oh man

I am really flying and buzzing and getting started and active and all sorts of excited stuff.  Had a great meeting this morning with a fellow yogini about the 'I'll Have What She's Having Project'  its probably going to morph and change title. Though I do like this one more than 'How to be a Cool Old Lady" which is exactly the same thing but without the word old.  I dunno. It might change back again. 

Lots of ideas bouncing around, but I loved having her editors head view point on it.  We came up with a lot of things, but perhaps the main thing was.

"Empowering women to value themselves regardless of money and be beautiful regardless of youth"

other things, such as a campaign for real equality, redefining beauty, redefining what 'an empowered woman' is. Recognising the female perspective, influencing society.  Questions, such as who am I talking to, how does it pay, what headings will it have, how and who will contribute.  Words likes style, self confidence. influence, confidence, support. 

And also the whole thing about Annesley.  About creating a retreat venue, not necessarily a retreat.  Perhaps more of a movement. A REAL wild school, a centre for shared learning, creativity and collaboration.  And whether the whole thing can be done without money. 

I don't even know where to start with this BIG idea.  I had a brain wave on Saturday.  You know, one of those moments that hit with absolute clarity.  Provokes a flurry of excitment, huge beating heart buzzingness.  I just realised that it might be possible.  You know, the whole thing.  Regardless of money or influence.

It started when my colleage at People Who Do was describing a high level pay regrade at the university.  At this level, its not about skills that you have, its who you are.  What kind of person are they? And there are lots of psychometric testing things, but one of the questions that struck me between the eyeballs, was.... how would you change things without a budget and without power. 

And I put it all together, when I was reading something about money. I am quite fascinated with money - you know - as a concept, and a reality.  And this point of view i was reading, suggested that you examine what it is that you think having more money will bring you.  So I honestly examined my motives.  I felt that if i was very 'successful' as in, you know I had earned lots of money somehow, then what I had done would be of interest to others.  So my need, to be answered by money, was 'influence' and 'credibility'.  And then this point of view, suggested that you go about getting those qualities first. 

And it was at that point that I decided that I would - at least try - to buy Annesley and create a centre for creativity, help my parents financially and keep it in the family - and do something with it, that it is crying out for........  without budget or power.  Lets see how far I can go.  It is, I believe, possible.  I don't yet know how.  But I am on the case of finding out.  I am speaking to an expert in cooperatives, a social entrepreneur, I have 2 charitable status folk to speak to, and one of them in an accountant for charities.  There is a friend of a friend who is in the process of 'buying' a house in France under the same principles. And someone who has set up a business with 'semi-charitable' status.  I have examined the possibilities of kickstarter.  AND whatever happens, my brother and I will be organising two 'retreats' or whatever they are called.  One more about visual arts and theatre or  - well it could be all sorts of things, but so far, I have artists, yoga teachers and a pupeteer keen.  And my brother is organising an event for classical musicians.  These will be self taught, or the teaching will be shared.  Or self generated.  Banquets will be held.  Meanwhile the estate agents can bring in viewers to see how the house can be used.  Because until we have a water tight business plan and funding set up, to equal or better what the house is on the market for, the house is still on the market.  Its very exciting.  It will at least come to these two events.  Unless a buyer pops up in the next 2 months anyway.  And if they do, well, they do.  Its the situation that exists.  We will keep going with our offer and our folks can take which ever they choose.  Tis their house.