Less is More Blog: Consuming Less Living More

Things you don’t need and why part 2 : cheap and nasty boots

2011-11-25T16:57:00.000-08:00

3 months ago I bought a pair of boots from Kmart for $8 reduced from $30. They were simple and cute.. I liked them but I knew at that price they were unlikely to last. To prove my point I bought them anyway and kept the receipt on my fridge for when they would inevitably fall apart. So pretty much on the mark they have now carked it. I’ll post a photo on here soon. Basically the sole has come unstuck on my left foot and the heal on the right foot. I’m going to take them back to Kmart and ask for an exchange. I haven’t worn them that much, perhaps twice a week. I’m sure staff will think I’m nuts, since they were only $8 but still it’s the principal. We live in a throw away culture and someone has to be the one to complain.

So the point is, cheap shoes last 3 months or less so I could spend 3 times the amount and hope that they last 3 times as long.

When I take the shoes back to Kmart I am going to provide feedback, if they have one of those feedback forms, saying I’d rather pay a bit more for the shoes to last more than 3 months. Or else they should come with an official exp date. "These will only last 3 months"

Meanwhile, I will continue to keep returning the shoes every 3 months for a similar pair.

I’ll keep you posted!

Old News, New Uses

2011-10-25T15:44:00.001-07:00

I've begun working on a kitchen mat made if old news paper. I've created tiny rolls of news and coiled it around to create a fibrous woven look. It's a slow and tedious job but I'm looking forward to the end result!

Report a Typo

2011-10-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

If you see a typo let me know! email:

rachaelhopebyrnes [at] gmail [dot] com

Or else I suppose I could get an editor or even proof read myself.... naaaaah.... I know YOU really want to do that instead because you're a proud and accurate speller and want to be all "boasty-I'm-so-good-at-spelling-king-of the-grammar-castle-kind-of-thing". Great! It's a deal then. Email me!

xxx
PS... don't report a typo if it's just to solicit business as an editor, promoter, publicist, label etc... I'm not hiring right now!

Things you don't need and why: part 1

2011-10-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

Some people find it helpful to work with budgets. Personally, I find life too unpredictable for these to ever work out they way I plan. I'm often left bewildered when say, my brand new sneakers get stolen at the gym kind of thing.... Or a generous fan donates $600 towards my music recording. How could I have planned those things?

Instead, I apply this simply question to every EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE I make.

Do I really need this?

And when I say need, I'm not talking about about basic survival needs like food, water and shelter. Of course we need those things. I'm talking about the full spectrum of human needs that make up a sustainable and fulfilling life. Needs that people like Maslow mapped out in his famous hierarchy of needs; the need to be safe, to belong, to receive and give love, to have esteem and a sense of meaning and purpose.

Simply asking the question, do I really need this invites truth to be present. I see a giant block of chocolate on special at coles... only $2 ... I'm tempted, but wait a second.. do I really need this? Yes I need to eat and yes pleasure, joy and satisfaction are also needs but do I really need this right now? Will it diminish my experience of pleasure, joy and satisfaction in the future? When's the last time I indulged in chocolate? Is it ok to indulge now or should I wait until later when I've done a 2 hour bush walk, for example, and my body can really use it?

The answers are never straight forward and involve a complex weighing up of the pros and cons of making choices for the benefit of now against the benefit of the future. However, still asking those questions, for me seems to invite a certain "knowing". There's some kind of subconscious weighing up of all these things in my mind and if I be still with it, for just a moment, I know the answer. In this case NO now is not the right time to binge on a block of chocolate. It only seems like a tiny amount of money but all those things add up to a large sum which could bring me immense pleasure and joy with something that truly contributes in a lasting way to my sense of meaning and purpose. 200 times of saying no to a binge on chocolate might mean for example a $400 microphone or a membership at the gym.

I'm not saying I'm a saint when it comes to the discipline of not buying things I don't need. Believe me I can be a total sucker. There are some things I definately need to work on BIG TIME but I can say I have interrupted thousands of impulse purchases this way and saved myself squillions of dollars doing so.

Today I ran out of moisturiser and contemplated my next purchase. Do I really need moisturiser I asked myself. In my early 20s a naturopath told me to use basic olive oil as moisturiser. She said it's the key ingredient in many products and you can just put a few drops on a new chux super wipe, mix with water and cleanse you face with it. I tried this at the time and it worked pretty well. My face felt awesome afterwards. I never liked the chux part though, I felt like I was treating my face like a dirty dishes and the wipes were hard to get the oil out of. So I went back to using moisturiser. Today I had a brainwave. I put a few drops of oil mixed with a few drops of water directly in my palms then rubbed the mixture vigorously between my hands and then applied it to my face. It was just the right amount to leave my face feeling moisturised and my hands not too greasy afterwards. It sounds a bit gross but I promise you it works really well if you get the right proportions.

My naturopath also said if you can't eat it don't put it on your skin. Most moisturisers a full of petrochemicals and other nasty substances like methylparaben a widely used synthetic preservative that's been linked to breast cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, and developmental defects. Maybe the idea of putting food on your face sounds revolting but the alternative is even more revolting if you think about it. Oil dredged up from the bowels of the earth mixed with these potentially hazardous chemicals. I know what I'm opting for.

Of course there are plenty of natural, organic and safe products on the market so, if you can afford them then sure.. maybe that would be cool for you. For me, your dearest scamp, I'm pretty happy with plain old olive oil.

Conclusion 1: No I don't need chocolate right now
Conclusion 2: No I don't need comercial moisterisers, or even chux super wipes (except in the kitchen)

Stay tuned my dear reader until part 2: other things you don't need and why

How to make bad wine taste good

2011-07-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

There are few things more satisfying than a glass of high quality wine. The delight of a smooth round full bodied red that doesn't leave the slightest hint of vinegar in your mouth is simply magic. On a tight povo budget though, a $25 bottle of wine may be a luxury that's hard to afford. Especially if you have a tendency to over indulge once you get started. That's where mulled wine comes in handy (...and there's the iced white wine conversion trick too...but I'll talk about that in a bit)

Mulled Wine
Typically mulled wine is red wine heated with sugar, spices and citrus fruit. There are many traditional variations but most commonly the beverage is made with red wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sugar and sliced oranges.

I have tried several recipes including the standard one and I can honestly say I have never witnessed such a dramatic, almost alchemical, conversion. I've made mulled wine with cheap and nasty wine and with good quality wine and have noticed the end result is pretty much the same... simply AMAZING, especially if you hand grate a nutmeg as part of the process. I've made mulled wine with the cheapest bottle of red I could find ($4.95 sacred hill*) and created a rich, full bodied, round, lovely, spicy, warm and delightful alcoholic beverage. Of course the spices and fruit cost money too but they are a fraction of the cost of buying a good quality bottle of red.

But maybe you prefer white? Then read on...

Iced White Wine (with a splash of water)
If you've never done this before, it might sound ridiculous but trust me, putting ice in wine with a little bit of cold water completely transforms an awful bottle. I came across this by accident one summer at a BBQ when the fridge was way too packed to fit another wine bottle in. They had an ice machine in the front of their fridge so I decided to improvise. Low on cash that week I'd bought a cheap clean skin on the way, hoping I might have got lucky with a decent wine in a generic bottle. But no, one sniff of the bottle and I realised it was a shocker so I decided to add a splash of water as well to take the edge off. Surprisingly the taste reminded me of a lovely crisp sav blanc that I'd had at a restaurant the week before. When the ice had completely melted it was even better. Shocked, but pleasantly delighted, I tried it out on a few friends to see what they thought. The vote was unanimous: ice and water adds about $10 of value to the bottle **.

I tested this out again and again with different cheap brands (even sacred hill white*) with the same positive result. The other thing I realised about watering down the wine a little bit is that, it's less alcoholic so it's easier to drink sensibly in moderation! It's a bit like drinking light beer.

Moral of the story:

LESS expensive wine + spice or water and ice = a happy alchemist with MORE money in the bank.

*Note: Usually there is nothing sacred about Sacred Hill wine. Although if you follow my instructions you might start believing in magic.

**For best results leave the ice to melt for a few minutes before drinking!

Green PC: Guilt Free Eco Machines

2011-06-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

When it comes to buying computers I've always found an incredible bargain! Usually out of necessity, I've trawled second hand computer shops to find a suitable low budget laptop and searched the Internet for obscure freeware software (like paint.net , a free photoshop-ish program I use to do my gig posters - see example left). After my last laptop was stolen in 2009, I bought a second hand Mac from a friend for $50. It was so cheap because it was almost ancient (2005) in computer standards. However in the interim between then and now, when it was still compatible with standard programs, it was a good sturdy machine. I would have kept going with it had I been able to download programs like the latest version of Itunes for my Iphone or use USB Internet at high speed. There came a time where I had to say goodbye to the old Mac and buy something new.

It was a tricky time to buy a new computer I didn't really have a budget for it. How do you get a computer without any money I asked myself? I looked into leasing a new Mac but I didn't have the salary to get the finance approved. Second hand computers were still $600 (which I didn't have) and with the pace of technological change I wondered how quickly the second hand machine would become obsolete too. Then a friend told me about Green PC. A not for profit organisation that recycles and refurbishes computers for low income earners. They're part of a mother organisation called InfoXchange whose purpose is to improve access to new information technologies among low-income and disadvantaged groups.

