Islandhop: Malboro Grad Centre

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

With anothe islandhop I found myself at the Malboro Grad Centre. These must be the University Islands or something. So I began to explore.

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Reaching the edge of the island I sat and contemplated my next islandhop.

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

I travelled further through BGSU, exploring all 4 zones.

BGSU Creation

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

I passed across into the Creation part of the island and met someone within the sandbox area who was making steel guitars and he let me try one out.

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Islandhop: BGSU Interaction

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

I jumped from Santa Clara and landed on the edge of the BGSU islands. The first place I found myself on a racetrack. I quickly got out of the way of the racing cars and headed to the safety of the next area.

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

More of the ghost town. I had to reach the other side, if only to islandhop again and meet someone!

Ghost town

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

I wandered through Santa Clara island, but found no one. My only company was dark walls, the only sound was the deep breath of the wind, gently easing the drift of newspapers across the street.

Islandhop: Santa Clara Island

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Kick-off

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

The Sociable island seems to be full of games such as this giant table football. They also have their own sandbox area for building things. A fun place to be with friends or when the owners throw parties.

However there wasn't anyone around when I was.

My good friend Art Laxness tells me that The Future has changed hands and that I would no longer recognise the place. He suggested I travel to XYZ instead. This seems to be a similar distance as before, but with a slight change of direction.

XYZ it is! :) Not sure how long it will take me to get there, but that is where I am going. Have a welcoming party!

Islandhop: Sociable

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Dolar Matova

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

One of the nicest people I have met in Second Life. I once used this image as a Facebook event for getting all my mates together and rocking out in London.

Thanks Dolar :)

There lies the harbour

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Time to get back to the journey.

Back to life

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Over a year spent stuck on the place that is farthest from the bright centre of Second Life. Over a year spent sucking down marshwater drinks in the most wretched hive of scum and villainy. Raising my head I looked about the bar for a crazy motherfrakker to teleport me off this rock and back on my journey.

The Future still awaits and I am getting back on track.

Hiatus

As is obvious, I haven't been on SL in a long time. This is for various reasons but mostly not having a computer capable of running it.

I now have a computer capable of running SL again so if Ramalam Ra still exists then I shall continue my journey. If not, I will make him anew and continue my journey.

Stay tuned. The Ram is back!

The Red Curtain Project

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Ramalam posing at the Red Curtain Project for Arteer

"Make me a promise Ramalam..."

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

"There is something I want to show to you Ram," Arteer said as Ram sipped his tea.
"I am the owner of The Red Curtain Project," Arteer explained, "It's a kind of photography studio where people take pictures of themselves against the Red Curtain and then post them to an online community on Flickr."
Ramalam nodded as Arteer led the way through her garden to a surreal environment on the far side.
"This is the Red Curtain Project in it's third incarnartion," Arteer said and gestured to the surrounding black and white arena.
"Join the community at
http://www.flickr.com/groups/redcurtain/

then post a picture of yourself! Then you will be on my wall!"
Ramalam smiled and nodded.
"I will do so," he said, "Is there any way I can repay your kindness?"
"Put a picture of yourself on my wall!" Arteer enthused.
"Also, she said, her face turning more serious, "I want you to make me a promise."
"A promise?" Ramalam said hesitantly, "I do not break my word easily so a promise would be binding."
"I want you to promise me you will keep writing your journal of your journey," Arteer said. Ramalam looked deep into Arteer's eyes, his own like voids. The moment stretched into the distance.
"I promise," Ram said. And meant it.

Tea with Arteer

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Neighbouring the garden of the fairies was a large gothic mansion. Ramalam leapt over the fence and snuck across the lush garden.

Standing out the front of the house was a tall woman with a hat and glasses.

"Hello," she said as Ramalam shuffled across her lawn.
"Greetings," Ramalam replied and bowed, as he did to everyone he met.
"What brings you to my garden?" The Lady asked.
Ramalam explained his quest to her and she smiled as she listened.
"Fascinating," she said, "Would you like to come in for some tea?"
"That would be lovely," Ramalam replied and they sat down inside an drank the finest tea Ram had ever tasted.
"My name is Arteer," The lady said, "What is yours?"
"Ramalam is my name," said Ramalam plainly as he crouched, cat-like upon the seat. The tea was warm and filled his belly.

Away with the fairies

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Ever searching for the next place to sit and contemplate the world, Ram sat in a fairy garden.

Ninjalam

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Ramalam in his new Ninja costume

Samm+Julia

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

A new determination in his heart to reach the Future Ramalam began to walk westward again. His goal was to reach the coast, then head south west until there was no more mainland. Then he would have to begin to island hop again, as he had done at the beginning of his journey.

As Ram wandered down the coastline he arrived at a beautiful house by the sea. A huge ship was anchored just off the coast.

From out of the house walked two visions. Samm and Julia greeted Ram warmly. Ram explained his journey to them and they seemed happy to listen. They described themselves as spending most of their time,
"Shopping and looking pretty," and they seemed genuninely glad to meet Ramalam.
"Here," Samm said digging around in her pockets, "Take this to wear," it may help you sneak past security bots and other hindrances in your path."
Unrolling the bundle, Ram saw an outfit designed for ninja. This would aid him greatly and prevent him from looking like what locals called a n00b.

