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laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , , , , , ,
15 February 2010
1

A few nights ago, I went to a screening of HOME, a film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.  It’s a film that brings to light many environmental issues surrounding the planet.  It has such spectacular graphics that sometimes it doesn’t feel real.  Plus, you’re seeing things from a bird’s eye view (or, more accurately, a hot air balloon’s eye view), which is rather unique in itself.  Such images are striking possibly purely because of the difference in perspective you get.  Whatever the case, the beauty of the film is undeniable and the message it spreads is powerful.  In fact, you should go see it yourself – it’s free to the world!

The bit that struck me the most was when it said that Dubai has just about as much sunlight as you can ever hope for, yet not a single solar panel.  It’s not really something that I had thought of before, but it’s ironic, isn’t it?  The great thing about films like these is that they not only inform you and teach you, they make you think.  They don’t always have the answers for you, but they bring about certain issues that are important to consider.  Just by starting conversations and getting people aware of things they should consider, they’re making a vital contribution towards the betterment of this world.  In addition to learning that tidbit, the film also showed me an area (I believe it was in Germany) that has solar panels covering the rooftops.  If a place like that with less sunlight can take advantage of the energy provided by the sun, why aren’t the countries closer to the equator and with far stronger sunshine following suit?

It’s truly a fantastic film that should be shared with the world.  By making it free, what better way to spread it far and wide?  That is his goal, and he has been traveling all over the planet to promote the film, answer questions at screenings, and generate the sort of momentum we must gather to turn the environmental movement into something that will truly change the world.  We are changing for the better, but not fast enough.  It’s not too late to right some of the many wrongs that have happened, but all too soon it could be.  Hence, it’s important that we take action now, in a way that we haven’t been.  Copenhagen was disappointing in the lack of unity between countries and that NEEDS to change.  We’re the first and only species that has ever done so much harm to the very environment we live in.  Are we set on self-destruction?!

I hope not.  Which is why I appreciate efforts like these to get people to take charge of the future and make this world better, not worse.  And for those who laugh and make fun of the environmentalists out there… well, you can be the ones to blame when our progeny no longer have a safe planet to live on.  That’s just a lose-lose situation for us all.  It’d be pitiful for a “great” population such as ours to contribute to our own undoing.  So much for being superior.  Ultimately, the film ended by saying that “it’s too late not to be optimistic” and I think that’s true.  If we give up hope, all is lost and we destroy so much beauty and wonder.  So, we have no choice but to put our hearts and souls into saving the future of the planet and believe that we can.  I certainly believe we can.  Now, will we?

Southern California wildfires: suppression is not the solution!

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , , ,
13 February 2010
0
blazing wildfires in southern california

photo credit: Chris Doolittle

Firefighters in California have adopted a fire suppression policy for over a century now, which works very effectively in the underbrush type fires of Northern California, but do very little to stop the brush type fires of Southern California.  In fact, wildfires are still occurring increasingly year after year, with over 99% of the ones in coastal Southern California started by human activity.  It’s not just an issue of how we fight the fires; it’s how we prepare ourselves to prevent the fires.

Much of the problem arises with urban sprawl.  As our communities push further out into the undeveloped land surrounding us, we not only put ourselves at risk of being in the path of a wildfire, we are more in danger of starting them.  Since fires are something humans feel they can control, more or less, there is often a misconception that we can just stop the unwanted ones from happening.  However, that is not the case, especially since our homes are teeming with highly flammable materials, including the very palm trees swaying our backyards.  Fires are bound to break out, whether caused by humans or nature.

So, we should follow Dr. Jon E. Keeley’s advice: think of wildfires like we do of earthquakes.  We certainly don’t go around trying to patch up the San Andreas Fault, and neither should we try to stop all the brushfires from igniting.  As a matter of fact, in a study conducted by Keeley and Fotheringham in 2000, they found that chaparrals (native plants in Southern California) need periodic wildfires to help their seedlings grow!  It’s actually the smoke and chemicals from charred wood that allow the seeds of chaparral to germinate, otherwise they lay dormant.

Chapparals have adapted to the wildfires that swept the area every decade or two and now need them to continue to survive.  That’s not to say that the increased frequency of wildfires is a good thing, though!  When fires occur too frequently, native chaparrals die before they get a chance to recover and soon the hillsides are replaced by non-native weeds and dry vegetation.  These new plants are far less resistant to burning, increasing the frequency of fires, which spread to kill off even more native plants.  And thus the cycle continues, to the point that of the nine megafires (fires that burned more than 100,000 acres) in the past century, half occurred in just the last six years.

