ecoCrazy

The Monday lunch blog continues with some exaggerated reflection on my eco-crusades.

When it comes to green living, the crazier you are, the better.

The thought of at once ditching plastic bags, canned tuna and tomatoes, non-organic eggs and non-recyclable materials (for example) seems to suggest a need for insanity. It’s not so much that to make a dozen eco-friendly and health-friendly commitments at once is crazy; rather, it’s that doing so wholeheartedly seems to require one to be slightly nutty.

This realisation hit me after watching an episode of HGTV’s Living with Ed, a “reality green show [that] chronicles life with an earth-friendly fanatic,” actor Ed Begley Jr. Watching him go to great lengths to green his home and lifestyle while his wife tries to cope with his antics was like watching myself on a larger scale. My sudden “Oh sorry, I don’t need a bag, thanks!” is often met with a surprised face. (It must be my keen delivery.) Or, “can you please help me find a jar that isn’t #1 plastic?” as my poor boyfriend just wants me to pick one and go. (Ed knows all the numbers off by heart and what they mean.) Next time I will have to explain why I want my tomatoes in a glass jar, but not a premade sauce because I’m sensitive to sugar. I started my job and immediately wanted to make my green workplace greener by ditching the paper towels (legally we can’t), antibacterial soap, and harsh cleaners. I will attempt to recycle anything and everything and insist on reusing my plastic bags when buying my produce. Regular deodorant will no longer suffice, and I swear my next couch will not be stuffed with foam.

While I can’t apply green theory to absolutely everything in my life, I refuse to accept the unacceptable and will confuse as many people as needed to get the right product. They’ll get used to it.

So am I crazy? I think to face the challenges this modern world offers us, 100%, you have to be. So here’s to being crazy — crazy about our environment, our health, and our future.

Events in Vancouver: transit and regional planning

The Monday lunch blog is back after last week’s holiday with a heads up about two important local events.

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon’s antics have made for good blog fodder lately, the newest of which include a push for later SkyTrain hours and fiscally unjustifiable turnstiles for SkyTrain stations. He also continues to demonstrate his perseverance against common sense and common opinion by pushing through Bill 43 again — this time with apparent success — in the new session. This new law replaces TransLink with a board of businessmen who will essentially be controlled by the Ministry. All democracy will be removed from processes and, no doubt, “what Falcon wants, Falcon gets.” See Keep Transit Public for more info and be sure to attend the rally Wednesday at 4:30 at Canada Place.

Today in Vancouver and on other dates in various municipalities is a series of meetings related to the Regional Growth Strategy Review. (Thanks for the heads up, Raul!)

In November and December 2007, we will be hosting meetings in your community to talk about regional growth challenges. How can growth be accommodated on a limited land base? How will we provide the housing that will be needed for a growing and aging population? How will we keep Metro Vancouver prosperous and competitive in the global economy? How will people and goods get around in the region?

Come to a meeting in your area to learn more about the issues and options facing our region, and help us choose a sustainable future.

For more information call Metro Vancouver at 604-432-6365.

Tonight’s meeting is at the Vancouver Public Library from 7 to 9 pm.

“How to tell if a web page sucks”

Via We’re Not Wired Right is this map of questions so funny you’ll laugh even the second time you read it. » How to tell if a web page sucks

And if you don’t find that funny, look up Russell Peters on YouTube. He was voted #1 on the Just For Laughs 25th Anniversary Special’s Top 25 standup comedians, which aired last night on CBC.