I would love it if we could organise a day or 2 of skills exchange, where idlers could turn up and socialise and attend classes hosted by other idlers on topics they are passionate about. I like to share and I like to learn, so this seems like a day of fun for everyone.

This is what I think we would need to make this happen.

1. We would need a hosting venue with several meeting rooms (several classes could be running at the same time)
2. A nearby large garden with play areas for children to come along (family friendly) and other activities to be hosted.
3. A marquee tent depending on the weather in case of inclement weather.
4. A list of skills donors interested in participating.
5. Essential would be a talented clown (to entertain the kids), and a musician or 2 (to entertain the kids and the adults).

Entry and a little refreshment could be free for idlers who volunteer their skills (e.g. some hours for preparation work and training), and a small fee for those who want to come and join the classes. The idea is not for profit, but to cover any expenses incurred in running the event.


For this idea to work, each skills donor could indicate the skills they could offer, and the skills they would like to learn. There would be no need for everyone to post here as the thread would quickly become cluttered and perhaps too discursive (I'm thinking of the idle cooperative housing thread some time back). I'm not interested in discussing why it won't work: I know it can work, and I'm only interested in making it happen. If other people want it to happen, then you could post our interest here and we will do it ourselves.

So for example:

Longtail offers:
1) Bicycle maintenance courses. Please bring your bicycle on the day, and any bicycle tools or spanners you have for communal class use (labelled with your initials for returning).
2) Chess lessons. Student should already know the basic moves. Please bring your chess set if you have one.
3) Drupal website design. Student should already be familiar with basic terminology (nodes, blocks) and the Drupal architecture. Preparatory material and exercises can be emailed to attendees before the course. The purpose of the course is to teach you how to design a website (using free existing templates) to run your own small-ebusiness.

Longtail would like:
1) Photography lessons.
2) Cooking lessons.
3) Inspirational talks from people about alternate ways of living, living outside the mainstream, talks about cooperative living.
4) To learn simple magic tricks, e.g. with a coin, or with cards.

So IF members, this is what I wish could happen with the IF in 2010.. what would other members like to happen?

Face painting, bouncy castles, shiny helium balloons and hula-hooping please.

Great idea Longtail ,


i am looking for much the same as you really , a place to meet up and exchange ideas.I have floated the idea of doing some festivals next summer , spaces where heads can get together. Having been back in the country for a few days , i am currently in culture shock!

I urgently require intelligent human contact with a view to a peasant's revolt!

Does anybody know how to build really cool kites?
I've always wanted to be able to design and make those Chinese acrobatic kites. I like kites, kites are nice.
Maybe we could form an Idle aerobatic kite team. With a uniform of course. Flying kites is quite idle isn't?

I have skills in Guitar playing (finger picking, chordal, lead), oil painting, caricature drawing and general written and verbal sarcasm to exchange.

Plum would be happy to offer Longtail (and any other idlers) photography lessons!

Friendship.

SleepyJohn wrote:



Well put, A lot of maintaining one's sanity is knowing you do have a "tribe", even though in my case most of you are thousands of miles away.

I think the skills sharing idea is great one, but short of starting a branch of Canadian Idlers the chance of me participating " In the flesh" are rather slim as I only get over to Britain about every five years ;~)

Well Tinker. be sure to shout out hello when you do get back to Blighty and then we can arrange another meetup and ply you with beer!
It will be our pleasure.

I have quite a few skills to an intermediate level and would be very happy to share of them on an impromptu and informal basis, but don't have the confidence to share them on the formal, ie. where peeps pay to learn. I would hate to be seen as an expert on anything. I feel much more comfortable saying or showing what I know in a way where peeps can disagree with me if I'm wrong. That way, I can learn as well as teach my subjects.

I like your positive attitude, Longtail! I'm just letting my own lack of self-confidence show it's head here, it seems.

I'm looking for immortality in 2010. And immorality.