we're in, but we're not out

So... in our new house. Boxes and clutter everywhere. To be expected and we're all so happy to be living here that we're not stressing about the mess. Have a pile of things we want to do on the house, but apart from a couple of essentials, we're not stressing about those either. Now we just have to work up the energy to actually finish moving out of our apartment, and cleaning the damn place!

To all of those who I promised a picture of the wet bar, ain't she a beauty?!?


And a few other random shots...

home sweet home

The love of my life and I have finally bought a house, after six months of searching in the stupidly tight and crazy Winnipeg market. I asked for only three things: 1) if there was a garage, I wanted it detached; 2) a shower we can stand up in (it's been 4 1/2 years since we've had that luxury); and 3) a reasonable distance to work, so we could bike. He was more fussy, but in the end, we're both satisfied and have a place we can (semi) afford.

Now to start "greening" it...

To start, we had an ecoEnergy Evaluation done. This means that we will be eligible for rebates on the energy efficiency improvements we make. The list is long! These are the things we could/should upgrade:

• windows (all but one)
• doors (they are wooden, old and not sealed properly)
• insulation (basically, there isn't any, and we live in Winterpeg, Manisnowba)
• hot water heater (ours has reached it's life span, so we want to switch from gas to electric)
• shower head (much as I love the torrential downpour we currently have)
• window frames (need to be caulked)
• programmable thermostat

On the want list are:

• new fridge
• fence for the back yard
• ceiling fans
  
• painting the exterior of the house
  

Add to this, we have old wooden soffits with a hole in them, and therefore "tenants." So new soffits, fascia and eaves troughs, though not eco, are essential. Since we aren't swimming in money, we may go a bit deeper in debt and get a Power Smart loan for some of the work.

And then there is the yard. I have started 5 types of native prairie plants from seed, but let's just say, it's going to need a bit more than that...

commuter challenge

Yesterday at work, I found myself volunteering to coordinate the Commuter Challenge. It almost feels like cheating, as our bike rack is always full and most of the rest of us take the bus. But we are spending two days of that week at Fort Whyte Centre, hiking in 20 minutes to the cabin where our staff retreat will be held, so commuting will actually be a challenge. We're already talking about car pooling or maybe bike pooling. The green commuting will actually be less of a challenge than getting the wonderful folks I work with to log their modes of transportation and their kms. 

Actually really looking forward to the whole thing... I never bother keeping track of how far I go on two wheels, so will be interesting to see the distance I travel in a week. Figured out that it is 5.5 kms each way to work, which is perfect to start and end the day. Not to strenuous when I'm not awake; gets the blood flowing after a day of sitting in front of the computer. Have been really lax about riding this spring, but Monday... that's when it gets serious!

just in time for bike season

Have had no energy lately. Blood test yesterday revealed low iron stores. One of the risks of being vegetarian. At my previous job in a health and medical library, I constantly had Becoming Vegetarian by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis checked out. I'm a pretty good cook and the recipes in this book aren't the greatest, but I relied on the nutritional advice. Obviously, I need a constant reminder on my kitchen counter.

So, tonight I made tabouleh to take for lunches. As per the recipe, 1 cup of parsley (high in iron, copper and calcium). Also added 1/4 c. of bran (high in iron, copper and zinc), which hopefully I won't be able to taste. Chick peas, tomatoes and cukes to round it out. Lemon juice, olive oil. Damn healthy, I say.

Low iron also gives me an excuse to not weed the dandelions out of my lawn this summer. Learned at the food conference last month that dandelions are high in vitamins A and C, and iron. Also learned that you can make a coffee substitute from the roasted root. But not quite convinced that it would be as satisfying as the real thing.

a hit with any man

Tuesday was awesome. Scored a major haul on vintage knitting needles and patterns from a good friend. She has promised me more but not until a) O. and I move, which is very soon and/or b) she turns "toes up", um, many wonderful years from now.

In the meantime, I'm armed with these beauties...

And O. better watch out, 'cause I'm feeling inspired! Though I should probably finish my current projects first. And I do have a garden now. So maybe he's safe. Still...

on the sticks

Two little projects...

Salvaged Karen's birthday gift and made a cozy for our French press. By request...

Taking a sock class. By Wednesday, I will have one sock. And hopefully the motivation to make the second.

And by the way, posting this on my sexy new MacBook Pro, while watching the Sens/Pens game on O.'s laptop 'cause we have wireless now. Feeling so plugged in!

another lazy post

This is my post from my work blog today. But it fits in here, too! Sorry for the way short notice.

Upcoming Green Communities Conference

The annual Green Communities National Conference is being held in Winnipeg from April 9-11, 2008.

Merrell-Ann Phare and Lisa Hardess of CIER will be presenting the session "Respecting Mother Earth: Sustainability in First Nations" on Thursday, April 10 in the afternoon.

Please visit the Green Communities Canada website for more information and registration details.

paying to watch commercials

Spent $7 a piece to watch the Cannes Lions 2007 at the Art Gallery this past Saturday. Sort of ironic for someone who only watches television shows if they come in a box set. And even though I had a lovely time with O. and his mom, I felt a bit burned when I found them all available online for free.

Right here.

My overall favorite is "Clarence". Found in the Gold category. Sorry, I have no idea how to embed the video, so you'll just have to hunt for it yourself. Enjoy!

chop! chop!

Mama D rocks my world. Again.

Before (admittedly, with bad toque head)...



















After...

Foo-ey

Had concert tickets for tonight, but O ended up taking one of his friends as I'm sick AGAIN!!!! Five horrible colds in five months, plus a noro-virus thrown in for good measure. Spending my evening in bed drinking ginger tea boiled with rat root. If anyone knows any other miracle cures, I'm open to suggestions.

Karen has recommended nasal irrigation, as seen on Oprah (and just so that doesn't seem so flaky, the Mayo Clinic recommends it as well.) Any other ideas please!

the latest house

Looked at two houses today. Getting an inspection on this one (click on the picture to see inside), and if that goes well, planning to put in an offer on Tuesday. The interior is really nice, except some of the colour choices are a bit.... um... garish. Newer windows, nice bathroom. Generally lots to like. Decent back yard with plenty of parking for our one car (plus my mom when she comes to visit). Like the neighborhood. Easy to work, lots of amenities close by.


But.... (why does there always have to be a but?!?) the exterior needs lots of work. New shingles are critical, as are eaves and downspouts. Wood siding needs some love. Will definitely affect how much we're willing to shell out to purchase it.

And of course, everything depends on the foundation and wiring being okay. Which the inspection should tell.

Not excited. Not hopeful. Not not excited or hopeful. Just good with however things go.

a letter

Dear Karen,

Hi. How are you? I am fine.

