A Story From Fairelands Chat

 

The following is from the Fantasy Faire chat on the night of April 18, 2023.

 

 Pookie Wolfsong gathers her charges to wait for the mists to  lift and  the portals to open. The song of the Fairelands has been growing stronger.  "So  my friends the veil will  lift and the wonders will be there to behold." The spark  of wonder and the excitement  of hope fills  the group. Their guide waits for the change "Soon, so soon and you will see that there is still  magic, Hope and love."  She smiles knowing  she will once again meet her friends and her old dear friends in the Fairelands.

She checks on each one of her group. "Remember when entering the Portal you may find you have changed from what you are now. Just enjoy the change. For now you can be what ever you want to be. Sing with the Fae, swim with the merfolk, or even eat waffles with the pawlice. I wander, explore listen to the tales of each  land. Then I  meet old dear friends and  dance."   She smiles seeing the grins from souls that are so tired. For their struggle has left them exhausted. "Please my friends take your time enjoy yourselves. I know there is so  much to see and do.  Talk  to the people and know you are not alone. You all know  where to  find me. If you need  me. I promise not to bother you once we enter."  With  that she hugs each one softly kissing  each person. "I am so glad you can come."  They all look up into the clear nights sky watching  the stars slowly move across the heavens. Like a key to open a lock the stars glide into position.

She watches the stars. Marking the time. Soon the portal will open once again. "So close I just have to hang on a bit more." She walked, slowing back into her home carefully placing each step.

She prepares for  her rounds on her dear friends. Each day grows more treasured than the last.She gathers the gifts for each. then takes the precious medicine that allows her to visit. She marks how much she has left so little left  but enough. The Faire will come and her friends will go and experience the wonders, the fun and the love of the Fairelanders.

[She makes her way to visit each one of her friends. Years ago She would have called them her patients.  Now all are her dearest friends and part of her family. Time is a fine teacher if one cares to learn.  No one knows how much we have and each day is truly magical.

A young girl in her bed weak from therapy looks to her. She takes from a pouch the tablet and  hands it to her. "It is all set for you. Soon the fantasy faire will open. And you see what I have been telling you  about. Remember to have fun  And I want to hear all about it"  She smiles seeing the light still shine in this young ones eyes. 

 

"Nurse Why are you doing this?  I mean you don't have too? Why?"

"You need to see and know there is still a world of magic and wonder. With wonderful beings that do care. You are not alone and never will be. I do expect to see you dance on the FaireChylde with  me" She says with a smile, then makes her way to finish her rounds.

Her shift ended  and she reports to her own treatment. Tried sore she prepares for the next day.  She takes a tablet and starts to create the avatar that her newest friend asked for to go to the faire. "So little time so  much to do."

Pookie Wolfsong (Helixer Resident):

 

RFL: My Mother's Caregiver

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

People in Second Life are often quiet when it comes to what happens on the other side ot their computer. In my case, some things I've been fairly open about. In recent months, there's one large detail I've revealed more and more about. One concerning my Mother.

Mother and I have supported one another in each of our online projects. With her, it was her various online businesses. With me, it was writing various stories, then writing about news on Second Life while doing a novel on the side. She continued to work online into her 80s until about a year ago when she took what she thought would be a brief break.

In August of last year, she fell ill and was taken to the hospital. It was there it was discovered she had a tumor. The cancer was successfully removed. But it was major surgery and the whole experience took a lot of strength out of her. Since then, she's been slowly recovering, slowly. Over a month later, she came home after time at the hospital and rehabilitation center.

The rest of our family is out of state. So it's up to me to watch over her. Thankfully I'm still able to get on Second Life just about every day. And we do have some help from Home Health Care. But some days can be very demanding. I've been trying to balance things between her recovery and her comfort, leaning to the latter when in doubt. 

And then of course, there's my energy level. I'm no longer the fairly young guy in my 30s that I was when I first came here. And the lost hours of rest catch up to me easily. 

So what does this mean for me and Second Life? It means that my time here is more subject to interruptions than ever. And while I'm still able to write about Second Life, sometimes things will get put aside for a while as I take care of details at home, then try to relax a little so I can keep going, or catch up on lost sleep. But it's certainly given me more reason to write about the Relay.

