It's been freezing cold, I went running at the Lake today and it's already covered in ice. Lovely, though. Downed conifer limbs, blue jays singing.
Now I'm drinking my third hot beverage (hot chocolate) and hoping to hear back from employers. Oh, did I mention, the school hasn't sent me my diploma yet? But the Registrar confirmed that I'm officially graduated. I'm not celebrating until I get the diploma in hand.
We've been consuming good movies and hot cider for Solstice. No fancy celebrations this year, til we get to my sister's. SyFy channel has 2 great holiday specials. One is a remake of Alice in Wonderland. We haven't seen it yet. The other is a really dark, modern remake of Wizard of Oz.
The second one is called Tin Man and I never thought I'd say this, but Alan Cumming is adorable as the Scarecrow. The plot is completely different and you wouldn't even recognize the characters from the original. I love, love love creative remakes, or just simple, creative films. They're in low supply these days.
Another fun plug is the new Sony Ericsson "eco phones", Hazel and Elm. (Cute, right)? They look nice and I used to love my old Ericsson before the *ahem* screen ribbon broke.
Does anyone have other fun film ideas for Solstice? I don't especially like fantasy unless it's mixed with a good plot. Harry Potter is pretty fun for this time of year. I thought the sci fi was a stretch but as long as it's not overly dramatic vampire movies or something, it's an okay medium.
This is so adorable, I wish I had seen this a month ago! These are alternative Christmas trees from Treehugger. The photo at the end of this post is a ladder. No extra purchases, no tree cut down. Someone remind me of this a year from now.
We have a norfolk pine. I like the idea of a living holiday tree - but after Solstice we can't plant it because it's an invasive species. I'm not crazy about tree farms because it creates a monoculture where a diverse forest could otherwise be. Then there's all the energy used to mulch them (again monoculture). These Treehugger ideas are genius. Oh well, I did a few things right this holiday. Hmm, let's see....(tries to alleviate guilt)...
1. I'm using newspapers and paper bags for gift wrapping. Decor on top includes ribbons from last year's gifts, dried leaves, stamps and beads. I'll post photos.
2. Saved glass milk jugs to fill with candy, instead of elaborate, plastic wrapped truffle boxes
3. Used rechargeable candles instead of wax ones (I suppose the ecological benefit of this is debatable, but at least our house won't burn down)!
4. Collected fallen branch pines for wreaths, instead of buying material (at my Lake I saw many people doing the same, dragging huge branches behind them and one woman even had an armful of toxic berries - how fun)!
5. Shopped locally and all in one town so we didn't have to drive far.
It's a decent start, anyway! Feel free to share your ideas for the holiday too. And check out this Christmas tree!
I'm looking forward to spending Winter Solstice at my sister's house, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We talked about moving again and we're actually considering some places close to the border that are nice.
I was talking to my friend Rosie about my article idea; she mentioned that I should start with a variety of topics to start with. One idea I had was showing how products get from the ecosystem to our homes.
We wake up to our Starbucks Costa Rican Coffee; you get to learn about the colorful tropical birds that use the rainforest canopy there; the vines that hang high above the farmers as they tend to their crop.
I know a few authors up North and I think it's a much quieter place. There's nothing like a quiet study, with umber bookshelves and a skylight covered with snow on a cold winter day. Rosie has big picture windows in her house where she can watch the furry squirrels play in the snow.
We need the perfect mix of a serene town but still a good central place where there's bookstores and events. Many of those towns are more enlightened too. Less politics and more community involvement. They appreciate author events and science because it gets them out of the snowbound house.
Sitting around and talking to other authors about ecology while sipping spiced hot chocoloate. Hmmmm.....
The World Wildlife Fund has a lovely site where you can send a lantern to Copenhagen to show your support for the environment! It's free and it only takes about ten seconds. You get to choose the color and shape of the lantern!
It's just in time for the caribou - the trend in colder climates of snow melting and re-freezing means that they can't reach their primary food, lichen under the thick layer of ice. Hopefully we can reverse the trend.
I've had some great conversations with my Vox buddies about the concept of scientific consensus. There seems to be this mythology that Consensus among scientists means bullying around anyone who disagrees with their theories. First and foremost, it's important to understand that theories are proven explanations of natural phenomenon; unlike a hypothesis, which is an unproven statement.
Consensus is not formed by a gaggle of secretive researchers. It's not about hiding data or being snobby. Consensus is a synthesis of the data. There has been no single mind-blowing study that proves global warming theory all by itself. Each scientist presents their humble piece of data to contribute to the larger puzzle. As an example, these 3 articles:
Coral bleaching, ocean warming and ocean acidification
Cyclone activity in the North Atlantic
More increases in cyclone activity
These articles discuss global warming in the context of coral bleaching, ocean warming and acidification, and cyclone activity. They have no connection to East Anglia or Climategate. Notice in the Methods section: each article has dozens of references to data which is prone to error.
Each article mentions the pitfalls and shortcomings of the study. This assures that the data gleaned from each study can be filtered out and only the good parts used: to make a small contribuiton to the larger picture of global warming. This synthesis of the data forms the consensus within the scientific community.
Please give the articles at least a scan, if you're interested in understanding how this global warming theory has been formed, in part. Most exciting for me, the general public is bandying about words like "ice coring" and "tree ring data". After the holidays I'm hoping to post some fun stuff about how the research is conducted and the complexities of synthesizing the data.
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And check out the multicultural demonstrations in Copenhagen!!
I enjoy reading about native peoples and semi-domesticated fauna. The Sami people of northern Europe still herd reindeer for meat, milk and transportation. It's a tough nomadic lifestyle and I for one probably couldn't tolerate it. But it would be nice to try, as long as the reindeer were treated fairly. Nature-based religions and shamanism are still pracitced by some Sami people.
