mipmup.

moore's law.

ah. the smell of new technology. there's ain't nothing like it. since i'm often the "go-to" person in our family for technology issues, so it was no surprise that my sister asked me where she could get rid of her old mac.

my first thought was "don't throw it away!" the epa estimates that "...over 20 million personal computers became obsolete in 1998 and only 13% were reused or recycled."¹ stats like that give me the heebie-jeebies! here are some ideas for donating your computer.

first, check with your local school (or even pre-school), nursing home or rehab hospital to see if they might be able to use your computer. unfortunately, so many of these facilities are under-funded and often can't squeeze anything else out of their budget. a new computer — even an older one — would be welcomed.

if you'd rather donate to a charity, a simple google search provided me with a plethora of donation options, including the following.

share the technology. this is basically a (little on the homespun end) online bulletin board where you can post your pentium pc, mac powerpc or better. individuals with disabilities, public and private schools, religious organizations and nonprofits can then search for equipment and contact you if interested. 

recycles.org. the same idea as share the technology, but they accept all equipment, so get out your old apple ii.

national cristina foundation also matches your equipment with those in need, focusing on people with disabilities, students at risk and those who are economically disadvantaged. the organization contacts one of their pre-screened partner organizations in your area. you can then ship your equipment or drop it off at a designated location. this organization serves national and international needs.

youth for technology organization. this non-profit focuses on bringing technology to africa. in addition to computers, they will accept lcd projectors, white boards, office supplies, fax machines, file cabinets, furniture, scanners, digital cameras, standing fans, air conditioners and software. donation instructions are under "support ytf" on their site. 

before you donate, evaluate charities here.

and make sure you wipe your drive before donating.

if you know of an organization or other way to recycle your computer, please post a comment.

1 . earth 911, "e-waste & the environment," earth 911, http://www.earth911.org/master.asp?s=lib&a=electronics/elec_ewaste.asp (accessed 27 february 2006).

tags: computers. environment. recycling. green living.

nerdy.

it's no wonder that i'm a "pure nerd" (73 % nerd, 43% geek, 39% dork to be exact). among things i enjoy:

• reading the dictionary
• browsing wikipedia and other assorted online reference sites just to see what i can see
• the ap stylebook online (i seriously geeked out over this for about two days when i discovered it)
• "never been kissed" because i love josie grossie and all her copyeditor freakiness (i, i too am a pedant!)
• filling out forms of any kind
• hexadecimal colors

[via putting the d back in dork.]

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• cîroc vodka. did you know i'm a total vodka whore gal? oh yes indeedy, i am. times get rough and it's ketel one or hangar one (either one) for me. i'm not ashamed. anyway, this vodka is super smooth and made from grapes. how weird is that? it's not available everywhere, but check your local watering hole or liquor store: it's worth it. (oh and i love that it's pronounced like "chirac.") about $30.

• talla clothing. i'm in love with her designs. everything is so gorgeous. and! items are handmade and made at a "safe haven for educating and nurturing women and children." i love feel-good purchases! sale items start at five bucks!

• moleskine sketchbook. i suspect just by owning one of these dandies, i'll become a famous writer/artiste/whatever. and it's mol-a-skeen'-a, ok? not "mole-skin" like i've been saying to myself. [via da*xiang.] $15.

• velvet + satin collar. i realize that there's all this talk about humanizing pets and blah blah blah, but do you think a collar called "precious lil' bedbug" really does that much harm to the universe? $32.

• nesting bowls. i have an obsession with all things that nest: bowls, tables, storage containers, prep bowls (ok, not everything. hate the birds). the shape of these bowls are quite attractive to my little eye. $41.

photo credits: cîroc vodka; talla; moleskine us; anthropologie; sprout home.

is it 1906 or 2006?

looks like south dakota is one state that needs to be kicked-out of the ol' union. they are gearing up for an all-out ban on all abortions, even those in the case of rape or incest. super! as it is, there is only one abortion clinic in the entire state.and it wasn't even a close vote:

"after more than an hour of fierce and emotional debate, the senators rejected pleas to add exceptions for incest or rape or for the health of the pregnant woman and instead voted, 23 to 12, to outlaw all abortions, except those to save the woman's life."

well, why save a woman's life? clearly, it means nothing.

read the full article and prepare to be disgusted.

action alerts:

• national abortion and reproductive rights action league (naral) pro-choice america. send a message to your governor.
• saveroe.com. send a message to south dakota's (unfortunate) governor.

