This magazine is dedicated to the Open Life islands – Open Life, Open Life Ocean and Open Life Village (OLiVe).
Each issue we will feature the residents and places that make these three islands what they are and report on the latest developments.
Contents:
Surf’s up
Party on dude!
Road tests
Grease is the word
To Script or not to script
Agony Aunt
Meet the resident
View from the allotments
Through the keyhole
Focus on...
Quick pics
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Quick pics
A selection of snapshots from life on the islands.
Grease party ‘best outfit’ winners Tori and Jonno.
Even zebras need a rest every now and again.
The allotments undergo impromptu repairs.
Focus on...
Fourth in our regular series of articles each focusing on one of the Open Life islands landmarks is...
Every village needs a village shop and OLiVe is no exception.
The exquisitely named Open All Hours village shop is the place to go to ‘buy’ (for free) a selection of items made by residents themselves. Thankfully there is no till to trap your fingers in! It’s also one of the places you can pick up this very magazine!
Here is a quick rundown of the resident-created items currently adorning the shelves:
Cups - Scripted cups bearing the Open University logo. Available in regular size and oversized. Both come with a drinking script in them.
Curtains - A fantastic creation allowing you to curtain your OLiVe whole house at the cost of just one prim. Full instructions included along with four versions to allow for direction your front door faces.
DIY TV - A fully working television screen complete with set-up instructions and sample channel guide.
Female casual clothes - A box of clothes for females. Contains several t-shirts, a jacket and a pair of denim capris.
Village map - Does exactly what it says on the tin! A copy of the village map so you need never get lost again.
Welcome mat - A scripted welcome mat for your doorway that sends a greeting to anyone who steps on it. Greeting is customisable - instructions included.
The village shop is always on the lookout for new stock so if you have created something you think others might like please drop a COPY-TRANS version of it into the letterbox next to the front door of the shop by holding down your CTRL key and dragging it from your inventory. All suitable donations will be placed on sale in the shop for L$0
Every village needs a village shop and OLiVe is no exception.
The exquisitely named Open All Hours village shop is the place to go to ‘buy’ (for free) a selection of items made by residents themselves. Thankfully there is no till to trap your fingers in! It’s also one of the places you can pick up this very magazine!
Here is a quick rundown of the resident-created items currently adorning the shelves:
Cups - Scripted cups bearing the Open University logo. Available in regular size and oversized. Both come with a drinking script in them.
Curtains - A fantastic creation allowing you to curtain your OLiVe whole house at the cost of just one prim. Full instructions included along with four versions to allow for direction your front door faces.
DIY TV - A fully working television screen complete with set-up instructions and sample channel guide.
Female casual clothes - A box of clothes for females. Contains several t-shirts, a jacket and a pair of denim capris.
Village map - Does exactly what it says on the tin! A copy of the village map so you need never get lost again.
Welcome mat - A scripted welcome mat for your doorway that sends a greeting to anyone who steps on it. Greeting is customisable - instructions included.
The village shop is always on the lookout for new stock so if you have created something you think others might like please drop a COPY-TRANS version of it into the letterbox next to the front door of the shop by holding down your CTRL key and dragging it from your inventory. All suitable donations will be placed on sale in the shop for L$0
Through the keyhole
LOL! was given exclusive access to the allotment of one of the residents of Open Life Village.
Here, Tori Landau tells us about her favourite things on allotment 14.
The ice cream bowl
The bowl was the first proper object that I made and along with the ice cream makes an occasional appearance. Placing the bowl on the table always makes me smile because when originally repositioning the ice cream I managed to send a scoop scooting off into the rocks that surround the sandpit and couldn’t find it anywhere. Thank goodness for parcel auto-return!
Paddy
Representing an RL macaw of my acquaintance, Paddy contains an age detection script given to me by Lilac. The script has the effect of imitating the real Paddy’s mischievous nature and so far there have been no protests when someone clicks on him and he announces their age to half of the allotments.
