Nexeus bemoans the absence of quality ethic avatar skins, clothes, and accessories for sale.

I agree with his sentiments, because quality items for sale means that people will seek out and buy those items. Even if you don't use them yourself, other people will - and their enhanced appearance will enrich yours.

I disagree with him that a fair is not the answer. At least a fair provides a challenge to existing designers to come up with items and it also offers the chance of a dialogue between customers and content developers afterwards.

I mean, fashion-shows don't just have to be "OOOOH! AAAAAH! YOU'RE SO WONDERFUL! YOU MAKE AMAZING STUFF!" over and over... they can also offer up content for the consumers to make suggestions for improvements or enhancements, right?

Anyway, my thoughts:

As the foundation of the avatar, a skin is so important - I know firsthand that Pandora Wrigglesworth’s Clockwork skins have changed my avatar’s appearance and visual personality considerably.

Up until that point, unable to design anything of my own with a darn (I do not have the skillset or patience for it), I felt frustrated - probably just a fraction of the frustration you feel.

The lack of choice in ethnic skins sounds like both an opportunity and a challenge. And as the market saturates with more and more of the same, people will want something new, exciting, and of quality.

Yeah, I know. It feels wrong that something that you think ought to “be there” is, instead, waiting for the fad-wave to hit.

Perhaps a fair isn’t such a bad idea at all if it raises awareness of both the absence of options out there in the market and the challenge of filling that need? Not only could it put out skins, hair, products… but also perhaps have the designers explain the difficulties and the process of developing these skins? At the absolute worst, it would be an opportunity to see what designers come up with and work with them on improving their products on a friendly basis.

One thing that provides incentive to many designers is raising funds or awareness for a cause… RFL always brings out designs (even though quite a lot end up just being life-support-for-the-logo). Perhaps linking such a challenge to a worthy cause?

Oh well. Here’s hoping that the current population of designers rises to that challenge, or that people with time and talent come in with this new wave of residents who recognize there’s an untapped market.

I know. I should stay out of fashion and stick to writing goofy short stories.

Hrm... a short story about buying a new skin...

Awake at 4. Itching, scratching.

The rashes have become unbearable.

I check the calendar. One more week before my contact is up.

Sure, I can afford a new skin now, but if I wait out the contract, I'll get a new one for free.

The free ones are nothing compared to the designer skins, of course, but those are at least at a discount with a contract renewal.

I look at the mirror. The bags under my eyes are hideous, the wrinkles like canyons across my face.

I cheaped out the last time, and ever since it's been an endless series of dematologist appointments and increasingly expensive cosmetics purchase.

Yak butter creams? Tungsten wire therapy? Pore flensing solutions?

I won't make that mistake again.

One more week.

I put on my happy face - my porcelain doll-mask with the vacant, vapid stare - and head to the kitchen.

I'll wordcount and edit it later.