Well, actually, I'm not fine. I'm tired because my cat woke me up at 12:30 this morning. And I'm feeling very badly because part of your birthday gift is ruined.

Yes, the two are related.


While I was sleeping, he broke into the package that I had prepared to send. I woke up to the sound of his kicking the crap out of what I thought was a toy, and to the sparks he was creating as he rolled on the carpet in the dark. Imagine my horror when I got out of bed and reached down to throw the toy out into the hall, only to find part of your gift.

Please be assured that a replacement gift will be in the mail by tomorrow. My deepest apologies if it does not get to you in time. I know that you won't mind, but it really was so lovely.

With much love,
C.

miracle cure

rat root.

looks like cat poop.

tastes.... not that great. brewed in rose hip tea, then sucked on.

harvested in the wild by my co-worker's father.

i'm using it for it's expectorant properties.

and you know what? sinuses are better. i'm actually feeling somewhat better.

home sick

Have been smacked upside the head with ANOTHER terrible cold. Feel like I've been sick constantly since October, which is pretty much the case. Cold in October that lasted until the third week in November. Cold in December, followed by a norovirus over Christmas. Followed by another cold in January. Followed by this one. As of today, I've used up my sick time for the year.

So why am I blogging and not in bed? Just waiting for my ginger tea to steep, and felt like complaining to anyone who would listen.

In other news, the crappy and small houses that we looked at last week went for $162,500 for Minto and $192,00 for Dudley. O hasn't given up yet, but I'm starting to think that despite two incomes and a decent down payment, we are not able to afford a house in Winnipeg. Which is crazy. And depressing. Looking at two this Friday, but they are similar to the two mentioned above in size and area, so we're basically out of the running before we even start.

On top of the house hunting, my old job in Brandon is available again. Had to think really hard about whether I wanted to run back home. O is definitely the only thing keeping me here. Major regrets about leaving in the first place. But sticking it out here for a while. Going to a food conference on Friday and Saturday, so hopefully will be able to hook up with some community garden people and at least have a place to plant since it looks like I'll be stuck in an apartment for the foreseeable future. Bummer.

events

Got a note from my boss today to add the PlanetFriendly Green Events in Canada Calendar to our work blog, so I thought I'd add it here as well.

Actually attending one of the events listed: Growing Local, Getting Vocal: A Food Security Conference

Pretty excited about it. Mostly excited about getting out and connecting with people who share my interests. I've been missing that since moving back to the city. Takes a while to feel like you are part of the community again. And what better place to start than with food.

house hunting hell

Looking at three tomorrow (click to see details).

Trying to keep my expectations WAY low. Even if we love one (or all), even if they are currently within our price range... stupid Winnipeg market means that the chances of actually getting one, of being the successful bid, is rather low.

So here we go again...

another mini update

Have been trying to buy a digital camera, but have not been able to get the one I want here. It is about to be replaced by a new, and way more expensive, model. Finally found one, at Don's. In Brandon. So, will start taking pics and posting next week, once I figure the thing out.

Too bad I don't have it today. We have a water main break in front of our apartment, and people are trying to move in. The landlord has constructed a bridge of sorts. It's a mess. Oh well...

More soon...

high of minus fourteen

We have been freezing our butts off in Manitoba for about 6 weeks now, with only the odd day of reprieve. -23 and colder but with the wind chill, and it has been constantly windy, it feels like -38 and colder. So basically, really damn cold. Woke up today to -39, with a promise of -14 as the high. Shivering at the bus stop this morning, I tried to keep a positive frame of mind.

This helped.

I know... weather is year to year, climate is over a much longer period of time, so as far as climate change goes this doesn't mean anything. But still... maybe it will help the polar bears just a little bit?

And speaking of polar bears, I've been completely captivated by this site. Especially the videos and the tracker.

hello...?

Hey... how many months has it been? Say 6ish. I've been busy moving away from my little city back to the big city. Back to the organization I worked for seven years ago, actually, though the job itself is quite a lot different. For one thing, technology has changed massively. I think DVDs were just starting to be all the rage back then, and now they're on their way out. And the library, which used to be books on shelves, is now entirely virtual.

That has some limitations, for sure, but still, there are about 900 items on environmental and Aboriginal topics, or a combination of both, that have been catalogued. And about 10 more going in every day. Which basically sums up my job... maintain and grow the database of resources.

You don't actually need to sign up or log in. Just click "Search Library". And if you notice that we are missing something, suggest a resources!

Other than the new job, trying to adapt to apartment life again and feeling very frustrated by the terrible housing market here. Fortunately, it is winter, not garden season, so it isn't hurting too much yet.

Lots of eco stuff going on here, so will be posting weekly.

mini update

Have been massively incommunicado for weeks now, but with good reason...

Have been working on painting the trim on my house, which is still not quite done. Had a small fire (just a baby one) which was a bit of a set-back on sprucing things up. The restoration crew is done as of today, and the carpet cleaner is coming next week.

Have been applying for jobs in Winnipeg and anticipating a move in the not-too-distant future. Am shortlisted for one job (second interview tomorrow) and have another interview next week. Will take the first one if it is offered, though.

Have started house hunting in Winnipeg, but only semi-seriously since I don't have work there yet. Meeting with an agent this Saturday and O and I are going to check out a few places.

And since I'll probably be selling my house in Brandon, I've been purging knick-knacks and assorted stuff in a big way. Sold a bunch of CDs and clothes that I don't want any more, donating a bunch of stuff to the Funds for Furry Friends garage sale, and have taken out 2 large black bags of garbage and two large blue bags of recycling.

Whew!

And I'm planning a party for the 13th, so I can see everyone here before I go.

Not that I'm certain of getting one of the positions I'm interviewing for, but I've had an insanely easy time getting a job in the past, and I think there is a good chance that will happen again. Maybe false confidence. Maybe my luck will run out. Will let you know next week!

Okay... this post isn't "mini" anymore, so off I go to the gym, then home to mark essays.

Latah!

hiatus

It's been nearly a month since my last post, so thought I'd make it official... I'm taking a break until summer is over. Have way too much to do (like painting my house!) and it is way too nice outside to be sitting in front of a computer.

See you in September!

hiatus

It's been over a month since my last post, so thought I'd make it official... I'm taking a break until summer is over. Have way too much to do (like painting my house!) and it is way too nice outside to be sitting in front of a computer.

See you in September!

...and no birds sang

I have new neighbors. Loud (very loud) and wicked neighbors. If you ask the woman in the clock shop next door. If you ask the man who lives in the basement on the other side, and who likes to smoke and drink beer on his stoop at 9am on a Saturday while wearing tiger slippers, he would probably agree that our new neighbors are indeed loud. He seems to appreciate our their charms a bit more. As do I.

