LIVE MUSIC VENUES, PERFORMERS AND AN OBSERVATION

It has been a while since I posted a blog that really got people to thinking, I hope this does.

I was just invited to join another group set up for live music venue owners.  In this one it is more in the way of changing the ways that venue do things so they are hmmm whats a better word....I can't think of one so lets go with cover charge.

In FB I saw a thread that talks about all performers and venues uniting for one universal calendar versus events.

I am part owner of a group that is set up strictly for venue owners and sharing of information.  Though I have noticed that most of that is all about griefers names.  I have seen many other groups set up to do the same thing.

I have been involved in the live music community for almost 5 years....yes I was in sl for a few months before I became involved.  In this time I have attended meetings with both performers and venue owners.  Sometimes to promote one person's personal agenda and others because they truly have the best for the community as a whole in their hearts.  Either way I stand back and look at it and think to myself to myself....what is the definition of insanity.  Does doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results sound familiar?

Ultimately that is what I see happening.  Every one's group is so important because they offer information....giggles the same information as the next group that believes their group is the best.  Until ALL venue owners and ALL performers can come together in agreement, it will never happen and we will continue to run a vicious circle.  So why are we doing it?  Really all we need is a central location for griefer's names to be entered.  Then it is up to the venue owners to stay informed.

The reason that everyone will never all come together is simple.  This is sl, venues and performers come and go.  That and every one thinks they know the answer, when really none of us do.

This is an observation!

Now on that note, if people would like a central location for griefers names I can do that.  It is easy and I do not work.  Just let me know.

SECOND LIFE LIVE MUSIC VENUE HOPPING

On Friday night I started out at P4 listening to Sam Soundful.  Sam was dualing with Abriyanna Slade.  Wow she has an absolutely wonderful voice......  Then I went on to VEGAS NIGHTS LIVE MUSIC, JAZZ & COUNTRY VENUE  and listened to a double dose of awesome male performers.  Hazie Moonwall followed by Gary Jonstone.  The venue was packed with wonderful old friends.  After having a wonderful time I had to head for rl for a while.

Saturday evening.....I changed into a gown and headed to WOW...Windows On The World Ballroom.  This was my first time here.  It is a beautiful ballroom, but then I snuck a look at the about land and was both touched and inspired by what this ballroom stands for.  The best way for me to describe is just to copy and paste the description. "Windows on the World was a venue on the top floor of the World Trade Center. When destroyed in the attacks of 9/11, the staff was serving breakfast. All 72 staff members  perished. This venue pays tribute to these individuals and all the others who died."  I also want to head back there as on the land there is a memorial to 9/11 as well.While there I also heard a performer I had never heard before Lynne Michigan,  a wonderful voice and extremely talented pianist!!!   I will look forward to seeing her again.  Here is the slurl:   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moonwind%20III/21/70/103


I was gong to move on after Lynne but then Kiran and Ang showed up.  Ang is following Lynne,  It has been way too long since I have heard him.  It was an absolutely wonderful performance.  So very beautiful and sooooo much fun.  I was able to see people I have not seen in so long.  What a wonderful time it was.

Sunday morning....before football festivities start, I headed over to B & B's and saw my old friend bundy.  Bundy is such a very special woman to me, sooooo strong.  I was also able to see another performer that I consider a good friend.  Laidback Celt.  The one thing that being captain of such a great group of people has given me is the opportunity to leave the small group of performers that performed at my own venue and spread my wings to meet and get to know such a wonderful community.

I would have left B & B's but the next performers , well one was new and the other I have not seen in years.  Bara Johnson.  Such talent!!!!  I don't know if rumor is always true, but one rumor that I have heard over the years is that Bara is one performer that did get an rl recording contract out of Second Life.  Now he is in world on a limited basis with one of his rl band performers...Free Balen....she has such a strong voice.  It was truly a treat to see Bara and Free!

This past year has been an extremely sad one within the music community as we have lost so many of our own.  Many if you are aware of the memorial that is housed on The Shore.  This is for loved ones lost to cancer as well others surviving and/or battling it.  Bundy did give me Shan's photo to include in the memorial today.  Though one of the saddest days was when I had to take a pic that was given to me of a relative that was battling cancer and had to move the picture to the viewer of those lost to cancer.


Now GAME TIME!!!!   GO BRONCOS!!!!

BACK TO VENUE HOPPING IN SECOND LIFE WITH LIVE MUSIC

Last night I was able to get the Gold Mine and see both Johnny Paramour and a woman that I truly adore Chillee Hernandez.

Chuckling, those that know me, know that naturally I have very curly hair....if you are friends with me on fb and take a look at my oldest child's curls....well she got them from me.  About every 6 months I straighten it and that is a time consuming process.....so I turn on the speakers and off I go to a venue to hear a performer while I am doing this.  Today's first stop is Frank's Elite.  Always a beautiful venue and their hosts are some of the nicest....  I have been in other venues with dress codes and seen the hosts eject someone for not adhering to the dress code....before that happens here, the host explains in local and then offers a suit or gown which ever the case may be.  Today I am listening to TheBalladeer for the first time.  Amazed he is doing songs I have not heard in years.....and along with the smiles he is giving me comes a flood of memories from much younger days and out dancing in rl.  Wishing him the very best of luck as he auditions for America's Got Talent.  I checked out his website as well.....besides what he was doing in Franks, he blew me away with his country style on his site.  I am always amazed when I see a performer master a few genres.  He has!!!

http://balladeerchristensen.wix.com/theballadeer **A special note---he made it through the first three rounds today and will keep us updated as to the next step.


On to the Titanic......my buddy BubbaC John is performing.  His shows are always so much fun.....makes it hard to leave the monitor to take care of hair.  I got to see my very good friend Mara Menges......I have to say that she does have the most beautiful sim ,,,,I love  completely love The Titanic.  And Bubba....hmmmm...someone that reads my blogs and notecards...today it was so apparent as he brought tears to my eyes....but then chose to humiliate me by getting me back on the stage and having me dance to quite a medley of songs.......  SL would not be the same if Bubba ever left.  It would truly be a giant loss to SL.

I headed home after Bubba and just chilled so I could get things done in rl.

Good morning....Bright and early I grabbed my coffee and headed over to Guthries to hear my old friend Gandalph Mornington with his set dedicated to a Pete Seegar, truly a lost icon to the music world.....though his music will live on.   Bring on the memories!!!  Accompanied by wonderful Pete Seeger stories.  I have always said that Guthries is truly the best place on the grid to have that coffee in the morning and start your day out right!!!!

Tonight I headed over to Acoustic Cave.....what a great crowd  It should come as no surprise though, two of the best in sl were performing.  Hazie Moonwall followed by Hogan Baily.  Both shows are so energizing.  Both men so very talented.  I don't seem to get to many venues in the evening, but I am so glad that I did tonight. 


I would like to thank so many of the team.  The im's, emails, and notecards that you have sent me lately.  (True no one has stepped up to lead for an RFL team this year)....but the support, the backing, you have given me has been so overwhelming.  Those that have expressed thanks for being able to do what others only felt in standing up to RFL.  Your faith in following me,,,,wow all I can say is that I am truly touched.

I have also been given some ideas by other venue owners that have preferences as far as non-profits so I will talk with them and see if there is a way that we can make a difference with them.

