World Environment Day...next week

It's World Environment day next week, Tuesday 5th June 07. I need to think of something to do to mark this momentous, and hopefully effective event which will inspire change and encourage personal responsibility.

According to the day's website, World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more.

Does anyone have any good ideas of what they might do?

My god-daughter is 1!

My wonderful god-daughter turned 1 today! We had a party with cake and everything. It was fab! She's so lovely I love her.

Here's some piccies of her - a few weeks ago, yesterday with me, and then today!

Lovely Penguins

I love penguins. I saw the documentary on Penguins from the BBC1's/David Attenborough's 'Planet Earth' series last year which was truly fantastic. If you haven't watched the series, I highly recommend it. It is one of those classic, timeless series that makes TV really worthwhile.

I found the below clip on youtube. There are clips from the movie 'March of the Penguins' (which I have yet to see) alongside Natalie Grant singing 'Held'. She's a good singer, I like her. I have her album. Enjoy!

Doing organic on the cheap

This can be hard to do; organic food can be so expensive.

I admit I don't always buy organic because it does make the shopping receipt grow in pounds.

thelondonpaper - a free evening paper which is handed out to all the busy commuters in London as they leave work -has a page every day called 'greenlondon' which I think is quite good, and talks about environmental issues pertinent to London, and the world at large.

Earlier this week it recommended that if you cannot afford to switch to an ALL-organic shopping basket, you should really try to consider doing so when you buy these:

- Flour
- Potatoes
- Bread
- Apples
- Pears
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Green Beans
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber

The rationale behind this is that the Pesticide Action Group Network has recently produced a list of the top ten worst offenders for pesticide residues.

On a personal note, I always try to buy organic milk. For one, I am sure the taste is better, albeit marginal (maybe psychological?!). Additionally, it generally contains more nutrients, antioxidents and good stuff. This BBC article explains in more depth.

So do try to buy organic; and definitely buy local whenever you can, over organic i.e. it's a 'lesser-evil', I reckon, to buy a pesticide-grown tomato which has been grown down the road than an organically-grown tomato from another continent. Failing that, grow your own if you can! (not sure if this would work for all things though.... I'd be pushed for space to grow a cow haha!)

Can you feel the Meme tonight?

I have been memed!

So that's a first for me. Marde (e acute....how do I achieve that on the PC? Me, the illiterate French typer...) memed me with this:

1. Go to www.popculturemadness.com
2. Pick the year you turned 18
3. Get yourself nostalgic over the song’s of the year
4. Write something about how the song affected you
5. Pass it on to 5 more friends

I turned 18 in 1994, which was the year I went to University like thousands/millions of others around the world.

Looking at the list of top 'choons' from that year, a few stand out both in positive, and irksome ways.

Positive ones?
'Can you feel the love tonight?' by Elton John. It is a bit soppy but it is beautifully constructed and I sung it with my choir at uni.
'Here comes the Hotstepper' (murrrderrah!) by Ini Kamoze. This track just reminds me a lot of the nightclub at my student union, amusingly named 'Shafts'...well, we all thought it was funny at the time.
1994 was when RnB tracks really seemed to make their mark in the mainstream music industry. So 'Bump'n'Grind' by R Kelly and 'Back and Forth' by Aaliyah are songs that really stand out for me; and the friends I hung around with at this time were really into this music, so I guess I joined them for the ride!

Irksome ones?
The likes of 'I'll make love to you' by BoyzIIMen was just played over and over again that now it just grates me - it's truly cringeful.
'The Sign' by Ace of Base is ANNOYING!
Ooooh 'Baby I love your way' by Big Mountain is another bloody annoying one as well.
Maybe these tunes annoy me because at the time I thought they were quite good and age/wisdom has got the better of me!

One pretty cool song which I didn't really discover and fully appreciate until a few years after I turned 18 is 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm' by the Crash Test Dummies. The lyrics are thought-provoking but it wasn't until I was reaching my mid 20's, when I had just moved to London, that I really listened to the song properly. Until then all I heard was the pleasant tune and the bloke going 'Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm', without wondering why!

Once there was this kid who
Got into an accident and couldn't come to school
But when he finally came back
His hair had turned from black into bright white
He said that it was from when
The cars had smashed so hard
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

Once there was this girl who
Wouldn't go and change with the girls in the change room
But when they finally made her
They saw birthmarks all over her body
She couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just been there
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

But both girl and boy were glad
'Cause one kid had it worse than that

'Cause then there was this boy whose
Parents made him come directly home right after school
And when they went to their church
They shook and lurched all over the church floor
He couldn't quite explain it They'd always just gone there
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

So who to meme now?
Well, I am running out of options, I am still building my contacts and fellow bloggers. Have I got 5?

JoyceHopewell
Maylis&Hugh (that's two - Maylis, and Hugh)
BitterSweetBlue
WisdomWalking

Pack up your troubles...

Yes, pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, as Murray Johnson sang this World War 1 song in 1916.