And as it was cancer, there's always the possibility of it coming back, which scares me.

But while her recovery has been slow, I am confident she will eventually be back on her feet and walking. And around for many more years to come.

Artwork by Panda Jenn (Jennifer Carnivele)

Bixyl Shuftan
 

RFL Season Concludes

By Bixyl Shuftan

Wednesday June 30 was the last day of the 2021 Relay season, and the last the Relay kiosks were accepting donations. Usually there's an official "Relay Wrap-Up" event at the season's end in which the Spirit of Relay winners are announced. This year, the announcements were done at the "Sink the Sims/Flood Party." So no last event at the seasons end was scheduled. But the Relayers held one anyway. Their season total was already close to the highest they ever made, a couple thousand USD short of the $415,000  that was made in 2014. So they decided to hold one last, and unofficial, event, to beat the record.

Gem Sunkiller would post the following: 

You are the most dedicated group of individuals who are determined to change the world!
I know that we can make this season even more of a record breaker.....as one team unified.
If you are close to a kiosk, pitch in your loose change, but when you do that also ask a merchant or club owner for a donation.  We have until 11:59.59 PM SLT on June 30th, a little more than 24 hours to go.  We need 1641 USD .......  We can do this!  WE ARE RELAY!  LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!

 

So without any plan, people began gathering at the American Cancer Society sim. A kiosk was rezzed, and people began dancing away as Trader Whiplash was playing T-1 Radio for the Relay one last night. There was plenty of encouragement to donate in both the group chat and the Discord channel. Finally, Stingray Rainmaker announced the goal had been reached.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the American Cancer Society in Second Life for making our 2020-2021 fundraising year the most successful we've ever had in our 16-year history in the virtual world. This achievement is a testament to how strong our community is and how dedicated we are to funding the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society.

Every moment throughout this year, you've reached goals, set new goals, and reached them, ultimately leading to this moment where you've now set a new fundraising record in Second Life. Thank you all for being the passionate, competitive, proud, and unique cancer-fighting warriors that you are.

The total would continue to rise, eventually reaching  $417,122. The people would also continue to dance and congratulate each other for a job well done. Fireworks were going off over the sim. The partying would go on until shortly after 7PM SL time, with Trader Whiplash signing off for the last time this season, "Good night Relay."

After the event, the kiosks were turned off, and would show only off-season totals. On the website, the team totals page was redone so the 149 individual teams no longer showed. 

Three teams made Purple, (1) Relay Rockers - 5,204,852 L, (2) Camping for a Cure - 4,298,763 L, and (3) The River of Life - 3,768,844 L. Four teams made Diamond, (4) Cure Chasers - 2,857,661 L, (5) Aether Chrononauts Tiny Steps (ACTS) - 2,378,420 L, (6) Goreans in Relay for Life - 2, 145,225 L, and (7) Roos With A Dream - 1,815, 173 L. Two made Topaz, (8) Our New Paradise - 1,628,649 L and (9) Seekers of Hope - 1,569,633 L. Four teams made Emerald, (10) Cancer Gets Stung - 1,154,777 L, (11) Harmony of Hope - 1,121,385 L, (12) One More Light - 1,112,401 L, and (13) Sunbeamers - 1,013,871 L.

It was a big Relay season with many stories told, and some yet to be told. People are encouraged to share theirs with the Second Life Newser as reader submissions. As for the future, some are looking forward to Making Strides and the Christmas Expo. Others are looking forward to Feb 2022 for when the next Relay season begins.

Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Oldesoul's Jail and Bail Events

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

Oldesoul Eldemar is a noted figure with the Relay. Though with the him taking part in the recent Fantasy Faire as a tiny member of the "Pawlice" arresting people for the various "jail and bail" events, it may have only been a matter of time before someone decided turnabout was fair play. And on the night of Saturday May 22, that happened.

