I got my rebate check from the IRS last week.

And, like most consumerist Americans, I spent nearly all of it. Over the weekend, in just a couple of days. The news tonight featured a story about travel deals people can take for under $600. Thbbbbbbpppptttt. Travel is my most favorite thing in this world to do. Right now, only in my dreams.

I didn't buy one single extravagant thing. Only stuff I really need that I've been holding back on because I couldn't afford it. The only thing close to extravagant is the $25 face cream from Burt's Bees--but I refuse to show my age too soon so it was a necessity. Unfortunately it gets expensive buying products without synthetic preservatives. I've slowly been cutting out the phthalates and parabens and other nasty petroleum-based products known to be carcinogens, endocrine inhibitors, and reproductive disruptors. I also bought a 12 pk of my favorite IPA, some whole foods, household goods, and got a haircut. It doesn't take long to blow through $600, but it's a small price to pay for good quality food and products.

Geez, that sounds just ridiculous. $600, by normal standards just one year ago, was no small price to pay for any of the things I just mentioned above.

I wish I could have put the money in a savings account instead. Or it would have been really cool to buy a nice camera to replace the one that was stolen 2 months ago. C'est la vie.

In case you didn't know, this "rebate" is actually an advance on next year's rebate. Read more about how it will affect next year's taxes here.

Enjoy.

It pains me to read articles like this one. I know it's not the first time the US has gone into crisis mode over fuel...each time it happens we reach a new low in 'civilization'.

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'Cheap' Gas Price Incites Tempers, Lines

Motorists More Than Eager To Fill Up At $3.55

• Video: 'Cheap' Gas Price Incites Tempers, Lines

POSTED: 6:54 am EDT May 8, 2008

UPDATED: 11:18 am EDT May 8, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS -- Motorists jockeyed for position, honked their horns and screamed at each other as lines lengthened for a chance to fill their tanks at a relatively cheap price on Indianapolis' south side Wednesday night.As many stations set their price for regular unleaded at $3.85 a gallon, a Swifty station sat at $3.55.Lines stretched down the street for a bargain that only months ago would have been inconceivable.

"We've been waiting for about 45 minutes in line here for the price of $3.55, which I can't believe actually makes me happy right now," said Christy Dahlberg."Someone at work shared the news that her daughter was watching TV and everybody better get gas when they leave work, because it's going up near $4, so I went straight to it," said Pete Campbell.Employee Debbie Stout struggled to keep up with demand as lines got longer. The $3.55 price stood as she awaited a call from her boss."When he calls and tells me to change, they're going to go ballistic," Stout said.As motorists positioned themselves for a small number of pumps, there were jolting screams, shouts and fender benders, 6News' Ericka Flye reported. As many drivers sat in their cars waiting to pay $3.55, the price jumped 30 cents to $3.85."They suck. When you've got to decide whether you want to buy a gallon of milk for your kids or a gallon of gas so you can get to work to feed your kids, it's not right," said Jade Alley.Those who were still in line got a break, though. They were allowed to fill up at the lower price. For that, Stout got a hug from a grateful motorist.

It has served as my screen name for several years and many have pondered its origins. Who is this mysterious gummi demilo character? What does it mean?

I've written explanation after explanation, each wittier than the last but it does take a fair amount of time to properly portray what this name means to me. I've searched, but all previous written accounts have been lost through email and IM conversations. Even GMail couldn't help because that email address is too new for me to have archived the story. Once and for all I will preserve the legend through Vox.

Warning: The origin of this name is centered entirely around an old Simpsons episode: [sF06] Homer Bad Man. Some of you might not appreciate it so stop reading now. I was, at one time, a Simpsons FANatic. The first year I had internet I haunted the Simpson's Trivia chat rooms until dawn. That was several years ago. Sadly, I haven't seriously bothered with watching a new episode since Season 10. Not even the movie. Horrible, horrible, writers. It will never be the same.
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gummi venus de Milo

The setting is a Candy Convention, or a place "sweeter than sweetness itself". Bart and Lisa are not allowed to go. Instead, Homer chooses to take Marge wearing an over-sized trench coat full of pockets that can be stuffed with candy. Homer spies an elegant figure encased in glass. She sparkles, gleams, and seductively winks at him. She is the rarest of all candies:

the gummi Venus de Milo.

