Several weeks ago my girl-person and I were out with another couple I've not known for very long. They're a nice couple, wholesome, interesting and fun and I've enjoyed their company since being introduced to them. We meet now and then, mostly for something to eat and chat about about all sorts of things and it was on one such get-together the topic of a thirty day cycle was raised.
The other couple were saying that since the pandemic-debacle of 2020 they were generally more reclusive preferring to stay home rather than go out. There were many reasons: Rising cost of living, poor service and quality, increasing mortgage rates, favourite places closing, laziness and so on; my girl-person and I agreed as we found it was the same with us.
The conversation went back and forth and then the woman announced that she had a brilliant proposal:
"Let's make a going out and doing something commitment."
We talked it out and decided upon a thirty day cycle meaning we would get together on or around the 30th of each month and do something. I thought that seemed fair; we'd not be in each others pockets all the time and doing something with them once a month seemed completely feasible.
We came up with some rules:
- The choice of where and what we did would rotate between the four of us
- The person who picked the current month's activity determines the next person to choose
- The activity needed to be legit, i.e. not a fucking stupid or fucked up thing
- Each couple would pay for the activity evenly 50/50
- More rules could be tabled as time and requirements unfolded
Because the woman came up with the idea, the other three of us volunteered her to make the first choice and, despite some initial grumbling, she relented and accepted the challenge of going first.
The event is coming up shortly and, I have to say, it seems very legit; I'm looking forward to it.
The activity is run by a company called Studio Vino who run painting events at their own premises and at various locations around the city's greater metropolitan area; usually at locations where food and drinks are available. They also do private events.
The one we're attending is at a place called Imperial Measures Distilling, a bespoke gin distillery and burger place. It's pretty cool, even though I'm not much of a drinker.
It's a, paint your partner Picasso style theme.
Basically, they give each person a canvas, paints and brushes and everyone paints their partner in a Picasso style, guided by an expert artist.
Pablo Picasso is one of my least-liked painters however considering what his portraits are like it opens the door to some hilarious paintings created by nutbags like me. If you're not familiar with the painter and his style you can find some images of Picasso portraits here; it'll give you an idea of how wacky things are going to get.
Being at a gin distillery that serves burgers, a couple of gins and a burger will go down the hatch during the session and I think the event will be generally enjoyable. My plan is to do a post on the result, but don't expect anything great, I'm the worst artist on the surface of the planet so you'll have to keep that in mind.
If you're in any doubt about my artistic badness you can see one of my artworks here. Warning: It's fucken awful, or could just be totally brilliant! You decide.
I really like the idea of the thirty day cycle as it'll get us out doing new and familiar things with good people which can't be a bad thing right?
Me, being me, have a day in the forest planned for when it's my turn to choose complete with an open fire, some food cooked over flames and a few drinks. Coming into winter is the best time for such things and I already know where we'll be going...but it's a secret for now.
Have you and your friends and family ever done this sort of thing to promote good times and have new experiences?
It's easy to get into a routine and let the complexities of life take over dictating what we do and when...I think this is a cool way of wresting some of the power back, the power to seek new activities, experiences and events. You can see my design and create life-ethos below and I think that's exactly what we should all be doing.
Feel free to drop your comments below, tell me about your own design and create moments and any general comments you like.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Any images in this post are my own.