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A Helping Hand for Those in Need

What just took place in countries all over South Asia is unprecedented in our lifetime, with current numbers standing at over 44,000 deaths and rising.


I was watching CNN this morning and there was a woman on TV who is Sri Lankan (where the greatest loss of life has taken place - 18,000 + at last count). She lives in Los Angeles, CA. She is organizing donations through the Sri Lanka America Association of Southern California. I figure a grass roots organization is most likely to get ALL the funds where it is needed.

"This is a tragedy of Biblical proportions," says World Vision President Richard E. Stearns. "World Vision will be responding to the devastation for several months, if not years."

As humans on a planet undergoing massive changes, and as a community of people from all over the world, I believe it's important to pay attention to what's going on around the world and help where we can.

If you would like to donate go to http://www.slaasc.com There is an address to mail a check or you can donate via paypal. I just gave a donation. I'm sure giving $10 or $5 is a big help. If everyone did that - it would make a big difference.

If you prefer to donate to other organizations:

Doctors Without Borders: http://www.doctorswithoutborders-usa.org/donate/

American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html

World Vision: http://www.worldvision.org

Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/973157.cms

... and if you honestly can't afford to donate money at this time - prayers and/or good thoughts and energy always help.

Radiance

               Interview for Outerworlds Newspaper, Valacia December 16, 2004

    • · Tobyrae: Welcome to Miraes World Valacia and thank you for taking time for us to get to know a little more about you here in the Outerworlds Universe.
    • · ValSnowAngel: Not a problem :)
    • · Tobyrae: How long have you been a citizen of Outerworlds Valacia?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Well, I have been a citizen since June of 2002 and I'd say I've met so many wonderful people since then and learned lots of new things about OW.
    • · Tobyrae: Was Outerworlds Universe your first experience with a 3D chat?
    • · ValSnowAngel: No, actually... My first experience with virtual chat was with another related program called Activeworlds.
      I have been a member there for about 6 years so I know a lot about the workings of a virtual program and such but I like OW much better.
    • · Tobyrae: What drew you here in the first place?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Activeworlds was beginning to get too ridiculous for me and they raised their prices. I didn't like the idea of paying more for something when I wasn’t getting much back in return. I loved the idea of coming here and being part of a community rather than being just a random person.
    • · Tobyrae: Have you met any of the citizen’s of Outerworlds in Real Life?
    • · ValSnowAngel: I recently had the opportunity to go to the Chicago get together even though I was only there
    • · for a little while. I got to meet Kat and a bunch of other Outerworlds people. It was great fun joking around and putting a face to the people you meet.
    • · Tobyrae: Did you find them to be pretty much like they are in the Chat world, or totally different?
    • · ValSnowAngel: People are kind of nuts in virtual chat but you can't see a face or an emotion and things don't flow quite the same in chat as they do in person. Otherwise, much more of their personality comes out than does in chat.
    • · Tobyrae: Who is the most interesting character you have found in Outerworlds?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Well everyone has their own way of doing things but I like Kat the best. She's from Scotland and I got nuts whenever I hear her talk and she is a lot like me in that we both say some pretty crazy stuff sometimes.
    • · ValSnowAngel: Just don't ask her about moon soap!
    • · Tobyrae: LOL
    • · Tobyrae: What is the funniest nickname you have ever seen in here?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Well, a lot of the names that I find funniest are around the holidays. The ones I like best this holiday are BahHumbugn8tor and 5DanglyThings. Names during the holiday can get real bizarre and cute.
    • · Tobyrae: What would you like to see added to Outerworlds that you feel would enhance everyone’s VR experience?
    • · ValSnowAngel: I think it would be really cool if we had a place for web camera’s so that we could see each others faces sometimes. Sometimes it's really funny to watch someone laugh but it helps you realize that they are real people just like you and me.
    • · Tobyrae: What is your best quality Valacia?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Hmm.. I would have to say that my best quality is my ability to be outgoing when I need to be. I'm not afraid to jump into situations and dig right in when there is a problem or help others when they need it.
