Watch this space

It was quite something for me when writing up my bucket list recently, for it also got me thinking of the things I couldn’t add to this list… those things that already got the tick…. like attending a Wailers concert… visiting Anne Frank’s house… and climbing Table Mountain.

I am grateful and feel blessed for the experiences along my journey that brought me to my goals. I have felt fear, anxiety, pain, frustration…. along with the love, immense happiness, joy, enthusiasm and hope. Reaching my goals, big and small, is the very stuff that makes this journey so rewarding.

The exciting things is- it doesn’t stop there. As fantastic as it is to achieve a goal…. what’s even more exciting is that it marks the starting point of yet another. Watch this space.

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Shedding light on Solar Energy

Yeah yeah… whilst I’m on the green train – thought I’d share a bit info on solar energy, particularly since we’re blessed with the beautiful African sun and yes, I’m a solar energy advocate.

Solar energy is all about generating electricity using the power of sun, and it does this through the use of a solar panel, fixed or portable. The panel has what is known as Photovoltaic cells (or PV cells) which absorbs energy from the sun and converts it into electricity. That electricity is then stored in a battery, for use whenever you need. So no, the sun does not absolutely have to be shining in order for you to have electricity- that’s where the battery comes in.

In South Africa, as yet, we do not have the technology to manufacture our own PV cells. We’re getting there though. What we can do is manufacture our own panels by shipping in the PV cells and putting them together locally. And then there’s the vital difference between solar panels for electricity and solar panels for water heating- which is not the same thing. Panels for water heating basically uses tubes and not PV cells. So yay! the good news is we can make these right here.

Solar energy, even though its been around for ages, is now fast becoming rather popular as a reliable, alternate source of energy. Already you see power lights along our roads using solar panels and water heating systems on roofs. And with our powerful African sun, I believe the opportunities are endless.

Germany!!... yes Germany!! is one of the world’s biggest supporters and manufacturers of solar energy technology…. and they even have a solar utility!!! Hint hint people of the Southern Hemisphere. So… back in SA, not only does solar energy have the potential to be the preferred alternate energy source, it also has the power to light up lives the traditional electricity grid has missed. I’m sorry, I cant resist… “power to the people!!”

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Your foot and you

By now… if you haven’t heard about carbon footprint… you simply need to get out more dude! When you switch on that light, boil the kettle, drive to work – you have an impact on the environment…. you emit caaaaarbon/greenhouse gasses that create your very own carbon footprint. Say it…. “my caaaarbon footprint”. So- the hoohaa is to do as much as we can to reduce this footprint.

In a nutshell - our natural resources just cannot replenish itself fast enough to keep up with our increasing energy demands. You want this… you want that… go here…go there- they all require energy. And thus the hype of alternate/renewable energy sources, like solar, hydro and wind power, to slowly shift our reliance from dirty fossil fuels …. yes baby! I’m talking about coal. And so we’re clear on things, er.. nuclear is not a renewable energy source.

However, in our little transition phase, we’re not quite ready to be entirely dependant upon alternate energy sources and for now have to settle for a bit of both. And in circumstances where it may be difficult to reduce your energy consumption or reliance on fossil fuels, it helps to off-set by planting a tree or recycling for example. See??... there’s always something you can do.

We’re at a stage where changing what and how we’ve been doing things is absolutely necessary. Already it has been forecast that from 2011 Cape Town will once again be battling with supply and demand issues similar to that of 2008. Candlelight dinners… here we come!

So next time you turn on that light or drive to work, think about something you can do, however small it may seem, on a daily basis towards reducing your carbon emissions. When more of us start doing those little things differently, the gross impact can only be beautiful. I for one, have started using a bit of solar energy and am sure to switch off my plugs before leaving home.

Aaaaand – don’t blame ‘the other’ please - its not just the big corporations that should be doing something – its you… its me … and our combined little efforts that make aaaaall the difference. My parting little thought, imagine a world where we generate our own electricity…. and its free. Bye bye Mr Carbon Footprint.

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My favorite Cat in the Hat book is Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!

…. because… it’s a celebration and encouragement for the out-of-the-box in us.

