The Guardian for this meeting was Bruce Mowbray. The comments are by Bruce Mowbray.

from an Eliza email:  On November 15th, at 2pm SLT, we are having a special theme session, to meet as new avatars. As described in other emails, and in a few sessions, the meaning of this exploration varies slightly for each participant, but the main thing is that we will arrive as a new avatar, including a new name.

With some, it will be easy to identify the avatar they once were, and with others, it might be impossible. The main thing is that we allow ourselves and each other the space and grace to approach anew - to refresh our views, as it were, even when some avatars appear simultaneous with another we are more familiar with. 

Falze1: Hello, may I sit with you?
Bruce Mowbray: You may, indeed.
Falze1: Bruce, look familiar. are you able to take the log?
ErnestMindful: Hello Folks
Bruce Mowbray: I can, surely! (take the log, I mean.)
mystermagdelene: hello
Negafook: good evening, everyone
Bruce Mowbray: Hello!
MaggieFairy: hello
mystermagdelene: good evening

--BELL--

MaggieFairy: what is Tabula Rasa?
Negafook: something special for today:)
ShinjuJin: Hi
Negafook: many, perhaps most, members of the group have made new avatars (new names)
Falze1: seems to be Latin
Negafook: to try approaching the group and the practices as if for the very first time, with no pre-knowledge
MaggieFairy: google says "Blank Slate"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabula_rasa

mystermagdelene: amazing
CuriousBeing: hi everyone
ShinjuJin: this is interesting, I feel nervous
mystermagdelene: you can hold my hand Shin
ShinjuJin: Hi Curious
Falze1: I certainly like the names
ErnestMindful: I feel excited ... very new yet familiar at the same time...:)
CuriousBeing: almost too much to take in
Falze1: actually I started last week by joining and reading the webpage introduction
Falze1: ouch
ShinjuJin: attractive avatars and interesting names
ShinjuJin: ouch?
ShinjuJin: did the introduction hurt?
Falze1: sorry, got sat on
ShinjuJin: oh, I am sorry
mystermagdelene: I don't mind a little hurt
Falze1::)
mystermagdelene::)
Falze1: so what brought your Being here
IamBeing: a clean slate?
ErnestMindful: Discovery within and without
Falze1: Beginners mind?
MaggieFairy: what begins from emptiness?
IamBeing: nothing?
mystermagdelene: nothing and everything
Falze1: if we stripped away all that we had built up and saw what we ARE?
Negafook: the entire universe, before Creation.
IamBeing: both form and emptiness?
ShinjuJin: What are we doing in a place like this?
CuriousBeing: its fun
Falze1: that is a good question
IamBeing: It's a brave new world
mystermagdelene: funnily enough, I am still attached to you all
Falze1::))
Negafook::)
CuriousBeing::)
IamBeing: sees all the fine strings
IamBeing: like cobwebs
ShinjuJin: you seem nice enough to me
IamBeing: connecting
Negafook: I wonder what that is ...
Falze1: connecting to strangers
Falze1: hope for some connections
CuriousBeing: don't feel so strange though
IamBeing: strangers in a strange land
MaggieFairy: the blank slate ends and everything else begins
mystermagdelene: an attraction for kindred spirits?
ShinjuJin: happenstance
IamBeing practices writing on the slate
Negafook: willingness to assume the best of strangers
mystermagdelene: and how lovely is that
IamBeing: very
Falze1: I am trying very hard to chase away guesses who you were in that past life
CuriousBeing: me too!
ShinjuJin: me too. I am keeping light sketches and impressions
Negafook: heheheheh
ErnestMindful: Was there a past life?
Negafook: perhaps we are all reincarnations, as the Dalai Lama is
IamBeing: reincarnations of whom?
Falze1: are you the same as you were years ago, months ago, days ago
IamBeing: no
ShinjuJin: Hi Billie
Falze1: full circle, Billie
Bruce Mowbray: Welcome, Billie!
CuriousBeing: hi Billie
Negafook: welcome, take a cushion
Bruce Mowbray: (if you can find one!)

