2 minute read
The theme of this one is: “it’s important to try lots of different things!”
Way back in the spring of 2024, I got it in my head to host a walking tour of all the murals in my neighbourhood. I could count 10+ just in my head, so I figured it would be a nice walk, and we’d get to see some cool art!
I hosted 7 people on this side quest, and I only knew 6 in advance. Yes, some were my family members, but it still counts.
I had “speeches” written for each mural. Sometimes I would offer detailed background about the Ritchie neighbourhood, and with other murals I would give the name of the artist and date of the mural.
Many attendees said they learned something new, and all said that they had a lovely walk. It helped that it was a hot, sunny night.
We capped off the end of the tour with a stop inside a dessert cafe in West Ritchie. Everyone was extra please at the air conditioning.
I considered it a huge success at the time, and still remember it fondly.
It was super important to me to try something new, do an activity that interested me, and incorporate walking and learning.
Shortly after this Side Quest, I posted a new one. I offered a guided tour of the new Valley LRT line from Davies up to Churchill, then transfering to another line. The plan was to wander around the Alberta legistature grounds, have a short picnic, then head back home on the train.
Comparatively, it got crickets. I made the hard (but sort of easy) decision to cancel it in advance.
TRY A LOT OF THINGS
I spent 5 years trying to guess what people might like to do, and how folks want to interact with their world and each other, based on what I think is interesting. Murals were an easy win, as I’ve seen other people have big success with mural tours.
“Ride the new LRT to the legislature downtown” was a bit more fuzzy around the edges, harder to explain, harder to sell. Especially to my “regulars” who kept trying to make it even more complicated. For example, “I don’t want to ride the train, but I’d like to come to the legislature, where can I meet you and at what exact time?”
Complexity ruins it every time. “Keep It Simple Sweetie” is the best rule. I need to keep reminding myself that.
I also like to remind myself that it doesn’t hurt to try a lot of things. I might not have enough time or energy to try all of my Big Ideas, but I can try enough of a variety to see what sticks.
It also helps that energy if I stick to a theme that I enjoy or can pull off more easily. I love riding the LRT and thought that would be a cool way to introduce people to the train and the city. But other people didn’t buy into the entirety of the Side Quest, so it was a dud.
Not Ladylike Community 