Cyberland:
Episode One: “It’s Nice To Meet You”
Episode
One
Edwin:
I was really anticipating Cyberland yesterday but I found no email in my
mailbox. I checked back again later in the night and thought that it wouldn't
come that night, so instead I went to find some other source of artificial
entertainment. I downloaded a demo of Roller Coaster Tycoon and then fell asleep
while downloading it. I then played the game when I woke up and then when I was
finished exploiting the demo to its fullest use, I went to my mailbox and low
and behold, I find my invitation to enter the Cyberhouse. Then I read the
timestamp and it was a few minutes right before I lulled myself to dreamland.
Well, I'm here now, Cybermates, and now that I’m done ranting. I shall
introduce myself.
Edwin (Excerpt From
Journal): I’m currently unemployed
and not in college right now, I am doing nothing with my life practically. I sit
in the house all day and watch TV or I go on the computer. Yippee.
Scott:
I just want to let you all know that I am really excited to be doing this and
I'm going to try to show you all what I am all about! Renee, what is it like to
be a feminist and a cheerleader? At least where I come from, those two are
perceived very differently. Basically people here think feminists are bitches
and cheerleaders are unintelligent hoes. I doubt that is the case with you, but
that’s really cool that you can handle being both.
Edwin: (Confessional):
Directly after receiving my "key" to the Cyberhouse, I went directly
to the board, since that's practically our sole manner of communication. I
expect that our first messages will hopefully introduce a bit of ourselves and
jump-start us to regular house conversations. But immediately I notice that
Scott jumps the gun and talks about someone that hasn't even entered the
Cyberhouse yet (in the metaphorical sense), or at least someone we truly haven't
met yet… It's just that Scott’s "unorthodox" entry of the house is
just not right... I just feel threatened by someone's introduction. I think it's
only proper that I shake someone's hand and introduce myself rather than asking
who's gay, who's catholic, who's really a man in disguise...
Scott: (Confessional):
Ok, all these people seem pretty cool, but I really do not understand certain
things about some people. Renee is cute and she says she is an exception to a
lot of rules. That seems really, really cool to me because it shows that she is
confident and comfortable with who she is.
Edwin:
Scott, I don't really want to look hostile and riled up before everyone actually
arrives at Cyberland, but I just want to give you a question to reflect what you
could possibly be doing right now with your opening message. Looking into the
profiles is okay... but to use the profiles and extort these words to
immediately turn them around and use this small bit of information to already
ask people somewhat offensive questions is not really a great or orthodox way to
start off in Cyberland. I definitely prefer an introduction that is as close to
meeting real life acquaintances as possible…
Philip (Confessional):
Edwin...I'm not sure. When I first got to the board, I looked at the profiles of
everyone; just to see what everyone looked like. A lot of the attitude that
Edwin displays is what I thought Scott would have. I guess you can never tell a
book by its cover. I don't know if he was just coming off a bit strong or what
Scott (Confessional):
Ok, yesterday's little, first encounter with Edwin was annoying! He wanted to
tell me how I came off? Well, um, nobody else had a problem with it and if he
read my first message accurately, he would have seen that I was complimenting
her in a high regard, not dissing or "extorting” her words? Its all
better now, but he was like pulling an authority trip on me and I will not
accept that. Yes, all is better now, but he needs to read my whole message from
now on, not just bits and pieces or else he will misinterpret what everyone is
saying...
Scott:
Hey Edwin and everyone else, ok, I see what you mean. I agree and actually
really like your idea of us talking and getting to know one another first and
not asking questions based on those given profile things because they actually
tell not much at all about anything on us… Also though, I really don't think I
extorted the words in her profile. Ok, ya, I agree that I communicated my
message in the wrong way, and if it came across bad already to anybody, I am
sincerely sorry. I just wanted to ask her what it was like to be a feminist and
a cheerleader because I admire that in her and think it is a great thing to have
different characteristics and not be one set way. Ok, I hope to learn more about
everyone now and again, I apologize for that, so lets go on our way and have
fun...
