Decrease Worldsuck (DWS) Report

[pegkerr]

What I did this year to decrease worldsuck:

January:

1/4/09 - Donate $1.00 coupon through grocery store to local food shelf
1/6/09 - Suggest the Decrease World Suck project to family at dinner and ask them to think about doing this every day with me. Set up "Decrease Worldsuck" goal on Sparkpeople.com
1/7/09 - forwarded website information to coworker re: medical information he might find helpful, as followup to conversation we had re: a possible medical issue in his family. Arranged to meet nephew for lunch; talked with him re: Playing for Change and his business as music producer, and possibility of school in Mexico. Donated pennies to Pennies for Peace, which is building schools in Central Asia.
1/8/09 - started following CaseFoundation and SocialAction on Twitter, talked about the DWS project with coworker; purchase string figures book to take with me to play with the kids in Mexico.
1/9/09 - post inspirational video about Nick Vojucic.
1/10/09 - post about Party in My Pants and Goods 4 Girls. (One reader has ordered for herself and for the charity.) Post video about Kiva. (At least one reader has accepted an invite and joined Kiva in response.) Go order passport for myself and Delia for trip to Mexico
1/11/09 - Mexico mission trip meeting. Another reader accepts invite, starts lending on Kiva.
1/12/09 - turned thermostat down. Received email back from paster re: Decrease Worldsuck project; would I be interested in doing some leadership within the church on a project like this? I will think about it, but probably yes.
1/13/09 - research recycling cell phone.
1/14/09 - post Obama's video about National Day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the day before his inauguration.
1/15/09 - Dropped off an old cell phone at the collection box at Best Buy for recycling; proceeds to go to charity. And loaned jumper cables to jump sensei's car.
1/18/09 - Investigated www.usaservice.org website again, and checked with the girls about which service project we should do.
1/19/09 - pull food for food shelf donation, go with the girls to pharmacy to buy more food shelf supplies (diapers, dish soap, more food), drop it all off at collection house, attend MLK Day events at local neighborhood center.
1/20/09 - (besides watching the Inauguration and getting inspired), attended church council meeting, where we voted to recommend that the church assume a partnership with a sister church in Nigeria. Hey, cross world boundaries!
1/21/09 - Went and clicked the magic button at www.thehungersite.com. Each button click donates 1.1 cup of food to a hungry person. Shop their links to donate more. While I was at it, I clicked their associated links, too: help a woman get a free mammogram. Help a child get healhcare. Help buy books for kids. Clicked to protect 11.4 square feet of rainforest. Help to pay for bowls of food for rescued animals.
1/22/09 - Found playpumps, JustGiveOrg, feedachild and FTWM (Feed Them With Music) on Twitter. Donated a dollar through PayPal to get the song video "Mountain Top" at Feed Them With Music, which will go to purchase five meals for a hungry child. One reader reports starting to follow non-profit feeds on twitter as a result of this entry.
1/23/09 - added heroworkshop on Twitter, set up syndicated feed heroworkshop. Stop at Seward Co-op, leave complimentary comment card, purchase additional Party in My Pants liner for family member who wants to try them.
1/24/09 - clicked www.thehungersite.com. One reader said I'd gotten her to start clicking the site again.
1/25/09 - agreed to sing a solo at the church's Valentine Day luncheon.
1/26/09 - clicked www.thehungersite.com. Found new twitter feeds. Posted info about socially responsible gas stations. Did some thinking about project. Do I have to do something every day, something different? Does passing on information count?
1/27/09 - Signed up with Distributed Proofreading and posted about it. (One reader registers, another says she'll get back into doing it, as she had previously.) Proofread my first page. Notified people that Playing for Change's "Stand By Me" now on iTunes.
1/28/09 - Signed up with Care2.com, posted about it, and did the Daily action (read an article about environmental labeling).
1/29/09 - One page for Distributed Proofreading, donated a dollar with grocery purchase to Seward Community Fund.
1/30/09 - Daily action at Care2.com: The Environmental Defense Action Fund challenged filmmakers and concerned citizens to explain in 30 seconds how capping global warming pollution could help solve our oil addiction. I was invited to view the videos and vote for a favorite, and share them with friends, which I did at LJ and Twitter. Proofread one page for Distributed Proofreading
1/31/09 - Talked to several karate students at the belt test complimenting the job they did.

