Tiny Carolers At Virtual Ability

 

 On Monday December 8 at 1PM SL time, Virtual Ability got a Christmas treat. The "Tiny Carolers" from Raglan Shire dropped by for a performance.

 

 ~*~ The First Waff-EL, The Tinies did Say, Was to certain small critters at home as they Ate ~*~

 ~*~ At home as they Ate, Licking their Paws, Wishing for NOMS Golden Crispy to Gnaw ~*~

~*~ Waff-EL, Waff-EL,Waff-EL, Waff-EL...Born is the Breakfast Treat that is WAFF-EL! ~*~

 

 ~*~And so this is Wootmas~*~

 ~*~And what have you done?~*~ 
~*~ Another year over~*~

 ~*~I hope you have fun~*~ 
~*~The near and the dear ones~*~

 ~*~The old and the young~*~ 
~*~A very merry Wootmas~*~
~*~And a happy new year~*~ 
~*~Let's hope it's a good one~*~ 

 ~*~Without any fear~*~ 

 ~*~Merry Wootmas Raglan, Merry Wootmas tinies ~*~ 

 

 ~*~ Sleigh bells ring! Are you listening? ~*~
~*~ In the shire, snow is glistening! ~*~
~*~ A wootiful sight, we're happy tonight, ~*~
~*~ Walking in a waffle wonderland! ~*~
~*~ Gone away is the blue bird ~*~
~*~ Here to stay is the new bird ~*~
~*~ He noms on chocolate ~*~
~*~ With bacon on a stick ~*~
~*~ Walking in a waffle wonderland! ~*~

~*~ In the shire we can build a snowman ~*~
~*~ Pretend that he's a chef from outta town ~*~

~*~ He'll say 'Want some waffle?' We'll say 'YEAH MAN!' ~*~
~*~ Then he'll pour the syrup while we chow! ~*~
~*~ Later on we'll conspire ~*~
~*~ As we riverdance in the shire ~*~
~*~ Tiny faces alight ~*~
~*~ With all the presents in sight ~*~
~*~ Walking in a waffle wonderland! ~*~

 

 ~*~ Hark the Tiny Critters Sing, Glory to the Waffle King! ~*~

 ~*~ Peace on the Grid & Syrup mild, Otters & Ferrets Reconciled! ~*~
~*~ Joyful with all your fur so slick, Raise up your Cookies on a stick! ~*~

 ~*~ And with upward paws proclaim, We shall RiverDance again! ~*~

~*~ Hark the Tiny Critters Sing, Glory to the Waffle Kinnnng ~*~

 

 ~*~ You Better Watch Out, ~*~
~*~ You Better Not Cry,~*~
~*~ You Better Not Pout, I'm Telling You Why, ~*~

 ~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming To Town,~*~
~*~ He's Making A List, And Checking It Twice ~*~

 ~*~ Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice,~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming To Town,~*~
~*~ He Sees When You Eat WAFFLES, ~*~

 ~*~ He Knows When You Eat CAKE,~*~
~*~ He Knows If You've Been Bad Or Good,~*~
~*~ So Be Good For Goodness Sake! ~*~

 ~*~ You Better Watch Out,~*~
~*~ You Better Not Cry, ~*~
~*~ You Better Not Pout, I'm Telling You Why, ~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming, ~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS Is Coming,~*~
~*~ Santa PAWS is Coming To Towwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn, ~*~ SANTA PAWS IS COMING TO TOWN! ~*~

People applauded to the carolers, "Yay little cuties, you are making my day." "I needed this today." Gentle Heron, who runs Virtual Ability, would say "You guys are great!" One of the carolers, Linn Darkwarch, responded, "Thank you, we practice all year."

 

The songs continued, caroler Linn commenting, "And of course, Santa Paws is going to bring Tinies some food..."

