WATER, WATER

The headline in Time said: "Almost two billion people will live in regions suffering from water scarcity and two-thirds of the global population will live under water-stressed conditions by 2025 according to UN estimates.

It shouted at me -- We've got to save water!


Do you try? I try.  Brushing teeth, one turns on the water, and leaves it on.

DON'T.

Rinsing hands, one turns on the water and leaves it on.

DON'T.

After a meal, I don't know about your household, but we clear the table and put utensils in a tall plastic container that's filled with water, and some liquid soap. End of the day, instead of running the dishwasher, we sponge-wash each utensil, then rinse them all together, set them in a drying holder.

Flushing the toilet --  you don't have to flush each and every time you use it.

DO (gently) remind other members of the household, to do the same.


DON'T take long showers -- DO make them shorter.

Washing clothes: DO larger loads.

Shampooing: Once your hair is wet, turn OFF the water while you're applying it. Turn water ON when it's time to rinse. Water OFF while applying conditioner. ON when you're ready to rinse.

DON'T drift into a contented reverie, enjoying the flow, and forget.

Picture people in other countries -- drinking, washing clothes, washing themselves in a contaminated river -- we've all seen those pictures.

Outcome Magazine has warned, "'Water shortage poses ‘global threat’ In about 40 years’ time, more than 4 out of 10 people in the world may be living in river areas in the grip of severe shortage.

Why post this right now, today?  Because it's time to wash my hair and time to do machine-washable clothes. My husband's hamper is full -- nine is full of black togs I've been wearing to stay warm (often used and washed so the color won't run). Therefcre,  his load and mine can be done together.

Look and figure out what YOU can do today, to save water.

DO IT. WE HAVE GOT TO SAVE WATER..

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES

 


Who are the Joneses?

Kardashians?

Yikes.

I hope not.


What about the most noted, money-making, successful artists in music, in theater, in a hit film? Are you keeping up with them?

Or are you keeping up with a new star -- an unknown who's now known -- a one-of-kind good-looker, or an odd-looking creep, an off the wall kook -- who's everywhere suddenly?   

Hey, maybe your Jones is a "living large" person who has one of those umpteen million-dollar homes?  Does living large inspire you, spark a desire in you to keep up with a living larger person?

Or are the Oscars continuing to obsess you -- the visions of almost famous people dressed to the nines, hair and makeup done by experts, bedecked with borrowed jewels?  Do you buy clothes, do your makeup, furnish your home, go on a diet, and exercise based on keeping up with those red carpet walkers?

I dare you, yes I challenge you -- to blink-away, and put those red carpet walkers on an inaccessibly high mental  shelf, and utterly disregard, dump, discard, all of your current Joneses.

Keeping up with the Joneses is an out-of-date, 20th century motivation that you've inherited from ads, parents, and grandparents. I say that all those media-manufactured famous folks are old-fashioned. You -- yes  you are NOW -- you, the guy who is reading this blog,  represents the 21st century, and it behooves you to continue keeping up with you and be unadulterated, bravely whatever you are.

(VIDEO) JOHN CULLUM ON HARVEY FIERSTEIN

John describes Harvey -- how they met, and their very comfortable, easy going friendship.

He enjoys his role as "Terry," in Fierstein's new play, "Casa Valentina," and explains what he's learned from playing a transvestite. 

Emily asks whether you call the  character "him" or "her?" John reveals how this is handled by Harvey's script for this uniquely interesting, important play.