February:

2/1/09 - Asked readers whether the Decrease Worldsuck project has had effect on their lives (for some it has).
2/2/09 - Did the Care2.com Daily action: read article on necessity of decreasing use of bleach, to avoid dioxin. Purchased some European sponge cloths, as substitutes for paper towels.
2/3/09 - Bought a set of these from To-Go Ware. At least one other reader said she'd do the same.
2/4/09 - Solicited Girl Scout cookie donations to food shelf. 5 readers donated. Used my To-Go ware at dinner at church (they had plastic tableware). I liked them!
2/5/09 - Had friendly conversation with a stranger at local coffee shop, a caterer, and agreed to pass any info about his business he'd send me via email to the woman who arranges catering at our firm.
2/6/09 - Clicked www.thehungersite.com
2/8/09 - Donated pennies to Pennies for Peace
2/9/09 - Made inquiry that may result in raising my taxes. Integrity!
2/10/09 - Bought pound of coffee at Starbucks which will be donated to the troops.
2/11/09 - print out information on buying organic fruits and vegetables. Practice songs for Valentine's Day luncheon at church with accompanist.
2/12/09 - Signed up with Earth Hour, which will take place on March 28. They promise to send regular tips about reducing one's carbon footprint.
2/14/09 - Performed at Valentines Day luncheon
2/15/09 - Spoke at forum hour (adult Sunday school) about Decrease Worldsuck project. Attend Mexico mission trip
2/16/09 - Click www.thehungersite.com. Wrote to another non-profit (One Drop) asking if they were on Twitter
2/17/09 - stopped in at a vegan shop. Fast and Furless, just to check out what they had but didn't end up buying anything. Bought Fair Trade chocolate at the grocery store.
2/19/09 - Learned about the CFL Recycling challenge and re-tweeted it on Twitter. Discovered the Earth911.com site and used it to look up where I can recycle CFL bulbs near my home.
2/23/09 - Read an educational article at www.care2.com about how the stimulus will address global warming.
2/24/09 - I went here, took a pledge to reduce my carbon footprint 2% this year and got a free song for it, too.
2/25/09 - contacted Congressional representatives and Barack Obama to ask that Congress stop funding abstinance-only education.
2/26/09 - Called electric company and signed up to have electric useage switched to 100% wind-powered. Will cost approximately an extra $7 a month.
2/28/09 - Clicked for sponsorship at www.care2.com and www.thehungersite.com

March:

3/1/09 - went to my sister's church to work at the pancake breakfast raising money for the Mexico mission trip
3/3/09 - Listened to a friend who badly needed a listener. Had lunch with another friend, who is the director of a local twin cities non-profit. Gave him suggestion on how he could use Twitter to help with marketing, and followed up with an email, directing him to some resources regarding how nonprofits can use social networking.
3/4/09 - At a department meeting at the law firm today I inquired whether the firm would consider switching to unbleached napkins and paper towels (to cut dioxin) and investigating switching our electricity contract to wind-powered offset.
3/6/09 - Order From Beneath These Ashes Wizard Rock compilation for benefit of Save the Children; post pointing to accessiblehouse for jbru and erickavan
3/8/09 - Went to the last preparation meeting for the Mexico mission trip.
3/10/09 - sent away a self-addressed stamped envelope to WhiteKnot.org, in order to receive a white knot to wear as a symbol of support for marriage equality.
3/15/09 - click http://www.thehungersite.com
3/16/09 - investigate farms offering CSA shares (not certain I will purchase, but am very tempted)
3/20/09 - used To-Go ware while eating out
3/21/09 - used To-Go ware while eating out
3/22/09 - picked up supplies for Mexico mission trip
3/23/09 - Offset 350 pounds of carbon by signing up with 350.brigherplanet.com/.
3/24/09 - Deposited grant for Mexico trip, purchased rubber gloves (cleaning supplies)
3/25/09 - Purchased more supplies for Mexico trip (flashlights, work gloves)
3/27/09 - 3/31/09 - Mexican Mission Trip


