Confession: I have never actively recycled anything in my entire life.

During a recent dinner with my best friends, I found out that one of them has recently decided to “Go Green”. I’ve read countless articles about saving the environment but I’ve never actually made a move to do anything. I was surprised that someone I knew was actively trying to change the way she lived, and it sort of inspired me. The next day, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things and I found myself actually annoyed at the fact that I was using plastic bags. I turned around and noticed that the lady behind me had a several cotton totes in her cart – her way of replacing the plastic bags. When I got home, I emptied out my groceries and did what I always do – roll up the plastic bags into balls and stuff them in a basket overflowing with tons of other plastic bags. Only this time, I noticed just how many bags were stuffed in there, never to be used again. What a waste!

That’s when I made up my mind to change a few of my bad habits. It will be impossible to “Go Green” overnight, but it wouldn’t hurt to take it one day at a time.

My first step: I decided to by cotton totes to replace using plastic bags at the grocery store. I read somewhere that you can save about 300 plastic bags a year by using a cotton tote instead!  I especially loved these bags from Minusbags. They are large enough to fill about three plastic bag’s worth of groceries, so you don’t have to shop around carrying 10 bags at a time. They also are decorated with pictures of fruit, which makes it totally cute! They are currently having a spring special right now – buy 3 bags and get the 4th bag free of charge. I definitively took advantage of it by getting one for my mom and boyfriend as well (Yes, I am going to force my boyfriend to walk around using these bags). Unfortunately the grey bag with oranges is out of stock (I really liked that one) and the blue with purple grapes does not come with 22” handles (I like carrying things on my shoulders).

http://www.minusbags.com/

Second step: Biodegradable bags! Did you know that plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose? Imagine your doggie poop, which is biodegradable, wrapped in a plastic bag. The result is embalmed dog poop, preserved forever in a plastic casing. Biobags provide 100% biodegradable bags made from corn. They not only sell doggie poop bags, they provide kitchen bags (bags that will decompose along with your garbage) as well as lawn and garden bags for outdoor use.

http://biobagusa.com/

Third step and beyond: 30 years too late, I will make a much bigger effort to recycle. There are so many other ways to make a small difference. Take shorter showers, turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth, buy a coffee mug to cut down on coffee cup garbage, turn off your computer when you’re not using it (I’m totally guilty of this)…. Just Google “Go Green!” and you will find loads of information to help you do your part to “Go Green”. Just one friend inspired me to be this way. I would be happy if I could inspire just one person too.

Check the clip, laugh out loud, and try out your own Christopher Walken impersonation.

Favorite line: “Wa-oow, it’s like ya lookin’ right into my nah-ggin’”

Big ups to Eric for passing this along.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our iPod Touch Giveaway!
Please claim your prizes tonight - Happy Hour winners must bring vouchers, blog winners will be contacted through email.  Congratulations!

Winners are:

iPod #1: Jae Ro (Happy Hour)
iPod #2: Stacey Kim (Blog)

Bottle #1: Angela Jin (Happy Hour)
Bottle #2: James Lee (Blog)

There’s much talk these days about the upcoming Superbowl. Even after 4 years of HS marching band and even more years of living in a town where Buckeyes are considered heroes, I am not going to pretend I know anything about football. I do know however, that this year’s game will be one of the most important games – shall I dare to say - ever? If the Giants win, they will have won every away game (which is a huge feat), and they will have prevented the Patriots from an undefeated season. If the Patriots win, then duh – they just had an undefeated season! Either way, it’s going to be interesting and I have to admit I’m pretty curious about the outcome.

One of the biggest reasons that I am so interested in this game is because of a scene in the movie I Am Legend. In the beginning of the movie, a screen crawl appears beneath Emma Thompson’s interview that states, “Giants lose to Patriots for second time this season 23 to 7”. Click here for the link.

