The correct answer is 56,000 liters. Think about it: one person could save 56,000 liters of water simply by changing their shower habits.
Today I am not going to post a trivia tidbit because I would like to focus on a more pressing issue. Please read the New York Times article "Environmental Laws Waived To Press Work on Border Fence." http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E7D71F38F930A15753C1A9619C8B63
The Department of Homeland Security has decided to build a gigantic fence through a national conservation area in violation of a court ruling. It "disagrees with the court's ruling" and divines that it will win an appeal. Michael Chertoff, who was not elected, is violating the separation of powers and attacking the environment. Meanwhile we whine about "activist judges." At least the members of the judicial branch have to create an illusion of impartiality.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Watershed
While I give you all a chance to catch up with the most recent trivia tidbit, I would like to share the story of the day’s adventures.
Today I decided to bicycle to a nearby river watershed. It was the most beautiful bike ride of my life. I was surrounded by autumnal foliage, swamps, mountains, fields, and wildlife. When I arrived at the watershed, I wandered on the bike paths and discovered a small beach. Unable to resist the perfectly clear, pristine waters, I jumped in, fully clothed (my attire confused nearby four-year-olds who asked, “Mommy, why is she wearing her shorts in the water?). As clichéd as it may sound, being in the river felt very spiritual because I was surrounded by nature. When I looked down, I saw little white fish swimming around my feet, up, I watched a hawk circle around the scene, and around, I admired a forest filled with red and gold leaves.
When I biked home, I met several men in the watershed who were wearing blaze orange. Apparently, it is hunting season. I need to get better about tracking where and when hunting happens and start wearing the reflective vest my mother sent me. Someone may hear the rustle of my bicycle wheels and shoot me, a la Dick Cheney.
Today I decided to bicycle to a nearby river watershed. It was the most beautiful bike ride of my life. I was surrounded by autumnal foliage, swamps, mountains, fields, and wildlife. When I arrived at the watershed, I wandered on the bike paths and discovered a small beach. Unable to resist the perfectly clear, pristine waters, I jumped in, fully clothed (my attire confused nearby four-year-olds who asked, “Mommy, why is she wearing her shorts in the water?). As clichéd as it may sound, being in the river felt very spiritual because I was surrounded by nature. When I looked down, I saw little white fish swimming around my feet, up, I watched a hawk circle around the scene, and around, I admired a forest filled with red and gold leaves.
When I biked home, I met several men in the watershed who were wearing blaze orange. Apparently, it is hunting season. I need to get better about tracking where and when hunting happens and start wearing the reflective vest my mother sent me. Someone may hear the rustle of my bicycle wheels and shoot me, a la Dick Cheney.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Nine
I have not posted in nine days. My apologies. Tonight I will get you all caught up with my life.
First things first, we need to clear up to the answer to my last trivia tidbit, “What substances can be composted?” Leslie and Edwin were both right. All organic substances can be composted. However, some organic materials decompose more quickly than others. On the farm, all of the materials in our compost decompose in three or fewer years.
Antigone Wanders’s Eighth Trivia Tidbit:
How many liters of water does the average human being save annually by switching to the Navy style of showering: turning off the water when they apply soap and shave, and only using water to get wet and rinse off? Extra points go to commenters who identify the ancillary benefits of using less water.
And now for the scoop:
Lately I have been busy amassing documents required for my Ecuadorian visa and searching for a summer job. Ecuador has very strict visa requirements. So far I have had to obtain a copy of my police record (rather a document indicating my lack thereof) and get an HIV test.
Like me, the farm has been busy. Last spring, our barn burnt down. Today we held a barn raising. Contrary to my expectations, our barn raising did not include any construction. We waited for the contractor to come and then watched in awe as a crane removed lumber from a truck. The festivities attracted a reputable crowd, including a television reporter and a State Senator.