April

4/1/09 - 4/4/09 - Mexican Mission trip
4/5/09 - unpack from Mexican Mission trip, do trip report.
4/8/09 - participated in a meeting at my law firm to brainstorm the firm's direction in pursuing pro bono opportunities
4/9/09 - Agreed to serve on a committee at my workplace to figure out ways to make our office more green (i.e., environmentally responsible.)
4/13/09 - Signed the Amazon Fail petition.
4/15/09 - track down Proex photographer laid off, told him we want him to continue taking our family pictures and will follow him wherever he gets a new job. Research about hanging laundry outside.
4/18/09 - did research on using handkerchiefs instead of Kleenex.
4/19/09 - bought eighteen cotton handkerchiefs (Docker brand at Kohls, about $1 each on sale); attended the special services at my sisters' church (all three of 'em) where the Mexico mission group gave their report to the congregation; signed postcard of support for the stance of Lutheran World Relief on Columbian foreign policy, to be mailed to the Obama administration.
4/20/09 - Forwarded a marketing tip to a young entrepreneur just staring out.
4/22/09 - Checked for toilet leaks by adding a couple drops of food coloring to the toilet tank
4/23/09 - Freely admitted and apologized for an error pointed out to me and swiftly did my best to make amends.
4/25/09 - Bought a CSA share (a half share, from Goats and Gardens Farm).
4/26/09 - Made a marketing suggestion to a small business owner.
4/27/09 - Sent my office manager information re: greening our workplace
4/29/09 - Donated £5 to Jade Gordon (Tom Felton's girlfriend) to sponsor her for her participation in the UK's Race for the Cure on May 31.



May

5/3/09 - Attended the congregational meeting at my church yesterday where we voted to authorize a new hot-water heater system. Upgrading from our old steam system will be much more green/efficient, cutting our energy costs. Attended Mexicon Mission trip reunion, where we brainstormed suggestions for next year's mission.
5/6/09 - Took about ten pairs of the girls' outgrown shoes to church for recycling. (The materials will be ground up and used as the base material in sidewalks.)
5/10/09 - donated the change in my purse to the collection bottle at church for Habitat for Humanity.
5/11/09 - passed along passive solar lighting idea to Mexico mission trip. Luncheon meeting to discuss ideas for greening my workplace.
5/13/09 - unplugged electrical appliances to lower electrical load.
5/15/09 - Attended the "Greenival," a Green fun/informational event at Delia's school. Picked up lots of brochures with information, etc. I learned, for example, about the Minnesota Energy Challenge, a project I didn't even know about at all. I'll be informing my church and workplace.
5/16/09 - Pulled out the bike, filled the tires and took a ride, to try to get myself back into shape that I can resume bicycle commuting.
5/18/09 - Spoke with firm personnel manager about Minnesota Energy Challenge, gave her catalogue on CSAs.
5/20/09 - Informed my coworkers on our workplace Green Team about the Minnesota Energy Challenge. I'll probably email my church about it tonight. Researched composting for businesses, forwarded info on to personnel director.
5/21/09 - Wrote to church to inform them about the Minnesota Energy Challenge. Purchased the Playing for Change CD/DVD, (and because I bought it today, 5% of my purchase went to the YMCA.)
5/29/09 - Made a new Kiva.org microloan to fifteen lovely ladies from Paraguay. A nice way to celebrate payday.
5/31/09 - Agreed to serve on Green energy team at church.

