Green

In this day and age, it seems like everything is focused on being 'Green'. But I recently read an article about the necessity of something more than the 'better for our environment' shtick and it got me thinking, are we really 'Green' if it takes more than the environment card to cause a change? Along with that, I feel like there is an elitist tone to the idea. I feel some people flaunt their eco-friendliness as a sort of character bling. I consider myself not eco-friendly, but just plain responsible.

I have a bicycle, I have two legs, and I live in a town that is 7 miles from end to end. The only time I would need to drive would be to go to the ER! I walk to the library a lot lately, since I am trying to slowly become unplugged. It is a 18 minute walk, somewhere around 1.5 miles, and it gives me a little time to people watch. But I have noticed more 1-man suburbans and minivans than I need. It just seems like people have this obsession of doing more than necessary. I can understand a family of two parents and three or more kids having some sort of SUV or van, a necessity if the whole family wants to go somewhere. But more and more I see people who I know don't have that size of family with those big gas hogs. In all fairness though, I am seeing more and more hybrids on the road...although it would be better to see more and more pedestrians on the saddle or the sidewalks. I think this lifestyle change has just made me more aware of what is necessary and what is a lavish indulgence that we have gotten conditioned to. It is time for society to break out of the comfort zone.

Back to the issue of eco-friendly, it is a lifestyle change just like going vegan is. There are transitions! It might start with changing the lightbulbs in your house or walking around town. For instance, I love road trips. A good part of my summer has been spent on the road. And I don't feel bad about it. The only miles I have put on my car come from the road trips. I ride to the gym, I walk to the library, I drive to different states. Maybe the endpoint will be to not use a car at all, but as for now I am trying to take small strides forward.

On the subject of road trips, I recently returned from my adventure into the Boundary Waters. I was up there with my dad and it was a GREAT experience. To get away from society and all, it was a very good experience that I suggest everyone go through at some point. There was just one thing that upset me, the food. Before we went we asked what the food choices would be and the outfitter said dehydrated food. My dad asked if she meant dehydrated fruit and the likes of that and she said yes. Turns out it was more like dehydrated noodles, eggs, and meat. The only fruit they had were raisins. I was upset because it put a damper on my change. And more than anything, it has messed with my sleeping habits and attitude. But I am getting back on track now that I am in Hastings again. But overall a great experience.

And lastly, I want to talk about my newfound joy of reading. I used to hate it. I never read books for high school and I rarely read for college either. But this summer I told myself that I would change and I looked up some classic titles and started chipping away at the list. I have read three titles and tomorrow am going to get another one. And through this reading I have begun writing short stories of my own. None of them worth much, but it feels good to get the creative juices flowing.

On Thursday I am heading to Decorah for the night. From there it will be:
La Crosse by 4pm to pick up Elissa
a drive through the night to Spearfish, SD for Kristine's wedding
back to La Crosse Sunday stopping in Northfield to hang with Bryan for a bit
back to The Cities to see the LUFDA guys again
Decorah for the weekend
Hastings

Love the road trips!