Tony Cai › Blog » Environment

Places I’ve Been To This Summer via NYPIRG

Tony Cai — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 23:13:07 +0000

It took me a little while to do this and it isn’t perfect but it’s pretty much accurate. I spent the day mapping out all the places I’ve been to while working for NYPIRG. I’m a canvasser and I go all over New York to educate the public about the issues we face in today’s fragile world. I’ve been doing this since May 17th 2007 and my last day is August 24th 2007. Sad to go but I have to get ready for next semester at SUNY Stony Brook.

So this Google Map API shows all the places I’ve been to, the field managers that took me there and the actual turf or streets that I was on. I hope this is as interesting to you as it is for me. It was hard remembering all the places I’ve been to. I’m almost sure it’s accurate but if it isn’t I will make changes along the way.

For those of you looking for a job in the Summer of 2008, NYPIRG is defiantly the way to go! The people you work with and the people that you will meet on turf are priceless. This is by far one of the best things I’ve ever done in terms of a job.

The Simpsons Movie: Lisa Is A Canvasser!

Tony Cai — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:18:42 +0000

The long awaited Simpsons movie finally came out in theaters in New York yesterday and so after work, my work buddies and I went to see it in Battery Park in Manhattan. To find this particular post interesting, you would have to understand what I do for the summer. I’m a canvasser for NYPIRG (New York Public Interest Research Group), a non-profit organization fighting to protect the environment and public health for New York State. Canvassing is the nature of my job, I talk to people everyday about environmental issues that affects New York and then ask for membership support. At times, the day turns out nice and only get one or two doors slammed on me but other days, you get many doors slammed in your face.

So in the first 5 minutes of The Simpsons Movie, Lisa Simpson canvasses Springfield homes to inform the public about environmental concerns in Springfield Lake and mercury. To our surprise, those were the exact issues we work on everyday! Springfield’s response to Lisa was #SLAM# at every door! I was like “no wayyyy” this is exactly what happens to me everyday! Finally something I see that relates to what I do because there isn’t much coverage anywhere about canvassers or canvassing in general.

So friends, I encourage you to watch the movie to get a feeling of what I have to go through each and everyday! The movie in general wasn’t all that great but that first 5 minutes made the movie good for me. A good spoiler can be found at Rotten Tomatoes. Also I just want to say to all people who have tried canvassing, it’s not ALL that bad. There are many many great nights! The Simpsons expanded on the negative angle of canvassing, thats all.

Whats Up With The Environment Category?

Tony Cai — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:40:48 +0000

The title is pretty straight forward… I have added the Environment category on my blog. It’s about time that I expand my vision of my blog, it’s been 7 months since I started blogging consistently. So why the environment? Well I’ve always been fascinated by the earth and how it works sustaining itself for all these years but more recently have I learned about how serious issues like global warming is and the effects it has on the earth. I guess my real interest in earth sciences started in high school with my earth science teacher, Paul Berger and carried on through with my AP Environmental teacher, Sai Yu, both great teachers at Murry Bergtraum High School I might add.

Now I work for an organization called NYPIRG which stands for New York Public Interest Research Group, which does amazing work for the environment as well as consumer rights. I advocate for the environment everyday and being surrounded by awesome co-workers who also care about the same things makes environmental awareness even more important to me. So Cate from NYPIRG, if you read this, [[your the greatest!]] cause I know you have the word “NYPIRG” subscribed to you.
Oh and a little addition to my main menu, I’ve added the New York City PlaNYC 2030 campaign. Click it for more information about creating a sustainable New York City today!

So fellow friends and subscribers, enjoy what looks to be another great addition to my blog and thank you all for reading. I wouldn’t be doing this if I knew no one reads it.

Random Catching Up a.k.a Long Post

Tony Cai — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:55:59 +0000

Today is Saturday and I didn’t have to canvass Saturday for NYPIRG (My Job). So I have a lot of extra time and now is a good idea to blog up and catch up with everything. Since working for NYPIRG and helping prevent Global Warming, I’ve stumbled across this picture on the web and thought to myself that PIRACY isn’t all that bad. Not that I do it but it makes sense, the more you download, the less hard copies of everything that has to be produced.

I mean, when software is purchased, you buy the disc, the box, the manual, the jewel case and print. So don’t shut down PirateBay RIAA, you’re only hurting the environment.

So next story, in the OpenSource community, GAIM was recently (well two months ago) renamed and completely remastered to be Pidgin. I’d say, things look different but it’s about time they changed their whole marketing. The website looks a lot more web 2.0 friendly. GnomeAIM (GAIM) was getting too old and now it’s revamped with new icons and a new mascot.

Notice the transaction? Yep, it’s pretty neat. Sean the original developer is still in charge!

So, I’m in the market for a new laptop computer. Will it be a Windows PC, a Linux PC or a Apple? I’m leaning more towards to the Macbook’s because for one, I’ve never owned a recent Mac. I’ve owned one of those ClamShell iBooks but they’re pretty outdated. I’ve yet to own a nice polished White/Black Macbook. However, I’m awaiting for the new Apple OS to be released.

Ahh, nice fresh Apple Mac themes. Yes, I know I can change my current PC to look like that but those customization packs are never perfect. Genuine Mac. Gotta love it.

Next hot stuff, Need to make a quick call? Try ViaTalk for free and don’t pay a penny. Enter your area code and phone number in addition to the digits you’d like to dial. Get talking and enjoy up to 10 minutes of talk time. My ViaTalk VoIP subscription expired and I have to renew it again, unfortunately, I’m not qualified for the new user perks and the discounted price. Maybe, if I call them and threaten to quit! Muhahah.

So finally, one thing I can’t wait to do, go back to Stony Brook. I mean, summer’s great and love the job but it’s starting to get too repetitious and boring. I miss those long nights and partying and shitty food an the dining halls. Can’t believe I just said that but yeah. There’s a lot of random things in this post that I hope finds you interested. Till next time..

P.S: You might have noticed the little changes on my blog header, yeah well I decided to do it and freshen things up a little, and yeah, I’m officially a SBU blogger for admissions!

Amy Remix Jay-Z
[audio:http://tonycai.com/rehabremix.mp3]