Kuro Neko – Marsha’s Second Life Interviews

Hello everyone!Yes, I am back. It’s been a while but you know, real life happens. Damn real life! It really gets in the way of what’s important which, at this moment in time, is meeting and interviewing the owner of Hybrid, Philo Sion. And yes, I am honoured. I believe that Philo is solely responsible for the increased multiplication of nekos, kitsunes and rodents in Second Life. And, if it wasn’t for her, Marsha would probably be aimlessly drifting around the grid tail-less, ear-less and, god forbid, HYPod-less. Go to Hybrid Street, you’ll understand ^•^

Kuro Neko: So, Philo, when did you decide to become a hybrid?
Philo Sion: Hmm… lemme think. I guess about a year and a half ago. I made myself a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. I briefly tried Anisa’s ears and the JV stuff but I really wanted to be a mouse. This was before JV had a mouse of their own. (*Marsha is unsure as to what JV is, but didn’t want to seem ignorant in the interview.)
Kuro Neko: When did you open Hybrid street, and how popular was it?
Philo: I guess I opened it about six or seven months ago, but I can’t be sure since my brain makes it hard for me to remember things, especially time. It was decently popular. People were curious, and at that time the only other option was JV because Anisa had pulled hers out of the in-world store. People like options.
Kuro Neko: Would you say that there are a lot more hybrids in SL now than when Hybrid Street opened up?
Philo: Oh yeah. When I came on SL, everyone had wings. Wings wings wings. Wings aren’t such a big thing anymore, but now it’s nekos.
Kuro Neko: Yes, wings are so ’80s.
Philo rolls on the floor laughing.
Kuro Neko: How often do you change your skin/hair/species?
Philo: Wow, um. Every few days probably. I tend to stick to cat when I’m around the store, but I’m a sewer rat at heart. As far as skin and hair… I wear mostly my own skin, but I love shopping for hair. It’s my “downtime”.
Kuro Neko: What is your favourite hybrid?
Philo: By that do you mean person, or do you mean animal type? Since I can’t answer person, I will answer animal type: Rat! I dig rodents.
Kuro Neko: Do you have a large fanbase?
Philo: Well I have no frame of reference to tell you whether it is large or small as SL business goes. I think that what I do have are some very loyal customers. I don’t like calling them fans, I think that might debase the relationship some. If that makes any sense o.0
Kuro Neko: And you have me, the crazed stalker, haha.
Philo: Believe me! You are not a crazed stalker! You have no idea…
Kuro Neko: Have you ever considered buying an island and opening up Hybrid Island?
Philo: That’s in the works, actually. Probably within a month and a half. It’ll be Hybrid City. Hybrid Street will stay open for some time after that, probably.
Kuro Neko: Would you consider yourself one of the top neko part creators in SL?
Philo: Uuuummm… did I say I don’t get out much? People have told me that, so I suppose so. I know that what I make is the most complex, and I know that it appeals especially to rpers who want a more expressive set. But I don’t get out enough to know if that is the larger part of the neko community or not.
Kuro Neko: To me, you’re the only neko part creator worth visiting, and that’s honest.
Philo: o.0 wow! *blushes*
Kuro Neko: I think that’s all the questions I have planned.
Philo: I can answer more questions. This is fun. Bring it on.

Note: from this point all my questions are impromptu. This interview went on for quite a while, nya.
Kuro Neko: Um, have you ever been married on SL?
Philo: Nope. It’s not that I don’t think it’s cool or whatever. But .. have I mentioned that I don’t get out much? (*Yes, Philo, only about 10 times.) I don’t really do the whole signifigant other thing on SL very well. Most people don’t find standing around watching me build very romantic.
Kuro Neko: How do you say Philo Sion?
Philo: Phai-Low Sai-on. That’s how I say it in my head.
Kuro Neko: Do you say it in your head a lot?
Philo: Not particularly.
Kuro Neko: Do you have any alts?
Philo: None. I don’t have time for it.
Kuro Neko: Have you ever or have any plans to dress up as a rodent in real life?
Philo: I have once actually. At an anthro con. I used to work the artist alleys for a living. A very very poor living ^.^
Kuro Neko: Picture?
Philo: Hell no! I felt silly.
Philo: >.<
Philo: >.>
Philo: <.<
Philo: ^.^
Kuro Neko: What was the first ever thing you did when you started SL? Apart from walk into walls.
Philo: I met an awesome girl, we’re still friends, and then I went to Mauve sandbox, took the tutorials, and spent about two weeks watching Groove Mechanique (a mentor at the time) build before I had the guts to approach him. He’s also still my friend. I was boring then, too.
Kuro Neko: No, you’re not boring. OK, I’m spent.
Philo: Well, thanks for the interview, very fun!
Kuro Neko: You’re welcome, nya. Thanks for the shelves.
Philo laughs.