Julia went into the house and returned with some linden dollars.
"It's not much, she said, "but perhaps it will help you find what you are looking for." She pressed $400 into Ramalam's hands.
"I can't take this," Ram said, "you are too kind."
"Take it," Julia replied, "It will help."
"I will use it wisely to help in my journey," Ram said placing the dollars in his pocket, "I will not waste them. Thank you so much."

"You are always welcome to come back here Ram," Julia said, "Keep a note of where this is and come visit!"

With hearty thanks Ram left the house confident he had met some of the nicest people in SL

The Return

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Originally uploaded by fragilepeat

Profaniti crested the hill. Her jetpack blazing against the vivid blue sky. She touched down, her feet crunching against the green grass, bending blades down over the stony soil. She took a few more steps forward and then she saw the totem pole. It grew out of the ground as if part of it, colourful and bold. Huge painted eyes looked down on her as she reached the wigwam.

Before the totem pole sat a man with red hair floating down his back. He was dressed in black and sat cross legged.

Profaniti crept up behind him and leaned over his shoulder. A gentle smile grew on the man's pale face. She kissed him sweetly on the cheek. The smile grew even broader.

"Profaniti," he whispered.
"Ramalam," She replied and walked around to face him.
"Have you abandoned your quest?" She asked.
"No," Ram replied opening his eyes. They were as black as the night sky but she could tell he was focused on her. "I am merely resting here a while."
"You have been resting a long time Ram," She said, almost concerned, "Will you ever reach the places you said you would?"
"Someday I will, but without ceremony now I think," Ram looked up and the sky, the sun beating down on his pale skin.
"You haven't written in your blog," Profaniti said.
"No," Ramalam replied, "I'm not sure I will again."
"Isn't that one of your rules though?" Profaniti asked, "to keep a record?"
"For whom?" Ramalam replied, "I do not think anyone read it."

Blinking for a second Ramalam stood up only to find that Profaniti had disappeared. He looked about in vain but could not find her. Perhaps she had not been there at all and he had been speaking to himself.

#Over the hills and far away...

...he swears he will return one day#. Nightwish 'Over the Hills and Far away'

Profaniti laughed at Ramalam.
"Stop dancing like that, you look like an idiot," she said.
Ramalam stopped dancing.
"Now that you are at the Mainland, what is your path from here?" She asked as Ramalam sank his head to his chest. Ramalam's eyes, dark as night suddenly glimmered with a distant star's warmth.
"From here I intend to walk as straight as I can across the mainland, then when I reach the coast, head south west as far as I can on foot," He explained consulting the SecondLife Map.
"From the edge of the Mainland I will have to start island hopping again until I can reach The Future."
Profaniti nodded sagely.
"What will you do if you find another method of travel?" She asked.
"Should the opportunity arise I might take it," Ramalam replied scratching his pearl-coloured chin.
"So, which way do we go from here?" Profaniti asked.
"Let us climb to the top of the next hill and see what we can find!" Ramalam said, grabbing Profaniti by the hand and running for the hill.

Beyond the hill stood the land of Dathomir, dark, withered trees grew over the marshy landscape. Huge starships lay plunged into the landscape and a dark temple, broodying in it's malevolence lay through the forest.

Profaniti drew two weapons from her back-pack, both were dark and made a satisfying 'chick-chack' when loaded. Shotguns.

The pair snuck through the forest, careful not to alert anyone to their prescence and entered the dark temple. Inside were places for a sisterhood to sit and speak with one another but there were no signs of life. Counting themselves lucky Profaniti and Ramalam leapt over the fence into the neighbours place.

This was much brighter and Profaniti sat down next to the neighbours of the Sisterhood of Dathomir and asked them how things were living next to them. Apparently they were the best neighbours one could ask for.

Before Ramalam could progress he bid farewell to Profaniti, who was recalled to The Future for work. He hoped to see her again soon.


Over the next hill Ram found himself at the base of The Tallest Tower in Second Life. Unable to pass such an opportunity up he climbed to the top. Ramalam gaved down on all of Second Life and was content for a while. The fierce wind blowing in his bright red hair, the clouds echoing his pale face. He was soothed by it all. But he knew his quest was not over.

Close to the Tallest Tower stood a stone ring, upright with strange symbols upon it. A nearby information desk explained that this was a 'Stargate'. The StarGate network was a range of portals that could transport people instantly from one place to another.

"Such a wonder could help me in my quest," thought Ramalam, "But how would I know which gate to walk out of?"
Deciding he wished to know more, Ram set the portal for Stargate Command.

The disc whirled into life, stones shifting around the grey rim. Finally there was a burst of light and cosmic ether as the portal opened. A thin film of blue ether stood in the centre of the circle and Ramalam stepped through into the light.

The Mainland

The Coast of Mul and the vast land mass that is the mainland island between myself and The Future (my first destination) was hard to reach from the island of opportunity, I had to swim a great distance, without any aid from the nearby islands.

Eventually I surfaced at the coast



I climbed the hill a short way and found a meditation garden where I took my rest from this hard part of my journey. I wanted to collect my thoughts before I began the long trek across the mainland.



The Agents of the Future were clearly interested in my journey, for they sent Profaniti to aid me in the first steps of my land trek.



Together we sat and talked, then climbed to the summit where we celebrated my arrival on the mainland with some drinking and dancing.



There would be much, much more to see on the Mainland and I couldn't wait to continue.