A family of American kestrels (aka sparrowhawks) has moved in. Mom, dad and baby. It is incredibly cool to watch raptors sitting on your roof, eating what I hope are mice from the slummy house behind me. More likely they gobbling up the local population of songbirds. Which, while it makes me a tad unhappy, is nature.

This morning I got up at 5:30 for yoga. As I was laying in that fog (you know the one) I realized that there was silence outside. Two weeks ago, it would have been madness, as all the little sparrows sat in the trees yelling their heads off. And that really did make me unhappy. Getting up is so much easier when the birds are busy outside. Getting up to nature is so much better than getting up to an alarm.

But since I have no choice in my new neighbors, I'm prepared to welcome them and enjoy their company. As long as they don't try to make off with my cat.

new wheels = two wheels

Sold my car for $500. To my next door neighbors, an older couple who run a clock repair shop out of their home and whom I've never actually seen drive any where. They have some sort of SUV that has been parked for the better part of the nearly 4 years that I've been living next door. And now they have a Golf to keep it company. I'm a bit sentimental about the car, so I'm glad that it hasn't been crushed, but it is a bit weird to see it parked in their driveway...So, $500 richer, I blew the whole wad on some sweet new wheels. Let me just say, bike technology has come a long way since I purchased my Trek Antelope killer-mobile back in 1990. Shocks! Wah? Some kind of new fangled breaks?!? Thankfully, I had the nicest dude helping me chose a suitable bike (Aaron at A&L) and came home with a Norco Vermont. Women's version, so I can ride to work in skirts. And complete with removeable basket. So now I'm proof positive that one can look really cute on a bicycle while wearing a helmet!

10 things I've been up to lately...

1. Storm chasing (near Elie, June 22. My pics aren't as good as these though...).
2. Gardening like crazy. But obviously not weeding the roses enough.

3. Hanging with good friends.
4. Trying to make it to yoga at 6:45am two days a week. Ugh. But it’s good for me, right?
5. Cheering my mom on when she dragon boats.
6. Drinking cocoa (I know, it’s like 30 degrees out…)

7. Riding my new bike everywhere. 8. Whippin’ O’s butt at crib (and while he might not like me bragging about it, doing so pretty much guarantees the my 2-game winning streak is over).
9. Surfing for cowgirl boots. But not buying any. Yet.
10. Reading. Reading. Reading. Reading. Reading. Reading. Reading. Reading.

inpiring...

Could go to the Musicycle Tour performance in my town tonight, but probably won't. Not that I don't think that what they are doing is really, really cool. I just have an arch nemisis that I'd prefer not to run into, and there is a good chance that he'll be there given his love of music, the environment and biking around. With so much in common, we should be friends. But we're not. So, anyway, think I'll stay home reading Persuasion instead. BUT if you happen to live near one of their future tour stops, then GO... and let me know how it was.

Also inspiring is EnviroWoman, the environmental superhero who was interviewed on CBC this afternoon. Really glad I happened to catch it. Tons of useful info, and really darned funny. Trying to reduce the plastic in my life, so I'll be returning to her blog often.

let me direct your attention...

To the Shakespeare in the Ruins website. If you click on the slideshow, you can see O. in all his 1958 Venice glory. Including one shot of his fine straight nose, which his mother is so proud of. :]

Missed the family and friends performance, and missing opening night (tonight), but will be in attendance on the 23rd. Taking Elliot with me for his birthday, and maybe dragging Anactoria along too?!? Elliot said she had mentioned going, and I'd love to meet her in person, so hopefully... Though her changing circumstances might have her in a more frugal frame of mind.

Also want to mention that I have a new post on Blue Greenie about a website that has become my latest internet obsession. Just an extension of an obsession that I already have, really. But check it out too!

skin deep

I've become obsessed with the new, improved Skin Deep website. Part of that is residual weirdness left over from my thesis on breast cancer... trying to de-toxify my life in every way possible. Part of it is my sensitive skin. Part is environmental. In any case, I'm looking up everything I use and trying to find better products to replace them with. Was happy to see that the soap I've been using is way up the list of stuff that ain't bad for ya.

I've used the old version of this site before, and not thought much of it. Interesting, ya, ya, but for some reason it didn't grab me. Was directed to the new site from Conscious Cosmetics, which is a blog by the Breast Cancer Action Montreal folks. Love the way one thing leads to another on the internet, though it can also be a horrible waste of time.

Have been thinking about being an "environmentalist", and I'm not sure that's how I'd label myself. Almost all my environmental do-gooding has been a direct result of health concerns stemming from my mom's cancer in 1999, or from the fact that I'm a perpetual student i.e. perpetually broke. So, using baking soda and vinegar to clean? Healthy and cheap. Turning down the heat in the house? Cheap. Hanging laundry on the line? Cheap... maybe I should be saying frugal. Walking everywhere? Healthy and frugal. Growing my own veggies? Healthy and frugal.

Haven't quite got the point of making my own cosmetics. Mostly it's a lack of time to learn how. And not wanting to waste money messing up recipes. But thinking about it, and was happy to get some ideas thrown my way by CC.

daily dose

Here's a website to check out: Daily Dose of Imagery. I love photography (looking at it, not doin' it) and I've become addicted to this guy's site.

K and T, I think you'd both really dig the site as he has a ton of photos from Toronto, where you both used to stomp around.

Feeling funny lately. To quote P.D. James (since I'm reading Children of Men), I've been experiencing "a weight of vague unease, not heavy enough to be called anxiety, but a mild unfocused depression, like the last tatters of an unremembered but disagreeable dream."

I think it is the result of having several highly anticipated events come to pass. Finished my thesis, graduated and saw the Police. The past year has been focused on the thesis, it has been constantly on my mind. The past six years have been all about school, with not a lot of thought given to what comes next, except the basic plan of doing and MLIS. The Police concert has been the treat I've been looking forward to since February. Now these are over, and I don't know what to do with myself. Feel very purposeless and at loose ends. Maybe I should have anticipated this, but I didn't. I thought, at least where school was concerned, that I'd feel a fairly high level of euphoria. Which I'm not. I feel the opposite.

Thankfully, I have a good friend visiting until next week, and another visit to look forward to at the end of the month.

I did have a really fantastic time in Vancouver, by the way. Managed to squeeze a lot of stuff (and food!) into two days. If you are ever there, Cafe Artigiano has the most amazing coffee. And we went to an incredible Lebanese restaurant, the name of which escapes me. Karen? Help?

i see england, i see france...

Despite my earlier complaints about supposedly "green goods", there are some things that need to be bought new and if an environmentally (and healthy) choice can be made, I say, do it. Case in point...

