By Bixyl Shuftan
Addition: Two videos added to near the bottom
Getting to his home, we greeted on another, then the interview began.
Bixyl: To begin with, describe what you do here in Second Life.
Xavier: (laughs) I wear many hats and I am seen in various roles. I am the owner and founder of 'The A List!', which is a community of SL's finest from all walks of life, Artist and Fashion and Live Music and Cultural Arts such as Opera and Ballet and Theater, pretty much the things that makes up Second Life, Arts and Entertainment.
Over the years I've also have used my influence to help guide the direction of the culture within Second Life. So I can be seen as a politician in a way. I have also helped make people famous, get noticed. I've also have put on huge special events, like my Farewell party.
I am an Ambassador, gate keeper, face of Second Life I can also be considered as equivalent of a Hollywood movie or music producer. When my late girlfriend was alive, we were also into philanthropy, nurturing young up and coming artist and talent.
Over the years I've had average citizens tell me they have never heard of me. And I smile and say "that's the point.' My goal was never to be famous, but to help others achieve fame. I name drop and say those house hold names you know, I have known for many years. And my rolodex is vast, all across Second Life. They call me friend. That's good enough for me.
Bixyl: Sounds like you've done quite a bit. How did you find out about Second Life?
Xavier: Oh my. Have you ever heard of The Sims? ... Me and my friends came from The Sims Online back in 2002 and 2003. We were the Beta's, (the) founders of Second Life itself.
Xavier then invited to take me somewhere. We both ended up going to Plum (132/52/33), where there was a three-panel wall with names. This was The Beta Contributor Wall.
Xavier: Bixyl, this is where everything began. I get a little misty eye when I come here. Many of these names were my friends. I've lost touch with them. Almost no one even knows this is here. I doubt the new Lindens do either.
Xavier: Bixyl, this is where everything began. I get a little misty eye when I come here. Many of these names were my friends. I've lost touch with them. Almost no one even knows this is here. I doubt the new Lindens do either.
Oh we were a crazy wild bunch, professors and artists and hackers and dreamers like me. A motley crue of misfits.
Bixyl: What date did you drop in, and how did your first days go?
Xavier: I can't say exactly as Xavier is my 4th incarnation. I lost all the others, I did not take it as seriously then as I do now. I would never of dreamed I would of still been here, after 20 years. (noticable pause) Oh, my, GOD! IT'S BEEN OVER 20 YEARS!
Bixyl : Guess time flies when you're having fun *grins* How did those early days go?
We had hackers and mafia wars and a Shadow Government. Did you know Anonymous was originally formed here?
Bixyl: No, and I don't recall anyone saying it was.
Xavier: Yes it was. People don't know or won't say. Like I said, I know all the secrets long forgotten. It got so bad. They attacked Linden Labs. Linden Labs was being hacked. It was insane in the early days. You had to know how to defend yourself. I always managed to remain neutral despite keeping a high profile.
Bixyl: What did people have to defend themselves from besides hackers?
Xavier: Well we used to have huds or shields. Some were so strong they were banned.
Bixyl: Sounds like there were a number of fights. What were these Mafia Wars and Shadow Government?
Xavier:Oh it got brutal. Shadow government was well. Griefers who griefed griefers or players who played outside the rules of the TOS, enforcing vigilante justice."
Xavier:This is the Wall of History. Did you know much of the mainland is role modeled and named after California, well specifically northern California, and the water the San Francisco Bay and the names of areas in northern California?
Bixyl: I can't say that I did, though it makes lots of sense.
Bixyl would you like your own Phil Linden Collectable Avatar?
Bixyl: Certainly, thank you. And yes you can, I do take plenty of pictures. ... Got it and thank you. I'm sure many long-timers remember the jokes about his appearance
We then went to another place, Natoma, and the Ivory Tower or Primitives. Xavier was happy to see it wasn't forgotten with the people around, including one pony who approached us. We had a short conversation before it was time to head out.
Xavier: Did you know about this?
Bixyl: I most certainly do
We were at the Particle Labratory.
Bixyl: It's been a long time since I was last here. But yes, I've heard of the Particle Labratory. How would you describe it to those who are new?
Xavier: I am so old and jaded I rarely belileve anyone is new. This is a place of learning, how to make things happen. (It) all begins with 1 prim. Script this prim, it moves. Texture the prim, it begins to move and take action.
Xavier would take me to one more place, one I had been to earlier in my time in SL, had sadly closed, and was reopened a few years later by Linden Lab. We were at (58,204,24)
Bixyl: Thank you, it's good to be here.
Xavier: He shared his dreams with us. He designed it to inspire imagination and creativity and romance and love and magic. Whenever I get tired of things, I come here. (It) reminds me of the magic of SL.
Xavier thought about the two of us riding a vehicle, but something went wrong. Instead he just looked around.
Xavier: This is the oldest sim in Second Life. The Lindens now preserve it as a part of our history. Go to midnight. Amazing isn't it.
Bixyl: Yes it is
Xavier: STARAX did a series of Angels and Demons. Here we see a Demon killing Angels. Very powerful piece.
He would teleport us to another part of the Lost Gardens, one that had some spots for couples not far away.
Xavier: You can see how this place is great for romance
Bixyl: Yes I do
Xavier: Dane loved Second Life. This is Second Life, the magic ... are you still in Midnight?
