The Click Heard Round the World

Help send GK youth leaders to Mexico this May 28

I wanted to spread the word about a happy hour fun-draiser that Global Kids is throwing in NYC on May 28.  We're organizing a cocktail party at the White Rabbit bar in Manhattan on May 28 to help some of our youth leaders go to Mexico this summer to work on human rights issues. Enjoy happy hour drink specials, a silent auction, and free give-a-ways (including salsa lessons being donated by my friends at You Should Be Dancing Studios.)

When: Wednesday, May 28th from 6-9pm
Where: White Rabbit, 145 E. Houston Street (between Forsyth & Eldridge)

The minimum donation is $20 and the suggested donation is $40.  The first 100 people who donate $40 or more will receive a new Frommer’s MTV Best of Mexico travel guide!  Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. You can purchase tickets online or at the door.

For more information, please contact hrap-international@globalkids.org.

Virtual Cuba versus Real World Cuba

Earlier this month, the metaverse development company Metaversatility launched a new showcase sim "EmVee Cuba" in Second Life (click here to teleport.)  It's a lovely, picturesque island, pushing the envelope on what is possible in SL, with each prim, texture and light placement designed to create an immersive sense of walking through a historic Cuba that never was. The builders are to be congratulated for some fine work.

That said, I can not help but compare this more idealized vision of Cuba with the reality of life over here.  My then girlfriend and I spent a month there in the summer of 2005, and the imagery in virtual Cuba bears only passing resemblance to what we encountered during our travels.

Global Kids: why our blood is unacceptable

I have been a blood donor for most of my life, having been blessed with large veins and no squeamishness around needles.  It's one of the easiest ways to give that might literally save another person's life.  Plus I love the free cookies and juice at the end.

Recently I got contacted by one of the New York blood banks notifying me that they need help finding donors during the summer months, which usually are subject to a smaller number of available donors and a resultant dip in the city's blood supply.  The blood bank suggested that people organize a blood donation day at their work, church or community center.

The answer I got from nearly everyone in our 50-person office was the same: "I'd love to give but...."  i.e.

• I'd love to give, but I just returned from [insert name of developing world country here]
  
• I'd love to give, but I'm not a US citizen
  
• I'd love to give, but I am getting a tattoo this weekend
  
• I'd love to give, but I had malaria once from backpacking in the rain forest

Ironically, I realized that I myself can not give because I was recently diagnosed as anemic. 

So while I felt bad that Global Kids was not likely to be able to organize its own blood drive, I was again impressed by how multi-cultural, well-traveled, and cool the people that I work with are.

[Image by Viewmaker, posted to Flickr as cc-licensed image]

                           

The answer I got from nearly everyone in our 50-person office was the same: "I'd love to give but...."  i.e.

• I'd love to give, but I just returned from [insert name of developing world country here]
  
• I'd love to give, but I'm not a US citizen
  
• I'd love to give, but I am getting a tattoo this weekend
  
• I'd love to give, but I had malaria once from backpacking in the rain forest

Ironically, I realized that I myself can not give because I was recently diagnosed as anemic. 

So while I felt bad that Global Kids was not likely to be able to organize its own blood drive, I was again impressed by how multi-cultural, well-traveled, and cool the people that I work with are.

[Image by Viewmaker, posted to Flickr as cc-licensed image]

                           

Fellowship Available for Global Kids International Justice Center

Global Kids is offering a fellowship to focus on event management for the International Justice Center (click here to teleport). The fellow will be expected to work with Global Kids staff to organize regular in-world events in that sim for SL residents, human rights groups, and the general public. 

Since 2005, Global Kids has leveraged the educational potential of virtual worlds to inform and involve people in pressing international and public policy issues. The International Justice Center builds on Global Kids’ groundbreaking work by establishing an online hub supporting the ICC and the global justice concerns it addresses. Developed and administered by Global Kids with funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, this innovative online learning center will provide resources for people to learn about the ICC, connect with ICC officials and advocates, and take action in support of human rights and international justice. For more information, see the IJC website at http://justicecenter.net .

The Justice Center Fellow will work in close coordination with Global Kids staff to organize regular gatherings in the Justice Commons sim as a means of promoting ongoing education, dialogue, news and information sharing on issues related to global justice and the ICC.   

L$ 300K for the best "Public Good" project in SL! Info session on SL Community Challenge tonight at 9pm SLT

Tonight at 9PM PST will be first information session the "Second Life and Public Good" Community Challenge sponsored by my friends at the USC Network Culture Project. The Challenge offers L$100,000 a month for three months for the best projects that address some social need via SL.  For some reason I was chosen to be a selection panelist for this challenge, alongside such SL celebs as Randall Moss of the American Cancer Society, Howard Rheingold the legendary net community pioneer, and Lori Bell of the Alliance Library System.

Come to an information session tonight at 9PM PST at International Island in SL (click here to teleport.)   That's MIDNIGHT my time in New York, so all you Asia / Pacific folks better attend if I have to stay up so late! There's another info session on May 15th at Noon PST.

Click on the jump for the complete announcement or check the official USC NCP website...

David and Kim's awesome wedding dance!

Here's some not-very-clear video of my friends David "ShortyDave" Jacoby and Kim Frey during their beautiful wedding dance.  They were wedded in a lovely multi-cultural ceremony this past Friday in Manhattan.  I'm so honored I got to share this special moment with them.  I love all the little moments in their dancing when their individual personalities come out.

The band is the amazing Paul Tillotson Love Trio performing "You Are My Sunshine."

Birthday b-boy Akiva loves "Dino5"!

My colleague Barry tells me that his kid Akiva loves the Dino5: Hiphop for Babies CD that I got him for his second birthday.  Here's Akiva throwing his hand in the air, like he just don't care.

Such a dope CD.  Get it for the freshest b-boy / b-girl in your life.

Folding bike tour of Manhattan & Brooklyn today (pics and video)!

Today 50ish folding bike riders (and friends) went on a leisurely bike tour through Manhattan over to Brooklyn and back.  It was a perfect day for riding, cool and clear. We meandered from Chelsea Piers, down the Westside bikepath to Downtown Manhattan, over the Brooklyn Bridge, then back on the Manhattan Bridge, finishing at East 23rd Street on the East River.

Thanks, TimesUp for organizing this wonderful ride!  Go tiny bikers!

My pics are available on flickr.

"The Guild": Fun web sitcom about gamers

I randomly came across this funny web sitcom about a group of MMOG gamers called "the Guild".  Here's the description:

A webisode for gamers, about gamers by a gamer. Cyd Sherman's online gaming addiction brings more than she bargains for... Created and starring Felicia Day - Buffy's (Vi), Directed by Jane Selle Morgan - seejanedirect.com and Produced by Felicia Day, Kim Evey - creator of Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show and Jane Selle Morgan.

Painful but true, even for a non-gamer virtual worlder like myself.  Check out all the episodes on their show page.

VIDEO: PMT Breakdance team last night at Frim Fram

My friend Jerry posted this video of the PMT breakdance group's performance last night at Frim Fram.  For those that came and stayed much later than they planned to watch us, I hope it was worth it.  My fellow b-boys were blown away by the audience response.

As a lindy hop and hip hop dancer, to have my two communities of dancers come together like this is a very special moment for me personally.

Enjoy!