Being 'green'

I'm all about reducing, reusing, and recycling.  I've posted about it several times before.  I believe we can all make a difference with small behavioral changes that aggregate to improve our environment.  But I'm quite skeptical of the recent decision by many restaurants to no longer provide plastic straws with beverages.  The claim is that plastic straws "clog the ocean and hurt fish".

Ideally it would be best if no plastic was allowed to be dumped into our oceans.  But are we really to believe that this 

is somehow worse than this?

Grocery stores and warehouse clubs sell water in plastic bottles by the dozens, by the case, and by the palette.  About 50 billion (not million) plastic water bottles were purchased last year just in the US. These bottles are far larger and make far more ocean pollution than straws, yet somehow restaurants have singled out straws.  Could there be another reason that has nothing to do with altruism?

How about the fact that restaurants can claim to be 'environmentally friendly' by not providing plastic straws when in reality they are simply saving the money they used to spend to buy them?

The way I see it, the problem isn't plastic straws, water bottles, or grocery store bags.  The problem is our behavior.  We must choose to be responsible with our treatment of plastics, recycling all of them after using them.

But ocean pollution from plastics isn't just a 'USA' problem, its a world problem.  While the USA and some other countries have recycling programs in place, there are plenty of countries that do not, yet they are still consumers of plastic products.  With no recycling opportunities these plastics go into landfills and oceans.  

Obviously its a complex issue that will take effort and cost from all humans to solve.  I hope its an issue that will get worldwide attention soon, but in the meantime, I am skeptical of restaurants who single out straws as somehow making them environmentally responsible.  

What about the styrofoam and plastic "to go" boxes restaurants use for left-overs?

What about the small plastic cups with lids that mayo, ketchup, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce are often provided in?

If restaurants really want to be environmentally friendly wouldn't they stop using those containers too?  Outback Steakhouse provides those condiments in washable, reusable stainless steel cups so its definitely possible.

By not providing straws are restaurants being 'green' or saving green?

I guess we have to start somewhere.

Just because

Better

This chalkboard sign was seen outside a restaurant:

I couldn't agree more!

Friday

HA HA!!  I laughed out loud when I saw this.

Actually, I had a great day at work today so I have no reason to be an asshole on Mon.  This morning I had a settlement on a high priced home with views of the water and the buyers are super excited.  

Its not the most expensive home I've sold, but its #2.  Spouse (jokingly) said that with this big sale I could "just relax and coast the rest of the summer".  I laughed out loud and replied "As if!!!"

So I'll probably won't be an asshole on Mon.

Beardy boy

Switch

Just because

Dirty Sunday

Yesterday Spouse & I did a little yard work.  The weather was somewhat overcast so we didn't burn up. We dead-headed the hilarious (tall, pink) roses, pulled some weeds, and did a little trimming.  It didn't take that long with the 2 of us working on it, and we didn't kill ourselves over it.  It was kind of fun to play in the dirt.

Afterward I suggested we make use of a couple of large pots we already had, so we went to the nursery department at Lowes.  (FYI - if you want to see a lot of gay male couples on a Sun afternoon, go to the nursery at Lowes.)  Since we had 2 empty pots and there were 2 of us, we each picked out flowers to go in our own pots.

We transferred our flowers into our pots once we got home and were very pleased with the results.  Here's Spouse's pot:

A nice combination of color, textures and heights

And here's my pot:

A mixture of textures and heights but all in the same color, which compliments the trim on the house.

Again, this didn't take that long to complete and clean up after.  It felt good to see the fruit of our labor.

Now if we can just remember to water these new pots so the flowers don't die!

Bras for a Cause

So the Bras for a Cause event did not disappoint!  This year's theme was Mardi Gras so many of the bras were decorated accordingly, while others not.  This guy's bra was made of orange slices!

No, I was not carrying around this parisol.  The model was, and when we posed for a photo he told me to hold it.
 

Me with Courtney & Ginger

One of the models was my buddy Devon.  I met Devon a couple years ago when he was a bartender at the Blue Moon.  After the bra auction was over he changed into his street clothes and we took this photo.

I tried taking photos of the models during the bra auction but they didn't turn out because they were backlit, which made all my photos dark.

Me and Kaitie

After the event ended a handful of us walked to the bar next door which has a large open air space right on the water.  I really wanted something to eat since the food at the bra event was a bit skimpy so we had food and drinks.

Me and Joey

Again

This group shot was taken just before we all headed home.  From left to right is Kaitie, me, Joey, Brandi, and another of the bra models (Josh?) who had died his beard red to coordinate with his bra and costume.  I love this photo.

Beardy boy

Men wearing bras

Tonight I'm going to see men wearing bras.

Its the annual Bras for a Cause fundraising event for breast cancer. Lots of cities and towns have these events at different times of the year. I've been in past years and its always a fun time.  Businesses purchase and decorate bras that are modeled by men and then auctioned off to the highest bidders.  There's food and drinks and music too.