The bean bags
Kered gave me one of these the evening that I took possession of my patch of OU SL heaven and I could barely copy it fast enough to provide enough seating for those who appeared for a very enjoyable natter. Various poses are scheduled to be added soon.
Birds of Paradise plants
Placed in the corners to provide colour, these are a recent addition and since in RL I’m the opposite of green fingered I hope that they continue to thrive. One plant mysteriously found its way onto Jolly’s doorstep so belated apologies to Jolly if you had to wade through greenery for half a day to gain entrance to your own home.
Here, Tori Landau tells us about her favourite things on allotment 14.
The ice cream bowl
The bowl was the first proper object that I made and along with the ice cream makes an occasional appearance. Placing the bowl on the table always makes me smile because when originally repositioning the ice cream I managed to send a scoop scooting off into the rocks that surround the sandpit and couldn’t find it anywhere. Thank goodness for parcel auto-return!
Paddy
Representing an RL macaw of my acquaintance, Paddy contains an age detection script given to me by Lilac. The script has the effect of imitating the real Paddy’s mischievous nature and so far there have been no protests when someone clicks on him and he announces their age to half of the allotments.
The bean bags
Kered gave me one of these the evening that I took possession of my patch of OU SL heaven and I could barely copy it fast enough to provide enough seating for those who appeared for a very enjoyable natter. Various poses are scheduled to be added soon.
Birds of Paradise plants
Placed in the corners to provide colour, these are a recent addition and since in RL I’m the opposite of green fingered I hope that they continue to thrive. One plant mysteriously found its way onto Jolly’s doorstep so belated apologies to Jolly if you had to wade through greenery for half a day to gain entrance to your own home.
View from the allotments
Open Life regular Leornian Naidoo gives us her thoughts on life down on the allotments.
Aspiring gardeners and grillers can apply for an allotment by writing to: VirtualWorlds@open.ac.uk
There are 16 allotments each measuring 96 sq. meters.
The separate plots have 71 prims each that can be used to decorate and build your garden paradise.
The colour of Fall by Leornian Naidoo
It's Fall! Nature is Trooping its colours! Some birds are leaving and some are coming. It's time for roasted chestnuts and hot apple cider with ginger snaps, hay rides and new wine.
Over at the allotments some things are changing. A little nip and tuck for the coming winter. I need to set some cushions close to the fireplace and get out the cocoa mugs, because OU things are moving too so its time to get comfy as I hope to have many friends coming to tell me about their "Passed" Exams and ECA'S! I know you can do it. You can do it. You can You can! Good luck to you all!
The OLIVe Gardens (OLV allotments)are located on the southwest corner of Open Life Village Island.
Aspiring gardeners and grillers can apply for an allotment by writing to: VirtualWorlds@open.ac.uk
There are 16 allotments each measuring 96 sq. meters.
The separate plots have 71 prims each that can be used to decorate and build your garden paradise.
Meet the resident
Each issue we will grab a resident and subject them to the LOL! interrogation.
Step forward our fourth victim, I mean resident......
Avatar name: Jonno Stromfield
Step forward our fourth victim, I mean resident......
Avatar name: Jonno Stromfield
Rezzday: 3rd March 2009
Are you a student, tutor or both? Student, but I've applied to be a tutor for S207 this October and I'm told it depends on student numbers. Keeping fingers crossed.
How long have you been with the OU? Since 1989.
Which degree are you aiming for? I have an Open degree and one in Physical Science. Technically I'm about half way through a Maths degree too, but only because I took extra courses in Physics that can be used that way.
Favourite course so far: S357 - Space, Time and Cosmology. The SXR208 astronomy residential school in Mallorca runs it a close second. Shame its going.
What brought you to Second Life? First to see what the OU was doing, but I didn't spend long here. I then came back in June when I found I needed Second Life for work. I work in IT and the current project for Imperial College involves simulating virtual patients in Second Life for doctors to diagnose. The project team is situated in various parts of London so we also hold our planning meetings and message each other in SL.