According to Snopes, the chance of this happening on a regular basis is pretty damn slim. Giants and Patriots only play against each other once every four years, and the only way for it to happen TWICE in one season is if they both make it into the Superbowl – which of course is what is happening now. Will Patriots beat Giants for the second time? Will the score be 23 to 7? If so, does this mean Emma Thompson will cure cancer and we will all either die or become superhuman hairless gray monsters with dislocated jaw lines? Will Smith, please save us before the end!!

When       Fri Jan 25 (9pm)
Where      American Museum of Natural History (W 79th St @ Central Park W)
Price        $20
Details      Event Info  
Note: Admission price includes a free ticket for a future museum visit. Tickets are available online, at Other Music, and at the door.

Irene Bradish of Flavorpill writes:
The only thing better than seeing A-Trak in a bumping club is partying with A-Trak in a big-ass museum. Tonight, Kanye’s DJ of choice tears up the turntables with his signature blend of crunk, punk, and funk, after shining the spotlight on his Fool’s Gold label signee (and significant other) Kid Sister. The manicured new priestess of hip-pop drops lyrics live, while her Windy City neighbors the Cool Kids check retro street beats and bass-fat tunes to pop and lock to.

WHAAAAAT?!?!?  All I want to know is,… who’s coming with me?  C’mon, people, someone step up and join me.  Seriously, I need at least one partner in crime to join me if I’m gonna go to this.  And I REALLY want to go to this. I’ll give you four reasons:

Reason #1:  As Kanye West’s DJ, A-Trak is probably the DJ who has the most visual presence in the pop landscape.  On top of that, he’s also one of the best turntablists out there period.

A-Trak beat juggling in a club in China

Reason #2:  Kid Sister has got this electro-hip-hop ish down and her energy is remeniscent of Salt-n-Pepa; perfect for a live show. 

Kid Sister - Pro Nails

Reason #3: Cool Kids are bringing people waaaaaay back with their spare beats and MF Doom-like (KMD days) delivery.  Weren’t you wondering when the old school (and I mean oooooooold school) sound was gonna come back around?

Cool Kids – Black Mags

Reason #4: You’ll be partying in the Museum of Natural History!

Thursday, January 24th 2008.

We understand that after a painful week of dealing with bosses, clients, a-holes and such, all you really want is to relax and kick back with a couple of friends over finger food and cheap drinks. We’re putting together a happy hour to fulfill this need and hope you’ll be able to join us.

iPod Giveaway
To thank everyone for their ongoing support of BlackBook, we’re giving away 2 iPod Touches, as well as 2 complimentary bottles for our next event. Read instructions below on how to enter.

Entry Method 1
Bring your business card to the event (write your personal email if you prefer) as a submission. 2 Winners will be announced and given vouchers to collect their prize at our next event on February 2nd.

Entry Method 2
Register an account at the BlackBook Blog and leave a comment to enter the raffle. 2 Winners will be announced on the blog on February 1st. Deadline is January 31st 2008, 12PM EST.

Drink Specials!
$5 Domestic Beer / $6 Imports & House Wine / $9 Patron & Johnny Shots. ALL NIGHT LONG!
6:30-9PM: Buy 1 Get 1 Cocktails (Well Drinks)
9PM-12AM: Buy 1 Get 1 Shots (Excluding Top Shelf)
Don’t forget to contact us for table specials!
Email us at info@whatisblackbook.com for more info.
We look forward to seeing you there!

BlackBook says, Seasons Greetings!
Click thumbnail to view full size/download.

if you’re familiar with the magazine, WIRED, you’re probably a huge nerd.  i kid, i kid.  for those of you who don’t know, wired is a magazine that features the latest gadgets, gizmos and futuristic technologies.  for the holidays, they’ve set up temporary shop in soho where they sell lots of cool new products.  open now through dec. 30th.  you should definitely swing by if you’re in the area.  they also have a calendar of events happening at the space, some involving free open bar.  the location/hours are below.  i’m too lazy to link the website.  just google ‘wired store 2007′.