Today I am checking out the ingredients in my skin care products to see how safe they are:
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/
where you can search ingredients as well as products.
In general, I would say that this is discouraging and infuriating. So far, fragrance and color dyes are showing up as the most toxic ingredients in my products. So I'm being poisoned by useless ingredients I don't even want. And finding something without them is remarkably difficult.
It's also frustrating to see toxic ingredients in products that market themselves as organic and environmental.
And then: why so many? Why does a simple facial cleanser need 20 different ingredients?
Look forward to future reports on what I find to actually clean and moisturize my skin.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Writing
Today, I began to write. I've been writing for a while, but today I began, in earnest, to write up my stories of my experiences in Russia. Yesterday I finally organized in a coherent way my emails and letters and notes from my time in Russia, and I realized it is time. I miss Russia. I want to write about it. Even though there are other things I want to do, it is time to write. So here I go.
Drum jam
I went last night to a drum jam at my drumming teacher's place. He invited all his students, current and former, to come and play. We drummed for almost 3 hours. That is a lot of rhythm! My hands were sore - and I could feel my arm muscles when I went to wash up at the end of the night.
We played around with bembe for a while - a very fun rhythm - and then sang some songs to that rhythm, and some other made-up rhythms. We played yambu, then jammed on conga (a new rhythm for us all) and guaguanco, another rumba. We took turns soloing in the hot seat. And closed with aisa, a beautiful rhythm that I still can't remember.
I have had a hard time enjoying drumming lately. My mind seems to go elsewhere, which is kind of the opposite of where you need to be when drumming. The only time I fully got into it was probably soloing, because you have to listen to the rhythm to know what to play. And possibly, playing high drum on bembe, where I think I can finally feel where it comes in.
We played around with bembe for a while - a very fun rhythm - and then sang some songs to that rhythm, and some other made-up rhythms. We played yambu, then jammed on conga (a new rhythm for us all) and guaguanco, another rumba. We took turns soloing in the hot seat. And closed with aisa, a beautiful rhythm that I still can't remember.
I have had a hard time enjoying drumming lately. My mind seems to go elsewhere, which is kind of the opposite of where you need to be when drumming. The only time I fully got into it was probably soloing, because you have to listen to the rhythm to know what to play. And possibly, playing high drum on bembe, where I think I can finally feel where it comes in.
Friday, December 28, 2007
It always comes back
About a decade ago, I experienced a cosmic connection involving two continents, two friends and a beautiful doll on a string. A few days ago I experienced the same phenomenon, though on a smaller scale.
On my last trip to Kyrgyzstan, I wanted to bring back beautiful fabric handicrafts for friends and relatives. I love fabric crafts, and love indigenous designs. I bought my grandma a felt seat-warmer in gorgeous shades of grey, cream and olive/spring green. Just recently when I was at her house, I was admiring it on her chair (not out loud). The colours and pattern just speak to me. But I gave it to her, I don't need it, and that's the way it is.
She was over for Christmas dinner the other day. I tend to be cold a lot, so I keep a cushion on my regular dining chair to keep me warm. I commented that maybe something we could make would be a flatter seat warmer, and she offered me back the wonderful one I'd given her. I hadn't been thinking of it at all. In fact, I'd had in mind these knitted/ quilted/ padded items I'd seen recently at our friends' home. I instantly refused, but she insisted, and sent it home with my mom when she dropped her off.
So now, I'm sitting on a beautiful hand-crafted Kyrgyz designed wool seat warmer - and loving it.
On my last trip to Kyrgyzstan, I wanted to bring back beautiful fabric handicrafts for friends and relatives. I love fabric crafts, and love indigenous designs. I bought my grandma a felt seat-warmer in gorgeous shades of grey, cream and olive/spring green. Just recently when I was at her house, I was admiring it on her chair (not out loud). The colours and pattern just speak to me. But I gave it to her, I don't need it, and that's the way it is.
She was over for Christmas dinner the other day. I tend to be cold a lot, so I keep a cushion on my regular dining chair to keep me warm. I commented that maybe something we could make would be a flatter seat warmer, and she offered me back the wonderful one I'd given her. I hadn't been thinking of it at all. In fact, I'd had in mind these knitted/ quilted/ padded items I'd seen recently at our friends' home. I instantly refused, but she insisted, and sent it home with my mom when she dropped her off.
So now, I'm sitting on a beautiful hand-crafted Kyrgyz designed wool seat warmer - and loving it.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Words
After posting yesterday, I started to wonder if I really knew what the word "bemused" meant. I suppose because of its second syllable - "muse" - I intuited a connection with "amused." This lead me to my connotation of confused with a smile on your face - pleasantly puzzled, if you will. But when I started to think about it, I realized I wasn't sure. And I became concerned: proper use of words is fundamental to my identity. And how can I risk publishing a blog entry with the wrong word? Even if my readership is, oh, 2 people?
so I looked it up again.
From the dictionary option on dictionary.reference.com:
bemused: bewildered, confused
Moving over to the thesaurus:
absent-minded, unaware.
Apparently, I was right about the link with "amuse," which began life meaning 'to divert the attention of in order to mislead' So, bemused is confused because you were amused ...
so I looked it up again.
From the dictionary option on dictionary.reference.com:
bemused: bewildered, confused
Moving over to the thesaurus:
absent-minded, unaware.
Apparently, I was right about the link with "amuse," which began life meaning 'to divert the attention of in order to mislead' So, bemused is confused because you were amused ...
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Consumerism
Just finished reading "Not Buying It" by Judith Levine (2006) about the year she and her partner only purchased essential supplies. Full of reflections on how we ended up with a consumer society; the way it permeates all our activities; the role of gift giving and sharing as social bonding activities. Reading it reinforced my desire to participate less in the economy.
However, it didn't make me think that consumption is wrong. Some flow of resources through our lives can be very positive. Spending does allow us, in some ways, to contribute to or participate in society, and that isn't wrong. Newness adds energy. this doesn't mean that we need brand new; that we need a lot; that buying is the only way to accomplish these goals. But it did remind me, first, that we all probably could do with less; but no matter how much less, we will invariably need new things many, many times throughout our lives. Therefore, an economy and manufacturers and stores and products fill an important need. Even though I wonder what would happen if we experienced radical social collapse, this is clearly not an ideal. Being able to have so much more in the commons - to know that others will continue to produce essential products - is a form of social security, and in fact, enables us to avoid hoarding and live with less.
The other question, though, is what is produced, how much and how. And from that perspective, current western consumption is not sustainable. Vast quantities of consumer goods are produced annually. Many are intended to be disposable, or rendered obsolete by fashion very rapidly. Incredible quantities of resources are used to produce these things. Energy is used shipping bulk goods around the world. Cheap wages are needed to keep prices cheap to allow us to consume MORE. Replacing some of these with a slower turn-over, local production, higher quality, would certainly look differently and structure the economy differently.
Next to read up on: Herman Daly & steady state economies.
However, it didn't make me think that consumption is wrong. Some flow of resources through our lives can be very positive. Spending does allow us, in some ways, to contribute to or participate in society, and that isn't wrong. Newness adds energy. this doesn't mean that we need brand new; that we need a lot; that buying is the only way to accomplish these goals. But it did remind me, first, that we all probably could do with less; but no matter how much less, we will invariably need new things many, many times throughout our lives. Therefore, an economy and manufacturers and stores and products fill an important need. Even though I wonder what would happen if we experienced radical social collapse, this is clearly not an ideal. Being able to have so much more in the commons - to know that others will continue to produce essential products - is a form of social security, and in fact, enables us to avoid hoarding and live with less.
The other question, though, is what is produced, how much and how. And from that perspective, current western consumption is not sustainable. Vast quantities of consumer goods are produced annually. Many are intended to be disposable, or rendered obsolete by fashion very rapidly. Incredible quantities of resources are used to produce these things. Energy is used shipping bulk goods around the world. Cheap wages are needed to keep prices cheap to allow us to consume MORE. Replacing some of these with a slower turn-over, local production, higher quality, would certainly look differently and structure the economy differently.
Next to read up on: Herman Daly & steady state economies.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Into the past
Last night I went back in history. In my quest to streamline my life, I decided to sort my two gift-bags (small size!) of letters accumulated over the years. I didn't expect it to be such a reflective experience, but those letters brought back memories. People I didn't remember being close with; personal and deep thoughts, shared over distances; friends I'm no longer close with, or some I've newly re-found. I was happy to discover that I did correspond with friends; that I tried to maintain relationships, and support those who were far away from me. I was more bemused to discover how intensely I took communications, and life. I was intense! Heart-baring. Wow.
What was truly amazing was the realization that that form of communication no longer exists. The feeling of urgency about getting someone's postal address, or you might lose touch with them forever and never be able to hear from them again. The time put into composing a letter. The sense that there was a minimum length that was acceptable. Picking up a letter at different times to continue writing. The sense of a special bond that arose from these communications - hand-written, directed to you, containing more than the words: pictures, personally designed envelopes, doodles, those individual touches that let you know someone was thinking about you and wanted to share with you. And those letters as a network connecting you with a few precious individuals in widely dispersed locations. Without the letters, how could the friendship be sustained? And finally - waiting. Waiting weeks or months for a letter. Knowing that if you wrote to someone, you could reasonably expect to wait weeks if not months to hear back.