At 6:31PM on the Relay for Life Volunteers group chat, Selene (Selene Jashan) called out, "Heyyyy Olde??????  We have a warrant out for your arrest!!!! Reason for Arrest: Many, many, pawsome acts of Relay." The warrant had been issued by her and Gem Sunkiller-Shadow, "Don't make me suit up and come for you, buddy!" Wateru Kohime announced, "I've got $L100 I can put towards Olde, for keeping him in longer that is." Olde couldn't believe it, "Wateru, I have been soo kind to you." Wateru and Gem just laughed in response, "I am evil tonight Olde." Wateru then conceeded, "Ok fine, I've got another $L100 to get him out too. So you break even." Selene laughed, "Uumm he needs a lot more than 100L."

Gem commented, "We will need to put you in the cell, and lock the door.  I'm sure you have friends who can front your bail. Selene laughed once more, "He needs 4k." Time went on, with the chatter turning to the Sunbeamer's Medieval Fun Fest at times, and Selene encouraged people to donate, "Who is going to come help bail OldeSoul out of jail, I know lots of you will come look just out of curiousity!" Gem added, "He looks so sad!"

It was then Selene posted a link to a picture in Relay Chat, that of Oldesoul in a tiny cage not tall enough for him to stand up in, with a policeman bot standing by, "Has his own personal guard." Cynthia Farshore of team Sunbeamers mused, "He looks right at home," then she went to the point, "I'm DJing, so stuck here. Where do I toss a remote?" Oldesoul answered, "Gem Sunkiller or Selene." Cynthia then sent the cash, with Olde saying, "Thank you Cynthia. I am free!" The Sunweaver answered, "Welcome, but warning if you show up at the Sunbeamer Medieval Fair you may be arrested there too!!"

Selene is with the River of Life Relay team. Gem is the Relay for Life's Season Lead for 2021.

As luck would have it, or perhaps Cynthia's suggestion, this was not the end of Oldesoul's troubles. At the second day of the Medieval Fun Festival the following day, the Sunbeamer's captain Rita Mariner announced in Relay chat, "Olde, you are to report to Caledon Downs immediately, You are under arrest.  For bribery of waffles to tinies and Patch Linden almost being eaten by a teddy bear." The charges were about the antics of the "Pawlice" at the Fantasy Faire, notably Patch Linden's jail and bail inside the belly of a giant teddy. Nance Clowes asked, "Whats it gunna take to bail out ... Olde?" Rita answered, "After Olde spend time in my gibbet, we can talk 'bail/ Bribe.'" Olde's response was, "Ms. Rita - I am meeting with my build team, may I make a rain date?" Cynthia commented, "Evasion from the law, another charge!" Rita's response was, "Yes, now life in my gibbet." Olde countered, "Have you spent time with my builders?" Rita answered, "No, but I can lock them up with you." "You know them, silly one! I will be down in a bit." 

Eventually, Olde announced he was ready, to which Alison Flow went, "Lock him up!" Gem Sunkiller grinned wickedly, "Who are we locking up now?" At Caledon Downs, Olde showed up and Rita showed him the cage, "Ok criminal, in you go." Cynthia was there, "HAAAA nab him!" Olde went in, "Welcome friends, I think." "So until someone feels pity on you and pays the crown to bail you out." Then Rita got some Lindens from someone, but not to bail out, "Oh my you really upset someone. They paid extra to extend your stay." It was then Gem Sunkiller showed up. "Hi Gem," Rita greeted her, "It has to be a HIGH BAIL! Some one paid extra to keep him locked up longer." Olde tried to look sympathetic, "We are friends - and I just spent hours with your friends." "Need at least 3000L to bail him out. Is he worth it? ... They paid 2500L to lock you up, 3000L to bail you out."

In Relay chat, Nance mused, "I heard Bixyl has been saving up for seven years in case he needed to be bailed out." Gem mused at the sight of Olde, "Awwwww, hanging in a birdie cage." Cynthia added, "Well well now lookey what we have here. We got Olde in the pookey, Looks like he is in bad need of help right now . Caledon Downs (49,163,23)." Olde called out to a friend, "Trader - have a Linden?"

