InGreenPeace's Way.. * Home * Archive * Random * Subscribe Search: This is a place for awareness. A place for the freedom of any ideas or ways of thinking. A place to self destruct and rebuild as much as you feel the need. A place for anyone to say what they want to say and be who they want to be! Ask me anything Submit 3rd April 2012 And that’s what we call … “The Hunger Games” *Nature Vs. Society??* … Is it? I want to say society but when I was younger it wasn’t “society”. In my mind it was “city life”. *Nature Vs. City Life?* But when I say that I think London, New York, LA, Miami…. So these other cities what are they to be dubbed? Which brings me back to society. The everyday get up. 1. Wake Up 2. Brush Teeth 3. Groom ourselves 4. Feed ourselves 5 .Job 6. Drive 7. FOOD 8. Drinks/Smoke/Drug/TV 9. Sleep/Sex Why do we choose these things for ourselves? What happened to enjoying each day as if it were the last? These every day society lifestyles do nothing of the sort for people these days…. As a matter of fact, Is that what WE call the hunger games? When I was young, my dad always talked about completely moving from the city into the country side permanently. Of course being young, this was a unquestionable concept. I wasn’t about to solitude myself out of the country. Now, *everyday* I want that consistintent lifestyle of living off land. Solitude.. I often question if it is actually possible when it comes down to living and being ready for that life. I’m not sure if I can assure myself of the transformation. BUT I’m willing to try, especially with as much as I crave what that lifestyle would do for me now. Can I have that lifestyle actually? More importantly…will I want something else in five years? Basically the expression of this thought process had stemmed from the movie “The hunger games”.. actually the novel. Either way.. WHAT A TRIP! So basically, it can be compared to our society today except a bit MORE real. (I have not read the novel.. I have only seen the movie) So…we have high, middle, and low class right? Well, they have high class which is the only society living, “futureistically” and then there is 12 districts of middle and lower class people. The 12th district being the lowest class and the first being the “Career” class. The upper class had put together their own reality show to remind the districts why society is the way it is. The “reality show” is a reminder of what the “veterans” have done for their society. The “upper” class chooses two people Male and female from each district. They train them, interview them, doll them up for the viewers on national television and put them all on the battle field to kill each other. Only one person can win. All of this for the “upper” class’s very own reality show! What a depiction of what our reality television is today… or what our society is today….. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?? You tell me because this whole concept has got me thinking… - :p 26th October 2011 …Red Tide… There is nothing like waking up at the crack of dawn, getting your coffee in hand and heading towards the beach with expectations of an epic surf session. As you pull up on the beach the waves are looking pretty fun!! So you finish you last sip of coffee, step onto the sand, and take a deep breath and…… /CHOKE… COUGH…. GASP FOR AIR!/ WTF just happened, you shrug it off and suit up, run into the water, start paddling and suddenly you can’t see or breath and you just got hit in the face while duck diving by a dead fish…. Matt Antonell painting So now, not only can you not breath, your about to throw up because your pretty sure the dead fish exploded something nasty all over your face. Need less to say your surf session is over for the day! So you make your way back to you vehicle, putting the board up and unlocking the car, grabbing your towel to wipe the endless snot coming out of your nose and attempting to find any left over H2O you may have lying around to wash out your stinging eye balls! Can you say Nightmare?!? Also known as the /RED TIDE/. This is a perfect case scenario for the coastal bend surfers of Texas and many other surfers around the world who deal with /Red Tide! / Alicia Yaklin stated: “Yeah, red cried…paddled out at s.pack right after it hit and the waves were super fun. I stayed out about an hour, after 45 mins my eyes were so swollen and red I couldn’t even see to drive. There’s something to be said about a person who will literally paddle through dead fish carcasses just to catch a wave…desperate much! haha” It is an ongoing issue that many of us surfers don’t know much about, but does that keep us from swimming in it, fishing, or hanging around it? Nope.. here are the facts! *So what is “Red Tide” you ask?* A toxic single celled algae called phytoplankton or a algae bloom which is a toxin that releases naturally but can be exasperated by certain things. Red tide can and does change the color of the water but not always is it toxic and not always (if toxic) does it change the color of the water. *What causes “Red Tide”?