Interview with Cindy "Zig Zag" Babii of ZZ Studios

One of the more famous (or infamous) characters in online comics is Zig Zag, the owner/star of an “adult” movie studio. Created by Max Blackrabbit, the character she adopted by Eric Scwartz into his popular Internet strip “Sabrina Online” - the title character answers a want-ad for a webmaster and to her surprise finds it’s to her studio, though takes the job despite her embarrassment, leading to a number of misadventures. The comic itself has a PG 13-rating, with no nudity and one swear word in over ten years of online publication.

As it turns out, there is a ZZ Studios here in Second Life. It is located in the southeastern part of the Falcon Valley sim. Besides being a social area, the place makes and sells it’s own “blue movies." I recently had a chance to meet up with the owner for a few questions.

Bixyl Shuftan: So, how did you get the idea of bringing ZZ Studios to Second Life?
Cindy Babii: Well, I guess it started the first day I joined Second Life. Within two hours, I knew I wanted to be Zig Zag. And after I got my avie, which was 24 hours later, I’ve always been ZZ. After that, I was always asked if I was going to make a studio.
Oh, we do have a scrap book down stairs of the last studio. Okay to answer your question (laughter), I guess because I was asked a lot if I was going to make ZZ Studios, the support of friends made it all come together. And from then on, it’s turned into a little family. I have staff still from the first days still working here, about three years ago I think.
Bixyl Shuftan: Do you prefer to be called Cindy or Zig Zag?
Cindy Babii: Whichever you prefer, hun.
Bixyl Shuftan: So how has the Studio progressed since the beginning? I recall it started out as one single building in another sim.
Cindy Babii: Yes at Fur Pleasure. As you can see, we (now) fill a 1/4 sim pretty well. We've come from picture stories to full motion movies. You can see the samples of those in the theater.
Bixyl Shuftan: Besides the samples, do the movies have some plot, or are they mostly, action?
Cindy Babii: Oh all our stories have a plot. It’s more enjoyment to be drawn into a story. Iv’e always told anyone can show pictures of sex. You just have to give more thought to it.
Bixyl Shuftan: So what have been some of the more memorable moments of the club?
Cindy Babii: Oh that would be the premieres of the new movies. We always get so many at one time, we crash the sim. but everyone enjoys themselves and some get to see their avs on the big screen for the first time.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like you have a really good time.
Cindy Babii: Yes, we’ve always been proud of the crowds we draw on a daily basis, and the friendlyness of the staff that calls ZZ Studios home.
Bixyl Shuftan: What are some of the challenges of running an adult media company in Second Life?
Cindy Babii: (laughter) Thats a good question. Well, the main challenge was making sure it was done in a tasteful and mature manner. No naked noobie avies running around asking for sex. As for the business part, at the time we started there were only a few furry mags. And a few, you know, even started from ZZ studios.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like you've started some success stories.
Cindy Babii: Yes it’s a lot of fun. That’s the first rule here: *have fun.* Second is *no drama.*
Bixyl Shuftan: Those rules I’m sure everyone enjoys.
Cindy Babii: Ohh yes.
Bixyl Shuftan: Have the artists most connected to the character “Zig Zag,”Max BlackRabbit and Eric Scwartz, had anything to say about your version of her studio?
Cindy Babii: Max saw the very first studio with DC Rabbit and loved it. ... I can happily say I’ve been told my avie is the closest to Zig Zag the artists have seen. .... took two years to finally get it this way.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like a lot of work went into it.
Cindy Babii: yes thanks to some great builders
Bixyl Shuftan: Getting back to the Studio, how many job applications do you get? What are you most looking for in an applicant?
Cindy Babii: I get about 5 to 10 a week. And as for what were looking for, first thing I look for is style, original looks and use of color and clothes. Being able to edit your avie is another good point because we have been know to ask actors to do some weird stuff during filming.
Bixyl Shuftan: Some articles in real-life news have stated more women have been viewing adult films. Have your movies in Second Life seen increased viewership by women as well?
