I have been planning a professional speaking event for nine months that happened this past Tuesday. This is one of the main reasons I have been so busy in the new year. I am happy to report that it was a raging success. I raised enough money to bring in five speakers (two local, three national) to speak on sustainability as it pertains to my profession, beginning the night with companies exhibiting their goods, and happy hour with free booze. Who doesn't love free stuff?
We sold out - 130 people. And to boot, the speakers that I had the privilege of entertaining while they were here were fantastic people. Staying up playing pool and having beers with one of your professional heroes - a guy that is WELL known throughout my profession - was just out of this world. I managed to make a few bucks on the event as well for the chapter. I came out of the event totally inspired to set some professional goals for myself and to reach out to a new contact about some insights and opportunities.
On the flip side, I'm feeling a little sad that it's all over. It was sort of like planning a wedding - you plan and plan and plan for nine months, all the people come out that you had hoped would be there, and then it's just over so quickly. And it's a little sad.
But I definitely think it's motivating me to take better care of myself. I really put myself and my health last over the past couple of months, and my body is really feeling the effects.
I'm up today to start the week off fresh with a trip to the public market and a little later, a trip to the gym.
I love the weekend!
Showing posts with label Sustainability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sustainability. Show all posts
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, May 30, 2008
Ugh. Why am I so Cautious?
So I'm sitting in a hotel room in Omaha tonight after a party at 10:50pm, because I overdid it last night, and I'd like to have some party left in me tomorrow night for the closing party of the retreat i'm on.
Mind you, on this retreat i'm hanging out with some of the most forward thinking designers in the country, and shaping the future of our professional organization. It's overwhelming, exciting and intimidating along with being one of the best experiences of my career.
One of the designers and advocates for my field that I admire most is out with a HUGE group of girls seeing the Sex and the City Movie, and I stayed in to sleep.
And now I am wishing I was there with them - with HER - hanging out and laughing and crying with those four ladies I love so much.
In other news, I made a new friend -- several of them -- but one that I really hope to maintain a good frienship with and visit beyond this conference. YAY! It's a total coincidence that he and his partner own two bakeries (one specializing in cupcakes) in Pittsburgh!
Mind you, on this retreat i'm hanging out with some of the most forward thinking designers in the country, and shaping the future of our professional organization. It's overwhelming, exciting and intimidating along with being one of the best experiences of my career.
One of the designers and advocates for my field that I admire most is out with a HUGE group of girls seeing the Sex and the City Movie, and I stayed in to sleep.
And now I am wishing I was there with them - with HER - hanging out and laughing and crying with those four ladies I love so much.
In other news, I made a new friend -- several of them -- but one that I really hope to maintain a good frienship with and visit beyond this conference. YAY! It's a total coincidence that he and his partner own two bakeries (one specializing in cupcakes) in Pittsburgh!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is
I've taken on a new responsibility outside of work. As a board member for this organization it is my job to raise awareness about environmental issues as they pertain to my profession as well as the world we live in.
Last night I had the wild realization that I need to make some more changes in my own daily life to truly perform this role at my best. Cincinnati is a huge commuter city. In a survey released by Forbes, I found out that Cincinnati is the sixth most expensive commuter city in the nation.
I'm going to go outside of my comfort zone tomorrow and ride the bus to work. This is a big deal in this city because my commute is short (5 miles), and I have free parking at my office. So i'll walk a few blocks to the bus stop from home, and a few blocks from the bus stop into my office. It will make my day a little longer, but it will be an interesting experiment. Like a wise philosopher once said "it's not easy being green."
I'd like to keep the momentum and do this at least twice a week on my way into work. I often have activities planned for after work that will last beyond the bus schedule. But reducing my carbon emissions by 40% every week is a big deal, I think.
We'll see.
Last night I had the wild realization that I need to make some more changes in my own daily life to truly perform this role at my best. Cincinnati is a huge commuter city. In a survey released by Forbes, I found out that Cincinnati is the sixth most expensive commuter city in the nation.
I'm going to go outside of my comfort zone tomorrow and ride the bus to work. This is a big deal in this city because my commute is short (5 miles), and I have free parking at my office. So i'll walk a few blocks to the bus stop from home, and a few blocks from the bus stop into my office. It will make my day a little longer, but it will be an interesting experiment. Like a wise philosopher once said "it's not easy being green."
