Come the Revolution

Archive for March, 2008

Even the best prepared of us sometimes end up getting knocked on our arses. This year, as every year for the past five or so, I received a flu shot. I eat well, stay fit, wash my hands fairly often, try not to touch my mouth, take all my meds and vitamins. Somehow I still got a stomach flu. Or a nasty stomach virus masquerading as a form of influenza. For the past 5 days I’ve been too exhausted to blog, leave the apartment, put on real clothing (as in, not pj pants and tee shirts), or even shower. Somehow Amanda’s still being nice to the slob transferring himself from the bed to the couch and back all day.

It’s given me some time to think, though- you know, since the fever broke and I’m less prone to hallucinations. I checked on the status of my tax returns. I checked my bank account, sifted through some craigslist posts for various necessary items in my life. I’ve talked to my mom more than I generally do in a month. I’ve watched some documentaries (and comedies). I’ve read a bunch of blog posts, and searched through the Mother Earth News archive (and purchased a subscription). And I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about forms of entertainment that are free. Here is a list of some awesome things to do for free (or damn near free).

Three people sent me the same NYTimes article on young ex-urbanites farming. A few other Times articles were also sent my way. Here is a set of links with a little bit about each. You may need to sign up (it’s free) to read some of them.

My Forbidden Fruits (and Vegetables), by Jack Hedin. Explains a little bit about farm subsidies and how they are actively working against small farmers and farmers of “specialty crops” (i.e. vegetables and fruit) and the commodity crop (soy, rice, wheat, corn, cotton) farmers who choose to ally with vegetable farmers.

Leaving Behind the Trucker Hat, by Allen Salkin. This article talks about people who lived or grew up in urban environments who have left them for farmland. It mentions NYC’s Greenmarkets (the organization of farmers markets all over the city), and some folks starting up a microbrewery. It somehow makes everyone interested in farming from my generation sound like we wore Carhartts and drank PBR in college for the cool factor, which makes me not like it too much. This, though, was e-mailed to me 3 times. Maybe someone mistook my Levis for Carhartts a few years back?

Hydrogen Fuel Station Opens in White Plains, by Diana Marszalek. In case the title doesn’t say it all- ignoring that there is no other infrastructure for fuel cell powered transportation or the virtual unavailability of vehicles running by hydrogen, a refueling station (like a gas station, but more combustible) is open in White Plains, NY.

More Food, Fewer Nutrients, by Julie Deardorff. Ever wonder why you eat too much and still need dietary supplements? Here’s a good insight- an apple is not just an apple. Simply put- your food is not packing the punch your great grandparents’ food did. As the soil and ways of farming have been altered, the quality of food has gone down drastically. She quotes studies and encourages organics. I happen to like Julie’s style, which was an added bonus.

Yesterday, I forgot my cell phone. I had left it on the kitchen cart when I put together my lunch and didn’t put it back in my pocket before leaving for work. It took me an hour or so to notice it wasn’t there, and the same time for Amanda to realize it was (an alarm went off that’s meant to wake me up on the metro so I don’t miss my stop). At that point I had a momentary panic- I was simultaneously afraid of falling asleep on the train or bus, frustrated at myself for leaving the phone home, and strangely relieved. I felt somewhat naked all day, cursed myself at every free moment when I needed to call my chiropractor or check in with someone I had promised to call during lunch, and immediately picked it up and put it in my pocket when I got home- 11 hours after I had abandoned it without realizing. When unable to make my ritual phone calls (sorry, Sarah!), I ended up thinking about cell phones.

I’ve had one for about four years, since impending college costs led my parents to analyze the cost of one and decide they wanted to be able to contact me 24/7. When I first got it, I never carried it. I made myself get in the habit of carrying it for purposes of having a social life in college, particularly in relation to dating. Eventually it became so normal I nearly stopped wearing my watch. I argue with myself that it’s ok that I carry a cell phone because I also wear a watch and rely on my phone relatively little. But I still carry the phone. That by itself should seem pretty strange.

As I reminded myself repeatedly throughout yesterday, come the revolution there will be no omnipresent tether to one’s spouse, parent(s), employer, and friends. There’s an intense amount of energy and electronics equipment (most of which is recyclable, but very little of which is recycled) devoted exclusively to allowing people constant access to each other. The whole system of cellular phones and coverage will have to be changed- the phones would have to be built to last more than a year (I went through 4 in my last two-year contract period, but craigslist repeatedly saved the day), and the ranges of towers would have to be completely different to allow for a migrating population. That’s not to mention the concerns that have been brought up that cell phones may be one of many factors leading to Colony Collapse Disorder, as well as possibly a carcinogenic activity.

I’ll wager a guess that this proposition of cell-phone-free living sounds archaic to most of you, even though you can remember when cell phones were nonexistant, or at least the size of bricks and carried in the briefcase along with papers, as computers were not small enough to be carried. In a move to detox from being constantly available via your phone, I suggest a gradual lessening of cell phone usage among those who can afford to do so. If you have a land line, turn the cell off when you’re at home; if you aren’t supposed to be answering at work, turn it off; anywhere you put it on silent when shutting down is more appropriate, such as the theatre. My goal for myself is to have at least one day per week wherein I don’t carry my phone at all.

It’s 8:30 AM on a workday and you’ve got to be in at 10. You feel ahead of the game for having only a 20 minute commute (including the metro ride) to Tenleytown from your home in Foggy Bottom. One problem, some little rubber thing in your toilet just stopped working and it doesn’t stop flushing. You can’t afford plumbers’ rates and think you’d be laughed at for being yet another professional who doesn’t even know what the name is for that damn piece of rubber.

Calm down. The rubber piece is called a flapper, and you can get one at the hardware store. It’s only a few blocks away, and they’re open at 9. You can get it when they open, grab a few pieces of advice along with, and fix the toilet without being late for work.

At least right now you can. That hardware store is District Hardware, and like all other small hardware stores, small pet stores, local markets, and the mom and pop restaurants (if they’re still open) it is not having the best time. Even though it’s close to Dupont Circle, Georgetown and Foggy Bottom in its West End home (24th and L, near Trader Joe’s and directly across from the Library), and even though it’s had the same owners for years (when it was up on P), even though the Bike Shop inside of it is the closest to home for many, and the closest to work for many more, there just aren’t enough people going into District Hardware.

So DC residents- rally for your local stores. Get your bike tuned up or replaced for the upcoming riding weather (it’s supposed to be 65 tomorrow!) at the Bike Shop, buy books at Kramers or Second Story if you’re in Dupont Circle, get something to eat at Sarah’s Market in Georgetown or Metro Market on P, or go to one of the many farmers markets. Put your money where your politics are, and support your local community. Come the Revolution, small businesses will be relied upon, if there are any left.

Come the revolution your humble narrator will be decked out in the finest of woolen scarves and sweaters thanks to a lovely lady called fibrevoltuion. Her tag line is even “The Revolution Will Be Handmade”!

I have it on good authority this young woman is interested in designing for specific people or wants, using whatever you want her to. Such as a carton of plush, wool-stuffed organic-cotton vegetables knitted in appropriate colors that I have yet to order. Or a handmade blanket sized specifically for your loved one.

Fibrevolution is definitely my kind of woman, and she’s not even Amanda!