Probably more info than you need, but my undergarments are pathetic. Most pre-date my return to school six years ago, so they are shifty, saggy, creepy bit of cotton. Graduating calls for a celebration, and what better way than to toss those holey knickers and buy me some new pairs? Enter Blue Canoe.

Tried four of their styles: sheer low cut, sheer high cut, lace panty & string bikini (this picture is NOT me, by the way). Did an extensive search for something closer to home than California, but couldn't find anything attractive. Very happy with all the styles and have gone back and ordered multiples. If you are interested in ordering, the sizing was very accurate, so get out that measuring tape.

If cotton undies aren't your thing, Groovy Green has a long list of other places to get "sustainable skivvys".

before & after

before




after
thanks mama d!

what i'm doing vs what i want to be doing

It has been ages since I've blogged. Months ago, a good friend of mine gave me a brass snail that she picked up at a garage sale, and suggested that I slow down just a tad. I placed the snail in a spot where I see it every morning when I wake up, but so far, it hasn't helped. Have been busy finishing my undergrad thesis so that I can actually graduate this Saturday (done!), working on a conference committee that I stupidly agreed to be on (over!), applying for a home repair grant (submitted!), and moonlighting at a greenhouse 'cause school has left me dead broke.

*sigh*

What I'd much rather be doing is lingering in bed on the weekends, putting on some groovy tunes and cleaning my house, drinking cider while working in the garden, and on rainy days like today (a holiday that I'm working, by the way) re-using some of the material from my awesome snake skin crushed velvet pants that really shouldn't be seen in public any more (if ever they should have been) to make myself a new bag.

tagged by the claw

1. Go to IMDB.com and look up 10 of your favourite movies.
2. Post five (5) official IMDB "Plot Keywords" for these 10 picks.
3. Have your friends guess the movie titles.
4. Then tag three people.

10 movies!!!??!? My ten favorite? This is so hard. Okay, here goes...

1. Piano / Breast Feeding / Restaurant / Female Nudity / Butcher
2. Dominatrix / Crime / Art / Trust / Biza
3. Buddhist / Famous Score / Male Female Relationship / Princess Diana / Fish Out Of Water
4. Myth / Mystery Villain / FBI Agent / Mind Game / Ship
5. Female Nudity / Surgeon / 1960s / Pig / Historic
6. Prostitute / Female Nudity / Frame Up / Pimp / Female Full Frontal Nudity
7. Plotless / Mixed Drinks / Drunk / Darkness / Countryside
8. Crying Baby / Spanish Civil War / Book / Horse / Maze

I came up with eight. And you're probably all asking, what kind of degenerate movies have I been watching? Let me just say, in my defence, few of these make any sense to me. So, now who do I tag? The 80s movie guru Mama D, the craft queen over at Jumilla Bugs and the absentee Bee.

And speaking of movies, you can catch the back of O's head in this trailer. So proud.

summer reading list

Last year, I didn’t get very far with my summer reading list. Not sure what happened. September came up too fast and then I was stuck reading textbooks again. Have decided not to try and finish last year’s list. This summer, I have a theme. Inspired by the movie version of Jane Eyre, which Karen was kind enough to loan me, I’m going to spend the summer reading gothic fiction. It has only been a couple of years since I read Jane Eyre, so I’m not going to start there. There is so much else to explore. So, here’s the list:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty (and a book of short stories by Welty that Elliot got used on credit for me)
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Bellefleur by Joyce Carol Oates (not strictly Gothic, I'm told, but in the Gothic style)
Grey Woman by Elizabeth Gaskill (ditto)

I’m mixing up the styles, I know, but I am sticking to all women writers. The music I listen to is almost exclusively by men, so I feel like I need to balance things out a bit.

Will probably end up adding to this list as I met an English prof at a party last Friday and she teaches a class on Gothic literature. She's going to send me her "must read" list, which is very cool. I really don't know anything about the genre.

Have been doing some non-ficiton reading as well:
Night by Elie Wiesel
Letters to Alice by Fay Weldon
Naturscape Manitoba

It has been such a pleasure to read for pleasure again!

anybody still checking in?

Whew! It’s been ages. Finally done school. And I mean *done* school. Well, for now, anyway. Spent half of March and most of April in front of the computer for hours every night writing my thesis. That’s in, mark has been submitted, and I’m good to graduate on 26 May. Hurray!

As soon as school was out of the way, my life was taken over by the Manitoba Libraries Conference. I sort of volunteered to be the registration coordinator, and while I was finishing school, I sorely neglected my duties. That runs 7-9 May. 3, 07

Then… what? Relax? Mais non! I’m back at the greenhouse for the spring planting season. Have had a couple of shifts there already. It’s so good. I’ve been planning my garden in my head, but actually doing very little to get it going. Being at the greenhouse is inspiring me.

Yesterday, my mom and sis helped me clean the old, dead growth out of my beds. It’s amazing how much stuff is already well up. The lungwort is in bloom. The oregano is mature enough to start eating. Same with the chives, but then they are always early. Marjoram, mint and thyme all are coming. My succulent garden pretty much looks like it does year round… short and sweet. The perennials in the front garden are a bit of a mess. The grasses are very overgrown and there is a ton of weeds. The rose bush is causing me a bit of worry. I think it might have a fungus, but (one of the perks of working at the greenhouse) I have plenty of experts that can tell me how to deal with it. The one upside of not doing this in the fall is that I have a ton of ladybugs in the garden now.

That’s pretty much what I’ve been up to. Haven’t done laundry. Haven’t cleaned the house. Haven’t blogged. I have been keeping up on my blog reading, however. At the height of my school craziness, it was nice to know that life out there just kept going on.

still am...

green magazines

Grist recently had an article on all the magazines out there with "green"issues. And I have some issues with that. Not Grist, the magazines. Consumption is not "green", for one, it is only less or more harmful. Buying so-called green good will not save the planet any more than buying pink goods will cure breast cancer. But what really makes me run for my soapbox is that many of the articles or products they promote are not remotely environmentally friendly, natural, organic, etc.

Case in point is the April issue of Good Housekeeping (hey, I work in a hospital, so these things are just laying around). I was so irritated by their "green goods" section that I was prompted to write this:

Dear GH,
In response to your "Super. Natural." article in the April 2007 edition, just because products look like something from nature, doesn't make them in any way enironmentally friendly, organic, or natural. For example, the "place mats that resemble rain forest leaves" that you label eco-friendly, are made from vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride, in its manufacture, use, and disposal, involves dioxin, phthalates, lead, and other chemicals that are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, endometriosis, birth defects, respiratory problems, and immune system damage. Your article misleads readers into thinking that this product is not harmful to human health or the environment.
Regards,
Concerned Citizen

Grrrr, I say.

winter, then spring...