Edwin:
I’m sorry if attacked you, Scott... I too, did not mean to make it look that
way, but it could have. I just don't want anyone to start a fight off in the
first few days, but then again, the way I replied, I too could have started a
fight… No hard feelings, Scott, right?
Scott:
Of course not, Edwin! This is so behind us now, lets go have fun!
Philip:
Something tells me you two are gonna be a trip.
Colleen:
Well... freaking A... I looked at the bios, trying to figure out who people were
and Renee (Dude--side note--I'm trying not to pick on you, this just jumped out
at me) so you are a cheerleader and a feminist? Interesting mix. I think first
though, the question I have before we debate this or what ever is what exactly
is your definition of a feminist? Does your definition fit stereotypes, or go
beyond that? Dude, I think it's cool you are a cheerleader, I just can't
support. With the programs I've seen, it's just a beauty pageant that forces
stereotypes on woman... I mean, at my college, our cheerleaders are really
bad... Ok, they suck... but yet, they get more money than the speech program,
even though were national champs in debate. But you can blame that on so many
things, the male dominated college structure and so on... but who am I to judge
anything... I just give what I feel? I'm not in any position to judge. Look at
me... I'm a strong Catholic, and a lesbian, and many see that as a huge
contradiction.
Colleen (Confessional):
Well... even though I don't see these people, and they seem very open minded, I
still get worried how my sexuality is going to affect them. It's always been my
biggest fear, and will always be my biggest fears. It's so hard to come out to
people now. I still get so scared of rejection.
Renee (Confessional):
I am going to talk about my first impressions of this whole ordeal... I was
surprised how two of the webmates wanted me to explain right away how I could
possibly be both a feminist and a cheerleader. Also, the fact that colleen has a
hard time seeing how this is possible disappoints me...
Edwin:
Colleen, you're an awesome person... I hope we get to know each other better
along the way.
Philip:
Well, it is nice to say, "hi" to the first female of the house…
Philip: (Confessional):
Colleen seems very open. Happy with herself and willing to do what she can for
everyone around her. She says she's
a lesbian, which... well, I don't know. I have friends who are homosexual &
we've talked about how I feel about other sexualities. We're still friends. It's
one of those things where I've said they're my friends & I'll support
them... but that I have concerns with some of what they do.
Edwin:
I apologize... I realized that I was so caught up in the excitement and the hype
of this project that I forgot to tell you more about myself. Obviously you have
noticed that I can be somewhat of a perfectionist… I’m from Huntington Beach
and I’m staying here right now in an apartment with a friend from high school.
I love the theater and also great film. Eventually, I hope to be somewhat of an
actor. I used to be so intent on being in Hollywood or Broadway, but right now
I’m just being a slacker...
Philip:
I'm want to know some stuff about you guys... let's go ahead & get out all
the dirt.
Scott:
Wow, that sounds really cool, Phillip. Well, I can't even really imagine what
"good ole boy" country is like because I go to school at UC San Diego,
obviously a huge town, and I live the rest of the year in Mill Valley, CA.,
which is 5 mins form San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. I went to high
school in SF and I am a city boy, sorta. I love the beach as well, but I love
the city because there are so many things to do. I love going to dance clubs and
stuff like that and a lot of concerts. As far as relationships for me, I broke
up with my girlfriend of 5 months a little while ago and I am not looking for
one right now. Basically, not to sounds too corny, I want some Scott time, just
for me, right now and I just want to have fun…
Josie:
Well, I guess all the weeks of waiting with baited breath (or keyboards, in this
case) have come to fruition... Well, I guess I'll get on with the obligatory
introduction! My name is Josephine, you can call me Jo, Josie, Josephine, or the
less popular "Shit for Brains" (my brother Hoyt's endearing nickname
for myself). I was born in Northern NJ, one of six children, and I lived there
until I ventured to NYU at age 18... I graduated in 1997 with a degree in
finance… I now work for a book publishing company in New York, handling
advertising costs and such… I currently live in Manhattan with my childhood
friend Candace and ride the subway to work every morning, dodging the psychos,
bums, corporate alligators and run of the mill "titty twisters". I
have a fiancée, his name is Darlok, Dar for short (actually, Dar or Darius are
the only names he will answer to) He was born in Serbia and moved here at age 6
to find greener pastures. He is a firefighter with the NYFD (yeah, I don't have
ten heart attacks a night)... anyway, we are to be married on July 24th, exactly
26 days from now in a Roman Catholic church in NJ. I'm not TOO nervous!
