Basically, a Freecycle group is a network of people who seek to rehouse and reuse things. For example, if you have an old back scratcher you no longer need, you have a couple of choices. You could: throw it in the trash and let it sit in a landfill for who-knows-how-long, take it to your recycling center or set it in your curb-side recycling bin, OR you could FREECYCLE it.
When you freecycle, you post an "offer" on a listserv stating your location and what's up for grabs. Within minutes, you will find that you are not the only one plagued with an itchy back! You'll find the scratcher a new home and might even make a friend while doing so.
What if a few weeks later, you hear that waxing is really good for relieving back itch, but you don't have the dough to pay to get it done or buy your own DYI kit? Well, freecycle to the rescue. You can post a "wanted" ad to the same listserv and if you are lucky, you'll have someone just waiting to offer you a jar of some amazing wax.
It's a total "I'll scratch your back and you scratch mine" arrangement.
Would you like to know what goodies I have freecycled?
My Offers:
1. 13" TV that I bought with my babysitting money at age 12 or 13.
2. Old iron
3. Puppy pads
4. Hangers
5. UH xmas tree lights
I Received:
1. Mugs to use for honor's society that I advise
2. Thermal Carafe (see above)
3. Glass bottles/Jars for a project you will hear about later
4. A dog bowl that dispenses water from a 2 liter bottle
A good freecycler will try to keep their offers and wants fairly balanced, but I don't think anyone really cares. Basically, people just want to get rid of stuff. For those of you who don't belong to a group, you must check it out and look for a group in your area.
Monday, November 13, 2006
No bus, no bike, no travel
I rented the first season of Morgan Spurlock's TV series 30 Days to show my students and am now inspired to try something out for 30 days.
Starting January 1st and going until February 13th, I will give up my CAR! I even plan on parking it at my Dad's for the duration of the experiment so that I have no excuses. EDIT: I will not due this per advice of someone special. I will leave it here, but will hide my keys from myself. :)
I realise that I will exceed 30 days, but the first couple of weeks of it will be before the new semester begins, so I will not *have* to go anywhere. I want to live my normal life (AKA one that includes work) carless. I will have 2 weeks to warm up and then the first month of school -carless.
Rain, cold, snow (I know; it's unlikely), storm, whatever, I will not drive my beautiful blue polluting machine.
How will I travel you ask?
1. By bike unless it is pouring it down with rain
2. By bus, which I've NEVER done in Houston
3. By lightrail
4. On foot!
I will accept a ride to the Park and Ride after I abandon my car at my Dad's since I won't have my bike, but apart from that I will avoid cars unless an emergency arises; in which case, an ambulance, ride from a friend or taxi will all be options.
What pros do I foresee?
1. I will save money on gas.
2. I will live the impossibility of being carless in Houston.
3. I might catch ZZZs on the bus
4. I might meet some interesting folks on the bus.
5. I will have to be much more organised and less impulsive.
6. I might save money on gas.
7. Will have less impact on enviroment.
And cons?
1. Will have to wake up earlier to catch bus.
2. Grocery shopping on bike or bus.... not easy.
3. Waiting outside in the rain.
4. Convincing people that I do not need a ride.
5. Will have to buy trailer for bike, so I can grocery shop.
FYI:
-To many readers this may seem like no big deal, but I assure you, most Houstonians will think I am absolutely insane. On the days when I cycle my 4.5 miles to work, many of my colleagues and students act like I just completed a marathon.
-You might be shocked to read that I have never riden the bus here. This is not unusual. Houstonians who have cars, do not ride on buses. Trust me! Buses are for *insert any marginalized group here*.
Starting January 1st and going until February 13th, I will give up my CAR! I even plan on parking it at my Dad's for the duration of the experiment so that I have no excuses. EDIT: I will not due this per advice of someone special. I will leave it here, but will hide my keys from myself. :)
I realise that I will exceed 30 days, but the first couple of weeks of it will be before the new semester begins, so I will not *have* to go anywhere. I want to live my normal life (AKA one that includes work) carless. I will have 2 weeks to warm up and then the first month of school -carless.
Rain, cold, snow (I know; it's unlikely), storm, whatever, I will not drive my beautiful blue polluting machine.
How will I travel you ask?
1. By bike unless it is pouring it down with rain
2. By bus, which I've NEVER done in Houston
3. By lightrail
4. On foot!
I will accept a ride to the Park and Ride after I abandon my car at my Dad's since I won't have my bike, but apart from that I will avoid cars unless an emergency arises; in which case, an ambulance, ride from a friend or taxi will all be options.
What pros do I foresee?
1. I will save money on gas.
2. I will live the impossibility of being carless in Houston.
3. I might catch ZZZs on the bus
4. I might meet some interesting folks on the bus.
5. I will have to be much more organised and less impulsive.
6. I might save money on gas.
7. Will have less impact on enviroment.
And cons?
1. Will have to wake up earlier to catch bus.
2. Grocery shopping on bike or bus.... not easy.
3. Waiting outside in the rain.
4. Convincing people that I do not need a ride.
5. Will have to buy trailer for bike, so I can grocery shop.
FYI:
-To many readers this may seem like no big deal, but I assure you, most Houstonians will think I am absolutely insane. On the days when I cycle my 4.5 miles to work, many of my colleagues and students act like I just completed a marathon.
-You might be shocked to read that I have never riden the bus here. This is not unusual. Houstonians who have cars, do not ride on buses. Trust me! Buses are for *insert any marginalized group here*.
1st Blog
Dear Friends and Nosy Parkers,
Here I am christening this new blog. I want this blog to be more than a diary. Here I will chronicle the ways in which I attempt to make less of a negative impact on this planet whether they be simple choices, in terms of the products I purchase, or larger projects.
I see people have blogs where they do the same and I get good ideas from some of them. I want to share my ideas, too.
There will also be postings where I tell about places I go and people I meet, but I want to showcase projects I have as well.
Peace,
Kate
Here I am christening this new blog. I want this blog to be more than a diary. Here I will chronicle the ways in which I attempt to make less of a negative impact on this planet whether they be simple choices, in terms of the products I purchase, or larger projects.
I see people have blogs where they do the same and I get good ideas from some of them. I want to share my ideas, too.
There will also be postings where I tell about places I go and people I meet, but I want to showcase projects I have as well.
Peace,
Kate
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