About Riko

Who am I?

I’m a British 20-something with a love of all things graphical and a slightly unhealthy interest in the cultures of other people’s countries; especially Japan. I have been known by a good few different online nicknames in my time, but for all intents and purposes you can call me Riko, which is my Second Life name. I didn’t pick this name at random; I chose it for its meaning. In Japanese it is written 理子 and means, ‘reason’ or ‘truth’. I like to think that this suits me!

How did I get into Second Life?

I joined Second Life in March 2007. An initial period of utter confusion and disorientation on Orientation Island (haha) followed, and I became bored with the whole idea of a virtual world. This all changed when one of my favourite singers, Lindsay Armaou-Brennan, joined the band Clayton (then Callaghan), in time for their gig at the opening of Diegoland back in May 2007. Through Clayton I discovered the wonderful Dublin sim (now sims!) and haven’t left since!

What do I do in Second Life?

I am a staff member of the Dublin in SL sims. I host live DJs, social events, live music performances and simulcasts in the Dublin and San Diego sims. I’m also my dear friend Danton’s lackey and help him with running O’Casey’s, Dublin’s very own bar dedicated to literature and the spoken and written word. I’m the webmistress for the O’Casey’s website too, so if you have any comments/suggestions/additions, let me know!

Most of the time you will find me busy with either one of these; but when I am not, I am a keen builder and make textures. I have a shop, ~hanamachi~, which sells cutesy Anglo-Japanese style clothes. I am a HUGE fan of live music and an enthusiastic supporter of live artists in SL. I love exploring and meeting people in SL, and I must admit… I am a bit of a shopaholic. Especially for freebies!

What IS Second Life?

SL is; well, the best way to define SL is to experience it. This is not a computer game we inhabit, nor a glorified messaging network. SL educates, entertains, inspires; it grows with every new member, it changes with everything they touch.

No two people you meet here will be the same. No two people use SL for the same thing; every person makes their own impact on the landscape and changes the world they live in. In RL you can dream. In SL, dreaming and fulfilling that dream is much the same thing. Yes, I do have a life outside my room and my computer; but yes, I have a Second Life; and I’m proud of it.

Click to view my snapbook of my journey through SL