1. Submission: Score 6b (for Mary) - by Huw Webb & Alex Felicitas →

    Tea for Two

    One time zone
    One mountain range
    A few meadows
    And many fragile miles in between.  

  2. For Steph - #4

    1.       Pick on thing you want to do. Set aside one hour every day (before you go to bed, or at lunch, in the morning) and just do it. This can be done with things like learning a new skill (gardening, sewing, knitting), going for a walk outside, or even just making time with family and friends.

    2.       For one entire day, do not buy anything extraneous, and then try for one week. Make a game of it, and see how long you can go without buying things you don’t need.

    3.       Pick one day a week to either carpool to work, or find alternative means of transportation (walking, cycling, public transit)

  3. the (almost) last of the scores: #18 & 19

    #18 : for Jennafer

    The Self Care list
    _make a list of:
    _what you love
    _what makes you happy
    _where you have spare time in your day (even the cracks of time, lunch, morning)
    _match up your spare time and consciously spend time doing what you love and makes you happy
    eg. if you love drinking tea and you find it self-care (something that makes you feel content, healthy, and calms you), wake up early to drink it. Or have a thermos of it on hand and as you work, take an intentional tea break - focusing on the tea and how it makes you feel.
    #19
    _take a free class on something that interests you
    _socialize with classmates
    _give a free class or workshop on something that you have knowledge and confidence
    in facilitating (eg. social theory)
    _socialize with attendees and plan more!

  4. Scores 2, 8 and 15!

    #2 “Creative Cartography” 

    Create a map of your area. Bike or walk, taking photos of places and points of interest. Explore green spaces and new areas that you desire to become aquatinted with. Discover new bike paths and determine routes that get you places you often go. Using this information create a map — a personal resource that helps you feel comfortable in your knowledge of your area and the web of trails and bike paths that may lead to more pleasurable commutes. 

    Reference the City of Edmonton bike map if you like: http://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/cycling_walking/bicycle-map.aspx

    Document the experience: we would love to see your pictures and map!

    #8 For Heather

    “Community Consciousness”

    Take time to really become acquainted with issues affecting your community. 

    1. read your community newsletter.
    2. talk to your neighbors.
    3. pay attention as your travel through your neighborhood, what are obvious issues? What action is underway to address these issues? How are resources being used?
    4. attend community meetings.
    5. pick an issue you are particularly concerned with, do independent research. 

    When you are comfortable consider presenting your ideas to the community. 

    #15 For Vincent 

    “Get FIt!”

    a) Reclaim public spaces for sports and leisure activities in your community. Talk to local businesses, engage with city officials — any parties you see posing an obstacle to such events. Begin a discussion around happy, healthy, active citizens on a community and government level. 

    ie) talk to the Strathcona business association about shutting down Whyte Ave for a street hockey or wheelchair basketball tournament. 

    b) Plan and host an event and invite us!

  5. Scores: 6 and 10

    # 6 For Mary

    “Something to Write Home About”

    a)

    _Do something in Edmonton that pushes your comfort level

    _Tell someone from home about it. 

    b)

    _Think of an activity you’d like to engage in with a loved one from home. i.e.: Dinner

    _Agree on a date and time and go out to your respective local grocers and purchase the ingredients for a shared meal. Perhaps a curry!

    _Returning home, create your meal holding the other person in mind. 

    _When you eat, you will be eating together!

    #10.

    “I’d like to meet you”

    _Pick one day per week where you visit any tea or coffee house of your choosing. 

    _Sit at a table with at least one extra chair

    _Place a visible sign facing outward that reads: I’d like to meet you 

    (you may add the word “platonically” if you feel it’s necessary to quell the romantic undertones of this phrase)

    _Wait for someone to sit with you. 

    Of course, record your findings, observations, reflections and send them to us!

  6. Two new scores

    #11

    “When the earth is sick and polluted, human health is impossible…. To heal ourselves we must heal our planet, and to heal our planet we must heal ourselves.”                                                                                                                      
    -Bobby McLeod
     
    Environment Canada says air pollution alone costs the Canadian economy billions of dollars a year because of increased health-care costs, missed work days, and reduced productivity.

    a) _Observe the air quality in different locations and situations that you encounter regularly ie) in your basement vs. the top floor of your house. In your bathroom before and after a shower. In the river valley vs. a downtown crosswalk. On a paved driveway vs. a grassy field. In the city vs outside of the city… etc

    _Think about what factors contribute to the difference in air quality. Think about the way this might affect your experience of a certain place. Does it smell good? Is it dry? Is it hot? Is it stuffy? 

