Ask Not What Your Airport Can Do For You

I entered Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas.  I was returning from my relaxing, much-too-short visit.

My sister and I waited in the long line at the JetBlue counter to check in for our flight to Orlando.

People-watching had been a favorite pastime for the two of us in Nassau and the airport was no different.  A guy dressed like a cross between Prince and Michael Jackson.  A couple arguing over their passports.  And a little boy carrying a Waterkeeper Alliance suitcase.

That caught my attention, since I'm a big fan of the Waterkeeper and Riverkeeper Alliances. They're amazing organizations doing incredible work to protect our waterways.

We finally reached the counter, while the "Waterkeeper" family pulled up to the window next to ours.

My sister and I went through the security check and moved onto carry-on bag X-rays. As we waited to unload our bags and shoes into the bins, the "Waterkeeper" family arrived behind us and unloaded their bags.  Then the dad pulled the Waterkeeper suitcase off the belt because his son had forgotten to put an ID badge on it.

That wasn't unusual - but the man holding the Waterkeeper suitcase was the founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance - Bobby Kennedy, Jr.!

The last time I had seen him he was giving a talk on mountaintop removal at Town Hall in New York.  I couldn't contain my excitement, but I couldn't lose it in front of him.  So I whispered to my sister, "That's Bobby Kennedy, Jr.!"

She looked at me blankly.


"The environmentalist?  Bobby Kennedy's son?  JFK's nephew???  He's a KENNEDY!"


Finally, she agreed with me that he did have the Kennedy charm.

It was then that I realized I had a plastic water bottle in my hand.


Crap!  I almost never drink out of plastic water bottles but in New York I had been stopped at the airport (the one named for Bobby Kennedy Jr.'s uncle) with my Klean Kanteen so I packed it away for this leg of the trip.


Now I was carrying the very symbol of everything I'm opposed to in front of one of the environment's biggest leaders.  This was like flashing an upside down cross in front of the Pope...


I tried to conceal the environmental weapon but I was too late.

"Ma'am...would you like me to throw that away for you?"  said the TSA agent who was speaking really, really loud.


My mouth became so dry I almost wished I had another plastic bottle of water. 

Was he really asking me to throw it away?  In the trash?  I could only wonder where their goes?  In the landfill?  Or in the giant plastic island in the middle of the Pacific?  Either way, I coudn't do it in front of Bobby.


In slow motion, Mr. Kennedy placed his belongings next to mine...


"Do you recycle?" came out of my mouth in scary, slowed-down speech.

The agent stared at me as my passport and plane ticket separated from my hand and flew in opposite directions.

The TSA agent didn't reply to my recycle question as he searched for my ticket under the X-ray machine.  Even if my sister hadn't been screaming at me, I'd have been dying of embarassment though it seemed that Bobby was paying more attention to his children than to my environmental faux pas.


The lesson wasn't lost on me, however.  To the hundreds of reasons why it's important not to use plastic bottles I can add another:


You never know who you might meet.


Stay tuned for an environmental update on the Bahamian culture!

The Arctic Secret

Last year, John and I wrote a story for our Christmas card that told the story of a polar bear cub stranded on an ice floe, and how a dog named Bailey (based on our dog, Bailey) comes to his rescue.


We had no idea at the time that our story would ring so alarmingly true just a month and a half later.


Two weeks ago, it was reported that a female polar bear swam 426 miles over a nine-day period in freezing waters with her cub to find a piece of ice to settle on. Unlike our story, the cub didn't make it.

There is no doubt that the Arctic waters are becoming too warm and ice is becoming too scarce.

There is still time to help these beautiful animals.  Together, we can help save the Polar Bears.


And we would love to share our story with you:



BAILEY AND THE ARCTIC SECRET

Once upon a time, a little dog named Bailey was taking a nap under the Christmas tree.

Bailey was a Tibetan Spaniel.  His ancestors used to guard monasteries in Tibet.  There were no monasteries to guard in New York City, so Bailey did what he could in the apartment.  He liked to think he was guarding the presents under the tree, but really it was just a comfy place to nap.  Bailey was the King of Comfy.

Suddenly, there was a noise.  His ear flipped up.  He opened one eye.  Nothing.  His ear and eye closed.  Then he heard it again!  Both eyes and ears flew opened.


He sat straight up, hitting his head on a low-hanging ornament.  “Terribly sorry,” said Bailey to the ornament, which was a sparkly pink seahorse.

