Author Archives: BettyW

Interactive Workshop Tip

Aside

If you are presenting a workshop/class in which you expect the participants to interact with you and each other, at the first meeting you may want (or need, depending on the material to be covered) everyone to go around the room to introduce themselves and say why they are there.

Unless you are specific in limiting them to only saying their name, be aware that this exercise will most likely take MUCH longer that you think. You may feel that it’s unwelcoming to set a time (ideally with a device that audibly indicates time has expired to everyone), but in my experience people so seldom get to talk with others who listen they do not know how much time they are taking.

My worst experience of this was at the beginning of a weekend retreat with a spiritual leader who arrived at the venue jet-lagged and sick, with a co-leader also not in great shape. We started going around the room of about 25 women at 7:30pm. By the time it was 12:30am we were still 5 people from the end, and had dealt with several people who claimed to be in need of exorcism, and others who would not take a hint to wrap up – the leaders just did not have the energy to stop the flood of TMI!

Produce Your Own Music Show (part 1)

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Aside from weddings, people who do not work in an entertainment business rarely think about booking live musicians. But arranging to have a small house or gallery concert can be easier and more affordable than you may think, as well as more enjoyable.

All you need for space is a living room or dining room whose furniture can be arranged to have room for 1-3 people and their instruments at one end/side, and for your audience to sit in folding chairs/ on pillows, etc. Alternatively, you may find an art gallery, store, or other space that will rent its use to you for a reasonable fee – for instance, Outpost 186 in Cambridge is available for $75 an evening.

Next choose your performer(s). A solo acoustic singer/songwriter/performance artist will be easiest to fit into a residential space, but I’ve performed with 4-5 piece bands at house parties. The questions to ask a band who will perform in your residence include:

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Origami as Survival Skill

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When I was quite young (elementary school, or before?) my grandmother gave us an Origami kit consisting of a small instruction book and various sheets of colored rice paper. I was never very interested in the flat designs, preferring the 3-D pieces, especially if they were functional in some way (e.g., paper airplanes).

One design in particular has stayed with me over the years, because it has repeatedly served me well in innumerable situations: the Origami Paper Cup!

There are few things more basic, yet more essential, than being able to transport water to your mouth or another location without dribbling. Yet how often do you find yourself in a place where water or other cool liquid is ostensibly available but lacking a drinking/carrying utensil?

The great thing about this skill is that it can be done with ANY piece of standard paper (I don’t suggest newsprint) – just drink quickly if forced to use one that is printed to avoid soaking off the ink! This week I was in dire need of a drink while at a bookstore reading where they had bottles of fruit drinks but were out of cups. A quick perusal of their free handouts/flyers shelf provided a suitable piece of paper for accessing the liquids.

Here’s how – whenever you are told to fold something, make a good sharp crease of the fold: Continue reading →