Hivefest Day 1 impressions: My first and hilarious experience in a Virtual Reality World (Kind of) | who am I? who are YOU?

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(Edited)

Before I delve deeper... I made it to Hive Fest and it was hilarious because my lack of skills navigating a VR for the first time... And though it's not my usual content, it was so fun (AND awkward) that I wanted to share my experience right away in this post also as a way to "break the ice" and reintroduce myself in case we're meeting in the VR for the first time. So old and new faces (I mean avatars...) hello! This post is mostly a "freewrite" so I will likely have to edit typos later, but it's good to just "talk" and share my impressions spontaneously, and I'll leave the polishing for later.

As I have just mentioned this is a different post than what I usually share around here on my blog (fantasy, music, folklore, art and my devotion for rats, yes you read right) but as many other in the community I'm attending the @hivefest during these two days, an community gathering event which takes place, just like last year, in a virtual reality world. For me it sounds futuristic, so oh well! I've said a million times I'm not very tech savvy and I was a bit intimidated XD, those things from the future are now the norm! I'm probably a little bit obsolete and stuck at that time when 1985 was the present (in reference to Back to the Future movie) because I have not even ever played a video game in my life (which might be surprising coming from a very geeky girl who owned a comic store and played rpg games with my friends every weekend). So yes! I made it in :) and yes! It was a challenge hahaha full of funny moments as a first timer! LOL so here some chronicle of Hive Fest day 1.

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The Wizard's welcome

So I join in and first I struggle even to navigate around with the keyboard shortcuts, I got stuck by trees, by rocks... I am aware right away I should have taken some time to practise hahah, by the second minute I'm burning by the camping fire like a witch at the stake not even knowing how to steer back in the game hahah...!!!. Avatars would flash in and out of nowhere (horror jump scare movie style and we have no arms or legs so it kinds of feels you're floating on an astral projection or having a groovy dream, and I am on 2D but I feel immersed so to speak lol) I'm totally curious about trying now a VR headset one day, and I know it's the future! But I'm an old fashioned person I guess, cups of coffee with friends and all.
Still I'm glad I gave it a try @theycallmedan told me I'd handle the 2D and felt encouraged and the timing was right, after all I was going to be available these days precisely. I'm looking forward to having a chat again with people I met in person in Krakow some years ago that are still active members here and meeting new friends of course!

Once I was inside, I immediately was able tell which one of us is on 2D, and just like myself just surf around eerily like floating ghosts hahah, and then I see a pointy wizard hat... so I clumsily move forward to greet the only person I initially recognize @gtg (the hat is unmistakable) and I shyly started to ask him about the badge (which by the way I managed to retrieve) without realizing later that I don't know if he might recognize me without "my" pointy hat and plushy rat toys. Because you know "fufunchis" the plush rats made it to Krakow and be sure they're stowaways and attending to this one too ;-) Well at least the wizard did not say "You shall not pass" but if you read this, it was me! And I managed to get the badge. I did not get the chance to say thanks, but well it was me! hahah

I only remember myself asking "how did you get the hat?" LOL XD oh my... ok... It was my first minute ever in this "otherworld" so excuse the awkwardness lol. Thank you for helping me.

My avatar: Hopefully a close resemblance!

So this is my avatar. I think I did a pretty good job haha and the resemblance is reasonable. But mostly I share because I felt a bit shy to step into people's conversations, mostly aware of my own clumsiness moving around. But maybe showing this you'll spot me around! I also had some troubles setting up my audio, so I saw some people talking to me but it took me a little to realize my audio was not working until I get it fixed... XD so whoever you were... behind that eerie frozen avatar not replying to you hahah maybe there was me LOL XD.

So here a comparison between avatar and real me... What do you think? Close enough?

