Here’s one that might come as a no-brainer to folks like us…the travel-obsessed, that is. An Australian study recently revealed that people see travel as a good way to overcome boredom. The study, which surveyed more than 1700 Australians, found that most people want more out of life and 83 per cent are actually bored with their daily routine. Yes, I hear you, all join me in a chorus of “Duh!”. But if this is the case, then why do so few people seem to travel much? This was an Australian survey and the Aussies are known for taking extraordinarily long trips around the world (most likely because it is so costly to leave so you make the most of it when you do leave), but the scarcity of a vibrant travel bug in Americans is also a pronounced problem. Less than half of us have passports (though this is changing) and most of us get just two weeks off each year. That is criminal. It seems to me like we’d all be a lot happier and a lot less bored if we traveled more. Again, say it with me: Duh!
Free Light Bulbs Today at Home Depot
Today, Sunday — Earth Day — Home Depot is doing their part for the environment by giving away 1,000,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs to customers who visit any of the U.S. stores, while supplies last.
According to their website, if all of the compact fluorescents in the promotion are used to replace standard bulbs, it will result in an estimated $12-million savings in annual energy costs, and a reduction of 196 million pounds of CO2 emissions. Such a large CO2 cutback is the equivalent of removing 70,000 cars from U.S. roads.
To find the Home Depot nearest you, head to their website, click “Store Finder” (I can’t directly link you, unfortunately), and enter in your zip code. They have over 2,000 stores in the Unites States, so if my calculations are correct, and they sometimes are, each store will have about 500 free bulbs to give away.
The Australian government has already begun the process of phasing out regular incandescent bulbs in favor of compact fluorescents on a national scale, with plans to complete its goal in 2010. This is expected to “reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by four million tonnes” by 2012.
If you don’t have any compact fluorescents in your home yet, now is the time to act. Be proactive; Recognize your impact on the environment as an individual, and take the necessary steps to reduce your ecological footprint. Don’t wait for your government, no matter where you live, to enact regulations and force you to be concerned about the condition of our planet. Be concerned now because it’s the right thing to do.
[Via Lifehacker]
Sea Lion Attack
Just when you thought it was safe to pet those cute little sea lions on the beach. OK, maybe they’re not so little. And they’re not so cute, either. The fact is, sea lions are known to bite. They are relatives of dogs, after all, despite their misnomerish name associating them with felines. But you would not expect them to body slam you, right? Yet that is exactly what happened recently in Australia, according to this news story.
The story has it that 13-year old Aussie Ella Murphy had her jaw broken and got three teeth knocked out after a huge sea lion leapt out of the water and hit her head on as she was being towed on a surfboard behind a speedboat.
“This thing just exploded in a full-on, frontal attack,” a family member said. Scary.
Now, I’ve dealt with my share of sea lions in California. They tend to be loud, but I’ve never seen one go after somebody. Maybe there’s something about Aussie waters that makes them mean. Or maybe this girl said something to him as she was surfing past that made him mad. But seriously, I’m keeping extra distance next time I see a herd of these guys hanging out on the rocks.
Where to Get Your Drink On
For those of you looking to get roaring drunk on your next holiday abroad, you’re probably in the market for a really good pub crawl. I spent my college days in Liverpool — formerly rated the UK’s number 1 party city — so, rest assured, I know what I’m talking about.
But beyond the unchecked inebriation, and poorly-harmonized group renditions of “Lean On Me” that often accompany these sorts of excursions, in some cities, pub crawls are the best way to get to know the local population.
Thanks to Vincent Crump and Chris Haslam at the Times Online, you can review a handpicked list of the best pub crawls in the best pub crawl cities — Sydney, Dublin, Boston and Edinburgh. Not only do they give you a run down on the cultural significance of all their chosen watering holes, but the pair are even so thoughtful as to offer culinary suggestions for the morning after — pleasant ways to ease out of that hangover (or beat it to death with fried eggs and bacon).
Bottoms up.
Tasmanian Devils Being Relocated to Maria Island
Tasmania — famous for its unspoiled, snarling vistas — may soon lose its most famous snarling mascot: the Tasmanian Devil. Devil Facial Tumor Disease is sweeping through Tasmania’s devil population. It’s already killed more than 90% of adults in high density areas and it’s devastated half the population in medium-low density areas.
Now, some of the marsupials made famous by Taz are being relocated to Maria Island, a former penal colony, to avert their extinction by this contagious cancer. Advocates hope that if devils are wiped out on the Tasmanian mainland, the disease will die along with them, and the animals can then be safely reintroduced. Opponents fear the move could endanger rare birds and other animals on the island.
If you want to experience the devil virtually, check out this short video clip. How can something so cute be so creepy? If you want to see the devil in its natural habitat before it’s too late, have a look at Matthew Power’s trip report about his hike into this exotic wilderness, and see if it’s for you. Otherwise, begin planning your trip to Maria Island.