Wonderland Burlesque's Going Green Quiz

Wonderland Burlesque's 

Going Green Quiz

In light of the green returning to the planet courtesy of spring, I thought we should take a look at what it truly means to 'go green.' 

I love this planet, but, sadly, she's not doing all that well; rumor has it she's on her way out!

Today, we'll take a look at what we're individually contributing to the salvation of our dear, beloved, much-abused earth, and, in turn, examine what else we might be able to take on to support these efforts. 

Let's dig in...

1/ Do you recycle? What day of the week? What's your opinion of recycling? Does it work?

Yes. Very much so. We recycle everyday and they pick it up every two weeks on a Monday. It's telling that our blue recycle bin is three times the size of our regular trash bin and that the recycle bin is always nearly overflowing, while the trash bin has two tiny bags inside it. 

In the kitchen, we have an old wicker clothes hamper with a hinged lid. A quick rinse and in a suitable item goes. Same at The Boyfriend's, minus the hinge. They both add a bit of warmth to the kitchen, so they don't look out of place or industrial. 

At The Boyfriends? We have two giant recycle bins and one trash. Again, due to all the board games The Boyfriend kickstarts, the recycle bins are always overflowing. 

Does it work? Does it matter? I don't honestly know for sure. I'm not aware of how effective Minneapolis' recycle program is actually; I do wish they'd post information about what they do with all of it. I do know there is a park bench program and that some of the stuff is used to create playground equipment, so there's that. I really should look into it more. 

2/ Do you compost? Every tried it? What's your opinion of composting?

The Ex and I did for three years. What a mess. What bother. The only thing I liked about it was that we didn't have to bag our grass clippings. In the end, The Ex couldn't stand looking at it (although it was well hidden, well kept, and a nice looking compost cage.) When the city introduced their organic materials pickup service, good-bye compost. 

At my Mom's, I continue to compost and she has had quite a bit of success with hers, creating all sorts of lovely top soil full of nutrients. Her raspberry thicket loves the stuff, as do her strawberries. 

Now, all our leavings go in this little ceramic lined metal pot that sits on the stove top. We used to use these biodegradable bags in it, but the bags would dissolve before we had a chance to take them out to the organics bin, so we now do without. It's not an issue at all in the winter, but in summer? Oh, my... the fruit flies. I was never so happy to see winter than this year, for the fruit fly situation was getting out of control. 

I have no idea if Minneapolis' organics program is successful. The main plant is right near one of our rental houses - a giant mound of decaying matter. Never smells. It's just a bit unsightly, but then it's an industrial area near the river, so it fits right in. I have no idea what they do with it. 

3/ What do you think of solar power? Concerns? Do you have solar panels on your house? Would you?

Love solar panels and I wish we could afford to have them. I suppose, at some point, we won't be able to afford not to have them. I know there are all sorts of programs to help you purchase and install them, but we're a bit complacent about it; something new, you know... 

I don't have any concerns about them. They aren't that unsightly and are definitely effective. It's definitely something to think about and look further into. I think a sort of laziness is at the root of our inaction. As the world goes? Can we afford to remain so complacent?

4/ What do you think of wind turbines? Concerns? Any near you?

I haven't seen any in the city, proper, but on the outskirts, like Maple Grove, etc.? Oh, yes. And I don't mind them. I think they look rather majestic. The whole bird killing controversy seems much ado, but, thanks to the orange ogre, that is everyone's main argument against them. 

Keep in mind, they go out and kill birds with their guns, but if even one dies due to a wind turbine, well... then that's reason enough to do away with them? It makes no sense, but then those sort of people rarely do. 

And they say they're unsightly, but... really? I view them as rather heroic. I mean... think of all the crap we visually have to put up with, like the omnipresent Golden Arches ever five feet. I would much rather look at a field of gently turning windmills. 

 

5/ Do you purchase organic foods? If so, why? If not, what's preventing you?

I will if it is the only produce available, as in, something I need to have... but otherwise, no. 

Why? Expense. And it rots so fast. I would have to shop on a daily basis and I hate shopping. Grocery stores are nightmare experiences for me; my anxiety goes through the roof. And I would shop at one of those co-ops (in fact, I have a lifetime membership at the main one near uptown,) but I don't like the offerings, don't like the prices, don't like the people that shop there, and I don't like the people who run it. They're such snobs. Even the nuevo-faux-hippy sorts with their multiple face piercings and white-people dreadlocks. I don't want to support a bunch of deluded posers. And they're so militant about their food choices. Sorry... I like convenience. It makes me feel like I eat garbage food (do I?), but there are enough other things to feel terrible about in the world, so fuck 'em. 

I'm a concerned citizen of the world. Sensitive, but not a nut job. All those face piercings don't make you more righteous or a superior social warrior; they render you unemployable and ridiculous looking. And scary. (Mostly I find them scary.)

Now... you show me a nice naked hippy and the woods - minus all the coop trappings? Oh, yes, dears, I'm all over that. They always smell so wonderful (except for those that insist on wearing patchouli oil like water.)

6/ What do you think of plant-based foods? Have you tried them? Any favorites?

Adore. This is the wave of the future. Do away with all the killing and industrial animal harvesting. Eat plant based foods. They are delicious. I don't know why I didn't do it earlier. And they keep becoming more available and more affordable. 

