Scenes From The Relay: The Club Crawl and Bid Me Mesh

By Bixyl Shuftan

On the weekend of Friday June 8 to Sunday June 10, a number of Relay for Life events took place. The two I attended were the Club Crawl and "Bid Me Mesh."

The club crawl was the second annual one organized by team Harmony of Hope. For those who don't know what a club crawl is, it's a Second Life version of a pub crawl in which a person or group of persons go to a number of clubs in a short time, spending a little time at each.

Team Harmony for Hope had the pirate-themed "The Club" raising donations for them at Yes (67/79/23). Two other teams with three other clubs joined them in the crawl. These were Team Bonanza with Club Bonanza at Saphire (186/230/22), and the Sunbeamers with Club Cutlass at Sunweaver Bay (114/117/757) and the Happy Vixen beach club at Purrfection Estates (236/219/24). With three teams and four clubs, this year's crawl was a little smaller than the first. But those taking part were optimistic for success.

The first event took place at the Happy Vixen at 4PM SL time. It was a small crowd, "The Vix" not normally having Friday events at this time. Among those there were Harmony for Hope's team captain Dianna Wycliffe, as well as event organizer Cathy10 Longoria dropping by. DJ Snowbuns played the music for this special event, with Kitacella as the hostess.

 At 5PM, those visiting went on to the Bonanza Country Club. At 6PM, the crawl moved to Club Cutlass.

Cynthia Farshore, who was getting her Farshore Field ready for the air show the following week, arrived not by a teleport, but by flying in on the deck beneath the dance floor.

 DJ Crim spun the tunes for the event, themed "Disco Night."

Besides the Cutlass regulars, a number from Team Bonanza and Harmony for Hope showed up for an hour before heading to "The Club." It was a great night for the Sunbeamer team, of which Rita announced the results in Relay for Life Volunteers chat.

[19:51] Rita Mariner: Successful Disco Night Club Crawl for Club Cutlass, Raised 26,000L tonight!
[19:52] Random Darrow (Random Padar): WTG Rita!!!
[19:55] Gem Sunkiller: Yay Rita
[19:55] Cynthia Farshore: Sunbeamers at 426,000L, that's 74,000L away from Sapphire
[19:58] OldeSoul Eldemar (OldeSoul Resident): well  somewhere in cyberspace is - Way to go Sunbeamers -

The following day, Saturday June 9 at 4PM, was the second half of the crawl. Club Bonanza was first at 2 PM. Then at 4 was the Happy Vixen.

The theme of the party was "Lions, Tigers, and Bears." So DJ Nydia, substituting for DJ Tech, decided to "bear" it all with her ursine avatar.

It would "bear in mind" to her to do a short video.

Dianna and Cathy were partying it up again as representing Harmony for Hope in the Sunbeamer-hosted event.

Valkyrie Ice McGill stood out in her tigerstripped skunkgirl avatar. There was a contest for best avatar, won by Kylee Gracemount.

At 6PM, the crawl headed back to Club Cutlass. DJ Snowbuns spun the tunes for the second time for the fundraiser.

The theme was roller skates. So some of the girls got into theirs.

The people from Harmony for Hope and Bonanza were there again.

At one point, someone in a micro avatar had to dodge the skates.

At another point, we had an ostrich showing up. An ostrich?

The final event of the Club Crawl would be at "The Club." Back at Cutlass, there was a little confusion at first about how much was raised at Snowbun's event. But as this kiosk shows, she and Nydia combined raised about 15,000 Lindens on day two, for a combined total of over 40,000 for Team Sunbeamers over the course of the Crawl. Rita would post an announcement later that night.

Beamers:  I am so proud of this team, I could just cry. We are within easy striking distance of Sapphire now.  59,000L to go.  So our two volunteers should look into going for PURPLE! I love you peeps.  I never imagined we we reach Jade, much less hit Sapphire.  This is sooooo  awesome!  We have fun along the way to these levels, plus RFL and ACS get donations, so this is a win-win for everyone! Go Relay!  Go Sunbeamers!

The other two teams in the Club Crawl also did very well. Cathy would announce the two of them combined raised over 100,000 Linden dollars for the Relay

Thank you to those volunteers that partied with Harmony of Hope for the past two days. To the clubs that participated, thank you and y'all are awesome. Total lindens = 147,680 which equals almost $600....job well done! 

As of the writing of this article, Team Harmony of Hope has gone up to over 351,800. Team Bonanza has raised  over 179,000 Lindens. Team Sunbeamers has gone to over 445,000. With the air show the following weekend, Sapphire level, or 500,000 Lindens, was within sight. Once again, "the little team that could" was being a top performer for the Relay.

*  *  *  *  *

The following day, among the Relay events was one being held by the Relay Rockers at the boardwalk in Arinultra Cay. This was their party for the closing of "Bid Me Bald" vs "Grayson's Challenge" or "Bid Me Mesh."