I purchased a premium refurbished PC for $175!!! AMAZING! I had my doubts to begin with as it seemed too good to be true. The computer package boasted the latest version of Microsoft Office, virus protection and a 1 year warranty all included in the price, no hidden costs! I asked suspiciously if it would be very fast and the customer service person assured me that it would be fast enough for my requirements. When I set up my PC I was pleasantly surprised that it worked really well!!!

What I love most about this computer is that it's built by a workshop of technicians who are based in Melbourne, earning proper wages, unlike the factory workers overseas where new computers are built. The team of trained technicians at Green PC completely rebuild and test each computer system. It's a guilt free eco machine!

Coincidentally, around the time I bought this computer I came across this article "Apple's Chinese workers treated inhumanely, like machines" about the atrocious working conditions at Apple Mac factories. I also saw this article "Workers in Chinese Apple factories forced to sign pledges not to commit suicide" about the absurd measures these factories are going to in order to prevent and respond to a suicide epidemic. (Could they possibly just improve the working conditions rather than hangs nets up!!) After reading these shocking stories I was even happier with my Green PC choice. I'm sure the parts that made up my computer were originally built in similarly oppressive environments, however at least Green PC allows the materials to be reused, increasing the life span of components that would otherwise end up as landfill.

All in all I'm delighted with my Green PC and you can find out more about the organisation here

Facebook Killed the Blog Star

2011-06-08T20:42:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't been posting much on this blog!! Sadly I admit facebook has consumed much of my online interactive time. I have sacrificed quality content for random musings, kooky youtubes and amusing short grabs. It was fun for a while but now I've reached saturation point and my mind is craving depth and text... yes text!!! I miss text. I miss using that part of my brain that has to think, imagine and ponder over a longer period of time. I like the anonymity and simplicity of text and I worry about its future? Will everything become a moving image? Will all telephone calls become video calls? Will all email be replaced by facemail? Will text become almost irrelevant in 10 years time? I'm not anti video or anti facebook it's just that the pace of change is frightening and I'm concerned that it's stressing people out, that it's creating a kind of scrambled brain syndrome as people in all walks of life feel increasingly chained to their computers. Is it time to go backwards?

When facebook first came out I resisted it for about a year. Happy with my blogs and my_myspace and other online tools like my folk ally open mic page, I felt I had more than enough mediums to communicate and interact online. Increasingly I felt the pressure to join facebook as many other fellow musicians had fan pages and event spaces that were helping them to network and attract fans. With everyone else on there I worried that I could miss out on opportunities if I denied the technology any further and so I decided if I can't fight it I'll join it and make it work for me... and it did. It has been a great way to manage my gigs and let people know what's coming up. It's also been a handy way for me to find out about other people's events and gigs.

It's handy for now, but soon everything is about to change and I could potentially be starting all over again in terms of social networking. There's a new cat on the scene called Diaspora, which is currently being developed and threatens facebook in a big way. Diaspora, being launched in October this year, is a decentralised social networking site that provides an alternative to facebook's centralised "spying for free" kind of approach. Diaspora works by letting users set up their own server (or "pod") to host content; pods can then interact to share status updates, photographs and other social data. The developers argue that people give up their privacy by using facebook and that when you give up that data, you’re giving it up forever. The value facebook provides is negligible they say, in the scale of what they are doing. Diaspora promises to deliver a social networking platform that doesn't compromise our privacy rights. With over $200,000 in start up donations Diaspora could possibly be the next facebook.

I'm happy for the developers of Diaspora. Anything that protects the rights of it's users is a good thing. I'm still concerned though, that I will have yet another online space to maintain!! It's double entry madness.. I've got my facebook personal, facebook fan page, myspace, blogger blogs, normal email, work email, rachaelbyrnes.com website, mail chimp email list, folk alley open mic page and triple J unearthed page. At least I don't have twitter!!

It's getting ridiculous and it's an irony laughing at me as I write on this less is more blog. I've got to do something about it. One thing is to return here to my blogs, and write some genuine content rather than something banal like "just ate pasta" which sadly gets a lot of comments on facebook.

So here I am and I'm committing to an interesting post coming up next about my new Green PC... a recycled PC made from old computer parts. It cost me $170 and I'm totally happy with it.. It's a great initiative.. Article coming soon!

Recipe for Mulled Wine

2011-02-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

This is my favourite recipe for mulled wine. It's dead easy and tastes like a German Christmas in a glass.

10 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 cup of sugar
1 whole nutmeg grated
1 sliced orange
1 chopped apple
750 mls red wine

In a large saucepan, place the sugar, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, chopped apple and orange slices. Pour in just enough red wine to cover the base of the saucepan. Simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved and then bring to the boil. Keep boiling until the liquid turns into a thick syrup. This takes about 4-5 minutes. Turn down heat and add the remaining wine. Gently increase the heat and warm the wine for about five minutes. Strain the wine and serve warm!

The Flood

2011-02-09T23:46:00.000-08:00

"Today whenever I am near a farm or in the country I experience a calm that comes over me like a gentle breeze. I hear the rhythm of life and it instantly tells me to slow down and relax. It is hard to put my finger on it but I think it has something to do with the changing seasons; the hum of activity that sets its own pace and laughs at you if you foolishly try to impose your own will". Lindsay Byrnes

I believe we have a certain degree of control over the course of events that unfold in our lives. That exact extend of that degree, the potential to create that which we desire, is debatable. Indeed we may never know in our lifetime just how much we can influence and how much is beyond us.

The following reflection, written by my Dad, Linsday Byrnes, makes me wonder is 'mother nature' the real deal boss. ...........

...
My happiest childhood memories were of our home in Kyogle where the backyard abutted grassy paddocks punctuated by cattle poo of various textures. The poo was ideal ammunition to hurl at one another whilst playing cowboys and Indians. Coming home from school my first inclination was to rush into the paddocks with my pets to enjoy games with companions beside the river. My pet cat was reared with my dog and thought he was a dog so he bounded along beside me to everyone’s amazement. I felt pretty important as if it was all my doing and lapped up all the attention.

We made swords from old wooden crates or anything we could lay our hands on to fashion into weapons against grazing cattle imagined as wild animals. We were glad to be interrupted each day by my mother’s call to listen with bated breath to the popular radio daily serial ‘The Search for the Golden Boomerang’

Today whenever I am near a farm or in the country I experience a calm that comes over me like a gentle breeze. I hear the rhythm of life and it instantly tells me to slow down and relax. It is hard to put my finger on it but I think it has something to do with the changing seasons; the hum of activity that sets its own pace and laughs at you if you foolishly try to impose your own will. Maybe it is fashioned from the need for patience to taste the sweetness of fresh mulberries picked just as the fruit ripens or the security of a baker bringing his freshly baked bread or a milkman filling your milk jug from milk from a farm up the road. I recall the thrill of picking out only the edible wild mushrooms for our family breakfast. There was a certainty to it all and growing up was easy in the comfort of those daily goings on all crammed full of activities.

The family home was purchased as flood free so we always thought we would be safe. We had experienced torrential rain before when the river flooded onto Fawcett plains behind us but it always seemed a long way off and besides the house was perched on stilts above the ground. But as the floodwaters lapped into our backyard my only thoughts turned to pretending to be a fisherman.

“Mum – can I get my fishing line to dangle over the back step to fish if the water comes up the back steps I asked?”

I always asked her and never my father for anything since I felt she was more likely to agree and my father seemed remote and not one to whom you directed childhood requests. I remember my mother trying to get me to do little chores for him like mowing the front lawn or emptying the wood pile to explain to me how pleasantly surprised he would be on arriving home from work. But I think she wanted him to be pleased with me. I didn’t mind it since I was an only child and there was no one else to bargain with to do the chores and besides the next door neighbor used to keep an eye out for me and invite me in for a bowl of ice-cream afterwards. On holidays at the beach my father would encourage me to hang on to his neck- which I did for grim death, while he swam out with me into the deep water even before I learnt to swim. I thought he was invincible and was convinced we could never come to any harm whilst he was around.

Soon it looked like my wish to do some fishing would come true but just as my excitement increased with the rising flood waters my parents decided to evacuate to a neighbor on higher ground. My father explained he was staying back to secure our furniture to safe storage upstairs and maybe even in the ceiling.

My mother, clutching a hurriedly packed suitcase walked with me and the pets through torrential rain down the front steps, up on to the road and across a steep grassy slope to the steps leading up to our neighbors house. Once changed out of my wet clothes I joined my neighbor’s son Warren whose favorite game was to act as a pretend priest. He wasted no time suitably enrobing himself with a flowery curtain and armed with a milk jug and silver tray administered his own version of Holy Communion. It did cheer us all up, as I finished off the red cordial communion wine and wandered to the front verandah to see what was happening.

