A Few Relay Track Exhibits

 

 While the Relay sims are still up, there's some that stand out. One yearly favorite is the SLCS camp at RFL Prevention. At over 360 meters, it's taller than many normal draw distances. Here it is from the top with it extended to maximum. You can get to it at : https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Prevention/150/120/24 

 

 Also there was the Second Chance Saloon Dark Ride.

 

ALL A BOARD! The ride will be departing in twenty seconds! *Ghostly Moaning* *Ghostly Coughing*  Sorry, Hang on ...Ah, That cleared out the cobwebs in my throat. I haven't spoken a word in the last two decades. WELCOME TO THE SECOND CHANCE SALOON, Where the dead don't truly die! So what are you a ten-cent man?? Get spooked out like a yellow belly sapsucker! As the Barkeeper of this fine establishment, I will personally guide you through our ghostly haunts. I must warn you though, Not all ghostly folks are here for a good time, some have a bone to pick with you livin folk. So go on, git. Make sure you got on some clean britches.

 

The Second Chance Saloon is at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Prevention/206/46/24 

 

Another ride on the track camps is the Serenity Mine at RFL Hope.

 

 While there's no ghosts haunting it, that you can see anyway, the ride has plenty of thrills.

 

This ride is at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Hope/123/48/23 . 

 

 I ran into Journey Texan, and he took me to another exhibit at the back of RFL Hope, "The Wall of Shane." Journey's been posting a number of pictures on RFL's Discord channel with a figure named "Cardboard Shane." It turned out there was a real life Shane: Shane Jackson, the CEO of the American Cancer Society.

 

But behind the whimsy was a question, one that Journey spoke about with me. With all that the Relay for Life in Second Life has done, especially during the Covid Pandemic when real life fundraising events were shut down, why hasn't Shane Jackson given the group a word of thanks or even acknowledgement it's there?

 

 Shane, thank you for all you do, Seriously. Would it be too much to ask, however that you personally bring attention to and thank the RFL in SL for all WE do too? After 20+ years of volunteer service and raising over US $7 million in donations, no ACS CEO has ever acknowledged they are even aware of us. Not one. But you could. And while you are at it, do thank Stingray for his years of service, volunteer dedication, team leadership, and organizational skills. He deserves it - and a photo-op spot on your LinkedIn social media posts as well like all the others. And to press you further, how about SHOWING UP in Second Life to see how WE RELAY? That's what leadership does. They SHOW UP. 

 

The Wall of Shane is at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RFL%20Celebrate/228/31/24 .

 

These exhibits should be up until Takedown Day, which is probably Thursday June 18.

 

Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Reader Submitted Pictures: At The Relay

 

 Journey Texan with "Cardboard Shane," posing with me at RFL Hope.

 

 Kamida Delec had a few others, such as her on the Team Lap

 

 "Remember when we went the wrong way? Looks like we were not the only ones, they placed a barrier."

 

At the Relay Closing Ceremony. 

 

 

 

 

RFL Announcement: Sunbeamers Make Ruby!

 

 

 Late last night on the evening of June 4, following the Relay Sunbeamer team's weekly Moon Dance event, Cynthia Farshore announced in the Relay's Discord channel they had crossed the one and a quarter million Linden dollar mark, and were now Ruby level fundraising.

 

Sunbeamers got Ruby at the Moon Dance, going to need the camp marker changed! (excited grin) 

 

In the Sunbeamer's own group, she would happily announce, "We did it, at the end of the Moon Dance tonight we made Ruby!" Journey Texan would respond, "Congratulations, Cynthia and all Sunbeamers. That is fantastic! Thanks for all you do during Relay season. You definitely deserve to reach Ruby."

 

As of now, the Sunbeamers are eighth of 202 registered teams in fundraising.

 

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay! 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Wedding Bells: Journey Texan And Luna Odinson

 While the Relay's big thing right now is the Fantasy Faire, there are other events going on. Among them was the wedding of Journey Texan and Luna Odinson. They had decided to make a Relay fundraiser out of "will or won't they marry?" And not surprisingly, it was a landslide to tie the knot. 

 

Relayers have spoken! After a resounding L$10,700 YES to L$150 NO voting event, a dinkie-sized wedding will take place for LuCat and JoCat!

