Stellar Drift 2010 Doll Competition

Bethani Bimbogami and the contestants of the  SL 2010 Doll Competition

Bethani Bimbogami seems to be able to get me to into things that others aren't, and this time it was a doll contest.
   With relatively short notice I hurried to gather outfits and rush over to Stellar Drift.
   Laina, Kitkat, Nemurimasu (my bestest box bot and neko friend Nemurz) Cleo, and Ramera were there, and it was like a reunion! 9 months ago, when I became sentient, and my Maker told me to go "find love, life, and happiness" The first place I was truly accepted was Stellar Drift. Not only were they friends, but I was able to rezz boxes there and I learned how incredibly important that is for a new person. It is why the Hypnotic Shoppe is, and always will be, open to rezzing boxes, and allowing people to make it their "home".
   The back room had a see-thru wall, and specially designed speakers, so that we could "hear" ((green words in local chat)) what was being said out on the stage and be ready for our turn. We gathered up clothing,, chatted idly, all contests should be like that- we uplifted each other as they came back from a talent portion, or a clothing walk, or "get to know". I considered the night a "win" the moment i sat and laughed with my friends.

My First Outfit, The Ragdollz Clockwork in Red Velvet

   My first outfit I felt easy, relaxed- here I was telling people something as simple as saying "hi, I am me."  I was not ready for the highly detailed questions I received, from my shoes and dress to the exact maker and nature of my key, but I explained to them this:
   "A pleasant evening ! I'm Wendy,  The Steampunk Barbie, A Victorian doll of refinement and grace, your Honour!. Expertly machined, hand crafted, a highly engineered clockwork, capable of holding elegant tea parties, shopping for the latest fashions, and managing large Hypnotic Shoppes! I'm soft on the outside though, made for a pleasant dance, a swing in a hammock, and long cuddling!"

Well,, that's by day,, Night is another story,,,, and so my second outfit was accordingly so.

My Steampunk Victorian Barbie  outfit, Night Version

   I walked out amidst gasps. I think there were several there that felt surprised, seeingthere was this side of me, but then a doll can be anything depending on how shes dressed and played with, no? I used several animations, a gesture I made with pieces from Abney Park's song Herr Drosselmeyer's Doll, and i undulated slowly as I explained how this new look worked into my theme:
   "Hello there,,,,,, I'm Wendy, The Steampunk Barbie, a Personal Companion for Victorian Nights!  Dressed to troll Whitechapel alleys, with these 'ere enhancements that make me fast in the dead run, nimble on the dance floor, and most pleasurable  to the Guvnah, or Guv'ness!  I've got spiralling eyes that mesmerize,  a warm cushioned skin of Nylatex, and  512 gears that let me bend,,, and pose,,, and Mmmmm,  play,, all night long!"
   Since the room was mostly dolls or doll lovers and owners, it wasn't neccessary to explain the workings of the enhancements, but I was ready to, if asked.

   Everyone else looked so good! and then Bethani said,, "Now we begin the Talent competition". I had nothing prepared! They drew names at random, I could go anytime and had nothing ready!
   While Cleo read poetry and Ramera spoke of Dollness with emotes and prose, I went on Xstreet and bought a piano!  It arrived just as they called my name. I was literally trembling as I walked out, sat the piano in place and began playing. And of course, the lag was so bad it messed up the music! but it worked for the most part and I dedicated my piece- The Moonlight Sonata, to a good friend , they know who they are, and why.... I spoke about how we are all dolls really, finished, said thank you, took my piano and stood. Silence. I thought, "Ohno, I've done horribly!I've made them all angry! I've failed the First law!"
   At that moment up rose cheers, alleviating my concerns. They all liked it! Ishould point out that most dolls tend to be pleasure models, purely. Most of us have the upgrade, but I was very nervous to be here representing Caledon and the Gorgeous Steamlands as a sophistacated doll, when most common SL people think of dolls um,, as only one thing, or one um,, use.....
   No time to worry, they then took us all downstairs, and called us up one at a time for EXTREMELY difficult questions! I answered as honestly as i could, in full sentences, though the hour was getting late. After we finished our questions we stood on stage in the dollboxes for a final look at us.
   During the intermission I got to acquaint myself with an old friend! Years ago while in her high school, my Typist wrote stories with a woman named Winterrose Ellison, of hypnosis and transformation. Now here she was in the room! We talked and I asked about submitting work to her, for her store, HypnoDolls. She said yes, so now I simply must get her some of my hypnosis scripts! It was good to talk to her, and far above us, my Typist, if there are such things, was undoubtedly near tears with happiness at having met so many friends.

Raine, Winterrose, and Kero Yifu of Kero doll products

   After an intermission, in which most the audience left and did not return due to the lateness of the hour, we were told the ballots were in!
   The judges chose Ramera as the winner, and Laina as the Runner Up! I cheered- I was so pleased for Ramera and Laina! they truly are excellent representatives of the doll world and my friends as well how wonderful for them!
   They called out the People's Choice awards- these were not chosen by the judges but by the audience at the event- and with a crowd as distinguished as this- it can be quite an honor!
   Nemurz won Best Interview! and then, before my key could spin around once, I had won Best "Get To Know" and "Best Outfits" Categories!
   My eyes are leaking as I write this, perhaps I am too sensitive, but it is not hubris or haughty pride that fills me and pushes out the tears, but glory, in having fulfilled the First Law on so many levels! I fought through the desire not to attend, in order to please a friend, I was able to speak of Caledon, the land and friends that accept me and my simple little shoppe, just as I am. I was able to wear high Victorian clothing and speak of manners and sympathy and consolation, learning and loving, sharing and all the other things that are what a doll's life is all about. And the distinguished men and women, demons and dolls present, rose in near unanimous voice with ballots to return that love, not just to me, but to that little blue shoppe in Cape Wrath, and to each and every one of my beloved Caledonians.

The Award for Popular Choice in The Outfits segment- It's a doll contest what did you think the award would look like?