It was later that night when the rain temporarily receded sufficiently I caught a glimpse of my father through the moonlit window swimming around inside our house vainly attempting to secure articles beyond reach of the encroaching floodwaters. I sensed a feeling of unease in my mother’s furrowed brow and we all breathed an audible sigh of relief when he finally struck out in his slow measured strokes through a half submerged window for the safety of dry land. I remember thinking he was invincible and no harm could come to him as a child thinks when faced by the danger of a natural disaster. As he battled the menacing swirling waters and strong current with the flotsam of logs it seemed like an eternity before we saw him finally haul himself up onto the bank. He looked utterly miserable as his skinny frame quivered to free itself from its state of extreme physical and mental exhaustion.

Later, after a brief respite to recover and change into a neighbours clothing he joined us on the verandah to watch in silence as our beloved house submerged under the waters of the Richmond River. Nobody complained or offered commiserations for it was stoically to be endured.

But elsewhere tragedies were unfolding as homes and their occupants were swept away with the raging current. People perished when their rescue boat capsized while others were washed away off rooftops. Throughout the night men in the flimsiest of tiny boats heroically risked their lives rescuing desperate people left stranded or clinging to trees. Over 30 people perished in that one tiny town and many more houses and farms were completely destroyed or washed away. There had never been anything like it before and everyone was caught unaware as the rhythm of life cast a sad note too deep to hear.

In the aftermath I will never forget the pervasive pungent odor. It curdled my stomach to permeate every pore of my skin as a reminder of unexpected death and destruction. These memories remain dormant resurfacing each time I hear of a severe flooding and loss of life. But through a child’s eyes the devastation and future uncertainty could not penetrate the shield of innocence created by the certainty of a parent’s presence even as search parties set out with grim faces each day looking for bodies. The community spirit also cast its loving net as every organization imaginable rushed in to help with open and loving arms. The Girl Guides Association was subsequently honored with an international award for their outstanding service.
As our supplies dwindled word came that help was on its way so hearts were gladdened to hear the faithful drone of a DC 3 aircraft and to watch the white dots of parachutes drop supplies into our welcoming hands. Sheets of corrugated iron dislodged from houses were folded at both ends and sealed with tar, to make makeshift canoes to deliver the vitally needed milk and supplies to stranded townsfolk.

Consequently it was too painful for my parents to stay. My father as a returned airmen invalided from war service just before hostilities ended having miracously survived the theatre of war was determined to put the horrors of war behind him. Kyogle was my parent’s first house and an opportunity to settle down in what was considered an idyllic setting for a new beginning which promised and delivered so much joy. But now the bitter pill must be swallowed so they sold our cherished family home for a tiny fraction of its previous value. My mother held no regrets and often told me how much she always loved that first home. The flood cannot wash away a previous beautiful memory.

The severe financial consequences which virtually bankrupted my parents led to hardships that lingered on for many more years afterwards.

Feb 2011

People, Plants, Landscapes: Open Garden Scheme: Big Thanks!

2011-02-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,

A little plug for my mate Dr Chris Williams' recent edible garden design... check out his amazing photos from yesterday's Open Garden! Truly an inspiring place.

People, Plants, Landscapes: Open Garden Scheme: Big Thanks!: "Thank you to everyone who visited 'Sophia's Food Garden Sanctuary' this weekend! I loved sharing the garden with everyone. There were lots ..."

Living in the red: a survival guide

2011-01-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

I've been drafting some ideas for an e-book I'd like to write about making the most of tough financial times when your forced to 'live in the red.' Inspired by recent months of extreme frugality I think I have gained some valuable insights and tools that might help other people manage the stress and pressure of living hand to mouth. Below are some of the chapters I propose and associated reflections. Some chapters might be quite useful and practical whilst others might be just a good old laugh!

1. Beg borrow and steal the ethical way
My grandparents have a massive jar of sugar satchels from cafes they have visited over the years. They never need to buy sugar for the home. The justification for 'stealing' the sugar satchels is that they don't like sugar in their coffee so they feel entitled to the serve of sugar that the purchase price of their coffee should cover. They store the sugar and use it at home when they have visitors. I've always found this a bizarre yet quite cute habit of theirs. I doubt it saves them very much money in the end though, since sugar is dirt cheap. Perhaps they just like to collect things. I wonder if there's other free stuff that you could collect that might actually save you a significant amount of money? I noticed office works has free tea and coffee for people using the printing facilities. Want to meet me at officeworks for a coffee sometime? I'll make a 20c copy of my hand and then we can drink a bottomless cup till out hearts are content.

2. The myth of dole bludging: how to actually benefit from benefits
We are very lucky in Australia to have a good social security system. Once upon a time it was so good that governments and taxpayers were concerned about 'dole bludgers,' that is, people who have no real desire to get a job and who are quite happy to just sail along living on their government payment. I think the truth is those days are over, or perhaps they never really existed.

Not only is it extremely difficult to actually survive on the dole; to cover the very basics like food and rent, it's almost impossible to avoid debt in the process. One parking fine and a problem with your car and suddenly you've got $600 to pay with no way of paying it. Hello debt collectors.

The truth is there's nothing bludegy about being on the dole. It's bloody hard work and it's stressful. The best way to make it work while you 'have to be on it,' while your looking for work or building a business, is to utilize free public resources (ie, libraries and job search agencies), enter into exchange arrangements with friends and family and earn some extra $ selling second hand stuff on ebay or offering to babysit etc..

3. Quick cash: the value of junk
Downsize, downsize , downsize. Have a garage sale, sell on ebay, have a market stall. Get rid of all the junk! Use the money for food and cook, cook, cook. Eating well and cooking up a storm is a great way to stay sane during tough times!

4. Ditching the Jones': hanging with the humble
The Jones' will do your head in when your poor. You can't keep up. Forget it. Marinaded goats cheese from french island is too expensive. Go out to St Andrews market and befriend a hippy .. if you're lucky maybe they can put you into some local cheesemakers,

5. Dress to impress a monk: wearing your tattoos on the inside.
Fashion is a killer! Adopt a new timeless approach to your style or else dress to impress a monk: it's easy just wear a plain singlet with fisherman pants and walk with good posture. Do yoga or swimming instead of wearing heals it will stretch your back and make you look taller. Now is not the time to get a tattoo. They're expensive, they hurt and they are almost "too" trendy now. Wear your tattoos on the inside and let people discover who you are over time. Be a mystery. Open books are so 'yesterday' anyhoo.

Garden Good Enough to Eat: Mr C in the Herald Sun

2011-01-15T16:22:00.000-08:00

Hey folks,

My mate Dr Chris Williams (aka Mr C) from the People Plants Landscapes Blog was in the Herald Sun yesterday! Check out page 20 - 21 of the "weekend" section where you see Mr C's latest urban food garden, an amazing conversion of another friend, Sophia's, inner city back yard block. Journalist Cheryl Critchley and photographer Ben Swinnerton capture this lush space, now dubbed 'Sophia's Food Garden Sanctuary.'

'Peace love and broadbeans' is the new catch phrase as Sophs!

If you're a keen gardener in the Melbourne area you can see this place for yourself as part of Australia's Open Garden Scheme. It's open on Feb 5 and 6 from 10:30am - 4:30pm. Admittance is $6. 24a Kooyong Rd Armadale.

I'll post the Herald Sun article on here as soon as it's up on the web!! There are fantastic photos of the garden including a number of unusual species grown.

The Joni Mitchell Defence: Mass Media Drop outs and Inner World Podcasts

2010-11-28T19:00:00.000-08:00

I just read an interview with Joni Mitchell on Motorcyle Aupairboy’s Blog, where she describes herself as a ‘media drop out’. When reflecting on the era of her rising fame she reveals “I was lucky if I could name the president … I was more inner world orientated”

What a relief I think as I reflect on a recent conversation with my mate Mr C who was totally shocked to discover that I didn’t know the nationality of the current Pope (even though I was raised catholic). Next time I’m caught out not knowing a fairly huge piece of general knowledge I’m going to call on what I’m now officially coining “The Joni Mitchell Defence:” a firm conviction that is it possible to be a media drop out but still be a very cool person.

Ok so I’m not quite as cool as Joni but I do relate to the drop out factor since I haven’t had a functional TV for seven years and find the Herald Sun completely depressing (The Age would be ok if I had the arms of a giant). I can’t say I am a complete media drop out though because here I am on my blog, reading other people’s blogs and I’m just about to download a couple of cooky podcasts after I finish this article. I guess I could call my self a “mass media drop out,” or an “obscure niece media opt in.”

Tangents towards the latter lead me to discover a wonderful podcast called Drudicast, hosted by a modern day Druid, Damn the Bard. If you’re not a fan of the Pope and like the idea of tapping into an earth based pre Christian spirituality then I recommend you listen to this podcast. It’s a portal into an amazing world of Ovates, Bards and Druids and Damn recently aired one of my songs “Far and Few Between”

You can listen to the recent podcast and song here

I hope you enjoy it!

