I'm back...

American Consumer is revitalized with a peppy new writing style. Why? First, in short 4 months away there has been one major change in consumer habits. People are buying small cars instead SUVs. As NYTimes reported, "anything to get me out of my Tahoe..." WOW!

But really, we're facing environmental crisis and if I can help keep 1 plastic bag out of a landfill, its worth it. Well, I dont know... Who am I to change peoples behaviour? But maybe if I can make one person laugh a little, thats good enough. Uh, I guess thats presumptive too. Its hard to be funny writing about purchasing batteries. I know... If I can help just one worker kill a few minutes before lunch, I'm cool with that!

Besides, I've got some great new topics. Stay tuned for: "Phil Graham is right", "My crystal ball: what you can count on", "Grandma's awesome vacuum" and much more...

Wallet

Back on Jan 11 I wrote about losing my wallet and looking for a new one. Well.... I never bought one. Here's why.

About 6 weeks after I actually lost the thing, (on a train going to work from Boston to Framingham on Dec 3rd -- yes, using public transportation -- another worthy topic... but I digress...), I received a call from a guy named Phillip who actually found it on the train. Obviously, by that time I had replaced all the credit cards, but still - it was great that it wasnt in the hands of a thief. He said the money - over $80 - was still there. I said take $20 or $40 and mail it back!

Well, time and went by and it took a few reminders, and finally last Friday it arrived in the mail. Wow! My bulky wallet that I learned to live without... back in my pocket... with no money in it...

hmm - strange experience. On the one hand, its great to have it back and know nobody tried to use the credit cards and all... but dude, 4 months... crazy...

Drugs

Sorry for long gap - had a serious case of the flu. The only thing I purchased last week were perscription drugs. And I have to say, I never considered asking about their origin. Frankly, if the pharmacy told me they were manufactured by oppressed orphans in a toxin-infested sweatshop, that spewed tons of greenhouse gases and were transported by 50s era gas guzzlers, it wouldnt have mattered. I would have felt bad later, but at the time thats how much pain I was in.

Book

I bought something this week: a book - woo-hoo! (Unfortunately, nothing fun - web/tech stuff...)

My first thought was to buy at a store instead of online (reducing packaging and shipping emissions) but the B&N on Ventura didnt have it.

My second thought was, what else can a consumer do? "Hi. I'd like to buy this book from a publisher that only uses soy-based ink and recycled paper, and also uses only bio-degradable packaging material and shippers that purchase carbon emissions offsets. Can you help?""

hahaha. right?

Well, that is silly, but hey... maybe someone is doing this. So here is the email I sent to Amazon.

Hello,

I am interesting in purchasing books only from vendors who meet the highest environmental standards. Specifically, can Amazon help me shop from publishers that only use soy based ink and recycled paper?

I'd also prefer only bio-degradable packaging material and shippers that purchase carbon emissions offsets.

Can you assist? Thank you.

It will be interesting to see if I get a real reply...

I Am Lightweight

Forgoing bags and disposing of computer parts properly is really low hanging fruit (at least for me). When it comes to protecting the environment, I'm not really breaking a sweat. Here is a taste of the future of consumerism, people. This will become the norm eventually:
Read about it in the NYTimes.

I've been debating making more substantial sacrifice for both "the cause" as well as elevated blogging. Telling hopefully entertaining stories about the stuff I buy is getting harder.

Just an aside, here's your handy reminder of the day: Subway = Lame. Please dont eat there.

Cat Food

Lets say you want to make sure your kitties arent exposed to any Chinese manufactured contaminated ingredients... There is a choice - "Wellness brand Feline Dietary Solutions". American made chow that also cuts down on transportation emissions. Sounds pricey? You know it is! About 2.5 times more than regular cat food.

But come on, these kitties are worth it! Here they are enjoying the rug described in "trash pick 1".

Shaver Heads

Today I bought a new set of shaver heads for my old Norelco electric razor.
Um.... uh... Well, I cant think of a possible difference being a contientious consumer would make on this purchase.

