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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Reimagining Black Friday

William Doherty, family science professor at the University of Minnesota, invites us all to pay closer attention to what is really important and what aligns with our values as the holiday season approaches. “Black Friday, instead of being a day of the launching of the frantic consumerism, can be a day of reflection on regaining a balance in our lives.”

Holiday Season 2008

“The idea behind a ‘Black Friday’ event is to put into people’s awareness and consciousness that the launch of the holiday season does not have to center around frantic shopping.”

Please take the time this Friday to ask yourself, ‘What is important to me this holiday season?’ and, ‘How can I live this out this year?’

Thursday, November 20, 2008

What's next? Taxing groceries?

Will MN join the 14 states already taxing groceries? Or, will the 14 states follow the "Commonwealth of Minnesota?"

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Snarkiness

Sometimes I use words that I've heard out of context, sometimes I use words just because they sound fun and sometimes I modify fun words. Yesterday I used another slang rendition of snarky: "snarkiness." Someone tried calling me out that "snarkiness" wasn't a word...but I assure you that it's at least modified from one.

The definition of "snarky," according to Dictionary.com:

snark·y (snär'kē) Pronunciation Key
adj. snark·i·er, snark·i·est Slang

1. Rudely sarcastic or disrespectful; snide.
2. Irritable or short-tempered; irascible.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

MN without snow

Ever wonder what Minnesota would be like without snow? I do.

10 things MN would miss if there wasn't snow:

10. Sledding

9. The pride for being a Minnesotan braving the snow

8. Snow boots/coats/pants

7. Skiing/Snowboarding

6. Snowball fights

5. Building snow forts/igloos

4. Sticking tongues out in the air

3. Snow days (for those of your without snow, these are kid-favorite days)

2. White evergreens

1. Bundling up and still freezing

Friday, November 7, 2008

Scholastic Strength: Evaluating

According to Blogthings my scholastic strength is 'Evaluating.'




Your Scholastic Strength Is Evaluating



You are great at looking at many details and putting them all together.

You are talented at detecting subtle trends, accuracy, and managing change.


You should major in:


Statistics

Speech

Conflict studies

Communication

Finance

Medicine



Try a few!

Longing for shelter

Slowly waking to the sound of drops hitting the roof above me, I crawl out of bed, especially chilled. And then I hear a shriek...

Peering out the front window I noticed my roommate realizing our looming fate for the next 4-6 months. Dread overcoming our faces as I stare out with her.

It's that time of year again. A time when so many are happy/cheerful/excited and others grumpy/sluggish/frost-bitten. Although I currently find myself associated with the latter group (and will be there for a while...just give me time), there always comes a time that I also find hope, cheer and excitement in this bittersweet season.

As I sip my earl grey and am trying to calm myself with warm thoughts, I think of all those who, like me, wish away the biting cold but are without all that I have: a shelter, loving arms, hope...or, maybe just tea. May the God who shelters all, especially shelter them.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Phalen is where it's at

For all you fellow St. Paul residents who faithfully shop at Cub...we have "the first store in the country to obtain gold-level certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use of green refrigeration technology," reports the Greener Buildings Staff at Greenbiz.com.

The store residing in the Phalen neighborhood is now seeking to possibly become Minnesota's first LEED Gold certified grocery store.

"The new Cub Foods store in Saint Paul's Phalen neighborhood uses 65 percent less refrigeration than the industry standard. And its LED lights in refrigerated cases use 35 percent less energy and are motion-activated, shutting off when no one is in the aisle.

Other green elements at the store include 44 skylights that illuminate 75 percent of regularly occupied space and use a solar powered GPS system to track and redirect sunlight as needed; use of LED lights in the parking lot — a first among commercial parking sites in the state and a move that provides a 50 percent energy savings, a landscape irrigation system that uses 50 percent less water than conventional systems, shower rooms to encourage employees to bike, walk or snow-shoe to work, and polished concrete floors, which do not require waxing."

Cub Foods Bags EPA Gold rating

JCPenny LEEDing the way

JCPenny develops the first LEED certified store in the U.S.! It has been reported that the store in Plano, Texas will use 41% less energy than non-LEED stores of the same size use.

JCPenny breaks ground on first LEED store

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Only time will tell...


Photo courtesy of 9News.

I offer much congratulations to President Elect Obama. One thing I congratulate him on arguably one of the most successful campaigns to date. However, it's only a matter of time before the media...acts like the media. Where everything you say and/or do (or in these cases, everything our president says/does) 'Can, and will be used against you.'

The Future War Between Obama and the Press
Published by PRSA

Monday, November 3, 2008

Political Drinks...

The McCainarita, The Sarah Palin, Ciroc Obama, Cocktail for a Change, and the Patriotic Margarita...

"With less than one week left before the election, there's no shortage of politically-themed cocktails in the minds of the nation's bartenders and liquor producers. Here are some clever conoctions to consider, whether you plan to host a returns-watching party or spend the night solo."

"Need a Drink on Election Night?"