Go green

Marci and I have been on this kick recently, that we need to do our part to help "be good stewards of the environment"

What does this mean? Are we suddenly joining Greenpeace? Are we going to support community screenings of Al Gore's movie? Are we going to grow our own family of trees, and start hugging them at least once a week? No.
None of that nonsense.
For a while now, I've secretly been feeling that I need to be more conscious of the things I do on a daily basis that affect the environment around me. We in America are so used to living in a disposable society, we use stuff and then just throw it away. Its easy, its guiltless, its convenient.
Use, dispose. Use, dispose. Do you ever stop to wonder what happens to the things we just discard?
It has to go somewhere, it doesn't just cease to exist when you dont see it anymore in the bottom of the trash can. The space it occupies isn't just voided out underneath the garbage pile.

There used to be a lady at my old job who brought a big box into work every week. Her goal in life was to collect the used soda bottles from the lunchroom. She would take the box down to her local recycling center, and make sure that all that plastic was recycled, and re-used.
She never said anything, she just did it. No-one paid her for the extra gas she used in her car, or for her time. Why did she do it? I would often asked myself. What did she care? If I wanted to throw my used bottle in the trash and choose not to recycle that was my right! We didn't even get along, she used to call me "Mr big stuff" and she would sing that annoying song around me - probably because I thought I actually was "Mr big stuff" in my youthful arrogance.
I finally realized one day after I offered to help her carry the full box out to her car why she did this.
Every time she drove down to the recycling center, it gave her a good feeling inside to know that she was not being part of the common mentality that is used to simply wasting, and discarding. It didn't make her a better person. It just felt good.

Marci bought this book recently by Ed Begley Jr. He is passionate about energy efficiency, conservation, and going green. I must admit at first I thought it was another book by a tree hugger, bashing the Bush administration about global warming blah, blah, blah.
Well after I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.
Not a word about any of that stuff. Just really great ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly and frankly, save money. (I like that part!!!)
Save money? Huh?
Yes.
So, in the past few weeks I have installed a programmable thermostat, changed most of our light bulbs to the new CFL (compact fluorescent light) and paid much more attention to what we throw into the trash, and what we recycle.
And to be honest, it feels good. Not only do I feel less like and all consuming, disposing, human being - we are actually saving money.
The effort required is minimal, and yes the new light bulbs were a little more expensive. But 1 regular light bulb uses the same energy as 5 CFL bulbs. And they last up to 12 years. 12 YEARS!!! Do you know how much it irritates me when I have to change a light bulb and we don't have any left? But lighting 5 bulbs for one? And I get the same amount of light?
Hello - no brainer.

Simple things like running the dishwasher after 8pm (after peak demand) help save energy.
When we bought our new washer and dryer, the salesman convinced us to buy the fancy new (and much more expensive) Bosch models. His claim was that the washer only used 10 gallons of water per cycle instead of 40 gallons per cycle like a regular washer. His other claim that we only need "a tablespoon of detergent per load" seemed like a good sales pitch to me, but its true. Since we moved here in August last year, we are literally still on the same container of detergent, and yes, our clothes are clean and fresh every time. Our water consumption is very low as well.
The dryer has a moisture sensor in it that shuts the machine off when the clothes are dry.
Brilliant!!! No more just setting the timer to 60 mins, when you only need 25 mins to dry your jeans. That is wasteful, and we pay the electric bill.

Naysayers will say, "So what, there is plenty of fresh water, who cares?"
Sure there is. But it takes energy and more petrochemicals to clean every extra gallon of dirty water. So who does care - well at the moment everyone does, since a barrel of oil hit $100, up from 30 only 3 years ago.
Like paying over $3.00 for a gallon of gas?