I do have one word of advice for anyone considering buying an electric razor. Dont get a cordless model that only recharges by sitting in its charger stand. Eventually the battery will die, and replacing it costs as much as the razor. Better to get one with a regular AC cord. Besides, unless you go rustic style camping, when will you ever be in a bathroom without an outlet to plug it in? And in that case, let it grow, man... let it grow.

T Shirt

I bought Beatles T-shirt as a gift to for my brother from a local shop (LemonRags on Ventura) today. Doesn't say where it was made. Refused the bag.

Its a really nice shirt. Trunk LTD. Sorry I didnt take, nor can i find, a photo.

Food

Until I need to buy something manufactured, here's some filler (NPI). When it comes to food, it goes like this:

Fast Food = Bad

I base this opinion largely on the popular book "Fast Food Nation". The issues with fast food go well beyond nutritional. It would be an injustice to try to summarize all the economic and agricultural problems caused by the fast food industry as articulated in that book.

I'll just say this: I used to really like Big Macs and eat them often, but since I read Fast Food Nation about 4 years ago I havent stepped in McDonalds once. I urge you: Spare your kids -- the food is scientifically designed to taste real yummy and hook them in!

Practice what you Preach

The previous tenant here at [local address repressed] had extended the porch railing upwards by affixing strips of heavy-duty, white plastic lattice. (Some type of animal containment device, I'm sure - certainly not for aesthetic reasons.) The 4 lattice strips - each 4' x 1' - served no useful purpose to me. So.... toss in the garbage? No Way!

A quick add under "free stuff" at Craigslist produced a phone a call within 5 minutes! (And this was at midnight on a Sunday. Had to remove the phone number in a hurry.) And the by the next day I had dozens of email replies! Had to pull the add... A few days after that, a woman from nearby Sherman Oaks stopped by and was thrilled to obtain some key material for her upcoming landscaping project.

Despite the hassle of managing this transaction, I felt pretty good about it. A load of plastic saved from the landfill, while making a stranger happy.
And to think, I probably even could have gotten a few bucks for it. What was I thinking? Just kidding... Although the value to replace this stuff is about $40.

Month in Review

A look back at January's purchases:


Slippers (made in China)
Camera Batteries (made in China)
Oil and Filter
Bags for above: 0

Wow - as American consumers go, I dont cut it. I dont buy squat. Well, except food..... Truth be told I consume it on a regular basis. Multple times, day in and day out.... Just like everyone else whoever lived..... But food is a complicated subject....

Muffin

Bought a muffin today. For $1.98 I got a napkin, muffin rapper, the thin sheet of paper they use pick up the muffin with, and of course, a bag. The muffin was free I think. Don't think I could have reduced the amount of garbage substantially... I doubt anything came from China... But thats all I bought today. *sigh* And this is the burden for thinking along these lines.

Trash Pick 2

This lamp was left by a dumpster.
Nothing special, but it was in excellent condition, and it fit my needs. Looks pretty good, dont you think? So how is this garbage? Matter of fact, the light bulb that was inside it still worked!

Cellphone

One recurring theme: The biggest difficulty being a conscientious consumer is often being a conscientious disposer. Nobody thinks that everything they buy is destined for a landfill eventually. (Well, I do... what a curse).

I have 2 old phones sitting in a drawer, assuming that some day - I dont know - maybe they'd have value to someone somehow. Why contribute to the 150 million phones containing small amounts precious metals and hazardous chemicals that are ditched each year?

So the EPA has started a cellphone recycling program. You'll soon learn "that recycling cellphones is easy and convenient.” Ooh - there's that word "convenient." Full details at the NYTimes.

Bags: Results

I did not think I'd have such influence so quickly, but banning plastic bags has become HOT! Whole Foods will join in on April 22nd, saving 100 million bags this year alone. And IKEA will start charging a nickle - first step in phasing them out.

Even China - in their desperation to clean up in time for the Olympics - has jumped on board, going so far as to ban even the manufacturing of the flimsiest types of bags.

