Maria's Sunday: June 22, 2008

Hey True Story of Sunday Reader,

This was quite the Sunday! I was out there saving the earth, meeting new friends, and doing stand up.

I am a co-host of the Energy Smackdown, a reality TV show that challenges families to reduce their carbon footprint. Throughout the course of the show, we have "challenges". This past Sunday was the "Smart Transit Challenge" and we got some press.

We started in Davis Square. Three teams: Medford, Arlington and Cambridge were set to travel a course of 5 checkpoints using alternative methods of transportation. They could carpool, bike, walk, take public transportation. After John Herman and I welcomed them to the challenge, I told them "Get out of here and travel smart!" And they were off.

***On a side note, John Herman introduced me to the practice of mobile twittering, which he touts as a great tool to let everyone know what you are up to. So I did. Now everyone knows what I'm doing at all times. So if my sisters are reading this, and they're like, 'Maria I never know what you are doing, you never ever call me,' then know that if you are on twitter, you will always know what I am doing.***

I spent some time at Medford City Hall waiting for the teams to pass through, and made friends with Medford City Representative Carl Sciortino, Jr. He is young, smart, and political. Vote for him, Medford! Also I met Pem, short for Pemberton, which was his mother's maiden name. I don't know Pem's last name, only that he's good people.

By the end of the day we all assembles back in Davis Square and enjoyed the banjo melody goodness of Chris Merenda. Hoo-wee! people, he sounds good! Even the homeless hung out with us and were in a good mood, partaking in our table of goldfish and pretzel and juice refreshments.

I entertained the crowd, honing my crowdwork skills on 8 year olds with questions like "So, anyone have a pet?", "What sports do you play?", and "Who has a special talent? Who?" I got karate chopped, and there was also an opera whistler who did a beautiful version of "We Are The Champions".

Arlington won the Smart Transit Challenge, using the least amount of carbon per person per mile. Basically they biked a lot. Cambridge was none too happy about this! Medford did a great job carpooling. Baby steps is what Medford says.

Love,
Maria