Something is different between those letters and email. Something about the space - the time delays - chances for reflection - handwritten missives compared to typing - makes them a particularly strong form of connection. Or possibly: I'm just not a teenager any more.
What was truly amazing was the realization that that form of communication no longer exists. The feeling of urgency about getting someone's postal address, or you might lose touch with them forever and never be able to hear from them again. The time put into composing a letter. The sense that there was a minimum length that was acceptable. Picking up a letter at different times to continue writing. The sense of a special bond that arose from these communications - hand-written, directed to you, containing more than the words: pictures, personally designed envelopes, doodles, those individual touches that let you know someone was thinking about you and wanted to share with you. And those letters as a network connecting you with a few precious individuals in widely dispersed locations. Without the letters, how could the friendship be sustained? And finally - waiting. Waiting weeks or months for a letter. Knowing that if you wrote to someone, you could reasonably expect to wait weeks if not months to hear back.
Something is different between those letters and email. Something about the space - the time delays - chances for reflection - handwritten missives compared to typing - makes them a particularly strong form of connection. Or possibly: I'm just not a teenager any more.
Blemished perfection
Yesterday I got my desk! It is a beautiful thing: sleek and simple with beautiful legs. It fits perfectly under the window, and I feel incredibly comfortable sitting at it.
It came with a matching bookshelf, 6 shelves, and wow - I can put out some of my books! This is really feeling like a place I can work now.
As I went to put my computer back on the table last night, I was carrying a pen in my right hand. And the pen marked up the unfinished top of my beautiful table.
that is the way it goes. I erased out most of it - but it is now officially a table for work. Though its blemished beauty is still beautiful.
It came with a matching bookshelf, 6 shelves, and wow - I can put out some of my books! This is really feeling like a place I can work now.
As I went to put my computer back on the table last night, I was carrying a pen in my right hand. And the pen marked up the unfinished top of my beautiful table.
that is the way it goes. I erased out most of it - but it is now officially a table for work. Though its blemished beauty is still beautiful.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The end of the world
I'm fascinated by end-of-the-world type catastrophic thinking. The Day After Tomorrow, for example - while clearly a BAD film - was great!
Today I went to see the new Will Smith movie with a friend - I Am Legend
He's the last man in NYC/ the earth after a mutant virus created by humans to cure cancer kills everyone off. Well, not the LAST man ... there are vampires, mutated humans infected with the virus, who attack. And are not always repelled by bullets. And seem to have developed super-human climbing powers ...
So, the NYT review is quite glowing, actually. And I thought WS did a pretty good job. But ... first, why all the guns?? why all the shooting? That disturbs me. Second: how did he still have electricity and running water? Thirdly: awfully fortuitous that the streets were clear enough in some places to enable full navigation around the city. Fourth: honestly, if the humans have devolved that much, how do they a) climb poles like monkeys, and b) withstand sprays of bullets?
And in terms of the content - I would have much preferred a real examination of rebuilding a civilization post-apocalypse rather than repelling attacks of freaks. I think that's the much more interesting question.
My two cents.
Today I went to see the new Will Smith movie with a friend - I Am Legend
He's the last man in NYC/ the earth after a mutant virus created by humans to cure cancer kills everyone off. Well, not the LAST man ... there are vampires, mutated humans infected with the virus, who attack. And are not always repelled by bullets. And seem to have developed super-human climbing powers ...
So, the NYT review is quite glowing, actually. And I thought WS did a pretty good job. But ... first, why all the guns?? why all the shooting? That disturbs me. Second: how did he still have electricity and running water? Thirdly: awfully fortuitous that the streets were clear enough in some places to enable full navigation around the city. Fourth: honestly, if the humans have devolved that much, how do they a) climb poles like monkeys, and b) withstand sprays of bullets?
And in terms of the content - I would have much preferred a real examination of rebuilding a civilization post-apocalypse rather than repelling attacks of freaks. I think that's the much more interesting question.
My two cents.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Almost Free
Tomorrow is my last day at this job. And though it's been great ... YAY!
Because after tomorrow, I will be able to focus. I will focus on the research and writing projects that interest me, that I feel responsible for, about which I am passionate. And I can already feel that with that focus, I will be able to accomplish so much more than I have before. I can already feel things getting done far faster than they have in the past. It is incredibly exciting! Who knows what lies ahead? But I can't wait to find out.
Because after tomorrow, I will be able to focus. I will focus on the research and writing projects that interest me, that I feel responsible for, about which I am passionate. And I can already feel that with that focus, I will be able to accomplish so much more than I have before. I can already feel things getting done far faster than they have in the past. It is incredibly exciting! Who knows what lies ahead? But I can't wait to find out.
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Perfect Tool
After watching another episode of Sex & the City, I realized that Carrie's desk is PERFECT. A simple rectangle with strong legs, a single shallow drawer just under the top, lovely medium-toned wood.
Yeah, they don't sell Carrie's desk in this town.
Two days ago, my mom & I hit all the 2nd hand shops in town. Found two remote possibilities: an old formica dining room table with metal legs - but really, too big. And an older electric sewing machine - one of those that folds into the body of the desk. It was BEAUTIFUL: the most lovely honey-toned wood, solid, strong legs. It made me happy just touching it (in spite of the dust). And it had two functional drawers to the right. And only $30. However - too small. Sadly. If I had a home, I would have bought it, but it was too small, and why buy something that does not meet my needs?
So today, my dad & I hit all the rest of the furniture stores in town. Keeping in mind my "no cheap crap materials" rule, the cheapest we found was $319 for a not bad desk. But not really what I wanted. Store after store - utterly exhausting. Fortunately, he had found four table legs in the garage that he bought a few years ago, so he's having a friend make a table for me. Which might come in at $300 - but it will be MINE, and it will be WOOD, and I will love it.
And I will write.
Yeah, they don't sell Carrie's desk in this town.
Two days ago, my mom & I hit all the 2nd hand shops in town. Found two remote possibilities: an old formica dining room table with metal legs - but really, too big. And an older electric sewing machine - one of those that folds into the body of the desk. It was BEAUTIFUL: the most lovely honey-toned wood, solid, strong legs. It made me happy just touching it (in spite of the dust). And it had two functional drawers to the right. And only $30. However - too small. Sadly. If I had a home, I would have bought it, but it was too small, and why buy something that does not meet my needs?
So today, my dad & I hit all the rest of the furniture stores in town. Keeping in mind my "no cheap crap materials" rule, the cheapest we found was $319 for a not bad desk. But not really what I wanted. Store after store - utterly exhausting. Fortunately, he had found four table legs in the garage that he bought a few years ago, so he's having a friend make a table for me. Which might come in at $300 - but it will be MINE, and it will be WOOD, and I will love it.
And I will write.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Tools of the Trade
I am a writer. I need to equip myself. Whereas a few decades ago this would have meant a typewriter, and a hundred years ago, pen & paper (I'm just guessing here - I really have no idea when these technologies came into widespread use - though I'm going to pull a feminist interpretive play here and assume that regardless, they'd be used later by women), today this means a computer, my laptop in particular. However, one element is common no matter what you use for writing: a table. You need something to place the writing implement on; a space to sit at comfortably; and a place where you can focus. Without a desk, it is very hard to get to the writing. Any show with a writer (Sex & the City and Something's Gotta Give come to mind) highlight the writer at a TABLE. A simple or elaborate piece of furniture that enables you to sit down and work.
I don't have a table. I barely have room for one, but I will squeeze it into my bedroom ... when I find one. That is the challenge. How do you find the right writing tool?? Just any table won't do. I refuse to get fibreboard fakeness, and artificial wood makes me ill. I scoured the 2nd hand stores in town yesterday, with little success. An old dining table at Share downtown had some possibilities, but was too large for my small bedroom. An "old" table at Salvation Army was okay, but on the small side, and not worth $80. A quite gorgeous writing desk with cubbyholes and a decent writing surface looked good - but it was $395, the cubbies were cute but not useful for me, and even for that money, the bottom of the drawers were - yes - fibreboard. Yech. An old sewing machine for $30 (one of those that roll into the top) was made of gorgeous old wood, and was strong and stable - but it was a sewing machine, and too small. My dad says he can't make one.
So, the search continues. I know I can technically write without a table - but I really can't. There is no other private space in the house; no place to organize my papers - no quiet place to retreat to. I NEED a table. I need a room. I need to re-read Virginia Woolf.
I don't have a table. I barely have room for one, but I will squeeze it into my bedroom ... when I find one. That is the challenge. How do you find the right writing tool?? Just any table won't do. I refuse to get fibreboard fakeness, and artificial wood makes me ill. I scoured the 2nd hand stores in town yesterday, with little success. An old dining table at Share downtown had some possibilities, but was too large for my small bedroom. An "old" table at Salvation Army was okay, but on the small side, and not worth $80. A quite gorgeous writing desk with cubbyholes and a decent writing surface looked good - but it was $395, the cubbies were cute but not useful for me, and even for that money, the bottom of the drawers were - yes - fibreboard. Yech. An old sewing machine for $30 (one of those that roll into the top) was made of gorgeous old wood, and was strong and stable - but it was a sewing machine, and too small. My dad says he can't make one.
