The Story of Stuff
Current mood: accomplished
Category: News and Politics
The Story of Stuff
The Story of Stuff is a 20 minute documentary that takes you on a provocative tour of our consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to iPod incineration — exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff.
The movie is just the beginning of the story. Watch it, learn more and get involved here: StoryofStuff.com
Obama vs. Clinton
Current mood: confused
Category: News and Politics
Obama vs. Clinton
Super Tuesday is rapidly approaching, so I've gotta know. For those of you deciding between Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama, who are you goin' with... and why?
I was an Edwards man, and am now leaning toward Obama. Generally speaking, to my mind, both candidates have identical agendas and policy differences are subtle. While I believe Hillary is more experienced and her policies more realistic, Barak has personal qualities I favor. Barak is "less of a politician" than Hillary. I find him more truthful, straightforward and honest. He's less beholden to special interests and I believe more interested in limiting their influence. He's a uniter while Hillary has more of a "my way or the highway" approach to negotiation. I feel this uniting quality along with Barak's great charisma and power to inspire will make him a more effective leader. He'll be better able to move legislation through Congress. His ability to inspire will raise the morale of our nation and in doing so create untold positive change.
That said, I haven't completely made up my mind, so I wanna hear what you've got to say. Also, while I don't feel I'm picking the better of two evils, I do believe our political system is broken and better candidates are out there. For that reason, I will continue to aggressively support Clean Election Legislation.
Oh, and I think racism and sexism in America are valid issues related to how either candidate will do in the general election... feel free to go there. Hit me with whatever you've got... I'm not shy ;)
HELP! They won’t listen...
Current mood: inspired
Category: News and Politics
HELP! They won't listen...
I started this global warming awareness campaign, along with the Pasadena Global Warming Group, in reaction to inadequate government leadership, public apathy, and an active campaign by some industries to distort the science of global warming. I also maintain a Calendar of Local Eco-Events at PasadenaGlobalWarming.com and own a company that sells sustainable transportation products at UrbanScooters.com (site / myspace page).
Why am I so passionate about this issue?
The consequences of global warming left unchecked include;
* Extreme and unstable weather; extreme heat, droughts, floods, increased number of cat 4 & 5 hurricanes, forest fires, etc.
* Decreased snowcap, glacial runoff, etc. resulting in a lack of fresh water for an ever increasing global population.
* A severe impact on agriculture resulting in a lack of food for an ever increasing population.
This is a conservative estimate, feedback loops and unimagined consequences will quite possibly cause greater impact and suffering. WE MUST ACT NOW. If we hesitate, scientists expect we will soon reach a tipping point from which there is no return.
My plan (our plan) for change in 2008!
While the climate crisis is the biggest challenge facing our next President, it rarely enters the political debate. It's up to us, the people, to see that global warming gets the political attention it deserves in the run up to the 2008 Presidential election.
How we can make a difference?
Go to WhatAreTheyWaitingFor.com. Watch the video, sign the petition and tell people about it. Next, let's help each other find new myspace friends and further spread the message.
Here's how it works;
1) Add me to your top friends list AND/OR copy and paste the code below into a bulletin (write your own bulletin if you want).
2) Post a comment below to let me know you've joined the cause.
3) In one week, I'll send out a bulletin telling all 9,000 of my friends how dedicated you are to the cause and ask them to ADD YOUR MYSPACE PAGE!
It's a "win-win" situation, we all get new eco-friendly friends and spread knowledge about global warming a little further, too.
Here's the Code to Copy and Paste into a Bulletin
Thanks again for all your help. Keep up the great work, people. Remember... a small contribution by many WILL create significant change!
A note for those who still don't get it: Scientists are crystal clear in their understanding. The scientific consensus is that global warming is man made and unless we address the issue immediately we'll suffer devastating consequences. If you have any doubt, watch this video, visit this webpage exploring the depth of the consensus, and consider the global viewpoint on this crisis. If after all that, you still have doubts... get the hell out of the way. The rest of us have a planet to save!
I put my vegetarian diet to the test over the New Year's holiday... I WENT TO VEGAS... for an entire week!
As I sat down to plan the trip, I expected it would be nearly impossible to stick with a vege menu. I mean, come on, we're talkin' Vegas here.
What I discovered when I got there was quite different...
I found a multitude of vegetarian options in every restaurant. Some restaurants served vegetarian meals and others offered entrees that were easily modified. The entire time I was in Vegas I only had one non-vegetarian meal!
Throughout the trip, I never felt deprived or unsatisfied... I never longed for a big hunk of meat. I was content :)
Since I've been home I'm back to the 5/7th vege plan... my next goal... 100% VEGETARIANISM. Keep an eye out for the big announcement in my next blog... coming soon!
Take a look at the following movie. If you haven't seen it, it's very well done and worth your time. EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity's absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called "non-human providers." Earthlings is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and features music by Moby.
I own an online retail biz, UrbanScooters.com, and about 50% of our annual sales take place over the holidays. This time of year I eat, sleep and work... and don't have too much time to think about what I'm eating. Lucky for me meal prep and planning is taken care of. I've been able to stay vege for up to 5 days a week, but can't say I didn't slip from time to time. All things considered, I've done a good job continuing my move to vege over the holidays.
The holidays went well... but I've got a new problem! I'm on a much needed vacation in VEGAS and will be here for a week. I hit the grocery store and stocked up on fruit, trail mix, nuts, pretzels, water... etc, but that's not gonna hold me. I've got to eat out and Vegas isn't exactly vege friendly.
I'm staying at the Luxor and not renting a car, so wherever I eat, it's gonna be on the strip.
HELP... anybody know where to get some good vege food on the strip???
Here's a little video called "MEET YOUR MEAT". It's narrated by Alec Baldwin and a must see for all meat eaters. It's important to understand the pain and suffering we cause when we choose to eat meat. Warning... this video is graphic and disturbing!
BTW... a note to my Eco friends. I'm offsetting the CO2 from the air travel through TerraPass.com :p
Sorry, my friends. I didn't blog my vege progress on Sunday like I wanted. I've been slammed with sales over at UrbanScooters.com. 'Tis the season! But since lots of you have been asking me what's up, I figure I better get a blog out here to shut ya up :-)
Week two was a breeze. I've been hella busy, so I haven't had much time to think about eating. I've just been grabbing food from the fridge in between work and sleep.
Week two was all about the nice Oatmeal Scones, tasty Rigatoni with Mushrooms and Tarragon, glorious Fudgy Brownies, tangy Orange Pecan French Toast, tantalizing Curried Broccoli and Tofu. Oh, and don't worry. Everything I'm eating is at a healthy calorie limit and contains plenty of protein.
I added an extra vege day in the second week and ate 3 100% vege days total. This week I'm doin' FOUR vege days. That's more than half the week!
I've been including some good info with my vege blogs for the last couple of weeks. Who am I to break with tradition, right... so here ya go.
For more information about the impact of your diet on global warming, check out my friend Roland over at BiteGlobalWarming.org!
Alternatives to help you celebrate your Buy Nothing Christmas...
1) A hand made recipe book would be a good idea. A compilation of old family recipes from your family, and your friends' families. Start collecting them in the summer and take your time and edit and make them real nice and sturdy (to withstand the heavy use!) - Brittany
2) Books on tape - this is great if you have two or three people on your list that will enjoy the same book, it only costs time! A compilation CD of the choir my husband and I sing in. Make a puppet theater - paint a white sheet, cut a hole out for the stage, and hang in hall/door with a tension rod). If I get ambitious, I'm thinking of producing a video for distant family members of our kids' exploits in the past year. My husband is a composer, and he is planning to compose theme songs for some of our family members. - Noelle
3) Adopting a polar bear, snow leopard or giant panda in the name of all my friends and family members from World Wildlife Fund. - Matt
4) One year I made mini loaves of quick bread. I think it was pumpkin bread. One could make cranberry or whatever you like. I wrapped the loaves and placed them in small baskets that I picked up at yard sales over the summer months. I added packets of instant spiced cider, cocoa, or tea, and festive napkins. I then tied it up with a raffia bow along with a recipe card for the bread. Another year I made key chains out of beads that matched the color of each persons car. - Lisa Wilson
5) Well, our buy-nothing circle spread just a little wider this Christmas, and I'd like to share a few highlights. They include some "transition" gift ideas too, for those who can't handle BNC just yet:
- One friend saved us a lot of money by simply handing us some RAM for our PC. He knew we needed it and he had extra. It was great!
- Two family members got creative and made by hand an "action figure" of my husband and a marionette of me! Of course, this wouldn't work if the individuals didn't happen to be so artistically talented, but what unique and personal gifts!
- Another friend who makes pottery simply gave us a lovely bowl more special than anything we could have bought.
- Parents bought us necessities that we would have had to buy anyway.
- We made writing paper with hand-drawn silly little doodles and hand-folded envelopes for some friends.
