Stingray's Avatar Challenge

By Bixyl Shuftan

Various personalities at the Relay for Life have issued various challenges for ages. "Bid Me Bald," when someone offers for their avatar to go bald for a certain amount of time depending how much is raised, is an old favorite. Another example is avatar challenges, offering to don a certain appearance for a set amount of time once a certain goal is reached. One extreme example was when Fuzzball Ortega went purple once his team the Steelhead Salmons achieved a certain amount, and he remained that way for many months until the start of the next Relay season. More recently was the one for Team Strange Journeys which resulted in two going otter and two getting a smurf look.

The avatar challenge being talked about this week was issued by Stingray Raymaker. Stingray gained a bit of notoriety when he issued his "pink pantyhose challenge" in 2011. Although he never had to make do on it, it remains talked about to this day. On Sunday April 26, at the Relay Rap show, he issued another challenge, one he would have to make do on for certain. Whoever made the biggest donation at the kiosk there would get to chose his look for the duration of the Fantasy Faire. The catch was that it had to be for sale among the items sold at the Fantasy Faire.

[2015/04/26 16:09]  Random Darrow (random.padar): STING has a challenge and so do  you!   Grab a friend and make the highest donation into the kiosk at Relay Rap and YOU can name the challenge!  Shall he be a merman?  Shall he be a pretty princess? Stant donating!
[2015/04/26 16:09]  Holocluck Henly: it shoukld show up on the totals on the page?
[2015/04/26 16:10]  Melodie Jigsaw wants to see Sting as a brony :)
[2015/04/26 16:10]  Ariel Goldrozen: I'll take Remote Donations
[2015/04/26 16:10]  Ariel Goldrozen: LOL Mel
[2015/04/26 16:10]  Holocluck Henly: bronies are so 2013
[2015/04/26 16:10]  ??v? ?ngle?ood (tiviyah): OMG Melodie
[2015/04/26 16:10]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahahha
[2015/04/26 16:10]  RichardBenoit: this could be fun lol
[2015/04/26 16:11]  Melodie Jigsaw: then..he must be Spongebob!
[2015/04/26 16:11]  RichardBenoit: tp me please
[2015/04/26 16:11]  ?Sigh U?d???ood? (sylisan): PRETTY PRINCESS
[2015/04/26 16:11]  ?Sigh U?d???ood? (sylisan): lol
[2015/04/26 16:11]  Melodie Jigsaw: lol
[2015/04/26 16:11]  Fiz (fizban.underwood): Gollum
[2015/04/26 16:11]  Vickie A. Maidstone (vickie.maidstone): ankle biter LOL!!
[2015/04/26 16:11]  Melodie Jigsaw: nawww...too close to his usual (grins and hides)
[2015/04/26 16:11]  Ariel Goldrozen: LOL
[2015/04/26 16:12]  Melodie Jigsaw: dump that in there Ariel!
[2015/04/26 16:12]  Ariel Goldrozen: There was talk abotu a Mer...or  a water sprite
[2015/04/26 16:13]  ?Sigh U?d???ood? (sylisan): LOL Mel
[2015/04/26 16:18]  Random Darrow (random.padar): get with friends pool your donations and hit the kiosk!
[2015/04/26 16:18]  Random Darrow (random.padar): you may be highest bidder! donor
[2015/04/26 16:19]  Sasha Fairywren blinks
[2015/04/26 16:19]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): high bid right now .... 10K

So why did Stingray make that challenge? Did he think what was for sale was limited to mermaids and forest spirits? Did he think the worst he would have to do was to endure wearing a dress? Or perhaps he simply underestimated the depths of which his fellow Relayers could rub it in, that is until it was too late.

[2015/04/26 19:42]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok...getting ready for my FF Makeover
[2015/04/26 19:42]  Catalina Staheli: Woo-hooo!
[2015/04/26 19:42]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Sting's getting a makeover? Oh my. No Saints jersey tonight?
[2015/04/26 19:43]  Catalina Staheli: I kicked off my blog today with my look! http://chasingcatalina.blogspot.com
[2015/04/26 19:44]  Fuzzball Ortega: Taint no Saints Jersey?
[2015/04/26 19:44]  Catalina Staheli: Woo-hooo! Geaux N'Awlins!
[2015/04/26 19:44]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): laughs
[2015/04/26 19:44]  Catalina Staheli: Hey, I'm a native New Orleanian...sorta
[2015/04/26 19:44]  Catalina Staheli: laughs.
[2015/04/26 19:45]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): saving my avie so I can recover from thsi
[2015/04/26 19:45]  Catalina Staheli: I'm gonna  be back down in New Orleans in June. Woo-hoo!
[2015/04/26 19:45]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): aww, you'll miss the RFL of NOLA on May 16
[2015/04/26 19:46]  Catalina Staheli: I'll be the puddle of melted ice.
[2015/04/26 19:46]  Catalina Staheli: I'll be teachin' my kiddos til June 5th, but excited to come back to civilization!
[2015/04/26 19:46]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok, avie saved
[2015/04/26 19:46]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): they said they're going to put "hair on my chest"
[2015/04/26 19:46]  Catalina Staheli: Woo-hoo! Now it's time to go crazy!
[2015/04/26 19:46]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): or was it...furr?
[2015/04/26 19:46]  Catalina Staheli: laughs!
[2015/04/26 19:47]  Catalina Staheli: I'm a giant insect. Anything is possible!
[2015/04/26 19:47]  Fuzzball Ortega: What kind of hair? Because The Hair.......might be best on the head
[2015/04/26 19:47]  Bixyl Shuftan: giant insect? Are you "bugging" anyone?
[2015/04/26 19:47]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): haha Bixyl
[2015/04/26 19:47]  Melodie Jigsaw: lol sting
[2015/04/26 19:47]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Bixyl is so punny. I love it.
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok Rynn and Lauren have me in front of some kitty cat looking vendors
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker) wonders...what have I done?

Eventually, they found a look for him, but not a human one.

[2015/04/26 19:48]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Kitties!
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Random Padar: TAKE PICS!
[2015/04/26 19:48]  rynn Verwood: :D everything and anything
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I believe I do see the word Dinkeies
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Dinkies
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Fuzzball Ortega: I have a Dinkie avatar
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Bixyl Shuftan: Heh
[2015/04/26 19:48]  Random Darrow (random.padar): We can auction off those pictures Sting:)
[2015/04/26 19:48]  rynn Verwood: you do!
[2015/04/26 19:49]  Fuzzball Ortega: Was thinking of putting it on and heading over to FF
[2015/04/26 19:49]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): Dinkies are cool

Apparently the "Dinkie" is a type of Tiny avatar, a mesh kitten-like feline with a large head.




