Thursday Agenda
- Check in
- Opening Blessing
- Project Work
- Ben: Learn about Eric's progress on Buckleberry
- Ben: Write a blog entry about it
- Eric: Learn about Ben's progress on Flight in a Cage
- Eric: Read Ben's latest novel draft
- Evaluation
- Closing Blessing
Check-in
- Eric … Making progress on Auberge Paradis … got quite a bit of work done in the garage building a new loft … organized our 7 bikes, important since we want to include bicycle rental as part of the bed and breakfast … kind of a practice project for Buckleberry
- Ben … I’m feeling nervous about my team at work pushing too hard to go fast. On the other hand, I am proud of how fast I am going on the novel, so maybe that’s a double standard.
Opening Blessing
We come together to take stock of the work, to prove to ourselves that our direction is right and that the work is building upon itself. May this new exercise of accountability and celebration be inspiring. -- Blessed Be
Eric's recent-ish Buckleberry progress
- Entrance culvert may already be built (contractor hasn't called yet)
- Shopping for trailer or RV … looking at used ones in $3-5K range
- Want to survey the land before getting too deep into design
- Auberge Paradis is moving more quickly
Eric's work on building a hobbit-style bed and breakfast at his Buckleberry forest property is off to a strong start, with a new entrance to the property probably already finished (the contractor hasn't confirmed this yet). Eric has narrowed his search for the property's first "residential structure" to a couple of options, a used trailer or RV that would provide living space to people visiting the land while more permanent structures are under construction.
As for what to build, Eric has some solid design ideas for the hobbit holes and a green-roofed parking garage, which I helped him flesh out and expand at the Shiny Green Acorn Festival last weekend. However, before making final decisions about where everything goes, Eric needs to make a thorough survey of the topography he'll be building on. (On, not under, because the design actually calls for the hobbit holes to be built on stilts to let water flow freely to the tree roots beneath them!) The survey may also include selection of the best trees in which to build treehouse dwellings linked to the hobbit holes with spiral stairs, an exciting new concept I contributed to the design process.
Meanwhile, work has accelerated on the test bed for the Saumurs' ideas about running a bed and breakfast for nature aficionados: their new home on the edge of Gatineau Park, which Michelle christened Auberge Paradis (Paradise Inn). Job one is to get the house organized after the move. Eric and Patrick have been working on renovations including a new kayak-storage loft in the garage, which will get the Saumur's two kayaks out of the way and free up garage space for storing other stuff. Some new storage shelves in the basement will contribute to this purpose as well. Eric is also working on organizing the family's collection of seven bicycles, at least some of which will be available for rental when Auberge Paradis opens for business.
Ben’s recent progress on Flight in a Cage
- It has been really nice to have the time of the bus to work on the novel each day.
- I’ve been struggling with how much to reveal about the villains' activities vs. remaining mysterious
- Summary from email before meeting: In fact, while I did slow down for a while, in the past month I've been working harder than ever, and I have a lot to show for it. I actually finished my first Interlude chapter quite a while ago, and I've now added two chapters of Part 2, with new characters, a big new setting (the city under the ice of Europa), and a couple of pivotal action scenes.
- I have a scene that tackles race issues more directly than I have before in the book.
Evaluation
- Ben … That was fun
- Eric … I really like that SolSeed creates the space where the most important thing in my life is reading somebody's novel. Especially a good one like that.
Closing Blessing
We are here together sharing the work that we have done toward our shared highest aspirations, and sharing our appreciation for each other’s work, This is what SolSeed is for. May this mutual encouragement carry us far on the road to fulfilling our dreams -- Blessed Be