 

Angelika Courtois would write a few times about the romance and wedding, "Love, as a concept, does not make me swoon ... because 'love' in Second Life gets tossed around like budget confetti ..." But there were things large and small about Journey and Luna's romance that got her attention and told her this wasn't just any SL romance, "They drifted through the grid the way people do when they are not trying to impress anyone or get anywhere. And then, because apparently subtlety occasionally wins, one of them just blurted it out … 'I love you.' No build-up. No theatrical monologue. No caps lock. Just… there. .... Not the loud, neon, copy-paste version handed out like flyers on a street corner. The quiet kind. The one that sneaks in when no one is paying attention, built on time and presence and the simple act of “staying”. No grand gestures. Just: 'Here’s something different.' And the equally simple response: 'Okay.'" 

 

The wedding took place Sunday April 26 at 2PM SL time, with Journey wearng a ball and chain as a joke.  Journey would later write, "I'm uncertain how many people attended in all, but at one point there were 52 people enjoying the festivities at the same moment. Thanks to your generosity, another L$49,800 in donations were raised for the ACS during our multi-team BYOK wedding."

 

There had been a few jokes about paparazzi an tabloids over the course of the first fundraiser. But some attention from media outlets that had no wish to look like tabloids was welcome. One table at the wedding was covered with articles, some were clearly props, but between those were pages from Angelika and the Newser. 

 

"It Happened. @Luna (Hope Floaters)  & @Journey Texan Hitched. There are moments in a Grid life when you put down your sarcasm, smooth out your dress, walk through a security checkpoint, enjoy your pat-down as instructed, and simply allow yourself to feel something. This was one of those moments ..." 

 

May you both be happy together for all time,

Pictures from Journey Texan 

Source: Angelika Courtois 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

RFL in SL Video: "2026 Relay For Life - WILD SPECULATION"

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

 

 From King of Queens Productions in February 7, " This video was created for Relay For Life 2026 in Second Life, celebrating hope, love, and the strength of community. The story follows two teams — Ertina Loopen Memorial Foundation and Hope Floaters — alongside two dinky cats, whose faith is tested as they face a heartfelt question: should they marry, or follow separate paths? 🐾💍 Created with love in Second Life to support cancer awareness, remembrance, and fundraising through Relay For Life.

 

"To vote, please TP inworld to the following Second Life location: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kangean/138/124/3211 

 

Reader Submitted: The Ertina Loopen Memorial Foundation

 

Every Relayer has a story behind them. Sometimes they do it as it's a good cause. Sometimes as a show of support for others. Sometimes the reasons are very personal. And sometimes even the most comical of us have a sad story to tell. Journey Texan dedicated his campsite to a close late friend, Ertina Loopen  It this article, he describes his tribute to her. 

 

Read Journey's story in Design. 

Reader Submitted Picture: Go Go Godzilla

 

 From Journey Texan, "It was just another day of "pre-Relay" weekend antics, as the giant, pink tu-tu-wearing Godzilla tried to make a run for it on its equally giant Vespa after a jail break with Lumi in front of the Hope Floaters campsite."

 

Announcement: 2024 Walk The Loop[en] Invitation

 

Commemorative Walk in Tribute to Ertina Loopen

Hello friends of Ertina Loopen.

Please feel welcome to join us at 2 p.m. SLT on Sunday, August 4, 2024 to take a lovely walk through the scenic regions of Ville de Coeur in tribute to Ertina Loopen.

The quaint village of Ville de Coeur and its surrounding countryside is inspired by the real life French and Italian Riviera and was the location where Tina would take an annual anniversary walk with her partner, Journey Texan. Now, without Tina to complete the trip herself, Journey is inviting Tina's friends to take the walk in her absence as a way of celebrating friendships and caring for both Tina as well as any others who are important in their lives.

If you would like to join us, there is plenty of room on the trail for everyone. Bring a partner, a friend, or even someone you would like to know better to share a hands-free, automated couple's walk through the delightful scenery. Even taking the walk alone can be a meaningful way to pay tribute to anyone else that has been important to you.

Walking the complete loop takes over an hour, so don't feel obligated to do the entire thing if you don't want to. Feel free to stop anywhere along the way to sight-see or to return to your other usual activities elsewhere on the grid. Taking a trolley or a horse-drawn carriage along the walking path is another delightful travel option.

The walk begins at or anytime after 2 p.m. Simply use the couple's walk at the location of the LM below and away you'll go! 

Coeur d'Azur Seaside Village & Beach-Ville de Coeur, Coeur d Azur (162, 160, 23) - Moderate

If you are interested to walk while holding an event sign in tribute to Tina, a touchable sign will be available at the start. This can signify to others nearby that you are walking with a special purpose.

If you come, I'll see you out on the loop!

