Stuff I Do

I thought about what I do with my days and evenings and whether or not I enjoy my leisure time. To be honest I have very little leisure time. I do watch television; however, I don't watch that much as there is very little on that interests me. Except this month, as I love Halloween and there are a lot of shows such as "Haunted History" and "Weird Travels" that I try to watch when I can. But, excluding the month of October, weekly I would say that I watch a maximum of ten hours of television. The shows that interest me are not shown on t.v. here in the United States.

As for internet use, I do use the computer or surf the internet a decent amount, but again weekly it adds up to ten, maybe fifteen hours as my mother uses my laptop daily and I don't have access to it that easily. Because school has been a bit of a challenge this session, I usually go on simply to check my emails, my Japanese homework assignments and blackboard for any other assignments, like this blog. I don't use the internet as much as I used to. I used to watch various shows from overseas that I like, but as I am playing catch up with a lot of my classes, I haven't been able to watch any of the shows, or anime I enjoy watching.

When I do have leisure time, I usually spend it writing my thoughts or ideas down in one of my books or listening to music and relaxing in my room. I do like spending time with friends on occasion, mostly just walking around outside because I'm not big on shopping except when it's necessary. The one thing I do love shopping for is more books to read. I used to love buying video games, but as I no longer have time to play them, I don't go shopping for them anymore.

In short, my time is spent studying, listening to music and writing. I would love more time for writing as that is one of the careers I will have in the future. I am continuing with college because I feel it's helpful as far as writing and it gives people the tools to question and research what they hear. The main problem with the world is the fact that a college education is not available for many. I was in shock when my teacher said that only 1% of people worldwide complete college. In order to prevent a lot of the problems with corporations and politicians who don't care, we need the future generations to attend college. In order to stop global warming, we need to take a global initiative. Starting in whatever state or country you are in is the beginning, but it has to be taken further than that.

Our teacher also showed us two videos, one was "The Story of Stuff" which upset me, particularly the part about a neurotoxic flame retardant being used on some of the pillows and mattresses that we use unknowingly, and a piece of "The Company" which shows how crooked corporations can be. Those videos left me feeling extremely angry by what we allow simply because it's not information right at hand. You won't see these lawsuits and payouts these companies were forced to make on the front page of the newspaper. I mean, after all, these are "big issues" not worthy of gracing the front page. It's astonishing how much pertinent worldwide information does not make it into these papers.

Watching these videos also reminded me of a video I saw in another class that caught my attention and I found it very interesting and, at times, even a little creepy. I've added it below for people to watch if they so choose. It was created by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod. Enjoy and let me know what you think. After all, shift happens.

Green Methods

Global Warming is a main cause of many of the dangers we are having to face; from depleting water sources, to severe weather changes, to endangered wildlife. The main problem is the rising temperatures, which I feel at the core of all these dangers. There are a variety of possible solutions and there are organizations out there dedicated to solving the problem of global warming. Two of the sites I have discovered I feel have ways to help the environment that both homeowners and businesses could employ.

Two of the major causes of pollutants stem from electricity and gas. So we not only need to purchase eco-friendly cars that use alternative fuel sources, but take steps to limit or erase electricity use. The NESEA (Northeast Sustainable Energy Association) is a mine of information regarding various methods and . . . ta-da! tax credits and other ways to save money or get more money back simply by being more green! They provide information on various methods for making your home more green and, for those shopping for home and wishing to make it eco-friendly from the start, they provide info on various methods (biopower, fuel cells, solar electricity, solar hot water, etc.) so that you have several options to employ. There are even places that will install solar panels at a very cheap price and, depending on where you live in the United States, you will receive discounts on any electricity you have to use at night. Places like JointheSolution give you information on these.

The NESEA also provides a link to DSIRE (Database of State Incentive for Renewables & Efficiency), which, once you click on your state, give you a breakdown of all possible personal and business credits (means money!) you can either get more of, or pay less for all because you are ahead of the curve!!! You can't tell me you don't like money, okane, dinero, buckaroos!!! The NESEA also has lists of the various kinds of cars that cut down on gas emissions. They show you the hybrid vehicles to battery-electric vehicles, to cars that run on used vegetable oil. There are quite a few to choose from and, in future cars that run on gasoline, indeed the traditional gas stations may soon become something we read about only in history books.

There are also innovative new, kawaii (cute) vehicles being developed by companies such as Nissan. Their Pivo 2 is not only electric powered and, for those like my mother who have trouble parallel parking, it eliminates the need for this difficult endeavor. You won't hear your relative or friend telling you, "Please get out and let me know when to stop backing up so I don't hit the car behind me." When you pull alongside a parking space the wheels rotate and the car slides in sideways. Also, the top of the car roates as well, so you no longer have to look in your rearview mirror; waiting for traffic to ebb before you hop out of the driver's side. It rotates and the door opens on the sidewalk. It may look small, but this baby can seat three people.


