AliveAndKickN

Bathroom Talk

Ever trying to increase my knowledge of the unimportant, I picked up the book "Medical Myths that can Kill You, and 101 Truths, etc."  So far, I've learned that you don't need to drink 8 glasses of water a day, and that the caffeine in drinks doesn't outweigh the fluid you gain from drinking things like coffee, etc.  Sorry bottled water guys.  As long as your pee isn't dark, you're doing ok.  More importantly, I learned that the bathroom is no place to keep medicine, and that toothbrushes are the biggest source of germs.  Although you can't catch a sexual disease from sitting on the toilet, you should keep the seat down when flushing, as apparently the spray can go as far as twenty feet, getting on the toothbrushes bunched on the counter, and anything else in its path.  So, clean the medicines out of the medicine cabinet as the temperature fluctuations are no good for maintaining potency, and put the toothbrushes in the cabinet in their place.  Just remember to store the meds away from the monsters. 

#1 and #2 came home from sleepaway camp today, so summer is getting close to being over.  #2 was very proud of his tan man-nipples and man-gina.  Money well spent.

It should be about the bike

:As someone who went through cancer, and has had family see me through some tough days, I felt compelled to read Lance Armstrong's book "It's not about the bike."  Without ruining it for those who did not read it, the book essentially talks lovingly about how Lance Armstrong's wife got him through his testicular cancer.  Obviously since the book came out, he and his wife separated, and based upon the media, it appears to have been his choice.  Fine.  He does good work with the wristbands and raises money for cancer and other various charities so we can let it go.  I think within the last year or so, he launched a line of bottled sports drinks and bars, etc.  The ads say that if you are tired, consume his stuff, and you will somehow no longer be tired.  Fortunately or unfortunately, since this is America, you are allowed to say whatever you want, as long as it doesn't claim to cure anything.  So, at a time when bottled water is taking a beating in the press for it's impact on the environment, and the cost per ounce, Lance and his financial backers come out with this.  Today's headline was the last straw for me.  Apparently, at a time of drought and hundred degree weather in Texas, 330,000 gallons of water was used at his house, and he wasn't even there.  I guess it was for the grounds. 

I'm constantly telling my kids "just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should."  Again, this is America.   

   

Hudson River Therapy

After listening to the nonsense with the Presidential race this week (he pulled the race card, his wife sells beer to Cuba), my frustration mounted further than usual (thank goodness for Jack Cafferty).  Combined with the too long time spent in meetings, I felt the need to give the pedometer a good workout.  But with one of my associates on vacation, I had to stay close to the home office.  One day, I did the Alpine boat basin hike down to the Hudson River.  Thankfully my mother-in-law reminded me to bring water, as the 2.2 miles each way was pretty hot.  She forgot to remind me to drive carefully however, so I recklessly drove behind a Bentley convertible afterward towards A&P (Jones natural soda and Stonyfield yogurts were on sale, plus I had coupons), then home.  Today, for a change, my wife joined me.  After getting past work obligations, we decided to have a business meeting and cross the George Washington Bridge, walk from 179th street to 191st, and grab a bite (see, there was a catch) at The New Leaf Cafe in Fort Tryon Park.  New Leaf is part of the NY Restoration Project, headed by Bette Midler.  NYRP is working to create a healthier NY City by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced parks, gardens and open spaces, often in disadvantaged neighborhoods. 

I noticed a seeming lack of boating both days.  Could be the energy prices?  30,000 hiking steps in 2 days isn't bad.  By the way, I'm picking green beans and cucumbers daily.  Tomatoes are close.  Broccoli leaves are getting eaten by rabbits, but we'll see if they survive.  Recent seedlings spinach, lettuce, pole beans, and marigolds are starting nicely.               

Visiting Day Overkill

This was visiting day weekend.  Number 3 had his visiting day at day camp on Friday.  During the 3 activities over two hours, he essentially clung to his mother, then cried when we left.  I had one of the parents convinced that my wife was former pro hockey player.  It was lots of fun.  'Nuff said. 

Saturday was visiting day at sleepaway camp for numbers 1(third year) and 2 (first year).  You could feel the stress level rise as the weekend approaches.  You have to understand the complexity of guilt and jubilation in sending a child to camp.  You get freedom, but you miss them.  You're comfortable knowing that they are spending 14-16 waking hours a day with friends, but you wish you could do the same, both for them and with them.  So anyway, as visiting day approaches, you are making your list of things to bring, stopping once a day at the supermarket as you remember (apparently the current environment still hasn't changed some of the supermarkets yet - Shop Rite near us still has 24 hour/day inefficient lighting, gives out tons of plastic bags, and still carries all of those processed foods).  Your children have requested entire lists, but of course the camp management reminds you to only bring what food can be consumed in five hours (camp animals like skunks tend to enjoy leftovers stowed below the beds).  My kids requested hand cranked flashlights, more stamps, more shampoo (which made my wife happy) general tso's chicken, dumplings and rice krispy treats (not the best choices, but it was cheap and they barely ate any of it, as expected).  So when my family arrived, we were actually able to get to camp from the parking lot in one trip.  Conversely, I felt for the fathers and grandfathers straining to unload the u-hauls onto the lawn for the consumption.  There were pizzas, cookie pizzas, popcorn/candy pizzas, baskets of candy, cases of bottled water (specifically prohibited), and pretty much everything else you can imagine.  The same parents that want their kids to get/stay thin try to shovel food into their kids the entire time, as if either they don't eat while away at camp and/or they don't want the stuff in the car for the ride home.  My "eyeball math" estimated a solid 4000 calorie/person average intake.  Seizing a break from having to cook, I opted for pretty good dining room food - apple turnovers and fruit for breakfast, and the fried chicken and banana bread for late lunch (dinner if you are from Florida).  We ate blueberries from the vines growing by the rock wall (yes, that's me getting a massive wedgie).  There was no recycling done unfortunately, as far as I can tell.  We did take the V8 SUV, feeling that the $30 additional fuel cost was outweighed by the better air conditioning (it was hot).  As we drove throught Sullivan County on the way to the Poconos, I couldn't help but wonder what it will be like if the oil drilling rush actually takes place there.   

The kids seemed as we had hoped.  When we asked them what they've been doing, the usual boy answers were "nothing."  Obviously we know to the contrary, so we weren't concerned.  Eldest commented to me when I arrived "still alive?"  Surprised but not missing a beat, I quipped "at least for a few more months."  Males are so sensitive.  No significant infirmary visits (yet). 

Guilt is gone once again.  Back to reality.               

A few good days

The other day, I went hiking with my cousin (who was also accepted into a similar leadership program as me, except in Orange NY) in Bear Mountain State Park.  For $6, I hiked 3 miles practically straight uphill, wound our way down, walked through the zoo, and crossed the Bear Mountain Bridge.  The view was very cool, especially when we crossed the bridge and saw two barges cruise down the Hudson.  We either looked authentic or like idiots, with our hiking gear, Sierra Club backpacks, Cliff Bars and trail mix.  Most of the blueberries along the path weren't ready for eating, but the raspberries were good.  We tried to imagine life 200 years ago, where there were no roads, cars, GPS and electricity.  I became Daniel Day-Lewis in Last of the Mohicans.  "I will find you, no matter the cost!!" 

Yesterday, I was in south Jersey working on a warehouse lighting job.  As always, the numbers are great and hopefully they will pull the trigger after three years of waiting.  Speaking of waiting, I made the mistake of talking with another company that hasn't pulled the trigger on their project.  Apparently they don't believe in math.  If you take a lighting fixture that uses 465 watts, and can replace it with another one that uses 117 watts, you save about 75%, right?  Multiply that by 100,000 square feet, 24hrs/day operation and your cost of electricity, and there's your savings.  After arguing with him for three exits on the turnpike, I finally gave up, and congratulated him on being in an area of Jersey that obviously hasn't been affected by the rise in energy costs.  Amazing.  Getting back to south Jersey, the Pittsgrove area was "ripe" with farmer's markets, fields, horse stables, and roadside stores.  It was great.  After my meeting, I grabbed some blueberries, peaches, plums, cider donuts, and an awesome pulled pork sandwich from a smoker with homemade coleslaw.  Next time, I'll bring my jeans and boots and go trail riding afterwards.  I could live there and be very happy outdoors. 

Tonight I had my first council steering committee meeting.  Since I was a little nervous about what to expect, (like most men) I did some cooking to ease the tension.  I made some homemade rice pudding (which #3 had for dinner), an upside-down peach and cornmeal cake (I think the sage from the garden made a difference), crab cakes from Trader Joes and Cascadian Farms butternut squash.  The meeting went well.  Some friends came out to support me and to offer recommendations for the platform, and raise a few dollars, which was appreciated.  Afterward, I went home and had an ice cold Belgian Budweiser.  Bud, c'est si bon.  Comment ca va?          

No eating this summer

With two kids out the door to sleep away camp, and the other going to day camp for 8 hours/weekday, I've decided to not eat this summer.  Well, actually my goal is to avoid the supermarket overall, and considering the cost of fuel and food, it's not a bad idea.  I stopped at the recently opened River Vale farmer's market, where I picked up homemade "smoked" pickles, green and red tomatoes, green and regular onions, mozzarella, blueberries and cherries.  There was also homemade Amish breads and pies, and a guy selling frozen food such as pizzas and crabcakes.  Since I make my own wherever possible, I passed on the prepared stuff, but it looked tempting nonetheless.  I would guestimate that I spent a little more per item, but I bought less than I would have at the store.

Today, my wife and I went to the Stone Barns Center in Tarrytown, Westchester.  It's essentially organic heaven.  Grass fed livestock with no steroids or antibiotics.  Acres of crops and greenhouses with no chemicals used.  A cafe and gift shop, plus a wonderful restaurant.  Educational programs and tours.  All good stuff.  After seeing their crops as opposed to my little garden, I decided to do something about my weeds.  I bought some Preen organic vegetable garden weed preventer.  Let's see if it will help keep the unwanted stuff out of the patch.  If only the beagle would keep the chipmunks out.         

Why I blog/run for office/get involved

Pat Schuber, former Bergen County Executive, at the Bergen Leads kick-off the other night said something that really touched home with me.  Bergen County by itself has a greater population than several states.  I did a little reasearch, and I found that we were bigger in population than 7 states.  Over the last few weeks, people have asked me why I do what I do.  So, for my first installment of why I do this, I will start with my first love, food and the environment.  Not in any particular order, what would I like to see change?

Fewer leaf blowers in use, especially on hot days and near water.  Noise and air pollution, generated by burning oil/gas.  They still make rakes, don't they?

Utility companies leasing space on rooftops of warehouses and box stores, where sunlight is unimpeded and solar panels can generate lots of electricity.  Look at other locations to do the same.  Train tracks could be “enclosed” with solar hoods to reduce noise and generate electricity.  Retrofit cellular and other towers with wind turbines where applicable.  Use existing structures to generate revenue for building owners and generate electricity locally without having to build more power plants.

Less styrofoam, plastic bags in retail, and incandescent light bulbs.  Make the additional cost of using these obviously inefficient products prohibitive.  Do I need to say more?

Soda made from high fructose corn syrup, and bottled water treated similar to alcohol.  An 18-year old can go to war, but can’t drink a beer.  My four-year old can walk into a deli and pickup a few hundred calories of fuel-processed high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, coloring and petroleum-based bottling.  When done, he can simply toss the bottle into the trash, similar to the other 85% that doesn't recycle.     

Less vending machines in use.  About 25 million vending machines globally, each using $500+/year in electricity, selling some of the least healthy “stuff on earth.”

More walkability.  Cars are a status symbol, and a significant percentage of driving is done within 2 miles of your house.  On the sidewalk or the bike path, we are all equal.

Gardens in vacant lots, backyards, and anywhere else it is feasible.  “Bugs, not drugs” could be the motto.  Or carrots, not crack.  Turn an eyesore into a work of nature and a local business.  Gardening could replace the gym as the place to get a workout and socialize. 

Fewer sprinklers in use, except where growing produce.  Grass does a pretty good job of coming back after a few days without water, especially if left to grow higher.

Co-operation between local farmers and supermarkets and box stores.  Does it make sense to buy stuff from across the globe when you can get it locally?  

Recycling of a whole lot more, especially food waste.  Why produce methane gas in a landfill, when you can produce compost and slop for happy animals and farms?  All you need is volume to make it worthwhile.

Rain water and used water from the house used for irrigation.  Drinking water used for drinking. 

Decentralized agriculture.  Livestock should eat grass and slop, instead of corn and steroids.  About 2/3 of the meat processed in the US is done in only 30 locations.  Additional meat processing plants mean less travel time, and less potential for huge recalls.  Spreading out of livestock/mixed use agriculture means less manure reservoirs, and therefore less runoff into our drinking water.  Organic and chemical-free should be the norm, not the exception.

Imagine almost a million people in Bergen County agreeing and acting as a unit.  Seems like a good start, but I'm sure there are more. 

Things Have Changed Since College

Twenty years ago, my wife and I were students in New Orleans at Tulane University (without the scholarship, trust me I couldn't have gone).  Every spring, we'd get together with a group of buddies, boil a few dozen pounds of spicy crawfish, corn and potatoes, and enjoy one or two cold ones (sometimes three).  We would talk about basketball playoffs, baseball, who was dating who, and laugh about the stupidest things that came to mind.  Flash-forward to Father's Day 2008, and you have a significantly different scenario.  We still do the crawfish every spring, but now we have them shipped Saturday Fedex delivery.  We have the kids who have their schedules and the chaos that ensues.  And of course we have a different set of topics to discuss.  There's still basketball, baseball, and the US Open.  But more predominantly, there is the talk of war, and the potential for our three boys going off to a war in a part of the world that has been at war since history began.  There's energy, food, healthcare, and the issues facing us all on the national stage.  Same-sex marriages are now legal in California, adding the state to Massachusetts as the only ones allowing it.

So how did the conversations go?  One contributor says that a President McCain would get us out of Iraq faster than a President Obama, just as President Nixon got us out of Vietnam, negotiating with aggression (this was countered with a President McCain keeping us in Iraq even longer as pulling out would admit a mistake).  One says that we need to drill more oil, in order to get more supply into the system, and thereby reduce prices (countered with the comparison to the heroin addict who shoots up in the foot after running out of veins in the arms).  Another says that we need more refineries, as we haven't had a new refinery in the US for 30 years.  Another says that we need more local generation of electricity (does it make sense to pay for 165% of electricity generated, just to compensate for all that is lost in the transmission over hundreds of miles?).  Another says that marijuana makes more sense being legal than alcohol, all things being considered.  Still another says we need to go back to a more organic/locivore method of agriculture, where animals eat grass instead of corn, there are more than 30 meat processing plants for such huge country, and natural buffers such as wetlands and forests are maintained to keep from natural disasters.  And still another says we need to allow dying patients to "die" humanely, and not do everything in our power to keep people alive against their will, thereby saving hundreds of thousands of dollars/year in "unnecessary" costs.  And my favorite of course is to unplug all of the vending machines, thereby saving billions of dollars in electricity, plastic, and high fructose corn syrup. 

So what can we make from this "kitchen" cabinet of relatives and friends?  No simple answers, yet lots of ideas.  Pork, NIMBYs and inertia standing in the way.  On Father's Day, you always read about parental advice given from a father to his children.  I offer these words of wisdom to my children:  In the time it takes to complain about something, you could potentially do something about it yourself.  Oh, and during your rebellious years, don't makeout in a two-door vehicle.  It may seem worth it then, but someday in the future, your back and shoulders will make you pay dearly in surgery costs.      

 

Lessons Learned

Sunday was an interesting day.  In the morning, my wife and I split responsibilities.  She took the older boys to their religious school "graduations," signifying the end of the religious school year.  I took the four year old to his birthday party (I think he has eight in the next two weeks).  It was at an ice cream party place.  Of course when it started, the staff had the kids start doing sand art.  Instead, my son wanted fruit.  After the sand art, they started dancing to music, so my son of course wanted to do sand art.  Once the music session was over, it was time for pizza, so of course my son wanted a bagel.  When pizza was over, it was time for cake, so of course my son wanted ice cream.  When he finally got what he wanted, he didn't eat the ice cream.  Based upon the amount of barely eaten food discarded, and clinging kids, I'm guessing I wasn't alone.  No matter how much we try, kids will do what they want.  At least it was indoors, as it was well over 90 degrees in early June.  I hope at least some of the wrapping paper gets recycled. 

After the party, my wife and I briefly attended an open house given by Bergen Swan on rain garden creation, using proper planting techniques to control runoff.  I think it's great that someone is willing to open their house to strangers for the sake of education and the environment.  By protecting and maintaining watersheds, the watershed filters and slows runoff, absorbing pollutants and controlling erosion.  I'm pretty sure these are all good things.  Again, what you do to your lawn, and the areas around you matter.  That bag of dog poop that goes down the sewer eventually winds up in our drinking water.  So do all of the chemical fertilizers.   

After the rain garden open house, we spent the sultry day BBQing by the pool until it was gametime for number two son.  My in-laws found compostable plates at Costco.  How cool is that!  What's next, wrapping paper made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper at ToysRUs and Bed Bath and Beyond?  We'll see.  Despite the heat and the thunder, the game was not cancelled by the league or by the referee.  In hindsight, I as senior coach in years coached (although not head coach), should have pulled the team from the field.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of pressure to get games in, not only on time, but with a full squad.  If you forfeit, there is a huge fine.  If you get cancelled, there is the difficulty of finding field time at another date.  I need to squirrel away this lesson for the future.  Despite extraneous pressure, you need to do what's in the best interest of others around you, especially those who cannot make decisions on their own.  One kid struck by lightning is not worth the risk, despite the odds.  Obviously nothing happened, but the lesson is learned.  My apologies to the parents and kids, of both teams. 

On a different note, The Center for Science in the Public Interest has indicated that Nestle is once again notoriously absent from the Child Nutrition Initiative.  13 other companies, including Coke and McDonald's, are participating.  Maybe it's because 113 of Nestle's 121 products are considered of poor nutritional quality by CSPI.  Nerds and Laffy Taffy!  Say it ain't so!  But don't get me started on all of those vending machines, costing us over $5 billion dollars a year in electricity.  What would happen if pulled all of those plugs?           

No Longer Unopposed

Tuesday was primary day here in NJ.  I started the day unopposed for council, and apparently ended the day with two write-in competitors.  Personally, I see it as positive.  Others should feel strongly about the quality of life in their towns to enter their names.  I believe the final statewide numbers were 4-7% of the electorate turning out for the primary.  I guess having the Presidential portion of the primary in February is a good excuse, but I don't buy it.  Sorry.  We had a US Senate position, US Congress position, plus Freeholders and more.  Too much is at stake to not recognize your right as a voter.  I went to a celebratory party afterward for one of the candidates who won the primary for Congress, and it was nice to see the fruits of their labor paying off.  Shiny college-age faces meshed with us middle-agers (I hope), all for a common cause.  I agree with the candidate's comment that it's not about me, it's about the United States.  Best of luck to any that enter the political realm, regardless of side chosen.

To backtrack somewhat, I couldn't help being disheartened by the debates that took place on Sunday morning.  Yes, Sunday morning.  When most of us are getting ready for the day's sporting events, and/or finishing religious activities, a group of competitors for US Senate took to the airwaves in a TV debate.  The Republicans called each other names.  The Democrats said similar things to each other since it was safer, as the Democrats are the incumbents.  Most of the comments were sound bites.  Very few questioned why many of the issues were taking place, only offering quick bandaids to large problems.  I can't imagine very many people watched, and it's understandable why.

Getting back to my food issues as always, The Times reported an article about NPD's survey of fast-food, as a percentage of parental purchases.  The Times made it appear startling that 12% of discretionary money went to fast food.  The NPD article downplayed that same 12%, stating parents shouldn't worry about the rampant childhood obesity.  I have to agree with the Times on this one.  12% is significant.  You can make your own conclusions. 

I went over energy savings numbers with a 125000 square foot printer by Giant's stadium; a lighting upgrade project with a 11-month ROI today.  Maybe I'll get lucky on this one.  555 pounds of carbon is a lot to absorb, if you know what I mean.  I have to get out in the garden again soon.  I have some tomatoes to transplant and some basil as well.          

Time to Catch Up on Food Politics

Now that my wife's stationery show is over, and DNDY part deux has passed, I have time to check my various sites for the news that doesn't make it to print.  First, the Farm Bill passed, in case you hadn't noticed.  Environmental Defense Fund says the part about subsidizing the big five crops still doesn't make sense, especially with the direct payment system, and high crop costs.  On the other hand, all of the businesses that gain from high crop prices are benefiting.  They can't keep John Deere's on the shelves and Monsanto fertilizer is flying.  Lucky us.  Fiji Water (a company whose ads have appeared on my site) is being labeled a greenwasher for trying to make themselves a green company.  Food and Water Watch is quick to point out that any company that takes water, puts it into a petroleum based container, and then ships it across the world so that the bottle can eventually become landfill, simply cannot be green.  I would have to imagine that Fiji isn't the only guilty party in this effect.  According to the Live Earth web site, both Presidential Conventions are going green, and will be calculating their carbon footprints in flying all of those delegates in from around the country to wear styrofoam hats.  Of course, none of this calculates the carbon footprint of campaigning every day in different parts of the country up until convention.  It makes sense to start in Iowa, go to New Hampshire, then Florida, then California, then Michigan, then New Jersey...well you get the point.  Clif Bar is posting the two mile challenge.  Apparently 40% of car trips are made within 2 miles of your home.  Check it out for yourself.  I'm guilty as well.  According to Green Business, Coca Cola is planning on rolling out 100,000 new energy efficient vending machines by 2010.  I guess we should feel good about this, except that they have roughly 10 million out there, distributing soda, bottled water, or some derivation thereof (see above about Fiji water).  So 1% of the coke distributing vending machines will be green.  I don't feel better anymore.   According to Ecological Internet, China is banning the use of ultra-thin plastic bags and will have charges on thicker plastic bags.  Other countries have done similar.  I think I get two cents back for reusing my plastic bags here in the US.  If only the schools could have been built better.  Maybe more would have survived the earthquake.  Are our schools built any better? 

With summer approaching, I hope many of you will be frequenting your local farmstand.  Whether you check www.localharvest.org, or others, it's worth the visit.  Support locivorism.  Allright I made up that word.  Move on.       

Pay by the Ton, starting May 1

According to the news, starting May 1, New Jersey has reinstated the Recycling Enhancement Act, which means there will be a $3 per ton tax on municipal solid waste, and that money will go towards other programs geared towards recycling more.  Apparently this was in place several years ago, but the recycling tax expired in 1996 and recycling rates in NJ have gone down since.  Will municipalities start pushing recycling more?  Will they pass the additional taxes onto individual consumers or businesses who don't recycle and/or discard more trash?  Good Questions.

Yesterday, the weather held out and the second annual "Dave's not Dead Yet, part Deux" extravaganza went off without a hitch.  The band was good, and in my opinion not too loud, although some of my older neighbors who were planning on attending never showed.  Sorry.  Once again, the amount of food was just about correct as only a dozen or so burgers and dogs were leftover, plus a few beverages.  I got to wear my Indiana Jones hat (see picture but without the horse) which is now actually in style.  Kids played on the lawn and in the street, and according to my kids, very few of them actually cared about eating (I think my three kids in total ate six pieces of corn, two bowls of fruit, a couple of dogs, and a few cookies in four hours).  Leave the kids to play and they will.  Hover over them the way helicopter parents do, and they'll eat some of what you force them, but leave the rest.  Final tallies were three garbage bags of trash, two garbage pails with bottles and cans for recycling, six boxes broken down for next week's recycling.  Some of the food scraps went in the composter but the meat and bones went in the trash.  Ice and melted ice from the coolers went into the rain barrels, which both filled up in today's downpour.  During the party, I pulled out a sleave of cups I found hidden in the basement.  One of my friends noticed that they were cups from a breast pump, which has been gathering dust for several years now.  Knowing my sense of humor and my medical supply business, many thought they were urine specimen cups.  Either way, the forty-plus year old frat party continued, although I'm pretty sure no one hooked up.  I will say that too much sangria and not enough colon are a tough combination.   

Memorial Day was bittersweet as always.  Fewer people along the parade route and at the municipal complex for the ceremony.  Enjoy the day with friends and family, but remember why you have the ability to do so.  I think not only of those who died in service, but those who changed things for the better.  I waiver between trying to imagine myself doing the same, but at the same time feeling so small and insignificant.  Could I versus who am I kidding?  Quite a dilemma.   

With the NJ primary coming up, some of my associates are working on their campaigns.  Tonight, I declined to sign a letter going out naming someone as a "not-so-do-gooder," if you know what I mean.  Sorry but it's not my style to bash others, especially by name.  State the facts or the acts, and let others decide will hopefully be my policy, now and in the future.  Call me naive, too nice or both.  I can live with both of those labels for now.

      

A Snapshot in Print

I apologize for not posting for a few days, but I've been with my wife at the National Stationery Show in New York City.  As I worked in our booth and walked the floor visiting the other vendors, I saw this as a snapshot of what has occurred over the last several dozen years, alongside what is occurring now.  You had the big companies who took up as many as a dozen booth spaces, filled with corporate displays and salespeople at every post.  Then you had the individual owner with the 8x10 booth put together by hand.  As always, I am not anti-business.  The larger corporations should be proud of what they've accomplished financially.  My issue is with how economic success has created unsustainable practices. 

Let's start with the location.  The Javits Center, roughly a gazillion square feet of space, is filled with metal halide light fixtures, which although they give off a lot of light, also use a ton of electricity.  The Javits Center, along with the UPS and Fedex Distribution centers around the corner, and several parking garages nearby, could cut their electric bills practically in half just by replacing lighting with more energy-efficient fluorescent.  Given the electricity costs in Con Ed, I think the return on investment period would be about a week.  Alright, leaving the electricity, I got a kick out of the Starbucks locations there (I think there were 4 in the Javits Center alone).  Usually, I bring my reusable coffee mug to Starbucks and I get a discount.  At the show, I received no discount, and they gave me a cup anyway.  When I refused the cup, they threw it away, which unless I am mistaken, goes against the concept. 

So let's talk about the booths. Ever heard of foam core?  Apparently foam core is the cheapest material known to man.  Compress styrofoam into sheets, color it as cheaply as possible, and turn it into two sidewalls and a back wall.  Use disposable plastic ties to keep it hanging on the bars, and you're set.  The problem is the size versus the quality and cost.  Given the cost of shipping (even years ago when fuel was cheap), foam core is not worth the cost of shipping, so we all know what happens.  At the end of the show, all of the booths that were made out of foam core are left there.  And by the way, there was no trash differentiation at the Javits Center.  Hmmm, a huge convention of paper products and no paper recycling.  Garbage containers every day were filled with paper, empty bottles (I think a 20oz water cost $10.25), food containers, carpeting remnants, and of course foam core.  Waste, and wasted money as well.      

So what were my favorite products - plastic battery operated refrigerator magnets, bridal emergency kits, cheap pens with schmuzzies at the end, electric blinking candle wreaths, jars of cookies with pretty labels (who has time to bake?), and of course all of the cheap stationery made from virgin paper as cheaply as possible overseas.  According to the statistics, 2 billion Christmas cards are shared every year.  Factoring in events and other major Hallmark holidays such as Halloween, Passover and Arbor Day (ironic huh), a whole lot of paper is being created, and wasted. 

But wait, is something changing?  Consumers are apparently looking for more in their stationery than just witty comments and sentimental pictures.  Consumers want to see sustainable practices in those words that truly say how we feel.  We had our stationery dealers coming up to us and asking what type of material goes into our stuff, what kind of inks we use, and more.  Now we were comfortable with the questions, as many of the invitations are made from 100% cotton printing papers, recycled cotton rag and mullberry, plus our letterpress is handcranked.  The wrapping paper is 100% post-consumer recyled and the ink is soy-based.  Again, going back to the different types of companies presenting at the show, the newer companies were promoting their green credentials more significantly.  The bigger companies were trying as well, but it remains to be seen if it was "greenwashing."  30% and more post-consumer recycled paper was popular.  A few even had paper made from elephant poop (no I'm not kidding).  One had paper that actually had seed in it.  After you receive the invitation, you could plant the whole thing and flowers would grow.  We took some samples to try and work with.  I even grabbed a few anniversary cards, as it's my wife's 15th anniversary.

So, the experience is symbolic, or maybe symptomatic.  Years of doing things the same way without repercussion cannot last.  Sustainable practices are probably 5% or less of the market, but it's growing.  Maybe the west side of NYC will do the same someday.  I think oil hit $130/barrel today.

                

Spongeworthy

Today and tomorrow will hold the headlines of the earthquake in China that killed tens of thousands and also the twisters in the heartland that killed dozens and destroyed towns.  Yesterday and before, we had the headlines of Myanmar and the tens of thousands, maybe a hundred thousand killed and/or displaced by the forces of nature.  So what will happen a few days from now, if no natural disaster returns?  Two more state primaries are taking place, so the Presidential "race" will return to our focus.  Should Hilary drop out?  Can Obama capture the white working man's vote?  Is Reverand Wright actually Iron Man?  Where's my rebate?  It costs how much to fill my SUV?  Some say speculators are driving prices so we'll have a bubble; some say demand; few are reducing and our entire nationwide structure is predicated on fossil fuel so it doesn't matter.  However, these questions and more will once again dot our agenda, allowing us to get past focusing on long term strategies. 

On the lighter side, somehow my family and I managed to get colds in the middle of May (usually I don't get colds - I have organs removed every ten years or so).  Since OJ combats a cold (although it is not FDA proven), I decided to take a chance on something I hadn't done in a while, invest in frozen orange juice (and we were out of B&J Creme Brulee ice cream).  At less than two bucks a can, it's cheaper than a container (unless you use bottled water to fill the pitcher), it costs less to ship than containers, there's virtually no expiration, and as we all know, a full freezer uses less energy than an empty one.  The A&P brand tasted just as good as a container of Tropicana, so I think I made a wise choice.  Even the misses liked it.  I'll try the frozen apple juice on #3 next.  Both were made from concentrate and neither had high fructose corn syrup listed as an ingredient.

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day of course.  My wife and I had tee times reserved at the new golf course that was supposed to be built in the Meadowlands.  Unfortunately, EnCap fell through so we planted and watched eldest's soccer game.  A nice 1-1 tie, so everyone (or no one) is happy.

         

Sweet!!

Somehow I managed to find organic sugar buried on the bottom shelf of the baking aisle at the supermarket.  At eye level was Splenda, Equal, and the various other processed sweeteners, just as compact flurescent bulbs are buried on the top shelves with incandescents at eye level.  I decided that the organic sugar was worth the additional cost and 30 calories per coffee cup.  I will say that the taste is definitely better, especially the aftertaste, which tends to last quite a long time.  I have actually noticed that I'm taller and have re-grown hair on my forehead, so that's a plus as well.  On the toilet paper note, my wife and oldest have indicated their displeasure with the texture, so I'm going to have to find an alternative to the Marcal 100% recycled.  I'll let you know what I come up with. 

After the overblown CNN coverage of the primaries in North Carolina and Indiana (I don't know whether I should be more pissed at Rush Limbaugh's stunt or the media that he is poking), I decided to get out for a breath of fresh air.  On a night before paper recycling pickup, I found only about 50% of the houses had their paper out for the next day.  Granted that some people put out their recycling with the late night dog walk, and maybe some were on vacation, and maybe some don't get junk mail or bills, so they don't have recycling.  But considering our little town makes about $5000/month on paper, and with budgetary constraints coming up the turnpike (and parkway), maybe even more could put out their recycling and double that monthly amount (sound like a better campaign slogan than IFRTALOT?)  In the past seven days, I was in two healthcare facilities that don't recycle, which means they don't receive that revenue either.  In addition, they actually pay sanitation companies by the pound to fill landfills with their shredded paper and cardboard. 

In the past week, I was in eight warehouses and a healthcare facility totaling over a million square feet, all filled with metal halides and older fluorescents (I packed my homemade oatmeal cookies and refilled my coffee and water containers, so no waste, and ate at the local deli).  Each of these places had proposals presented years ago, and had financials put in front of them that would have paid for themselves years ago as well.  What people don't realize is that the demand is not decreasing.  Pressure put on oil, gas, and coal (sorry - clean coal) are pushing prices up, not only at the pump, but in the electrical outlets as well. 

I'm currently racking my brain trying to figure out where I would spend my gas tax windfall first.  Maybe I'll buy a petro-dinner for the family at Taco Bell and hope the experimental corn shells don't affect me worse than the refried beans.         

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Organic

So, I'm trying a new cereal from Hain this morning, Blueberry and Cream Granola, and I'm packing the kids with Health Valley snacks for school, and my emails from overnight arrived.  I'm not sure what set this off today, but my in box has been flooded with a video about Monsanto, and the evil of genetically-modified foods.  It was actually a nice change from the Reverand Wright nonsense.  Anyway, it happens to be pretty interesting "food for thought" so to speak.  But since fuel prices continue to rise, and therefore food prices which are dependent upon fuel to get to your table continue to rise, I give you the same recommendation I gave you several months ago.  Buy less, but spend more.  In other words, buy organic, local, and if possible directly from the farm, and if you're pissed at the farmers for food prices, don't be.  With only .5% of the farming done organically, our entire food system is predicated on fuel.  When fuel prices are low, food prices are low.  When they're not, you see the result.  Not being the economist in the room, I believe the one way to reduce the price is to reduce the demand for fuel-driven food.  Know when your farmer's markets are on display now that the weather is warmer, and stop on your way to/from work/little league/nails, etc.   

If you've never been there, a cool section of Orange County is known for their black soil, and their great tasting onions.  Lately, the onion market "stinks" due to cheaper imports, and will in all likelihood continue due to recent trade agreements with Peru and others.  So buy some onions from Orange County, make some onion rings, and watch the Monsanto movie.  Bon Apetit.

This week, I put a pear tree, a nectarine tree, two blueberry bushes and a black raspberry bush in the ground.  #3 child helped dig and water, thereby making himself an walking mudpie, and my steroid-infused muscles were too much for the rake which snapped in two, so it was somewhat eventful.  Middle child adopted an orca and a macaw from the World Wildlife Fund.  It was all his idea, with no prompting from anyone else.  #1 child texted and complained about not having the right flavors of Ben and Jerry's.  2 out of 3 isn't bad.  I guess there are worse things. 

You are what you sell

Every day, while I'm out and about trying to help my clients become more energy efficient, I look at things that are easy to grasp - lighting as an example, which consumes as much as 70% of the total electric bill.  In hospitality and healthcare, I look at commercial laundry, and the potential to reduce hot water and chemicals.  One thing that has always bothered me was the ever present vending machine.  Here I am, walking through a Kosher nursing home where they don't allow outside food to come in, but they have no issue selling Snapple in a refrigerated vending machine.  I found a PDF created by Southern California Edison back in 2003, talking about how an average company spends $250/year on electricity to run each of these inefficient vending machines.  If you trend that forward to today's rates, which are essentially double what they were five years ago, this is more than $500/year in electricity.  At the time of the PDF, supposedly there were 4 million in service nationally.  Factoring in what is typically served in the vending machines, I have to ask any property manager if it's even worth keeping them, especially if it's a property with a cafeteria or access to a nearby convenience store (schools, healthcare, hospitality, malls).  Note - If you remember my previous post about TerraCycle using worm poop as fertilizer as opposed to chemicals, they are at it again.  TerraCycle is now recycling yogurt cups, juice paks, cookie wrappers and more.  Raise money and do something good for the environment. 

Coke says no one wants to pay for the more efficient models.  I know who's paying the electric bills, and I have a pretty good idea of the result of the consumption.  So can anyone guess what my solution would be?

   

Food, Water, and More Politics

My previous post made it into the Record today, although in its edited state, much of my sarcasm was lost in the shuffle, including the fact that I do shop at A&P.  Anyway, the news this week, aside from the flack that ABC "News" received for their lack of moral fortitude in the Presidential "debate" centered around the shortage of food, or more correctly, the inability to afford food globally.  When I think about people making a few dollars a week and then scouring the garbage dumps looking for scraps, I think about the world around us locally.  We have row after row of useless "food" products lining our supermarkets, turning precious resources into petroleum-based nonsense.  Organic food costs are increasing as well, as it costs more to deliver, causing many organic farmers to reconsider their choice.  We have thousands of patients in nursing homes being kept alive with cans of nutraceuticals against their will (I distribute this stuff by the way), costing Medicare hundreds of thousands of dollars each per year.  We average 390 pounds of trash per mile of shoreline, more than any of the country in the world by far.  Freedom lovers around me scoff when I have discussions like this, citing that the US is great because we have such freedoms.  The question is, what is the cost of this freedom?  These same individuals don't like big government, and the costs that come with it.  So when our freedoms create excess issues like we have now, are we missing the boat?  When a reservoir dries up and bags of dog poop and various other discarded items are found at the bottom, are those business people going to clean it up with corporate money or is it "big government's responsibility?" 

In Maine, the Governor just signed a bill implementing a tax on soda, and an increased tax on alcohol.  In NJ, we are looking at a huge deficit, and closings of various departments, including Agriculture and state parks.  If Maine can take on big food to pay for other programs, can NJ?  Can other states and what would be the outcome?

If we're short on food, why are there lunchables?

As prices rise on grains such as wheat, corn and soybeans, farmers are being pressured to spurn conservation.  I just want to make sure I understand this correctly once again, because it seems a bit confusing.  Farmers were previously paid to not use land for crops.  Ok, I can understand the goal for conservation.  Lack of wetlands caused Katrina to be such a nightmare.  Lack of preserved land caused the recent midwest flooding to be such a nightmare.  Now as I also understand it, in the past, farmers were not paid enough for their crops to survive, let alone make a profit.  Now that costs have risen and farmers can make some money, farmers are being essentially asked to take land out from decommission, and put them into commission, thereby putting more food into the system.  So here is my question - has the system worked?  In other words, has cheap food done well in our country?  If so, and there is a shortage of food, then I can understand the pressure.  However, if the opinion is to the contrary, maybe more expensive food isn't such a bad thing after all.  I decided to check my A&P circular that arrived in the paper today.  Going with the assumption that high commodity prices on grain and fuel have affected the food supply, there should be certain items costing more.  Yet here is what was on sale:

Pepsi Cans, Snapple Bottles, Kelloggs Cereals, Pop Tarts, Kraft BBQ Sauce, America's Choice Foam Plates, Grain Fed Pork Chops, Dasani Water Bottles, Jell-O Pudding Singles and Rice Krispy Squares (who has time to make those from scratch!!), Teddy Grahams, Tostitos, Coke 2-Liters, Powerade, Kraft Handi Snaks (whatever that means), Ritz Bits Sandwiches (once again, who has time to put crackers and PB together!!), Lunchables (my favorite), Minute Maid Punches, Entenman's Cakes. 

Now understand that I do in fact shop at A&P, and obviously other items were on sale, but every one of these items is made with grain and fossil fuel.  I am selective in what I purchase, and typically I avoid stuff that is over packaged, made with high fructose corn syrup, and when I buy fresh, it is labeled organic and/or hormone-free.  In other words, I pretty much avoid the middle of the store except for Ben and Jerry's.  But once again, I ask the question, if prices are high, why are the products made with grain and petroleum on sale, or even being made?  And second, with all of the diet ads, health clubs, and self-help books out there, is eating less a bad thing?  Food, energy and politics - you've got me started again.  Who wins with cheap food?  Who loses?         

What if...My Best Job Function was as a Father?

I've decided to go where few bloggers have dared to go.  Last night I stood in front of an audience of fellow soccer coaches and parents, and announced my idea to help people who maybe can't help themselves as much as we can.  I'm not sure if I said anything coherent, and I'm not sure if the clapping afterward was because my ideas were good or because they were trying to get out in time for the NCAA basketball tournament.  Either way, the "goal" is to raise money for two organizations that use soccer as a medium for helping others - Grassroots Soccer that helps raise AIDS awareness in Africa and Street Soccer USA, an organization in Charlotte that helps the homeless and disenfranchised.  In addition, I've decided to run for town council.  So far, only two of us are running for two seats.  I think the latest CNN poll has me tied for third with Brooke Shields, who hasn't lived in town for years.  I better make sure I don't attend any radical sermons anytime soon. 

I guess I'll find out if any of my rantings has had the desired effect.  Be careful what you ask for.  If I fail, I can always go back to being dad...and work.  My 12 year old thought the attached video was poignant (maybe he didn't use that word, but I like it).  As he gets older, I'll take any input he offers.  Today, he preferred me dropping him off at religious school early, as opposed to stopping at my office to take care of some business first.       

Show and Tell

My portion of the Food and Water evening consisted around displaying and describing my favorite products that bombard my kids every morning while we watch Nickelodeon in preparation for the day ahead.  Since I was going to be away from refrigeration for an extended period of time, and since I am frugal about wasting "food," I limited my choices at the A&P to only dry goods.  I chose products around three central themes - ingredients, packaging, and potential misleading information (I also chose based around the potential for my kids to like me for a change as I typically limit their crap intake).  So what do my kids nag me about daily - Snapple (made from the best caffeine and high fructose corn syrup on earth, since no one wants mediocre stuff), Chef Boyardee Mini-Bites (we need more beef in a can to get that real military feel), Coca-Cola (take precious drinking water, add color, bubbles and petroleum and ship it), Echinacea (which enhances the immune system on the front but is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease on the back), Ortega Taco Kit (since no one has time to put together taco shells, spices and taco sauce separately) and of course my favorite, Lunchables (proper use of kids toys to market eight cents worth of crackers and cheese), and Glucerna (I didn't go into too much detail on that one, as half of my counterparts are getting close to that age). 

Unfortunately my plan didn't have the desired effect.  Upon seeing their dreams come true this morning,  like kids rolling out of bed on (insert gift-giving holiday here), the wolves gorged on sugar, processing and caffeine.  Dr. Jekyll took over when it was time for school and it took listening to Weird Al Yankovich and Sir Mix a Lot in the car to calm them down.  Best laid plans.

Michael Pollan and Kim Stevenson of the NY Times see the upcoming price issues as having the potential to "produce" some desired effect.  Everything processed and packaged requires shipping, which requires petroleum, which is becoming very expensive.  Meat and dairy from animals that eat corn instead of grass will become more expensive.  Americans who are accustomed to paying less as a percentage of their income for foods like these may abruptly turn towards local fruits and vegetables and grass-fed animal products, which are less likely to suffer the huge price increases.  What will Monsanto, Cargill, ADM, and ConAgra do?  Hmm...   

What if..North Korea Poisoned the Meat?

Tonight's meeting was a presentation given by Food and Water Watch, a DC group that was previously part of Ralph Nader's consumer safety group.  Their campaign, if you couldn't tell from the name, is aimed towards creating a more sustainable environment towards the food we eat and the water we drink.  Among other things, the presenter posed a poignant question - what if a North Korean person or group, or someone else from the "Axis of Evil" claimed responsibility for the potential poisoning of the gazillion pounds of recalled beef sent to our schoolchildren?  Would the NJ National Guard units be on their way to the Korean peninsula as we speak?  Obviously this wasn't the case, and there was no repercussion since it was an isolated accidental case (by the way, food companies are not obligated legally to issue a recall - it's optional since they self-police).  Food and Water Watch is trying to keep the Farm Bill from passing "as is", since the system of having 4 companies controlling 85% of our food obviously isn't working.  It probably won't pass until the 2008 election anyway, as the current congress can't make a deal that works.  The presentor doesn't believe market forces will change the system enough, as only certain people of means will be able to have a choice.  Those who shop at Wal Mart and/or people who don't have much option, will take what they get unfortunately (does Whole Foods take food stamps?).  As a wholesome organic company gets big enough and takes market share, the bigger companies gobble them up and try and change the rules.  Now I understand business, and progress, and as long as companies like Stonyfield get acquired but maintain their integrity, I have no issue.  When quality is reduced, everyone loses except shareholders once again.

Once again, I ask what's wrong with this picture:

The farmer has only a few choices in seed.  He has to plant fence to fence in order to break even so he needs chemicals to nourish the soil.  He has only a few companies to sell his crops to, and it costs more to transport them further away to sell them.  Or how about this scenario.  The farmer has to keep animals shoulder to shoulder to make a living.  He has to feed them corn and steroids to fatten them in 18 months instead of 3 years.  He has to inject them with antibiotics to keep them from getting sick in such close proximity.  The runoff from the crap pools pollutes the local watershed.  Once again, he only has a few companies to sell his animals to, and it costs more to transport it further away to sell them.  With no one looking out for the individual farmer, everyone wonders why the next generation runs away to the big city.  With subsidies from the farm bill putting Mexican corn and sugar farmers out of business, we wonder why the family farmers are being replaced with illegal immigrants.  Interestingly enough, although the issue was the infrastructure of our water system needing an overhaul (since it apparently hasn't been done in 30+ years), much of the questions revolved around foreign companies owning our water systems, such as Suez, which owns United Water.  In the end, patriotism keeps us from looking at the bigger picture - we're doing this to ourselves, and only a handful are benefitting from it.      

Fuel prices are going through the roof.  Corn prices are going through the roof.  Less than 2% of all food brought into the country is actually inspected.  Five million new people are diagnosed with nutritionally related illnesses each year.  Would it make sense to change?  Still willing to let the NJ government do away with the Department of Agriculture?  Are there ways of raising revenue while reducing bad habits - drive thru fast food tax anybody?  What if NJ were to sell Bergen and Hudson Counties to NYC?  The state could reduce its debt and get out of congestion pricing at the same time.            

So Fla...So Fla to go

I am currently in the midst of my whirlwind Florida tour (I'm actually visiting my father who is temporarily in a nursing home).  As I look around, I see all of the decisions of the last 25 years that really haven't seemed to make good long term sense.  The condos on the beach and the suburban sprawl heading inland.  More and more the Everglades gets squeezed from both coasts, until eventually they will meet in the middle.  Today in the Florida paper, there was an article about rock mining in the Everglades and it's effect on drinking water and more.  For years, envirnonmental groups have been fighting the practice, but more and more roads need to be built to support all of the people and strip malls.  Lake Okechobee is at drought stage once again, and the dry season is scheduled to last until June.  Each resident (and visiting snowbird) having his/her own pharmacy, supermarket, and a chain restaurant is taking its toll on the natural resources.  In order to get anywhere, someone needs to drive, and almost every highways is 4-6 lanes of stop and go traffic lights.  Having drivers 70 years apart, each and every one of them on cell phones drinking coffee is not a good combination either.

One good effect from the trip is my lack of eating.  Unable to stomach (literally and figuratively) some of the 3000 calorie appetizers at the chains, I've dropped a few pounds.  I ate exclusively at home with family.  My second biggest meal was the blue Terra chips on the JetBlue flight down.  Hanging out for several hours with my father in a nursing home, I continue to appreciate his perspectives I rejected growing up.  I could never understand why he couldn't get along with those he fult unreasonable or misinformed.  Instead of trying to find common ground, dad simply shot his mouth off and made enemies (including getting thrown out of my soccer games).  Just yesterday, I received a call from an energy client indicating that he couldn't budget a lighting project.  He couldn't understand, no matter how many times I tried, that budgeting it wasn't an option anymore.  If he does nothing, he will spend $100,000 on his lighting energy over the next 12 months.  If installs the $50,000 worth of energy efficient lighting, his lighting energy will drop to $50,000 over the next 12 months also.  In other words, he will spend $100,000 either way.  The difference is what happens after the 12 months is over.  Thankfully my mother's personality allows me not to fire off my true feelings and I agreed to continue the conversation at a later date.  I'll probably send him an anniversary card on the day his project would have paid for itself.

I hope Florida eventually becomes the solar state instead of the sunshine state.  With all of the unobstructed rooflines available, and with the entire state air conditioned, the location is perfect.  If the installation could be affordable enough so the payback period is under 10 years, I think it would work.  If energy prices continue to skyrocket, that 10 year return on investment may get shorter on its own.

What's everyone doing for World Water Day tomorrow?   

I promised not to preach, but...

Let’s try not to lose sight of the ball.

This week saw an outrageous week in the news.  A huge secret was disclosed that has implications for millions of people not only locally, but potentially worldwide.  And no, I don’t mean the Elliot Spitzer issue.  I mean the issue with drugs being found in our drinking water.  Unfortunately, due to the nature of the NY Governor’s scandal, nothing else will be news for several days to come, if not more.  I hope we don’t lose sight of the ball this time.  We’ve got some serious issues that need addressing, not sometime in the future, but sooner. 

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the latest crusade into the Middle East (yes I love my country and yes, I am pleased that the surge is working), we really should be focusing on the issues that are keeping this country down.  We continue to subsidize and promote the creation and marketing of cheap chemically enhanced food (free toy with every angioplasty!) to make sure that each person in the U.S. averages a healthy 3500 calories/day.  We continue to subsidize and promote the consumption of fossil fuel (what’s the spot market price on wind and sunlight today?).  We’ve promoted and invested in financial deals that had virtually no chance of success unless housing prices continued to rise every year for thirty years straight.  All that matters is quarterly earnings.  We are spending trillions of dollars on a war without end  (except on Boeing).  And there’s that debt thing.  Oh and the Constitution (is it still relevant?).

So many of the financial, social, political and diplomatic decisions we’ve made over the last several years have been off, that it’s easier to focus on the things that are truly important – steroids in baseball, illegal immigration (is it possible that we caused some of the problem ourselves, i.e. NAFTA?).  Al Queda has replaced Communism in the next Cold War.  We invade Iraq and do nothing about Darfur.  We do little about endangered forests (our policies encourage clear cutting internationally) or species (who needs fish and tigers anyway).  We still look at our whacky tax structure as an unfair “game” with the ultimate goal of avoidance in payment.  With an additional 5 million nutritionally diagnosed disease states each year, we wonder why healthcare costs are so high, and little focus gets placed on a logical future of institutional healthcare (pills for everybody!).  With a 98% dependence on fossil fuel, we wonder why we stay in Iraq and then complain when gas prices go through the roof.  Unfortunately “clean” coal (my second favorite oxymoron after healthcare) is no longer a help as the price of coal skyrockets from demand overseas, and biofuel isn’t the savior it was touted to be.  With millions going into foreclosure, and thousands still displaced from Katrina, we offer few long term sustainable housing and planning solutions or contingencies in case of something like Katrina hitting us. 

When our own Governor Corzine offers a solution (the toll hikes) to pay for previous financial shortcomings, we kill it due to the inconvenience, and offer few alternatives besides cutting heads.  We have no issue with the dissolution of the EPA that oversees the supposed 18000 toxic waste sites in NJ alone (is this number correct?).  Is it possible to look at the issues we face as an opportunity?  Can we reduce our consumption, sacrifice some of our selfish nature (we’ve already sacrificed most of our rights), get past party politics, and do something for the common good?  Too optimistic?  Probably.  I can’t even get recreational soccer, basketball and baseball to compromise over practice time.  I’d continue this but I need to put a new 125-watt incandescent bulb into my double-height entranceway (everyone should stock up before that crazy Governor of ours forces us to become energy efficient).  And for the record, I have taken steroids but I didn’t inhale.  Someday if I’m ever important, I don’t want it to come out unexpectedly.   

I realize, of course that we are not in a recession (dare I say the word), but to quote a much smarter person than me during the Great Depression – “If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize as we have never realized before our interdependence on each other; that we can not merely take but we must give as well; that if we are to go forward, we must move as a trained and loyal army willing to sacrifice for the good of a common discipline, because without such discipline, no progress is made, no leadership becomes effective.  We are, I know, ready to submit our lives and property to such discipline, because it makes possible a leadership that which aims at a larger good.”-FDR

Interesting Weekend

Over the weekend, I had some time to scan the headlines for some good stuff.  First, I'm proud once again that one of my opinions made it into the paper.  Here in NJ, as of March 1, there is going to be fines associated with hand held cellphone/text message usage while driving.  While I don't disagree with the concept, once again, I feel it is an example of what I consider to be "product discrimination."  If we are going to go after distracted driving, we should target more than just phones, especially if the overall effect can be even greater.  Second, I saw that Aetna changed its mind on colonoscopy anesthetic coverage, at least for the time being.  Those afraid of the hose can once again sleep peacefully.  Third, I read in Parade Magazine that McDonald's has asked its chicken suppliers to "refrain" from using unnecessary antibiotics and hormones in its meat supply.  I am trying to get clarification on what the word refrain means.  And fourth, my first set of seedlings is starting to arrive.  Little broccoli and cauliflower plants are popping up in their holders just waiting for spring.  Hopefully the same will occur with the peppers, tomatoes, marigolds and lilacs shortly.  My new solar powered garden lights arrived.

At a friend's birthday party (not one of my kids for a change), it was nice to hear that my rantings are appreciated.  I often wonder if I am alone in caring about so many things.  Thanks.   

Is less more, more or less?

Let's call it a downsizing of the economy, not a recession (as the rest of the world kicks the crap out of us financially).  That being said, maybe we should look at the increased cost of everything (food and energy don't count as part of inflaction statistics) as an opportunity to reduce.  I've cut down on my more creative cooking (the kids usually eat something else anyway) and concentrate more on quality and sale items (thank goodness for PBJ).  Given the lack of incentives to increase consumption, maybe we should look at some options for reduction.  With the house expansion probably on the back-burner for a few decades, we are looking at more of an efficiency remodel, with emphasis on "Not so Big Solutions," as in Sarah Susanka's books.  On a bigger "scale," maybe the food pyramid could be changed as well.  Instead of 2-3 servings of 5-7 ounces of meat, maybe the pyramid could say 2 or even 1-2 servings of the original 4-6 ounces, as originally stated in the basic four guide instead.  Or how about a different shape altogher, say a trapezoid or or a rhombus, or something more representative of our society - pear shaped?  While the FTC is looking at misleading advertising for the first time in years (we need to address greenwashing), maybe we can re-address the issue of unhealthy food being targeted to children (Cookies as a balanced part of any nutritious breakfast?).  And of course unless you think the cost of energy is going down, there's always efficient appliances and lighting.  Grow your own food (plant now for indoor seeding, around St Patrick's Day for outdoor). 

As I always try to do, I thought of another way to solve multiple issues.  According to the National Horse Protection League, about 100,000 horses are slaughtered each year.  5% of all urban air pollution and 60% of fresh water is used to tend to our lawn care.  What if each township were to have a working farm, complete w/animals?  The Amish may have something!  Imagine horse-drawn buggies taking kids to and from school instead of SUVs.  During the day, ranchers and landscapers could move horses, cattle, sheep and goats from lawn to lawn, eating and pooping to their hearts content.  Less pollution, noise and fuel and more local milk.  Overalls could make a fashion comeback.            

What goes in thankfully doesn't always come out

By now, you've probably seen the