What 2016 holds for Relayers in Second Life

Disclaimer: When I post about negative experiences it is rarely if ever out of any smug satisfaction.  There are no winners.  It is a "buyer beware" as I stumble through the metaverse.  This post definitely serves this purpose.  You have an opportunity to learn from any mistakes I've made and spot warning signs in advance.  Those who know these people and find me relating a story: take it for what it is; there's no glory in it for me. I am sure to lose several from my contact list.  I always blog with the expectation that someone is going to find out, whether there are tattlers or not. This is The Internet.  Just keep in mind that my opinions may not be that of the Hearts & Souls Relay For Life team, and taking anything out on the team or creating difficulties getting the team resources or preventing them from representation or fundraising is an attack on innocent people - both from the team and American Cancer Society - who have nothing to do with this post or me. 

The First Relay Rap Gathering of 2016

Relayers waited.

Word got around that many left critical feedback as a result of the 2015 RFL season; a popular sentiment was to see what the new Relay For Life of Second Life committee would be like before resuming participation.

Many like me sat out the Xmas Expo while others made it their final involvement for the calendar year.   For the first time in four years  I didn't sign up for the Sci-Fi Convention.   No gig at Merciless Ming's.  Not until I saw true change with Relay For Life of Second Life and a committee who saw to our needs and acted on our behalf with the American Cancer Society in both words AND actions, and respected each and every one of us toward a collective goal.

The Relay committee had their first Relay Rap of the year in January and word was they would announce some changes.  Following their show would be a Q&A at a Town Hall on ACS' sim.

The Inbred Committee

As we filed in, my RL jaw dropped.  The committee was positively inbred, dominated by active members of Harmony From Hell and the Relay Rockers with little else, including both of their captains.  T.S. Darrow was once again in charge of the Survivors/Caregivers Honor Lap project.  Anybody who volunteered a service out of the goodness of their hearts in the past became a committee member.  I wonder if the minutiae of titles offered them each a tax or expense write-off?  Didn't think that's why we had a committee but you really have to wonder when you see what we saw that evening. 

The changes themselves were also the last thing any of us expected.  Looks like someone upstairs wasn't pleased with the sharp decline in donations, but rather than recognize their role in this, the committee was going to take it out of our asses.  Amazing but true: they did the math and based their 2016 objective on whomever hadn't left and our doing the same as last year.  As if.

Their platform was one of a stern drive to acquire donations. Gone was the philosophy that every little bit helped the cause. Forget FUNdraising; it was  now all about FUNDraising.  They came up with all sorts of lingo with the word "fund" in it to drive home their point. 

Were they kidding?

They added that fundraising levels and incentives were rewarded at higher numbers; teams raising less than US$300 would not only be eligible for a campsite on Relay Weekend, but not be listed on the website's totals page either.  Bronze level goal went from US$40 to US$300.  We wouldn't count for contributing to the breakdown before raising that.  They were punishing us!

What a disconnect.

They created a category called Rising Star for those raising US$100-$299.99. You still didn't rate a listing in the team totals or a campsite at the track but could get a booth for your team on some designer sim for Relay Weekend.  Tent city for the impoverished - for raising ONLY a couple hundred dollars.

They made new positions for fundraising tutors, among whom is the captain of Harmony From Hell (what she gonna teach: how to steal other Relayers' ideas for FUND and profit? LOL).  Basically more committee members from the same teams give or take a token outsider or two; I guess they added them to throw us off a painfully obviously configuration.

No more mentors/coaches assigned teams.  You've seen one team you've seen them all, right?

The only good news was the return of the inworld event boards. (UPDATE: Talk and no walk; there is only the prototype in use at RFL headquarters)

Flanked by ACTs' Bain and Cure Chasers' Sienna. Several Skype
and group chats were afire over the committee's initial decrees.

The town hall was packed. Some attendees were there because they were new, but the vast majority were pissed off veterans.  The committee responded in voice to our typed feedback and questions. They took a good look at us - slowly peering out through the filmy wall of their bubble for the first time - the faithful who cared enough to show up and who were being taken advantage of. Maybe the downward trend wasn't a natural turn or failure on our parts (ya think? Btw since the previous post a few who've read it say I was spot on.  They have a choice to remain anonymous and discrete, but someone had to say these things and it was me).  Their 2016 goal was not realistic under their imposed conditions.  About time they had that revelation.

The totals page would only display in dollars.  Many had a thing to say about that one.  I pointed out that half of my team's mid-2000s total in 2015 was raised in Lindens. Also with international participation this made it difficult for those whose common point of reference WAS the Linden Dollar.  Very user-unfriendly.

They took down all our points and would notify us of a follow up town hall.

I had made up my mind not to raise money for or donate to Relay For Life of Second Life this year.  For the first time I called RFL's hotline to get a better understanding of how the Relay structure worked and what direction to take for my team.


How being a Relay Team works

RFL of SL follows the Relay For Life model pretty closely.  First there is a scheduled Relay event such as a Relay Weekend, be it local, regional, organizational, etc.  Teams  sign up for that event and their fundraising efforts leading up to it get added to the event's grand total.

Relay Weekend is a ritual which serves to honor the survivors and caregivers, as well as a collective gesture to defy cancer's devastating impact. It is a time of celebrating victories, remembering losses, and looking to the future. Of course trinkets and stuff are offered for donations towards the event's total.  To make it clear this isn't a flea market or a swap meet.  This is about those who have fought, win or lose and celebrate moving closer to a cure.

The bottom line here is that a team cannot just exist in its own universe but must associate with a Relay event. Everything culminates towards that. You have to point to an event when you create your team for the year.  It's part of the application.


The Decision and Hearts & Souls' Objectives in 2016
There was only one other online Relay event -  the hotline representative said there was once a generic online event people could latch on to but that was gone.  So I signed us up to Relay For Life of InWorldz.  With a history of committee chairs such as Bain and OldeSoul, there was no question of their level of integrity. Our offgrid fundraising would contribute towards what was felt to be a far more deserving operation.

I crafted a notecard to my teammates, having sheltered them from most of the hipocrisy and grief of the past two years, and subsequently discussed in group chat which direction we should take for inworld fundraising.  They had two choices:

1 - Join another team with a healthy recommendation to ACTS, or
2 - Hearts & Souls would continue in Second Life exclusively for inworld fundraising and not be linked to convio, with custom posters and objects linking to our external RL team site for CC and PayPal donations. 

Their main concern was whether the committee was skimming off funds in any way.  I didn't believe so.  Also Stingray Raymaker served as ACS liaison for both Second Life and InWorldz.

