We can live our fantasies every day with a Second Life-
Fabulous Females
Are Not Red Hat Ladies
By Cheeky Chaplin
Dang, it’s hard getting old. People want to throw you in with all the blue-haired old ladies down at the Bingo parlor when you hit the big 5-0. But, am I ready to put on a big, red hat with purple feathers and go off to a quilting bee? That might interest me if I was a member of the Red Hat Society, but that’s not about to happen. No, I’m a member of another club, and we fiftyish women of today are definitely NOT the Red Hat Ladies.
The Red Hat Society was formed in 1998 by 55-year-old Sue Ellen Cooper, who is regarded as the Exalted Queen Mother over her flock of some 400,000 women over fifty. The organization is based 
on the idea of older women having fun and being silly, and it has grown into a multi-million dollar enterprise, with Red Hat merchandise like mugs and dolls being sold right in your local grocery store. Old Sue Ellen is 65 now, and most of the group is in that range or older.
Both the Red Hat Society and the Fabulous Females agree that the seasoned woman should not worry about what others think of her. She should enjoy life being free to wear what she wants, behave like a teenager, and have fun. But, we branch out to different ends of the spectrum when it comes to what kind of fun we are interested in.
The Red Hat Society has been featured in Good Housekeeping and Women’s Day magazines. How respectable! Their first event was an afternoon tea. How exciting! Imagine sipping tea and talking about your grandkids. No thanks. We younger cougars are more interested in excellent wines and gourmet food, meaningful art and entertainment, and staying fit and finding ways to stay young.
Now, I am not discounting the positive impact the Red Hat Society has had on many women across the world. All those ‘60s housewives who did everything for everyone else but themselves deserve to let it all hang out, to the extent that they are comfortable. What I mean is, the Red Hat Ladies have not taken that last leap into staying current, being in the world, being in the moment, being alive with what is going in NOW. They seem to be stuck in some sort of horse and buggy mentality. Red Hat Ladies listen to Frank Sinatra and I'd rather listen to Mary J. Blige.
Oh, I do know what I’m talking about. In 2005, I had the priviledge of sharing the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas with a convention of literally thousands of Red Hat Ladies. My husband and I were innocently trying to enjoy a weekend of relaxation and the place was overrun with them. I admit, those dear old ladies were having a great time, and that’s wonderful for them; but dressing up like a flapper and going to see an Elvis Impersonator is not what I would consider fun in Las Vegas!
No, I think I would rather slip on my slinkiest black dress and shake my boo-tay at the Playboy Club at the Palms (or just watch all the hot young boys shaking theirs!). Feel free to join the Red Hat Society if you want. I just thought I should explain why I am a fabulous female and definitely not a Red Hat Lady.
Get a Second Life
By Cheeky Chaplin
OK, Second Life is a computer game, but wait. This is not your ordinary Halo 3. This is a game that literally allows you to experience the life of your fantasy and dreams without guilt. Ten million adult users around the world can’t be wrong. Take a minute to check out this virtual world where anything (and I mean anything) is possible.
Even if you have never played a computer game in your life, you have probably at least heard of Second Life (SL). It has been mentioned regularly in news publications like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Hundreds of national companies like ATT and IBM have a strong business presence in SL and even some of the presidential candidates have virtual campagn headquarters situated there. By 2025, it is expected that two thirds of the worlds’ computer-owning population will be members of this so-called game.
So, what is Second Life? It starts out by having you create an identity for yourself, which can take human or animal form. Known as an avatar, this is a unique being who will represent your presence in this world. You can choose to look however your imagination dictates, down to the freckle, and pretty much everyone in Second Life is extremely attractive, with lots of nice clothes and plenty of bling. Who cares that the average real life age is somewhere late-thirties? Hardly anyone ever asks to see a picture of the real you, and that’s how everyone likes it.
The Second Life landscape is indescribably diverse, with cities, houses, apartments, stores, clubs, lakes, rivers, mountains, and so much more, all covering several state’s worth of ground. And, all of it was created out of the imagination of the millions of residents (others just like you) who inhabit the place. There is so much to see and do, it would be impossible for me to mention even the tip of the iceberg, but the good part is you can fly anywhere you like, or if it’s too far, just teleport.
There is ice skating, dancing, surfing, boating, skydiving, and racing. There are huge cities representing Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Tokyo, and many others. You can chat in English with someone who only speaks German via the Babbler you attach to your avatars. There is role-playing in the Old West, 1920s, Medieval times, 1960s, etc. You can sit in a virtual restaurant and chat with a gorgeous avatar as you sip the finest champagne, you can go to church and worship with others around the world, you can dress up in the finest regalia and dance the night away at a masked ball, you can take a dip naked in your neighbor’s hot tub, you can even get married or have wild illegal sex with strangers.
Second Life is as real or surreal as you want to make it. It can take you wherever your fantasies lead. Check it out and see if you don’t get hooked on Second Life.
CHEEKY CHAPLIN IS AN AVATAR IN SECOND LIFE. VISIT CHEEKY CHAPLIN'S WEBSITE.