Listen to Druidcast Podcast including my song "Far in Few Between"

Happy Birthday Holle: Abundently Frugal Awesomeness

2010-10-28T02:55:00.000-07:00

Hey folks,

Recently it was my friend Holle's birthday and in the spirit of frugality I made her a simple present. This blog post all about Holle.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLE

Holle Torrens is a singer, songwriter, poet, blogger, drummer and works in a hospital greeting people and making their clinical medical experiences way more awesome. She's a beacon of light and I'm really glad I know her.

Recently I've been getting into her blog 'Humaning Around' which showcases her creative zest. How cool is the title!! Love it!!

http://humaningaround.wordpress.com/radio-interviews/

Check out this recent radio interview where you'll hear some of Holle's fantastic songs and poems. She writes for the band "The Awkward" (again a cool title) as well as kids songs and general artistic projects.

You'll discover that she's all about authenticity, truth, humor and sillyness. There's a serious side but it never buries her lightheartedness.

What's also cool about Holle is that she lives on the 'smell of an oily rag' like me, but she's got frugal abundance coming out her ears. There's never a sense of lack with her. It's all about creation.

I really enjoyed the vibe of this blog and hope you can check it out soon!

Coming soon on my blog here will be some podcasts I have recently been played on.. i will keep you posted!!

You can’t eat music: upshifting to find enough!

2010-10-12T22:56:00.000-07:00

I read in Amy Dacyczyn’s “Tightwad Gazette” that the lifestyle of voluntary simplicity was first coined ‘voluntary poverty’. Voluntary simplicity and later downshifting became more popular terms because ‘poverty,’ that is, not having enough money for the basics in life, is not the goal of voluntary simplicity. It is however something that can happen when we make bold and risky decisions in pursuit of our dreams.

Recently after leaving a part time office job to move out to the sticks and live entirely off my music and teaching, I crossed over that line that divides voluntary simplicity and involuntary poverty.

Even though I’ve had about 15 – 18 students a week as well as 25 gigs over the last few months, I still haven’t made enough money to pay for everything I require, like for example $1000 in car repairs and $500 in dental costs! I have however earned the equivalent of someone working in an apprenticeship and that is an achievement I feel very proud of!

Nevertheless, I still need to temporarily ‘upshift’ if I want to become financially free. It's ironic then that I have this blog about ‘downshifting.’ I guess life is not always as simple as making a steady downshift until you find that perfect place where enough is enough! It’s an ebb and flow, a dance, an experiment that you keep reassessing until you find a way that works.

What will that upshift look like for me? Will I work more? Find more students, find a part time job in a shop? Will something unexpected happen that will change everything? Will I find better paid gigs? Could 1000 people buy and download my songs that are for sale through soundcloud. Now that would be a dream come true!

What can I do for a dollar? Lyrics for a temporary up-shift

2010-10-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

What can I do for a dollar?
I’ve got too many degrees to be blue collar
But the white variety is mental squalor
For a girl like me

If I shuffle papers, I get pain in my head
Stand up all day, I’m like the walking dead
And customer service turns my heart to lead
There must be something I can do

I can sing, I can sing, I can sing
But I can’t eat my melodies
I can write, I can write, I can write
But no one’s buying my lyrics tonight

What can I do for a dollar?
Should I marry a man who’s not easily bothered
Working 9 – 6 in a cubical horror?
Well that sounds like a plan

If that man is you, please apply online
Applications close at half past cloud 9
No experience needed just belief in sublime
And a passion for drama queens

I can sing, I can sing, I can sing
But I can’t eat my melodies
I can write, I can write, I can write
But no one’s buying my lyrics tonight

I can play, I can play, oh I can play
But I can't play my rent paid
I can pray, I could pray, should I pray?
Oh dear God please give me a break!

What can I do for a dollar?
I’ve got too many ideas to be a follower
But doing my own thing is doing my head in
Oh I need a mentor

What can I do for a dollar?
I’m too dam dizzy to be a scholar
Could make some cash from this delirious holler
Cos I don’t have a day job to keep

Artist Residency at Dunmoochin

2010-09-18T02:50:00.001-07:00

Back in September 2007 I published a blog post on housing cooperatives and other creative living solutions that could address Melbourne’s housing crisis.

Inspired by housing cooperatives like Moora Moora in Victoria and Stucco in the Sydney I dreamed of living somewhere similar: an intentional community where like minded people contribute to a common vision but also live their own individual lives.

I can’t believe it but I now live in one of those places! In April of this year I was awarded a year-long artist residency at the historic Dunmoochin Foundation, an artist colony established by the late Clifton Pugh.

The colony has several houses and studios were artists work on their particular art projects to be completed within the year of their stay. In my case that’s my debut record!

Living at Dunmoochin has been a really exciting time filled with much inspiration and reflection. So far I’ve recorded 6 songs, which I will release as an EP then I will work on several more to complete a full LP.

I’m always inspired here because the colony is amongst pristine natural bushland that has been permanently protected through Trust for Nature. I feel so lucky to be here with these majestic surrounds, sunset views and delightful neighbours (my fellow artists in residence). I just wish I could stay longer than a year! I certainly wont want to leave when April of next year comes around.

My most recent pieces of 'art' have been two songs “Something’s Better than Nothing” and “Far and Few Between.” The former explores the inner battle between an ‘all or nothing’ attitude and a ‘something’s better than nothing’ attitude. Far and Few Between is a little bit like a Zen Kaon: an attempt to create a riddle for the purpose of contemplation.

The magic of Dunmoochin and the inspiration it provides has found it’s way into both songs. (At least I like to think so!) Certainly nature is a reoccurring theme in many of my songs and in these two tunes I talk about nature that was saved, like the great Franklin river (Something’s Better than Nothing) and an ancient mythical wilderness that stretches beyond the our wildest imaginations (Far and Few Between).

You can listen or buy the songs below as a two-song bundle. I'm fundraising for the final duplication costs of my ep.

Rachael Byrnes EP: sneak peek release by Rachael Byrnes

My Mobile Music School: We come to you! Guitar Piano and Keyboard Lessons in Hurstbridge, Cottles Bridge, Diamond Creek, Northcote (and surrounds)

2010-04-23T23:18:00.001-07:00

Hey folks,

A lot has happened since my last post! I was accepted into an artist in residence program in Hurstbridge and so I’ve extending my mobile music school to that area as well. I’m currently still teaching in Northcote and surrounds on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and now Hurstbridge Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I teach school age students and adults alike and I’ve still got spots free so please don’t hesitate to call me if you’re interested in getting lessons in the comfort of your own home! Phone: 0415 807 587.

I’m experienced teaching primary aged kids too and really enjoy working with complete beginners!My style is eclectic, fun and creative whilst also being grounded in tradition and theory. I tailor my approach to the individual and focus on building the strengths and meeting the challenges of each student.More info in my flyer click here

No More Bank Fees: ING Good for Downshifters

2010-02-24T17:59:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, I found a way to completely avoid bank fees! I’ve always thought it was a bit rough how banks charge fees simply for having an account with them when essentially you are providing them with a service by having your money invested in them.

I’ve happily discovered a great alternative; an everyday bank account without fees! Awarded Money magazine's 2010 Best Innovative Product, ING’s Orange Everyday is the online everyday bank account that is free from fees.

My search for a great bank account actually started 5 years ago when I heard about VISA debit cards. (you might remember my article about it a few years back http://lessismoreblog.blogspot.com/2004/08/there-are-some-things-that-money-cant.html)

A friend who was with a credit union had one. They weren’t well known back then as most of the banks were heavily promoting credit cards. As a downshifter and someone who didn’t want to get addicted to spending money I didn’t have, the VISA debit card seemed like a great idea. (The card behaves like a credit card, that is, you can use it in much the same way for online and over the phone purchases, the only difference is that is debits money directly from your bank account).

I first enquired at my existing bank, which was ANZ but unfortunately, they didn’t offer them. As a lifetime customer I was relatively happy with the service at ANZ however I really wanted a VISA debit card and so had to seek an alternative bank. ANZ customer service tried to convince me that VISA debit cards didn’t exist and that I was probably confusing it with a special travellers card account that some currency exchange places offered. They then tried to convince me to get a credit card.

ANZ lost my business because of this. After some research I discovered that Westpac offered VISA debit cards honouring an agreement with the recently bought out Bank of Melbourne. I closed my account with ANZ, wrote a letter to the bank explaining why and opened an account with Westpac.

Whilst I’ve been happy with Westpac, I’m still annoyed by the fees. When a friend told me about the new ING everyday bank account with no fees and associated VISA debit card it was perfect. I already had an ING saving maximiser, which acts more like a storehouse for money rather than an everyday bank account. It’s great, but you can’t access your money as readily as the everyday accounts.

It was actually Mr C who encouraged me to open the account as he had one and was very happy with it. You might remember me mentioning Mr C in the past**

I noticed on the ING website the they were encouraging bloggers to open an account and review it on their blog as part of a charitable social responsibility initiative where $600 goes to charity for every blog review!! (my donation is going to Greenpeace and one other charity I’ve yet to decide on!!!!) AMAZING!! That was the extra incentive I needed to once again change banks.

I really applaud ING for dreaming up this scheme which not only helps them market their new product but also helps charities at the same time. A great example of a company operating with the triple bottom line in mind (people, planet, profit).