So, the search continues. I know I can technically write without a table - but I really can't. There is no other private space in the house; no place to organize my papers - no quiet place to retreat to. I NEED a table. I need a room. I need to re-read Virginia Woolf.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Writing is Therapy
My new career path involves staying home. The plan: buy a desk, set up an office in my bedroom, and WRITE. Write those articles I've been working on for years; publish something from my master's thesis that's been sitting around for a decade; work on the fun book projects I've had over time. I love to write; I love the process, coming up with ideas, finding the best way to say something, and creating a product that is meaningful and communicates with others.
Then why is it that no sooner do I sit down to write than I'm overcome with anxiety and depression?
I look at things on the computer and get overwhelmed with insecurity about my career, my potential, how I'm doing compared to friends & acquaintances, whether I have any abilities at all as a writer or a professional, if I have any original ideas to share ... etc. etc. It brings out all my worries. Which, I think, is why I need to do it. Force myself to face those things, process them and move forward. Because otherwise they will continue to dog me and slow me down from becoming who I want to be.
Then why is it that no sooner do I sit down to write than I'm overcome with anxiety and depression?
I look at things on the computer and get overwhelmed with insecurity about my career, my potential, how I'm doing compared to friends & acquaintances, whether I have any abilities at all as a writer or a professional, if I have any original ideas to share ... etc. etc. It brings out all my worries. Which, I think, is why I need to do it. Force myself to face those things, process them and move forward. Because otherwise they will continue to dog me and slow me down from becoming who I want to be.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Recreated
I understand that over a 7 year period, every cell in your body is replaced. I am wondering what kind of a new life I could create for myself if I really tried to build a better me over the next seven years. Primarily, what paths in my brain could I reprogram if I thought only positive thoughts from now on?
This came back to me yesterday as I was collapsing under the stress of a new job. I don't want to do that. And I would love to look back in 7 years and realize I've become a new person with new ways of coping with the challenges of life. I'm going to try. I'm going to work on replacing dysfunctional and negative thoughts with accurate, positive, encouraging ones. Thoughts that allow me to do what I need to do, and to live life with joy. It will take tremendous effort - but I think it will be worth it.
This came back to me yesterday as I was collapsing under the stress of a new job. I don't want to do that. And I would love to look back in 7 years and realize I've become a new person with new ways of coping with the challenges of life. I'm going to try. I'm going to work on replacing dysfunctional and negative thoughts with accurate, positive, encouraging ones. Thoughts that allow me to do what I need to do, and to live life with joy. It will take tremendous effort - but I think it will be worth it.
Pet Resolutions
After traveling for a week, and after concluding I will be at home for a while longer, I've come to the following pet resolutions:
-to continue to enjoy adorable dog Pico
-to pet cat Cleo every time she comes to the glass door in our dining room.
speaking of which ...
-to continue to enjoy adorable dog Pico
-to pet cat Cleo every time she comes to the glass door in our dining room.
speaking of which ...
Why bother with faith?
This is something I've been asking myself lately. Some things I've had faith in, like finding a job, haven't worked out. People I've put faith in have let me down. I have begun to wonder, truly, why bother? Because I think repeated disappointment is wearing me out.
Fortunately, Christian literature has again come to my aid! I picked up "Live, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness" by Hope Lyda at the Bellingham Public Library ($3 in their used rack) and it was just what I needed. It looks at the role of faith - in oneself and others - as you attempt to be true to yourself and figure out your calling. While it did require willing suspension of disbelief (things do turn out right in the end - which is the point - but really?!), it illustrated the role of faith and trusting yourself in moving towards desirable solutions. It wasn't overly biblically-based, but the search for religious faith, and attendance at church, were definitely part of it (plus glances at cutting down on alcohol and not having sex - an impossibility in non-religious books of this genre). I've requested another of hers from the local library and can't wait to read it.
Fortunately, Christian literature has again come to my aid! I picked up "Live, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness" by Hope Lyda at the Bellingham Public Library ($3 in their used rack) and it was just what I needed. It looks at the role of faith - in oneself and others - as you attempt to be true to yourself and figure out your calling. While it did require willing suspension of disbelief (things do turn out right in the end - which is the point - but really?!), it illustrated the role of faith and trusting yourself in moving towards desirable solutions. It wasn't overly biblically-based, but the search for religious faith, and attendance at church, were definitely part of it (plus glances at cutting down on alcohol and not having sex - an impossibility in non-religious books of this genre). I've requested another of hers from the local library and can't wait to read it.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Keeping busy to fight materialism
On my way back home recently, I was in an airport waiting for a flight, and happened upon a duty-free outlet. I've never bought anything duty-free - don't need the tobacco or alcohol - but was drawn this time to the perfume. Chanel No. 5, to be exact. So elegant! Spicy but refined. I sprayed my wrist, then walked around sniffing myself for the next 1.5 hours. To buy, or not to buy? Well, if I will buy, better here than at home - I'll save myself who knows how much money. But why buy it? I was overwhelmed by visions of myself at home, delicately spritzing myself before heading out for the evening. Delightful! Perfect! What more do I need to create a new life for myself?
In the end, reality won out. I did not need it. My work environment is fragrance-free. I have an essential oil that I use when I want perfume. And ultimately: a bottle of expensive smelly water will not change my life in any fundamental way.
Once I got back and got busy with life, I realized that life is a lot more exciting and engrossing than trying to make life beautiful in isolation. Which is what I tend to get obsessed with when I have time on my hands. While I still want a beautiful life and home, I'd like to remember that living life is more important than what it looks like.
In the end, reality won out. I did not need it. My work environment is fragrance-free. I have an essential oil that I use when I want perfume. And ultimately: a bottle of expensive smelly water will not change my life in any fundamental way.
Once I got back and got busy with life, I realized that life is a lot more exciting and engrossing than trying to make life beautiful in isolation. Which is what I tend to get obsessed with when I have time on my hands. While I still want a beautiful life and home, I'd like to remember that living life is more important than what it looks like.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Mastering the Material
I'm still figuring this out, but I know that my possessions have a real impact on my life. Not necessarily in the way of "cool possessions make life good", but in the sense that having too much, or being surrounded by things that do not bring joy or fill my life with love tend to dissipate my energy. Clutter sucks my motivation and makes me lose focus; order, and being surrounded only by things that bring me joy, facilitate productivity and are in some sense spiritually nurturing.
This weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) is a time of organizing and purging. My sister has gone through all the things she has left in the house, which was an amazing feat. I'm cleaning out my closet (again) and files, and bookshelves, as best I can, trying to leave only those things that are meaningful. I think I'm beyond collecting for the sake of it; and mementos are losing some of their meaning. What brings me joy RIGHT NOW? seems a more useful way of thinking about things.
This weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) is a time of organizing and purging. My sister has gone through all the things she has left in the house, which was an amazing feat. I'm cleaning out my closet (again) and files, and bookshelves, as best I can, trying to leave only those things that are meaningful. I think I'm beyond collecting for the sake of it; and mementos are losing some of their meaning. What brings me joy RIGHT NOW? seems a more useful way of thinking about things.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Insane gas mileage
Lately, I've been getting almost 250 miles to half a tank. I have a 16-gallon tank; which means I'm getting around 31 mpg, for a combo of highway and city driving. I think before I was getting closer to 25 to 28 mpg for in-city and some highway driving.
It's not a hybrid - but I'm pleased. Going easy on the gas, and doing regular vehicle maintenance, seems to be working.
It's not a hybrid - but I'm pleased. Going easy on the gas, and doing regular vehicle maintenance, seems to be working.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Spiritual Restoration
Tonight was the Baha'i 19 day feast - our community gathering for spiritual rejuvenation, consultation and community building. Because of all the traveling I've been doing, I haven't been in a while - I didn't realize how long it's been, but I missed the last four! And I'm really glad I went tonight. It worked:
If this feast be held in the proper fashion, the friends will, once in nineteen days, find themselves spiritually restored, and endued with a power that is not of this world.
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 427)
It was really encouraging to share stories of what I've been doing, and to hear others' stories; to read prayers and writings together; and to talk with people I haven't seen in a while.
It also reminded me that with all things, you get out what you put in. The more I concentrated on gaining from the spirit of the event, the more I was able to.
If this feast be held in the proper fashion, the friends will, once in nineteen days, find themselves spiritually restored, and endued with a power that is not of this world.
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 427)
It was really encouraging to share stories of what I've been doing, and to hear others' stories; to read prayers and writings together; and to talk with people I haven't seen in a while.
It also reminded me that with all things, you get out what you put in. The more I concentrated on gaining from the spirit of the event, the more I was able to.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
what's up with planned obsolescence?
I was reading a few articles recently that combined to blow my mind. The first was in Marie Claire, about a "clothes swap" between two magazine editors. One was lamenting how hopelessly out of style the other's boot-cut jeans were. This made me pause. Boot-cut jeans are very attractive; and will probably be back in style in a few years, when the current skinny jeans are passe. Why does the fashion industry get to decide what is stylish, dictating massive expenditures on continually changing clothing?
then, in Style at Home, a Canadian magazine, I read an article that mentioned that fire pits are "in" this year.
