Possible ideas for a better world?

[stoney321]

1. If you know something bothers you, and you know it REALLY bothers you, why would you continually look/read/get involved with said thing that really bothers you? I find that ridiculous. (And disingenuous.) Also, I'm reminding all readers of this journal that I log IPs, not to sell your IP to advertisers, or anything like that, just to keep track of hit counts (and possible stalkers.) Which is why I know some people love to come to my journal and read things they've been adamant about not participating in/finding distasteful. [/cryptic] If you know something gets your blood pressure up, you should probably avoid that thing. Just a thought. (I also respect your right to not like me, this journal, contents of this journal, dogs, and Wednesdays. You can scroll, delete, whatever, with no worries from me.)


2. I really REALLY wish someone would design a RETROFITTED ENGINE for people's cars to make them hybrids/run on electricity/run on compost. That's far more "green" than manufacturing NEW vehicles that provide that capability. (Reasoning: you now have something new that was made - in the same way other vehicles are made, fairies don't create Priuses, leaving behind pixie dust. Your old vehicle is now in someone else's hands, being driven, which means there are now TWO vehicles where there was ONE.) I'd gladly throw down a grand or more to have my current engine retrofitted with a more efficient engine. Anyone? Does this make sense?

3. I wish my town would enforce a tax on the WEIGHT of garbage each household throws away. It would a) encourage more recycling (a tax CREDIT could be offered for every __# of recycled waste) and b) maybe get more people into composting their scraps. Which also includes sheets, towels, old ratty jeans, t-shirts.... (Yes, you can compost them. It's cotton, a plant.) Germany did this in some villages I've been to, and I thought it was a fantastic idea.

4. If Friday was officially doughnut and coffee day, I think more people would smile. I know I would. Mmmm, chocolate glazed and Sumatra. <-- every day should start with that.

5. I'm going to put my money where my mouth is (figuratively, not literally as money is really dirty) and turn my surplus of plastic bags into reusable tote bags. I read the idea of crocheting them into various things. We'll see how that turns out... (And if you guessed my kids have Earth Day projects, you're right on track. *G*)



Finally, I did it. I got Rock Band yesterday. Radiohead? The Pixies? Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Ramones? ...the Grateful Dead?? Hells to the Yes! lml -_- lml (and apparently you can download a Metallica pack??? I'll see you guys in a few weeks. Hee!)

(Happy early Birthday to my lovely friend, dovil!!! Save some liver for our NYC trip!)

Comments

[zyrya]

I agree totally with #1 ... except ... I always start my morning paper with the letters to the editor and the right-wing opinion columns. They make me CRAZY, but in such a pleasurably blood-boiling way. I think it's the newspaper equivalent of a cup of coffee.

But I don't then phone all those people to argue with them.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh man, me too. But then, that's a newspaper where discourse is asked for - discourse that will hopefully open some minds, present a new viewpoint. (*cough* I'm talking about LJ, which... isn't going to change people's minds. :D)

Hahahahaha to your last line. Hee!

[lolz.livejournal.com]

We have the Metallic pack (the bf is OBSESSED with Metallica). I play bass and he pretends to be James Hetfield. It can be so hard but SO fun.
Rock Band > Guitar Hero.

[timeofchange.livejournal.com]

I really REALLY wish someone would design a RETROFITTED ENGINE for people's cars to make them hybrids/run on electricity/run on compost. That's far more "green" than manufacturing NEW vehicles that provide that capability. (Reasoning: you now have something new that was made - in the same way other vehicles are made, fairies don't create Priuses, leaving behind pixie dust. Your old vehicle is now in someone else's hands, being drive, which means there are now TWO vehicles where there was ONE.) I'd gladly throw down a grand or more to have my current engine retrofitted with a more efficient engine. Anyone? Does this make sense?

Total sense. I'd do it.

Love the bag fusing idea. Maybe I'll give it a try this weekend. I see reusable shopping bags (that I don't have to buy from the grocery story) in my future.

Coffee and donuts...mmmmm. There's this doughnut where they make the doughnuts using real ingredients. What an amazing idea. The raised chocolate glazed (real chocolate, mind you) are sex in donut form. For those who like a heftier breakfast pastry, there are coconut crullers...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

That's next on my things to do - dl the bonus songs. And so far (I mean, we only just started playing yesterday) I'm finding the guitar to be easier on Rock Band. But... I've been doing the singing mostly, so...