Favourite part of the Open Life islands: I like the undersea cave, and I love the sunsets from the west shore of the village, but during the day, Jonno can often be found lazing in the recliner at home in OLiVe Green, listening to Megarock Radio, just in case there are urgent instant messages from any of the other team members, while in RL I program away on a separate laptop. Ten years ago they said we would be sitting comfortably at home while our avatars worked in a virtual office. I commute to a real office while my avatar lounges at home. I sometimes wonder who is working whom.
Best memory from your time on Open Life: There have been quite a few; from quiet chats sitting in the allotments to charging round the SIM on the August gem hunt. One that sticks out was when first I jumped off the side of the giant sandbox and parachuted down to the village two SIMs away. That was the day I saw the sign that said that we could apply for a house here.
Favourite SL place away from Open Life: I spend a lot of time in front of the computer at work, so I don't spend as much time relaxing in Second Life as I might; I've hardly scratched the surface of the tens of thousands of SIMs available. I have played a few of the Mad Pea games which are nice to wind down on sometimes. (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Orange%20Island%202/228/176/27 - but they are moving soon, so you might need to search )
One piece of advice for newbies: Learn how to switch the music on.
Agony aunt
OLiVe’s very own Marjorie Proops answers readers concerns with inimitable style.
Dear Auntie
I can’t teleport home. Could this be something to do with land permissions? I don’t own my home, I just rent so maybe that’s the problem.
-Confused
Dear Confused
Did you remember to log into Second Life first? I remember your last letter about the faulty phantom door and your trip to Casualty, so please bear in mind that you’ll have to get the bus home like everyone else. Just please tell me you weren’t making the whooshing noise on the pavement outside your office...
Dear Auntie
I think the original OLiVe tenancies come to an end soon - is it permitted to put one's name down again on the list for a house?
-Rose
Dear Rose
Thanks for the only sensible question on this page! We need more! The answer is yes, applying to stay is encouraged. The selection rules will still apply though, so if there is a large number of applications from new people, some of “older” residents could find themselves asked to make way. Remember that OLiVe is open to all anyway, so one doesn’t need to have a house be welcome.
Dear Auntie
Some avs I know were talking the other night about RL. What is RL? They offered to show me but frankly it sounds awful. Is it safe? Or legal?
- A Concerned Av
Dear Concerned Av
It sounds as if your friends may be mixed up with some dangerous stuff. RL stands for Real Life (excuse my language). They will probably try to tell you that this aberration is just harmless fun, but the statistics tell a very different story. Remember the case in the newspapers about that man who was divorced when he went there?!! Most authorities agree that there is very little evidence to suggest that RL even exists. Take my advice and find some new friends who don’t dabble in the occult.
Dear Auntie
I can’t teleport home. Could this be something to do with land permissions? I don’t own my home, I just rent so maybe that’s the problem.
-Confused
Dear Confused
Did you remember to log into Second Life first? I remember your last letter about the faulty phantom door and your trip to Casualty, so please bear in mind that you’ll have to get the bus home like everyone else. Just please tell me you weren’t making the whooshing noise on the pavement outside your office...
Dear Auntie
I think the original OLiVe tenancies come to an end soon - is it permitted to put one's name down again on the list for a house?
-Rose
Dear Rose
Thanks for the only sensible question on this page! We need more! The answer is yes, applying to stay is encouraged. The selection rules will still apply though, so if there is a large number of applications from new people, some of “older” residents could find themselves asked to make way. Remember that OLiVe is open to all anyway, so one doesn’t need to have a house be welcome.
Dear Auntie
Some avs I know were talking the other night about RL. What is RL? They offered to show me but frankly it sounds awful. Is it safe? Or legal?
- A Concerned Av
Dear Concerned Av
It sounds as if your friends may be mixed up with some dangerous stuff. RL stands for Real Life (excuse my language). They will probably try to tell you that this aberration is just harmless fun, but the statistics tell a very different story. Remember the case in the newspapers about that man who was divorced when he went there?!! Most authorities agree that there is very little evidence to suggest that RL even exists. Take my advice and find some new friends who don’t dabble in the occult.
