It seems like this past week has been more like a month. I had friends visiting last weekend and staying at my place, something that always seems to drain a host, no matter how much they enjoyed their company. I have also been looking at several apartments for my rapidly approaching move, something that really takes away any free time that one might have. On Monday afternoon I flew down to Virginia Beach, VA to go to the funeral of my sadly departed cousin. I still don't think that it had seemed real until I got to my aunts house and saw the vast amount of pain that everyone was in. To see my aunt, a very strong and independent woman, on the verge of breaking because she was in so much pain was almost more than I could take. I loved my cousin and and deeply saddened by her death, but the thing that always gets me at funerals is having to see my friends and family and those that were close to the departed, so desperate. Death is a natural process, no matter how unnaturally it occurs, but the grieving of my family is was really shakes me up. To see my cousin, shaking so uncontrollably because a jealous and controlling boyfriend took her sisters life really hits me at the heart.
Events like this really make me realize how important my family is. I have been living on the East Coast for six months now, and I have yet to visit my family who lives in Boston and VA. I have always said that I will go and visit, but due to one thing or another I have always put it off. Now I realize that I must go and visit, because death can come at any time and I may never get to say what I want to say to my family because I have been 'too busy' to go and see them. I guess growing up I have always guarded my emotions, I don't know if it is because I am a male adhearing to society's rules of stoicism, or because I just don't know how to express them, but I think that the guardedness[word?] of my heart has caused me to close myself off to certain people in my life. Hopefully, this event can help me to break down these walls that I have built around myself and really grow in my relationships with others. I love my family and hate to see them go through so much pain and agony, and want to be there for them to help in their suffering.
Ok, enough depression. I basically have a two day work week, starting tomorrow. I fly back to JoCo in the KC MO on Thursday, and will be there until the Wednesday after Christmas. Wednesday afternoon we have our office holiday party, where we will be bowling and drinking beer and eating catered food. Strange combination. Wednesday morning I have my weekly site meeting, so I will really only be working in the office on Monday and Tuesday. Hooray for the holidays! A year-end bonus or a raise would be nice to ;) ;)
And now, I must schlep all of my clothes up to the corner and do laundry. :sigh:
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Perspective
Late Friday night, as I was in a cab zooming down 3rd Ave on my way to a bar with some visiting friends, I was painfully told by my sister that my cousin had just been murdered by her ex-boyfriend, who then pointed the still smoking barrel towards his own head and ended yet another tragic life.
Upon hearing the news, I was in complete shock. No one can prepare themself for an event of this magnitude, for a story so unbelievable it feels like you are watching and episode of Law and Order. Friday night an atrocity against human kind was committed, one of thousands that happens each year. How could someone be so selfish and so full of hate that they could destroy something that is so beautiful? Life is so delicate and tender that it must be held with the softest of hands. Its grandeur and joy should be respected and admired, not brutally thrown on the floor to be shattered into a million pieces.
I only saw Claire once a year [on the most celebrated of Loring family holidays, Thanksgiving]. I still enjoyed my time with her, whether it was listening to her and my brother get into discussions about politics, or recalling the now infamous time in which her and my brother thought that they were cavemen and she decided to call him 'Bellyache,' a name that still sticks with him to this day, or listening to her updates on her most recent performance of jazz singing.
You never really know what you have until it's gone, something that particularly applies to your family. Family can so easily be taken for granted, and when something as unspeakable as this happens it can really bring you back down to earth and force you to realize how much they really mean to you. Even though I only see some of them once a year, I always look forward to Thanksgiving and being together with them. As our numbers now decrease by one, I know that from this point forward I will have a profoundly different outlook on this time of year and will attach a new significance to 'spending quality time with the fam'. While you may always be stuck with your family, you will also always be blessed with them, something that has now become so apparent to me.
Upon hearing the news, I was in complete shock. No one can prepare themself for an event of this magnitude, for a story so unbelievable it feels like you are watching and episode of Law and Order. Friday night an atrocity against human kind was committed, one of thousands that happens each year. How could someone be so selfish and so full of hate that they could destroy something that is so beautiful? Life is so delicate and tender that it must be held with the softest of hands. Its grandeur and joy should be respected and admired, not brutally thrown on the floor to be shattered into a million pieces.
I only saw Claire once a year [on the most celebrated of Loring family holidays, Thanksgiving]. I still enjoyed my time with her, whether it was listening to her and my brother get into discussions about politics, or recalling the now infamous time in which her and my brother thought that they were cavemen and she decided to call him 'Bellyache,' a name that still sticks with him to this day, or listening to her updates on her most recent performance of jazz singing.
You never really know what you have until it's gone, something that particularly applies to your family. Family can so easily be taken for granted, and when something as unspeakable as this happens it can really bring you back down to earth and force you to realize how much they really mean to you. Even though I only see some of them once a year, I always look forward to Thanksgiving and being together with them. As our numbers now decrease by one, I know that from this point forward I will have a profoundly different outlook on this time of year and will attach a new significance to 'spending quality time with the fam'. While you may always be stuck with your family, you will also always be blessed with them, something that has now become so apparent to me.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
[re]location?
Well, I just found out yesterday that I have until February 1 to find a new place to live. My landlord works long and odd hours and with a two hour commute to work, he said that he needed a place to crash during the week while he was in the city, so he's kicking me out. He will give me two months security deposit back as well as half of my brokers fee, and will help me find a place, which is nice but still, I'm upset that I have to relocate. I am not sure where I'm going to look, but I still have two months. Anyone know anyone who needs a roommate in NYC?
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
An Update
Well, it's been awhile [as usual, it seems].
It's hard to believe that it's Thanksgiving already, it seems like just yesterday I was starting my first day of work. I guess this is what happens when one gets older, the days don't seem as long due to your relative frame of reference to them. Tomorrow morning I head to La Guardia Airport and hop on Midwest flight YX80 to head back to Kansas City for 5 days of R and R with the family. It will be quite interesting to return to suburbia, as I have been nowhere near it for the past 5 months. I have a feeling it will be similar to how I felt upon returning from my studies in London, where I was for 5 months as well. I felt quite a bit of culture shock upon my return, and I am wondering if it will be the same thing tomorrow. It will feel strange to be in a passenger car that is not a cab [have been in one once in the past 5 months], and it will be quite a shift having to drive everywhere instead of walking. I am going to have to bum rides from my parents or borrow their car, another thing I have not done in a long time [drive].
I am acclimating to the city more and more every day, now at times I don't feel out of place at all and just go about my business.
Today, when leaving the office, my boss joked about me heading to KC and not coming back. I can assure him that is not the case.
In the spirit of fellow blogger Corbeano, I am going to post albums that I have not been able to get enough of this past month or so.
Junior Boys - So This is Goodbye
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Beach House - Beach House [ambient indie rock]
The Knife - Silent Shout [had it for about a year, but can't seem to get enough of it; see post below for video]
Rock Central Plaza - Are We Not Horses [If you like Neutral Milk Hotel, you'll love these guys]
New York has not gotten as cold as I had assumed it was going to get, I feel like this time of year in Kansas it is much colder than what I am currently experiencing; however, I do expect, and am externally assured, that the mercury will continue to plummet until I am cursing myself for typing this paragraph of arrogance.
I need a decent camera so that I can take good pictures and post them here. Oh well, there's always Xmas.
Now, it is time to pack. In honor of my return, I will now throw on some horribly awesome Tech N9ne.