Actually most countries have some type of legislation to reduce bag usage. So, damn - that was easy. Get used to carrying around canvas. Think I'll prepare my rant on the US auto manufacturers.

Oil Change

You know, I'm not doing this blog because I know all the answers. In fact, I often don't even know what the questions are.

Yesterday I brought the Subaru in for an oil and filter change. Whats the environmentally correct way????

"Hi. I'd like fair-trade, organic, locally-refined oil that was pumped in country with sustainable drilling practices that respects the wishes of the indigenous population."

"Certainly. Anything else?"

"Yes. I'd like a filter that was produced in a unionized factory, using recycled aluminum, with a lead-free drainback valve and a bio-degradable seal gasket."

"Yes sir. That will be $729." hahaha... right...

Well, in reality, I asked sheepishly what happened to the used oil, to which she replied non-committedly that the people who picked it up also recycled it. She thought...

Batteries

The reason I haven't added a photo of the beautiful rug is that the camera batteries died. Ah - consumer opportunity!

I walked to a closeby Camrea store on Ventura, and - not that it would have made a difference - asked the guy there if he had any batteries that werent made in China. He laughed! "You kiddin me? Everything is made in China!"

This developed into a nice chat about how you used to able to drink water from the garden hose and not have to worry about the crappy LA air. We even got into politics and how full of bullshit Mitt Romney is. (Answer: 100%!)

Anyhow, I was glad I supported his local shop instead of buying online like I normally do.

Trash Pick 1

What's this large bundle I see up on the garbage can? There's a note attached: "its clean". Well, seeing as how its in front of a million+ dollar home, I think its worth the risk. Even though its too big to unfold to check it out, I return with the Subaru to pick up the rug.

So, it's 6' x 9', wool, shows no signs of wear, and no stains at all - pretty nice. Probably a few hundred bucks at Ikea. They certainly could have sold it. But man - that would have been a pain... place an ad - setting up appointments to show it - possible haggling. oy... But the bottom line is - no way did this belong in landfill! NO WAY!

It looks great on our porch - it extends the living room. Love it. And we all know that a great rug really ties the room together*.

[photo soon]

So you can see, strolling along the beautiful Studio City hills on trash night can have unintended benefits.

[Big Lebowski - one of the best movies ever]

Garbage

Wealthy people generally make the worst consumers, not just because they buy the most stuff, but because they toss out the most stuff. What some of my neighbors consider to be garbage, I find appalling.

For some background, you should know that Studio City (which is located in a northern part of Los Angeles known as "The Valley") has some fairly upscale residents. In fact, I live equidistant to William Shatner and George Clooney. (Hows that superfluous name dropping?) I also learned that a recent small flood decimated the swimming pool at Eddie Van Halen's Studio City home. (Watch a video of it.)

If I were really cool or had loads of time, I'd make an interactive Google map of my hood. But I'm not or I don't, so this static jpeg will have to do:



I could never afford to buy here. And probably not even rent if the apartment was newer. But what a good location for "trash picks" as you will see...

comments / google account

Its come to my attention that a Google account is now required to comment. darn. Thats lame... I can only hope its a spam prevention machanism.

So, here is comment I received from a North Hollhywood reader, reprinted by permission:

1) Cool for writing a blog - I like it!
2) Slippers - Next time ask and I will knit you some. I just finished a pair for Ben and they are really nice, although a bit delicate.
3) Burt's Bees - Have always loved the lip balm but now that I have read the story I feel like the woman was a manipulative schemer but also very business savvy. I'm suspicious but I'll still buy my one tube of balm every 2 years or so. How much lip stuff can a person really use? Another moral of that story, all good things come from North Carolina. I love it there - you probably would too.
4) Canvas bags - I have a ton that were donated for my now-defunct Schools Attuned job. If you or anyone you know needs some awesome canvas bags with a water resistant lining, let me know....


There you go people. Anyone need a canvas bag?