To script or not to script
LOL! presents the first in series of articles on the subject of scripting in Second Life by Commander Quandry.
That may be the question you have asked yourself. There is probably no one who has spent more than a day in Second Life that has not at the very least created the basic Box prim. Some will have even increased its size, rotation, or position. Others will have used some of the other properties to taper, slice, twist, cut, hollow, etc their prim to fashion it into something of use or beauty.
Using the edit window and some keyboard and mouse control quite a lot can be done with only one prim. Add others to the prim and objects of greater use can be created. However, in order to really get the benefits that Second Life offers you will want to add functionality to your object. A beautiful lamp is all well and good, but being able to turn it on and off and cast light on a room adds purpose to the design.
LSL provides a means to interact with the server and client systems. The server system is the application running on Linden servers; the client system is the software running on your PC. The scripts are interpreted at run time to fulfil the wishes of the scripter. Some of the functionality is built in and only has to be utilised – like “sit”. Other functionality has to be created.
Some of what we do in scripting is a “cheat” or, in other words, we have used some piece of useful functionality for another purpose, not intended. For instance using the “sit” and “unsit” functionality it is possible to “transport” someone around a SIM. This is not Teleporting in the true sense of Second Life but it usefully replicates teleporting by using the sit/unsit system for another purpose.
The basic elements of LSL are variables, functions, events and handlers. I will explain these a little. However, you will not fully appreciate them until you begin to use them as you script.
Variables
A variable is a word, or joined phrase, that is used to contain information useful to the script. There are different types of variable including integer, string, vector, list and rotation. There are others and we will visit them over the coming months. There are two ways to use variables – global and local. A global variable is available anywhere in the script, a local one is only available in the section of the script it is being used in.
Functions
Functions are the basis of scripting. There are LSL defined functions which form the basis of the scripting language. These functions you will learn as you develop your understanding of LSL. It is also possible to add your own functions. You might have a function that opens a door. You could then call that function when someone “touched” the door, or when they “collided” with the door, or if the owner said, “Open Sesame”. In each instance you would use the same piece of code, your function in the script, to actually move the prim to the open position.
Events and Event Handlers
The main thrust of LSL is for it to be able to react to user input – touching, sitting, talking, etc. Each of these activities create an Event and in scripting we write event handlers to do something when an event occurs. Some are obvious – touch. Some need to be set up – a “listener” for instance to hear when a user says something. We will cover most of these, and give you the tools to work out the rest, over the course of the articles.
The final thing I want to cover in this article is the Basic New Script. This will be a starting point for us and will set the scene.
First rez a Prim – right-click the ground and select create – now left-click the ground. Your prim will appear along with an edit window. Click the “Content” tab of the edit window and click New Script. You will notice that when you created the new script the object said “Hello, Avatar!”. This is because every time you Make a New Script (and an object may have multiple scripts) the Basic Script is added. 
Some basic things to note:
· All scripts have a “default” the contents of the default are between the first { in the script and the last }
· All sections of scripts are enclosed in { and }. This script has two parts to the default – state_entry() and touch_start() – again these are each enclosed in { and }
· Each line of code inside a section is terminated with a semi-colon ;
Now let’s take a look at it. Double Click the New Script in the contents.
· state_entry() an event handler that responds to the beginning of an object life. It is fired (events handlers are fired when events occur) when the object is rezzed, the script is created or saved or reset. It uses the llSay function to say “Hello, Avatar!” as we discovered earlier. Let’s look at the llSay function.
· llSay takes two arguments (arguments are pieces of information passed to the function) which are a channel to talk on (an integer) and something to say (a string). Channel 0 is the local chat channel so everyone gets to see the prim say its thing.
· The other event handler is the touch_start and it fires, as you might think, when an avatar touches the object. This handler also contains an llSay which just says, “Touched.”.
That may be the question you have asked yourself. There is probably no one who has spent more than a day in Second Life that has not at the very least created the basic Box prim. Some will have even increased its size, rotation, or position. Others will have used some of the other properties to taper, slice, twist, cut, hollow, etc their prim to fashion it into something of use or beauty.