    _Spend more time in the places where you had a positive experience. Note the affects on your mood, energy and health. 

    _Try and uncover connections regarding air quality and the surrounding environment. What structural or ecological factors contribute to the air quality in a particular place? Is it exposed to sun? Is vehicle traffic present? What about temperature? 


    # 12 
    Don’t Worry, Everyone in Edmonton Thinks They Are Too Nervous and Lazy Too. (+ Lots of quotes)

    a) We had a lot of ideas for your score. But. We’re lazy. So here are some quotes instead:

    “It’s easy to feel paralyzed by the complexities of the world, to feel like nothing you do will ever make a difference. Those in authority want us to feel that way, even though they tend to be the ones in the minority. But when we look back at history we see that every movement, every single shift in society began with a small group of friends having an idea that seemed impossible at the time. The idea of an abolition of slavery movement in the UK was dreamt up by a handful meeting in a tiny bookshop in the heart of the British Empire. Twenty five years later parliament passed a law against the trade, and within a couple of decades slavery was officially abolished, something that would have seemed Utopian when the friends sat around a table plotting.”
    - A Users Guide to Demanding the Impossible

    “You’re alive. That means you have infinite potential. You can do anything, make anything, dream anything. If you change the world, the world will change.”
    - Neil Gaiman

    “Do something every day. Nothing will happen unless you first initiate a process of cause and effect. This starts with an action. Reawaken the possibility of possibility. Reawaken it with play.”
    - David Horvitz
    (…but wait, isn’t it odd that through being ‘lazy’ and simply throwing some tasty quotes your way, we’ve actually done something. There is still a process of ‘cause and effect’. We don’t want to assume how these quotes made you feel, but we hope they provided some inspirational fodder for your fire).

    b) Check out the other scores we’ve made…
    c) Your score is to come up with a score for us! Good luck!

  7. Fresh Batch of Scores!

    Here’s our fresh batch of scores! Check them out and submit your documentation’s of actions, more details in the post below


    # 14. a)

    Reclaiming Suburban Sprawl

    A recuring theme our opened ears hear again and again is that Edmonton is too far spread. This score is a way of reclaiming our natural space which is colonized by paved roads and useless green grass.

    _sow seeds fresh sod or construction sites.
    _come back in a week to see what grew.
    _document.

    _consider doing it in: industrial areas, new subdivisions, municipal parks or dead space, or construction sites.
    _consider growing: chickweed, red-clover, dandilion and/or nettles.
    #14 b)
    Appreciating what we the good world gives us.
    _have an informal walking tour looking for edible greens
    _make signs to leave so other people can know what is edible and why it’s good for them.
    _If you see edible and useful “weeds” on your neighbours property, leave them a sign!
    The Efficiency Scores
    a)
    _Consider hosting an exchange student, use this as an opportunity to explore community living.
    _Eat meals together, split duties and have regular house meetings. 

    b)
    _Take note of how many bags of garbage/recycling you put out a week. Use this as a benchmark and set a goal to reduce the amount of waste you produce; set a weekly/monthly goal.
     _Pay attention to the waste you produce and make an effort to use renewable containers    
              when possible.

    c)
    _Seek out a carpool network.
    _Post notices at community centers, local business, on lamp posts, talk to your neighbors, send out emails.
    _Alternate days driving.
    _Use your commute to get to know your neighbors.
     _discuss with your network, pushing for carpool lanes or bus routes from your area to your destination.
    d)
    _for one week shop at locally owned stores, preferably within your community.
    _If you can walk or bike.

  8. 2 October 2012

    4 notes

    Reblogged from
    3fc

    3fc: I want to take a picture from the balcony up there…… #fallyeg #yegdt #edmonton #780 #fairmont #treeporn #upshot #photooftheday #autumn #alberta #hot_shotz #bestoftheday #canada #colors #igdaily #igcanada #igmasters #instagood #instamood #instagramyeg (Taken with Instagram at Fairmont Hotel MacDonald)

    3fc:

    I want to take a picture from the balcony up there…… #fallyeg #yegdt #edmonton #780 #fairmont #treeporn #upshot #photooftheday #autumn #alberta #hot_shotz #bestoftheday #canada #colors #igdaily #igcanada #igmasters #instagood #instamood #instagramyeg (Taken with Instagram at Fairmont Hotel MacDonald)

  9. Update: First flush of scores, hot off the press!

    Well here we go, the first flush of scores are ready! You can find them in this post (below) as well as in the linked page above (“Scores for a Possible Future”). 