Oh, okay. Honey, can we put in a fire pit? 'cause they're in. Sure hope they're in next year, too!
The short attention span, the obsession with spending, of the style/fashion/decorating industry is such a frenetic force, distracting us from independent thought, from lasting/ enduring beauty, and from a focus on EVERYTHING that is more important. I also love beautiful things, but I don't think that means that what is beautiful needs to change every 6 to 12 months.
then, in Style at Home, a Canadian magazine, I read an article that mentioned that fire pits are "in" this year.
Oh, okay. Honey, can we put in a fire pit? 'cause they're in. Sure hope they're in next year, too!
The short attention span, the obsession with spending, of the style/fashion/decorating industry is such a frenetic force, distracting us from independent thought, from lasting/ enduring beauty, and from a focus on EVERYTHING that is more important. I also love beautiful things, but I don't think that means that what is beautiful needs to change every 6 to 12 months.
Noah's Ark
We live on the edge of town, surrounded by farms & orchards (as well as suburbia). On the drive into town, I pass an amazing field that has the most beautiful assortment of farm animals I've ever seen: brown goats, white goats, alpacas, sheep, ostriches, and who knows what else. All roaming around this one field, enjoying the grass, the sun, and apparently the company. They look so happy, are such a beautiful mix, it fills me with joy every time.
When they're inside, sometimes you can see the other pair that share the field: Horse and Donkey. Horse is shiny brown and tall; Donkey is donkey-grey and short. They also seem to enjoy each other's company, and you'll frequently see them hanging out together in some random corner of the field.
This all reminds me of my fascination with Noah's Ark. I don't know why I love that story so much - maybe the total destruction, or maybe the work that goes into surviving, or maybe the idea of renewal. I read a retelling recently by David Maine called The Preservationist. It was utterly brilliant, offering the story from about 8 different perspectives - Noah, his wife, his sons, their wives.
When they're inside, sometimes you can see the other pair that share the field: Horse and Donkey. Horse is shiny brown and tall; Donkey is donkey-grey and short. They also seem to enjoy each other's company, and you'll frequently see them hanging out together in some random corner of the field.
This all reminds me of my fascination with Noah's Ark. I don't know why I love that story so much - maybe the total destruction, or maybe the work that goes into surviving, or maybe the idea of renewal. I read a retelling recently by David Maine called The Preservationist. It was utterly brilliant, offering the story from about 8 different perspectives - Noah, his wife, his sons, their wives.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Fetter-shedding
I feel as if I'm heading into a transition - preparing for geographical and career changes. Part of any transition for me is always purging my possessions. I've been going through my things lately and find myself getting rid of more and more things that no longer mean anything to me, that just take up space and energy, and that hold me back from being the me I want to be. Even books I've held onto to read that I now feel would be a waste of time. Why keep them? Or CDs I'm never going to listen to. I'm actually going through all my music now to condense what I have down to the essence of what I love.
Love concentrated: that's what I want my possessions to be. A high-density fuel source to power me on my way to whatever is next.
Love concentrated: that's what I want my possessions to be. A high-density fuel source to power me on my way to whatever is next.
Metal success
With the help of my sister's membership card (mine was at home), I successfully purchased a metal (um ... steel?? boy, I'm bad with details) water bottle at Mountain Equipment Co-op. I love it! The water tastes GREAT. I didn't realize the aftertaste I was getting from the plastic bottle, even though it was hard plastic.
Apparently, there are lots of places to get metal bottles now. House of Knives in my town sells them; there's also Kleen Kanteen, which has very stylish products.
Apparently, there are lots of places to get metal bottles now. House of Knives in my town sells them; there's also Kleen Kanteen, which has very stylish products.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I'm getting scared of plastic
Have you noticed that it is everywhere? We wrap our food in it, carry our water in it, let our kids play with it, carry our purchases in it. Now that I've started looking, I'm blown away by how this unnatural substance has invaded our lives.
It concerns me particularly when I read things like this:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/08/07/scientists-warn-of-the-dangers-of-a-chemical-found-in-plastic.aspx
That is some nasty stuff!
I do not as yet have a solution in mind; it's hard to imagine what else I'd package food in; which in itself is telling, I think. For water, I"m looking into these metal bottles:
http://www.kleankanteen.com/
No-Impact-Man recommends glass, but I worry about breakage.
For the rest of it, I'll let you know.
It concerns me particularly when I read things like this:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/08/07/scientists-warn-of-the-dangers-of-a-chemical-found-in-plastic.aspx
That is some nasty stuff!
I do not as yet have a solution in mind; it's hard to imagine what else I'd package food in; which in itself is telling, I think. For water, I"m looking into these metal bottles:
http://www.kleankanteen.com/
No-Impact-Man recommends glass, but I worry about breakage.
For the rest of it, I'll let you know.
Friday, August 24, 2007
The Water Bottle
I took my Nalgene water bottle on a recent trip to Toronto (fabulous Baha'i Studies conference, people!). Though I had to empty it before I could get through airport security, the flight attendants very kindly filled it on every leg of the flight, without hesitation. I recall trying to get them to do that with a plastic mug maybe 7 years ago, and they were very confused. So it seems awareness is growing.
By the way, I'm hoping to switch to a metal water bottle to avoid plastic leachates ... but this one will do for now.
By the way, I'm hoping to switch to a metal water bottle to avoid plastic leachates ... but this one will do for now.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Spiritual inspiration and balance
Had a great study circle tonight - we're going through a book on working with Junior Youth, their capacity, and fostering the development of spiritual qualities. One section we looked at discussed the self, ego and selfishness, and how to overcome them. The quotes were so inspiring -- here's a couple for example:
These tests ... do but cleanse the spotting of self from off the mirror of the heart, till the Sun of Truth can cast its rays thereon; for there is noveil more obstructive than the self, and however, tenuous that veil may be, at the last it will cmpletely shut a person out, and deprive him of his portion of eternal grace.
And again:
only surfaces that are pure and polished can reflect [the sun's] glory and light.
So I'd like to really re-focus my life on service, goodness, spiritual growth and transformation of character. But how do you do this while maintaining balance? It seems that growth either accelerates towards more and more service and activities until exhaustion sets in; or towards increasing self-aborption, until I've forgotten to put others ahead of my own needs. I want to think about this more -- because I want to be inspired, and become a better person, and I also want to live a life of peace, pace, love and calm.
These tests ... do but cleanse the spotting of self from off the mirror of the heart, till the Sun of Truth can cast its rays thereon; for there is noveil more obstructive than the self, and however, tenuous that veil may be, at the last it will cmpletely shut a person out, and deprive him of his portion of eternal grace.
And again:
only surfaces that are pure and polished can reflect [the sun's] glory and light.
So I'd like to really re-focus my life on service, goodness, spiritual growth and transformation of character. But how do you do this while maintaining balance? It seems that growth either accelerates towards more and more service and activities until exhaustion sets in; or towards increasing self-aborption, until I've forgotten to put others ahead of my own needs. I want to think about this more -- because I want to be inspired, and become a better person, and I also want to live a life of peace, pace, love and calm.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Love and appreciation
Today I went with some of our house-guests up to the local school where they had found some broken glass yesterday. We went armed with a broom and dustpan and cleared up piles of glass. One of the bottles was a beautiful green, and it just makes me wonder, how can someone not appreciate the beauty of these objects? And how can you wilfully destroy them -- potentially causing injury to a child? I wish more people could love and appreciate the beauty in simple objects.
Tonnes of Buns
Owing to intensifying industrial development in my town (i.e., Walmart parking lots), a large number of rabbits have been displaced. One area of town is now Bunnsville. Driving through the area is dangerous -- driver's attention may be distracted by frequent bun-sightings. I went through the area the other night -- all colours and sizes, nibbling and hopping, utterly adorable.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Food miles and food quality
I'm reading The 100-Mile Diet right now, and along with all the other great books I've read lately (such as The Upside of Down; Animal Vegetable Miracle), I'm feeling particularly ... guilty? Let's say I'm finally starting to look at what I take into my life and see behind it the personal and environmental costs as well as what it represents to me: things like labor, raw materials, transportation.
So I stopped by Nature's Fare today to pick up some stuff for my teeth (Cal Flour 6x, I think ... recommended by naturopath friend, for my crazy weak teeth). And I got weak: in addition to a samosa (hey, I spilled my entire lunch on the floor at work -- I was hungry), I bought a jar of organic carrot juice from ... Switzerland.
Now, as far as I can see, there is NO GOOD REASON to import carrot juice from another continent, however beautiful the bottle. Unless it's really exceptionally high quality, out of this world carrot juice. But I was really craving carrot juice. I looked at the juicing carrots -- $28.99 for a BIIIG bag -- but even they were from California. So I decided to do it, see what it felt like.
Generally, it felt like a waste of almost $5. There was absolutely no comparison when it came to flavour. My home-juiced juice wins hands down for flavour, frothiness, sweetness and richness. This was a pale, weak comparison.
