It’s not everyday that one gets the privilege of attending the first of something. Especially an explosively popular and successful first.

After six or more years participating in and teaching (on occasion) at the punky, funky, and deliciously grass-roots Boston Skillshare, I pretty much became an acolyte of this unique form of community-based learning. If you’ve met me in person, chances are you’ve heard me proselytize about skillshare’s virtues. Chances are even better that I actually dragged you to one.

I’ll just go ahead and state it: skillshare changed my life.

When I caught wind of Somerville’s inaugural attempt at bringing community-based instruction to the DIY-hungry masses, you know I signed up right away. And by “right away,” I mean if a tornado had touched down at that moment, flinging me and my laptop to the sky, I’d have been no less likely to jab the “register” button.

I sure do love me some:

• Don’t Make Art, Just Make Something!
• Investing and Stock Market Principles
• Intro to Digital DJ’ing

I mean, how can anyone resist:

• Brew Like a Barista (missed it! too full)
• Felted Orbs (missed it! too full)
• Intro to Parkour
• Link Stitch Bookbinding (missed it! at parkour)

See what I’m saying?

You’re going to come next year, right?

(Also, I kind of “won the skillshare.” Thank you, Skillshare organizers!)