Add one more reason to your “why San Francisco is the coolest city in America” list. As of Tuesday, the city banned the use of plastic bags made from petroleum. The final approval that solidifies this ban is expected soon by mayor Gavin Newsom. Recyclable plastic bags made from cornstarch will likely replace them, but hopefully the use of canvas bags will also increase.

Ever since my move to Blufftonian (as I like to call it), I have endured the quizzical stares, blank responses, and downright confusion by asking for no double bags and the request to “put in as much stuff that will fit.” Finally, I did what any good environmentalist should have done years ago and started bringing my canvass bags to the store like I did in my 20’s. Now, people just think I live in Sun City, a 55+ community in the area, as the only other people I see in my canvas tribe are older than, well, me.

I parted ways yesterday with a corporation that has helped to provide me economic freedom, extensive customer interaction and an opportunity to evaluate my values. I had serious reservations about working for this company. In fact, I almost didn’t apply for the job initially, knowing that my passion for sustainability in the built environment would have to be greatly compromised.

In return, however, the promise of working in design, coupled with the challenge of working with customers, sometimes for eight or more hours in a row, was actually appealing. I knew that if I could successfully juggle the balls required of me, then at worst, I would grow in my position and prove to myself I could succeed under less than desirable circumstances.

Yet, I must question my ability to remain in a compromising position for so long. Where was my youthful and spirited idealism and value system? Did I leave it back in Chicago among the progressives and green rooftops? Had I forfeited my belief that I must seek the truth and strive to do meaningful work for a company whose culture and mission fits my own?

Throughout the journey, I have learned a great deal about myself. I know that I must do work that adds value to the community, hopefully within an entity that values the triple bottom line; profit, social equity, and the environment, more than simply crunching numbers to determine success.

In that spirit, I can now begin to focus on doing great work. In doing so, I am also looking to take this space – this blog – in a new direction. Over the years, my interest in design and architecture has bloomed, becoming married to my never ending commitment to the environment. Hence, I will be focusing on mostly these topics from now on. Let us call it “Project Green Spot,” shall we? You may now kiss the bride!

P.S. Today is also my beloved father’s birthday. He called me yesterday to congratulate me on being free now to pursue more meaningful work. My mom did, too. And you wonder where this comes from. Happy Birthday, Dad. Thank you for all of the compromises you have made for me over the years. I am eternally grateful. Love, xoxo

Television degrades the human spirit. Yet, oh, how I love that mindless time on the couch, with nothing more to ponder than what one gets for the money on HGTV or where Mars Bars come from on the Food Network. Tonight, music by Elvis Costello’s “Artist’s Choice” mix and Cat Power are rounding out the evening, AFTER turning the tele off. I feel so much better than I usually do after hours of deadened surfing.

Which brings me to the the TV show I like the most. On Sunday’s at 11 PM, EST, The Independent Film Channel serves me something better than anything else the boob tube regurgitates, called “The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman”. I robustly cackle as Laura Kightlinger, the shows writer, producer, and lead actress, comes crashing through my family room, throwing all of the formulaic sitcoms into the firepit and simply becoming fire itself.

Because I watch too much TV, I’ll leave it to LA Weekly for their original thought on the funniest, best written show out there;

“Kightlingers buoyantly cynical brand of comedy is somewhere between Sarah Silvermans bubblegum shock and Kathy Griffins devilish glee… when a TV comedy gives me the chance to laugh more at funny women than funny men, I’m onboard.”
– LA WEEKLY

UPDATE: I just found out that my favorite show is ALSO on at a more reasonable hour. Wednesday’s at 8PM, EST.