--BELL--

ErnestMindful: Hello Billie
mystermagdelene: I think ..blending in with change effortless. is a healthy thing
IamBeing: smiles at Billie
BillieExcellent: i can't take it. it's grey on the button.
Negafook: then sit on it instead
mystermagdelene: change is what we often fight..but here we have done it without issue
ShinjuJin: bouncy Billie
Falze1: they have a quaint practice here of not chatting during that bell adn red ribbon
Falze1: but it is so hard to do
mystermagdelene: hi Billie
BillieExcellent: hello
ErnestMindful: Hello Billie
MaggieFairy: can someone lend me a "Friend of Being" group join?
IamBeing: not sure if I like being quaint
SilasAndrews: Hey, Bill.
ShinjuJin: why stop? what kind of group is this?
Bruce Mowbray: Good question!
ShinjuJin: I would like a join too
Falze1: yes, what kind of group is this
IamBeing: a very flexible group
MaggieFairy: not sure it is a group... yet
Negafook: click on the name at the top of the billboard behind me
IamBeing: friendly
Bruce Mowbray: It would seem this is the "Blank Slate" group.
IamBeing: and fabulous
ShinjuJin: "tabula rasa"
ElanVitalo looks up "Tabula Rasa"
IamBeing: amazing that so many are here- perhaps we all needed a change of being
ElanVitalo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabula_rasa
ShinjuJin: hard to write on a blank slate with an inkless pen
CuriousBeing: even virtual lives need some change it seems
ShinjuJin: IamBeing, maybe
BillieExcellent: why is Shinjujin typing? is that a gesture?
IamBeing: only a guess
Bruce Mowbray: Well, as a possible point of reference: YAYYYY to Ohio State Buckeyes for beating Minnesota today . . . !
Bruce Mowbray: ***** APPLAUSE! *****
Negafook: heheh
Negafook: is it hockey season already?
IamBeing: ?
ShinjuJin::) yes gesture
Bruce Mowbray: NOOOO. It's FOOOOTSBOOOOL season!
Negafook: hehehe
IamBeing: someone is arriving on the train
Bruce Mowbray: he he.
IamBeing: Hello Kama
CuriousBeing: ha ha forgot I don't have any of my gestures:)
ShinjuJin: Hi Kama
SilasAndrews: Not my kind of futbol.
CuriousBeing: hi Kama
Bruce Mowbray: Yikes!
Negafook: wb frun
Santoshima: hello everyone
IamBeing: Hi san
Negafook: hello san
SilasAndrews: Hello, San.
ShinjuJin: Hi San
mystermagdelene: Hi San
Bruce Mowbray: Heya, San-ji.
Byron Tennyson: Good day San
CuriousBeing: hi San
Falze1: ty
BillieExcellent: hi Santoshima.
Bruce Mowbray: Looks like San and I might be the only non-blank slaters here today.
IamBeing: not visibly anyway
Santoshima: hardly
ShinjuJin: well help us newbies out
Negafook: being new is hard.
ErnestMindful: Well, I don't know who you are Bruce or San
Bruce Mowbray: I am Bruce and San is San, I presume.
BillieExcellent: should we do this typing. I cannot find the gesture.
mystermagdelene: I think there is too much mindfulness in being a new avi
CuriousBeing: interesting
mystermagdelene: well..that was me being a bit of devils advocate
CuriousBeing: I don't have enough stuff
ErnestMindful: never can get too much of a good thing..
IamBeing: what gesture are you looking for?
ShinjuJin: if we come to learn it is hard to know who to ask what
BillieExcellent: Typing. I looked in the folder. It's not there.
ShinjuJin: I would like to know more about everyone here
Bruce Mowbray: I would like to propose that none of us actually reveal our identities, at least not yet.
IamBeing: yes- we sort of really one earlier conversations and experiences
Bruce Mowbray: Let's let this newness have a chance to be experienced, in a sort of laboratory, if you will.
CuriousBeing: already have 3800 items in my inventory
Negafook nods
CuriousBeing: on my way to being not so new ha!
ElanVitalo: also nods.
ShinjuJin: okay
BillieExcellent: They give you 2000+ I don't know what to do with most of them.
ElanVitalo: Thanks, San!
ShinjuJin: Hi Storm
Storm Nordwind waves
Bruce Mowbray: Heya, Stormy.
IamBeing: Hello Storm
Byron Tennyson: Good day to you Storm
Falze1: I had to immediately go buy stuff
ElanVitalo: Welcome, Storm, whoever you are!
Negafook waves
mystermagdelene: Hi storm
SilasAndrews: Bad weather coming in?
Falze1: why not stay with only 2000+ stuff?
Falze1: Hi Storm
ShinjuJin: If Billie couldn't sit down I was thinking I would have to go shopping for a chair
Negafook: I found the default avatars and their clothing quite unacceptable.