    • · Tobyrae: What do you see as your worst quality?
    • · ValSnowAngel: I can be really stubborn about things sometimes if I feel something isn’t going right or if I think someone isn't listening to a suggestion I have about something. I get angry when people ask for advice and they don't listen or take the advice.
    • · Tobyrae: My next question was, do you have a pet peeve? Do you have one specific pet peeve other than people who seek advice and then who do not take it?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Oh yeah! I hate people who make out in public! I hate it when some guy and girl are just going at it and have no regard for others... I just want to walk over there and smack them and say get a room!
    • · ValSnowAngel: Just because a place is public doesn’t mean you can do private things in public!
    • · ValSnowAngel: That's why it is private and not public.. Get it right! lol
    • · Tobyrae: So true
    • · Tobyrae: What are some of your hobbies and interests in Real Life?
    • · ValSnowAngel: I love anything that has to do with my hands and crafting something. I'm very well known for my sculptures and the medieval things I make. I love to make chainmail and platemail armor as well as things made from leather. Recently I've started in the art of bowcraft.
    • · ValSnowAngel: It's so rewarding when you can make your own things by hand and have something to show to other people. I also love to do mechanics and ride my motorcycle. I get a lot of weird looks being a girl with my hobbies!
    • · Tobyrae: Oh a Biker Girl!
    • · Tobyrae: What kind of bike do you have?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Darn right! ;)
    • · ValSnowAngel: I have a small Suzuki 250 cc and a Lager Yamaha 700 cc for cruising around. Can only ride these bikes in the warm months unfortunately!
    • · Tobyrae: Yes I know. My husband and I used to ride a lot together. Now he just rides. It is very fun.
    • · Tobyrae: What do you think Outerworlds could do to draw more people and keep them as part of the Outerworlds family?
    • · ValSnowAngel: I think it would be a good idea to tell friends and family members to get involved and that would also keep part of the community in it. For the people that are new, there are always people greeting and getting to know the new people.
    • · ValSnowAngel: It's important to always have things that appeal to a large audience and to keep things fun and not too serious. I think that helps a lot too.
    • · Tobyrae: If you could change one thing in or about Outerworlds, what would it be?
    • · ValSnowAngel: I think it would be really great to have a small world that each person could have and call their own as part of a membership package. I know there is a free trial world but sometimes I just want a place to build my own house and I can call my own.
    • · ValSnowAngel: Even though you can build in other worlds, sometimes it's just not the same as having your own little world. I guess if they did that though it would get really crowded and expensive!
    • · Tobyrae: Do you think people would be willing to pay more along with their citizenship to have that option?
    • · ValSnowAngel: I think people would because it offers you more and it would probably still be cheaper than other chat programs. I know people that pay 10 dollars a month for some dumb games but why pay that when you can come here and have your own place you know?
    • · Tobyrae: Oh I agree :)
    • · ValSnowAngel: Everyone loves extra benefits :)
    • · Tobyrae: Is there anything else Valacia that you would like to say to the readers of our Outerworlds News Paper?
    • · ValSnowAngel: Hey! If you are new.. then come on in and have a load of a time and meet new people! It's ok if you’re nuts too because we're all a little nutty sometimes! :)
    • · Tobyrae: Hehehe, Yes!! I thought being nutty was a requirement to citizenship here....
    • · ValSnowAngel: Just a little bit... ;)
    • · Tobyrae: I thank you Valacia for taking the time to answer these questions. It is so nice to get to know a little more about each person through these interviews.
    • · ValSnowAngel: Well, it was a good time to sit down and get asked questions!
      Tobyrae: Great! See you in our universe then Valacia!!!

That’s it for the January/February OuterWorlds NewzLetter.
Thanks to each and every one of the citizens of OuterWorlds.
It's each and every one of you that makes OuterWorlds such a great place!

Keep Smiling...
Make someone else smile...
And don't forget to love yourself!

Peace Out

Steps To Happiness Everybody Knows:
You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.

So:
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
Because no one else is in the contest of *being you*.

Then:
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.
And you'll be a most vital mortal.

Dare To Believe:
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.
And you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.
....author unknown

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