Unemployment Olympics - Galway!

Xiney

Just read this article.

I think it'd be great craic. Could hold it in Eyre Square... would we need a permit for this?

Events (?):

- FAS course ring toss
- Brian Cowen Pinata (easy to make, he's quite round)
- "Pass the buck" builders - banker's - politicians relay race
- Public vs. Private Tug of War

etc...



Anything else? Anyone want to meet up in a serious attempt to plan it? Figure three or four of us could make a decent go of it. Maybe even raise some money for the Saint Vincent de Paul or something.

biko

Musical chairs?

Xiney

Magnus wrote: »

Musical chairs?

thought of that 2 minutes ago, not even kidding. It'd be perfect.

Want to help organize it?

snubbleste

Flash mob with some happy tune and dancing in the dole office

biko

Xiney wrote: »

thought of that 2 minutes ago, not even kidding. It'd be perfect.

Want to help organize it?

Sure.

Btw have you seen this
http://www.face.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055527423
?

snubbleste

Magnus wrote: »

Sure. Btw have you seen this
http://www.face.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055527423
?

It says Xiney is a jobless bum, I only aspire to that!

I have a job.

But am willing to quit if it means winning a gold medal in Unemployment Olympics Musical Chairs.

Xiney

Yes! Quit! Can I have your job?

In all seriousness though, if we had a core group of 3-4 unemployed people running it, and we do a good job and get media exposure, it might even bring good things.


In my fairy tale world, an owner of a company who needs a highly competent employee, able to work on their own initiative, sees a story in the paper or on rte about a group of unemployed go getters who organized a whole event on their own and decides to see if they'd be interested in working for him/her....




However, even if that best case (and slightly ulterior motivated, self serving) scenario doesn't work out, possible benefits include:

- brightening the days of several people who could probably use it
- hopefully raising money for a charity that helps people who are worse off than us (there's always someone)
- making a statement


Come on guys. It'll be great!

biko

I'm not unemployed but could help out with things "behind the scenes" if you like.

Sponge Bob

Do it in the morning before the Red Arrows display , 30th May 8)

Robbo

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Do it in the morning before the Red Arrows display , 30th May 8)

I reckon a few of the "long term unemployed" will be waving placards and banners that morning...

dilallio

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Do it in the morning before the Red Arrows display , 30th May 8)

We could have a special "Red Barrows" Display

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0MC1k6mtkk

Xiney

Magnus wrote: »

I'm not unemployed but could help out with things "behind the scenes" if you like.

Excellent! we'd need at least one other person, I reckon.

How much organising would it need.. really?

Xiney

well, for what I've got in my mind, we'd need to do the following:

- approach St Vincent de Paul and go through whatever procedures they require for running a charity event in aid of them
- approach Galway city council for permission to run it in Eyre Square/someplace else
- get media coverage
- get sponsorship for prizes (I'm thinking vouchers from dunnes or tesco) and other materials
- promotion of the event itself
- planning of the individual events (more people = more ideas bouncing around = funnier, more topical event on the whole, not to mention actually gathering supplies, etc)

I'm a firm believer in, if you're going to do it, do it right.

But was the original that well organised though?

Xiney

Does it matter?

Every idea can be improved upon.

3qsmavrod5twfe

Have a guy in a suit sitting on one of those chairs that fall when you hit the target with a ball. Call it "Land the Banker in the Crap - for a change" People would pay money for that.

Mind you, you'd probably have to give him groin protection as well for some of those "accidental" wayward throws...

Xiney

That would certainly be cool! Fun for everyone, not just the unemployed :P

Do you know where to get one of those booths? The ones I'm thinking about are the ones where they get dunked into water... used to have them in secondary school with the Vice Principle (discipline) in the seat. Always very popular, as you can imagine.

pseudonym1

If it goes ahead I'll give you a hand on a few bits and pieces. Not working project would be good.

Great Idea BTW

muppetkiller

You couldn't have it on too early though as most of them only get out of bed at 4-5pm..

scottledeuce

It could be a great idea if organised well Xiney.

I'm just wondering would the city council be prepared to let you use Eyre square as a gathering point for the collective unemployed of Galway...

not that anyone frowns on the unemployed these days but I still think they might be slow enough to get behind it unless it has solid backing and sponsors.

I'd be happy to get involved though if you need any help.

Xiney

Ok, how about we meet up to do some preliminary brain storming and delegating next Wednesday at 7pm? I will try to book a spot in the galway social space.

If anyone who hasn't posted their interest wants to come and help as well, it would be very much appreciated

Xiney

Perhaps we should call it the Recession Olympics, though. It might make Galway City Council a little more amenable.

3qsmavrod5twfe

Xiney wrote: »

That would certainly be cool! Fun for everyone, not just the unemployed :P

Do you know where to get one of those booths? The ones I'm thinking about are the ones where they get dunked into water... used to have them in secondary school with the Vice Principle (discipline) in the seat. Always very popular, as you can imagine.

Same as that, last time I saw them was in secondary school. Don't know where to find one but I would imagine if any of the secondary schools were approached they might be able to lend/suggest where to find one.

pseudonym1

Cool wedensday is good for me! The book club meets in Bar 8 which is a good space, room to converse etc.
I ll start making notes of anything that may be beneficial!

