June 20, 2006 - Day 7 - Week 11 - Earth Talk Today Taping

My reading and studying about environmental issues culminates in being able to ask questions and listen to experts on camera on a monthly basis.  In the good old days of ministry homework during the week resulted in a 15 minute sermon on Sundays.  Preparation is vital in both the preaching and interviewing process, but I must admit, I did not count on the drain from the battery I experience now after a simple 4 hours under the lights in Adelphi Studios in Van Nuys. In comparison, post worship energy remained strong, even if the sermon was preached at both the early and late service.

Today our first guest was Michael Tobias, author of over 30 books and the producer, director, writer of over 100 films, documentaries and television shows.  He is a practitioner of a philosophy called ahimsa, which means respect for all living creatures, and doing no harm to any living thing.  He spoke of the need to preserve the bio-diversity in creation in a passionate and informed manner.  He travels the world and is currently filming the 35 hot spots where a large percentage of the world’s species exist.

Our second guest was Paul Scott, founder of Plug in America, and an expert on electric and hybrid vehicles.  Articulate and soft spoken, he gave a compelling argument for the re-introduction of electric vehicles into the mix of transportation options in America. His knowledge enabled all listeners to understand the urgency to switching away from combustion engine and oil based technologies.  He talked of the emerging alternative called plug in hybrids.  Stay tuned for this may be a giant leap for humankind.  After the show I also learned he is a cancer survivor. We agreed to stay in touch.

Alexandra and I drove back to my office in her electric car, said our goodbyes, for she is off to film for six weeks, and I pondered how I might spend the next few hours prior to going home.  I organized b – roll footage that will be used to give visual representation to the words of our guest, for our editor and remained seated on my office chair for three hours.

At home I casually removed my socks only to witness once again severe swelling in my legs.  Today was the first day I had worn socks for a week and the swelling was not good. Up went the feet, thank goodness there was a Dodger game on and the battery in this computer was charged, and I began to see the swelling go down almost immediately.

I do not know what is going on, but the socks are obviously constricting blood flow and circulation.  As a New Englander socks are an extra part of my wardrobe and I have always been partial to the no sock look, but now I have a real excuse for not wearing socks.  I started wearing garters in prep school to hold up my socks, but now socks are designed with elastic in the top and garters are superfluous.

Maybe there is a correlation between chemo therapy and fat legs, at least the temporary swelling of legs that I have now experienced more often than I would like.  However, I can continue to read and study and prepare for the next edition of Earth Talk Today with legs elevated.

In addition, and as a matter of record, Alexandra and I are planning to host experts on cancer prevention and how prevention relates to understanding the changes in our environment.  We will be privileged to interview guests like Michael and Paul who can enlighten and embolden us and the cancer connections.  In the meantime, I am going to try and stand all day tomorrow and see if it is the socks after all.

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