The Adventures of Engaged Consumer on APEsphere

I haven’t been documenting my Adventures of an Engaged Consumer well. Between the baby and book, it’s been crazy. I know that I shouldn’t use these things as an excuse. I tried them on my dentist as to why I haven’t flossed in awhile. It didn’t work, but when you’ve been cavity free for 30 years who needs floss? Wow, I’m way off topic here.

Anyhow, the good folks at APEsphere contacted me and wanted to know if I’d be interested in blogging for them. This is just the kick in the pants I need to revitalize my Adventures of an EC. I’ll be cross-posting many of the adventures. Here’s a passage from it…

I usually don’t get hung up on semantics, but I have a problem…

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A message from the 3%

Three-percent of the clothes we wear are still manufactured in the USA. I got a great note from the owner of the Belted Cow which designs and manufacturers belts and flip-flops. Besides Jim saying some really nice and interesting things in his note — posted below — I was really excited to learn that it’s possible to buy foam and webbing flip-flops made in America. Ever since my run-in with my buddy Pat at Deckers I’ve been searching for a new flip-flop provider. I really hope they are more comfortable than my Tevas.

Hi Kelsey,

I just finished your book. Great read and I liked your writing style. My wife and I started a small business in 2004 that works with gallery artists (not…

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Do Nari, Ai, and their roommates still have jobs?

The downturn in our spending is hitting the Cambodian garment industry and I wonder what it means for the lives of the workers I met in Cambodia (From the Phnom Penh Post):

Garment exports – the country’s chief source of foreign exchange – contracted in January to less than a third of their value compared with the same period last year, the Ministry of Commerce announced Tuesday…

The Free Trade Union of Cambodia said Monday that more than 20,000 garment workers have already lost their jobs this year, with another 10,000 at risk of becoming unemployed as more garment factories face closure.

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Kiva is awesome!

I just got back from my talk mentioned in the previous post. I can’t believe that the second group of women have already had their loan fulfilled as well. Wow! If you’re from the “Women in Networking” talk, how about we support Nguyen Thi Minh from Vietnam?

Here’s a little about her:

Mrs. Nguy?n Th? Minh is 58 years old. She has five grown children who all have steady employment. In 2002, she became a member of the TYM Fund and used a loan to invest in raising animals and selling groceries. Currently, Mrs. Minh’s income comes mainly from raising animals and selling groceries, and she also receives support from her children. In total her income is about 6,000,000 VND (345 USD). In the next round of…

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Women networking around the world

Today I’m speaking at a “Women in Networking Lunch” hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce. I intend to talk about the mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, the supermodel, and the budding beautician who I met and write about in WAIW? I’m going to wrap up by inviting those in attendance to join me in supporting women in Cambodia with a microloan through Kiva.org.

Last night I lent $25 to Mao Yan. She is the widowed mother of 7 children a few of which are garment workers in Phnom Penh. I was hoping to ask others to lend to her as well, but this morning I was happy to see that her $1,000 loan has been met.

So, instead, I say we support this group of…

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The Girl Effect

The real world is imposing on my virtual responsibilities. However, this video is probably a better use of your time than something I’d write anyhow. It’s from girleffect.org.

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Know any Boilermakers?

I’ll be speaking at Purdue tomorrow. If you know anyone there, tell ’em to come. There’s free pizza and cookies and me.

Follow the link above. Melissa, of the WAIW? commenter Hall of Fame who arranged the talk pointed out the title to me: “Kelsey Timmerman is coming to Purdue!” As if the reader should know who I am.

Good stuff. It should be fun. I’ve driven farther for free pizza….

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Sign of the times: Barbie turns 50, celebrates in Shanghai dreamhouse

From the LA TIMES:

Mattel this weekend will unveil the House of Barbie in Shanghai.

The six-story retail emporium is the brand’s first stand-alone store in China. It’s a multimillion-dollar bet that its 11 1/2 -inch plastic toy will appeal to Shanghai’s material girls, even in this horrible economy.

“There’s no reason why in five to 10 years, China shouldn’t be the biggest market in the world for us,” said Richard Dickson, Barbie’s general manager, sitting on a lattice boudoir bench on the store’s fourth floor, where girls can design their own dolls.

The store also contains a salon where moms and daughters can get facials and manicures. There’s a restaurant and bar. Naturally it offers thousands of Barbie products, from branded chocolate bars that cost a buck or two to an adult-sized…

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