Green Drinks 7/29

Last night Alex and I attended the monthly gathering Green Drinks at the Skinny Pancake. Held all over the world, Green Drinks is a social/networking evening for environmentally-minded people to have a beer, meet new people, and connect with friends. The Burlington event is held at the Skinny Pancake on the last Tuesday of the month starting at 530pm. A local green company hosts, meaning they pay for the first $100 in drinks and circulate through the crowd spreading their good word.

At first we stuck together exclusively, finding it too daunting to invite ourselves into one of the many already-in-progress conversations surrounding us on the patio. We chatted about KSV's own green group, and the upcoming commuter challenge. But then a familiar face caught my eye, and soon enough we were having our own lively and animated conversation with Ellen Shapiro, owner of the Champlain edition of the publication Green Living. I had worked with her frequently at a time when we both worked for different companies, and she was happy to hear of my career move and satisfaction with my current position. I told her a bit about KSV's green group, and she happily offered to run any press releases we have on the efforts and changes we're making.

This month's sponsor was Green Cab VT, a taxi service with a fleet of bio-diesel, hybrid, and electric cars. Alex pointed out that our company has a designated cab service for getting to and from the airport, and it might be possible to switch to Green Cab. I was able to sit down with owner Charlie Herrick, who gladly told me about vouchers KSV could buy - a possible solution for emergency rides home in our upcoming commuter challenge.

The energetic and committed owner is also looking to expand his offerings to include local courier services to Burlington. Since they don't have to pay the ever-increasing costs of gasoline, Green Cab will be a cheaper option. Sometimes, it IS easy being green!

Portions reposted on the KSV Blog Unplanned

Roger and the Window

Now that I live safely on the second floor, I invested in a window fan to help keep my place tolerable during the hot weather. I put it in the bedroom window and use it at night - it really does the trick!

Roger stays at home in my room while I'm at work. He's very well-behaved, never chews up my shoes or barks out of boredom. But I guess he finds ways to entertain himself.

One morning several weeks ago, I was at work and our downstairs neighbor Marla called me. I almost didn't even answer, I assumed it was house stuff that could wait. The call went something like this:

"Oh hi Marla, yep I'm at work. Yeah, heh, busy as usual. What's up? He's crying and barking? Hmm, that's unusual--hanging OUT OF THE WINDOW?!? - YES OF COURSE, I'M ON MY WAY!" (insert running noises here)

I immediately ran the two blocks home, expecting to see my little dog somehow stuck halfway out the window - or flying through the air in a daredevil leap. Marla was in her robe in her driveway looking up at my window as I neared, and there was Roger, proudly standing on the window sill, smiling at us.

I bolted up the stairs and into my room. He was so happy to see me! I was just trying to get my heart to stop pounding. He had somehow managed to knock the fan out of the window back onto my bed, push the window sash all the way up, and knock the screen out onto the ground below!

Needless to say, I now remove the fan every morning and lock the window before leaving for work.

Recommended Reading

I don't remember how I first stumbled onto the Diggin Food blog, but I love it! The lofted veggie garden entry is what first drew me in, and I stayed because it's all good stuff. Makes me want to turn the whole yard into a vegetable garden.