Wonkybusker

Onwards and Upwards

A year ago today we were on a plane, on our way to Lauzerte, France to spend the summer.  With a new job and a new puppy, it seems that it will be hard to do again soon, so I'm glad we did it when we could.  It's a little disappointing that we have no big trips on the horizon at the moment, but we have lots to keep us busy here.

And yet, I’ve been bitten by the travel bug.  This morning, I spent a lovely commute daydreaming about what our next trips should be.  There’s no harm in starting to plan early. ;)  Here’s my list:

Argentina, Chile and perhaps Antarctica
Peru, Equator and the Galapagos Islands
Egypt
Turkey
Morocco
New Zealand

Where do you want to go?

Pleasant Sunday

A fun weekend was had by all.  Yesterday was a baby shower and a frisbee game.  Today, we headed down to Post Hunt, a riddle-based scavenger hunt.  I'm so impressed by our team for getting all 5 puzzles and getting darn close to cracking the final clue.  It was tons of fun and I'll definitely do it again next year.  Loki was the hit of the event.  I've never seen a dog attract so much attention!  She's one tired puppy tonight.  She's chewing on a toy while I download my new CAD software.  I'm going to play around and plan what our backyard might look like once we put in a patio.  Anyway, I hope all is well and have a wonderful week!

When Perfect Is the Enemy of Good

Being a fan of the Planet Earth series, I tuned in when I saw Planet Earth: The Future was on.  It was a great show, but heartbreaking.  The enormity of the problem is overwhelming.  And considering that the average American uses three times more than their fair share of resources, I know I am part of the problem and not part of the solution.  I spent last night feeling very guilty.  But, I came to a few conclusions that will at least make me feel I’m doing something to get better.

1. I am going to work to lose a few pounds through diet and exercise.  That way, I consume fewer food resources and avoid going up a size, forcing me to buy all new clothes that harm the environment to make and ship.
2. I will do a better job separating needs from wants.  I will only get wants that make me significantly happier or make life easier on a regular basis.
3. I will avoid purchasing anything wrapped or packaged in plastic whenever possible.
4. By doing the above, I will purchase fewer things.  Then I will spend more on the things I do purchase to make sure they are eco-friendly and lasting.
5. I will do everything I can to cut back on energy use, even if it is a sacrifice.  So the television will not go on simply because it’s the evening, my computer will be off and unplugged unless I have a particular reason to use it (Spider Solitaire doesn’t count), and I will strive not to turn on the air conditioning, among other things.

I know what I do can’t have that much impact overall, but I have to do something.  I can’t just watch everything fall apart knowing I could have easily done more to help.  And while I realize that I will still add to the problem as I continue to consume, actively considering each action and each purchase will be good, if not perfect.

Green Washing

Businesses have ads telling you about the one eco-friendly thing they do and I want to scream at the TV.  No, I’m sorry Walmart, but offering a 50% recycled Bissell doesn’t count.  And saying if everyone bought one you’d save however many million bags of garbage is baloney.  Everyone does not need a Bissell, so if everyone bought them, you’d be wasting tons of valuable resources.  Yes, 50% recycled is better than 0% recycled, but every Walmart customer buying one would be much worse on the environment than just the normal sales of the old non-eco-friendly model.

Another thing that’s annoying is the Cash for Clunkers Bill.  According to the new legislation, you can get up to $4500 for trading in a gas guzzler for a more fuel efficient car.  But when you look closer, you have to have purchased a car with horrid gas mileage in the first place (less than 18 miles to the gallon) and you only have to improve it by 25%.  4 extra miles to the gallon is not much!  And to top it off, the car must still work and you get more money if you trade in a newer car.  What?!?  So the idea is to encourage people to dispose of perfectly good vehicles and buy new ones for the sake of saving the environment.  Amazing.  Simply amazing.  It might help the US car makers and overall it isn't a bad idea to get the oil wasters off the road, but there are many better ways to go about it.

*Sigh*

On the plus side, Chris and I have put in our garden.  The tomato plants are already getting pretty big.  I am so excited to get fresh veggies from our backyard!  And, our strawberry bushes already have berries.  They're still green, but hopefully not for long.  I just hope I can get to them before the birds do.

And Loki's doing well.  She's getting big but still amazingly adorable.  She's starting to learn commands, so she now knows sit, stay, and come.  She'll even do them without a treat...if she doesn't get distracted.