Wallet

I need a new wallet simply because I lost my old one. That was actually a few weeks ago. I've been taking my time on it because, well, just to see what its like to not have a carry around the bulky thing all the time. And since I dont drive around hardly at all, its pretty nice. When I go out, just put a credit card or some cash in my pocket. A small burden removed...

Anyhow, Urban Outfitters had an okay selection, including several that were made in America, and even one - a duct tape model - made in LA! Talk about buying local. However, it was kinda ugly, so... the quest continues...

RANT: bags

You're at the Quickie Mart, or CVS or whatever to buy, oh, a couple of batteries and a quart of OJ... Now to get these items from the cash register to your car, DO YOU REALLY NEED A DAMN BAG?!? ;-) Every store America basically says: Hey - this will probably only get used just once and then end up in a landfill, but have as many as you want for free! [jeez - I feel like Lou Black].

Did you know San Francisco has banned plastic bags? Its true. Bravo to the greatest city in America!

But even paper bags... dont you already have enough stuffed next your fridge?

It's not hard to start bringing canvas bags with you to the grocery store. At Whole Foods they even take a nickle off your tab for each bag. At Trader Joes you fill a coupon to win a gift certificate. Big deal... Canvas bags can hold more items and are easier to carry, reducing trips from wherever your car is parked to your kitchen. [oy - now I feel like Martha Stewart]

Cant wait til Walmart starts charging for bags. (Actually, I never shop at Walmart, even when we had one in walking distance in Dallas...)

Burt's Bees

Now that every company in America recognizes a demand for green products, one huge difficulty is getting real information validating claims of "all-natural, eco-friendly, zero-carbon..." etc. Much of my understanding comes from the NY Times - a new article addresses this topic.

So, if you're in the market for a fancy new tube of lip balm, you should support Burt's Bees www.burtsbees.com (even though were bought by Clorox). It costs a bit more, but chances are, if you're reading this, you can afford it.

Here's the very interesting article regarding Burt's Bees and Clorox's attempt to do the right thing: www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/business/06bees.html

Food

hmm... How far do you want to take it with food? Tricky category... not gonna dwell on it.

I've always been a Whole Foods fan - orgainic, free range, alternative, etc... We LOVED the Whole Foods in Dallas, but the nearest one here (Sherman Oaks) is relatively lame. Fortunately, Studio City has a farmers market every Sunday, and its easy walking distance! There's a no-brainer. Fresh produce - much of it organic - supporting local farmers...

What's not to love about a farmers market? The best in comestible consumerism. Lets sing it out: Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love [farmers market] right now.... right now... right now.....

Well, that felt good.

Next: I need a wallet.

Slippers

Man, its been cold here... at least for L.A.. (The East Coasters would justifiably scoff...) But still... low 40s? I NEED SOME DAMN SLIPPERS.

So, this is great - my first consumer decision... something to write about! First, I walk down to Ventura Blvd to Urban Outfitters (strong start - zero emissions - looking good) . But, I notice that all the slippers in stock are made in China. hmm - Do I care? Should I??? Ooh - but I see something I like - a booty-over-the-sock thang. $20 - perfect.

The problems with China are sweatshops and long transport (theres goes my carbon savings). Most importantly, have you read about the pollution there?!? Out of control. Maybe best to avoid Made in China til they clean up their act so to speak. Then should I only buy American? That would sure make shopping really difficult...

Oh, but wait... Look at the sign: "All Mens Slippers - $10" Deal, baby!!!

Shoot. Caved my first time out.... oh well. I mean, come on! Ten bucks? For just what I had in mind? [insert religious sterotype joke here].

It won't be easy...

Life in America

What if you really made the effort to be a good consumer all the time? What if you tried to take into account all the social, economic and environmental factors in every purchase you made? hmmm... What a pain in the ass! Well, if I'm going to attempt to be the worlds most conscientious consumer then I may just as well get some stories out of it.

So, for 2008 lets see what's like to do the right thing, reduce my carbon footprint, and rag on the neighbors in my affluent LA suburb. This could be painful... but hopefully entertaining, and maybe even educational.

It would be great to write about something major like buying a new car this year, but first on my list: slippers.