 ~*~ Jelly Beans, Hunks of Cheese, Sugar Frosted Ham. All Deep-fried, Toast on the Side with Wootberry Jam.. ~*~
~*~ Chocolate Cake all wrapped in Bacon, Nachos on a Stick! Come Along, Let's eat some Noms & Hope we don't get Sick... HEY!! ~*~
~*~ Nomming Treats & Sweets, from Our Raglan Shire Buffet, Fills our little tummies, with Food this Holiday! ~*~
~*~ Just singing 'bout it now, Make's our Hunger Rise! We can't wait to grab a Plate & Stack it real High.. Withhh.. ~*~
~*~ Jelly Beans, Hunks of Cheese, Sugar Frosted Ham. All Deep-fried, Toast on the Side with Wootberry Jam.. ~*~
~*~ Chocolate Cake all wrapped in Bacon, Nachos on a Stick! Come Along, Let's eat some Noms & Hope we don't get SICKKKKKKK! ~*~

 

Gentle would comment, "This is my favorite song."  

 

Linn would then say, "As we begin the last carol of today's performance we want to thank you all again for inviting us here to perform. And since some folks arrived late, and we're having fun, and you're having fun, we're gonna do some encore afterwards!"

 

~*~ Here we come A-waffling please feed us Breakfast Food! Here we come A-hungering so help our Starving Mood!~*~
 ~*~ Knives & Forks Come to Me, And a Warm Butter Patty, And please Serve us some Syrup & Chopped up Pecans Tooooo...~*~
~*~ And Please Sprinkle some Berries on them Toooo! Here we come A-waffling please Feed us Tasty Treats!~*~

~*~ Here we come A-chittering so give us something Sweet!  Thanks to All for the Snax! Now we all can go Chillax!~*~
~*~And go about the things that we all Dooooo..... And Happy Holidays from All of Us to YOUUUUUUUUUU~*~

 

At the end, the tinies would do a "Riverdance" that shook the ground. When things quieted, Linn would  say, "And from all of the Friends of Raglan Shire we would like to wish you and yours a very HAPPY EVERYTHING!!!  Thank you !!!!" 

 

For those wanting to catch the little guys singing, Linn invited people to check Raglan's event calendar here: https://tinyurl.com/yv5chnun

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Virtial Ability "Supernatural" Track Build

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

 

Virtual Ability is so lucky to have The Track Builders of SL hosting a huge event that is a fund raiser for the group. It is being held at A1 Tracks Home Region from the 18th through the 27 of September.

Going on during the event is a Track Display and sale. A bike showcase and popularity vote is on the region too. I love the out of this world critter sale that is taking place from various vendors. So many of the Teleports are available to get to the various sites. Parties are planned through out. I made it to one on Friday and Dj Rain was donating her time and spinning tunes for all.

“Ghosts, glam, grit, or glow—bring your weird, your wild, your wonderful.

This rally’s not for the faint of mesh. Come show us what you got.

🚨 GET IT SET UP NOW!!!!!!!!

No excuses, no delays. Rally spots are hot and the vibe is already haunting.

If you’re not rezzing, you’re resting—and we don’t do rest.” is a message sent out to Clubs and members getting them involved and many have responded and it looks they like still coming.

I found my friend and member of Vai. Jadin  checking out the track with her motorcycle. There will be track rides in the events too. If you want a list of the goings on all week ask me for the notecard.

Don’t miss a visit to check it all out and perhaps get involved by voting or buying or tipping at a party. All the proceeds will help VAI continue the help for people with disabilities to have a comfortable community with activities and a home in Second Life and arrange for the two conferences held during the year.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Continental%202/94/220/502

While you are there stop over at the little shack that belongs to the VAI Group and see what is going on.
 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Continental%112/161/539

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Mental Health Month At Health Island, Virtual Ability

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

May is Mental Health month and I am sure most of us ask ourselves once in a while “How is my mental health?” Well a good place to check it out is Health Island. New exhibits are filled with answers to that question and resources to aid one in a self checkup. When you land at the island there is a sign that contains a notecard with slurls to take you to one of the exhibits that interest you, Click any poster to learn more about that statement.