“That’s all right,” said Sparkle.  “But be careful – I’m fragile.”


Bailey settled back down beneath the tree when he heard the sound one more time.  It sounded like . . . whimpering.  Whimpering that was far, far away.

“Where could that be coming from?” said Bailey.


The seahorse listened.  “Off the top of my head, I’d say it’s coming from the Arctic.”


“The Arctic?” said Bailey.  “How far away is that?”


“About a million miles,” said Sparkle.

“Can I get there on the subway?”

“You might have to transfer,” said Sparkle.


The whimpering started up again.  Bailey knew he had to do something . . . and fast.


“I’m going to find that,” he said.

Sparkle swung off his branch and landed on Bailey’s back.


“I’m coming with you,” said Sparkle.  “You’ll need my help.”


“Do you know where the Arctic is?”


“We’ll Google Map it,” said Sparkle.  “Let’s go!”


Bailey went to the front door.  He sat on his hind legs and turned the lock to the left.  Then he took the doorknob in his mouth and turned it to the right.  The door opened.  He walked through and pulled it behind him with his paw.

“Do your mommy and daddy know you leave the apartment like that?” said Sparkle.

"No." said Bailey.  “It would only worry them.”

They went down six flights of stairs, then out the front door.  Bailey stood on the curb and put his paw up in the cold New York air.

“What are you doing?” said Sparkle.


“Hailing a cab.”


“Won’t that be impossible?”


“It’s only impossible at 5:00, when the drivers are all changing their shifts –”


“I mean, won’t it be impossible for a dog?”


Bailey lifted an eyebrow.  “Nothing is ever impossible for a dog.”


A cab pulled up.  The door opened. Bailey and Sparkle got in.


“My friend thinks it’s hard for a dog to get a cab,” said Bailey.


“Ha ha, that’s a good one,” said the cab driver, who wore a cap.  His driver’s license identified him as a Great Dane.


The cab was a green cab, using no fuel, as it ran on Great Dane power.  The cab drove them to LaGuardia Airport and let them off at an airline run by poodles called Jet Poo.

“Not the best name,” said Sparkle.

“But they have the best prices,” said Bailey.


As they boarded the plane, Bailey could hear the whimpering again, clearer, stronger.  “I hope we get there in time,” he said.

“We will,” said Sparkle.  “If there’s one thing poodles know – it’s keeping appointments. They’re always getting their hair done.”


After the plane was aloft and the pilot had retracted the landing paws ,Bailey enjoyed a meal of beef and lamb stew.  Sparkle had assorted small crustaceans.  But the flight seemed to take forever.  Bailey tried to sleep but he kept hearing the whimpering.


Whoever was crying was in desperate need of Bailey’s help.


Finally the plane landed.  “Thanks for flying Jet Poo,” said the labradoodle flight attendant.  “We know you have a choice and we appreciate your flying with us.”


Bailey and Sparkle got out of the plane.  As far as the eye could see was snow and ice.


“This is it, Sparkle,” said Bailey.  “The Arctic Circle.”  They heard the whimpering even louder now.


Suddenly, a St. Bernard bounded up to them.  “Can I take you somewhere?” he said.  “My name is Bernard.”


“St. Bernard?” said Sparkle.


“No, just Bernard,” said the St. Bernard.  “But I get that a lot.  You can call me Bernie.”


“Sure,” said Bailey.  “Follow that sound, Bernie!”


Bailey and Sparkle hopped onto Bernie’s back.  He lumbered across the vast, white plain, toward the whimpering, which was growing louder and louder.


They came to the edge of what looked like a shore.  Actually, it was where ice was melting.  They saw an ocean spread out in front of them.  Way off in the distance was a little white speck.  The whimpering seemed to be coming from there.

“This is where I stop,” said Bernie.  “The ocean is out of my jurisdiction.”


“But I have to keep going,” said Bailey.  “I can dog paddle out there.  But how will I keep from freezing?”


“Don’t worry,” said Sparkle.  “I’m not a seahorse for nothing, you know.  I have connections all over the undersea world.”

Sparkle hopped onto Bailey and they went out into the icy water.


“Brr,” said Bailey, as he dog paddled.  Sparkle jumped off of Bailey’s back and was gone for a few minutes.  Then he jumped back on.


Bailey said, “Hey! It’s warmer now!”