But as much as I love to contribute to a good cause, I have to be honest and say that I'm going tonight to see men wearing bras.

Just because

Not much of a weekend

So Sat I worked, as I normally do.  I had a home inspection in the morning, and a couple showings in the afternoon.  Sat I night I performed as Boy George in the Legends show at the Blue Moon.

I'm typically off on Sundays but I agreed to meet some new clients on my day off for a couple of home showings.  Just before we met up it began pouring down rain, and it was very windy too, like a monsoon!  It was miserable weather for showing homes and we all got wet, but at least they wrote an offer on 1 of the homes so it made it worthwhile.

After the showings I met up with Spouse and Steven & Thad for lunch at a new place called Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. Its a chain, but we found the food to be quite good, and the place is HUGE!  There's a big bar, lots of indoor seating, and a sizable patio dining area.  By the time we finished up it was after 3:00 and I felt like the day was over.  It was still raining so Spouse & I just watched some TV.

So, not much of a weekend.

Thoughts

Have a terrific weekend!

Beardy boy

Carl & Lisa's visit and holiday weekend recap

My old friends Lisa and Carl arrived on Thurs around 1:00.  We met each other in elementary school and have maintained contact, on and off, over the years.  Within the last 10 years we've made sure to see each other at least once a year at Christmastime.  Last Christmas we decided Lisa would come from NYC and Carl would come from Northern VA and meet here in DE for a few days.

Since it was lunchtime I took them to a local favorite, Arena's.  The weather was nice so we sat at an outdoor table with an umbrella and ordered food and cocktails, because, well... cocktails! Roughly 3 hours later we returned home and sat out on the screened porch and continued talking.  I opened a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a birthday gift that's been burning a hole in my pocket since receiving it.  Joe came home and gently teased us for being tipsy but we just laughed it off.  Literally.  

He went to his personal trainer appointment and we continued visiting on the porch.  Then the 3 of us went to Cafe Azafran for tapas and cocktails, and then onto the Blue Moon for karaoke.  Since it was the Thurs before a holiday weekend it was super crowded, and we got there late, so we could only put in 1 song.  We decided to turn "I Love the Nightlife" into a trio!

Karaoke selfie

It was really fun, and afterward 3 different people told us what a great job we did!  It was such a pretty night that after karaoke we sat on a bench in front of the Blue Moon and enjoyed the breeze and watched the 'boys' go by in their short shorts and tank tops.

Fri morning we had a continental breakfast and then continued drinking coffee on porch. 

Next we went for a walk through downtown and eventually to the beach, stopping at Dairy Queen.  We sat on a bench facing the water and ate our ice cream, then stopped for a beach cottage tour (a home my team has for sale) on the way back to the house.  Since the Dairy Queen had eliminated our desire for lunch we just had some snacks along with cosmos on the porch.  

Spouse joined us after he got home from work, and then a little later we walked to dinner at Gilligan's waterfront restaurant.  

We spent the rest of the night talking and listening to music on porch.  In fact, we spent the entire day outside!

Sat morning we had a continental breakfast again and then said goodbye to Lisa & Carl.  They were heading to NYC (where Lisa lives) so they could spend a few days in the city, then Carl would head home on Mon.  We had SO MUCH FUN together, and I feel really lucky to have such great friends.

After Carl & Lisa left I met up with a client who wanted to see 5 houses very close by, and then that evening we met Steven & Thad for dinner at Bethany Blues.  It was also mine & Spouse's 22nd anniversary.  But since we'd had Carl & Lisa visiting we really didn't make special anniversary plans, which was fine.  Its not like it was a milestone anniversary or anything.

Sun morning we met up with Steven & Thad and Carolyn & Derwin for breakfast since it was Carolyn's birthday.  

Carolyn and most of the gang

We went to a diner we'd never been to before and which was kind of like stepping back in time, but not in the cool 1950s way.  The food was good and cheap so that was nice. 

Back at home Spouse & I made 2 strawberry/blueberry pies. 

Spouse made the filling and I did the lattice top

Before baking

After baking

A little later we went to a BBQ at Joey & Glenn's house and took 1 of the pies.  That night Spouse & I just ordered a pizza and ate at home.

Mon (Memorial Day) I went on a listing appointment.  The client to whom I'd sold this home 5 years ago was about to go out of town for a week so he asked if I'd come take a look on Mon and advise him about selling.  When done Spouse & I had lunch with Steven & Thad, and then I caught up on some work emails while Spouse made enchilada casserole.  Steven & Thad came over for dinner & pie.  The weather had turned cooler so we ate indoors.

It was a VERY full and VERY fun 5 days!

Just because

Memorial Day

Fun!!

My friends Lisa & Carl arrived yesterday from NYC and Northern VA, respectively, for a few days visit.  Oh my god have we been having fun!!! 

Look for a report and some non-incriminating photos next week.

Beardy boy