As a couple, Polaris and Yasamine Grayson stand out for the length of time they've been in Second Life, since 2004, and their relationship which apparently has lasted that long as well. The Relay Rockers are known for their "Bid Me Bald" events, with the volunteer getting a haircut at the ending party. This time, they upped things a few notches by making it a "versus" event between the couple.

The Relay Rockers gave people a choice of two "Bid Me" events, and two kiosks. Yasamine was in a traditional "Bid Me Bald." But Polaris put his looks on the line, offering to change from "Second Life's last surviving 2004 noobie avatar." Technically, it wasn't a "noob" as it had pointed ears, darker skin, and other small changes. But his friends kept telling him it was way out of date (something yours truly can relate to), so he gave them a chance to put their money where their mouth was by offering to change to a more recent mesh avatar. And they did, with "Bid Me Mesh" outdoing "Bid Me Bald" by 70,000 versus 7,000 Lindens raised. A ten to one ratio. "The last of the old school avatars is about to made history," Vickie Maidstone sobbed in Relay chat.

Finally, the totals were made official, and it was time for Polaris to make good on his promise. So he ducked behind a curtain. "This is for Pol,"Trader Whiplash joked, then played "Changes" by David Bowie.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
There's gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

"I am so tempted to peek in (laughter)," one lady joked. "No peeking ," Trader spoke, then laughed.

And after a couple minutes, Polaris emerged in his new mesh look, to the applause of many in the crowd, "Wow Pol  you look good!" "You look awesome Polaris." "Mesh, but still you." "Even elven ears," Oldesoul noticed, "nice touch." Polaris chuckled, "Hee hee. It took a week to work this avie out heh heh." Trader would sent a picture to the Relay group, "Ladies and gentlemen  the new 2018 Polaris Grayson."

A few days later, there would be another milestone set for this year's Relay, crossing the 30 million Linden dollars total raised. But there are still many events left this season. For instance, the Sunbeamers have their air show on June 16. And there is talk of a joint event with another team. And of course there is the Relay Weekend next month, which always brings much anticipation and some great builds.

Bixyl Shuftan

Addition: I'd hope to get this up on Wednesday, but yours truly has been quite busy in both real life and getting the Newser exhibit for the SL15B ready. Better delayed than never.

Some Relay Events This Week

This past week, residents by the hundreds have been heading to the Second Life Birthday. But that hasn't been the only thing going on. The various teams of the Relay for Life have been having a number of events. They had too many for this reporter to cover, but one could drop in on a few.

On the evening of June 18, Team Shadow held a "Masked Ball" above the Silver Creek sim, of which Victorian or fae looks were suggested, or a mask of some kind. I ended up wearing the glasses I had gotten from the SL13B from their Press Day.

Skylark LeFavre, the events coordinator for Team Sunbeamers, had been appearing at a number of events other teams were holding, especially those in which other teams were able to rezz their kiosks. The Sunbeamers got about a couple thousand Lindens from the event.

IshtarAngel Micheline took some pictures of her own, which can be read (here).

On Sunday June 19 from 3 to 5PM, Team Sunbeamers held a brainstorming meeting about what their campsite on the Relay Weekend in July should be.

On Monday June 2oth the Bonanza Country Club at Eternity Isle held a "Line Dance" party which was
"BYOK" or "bring your own kiosk." The Sunbeamers made a heavy presence there.

Wednesday June 22 at 4PM was the "Bid Me Bald" that week for the Relay Rockers at Arinultra Cay.

During this past week, I've been participating in the Relay Rockers' 'ORIGINAL' BID ME BALD Fundraiser to support The Relay For Life of Second Life & the American Cancer Society.  I would be honored if you would make a donation on my behalf to help. As a BID ME BALD participant I am offering my hair to help find a Cure For Cancer.  My haircut is today at 4PM slt!        
Come bid, com watch, come party to classic rock!

The event raised about 55,000 Lindens, which meant the victim/volunteer, Stevie Basevi, would be sans hair for 11 days.

June 24 was a much needed event for Team Spirit of Sherwood Forest. Last month, the team made news when one of it's officers, Nikolai Redmayne, had been among those killed in the plane crash in the eastern Mediterranean Sea last month. And on Friday June 24, starting at 12 Noon SL time, an event was held in his honor at the Skybeam Stowaway sim. Zander Greene was the DJ for the first few hours.

As time went on, the amount of Lindens in the kiosk grew. After just over an hour, 15,000 had been raised. By 1:25PM SL time, the season total had reached 75,000, "WE HAVE A NEW BRONZE TEAM!!!!!!!"

