Many thanks to Tom and Tony at The Good Show for their warm welcome. I had lots of fun this morning. They let me do a talk spot about Night Of Progress and Tolstoy House. I laughed. I cried. Okay, there was no crying, but there was definitely laughing, and both Tony and Tom were supportive of our efforts and vision for the community. Please check out The Good Show on Saturday mornings at 88.7 KTCU. It's actually a good show. :)
http://goodshow.net/
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Night of Progress
Click the link below to view the N.O.P. flier:
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/6/l_16c248030cc74021bca8b34cf094d327.jpg
If you haven't been, you should definitely check it out this time around. The N.O.P. is a community event hosting local bands and grassroots groups for a night of music, free food and awareness.
$5 donation is much appreciated, and, again, there is FREE and DELICIOUS vegan food available for your enjoyment.
You are the community. You belong here. We are less without your presence. Please come!
Any questions: lindsey@tolstoyhouse.com
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/6/l_16c248030cc74021bca8b34cf094d327.jpg
If you haven't been, you should definitely check it out this time around. The N.O.P. is a community event hosting local bands and grassroots groups for a night of music, free food and awareness.
$5 donation is much appreciated, and, again, there is FREE and DELICIOUS vegan food available for your enjoyment.
You are the community. You belong here. We are less without your presence. Please come!
Any questions: lindsey@tolstoyhouse.com
Upcoming Schedule
Community Open House and Potluck on the First Friday of each Month, from 6pm-9pm.
Yasnaya Polyana Garden Meeting on the first Monday of each Month from 6pm-7pm.
Learning Parties:
Join Us on the First and Third Mondays of the month for our semi-monthly Learning Party. We will be starting by working our way through the Introduction to Permaculture book by Bill Mollison and Reny Mia Slay.
Permaculture is a design system and proven techniques for creating highly sustainable low-impact human settlements. It teaches us how build natural homes, grow our own food, restore diminished landscapes and ecosystems, catch rainwater, build communities and much more.
This will not be an instructor led course, but a group discussion of the ideas and principles of permaculture. Experienced permaculturists are encouraged to participate as a way of helping to spread information and generate interest in permaculture principles in our community.
Learning Party events are free. Please bring resources to share including but not limited to books, slideshows, snacks, etc.
Schedule:
April 6th - An Introduction to Permaculture
April 20th - Permaculture Principles
May 4th - Site Design
May 18th - Pattern Understanding
June - 1st Structures
June - 15th Orchards
July 6th - Animal Forage Systems
July 20th - Urban and Community Strategies
Yasnaya Polyana Garden Meeting on the first Monday of each Month from 6pm-7pm.
Learning Parties:
Join Us on the First and Third Mondays of the month for our semi-monthly Learning Party. We will be starting by working our way through the Introduction to Permaculture book by Bill Mollison and Reny Mia Slay.
Permaculture is a design system and proven techniques for creating highly sustainable low-impact human settlements. It teaches us how build natural homes, grow our own food, restore diminished landscapes and ecosystems, catch rainwater, build communities and much more.
This will not be an instructor led course, but a group discussion of the ideas and principles of permaculture. Experienced permaculturists are encouraged to participate as a way of helping to spread information and generate interest in permaculture principles in our community.
Learning Party events are free. Please bring resources to share including but not limited to books, slideshows, snacks, etc.
Schedule:
April 6th - An Introduction to Permaculture
April 20th - Permaculture Principles
May 4th - Site Design
May 18th - Pattern Understanding
June - 1st Structures
June - 15th Orchards
July 6th - Animal Forage Systems
July 20th - Urban and Community Strategies
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tolstoy House Update
New things about the innards!
We have a new house mate! Her name is Caitlyn! She is wonderful! She is incredibly intelligent and asks GOOD questions.
Vern is now living in Chicago. We miss him a LOT.
Heidi left this morning for Hawaii. At the moment she is stuck in Arizona, but she will be in Hawaii soon. Which is good for her. Sad for us. She is most likely going to be working at a hostel/farm in Maui for the duration of her stay. We expect her back in about a month.
