I stumbled onto the 30 Days of Good series while on Tumblr. I’ve only been poking around the website for a few minutes, but Good seems to be an online magazine/blog that covers the usual news topics but with an emphasis on “doing good.” From their site:

What Is GOOD?

In a world where things too often don’t work, GOOD seeks a path that does. Left, right. In, out. Greed, altruism. Us, them. These are the defaults and they are broken. We are the alternative model. We are the reasonable people who give a damn. No dogma. No party lines. No borders. We care about what works–what is sustainable, prosperous, productive, creative, and just–for all of us and each of us. This isn’t easy, but we are not afraid to fail. We’ll figure it out as we go.

Call it a new party, call it a 21st century collaboration, call it an army, call it your new home. Or just call it GOOD.

We are people, businesses, moms, kids, artists, organizations, policymakers, students, teachers, and engineers. All united in one simple idea, each elevated by being connected. Let’s do what works and never default to what doesn’t. Join us, and together we’ll power what works.

In July, a series called “30 Days of Good” will focus on DIY projects and skills. In June they covered cooking and making your own meals.

As this dovetails nicely with my “Self-Sufficient Summer”, I will be following their series and maybe I’ll be inspired to tackle more DIY projects around the house.

And if you plan to join in, don’t forget to include the #30daysofgood hashtag in your tweets!

In an effort to save money and continue to learn useful skills, I’m looking for ways to depend more on myself (for problems small and large) and rely less on buying something pre-made. My self-sufficient summer continues! 

PROBLEM: Every time I sit in my chair, it sinks

It is no secret that I spend A LOT of time in my desk chair. It has been with me since my first year of graduate school (2006). After I finished my thesis, the computer desk chair became a sewing chair as well. Most recently, I’ve been spending more time in it for the job application process, and over the past week I’ve noticed that the seat has been gradually sinking every time I sit on it.

As of Monday it wouldn’t even rise back up.

This proved ergonomically problematic and I started daydreaming about buying a new desk chair. But swivel desk chairs are expensive, and I am not in a place where I feel comfortable buying non-essentials.

SOLUTION: Take matters into my own hands

Eventually I remembered that I was supposed to be making responsible (economically and environmentally) decisions and I should just REPAIR the chair.

Based on a Google search, a sinking swivel chair is caused by a problem with the gas cylinder. It is replaceable, but gas cylinders can run between 20 and 80. I could buy a new chair for that cost. Environmentally Sustainable? YES. Economically feasible? NO.

Then, after a bit more Google searching, I found this tip:

I can do that, and more importantly, I can afford that. So I headed off to Home Depot to pick up  1.5-inch diameter PVC pipe, and some heavy duty metal zip ties for hoses. It cost me $6.00 (plus gas). [Word of caution, when asking the Home Depot staff about the materials you have just picked up, make sure to mention you are working on a NON-plumbing project. Otherwise, they will freak out that you are buying things that will not be water tight.]

IMPLEMENTATION: Rosie the Riveter rises again

In less than an hour:

I cut the pipe (4.75 inch long and then in half lengthwise);

Sandwiched some craft foam inside the pipe to ensure a tight fit around the chair shaft; and

Secured the pipe in place with the metal bands.

Success! *Runs around house making happy noises*