Balance in Life and Pathways

Been 'splorin' Second Life this morning based on a "Real Life Education in Second Life" group query I picked up in group chat yesterday. Someone (sorry, I didn't note the avatar name) chatted a question to the effect of "Does anyone have a lm (landmark) to the store where I can purchase a Pathways Learning System?"

Well, I was as I am wont to be curious, so I tp'd to the replied landmark and found myself in a very interesting space. I looked around. My wife and son pulled into the garage downstairs in real life (IRL) and I knew I had to leave Second Life so I did. It's important to honor balance and time in the contexts of life and family, dontcha know.

This morning I awoke, ran through my morning espresso-making, pet-treating ritual, slipped into workout clothes and hauled my laptop down to my garage office/study. I set up the computer at my bookcase shelf where it resides on top of my ancient amplifier receiver, selected at more or less random the John Lennon vinyl recording "Rock 'n Roll," turned up the amp and climbed aboard my step machine. That's where I still am, exercising and typing to my 2nd listening of Side 1's "Be-bop-a-lula," I have a good sweat working, I've been exploring Second Life, and I've answered a couple emails. I just took my last sip of espresso, which is cold; but that's okay. Life(s) is good.

So back to the Pathways Learning System. It's pretty neat. I'm considering purchasing the starter kit, and at $L 9999, even with the educator discount, that's saying something.

To continue the narrative: This morning, I fired up my Emerald Green SL client and clicked to login at my "Last Location" and there I was, taking up my exploration again as if I hadn't had a wonderful dinner with my family, watched two Dexters on DVD with my lovely wife, collapsed into a sleep-coma and awakened to my elderly rescuee cat meowing on my chest for her morning treat.

Here's where I rezzed (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Belphegor/110/34/71):

After giving things time to rez in, I walked around. This looks like a godsend to educators and if the makers have set up a viable and profitable way to share it and support their development endeavors at the same time, more power to 'em, I say!

Watch the video to get the whole picture.

I certainly could have used this at my "slartclectic" art gallery build (see previous post and video) but alas, it's coming down today. You might be able to catch it, or me taking it down, if you pop in today, Sunday, November 8, 2009, otherwise content yourself with the video and plan to visit Nashville next year the third week in October for artlcectic, the "real" thing.