Some of my Vox neighbors and I were having a discussion over human's role in the environment. It seems only fitting with the Copenhagen talks beginning. What is our role on the planet now that we're in so deep? Are humans more important than animals? In what direction should we be heading?
If everyone suddenly agreed to do anything to get Earth back to a normal state, we should return to a semi-village lifestyle. Local purchases only. A focus on trains and bicycles. Simple living. I think it sounds quite nice, actually! We shouldn't be motivated only when humans are in trouble. All animals, including humans, share Earth's resources. Habitat protection should be our first priority, followed by ending pollution.
We are destryoing the planet. People think I defend "helpless" animals. Not true - my motivation is due to respect for the balance these creatures bring the planet. As David points out, koalas, birds and snakes evolved for millions of years on this planet before we came along. I put them first, humans second.
The Sami people sew their own clothing and find their own food. They believe that material posessions should have a purpouse - otherwise we shouldn't own them. When I watch the Sami walking with their reindeer transporters, carrying their simple possesions across the snow covered hils, I know it's a better life.
What's your favorite thing about the holidays? Least favorite?
Going out in the snow and then coming home to cozy hot chocolate and a fireplace. Well, we don't have one but one day we might. I also love making gifts by hand. And the challenge of an eco holiday. It makes me focus on what's important We seem to have a running theme for the holiday. Spaces, cooking, reusing. I'm almost done sorting the attic. I'm hoping that by the time we move to a new home, we'll have 5-10 containers of belongings each, not including furniture. Isn't that enough?? A few gifts we're giving involve repairing stuff. In the meantime we have no idea what we're doing for Winter Solstice. Sometimes our region has chocoalte tastings. I bought a few cookbooks. Sharing food and gifts is a nice part of the holiday. I like the colorful lights too. Fire is an important symbol of the season. I'm trying to picture our new home next year. I hope we can be hosts for once. We'd invite our guests to watch the birds flitter around the conifers. And have hot cider waiting by the fireplace when we come inside. We'll have bird wreaths and nuts for the squirrels so we can watch them from the picture window.
I just discovered the most wonderful thing!
When I go to collect my mail these days, nothing makes me grumpier than the fact that 3/4 of it is junk mail. My important information is crammed in loads of junk mail and fliers. Many of these scoundrels now try to make car sale offers look like official business.
Now I'm happy because I'm going to read about 41pounds.org. According to this group, Americans get 41 pounds of junk mail every year (that's 100 million trees cut down, kids). This organization says they can stop 89 to 90 percent of junk mail.
I'll need to do a followup post on this, because I haven't read every detail. I want to make sure it's legit before I go hog-wild recommending it. The nice thing is it's only $8.20 per year! It takes about 8 weeks before it goes into effect.
And get this - 41 Pounds will donate 1/3 of your payment to an environmental group. They have a list that you get to choose from. So far I like Save the Frogs!, Habitat for Humanity and Los Angeles Audubon.
I've acquired some awesome new neighbors since last Winter Solstice. I want you all to stick around, so I feel I should give you a warning. I have a reindeer obsession. Yes, every year I become a wide-eyed freak over the critters.
I'm not much of an ungulate person. I mostly study small carnivores, ground dwellers and birds. Beginning December 1st, I run around stores blindly grabbing every reindeer ornament and throw pillow in sight (I eventually calm down and put them back before the store clerks call Security).
Blame my old college friend for making me watch Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, I guess. She watched it every year and yes, she used to cry during the movie. I love the Island of Misfit Toys and King Moonracer as much as anyone, but.....
I don't usually distinguish between caribou (wild ungulates) and reindeer (domesticated caribou) although I think reindeer are a bit cuter and fuzzier with their decorative blankets. I hope I don't bore everyone with my reindeer and caribou rants.
Greenpeace Finland's Reindeer page
I'm a political moderate. Most people think that means that my beliefs are boring as cardboard. I just want everyone to get along. Compromise. Actually nothing could be further from the truth. When I express my belifes, I usually manage to tick off everybody.
I don't like Obama's health care plan. He needs to ditch it and try again later. Although I'm 100 percent pro choice, I actually agree that taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for abortions. Let's fact it, except for special circumstances, pregnancy is not usually an illness.
The right-wing has tried to ban birth control and sex ed. In high schools, sex ed programs teach boys and girls what it's like to care for a baby, and how to avoid pregnancy. By killing the single payer option, conservatives have ensured that underprivileged women might want an abortion.. They make sure that poor pregnant women and children will not have access to vital health care.
I have a new favorite politician. Congressman Kucinich. Despite the temporary setback on health care, he knows we're headed in the right direction with this. Here is his petition - it calls for Universal Health Care. Thanks to everyone who contributed to my health care blogs, and Lil Treva for alerting me to the Congressman's greatness. Obama could use a wake up call. No decent nation allows children to go without medical care.
**I should add that as a biologist I see my role as preserving life. Pregnancy is the beginning of life. I would like to see free women's health care clinics, free birth control (I mean really, Viagara is covered by health insurance!!) and better adoption services. Why don't we ever hear about these issues when we discuss abortion?
We got some snow over the weekend. Horray!
Sorry I'm behind on comments. We're taking our annual Solstice trip to New York City tomorrow. We're going to visit either Uptown or Greenwich Village. We love seeing the Holiday lights and the tree in Times Square.
Highlights from years past include:
Eating at Bobby Flay's restaurant, Mesa Grill. Mmmmm.
Seeing the Darwin exhibit at the Museum of Science.
I'll have to look up the name, but there's a killer crepe place in Grenwich Village.