The team decided to continue its presence this year.  I would provide all their tools and info, see to spots for them at major events for their vendors etc, and serve faithfully as our captain.  I would not personally post kiosks or vendors but do everything else.

My only exceptions for personal contributions would be to purchase any worthwhile offering from SF Design during Fashion For Life (done) and DJ for Fantasy Faire. Also rezzing a kiosk for placement at said major events. 

They Finally Saw the Light

At the follow-up meeting there was a great deal of backpedaling in our favor: 

- Every team with funds raised would appear on the totals page
- The totals page would display as it always had, breaking down dollars and Lindens
- Teams with a history of participation would get a campsite for Relay Weekend, even if they fell short of the Bronze (we will most likely fall into this category unless they choose to punish my teammates - predominantly caregivers & survivors - as a misdirected vendetta against these posts).

Their explanation for restricting campsites is understandable:  In previous years Teams who earned US$5 would get a large campsite (about a quarter of a sim). Others would apply and be noshows, prompting staff to fill the gaps with impromptu builds and landscapes.  Take these away and you save on sim costs reducing the size of the track.

Personally I would have offered an incentive with an option for a large campsite to Gold and higher, with the majority as smaller campsites for those who raise US$50 or higher, an obvious exception being when such a team sponsors a sim.  IMHO this should have been the policy since Day One.

There's one little question: why are they griping over the cost of sims when each one is sponsored?  It has been understood that sponsoring sims (and last year they added lap theme sponsors) covered the cost of the track, already deeply discounted. 

- Having realized we could not be held accountable for any goals they set and failed to meet, they threw out their FUND agenda and renewed their vows to respect the Linden.

Their changes on the whole were far more reasonable, and many who had planned to leave following the rap resolved to register a team.

A pity extricating T S Darrow never happened.  I'll unmute him long enough to get information for my teammates to sign up for the Honour Lap, but I'm certainly not going to run it, and he otherwise does not exist to me. 

I'd question the numbers assigned to us as team designations.  They should be on a first come first serve basis.  The first teams took days to get their confirmations, and clearly those favored got lower numbers regardless of chronology.  I was among the first to register, and landed in the 50s.  At least we're in good company!

Relay stuffs...

Got the impression Relay Rap happened inworld, only a location SLURL was not shared.  Wonder if it's all-audio from here on?

Joining RFL ADvocacy may have been a natural fit, as I use social networking to promote RFL happenings and events.  Many migrated friends are doing what they can in their own way as they feel comfortable with, and that's fine too.  A few are new to RFL of SL, having only heard of it in past years. Give them a taste of being part of a greater whole and get comfortable in it. Even that feels good :)

April 2010.  I'd just acquired an irregular patch of abandoned land I had my eye on for months when it finally went to auction.  Following a consecration ceremony I placed The Starship Diner, adapted from The Golden Yak Diner I built for that previous Second Life Winterfest season.

During the housewarming party, DJ GoSpeed Racer called out to RacerX Gullwing, who was checking the route for a cross-country Giant Snail Race for Relay For Life. Like many in Second Life I'd only heard about RFL, and at the time wasn't aware of Treet TV (or Metaverse TV) programs. I knew RacerX from Lummerland Show & Tell and his reputation for amazing fireworks. He was in the area because the snails were going to pass my land on Saturday!

I reached out to him the following morning after building an observation platform.  He sent me info, a Treet media screen, and took my LM for his master list of observation locales.  I contacted MamaP who provided me with a kiosk. 

Soon a crowd formed and the snails came winding down the road toward us. High up as we were, they were taller than the platform. It was quite a sight.

Snurky had the nerve to try them in May or June through Skybeam Estates.

That's how I was first involved with Relay For Life.  Snurky continues with the relays (see her March 23rd for this year's first one), and I sell annual editions of Snail Racing cartoon shirts under Racer's team.  Last year I also helped with some art for Racer's Bay City Giant Snail relay hunt.  You can always get Giant Snail Relay info at my diner. Look for the new styles of original Giant Snail Relay shirts sometime this month.

Last year I had a wall where I kept an accumulation of vendors. This year I'm not entirely sure of where to place these. There's a space beside the gallery where I can put a wall or little market I suppose. Not entirely sure yet. Wish there was something lowprim & Aley I could utilize that isn't too gritty and fits an inland theme... let me know if you have any suggestions :)

Thought We Got Rid of Him...

Sometimes I'd rather be fishin'...

Victor's convinced New Toulouse' estate management that he's god's gift to timelords and their authority over themed private estates. They can have him, the police boxes which rez outdoors against covenant, and the RP category he's placed them under rather than Social (that alone is a slap in the face of New Toulouse).  The management didn't ask their own people to provide these for the community, only accommodated someone's personal roleplay.

They should be very proud of themselves that a bully with no interest in the populace or theme chased out one of its own to assert themselves.  Nothing says disconnect like four rezzers with modern and British structures at the ready.  Gabrielle Riel added him to the resident group and he never left. No, I don't know what he was doing there. One of the things I liked about NT was that he wasn't there. Then he was. You don't think he's a stalker? Suit yourself.  Personally if we never crossed paths again I wouldn't object.

I let the meter run out.  Someone I know needed more prims anyway.  I tried to get a journalist to hold off on a review of Maison Bleu, but he was insistent on posting it.

I'll still be there for the community.  Those who share a bond and true connection with the culture and its music dominate the New Toulouse.  A few places offered for me to play tunes at their establishments, so I won't be gone.  And of course I remain their liaison for the Aether Chrononauts during Relay For Life season.

I've learned the Aether Chrononauts have a perennial logo.  I made some clip art of it available to team members so that they can include it in some form on events/vendor textures - in a corner of the graphic or something.

I have been this close to making my own team for Relay For Life but for 3 things:

1. If I hadn't gone to Wildstar Beaumont there wouldn't be an AC team this year. There's an accountability I cannot deny. In fairness though he should have said there wouldn't be one instead of plucking someone unfamiliar with RFL to run the team.  That's hardly fair to anybody incl them. What would have been the harm if it took a year's hiatus? Still it's done and he went through a lot to find someone. We have a team thanks to him.

I want to say though the captains are very sweet and helpful, but I think they try too hard. The unique thing about AC is that it is comprised of disparate cultures, who work out whatever according to their own communities while contributing towards a single total. The only real place we have to synchronize our schedules is for RFL hosted events where the team works together. But they're learning. I think once the intimidation of the whole thing fades and they get more comfortable, they'll be fine.

2. The campsite. I'm not making one. Don't even ask.

3. A friend reminded me that the end result is the most important thing.  I must not ever forget that. If they just leave me be to do what I do and help the team by keeping members informed and equipped plus coordinating Teams R Us weekends lineups then it'll be good.

