It’s Labor Day weekend, which means (yay!) a day off of work or school. Do something great by educating yourself on the history of labor day. Consider those around you and appreciate the fruits of their labor, as well as your own. Often when bustling about the city I forget that each person is in some way laboring. People we all love to hate  - telemarketers, tech support, slow waitresses, cops who ticket you, sales clerks who ask you over and over again if you need any help when REALLY you’re JUST BROWSING - they are all just doing their job. And you are only a tiny part of their job. So cut people a break, and tip people well, and compliment those around you for a job well done.

I just got back from vacation, which is why I was gone for a few weeks. While I was traveling around Alaska and Canada, I got to check out a few different and awesome local farmer’s markets. Living in Seattle, I have access to one of the more famous - Pike Place Public Market. I went there upon returning home and bought some delicious fruit and a bouquet of flowers. One thing is for sure… buying local is a great idea. It tastes better, it’s fresher, it cuts down on transportation costs and fuel usage, and it supports the economy. It’s also a great outing and will overwhelm you with the amazing smells and tastes and colors that exist. Many local goods are also pesticide free and organic, too.

I think that the world has been blessed and cursed with a lot of technology, especially the humble abode of this blog - the internets. It opens up doors for communication and globalization in unique ways, spreading ideas faster and wider than ever before. It can be used for good, or… for evil. I don’t want to bring up all of the ills of the world wide web, but merely suggest this - use the internet for good. Blogs and forums tend to be places where positive conversations (about religion, politics, philosophy, or whatever) can become devastatingly cruel and narrowminded. We should use the power of the internet to broaden our horizons, learn about the positions of those who oppose us, and engage in discussions that challenge us. So I guess what I am saying is - in your experiences on the internet in the future, be kind, be inquisitive, be open… “Flaming” people leads to unnecessary stress for all involved and doesn’t change anyone’s mind. This can be said of “IRL” arguments as well, but I think it’s even more relevant for the internet because of the nature of anonymity and distance one can feel.

So, in conclusion: Use the internet as a tool! But don’t be a tool while using the internet!

I was walking in downtown Seattle yesterday and saw a homeless man with a large cardboard sign, which read, “Anything helps - even a smile”. I thought it was a great thing to contemplate and a fantastic message. We’ve discussed different ways to help out the homeless, and this just reaffirms the idea that even if we do not give anything tangible, it is always important to recognize the humanity in people who are often denied human dignity.

Also, smiling makes you happy. And everyone around you.

I love libraries. As the world goes more digital, libraries get less use, and it’s sad because many libraries are keeping up with the times in many ways. A very easy way to do something great is to go online to your local library website, pick out some books you want, put them on hold, and then go pick them up! If you like the experience of browsing and smelling the delicious binding glue, then do that instead. Reading is good for you. it opens your mind, stretches the imagination, and allows you to experience and learn about things you might have never seen or heard of before. You can also donate to the library through used book sales or other fundraisers. Plus, getting your family or friends to get into reading with you can be fun - you can all read the same thing and debate, or pick something out you like and then send it around so everyone else gets to see what sort of literature you like.

Besides, it’s the summer - what goes better with the beach and sun than a great book?

No, this isn’t about immigration. It’s about being a good citizen. I know that a lot of people who are liberal or pacifists like myself hold most of America in contempt. Think of all the threats that were made to move to Canada when Bush won the second time. Yes, Canada has lots to offer, but we have to remember that the US, despite its failings, can be changed for the better. I think that each of us has to contribute in order for this change to occur, rather than just complain about all of the things wrong with America. Which leads me to this challenge - become more active as an American (if you are one) and a citizen of your country (if you are not). Relish the good things we have as Americans and let’s hurry up and fix the rest.

You can still love and respect your country without being jingoistic or ignorant, and all the while disagree with some of its policies and practices. Yay for personal freedom! Check out more on being a good American citizen.

I was contacted by Matt over at Thank Your Donor, a Canadian website dedicated to encouraging people to donate blood and sharing the stories of successful donations. I think it’s awesome and personally love giving blood. I’ll share my personal reasons, and any of you other donors can chip in.

- I make blood very often, and I never miss the pint they take.

- You get a colored arm band after you donate, and stickers, which makes you look very cool.

- If you give via apheresis, it is like going to a movie but saving yourself the ten dollars. You get to sit in a comfy chair, watch a video for 2 hours, get waited on by nurses, and you get a free snack after!

- Some places give you cool gifts as thank yous. I used to donate regularly at Stanford Blood Center in California and I got such awesome goodies as movie gift certificates, ice cream gift certificates, a duffel bag, t-shirts, and a key ring.

Of course, the best reason to give blood is that it can save a life. Which is pretty awesome. And thanks to Thank Your Donor, you can really put a face to that bag of blood.

If you can’t donate blood because you are not eligible, hate needles, or suffer adverse effects when doing so, don’t feel bad. You can still help by encouraging others to donate or volunteering at blood drives to work in the canteen.

While you’re at it, join the bone marrow donor registry, especially if you are a person of a minority ethnicity. They really need Asian-American donors!

If you want to donate blood but don’t know where a place is near you, you can get more info and search for a location through the Red Cross.

Happy 4th of July to my fellow American citizens! A very patriotic way you can do something great in the coming year is to vote! After all, it’s a right we take for granted. Especially since my fellow women did not gain the vote until fairly recently! Let’s all show our thanks for those who decided to come to this new land and (though mistakes were made) start a democracy by taking part in that democracy. Whether you are a republican or democrat or libertarian or green party or independent, please cast your vote!

Enjoy your fireworks and BBQs!

Finding out your “carbon footprint” is pretty popular these days, and you can even pay off your emissions if you can afford it, thus offsetting your contribution to green house gases by driving, eating meat, etc. But now there is another test to make us aware of our impact on the earth, courtesy of the Organic Consumers Association.

Did you know we also have a “water footprint” - the amount of water used not only for our daily needs, but in the processing of the many items we eat (like meat), wear (cotton) and write on (paper). Learn more about your water footprint and how you can reduce it by taking this quick quiz: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13165.cfm

I got a 7.5 on the quiz so I’m feeling pretty good. I never knew which was better, doing dishes by hand or in the dishwasher - take the quiz to find out. Also, taking a 10 minute shower each day or taking a bath is the same! Which makes you realize how much water is used for a shower… Imagine if you like long showers, as I do - a twenty minute shower is the equivalent of filling two tubs. Yikes!

Today’s way to do something great is to leave your house, your condo, your car, your cubicle - whatever - and get outside! Maybe the weather is terrible where you live. I am in Seattle and for once it is gorgeous. But just get outside and take a walk. Because it is great for you. Don’t believe me?

- Sunlight gives you vitamin D, which you need. And it will keep you from getting Seasonal Affective Disorder, which makes you depressed. (Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen - even if it is cloudy)

- Walking is good exercise.

- Walking with a friend is a great way to build bonds and revel in each others’ company. Much more so than watching TV with someone or messaging them online.

- Fresh air is good for you.

- You can appreciate all of the beautiful things that are around. Here on my street it is the gorgeous flowers - rhododendrons and crocuses and snapdragons and dogwood.

Now I’m getting myself all excited. Time for me to leave my computer and get my butt outside!