I’ve been trialling the account for about a month and I’ve found it great so far. I was awarded $20 for withdrawing $200+ via an ATM and then and $20 for withdrawing $200+ from eftpos. Although, ING doesn’t have its own ATMs ING covers the ATM fees if you withdraw $200 or more. That’s a good incentive to withdraw less frequently and more readily have the convenience of cash in your wallet. As long as you’re sensible with your spending it’s less hassle in the end.

I found their website and online banking portal easy to use. The only criticism I have is that when I opened the account I had to “verify” my account by taking my ID to Australia Post. It wasn’t really explained well why this was necessary and when I called customer service they weren’t able to give me a logical reason either. I also couldn’t understand why Mr C didn’t have to “verify” whilst I did.

I thought perhaps it might have been an issue with my name because previously when opening my ING savings maximiser I hadn’t included my middle name whilst this time I had. So I tried going through the process again. The system misread the second attempt as a request for a second account so now I actually have 2 accounts.

In the end I decided to keep it and use the second account as a separate savings fund.Overall, I’m very happy with the ING every day account. I really encourage the bank to provide this service without fees for years to come. It would be very disappointing if the “no fees” were just and early bird promotion and fees were introduced at a later date.

**Mr C is one of the greatest savers I know. For 2 years whilst working full time for a government agency he ate cheese and vegemite sandwiches every day to save thousands on lunches, just one of many things he did to save $25,000 in one year. (Mr C is my accountability and bench mark when it comes to my povo downshifting path)

Interview with me in Emigrate Magazine

2010-01-24T15:21:00.000-08:00

Hey folks,

I was looking through some of my media files and I found this article that came out last year about me! I can't belive I forgot to post it here. Its another exciting piece of media attention I received via this blog. Emigrate Magazine interviews me about my Less is More lifestyle.

Here is the link (it was a hard copy article from a UK magazine. I've scanned it and uploaded on SCRIBE. You might need to scroll down a bit to see the section on me.

Less is More, or More or Less, says singer songwriter, Rachael Byrnes

2009-11-07T02:39:00.000-08:00

Hey folks,

Here's my latest press release. I welcome, phone, face to face or email interviews. Contact rachbyrnes@hotmail.com

Often described as Joni Mitchell-esque, Rachael Byrnes is a singer/songwriter who’s catchy songs are convincing fans to simplify their life.

“Less is More and The Oily Rag,” a song about leaving the treadmill of corporate life, found her on Channel Nine’s A Current Affair in 2008 singing about her fiscally poor yet “rich” lifestyle. When it comes to money, she says “too much is never enough” and so “it’s important to make time for the things that really matter,” she said.

Fans attending her regular shows around Melbourne’s popular music venues would agree as they make time, often on quiet week nights to enjoy her music: a rich blend of country, folk, blues and roots.

A former marketing professional who left the daily grind to peruse a career in music, Rachael hasn’t made it rich from her singing career. But she says that there’s a richness to her life that wasn’t there before .

“Time is money and money is time, and you’re clever if you’ve got both in line, but if it’s only one then I know I’d, rather time than fancy wine,” sings Rachael.

Our relationship to money, spending and affluence are common themes that Rachael explores in her songs. La La Land, a song about burning the candle at both ends asks the question are we consuming ourselves to death like a “boom and bust” plague species? And Scheme of Things, is a song about caring less about “financial success” by lifting your perspective to the “grander scheme of things.”

For upcoming gigs see.

www.myspace.com/rachaelbyrnes

Another random money saving tip

2009-10-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

Recently my coffee plunger broke and I was desperate for my morning brew. I had blown my weekly cafe coffee budget and wanted to stick to the home made regime. Based on a vague recollection about the Turkish boiling their coffee without a filter I decided to improvise with the kitchen tools I had available to me. I ground some coffee and boiled it in a saucepan adding some soy milk and sugar towards the end (that’s what I do with chai so I was kinda mixing and matching ideas here) Once I turned the heat off I noticed most of the heavy particles had sunk to the bottom but just in case I strained the coffee through a sieve. To my great surprise this coffee was better than any home brew I had made previously. Even better than the Percolator! Now I'm wondering if I really need a plunger afterall.

Surf Hair Beach Look Spray

2009-08-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

Garnier Fructis has a product called "Surf Hair Beach Look Spray" I made my own by mixing salty water and sun cream. Random but saved me $14.99

Less is More Gigs

2009-06-07T02:36:00.001-07:00

Hear My Song Less is More Live at the Edinburgh Castle this Friday!!

2008-07-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

Bookshop Sale Madness

2008-07-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I've been doing some extra work at awesome bookshop over the past few weeks, called The Book Grocer and there is a crazy sale on for a couple of weeks where all paperbacks are $3 and everything else $5. Come on down and do your book shopping for the next year! We have a really good selection of books too! I hope to see you there! 452 Sydney Rd, Brunswick.

Music Lessons Update

2008-07-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hi folks, the music lessons are going really well!!

I now teach a bunch of wonderful aspiring singings and keyboard players and I have also just added guitar lessons to the mix. Here's what some of my students and their parents have said about the lessons recently:

“Silvia's not a visual learner, we're so glad we found someone with your eclectic approach.” Susan

“I hope I can sing as good as you one day.” Karen

“The lessons are really helping Brooke with her confidence” Danielle

“You're a really good teacher, my last teacher didn't tell me any of that stuff” Nicola

If you're interest in lessons please phone me on 0415 807 587. I'd love to hear from you!

New Music Studio Opening April 9th

2008-03-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, I'm moving into a new house in Thornbury soon where I will be opening a teaching studio space on April 9th. I'll be teaching piano/ keyboard and voice. I've been teaching through music shops for over a year and have developed a fun and creative method which integrates traditional, contemporary and creative approaches to music. Please email me on rachbyrnes@hotmail.com or phone 0415 807 587 if you'd like to find out more about my awesome lessons!! I'm $50/ per hour or $25/ half hour.

Watch Me on A Current Affair Singing about Downshifting

2008-01-10T03:49:00.000-08:00

About the "Less is More" Blog

2007-10-24T04:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the less is more web blog!

You can listen to my song "Less is More & The Oily Rag" while you read by clicking here.

It captures the true essence of this blog and my life as a “downshifter.”

Downshifting is the new buzz word for “voluntary simplicity”, that is, deliberately choosing less in some areas of life (typically income) to gain more in other areas (typically time for recreation and family).

This blog was inspired by a report released by the Australia Institute in 2003 titled “Getting a Life, Understanding the Downshifting Phenomenon in Australia” The report published the results of a survey which showed that 23% of Australian adults have chosen to downshift in the last 10 years –that’s nearly a quarter of the population! And, they’re not just dropouts who’ve decided to quit mainstream society – they are part of a movement, across the board, representing the full range of age, income and social background.

Downshifters change their lives for a number of reasons but the main four include the desire for a more balanced life, clash between personal values and those of the workplace, searching for more fulfilment and responding to ill health.

My own personal reason for downshifting was to free up more time for my life passions: songwriting, music composition and performance. I quit my full time job at the start of 2005 and enrolled in a Diploma of Music Performance and Composition at TAFE. This required a huge "downshift" including a drastic reduction in income yet what resulted was a huge "upshift" in my level of personal fulfilment. I now live on "the smell of an oily rag" (click here to listen) as my dad would say but I'm earning half my income now from music related activities, and I'm looking forward to a creative future in this area. Being time rich and cash poor is not always easy, but it's a far better option, in my opinion, than the reverse (cash rich/ time poor) plus it's great for the environment and global sustainability!

I hope my journey will inspire and motivate you to find the brilliant, resourceful, sustainable, ethical “downshifter” within. Enjoy.

Less is More and the Oily Rag

2007-10-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

I wrote a song a few months ago called "Less is More and the Oily Rag" It's a bluesy/country kind of number played on guitar using a lovely open C tuning. Imagine it being sung with a heavy southern American accent and you'll really get it.

Verse 1:
It's not all that bad
Living off the smell of an oily rag
I'm having the best fun that I've ever had
Infact I love my oily rag

Verse 2:
Time is money and money is time
and you're clever if you've got both in line
If it's only one then I know I'd
Rather time than fancy wine

Chorus 1:
The last job I was in was in gave me a permanent stitch
All the politics made me quit
Now I don't have much money
Or a saftey net
But how safe is drudgery and the treadmill's endless sweat?

Verse 3:
Sometimes less is more, or more or less
Less security, but more progress
Less danger and risk, but more regrets
Sometimes less is more, or more or less

Verse 4
Now the next thing that I have to say
Well, it's rather old and cleche
Don't waste your time doing what you hate
Do what you love, it's better than pay

Chorus 2
I know we all need a certain amount of money
But too much is never enough in this society
Less is more the only creed I believe
and lord how it has saved me
From endless, pointless shopping sprees
No I do not need retail therapy.. No!