I'm proud to have brought on so many people, some new to Relay For Life. I couldn't do it with my own team. The objectivity would be gone. We'll see how this season pans out. I have a lot to prove after my experiences last year.

The first Teams R Us mini-gig is this Saturday: Kick-off Day. Have some team folks planned to provide vendors in addition to myself. Look for new shirts and Second Line Umbrellas :)  I'd have signed on for Cartoon World Gallery to have a booth in Fashion For Life but I didn't have the money to register.

Here's to more good times and helping people leave their bad times behind. GO RELAY!

Survey Results: A Healthy Hint or Opportunity for Bias?

I suppose it makes sense that both estates related in my previous entry had the same experience with Relay For Life.  They were invited to participate by whomever last year, neither were informed of how to set up creations for donation in sanctioned vendors (which offer assurance to those who donate where their money goes; the American Cancer Society have a verify option for each vendor or kiosk clicked to confirm that the construct is legit and not a mock-up to extort funds).  They got burned for that and each estate took a step back from involvement as a result. 

Survey results conducted by one showed the vast majority of participants had other teams with which to get involved.  A dozen out of many times more expected the estate themselves to have a team of their own.  Hey at least I offered to captain for the other community.  Expecting landlords to just lay everything out for renters just to "me too" around is presumptuous.  A quick look at the RFL of Second Life teams page reveals something for everyone. 

And you know Hearts & Souls makes no demands on events nor any limitation on theme, era or output. Hint hint.

What DOES put me off a bit is the estate owners looking too long at resident stats and APPEARING to give higher regard to those who categorized their estate as home.  The rest of us deserve no less consideration nor are we of any less value to their community.  My "home" is on Skybeam but I see Hydrangea as home base, then New Toulouse, then Cartoon World, THEN Skybeam.  Home is where you go at the end of the day, and not necessarily where you spend most of your time or effort.  IMHO we all pay the same per sqm on the key sims.  If some people rent from just one place that doesn't justify preferential treatment.


Besides, in the end it all goes toward one grand total.

Don't diss me for affording just a 512 yo.

Anyway they're thinking of forming a team but it's too late.  There was a whole month for that.  It's more of the same: not reading the documentation etc.  Personally I'd rather see the estate owners and managers focus on the estate.  Let the dozen out of 60-70 who answered the survey shop on the team list page.  Or join my team and do as little or as much as they feel comfortable. :)

Monday the stitches come out. One way by car service may cost more than a round trip bus between NYC and Boston.  The ride will be a little shorter coming back as I go to Dad's apt from there to collect and sort his mail, then pay him a visit.

Going to relish subjecting New London and Bacchus to my new CDs. 

Sunday's Mardi Gras set will be on web radio from 7-9am SLT / 10am-noon EDT / 3-5pm BST from a Gazebo in a square not far from a rollercoaster on RFL Canal Street sim.

A lot of the Nawlins music I like will be at some thing hosted by Dr John in Brooklyn next month.  I wish I had the money to take a car svc home from there by the time it lets out.  For those who are not familiar with  borough culture: Brooklynites don't come to Queens and we don't go to Brooklyn, and neither of us go to the Bronx.  Manhattanites don't go to any of us.  Anyway Irma Thomas, the Dirty Dozen Band and one of the Neville brothers are in the lineup.

Of Fish, Collective Estate Angst over RFL, & Ethical Subroutines

The 4th annual 7Seas Fishiversary found an emphasis on sleepwear and bedding for those who offered customs based on the theme.  A set of wine red silk jammies with gold embroidery were my contribution, along with two types of commemorative T-shirts (one silk one tyedye) and more flannel TARDIS jimjam colors were the new clothing catches.  Two types of nekkid Daleks (I always wanted to do nekkid Daleks) and a Tea Kitsune shoulder pal rounded out the new releases.  I had more planned but alas a hand operation left me out of sorts and more incapacitated than I'd anticipated.  I'm writing this portion of the blog on my way home after my first day back at work.  Careful to walk down flights of stairs on the "strong side" in the event I need to hold the bannister.  Now back to 2-handed typing, getting better at wrong-handed hygiene, able to lift a mug (two days ago I marveled at just being able to wrap my fingers around it).

First Fishing Rod, a Japanese folk style makeshift construct

We raised over $L1600 for Relay for Life at the Fishiversary for our creations and more from straight donations.

Managed the Giant Snail Races by switching fingers (proper Mouselook maneuvering requires the right hand on the mouse for steering and left on the keys for propulsion) and ended in fifth.

I'm offering my Super UltraRare Daleks as prizes in New London for avatar contests.  Watch Twitter, SL Social, Facebook and assorted group notices for info. 

This weekend there will be 3 DJ events:

1. New London on Saturday from 1pm SLT.  This week's theme is tropical beach party.  Something about palms gave me the idea...
2. Bacchus on the Beach later from 6/45pm SLT
3. Relay For Life's Mardi Gras Sunday 7-9am SLT

Relay for Life Mardi Gras Weekend starts tomorrow...

I  made 3 tyedye shirts in Mardi Gras colors and about 8 flexi "mad hats" along the line of my Silly St Paddy and Cat in the Hat hats.  I have an idea for a special edition Second Line umbrella as well.   Look for these in our store with other vendors by our team's creators at the RFL Bourbon Street sim.

My friend's husband moved to a local nursing home.  Despite the medical prognosis that he has days, I think we all know these things can take longer.  She must enjoy every minute she can with him, and so much the better as long as he is kept comfortable.

Update on two estates regarding Relay For Life...  

Both have seen conflicts, one contrived by an asshole in a blog last year (there can be no greater loser than someone who exploits the ignorance of the uninformed rather than help bring them up to speed toward such a cause.  How small such a person becomes in the scheme of things).  They don't object to individuals opting for donations or having a token kiosk here and there, because they do believe in the cause, but having been burned they feel best to work with what they know and do best, which is maintain their sim and keep it griefer free.

The other may be making more than they should over this, which is a bit curious.  They're certainly big enough as a community to have their own team, but not obligated to pursue one.  We all have a story, add to that the level of commitment to manage an estate (for both places this is very true) nor any less generous or sincere for not having a team of their own.   They had recommended another team for residents to become affiliated with.  Apparently that's not enough, and the question of an official stance may have been raised on a scale greater than my own initial inquiries when I was looking to belong before starting my own team. 

My concerns with the estate in their current mindset are:

1. My being judged for having my own team. 

2. Being judged for saying something as simple as "if you like what I play, please give to that kiosk over there" versus my usual passiveness about receiving tips. 

