What is Green?

Lets face it. These days, everyone seems to be trying to go green. From Mega Big Corporate boardrooms to Planet Green Network bedrooms everyone seems to be talking about “going green”. Green choices are everywhere. We’ve got green this, green that… green green green green green.

But what does all this “green stuff” actually mean? Glad you asked!

Here’s a basic law of nature. Everything in nature is connected. Consequently economics (what people choose to drive, wear, eat, work at, play at, or entertain themselves at) has an effect on the environment. Economics and ecology can’t be separated.

But, the people of our dear planet only recently got the memo about this whole “economics/ecology thing”, so lately we’ve been trying to whip ourselves back into shape. The idea of trying to re-align the economic things we do with the ecological world, is what we call “being green”.

So what exactly does “being green” mean for us exactly?

At first glance, being green seems very complicated, confusing and frustrating. The questions become endless. Must I drive a wimpy little electric car instead of my sexy SUV? Should I feel guilty if my printer paper isn’t bleach free, or should I go completely paper free? And if it’s so free why is it so darned expensive?

At its core, being green is simple. It boils down to this question. Are we working WITH or AGAINST Mother Nature? Of course, Mother Nature is simply an anthropomorphication (and I’m not sure that’s even a real word) of all the principles of nature that govern the biological world. Here are two ways Mother Nature works.

1. Everything in nature is BALANCED. Oxygen that allows animals (including us people types) to breath is generated by plants. They, in turn, absorb the Carbon Dioxide we exhale… so nothing gets out of balance.

2. There is NO WASTE in nature. Zip. Zero. Nada. All water on the planet is reused in a very sexy, elegant and closed system. The same water that was used in Julius Caesars day… is the same water that’s being used today. It’s constantly being recycled by Mother Nature.

So you may be saying… hey Steve thanks for the fifth grade science lesson, but how does this help me get green?

Because Mother Nature creates no waste and everything remains in balance… it’s the perfect template for us to design our economies and our personal actions around.

So our best test for “is it green” is to ask ourselves are we WITH or AGAINST Mother Nature.

Simple huh?

Compostable Chip Bags

I just learned that FritoLay Company is going to start manufacturing a completely compostable chip bag - made from plant-based renewable materials - for it's line of healthy SUN CHIPS. Who says we're not making progress? Way to go Sun Chips! Go to www.greeneffect.com for more info. The promo is called "Disappear"... think they need a green magician?

Gettin Country Wid It

Back in the '90's commercial music was trying lots of things. Hip hop and country and pop and rock were all trying new things and doing what the industry calls crossing over. Once while I was daydreaming about this, it occurred to me that it might be hilarious if musician Will Smith and country singer George Jones were to merge into one person. That album cover might have looked something like this. Image created by the Art Goddess - Dianne. Steve :)

Show Biz is Dangerous!

Most of you probably think that ShowBiz is glamorous, sexy, and easy... but please understand... it's also EXTREMELY dangerous. Notice in this photo that Sandi and Susan are being required to wear "hardhats" and "eye protection". Now that's showbiz baby! Steve :)

Vh1 Top 20 Video Countdown

Sometimes life just works out great. I was recently in NYC to promote my Green Magic Set. Which by the way will be out in a few months. I partnered with the Toy Company - Imagiplay - to bring it to market. While in New York, I got lucky and VH1 decided to use me for a "bumper" segment on VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown. It was a short segment... but I had long enough to crack the host Jim Shearer up - on camera. I like it. I love making people laugh. The best part of all... my nephews Asa and Eli... happened to be watching Sunday morning TV and started yelling and screaming at the TV... because Uncle Steve was on it. A terrific surprise. This made me really happy. Sometimes life just works out great.

Toy Fair 2009 - WooHoo!

Wow. Toy Fair in New York City was just fantastic! I met a bunch of cool people, saw a bunch of cool toys, and the feedback on the worlds first GREEN MAGIC SET was just terrific. Imagiplay's booth was colorful and fun and the Imagiplay team and I had an awesome time. Barbera Aimes - the owner of Imagiplay - even got good at performing the POLLUTION PADDLE trick. Good magic takes practice. And she practices a lot! The best news. VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown taped a segment with me. I was able to perform the Eco Wands trick from our magic set. The show is slated to air this week... so check your local listings. Even more good news. Amazon.com is going to carry the entire line of Imagiplay products - which includes the official STEVE TRASH GREEN MAGIC SET. Wow is that great or what? All the work to get the tricks themed and figured out and up to snuff has been worth it. The sets should be available in a couple of months. I'll keep you posted. Steve :)

Butman

Language is nuanced. Language is subtle. Sometimes it downright impossible to understand... especially if you're from a different culture. Here's an example. Batman is popular all over the world... so people everywhere want to have a part of his likeness... his coolness... his mojo...his...name. I took this hilarious photo on a subway train in Tokyo many years ago. This guy thinks his shirt reads, "Batman"... it actually reads, "BUTMAN". It's printed over and over and over on his shirt. "Ta Dah... here I am Butman to save the day!" Butman vs Batman. This may explain why I'm having sooooo much trouble getting the quality issues worked out with the manufacturer of my green magic set... which has now - by the way - had it's release date moved back several months because of quality control issues. They can't seem to understand the small changes needed that will make the difference between a great trick and a lousy trick. The difference between Butman and Batman. Small... but it makes all the difference in the world. Stay tuned kids... we'll see if Butman or Batman actually win this one. Steve :)