The HeliOS Project Gets Stoned

I haven't used the term "stoned" for decades. 

Ahem...and only in a third-person context of course.

I can't remember where I left that word...I think it was in the same decade I dropped off phrases like "groovy" and "far out".

They are at home there....along side my paisley shirts, my bell bottom jeans....

and my hair.

None the less, The HeliOS Project fully intends to "get stoned" on Friday night, the 18th of February at 7 PM.  It's largely due to your efforts that we will do so.

As we announced last week, we were invited to compete in the Austin Rock a Charity event here in Austin.  To get a place at the table, we had to be one of the top three Facebook pages to gain the most "likes" in a 48 hour period.

Thanks to many of you, we dominated that competition.  We logged over 1100 votes in that period.  Now look...I have some issues with Facebook.  The privacy issues are well-known with that social application.  With discretionary funding for non profits drying up like a puddle in Death Valley, we sucked it up and took part in the competition.  We'll take legitimate funding anywhere we can find it.

Now that we earned a presence at the event, here is how it works and where it will take place

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Initially, this was to be an online ticket event, with tickets to be sold to anyone wishing to attend.  This has been changed and admission tickets may or may not be charged...I am waiting to get clarification.  The charities being represented all have large followings and the Austin Fire Marshall has capped building capacity at 200.

Only the first 200 people at the door will be admitted.  Once they get inside, they will be treated to an open bar and some excellent catering.


 Party-goers will be given a chance to purchase small rocks for $20.00 (hence "rock" a charity) and they will be asked to drop their rock into a fish bowl that represents a particular non profit.  At the end of the evening, the charity with the most rocks in their bowl will take home 50 percent of the total.  The other two will split the other 50 percent.


 Diane Franklin, Skip Guenter and myself will be representing HeliOS in one of the three conference rooms set up for each non profit.  We are also pleased to announce that Middy Flores will be in attendance representing on of the 1241 computers we have installed for kids that need them.  We will have our display set up and will be given a chance to "pitch" our cause, along with the other two participants.

I realize that it was an international effort to get us a place at this event, even though this is a local event.  My sincere thanks goes to the folks that got us in the door, and that was all I asked.  You get us in, we'll do the rest.

My deep thanks to Jeff Hoogland, Steve Rosenberg and the great folks at OMG Ubuntu.

If you are local to Austin, we would deeply appreciate you coming by and help us get stoned that night.  Please pass this along if it is relevant to you.

Oh, and speaking of "that decade" where "groovy", "stoned" and "far out" went to live?  Here is something my oldest son has been holding for the perfect blackmail opportunity.  I guess I'll beat him to the punch.  I don't know which is more embarrassing...the 1964 Studebaker or the pants.  I'll let you decide.  1969 was a very good year....

Or not.

And as always, thanks for helping us do what we do.  We could not do it without you.

All-Righty then