by Susan, HSM team writer

Perhaps, after all, our best thoughts come when we are alone. It is good to listen, not the voices but to the wind blowing, to the brook running cool over the polished stones, to the bees drowsy with the weight of pollen. If we attend to the music of the earth, we reach serenity. And then, in some unexplained way, we share it with others- Gladys Taber

After another scolding by my accountant for spending to much money at Club X7, he takes away and cuts up my black PSN card and tells me that on my behalf he just acquired a newly released private space on PlayStation Home.  He continued babbling on by saying he decided to send me to this place called Serenity Lake for some much needed inner perspective. Since this dude was always bugging me about my spending habits, I questioned him this time on what this was going to costs me.  Stuttering, he says that a “broker” (I know it was the bartender at x7) he came across recently hooked him up with a bundle deal.

For $8.99 he got a floating Pagoda located somewhere out on a lake and up in the mountains of PlayStation Home, some comfortable attire I would need to wear while there and three different dances I shall be using to help achieve inner peace.  He said dance lessons($2.99)and the Pagoda($6.99)could be purchased separately and since the clothes came with the bundle option, it appeared to be the wiser choice when spending my money and I should also expect an email shortly with the trips itinerary attached he added. I just had my hair and nails done, bought a new outfit and now I am about to go on a trip to a lakeside cabin-life is good.

The day finally arrives that my “therapy” is scheduled to begin.  I instruct the pilot to cease all mining operations and make preparations to land the Sodium Blimp.  It is unable to achieve the elevation it needs to clear the mountain tops of Serenity Lake and I’ll await the arrival of the Dream Yachts helicopter. After a couple of hours after being picked up we cleared the monolithic rocks that encompass the area and he lands next to a large wooden gateway. Outside the helicopter the pilot hands me a pair of grey pumps, some leggings, a tie-front blouse and a few cans of Hydro Juice which I am then shown a rowboat.  He says this is the beginning of my journey to tranquility and that he’ll return in a couple days to pick me up- and away he went.

Once I get to this one-story East Asian inspired structure I tie up the rowboat, and while still sitting I began to survey my new surroundings.  The thing I noticed first was that the owner of this estate is rewarded with some modest furnishings: a rug, a beautiful oriental-styled lantern and a tea set just to name a few, which I am guessing will assist me into that zen like state I am supposed to find.  I get out of the rowboat and start exploring this floating timber box and walked up to a stone and bamboo water fountain.  I was able to adjust this deer scarer, or shishi-odoshi to an audible setting which was both peaceful and relaxing.

Igniting the torches that surrounded the Pagoda and trying not to think about the embers drifting about, I start to take in and admire the view. The season of Fall has bestowed this location and I watched as leaves drifted lazily across the top of the orange hued lake. Little fish dart out from underneath the raft and off in the distance a massive waterfall roars. Lily pads and cattails are alive in the lake not to far away and I begin to wonder if there might be a fishing pole somewhere. I catch a glimpse of a panda rolling in the grass playfully, birds flying high in the sky circling the mountain tops and a couple monkeys scouring for nuts along the hillside.

Inside the structure I discover I am able to toggle open all 26 of the wood shutters at one time with a push of a button. Walking toward the middle of the room, I decide I might as well begin this whatever it is my accountant feels I need.  I sit down to meditate and suddenly snowflakes start drifting across the screen.  When I come out of that trance I am now shivering and I walk outside to see that the entire lake and its surroundings have changed to a winter scene.

The raft had stopped moving about as a thick layer of ice covered the lake and immobilized us. That waterfall off in the distant had ceased its relentless pounding of the rocks and was frozen solid. The panda and the two monkeys left to for warmer grounds I am guessing.  Snow has begun accumulating on the shutters and icicles were hanging from the roof.  A slight breeze had started up and was I giggling as I tried to catch the falling snowflakes with my tongue.

I have found inner piece

After I awkwardly finished a dance intended on helping me search for inner strength and concerned about frostbite, I go back inside the building, sit down in the middle of the floor and begin more meditation. Crossing my legs and starting the process once again, leaves and flowers begin floating across the screen and upon my awaking, I find that Mother Nature has ushered in the season of Spring.

The lake has taken on a green hue; that must be the algae blooming in the sunshine. It was nice to see the panda and monkeys had returned.  The waterfall had been released from its seasonal bondage and was back to flowing at full force.  I felt so renewed and reinvigorated that I made an attempt with another dance called “Peace”- which after twisting my ankle, I limped inside, drank tea, lighted some incense and began another round of meditation.  This time after I finish a few hours of a natural mantra muttering “hamsa” over and over, I awoke to find the season had changed again and it was now Summer.

The lake became a clear blue and I saw the fish had returned to darting around looking for food.  I grabbed a seat on the edge of the raft while it slowly drifted around the lake, feet dangling just above the water and I poured a cup of green tea. Awaiting the return of my helicopter I came to the conclusion that this indeed was a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of life on PlayStation Home.  No noise, no demands of my time, just the mountains, the clouds, the gently rippling of the lake combined with the Tai-chi martial arts inspired Peace, Strength and Tranquility dances allowed me to master the art of meditation-maybe that bean counter isn’t such a bad guy after all. I was able to use the Hydro Juice as fuel for the torches and as for my card getting cut up – c’mon, I can always get another black PSN card.

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