Green Richland: Tonya

What a summer! I don’t know about you, but I was planning on resting this summer. You know commune with nature, learn to garden, wake up late… none… I mean NONE of those things happened this summer. Wait, I’m lying. I think there was a random Thursday when I slept in until 8:30am (remember I have dogs — no sleeping in!)

One thing I didn’t expect to learn this summer was… humility. I had the great pleasure of working with SMU instructor Michele and eight intelligent men and women from Skyline High School. SMU offers a free week long broadcast camp for students who may not get a chance to attend college. Michele’s goal for these students is to get them to attend college. She would love to have them at SMU, but her ultimate goal is to get them in college, any college.

As I was watching her joke with her students, I noticed she listened to them with an astute ear. She can hear whether a student is alluding to problems at home or just joking.

I’ve known that the choices I made this summer were those of a privileged person. However, no one’s told me to take a good look at my priorities and privilege. After meeting these students I knew I needed to get perspective. The choices I’ve made have everything with do with privilege — when there isn’t food in the house or your parents can’t find a job — going green is meaningless, useless really. Talking with these students reminded me of this.

Green is a wonderful state of mind, but it takes money and time. When you don’t have a lot of money you generally don’t have a lot of time to think about nonessentials.

What you’re reading is me checking myself — I’m happy with my life — but what I am doing to help the people in the world?   Where is the Green answer to that?

I’m still trying to answer that question — what are you doing?

Wondering how green you are? Take this test:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/how-green-are-you

Filed under: Uncategorized on August 8th, 2008 | No Comments »

Man, I can’t believe it. The summer is halfway finished. All the plans I had— I didn’t get to all of them — not by a long shot.

A few days ago I was sitting at my computer wondering how I was going to fit everything I wanted to do into 24 hours each day. A part of going green (for me) is taking care of myself mind, body and spirit.

I am a planner. I like to make lists. I wrote a list of all of things I wanted to do this fall: work, exercise, take a yoga class, take a class in something I’ve never been introduced to… can we say cooking? :), take time to be the dog parent I should be, and take time to meditate… to take care of my spirit.

Also, I was trying to figure out how I could do all of these things and stay green. How could I wait for the bus if I had a Yoga class to get to? Where was I going to find time to go to the Plano Farmer’s Market when a Tom Thumb is across the street? It didn’t seem possible. I kept trying to finagle my schedule so it made sense. How was I going to get everything done when school started?

While I was typing I happened to notice that one of my favorite artists, Tracy Chapman, was singing in the background . Her melodic voice sang out to me:
If not now then when
If now today then
Why make your promises
A love declared for days to come
Is as good as none…

If not now, then when…

Start now. Whatever I was planning for the fall needed to start now. Go to the gym today, take your dogs out today, meditate today. The sooner you do it the sooner you’ll figure how to fit it all in, stop planning and start doing. She’s right.

I won’t lie, I didn’t start doing everything immediately. First, I listened to a couple more songs. Then I stood up and took the dogs to the dog park. It was my first step to starting my life now!

What are you waiting to do? If not now, then when…

Filed under: Entertainment on July 26th, 2008 | 2 Comments »

Someone commented earlier that the atmosphere in Dallas is not conducive to being outside.  I want to clarify that the atmosphere never entered my mind when I made this change.

First, I didn’t think to do the research and second what is my other option — to stay inside?  Nope.  Now, I go to www.dallasair.org to get the ozone layer ratings.  Honestly, if I needed to go somewhere I wouldn’t care if we were code red.  I can’t stop living because our society (globally) made some bad choices.

Anyway, I have a few burns on my face.  I think they have to do with my lack of sunscreen.  I get ready, feed my dogs and leave the house — sunscreen get’s lost in the shuffle.  The sunburns attest to that.  Wear Sunscreen Song

I breathe okay.  I developed seasonal allergies when I moved to Dallas.  I was nervous my allergies would flare up.  Instead, I think my body (or my nose) adapted.  I don’t sneeze nor do I have congestion problems.  The body is an amazing machine.

I do have a few scars and burns from simply wiping out on my bike.  I don’t fall dramatically.  I usually miss the pedal and scrape my leg or get on the bus and accidentally hit myself in the head.

Overall, I feel fine.

How do you feel?

Filed under: Uncategorized on July 8th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Sometimes I feel like I’m writing this blog as a private journal… who’s looking at it but me? Yesterday, I hung out with my neighbors and lo and behold they’ve been reading it… that’s a nice feeling.