WOW REALLY GETTING CAUGHT UP oh and this makes it 5 posts

The Cancer Memorial is back up at:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Shore/211/33/24

Stillwaters Meditation is also back up at

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Shore/214/33/24

SL MUSIC RACES TEAM UPDATE FOR RFL OF SL

Hi Everyone,

First an update,  Many of you have sent note cards and or im's to see how I am doing, I thank each of you for taking the time to think of me.  Here are the results to date.....I have a stage 2 lymphoma with it found in 4 spots, but just small spots.  It is a non aggressive and slow growing cancer so we are in a wait and see mode.  Either way, I am not a candidate for any type of chemo due to the advanced liver disease already taking such a toll on my system and blood counts, my body would not be able to stand up to chemo. 

Now enough about me.....lets talk about you and what an amazing team you are. 

RFL registration is fast approaching.  Most of you if you have read the things I sent you in the past, know that I myself refuse to lead a team into RFL of SL based on my own opinions about it.  Many of you have also contacted me and asked if we were doing RFL again, and if so you would want off of the team.  By the same token, many of you go into RFL embracing it with all your heart.  So I have put a great deal of thought into this.

If there is someone that would like to represent SL Music as a team captain with RFL of SL, please let me know..  I, in turn will meet with you and give you all the information I have about RFL of SL and past events etc.  I will also take the time to talk with each member of the team to see if they would like to continue with RFL of SL and if I have their permission to pass on their information to you.  Once I do, I will give you their names and you can register them, etc...

For those that have wondered if I have just given up the battle against cancer, rest assured I have not.  I have submitted all of the paperwork to Stand Up 2 Cancer and I am awaiting a response.  Needless to say there will be different things to iron out and go over with them.  I tend to prefer them because I am assured that each dollar donated goes 100% to research....the research and updates are very visible.  The privacy policy to opt out of other things is also very visible.  So overall their transparency and work impress me.  I invite each of you to take the time and check out their site: 

http://www.standup2cancer.org/

This morning while searching for something in SL I also found another organization, that is by far one of the most global I have seen....I have looked at their site and where their money goes to in research grants.  I do not see anything that is affiliated with RFL and/or ACS....but due to the lack of financial transparency on their site, it is something I would look into a bit deeper.

As your captain, I never want to make the same mistakes I made with RFL of SL and go into it blindly not knowing all the facts or having misleading facts,....Chuckles, you know the saying...if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is....and that was the trap I fell into without doing my own homework.  I owed it to you to dig deeper, you take me at my word, the least I can do is to make sure those words ring true.

If there is anyone of that is willing to lead parts of this team into RFL of SL this year, please contact me through notecard, fb, email, skype.

I adore each and every one of you,

Still Braveheart

BOUNCING AROUND SECOND LIFE

Good Morning on this lazy Sunday.  More snow yesterday......It is only mid January and I am sooo tired of winter already.  I even took winter off the sim and put up spring and surfing....beach stuff, the boat is out, the jetskis. etc.....

Now wanting to go out today, it is a lazy Sunday at home so time to visit some venues!  First stop is Kickin. Mark Allen Jensen is performing and sounding great. On to a venue I have never visited.....Kimmy's where I had the pleasure of listening to RickyLiveMusic.  This is the first time I have heard him and there is not way it will be the last, he has a wonderful voice.

I confess that was written last Sunday.

Since then I have had a chance to see the amazing Jacquiline Luik at Accoustic Garden.  As always she was great and I love Max's venue.

Today I am starting at Kickin and listening to Koko Incognito.....she truly has the voice of an angel.  On to a venue I have not been to in a very long time......End of Time.....got to see my old friend Tosh and listen to Whirligig.....wow another amazing voice....I have never heard her before.  As amazing as she is I also saw an old friend performing and I know I have to tp over to see her, it has been far too long.

Said my goodbyes at End of time and went over to Mandy's Mansion to see Yip Jannings......the Disco Queen never fails to delight me.  It was so very good to see her.  Her light show is awesome as it always has been.  This woman not only has talent but is truly an entertainer too.  Yip has been performing in sl for years, though I have not seen her in a long time.  The best advice I can give anyone is run to one of her shows, you will not be disappointed,,,,and whoa,,,,this woman hits notes and holds them like no one else can do.

There is also something weighing heavily on my mind....All team members can expect to an email, notecard etc from me.  RFL registration is fast approaching.  Many have told me that if we do RFL again, they do not want to be a part of it.  You all know my opinion....I will not lead this team or any other into an organization that I do not believe in.  By the same token, I do not wnt to hamper other team members from following their hearts, many of the team does feel very strongly about RFL.  If someone would like to step up and captain a team in RFL of SL.....I will go to each member and ask if they choose to do it.  If they do, I will give you their names and contact information.  SL Music will remain a team and fight for other causes that we believe in as well.  As another cancer organization does have my loyalty as far as ensuring that all dollars go 100% to research and the transparency involved....I have also submitted the correct paperwork to them.  Now I am waiting for an answer.  I am sure they will have many questions as to things just as we will need their help in ensuring a business liaison gets all monies and not an individual sl resident.

Each team member also has the opportunity to join another team.

SECOND LIFE LIVE MUSIC GROUP ISSUES

Each of us from venue to performer has our own groups.  We tend to be very protective of our groups ensuring the only information they get pertains to that group.  Not allowing spam, etc.  With that being said, I do have a pet peeve.  It does not pop up often and when it does it is usually in the groups of designers that I belong ti.  This time it had to do with venues.

I received an invite to Phat's Premier from TeraKaye Serrao.  At first I did not think much of it and specifically asked her where she received my name, if it was from Stephano, the owner of Phat Cats Jazz.  She reploed by saying that she got my name from a group.  Hmmmm that made me think.  I do not belong to Phat's group.  So I took it one step further and asked her where she got my name, which group.....of which she would not tell me.  I did my homework and searched every group I belong to.  Finding her in 5 groups, I sent a notecard to each of those groups owners.  Moreso because it was a venue, Franks and Charleston Lace were included.  Both Nancee and Karen have spoken to me about it since.  I am telling each of you about it for a couple of reasons......

1. We all work hard to grow our groups and we are protective of them.

2.  What she was doing is just wrong, and many of you may want to watch your own groups to see if she is a member.

During a skype conversation with a few other owners, I took the time and tp'd over to this venue Phat's Premier.  It boosts itself as a members only club.  Membership is 500L or you can purchase so many hours for different amounts of Lindens.  I did purchase the least amount of hours.  This was, by the way, a Saturday evening,  one of SL's busiest times.  I went in only to find the host inside.  There was no one else there.  So I for one .....chuckles me that pays to belong to so many different groups, would not pay for a membership to an empty venue.  Just my opinion.

SECOND LIFE IS WARM WHILE THE RL WORLD IS FROZEN

Good morning as I dare to look at the weather and see that it is -15 outside with a windchill of -45.  Even my physical therapist had left a message cancelling today....Second Life here I come.  Guthries, always a favorite.  In my humble opinion, the best place in the morning to sit with cup of hot coffee and listen to music seeing friends and always my good friend Dottie.  If I remember correctly, she is further north then me......and I thought it was cold here.....sheesh, I could not imagine being in Canada right now.

Listening to one of my oldest friends Joaquin Gustav, I have known him since I first opened BS's and he is one of the nicest men.  I have not listened to him in quite a while and noticed that he has changed a lot of his singing style.  It was great to hear him again and impressive that he has grown so much as a performer.

I have to admit there is humbling experience in this as when I go into places, the performers seem to find a way to say that Still Braveheart is here, what a good friend I am, and then talk about how hard I have worked for Relay For Life of Second Life.  Giggles though it is always a good example of whether they read the info sent to them.....