Since Elliot is blogging about kissing, and my basement is full of water, I'm guessing it's spring. Heard the whistle of a priarie dog on my way home yesterday, so that clinches it.

Meant to post these garden pictures, taken a mere three weeks ago (sorry they aren't better, but we've had a lot of grey days). Never got around to it. See all that snow? Ya, me and my unbelievably kind sister spent last Saturday shovelling it to the back of the house in order to save my basement. Which ultimatly didn't work, since it poured rain instead. In any case, spring is here, and I'm happy about it. 16 more days and I can actually get out there and enjoy it!

Four posts in one

One
Just flipping through my roommate’s copy of Affluenza. Chapter 5 has a section on time famine, which talks about how we thought technology would free us up and give us more leisure time, but instead, our world is getting increasingly complex and we are working even more. Instead of working 14 to 22 hours per week by the year 2000, as was estimated by a US Senate subcommittee in 1965, we’ve become swamped. As I pondered this in light of my current crazy schedule (working a 9-5, Monday to Friday job while attending university and stupidly volunteering to be on a conference committee), I realized that I could only think of one day in months that I had actually been on time for work. I average 8-12 minutes of lateness every day, a little less once the snow is gone and I ride my bike. Thankfully my boss just shrugs at my unconscious and clearly desperate attempt to find some balance in my life.

Two
An Angus-Reid poll was released a couple of days ago that found that Canadians in general believe that global warming is happening. More, apparently, is to be released in the coming weeks. To quote Pee Wee Herman, “everybody I know has a big but…” I’m guessing that the “big but” in this case will be that, ya, we believe it’s happening, but we don’t actually want to change anything about the way we live in order to make a difference. Maybe switch to compact fluorescents. Maybe.

Three
On the topic of making a difference, for some reason I really dig the latest Sierra Club campaign. Pretty much, I’m doing everything on the list, plus some. But I feel like I could convince people to do some of this stuff.

Four
Or maybe not. Overheard in the hospital gift shop yesterday (where I was buying a stamp, thankyouverymuch), a conversation about Beanie Babies. “Isn’t is amazing? Only $6. It’s incredible to think they can make them that cheap and ship them all the way over here and still only charge $6. Wow.” I said, “How much is a stamp?” Yep, I did nothing. Perhaps it was the memory of the last impromptu information session I conducted at work that made me hesitate (Random person at the opening of the new 911 call centre: “it smells so new!”. Me: “that’s the carpet offgassing.” My boss: head shake, snicker. Random person: blank stare, moving away.) or perhaps it’s the head cold. Or perhaps I’m just overwhelmed by the fact that my home province has the lowest levels of belief in global warming and, from what I can tell, fairly low levels of concern about the environment in general. So what to do? Dust off the ol’ soapbox? Bury head in the loamy prairie soil? Read cartoons? Read cartoons it is…

tagged

Mama D tagged me with a music meme, so here we go. Figured it would be a good way to let y'all know that I'm alive and kicking (though that isn't on the list).

Seven songs I'm really into right now, hey? Well that's kind of hard because all my evenings have been spent transcribing interviews, which means no music playing. But I do listen to CBC at work sometimes and while I'm not a huge fan of Freestyle, they have been playing some great music. So here are seven songs, some of which I'm going to get into once I have a life again. In no particular order...

1. Grace Kelly by Mika
2. Judy by Hunter Valentine (CD to be released April 3)
3. Intervention by Arcade Fire
4. Lived in Bars by Cat Power (maybe I just like her hair)
5. Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers (Hearing this about 10 times a day when my co-worker Tanya is in because she likes to listen to the rawk station. Will likely be sick of it by the time I have a life again.)
6. This River is Wild by the Killers (Sam's Town has been my staple on the 12 minute walk to and from work for months now. Liking this song best at the moment.)
7. Every single song by The Police (Thank you Karen for Message in a Box... getting myself primed for May 28th!)

And now, who to tag?
Elliot (of course, my main music man)
Melissa (wife of Elliot, who may actually have musical taste of her own. Shocking!)
Tracy ('cause I'm always interested)

crawling out from under my rock

Just noticed that MinusCar Project linked to me, so I thought I'd better post something. Been suffering with a miserable cold for over a week and have not been able to clear my head long enough to formulate a single thought. So how about a question instead?

I own a car, though I haven't driven it since November, when inspired by a local environmental contest, I voided my license. I have since found out that my car has some serious problems. Heater core has gone (heat in pretty important where I live), rear struts need to be replaced, breaks are on their way out... Probably looking at $3000+ to fix it. Given that it is a 1991 Golf and that I only paid $2600 for it, this doesn't seem like a reasonable option. So the question is, what are my options? What can I do with an old car besides sell it "as is"? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

nothing to say

Basically, I'm so swamped with school that I have nothing else on my mind. And I have a cold. So, I'll just leave it at that for now. Don't expect any inspiring posts until mid-April, but will put something up once in a while so you know I'm still around.

holy, monday

I'm swamped with work, I've got a cold, and the switch to daylight savings time has totally thrown me off. But rather than complain, may I direct you to the new link on my "Other Bloggers" list. My dearest friend, along with 10 other crafty women she's met online, have started a new blog called Sew Green. Check it out!

I've been a walker all my life, not specifically for environmental or health reasons, but because I lived close to school or work. It was only on the coldest days that we were ever driven to school as kids. And even when I've had a car, my vehicle spent much of it's time parked in a garage.

I continue to make the daily trek to and from work. Days and weeks, but rarely months, go by without incident. And then, there will be a near miss. I'm guessing that the drivers just are not paying attention, and it is only through luck, my quick reaction and the fact that I was paying attention that I haven't been hit.

In the steel-toed days of my youth, I would try to kick their car while flipping them the bird. I figued the visual, coupled with a dented quarter panel would make them look out for pedestrians a bit more. I only even actually connected twice, and I have no idea if I did any damage, though I hope I did. This was almost 20 years ago, before I'd ever heard the words "road rage". Now, I take a calmer approach, though the anger is still inside.

Today I heard something on the news that shocked and horrified me. A man out for a morning run in Winnipeg, a city that I've spent half my life in and still visit regularly, was purposely run down. I listened to another jogger on the radio this afternoon. This is how she described what happened:

She was out for a run with a group at 6am. They were running facing traffic when a car coming towards them accelerated and drove at them. They jumped out of the way and kept jogging, thinking it was another asshole like the one who had swerved at them the previous morning. This time, though, the driver turned around and drove at them again. And again. And again. Another car witnessed the fourth attempt and pulled over. He offered his cell phone and the joggers called the police. They continued with their run but didn't get very far before they came upon a pool of blood. They stopped. They couldn't see anyone. They speculated that an animal had been hit. When they saw another person coming towards them, they went to warn him that there was some crazy person driving around. As they approached him, they realized that he was bleeding from a bad head wound. The man, the jogger who had been hit, was in bad shape. The police arrived, and he was taken to hospital where he remains.