* Caused by a “populations explosion” of toxic, naturally occurring plankton. “Blooms” of the poison producing plankton are coastal phenomena cause by environmental conditions, which promotes explosive growth. /Red Tide/ often occurs when heating or fresh water run-off creates a stratified surface layer above colder, nutrient rich waters. Fast growing algae quickly dries away nutrients in the upper layer. This can occur over much larger distances meaning ocean currents can transport major toxic species from one area to another quickly. Favorable conditions include warm surface temperatures, high nutrient content, and low salinity. Rain followed by sunny weather is often associated with /Red Tide/ blooms. In a recent online article written by Boston.com, “The algae boom, which is typically present along Texas’ coast beginning in September, is worse this year because of a historic drought and unprecedented heat. Already the algae, which thrive in warm, salty water, killed 3 million fish. It is the largest algae bloom in more than a decade along the Texas Gulf Coast, said Meredith Byrd, a Texas Parks and Wildlife marine biologist.” At this point, we need more rain and colder temperatures to get this red tide washed away. “Pesticides are like steroids for this algae. So all river mouths in the Gulf of Mexico feed this nasty bloomer.” Says Brent Wideman in a facebook conversations in regards to red tide. One important factor is the fact that every area can have a different variety of /Red Tide/. Research has shown that the /Red Tide/ here in Texas is in fact the same as Florida and is not a product of the Texas region. *Why do algal species produce toxins?* Some argue that toxins evolved as a defense mechanism but non toxic phytoplankton also forms blooms. Scientists are looking within the algae for biochemical pathways that require the toxins but the search in 1997 had been fruitless. The toxins are not proteins, and are all synthesized in a series of chemical steps requiring multiple genes. Making it difficult to apply the tools of molecular biology to these organisms other then to study their genes or to develop detection tools. *How do algae blooms cause harm?* One of the most serious illnesses be when clams, mussels, oysters or scallops ingest the algae there for a human ingests the algae. A single clam can sometimes accumulate enough toxin to kill a human being. In our case, in the gulf specifically Corpus Christi, Port Aranasas, and South Padre Island the phytoplankton kills marine animals directly. In the Gulf of Mexico, the /Dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve/ frequently causes devastating fish kills. As the fish swim thorugh the /G. Breve/ blooms, the fragile algae rupture, releasing neurotoxins onto the gills of the fish. With in a short time the fish die. Tons of dead fish cover the Texas beach causing several millions of dollars to be lost in tourism and other recreational base businesses. In 1987, 14 humpback whales died in Cape Cod Bay, Mass. during a five week period. Some died rapidly and post mortem examinations showed the whlaes were fine immediately before their deaths and many had abundant amount of blubber and fish in their stomachs. The public and press at that time blaimed pollution. Later that month humans began to be affected with eye irritation and respiritory problems. Although the /Red Tide/ here in Texas is not known to cause shellfish poisoning, according to the article by Boston.com the Department of State health services has announced it is banning commercial and recreational harvesting of oysters, clams and mussels because the /red tide/ algae bloom contains a toxin that can lead to shellfish poisoning in humans. This will have a profound impact on the Texas Fisheries and tourism. *Harm to Humans?* Scientists know little about how other types of environmental exposures to breve toxin such as breathing the air near /red tide/ or swimming in the /red tide/ may affect humans. Many of the affects are irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. As far as long term affects of /Red Tide /on humans, scientists have not begun to study this aspect. Currently what is known is the affect on animals and temporary affect on humans when around it. *Is it Pollution?* Long term studies do show that /red tides/ are increasing as coastal pollution provides more nutrients to the aglae. Basically current data demonstrates an obvious relationship with coastal water receiving industrial, agricultural and domestic waste, frequently rich in plant nutrients, should experience a general increase in algae growth. These nutrients can enhance toxic or harmful episodes in several ways. Basically, fertilize your lawn and you get more grass and dandelions. One theory to consider as a cause of exasperating the bloom, is the fact that south Texas has been going through a sever drought there for when the rain did recently fall it caused the run off to be toxic and possibly showing more results of high salinity due to the severe drought in which feeds the algae bloom causing it to grow, grow, and grow! Over the past 20 years /Red Tide/ events have increased in frequency, intensity, and geographic distribution. The earliest recorded red tide event in TX occurred in 1935 followed by a smaller one in 1955. The most sever bloom to affect TX was in 1986 where there was nearly 100,000 dead fish per linear mile! Over 100 million dead fish. Successive blooms occurred in 1987, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000. Now increasing to at least once a year in Texas. This obviously is happening a lot more frequent now a days and all I know is I’m not going to stop surfing so something has to give. My question is can this bloom cause later affects to human beings? I think yes, it may not be directly through our health but it could very well be through our food. We must respect our coastal water and minimize those activities that stimulate the destructive outbreaks called /Red Tide!