Cindy Babii: We’ve always had more women at ZZ Studios than men. (laughter) Some guys have found that out the hard way.
Bixyl Shuftan: Have you had any problems with griefers or lechers?
Cindy Babii: That is one thing we’ve never had a big problem with. Like i said were a pretty tight group, and never seem to draw a lot of griefers or other problems that you will see on Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: Well, that is good news.
Cindy Babii: Yes, I would say if your looking for a mature place to hang out in Second Life with an adult feel, we have some of the hottest and friendliest staff. We have people who come here to just lay on the beach and relax, and have been doing it for years.
Bixyl Shuftan: Any particularly notable bloopers in making the movies, or at the parties?
Cindy Babii: Oh, for the movies one thing I like to do is being in the background somewhere in a scene of every movie, be it a tail shot or me some where in the distance.
Bixyl Shuftan: Like how Alfred Hitchcock was in every movie of his?
Cindy Babii: (Grins and laughs) Just like that. It’s something fun to look for.
Bixyl Shuftan: (smirks) I'll keep that in mind if I see one soon. In “Sabrina Online,” ZZ Studios eventually did a few short films other than adult fare. Are there plans for you to do similar (although not necesarily what the comic did)?
Cindy Babii: No probally not. This is a porn studio first. And like they say, sex sales and bill have to be payed, hehehe.
Bixyl Shuftan: (chuckles a bit) When I talked to one of the staff, she mentioned there was going to be some roleplaying in part of the sim. Did you have anything to add on the subject?
Cindy Babii: No hun, that is her project to see through.
Oh, one thing to make note of is all avie types are welcomed here. We don’t restrict anyone from coming here as long as there mature and respectful of others.
Bixyl Shuftan: On another note,there has been quite a bit of talk about Linden Labs' Adult Content plans. How will they affect the studio?
Cindy Babii: If it does it will only effect us for the better. As of right now it doesnt effect us one bit. But as we know that could change tomorrow.
Bixyl Shuftan: How might it be for the better in the case of your studio?
Cindy Babii: We would have more land, more prims, and I hear it might be cheaper land.
Bixyl Shuftan: Interesting, people usually dread how it might affect them.
Cindy Babii: The only thing to dread is the move. (laughter) And I’ve moved so many times, I can do it in about two hours. Also, we have the back-up Rainbow Tiger studio land.
Bixyl Shuftan: Any events in the near future that visitors might want to drop by and see?
Cindy Babii: Well, we always have something playing in the theater, plus the bi-monthly tail sale. That’s always worth looking into.
Bixyl Shuftan: So some of the stars put themselves up for bids? Or just the fan group?
Cindy Babii: Oh no, a lot of the stars are up for grabs. And sometimes I sneak up there.
Bixyl Shuftan: (smirks) I'll let a freind know if I ever notice.
Cindy Babii: (laughter) There's always my stunt doubles.
It was at this moment a nearby staff member commented “Hey I’m no stunt double,” which led to a bit of joking around for a minute.
Bixyl Shuftan: Someone you'd like to mention, Cindy?
Cindy Babii: Yes. Darkefur Fraker is one I would like to. She does over and beyond for the studio. ... I guess that’s why we’ve survived so easily.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like she's been your right hand lady.
Cindy Babii: Yes, for along time. ... She has a cool line of bikes she works hard on. She holds one hell of a bike night. (laughter) She wont let me bring out any of my bikes.
Bixyl Shuftan: Oh, why is that?
Cindy Babii: Well they’re (high) prim showpieces ... high detail. (laughter) She says it’s not fair.
Bixyl Shuftan: Any future plans for the studio you'd like to share?
Cindy Babii: We like to keep new changes a surprise because of the copying factor in Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: Anything else that you'd like to add?
Cindy Babii: Just *come on down and enjoy yourself at ZZ Studios*
It was then that the interview concluded. Cindy invited me to stay as long as I wanted and interact with the others, and we went our separate ways.
Cindy Babii: Ok hun ... you have a great day and good luck.
Bixyl Shuftan: You too Cindy. I guess I shouldn't bother with (calling you) Ms. Zumbroski
(http://www.sabrina-online.com/strips/SabOnline88.GIF)
Cindy Babii: (laughter) No no, that’s too long.

Bixyl Shuftan

Choices , Choices, Choices !

