 |
Host 84236 |
| Help Exchange |
helpx.net |
Frankford
All Year: Yes
Area (ha):
Persons: 2
Category: Homestay
|
Host ID: 84236
Region: Mid Atlantic
Note: Please login or register if you wish to see all full size photos and part reviews. You will also require to upgrade to premier membership in order to view contact details, weblinks and complete reviews.
Last Updated: September 2, 2019
|
|
15 Aug 2019 Update
Hello, I'm Martin! Come visit Dave and me as we build an intentional community which supports and encourages its members to become better versions of themselves. We consciously try to treat ourselves, each other, and the environment gently.
Roosevelt said “For those who fight for it life has a flavor the sheltered will never know.” We live a lifestyle of voluntary poverty which is filled with discovery, adventure and real, live, human interaction (Gasp!). Occasionally, we are without electricity, water or heat. We have become very skilled at adapting and overcoming. The skills and attitudes cultivated here are vital for survival in a post-collapse society.
No, we are not some kind of Doomsday Cult. Frankly, an apocolyptic bang would be nice. Unfortunately, myself and those around me see a future where 10% of the population live comfortably while the rest of us malinger in their squalor. Governments are not moving fast enough to combat climate change, overpopulation, homelessness, deforestation, pollution, unemployment and inflation. We all know it is unsustainable. The party is at it's best now, and we are going to pay for it with a massive social hangover. While the idealist in me likes to think we can change the world, the realist in me knows all we can really do is prepare for the coming austerity.
Where are you going to be when this sadistic game of musical-chairs is over? Maybe you will be here!
We offer three different routes to visit, or join, the community. Those routes are Working, Teaching or Learning.
WORK
Coming here to work is an excellent way to see if you fit into our community. All workers start with a one-week trial period. We expect 20 hours of work in exchange for room and board. All work is considered voluntary, and no wages are paid. We operate as Opportunistic Entrepreneurs and you may be doing any number of things such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, power-washing, welding, or construction. Assignments are based on skills, interests and aptitude. At the end of the week, we all sit down and have a talk about what you are going to do next.
TEACH
Teaching is another way to see if our community is a good fit for you. Like working, your teaching is in trade for room and board with no wages paid. Similarly, teaching comes with a one-week trial period and a chat about your future in the community. We are very interested in adding a member to teach fitness and/or martial arts. Wing Chun/Wing Tsun or Krav Maga preferred. Salsa Dancers and Rolfing therapists are wanted as well.
LEARN
I offer accommodations to those seeking to learn a new skill or trade. Currently, I am teaching week-long seminars on welding/metalwork, mechanics and basic construction techniques. These seminars are geared towards those seeking to fabricate their own Tiny Home. Meals, housing and materials are all proviided. Discounts available for groups. Please contact me for seminar scheduling and pricing.
THE COMMUNITY
I would like this place to be an oasis for all square-pegs, misfits, geeks, black sheep, odd-balls, Aspies, strange and quirky people. Here you can be yourself - you don't have to "pass" with us. You don't have to explain to us or hide that weird thing you do - I don't know what it is, but we all have strange little things - stims or behaviours. It's OK here, we get it - because we do it too. For example, my hands have calluses on them from a strange rubbing motion I do subconsciously. Neuro diverse, Aspies, HFAs, HSPs, and even people without labels are welcome here.
YOUR HOST
I am a 49 year-old happily-divorced man who lives about 8km from a 100km strip of beach resorts on the east coast of the United States. My undergraduate degree is in philosophy and my first graduate degree is in law. I am also ABD in Adult education. In the past I ran a boutique recording studio/record label that specialized in classical music. Both my writing and photography have been published. I am an HFA/Aspie.
I have a bohemian, adventure-seeking, care-free lifestyle and prefer blurring social boundaries rather than cling to strict traditional arrangements or roles. The atmosphere here ranges from monk-like solitude and silence during the winter to lit frat-house style ravers in the summer and fall. It really depends on the chemistry and mix of people here. I practice Gestalt-style style communication. This means I'm very present in the moment and will tell you what I'm thinking unedited. The coddled, the lukewarm, the easily offended and privileged have not done well here.
OUR VALUES
We are secular humanists. We believe in science, reason and human flourishing. All our decisions are filtered through a litmus test of whether or not the outcome improves the life of BOTH the individual AND group.
We look to Mazlow's Hierarchy of human needs for guidance. In particular, the bottom row of needs: food, water, shelter, clothing, etc. The purpose of the community is to provide the bottom most Mazlow needs to all of the community members. The purpose of the member is to generate value for the community, in return, the community cares for the member and his or her needs. This will be absolutely essential during the impending collapse.
Ultimately, I I see 10-12 artisan workers, each having a tiny home, in a permaculture based community. Permaculture absolutely essential for us to exist post-collapse. Although we have land to farm, we have no farmers among us, yet.
Come visit me and learn about yourself. Maybe you will find a home here.
Martin and Dave
|
|
|