It's hard to believe that it's Thanksgiving already, it seems like just yesterday I was starting my first day of work. I guess this is what happens when one gets older, the days don't seem as long due to your relative frame of reference to them. Tomorrow morning I head to La Guardia Airport and hop on Midwest flight YX80 to head back to Kansas City for 5 days of R and R with the family. It will be quite interesting to return to suburbia, as I have been nowhere near it for the past 5 months. I have a feeling it will be similar to how I felt upon returning from my studies in London, where I was for 5 months as well. I felt quite a bit of culture shock upon my return, and I am wondering if it will be the same thing tomorrow. It will feel strange to be in a passenger car that is not a cab [have been in one once in the past 5 months], and it will be quite a shift having to drive everywhere instead of walking. I am going to have to bum rides from my parents or borrow their car, another thing I have not done in a long time [drive].
I am acclimating to the city more and more every day, now at times I don't feel out of place at all and just go about my business.
Today, when leaving the office, my boss joked about me heading to KC and not coming back. I can assure him that is not the case.
In the spirit of fellow blogger Corbeano, I am going to post albums that I have not been able to get enough of this past month or so.
Junior Boys - So This is Goodbye
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Beach House - Beach House [ambient indie rock]
The Knife - Silent Shout [had it for about a year, but can't seem to get enough of it; see post below for video]
Rock Central Plaza - Are We Not Horses [If you like Neutral Milk Hotel, you'll love these guys]
New York has not gotten as cold as I had assumed it was going to get, I feel like this time of year in Kansas it is much colder than what I am currently experiencing; however, I do expect, and am externally assured, that the mercury will continue to plummet until I am cursing myself for typing this paragraph of arrogance.
I need a decent camera so that I can take good pictures and post them here. Oh well, there's always Xmas.
Now, it is time to pack. In honor of my return, I will now throw on some horribly awesome Tech N9ne.
Friday, November 03, 2006
We Share Our Mothers Health
Awesome video by an awesome band that I just found:
The Knife - We Share Our Mothers Health
The Knife - We Share Our Mothers Health
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Why I <3 NY
It has been quite some time since my previous post, and for that, I apologize. Things have been very busy for me recently, my weeks just seem to fly by. I'm up to my ears in laundry and still cannot find the time to go and get it done.
It has now been just over four months since I have moved to New York City, and while I feel that I have learned and seen a great deal since moving here, I know that I have not yet begun to even scratch the surface. A recent conversation in which I proclaimed that New York was the greatest city in America has caused me to step back and really critique why I feel this. Every morning when I hop on the subway, still bleary-eyed from my resistant acclimation to the working week, I feel a nervous, raw energy as all of the people rush on and clamor to their seats. As I bounce around on the train, fading in and out of consciousness, I feel the continual movement of people getting on and off, and up and down, carrying out their daily routine. Arriving at the station I ascend the stairs onto Canal Street and enter into the flow of pedestrians darting in and out of taxicabs on their way to the jobs that they proclaim to hate. Crossing 6th Ave I am always struck with awe at the sheer amount of people moving about the city, many with cups of coffee, and many stylishly dressed in the latest designer duds, all doing the same thing that I am doing. I do not feel alone.
Arriving at work I am greeting with a cheerful good morning from the two principals of my firm who happen to sit right next to me, and enter into a sarcastic conversation about how the organizer of the most recent office pool fixed it so that she would win [she came in dead last]. In passing I am told that there are pastries from a local 'magic-bakery' down the street, world renown for their delicacies. I cross onto the other side of the office to the water cooler where I say hello to two Asians, one German, one Irish, one Panamanian, and one Cacuasian, many of whom went to prestigious schools such as Harvard, Yale and Columbia. Throughout the morning I work on various tasks, ranging from building a 3-d model of a space high above midtown that I have visited over a dozen times [the view is stunning], calling a furniture rep regarding a particular type of veneered finish to be applied to their workstations, or field pushy emails from an extremely rich and famous client who has surprising good taste.
Lunch will occur sometime around 1:30 when my entire office will head down to the local market where one can get a plethora of goods ranging from sandwiches, soup, sushi, fruits and vegetables, etc. Or, sometimes we will head to a more specialized restaurant, one that has been featured in the NY Times for its fabulous pulled, slow-roasted pork and cabbage, or a cheap, delicious northern Chinese sandwich joint that has great atmosphere. There are times even when the principals will buy the whole office lunch, and once recently we ate at Brassiere, a very famous restaurant in the basement of the Segrams building, recently redesigned by Diller and Scofidio. [Of course, we were the only people in there critiquing the space.] I will sit with my coworkers and absorb all of the things that they talk about, many of which I never knew existed until I moved to this vast new city [Ernest Sewn jeans, the Zaha Hadid exhibit at the Guggenheim, and the free concerts at McCarren Park pool, to name a few].
Work will continue on until around 7 or so and I will make the hourly trek back to Astoria. The change between Tribeca and Astoria is quite noticeable, as when I return home I am greeted by the smells of fried chicken, falafel, and pizza. Sometimes I will stop in to a local Mexican joint that is run by a Chinese family and will grab my two #8's and one #4, or I will cross the street and will be greeted by a thick Queens accent asking me if I want my greasy two slices 'here or ta go'
And while some of these new experiences can get to be annoying and extremely irritating, I enjoy every last minute of them. I think that the reason I feel that New York is the greatest city in America is because of the people who live in it and the opportunities that are granted to me. While the people can be excruciating cold-hearted on the outside, once you get to know them you find quite the opposite. With so much diversity , from the insanely wealthy Upper East Side, to the fashionista queens of Chelsea, to the hipper than hip Williamsburg-ites, to the ethnic meccas of Astoria and Flushing, there really is a little bit [or a whole lot!] of everything in this city. I can find anything I want and a lot of stuff I have never heard of, and the experiences are so rich thus far that they are like nothing else I have ever experienced in any American city. No where else could I live where my co-workers would be able would be able to scribe the names of Meier, I.M. Pei, and Tschumi on their resumes. And with people paying exuberant amounts of money to live in tiny apartments where dishwashers and laundry facilities are the luxuries of the rich, I have found that I am not alone. I am not alone. In New York, you are never alone and there is always more to learn.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Remember Buck O'Neil
Sadly, a perennial Kansas City favorite, Buck O'Neil, passed away today. He did so much for the sport of baseball and for the city of Kansas City and he will be missed by many, many people. After injustly being bypassed for the Hall of Fame, Buck just smiled and just took it in stride like the true man of class that he was.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
24
No, not the tv show. I turned 24 today, yippee me!
After a search of not so suitable images, I came up with these:
After a search of not so suitable images, I came up with these:
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Saturday, September 09, 2006
P.rovidence
Well, here are a few pics from my recent schlep up to Providence to visit Mr. Wedel. All taken by him, as I forgot my camera.
Mr. Wedel was a very benevolent host all throughout my trip, that is for sure.
Mr. Wedel also has a loft about three times the size[x,y,z] of mine, for about the same cost. Oh the joys of NYC living!
Stomping divots at the polo match after the third chukka!
Ok, ok...me showing showing my exhibitionist side at the pizza shop.
Mr. Wedel was a very benevolent host all throughout my trip, that is for sure.
Mr. Wedel also has a loft about three times the size[x,y,z] of mine, for about the same cost. Oh the joys of NYC living!
Stomping divots at the polo match after the third chukka!