/ *Artist: *Matt Antonell Contact: Mantonell@hotmail.com http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1086287877188.2013077.1226130493&type=3 Prints run $20.00 a print! *Photography: *Leah B. Murray Contact:LbessMurray@aol.com InGreenPeace.com *:Articles:* Boston.com http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/10/26/red_tide_closes_all_oyster_harvesting_in_texas/ http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water/environconcerns/hab/redtide/report.phtml *Book:* “Red Tide” by Donald M. Anderson 1994 Scientific American *Ways to actively help the community:* http://coastalbend.surfrider.org/ Become a member in your local Surfrider Chapter: http://surfridercoastalbend.org/coastalbend/Default.aspx 25th July 2011 OAXACA MEXICO IS SO DANGEROUS LIKE OMG!…. *THROWS UP* First of all meet Roberto… (This time it really is Roberto) Roberto He’s a native of Barra De La Cruz, Mexico. I couldn’t get out of him what exactly he got paid to sweep the dirt every day in front of Barra’s break at the restaurant but he did tell me, that he has lived in that town for his whole life and has never left! He loves Mexico and he is 75. This is one of many stories from these native Oaxacan’s you may get. Although it wasn’t until the Pro’s had their little contest in 2006 along with the rip curl video “Somewhere in Mexico”, that it really blew up! Now many of the locals are getting the experience of pro surfers and traveling surfers. Many of the younger generations of Barra are beginning to step out and see things a bit differently. Not only that they are getting hooked up with sic gear and surfing pretty amazing. Like this last time I was there a few pro’s showed us how it was done! The locals seem to get in on the excitement as well. You can check out more photos at my site here. pro surfer alex grey For the most part though Oaxaca is in my opinion a very NATIVE state. There is countless amounts of activities and full on deep heritage surrounding the state. I like to say that Oaxaca is/ magical/. After all if The Beetles went there to trip on mushrooms and have out of body experiences in the Oaxacan Mountains and that’s not magical… then I don’t really know what is. lol. On top of that, If you ask a local about the crime and cartels, they literally don’t have much to say about it. In fact, they claim they haven’t experienced anything from the current state of Mexico. For example, this last trip we were in a rental… did we get checked or stopped at any of the check points? NOPE. The federals are super friendly. So in reality the only hustle you get, is if your in Salina Cruz surfing without a guide and I’ve got that covered. Other then that it is completely “tranquilo”. Oooo Media don’t we just *LOVE *you. Saying that, InGreenPeace is expanding it’s actions slowly but surely to Oaxaca, Mexico. After all, in order to grow and make a difference in this world you gotta have that network to work with! Speaking of network, you wouldn’t believe how many damn Ausies are running around those parts, or really how many Europeans that is. Soooo, I’m going back to Oaxaca and taking a select few surfers with me leaving August 22nd staying through September. If your interested in a trip you can contact me through mail@InGreenPeace.com . Or on the InGreenPeace Facebook . What what?? That’s right.. Surf, Yoga, Mezcal, Locals, BEANS AND RICE, Pescado, palm trees, hammocks, caguamas and much more.. Here is a video by someone I don’t know but passed on! It’s different spots down in Oaxaca! :) Mexico from French Connexion on Vimeo . Adios & VIVA MEXICO! Tagged: barra de la cruz oaxaca mexico surf pro surfers ingreenpeace surf trips 16th March 2011 Renewable energy?… Renewable surf trips?… Renewable you?… Bare with me on this one.. there is a lot flowing through these fingers of mine and hopefully you can keep up with the consistency… saying that here we go: (/If you are short on time…..(lol) you can scroll down to the bold and start there/) First of all, most of us living in Corpus Christi, Texas have recently been introduced to *Recycling!* YES, finally the community is doing something to step up with the rest of the world. I don’t know if south Texas realizes how far behind we really are when it comes to this recycling “issue”. Guys and Gals….Austin has been recycling for *YEARS* ! That’s right. They have had this community recycling system for a long time. And countries like London, England or Barcelona, Spain? For them, it is a way of life and there is no doubt about it. So if you don’t know what’s going on with our new recycle system here is a bit of a catch up. Every residence received a large blue recycle bin which allows for all the communities to not only mass recycle but also participate in a “community” recycle rewards program! I was a bit confused as to how this “rewards” program worked so I called them and found out more