In grade school, it seemed our skills were measured against state and national standards constantly. When I was in first grade, someone decided that one of these tests would determine which few students from "normal" city schools would be allowed to choose any specialty school that struck their fancy. I was selected, and, given the list - arts, music, language immersion - I chose the environmental school (rather perversely, it being the farthest from home). And there, in the three years I attended, was born my obsession with waste reuse and recycling. During this period my family lost one member and grew increasingly poor, and the making or reworking vs. buying instinct was necessarily put straight to work.

It still shocks me how much waste our little household of two generates, even though we faithfully recycle all paper, plastic, metal, and glass. I've been a staunch materials reuser through the years, but I believe I could do so even more creatively. This will be a journal of my attempt.