After the “barn raising,” I finished my new favorite book: THE NINE: INSIDE THE SECRET WORLD OF THE SUPREME COURT by Jeffrey Toobin. The Nine is a popular press account of recent Supreme Court case law. As I read, I relearned cases and precedents that I had forgotten, and discovered once again why I am a law nerd. There is something special about the logic that progress from the Constitution, to opinion, to opinion. It is also amazing to think about how each Justice’s philosophy and personality affects his interpretation of the Constitution and approach. Every time I think about Constitutional law, I smile. It might hold my future.
-Antigone Wanders
First things first, we need to clear up to the answer to my last trivia tidbit, “What substances can be composted?” Leslie and Edwin were both right. All organic substances can be composted. However, some organic materials decompose more quickly than others. On the farm, all of the materials in our compost decompose in three or fewer years.
Antigone Wanders’s Eighth Trivia Tidbit:
How many liters of water does the average human being save annually by switching to the Navy style of showering: turning off the water when they apply soap and shave, and only using water to get wet and rinse off? Extra points go to commenters who identify the ancillary benefits of using less water.
And now for the scoop:
Lately I have been busy amassing documents required for my Ecuadorian visa and searching for a summer job. Ecuador has very strict visa requirements. So far I have had to obtain a copy of my police record (rather a document indicating my lack thereof) and get an HIV test.
Like me, the farm has been busy. Last spring, our barn burnt down. Today we held a barn raising. Contrary to my expectations, our barn raising did not include any construction. We waited for the contractor to come and then watched in awe as a crane removed lumber from a truck. The festivities attracted a reputable crowd, including a television reporter and a State Senator.
After the “barn raising,” I finished my new favorite book: THE NINE: INSIDE THE SECRET WORLD OF THE SUPREME COURT by Jeffrey Toobin. The Nine is a popular press account of recent Supreme Court case law. As I read, I relearned cases and precedents that I had forgotten, and discovered once again why I am a law nerd. There is something special about the logic that progress from the Constitution, to opinion, to opinion. It is also amazing to think about how each Justice’s philosophy and personality affects his interpretation of the Constitution and approach. Every time I think about Constitutional law, I smile. It might hold my future.
-Antigone Wanders
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Exciting News
Hey coffee lovers! Coffee beans are green or yellow before roasted.
This weekend's question will help you all become more sustainable.
Antigone Wanders's Seventh Trivia Tidbit
What substances can be composted?
I do not have a lot of time to write, but I want to share some exciting news.
The nonprofit in Ecuador accepted my volunteer application. As a result, I am going to move to the Equator in January. I will start off by doing outreach in the street markets every morning. Depending on how quickly I become acclimated, I may do additional work in the afternoons. When I am not volunteering, I plan to take Spanish and Salsa classes, and visit Ecuador's national parks and Inca ruins.
In other news, one of my lifelong dreams came true today. My first official ballot arrived in the mail (I have to fill out an absentee ballot since I am not at home). My ballot happened to arrive at the same time as package of politically themed gifts and chocolate chip cooks from my aunt in Minnesota. Mail is glorious.
I will write more later.
-Antigone Wanders
This weekend's question will help you all become more sustainable.
Antigone Wanders's Seventh Trivia Tidbit
What substances can be composted?
I do not have a lot of time to write, but I want to share some exciting news.
The nonprofit in Ecuador accepted my volunteer application. As a result, I am going to move to the Equator in January. I will start off by doing outreach in the street markets every morning. Depending on how quickly I become acclimated, I may do additional work in the afternoons. When I am not volunteering, I plan to take Spanish and Salsa classes, and visit Ecuador's national parks and Inca ruins.
In other news, one of my lifelong dreams came true today. My first official ballot arrived in the mail (I have to fill out an absentee ballot since I am not at home). My ballot happened to arrive at the same time as package of politically themed gifts and chocolate chip cooks from my aunt in Minnesota. Mail is glorious.
I will write more later.
-Antigone Wanders
