027: Maxx (daddybootz) sits on my deck

I've known Maxx (daddybootz) for more than a year; I did a piece about his latest sculptures a while ago and this interview is one of the products of that interaction.  He's a busy guy -- we almost managed this a couple of times and finally did it almost on the spot, which I actually think is useful for this kind of interview. 

[15:01] Rusty Redfield: okay, tape recorder is -- <click> there we go.

[15:01] Maxx (daddybootz): hehehe

[15:02] Rusty Redfield: I'm recording.  Maxx, daddybootz, thanks for coming to sit on my dock

[15:02] Maxx (daddybootz): Hey thanks (wink)

[15:02] Rusty Redfield: we've been trying to do this now for a while!

[15:02] Maxx (daddybootz): Yeah I know, I get SO busy in SL sometimes.

[15:03] Rusty Redfield: I've known Maxx around the grid for a while, maybe even since I've been here.  Well, you're busy because you do a lot of stuff

[15:03] Rusty Redfield: You build and create and mmake and sell

[15:03] Rusty Redfield: anyway, audience, Maxx and I are friends, so don't expect me to be neutral here LOL

[15:03] Maxx (daddybootz): Yeah, through your former husband I think?

[15:04] Rusty Redfield: I know you were at our wedding reception

[15:04] Maxx (daddybootz): Yes, it was great, a real family affair

[15:04] Rusty Redfield: anyway! First question: 1. Why do you stay in Second Life?  What keeps you here?

[15:04] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh, wow.....well the first is I am disabled in RL so I have alot of free time. Instead of sitting in front of the Boob-Tube I come to SL.

[15:05] Maxx (daddybootz): I've also made extraordinary friendships here, long term ones

[15:05] Rusty Redfield: well, there you go, I didn't know that

[15:05] Rusty Redfield: I know many differently abled people come here to be on, like, equal ground

[15:05] Maxx (daddybootz): And of course I date here and love the creativity of all the things you can do in SL, neary instantnly.

[15:05] Rusty Redfield: understood

[15:05] Maxx (daddybootz): Ahh yes.

[15:06] Rusty Redfield: okay, one sec for the next question.

[15:06] Maxx (daddybootz): I mean, to be able to make a music box in mere seconds in SL when it would take weeks or months in RL is what draws me here too.

[15:06] Rusty Redfield: 2. What are the qualities that attract you to people in Second Life?

[15:06] Maxx (daddybootz): Ok

[15:08] Maxx (daddybootz): Hmm, definately their personality. I always ask people "How old are you? Where are you from? And what do you do for work in RL"? That way I have a grasp on them as a real person. Then I know who I am talking to ie some kid versus a mature guy who's been around the block a few times. Personality is huge for me; if you are bored or boring, then I will be too near you.

[15:08] Rusty Redfield: interesting!

[15:10] Maxx (daddybootz): In real life I have done tons of jobs; a real life lumberjack, in the US Navy, a shrimper, painter, truck driver, and now science fiction author. so I run into lots of different people and have learned to like it. I grew up in Idaho, where the deer outnumber the people, so diversity was kinda a shock for me at first cause in Idaho nothing is diverse; we're all pretty much the same. I didn't  even meet a Jew, Italian ,or Catholic until I was travelling as a truck driver in my 30s, haha.

[15:11] Maxx (daddybootz): i am 46 now.

[15:11] Rusty Redfield: I'm from a similar landscape a bit north of you. So I'm guessing one of the things that attracts you to people is -- that they're from a very different background than you?

[15:12] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh yes, nothing bores me more than someone exactly like myself. I grew up a strict Mormon, trust me I am sooooo not interested in doing what Mormons do anymore. Boring.

[15:13] Maxx (daddybootz): And I've some phenominally WEIRD people in SL, and I love it! HAHA

[15:13] Rusty Redfield: LOL and on the not boring side, I'm about to ask you what you do -- and I suspect that's such a long list I may have to do a save!!

