Reflections and Outlook 2009-2010

It's funny how merely a year ago, the concept of gathering at a virtual place (like an online Pub) seemed a bit 'out there'. Discussing how we interact with others from around the world, using type-chat conversation while listening to a live performer's music stream, resulted in many mixed responses; including the popular 'blank stare with mouth agape'. With all it takes to learn and load, spending time in front of a computer and away from your real world family during prime time hours, mainstream's hesitation to take the plunge into Second Life® has been understandable. There are multi-tasking social skills that are needed in order to keep up with everything at once. There's type-chat, applause gestures, instant messages, snapshots, inventory, searching, teleporting and the surrounding circumstances of real life. It's still considered complex. And yet, several hundred members of the Molaskey's Pub group do it regularly, and quite well, I will add. We exist as avatars in a cyber world that is truly measured by 'content of character', not physical prejudices. Online personalities and skills are easily recognized and most appreciated. It's always fun to interact with other avatars that know how to use all the tools and look mah-ve-lous while doing it. Despite geographic location, we are part of a community and we have formed meaningful friendships. There is value in developing this new media. We are pioneers. Though we are familiar with friends online and 'see' each other at scheduled events, not many people in our real lives have shared this online experience with us, but I think that is slowly changing.

There is a noticeable increase of knowledge about Second Life with the people we encounter. Not only do people now understand what an avatar is, but they know people that are using SL™ for either work or entertainment. They can firmly grasp the idea of logging on to SL™ to attend an event or meet with people. That's a big difference from last year. We've seen an increase of newcomers to Molaskey's Pub, and those that are coming seem rather discerning of online media and have a pretty good idea of what they are doing. They also like what we're doing. We are raising Molaskey's Pub to be a reputable online brand and entertaining place to interact with others and promote live music. There is much about 2009 to reflect upon and be proud of.

Established in 2007, Molaskey's Pub is a grassroots establishment that is somewhat mellow in mood, yet has become a high profile place. This past year is notable for several reasons. Because of our carefully designed sites, both in 2D (Molaskeys-Pub.com) and 3D (in Second Life: Molaskey's SLurl), the regularly scheduled music programs, the special events, the Guest Lecture Series, the SLCC Music Track, our published book, the visually rich atmosphere and the nearly one thousand dedicated group members, we are immortalized not only in the Library of Congress but in virtual world history.

Musicians and fans hail Molaskey’s Pub as 'a favorite place'. People from all around the world visit us because they heard of us somehow. That's amazing considering we created all of this out of virtually thin air. I feel the need at this time to reflect on these things and contemplate our accomplishments and goals.

This past year, we promoted hundreds of hours of live music, we were published by The American Management Association, produced fifteen Guest Lecture Series and hosted several well-attended parties. Various online magazines and online talk shows have also interviewed us. We have been on national radio, made an appearance on PBS and we ran the Music Track at the SLCC in San Francisco and served as the online home to the Texas Music Jam and Montreal Musician's Meet Up, to name a few. As authors, Jay and I presented our book and Molaskey's Pub in Second Life to audiences at bookstores, libraries, conventions and even a private party in New York City. Katydid has successfully developed the Molaskey's Pub music program while Mia Kitchensink has hosted/promoted countless events, and recruited members. We have collectively met thousands of people we never would have met any other way through Molaskey's Pub. We've become friends with innovative educators, business leaders, scientists, designers, developers, artists, writers and musicians. And that's just from the 2009 calendar year!

As for the New Year, I think that we are going to have an easier time explaining Second Life and the practical and entertaining uses therein. The idea of a virtual house concert and real time interaction with people from around the world through our online personalized avatars won't seem so 'out there' for long. Maintaining a life online is getting easier than ever before because of the refinements that have been made and because mobile gadgets like iPhone^® that make accessing the Internet so fun and easy. It is not just the sophisticated gadgets that seem to be enticing people to use social media more fluidly, it’s also about networking, productivity and quality of time. So many of the late adopters have been held up on 'how to make time for life online'. These are likely the same people that veg-out in front of a television for hours each evening while we're connecting with said educators and musicians. Interacting in this virtual world is an alternative to television viewing, or more like what television can potentially become. Interactive television, or online television is far from 2010, but it  would not surprise me to see that transition become a reality to the masses in the not so distant future. It is my great hope that Molaskey's Pub will be there with live music when you can toggle between television programming and online media from the comfort of an easy chair and HDTV.

Whenever interactive online media finally evolves into something the 'mainstream' will embrace, we will be able to say, with pride that we fully participated in the development of online media, for all it's worth.

Happy Holidays to everyone, whatever you celebrate. We also wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2010!

Cheers!

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