So, I've concluded that 1) experimenting with doing things you might feel badly about can lead to valuable learning opportunities, 2) there are reasons aside from the environment to eat local (i.e., TASTE! FOOD QUALITY!), 3) I think this local health food store needs some help: my take-out samosa was placed in a well-sized cardboard container and wrapped in a plastic bag.
Thanks!
So I stopped by Nature's Fare today to pick up some stuff for my teeth (Cal Flour 6x, I think ... recommended by naturopath friend, for my crazy weak teeth). And I got weak: in addition to a samosa (hey, I spilled my entire lunch on the floor at work -- I was hungry), I bought a jar of organic carrot juice from ... Switzerland.
Now, as far as I can see, there is NO GOOD REASON to import carrot juice from another continent, however beautiful the bottle. Unless it's really exceptionally high quality, out of this world carrot juice. But I was really craving carrot juice. I looked at the juicing carrots -- $28.99 for a BIIIG bag -- but even they were from California. So I decided to do it, see what it felt like.
Generally, it felt like a waste of almost $5. There was absolutely no comparison when it came to flavour. My home-juiced juice wins hands down for flavour, frothiness, sweetness and richness. This was a pale, weak comparison.
So, I've concluded that 1) experimenting with doing things you might feel badly about can lead to valuable learning opportunities, 2) there are reasons aside from the environment to eat local (i.e., TASTE! FOOD QUALITY!), 3) I think this local health food store needs some help: my take-out samosa was placed in a well-sized cardboard container and wrapped in a plastic bag.
Thanks!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sedating ourselves
I'm an escapist. I'm drawn to my vision of an ideal life, and look for ways to create that feeling around me on a constant basis. This isn't necessarily bad, but I'm aware of the number of things I use that drug me into complacency and create the illusion of a perfect life without the reality of living it. I'm guessing that everyone has their drugs -- whatever it might be that calms your mind, tunes out what's problematic, and creates a feeling of calm inside. While some might use drugs or alcohol or food or work, I've found my own subset: checking email; tv shows on dvd; mindless reading; blogs of people whose lifestyles I envy (read: back to the earth, mothering/ cooking/ gardening/ environmentalism/ personal growth/ community).
When I engage in these things, I feel my mind calming down and myself better able to deal with things that might have been disturbing me. Or maybe, or also, distracting myself from doing real work, things that produce results rather than just pass time.
Other things I do calm me also, but feel rewarding at the same time. It's a different, deeper kind of soothing. Gardening, rare though it is; walking and hiking in beautiful places; housework that I'm doing so my mom doesn't have to; writing and editing my personal projects; dancing; playing with children. I believe these things have value, and that they are real, and by doing them, I am making myself a better person, not simply making myself feel better.
When I engage in these things, I feel my mind calming down and myself better able to deal with things that might have been disturbing me. Or maybe, or also, distracting myself from doing real work, things that produce results rather than just pass time.
Other things I do calm me also, but feel rewarding at the same time. It's a different, deeper kind of soothing. Gardening, rare though it is; walking and hiking in beautiful places; housework that I'm doing so my mom doesn't have to; writing and editing my personal projects; dancing; playing with children. I believe these things have value, and that they are real, and by doing them, I am making myself a better person, not simply making myself feel better.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Global issues and personal moral choices
I finished reading through the article about the war in the Congo, and it left me very sad. It's really not enough, with the state of the world today, to concern yourself solely with your own comfort and securing your life and your family's lifestyle. This story made me aware as I haven't been before of both my responsibility to live my life so it makes a difference, and to see how my small daily choices affect the rest of the planet.
It also reminded me of this Hidden Word:
54. O YE RICH ONES ON EARTH!
The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.
(Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)
If you live in North America, by and large, you are a Rich One. If I'm just content with my own ease -- creating my own cocoon of a life -- what am I doing for everyone else?
It also reminded me of this Hidden Word:
54. O YE RICH ONES ON EARTH!
The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.
(Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)
If you live in North America, by and large, you are a Rich One. If I'm just content with my own ease -- creating my own cocoon of a life -- what am I doing for everyone else?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
In love with low-tech
I used to be a technophile. I believed that technology provided efficient solutions for everything. That having the newest version of any product was best; that streamlining and improving all our gadgets could result in a better life.
I had a PalmPilot. My graduate advisor bought them for all his students, and we all used them. It was super-sleek, and I even took it overseas with me. It was "indispensible" for tracking all of my friends' addresses, all my present and future activities.
Of course, until it became ill, and started switching dates and times of events on me. Lost entries; changed coding on my addresses. And it was too big to carry around, even though it was an ultra-small version. And I had to plug it in to charge it (electricity) and hotsynch it with my laptop -- which meant that my laptop and ITS power source had to go with me even on short trips. Which significantly weighed down my travel. And as I discovered in one embarrassing exchange, it is in fact slower to enter information into it than it is to write or even (heaven forbid!) remember something. I also never used the addresses I had. They were for people I had lost touch with years if not decades earlier.
Technology cramped my life, cluttered my purse and luggage, and wasted time and space.
And then there's this: http://johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=863
which I found from No Impact Man's post about the impact of our lust for gadgets on people's lives: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2007/07/gadgets-and-my-.html
it's really making me think long and hard about future purchases of technology or jewelry. And it deserves more than a passing mention here -- it's almost embarrassing to mention it and move on.
Of course, I still use technology. I keep a word document on my [4 or 5 year old] computer with people's names, which I print out and put in a little folder where I keep all my slips of names and papers. But my address book is pen and paper, as are my to-do lists. I don't have any interest in an iPhone (though I must confess, were I living somewhere in the States I would probably crave a cell phone). But I stay away from electric can openers and like manual (or foot-ual) pumps for air mattresses.
I guess I'm just saying -- for me, higher tech is not always better. And some low-tech is a lot of fun.
I had a PalmPilot. My graduate advisor bought them for all his students, and we all used them. It was super-sleek, and I even took it overseas with me. It was "indispensible" for tracking all of my friends' addresses, all my present and future activities.
Of course, until it became ill, and started switching dates and times of events on me. Lost entries; changed coding on my addresses. And it was too big to carry around, even though it was an ultra-small version. And I had to plug it in to charge it (electricity) and hotsynch it with my laptop -- which meant that my laptop and ITS power source had to go with me even on short trips. Which significantly weighed down my travel. And as I discovered in one embarrassing exchange, it is in fact slower to enter information into it than it is to write or even (heaven forbid!) remember something. I also never used the addresses I had. They were for people I had lost touch with years if not decades earlier.
Technology cramped my life, cluttered my purse and luggage, and wasted time and space.
And then there's this: http://johannhari.com/archive/article.php?id=863
which I found from No Impact Man's post about the impact of our lust for gadgets on people's lives: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2007/07/gadgets-and-my-.html
it's really making me think long and hard about future purchases of technology or jewelry. And it deserves more than a passing mention here -- it's almost embarrassing to mention it and move on.
Of course, I still use technology. I keep a word document on my [4 or 5 year old] computer with people's names, which I print out and put in a little folder where I keep all my slips of names and papers. But my address book is pen and paper, as are my to-do lists. I don't have any interest in an iPhone (though I must confess, were I living somewhere in the States I would probably crave a cell phone). But I stay away from electric can openers and like manual (or foot-ual) pumps for air mattresses.
I guess I'm just saying -- for me, higher tech is not always better. And some low-tech is a lot of fun.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
More About Soap
I find I can't drink from glasses out of the dishwasher -- something about the soap residue just doesn't feel right. So, I took the next logical step and put together a container of home-made dishwasher soap (I suppose the truly logical step would be to wash all dishes by hand ... we'll come to that). I did one load and it worked well, but then the dishwasher broke. So now it's hand-washing for all.
But it did work!
But it did work!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Living Locally
Am finishing up an amazing book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver with Stephen Hopp and Camille Kingsolver. She is one of my favourite writers, and this is one of my new favourite topics: food self-sufficiency and creating a life around providing your own food and eating as locally as you can.
check out their book website: http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/
My environmental side rejoices at the implications of growing even a small proportion of our family's food in our own yard. In addition to significantly healthier produce, available fresh, without pesticides (if that is not enough), I consider the economic benefits of not having to package and ship produce literally around the globe. Then there are the growing health risks associated with large-scale agriculture -- toxic spinach as just one example. I've been pulling fresh spinach from our garden for days, and it is a pure joy.
This book went beyond the level of inspiration I expected to motivate me to really look at what foods I have growing in our garden to see what I can cook with them. Rather than pulling out a recipe and then shopping, I can just use what we have. Brilliant! I've been putting spinach in everything, and made a Russian beet salad with our beets and walnuts from last summer. I hope to get properly involved with the garden next year, and plan to push for potatoes.