It also includes robotic features and is extremely different from any concept car I have seen. This car talks and listens to the driver!! It infers "the driver's mood through conversation and facial monitoring technology". How amazing is that. Although, I don't think this car would interest most men as it is oh so cute, but who knows! I may be mistaken.

Pollutants at home and by car are two of the biggest hazardous impacts on our environment. By using sources through sites such as these, we can seriously decrease emissions which lead to global warming.

Recycle Bins & SmartPlanet

Okay, I was basically trying to find some kind of video or image of the various recycle bins they have in schools in Japan to question why we can't do more of this in our schools and while doing so I came across an interesting internet site. The site, Smart Planet not only talks about ways things that can be purchased that are eco friendly, they also do reviews on new products like folding bikes, televisions, etc. I thought it might be interesting for people to take a look at and see what's out there. I still feel having a set of recycling bins in one section on each floor of all schoools would be wonderful.

Pursuing Dreams

I believe that people find they are passionate about many different things in life, but unfortunately have been told, they can only pursue one. I've lost count of the amount of teachers over the years who have told me that I have to narrow my career choices to one. There are many well-known people in the world, both past and present, who pursued several passions in their lives and I feel this also makes for a more balanced individual. So, of course, I am not going to listen. My career leads me down to three passions; writing, voice-overs and music.
In regards to writing, I originally (from the age of 7) wanted to write stories only. But, upon entering college I realize that I do enjoy writing critical analysis of various works of literature, films and Japanese animation. So I plan to write in these various fields. I will continue attending college so that I can further develop my writings and acquire the skills necessary to write creative, stylistically fresh material.
Next is voice-overs. I already practice voice exercises so that I, with practice, will have a wide range of various high and low voice characters in my arsenal. There is, unfortunately, no course that I have found while researching schools that have classes specifically geared for this field. However, I did discover there are workshops both in New York and California that are designed for voice-overs. One of the most well-known, Bang Zoom Entertainment, is located in California and also does a lot of the casting for Japanese animation. While in New York; however, I will be looking into acting workshops because I need to learn the acting lingo in order to be successful at a future audition.
The last of my passions is music. I am currently learning piano, from there I will learn guitar and start composing my own instrumental music. This I can also continue in college.
A lot of the professions I will be pursuing allow for me to travel so that I can visit several places overseas (Japan is definitely on the list!).
In order to help people, I feel they need someone who is both honest and inspirational. When I break into these various fields, people may start to remember who I am and may be more likely to hear what I have to say in regards to the environment, women's rights and other topics I feel need to be discussed. I want to effect change by using whatever fame I get as a springboard to discuss these issues. People like Bono, Angelina Jolie, Al Gore, and Leonardo DiCaprio don't sit back too scared to make a stand for fear it may hurt their career. I admire them for that and plan to do even more. Things such as education and medical facilities are something that all by right of being human are entitled to and steps need to be taken to ensure this as well as care for the environment.
The only way I know how to do this is to take it step by step. First LaGuardia, then a four-year college, and next . . . the world!

Do More

I thought about what I did today and realized that I do very little on a day-to-day basis to help the environment. I do recycle, but that is something required or you get fined, so it's not as though I've done something Earth shattering. No pun intended. One habit that I thought about that is not good for people or the environment is that I smoke cigarettes. Not only is it a potentially deadly habit, but I also realized as I was collecting paper to recycle how many empty packs I threw into the recycling bag. If I quit that is a lot less paper I'll be wasting and if we could assist more people to quit this addiction that would be even less waste. Overall, I don't do a lot of things that would hurt the environment; however, by not doing anything to help I am doing a lot of damage.
One thing I could do if I could actually make it a priority to remember and that is fairly easy is, rather than using the plastic bags given at stores when I shop, I could use the fabric bag I purchased. Unfortunately, I tend to forget to take it with me when I go shopping, so it might be best to leave it in my school bag. That way, if I go directly to the store from school, I will have it on me. It's not like it weighs a ton. I could also start bringing a refillable container for water or coffee instead of constantly buying two or three cups and throwing them out. Some places even charge less for coffee if you remember to bring your empty cup back for a refill instead of grabbing another.
My main concern in regards to the environment is global warming and the dangers it's creating for people, plants and wildlife. Polar bears are in danger of losing their natural habitat thanks to global warming. The warming temperatures are causing even more severe hurricanes and loss of life. Also, if certain sections of the world that were once ice were to melt completely, it would raise the sea level by about 20 feet. There are too many people who claim that we haven't even existed on the planet enough or have old enough records to know whether this problem is occurring due to our treatment of the planet. These people forget that we influence our surroundings all the time, by action or lack of it. We influence each other, and every living organism on this planet. If this planet goes even further downhill is the excuse of the people existing here now simply going to be, "Well . . . we weren't sure it was our fault." I really don't want to be one of them.