[2015/04/26 19:49]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok rynn & lauren - tell me what to do
[2015/04/26 19:49]  Random Darrow (random.padar): Fuzz I didn't think anything about you was dinkie!
[2015/04/26 19:49]  rynn Verwood: theres a gorgeous pink dinkie in an rfl vendor right near me
[2015/04/26 19:49]  Lauren Thibaud: ok its easy!
[2015/04/26 19:49]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): lol random
[2015/04/26 19:49]  Fuzzball Ortega: Ummmm......Random, reword that
[2015/04/26 19:49]  Serina Juran faints
[2015/04/26 19:49]  Lauren Thibaud: hope you like pink!
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Random Darrow (random.padar): I ment your hair!
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): so you want me to buy this pink dinkie?
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Serina Juran: LOL
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Lauren Thibaud: yesh
[2015/04/26 19:50]  rynn Verwood: for part one
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Random Darrow (random.padar): lol
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Random Darrow (random.padar): part one!
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Lauren Thibaud: we need a good base to start
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): done
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): next ?
[2015/04/26 19:50]  rynn Verwood: cant go around as a naked dinkie now, no no
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Fuzzball Ortega: A Pinkie Dinkie
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Random Darrow (random.padar): What a sport Sting!
[2015/04/26 19:50]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): omg start!!?!?-
[2015/04/26 19:51]  Lauren Thibaud: ok you need to open the box!
[2015/04/26 19:51]  Lauren Thibaud: and WEAR it
[2015/04/26 19:51]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): naked dinkie - would have been so liberating
[2015/04/26 19:51]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): are you getting the mer dinkie
[2015/04/26 19:51]  rynn Verwood: but you'll enjoy that!
[2015/04/26 19:51]  Lauren Thibaud: heheheheh evil laugh
[2015/04/26 19:51]  Melodie Jigsaw is falling over laughing - a naked pinkie dinkie
[2015/04/26 19:51]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Oh myyyyyyyy
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Lauren Thibaud: backstage tag
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Lauren Thibaud: and you can
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Serina Juran hyperventilates
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Melodie Jigsaw: you MUST do at least one relay lap like that, Sting :)
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Lauren Thibaud: he has to wear it till relay i thought!
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahaha
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): for the rest of the FF
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): but I will do a Relay Lap with it
[2015/04/26 19:52]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): as a good sport

It didn't take long however for the jokes to begin.

[2015/04/26 19:52]  Nuala Maracas just logged in and sees something about Sting's pink dinkie ?????

[2015/04/26 19:53]  Bixyl Shuftan: Hmmm, so as a dinkie, will he sing the song "My Ding-A-Ling?"
[2015/04/26 19:53]  Melodie Jigsaw: all I know is I want a PICTURE!
[2015/04/26 19:54]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahahaha Bixyl
[2015/04/26 19:54]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): no flash photography
[2015/04/26 19:54]  Fuzzball Ortega: I dun Dinkied myself......and I need to reword that

[2015/04/26 19:56]  Lauren Thibaud: awww he's so CUTE!
[2015/04/26 19:56]  rynn Verwood: adooorable!
[2015/04/26 19:56]  Catalina Staheli laughs!
[2015/04/26 19:56]  Random Darrow (random.padar): Pictures we want pictures
[2015/04/26 19:56]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok...
[2015/04/26 19:56]  Catalina Staheli: no, but I seriously need ot find out about this Shatner album
[2015/04/26 19:56]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I am now a pink dinkie
[2015/04/26 19:56]  rynn Verwood puts a figleaf over yur dinkie nudity
[2015/04/26 19:56]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): stingDinkie
[2015/04/26 19:56]  rynn Verwood: stinkie
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Lauren Thibaud: ok now for the best part
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Random Darrow (random.padar): beats dinkie Sting
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): why am I holding a chair?
[2015/04/26 19:57]  rynn Verwood: time for clothes! *leads you by the hand
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): oh - and I am not naked - I have a shirt
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Lauren Thibaud: takes the other hand
[2015/04/26 19:57]  rynn Verwood: you can detatch the chair lol
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Lauren Thibaud: let's skip!
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Melodie Jigsaw: RLV the chair :)
[2015/04/26 19:57]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): but where will I skip?
[2015/04/26 19:58]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): i mean...sit
[2015/04/26 19:58]  Serina Juran now is picturing a skipping pink dinkie
[2015/04/26 19:58]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): omg - i'm so cute when i run!!
[2015/04/26 19:58]  Maverick Buccaneer: *hands sting a whip, and a tophat, then lets loose a lion.*
[2015/04/26 19:58]  Random Darrow (random.padar): lol
[2015/04/26 19:58]  Fuzzball Ortega sees Trader and wonders what mischief a Dinkie can do
[2015/04/26 19:58]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahahah sting
[2015/04/26 19:59]  Melodie Jigsaw: that's one of those sentences you never thought you'd say "omg - I'm so cute when I run!!"

But the avatar was still without clothes. They had to find some for it.

[2015/04/26 20:00]  DJ Rock And Roll (rockandroll.michigan): It's not only a sentence you don't expect to say, but also one you don't expect to hear, Melodie.
[2015/04/26 20:01]  Lauren Thibaud: we lost him! naked dinkie on the loose!

