I have posted about Freecycle in the past.  In theory, it is a truly wonderful idea/organization/site/tool.  But it isn’t always friendly to the newbie.

I’m a newbie.

Or a voyeur.  Or a lurker.

Okay, those sound bad.  Let’s just say I’ve been reading the posts but haven’t ventured into the free water yet.  I always read what’s wanted in case I have it to give.  Never have.  I responded to a couple of items that were offered, but didn’t get them. Then I tried to do a wanted post, that didn’t go so well either.  Apparently my local Freecycle groups have rules that you must offer something before you can ask for something.

Who made these rules?

I guess I can agree with them in theory but it’s really put a damper on my free-swapping.  When I first started the Compact I was fine with the idea of getting things in a more nontraditional manner.  But when I have to “sell” something before I can “buy” something I have issues.

I don’t have a lot of stuff to get rid of.  Yes, that’s a boast.  Many Compactors have taken their pledge as an opportunity to clear clutter.  Good for them.  I hate clutter.  I cleared most of my clutter years ago.  I’ve spent the last 4 years clearing my husband’s clutter.  Clutter gives me hives.

I know your thinking I must have stuff to get rid of if I have also spent the last several years buying things.  And you’re right.  But until this year I was the thrift store’s best friend.  At least twice  a year I would drop off whatever I had collected that just wasn’t needed anymore.  Clothes, shoes, bags, books, whatever.

Now I’m hip to the Free world.  When we cleaned the closets last month and had more clothes than some large families we donated them to the local mission.  But as it was the closets there wasn’t a lot there besides clothes.  Clothes closets.  Get it?  But I do have a small bag of things that didn’t end up at the mission ready to be set free.  (Tired of the corny yet?)  I just haven’t had taken the time to write up numerous posts for random shit stuff on the off chance other people may want it.

And I have needs.  In true Compact fashion I got the parts to fix a clock we already owned.  Okay, it wasn’t entirely Compact as I bought the parts.  But since they were pretty specific parts I didn’t have much faith I would find them on Freecycle.  Plus, pay attention, I can’t ask until I give.  I’m behind on the giving, so I gave to Michael’s art store instead.  Let’s not lose focus, the point here is I was fixing something instead of replacing it.  (Helpful tip: don’t change the time on a clock by forcing the hands around the face.  Or don’t let someone not familiar with that tip near said clocks at Daylight Savings Time.)

Where is this all going, you ask?  Can I get to a point?  Any point?  Soon?

Okay, okay.  The point is, my newly acquired clock parts require painting.  With spray paint.  I don’t have any spray paint.  I asked a group of friends if they had any spray paint.  Not a one did.  Who knew black spray paint was so hard to come by.  And here’s the kicker, I need about 3 spurts of it.  Less than it would take to paint a 3 inch square.

So now I have time on my hands.  I want my clock back but I’m not willing to buy paint.  And I could probably find some on Freecycle but I’m not allowed to ask.

What’s an even bigger waste of time?  The fact that I could have written all the posts I needed to get rid of my stuff in the amount of time I have spent typing this.  But then what would you read?  And sometimes complaining is good for the soul.  Okay, not really.  But that’s what I tell myself because sometimes I feel the need to complain.

If you feel the need to complain go ahead.  About Freecycle.  About me.  About whatever.  Feel free.

Arctic Circle by Alex Hallatt

♦ ♦ ♦

And if that’s not enough for all of you, my favored readers I give you this…

Man, what a bargain

Typically I will refrain from simply posting links to other stories but I just thought this was too good to pass up.  It actually came to me from my husband.  He might be a little unsure about which bag a particular item of trash get’s recycled into but he is always thinking of you, dear readers.  Or thinking of my thinking of you.  Whichever is the culprit he passes this nugget on and so I give it to you.

A reporter for the Los Angeles Times wrote an article for the Business section about thrift stores.  And this is not the article you might think.  It is not about how well thrift stores are doing in this time of recession and spend-thrift.  Or about how thrift stores are lacking for goods as people are hanging onto their stuff longer instead of replacing everything at break-neck speed.  Both of these may be true, I don’t know, I haven’t done any studies.  Or asked anyone for that matter.  (Digression, I know, I know.)  This great article is about how this particular newsman gets his fabulous, high end, designer wardrobe from thrift stores!  And if you live in the Los Angeles area he even names names!  It makes me want to run out just to see what I can find.

