I am back at work as an elementary school teacher. My intent is to write once a week - although I obviously did not achieve that goal last week.
I teach at a very nice large suburban school. My kids attend school and daycare at a very nice large suburban school. Both have similar numbers of children: 710 at my school, 660 at my kids' school. They are both quite new.
They both are good schools, and children are happy to attend them, for the most part. Kids are - on the whole - eager to learn and do reasonably well.
When I pick up the kids, or observe behaviour at my own school, I am amazed at the levels of waste. To be honest, my school is somewhat better, as we are part of the Ecoschools program, of which I am the chair or co-chair (depending on the school year).
My goal is to play a role in changing this behaviour... beginning with the waste. The massive amounts of garbage, the idling minivans, the excessive photocopying. It drives me nuts.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Diggers
I attended a really interesting sermon yesterday about the Diggers (in honour of Labour Day). The Diggers were (and I quote from Wikipedia) "an English group of Protestant Christian agrarian communists". Cool.
The leader was fellow called Gerrard Winstanley, and the movement was part of a response to the end of the First English Civil war in 1649, which resulted in the beheading of King Charles I. Not surprisingly, after an event such as this there were a number of groups attempting to forge a new path, and the True Levellers (as opposed to just the Levellers), who also became known as the Diggers, were one of them.
The became known as the Diggers because, simply, they began to dig and cultivate common land near Surrey. Food was expensive, and the Diggers planned to take down all enclosures and have the local people come and work with them. The plan was, unfortunately, unsuccessful, and the Diggers were both attacked physically and taken through the court system.
Perhaps the Diggers were ahead of their time (as the speaker suggested). They didn't last long, and the movement had ended by 1651. (I reference Wikipedia for much of this information, so I hope it is correct!)
However, I was inspired by the concept that we can apply these principles to present day. We do see urban gardening, and significant food production, in cities; however, in the suburbs (at least my neighbourhood), not nearly so much. I am trying to figure out why this is, and will reflect on this in future posts.
Currently, though, I have promised my kids a trip to the park, and they are eager to go.
Regarding the Diggers, Steve Sinnicks of Hamilton, a great labour singer/songwriter, has written a great song about them.
You can take a look at his website at www.sinnicks.com/index.html.
Happy Labour Day!
The leader was fellow called Gerrard Winstanley, and the movement was part of a response to the end of the First English Civil war in 1649, which resulted in the beheading of King Charles I. Not surprisingly, after an event such as this there were a number of groups attempting to forge a new path, and the True Levellers (as opposed to just the Levellers), who also became known as the Diggers, were one of them.
The became known as the Diggers because, simply, they began to dig and cultivate common land near Surrey. Food was expensive, and the Diggers planned to take down all enclosures and have the local people come and work with them. The plan was, unfortunately, unsuccessful, and the Diggers were both attacked physically and taken through the court system.
Perhaps the Diggers were ahead of their time (as the speaker suggested). They didn't last long, and the movement had ended by 1651. (I reference Wikipedia for much of this information, so I hope it is correct!)
However, I was inspired by the concept that we can apply these principles to present day. We do see urban gardening, and significant food production, in cities; however, in the suburbs (at least my neighbourhood), not nearly so much. I am trying to figure out why this is, and will reflect on this in future posts.
Currently, though, I have promised my kids a trip to the park, and they are eager to go.
Regarding the Diggers, Steve Sinnicks of Hamilton, a great labour singer/songwriter, has written a great song about them.
You can take a look at his website at www.sinnicks.com/index.html.
Happy Labour Day!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Peak Oil (1)
I assume that I will be writing about peak oil more than once, and hence number the title. Peak Oil (1).
This is a topic of interest and concern to me, and is, really, in a relationship with climate change. The two sisters that will change the world.
We went down to the Cactus Festival a week ago, and had a great time riding on a very peculiar twirling boot ride and eating cotton candy. I also met and talked to a small group of people who are trying to organize Dundas as a transition town. I, of course, was standing there with a ridiculous plastic battery operated bubble making gun (wondering how my kids had suckered me into that one). Regardless, it was nice to make contact, I was glad they were there. I have regularly checked their website and it has not be updated recently.