- For most of those who weren't ready to move to a buy-nothing Christmas, we bought organic herbal teas and fair-trade coffees... they don't add to the clutter because they're enjoyed and gone, and they support sustainable businesses!
Small steps ... but in the right direction. - Sara Parks Ricker
6) Brilliant website and ideas. You get my full support. As an another idea, try www.oxfamunwrapped.com. It allows you to send a gift to the 3rd World and depending on your budget you can buy chickens, blankets, radios, right up to a travelling theatre! Our 10 year old son has 'traded in' some store gift vouchers to buy a goat. We have sent friends and families christmas 'gifts'from this site. Best wishes - Chris, Nottingham, UK
7) At our house, we try to make all Christmas gifts. That means that December is a flurry of activity as our children make salt dough ornamments and then paint them to give to teachers and other adult friends. Last year, one boy made playdough, and one made a crayon ball to give to the other. For our friends, we've painted white candles with Christian symbols; these have become tradition. For our extended families, we made books with old pictures and memories. Our children especially love hand-made gifts; in this age where everything is plastic, they relish the idea of love in a sweater. - Molly
8) I have been going down to my local recycling centre to see what's on offer. To my surprise, I found 10 glass coffee containers. Which are now glassed painted and filled with goodies for kids. - Sophia
9) A couple of years ago I did a calendar for the family with everyone's photos and birthdays. That was a big hit. - Karin
10) Last year we had a cookie exchange instead of a big party for work. Everyone brought cookies or treats - whatever their specialty was (one person made tree ornaments instead). We RSVP'd so we knew how many cookies to make, one for each person because we had so many people. We all went home with piles of cookies and treats. It was great, and so much fun. - Annika Sangster
11) What about bumper stickers? I'd love to puchase some of these posters in bumper sticker format. Available? - schrills
Editors response:Hmm... I'm already feeling like we have too much stuff on our website. Would we sell the bumper stickers on the Buy Nothing Christmas website? Maybe start off with a colour printout of your favourite poster, laminate it and then glue it on your bumper. I know, sounds dumb, and like a lot of work. But the more time you spend creating your own world, your own messages, the more alive you become. I can help with re-formatting graphics or text for printouts. Let me know how it goes. If you have some success with bumper stickers, let me know and I'll try to spread the word. Best, Aiden.
12) I'm going to give myart this Christmas. It gave me the motivation to finish the production of a demo CD. The first copies will go to my family and friends. —Gabriel
13) Give Linux for Christmas! It's free and it works like a charm! These days, distributions include not only the operation system that runs your computer, but applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, picture and sound editing, etc. And give a hand installing it. It's not that it's too difficult, but some people's tech-savvyness is rather limited. —Gilles Pelletier
14) We have just launched a new scheme in the UK called Wedding List Giving Ltd. It allows the prospective bride and groom to choose a charity and ask guests to donate towards the "gifts of their choice." Hannah Crouch [Editor's note: the site includes charities like the Alzheimers Society, Amnesty International, Cancer Research UK, Children's Express, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Oxfam, Tearfund and others.]
15) Just try make a spiritual gift, not material, not an object. I prefer doing something - singing a song, writing a poem - for a person. Plus a little beatiful card, because most people want to "have something in the hands," it's just a habit. —Matania, Russia
16) Great site, lovely idea. Some friends of mine have a jumble exchange; it works like this. Everyone brings clothes, books, ornaments or toys that they don't really use any more. It all gets laid out on tables or a tarpaulin in the garden (or in the house if you have room). Everyone picks out what they want (no money changes hands). At the end there's a "grand holding up" where everyone is shown what is left. If no-one wants it, it goes to a charity shop (thrift store). Usually there are three or four big bags left over to go to the charity shop. Another idea is to write out some nice poetry in calligraphy style and frame it. To avoid buying the frame, you could make it out of driftwood or broken china mosaic, or pebbles. —Yvonne Aburrow
17) We bought wax and made homemade candles. My husband carved stamps, we made our own paper and made greeting cards on recycled paper. Most of all, we vow to get the Christmas spending craziness under control and pay attention to our families and each other instead of the mall! If you still want to give a gift, there are so many more worthy causes than supporting the manufacture of plastic toys. I work for a nonprofit organization that supports grassroots groups working to live sustainably, preserve biodiversity, and gain a voice in their future. See www.greengrants.org. Other groups doing similar work include www.globalfundforwomen.org, www.globalfundforchildren.org. For more information on global giving in general, see www.gwob.org —Erika Carlson
