tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post3613664298519630008..comments2024-03-18T16:49:08.253+11:00Comments on All the Blue Day: The Real ThriftyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-79627173496234458012014-09-02T16:53:53.853+10:002014-09-02T16:53:53.853+10:00Joanna, stories are my 'thing', so that is...Joanna, stories are my 'thing', so that is a good way for me to learn to think and act differently. I imagine there are different triggers for different people.<br />Fran honey, who needs a soapbox when I have a Ms Narf? I will be requiring your ghost-writing assistance on all future rants:) I love your beautiful barter story. Both parties sound like they received a wonderful, meaningful gift from that transaction.<br />Jen, moving house is just a terrible nightmare in many ways, but as you say, a good time to look at all that stuff and ask if you really need it. Of course, the advantage of having lots of useful stuff is that you don't need any more, a position I am very much in. For me it will be all about not buying more stuff on a whim. Such a temptation, even for me who detests shopping! All the best with the beastly move:(Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-4633189590189623342014-09-02T10:53:06.790+10:002014-09-02T10:53:06.790+10:00Here, Here!!! Yay to the Ladies of Upper Launcest...Here, Here!!! Yay to the Ladies of Upper Launceston and Lower Uppercumbuckance!!<br /><br />I am about to move house and while I won't throw out good still useful things I think I will be taking the time to access my possessions so I make better choices in the future.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />Jen in NSW<br />Jen's Busy Dayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556286599575103565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-84456652152674353772014-09-02T05:53:27.344+10:002014-09-02T05:53:27.344+10:00"Here here!" for Annoyingly Inconvenient..."Here here!" for Annoyingly Inconvenient Ms Jo! We the people NEED to become annoyingly inconvenient to those big warehouses that ship crap from China because we seem to have forgotten that it is "We the people" that are actually supporting this morass of consumerism. Without us handing over our readies and thus directing what is dangled in front of us temptingly like a carrot on a stick in front of a donkey...We have handed over our good taste to middle men who pick and choose for us. How lazy have we become?" You can't blame China for cashing in when the rest of us will be content with cheap plastic garbage really...I dare say there are artisan craftsmen in China who shake their heads in disgust but when society accepts commercialism in order to be able to access a HUGE variety of "stuff" it is inevitably going to end in tears and with the majority of the profits funneled into some nefarious middle mans pockets in exchange for "dodgy" at the least and "earth violating" at it's worst. You are so right in wanting to take back your choices and in the process we are going to have to take stock of what is really "worth it". Buy much MUCH less and what we do buy, buy well. I recently traded some most scrumptious Portuguese hand spun, hand knitted woolen hats for one of Stevie-boys gorgeous endemic Tas wood spoons. The satisfaction level was extreme...the outlay nix. We need to be learning new ways to get what we want. Ways that forge community and that fill our hearts and our souls with joy and delight but more importantly, fill the futures of our kids with hope...it's up to us..."STOP BUYING THE CHEAP CRAP FOLKS!" This message was brought to you today by the combined angst of Ms Jo and Ms Narf of upper Launceston and Lower Uppercumbuckance...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-53201330553091117992014-09-01T22:32:29.601+10:002014-09-01T22:32:29.601+10:00This is so well put. I like the link you make betw...This is so well put. I like the link you make between what we own and our real stories - something I have sensed instinctively but not been able to put into words. It seems a brilliant mantra for curbing our consumerist tendencies.Joannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232567173091607831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-43338613191795809282014-09-01T14:45:15.354+10:002014-09-01T14:45:15.354+10:00Wendy, that is certainly one of my answers. There ...Wendy, that is certainly one of my answers. There is surely so much stuff out there already that I don't need to add to the demand for new. and as for emerging from winter, if you could see the weather today. Dismal. And freezing. There are wet sheets draped all over my living room.. however, there could well be sun tomorrow:)Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-34364171067199898552014-09-01T14:04:52.226+10:002014-09-01T14:04:52.226+10:00Well said Jo. Not sure what the answer is really....Well said Jo. Not sure what the answer is really.... except to keep supporting the Op Shops. Consumerism is just sickening really isn't it. I seem to have missed a few of your posts. Good to see that you may well be emerging from winter at your place. cheers Wendy duchess_declutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01763062839151537111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-83174976085906411972014-09-01T13:08:35.234+10:002014-09-01T13:08:35.234+10:00Hi Merryn, lovely to meet you:) I enjoyed peeking ...Hi Merryn, lovely to meet you:) I enjoyed peeking at your lovely edible tropical garden on your blog.