Green Living
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/education/26green.html
I'd like to live in a sustainable building right now. My air conditioner broke yesterday. I mean seriously.. it broke during a heat wave. Thank got my roommate has a small, standing fan. Was my savior.. sort of. But still super hot. There's something dangerous going on with the air conditioner that's huge and bolted into the wall. It doesn't turn off completely- makes humming noises. And when I unplug it, even after a few minutes, makes a spark. Then when I tried to plug it back in, it made another spark so that's when I turned it off for good. Anyone know anything about air conditioners??? Or have an advice???
Um yeah. Fasting was a failure
It ended around 5pm Tuesday evening when I called my mom to tell her I was dizzy and hungry and she yelled at me to eat something. I'm so weak.
And proof that kids are getting dumber
Two girls lost some limbs while falling asleep on RAILROAD tracks. Did they not realize that people still use the railroads!!!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/05/29/pkg.me.girls.hit.by.train.wcsh
More Reason to Give Up Factory Meat
Direct quotes from my PETA Vegetarian Starter Kit. People knock PETA cause they're so extreme but I can understand their passion for animals. I mean the way some animals are treated is so atrocious and gut wrenchingly depressing that it's no wonder people get so passionate about the cause. And something for the women.. even though I'd love to eat fish, and probably won't stop, apparently the mercury from fish stays in your system so long that it can effect your ability to have children and your future children. I have also read the same things in other books that people may find have a less extremist view point.
So you say.. well, I'm a healthy adult. I came out okay... but meanwhile rates of childhood obesity and type II diabetes has skyrocketed and studies show that we're the first generation that may not outlive their parents. Not sure what generation they mean.. I'm guessing post 1981. I feel that by living in NYC I have the opportunity to be more environmental- i.e. not drive, walk everywhere, buy from the farmers markets but I already have a few strikes against me with the pollution. Case in point, I've lived here for 2 1/2 years and until the last year, never ever had allergies. Now I have allergies and need eye drops because my eyes get irritated by the pollution.
And for the quotes "Turkeys and chickens have their wings and legs broken when the are shoved into transport trucks, and they are shipped through all weather extremes with no food or water."
"Chickens are genetically manipulated and dosed with antibiotics to make them grow so large so quickly that they become crippled under their own weight."
"Ammonia levels in chicken farms are so high that the corrosive substance burns the birds' lungs and skin."
"Chicks have their sensitive beaks cut off without any painkillers."
And if you don't care about the hens and chickens, it's important to keep in mind that Dr. Atkins died at 258 pounds..
As a consumer, we can make such a major impact especially in this area. Politicians care about creating policies that have immediate results and I doubt this is one of those areas. And I highly doubt they'd support local, sustainable farms anytime soon. To do that, they'd have to change the entire system- Cut ties with the pharmaceutical industry, large companies like Con Agra, and hurt all the farmers who only grow corn and live off government subsidies. And they'd lose the big grocery stores.. big shipping companies. But on the other hand, people would be healthier. Less oil would be used. Communities would be confident in knowing they can sustain themselves instead of relying on foreign imports. Less pollution. Farmers would be happier doing more varied work and actually making money. Anyway, we have the power to change the system through our wallet. Al Gore is the perfect example of someone who made a monumental change using the private sector vs. through the government. Okay. I'm going to keep reading Omnivore's Dilemma and will stop preaching. Hope I'm giving some valuable information and not rambling.
Dirty Meat
Case in point.. article about beef recall. Sort of ventured back into eating meat but I'm still going to limit my consumption and avoid cheap meat from salad places etc. Let's hope I'm not affected by mercury from replacing my meat with fish. I wonder how e-coli could contaminate meat? Oh yeah.. maybe because cattle lives in their own feces.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/ground-beef-e-coli-recall-47051903?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr&kw=ist
And total side note. I went to my dad's chorus concert. He's in the community choir. There was a sign language interpreter. Someone please explain to me why a deaf person would go to a chorus concert? I think my home town is a little too politically correct sometimes.
Inspiring and Frustrating
Just had a long talk with my eye doctor this morning about the environment, global warming, health and the government. Felt bad about holding up his other patients.. but was interesting. He said he used to work for the government and that they tend to ignore issues that they can't fix. And that it wasn't until Ralph Nadar wrote some book in the 60's that started people's mistrust of the government. And that his generation had a completely different concept about what the future would be like through shows like the Jetsons.. they sort of thought that technology would fix everything. But no one anticipated the turmoil in the middle east and other areas around the world. And that our government worries that if they reveal what they know, people will panic. I think people need to panic.