I was watching a documentary on the Exxon Valdez oil spill last night. I remember the absolute outrage, and anger this created about the affect this would have on the environment. How many Americans watched the news that night with utter disgust at the negligence of the "evil oil company" and then threw away their plastic tv dinner tray without even thinking about what affect that would have on the environment. The sad truth, is that all that oil was actually on its way to America to power our SUV's and cars, and make little plastic tv dinner trays.
So we are all part of the process. Now I know, we need cars, we need dinner, we all watch TV's.
But still - it made me think. Oil companies exist because we all use oil, and energy.
There would be no Exxon Valdez without the need we have created for oil, and all of the useful things it produces. I'm not condoning their actions, what happened was an accident, and a subsequent investigation blamed the spill on the inexperienced sailor who ran the ship aground and the captain who left the bridge unsupervised.
Oil is in everything. Like your new cell-phone? Plastic made from Crude oil. Like that new carpet in your house? Yep, from crude oil. Like that new salon shampoo you just bought for $14 bucks - you guessed it the container ultimately comes from crude oil. And it is very likely many of the chemicals in the shampoo are an oil by product.
So there are many factors as to why the price of oil is so high, but that is another discussion.
We can all still contribute to saving it, by recycling, driving a little slower, and choosing what products we buy.

Anyway, I digress.

We discovered that Lancaster County has a fantastic program just for recycling. I won't bore you with the details, but they take everything from old paint, to old TV's and computers, old household chemicals. My Dad recently recycled and old TV that he had for years (and was partially in love with) Way to go Dad!!
I also read that Lancaster burns 80% of the household trash they collect to create electricity.
This means that only 20% goes into a landfill. (And yes, they do treat the emissions this creates before releasing it into the atmosphere)
At the local Giant that we shop at, they offer these neat reusable fabric shopping bags.
You can use them as much as you want. 1 Bag hold up to $30 in groceries. We love them.
No more old plastic bags clogging up our trash and laundry closet, no more cereal boxes tearing through the side. No more multiple bagging for the gallon of milk, or big cans. No more of the handles stretching and cutting a line in your hand. When we are done shopping, they go back into the trunk.

So here are some helpful links that you can check out to help reduce your energy consumption.
You don't need to join the Sierra club, or Greenpeace. If you feel like hugging a tree then go ahead. You dont need to become a hippie, or a crazy environmentalist - but if the thought of saving money, and feeling better about the impact you have on the environment appeals to you than check these out.

Energy Star - Great for tips on saving electricity
http://www.energystar.gov/

Lancaster County recycling
http://www.lcswma.org/recyclingInfo.asp

Vegas, Baby!!

I spent a few days last week in Las Vegas. A group of us from work attended Conexpo 2008 Basically the largest construction equipment convention in the galaxy. We flew out last wednesday, and I came home on saturday. To say that the convention was rather large would be a complete understatement. Massive, gargantuan, completely impressive would be words better suited to describe the show, it was awesome. It took 2 days of solid walking to see everything I needed to see, and I still didn't see everything.
Needles to say that by the end of it, I was pretty tired.

We also had an opportunity to spend some time walking around 'Vegas.
What an experience that was, so here are my observations.

1: Las Vegas was built by an alien civilization, determined to extract as much money as possible from the human race. They needed this money to help re-finance the unfolding sub-prime mortgage disaster on their own planet.
2: The aliens have also constructed some kind of time altering mechanisim flux capacitor thingy that makes time, well, irrelevant. (That way you spend more money)
3: Elvis apparently has many brethren that look just like him. My opinion is that they are undercover alien FBI agents, keeping an eye on us humans.
4: The alien logistics, and zoning committee that picked the site for Las Vegas construction did a lousy job. Somehow, they picked the middle of the desert. Don't they know we humans require large amounts of water for survival?
5: After the Chief of the zoning committee was fired for this mistake, they just built Hoover dam, and solved that problem. Ah - free electricity too!!! Brilliant!!!
6: During the test and market research phase of their project, they also discovered that as long as you have cocktail waitresses feeding the humans free alcohol, they tend to keep putting more and more money into their slot machine-money collection systems.
7: Make it big and shiny, with lots of sparkly lights and neon, and the humans just keep coming back!!! Moohahahah.....

Well, it seems to be working - quite well actually.
I was almost suckered in, until I hit a 777 on the 25c slot machine, and took them for $12.50.
HAHAHAHA.
I got my money out before they could get any more of it. Take that you freaks.

So, also thanks to my company for putting us up in a very swanky hotel. I have vowed to return someday, I just find those big neon lights strangely attractive.....

Sean.