[via amanda at blogher.]

source: davey, monica. "ban on most abortions advances in south dakota." new york times 23 feb. 2006: national.

do i have something in my teeth?

no, but i just walked around for an hour happily talking to fellow dog owners with a pine needle sticking out of my hair. super. i have so much game.

i'm a little cranky.

i was watching (falling asleep to) "hitch" the other day and i have to report on another pet peeve of mine: the fake prop. in one scene eva mendes (hate her; far too gorgeous and far too sofia loren for words) is "sipping" a "beer" and manages to say her lines immediately after the sip without swallowing. how is it possible? is she some kind of magician?

i also can't stand when a character is carrying something and i can tell that there is nothing in the prop but air or bubble wrap. i've noticed this in all kinds of situations: the coffee cup, the briefcase, the backpack.

note to directors everywhere: please make your props believable. it totally bugs. thank you.

[yes, i'm cranky lately. didn't you sense a theme around here?]

i rue the day.

jesus. if any of these jeans have zippers, i'm killing myself. these left the stylesphere for a reason, dammit. shame on you urban outfitters. shame on you.

[whoorl posts related angst re. their pimping of another 80s fave: leggings.]

photo credit: urban outfitters.

you're so off my list.

yet another company i must boycott. reproductive rights violations? nope. unfair labor practices? wrong again. perhaps it's even more sinister. more vile.

it's rachael ray olive oil labeled "evoo" as seen at sur la table.

that's it. i'm emigrating. there are just some things that go way too far.

a glossary of words that shouldn't be.

certain words and phrases send chills down my spine. why, oh why, are they part of the everyday vernacular?

to wit:

• blessed. i've talked about this word before, i know, but it continues to top my list. generally speaking, the only time i want to hear this word uttered is if i'm speaking with the pope and he has suddenly blessed contraception, women's rights and gay marriage.
• over the moon. oft seen in my now-forsaken celebrity literature when reporting on some celeb that's breeding/engaged/married. for example: tori spelling is over the moon now that she has dumped her old husband in favor of that old dude whatever his name is.
• towards. with an "s." there is no "s" in toward! (though some dictionaries say it's coolio, i'm sticking with my journalism prof from college and just saying "no.")
• rock: v. as in "to wear well:" she's rocking that jacket. please just don't. unless your name is missy elliott. then you can say whatever you like.
• bling. that's all i have to say about that.
• crazy busy. something about that expression just annoys me to no end.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• jeweled espadrille. it feels like spring is coming! $58.

• fairly-traded dark chocolate truffles. i'm not a huge chocolate fan, but my better half is, so i was excited to visit this très chic retailer. love their vibe and check out these truffle flavors: ginger + wasabi + black sesame seeds, Telicherry peppercorns and balsamic vinegar + hazelnuts. and, who else does yoga + chocolate workshops?! plus! i inquired as to their fair trade policy and their main supplier is barry callebaut, a fair trade-certified exporter. woo! $23. [via frecklegirl.]

• stacking salt boxes. new obsession: the salt storage. i like this one because i can store all of our "finishing" salts. $29.95.

• hand-knit baby hats. these hats are handmade by by real-live danish grammas (mormor.nu means "grandma.now" in danish)! how great is it that each product includes a tag with the gramma's signature? made from wool, alpaca wool or cotton. the baby boots are pretty irresistible, too.  about $35. [thanks chookooloonks!]

• floral cd stickers. aren't these too cute? great for prettifying your cds, especially to give as gifts! $8.

photo credits: garnet hill, vosges, sur la table, mormor.nu, fredflare.com.