Re: Common House Sound Proofing
From: Elizabeth Stevenson (tamgoddessattbi.com)
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 10:54:01 -0600 (MDT)
I think this is great, your circle time. But it was something that was an
organic development, not imposed upon the group as a decision, and I think
that's where I had trouble. When you try to control behavior with rules, you
need to have some sort of consequence of non-compliance or the rule won't
really exist. I just don't think consequences are a good match with mealtime
enjoyment.
-- 
Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento, California
tamgoddess [at] attbi.com
> From: "Laura Fitch, A.I.A." <lfitch [at] krausfitch.com>

> Elizabeth Stevenson wrote:
> 
>> A centering exercise might work in a yoga class, but I don't see it working
>> at a common meal, unless, perhaps it's a common meal at a monastery!
>> 
> I'm not sure what is meant by a "centering exercise", but if it is
> anything like our "circle" than it CAN work at a common meal.
> 
> Around 6 o'clock folks at Pioneer Valley Cohousing gather in the common
> house, sit by the fire, hang out in the hall, check mail, play in the
> kids room etc., until the cooks call out "circle time".  Then there is a
> general movement towards the dining area, and we gather in a circle to
> hold hands.  It is usually a brief "circle" in which the cooks tell us
> what we will be having - what will be on the tables, and what dietary
> alternatives are available at the pass-thru.  Then there are
> announcements (this is my mother visiting from...don't forget the garden
> committee meeting tomorrow night...has anyone seen a black sweater...).
> Then  IF the cooks are so inclined they may choose to close the
> "circle" with a quick song, blessing, thank you, etc. (referrals to
> deities are frowned on by some, so usually avoided but not prohibited).
> Some cooks just want folks to get to the meal while it is hot and keep
> the "circle" really short.
> 
> The interesting thing is that, we never had any policy about "circle
> time", it was something that the cooks starting doing, it caught on, it
> worked, and everyone seemed to like it.  The kids were never required to
> join in, and usually didn't.  That was the part that didn't really work
> - they would often be jumping on the furniture right next to the
> "circle".  At some point I asked a few other parents if they wanted to
> join me in requiring our kids to join circle.  There was no community
> policy - just a family by family decision.  If circle worked somewhat
> before, it really worked after families pulled their children in and
> asked them to join and be quiet.
> 
> It is fabulous to gather together and see each others faces before we
> eat.  I cannot imagine our community without "circle time" before dinner.
> 
> This is not to say that acoustic treatment is not critical - it is
> essential!  We used Armstrong "nubby" panels, which I have been told by
> an acoustic engineer are the best bang for the buck!

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