousness... So..getting started!

CIHUAE Jewelry has released a bunch of things! It was hard for me to think while watching Coraline, so I only ended up with the one set, but I am going to go back and get the rest.

This one is Vintage Gold with the Pink choker and pastel pendant. It comes with everything...earrings, necklace, ring for either or both hands, bracelets... I'm in love with it. It's very delicately crafted and I find it to be elegant and gracefully glamorous..

The other night, I went to the MDR Photography studio party, and if you don't know the work of Arcadia and Rhodesy, you really should become familiar with them. However! The party was in honor of a new release from Reasonable Desires called Vanessa, which I now have..along with the super cute Cigarette Girl, neither of which I'm going to have pictures of, so go to the store and see for yourself. They did some great prizes, and I was excited to win....

The new Amelia Earhart outfit! I had the lead of Amelia in a play in fifth grade, so I've always had a soft spot for her. I know she didn't do this hair, but you have to admit, the outfit is outstanding.

I had never been to Reasonable Desires, but I have a thing about wearing other designer's work to a party for somebody else. I dunno, maybe it's me, I feel like it's rude. So rather than plod on in my pre-existing lingerie, I tp-ed down to buy an RD outfit...I was super-thrilled when I got there and wound up wearing Anne in Periwinkle.

It's fabulously retro, which is my favorite thing, but it's also wonderfully detailed! You have a ton of options with garters and stockings and girdles..but this is how I wore it. And I love the detail on the back....

It's really beautiful work...

Last, but certainly not least, there are new items at Naive! There are some great hoodies..and I bought one, but what I was most excited about was the Zoe Dress.

It's awesome and feminine, without looking like a five year old should be wearing it. There are several skirt options, as far as skirt movement and location. It comes in four colors, but as I'm trying to budget for vacation next month, I only bought it in my two faves...blue and purple..

So, in short...visit my plurky buddies at Naive, Savoir Faire (my shape), Reasonable Desires, Tacky Star (tattoo), and CIHUAE Jewelry!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Sari, I love you!

I got a DSN box recently that reminded me of some stuff I wanted to praise... Just so we're all clear, I love Sari Telling. There is one thing that I get all weird over in RL and it's Henna tattoos...I really suck at them though.. As much as I like some tattoos in SL (See Tacky Star! Especially 'Birdie Bye Bye' and 'Alice's Heart'...for the most part, I mega-loathe normal tattoo art. Sorry...I like to keep my dark on the inside where nobody knows when I'm going to spazz and kill everybody. So anyway! Sari Telling!

I love her shirt designs...this one is Ztrappy..with the East India Sailor tattoos...and some jeans I've had since 2007 from Simone.

Meditation with Ganesha...seemed appropriate enough. The top is 'Petal Puzzle' and I love how it covers, but not. The 'Lacey Days' tattoos are hands, arms, feet, and legs and come in a few different colors. I just like the red.

I got this 'Creepy' hair from Curio a few days ago, and it makes me feel like Violet from The Incredibles...

More Ganesha...with a pendant. And the Henna Tattoo pack.. Also..Paper Tiger I from Curio with a color changing band..I love this Anyway vest from Sari...another perfectly good reason to raid her shop!

This is one of my favorite new skins..and with all the sales lately, I have a lot of them... it's Tuli Sumi, the tanned version. It's like..eleventy something and comes in so many colors I haven't even managed to see them all yet.

And the reason we're all here today! The DSN box gave me this lovely 'Russian Doll' dress...and I was so excited! I love the Shiny Things wedges with it..and hey..there are the bird tattoos..

So, the moral to the story is...go buy me something from Sari's! http://slurl.com/secondlife/jirisan/211/86/568/

Friday, July 17, 2009

Do what with who?!

So, lately I've been all into this content theft thing. It really bugs me that it seems so rampant and that it's not confined to any particular ...I dunno what I mean here. It just bothers me!!

As much as I wish I could make clothes, shapes, and skins, I have to accept my limitations. I am a shopper, and that's just it. I'll have to be satisfied with going "Oh..I need a chair..." and making one.. I'm ok with that!

Today though, I had this weird conversation.....

[10:55] Hommie Pearl: Kyria

[10:56] Kyria Tomsen: Yes?

[10:57] Hommie Pearl: i'm selling a pack of clothes

[10:57] Hommie Pearl: do you want to buy?

[10:57] Kyria Tomsen: What kind of clothes?

[10:57] Hommie Pearl: 300 clothes for mens and womens

[10:57] Hommie Pearl: from sm

[10:57] Hommie Pearl: a brazilian sl clothes

[10:57] Kyria Tomsen: Pre-made?

[10:58] Hommie Pearl: all the clothes are for revendors

[10:58] Hommie Pearl: is a venddor pack

[10:58] Kyria Tomsen: What kind of clothes?

[10:58] Hommie Pearl: social and normal clothes

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: have lots of dresses

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: and social clothes

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: and good stuff

[10:59] Kyria Tomsen: No, thanks. I have lots and if I start to make some, I'll do my own.[10:59] Hommie Pearl: good

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: the price is cheap

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: at the store

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: this clothes costs more than

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: 1500 lindnes

[10:59] Hommie Pearl: with me

[11:00] Hommie Pearl: are 200 lindens

[11:00] Kyria Tomsen: What store are they from?

[11:00] Hommie Pearl: the maker are the sm

[11:00] Hommie Pearl: they resell

[11:00] Hommie Pearl: for stores

[11:00] Hommie Pearl: i was bought with a friend

[11:01] Kyria Tomsen: Again, thank you, but no.

[11:01] Hommie Pearl: ok

[11:01] Hommie Pearl: thanks

One might ask, "Who is this Hommie Pearl person?" I dunno...and the profile didn't help with that either. I was somewhat torn... I thought about buying them, just to see what they were. I didn't want stolen content, and I also don't want to give money to people who steal content... I don't know that they *are* stolen..but how weird is that? And yeah, the picture has nothing to do with anything.....I'm just in love with my new home.