My Self-Sufficientish Bible comes with suggestions on how to reduce the energy consumption of your electronics. Like most of our home, the bedroom floor is criss-crossed with multiple electrical extension cords. Fortunately, for the most part, they are hidden underneath the bed.
About a year ago I got a new cell phone. Its charger sits on my bedside table, and that is where it stays over night. Right next to it is my old cell phone, still plugged in and used daily as an alarm clock. Redundant? Probably. There are two reasons I keep this set up. The first reason is that I don’t want to learn how to set my alarm clock on the new cell phone. I tried it once and it didn’t work (fortunately my old cell phone was still plugged in so disaster was averted). Secondly, I’m a little OCD on the whole alarm clock “thing”. Even as a teenager I would check my alarm clock at least three times each night after I had already climbed in to bed. After a lot of hard work I now only check it once (even though I know it is set to go off on a reoccurring basis). Sometimes if I am particularly anxious or upset I will check it twice. The thought of going cold turkey on my old alarm set up makes me anxious. I have tried it once or twice over the last month and some times the new cell alarm works, other times it does not.
Now, the “Bible” suggests that energy can be saved if you take your cell phones off the home chargers and use your car chargers instead. This makes sense I guess. But then I will have to replace my alarm clock. Although the book didn’t suggest this exact solution, it will work non-the-less. Introducing, the water powered alarm clock … http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/757e/ . Yes I will be purchasing one. I’ll let you know how it goes. I will also be moving my cell phone charges to the car.
Other electronic tid-bits for power whores like VSC and myself:
Lighting: Of course use fluorescent bulbs. Even I know that. However, also try to use lower wattage bulbs when possible.
T.V.: Plasma screens consume the most wattage. Some manufacturers, like Sharp, have been awarded eco labels.
MP3 Players: Hot Dog! MP3 players are good for the environment! Think of all the “bad juju” that goes in to making a CD.
DVD’s: Netflix is also good for the environment! Finally, I was doing something right for a change.
Standby: Take those electronics off of standby mode. Up to 10% of your electricity bill could be a result of standby.
** Side note. I actually tried to do this once just to save money. I went around and unplugged everything I could think of. VSC questioned my tactics. Apparently, I didn’t really understand what “standby mode” meant. So for dumb arses like me, the hippies have created the Bye Bye Standby Kit http://www.earthtechproducts.com/bye-bye-standby.html . At $30.00 a kit, I think I’d rather delegate this to VSC.
Remote Controls and Batteries: The “Bible” suggests that remote controls don’t use as much power as some other battery powered electronics in your home. So, batteries that no longer work for your digital camera (as an example) will most likely still work in your remote control. Also, I’m supposed to use rechargeable batteries. However, for the record, can I say I hate rechargeable batteries? Our electrical outlets are already used to capacity. Where the hell am I supposed to plug in the battery chargers? They are ugly and always seem to be in the way. You almost have to put them on a flat surface, because if you lie them on the floor you just forget where the hell you put them and then forget to use them.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Learning to Kick Zombie Arse
Monday was my first night back in Martial Arts in order to re-learn how to kick zombie ass. As I said earlier, guns are cool but eventually the ammo is going to run low. And I don’t want to have to choose between shooting blindly into a zombie hoard and a nice squirrel dinner. I’d rather be in shape and a). Be able to run away or b). Be able to go XXX on their arses.
I joined Hand To Hand Kajukenbo in Oakland for a six week beginners’ class. I figured it’s been years since I trained so it would be best to take it slow. I feared for the safety of my knees and back. This dojo is unique for two reasons. First I was pleasantly surprised to see that the majority of its members are women. Actually that’s why I joined it. Even the instructors are chicks. It’s novel not to be the only woman / girl in class. I can’t put my finger on why it seems so important, but it is. Second, they actually use pads at HTH. No shit! In the good ol’ days we would just line up across from each other and practice kicking and hitting each others bodies. Of course we were encouraged to block, but if something got through the teachers figured it was a good chance to build up your stomach muscles and practice your ki (I’m sure that isn’t spelled right). We just figured it built character to go home with bruises. Now days people put 3 inch thick pads on their hands. Novel. Actually, I find it all very cute. There’s no running barefoot on loose gravel. No knuckle push ups on sand. No lying in a line on your back so your instructors can run across your stomachs. Instead we played “tunnel tag”, sat in a circle and meditated for a few minutes, and practiced kicking and hitting our partners hand pads. Giggle. I did however come home with a scratch on my forehead because I got overly competitive during tunnel tag. It’s like this little Tasmanian devil takes hold of my soul and sends me madly spinning and frothing around. Sad really. I need to get better control of my desire to hurt things. VSC wondered where the scratch came from but was nice enough not to ask for details. Although I "mock" (because let's face it... that's what I do), I really appreciate the effort our Sifu put in to create a comfortable environment. The bit of silliness got even the coldest fish (i.e. me) out of my shell a bit. Her methods for teaching technique were sound, and I am looking forward to learning new things and breaking some very old, and very bad, habits.
