Shimmeringstar's blog

Imagine: living with all the creature comforts of home… without using any electricity from the power companies. Possible? Yes!!  Read More »

“Off” doesn’t really mean “off” like it used to. Instead, “off” is now “stand-by” for a large number of electrical appliances. Stand-by power allows certain functions to remain active, such as internal timers. For this reason, you are paying money on each electric bill for energy you didn’t think you were using.  Read More »

Bag Boy: “Paper or plastic?”
Your Conscience: “Oh crap… I’ve heard bad stuff about plastic, so I’ll get paper. But wait… getting paper causes all those trees to be cut down. Cutting down trees is bad… paper bags are hard to store and plastic scrunches down to nothing…”
You: “Uh, plastic, please.”  Read More »

Earth Day is being celebrated or will soon be celebrated all over the world. It’s a day when many people consider our world and the way our lives impact the earth. However, there are also many people who don’t really think much about Earth Day.  Read More »

I just started my second year of living and working in Japan. I came here in March, 2007, without knowing any Japanese. It has been an interesting journey of classes and learning, and I really should be studying harder to get the language down.  Read More »

Wanna be a parent without having to deal with feedings, diaper changing, screaming, crying, spit-up, day-care costs… well, pretty much all the stuff people associate with being a hassle? Still want the cute, cuddly, bundle of joy? How about that awesome baby smell and soft skin? The feeling of the little one in your arms?  Read More »

Today was a brilliantly sunny 75 degree F day in Kagoshima, Japan. I actually didn’t have to work today, which was a nice break for such a beautiful Saturday. Anyways, I figured I would head down to a large park area that has great patches of grass where people can sit and read, eat lunch, play ball, or whatever. However, when I got to the park, there wasn’t a soul in the sun.  Read More »

Here's the latest in the global climate crisis: Spain is suffering its worst drought since record-keeping began. Some communities have run out of drinking water completely (so water is trucked in for the villagers) and Barcelona may be out of drinking water by October if things continue the way they are.  Read More »