3. I get a strong feeling that I'm being looked down on for something someone else said or did at some other time to give them the impression that they as an estate have to be more prominently and directly involved with RFL.  I resent being treated differently because of this.  I do not want to be chastized for being actively involved with Relay For Life.  I'm not anyone they've ever known before and would like them to set notions aside.  We started on a great footing and they've been practically regarded as another family to my avatar.  I prefer to hold onto that rapport.

And after last year's BS antipathy from theme teams I swore off committing to them anyway. We're progressing just fine doing what we like in any style we wish.  As long as content is compliant for promotion or involvement I can openly promote with RFL's resources for any member of the team. Adult teams should be respected for their efforts as well. Sincerity is what defines one's efforts and not how big their membership is (we've already seen last year how teams can have many names listed on their roster but only a couple of active people) or *ahem* how many good ideas captains can rip off from recruits to their own credit. 

We've since gotten our shops and await a solution for RFL vendors placed back-to-back on common shop walls where our hovertext statistics clash.  We may just alleviate this by setting our vendors the same height and be damned with the statistics (which to be honest we should be asked to mute entirely and let our kiosks show the grand total).

I have to say I'm very disappointed to see some teams sport regular vendors and keep all the sales to themselves.  Hey if Hearts & Souls can fill the walls with donation items, certainly those bigger teams can.  I'll be sure to make available LMs to team members' shops.  And to the "tween" spot where I'm accumulating vendors and add new ones following each event.

It's not that I'm holier than thou over these others.  It's just common sense and plain ethics.  How hard is that? It takes a type to take advantage of a charity and exploit an area intended for fundraising for their own profit.  People outside SL go to prison for that you know.  I suppose in a way this really shows what some teams are all about.

RFL: All that scrambling for one day?

Other than the booth and the textures I  put together for it, the vendor items are merely the first of what the team has to offer.  We'll make more stuff and accumulate a nice collection of creations for donation throughout fundraiser season.

While I didn't have time to attend most of the Relay For Life Kick-Off celebration inworld, I did get a chance to tour the team booths in 3 regions before they were taken down.

Our kick-off booth in RFL Past. Minutes later 2 more contributors added vendors

There are more events coming up, and I'm looking forward to having a booth there again.

I was wondering where I could offer access to these vendors between RFL festivals?  It just occurred to me that the viewing area for the Atoll cross-country Giant Snail Races by Route 2 is perfect.  While theme appropriate vendors may appear in Maison Bleu and Cartoon World, I'll work out a couple of spots where they all can be, perhaps for all members of the team.

Something to think about.

In the meantime we have the 7Seas Fishiversary coming up.  Hard to believe it's two weeks from now.  The theme is silk.  This means textures,  some experimental.  Also more catchable Daleks, shirts and PJ's, and my first custom rods!

Do I bring back the purple Dalek or a new variation for RFL vendors?  I'm open to purplish suggestions.

Remember the team member I removed from my roster?  He started his own team.  That's awesome news!  Not only can he get first-hand info on what it takes and what is and isn't acceptable, it means a whole new group of people from his end who can do something for the cause.  So this has indeed worked itself out for the better!

This evening I'll put my RFL vendors out at the viewing platform.  That's just down the hill to the north beyond the fishing area.

Dakota & I pondering the purple blue box

More stuff for New Toulouse.  Another thing which has reached the top of the list. 

The Aether Chrononauts have a Time Traveller's Ball next Sunday.  I plan to be there.  Dress code is formal from any era.  I know exactly what to wear for it.  As a matter of fact, I remember exactly where I was the last time I wore it.  You'll have to wait to find out!

The Hearts & Souls RFL team is formed

Something happened.  That's all I can respectfully say.  As a result,  I've started my own Relay For Life team.  I need the freedom *I believe* only a captain has to control a team page in order to facilitate RL donations and fundraising. Sometimes a something has to happen to push you into the right direction. Thank you, something.

The theme is Relay For Life's own, so anyone who has something to offer towards a cause is welcome to join, regardless of genre, and anyone on the team who wants to engage in fundraising inworld on Mature & PG land for a General crowd will get to have their event added to the RFL calendar.  Donate as little (put donation kiosks for the team out) or as much (from donation vendors to events to offgrid donations) as they feel comfortable with.   If someone wants to make adult products and hold fundraising events on adult property they're at liberty to do so for the team.  Somehow the Goreans have done all right raising money without appearing on RFL's event billboards.

The core theme of the team is similar to that of my persona: that we're all real regardless of what substance and form we take.  No one is immune to the effects of cancer and we can make a difference in both worlds.

I've had an enthusiastic response  from folks, both whom I asked and a couple of them so far who came to me.

I believe I have a lot to give and offer towards a noble cause.  I am privileged and honored to participate and make a difference.  I know people who survived, people who are fighting, and people who lost the fight.  A friend is losing the battle as I type this.  Pettiness has no place, so advanced warning:

Fighting cancer is not a pissing match.  If your team makes more money than mine, I don't lose.  If you think so then maybe you don't have your head on straight.

Once we have won the battle, the winner is us.

I try to learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others:

1. No more genre teams which pigeonhole me or disallow promotion of fundraising events due to theme or era vs content rating.

2. No stealing ideas from others. A team effort - and there may be a few of those - will give credit where due.  There is no cause in the universe which justifies discarding ethics or common courtesy; no one or thing is cause to forget to be excellent to eachother.

3. As team captain I will not desert my team and hang out with another and leave others to do my work.  That really rubbed me the wrong way last year. Not much can be worse than a team being let down by their own captain.

4. I'm not separatist.  If someone from another team needs help with something I'll give it if I'm able. Just don't know what skills anyone would need from me.  If another team wants to hold a fundraising event and asks me for a sign or to play music, I will certainly oblige them.

5. Group joining is not mandatory.  If you just want to put out a kiosk or make stuff for donation, that's a great help and what really counts IMHO.  You got what you want and when the RFL season is done the kiosks and vendors derez automatically.

Come to think of it, my off-season kiosk will go poof very soon.

The Fishiversary is A-Comin'

click to launch a detailed image

The diner's fishing area is a success. Giving back to the community during gaps between contests with a contest is serving its purpose. People enjoy the chalk, are working on capturing the trophies, and sometimes listening to the stream (I've started streaming during them).  With recent RL commitments demanding my Sundays, it's nice to squeeze one of these in after a long day.

Livingtree has relaunched at 8pm EST on Sundays, which was always this "what am I gonna do" limbo hour for me ever since Blaksleeworld ended, so now I get to fish there, then DJ at Bacchus.