    We will continue to add them as they become available! But keep in mind, our archivists are also students, parents, worker bees, nomadic adventurers, and so on, therefore we are not always able to commit time every week. That being said, our archivists are all excited and dedicated about this, and so all in due course!

    The score with the Scores:

    Scroll through and see what resonates with you. Pick a score and take on the initiative to follow through with it!

    Remember to document it, if you like, through photo or video, text, poetry, audio recording… as you see fit! Your documentation can be submitted to us here, at the “submissions” page, and we can upload it to share the inspiration!

    If you come up with some new scores yourself, please share those too!

    As always, we can be contacted via email (below) 

    archiveofpossiblefutures(at)riseup(dot)net

    THE SCORES:

    #a. 

    Festival of New Friends

    Edmonton is a festival city, true fact. But green onion cakes and clowns don’t often last past festival grounds. Consider this score as an opportunity to bring Festival into your community, as a means of establishing stronger networks and bonds between people who might share the same interests! Or at least be supportive or yours :)

    _Propose a series of block parties within your community. The parties will be hosted on a rotating basis, so every one is hosted by a new ‘block’. 

    _Plan it collectively, get people to help you with the logistics, permits, brainstorming, and decorations. You might be surprised to find Mr. three-doors-down is a set designer for community theatres!

    _Aim to use non-disposable party fair, limit your eco footprint by asking people to bring their own plates and cutlery. 

    _Remember to check accessibility, so all members of the community feel welcomed and supported. 

    _Consider including a “passion show” as a feature event of the party. A passion show instead of a talent show— a chance to share what you are passionate about and share knowledge, information, and ideas with your fellow neighbours!

    #b. For H. W

    Reclaiming Health

    What is a world in healthy balance? This score addresses the complexities of our reliance on systems and patterns that are disconnected and damaging to our individual health, and the health of our societies. An invitation to address these topics, all while fulfilling your daily needs of eating well!

    _Invite someone to dinner. This can be home cooked at your place of residence, a potluck picnic, or out on the town. 

    _As you eat, discuss the food on the table:

    -What are you eating?

    -Can you identify a cultural dish or an originating country?

    -How many ingredients can you identify?

    -How far removed from the original source is the food you are eating? 

    -Do you know who grew it?

    -Do you know how it was grown? In the soil, above ground, on a tree?

    -How did it get to where you are now?

    _Chart these observations down and try this activity a few times. See if each time, you can try to get closer to the natural source of the food. Meet again in a few months time to see how this little experiment is going!

    _(And don’t forget to leave room for dessert!)

    #20. 

    Security. Convenience. Comfort

    We believe that the most effective Learning occurs when you push the boundaries of your comfort zone. Consider this score as a long term invitation to continuously evaluate and push your own comfort levels. 

    _ Make a list of things in your life that contribute to your comfort zone. These can be material things, activities, relationships, and so on. 

    _ Commit to a weekly or monthly challenge to pick one thing from this list and alter or eliminate it. 

    _ i.e: - If you are a morning coffee drinker, consider changing your brew, or visiting a different cafe!

    - If you normally have your headphones on in the morning, consider removing them!

    - If you normally avoid a certain street or area of the city, consider getting to know it more!

    #17. For Laura 

    Many birds, One stone.

    Set up social occasions with loved ones/family where you can spend time together while co-creating material for your artistic endeavours. 

    _ i.e.: Go for a walk with your siblings. Establish a destination point for your walk. As you make your way there, remember a funny event in your families past and perform it across the streets as you go! (Who gets to play grandma?)

    _ i.e.: If you are experiencing a crossroads, tricky situation, or conflict in your life—- Consider hosting a dinner party with loved ones and try the following:

    _ Instead of name cards, place ‘character cards’ on peoples seats outlining a few key traits you would like the individual to portray

    _ Invite people to get into their characters over the course of the meal

    _ After the meal, you are the director! Get everyone to play out a situation according to their roles. 

    _ See what happens! Play with different results, see how people interpret the situation differently, what new perspectives can you identify? Might this help you address your own situation?

    #16. For Sarah

    Take your job “home”

    They say “Home is where the Heart is”, and too often we take the negative tensions and stresses of our work life home. This score invites you to bring your work home— but with a twist!