--BELL--

BillieExcellent: What is an atoll. I have items for atolls. I am looking for one.
mystermagdelene: well, my avi is a bit basic .
Lucinda Lavender: greetings...
mystermagdelene: Hi Luci
IamBeing: 90 sec dropping?
BillieExcellent: They told us to be quiet during this bell ringing.
Bruce Mowbray: Sort of like instant "tabula rasa...."
Byron Tennyson: Hello dear Luci
IamBeing wonders who "they" are
ShinjuJin: Hi Luci
IamBeing: Hi Lucinda
Bruce Mowbray: Welcome, Lucy!
Lucinda Lavender: so sorry
CuriousBeing: hi Luci and hi Storm
mystermagdelene: yes, I missed the bell
MaggieFairy: They, the "Being people"
mystermagdelene: my appol
Bruce Mowbray: Feeling like a stranger in a strange land, Luci?
IamBeing: hello erin
Bruce Mowbray: Welcome, Erin.
ShinjuJin: Hi erin
erin Stormcrow: good day folks
ElanVitalo: Hello, Erin.
mystermagdelene: hi Erin
ShinjuJin: I still feel nervous. It feels good to say hello to people to break up that feeling
Lucinda Lavender: definitely...as I am on as phone as well...
ShinjuJin: it is something I know it is alright to say
ShinjuJin: hello
IamBeing: what do you think causes the nervousness?
ElanVitalo looks up "on the phone."
Lucinda Lavender: the newness ....perhaps?
ShinjuJin: I think it must be
IamBeing: we are strangers without our familiar features?
CuriousBeing: not having all my stuff:)
ElanVitalo looks up "having stuff."
mystermagdelene: for me, I think that we haven't got a topic on the go ...which stimulates conversation
CuriousBeing: feels nice to make you all my "new" friends
MaggieFairy: walking into a new group usually begins with watching,
Bruce Mowbray watches.
ShinjuJin: so we're all watching
IamBeing: I spent a lot of time with my other alt buying things I wouldn't afford
ElanVitalo also watches.
Lucinda Lavender: the inventory is fresh I imagine
ShinjuJin: a spree, IamBeing?
erin Stormcrow: we lack our security blankets, friends, stuff, the pavilion is here though
CuriousBeing: watching from behind new eyes
MaggieFairy: some of us are busy being nervous
Negafook: heheheh
IamBeing: yes- it was fun Shinjujin
ElanVitalo remembers that he can change his eyes, whenever he wants to.
Falze1: We are newly looking at the same ol
ElanVitalo changes eyes.
Falze1: and not locked into the past by you who knew us
IamBeing wonders whether she can change her nose
Falze1: a surface change is nice.
SilasAndrews: Why would you want to change your nose?
Falze1: a full body change is good too
IamBeing: just for a change, Silas
ShinjuJin: maybe we could all answer a shared question
SilasAndrews: I'm happy with the magnificent body I already have.
Falze1: a person change might be what I need
Negafook: good idea
IamBeing: sure
ShinjuJin: who has one?
Falze1: thanks for modeling it for us:)
mystermagdelene: ermmmm
Bruce Mowbray: It looks to me like we all have one. . .
Bruce Mowbray: a person change, I mean.
SilasAndrews: my pleasure!
IamBeing tries to think of a good question
Falze1: the side of Being being seen now is awkward
ElanVitalo  tries to think of a good answer.
CuriousBeing: I find its harder to follow the typed conversation not knowing everyone
Santoshima: what's your question, Shinjujin?
Lucinda Lavender: cannot seem to respond to friendship off:(
ShinjuJin: I keep wondering what everyone wants to be known about themselves
ShinjuJin: asking myself the same question
IamBeing: I want to be seen as different from my alt
Bruce Mowbray: well, my typist is a rabid Buckeye fan. Does that help?
ShinjuJin::)
BillieExcellent: what typist? you have someone type for you?
Bruce Mowbray: Yikes!
Lucinda Lavender::)
Bruce Mowbray: Yes. My typist types for moi.
CuriousBeing: I'm not sure I want to be different than my alt perhaps just not judged too quickly
mystermagdelene: well....I don't mind everyone not knowing about me..cos I am fed up with my ego...I would be happy that folk would see me as kind
IamBeing: there are many parts to this typist
ErnestMindful: Actually, I feel a bit safer now in my NEW character without a known history..
IamBeing: smiles at myster
ShinjuJin: new voices
ElanVitalo takes notes.
CuriousBeing: safer, that's interesting, how so?
erin Stormcrow: fewer consequences, like being on vacation in a far land
IamBeing: are you not normally kind, myster?
ShinjuJin: far land, hm
ErnestMindful: Yes, i relate to you Stormcrow..
mystermagdelene: I try to be
BillieExcellent: my profile says I am learning about Second Life and left everyday behind.
ElanVitalo: I thought that in SL all lands were near....
ErnestMindful: Safer in that I can start 'clean'
CuriousBeing: so clean is safe?
ShinjuJin: far describes the feeling well, as though I hear only the edges of familiar voices
ShinjuJin: more blended
Lucinda Lavender: setting awkwardness aside
BillieExcellent: They have helpers. When I came these Haven helpers came to get me.
Falze1: nicely put
ErnestMindful: Yes... clean... fresh... starting again..
IamBeing: thinks about Haven helpers
ElanVitalo looks up "Haven Helpers"
Lucinda Lavender: what is a haven helper?
BillieExcellent: they get you at the entrance and bring you to their home and help you there.
BillieExcellent: 100 Helpers to newbie.
mystermagdelene: I had to help myself by using my old avi to send me stuff..he he
CuriousBeing: like going to a party where you only know the host
IamBeing: sounds kinda new age
Lucinda Lavender: oh nice
ShinjuJin: I have a sponsor too
Negafook: me too:)
ErnestMindful: yes, Curious
Falze1: me too:)
IamBeing: me too - with deep pockets
Negafook: though I hated to ask for help:)
Byron Tennyson: Greetings Steve
IamBeing: Hi Stevenaia
Falze1: Hi stevenaia
ShinjuJin: but she didn't give me anywhere to land so I am a wanderer
IamBeing: welcome
mystermagdelene: Hi Stevie
ErnestMindful: Hello Steve
ShinjuJin: Hi stevenaia
IamBeing: wandering is nice