So how should we deal with the wildfires?  Well, to start off with, it would be smart to NOT build homes and developments in high-risk areas, which experts have identified.  Then, for those homes that are already on the fringe of wild land, clear out the vegetation in a 100-yard radius.  Also, homeowners should be cognizant of the materials in and around their homes.  Palm trees in particular are dangerous because they are extremely flammable.  Embers flying from a burning palm tree in your yard could then ignite a fire on nearby structures.  Finally, we should accept that wildfires are part of the cycle of life for our local vegetation and have a plan like we do for earthquakes.

To learn more, check out Dr. Keeley’s Oppenheim Lecture Series presentation.

The big, bad wolf

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , ,
10 February 2010
1

When I was three and a half, I flew from China to meet my parents in Pennsylvania.  On the plane ride, I was with a family friend who had been tasked with babysitting me for the trip.  The one thing I remember from that time in my life was during the plane ride, when the lady had to go to the bathroom.  She took the airplane blanket we were using, opened it up, and draped it over me.  Hidden securely underneath, she told me not to move until she came back, or else the big, bad wolf would come and eat me.  Obediently, I huddled in my little cave, waiting for her to return.

A long time later, my little toddler self was getting antsy, but I was a good kid, so I stayed under the blanket.  As the minutes passed, I began to wonder if perhaps the wolf had gotten her.  What was  taking so long?  When she finally came back, I was so relieved to get my freedom back!  Turns out she’d gotten distracted talking to a flight attendant on her way back from her restroom break.  And here I’d thought maybe she’d forgotten me there.  Thank goodness, we were both safe and the wolf was nowhere to be seen!  🙂

Difference in perspective

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , , ,
08 February 2010
2

to-go ware chopsticksAs I was getting lunch at Kaya today, I noticed their chopsticks resemble the pair I have in my To-Go Ware set.  It reminded me of the day when Panda saw them and asked me why they were warped.  Months later, when another friend came back from grad school in the East Coast, he saw them and asked the exact same thing.  -____-  Whereas I and our other friend, a history major, saw them as artistic, they saw them as warped.  Wow.  A lesson in the differences between North and South campus majors!

to-go ware chopsticks with twisted ends

See the gentle curving to give them more character?


At UCLA, North campus houses most of the humanities and social sciences and South campus houses most of the life sciences and physical sciences.  The School of Theater, Film, and Television is as north as you can get, while the School of Engineering is in the southern half.  We often joke about this separation, but in this case, there truly is a disparity between the way we interpret things.  North campus majors recognize the beauty and elegance of a twisted shape; South campus majors recognize a purposeless deformation.  Ultimately, we’re looking at the same thing, but our differing opinions of the chopsticks’ design would easily lead to a scenario where I buy them, only to have Panda return them as he wondered why I bought them at all. It’s funny, isn’t it, how differently we view the world?

The marathon obsession

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , ,
06 February 2010
4

Besides travel the world and skydiving, I’d say that running a marathon tops everyone’s “to do” list (or for the more ambitious, perhaps a triathlon).  Why?  What’s the draw?  I don’t quite understand it, because to me, marathons hold no interest.  Then again, I’m not as into endurance sports as most people seem to be; rather, I prefer sprinting and strength exercises.  Plus, I much prefer being in water than jolting my knees on land.

It seems that marathons have become a rite of passage.  Much like the Greek system has a pledging process, during which pledges undergo certain challenges to prove they deserve to become a brother or sister in the organization, marathons (and training for them) seem to be a process people go through to be inducted to an unofficial club of sorts.  Ultimately it’s more about bragging rights and being able to say that you’ve run a marathon than just being healthy or running for enjoyment.  In fact, most people who run marathons find it excruciatingly painful and just barely finish their first few.  But it’s one of those things that’s hard enough that people respect you for doing it, yet easy enough that just about anyone can do it, so long as they set their minds to it.

Running comes pretty easily to just about everyone who isn’t confined to a wheelchair.  It’s a natural thing humans do, and though techniques vary, the skill isn’t really hard to pick up.  Other things like swimming are harder for people to pick up, which is why I think triathlons are things that only more elite athletes go for.  The average Joe finds learning to swim and bike, then having to compete in those on top of running just a bit too hard.  That’s my theory on why marathons make the list while triathlons get far less attention.  Marathons are a good middle ground between not doing anything physically challenging and going for a triathlon.

I’ve never gotten into them and may never attempt a marathon.  That accomplishment just doesn’t mean as much to me.  I’d rather be able to hold static exercises for longer, be able to pump more weights, or do endurance stuff submerged in water.  I’ve never been a great fan of cardio exercises.  I like strength and agility more.  So though I’d love to go ocean swimming, I don’t feel the need to prove myself by swimming the English Channel.  I guess that’s why I loved swimming the butterfly stroke and doing long and triple jump.  There’s a lot more skill involved in addition to the strength and power you need to do those events.  I’d also love to become a better shot with a pistol, revolver, rifle, and maybe even a bow and arrow.  Oh, and traveling the world and skydiving are definitely on my “to do” list.  But marathons?  They just aren’t my thing.