The idea behind a transition town is that, when the effects of peak oil begin to be felt, we are going to have to live more simply and sustainably. Gardening, permaculture, chickens in the backyard. Bartering.
What is peak oil? Good question! Why don't we hear about this more?
Very simply, the concept of peak oil is "the point in time when global oil production has reached a maximum. From here on, production rates will decline and our modern economy which was based on cheap and abundant fossil fuel will have to switch to renewable sources of energy." (quoted from Dundas in Transition brochure)
Essentially, it becomes more and more difficult and expensive to get oil out of the ground (e.g. tar sands, deep sea drilling), the cost of oil and gas will become extremely high and have a serious affect on the cost of goods, the economy, etc.
Lettuce driven to Ontario in trucks will be financially prohibitive. Heating homes and driving cars extremely expensive.
So I find it a worrying topic, as I look around my life and see how dependent I personally am on oil and gas, and I realize that oil is finite and becoming more difficult to get.
Nuclear power plant in the tar sands, anyone? yay.
This is a topic of interest and concern to me, and is, really, in a relationship with climate change. The two sisters that will change the world.
We went down to the Cactus Festival a week ago, and had a great time riding on a very peculiar twirling boot ride and eating cotton candy. I also met and talked to a small group of people who are trying to organize Dundas as a transition town. I, of course, was standing there with a ridiculous plastic battery operated bubble making gun (wondering how my kids had suckered me into that one). Regardless, it was nice to make contact, I was glad they were there. I have regularly checked their website and it has not be updated recently.
The idea behind a transition town is that, when the effects of peak oil begin to be felt, we are going to have to live more simply and sustainably. Gardening, permaculture, chickens in the backyard. Bartering.
What is peak oil? Good question! Why don't we hear about this more?
Very simply, the concept of peak oil is "the point in time when global oil production has reached a maximum. From here on, production rates will decline and our modern economy which was based on cheap and abundant fossil fuel will have to switch to renewable sources of energy." (quoted from Dundas in Transition brochure)
Essentially, it becomes more and more difficult and expensive to get oil out of the ground (e.g. tar sands, deep sea drilling), the cost of oil and gas will become extremely high and have a serious affect on the cost of goods, the economy, etc.
Lettuce driven to Ontario in trucks will be financially prohibitive. Heating homes and driving cars extremely expensive.
So I find it a worrying topic, as I look around my life and see how dependent I personally am on oil and gas, and I realize that oil is finite and becoming more difficult to get.
Nuclear power plant in the tar sands, anyone? yay.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Movie ending angst
I do love seeing movies, and watch many at home.
The other day Jeff and I went to a movie theater and saw Inception. Great movie, I really enjoyed, and will need to see it again to understand all of the ins and outs. The ending, and I will not go into any detail at all to save the movie for those who have not seen it, provided me with some angst. I googled "Inception movie ending" so I could have a deeper understanding of the end, but, really, it will require another viewing.
The movie that really contributes to my movie ending angst was Remember Me. Ugh. I am a sucker for the romantic comedy, and while I did not make this particular choice did sit down to watch it for its entire 113 minute running time. The basic plot is boy and girl both individually suffer from horrible tragedy in their personal lives, boy and girl meet through a strange set of circumstances, they fall in love, their deep love provides some healing ... yay, happy ending. Unfortunately, as the happy ending unfolds, ominous music plays. Uh oh. The boy (actually he is 22, his name is Tyler, and he is played by the actor who plays Cedric Digory/Edward Cullen... handsome, pale, bushy eyebrows) is in one of the twin towers, the date is September 11, 2001, and he dies. What a waste of time.
Why did I watch that movie? All of the energy I put into watching Tyler confront his Dad, audit classes, ride in bike, fall in love... to watch him die. I do get that tragedy occurs, sad things happen; however, this particular ending was weak, contrived, ruined the story, and gave me movie ending angst.
