OK, I’m not saying I’m an actual celebrity, but the local newspaper, The Gainesville Sun did plaster me and my book across Sunday’s front page—of the Homes section. It may not have been the actual front page of Section A, but our newspaper folder and thrower person did put the Homes section on the outside, so for me, it was the first thing I saw when, standing in the driveway in my PJs, I opened up the paper Sunday morning.
So there I am in the newspaper espousing what every responsible citizen should do to protect the planet—a little lofty if you ask me. Well, they did ask me actually. And that puts me in a pickle. Now, I’m paranoid just waiting for some paparazzi to nail me doing what appears to be an unearthly deed (because of course you know I would never actually perform such a deed, it would be strictly appearances). But I will admit that knowing I could be picked out of a crowd (the chance is slight, but it could happen) does encourage me to mind my eco-Ps and -Qs©. (If you want to use that phrase you’d better hurry, I’m about to copyright it. After that, you’ll have to pay me $0.10 to even whisper it.)
Case in point, I went to the grocery store later that day and made extra sure I had my green bags. I’ve been really good about taking them, but there was a little paranoia swirling around in my head leaving me compelled to cradle the bags on my lap lest they blow out the car window or some other tragedy befall them. In the store, I was just waiting for someone to roll by and pick apart the contents of my cart. Fortunately, it was a pleasant shopping experience and the only mention was a friend who enthusiastically (read: sarcastic in a really cute kind of way) asked for an autograph.
But beyond my rep, I wonder about communal appearances in general and how they might encourage bonding. Like motorcycle drivers doing that low wave to each other as they pass on the streets, I hoped there would be a kindred-soul kind of connection between Earth-friendly citizens and don’ t know that that’s happened. I’d love to do a low wave equivalent (as long as it’s not a wink, that’d just be creepy) to someone in the grocery store toting green bags or buying organic milk and get a response beyond quizzical befuddlement.
So green pressure to be part of an earth-friendly crowd, could it happen?
So there I am in the newspaper espousing what every responsible citizen should do to protect the planet—a little lofty if you ask me. Well, they did ask me actually. And that puts me in a pickle. Now, I’m paranoid just waiting for some paparazzi to nail me doing what appears to be an unearthly deed (because of course you know I would never actually perform such a deed, it would be strictly appearances). But I will admit that knowing I could be picked out of a crowd (the chance is slight, but it could happen) does encourage me to mind my eco-Ps and -Qs©. (If you want to use that phrase you’d better hurry, I’m about to copyright it. After that, you’ll have to pay me $0.10 to even whisper it.)
Case in point, I went to the grocery store later that day and made extra sure I had my green bags. I’ve been really good about taking them, but there was a little paranoia swirling around in my head leaving me compelled to cradle the bags on my lap lest they blow out the car window or some other tragedy befall them. In the store, I was just waiting for someone to roll by and pick apart the contents of my cart. Fortunately, it was a pleasant shopping experience and the only mention was a friend who enthusiastically (read: sarcastic in a really cute kind of way) asked for an autograph.
But beyond my rep, I wonder about communal appearances in general and how they might encourage bonding. Like motorcycle drivers doing that low wave to each other as they pass on the streets, I hoped there would be a kindred-soul kind of connection between Earth-friendly citizens and don’ t know that that’s happened. I’d love to do a low wave equivalent (as long as it’s not a wink, that’d just be creepy) to someone in the grocery store toting green bags or buying organic milk and get a response beyond quizzical befuddlement.
So green pressure to be part of an earth-friendly crowd, could it happen?
2 comments:
I saw a black Publix 'green bag' in the intersection of 39th Ave and 43rd St on the way to school this am and it was all I could do not to stop in the middle of the road to pick it up. It appeared empty and looked like it was calling to me for help.
I agree that winking would be odd, and I can not imagine the 'sneaky' low wave as we pass in the grocery, but maybe a secret code word?
How about a nod? A cool kind of subtle nod.
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