#hifargo

[misfitinc-blog]

Chilled-out movements

This last summer, on National Hammock Day to be exact, a new movement was brought into existence. It referred to itself as the Hammock Initiative and made its first public appearance by inviting the Fargo community out for an afternoon of sway in a local park.

A handful of curious people arrived, followed by an array of local media, which then led to a presentation at a weekly entrepreneurial forum in Fargo, which then led to an official sponsorship from one of the most reputable hammock companies in the world.

A domino effect of publicity and intrigue began to spread the vision of this humble initiative throughout the city. This self-proclaimed “chilled-out movement” was beginning to take the community by storm and people were begging for an encore to their inaugural event.

So, in response to demands for more swaying opportunities, the Hammock Initiative, in partnership with North Dakota State University and ENO, has created HiNDSU to bring more relaxation to even more people.

On Saturday, September 27th, between the hours of 3-5pm, the Hammock Initiative Fargo will team up with NDSU to congregate amidst the many-treed Island Park on its South East corner with hammocks galore and relaxation a plenty.

If you find yourself in the Fargo area around that time, we’d recommend that you go and chill out for a bit.

We love initiatives like this because it’s further proof that ideas coupled with action lead to movements that change the ambience of a community.

In the words of Hammock Initiative, “This movement may not sound audacious or ambitious, and that’s the point. It’s an opportunity for people to be, not do.”

Go be yourself, and be open to receiving the good things that come with who you find there. 

For updates on Hammock Initiative's swaying movements, subscribe to their newsletter. 

~ Dane Johnson, Misfit Wordsmith 

[hammockinitiative]

What's Hammock Initiative?

That's a really good question and you've come to the right place for some really good answers.

How about we just do this in the style of an interview and you can ask us all the questions you've ever had about our chilled-out movement.

Sound good? Good. Let's begin. 

FIRST OFFICIAL INTERVIEW WITH HI (Hammock Initiative):

Chilled-out movement?

Yes. We hang out in hammocks, so naturally we're pretty chilled-out people who are bent on taking the world by storm through relaxation.

By storm through relaxation?

You heard right. We don't know if this is even possible, but we are destined to find out given our current trajectory.

Current trajectory?

You ask tough questions. Well, I suppose our current trajectory is rather stable, but also in somewhat of a suspended and swaying orientation. Hammocks influence us a lot.

What do you even do?

I'll forgive your condescending tone and share our vision statement with you now. We believe it will shed some light on your ignorance. 

HI OFFICIAL VISION STATEMENT: 

We want to see people gathered together for the purpose of relaxing, enjoying each other’s company and, literally, hanging out. This vision may not sound audacious or ambitious, and that’s the point. It’s an opportunity for people to be, not do.

So, you don't do anything?

If we weren't so relaxed we'd be insulted right now...we do things. 

Like what?

Well, how about we just let the press speak for us:

WDAY News featured us on National Hammock Day this year.

Prairie Public Radio interviewed us for their broadcast. 

The Spectrum highlighted our first collegiate branch at NDSU. 

The Spectrum highlighted us again because they think we’re swell. 

Misfit, Inc. showed us some love on their world-class blog. 

And we're pretty sure that a lot of people talk about us in the privacy of their own homes, so there's that, too.

That's slightly impressive, but how can I know more? You aren't giving me much here. 

You're being a little creepy, but we understand. We can be a little creepy, too...that's a promise.

What?

That got weird. Anyways, you can keep up with us on our flourishing social media channels. Apologies if we don't notice that you're following us; it's just that, well, how can we keep up with so many of you!

We're on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Why does so much of your stuff happen in Fargo? 

You obviously don't get out much, but we're happy to enlighten you to the fact that Fargo, North Dakota, is a booming metropolis of fun and excitement. There's so much excitement there, in fact, that a movement like ours was just begging to be born. We strung up our hammocks there out of necessity, as a service to the community, and as a signal to the world that relaxation is incredibly productive. Fargo has been the first to recognize. 

Recognize what?

Oh, we just meant that in the slang kind of way, like how rappers use the word. Recognize. You dig? 

So where do we go from here?

Well, we think you're really nice, but we're not really ready for anything real intense. It goes against our nature. 

I meant in terms of involvement with the initiative.

Sorry, was that a question? 

How can I get involved with Hammock Initiative?

Oh, that's nice. 

First things first, you can keep up with our swaying movements on all the social medias. We regularly announce hammock gatherings happening around the world via those mediums. 

Second, you can organize a branch of Hammock Initiative in your own city. We do, however, require an extensive screening process to make sure you're legit (as in, "too legit to quit") before letting you run around your town with our beloved name.

Thirdly, we feel that there should always be three things in a list, so we included this final point to assuage that sentiment.

Who can I talk with about all of this?

Our highly-trained and attentive staff will reply to your emails directed to:

[email protected]  

This was a total waste of time.

Sounds like you're out of questions! Sway on, my friend.