So Patrick's "our form of government post" was a good start I think. Maybe the x-inferno forum didn't work out, but it's giving me space to address something that I have been thinking about for a long time.

You may or may not know, but the church some of us go to has the goal of helping people be "real." (in other words, authentic, genuine, open.) As I said, I've been thinking about this for a while... some of us have been friends for many years, but I wonder how good we are at being real with each other. For instance: does anybody know that I've been an uncle for... at least 5 years now? Or that I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder when I was 14 or 15?

It just doesn't seem like "real" things come up very often. I think we are much better at having fun. And I understand being real means dealing with messy stuff: (like what happened in the political thread that patrick started) Or awkwardness, or having to admit you're wrong, or having to say sorry.

But I really think there is something good about living life in the "real."


So here's where I'm going with this:

I thought it might be interesting to start over with the political discussion, in a way. We could have a "REAL" party. We'll set up tables with different topics (and pizza!). When you sit at a certain table, you talk about a certain thing. Some topics would be easier to talk about than others. You're free to get up and leave the conversation whenever, and move onto something else. I think it could be a cool "experiment" of sorts, just to see how it goes. We could even have a list of talking points to guide conversation if it seems like it's stuck.

I'd appreciate constructive feedback from people.

im down, lets draw topics from a hat!

you know I'm down!

Me and Steve were talking about it, and just throwing ideas around.

What I would suggest is one table, instead of multiple. Each topic from Eric's said "hat" would be discussed for say 20-30 minutes, before the next topic is brought up. That way you don't have people choosing which discussion to join into, just whether or not they want into a certain discussion.

Also we tossed around the idea of having a sort of mediator, to keep discussions on track and try to help each discussion from getting out of hand. The only problem with that is finding an actual unbiased party for each topic.

Anyways it all sounds fun, you know I can't be serious, but I like pizza. NUMMY NUMMY!

Good idea Jason/Steve.

yeah I think the one table is a good idea. maybe two hats though: so we can switch off between heavy topics and lighter ones.

and I have ideas for setting ground rules, and encouraging listening and patience.

So how would a Monday afternoon/night work? if so, is this Monday too soon?

im down

This sounds interesting, and perhaps a bit daunting, but I'd be interested. If this goes down, Monday works for me as long as it's after 6pm.

So yeah. Our place. 6:30pm. We'll all throw in for pizza. Bring drinks or snacks or something!

So, I know that I missed yesterday but I was wondering when/if you guys were going to do it again. I want to go, see what happens.

I Also missed yesterday, but I hope all went well.

We tossed around the idea of meeting once a month. So we need a date for september.

it was really fun, you all need to be there next time slackers!

im down for the 19th, i got no plans

lol