Hey Now, Turn Your Lights Off, Mate!
Posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009
I thought my move from the Jackson Hole, Wyoming to Sydney, Australia would be smooth sailing. Aussies speak English, love their booze and their sunshine, what more is there to communicate?
A lot. … There’s a lot more to communicate. Moving from the Tetons to Bondi, I obviously expected the scenery to be different, but I didn’t expect the people to be so different. Besides the fact that they’re all about seven shades darker than me, there is a fuzzy barrier between us. (Oh, and they speak funny English, not American English.)
Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Aussies; there are a handful that I’ve grown to love quite dearly, but there is a peculiar difference. And I think I’ve figured out what it is: our hearts belong to different loves.
While my heart belongs to its first crush, the mountains (and dancing), most Australians are devoted fully to the ocean. And though I’m thoroughly enjoying my torrid love affair with the waters here, it is taking some time to adjust the feel of it all. It’s almost like I’m a foreigner or something.
But on Saturday, March 28 (THAT’S TOMORROW), an event is on that will transcend all cultural barriers. I’m going to downtown Sydney with a group of (mostly) strangers to stand strong against an issue that jeopardizes each of our earthly loves: global warming.
Earth Hour is an event that encourages people (in groups or by yourself) to rise against global warming by lowering the lights. From 8:30p.m. – 9:30p.m., on March 28, wherever you are on the planet, turn the lights off. Your light switch has magically become your ballot and you have the choice. Join millions of fellow advocates in the first worldwide election against global warming and vote to save.
I’ll be in a bookstore, eating finger foods by candle light with a bunch of, like I said, (mostly) strangers. If that doesn’t sound like the best hour-in-the-dark ever for you, here are some more suggestions:
• Well, I’m gonna go ahead and put the obvious “what-to-do-in-the-dark” option out there. Fellas, if you got a lady, light some candles and make up for that powder day Valentine’s you totally dropped the ball on. (Unfortunately, it’s not called “Earth Four Minutes,” so some of you will have to plan further beyond my innuendo.)
• Need a good excuse to play all your favorite childhood night-games? Earth Hour! Hide-and-Seek, Murder in the Dark, Sardines. … The memories are endless. Throw in some ghost stories and you’ve got yourself a sleepover.
• Look for an event nearby you to join in on the fun someone else has already planned… slackers. http://www.earthhour.org/home/
• Light some candles and have some food and/or wine with the people whose company makes this world even more beautiful for you.
• Get out there and enjoy the environment you’re trying to conserve! Bundle up and go for a moonlit hike, ski or bike in the wilderness you love. THIS is what it’s all about.
As excited as I am to be participating in Earth Hour in the city of its origin (Sydney via 2007), I am more psyched at the thought of people all over world, who are passionate about their natural playgrounds, in the dark with me. Vote Earth.
For more information and encouragement, please check out Earth Hour’s website: http://www.earthhour.org
Rachel Stevens is a most excellent mix-maker, four-square player and bloggess. When she’s not graphic designing, she makes her living sitting on babies.
See what Al Gore things of Earth Hour. http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/03/29/al-gore-will-leave-the-lights-on-for-ya/
I think the Mangy Moose feels the same way. I was there after the free concert at Teton Village and it was very bright.
that is very, very interesting. because at the event i went to, we had two [not one but TWO] women speak who worked with Al Gore on his global warming awareness campaign a few years back [an inconvenient truth, etc.].
they spoke of al gore like he was nothing short of god… or the fonz… either way, they were so psyched on Gore and talked about his passion for the whole project of Earth Hour, among many other things conservation-oriented.
…interesting…
Great post! Keep them coming! It definitely makes you think what we would do without power for even a short period of time. If only more people realized they should just get out and enjoy the outdoors!