Open House at Tolstoy House is beginning in April, and will be on the first Friday of every month. 6 pm -9 pm Potluck. All are welcome(the next one is on April 3rd). Bring mutual respect, whatever love you have to give, and whatever questions/input you would like to contribute.
March 28th will be our next Garden Work Day, at 9 am.
Our next Gardening Meeting will be on April 6th at 7 pm.
Our next Learning Party will be April 20th(we will be going through the Introduction to Permaculture together) at 7 pm.
You are welcome to come. Please email us with any questions.
lindsey@tolstoyhouse.com
<3
Linds
We have a new house mate! Her name is Caitlyn! She is wonderful! She is incredibly intelligent and asks GOOD questions.
Vern is now living in Chicago. We miss him a LOT.
Heidi left this morning for Hawaii. At the moment she is stuck in Arizona, but she will be in Hawaii soon. Which is good for her. Sad for us. She is most likely going to be working at a hostel/farm in Maui for the duration of her stay. We expect her back in about a month.
Open House at Tolstoy House is beginning in April, and will be on the first Friday of every month. 6 pm -9 pm Potluck. All are welcome(the next one is on April 3rd). Bring mutual respect, whatever love you have to give, and whatever questions/
March 28th will be our next Garden Work Day, at 9 am.
Our next Gardening Meeting will be on April 6th at 7 pm.
Our next Learning Party will be April 20th(we will be going through the Introduction to Permaculture together) at 7 pm.
You are welcome to come. Please email us with any questions.
lindsey@
<3
Linds
Sunday, March 22, 2009
After the Whole Woman Festival
Yesterday I was privileged to speak on a panel of 12 women from this community. Our theme was "The Power Of Choice". Below is the speech I gave:
"Choice.
At first, realizing I had the power of choice was very frightening. It felt like being born, and walking around in a new place...a new world...it made me very nervous. It still makes me very nervous!
Sometimes we feel safety in being controlled, because we then have the freedom of surrendering our will. It takes much more courage to decide for yourself. If I have a choice to define what I am, what being a woman is for me, then, I don't have anyone telling me what to be. I am now solely responsible for my actions.
I have a responsibility to consider when I choose to place myself in the role of "activist" or "feminist", or whatever. It used to seem like this was a safe place to be, in relationship to being, instead, a victim. "Leaving the Victim Ocean, and sunning myself on the sandy shores of Empowerment."
But...there's this resentment...
And...this...superiority...
And...this "us" and "them, that...is not so safe.
In addition to the marginalization and misrepresentation of feminism(and other important social issues) in the media, I find myself contributing to the gap between the activist sub-culture and the mainstream population.
So...closing this gap. A great idea, but, still-pretty abstract. How can I really go about that?
I have the power of choice, and I can choose to look at my oppressors as the enemy, or I can choose to look at oppression as the enemy. I have been repeatedly victimized by males through out my lifetime. My instincts at first discovering my freedom, and recognizing oppression, have been to separate myself from males, and to look at them as the enemy. It has become easier for me to feel disconnected with them, and for me to distrust them, to fear them.
Reconciliation is key for me. It is in the best interests of not only women, but all humanity, that violence and violent mentalities against women be stopped. It is also in the best interests of all humanity that we learn how to, or remember to, work together with men, women, trans-gender, etc, etc...to bring these injustices to an end. To me, the power in making that choice is huge, and I am learning as I go how to apply these concepts to my daily life and interaction.
One question I ask myself is:
"What can my new approach be so that the efforts of this movement can be even more effective by encouraging unity?"
I think it is imperative that we continue asking ourselves these questions. It is also necessary that we keep these conversations going, and keep them in the open. It is not too much to ask that women be treated as human beings, rather than "the other sex". But we have to be motivated, not by revenge, but by the desires in our heart for unity-this will transcend our inability to love well. This will shift the consciousness of our society as a whole, so that we do not have to rely on the allies we recruit here and there from the mainstream.
I was born into activism from being victimized. I felt barren, vulnerable, and I was scared. Then choice, like clay in my once empty hands, began to take form..."
