Random Acts of Adventure
Mind Over Mower
April 9, 2009
To quote Kermit the frog, "It ain't easy being green." Especially when it comes to something that you think would be good, but it turns out it’s bad – like your yard! Yes, that little slice of heaven in your back yard is one of the major contributors to pollution, both in the air and water. EPA Statistics:
• Fact: Gas mowers represent 5% of U.S. air pollution.
• Fact: One hour of mowing is the equivalent of driving 350 miles in terms of volatile organic compounds.
• Fact: One gas mower spews 87 pounds of the greenhouse gas CO2, and 54 pounds of other pollutants into the air every year.
• Fact: Over 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year refueling lawn and garden equipment – more oil than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.
• Fact: Approximately 54 million Americans mow their lawns every weekend, using 800 million gallons of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants.
Bummer! We know. But, here’s the good news, you don’t have to give up on your yard. There are a few things that are doable to help reverse the green-thumb induced pollution. First of all, think about planting drought resistant plants that don’t require a ton of water and fertilizers. If you must have a lawn, plant a small one. Use local plants that are accustomed to your soil and weather – making plant maintenance much less. AND, if you need to mow or fertilize, use a push lawn mower and use organic fertilizers.
Plus, more and more there are gardening services out there that are catering to the green-minded consumer. Hop on the web to find one in your area. Here’s one in the Chicago land area – the past home of the Toad - www.ecocareonline.com. We have roots all over this country.
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80's Music Geek?
April 7, 2009
All that acoustical music getting you down? Feeling a longing for a little electronic 80’s music? Do you still use a full bottle of gel or hairspray a week? Well, search no further for relief. Just visit this amazing web page to get your canned percussion fix from the 1980’s and rock out Flock of Seagulls style.
And, yes, I’m pretty sure that is Megatron with Ray-Bans on.
World Pillow Fight Day
April 2, 2009
Pillow Fight Day: Los Angeles from bk on Vimeo.
Heads up guys and gals, this Saturday (April 4th) is World Pillow Fight Day! It’s a great and fun way to release and relieve the stress of the week. I’m thinking that world peace would be a reality if we did this every weekend, followed up by a cold beer and a hug.
Check to see if there is a pillow fight in your area at www.pillowfightday.com, or make one of your own!
Contrails on the Pavement
April 1, 2009
I stumbled upon this really cool device called the Contrail. Basically, it applies chalk to the rear tire of your bike so that you leave a trail behind you, and enables bikers to reclaim shared space on the road. It’s a nice way of getting folks to pay attention to us two-wheelers while having fun with it.Developed by Brooklyn-based Studio Gelardi, Contrail was created as part of last year's Design21 Power to the Pedal Design Competition, where it was a finalist.
We like bikes and we art, so we like this!
Beer Bottle Dominos
March 26, 2009
Oh wow, this is taking dominos to a whole new level. Guess this is what happens when beer drinkers get REALLY bored.
Pole Dancing Bear
March 24, 2009
Who knew that bears had these kinda moves! It all makes sense with the music in the background.
Podcast on Do The Right Thing
March 17, 2009
Our friends at Wend Magazine sat down recently with our very own Toadette Kate Larramendy to learn more about the Do The Right Thing aspect of our business here at Horny Toad and beyond. Click below to listen to the interview and get behind the scenes. Or visit www.wendmag.com.
Wend Mag Podcast of Kate Download
Humanitourism
March 13, 2009
It was only recently that I was lamenting the fact that I don’t have the extra cash these days to take off on some exotic vacation. The days of living high on the hog may be over, but it was brought to my attention that the travel does not need to cease. Do tell?! It’s being called humanitourism, where you do a little philanthropic work and get to travel around the world in order to do so! Not a bad deal when the greenback is elusive. Not only do you get to satisfy your craving for a foreign land, but you feel good about doing good in the process.
Here’s a few organizations that you can check out to get your do-gooder travel on:
www.roadmonkey.net
www.reliefworkersinternational.com
www.theinsideandout.com
Oh, and just an aside, you don’t need to travel at all if you are more of a homebody do-gooder. There are plenty of organizations that need your help right here at home. Find one through www.volunteermatch.org.
breaker ... breaker ...
March 9, 2009
Just stumbled upon these sites, don’t ask how, but thought you all would appreciate the trucker speak humor. Hey, ya never know when you might find yourself at a truck stop – some of this stuff can come in handy.
Here’s a few to get your trucker vocab started:
Alligator - tread from the tire of an 18 wheeler on the road
Baby Bear - cop in training, or rookie
Bambie – dear (dead or alive)
Eat-em-up – truck stop café
Gearjammer – a speeding truck
Invitations – traffic ticket
Learn to speak “trucker” that these two sites
www.truckersresource.com
www.thetruckersplace.com
Hula Hoop Anniversary
March 5, 2009
Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the “official” Hula Hoop by Wham-O. This little hoop of patented plastic swept the nation in a frenzy of hip swaying joyous delirium. Old and young alike continue to enjoy a free feeling of letting your body wriggle around and get loose! Previous to the patent 40 years ago, the hula hoop could be seen made out of tubes and even twigs – yes, twigs … that is some dedication to fun. Anyway, here’s lookin’ at you Hula Hoop! Thanks for all the years of hip shakin’ fun.
Crusade Against the Mundane
Welcome to the Horny Toad Community. This is where you get to tell us what Every Day Is An Adventure means to you. The best part is that you will help define what the Toad Community becomes. So let us know what you think, check out an event in your area, or just sit back and laugh a little. The idea is to have fun!