Back at Downs, Olde stated, "Someone decided you have been soo kind to ACTS." After a moment, Rita announced, "Ok, bail is paid, your debt to the crown is settled, your free to leave." Olde stated as he got out, "They paid the rest. Off to work." "You are now free to enjoy the faire." "Thank you ladies and gents." "Free to go," one other spoke, "at least until we hear about any other waffle incidents."

So Olde was part of two jail and bail events that brought in a total of 7000 Lindens, the 4000L going to Team Sunbeamers part of their two day total of 73,675 Lindens (117,675L going to the 'beamers and Roos With A Dream teams combined). How long will the suffering Oldesoul Eldemar avoid any more "cagey" feelings? Time will tell.

First picture from Selene (Selene Jashan)

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Commentary: Once Upon a Cure

By Becky "Sha" Shamen

At a recent meeting of the Sunbeamers Club, Rita Mariner announced the theme of the 2016 RFL will be "Once Upon A Cure". For this writer, the theme is perfect, for reasons that follow.

I am a member of two SL groups, dedicated to helping find a cure for cancer. In "Sunbeamers" the goal is to gather donations, for use in cancer research. In the "Second Rife" group, the goal is to inform the public of alternatives to conventional treatment.

EVERYTHING that exists, in the world of form, was first an image in a thinking mind. Like it or not, any pictures we keep in our minds will draw that thing into our envinronment, as if by magic. This magic becomes super powerfull, when the same image is in the minds of many. Now, follow me in your imagination.

RFL teams are challenged to come up with fairy tale elements, that promote the curing of cancer. Our group, as it's centerpiece, could have a magnificent, steampunk machine, with lots of moving dials, gears and other parts. In front of the machine, we see a small platform. When clicked on, the platform puts you in a pose, bathes you with rainbow light and puts an object in your inventory, called "rainbow torus."  When it's worn, it makes a spinning rainbow, around your av, as shown in the above picture. In theory, this spinning rainbow is a protective ring that keeps cancer out. Here's the good part; there is no mental image for the word NOT, so it doesn't matter if our fairy tale machine really works. What our machine really does is churn out a stream of people that are presenting a symbolic IMAGE of [rainbow/cure]. Even those not wearing them will learn the symbol. With a positive image, over the rainbow,pot of gold sort of thing, planted in the minds of thousands, we now have a super powered force, that will hasten the true cure to enter our world. We are turning a fairy tale into real life science.

When the cure is manefest, it is simple and inexpensive. They'll even make apps for your phones and computers. Nobody will want the expensive surgeries and toxic chemicals. I now return your imaginations to you. These ideas may or not not be those of the newspaper and it's sponsors. It's all just my opinion of what would be a fun and useful adventure in Second Life.

Sha

Editor's Note: The article has been edited from the original.

Help, I Derendered the Wife!

The Relay for Life group chat has no shortage of funny moments. One prime example was one boast by Stingray Raymaker about wearing pantyhose next year if enough was raised that became known as "Stingray's Challenge." More recently was this bit of chat that began with a phrase that probably won't soon be forgotten.

