It's not easy being green.

I saw a commercial the other day for some company or other, and it was all about being "Green." We just had a presentation at a recent Administrators' Forum on campus about Sustainability. It's all the rage. And, I have to confess, I'm a bit annoyed by it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that at least there's a new craze with a positive global impact, but I'm kind of annoyed that it's the new trendy thing to do. Why can't people just be environmentally responsible? Why does it have to be the trendy thing to do in order for people to buy into it? Can't people just see the necessity of being "Green" without it being a fad? Why was it not cool to recycle before but it is now? IT'S ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT!

I'm sad that Corporate America is now doing this, not because they necessarily feel that it's important, but because they know that it's what their consumers want. I know, I know, I shouldn't complain -- at least there will hopefully be a positive outcome and we can "Start Global Cooling" (I saw this on a bumper sticker yesterday). But come on, people.... did you really not know about turning off the water in between toothbrush rinses before you saw the Home Depot commercial? Did you not know that you can ride your bike to save gas and strengthen your cardiovascular system? Once the next fad gets ushered in, will energy efficient light bulbs become a thing of the past?

I don't necessarily have a question for the day, but I'd like you all to chime in with your thoughts. Yea or nay to the new Sustainability Movement?

Reality fantasy check

I had lunch today with an old friend that I have not seen or talked to in, oh, probably 10 years or so. It was fantastic! I was quite jealous, though, because as I was scrambling to get back to work at a decent time, she had all the time in the world. She is doing some project management work, but on a pretty limited basis and is, for all intents and purposes, retired.

Ahhhh, the elusive R word that we all long for....

If you could retire today and know that you would be financially-but-not-extravagantly secure, what would you really do with your time? Yes, this is kind of a fantasy, but I'm not talking the cruises-around-the-world-every-month, spa-day-every-day type of living. Realistically, what would you like to do with your life if you didn't have to work every day?

I'm gonna be in the front roooowwww!

This weather is amazing! I would give anything to have a week off, completely free of responsibilities, to just kick back and enjoy the weather. On my fantasy week off, I would love to go to Ravinia and hang out with good friends, some wine and a picnic. (Who's in??)

Fantasizing about this led me to today's question...

If someone gave you free front row tickets to any concert of your choice, which artist/group would you like to see?

My Achy Breaky Heart

I'm listening to my iPod this afternoon, and "Every Rose Has its Thorn" just came on. Every time I hear this song, it absolutely breaks my heart. And, for once, it's not even related to an ex or past crush. Cheesy as it is, this song just is incredibly sad to me. "And now I hear you found somebody new, and that I never meant that much to you..." How does that not wrench your heart??

I was watching some VH-1 countdown once (Top 100 Breakup Songs, or something), and I could not believe that this was not #1. It was some random Michael Jackson song that I had never even heard of, much less cried to. How is that possible??

Okay, now I'm just babbling. It's been a long day and I felt the need to post a new QOD since we've been MIA for a while.

What songs break your heart every time you hear them, regardless of if they remind you of an ex?

Where's My Bag Phone?

My internet was down today.

For hours.

Now anyone that knows me also knows that I am nothing without my 'net. I felt the beads of sweat begin to form on my brow as I watched my little icon fruitlessly attempt a wireless connection, and watching the same panic stricken look overtake my co-workers showed me that I wasn't alone in my symptoms of withdrawal.

Ten years ago, I barely knew what the internet was. I had never heard of instant messaging, and gmail wasn't even a glimmer in my eye. Yet here I am now, bootlegging a LAN connection from the cube next to mine to hitchhike my way onto the super highway that has hijacked my life.

How did we ever get to this place? People have done without them for ages, but there are certain things that throw our lives into a complete tailspin when they're ripped from our grasp. Maybe you freak out if the microwave goes on the fritz b/c you need your Orville and you need it NOW! Or possibly you fail to believe that your satellite can't receive its signal and choose instead to channel up and down aimlessly hoping to stumble on just one second of Dancing with the Stars.

Tell us about the "modern conveniences" of your life that you simply cannot do without.