It sure as hell is fun, that's for sure!

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

1. I think there's a certain brand of people out there who simply are not happy unless they're unhappy. New York is full of them; I had to work briefly at a call center they adored, apparently ("What do you mean, the Li'l Swimmers class is full? You will fnid me a spot this instant!" "I'm sorry ma'am, I can't do that, as the dealine passed two weeks ago, there's a waiting list or more than twenty people, and I have absolutely no control over admissions. I just take orders. May I suggest alternatives?" "I am a member of this institution." "Yes, as are all the other people who signed up before the deadline. May I suggest alternatives?")

I wish them huge ugly goiters that make them walk lopsided and make them look liek Iggy Pop's srpouted out of their necks.


2. 'S'funny--no one ever talks about the environmental impact of manufacturing those green cars, let alone the impact all those older cars have (and let's face it--used cars will never get the loving care of a new car on lease, and a well-maintained car = a marginally less-polluting car). And while I admire the idea of the Prius and its brethren, a diesel Mini will earn a minimum 45/mpg. For starters. There's truth to the hype, but some of it is unabashed HYPE. But--I think you're on to something. Now to get some venture capital in this burgeoning juggernaut of an economy! [mild eyetwitch]


3. This is a cool idea--but what happens in a large city like New York, where a large number of people don't have backyards? Maybe there can be community composts, like community gardens! It's like "take-a-penny, leave-a-penny!" Only stinkier, and far better for the begonias.


4. I so totally thought you wrote "chocolate glazed Sumatra." WANT. Though I have no idea what it might be.


5. Okay. The plasic bag ideas? Mind-searingly BRILLIANT. I like the fusing better, but I am expecting photos of finished product of both, yes?


ROCK BAND - I could go on for HOURS on this. How cool is it that you can design your own rocker--and then go out and blow the house down with all kinds of music? Be sure to check all the available downloads. The Monkee's "Last Train to Clarksville" is available, as are a number of Metallica tracks. Did you know that they're simultaneously releasing their new album on Rock Band, and in The Real World? Serious. :D Let me know just how much you're enjoying the game, once you actually peel yourself away from it and get to a computer. As for me? There were days I saw little tracking lines and colored bars in my sleep!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

The Mister and I have been griping about ethanol and all the "I'm green because I buy stuff!" people, and I came up with that idea. (Also, I have an idea for better solar panels. My son and I are going to experiment for his Science Fair project.)

There's a donut shop down the street from me that makes the most fantastic, fresh donuts. UNGH. Get in my mouth, please. (I'm unable to eat a lot of crullers, though. They are SO good, but SO filling. Mmmm, sweets.) :D

[lolz.livejournal.com]

Oh I LOVE the singing! Singing The Beatsie Boys or Black Sabbath has to be one of my favorite things hah!

The guitar is def easier on Rock Band. I'm not sure what system you have it on but you can use your wireless guitar from Guitar Hero and use it on Rock Band. I like the GH guitar better so I always use that.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

1. Yeah. You've hit it: people who are happiest when they're UNhappy. Never understood it, never will.

2. YEAH. Um, buying stuff doesn't make you environmentally friendly. I got into it with this idealistic 20 year old vegan on this last movie set. She was very sniffy with me when I pulled up in my SUV at the shoot, and continued on until I put her in her place. (Sweetly, with a smile.) Unless you're RECYCLING existing things, don't tell me how "green" you are. (Especially if you don't compost, use vermiculture, etc.)

3. Yeah! In some of these villages, there are plots at the edge of the urban areas that are communal. It's wonderful. Everyone has a small plot to grow their own foods, compost, etc. They get instruction, community involvement, and in the end, healthy home-grown food.

4. hahaha! Um, YUM.(Chocolate covered coffee beans are CRACK.)

5. I think the fusing looks cooler, too.

HAHAHAHHA. I've TOTALLY been dreaming in Guitar Hero!! I see a lot of downloads and jamming in my immediate future. CANNOT WAIT.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

YEAH!! We've been doing that! (I'm on XBOX, um... Ultimate? Whatever the big HD one is.)