PopeBuckfastXVI

Israel Sweet Swinger wrote: »

Same as that, last time I saw them was in secondary school. Don't know where to find one but I would imagine if any of the secondary schools were approached they might be able to lend/suggest where to find one.

Might even be able to make you one as a woodwork project?

banshee_bones

Great idea, would love to help, im unemployed!
Dont know if we could get a water tank for dunking them in but even if we got one of those wooden things, where you put your head through the hole and people could throw wet sponges at the "bankers/brian cowen/etc" that might work, a euro for two throws or something?

ninja edit: i wonder...would any of our local politicians be game enough to participate in having wet sponges thrown at them.....???!! or getting dunked in a tankfull of water!

pseudonym1

banshee_bones wrote: »

Great idea, would love to help, im unemployed!
Dont know if we could get a water tank for dunking them in but even if we got one of those wooden things, where you put your head through the hole and people could throw wet sponges at the "bankers/brian cowen/etc" that might work, a euro for two throws or something?

ninja edit: i wonder...would any of our local politicians be game enough to participate in having wet sponges thrown at them.....???!! or getting dunked in a tankfull of water!

Elections ARE in June!

banshee_bones

saw the green party on shop street just there... wonder would they be game...Niall o Brolachain seems hip to the groove!!! he even has a facebook page!

Fiona500

PLEASE organise it! I wish I had the time to help but I am completely swamped at college. However, I do have media connections so I could help get the word around and make sure that ye get loads of coverage.....

Xiney

That would be really helpful I'll get that information off you when we are at that stage for certain!

pseudonym1

Any news on socail space?

Xiney

Not yet but Bar number 8 would also be suitable (although sometimes it's a bit noisy)

If I don't hear from the social space by tomorrow at 2pm, we'll set it for the pub

pseudonym1

Xiney wrote: »

Not yet but Bar number 8 would also be suitable (although sometimes it's a bit noisy)

If I don't hear from the social space by tomorrow at 2pm, we'll set it for the pub

Great!

banshee_bones

Xiney wrote: »

Not yet but Bar number 8 would also be suitable (although sometimes it's a bit noisy)

If I don't hear from the social space by tomorrow at 2pm, we'll set it for the pub

Excellent!!! :pac:

Xiney

I didn't get a reply via email from GSS so I rang the number on the website and there "should be" a room free tomorrow at 7pm. If not we would be welcome to use the front room.

So tomorrow in the Galway Social Space (Middle Street) @ 7pm it is!





I have a major cold actually, but I'm already feeling better today and I should be 90% tomorrow... I'll bring some earl grey in a flask and I'll be fine. However, if you have a suppressed immune system I wouldn't advise getting near me.

pseudonym1

Hope your feeling better - we can reschadule if you want!

Xiney

Nah I really ought to be grand by tomorrow. (And if not I'll show up just to beg you all to be my Dr. Kevorkian, since Mr. Xiney refuses to)

banshee_bones

yay! tomorrow at 7 so! is there just the one room there so i can fine ye?! or will there be a sign up on the door or what!? i still have my head cold but hopefully il be right by tomorrow night too! Hopefully weather wont be like this either?!

Xiney

banshee_bones wrote: »

yay! tomorrow at 7 so! is there just the one room there so i can fine ye?! or will there be a sign up on the door or what!? i still have my head cold but hopefully il be right by tomorrow night too! Hopefully weather wont be like this either?!

hmm.

that's a pretty good point - she didn't tell us what room we'd be having.

I'll put up a small sign in the entranceway to say which room we're in if it won't be obvious.

JohnCleary

FFS I wish I had the spare time for things like this, sounds like good craic Best of luck with it

dilallio

JohnCleary wrote: »

FFS I wish I had the spare time for things like this, sounds like good craic Best of luck with it

Ditto - Mad busy myself, but if I can help in any way, would be glad to.
Best of Luck also

biko

See you at 7

JohnCleary

So just that I have this clear...

Ye're all meeting up and gonna pass some time by playing games, with an un-employed/recession theme, yeah?

That has serious potential! You might not make much money, you're kinda targeting the wrong audience for that (:D) but savage idea. Make sure to take pics!

(This is just an excuse for a boards meet, innit?) :pac:

banshee_bones

JohnCleary wrote: »

So just that I have this clear...

Ye're all meeting up and gonna pass some time by playing games, with an un-employed/recession theme, yeah?

That has serious potential! You might not make much money, you're kinda targeting the wrong audience for that (:D) but savage idea. Make sure to take pics!

(This is just an excuse for a boards meet, innit?) :pac:

Thanks John! we think it has serious potential aswell! its not about making money but if we do happen to make any it will be for a worthy charity!

and of course if a boards beers should happen to take place afterwards that would be a great bonus!

so on the playing games.... suggestions welcome people!

scottledeuce

Ah Shoot! sorry Xiney I totally ment to go along to this and I was in town thinking...*is there somewhere i need to go*

Let us know how you got on and hpefully I can make it along to the next meet assuming you made some progress tonight.

Xiney

It's ok! Hope to see you at the next meeting, although we haven't yet decided when that will be

We got the next step figured out, going to have a bit of a sleep on it though, hope to have a coherent plan to present by next week!

I'd write more but my head is absolutely wrecked with this cold.

Fiona500

How about a "**** Hits The Fan" competition? Draw a bullseye on the fans and people try and hit it with fake poo (could use mud).

Sorry best I could think of...I will ask around for ideas.