In all the times I've nearly been smacked, I never assumed it was on purpose. I can't imagine what could bring someone to do such a thing. Was (s)he high? Does (s)he have a mental illness? The car was stolen, so was this just for kicks? To alleviate boredom or get friends to think you're bad and cool? I can't fathom it. My walk home today was somber. My heart goes out to this man and his family, whose lives have been so terribly affected.

kitties and puppy (who now has a good home)

quickie

Took an impromptu break from blogging, work and life last week when I got hit with some virus that I picked up at the staff appreciation lunch. 100+ people off sick with it, but honestly, knowing that I wasn't alone in my misery did not help one bit.

Now I'm feeling better (though still tired), and was planning to do a proper post, but yoga is cancelled so I'm just going to run home. Have a foster pug from Funds for Furry Friends and I'm guessing that he'd like to go outside. He's supposed to be going to his new home soon, but I've taken some pictures and will post them on the weekend. He's so darned cute, but puppies are chaos and I'll be glad when he's gone. Give me a dog over a puppy any day. At least this little guy is house broken!

Ta.

breaking the fast

Buy Nothing January lasted until today, when it came to a crashing halt, much like a freight train skipping the tracks and slamming into the side of a mountain.

Okay, it wasn't that bad. Not as bad as it could have been, certainly.

Got tickets to The Police concert in Vancouver on May 28th. (Un)fortunately, not the premium seats at $225 a pop, but still decent seats. This will be a serious bonding experience with my bestest friend of 25 years and it is the fulfillment of the only teen girl fantasy I've hung on to. Gave up on marrying Chip Balch ages ago.

Not feeling bad about racking up the ol' credit card. Sting is well known for being a do-gooder, so...

"A portion of the proceeds from this tour will be donated to WaterAid, an international NGO founded in 1981 and dedicated to reducing poverty by improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene education. Working in 17 of the world's poorest countries, WaterAid and its partners have already helped over 10 million people gain access to water and sanitation and is committed to helping to reduce by half the proportion of people living without these basic necessities of life by 2015. "

I will have to fly to Vancouver to catch this show as there's just no sustainable transportation way to get there and back in three days (the amount of time I can weasle out of work), so will be looking into ways to offset my flight.

And I will be continuing not buying anything, because I've just barely started feeling like my finances are a-okay and I've gone and broken the bank.

teenage fantasy

Looking back, the 80s were so embarrassing, which makes me thankful for two things. First, after a disastrous perm in junior high, I vowed never to get another one and was therefore unable to achieve the incredible heights that defined 80s hair. Okay, ya, I sported an asymmetrical bob, but that's another story. Besides, they're back in right now.

Second, while I indulged in listening to my share of terrible music, the band that I loved in the way that only teenage girls can was The Police. And they have not only held up, they've announced a reunion tour.

I am so there!

Seriously giddy like you wouldn't believe. A plan is in place. Karen, myself, and our significant others will all try to get tickets. The best seats are the ones we use, the others get sold. As Karen said, she feels like she's in grade 8 again, except with money. And no parents telling us we can't take the bus into Winnipeg (since we were too young to drive) to see a concert at the Arena on our own. Hurray! Though looking back, mom, I can see why you said no.

Convocation in on May 26th. The Police play in Vancouver on May 28th. Anyone planning to get me a grad gift (no pressure), let me just say that the best gift of all will be celebrating like it's 1983, and I'm not afraid to break the bank to do it. Please address all donations to the charitable foundation I'll be setting up. Details to follow. :]

knock knock ginger

Current favorite song is Love Renee by Knock Knock Ginger. Also really appreciate that they have provided four of their songs in full, rather than as little teasers. Link and enjoy!

And speaking of enjoyment, my friend Kai suggested on the phone last night (after I told her how crazy my next two months are going to be) that I do one nice thing for myself every week. Have been thinking about this, and I can't come up with anything. Trying to be frugal, so buying treats won't work. A long hot bath sounds delish, except my skin is uber dry as it is and that only makes it worse. Ideas, anyone?

smart cookie

Resolutions – Final Report

1. Stop driving. Done and done.

2. Clean out the cupboards. Still working on this one. Food wise, I can check this off. Product wise… well, lets just say I still own four deodorants, and I’m not that smelly. Will continue using stuff up before I buy new stuff.

3. Have no fun. I actually had more fun than I was planning on. Besides Rocky Horror Show and the Funkraiser, I caught three films (Children of Men, Last King of Scotland, Pan’s Labyrinth) in the theatre and a couple of short plays at Stoppard Fest. Not the greatest for the bank account (except that I got treated a couple of times, and one was a cheapie matinee). Probably should have done more work on the ol’ thesis, but the panic should set in any day now and then I’ll really start cooking on it.

4. Buy Nothing. This went really well. Better than I expected, actually. Did not cave, except on the aforementioned junk food. Bought no goods. I did pay soccer and yoga fees, but I’m not counting that as stuff. And I bought two bus tickets into the big city to visit the love of my life, but since I’ve taken my car off the road, it’s either buy bus tickets or be sad and lonely. And nothing was created (in terms of pollution) that wasn’t being created anyway. That bus was running with or without me. The only new item to come into my possession was a fair trade t-shirt that my mother-in-law equivalent gave me as a gift. So how’s that for not too bad?!? Going to keep going with this buying nothing thing for as long as I can.

And now, in that fine bloggie tradition, I tag Melissa. Well, not really. She's already decided on her own to have a Buy Nothing February. I happen to know that she likes to shop, though in her defence, I also know that she is a serious thrifter. She's a little scared about the whole thing, but I promise, it doesn't hurt, and your bank account will thank you. The planet might too, though the planet is a little pre-occupied right now.

my weekend

Spent most of the weekend sitting in the dark, surrounded by strangers. In three evenings and two days, we managed to catch three movies and two plays. The plays were not my cup of tea… two shorties as part of Stoppard Fest. Stoppard is not the problem. Both these were written for tv, so they were choppy and hard to stage. The acting in the second play was pretty poor as well, and neither of them were helped by the rattling sound the heat vent was making. Given the choice between heat and silence, I’d pick heat, and with a more absorbing performance, I probably wouldn’t have found it so distracting.

