Life is going in to's and fro's at the moment - some things better than others.
But I'm trying to look at things in the sense that the bad things will turn out for the best, and I'm grateful for what's going well.
Some people are acting in a very confusing fashion. Hopefully everything will become clear sooner or later.
Relating to my writing, I've written a poem I'm quite happy with recently, which doesn't happen often, and a couple of short stories are in the works, as well as the plot for a children's book (which hopefully I will have developed a bit more before I start my writing for children module).
The weather here is lovely at the moment, though it was painfully hot today - feeding the ponies was a sweaty nightmare. Bleh.
Anyway - here's to warm summer nights and good wine with good friends!
Hx
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Friday, 19 June 2009
Monday, 11 May 2009
Uncultured Project and more
((Skip to "Too Long; Didn't Read?" if you just want a summary))
Let's face it: most human beings are essentially selfish creatures. Heck, I can be pretty selfish at times, I accept that. I can be pretty thoughtless, too, just like everyone else. And lord knows at times I lack perspective on just how great my life is in comparison to those of others on the planet.
The whole "survival of the fittest" attitude isn't something that goes away just because you're a sentient, "civilised" creature, in fact I'd argue it's worse the more mentally advanced a species you are, because understanding that you can help someone else and ignoring it is more selfish than having no concept of altruistic behaviour.
Anyway, this post had a point and it wasn't anything to do with Darwin, so let's get to that.
My point is this: it feels good to do good things, and even though we are selfish creatures by nature, we know this; it's just hard for some people to get motivated, and sometimes you can't see a way that you personally could help.
Well, good news, because I'm going to attempt, in a disjointed and rambling fashion, to show you some ways that you can do some good, and the best part is that you get to feel good about yourself, for a good reason instead of a self-involved one! (Not that you personally are self-involved, but you see my point)
Hank and John Green, two of my favouritest-favourite people in the universe head a worldwide group-that-is-and-isn't-a-group, Nerdfighters, an enormous gathering of nerdy folks who would like ultimately to decrease World Suck and increase World Awesome levels through various media. Some readers may have seen John and Hank on YouTube. Anyway.
Hank and John are advocates of doing good deeds for the reduction of poverty, the improvement of the environment, the curing of diseases, and for better and more readily available education, among other things.
You can find out lots about their various projects by visiting the links above. They frequently arrange donation drives in aid of something worthy, usually sponsoring one or both of them doing something ridiculous. Also their non-aid-related videos are extremely funny and worth watching if you're anywhere near as nerdy as I am.
Through Hank and John I discovered the Uncultured Project, created by Shawn Ahmed. He explains his motivations for starting the project thus:
"In 2006, I was a grad student at Notre Dame. Then I heard Dr. Jeffrey Sachs (author of the book "The End of Poverty") talk about how it's our generation's responsibility to end poverty. I withdrew from grad school, packed my bags, grabbed my laptop and bought a camcorder and then flew to Bangladesh to see how I could make a difference among some of the world's poorest."
Shawn visits impoverished areas, giving out mosquito nets, water filters, and other useful stuff, and helping people to improve their own lives. He works with companies and organisations in order to contribute as best he can. Shawn stresses that his project is not a charity, but just his attempt to make the world a better place, and at the same time show others that they CAN make a difference. The Uncultured Project now accepts donations, and through Shawn's YouTube videos you can see exactly how your money is being spent, and who is benefiting (it really is inspiring stuff).
Vestergaard Frandsen, whom I learned about through Shawn, is a company that manufactures disease control textiles. They produce incredibly useful technologies like LifeStraw water purifiers, PermaNet mosquito nets, ZeroFly sheeting, and CarePack boxes for HIV sufferers. You can help by taking advantage of their donate option, where you can buy water filters and mosquito nets, and they'll be distributed to the people who need them.
Here's some frightening perspective: for £100, you could buy a brand new DS Lite, or you could pay for 16 personal or 4 family-sized water filters, which filter out particles (read as: mud and other things too disgusting to bear thinking about) and harmful bacteria, and could, no, WILL, save lives. For an amazing example of how effective these filters are, see Shawn's video here.