I need to remember to smile, smile, smile as I suffer from an unfortunate bout of labyrinthitis. Not very nice, feel like I am half drunk/dizzy so need to be careful I dont bend down or up or make any sudden movements too much. Hmmmm...anyway, I will try to ignore that and focus on relaxing, resting, and the odd bit of campaigning on green issues.....

So keeping to the packing theme (I am so imaginative, aren't I?), here's some tips for you all if you would like to reduce your impact on the environment and help to stem the growth of huge plastic package mountains. Packaging on food and commodities is mostly rather wasteful and unnecessary.

Think not only of the end packaging-product which you promptly throw in the bin to go to landfill; but think also of the journey it made to reach landfill heaven.....the resources and energy consumed to make, manufacture and transport it.

So we can all do our bit. For example:

- Buy loose fruit and veg
- Recycle our bags to hold products together (see my earlier blog entry)
- Look for packaging which is recycled, or recyclable, and recycle it too
- Choose products with compostable packaging if you can, like ones made out of cornstarch
- Ask the information desk at your local supermarket if they will take back the packaging you don't need or want. Who knows, this may send a clear message to supermarkets that excess, unnecessary packaging should be their responsibility to sort out
- Write to your local supermarket and ask them to use more recycled and compostible packaging. The technology is there so is there really any excuse these days?

Encyclopedia of Life

Found this on a blog and I think it's really nice. Great idea, let's hope it pulls off.

'Running up that hill...'

Yes, Kate Bush's song springs to mind as I reflect on the 10km run I completed yesterday.

Here's what happened......

Woke up in my brother's flat, felt a little nervous actually.
Had some toast with strawberry jam, lovingly prepared by my belle-soeur (that's French for Sister-in-Law, because she's French!)
Got ready.
Walked for 30 minutes with brother and belle-soeur to The Meadows which is where the race began and finished
Sorted myself out, warmed up, and then queued 10 minutes for the loo.....there were LOTS of portaloos, and LOTS of queues for them!
Got ready to run in the big line of 9,000 runners....I was quite near the back.
Started running!
The sun was shining, there was a good atmosphere, and I was really enjoying it.
Got to the Scottish Museum where we had to turn off Princes Street, and start running up the hill towards the Royal Mile. At this stage I was really, really hot (the weather was deceptive - I decided to keep my fleece because of a strong cold wind, and threatening rainclouds); but because of the bright sunshine and blue skies I decided to take off my fleece. I had to do this whilst running/walking up the hill, holding onto my water bottle, taking my ipod out of my pocket and attaching it to my arm....an interesting Krypton Factor-style challenge!
Commenced a lovely downward run towards the Scottish Parliament. On the way there were people cheering/clapping, a DJ playing Kaiser Chief's 'I Predict A Riot' which really spurred me on, a steel band etc.
We then started the long slog/climb up the road which passes the Crags (sitting below Arthur's Seat, for those familiar with Edinburgh geography)....this was a tough section to run because it was uphill, plus there was a VERY strong wind which we were all running INTO!
Reaching the top was relieving and we started a mild descent at the 6km mark.
I then saw Brother & Belle-Soeur at around 7.5km and they took a couple of photos of my back, because they nearly didn't see me, even though I was waving frantically at them!
This was followed by another gradual climb and then a small steep climb, before a gentle descent towards the finish line. Brother & Belle-Soeur caught me again on camera at the 9.5km mark, just before I found the impetus to sprint the last 400 metres. If only I could have that sort of energy all the way through, my finish-time would be mighty impressive!
Funnily enough, no sooner did I finish and pick up my goody bag and drink, the heavens opened and we had to take cover under a tent/gazebo structure. I felt sorry for those still running....

This run did take me longer than my last flat run around Regent's Park - 4 minutes longer in fact. My time was 1 hour and 10 minutes. I came 6101 out of 9000. So I am not your next Paula Radcliffe, that's for sure. But there's already one of her!

A BIG BIG HUMUNGOUS THANK YOU TO all my supporters - both the ones who sponsored me, and the ones who sent me their good wishes and prayers for completing the run successfully. It really does mean a lot to me to receive your support, in all its guises.

I have beaten my fundraising target and I am really happy that this money will be going to a really worthwhile cause that is CLIMB.

Here are some photos so you can get a taste of my experience in a more visual way! All courtesy of my dear Belle-soeur who is a fab photographer, and you can see more of her photographic delights by clicking here.

With my brother...

Queuing up to run....with a man in a wedding dress....?!!

Waving to the Commentator!

Waving to Belle-Soeur!

Erm....

Ummm...

At the 7.5km stage...






Running....with Tigger...bouncy-bouncy-bouncy-bouncy....fun fun fun fun fun?!


Just finished....needed some warmth! Belle-soeur said I resembled a crisp packet.

With nostrils flaring, I started to rehydrate myself...

Me and my medal.

GreenAbby x

Let's petition!

Ok, so there are petitions all the time petitioning politicians about what they must do to make this world a better place.

Sometimes I do think what is the bloody point. But then I do know that by participating in these fingertapping exercises that they CAN make a difference, sometimes.