18) For your husband: Go to your favourite market or second hand shop and get a nice frame. With your most creative writing, write your wedding vows. — Maud Ray
19) I usually make fudge (it helps to find a really good recipe) and put it in tins. I also buy old frames for cards, etc., I think the person would enjoy. I don't buy for anyone that is not either my child or parents/inlaws. And other than for the kids, I refuse to pay a lot. The cheaper it is the more personal it is sometimes.— Shelley, Prince Edward Island, Canada
20) For me, environment and peace issues are interrelated, inseparable even. Some gift purchases help the environment and peace: Give people CFL bulbs to save energy. Give Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate made in people-friendly and earth-friendly ways. Buy recycled paper for people. If possible pay someone to buy clean electricity which is still more expensive than dirty electricity. And one of our special concerns: Purchase a Peace Bond from the Nonviolent Peaceforce which even now has peace teams in Sri Lanka. "Upon Maturity the Bearer will See a Large International Team Trained for Nonviolent Conflict Intervention Around the World". Go to NonviolentPeaceforce.org to learn more. Keep up the good work. — A. Palmer, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
21) Perhaps an alternative to department stores is Ten Thousand Villages which provides vital, fair income to Third World artisans by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. This alternative emphasizes the fair distribution of wealth while still in a consumerism context. — Shalom, Carl
22) Make a sweater from yarn found at goodwill/used clothing store.— Kristina Giggz
23) Look through your (and your kids') old clothes, cut out squares of fabrics they will remember, and make a little wall hanging or pillow or stuffed toy or whatever. Pick a nice quote or scripture verse and write it up in calligraphy or a nice handwriting. — Gwenyth
24) When i was little my parents always recorded a tape of me singing christmas caroles and/or reading stories for my grandparents and other family that lived far away. When i got older i started to make little comics for my friends, that were about us and things we had done. always with an added twist and some inside humour. This is totally fun to do- even if you're drawings are crappy. i think that this year i will write stories for my friends and family telling them why i love them! — T.B.
25) Make pillows or stuffed animals. Cut out soft pieces of felt and hot glue them on to the pillow to personalize them with messages or make cute faces. — Kaitlin
26) Give something you don't use any more. A sweater that you only wore once; a set of drinking glasses you forgot you owned. Clean them up and give them as gifts. I have found all sorts of things in my apartment that I have no need for, but know someone who would appreciate and enjoy it! — Jessica
27) When someone asks what I want for Christmas I tell them, "Peace on Earth. Goodwill for all". If they explore the idea further (usually with, "No, really. What do you want?") I tell them to pick a charity and give to them whatever they would have spent on me. It makes me feel good that someone who really needs it is getting something. And ... It always fits! — Bill Budenholzer
28) Babysitting coupons for the new parents. Grow your own veggies, can or freeze them and give them away at Christmas/Solstice. Spend more time with your family and friends...when you're dead you won't be able to. Decide as a family to work less hours, spend less and have more time together. Shovel the sidewalk for your neighbour. Plant trees. — Lee
29) Make a small drawing of your select person's living room or other room in their house and give it to them.
— Julian van Mossel-Forrester
30) I have been giving more gifts that consist of certificates of gift from the Heifer Project. This year the only exception is my 9 year old granddaughter. — Paul Shankland
31) I am making several batches of biscuits ("cookies" your side of the pond!) and boxes from some lovely dark red recycled card. — Alice Crawford
32) Plant plants, now, to give for Christmas. Herbs, in particular. This is one way to always be present in your loved one's days for a while to come. — jeela
33) Buy a used book and in the inside cover explain why you chose the book for that person.
34) Make tree ornaments out of old CDs.
35) Purchase gifts at a fair-trade shop, garage sale or thrift shop.
36) Make hand-made soap or candles.
37) If you are skilled in a particular area, offer a lesson or class.
38) Make a birdseed ball.
39) Make a soothing, herb pillow filled with lavender, rose, etc.
40) Collect quotes that make you think of someone.
41) Stamp and address postcards for family members.
42) For the elderly people in your life, research newspaper and magazine articles from their youth and present in a creative fashion.
43) Make a calendar with pictures of family members and/or scenery.
44) Wrap gifts in newspaper, maps, scarves or interesting clothing.
45) Fill an old trunk or suitcase with fun clothing, hats and gaudy jewelry for your children to play dress-up.
46) Make a puppet from a sock.
47) Give away a valued possession.
48) Frame a piece of your artwork.
49) Fill a basket with home-made goodies.
50) Bake your favourite holiday treat and pack in a recycled tin.
