I am a fan of "Serenity" and "firefly"..... well written, pretty violent and definitely pg13. I would be lying if I said I didn't LOVE it.
I think that I will be Zoe for Halloween this year, and force Benjamin to dress up as Wash. Benjamin could also be Mal, but he looks the most like Wash. I can make my hair look like Zoe, and I will just keep a look out for leather clothes, holsters, fake guns, and knee length boots. I also get to lose 30 pounds, which I wanted to do anyways.
This is such great motivation to lose weight!!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
My Favorite NPR Moment
Sometime around about Christmas 2002, I was doing some holiday baking and listening to A science program on National Public Radio. The host was Ira Glass, and the subject was 'best inventions and scientific advancements of the year'. People called in with their ideas about the latest energy efficent cars, stem cell research, and mass communication wonders. These were the dark days before iphones and ubiquitous flatscreens.
In the midst of this rather mundane conversation An elderly lady called in and said that in her opinion, the best invention of 2002 was a certain advancement in the treatment of diabetes. by a certain scientist whom she named.
The host, wishing to give her a chance to expand on her opinion, asked if she herself were diabetic.
No, she responded, I am his mother.
What? mother of a diabetic?
No, the scientist's Mother.
yes. The scientist's Mother had called Ira Glass on NPR and promoted her son as having the best scientific invention of 2002.
After a perceptible shock, the host continued on.
That was the funniest thing I have ever heard on Public Radio.
If you can imagine, it was even better in person.
In the midst of this rather mundane conversation An elderly lady called in and said that in her opinion, the best invention of 2002 was a certain advancement in the treatment of diabetes. by a certain scientist whom she named.
The host, wishing to give her a chance to expand on her opinion, asked if she herself were diabetic.
No, she responded, I am his mother.
What? mother of a diabetic?
No, the scientist's Mother.
yes. The scientist's Mother had called Ira Glass on NPR and promoted her son as having the best scientific invention of 2002.
After a perceptible shock, the host continued on.
That was the funniest thing I have ever heard on Public Radio.
If you can imagine, it was even better in person.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Little things won't save the planet....
As sad as it is, recycling and buying new appliances aren't going to save the planet.
Eliminating carbon emissions right now may work, it probably would still be too late for the icecaps and with them the polar bears and penguins. But this week in Copenhagen the President is meeting with the heads of state of countries all over the world. We are all affected by the warming of our planet, the wanton destruction of habitat, mass pollution of the oceans, etc. The leaders most able to combat this destruction are the ones least affected by its effects. The residents wealthy first world nations can afford to export our garbage, even fund mass evacuations in the event of hurricanes and flooding.
We can ignore the evidence of global warming, even allow a large contingent of our population , nearly 50% deny that global warming exists or poses a significant problem. Our government reflects this lack of concern. Our World is dying and we have our heads in the sand. It is a huge problem. It is overwhelming to ponder this, as its effects will be seen in 100 years when our world does not change, and the sacrifices required have very real effects in the current economy and society.
As this all plays out, I hope that President Obama works hard to gain approval for a steep reduction in carbon emissions, drastic steps towards cleaning up our earth. It is probably impossible to do very much in such a setting. As I mentioned in a previous post, Drastic measures are needed and will not happen.
Though I know my efforts are small and ineffectual on a large scale I believe that in addition to my own effects my example can be circumspect so that I may inspire others to live in a better way. Here are my efforts to live in an environmentally responsibly way;
1. Living situation-- We are living in a 1400 sq ft house, and we will not upgrade to anything larger ever. We are committed to living efficently, in town where we can walk to school, bike to work, and drive short distances when needed.
2. St vincent DePaul---My favorite environmental activity, I try and get everything used. It is cheaper for us, great for the SVDP Charity, and apparently good for the planet
3. Reusable shopping bags-- I abhor plastic bags. Yuck.
4. Vegetarian --I don't eat meat, The rest of us are omnivores, but I like to think that we are a bit more conscientious of our carbon footprints, and definately are below average in meat consumption.
5. Garden . We have a garden. Our yard, which is the typical .25 acre, is slowly transforming into a productive edible smorgasborg of gardeny bliss. Last year we added raspberries. This spring we will hopefully add some fruit trees and grow some melons.
6. Clothesline In the summer I use the clothes line to dry our laundry. We use the dryer for underwear and when it rains. I love to say that out 'energy star dryer' consists of some string and clothes pins.