“I have some beluga whales swirling around down there,” said Sparkle.  “They’re churning the water up so it’s more comfortable for you.”


The whimpering was very loud now.


They swam and swam and swam.  The white speck was getting bigger.  It was an ice floe! A very small one.  Right in the middle of it was a whimpering polar bear cub.

“Hi there!” said Bailey.  “I’m Bailey and this is Sparkle.”


“Thank goodness you’re here!” said the bear.  “My name is Dakota.”


“What’s the matter, Dakota?” said Bailey.


“I’m separated from my mom,” said Dakota.  “She must be worried sick about me on shore.”


“That’s just where we’re going!” said Bailey.  “Hop on!”

Dakota jumped on Bailey’s back.  They went back into the water and Sparkle contacted his beluga whale friends.

Bailey swam and swam.  The trip back was more tiring, since he now was carrying a polar bear.  Sparkle swam beneath them, talking with the whales.


Finally, they reached the shore.  Dakota jumped off Bailey’s back and Sparkle jumped on. He turned to a beluga whale, who had stuck his head out of the water.


“Thanks!” said Sparkle.  “I owe you one.”


“Don’t mention it,” said the beluga whale.


Bailey, Sparkle and Dakota walked across the ice, around what looked like craggy rocks made of ice and snow.  They didn’t see anyone.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, there was a loud roar.  A polar bear was standing on its hind legs, gnashing its teeth and waving brandishing its claws.


“Mom!” said Dakota.  Then to Bailey and Sparkle he said, “Don’t worry.  She always gets like this when she gets excited.”


The mother polar bear bounded over to them and scooped up Dakota.  “My boy!” she said. “I’m so glad to see you!”


“These are my friends,” said Dakota.  “Bailey and Sparkle.  They came all the way from New York City to save me!”


“Thank you so much,” said the mom.  “My name is Ursa.  How can I ever repay you?”


“Don’t worry about that,” said Bailey.  “Is there anything else we can do for you?”


“I wish there was,” said Ursa, who was cradling Dakota in her arms.  “I’m afraid the same thing that happened to Dakota may happen again.”

“What do you mean?” said Sparkle.


“The ice cap is melting,” said Ursa.  “Ice floes are breaking off into smaller and smaller pieces.  Dakota and I were on one that broke in two.  He drifted off, but when I swam to him, I couldn’t get my paws up on the floe.  So he drifted off to sea.”


“We’ll tell everyone about the melting ice,” said Bailey.


“It’s because of global warming,” said Sparkle.  “Even ornaments know that.”


“Some people don’t believe in global warming,” said Bailey.


“Some people don’t believe what’s right in front of them,” said Ursa.


Bailey and Sparkle took in the wondrous, winter landscape.  It was the most beautiful place they’d ever seen.

“We’ll do our best,” said Bailey.  “But first we have to get home.”

* * * * *

Bailey and Sparkle were sitting in their seats on Jet Poo.  “Another bowl of water, please,” said Bailey to the flight attendant.


“More crustaceans, too,” said Sparkle.

“I hope we get home before Meredith and John realize we were gone,” said Bailey.


“I hope we get home before the other ornaments realize we were gone,” said Sparkle.  “I don’t want to lose my branch on the Christmas tree.”


They made it back to New York in record time.  With Sparkle holding on for dear life, Bailey raced up the stairs.  They were at the front door.


“Quick, let’s go inside!” said Sparkle.


Bailey’s paws were flying every which way.  “I can’t find my keys!”


Suddenly they heard a sound.  People were coming up the stairs!


“Wait ’til Bailey sees this,” said a woman’s voice.


“He’ll love it!” replied a man’s voice.


“That’s your mom and dad!” said Sparkle.


“I know!” said Bailey.  “Where are those keys?!”


The voices got closer and closer.


Finally, just in time, Bailey found the key.  He struggled, but opened the front door.  He ran inside and pulled the door behind him.  He tore across the foyer, zoomed down the hallway and flew across the living room, where he dove under the Christmas tree.


The tree wobbled dangerously as Sparkle leaped onto his favorite branch.


“Where have you been?” said a seashell ornament.


“Ssh!” said Sparkle.


Bailey curled up and closed his eyes.  John and Meredith entered the apartment.  His heart pounding, he let out a fake yawn just as they came into the room.


“Where’s Bailey?” said John.


“There he is!” said Meredith.  “He’s so sleepy!”