Ok, ok...me showing showing my exhibitionist side at the pizza shop.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
New Yorker
Well, while I wait for Wedel to send me photos of our time in Providence [I brilliantly left my camera in NYC], I will share with my beloved readers a little bit about my slow conversion to becoming a New Yorker.
I have been up here just over two months and I have been quite surprised with the speed at which I have begun to assymilate into the routine and lifestyle of New York. One thing that really opened my eyes to this fact is a recent dinner I had with a very distant relative who lives in Jersey City, NJ. We had been making plans for several weeks to have dinner, and finally last I made the laborious trek on the exhausted PATH train to Jersey City. Having never been to Jersey, I was quite surprised at how extremely different it was from Manhattan/New York. I remember in my second year of architecture school I read LeCorbusier's book, Towards a New Architecture in which he talked of modern cities that would have 'towers in the park' where pedestrians would congregate and automobile traffic arteries would line the edges. Of course, nowadays this notion of urban planning has been completely discredited, except in Jersey City. Upon arrival I walked out of the PATH station and was greeted by very tall skyscrapers, a few cars, and a line of pedestrians filing into residential apartment complexes in the sky, ending their 30 minute commute from bustling Manhattan. I was shocked at how empty and lifeless the city felt in comparison to Manhattan. Nowhere were there street vendors, tourists, stores with people bustling in and out, or cabs barreling down the streets. It was dead, and I was shocked as to why anyone would want to live in this sterile enviornment. Sure, the view was nice from the apartment, but even that would soon be gone due to an impeding development of parking garages.
After gathering my senses back, I made my way to the apartment where I was greeted by elevators that were out of service because of an in-progress fire alarm. I took the stairs. I arrived at the appointed, hotel-style door and entered to meet my 'long-lost' relative and her two roommates, where I was quizzed on my background and how I found city life. All three of the roommates worked in Jersey and from what I gathered rarely made it into the city, something that completely shocked me. If you were going to live in the metro area, what other reason would you live there than to work and be in the city? My only reason for moving to the tri-state area was to live and work in NYC and I had never even thought about moving here to work in the suburbs. They all drove their cars to work, which seemed crazy to me. And of course, they thought it was crazy that I lived and worked in such a hectic place. There really are two types of people who live up here.
Anyways, another thing that I have noticed in my assymilation was when I was returning from my visit to Providence. As soon as the bus entered NYC I could feel a dramatic difference in the way that I felt. Sure, it was great to get up to P.town and visit my friend and I really enjoyed the city, but as soon as we hit the pavement of northern Manhattan I could feel the excitement level turned up a couple of notches. There was a buzz and an energy that just couldn't be rivaled by most any other city. All of the people on the streets, tourists snapping photos, children playing football, WASPS coming out of Gucci with their arms full of shopping bags, hipsters smoking cigarettes. It truly was an electric feeling, one which jumpstarted my soul. New York is alive, like no other city.
I have been up here just over two months and I have been quite surprised with the speed at which I have begun to assymilate into the routine and lifestyle of New York. One thing that really opened my eyes to this fact is a recent dinner I had with a very distant relative who lives in Jersey City, NJ. We had been making plans for several weeks to have dinner, and finally last I made the laborious trek on the exhausted PATH train to Jersey City. Having never been to Jersey, I was quite surprised at how extremely different it was from Manhattan/New York. I remember in my second year of architecture school I read LeCorbusier's book, Towards a New Architecture in which he talked of modern cities that would have 'towers in the park' where pedestrians would congregate and automobile traffic arteries would line the edges. Of course, nowadays this notion of urban planning has been completely discredited, except in Jersey City. Upon arrival I walked out of the PATH station and was greeted by very tall skyscrapers, a few cars, and a line of pedestrians filing into residential apartment complexes in the sky, ending their 30 minute commute from bustling Manhattan. I was shocked at how empty and lifeless the city felt in comparison to Manhattan. Nowhere were there street vendors, tourists, stores with people bustling in and out, or cabs barreling down the streets. It was dead, and I was shocked as to why anyone would want to live in this sterile enviornment. Sure, the view was nice from the apartment, but even that would soon be gone due to an impeding development of parking garages.
After gathering my senses back, I made my way to the apartment where I was greeted by elevators that were out of service because of an in-progress fire alarm. I took the stairs. I arrived at the appointed, hotel-style door and entered to meet my 'long-lost' relative and her two roommates, where I was quizzed on my background and how I found city life. All three of the roommates worked in Jersey and from what I gathered rarely made it into the city, something that completely shocked me. If you were going to live in the metro area, what other reason would you live there than to work and be in the city? My only reason for moving to the tri-state area was to live and work in NYC and I had never even thought about moving here to work in the suburbs. They all drove their cars to work, which seemed crazy to me. And of course, they thought it was crazy that I lived and worked in such a hectic place. There really are two types of people who live up here.
Anyways, another thing that I have noticed in my assymilation was when I was returning from my visit to Providence. As soon as the bus entered NYC I could feel a dramatic difference in the way that I felt. Sure, it was great to get up to P.town and visit my friend and I really enjoyed the city, but as soon as we hit the pavement of northern Manhattan I could feel the excitement level turned up a couple of notches. There was a buzz and an energy that just couldn't be rivaled by most any other city. All of the people on the streets, tourists snapping photos, children playing football, WASPS coming out of Gucci with their arms full of shopping bags, hipsters smoking cigarettes. It truly was an electric feeling, one which jumpstarted my soul. New York is alive, like no other city.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wedel!
The office is closed Friday and Monday for Labor Day, so I'm off to Providence, RI for a weekend of celebration and polo watching w/Mr. Kyle Wedel. Pics upon return!!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Papa's got a brand new bag!
Well, bike actually. I just picked up a mide 80's Peugeot 12 speed road bike that I am planning on converting to a fixed gear. She's got a long way to go, especially since I don't have any tools with me in NYC, but thy will be done!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
New post
I know, it's long overdue, but I've been pretty busy the past few weeks now that I have a job and all. I usually get home around 8pm, which leaves a few hours for relaxing, reading,etc. However, this past week I have been sick and I am not sure if it is due to stress or to some bug that I caught.
Things have been very stressful for me this past week, after learning some some potentially painful news about a good friend of mine. This person has been sick for a while and has recently had to go to many doctors to figure out what is wrong, and no one can seem to produce any sort of an answer. Many different kinds of drugs have failed, and now they are running out of options before they diagnose a much more serious illness. Sorry to be so vague, but that's life, right? Anyways, I've been stressed out a lot by all of this news, which I think has caused me to become sick. Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fever, etc. This weekend is going to be a nice relaxing one where I can catch up on sleep [not much last weekend], and do some reading of my current book, The Brothers Karamazov. It is a fantastic book so far and I'm having a hard time putting it down.
TTFN
Things have been very stressful for me this past week, after learning some some potentially painful news about a good friend of mine. This person has been sick for a while and has recently had to go to many doctors to figure out what is wrong, and no one can seem to produce any sort of an answer. Many different kinds of drugs have failed, and now they are running out of options before they diagnose a much more serious illness. Sorry to be so vague, but that's life, right? Anyways, I've been stressed out a lot by all of this news, which I think has caused me to become sick. Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fever, etc. This weekend is going to be a nice relaxing one where I can catch up on sleep [not much last weekend], and do some reading of my current book, The Brothers Karamazov. It is a fantastic book so far and I'm having a hard time putting it down.
TTFN
Monday, August 14, 2006
Photos of the weekend [and beyond]
Some random photos I finally got off of my camera...short desciption following each.
ConEd attempting to return power. Key word 'attempting.'
