BBBC #4: My love affair with Katat0nik

"If there was someone you could trade places with for one day in Second Life, who would it be and why? Bonus points if you find this person and snap a picture with them!"

Warning: This is gonna be a long one!
Warning 2: Kat, you might be embarrassed when you read this. Sorry. =P

First I have to mention something that made me giggle. I have seen a lot of posts today about people not wanting to trade their SL for anyone else's, because they love theirs and it is oh so perfect. And while of course that opinion is perfectly valid, I personally feel they've missed the spirit of the question to an extent. This question is not about shedding your SL forevAr and becoming someone else because your own SL is inadequate - far from it! This is about taking a day in the shoes of someone you admire, and having them spend a day in yours. It's only for a day people! =P Is there honestly no one else's perspective you'd rather experience? Hehe. Anyway, not trying to be unkind to other posters at all, it just made me think of how differently this challenge could be viewed.

Moving on!

Where to begin. Ahem. *checks notecards* Ummmm..... *feedback sounds* Err..... I love Katat0nik!!!!!!!

Ok, now that that's out of the way... let me tell you about my very favorite store, my very favorite sim, my very favorite designer, Katat0nik! She is amazing! Her store is amazing! Anyone who's shopped there knows this, from the amazing and ever evolving building and landscape, to the super fun fishing, the free gifts that randomly appear while you're shopping, the fabu "anyone who's anyone" is there lucky chair - from top to bottom it is an amazing experience.

Just 8 days after my rez day: Katat0nik was the first group I ever joined in SL. Katat0nik was the first pick I made in my profile. (and I found out today I need to update that, lol.) It was the store at which I made my first major purchase, the Very Cherry in blue. I've been in SL a comparatively short time in relation to most of the other bloggers in this challenge, my beginnings were not so long ago...though it feels like ages! I remember the feeling of buying this dress so clearly, hehe. The store was TINY then, it was pretty but nothing compared to the way it is today. There was of course, a lucky chair with dozens of fashionistas, lolitas and dolls crowded around it. I didn't know what the huck a lucky chair was, so I didn't bother with that. =P I saw this dress and I was just... omg... omg... omg WANT! But of course I had no money... and that was also the day I learned about buying Lindens! Hehehe. And so a shopper-monster was born...



When I put the dress on for the first time, I truly felt like I was starting to live a second life. It transported me to a different place, a different feeling than I had ever felt. I was suddenly adorable, suddenly different, suddenly Hannelore! And I didn't take it off for days and days. =)

I once had an issue with one of the vendors at the shop when SL was being funky, and Kat was happy to fix it right away. She was so kind, and friendly, and I was totally in awe of her. I was also surprised, because she must of course be busy creating and building and being fabulous or whatever. =P Often, store owners or designers are a little harried, in a hurry, not impolite but also not very chat-friendly in the way that Kat was.

Today when I approached her about doing a photo with me at her sim for this post, she was, as always, friendly and gracious. She agreed to do the picture with me, and we chatted a little bit. I managed to get what I think is a pretty cute shot of us just chillin like villains in front of her shop near the cute lil street lamp thingers. She was so sweet and patient and I realized that this was the REAL reason I had wanted her to be the one for my post. I mean yeah, getting to try out such a creative, busy, profitable SL was no little thang, but to be able to handle ALL of that craziness with such aplomb and friendliness at the same time?! That is something I admire. Someone who hasn't let her SL fame and success affect her manner, who is kind and polite to all who message her regardless of the reason or her circumstance.



So I admire her for all kinds of things, as a merchant and an artist, a builder and more. But most of all I admire Katat0nik for her simple human kindness and awesome personality. Keep on keepin on, Kat, because you rock! XD

Lastly, here is my latest purchase, Le Cupcake. I've been coveting it for months and finally gave in. =P