--BELL--

stevenaia Michinaga: greetings, quite the party group
BillieExcellent: I met a new girl. She was very nice. The helpers gave me this AO. (animation over rider they call it)
erin Stormcrow: fascinating that a common activity in SL is to go to newbie places and just help
Falze1: how does it change that you now know 5+ people here
Lucinda Lavender: hi stevenaia
stevenaia Michinaga: Hi Luci, San and Bruce... and strangers
Bruce Mowbray: Heya, steve.
Lucinda Lavender::)
Falze1: at least SL is not brand new.
BillieExcellent: Hello Stevenaia
Santoshima: are we going around the circle to answer your good question: Shinjujin?
IamBeing: me thinks "animation overiders in the sky"
Falze1: In that beginning, I know not how to put on a body
ShinjuJin: if everyone likes that idea
Negafook nods.
CuriousBeing: what was the question?
Bruce Mowbray: onigokko
BillieExcellent: see how it works?
Negafook laughs.
ShinjuJin: What would you (most) like people to know about you?
Bruce Mowbray: stop
CuriousBeing: LOL
IamBeing: hmm
Bruce Mowbray: omg.
Falze1: hehehehehe
ShinjuJin: crazy people
mystermagdelene: I think I had a go at giving my answer,,,so leave me out this time pls
CuriousBeing: some things never change ha!
Bruce Mowbray dies from laughing....
ShinjuJin: you want to be known as kind, you said
IamBeing looks back and forth between Silas and Bruce
BillieExcellent: you are very funny, Bruce.
Bruce Mowbray looks at Silas.
mystermagdelene: oh yes..more so that I don't really want myself to be known
SilasAndrews: ??
erin Stormcrow: what you see is what you get, or not, so keep an open mind and judge me not harshly
CuriousBeing: nice
ShinjuJin: I want to know things I don't know about myself that I can't know without others
IamBeing likes the way erin's ears twitch
ShinjuJin: that is cute
Bruce Mowbray: Funny. I don't FEEL funny....
BillieExcellent: maybe your typist made you do that?
Bruce Mowbray: Has Storm fallen asleep - already?
Santoshima: naps are good
IamBeing: are we going round the circle clockwise or counter
Santoshima: counter
Lucinda Lavender: luci thinks how learning through connection opens up newness
Bruce Mowbray: starting where?
IamBeing: so... who is next?
ShinjuJin: myster and I answered
Negafook looks to Curious
BillieExcellent: i answered too.
IamBeing looks at Curious
ShinjuJin: sorry myster, I hadn't let go of your hand. I'm sorry if its sweaty
erin Stormcrow: I wasn't aware we were being organized
CuriousBeing: oh, my turn?
IamBeing: we are answering a question I think
Bruce Mowbray: I don't even have my names showing.
IamBeing: yes u do Bruce- all of them!
Bruce Mowbray: Could you please repeat the question?
CuriousBeing: what do I want known?
ShinjuJin: yes
Bruce Mowbray: kk, ty. Now, who is next to respond?
CuriousBeing: that I am open to learn new things ... curious
IamBeing: What would you (most) like people to know about you?
ShinjuJin::)
CuriousBeing: and meet new people, well slightly new