[15:13] Rusty Redfield: 3. What are you working on, as a form of artistic expression or in order to earn money, or both?

[15:15] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh, well I am disabled in RL, so I am trying to keep from being homeless by being more serious about money making in SL. I NEVER made hardly a dime in SL until the last year or so. I ran the Top Services business and made tons and tons of money in the escort business, but I got burned out. I now make and mod sexy statues, ones that are super low prim (1-5 prims is an average). I really enjoy modding them. I have a brand new one as of yesterday that is a guy tied to a chair; he moans and makes random noises every once in awhile. I LOVE that sort of stuff; so creative.

[15:15] Maxx (daddybootz): Before SL was just "play" for me, now its not alot of play and more "work".

[15:16] Rusty Redfield: I know how hard you work, for sure.  Your Marketplace store is ... full of all kinds of different stuff.

[15:16] Rusty Redfield: and you have a couple of storefronts, etc.

[15:18] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh yes, I actually decided to consolidate all my stores onto one sim, a sorta megamall. I make tattoos, bumpers, unique gestures, all sorts of stuff. I am very diverse in my creativity. Being a "monomaniac" can be good if you make alot of money at it (making one product really well), but I am not so narrow focused. I have broad interests.

[15:18] Rusty Redfield: and a bunch of different skills.  I know that the understanding necessary to do a gesture is different than that for a mesh statue.

[15:19] Rusty Redfield: Or clothing. Or a corner store (what in Quebec is called a depanneur)

[15:19] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh yes, I dont make the mesh statues though, Krikket does, but I mod and resell them. I enjoy learning new skills but I am pretty old, computers are still a mystery to me, haha. I am still waiting for the day when I can just TALK to the damn computer and it will obey me, hahaha.

[15:19] Rusty Redfield: Or animated GIFs or or or LOL you do so many different things!

[15:20] Maxx (daddybootz): Yeah I enjoy that, I get inspired by others. I am working on a new line of AFK statues: sexy guys, monsters, etc

[15:20] Rusty Redfield: Can these be mannequins in stores? For the store's clothes?

[15:21] Rusty Redfield: well, not to worry. Maxx, be sure to come back and put in the comments directions for how to reach your stores and stuff. People are always curious.

[15:22] Maxx (daddybootz): Yes, they can, they are totally modifiable. I have seen one guy put clothes and prims on them, Haha. My megamall is located here:
Note: This is the first thing that didn't work, my lack of technical skills. You can find a store of Maxx's here, at Atlas Estates (231,196,21) and there is a poster on the back wall that will give you a list of all his stores.

[15:22] Maxx (daddybootz): And you can see my Marketplace store here:

[15:22] Maxx (daddybootz): https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/102105

[15:22] Rusty Redfield: I'mnot sure if those came across, but by the time I go to press with this, there will be something there, okay?

[15:22] Maxx (daddybootz): sure

[15:22] Maxx (daddybootz): you bet

[15:23] Rusty Redfield: You've just given me the Mega Mall LM, I'll take care of it

[15:23] Maxx (daddybootz): I can go to the mall and get the URL if you need it

[15:23] Rusty Redfield: Okay -- next question.

[15:23] Maxx (daddybootz): cool

[15:23] Maxx (daddybootz): ok

[15:23] Rusty Redfield: 4. If you could give advice to your earlier self in the first month that you spent in Second Life, what would you say?

[15:23] Maxx (daddybootz): oh WOW

[15:23] Maxx (daddybootz): Lets see....

[15:23] Rusty Redfield: heh heh I know, right?

Sorry, I garbled a few lines here when I was making a save. With Maxx's assistance, I moved forward ... 

[15:26] Rusty Redfield: okay! So "listen more".  Any other advice to newbies?

[15:27] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh, come see me! I LOVE making over new guys and have several folders to give new people. To date I have helped several hundred people in SL look better. Its sorta  happy hobby of mine, haha. Everyone who knows me knows to send their newb friends to see me! WINK

[15:27] Rusty Redfield: you know, that's right, I remember that

[15:27] Maxx (daddybootz): hehehe

[15:27] Rusty Redfield: you had a file of very useful landmarks!