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Above: My Avatar and below my real self

 "3HaJVvr6qfoEFgBir1jy4DeK1wwhDm7oNHzc1b8roaJY8MKW2YWbEDHJqfMwkceeTzb25SECu4YSoyXW6jkr4nRE8Xibqrh8ssBB3S6 -640- by Priscilla Hernandez.jpg"

So reply in comments with a picture your avatar and a little bit about you, so I can feel less shy if I spot you around. And feel free to talk to me (either in English or in Spanish) if you find at me the event

Sorting out some tech issues

The whole AltspaceVR was a bit laggish and glitchy at times, and I had to set up audio a few times. My computer even froze one forcing a hard reboot. Sadly that made me miss a few of the presentations (including the hispanic community one) and a constant check of my mic hahah :). I know some people said hi and I was like someone sleeping in a body in a coma hahaha XD unable to reply LOL XD. It's kind of a strange feeling but once it works and you start to talk to people naturally that veil of irreality lifts and dissolves.
​ps. Some of the "left behind" avatars that were also unresponsive were a bit eerie... LOL I think I totally had a full conversation monologue with @snook whom I was looking forward to greet and pretty sure she wasn't there hahah XD but as with myself you can never know
Jokes apart there is a real person after all of us after all.
My audio glitched now and then so my apologies to whomever I did not reply to when being addressed, I probably did XD.

I also could think... oh maybe it doesn't look so creepy from another's point of view, but up to two people came to me and told me I looked "lost" XD Ok one day left to practise!

Fufunchis (yes, the ratties!) are attending again

I met some of you in person in Krakow some years ago... And if you did meet me you probably remember I used to hangout with 3 plush toys: Fufunchis (Tuula, Ritva and Taika). If you follow my blog you may know also I make super ethereal fantasy music BUT there are rats to be found hidden like Easter Eggs in every video ;-) Fufunchis are the real stars :) So whether or not you remember then just to let you know they have again sneaked in (without a badge shhh) LOL looking for virtual cookies and cake!

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Above: Fufunchis in Krakow

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Above: They're back!! Fufunchis at Hivefest

Stumbling upon some friends and forgetting about VR

Making contact! I finally heard a familiar voice. It was @Shadowspub and I am familiar to it... so I followed up and found her chatting with @crimsonclad. I did not want to interrupt so I just waited by their site, still adjusting and testing and learning how to mute , you know the basic things. Then Crimson says... oh the frozen avatars with the frozen hands... they're kind of eerie... XD And I realize I'm standing there (like dead meat, dead pixels, hahaha whatever) and awkwardly say hi... It was nice to actually talk to them a little, like suddenly it started to feel real. I got this!

Right away I met fellow musician @junkfeathers and we ended up having like a super weird conversation about the virtual world precisely and how they have enhanced his lucid dreams. I lucid dream a lot so we ended up having a kind of groovy talk... again triggered my curiosity about experience it with a headset.

I took (my first and actual only picture with someone else). I guess there is still time to fix that :) ps. I'm totally not participating in the badge contest... because I think I systematically have forgotten to tap with everyone I've talked to hahah :). Thanks for the insightful conversation.

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I also miss some people that used to be but are not around much anymore. As I already mentioned this is an unusually candid non polished post and I'm a slow poster, I simmer my content slowly as you know, so sometimes I take a little time between posts. Still I've been around long enough to find you familiar, and be aware some might not be around that much, and even genuinely missed.

Most of the time I decided it was safest to just attend quietly the presentations and actually learn something (which I think I must... I feel a bit out of the loop of things.

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Above: @therealwolf on the main stage

The Karaoke and understanding I'm in a bigger place. Oops! Run!

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Above: I ended up lost into a Karaoke Room without realising it was not part of the fest... LOL I should have sung "All by my self.... LOL"

So I roamed around... and stumbled upon a sign that led me to a Karaoke stage. It was entirely empty, so I felt confident to try and mess. I can say now I know how to use it, so if you want me to sing later on and people from here want to gather... I think I got it!. I enjoyed singing Cyndi Lauper "True Cololurs" all on my own, but the thing is I did not know other could gather there from "other spaces" so I kept asking the people who got in... Who are you on hive? And they awkwardly not replying hahaha! It took me some minutes to realize they were coming from another "space" (oooh how eerie and "Twilight zone" vibes that sounds!) so I panic exited LOL hahaha. Then someone say, I'm going to show you what a true musician is... stepping up to the stage and singing as flat and off pitch as someone would sing after many beers. LOL I could not feel offended hahah but I felt the urge to "exit" just thinking maybe we can gather around with some other friends or fellow musicians, even try to find an open mic room maybe. Back to the lounge I stumbled upon fellow musician @edprivat and looked for the room again, but it was already crowded with lots of unknown people... a bit too much for my first day!
Fufunchis (the rats) love karaoke and they wanted to squeak their "Am I a rat or a muppet? song but I had to cut them short

A greeting for the Hispanic community: Un saludo a la comunidad hispana...

