You know, originally when I was a pondering the topic of this New Year’s edition of Talkin’ Trash, my initial impulse was to follow along the lines of something like “Smart-A…”…hmmm…

Let’s try again… “Smart-A”…hmmm…

Okay, how about…you know, originally when I was a pondering the topic of this New Year 2012 edition of Talkin’ Trash, my initial impulse was to follow along the lines of something like “Wiseguy Comebacks to Curious Environmental Myths”.

But then I thought, “no”. Actually, then I thought that I probably shouldn’t be saying “wiseguy” live on the interweb…but then I thought, “no!”

“No” – we don’t need comebacks, we need “move aheads”. “No” – we don’t need to continue this divisive finger pointing cycle. And, “no” – I shouldn’t say “wiseguy” on the interweb.

You see, like a bad high-school theatre production, it’s all too easy to play the role angry, to be the voice of dissention with a non-organic kosher dill protruding from their wiseguy, to be the one to say “we can’t”, “we shouldn’t” and “I won’t”.

Far more difficult to be the one to say, “how can I help”, “how can we work together on this” and “perhaps we’d think better discussing over free-range soypuccinos”. Far more difficult…but rewarding! For in this time of media-driven polarized views conveniently chopped into sound bites, we don’t need another negative voice…we need a voice of reason, a voice of hope, a voice of collaboration and working together.

Well, we’ll have to settle for you and me, I’m afraid. So join me in 2012 in resolving to keep the conversation positive.

Because it’s not cars vs. bikes…it’s cars with bikes, with scooters, with mopeds, with feet, with rollerblades…heck, it’s even with Segways.

Because it’s not downtown vs. the suburbs…it’s the city. Our city.

Because it’s not just the organic, free-range burger…it’s the bun and the fixins (which may or may not include a kosher dill).

Because it’s not the economy or the environment…it’s the economy and the environment… because, when it comes down to it, they’re really the same thing!

Because it’s not more recycling bins we need…it’s less garbage.

Because it’s not “Revenge of the Sith”… it’s “A New Hope” (guess who watched what on Blu-ray over the holidays!).

Because it’s not clean vs. green – it’s clean and green and redefining what “ocean breeze” really should smell like (hint – it’s not diethyl phthalate…or seaweed or rotting fish for that matter).

Because it’s not problems we need (we have more than enough of those)…it’s solutions.

And because when it comes down to it, hey, you’re not stuck in traffic…you are traffic!

Happy New Year, UHN, Happy New Year.

-ed

Who won’t be ruled by the rudder must be ruled by the rock.

-the little calendar of proverbs on my desk