7. Voting I take every oppertunity to vote for representatives who support the long term health of our planet and the people who live here.
Here are the things I am doing which are not great for the environment;
1. House. I live in a single family home. Our apartments were much more efficent and environmental.
2. Large Family I have 4 children and I may have more. The environmental movement is at its heart about population. I am a good mother, so I believe that will counteract their environmental impact. I also believe that the purpose of the earth is for people to live here responsibly and happily. Does this mean that I should have 5 kids? I am not sure. I am conflicted about this, but I do know that I am a good mother. Perhaps a better solution for the future would be foster children.
3. Disposable diapers. The carbon footprint is about the same as cloth diapers, but they do contain plastic which I abhor. Sorry environment. I will just plant some more trees to offset this.
It is easy to tell other people what they should do, much mroe difficult to lead by example. I am sure that I have a lot more that I can do to lessen my negative impact. Interestingly, poverty tends to make everyone more green. Living in an efficent apartment versus a large home; Driving a small car with great gas mileage versus owning several;
Perhaps the economic downturn will effect some of the environmental change that we will not initiate ourselves.
Eliminating carbon emissions right now may work, it probably would still be too late for the icecaps and with them the polar bears and penguins. But this week in Copenhagen the President is meeting with the heads of state of countries all over the world. We are all affected by the warming of our planet, the wanton destruction of habitat, mass pollution of the oceans, etc. The leaders most able to combat this destruction are the ones least affected by its effects. The residents wealthy first world nations can afford to export our garbage, even fund mass evacuations in the event of hurricanes and flooding.
We can ignore the evidence of global warming, even allow a large contingent of our population , nearly 50% deny that global warming exists or poses a significant problem. Our government reflects this lack of concern. Our World is dying and we have our heads in the sand. It is a huge problem. It is overwhelming to ponder this, as its effects will be seen in 100 years when our world does not change, and the sacrifices required have very real effects in the current economy and society.
As this all plays out, I hope that President Obama works hard to gain approval for a steep reduction in carbon emissions, drastic steps towards cleaning up our earth. It is probably impossible to do very much in such a setting. As I mentioned in a previous post, Drastic measures are needed and will not happen.
Though I know my efforts are small and ineffectual on a large scale I believe that in addition to my own effects my example can be circumspect so that I may inspire others to live in a better way. Here are my efforts to live in an environmentally responsibly way;
1. Living situation-- We are living in a 1400 sq ft house, and we will not upgrade to anything larger ever. We are committed to living efficently, in town where we can walk to school, bike to work, and drive short distances when needed.
2. St vincent DePaul---My favorite environmental activity, I try and get everything used. It is cheaper for us, great for the SVDP Charity, and apparently good for the planet
3. Reusable shopping bags-- I abhor plastic bags. Yuck.
4. Vegetarian --I don't eat meat, The rest of us are omnivores, but I like to think that we are a bit more conscientious of our carbon footprints, and definately are below average in meat consumption.
5. Garden . We have a garden. Our yard, which is the typical .25 acre, is slowly transforming into a productive edible smorgasborg of gardeny bliss. Last year we added raspberries. This spring we will hopefully add some fruit trees and grow some melons.
6. Clothesline In the summer I use the clothes line to dry our laundry. We use the dryer for underwear and when it rains. I love to say that out 'energy star dryer' consists of some string and clothes pins.
7. Voting I take every oppertunity to vote for representatives who support the long term health of our planet and the people who live here.
Here are the things I am doing which are not great for the environment;
1. House. I live in a single family home. Our apartments were much more efficent and environmental.
2. Large Family I have 4 children and I may have more. The environmental movement is at its heart about population. I am a good mother, so I believe that will counteract their environmental impact. I also believe that the purpose of the earth is for people to live here responsibly and happily. Does this mean that I should have 5 kids? I am not sure. I am conflicted about this, but I do know that I am a good mother. Perhaps a better solution for the future would be foster children.
3. Disposable diapers. The carbon footprint is about the same as cloth diapers, but they do contain plastic which I abhor. Sorry environment. I will just plant some more trees to offset this.
It is easy to tell other people what they should do, much mroe difficult to lead by example. I am sure that I have a lot more that I can do to lessen my negative impact. Interestingly, poverty tends to make everyone more green. Living in an efficent apartment versus a large home; Driving a small car with great gas mileage versus owning several;
Perhaps the economic downturn will effect some of the environmental change that we will not initiate ourselves.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
We need a little communism...