We also talked about all the extreme weather. And his theory was that before we reach environmental.. err... melt down-- the various disasters are bound to cause more socio-economic issues. Like for instance, those hit by these disasters are in poor areas. But in theory, it's the rich countries who've created most of the carbon emissions, thus causing the disasters. His fear is that these children whose families were torn apart will grow up to resent the original polluters.
We also talked about how crazy it is that the medical field isn't trained in nutrition. I'm astounded that doctors aren't taught to make the connection between your health and what you put in your mouth on a daily basis. However, his response was that many areas of nutrition haven't been researched enough. For instance, it seems that every 5 years what we're told is good for us, now doesn't help prevent cancer, etc. But at the same time, you wouldn't expect an eye doctor to see patients who have problems directly related to the environment. i.e. my eyes keep getting red since I've moved to the city which is directly related to the air pollution. He sees more patients who have cataracts due to diabetes. Type II diabetes being directly related to the amount of sugar that permeates everything we eat. And sees more people who have allergies, also directly related to the CO2 that affects how much pollan is in the air. Which gets me on another tangent related to food-- as stated in the Omnivore's Dilemma that while fast or processed food may be cheap, it's financial impact on our health and the environment far exceeds it's face value.
It was inspiring to know that not everyone is living in the cloud- people are questioning the government and societal norms at every age. For a while now, I've been seeking this type of discourse. I don't know if it's who I hang out with or what- but it seems like it's almost rude to delve into deep debates about religion, politics, the environment, etc. on a Friday or Saturday night. Potentially a huge generalization but people have this attitude that they've spent 40+ hours at work and now all they want to do is get wasted or have a light hearted conversation. Of course most people's jobs tend to be some what repetitive. While you're using critical thinking skills, it's unlikely what you're doing is so taxing that you can't engage in interesting discourse.
And on that note, it's nap time before my friend's wedding. I fell off the wagon and just had cooked, factory farmed chicken. As much as I want to go green, it sure is hard to do in the suburbs.
Caffeine
Still going strong with the no meat thing. But I may have some coffee this morning. I figure I'll probably have coffee when I'm in Mexico so I might as well have it now. I was doing a pretty good job for 3 days and felt good-- but this morning is rough. I probably didn't sleep too well cause I'm still not completely packed and have so much to do today.
Food Stuff and Caffeine
So I'm into week to of my vegetarianism (fish allowed). I can't say I notice a difference in my health or overall well being but it's probably saved me some money. Actually, it will probably help me lose weight over the long hall. I've passed up a whole bunch of highly caloric treats like anything to do with procuitto and if you go to the Whole Foods Salad bar, most of the stuff that has chicken is pretty creamy. It's also good to know that I can sustain without meat. I have no idea where I got the idea that I need to have meat nearly twice a day. In a few days, I'm going to Cancun and may have meat there since it's more likely to be raised by more organic means. But now I'm reading Omnivore's Dilemma which will only strengthen my resolve to only eat organic meat and avoid foods that have artificial additives. It's not just about trying to become healthier- which I'm sure I easily reverse every weekend drinking- but it's about NOT supporting the industries that are harmful to our environment. Putting my dollars to work and supporting the organic, environmentally friendly industries.
On the caffeine front, I'm trying to go without coffee this week and am on my second day. I'm actually doing fairly well with that as well. Can you tell I just read Skinny Bitch? It seems like my energy is more consistent. Yesterday I had green tea in the morning and afternoon but today I was able to get by with just morning green tea. It's good to test myself and make sure that I'm not necessarily addicted to anything. And I definitely think that I convinced myself that I needed coffee. I wonder what I'll give up next week. Blogging?
Okay, Now I Can Leave My Apt
only took 5 minutes to achieve.. drum roll please.. 78 Meters
Last night I believe I came in second place in the competition that ended up being me and 3 guys. Um yeah, I'm a bit competitive.
