OVER NIGHT fail... once again

Once again. I went through a good, very low impact day compared to normal, but due to sleep deprivation and exhaustion, I passed out with netflex running and my ipod on. After last time I swore I would not let that happen again. But with a killer headache a quick drink and so ibuprofen to make that headache go away, I was out before I could make sure everything was in line. This is something I have to make sure I don't repeat in the future other wise it will make this challenge pointless because I may make two step forwards during the day, but I seem to fall three back every night.

A bad start...

So I am not going to recap the start to this day. If you wanna know then you can look at the previous blog. So because of that whole, problem I started the day off with a very, very, like extremely annoyed. Like eat the world for breakfast annoyed. So I sorta blew through the morning, using very little thought and processing. So I couldn't really tell you how it went. I didn't use a microwave, I unplugged my devices, with angry rage. I didn't bother with the lights and so far I haven't used any containers. So its a good start so far. Lets just hope it doesn't swing like yesterday.

"will somebody please tell roth that I dont love colledge"

ASo in this day(in reality yesterday), I realized how effective I could be with my energy use. I never turned a light on all day, I unplugged all devices not in use. I didn't by any new containers recyclable or not. I also did not use the microwave. I did not leave no impact though, I went for a test drive, using gas and emitting CO2, I ate food that was not local or organic and was shipped across thousands of miles to get to me. But hey, it was a start right? Well that's what I thought until I woke up in the morning. I fell asleep right after having a enjoyable conversation with somebody. I put down the phone hit the pillow and was out. Which is nice, I felt awake and accomplished in the morning until I saw that I fell asleep before I got a chance to turn my TV and xbox running netflex off... The TV glared angrily at me with its dimmed lights in its "power saving mode". I mumbled colorful adjectives as I went to pack my bag frustrated that I left it on all night. And I keep thinking someone was talking... but it was coming from my bed? "The rule is, the dude is, so up, so chuck I'm a cool kid" I thought to myself confused why is my bed talking? "I once was a kid all I had was a dream no' money no problems when I get it imma pile it up" I tossed my blankets aside and saw my ipod... Playing... Running all night.. So much for a good day.

awwww **** get your towels ready

Today I realized something. I have been keeping most of my electronic devices unplugged and off at all times. My TV hasn't been plugged in for months, my xbox's cries of neglect are drowned out my the work that I must be doing. I make sure everything is off and not being used all day. Their are two exceptions to this. firstly my computer, due to the fact it is needed to do my work, and I use it to charge my Ipod because I figure that's more efficient than charging my Ipod else where I figure writing a paper and charging my ipod is killing two birds with one stone. But the device I realize remains on at all times is my alarm clock. it remains on to wake me up in the morning, play my music for entertainment and to help me focus, and tells me the time. Yes I realize that this device does a lot for the amount of energy it uses, but can listen to music through my computer when I am doing my homework because I am on the computer anyways, I can tell the time through my phone since it is needed for contact with work and parents as well as my phone for an Alarm clock. Another device cut out of my life. I don't lose any comforts just get them from more efficient ways. So get your towels ready its about to go down.

A impact free day... not

Today was probably the best day so far of this challenge. It started off good, no lights used, all my devices where unplugged, no microwave used for breakfast and no use of non recyclable containers being used. A good start. Before I had to drive 45 minutes up to a doctors appointment and walk through a building that made me cringe at the waste of energy, constantly being used. Automatic doors, every corner lit with artificial light, even the use of air condition though it was not that warm out. Other things like the set of 3 elevators as well as stairs right next to them, in this 4 story building. Vending machines selling cans with no were to recycle them in sight. So I realized keeping our mouths shut and doing our own part is really only the first step. Our grade alone cant change the course in which this civilization is advancing , but we can raise awareness by telling our peers and spreading the news. It starts with us, but we have to spread the word.

How do you spell New Zealand?

The thing about this week that surprised me the most was the fact of how simple it was to forget about the challenge. Participating in it when I was reminded of it and thinking about it wasn't hard, making sure the lights where off and unplugging electronic devices wasn't hard and painful for me, it was remembering to do it, and getting in the habit of doing it which has been the challenge. I feel like it will become part of routine to accomplish these small tasks, but at the moment it is a struggle to remember to do the simplest of things.