IamBeing: hard question to answer!
MaggieFairy: to answer may give yourself away
CuriousBeing: did I give myself away?
ShinjuJin: or it could be what you would like most to know about others
IamBeing: nope
Byron Tennyson: Claim the fifth
CuriousBeing: ok good:)
mystermagdelene: he he
ElanVitalo looks up "the 5th."
Santoshima: American!
CuriousBeing: ha!
Negafook grins.
Storm Nordwind chuckles
Falze1: I am not that other avi, but yet I am. shall I want you to know yet another new me or some parts of that other
ElanVitalo: Well, I want to collect all the data I can.
CuriousBeing: our speaking patterns are giving fun clues
Lucinda Lavender: sorry to say I must leave for now.... my vision through a phone is limited and I am called
Santoshima: can i say ... i need to go split wood
IamBeing: Thanks Frun
mystermagdelene: bye Luci
Negafook: careful with that axe, San
Byron Tennyson: Be careful out there San
Bruce Mowbray: Are we playing "hide-and-seek" --- or something else altogether?
MaggieFairy: bye San, Luci
Negafook: bye luci
Bruce Mowbray: Bye, San-ji!
Lucinda Lavender: thanks for being:)
mystermagdelene: bye San
IamBeing: just don't split hairs
ShinjuJin: goodbyes are starting and I begin to wonder how many of you I will see again
ElanVitalo: Be well, San.
Falze1: bye
Santoshima: i'd like you to know that I know that i reflect you and you reflect me. that i heat my cabin with wood. > I'd like to know the light that shines through all form
Santoshima: bye
Santoshima: thank you
Lucinda Lavender::)
CuriousBeing: so are we all coming back?
mystermagdelene: I may stay with this avi for a bit
ShinjuJin: wow San, what a nice thing to say in parting
Byron Tennyson: Wood is good
Negafook: I am.
ElanVitalo: VERY nice, San.
ErnestMindful: Yes, very inviting San
ElanVitalo: an excellent addition to my databanks.
Negafook smiles.
Bruce Mowbray also smiles.
IamBeing: smiles and waves at San
ShinjuJin: I am coming back. My sponsor is on retreat so I will fill in for her
ShinjuJin::)
IamBeing: nice of you!
ErnestMindful: I would like folks to know that I am someone you can speak with and i will open my heart and listen
CuriousBeing: how nice
Bruce Mowbray: Wonderful!
ShinjuJin: the least I can do after she lent me so many lindens
mystermagdelene: that's lovely
Bruce Mowbray: lovely, indeed.
ShinjuJin: Oh, Blue, nice of you too
IamBeing: Shin:-)
ErnestMindful::)
MaggieFairy: sounds like we can be defined nicely by our parting words
Bruce Mowbray: So, are we now to Byron?
ErnestMindful: i would like to know if we will meet again
CuriousBeing: hope so
Byron Tennyson: This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses.
IamBeing: probably
Negafook nods.
ElanVitalo: I hope so, too.
Falze1: some of you are worth getting to know:)
IamBeing: thank you Byron
mystermagdelene: we could sing that old ww2 song. we'll meet again don't know when ......
ShinjuJin: catches the fragrance
ElanVitalo ponders "pleasant seat" and looks it up.
Byron Tennyson: You are welcome