Bailey pretended to shake himself awake.  One eye was half-open.  One ear was flipped over on top of his head.


Bailey stretched, then groggily walked up to them and covered them in kisses.


“Look what I have for you!” said Meredith.  “Your Christmas present!”


Bailey had almost forgotten it was Christmas.


Meredith took something out of a bag and handed to Bailey.  It was a white stuffed animal. A polar bear cub!


Bailey sniffed the stuffed animal.  He took it in his mouth.  Usually he would start growling and playing with a toy like that.  But this one reminded him of Dakota.  So he placed it next to him under the tree.


“Do you think he likes it?” said Meredith.


“I’m sure he does,” said John.  They left the room.

Bailey looked at the cute little stuffed animal.  Suddenly it winked at him.


“Hi, Bailey!” it said.  “Remember me?”  It wasn’t a stuffed animal at all!


“Dakota!” said Bailey.  “What are you doing here?”


“My mom said you so were so good to me that I should come visit you and help you spread the message about global warming,” said Dakota.


“That’s great!” said Bailey.  “But how did you find my mom and dad? A nd why did they think you’re a stuffed animal?  How?  What?  When?  Where?  Why?”

“Those are all good questions,” said Dakota.  “But for now they’ll have to stay a secret. Let’s just say I had some help from one of your friends.”  He pointed his paw at Sparkle.


“Hey, what are Christmas ornaments for?” said Sparkle.


“I’m so glad,” said Bailey.  “I just wish the beluga whales could be here.”

“I’m working on it,” said Sparkle.  “Believe me, I’m working on it.”


As Bailey, Dakota and Sparkle settled into their favorite Christmas ever, they knew that their real adventure was just beginning . . .


Bailey and the Arctic Secret copyright 2010 by Meredith Forbes and John Marshall. All rights reserved.




Want to help save the Polar Bears?

1) The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) is a world leader in Polar Bear Conservation. Learn more about their efforts to save these amazing animals.


2)  The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is doing great work as well!


Get your Polar Action Guide or become a Den Defender.


3) Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Bear Naked Wipes (Sephora)
Erase your face, not the polar bear race!

Wipe off makeup and dirt nature's way, with a blend of natural and healthy ingredients including aloe vera, cucumber, and vitamin E. Free of fragrance, parabens, and petrochemicals, these luxuriously soft wipes are kind to tender eyes and skin and are biodegradable. Leave your skin feeling nourished and refreshed!


And in support of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Polar Bear SOS initiative, Josie Maran will donate a portion of every package sold to protect these endangered animals.

What You Can Do Water Conservation Challenge

"What You Can Do" is an amazing web series created by my good friend Jessica Arinella and
On The Leesh Productions. She created this project to show people what they can do to 
help change the world in one minute. I was lucky enough to be asked to be a guest blogger
for her Water Conservation Challenge!

A Passionate Truth

I went to a seminar last weekend called "Crash Course MBA" given by The Savvy Actor.


I loved it and learned a lot of new things about myself, promoting myself, and promoting my business.


There were two themes that kept resonating with me throughout the weekend.  One was "Branding" and the other was "Passion." 
 Well, before I can begin to brand myself, I have to focus on my passion.

In the words of Irene Cara in Flashdance, "Take your passion and make it happen."


So I thought about what they asked.  "What am I so passionate about that it gets me out of bed every day?  What drives me?"


Of course, there's my husband, my dog, my family. And of course, The Bachelor.


But there's also helping the planet.


My journey began in 2007 after watching An Inconvenient Truth.  After the ending credits, I went to their website and printed out the "Ten things you can do to help the environment."


The very next day I was at the store buying CFL lightbulbs, changing out my cleaning products, demanding that we not use anymore plastic bags, buying reusable water bottles and running around the apartment unplugging things.

I was a maniac.


And I remember thinking, "Is that it?  Am I finished?"


And the answer was "For the time being . . . yes."


I had made a start and done all I could do within my four walls at that time.  With those five simple acts, I had made a huge change.

But it wasn't enough for me.  I became addicted and wanted to do more. 

I wanted to purchase carbon offsets for every piece of traveling I did (ok...the traveling I want to do).  I wanted to walk more and switch solely to public transportation...no more cabs. 


I devoured information about what was really going on with our environment.  I started yelling at people who didn't get it.  I started a blog.  I became obsessed.


This was why I get out of bed in the morning.


So - passion? - check.