This video, I think, sums up my feelings pretty well and shows Hank leading by example.
Too Long; Didn't Read? (not a summary of what's above, please keep reading)
Okay, so here's a run-down of what you can do to help:
- Ask friends and relatives to make a donation to an organisation in your honour instead of buying you a Christmas/ birthday/ wedding (etc.) present. List of suggested charities and projects below.
- Count up the pennies you've got lying around, and donate them to a worthy cause. They'll only sit around in various bowls and jars in your house otherwise.
- If you have a lot of disposable income, donate the £10 instead of buying that third DVD. It feels good, trust me.
- Arrange a bake/ boot sale or charity event to raise money for a cause, or get sponsored to eat Peeps, if you like (I have never eaten a Peep. Am I missing out? Maybe I should get sponsored to eat Peeps).
- Get personally involved in one of the many great projects out there!
- There are a million more things you could do, I'm just not patient enough to write them all down.
Some Amazing People, and How You Can Help:
Vestergaard Frandsen - donate LifeStraws or PermaNets.
Shawn Ahmed's Uncultured Project - donate and see what the money is being spent on.
Nerdfighters - find out about projects to decrease World Suck.
Oxfam - make a donation; buy someone animals, seeds or tools; donate to a specific project; donate shares; buy from the Ethical Collection.
Save the Children - donate, or sponsor a child.
Heifer International - buy an animal to help an impoverished family support themselves.
I hope this has been informative. :)
The part that relates to my Facebook status of earlier today: On a personal note to friends and family reading this, if you were to donate to one of these fantastic groups on my behalf instead of a gift, that would be the best gift you could give me. Yeah, I'm a sap. Shut up :P
Free hugs for all!
Harri
Let's face it: most human beings are essentially selfish creatures. Heck, I can be pretty selfish at times, I accept that. I can be pretty thoughtless, too, just like everyone else. And lord knows at times I lack perspective on just how great my life is in comparison to those of others on the planet.
The whole "survival of the fittest" attitude isn't something that goes away just because you're a sentient, "civilised" creature, in fact I'd argue it's worse the more mentally advanced a species you are, because understanding that you can help someone else and ignoring it is more selfish than having no concept of altruistic behaviour.
Anyway, this post had a point and it wasn't anything to do with Darwin, so let's get to that.
My point is this: it feels good to do good things, and even though we are selfish creatures by nature, we know this; it's just hard for some people to get motivated, and sometimes you can't see a way that you personally could help.
Well, good news, because I'm going to attempt, in a disjointed and rambling fashion, to show you some ways that you can do some good, and the best part is that you get to feel good about yourself, for a good reason instead of a self-involved one! (Not that you personally are self-involved, but you see my point)
Hank and John Green, two of my favouritest-favourite people in the universe head a worldwide group-that-is-and-isn't-a-group, Nerdfighters, an enormous gathering of nerdy folks who would like ultimately to decrease World Suck and increase World Awesome levels through various media. Some readers may have seen John and Hank on YouTube. Anyway.
Hank and John are advocates of doing good deeds for the reduction of poverty, the improvement of the environment, the curing of diseases, and for better and more readily available education, among other things.
You can find out lots about their various projects by visiting the links above. They frequently arrange donation drives in aid of something worthy, usually sponsoring one or both of them doing something ridiculous. Also their non-aid-related videos are extremely funny and worth watching if you're anywhere near as nerdy as I am.
Through Hank and John I discovered the Uncultured Project, created by Shawn Ahmed. He explains his motivations for starting the project thus:
"In 2006, I was a grad student at Notre Dame. Then I heard Dr. Jeffrey Sachs (author of the book "The End of Poverty") talk about how it's our generation's responsibility to end poverty. I withdrew from grad school, packed my bags, grabbed my laptop and bought a camcorder and then flew to Bangladesh to see how I could make a difference among some of the world's poorest."
