Friday Randomness Roundup

I haven't updated good old Abandoned Baton Rouge in almost a month, but yesterday I finally visited a site I've been meaning to hit for ages: D-Jay's School of Beauty. Do check it out.

I also became an even more official Louisiana resident, of course to my dismay.

 

I got a Louisiana drivers license.
I must say, the BR DMV (or OMV, as they call it) was shockingly modern and organized, more so than any I've ever been in. It didn't even qualify as a circle of hell, as I thought all DMVs were required to by law.

But the whole business of obtaining LA license, and the prospect of now replacing my NJ plates (that once inspired a Baton Rouge citizen to shout, "Jersey in the house!") caused a bit more inner turmoil. I didn't realize they would take away my Jersey license. It just felt like losing yet a bit more of my identity in this year of the most changes ever.

But I'm still Jersey, right? Right, Cardboard Jon Bon Jovi from Great Adventure in 1988?

*sigh*

Adding insult to injury, the new Louisiana license plate says "Sportsman's Paradise." I am neither sporting nor a man. Can't we have some more options?

Afterwards, I needed comfort, which is why I went tramping around a creepy abandoned building. New Jersey would have wanted it that way.

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Last week, in case you didn't see or hear any media at all, was Earth Day. But when you write for three green blogs, every day is Earth Day. In my researching travels through various media, I see some great inventions and innovations, many items I'd like to eventually purchase, like the Energy Star-certified emissions-free mulching mower from Black & Decker. Until that upgrade, it's time to keep mowing like Ward Cleaver with this also emissions-free mulching model:

Steampunk* or sad? Or both?

But then, other green-marketed products I come across in my online travels rub me the wrong way, like kits. Where's the "reduce" and "reuse" in them? like this Eco-Me cleaning kit: you don't need to buy new plastic containers for $26 to mix and store your natural cleaners. Isn't the whole problem that there are already too many containers in the world? And why does this kit come with a new washcloth when you can make your own in two seconds from beat-up clothes or towels? I guess this is one of those "light green" options.

And then, some folks are saying "No wire hangers ever" because the metal hangers you get at the dollar store or the cleaners get thrown away and then last for 100 years in the landfill. So now there are hangers made from all-recycled materials. A "pack" of 100 goes for $150 Australian, which I'm told equals about $142 regular money. Not so cheap. But my question is, How about instead just not throwing out the wire hangers, if they last for 100 years?

And then there are Peternity "eco-friendly" urns for your pets. From the press release:

"Métis Design & Culture pet cremation urns are also eco-friendly using only sparse raw materials and minimum energy, supporting resource renewal and the environment."

But gee, you know what would be even more eco-friendly? Burying the animal. Burying mine was free, required 0 raw materials, and the only energy was expended by my fiance, who was on gravedigger patrol. Also, animals are 100% biodegradable.

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So, remember Juliana Hatfield? She of the legendary Sassy cover which I cannot find a photo of online?

She has a new album coming out in August, on her own label Ye Olde Records. One of the new tracks, "Shining On," can be heard on her MySpace profile. I'm not that into it, but bring it up because it made me nostalgic for the '90s.

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Also (speaking of '90s-style), Gorjus, a reader in Jackson, Mississippi, sent me issues one and two of his very cool 'zine, The Sandusky Review. Issue one has a real-live Polaroid on the cover, in this time of rationed Polaroid film, and issue two is partially colored in with crayons. Both are rad and highly recommended. For some of the content and more Gorjus, go here.

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None of my cell-phone pics are doing justice to the terrifying reality, but apparently it is now "flying giant mutant cockroach season" in our house. Or palmetto bug, or cicada, whatever the hell they are, I don't want bugs the size of small birds flying around the house. I counted at least eight last night. My first thought when I saw one fluttering in the hallway during Lost was that a bat had gotten in the house. Not good. Just wondering how many more surprise seasons there will be in the several months before the 1-year anniversary of us moving here. 

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*Speaking of steampunk, my laptop kept overheating on a hot day recently, so I rigged it thusly (you can't tell in the pic but it's propped in two places for adequate ventilation):

Hey, ridiculous, but it worked. I'd like to see that laptop make it to half the age of this fan. Dad gummit.

Comments

[vl100butch]

are you telling us (indirectly) that you are living in south Louisiana WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!!

good grief....if so, you really need to get an attic fan and a couple of window fans so the air keeps moving through the house

[cokane]

no way, I just didn't want to put the AC on yet...plenty of time for being shut in with AC, less time left for sitting with the door open to outside.

[Trey]

I agree, I don't turn on the a/c 'till it gets really hot. No reason to give Entergy money if I don't have to.

[Lioux]

OMG!!!

I LOVE D-Jay's. I think one saved my life last night or something.

Uggh. And you just reminded me. I have to get my six points of identification all together and renew my DL @ the NJDMV.

*sigh*

[Sarah]

I was very sad when I had to exchange my rockin' new york license for my feeble CT one. The picture is atrocious, too.

[Alienwhere]

I had such a crush on Juliana Hatfield when I was younger. A song of hers came up on shuffle the other day, and I thought about what she was doing now. I remembered reading an article about her, and how she had started a label, but now I feel compelled to check out that song too... I remember really liking Evan Dando for a while too, but resenting him because he got to hang out with her. Stupid, skinny, mumbly asshole. She belonged with me! Ok, sorry.

[Austin]

i've used a lawnmower like that before. it feels rewarding in that back-in-the-old-days way.

[amy]

did you freakin' register to vote while you were there? :o)

[ayem8y]

I’m incredibly vain and enjoy thumbing through my old licences for old times sake and to mark the subtle differences that happen over the years. To achieve this one must LIE to the DMV and simply inform them that the previous licence has been lost or even worse, stolen. If not the DMV mistress will pull out a pair of scissors and snip it in half before your very eyes. Casually snipping away at the awful picture that has been your constant companion for many years riding along in your wallet never aging.

[Caitlin]

I can't believe they took away your NJ license. When I graduated from a learner's permit to a license, they just punched a hole in the license number and gave it back to me.

That mower is freakin sweet. I say that as a firm non-mower of grass.

[sunta73]

Ahk! I still have my NJDL; here in Maine, they just cut the corner of it!? Weird! JERSEY IN THE HOUSE!
What the he** is "Sportsman's Paradise" anyhow? Our ME Plates say "Vacationland" which causes us much laughter, too...
BTW, LOVE the photo of you & JBJ. You will always have NJ in your heart...