I'd like to keep the momentum and do this at least twice a week on my way into work. I often have activities planned for after work that will last beyond the bus schedule. But reducing my carbon emissions by 40% every week is a big deal, I think.
We'll see.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Eco General Store
My friend Kate and I checked out Park + Vine today - a new "Eco General Store" in Cincinnati that has its grand opening this weekend, starting today. We were both so excited to go to the opening and it didn't disappoint! They had a great range of products, and I bought several things - including a soy-based toilet scrub, a new toothbrush with changable heads, biodegradable kitchen waste bags and sandwich bags, and a cool greeting card made from an old John Mellencamp album cover!
We were both impressed that even though we drove down there from our office together, we dropped a quarter into a bin to offset our carbon emissions for the trip there!
We were both impressed that even though we drove down there from our office together, we dropped a quarter into a bin to offset our carbon emissions for the trip there!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Going Green
We are making a concerted effort to go green in our home. It's a slow process, mostly because of the adjustment to our budget, but we definitely feel good about it. Here's a list of some of the things we're doing:
• We now use energy efficient light bulbs in every place we can in our home - these last 10 times longer than the other type, and use 2/3's of the energy.
• We support local business.
• We buy organic food products. This has not been a complete transition yet, mostly because the stores near us don't have enough options yet. We are buying only organic milk, yogurt and eggs. We buy our meat from a local butcher shop, and the meat comes from local resources. We buy organic produce as often as available. Always on our greens, apples, oranges, mangoes.
• We've expanded our garden. It's a completely organic garden. This year we'll be growing Tomatoes, Zucchini, Red Peppers, Green Beans, Parsley, Basil, Cilantro (possibly a few other herbs, tbd once I get through my herb book!).
• Plans are in the works to make our home more energy efficient. Big plans for the tax return this year. We are getting glass block windows in our basement (finally), and blowing insulation into our eavespace. If money allows, we'll be insulating our basement ceiling as well. Eventually, i'd like to purchase energy efficient storm doors. Our front door is particularly old, but it's beautiful and adds to the character of the house. A new storm door will help us keep it.
• We purchased an energy efficient refrigerator in December. We have vowed to research our energy efficient options on all of our purchases. It was particularly important with a purchase this big. I am researching sustainable flooring options for our kitchen (particularly interested in bamboo and cork) as well.
• I am starting compost bins in our yard (and i am VERY excited about this).
• I have purchased compostable and biodegradable (ethanol free!) waste bags.
It's really all been quite simple to do. I just wish everyone would consider making some effort for a greener lifestyle. It would make a world of difference.
• We now use energy efficient light bulbs in every place we can in our home - these last 10 times longer than the other type, and use 2/3's of the energy.
• We support local business.
• We buy organic food products. This has not been a complete transition yet, mostly because the stores near us don't have enough options yet. We are buying only organic milk, yogurt and eggs. We buy our meat from a local butcher shop, and the meat comes from local resources. We buy organic produce as often as available. Always on our greens, apples, oranges, mangoes.
• We've expanded our garden. It's a completely organic garden. This year we'll be growing Tomatoes, Zucchini, Red Peppers, Green Beans, Parsley, Basil, Cilantro (possibly a few other herbs, tbd once I get through my herb book!).
• Plans are in the works to make our home more energy efficient. Big plans for the tax return this year. We are getting glass block windows in our basement (finally), and blowing insulation into our eavespace. If money allows, we'll be insulating our basement ceiling as well. Eventually, i'd like to purchase energy efficient storm doors. Our front door is particularly old, but it's beautiful and adds to the character of the house. A new storm door will help us keep it.
• We purchased an energy efficient refrigerator in December. We have vowed to research our energy efficient options on all of our purchases. It was particularly important with a purchase this big. I am researching sustainable flooring options for our kitchen (particularly interested in bamboo and cork) as well.
• I am starting compost bins in our yard (and i am VERY excited about this).
• I have purchased compostable and biodegradable (ethanol free!) waste bags.
It's really all been quite simple to do. I just wish everyone would consider making some effort for a greener lifestyle. It would make a world of difference.
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