Lots of people in Santa Barbara are planning to do something for Earth Day. I'm not much of an environmentalist, so the company of other environmentalists has never really suited me.
That being said, I do think that litter is, at best, an eyesore. So, on Friday, April 22nd, 2011, or Earth Day, I'm going to hit the streets of downtown with my trusty broom and upright dustpan, and start sweeping up all the trash I can find.
Get in touch with me in you're at all interested in pitching in. The weather forecast calls for sunshine (shocker!) and it should be an all-around day of good vibes. If you're not doing anything else after work, and you don't want to join me, I encourage you to pick up a few pieces of trash wherever you happen to be in town.
Cheers.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
"That's Stupid"
I told a friend of mine about my plan to start picking up trash. Not a lot of trash, but I mentioned that I had bought an upright dustpan and a broom, and was planning to spend a few hours a month picking up plastic cups and fast food wrappers.
"Why?" he asked me. "That sounds like a stupid waste of time."
I shrugged. "It's pretty good exercise. It's hard not to want to find an excuse to be outdoors when you're living in this town."
He smirked, clearly not satisfied with that explanation, and still unsure of what to think of a person who would go around picking up garbage on the sidewalks with no direct benefit to himself.
A moment later, he added, "Well, come over to the neighborhood where I live. We need you over there."
I don't think you get to criticize someone about the validity of what they're doing, then in the next breath ask them to do it for you. But people will criticize this kind of behavior, purely because they don't understand it.
"Why?" he asked me. "That sounds like a stupid waste of time."
I shrugged. "It's pretty good exercise. It's hard not to want to find an excuse to be outdoors when you're living in this town."
He smirked, clearly not satisfied with that explanation, and still unsure of what to think of a person who would go around picking up garbage on the sidewalks with no direct benefit to himself.
A moment later, he added, "Well, come over to the neighborhood where I live. We need you over there."
I don't think you get to criticize someone about the validity of what they're doing, then in the next breath ask them to do it for you. But people will criticize this kind of behavior, purely because they don't understand it.
Monday, November 15, 2010
And So It Begins...
It starts with an itch.
Living in a city that's walkable, it's just a matter of time. After you spend enough time living in Santa Barbara, you slowly stop noticing the mountains and the ocean, and you begin to notice the little things.
There actually isn't a lot of litter on the streets in downtown Santa Barbara...not when compared to other, larger cities. Santa Barbara does a very good job of sweeping the streets on a regular basis, and the sidewalks of State Street are fastidiously cleaned for tourists. Trash cans are prevalent enough that most litter doesn't end up on the ground.
Off of State Street, on the sidewalk, is where the situation starts to change. Starbucks cups, Taco Bell wrappers, and empty bags of potato chips become a more common sight. Trace evidence of laziness...but that's okay, because I'm lazy in my own way. I understand.
But it's difficult for me to ignore for long. In January of 2010, I went to Osh over on Fairview and bought an upright dustpan and a broom...a nominal investment for $20. Later that day, I went out and started sweeping up trash on my own block.
I'm looking for anyone in downtown Santa Barbara who'd like to help me do it. You don't have to do it with me, but you're welcome to join me one of these weekends.
Living in a city that's walkable, it's just a matter of time. After you spend enough time living in Santa Barbara, you slowly stop noticing the mountains and the ocean, and you begin to notice the little things.
There actually isn't a lot of litter on the streets in downtown Santa Barbara...not when compared to other, larger cities. Santa Barbara does a very good job of sweeping the streets on a regular basis, and the sidewalks of State Street are fastidiously cleaned for tourists. Trash cans are prevalent enough that most litter doesn't end up on the ground.
Off of State Street, on the sidewalk, is where the situation starts to change. Starbucks cups, Taco Bell wrappers, and empty bags of potato chips become a more common sight. Trace evidence of laziness...but that's okay, because I'm lazy in my own way. I understand.
But it's difficult for me to ignore for long. In January of 2010, I went to Osh over on Fairview and bought an upright dustpan and a broom...a nominal investment for $20. Later that day, I went out and started sweeping up trash on my own block.
I'm looking for anyone in downtown Santa Barbara who'd like to help me do it. You don't have to do it with me, but you're welcome to join me one of these weekends.
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