A pair of hipster shoes.
This is about as athletic has hipsters get. Shooting hoops w/Apollo Sunshine.
The heart of the hipster scene...internally rocking out to Deerhoof.
Hipster Converse...oh wait, those are mine!!!
ConEd attempting to return power. Key word 'attempting.'
A pair of hipster shoes.
This is about as athletic has hipsters get. Shooting hoops w/Apollo Sunshine.
The heart of the hipster scene...internally rocking out to Deerhoof.
Hipster Converse...oh wait, those are mine!!!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Working 9 to 5
What a way to make a living. [well, more 9-6:30]
Last week was my first week of work in the big city. One down, the rest of my life to go. So far everything is going very well, much more exciting work that my last internship, where I just sat behind a computer all day long. On Wednesday I went to meet with IT guys and an engineer at the job site which is a rennovation of an office space on the top floor of the Citicorp Building. When I got to the job site, I was blown away by the expansive view out the southwest to mid-town Manhattan. Every major skyscraper in the city can be seen from the view, but the best view is a very dramatic framing of the Chrysler Building, it's reflective metal gleaming in the mid-day sun.
It was quite exciting for me to get out of the office and go to the job site and interact with other members of the building process, and while I didn't really say much when they were talking about how big to size the server closet [had only been introduced to the project the afternoon before] I still learned a lot about the architectural process from a standpoint that I have never been exposed to in school. I feel like I have learned so much in only my first week of work, and I am quite excited to continue this learning experience.
Oh yeah, my bosses are really cool, as every day at around 4:30 they will pay for beverage orders from the cafe downstairs along with some snacks!
Last week was my first week of work in the big city. One down, the rest of my life to go. So far everything is going very well, much more exciting work that my last internship, where I just sat behind a computer all day long. On Wednesday I went to meet with IT guys and an engineer at the job site which is a rennovation of an office space on the top floor of the Citicorp Building. When I got to the job site, I was blown away by the expansive view out the southwest to mid-town Manhattan. Every major skyscraper in the city can be seen from the view, but the best view is a very dramatic framing of the Chrysler Building, it's reflective metal gleaming in the mid-day sun.
It was quite exciting for me to get out of the office and go to the job site and interact with other members of the building process, and while I didn't really say much when they were talking about how big to size the server closet [had only been introduced to the project the afternoon before] I still learned a lot about the architectural process from a standpoint that I have never been exposed to in school. I feel like I have learned so much in only my first week of work, and I am quite excited to continue this learning experience.
Oh yeah, my bosses are really cool, as every day at around 4:30 they will pay for beverage orders from the cafe downstairs along with some snacks!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Peanut Butter Sandwiches [composed on a dying Powerbook]
7.21.06
Oh where to begin. First and foremost, ConEdison is the biggest pile of **** in this entire universe.
Ok, now that’s out of my system, I will start of by saying that it is now Friday, and I have not had full-functional power since Monday. I also had my apartment flooded this morning. Jolly good week, eh?
On Monday it was close to 100 degrees in New York City, and boy was it hot. In my brief time outside, I must say that the streets were pretty barren. It was so hot that the heat managed to cause 9 of the 22 feeder power lines that supply Astoria to catch fire, rendering them useless, and stranding and initial estimate of 2400 New Yorkers powerless. I was fortunate enough to have very limited power, so my TV and one light worked, while my refrigerator and air conditioning did not. While this sucked, it was livable because the outside temperatures dropped significantly from Monday and my apartment is a sublevel so it was insulated by the thermal mass of the earth.
As the week has progressed, I have become more and more irritated at the power company, ConEdison. Power was still off, and there was no estimated of when it was going to be back on. All of the storefronts were locked up and people were interviewed on local news stations, and most were none-too-pleased at the situation. Elderly people were having trouble keeping their medications cool, businesses were throwing out spoiled food, and the everyday man was sweating like a pig and looking for answers and finding only questions.
As for me, I was doing ok, I had a very small amount of food in my fridge that spoiled and I haven’t been able to cook or use the internet, but that’s about the extent of my inconvenience. It has been a little warm at night but nothing intolerable.
Well, that was until this morning when I woke up to the sound of a severe thunderstorm and water flooding from underneath the outside door and onto the floor of my apartment. I had just put my IKEA bed together last night so my mattress was safe, so I took all of the books, clothes, DVD’s and other effects and got them onto my bed as quickly as possible. After realizing what was going on I grabbed my largest cooking pot and ran outside and started to bail water out of the concrete drain that was backed up [there was a pump out there, but it was not working because why…IT HAD NO POWER!!!!] and threw it as far as possible.
When the rain let up, I was beside myself. What do I do? There is an inch of water on my floor and I have no idea of how to remove it. Pot? Broom? Hands? Help!!! I went to go and ask the guy who lives above me but ran into my neighbor instead who graciously lent me her wet/dry vacuum to suck up the water with. Upon looking down the street I saw that the bottom was flooded with water, the sewer system obviously unable to contain the vast amount of water that had attacked it. After my several seconds of shock wore off, I ran back to my apartment and proceeded to suck up over 40 gallons of water that had come to rest on my hardwood floors.
So, here I now sit in my humid, dark, cavernous apartment, with nothing but peanut butter sandwiches to keep me satisfied. According to recent television updates, there are now a suspected 25,000+ without power, a far, far, far cry from the pathetic underestimation of 2400. How they could be so wrong, only time will tell. ConEdison has stated that most power will be back by today [still negative here], and the rest taking through the weekend, but with the amount of lies already vomited at the citizens of Queens, most believe that it will be Sunday or Monday before power is finally restored.
I have been here less than a month and in the past week I have found a job, had a relationship encounter lots of heartbreak, lost power and had my apartment flooded. I feel like I have experienced a years worth of action in one week. However, things can only go up from here: I start work on Monday, I am recovering from my heartbreak, the power has to come back on eventually, and the water has receded from my floor. I feel that this is the beginning of something new and exciting and I am ready for what is in store for me.
Oh where to begin. First and foremost, ConEdison is the biggest pile of **** in this entire universe.
Ok, now that’s out of my system, I will start of by saying that it is now Friday, and I have not had full-functional power since Monday. I also had my apartment flooded this morning. Jolly good week, eh?
On Monday it was close to 100 degrees in New York City, and boy was it hot. In my brief time outside, I must say that the streets were pretty barren. It was so hot that the heat managed to cause 9 of the 22 feeder power lines that supply Astoria to catch fire, rendering them useless, and stranding and initial estimate of 2400 New Yorkers powerless. I was fortunate enough to have very limited power, so my TV and one light worked, while my refrigerator and air conditioning did not. While this sucked, it was livable because the outside temperatures dropped significantly from Monday and my apartment is a sublevel so it was insulated by the thermal mass of the earth.
As the week has progressed, I have become more and more irritated at the power company, ConEdison. Power was still off, and there was no estimated of when it was going to be back on. All of the storefronts were locked up and people were interviewed on local news stations, and most were none-too-pleased at the situation. Elderly people were having trouble keeping their medications cool, businesses were throwing out spoiled food, and the everyday man was sweating like a pig and looking for answers and finding only questions.
As for me, I was doing ok, I had a very small amount of food in my fridge that spoiled and I haven’t been able to cook or use the internet, but that’s about the extent of my inconvenience. It has been a little warm at night but nothing intolerable.