Me and Philo against the fence.

Coming soon: Sinnocent Mirabeau (hopefully) and I showcase some of my new clothing designs! Until then, take care readers! Nya!

Greetings.

Now, some of you may know my interviewee for today, I’m sure many females in Second Life have her clothing, skins or accessories about their person. I know I have nya. So, I managed to catch up with Ms. Zephyr a few days ago to discuss her fame. Please read on nya.

Kuro Neko: When did you start making stuff in SL?
Canimal Zephyr: Uhhh..well it started a little while after I joined. I met Lost (Therian) and Amby, and we’d hang out and since they kept making clothes and I knew Photoshop well enough I thought I’d give it a try. Then I liked what I made which was a huge surprise to me so I made more.
Kuro Neko: Presumably you are good friends with Elikapeka and Starley. When did you decide to put your islands together?
Canimal: Ginny too don’t forget Ginny ’cause he’s also great. Well I was on Starley’s (Therian) sim for a while, and then she decided to join ETD. Or Dazzle. I forget who was first.
Kuro Neko: How did you come up with the name Canimal?
Canimal: I came up with it years ago when I was like 17 and thought making a website about Buffy (the Vampire Slayer) was oh so fun. So I needed a nickname and I turned some scene text about Oz and Willow into ‘Canimal’. Yes, I’m a dork. I also made a site for that “grr arg” logo cartoon ’cause I thought it would be more original then another site about the cast members. (My note: this was a different answer to what she gave me first time…something about animal crackers nya..)
Kuro Neko: You’ve been on SL a long time. How did business go back then?
Canimal: Back then business was a lot more few and far between obviously, but I was very lucky because Ambyance2 let me stick some boxes in her shop when I started out which helped get me some exposure.
Kuro Neko: Do you get a lot of praise for your work?
Canimal: I get enough to keep me going. Which sounds like a bulls**t line but it’s true (laughs).
Kuro Neko: Where do you get your inspiration and ideas?
Canimal: Everywhere. Pictures, people, abstract ideas, you name it. Inspiration just comes from all possible places. Except when your having creator’s block, then it comes from RL pictures of clothes
Kuro Neko: Do you ever get designers block and have a break from creating things?
Canimal: Yep. Too often even. Because sometimes you really wanna make something but nothing works and it frustrates you which just feels it ’cause you can’t be “in the creative zone” when you’re frustrated.. so your frustration and the “designers block” fuel each other which snowballs and turns into into throwing away Photoshop files, eating fattening food and avoiding Second Life. (My note: Aaack! as Cathy would say.)
Kuro Neko: In your opinion, what kind of clothing sells the most in SL?
Canimal: I don’t know. I hear silks are a good seller but I never made any. I think a lot of designers have their own sort of “crowd” of people who like their particular style, so when they make for that style it’s well recieved. On the other hand I can’t speak for everyone so who the hell knows.
Kuro Neko: Would you consider catering more for kitties?
Canimal: Hell yeah. But I’d need suggestions because I don’t know what exactly caters to kitties in the clothing department. So suggestions always welcome I’d love some ideas.
Kuro Neko: Would you say you were your own worst critic? And do you scrap something if it’s not quite right or put it up for sale anyway?
Canimal: Yeah I so am. I think it’s like that for most people. All you see is your flaws, and you tend to be harder on yourself. Because whatever flaws I made in my design, if I saw them on someone else’s work I probly wouldn’t care. I mean, really, you can’t look at the same thing for hours and see it with fresh eyes. Nor can I look at my own work and see it the way I see stuff by the people I admire. Sooo.. yeah. It’s natural I think. Plus, I do have a standard I like to keep things in so if it’s under that I don’t sell it.

Well, I’d just like to thank Canimal for being so nice and for persevering with my kitty sounds, nya. I am sure I will be making lots of suggestions for her shop, and soon she will have to open a Canimal for Kitties island. (Maybe. Probably not. Nya..)

Canimal Zephyr and me staring each other out…

Quote of the day:

Canimal: I LOVE to delete things :X
Me: Please don’t delete me nya.
Canimal Zephyr: I promise not to.

End. See you next time!!

Visit Canimal (the shop) – just click this link