This was my first experience speaking publicly from the position of an "activist", or feminist. It felt right. It felt like where I belonged. I am very glad I was invited to participate, and enjoyed hearing the different places the other speakers chose to speak from. I was moved to tears by a couple of them.
Those of us who spoke were invited to distribute literature and/or merch at the Speakers' Table after our panel had finished speaking. James, Caitlin and I had put our heads together on what we wanted to convey during the week, and James composed a flier with some really good examples of how to use non-violent communication. The flier also lists the Open House/Potluck schedule for Tolstoy House. You can read the flier contents below:
"Bridging the Gap
Presented by Tolstoy House
All human beings have similar needs, and we have all learned different
strategies for meeting them. Violence, in word and in action, is a
learned strategy for meeting needs. When we encounter individuals with
different worldviews, like those who view violence or oppression
without empathy, or those who deny the existence or relevance of
social injustice, we have an opportunity to make a connection, if we
can figure out how to bridge the communication gap.
By recognizing and respecting our own needs we can create healthy
boundaries for ourselves, which will allow us to begin to identify and
safely meet the needs of others. If we are feeling upset, think about
what need of ours is not being met, and what we could do to meet it,
instead of thinking about what's wrong with others or ourselves.
Practicing Nonviolent Communication can be an excellent method for
bridging the gap between worldviews.
The Nonviolent Communication Model:
I. Observe without evaluation, judgment, or analysis.
Identify and acknowledge differing basic assumptions without applying judgment
e.g. "I hear you saying that great strides have been made on sexual
equality issues since the 1970's."
II. Express clearly the feelings which these observations evoke.
Stop and breathe, and consider how you feel without assigning blame or
associated thoughts. (Happy, Sad, Frightened, Angry, Loving,
Surprised, Bored, Weak, Confident)
e.g. "When you say that feminism is unnecessary, I feel nervous."
III. Determine what you “need” for the communication to be successful.
Recognize your own need, acknowledge the need and respect it. Ask for
your partner to acknowledge and even restate your need so that you can
know that you clearly understand one another. (Love, Autonomy,
Understanding, Fun, Creativity, Reassurance, Safety, Sustenance,
Certainty, Balance)
e.g. “I need to feel that the world is a safe place for women.”
IV. Make clear, positive requests that give your partner the
opportunity to meet your need.
e.g. “Could you please acknowledge the statistical evidence which
shows that violence against women is still a problem? It will help me
feel more connected to you.”
Resources: tolstoyhouse.com, cnvc.org, info@tolstoyhouse.com
About Us: One day, we will look around us and fully realize that we
are brothers and sisters. Then we will know the kingdom of god.
Tolstoy House is a residential community dedicated to cultivating
mercy, peace and love through relationships.
Tolstoy House Open House and Potluck is at 6pm-9pm on the first Friday
of each month at 1921 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth TX 76110."
If you have any questions about anything in this post, or would like to start a conversation involving any of its contens, please feel free to post here, or email me at lindsey@tolstoyhouse.com
love!!
-linds
"Choice.
Close your eyes, and picture the word as you would write it, in your own hand, on a scrap of paper.
Choice.
Look at it there, all alone on the hypothetical paper.
Now, with your eyes still closed, let the word leave the paper and enter into a world of exchanges between you and other persons...you and other things...places...sounds...it can be really abstract, right?
Open your eyes.
In the act of choice, we have an ability to affect ourselves, those around us, those at great distance. The earth. The present, the future. We could go so far as to entertain the thought that choice is a form of time travel. In that action, we can impact the now and the coming.Now, with your eyes still closed, let the word leave the paper and enter into a world of exchanges between you and other persons...you and other things...places...sounds...it can be really abstract, right?
Open your eyes.
At first, realizing I had the power of choice was very frightening. It felt like being born, and walking around in a new place...a new world...it made me very nervous. It still makes me very nervous!
Sometimes we feel safety in being controlled, because we then have the freedom of surrendering our will. It takes much more courage to decide for yourself. If I have a choice to define what I am, what being a woman is for me, then, I don't have anyone telling me what to be. I am now solely responsible for my actions.