Using the edit window and some keyboard and mouse control quite a lot can be done with only one prim. Add others to the prim and objects of greater use can be created. However, in order to really get the benefits that Second Life offers you will want to add functionality to your object. A beautiful lamp is all well and good, but being able to turn it on and off and cast light on a room adds purpose to the design.
LSL provides a means to interact with the server and client systems. The server system is the application running on Linden servers; the client system is the software running on your PC. The scripts are interpreted at run time to fulfil the wishes of the scripter. Some of the functionality is built in and only has to be utilised – like “sit”. Other functionality has to be created.
Some of what we do in scripting is a “cheat” or, in other words, we have used some piece of useful functionality for another purpose, not intended. For instance using the “sit” and “unsit” functionality it is possible to “transport” someone around a SIM. This is not Teleporting in the true sense of Second Life but it usefully replicates teleporting by using the sit/unsit system for another purpose.
The basic elements of LSL are variables, functions, events and handlers. I will explain these a little. However, you will not fully appreciate them until you begin to use them as you script.
Variables
A variable is a word, or joined phrase, that is used to contain information useful to the script. There are different types of variable including integer, string, vector, list and rotation. There are others and we will visit them over the coming months. There are two ways to use variables – global and local. A global variable is available anywhere in the script, a local one is only available in the section of the script it is being used in.
Functions
Functions are the basis of scripting. There are LSL defined functions which form the basis of the scripting language. These functions you will learn as you develop your understanding of LSL. It is also possible to add your own functions. You might have a function that opens a door. You could then call that function when someone “touched” the door, or when they “collided” with the door, or if the owner said, “Open Sesame”. In each instance you would use the same piece of code, your function in the script, to actually move the prim to the open position.
Events and Event Handlers
The main thrust of LSL is for it to be able to react to user input – touching, sitting, talking, etc. Each of these activities create an Event and in scripting we write event handlers to do something when an event occurs. Some are obvious – touch. Some need to be set up – a “listener” for instance to hear when a user says something. We will cover most of these, and give you the tools to work out the rest, over the course of the articles.
The final thing I want to cover in this article is the Basic New Script. This will be a starting point for us and will set the scene.
First rez a Prim – right-click the ground and select create – now left-click the ground. Your prim will appear along with an edit window. Click the “Content” tab of the edit window and click New Script. You will notice that when you created the new script the object said “Hello, Avatar!”. This is because every time you Make a New Script (and an object may have multiple scripts) the Basic Script is added.
Some basic things to note:
· All scripts have a “default” the contents of the default are between the first { in the script and the last }
· All sections of scripts are enclosed in { and }. This script has two parts to the default – state_entry() and touch_start() – again these are each enclosed in { and }
· Each line of code inside a section is terminated with a semi-colon ;
Now let’s take a look at it. Double Click the New Script in the contents.
· state_entry() an event handler that responds to the beginning of an object life. It is fired (events handlers are fired when events occur) when the object is rezzed, the script is created or saved or reset. It uses the llSay function to say “Hello, Avatar!” as we discovered earlier. Let’s look at the llSay function.
· llSay takes two arguments (arguments are pieces of information passed to the function) which are a channel to talk on (an integer) and something to say (a string). Channel 0 is the local chat channel so everyone gets to see the prim say its thing.
· The other event handler is the touch_start and it fires, as you might think, when an avatar touches the object. This handler also contains an llSay which just says, “Touched.”.
By changing the words in quotation marks you can change the greeting the object produces when it is rezzed/touched. Try it for yourself and see what happens!
In the next article we will make a few changes to the script to make the greetings more personal.
I hope that this has been of use, and that it has wet your appetite for more. If you need any in world assistance please IM me “Commander Quandry” or, alternatively email me, adr@rossers.net
Grease is the word
Tori Landau tells us about the latest themed party night.
Saturday 5th September saw the village green transformed into the beautifully balloon bedecked wooden dance floor of Rydell High. Residents had obviously done their homework as T-Bird jackets, tight black combinations, bright 50’s dresses and hairstyles were de rigueur. Most residents took to dancing immediately at 8pm whilst others decided to observe first from the safety of the benches.