[2015/04/26 20:01]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): haha
[2015/04/26 20:01]  Random Darrow (random.padar): lol
[2015/04/26 20:01]  Random Darrow (random.padar): ty Sting!
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Nuala Maracas: rofl
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Lauren Thibaud: ok now see the rfl vendor with GRANDMA Dinkie
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Trader Whiplash-Ballinger (trader1.whiplash): oh geez do we need an Amber Alert?
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Nuala Maracas: oh the images in my head
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): omg no
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Melodie Jigsaw: I know Nu - I know loll
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I just saw the vendor
[2015/04/26 20:02]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): ohhhh more like a Golden Alert
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): that they're standing in front of
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Melodie Jigsaw: HA!
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): why would anyone make this?????
[2015/04/26 20:02]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): Tiny Inc !
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Lauren Thibaud: Sunday Churchin' Hat, pearls, Sunday best dress purse and droopy kneehighs
[2015/04/26 20:02]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): Etheria Parrott?
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I can understand a dinkie
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Melodie Jigsaw wonders what else is droopy....
[2015/04/26 20:02]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): just a mesh tiny
[2015/04/26 20:02]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): but...THIS?!!?
[2015/04/26 20:03]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): you haz a new one !!!
[2015/04/26 20:03]  Bixyl Shuftan: heh heh, what is it? ;-)
[2015/04/26 20:03]  rynn Verwood: toy gonna look so purdy
[2015/04/26 20:03]  Trader Whiplash-Ballinger (trader1.whiplash) thinks it may be easier to get him to agree to bid me bald after this
[2015/04/26 20:04]  Melodie Jigsaw laughs - probably trader :)
[2015/04/26 20:04]  Catalina Staheli: grins
[2015/04/26 20:04]  Lauren Thibaud: hahhaha screams
[2015/04/26 20:07]  Melodie Jigsaw rolls her eyes - of course!
[2015/04/26 20:07]  rynn Verwood: the purse matches the pearls so yes
[2015/04/26 20:07]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): wow - what a difference the clothes make
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Catalina Staheli: Y'all should come over when the makeover's done! I'd love to see your fantastical outfits
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Lauren Thibaud: yes!
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Catalina Staheli: !!
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I'm missing my blue shirt
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Melodie Jigsaw: (sheesh rynn - he's trying to go out unaccessorized!)
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Lauren Thibaud: ohh how does that song go
[2015/04/26 20:08]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): ohh nuuuu
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Lauren Thibaud: a pretty girrrrrlll.......
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Lauren Thibaud: is like a mellllllllodie!!!
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): this is NOT what I had in mind
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): when we started this challenge
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Melodie Jigsaw giggles
[2015/04/26 20:08]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): must have accessories
[2015/04/26 20:08]  rynn Verwood: the hat reaally finishes the outfit
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Bixyl Shuftan: now this sounds interesting ;-)
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Melodie Jigsaw: I may have to risk the crashing to see THIS
[2015/04/26 20:08]  Lauren Thibaud: he needs shoes though
[2015/04/26 20:09]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker) wonders if I should have helped Jamie win
[2015/04/26 20:09]  Melodie Jigsaw nods - clear plastic stillettos - or jellies, either or
[2015/04/26 20:09]  DJ Rock And Roll (rockandroll.michigan): Jellie stilettos!

The change was soon complete, Stingray looking like a tiny pink feline "Minnie Pearl."

[2015/04/26 20:09]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok, I cleaned up my mess
[2015/04/26 20:09]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): where to next?
[2015/04/26 20:09]  Lauren Thibaud: ohh where is clover's store!
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Melodie Jigsaw gives sting props for being a good sport :)
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Lauren Thibaud: what about some cute hair?
[2015/04/26 20:10]  rynn Verwood: oh i think its in with xavians
[2015/04/26 20:10]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): Tiny Inc
[2015/04/26 20:10]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): yus
[2015/04/26 20:10]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): with Xavian
[2015/04/26 20:10]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): and Dru
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): oh dear, where are we off to meow?
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Fuzzball Ortega: where did they send you?
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Catalina Staheli: hehe
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Fuzzball Ortega: I'm wandering around as a Disco Dinky
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Catalina Staheli: I can't wait to see!!
[2015/04/26 20:10]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): gonna haz to tech yew to tiny speak
[2015/04/26 20:10]  Bixyl Shuftan: sounds like Stingray is facing a "cat"astrophie
[2015/04/26 20:11]  Lauren Thibaud: those shoes too big
[2015/04/26 20:11]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): everything is so much bigger when you're a dinkie
[2015/04/26 20:11]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): dinkie shoes
[2015/04/26 20:11]  rynn Verwood: etheria has shoes that will fit
[2015/04/26 20:11]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Indeed
[2015/04/26 20:11]  Melodie Jigsaw: you will get very familiar with folks' knees!
[2015/04/26 20:11]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): calling Clover
[2015/04/26 20:12]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I think I might need to call into question whether a dinkie can be considered "Fantasy"
[2015/04/26 20:12]  Lauren Thibaud: we will get the cheerleader outfit just for the roller skates
[2015/04/26 20:12]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): this one?
[2015/04/26 20:12]  Melodie Jigsaw: well - you have your fantasies, sting - we'll have ours :)
[2015/04/26 20:12]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): that you've pushed me to?
[2015/04/26 20:12]  Lauren Thibaud: mmmhhhmm
[2015/04/26 20:12]  rynn Verwood: totally, needs a quicker way to get around to those meetings all granma dinkies attend
[2015/04/26 20:12]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): tp Clover
[2015/04/26 20:12]  Fuzzball Ortega watches himself run as a Dinky and starts humming Yakkety Sax
[2015/04/26 20:13]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): Clover Dezno
[2015/04/26 20:13]  Bixyl Shuftan: are there pictures?
[2015/04/26 20:13]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): she right here
[2015/04/26 20:13]  DJ Rock And Roll (rockandroll.michigan) gets Yakkety Sax suddenly stuck in his head now


[2015/04/26 20:15]  Melodie Jigsaw is loving the running commentary....
[2015/04/26 20:15]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): and it's not in my inventory
[2015/04/26 20:15]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): oh well, guess I can't wear these
[2015/04/26 20:15]  Random Darrow (random.padar): is shopping for her dinkie:)
[2015/04/26 20:15]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): da pawlice are on it
[2015/04/26 20:15]  Lauren Thibaud: no ots not under the floor either
[2015/04/26 20:15]  Bixyl Shuftan: Well, look at it this way Stingray. What if some "My Little Pony" builders were at the Faire?
[2015/04/26 20:15]  Miss Kate (katelynn.inglewood): waves...dinkies....sounds um..nm...lol
[2015/04/26 20:15]  Melodie Jigsaw nods - it could be worse...
[2015/04/26 20:15]  rynn Verwood: good thing we has clover next to us for a redelivery
[2015/04/26 20:16]  Lauren Thibaud: you got a good deal on the hat!
[2015/04/26 20:16]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): does this avie come with claws?
[2015/04/26 20:16]  Lauren Thibaud: hahahahh
[2015/04/26 20:16]  Melodie Jigsaw: they're painted pink
[2015/04/26 20:16]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): I have claws and know where to get them...
[2015/04/26 20:17]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I may need them, Madonna
[2015/04/26 20:17]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): I can believe it, Sting.
[2015/04/26 20:17]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok rynn & lauren - which items, specifically, from this box?
[2015/04/26 20:17]  Catalina Staheli: So what did you win for such an awesome makeover, Sting?
[2015/04/26 20:17]  Lauren Thibaud: in the folder you just choose the skates
[2015/04/26 20:18]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): and now zander is a giant
[2015/04/26 20:18]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I'm literally LOLing
[2015/04/26 20:18]  rynn Verwood: just the skates sting
[2015/04/26 20:18]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): hahahaahah


