It’s a clear night. The clock says 12:30 and I make my preparations for bed. The house is quiet except for the shrill sound off in the distance coming though the open bathroom window. It is the sound of many small air compressors. In the last week, we have become nearly surrounded by a small army of inflatable holiday lawn decorations belonging to our neighbors.
In the yard behind us is a large polar bear attired in holiday finery. The house next to us offers another similar bear along with Santa and a snow man. Some of these figures have been installed upon this neighbor’s roof where they peer down at the young children playing in the yard. Apparently, having a lit, brightly colored 6 foot tall polar bear installed upon the lawn did not provide for sufficient visibility.
Thankfully, the high winds have finally subsided, calming my fears about having inflatable Santa and his integral compressor drop through the sunroof of my prized Mazda.
I’m alone at this hour. Just me and the compressors. I have time to think. What I’m thinking is that Americans are already using a disproportionate amount of the world’s energy. With warnings about global warming a daily occurence, when exactly will Americans acknowledge their impact? When will they begin to behave to mitigate environmental impact, assuming that mitigation is still possible.
Americans have now expressed their distaste for the continuation of events in Iraq, the message made clear with the last election. But if Americans would like to see the end of what is, at least in part, a war for control of oil, why hasn’t their useage of oil changed? While higher gas prices drove Americans to smaller vehicles, the trend began to reverse itself when costs fell.
When will Americans begin to take responsibility for their actions?
While I sat and thought, the shrill sound of the air compressors continued through the night.
Nice diary boran….I have been thinking about all the energy usage as well and remember that during the 70’s, gas crisis we were forbidden for several years to even have outdoor lights. I think a string or two is fine, but some people go to excessive lenghts to decorate there houses for Christmas.
I have always thought we need a ‘national conservation program’, plus a Victory Garden type program to boot.
Sounds like a good idea.
Despite American’s general habit of gluttony, I’m inclined to give them a pass when it comes to Xmas decorations. I don’t really care for all the new inflatable garbage that’s called lawn art though. It’s a glaring example of not only gluttony, but our tackiness as well. It’s kind of embarassing.
The larger question of when Americans will start conserving energy and using it proportional to our needs though….We’re just spoiled. Plain and simple. And we won’t cut back until we’re seriously hurt and are left with no choice.
I did a little experiment a few months ago when gas prices topped $3. As everyone was screaming about that, I drove 55 mph (our city speed limit) on the freeway just to see what everyone else was doing. And it will be easy for you to guess what happened. I was passed by EVERYONE. So I wanted to yell at folks to STFU with all your complaining until you’re willing to actually DO something about it.
I think of the “inflatables” as “plastic blow jobs.”
I find myself wanting to go to a kind of mental “disconnect” from what is going on around me – like an observer instead of a participant.
“What I’m thinking is that Americans are already using a disproportionate amount of the world’s energy. With warnings about global warming a daily occurence, when exactly will Americans acknowledge their impact? When will they begin to behave to mitigate environmental impact, assuming that mitigation is still possible.”
And I can think, “Yeah, those Americans when will they get a clue?”
But I’m not just an observer. So I change a few words:
“What I’m thinking is that we are already using a disproportionate amount of the world’s energy. With warnings about global warming a daily occurence, when exactly will we acknowledge our impact? When will we begin to behave to mitigate environmental impact, assuming that mitigation is still possible.”
And that makes me a whole lot more uncomfortable – cause then I have to keep examining what I do and consider how I need to change. Oh, the resistance I feel at making changes in how I live!
the sound does not mean that “Santa is being inflated”
It means “we have power”
I live near St Louis, and we have had no power or heat since Thursday 9 PM.
Inside the house, it is now 40 F.
Sorry to hear that. I wish that all the power being used for inflatable Santas could be sent to you. Any word on when it will come back?