Shawn visits impoverished areas, giving out mosquito nets, water filters, and other useful stuff, and helping people to improve their own lives. He works with companies and organisations in order to contribute as best he can. Shawn stresses that his project is not a charity, but just his attempt to make the world a better place, and at the same time show others that they CAN make a difference. The Uncultured Project now accepts donations, and through Shawn's YouTube videos you can see exactly how your money is being spent, and who is benefiting (it really is inspiring stuff).
Vestergaard Frandsen, whom I learned about through Shawn, is a company that manufactures disease control textiles. They produce incredibly useful technologies like LifeStraw water purifiers, PermaNet mosquito nets, ZeroFly sheeting, and CarePack boxes for HIV sufferers. You can help by taking advantage of their donate option, where you can buy water filters and mosquito nets, and they'll be distributed to the people who need them.
Here's some frightening perspective: for £100, you could buy a brand new DS Lite, or you could pay for 16 personal or 4 family-sized water filters, which filter out particles (read as: mud and other things too disgusting to bear thinking about) and harmful bacteria, and could, no, WILL, save lives. For an amazing example of how effective these filters are, see Shawn's video here.
This video, I think, sums up my feelings pretty well and shows Hank leading by example.
Too Long; Didn't Read? (not a summary of what's above, please keep reading)
Okay, so here's a run-down of what you can do to help:
- Ask friends and relatives to make a donation to an organisation in your honour instead of buying you a Christmas/ birthday/ wedding (etc.) present. List of suggested charities and projects below.
- Count up the pennies you've got lying around, and donate them to a worthy cause. They'll only sit around in various bowls and jars in your house otherwise.
- If you have a lot of disposable income, donate the £10 instead of buying that third DVD. It feels good, trust me.
- Arrange a bake/ boot sale or charity event to raise money for a cause, or get sponsored to eat Peeps, if you like (I have never eaten a Peep. Am I missing out? Maybe I should get sponsored to eat Peeps).
- Get personally involved in one of the many great projects out there!
- There are a million more things you could do, I'm just not patient enough to write them all down.
Some Amazing People, and How You Can Help:
Vestergaard Frandsen - donate LifeStraws or PermaNets.
Shawn Ahmed's Uncultured Project - donate and see what the money is being spent on.
Nerdfighters - find out about projects to decrease World Suck.
Oxfam - make a donation; buy someone animals, seeds or tools; donate to a specific project; donate shares; buy from the Ethical Collection.
Save the Children - donate, or sponsor a child.
Heifer International - buy an animal to help an impoverished family support themselves.
I hope this has been informative. :)
The part that relates to my Facebook status of earlier today: On a personal note to friends and family reading this, if you were to donate to one of these fantastic groups on my behalf instead of a gift, that would be the best gift you could give me. Yeah, I'm a sap. Shut up :P
Free hugs for all!
Harri
Friday, 10 April 2009
Easter
As Easter weekend approaches I find myself unable to write. This is decidedly inconvenient as the folders are due starting the 24th April. Gaaaah.
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Secrets & Lies
Sometimes I am completely thrown by the revelation that other people are in fact real human beings. Allow me to elucidate.
You see, there are days when I come close to being convinced that my life is some unpleasant and sadistic version of the Truman Show - actually when the film came out my tiny pre-teen brain had a few moments of wondering whether this was actually a hint and the audience was waiting with baited breath to see if I'd figure it out. In the words of Jim Carrey himself, "madness is never that far away", particularly when you have an over-active imagination and too much free time, as I unquestionably did and still do.
But, yes, returning to now, before I make any more embarrassing confessions. In recent years a friend paused before asking me, "Do you ever feel a bit like you're in The Truman Show?"
Hug me, kindred spirit!
It seems that she, too, had harboured this suspicion after many a day when everyone seems to be watching you and waiting for you to screw up.
All of us have experienced this kind of thing at least a few times in our lives, I think - we all think and do things that we won't necessarily admit to the people we know, but occasionally someone else will mention that they, too, pretend to be receiving a text in order to cover up stopping to rest halfway up a steep hill, or have the strong urge to look at their girlfriend's inbox when she leaves the Hotmail window open, and I think it's these moments more than anything else that makes us connect as human beings.
