(no subject)

I'm edgy and irritable today for some reason. Took two CBD and meditated, and still feel off. Maybe a walk is in order?

(no subject)

1.Watching the BBC's "Seven Worlds One Planet" -- which is kind of awe-inspiring, although it doesn't make me like humans all that much. Also makes me want to pour more funds into Environmental Defense Fund and Nature Conservancy.

However, there are bits here and there, showing how people are attempting to make things better. How conservation efforts - made it possible to tell the story of a mother puma hunting to feed her young.

I really need to see more positive things about humanity -- things humans do that further others and not just themselves.

We all have our pet causes, I suspect. Mine is increasingly becoming climate change and environmental protection. In part, because I work with and procure environmental engineering services and I know how much of state and federal capital funds go towards the environment (close to nothing). The State and Federal Government spends more money on locomotives, stair wells, elevators, roads, tunnels, bridges, laying down tracks, and laying cable for wifi than it does on environmental remediation, clean-up, and abatement, not to mention protection. It sickens me. It should sicken you too.

2. It's been suggested to me that I'm cranky because I'm exhausted and not getting enough sleep. Possible. I've been averaging between 4-5 hours a night at the moment.
I think I might have gotten six last night, and seven yesterday, so that's not bad.

Really need to get to bed by 10, and asleep by 11. As opposed to bed by 11 and asleep by 12 or 1, wake up at 2:30, then back to sleep. Wake up at 5:45 am, slug off to work.

(no subject)

1. I'll give Seven Worlds - One Planet - credit, they provide little stories of how there are humans who are helping to protect the planet. For example in Asian waters, the fishermen feed the largest fish -- a Matted Head Shark, which helps sustain the waters and ensures they continue to catch fish. It's a quid pro quo relationship that benefits both. Also these fish used to be hunted on the verge of extinction but now it is illegal to fish for them or kill them. And as a result their species is growing. Also, their are efforts to save the Sumatra Rhino and Orangutan. Palm Oil trees have just about destroyed the forests in Indonesia. But there is a way to combat the continuance of this -- buy sustainable palm oil that doesn't contribute to deforestation and helps local economy. Or don't buy it at all. (I've been reading the backs of things for some time now to avoid buying it.)

My sister-in-law has found a way to make sustainable bathing suits. And there's ways to recycle clothing and shoes at local farmer's markets.

I'm not doing great at this -- but I am trying. My brother is doing a better job of it, but he also lives on 11 acres of land in upstate New York.

Links:

* 50 Ways to Help Save the Planet

* Don't Know How to Save the Planet? This is what you can do.

* 50 Ways to Save the Planet via the Guardian

* 22 Inventions Saving the Earth

* 70 Ways to Save the Earth

I figure if everyone decides to do at least five on these lists...that will help.

Here's what I've done?

* I turn off my computer at home at night. And use a laptop.
* I get electronic books. No longer buy paper.
* I have a mug at work, and mugs at home, plus a water bottle that I use. And a Brita filter for tap.
* Canvas bags. And recycle the plastic ones at Foodtown as much as possible.
* Take public transportation and walk everywhere.
* Switch to 100% clean energy -- wind and solar.
* Use LED light bulbs.
* Recycle plastics, glass, and aluminum.

I'm beginning to think that I have to find a way to avoid buying things wrapped in plastic or encased in plastic as much as possible. Also get rid of the bags. I do have biodegradable plastic trash bags, so that's something. I have too much plastic in my apartment and at work, though.

Plastic is killing us.

2. I survived the Warsaw Ghetto, Here are the Lessons I'd like to Pass On

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3. For the folks who live in Arizona on my correspondence list - The Ancient Waterways of Phoenix Arizona

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4. The Best Board Games of the Ancient World

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5. The cinematographer of Knives Out wants to end the Film vs. Digital Debate

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6. How to Learn 30 Languages?

I'd like to be able to master two, and just managed to do one. The second one I'd like to master is Spanish, even though I took French in school. I hear more Spanish and Russian though, than the other ones.

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7. Sorry Keto fans, You're probably not in Ketosis

8. I was living homeless in Utah, but nothing prepared me for Koreatown in Los Angeles

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Take-away, the number of homeless people in the US is steadily increasing. That's why whenever anyone tells me that the economy is booming, I think -- well no. It's only booming if you are wealthy enough to heavily invest in the stock market or have disposable funds. If you don't, it's not booming. Capitalism Gone Insane only benefits the upper income, everyone else struggles. But if you live in the suburbs, where the homeless are kept out of the streets and shuffled off to shelters or other areas, it's easy to ignore. They are there, but most suburbanites and rural folks are blind to it.