I was particularly looking forward to meet other people from the Hispanic community as you know I'm from Spain and I liked that they had a presence in the presentations... I was born in La Palma (Canary Islands), yes that tiny island still undergoing a volcano eruption. Unfortunately my computer started to have problems dealing with the software, and it glitched badly. I had to force exit, check the audio settings and all again and by the time I joined back in it was already finished.

ES: Tenía mucha ilusión de poder hablar en español con otros miembros de la comunidad, y es algo que tenía mucho interés pero mi sistema tuvo problemas y justo la conferencia tuvo lugar en ese lapso en el que traté de solucionarlo. Pero espero que luego tengamos oportunidad de charlar. Nos vemos!

It's not over yet so come say hi later!

And well this is not over... one day left... I'll probably keep crashing on walls and things and look a little bit lost hahaha XD. Maybe musicians can do a virtual jam... See you around then!

But don't be shy and say hi (that rhymes!)

And for those who don't know me at all (YET) who am I? Who are you?

My name is Priscilla Hernandez. I'm a composer, singer and artist from Spain. This is one example of my work in music

And as an illustrator.

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I wish I could have sent in time for the NFT Art gallery by @nftshowroom but I confess I'm still clueless about all that... determined to learn so hopefully next time.
Pd. I'm still on discord should someone need to contact me out of the fest! And also around on twitter and instagram (same user name) @yidneth

So if we already know each other... glad we meet again If we haven't looking forward to make your acquaintance!
Hope we have the chance to meet later on!


Priscilla Hernandez singer-songwriter & illustrator http://yidneth.com



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30 comments
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Hey you!
It's NFT Tunz here!
Great to see you still creating that amazing music that we all love.
Your enchanted friend
DC x
PS.come and vistit us on Discord...

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Thanks, yes, have never stopped creating, :) one song at a time, thanks

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It's Darren Claxton by the way...🙃

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I think I did not catch you around. I would recognize the ginger hair. Hope you are doing well. ❤️

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But of course I knew it was you! :-)
I'd tell even without looking at the nickname ;-) and by the way, I hear your voice from time to time... because I have your album on a CD :-)

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Aw thanks, and also for letting me know you still listen to the music, it means a lot to me.
Thanks for the chat too, I think it is safe to say I talk a lot if nervous lol.
Fufunchis scattered looking for toffee candy, they are still not over Krówki, is that right?
Had a great time 😊 sometimes a bit overwhelming, too many stimuli until you get used to it,but lovely to stumbled upon people you know, some only from discord but still felt genuinely like meeting some friends. And some new ones too.

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That was my first VR selfie! Nice chatting with you !LUV !PIZZA !WINE

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It was nice to have a chat ❤️ and you know, you were right cos I totally dreamt of the VR but it was I did not know how to navigate lol 🤣

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Picture of me burning at the camping fire, reenacting those first seconds like a witch at the stake lol. I was challenged to repeat it by @dreemsteem and thanks @junkfeathers for taking the pic
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Beautiful illustrations. With meaning.
Meet me again, I think.

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Thank you, though I am mostly known for my music, the other half of my work is illustrating and painting. I was forced today a long break due a sprain but I'm almost ready and the talent to get back to painting

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I heard you say my name but my computer didn't like the program and I was closing it while @TheHive helped me over Discord and I was like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

I am so sorry I missed you!!!

Love You!!!

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Hey girl. I wanted to hear your iconic giggle, was a bit lost myself and I know about the glitches. But well this means we need to catch up! Love back all the way

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Hey there! So good to meet you at Hivefest yesterday and chat about music, streaming and I love your funny story of how you ended up on a Karaoke stage outside the festival on the first day! Going to check out your music shortly - just wanted to say hi and pleased to meet you!

