"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...]