I have a responsibility to consider when I choose to place myself in the role of "activist" or "feminist", or whatever. It used to seem like this was a safe place to be, in relationship to being, instead, a victim. "Leaving the Victim Ocean, and sunning myself on the sandy shores of Empowerment."
But...there's this resentment...
And...this...superiority...
And...this "us" and "them, that...is not so safe.
We are all more or less familiar with the different forms of oppression existing in our society, and within the world at large. I would assume most of us here have heard the words racism, classism, ageism, sexism. These words probably mean different things to each of us here. One or two of these words might seem like more of a reality to the person sitting to your left than to you yourself.
Why are we not all on the same page?
Why is it that, with all the statistics, testimonies...with all the proof of violent oppression still thriving in our midst, the assumption of the general population is so contrary to the facts?
In addition to the marginalization and misrepresentation of feminism(and other important social issues) in the media, I find myself contributing to the gap between the activist sub-culture and the mainstream population.
So...closing this gap. A great idea, but, still-pretty abstract. How can I really go about that?
I have the power of choice, and I can choose to look at my oppressors as the enemy, or I can choose to look at oppression as the enemy. I have been repeatedly victimized by males through out my lifetime. My instincts at first discovering my freedom, and recognizing oppression, have been to separate myself from males, and to look at them as the enemy. It has become easier for me to feel disconnected with them, and for me to distrust them, to fear them.
Reconciliation is key for me. It is in the best interests of not only women, but all humanity, that violence and violent mentalities against women be stopped. It is also in the best interests of all humanity that we learn how to, or remember to, work together with men, women, trans-gender, etc, etc...to bring these injustices to an end. To me, the power in making that choice is huge, and I am learning as I go how to apply these concepts to my daily life and interaction.
One question I ask myself is:
"What can my new approach be so that the efforts of this movement can be even more effective by encouraging unity?"
I think it is imperative that we continue asking ourselves these questions. It is also necessary that we keep these conversations going, and keep them in the open. It is not too much to ask that women be treated as human beings, rather than "the other sex". But we have to be motivated, not by revenge, but by the desires in our heart for unity-this will transcend our inability to love well. This will shift the consciousness of our society as a whole, so that we do not have to rely on the allies we recruit here and there from the mainstream.
I was born into activism from being victimized. I felt barren, vulnerable, and I was scared. Then choice, like clay in my once empty hands, began to take form..."
This was my first experience speaking publicly from the position of an "activist", or feminist. It felt right. It felt like where I belonged. I am very glad I was invited to participate, and enjoyed hearing the different places the other speakers chose to speak from. I was moved to tears by a couple of them.
Those of us who spoke were invited to distribute literature and/or merch at the Speakers' Table after our panel had finished speaking. James, Caitlin and I had put our heads together on what we wanted to convey during the week, and James composed a flier with some really good examples of how to use non-violent communication. The flier also lists the Open House/Potluck schedule for Tolstoy House. You can read the flier contents below:
"Bridging the Gap
Presented by Tolstoy House
All human beings have similar needs, and we have all learned different
strategies for meeting them. Violence, in word and in action, is a
learned strategy for meeting needs. When we encounter individuals with
different worldviews, like those who view violence or oppression
without empathy, or those who deny the existence or relevance of
social injustice, we have an opportunity to make a connection, if we
can figure out how to bridge the communication gap.
By recognizing and respecting our own needs we can create healthy
boundaries for ourselves, which will allow us to begin to identify and
safely meet the needs of others. If we are feeling upset, think about
what need of ours is not being met, and what we could do to meet it,
instead of thinking about what's wrong with others or ourselves.
Practicing Nonviolent Communication can be an excellent method for
bridging the gap between worldviews.
The Nonviolent Communication Model:
I. Observe without evaluation, judgment, or analysis.
Identify and acknowledge differing basic assumptions without applying judgment
e.g. "I hear you saying that great strides have been made on sexual
equality issues since the 1970's."
II. Express clearly the feelings which these observations evoke.
Stop and breathe, and consider how you feel without assigning blame or
associated thoughts. (Happy, Sad, Frightened, Angry, Loving,
Surprised, Bored, Weak, Confident)
e.g. "When you say that feminism is unnecessary, I feel nervous."
