If I Was A Legislator...

if i was a legislator, i'd propose that phone books would be made available upon request, but they would not be automatically delivered to every house. we just got 2 thick phone books dropped off at our apartment, and since we can use the internet, we're never go to use these phone books! ever! it's like receiving a chunk of pollution on your doorstep and it makes you feel guilty for having a residence.

Energy Monopoly

It's reassuring when big companies recognize the need to explore alternative energy sources. I recently found out that Parker Brothers / Hasboro has done just that. In August, they'll unveil "Monopoly Here & Now: World Edition". Instead of the "Electric Company" and "Water Works" utility spaces, they'll feature "Wind Energy" and "Solar Energy" in their place.

Even if you believe Global Warming is a farce, what's wrong with treating the environment better? Even if pollution isn't causing global climate change, wouldn't it be nice to power our world and do so in a way that would prevent grey skies and poor air conditions? Why be opposed to alternative sources of energy that have the potential to cost you, the consumer, less? Why be opposed to deleting our dependence on oil, the cause behind almost every international conflict and catalyst of war? Don't deny a good thing just because it might take some time and effort. The first step to solving a problem is acknowledging that there is one, and the people behind Monopoly have done just that.

Memorial Day Weekend

Polar Bear Club

Soon there might be no club. Or cub.

Yesterday, the U.S. government added the polar bear to the endangered species list due to the fact that... well, their home is literally melting into the ocean due to global warming. This is the first time a species has been added to the endangered list due to climate change.

It must be noted: The government is doing nothing to reverse this... they were just kind enough to acknowledge it.

If you like that polar bear graphic, you can get it on a t-shirt at threadless.com.

Beepin' at Butts

I really don’t know why people don’t care about how disgusting our surroundings are becoming. Whenever I’m stopped at a red light I look around at the ground and it’s filthy. Beyond filthy. How this stuff gets there I don’t know. I could never throw a Wendy’s cup out of my window when I’m driving, and I can honestly say I’ve never seen something that blatantly criminal done.

However, what I always see is people throwing their cigarette butts out of their window like it’s not a big deal. This infuriates me. It blows my mind that people don’t regard this as littering. That being said, I’ve decided to beep at someone whenever they do this. Since beginning this campaign, I’m very surprised at how often I wind up beeping. I’m also very surprised at how happy this makes me. I feel like such a bastard when I do it and I love it.

It’s awesome to be stopped at a light, see someone chuck their butt onto the ground, and beep my horn. The litterer will look for who beeped thinking it was for a non-existent traffic offense and then realizing, maybe, someone beeped because they threw their cigarette out the window. Even if it makes them think, “Hmm, maybe I’m an asshole” for just a moment then I feel I’ve gained a small victory.

I encourage all of you to become a part of the “Beepin’ at Butts” effort. Please let me know how it goes.

Full Disclosure: I smoked for a year in college, and I don’t dislike someone because they smoke. I understand it’s a personal choice, and it’s hard to quit. That being said, there’s no reason to make this world uglier than it already is. If you don’t care how your car smells from the smoke, the cigarette butt isn’t going to make it that much worse. Throw it out when you get where you’re going.