Thank Grog It’s Firday!!
I have to admit, that being in the epicenter of a lull (I know that sounds like an oxymoron), is no fun at all. Not only are we in the same boat as all of the players in regards to the “Come on…tell us SOMETHING” vibe, but are also the ones trying to push everyone toward the “Keep Calm, and Tap!” side of things, when we do get tidbits of info that is encouraging.
I’ll say it again. I don’t believe the game is ending anytime soon. But, we are clearly in a new phase, that at its core, is either something involving some serious changes in the game, or at worst, one of the most “EALPish” stages of the game ever.
In either case, we very much need to make it clear to EA that we aren’t going to reward their “lulliness” with investments of real dollars. This community is a voice that is heard…and we need to send a message!
And that message is, “We’re Mad As Hell And We’re Not Going to Take It Anymore!!”
Oh. Wait. That message is copyrighted by the movie, “Network.”
How about, “We’re Really Mad…and We Aren’t Going To Buy Anymore Donuts Until You Give Us An Update!!!”
It doesn’t really roll off of the tongue like the Howard Beale speech does, but it may have to do.
What seems clear as mud right now, is that on one hand, EA is keeping the game on life support, with no new content, but still allowing us to BUY (with cash) donuts. This is great for the EA coffers, but not so great for the players, who at this point, have no real idea how long their investment may stick around.
Ironically, and perhaps paradoxically, they are also making it EAsier to farm efficiently (the gift of the tennis courts), and the continuation of the Yearbook offerings (many of which carry Bonus % multipliers). They are all but begging people to get into the Donut Farming business.
As many of us have found out, even without an update, if you are adding new “old characters” (another oxymoron), and buildings to your town by way of the Yearbook, there are all sorts of “mini-event-ish” quest-lines that come with them. My task book is full of “stuff to do,” while we wait for an event with even more “stuff to do!”
What is also clear to me… is that The Great Lull of 2019, has made it obvious that TSTOAddicts is far more than just a place to whine and lament, with a bit of placation from us on what could be happening. It is a REAL COMMUNITY.
It is especially during times like this, that sharing ideas on how we can STILL make the game fun, maximize our time, and “keep hope alive” for the future of the game, that this community is at its best.
We are not the forum...thank GOD! We are not the semi-troll/hacker types that hang out in the Discord group, who are all as clueless about the real direction of the game, as they are ways to actually enjoy the game, beyond finding hacks, and boosting XP %.
The real core of this community is a group of friends who care about one another and about helping others, with bits of fun, information, and heartfelt praise when someone does something outside the box.
I’m not sure the typical game trolls get it. In fact, I think they abhor it when this community does something that is completely uncharacteristic of the typical “gamer” mentality. It is the acts of honest friendship and support, that are counter to what so many people think of those who “Play a silly little game” with a community of friends.
Making Due With What We Have Been Given…is a recurring theme these days. And I would hope that while the folks at EA sort it out, while allowing us to continue playing, building, and creating, that we all continue to share the FUN parts of what is possible with one another…and take advantage when EA offers up a chance to get something we missed… like GOLF COURSE HOLES!!
Yep. As I wrote about during the Marge At Bat “event” (rabbit ear, air quotes intended as a form of mocking the word “event”), the upside for me was the chance to get REAL golf holes for my golf course. Yes…I had to grind my posterior off to get them…because each hole came packaged with a ton of stuff I didn’t want or need, and cost 150 donuts per bundle…but it was WORTH it!
I was able to expand, improve and complete my 9 hole course…in a fashion that made it completely believable. There were some challenges to get around the fact that the holes required some dog-leg approaches to make up for the fact that the holes aren’t able to be turned 360 degrees. But, it was challenging…and FUN to do.
Here is a screenshot overhead of my newly designed course.
Click the Picture to Enlarge
It is way outside the regular TSTO box…and I love it! It bumped me right up on the Item Limit (which I’ll write about in another post next week), but it was worth it!