In terms of local eating, I read a fabulous post about a "bulls-eye" diet philosophy, in contrast with the "100 mile diet" idea (check out the great post at http://casaubonsbook.blogspot.com/2007/06/bullseye-diet.html ). I think that they both serve to illustrate the environmental and health effects of local eating, but the bulls-eye seems a more apt (and do-able) metaphor for me. Which, I admit, is a bit of cheating ... but I can't imagine living without beans and olive oil. I need my fat and protein!
check out their book website: http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/
My environmental side rejoices at the implications of growing even a small proportion of our family's food in our own yard. In addition to significantly healthier produce, available fresh, without pesticides (if that is not enough), I consider the economic benefits of not having to package and ship produce literally around the globe. Then there are the growing health risks associated with large-scale agriculture -- toxic spinach as just one example. I've been pulling fresh spinach from our garden for days, and it is a pure joy.
This book went beyond the level of inspiration I expected to motivate me to really look at what foods I have growing in our garden to see what I can cook with them. Rather than pulling out a recipe and then shopping, I can just use what we have. Brilliant! I've been putting spinach in everything, and made a Russian beet salad with our beets and walnuts from last summer. I hope to get properly involved with the garden next year, and plan to push for potatoes.
In terms of local eating, I read a fabulous post about a "bulls-eye" diet philosophy, in contrast with the "100 mile diet" idea (check out the great post at http://casaubonsbook.blogspot.com/2007/06/bullseye-diet.html ). I think that they both serve to illustrate the environmental and health effects of local eating, but the bulls-eye seems a more apt (and do-able) metaphor for me. Which, I admit, is a bit of cheating ... but I can't imagine living without beans and olive oil. I need my fat and protein!
The Pleasures of Other People's Trash
I am so so grateful to those wonderful souls who subscribe to magazines and are charitable enough to donate them to 2nd hand stores and libraries.
While visiting a friend in Bellingham, I learned that their library has an amazing book & magazine sharing system -- shelves and boxes of FREE books and magazines! On every visit I stock up on a pile, mainly decorating magazines, my favourites. Today I picked up 7 fabulous design/ decorating ones from a 2nd hand shop downtown (KWS Thrift) for $2. They will provide hours of enjoyment, clippings for future home decorating and design, ideas for my business. Then when I'm done, I may pass them on, or recycle them depending on how much I rip out of each one.
It's not completely environmentally neutral. But, it has got to be better than chucking them in the garbage! Wouldn't it be amazing if everyone put things they were finished with into some type of 2nd hand market -- through sharing with friends, selling again, donating -- thus allowing others to benefit from resources that have already been used up, ultimately reducing THEIR need for more resources.
Won't attempt to analyze the economic implications here, except to say that I don't believe I believe that a consumption-driven society is our only option, or that reducing economic growth and consumer purchasing should result in negative social impacts.
While visiting a friend in Bellingham, I learned that their library has an amazing book & magazine sharing system -- shelves and boxes of FREE books and magazines! On every visit I stock up on a pile, mainly decorating magazines, my favourites. Today I picked up 7 fabulous design/ decorating ones from a 2nd hand shop downtown (KWS Thrift) for $2. They will provide hours of enjoyment, clippings for future home decorating and design, ideas for my business. Then when I'm done, I may pass them on, or recycle them depending on how much I rip out of each one.
It's not completely environmentally neutral. But, it has got to be better than chucking them in the garbage! Wouldn't it be amazing if everyone put things they were finished with into some type of 2nd hand market -- through sharing with friends, selling again, donating -- thus allowing others to benefit from resources that have already been used up, ultimately reducing THEIR need for more resources.
Won't attempt to analyze the economic implications here, except to say that I don't believe I believe that a consumption-driven society is our only option, or that reducing economic growth and consumer purchasing should result in negative social impacts.
The Morality of Second Hand Clothes
(NOTE: this is virtually identical to a previous post about 2nd hand shopping. What can I say, I'm a woman of passionate interests.)
I've been a fan of 2nd hand clothes for ages, since high school in fact, when they were my definition of cool. My friends and I trolled the Salvation Army for magical finds, spending mere change on what was, to us, fabulous clothing.
Then I lived in Russia, where 2nd hand clothes doesn't really exist and women dress like women. Pointy black heels, skirts always, fitted tops, purses, make-up and perfume. After 3 years, I was feminized, and couldn't fathom going back to my slatternly ways. Plus, I was a professional! I was in grad school! I was going to have my PhD!
And I still loved cheap clothes. So all through the PhD, I made regular weekend forays to the fabulous 2nd hand outlets in Norfolk, VA. I found wonderful clothing items that not only were cool, they were in good shape. I was learning that people get rid of some awfully nice stuff. And stores get rid of some brand new stuff, with the tags still attached. My wardrobe expanded dramatically, with approximately 50% coming from these beautiful 2nd hand outlets.
Lately I have been thinking and reading more about the environment, while maintaining my love of clothes. I'm becoming aware that everything I buy new has tremendous consequences. The materials come out of the ground or from animals or plants; they are obtained and processed using large amounts of energy and often chemicals and pesticides; they are manufactured in conditions that are often unfair for the workers; and huge amounts of fuel and materials are used to package and transport them. Every time I buy something new, I am supporting this industry.
On the other hand, 2nd hand stores can claim to actually HELP the environment. In a significant way, they divert materials that would otherwise be going to landfills, taking up space, being wasted, creating the need for NEW landfills. Everything I find 2nd hand and don't buy new is that portion of energy and materials that is not being used (wasted). I like to think that by shopping there I am encouraging others to embrace our society's waste -- though by the large numbers of people at Value Village, it looks like many are convinced already.
But doesn't somebody have to buy the new things for them to be used? If we all shopped 2nd hand, this wouldn't work! Okay, that is true. But I think our society is a LONG way from being there. I'd guess that sales at the mall probably exceed those at 2nd hand stores by a lot. There are VAST quantities of perfectly good (and very good) merchandise just sitting there, waiting to be sold. If we don't buy it, it will get thrown out. Until we actually reach a crunch time in our society where the manufacture and purchase of new materials slows dramatically, I consider that argument spurious.
But isn't it materialistic as well to buy too many 2nd hand things?
Well, first, I think that is a wasted argument -- I don't think that people who buy 2nd hand have any more excess than those who buy new. Stories abound of people with new clothes hanging in their closets that has never been worn. Why should those who shop 2nd hand be held to a higher standard?
Second, I'm conscious of this. I apply the same rules to buying new as buying 2nd hand: do I love it? Is it in great shape? Will I use it? Do I need it? I will return items worth as little as a dollar if they are things that don't meet these requirements. While I definitely allow myself some fun excess, I'm careful about accumulating too much.
Plus: I look good. The majority of my clothes now have been bought 2nd hand, and they are in great shape. I wear them to work, to fancy occasions, or on hot summer days, and they can handle it all.
So in summary: 2nd hand clothes are morally good. They save energy, encourage a mentality of reusing, and make you happy and beautiful.
I've been a fan of 2nd hand clothes for ages, since high school in fact, when they were my definition of cool. My friends and I trolled the Salvation Army for magical finds, spending mere change on what was, to us, fabulous clothing.
Then I lived in Russia, where 2nd hand clothes doesn't really exist and women dress like women. Pointy black heels, skirts always, fitted tops, purses, make-up and perfume. After 3 years, I was feminized, and couldn't fathom going back to my slatternly ways. Plus, I was a professional! I was in grad school! I was going to have my PhD!
And I still loved cheap clothes. So all through the PhD, I made regular weekend forays to the fabulous 2nd hand outlets in Norfolk, VA. I found wonderful clothing items that not only were cool, they were in good shape. I was learning that people get rid of some awfully nice stuff. And stores get rid of some brand new stuff, with the tags still attached. My wardrobe expanded dramatically, with approximately 50% coming from these beautiful 2nd hand outlets.
Lately I have been thinking and reading more about the environment, while maintaining my love of clothes. I'm becoming aware that everything I buy new has tremendous consequences. The materials come out of the ground or from animals or plants; they are obtained and processed using large amounts of energy and often chemicals and pesticides; they are manufactured in conditions that are often unfair for the workers; and huge amounts of fuel and materials are used to package and transport them. Every time I buy something new, I am supporting this industry.
On the other hand, 2nd hand stores can claim to actually HELP the environment. In a significant way, they divert materials that would otherwise be going to landfills, taking up space, being wasted, creating the need for NEW landfills. Everything I find 2nd hand and don't buy new is that portion of energy and materials that is not being used (wasted). I like to think that by shopping there I am encouraging others to embrace our society's waste -- though by the large numbers of people at Value Village, it looks like many are convinced already.
But doesn't somebody have to buy the new things for them to be used? If we all shopped 2nd hand, this wouldn't work! Okay, that is true. But I think our society is a LONG way from being there. I'd guess that sales at the mall probably exceed those at 2nd hand stores by a lot. There are VAST quantities of perfectly good (and very good) merchandise just sitting there, waiting to be sold. If we don't buy it, it will get thrown out. Until we actually reach a crunch time in our society where the manufacture and purchase of new materials slows dramatically, I consider that argument spurious.
But isn't it materialistic as well to buy too many 2nd hand things?
Well, first, I think that is a wasted argument -- I don't think that people who buy 2nd hand have any more excess than those who buy new. Stories abound of people with new clothes hanging in their closets that has never been worn. Why should those who shop 2nd hand be held to a higher standard?
