shibumi.net

The move toward zero waste is progressing. The goal for our household from March 15 to April 15 was one small bag. Lisa and I made it to April 30th before needing to empty. Six weeks!

We are raising the bar and aiming for one bag in two months. Our carbon neutral wedding is coming up in a month which may add up as we can’t control what people bring for gifts. We have asked that there be no wrapping or creative recycled wrapping at most. Packaging is still the primary contributor to our waste and is extremely difficult to get away from. We have been buying more items bulk and bringing our own bags which has taken a little retraining but has been effective in reducing packaging waste. I also learned how to make phad thai seasoning from scratch this month so I don’t have to buy it in packages anymore. If anyone wants the recipie leave a comment and I’ll post it.

To keep everything foul out of the garbage, all vegetable waste, paper scraps, receipts and dust get composted. To deal with a chicken carcas after it was boiled to make chicken broth, I tossed it in the blender with some water and turned it into a liquid paste that would rapidly compost in the outside bin while not attracting vermin.

I’m Not Dead Yet (INDY)! 10 years ago today I had a run-in with gravity on my newly built slalom racing Stumpjumper. I was chasing the dream of being a pro mountain biker and adrenalin powered extreme athelete. After echoing “fuck it, what’s the worst that could happen”; my last words as a temporarily able bodied (TAB) 21 year old, I was unforgivingly handed the opportunity to master wheelchair pose. Overshooting my intended landing zone, I came down on my chest, crushing the fifth and sixth thorasic vetebra (just below my chest) and spinal cord.

Fast forward 10 years. Vancouver, May 7th, 2007. Not so adrenalin powered anymore. Organics and yoga have replaced adrenalin as the fuel of choice. I’m still sitting down, a spiritual seeker, java web geek, sustainablity, climate change, peak oil, zero waste, urban homesteading fanatic. I’m quickly approaching my last days as a unmarried man. On June 9th I’ll to be married to Lisa.

Living without the use and cooperation of my lower extremeties continues to be a relentless and terse teacher but also a great catalyst of personal, emotional and spiritual growth. There are no days off and every day brings its struggles and frustrations but also deeper levels of truth and awareness. With this awarness I sense a responsibility to act on what I contemplate and see. It feels as if I am being prepared for role of service to humanity and a steward to the environment. My most challening personal stuggles appear to be won as I am now being guided to serve in a larger context at the dawn of the Aquarian Age.

I look forward to the changes and challenges that the next ten years of wheelchair pose will bring.

Justin