Call it a protest, call it common sense in the new normal of “Lulliness,” but I didn’t spend nickel one in real money to do it. Yes…I had to grind like crazy to earn the golf holes (1,350 donuts). But, during the hole time (pun intended), I remembered that if we had a new event, I’d likely be grinding every 4 hours anyway. This just gave me purpose!
And…it saved me real cash that I could use for something that matters…
Yes…it is “That Time” again. We have a new term starting at the school in Buyijja, Uganda in just 3 weeks. And once again, I am asking for support from this amazing community to help us hit our goal. I shouldn’t have to tell you how important this work has been, and that it has been funded almost entirely by TSTO Tappers around the world. But, it is a fact that is unique, amazing and wonderful!
This is the LAST TIME I WILL BE ASKING YOU TO DONATE FOR BOOKS for a FULL YEAR! We applied and received a Rotary Grant from my local club, that will pay for books for Fall, Winter and Spring terms next year. But, we need to fund Spring term now!
So…PLEASE CONSIDER TURNING YOUR DONUT MONEY INTO SOMETHING THAT MATTERS… Send EA a message, while Doing Something Amazing!
DONATE HERE
https://www.gofundme.com/books-for-buyijja-summer-term
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NOW….AS PROMISED…The Grand Opening of Springfield Hills Golf Club
Springfield Hills is a full size 9-hole course, that features three Par 4 holes, four very challenging Par 3s, and two long and challenging Par 5s. Being able to “bomb your drive” only helps on a couple of holes. The rest require pinpoint accuracy with your irons and wedges. The greens are heavily bunkered, with loads of trees and shrubs protecting errant shots from recovery.
CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE
Hole #1 – Par 3. Carry the water for one of the easiest holes on the course.
Hole #2- Par 4 Pretty straightforward Par 4 that is too long to be reached in a single tee shot. Narrow fairway, with out of bounds to the right.
Hole #3- Par 4 – this shot requires a perfect tee shot, down a narrow fairway, and a relatively easy pitch to the green. Big Hitters have been known to try to carve a long tee shot over the corner of the water, with many ending up bouncing their balls onto the observation deck with a slice.
Hole #4- Par 3 – This is another relatively easy shot, if you hit a high wedge off of the tee and can carry the water. If not, it can turn into a quick double or triple bogey hole.
Hole #5 – Par 4 – This is a hole that challenges many long-hitters try for the green with their drive. However, the well-placed bunkers almost always require prudence, and a nice lob shot from a landing spot in front of the bunkers. The long, narrow ally of trees, requires a straight controlled tee shot…as you could end up in the trees, or OB with too much spin on your drive.
Hole #6- Par 3- This is a deceptively difficult par 3, as you need to carry the scrub brush to the left of the green, and land your ball on a postage stamp size section. Too long, and you are in the bunker. Too far right and you hit the trees. Par is a great score on this hole. Birdies are rare.
Hole #7 – Par 3- A very short par 3, that has both water, and loads of trees surrounding the green. Miss long and you are in the trees. Short and you are in the water. This hole has more golf balls and golf clubs retrieved from the water than any other hole on the course.
Hole #8 – Par 5. This is the one hole where a “Big Hitter” can be rewarded with a long tee shot, and a well-placed wedge, to be on green in two. For the rest of the duffers, a couple of controlled shots down the fairway and a wedge to the green is safe, as going too long on the green will allow your ball to roll into the water.
Hole #9 – Par 5. Crossing the bridge from the 8th green, affords you views of landscaped beauty and fountains that make this the signature hole on the course.
Long hitters can hit the green in two with well-placed drives. But, the green is once again well protected by trees, bunkers, and shrubs. For the average golfer, staying well left on the fairway with your second shot, will afford you the best unencumbered entry to the small opening on the green.
Finally…a screen shot of what happens when you try to drive your golf cart across the bridge, with other players stacked up at the tee box…
Go ahead. Let your imagination run wild…and “Caption This!”
For me…this is a metaphor for the game right now. So much promise, but currently stacked up in a fustercluck.
Keep Tapping! Have Fun! Give Generously! (but NOT to EA!)