Saying a prayer for the those involved and their families and friends - and the rest of our nation.
0
Sep
11
Jan
24
As the past year has gone by, a lot of changes have occurred in my life. I graduated from college, started graduate school, left graduate school, and have basically moved out of my parent’s house. As a result, some of my interests and goals have changed. Now that I’m “in the real world,” I find that my time and interest for web design and participation in the online graphics community are not what they once were. As a result, four of my previous 101 in 1001 goals are no longer things I am interested in pursuing. I may still try to work on them some, but they are not things that I am vitally interested in completing anymore.
Also, in the past couple of months, I have a renewed sense of dedication for making our planet a better place. This happens to coincide with the time that An Inconvenient Truth came out, but that is not what got me started. I actually can’t remember the initial trigger, but the Internet has fueled this interest with its vast resources. About 10 years ago I was VERY committed to environmentalism - my weeks consisted of collecting the recycling in my school and my weekends were spent on beach clean up trips and letter writing campaigns. Then high school came, and I was more concerned with myself than the planet. Then college came and I didn’t have time to be concerned with the planet. I always figured I had gone through an “environmentalist phase,” so I was quite surprised to discover that little piece of me come back alive!
So, I have replaced these goals:
62. Create my own WordPress template.
66. Create new printables section for Doodlebug Designs.
69. Rework all of my websites so they use valid XHTML.
70. Rework all of my websites so that they use valid CSS.
with a new section in my 101:
Green Living
62. Change all the incandescent light bulbs in my apartment to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
66. Stop using plastic bags at the grocery store and switch to reusable canvas bags.
69. Switch a significant portion of my food and cooking supplies to organic. Healthier for me, healthier for the planet.
70. Search for organic and free trade coffee and tea that I like, and make the switch.
I imagine that when I create my next 101 in 1001 that this section will be larger, but for now I’m starting small.
And now, back to our regularly scheduled programing.
Jan
17
After researching the matter for a couple of weeks, I decided to make a change in my home . . . a lighting change.
5 minutes on any “green” website will tell you that switching from incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs is a VERY smart move. Fluorescent light bulbs use significantly less wattage which means that they use a lot less energy. Less energy usage = fewer resources (which is better for the environment) and smaller costs to you on your monthly power bill. Sounds perfect, eh?
The complaint has always been that the light they provide looks garish, because it is still a fluorescent light. However, after reading on websites that the lighting had improved significantly, I decided to go to the store to look for the squiggly light bulbs.
Imagine my surprise when I happened upon the light bulbs in Harris Teeter. Yes, regular grocery store. And while there were some squiggly light bulbs, I was delighted to discover a bulb that looked just like a regular light bulb. 16 watt bulb that has the appearance of a 60 watt bulb. Cost - $8.50. I bought three and scampered home.
Imagine my delight and wonderment when I turned on my lamps in my room AND COULDN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE!!!!! I called my roommates into my room, individually, and they couldn’t tell a difference either! These light bulbs create light that looks just like regular light bulbs, and they are supposed to last 6 years!!!!!!!
According to the website, my new Philips Marathon Classic 60 light bulbs:
* Philips Marathon Classic energy savers feature advanced SmartBase Technology™ and ALTO® Lamp Technology to create smaller compact fluorescent light bulbs that are better for the environment
* Use up to 70% less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, saving you money on your utility bills
* Provide a soft white light ideal for any room in your home
* Last up to 6 years, saving you the hassle of replacing burnt out light bulbs
* Are Energy Star qualified
I’m in absolute awe over here! And I’m going to go back to the store and get more to replace the other light bulbs in the apartment. I mean, seriously, these are amazing. And supposedly Wal-Mart is starting to sell them, so they’re available everywhere.
If helping save our planet isn’t enough of an incentive, think about how much money you could save on your power bill, and PLEASE go out and buy these for your home! Just replacing one light bulb will make a big difference!
Better for the environment, cheaper monthly bills, AND you can’t tell a difference?! Works for me!
Dec
08
Here’s a list of what I’ve read this year. I’d love to hear what you’ve read! The books with asterisks (**) are books that were read as a part of the 2007 TBR Challenge!
(Hat Tip to PalmTree Pundit for the idea for this list)
January
1. Babyland, Holly Chamberlin
2. Tales Of A Drama Queen, Lee Nichols
3. Close To Perfect, Tina Donahue
4. A Minor Indiscretion, Carole Matthews
5. Lucky: A Memoir, Alice Sebold**
6. The Right Address, Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman
7. The Jinx, Jennifer Sturman
8. Me vs. Me, Sarah Mlynowski
9. The Sex Was Great But…, Tyne O’Connell
10. Loves Me, Loves Me Not, Libby Malin
11. Her Daughter’s Eyes, Jessica Barksdale Inclan
12. Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood, Ann Brashares
February
13. Engaging Men, Lynda Curnyn
14. Hello, Gorgeous!, MaryJanice Davidson
15. The Corset Diaries, Katie MacAlister
16. Wisdom’s Daughter : A Novel of Solomon and Sheba, India Edghill**
March
17. Looking For Mr. Goodfrog, Laurie Graff
18. Loose Lips: A Novel, Claire Berlinski
April
19. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
May
19. The Buddha of Suburbia, Hanif Kureishi
June
July
20. Girl, Interrupted, Susanna Kaysen
21. Around the World in 80 Dates, Jennifer Cox
22. Improper English, Katie Macalister
23. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J. K. Rowling
August
24. Shopaholic & Baby, Sophie Kinsella
September
October
25. Fashionistas, by Lynn Messina
26. Hardly Working, by Betsy Burke
November
December
I'm Lindsey, and thanks so much for stopping by Suspension of Disbelief. I love living in the South. Born and raised in Georgia, live in Florida, school in North Carolina – it just doesn't get better . . .