Well, that was until this morning when I woke up to the sound of a severe thunderstorm and water flooding from underneath the outside door and onto the floor of my apartment. I had just put my IKEA bed together last night so my mattress was safe, so I took all of the books, clothes, DVD’s and other effects and got them onto my bed as quickly as possible. After realizing what was going on I grabbed my largest cooking pot and ran outside and started to bail water out of the concrete drain that was backed up [there was a pump out there, but it was not working because why…IT HAD NO POWER!!!!] and threw it as far as possible.
When the rain let up, I was beside myself. What do I do? There is an inch of water on my floor and I have no idea of how to remove it. Pot? Broom? Hands? Help!!! I went to go and ask the guy who lives above me but ran into my neighbor instead who graciously lent me her wet/dry vacuum to suck up the water with. Upon looking down the street I saw that the bottom was flooded with water, the sewer system obviously unable to contain the vast amount of water that had attacked it. After my several seconds of shock wore off, I ran back to my apartment and proceeded to suck up over 40 gallons of water that had come to rest on my hardwood floors.
So, here I now sit in my humid, dark, cavernous apartment, with nothing but peanut butter sandwiches to keep me satisfied. According to recent television updates, there are now a suspected 25,000+ without power, a far, far, far cry from the pathetic underestimation of 2400. How they could be so wrong, only time will tell. ConEdison has stated that most power will be back by today [still negative here], and the rest taking through the weekend, but with the amount of lies already vomited at the citizens of Queens, most believe that it will be Sunday or Monday before power is finally restored.
I have been here less than a month and in the past week I have found a job, had a relationship encounter lots of heartbreak, lost power and had my apartment flooded. I feel like I have experienced a years worth of action in one week. However, things can only go up from here: I start work on Monday, I am recovering from my heartbreak, the power has to come back on eventually, and the water has receded from my floor. I feel that this is the beginning of something new and exciting and I am ready for what is in store for me.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Noguchi
A changing relationship has forced some reflection time upon me, so I decided to take the time to go down to the Noguchi Sculpture Museum in Queens. It's only three metro stops from my place, and it was a nice day, so I decided to walk it.
The neighborhood around the museum seemed to be fairly derelict, with empty buildings and shady characters in the area. Upon entering the building, I was completely blown away by the work that was presented. Isamu Noguchi has such powerful work, it is so simple yet so truthful and illustrated. Highly refined, he deals with rough versus smooth, and natural versus manipulated. I was really a fan of his later work which were mostly giant pieces of stone that are the pure expressions of materiality and process. Chisel marks are visible and highly controlled and are used in the design of the piece to show the contrast between the natural and unnatural. With such simplicity he breaks the material down to its most elemental, really forcing you to confront the piece for what it is.
I was surprised at how much I could relate to his work, but I now realize it's so appropriate to my life at this moment. With so much going on, maybe it's best for me to step back and break everything down to the most basic elements and determine what is the most appropriate way for me to move forward. It's been a rough few days, but I feel that Noguchi has really helped me to see things in a new light. Now, if I could only afford his lamps...
The neighborhood around the museum seemed to be fairly derelict, with empty buildings and shady characters in the area. Upon entering the building, I was completely blown away by the work that was presented. Isamu Noguchi has such powerful work, it is so simple yet so truthful and illustrated. Highly refined, he deals with rough versus smooth, and natural versus manipulated. I was really a fan of his later work which were mostly giant pieces of stone that are the pure expressions of materiality and process. Chisel marks are visible and highly controlled and are used in the design of the piece to show the contrast between the natural and unnatural. With such simplicity he breaks the material down to its most elemental, really forcing you to confront the piece for what it is.
I was surprised at how much I could relate to his work, but I now realize it's so appropriate to my life at this moment. With so much going on, maybe it's best for me to step back and break everything down to the most basic elements and determine what is the most appropriate way for me to move forward. It's been a rough few days, but I feel that Noguchi has really helped me to see things in a new light. Now, if I could only afford his lamps...
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
l'Italia รจ numero uno!!!
I now know how many Italians live in Astoria...
A whole lot! After Italy won the World Cup I went up to the main intersection of Ditmars and 31st where I witnessed pure pandamonium. The intersection was all jammed up with cars full of people waving Italian flags and honking their horns. Some cars had 10-12 people in them, with people sitting on the hoods and hanging out of windows. It was all quite fun until the cops showed up and decided to rain on the parade by regulating the traffic flow and yelling at people who were hanging out of windows. By the time things cleared up, there were at least 20-30 cops hanging around the block. They still didn't stop the Italian party, as they were driving all over Astoria honking and cheering! Even I feel like an Italian now!!!
These guys stopped their car in the middle of the intersection and jumped on the roof!!
Pigs breaking up the party:
A whole lot! After Italy won the World Cup I went up to the main intersection of Ditmars and 31st where I witnessed pure pandamonium. The intersection was all jammed up with cars full of people waving Italian flags and honking their horns. Some cars had 10-12 people in them, with people sitting on the hoods and hanging out of windows. It was all quite fun until the cops showed up and decided to rain on the parade by regulating the traffic flow and yelling at people who were hanging out of windows. By the time things cleared up, there were at least 20-30 cops hanging around the block. They still didn't stop the Italian party, as they were driving all over Astoria honking and cheering! Even I feel like an Italian now!!!
These guys stopped their car in the middle of the intersection and jumped on the roof!!
Pigs breaking up the party:
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
Boom Boom Time
Obviously, Tuesday was the 4th of July and let me say that no one does it bigger and better than New York City. It was a great reminder as to why I came to live and work here. To see the awesome firepower exploding over the city and reflecting off of the mirrored glass of downtown was magnificent. I was all smiles that night.
Friday, June 30, 2006
New York, New York
I have finally made it, end destination New York. Things are still rather hectic though as I am here, but most of my material possessions are not. I have no bed, no chair, no dishes or utensils, and no food. I am almost homeless, with the one exception being that I have an unfurnished apartment. As a matter of fact I am stealing this internet connection off of one of my less than technologically inclined neighbors who doesn’t know what a password is. It’s a sub-par connection though, as it doesn’t have enough power to allow me to post this, so your actual reading may come several days delayed. I do have photographs of my abode, and they will follow.
Well, what can I say, except that it has all been a bit anti-climatic. I sat around my parents house for several weeks being bored out of my mind, thinking that when I got to New York that I would get busy. Now I sit here, waiting for all of my stuff, but this time without the World Cup to keep me entertained. My two large bags of luggage are sitting on the floor in the next room, and I am sitting on the floor of my kitchen, the only place where I can get any sort of signal. Aw, such a comfy wall.
I don’t think that I am going to get much done in the way of job searching until next week, as it is 4th of July weekend and many people will be out of town, and I will be fixing up my place. I really hope that I can find a job soon, as much for the fact that I won’t be so bored as for the fact that I need the money. I did get into the city yesterday to hit up the old Bed Bath and Beyond, as everyone needs a luxe bathmat and shower curtain. Ok, I am now talking about bathmats and shower curtains, I think it’s time to end this post.
Well, what can I say, except that it has all been a bit anti-climatic. I sat around my parents house for several weeks being bored out of my mind, thinking that when I got to New York that I would get busy. Now I sit here, waiting for all of my stuff, but this time without the World Cup to keep me entertained. My two large bags of luggage are sitting on the floor in the next room, and I am sitting on the floor of my kitchen, the only place where I can get any sort of signal. Aw, such a comfy wall.