When we we know that capitalism has failed?
Perhaps when we produce more than is good for us. Our consumption demands that we clear cut rainforests. We have filled the oceans with our plastic refuse. Our carbon emissions are heating up the planet and have set in motion climate change that may eventually mean the end of hundreds of species. All this is not the neccessary byproduct of modern progress. It is very possible to reduce our carbon emissions drasticly, we can halt encroachment on the remaining wilderness and restore much of what has been lost on the past.
Environmentalism is expensive, and our capitalistic system rewards the production and marketing of things. I doesn't pay to save the planet. As things go now, I don't think the planet will be saved. Polar bears may already be unsaveable. Some scientists believe that the polar icecaps will be melted in the next 50 years, even if all carbon emissions were stopped today. sure, the scientists may be wrong. In the 1980's some scientist at Nasa predicted that when carbon levels in the air reached 350ppm, that the earth would no longer be able to support life. We are curently at 386, so hey, What do scientists know?
Eventually we are going to destroy ourselves. Drastic change, which is what is needed, will not come about under our current system.
Communism is the only way to fix this mess. We need to think about the good of the community before the good of ourselves. The government needs to undermine our personal freedom to kill ourselves and put an immediate moratorium on plastics, new cars, McMansion homes, soda pop, and other stuff that is really fun for us now, but won't be so great in 50 years when we are drowning in our own waste.
Perhaps accountablity is another option. Every community could be required to retain and dispose of its own trash in its vicinity. Another idea is to measure and tax carbon emissions.
I really think communism is the way to do this. We need some expert scientists at the head of government. A bunch of PHDs, who are not paid very well. They will argue back and forth, but eventually will come up with guidelines for environmental recovery. This process will be painful and everyone will complain. There will be revolts from Conservative Christians who will not believe in global warming. Las Vegas, St George, and other Desert cities will be abandonned becasue of their environmental instability. Most people will live in mid sized apartments, largely abandonning the urban sprawl. About 75% of our cars will be abandonned, melted down for their metals.
This will be difficult, but not impossible. Humanity may survive. I really can't think of another way to do this. What will not work is the Status Quo.
Perhaps when we produce more than is good for us. Our consumption demands that we clear cut rainforests. We have filled the oceans with our plastic refuse. Our carbon emissions are heating up the planet and have set in motion climate change that may eventually mean the end of hundreds of species. All this is not the neccessary byproduct of modern progress. It is very possible to reduce our carbon emissions drasticly, we can halt encroachment on the remaining wilderness and restore much of what has been lost on the past.
Environmentalism is expensive, and our capitalistic system rewards the production and marketing of things. I doesn't pay to save the planet. As things go now, I don't think the planet will be saved. Polar bears may already be unsaveable. Some scientists believe that the polar icecaps will be melted in the next 50 years, even if all carbon emissions were stopped today. sure, the scientists may be wrong. In the 1980's some scientist at Nasa predicted that when carbon levels in the air reached 350ppm, that the earth would no longer be able to support life. We are curently at 386, so hey, What do scientists know?
Eventually we are going to destroy ourselves. Drastic change, which is what is needed, will not come about under our current system.
Communism is the only way to fix this mess. We need to think about the good of the community before the good of ourselves. The government needs to undermine our personal freedom to kill ourselves and put an immediate moratorium on plastics, new cars, McMansion homes, soda pop, and other stuff that is really fun for us now, but won't be so great in 50 years when we are drowning in our own waste.
Perhaps accountablity is another option. Every community could be required to retain and dispose of its own trash in its vicinity. Another idea is to measure and tax carbon emissions.
I really think communism is the way to do this. We need some expert scientists at the head of government. A bunch of PHDs, who are not paid very well. They will argue back and forth, but eventually will come up with guidelines for environmental recovery. This process will be painful and everyone will complain. There will be revolts from Conservative Christians who will not believe in global warming. Las Vegas, St George, and other Desert cities will be abandonned becasue of their environmental instability. Most people will live in mid sized apartments, largely abandonning the urban sprawl. About 75% of our cars will be abandonned, melted down for their metals.
This will be difficult, but not impossible. Humanity may survive. I really can't think of another way to do this. What will not work is the Status Quo.
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