The three films were all variations on a theme. Saw Children of Men on Friday, and Last King of Scotland and Pan’s Labyrinth on Sunday. All very grim, all set in societies that were falling apart, all featuring terrible atrocities against minority groups. And there are many other interesting parallels. Children featured one scene with Picasso’s Guernica hanging prominently on the wall, while Pan’s was set during the Spanish Civil War. Two similar looking redheads, namely Julianne Moore and Gillian Anderson, had small but critical roles. James McEvoy, the Scotish doctor in Last, played a faun in a previous film, while Pan’s (of course) features a faun. All of them had action centered around a pregnant women in peril. And all of them made me want to know more.

In my opinion, Last was the weakest. Forest Whitaker deserves the accolades he is receiving, most definitely. He was amazing, as was James McEvoy. But I found some of the plot details a little hard to swallow. I didn’t understand the connection between the two men, and I found the doctors motivations for his irresponsible actions, make that his practically suicidal actions, to be inadequate. And though the movie was far less graphic than it could have been, given the atrocities committed by Amin, I though the other two films had a steadier hand when it came to the level violence. Not that I watched those bits. Eyes quickly shut on many occasions. Thank goodness for O’s shoulder and my scarf.

Pan’s Labyrinth… hmmm. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll simply say that I would highly recommend that everyone see it. And I’m very glad that I didn’t read anything about it before I went. I had no expectations, except that I’ve liked del Torro’s previous films and thought I’d probably like this one too. But it apparently isn’t for everyone. As the credits rolled, the young woman behind us said, and I quote, “That was the longest piece of junk I’ve ever sat through.” She then went on to complain about having to read the subtitles. Which makes me wonder what she thought she was getting into.

update #3

Things are back on track since I remembered the stash of leftover Christmas baking. Still munching away, but not buying any treats. I've been avoiding stores and magazines. I find that I "need" much less when I'm not constantly being told what to buy. I don't have television, which helps. I do have a tv and dvd player, but no chanels.

Watched "The Island" on Sunday, borrowed from my sister. Couldn't help but notice the tons of product placement. There was so much of it and it was so blatant. Because the movie is set in the future. I kept thinking, ya, right, you wish Nokia. Think you'll be around in 2019? Remember Atari?

Product placement is very much on my mind these days as I am slogging away at an undergrad thesis on the commericalization of breast cancer. Reading everything, including marketing magazines. As if I wasn't jaded enough, now I know why those Ford ads are aimed at women in their mid-30s, such as myself. I thought I knew a lot about this stuff already, but this project has been an eye-opener. Want to be jaded too? Check out Think Before You Pink.

Positive side effect: all this jadedness has put me in the right frame of mind for not buying anything. Negative side effect: I feel grumpy.

saturday night...

...was so good that it deserves two posts. Mama D did one. I'm doing the other.

Ya. So. We all went out dancing. To really great music. Easy enough to do in a bigger center, but seriously tough here in Brandon. Unless you want country mixed with AC/DC mixed with the latest dance hit. Which generally speaking, I do not. Thank goodness for Marquis Project and their awesome Funkraiser. Music provided by DJ Hunnicutt and Mama Cutsworth.

And when I say we all went dancing, I actually mean, we all went out and some of us danced. Mama D's husband and my sister's husband chose to stay in their seats. But my darling O, after a 13 year hiatus from the dance floor, got up there and boogied. He asked me for a critique afterwards, and all I have to say is this... I know when you are dancing silly, you don't need to explain! Being a drummer, he of course has rhythm. Thankfully, he also has style! So I don't have to try and look like I'm dancing with someone else. :]

And speaking of style... and getting back to Mama D... she is a devil on the dance floor. That girl seriously has all the moves. I was humbled and inspired. Maybe she'll invite me over to practice in her living room before the next party.

My Sunday was spent in my jammies, watching movies, ordering pizza and feeling totally flat. I used up all my energy reserves the night before. And to echo Mama D, it was totally worth it.

update #2

This not buying stuff is harder than it seemed at first. I haven’t bought anything but food since January first, but some of the food I’m buying has been pretty unnecessary. Like chips. And M&Ms. That stupid things like this should be my downfall kinda bummed me out, so I gave myself a talking to and now (I’m trying) I have stopped making purchases out of vending machines.

So on the health side, and the eco side of things, I’m not doing as well as I’d like. Overachiever that I am.

On the money side, however, things are brighter. Have $246 in the bank, and it is only two days until payday. Have set myself a goal of having $500 in the bank by the end of February and cutting my Visa bill in half. Totally do-able, as long as Buy Nothing January extends into Buy Nothing February. I’d really like a little breathing room. In case my furnace goes, like poor Mama D’s.

Elliott linked to an article about a woman who is living on $12,000 per year. I’ve been trying to feel inspired by her, but I honestly don’t quite believe the story could be true. It is so far beyond my ability that it seems impossible. I did note that she had to give up school in order to live on so little, which I’m not willing to do.

I lived below the poverty line for a number of years, from 1989 to 1992. Then I mooched off my mom for a year (while recovering from illness, so not really mooching). Then I was below the poverty line from 1995 to 1997 while I was in college. I ended up in all kinds of precarious living situations during those times, and while I obviously survived, it was so stressful. I remember running into the mother of an ex-boyfriend and when she asked how I was doing, being nearly in tears as I told her I had nothing to eat and no money. The next morning I woke up to a litre of vegetarian chilli and a block of cheese hanging on my doorknob. It got me through the week and her absolute kindness still makes me want to weep.

No voluntary simplicity then. Forced simplicity. Voluntary simplicity is for those who have money.

I would now count myself as someone who has money. Despite being broke and complaining about it. I have the option to choose simplicity. I have the luxury to choose not to buy anything. Which, it turns out, is harder than it seems.

monday

Uh... ya... I know it is not Monday, though I have been a little out of it lately. Just letting you know that until school is done, I'm going to be a Monday blogger. Have half an hour to kill between work and yoga, and what better way to do so.

Will be updating Blue Greenie once a week or so, but just as I have the time.

So, until Monday, here's a nifty website to check out.

resolutions.... fading...

School is sucking the resolve out of my resolutions. But Nothing January is generally going alright, but where I'm falling down is the area of non-essential food items. Which is also killing my second resolution to not eat so damned many sweets.

I've developed the habit of snacking on chewy things as I write essays. And drinking lots of coffee. Over the past week, I've spend many hours in front of the computer working on my thesis proposal. And much of that time has been spent drinking Tim Horton's coffee (don't even like the stuff, besides all the ethical issues) and snacking on wine gums, pretzels, and chips. Today I packed healthy finger food (grapes and rice crisps) but they didn't do the trick. Have been snacking on my finger nails and trying to resist the vending machine all afternoon.