[15:28] Maxx (daddybootz): yeah

[15:28] Maxx (daddybootz): all the best, baby!

[15:28] Rusty Redfield: I think I still have that somewhere LOL because I never throw anything away

[15:28] Maxx (daddybootz): I always send people to Spurt and Hubs first, cause they are the most trafficked.

[15:28] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh? The Newbie folder? :D

[15:28] Rusty Redfield: probably

[15:28] Maxx (daddybootz): haha, love it

[15:28] Rusty Redfield: it's all different now, though

[15:29] Rusty Redfield: so, go see Maxx, everybody ROFL

[15:29] Rusty Redfield: in the meantime, last question

[15:29] Rusty Redfield: 5. What do you like most about the way that your avatar looks?

[15:29] Maxx (daddybootz): well the Red Hug HUD is the the one I always give out in the newbie pack, I see you still use it, hehe

[15:29] Rusty Redfield: hah! that was a present from my husband

[15:30] Rusty Redfield: whom I'm thinking you probably denewbified! LOL

[15:31] Maxx (daddybootz): Oh......well that it doesnt age for one! This year in RL has been especially brutal for my family and my temples, moustache, and soul patch have gone completely white because of the stress. My grandfather nad granmother both died from cancer, my aunt is currently dying from breast cancer, and my mother is dying from kidney cancer, so LOTS of stress. I like my curly moustache and point beard the best; the Khar Dago hair is new for me and very long. Do you like it?

[15:32] Rusty Redfield: I have that same Khar Drago hair from my barbarian days, but the curly beard is new to me, it's cool

[15:32] Maxx (daddybootz): Cool cool.

[15:32] Rusty Redfield: so do you like to change what you look like all the time?

[15:33] Maxx (daddybootz): Yeah I love to change......outfits. I generally look like this. Paul Maracas custom made my shape and i LOVE it. I get tons of compliments on my shape, so I doubt I will ever change it. I do leather and latex very well, dont you think? 9wink)

[15:34] Rusty Redfield: I understand, and I agree, you DO seem to suit leather and latex.

[15:34] Maxx (daddybootz): Hahha, thanks bro.

[15:34] Rusty Redfield: Well -- that's all the questions. Anything you want to get out there about -- say, philosophy about Second Life?

[15:35] Rusty Redfield: I think EVERYBODY has something to say about philosophy in Second Life LOL

[15:35] Maxx (daddybootz): Hmmmm, kindness goes a LONG way in RL and SL. There are a ridiculous amount of vicious people in SL, don't be one.

[15:35] Maxx (daddybootz): I tell all my friends this, and newbs, and try to live like this as best I can.

[15:36] Rusty Redfield: Yes. I've forgotten exactly what the sign says, but something about that emotions are the only real things in SL so treat them carefully.

[15:36] Maxx (daddybootz): Its not necessary to be cruel, you know?

[15:36] Maxx (daddybootz): If you are having a bad day, LOG OFF.

[15:36] Maxx (daddybootz): I agree, and love that sign.

[15:36] Rusty Redfield: Yes, insetad of going to SL BECAUSE you're having a bad day LOL

[15:36] Maxx (daddybootz): Hahaha, indeed.

[15:37] Rusty Redfield: well, that's it for me! Just wanted to thank you for sitting on my deck -- nice of you to make the time -- and I think the interview will get a lot of attention!

[15:37] Maxx (daddybootz): hey thank YOU.......I had fun. You still look like a dwarf! (wink)

[15:38] Rusty Redfield: <grin> I wear muscles when I'm going to the bar; this body is for working ROFL

[15:38] Maxx (daddybootz): I hear you, grin

[15:38] Maxx (daddybootz): hugs HUGS

[15:38] Rusty Redfield: okay, machine is OFF <click>

Thanks again to Maxx for sitting down with me and go check out his stores!