The Venetian, outside




Caesars Palace (E.T. HQ)

Safety Training

This week at work was our "annual safety refresher course."
So, for the entire day on Tuesday I sat through a class learning how to be more safe.
I have been so busy at work lately that I was not looking forward to giving up a whole day listening to the basics of CPR, first aid, industrial accident prevention, how to use a defribulator, etc etc.
I was doing fine, sitting in class allowing my mind to wander all around the universe (like it usually does) when the words "this next presentation will be extremely graphic" snapped me back to earth.
To say the next 45 minutes after that was graphic would be an understatement. We were forced to watch a video of what happens to someone when they come into contact with 7200 volts.
Trust me when I say, its not fun. I had to sit through about 35 slides of what 3rd degree burns look like, with detailed descriptions of infection, pus, "charred skin"
After what seemed like long enough, I had to leave the room. I couldn't take it.
Keep in mind, I was sitting amongst a group of tough guys. Most of them are members of our service crew. These are men that work on big equipment all day, with big manly tools and wrenches. They think nothing of working outside in the freezing cold, or the scorching summer heat pulling large engines to pieces and putting them back together. All of them bear the mark of tough mechanics, big thick-skinned hands and fingers, usually with a permanent grey stain from the oil and grease. Manly men. They drive big service trucks full of cool tools and hammers. They get the job done, pain, weather, dirt, blood or not.

And then there's me. Sitting in my nice pressed pants and ironed white business shirt, with my shoes nicely polished for work. I get upset because the black ink on my deskpad calendar sometimes makes my cuff's a little dirty when I type. The sleeves on my shirt always have a nice crisp pressed line running from the shoulder to the wrist. I like that, and when I see it in the office bathroom mirror it gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I may even twist my outstreched arm a little and take another look at how nice and straight it is today. I like my cubicle nice and organized, I personalized it with a few toys and gadgets I've found in my travels and things from home, you know so that you can have that nice blend of professional but fun. I guess I hope that my co-workers walk past it and think to themselves, "wow, what a nice cubicle, the perfect blend of professional, but yet fun!" And don't you dare get into my company car with dirty, oily shoes, there may be floormats there, but they need to be clean.

I suppose these guys would call me a "suit" If I were them, I'd call me a "suit" too.

As one would suspect with a room full of tough guys, watching the pictures soon became a contest of who could watch longer without cringing, or looking away.
There's them - stonefaced, emotionless.
There's me: "Seriously, I think I am going to pass out, I cant watch this anymore, I am feeling lightheaded, oh that is just nasty, please someone get me some water, just breathe, breathe man!!"
And then, I have to get up and walk out, I just cant look any more, and the commentary is even worse. There is no escape. Words like, infection, blood, pus, pain, gangrene, fill the air around me.
I tried to make it look like I needed to go to the bathroom, but I think the fact that I was covered in sweat, breathing heavily and as white as a ghost gave me away. Maybe my comment "I cant watch this anymore" didn't help either as I bolted out.

After about 10 minutes in the cool air outside, I felt better.
Now I had to go back in and face my destiny.
As I stepped back inside, one of the guys said "Hey Sean, you missed the best part"
Raucous laughter filled the room.
A hearty slap on the back from our service manager made me feel a little better.

Mechanics: 1
Suits: None

Fortunately for me, all of these big strong guys are really great guys. They will do anything to get the job done. I am amazed many times at their level of experience, pride and dedication to their company, and craft. In an age where everything is run by a computer somewhere, there is something to be said for folks who use their own hands all day, everyday to make a living.


Well, I feel safer I guess. I have a new regard for electricity. I learned how to use the heart defribulator that they have at the mall.

So be safe
And remember:
"A safe worker is a happy worker"
(Taken from a factory I visited in Mexico)

Sean.

Blogless

We haven't blogged because there's nothing new here. I'm basically just posting this because we should have at least one entry for February, right? This month has been mostly run-of-the-mill. We work, sometimes we play, and we wish for warmer days. Every year I hit my blue spell where I feel down and blue. I begin to reevaluate my career and what I want to do with my life and poor Sean doesn't know what to do with me. It seems to come around the month of February. I've heard it called the "winter blues." Thankfully, I haven't had that this year. I have to say, I've been fairly even-keeled. Yeah for no depression! So, for blog's sake, here is what we've been up to this month . . .