information for all you InGreenPeace readers. Here is how it works, every blue recycle bin has a micro chip. Every two weeks when the recycle is picked up the micro chipped is scanned by how much the bin actually weighs. That weight of your bin is translated into a number of recycle points, which you can redeem for REWARDS. In Corpus, the community is weighed by neighborhood, individual houses receive points based on an equal percentage of the total neighborhood recycling weight. So, if your neighborhood gathered 100 points through recycling and their are 10 houses, each house receives 10 points. What can you get with those points? Go Here. <~~ To check out all of the prizes you can receive as a participator! One thing I wanted to know though was where is our recycle items going? How is it separated? Could we possibly be getting renewable energy from our new and improved recycle system? The answers are the following: 1.) It is separated at the plant (which created new jobs) by Paper, Plastic, Tin, Aluminum, and cardboard. 2.) The recycle items are then sold off to different national accounts. The only item we use locally is the metal. 3.) No we aren’t getting renewable energy but you can get renewable energy for a low rate with AmbitEnergy! :) The positive in this situation is that before this system started we were recycling 50 tons in a week but now we are doing *50 tons in a DAY*! Nice! Well, we should given that we have invested “4 million dollars” to this endeavor. Speaking of investments, many of us as residents in Corpus Christi *HAVE* to pay electricity. There is no way around it, since we have become adults in this world, that electricity bill was a must. It’s one of those things your money goes to but you never get to see where it goes, especially because so many companies tend to tack on charges that most don’t even realize about. Well guess what? That is not the case anymore. There is an electric company that not only gives a killer rate but also rewards you each month for being a customer. Ambit Energy! That’s right, they are grateful to have YOU as their client and they show their gratitude by rewarding you with monthly *Travel Rewards *and even *FREE energy*! Sound to good to be true? Do I sound like a bull shit commercial? Yah I do, but I am not lying people! Straight up, this company rocks, which is why when I started using them I decided I would represent them and work for them! Honestly, the company reminds me of the mission of InGreenPeace. To me, the company is worth my effort in helping saving my friends and readers money while enabling them to travel! Here is the low down: For each Klw you use you can gain one point. This month I personally used 2,196 klw. If I did that the whole year. I would gain 26,340 miles to travel! Ambit offers 2 different packages to travel on at 25,000 points. 1. Fly 2 adults for the price of one for $500.00 or less, to your choice of more than 90 destinations! 2. Select a cruise. You and a guest can choose four to seven nights on a “Carnival Funship” at the low cost of $39.95 per person per night. Everything is included! So, that’s just the start, if you gain more points there is other package deals they offer! And get this…. All packages valuing 45,000 points or less are eligible to be earned by a customer referring just 5 customers to Ambit Energy. Basically, tell your friends and family and you can go on a vacation for close to nothing! If that is not a deal I really don’t know what is! Think about it… It’s better then paying on a electricity every month and not getting zip from it but your lights on and stove working. Get my drift? You can go Here to find out what your rate would be and even sign up online. It’s that quick, you don’t even need to notify your electricity company, they do it for you. *Also just for switching you get a three day, two night hotel stay in the nearest big city in Texas!….* Ok So basically what this all boils down to is the essence of InGreenPeace…. AWARENESS!!! *Being aware of your choices…* *Aware of your Impact…* *Aware of your Rewards…* *Aware of your Happiness…* *Aware of the Simple Minute Opportunities that can literally* *CHANGE YOUR LIFE.* *Don’t you understand? It is a mindset!* *Take a second to reflect…* *Take a second to see the possibilities of your future…* *If you * * A. Recycle, you not only saving the planet or beginning to save it but you are believe it or not, “organizing” a part of your life that many never think twice about. Your trash! You are organizing your waste… “Whhhhhat?? Why is that a good thing?” Your asking? Well, a little something called feng shue. It will slowly make you, as a person, feel better! Seriously, and on top of that “inner peace” you have going on, you are also earning points to reward yourself!* * B. By changing your electricity company to Ambit, your not only saving money on your electricity bill every month but you are also changing the possibilities of travel in your future. It is no longer one of those things that everyone else get to do because your not making enough mula…. You get to make your traveling future a real one! All for changing your electricity and saving yourself money??? Yah.* *These opportunities in the end are up to you to take advantage of. Your future is your future… InGreenPeace is just attempting at keeping like minded individuals aware of the chances of a lighter lifestyle to live!