At what point is it "Cheating"

I made my first actual purchase of something that is not necessary. I bought a Llama bro tank and a coozie. I thought long and hard before I made that purchase. Yes, I do not need a bro tank. I have enough shirts. But I wanted one to remember my first Llama and the successful completion of my freshman year. I realize that there will always be bro tanks coming in and out of my life, but the Llama 2012 shirt would not be available for a long time. So I bought one. I regret nothing. I did not simply purchase something random, it is not a shirt that is trendy and will be uncool next year. If anything, I plan on keeping it around for a while. It would be pretty cool if I wore it to a reunion. I do not think that owning this tank will improve my life quality or is needed for my CC survival, but it makes me smile and think about freshman year.
  ( now that I have a coozie I have found it to be quite useful and wish I had brought one into my life sooner. I use it as a wallet, to keep the ice in an iced coffee from melting etc. everyone deserves a good coozie in their life. therefore the coozie does not apply to the no stuff rule)

Bag It

Sometimes on a Saturday night during block 8, the anemia gets to me, i'm too sore from running, and I cannot stop sneezing. So instead of wandering Webber st and Cache la Poudre for a party in which to rage my face off, I put on a flannel, turn off all of the lights, open a box of gluten free and iron fortified cereal, and wander through a magical place I call instant stream. Two Saturdays ago, I stumbled upon a documentary called Bag It. It started out with a normal guy from Colorado pledging to no longer use plastic bags, then explored our take out to go container culture, and the production/recycling of plastic. The story became emotional when the narrator shared that he is expecting a child. The rest of the film explores the toxins in plastic, the dangers they are causing, and then encourages us to lead a plastic free life. As i'm writing this, I have 3 plastic cups next to me. They are all reusable and I take them with me to use everywhere, but now i'm realizing buying these plastic containers was not the best idea. eventually they will crack, break, die or get up and walk away (i don't loose things, things loose me.) I make a point to remember my reusable bags when I go snack shopping and never put produce in those plastic bags, but I still end up with empty nut bags, deli slice bags, and cheese wrappings in my trash stash. We know plastic is bad for the planet, never biodegrades, releases toxins into the atmosphere and into us, and becomes an eye sore as trash, so why do we continue to use it!?!?

Change Your Culture, Change Your Mind

Is it just me, or does every CC student feel the need to get a new outfit for every theme party?
Lets take Jumanji, in the days leading up to this epic dance party everyone was hitting up the ARC, that costume shop downtown, Walmart and even craft stores for paint and glitter. Everyone realizes that they will only wear this costume once, maybe twice if there is a similar theme next year, but probs nawt because what if you are caught in bookface photos wearing the same outfit twice? mmmh yeah everyone will notice and judge.

I do not understand why we always need new and more outfits. We are creative enough, can we not work with what we have? I was able to make a spectacular outfit by going through my closet and stealing some kiddie paint my friend had. No one at the party noticed that I did not buy a new outfit. In fact, it was wicked dark in there anyways the only clothing I saw was glow in the dark.

Also in the few days leading up to Jumanji, I rejected various offerings of rides to the ARC and the like. I got weird looks for doing that. CC culture expected me to get a new outfit. WHY MUST WE ENCOURAGE MORE WASTE! Everyone is drinking anyways, no one will actually remember what you wore. So stop buying  bathing suit bottoms cut for a pregnant woman to wear as a loin cloth for one night. We are smart, sassy, creative individuals. I'm sure we can figure out how to get dressed with what we have.

Birthday Presents

Recently, my friend had a birthday. I spent a fair amount of time agonizing over this. The restrictions around this project prevent me from buying her a present. I considered going to the ARC, would buying something used count? I would not be putting more stuff into the waste stream by doing so.... and she is a good friend I could not simply ignore her birth...
But after more thought and contemplation, I made her a friendship bracelet for her birthday. There is something to be said for homemade gifts. I always appreciate something more if a lot of effort went into it. It is simple enough to go to Walmart and drop a few bucks, but doing something that takes time shows how much you care for the person.
I also wrote her a very nice card talking about how much I appreciate our friendship. Even though eventually the bracelet will tatter and fall off, the card will forever be a reminder of the fun times we had freshman year.
Without purchasing anything, I was able to give a wonderful gift. Yay me.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Not only is that my favorite leave no trace principle, but its a great way to avoid creating more waste. I'm packing up right now to head to the library, where I will be camped out until our exam tomorrow. I'm planning ahead that I will want coffee, and i'm preparing by bringing my mug. And i'm procrastinating by writing this post. Good luck to all, and to all a good night.

P.S. this cup is not actually mine, but I like how it has a slot for gluten free snacks. that way you don't have to dirty up another dish!

Whoopsies

Does anyone else keep forgetting they are doing a project?

for example, the other day I walked into town and got an iced coffee. I did not even realize that it was in a plastic cup until after I finished it and was sitting in class with a large cup of partially melted ice next to me. Whoopsies.

Sometimes I remember to bring my own fork to the preserve, and when I use it to eat an avocado no one thinks its weird. But other times I can't find my fork and i'm not going to spend 45 minutes looking for it, hungry Drewsie has a hard time locating things.

I love the earth and want to take good care of it, but this is just becoming inconvenient and I do not feel like i'm making a huge difference. If I do not buy the salad in the plastic container on campus, I'm sure someone else will, so why can't I just eat it?

Going Shopping Without Buying Anything.

I went to REI, to REI I went

and I decided that no money would be spent

as hard as it was to not get bent

oh the anger! oh the frustration! I must vent!

so outside I was sent

before I could spend a cent

I may or may not be really into trail gear. and climbing stuff. and running shoes. and warmies. And if I find a good deal, then yeah I just bought a zero degree bag in June get off me. But recently I decided to test myself. Could I go to REI and not get anything? The answer is yes, I did it. And here is how:

1. Bring no money. How are you going to buy a new Pattagucci if you cannot pay for it?

2. Set a time limit. In, out and on with your life.

3. DO NOT look at the things you really really really pretty please want but do not have. That is how I feel about climbing shoes. I do not have them, I want them, I have enough money saved to get them, But no.

4. Look at things you already own. Ohhh Ahhh this is such a fancy sleeping pad, and look I do not need to buy it because I already have one.

5. Bring a full nalgene. This will not stop you from buying anything but hydration is wicked important at altitude.

6. If all else fails, leave. Go sit outside. Have an iced coffee. Get it together and move on. And then write an awesome poem about it! (See above)

stay fresh Colorado