Zero Waste or Can We Really Make a Difference?

Monday, November 30, 2009

Here I am again... reading the New York Times and thinking about change. 'What I do today affects everyone that comes after me' - everyday.  If each of us thought that way more frequently, the more remarkable our individual impacts on others would be.  But today's burning question concerns that ubiquitous international institute - 'the fast food joint'. As I now read in the paper, many varied entities are turning their hands to the processes of recycling.  All across the US, in cities and counties and shops and homes, people are going from recycling to a zero-waste philosophy.  This is brave and forward thinking, although it means more work for the individuals involved.  Are they just selfless goody-two-shoes? No. These are people and agencies that recognize the impact they each make each day, and are willing to admit it - then make an adjustment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Our daily lives are measured by the choices we make, and every one counts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

  I have just taken a job at a very popular 'fast food' joint. The company is known in every town and city of any size across the nation - and it's busy always.  But today, in shocked realization, I recognized that we do not make any allowance for recycling.  Every day massive amounts of mixed food and packaging waste is collected together in the trash bags and thrown into the dumpster behind the store , then never thought of again.  How can I, who needs my job, profess to be a growing 'green' contributor efforting at home to make a difference, when at my job great numbers of pounds of waste are going heedlessly into the stream of unprocessed trash?  Cannot these public-franchise companies be held accountable for the excesses they produce?  Is it possible that in our deference to capitalism in our democratic society, we fear to hold the same standard for all endeavors whether private or public? 

The NYT article, talks of a move from partitioned recycling to total recycling, calling the movement Zero Waste.  How can we achieve our goals if we don't recognize where we are blind or falling short. The national habit of fast food, had been shown to be bad for the waistband and the arteries, so some change came to the food choices offered.  Perhaps it can also be shown that the habits of customers and the practices of the companies have an impact on the land fill and air quality issues as well. Surely everyone who gets their food fast - could also contribute to less waste and greater personal responsibility - enjoying their meal while knowing that when they sort their cup from their food waste, they have helped the air stay a little bit cleaner and the undeveloped lands last a little longer.  If we are to have a bright and healthy future - it's up to each of us to look sharp at what we do to help or harm the community and world around us, and speak up on all concerns that affect both you and me.

Nurtured by the Water of the Sun or '...in broad daylight'

White is the new color Red. Red for blood in dangerous and powerful, passionless crimes, thought thru and carefully invoked. Darkness still lurks in the shadows, but now, they are white. Without God, all gods are dogs. Yours, mine, ours. The one we beat because he belongs to us, the one we pamper because we are his people.. the one we fear because he is familiar and has menaced us with sharp teeth pulled back in a snarl. Did he smile or threaten to bite, or just demand that we give him his due space? Did he deny us passage or say we traverse at our own risk? Were we afraid or was he? Does he obey or do we... Further on, the brightness conceals hatred and indifference that will leave someone standing alone, holding the bag. Nothing diffuses this veil... daybreak and sunset remain the same. But wait... there is a palpable edge to this ill humor - selfishness. Self-ish-ness. Doing for/being like -my-self. The white wash covers the extreme agenda to reject those that reflect back any other color than me-ness. By deflecting all comers, the suns heat concentrates in hard-lit rooms where conversations lean toward exclusion. Where decisions are made to trump the light and transmute it, to darkness. In cars and bars and offices near and far, the water of the sun nurtures a future clothed in defiance against unity, congress and love. Each encounter leading to devastation helps to level the playing field. Each one who enacts their right to chose who will rule - in favor of any singularity - wills the shadows to thicken and obscure any bright future.
Now, the new red... is the empty color of death.

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Now playing: Finger Eleven - Them Vs You Vs Me
via FoxyTunes

I'm in love with an Academy Star or true confessions...

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Now playing: Maroon 5 - Sweetest Goodbye
via FoxyTunes Did I forget to mention that I, like so many before me (in Golden Age history), am in love with a movie actor? He remains dashingly handsome, reappearing after some years on the edge of the limelight. With a couple of new smash hits, and very interesting interviews with current fellow actors-male and female - he glimmers and shines, basking in the deserved glory of a desirable come back into his own. Still with his wife of twenty-plus years too... such a success story. Perhaps you can guess who I'm thinking of? Tall-(well not so), dark-(those eyes!!), and well, HANDSOME! YES!
(Totally). Period. (Boy can he wear a suit...) and the dulcet tones of his unique voice? Fantastic and riveting, would that I could be the focus of a definitive motivational dialogue with this man of my dreams. Did I mention how he matured into a man of mighty flesh, who when casting a visage brightening gleam, makes me quiver and swoon? Electronic, in Black/White, in any era or style, a most dedicated thespian. Man as art, in motion-(Pictures), or in desktop stills - the downey softness of his indoor tan, reflects an all-encompassing obsession for life depiction. Revel in his latest and the greatest of perpetuation of a fictional anti-hero(antic-qua-ted) and updated, so to bring the case to a close, I'm forever dedicated to the Jr. who's 'bright flame' burns on.

nothing new or is my taste changing?

I'm not improving my normalcy by watching movies like this (Gigantic). Its quirky and strange but, I (always) want the guy to get the girl (or whatever - the underdog to win) and this time it's no different. So after looking at my queue of movies, I observe that my choices are strange indeed. Very serious psychodramas, action-thrillers, science-fiction, fantasy and romantic comedies. Race, creed and economic status notforthstanding, I want faithfulness, hope and reason to prevail. I'm even willing to suspend for a time, judgment on investments in depictions of questionable morality, if I think the story will end up revealing the true natures of the minds of the characters. Oddly enough, if I draw back to a vista overlooking all my selections, I find that genre doesn't matter as much, as the resolution of the players to make the best of it. Wherefore, (if) the story metes out proper punishment to the offender who by force, coercion or repression - denies verve, vitality and veracity to any others in the story - I will venture watching beyond the frequently mundane boundaries so often constraining our view, to find that writers and players are finding expression of these values in various non traditional arenas of life and mind.

