That Just Happened!

Yesterday I answered some questions based on the 2010 Social Justice Challenge I am participating in.  Here is the list I promised you on Ways to Conserve Water.

*Using Less.  D’uh!  Using less water means more for later.  Turn off the water when brushing your teeth, while shampooing your hair, when washing the dishes (only if you have a double sink). 

*Get Energy Efficient.  No, you don’t have to go out and get new, expensive washer/dryer righthissecond, but when replacing your old one look for energy ratings and energy efficient models.  Not only will that help you to use less water when doing laundry, you will save on your water bill.  Many towns/cities/states/provinces  have programs to encourage you to get rid of your old stuff by recycling , or offering money back at tax time. Toilets can also be more water-efficient by using less water when you flush.  You can do this manually by putting a brick in your tank, or you can buy a toilet that has two flushing options (I’m pretty sure you can guess for what).

*Shop Locally.  When you buy local and organic you are helping to save water.  Food that has been processed and packaged at factories uses tonnes more water.  Packaging something like peaches can use up to 4,800 gallons per ton (Rogers, Peter. America’s Water: Federal Roles and Responsibilities.) whereas the fruit grown locally uses the water for growing the product only. Factories use water for cleaning, sealing, cooling, and cooking.

*Start Drinking Your Tap Water.  Cities must ensure that tap water is fit for consumption, so unless you live next to a waste facility, or are the town from Erin Brockovich, you should be good to go.  So, you have a Brita Filter instead of using water bottles?  So what?  That filter needs to be discarded every month or two (depending on use) and it cannot be recycled.  Drinking right from your tap eliminates the waste of the filter and packaging.

*Raise Awareness.  You don’t have to go crusading for water rights, but start mentioning ways you have cut down on water consumption.  Again, this doesn’t have to be directly.  Ask your friend to accompany you to the farmer’s market; or mention how much you are saving on your bills and the rebate you got for switching appliances. 

*Donate to Charity.  There are many charities out there that work with impoverished communities to help them set up infrastructure and agriculture to help them survive.  As we know, water is necessary for farming and disease prevention.  thewaterproject.org  and watercan.com are two charities that strive to bring clean water to poor communities.  (Please do more research into the organization you are donating to.  These are just two examples I got when searching Google, not charities I endorse).

How do you conserve water?

Although this may seem like the name of a really good novel, or fantasy flick; sadly it is not.  It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my XBox 360.  I was almost finished a 28 song challenge on expert hard and it froze. When it went to restart, I got this…

*cue the unfortunate wailing, fist pounding, and all-around temper tantrum* 

I called MPW, my sister, and her fiancee KB.  They were all sympathetic, but none can remove the aching I feel.  Not only can I not play Rock Band, but MPW and I can no longer watch movies or episodes of Top Gear as the XBox was also our DVD player. This being the Holiday season and all, who knows when I will get it back.

So I put in for a repair and thank goodness I am within 3 years and this is a Microsoft defect *shaking my fist*.  Just within the 3 years. I think Microsoft may have thought it was over and that’s why it defected.

So for all of you with little ones, be prepared for when they get older and this happens to them (as it inevitably will. Thanks Microsoft *more fist shaking*).  Here is my suggestions for consoling them.

1. It is a big deal. Be sympathetic. They won’t feel that you really get it, but will appreciate the effort.
2. Have an XBox 360 sized box already on hand for fast turn around once you receive your shipping label. They make you do it yourself and it has to be packaged properly.
3. Reassure them that everything is alright and suggest watching TV.  The glow of the screen won’t be the same, but should make the shaking subside.
4. Ignore their pupils.  Eventually they will dilate to normal.  It’s just the shock.
5. Let them know that the hard drive is extranous and all their hours of work will not be for naught.

Well, that’s it for now I guess. I’m going to go rock silently in a corner while holding the guitar.

Yeah, That Just Happened.

Well, today is Remembrance Day and we have a lot to remember.  My grandfather fought in WWII (he is alive and kicking and screaming at 94 years old) and my great-grandfather fought in WWI.  My grandfather’s favourite joke is “Yes, yes, it’s true.  I was born Sept 19, 1914…but I wasn’t the reason for the war!”  Ha ha.  He has a really weird sense of humour.  He does not drive anymore (nor would he as he has a girlfriend with a car), but when he did he called his car a “hen-mobile…cause I am too old to be chasing after chicks.”  The gas station attendants always laugh politely.

When I drive, he doesn’t look out the window. He looks at the speedometer.  “How fast you going?” and “Well, how fast is that truck going?” are two common questions I hear.  I learned my lesson after driving him the first time.  Oh sure, I had heard stories from my sister about his passenger-seat driving, but I guess I just didn’t understand.  After leaning over (almost into my lap) and looking at the speedometer he asked “How fast are you going?”  I told him “Well I am going with the flow of traffic and that means I am going 117km/h”.  He harrumphed and I thought I won. Until he said, “Yeah well get over. I would like to arrive alive.”  (He even said it with the emphasis on arrive and alive.)

He hitchhiked all the way up to Northern Ontario when he was younger with another guy looking for work.  Feeling there was nothing more for him and wanting to go home, my grandfather bought the car from the guy (for $100!) and drove back to Toronto, only to find out the car was stolen. 

A while back he was in the hospital briefly for his heart and feeling quite low.  He fretted, he complained, he…well acted like a typical boy.  By the end of the visit though he was a nurse favourite. “Oh, Harry!” was a response we heard often as he complimented the nurse’s vest, or tried to grab her bum.  He’s just cool like that.

He is also cool because he volunteered to serve our country in WWII.  He was fortunate enough to return in one piece, but we don’t ever really hear stories about it.  He’ll mention stuff about the places he went, but not about the actual war.  It was tragic that as a young man he had to experience such atrocities so that we could live here today and not have to.  Today is a day to remember all of the heroes who fought and continue to fight for the rights of their country.  Some of you may know someone who is close to you and fighting halfway across the world right now. Some of us have grandparents or parents who fought in previous wars.  Some of us know victims of war and the struggles they face. 

So today at 11:00am I encourage everyone to take that minute and remember what has been sacrificed for us so that we can continue to live the blessed lives we do.  And I will think of my grandpa who may be a little grumpy, but has earned the right for every harrumph.  Thanks, Grandpa.