P C Taco F A Q

Those are all questions that Zaria and I have been asking throughout this whole process. As I try to answer these questions, keep in mind, this is a project that will take place in a minimum of three years, so it is subject slightly to change.

Q. 1. How real is this?

A. Very real. At first Zaria and I were leary of posting this on Wiki, as we were concerned people wouldn't take us seriously. My parents, brother, and several other people I know believe this to be a pipe dream. But this is very very real. Zaria and I are 110% commited into making this work. I am planning on working at Habbitat for Hummanity this sumemr so I can get some building skills under my belt, and we are doing as much reasearch as can be done at this point in time.

Q. 2. How is this going to be payed for?

A. Both Zaria and I are saving up our money starting *now*. I'll be working throughout the next three years at college. We'll look into loans, morgateges, etc. as that comes into focus. Right now it's hard to say because of the three year period before this happens. I (Zaria) am trying for Colby university which is in Portland, that way I'll be in school and be able to check out all possibilites for a good house and jobs while i'm there before everyone arrives. Everyone will be expected to pitch in together and help with grocceries and with repairs rent etc.

Q 3. Jobs?

A. I am planning on runningdirecting in a children's theatre when I leave college, and if time and money permit, I might possible get a SLP degree and do home health which pays very well. My grandfather lives near Portland and is an actor, and has never lacked for work. Personally I plan on working at either a bookstore or a diner or both because I would like to get my own bookstore in the future and sell herbs lotions soaps etc.

Q 4. How big a house?

A. As big as we can afford. Remember, this will be in three years and land value can drastically change in that amount of time, so looking at prices now can only give us a semi-accurate guess as to how much a house might cost. I believe Zaria has found at least one house that would work out to about $160 a month per person (6 people), that was large enough and in a great setting. The house that I found before is absolutely perfect and is within walking distance to town, just outside of town and with 7 people it works out to something like 141 dollars a month per person for rent. Which really for a house the size of the one I found is fantastic. 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms several large living spaces basement attic and a turret. I'm sure there will be suitable houseing available, and it also depends on how many people are interested, we are looking at no more than ten, because with that many people, things get tense and no matter how big the house, things are crowded.

Q 5. What sort of setting would the house be in?

A. Land directly *in* Portland is a little too expensive, so probably 1/2 an hour from town at most. Zaria and I haven't discussed this fully yet. with luck we'll be able to find a big house in or close to town so that we don't have to have the big problems of cars and rides everywhere, since some of the people who come aren't going to have a car or maybe even a license and we don't want that zoo, so i'm hoping to find something in town or within walking distance.

Q.6. How picky are you? Q.6. (part two) what if someone who really does not like something like drugs, shows interest in liveing with you?

A. Zaria and I both like to think we're pretty open minded people. Neither of us are vegitarian, but I certainly wouldn't mind living with one, and would be willing to cook vegitarian meals, etc. as long as I'm free to go get a hamburger every now and then. My socks aren't on the floor, genneraly they're on the ceiling fan. We expect the house to be a little messy. Zaria isn't too fond of cats, but she'll tolerate them, and (I think) we both like dogs. I've lived on a farm my whole life, so I'm open to any kind of pets. I love children and wouldnt' mind them running around the house (after a few years, I'll hopefully have some running around too). People should probably be willing to share a bedroom with other people. I don't know how Zaria feels about drugs, but I don't mind as long as there isn't law enforecement breathing down our necks. People who would like a very quiet house would probably be very unhappy living with Zaria and I, but I'm sure there will always be a corner or garden if you want to go settle in some quiet contemplation. I'm not sure what Zaria's exact sentiments on the boyfriend/girlfriend thing is, but I believe it would be alright as long as we got along fairly well with the person.Zaria speaks! From the top: Vegatarians Vegans whatever are all very welcome, they will however have to be willing to make their own food if not all the time, then at least sometimes since lots of carnivores don't know how to make vegetarian meals. We will of course have everyone involved in the groccery shopping of the house so there will be tons of foods available. As for cleaning, I don't know, things might get iffy here. I have lived my life in a big family with lots and lots of mess so I can tolerate quite a bit but this will take a bit of sacrafice from everyone, Messy people will have to be willing to clean and clean freaks will have to tolerate a bit of mess. I'm thinking that a weekly cleaning day would be a great idea just becuase I know how homeschoolers get and then maybe we'd be able to keep the place habitable. Everyone would be in charge of their own laundry and their own rooms. People will HAVE to be willing to share rooms because there is no way we can afford a house big enough for each person to have their own room. The biggest houses I've found only have 4. I can deal with whatever pets you want to have, children is going to depend very much on the people living there. The shared rooms will make it very difficult for a family I'm sure. I mean, a married couple and a kid or two is going to make things really crowded really fast and it takes a special kind of couple married or no to raise a child and have a relationship in this situation. Anyone considering having a child here at all will have to realize the kind of setting this is and we'll deal with all that at the time. When the house is new it might not be a good idea but its certainly not impossible. As for the boyfriend girlfriend thing I don't mind but you might have to think very hard about having them living with us or whatever, again thats something that is just a part of the people we're with and a challenge that we'll deal with if we have to.

A (part 2): If enough people were willing to commit to a no-drugs policy, then I believe it could be done. I think that's the sort of thing we'll have to figure out once we get a more general idea of who is interested in coming. Drugs, by Zaria: I do NOT like drugs, i mean I dont' care if some of the people in our house smoke pot or whatever and i know there will be drinking but this is Not some kind of party house where everyone comes to do drugs and drinking at all hours of the day. Just another thing we'll have to deal with when it comes to that. Not something we can plan and fortell so far in advance. as for quiet people and loud people, anyone who knows Candra and I knows that we're loud people. All the time. However I know that I need quiet space as much as the next person and I think that we can comprimise and keep the loud stuff to the basement or whatever, there will always be a spot you can go to and if you really don't like us being loud come out and tell us to keep it down because you're reading napping headaching stressing whatever you want.

Q. 7. What kind of schools/public transport/jobs, are there?

A. Portland Maine is a very diverse community. As far as colleges there is (that I know about): Maine College of Arts, University Of Maine School Of Law, Bangor Theological Seminary, and University Of Southern Maine. As far as transportation, I remember buses and taxi's from when I was there this summer. Jobs: I'm not sure exactly how to find out a general "what sort of jobs are there?". You'd have to ask about a specific career/job in order for me to give you some information on it. There is also Colby University, where I hope to go, and as far as jobs go there are tons of theatres restraunts stores etc where you can find work I am sure, its like one of the biggest cities in Maine, there will be work for all.

Q.8. why should we move in with YOU, and not some other group of unschoolers? how will it make our lives better? what can you teach us? what do you want from the people who want to live with you? what gap in our lives will be filled, other then just geting to spend time around "other unschoolers"

A. The beauty of this project is that we are looking for a life beyond the traditional 'grow up get married have kids' bit. You should only move in with us if you feel moved to do so. We're very serious about making this work, this project is Candra and I's baby. I really feel that anyone who is truly intersted and willing to help make this work and sacrafice a few things and get much more will gain much. Freedom, Laughter, Love, Beauty, Art, Trust, Drama, Life Experiance, responsibility (only in small doses) I know that I at least (can't speak for candra) want so much and so little from the people we live with that I find it hard to describe. What do I want from you? I want your wisdom your jokes your poetry and creativity. I want a house bursting with free thought and love. A place where we are free to fight and to play and to do everything we want. freedom is bliss and its even better when shared and experiaced with others, thats what I want. you bring yourself to this house and we will bring ourselves and we'll see where we come out. This whole things is a mystery to us, we've never done it before but we are going to try it and I have every faith that it will work.

I don't know how much I can add to what Zaria has already said, but I'll try......I agree with her totally, on the fact that all I would wish from somone who lived with us would be them. And All they can except from me, is me. I can give no more. I will help create, love, live and share everything I can. I can keep a place clean if I must, do laundry and cook a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies. I will bring my dance, my singing, my natural guacomale making skills, my drama, my dreams, my imagination, my energy, myself, fully into this house. If you ask for more of me, I will try to bring that as well. I want that this project to work, and therefore, I will make it work. And that's why you should consider moving in with us. Because we want this bad enough to make it work.

Q. 9. why not get a house, and move there right now, and go to school there, why wait a few years?

A. I'd love to move into the house as soon as possible. But! I (Candra) am already enrolled in a lovely college that I am completely head over heels in love with called Stephens in Missouri. I will be going there this fall. Luckily, it's a three year-two summer college, so I'll be out sooner then most people would. Zaria is underage as well, and has no money. We are saving and working at this and Candra being my co-founder is a deffinate must for this house :) so I'm going to school in Maine so that I can get everything taken care of and look into houses and then people can even send me furnature or things that they want for the house whatever and it can be put into storage to save on moving costs for getting these people across the country.

If you have more questions, post them here, and Zaria or I will try to answer them!

Zaria, if you have anything to add to this, please do my darling! Zaria has added and will continue to do so, please everyone, keep the questions coming! and if you have smething more private or whatever feel free to email us at Projectcoldtaco at hotmail.com