I checked out the posters at Anxiety. I don’t think there are too many people who don’t have anxiety at one time or another over personal issues, self, family, the state of the world or even space. Mild anxiety is mostly controllable but when it becomes an issue it can not only cause mental problems but physical problems too. I find breathing deeply is so helpful when I get into a situation that may make me anxious or stressed out.

The notecard will guide you or you can just walk around to the various exhibits . There are many relaxing areas on the island to visit . I enjoy the herb garden and seeing if I can identify one from another. Remember to visit the walk of support groups to see if there is an inworld group you might like to join to discuss your problems and listen to support others.

Thursday , May 15 there is an all day Symposium at the Virtual Ability island where there will be presenters speaking about mental health. Anyone is invited to attend the various presentations by experts from all over the world. Here is a list of times and presenters and topics mostly based around fear , stress and anxiety. 

 
When you arrive enter the Sojourner Auditorium and take a seat. One must be inside the Auditorium to hear in voice. There will be a transcriber typing the discussions in local chat also. 

For more information, check: https://virtualability.org/mental-health-symposium-2025/

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/54/170/23

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Virtual Ability Town Hall

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

The annual Town hall for the Group of Virtual Ability was held Saturday a the Region. The four members of the Executive Committee , Gentle Heron, Pecos Kidd, Eme Capalini and addressed the members about the real world and virtual world mission.

The corporation is a legal entity n the physical world, Virtual Ability, Inc was chartered in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the state of Colorado. The corporation is headed by a Board of Directors. Inworld there is an Executive team that runs the activities which are numerous, some just fun and many informative and fun.

Pecos Kidd explained how the inworld and real world are conducted financially and is stable. Eme Capalini explained that there were 450 events were held hosted by volunteers from the group during 2024, and “hold two annual international academic conferences each year. In the spring, we hold a Mental Health Symposium; in the fall it’s the International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (IDRAC).The 2024 International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference was held on November 15.“ She thanked Linden Lab for their support of the group during these conferences during which speakers from all over the world come to speak on issues that touch the lives of members and what is going on in research management of disabilities.

The meeting continued with more information about the past year and future expectations for 2025.

Gentle Heron , who keeps the group altogether through out the many years thanked all the committees and volunteers that conduct activities. An open Discussion Q&A followed the formal part of the meeting with suggestions offered for inworld volunteering or helping those who need special attention.

In all the meeting was most informative and also expressed the thanks of the group members to the Executive committee for all their efforts.

Any one who is interested in disability issues by having one of being an advocate or caretaker can become a member. Contact Gentle Heron. I often write about certain ongoing endeavors like Health Island and special activities going on so if you want information you can contact me also.

Gemma Cleanslate

Some Halloween Parties in Second Life

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

There isn't another time of year quite like Halloween. In real life, there's all sorts of spooky fun parties, and people wear costumes to look like what they want. In Second Life, people can already look more or less what they want to. But the occasion gives them the opportunity to go wild and take on looks they otherwise wouldn't. And of course there are all sorts of haunts.

Some places, such as the Happy Vixen, had a number of Halloween-themed events across the month such as "Orange and Black." The events had been moved to this year's Halloween area as well, the ghost pirate island. 

And there were the Halloween pranks, like the one I pulled a couple days before Halloween with an avatar I don't usually wear.