Lefty Unplugged is on the stage now while I am writing.  He has the voice that just FITS with Guthries.Listening to him and contemplating putting on layers of clothing to take the dog out.  If I don't soon she will be walking with crossed legs.

HMMMM I really know how to slack off....now it is two days later and I decided to go out and hear some music.  No one better to start with than the one and only Alex Mays.  I have missed hearing him.  Sounding as awesome as ever!!!  This was my first visit to The Bass Note .....it is a really nice venue.

Off to a favorite---Acoustic Cave.  Max and Shauna keep this venue jumping and it is ALWAYS fun to vist them.  Tonight I am listening to Tristen Homewood.  I have so missed seeing so many of Second Life's amazing performers and Tristen is right up there with the best of them.  While there I also some very good friends and amazing performers Shaye Dezno and Gary Jonstone.  Also many people that I have not seen in some time, and it was so good to see everyone.

The problem with going to live events this time is that it is after Christmas and I have about 4 more days until payday.  Just like I would never do a tips only venue....I have never not tipped a venue or a performer, and so I get this huge feeling of guilt when I love the venue and the performer and am unable to show my appreciation......giggles I guess I just have to read this blog again so that I do not forget who to make up tips to.  Puts note on calendar to follow up.  And now chuckles I just finished my lindens so it must be time to call it a night.......

THE FORGOTTEN RESOLUTION

Right after I published the last blog I realized I forgot to put my New Years Resolution in there.  This is the first time I am saying them out loud.  I have this train of thought that if you actually tell someone there is more accountability in there to actually do it, so I have decided to share mine with you.  Then you can hold me accountable if I don't come through.

So here goes:  Giggles keep in mind that I am listening to Beth Odets and now Matthew Perault dual as I write this so anything is liable to come out of my mouth.....Chuckles, Beth has that effect on people...but in a very good way.

1. You know how I feel about RFL of Second Life.  None of those feelings take away from the fact that I will still always work to do what I can to further the cause of finding a cure for cancer.  So I have been doing my homework and research.  I have found an organization that is under another organization in the entertainment industry.  With all that is done in the lines of entertainment in Second Life, I thought what an appropriate organization for us....The organization which is under that umbrella is Stand Up 2 Cancer.  Here are some of the reason I admire I respect and admire them so very much.  Every single dollar donated, this does not include partnerships, etc, but every single dollar that you and I would ever donate 100% of it goes directly to actual research.  There is no second guessing as to what the research is, as they put it out there for all to see including updates on each research that is being funded. They truly are global as they also have international doctors working on cures.  When they did their huge telethon it involved 167 countries all running things simultaneously.  Now that is truly global, As far as Charity Navigator is concerned, which is very large watchdog type organization over non profit organizations, Stand Up 2 Cancer receives 4 stars the most an organization can earn, whereas the American Cancer Society holds 2 due in part to the transparency issues.  So I am going back and forth with paperwork and explaining what we would need to do something in Second Life.  This is one of my New Years Resolutions.

2.  Another Resolution which I am looking into is something to help the victims of abuse.  Those numbers outweigh cancer numbers as to how many people are abused even on an hourly basis.  Increasing awareness is something we can all do to help fight this.

3.  My third resolution is much more personal.  Many of you know that rl has thrown me some curve balls lately.  They have been bitter pills to swallow, at the same time, it made me realize that none of us know how how much time we have from becoming ill to walking across the street and getting hit by a bus.  All of us tend to go through life talking about the things we want to do someday,  I have decided that my someday is now.  I am going to do all the things I have ever wanted to do or go places I have always wanted to visit.  Another words, my resolution is to live every single day to its fullest.  My kids are on their own now with the youngest graduating from college in April.  It is time for me to take me off the back burner.

It was kind of funny, a performer that is a very good friend was here in the Drunkin Drow and most when they ask how you are accept the face value answer, but not her.....she is right there with an ear and a shoulder, so I brought her completely up to date and was telling her my plans for 2014.  She gave me a link to hear which I will also be sharing on Facebook.  A reminder to all of us.  The way it is done is very sobering, but also very true and good reminder to each of us.  Just copy and paste it.

http://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DTF8FpPaukDY%26feature%3Dshare&a=KVuBaqMnVy9_1gIfuRMpjw

 So I am asking each of you to make me accountable for following thru on my resolutions this year.

 

HAPPY NEW YEARS & RESOLUTIONS!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone.  I have not entered a new post since the Relay For Life of Second Life, American Cancer Society fiasco, though I have some drafts that I had started since.  I will touch on those as well as a few other things that have gone on.

As for today though I am starting 2014 in a favorite venue....Guthries and listening to Zelator Baphomet playing songs that stir up memories of days gone by.....Fun memories in those early 20's when life was a breeze and one had no worries just what the next fun thing to do was.

The I went on to Kickin, another favorite......having a huge birthday party and everyone including me was dressed for 2014.   Now I got to see ML and Rhesa, Two performers I had not seen before.  I can't wait to see them again, they make a wonderful couple on stage keeping a party a PARTY!  The energy and talent....it was soooo awesome and fun.  Giggles you know I am impressed when I have to tip 3 times, because I felt that none was enough.

After that I headed over to Justice League Park to listen to Bill473.  Now I have to admit....solely from a female perspective....his voice.....wow....I would leave  everything for it.  Somewhere in some world there is a very lucky lady that gets to hear this voice.  Not only will his voice take us all into fantasy land, but what a professional.....I have seen many performers crash and have to return.  Bill did twice and both times he never missed a note.  Unless you were like me and trying to take a pic so trying to find him, you would not have known he was not in world.  But man....If I could go to sleep with this voice every night, I would never have another bad dream.Okay confession time, I also peeked at his profile to see if there was an sl gf....chuckles.

Taking a break for an hour, I returned to do a quick change and head over to the Titanic.  I got there in time to hear my friend Josie Anderton.  And she sang it for me.  There is a history to this story.  My first year as captain of SL Music Races....toward the end of the RFL season we had a couple of huge events one that had worked me to death.....The giant clothing auction and huge line up.  I was dead on my feet and Josie took the stage wearing the gown that was made for her and dedicated a song to me "Thank You For Being a Friend" from the old Golden Girls TV sitcom, it truly brought tears to my eyes.


I would have left except that my friend BubbaC John was up.  He played a recording of a duet that he and Josie had done a few years ago, it was awesome that they lyrics were hysterical.  The ....only Bubba can do this to me.  Bubba knows I have the Elvis --Jailhouse Rock--dance in my huddle.....giggles and it is one of the better ones but can not hardly be found anymore.....so Bubba loves making me turn red and getting me on the stage with him, for that song.

I have done a great deal of reflecting over the past few months,  Many of you know that rl has taken a bit of a toll,  My opinions of RFL of SL took a major dive and I do not see them resurfacing.  Though I had to laugh when I have been asked to play Santa at the Christmas Expo and then for performers on New Years Eve.  It does show me a great deal.  The people that asked me are all leaders in their own rights, and some of the nicest people in the world, but I realized that they also tend to lead people blindly and never do their own research.  This is something I have seen in both Second Life and the real world,  The funny thing is that so many people do see it and that kind of leadership of no accountability to the people that follow you is wrong and never too long lasting.  Chuckles, though this is a very big example to smaller things...the character traits are still the same, in some ways it makes me think of the difference between Bush and Obama.  Bush made mistakes and lied in many instances, though at the time---and yes I am trying to be pc and give him the benefit of the doubt--lied with what he may have thought was the truth at the time; but when the truth came out he never apologized.  That would have required a strong morale character and also take some accountability, Whereas, Obama with the health care and its fiasco of getting it started, truly a bad mark against him, at the same time he stood up and apologized.  Like or not like him, I had to respect that.