[2015/04/26 20:19]  Lauren Thibaud: no
[2015/04/26 20:19]  Melodie Jigsaw sees a hula outfit for dinkies....hmmm...
[2015/04/26 20:19]  rynn Verwood: FAB-U-LOUS!
[2015/04/26 20:20]  TS (ts.darrow): Sting... u made my facebook page

[2015/04/26 20:22]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): you know, I'm glad to walk a mile in a dinkie's shoes
[2015/04/26 20:22]  TS (ts.darrow): he is there
[2015/04/26 20:22]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): it will help to build empathy to the plight of the dinkies
[2015/04/26 20:22]  Lauren Thibaud: yes is like 10 for us
[2015/04/26 20:22]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Mmmmm... Walking boots.
[2015/04/26 20:22]  Melodie Jigsaw: Up With Dinkies!
[2015/04/26 20:22]  TS (ts.darrow): nice err pearls you got there
[2015/04/26 20:22]  Lauren Thibaud: yay!!
[2015/04/26 20:22]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I am going to lead the Dinkie revolution!!!
[2015/04/26 20:22]  ?a?????? ?olƒ? (maverick.buccaneer): Is the person that was speaking to me earlier online?
[2015/04/26 20:23]  Melodie Jigsaw: A dinkie in every pot!...no wait...wrong slogan
[2015/04/26 20:23]  Lauren Thibaud: gasps!
[2015/04/26 20:23]  ?a?????? ?olƒ? (maverick.buccaneer): I was trying to get things for them and my setup glitched and started closing out IM's
[2015/04/26 20:23]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker) raises my clawless paw..."Viva La Revolution!!"
[2015/04/26 20:23]  Melodie Jigsaw: Che Sting
[2015/04/26 20:23]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): oh...does anyone need a tic tac? I'm sure I have one in my purse
[2015/04/26 20:23]  Lauren Thibaud: hahahha
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Melodie Jigsaw: you will be amazed how handy that thing will be, sting lol
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): haha
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I feel like I need some mentos
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Melodie Jigsaw: tictacs..old kleenex...random keys...
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): and a small pack of travel tissues
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Lauren Thibaud: ohh he looks so forlorn
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): You have Random's keys?
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahahaha madonna
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): and some yarn
[2015/04/26 20:24]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): a ball of yarn!!
[2015/04/26 20:24]  TS (ts.darrow): you need a rocking chair
[2015/04/26 20:25]  TS (ts.darrow): or a literbox
[2015/04/26 20:25]  Random Darrow (random.padar): Sting can I take you home and call you mine???? Your so dang cute!
[2015/04/26 20:25]  Melodie Jigsaw: throws a lint bunny in the bottom of sting's purse - it's name his Harold  - be nice to him
[2015/04/26 20:25]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I AM cute!
[2015/04/26 20:25]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Only if you name him George. And hug him. And squeeze him. And....
[2015/04/26 20:25]  TS (ts.darrow): she wants your purse
[2015/04/26 20:25]  Random Darrow (random.padar): lol Melodie
[2015/04/26 20:25]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): and I'm gonig to fiddle with my iPhone, confusedly
[2015/04/26 20:25]  Bixyl Shuftan: ha ha
[2015/04/26 20:25]  ?a?????? ?olƒ? (maverick.buccaneer): Random could you message me please, I'm having tech issues and can't click on your name.
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): and use my iPad as a chopping board
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Lauren Thibaud: does anyone know if there is a tiny wheelchir in an rfl vendor?
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahahaha
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Melodie Jigsaw: a walker!
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Melodie Jigsaw: he needs a walker!
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): omg a walker!
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Lauren Thibaud: hahah thats the spirit!
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Melodie Jigsaw: itty bitty tennis balls on the legs lol
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): hahah
[2015/04/26 20:26]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): or how about Olde's segway?
[2015/04/26 20:26]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): Clover is here and can make it all
[2015/04/26 20:26]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): ohh we have a segway for dinkies

[2015/04/26 20:27]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): oh, look at this snappy young lad
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker) looks kat Fuzz's Dinkie
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): wait...let me rephrase
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Melodie Jigsaw: boy THAT sounded wrong
[2015/04/26 20:27]  ?a?????? ?olƒ? (maverick.buccaneer): LOL
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I instantly regreat that one

[2015/04/26 20:27]  Lauren Thibaud: hahahhaha!!
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Fuzzball Ortega: PG EVENT!!!!!
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Melodie Jigsaw is laughing so hard her ribs hurt
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Lauren Thibaud: owww
[2015/04/26 20:27]  Trader Whiplash-Ballinger (trader1.whiplash) is saving quotes for future challenges
[2015/04/26 20:28]  Melodie Jigsaw: (dontcha hate when things sound better in your head than when you say them outloud?)
[2015/04/26 20:28]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): hey Random...you see all my dinkie friends?
[2015/04/26 20:28]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): ohhh my!!! Fuzzball
[2015/04/26 20:28]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): you are a fuzzball
[2015/04/26 20:28]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): now you will know the real meaning of herding cats
[2015/04/26 20:28]  Random Darrow (random.padar): Im trying not to step on em:)
[2015/04/26 20:28]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): well and some tiny ones
[2015/04/26 20:28]  Random Darrow (random.padar): I want one!
[2015/04/26 20:28]  Bixyl Shuftan: ha ha
[2015/04/26 20:28]  Melodie Jigsaw: this settles it - there must be a dinkie lap
[2015/04/26 20:29]  Fuzzball Ortega: Ok, next RFL Committee meeting, all members will be in Dinkie Avatars, and we'll get a Dinkie (tm) latex outfit for Madonna
[2015/04/26 20:29]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Being a dinkie really does change your catitude
[2015/04/26 20:29]  Fuzzball Ortega: Meanwhile.......Sting.....did you dress yourself?
[2015/04/26 20:30]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Lauren & Rynn dressed me. Don't you think I look Clawsome?