    _ Identify your specific skill set, knowledge base, resources, etc, as they pertain to your career/job? (is it public speaking? Is it techno-savvy? Is it craftsmanship?)

    _ Identify the home of your heart! Are you passionate about the outdoors? Do you yearn for safer communities? Do you have a need for more time with family?

    _ How can your specific skills/knowledge/resources etc, be translated to suit the needs of this new client, yourself?

    _ Pick a day per month (or alter as need be) where you will “go to work” at home. 

    i.e: If you are a financial advisor, recognize the various elements of your work, they could be: connecting with people, providing guidance and education, establishing trust and security on personal levels, identifying realistic opportunities for growth/investment, facilitating public access to the structure, language, and dynamic of the world of Finance. Take a minute to assess your definition of a wealthy community…. how does this definition align or conflict with the Home of your Heart? Can a wealthy community be defined not by property value in dollars, or the expanse of automobiles on the street— but by the amount of nurturing relationships, space given to safe and supportive expression, time spent engaging in healthy activities and self-care?

    Select a day where you will be working ‘at home’ and let your community know about it. Allow people to book appointments, or have an ‘open office’ day! See it as an opportunity to facilitate conversations about people’s needs and wishes for ‘wealthier communities’. Employ your skills as a trust-builder, listener, resource provider, and so on. Allow this to be a safe and comfortable space where people can access their needs for change and bring them to light through discussion. 

    See what happens next! You might find yourself being a catalyst for healthy change within your community. Help it grow!

    #1. For Brianne

    The Festival of Forced Poverty

    This score is an invitation to research structural elements that affect members that you share your community with, such as AISH. 

    _Plan a small party in an LRT station of your choosing. 

    _Make sure costs and expenditures are accessible to AISH or other fixed income budgets. 

    _Consider inviting speakers who are associated or directly affected by things like AISH and have them share their story. 

    #5.

    Feast and Family

    This score is an opportunity to celebrate family— past and present— while supporting community growth and empowerment. 

    _With members of your community, plant an urban garden in an under-used public alley or lot. 

    _Make sure the space is accessible! 

    _Plan a harvest feast where community members can create dishes from the garden following recipes from their familial or cultural traditions. 

    _Have members present the dish and a short story or description behind it. 

    _Enjoy the evening with your neighbours, sharing and delighting in home cooked meals!

    #3. For Layne

    Nurturing Growth in People and Society: Get to know your neighbour!

    This score is an invitation for anyone who desires more inter-community connections, and sees this as a radical way of positively affecting society. 

    _Travel to your home town, or the area you grew up in. Try to do this in a way that challenges your current reliance on oil. And bring some friends with you!

    _Organize a community potluck that can go late into the night.

    _Arrange tables for 2 and ask people to sit with someone they don’t know or have never had a real conversation with.

    _Provide questions about people’s life experiences and what brought them to where they are at today. 

    _Ask people to tai turns answering them and encourage a space conducive o trust and sharing. 

    _Provide an open mic space for people to share anything they heard which they found inspiring or touching (be sure to get everyone’s consent first, though!)

  11. What is a Score?

    The Scores are coming! 

    Interviews were lovely and informative! The archivists are busy squirrels, filing and formulating scores!

    What is a score?

    While we were doing this experiment, this question came up numerous times. 

    In this context, a score is a script for an action: an instruction manual to create art. A script of action! It started in the 60’s, and has it’s orgins in performance art. It’s intention is to have the “audience” become the “participant” in their own art.

    The Archive of Possible Futures is creating scores that make your possible future happen. Pretty genius!

    Anyone can do a score, in public, as a performance. Scores can also be implemented in private. 

  13. Thank You!

    Holy smokes. A very heartfelt thank-you to everyone who supported us on our first launch on Monday! It was incredible to see so many people getting involved and stoked about the project. The evening could not have gone better!

    Unexpectedly, we had many folks miss out on getting an interview, but please keep us in mind, for we will be re-installing the Archive in the next little while! We had a lot of interviews to keep up with, and so have not completed all the scores just yet. Rest assured they will be uploaded to this site in due course! 

    If you would like to get in touch with us, we can be reached at:

    archiveofpossiblefutures(at)riseup(dot)net

  14. Petropolis

    Glad to have you in Edmonton. I can’t wait to see what will emerge!

    submitted by nicholasmick

  15. Have a DIY dance party that is oil free.

    submitted by:willinglyandjoyfully