I don’t think that I am going to get much done in the way of job searching until next week, as it is 4th of July weekend and many people will be out of town, and I will be fixing up my place. I really hope that I can find a job soon, as much for the fact that I won’t be so bored as for the fact that I need the money. I did get into the city yesterday to hit up the old Bed Bath and Beyond, as everyone needs a luxe bathmat and shower curtain. Ok, I am now talking about bathmats and shower curtains, I think it’s time to end this post.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Change is coming
Well, Tuesday is the big day.
At 11am I will be taking off from KCI aiport on my way to my new apartment in New York City, whereupon I will be taking a cab loaded with my luggage of jeans, shirts, socks, underwear and my computer to a 3 story brick house in the Ditmars area of Astoria, Queens. Hopefully my broker will be there with my keys, or else I will be sitting there waiting on the sidewalk for her to show up, my luggage acting as a very nice makeshift chair. I have no furniture, so the following day I will be making a trip to IKEA to find me some not so quality, cheap modern furniture and a mattress where I can lay my tired body. Hopefullly on Friday my 6 boxes of misc. items plus two boxes of computer parts will arrive without any major holes in them, and I will be able to assemble some sort of a home between those brick walls, a place where I will dwell.
It's funny that the word dwell has become such a critical one for me in this transitional stage of my life. I spent all of last semester studying the meaning and implications of the word and now I get a chance to put my knowledge of the word to use in a different way. Instead of designing a house with an unlimited budget and scope, I will now be focused on a very limited budget with just as great of a scope. I see this as a space that will be me for the next several years, and one that I will need to feel comfortable in. I'm not talking a pre-Brad Pitt encountering Edward Norton style of determining whether or not this rug best describes me as a person, but a space that will allow me to be creative and confident in my life. It is intimidating moving to a city of 12 million, and if I have my own little corner of it in which I can draw strength from, then perhaps that will give me the extra push that I need. I still have no job, and this something that has constantly been at the back of my mind, as I will only have about 3 months of rent saved up before I have to find another channel of funds. If this place can help me to consolidate my mind and motivations, and give me a little bit of luck then hopefully good things will be in store for me.
Now I must go pack, as time is of the essence.
At 11am I will be taking off from KCI aiport on my way to my new apartment in New York City, whereupon I will be taking a cab loaded with my luggage of jeans, shirts, socks, underwear and my computer to a 3 story brick house in the Ditmars area of Astoria, Queens. Hopefully my broker will be there with my keys, or else I will be sitting there waiting on the sidewalk for her to show up, my luggage acting as a very nice makeshift chair. I have no furniture, so the following day I will be making a trip to IKEA to find me some not so quality, cheap modern furniture and a mattress where I can lay my tired body. Hopefullly on Friday my 6 boxes of misc. items plus two boxes of computer parts will arrive without any major holes in them, and I will be able to assemble some sort of a home between those brick walls, a place where I will dwell.
It's funny that the word dwell has become such a critical one for me in this transitional stage of my life. I spent all of last semester studying the meaning and implications of the word and now I get a chance to put my knowledge of the word to use in a different way. Instead of designing a house with an unlimited budget and scope, I will now be focused on a very limited budget with just as great of a scope. I see this as a space that will be me for the next several years, and one that I will need to feel comfortable in. I'm not talking a pre-Brad Pitt encountering Edward Norton style of determining whether or not this rug best describes me as a person, but a space that will allow me to be creative and confident in my life. It is intimidating moving to a city of 12 million, and if I have my own little corner of it in which I can draw strength from, then perhaps that will give me the extra push that I need. I still have no job, and this something that has constantly been at the back of my mind, as I will only have about 3 months of rent saved up before I have to find another channel of funds. If this place can help me to consolidate my mind and motivations, and give me a little bit of luck then hopefully good things will be in store for me.
Now I must go pack, as time is of the essence.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Downtime
Well, I got back from NYC about a week and a half ago after a fairly productive time up there. I found an apartment in Queens, a semi-sublevel studio that is really nice and close to the subway. I don't have any pictures, but before I move in I will snap some so that people can see what it looks like. The kitchen is quite nice, all new, modern appliances with clean, white cupboards and stainless door pulls. The official move-in date is July 1, but my landlord said that I could move in anytime after the 20th of June because the girl who lives there now will be out by then. He told me that he had over 30 calls on the apartment and for what I am getting it really is a steal.
Last week was a rather pitiful week for me. I picked up a nasty intestinal bug that put me out for about a week and all I could really do was lay on my couch and watch tv. Fortunately, there has been NBA finals, World Cup soccer, and lots of trashy MTV/VH1 shows to keep me mildly entertained.
Even though I am getting better now, I am still not really doing all that much. Most of my friends are either out of town or working, so it has been quite different than hanging out at school. If I was ever bored I could always go up to studio and there would always be something to work on or someone to see, but now that time has passed. No longer will I be able to see a lot of the good friends that I have made over the past 5 years, as we are all going our seperate ways to New York, Portland, Dallas, LA and beyond. But I guess that is life. We grow up, move on, and make new friends. Well, work friends anyways, I am not sure if I will ever make as good of friends as I have made in studio. Only time will tell.
Last week was a rather pitiful week for me. I picked up a nasty intestinal bug that put me out for about a week and all I could really do was lay on my couch and watch tv. Fortunately, there has been NBA finals, World Cup soccer, and lots of trashy MTV/VH1 shows to keep me mildly entertained.
Even though I am getting better now, I am still not really doing all that much. Most of my friends are either out of town or working, so it has been quite different than hanging out at school. If I was ever bored I could always go up to studio and there would always be something to work on or someone to see, but now that time has passed. No longer will I be able to see a lot of the good friends that I have made over the past 5 years, as we are all going our seperate ways to New York, Portland, Dallas, LA and beyond. But I guess that is life. We grow up, move on, and make new friends. Well, work friends anyways, I am not sure if I will ever make as good of friends as I have made in studio. Only time will tell.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
NYC[updates]
Sorry for the time between posts, these past few weeks have been quite hectic. For a brief update, I am currently in NYC until Thursday, where I am looking for a job and have found an apartment. My apartment is quite nice, a little sub-level studio that is in very good condition. My lease starts around July 1 [flexable move in date], so in less than a month I will be living in the NYC for good. I'm now at my girlfriend's place where the constant talk of fashion between her and her friends can be a bit excessive. Hopefully when I get a job I will be able to meet some guy friends with whom I can talk architecture and stuff with.
Graduation was a very bittersweet moment for me. On one hand I am excited to move up here to NYC and get a job and work, but on the other hand I am truly going to miss my great friends that I have spent the past five years together with. I feel that my studio this past semester was very unique, as there were seven of us in the back of the room that became extremely close. It is hard to go from seeing the same guys for 12+ hours a day to not seeing them at all. We had some great times and I will never forget how special they all are. Hopefully some day some of us can be in the same city and relive some of the good times that we had together.
Well, now it's time to go to Astoria Park and enjoy the nice NYC weather. Cheerio!
Graduation was a very bittersweet moment for me. On one hand I am excited to move up here to NYC and get a job and work, but on the other hand I am truly going to miss my great friends that I have spent the past five years together with. I feel that my studio this past semester was very unique, as there were seven of us in the back of the room that became extremely close. It is hard to go from seeing the same guys for 12+ hours a day to not seeing them at all. We had some great times and I will never forget how special they all are. Hopefully some day some of us can be in the same city and relive some of the good times that we had together.
Well, now it's time to go to Astoria Park and enjoy the nice NYC weather. Cheerio!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Three more days
Haha, someone is so funny...
Anyways, that was supposed to be three more days until I graduate.
Anyways, that was supposed to be three more days until I graduate.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Sunday Morning reflections
I cannot remember the last time that I got up this early on a Sunday. It really is quite nice to be able to lounge around in my house and drink coffee, read and relax. I guess that's what normal people do who don't have to go to studio all of the time.
Well, last week was a very fun and knowledge-filled week with architect Alberto Campo Baeza. We basically spent the whole week looking at our projects of the semester. He told us all that we were stupid and that what we had after a week [when he was here the first time] was better than what we had now. Ha. We expected him to say that, as it was essentially his job to do so. Later on he did say that we had very good projects and that he greatly enjoyed his week with us. He even gave me a letter of reccommendation for Richard Meier's office. Campo Baeza and him are friends. Campo Baeza actually lives in the same building as Meier's ex-wife. We ate several meals with him and he told us great stories of famous architects and their promiscuous wives. Not Richard Meiers though.
Two weeks from now I will be a graduate of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design and Kansas State University. I have no job lined up. I have no ticket or idea of how I am getting me and my stuff to New York. I have no place to stay in New York. I think I will try for a June 1 lease on an apartment. I should probably go up a week or so before that then to get the best chance of finding a good place. I am ready to get out of my place in Manhattan, KS. One year in this dump is enough for me. Get me to a real city. Excitement. Energy. Diversity. All are lackin in my current residence.
Today should be a beautiful day. It rained the past two days. Now the sun is out and the weather is wonderful. I have some work to do but not much. Help Gabe with OZ, get my effects ready to send to Mr. Meier, and tidy up my portfolio. Lend some help on the film if they need me.
I have been listening to Sigur Ros the past few days. Must be due to the rainy weather. I love laying around listening to it rain. So peaceful. It really is a spiritual experience. The cleansing of the mind and body. Who needs showers? I need more coffee.
Yesterday I had BK Joe coffee at Burger King. Not nearly as bad as one would think. I am glad that fast food chains are making 'premium' coffee now. Thank you Starbucks. Well, sorta. I guess I had to put that, as we all have to openly hate Starbucks. But I drink their coffee. I worked for them for 5 years. Hypocrite. Aren't we all?
Well, last week was a very fun and knowledge-filled week with architect Alberto Campo Baeza. We basically spent the whole week looking at our projects of the semester. He told us all that we were stupid and that what we had after a week [when he was here the first time] was better than what we had now. Ha. We expected him to say that, as it was essentially his job to do so. Later on he did say that we had very good projects and that he greatly enjoyed his week with us. He even gave me a letter of reccommendation for Richard Meier's office. Campo Baeza and him are friends. Campo Baeza actually lives in the same building as Meier's ex-wife. We ate several meals with him and he told us great stories of famous architects and their promiscuous wives. Not Richard Meiers though.
Two weeks from now I will be a graduate of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design and Kansas State University. I have no job lined up. I have no ticket or idea of how I am getting me and my stuff to New York. I have no place to stay in New York. I think I will try for a June 1 lease on an apartment. I should probably go up a week or so before that then to get the best chance of finding a good place. I am ready to get out of my place in Manhattan, KS. One year in this dump is enough for me. Get me to a real city. Excitement. Energy. Diversity. All are lackin in my current residence.
Today should be a beautiful day. It rained the past two days. Now the sun is out and the weather is wonderful. I have some work to do but not much. Help Gabe with OZ, get my effects ready to send to Mr. Meier, and tidy up my portfolio. Lend some help on the film if they need me.
I have been listening to Sigur Ros the past few days. Must be due to the rainy weather. I love laying around listening to it rain. So peaceful. It really is a spiritual experience. The cleansing of the mind and body. Who needs showers? I need more coffee.
Yesterday I had BK Joe coffee at Burger King. Not nearly as bad as one would think. I am glad that fast food chains are making 'premium' coffee now. Thank you Starbucks. Well, sorta. I guess I had to put that, as we all have to openly hate Starbucks. But I drink their coffee. I worked for them for 5 years. Hypocrite. Aren't we all?
Friday, April 28, 2006
No more Campo/Cinnamon Apple Friday
Today capped a week of discussion and reflection with the Spanish architect, Alberto Campo Baeza.
Now it's time for Cinnamon Apple Friday!!!
+
= only time will tell
Now it's time for Cinnamon Apple Friday!!!
+
= only time will tell
Thursday, April 27, 2006
May She Rest in Peace
On April 25th, Jane Jacobs passed away. An author on many subjects ranging from urban planning to economics, Mrs. Jacobs always had a special meaning to me. She wrote the famous book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities in 1961, and I read it about a year ago while I was in England. I was very intrigued by her ideas that she put forth about what makes a successful city, and after reading this book I had a longing to live in New York City, something that I am going to be doing in the very near future. She argued that neighborhoods make successful cities, not skyscrapers, and used her neighborhood in
Greenwich Village as a prime example. She was a woman who never completed college, yet could still speak so articulately and eloquently about very important issues. Her ideas will be missed.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
I've been [top5] tagged!!!
tagged by Easy E
[in the kitchen]
not the best at kitchen utilization, but here it goes
1. cheese slicer recently given to me by my mother
2. Mr. Coffee coffeepot
3. Ramen noodles
4. eggs, Dillons Jumbo
5. smoked salmon, caught by me in Lake Michigan
[in the closet]
1. Converse All-Stars [black high tops and white low tops]
2. Seven For All Mankind jeans
3. Black euro sportcoat
4. North Face sleeping bag
5. Photos from various trips to Europe
[in my bag]
1. sketchbook from Brighton, England
2. Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses
3. Uniball pen
4. The Sun Also Rises, by Hemmingway
5. daily planner
[at studio]
1. Uniball pen [same as in my bag]
2. iTunes w/50+gig of music
3. various pages of my portfolio and resume scattered about
4. LaCie 80 gig hard drive, holding my digital portfolio
5. CMU on my desk, holding rolls of trace and various other things
[at home]
1. glass with lilacs, picked by my girlfriend
2. 12" Powerbook, currenty in use
3. collection of various books, ranging from literature to architecture
4. Pumping Iron DVD with Arnold Schwarzenegger
5. Small pile of letters from firms thanking me for interest in jobs, but with none to offer me
I tag Keen Friday at In the Studio
[in the kitchen]
not the best at kitchen utilization, but here it goes
1. cheese slicer recently given to me by my mother
2. Mr. Coffee coffeepot
3. Ramen noodles
4. eggs, Dillons Jumbo
5. smoked salmon, caught by me in Lake Michigan
[in the closet]
1. Converse All-Stars [black high tops and white low tops]
2. Seven For All Mankind jeans
3. Black euro sportcoat
4. North Face sleeping bag
5. Photos from various trips to Europe
[in my bag]
1. sketchbook from Brighton, England
2. Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses
3. Uniball pen
4. The Sun Also Rises, by Hemmingway
5. daily planner
[at studio]
1. Uniball pen [same as in my bag]
2. iTunes w/50+gig of music
3. various pages of my portfolio and resume scattered about
4. LaCie 80 gig hard drive, holding my digital portfolio
5. CMU on my desk, holding rolls of trace and various other things
[at home]
1. glass with lilacs, picked by my girlfriend
2. 12" Powerbook, currenty in use
3. collection of various books, ranging from literature to architecture
4. Pumping Iron DVD with Arnold Schwarzenegger
5. Small pile of letters from firms thanking me for interest in jobs, but with none to offer me
I tag Keen Friday at In the Studio
Monday, April 10, 2006
Worker Bee
This is going to be a very busy week. It started out yesterday when I had to go back to Kansas City for my final [finally] dentist appointment. I have a slight problem with the enamel on my teeth whose cause is unkown, but what happens is that it wears down and causes my molars to become quite sensitive when eating. So, the way to remedy this is to go in and grind down half of my molar, give me a temporary cap for two weeks, and then put a permanant crown on. Today I got the final crown put on my eighth molar. [Yes, I have eight crowns] Also, my studio professor wanted us to have a mock up of our final presentations that are due in a week and a half and I didn't really have that for him, as I was busy this weekend going back to the dentist and working on a 20 minute presentation that I have on Wednesday in my Minor Modern Architects theory class and the great New York Architect, William Lescaze. Oh yeah, I also have a test tomorrow morning in the most boring class in the world, Professional Practice. It's that one at 8am that I never go to. Well, it's off to study!!!!
