grungy-gonads 54 Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 In the chat box soubs was just mentioning that tomorrow he has the "community clean the river day" and will be starting at 6am for that. I don't take part in stuff like this - I never actually get invited that I know of. But I do actually like the idea of them. I suppose in the countryside it might be more part of what goes on. Do you take part? Yes when I can / am invited I don't know of any No way. I avoid Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 I found out I wasn't been invited and that was why a few neighbours weren't being too friendly? (How am I to know!) Anyway I did a community clean up last month and got on with a few more people. It was fairly fun actually (even though it was cleaning) and there was lots of sake at the end! Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 No sake this morning unfortunately. Lots of empty pet bottles and polystyrene. Lots of people taking part too. In a small country town like this, the community is very stable and everyone knows everyone. People are kept informed about these activities, and absences are noted. Some might find the neighbourly scrutiny a little oppressive, but it is a small price to pay for a self-organising, self-policing society. And the riverside is now free from rubbish Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 How long did it last soubs and how often do they do things like this? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 It lasted less than an hour. A few hundred people organised into groups all responsible for a section of the river got it done pdq. Today was unusual in that it was a whole-town effort. In our local community (about 10 households), there is one local clean up per month, depending on weather. In the winter we don't clean, but the garbage station has to be kept clean of snow. That devolves to me for about 2 weeks every year. Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 10 households! - small community! How big is the town in population? Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 About 10,000 in the town. Everything is split down into small groups to make things manageable. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 You need to add: Im too busy to be able to take part. They ask me to help clean up the gutters, along the river bank, etc, but I never can. Not that I want to, mind you. They always do it when I either have entrance exams or T&F. Oh well, I think those who have all that free time should do it as I certainly dont have much and dont wanna waste my time... Link to post Share on other sites
JA2340 16 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 +1 and I took a three hour wander around and around a local oval in a fund-raiser for cancer research, the biennial (not sure of the right word, it happens every 2 years, anyhow) "Relay for Life" in our city. There were thousands taking part, you walked as a team, people sponsored the team for the 24 hour walk. We did 3 hours, 1800 - 2100 and other members of the team did other times. It was a fun (if exhausting) time, caught up with a lot of people we knew, walking for other teams, and our team managed to raise $700. Dunno the final total, but it will ALL go towards research into cancer cures. We help out at the smaller local level, too. Cleaning the community hall for a function, standing outside polling booths handing out "how to vote" cards, etc. Link to post Share on other sites
Curt 1 Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 I've quite enjoyed taking part in a few things here. It's a good way for someone to transform from being a person who ignores you and walks the other way to being friendly neighbour, and for just that it is worth it. Link to post Share on other sites
1 4 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Good local event this weekend. Well, it was last year anyway. Lots of dancing and friendliness.... even from the dudes who usually walk past you without acknowledging you at all. Would be good if that kind of friendliness spilled over into non-matsuri situations. Have a good one. I'll be drunk! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 They can be fun. I pick and choose, though I do live in a fairly large town (for an inaka town). Actually I always forget, it's a city now. Laughable that. Link to post Share on other sites
Amos in Utsunomia 0 Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I like the events here, though I live in a small village (near a city but far enough to be separate from it). It is a good change to get to know people and as someone above said people tend to get on so much better for that short time. Got something on tomorrow night I think, I'll be checking it out. Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I don't think the UK really does community events much now. Just small village things, my parents village have an annual fair, very laid back it is. Link to post Share on other sites
abmcdonald 0 Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Last community even I did was I shaved my head for movember. I raised over $2000... I was a very ugly, ugly man for 3 months. Never again!!! I use to do a lot when I was younger, always in on the clean-up australia day etc. But now not so much... Alex Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 interesting how some people really suit being bald - and others don't. sounds like you think you were the latter, Alex! Link to post Share on other sites
Amos in Utsunomia 0 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Well the event last week was fun. Lots of yoyshoi or whatever it is, lots of friendliness and food and lots of sake. I actually have made a point to try and keep on this friendliness with some of the people I was with last week - hope they feel the same way!! Link to post Share on other sites
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