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Hey it was my pleasure. Yes I totally ended in a karaoke room and didn't realize the people there were not from the fest lol 🤣 thinks about the chat on the brainstorming I am really looking forward to stream again, sometimes I do spontaneously from Instagram but I want to go back to decent sound and obs. I'm sure you can find me as Priscilla Hernandez on Spotify and so on but I think a good first stop is my YouTube channel and I'm going to totally check you as well.

Pleased to meet you and we are in touch around here

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Hahaha I love that you managed to get lost and end up in a Karaoke room - even in VR!

I'm enjoying watching your music videos right now! I'm on YouTube as well but haven't really put much there. I've been mostly active on Instagram and Twitch, but now I'm on Hive I would say I'm more active on Hive than anything else!

I do have a track with lyrics that I co-wrote with singer/songwriter Rocco -
https://open.spotify.com/track/00WdAbvvbF2gtwRDPo9ItN?si=6607853d3a714b32

Otherwise most of my work is instrumental - and I have a track coming out next week so I'll be posting a lot about that real soon...

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Aw yes I saw you stopped by youtube, thanks, also added you on ig as I am not much at twitch (yet). Pleased to meet you at hivefest and well encouraged to stream hopefully soon
Your friend Rocco channels kind of cyndi lauper vibes.

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Ah great - thanks for connecting! I'll pass that on to Rocco - I think she'll like it ;)

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I really mean it as compliment though as a singer myself comparisons are a double edged thing, we are all unique, it is natural that our voices sometimes recall what others find them close to, that does not necessarily tells who truly influenced us. Say hi on my behalf

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Haha yeah - totally get that about comparisons being a double edged thing - for singers - the voice is so personal! It's a bit like saying someone looks like someone - VERY subjective!

What singers have you been compared to before?

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Oh yes many times, when I started out I got a really bad review that called me a wannabe Tori Amos (hands down total respect for her, I found her to be really super interesting, and also made me discover Kate Bush (hands down for innovation) but I knew not much of her work at that moment. I also get lots of Enya and Loreena MacKennit and same, kudos to them for making New Age mainstream, but in true honest I listened to very few sung music when I was a child... I was more into film music and scores (Jerry Goldsmith, Trevor Jones, Bruce Broughton, well so many), also early synthetizer (Vangelis, Jarre, Eno). My favourite band is Tears for Fears, but I have a weakness for male voices when sung music (Bowie, Sting...) and of course you know I like Mike Oldfield too. About female vocalists I really love Liz Fraser from Cocteau Twins but well if you don't know her, believe me she's unique and impossible to imitate hahah :) I was not a singer to start with, I was the shy composer/keyboardist that ended up singing, and honestly I love singing now but I just did the way it was intuitive for me. Orzabal (from Tears for Fears) was a heavy influence honestly.

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Really interested regarding comparisons vs. influences - thank you for sharing!

As a child I listened to Queen, Mike Oldfield and the 80s chart music of the time. I did listen to a bit of Jean Michelle Jarre and Tangerine Dream which is perhaps the closest in terms of influence - but really I don't think my music is very obviously influenced by anything - especially my improvised music! It probably is at a more subtle level - but in my mind I just make whatever feels right to me and don't worry about what genre it is. There are a couple of exceptions to that - I've made one Lofi/Chill track for a specific project and I'm doing another one now for a follow up for example.

But the music that I think is the most "TDC Tunes" is hard to put in a box!

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Congratulations @yidneth! You received a personal badge!

Thank you for your participation in the HiveFest⁶ Meetings Contest.

We truly hope you enjoyed HiveFest⁶ and it's been our pleasure to welcome you in the AltspaceVR world.

See you next year!

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking

Check out the last post from @hivebuzz:

HiveFest⁶ Meetings Contest

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was nice chatting with you on Saturday, glad you followed the voice. BTW, PYPT is back, come join us in the Dreemport server on Thursdays when you can.

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For the next year, I hope we can go with the VR glasses. It will be much better. It's the future.
(Necesitaremos mini VR para fufunchis también ;D )

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(Edited)

Even without VR I dreamt of it afterwards a few days. I totally want to try the karaoke again, I can easily imagine fufunchis successfully navigating it, but pretty sure they prefer that old fashioned world with real food and treats. As for me that I struggle to relax though it does not replace a real hike to be in a virtual forest would be like meditating I guess

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