Energy

Got my hydro bill today, used a lot more energy these past few months. I suppose that's to be expected, but I was disappointed. I need to reduce what I use, what I leave on, what I leave plugged in. I've recently started turning off the power bar to my computer and tv/cable every night, which will hopefully help.

Anyways, I feel that I use a lot less energy and products than most people. I try to pass on the reason behind it in hopes that others will realize that retail therapy isn't really very helpful.

Random Venting

Today was kind of frustrating. Some people were just plain rude, and I'm so fucking sick of stupid customers. How hard is it to learn how to order, or to figure out what you want before you step up to my cash to say something. Use your brain for even 2 minutes and sort yourself out, then I don't have to fix your stupidity.

Also, some people need to think about how they spend their money before spending it. Have you ever watched people at a Big Box Mart? It's pathetic how they think they need all this cheap crap, when they don't, and all they're doing is supporting cheap labour, crappy health care, and externalized costs. People buy so easily into perceived obsolescence that they don't care about anyone or anything other than themselves. Look at my links, for those who read this and are interested, and watch "The Story Of Stuff" it's only 20 minutes long, but it can change your views on many things.

Anyways, enough venting. Peace out.

Difficulties

I find it hard sometimes to stay on the "green and narrow" so to speak at times when I am surrounded by my friends who do not follow the same rules as me. It's hard to be the odd one out and just constantly think that they think you're some kind of freak.

Working for a giant fast food corporation doesn't help either, and I really don't know where to go to help them realize the destruction that all of their apathy is causing. I try to raise awareness, and sometimes people realize that it is a small change, but if one more person does it, then it's not as small. But then there are those who cause waste and destruction willingly and purposefully, and I just want to smack these people in the head and try to wake them up.

Why have we become a nation of such lazy people who follow the bidding of those higher than us on the consumer chain? It's so strange to think that it was all intentionally planned by the corporations and governments, and that they wanted this consumerist living to become the norm. Which it has, sadly.

Enough of my musings. Back to work I must go.

Reusable, Ridiculous

So slowly on my quest of making my personal ecological footprint smaller, I have stopped using almost all things disposable. So far such things include:
-Coffee cups
-Drink cups
-Utensils
-Plates

Soon, I will be investing in some organic cotton handkerchiefs so that I never need to use tissues or napkins again. Recycled toilet paper (which is toilet paper made of recycled paper, not recycled toilet paper) is also on the list for as soon as I run out of the stuff I already have. I've also been looking at Diva Cups, or Moon Cups for my girly times.

I am also making a concerted effort to a) reduce the amount of packaging on the stuff that I do buy, and b) think of ways to reuse it if there is any left.

That being said, I really hate walking into a Tim Hortons, where they have reusable china mugs for their hot beverages for those dining in, and 80% of the people I see who are staying in, are using the freakin disposable cups! What the hell, how does that make sense?

People are so selfish.

Unchanges

Eugh, long day. Got my performance review today, took 2 hours. How disappointing to think that I tried hard to work on it, but just don't feel like it's right for me. I try to smile at work and enjoy my time, but it's just so stressful sometimes, and not my idea of a great job. The only reason I'm still there is because I haven't found a better job yet. They say I'm great with people, and great with my co-workers, but I don't have a "management" qualities, and I don't manage the people well. Whatever.

I'm completely exhausted, mentally, physically and emotionally. I don't even know why I'm still awake. But I think I need to put my clothes away, because they're bothering the crap out of me.

Keeping hope alive

I'm trying to conceive a way to pitch a recycling system in place for the employee's of my job. I need to pitch it to my boss' boss in a way that he'll understand from a business perspective as helping the company not just the environment. Very frustrating. I've tried previously, which ended up with me being told that "We need to focus more on detail cleaning, and then we'll think about it."

I was like: EXCUSE ME? Cleaning dirt and corners and walls is more important that reducing the amount of crap going into landfills? What the %#@ are you thinking? But, of course, I wouldn't actually say that at the risk of losing my job. So instead I have been lying in wait, and plotting my next approach.

Hopefully it goes better.

First of many.

Alright, so here's my first blog, and here's hoping that it catches on. I guess I should start with an appropriate intro that doesn't involve recommending a browsing of my profile. So here goes.
I am a 21 year old fast food manager who makes a concerted effort to stay green and thinking of my spot in a bigger perspective. I recycle almost everything, and have recently started working on the other 2 R's: Reduce, and Reuse.

Since I work fast food, I feel absolutely terrible about the enormous and redonkulous amount of waste produced by this form of consumerism. So I try my heart to incorporate some "greening" in at least my store.

Some examples are:
-Bringing home dropped paper bags which would end up in the garbage.
-I bring my own water container for any drinks that I want
-I encourage my co-workers to do the same
-So far, I have convinced some of my co-workers the benefits of reducing the amount of garbage they use, at least while at work.

I do other things as well, such as being very careful when I take something out, so that nothing else falls by accident, and other such things.

And I'm out for now,
Frugal