With that being said, I have to comment about the Avi Choice Awards.  First and foremost congratulations to the winners.  And once again I am proud of the fact that I use products from the best in sl.  At the same time there is such a downside to the way they did this.  I was getting im's asking how to get their name off of the lists,  Though a couple of people may have nominated them, they really should have the choice to accept the nomination before the voting goes public.  What was even funnier was that not too much was verified.  I saw people saying things like they were nominated in categories of items that they never made.  All in all, it was a mess.  BUT  in no way does the poor organization of it take away from the people that were nominated or the winners.  I had many personal friends win and of course the so LONG OVERDUE 4 CATEGORIES MY WONDERFUL FRIEND MAX KLEENE WON!!!!!!

Those of you that don't realize it or know him well.....this man is one of the nicest, most humble, and yet so talented men in sl.  One that I am so very proud to call a friend, a very good friend.These awards were long overdue.

I have realized over the past couple of months, just how busy this team of ours stays as instead of reading the blog, I have received im's asking if we were doing RFL next year because if so, then they would like to be removed from the team.  After about 5 of these and another performer that sent me a notecard about the financials of the American Cancer Society and asked me to print it in here, I feel that I should reiterate this. Oh before I forget and he asks me why I have not printed his note card, I am trying to verify one thing in it and have tried to catch you inworld to ask you something about it.

Since no one else has stepped up to the captain's position on such a large team, and that I have been neglectful in knowing all I should while asking people to raise money for Relay For Life of Second Life and The American Cancer Society; I will remain captain, but will not lead this team down something I feel is not transparent and accountable.  There are a few other things that are the back burner right now waiting to get straightened out with the actual organizations themselves, I would also suggest to any team members that feel strongly about Relay For Life of Second Life, that you follow your heart and join another team to participate.  Joining another team does not mean that you have to leave this one as we are not a Relay For Life of Second Life Team.  No matter how you feel about one or the other both is a decision that only you can make.  The most I can do is tell you I personally feel and show you the documentation to back myself up.  It is important above all that you listen to your heart.


Now that I have written you another novel, Giggles I do not believe I can write a short blog.  Maybe that is why, though I have a tweet account I never use it......I talk too much!

PS Something I am attempting to add is pictures of the performers that I see when I go venue hopping, but so far have failed to figure out how to add them---you all know I am as technically challenged as can be.

CONGRATUALTIONS AND A COUPLE OF OTHER QUESTIONS THAT I STILL WONDER ABOUT

Congratulations to Relay For Life of Second Life  for FINALLY fixing the global information and removing the misleading the information that had been out there.  Actually, the global page on the American Cancer Society has been updated and so has the new site for Relay For Life of Second Life.  The pages look very good and does make international re-layers much more informed about where their money is actually going. 

Please keep in mind that everything I am sharing with you is out there, it just takes a bit of research to find it all.  I try hard to not make you have to do that research and give you as much information as I can without making you read a million things.  But in the information, I have included, if you are reading this in the blog or email, I have tried to highlight the parts that Convio would fall under.  If you are reading this in a notecard where I am unable to highlight this I apologize.

Sting also included the privacy policy on the website which is wonderful.  http://relayforlifeofsecondlife.org/privacy-statement/   They also sent out the privacy policy to many along with links to the global, and the stewardship report.  For an organization that does not share information, why would he need to include an opt out link, if there is nothing to opt of. Chuckles, he neglected to send it to me......hmmmm kind of obvious.  After all I ask the hard, blunt questions that they are not crazy about answering, but this time had no choice. 



Great job in putting those pages together in less than 48 hours. 

http://relayforlifeofsecondlife.org/

I do have a question about the privacy policy still and I suppose will not be able to truly answer it until the Convio is back up and running for Relay For Life of Second Life.  Here is the question that I have tried to see for myself. 

Yesterday I went through the American Cancer Society site and made a $5.00 donation to see if it was convio....Convio is actually the name of the software program.  Many nonprofit organizations use this software.

  /www.blackbaud.com/ConvioOfficialWebsite?gclid=CNbb7YbovroCFfA7Mgod0SQA2A 

  It did not give me the opportunity to opt out.  But to also ensure that I was using the actual the Convio stuff I went to the Relay For Life site and popped in my own name.....chuckles there are many J____ M____'s out there.  One is on a team in the states in Indiana.  I found her and went to make a donation.  NOW that was the exact same convio as we give RFL of SL..  Today, I did go to the RFL of SL page and had the opportunity to donate to the SL event.  I went to the same convio page that I received when I went to to the relayer in rl's page.  Again, looked at the page scrolled down to Privacy policy and once again went through all three pages to get to the information that I am sharing with you here.    Again no place to opt out, but if you go to the bottom of the page where it says Privacy....and click there, then click internet privacy policies then click internet privacy policy.  Kind of chuckles at the number of steps one must go through to even access it.

This is copied and pasted from:

http://www.cancer.org/aboutus/acspolicies/privacypolicies/internetprivacypolicies/internet-privacy-policy

Internet Privacy Policy
Our Commitment to Privacy

The American Cancer Society (“ACS”) respects the privacy of every individual who visits www.cancer.org (“Web site”). This notice explains our online information practices. Because your privacy is important to us, we provide you with notice and choices about the collection and use of your information. To make this notice easy to find, links are provided at the bottom of our homepage and on every page within our Web site. Additionally, each page that requests personally identifiable information reminds you of the importance of your privacy and provides a link to the privacy policy. By visiting ACS at www.cancer.org, you accept the practices described in this Privacy Notice. You may click on any underlined word to receive a more in-depth explanation of the term.
Use of Cookies

We use cookies, small files that are sent to your Web browser and stored on your computer's hard drive, to improve your Web site experience. The cookie is used to speed up your access to the Web site and the information you wish to see, but it does not contain any personal information. The majority of Web browsers accept cookies, but the “help” menu on your browser should give you options for preventing, accepting, or receiving notice of new cookies. However, please be aware that if you block cookies, some Web site functionality may be lost.
Data Collection

We collect two types of information:

    Standard Web server traffic pattern information. General traffic, site usage, browser information and length of stay information is collected and stored in log files. This type of information is shared externally only on an aggregated basis.
    
    Personal information. We do not collect personally identifiable information from you unless you provide it to us voluntarily and knowingly. If you personalize a Web site, volunteer, order a book, request information, or donate, for example, we may collect the following information: first and last name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number, email address, and subject of inquiry.
    Personal information may be needed for certain optional online activities:

    Registration: If you choose to customize the Web site to your needs by becoming a registered www.cancer.org Web user, we retain the preferences you select so that you will not have to reenter the information each time you access our Web site. These preferences may include requests for email, news, information on specific cancer types, language preferences, and interest group selections (patient, medical professional, volunteer). You can access your profile by entering your user name and password each time you use the Web site. You are not required, however, to enter your name or mailing address.

    If you register to participate in an ACS event, such as Relay For Life or Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, using our event registration site, we may ask you if you are a cancer survivor. This information is useful for event purposes. Further, if you elect to use our referral service to inform a friend about the event registration site, we will ask you for your friend’s name and address. We will store this information in order to send your friend a one-time email inviting him or her to visit the site.

    Book orders: If you choose to order a book, we collect standard credit card information (card number, card type, expiration date) and keep a record of your financial transaction. Credit card numbers are held only until the charge can be processed (usually several minutes), then the number is only available to Customer Service for purposes of problem resolution.

    Contributions: If you choose to donate to our organization, we maintain a record of your contribution. Your financial information will be treated as described above in “Book orders.”

    Requests: If you submit an online request for ACS products such as free brochures, or submit a question through a “contact us” query, we may have to gather additional information from you to respond to your request. Such information will vary with the request but often includes name, shipping address, telephone number, and email address.

    Public Forums: If you choose to participate in a chat room, discussion board, news group or another public forum that we make available to our users, please remember that any information that you disclose in these areas becomes public information. You should exercise caution when deciding whether or not to disclose your personal information.

    Letter to Congress: If you choose to generate an email to your Congressional representative on our site, we receive a blind copy of the email. We may use your letter or information from your letter to further educate Members of Congress about our cancer advocacy priorities.

Data Use

We limit the use of information provided to us on our Web site to the following:
Internal Use

    If you do not make a service request, donation, purchase, or otherwise identify yourself, we will have no personally identifiable information about you. We will only use aggregate information derived, in part, from your use of our site to improve our site and our service to you.

    
  If you provide personal information, we may enter your name into our constituent database and contact you in order to:
        Complete voluntary surveys seeking feedback for quality and service improvement purposes.
        Supply you with information including cancer related health news, ACS programs, events and services.
        Request voluntary time or monetary contributions to ACS.
        Request your participation in an ACS research study.
        
    We collect the email addresses of those who communicate with us by email. Inquiries may be forwarded to the appropriate ACS department for response and may be entered into our constituent database. If your name is entered into the database, we may contact you (see (2) above).

External Use

Your health-related information is privileged and confidential and will not be shared or released to any organization or business entity other than those affiliated with or working in conjunction with ACS as follows:

    We use third parties to provide you with the following services:
        Cancer Profiler: Disclosure of personal information is optional when using the cancer profiler. Additional services offered by NexCura are covered by their privacy policy and may require payment and disclosure.
        
        Clinical Trials: If you are considering clinical trial participation and would like to use the American Cancer Society Clinical Trials Matching Service, you must register with www.cancer.org and complete a screening questionnaire. This service is offered through a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups. As part of the matching process, the Society and the Coalition will share your information with each other. If requested, the Society will then contact you to discuss the details or provide further information.
    
    We occasionally make our constituent names and postal addresses available to other reputable non-profit organizations. We have found this to be the most cost-effective method of increasing our database of potential constituents and hope that you value the information they send you. Your name is only available to these carefully screened organizations for a limited time and it is de-identified, such that it is not associated with the American Cancer Society. Other organizations will not have continued access to your name and address unless you choose to respond to their initial mailing. We do not share email addresses or health related data. Information gathered as part of Cancer Profiler or Clinical Trials (above) is not shared.
    
    We occasionally hire other companies to provide limited services on our behalf. We will only provide those companies the information they need to deliver the service and prohibit them from using that information for any other purpose.
    
    We have relationships with companies that conduct charitable sales promotions and commercial coventures that support us in our mission and activities. If you provide us with your mailing address, we may pass your contact information to these companies so that they may ask you if you are interested in receiving their services. Your choice to use their services will benefit us; the amount of money we receive from these entities as a result of your participation is disclosed at the time you are contacted about the service. You are under no obligation to respond and the companies are restricted from using your contact information for any other purpose. Information gathered as part of Cancer Profiler or Clinical Trials (above) is not shared.
Your Options

We respect your privacy and allow you to restrict internal and external sharing of your personal information. We recognize that you may wish to limit the ways in which we contact you and we offer the following options:

    Do not contact me by telephone.
    Do not contact me by postal mail.
    Do not contact me by email.
    Do not share my contact information with other non-profit organizations.
    Do not contact me with fundraising requests supporting the American Cancer Society.
    Limit your fundraising appeals to semiannual solicitations only.
    Do not contact me or share my information with anyone.

For more information on how to inform us of any desired restrictions, please click on the following link: opt out. If you contact us with an opt-out request, all reasonable efforts will be taken to ensure that you will not receive any of the selected communications from us in the future. If you do not wish to opt out at this time, you may do so at a later date should you so desire.

If you opt back into a specific service, you will receive communication in that manner, regardless of your overall opt out selections. These services may include newsletter subscriptions or email communication by asking a question using “Contact Us.”
Access

Upon request, we will provide you with the information we maintain about you so that you may request corrections. This information will be sent via postal mail, which we believe is the most secure method of communication. Please contact us by email at privacyrequest@cancer.org or in writing at:

Security and Privacy Requests
The American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center
11701 Stonehollow Dr
Austin, TX 78758

To protect your privacy and security, we will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before providing information or making corrections.
Data Security

We are committed to protecting the security of your personal information and to honoring your choices for its intended use. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we strive to maintain physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards.

We process your financial transactions securely using the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ("PCI DSS") (the credit card industry's most stringent security standard). Examples of our security measures include: physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards; sophisticated security monitoring tools; documented security policies; use of strong encryption (e.g., SSL) for transmissions of Order Information to and from our credit card processor; restricted access of personally identifiable information; and, periodic security audits.

Inside ACS, data is stored in password-controlled servers. Our staff and volunteers are educated about the importance of safeguarding your information and we are committed to holding them accountable for protecting your confidentiality. However, such precautions do not guarantee that our Web site is invulnerable to all security breaks. ACS makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation that the use of our Web site is protected from viruses, security threats, or other vulnerabilities and that your information will always be secure.

Whenever ACS permits an external third party to access personally-identifiable information, appropriate procedures are followed to help ensure that the information is used only for authorized purposes and by authorized persons in a manner consistent with the choices ACS constituents have made under this statement, and that the security, integrity and privacy of the information is maintained. While ACS will employ procedures to help ensure that your information is only used for authorized purposes as described above, we cannot make any guarantees with respect to the actions or policies of such third parties.
Links Within Our Web Site
Internal Links

Because of the various programs and services at ACS, there are several privacy notices to inform our constituents of policies specific to the activity in which they are participating. Please click on any one of the following links to learn more:

    Cancer Survivors Network
    Continuing Medical Education: Online Database

External Links

Our privacy policies apply only to your use of the ACS Web site. This site contains links to other sites, including sites that have a special relationship with us. We do not disclose personably identifiable information to those operating linked sites and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. Links to other sites do not imply an endorsement of the materials or policies on those Web sites. You should read the privacy policies of each site you visit to determine what information that site may be collecting about you.
Contact Us

This privacy statement will be updated periodically and posted on our Web site. It applies only to our on-line practices and does not encompass other areas of the organization. Please click on one of the links provided under Internal Links to read other ACS privacy statements. It applies to the on-line practices of ACS and its chartered Divisions located throughout the country. References to "American Cancer Society", "ACS", "we", "us" and "our" are references to American Cancer Society, Inc. and its affiliates, staff and volunteers. We reserve the right to change this policy at any time by posting revisions. You agree to review the Privacy Policies each time you use our Web site so that you are aware of any modifications. By accessing or using the Web site, you agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the ACS Privacy Policy as posted at the time of your access or use. If you have any questions about our policy or our compliance, you may send us an email at privacyrequest@cancer.org or write to:

Security and Privacy Requests
The American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center
11701 Stonehollow Dr
Austin, TX 78758
Policy Updates

We reserve the right to update this policy at any time. If a material change is made to the policy, we will email all registered users at the email address provided at time of registration.

Back to me--

Ultimately, no matter which I go, I run into the same privacy policy as above.  So I have to wonder what is correct....one man's word or a site of a major organization that states the opposite.  Please in no way shape or form am I encouraging anyone to stop relaying.....I just believe in my heart well that and  over 20 years experience in non-profits and being extremely well versed in transparency and accountability) that each of us has the right to be well informed and if it takes me hitting all the different kinds of social media for Stingray and the chairs to make it so (since when I asked privately, things were never fixed) then so be it.  Someone has to be the bad guy to bring out the truth and keep things as transparent as possible.  So like me or hate me for this, it does not really matter, what does matter is that you are better informed because of it.

WOW

WOW in response to yesterday's email, blogs, and inworld mailboxes as well as this page, I am happy to say that RFL of SL FINALLY fixed the misleading statement of 12-15% of all monies to international. There is a part of me that has to laugh about it. Considering it was brought to both to ACS and RFL Of SL's attention all the way back in May. It only took until someone had the guts to go loud and public with it before they fixed it! It is things like this that have soured me so much on RFL of SL and ACS.......the non transparency of things.

 

AN EXPLANATION AND AN APOLOGY

It is with great regret that I need to apologize to each of you.

Personally I believe that the Committee at the top of Relay For Life of SL has the responsibility of ensuring that this is known and transparent to all of its volunteers.  Since they did not do this, it was my responsiblity as a captain to ensure that I make it known and transparent to each of you..

I have been aware of one of these issues since May when Stingray9798 Raymaker had emailed me and told me that he would correct the RFL information that is given out.  As of today it is still not corrected and many of our international relayers and captains believe it to be true.  We do not give 12-15% of all monies brought in to the international community.  Now they are doing things on a global basis to educate people ...last I checked --currently focusing on teaching the dangers of smoking in Africa.  Though I was told in a documented email that this would be changed back in May 2013, written by our own Stingray9798 Raymaker and approved by the ACS Global Director...though the information for 2014 has been put in and updated, as of today here is the link 

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Relay_For_Life_of_Second_Life

The misleading numbers are still there.  Those same numbers were put into all the different languages that were given out to international relayers.  In truth, when I spoke with the ACS directly and also thru live chat (also have the documentation) I was told in no uncertain terms that all monies raised stay in the US.  This does not mean that our international relayers should stop relaying....it does mean that they have the right to know through full transparency and accountability where their money is going.

The other thing I realized, and I hold myself responsible as your captain, for not being more adamant about furthering my research into the transparency and accountability of the American Cancer Society and even more so, our own business liaison and leadership as I realized they should have had better knowledge and/or been more forthcoming with information.

Today I received a holiday gift catalog in the mail.  Not thinking too much about it as the holidays will be here before we know it.....I glanced through it....realized that it was for a non profit organization called Heifer International.  I had never heard of it before, nor was it a gift as in wrap it up type catalog; but rather a catalog asking for sponsorships of animals etc to be given to families in various third world countries.  Another, I am sure good cause, but still one that I never heard of. I called their number as it gives a PO Box in Arkansas.  When I spoke with someone, they told me they were in Canada.  I asked how they got my name, the response was a chuckle and "that is the most asked question we get".  He then went on to explain that I may have donated to another non-profit organization.  I knew I had only donated to one.  I asked him if he had heard of the American Cancer Society, of which he replied no....but did offer to remove me from their mailing list.  This prompted a call to the American Cancer Society, the call center person was not as familiar with the privacy policies, so while they were inquiring I searched their site.  I found that if you scroll all the way to the bottom and click on the small print that says Privacy it opens....then click on Internet privacy ---then on the 3rd page you have opened you can click on Internet privacy policy (so it is kind of buried)  and there it is.  but to save you the time and trouble during your busy days of having to search for it....here is the direct link:

    http://www.cancer.org/aboutus/acspolicies/privacypolicies/internetprivacypolicies/internet-privacy-policy

It clearly states that they share your mailing information which is something that we all put in when we donate thru convio.  I find this rather ironic in a virtual world that places such emphasis on anonymity.  I knew right away this is where my information came from, due to living on a fixed income, I choose what I donate and to who and that is my limit.  The only thing I have given personal information in for the past couple of years through their website is the American Cancer Society.  I also opted out of anything else it would ask of me when I put the donations through.  so needless to say I was very surprised when I looked into it a bit more.

I hold myself responsible for not being more efficient about learning about this before I led a team.  It was my responsibility as a leader ensure that I was fully aware of all of this and passed it on to each of you, as I did last year when I learned that YOU CAN GET RECEIPTS FOR LINDENS DONATED.  True the process is long and Stingray is not always too good about handling things in a timely manner.....but the fact of the matter is that you can get them.

Many of you know that I have been diagnosed with cancer since the end of the 2013 season, and though I had always though the ACS site was very informative, it was only when I went to look up the type of cancer that I have been diagnosed with that I soon realized the facts are not there, as much as just generic/general information is.  I found the answers I was looking for through a bit more reliable sources....Mayo/ Northwestern/ solid teaching universities that are in the top rankings in this country.  Their information is much more accurate and specific. 

In trying to give the American Cancer Society some credit as a patient, as I truly had questions and concerns, Once again I have been very disappointed.  Both with the promise to send me information for other links and the ability to offer assistance. 

As a team captain for RFL of SL -- I am stepping down as I will never give another penny to the ACS.  In no way shape or form, am I saying that each of you should not support them, that is based upon your feelings toward it.  I will just no longer continue to take this team down that path, and if you believe so much in them, you should truly look into joining another team next year.  I commend you with all my heart for following your heart.  As a team captain of an amazing team of people, I have researched it and when ready to, hope you will all continue to support me in fundraising efforts for STAND UP 2 CANCER.  100%---yes 100% of each donation made goes toward the funding of research on cancer and nothing is hidden away.  Here is their website if you care to take a look.....oh and by the way, they also have an international team working on research.  http://www.standup2cancer.org/

Again I apologize for not being so straightforward with you from the beginning, and not delving into this deeper.  As a leader it is my responsibility to have all the facts to pass on to each of you.

I love each and every one of you so very much.

Still

FREE TIME IN SECOND LIFE CONTINUED

After spending about 30 minutes at The Jitterbug I went on the Kickin to hear Theresa Nayar.  As always Kickin was packed.....this has to be one of the busiest venues in sl with such a loyal following.  Then stayed to listen to Lance Winslow.  One can really multi task while listening.

Then I got busy.....so much for venue hopping.  There was cancel in the Titanic line up and so I headed out to ballrooms.  We were lucky and someone on the team stepped up to fill the position.  But before they did I headed over to Charleston Lace Ballroom.  Imagine my surprise shen I was not allowed due to not being on the access list.  So I im'd my friend Karen and asked....she went on to explain that they had changed it to a members only ballroom with a fee for joining.  She was kind enough to pay the fee and send me the group invite.  She also explained that they changed it to keep out griefers.  She also went on to explain that another venue had done the same.

Though I completely understand their concern about griefers, it brought to mind a couple of other concerns.  In a round about way this is paying for live music.  Many of you know my stance on that.  For those of you that are new to my opinions, I am very much against charging to hear a live performer.  Now in thinking about this, I had another concern....many of our performers cover many venues on the grid, they are having to droip and switch groups all the time.  Their following does not....unless they are like me that completely uses all 42 group slots....Some for promotional purposes, some for my favorite designers with paid for groups (I will not give those up) and my own groups.  The following these performers have, does this mean that they have to pay and join a group to see their favorite performers......As much as we would like to think everyone is independently wealthy, they are not.   some of the best followers may not have any money, does this discourage them....makes one wonder.  From my own personal perspective, if I have to join a group to enter a venue.....tipping that venue will not happen.  The price to join may only be 100 linden, where as I typically tip venues at least double that.  Now another that I headed over to is a members only and it is free to join, but you have to request membership. 