The Healing Potentials of Cybersex

by Penny Sautereau-Fife

Yes you read that title right. No I'm not any kind of doctor. I am however slowly dying, trapped in a broken down, crumbling body wracked with constant excruciating pain that can barely function. So that's the direction I'm coming from as I write this.

Now, first of all, yes I'm aware of the fact that saying cybersex out loud more often than not is met at best with polite looks of pitiable disdain, and at worst by the giggles of sniggering teenagers making jokes about typing one-handed. Many people don't really understand cybersex. Why on earth would anyone want to masturbate to words on a screen?

Well, first of all, masturbating to words is hardly a new concept. Erotica has been around for centuries. The imagination is one of the most potent and powerful sexual characteristics of most human beings. Seriously, why else do you think a woman coyly biting on a pencil or eating a banana can make men into gooey puddles just as easily as any full frontal nudity in Playboy could? Sometimes your imagination can be more arousing than the real thing.

But, you may ask, even considering this fact, how then can cybersex be healing? Isn't it still just typing one-handed to pornographic text?

Well, that depends on the context. Positive thinking people will always try to say there's someone out there for everyone. Negative thinking people will insist if you have to get sex online you must be pathetic. Those of us in the middle who are just simply realistic know the truth is in the middle. We live in a very shallow beauty-obsessed society. And very often, people who are too fat, or too plain, or physically crippled or disfigured simply won't be able to get past the pre-conceived notions most people in real life have.

So where does Cybersex come in?

First of all, online, you aren't held back by the stigmas that may be attached to however it is you look. I'll use the MMO game Second Life as an example as that of late is where I spend most of my time. Let's first do a quick comparison, of my own case.

REAL LIFE

- Suffering from several health ailments and debilitating conditions. In so much pain moving is a painful chore. Sex life with my wife is nearly non-existent without serious painkillers. Severely limited wardrobe due to minimal finances. Must use a wheelchair to get around outside of the house. Overweight, very plain-looking at best, putting on make-up is far too huge an effort to bother with except for important events. Generally unable to get out to meet people or socialize. Very few local friends who could visit me.

SECOND LIFE, ONLINE

- No extra body fat. All the intricate tattoos I ever wanted, arranged sexily. Nearly unlimited wardrobe of sexy clothing, limited only by my imagination as to what I can create in Photoshop. No mobility issues. Beautiful body and face. Pain never an issue. Sexual function limited only by my imagination. More friends than I can count.

Are you seeing the pattern here? I'm not pretty on the outside in real life, and except for my wits and hands I'm barely functional. But on the computer, my mind and personality are freed of all my limitations.

Now you may still be asking at this point, but how does cybersex have healing potential just because you can be sexy online?

Well, it's simple. Cybersex is still human interaction, even online. It requires to people to open up sexually and mingle. And when it's good, it spurs the imagination, getting your brain working in overdrive on several levels. The more excited you get reading your lover's sexy innuendos or blunt passionate statements, the more endorphins you release. The more you excite your partner with a creative and arousing turn of a phrase, the more your self-esteem gets a boost from knowing that, with only your fingertips typing and your imagination flaring, you're giving someone miles away joy and pleasure, making someone feel better, making someone happy.

I can't speak for everyone but in my own case my physical pain is so great I can't even masturbate, so I don't do the much yapped about "one handed typing" like most. I am however capable of achieving orgasm purely from intense mental stimulation, and I get that by pleasing those I love online. As does my wife, who also plays on Second Life to compensate for my real life inabilities. Freed of my physical limitations and open to letting my imagination show me the freedom cybersex gives me to do things my body just never could manage in real life, the emotional pleasure and intellectual stimulation I get from my online interactions, I can honestly say, keeps me going some days. The happiness I derive from making my wife and my online lovers happy and joyful through my imaginative typing gives me the drive to keep living through the mess of my real body.

And for others, who are perhaps only limited by societal definitions of beauty, it's a chance to feel loved for their personality. I know a lot of people who have in fact met their wives and husbands this way, because with the awkward social limitations out of the way and not influencing the getting to know you process, they were able to connect on a more personal and layered level, falling for the person rather than the looks. I know several other people who are perfectly content to keep things online alone. I know people who consider themselves married to people they'll never meet in real life and are happy that way, because their online relationships fulfill their needs and they get to keep their real life unfettered.

