I've decided on my new posting schedule. I shall now post on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. (Yes I know it is Tuesday) This kind of goes with the challenge for this month, as well, since those days will be the days that I exercise.
Speaking of which, yesterday I finally managed to get down to the Wellness Center (the gym here on campus) and get my weight. I am 5' 9", and 228 pounds. As for what would be considered a healthy weight for my height/size in particular, I have no clue, and a quick google search reveals wildly varying numbers. One thing that is similar though, is that none of the numbers are higher than 200. SO, that will be my goal for the time being. Lose at least 28 pounds.
Go in the Virtual World: The Second Life Go Center
Yesterday I made a special trip to the self proclaimed "Go Center" of the online game/community of Second Life. To reach it, simply open your map in game and head to the sim named Vineland. For anyone not in the loop, Second Life is a free to play online game wherein anything can be constructed (through the combination and molding of basic 3d shapes called "prims"), textured, and brought to life through coding and other methods, and then shared within the world of the game. When you put it that way though, it sounds extremely intimidating. In reality, the building system is designed to be simple and easy to learn, and without getting into any complex stuff, anyone can make a large variety of cool objects and buildings to play with and communicate in. Communication becomes the game's second mainstay, as once you've created a world of your very own, all that's left is to hang out in it and have fun.
Click any image to see a larger version.
The Center itself is located in a remote island setting. Beautiful Japanese plant life dots the landscape, like this majestic Cherry Blossom in full bloom. Behind you can see an array of stores, the only one currently in use being a Japanese fan shop. To the left, just out of frame, is a gallery of Asian Art depicting serene landscapes. Traveling through the torii in the back brings you to a chat area with a bonfire overlooking the sea.
How would you like to play Go here?
This beautiful glass structure otherwise known as the "Playing Pavilion" offers a relaxing and quiet place to enjoy a nice game of Go in the company of others. Each board is fully interactive, allowing you to set game options such as komi, handicap, and board size, choose who plays which color, and finally allowing you to play on the board by clicking, just like in KGS. Second Life's flexible camera controls allow you to position the board perfectly in your screen for ease of use. Behind the Pavilion is stream of water seemingly from the heavens, but really, it comes from here:
Defying all laws of real world physics, a giant flower shaped platform funnels a seemingly endless supply of water onto the rocks below. On top of the floating rock is a relaxing chat area for use when the Pavilion needs to be kept quiet for the players inside. Here I have a relaxing rest as I peer into the sky. My avatar, by the way, is a recreation of Starman Jr., a
boss character from the SNES game, Earthbound.
boss character from the SNES game, Earthbound.
Of course, none of this is quite as amazing as this gigantic sized Goban, towering far over my head in this image. But, what's that behind the left leg? A ladder?!
Inside the giant floorboard we find an elegant playing room, designed after the real life Yugen no ma room.The billboard on the left speaks of the dream that one day, the Go Center will gain enough members to one day hold a tournament, and that the final two players will play a series of games in this room, with only them and three officially chosen judges present. Each stone played will appear magically on top of the giant goban for all to watch and discuss from above. In the far left corner, a bonsai tree, a small white flower(can anyone identify it?), and a scroll adorning the wall. On the far right, a judge table complete with a tea pot and cups.
Flying around taking pictures, I noticed someone standing alone by the Pavilion. This was the first person I had seen so far so I flew in for a chat. We ended up playing a very quick 9 x 9 using the interactive gobans. As we played, another person appeared and asked very politely if she could watch. We talked about the Go Center, and I learned that the Center is most active on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 6 to 9 PM PST. After our game, and after my opponent left, yet another person approached. His name was Coral Gausman, and further inquiry told me that he was the main caretaker for the Center. I couldn't stay for much longer, so after a quick chat I said my goodbyes and logged off.
One final view of the island before I end my tour.
Wow, that was a lot of writing. I am ready to hit the sack. I will post again tomorrow, and from then on every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Until then,
-BuddytheRat
Until then,
-BuddytheRat