Our delightful DJ, Quentin Calvert, provided music, including Ernie (The fastest milkman in the west), fly dancing moves and narration until 1:30am on Sunday when everyone staggered home, with one in particular still recovering after imbibing a potent brew that Kickaha had distributed. This had resulted in some avatars lurching about and collapsing onto the dance floor much to the amusement, or possibly bemusement, of onlookers.
The movie screen displaying images from Grease assisted residents in voting for the male and female best costume competitions which were won by Jonno Stromfield and Tori Landau with DeeDee Bookmite kindly sponsoring both prizes.
Of the night’s event, Quentin Calvert commented, “The OU crowd always enjoy themselves and like to dress up. Of all the people I’ve DJ’d for, the OU are the best - most fun, pleasant and encompass the true spirit of SL.” Whilst Jonno Stromfield added, “The party was a great success. It’s always nice to catch up with people and bop the night away.” 
Saturday 5th September saw the village green transformed into the beautifully balloon bedecked wooden dance floor of Rydell High. Residents had obviously done their homework as T-Bird jackets, tight black combinations, bright 50’s dresses and hairstyles were de rigueur. Most residents took to dancing immediately at 8pm whilst others decided to observe first from the safety of the benches.
Our delightful DJ, Quentin Calvert, provided music, including Ernie (The fastest milkman in the west), fly dancing moves and narration until 1:30am on Sunday when everyone staggered home, with one in particular still recovering after imbibing a potent brew that Kickaha had distributed. This had resulted in some avatars lurching about and collapsing onto the dance floor much to the amusement, or possibly bemusement, of onlookers.
The movie screen displaying images from Grease assisted residents in voting for the male and female best costume competitions which were won by Jonno Stromfield and Tori Landau with DeeDee Bookmite kindly sponsoring both prizes.
Of the night’s event, Quentin Calvert commented, “The OU crowd always enjoy themselves and like to dress up. Of all the people I’ve DJ’d for, the OU are the best - most fun, pleasant and encompass the true spirit of SL.” Whilst Jonno Stromfield added, “The party was a great success. It’s always nice to catch up with people and bop the night away.”
Road tests
Some say he can fly in Real Life and that he once de-rezzed a tutor after a bad TMA.
All we know is, he’s got panache...
This month, anonymous avatar Stig Panache test-drives the RaiBoi Skateboard.
Available from: https://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=989320
Cost: Free
Delivery: Immediate
Contents: Skateboard, instruction notecard, landmarks for a Skateboard Park and a store.
All we know is, he’s got panache...
This month, anonymous avatar Stig Panache test-drives the RaiBoi Skateboard.
Available from: https://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=989320
Cost: Free
Delivery: Immediate
Contents: Skateboard, instruction notecard, landmarks for a Skateboard Park and a store.
The skateboard was very easy to use, and Stig did several laps of a large sandbox without crashing into anyone or anything. According to the instructions, the board does tricks, but when Stig tried this, all that happened was he flew. This happened with both the “trick” keys. Having said this, Stig thought that this was a great fun item especially as it was free, and he would like to see an OLiVe skateboard racing team set up.
Unfortunately, when Stig detached his skateboard, he was stuck in the skating position and animation so had to log out before someone accused him of using the sandbox as a litter tray!
Is there something you would like to see Stig test-drive in a future issue of LOL!?
IM Stig Panache with details of the item and where to find it.
Party on dude!
No OU event would be complete without a party and the Sun, Sand and Second Life event was no exception.
The normally lush and, well, green village green was transformed into a palm-tree covered beach complete with waterfall for a beach party to celebrate a successful day’s event on OLiVe. Having spent the day in the ocean and on the beach with the Beach Boys greatest hits providing an apt musical backdrop residents came out in force for the latest OU party night.
Our regular DJ Quentin Calvert provided the tunes.
