October 10, 2009

List of definite and probable participants with their promise described (if they have decided upon it):

• Andrew: stop use of plastic utensils
• Cathy: undecided maybe eat at least one local home cooked meal during week
• Tea: stop use of paper towels (specifically in the studio)
• Phil: eat as much local food as possible
• Jenny: remove partially hydrogenated oils from diet (eat less processed food)
• Lauren: undecided maybe to recycle more efficiently
• Shelley: undecided
• Nicole: undecided
• Anders: let no food go to waste
• Adrienne: Drive slower to get better gas mileage and save fuel


Other thoughts:

Andrew and Tea were the first people to agree to make promises. I had a relatively quick discussion with them about my idea standing outside of the ceramic studio after a critique. They both identified a wasteful habit with out my needing to discuss their daily routines with them. This reinforces my faith in being able to help people deal with aspects of their live that they may already have issues with, but choose to ignore. I talked to Lauren and Phil the same night and both were very enthusiastic, but not sure what to do. Phil suggested riding his bike faithfully for a month, but didn’t seem confident. Lauren finds problem with the recycling at her apartment, specifically referring to plastic bottles. I sat down with Cathy last night during open studios. She really needed some discussion to generate ideas of how to practically implement a promise. She’s aware that change needs to happen and does what she feels is feasible already. We talk about diet, which is something she has been thinking about and she confesses guilt about eating cheap microwave meals from Kroger (I think they may even be actual “Kroger” brand) I talk to her about strategies for cooking a bunch of vegetables at the beginning of the week (i.e. roasting or blanching) then eating on them throughout the week. I ask her if there is some particular dish she makes regularly, which she could try to make using as much local ingredients as possible. Both of these veins of conversation seem to give her confidence about being able to implement a promise. I also talked to Shelly and Nicole at open studios and both verbally agreed to make a promise but needed time to think about identifying something practical to implement. Nicole feels like she does what she can. Susannah and Ed have also


Things discussed in meeting with Ed and Susannah:

• Mentioned a few people they suspect might be willing to make promises.
• Accept failure of promises
• Design questionnaire so participants discuss environmental implications of their particular promise
• Maybe have a “plate party” at the end: gets participants together and facilitates conversation about the experience (maybe this is when I could present them with their honorary plate)
• Decided text needs to go on front (this changes my original presentation idea to hang them but is necessary now I’m thinking they will be attached to the wall in front of placemats…)
• Concentrate on quality not quantity for Dec. 5 crit date
• Need to include dates of the promise on the plate, suggestive of their commemorative value
• I need to send them mock ups and a sample questionnaire

October 11, 2009

Through a few conversations with Phil he has determined that cutting high fructose corn syrup out of his diet will be the most feasible promise to make. He specifically talks about drinking soda as being a habit he isn’t proud of. He admits that he doesn’t really think about checking to see if corn syrup is in any of the things he eats regularly. We also talk about Chinese food (he usually get sweet and sour chicken). Although your typical cheap Chinese take out is in general pretty unhealthy he can probably find something a bit better if he’s got to go that route. I have also talked to my sister and she voices concern about allowing partially hydrogenated oils in her regular diet. She is already trying to cook more for herself so some extra motivation and attention will be helpful. We talk specifically about not being able to enjoy JIF peanut butter, what a world! I bring up the idea of eating food in a way that allows you to get the most nutrients out of it as possible, fresh peanut butter is a step in that direction.

October 13:

Talked to my mom today about making a promise. She wants to make more of a concerted effort to drive slowly, especially on the highway, which she has to take almost every day to get to work. She already tries to do this, but admits she gets impatient. She usually leaves in plenty of time, though, so there is no reason for her to be in a
rush.

October 16:

I ran into Anders at the Fuller opening. He talked about having issues with his diet and wanted to create a promise with this in mind. He feels he eats unhealthily and wants to incorporate better food into his routine. He admitted that his consumer habits are all or nothing when he goes to the grocery. He either concentrates on getting only healthy stuff or he shows no abandon and gets only "junky" stuff. He is also concerned about his budget as a grad student and doesn't know the best way to approach the promise because of this. I tried to be encouraging.

October 19:

I talked to Nicole today in class (I'm taking her 3-d modeling software class) She is still unsure of what to do. She lives far from campus and doesn't feel able to address transportation in this case. I suggested starting a composting system but she doesn't feel her backyard is suitable and is weary of the smell. I also talked about trying to only buy clothes that are made in the states and are from natural fibers. She says she already tries to do this. She's very enthusiastic about participating in the project but is having a hard time conceiving it. I tell her we'll think of something...

October 20:

I finally got the questionnaire emailed out to everyone. here is a copy:
1. What is one an action of environmental implication that you would either like to eradicate from or instill into your daily routine?
2. How does the presence or absence of this particular action create a negative impact on your life as an individual and on the environment as a whole?
3. List several steps you could take to enable your success in addressing this issue.
4. How would fulfillment of this promise create a positive impact on your life as in individual and on the environment as a whole
Create a one-sentence description of the action you will attempt to take over the next five weeks. This will be the promise quoted directly on your plate.

Please email your answers to me (eloehle@gmail.com) as soon as you can. You can simply answer the questions in the message or create a document and attach it to the email.

Along with your answers, please attach a favorite image of yourself. This will be posted along with your personal information and promise on the blog site.

These questions are pretty straight forward. I hope they will help everyone conceptualize their approach, but am a little weary of their ability to inspire anyone. I will actively talk to those individuals that still need inspiration to come up with a plan. I feel the conversation is invaluable to this experience. I also saw Anders tonight at the painting critique. He has determined that it will be most feasible to commit to not wasting food. He wants to eat healthier too, but right now on such a tight budget he feels it is more important to make the most of what he can afford. I am happy he has found an area in his own routine that needs addressing.

October 21:

I've started posting on the blog. I'm realizing that this part of the process may be more difficult than I first expected. I'm using a pre-fab template with some trepidation because I want the site to be inviting with different headings for links and an area separate from the everyday conversation where people's profiles are listed. However, I am not very confident in my ability to design the layout. I guess I'll just keep t simple and post everything together profiles and discussion. I do have my project outline stated separately, though, and hope this will make the project clear to visitors to the site who aren't involved in the project. I can always add to the site too and think an area for links to other websites about climate change and the like will be a good addition. I also received my first response to the questionnaire from Anders so was able to post this on the blog. I am encouraged by his prompt reply. Hopefully the others will find it equally easy to respond to the questions. I need to do some work in Photoshop for the presentation on Friday. I want to have a few examples of plate designs worked out.