This Makes Me Laugh: April 2012

Sunday, April 22, 2012

April 22, 2012 Quiz results: Ecological Footprint Quiz by Center for Sustainable Economy

Here's year 3 of posting, and year 4 of participating, in my Earth Footprint quiz run by the Center for Sustainable Economy. It's Earth Day and it's a good reminder to see what little differences one can make in their lifestyle.

My results were what has become average for me (link here for 2009 and here for 2011 results). This year, if everyone lived my lifestyle the world would need 3.22 earths to keep up with consumption. Full disclosure: I did this without using the miles I travel in flight each year on average now that I have become a flight attendant. That way, I could see if something had gone up in any other category or if my average was still the same. (Continue reading to see how that affects my answer.) Here are my results:

If everyone lived my lifestyle the world would need 3.22 earths.
My footprint in global acres by conumption category total (country average in parenthesis): 124.97 (246.41)
-Carbon: 70.72 (91.43)
-Food: 31.72 (65.74)
-Housing: 8.58 (31.58)
-Goods and Services: 13.95 (57.66)
-Cropland: 15.48 (29.61)
-Pastureland: 34.95 (68.02)
-Marine fisheries: 25.71 (49.33)
-Forestland: 48.83 (99.45)

I went back in and, leaving all my answers the same, added what I figured to be my average annual amount of miles I travel in an airplane every year with my new profession. The answer: The world would need 5.49 earths if everyone lived my lifestyle and, in addition, flew as much as a flight attendant who works about the average amount for their company. That's 2.27 earths more! While the vast majority of people don't fly that much, I still do fly more than most even when not including my work hours due to the fact that I have flight benefits and can go most anywhere on a whim.

Anyone else take the quiz this year?

Monday, April 16, 2012

Bahamas Cruise

J and I spent the weekend in the beautiful blue seas on our way to The Bahamas. It was our first cruise and we had a blast between the eating, doing nothing, eating, shows, dinners, comedy, desserts, exploring, and beauty. Mostly though, we were there to celebrate our friends - some old and lots new, but all wonderful! - and their five years with a fantastic company.

These are just a few of the photos from the trip, but we really wanted to share.

Also, as a side note: I know the posts have been few and far between this month but we've been working, on a cruise, we are going back to working, and then we are heading to Denver to take care of a few matters out there, and then working again. Not too much else going on which is why there is so much to share in this post! We do hope to augment the "travels" section of this blog in the next six months as much as we've added to the "cooking" section of this blog in the last six months. Stay tuned! :)

Cute little towel animal wearing Jeremy's sunglasses. I could totally be a towel origami expert on a cruise line.

J and I overlooking the back of the boat. This was the day we were coming in to Nassau.

Our ship, the Carnival Sensation.

A beautiful building in Nassau.

Carriage in front of the library, Nassau.

Boys playing on a pier.

Some of our group, enjoying their beers and the view. Junkanoo Beach, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Another on Junkanoo beach.

Grabbing some sun!

An empty Kalik beer bottle and the gorgeous views of the beach. Kalik is a local beer.

Jeremy jumping off stuff, again...

...and into gorgeous water.

Another beautiful scene.

Da Fish Fry. J and I were recommended this place by the ladies at the historical society. Grilled snapper and conch, both served in a wonderful mix of plantains, tomatoes, onions, lime, salt, pepper, and cayenne.