Surf’s up
LOL! donned its boardies and headed for the beach for OLiVe’s first ever summer activities day.
On a bright and sunny Saturday in August one of the best places to spend the day has got to be the beach - even if it is virtual! So that’s exactly what residents did on August 15th as the Open Life islands hosted a day of fun in the sun.
For those up and about early a champagne breakfast was served on the magnificent HMS Primafore berthed in the harbour. On a number of occasions the cry of ‘avatar overboard’ was heard as the champagne kicked in but everyone seemed to find their way back onboard for more.
Once back on the beach at OLiVe an array of wacky ways to navigate the ocean were found. First up we found the octopus and took her for a trip out; next we hopped aboard a seahorse (as you do); an eel provided us with a way to slither through the sea; and finally, our personal favourite - a turtle. Where else but SL can you honestly say you sailed round the ocean on a turtle eh?!?
No sooner had we put our surfboard down than we were out in the ocean again - this time windsurfing. Amazingly we didn’t fall off despite colliding with the little island in the middle of the ocean at one point. Filled with confidence from our surfing escapades we next decided to get ourselves a jetski and race round the ocean. Thankfully no-one else was in the ocean at the time else there may have been a few injuries. For our final trip we headed under the ocean in the automated submarine. This was one of the most relaxing trips of the day as we simply sat back and let the sub take us round the ocean while we admired the fish and flora.
As the afternoon turned to evening we reluctantly rolled up our beach towel and trundled off home to get ready for the evening party - but not before we had our picture taken on the event surfboard stand to prove that ‘we were like THERE dude’.
On a bright and sunny Saturday in August one of the best places to spend the day has got to be the beach - even if it is virtual! So that’s exactly what residents did on August 15th as the Open Life islands hosted a day of fun in the sun.
For those up and about early a champagne breakfast was served on the magnificent HMS Primafore berthed in the harbour. On a number of occasions the cry of ‘avatar overboard’ was heard as the champagne kicked in but everyone seemed to find their way back onboard for more.
After having a tour of the HMS Primafore it was time to take to the water. Still full up on champagne LOL! decided to sit back and take it easy with a leisurely trip on the African Queen. This beautiful vessel took us round Open Life ocean allowing us to relax and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the ocean.
Once back on the beach at OLiVe an array of wacky ways to navigate the ocean were found. First up we found the octopus and took her for a trip out; next we hopped aboard a seahorse (as you do); an eel provided us with a way to slither through the sea; and finally, our personal favourite - a turtle. Where else but SL can you honestly say you sailed round the ocean on a turtle eh?!?
Once we had been round the ocean a number of times on the various creatures we decided to do a spot of sunbathing. This did not last long however as we spotted......surfboards! Having no sense of balance in real life surfing is one of the last things we would attempt but in SL anything’s possible so we grabbed a board and paddled out to sea. The waves were perfect for surfing and after a few gentle rides through the waves we even decided to try a few tricks - not always successfully I might add.
No sooner had we put our surfboard down than we were out in the ocean again - this time windsurfing. Amazingly we didn’t fall off despite colliding with the little island in the middle of the ocean at one point. Filled with confidence from our surfing escapades we next decided to get ourselves a jetski and race round the ocean. Thankfully no-one else was in the ocean at the time else there may have been a few injuries. For our final trip we headed under the ocean in the automated submarine. This was one of the most relaxing trips of the day as we simply sat back and let the sub take us round the ocean while we admired the fish and flora.
After another spot of sunbathing and sitting in the beach huts we found the energy for a game of volleyball. After a few false starts and cries of ‘has anyone got the ball?’ and ‘why do I keep hitting fresh air?’ we got the hang of it and managed to have a good game. We did however have a headache from being hit on the head with the ball during those early ‘what on earth is going on’ stages. Despite our best efforts we were defeated in the volleyball game although as we all know it is the taking part that counts!
As the afternoon turned to evening we reluctantly rolled up our beach towel and trundled off home to get ready for the evening party - but not before we had our picture taken on the event surfboard stand to prove that ‘we were like THERE dude’.
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