• Sean had his teeth filled and created a bit of amusement for those around him as he tried to communicate with a face pumped full of novacaine. (Oh, wait, that was the end of January. Still worth noting).
• Marci had some snow delays and a snow day.
  
• We both worked a lot and were very busy.
• Went to visit Marci's family in C-burg.
• Marci had her annual Girls' Christmas with her three bestest friends (yeah, it was a little late, but that way Christmas kept giving).
• We hosted Marci's work holiday party at our house. Again, extending the holiday fun. Somehow everyone hung out in the kitchen. We do have other rooms.
• Enjoyed the Superbowl on our new TV.
• Sean spent some time in Louisville, KY. Hopefully this won't cause him to start making up bluegrass music again. See post . . . Cheese Please

So, that's what's goin' on here. Happy Leap Year!

Numb the Pain...

I woke up on Tuesday morning looking forward to a visit with the dentist.
Yes, I know this sounds like loads of fun. The reason? I like having complete strangers poke and scratch my teeth with sharp metal objects. Not really. And come to think of it , I don't think a single human being (with access to good dental care,) has ever woken up and shouted aloud
"Wohoo, today I'm going to the dentist!" While I was lying in the chair having my teeth drilled and filled, I got to thinking. Which insane human being came up with this crazy idea?
Who suddenly said, " Aha, I know how to fix holes in teeth, I will construct a drill and drill them out, and then I shall fill the holes with, well, something solid." Who was the first volunteer dental patient?
"Excuse me sir, you look like your teeth hurt, I know just how to fix that"
"How?"
"Well its very simple you see, I am going to use this drill I have constructed, and then drill your teeth out"
"Great"
Crazy.

I also re-discovered the effects of Novacaine on Tuesday.
So for fun, I took a few pictures of myself desperately trying to smile after receiving about 6 shots in my mouth.


I swear, this is not an exaggeration.
Worst, after arriving home, I volunteered to go pick up the pizza Marci ordered for dinner.
I thought, what the heck, I'm going to see how the guys in our local pizza shop like my new face.
And that evening I pronounced it "pppftttthhheethzzaa" not "pizza"

So brush you teeth tonight.

Or you may end up looking like this.

Sean.

Bridge to Tear-a-bithia

So a few nights ago, I happened to record the movie "Bridge to Tarabithia" on the DVR (fancy term for a "tivo" like device)

Marci and I settled in to the couch, and curled up with a nice warm blanket to watch the film.

I was enjoying every minute of it, taken in completely by the sweet story of two middle school kids and their growing friendship. After 45 minutes, I found myself completely emotionally invested in the wonderful imaginary world I was seeing on our new TV.

To say that the young lady that producers had cast in the film was endearing, would be an understatement. One could easily feel why Jess, the main character, falls in love with her.

Marci kept saying "she is adorable"

So their story moves from, a simple friendship, to innocent love. Needles to say that this is the kind of movie that is simply heartwarming.

And then it hits you. (WARNING: SPOILER CONTENT BELOW!!!)

They kill the girl off. BAM. Completely unexpected.

WHAT??!! Yes, that is correct. She hits her head, falls in a river and drowns.

Nice.

And now you, just like Jess are left sitting on your couch with a broken heart.

I fought back 1 tear, 2 tears, 6 tears. And then I saw Marci crying.

And then I cried.

Like a little girl.

So my wife and I were sitting in our living room, sharing tissues, wiping our eyes and holding hands.

I spoke with a good friend of mine today, who also saw this movie. And he cried too.

So now I don't feel so bad anymore.

So I challenge any man, to sit through this movie and not cry. You cant do it.

So why do we cry? I have no clue.

But here is a website doing some research on crying. Maybe you can help them out.

Sean.

www.crying-survey.co.uk/

Phoenix

The sun was high but the temperature was not. I thought Phoenix, Arizona was supposed to be warm. But when my mom and I arrived there the day after Christmas, it was only about 50-something. That didn't bother us too much because we were there to see my sister, my new brother-in-law and my crazy nephews. My sister didn't tell the boys we were coming. So when she pulled up to the curb at the airport, the 7-year-old sees my mom and starts yelling "Momma!" They were so excited to see us, and we were thrilled to finally hug them. It's not always easy having family across the country, especially with the boys growing up so fast.

