Completed Task: 67. Recycle As Much As Possible.
In the land of recycling, i.e. the Netherlands, it wasn’t too hard to make progress with this task. However there were a few changes that I made to ensure that my recycling was as efficient as possible:
1. Paper Recycling – I now have a box in the front room for all the paper that needs to be recycled and I empty it about weekly at the paper recycling station.
2. Glass Recycling – I also created a location in the outdoor hall to store all the glass until I take it down to the glass recycling station.
3. Water Recycling – I have started using the water that comes from the dryer for watering the plants in the house. This way it doesn’t just get thrown out and the plants stay happy.
4. Book Recycling – If I don’t want to keep a book any longer, I first offer it up for re-homing to my family and friends. Then I will donate them to the library if there are no takers.
5. Clothes Recycling – Any extra clothes or linens are donated to the clothes bank.
6. Stuff Recycling – For all other things that I no longer want and can not find a new home for (via friends, marktplaats, etc) then I either take it to the recycling center (if it is not really worth keeping further) or save it for the next Queens Day, when I can try and sell it at the open market.
Completed Task: 44. Add and Update All My Books in LibraryThing
One of the websites that I got from that original 101 list that I stumbled upon was LibraryThing. Of all the websites I found, I think this may be my favourite. Ages ago I used to keep all of the books I owned, even to the point where I was keeping books because I was trying to get all from a certain author even though I knew I would never read the book again. Somewhere down the line I realised that this was very silly, to me at least, as I had all these books I would never read again and therefore less space to bring in all those wonderful books that are published each and every day.
I know this is a big bone of contention for some people, with many people wanting a record of all the books they have read. So this is where LibraryThing is a great invention. On one site you are able to catalogue all of your books and write reviews, rate them, get suggestions from other readers or even join groups. Membership is free for up to 200 books and then is only $25 for life-time membership allowing you to input as many books as you would like.
I am now a life-time member and have pretty much all of the books I own on there, including loads that I have now read and given away, allowing me to keep track of all the books that pass through my life – it’s just a shame that I didn’t know about it sooner!
Also a quick word on giving away books…I don’t ever throw my books into the rubbish and I am a bit adverse to give them to charity shops as I have heard that if they don’t sell them or run out of space they dump them in the bin. If you are like me or have decided you want to turn over a new leaf and not keep as many books then can I recommend the following for you, there are many more similar sites available as well – just do a google search.
Ways to Get Rid of Books Without Throwing Them Away
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Try the local library – they will almost always accept donations and if they don’t need your book they will sell it for a small price to the community.
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BookCrossing- release those books into society and track them online to see where they end up.
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Bookhopper – Let those books just hop away. Don’t see your country on the list? Be a leader and set it up!
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Book Swapping Sites – There are loads of these, different for each area – just search!
My 101 List
In December 2007, while surfing the Internet, I came across a random 101 list. Firstly, from this 101 list I found out about a number of interesting ideas, websites and projects to take part in. Secondly I learned all about the world of 101 in 1001.
The Mission:
Complete 101 pre-set tasks in a period of 1001 days. See Day Zero for more information.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
I never did find that 101 list again but I am glad that I stumbled across it as I have gained a lot from it. As have my many friends and family members that have gone on to create their own 101 in 1001.
Below is my 101 list which started on January 1st 2008 and is set to finish on September 28th 2010.
1. Complete 101 list.
2. Learn Dutch well enough to pass the Dutch exams.
3. Complete my masters degree.
4. Complete the 50 Book Challenge.
5. Maintain a blog that people enjoy reading.
6. Complete Dream Director.
7. Make DVDs of my digital photos.
8. Scrapbook
9. Take a last minute city break.
10. See an Einaudi concert in Rome.
11. Go on a horseback riding holiday.
12. Learn about wine tasting.
13. Take a hot-air balloon ride.
14. Take a walk in the rain.
15. Sleep under the stars.
16. Learn to play a song on the piano.
17. Organise the basement.
18. Finish the guest room.
19. Explore every region of Holland.
20. Send a message in a bottle.
21. Visit all 7 continents.
22. Learn to touch type (officially).
23. Swim with dolphins.
24. Fly a kite.
25. Milk a cow.
26. See a monkey in the wild.
27. Make a photo album for a loved one.
28. Send a handwritten letter each month for at least a year.
29. Pick apples.
30. Make space cake.
31. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
32. Invest in the stock market.
33. Complete a 1000 piece puzzle.
34. Sponsor a child.
35. Raise money for charity.
36. Overcome a fear.
37. Stay overnight in a haunted location.
38. Write a book.
39. Go into a library, randomly select a book and read it.
40. Start my own strange holiday.
41. Learn to solve a rubiks cube.
42. Complete the 26 Things Scavanger Hunt.
43. Participate in PostCrossing.
44. Add and update all my books in LibraryThing.
45. Learn my mobile phone number.
46. Pull off an April Fools Prank.
47. Give a homeless person an Xmas gift.
48. Buy a stranger something from their Amazon wishlist.
49. Find my signature dish.
50. Celebrate my half birthday.
51. See the Northern Lights (again).
52. Do up the balcony.
53. Build up to drinking eight glasses of water a day.
54. Purchase and take care of a plant for downstairs.
55. Learn how to knit.
56. Work on my Chinese brush painting.
57. Cycle once a week (at least).
58. Organize (and keep it that way) the house.
59. Take more pictures.
60. Volunteer
61. Complete scuba diving training.
62. Attend a Tony Robbins Seminar.
63. Organize I-tunes music.
64. Make use of my BlueMountain.com membership.
65. Get Christmas and birthday gifts organised early.
66. Turn off the lights when not using them.
67. Recycle as much as possible.
68. Buy fruit and veg from the local farm rather than in the shop.
69. Take an open learning course.
70. Makeover my commute.
71. Eat my lunch outside.
72. Resolve OU complaint.
73. Take vitamins/minerals every day for a month (hopefully by then it will be a habit).
74. Do a DIY mask/facial once a week.
75. Complete Moodgym.
76. Complete a community challenge.
77. Locate an old friend and keep in touch.
78. Buy the wine of the month for a year, learn about the wine and appreciate drinking it.
79. Visit Vinopolis.
80. Go to Euro Disney.
81. Take a trip with The Adventure Company.
82. Visit all the zoos in the Netherlands.
83. Get healthy.
84. Deal with all post the moment it comes through the door.
85. Keep a wine journal.
86. Enter a photo competition.
87. Visit a monastery.
88. Try a new restaurant in Rotterdam.
89. Try pottery.
90. Throw a dinner party.
91. Try archery.
92. Go cave diving.
93. Make an art sculpture.
94. Go to a concert.
95. Learn to use photoshop.
96. Go have a top notch haircut.
97. Make a ship in a bottle.
98. View a property that is way out of my price range.
99. Visit a candle factory.
100. Try to break a strange world record.
101. Try glass blowing.
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Recent
- Completed Task: 46. Pull off an April Fools Prank.
- Completed Task: 94. Go to a concert.
- Completed Task: 77. Locate an old friend and keep in touch.
- Completed Task: 41. Learn to solve a rubik’s cube.
- Completed Task: 6. Complete Dream Director.
- Completed Task: 42. Complete the 26 Things Scavanger Hunt.
- Completed Task: 72. Resolve OU complaint
- Completed Task: 47. Give A Homeless Person An Xmas Gift.
- Completed Task: 95. Learn To Use Photoshop.
- Completed Task: 88. Try A New Restaurant In Rotterdam
- Completed Task: 84. Deal With All Post The Moment It Comes Through The Door.
- Completed Task: 70. Makeover My Commute.
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