[2015/04/26 20:30]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): What IS a dinkie anyway?
[2015/04/26 20:30]  Bixyl Shuftan: I think it's another word for "Tiny"
[2015/04/26 20:30]  TS (ts.darrow): madonna
[2015/04/26 20:30]  TS (ts.darrow): you just made my quote book
[2015/04/26 20:30]  Bixyl Shuftan: ha ha
[2015/04/26 20:30]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): hah
[2015/04/26 20:30]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): I did? Uh oh.
[2015/04/26 20:31]  TS (ts.darrow): [20:30] Madonna Daehlie (Madonna Milena): What IS a dinkie anyway?
[2015/04/26 20:31]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): apparently, I am one, and I'm still not entirely sure what is a dinkie


[2015/04/26 20:33]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): are there any more stops, Lauren or Rynn?
[2015/04/26 20:33]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Or is the torture over?
[2015/04/26 20:33]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): you looks sharp Fuzz
[2015/04/26 20:33]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Paw-lease tell me it's over
[2015/04/26 20:33]  VI (violet.solano): dis someone want to see a dinkie?
[2015/04/26 20:33]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): well I will get you a segway
[2015/04/26 20:33]  Lauren Thibaud: what do we think- do we need hair!?
[2015/04/26 20:33]  rynn Verwood: i think you're ready for the town now :D unless lauren can think of anything
[2015/04/26 20:33]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): and send it to you
[2015/04/26 20:33]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): If Fuzz looks sharp, it must mean that a knife or sword is involved. Yikes.
[2015/04/26 20:34]  Melodie Jigsaw: hair is always good
[2015/04/26 20:34]  Fuzzball Ortega: Oh, I could get you hair
[2015/04/26 20:34]  rynn Verwood: no hair, its all under the hair anyway
[2015/04/26 20:34]  Melodie Jigsaw takes that back really fast
[2015/04/26 20:34]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): hair is great -
[2015/04/26 20:34]  Lauren Thibaud: i'd like some earrings
[2015/04/26 20:34]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): hahah
[2015/04/26 20:34]  Bixyl Shuftan: Fuzz is a werewolf, sharp teeth maybe
[2015/04/26 20:34]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Good point, Bixyl. And those are even more dangerous than knives and swords.
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Before you made me into a granny dinkie, I thought I might at least be somewhat cathletic
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Bixyl Shuftan: ha ha
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): A granny? Huh? What?
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I suppose the skates make me so
[2015/04/26 20:35]  VI (violet.solano): teeth ha1 i have cookie breath
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Bixyl Shuftan: So Stingray's off his rocker?
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): haha
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): bix
[2015/04/26 20:35]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): how did I get purr-suaded into this?
[2015/04/26 20:36]  rynn Verwood: hahahha
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Bixyl Shuftan: "What could possibly go wrong?"
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): They bribed you with Meow Mix and Pounce cat treats?

Then someone posted a picture of him as part of a group notice.

[2015/04/26 20:36]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Wow. Oh myyyyyyyyy
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): random, we might need to reshedule that meeting with the executives tomorrow
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Melodie Jigsaw: ohmygod - it's wonderful lol
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Catalina Staheli: D'awwwwww
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Catalina Staheli: That's so cute!!!
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Bixyl Shuftan: heh, pink ;-)
[2015/04/26 20:36]  Lauren Thibaud: hahhahaha
[2015/04/26 20:37]  rynn Verwood: hahaha sooo pink and fluffy!
[2015/04/26 20:37]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): so when does FF end? Caturday?
[2015/04/26 20:37]  Random Darrow (random.padar): They will accept you as you are Sting no worries
[2015/04/26 20:37]  VI (violet.solano): Bixyl never say that l;ine in New Babbage
[2015/04/26 20:37]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): if they don't accept me as a dinkie, then we don't want them in rfl of sl anyway!
[2015/04/26 20:37]  Catalina Staheli laughs
[2015/04/26 20:37]  Melodie Jigsaw: you DO look like you've had some bad salmon, Sting
[2015/04/26 20:37]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Or in Steelhead.
[2015/04/26 20:37]  Random Darrow (random.padar): May 3rd Ms Dinkie
[2015/04/26 20:38]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ohh. Ms Dinkie
[2015/04/26 20:38]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Ms Stingie
[2015/04/26 20:38]  Catalina Staheli: And then the exhibition!!!! Yay!!
[2015/04/26 20:38]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Sting looks a lot like my cat. Except the pink fur and the hair and the dress and the skates...
[2015/04/26 20:38]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I might get some respekt
[2015/04/26 20:38]  Melodie Jigsaw: mmhmm sure
[2015/04/26 20:39]  Bixyl Shuftan: Heh, so he's "tickled pink?"
[2015/04/26 20:39]  Catalina Staheli: laughs
[2015/04/26 20:39]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): I don't know. Has anyone tickled him yet?
[2015/04/26 20:39]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): at least this had a pawsitive impact on fundraising

They then began to walk around.

[2015/04/26 20:41]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ok, so I guess we should start walking
[2015/04/26 20:41]  Lauren Thibaud: he's sprightly!
[2015/04/26 20:41]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Or rolling in your case, I'm guessing
[2015/04/26 20:42]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): yeah!
[2015/04/26 20:42]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I'm fast
[2015/04/26 20:42]  Catalina Staheli: I wanna see y'all!!!
[2015/04/26 20:42]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): what about Kelly Clarkson - A Meowment Like This?
[2015/04/26 20:43]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Meowterial Girl by Madonna?
[2015/04/26 20:43]  Catalina Staheli laughs
[2015/04/26 20:43]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): I should go ask for donations with this face
[2015/04/26 20:43]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): who can say no to a pouting pink dinkie granny?
[2015/04/26 20:43]  Melodie Jigsaw: Pawtown Funk
[2015/04/26 20:44]  Fuzzball Ortega: Stray Cat Strut
[2015/04/26 20:44]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Sting Cat Strut?
[2015/04/26 20:44]  Melodie Jigsaw slaps herself in the head - of course!
[2015/04/26 20:44]  Fuzzball Ortega: Oh, that's not a pun. Sorry
[2015/04/26 20:44]  Bixyl Shuftan: ha ha
[2015/04/26 20:45]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): taking a lap around the FF sims
[2015/04/26 20:45]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): join us if you can find us!
[2015/04/26 20:45]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): starting on Poppetsborough
[2015/04/26 20:45]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): sponsored by Dandelion Daydream Factory
[2015/04/26 20:48]  IshtarAngel Micheline: i just got back there. if i see ya ill take pics
[2015/04/26 20:50]  Catalina Staheli: Woo-hoO!
[2015/04/26 20:50]  Fuzzball Ortega chants, "We are Dinkies. Stay out of our way"
[2015/04/26 20:50]  Melodie Jigsaw: uhoh - dinkies with cattitudes!
[2015/04/26 20:50]  Bixyl Shuftan: "Keep your hands off my dinkie."
[2015/04/26 20:50]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Fuzz as a dinkie? Why do I get the feeling that is more dangerous than Cartman with authoritah?
[2015/04/26 20:50]  Melodie Jigsaw: rofl bixyl
[2015/04/26 20:50]  Bixyl Shuftan: heh heh
[2015/04/26 20:51]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): dinkies with catitudes - that would be a good Relay team name
[2015/04/26 20:51]  Melodie Jigsaw: O.o!
[2015/04/26 20:51]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): ty Melodie. Oh my. And OldeSoul being the tallest one around for once... How often does that happen?
[2015/04/26 20:52]  Melodie Jigsaw: Lauren and Rynn are killer good :0
[2015/04/26 20:52]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): ohhh - WINGS!!!
[2015/04/26 20:52]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahhahaha
[2015/04/26 20:52]  Melodie Jigsaw: he's HOOKED
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): by the end of this, I'm going to be advocating for dinkie rights
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Melodie Jigsaw: makes a miniature sammich board for sting to wear
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): losing myself in tall grass
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Melodie Jigsaw: hahahahah
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Rights for all. So, yeah, I'll stand with you on that, Sting
[2015/04/26 20:53]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): END TINY OPPRESSION NOW!!!
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Melodie Jigsaw: put a tall flag on your head
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Hear hear
[2015/04/26 20:53]  Random Darrow (random.padar): wave your purse around Sting someone will see you
[2015/04/26 20:54]  OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul): Toss sum skittles out
[2015/04/26 20:54]  Madonna Daehlie (madonna.milena): Mmmmm... Skittles.
[2015/04/26 20:54]  Melodie Jigsaw: *perks* skittles!
[2015/04/26 20:54]  Catalina Staheli: Woo-hoo!
[2015/04/26 20:54]  Catalina Staheli: Purple skittles?
[2015/04/26 20:56]  Branwyn Emerald: Good Evening
[2015/04/26 20:56]  Melodie Jigsaw looks under the big leaves - did the dinkies get lost?
[2015/04/26 20:57]  Wyn (branwyn.emerald): I am starting the planning for the Torvaldsland Thing-Fair for RFL and its been a long time since I did this.