The other day Jeff and I went to a movie theater and saw Inception. Great movie, I really enjoyed, and will need to see it again to understand all of the ins and outs. The ending, and I will not go into any detail at all to save the movie for those who have not seen it, provided me with some angst. I googled "Inception movie ending" so I could have a deeper understanding of the end, but, really, it will require another viewing.
The movie that really contributes to my movie ending angst was Remember Me. Ugh. I am a sucker for the romantic comedy, and while I did not make this particular choice did sit down to watch it for its entire 113 minute running time. The basic plot is boy and girl both individually suffer from horrible tragedy in their personal lives, boy and girl meet through a strange set of circumstances, they fall in love, their deep love provides some healing ... yay, happy ending. Unfortunately, as the happy ending unfolds, ominous music plays. Uh oh. The boy (actually he is 22, his name is Tyler, and he is played by the actor who plays Cedric Digory/Edward Cullen... handsome, pale, bushy eyebrows) is in one of the twin towers, the date is September 11, 2001, and he dies. What a waste of time.
Why did I watch that movie? All of the energy I put into watching Tyler confront his Dad, audit classes, ride in bike, fall in love... to watch him die. I do get that tragedy occurs, sad things happen; however, this particular ending was weak, contrived, ruined the story, and gave me movie ending angst.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Climate change: I don't get it
I don't get it. There is a massive ice island, four times the size of Manhattan (in other words, really really big) has broken off from Greenland's Petermann Glacier. Extreme drought in Russia, massive monsoon floods in Pakistan. To me, clear signs that the climate is changing, the planet warming. And meanwhile, climate change talks in Bonn moved the global discussion backwards from the extremely weak Copenhagen talks. Argh.
I don't get it.
The tragedy is that there are so many things we can do, at every level, to radically change the situation. And yet the world sits, and doesn't change its behaviour, and poor people and nations are going to suffer and wealthy nations and corporations are going to grasp and struggle over the few remaining drops of oil buried deep within the earth.
I don't get it.
The tragedy is that there are so many things we can do, at every level, to radically change the situation. And yet the world sits, and doesn't change its behaviour, and poor people and nations are going to suffer and wealthy nations and corporations are going to grasp and struggle over the few remaining drops of oil buried deep within the earth.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Lawn mania
We returned from a holiday yesterday. It seemed as though we were away for a long time, but in reality it was only about 10 days. The kids and I did a loop of cottage country - driving north east to a friends' cottage and then south west to a family camp.
Not much has changed here in the suburbs. The cars are in their driveways, and come and go, just like ours. The lawns are neatly kept, with various levels of neatness and beauty. No surprisingly, our lawn is, well, on the low level of beauty - in the eyes of the neighbours at least. I kind of like it, as there are many natural plants and flowers (some people call these natural plants weeds, but their perspective has been shaped by a distorted lawn ideology).
We were allowing the natural plants to grow unabated, and truly there were some monster dandelions. At the recent neighbourhood get together, we were kindly mocked for the disarray, so we made some efforts to improve the look. Compared to our neighbours'lawns, it is a weed forest... or a weed rebellion, quietly occurring here in the suburbs.
Hey hey, ho ho, lawn mania has got to go!
Not much has changed here in the suburbs. The cars are in their driveways, and come and go, just like ours. The lawns are neatly kept, with various levels of neatness and beauty. No surprisingly, our lawn is, well, on the low level of beauty - in the eyes of the neighbours at least. I kind of like it, as there are many natural plants and flowers (some people call these natural plants weeds, but their perspective has been shaped by a distorted lawn ideology).
We were allowing the natural plants to grow unabated, and truly there were some monster dandelions. At the recent neighbourhood get together, we were kindly mocked for the disarray, so we made some efforts to improve the look. Compared to our neighbours'lawns, it is a weed forest... or a weed rebellion, quietly occurring here in the suburbs.
