hi all, I know last year we had a winter powwow, and decided some things about going into last summer, and it seems (to me) many of them went pretty well.
from my memory:
we played more group games, (loved werewolf)
people seemed (again, to me) to take more recycling runs,
we had the lists of chores on peoples doors (thanks paloma) that was really helpful
we kept the weekend to our more small intimate circle of people
a shorter week, (less bonus days) it felt like more people stayed almost the whole time
other thoughts?
maybe someone can do a separate blog post re: meals, we did have some changes there:
pizza/ salad night , grill picnic day, etc.
14 comments:
I agree with your "what worked" assessment. Chore list on the doors: that was super helpful for me. More people staying the whole time made things feel more tight with the core community for sure. Kegorator + invigorated sense of recycling responsibility = less of a chaotic beverage container situation. Food was great--picnic was splendid, and I'd love to have that repeated. Seemed to be a great compromise for an outdoor meal we could enjoy together without as much toil. But I wasn't a captain of it, so would like to hear from Mim and Chris if it felt manageable to them. I would like to have the exact dates of PH2011 repeated to get thinking about meals. Reading back in this blog is helpful for dredging up memories too--I hadn't recalled our less structured lunches, and that didn't pose any difficulties that I recall.
I thought last year one of our best ever--the only real short-coming was the 5 year old in the cast. On the whole, I felt more connected, relaxed and I had more fun. Along with all Anna and Hayley mentioned (yay werewolf!), I really enjoyed Bocce, and I'd love to get poker going some night, too.
Though I missed the concept of day-guests, the reality was a much mellower vibe without having to change gears on a moment's notice.
Up until John & I got deathly ill, we were having a great time! I agree with all of the above-- loved the picnic, werewolf, bocce, chores on the door. I think it was helpful to have that figured out ahead of time with Ea's self-sign-up. I still really like the potluck Friday night deal also. Mim & Chris completely made my afternoon with their special cocktails and other fun touches, and burrito night remains a favorite. I liked simple lunch & having lots of salad stuff available. I think we could make a stab at simplifying brunch a bit further (did anyone actually drink any bloody marys last year?). Bottom line seems to be easier is pleasier.
great comments all. thanks. i loved the simple lunches too. easier is pleasier, great phrase jjj. (tshirt material i wonder?)
and jjj- promise you'll take lots of vitamin c and prevenative meds so you dont get sick this yr! and continue to hold firm to your "not bringin batteries people" vibe. i want it to be easier for u!!
how many cakes does ea get this yr? anyone else have bdays in august?
Count me in: I'd be happy to have my birthday in August, sure!
I always intended to have a bloody mary, but never got around to it. See? I don't JUST procrastinate with my work and maintaining meaningful contact with my friends. I've got a commitment problem with anything stronger than beer.
We definitely need shirts this year. The design I've been tinkering with is something based on Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (prism with rainbows), but it would be "Dark Side of the Barn." Tastefully cheezy, like a tour t-shirt. I was thinking of this on the back, but hadn't gotten as far as a front...
I'll mock something up sometime soon and post it here for comments. I'm wide open to collaboration, alternate ideas, etc..
Dark side of the Barn! I love it so.
I need a "like" button-- dark side of the barn!
The cozier vibe of having the same folks for a fixed amount of time is the key, i think. New people can be added, if they are with us all weekenend. I think the disruptive element comes from folks who drop in and drop out and those of us who feel the need/obligation/responsibility to engage with said drop ins (known or not) even if we are in our own thing.
I know I am not saying this artyfully, but for example I don't have any trepidation about Emily coming (other than Mim's attention being diverted, but hey, I'd rather have Mim in a diverted attention mode than not happy or gods forbid, not there), because she will be in the mode of incorporating herself into the group (presumably) and around for the whole experience...relaxing the time frame for hanging and not hanging with her as a newcomer, for example.
I also hope folks don't have trepidation about Tawnee coming back. She really loved her experience two years ago and is game again for this year.
I've been drinking a lot of beet juice lately (with ginger, and other unmentionables) and have been sorely tempted to think of a drink recipe to bring with me using this elixir --(forgive me in advance for this one) -- perhaps we could invent the...
Mary Beeten Bloody?
Or Mary Beet Ginger Bloody?
/me ducks and runs out of the room
You crack me up. Beet yer Mary Bloody.
I feel similarly about new folks & drop ins. The only thing I would add is that I also feel comfortable with a drop in if it's someone who has already been established as PorterHillian & that we know, like Sturgis, for example, who may not be able to come for the whole time, but it's always nice to see him for a day or so when he can come. Jaylin as well, of course.
& Anna-- no batteries!
& Mark-- we can move bloody marys to an on-demand thing, if you like-- if you want one, I'll just make it!
great! and jen and paul stanchfield usually come for an afternoon in there too :) often burrito night. and of course, jaylin, tawnee, and emily. all part of the wacky bunch.
and mark- shirts sound great. can they be BLACK? as black concert tshirts are indeed the best.
Mim-- as for starting a new post, it's ridiculously difficult, but get to your google account page, where you are able to manage your blogs. There's a friendly button there called "New" something or other-- click it & start writing, that's it. I had to search for My Google & sign in again, even though I'm already signed in.
oops-- and of course, I replied to Mim on the wrong thread. Maybe it's just me, not Google, who is challenged...
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