Hola!
It is I, Alonzo! Meraki Movement’s one and only Spokespaca!
As we leap into spring fever this beautiful May, we want to remind you what Meraki Movement is all about!
Meraki Movement is a unique initiative that aims to promote the skills and craftsmanship of Ecuadorian makers!
The word "meraki" comes from Greek and means to do something with soul, creativity, or love. The movement embodies this spirit by supporting artisans who pour their heart and soul into their work.
We collaborate with makers from Ecuador, including those in rural areas who may not have access to marketplaces or resources to sell their products.
The movement also prioritizes ethical and fair-trade practices, ensuring that makers receive fair compensation for their work and that their products are environmentally friendly.
By supporting Meraki Movement, you can not only purchase unique, high-quality products but also contribute to a positive impact on the lives of Ecuadorian makers and their communities.
And that is why we are featuring the beautiful Hammock Chairs!
Small Batch Hammock Chairs – these beautiful chairs are made by just one man in his shop. When you purchase a hammock chair, you support his efforts to create a solid business for himself and his family with fair-trade values!
Function and Style For Your Home!
If you're looking for a piece of furniture that is both stylish and eco-friendly, the Meraki Movement Hammock chairs are a great option. These chairs are made from 100% recycled acrylic, making them a sustainable choice for any home. The hammock design of the chairs makes them incredibly comfortable to sit in.
Here are some other benefits of the Meraki Movement Hammock chairs:
- Hammock Chairs can be used both indoors and outdoors, making them versatile and practical.
- Hammock Chairs are easy to install, just add a hook screw to the ceiling and you're good to go!
- Hammock Chairs are designed to support up to 300 pounds, making them suitable for people of all sizes.
- Hammock Chairs are easy to clean and maintain and can be machine washed when needed.
Overall, the Meraki Movement Hammock Chairs are a great investment for anyone looking to add some unique and sustainable furniture to your home.
Alonzo Does Disco
Now that May is here, and we have more snow-free days than snow days, I spend more time wandering along the paths in High River, especially by the river. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a group of people roller skating in George Lane Park. I was fascinated by the way they glided effortlessly on the wheels. The breeze flowing through their hair (under their safety helmets), the colourful knee pads, and the squeak of wheels. I looked at my hooves and wondered, could I learn to roller skate? Could I be the next Linda Blair in Roller Boogie? If I channelled my inner Kyle Dutcher and trimmed my facial hair into a sexy beard, I could be the next Silver Fox Squad member like the real @therealpush7138. He got soul!
I raced home, clip-clop, clip-clop, to research roller skating and found the Calgary Roller Skating Club, and signed up for classes! I found so many great videos of famous roller skaters to inspire me!
When I showed up on the first day of class, I was wearing my signature Meraki Movement Alpaca-style and new favourite Pink Perfection Wrap Scarf (Amanda named it. It is perfect, but I lobbied to name it Unicorn Poop), and one of our new mini leather back-packs in Fuchsia! I felt FLY!
When I entered the club, I was greeted by my new coach, a tall and lanky human named Barbara. She had beautiful, feathered hair like a young Barbara Streisand, and she glided on her wheels like she had the wings of an angel. She popped her sucker out of her face with a snap and looked me up and down, and said, "Wow, a Llama! This is going to be fun!"
"Alpaca! I'm an Alpaca!"
I hoped the rink would have some great disco lighting and great tunes, but it was lit with fluorescent bulbs and an echo chamber of 80's brown and cement. Not very inspiring! I did make myself a playlist and brought my headphones, so once I mastered this skill, I would be the star of my own show! Alonzo does disco!
- Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll (Remastered) - Vaughan Mason and Crew.
- Night Fever - From "Saturday Night Fever" Soundtrack Bee Gees.
- Give It To Me Baby -Rick James.
- Boogie Oogie Oogie - LiveTaste Of Honey.
- You Dropped A Bomb On Me- The Gap Band.
- Lady Marmalade - LaBelle.
Barbara helped me get my helmet on, wrecking my John Travolta Feathered hair that took hours to straighten and would end up looking like Jared Leto did for the LACMA Art and Film Gala in 2019, and the roller skates on my hooves. I had to rent 2 pairs. Obvs!
Getting me to my feet was a whole other story. It wasn't like Barbara could just take me by the hand. After struggling to get me to my feet from the front, a frustrated Barbara decided the best way to get me to my feet was to go behind me and push forward while yelling, "Bring your legs under you, UNDER YOU! UNDER YOU!" I was moving forward all right, but my legs were moving further and further apart. Barbara kept pushing. I was moving forward onto the floor, into oncoming roller skaters like a car in a merge lane that won't yield!
"BAAAAAARRRRRBBBBRRRRRRAAAAAAA!"
"Alonzo! Push off with one foot and glide on the other!"
"Which feet do I do what with, now?"
"Merge! Merge!" OMG, I AM A CAR! A HOT DISCO-STYLED ALPACA CAR!
All four legs zigged and zagged until they splayed apart, and I came to a spinning stop. Before I could try to get my legs under me, I glanced up and saw the oncoming traffic. Several of my classmates barreling toward me.
"Brake! Brake!" yelled Barbara.
"Brake! Brake!" I also yelled.
I tried to scramble to my feet, but the chorus of "We don't know how to break!" from my classmates inspired my single greatest Alpaca-survival technique of all time, rolling up into a ball.
My classmates plowed into me, legs and arms flailing into the air, grunts and groans and F-bombs echoing into the rink.
Barbara glided up to the mess of Alpaca and human limbs. "This is why we learn to stop BEFORE we learn to go fast! Now get up and line up!"
Barbara is boss! Be like Barbara! That was what I was thinking, but my four Alpaca limbs said no. Roller Skating wasn't for me.
