attribution: GreyHawk
Everything is relative - unless you're
not talking about actual relatives, or if you
are talking about relativity. In all other instances, it can be more of a matter of personal preference, perspective and context.
When it comes to gathering with others to share food, drink, intellectual curiosity or just good conversation & company, timing is everything - and so is location. Sometimes, it's not easy to plan for all possibilities - people have to make decisions, commitments and take action. We see this all the time with regard to "Get out the Vote" efforts; we see if every time we get out of bed to either go to work or to go look for work, or take up whatever task or activity we need to start in order to launch headlong into our daily lives.
Sometimes, the number of potential options can be staggering, each with it's own set of conditions & caveats.
To navigate our way through the options, we have a variety of tools, methods and practices at our disposal. Some are old, some are new, and some are new twists on old favorites. For example, I've created a document using a piece of software that allows me to create "mind maps" in order to visually depict the BosKos meetup agenda and options. Take a jump over the fold to learn more...
The mind map below was created using a piece of software called "XMind." It's a neat little tool for the visual exploration of ideas and relationships. Some folks here are likely familiar with a number of various similar packages ("Freemind" is a commonly known one).
I felt it was a convenient way to display some of the options and opportunities we have touched on in the past. Give it a click - it'll open in a lightbox (theoretically):
A "mind map" of BosKos 2014 options
If you take a closer look at the upper right corner, where it reads "Upcoming," you'll see the following possible dates with initial venues:
- April 12 or 13 - Either Saturday or Sunday: Cafe Barada
- May 10 - WarrenS Climate Concert, Newbury St., Boston
- May 31 or June 1 - Either Saturday or Sunday: Greek Corner
I'm thinking I'd like to have a meetup for each - the next one on either April 12 or April 13. We have some folks who can't make Saturdays, others who can't make Sundays, so we're going to need to stagger those days.
I popped out initial venues next to the dates to make selection a little easier, but keep in mind we're not limited to those - this is the place for you to chime in with possibilities, in the comments below. Just take a look at some of the places outlined for possible venues:
- The Greek Corner (Cambridge)
- Cafe Barada (Cambridge)
- Medieval Manor (Boston; requires reservations)
- Museums, Aquariums, Exhibits (Boston & Environs)
- Bluefin, at Leslie (Porter Square)
- Redbones (Somerville)
- Maggiano's Little Italy (Theater District (Chinatown))
- Pho Pasteur (Chinatown)
And, check out the possible other activities:
- Isabella Stuart Gardner
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Museum of Science
- New England Aquarium
- Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy in Andover (about 20 min north of Boston on Rte 93) Exhibit: James McNeil Whistler paintings
- Wistariahurst in Holyoke
Those aren't complete lists - they just happen to be possibilities I've put into the mind-map, many of which were discussed either in past BosKos diaries or in person-to-person communications.
There are near endless possibilities, but in order to realize them we have to start making some choices, and then work toward achieving them. There will always be challenges, bumps in the road and distractions. Some are very real and unavoidable - others are all in the mind. Let's push through and come up with a date - take the poll, and leave suggestions or feedback in comments.
Just remember, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter. Except when it matters anyway. Except when it matters a lot.
Just remember, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter. Except when it matters anyway. Except when it matters a lot.
attribution: GreyHawk
attribution: GreyHawk