Eventually, the Relay chat turned to more serious subjects. But this was one moment those witnessing would remember. The time when Stingray was showing off his little pink dinkie.

Source: All pictures after the first from the Relay group

Bixyl Shuftan

Nydia Tungsten Gets New Monitor From Sunweavers

Among the more active residents of the Sunweaver Estates is Nydia Tungsten. One of the estate managers who helps out with any land issues, in the past she was one of the regular DJs at Club Zero Gravity, the Happy Vixen, and other clubs. More recently she's been doing a number of videos, many of which have been featured on the Newser such as "Come Back," "Evacuate the Dance Floor," and "Margaritaville." And of course her articles in the newsletter, mainly reviews of games but also some occasional social commentary.

In real life, Nydia's finances have been a bit limited, as have those of many residents. So when her monitor began acting up after several years of use, such as blinking out for a couple seconds, She didn't have enough after regular expenses to buy a new one right away. So reluctantly, she made the following announcement.

I can't shoot anymore videos until further notice, I have a dying monitor and it is going to cost me between 150 to 200 dollars usd to replace, so please bare with me while I tend to it and save up.

It didn't take long for word to get around. So after some discussion, Sunweaver chieftess Rita Mariner made an announcement of her own:

Sunnies:  Nydia Tungsten's Monitor is dying and doesn't have the funds to replace it and that means no more videos!  Maybe no more SL for her.  We can't have that.  REC has suggested a Monitor Fund for her, I agreed to collect any Lindens you may wish to donate to help out.  After a period of time, I will pass along any Lindens we get to Nydia and she can then convert it to Cash and transfer it to her bank!  So if you wish to help out, just sned your donation to me, Rita Mariner.

Not everyone donated via Rita. A few directly donated to Nydia. But the results were the same. It didn't take long at all for Nydia to find out she had all the money she needed.

Sunnies:  The fund to raise funds to help Nydia Tungsten replace her dying monitor was a complete success!  Those of us that donated, raised over ... towards her new monitor and she was awestruck!  She has offered to make music videos for all those that donated.  Way cool, Nydia!  Here is the Monitor she decided to get.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005623
Thanks again to all who donated.  We are Family!


Nydia herself had some words about what happened, "When I found out about it...I was shocked.....for them to do that for me .... it touched me deeply.  At first I thought maybe ... $10 to$50 dollars .... because I know how tight money is. Then I started getting it...and I cried...."

"I knew I had to get the best monitor I could for the money, so I enlisted my mega geek brother for help. Between the two of us we found a monitor at a great price. I was even able to get a 3 year extended warranty. And I thought I should get it as fast as possible, so people wouldn't keep donating their hard earned money..."

Nydia paused for a moment, then spoke again, "You know I am not one toask for help at a drop of a hat.... Once I confirmed the sale...I cried again. I am almost eight years old in Second Life. I have seen and heard of this happening to others as well. But never thought it would happen to me..." There was silence for a few more moments, "Sorry for the long pauses...crying again..."

"There are a LOT of people here in Second Life I consider family. I know to some here in SL they will call anyone family at the drop of a hat.....I only claim those that I truly care for."

So what were Nydia's plans now that she has a new monitor on the way? "I have stopped video productions because of the monitor, as well as most streaming and gaming," she explained, So I will start that up again." When asked if she had an idea for a video, "Several actually, skunks and vixens as well as others dancing. I will start with a small one at first as a test."

"What I REALLY wanted to say... To all of those that donated, and wanted too, I would like to publicly say 'Thank you' and your love has touched me deeplyand I will never forget this. I truly want to say more... but words fail me. I am STILL bloody crying... I want so much to give back some how to those that have given to me.....even in some small way."

It was a day later that Nydia announced that the monitor had finally arrived. She showed a picture of it to the Sunweaver group up and running, in the new Minecraft server a number of Sunweavers and others in the Furry Gamers group have been in, and that she was back in business.

Another example of how Second Life friends come together to help one another.

Bixyl Shuftan

Grace Wrigglesworth and the Safe Waters Foundation

By Bixyl Shuftan

Among the sponsors of the upcoming Fantasy Faire is the "Safe Waters Foundation," a group promoting merfolk and their communities in Second Life. Their founder and leader is GraceSWF Wrigglesworth, also known as simply "Grace." I recently went to have a chat with her.

I accepted a teleport to a location high in the air in Union Passage, the same sim where the Safe Waters' HQ is. Grace was a little different from most merfolk in that her tail resembled a shark's instead of the scaled fins many have, "Well, given your size, let's sit over here," she suggested. And we went to a certain spot in the building.

"So this is your office?" I asked her?

