Green Freebies

Not sure about Kevin but Izzie's been having a reasonably green day
Started all cranky and grumpy. Been a bit crazy since Tuesday - quite likely the onset of really nasty icky sticky hot and horrid weather but that cleared up yesterday and the Izzie mood didn't . There's also the possibility that the serpent has accidently tweeked the time turner and ended up in this week of December but back in 2001. The days and dates are the same after all and that was one seriously creepy week.

But slinking about online seems to have shaken the cobwebs off. And once again the lazy Izzie has been procrastinating. Should have been counting this week's beans or at least catching up on unfinished assignments and stuff but it's now near the witching hour and the Iz has been up since 5.30 this morning

Never did make it to Fremantle yesterday. Had the best of intentions. Would bring the Preciousss to Petunia's place and download those pictures and then leave around 2pm at the latest to catch the bus. But ended up lurking a lot longer than expected. Turned out just as well. Got back to the Lair around 6pm just in time to catch the phone ringing. Turned out to be the folks from Ecosmart - the company doing an energy audit on behalf of the local council. Izzie had volunteered to be part of their evil green project way back in August or so and the audit folks were supposed to have come around in October but there had been no trace of them

Was sure that we'd given them an email address but apparently not. They'd tried quite a few times to catch this slippery serpent but she's never at home to answer the phone
So arranged an appointment for 1.30pm today. The termite man would also be coming this afternoon so it was most convenient indeed

He brought a few freebies such as those funny new squiggly bulbs, a thermometer and that stupid 'climate clever' government brochure. They also have water efficient shower heads but no point in getting one of those when we already got one installed.
Unlike Vernon and Petunia who never miss a chance to sneer at our weeds, he rather liked the Izzie garden - especially the pretty purple globe artichoke flowers. Most folks eat them long before they ever get that pretty

Part of this project includes looking at a year's worth of energy and water bills and asking various questions and things in order to come up with suggestions for saving water, electricity and gas
Got 5 stars on the gas and electricity front in spite of a big fat 1950's refrigerator that just gobbles the stuff. But got no dishwasher, dryer, plasma tv or the biggest baddest of all - airconditioning and the water is heated by gas so that is very efficient
But on the water front was a big fat zero. That's no surprise. Will have to get back in the habit of reading the meter regularly in order to see if there really is a leak. It was certainly turning during those 4 days away which seems most strange indeed

They'll send us a written report full of suggestions within a week or so. Getting a new front garden tap might be rather high on the agenda
He then pushed a cynical Izzie button by asking if we were interested in going carbon neutral. Made no secret of the fact that we think it's all a bit of a con and just another goblin racket. Would much rather do it ourselves than outsource such stuff. Anyway - Izzie's offset bill according to his calculations would be an exceedingly outrageous 14 silver sickles for the year!
It is true that in this part of Oz the carbon neutral scheme is run by Men of the Trees who are quite kosher (and actually go to great lengths to keep the trees they plant alive) but just the whole idea sucks. Reminds Izzie of the good old fashioned Catholic indulgences. The penny drops in the hat and the soul pops out of purgatory.

Is funny how all these things happen at once. Came back from work on that ickie sticky Tuesday evening to find some strange objects in front of the door. One was a curly green spiral gadget and the other a wire framed gadget that folds out to form a square - an interesting alternative to compost making than the usual green or black anaerobic bins.
There was a little card attached - turned out to be a prize from the local council. Must have been from filling in one of their surveys at the compost and worm farm workshop back in late October

It is so so strange. It seems so true that once you make a decision to do something, all sorts of unexpected events occur that lead you in the direction of your goal
Now the big question remains. Will the Izzie have some pretty panels on her roof in time to celebrate the summer solstice? Really should ring to ask how long it will take to get to the top of the queue. Will take a guess at the end of January

Must make a rainwater tank the next item on the agenda and see what interesting coincidences occur
Was going to visit City Farm tomorrow but will just slink about in the Lair instead and plant some of those seedses that should have been done today. Got to make the most of the moon