Hey hey, ho ho, lawn mania has got to go!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
a good time
The neighbourhood get together was last night - four families (minus teenage children) from four houses all in a row. As we walked up Jeff said "we all have big houses" and he was correct - we do. Why is that? Why are sububurban homes so large, and getting larger?
The neighbourhood in which my school is located is newer, and wealthier, and the houses are bigger! It is a completely distorted world we live in, with people who have far too much and people with far far too little.
Anyway.... this is only the second time I have gotten together with my neighbours since moving in here 9 years ago. There are so many reasons for this.... but.... it is sort of weird. I have watched their children grow up through my window, they are all now off to college, and I wasn't clear on their first names. Ouch. I hope this is a start toward a new community, as my neighbours are nice, decent, interesting people.
The neighbourhood in which my school is located is newer, and wealthier, and the houses are bigger! It is a completely distorted world we live in, with people who have far too much and people with far far too little.
Anyway.... this is only the second time I have gotten together with my neighbours since moving in here 9 years ago. There are so many reasons for this.... but.... it is sort of weird. I have watched their children grow up through my window, they are all now off to college, and I wasn't clear on their first names. Ouch. I hope this is a start toward a new community, as my neighbours are nice, decent, interesting people.
Friday, July 23, 2010
An invitation
Yesterday, I was walking around the neighbourhood with the kids and saw not a soul - it is always pretty creepy when that happens. Every once in a while I think "oh no, everybody has been wiped out by a weird virus and we are the only ones left", some weird 28 Days Later scenario.
But then I saw my neighbour Paul, and we had a nice chat. Zombie fears were put to rest, for now.
Later that evening, the doorbell rang. Fulling expecting either someone selling something or asking for a donation, I was happy to see that it was my neighbour Joy (Paul's wife). She noted my look of trepidation, and I said that I was worried I was about to be solicited for money. She then invited us to a barbeque, with another family as well. !!! We are bringing a salad; as Joy said, "bring a salad, not money" - funny joke that took me a few minutes to figure out.
But then I saw my neighbour Paul, and we had a nice chat. Zombie fears were put to rest, for now.
Later that evening, the doorbell rang. Fulling expecting either someone selling something or asking for a donation, I was happy to see that it was my neighbour Joy (Paul's wife). She noted my look of trepidation, and I said that I was worried I was about to be solicited for money. She then invited us to a barbeque, with another family as well. !!! We are bringing a salad; as Joy said, "bring a salad, not money" - funny joke that took me a few minutes to figure out.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Summer arrives, the dog is dead
As a teacher, I find the end of the school year super busy and intense. The combination of report cards and extra events is challenging, but this year I am moving classrooms (again!), so I have packed and moved. In August I will set up.
Regardless, summer is here, and I am happy.
It is important to note, though, that the dog is indeed dead. She was old and her kidneys failed, and died in early June. Very sad, however, now that the sadness has faded, somewhat liberating. Pets are a great deal of work, and this particular pet was a lovely lovely dog for many many years but very challenging to care for in the final six months of her life.
Regardless, summer is here, and I am happy.
It is important to note, though, that the dog is indeed dead. She was old and her kidneys failed, and died in early June. Very sad, however, now that the sadness has faded, somewhat liberating. Pets are a great deal of work, and this particular pet was a lovely lovely dog for many many years but very challenging to care for in the final six months of her life.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Earth Day and all that...
Despite feeling frustrated yesterday, I am feeling a bit more optimistic. I am the chair of my school's Ecoschool committee, and we put together an amazing Earth Day assembly on Friday. Art, music, drama, chants, readings; very powerful messages communicated to 700 students. Also included a great video clip about water bottle use - really an excellent critique about manufactured demand which the students at my school desperately needed to hear!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Frustrated
Yes, I realize I haven't written in - oh - three and a half months. But, hey, since NOBODY reads this it is really not a problem. Ha! So there, completely invisible and non-existent audience! My thoughts are only relevant to myself.
So, what happened?
