Surviving without the JREF Forum - and - Project Jason in Second Life

So, the forum has been down for a few days, and may be down for a few more.

Now what am I supposed to do? Get a life or something? :-O

I've read all the excellent entries at xkcd
I've levelled up a WoW warrior character to level 14 (I know... I'm slow)
I've read through most of the threads at the UK Skeptics site.
I've got up to date on all the articles on the brilliant StopSylviaBrowne website.
I've checked up a few articles I'd missed on the SkepChicks site.
(I'm delighted to report that the Skepchick calendar will be out shortly, featuring a few of my friends as well as yours truly - book your copy next week!)

So, now what?
Well, something I neglected to mention above was the time I also spent in Second Life, learning about a very worthwhile project. Now, although I play and enjoy World of Warcraft, I'm not actually that keen on the concept of most online gaming, and particularly Second Life. I wouldn't have created an account there but for Project Jason, and due to the interface I wouldn't have returned much either but for the project I'm about to tell you about.

I've spoken before about Project Jason and the wonderful work they do to assist families of the missing. Well, now they have created an online presence in what I consider an innovative resource to reach out to people and spread information.

Project Jason is honored to be one of 44 nonprofit organizations and the first missing persons’ assistance organization to be selected as part of a new area of Nonprofit Commons, a section within the virtual world, Second Life.

The Project Jason office in Second Life has three purposes. One is to disseminate general information about the epidemic of missing persons – how many are missing and how difficult a situation it is for the families of missing persons. Another is to deliver presentations and other educational events and materials to participants within Second Life. Finally, Project Jason also developed a special theme for the office called “Every Face Tells a Story” and the site exhibits special posters of missing persons. These posters contain articles written exclusively for Project Jason in Second Life, and they are contributed by the families of each missing person featured.

Joining Second Life is free. To do so, go to http://secondlife.com/ and download the program. You will need to register your account and choose an inworld “name,” which is a nickname you will use when you are logged in to Second Life.

The address for Project Jason in Second Life is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Aloft%20Nonprofit%20Commons/246/25/26

Unfortunately I missed the grand opening due mainly to time differences and too many hours at work (yes - I cram all that stuff mentioned above into weekends and a few hours in the evenings ... maybe a lunch hour as well! I am the world's best multitasker.). I'm told the opening was a great success with a wonderful music event, with bands playing live, and all sorts of presentations.

I have however been in and visited the Project Jason house, and the Garden for the Missing. I am in the SL Project Jason group, and will be glad to meet you there (as Chillzero Dawner) if you happen to be there at the same time I am. There is a lot of information available and ways for you to donate to the Project to help them continue to help others. Last month they announced the passage of the Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act in the state of Florida, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2008. Florida joins CT, IN, NJ, and OR in passing this law. It's about increasing the flow and availability of information, and you can read more about it here:
http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2008/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0502.pdf

I look forward to meeting you in SL, and would encourage everyone to consider donating to Project Jason if you can.