Creative Living

2007-09-25T04:27:00.000-07:00

Recently Melburnians have been bombarded with media coverage about our current “housing crisis ” and the increasingly inflated property market. We've heard the doom and gloom. Gen Y-ers on an average income excluded from the market by impossibly high prices, destined to a fate of renting rotting inner city shacks, complete with leaking roof (as seen on current affair). Some of us have directly felt the hardship. Perhaps we have spent the last 3 months looking for a stylish flat to rent, resorting to a shabby 70s box in Thornbury, only to be “out bidded” by Mr and Mrs Dr and Lawyer. It's normal to feel totally pessimistic in the face of these harsh realities. Mainstream media doesn't help either as it usually offers no vision of how it could be different. Sometimes it seems as if the system is designed to make us feel oppressed and hopeless.

What can we do to turn it around? Some people get political, join social lobbies, write letters, join voluntary boards or anything else they can dream up to try and improve the system. Meanwhile their personal lives, their own inner systems are totally inflated, out of control and imbalanced. Its a common pattern I have encountered during my years working as an administrator in various environmental organisations. Sometimes incredibly good willed people spend so much energy trying to clean up other people's mess that they neglect their dysfunctional self.
Until I embraced the idea of downshifting and voluntary simplicity I waisted a lot of my energy on movements that were trying to change the system by force; though PR, lobbying, telemarketing, hassling people on street.

Voluntary simplicity offers a much gentler approach to these issues and it is radically changing the system, but you may not even notice it. It's a subtle and silent power that is changing the way we live from the ground up. Its not about making people feel terribly guilty about the way they live. There's more than enough outlets for that, programs like Carbon Cops on the ABC are good examples of guilt driven, change by force. Downshifting offers us a way of becoming better managers of our lives so that we get to experience more of what we truly want in life. It's about shedding the shallow skin and the shadow self by accessing something deeper and more authentic.

How does this deeper authentic downshifting self respond to the housing crisis? What creative approach can we dream up and apply NOW without having to wait for the system or the economy to become more friendly? Firstly, it may be necessary to change our thinking about the so called “crisis” and see the situation in a more positive light. It may be time to remind ourselves that incredible shifts in perception can come out of hard times, and that this shift works to our advantage. The Great Depression is a good example of this. Most of us think of the Great Depression as a terrible time of hardship and desperation. Whist we shouldn't trivialize the suffering and loss that people experienced during the Great Depression books like “The Myth of the Great Depression” by David Potts,
http://www.amazon.fr/Myth-Great-Depression-David-Potts/dp/1920769846
highlight that the struggle to survive provided many with a sense of purpose, even a happiness, absent from more affluent times. The loss of wealth encouraged a kind of downshifting by default where people experienced a flowering of the human spirit; the joy of sharing, of growing and collecting food together and the joy of authentic comradary where keeping up with the Jones was no longer relevant, where the idea of owning and possessing more and more material things became obsolete.

I'm not saying we should all celebrate poverty and never aim for anything more, but what I am saying is that difficult times do not prevent us from being creative and dreaming up new ways of living.

If you're a young person like me on a low-middle income, then you are in a great position to challenge old ideas about the way we live and create new ways that will empower us through this time of economic imbalance. I'm actually very excited about what I call the new wave of creative living: where people find creative living models which strengthen the community spirit (and their personal bank accounts).

One model that is emerging is cooperative housing, where multiple people buy into and manage a house or development. Whilst many associate cooperative housing with the hippy communes of the 60s, new working examples are demonstrating how this model is being embraced by the wider community. At the time of writing this article, I received an unexpected email from a friend containing a link to a recent radio national article on cooperative housing (what a synchronicity!)

You can view the article here:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/saturday/stories/s1471720.htm

Alan Saunders interviewed Mark Snell, from Equilibrium Community Ecology Incorporated who has researched many aspects of affordable housing. To get an idea of how housing cooperatives can work the article uses the example of Moora Moora, a successful housing cooperative in Healesville Victoria that has been running for 30 years.

“Moora Moora is a co-operative which owns 600 acres, and I use acres because there are 60 people there, and so that there’s a notional ratio of one adult to every 10 acres. And fortuitously, across the road there are 10-acre blocks in a sub-division, so there is a cost comparison that we can make. The shareholding in Moora Moora to buy in, and this is for land only, is $14,500. If you look across the road, properties there sell for anywhere up to half a million dollars, depending on what is on the property. But certainly the ratio is somewhere between 10 and 20 times the price that it costs to buy into Moora Moora"

I was fascinated by Moora Moora and had a thorough look through their website. It's a great inspiration. http://mooramoora.org.au/
Drawing inspiration from the Moora Moora community, Mark Snell is currently part of an eco-housing coop in progress on the central coast of NSW. Once the cooperative receives full council and planning approval 100 adults and their children will cooperatively purchase100 acres and build a development with private and shared facilities. The property and development will be collectively managed by the people.

Coops need not only be in rural areas. There are many successful coops in urban USA, see
http://www.americanculturalexpress.com/subpageCCcon3.html
http://coopvillage.coop/index.html
http://coopvillage.coop/hillmanHC/index.html
These coops are mainly apartment buildings owned by all where members have their own apartment and access to a number of shared facilities such as recreation rooms, laundries and gardens. Although the return on investment may not be as high as a commercial building, members at least get their money back if they decide to leave, unlike renting.
I also found a great example of a student housing coop in urban Sydney see http://www.stucco.soc.usyd.edu.au/

These cooperatives demonstrate how people have empowered themselves by setting a vision for how they want to live despite monetary or economic limitations. Housing cooperatives are just one way people are creating affordable housing opportunities but there are many other possibilities. I encourage you to send me your ideas, comments and feedback. Here I hope we can continue to dream up new creative ways of living.

I've Been Tagged, Now you're it!!

2006-08-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

I was “tagged” by Laura to answer this set of questions about books that has been circulating like a meme through blogger cyberspace. My answers will to focus on books with a “downshifting” or “simple living” flavour in line with the theme of this blog.

One book that changed your life?
The Sacred Balance, by David Suzuki. The major eye opener in this book was the chapter on the "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity". I’d never heard of it before, most people haven’t, but Suzuki reveals early in the book that in 1992, leading scientists of the world signed a collective document warning of the consequences of humankind’s unsustainable behaviour, which they called the "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity". The paper focused on the destructive forces at work in all areas of the environment and warned that the world had only a few decades to try to reverse the damage before it became permanent. The leading scientists of the world, including over half of the world’s Nobel Prize winners, signed the document. They are not in the habit of signing such documents. While this document was frightening, the response of the media was even more so because they deemed it not newsworthy and it received no coverage. Nothing at all!!… Still makes my blood boil thinking about it now.

One book you have read more than once?
I read the above book a number of times!!One book you would want on a desert island?A thick blank note books - I’d probably write my own bookOne book that made you laugh?I can’t think of one. I think I’m a sucker for doom and gloom, rather than comedy.

One book that made you cry?
Affluenza, when too much is never enough. By Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss. The book poses the question: "if the economy has been doing so well, why are we not becoming happier?" The authors note that Australia's GDP doubled between 1980 and 2005 but that "it is now well established that once income levels reach a particular threshold further increases do not increase national happiness"

I see so much sadness and drudgery (and an inability to recognize it) in our affluent society. Reading this book made me cry about it.

One book you wish you had written?
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

One book you wish had never been written?
Not sure. Will come back to this one.

One book you are currently reading?
Fire in The Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit by Tom Cowan

One book you've been meaning to read?
COLLAPSE How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, By Jared Diamond (see what I mean about doom and gloom.. but doom and gloom is so interesting!)

Now I'm tagging these lovely bloggers:
http://claytonhoward.blogspot.com/
http://catcanteri.blogspot.com/
http://blog-doodles.blogspot.com/
http://allthingsfilm.blogspot.com/
http://jennifred34.blogspot.com/

My Garden - Before & After

2006-03-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,

My little veggie patch is going so well, I have an abundance of corn, zucchini, tomatoes, lemon grass and much more! There is nothing better than home grown. See the before and after shots below:

Hand made Christmas presents

2005-12-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of the Christmas presents I made this year instead of participating in the consumer madness. I was particularly motivated to make presents this year after working for 2 days in a factory to earn some extra money whilst on holidays from studies. It was an absolutely awful; like working in a concentration camp. No one was allowed to talk, you had to work at lightening speed, on your feet all day (when the job could have easily been done sitting) in a noisy, dusty, negative and
polluted workspace (the print fumes and plastic fumes- terrible!!) One lady made a mistake and the supervisor called everyone into the lunch room and said "if anyone makes a mistake that person is out the door". So I quit. I felt so sad for all those poor exploited factory workers, particularly those working in developing countries who have no other choice but to slave away in these disgusting and inhumane environments to make a whole lot of unnecessary consumer items. Makes me sick! So here are some things I did to lesson my consumer footprint.

I made this picture for my sister. I don’t consider myself a visual artist but I gave it a bash and I think its alright!

This is the “Garbage Monster Mask” (made from rubbish) I made it for my 2 year old nephew Declan. He loves pretending to be a monster and scarring people. We ran around the back yard for half an hour this morning scarring each other and making games up based on the terrible garbage in the world. He was “Eco boy” and I was the terrible garbage monster.

