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'm an alumnus of the University of Exeter, and as a result am deeply attached to that city. In a happy coincidence, my church choir will be the visiting choir at Exeter Cathedral the week of my 26th birthday. This is too good an opportunity to miss.


How will I know I've done this?

I'll have celebrated my 26th birthday in Exeter with representatives of: my family; friends from Exeter; HT choir.


I'll record this in a post in this journal, and probably a more detailed account at el_staplador.

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?

I'm a reasonably regular blood donor; I just want to keep the habit going. You wouldn't believe how much trouble I had with the wording of this goal. On the last list I had 'Give blood five times'. Fine. Except at least three of the times I went to a donation session I wasn't able to give blood, for various health-related reasons - and so I missed it.

Then I thought, well, why not aim for whatever the next level is in the award scheme. The trouble with that idea is that I've already got the blue card, and have been at least twice since then - so getting the bronze award would entail very little effort. I can't attempt silver, though, because one can only give blood three times a year. I think I've got the wording about right now. We shall see.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have turned up at seven blood donation sessions, and have made every effort to give blood.


I'll record this in this post, and potentially in other posts in this journal.

[9th December 2010] [Two] [Three] [Four] [Five] [Six] [Seven]

What's this about?

BookCrossing is the act of leaving books in a public place in the hope that somebody else will pick them up and enjoy them.


Why do I want to do this?

Several related reasons. Firstly, I have too many books. Admittedly, a large part of this problem is that I bought them with the intention of bookcrossing them, and haven't got round to it yet. Releasing 101 would be a good start, though.

Secondly, I have a tendency to get very attached to things, and this applies particularly to certain books. This isn't entirely healthy. Releasing one book - just one - that means something special to me in itself, not just the work in question but that particular copy, will be an exercise in letting go, and in trust. The thing with BookCrossing is that you never know whether or not you'll hear from your books again. Sometimes you do, and it's fantastic. Sometimes you don't.


How will I know when I've done it?

I will have left one hundred and one books in places where they are likely to be found by strangers. At least one of these will be a particular copy that is of sentimental value to me.


This can be tracked at my BookCrossing profile.




1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 32 / 33 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 37 / 38 / 39 / 40 / 41 / 42 / 43 / 44 / 45 / 46 / 47 / 48 / 49 / 50 / 51 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 55 / 56 / 57 / 58 / 59 / 60 / 61 / 62 / 63 / 64 / 65 / 66 / 67 / 68 / 69 / 70 / 71 / 72 / 73 / 74 / 75 / 76 / 77 / 78 / 79 / 80 / 81 / 82 / 83 / 84 / 85 / 86 / 87 / 88 / 89 / 90 / 91 / 92 / 93 / 94 / 95 / 96 / 97 / 98 / 99 / 100 / 101

Why do I want to do this?

I'm terrible at remembering people's birthdays. I've sent texts apologising for having missed someone's birthday two months before the actual date - and then forgotten it when it did come around. I'm hoping this will go some way towards organising me.


How will I know when I've done it?

I'll have a book full of names and dates. Even better: they'll match up with each other.


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

Why do I want to do this?

I'm fairly squeamish - which fact alone is never going to stop me being in a situation where somebody's hurt and needs attention. I'd like to have a better idea of what to do.


How will I know when I've done it?

I'll be a qualified first aider.


I'll record this in posts on this journal.

What's this about?

Looking around other people's lists, one sees a lot of things like 'Collect 50 postcards'. For goodness sake, on my own I've got 'Seek and follow up on recommendations'. They've got to come from somewhere. And then 101 Of A Wolf is trying to distribute a huge number of 'business' cards promoting her 101, and people have been helping out with that. That's the sort of thing I'm talking about.


Why do I want to do this?

A lot of my goals are very much my own, not really comparable to anything other people are doing, and I'd like my 101 in 1001 to be a bit more of an outward-looking thing.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have done three things to help specific 101ers reach a specific one of their goals.


I'll record this in this journal.