One of the biggest reasons why I continue to log into SL (albeit much less these days) is because of Relay for Life. Second Life has been involved in the fight against Cancer with Relay for Life since 2005, as have I. It's just a game, you say? Well, let me tell you what a bunch of gamers can do!
In 2005, the first year RFL events were held in SL, a bunch of "gamers" (315 people) raised $5,000 USD for the ACS and RFL. The very next year that amount jumped to $41,000 USD raised and sent to RFL. In 2007 the total raised more than doubled at $118,500 USD! In 2008, the amount almost doubled again at $215,000 USD raised that year. In 2009, over 1/4 of a million was raised... $275,000 USD. By 2012 Second Life Relay for Life raised and sent $375,000 USD to the ACS and RFL.
Totals are still coming in for the 2013 Relay, but we again raised over $350,000 USD this year, which put the grand total for all SL RFL efforts at and beyond the $2,000,000 (million) USD mark!!! There were almost 3000 people who walked the virtual laps, exploring the creative 3D builds, donating, lighting luminaria, sharing their personal stories in their fight against cancer, celebrating loved ones saved, and honoring those we've lost.
3000 people from all over the world and every time zone imaginable came together for one 24-hour period to walk, talk, laugh, cry, share, love, and raise money to help find a cure for cancer. There was no hated, no prejudices, no drama. Just a common bond - to find a cure.
Now I know many of you have theories, conspiracy or otherwise, regarding ACS, RFL, cancer research, government interference, Big Pharmacy manipulation, etc.... This post is about NONE OF THAT!!! Please keep those comments to yourself or they will be deleted.
This post is about the amazing things that happen when people come together to work towards a common goal, even if they come together virtually. I have a lot of people on my timeline now who do not know what SL is and may wonder about the strange cartoon-like pictures I post from time to time. THIS is what SL is about for me. Not a game, but merely another platform, a social network to do good things. Relay for Life organization and the American Cancer Society have official representative inside SL and recognize SL as an official RFL team. Convio is set up to allow RFL donations to be made on behalf of the SL team. These are real people, real money, relaying together against a real disease. And I for one am proud to be a part of that effort!
$2,000,000 USD raised for the fight against cancer by Second Life residents.
Until there is a cure, we Relay!!
http:// rflofsl.intuitwebsites.com/ History-of-RFL-of-SL.html
and
http://wiki.secondlife.com/ wiki/ Relay_For_Life_of_Second_Life
In 2005, the first year RFL events were held in SL, a bunch of "gamers" (315 people) raised $5,000 USD for the ACS and RFL. The very next year that amount jumped to $41,000 USD raised and sent to RFL. In 2007 the total raised more than doubled at $118,500 USD! In 2008, the amount almost doubled again at $215,000 USD raised that year. In 2009, over 1/4 of a million was raised... $275,000 USD. By 2012 Second Life Relay for Life raised and sent $375,000 USD to the ACS and RFL.
Totals are still coming in for the 2013 Relay, but we again raised over $350,000 USD this year, which put the grand total for all SL RFL efforts at and beyond the $2,000,000 (million) USD mark!!! There were almost 3000 people who walked the virtual laps, exploring the creative 3D builds, donating, lighting luminaria, sharing their personal stories in their fight against cancer, celebrating loved ones saved, and honoring those we've lost.
3000 people from all over the world and every time zone imaginable came together for one 24-hour period to walk, talk, laugh, cry, share, love, and raise money to help find a cure for cancer. There was no hated, no prejudices, no drama. Just a common bond - to find a cure.
Now I know many of you have theories, conspiracy or otherwise, regarding ACS, RFL, cancer research, government interference, Big Pharmacy manipulation, etc.... This post is about NONE OF THAT!!! Please keep those comments to yourself or they will be deleted.
This post is about the amazing things that happen when people come together to work towards a common goal, even if they come together virtually. I have a lot of people on my timeline now who do not know what SL is and may wonder about the strange cartoon-like pictures I post from time to time. THIS is what SL is about for me. Not a game, but merely another platform, a social network to do good things. Relay for Life organization and the American Cancer Society have official representative inside SL and recognize SL as an official RFL team. Convio is set up to allow RFL donations to be made on behalf of the SL team. These are real people, real money, relaying together against a real disease. And I for one am proud to be a part of that effort!
$2,000,000 USD raised for the fight against cancer by Second Life residents.
Until there is a cure, we Relay!!
http://
and
http://wiki.secondlife.com/
a double shot of Espresso in the
morning
Ice cold sweet tea in the sun
Sushi & Ice cream; together?
the beat of a different drum
a summer thunder storm
Angry rain on a tin roof
an ocean breeze
Sunflowers
cuddles
Precocious
confusing
Living dead girl
Strong & weak
Your worst nightmare
Your wildest fantasy
eyes that have shed too many tears
the cold side of your pillow
a tease
a goddess on her knees
an angel with broken wings
shy & guarded
Intellectual & contradictory
a lover
a dare
Empathic
Kinky
Leather & Lace
Flirty
Friendly
Fiery anger
Fiercely protective
a mother hen
Optimistic
Waves of the ocean
a soft kiss on your lips
breath on your neck
a lick on your cheek
a bite on your shoulder
Nails down your back
Nothing in between
Sweet & tart
Fragile
Pretty when she cries
a kitten resting before a fire
Not a Fairy Tale
Naughty
Nice and spicy
Passion
Restraint
Desire
Submission
Strong
Sweet
Sarcastic
Consuming
Demanding
Uncertain and scared
Alive
a survivor
Cleaning up so well.
(c) sierra sugar - I wrote this several years ago and have had it up in my profile in various places at different times. It's probably time that I put it up somewhere more public.
Dutch Puff Pancakes w/ Peach & Banana Compote, made
with Nectresse from @influenster Sugar and Spice Voxbox:For the batter:
6 Tbsp Salted butter
4 Large Eggs
1 cup All Purpose Flour
1 cup Lowfat Milk
1 packet NECTRESSE
For the Compote:
3 Large Peaches, peeled and diced (or substitute 1 can of sliced peaches)
3 Packets NECTRESSE (or substitute 1/2 cup sugar)
2 Bananas sliced
1/4 cup Water
1/4 cup Orange Juice
1 Tbsp salted butter
1 tsp Lemon Juice
Pinch of Cinnamon
Preheat oven to 425
Step 1: Cut butter into 12 even pieces. Put one piece in the bottom of each section of a non-stick muffin pan. Put pan on the middle rack of the oven. While butter is melting prepare the batter.
Step 2: In a blender, add eggs, flour, milk, and sweetener. Blend on high until smooth, about 20-30 seconds.
Step 3: When butter is bubbling in the muffin tins, pour batter from the blender into each cavity of the pan (1/2 - 2/3 way full).
Step 4: Bake for 22-25 minutes, until pancakes have puffed and are golden brown (You may still notice a slight depression in the puffs with a bit of melted butter, this is ok).
Step 5: While pancakes are baking,prepare the compote by placing all the ingredients (except the sliced bananas) into a saucepan and cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly, for at least 5 minutes, until the peaches are soft and most of the water has cooked off. Turn heat to low and fold in bananas.
Step 6: Remove pancakes from oven and place pan on cooling rack. Using a spoon or small offset spatula, pop the pancake puffs out of the pan and place onto a serving plate. Serve immediately and spoon the warm compote over the top of each puff.
(a little deviation from what i normally blog about. But i love to cook and bake, and these were a definite hit here in the house.)
"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes." (Nectresse)