Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The Professor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-professor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-professor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-professor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This past week on January 3rd, J.R.R. Tolkien celebrated his 118th birthday -- or rather, we celebrated it for him. Tolkien was born in South Africa in 1892 and lived a rich and full life, from fighting in the first World War to working on the Oxford English Dictionary to taking a position at several universities that would earn him the nickname "The Professor."

He is, of course, most well-remembered for his seminal works of fantasy -- The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion -- although his writings didn't end there. Due to Tolkien's love of nature, linguistics, and mythology, his creations were born out of comprehensive backgrounds and rich histories, which he seemed to love making up just as much as the stories themselves.

For years now, Tolkien fans around the world have remembered his birthday by raising a glass on his birthday and giving a simple toast, "The Professor," at 9:00 p.m. wherever they lived. Likewise, in Lord of the Rings Online, many players gathered at their tavern of choice to do the same.

Today I thought I'd remember the Professor in a slightly different way by exploring the quest chain "Missing the Meeting." While it's not completely overt if you happened to come across it, "Missing the Meeting" is a tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien and his life, and it's worth going through at least once if you want to pay homage and get a nifty token by which to remember him.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The Professor

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The Professor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bird-and-baby-innbirthdaybrandywinebullroarers-swardcarlo-williamscharles-williamschronicles-of-narniacs-lewiseagle-and-child-pubelfevendimfeaturedfrostbluff-theatrehomagehugo-dysoninklingsjack-lewisdownjrr-tolkienlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelost-doglost-leaflotrolotro-wikimiddle-earthmissing-the-meetingnarnianpcowen-barfieldowen-farfieldoxford-english-dictionarypipepostal-servicequestronald-dwaleroverandomsouth-africathe-hobbitthe-inklingsthe-professorthe-silmarilliontoasttolkientolkiennaturbineuniversity-of-oxfordworld-war-iyule-festivalFri, 07 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual bicycles, real cause]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/virtual-bicycles-real-cause/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/virtual-bicycles-real-cause/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/virtual-bicycles-real-cause/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Second Life is a great place for nonprofits and altruistic causes to connect with like-minded people. Real conversations can be had there, and real friendships have formed through working toward a common goal. In that spirit, Virtual Africa is the SL build currently under development by Uthango Social Investments, a charity based in Capetown, South Africa. They're currently running a fundraising drive through SL for a new Opportunity Center for unemployed job seekers.

"The Opportunity Centre is a revamped cow shed that we need to equip with computers, office resources and mentors to assist job seekers, small entrepreneurs and community members in making their own way out of poverty by actively pursuing their dreams," said Dorette Steenkamp, co-executive director of Uthango. "The [e]bizikile fundraising event is meant to bring attention to how bicycles fit into the economy in African cities and rural towns."

Basically, residents can buy a bicycle designed by Shukran Fahid of !BooPeRFunK! for L$250, and choose to contribute to a fund for buying a real Capetown resident a bicycle. SL charity organization Charitable Hearts is helping to organize this effort to get the SL community involved in making a real world difference in someone's life.

For more information on this fundraiser, contact Enakai Ultsch or Alanagh Recreant in-world.

[Thanks, Cybergrrl!]

MassivelyVirtual bicycles, real cause originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alanagh-recreantaltruismbicyclebooperfunkcapetowncharitable-heartscybergrrl-ohdorette-steenkampenakai-ultschfundraisingmassivelynonprofitsopportunity-centersecond-lifeshukran-fahidsouth-africaunemploymentuthango-social-investmentsvirtual-africaTue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST