I have been exceedingly aware of my carbon footprint these days. The economy, the price of gas and utilities (and everything else, for that matter), has helped to make this situation a bit more obvious and urgent to me. I am pretty sure I don't really mind gas prices going up that much - it's going to take something like $8/gallon gas to make some people take notice (ref: the line of cars at any McDonalds or still-open Starbucks Drive-Thru on any given day). Where I live, it's only compounded by the SUV drivers who floor it to get around you or drive directly into a puddle right next to you as you cross the street to wait for the bus. I'll be posting more in the future about my experiences on the bus, but it's been very interesting. And crowded.

Last night I realized I needed to mow my lawn. I didn't want to fire up the gas mower, so I used my silent reel ball bearing-driven mower instead:

Slippers

No, I am not going to show you an actual picture of me mowing the lawn. It was 80-something degrees and I was wearing my pink knock-off crocs that Olive drops on me every morning to wake me up and my Hello Kitty pajama pants (envision if you must, it's got to look better than the actual scene). Who needs a gym membership when you can mow your lawn with one of these??:

 That's the one!

Then, this morning, I saw this video posted on MetroDad:

Now THAT's a footprint.

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What's your favorite song with "America" or "USA" in the title? Bonus points if you share it with us.

Does this make me a nerd? Whatever, dude!

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Get ready. Republican, er Independent Senator Joe Lieberman is earning his pay from John McCain and the GOP. He stated on Face the Nation:

"Our enemies will test the new president early," Lieberman, I-Conn., told Face The Nation host Bob Schieffer. "Remember that the truck bombing of the World Trade Center happened in the first year of the Clinton administration. 9/11 happened in the first year of the Bush administration."

That's right, Joe. Scare them into voting for McCain. I choose to err on the side of hope, not fear.

Incidentally, I don't see Senator Clinton as the VP, but rather in a key cabinet position where she can help the United States with it's embarrassing health care situation. I'm curious to know Obama's choice for a running mate, and I trust him to make the best possible decision. Remember trust? It lives on the same street as hope. 

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What's your favorite soundtrack?

I do not own this most excellent title in vinyl, but the thought of it makes me drool a little:

I DO own this excellent soundtrack, and I really, really love it:

The soundtrack, the movie, the book and it's author are all remarkable. I think the world could learn so much from Sister Helen Prejean.

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I bought a Pepperidge Farm 3 Layer cake at the grocery this weekend. It was on sale. It was vegetarian. It was delicious.

* Actually, it was the Key Lime 3-Layer Cake.

I remembered back in grade school when the cafeteria served us sheet cake that was still frozen. I always loved that!

And I also remember that when posed with the choice of cake or death, I choose cake:

And most importantly, if I were given the choice of Cake or Eddie, I would choose Eddie!!

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First, have a listen to Teddy:

Teddy, your voice should be served on a dessert plate!

If you have the chance to catch the episode of PBS's "Nature" entitled "Underdogs," WATCH IT. It's so good. If you're a blubbering animal lover like I am, you'll probably want a box of tissues at hand.

For reading, I recommend anything by (the late) Andre Dubus. I am currently reading "Dancing After Dark, but I highly recommend this:

In this collection is the short story "Killings," on which the film "In the Bedroom" was based. The story is all Dubus, excellent in every way, but the film (directed by my imaginary boyfriend Todd Field) is not disappointing http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247425/.

Enjoy your week! 

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I have been an on-again off-again vegetarian at many times during my adult life. There are forces outside my control that keep steering me back to vegetarianism, and I am leaning toward it again very strongly.

Point: I love legumes. In fact, when I am asked the question of what one food I would choose if I were ever stranded on an island somewhere, my answer is always, a quick, BEANS!

Point: I rarely buy meat at home, anyway. I don't miss it.

Point: I recently re-read the book and watched the movie, "Fast Food Nation." Yikes! I thought the movie was handling certain things so delicately that I would not be forced to look away, but I would still get the message. Beware the last 5 minutes of this film! They saved all the look aways for the very last.  

Point: Vegetarians are SEXY! ...and when I run away to another country (New Zealand) with Alec Baldwin, I will be able to whip up all his favorite dishes, sans cruelty. And he can cook for me, too, because I am sure I can rescue him from his bad habits... Hear that Alec? I can help! And just in case Alec isn't interested in this proposition (What!?!), there are several other sexy vegetarians on this list that would suit me just fine.

Point: Some of my favorite people (that I actually know) are vegetarians. There's cheekymonkey, meswells, most of my siblings, many of my extended family. Good company to be in, I am certain!

Point: Beer is vegetarian.  

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1. Ben Lee

2. Ben Harper

3. Ben Taylor

4. Ben Folds

5. Ben Kweller

I have an obvious weakness for musicians. Enjoy!

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The Problem:

The Solution:

My most recent newly-adopted commitment to PMA won't allow me to go into too many details here, but suffice to say that my new commuting routine has been a real education!

The Late Wesley Willis isn't for everyone, but I find myself humming this tune when I am waiting for the bus at 6:45 am every day:

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