One Hundred And One Things

What's this about?

The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup, around two inches long and made from soft medical grade silicone. It is worn internally a lot lower than a tampon but, while tampons and pads absorb menstrual fluid, the Mooncup collects it. This means it doesn’t cause dryness or irritation, and also that it collects far more (three times as much as a ‘super-absorbent’ tampon’!). Because the Mooncup is reusable, you only need one so it saves you money and helps the environment, too.

The Mooncup is designed to be folded and inserted into the vagina, then removed, rinsed and reinserted up to every 8 hours. A light seal is formed with your vaginal walls, allowing menstrual fluid to pass into the Mooncup without leakage or odour. This seal is released for removal, allowing you to empty the contents, rinse or wipe and reinsert.


Why do I want to do this?

I've noticed a fair bit of squeamishness about menstrual cups, and I'd like to do my bit to compensate for that.


How will I know I've done this?

I will have done three discrete things that express my appreciation for and endorsement of the Mooncup.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

What's this about? Why do I want to do it?

I stole this goal (along with a couple of others) from 101 of a Wolf, who says:

Square Mile Living involves drawing a square around where you live and then exploring what resources you actually have in your square mile. It aims to give you a way of exploring your neighbourhood, helps you discover local businesses to support and puts you directly in touch with your immediate community.

Which I think would be a very good thing for me to do. I work and worship in Guildford, ten minutes down the railway line; I'd like to feel more connected to Woking.


How will I know I've done this?

I'll have walked down all the streets within my square mile, and have listed the facilities within that area.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

Why do I want to do this?

I've never been keen on the idea that 'Christmas = spend loadsa money!!!'. I have more sympathy for the one that goes 'Christmas = spend time and trouble on people you love'. That's what this is about. It's also a variation on 'Recycled Christmas', which was a goal on the old list. Besides, I like making things.


How will I know I've done it?

For Christmas 2010, 2011 and 2012, three of the presents I give will have been made by myself. These can be edible, wearable, practical, frivolous, or whatever.


I'll record this in posts in this journal - after Christmas.

NB: this is neither my bird nor my bird-feeder. I think it's a South American variety of finch. My photo, though.

What's this about? Why do I want to do it?

I have two bird-feeders. One is the sort that hangs, and one is the sort that sticks up out of the ground on a pole. I have two bird-boxes. One was on the fence when we moved in, and the other was a birthday present, and is in the bedroom because I haven't put it up yet. In each case, the clue is in the name. 'Bird', not 'squirrel'. I wish to keep the squirrels off the birds' food, and stop them eating the baby birds. Why do I wish to do this? As an ex-Isle of Wight resident, it is my solemn duty to regard a grey squirrel as a mangy, disease-ridden, festering tree-rat. No quarter given.


How will I know I've done it?

I will have devised a series of contraptions that prevent squirrels getting at the bird-feeders and stealing the food (the food that the jay knocks out of the upright feeder is the jay's problem, I think), and getting at the bird-boxes and disturbing/killing/eating the nesting birds. A healthy family of blue-tits would be a good indication that this has been successful.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

Why do I want to do this?

Two words: food miles. I couldn't manage even one meal of food I'd grown myself, but I'm pretty sure I could do a day of local produce.


How will I know it's done?

For 24 consecutive hours, I will have eaten only food from Surrey or adjacent counties.


I'll record this in a post on this journal.