That's why comedians who bring these topics into their routine are so well received: everyone loves that moment when they can think, Other people do that, too! It's not weird!
So, in the spirit of openness, here are some of the things I wouldn't normally own up to:
-I pretend to be checking my phone so I can stop and rest my funny knee
-During every card transaction in a shop, I become convinced that the shopkeeper will think my card is stolen if the PIN confirmation takes the slightest bit too long to go through
-I object to judging people on their appearance but still wish people thought I was pretty
-I have restrained myself on multiple occasions from reading other people's emails, and feel proud of myself for not doing so despite knowing that doing so is akin to being proud of yourself for having not shoplifted
-If someone is staring at me, I have to sneak off to find a reflective surface to check if I have something on my face
-I sometimes resent people solely because they can do something I can't, then feel horrible for thinking that and try to make up for it by being extremely nice to/ about them
-When I catch myself thinking something bitchy, I wonder if the person I'm thinking about can hear me. Also I sometimes wonder if maybe everyone can hear my thoughts and I'm the only person in the room who can't also hear theirs
Those are a few of the most frequent ones. I've tried to list only a few for fear of appearing completely neurotic. I hope you've spotted one or two you're also guilty of, otherwise this is going to be embarrassing!
So, my point is, everyone feels alone sometimes, everyone wonders if they're not a bit barmy, everyone has the odd embarrassing daydream they'd rather not admit to: maybe it's time to be a bit less afraid of what people will think and test the waters, to discover what secrets we have in common? I'm not saying you should grab a stranger and announce that you have always found bald men strangely attractive, but it won't hurt to admit it to your friends.
You see, there are days when I come close to being convinced that my life is some unpleasant and sadistic version of the Truman Show - actually when the film came out my tiny pre-teen brain had a few moments of wondering whether this was actually a hint and the audience was waiting with baited breath to see if I'd figure it out. In the words of Jim Carrey himself, "madness is never that far away", particularly when you have an over-active imagination and too much free time, as I unquestionably did and still do.
But, yes, returning to now, before I make any more embarrassing confessions. In recent years a friend paused before asking me, "Do you ever feel a bit like you're in The Truman Show?"
Hug me, kindred spirit!
It seems that she, too, had harboured this suspicion after many a day when everyone seems to be watching you and waiting for you to screw up.
All of us have experienced this kind of thing at least a few times in our lives, I think - we all think and do things that we won't necessarily admit to the people we know, but occasionally someone else will mention that they, too, pretend to be receiving a text in order to cover up stopping to rest halfway up a steep hill, or have the strong urge to look at their girlfriend's inbox when she leaves the Hotmail window open, and I think it's these moments more than anything else that makes us connect as human beings.
That's why comedians who bring these topics into their routine are so well received: everyone loves that moment when they can think, Other people do that, too! It's not weird!
So, in the spirit of openness, here are some of the things I wouldn't normally own up to:
-I pretend to be checking my phone so I can stop and rest my funny knee
-During every card transaction in a shop, I become convinced that the shopkeeper will think my card is stolen if the PIN confirmation takes the slightest bit too long to go through
-I object to judging people on their appearance but still wish people thought I was pretty
-I have restrained myself on multiple occasions from reading other people's emails, and feel proud of myself for not doing so despite knowing that doing so is akin to being proud of yourself for having not shoplifted
-If someone is staring at me, I have to sneak off to find a reflective surface to check if I have something on my face
-I sometimes resent people solely because they can do something I can't, then feel horrible for thinking that and try to make up for it by being extremely nice to/ about them
-When I catch myself thinking something bitchy, I wonder if the person I'm thinking about can hear me. Also I sometimes wonder if maybe everyone can hear my thoughts and I'm the only person in the room who can't also hear theirs
Those are a few of the most frequent ones. I've tried to list only a few for fear of appearing completely neurotic. I hope you've spotted one or two you're also guilty of, otherwise this is going to be embarrassing!