Bixyl: Yes I am, and I see the aurora.
Xavier: Did you know Raftwet? My partner. We met in 2007, dated ten years, in real life. She passed away in 2017, nearly ten years after we met in SL.
Bixyl: I've heard of her, and I'm sorry
Xavier: Grease and Gemma were her friends.
So love does happen in Second Life. Soo many say SL is SL and real-life is real-life. But we have feelings. It's a farce to think we can insulate ourselves from love. I have so many beautiful memories Bixyl. I would not trade anything for it, not even in real-life. This right here does not exist in RL
Live your Second Life on your own terms. No one can tell you how to be. Do what fufills you, and try not to get caught up in the crazy stuff, like clubs and shopping, etc.
Exploration is the true destination. I am well traveled, and even I have not seen every sim. It's impossible, like counting the stars at night. That is what kept me in Second Life for so long.
And the beautiful wonderful people I met along the way, people from all over the world. Soo many cultures, languages, ways of seeing things. If you are a citizens of Second Life, you are a world traveler, without even knowing it.
I will miss this beautiful crazy Alice in wonderland with a blend of Dali and LSD dreamland.
Bixyl: You've mentioned earlier that you yourself are departing. Are those reasons private?
Xavier: Oh, well, yes and no. Something happened in real-life. But this is off the record. My friends in Second Life know, but not the public.
He would explain his story
He would explain his story
Xavier: It's when I had my realization my time in Second Life was up.
Simply put, I've done more than anyone ever has. So I am leaving on a high note. I've contributed my entire life to Second Life. Now it's time for me to live in real-life, in a tropical paradise, living 'la vida loca.' Many have said I will come back, or return as an Alt. My true friends, they know I am leaving and with their blessings. Their unselfish love tell me 'go live your life.'
I am healthy and happy. My real-life is a blessing. I've also had a beautiful Second Life as well. I have no regrets
Bixyl: So besides living in a nice tropical place, what will you do now?
Xavier: Maybe go work as a consultant in virtual reality. Perhaps talk to the Lindens. Who better than me. In a metaphorical kind of way, would be like me entering the spirit realm and influencing things from another level. That's a beautiful way to end this. (smile) I love Second Life.
Bixyl: Certainly an interesting way to end this ... I take it the A List and other things of yours will go on?
Bixyl: Certainly an interesting way to end this ... I take it the A List and other things of yours will go on?
Xavier: Ava Jhamin is the sole owner now. She's been the owner since Raftwet passed and I took time off from grieving. Second Life felt so empty then. I couldn't bare to be here. Now I leave out of joy and happiness, not out of sadness.
Bixyl: You've certainly spoken a lot. Did you have anything else to add?
Bixyl: You've certainly spoken a lot. Did you have anything else to add?
Xavier: We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams.
You know, I had an experience rarely experienced by others because I came with people I already knew. I was never a noob.
Bixyl: I guess one more question, how much longer will you be around?
Xavier: My rez is Aug 15th, but I plan on staying for a few more weeks, and eventually just fade away, later not log in, eventually uninstall the viewer. Once that happens, there is no going back.
The End.
Bixyl: Well, thank you for your time, and if there's anything else you wanted to add, let me know.
Xavier: Quite a ride down memory lane wasn't it? I got a little emotional. I am happy with what we said and did, it was honest, heartfelt, and words from an old avatar, sort of like speaking to a person a hundred years old and listening to them tell stories, baring witness to history itself.
Xavier: Quite a ride down memory lane wasn't it? I got a little emotional. I am happy with what we said and did, it was honest, heartfelt, and words from an old avatar, sort of like speaking to a person a hundred years old and listening to them tell stories, baring witness to history itself.
Xavier then showed me this video.
Xavier: *shows you a video of my Raftwet* I asked a friend of mine, a Jazz musician, to sing for me on Valentines Day. I practically had to put a hit out on someone to get him to play just for me in a crowd of less than 10 people present, and I have had real-life broadway singers perform for me and Opera singers. So yes i've had a privileged SL
Our 5th anniversary on Valentines Day. If I were the King of Second Life she undoubtedly was it's Queen. She wore her crown so lightly. We would go to a ballroom, dressed up. She gets a special invite not in any group by some underground DJ to a party. Then we show up. It's some downtown scene, a dark alley. We walk in, looking like our car broke down on the wrong side of town, the guest looking at us like as if 'do they belong here?' And they see the owner of the club and DJ give us hugs. So yeah we did. That's the magic of Second Life.
I just wish people could see SL the way I do, not take it for granted or get stuck in doing the same ole stuff, like clubs, or shopping. Maybe more will see a glance of it, exploring. If I had a message, it would be to explore. And also to tip venues more than 50 Lindens, the teirs are expensive. I never even got into why we have a tip based culture, but no point in that. Takes it into a whole different direction.
See these are the things only a few people like me know why, or remember.
Bixyl: Thank you for your time, and whereever your journey takes you, may it be a good one.
A few days later, Xavier would hold the last showing of his rendition of "The Little Prince" in Second Life, followed by a good-bye party.
Gemma Cleanslate would later catch up to him and ask for the name of his Beta account. He answered, "My Beta name? My last name was either Goodlife or Livingston. I didn't take it seriously then."
And so, Xavier's Second Life journey is winding down after over 20 years. Hopefully whatever he does next, it will go well,