All which I applaud thankfully. Bravo!!
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Now playing: Finger Eleven - Paralyzer
via FoxyTunes

Embarrassed in Scotland

In yet another instance galvanizing the extreme distaste many nations worldwide express for American largess, Donald Trump's latest colonization (in Scotland) is embodying all that is threatening and distasteful in his attempt to further his personal interests over anyone else's. The enormous uncouth and classless manner used to dismiss the value the people of the region of Balmedie place on THEIR land and environment, continues to affront all people, causing them to retain their negative outlook on the rich-and-American. WHY must mister Trump have whatever he wants - all others be dammed? Why is he unabashedly 'notorious' for employing 'strong arm tactics' to achieve his own goals? There should be social consideration by all Americans when one of us is acting like an ass! In a world where the average man doesn't have the option of great influence on his day to day surroundings, it seems just a little more than unfair that one such as mister Trump can defame, 'trump' charges, demean and harass anyone -anywhere - just to get what he wants. I vote for unilateral dismissal of any consideration in favor of mister Trump's interests (commercial or otherwise) in Scotland. Holding out hope that he learn some manners or the use of gracious behaviors not withstanding, I believe his attempts to dominate and displace peaceful people, stealing by force what is not his by any right, a sure disgrace and reprobate behavior. History has proven that to listen to tyrants disguised as peacemakers offering prosperity, never serves those who bought the hook-line-and sinker. For all who must suffer because a 'have-alot' wants more, I suggest you send him back where he came from with a firm 'Not Interested' sign pasted to his backside. Your humbly, a sympathetic observer...

Want-Ads or Nothing Available at This Time

Looking for a job in a new city, can engender a certain amount of madness. Initially, you think that your prospects will be good - after all that's why you came here. Accordingly, you had set out a budget to stick to, and had treated yourself sparingly to various impressions of your favorite foods set forth by second-rate purveyors, believing that your efforts at frugality would be rewarded by a celebration of obscene proportions, once you landed that job you just applied for. But perhaps you were misled - you misread the enthusiasm of the desk clerk who smilingly insured you that "the HR director will get back to you". You thought she meant right away...but its been a week now, and now you think she might have 'misplaced' your application because she actually thought you were dull and uninspiring. Time continues to pass and still no responses. Perhaps you missed a spotlight talk-show on the downsizing 'this depression we're in,' was having on this beautiful, seemingly booming city you've chosen. You feel a certain anxiety set in - as though you missed a signal some ways back. Well perhaps you're going about it all wrong...
Save your money, secure interviews, map out your road, close out your accounts and visit the post office for a change of address form. These are the things a prepared relocater does. "What? You got out your map and checked the weather to determine where you'd go?" "How could you fly off without money in your pocket - and no car?" Well, we'll see if one can stay perpetually young and carefree or if time and experience will prove that ' a bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush' or 'foresight is better than no sight at all'.

Seattle's best... or Shopping Madnes

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Now playing: The Pointer Sisters - Fire
via FoxyTunes Today has been a day for emotions to run high - at least around me. A spontaneous offer to visit the nearby "fabulous" shopping mall, proved to be an exercise in patience, or the lack there-of, verses a stilted enjoyment. Although our host drove with a mix of pause and dash to rival that of any rally car racer so that we arrived at our destination in record time, we also (well, I also) immediately felt a desperate need for coffee. I had earlier finished my customary cup of morning tea, and suddenly after an overwhelming sense of joy at being once more in a large city- at what was promising to be a very pleasurable mall - I found I needed coffee.We had already been across the sky walk twice and ridden the elevator(on two different banks) four times, and I could sense the enormity of this undertaking. This situation demanded coffee. No-one else in our group felt the mad necessity I did, so dashing into the preferred Jo-shoppe I purchased a cup. Now I was set. I had already enjoyed the neck craning and window tapping agreements that usually ensue under these circumstances, and was fueled for more. Suddenly I was side swiped by a shushing sound coming from one of my loved ones. "Don't yell", she said. "ME?", "What? I'm not yelling, I'm just talking loud so he can hear... " Well this turned into a longish debate over weather what I thought was acceptable behavior, in fact, was. Then I was charged with embarrassing her as well. -That did it - ruined my cup of coffee joy. Now I had to mind myself so as to not en licit any more criticism of my manner of expression (or of volume) while mall-shopping.
I passed the test, and stopping into a few glimmering offerings to consumerism on the way, we returned to our car. Our driver drove expertly home and left us at our door - but the day was not over. Opening the door led to the discovery that THE dog had chewed up my newest and most favorite notebook - all over my bed. Without hesitation I flew into a rage, flapping my arms and promising her demise. Little did I know she wasn't through with me yet. Meanwhile the landlady whom we call 'Mrs.Scrooge', had more to say about our water hookup failing to make safe the supply against damage by frost - "must be done (read paid for) by today". All this taking place just outside our trailer, while inside my dog had another surprise for me. When we had returned earlier, I had done a quick if thorough cleaning and set out my lunch as a treat afterwards. Comming in from the browbeating by MS, I find my sandwich carefully disassembled and strewn across my bed. Taking a deep breath, I screamed! They all came running...'what?' Look, I point, and the rest is history. Tears and hysteria later, the dog is soon to find a new residence to terrorize, and although I'll miss her a little, I'll sleep better too.