Life Through a Green Lens

What's a blog anyways? Yet another piece of self-centered, technologic bullshit shot off into cyberspace for the world to (likely never) see? A tool for self-reflection? Just another fad?

My writing professor would tell you that one is always writing for an audience, even if that audience is imaginary. While a journal is useful, my own generally spiral downwards into rants, raves and grocery lists. Perhaps I need more pressure to fully formulate thoughts, opinions, and even semi-coherent sentences.

A blog is an audience.

So why do I still feel slightly weirded out by the whole thing? In a century of facebook, twitter, and shameless self promotion, a blog shouldn't be out of my comfort zone. My Swedish roommate Sofi (who I thank and blame for motivation to do this at all) assures me that everyone in Sweden has their own page they update regularly.

Therefore, a blog is also "acoolthingtheydoinEurope", a social justification in and of itself.

I should really be writing a five page essay on the (excellent) book Ishmael by Daniel Quinn right now.

A blog is (yet another) form of procrastination!

I had never really read a blog regularly until my Dad was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive type of brain cancer. My mom set up a CaringBridge website to keep everyone informed. The posts began as medical details, thank yous to friends and family for meals and support, and quick logisitical updates. In the five months since, it has morphed into a beautiful narrative that shows their day to day struggles, celebrations, and questions.

So a blog is also a connection.

"Life through a green lens" has different meanings. As an environmental studies (evst) major, I want to explore the way that we interact with the earth that sustains us. How does one eat, travel, recreate, and work sustainably? What does the 2010 evst student read/write to educate themselves? Is it possible for a student to live an environmentally conscious lifestyle on a limited budget? What are other people, organizations, governments and countries doing in the environmental arena?
In a broader sense, the writing here is life filtered through an Emerald screen. Family, friends, love, hate, cancer, travel, skiing, rafting, exploring, music, culture, life in the coolest college town in the US... inevitably it will all find it's place.

Bloggerific. Blogtastic. Blog on, dude.