you never get a second chance to make a first impression...

[entrope.livejournal.com]

I have so much to say about this weekend. I can't think of a single thing that expresses it well enough. However, Weegoddess said it very very well.

...it was just this side of Nirvana to be among people whom I knew had to exist somewhere in the world. To be with They who understand that everyone has his/her own special beauty. And that touching, stroking, compliments, hugging and kissing are not necessarily (or even usually) a prelude to sexual involvement. But that love and acceptence are as important as food and water for our survival. And that we all have warts, somewhere. A whole slather of folks to connect to and to have the time to actually have conversations beyond the party-talk that tends to run more superficial than I'd like. And, when I thought I couldn't hold one more bit of Wonderful, there was lavender ice cream.

And after all this, I still can't even begin to describe how grateful I was to be a part of it.

Some of the primary things:

1. Ice cream. Some of it was great, some of it was...umm...creative. All of it was made with wholehearted enthusiasm, and who knew that circus peanut sorbet would be good?


2. People. The people were incredible beyond all reasonable belief. The more I get to know these folks, the more I count myself lucky to know them.


3. Kids. These children are going to rule the world. These adults are the ones that SHOULD be ruling the world. I mean....wow. I think that this is totally HANDS DOWN the best way to raise children and the more I see, the more I'm convinced. I was discussing this with someone while we were there, and he said he thought there were two reasons it works so well: 1) that kids get away with less shit because there are adults around, and 2) because of the numerous adults, there are more opportunities for positive reinforcement. Someone else added a third: 3) these kids get lots of interaction with adults instead of just kids, which is also important whether they're needing positive/negative reinforcement or just developing social skills.


4. The locale. It reminded me A WHOLE AWFUL LOT of the place that we do our family reunions. Quiet, rural, isolated, greeeeeeeen. I loved it.


5. Whatever indefinable something it was that made everything so relaxed and interactive and friendly. I can't quantify it, but I surely can appreciate it.

Imre and I had a great time. We arrived knowing only a few people and left feeling like part of a larger whole. At some point shortly after I arrived, someone said to me "Are you part of The Community? How long have you been part of The Community?" I thought to myself, "I don't KNOW of any initiation rites...hmm." So I responded, "I've been looking for you folks for a long time, and I finally found you when I moved here in June." And it's true. This might have been the initiation rite though. :)

Thank you all for being such a wonderful, vibrant part of our lives. You are appreciated, more than you can imagine. It was a really great time and I enjoyed meeting each and every one of you.

Comments

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Wow. Thanks so much for the glowing comments on what I wrote. I daresay lots of folks felt the way you and I do. And I agree completely with your take on the children and the Raising Thereof. If it takes a village to raise a child, then THIS is the village I want for mine. I often come up against closed-minded just-waiting-to-be-critical folk who have no idea what they are talking about and who can't wait to find fault with a non-mainstream community. And I tell them that the proof is in the children. I've never seen a more well-adjusted bunch.

That said, it was really good to see you guys there. You made it a great time for everyone else, just by your smiles and warmth. It was my first Baitcon too (though I already knew lots of the people) and it helped to know that I wasn't the only newbie.) I hope you don't mind if I friend your LJ...