TT #40: Thursday Thirteen in her best Green Monday clothes “Earth Friendly Solstice Wishes”
Now I know with the economy sucking the way it is lately that gift giving during the holiday this year will be a slimmer prospect for many, us included. Rather than wallowing in regret I thought it might be fun to show you all some of the things I would like to get if money wasn’t an option. I think folks will find some of these fun.
I’ve recently seen several computer companies who have given the option of a wood or bamboo case instead of the standard metal or plastic one. Very nice. Knowing wood is not near as a self sustainable resource as bamboo is, I’d prefer the later.
1) The bamboo incased laptops were a tad harder to find, though I’d heard dell had one, I didn’t see mention of it on their site. I have to admit the eco-friendly laptop from Asustek has some potential. Visually it’s stunning which I something I don’t often say about a piece of technology, though I hear because of heat issues not as much baboo in the casing as I would like. According to the company regarding the laptop itself "All of the plastic in it is labeled and recyclable; it is lined with cardboard; there are no paints, sprays or even electroplating used on its components." Okay I can understand the compromise, heck it’s still better than the green value of the laptop of mine which just died this week.
2) Of the desktop computers that I’ve seen the Dell Studio Hybrid was one of the ones I liked best. Not only does it have the option of the bamboo case but it quite energy efficient. I don’t need much more then basics to have something for my writing, but I do have WoW (World of Warcraft) to think of so an ecofriendly gaming rig would be well worth it. And as long as money was not a factor, the wireless mouse and keyboard would be so freeing since I like to type with the keyboard in my lap.
3) My friend jovebelle introduced me to the next type of home I want to have. Now when I think of yurts I think of a large, circular tent like structure used by nomads and made of wood lattice and felt. Great for temperature control, but not something I’d think of using in a setting like Northern Wisconsin. The yurts here are like nothing I could have imagined. Not only a e they as functional as the traditional style yurts I’ve been in, they are gorgeous. You can link as many of the circular domes as you want to create a custom home however suits your needs. And talk about green living. Yes there is a great deal of wood used to make these, but far less then used in most homes. I am so using these for one of my stories.
Side note: I contacted Pasific Yurts and told them that I wanted to used the yurts as a setting for a novel and they are sending me a bunch of info to make that easier to do. Very cool!
Well we used to be a two car family, Frankencar (that seemed to never want to die) and Amazon Mobile. Well my Voyager Van is still kickin, but Frankencar’s last repair estimate was far too rich for our limited funds. So we are back to one car which is really a pain in the butt with getting on of us to work, two to and from school being likely if the bus bulling continues, and trips/errands for me, etc… What I would love is a new car for Adrian to take to work and as much as I love my van, a more ecofriendly vehicle would be wonderful.
4) Starting with a smaller car to get Adrian to and from work and to run errands when I am out of town. Since I know he has a preference for American made cars, I thought the Ford Focus might fit the bill nicely. It has low emissions engines and plant based polyurethane foam seats instead of leather or plastic. It’s also got a lot of little techie extra which his SciFi heart will love.
5) For me I’d really rather look at ways to alter the green number of my current vehicle, and it seems there are some ways to do so. A Cold Air Intake Kit, performance exhaust system, changing from gas to diesel engine. The last option I talk about doing in my recently contracted novel Worlds Collide, but in truth details on how it is done are harder to find. I had to find a mechanic to walk me through when I did my research for the book. Also doing more regular maintenance like oil changes and tune ups closer to when they are due might be of help as well.
6) If I was going to get a new vehicle, I think the Ford Escape Hybrid looks like a nice possibility. The battery is far more earth friendly and the regenerative braking actually recharges it by catching the heat from the friction. It has the same energy efficient engine and polyurethane foam seats as the Ford Focus, but plenty of cargo space for my trips (even if not as much as my van since it’s a small SUV). It’s got a lot of techy gadgets too, which are very cool if not a bit intimidating.
Give me a big kitchen with room to move and the tools I need and I’ll make some magic. I think that’s my trouble most of the time. Small kitchen, tight workspace, and old appliances and kitchen tools. Hmmm what if…
7) Okay, maybe not as eco minded as the rest of the list, but if I was going to get a new fridge (which we will need soon since this one is kinda old) I’d go right to the pro, Sub Zero. Sure these are restaurant grade, but there’s a reason Sky got one of these in my book Ancestral Magic. I love them. I like the all refrigerator and all freezer models they have here, plenty of room for what you need to hold inside. I don’t like the glass door, but prefer the smooth mental look. Yummy.
8) Now if you have a smooth looking fridge and freezer set to store your food in, you need the stove to match too, right? Again I will take an Ancestral Magic kitchen fantasy and bring it to live here with the variable rangetop option with the SubZero/Wolf Ranges. I can have gas burners, grittle, and grill all on one stovetop. Woohoo! The Dual Oven looks so nice for doing big meals, or multiple dishes of different temperatures. How fun can you get?
9) Few think I love more than sharp and pointy thing, which in truth normally means my extensive sword and knife collection. Now I want to talk about a different kind of collection of knive, one I need badly for the kitchen since the ones I have are OLD and cheaply made. The ones to drool over according to Alton Brown and my favorite goddess of cooking Amy, are the Shun Knives, which are VERY price, but I’m told worth every penny.
10) Okay out of the kitchen and out into the world we move away from knives and cars and even computers to a wish near and dear to my heart, a bike. Now growing up I hae a junker bike that didn’t fit me very well for a short time, and another used one I got that was stolen soon after I got it, so unlike most adult I know I didn’t grow up riding. This leaves me with lots of research done regarding the types of bike I wants and the accessories for them I need but little practical experience. One Bike I am longing for is the Terry brand Susan B cycle which is built to fit smaller women like me comfortably. I’d want a good back rack and/or basket for trips to the store and such, water bottle holder, etc….
11) And for on my bike, or for me to wear while on it, I needs something to listen to my tunes with. As long as this is a wish list and money’s not an option, lets hook that into a pad/cell phone combo with all the wells and whistles. It’ll give my kids something else to break I guess. (sigh) The Nokia N95 Smartphone looks to have it all along with a very large price tag.
12) A bigger house? No, that’s what the yurt is for. Hmmm How about a nice kitchen? Nope, we’ve go their too. Well then we have where I like to be when the day is done and I need time to get away and distress. Nothing makes me feel better than a long hot bath, but in out tiny bathroom and tub that’s not an easy thing, so I want one of these. A Monarch Spa brand “Katherine” model spa bath. Mmmmm
Okay, here’s the last wish, something my back might say I need badly along with a nice headboard and frame to go with it. After reading this review I think I like the Tempur-Pedic Mattress best as a choice.
Well here’s the wish list for Moon if I had money instead of the way things are for not just me, but many of us this year. I can only hope the years to come will be more gentle and giving to all of us and that we can find ways to make our dreams closer to our realities. Until next time keep your chins up. :)
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