Hey, maybe I can find a Chanel suit and that elusive potato masher!  What’s the best thing you’ve found at a thrifty?

Artwork by Aaron Piland

What if your electric company said they were going to help you get smart?  I think mine is about to.  I could use the help right now.  I was part of a focus group yesterday discussing energy, technology, conservation and the like.  From what I gather my dear (read: monopoly) SoCal Edison is looking into the feasibility of the Smart Meter.  What Ed is proposing is a meter that is installed inside your home that can tell you in real-time information what your electricity usage is and offer financial information so you may opt to change your usage to cheaper times of day.  It would also automatically tell them when your house was experiencing a power outage.  So they could fix it of course.  Maybe they will actually get to you before all the meat in the fridge spoils next time.

SmartMeter

Does this sound big brother-ish to you?  Remember, you have a meter on your home giving you (and them) your usage information already.  But this would be IN your home.  For you to see.  For everyone to see.  Would you feel the need to hang a cloth over the thing if a friend came over and laundry was going at 2 o’clock in the afternoon in July and your meter was spiking through the roof?

Personally I think we’re pretty safe.  For now.  We don’t have a dishwasher.  Or a washer/dryer.  Or any major appliances that run on electricity.  Other than the fridge.  I guess I could benefit from knowing how much my usage spikes from me standing there staring at the contents waiting for inspiration at lunchtime.  I’m guilty, I know.  But we turn all the lights off all the time and we only run a small space heater in the nursery and our bedroom during the hours we are sleeping and only on the really cold nights.  It’s something right?

I’m all for more information = more power but apparently Ed is still weighing the options.  Would it matter to you?

a mid-size glass works for anything

So 20 days into my Compact I broke a glass.  Now I don’t know if I should replace it (buy new, search eBay for a $4.95 Crate&Barrel glass, buy one that doesn’t match – Uggh!) or have 5 matching glasses.  Even just saying that sounds wrong.  Five glasses.  Things like that come in even numbers.  It’s just the way it works.  I know I’m letting you in on my neurosis.  You can leave now if you like.  But before you do, can you tell me what I should do?

Also, before you go, I have to mention my visit to Recess.  What a treat!  If you’re in the LA area and want a great manicure or pedicure I highly recommend this chill, lovely space.  If you are green-minded like I am I can only recommend this place.  If you’re not in LA, love a good mani/pedi and are green-minded like I am maybe you should start your own Recess.  Just don’t forget who gets a discount for life, right?  And remember, DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR OLD NAIL POLISH, IT’S TOXIC!  RECYCLE!!

Now you can go.

photo by thru jens eyes'

I had a completely different post planned but it will have to wait.  I just found out about this awesome idea and had to share.  I am so glad the Compact organizers understood the sacrifice of one for the benefit of many.  All in the name of well-being and supporting the local community I can partake guilt-free in recreational services such as massage, manicures and pedicures.  The original exceptions didn’t specifically state mani/pedis but I write the rules in this house.  Don’t I?  If not, just let me believe it.  But, back to my nails.  How great would it be to have a nail salon that actually claimed a “healthy environment”.  I know, sounds like a contradiction in terms right?

photo by green LA girl

But alas, it’s here.  At least if you live in Los Angeles it’s here.  It’s called Recess.  How great is that name?  It makes me think of all the fun had running around the playground with your best girlfriends.  Only now your girlfriends are grown up and need a place to share their newest secrets.  Green LA girl stopped by and wrote a great review.

The things I love most: their eco-friendly space – LEED based design for gosh sakes!  (Ask me another time about LEED, I’ll tell you an exciting tale about architecture and the environment.  And how the two CAN work together.  It’s close to my heart.)  They have organic bevvies to go with the bamboo-cotton towels and toxin-free nail polishes.  Best of all, they will recycle your old nail polish bottles.  Seriously.  I bet you didn’t even know that nail polish is considered toxic waste.

Now I know what to do with that blue polish circa 2004 that I never got around to finishing.