I think the one thing that bothers me most is that this is what we have often allowed griefing to do to us.  I would have to ask why one venue is griefed more than another.  Then again, I was at one a couple of weeks ago and they actually have build on.....to me that is like inviting griefers.....Yet I go to many many venues that do not have these problems.....why is it that some venues are griefed worse than others.

Now this is something I am going to ask in the live music venue owners group.  I would love other opinions.

FREE TIME IN SECOND LIFE

It is not often these days I find myself with free time in Second Life.  It seems like I am pulled in a million directions at times....BUT today woohoo I get time to venue hop.  Starting out at an old favorite  Kicken.  Crash Landfall was performing.  While listening to Crash, I want to address something I have heard about recently.

Mind you, I have heard this and when I asked others there was some confirmation in there but they did not have exactly the same experience.  Second Life attracts people from all over, some with the financial means to do things and other that do not have them.  Some newer people that do not always realize about tipping and may not even have money on an account yet.  I have actually heard of a performer that berates people if they do not tip him enough.  That thoroughly bothered me.  I had a venue for almost 4 years and will reopen after RFL is done.  I have been a captain of a RFL of SL team now for two years.  Last year I heard about from one performer that had a fan win an item in a auction that we put on.  She read me the riot act because she did not feel I thanked that person enough.  These two people really bothered me....what makes the person that spends 1000 linden any better than the person that spends 10 linden.  Most of the music community is so very grateful to their fans as are the venues....but just like anything else, there are always a few bad apples.  Now I am done ranting.

Back to venue hopping.  On to Roy Mildour's Arts and Photography to listen to someone I had not heard before Essence Bilasimo.  I got here about 10 minutes early and there was no one here so I will wait a bit but no one ever did show.  So I got distracted in a skype call and then while talking did some bebopping around to check out different log homes...gotta admit if you are ever looking for the truly the best, just im me inworld....it is a toss up between two.  Took some time out for rl and came back...to......

The Jitterbug.....a really nice venue.  Tom and Gerry did a good job in putting it there and also by getting some in great performers.  I am listening to Nefer Adder.  Now I have to admit, that though I only speak English.....I also love to find talent that is from all around the world....sometimes it is not the words but the voice that can leave one speechless.  Nefer has an amazing voice.

Now that reminds me of someone else I must tell you about.  Though I try hard to keep the team and the blog seperate, it is difficult as the team is all about live music in sl.  This past weekend we held the International Song Contest.  Now those of you that know me well, know I do not condone many so called talent contests....they are next to impossible to do in sl without judges that have the credentials and are totally impartial.  Because of that, I tend to brush off most of those that claim to have won this or that.....and tend to laugh when I see a ton of self important titles in a profile.  So though this event had the word contest and a winner...it was not based on talent and done seley to gather performers areound the world for fund raising for RFL of SL....which by the way, turned out extremely well resulting in 166,000+ lindens in an hour.  With Phil Setner from Scotland bringing in the most in the most lindens.  Now I wanted to tell you about a woman from Italy that also performed, Vivianna Houston.  She performed two songs...one in Italian and though I did not understand the words, her voice was mesmerizing.....then she did a song that no one should do unless they can do it 100% right or it really takes away from the song.....She did Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You.....and wow my jaw was on the ground, she was phenomenal.

WOOHOO-MUSIC IN SECOND LIFE

I am on a weekend with no events planned, during the RFL that is rare, so I thought I would take the time and do what I love best.....visiting venues and finding performers I had not heard yet, as well as some that I just adore listening to.

Armed with a huge mug of hot black coffee, off to one of my favorire spots to start the day.  GUTHRIES!!!!!  I got there and found that my friend Twinky was hostessing as one of the team's visionary's was FINALLY getting some long overdue R n R,,,,Dottie take your time and catch up rest, but know you are missed.  Then I did not follow local so I don't know wheat happened to the performer, I will try to make it back there.

Instead search did not show me many live shows this early, so I tried sopmething different and headed over to The Rafters, for open mike.  Low and behold there was avantgarde Frequency, smiles as he made my coffee so much better.

So much for that day.....duty calls.  The search for international performers that can fit into time slots continues.

Back to venue hopping again on Tuesday.  Just whwen I thought I had the International Song Contest done, we had a cance due to rl.  That darn real life.....pops up just when you aren't expecting it.  So looking for another international performer.  The took me to The Ragged Edge, and listening to paradorn Ansar.  I love The Ragged Edge....it is owned by a good friend Katspurs and is just one of those comy venues.

On I went to PALAZZO LIVE MUSIC VENUE....listening to Onster Merlin, I also had at the same time received a tp request from my friend Impress at  Vincent's Blues and Jazz Bar to come hear a woman that I had never heard before,Essence Bilasimo...wow  she could sing, but I was on a mission at the time for the International Song Contest so I could not stay and went back to Onster's show.  You know I have hear Onster's name quite a bit in the past, but never make it to any of her performances.....I am totally impressed.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

And I stayed at Palazzo listening to VincentSantino Resident.  What a fun show he puts on.  took us all down memory lane with the Monkees.  Made me remember Davy Jones being plaster all over bedroom walls as a kid. 

HAVE YOU MISSED ME???

It has been almost a month since I have posted.  What a month it has been.

I have visited many venues in looking for performers for certain events that we are putting together as a team.  Keeping in mind that have old age and blonde roots (a dangerous combination)  It is so very difficult to remember all of the venues and the many talented performers I have seen.

There is one that stays in my mind though.  I will not mention names.  But through the course of the conversation regarding performing at an RFL event, he quoted me rather high prices.  There were a couple of things about this, the first being that this was for a fundraiser so I would never pay for a performance.  I think what bothered me most wa that when I commented on the higher prices and stated that some of the biggest performers in sl would not charge that much, I was told that because he performs in rl and with that comes a professionalism that other sl performers do not have.

Many of you know me well enough, to know that this is a community that I love and know so very well, so words like that crawl right under my skin.  I confess that I was not that nice with my response.  I told him that he should get to know the members of the very community here and he will see rl careers that would put him to shame.  I did list a few....after an insult or two from him the conversation was over.  It bothered me throughout the day so I looked deeper.  He is fairly new to singing in sl and his group was less than 30.  I did look at his website and he has done a lot of local kaoke.  I will admit he is talented, and I personally would like to see him grow.  We did talk later that day and apologize  to each other.

I think the reason that it has stayed so much on my mind, for as long as I can remember sl has brought in new performers every single week.  Residents that never performed in Second Life have started performing.  With all of it, every week brings us new talent.  Taking into consideration that we also have performers that have kept us entertained for years.  They worked their way up to where they are, many bring tons of rl experience with them.  Having such wonderful wonderful talent.  I would ask that new sl performers never think that you are any better because you have rl experience.....before you say something like that, take the time and get to know the community you are a now a part of.  Those that were here before you earned every linden that they get....and more.  Take the time and get to know these people.  Just like every other community in the world, there is good and bad.  Yes there are performers that everything they do is for their own agenda.  There are performers that you may like or not like the talent....every one has different tastes.  Overall you are going to find, the most compassionate, giving, and talented community.  A community that I am so proud to be a very small part of.