This is a voucher I made for my sister and parents- 2 hours free of my domestic services! I also made vouchers for my baby nephew Liam and my baby niece Alice, entitling them to an original lullaby that I will write and recording within the next 2 weeks.

Here are the Christmas cards I made out of old boxes, leaves and sequins.

From Skank-ness to Abundance - My No-Dig Organic Veggie Garden

2005-12-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

What do you do when you move into a skanky old house, where you have another house in the back yard, and merely a concrete slab/ lawn square separating the two. What do you do when the extra house out the back is one of those gross brown brick 70Â’s AV Jennings base model types.. you know the type that was built during that delirious period of suburban history when people convinced themselves that houses like that seen above were actually nicer than historic terraces or weather board cottages.

What do you do? Build a no-dig veggie garden utilizing permaculture & organic gardening principles. Sound complicated?. itÂ’s not. What you see above is the beginning of what will soon be a luscious veggie garden, with tall tomatoes and corn that will Â– halleluiah - replace the current brick wall view from my kitchen window. As well as the main patch there is a garden bed that we built behind the clothesline. With 3 people, lead by my permaculture savvy friend Dr Chris Williams, this garden was built in just an afternoon and cost only $70 including the mulch and seedlings.

This garden will hardly ever need weeding or watering because it is built with layers of newspaper, cardboard and mulch, which keeps the weeds out and the water in. GardenÂ’s like this are very easy to set up, cost effective and grow fast. Before you know it you know it a horrible back yard can be transformed into a lush living supermarket ready eat and enjoy. WhatÂ’s more they create a sense of natural abundance, which quickly compensates for any feelings of Â“skanky-house-nessÂ”, that you may feel if you live in a set up like mine!

Watch this space to see future photos of my garden.

Wheelchair Benefit - I am playing at this gig

2005-09-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

Minimalism in Music

2005-03-19T00:24:00.000-08:00

There is a joke about Minimalist Music which goes: "Knock knock. Who's there? Knock knock. Who's there? Knock knock. Who's there? Knock knock. Who's there? Philip Glass

If you are familiar with the music of Phillip Glass then you might find this joke rather amusing.

If your not familier with him then let me briefly explain minimalist music and Phillip Glass’s work. First the common definition of minimalist music goes something like this:

Minimal music applies to classical music of the last 45 years which displays some or all of the following features:
repetition (often of short musical phrases, with subtle or gradual variation over long periods of time, possibly with infrequent sudden changes) and/or stasis (often in the form of drones and long tones); emphasis on consonant harmony, if not functional tonality; a constant audible pulse.

Phillip Glass is a well known miminalist composer and film scorer with a distinct and unique sound characterised by the qualities above. He scored films including Godfrey Reggio's experimental documentary film trilogy Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi; Errol Morris' biopic A Brief History of Time (based on Stephen Hawking's popular physics book), Candyman (based on the Clive Barker work) and Martin Scorsese's Kundun.

As a strong advocate of the “Less is More” principal and a student studying music at a tertiary level I was very pleased to discover minimalist music, which supported an inner knowing that less can indeed be more in music.

As much as I appreciate the meanderings in classical music and the “how many notes can I fit into a fraction on a beat?” found in modern Jazz, there is nothing more pleasing to me personally than simplicity and repetition (when used well – not like in top 40) droning, harmony and gradual build ups found in in some contermporary classical music. But many would dissagree.

Music is such a personal thing. I know people who love Glass and others who find it’s repetition very boring. I know people who love Modern Jazz and find rock so simple and underdeveloped it’s almost a waist of time listening to it.

I believe there are reasons for our musical preferences which are based on our individual experience of reality, personality and emotional state. For example, I most liked Glass when my life felt somewhat “unpredictable,” and “messy” To listen to music like Glass was a chance to feel “in tune” and “certain” Although conciously I wasn't thinking about it, in retrospect I can now speculate. Conversely, someone who loves Modern Jazz, might find life too predicable, boring, lacking stimulation, lacking variation etc.. and so in Jazz they find the tangents they have been craving.

The music that I write is fairly “simple” and “repetitive,” I usually describe it as contemporary folk. Although my old piano teacher, who recently heard my CD said it was far from simple and has quite complex harmonies in it. I’m not exactly sure I agree, but she’s more an expert than me.

I believe there is a huge scope for simple music in today’s world. Not just minimalist music but, the good old, folk, country and roots music has a great potential to help people. It seems that most people live chaotic and stressful lives and need something that brings them back to basics. I believe this is why popular music is more simple in it’s structure than classical. Classical flourished when times were simple, now simple flourishes when times are complex.

This may seem a very simplistic analysis but then again simple is what this blog is all about isn’t it?

Less is More Christmas

2005-01-04T01:55:00.000-08:00

Two weeks before Christmas, with the consumer frenzy nearing it’s peak, I pondered on Christmas and wondered how I could renounce the evils of consumerism yet still give thoughtful, economical and environmentally friendly gifts to family members; sustainable treasures at pov prices.

After some initial brainstorming I had ruled out some obvious choices such as, bags of home made edible delights- chai tea, organic Christmas pudding, cookies etc… although this would have been ideal for work colleagues I couldn’t bring myself to give Chai to my parents, who would be buying me a bike, or to my sisters, who would be giving me funky new tops or bookshop vouchers. Edible gifts didn’t even suit my grandparents, who are always watching their weight and limiting sugar intake.

It was easy to come up with plenty of economical gifts, like I new for example, that Big W had super cheap bestseller books, or that “Valley Girl” a clothing stall near work had tops as cheap as $7. But they didn’t pass the test of “eco-friendly” nor did they adequately repel the evils of third world factory slavery.

The other difficult part of the equation was that I wanted to give my family gifts they would actually like. Just because I would appreciate a big bag of Chai or some eco-friendly hemp shampoo, doesn’t mean they would. Sure they support, the principles I am discussing on this blog but they wouldn’t go as far as not buying stuff from multinational companies who use salve labor.

Then a good idea came to me. Why not give Dad his own very special web blog? Perfect. Dad had done a lot of writing (long emails to friends, presentations for his philosophy group etc) without realizing they were really “blog posts in progress.” So I asked Dad to send me a selection of his pieces of writing (including emails) and said it was for a “Christmas Project” but didn’t reveal anything further.

With Dad’s keen interest in science, philosophy and religion the title of this new blog seemed obvious:

“Lindsay’s Lobes.”

http://lindsaylobe.blogspot.com

And the sub title even more fitting–

I have no control over the writing that appears on this site. It is simply my highly developed frontal lobes that are responsible.

I simply started the ball rolling for dad by posting several pieces, creating a profile, and choosing a visual template. Now 9 days after Christmas, dad has about 8 comments on his blog, a few new cyber friends from New York and a safe place to store all his thoughts, reflections and ideas. I’m fairly confident that Dad liked his Christmas present this year. I did, however give him 3 golf balls as well, just as a back up in case he didn’t like it.

For the others I created, the Byrnes family (and in-laws) great works book. Via email I got each family member to answer several silly questions, such as if you had 20 billion dollars what would you do with your time? and requested a piece of writing/art/ thing of interest that they had created. The finished piece was a collection of interesting “creations” including photographs, short stories, facts and profiles.

The original idea was to make the book look great and colourful, with pictures of the family, drawings and decorations, but the cost of colour photocopying was excessive so I decided to print the book at work in black and white instead.

Since I was so disappointed about the expense of colour photocopying I ended up buying each person an affordable consumer gift also including $7 tops from Valley Girl, quite possibly the most evil of all factory slaved goods. However, you must forgive me, it was a compromise between my values and the tastes and wishes of my parents and sisters.

Please, if you know of a shop called “Eco Girl” or “Hemp Girl” let me know and I will go there next Christmas.

If by some bizarre chance you are an owner of a hemp clothing shop please… I beg you.., do a short course in fashion, and perhaps a hold a few focus groups because WE DON”T WANT TO PAY $100 TO WEAR A SHIRT THAT LOOKS LIKE A HESSIAN BAG.

Email Fraud

2004-10-27T23:25:00.000-07:00

Do you receive those delirious fraudulent emails about bogus lotteries or confidential account transactions that will help an Africa man claim a bequest? ..or the one’s from your bank (yeah right) asking you to update your online banking details otherwise they will shut your account down?

I receive loads of them. About 10 a day. They are hilarious. I’m not sure if the creators of these email scams or viruses know how entertaining their emails are. I thought I would help them out a bit by drafting something that appeals to all target audiences. What do you think? Would you respond to this email?…..

Greetings friend,

I hope this message reaches you in good time. You have won $1,000,0000. in a random email lottery. That’s right! You are winner!

My name is Mr James Subabini of the late Gorden Subabini, director of United South Airlines. Due to an airline accident my father was unable to claim his bank account and left a large sum of money to my sister Jessie Subabini.

By the way I am also known by other names such as Mr Ronald Habib of the late Sir Rodof Habib, Dr Simeon Nofulkini of the late Samuel Nofukini and Mr Sundara Corposistal personal assistant of Marc Ickster, Managing Director of a large logistics company. (In case you have received my earlier emails)

As I am the rightful benefactor I would like to claim my money but due to a corrupt government I am unable to touch this money. I need your help to overcome this corruption. But first I would like to open the attached document that is very “important”

Also, did I mention that you have an e-card from James Smith waiting for you at e-cardo.com click here to download.