I learned a lot this week about efficiency and what not and one of the facts I learned that surprised me the most was the fact that its cheaper and more efficient for Britain to have food grown produced then shipped to them from New Zealand then creating it in their own backyard. That idea seemed so different from the local and organic ideas we have seemed to be hearing all along.

I think an important idea that needs to be shared with people is the idea that sometimes we over think things. Sometimes we try to do what seems the most helpful to the environment but oftentimes it seems that it does more harm than good. I think we have to be more aware of our actions and their effects. Because if we are going out of our way to make efforts that in reality are doing more harm than done, not only is that a waste of time and effort but is making the problem worse.

I hope once this challenge begins to get take off a little bit more that these things I have challenged myself to do become so much a part of daily routine that once the challenge is done, I am still doing them without really thinking about it. I will feel that I accomplish something great with this challenge if it changes how I go about doing things without thinking about them. If it integrates them into my daily life.

Day three.... nothing creative

I feel like this challenge would be going allot better for me if I remembered I was participating in it. I always forget until around this time at night when I look at my planner and remember that I am part of this challenge and need to create a blog entry. Now is my time to reflect back on my day. Honestly I couldn't tell you how I did. I bought some drinks, those where in a recyclable container, points to this guy, but then again I also bought some donuts which were not in a recyclable container. As far as lights I was pretty bad, I left my lights in my room all day when I rushed out the door this morning, and I also left my computer on all day and did not unplug it like I should have. And I even used a microwave to heat up and cooling plate of pasta... So overall today I failed this challenge. I need to work on a way to keep in the back of my mind so these task's become a everyday thing not a chore.

Another day another blog

So ya, second day... I used less lights... I made sure all my devices where unplugged before I left for the day. I recycled everything I could... I didn't purchase anything none recyclable. I also used less water. I made sure I did not leave the water running for no apparent reason.

Today I felt I did not get chance to realy pay attention to it. I also think that might be due to the fact that I did not leave the school till 8:30 at night. I spent over 12 hours at the school. It made my day feel like more of a blend of work. In school all the lights were kept off for the most part. Which would have been good if I didn't stay up late to the morning working on my internship paper and was exhausted in the morning.(yes I'm aware that's my own fault.)

So overall I feel like I don't have much to report out due to lack of thought about the challenge. Hopefully tomorrow I will do better and notice many more things.

The beginning of the end

Low impact challenge... yippee... Another project based on changing our impact on the environment. At least we are actually doing something about it and not just talking about it. This project seems to have good hopes and ideas, just the priority it takes compared to the bigger things in life, like college planning and figuring out plans for the future, is very low. We are young adults trying to make a place for ourselves in the world, the last thing on my mind is what other work I can add to my load to be less of an impact on society. I know its not very challenging, or that much effort, its just the idea of more work to take care of without much of a foreseeable impact on my life and future, my level of caring and excitement is not peachy.

But my complaining aside, their are a couple of things besides the class goal of using less electric light that I am going to attempt to reduce. I want to, in and out of school to not use pointless light. I plan on only using light that is needed, and then turning the lights off when I am done with them so they don't stay pointlessly on all day long. The Second thing I want to do is to limit the things that I use that are not recyclable and have to throw out. I am going to try and only use recyclable bottles, reusable plates and silverware. And overall less things that I will have to throw out after one use. As well as that goal, I have my third goal to unplug all electronic devices that are not being used by a person but are still using energy. Like making sure computers are shut down, and the tv and xbox are turned off and unplugged all the way. This goal wont be hard to complete but is probably the easiest to forget to do. The last challenge I plan on doing is to not use the microwave, at all. This one will most likly have the most impact and wont cause that much of a challenge. I will just have to make sure to use the correct devices to acomplish the same task.

Overall this low impact challenge will be a good way to start to check my personal habits and will make sure that I am being as effeicent as possible without changing what my daily routine is to much. This challenge has already started. Bring it I guess...