Hot tubbing

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , ,
04 February 2010
0

My mom adores the hot tub at our local pool and likes to go whenever she gets a chance.  Since I have a bad back, I’ve been trying to go more often to help soothe those muscles.  I’ve found that it actually turns out to be a good place for conversations, as the heated water swirls around you.  In fact, my mom and I have discussed many an important thing while soaking there, from my thoughts of moving out of the house to our viewpoints on life issues.  Surprisingly, we’ve had great exchanges and I’ve revealed more of myself than I ever have before.  I guess relaxation of the body brings about relaxation of the mind, so my thoughts come out more readily.

There’s something about water that is really soothing, and great for thoughts and inspiration.  The potential reasons are many, but the result is undeniable – people tend to relax more and think better when surrounded by water.  For me, it’s the sort of peace and tranquility I get from it.  It’s nice to just close my eyes, sink back, and let the water support me.  Maybe it’s because my thoughts are “swimming” around in my head and the water helps me let them pour out.  It could be just as simple as the fact that so much of us is composed of water and we developed in fluid that we feel a deep connection with it.  Who really knows?  I do believe it works though, and that’s what matters most.

So, what are your reasons?

Food and travel blogs

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , , , , ,
01 February 2010
0

I’ve been looking through some of the Bloggie nominees and I found that I have no interest in the food or travel blogs.  Ironic, since I love food and travel!  But I think that is precisely the problem, actually.  Rather than looking at pictures and videos of other people enjoying eating delectable dishes and fantastic adventures, I’d much prefer to be the one doing those things!  So maybe it’s in part jealousy, but mostly it is just the fact that I’d rather go discover it myself.  I don’t want to live vicariously through these other people having a great time when I could be the one loving life like that.

Food blogs are great for those who want to be shown new foods to try, how to cook cool things, or just love to look at food.  Food blogs are not good for those who want to discover the great edible things out there themselves, don’t care much for cooking, or see images of food and must go eat.  Now.  Can you guess what type I am?  I absolutely love to take pictures of my food and share it with my friends.  I quite like seeing their pictures.  However, reading a blog with pictures and extensive descriptions takes up too much time when I could be at a restaurant or little street stall, munching away.  So though they could come in as a useful reference if I’m really having trouble finding something to eat (ha!), food blogs are generally not worth the effort to me (except in times when I miss something and just can’t find it in LA, or whichever city I’m in).

Travel blogs are great for those who can’t go and want to see what it’s like, don’t want to actually go but want to see what it’s like, or are about to go and want to see what it’s like in a new place.  Travel blogs aren’t ideal for people who can travel (just not at this exact moment) and experience things themselves, don’t care about traveling at all, or want to find their way around a new city themselves.  Though I can’t make it out to a far-away city right now, it’s certainly within my means in the near future and I like to not really know what it’s like til I get there and I look up places of interest, or talk to locals and recent visitors who can share their wisdom.  I don’t want to spend my time hearing about other people’s travels because I want to be traveling.

Generally I’m obsessed with researching ahead of time, but when it comes to traveling, I am perfectly content with vaguely knowing what a country is like, showing up, and finding some really awesome experiences.  I also seem to have random run-ins with locals.  And you know what?  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Once again, I find that I would prefer to just use these types of blogs as references (aka: “Hey, I want to go to [insert country/city here], I wonder what random things they have to do there?” *searches entries on travel blog and glances through titles and tags*  “Ah, ok, got an idea, let’s go!”).  Beyond giving me an idea of what’s available, especially obscure stuff, it doesn’t interest me to frequent those type of blogs.  Let those people enjoy their travels and share it with those who want to hear about it!  I want to go out and do it too, without tainting the experience with too much foreknowledge!

So really, it just comes down to me not wanting to live a vicarious life.  Why do that when you can be the one sharing your experiences?  As my friend Ninja once said, I want to live a life worth making a movie about (or writing a book about, in my case).  You can’t do that if you’re too busy cooped up reading about other people’s lives!  Not that those blogs aren’t great for certain crowds.  I just find that I don’t belong in the particular group that reads food and travel blogs, that’s all.  🙂

What about you?  Do you like to safely follow the lives of those more adventurous than you?  Or do you prefer to go have the adventures yourself?

iPod lost, lesson learned

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , ,
30 January 2010
0

When I was working at the Venice Whole Foods this past Monday, I was heading to get my car from street parking and bring it back to the lot so I could load up my equipment after my demo when I lost my iPod touch.  (More on this part-time job I’ve worked on and off for a couple of years in a future post.)  The last time I remember seeing it was when I was holding it in my hand walking to the car.  By the time I realized it was gone, I had driven the car to the lot, packed up in the store, and started to take my stuff out to the car.  It could have been anywhere along my walk to the car, inside the car, or in the store!  I retraced my steps again and again, hoping to see a little black pouch lying somewhere, but had no such luck.  I checked with Customer Service and nobody had turned it in, so I went around for another try, even checking my bag of used cups to see if it dropped in there while I was cleaning up.