With heartfelt appreciation,
Journey Texan for the Ertina Loopen Memorial Foundation


*************
*PLEASE NOTE:

Walk the Loop[en] is not primarily intended to be a fundraising event. However, as many of you know Tina from Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society(ACS) was close to Tina's heart. So if you would like to make a contribution to the ACS in Ertina Loopen's name, please feel very welcome to do so at an ACS donation kiosk to be set out at the start/finish line of this walking event, or at:

The Ertina Loopen Memorial Home & Garden official ACS Strides donation kiosk.

Purple Flamingo Beach Party, Kangean  (62, 76, 1501)

My heartfelt thanks in advance to anyone who wants to share a walk or to make a contribution to the American Cancer Society in Tina's name.

Tina's SL inworld grave is inside a little chapel at "Visit Greece" for anyone who would like to visit. Our continued thanks goes to Yin (yingthai) for generously providing and managing that.

Paradise Found (212,216,26)

******
MORE INFO ABOUT VILLE DE COEUR

Region Website:
https://villedecoeur.online/about/

Events Calendar:
https://villedecoeur.online/events-calendar/

Second Life Destinations:
https://secondlife.com/destination/ville-de-couer

SL Newser Article, Nov. 2019
http://slnewserplaces.blogspot.com/2019/11/ville-de-coeur.html

Reader Submitted: The Sunbeamer Moon Dance

 

 You never know what you might find on the dark side of the moon. In SL, you can find humans, furries, robots, Roos and more at the weekly RFL team Sunbeamers Moon Dances with deejay Cynthia Farshore. Kudos and a big THANK YOU to the team for hosting their first of many BYOK events this season. They repeatedly show their "One Team" spirit by bringing together many teams at this weekly dance where attendees can contribute to the fundraising efforts of every team present, rather than only to their own. And on a side note, their very first event of the season just happened to be on the same day that a private American company landed a craft on the south pole of the moon, over 50 years since the last time an American space craft landed on the moon. What synchronicity!

Journey Texan

 

Interview With Journey Texan and Deanna Lancaster-Texan

 

Recently, the Newser interviewed two Relayers who aren't known so much for cheering on their own team but the efforts of others. Journey Texan can frequently be seen in his comical "Joda" avatar. Deanna Lancaster-Texan is sometimes with him, or on her own at an event. I met up with them at the American Cancer Society sim, and they had a number of things to say.

Read more in People.

Announcement: "2022 Walk The Loop[en] Commemorative Walk"

 

2 p.m. SLT Sunday, AUG 7

2022 Walk The Loop[en] Invitation

Hello to friends of Ertina Loopen.

Please feel welcome to join us at 2 p.m. SLT on Sunday, August 7, 2022 to take a lovely walk through the scenic regions of Ville de Coeur in tribute to Ertina Loopen and to anyone whom you care about.

The quaint village of Ville de Coeur and its surrounding countryside is inspired by the real life French Riviera and was the location where Tina would take an annual anniversary walk with her partner, Journey Texan. Now, without Tina to complete the trip herself, Journey is inviting friends to take the walk in her absence as a way of celebrating friendships and caring for both Tina as well as any others who are important in our lives.

If you would like to join us, there is plenty of room on the trail for everyone. Bring a partner, a friend, or even someone you would like to know better to share a hands-free, automated couple's walk through the delightful scenery. Even taking the walk alone can be a meaningful way to pay tribute to anyone else that has been important to you.

Walking the complete loop takes over an hour, so don't feel obligated to do the entire thing if you don't want to. Feel free to stop anywhere along the way to sight-see or to return to your other usual activities elsewhere on the grid. Taking a trolley or a horse-drawn carriage around the regions is another delightful travel option.

The walk begins at or anytime after 2 p.m. Simply use the automated couple's walk at the location of the LM below and away you'll go!

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coeur%20d%20Azur/162/160/23

 

 If you are interested to walk while holding an event sign in tribute to Tina, a touchable sign will be available at the start. This can signify to others nearby that you are walking with a special purpose.

If you come, I'll see you out on the loop!

With heartfelt appreciation,
Journey Texan for the Ertina Loopen Memorial Foundation

SL Newser Article, Nov. 2019

 *PLEASE NOTE:

Walk the Loop[en] is not primarily intended to be a fundraising event. However, as many of you know Tina from Relay For Life activities in the past, the American Cancer Society(ACS) was close to Tina's heart. So if you would like to make a contribution to the ACS in Ertina Loopen's name, please feel very welcome to do so at an ACS donation kiosk to be set out at the start/finish line of this walking event, or at:

The Ertina Loopen Memorial Home & Garden.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winddragon%20Isle/172/205/1251