Edwin:
Welcome to the cyber house, Josie, and congrats on the engagement! It’s great
to hear a love story already on our first day here...and it’s a nice one.
Philip:
Wow! Congrats! How long have you & Dar known each other? I'm a Mass Comm
major right now with a focus in Public Relations... I'm looking more into Health
Promotions, like substance abuse prevention though right now.
Josie:
Dar and I have known each other since he was an inexperienced teenager (I can
say that because its true), LOL... but anyway, we were both 18 and we met him at
a party before I went to NYU... I was dating an acquaintance of his and I was
kind of preoccupied with him... I didn't really talk to Dar that much ... 2
weeks later I ran into Dar at Walgreen’s... By then his friend and myself were
old news, so the next week we scheduled a date... that fell through, he had to
work, so the next night we went out... to a Metallica concert… we shared our
first kiss in the dark while it was pouring rain at Giants Stadium… Since then
its been pure magic... all six years.
Renee:
NEVER been kissed? Really? Very interesting, dear...
Renee (Confessional):
Philip has never been kissed?!?!? Are
you KIDDING me? At 21?
Wow... I need to hear more about this...
Philip:
Uh, whoops... yeah, I have been kissed. But nothing big or anything. But I also
haven't dated anyone since high school & even then, I wasn't like the big
dater in the world. I think that last time I kissed or was kissed by someone who
was more than a friend was when I dated this girl my senior year in high school.
But it was a relationship that I jumped into without looking & it just
wasn't for the best. Plus, she was semi-interested in someone else & that
person was also interested in her at the same time.
Josie:
So, as the grandma of the group at 24, I'm wondering who of you young
whippersnappers is going to start talking about sex first? I'm game!
Philip:
Well, MOM... since you brought it up... what about you?
Josie:
Well, I’ve been engaged for 2 years, dating the same guy for six, and getting
married July 24th. I'm not a virgin.
Philip: I
personally haven't yet. Totally virgin.
Edwin:
Heh... you're more pure, and more innocent... and you're a GUY!!! What has the
world gone to?!?!?
Philip:
LOL! What can I say --- it's a gift...
Scott (Confessional):
Ok, this isn't a big thing, but right now at the start I feel a little different
and very distant from the guys who are here so far, Edwin and Philip. They both
are so pure anyways and that is just so weird to me. Get over it and get a piece
of ass all ready... They are definitely cool and open, but I am shocked at how
pure they are... I am just so not like that!!
Renee:
Ooo weee... lets talk about sex, baby. Like I said before... I have had sex and
f***ed, but never made love.
Scott:
Wow, you guys are too funny... well, since "mom”, has brought this issue
up, I will tell you all also. Well, I am 19 years old and have had sex. I think
I have done all three of those categories, and I think there is a definite
difference between all 3, that is… between f***ing, sex and making love.
Edwin (Confessional):
Well, we're waiting for two more right now... Elizabeth and Joe. I pretty much
have a good picture of who Philip, Scott, Josie and Renee are... and colleen
left us a good bit of her to think about... so we just gotta wait for Elizabeth
and Joe to come in and enter our humble abode. I wonder how they'll be when they
come in and we all pretty much know a lot about each other?
Philip:
Well, I guess this is the "first night" that we're all spending
together. Too bad we haven't yet met Elizabeth or Joe. Well, I'm running off to
bed. I'll be around most all of tomorrow (have a network connection from work).
Talk with you all later. Have a good night. If you have any questions for me,
please feel free to ask & I'll get back to you in the morning. Have a GREAT
night & talk with you all later.
<End
Episode One>
On
The Next Cyberland:
Things
begin to heat up and tempers flare. Colleen wants to know if anyone else on the
board has an “alternative lifestyle” there is, but who? And Josie fiancé’s
parents keep harrassing her and telling her not to marry their son. Will their
be a wedding after all?