--BELL--

Negafook: it's a Kim Kardashian reference, Elan:)
ElanVitalo: Hmmm. Looks up Kim Kardashian.
Byron Tennyson: >.<
IamBeing whispers, I must go. I have a bowling date
mystermagdelene: have a good bowl,,,
Bruce Mowbray: I also must adieu and anon. THANKS, everyone.
ShinjuJin: nice to have met you, I am Being
Byron Tennyson: May I recommend leg spin?
Negafook: bye Iam, bye Bruce
Falze1: bye, good bowling]
CuriousBeing: bye Iam
ShinjuJin: good to have met you Bruce too
erin Stormcrow: I'd recommend against it, Elan
ShinjuJin: it is time for me to say goodbye too, for now, but I think I learned something
erin Stormcrow: we should close with an onigokko, if anyone has a copy to pass around?
Falze1: what was most re-newing was re-reading the wiki intro
ElanVitalo: "leg spin"??
erin Stormcrow: to cement the old and the new
SilasAndrews: I think I have one.
Negafook: oh good idea
Byron Tennyson: One's oni hath no gokko I fear
ShinjuJin: maybe what people want most is a place to open their hearts
mystermagdelene: bye Shin..lovely to sit with you
ShinjuJin: thank you
ErnestMindful: Yes, Shin
Byron Tennyson: Merci
ShinjuJin: will take a spin with you all first
Negafook: bye shin, be happy
SilasAndrews: onigokko
Byron Tennyson: A spin with Shin
Negafook: stop
Negafook: onigokko
CuriousBeing: ok now I feel connected LOL
Kama Omizu: curious this group, bye
Negafook: heheheh
Negafook: bye kama
erin Stormcrow: hahe
Falze1: bye
mystermagdelene: bye frun
CuriousBeing: wow all my new friends are sure fun:)
erin Stormcrow: stop
BillieExcellent: how did they do that?
ShinjuJin: wild people
ShinjuJin: thank you for an interesting hour
erin Stormcrow: I think I will go now too, thank you for having me
CuriousBeing: until next time
Negafook: thank you all, lovely strangers
ShinjuJin: hope to see everyone more and more
CuriousBeing: nice to meet you all
stevenaia Michinaga: see you soon, my new friends
ErnestMindful: Thank you all... nice meeting you...nice meeting me..
CuriousBeing: stay cool
Falze1: next time
Byron Tennyson: Good day to you good people
mystermagdelene: I must go too..am with the flu I think
BillieExcellent: goodbye to play as being people.
Negafook: goodnight all
CuriousBeing: feel better myst
mystermagdelene: bye everyone and thank you
BillieExcellent: thank you.
CuriousBeing: bye new friends
SilasAndrews: bye!
MaggieFairy: do we meet weekly?
Negafook polishes Elan's forehead and smiles, then poofs away
ElanVitalo: TY!

After-note:  I apologize for neglecting to take photos of folks who arrived late - or whom I simply may have missed.  My [six!] hands were otherwise quite occupied.  --- Bruce