June

6/4/09 - Signed the change.org petition urging my Congressional representatives to support the Uniting American Families Act.
6/6/09 - Purchased a cloth bag for store purchases.
6/9/09 - Told a coworker who's losing weight about sparkpeople.com and sent her the link so she could sign up.
6/10/09 - Put some money in the collection pot at a local fast food restaurant for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Called the number on my receipt to answer a phone survey for the restaurant and left a comment requesting that they stop using plastic clamshells for packing their sandwiches and instead use paper.
6/16/09 - I left a suggestion in the suggestion box at a coffee shop, asking whether they would consider composting their food scraps. Met with a committee at work brainstorming ways to encourage healthier lifestyles for employees.
6/23/09 - Added a dollar onto my order at Arby's for Big Brothers and Big Sisters
6/26/09 - Called my Congressman's office to urge his support for H.R. 2454 (American Clean Energy and Security Act).

July:

7/10/09 - gave a young entrepreneur a 2-for-1 meal coupon to a restaurant near where he runs his business.
7/12/09 - purchased raffle ticket to raise money for Camp Heartland, for kids with HIV
7/24/09 - Suggested a marketing idea to a friend who puts on art shows
7/25/09 - Formally signed up with the Minnesota Energy Challenge

August:

8/16/09 - donated to Episcopal Youth Music camp
8/17/09 - Joined the It Starts With Us network, a website where people try to make the world a better place. The founder, Nate St. Pierre, is on Twitter here. I've syndicated the blog at itstartswith_us and itstartswithus_feed.
8/18/09 - Contacted the White House, urging the President's support for the public option (health care reform).
8/20/09 - left a message with Amy of the Powderhorn365 group, so I can set up a meeting with her about starting a similar group for my neighborhood, Standish-Ericsson.
8/21/09 - Made a Kiva loan to a entrepreneurial cooperative in Nicaragua, which includes a woman who sells bicycle parts out of her home, in honor of my online friends who raised money to replace Fiona and Delia's bicycles. Urged others to join It Starts With Us. Several on my friends list have joined, too.
8/23/09 - Spoke with a couple people at church about plans for our Green festival.
8/24/09 - Arranged to meet with Amy re: Standish-Ericsson365. Posted about Operation Beautiful


September:
9/9/09 - sent away postcard for a free low-pressure showerhead, offered by my electric company for free.
9/11/09 - bought some silver wire to give to Delia (art materials) to cheer her up from being sick.
9/26/09 - Stopped to tell a woman I liked her garden. She gave me seeds!
9/30/09 - Did post about World Habitat Day on October 5.

October:
10/2/09 - signed petition asking my Congressional representatives to support Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
10/20/09 - donate to The Uniform Project.
10/21/09 - Made a new Kiva loan to seven lovely ladies in Viet Nam.
10/27/09 - Spoke with a coworker, giving suggestions on how to use social media to promote his nonprofit organization.
10/29/09 - Forwarded information on vittana.org to a couple people in the hopes it might help some of the students from Casa Hogar Elim.


November:
11/4/09 - sent small PayPal donation to help yuki_onna and justbeast escape from Germany, where they got stranded on their honeymoon
11/5/09 - wrote article on the Decrease Worldsuck project for the website It Starts With Us
11/6/09 - What I did today to make the world a better place: I suggested to the office manager that we put out toothpicks instead of plastic forks for the cut up fruit we have in the break room every Friday, to cut down on waste. She liked the idea and is implementing it.
11/11/09 - donated $1 at Burger King for military families
11/15/09 - wrote my congressman to thank him for helping to pass health care
11/17/09 - donated to The Liz Logelin Foundation and Second Harvest, using GiveMN. Twittered to let people know about GiveMN.
11/18/09 - Clicked the Land O'Lakes Foundation website to donate a dollar to food shelf.
11/22/09 - Ordered Jingle Spells 3 (benefiting the Harry Potter Alliance). Participated in church focus group to examine future of Children, Youth and Families ministry.
11/25/09 - Participated in TweetsGiving, making a (small) contribution, and spreading the word. And, not the least, recounting my thanks and gratitudes.
11/27/09 - Recycle used cosmetic containers.