At 3PM, Amethyst Starostin took over as DJ. The event was attracting avatars of all kinds from Rowena Dubrovna's tiny otter to Oldesou Eldemar's Dinkie tiny, to Sidonie Carlberg's sugar glider, to Avariel Falcon's dark unicorn, and more. There were a number of subjects brought up, including when talk of 80s music led to what one girl described what happened to her in May 1980, "I was in Nebraska at the start. And then Mt. St. Helens blew its top off. And then a friend and I drove my old Ford up to Washington State to do some camping." "-after- the mountain blew?" "Yes. It was rather dusty up there. Spokane, Washington had several inches of volcanic ash on the streets."

Eventually, Amethyst announced, "Ok folks, I would read this to y'all but I'm crying and can't talk at the moment.  For those of you that did not see this notice from Aphrodite Starr, one of the captains of the team we're doing this for:  Aphrodite Starr - "I just got off the phone with Nikoli's husband, he was in tears about hearing of all of your kind hearts doing this today. the djs, those hosting, and all of you donating. he asked me to pass on that he loves you all and thank you so much!!  From our team, from the bottom of my heart and that of my teammates, thank you so so much!! GO RELAY!!"

The event soon had some visitors in the form of a couple workers from Linden Lab's Department of Public Works, Magic and Ancient Mole.

The event was a big success, more than doubling the team's total of the year, bringing it to 117,100 Lindens.

Later that evening was the start of  Team Harmony of Hope's third Annual Halloween Weekend. At 8PM, they held a costume contest/line dance party.

There were some spook-tacular looks there, from zombies, to sorceresses, to mummies, vampire bats, and more.

The winner of the contest got a 500L gift certificate.

Be on the lookout for more Relay events every week, to the Relay weekend on June 23 and 24.

Bixyl Shuftan

Relay Events: Garth Brooks Tribute Concert, and Nevar Lobo's "Bid Me Bald"

Last Friday May 6, Billy Stevenson (Billy Ixito) and his Country Rebels band did a Garth Brooks Tribute concert for the Relay for Life in Second Life. They performed 3000 meters above the OD Designs sim. They money raised was for Team Harmony of Hope.

Random Darrow was with the band on stage as the drummer as they performed a number of the country musician's songs.

At one point, the stage was aflame as a pyrotechnical display of flames went up around the musicians, "Wait! I forgot my fire extinguisher!!!" "Burn it down!" "Ahh the smell of burned hair." "Once I set my beard on fire pretty good. That was a pretty ugly scene."

Several thousand Lindens had been raised at the concert. At the end, the band called for the survivors and caregivers in the crowd to come on stage, Billy saying, "ON BEHALF OF ALL THE COUNTRY REBELS  AND MYSELF WE HOPE WE PAINTED A PICTURE OF CANCER!" Over six thousand Lindens were raised for Team Harmony of Hope that night, "Thank you everyone for your awesome donations. Every Linden counts!"

* * * * *

On Wednesday May 11 at 4:30 PM, the "Bid Me Bald" for the week at Arinultra Cay Beach for the Relay Rockers took place. This time, it was Nevar Lobo whom would be putting his curly locks on the line. With his hair longer than some ladies, it would be a more drastic change than for most other males (except perhaps for furs), "Wow - some nice hair Nevar." "That's a lot of hair."

To Nevar's surprise, real or feigned, it was Jill Mackenzie whom was handed the scissors, "Oh my God! NOT JILL!!" Jill took the instrument of hair removal with laughter, "Hahahaha! Payback. You are so in for it now." "Oh damn, I know." "Remember all those insults Nev? And all those snide off hand comments?" "Lord have mercy." People dropping in suggested there might be a little history between them, "Oh em gee, they gave Jill (the) scissors??" "There are fresh packs of sutures in the kit Jill." "I only had a few drinks they are not so bad,"

And so Trader began playing the "Hair" song, though it was suggested "When You Get a Haircut" by Ray Stevens would be better due to the first being associated with Fuzzball Ortega's massive wig worn at some Relay events. Then Jill grabbed at a chunk of Nevar's hair and began hacking away with the scissors, "HEY!!! CAREFUL WITH THOSE SCISSORS! MIKA, HELP MEEEE !!!!!" Jill grinned devilishly, "Oooo, I so love Karma." "SOMEONE SAVE THE HAIR!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! .... Oh gosh why did I sign up for this?"

After some minutes of Jill hacking away, she finished the job with a rusty Bic razor and a bit of wax, "Now I need a polishing cloth. ... Polish that egg up," Nevar rubbed his now hairless scalp, "Oh Lord have mercy! I need sun screen quick!" People whom were egging Jill on tried to cheer up Nevar, "Not just any head would look that good bald." "Bald is sexy." "Looks good." One begged to differ, "Nevar! You aged about two years!"

The event raised 50,501 Lindens for the Relay Rockers, and so under the terms of the "Bid Me," with him agreeing for a day for every 5,000 raised, rounded up, Nevar will be sporting a chrome dome for eleven days.

Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan