I shower with a bucket and use the grey water on the garden.
Use cloth bags for the shopping.
Reuse any plastic bags for bin liners.
Take public transport or walk when I can.
Air dry clothes.
Recycle all paper, cardboard, cans, bottles etc.
Defer putting the heater on until it's so cold that a thick hoodie, fleecy trackpants and socks with slippers don't keep me warm.
My mum's the real nut when it comes to living like this-- she uses her shower water in her washing machine, then the grey water from the machine on the garden.
She uses her car about once a week for the shopping and obsesses about recycling or reusing almost everything-- the platic that the morning papers come wrapped in gets reused for covering the catfood in the fridge, or for rolling up chicken bones in to throw out for example. I could go on but it might trigger some unpleasant flashbacks.
I've got a similar compilation, speedlime, called 'Hard Drivin Mamas'. It's great, but perhaps not the best choice to play when your partner's parents are over for a nice dinner party.
Whoops ;)
Bum puffing is when you're riiiight down to the end of the butt and you hold it with your index and thumb ever so gently in front of your mouth, sucking the smoke out, but not touching the butt with your mouth.
I guess because you don't want to get diseases from dirty old hobos (or from your 14 year old mates who think smoking ciggies and wearing ripped up denim jackets makes them hard.)
Ahaha. And to think I put off posting here 'cos I was too shy to join the cool kids.
A ciggy Capt. Renault? Only if we can sneak behind the bike sheds and bum puff it.
I've sent them my reply outlining what sort of work would have to go into their proposal and asked if they had a budget. Yet to hear back from them, but I'm going down to the medical centre this afternoon to get my malaria shots just in case.
A mate has suggested saying something along the lines of "Well I'd usually charge $300 for this sort of thing, but I'm willing to do you a deal if you throw in some payment in kind, perhaps akin to last time. Shall we say $150 and two coach tickets to Melbourne to see XYZ concert?"
We'll see-- maybe I'll just quote high and see how I go.
Nirvana- In Utero
... because it spoke to the alienation I felt, yet helped me find a group of friends who liked similar music and felt similar ways. Important when I was a grotty 14 year old tomboy.
Jean Grae- Attack of the Attacking Things
... because it made me realise it wasn't a contradiction to be strong, weak, scared, brave, delicate, crass, introverted and loud all at once, in the one body, and that it was good to fight for what you want, even if others don't get it.
Ween- The Mollusc
... because I realised good music doesn't need to be 'heavy' or 'deep' to be entertaining or to make you think.
Last years' Xmas- New Years period was disgusting here in Adelaide, hot as hell and dry to boot.
Last NYE I was close to fainting, at midnight it was still over 40 degrees C (that's about 104 degrees F I think)... yuk.
It astounds me that people think cooking an Xmas turkey or a roast is a good idea in an Australian summer.
OooOOoooOOOooooOOooO
How far south in Straya do you have to be to see 'em?
I missed Halley's Comet way back when, I was too young and tired to work out what my folks were ponting at in the night sky.
AS, I feel I'm in a similar position: I'm a History Honours Graduate, and I'm working a numbingly negative job as a receptionist/admin monkey at a debt collection agency.
I want to write-- you want to design.
The simple solution is, write. Design. Throw out all the ways you limit yourself and start to recognise the fences you build up around your dreams which mean you feel you 'can't' allow yourself to achieve them.
I find this incredibly hard to do myself, but it's the only answer I have come up with.
The Right thing to do is usually Hard, I'm afraid, so motivating yourself to do it can be really difficult. I guess the best thing you can do is let go and allow yourself the freedom to let your inner designer wander and design on whimsy, and out of that, maybe you'll figure out what it's been trying to tell you to do all this time.
You might design silly unnecessary things at first, but they could lead to you stumbling on something really big and meaty to get your teeth into.
Godd luck!
Haha. I am a receptionist, and I'll tell you MY pet hate:
Me: "Good morning, 123Fake Company, ilse speaking."
Caller: "Yeah. Johnno thanks."
I find it really annoying to have someone drawl "Yyyyyyeaaaaaaahr" at me when we're starting a conversation. (Just say that to yourself in an Australian accent, you'll see what I mean.)
And word to the whole 'flipping them off' thing: I usually put them on hold, swear at them, give them the old double handed middle finger salute, then put them thru.
One day I am so going to get caught. Haha.
Oh yes: one other thing. This made my blood boil:
Me: ""
Caller: "Yes. What is the name of the person in charge?"
Me: (baiting them) "Who shall I say is calling?"
Them (icey dragon queen voice): "When YOU tell ME what their name is, I'LL tell YOU who I am."
I so wanted to go "OOOOOHHHHH! I'm SCARED!" haha.
I am the resident literature and history expert at my house of debauchery. Also the resident film buff (Yay Kurosawa!) and designated cook.
I am a bloody expert at building and lighting fires when camping. Most people think the 'stack it up like a tee-pee' method is that way to go-- take it from the ilse, you fools don't know nuffin.
It's all about the lattice baby.
And I too manage to accumulate 'useless trivia': all my friends think it's a big joke, all the random stuff I know. Until they see me rock the spot during pub trivia. Then they get down and worship the Kewl One. Jyeah, bring on the free jugs of beer.
stomper that takes waaaay too long.
Get egg.
Get a needle or a pin.
Jab (gently) a tiny hole in rounded bottom of egg (ie not the pointier top).
Put egg in boiling water. Watch bubbles ecsape from the little hole-- they are leaving that little air sac inside the shell. (By piercing this you make sure the egg doesn't explode in the boiling water.)
Leave for 4 mins for a well cooked egg with a runny yolk.
Funnily enough, for someone who wants to be a librarian/information technologisty thingamibob, I have to mutter the alphabet under my breath when it comes to filing away the hundreds of index cards I use every day.
I always remember left from right by splaying my hands out: see, your left hand, the index finger and thumb form an L when you streatch your wee fingies out. Neato!
Of course, there are dumbarses who would do this palm up and get mighty confused.
Spent a good part of yesterday reading through Robert Fisk's 'The Great War for Civilization.' Certainly gave some food for thought, though it is VERY dense.
One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned is the role armaments play in all of this. American arms manufacturers sell a shitload of arms to Isreal, and from what I read in Fisk, the Isreali's are somehow allowed to 'claim' certain portions of US military inventories as is, without 'buying' them as such, and therefore without having to leave a papertrail of all the armaments they have recieved. It seems pretty unorthodox and odd, if it is as Fisk says it is.
And of course, British and Australian companies also sell a big fuckload of arms to the Middle East. So I'm not blaming the US here. Anyone who can make a buck wants to make ten, so why not sell to every motherfucker? <-- seems to be the attitude.
This is a conflict I have never studied deeply, I suppose because it is so complex, but in my opinion, a "they started it" mentality coupled with a "fuck them, they killed us, let's kill them" mind set doesn't really help in ANY conflict.
I guess I always thought that the responsibility lies with the 'bigger' of two parties in conflict (be it in a playground or a geo-political area of the world). The 'bigger' party has more power and thus has the chance to step down from aggression, and de-escalate a situation. Whereas the 'littler' party is unlikely to 'step down' in fear of being wiped out.
I don't know-- maybe that's naieve.
Last night my partner had a brain snap and started screaming at the TV. We were watching a current affairs program called Dateline, which runs on the national station SBS down here in Oz.
It was story after story of death, death, rape, injustice, denial, death. The Isreal-Palestine-Lebanon situation, in particular, made him go crazy. He was sobbing and screaming and had what I guess was a small breakdown of sorts.
The only thing I could say or believe is that they only thing people like us can do-- well educated, priveledged Westerners with space and freedom and time-- the only thing we can do is be aware, observe, highlight what is happening, talk to people about it, maintain our disgust at the injustice but never, never be broken by it.
We can only be bystanders in these situations, but we must be responsible as such. We must learn as much as we can so we can teach as much as we can. We must be conscious and publicly so.
In Real Terms, none of us can stop the next Iraqi, Isreali, Palestinean death. We cannot prevent even the next hundred in those areas torn apart by war and violence. But we can watch and not turn away, we can stay vocal and keep our feet on the ground, and help others do the same, so that a swell is formed, and then a wave.
I don't think this advice helped my partner-- he who is so calm and never loses his cool-- but I know that anger at the situation, at the people who cause it, does not help. These situations have enough anger attached to them already, and I refuse to add my own illogical fury to it.
I can only add the best I have: my intellect and my calm disgust at such distressing situations. I can only hold onto my idea that knowing and helping others to know is the only solution.
173 perished, and counting. :(
posted by ilse 15 years ago
In "Sheryl Crow Sez: "Limit Your Loo Paper!""
I shower with a bucket and use the grey water on the garden. Use cloth bags for the shopping. Reuse any plastic bags for bin liners. Take public transport or walk when I can. Air dry clothes. Recycle all paper, cardboard, cans, bottles etc. Defer putting the heater on until it's so cold that a thick hoodie, fleecy trackpants and socks with slippers don't keep me warm. My mum's the real nut when it comes to living like this-- she uses her shower water in her washing machine, then the grey water from the machine on the garden. She uses her car about once a week for the shopping and obsesses about recycling or reusing almost everything-- the platic that the morning papers come wrapped in gets reused for covering the catfood in the fridge, or for rolling up chicken bones in to throw out for example. I could go on but it might trigger some unpleasant flashbacks.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Shave 'em dry! [sound; NSFW]"
I've got a similar compilation, speedlime, called 'Hard Drivin Mamas'. It's great, but perhaps not the best choice to play when your partner's parents are over for a nice dinner party. Whoops ;)
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Curious George: Charging for freelance writing?"
Bum puffing is when you're riiiight down to the end of the butt and you hold it with your index and thumb ever so gently in front of your mouth, sucking the smoke out, but not touching the butt with your mouth. I guess because you don't want to get diseases from dirty old hobos (or from your 14 year old mates who think smoking ciggies and wearing ripped up denim jackets makes them hard.)
posted by ilse 17 years ago
Ahaha. And to think I put off posting here 'cos I was too shy to join the cool kids. A ciggy Capt. Renault? Only if we can sneak behind the bike sheds and bum puff it. I've sent them my reply outlining what sort of work would have to go into their proposal and asked if they had a budget. Yet to hear back from them, but I'm going down to the medical centre this afternoon to get my malaria shots just in case. A mate has suggested saying something along the lines of "Well I'd usually charge $300 for this sort of thing, but I'm willing to do you a deal if you throw in some payment in kind, perhaps akin to last time. Shall we say $150 and two coach tickets to Melbourne to see XYZ concert?" We'll see-- maybe I'll just quote high and see how I go.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
Ha! Thanks Ralph. I thought it was only me who struggled with trying to find that spot. Thanks everyone else too for your suggestions.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Darius Turner:"
Beetroot on hamburgers is a sin!! Maybe you should go for a Chiko Roll instead.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Curious George the Nostalgic Audiophile."
Nirvana- In Utero ... because it spoke to the alienation I felt, yet helped me find a group of friends who liked similar music and felt similar ways. Important when I was a grotty 14 year old tomboy. Jean Grae- Attack of the Attacking Things ... because it made me realise it wasn't a contradiction to be strong, weak, scared, brave, delicate, crass, introverted and loud all at once, in the one body, and that it was good to fight for what you want, even if others don't get it. Ween- The Mollusc ... because I realised good music doesn't need to be 'heavy' or 'deep' to be entertaining or to make you think.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Curious, George: Baby, It's Hot Outside"
Last years' Xmas- New Years period was disgusting here in Adelaide, hot as hell and dry to boot. Last NYE I was close to fainting, at midnight it was still over 40 degrees C (that's about 104 degrees F I think)... yuk. It astounds me that people think cooking an Xmas turkey or a roast is a good idea in an Australian summer.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Just another meteor shower, you say?"
OooOOoooOOOooooOOooO How far south in Straya do you have to be to see 'em? I missed Halley's Comet way back when, I was too young and tired to work out what my folks were ponting at in the night sky.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Curious George: What should I do in life?"
AS, I feel I'm in a similar position: I'm a History Honours Graduate, and I'm working a numbingly negative job as a receptionist/admin monkey at a debt collection agency. I want to write-- you want to design. The simple solution is, write. Design. Throw out all the ways you limit yourself and start to recognise the fences you build up around your dreams which mean you feel you 'can't' allow yourself to achieve them. I find this incredibly hard to do myself, but it's the only answer I have come up with. The Right thing to do is usually Hard, I'm afraid, so motivating yourself to do it can be really difficult. I guess the best thing you can do is let go and allow yourself the freedom to let your inner designer wander and design on whimsy, and out of that, maybe you'll figure out what it's been trying to tell you to do all this time. You might design silly unnecessary things at first, but they could lead to you stumbling on something really big and meaty to get your teeth into. Godd luck!
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Rumsfeld Resigning!"
GREAT news to wake up to here in Down Under land. One down.............
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Australian tourism to the USA to hit new all time low."
*stands up lookin staunch to fight any motherfucker who sneers at Vegemite.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "CuriousGeorge: What happened to phone etiquette?"
Haha. I am a receptionist, and I'll tell you MY pet hate: Me: "Good morning, 123Fake Company, ilse speaking." Caller: "Yeah. Johnno thanks." I find it really annoying to have someone drawl "Yyyyyyeaaaaaaahr" at me when we're starting a conversation. (Just say that to yourself in an Australian accent, you'll see what I mean.) And word to the whole 'flipping them off' thing: I usually put them on hold, swear at them, give them the old double handed middle finger salute, then put them thru. One day I am so going to get caught. Haha. Oh yes: one other thing. This made my blood boil: Me: ""
Caller: "Yes. What is the name of the person in charge?"
Me: (baiting them) "Who shall I say is calling?"
Them (icey dragon queen voice): "When YOU tell ME what their name is, I'LL tell YOU who I am."
I so wanted to go "OOOOOHHHHH! I'm SCARED!" haha.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Curious George: What, think you're an expert or something?"
I am the resident literature and history expert at my house of debauchery. Also the resident film buff (Yay Kurosawa!) and designated cook. I am a bloody expert at building and lighting fires when camping. Most people think the 'stack it up like a tee-pee' method is that way to go-- take it from the ilse, you fools don't know nuffin. It's all about the lattice baby. And I too manage to accumulate 'useless trivia': all my friends think it's a big joke, all the random stuff I know. Until they see me rock the spot during pub trivia. Then they get down and worship the Kewl One. Jyeah, bring on the free jugs of beer.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Too stupid to boil an egg?"
stomper that takes waaaay too long. Get egg. Get a needle or a pin. Jab (gently) a tiny hole in rounded bottom of egg (ie not the pointier top). Put egg in boiling water. Watch bubbles ecsape from the little hole-- they are leaving that little air sac inside the shell. (By piercing this you make sure the egg doesn't explode in the boiling water.) Leave for 4 mins for a well cooked egg with a runny yolk.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Curious George is hungry!"
Spanakopita *tounge falls out of mouth and rolls along the floor leaving a trail of drool. Mmmmm. I freaking heart Greek food.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "Curious George can't get simple concepts."
Funnily enough, for someone who wants to be a librarian/information technologisty thingamibob, I have to mutter the alphabet under my breath when it comes to filing away the hundreds of index cards I use every day. I always remember left from right by splaying my hands out: see, your left hand, the index finger and thumb form an L when you streatch your wee fingies out. Neato! Of course, there are dumbarses who would do this palm up and get mighty confused.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "More of the same censorship and spin from American Media Corporations on the Israel Conflict"
Spent a good part of yesterday reading through Robert Fisk's 'The Great War for Civilization.' Certainly gave some food for thought, though it is VERY dense. One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned is the role armaments play in all of this. American arms manufacturers sell a shitload of arms to Isreal, and from what I read in Fisk, the Isreali's are somehow allowed to 'claim' certain portions of US military inventories as is, without 'buying' them as such, and therefore without having to leave a papertrail of all the armaments they have recieved. It seems pretty unorthodox and odd, if it is as Fisk says it is. And of course, British and Australian companies also sell a big fuckload of arms to the Middle East. So I'm not blaming the US here. Anyone who can make a buck wants to make ten, so why not sell to every motherfucker? <-- seems to be the attitude. This is a conflict I have never studied deeply, I suppose because it is so complex, but in my opinion, a "they started it" mentality coupled with a "fuck them, they killed us, let's kill them" mind set doesn't really help in ANY conflict. I guess I always thought that the responsibility lies with the 'bigger' of two parties in conflict (be it in a playground or a geo-political area of the world). The 'bigger' party has more power and thus has the chance to step down from aggression, and de-escalate a situation. Whereas the 'littler' party is unlikely to 'step down' in fear of being wiped out. I don't know-- maybe that's naieve.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
In "A very sad & angry update "
Last night my partner had a brain snap and started screaming at the TV. We were watching a current affairs program called Dateline, which runs on the national station SBS down here in Oz. It was story after story of death, death, rape, injustice, denial, death. The Isreal-Palestine-Lebanon situation, in particular, made him go crazy. He was sobbing and screaming and had what I guess was a small breakdown of sorts. The only thing I could say or believe is that they only thing people like us can do-- well educated, priveledged Westerners with space and freedom and time-- the only thing we can do is be aware, observe, highlight what is happening, talk to people about it, maintain our disgust at the injustice but never, never be broken by it. We can only be bystanders in these situations, but we must be responsible as such. We must learn as much as we can so we can teach as much as we can. We must be conscious and publicly so. In Real Terms, none of us can stop the next Iraqi, Isreali, Palestinean death. We cannot prevent even the next hundred in those areas torn apart by war and violence. But we can watch and not turn away, we can stay vocal and keep our feet on the ground, and help others do the same, so that a swell is formed, and then a wave. I don't think this advice helped my partner-- he who is so calm and never loses his cool-- but I know that anger at the situation, at the people who cause it, does not help. These situations have enough anger attached to them already, and I refuse to add my own illogical fury to it. I can only add the best I have: my intellect and my calm disgust at such distressing situations. I can only hold onto my idea that knowing and helping others to know is the only solution.
posted by ilse 17 years ago
(limited to the most recent 20 comments)