"Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it." ~Marian Anderson Green building has come a long way since the United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) building standard, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), took hold about a decade ago. As the market transformed and more bold standards were realized, working towards the creation of truly sustainable buildings and neighborhoods proved to be an effective way to … [Read more...]
Finally, I Know Why
Ever since I've moved to the land of outlet malls (well disguised outlet malls, thankfully), I find myself especially drawn to the Banana Republic outlet. This may not be odd to most, but I never quite found myself to fit the "B.R." demographic. Ever since I realized I was never gonna take that African Safari and make like Meryl Streep in Out of Africa back in 8th Grade, the "B.R." dream of wearing khaki short suits fell by the wayside. The original draw was that this place has really … [Read more...]
Paralysis
Photo courtesy of Roujo As I unloaded the last bit of our groceries onto the belt this morning, David prepared to pay as I got our bags together and helped collect our overpriced produce and organic goods. Moments before, I walked past this happy, upbeat young girl riding in the seat of one of those car slash grocery carts, smiling and sweet. When I looked at her and smiled, she beamed. She and her mom, I suspect, were ahead of us in line, and I had come from the other end and jimmied … [Read more...]
Einstein Sure Was Smart
I was in Orlando last weekend, amidst the sea of childhood imaginations and restaurant row. I had a great time visiting with David's parents, and while Orlando isn't a place I would typically choose to visit, it is the half-way point between our homes, making it a fairly easy drive for both of us. None of this has anything to do with Einstein, though. But cars everywhere with American flags ablaze next to airbrushed, roaring, larger-than-life Bald Eagles slapped onto the ENTIRE BACK WINDOW of … [Read more...]
Pet Peeve #1
I pick up the phone AT MY HOME, and say, "Hello. Hello? Hello?" Only to be met with a recorded voice, telling me that THEIR TELEMARKETERS are all busy right now and to please hold the line. Let me try and ingest this one more time. You call my home, unsolicited, make me run across the house to grab the phone, and you're trying to sell me something, but when I pick up, you tell me to HOLD THE LINE? This happens, by the way, at least three times a week. Not to mention the other … [Read more...]
Double Standard
Because I LOVE Countdown with Keith Olberman, I have been watching snippets of Matt Lauer's interview with Debra LaFave that Countdown has been airing over the past couple of nights. Debra LaFave was 23 years old and the teacher of a 14 year old boy when she pled guilty to lewd and lascivious behaivor. She is currently serving a sentence of 3 years of house arrest. This is muddy water I am about to tread, but I'm game if you are. Although the actions of LaFave were completely inappropriate … [Read more...]
Green is the New Black
My first visit to Palmetto Bluff served up amazing views and good food, but it was mostly the opportunity to get behind those gates and see what the hell was going on behind them that enticed me. The extremely subtle signage and rumor that last year's Oscar attendees received a weekend visit in their luxurious gift bags added even more interest. Finding out that Auberge Resorts was behind this Lowcountry treasure was icing on the cake. But the piece de resistance is this: Palmetto Bluff is a … [Read more...]
Absurd is an Understatement
Most of me wants to save my energy for more important matters, like breathing. This one, I can't seem to shake, or allow to float on by with the rest of the atrocities in the river of outrage which I am nearly drowned by on a daily basis, thanks to the present administration our country has voted, er...allowed, into office. Amnesty International has issued a report on U.S. "policy" in Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere, citing human rights abuses carried out by the United States and its military. … [Read more...]
Memorializing War
CBS evening news reports tonight that space is running out at Arlington National Cemetery. The two-minute segment, brought to you as a Memorial Day feature, focused on the sacrifices made by our dead American soldiers, with high honors bestowed as lots of Arlington dirt. The Seed of Human Race by Yangzi Sima To me, the field of over 260,000 white crosses represent valuable lives lost due to lies told and perpetuated in order to benefit the rich and make them richer. We should be … [Read more...]
The New and Improved Crusades
I live in the Bible Belt. I imagine it to be a real fancy and outlandish belt, like one worn by a princess whose job it is to look pretty and be agreeable, always glistening like cut glass in tar. I have been around Christian people my whole life; my grandmother was an Eastern Star woman, who wore a dove pin on her shoulder and open heart on her sleeve. She was a true example of a good Christian woman, leaving judgment in the hands of her creator and extending love to all, no matter their … [Read more...]