He is not allowed to have her. So he craves her even more. Nothing will stop him. By sheer luck Marge creates a distraction for the crowd when her pockets burst open and spill mounds of candy on the floor. Homer then most unskillfully shoves his hand through gummi's glass case and in doing so sets off an alarm, grabs her, and makes a run for it. Marge runs after him. The crowd turns into an angry mob and chases them to the door. Homer pauses at a Buzz Cola machine to grab a soda. He rips open a packet of Pop Rox that suddenly appears, pours it into the can of cola, and throws it at the angry mob. "See you in Hell, Candy Boys!" Everyone stops and watches as it flies through the air in slow motion. Homer and Marge run in slow motion and barely make it through the entrance doors as the fiery blast nearly engulfs them.
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Best show of the season, and one of my all-time favorites.

Hate is a strong word that I rarely use.

Icon - Angry

I like to blog and complain about my country's problems. Because, really, you have to admit we have some serious issues that have been wildly out of control for quite some time. I don't have to know every single explicit detail about every single thing to know this is so. And I don't want the media to force feed me what I should or shouldn't be worried about. I see quite enough of humanity with my own two eyes.

What I hate most, more than anything in this world, is for someone to utter these words to me: "If you don't like what's going on in this country, leave." Especially when those words come from one of my own flesh and blood. That's really just downright RUDE.

I have thought about leaving this country, again, thank you very much. Why should I? I have just as much right to be upset with the residual effects of greedy human nature and corporate/governmental ass-banging gone wrong as those who propagated it have a right to be proud of their clever little deeds. There is probably a generation gap issue at the crux of it. But the fact of the matter is now I/we have to live with this mess. And as far as future generations? I just don't know...

It's not that I don't enjoy the freedoms we still have here. We all take them for granted. A lot of people don't realize that those freedoms are slowly slipping away. Because we are letting them. We are blindly handing over the control of our own lives because we don't want to be bothered with the sordid details of Life outside our small corner of America. If that doesn't scare the hell out of you, then go ahead and sit back and turn on Survivor or that stupid Bachelor(ette) show and everything will be okay. For a while.

As for me, complaining is better than complacency. That's my small contribution--it's what I can do for now. That and simplifying my own life. There, I've said it because I believe it and I won't take it back.

Bad:

1. Scuffling and scratching noises coming from the kitchen that indicate a rat is attempting to tunnel its way in for a visit
2. No good lazy cats
3. Strange unexplained smells
4. Habitually forgetting the piles of paper waiting to be recycled
5. Memory loss
   

Good:

1. Swaying with the breeze in a hammock
2. Sitting on a balcony with treetops 5 feet away
3. Real Ale Rio Blanco
4. Forming new routines that open the mind
   
5. Newfound freedom

Ron Paul

I had the pleasure of attending a rally for Ron Paul in March while candidates were in Austin to gather support during the Texas Primary/Caucus. Several thousand people showed up at UT's West Mall Rally area. I was surprised that so many are listening to his message. And not just the Hippies--a lot of students and average schmoes like me who would under normal circumstances never vote Republican again.

He gives me hope. He doesn't speak rhetoric. My intuition tells me this is a man who truly cares about us and worries about the direction our nation has taken. And even though there's not a remote chance he'll ever be President of the USA, having him in the House of Rep fighting the mundane battle of maintaining freedom is comforting to me. I can't wait to read his book. It's time for a revolution, baby. If you wonder about his stance on issues, more info can be found on his web site at www.ronpaul2008.com.