I Love Park Slope
Yesterday I went to Park Slope to get a haircut at Slope Suds. The people were really nice and it was good to get out of Manhattan even if it involved running home from work at 5:30, showering, changing, putting myself together, then running to the F train, then running 5 blocks after getting out of the F train. Wow, that was a mouthful. After the haircut, I met up with some friends at their apartment and played some guitar hero. Word, that shit is addicting. Was just starting to get the hang of it. I'm still enamored with everything Brooklyn and need to move there once my "lease" is up. Maybe I'll actually have the room to pursue the stuff I love- If I'm not spending all my time commuting.
We went out to dinner with my friend's parents and I laughed so hard it hurt. In fact, we got coffee afterwards because we were exhausted. I was sipping my coffee, my friend cracked a joke and I literally spit out my coffee err.. in my hands. It was a bad scene. And today's another Brooklyn day. Going on a walking tour with my dad then babysitting in the Slope. Afterwards, if I'm still standing, I'm going to some house party. Don't know where.
Beautiful Day
I woke up pretty early this morning then headed to the Union Square green market for some grub. Was so early that I saw at least two people doing the walk of shame.
Typo on PDN Online
Freudian slip?
People On The Move
April 17, 2008
Magazines
- Tim Hetherington has been named a contributing photographer to Vanity Fair. Heatherington won the 2007 World Press Photo of the Year award for an image of an exhausted American solder in Afghanstan he shot while on assignment for Vainity Fair.
Best Birthday
This is a drunk off of more than a half a bottle of red wine post. So this was one of my best birthdays.. ever. Work was good. Had very good birthday cake and my coworkers did a good job of tricking me to go downstairs to the kitchen.. i.e. "the pope is on TV. don't you want to see him?" Chocolate mousse cake from whole foods = superb.
Then I went out with a very good friend of mine for wine at Morrell's then dinner at Bobby Flay's Bar American. I.e. I felt like a downtown girl in a Midtown world. J/k. I had a delicious steak with a side of spinach and Malbec. At some point, I left for the ladies room and came back to my partner in crime speaking to the ladies sitting next to us. So I could tell that they were half listening to our conversation and proclaimed loudly.. "you ordered a whole bottle?? I thought you were getting only a half??!!" So fast forward to an hour later and somehow we starting talking to the ladies next to us. One was very loud and fun, and from Chicago. I slipped in that it was my birthday and she calls over the waiter, loudly proclaims that the fine young man failed to mention this. 10 minutes later I have decadently delicious chocolate cake sitting in front of me with "Happy Birthday" in chocolate syrup and a candle. Really couldn't ask for anything more. This makes up for all the bad bdays.. So we pushed our tables together and offered them the cake. Our awesome waiter Patrick brought our new friends plates and folks. And our new friends taught us about life and love. And we shared our views on living in New York. Seriously. My evening was "so New York." So feel free to ask for him by name, give him a big tip and spread the wealth. :)
And I thank my friends for being so good to me. Gotta spread the love. Mwaaaah!
Happy Birthday! to me
I don't feel a day older than 24 I guess. When does one start acting their age?
Rich People
Haha, I met this guy Harry Macklowe once while I was temping. If only I had known.. I wouldn't have made a slightly bad joke that lead to an awkward silence. He seemed like a nice guy though.
http://curbed.com/archives/2008/04/14/second_most_expensive_apt_ever.php
Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell knows what's up. Two years ago I met him at the Gen Arts Film festival after party. I got skillz when it comes to sneaking into VIP rooms and managing to get someone to INTRODUCE us. Word. That's right. I said introduce. Anyway, Colin Farrell knows what's up. Our entire conversation was about how important it is to keep it real in whatever you do. Be kind and rewind. And that mean people suck. Okay, that was the gist of the conversation.
Then if that wasn't enough, I went to a bar afterward cause I ran into some people from my college. We're sitting there, chillin and in walks Mr. Big and Aiden. Why yes, I said Chris Noth and John Corbet. Because I'm smooth like that, John and I had a little chat. He actually went behind the bar, and he poured me a drink. And what did we talk about? He coached me on how important it was to keep it real.
The East Village is Edgy Again
This morning, I nearly tripped over a homeless man in the vestibule of my building. This is the first time that's ever happened. So much for Pinkberry, Max Brenner, the CBGB Store, and anything else that people fear are causing my hood to lose its character. If my roommate hadn't warned me, I think I would have had a heart attack.