"It's like a private area," Grace told me, "was a build from one of the Second Life party events. I loved it so (I) asked the builder/volunteers to put it up here." Grace explained why, "People are so fascinated with mermaids and such, that there are constant interruptions when trying to do the work to keep things moving. So this is up high - hard to find and harder for people to listen in. So I can speak openly."

"Thank you so much for honoring me with this interview," Grace told me, "and honoring my difficult schedule."

I told her no problem. I asked how she came to Second Life. Grace told me, "Well I was very active in chat groups, AOL, MSN, and heard about Second Life somehow probably a person told me, and just loved the idea. (I)  came in as human of course, joined the Avilion sim ... They have a merrow group. I saw the mermaid signs here and there, and one day a mermaid swam by. I thought, 'Wow, she flew fast through the air.' I scrambled to keep up with her, and eventually found her to click on her. She started me,  isn't on much now. (I) miss her too." Grace told me she was "quite active at Avilion merrow, and shifted to a larger focus on the community as a whole." She had nothing but complements for Avillon, suggesting the Newser write about it later, "for people who like roleplay and multiple species medieval, its a wonderful sim. I adore dragons." She showed me a picture of her pre-mer days, "there I am before I molted," she told me, her term for when she changed to the type of avatar she now wears.

Noting my furred appearance, she brought up, "there are mer furs in Second Life, furry upper half. You could try being a mer, and stay furry if you wish. Lots of lower halves. Mine just happens to be shark - but we call the entire package a mermaid, or merman (as) we call (the males)." I asked her what inspired her more sharklike look. She answered, "Well ... when I started there were not a lot of choices and they were hard to find in Second Life. I first sort of accepted myself with black tails. But when I found this one - oh a year ago at least, I told people I molted. This is my true self. I don't change tails all the time. Many people do, sort of like outfits."

 Grace told me she hadn't started any of the other merfolk groups, but instead had been "trying to encourage special interests of mers, to support their development." They included a warrior group and a "Midnight Seas group for mers in non-American time zones ... they are still really struggling to find each other. ... I help if they want and if I can." She did have some help, "We have a Board of Directors. Really, a LOT of people make SWF happen, but I started it. ... am sort of the shepard." Even though it has a board, Grace felt the organization was "not formal." So when I asked for how many groups were a part of Safe Waters, she answered, "that number would be hard to come up with. ... I offer to every mer group that asks about advertising her or for us to do announcements. ... Many don't even know I watch and try to help." Others that were a part of the Foundation included "Fancy's MerFurs," "Antiquity Merfolk," "Ceteceans" - a group for whale and dolphin avatars, "Petite Mer," and "Sea Dwellers."

Grace felt, "I think the first major breakthrough we had was when the group started to grow! Safe Waters Foundation! The chat became like a social network. The worst thing for mers is they couldn't find each other. And we've just gradually added things. ... Lots of builders have stepped up and donated their time and talents, as have other volunteers, LOTS of them!" She went on to say some came forward just to take on a particular project, "I'm good at .... empowering others to explore their talents."

Grace went on, I" don't want to .... encourage anything unhealthy. You know? Balance is key. In our charter you will find a list of values. We try to keep that the spirit of things. ... The officers volunteer mostly if someone does a project or two. If they go well and the leader leads (even if the event or project failed),  an officer or myself will nominate an officer. The board votes after open discussion. One no vote and they aren't invited. (It) brakes my heart at times - but there have been some key people I've not been able to invite. (There is) no formal written description of that. It is more ..... like a plant, organic. But (it) has kept the board centered I think, and it's not me running the show, not based on my personality,  although really it is lots of my life principles in what SWF does."

Grace mentioned an episode of "Designing Worlds" in which Fanci's Deep and the Safe Water Foundation were the subject, "it takes like 40 minutes to watch, but is the history of Fanci's Deep which is another major breakthrough in the mer community that has really helped. For Fanci's Deep - I'm the liaison mer for that sim. I give a long interview there, and you meet Aley. Aley is a very key figure - she's not been online much for awhile. (She) will only make things for free, will not talk voice, but she linked up the owners of this sim and me." I asked if this was Aley the noted builder of Second Life, whom the Newser has written about a few times. Grace mentioned, "Yes. She had the vision. I'm so sad she's not been around for awhile. Maybe she needed a break." I asked her, "Has this been the longest she's been offline?" Grace answered, "As far as I know yes." She went on about her, "Oh just can't say enough how much we want her back, for her humor, her honor, her honesty, her generosity ... so if you ever speak to her, or get messages to her, she has 200% of my loyalty and support. She has done miracles here. The owners Mark Twain and Nber Medici of course are part of it. But I think she gave the idea to them (pirate ships on top and mer community below) and SWF to anchor it so to speak."

Grace told that there was one concern, "as our goal is to foster communication amongst the mer community, I was a little worried bout SWF being seen as favoring one mer community over another. But I think we achieved it by keeping the focus of the overall umbrella of mer community in Second Life. We support all mer sims, and designers, as we can, and if they want of course." She went back to Aley, "she is the heart of this place. You can see the beauty she created in the video." The video showed Fanci's Deep as named for Fanci Bebbe, who passed away in 2013 and had a memorial set up in her honor.

Grace mentioned the upcoming Fantasy Faire, "We are a sponsor at Fantasy Faire this year, for the benefit of the Relay for Life ... the Fantasy Faire will include a mer area this year. (It's) kind of interesting, it crosses two of their sims, with swimable waters. I'm excited - FF has been great to work with." The Fantasy Faire mentioned Franci's Deep on their website recently.

Grace mentioned they've been doing some advertising, "Everyone is a potential mer, so we try to do marketing outside the existing mers, in addition to fostering communications amongst. And then (the) new campaign we are just starting is Save Our SL Seas." She mentioned their Headquarters had some ad spaces available, We offer the adboards very very cheaply so owners can keep the info current. It was awful trying to keep notecards up to date. That is how we started sharing information. Now we suggest people stroll the headquarters and click on adboards. I mean - who can't pay 25L a week? And funds go to our SWFAccountant and used for SWF projects It's like a mer catalog, though many just won't advertise - want me to give free space."

I switched to my Anthroxacty anthro shark about this time, which got Grace's attention, "Oh look at you!!! Lovely." She mentioned "Tithis offers something similar," calling it Tideborns, "we'd love to get them to put up adboard downstairs, those have been a huge breakthrough."