III. Determine what you “need” for the communication to be successful.
Recognize your own need, acknowledge the need and respect it. Ask for
your partner to acknowledge and even restate your need so that you can
know that you clearly understand one another. (Love, Autonomy,
Understanding, Fun, Creativity, Reassurance, Safety, Sustenance,
Certainty, Balance)
e.g. “I need to feel that the world is a safe place for women.”
IV. Make clear, positive requests that give your partner the
opportunity to meet your need.
e.g. “Could you please acknowledge the statistical evidence which
shows that violence against women is still a problem? It will help me
feel more connected to you.”
Resources: tolstoyhouse.com, cnvc.org, info@tolstoyhouse.com
About Us: One day, we will look around us and fully realize that we
are brothers and sisters. Then we will know the kingdom of god.
Tolstoy House is a residential community dedicated to cultivating
mercy, peace and love through relationships.
Tolstoy House Open House and Potluck is at 6pm-9pm on the first Friday
of each month at 1921 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth TX 76110."
If you have any questions about anything in this post, or would like to start a conversation involving any of its contens, please feel free to post here, or email me at lindsey@tolstoyhouse.com
love!!
-linds
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Garden Meeting
This Monday, March 23, at 7pm, there will be a meeting for anyone interested in helping out with the garden at Tolstoy House. So come on out because this green space is going to be a really rad opportunity for us and the neighborhood, everyone is welcome. If you have any questions or need directions to our house, please email me: adam@tolstoyhouse.com or leave a comment. Thanks.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Saturday Lineup!
there is a lot going on this weekend... if anyone is interested in attending any of the following with me, please let me know!
Saturday March 21st lineup of events:
10am War Protest
@: Worth Square near the Courthouse
11am-11pm Whole Women's Festival
@: Casa Manana
1pm-2pm Lecture: "Discovering Urbanism: An Introduction to Walkable, Livable Communities"
@: J. D. Moore Building, Near Southside
7:30pm The Vagina Monologues (starring Lindsey Denison)
@: Casa Manana ($15)
Saturday March 21st lineup of events:
10am War Protest
@: Worth Square near the Courthouse
11am-11pm Whole Women's Festival
@: Casa Manana
1pm-2pm Lecture: "Discovering Urbanism: An Introduction to Walkable, Livable Communities"
@: J. D. Moore Building, Near Southside
7:30pm The Vagina Monologues (starring Lindsey Denison)
@: Casa Manana ($15)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
This is Great....
I'm not sure who this guy is but he speaks the truth....
It's true... and therefore funny. It's funny, cause it's true. from Behind the Scenes on Vimeo.
It's true... and therefore funny. It's funny, cause it's true. from Behind the Scenes on Vimeo.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
That Light is God
Vern left today to move to Chicago. In many ways this really sucks because I miss him a lot already, but I know that this could be a really rad opportunity for him and he was really tired of being in Texas and we couldn't keep him caged here forever. If you've never had the chance to really get to know Vern, then you are missing out. It's been so amazing getting to know him over these past few months that we've lived together at Tolstoy House. Under his tough punk rock exterior is really an amazing man. I cannot begin to explain how I've been blessed by our endless conversations about everything from music, to God, to books and many other pointless, yet important things between. I can only selfishly hope that things don't work out for Vern in Chicago so that he can come back home, but I can also hope that my friend finds a little more of what he is looking for. I couldn't even tell him these things today before he left because I was crying and the few words that I did utter seemed to not convey all the things I wanted to say. Even now these words seem to fail. For now I can only wait until that day when we will be able to drink a pint together at "The Winchester" and perhaps then I can be more honest about what I feel. Why do we not realize what we have until it is gone? True friendship is rare for me and it seems to come and go at a whim, so I need to learn to seize what I have before it's gone. Well, I guess I just want anyone who reads this to know that Vern is an amazing man and you would all be better people for being his friend.Now Vern, if you are reading this, always remember, "don't let the bastards get you down."
I hope we can all cherish more deeply the relationships God has given us. None of us has to do this alone.....aw, fuck it dude, let's go bowling.
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