The Russian Veteran Newcomer, Update on Hanna

 

 

 The Russia-Ukraine War remains in the daily news, the recent headlines being drone attacks on the capital city of Kiev (Kyiv). In Second Life, while the initial massive show of support has somewhat ebbed, some people still fly Ukrainian flags or have blue and gold displays up as a show of support. Last weekend, I'd gotten another reminder when someone in a veterans community, Soldier Waverider, announced in group chat he'd come across a Russian solider who'd just joined up with Second Life, and invited people to talk to him. As I was trying to calm down a friend who had a stressful day, I sent my alt Rezzdarnnit over. 

The soldier, whose name will not be mentioned in the Newser, had escaped Russia with his immediate family, and was now in Sweden. He had left partly out of not wanting to be part of the invasion again, and partially that he was about to be sent back despite post-traumatic stress disorder. He disagreed with Putin, and found no fault at all with the Ukrainians. 

Most of our conversation was in voice, and the man in question spoke in English with a strong accent. When he had first arrived, most greeted him with suspicion, some wondering if he was a troll. But then he ran into Waverider, and after some conversation the American veteran was convinced his story was genuine.

 

There's also an update on an Ukrainian resident of Second Life. Hanna Linberg (gabby11196), the owner of Osmia, was last reported hiding out in a city under Russian occupation, her situation complicated by pregnancy. Late last week, Hamlet Au would report that she escaped with her family and went to a free part of the country where she would give birth to her baby. While the war is still far from won, this one story has a happy update.

 

Addition: Third paragraph was added several hours after this story first went up. Sorry for those details being late.

Source: New World Notes.

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: March 31 Campaign

 

Hi everyone,

I am launching a campaign to get 31,000 Russian troops to cross the border into neighboring countries, such as Poland or Turkey. The idea is to incentive them to drop their arms and walk to safety.

The name of the project is March 31. This means that, until the date of March 31, the troops from Russia that walk over peacefully will be given a gaming console (Playstation, XBox, Nintendo Switch)  each. So, on top of normal donation, we will somehow finance 31,000 consoles ready to give out. We will harness the power of the free Internet.

Our united clubs will work with all our guests to set social media ablaze with 'MARCH31' sayings and logos and calls for MARCH31. With these consoles, we will also give them food, drinks and perhaps some beer and friendly attention.

These soldiers are mostly 16-30 and do not want to be killed for Putin. Let's help them.

Please, reach me and add me if you want to be part of his historic effort.

Misticia Moonwall
 

SL Video: "In the Darkness"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

By Art Furry Studio on July 2016 , "The main character after work returned home and falls into a terrible accident, after which she falls into a coma and is in clinical death. To wake up, she must correct the mistake she made before the accident, but she is haunted by a mysterious ghost. Will she be able to fulfill her destiny and be saved?"

Scriptwriter: Eduard QuantWolf Babichev
Composer and Sound: Mikhail Miikhail Kulikov

Geo Roulette: A Game of Random Explorations

Ever feel like just exploring new places? A few years ago Xymbers Slade wrote about doing so using the system of Stargates then. But suppose you have no idea where to find one? DrFran found a new way to visit locations at random and made a game out of it: Geo Roulette. In her article today, she explains the rules and a few locations she found while playing.

Read DrFran's article in Places.

A Tribute to The Airliner Tragedy

Last week, Flight MH17 of Malaysia Airlines crashed in the eastern Ukraine, has been the scene of conflict between the country's armed forces, and pro-Russian separatist rebels trying to break the region away from the country and unite with Russia.  The cause of the plane's demise was quickly found to be an anti aircraft missile. Although the Russians and rebels claim the Ukrainian government shot down the plane, there is evidence that the separatists, using Russian equipment were the cause of the disaster. Of the 298 people killed, the majority were Dutch citizens, resulting the country being in mourning. The airline, already in trouble from another of it's planes vanishing somewhere in the Indian Ocean earlier this year, may not survive a second disaster.

While on the Relay track, I came across this tribute to those who perished on the plane, showing the nationalities of those who were killed.

Astronaut Remembrance Day in Second Life

Last week on Monday January 27 was Astronaut Remembrance Day. And at 4PM SL time, there was a

An astronaut's life can be a dangerous one, but the rewards are to be among the few to trailblaze Humanity's ascent into the Heavens.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From Podex: Mistaken Identity

It was a late November day at the Podex Exchange. Fall had arrived, and at times the workers talked about the trees in some places turning red and brown and falling down. Some also talked about the recent Thanksgiving festivities in Areo Pines. And of course there was talk about how some stores were already hawking Christmas items.

It was at this point someone walked into the bank. He was dressed up in Native American Indian fashion, with a loincloth and belt and feather on a band on his head. He was also furry, with dark gray and nearly white hair over his body, a tail with black and dark gray bands, and the fur around his eyes black, making it look like he was wearing a mask.

He got the attention of the tellers right away, "Clumsy Cooper!"

The visitor looked puzzled, "Uh, who are you talking about?" He asked in an thick Eastern European accent.

One teller then looked relieved, "Wait a sec guys, that's not Clumsy. Those markings aren't the same. Whatever costumes he wears, Clumsy never changes his stripes. Besides, that's not his voice."

The visitor raised an eyebrow, "Is something going on?"

"Oh, sorry Sir. Long story. Anyway, what can we do to help?"

"Well, my sim is having a late after-Thanksgiving party for the Americans who were out for their holiday, and well, we are a bit short on Lindens.  Could I get some with Euros instead of American dollars, or even better, Rubles?"

"Certainly Sir. We accept Dollars, Pounds, Euros, and several other currencies. We just recently began trading Lindens for Russian Rubles."

"So you are selling Lindens for Rubles now?"

"Yes Sir, we're also the only exchange involving Russia that doesn't use 'Risk Api.' "

"What is that?"

"Basically a disclaimer saying if something goes wrong with the transaction, Linden Lab isn't responsible. If you want to buy or sell Lindens for Rubles here, you'll get your money. Those purchasing Rubles will have to wait a day or two for their first transaction, but they will get their money."

"Ah that is good news. May I ask what is this 'Second Life Visa Card?'" This visitor glanced to the sign.

"It's an anonymous card with it's own bank account, issued by the Bank Zachodni WBK, one of Poland's largest banks. You can load it with Paypal, money bank transfer, or Linden dollars from Second Life. Then you can use it in real life."

"Now this is interesting. I think I will sign up. Just please give me a full list of terms, and oh yes, the Lindens."

The exchange of Rubles for Lindens was quickly taken care of. The credit card took a little longer, the visitor in Indian garb taking a little time to go over the terms, then applied.

"Thank you. You'll receive your card in the mail soon."

"Good. Now I have a little something to tell my friends. Half the Americans think we are still under Communism, or close to it."

"If I may ask, why the Indian outfit?"

"Well, as I told you, they think I'm a 'Red,' so I decided to dress like a Red man."

They chuckled, and the visitor happily left with his Lindens.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/ . Jacek Shuftan is the CEO. Podex has recently been offering an SL Visa Card, aka "Second Card," with details at http://www.second-card.com/ , as well as setting up an office in Avination to trade $Cs for international currencies, and expanding their list of currencies to include Russian Rubles.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day: WW2 RP Area

Not exactly "Russian" to get into a fight. ;-)
By Bixyl Shuftan