51) Paint an empty wine bottle with non-toxic paint and fill with olive oil. Top with an oil pour spout that can be found at a gourmet cooking shop.
52) Videotape and interview your elderly parents about childhood memories, how they met, etc., and give to siblings or children.
53) Compile a list of memories and arrange them in a creative fashion.
54) Do something exciting and challenging together (e.g., long walk, bike ride, hike, art course).
55) Knit a stocking, hat, socks, etc.
56) Write and illustrate a book for the young people in your life.
57) Collect meaningful photos for the gift recipient, make colour photocopies and create a collage.
58) Create a menu of various culinary delights (e.g., Tantalizing Thai, Mexican Fiesta, etc.) and have the gift recipient choose one of the options.
59) Create coupons for a massage, spring cleaning, child-minding, manicure, etc.
60) See WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY?, the new documentary from Morgan Spurlock. It's all about commercialism at Christmastime and in the theaters now. Oh yeah, it's also a really good movie!
61) When you do buy, buy good eco-friendly products from eco-friendly companies. Support those companies and industries trying to make a difference.
Week number one was easy. I ate vege Monday and Wednesday of last week. Enjoyed a Penne pasta w/ spicy tomato sauce, lentil pilaf, vegetarian shepherd's pie, and a vegetarian chicken patty w/ brown rice and zucchini. Good food, I didn't miss eating meat.
I'm going to take it slow, adding a vege day every week until I get to the point where I'm eating vege everyday. I figure I'll let my body become used to the lifestyle over time.
The delivery service I use is really helping. As I said before, I'm a horrible cook. Without the service I'd be a very unhealthy vegetarian, living a fast food vege lifestyle.
Someone asked about the eco-friendliness of using a delivery service. Well, I checked into that and NutriFit, www.nutrifitonline.com, has a policy of choosing eco-friendly vendors and organic locally grown fruits and veges. In fact, I helped them track down several companies that produce biodegradable, eco-friendly bags to deliver their food in. It's also my understanding that having a single driver deliver 100 meals is more eco-friendly than 100 people driving to the store to pick up groceries individually.
Why am I going vegetarian? Check out this video for some insight into my motivation...
Thanks to everyone out there supporting me with the new lifestyle. The encouragement helps keep me on track!
Add a Friend, Get a $1,000 Electric Scooter!
Current mood: ecstatic
Category: Automotive
Add UrbanScooters.com & Win a Go-Ped Hoverboard
As you may already know, I own a little scooter business (warning: tooting one's own horn alert)... actually the most popular scooter site online. Well, we're running a contest and giving away the sweetest electric scooter on the planet, the Go-Ped ESR750H Hoverboard Electric Scooter ($1,099 MSRP).
All you've got to do is be a friend of the UrbanScooters.com MySpace Page and your entered in the contest. There are some restrictions, like it's only open to US residents (sorry to my overseas brothers and sisters), but that's about it... check the page for contest rules.
There's also a new section of our website I'd like to share with you. It's called the UrbanScooters.com Marketplace. The Marketplace is America's largest showcase of alternative transportation and recreation vehicles.
Tell Your Friends! Copy and Paste this Code into a Bulletin
If you've got questions about any of the products, let me know. I'm wishing luck to all of my eco-friendly friends in this contest... I want one of my eco-peeps to win!!!
I've been environmentally conscious for quite a long time, adamantly so for over a year. When I found out about the impact the factory farming of meat has on our environment and the massive amounts of greenhouse gases released in the process I was disturbed. I stopped eating as much meat. Check out the following UN Report for more info;
As of yesterday, Thanksgiving 2007, I decided I'm ready to try a vegetarian diet. I'll eat vegetarian a couple of days a week and work my way up to seven days a week.
This is going to be extremely difficult for me because I really don't care for vegetables. I'm also the consummate bachelor... I don't cook and if I tried the food wouldn't be edible... ha. Fortunately, I'm able to afford a meal delivery service. A damn good one... the food is fantastic and they rarely repeat a dish. It's extremely healthy and the company buys from green suppliers whenever possible. Visit www.nutrifitonline.com for more info.
One more thing I've gotta say. In addition to the environmental, I must thank all my wonderful animal friendly vegetarian and vegan friends here on MySpace. You've called to my attention the great ethical concerns of meat consumption. They're abundantly clear when you think about them, unfortunately, in our society, we're conditioned to not think about where our food comes from and what horrors have taken place to get that food onto our plates.
accomplished
confused
inspired
ecstatic
optimistic