Second, I'm conscious of this. I apply the same rules to buying new as buying 2nd hand: do I love it? Is it in great shape? Will I use it? Do I need it? I will return items worth as little as a dollar if they are things that don't meet these requirements. While I definitely allow myself some fun excess, I'm careful about accumulating too much.
Plus: I look good. The majority of my clothes now have been bought 2nd hand, and they are in great shape. I wear them to work, to fancy occasions, or on hot summer days, and they can handle it all.
So in summary: 2nd hand clothes are morally good. They save energy, encourage a mentality of reusing, and make you happy and beautiful.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
what is the earth?
I gave my talk on the environment last night. The talk and discussion (mainly discussion) extended for about an hour and a half. I really enjoyed it. And I realized how profound it is to reflect deeply on what the earth really is. What we get from it. It is the source of our lives. It reflects God's attributes. It is a divine creation. We are dependent on it in profound ways. Absolutely everything we have and do is dependent on nature. This in itself could be an entire workshop.
Victory over Plastic
I took my black blazer to be cleaned the other day. there is one place in town that cleans using oxygen or hydrogen or something purely natural, so that was my sole choice of place to go. aside from the environmental effects of dry cleaning chemicals, my nose seems bizarrely sensitive, and can detect even a trace of lingering chemicals. I've had items dry cleaned before, and couldn't fall asleep with them in the bedroom.
In any case: one thing that bothers me are those plastic clothes bags you get at dry cleaners. All I do with them is throw them out. Waste!!! So I requested that my jacket be hung without the bag. Wasn't sure if it would happen -- but when I went to pick it up, it was bag-free! And in its small way, I know it was an educative process for the employees there. The woman who helped me said that she was asked all week why there wasn't a bag on this one jacket.
victory in small steps.
In any case: one thing that bothers me are those plastic clothes bags you get at dry cleaners. All I do with them is throw them out. Waste!!! So I requested that my jacket be hung without the bag. Wasn't sure if it would happen -- but when I went to pick it up, it was bag-free! And in its small way, I know it was an educative process for the employees there. The woman who helped me said that she was asked all week why there wasn't a bag on this one jacket.
victory in small steps.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Spiritual Resource Use 2
Another spiritual principle that guides our resource use is moderation.
Moderation guides how we interact with others; how we live our lives; how we balance the many principles that guide our resource use. Moderation does not mean “toning down” the vigor with which we deal with important issues. Rather, it is moderating our materialism and attachment to science and civilization; and it is modulating our ways of communicating and interacting with others so as to reach mutual understanding rather than conflict and disunity.
We need to reflect on and balance different spiritual responsibilities; and we should always apply them only to the point that they are useful, not so much that they cause disunity, disagreement, or problems for others. Of course, there are times to stick up for what we believe in at all costs -- but focusing on united action is generally more important. And principles exist for people, not people for principles to be upheld.
Moderation also applies to how much we use resources and how extravagantly or simply we live our lives. We are told that everything here is for our use; but we are also told that civilization carried to excess creates problems:
Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a beneficial influence. Consider for instance such things as liberty, civilization and the like. However much men of understanding may favorably regard them, they will, if carried to excess, exercise a pernicious influence upon men....
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 216)
Learning detachment and simplicity, while still appreciating what you have and deriving benefit from material things -- this is where moderation comes in, to achieve this balance.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Happiness
I have been thinking a lot about happiness lately. I'm doing pretty well with it ... I think ... and seemed to have reached a zen state lately where I fully embraced my "now" and was excited/optimistic about my future. Of course, today wasn't so great ... but then I return to my mantra: there are no bad days, just a series of things that happen. And there aren't even bad "things" that happen, just things. There is no such thing as a bad day!
Even today, for example. I was grumpy for a series of stupid reasons. And I went to the dentist and I have 2 cavities. However: they were able to bill my extended medical directly, so I left without paying a cent! It's completely taken care of! Now, isn't that something wonderful?
I want to learn to be happy on a daily basis. To make the happiness choice. To live life fully and bounce back, resilient, from things that annoy and disturb and derail. It's a learning process, but I'm up for it.
Along those lines, here's an interesting article about happiness, and its basis in experiences, not things.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2007/04/01/8403587/index.htm?section=money_pf
Even today, for example. I was grumpy for a series of stupid reasons. And I went to the dentist and I have 2 cavities. However: they were able to bill my extended medical directly, so I left without paying a cent! It's completely taken care of! Now, isn't that something wonderful?
I want to learn to be happy on a daily basis. To make the happiness choice. To live life fully and bounce back, resilient, from things that annoy and disturb and derail. It's a learning process, but I'm up for it.
Along those lines, here's an interesting article about happiness, and its basis in experiences, not things.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Gas bonanza!
Just made it to half a tank; and I'm over 225 miles. That is amazing! Usually it's maybe 170 miles at the most. I'll do proper mileage calculations in the future, but for now, I'm happy to share that no gas/no brakes is WORKING!
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Second Hand Clothes
I absolutely love second hand clothes. I have since I was trying to be an enviro-cool teenager and my friends and I distinguished ourselves from the preps and jocks with our Salvation Army finds. I love the hunt, the chance that you'll find some treasure that someone else magically rejected, the individuality, artistry, vintage appeal of the clothes. I love the prices -- I can get an entire bag of clothing that I love for less than I'd pay for a single piece in the mall. I love that finding and selecting pieces is an art, an expression of creativity and vision, rather than merely following trends or using money to buy style.
I remember one wonderful moment of fashion inspiration in a great 2nd hand store in Virginia. I saw a woman across the store hold up a skirt that at first looked boring to me. A-line, a heavy cotton-type fabric, just below the knees, in pure white. How dull, I thought! But then I looked again, and I realized it was sophisticated, simple, and elegant. It was a whole new look I had never considered! I raided the skirt section next.
I love that these are items that are no longer part of mainstream consumption. By buying these, I'm not adding to the global manufacturing market; not driving consumer demand. In fact, I'm taking items out of the garbage stream, thus reducing pollution. There have been some interesting blogs debating the merits of 2nd hand shopping and its effects on the poor -- are we taking things away from those who need them? However, I do think that with the abundance of goods in North America, we all could move into the 2nd hand market arena to some extent and there would still be enough for all of us.
Lately, even some of my most dressy items of clothing come from second hand stores. I have GREAT quality jeans, some purchased for $15 at the most. Beautiful dresses; elegant sweaters; dressy tops. I'm finding pretty much everything I need. Well, two exceptions: purses and shoes. But that's another post.
I remember one wonderful moment of fashion inspiration in a great 2nd hand store in Virginia. I saw a woman across the store hold up a skirt that at first looked boring to me. A-line, a heavy cotton-type fabric, just below the knees, in pure white. How dull, I thought! But then I looked again, and I realized it was sophisticated, simple, and elegant. It was a whole new look I had never considered! I raided the skirt section next.
I love that these are items that are no longer part of mainstream consumption. By buying these, I'm not adding to the global manufacturing market; not driving consumer demand. In fact, I'm taking items out of the garbage stream, thus reducing pollution. There have been some interesting blogs debating the merits of 2nd hand shopping and its effects on the poor -- are we taking things away from those who need them? However, I do think that with the abundance of goods in North America, we all could move into the 2nd hand market arena to some extent and there would still be enough for all of us.
Lately, even some of my most dressy items of clothing come from second hand stores. I have GREAT quality jeans, some purchased for $15 at the most. Beautiful dresses; elegant sweaters; dressy tops. I'm finding pretty much everything I need. Well, two exceptions: purses and shoes. But that's another post.
Gas consumption ... down??
I've been trying the no brake/no gas thing for a while, and also haven't been using my car AC in spite of the heat. Leaving the windows open causes some drag, but I'm guessing it's less energy than the AC. And so far, it seems -- this is largely anecdotal -- that my mileage is going well. On long-distance roadtrips, the best I've got in this car is maybe 415 miles per tank. And that's highway driving -- much better than the city driving I do here. Now, in my post-brake world, I'm at about 180 miles and still quite a bit over half a tank left.
this is exciting! I may actually be impacting my mpg. I will give a more accurate assessment in the next while.
this is exciting! I may actually be impacting my mpg. I will give a more accurate assessment in the next while.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Soap Revisited
We used the laundry soap on the weekend, and it was great! Just one tablespoon per load and everything was beautifully clean and smelling of lemon (sunlight!). We hung the big things outside to dry on the deck rails, so they smelled even better. Laundry rocks.
Driving without brakes
One of my new interests is finding ways to reduce my use of energy, including gas/oil. Since I live outside of town, with essentially no buses, driving is about the only option (not in good enough shape to bike where I want to go). So how can I drive and have less impact?
don't press on the gas.
and:
don't press on the brakes.
My plan is, by gliding, to reduce my fuel use. So I take my foot off the gas as soon as I see a red light, or a corner, or a car ahead of me. And, I don'tbrake going around corners -- the thrill part of the adventure.
check out this link for more frugal driving tips:
http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/2005/10/worth-repeating-economical-driving.html
don't press on the gas.
and:
don't press on the brakes.