Branding.


How do I brand myself?


The crazy tree hugger?


The insane trash picker?


The off-her-rocker/carry-her-groceries-home-in-her-arms-rather-than-take-a-plastic-bag girl?


Or maybe just a concerned guest of this planet.  Who gets a little too passionate sometimes.  By expressing herself to obtuse grocery store managers about using too much confetti.


But that's OK.  Because of my passion, I feel better now when I go to bed.


And even when I watch The Bachelor.

T0:0:0:0XICITY

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN PAYMENT AND CHECK-OUT.

ALL EVENTS ARE IN REAL TIME.



Scene One

FADE IN

The President has just finished an important speech in California and is greeting well-wishers on his way to his limo. A young woman holds out her hand. Smiling, he stops and shakes it. She moves on, but he doesn't. His hand has been poisoned with toxic chemicals. He collapses and almost dies.

FADE TO BLACK


Scene Two

FADE IN

A young woman has just finished an important shopping excursion in a New York store and has paid the check-out clerk. The clerk holds out the receipt. Smiling, the woman takes it. The clerk moves on to the next customer. The woman looks at her hand in disbelief. It has been poisoned with toxic chemicals. She doesn't collapse . . . but the toxins are getting her, just the same.

FADE TO BLACK


The first scene is from the second season of 24.





The second is from at least the last 24 stores I've shopped in.


The toxic substance in the first was fictional. The substance in the second is not.

I have recently learned that the receipts we are given every day from grocery stores, ATM's, restaurants and even the US Postal Service, are toxic.

If 24 taught us nothing else, it's that evil can lurk in the commonest places.

I've spent so much time warning about the toxins in make-up and plastic - and they were literally, right in my hands.

So what is the substance that even Jack Bauer couldn't stop?

Bisphenol A. More commonly known as BPA.

BPA is a carbon compound found in clear, hard, nearly shatter-proof plastic used in reusable bottles, canned foods, baby bottles, CD's, DVD's, medical equipment, fillings and sporting equipment, to name just a few products. It is usually identified by the number "7" in the triangle on the bottom of the object.

Unfortunately, lucky number "7" is something of a catch-all number (and not so lucky) but if the plastic is hard, it's probably using BPA unless it states otherwise.

It is also an endocrine disruptor which can lead to health problems.

Organizations like the the Endocrine Society and the Environmental Working Group are expressing concern over BPA and its effects on the human body.

Tests that have been conducted thus far on mice and rats have shown BPA to have an effect on infant brain development, obesity, neurological disorders (memory, learning, mood) and there may even be a connection to breast and prostate cancers.

CNN has reported that some thermal paper receipts (when the heat is applied to the paper, the BPA reacts with the dye, releasing the toxins) were found to carry 250 to 1000 times more BPA than the common products I've listed above.

A recent Swiss study showed that BPA in receipts penetrates deep into the skin where it cannot be washed away.

The average adult consumes 1 microgram of BPA for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. This microgram is considered a trace amount. To understand a microgram, the New York Times compares it to a single M&M that has been cut up into a 100,000 pieces, one of those pieces being the equivalent to a microgram.


And while more research is being done, a recent Swiss study showed that the BPA in these receipts penetrates deep into the skin where it cannot be washed away.

The good news is that companies like Starbucks and Target are switching paper so that their receipts are BPA-free or only contain trace amounts. Appleton Papers, one of the largest producers of thermal paper, no longer uses BPA.

I found out about the receipt problem through a fellow blogger...Green LA Girl. Others are finding out through news reports and environmental agencies. Whichever way you find out, it's clear that we need more research. In the meantime, let's not only protect the trees, let's protect ourselves.

Right now you can say no to receipts. Or ask that they be emailed to you.

What I'm really hoping is that soon THIS scene will be common . . .


Scene Three (Sometime in the Near Future)

FADE IN

Jack Bauer: Can I help you ma'am? You called CTU about a receipt problem.

Meredith Forbes: That's all right. It's been solved. I'm saying "no" to receipts now.

Jack Bauer: So you don't need me to save you?

Meredith Forbes: I didn't say that.

FADE TO GREEN



24 Photo Credit - Wikia.com

Meredith Mnemonic

Here we are...a little more than a week into the new year and I'm already forgetting what it was I resolved to do!

Some say it takes 21 days to establish a new habit, others say two months. But if I can't remember which habit I'm supposed to be creating, it won't matter either way.

