I think that most people would agree that I live a pretty simple life. I TRY to live a simple life - it's a stated goal that I work on almost every day. Everything I look at or think of buying or using goes through a rigorous, some would say torturous, examination: How often will I use it? Do I really need it? Can I get it second hand? Can I recycle it? Do I know what the hell this is? (in the case of joint purchases with The Hub) Can I compost it? Is it biodegradable? Was it made in a country that has objectionable labor laws? Was it made in a country that has ANY laws? What am I gonna do with it when I'm done with it? Where am I going to store it? Is it efficient? Is it sturdy? Am I afraid of it? (i.e. electronics)

So, I thought I'd do pretty well on the test offered at www.myfootprint.org. It tells you how many acres of land get used up to support yourself in your current way of living, and backs it all up with charts and graphs and photographs....

with circles and arrows and explanations written on the back of each one.....woops. I think that might have been Alice's Restaurant, but you get my meaning.

Now, admittedly, I drive a lot, mostly to and from work. But still I hate to think that it's taking 12 acres of land to support this one lonesome bird. Athough the average for people living in the US is 24 acres, the bottom line is that if everyone in the world lived like me we'd still be screwed. We'd need 2.7 planets earth if everyone lived like I do.

Excuse me. I have to pick up some tofu on my way home.