It Matters

Think of how much money you have spent in the past month (rent/mortgage, food, utilities, interent/phone, car, gas, travel, shopping, etc...) what about the past year? Where is your money really going? It adds up and it matters what companies are getting in, because in the end, you give them a lot of money. You may say you are against child labor or fight for worker's rights in your own job, but what about those who produce all the, many times, "useless junk" that clutters our lives. Why is our society obssessed with consumerism and materialism? What was the last gift you gave someone? Did it really mean anything, or did you just get it because you thought you needed to get something? Wouldn't you rather just spend meaningful time with someone you are close to instead of trying to find them some other inane piece of clutter that they don't really need? It is easy to convince ourselves that we need the latest great new shirt, shoes, gadget or whatever, but chances are, you'll definitley survive and probably prosper without it.

so i am totally right in the middle or maybe just at the beginning of this entry but between Jan getting cranky and me wanting go for a run i will have to finish it later....so i know it is kind of strange right now...but i am publishing it because i don't want to lose anything i have started with incase i want it later

Lifesaving Links:
http://adbusters.org/metas/corpo/blackspotshoes/ - really amazing shoes...you should get them the next time you need shoes, I am!

the following thanks to my dad!:
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/whatsnew/f1ae0e0796b84010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html - Las Cruces Sun-News mentioned using two-button toilets to reduce water consumption. This Popular Science article gives an overview and links to the major manufacturers.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.01/home1.html - Wired magazine's January 2007 issue showcases 7 amazing (admittedly high-end) homes built to be low-impact. There are still some ideas for the rest of us here, even if we can't afford to do something so fancy.

Other alternative housing links:
http://www.cobcottage.com/whatis - sustainable and practical earth homes...i think someday i'll build one