* *An ever flowing mind set of serendipity that you have control over. To me these concepts of awareness are a direct representation of a Surfer’s Path in life! That’s why we are able to live as we do…* *Like this …* * * South Packery Interstella 2011 style… from Leah Murray on Vimeo . 15th March 2011 *Anonymous asked: O M G. i cant believe you dont have any pics of port a from wed. 3/9/11. why why why why?* lol. I never get out there. I don’t have many connects in that area. I could always use the heads up and I’m there. 8th March 2011 1979 Dick Van Straalen Single Fin ridden by Sage Joske - from the movie “Quiver” (via LukeSorensenVideo ) Nice video… Getting me pumped for my “new” board that I just bought from Covered Up Surf & Skate on North Padre Island . 5”8 Pin Tail, single fin, bamboo deck, Jeff Polack shape! I surfed it on Sunday for the first time. My first time on a single fin. I’m simply in love with the board! There’s a brand spanking new one there at the shop so if you want to be a “biter” you should go buy it! lol. J/K I will not /hate/ if someone goes and buys that board. It is sick. Here’s some photos of the board. Photobucket Pretty excited to have something different introduced to my surfing, thanks Jeremy! Watching this video and having the chance to surf a single fin got me thinking though. One thing that a lot of outsiders don’t know, is that in surfing everyone seems to have their own style. Of course, this is whether individuals realize it or not. From the day you ride that first wave till your 50 years old, you have developed some sort of style and it is an ever progressing thing. I think *that* is something that makes surfing very extraordinary and unique. That’s also what I love about taking pictures of people and their different styles because for once they have the opportunity to identify with what they have going on. I like to call it their “funk”. They get to scope their /funk/! I can’t tell you how many surfers I have come across of all ages, that say they have never seen themselves surf and they would love to for various reasons. 1.) To improve 2.) To see their style 3.) To see how “retarded” they look 4.)To have something to show to their familia. 5.)Or as basic as for their own memory! Whatever your reason is for wanting to see photos of yourself, for me it’s no worries. I completely identify and concur! Saying that, see you guys and gals out there! -InGreenPeace Source: youtube.com 4th March 2011 InGreenPeace in 2011.. Greetings to all: In Green Peace has taken on a new and improved blog! Hopefully you will find it a bit more user friendly and perhaps easier to read! If your interested in the past blogs of InGreenPeace those are still available and active, feel free to check them out here. Given that spring time has begun I thought the decor was appropriate! Especially because we have great news, InGreenPeace has finally started its’ own Garden! Peppers garden So far the attempt is Squash, Bell Peppers, Serrano Peppers, Yellow Peppers, Mint, Oregano, Onion, Strawberries (I know I know), Cilantro, Lemon Basil and Rosemary! What an exciting process, hopefully some day InGreenPeace can participate in the trade of the Farmer’s Market locally in Corpus Christi. To find out more about the Farmer’s Market in Corpus Christi you can go Here. Special thank you goes out to local surfers supporting InGreenPeace with in the community, with out you all InGreenPeace would not be. Thank you! Cheryl Padgett Cheryl, Luke Shelton Luke Chris Hoelscher Chris Nicole Hagopian Nicole Jay Marek Jay Over all, it’s really nice to have the feedback! You can check out more photos here. *What’s coming up for InGreenPeace you wonder??* First of all, a new video is in progress from a few days at the pier and of South Packery on 2/28! Be looking for that on our facebook. Secondly, a few very very exciting opportunity’s are arising with in the next couple of weeks and I’m going to keep you notified on them. I’ll give you a clue as to what it is in regards to …. recycle That’s right, Corpus Christi’s Recycle System and how you can benefit from recycling! The purpose and cause of you doing so and a New Green Energy Electric company that is not full of shit, has american employees whom are your friends, and not only reward you with great service but actual *Travel Rewards/Points *for being a part of the company!! That’s right people!! Check back into the blog for the update in the next few days! You don’t want to miss this chance! Till then remember to stay happy with you and let all negativity flutter away like a butterfly. <3 InGreenPeace Source: http 3rd March 2011 *tumblrbot asked: WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT ON YOUR PLANET?* Indonesia… it will happen. :). You? 25th June 2009 InGreenPeace —> *Welcome* This is a place for the freedom of ideas. A place for the exchange of alternative ways of living. A place to share your hopes. A place to bond with other humans to achieve a peace. An Awareness. So, Please share your thoughts, ideas, feelings or whatever else phases you. …. Original design by John Oxton | Illustration by Denis Radenkovic | Modified for Tumblr by Christian Montoya | This design is released under a Creative Commons license