Emotional healing can be more important sometimes than physical healing. There's nothing that can be done for any of the conditions I live with. I know I am GOING to die within the next few years, barring my own will to live. But my soul is kept healthy and strong by my interactions online and my wife.

And the will to keep going is better medicine than damn near anything. Not that I'll be giving up my percosets anytime soon, but the life I live online makes the life I have offline worth muddling through.

Reporters of Gor: The Kajira Chronicles Book 2

This article, this instalment of the Reporters of Gor series will likely be the last such for a good long while. (at least if I can help it) I have seen Gor, I have spent weeks within it, but overall, the experience was a negative one. I realize now I hung on for as long as I did simply because I've always enjoyed roleplaying, but even this was not terribly entertaining since I personally don't consider “Get me some Paga Beast” to be terribly engaging roleplay. It is for this an other reasons I feel that I am done with gor, but here are some of my final thoughts on the matter, submitted for your consideration and for my inevitable rise to fame and glory.

So, to start from the beginning by the time I became a kajira I had already mostly gotten over my hatred for the philosophy of Gor, not because I didn't despise it anymore but simply because I no longer concerned myself with it. (In other words I did my best to repress that bullshit as much as I could.) Now I've been given to understand most Kajira become so either by being captured or by simply surendering themselves in general to a gorean city or “homestone.” I, being the smart slut, took the time to selectively choose and negotiate my enslavement before actually roleplaying it out. It actually worked quite well, resulting in a tragic roleplay of a women who feels she has lost her purpose in life submitting in order to find new purpose. Sounds cheesy I know but I assure you at the time it was an intense experience. Sadly though it was one of only a few worthwhile roleplaying experience I had.

So then I was a slave... now what? It's not like I am unfamiliar with being a submissive, I wanted to see what being a gorean slave was like though, and I rapidly learned the main difference was instead of simply being submissive to my carefully chosen master, I had to be submissive to almost everyone. (So fine? I can put up with that right? Might even be fun. Ya... Only not so much.) You see dear readers the main problem is that to far to many people, the ideal submissive kajira is one that never really says or does anything except when ordered to do so. If you don't see a problem with this, the fuck you. I own a few slaves myself and I know a good mistress has a responsibility to give her pets more to do then just “Sit down and shut up.” Those that think otherwise are mistreating their toys and are probably going to find themselves without any before terribly long, or at least without any slaves worth having. And as I have said before, no slaves, no Gor.

Now by this point some of my female readers are probably working themselves into a good “all men as chauvinistic assholes” ranting mood. But before you do, let me stop you. It was the men of tetrapoli who were actually the most likable (with one notable exception) and understood that Gor is roleplay and just because you can call me a beast IC (in character for those of you unfamiliar with the lingo) doesn't mean I'm not a real person with thoughts and the desire to express them. And they would make an effort IC to involve me in their roleplay, to give me something to do, some more successfully then others but the effort was made.

So it wasn't men of gor that were the problem as I though they would be. Nay in Tetrapoli I was in fact betrayed by my own gender. Yes, while the Free Men of Gor proved themselves to be mostly likable, the Free Women (FW) proved themselves time and again to be complete power-tripping BITCHES! (And here I had thought I was supposed to be the bitch.) regarding myself and my fellow Kajira with at best casual disdain but generally with a “How dare you speak in my presence whore!” attitude. (To put it generously) What's worse is that this attitude is not only regarded as acceptable but is even expected. Now I don't want to say that your a completely worthless facsimile of a human being if your biggest source of entertainment is being a complete bitch to people. I just want to strongly imply it. And thus I encourage a good 80% of the free women population of Gor to pucker up and kiss my sexy ass. (Hmm on the other hand thats not much of a punishment.) Find some other way to roleplay or go fuck yourself with a baseball bat. (For those of you without baseball bats, IM me and I'll happily provide you with one.) The other 20% of you get a kiss and a cookie (Again I'll happily provide them.)

