Open Door Project | Part 4
I’m sorry it’s been two weeks since our last post. I was horribly ill for part of it and for the rest I’ve been totally consumed with The Open Door Project. I’ve been researching social network platforms, writing manifestos and mission statements, interviewed developers, locating solid hosting providers, networking with other community minded people and generally just having an AMAZING time. If you can’t tell…I’m all in!
There’s been some exciting developments with the project that I’ll be sharing very soon. For now I’ll say that I’ve had the opportunity to share those ideas with a handful of folks and it has spread!!! This little idea has literally travelled around the world and many have written to share their thoughts and support. It seems that the Open Door Project has struck a chord with people and I’m more driven than ever to see it through. Here’s what a few folks have said:
“I think your project is a great idea. Your project…will allow connections to be made and (make) those involved a bigger more connected part of their immediate community.”
-Dwayne Storm from Scotland
“Your Open Door Project sounds very interesting! I really appreciate your courage and commitment to take the project forward.”
-Raju from India
“The Open Door Project sounds like a very cool idea. I too, have visions for bettering our communities through online community interaction.
-Billy from the US
“Really nice meeting you. As a community developer myself, I am happy to see more participation in this arena. Thank you.”
-Vida Mas from Brazil
“I think it is bloody awesome!”
-Wes from Australia
I’m blown away by the support we’ve received. Many thanks to all of you! The funny thing is that it hasn’t even officially launched yet, it’s still just an idea. So having said that, here is the latest draft of the flier text we’ll be giving to our neighbors. Please let us know if you’d suggest any revisions. If not, we’ll be giving them out this Friday.
_______________________________
Hi. My name is Bryce. My wife Britta and I are your “neighbors” from apartment 1020.
For as long as I can remember, the front door to my Grandparents house was always open to visitors. Friends of our family would drop by all the time just to say hello. My Grandpa would greet everyone with a resounding “Hello there!” and Grandma would start some fresh coffee. We would all sit around the kitchen table, catch up on life’s recent happenings and laugh for what seemed like hours. Those conversations and all of those good people are still some of my favorite memories.
My wife and I would like what my grandparents had. The problem is that we don’t know our neighbors and we don’t let folks in as freely as they did back then. Well…we’ve decided that’s just not good enough.
We’ve come up with a plan. It may sound a little far out, but we would like to meet all the people who live in Wimberly Apartments that are willing, starting right here in building #10. We’re opening our door and inviting everyone over. We’ll hang out for a bit, eat some food, drink some drink and find out what great people live just outside our door.
I’ve written more about this on our family website. www.BryceandBritta.com. It might better explain our goal with this and will tell you a bit more about who we are. Begin by reading, “Meeting the Neighborhood” and then you can follow our progress by reading the Open Door Project updates.
Then, give us a call or send us an email so we can schedule a little time to hang out soon. We really look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Bryce and Britta Peterson
_______________________________
- Other posts from The Open Door Project -
Comments
Great letter, Bryce! Can’t wait to hear the updates of how it all pans out. Godspeed!
Justin’s last blog post..spaceships:
danielholter:
copycats:
With or Without You by…
[Reply]
Nice update. Has anyone come over yet? Met anyone new yet? I’m so interested to know.
[Reply]
I love it. And yeah.. I think it is bloody awesome mate!
You are inspiring me to put our-selves more ‘out there’.
[Reply]
Bryce-
Have you been inside my head? Your grandparents sound exactly like mine. Every Saturday morning, my grandma would get up at dawn and start baking. By 8:00, cars would be rolling in, and she would have coffee ready and a big pile of homemade cinnamon rolls and toibuk on the table. Folks would sit and visit for hours, or until they saw another car roll slowly by outside. One car would leave, making room for others at the table. This went on pretty much the whole weekend, every weekend, and was a huge part of my life growing up.
We’ve tried to have the same outlook at Tshimakain- you never know who will be eating at out table. One week we had 5 guys from UGM at the table, and found out that all 5 had been kicked out of Disneyland for one reason or another- like doing drugs in the parking lot!
To make it sweeter, the table that had 54 years of my grandparents’ history is now in our dining room, and has hosted literally hundreds of dinners and people around it. Pretty soon, you need to bring Britta and the baby up for dinner, and we’ll break bread and share! Awesome!
[Reply]
Leave a Comment