Implosion?

Aloha – Why is it that humans, the most intelligent creatures on this planet find it necessary to kick each other in the teeth to obtain the illusion of superiority? Think about that while you read this…………

The recent events in the SL surf scene (you knew this was coming) have grown to circus like proportions. What has always been a fun place to hang out with friends and do silly things on virtual waves has become a battleground riddled with personal agendas, vengence, politics and power struggles.

What happened that caused the people that voted me onto the SLSA board of directors to a few months later question every decision my colleuges and I make? What was it that caused people to question the scores at nearly every contest, accuse “us” of  “rigging” comps, conspiring to keep certain riders in or out of the Hall of Fame and cry foul when we used the rules of our organiation to penalise them for violating established rules? When did the love of hanging out together get replaced with the need to beat each other to death?

I´ve asked myself that question alot lately. Searched for some tangible “something” to get ahold of in an effort to eliminate that something from SL surfing. Then I realised it´s human nature to tear each other apart in an effort to get what we want.

I have always, in every decision that I have been involved with, acted with total disregard for how it afffects me personally and instead chosen to use my influence on the board of directors to push for decisions with the membership, the surfers best interest foremost.

What did I get for it? Kicked in the teeth. The rumour mill has gone so far as to suggest that I and a few of my collegues are out to “destroy the SLSA”. Who or what elements are making the accusations? Who knows. No one seems to have the guts to approach me personally with their concerns. Probablly because they know that they would be met with friendly, respectfull and genuine answers. Things that they are not real good at.

In any case, serving a community that has nothing but disregard for my effort has taken it´s toll to say the least. I´m torn between honouring my oath to serve my entire term and throwing in the towel all together.  The coming days will certainly make my decision easier but without a crystal ball the best thing for me to do is wait and see.

My father always says “If you have nothing positive, uplifting or inspiring to say, say nothing at all”. Smart dude my old man.

/V

To what end?

Aloha!

Ever since I first set foot in SL I have been amazed at the possibilities. I started surfing in rl at the age of 5, my dad helping me drag this HUGE Brewer down the beach at Newport. Even then the “real” surfers I remember as being the coolest dudes, always willing to help me learn. I was 5 but I was welcomed like one of the “locals”. Surfing and the surfing way of life became imbedded in my DNA and SL seemed like the perfect chance to get new riders stoked on surfing.

To that end I have been fortunate enough to find myself in an environment in SL that allows me to spread the “vibe” as it were. Everything I do in SL is done to help other people have fun and thereby allows me to have fun. I´m not blowing my own horn here, just wondering what motivates certain people in the SL surf scene.

So, my question is this: To what end does grief, negative energy, ego, conflict and drama serve? Do we not get our fair share of those things in RL?

Shake it off BEFORE you log and after you log come visit a “true” surf beach in SL. Leave the grief and all the rest at home in rl and chill with your friends on the beach. Catch some waves, teach someone to surf, share the vibe.

That´s what SL is, for me anyway.

Paddle hard,

/V