I held out hope for a couple of hours, though I sort of knew that if I hadn’t found it by then, with my extensive efforts, it was probably already taken by someone or otherwise lost to me forever.  I spent quite some time looking up ways to track it down, but for all that effort it seemed that it wasn’t worth it.  Even if I were to track it, it’s impossibly hard to get back if someone really did take it.  By the next day, when I called to see if anyone turned it in, I pretty much knew the answer.  I also figured that it was pretty easy to figure out how to contact me if someone had it and intended on returning it, so if I hadn’t heard from anyone, it seemed a lost cause.   However, just to confirm, I also did a complete clean of the car to make sure before I committed myself to getting a new one.

Now I’ve ordered myself a brand new one, complete with engraving on the back that includes this web address, so anyone who finds it and wants to return it can do so easily.  I can happily use a passcode without worrying that the person would never be able to figure out how to get it back to me.  I’m also getting iHound, which will help ease my peace of mind in case I do misplace it again.  Now I just need to figure out how to make sure that if someone has my iPod, they don’t start using my accounts… so far no suspicious activity and no important information was stored in there.  Does signing in to an app on one device sign you out from the other?  If it’s that simple, I’ll just sign in to everything when I get the new one.  Whatever the case, I have now taken measures to be much safer with my information.  And of course, I will try not to lose this one… it’s the first electronic device I’ve lost!  🙁

Check out when I first got it… ironically, I ended up hardly ever using it to listen to music.

Phone preferences

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , ,
27 January 2010
0

I have a thing with phones.  First, I don’t really use them.  I don’t really enjoy spending hours on them chit-chatting, but I do like using them for business purposes (what can I say? I’m a customer service kind of person).  Besides, for the most part, my cell phone is buried somewhere in the depths of my purse and digging for it is not worth the effort.  (Especially considering the calls I tend to get – telemarketers and pre-recorded messages.)  I guess I enjoy landlines better because they’re easier to find and I don’t need to worry about a signal.  However, we had a whole slew of wireless handsets at the Opportunity Green office and they seemed to mysteriously get sucked away from the front room towards the back as the day progressed.  Eventually, we’d be at a loss for where the phone was ringing from!  It really was amazing and the fact that the stand rings too certainly made it harder for us locate them.

It also doesn’t help that I don’t like checking voicemails.  So many are unimportant and unsolicited calls and I usually have to listen multiple times to make out what people are saying, either because their connection was spotty or they spoke really fast.  Others can drag on when I’d rather call them back to discuss in detail, or get an e-mail with the 20 points they just listed out verbally.  It makes it easier for me to remember and review!  In that regard, thank goodness for Google Voice!  They let me go through my voicemails in any order, so I can skip the junk ones.  Plus, they transcribe the voicemails so I can read them and listen to the ones that look important.  Though it can ultimately save me time, their transcriptions haven’t been that accurate.  Ironically, the text message they sent me alerting me to my new voicemail was more accurate than the transcription I found when I logged in online.  What gives?

So, phones, though a great way to contact people, are not my preferred way to staying in touch.  I’m more of a get together in real life type of person.  I prefer to use phones to call/text people to figure out how/when we can get together.  Of course, if I won’t be seeing one for ages and e-mailing or Facebooking just isn’t doing it, a long phone conversation is nice.  However, it’s usually sufficient to stay in touch online while we can’t meet up, since most of the people I hang out with live in the same general area.  Also, it’s great to have a phone on you at all times in case you need to call someone to remind them of something, let them know you’re almost there, ask for directions, or other such things that you can’t do if you’re like me and don’t want to pay for internet usage on your phone.

Anyone else like to use phones for no-nonsense purposes only?  Or is the world addicted to their Bluetooth headsets as they chat away while on the go?  It still cracks me up when people look like they’re talking to themselves (or seem like they may be talking to you) when in fact they’ve got a little ear piece hidden behind their hair and they’ve got another person on the line.  Whatever happened to being more present?

Advocacy

laelene Posted in general blog，Tags: , , , ,
25 January 2010
0

I’m an advocate.  Of what?  Well, anything that I like!  I’m not the type of consumer who happily uses products without sharing with friends and family.  In fact, I’m often selling them on certain brands and converting them to what I enjoy.  It ranges from free things to useful things to just plain cool things.  It’s often in technology or green products, but could be in anything that has caught my attention (take a look at my wishlist and sharelist).  In the coming weeks I want to start a series of posts showcasing some of these products and services I like best.  And perhaps, just perhaps, you’ll be convinced too.  😛  I’m just sayin’…

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