Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Because it's slow at work.

The one year anniversary of the BP oil disaster came and went. Aside from just posting a lot of articles and photos, I didn't really get to do anything. I'm frustrated by the people who think that tragedy is over, and also by the people who are propagating that idea.... The BP oil disaster is actually just starting and will be affecting the ecosystems, wildlife, and people for decades. I try to use every opportunity I have to inform people that there is still a lot to be done with the oil spill and it's effects. Knowledge is the first step.
Take a look at these pictures.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/8453474/BP-oil-spill-30-pictures-of-the-Deepwater-Horizon-Gulf-of-Mexico-disaster-one-year-ago.html
We need to change the way we operate; our materialism, our greed, and our idea that we're dominate over the natural world.
Watch this clever video for inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Corruption, Money, Lies, Greed: BP and Moving Forward

"BP anniversary: Toxicity, suffering and death"
The Gulf of Mexico oil disaster has caused the biggest chemical poisoning crisis in US history, experts say.
 http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/04/20114161153981347.html


"BP internal meeting notes"

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show BP officials openly discussing how to influence the work of scientists conducting independent research into the consequences of the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2011/apr/15/bp-internal-meeting-notes




Please read the two articles that are linked.
Be sure to understand that these types of issues affect everyone, not just people in the GULF.
And then note that we still want to drill for a non-renewable resource.

It's time to move past this mode of thinking.

Only when the last tree is cut, only when the last river is polluted, only when the last fish is caught, will they realize that you can't eat money Native American proverb



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKosFzMkc8Y&feature=player_embedded

Friday, April 15, 2011

What to do... what to do....

The one year anniversary of the BP Oil Disaster (explosion) is April 20th. I feel like I need to do something Earth-related. It's difficult to boycott petroleum for an entire day, since most of my life directly depends on the materials made from petroleum. (We need to start transitioning to more sustainable products).
I've gotta think of something though.....

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Infestations... Head Lice.. Bed Bugs.

So, unfortunately, the house I'm renting has been infested with bed bugs. Which has me suffering from flashbacks from elementary school. Every year, a few times a year, we would have "head lice" checks to make sure we weren't carrying the parasites around and spreading it to our classmates. I, though I've never had head lice, have always been anxious about those days. The humiliation that comes along with having head lice... being ostracized.... being an outcast and being thought of as dirty.... I dreaded that threat each time the nurses came into our classrooms.
Our bed bug infestation reminds me a bit of those times. People immediately think you're dirty (though, it was my old man roommate who brought them in and then moved out). So, I've had to hold back in telling a lot of people about the additional amounts of stress my sister and I have had to deal with recently. Basically, we're trying to keep it on the down low, until the issue is taken care of.

So, reflection on money and bug infestations....
All throughout school, it was the "poor" kids who were singled out and told they had head lice in front of the rest of the class. It was those same kids who brought lice to school, and who I kept my distance from in my classes. The kids with money never seemed to have those issues.... head lice or bug infestations seem to have only affected the poor kids. The truth, however, is that head lice, or bed bugs, don't target the rich or the poor. They don't target people with dirty hair, or dirty houses. These parasites are equal opportunity bugs; they will attack and infest wherever they can. (I'm not saying that a cleaner house may/may not slow an infestation.) What I'm saying is that maybe bug infestations like bed bugs or head lice seems to be a poor person's problem because it's the poor who can't afford treatment for the infestation. Maybe it's the poor who are harder hit by the bugs that take over their residence. Maybe it takes longer to financially, as well as emotionally, respond to such an infestation.
Our bed bug problem alone is costing my landlord $1200 to take care of. Someone with limited income could not pay the bill upfront.
I'm learning that a bug infestation does not just target the poor, or the dirty. Bugs target whoever they can. It's just the the people with limited income don't have the means to keep their problems under control, or to pay an exterminator right away.
Just sayin.... our socioeconomic roles effect EVERY aspect of our lives.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Feeling Low? Try List-Making.

Someone, at a meeting I recently attended, suggested making a gratitude list when you're feeling angry/alone/hopeless. Try to pump out 10 things you're grateful for. If you can't get 10, try 5. She said it will help alleviate your bad mood and get you to start thinking on a more positive track.

It's worth trying. Next time you're feeling low, just try creating a list. Get your mind off of the negative, if only for 10 minutes.Controlling your thoughts can do a lot for your mood. It might just end up changing your mindset for the rest of the day.