Hey, fishing is relaxing.

And speaking of love-ins, the Fishiversary dates have been set and the theme announced (if not obvious to anyone with access to an anniversary gifts chart).  And my kinda party: a PAJAMA PARTY!  I have a lot of ideas for this one :) Won't have anything to do with diners though...

Poster by Meissa Thorne

A Krewe a Krewe! I'm in a Krewe! Watch this space for things Mardi Gras in New Toulouse...

Last but not least: Relay for Life. Teams start applying next week. I don't know what I'll do but I want to do more this year. A lot more. Dat wasn't sure yet what she has planned; the beach had their own team last year but somehow fell through the administration cracks and didn't get a parcel for the big event. So I don't know quite what will be, except a theme is definitely due.

...if you can call this normal...

She's put banlines around her building and I'm gonna ask her for a refund? Yeah right. Over 2 weeks left on the Clockhaven meter, almost a month since I said good riddance. That's a lot of rent lost. On the bright side: good riddance. To hipocrisy, false politeness, and juvenile behavior not attributed to urchins. The only thing I'll miss there are Edward Pearse's events at The Clarendon for Radio Riel and Blackberry Harvey's DJing in Sweetwater Square.

I got this nice piece of furniture built for the shop.  Guess I could put it up in The Marketplace.  I just use my old SLEX box.  But what if I need another box?  Will I get an SLEX box or one with the Second Life logo on it?

I really should put more stuff on the marketplace, like the silly noses and inner tube... The classic deco gallery building... Yeah I'm just all over the place, aren't I?

First *OFFICIAL* DJ gig at Bacchus on the Beach worked out well last week, except that putting the music on random lumped the newer material together.  No more random. Second DJ gig at New Albert Hall in TARDIS was a hit on Saturday.  Just shifted my repertoire up by a decade for them. Filled in last night at Bacchus when thunderstorms grounded Dat in RL. Madhu's regrettably will be on hiatus for the next couple of weeks (also another grounding in RL of a sort; come back soon Carter!), freeing me up to DJ at Bacchus more, so for the next two weeks I'll be providing their music on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Starship Diner event last Friday was... quiet.  My usual time for events is Saturday after Livingtree fishing but because of the weekly summer fireworks I moved my parties to Friday evenings. Everyone's usually doing something else on Fridays, including myself.  There were birthdays and rezdays I inadvertently scheduled against - one which I would have liked to attend if I could be in two places at once.  Ah well. At least I got to see an old friend from the VRML days; we pummeled him with information in a frantic effort to get him up to speed.

Made the Taco Supreme Dalek finally.  Debut it at Show n Tell.  He's a new Super Ultrarare at Retro Metro in Sistiana.  The Purple Relay Dalek remains available for a donation until all Relay for Life vendors self destrict sometime next month. After that: no more purple Dalek.  Unless someone copies him of course.  Hey, it's their soul.

The heatwave hit a dangerous high for my medical category and I remained sequestered from Thursday through Saturday at home. Got credit for working remotely.  I hate working from home; it's like tainting my computer. But there was plenty to do. Caught up on some DVDs at the same time, half-listening to them from the side.

Today back into the real world, hitting the office following a doctor's appointment. 

Going to see what I can do with my backyard in Hydrangea. Moved my sandbox beneath the diner.  I think I'd like to put my conservatory in the backyard.  Yes, I have a conservatory. Doesn't everyone? 

It's nice that other than that and the matter of an intrusive tree I have to bring up to the "treehouse estate," there are no real points of concern.

Oh yes, Burn2.  If I get a campsite, I win. It always comes down to the best ham. Some endorsed darling will get them over me (although "endorsed" SHOULD mean that their spot was already paid for via their benefactor, right?  Endorsed means covering materials and venue, the means to make and exhibit their art).  I'll design some vehicles for the DMV. They think I'm going to script them. They've never seen my résumé.

Relay for Life Weekend

What an inspiration Relay For Life weekend was.  I wore the tag for Giant Snail Relay team, seeing how clammy the other tag had become and how I was told I wasn't needed.  Tindy had done practically all the work on the Snails' campsite, so I had a feeling no one would be relaying for them.  Racer suggested I put out my Snail shirts and Whoish vendors to bring in more donations; the team went gold level on Saturday. Total raised at this writing for the American Cancer Society by Second Life: US$373,098.

At first there were others participating.  We rooted for the first lap passersby, waving flags.  Survivors and Caregivers.  I knew so many people running and walking by us, and they appreciated our cheers.  It seemed I was wrong about the track and the impression that it was this long road which took 24 hours to complete.  More like 45min-hour, with special theme laps where we put on silly things or changed form (like the animal lap). Running by interesting builds and people cheering you on...  Proud I managed to raise 10,000 Lindens before the weekend festivities began and another few thousand during the relay from the roadside donations.  By the end of the event most of the luminaria lining the road were lit.  I'd been reunited with so many people I hadn't connected with in ages:  folks from past SL events, other causes, show n tell, previous neighbors, 7Seas fishers, Office Hours, Whovians, and so on.


It was clear that I would be the only one to run for the team.  As I've said, there were others who like me claimed more than one team tag, but they ALL represented the other.  After the first half a day, no one rooted from the campsite.  It was deserted for most of the weekend.

But the major thing is I got to run. And run. And run for all I did.  I've helped raise over 12k, about 5k of it for Giant Snail Relay's tally, maybe more; vendor sales sporadically continue.  I got to cheer people who did all they did without any personal agendas save success.  That's the spirit!

As expected, New London had been omitted again from inclusion by the Dr Who Fans Relay team, so they were unaware of the Relay weekend (Victor continues to be oblivious of an ever growing conflict between two concepts: being in charge and community obligation). When I invited Laredo Lowtide to check out the luminaria and how fans could light them in Elisabeth Sladen's name as well as for family and friends, I could tell the very setting of people running past and the luminaria - with their dedications to loved ones struggling or long gone - was something they would want to become a part of one way or another next year.  The management is so busy - maintaining TARDIS sim is a fulltime job. Maybe they need some sort of public events coordinator or something. They certainly have enough group members if not active events participants to make their own team.  Hell if the Snail Races can do it with no one on the campsite for most of the weekend, I think a good gaggle of Whovians could maintain a team presence on the track as well as put something fantastic together for a campsite. The Doctor after all is the mother of all humanitarians.

I'm sure next year will be different. It always is after the first time.  I know more people involved, am involved with more people who are involved, and Who knows what happens in 2012? :)

Remember I have a year-round kiosk in Hydrangea near the diner sign. While RFL is a seasonal campaign, cancer hits whenever it hits.