It should be noted that yes, there were some redeemable FW in gor, I even attended a roleplaying workshop for them (though this was when i was a kajira, but then the major topic of discussion was roleplaying interactions between FW and kajira) and while a few of them including the lead speaker seemed to understand my point when I addressed the speaker and said that I felt too many FW roleplayed poorly with the kajira and that being a total bitch was hardly the best way to roleplay with others, it seemed many, including a particularly vocal specimen considered my arguments to be utterly without worth simply because i was a kajira and it is inappropriate for kajira to think or to form opinions, let alone express them, and if I were a good kajira I would never have thought up or voiced my arguments. Therefor I am not a good kajira and therefor I don't understand Gor and therefor my arguments must be totally false and groundless. Q.E.D. Faced with the bullet-proof logic I and my sister (who was watching over my shoulder) were left with absolutely no alternative but to burst into howls of laughter. (And frankly I still had to clean up their logic for your benefit readers.)

It wasn't long after that incident that I was freed from captivity, my owner realizing that I was never going to be a good little kajira. (Which I have taken as a compliment.) So, stopping only to set fire to few metaphorical bridges, I departed Tetrapoli, likely never to return. I will however, say one thing in the defence of that particular sim though not for Gor in general, just before I left there was a motion to improve the quality of roleplay for kajira and to organize more events, but I left before anything had really started.

So, to summarize....... Screw you guys, I 'm going home.

Though before I do I would like to take a moment to address some of the feedback from my last gorean article. Honestly I have little to say in response, some of you have offered potentially valid criticism of my work. While I myself feel that 3+ weeks of research was quite adequate, I am not and will not pretend to be gorean, I have never read any of the books, just quotations from them. That said, I am not some self-righteous puritan who feels that all BDSM is sick. I do and have owned slaves myself, and overall I quite enjoy some aspects of BDSM. And then of course there were those of you who's opinions have shown themselves be slightly less the valid. I'd say you know who you are, but I really doubt that, so I'll just have to say the rest of us know who you are.

Joan Sweetwater

How to pick up.... Me

I was not long ago that I was fist gifted with the privelge of meeting some of my fans, though they were unrelated I was first contacted by them within hours of each other.
Now by this point in my second life, I can generally expect about two people I've never met before IMing me to try to get into my pants, some are up front about it, some employ the more smoke and mirrors approach but these two were notable in that they both had read my articles and enjoyed them. Now one was a pretty cool girl who wanted to get an article of her own in SL-newspaper and the other was a somewhat less then cool, but these and my other experiences have lead me to write a brief “Pick up guide” for horny guys and gals looking to meet someone. (like say... me)

Now I've written before about the importance of having class. Apparently some of you didn't get the message. Asking me to “Be your cam-whore and have sex with dogs on webcam” before I have even so much as seen your avatar IS NOT class. (to quote a friend “Dogs are sooo 2008”) And while I'm sure that many of you readers have stopped by this point imagining exactly that (for which I can hardly blame them) those who forge on will likely agree with me that perhaps a bit more tact is required. (Like say... any at all.)

Now that said, it is also not wise to be “too” gentlemanly, particularly not over a long period. Doing so runs the risk of establishing yourself firmly in the “just friends” category. The reason for this is that sex has a way of changing relationships and if a “friendly” relationship grows comfortable I, and others like me, are reluctant to risk changing it with sex.

Be interesting! I can't stress this enough, if you want someone to give you the time of day, it's likely best not to have a blank profile and to just open with “Hi” Odds are you wont even get a response. A few jokes and double entendre can go a long way. And it helps to be a least a bit of a pervert, because those that only want to have missionary sex on a bed in private are probably monogamous anyway, so have a fantasy and don't be afraid to express it to avoid the endless “What do you want to do? I dunno what do you want to do? I dunno...” (you get the idea) if you let it fall into that, then your probably going to lose his or her interest and if they have shown interest in a random stranger, chances are they are kinky themselves.

Lastly, call the next day if you enjoyed it. Don't count on being called back even if you think your partner had a good time, alot of people aren't confident enough to make the grab for that second date, so if you want it, go for it. Just remember the second date does not the lifelong commitment make. It's great to say “I really enjoyed yesterday, I'd like to see you again and see where this goes.” It is not great to say “I really enjoyed yesterday. Please don't think I'm creepy but I wrote a love sonnet about how beautiful you are and how wonderful our family will be. Don't worry I'll take care of everything, in fact I've already prepared a couple different styles of wedding invitations you can send out to your friends and I've prepared a list of possible names for the beautiful children we will have. And don't worry lover, I'm not a creepy stalker, I'm not trying to force you into anything you don't want to do. Oh and btw I already booked our wedding for Thursday next week at 1pm. See I told you I'll take care of everything.” (What the hell is it about me that keeps attracting the latter type?)

