Fun with April Fools

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Originally uploaded by rowanf.

Enjoying the Google-Virgin Mars Mission April Fools joke... I watched the YouTube videos (including some of the responses) and took the quiz on the application at http://www.google.com/virgle

Got what it takes to join a startup civilization?

This 15-question multiple choice quiz will help determine your potential suitability as a Virgle Pioneer

Okay, let's just get this over with quickly, like ripping off a medical adhesive: you did not do well on this test. You are not, by all available evidence, well suited to be a Virgle Pioneer, or any sort space explorer, really, or for that matter, any profession which requires leaving behind your creature comforts, your nice warm bed, your lovely wardrobe, your gourmet meals, your high-end home theater, your friends and family -- oh man, what have we gotten ourselves into here? We're kind of freaking out ourselves, actually. Help! We changed our minds! We don't want to go! [Clicks heels.] There's no place like home! There's no place like home! There's no place like --

[ Long silence. ] Hello. Still there? We're sorry about that unpleasantness with our previous reviewer. We can assure you, you tested just fine and would make a fine Pioneer; all you have to do is submit your video here.

Oh man. I wish I had the equipment and time to submit a video for this wonderful hoax. I'd do an SL machinima with me in my spacesuit. Yes, video in SL for the Mac is still broken. Otherwise, I would soooo be there. LOL

What kinds of nonprofits do I support?

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Originally uploaded by rowanf.

At the Northern California Local Council meeting of Covenant of the Goddess this weekend we talked a lot about what kinds of organizations we give money to as individuals. Someone had suggested that we, as a group, could give money to Kiva.org. I thought that was a fine idea. Someone asked if we could make lists of the groups we currently donate to, just to give us an idea of what this group of Witches supports. This is the info I sent to the NCLC list.

I regularly give money or time to a variety of local groups:

Save the Bay <http://www.savesfbay.org/>
Acterra <http://www.acterra.org/>
Santa Clara County Creeks Coalition <http://www.sccreeks.org/>
These folks do local cleanups and programs. I mostly give them membership money but do manage to make the occasional event.

Friends of Coyote Creek <http://www.nagleepark.org/focc/>
This is my local riparian area, I go out in a canoe a couple times a year cleaning the creek.

Interfaith Center at the Presidio <http://www.interfaith-presidio.org/>
I participate in programs and try to give a nice annual donation to help our local interfaith community prosper.

And then there are the ongoing international groups:

Plan USA/Childreach <http://www.planusa.org/>
I have "sponsored children" through Plan for many years. I started quite a long time ago... my first sponsored child has graduated and gotten a job in civil service in Sri Lanka. My current children are young girls in Sri Lanka and Uganda. I also give one-time donations to disaster relief and education projects as I can.

Lubuto Library <http://www.lubuto.org>
I have given donations to this group which is building libraries for street kids in Zambia. I learned about them originally through my professional conference going several years ago. They started out with a small library in a donated container (the sort things are shipped in) and have just built their first beautiful library compound as seen in this video <http://youtube.com/watch?v=ek6cs59qcu4>

Kiva.org <http://www.kiva.org>
This is the micro-finance company we talked about at the meeting. My first loan to Tamara Orucova, a beekeeper in Azerbaijan is 90% repaid. I have another loan in the works for a group of women poultry farmers in Uganda that is currently in the "raising funds" phase.

I am often good for one-time appeals like the recent

Becoming DC - Nigerian Witch Children project <http://www.becomingdc.org/get-involved/witchchildren/">

When Russell get's home from his business trip I'll get his lisit and perhaps he can jog my memory about mine. LOL All the data is off with the account since it is tax time.