So I decided to make things easier on myself. I've heard of Meatless Mondays, so I've created some other mnemonic devices for habits that I want to instill.

MEATLESS MONDAYS
Not only is it good for our health, but it's good for the planet. The meat industry contributes to half of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions! If every American gave up meat on just Monday's, it would cut down meat consumption by 14% which would significantly reduce methane emissions. Instead, opt for veggie, legume and whole grain based meals. And there's nothing like a great pasta primavera! (http://www.meatlessmonday.com/)

TAKE TWO TUESDAYS
Two reusable bags that is. We already know that plastic bags are killing our sea life and our environment so let's cut down. Do a purse (or pocket) check to make sure you've got at least two reusable bags in there for those impromptu trips to the market. Chico makes a great little bag that folds into itself taking up almost no space in your bag. T hey're cheap, sturdy, come in fun colors and last a long time. And note this...one reusable bag is the equivalent of 1000 plastic bags during the lifetime of the bag!

WALKING WEDNESDAYS
It's time to get off my butt and off the bus and walk to work. I know this isn't possible for everyone, but if you can cut down on your transportation at all, every little bit helps. Gas, exhaust, traffic congestion...they spell trouble for the planet. For me, just by walking to work, I've added in two miles of exercise! And get this...according to Bikes Belong, "If 10% of NYC commuters walked or biked to work instead of driving or taking transit just once per week, they could save 120 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the amount released by the homes of 25,000 New Yorkers."



THIRSTY THURSDAYS
Not only will I make sure I drink my eight 8-ounce glasses of water, but I'll do so without a plastic water bottle (no BPA for me) or bottled water (save money and less trash). You'll be sure to see me with my Kleen Kanteen and Brita pitcher. If you drink 3 bottles of water a day, you'd be keeping 156 plastic water bottles our of our oceans and landfills a year!



FIVE-MINUTE FRIDAYS
Skip the long, hot shower and opt for a 5-minute one. The average person showers for more than eight minutes and uses an average of almost 20 gallons of water. By using a timer and taking a 5-minute shower, you'll not only save water, but you'll also save the energy it takes to heat the water. Less water and less money!

SHOPLESS SATURDAYS
Not shop less...shopless! I know that on the weekends, we like to catch up on all those sales but if we have one day a week where we don't buy anything, not only are we saving money, but we're consuming less "things." Less packaging plus less stuff equals a better environment.

LOCAL SUNDAYS
What better day than the day of rest to travel leisurely through your local farmer's market and choose beautiful, seasonal and local fruits, veggies, meats and cheeses.



I've been trying this little project out for the past week and so far, so good.


New resolution: focus on these mnemonic devices...and how to spell "mnemonic."

AULD LANG GREEN

About an hour after I posted "When You Wish Upon A (Times Square) Ball," I went out to run some errands. I found myself at The Vinegar Factory, a spin off of Zabars for the Upper East Siders. We usually only buy their bread since their staples, like butter, run about $12/pound. (Really. I'm not kidding. Airport food courts have more reasonable prices.)

As I walked in, I was literally attacked by mounds and mounds of confetti. On the floors, draped over the wooden beams. It was as if The Vinegar Factory were storing it for the Times Square party later that night.

Of course, I had just written my blog about the Times Square confetti and was really uncomfortable. I grabbed my loaf of bread, paid my bill and had my hand on the door, but I stopped. I asked to speak to the manager. He walked over to me, oblivious to all the non-recyclable debris.

I calmly stated my disapproval. Actually, I said I was "appalled."

He became defensive. "Times Square does it! This is nothing!"

To which I replied, "That doesn't mean you have to! You should set an example. This is hurting our environment!"

He then proceeded to tell me that he didn't care and that, besides, everyone else liked it.

I squeezed in one last "appalling" as I realized everyone on line was staring at me.

I went home wondering if I was too self-righteous or not self-righteous enough.

I kept thinking about how the manager compared his store to Times Square. Aside from the fact that the city probably paid for the celebration every year what his customers paid for potatoes, was there any point in attacking a little pile of confetti when there was going to be an even bigger pile downtown?

Of course there was. Small steps add up. Many times you write in telling me about small steps here and there and that's terrific!

But I have to thank the manager for giving me something he probably didn't count on: an idea. I'm contacting Mayor Bloomberg about the confetti in Times Square.

I'll let you know how it turns out.