Guilty pleasures – Big fat flaw week

So I love Day of Our Lives. So what!!

I know it's so stupid, really I do. I can hardly believe I'm even admitting to it. Even still, I try to catch at least 10 minutes of it a few times a week. I also love really cheesy movies, Tori Amos and The Simpsons.

Just because I'm trying to conserve energy doesn't mean I live in the woods. I like Project Runway as much as the next girl/gay guy, but all this media love can really add up to some serious cash on DVDs, CDs and electricity.

So, instead of denying myself my Sami/E.J./Lucas love triangle, I just try to conserve as much as possible.

• Power cords, especially for televisions and stereos, are great ways to fight phantom energy, or the stuff you're using even when the tube is off. It can make up as much as 5 percent of your energy bill.
• Instead of buying, borrow. Libraries aren't just for books, like the crime mysteries I'm currently embarrassed to admit loving. I get most of my rental movies there as well. They're not always free. Mine charges $1 for two nights, but they have new releases. We just watched Superbad a few nights ago. Many libraries also stock music and video games.
• Speaking of music, instead of CDs, try Pandora. It's like a radio station made just for you and totally free.

Addressing the driving issue: Finally

National Public Radio ran this great report today about an Atlanta woman and her child who moved from the suburbs to the city. By removing her commute, the move greatly reduced her carbon footprint.

It was nice to hear this issue being addressed as far as parents are concerned. Most green parenting stories I see talk to parents who buy organic or use all-natural products. Not that these things are bad, but it's only in passing the stories mention the parental resistance to giving up the minivan.

At first I thought, "Oh great. Another story of how the rich are becoming oh so green." But the woman, Malaika Taylor, talked about how she couldn't afford a house inside the city but could move into an innovative development that incorporates residential and commercial life.

Taylor didn't have the environment in mind when she made these decisions, much like my own family's decision to try a more simple pace. She just wanted to get her life back. It's at the core of how the environmental movement can be a catalyst to returning sanity to the American family.

I love how she describes her new commute-free life.

"Maybe I'll work out. Maybe we'll play a game. It makes a huge difference just in the quality of our life. We get to spend a lot more time together. I think she's happier. I'm happier. It makes life a lot better."

Reminder

Not that anybody reads this blog, because I haven't told anybody about it and a variety of other reasons (it does not suck, it does not suck, it does not suck) that I won't get into right now.

But it's Earth Hour tonight. Turn off all your electrical stuff (lights, television, computer) between 8 and 9 your local time tonight and find some good old-fashioned, wholesome ways (i.e. lots of sex) to have fun.

Cheap Green Tip 10: Think small

Americans like their things big.

We have larger vehicles. We have super-sized closets that, no fibbing, are often larger than my childhood bedroom. We have bigger plates to accommodate our larger portions.

And we have big houses. In fact, the average home today is 40 percent larger than 35 years ago. More space to store all our crap. More space to escape the annoying habits of those living with us. More space to impress our friends.

But there's a lot to be said for a smaller house. You use less of everything to maintain them. Less furniture. Less energy. Less frilly knickknacks. It really makes you think twice before you buy a hall clock from Pottery Barn.

Smaller houses are often older houses, built closer to city centers. For me, that means my 1,600 square foot ranch (which includes a furnished basement) is just a mile from downtown. I can easily reach shopping, entertainment and services by bus or bike.

Plus, it's very green-hip and eco-fabulous to live fantastically in a small space. Chic, cozy and, though rarely mentioned, cost-effective.

Tip: If you live in a larger home, try closing off a few rooms you hardly use to save energy.