Friday, May 14, 2010

What does it mean to Go Green!?

The first time I heard the phrase "Go Green" I responded proudly "Go White." Coming from MSU, with my brother graduating from our rival U of M, there has been a lot of green and blue thrown around the house in the past 5 years. The only thing I knew about going green was wearing my alumni t-shirt and watching the big game each year. People often hear me state that I bleed green and I'm beginning to think that may have two meanings.

I was late in figuring out about recycling, about plastic seeping into my water, about animals and oil spills. I attended a prestigious, albeit, private, prep school where I focused solely on my own grades. My classes did not include environmental safety, or even health and nutrition. I studied the great classics, I spent my nights learning calculus and physics and recycling only meant returning bottles to get my 10 cents back.

That was probably my first experience with recycling: returning bottles. Michigan has one of the better programs, ten cents per bottle. It wasn't long before I was thinking about what happened to the other bottles that don't require that deposit. Soon enough my hometown was offering recycling services, Monroe is great at this and will take anything that doesn't have food on it(sorry pizza boxes). MSU's campus recycles everything, on campus, and thus, my green education truly began.

Over time, I have incorporated several little habits into daily life to help the world without really feeling the impact. This means I don't feel put out for having a bin dedicated to recycling. I've learned to depend on some of these habits, such as the fresh dairy milk that comes in a reusable and recyclable glass bottle. My first step in turning this house green depends on the family listing everything we are already doing, including prices and reasons for why it is important.

To figure out what we're already doing well, we decided it was important to define what "green" means to our family. I've compiled a list of words and phrases to try to create an idea of what I'm hoping to accomplish.

safe * environmentally conscious * low-impact * sustainable * organic * natural * recyclable * biodegradeable * pet-friendly * safe for pregnant women and babies * pre-recycled * non-toxic * ecological * locally grown * DIY *

Our House...

My family lives in a big old house that was built in the very early 1900's. It's just about 100 years old and clearly deserves a green makeover. I've recently worked on greening up a local convention, Penguicon, and finally feel ready for this major renovation. Over time, I will blog about how to turn such an antique home into something low-impact with a high carbon offsetting that's mostly DIY and within a family budget. Sounds amazing and dreamy, but truly possible when you know the right people. I'll be getting a lot of help from a few major resources, such as the awesome green architecture books, as well as support from friends and family.

My Plans:

1. Find out what parts of the house and family are already green, energy star, sustainable, etc. Basically, what has already been implemented, and the good habits we want to keep or improve.

2. Make a list of what NEEDS to be replaced. Look for local resources that are safe for the environment and within the budget. Prioritize the list.

3. Make a list of things that will need to be replaced in the next 5 years. Research the best ways to accomplish the tasks and create a budget.

Three major steps to get this project started, the question is, Nightengales - ARE YOU READY?!?!!?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

SMOS Dinner Yay!

Saturday SMOS Update as defined by Limey Z
So as promised here is the SMOS update.
The SMOS starts at 7pm in wonderful Wyandotte.
Email (limeyATpenguiconDOTorg) for the address.

If you are new to the community you may be wondering what a SMOS dinner is.
Lets start with SMOS, it stands for:
Secret
Masters
Of
Smos

The SMOS dinner is a cornerstone of the community, this is where Penguicon happens. Ideas are hatched here amongst bull sessions. We game, eat drink and be merry.

Being a community event, we ask the community to help out SMOS dinners are potluck. Penguicon provides a main course, everyone brings a dish to pass.

This weekend's dinner will be picnic themed, burgers (veggie and non) and dogs. Weather providing there will be bonfire Maybe some horseshoes or bocce'.

Hope to see you all there!
Limey

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Quote 5/11/2010

"Be Open Minded, but not so open minded that your brains fall out."
-Groucho Marx

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Amazingly Comfy

About a year ago, I decided I wanted to make soap. That is until I learned about the possible chemical interactions that could explode my face off. I tried playing with melt and pours. I looked for professional classes. I am still not satisfied with anything in the soap genre that I created. I have to say my chocolate pudding pie soap smells yummy, and looks beautiful with autumn hued glitter atop, but it just doesn't meet my expectations. However, that being said, I've become something of a soap snob. [Enter Lush]. Lush cosmetics provides a huge selection of yummy, edible, natural body care products. It's enough for me to give up and invest in this awesome company. I can't afford stock, but I regularly spend wads of freshly withdrawn dollar bills, stocking up on essentials and a few new products. I especially love their vanilliary solid perfume. I plan to review my endeavors one by one over time, hopefully giving insight to this wonderfully comfy dream of a boutique. Visit Lush in Somerset Collections, or Twelve Oaks Mall in Michigan!!!