By Joan Sweetwater

Who to the What Now?

By Penny Sautereau
Click for full size images

Well this is New and Xciting

Well with Gor out of the way, its time for me to get back into the saddle so to speak. I needed something new and exciting, something that would inspire me to write somthing so mindblowingly awesome that not only would the Nobel Prize Committee recognize my genius, they would be forced to create the Nobel Sex Journalism Prize just to capture the sheer magnitude of my awesome. Only problem is, I wasnt sure what to write about.

Well I have found the answer dear readers, a rather exciting one to. Xciteing that is (Yes I'm going to Pun-Hell, I know.) And as you've no doubt deduced by now I'm refering to XCITE. A store, indeed a brand, that caters to those who want to upgrade their avatar with a bit more interactivity. Oh sure any fresh off the welcome island can quickly obtain a free, automicaly correct skin and a cock if they are male or "other". I mean I'm certain we've all seen people on SL who seem to exist purely for the purpose of having sex and don't even bother to put in the time and effort to write a profile.

But some people prefer a little something extra, something that can seperate us from the unwashed masses of over-eager newbs. One of perhaps the best product for this is XCITE body parts, which allow other people to interact with your body simply by touching the appropriate body part. For example if someone wanted to say, bite my nipple, they could simply click on my breasts and then select bite from the menu. This stiumulus would then be fed through the xcite hud, potentialy causing arousal depending on how I've set my kinks (yes you can customize your kinks) and genetrates a short emote in chat automaticly (can be set to either say, whisper or IM the emote.) With enough stiumulation I can even be forced to cum, putting me in a nice "orgasmic" animation. I can also do things to myself using the same system too. One nice feature is the ability to "react" to touches, I could for example blow the person touching a kiss, or i could punch them in the face, or ban then from touching me outright. Then there is the handy little feature of XCITE parts being upgradable with fun little features and sex toys for about 150-500L a pop.

I learned one little feature of XCITE mostly by accident a few days ago, namely that XCITE body parts can interact with eachother. Oh sure I had read that in the store but had never actually seen it at work until i went to a party, one thing lead to another (as things usually do at any party worth going to) and soon I was masturbating on the dance floor. Everyone was laughing and having a good time when I came, suddenly one of my fellow dancers, a women I happen to know, said her XCITE pregnancy hud had reacted to it. (She had been trying to get pregnant with her SL husband and had so far had no luck.) so in spite of the fact that I lacked the equipment to do so (like say a penis), and indeed was across the room from her at the time, there is every chance i may have knocked her up depending on what menu she selected.... so ya.. things might be a bit awkward with her husband after this article goes up. ;P

But as potentially cool as that is, there is one very major problem with XCITE, that being that some people use it a sexual crutch, thinking that just selecting menu items and having it play short emotes counts as a replacement for actual emoting on their parts. Frankly I despise that even more then I despise those who only want to talk about how hard they are and how HAWT a particular sex animation is. (Seriously what the fuck is so hard about emoting actions? /me bitch-slaps the lot of you. >:p) And of course there is the minor problem with placement and coloration. THey try to make it as simple as possible but sometimes there are difficulties.

Et finalment (Yes not only am i bi-sexual, I'm bi-lingual too) it would be remiss of me to fail to mention the "tokon slave hud system" for all the subs and doms out there. Its a pretty versitle piece of sex-tech that works with XCITE (though having XCITE stuff isnt required) it lets you create and save your own positions, macros and sounds as well as coming with its own stuff pre-loaded (my favourite one is "that's no moon, that's a space station") the interface itself is very intuitive but the method for creating your own content is not. MY favourite thing about it is that the hud itself works with any on the tolken collars, cuffs and hud you have, and is priced very reasonably, allowing one to purchace a slave hud and collar for about the sameprice one might expect for a mid-range collar.

Til next time, Joan Sweetwater