<br />The single best thing about getting older is deciding that you don't care what anybody else thinks about what you are doing any more, hence my new project:) And yes, my Target lamp will be staying right where it is to remind me... that I really don't want to go there again!Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-70616935275753625262014-09-01T09:54:06.824+10:002014-09-01T09:54:06.824+10:00I hear you and sympathise fully with the imported ...I hear you and sympathise fully with the imported we have to have it non essential items that as you get older, you realise really aren't important unless they are necessary. We create more landfill every year. Your lamp however, is very pretty and practical, as are the gorgeous vased flowers.Merryn@merrynsmenuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11865148739789042269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-45415967570514420352014-09-01T08:27:20.590+10:002014-09-01T08:27:20.590+10:00Judy, you always inspire me! And Jen, thanks for t...Judy, you always inspire me! And Jen, thanks for that recommendation, I'll put it on my library list:)Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-13543521172918723282014-08-31T23:59:25.228+10:002014-08-31T23:59:25.228+10:00Jo, I think you might like a book I read recently....Jo, I think you might like a book I read recently... a little off track but still may speak to you. Biomimicry by Janine Benyus. I found it very interesting on the thought of how we work and live in our space on this earth.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />Jen in NSWJen's Busy Dayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556286599575103565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-36401029852521377702014-08-31T21:36:12.844+10:002014-08-31T21:36:12.844+10:00Bravo Jo! What a lovely post that echoes my own se...Bravo Jo! What a lovely post that echoes my own sentiments. Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00371314706811756465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-87104787039407705812014-08-31T20:57:43.116+10:002014-08-31T20:57:43.116+10:00Oh Bek, the things I've bought, then gotten ri...Oh Bek, the things I've bought, then gotten rid of! It's just criminal!<br />And Dar, mmm, souvenirs. Now isn't that an interesting concept? As mere 'consumers' we really are all being played for fools, aren't we?Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-83337075855917338272014-08-31T20:30:19.744+10:002014-08-31T20:30:19.744+10:00Well said! I will try to keep that in mind as I em...Well said! I will try to keep that in mind as I embark on two trips this Fall requiring air travel...I don't want to return with "must have" souvenirs that I later toss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-6798959892137950142014-08-31T19:21:32.603+10:002014-08-31T19:21:32.603+10:00So true. I also want to opt out of the consumer mi...So true. I also want to opt out of the consumer mindless consumption. It's taken me a while, but I'm at the point where I now buy very little, but what I do buy I want to be very good quality and I'm prepared to pay more for it. I love the idea of only having possessions that mean something, that tell a story in some way. I can't tell you the number of things I've given to op shops over the years; things that I just HAD to have when I saw them, but years (or months) later just didn't care about. I look back now and think I was a fool. I'm glad I've learned better. Bekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225621037420851059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-41692931115604561982014-08-31T19:15:46.662+10:002014-08-31T19:15:46.662+10:00Lynda, The Man has managed a local, quality manufa...Lynda, The Man has managed a local, quality manufacturing engineering firm for 18yrs, which was then taken over by a large US firm, and will probably not survive as a local manufacturer. <br />One day all the oil will run out, we won't be able to ship and truck stuff all over the world any more, and will have to manufacture locally again. Which will be a struggle if we lose all that expertise.<br />As for furniture - my neighbour is a high end funiture designer and maker. Beautiful Tasmanian wooden furniture that costs an arm and a leg, but will last forever, and be the classics of the future. The craftspeople are out there. Just need to save up..Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-39189312722681795932014-08-31T18:44:10.996+10:002014-08-31T18:44:10.996+10:00Looking at this from the perspective of someone t...Looking at this from the perspective of someone trying to manage a manufacturing business in Victoria owned and operated by Australians employing Australians and following the laws and regulations of this country HOW DO WE COMPETE with the mass produced products from China and other nations without our labour awards and working conditions. We produce a quality custom engineered product which unfortunately loses out over quantity and price. We like many others are struggling to stay afloat and our only defense is to produce quality and to seek that point of difference with the mass produced often inferior products. <br /><br />I fear that the era of craftmanship of unique quality items in all areas of our lives might have passed as "trade" in itself declines. Those that do take up this occupation are asked to deliver on time and on budget to a customer with appetite for McMansions filled with fake moulded furniture rather than crafted. What will the future be like when the generation facing retirement within 10 years passes. I fear our only choice will be to consume imported fakes. Perhaps now is the time to start buying up all the solid original furniture that will last the distance. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-73776342498339054262014-08-31T17:32:21.710+10:002014-08-31T17:32:21.710+10:00Lucinda, it is undoubtedly a capitalist conspiracy...Lucinda, it is undoubtedly a capitalist conspiracy! But I'm not sure capitalism can be ironic, except by accident. <br />I am waiting to see the results of my conundrums too.<br />Sister Caveman, yes, I am the opposite of Marie-Antoinette - the proletariat dreaming of the (completely modest and unpretentious) French chateau.<br />And yes, I am beyond annoyed at the fact that we are all reduced to the status of consumers by our society. I say 'no' to that, while still buying stuff left, right and centre!<br />And part of that response is absolutely to stop buying stuff. I love your coffee table win, and extremely long-lived shirt. Take that, seasonal fashion!Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17803297366197086152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-84245410008207729682014-08-31T16:20:20.819+10:002014-08-31T16:20:20.819+10:00...and my French Provincial decor is a fake pastic...<i>...and my French Provincial decor is a fake pastiche that just hints at how I might really want to be living my life, you know, in a tiny but tasteful manor in a pocket-sized patch of forest with quite a modest moat really, and a walled potager with lots of espaliered fruit trees, and really, just a teeny conservatory with grapes trained under the glass ceiling...</i><br /><br />This bit made me smile. It reminds me a bit of the story about Marie Antoinette, who used to enjoy playing at simplicity and pretending to be a shepherdess. Set aside the fact, of course, that I doubt she'd have ever interacted with anyone of said occupation, and that their jobs were immensely hard work. <br /><br />I think it's a challenge to see past what we're all being sold- by companies, but also by our government. IMHO, modern capitalism pushes the idea that we're nothing without our possessions- that what we own is an indicator of who we are at heart. I don't think many people- even people involved in various aspects of sustainability- really see that. Everything is for sale, every cause has a merchandise stand attached to it.<br /><br />Personally, I'm trying to balance the things that I <i>have</i> to buy new with things that I can get at op shops or find lying around. I got a fantastic coffee table that way the other week- someone had put it on the curb because one leg was coming off at the joint (incidentally, nothing a bit of glue won't fix)!. That, and I use everything until it can't be used any longer- I have one particular shirt that I've worn since I was 16! Not perfect, obviously, but a step in the right direction at least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-78368788359656048152014-08-31T15:46:32.601+10:002014-08-31T15:46:32.601+10:00Why did blogger allow me to comment twice? Was it ...Why did blogger allow me to comment twice? Was it a plot by the Chinese manufacturers of Apple products on which I type? Or an endorsement of fake copies by ironically copying twice?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-36806766278751301782014-08-31T15:44:44.965+10:002014-08-31T15:44:44.965+10:00You are the prick to my conscience, Jo. I too do n...You are the prick to my conscience, Jo. I too do not want fake reproduction from the factories of China. A plastic, ticky tacky copy of life. I will await your posts on how you deal with these conundrums.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4838234360213313454.post-729710136244221002014-08-31T15:44:42.969+10:002014-08-31T15:44:42.969+10:00You are the prick to my conscience, Jo. I too do n...You are the prick to my conscience, Jo. I too do not want fake reproduction from the factories of China. A plastic, ticky tacky copy of life. I will await your posts on how you deal with these conundrums.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com