So, my point is, everyone feels alone sometimes, everyone wonders if they're not a bit barmy, everyone has the odd embarrassing daydream they'd rather not admit to: maybe it's time to be a bit less afraid of what people will think and test the waters, to discover what secrets we have in common? I'm not saying you should grab a stranger and announce that you have always found bald men strangely attractive, but it won't hurt to admit it to your friends.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Viewing Houses
Particularly poignant at this juncture in my life, attempting to find somewhere to live next year:
Had a viewing of a house today, or rather two houses near one another under the same landlords. Seemed nice enough places, despite the current tenants' underwear all over the place and the fact that when we arrived we were soaking wet from this sudden onslaught of rain we seem to be experiencing. Rent is £55 a week including bills, which is pretty good.
As long as I get to live indoors:
Had a viewing of a house today, or rather two houses near one another under the same landlords. Seemed nice enough places, despite the current tenants' underwear all over the place and the fact that when we arrived we were soaking wet from this sudden onslaught of rain we seem to be experiencing. Rent is £55 a week including bills, which is pretty good.
As long as I get to live indoors:
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Bento boxes and PMS
Brilliantly funny, if a bit of a red flag to militant feminists :P
Used my new obento for the first time today - much nicer than carrying food around in a bag!
Monday, 26 January 2009
Onigiri bumblebees and exploding steamers
Have spent much of my free time since I got back from lectures doodling things I could make out of onigiri. Not sure why, just feel like it. So far I have a pig, a panda, and a bumblebee as well as playing with ideas for scene type bento boxes - I like the fish tank concept with li'l carrot golfish :3
Yes, it has been a boring week thus far. Can't you just tell?
Watch this all the way through, it's worth it.
Here and here are links to essentially the same article with different details, about Japanese "celebrity cannibal" Issei Sagawa. Freaky stuff.
Yes, it has been a boring week thus far. Can't you just tell?
Watch this all the way through, it's worth it.
Here and here are links to essentially the same article with different details, about Japanese "celebrity cannibal" Issei Sagawa. Freaky stuff.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Alright stop - HAMMER TIME!
"Activate your mechanical serpent while I soar aloft with my magic hammer!"
"The hammer does not return to my hand: I am losing momentum, plunging down!"
Batman-esque "POW"s and "BAM"s.
"This wooden hammer will suffice to keep yon enchanted nightmares at bay!"
"Later, the son of Odin sits upon a lonely promontory, sorely perplexed."
See also: the rainbow bridge, the theme song, the paper cut-out animation.
Best. Cartoon. Ever.
"The hammer does not return to my hand: I am losing momentum, plunging down!"
Batman-esque "POW"s and "BAM"s.
"This wooden hammer will suffice to keep yon enchanted nightmares at bay!"
"Later, the son of Odin sits upon a lonely promontory, sorely perplexed."
See also: the rainbow bridge, the theme song, the paper cut-out animation.
Best. Cartoon. Ever.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
An uneventful week thus far
Watch this brilliant piece of claymation - great stuff.
I've been thinking - now that Bush is out of office, Mock the Week has lost about 50% of its usual material. Now they shall turn their eye ever more closely to British politics - Saints preserve us.
I've been thinking - now that Bush is out of office, Mock the Week has lost about 50% of its usual material. Now they shall turn their eye ever more closely to British politics - Saints preserve us.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Ooh ooh
Thought -
Doesn't Obama take over sometime soon? Around the 20th?
Good times ahead I hope.
(What do I keep pressing that makes me hop up a line involuntarily? Keys are too close together on laptops. Also: I wish it had a number pad so I could play Sid Meier's Pirates! properly)
Doesn't Obama take over sometime soon? Around the 20th?
Good times ahead I hope.
(What do I keep pressing that makes me hop up a line involuntarily? Keys are too close together on laptops. Also: I wish it had a number pad so I could play Sid Meier's Pirates! properly)
Essays
After 12 hours of brain ache, the essay is finished! I am victorious!
Plan for this evening: Have supper and play Spore. Maybe start a new planet with spiffy new spaceships? OoOoOoh... :D
I should do some comics also. Haven't updated since before the Christmas holiday.