Taking a supper break now, which will take the edge off my appetite, but being hungry or not isn't really the point. I honestly think I work better if I'm doing something mindless. Keep my brain focused on the project, while my hand reaches for a bag, jaw busily munching...

Or is that just an excuse?

Ten more weeks of this...

update

This not buying stuff is great! My bills are paid and I actually have money in the bank. Not a lot, mind you, but I'm not in overdraft either.

I survived two temptations over the weekend. The first was a fair trade t-shirt situation. I received a JustShirt for Christmas but it didn't fit. The lovely person who gave it to me offered four shirts in the right size to chose from. I really like two of them. Briefly thought about buying a second one, but somehow resisted. Went with the style she originally chose for me and (mostly) put the other one out of my mind.

The second temptation was on a trip to the mall to return a gift my sister received for Christmas. In my state of heightened awareness, I was easily able to turn up my nose at all the mall had to offer... until I walked through the food court. All that junky badness! What evil person put the popcorn place and the pretzel place right across from one another, so that no matter which way I turned my head, I saw something that I suddenly craved?!? But they were no match for my iron will. Gift returned, I hopped back on the bus having bought nothing.

"There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less." -G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Our whole society is set up to buy, buy, buy, and to not be a consumer takes a great deal of unlearning. I'm unlearning to want more and learning to desire less. And as much as being broke prompted me to put a moratorium on spending, it's not really about the money.

green christmas

The weather outside was actually pretty good. Except for the 30cm of snow. We definitely had a white Christmas. But inside, around the tree, things were actually pretty green. Wrapping, giving and receiving.

O and I spent Christmas proper in Brandon with my family. Had a good day eating way too much and sitting around the tree. Fave gifts? O gave me a book I’ve been coveting since we went to the modernist architecture show at the WAG. My mom gave me the loveliest, softest sweater. And a blender. But the topper this year was from my sister…. Introducing Marg Gottfried. At least that’s the name on the bottom, along with the date January 1971. Marg and I are practically the same age.
New Year’s weekend was spent in Winnipeg with O’s family. Dinner with his dad had to be postponed when his dad woke up sick on Saturday morning. New Year’s Eve was spent at his brother and sister-in-law’s house, celebrating with their mom. Again, a relaxing, no-stress evening spent enjoying each other’s company, eating amazing food (mostly prepared by O’s mom) and exchanging presents. Fave gifts this evening were a gorgeous necklace from O’s mom and a great fair trade t-shirt in the most wonderful lawn green that looked awesome on me… except that it didn’t fit. Dang! Bigger size is now in my possession.

This was also the year of the gift card. And once my Buy Nothing January is over, I look forward to browsing around McNally Robinson and MEC. Since I will be buying food, I get to spend the Organza gift card right away.

On the giving side, I had a pretty crafty Christmas. Especially considering how busy school got in December. Sent relish to the Bugs, and dried herbs from my garden to Karen (T - now that you've seen the festive packages of herbs, you'll understand why you didn't get any!). Made mittens for Deb, bag for O’s sister-in-law, and a “winsome cap” for his niece. Actually have a picture of the cap, but you’ll have to be satisfied with the Martha link since I’m not comfortable posting pics of other people’s kids. It turned out really well, if I do say so myself, and the aforementioned niece seemed pretty excited about it. Which is gratifying because there is way more a stake emotionally when you make something, rather than buy it.

For O, I got him (ahem… us) tickets to Rocky Horror at MTC. Going tonight. Still trying to decide what to wear. Boa? Fishnets? Red lipstick? Or am I more of a Janet? Actually, the truth is, I've only seen the movie once, at my sister's place, and no one did the time warp there, so I'm a little unprepared for what I'm getting myself into. Should be fun!

I hereby resolve to…

This year’s resolution isn’t exactly about being green. It’s about a serious lack of green. Or since I’m in Canada… purple, red, blue, beige and green. In other words, I’m broke. Have been teetering on the cusp of financial despair since I went back to school six years ago, but up until this December, I’ve been managing to stay in the black. Last month I went into overdraft for the first time. Only by $30 or so, but it really stressed me out. My credit card is maxed, my student loan has been used up. Drastic measures need to be taken. It just so happens that those measures are also good environmental choices.

Measure #1:
Stop driving. When my insurance came due at the end of November, I let it lapse. I’ve been car-free in the past, so this hadn’t been too much of an adjustment. It has, however, been a huge savings. No insurance, no repairs, no gas. Hurray!

Measure #2:
Clean out the cupboards. I’ve hardly grocery shopped at all since the beginning of December, instead living off all the stuff that’s been sitting around in my kitchen. This has meant a lot of rice and bean dishes, but I like to cook and I’m creative, so it’s okay. Will feel really dumb if there is a major storm and I’m stuck without supplies, but otherwise, this has saved me about $100 so far, based on previous monthly food expenditures. Taking the same approach with my bathroom. Using up lotion, shampoo and deodorant that I already have rather than being wooed by sales or pretty packaging into buying new stuff.

Measure #3:
Have no fun for 30 days. I’m not going to eat out or go out except for a few select events this month. Rocky Horror on the 6th. Marquis Funkraiser on the 20th. But I have a ton of schoolwork to get done, so I’m going to focus on that rather than, you know, having any fun.

Measure #4:
Inspired by an article about these folks (linked on the Worsted Witch’s blog), and of course, Adbusters’ Buy Nothing Day, my New Year’s resolution is to buy nothing that isn’t essential for the month of January. I’ll start with January. See how it goes after that. I’m going to use a fairly strict definition of essential. Food (including cat food… for the cats… things haven’t gotten that desperate yet), meds and feminine hygiene supplies. That’s it. A good friend sent me the link to this. My cards are tucked inside and staying that way.

Will be updating this blog once a week to let you know how it’s going. Whether I’ve cracked under the desire for a new do-dad, or if I’m managing to stay off the wagon. Or is it on the wagon? I’m never sure but you know what I mean.

lack of enthusiasm

So it turns out that I had the winning entry in the Eco Idol contest. Wasn't much of a contest because only 6 people entered. Of the six, I think I had definitely taken the biggest step, though my partner thinks he should have won based on his clearly superior photo. It's the watermelon, in case you couldn't guess.

In other news, Green Drinks Brandon has folded due to lack of interest. Or not interest, perhaps, but attendance.

The common problem that Eco Idol and Green Drinks shared is that while people may say that they think your idea is great and have every intention of participating, that intention didn't turn into action. Same went for the Earth Day celebrations way back in the spring. Attendance was dismal.

You know when the folks that are most interented in environmental stuff don't get involved that you are in trouble. But why aren't they getting involved? I've thought about it a lot and have no answers. Any ideas for improving future participation would be welcomed.