Environmentalist in name only

I saw this story and had to comment. I've heard that the carbon footprint of the hybrid prius is actually grater than that of the Hummer. I haven't verified it but I'm always bothered when something is done to look like your a good steward over the earth instead of being one. If when Al Gore went around trying to save the world from global warming he took a rcycled fry oil van or a natural gas vehicle or even an electric car nstead of his private jet I would have been more convinced that we all need to make sccrifices to stop this. Then yesterday I saw this http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5169518
This organization LEED is recognizing them for being environmentally friendly for tearing down an existing house around the tower and building a new one. Yeah they reused the shingles from the roof for mulch, but what about the rest of the house that is now filling a landfill. It would have been more environmentally friendly to refurbish what was there and then landscape the yard whith recycle wood you can get from most cities in utah for cheap. In addition the new house is larger and even if the windows and heating etc are more efficient just as much waste will take place because there is more square footage. The people who should be recognized for being environmentally friendly should be people byuing tiny houses with tiny yards. Then retrofitting the house with better insulation pumped into the walls and attic. Leaving the trees in the yard and adding more. and maybe even having adding grey water use and wind or solar power. Until I see the green peace folks living like this I will continue to feel like they are willing to force me to make sacrifices but not them.

Our House is a very very fine house....

Many of you reading this know that the only reason we were able to get into a house is because of "looking for a house before we could afford one" After a lot of hard work and blessings. We bought it from Hud 4 years ago for $75,000. The city financed part of it and we were able to fix it up and although it will never show up on "Kribs" or "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" it has worked quite well for us to live in for less than rent while building equity.

Well as soon as we got back from Blanding we went to the county courthouse to check on bank foreclosures and we found several listed under the same owner Wilson Scott. We went and checked them out and there were several really nice finished houses (read too much for Kirt and Kelly) as well as several empty lots (read too much for Kirt and Kelly). There were however 2 that we liked and might be cheapper becuse they are 3/4 finished which means they would be a hastle to deal with and people would usually rather pay more than go through a hastle. Anyway here they are. From what we can find it looks like the top one will go for around $130,000 and the other will go for around $120,000. They are around 3,000 sq.ft. but after factoring in around $50,000 to finish the house and yard it looks like they're out of our reach around $150,000 so we keep looking.

which brings us to this house. We found it on Utahrealestate.com on friday and its listed for $79,000, with 4900 sq. ft. and 1/3 acre!!! We thought it must be a typo but when we called they said it wasn't. The whole house has been gutted and so that would add another $60,000-$100,000 maybe still doable right? Well the foundation is sinking about 1/2 inch per year. (The foolish man built his house upon the sand...). Apparently there is someone who can jack up the foundation and then anchor it in place with giant metal beams pounded down until they hit bedrock (the wise man...). It would cost another $80,000 though. We'll stay hopeful (if not naïve) of finding a house that will fit all 5 of us and all of our stuff comfortably.

Cheap

For a long time I've heard that it costs NIKE like $3.00 to make a pair of sneakers and I've thought "If they would lower the profit margin then they could increase the number of people that would purchase their shoes. In addition those that have the hundreds of dollars to spend on sneakers could then buy a lot of pairs." Well Stephon Marbury (a Player for the New York Knicks) Is behind a Shoe brand that does just that. Not only that but he has a whole line of clothes as well. They look like their the same quality as or better than Old Navy but for about half the price. Check out the link www.starbury.com. Steve and barrys is the store where you purchase them and here is their story http://www.steveandbarrys.com/ourstory.aspx

It reminded me of a story I saw the other day talking about Russell Simmons trying to teach inner city kids to be fiscally responsible. He goes around to the inner cities with some rappers and others that are considered idols. Here's a similar story http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/news/86712.php. I think its a good Idea but unfortunately I thought the Rappers and Simmons had a do as I say not as I do attitude. When the reporter asked about Diamonds that they were wearing or their expensive lifesty they said yeah well I can afford it, and look at this its nice watch too. I think the attitude needs to be more like Marburies. I can now afford more expensive stuff but why not be fiscally resposible with what I've been given. Thats going to help kids change attitudes not just act like they are so they can talk to their heroes.

I've Joined the crew

I'm a Technology Teacher in eutero and a couple of brilliant people I've met on the journey (Geoff, Timm, Todd) have influenced me with information I found relevant on their blogs. Todd said I should blog to keep in touch, and my Krud may seem as cool to some of you as it does to me. So this is my first Post.