Plan for this evening: Have supper and play Spore. Maybe start a new planet with spiffy new spaceships? OoOoOoh... :D
I should do some comics also. Haven't updated since before the Christmas holiday.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Multivitamins
I've been taking a combination multivitamin and cod liver oil supplement (the Tesco "general wellbeing" brand one) for around a week now, and already I'm feeling the difference in my joints and seeing it in my skin.
Nice to know that occasionally a product actually works!
Nice to know that occasionally a product actually works!
Thursday, 11 December 2008
George Bush is due some credit for a change - can it be?
It seems he has been doing something right, take a look at the article on blogfish.
Let's hope he goes out on a higher note than we've been expecting by continuing to introduce eco-friendly legislation.
Let's hope he goes out on a higher note than we've been expecting by continuing to introduce eco-friendly legislation.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Thoroughly and Pleasantly Surprised
A post without the "Today..." title this month! It's a miracle!
Anyway.
Earlier I was being my usual self and Facebook-stalking classmates to build up my little network of "Oh God have you done the work I haven't what did you do for yours oh God" go-to-guys (ahem, I do have friends for other reasons besides this, you know, honest) - I successfully found one classmate whose surname I didn't know by searching for "Steve Glamorgan 2011" (I am aware of how horribly long this could have taken me but luckily for me he was relatively near the top of the results).
When I searched for another classmate, I found that he a) did not have a personal Facebook profile and that he b) had a fan page. Out of curiosity (alright, nosiness) I visited the MySpace and the band's site and listened to the tracks on there. They were GOOD. Not even "amateur band that could make it" good, but genuine recording studio stuff. I was impressed.
So, go give him some love when you get a moment, listen to his music (I'm pretty sure you'll like it), maybe become a fan if you have a Facebook profile.
I, meanwhile, am going in search of an MP3 of "Love You Love" on iTunes.
MySpace
Facebook
Site
Anyway.
Earlier I was being my usual self and Facebook-stalking classmates to build up my little network of "Oh God have you done the work I haven't what did you do for yours oh God" go-to-guys (ahem, I do have friends for other reasons besides this, you know, honest) - I successfully found one classmate whose surname I didn't know by searching for "Steve Glamorgan 2011" (I am aware of how horribly long this could have taken me but luckily for me he was relatively near the top of the results).
When I searched for another classmate, I found that he a) did not have a personal Facebook profile and that he b) had a fan page. Out of curiosity (alright, nosiness) I visited the MySpace and the band's site and listened to the tracks on there. They were GOOD. Not even "amateur band that could make it" good, but genuine recording studio stuff. I was impressed.
So, go give him some love when you get a moment, listen to his music (I'm pretty sure you'll like it), maybe become a fan if you have a Facebook profile.
I, meanwhile, am going in search of an MP3 of "Love You Love" on iTunes.
MySpace
Site
Today...
As of today I have finished and handed in all of the work due this term. To say that I'm pleased would be a massive understatement so I shall instead say this:
BOOYAH.
BOOYAH.
Friday, 5 December 2008
Today...
Today I am a seething ball of rage.
I have not yelled at anyone yet.
I consider this a triumph of self-control.
Instead I have been producing comics at 100 miles an hour.
Penguins!
I have not yelled at anyone yet.
I consider this a triumph of self-control.
Instead I have been producing comics at 100 miles an hour.
Penguins!
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Emails...
Tips for people on the Internet who seem to have forgotten that the person at the other end is a sentient being:
When you send a person an email, they can save it. Therefore, if you send stupid, perhaps threatening emails, they will have proof that you sent them. And can send them to other people. Including, if necessary, university staff or even the Police.
It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out.
Good lord.
When you send a person an email, they can save it. Therefore, if you send stupid, perhaps threatening emails, they will have proof that you sent them. And can send them to other people. Including, if necessary, university staff or even the Police.
It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out.
Good lord.
Christmas Presents!