[20:09] Penny Shuftan (DeafLegacy Resident): Bix??
[20:09] Penny Shuftan (DeafLegacy Resident): There you are :)
[20:09] Bixyl Shuftan: Hey there, I found a scary Halloween costume
[20:09] Penny Shuftan (DeafLegacy Resident): Wait a minute, you're a human
[20:09] Penny Shuftan (DeafLegacy Resident) screams in horror
[20:09] Bixyl Shuftan: Heh heh
[20:09] Muertos Okawa (Muertos Ashbourne): OMG!!!!!
[20:09] Bixyl Shuftan: I guess to scary, just a moment
[20:10] Scratch Musikatt (ScratchMusikatt Fox): *Giggles insanely* good costume! That thing's horrofying
[20:10] Clove (VoxDragon Resident): that is scary
[20:10] Bixyl Shuftan: Hey Snowy
[20:10] Muertos Okawa (Muertos Ashbourne): That's super scary
[20:10] Penny Shuftan (DeafLegacy Resident): Hi Snowy sis
[20:10] Bixyl Shuftan: I think I found a scary Halloween look
[20:10] Muertos Okawa (Muertos Ashbourne): Heyas Snow
[20:10] Now playing: Silver Screen Orchestra - Theme from "The Omen"
[20:10] Snowy AngelBun Lefavre (Skylark Lefavre): Yeah Bix you are scary
[20:10] Bixyl Shuftan: heh heh
[20:10] Snowy AngelBun Lefavre (Skylark Lefavre): hi Penny sis
[20:10] Clove (VoxDragon Resident): hi snow
[20:10] Snowy AngelBun Lefavre (Skylark Lefavre): Hii Clove
[20:11] Penny Shuftan (DeafLegacy Resident) yanks a gun out and cocks it before aiming it at Bix
[20:11] Penny Shuftan (DeafLegacy Resident): Please... kindly.. change your avatar, Bix bro...
[20:11] Bixyl Shuftan: okay, changing
[20:11] Muertos Okawa (Muertos Ashbourne): LMAO
[20:11] Scratch Musikatt (ScratchMusikatt Fox): set phasers to furrify!
[20:12] Muertos Okawa (Muertos Ashbourne): LMAO 

 Here's a better picture of the avatar in question, taken a few years earlier at a Halloween Club Crawl.

On Saturday October 30, Club Cutlass, the main club of the Sunweaver community, had it's Halloween party.

Well, this guy sure used his brain with his costume.

Xanadu would also have a Halloween Party that night.

A number of places would have events on Halloween Day. This included Virtual Ability.

They were doing the monster mash.

Gentle Heron herself was looking a little green.

The National Space Society would have a small Halloween party.

With some Halloweenish science posters.

The Spooky Strides event, raising money for the Relay for Life, had it's last night. 

Among the performances on the last day and night was by Drum.

The Bouncing Bunny Beach Club would have a "Monster party." DJ Mattie was playing the music.

Trick or treat.

Only some of those attending went into what could be called a monster look. But it was a monstrous good time.

Also having a Halloween party was the Fallout Shelter in the Deadlands. 

Rebel Wolf, aka The Baron, had a good-sized party there.

For a place still recovering from a nuclear war, they were doing pretty good, for one night anyway.

It was quite the Halloween bash. 

Among other places having events were the Furry Fashion Lounge, and the Goblin Cave at Caledon Downs. 

At 5PM SL time, the main event in the Sunweaver community started, the Happy Vixen's Halloween party.

"Alright all you ghouls and gals. Dj Jazz is kicking it off at The Happy Vixen Haunted Island tonight from 5 to 7. Playing all the Halloween tunes and hits.  Everything from old school horror to current. Oh.. and did I mention there's a Fishbowl event happening?  No? Well here ya go then. Dishing out not one but TWO epic prizes this evening awarded out on the top the hour. 2500L awarded out at the first hour and another 2500L at the close of the event. Want in? Simple, be there and be in theme for a Halloween party."

The "Howloween" event was of course at the ghost pirate island area, and drew quite a crowd.

At one point, there were two dozen present, and probably more than three dozen were there at some time in the four hour party.

From 5 to 7PM, DJ Jazzy played the music. From 7 to 9PM, DJ Squeaks did the tunage.

For the first half of the event, the 2500 Linden prize had been boosted to 3000 L, and the usual prohibition against club staff entering was lifted. The prize was split between Aubrytia Resident (Nikkita Sugar Lefavre), ShinyWhiteDragon, and DeniseUnicorn Toonie. For the second half of the event, the 1000L prize was split between Piper Pekli and Gil Otaared.

Eventually, it would be time for the ghosts and goblin avatars to be put away for another year, or at least until the "Nightmare Before Christmas" event. But it was a fun event for all. 

Bixyl Shuftan