an interview with VEG of the (mis)adventures of VEG

VEG has been my bloggy friend since almost the beginning, so i was really glad that she wanted to be interviewed as part of this series.

1. have you had any hilarious encounters of late with Real World People?

Oh, RWP, I am surrounded by them and fear they are taking over. Right now, it's the people who plainly see that you are stopped at an alley or crosswalk to let a car through, or to facilitate some other traffic, and just keep on walking through, blithely unaware that they have their head up their asses. The funniest, though, is one from this past weekend when I was headed to the grocery store. I was walking along on this part of sidewalk that is really wide, it is two sidewalks in width. There was this group of guys moving into the apartment there and they had taken up 3/4 of the sidewalk with their stuff. And they and their friends were all standing around on the other 1/4 of the sidewalk, each of them texting on their own phone. They see me coming and make no effort to move. So I say "excuse me" really loudly so they can't help but pay attention. And still they make no effort to move. I guess they thought the road (and speeding traffic) was an acceptable alternative rather than moving 1/2 a frickin' foot out of the way. So, I "accidentally" trip and step all over their stuff, profusely "apologizing" at the same time. What can I say? I suffer from sidewalk rage.

2. what is your best easy environmental tip?

The best one I have is that you do not have to try to be a perfect eco-warrior, just be realistic about your lifestyle. Sit down with yourself and really assess what environmental habits you can commit to everyday or on a regular basis. It doesn't matter the scope of your actions; indeed, whether you are going to commit to washing in cold water, change to non-toxic cleansers, or start a commune and live off the grid, the key is to understand that EVERY action, now matter how small or insignifcant it might seem to you, makes a difference. Think about the impact if every person in Canada (40 million) were to change one thing to better the natural world. What power that would be!

3. if you could live anywhere in the world (without regard to what you'd do for a living), where would it be?

I have always, since I was a little girl, wanted to live in Europe somewhere, most likely in England or Italy or France. But, I have to say that I am very much aware of what a special place I live in right now. Vancouver, and the west coast of Canada in general, has been my home for 99% of my life, yet I still find myself in awe everyday when I get to glimpse the mountains and ocean as I travel about this lovely place. Having it be on the world stage earlier this year was amazing, even though I spent much time grumbling about it :)

4. everyone should own a...

Library Card. What wonderment, escape and learning to be had in a little piece of plastic. Free access to a whole world of words, pictures and ideas. What better thing could you give yourself and your family? Reading, writing and sharing with others are basic life skills that the library offers each of us.

5. the best thing you've ever spent too much money on?

My wedding. Though it was a bargain at $6,000.00, it was a bundle of money that we only recently paid off in full. But it was worth every single penny as it was beautiful, exactly what I wanted and the happiest day of my life. I still look at my wedding dress everyday (mostly because it is on the back of my bedroom door.)

6. what did you think you would be when you grew up?

Funny story: In grade 4 or 5, we had to make scrapbooks (remember paste and scissors?) of what we thought our life would be like when we were 25 (because for my peers that would the year 2000.) Honest to god, I put my dream job as a Safeway Cashier, because I thought it was uber cool that they had to remember all those codes and got to use the scanner. What can I say, I dream small! I'd say now that I am still wondering myself what I want to be when I grow up.

7. what did your parents think you would be?

Based on the fact that I could argue the pants off a priest (their saying), they fully expected me to become a lawyer.

8. what are your guilty pleasures?

I'd have to say the biggest one is that I eat like a teenage boy, but try to act all healthy and nonchalant when in public. While I secretly just scarfed down a Big Mac and fries, followed by a healthy dose of Doritos and Pop Rocks.

9. what do you do to get away from it all when life becomes too much?

editorial note: i think this question was so much too much that VEG didn't even answer it! :-) that's an answer in and of itself, don't you think?

10. iPhone or blackberry?

Well, I started out a Blackberry girl, but the iPhone has really changed the way I look at phones and personal computing, so I'm a convert now. Plus the iPhone is pretty.

* * *

thank you VEG, for playing the interview game. it was great to catch up with you and find that you're as funny as ever! go and check out VEG's blog, you just might learn something about how you can make a difference to the environment!