A Home Rediscovery
by Phoenix, HSM team writer
Recently, I have been away from Home. I went from someone who was on Home every day to one who is on maybe once a week or less.
I have missed a great deal in Home since my return to school in the outside world. I missed the coming and going of new and old spaces. I missed some wonderful collections of new items from developers such as Heavy Water, nDreams, Lockwood and Bigyama. I missed my friends, and my personal spaces, too. Some of my spaces hold tons of memories, while others held just a few, but I remember when and why I bought each one. And why I loved them, and enjoyed being in them.
Today, I returned to Home for what I thought was going to be a few quick minutes. A few days ago, I read in HomeStation that the MiniBots space was coming, and I wanted to get it immediately. Since I had some time before I got to my homework, I thought I‘d be quick.
When I signed on, Home seemed so clear and vibrant. It seemed that high definition was working its magic, and Home was sparkling. I went to the Action District and got my space. I then went to the space and decorated it. Believe me, it’s all I thought it would be. I was so impressed with the environment switch feature. I had the most fun changing the lounge to the perfect complimentary sky, floor and trim. Thank you, Juggernaut Games, for that bit of personal customization here!
After I had done that, I decided to visit my other spaces. It had been a long time since I’d seen them. I figured I could visit my favorites and get back to my real-world work. I don’t know how I forgot the way Home is — the way you lose yourself in it.
My first stop was the Tropical Escape space. Wow, I thought as I arrived. Were those canvas blinds always there above the folding doors? And were those folding doors always so well-defined, and opened just enough to show their accordion shape? Were they like the doors at my Winter Vacation Villa — glass doors with no apparent handles? I looked around, wondering what else I had been missing. Had the beach here always been so bright and warm? Had it always been so alive, with the sounds of seagulls flying overhead? Or had I just not noticed it before?
Still pondering these questions, I went to my next space, the Hollywood Hills House. At first glance, everything there seemed to be the same as I remembered. But then I started looking more carefully, and wondered whether the Tiki mask had always been lit, changing from red to white and back again. And on the patio, did I always have two giant Century Plants at the far end of the pool? Who keeps them watered, so alive and vibrant? I haven’t been here for weeks. After seeing these things that I don’t remember, I decided to check my other favorite spaces for anything new.
When I reached my Lakeside Cabin, I found myself wondering whether the sound had always been so deep and restful. Was the lapping water always so beguiling in its serenity? The sounds seemed to be in “high def” today. I found myself standing on the deck, entranced by the ambiance.
I felt the same thing when I went to my Neptune Suite. It was like discovering the space all over again. Was the sound of tinkling glass always there? And what is making it? Is it from the glass star and diamond sculptures in the Koi Hallway?
My next visit was to one of my favorite spaces, the Blaster’s Paradise. I think my colorful fish must have multiplied at Blaster‘s. There are certainly more fish here than there were before. I think the same is true for those sparkly fluffy, airborne creatures that inhabit the space. Today there were so many of them, they looked like snow. It was beautiful watching them float by.
Finally, I found myself in the personal space that holds the most memories for me in all of Home: my Luxury Weekend Lake House; the first personal space I ever purchased. The first thing I noticed was the giant entry-way. I noticed details on the doors that I don’t recall ever seeing before, even though I had been in this space every day. I don’t recall the doors having horizontal lines in contrasting wood tone, which set them off to perfection. I noticed how the high shine of the doors was further complimented by vertical chrome details that match the chrome doorknob.
Looking at the door, I couldn’t help noticing the dual glass panels on either side. I was captivated by the clusters of flickering lights of the fireflies in the garden. Almost every tree and bush was alight with them. The glass gleamed like the windows of a palace. I am also certain that there had only been one flock of geese, instead of two. Their flight across the sunset sky always makes me smile. These south-bound travelers seem to call “Hello” to me once again on their journey.
Oh, Home! How I missed being here!
I saw so many things today, things I can’t recall ever noticing before. I wonder if these are really new discoveries? Or were they always here? Or have they come into being during the recent Home updates? Might the developers be adding subtle touches to Home here and there, while we’re not looking?
I don’t know if they are. I do know I have been away long enough for Home to hold the same fascination for me that it did a year ago, when I first discovered it. Maybe the answer to my question lies in something as simple as the gamma adjustment on the menu. I don’t know. Try it for yourself: turn up the gamma, and look around. See if you notice something you never saw before.
Or, just stay away from Home too long. When you return, you will find something to hold your wonder all over again. Whatever the answer, I had an adventure rediscovering Home today.
July 23rd, 2012 by Phoenix | 8 comments
Phoenix writes poetry and is a photography enthusiast, along with writing for HomeStation Magazine. She is currently studying for a BFA in Creative Writing and BA with concentration in Photography. psn ID phoenixstorm21
youtube.com/user/phoenixstorm21
Absence makes the heart grow fonder is a true statement, and it isn’t only people this can work for either. If I was ever away from Home for more than a few days I can see where my reaction would be very similar to yours here. Nice read, and I do love all of the little details they put into the spaces they create for us, both public and private.
Thanks Burbie.
I love examining the incredible detail in Home. Remember the bees of Central Plaza? How many people noticed that the bobbing spots near the dance stage were fully-detailed insects? And how many other bits of obsessive detail just sailed right past us, because we weren’t expecting them to be there?
Those bobbing lights were an immediate smile, from me when I saw them. It was the same for me, in the Midnight Glade, with the fireflies. They’re really cute.
Thanks SealWyf
Great read phoenix. I wish I could get that feeling back. I usually find myself kicking the virtual dust thinking of what I could be doing if I detailed for the sort of program it is.
Thanks Gideon. Hope you get it back.
Wonder, is a quality much missed when it’s gone.
Phoenix, great article. Yes, it is a special kind of talent to look at things again from a fresh perspective. Sometimes an event in our lives (like school) or (meeting someone special) can open our eyes to things that we take for granted and miss. Honestly the incredible amount of artwork that goes into the designing of a space is truly fascinating. Thinking of the fact that someone was sitting there for hours with a program and essentially creating this world for me to wander in is an amazing thing really. To take the space for granted is just so, um insane. I mean I think this guy puts it in perspective better than anyone else I have seen. Check it out if you dare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk
Hi Riffraffse7en,
thanks, and yes I agree in all you said. It is incredible the things they remember to put in a space.
…and yes that guy was right! lol