Here are (most of) the presents I've bought for my family this year:
I've done my best to re-use and recycle this year - on everything except the ribbon and the bows I've succeeded (had to buy the bows, HAD to, I love bows!).
I've used the sleeves for giftboxes and even the giftboxes themselves as wrapping (though never mark giftboxes as people like to keep them to keep their jewellery safe and nicely presented), and I've painted designs (PENGUINS! ...and fish :D) on newspaper instead of buying wrapping paper.
No, it doesn't look as professional, granted, but it looks as if some thought and effort has gone into it, at least that's what I think.
Now here is where I get preachy so you'll have to excuse me.
Please try to be environmentally and ethically friendly this Christmas:
Don't buy cheap and nasty plastic decorations that you'll throw away when you could buy some nicer looking, re-useable ones for just a little more money (and of course you'd save money in the end from not having to re-buy them every year).
Think about how much unnecessary packaging you're using and try not to just chuck it all out once everything is unwrapped on Christmas Day - it could be used to light the fire, or all that plastic could be recycled (I know that not all plastic can be recycled, but maybe you need to think about that, too).
Best-case scenario, try to avoid buying things when you can see they have a lot of unnecessary waste packaging. I know it's not always easy but there are a few products where you'll be in a position to choose.
Try to buy Fair Trade. There are a number of online shops that sell only Fair Trade stock and there are more still charity shops and other stores that have a Fair Trade section. Try to think about the unpleasant working conditions some of our consumer goods are made in and support employers who do the right thing by their workers.
Paint or print (potato prints are fun for kids to do) your own designs onto parcel paper or re-used newspaper (though check the stories on the page to make sure they aren't too depressing!) rather than buying glossy wrapping paper - it's overpriced for what it is, it tears horrifically easily, and do Clintons' really need any more money than they already manage to scam out of people with cards and toys? I don't think so. The Financial Times is a great colour to use and looks good with some smart ribbon. You could also use the Funny Pages for wrapping childrens' presents.
Anyway, that's me done. You don't have to take it in but I hope that someone has. If we don't make an effort to change things, no one else is going to, after all.
I've done my best to re-use and recycle this year - on everything except the ribbon and the bows I've succeeded (had to buy the bows, HAD to, I love bows!).I've used the sleeves for giftboxes and even the giftboxes themselves as wrapping (though never mark giftboxes as people like to keep them to keep their jewellery safe and nicely presented), and I've painted designs (PENGUINS! ...and fish :D) on newspaper instead of buying wrapping paper.
No, it doesn't look as professional, granted, but it looks as if some thought and effort has gone into it, at least that's what I think.
Now here is where I get preachy so you'll have to excuse me.
Please try to be environmentally and ethically friendly this Christmas:
Don't buy cheap and nasty plastic decorations that you'll throw away when you could buy some nicer looking, re-useable ones for just a little more money (and of course you'd save money in the end from not having to re-buy them every year).
Think about how much unnecessary packaging you're using and try not to just chuck it all out once everything is unwrapped on Christmas Day - it could be used to light the fire, or all that plastic could be recycled (I know that not all plastic can be recycled, but maybe you need to think about that, too).
Best-case scenario, try to avoid buying things when you can see they have a lot of unnecessary waste packaging. I know it's not always easy but there are a few products where you'll be in a position to choose.
Try to buy Fair Trade. There are a number of online shops that sell only Fair Trade stock and there are more still charity shops and other stores that have a Fair Trade section. Try to think about the unpleasant working conditions some of our consumer goods are made in and support employers who do the right thing by their workers.
Paint or print (potato prints are fun for kids to do) your own designs onto parcel paper or re-used newspaper (though check the stories on the page to make sure they aren't too depressing!) rather than buying glossy wrapping paper - it's overpriced for what it is, it tears horrifically easily, and do Clintons' really need any more money than they already manage to scam out of people with cards and toys? I don't think so. The Financial Times is a great colour to use and looks good with some smart ribbon. You could also use the Funny Pages for wrapping childrens' presents.
Anyway, that's me done. You don't have to take it in but I hope that someone has. If we don't make an effort to change things, no one else is going to, after all.
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