Diffendoofer is a school in Dinkerville where the kids learn things not taught in usual schools. There’s no maths, languages or sciences, but subjects on listening, smelling, laughing, yelling- tying knots and distinguishing between a cactus and a cow. Miss Bonkers is a favourite and to kids it seems she teaches everything, fondly described as being “different-er than the rest”.

Diffendoofer is a far cry from neighbouring Flobbertown, where everyone dresses in one style, sings one song and march in single file. In Flobbertown, even the dogs are afraid to bark. The celebration of Diffendoofer Day comes about when the school is in danger of closing down if they cannot prove kids are learning what they’re suppose to learn. With the kids all passing the special test and saving Diffendoofer from closing down, the headmaster declares a holiday to celebrate Diffendoofer Day.

In Hooray for Diffendoofer Day we learn the value of and celebrate creative thinking and individuality. It paints and dull and boring picture of the mediocre and conforming to socially accepted standards. In this book we learn that contradictions, inconsistencies and paradoxes are perfectly acceptable… being different-er than the rest is more than perfectly OK.

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The Green Revolution

My work with a renewable energy business has certainly opened my eyes to the Green Revolution that seems to be sweeping around the world. What makes me rather happy is to see the increased attention, information and awareness out there on greener lifestyles.

Increasingly we find eco- attached to almost everything, with awareness being created by businesses and celebrities alike. Heck, even the Parlotones have embarked on a Carbon-Free campaign.

At the same time, one has to be really careful when buying into the green as amongst these offerings are also the wanna-be’s… attaching a green stamp to what might not necessarily be a green offering. If I may contradict myself a bit here, it is also important to note that being truly green and organic is virtually impossible. Just about everything has a carbon footprint attached to it. The product, for example, may be produced of 100% organic materials, but transporting it from A to B incurred a carbon footprint. And here’s where off-setting our emissions may come in handy.
So before you go out and buy that green product, be sure to do some homework on how green it really is. Things to consider are:

* Where it’s manufactured?
* What materials its made of?
* What makes it organic and green?
* Does the business off-set their emissions in any other way?

In our transition phase from fossil to renewable and alternate energy sources, increasingly we’ll be seeing new green products and service offerings out on the market. When you do find something that’s really helpful and green – share your experience with others. With the Green Revolution now sweeping across SA too, spare a thought for that eco-revolutionary in you.

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Why I have conversations

Whether small talk, debate or banter – conversations for me are absolutely necessary to connect with others and my world. Through conversations I am able to not only share my ideas, opinions, experiences and dreams, but also learn from the insights and experiences of others.

People just love to talk…. express themselves and thus, of course, want to be listened to. Bet you’ve come across that someone who just couldn’t stop… er maybe that person may even be you. Thing is, through our conversations, we connect with each other, we engage, we interact and build relationships. And relationships are the stuff that makes our world go round…. whether work or personal… heck even with the self. Yes, we even have conversations with ourselves…. some aloud… others not, don’t even try to deny it.

In the course of our conversations we share, debate and exchange the things of our world… philosophy, art, poetry, love, scandal and the weather. And what is most awesome with social networks of today, not even barriers of time and space can stop our conversations.

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My bucket list

There are many things I would love to do and experience within my life… here’s a sneak preview of my bucket list:

1. Write a book
2. Learn to surf
3. Learn Tai Chi
4. Learn to play golf
5. Learn conversational Spanish
6. Learn conversational Mandarin
7. Visit a Buddhist Temple in an Asian country
8. Learn to play guitar
9. Belly dance
10. Go bunjee jumping
11. Visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
12. Learn calligraphy
13. Sponsor at least one person through tertiary education
14. Travel to all the countries of my big fat BIG dream
15. Own a beach house
16. Visit Tibet
17. Spend a week at a silent retreat in India
18. Successfully market and grow the business
19. Get a masters degree
20. Sleep under the stars
21. Visit Machu Pichu in Peru
22. Eat sushi in Tokyo (not the one in Kloof Street:)
23. See the Northern Lights
24. Visit Malawi
25. Visit Timbuktu
26. Learn to live every moment in the now

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