And now a few words from the man himself, Ron Paul:

(applause)

April 30, 2008

Today is an exciting day for our campaign and our movement: my new book, The Revolution: A Manifesto, is officially released.

Although a short book, it is the product of many years of thought and action. It is a defense of the principles to which you and I have devoted our lives.

My friends are calling it "Ron Paul's legacy."

These principles - individual liberty, sound money, the Constitution, and the foreign policy of the Founding Fathers - have had no home in American politics for a very long time. With The Revolution: A Manifesto, I'm letting the establishment know we're not going away.

Finally, Americans can hear and judge these great American principles for themselves, instead of through an unfriendly media filter. And they can learn once and for all that they need not be satisfied with the phony choices the system offers them every four years. Another way really is possible.

Two days ago I did a book signing in New York at the Borders on Wall Street. All 530 copies had been sold before I even arrived.

They had underestimated you again.

Imagine the attention our cause and our principles could attract with a fantastic opening day today, with people marching into bookstores across the country for their copies. If it should become a publishing phenomenon, The Revolution: A Manifesto can fuel our revolution for a long time to come. You can make that happen.

I hope you enjoy this book, which was a real labor of love for me. Please spread the word.

And may the future be ours.

Ron Paul

revolution, baby

Loathe:

1. withdrawal from a person
   
2. lower back pain
3. mold spores
4. wal-mart
5. whistley speech
   
6. a busy mind that won't stop
   

Love:

1. farmer's markets
2. learning yoga
3. letting go of unnecessary stuff
   
4. babaganoush
5. a happy dog
   
6. sweet merciful sleep

The Story of Stuff

Our disposable society--it's not going to work anymore.

Anything else I would typically say about this would come across as preachy, so I'll simply post the link to The Story of Stuff and let you watch the video and decide for yourself if it's useful. (Trust me, it is.)

Knowledge. You have it. Now use it. Please.

(posted from the site)

Many people who have seen The Story of Stuff have asked what they can do to address the problems identified in the film.

Each of us can promote sustainability and justice at multiple levels: as an individual, as a teacher or parent, a community member, a national citizen, and as a global citizen. As Annie says in the film, “the good thing about such an all pervasive problem is that there are so many points of intervention.” That means that there are lots and lots of places to plug in, to get involved, and to make a difference. There is no single simple thing to do, because the set of problems we’re addressing just isn’t simple. But everyone can make a difference, but the bigger your action the bigger the difference you’ll make. Here are some ideas:

10 Little and Big Things You Can Do

1. Power down! A great deal of the resources we use and the waste we create is in the energy we consume. Look for opportunities in your life to significantly reduce energy use: drive less, fly less, turn off lights, buy local seasonal food (food takes energy to grow, package, store and transport), wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat, use a clothesline instead of a dryer, vacation closer to home, buy used or borrow things before buying new, recycle. All these things save energy and save you money. And, if you can switch to alternative energy by supporting a company that sells green energy to the grid or by installing solar panels on your home, bravo!
2. Waste less. Per capita waste production in the U.S. just keeps growing. There are hundreds of opportunities each day to nurture a Zero Waste culture in your home, school, workplace, church, community. This takes developing new habits which soon become second nature. Use both sides of the paper, carry your own mugs and shopping bags, get printer cartridges refilled instead of replaced, compost food scraps, avoid bottled water and other over packaged products, upgrade computers rather than buying new ones, repair and mend rather than replace….the list is endless! The more we visibly engage in re-use over wasting, the more we cultivate a new cultural norm, or actually, reclaim an old one!
3. Talk to everyone about these issues. At school, your neighbors, in line at the supermarket, on the bus…A student once asked Cesar Chavez how he organized. He said, “First, I talk to one person. Then I talk to another person.” “No,” said the student, “how do you organize?” Chavez answered, “First I talk to one person. Then I talk to another person.” You get the point. Talking about these issues raises awareness, builds community and can inspire others to action.
4. Make Your Voice Heard. Write letters to the editor and submit articles to local press. In the last two years, and especially with Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the media has been forced to write about Climate Change. As individuals, we can influence the media to better represent other important issues as well. Letters to the editor are a great way to help newspaper readers make connections they might not make without your help. Also local papers are often willing to print book and film reviews, interviews and articles by community members. Let’s get the issues we care about in the news.
5. DeTox your body, DeTox your home, and DeTox the Economy. Many of today’s consumer products – from children’s pajamas to lipstick – contain toxic chemical additives that simply aren’t necessary. Research online (for example, http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/) before you buy to be sure you’re not inadvertently introducing toxics into your home and body. Then tell your friends about toxics in consumer products. Together, ask the businesses why they’re using toxic chemicals without any warning labels. And ask your elected officials why they are permitting this practice. The European Union has adopted strong policies that require toxics to be removed from many products. So, while our electronic gadgets and cosmetics have toxics in them, people in Europe can buy the same things toxics-free. Let’s demand the same thing here. Getting the toxics out of production at the source is the best way to ensure they don’t get into any home and body.
6. Unplug (the TV and internet) and Plug In (the community). The average person in the U.S. watches T.V. over 4 hours a day. Four hours per day filled with messages about stuff we should buy. That is four hours a day that could be spent with family, friends and in our community. On-line activism is a good start, but spending time in face-to-face civic or community activities strengthens the community and many studies show that a stronger community is a source of social and logistical support, greater security and happiness. A strong community is also critical to having a strong, active democracy.
7. Park your car and walk…and when necessary MARCH! Car-centric land use policies and life styles lead to more greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel extraction, conversion of agricultural and wildlands to roads and parking lots. Driving less and walking more is good for the climate, the planet, your health, and your wallet. But sometimes we don’t have an option to leave the car home because of inadequate bike lanes or public transportation options. Then, we may need to march, to join with others to demand sustainable transportation options. Throughout U.S. history, peaceful non-violent marches have played a powerful role in raising awareness about issues, mobilizing people, and sending messages to decision makers.
8. Change your lightbulbs…and then, change your paradigm. Changing lightbulbs is quick and easy. Energy efficient lightbulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than conventional ones. That’s a no-brainer. But changing lightbulbs is just tinkering at the margins of a fundamentally flawed system unless we also change our paradigm. A paradigm is a collection of assumptions, concepts, beliefs and values that together make up a community’s way of viewing reality. Our current paradigm dictates that more stuff is better, that infinite economic growth is desirable and possible, and that pollution is the price of progress. To really turn things around, we need to nurture a different paradigm based on the values of sustainability, justice, health, and community.
9. Recycle your trash…and, recycle your elected officials. Recycling saves energy and reduces both waste and the pressure to harvest and mine new stuff. Unfortunately, many cities still don’t have adequate recycling systems in place. In that case you can usually find some recycling options in the phone book to start recycling while you’re pressuring your local government to support recycling city-wide. Also, many products – for example, most electronics - are designed not to be recycled or contain toxics so recycling is hazardous. In these cases, we need to lobby government to prohibit toxics in consumer products and to enact Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, as is happening in Europe. EPR is a policy which holds producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, so that electronics company who use toxics in their products, have to take them back. That is a great incentive for them to get the toxics out!
10. Buy Green, Buy Fair, Buy Local, Buy Used, and most importantly, Buy Less. Shopping is not the solution to the environmental problems we currently face because the real changes we need just aren’t for sale in even the greenest shop. But, when we do shop, we should ensure our dollars support businesses that protect the environment and worker rights. Look beyond vague claims on packages like “all natural” to find hard facts. Is it organic? Is it free of super-toxic PVC plastic? When you can, buy local products from local stores, which keeps more of our hard earned money in the community. Buying used items keeps them out of the trash and avoids the upstream waste created during extraction and production. But, buying less may be the best option of all. Less pollution. Less Waste. Less time working to pay for the stuff. Sometimes, less really is more.