The dojo is beautiful and my new Sifu seems knowledgeable . A few minor differences are already apparent. They use a shortened Tiger stance as a beginner stance. I don’t ever recall using a Tiger stance and it leaves me feeling off balance, so I find myself checking the spacing between my feet a lot so I can learn how to do it correctly. They also have a new term for the assistant teacher (a green belt) which is Sijeh (pronounced C.J.) and call the dojo a Kwoon. Most everything else seemed familiar enough.
Once again I found myself in the awkward position of being asked “What brought you to ____ (fill in blank … this booth, this class, this idea). I will never ask another human being this question EVER. However, I was better prepared this time and mumbled something about reinventing myself. In my head I could hear the theme song to the Six Million Dollar Man; I will be stronger, faster, etc., etc. I need to find / buy a shirt that says something like “Here to Kick Zombie Ass” or “Planning for the Post-Apocalypse” or “What the Hell Do You Care?” so that in the future when I’m asked this question I can just wear my damn t-shirt and point to my boobs.
The next class is Thursday night. I’m very much looking forward to it and hope this turns in to a long term commitment for me. It feels good. Also, for the first time in about 6 months I actually went to bed without taking a sleeping “aide”. The next morning I remembered my dream which was a really hot, pseudo cyberpunk / steam punk adventure tale. Go Me! No zombies though (insert sigh).
I joined Hand To Hand Kajukenbo in Oakland for a six week beginners’ class. I figured it’s been years since I trained so it would be best to take it slow. I feared for the safety of my knees and back. This dojo is unique for two reasons. First I was pleasantly surprised to see that the majority of its members are women. Actually that’s why I joined it. Even the instructors are chicks. It’s novel not to be the only woman / girl in class. I can’t put my finger on why it seems so important, but it is. Second, they actually use pads at HTH. No shit! In the good ol’ days we would just line up across from each other and practice kicking and hitting each others bodies. Of course we were encouraged to block, but if something got through the teachers figured it was a good chance to build up your stomach muscles and practice your ki (I’m sure that isn’t spelled right). We just figured it built character to go home with bruises. Now days people put 3 inch thick pads on their hands. Novel. Actually, I find it all very cute. There’s no running barefoot on loose gravel. No knuckle push ups on sand. No lying in a line on your back so your instructors can run across your stomachs. Instead we played “tunnel tag”, sat in a circle and meditated for a few minutes, and practiced kicking and hitting our partners hand pads. Giggle. I did however come home with a scratch on my forehead because I got overly competitive during tunnel tag. It’s like this little Tasmanian devil takes hold of my soul and sends me madly spinning and frothing around. Sad really. I need to get better control of my desire to hurt things. VSC wondered where the scratch came from but was nice enough not to ask for details. Although I "mock" (because let's face it... that's what I do), I really appreciate the effort our Sifu put in to create a comfortable environment. The bit of silliness got even the coldest fish (i.e. me) out of my shell a bit. Her methods for teaching technique were sound, and I am looking forward to learning new things and breaking some very old, and very bad, habits.
The dojo is beautiful and my new Sifu seems knowledgeable . A few minor differences are already apparent. They use a shortened Tiger stance as a beginner stance. I don’t ever recall using a Tiger stance and it leaves me feeling off balance, so I find myself checking the spacing between my feet a lot so I can learn how to do it correctly. They also have a new term for the assistant teacher (a green belt) which is Sijeh (pronounced C.J.) and call the dojo a Kwoon. Most everything else seemed familiar enough.
Once again I found myself in the awkward position of being asked “What brought you to ____ (fill in blank … this booth, this class, this idea). I will never ask another human being this question EVER. However, I was better prepared this time and mumbled something about reinventing myself. In my head I could hear the theme song to the Six Million Dollar Man; I will be stronger, faster, etc., etc. I need to find / buy a shirt that says something like “Here to Kick Zombie Ass” or “Planning for the Post-Apocalypse” or “What the Hell Do You Care?” so that in the future when I’m asked this question I can just wear my damn t-shirt and point to my boobs.
The next class is Thursday night. I’m very much looking forward to it and hope this turns in to a long term commitment for me. It feels good. Also, for the first time in about 6 months I actually went to bed without taking a sleeping “aide”. The next morning I remembered my dream which was a really hot, pseudo cyberpunk / steam punk adventure tale. Go Me! No zombies though (insert sigh).
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