Focus on...

Second in our regular series of articles each focusing on one of the Open Life islands landmarks is...

The Open Arms has rapidly become a focal point for residents and visitors alike. LOL! editor Eshala selflessly volunteered to spend an afternoon in the pub to check out it’s features.

The pub is situated in the heart of Open Life Village, looking out over the village green, making it an ideal meeting point for the locals. The grounds of the pub are bordered by a gleaming white low wall and numerous pretty flowers, plants and shrubs. In the grounds themselves stands a flowing fountain to the right of the pub, while at the front there are several tables and chairs for thirsty residents to sit at and enjoy the views across the island. The sounds of birds tweeting in the background makes it a relaxing and atmospheric place to be.

The interior of the Open Arms is cosy and welcoming. A roaring log fire on the right-hand side provides welcome warmth on cold, dark, nights while comfy chairs and sofas make it the perfect place to sit back and catch up with friends over a drink or three. Above the mantelpiece is a bookcase though no-one has managed to persuade it to hand over so much as a Mr. Men book as yet. The bar is tantalisingly well-stocked with an array of wines and spirits on show. Sadly there are no barmen/barmaids awaiting your order as it’s self-service but beer, orange juice and espresso are all available.

Adorning the walls are pictures of OU parties, gatherings and general silliness that have taken place over the months on the OU islands. Food can be found in the form of a plate full of sandwiches - bacon, dried tomato or my own favourite, salmon. Surprisingly the sandwiches seem perfectly edible even after being sat on the table uncovered for a considerable length of time now. For that special occasion a magnum of champagne sits on one of the tables ready to be uncorked.

Most nights some of the locals can be found putting the world to rights in the beer garden so do pop along and say hello!

View from the allotments

Open Life regular Leornian Naidoo gives us her thoughts on life down on the allotments.

Sandcastles and Seagulls By Leornian Naidoo

The date is 17th June 2009, and I am back enjoying my ‘OLiVe Gardens’ allotment during my coffee break. It’s a soothing pastime. The seagulls are calling and the breeze is gently blowing at the Dogwood trees, making them sway in a most inviting way.
The view from the arbour is inspiring to say the least and today its reminding me that I wanted to enhance my experience here in OLiVe by complementing the surroundings with some Botanical back up from ‘RL’.

The idea is to use a photo from a plant in my garden to make a virtual copy that will be in my allotment at the OLiVe gardens. The question is – how? I am counting on assistance from some talented residents at OLiVe. As you can see here at OLIVe, the transfer of knowledge continues although this Island is basically to serve the social and recreational needs of its residents, it also serves to inspire us to original thinking and to sharing with others. It’s a basic give and take that builds the basis for the concept of lifelong learning and the transfer of knowledge.

At OLiVe we are building more than just sandcastles in the air, we are building a community. Check back soon to hear about the beautiful Kohlrabi in the ‘Tale of Textures’ or ‘How to make a virtual Vegetable’.

Through the keyhole

LOL! was given exclusive access to the home of one of the residents of Open Life Village.

Here, Hennamono Morpork gives us the lowdown on 1 Walton Bank.

The Comfy Chairs
“Oh no – not the comfy chair!” On entering the house the first thing you will encounter are a collection of comfy chairs and bean bags (“not the soft cushions!”). One of the reasons for having a place of ones own, I think, is to have a place to gather with close friends for a bit of a chat. So this area is set up just for that. Of course, one of the “chairs” is in fact a cat basket – that’s for me!

The Altar
Moving upstairs we come to a Buddhist meditation chamber, complete with bell and incense. I know a lot of people set up a bedroom but I don’t sleep in SL so don’t see the point (besides I do have my kitty basket downstairs!). When times are quiet I will come here to meditate however.

Teleport System
I did have a problem with the teleports in my house – every time I tried to go downstairs I ended up underground instead! However this problem was solved by fitting another relic of my old tower. I think they look better than the defaults too!

Pictures of My Sky Box
Before moving in here my home was a skybox in Jadawin. I decided it didn’t make sense having two homes so I let the skybox go. I had good times there though so it is immortalised though in the pictures that decorate the walls. In fact most of the furnishings that are to be found in the house will be recognisable to those who visited my tower.