it would be called "cherry picking" if we lived somewhere cooler

Marcus picking a coconut.

Thanks so much for sharing yourselves with me in my last post. As those of you who are living authentic lives, it's a good feeling, isn't it? I'm getting there, and I'm happier than I've ever been. For those of you aren't, particularly because of your jobs, trust me, I feel your pain. Viscerally. I've never spoken about my job before moving to Trinidad, but suffice to say that I was there, man -- hating everything about my job, and hating myself for putting up with it. My best advice: plan your escape. Seriously. Even if you can't quit now, because you need the job or benefits or whatever, plan how you can work yourself into a better position, better career, better life. I say this for two reasons: (1) Life's too short to be unhappy, and (2) sometimes the planning for the future is just what you need to make yourself feel better about dealing with the present. And know I wish you the very best.

As for me, I'm diligently working on my own authenticity -- at least as regards to my writing. It's time to start being more selective about what I write, and where I contribute, and I'm in the process of mapping out a plan (because, you know, you gotta have a plan). I'm sure I'll share it with you as it all unfolds. In the meantime, I'd love you to check out two things and tell me what you think:

- My latest article on DotMoms -- I'm not sure if I mentioned that I'm writing there? If not, well, I am -- not particularly often (Lord knows I'm busy writing elsewhere!), but I do occasionally contribute; and

- this. It's an idea I'm toying with, at least while I'm still in my 30-day-free trial period on Typepad. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Comments

[Martha]

I love the emerald market idea and would most definitely keep my eye on it regularly, as I do with mightygoods :) In fact, it reminds me a lot of mighty goods. Best of luck!

[Kim]

On Emerald Market: That may get a lot of attention. So much so that I already have two comments, but didn't see where to post them there so will do so here:

1. Have you considered also links to sites that show a person how to re-use and re-cycle goods themselves? There are two or three patterns kicking around on the internet showing how to make "yarn" out of old plastic shopping bags and knit yourself a tote with them. Some of them, if you have enough different colored bags, are actually rather lovely.

2. On American Apparel: yes, it's environmentally friendly, but -- the print ads and billboards I've seen in New York, near one of their stores, are just really creepy. There's something vaguely sexualized about them -- right now a huge ad features some little barely-legal bimbette lying on her side, skirt hitched up so you can see her knickers, and she's got a lollipop hanging out of her mouth. Before her was a huge shot of a guy's thighs, encased in boxer shorts, and that was it.

Environmentalism isn't supposed to vaguely make you feel like porno, and somehow this does....that could just be me, though.

[Chookooloonks]

Kim --

Thanks for your comments -- living here in Trinidad, I don't see much of the advertising for any American companies I feature. I'll keep your thoughts in mind!

Thanks again!

K.

[dave / higher powered]

Karen, is that a new watch you're sporting?

[jonniker]

I dig Emerald Market, and think there's a, um, market for it. How's that for redundant? Can you tell I write for a living? No? Is it because I am a redundant fool?

And seriously, you couldn't live anywhere cooler. Just saying. Coconuts are much cooler than cherries. (Although we have them here in Florida which is, decidedly, uncool)

[Chookooloonks]

Hey, Jonniker --

Thanks! Although, by "cooler," I meant "a place with cooler temperatures" -- otherwise, I do think Trinidad is pretty cool! :o)

K.

[Becky]

I love the Emerald Market idea - my own personal organic shopper. ;)

Now, if you could explain to me how the lovely-looking yellow coconuts Marcus are picking in your photo turn into the shriveled-looking brown hairy things I find in my supermarket, I would very much appreciate it. I just can't picture the transformation!

[Chookooloonks]

Becky --

The shriveled-looking brown hairy things are actually INSIDE the coconuts Marcus is picking. The supermarkets remove the husk (yellow part) before putting them on your shelves. :o)

K.

[Becky]

As always, I've learned something new from Chookooloonks today... thanks, K!