During Creative Nonfiction class at Victoria University (VU) with the wonderfully inclusive teacher and writer, Michelle Fincke, one of our assignments was to write for something for Weekend Notes. We learnt about writing listicles and blog posts (Like, short articles, which, for a verbose writer, and rarely a concise one, was a challenge!) and we practised writing news … [Read more...] about 10 Uses for Foil
Outgassing...
Sealing Chipboard in the Kitchen (with Foil)
This is one of the first articles I wrote as a chemically sensitive patient back in 2006. I'd been sensitive to chemicals for only two years; and I thought I was so clever when we discovered a way to seal in the formaldehyde fumes coming from the brand new kitchen cabinets. (Over the next few days I have some more posts on aluminium foil and it's uses for people sensitive to … [Read more...] about Sealing Chipboard in the Kitchen (with Foil)
Bicarb from a Chemist or the Supermarket?
What is The Difference Between Bicarbonate of Soda Bought from a Chemist and Bicarb Bought In Supermarkets? Answer: There is no difference. All of the bicarb will be about as useful as a wet organic cotton sock used as a beanie during a winter storm while stuck on Mt Everest. Bicarbonate of soda is made to absorb chemicals, odours and air particle residues. It was used in … [Read more...] about Bicarb from a Chemist or the Supermarket?
This One Weird Thing…
There's this one weird thing that I've been doing this year. Here it is: I know, some of you can understand why I do this just by looking at that photo; but for those who think it's just plain wacky, I agree, because that's how I felt too. The first few times I did this, I felt overly self-conscious and a bit 'wacky' about the way it may be perceived. Maybe people … [Read more...] about This One Weird Thing…
Holding Clothing Clothing Companies Accountable
Can we do that? Hold companies accountable for their actions? Especially, now that many outsource the manufacturing of their products to places like China, where there are very low standards for the types of chemicals used. I'm no expert on clothing manufacturing—lip balm and soap, yes—or chemical standards either, for that matter, but, like most mums (and dads), and people who … [Read more...] about Holding Clothing Clothing Companies Accountable