I have to admit, the earthquake in Haiti suspended my ability to comment. The deep poverty and lack of a real solution was extremely troubling, present in my mind, and I did, do, not know what to say.
On a different topic...
I tried to connect with my neighbours, and their kids, and my friends in my broader suburban community. I called everyone I know, and told them that I and J and C would be at a local school once a week, to play.
On week one, there were three participants: myself, J, and C.
On week two, there were four: myself, J, C, and the dog.
She counts, doesn't she?
So, what happened?
I have to admit, the earthquake in Haiti suspended my ability to comment. The deep poverty and lack of a real solution was extremely troubling, present in my mind, and I did, do, not know what to say.
On a different topic...
I tried to connect with my neighbours, and their kids, and my friends in my broader suburban community. I called everyone I know, and told them that I and J and C would be at a local school once a week, to play.
On week one, there were three participants: myself, J, and C.
On week two, there were four: myself, J, C, and the dog.
She counts, doesn't she?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
French cooking and waterparks
On New Year's Eve, we had plans to go to a colleague's party... family friendly, bonfire, children's games, etc. Unfortunately, I had woken up the day before with an extremely sore throat and we cancelled. I was disappointed, as New Years post kid is always a challenge (and not just staying up until midnight); finding a babysitter is impossible and a family oriented party has not come along until now. Which we did not attend.
On the bright side, I had a great time. We drank champagne, perhaps a mistake as I still felt lousy the next day (and day after). We did, however, also watch Julie/Julia, a Nora Ephron movie about Julie Powell and her Julie/Julia project (cooking through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year and blogging about it). The movie cuts between scenes of Julie's life in Queens and Julia Child's life in France (where she learned how to cook, and the process through which she wrote her massive cookbook).
I loved the movie, which maybe shows how the suburbs have rotted my previously sophisticated urban movie viewing tastes. (Ok, to be honest, I don't know if I ever had those, but certainly can pretend that I did...). Nora Ephron, as well. Huh.
I loved it for two specific reasons, outside of it being entertaining. 1. The food looked amazing, and I enjoyed how these two women learned how to cook. Learning how to do something new is super cool. 2. I thoroughly enjoyed watching how writing transformed both of their lives. The written word is extremely powerful, and not just for the reader but for the writer. And I guess that is why I enjoy the concept of a blog, and while I am pretty sure only four people have read the Suburban Activist (myself being one of these people, the other three being friends and family) it gives me an opportunity to comment on the extremely bizarre world we live in.
On the bizarre world note, we spent a night at Great Wolf Lodge and loved it. Super fun. Although I couldn't help but wonder why there is any question North Americans are fat. Massive fossil fuel consumption = obesity.
On the bright side, I had a great time. We drank champagne, perhaps a mistake as I still felt lousy the next day (and day after). We did, however, also watch Julie/Julia, a Nora Ephron movie about Julie Powell and her Julie/Julia project (cooking through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year and blogging about it). The movie cuts between scenes of Julie's life in Queens and Julia Child's life in France (where she learned how to cook, and the process through which she wrote her massive cookbook).
I loved the movie, which maybe shows how the suburbs have rotted my previously sophisticated urban movie viewing tastes. (Ok, to be honest, I don't know if I ever had those, but certainly can pretend that I did...). Nora Ephron, as well. Huh.
I loved it for two specific reasons, outside of it being entertaining. 1. The food looked amazing, and I enjoyed how these two women learned how to cook. Learning how to do something new is super cool. 2. I thoroughly enjoyed watching how writing transformed both of their lives. The written word is extremely powerful, and not just for the reader but for the writer. And I guess that is why I enjoy the concept of a blog, and while I am pretty sure only four people have read the Suburban Activist (myself being one of these people, the other three being friends and family) it gives me an opportunity to comment on the extremely bizarre world we live in.
On the bizarre world note, we spent a night at Great Wolf Lodge and loved it. Super fun. Although I couldn't help but wonder why there is any question North Americans are fat. Massive fossil fuel consumption = obesity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