A Blog Post in Search of a Title

Relay for Life weekend.  With my involvement in the New Babbage campsite build trashed (apparently  *not* due to any Amishesque shunning), I've dropped hints about participating in the relay itself (which I've wanted to do since Dr Fran told me there was an actual relay) in a public forum, which have thus far gone unresponded to.  I gave their RFL team captain the benefit of the doubt that they could have been too busy to come back after the first post and accosted them by IM.  I want to parricipate. It's been a day and no word.

I'm also handing the computer over to Snurky Saturday afternoon for a Tiny Snail crosscountry on the Relay For Life sims.  With Tindallia Soothsayer's help they have a course.  Please give Tindy kudos when you see her. She makes the trophies, co-designed the home track (the good parts), built the SL8B parcel for them, planned the RFL course, made the tiny snails available for a donation to race this weekend, and more I know I've missed.
I'm 99% sure where I'll call my home for a treehouse.  A 2-way interview went on yesterday and I showed the estate owner my choices of prefabs.  Confirmed that any boughs extending into common land would be fine.  A common sense covenant and a diverse, active community - but not isolationist or separatist.  Here we are all wearing RFL purple (as always clicking will show a fullsize picture):

Won't count New Toulouse out yet for other things.  I still like the idea of having a shop of prints, only not where I can see banlines.  If that were fixed in New Babbage then their landscape wouldn't be reduced to the look of a cheap mainland parcel.

How does one enforce quiet catch for a 7Seas fishing area?  Is this now an option on the server?  I know: rtfm

Google+ Gets a Lesson in People Skills

Google+ is having an identity crisis. It doesn't know whether it wants to be a social network or a datamining racket. Despite its having been around since the 90s it somehow fails to realize that there are many levels of personae on the Internet and that there is no simple black and white when categorizing them for inclusion.

Let's go over the key categories so Google has a point of reference. They obviously haven't been looking at their own search results (and they used to be the cool search engine)...

1. RL. That's it. Real name. Actual location. They're either posted for business networking or for staying in touch with family and friends. Fair game for knew-you-when types and people from Jr High you don't miss. Also fair game if you met someone on a dating site or went into RL Mode with a virtual relationship and they're stalking you and your friends list.

2. Real but Protected. This can take many forms, particularly initialled or using a false name known only by your "inner circle" for the purpose of convenient remote interaction with a specific group of people and no access to profile specifics from outsiders. Can be confused with 3.

3. Virtual identity. A combination of 1 & 2. It protects the offline identity but serves a genuine purpose for people who have forged relationships and contacts online. Even in some cases the virtual identity is used for business contacts on an overt level while individuals may know eachother offline. Virtual and real are not so different except that one gets the bills; online they take on the same nontangible form. I've been using them since 1996. I have more friends and acquaintances online, particularly since all my local friends moved away from the area. I've touched many lives and have been enriched by many lives. No corporate entity has a right to judge the quality of my life based on my onliine name or profile image, which says at least as much about me than someone who posts a picture of their cat or baby.

4. Role Play identity. This in itself is a grey area category, and unfortunately the Virtual identity is lumped together with them. While this may be important to the player and their gaming friends, a roleplay identity limits their interactions to them and other game contacts. Out of Character discussion involves rules strategies and story. All considerations aside of how much time gamers spend and the limitations of their networking, they almost always have a voice in a game-related forum and dont really need or rely on general social networking sites.

5. The Façade - may be a blogger or reviewer who keeps their actual identity a secret, even may satirically take on the identity of a fictional character but obviously so. They are often witty but mostly of service to their genre community. For example "Dr Longscarf" compiles the best news links that come to him that day for Dr Who fans. He kids about being a timelord. We know he isn't one, and he's good for a debate or two when the situation calls for it.

6. The impersonator. Fake accounts for known fictional characters and celebrities. I'm following Queen Elizabeth II on Twitter. I know it's not her, but she's funny. So's Tony Stark. I can see where a social networking site such as Facebook and Google+ would object to them, and in many cases it's an act of griefing to pose as someone else. But to confuse these with types 1-3 or even 4 is ludicrous.

Google+ has to do right by the virtual community. It IS a community.  Unless the US$300,000 mark we're closing in on for Relay for Life doesn't count either?

Home Hunt Front

Unlike the fiction I've been serializing, New Babbage proper does not have a patch resembling a residential district.

I took a close look at New Toulouse's covenant.  It wouldn't be the right place for the sort of treehouse I have in mind.  Otherwise seems very nice: themed but not role play, similar to Bay City in that respect.  Don't know about the prospect of a zombie hunt though...

Even before the owner of New Caledon expressed animosity against Bay City, I had seen their estate and it didn't appeal to me.  Someone suggested Winterfell, but aren't they reputed to be dark or gothic?  I'm so not that. Update: they aren't from that era. More knights and dragons and the like.

I visited some of Antiquity this week.  It didn't seem as though their sims were structured like a cohesive community.

Maybe it's just not the era to look to for a Victorian treehouse?  That could be!

Well when I get home (writing this while waiting for the LIRR to arrive)  I'll join the last half of the Clarendon event then work on those portraits for New Babbage.  Wonder if they'd be interested in auctioning them off to give to the winners at the end of the big RFL event? 

I think maybe some protein first and foremost when I get off the subway near home...

El Tracero de Chivo

A busy weekend.  Completing a series of portraits depicting the forefathers of Steampunk is paramount.  I was told it was thought I'd left the project.  No more than anybody else, as there were no further meetings and no group notices.  Seems I haven't stopped blogging about it in the interim.  They don't know it though...

Final Relay For Life DJ gig will be on Sunday from 7-9am SLT in Bay City.  That's a comfy 10am my local time.  Then it's back to the diner maybe for events.  It's what it was made for.

Could have saved Bacchus last night except I forgot to - are you ready for this? - change the stream URL in land properties.  Well no wonder the shoutcast thing didnt work!  Anyway the contest went short accidentally too so it wasn't just me.  It was "one of those days" in general.

I'm a bit peeved that Firestorm has no visible means to mute UI sounds.  I hate UI sounds.  If there's a slide or checkbox buried somewhere can someone please let me know how to get to it?

Interesting backlash from a recent post about Victorian women bluntly and tactlessly flirting a little beyond the boundaries of double entendre with a half-goat in group chat and during events.  How nice to "behave Victorian" just when it's convenient.  Like I said, even between humans it's questionable conduct in that scenario.  It really makes a sham of all the formal greetings people practice among eachother.  Second Life is a big place which accommodates anything legal- and turns a blind eye to some of the illegal - all as long as nonconsenting parties aren't involuntarily subjected to it.  So do I. Respect works both ways.

