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Topic: Nova Scotia man half-way through pledge not to spend any money for a year
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audra trower williams
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2
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posted 17 December 2004 04:16 AM
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Almost six months into a year-long pledge to live without spending any money, a man in Nova Scotia says he's busily crafting Christmas gifts for friends and family.On his birthday in July, Matt Watkins decided to spend the year without using any money. He calls it his "buy nothing year" – a quiet protest against poverty and the waste of resources. "If I want to make these changes in society around me, then it's got to begin with me," said the 25-year-old. So, a year out of art college, Watkins closed his bank account, paid off his bills and gave away his pocket change.
Full story.
From: And I'm a look you in the eye for every bar of the chorus | Registered: Apr 2001
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swirrlygrrl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2170
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posted 17 December 2004 06:01 PM
See, the thing that irks me about this is the "big gesture" idea. You can't make your everyday life more sustainable, can't do things that challenge consumer capitalist norms but still allow you to participate in society and maybe even provide a role model for others hoping to do the same (Tooker Gomberg, John Robbins, etc.). No, no. You have to go on a quest, make a grand gesture, and in doing so, while YOU may live without money, the people you work for still use money to enable you to live this life. But that isn't acknowledged. Instead, you are romanticized and set apart - you're the subject of a news story, you have a neat tale to tell to the grandkids, unlike that person who bikes to work in the rain and buys secondhand and learns to repair things and does other such everyday, mundane activities that really impact the planet and the market. I mean, I'm not averse to what he's doing, but I can't deal with the hype. What changes will he make in his life in the long term? What impact will this have on his participation in the capitalist market after this year is over? That's what will be a real test of his committment. Also, it ties in to my seething hatred for Jack Kerouc. Wonder if he read "On the road" before starting this.
From: the bushes outside your house | Registered: Feb 2002
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 18 December 2004 12:20 AM
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Originally posted by Lard tunderin' jeesus:
Thanks for sharing, but that's way too much information.We males need our illusions, you know.
We've talked about keepers on babble before, quite a few times. I thought it was common knowledge that lots of babble women had tried them. Audra was pushing them quite a bit at one point. And what illusion were you trying to keep? That I use tampons or pads instead? Or that I don't menstruate at all? (Gee, I wish THAT were true...sigh.)
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 18 December 2004 07:28 PM
Actually, from what I understand, the diva cup is better because you can boil it. Although I do sterilize my keeper.Anyhow, it's rubber cup that you insert into the vagina, which holds an ounce of fluid (apparently the average woman only releases about three ounces of fluid throughout her entire period, so it's a sufficient capacity usually). The fact that it's rubber means that it doesn't have pores for bacteria to settle in (as long as you wash it properly). You're not supposed to boil the keeper because of the type of rubber it is, but I usually do something to sterilize it, whether to boil it very briefly, or to boil water, then dip the keeper into the water right after taking it off the heat, and leaving it there for a minute or two. But apparently the Diva Cup is made of silicone, so you can boil it. Anyhow, it saves a TON of money on monthly supplies. I've had mine for a couple of years now (I think), and apparently they'll last something like 10 years or longer. They cost anywhere between $30-50, and well, well worth it.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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