We spent a lovely 5 days with them in their new house. My mom and I took the boys with us as we did some sightseeing. If you ever head out that way, I highly recommend a trip to Sedona. It's breathtaking. My photos do not do it justice. The rocks are just red and amazing. The variety cactuses (you don't have to say "cacti" anymore) were neat to see. The architecture of the homes and buildings was interesting since it's so different than back east. The southwest flare is everywhere. I really enjoyed Old Town Scottsdale as well and it's quaint cowboy-esque and southwestern buildings and shops.

Our vacation ended quickly and I already miss the boys. But it's back to reality.

Click here to see the photos from the trip . . . Phoenix

Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

It's hard to believe that just a year ago we spent the holidays in Northern Ireland with Sean's family and now it's another Christmas season. The year went by so quickly. In March, Sean completed his first full year at Cummins Power Systems. It's very challenging but has wonderful opportunities for him and he enjoys it tremendously. The job has a few perks for which we are thankful. One of them being a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in May. Ah, the good life! In July we spent about 5 days camping in the Poconos with Marci’s parents, cousins, aunts and uncles. It was so nice to get away and relax for a while. We made a huge decision this year to have a house built in Kissel Hill Commons in Lancaster. At the end of August, we packed up and moved in. We love the space and have enjoyed painting and decorating, making it our own. In October Marci celebrated her 10th year college reunion. It was great to be back on Messiah College's campus and see old friends. She’s now in her eighth year at Brecht Elementary in Manheim Township and still teaching second grade. She’s taken on some roles involving mentoring other teachers in technology projects. Both of us have been busy with our church, Lancaster County Bible Church. Sean has been playing electric guitar two weekends a month and Marci is part of the vocal ensemble for one of those weekends. Recently, Sean was asked to switch one of those weekends to our new Harrisburg satellite campus. It's been a great opportunity to serve. In November, the Steeles (including Mom and Dad) headed out to San Jose, California to visit Glen and Amy. We had our Thanksgiving dinner in their lovely home and enjoyed visiting local tourist spots. Finally, Marci is looking forward to traveling with her mom to see her sister in Phoenix. Lori, Michael and the boys moved there in May and have since gotten married and bought a new home. We miss them terribly, so we're heading out that way on December 26.

That's our year in a nutshell. These and more fun details can be found at our blog http://www.seanandmarci.blogspot.com. There are even pictures for those of you who need them. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and pray God's blessings for you all.

Love,
Sean and Marci

Ahhh . . .

Ahh, I sit here finally relaxed. I made it through a few crazy weeks of working (that means children going slightly crazy because Santa is soon coming), planning a little party, Christmas shopping, wrapping the gifts, typing a Christmas letter to be emailed because I just don't do cards, and taking care of Sean through nosebleeds, vomit and a sinus infection. But I've survived and now it's time for a little R and R. While Sean plays all 8 (yes, I did say 8!) Christmas Eve services, I plan to have some by-myself-time. I probably will throw in a little food shopping and laundry and packing for my trip to see my sister, brother-in-law and nephews in Phoenix. But other than that I plan to sit on my toosh and read a book, drink hot chocolate and be lazy. Ahhh . . . !

It's Christmas Tree Time of the Year

Because of the freezing cold rain, Sean and I deviated from what I had hoped would be a tradition of going out and cutting our own Christmas tree at a local tree farm. Instead we visited Stauffers and, again because of the bone chilling drizzle, very quickly chose our tree, had the guys wrap that netting stuff around it and load it into our car. This year we were able to get a taller one because we have the space for it. So with the tip of the tree dangling out of trunk and the trunk precariously tied down, we headed home with the heater blowing full force. Once we arrived home, Sean wasn't so interested in putting on the lights, so that became my job. However, he whole-heartedly hung the ornaments. Here is the finished product.

So, the Christmas spirit has inched its way into the Steele house. The decorating is complete. Maybe now we should consider some Christmas shopping!