The Friends of the Earth BIG ASK! climate change campaign is one such example. It resulted in the inclusion of a Climate Change Bill in the Government's legislative programme announced by the Queen last year. Without pressure and lobbying by lots of FOE supporters and people who are concerned about the environment, I bet it wouldn't have become a proposed bill. 95% of MP's were personally lobbied by constituents in September and I am sure this made an impact, as 412 MP's backed FOE's calls for a bill.

Indeed, my MP in Islington, Jeremy Corbyn said "I had hundreds of pieces of correspondence on this issue, and I congratulate those responsible for one of the broadest and best organised campaigns for many years".

So why am I going on about petitioning? Well, I have been sent one via email by an organisation which is trying to gather 175,000 in advance of the G8 summit.

Have a read and sign up if you back this campaign, and you believe there's a possibility that together our voice could make a difference.

I think, therefore I am?

I have been lucky enough to be tagged as a thinking blogger. In other words, someone out there (Barbara!) perceives my blog as being one of the many millions out there which makes her think, and encourages others to do the same. I feel honoured to have been selected for this worthy, harmless accolade, so thank you Barbara.

Now that I have been tagged, I am permitted to tag 5 other blogs with the Thinking Blogger Award. These are the rules of this simple, potentially effective award system:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).

So here goes, my nominations are as follows:

1) Joyce Hopewell. Yes, she's my mum, so I am biased, but she does write a cracking good blog about astrological psychology, and certainly encourages you to think!
2) Maylis & Hugh. Yes, they are my Sister-in-Law and brother, so again I am completely biased, but Maylis does write some really interesting stuff (well, interesting to me anyway!) She also posts some of her excellent photos on here which allow us to reflect and marvel over the beauty of this world.
3) Integral Options Cafe. I found this a few months ago and I really like some of the articles etc which are written about buddhism, psychology etc. It's quite immense and sometimes very deep and overwhelming for my simple brain, but it don't half make one think!
4) Barbara. Yes, I am nominating my nominator right back! I love the vibe of Barbara's blog - warm and intimate, and you get a real taste for life en France....

I am quite new really, to this whole blogging game. Only in more recent months have I really started to get into it properly, and have started looking more seriously at other people's blogs. So I am nominating 4 for now. If I find another one which inspires the brain-cogs to tick, then I will surely post this in the future. Perhaps it will be a fellow-greenie-bod....

Enough with plastic bags already!

Plastic bags are a real pain.

Can't live without a bag though....often we all need a bag to carry our things, move our shopping from the till to the cupboard, protect things, wrap things, throw smelly things away etc etc.

Recently I have been observing the 'frenzy' in the UK over a bag which Sainsbury has been selling called "Im not a plastic bag" bag. Apparently this is the hottest trendy thing to be seen carrying...all those ethical, eco-friendly consumers can proudly wander the streets parading their morals and showing how considerate they are to the environment by not using a plastic bag.

Wahey for them. Except on closer examination it's apparent that these bags are not quite so worthy....1) they are made in China; 2) they're not fairtrade; 3) there has been no attempt to ensure the materials used are environmentally sound; 4) because of the location of manufacture, they've most likely been brought over on a cargo plane, therefore emitting lots of carbon into our precious atmosphere.

Moreover thus, it looks as though Sainsbury has been cashing in on everyone's desire to be more environmentally conscious, at the expense of the environment itself! Wonders never cease. This article sheds a bit more light.

My mum (read her blog here if you like), alerted me to the fact that Modbury, a small village in Devon, has become the first town in Europe to stop using plastic bags. I found a more detailed article about this on Timesonline. The article is interesting and explains the rationale behind cutting down on plastic bag consumption. I will let the article do the talking as it will achieve this much better than me!

Some years ago, Eire introduced a tax on plastic bags which apparently cut down the use of plastic bags considerably. I myself lobbied my MP some years ago about doing this in the UK, to no effect unfortunately. I also emailed Tesco more recently and they said something very standard like 'thank you for your comments, they will be passed up to our special team who sit around making decisions and buckets of money in the process' etc rahrahrah....more likely passed up the electronic dustbin in cyberspace. Now why can't the UK be brave and do something like that? To change behaviour, you need to hit people where it 'hurts', where they will feel it, where it will make them think twice. A charge/tax will be most effective in this respect, I reckon.

I have my own reusable bag which I think is really funky, and practical. It folds up dead small when not being used, and is very pretty too with lots of lovely butterflies.So I guess that is a bonus. It was made in China :( but most things are these days.....at least I am not a total fashion victim, and I was doing this before it became the in-thing haha...?

Here's some piccies showing how cool and versatile it is. Before.....

After...!

My challenge to all my lovely readers, should you choose to accept it, is:

- Refuse a plastic bag whenever you can

- Buy a bag which you can reuse again and again. One which folds up small and isn't cumbersome is an ideal solution

- Anticipate the actions of shop assistants and say 'No bag, thank you' when they start to reach for one

- If you work in a shop, always ask first 'Do you need a bag?'

- Recycle your plastic bags...dont just throw them away!

- When you dispose of a plastic bag, do so carefully and considerably, for our lovely environment

If you have any other good ideas, please post them in the comments section.