I want to shout out to TC and Victoria because they are truly working on going green and helping the planet. TC is a very well groomed man and to look good he occasionally has to impact the environment. Victoria told me that TC uses an aerosol deodorant. Apparently, he stands in the bathroom and shoots away. Victoria brought up the fact that his deodorant use alone is creating a minor hole in the ozone layer. His answer? So.

I don’t blame him, being green and being true to yourself can occasionally be at odds. I’m just happy they’re questioning their behaviors. Changing our personal habits is difficult. I’ve heard it takes 30 days to break or develop a new habit. I guess the first step is simply awareness. Maybe TC can use the aerosol can every M,W,F, Su and use something less damaging on the other days.

How are you impacting the world?

Filed under: Musings on July 8th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

Here’s an exclusive not yet released article written about my DART experience. DART has a new magazine Motion coming out soon and I’ve been lucky enough to be in the first issue. Enjoy

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Chinese discipline of Tai Chi led Tonya McMillion to the transit lifestyle. Not that she’s ever practiced martial arts herself, mind you. But on a fine spring morning earlier this year, during her hectic commute from Plano to Richland College in Northeast Dallas, she noticed a man doing tai chi exercises in a park. “He looked so calm and peaceful,” she recalls, “that I was kind of transfixed.”

Crash. McMillion probably should have been paying attention to that two-ton pickup truck instead of the tai chi fellow, but as soon as she got the news that her car was totaled – “it was toast,” she says – she resolved that her mornings from now on would be stress-free.

And no, tai chi wasn’t part of the program. “I decided I wouldn’t get another car,” she says.

Today, McMillion enjoys not only a car-free commute; she’s taken on an entirely car-free lifestyle, relying on DART and her trusty mountain bike to get everywhere she needs to go. A typical morning finds her hopping the 451 bus from her home in Plano to Parker Road Station; catching the Red Line from there to Spring Valley Station; and riding her bike the remaining couple of miles to Richland College, where she is a visiting scholar in the journalism department.

So how does her new commute compare to going by car? “I love it,” she states unequivocally. “No car, no stress. It takes me about 45 minutes total, and I feel healthier, happier and more relaxed – I arrive at work with a smile on my face.”

Maybe the best part: For the price of a week’s commute, McMillion can ride DART all month long. “Not getting another car was the best decision I’ve made lately,” she says.

Some people tell McMillion she’s nuts, but she’s looking more and more like a trendsetter as other area commuters make the decision to ditch their cars. “Go green and save some green,” is how she puts it.

Filed under: Entertainment on July 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

Today I did my weekly shopping at Whole Foods.  I get excited when I can buy local.  Did you know there is a local company that makes dog food?  I wanted to buy the food, but it was sold out.

Since I don’t have a car I now walk with my cart to the market.  You can find a fun red cart at target online just search for the Trimmer Heavy Duty Wheeled Cart.  I found mine at a senior citizen medical store.  I bought the last one in stock.  The owner told me no one buys these carts anymore.  I felt so lucky to find it.  I looked for weeks to find one locally.

This sucker is my pride and joy.  Every time I go out with it I always get compliments.  Today a young man approached me at the market and said “Cool basket I haven’t seen one of those since I was in Europe.”  Ah, look at me adding European flavor to the metroplex

What culture are you bringing to life?

Filed under: Green Information on July 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

Do you remember when Charles Barkley (pro basketball player) uttered those memorable words in a Nike commercial — I am not a role model.   (I am not a role model — Nike Commercial) At the time I thought that was pretty ridiculous. Here was this public persona of course people were going look up to him — kids, teenagers, grown men — uh, yes you are a role model.

Now I realize what he’s saying. I have to tell you I am not a role model. Sometimes I feel as though I have unwittingly became the poster child for DART, going green, and saving money. Are you kidding?

I became aware of the green lifestyle when I was an undergrad at Brown University. My classmates could be extreme. There was a dorm called Hope College. The students chose not to flush the toilet unless.. um.. there was a number 2 in it. No, I didn’t live there — I thought they were a bit strange.

I willingly admit I would have happily stayed in nongreen anonymity had I not crashed into the Ford F-150. Alas, I did and here I am. Don’t look to me to provide you with all green news all the time. I’m very much a consumptive American. Though lately, I’ve noticed that I am dialing back my need to own and purchase “things”. I think more about the quality of my life, not the quantity.

That being said please don’t look to me as a role model. I make anti-green mistakes constantly. I am simply one woman trying to do the best she can in a complicated world.

Are you a role model?

Filed under: Musings on July 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

A few days ago I was walking my dogs and I saw something I never would have noticed if I was driving.  We were walking on the corner of Preston and Park — a serious cross section of cars and I heard a bird chirping at us.  I mean chirping, like screaming at us.  At first I thought– what a LOUD bird, thank goodness it doesn’t live near me.

