Friday, December 4, 2009

Recycling Bicycles

This is an idea for one of those programs where they set up small industry in poorer regions to help break the poverty cycle in either government initiatives or charitable organisations.
If you set up a small tin smelt (like a blacksmiths) with all the moulds for a bicycle, you could get the local youth to gather up tin cans or aluminium cans in exchange for a bicycle, made from the gathered tin. They could gather enough for there own bike, as well as enough for another bike, so the recycling business can sell that one for profit. The person can do that as much as (s)he wants, giving or selling the ones they make spare. There could also where they get a certain amount of cash for their cans if they don't want a bike, have a bike and want to keep gathering. Also, buying back their second bike etc. could be a way to do it. That way the furnace can afford fuel for the smelting, and also maintaining the equipment. They could also make other things as well, of course. Such as helmets. Or jewellery.
Of course, you could also teach smelting and blacksmithing for the extra keen. It would probably break even, but its the brownie points of feel goods that are the profits here.

One liners

If there's dragonflies around there must be dragons nearby.

A beach is the Creator's blank page between the ocean and the land.

The macro reflects the micro, the inner the outer, and visa versa.

If you prevent women from fulfilling their own ambitions, they are forced to fulfill them through their men.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Waking Up Sleepy

If you live with someone who takes their time waking up, needing frequent prods and reminders, such as a child, parent, or teenager, it can be time consuming with nagging and resentment a bad way to start the day. This is an easy solution that is quite funny. It isn't pleasant for the reciprocant, but it works.
The night before, or, if you forget, in the morning for half an hour or so, freeze some marbles. Then, after you have woken them up and they have snuggled down again, pour the frozen marbles into their bed. Wherever they roll, ice cold marbles will follow, making going back to sleep impossible. Hilarious!