My plan is, by gliding, to reduce my fuel use. So I take my foot off the gas as soon as I see a red light, or a corner, or a car ahead of me. And, I don'tbrake going around corners -- the thrill part of the adventure.
check out this link for more frugal driving tips:
http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/2005/10/worth-repeating-economical-driving.html
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Spiritual Resource Use 1
I'm giving a talk in a few weeks about what I'm calling "spiritual resource use". I've been obsessed for a while with finding [not too difficult] ways to reduce my impact on the environment. I absolutely think this is an important goal. But I also think that the spiritual nature of reality is of most importance. I want to remember that spiritual growth and service are the focus of my life, and figure out how my concern for the environment relates to that, rather than putting my life in service of protecting the earth, vital though that is.
Another point is that while I love the earth, I also love high heeled shoes and shiny new jewelry and international travel and having my car to go places and see people. In other words, there are other principles and priorities that affect what I do, not just an attempt to reduce my environmental footprint to zero.
One way I've thought to look at it is to consider the spiritual principles that might guide my decisions about resource use. Since I will continue to use resources, how can I make wise decisions?
Just one principle that I started with was human dignity. If humans reflect the attributes of God, if Baha'u'llah says "Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting." (Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words), then it makes sense to me that we should use resources to add nobility to humans, to enable them to achieve their full station, to give them opportunities to grow and reflect the attributes of God more perfectly.
Practically, this might mean things like clean water, clean clothes, safe and secure housing, and free education -- all of which require resources, both money and materials. But (carrying the reasoning further, and thus showing the all-embracing nature of spiritual principles) they also imply environmentally responsible behaviour: no chemicals in the water; no toxic materials in the building products.
So resource use can contribute to the raising of human dignity both by providing opportunities for the elevation of the human mind and spirit, and by keeping natural resources safe and abundant to further serve the growth of humanity.
Stay tuned for the next spiritual principle ...
Another point is that while I love the earth, I also love high heeled shoes and shiny new jewelry and international travel and having my car to go places and see people. In other words, there are other principles and priorities that affect what I do, not just an attempt to reduce my environmental footprint to zero.
One way I've thought to look at it is to consider the spiritual principles that might guide my decisions about resource use. Since I will continue to use resources, how can I make wise decisions?
Just one principle that I started with was human dignity. If humans reflect the attributes of God, if Baha'u'llah says "Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting." (Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words), then it makes sense to me that we should use resources to add nobility to humans, to enable them to achieve their full station, to give them opportunities to grow and reflect the attributes of God more perfectly.
Practically, this might mean things like clean water, clean clothes, safe and secure housing, and free education -- all of which require resources, both money and materials. But (carrying the reasoning further, and thus showing the all-embracing nature of spiritual principles) they also imply environmentally responsible behaviour: no chemicals in the water; no toxic materials in the building products.
So resource use can contribute to the raising of human dignity both by providing opportunities for the elevation of the human mind and spirit, and by keeping natural resources safe and abundant to further serve the growth of humanity.
Stay tuned for the next spiritual principle ...
Making Soap
Yesterday, my mom and I started making laundry soap.
Why?
So many reasons!
Regular laundry soap, in addition to its environmental impacts, has chemicals which can be TOXIC to humans. As in, if you eat laundry soap you might die. Maybe.
Here's something from the EPA about the environmental impacts of laundry detergent:
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/laundry/techfact/keychar.htm
Reading that is enough to make me want an alternative!
we're making a dry detergent from 3 ingredients: pure soap (sunlight bars -- which apparently don't have all the toxicity of detergents -- maybe I could research this more); borax; and washing soda. We grated 2 bars of the soap yesterday; today we'll mix in the borax and washing soda.
Simple. Safe. Not unhealthy.
Best of all: you need only a TABLESPOON per load. That is correct. I'll let you know what happens when we use it.
Why?
So many reasons!
Regular laundry soap, in addition to its environmental impacts, has chemicals which can be TOXIC to humans. As in, if you eat laundry soap you might die. Maybe.
Here's something from the EPA about the environmental impacts of laundry detergent:
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/laundry/techfact/keychar.htm
Reading that is enough to make me want an alternative!
we're making a dry detergent from 3 ingredients: pure soap (sunlight bars -- which apparently don't have all the toxicity of detergents -- maybe I could research this more); borax; and washing soda. We grated 2 bars of the soap yesterday; today we'll mix in the borax and washing soda.
Simple. Safe. Not unhealthy.
Best of all: you need only a TABLESPOON per load. That is correct. I'll let you know what happens when we use it.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Seeking a Stable Life
I've been thinking about my interests in creating a beautiful, stable life for myself. Can it be done? Is it a realistic goal? Is it a valuable goal? How does it fit in with service, friendship, and other priorities? The following quote gives me some perspective:
The generations that have gone on before you -- whither are they fled? And those round whom in life circled the fairest and the loveliest of the land, where now are they? Profit by their example, O people, and be not of them that are gone astray.
Others ere long will lay hands on what ye possess, and enter into your habitations. Incline your ears to My words, and be not numbered among the foolish.
For every one of you his paramount duty is to choose for himself that on which no other may infringe and none usurp from him. Such a thing -- and to this the Almighty is My witness -- is the love of God, could ye but perceive it.
Build ye for yourselves such houses as the rain and floods can never destroy, which shall protect you from the changes and chances of this life. This is the instruction of Him Whom the world hath wronged and forsaken.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 261)
The generations that have gone on before you -- whither are they fled? And those round whom in life circled the fairest and the loveliest of the land, where now are they? Profit by their example, O people, and be not of them that are gone astray.
Others ere long will lay hands on what ye possess, and enter into your habitations. Incline your ears to My words, and be not numbered among the foolish.
For every one of you his paramount duty is to choose for himself that on which no other may infringe and none usurp from him. Such a thing -- and to this the Almighty is My witness -- is the love of God, could ye but perceive it.
Build ye for yourselves such houses as the rain and floods can never destroy, which shall protect you from the changes and chances of this life. This is the instruction of Him Whom the world hath wronged and forsaken.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 261)
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Advice from my Dad: energy efficient housing
For several years, I've been craving a home of my own that I can paint, redesign, and set up however I want. But lately, my thoughts have turned to the environmental impact of homes, and how they can be designed to be as energy efficient as possible. Since my dad is a carpenter and has built many homes from scratch, I finally asked him his ideas on it. Here are his suggestions for energy efficient housing, if you're building from the ground up.
1. Under the cement foundation, put a layer of styrofoam insulation. Do it! Keeps the basement floor warmer.
2. For the inside walls, put a layer of insulation. People used to use 2x4s, but you can do 2x6 or even 2x8 for more heat retention. Or, you can put a layer of something, I have no idea what it is, in front of and/or behind the insulation. It's like a chipboard ... this will reduce heat loss.
It will cost a bit more; and you will have to fit the windows differently; but will save energy.
Don't pack in the insulation; defeats the purpose. It needs to be fluffy!
3. Insulate the attic!
4. Energy-saving windows.
The good thing is, more insulation will keep your house cooler in summer as well as warmer in winter.
I would add:
5. Have a smaller home. Less to heat, less to cool.
6. Insulate the hot water heater. My dad wasn't sure if this would help, but seemed into the idea by the time we finished talking. Maybe I can get him to work on it soon ...
For more energy efficiency ideas, check out this website:
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cooling.html
It finally answered my question about the best way to use AC. Love finally knowing!
However, I don't think I'll be building a home from scratch any time soon. I'm going to be looking into other ways we can reduce energy use in our existing house. Glad I have parents who go along with my crazy ideas!
1. Under the cement foundation, put a layer of styrofoam insulation. Do it! Keeps the basement floor warmer.
2. For the inside walls, put a layer of insulation. People used to use 2x4s, but you can do 2x6 or even 2x8 for more heat retention. Or, you can put a layer of something, I have no idea what it is, in front of and/or behind the insulation. It's like a chipboard ... this will reduce heat loss.
It will cost a bit more; and you will have to fit the windows differently; but will save energy.
Don't pack in the insulation; defeats the purpose. It needs to be fluffy!
3. Insulate the attic!
4. Energy-saving windows.
The good thing is, more insulation will keep your house cooler in summer as well as warmer in winter.
I would add:
5. Have a smaller home. Less to heat, less to cool.
6. Insulate the hot water heater. My dad wasn't sure if this would help, but seemed into the idea by the time we finished talking. Maybe I can get him to work on it soon ...
For more energy efficiency ideas, check out this website:
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cooling.html
It finally answered my question about the best way to use AC. Love finally knowing!
However, I don't think I'll be building a home from scratch any time soon. I'm going to be looking into other ways we can reduce energy use in our existing house. Glad I have parents who go along with my crazy ideas!
Starting Out
This seemed like a good place to start writing about how I'm trying to live my life. Putting principles and ideals into practice is the plan, and seeing what they look like. When I write, I figure things out and can build on my plans.
Lately, I have been thinking about reducing energy use; gardening and local food production; crafts and sewing; financial freedom; being a better person; friends and family; and many other things. So here goes!
Lately, I have been thinking about reducing energy use; gardening and local food production; crafts and sewing; financial freedom; being a better person; friends and family; and many other things. So here goes!
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