Then the bird started running in front of me.   As I looked closer I noticed not only was the bird running, but it was pretending to have a broken wing.  Every time we walked a step it would lay down and raise a wing as if it was injured.  I didn’t get it.  What was wrong was this bird?  Then I saw them.  There were four little baby birds walking on our right.  I don’t know if they could fly, but they were running for cover underneath bushes.  It was like I was watching the Discovery Channel.

The mother (or father how would I know?) created a diversion so the babies could get away.  It was amazing.  I wanted to continue watching, but I understood we were interfering in their lives.  We kept walking.  What a great feeling to see a parent sacrificing herself for her children.  I walked away with a smile.

What have you seen lately?

tm

Filed under: Kindness on July 6th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Yesterday I got a call from our local ABC station. They wanted to know if they could interview me about Going Green. However, their angle was more of the ‘I’m broke because of gas so now I’m riding the bus.’

Umm, I think I’ll opt out of that one. I don’t want to give people the impression I’ve been forced to make this decision — I’m happy to do it. I’m contemplating getting a new car (so I can take care of my dogs in an emergency).

I was afraid if I did the interview people at work would send me anonymous gifts of money with a note that says, ‘here’s a little something to brighten your day’. What am I thinking I need to call that guy back

I got an email from DART. They just finished putting together an article for their new magazine Motion. I’m being featured as a DART riding crusader. Next week they’re going to follow me to work. This time a photographer is going to ride with me. The media coverage never stops. For those of you who know me, I’m kind of a shy kid. Although, I am happy to tell my story, I’m getting recognized on the street and on the bus. If I don’t have my bike people comment, “Hey where’s your bike?” It’s fun and little nerve racking at the same time. I hope gas prices go down soon.

where’s your bike?

tm

Filed under: Entertainment, Uncategorized on July 1st, 2008 | 5 Comments »

Yesterday, my 8 month old puppy Smokey, was neutered. He only had one descended testicle so they opened his abdomen to get the other one. Since the surgery was invasive he stayed overnight at the Vet’s.

Today, I wanted to pick him up before the clinic closed. I needed to be there by 5:30p (they close at 6pm). I also made plans to meet with a woman at work to give her a tour of our state of the art radio station at 1pm. I thought I was going to make it home with enough time to clean the house and get Smokey’s crate ready for him.

I left work and biked to the Spring Valley station. As I’m hauling my bike up the stairs the train leaves without me (this doesn’t worry me because it’s typical). I know the train runs frequently so I take off my helmet, park my bike and wait.

I get off the train at the Parker Road Station and I check to see what time the 451 bus arrives. The next time the bus pulls up to the train station is at 4:52pm. This is a little under an hour for me to wait. I can’t wait, I have to pick up Smokey. I decided to chance it on my bike and ride to the West Plano Transfer Center. Can I tell you riding a mountain bike over Central Expressway, Coit Road, and Custer Road may not be the safest way to travel?

I started riding a bike when I was five years old. I know my bike. I know what’s going to happen if I take a curb sideways (the back tire drags, if you don’t compensate for the drag you’ll tip over). What I don’t know is whether Dallas drivers are used to seeing a cyclist. I see more “almost” car accidents than you could believe. I know it sounds macabre, but as I was cycling up these busy streets I thought — is this the car that’s going to kill me?

Needless to say I made it home. (Oh it’s 5 miles from Parker Road Station to the West Plano Transfer Center — in case you ever want to bike it).

Before I made it home I stopped in front of the Plano Medical Center bus stop. I was exhausted. I thought I would just wait for my bus. I didn’t know what time it would arrive, but my legs stopped working. Five minutes into my wait I got antsy. I figured I would go all the way to the Transfer Center and wait in the shade. As I got to the major cross streets I saw my bus coming my way. Oh man, I was about 1500 meters from the next bus stop and the bus was traveling Northbound and I was Southbound. I signaled to the bus driver to stop (they’re not allowed to stop, but I thought I’d try). He didn’t stop, but I thought I could out bike the bus to the next stop.

You’ve never seen a girl so fast on her bike. I felt like I was in an urban Tour de France — jumping curbs, dodging cars, and pedaling in grass (felt like sand). I made it. I made it to the stop 0.000009 seconds before the bus. I checked my odometer to see how fast I was going. I topped 22 miles an hour on a MOUNTAIN BIKE.

I’m home now and very tired, but I made it to the clinic in time to pick up Smokey and as I type he’s fighting with his brother Bandit without a care in the world.

life is good.

Filed under: Green Information, Uncategorized on July 1st, 2008 | No Comments »