I used to assume the worst about all of it, however, once I made a commitment to eliminate meat from my diet - because it's so much healthier to do so and I love animals - I began to experiment. I now love tofu. I've found wonderful tasting plant based substitutes for everything - even fish. Granted, I could make better choices (there is a primo vegan butcher shop in NE which makes the most amazing things, but I'm not a daily sort of shopper, so it doesn't work for me.) 

As is? I'm happy with what I'm eating, which, surprisingly, includes a lot of green salads. Huge ones. And I don't know why. I mean, I am a lazy, lazy person; one who couldn't be bothered to chop and clean things, but now? Monday through Thursday. I rather like it, have it down to a routine. Lots of spinach. Lots of fruit. It makes me happy. 

As for the plant-based stuff. One simply has to try different things. You'll find you spend as much or more on meat based stuff, so why not try plant based items? I don't feel deprived. In fact, I feel like I am getting away with eating what I want... now, the only issue is - portion control!

7/ Do you make a point of shopping locally? Did shopping locally in any way impact the gifts you gave this past holiday season?

I adore small business day pre-holiday season. This year, The Ex, who opened a shop for his organic soap company this year, gathered his favorite vendors from the various farmer markets where he's sold his goods. I went in and had a ball, dropped big coin and had all my gifts before I left. 

I'm now really into soy candles and I don't mind paying more for them when I know the money is going to support a woman and her family. Yes, not a necessity, but for the sake of my well-being? Perhaps it is. 

The Ex threw another event for Valentine's day and I swooped in and finally found the perfect set of bowls for the veggie rice bowls I like to make and eat, among other things. I liked that I was placing my cash in the hands of people who actually create what their selling - no middle man, no bank, no price gouging. 

I haven't figured out how to extend this idea of shopping locally. I do know we have a grocery market in North Minneapolis that grows their own produce in a vertical farming pod. They sell it half-price on Wednesday mornings, so you'd think I'd be more motivated... but keep in mind, I'm a lazy sort. 

Still. Really need to make more of an effort to support such an enterprise... or it will go away.

8/ Do you own an electric or hybrid car. Concerns? Could you see yourself owning an electric car?

I do not and I wish I did. 

My next car? Yes. Either a hybrid or a full-on electric. I am done with supporting an industry which price gouges, destroys the planet and helps fund the GOP. 

Fuck big oil. Send them packing. 

Cut Texas off at the knees, folks. They're arrogant, greedy and evil. They need to be destroyed. 

That's why I'm all for what's happening with electric vehicles. I want in. I think I will make the switch when I retire in four or five years. If something happens to my mini in the meantime, yes... I am prepared to switch.

9/ Mass transit? What services are available to you and which do you use?

Have never been on the train. We don't have a line that comes to North. You have to go downtown to catch it and then what? Go to The Mall of Embarrassment? No, thank you. 

We have a line that is supposed to go to Burnsville, but it is mired in funding issues and construction problems. It's way over budget and, of course, the GOP want to kill it, because it affects the amount of gas people burn and it only serves people in the metro.

The bus lines in Minneapolis continue to get cut back... which is the wrong direction. Ridership is down because it's simply not safe. I feel for the drivers. They put up with so much. And people now get on and refuse to pay - what's to be done? 

So, no. Mass transit in Minneapolis isn't working. It's too expensive and too scary.

I Uber, but that's not the same, is it?

I am biking more in the summer. So, there's that. Hard to go grocery shopping that way, though. Bet I could manage it if I shopped locally...

10/ What do you see as the benefits of going green?

Well, wouldn't we like to save the planet? Not for humans. I think about the polar bears. I think about the choral reefs. Thing is... we're a selfish lot. And I'm no different. I'm certainly not doing all I could. I do the bare minimum and pat myself on the back, saying... good enough. Bah. 

I don't have children, so part of me doesn't care. The only thing I do care about is the welfare of animals and, as it stands, we are destroying their natural habitats at an alarming rate. Humankind's arrogance and indifference is toxic. Destructive. 

I live a tiny life. My impact? Not huge. Still, I could do more, small things, in order to make a micro bit of difference.

I think about how much water I use on a daily basis and am, what? Shocked? Ashamed? I take it for granted, while there are people in Africa who have no water. How do I make sense of that kind of inequity?

There's so much ignorance and stupidity in the world. I sometimes wonder why we bother trying to save the planet at all. Still. Those of us who know better need to continue to do better. Maybe it will rub off. Maybe it will make a difference. It's better than surrendering to stupidity. 

And that's what we're fighting against, folks. Stupidity. Greed - which is simply a form of stupidity. 

So, do what you can to fight the good fight. If I didn't? I couldn't live with myself. How some of these people do? I can't say. I don't know. I suppose stupidity comes with a big helping of denial in order for them to justify all the hateful things they do and pursue. 

But, the clock is ticking. Even for those fools. Me? At this point, I'm resigned to simply run out the clock, while trying to limit any negative impact my existence might pose to the planet. 

My hope is that future generations wake up and make changes sooner than later. 

My generation and those before have been very poor stewards of this big beautiful world. And we have to live with that - and, sadly, so does the planet.

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Okay, loves. Your turn. Leave your thoughts and answers in the comments section, or post it on your blog and leave a link. 

Thanks for reading, today. 

Make a difference where you can, dears. 

It's all we can do. 

Wishing you all great peace.

Peace - Sabrina Johnston

Peace - O.A.R.

Peace - Depeche Mode