You might think it strange that you have won the lottery and that I also ask for your help with a confidential bank transaction that will entitle you to another $1,000,000 but believe me, it’s not strange. Not at all. Nothing to be suspicious about here. I of many names deserve your perfect trust.

Furthermore, I have several jobs at the following banks: Westpac, ING, Citybank, commonwealth and National Australia Bank. Since I am emailing you about my father I thought it would be a good opportunity to mention that you need to update your customer details on our web site. Please click here and update your details otherwise we will shut down your account due to fraud.

If any of this doesn’t make sense to you please email me your bank details and I will deduct $20 and send you a complete instructions manual for this small fee detailing how to claim your lottery prize.

Please help my father.

Yours truly

James Subabini
Ronald Habib
Simeon Nofulkini
Sundara Corposist
Westpac
ING
Citybank
commonwealth
National Australia Bank
E lottery
United South Airlines
E Cardo .com

Affluenza – when too much is never enough

2004-09-05T23:54:00.000-07:00

Hello readers,

I started writing a song last night called "Affluenza - when too much is never enough". It's still a work in progress and I will add to the lyrics, but I had to post it up here becuase I'm pretty excited about it!

This culture is obsessed with bigger, better, newer stuff
And somehow too much never seems to be enough
So many people behaving like brainwashed zombies
saying “My car is so last year I need a new Jeep Cherokee”

We are earning three times what we did in the 1950s
But it's well documented that we are no more happy
We could be working half the time with a life that’s leisurely
But instead we work like dogs to buy the latest plasma screen

Or a fridge that play’s DVD’s
Or a gold plated toilet seat
Or a fancy dress made in slavery
Or a golden goose daddy

Affluenza

If you do the sums you’ll see that less can be more
For what good is a high salary if your so time poor
The only reason why you’re buying so many material things
Is because your life is void of simply rich living

Allfuenza Allfuenza

Sickens me
With foul air that I do not want to breath
And tacky malls I’d rather not see
And politics bathed in deceit

Are you addicted to retail therapy?
Do you refuse to admit that you’re unhappy ?
Buy your way into an affuenzic sleep?
Wake up and smell the coffee

Flushing sustainable down the Toilet

2004-09-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, when working as a project officer for Green Living Australis, (GLA) an environmental organisation that promotes sustainable living, it never occurred to me to use their newsletter as toilet paper. But last Thursday a strange set of circumstances led to this shameful, yet sustainable act.

It wasn't something I set out to do. I didn't say to myself "how can I save money on toilet paper" or "what is the most sustainable and low cost toilet paper option?" No, if I had have asked my self these questions I would have surely considered how thick and rough GLA news was and thought longer and harder for a more suitable medium (for example, buying the SAFE brand of toilet paper in bulk) But toilet paper has never really been something I have spent much time thinking about until recently, one cold night, when I ran out of toilet paper.

As Murphy's law would ensure I ran out of toilet paper late at night, when all the local shops were shut. I don't buy napkins, tissues or paper towel so they weren't an option. I was busting and had to think quickly. I heard my grandmothers voice. We used to use newspaper in the old days. I checked my newspaper pile but the box was empty, I remember that I had put the papers out for recycling the day before. I checked the letterbox hoping that there was a local paper in there. Instead I found GLA news. Thick stock, 100% recycled. Could I really do it? The faces of old colleagues stared back at me. Page 1, the Politics of Plastic Bags by Sandra Smith. Come on Sandra let me do it, in the name of "super sustainability" - hail to reduce reuse recycle!

I ripped the newsletter up into pieces and I did what few others would do.

Three days later GLA news still sits on the toilet floor reminding me of how far I have gone. Reminding me that perhaps I've gone too far. It's really time to buy some toilet paper. Ahh the luxury. I can't wait.

Counter

2004-09-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

Free Counters

Helping desperate people for over 48 years

2004-08-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

Povo Fortune Telling.

I was reading "Indian Voice" yesterday; an independent newspaper produced for the Indian community in Victoria and noticed a full colour, full page advertisement which read:

Sabin Maharaja
Established in London for over 48 years.
100% guaranteed success
Helping desperate people for over 48 years
Sahib Maharaja’s name is a guarantee to cure black magic and evil spirits in 72 hours.
Sahib Maharaja’s name is a guarantee to solve all your problems forever
Call London on .......

It’s mind boggling to think that anyone would actually respond to this advertisement! Are they drawn by that fact that Sahib’s name is a guarantee (not his work) but his name to “cure” all your problems? Or is it the fact that he has been living in London for 48 years?

Maybe, I could adopt this mastermind method and make some quick cash:

Mrs Povo
Alive for more than 25 years
Her name a guarantee to solve all your problems for ever since she has over 25 years experience being alive in Melbourne.

Do you think anyone would bite the carrot?

I find all this fortune telling stuff most bizarre. Of course, not all the tarot readers, palmists, clairvoyants and the like make such bogus claims, but still the basic premises is the same “give me stacks of cash and I’ll predict your future.”

I’m not saying I think fortune telling is complete rubbish. We all have our stories to tell of predictions and phenomena we can’t explain. I just think for POVO’s it’s a waste of money. Even if you do find a fortune teller who has a rare gift, it’s usually not in one’s best interest to know anyway. If the future is set in stone then knowing about it ain’t gonna change a thing.

My advice to all povo’s who can’t contain their fortune telling urges is this (Povo tip for the day)

Get a coin. Structure a question so that it can be answered with either a yes or no and flip the coin. Heads means yes, tales means no. It’s really that simple! (and you can keep the coin!)

There are some things that money can't buy...but for everything else there's VISA

2004-08-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

You've seen the ad on TV. Clever slogan huh? But the problem with the slogan is that VISA isn't MONEY. It's the illusion of money. An illusion that has created vicious cycles of debt millions world-wide.

One of the most important principals of POVO world is to live simply and therefore eliminating the need for debt. If you are a povo with a credit card...please cut it up immediately and go and get a VISA debit card. What's a Visa debit card..isn't that an oxy moron? No. It's actually a marvellous tool that Mr C introduced me to a year ago. It's similar to an eftpos card in that it uses money directly from your bank account, but unlike an ettpos card VISA debit cards allow you to use the card as if it were a credit card. So in other words you can sign for your groceries, pay for flights online or purchase tickets to the opera over the phone (the povo local amateurs players opera that is) and what's more there are no fees!

But that's not the best thing about VISA debit cards. The best thing about them... the buzz I still haven't got over yet.... is that they allow you to be a complete fraud and get away with it! I love that classic moment where you're about to pay for a purchase and you say "that'll be on...cough cough.. CREDIT... thanks." an inside your sniggering to yourself because you know the truth. Then you blow the minds of the people in line behind you, who think your a skanky feral, as you put on a really posh accent and say "Yes I'm clocking up the CREDIT again, nevermind, my shares are going so well this month."

Thanks Visa Debit, you have allowed me to live the "illusion" of having stacks of cash without the pain of credit card payments!

POVO TIP: Visa Debit cards are not available at all banks. Don't listen to the customer service person at ANZ who says they don't exist (whilst trying to sell you a credit card) They do exist and you can get one at the Bank of Melbourne (now Westpac), St George Bank and most building societies.

I have less and more - Povo Affirmations

2004-08-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

"I have less and more... I have less and more... I have less and more"

Visit the new age section of your local bookstore and you will find hundreds of books on positive affirmations. Books like "You can Heal your Life" by Louise Hay and "Affirmation ABC" say that the key to happiness is to affirm what you want and keep affirming it until it happens. So for example, if I want a new job, I affirm, "I have a new job", over and over until I get one.

When a friend introduced me to this method a few years ago my immediate response was "So what if I affirm that I'm a pink elephant... or Elvis?" then I fired "Where does one draw the line? If affirmations work then is it only within the realm of 'what's possible' and if that's the case who determines what is possible? The voice of reason? but isn't that subjective?" My friend laughed and said, "you are so bloody challenging" (That was her positive affirmation way of saying 'piss off and don't ask me difficult questions')

Let's look at an example. Say I affirm to have loads of cash (and thus no longer be a povo) I would need to spend loads of money in order to be consistent with my "affirmation" that "I have loads of cash". Because if I didn't I wouldn't really believe in what I was saying. So then I stuff my povo habits, spend up big and then.... opps.... I can't pay my rent...

How does one deal with the contradictions? I have loads of cash but my car is a heap of crap and I can't pay the rent? Apparently the subconscious is supposed to believe the affirmation. Interesting idea, but I feel sorry for all those subconsciouses that are being fed all these contradictions! What are they meant to conclude? Maybe they conclude " I have less but I have more" Wow, that's so Neo-Zen! I've had an epiphany! I have less but I have more.

crazy backwards mp3

2004-02-24T07:56:00.000-08:00

Click here to hear this crazy mp3 improv i did today
Need a drum loop? 99999