I went by the bank corner [see yesterday's blog post] this morning. The lights were still on.
I'll be writing a polite note to the occupants of those offices, just to let them know that people do notice and ethics are important.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Earth Hour 2011
I've just returned from the Earth Hour event organized by NEAT, the local environmental action and awareness team. It was an evening of live music, chatting, visiting, coffee, and tea--and let's not forget those eco-tinis that were included in the ticket price.
From 8:30 to 9:30, all the lights were turned off in the cafe. Small "fake" candles on each of the tables provided . . . fake light. It was pleasant. The singing was sweet; the audience was happy to be there.
The inside of the cafe was also lit by the ambient street corner light from outside. So here we were in the dark, conscious of people everywhere taking part in the same ritual, mindful of the theme of this year's campaign: Beyond the Hour. We were encouraged to think of how we could make Earth Hour "last longer" by coming up with new ways to save energy in our homes on a daily basis, and not think that because we attended the Earth Hour event, we had done our duty and our part in saving the planet.
The singer, standing at the mike in the dark, drew our attention to what she saw outside across the street: the brightly lit sign of a bank. As I looked out the window at the red and yellow sign, I noticed that two of the offices on the second floor of the building next to the bank were ablaze with lights.
These were Law Offices: the lights were on, but nobody was home, as the saying goes.
Perhaps lawyers don't notice how much electricity costs because they don't have to notice--unlike the rest of us, who scrutinize our hydro bills and try to figure out what we can turn off to bring the bill down.
A few people gathered in a cafe in the dark for an hour can't save the world.
Everybody needs to do his or her part. Even lawyers.
From 8:30 to 9:30, all the lights were turned off in the cafe. Small "fake" candles on each of the tables provided . . . fake light. It was pleasant. The singing was sweet; the audience was happy to be there.
The inside of the cafe was also lit by the ambient street corner light from outside. So here we were in the dark, conscious of people everywhere taking part in the same ritual, mindful of the theme of this year's campaign: Beyond the Hour. We were encouraged to think of how we could make Earth Hour "last longer" by coming up with new ways to save energy in our homes on a daily basis, and not think that because we attended the Earth Hour event, we had done our duty and our part in saving the planet.
The singer, standing at the mike in the dark, drew our attention to what she saw outside across the street: the brightly lit sign of a bank. As I looked out the window at the red and yellow sign, I noticed that two of the offices on the second floor of the building next to the bank were ablaze with lights.
These were Law Offices: the lights were on, but nobody was home, as the saying goes.
Perhaps lawyers don't notice how much electricity costs because they don't have to notice--unlike the rest of us, who scrutinize our hydro bills and try to figure out what we can turn off to bring the bill down.
A few people gathered in a cafe in the dark for an hour can't save the world.
Everybody needs to do his or her part. Even lawyers.
Monday, March 21, 2011
I've Always Resisted, but Now, I've Relented!
I've always resisted reading C.S. Lewis. This is a bit odd because many of the people I know rave about him, maybe even idolize him a bit. Come to think of it, perhaps that's the exact reason I've resisted taking him up.
Recently, a few free books were put out on the back table at church, and I picked up a copy of Mere Christianity by Lewis. Not at all attacted to his books in the fantasy genre, which the whole world has gone ga-ga over, I thought I'd make a modest start.
It's not a long book, and I read it over the course of a week. The introduction explains that what appears in the chapters of the book was originally given radio addresses to the British people during the dark days of World War Two. It was Lewis trying to make some sense of his particular moment in history.
I admit it: I was so pleasantly surprised. Here was a man who was talking to his readers in a friendly tone, asking questions about Christianity and giving answers from his head and his heart. He anticipates many questions that his readers might ask and calmly answers them, yet does not evade the difficult answers.
Considering the state of the evangelical church today, I read his book with great interest. He was so sensible yet unwavering in his explanation of the tough questions.
A convert to C.S. Lewis? I wouldn't quite describe myself that way. Let's just say I've made a start. I'll be contemplating some of his thoughts and ideas over the next little while here at the-sheepcote.blogspot.com.
What about you? What's your experience with C.S. Lewis? Have you read Mere Christianity? What about the Narnia series?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment!
Recently, a few free books were put out on the back table at church, and I picked up a copy of Mere Christianity by Lewis. Not at all attacted to his books in the fantasy genre, which the whole world has gone ga-ga over, I thought I'd make a modest start.
It's not a long book, and I read it over the course of a week. The introduction explains that what appears in the chapters of the book was originally given radio addresses to the British people during the dark days of World War Two. It was Lewis trying to make some sense of his particular moment in history.
I admit it: I was so pleasantly surprised. Here was a man who was talking to his readers in a friendly tone, asking questions about Christianity and giving answers from his head and his heart. He anticipates many questions that his readers might ask and calmly answers them, yet does not evade the difficult answers.
Considering the state of the evangelical church today, I read his book with great interest. He was so sensible yet unwavering in his explanation of the tough questions.
A convert to C.S. Lewis? I wouldn't quite describe myself that way. Let's just say I've made a start. I'll be contemplating some of his thoughts and ideas over the next little while here at the-sheepcote.blogspot.com.
What about you? What's your experience with C.S. Lewis? Have you read Mere Christianity? What about the Narnia series?
Join the conversation by leaving a comment!
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