“When you’re comfortable in your own skin, you look beautiful regardless of any flaws.” – Emily Deschanel How are you holding up this summer? This past weekend I was part of a theatre festival hosted by the Orlando Repertory Theatre, so I spent about 6 hours out in the Florida heat and humidity. All I could think of most of the day, as I sweat my testicle clean off my body, was how I was going to go home, take off my clothes and crank the air condition to an environmentally irresponsible 70 degrees.
It's hot out there! Keep hydrated with your reusable bottle. Put on some sunscreen. Take it all in small doses.
You can also beat the heat by taking part in the coolest activity around the Monday Ripples. Below you'll find some links to things I hope will inspire you to get out and make a difference in the world. Click, read, digest, pass on, and, most importantly, do.
Best Use of a Hummer
Architects Turn Gas-Guzzling Hummers into Earth-Friendly Micro-Homes
When I think back to the first time I ever saw a Hummer, I'm amazed at what a craze they became. I don't recall anyone thinking they were a good idea until they came in primary colors. Well, the Hummer is on its way out being phased out or just not made or I don't know what no doubt primarily aided by the universally accepted (how often does that happen?) projection that gas will be up to $5 a gallon soon. Here's a great piece from Good showing architects who have come up with a use for these obsolete beasts. You probably commented at one time “it's as big as a house on wheels,” well these guys want to actually convert them into houses.
Small Help from Big Corporations
Valentine: Charities, don’t be afraid to ask for help
It's tough to raise funds anywhere, but imagine if you lived in a town with no major corporations. Sharon Valentine writes in The Fayetteville
Observer about approaching the mammoth corporation Wal-Mart for funding, and found the process to be remarkably easy. Don't be afraid to think big, is her basic message. She also points out the importance of using the local media to spread the word about the generosity take note! (Thanks to Margot Knight of United Arts of Central Florida for sharing this.)
One Man's Trash
The Freecycle Network
“Freecylce rocks! I always say, if you can’t recycle it, Freecycle it,” says Jody Goostree Buyas from Keep Orlando Beautiful. “People will take just
about anything.” I was reminded of this fabulous tool during our first gathering of The Do-Gooder's Coffee Klatch when Jim Cundiff from the American Lung Association brought it up as a resource. Have something you no longer want, but it's still useful? Don't put it in our over-taxed landfills, Freecycle! You can also put the feelers out there for something you're trying to find.
The Universe: Our Junkyard
Can space station dodge dangerous junk?
When I was in 5th grade at K.I. Sawyer Elementary School in the frigid north known as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I remember my science teacher a thin, mustachioed, uninspiring man posing the question: Should we do more exploration of sea or space? I have no idea why, but I shot my hand in the air with my initial, gut reaction. I said I felt like we should explore space since we were messing up this planet and didn't have a right to mess up space the way we already were. I was just thinking of golf balls and golf clubs that had been left up there; I had no idea how much crap we've left in space so much that there it has put the Space Station in real danger.