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[06:59 PM]  zeeva Constantine: help!! how do I unrender an avatar ?
[07:00 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: I accidently derendered the wife!
[07:00 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: mute them, then they'll go to a cloud
[07:00 PM]  Windi [Windchaser Rhode]: o.O Too much scotch last night, Danger?
[07:00 PM]  Lori Claremont giggles
[07:00 PM]  Timmy Tennant: TMI
[07:00 PM]  Gem Sunkiller: ohhhhhhhhhhh man
[07:00 PM]  Lori Claremont: oopsie
[07:00 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: ohhh which viewer are you on?
[07:00 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash]: relog ?
[07:00 PM]  Dwen Dooley: rightclick menu?
[07:00 PM]  Sasha Fairywren: OOps
[07:00 PM]  Valerie Martynov: put the gun awas or you said unrender
[07:00 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: tried relogging  and i am on FS
[07:01 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash]: re render?
[07:01 PM]  Sasha Fairywren: firestorm.. Ok
[07:01 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash]: check mute list
[07:01 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: if you're on firestorm, it's World then down to asset blacklist. then, tp out and back in to where they are and you should be able to see them.
[07:01 PM]  Sasha Fairywren: That's a good first step
[07:01 PM]  Lori Claremont: Latest Firestorm, I believe you want World >> Asset Blacklist
[07:01 PM]  Lori Claremont: oh, what Alexandra said :-)
[07:02 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: <<  will never mess with buttons again
[07:02 PM]  Sasha Fairywren: That doesn't work, I'm sure several of us can walk you through the Develop menu
[07:02 PM]  Bain Finch [bainfinch]: Well, 1st relog, and shop for a dog house while your at it
[07:03 PM]  Zach Denimore: LMAO
[07:03 PM]  Panza Eilde punches Bain's arm, then snuggles back into them.
[07:03 PM]  Arizona Ballinger-Whiplash [Arizona Ballinger]: that is one of the funniest things I have heard..... I accidently  derendered the wife..... rofl
[07:03 PM]  Sasha Fairywren: LOL @ Bain
[07:03 PM]  Windi [Windchaser Rhode]: Messing around with buttons is a hatchie's job
[07:03 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: mhm and look for an sl florist cause I gotta feelin you're in deep crap.
[07:03 PM]  ƨραякℓℯ™ [sparkle Kling]: Do the usual... just tell her how beautiful she looks.... and pretend you can see her...
[07:03 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: umm, I would have if wasn't on voice
[07:03 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: thanks
[07:04 PM]  Windi [Windchaser Rhode] sharpens a claw or two
[07:04 PM]  Lori Claremont: take her shoe shopping immediately!!
[07:04 PM]  AHoffman Philly: I derendered my house once
[07:04 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: pfft !
[07:04 PM]  ι ℓøνємYPUSSSYCATღ   [Pusssycat Whitesong]: lol
[07:05 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash] learned the hard way never to rotate a house too close to a sim border
[07:05 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash]: specially one with like 1400 prims
[07:05 PM]  Windi [Windchaser Rhode]: rofl
[07:05 PM]  AHoffman Philly: ohno
[07:06 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash]: it was NOT pretty
[07:06 PM]  Alexandra Fallon makes sure Trader doesn't have her mod rights. *laughs*
[07:07 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: the wife just informed me I am grounded
[07:07 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: uh oh!
[07:07 PM]  Sasha Fairywren: I so bet!
[07:07 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: depending on what grounded means to her, that might ground her, too lol
[07:07 PM]  Lori Claremont: doubly so for referring to her as "the wife"........
[07:07 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: lol surely its better than the ball and chain
07:08 PM]  Lori Claremont: Depends on how the chains are being used :-D
[07:08 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: this Thursday we will have been together 2 years 6 month .. 2 years collared  ..
[07:08 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: trust me the wife is a compliment :P
[07:08 PM]  Bixyl Shuftan chuckles as he takes notes
[07:08 PM]  Lori Claremont: Congrats!!!
[07:09 PM]  Arizona Ballinger-Whiplash [Arizona Ballinger]: less the hour that you derendered her .....lol
[07:09 PM]  Lori Claremont giggles
[07:10 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: lol Arizona!!
[07:11 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash] is not going to say anything about when I derended arizona by mistake
[07:11 PM]  Gem Sunkiller: ::smirks::
[07:13 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash] is glad you cant hear our voice chat in here
[07:13 PM]  Arizona Ballinger-Whiplash [Arizona Ballinger] wonders what this mute button does ..hmmmm
[07:13 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine]: do it do it do it !!!
[07:14 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: oooh Trader's in troubleeeeeeeeee.
[07:15 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash] quotes Arizona " you derendered me"
[07:15 PM]  Alexandra Fallon: Trader's grounded. Trader's grounded.
[07:16 PM]  Trader Whiplash - Ballinger [Trader1 Whiplash]: But baby it was Fuzzballs Fault...  He and Madonna made me do it!
[07:16 PM]  Danger Mouse [zeeva Constantine] gets the popcorn

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A day later, Danger Mouse told me there was no problem with putting the chat up, adding "The wife still won't talk to me."