TWO WEEKS IN THE MAKING

Starting out at Guthries....what a wonderful way to start the week!  Listening to Phoe Nix....I love listening to this woman.  Her voice smooth, beautiful, angelic.  This is woman I can not say enough good things about.  I adore starting the day at Guthries....it has to be one of the most relazing venues on the grid.  What a fun show......Roger Moore and Sean Connery were decided to be the best Bonds from the James Bond movies along with Octopussy and Diamonds are Forever.  This is a wonderful venue....such awesome music, Dottie is known for having quality music and absolutely my favorite venue to start the day with a cup of coffee.  Then again this has been one of my favorites since I first heard Russell Eponym here many years ago.  Though I am determined to do venue hopping today, this will be a hard one to pull myself away from. I stayed for another hour while working on things for the team and listened to Icky Flux....just such a relaxing morning.  Icky is great to listen to as well.

Wow that was over a week ago, next thing I knew I was in a whirl wind of SL MUSIC RACES FOR A CURE activities. From RFL of SL kickoff right into an 8 day live musicfest.  Though it finished on Sunday night, I think I slept the whold day yesterday (Monday).  It was an amazing week though that surpassed our wildest imaginations.  The performers....all I can say is WOW.  A special thank you to everyone that came out and supported us and RFL of SL.  I know in the past that I have told you how much this music community of ours leaves me in complete awe.  Your generousity and hearts....there are no bounds.  You give and give and give.  Your time, your talents, your money.  I know that I sound like a broken record and one would think that once said is enough....yet it never feels like enough.  Just when I think I have it all undercontrol, you amaze me over and over again.  The catch is, that so many of you share so many things with me about yourselves and your own situations and experiences, so I know that when you are up there and giving.....it is coming from your hearts, and that will never stop amazing me.  http://slmusicraces.wordpress.com/


This past week I learned something--thank you Voodoo Shilton.  It seems that lately Second Life has been messing with people when streams are changed.  Most people are unable to hear the new stream and either tp out of the venue and back, relog, or just tp out and do not return.  Voodoo taught me that if the next performer up has their stream running approximately 60 seconds before the stream change in land, it is a very smooth transition and everyone can hear it, so there are no complaints, no losing people on the venues.  After we learned this, we told each and every performer to have their stream up and running 60 seconds before we changed the streams.  It was such smooth transitions that other venue owners who had stopped at the fest for a while said something to me.  Giggles, because of it, we could always tell which performers followed thru and which did not.  This morning I had stopped by another venue and noticed the same thing, I mentioned it to the venue owner as she was losing people on her venue due to no sound.  She also liked the idea of it.

Whether you are a venue owner or a performer, this is something you should take note of as no one wants to lose people on their venues or at their performances.

As much as I wish I could spend more time right now venue hopping, the team itself keeps me pretty busy, though due to all of the AWESOME events being lined up, I will have a chance to get to many different venues then and quite often hear performers that I have not had a chance to hear before.  The same occured with the Music Fest.....there were performers that I had not listened to before, one being Jacqueline Luik, she is newer to performing in Second Life, but the minute she started singing I knew I was listening to a voice that is going to take SL by storm.  Stephanie Silentghost was another new voice for me, she is amazing. 

A reminder to everyone before I close out this this post.  Cancer takes on so many forms, and has touched every single one of us in one way or another.  Milestones have been made in fighting this horrible horrible disease, BUT--it is not enough.  More needs to be done, more milestones need to be met.  Each of you can makes a difference with ever linden, every dollar donated.  No matter how much....from 1 linden to $100...combined with everyone else s makes a difference.  Each of you make a difference.  As you wonder across the grid and see those familiar white RFL kiosks...throw those few lindens in.  Cancer may not be eradicated from the face of the earth during our lifetime, but more milestones will be met and just maybe with enough milestones, our children, our grandchildren will never have to hear the word Cancer again except in a history book.

I LOVE SECOND LIFE LIVE MUSIC

It seems like it has been months since I have been able to get out and do this much venue hopping---I love it!!!

Off to Southbound....what a comfy venue....just one of those when you walk in it is like you leave any stress at the door type feel.  Now the fact that I am listening to my old frinds Wolf n Hawk and thier such mellow sounding may also be helping that feeling.  There are a few performers that I love to go and listen to with a cup of coffee and just relax with...Wolf n Hawk are two of those performers.  Sooooo relaxing.  It has to be something about being from England.  The performers that I love for this relaxing mellow feeling are all from England.

On to WatrsEdge for the beautiful voice of Lisa Brune.  Now this is the first time I have been to WatrsEdge. OMG what a beautiful venue.  Not just the venue, the entire sim.  Put a beautiful voice in a wonderful venue on a beautiful sim and you have perfection.....until....well Lisa can bring in quite a crowd....and the sim crashes!!!!  Gotta love sl!

On to Rovers Return Inn....a performer I had not heard before...oldwolf Criss.....wow another performer that should not be missed.  Also from France. 

While I was at Rovers Return and talking with the owner, the subject came of closing venues.  It is with a sad heart that I have to admit I have seen too many that had wiithstood the test of time and economics are finally closing.  Gwampas Dance Kamp, Tammy Toll's, my own, and now the possibility of Rovers Return.  I am sure that there are also others.  At the same time, others start.  Yet those that have left leave a hole that can not be filled completely.

Times are truly changing!!!

LIVE MUSIC VENUE HOPPING IN SECOND LIFE

Yahoo!!!  I found time to go venue hopping.  Started out at AerRock Beach listening to ugh Yeu.  What a performer!  There is nothing better than a great venue and a great performer.  I had not heard Rick yet....though I have seen his name a number of times.  I would recommend to anyone, watch events and when you see him listed....get to one of his shows.  And he does BUFFETT!!!!!  One of my all time favorite performers.

Wow, I love going out this time year, seeing friends....and no matter what ....someone always joins the team.  The team is larger than last year, I am in such awe of this community!!!

 I spent so much time at AerBeach that before I knew it I had to run for rl and food....giggles then naptime.  Fianally woke up and had my skype date with my wonderful grandaughter

Back to venue hoping.....Grand Falls here I come.  Grand Falls was celebrating their anniversary.  What a beautiful venue.  I was able to hear one of my favorite performers.....Chris Quan was playing.....he truly is one of sl's best. 

I also had a chance to visit with Gar at The Source while listening Beamer Lowtide....I adore Beamer both as performer and a friend.  Gar well there are no words to tell you how much he has done for live music....Ya just gotta love him!  While there Strummer stopped in,  for those of you that don't know, seeing Strummer was my first venture into Second Life live music.  I liked it so much, I am still here.  Stummer though holds a special place in my heart, as he does my favorite ...Buffett, and even learned a new song for me which he has since recorded.

This morning, I headed over to another favorite venue...Guthries.  I had gone over to hear Matthew Peraultt and Beth Odet, but unfortunately, Beth was under the weather....get well soon Beth....missing you,and a woman that I have been friends with but she was unable to perform for a long time Kiesta Aljon.  It was an awesome show.

Many many times I have talked about the how much I love the music community in Second Life.  You all watched SL MUSIC RACES FOR A CURE do awesome things last year.   Raising over $16,000 USD to help make a difference in the lives of others and make  a diffence in the battle against cancer.  This year WOW.  Last year left me in awe....this year.....there are no words to say to describe this team.  196 members and growing.  I will never be able to tell all of you how very much mean to me.  Such a wonderful, giving, loving community.  I have done many things in my rl experiences from sitting on national committees of non-profits all the way down to being a local girl scout leader and cub scout leader, captioned teams in rl for the American Liver Foundation.....but there was never anything that has touched me as deeply as this team has done.  You are truly the best of the best!