Driving truck

On any given day, the office I work at might get two to three vendors stopping in to drop off product orders and goods for our branch. The FedEx guy, the Alterra Coffee dude, the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie man. In the winter, Luis the rug guy even picks up the soiled carpets every other week.

All these people – 100 percent of which are men, from my sample size – drive around southeast Wisconsin delivering and distributing goods for their company. They all may work for large corporations, but they drive a truck for eight to 12 hours a day, most of which is windshield time by themselves. No wonder they can’t stop talking when they see another human being.

Today the Otis Spunkmeyer man, Donnie, stopped in. He dropped off the cookies, and started talking about his company and the changes since their merger with a company in Sweden, and how banks aren’t what they used to be, and how he tried to buy a Lexus, and when he owned his liquor store a few years ago … I got half this guy’s life story in our 10 minute conversation (or lecture? I didn’t do much talking).

I can appreciate what they do, but I’ll take a cubicle in an office over a truck, any day.

Milwaukee River Clean-up

It seems my weekends have been filling up quickly now that summer's around the corner. I'm excited about being able to see everyone again, and get outside with the nicer weather.

This last Saturday, Gregor decided to sign us up to volunteer at the Milwaukee Riverkeeper river clean-up in MKE's Lincoln Park. Although the wind was a little chilly, the sun was shining as we pulled into the parking lot around 9 AM. About two dozen people, ages six to 60, gathered around a sign-up table. We all picked up gloves, t-shirts (which look pretty awesome -- and who doesn't need more free shirts?), E-Z grabbers, and trash bags before heading out to scour the park for trash.

We wandered around the Milwaukee River banks and surrounding park for about 2-1/2 hours picking up used plastic bags, cigarette and cigar butts, plastic bottles, beer cans, and food wrappers.

Some people also found a laptop, steering wheel, a light-up Christmas snowman, a safe, and cash register drawer. (Local robberies, much?)

When we left around 11:30, there were about 25-30 bags stacked up along the road for garbage pick-up.

It felt good to help out the community; plus the park didn't look to shabby once we finished up. It's a never-ending battle -- but it was a good way to get outside, and make the city look a little better.

I also mentioned Gregor how he had posted a blog about the "Broken-window theory." But maybe if people see us doing our part to keep the parks clean, they might think twice about tossing that Oreo wrapper on the ground.

Earth Hour

I received an email at work encouraging all employees to participate in something I had never heard of: Earth Hour 2010. (http://www.earthhour.org/)

Here’s the rundown:

On March 27, 2010, from 8:30-9:30 PM -- for your own time zone, people all over the world will be turning off all of their electricity as a protest against climate change.

In 2008, countries all over the world participated. According to the website, “Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness.”

I understand the concept – to show our reliance on electricity and power; and subsequently its global impact. Hopefully, it would encourage more people to use less electricity – or at least show them how much they really rely on it.

Along with most people, I’m guilty of wasting energy. On top of electricity, I’m talking about water and fuel too. I leave lights on all over the house (Gregor can attest – and I’m sure he will), my laptop and the television are constantly on when I’m at home, I wash dishes with the water running.

That’s not to say I haven’t taken steps to stop wasting energy too. I’ve used my cruise control more on highways (saves gas, fewer run-ins with the 5-0s); I try to grab all the items I need from the refrigerator at once when I’m making a meal; I turn the water off when I brush my teeth.

So this March 27, I’m going to try turning the lights out for an hour. Maybe I can get a little creative, and figure out what to do for an hour in the dark.

Get your head out of the gutter.

In like a lion, out like a lamb

There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Finally! When the calendar hits March, the days start getting longer (March 14 = daylight savings), the temperatures get warmer (March 20 = first day of spring).

This weekend, I’m looking forward to the temperatures hitting the mid-40s. That’s right – above freezing. We haven’t seen that kind of heat wave since November.

The big plans on my list? Going for my long run. Outside.

I decided to keep with the running, and signed up for another spring half marathon. I chose to run the Door County Half Marathon on May 1. Since January, I’ve been training indoors on a treadmill at the gym. Let me tell you, they’re a necessary evil; but, treadmills SUCK.

Gregor and I just moved to our new place in January, so I’m not too familiar with the area yet. On my first outdoor run, I can’t wait to investigate and explore the good trails, find out which routes have sidewalks, check out the scenery, and figure out how to avoid the terrifying traffic on Mequon Road.