The theme, rating, and covenant of a group or estate serve as a guide and to protect the greater public.  At the moment it should protect me from being subjected to banlines.  Not that I'd want to go into their establishments, but shouldn't I be allowed to pass them and not be aware of them, which is the point of the covenant rules to restrict banline usage?  Yes they can do what they want with their property - as long as they're compliant of the covenant (which I haven't broken), but one would think that it would be in everyone's best interest for me to be oblivious to their locales.  Apparently we're not talking about mature individuals with communications skills.  One of those who set up banlines I barely know at all. Note in covenant link there is an absolute line about "ban lines" being forbidden.

See?  They DO read my blog, only not important entries like plans for fundraising.  I related a series of incidents which I found very unpleasant and insulted my sensibilities. I have a right to my opinion in my blog offworld.   I don't have to like what they're doing, and they have no right to force me to endure it.  If they're not behaving cute to others outside their clique then that's neither my problem nor my fault. I'm not stopping them from doing anything on their own time, just don't do it in my face.  Like I said I've closed chat on New Babbage and a Dr Who group (before I left it) during inappropriate conversation. I did my part inworld, and I've done the right thing.

I heard Victor1st wrote a long rant about me. I don't know how he could write anything at length because he doesn't know me.  And we've seen how he lets his imagination run away with the keyboard!  For the record, here's the extent of my interaction with victor1st Mornington in New Babbage:

I used to go to his dance parties. I politely tipped him for DJing.

Yep. That's it.  He hadn't been present for any of the Relay for Life planner meetings I've attended, and I don't recall whether he's made a showing at the Salon lectures when I was there.  The most we see eachother are in fact at events where many others are present. We don't interact any more than I would others I don't know at them, and there are certainly enough people during those who see that nothing happens. I just enjoy the music and marvel at the personae people have nurtured. There's only that time at SL8B weeks back where he scheduled that joke of an event opposite mine which blocked my friends from coming to join us for a couple of minutes.

Anyway I was keen to move on from the lame victor nonsense but these things crossed my desk the past day or so.  Maybe that's it for them finally. No I'm not interested in reading his drivel. There are more important things like health, family, helping New Babbage out with the Relay for Life project, and the comic.  Let him keep digging himself deeper with lies and embellishments; it's what he does best.

In more worthwhile news, Snurky did a PSA for Relay for Life! I'm so proud of her :)  She got to meet Pooky Amsterdam.  But before that she had a scare. Snurky arrived in my backyard off Rt 2 and there were no land properties. Seems the region was temporarily netsplit from the grid.  Only thing one can do is specify another region when you log back in and force the viewer to start you somewhere new.  Suddenly chat windows opened up. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

Slipstream into the Weekend w/Space Junk

Let the artwork commence...

Snurky is getting assistance from an interesting source for her snail this week.  Look for her at the track this Sunday with a special sponsor ;)

I'm tallying topics for my SL8B project.  See, I list topics, then I draw these topics.  Specifically sketch the first in detail, draw sequentially for the middle, then perhaps - well idunno for the ends, but I'll find out.  It all depends on the list of course...

Tonight is my next dance party at Cartoon World to raise money for Relay For Life.  Stop on by, even if you can't donate.  Having fun is important too. ArtSpace level from 6pm SLT.

I've switched control rooms to allow for more prims.  Time to go in for the kill on several projects.  I really love the versatility of this new TARDIS system.

On a similar note, it's very awkward when someone refers to me as a Timelord.  I'm not, you know.  Not even a wannabe.  There is only one The Doctor who fits that description, and I'm the other The Doctor.  There's no illusion as to what my default visage is.  Well okay.  This is all about illusion.  But I've no illusions about it.

On an obscurely related note, I've found something revolting in New Babbage.  I got this line and it's been stomped over in a way one wouldn't expect.  A group of women avatars have an overt sexual fixation over a resident there whose avatar is a farm animal from the waist down.  That falls into bestiality in my book.  So while most people are being extremely polite and addressing eachother in a quaint manner, these types carry on in the middle of it in a way one wouldn't in mixed company under any circumstances, much less if the subject was biologically compatible.  I behave myself and just leave group chat once it's deteriorated to an inappropriate level - and it almost always does when they're on.  At social events it's pretty much unavoidable, and leaving abruptly would make too much of a statement.  It's tough enough trying to feel at home as a newb in a community as it is that I have this fairly gross verbal display in my face...

On a lighter note, I met some people there last night who were very nice. Seems I'm better on a one-two person basis rather than the group or group chat.  There were "several green dots about on the map" which isn't often the case when I come on.

Update: In fairness, it seems one of the women is now the same species. Still, the concept of "get a room" must escape their culture.

New Wave & Art Wave

I now have a better idea as to what shape my SL8B exhibit will take - literally. But first, the art.  I've put in for next Monday and Tuesday so I've got four days, but I want to have the textures done by then and spend most of that time scanning, prepping, and placing.

I also have a name for it, but I can't tell you yet.  I have a party set and need to look into where I can add it to an events listing.  There's always the possibility that I can't of course...

On a similar note, Burn2 started accepting art camp proposals & lottery ticket purchases for October's festival.  For those with money - among which I wished I could be - parcels are for sale in the Marketplace.  Keep in mind that Burn is no longer a Linden event; all monies from Marketplace, Lottery, and donations go toward purchase and maintenance of Burn sims during the festival.  

Burn2 also asks for sim donations this year.  They'd pay for relocation & renaming to and from the Playa.

At any rate this gives people a chance to work physically on their spaces throughout the summer.  Ideally one should develop and build on the playa and not just plop down pre-existing or sandbox builds.  This would give creators the chance to do more like what is done at Burning Man.  Then again, what about people?  Will they see it this way?

This Friday I'm hosting another DJ Dance Party in Bay City to raise money for Relay for Life.  Tip the kiosk if you're having a good time.  Music this time will be MTV-era pop, aka New Wave For Life pt 2.  Snurky is going to promote it in RFL's group chat this time.  That is, if group chat actually works.

Busy Busy...

Now back home (but insufficiently settled), I resumed drawing.  It's a healthy thing, like breathing.

There are many things on the plate that I need to get through; no spinning it to make them fly off into oblivion.

For one I've paid rent on that small shop in New Babbage for the past 3 months.  The space gave me the inspiration for a series of "prints".  Yes I know: I'm working backwards and instead should find a place for existing work.  Well, that's where artistic license comes in; real artists seldom act in conventional sequence.  That was also when RL stepped in of course, hindering any chance of quality time to create the prints and set them up in an appropriately designed vendor.

