Mar. 1st - Weekly Buy Nothing Day

I would usually post something here about how I enjoy taking a break from perpetual purchasing. I would tell you that I use these days to really appreciate what I already have. I would tell you all to strive to do the same...

Well, today I was sick and I haven't left the house. All I've done is sleep. I have no thoughts other than, where's my damn tea!

I'll catch up on reviews this weekend. Head on over to the minute if you miss me that much.

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Feb. 9th - Weekly Buy Nothing Day

I'm a bit on the broke side and I have a lot of reviews to catch up on from my trip to New York. What a perfect time for a Buy Nothing Day. I think 2007 is going to be a year of savings for me. Not only do I desire to curb my spontaneous consumption, but I need to start thinking about what kind of future I want to carve out for myself. This isn't so much of a scary thought than an uncomfortable thought. I'm pretty much a day-to-day guy. Certain things have been neglected, however. Like going to the dentist, for instance... That really needs to get done. And with no dental insurance, saving is a good skill to master.

Anyway, if you need something to keep you occupied for a minute... Why not check out my new Videoblog (which just ended its third week), The Consumatron Minute. Five days a week, one minute a day. How much crap can I cram into a minute? Here's an example:

See more over at Consumatron.net!

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Jan. 21st - Buy Nothing Day (unintentional)

I had some leftovers this morning and about a pot of coffee all to myself. What more could a guy ask for? How about a dinner at Francesca's Forno, courtesy of my amazing girlfriend? Hope you all had a good weekend.

New horizons tomorrow.

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Jan. 19th - Weekly Buy Nothing Day - Last Cigarette

I wish I could say that I refrained from consumerism today solely because I wanted to take a break from it all. The truth is, I have been wrapped in a blanket and unconscious most of the day due to the ultra hot flu that seems to be so stylin' these days.

I'm not here to complain, though. Because if I did, I'd probably go on for at least a few paragraphs about how I smoked my last cigarette today and how nice it would be to have one with a glass of Scotch right about now ('now' being the moment in time I feel as if I will slip, once again, into sweaty slumber).

I told you at the beginning of the year that there were a few projects in the works here at Consumatron central... Well, one of those projects has been pushed back and will have to wait until a later date, but another project just got pushed up.

Just watch me smoke my last cigarette and I'll try to explain:
Neat huh? I'm not sure how regularly I will update The Consumatron Minute, but I have already shot and edited the first three episodes (I get stuff done between naps when I'm sick...what can I say). First episode airs on Monday. Let me know what you think.

Okay... back to bed.

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Jan. 12th - Weekly Buy Nothing Day

Worked. Walked. Talked.

I want to start using these Weekly Buy Nothing Days as days of creation as well as reflection.

I suppose the best way to do that is to stop talking about it and ju.....

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Jan 5th - Weekly Buy Nothing Day

Holy crap! I didn't accrue any debt on my credit cards this holiday season! That's friggin' amazing! Maybe all of those buy nothing days paid off!

Well, today is another one of those days. No spending for me today. Instead, I'm taking stock of what I already have and enjoying the friends around me. No debts incurred.

For those of you who are new to Consumatron, or if you just need a refresher on what Buy Nothing Day is all about, you can read the Adbusters campaign site and think of me as an anti-capitalist pinko or let me give you the explain-it-to-me-like-I'm-a-three-year-old explanation:

I think people place too much emphasis on shopping as leisure activity and compulsive behavior. I believe we can all live on a lot less than we do. I also believe that we all have more than we consciously think we do. Fun is not only predicated by economic activity and amount of toys. Therefore, I like to take a day out and just enjoy what I have around me and see what kind of creativity stems from voluntary resistance.

Today, I will work and walk and read and think. My roommate and I have been discussing recycled art projects like the bowls I made from old records (pictured above). Maybe we will weed through our massive music collection a bit more and see what else we can come up with. What will you do?

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Weekly Buy Nothing Day - Happy New Year!

Today is a Buy Nothing Day. Probably the last one of the year. This will probably also be the last post of the year. I'm hosting a small New Year's Party as well as The Human Baton (aka Running Fool) from the Ze Frank forums on Sunday.

I hope you all had a great 2006! Thanks for sticking with me, commenting, e-mailing, participating.

Happy New Year!

Reviews resume on Jan. 2nd.

I'm not the kind of guy who makes a whole lot of resolutions, but it seems like I have quite a few this year. Some of my resolutions:

-To quit buying cigarettes (see that I didn't say quit smoking... because we all know that's a lie... this way I either have to bum one or wait for the charity of a friend. Luckily, my roommate bought me a carton for Christmas... ) . I want to quit smoking by the time I'm thirty and stop giving my money to the tobacco industry (as well as those Truth.com ads that never tell me anything I don't already know).

-Save money (see above) so I can travel more and fund more interesting projects.

-Finish book and tour it, even if it means reading in front of crowds of one persons (more on this soon).

-Lose the winter gut

-Update/expand Consumatron.com with varied content such as video, contests, etc... (keep an eye on the forum for more info)

-Communicate more with you.

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