Grace then invited me to see their "transformation center ... it is so hard working with people trying to transform." I asked about it, and she told me, "we've been calling it the changing room, (but) people seemed to think it was for people without homes to change, which is fine if used for that. We wanted newbies to have one place to find everything needed." She then began swimming, "let me take you to the normal old entrance. (It) was terrible trying to tell them how to get there too. So I took (our) landmark and renamed it our 'Transformation Center' *giggles* "

We headed to Union Passage (166/231/4), appearing in a building. "This is our headquarters," she told me. We were next to a desk with a cube, "New Mer start here," which had a notecard for newcomers to the place. Grace went on, "across from that desk is a wonderful concept: transformation kits. You can buy for 10L, keep in your inventory, and give to a newbie. I don't always have time to stay and help. So I wanted to have those, and thought might as well make them publicly available. Anything to make it easier to try mer."

We went up to a board, Grace saying, "Here is information on Fanci's Deep under the sea." Then we went out to the front of the building to what looked like a wooden door under a rock arch at Union Passage (177/227/1), "this is the changing room." Clicking the door open revealed a teleporter, "click again to go up." We both went up to the location, which had two rooms with posing stands and closeable curtains. On the other wall, there were two freebie tails, a blue one for males, a pink for females, and instructions for wearing those. Grace stated, "Many mer stores offer free mer tails as a major promotion tool. So we try not to compete but are trying to increase the size of their markets. But some ..... have some friction there, I know. It's all about balance."

Grace mentioned the "major officers with SWF are Cynthia Main, Zohee Goldshark and Celtic Infinity. (I) call them senior managers. I think you can see the other officers in the group if you join. They work a LOT. She also mentioned Wlfric Gausman (Wulfric Foxdale), "created an entire sim and put SWF HQ into the middle of it. That was our first involvement in a sim. He was so gracious (Wlfric was) when we were offered the opportunity to move SWF HQ to Fanci's Deep. We make a good anchor for mer. Anything you can do to help people find the mer option would be appreciated. I think people are not aware of the awesome underwater side of Second Life." She suggested one place to check out, Two Moons Paradise, "they bring a lot of mers into the world, huge supporter of Fanci's Deep ... they have land and underwater sections, a lot of international involvement."

It was about then that Grace had a meeting to go to, and we swam our separate ways.

So if you're interested in joining the merfolk of Second Life, even if for part of the time, the Safe Waters Foundation is a place you can go to with a number of groups under them with various themes, and an ocean to swim around in.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/166/231/4

Bixyl Shuftan

Tresi Nonno and the Ainu Village

From Bixyl Shuftan

Some weeks ago while taking a look at a Second Life University, I ran onto a Tresi Nonno (Pimiko Resident). She described herself as working on a "3-D anthropology" project, and offered to show it to me, taking me to Renzio (56/52/2107). There, I saw a small walled village. She described it as Ainu, saying she was one in real life.

To those who don't know, Ainu are Japan's original inhabitants, living on the islands before the Japanese arrived. Today, they live mostly on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Unmixed Ainu are lighter skinned than most Asians and have wavy hair, called by some "White Japanese," even though their origins are non-European. Estimates of their numbers vary. Tresi thought it was about 30,000. I asked her if it was sometimes difficult to explain to others what she was. She answered, "Yep, I see there is a huge mythology/stereotypes spread by weaboo that Japan = geisha/samurai/pokemon/anime/J-pop and so on. But ... here is (a) different Japan. Here is represented a settlement of Early Japan." She provided me to a post on her blog, "Early History of Japan."

The viewer gave the description, "Yamatai Kartya Senta" (邪馬台国文化センター), or "Yamatai Cultural Center." Over the village flew a flag, looking like the "Rising sun" with rays seen in WW2, but black and white instead of red and white. There were a couple huts on logs accessable through planks, and a tower with a simple wood ladder leading up to the top. In the middle was a fire with several pillows around it, with a bear nearby. There were a few other things around such as a dugout canoe, fish drying on a rack, a couple pigs, and what could be a half-finished hut. On a board near the entrance was a book one could click on and download, "An Introduction Into Root Shinto."

Talking to Tresi, she told me after first coming to Second Life, "I just spent time in clubs, explored SL and made new friends. Then after about 6 month I set up my own resort. It is now known as Ainu Resort." Rather than education, she told me the place was built to entertain, a "plain club/entertainment sim."

Asking her when she got the idea for building the villiage, she told me she'd "always had this idea" since coming to SL, "and finally I decided to rent a new sim and realize it." She made it all at once in a matter of hours. While expanding the villiage was a possibility, she planned on getting the word out about it first, as well as writing, "right now I am quite busy with a journal in real life, but as soon as possible I am going to start writing a popular text on Yamatai civilization ...  I would like to write not just 'light academic book' but the kind of book that could be (the) base of (a) roleplay. ... we all can see that certain people roleplay Edo themed ...  it's OK but Japan history ain't restricted by Edo (laughter), and as for me it's quite weird that people haven't made any attempt to create anything else except Edo themed sims, even those who especially study (the) history of Japan. It's really weird. ... I do wonder why people's creativity is so restrcited by stereotypes, even in Second Life where anyone can set own space."

We talked for a while, the conversation going about science in Second Life and the demand for it, in addition to how life on the Grid affects some people and what she felt were Linden Lab's shortcomings. But eventually we went out separate ways.

Tresi's village is at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Renzio/56/52/2107 . One can also look at her blog at http://tresi-nonno.blogspot.com, which is written in both English and Japanese.

Bixyl Shuftan

Star Fleet Galactic: Adventures of the USS Ironhorse

By Foxythejamie

"Star Trek" roleplay is not new to Second Life. In fact one of the first roleplay groups here was in fact a Trek group. However different groups have different ways of roleplaying, and that is not just one of the unique things about the Star Fleet Galactic, or SFG. From a dedicated group, to multiple bridges, and multiple captains. This group is one for the history books.

SFG is the child of the ingenious thinking of a man named Steve Atlanta. He alone builds bridges, and even worlds for his group. He himself is one of the two Admirals of the group. The other Admiral being Kitty. Together, these two have helped this small group thrive, and grow into what it is today...A multi bridged, multi crewed rp group, with a passion for having fun.

To whoever said you can't make a parcel roleplay work well, you need to come here, because not only do they have a parcel, they also have over 80 different, unique planets, all built by Steve himself. SFG is literally a small roleplay that can do, has done, and will do great things.

Another aspect that makes this group one of the best, is the sheer will of the roleplayers. The players, are given an outline of what the mission is, however they are free to choose what happens during the roleplay, whether it's the ship being boarded, or them boarding an enemy ship, you never know what way the RP will go, which adds to the suspense.

All in all, this is truly worth looking at, if you want a star trek roleplay that allows you to be who you are.

Images from Steve Atlanta

Jamie