Erica’s News Note: Love is in the air
Erica Hill
360° Correspondent
I love a good proposal story. My favorite is my own (you would hope that’s the case!). Everything my husband did was perfectly “us”… and it always seems to elicit a few “awwws” whenever I retell the tale, which both the Mr. and I enjoy. I think a proposal that fits the couple is the best kind, so you know I am all over this next one. I also seriously impressed with the time commitment.
Bernie Peng reprogrammed his girlfriend’s favorite game, Bejeweled, so a ring and proposal would pop up when she reached a certain score. It’s the ultimate geek proposal and I love it!
It is Tax Day – probably not a lot of love for the IRS today… and not much amore for Wesley Snipes and his recent tax woes, either. Federal prosecutors today urged a Florida judge to send the movie star to prison and fine him $5million for not paying income taxes.
But there is some Love for the planet… and your wallet.
Most of us have good recycling intentions, but the follow-through can be a challenge. I was on fire when my husband and I first moved to Atlanta five years ago. Coming from San Francisco, we were shocked to find out the local garbage service didn’t include pick-up for all of our recyclables. Friends turned us on to a local farmer’s market where we could bring everything from tuna cans to those envelopes with plastic windows – they have an entire dumpster devoted to them! Thankfully, the trash collection eventually expanded to include nearly all recyclables, and we got our groove back.
Then we got to NY, where there are ads all over the City urging New Yorkers to recycle newspapers, magazines and catalogues. I thought, “This is great!” until I tried to recycle our paper… nothin’ doin’ in our building; glass, metal and plastic only. Don’t get me wrong, I am far from a recycling saint, but I am increasingly conscious of the waste we all generate and the effect that could have on the world I will leave my son. I feel bad enough about the diapers (we’re using a more enviro-friendly brand now, but we’re not perfect), so I am more driven to make up for that mess. But let’s be honest… it’s easier to do good when it’s easy to do. One solution? Pay you to recycle.
Even if you’re not into recycling for the future of your planet and your kids – that’s the guilt trip I always use, especially on my family - cold hard cash could be just the incentive you need.
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Filed under: Erica Hill |
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What?! No recycling for all those newspapers you educated and informed New Yorkers read?....
Recycling is a good source of income for the homeless out here. On trash day, many of these people forage through our bins for cans and bottles and turn them in for cash because we've got a good program out here in California. When our house was being built we rented on the beach and I talked to a couple of these industrious men and women who did the "beach route". Many of them can scrape together enough cash for their weekly food budget if they're smart about it. They treat it like a job and are quite competive about "their turf".
Not everyone is going to put on a suit and tie to go to work. You've got to admire them for making their own opportunities.
OK, now I want to hear your engagement story. My husband did it right, too. My 25th birthday. Smuggled the ring across an international border, nearly got nailed by the customs officer but he hid it well. Got down on one knee in a romantic cafe over dinner. Flowers from a street vendor. A serenade and private dance courtesy of the piano man in the hotel lounge. Not bad for a 24 year old guy....wish the wedding had been that intimate, but unfortunately we had to share that moment with 400 of my mother's closest friends 🙂
In Oregon we can recycle almost everything. My recycle bin is about 3 times the size of my garbage can. Sooner or later it will become easier for all to recycle because it is something we all must do.
Looking forward to seeing you tonight.
Big debate in Penn. tonight and I look forward to the insights on 360.
Erica, "Love is the immeasurable excellence of friendship". One needs a good heart & a good mind to suceed in love & life. You & your hubby are two lucky people, so are your children. Love is happiness, simple things in life, peace, doing it for others specially less previlaged & poor. Majority of the world do not know this. They should find it. Everybody all around the world is chasing to be rich. Then they find out they are not happy.
Regarding, Taxes, I am sick & tired of paying taxes to the Govt & they mismanaging it. People get very little for the contributions they make. At least a good pension, SS, Medicare, food for a reasonable cost & basic necessities of life at a minimal cost. The richest & the most arrogant country in the world, America is totally screwed up. This need to change quickly. I do not blame the actor for not paying the taxes. God bless him.
Erica recycling is good for the environment. As a happy couple you and your husband are lucky in love which is a good committment.
Hello Erica
Can I re submit my blog...if so here it is.
I think that in my opinion (although it might sound boring) proposals that are wacky and wild or romantic are fine but what is even more important is what happens after.
In other words I think it is better to aim for a pair up that is right for you as eveyone is totally unique. Too much pressure can really take a toll on a relationship. Something real and grounding and something solid and stabilizing. Then next the wild stuff.
Sorr if this sounds boring but I really think it rings true.
The Bejeweled proposal was great; I'm amazed at how long and hard he had to work to do that. But i wanted to hear about your proposal too – you built it up and then left us hanging.
We recycle just about everything we can; the only thing our recycle place doesn't take is glass. And they come by and pick it up on the same day each week. The only hard thing about it is to get the man of the house to take it down to the curb on the right day!
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
Erica, I watch you and the coop most nights, I enjoyed you filling in, and the way you report the new. You two are the only ones on t.v. that can report the new and be objective, and the best part for me. I don't have to listen to your personnel opinions on the subject. Wow, no book promotions or pushing your political party on your show, now that's refreshing. Please keep up the good work, and I'll keep watching thks.
D.Olson so. west fl.
My first proposal we were 6 and he asked me with a cookie. I said yes. My second when I was 21 and he said "Do you wanna" nice ring but I had to say no.
Hey Erica, you are a sweetheart all the way around
The Bejeweled proposal is totally romantic. I wish them the best as I myself await my own Mr. Romance to arrive and "bejewel" me so that I, too may have an "Awww Tale" to tell as you do, Erica. I envy you all. Because at 41 years old (Friday, April 11th was by birthday), without any prospects, I just don't know how real that idea is. So, I'm wondering if my "awww" experience has already turned into an Ughh!! by now. LOL!
Anywho, if by chance, I still have a chance, when I get MARRIED and have BABIES, as far as environmental issues are concerned, I will use the same kind of diapers which were used on sister and brothers and cousins and me. Cloth. And I'll do as my mother and my aunts have done, dump them, and wash and sterilize them. And by doing so, I'll be helping in that regard.
By the way, good job last week. I guess you spoke too soon or maybe the blogger jinxed you, when on asked about you sitting in for Anderson (which always seemed to me the obvious choice. Ah, Duh, CNN) and you noted that politics were not for "this gal." Ha! Wouldn't know it. You did good, gal!
Have a good show tonight!
Jacquelineph, NY
Nice news about Love. Thank God, she was able to understand that it's a proposal not a spam :), saing yes.
About reciclation and solutions you are deeply right , this would become a new global industry . How it sounds "the Ministery of Reciclation" but who knows...
Erica: It's always nice to see a guy get creative when it comes to popping the question. I have to admit, I'm a Bejeweled nut myself, so reading this story made me smile.
I think it's a great idea to pay people to recycle. Afterall, here in Michigan, we pay a deposit on beverages and get $.10 back on every bottle, can, etc. returned. People will actually stand in line to return their bottles and get their money back. We been doing this for years. I'm actually better at recycling at work than I am at home. More of a time issue for me.
Thanks for blogging!
Jolene, St. Joseph, MI
Erica,
Love ya lots girl but the idea of you on fire scares me... LOL...
Have a great night.
What a cool way to propose! Mine were always complicated things and part of the reason I never said yes to any of them (or more aptly symptomatic of why I never said yes to any of them). Love should be simple; the proposal equally simple. Not every woman wants or needs the Disneyesque fairytale production in order to say yes. Trust me on this one.
I'd be willing to be paid to recycle. Heck, I'd do it for nothing. My community just doesn't offer anything that I am aware of right now to let its residents recycle if they want. Something to discuss with my city councilman...
And as for taxes, I don't nor never have had a clue about my tax returns. Mom was an accountant, my cousins are CPA's, and they have always taken care of that stuff for me (Mom until she died and my cousins afterwards). In my case ignorance truly is bliss. I freak out on handling money and trust the heck out of the people in my family who don't and do it for me. Life is so much easier. And I hate the government on April 15th a whole lot less.
Aww...tell us your proposal story!!
The Bejeweled proposal sounded sooo sweet....lol yea you gotta love Geek proposals...
Buzzzz, Erica!!!! My hubby and I were working abroad in Rio de Janeiro when he proposed to me in the romantic, colonial village of Patate(pronounced pa-ta-chi en portugues). The rest of the weekend was spent in the buff on a deserted island where you could do whatever the pheromones led you to do. Now, that we've been married over 23 years it's soooo nice to be able to look back on those frivolous, carefree and "madly in love" days. Times have gotten more sober, but we do have a beautiful 17-year-old son who constantly reminds us that he, "is the product of a great love!!!" Tchau, mia amiga!
Erica....you little tease. You build up your proposal and then leave us hanging 😛
My mom would love the Bejeweled proposal....she loves that game
Hey Erica,
Overhere we don't get paid to recycle, we have to pay to recycle!
You have to buy special bags (different colors for different recyclables) to put your garbage in, you have to buy stickers to put on your containers for all you garden-waste and if you want to go to the container park (were all the special recycling containers are), you have to pay to get in!
I do all these things because I feel it's very important to recycle, but It's no surprise that some people just throw their garbage on the street (or in the hallway in my building...).
It's like being punished for wanting to do the right thing!!
Anyway, I think that recycling is very, very important and I'm glad you are doing your part to spread the message!
See you tonight, Kristien
That’s a really cool story about Bernie Peng’s proposal. He took a month to complete his project...now that’s what I call commitment and dedication!
Yes, I was up all night last night doing my taxes (I know, I know...I waited till the last minute...). I got it done but I had to write a big check to the IRS, even after all the itemized deductions. Yuk!
Well, as they say, money talks. I’m a recycle freak myself, but if someone’s willing to pay me money to recycle, why not?
See you tonight!
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington
A good proposal story?
How about mine , he got down on one knee while i was sorting dirty laundry. And they say romance is dead?!! 🙂