We all like the GH guitar, too. It's the strum bar - it's more flexible, I've found.

[melbournegirl.livejournal.com]

Might not be what your looking for, but worth a read.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/10/20/biodiesel-turbine-super-capacitor-series-hybrid-hummer-60/

Also, Darryl Hannah had an '83 El Camino that ran on bio diesel. The first diesel engine was designed to run on peanut oil. In fact, I don't think you have to convert if it's a diesel.

http://www.dhlovelife.com/v2/cart/product_details.php?Item_Quantity_=11

[melbournegirl.livejournal.com]

Oops. Here's another link with more info.

http://www.mpgomatic.com/2008/01/15/daryl-hannahs-30-mpg-biodiesel-el-camino-goes-up-on-ebay/

[zyrya]

I'm a little more on the "letters to the editor" end of the scale when it comes to LJ. I don't want to be hugely argued with, but on the other hand I do want to hear dissenting opinions, if they're polite and well-reasoned. A lot of people on LJ seem go into core meltdown if they don't have total affirmation of every word they write.

(Not you! You know ... them.)

But then, my LJ is a little friends-locked backwater and doesn't attract anything -but- polite, well-reasoned comment. If I had a bunch of argumentative loonies lurking in the shadows, no doubt I'd feel differently!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, close. I'm a big fan of Biodiesel. The first Willie Nelson station is a few miles from my house, actually. But, you need a diesel engine to utilize the bio-fuel.

Changing a car's engine needs to be an option for people, instead of this whole "I'm green! I'm better for the environment than you!" mindset people have who buy Priuses, etc. (I mean, hey. The thought of wanting to help is good. Just, buying something NEW isn't helping, is all.)

Biofuel is completely and utterly awesome. I just need a way to UTILIZE it, without having to buy a new vehicle. (I love that she ran her car on vegetable oil.)

[jennem.livejournal.com]

#1: You are made of win.
#5. Sounds very interesting. Let us know if you eventually plan on selling any of the reusable tote bags.

[poshcat.livejournal.com]

OMG I AM NOT AN ARGUMENTATIVE LOONIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lynnenne]

I don't get how biofuel is better than gasoline. It's still carbon-based, right? So doesn't it still produce greenhouse gases when you burn it?

[lynnenne]

I would LOVE to have my car retrofitted with a hybrid engine. Please to be starting this business immediately. :)

[zyrya]

OMG YOU'RE DOING IT RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[swmbo.livejournal.com]

Wait. Friday *isn't* officially donut and coffee day?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Well, there isn't much alive that *isn't* carbon-based. (Maybe Bush, I don't know. *G*) The difference is it's renewable. That's it. You don't need gas, you don't need oil, you don't need OPEC. Individuals could make their own gasoline.

I think it puts out cleaner substances than oil-based gas, but I'm not entirely sure. (Like ethanol not putting out crap. But ethanol is using food that could feed starving people. Also, corn isn't a pollen-based crop, which further hurts the declining bee populations, more farmers are growing corn for HFCS and ethanol, and less people are growing wheat. Which is why the cost of everything from bread to milk is skyrocketing.)

The Australians (or Kiwis?) use liquid natural gas, which produces trace pollutants, and there are HUGE reserves of natural gas all over. We just need to come up with a way to use a water engine, a garbage engine, or something similar that spits out nil. How 'bout it, science?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Funny you said that re:5. I used to *have* a tote bag business. I might do that. (Or donate them, either way. I've got tons of materials just lying around, needing to be used.)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Doesn't that just make sense? Why people don't understand that MAKING SOMETHING NEW while not utilizing the old is beyond me. Also, my son and I have a theory about how to make solar panels more efficient, thus, more usuable. Standard solar panels are flat, so they can only work when the sun is at an optimum position, or you have to use the energy you're capturing to move the panels around to keep the sun at a good position.

Why not make a multi-sides 3-D structure that can capture the maximum # of rays? Like, a 10 or 20 sided structure? Thank you, D-n-D for the dodecahedron model that created this theory. :D

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

*CRY* It isn't in my house!! Clearly I need to move to the United Front of Swmboland where you have all of the NECESSARY RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

What's funny is it's the same ol' thing that you and I have been a part of. It's like... LADIES. Move on.