Then a portrait of one of my friends which I've owed for about 11 months by now.  I haven't forgotten that.

Giant Snail Races tee shirts for Relay For Life donations.  Had hoped to make a new one every week or two, but that hasn't panned out.  There are two available currently at Cartoon World, with hopefully a new one available this weekend. Remember all the money in those vendors goes to The American Cancer Society.

SL8B.  I knew the theme about 2 months ago.  No time to work on it.  I have about a dozen ways I can present what I want to present, which may just get narrowed down based on my abilities.  I know what I'd LIKE to do...

Scourgemobiles:   They were taken offline for a week or two and it was grand.  Apparently this was temporary while the vehicles were reprogrammed.  I found out one day by messaging someone while standing on Route 3. Some car came up behind me and stopped, then did its usual lumbering thing in an effort to ride around me and still remain on the road.  Selecting it revealed the source sim where it was rezzed is no longer displayed.  The vehicle had 16 scripts and a landmark.  Still adfarming and still solid.  They're still a problem when you're trying to ride the road. And the things still jump the roads into water and rail routes. AnnMarie just doesn't get it, does she?

By the way, Friday June 3rd is a meeting between LDPW and SLRR afficionados in Tuliptree. A certain someone is likely to be there.

Last but not least, dance parties in Bay City to raise money for Relay for Life.  I hold them every other Friday evening from 6pm SLT.  I usually pick a specific era and run with it. Right now it's New Wave, with the first one from its beginnings.  Next one on June 10th will be from the dawn of early MTV era, with a great variety of sounds and several blasts from the past.  Tipping goes to a Relay for Life Kiosk.

That's all for now :)

Ketchup May 2011

I was this close to taking out a new stream last Friday to celebrate my return home that night.  But with short notice who'd come?

Anyway there's a big weekend coming up for Bay City for their third anniversary.  It's also my second since the gallery opened there.  Am doing a dance party featuring music from the 20th century (I'm that ecclectic normally anyway).  Again it will be to raise money for Relay For Life, with donation of creations and a kiosk to divvy up between two teams I represent.  So if you like what you see: buy.  If you like what you hear: tip for a good cause.

Things to do:

Poster for Bay City event.  Theme will be purple.

Replace slideshow, box and listgiver at Retro Metro in Sistiana with new ones from Fishiversary and post to 7Seas' forum.  Note it's back to a 1-minute rez time for bait and rod purchases; there must have been a griefer lockdown in Nova Albion at some point that it was changed to no-rez.

Refine the Gallifrey Ten swim trunks.  I think a smaller denser pattern may look better.

More important than the swim trunks are to finish off the first wave of sketches for Artifictions and draw another couple of racing snails for shirts.  One will be purple.

Dance and fish at Bacchus on the Beach.  I realize that new fish or no, I'll never become a Hall of Famer and unlock the omega level if I let my alts fish.

Giving & Getting

Japan relief stuff...

I think for Japan it's easy: a designer shirt with Anime style art on it.

What could I make for Relay for Life?

I can think about Giant Snail Races shirts, both for Racer to raise funds toward track expenses and for their RFL group.

What about New Babbage?  My art isn't wearable in the steamlands.  Not for anyone in character.  No ties, no T-shirts.  Yeah I can make brass 3D glasses, but would you buy them?  Even for charity?

Hmmm... I hadn't thought of that.  Designer 3D glasses. More things to sketch and plan...

Time to move forward with fishiversary items after the fundraising stuff is over.

Isn't SL8B coming up soon as well? Sheesh.

Tonight if I'm home soon enough, it's both RedNoseDay on the web (I hope) and a party with the TimeLord Club.

I dropped the big "Dr Who" group.  I hadn't felt a friendly vibe with them.  Their group chat is more often than not a cringefest.  You get your share of blatant teens signed up as adults on Timelord Club chat as well as any Dr Who group (technically Dr Who is a kid's show, but technically the group and its primary doings are on mature property), but their contingent are friendly and pleasant for the most part, and always ready to help a sincere stranger.  Ditto the sims.  On Katrina I'm less likely to strike up a conversation with anyone; they're too busy blowing eachother up anyway.  Just buy whatever then jump back out.  Not that they don't play blow-up on TARDIS every now and then, but New London just doesn't seem "blow-upcentric".  Doctor Who isn't about wearing exoapparati and blowing stuff or people up. I was impressed with how folks recently converged on Adipose Square on their own in TARDIS to pay respects to the recently departed Nicholas Courtney. There I sense a community.

Oddz n Enz

I realized some songs I'd like for Saturday night's playlist are on vinyl, and that I never got them on CD.  Oops.  That still leaves plenty to work with for a perky, optimistic set to celebrate spring.  Beware - this is going to be upbeat; bubblegum might be "served" as well.

My original parcel in Bay City is now the home of a newspaper publisher. This should be fun!

I've been charmed by New Babbage and the people I've met there.  One guise of my persona will soon open a tiny shop in Clockhaven called Artifictions.  Pondering over what the "furniture" should be.  Wish there was room a bench outside but the door is inches away from stone steps.  While I've already appeared at a New Babbage event in my pseudo-Tennant avatar (well it was a time travel party), it's not likely I'll be using it again there in character. The recent Pancake Races video has my look.

Every night this week Jen Shikami is hosting mini-contests at 7Seas HQ in Flotsam Beach. It's a lot of fun. The prize for the top winners is fishbait. Who doesn't love fishbait? mmmm-m!

Saturday will be busy!  First at noon SLT is Nova Albion's 7th anniversary celebration.  If you haven't seen posters around for it in the Tricities it's because schedules couldn't allow us to meet inworld and - for the first time in years - there was no SL forum for NA's residents to plan.  If any group made good use of their SL Community resources, it was them.  Fortunately Twitter has been very helpful in sounding the call.  While I anticipate a galvanized gaggle of tin ducks, I'll be taking a snail.

Saturday night's my Hop Into Spring party from 10:30pm EST aka 7:30 pm SLT. Maybe this time I'll have a pink star on the map?

Sunday has a big event: Giant Snail Races run Relay for Life along the western coastline of Heterocera Atoll continent from Filip to Calleta.  If you want to race with us (you donate to get a qualifying scarf) or sponsor a snail, come by The Starship Diner in Hydrangea on Rt 4. You'll see boxes in the parking lot for free snails and RFLish things. By the diner's big sign is a donation Kiosk if you just want to give.

I see only 9 signatures for the Scourgemobile petition. That's a bit ridiculous. I mean, all those people who expressed their disgust inworld, in blogs, on boards... and we got 9 people incl myself?