Friday, April 07, 2006
Impulse
Today in studio I received an email about a chair design contest that the IA department was doing which ends at 9 o'clock tonight. Basically, there are a lot of old frames of broken Guilietta chairs, and they decided to have a contest for the campus open house that is this weekend. Not wanting to work in studio, my friend Ryan and I decided that it would be cool if we busted out a chair really quickly for the contest, as the prize for the winner is 10 free Chipotle burritos! We took some time looking at the frame and looking around studio for various materials that we could use and this is what we came up with:
All-in-all, it took us about 4 hours to do and cost us $0! Not to bad for a rainy Friday afternoon.
As some of you may know, I messed up my ankle/foot pretty good last week. It still hurts today, and here's a pic of what it looks like:
All-in-all, it took us about 4 hours to do and cost us $0! Not to bad for a rainy Friday afternoon.
As some of you may know, I messed up my ankle/foot pretty good last week. It still hurts today, and here's a pic of what it looks like:
Monday, March 27, 2006
Apples, grown up
This past week was spring break and I spent it with my girlfriend in New York City. It always amazes me on how big of a difference there is between the Little Apple [manhattan, ks] and the Big Apple [manhattan, ny], and I really felt it after being there for a week. I am always amazed at the energy and power that the city holds, and I just love walking around and soaking it all up. My girlfriend is preparing a dress for a competition entry very soon, and this allowed me to have some free time to walk around the city and see some stuff that I wouldn't have otherwise seen.
This semester I have been doing some research on the architect Bernard Tschumi [see previous post], so I took the opprotunity of being in NYC to check out his work at Columbia University. He did the student center there, and really focused on the movement of the students throughout the space and how to make this an important event in their day. I had read about this project, but I didn't get a true sense of it until I actually visited the site and noticed how busy the traffic was both inside and outside of the glass curtain wall that contains the building envelope. If the glass were not there [it is practically invisible anyways], both versions of circulation would become one.
While I was there I also went to a famous restaurant [made so by Sex in the City] called Serendipity that had giant, delicious desserts. Below is just a sampling of the scale and decadence that occurs there.
The weather was decent while I was there, no rain or snow, but heavy coats all the time. There were several nights that we went out in Manhattan and one night we went to a place called Milk Bar that was decorated like the black and white bar in the movie, A Clockwork Orange; alas, they didn't have milk being served out of the various body parts of mannequins. We also went to the Bowery Bar, a bar which I had been to while visiting two falls ago with my studio; it was not as I remembered it however, as it was pretty empty and playing very mainstream, old music. I honestly wasn't expecting to see a bunch of white rich kids dancing to Juvenile's 'Back That Azz Up' while I was out clubbing in NYC, and it made me feel like I was back at Joe's Tap Room in Aggieville.
Now that spring break is over I am in the final stretch of my undergraduate career, and it is a little scary. In ~7 weeks I will be graduating and will be moving to New York whether I find a job beforehand or not. I know that I have marketable skills, but it can be quite a daunting task to try and find a job in New York no matter what kinds of skills you have. So, I am just going to give these last weeks all that I can and try and make the best of the short time that I have left here in the Little Apple.
This semester I have been doing some research on the architect Bernard Tschumi [see previous post], so I took the opprotunity of being in NYC to check out his work at Columbia University. He did the student center there, and really focused on the movement of the students throughout the space and how to make this an important event in their day. I had read about this project, but I didn't get a true sense of it until I actually visited the site and noticed how busy the traffic was both inside and outside of the glass curtain wall that contains the building envelope. If the glass were not there [it is practically invisible anyways], both versions of circulation would become one.
While I was there I also went to a famous restaurant [made so by Sex in the City] called Serendipity that had giant, delicious desserts. Below is just a sampling of the scale and decadence that occurs there.
The weather was decent while I was there, no rain or snow, but heavy coats all the time. There were several nights that we went out in Manhattan and one night we went to a place called Milk Bar that was decorated like the black and white bar in the movie, A Clockwork Orange; alas, they didn't have milk being served out of the various body parts of mannequins. We also went to the Bowery Bar, a bar which I had been to while visiting two falls ago with my studio; it was not as I remembered it however, as it was pretty empty and playing very mainstream, old music. I honestly wasn't expecting to see a bunch of white rich kids dancing to Juvenile's 'Back That Azz Up' while I was out clubbing in NYC, and it made me feel like I was back at Joe's Tap Room in Aggieville.
Now that spring break is over I am in the final stretch of my undergraduate career, and it is a little scary. In ~7 weeks I will be graduating and will be moving to New York whether I find a job beforehand or not. I know that I have marketable skills, but it can be quite a daunting task to try and find a job in New York no matter what kinds of skills you have. So, I am just going to give these last weeks all that I can and try and make the best of the short time that I have left here in the Little Apple.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Villette
Well, I've been sick this past weekend with a cold, but I still managed to get some work done. I've got a studio project due this Friday, so things have been quite busy and will only be getting busier. For one of my classes we are having to make a drawing of a particular architect's [mine is Bernard Tschumi] building in their graphic style, and I have posted it below. I want to try and do something like this for my crit on Friday, but we will see how much time I have.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Structure
It's amazing how my process in studio can be so related to other aspects of my life. I am currently working on figuring out the structure of my house and drawing a framing/structural plan, and it seems like I am attempting to structure other parts of my life as well. I have recently purchased a daily planner so that I can get my schedule organized. I am also in the process of trying to find a job, something that will hopefully provide more structure to my life once I start working it. I have chosen the above picture to represent this [Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square], as I have also been reminiscing about London. I was looking through all of my old Travelcards, ticket stubs, and brochures yesterday after looking at what a friend did with his that consisted of creating a montage of them in his sketchbook. Perhaps I will do the same, but write down what I am feeling about these things one year later.
I have also started to reread a book that I read in England by the great Thomas Merton. He was recommended to me by a professor and I picked up the book one day about a year ago and it really made me take a look at myself and what I believe. The other day there were some monks in the student union creating a mandela, and their work reminded me of Merton's work, so I decided to reread it. It is very inspiring and provoking material, and I am currently reading about the disparity between one's real, true self, and the self that wears a mask of who we want to be. Merton says it best:
"The deep secrecy of my own being is often hidden from my by my own estimate of what I am. My idea of what I am is falified by my admiration for what I do. And my illusions about myself are bred by contagion from the illusions of other men. We all seek to imitate one another's imagined greatness."
Below are some images I have posted before, but I made the last time I was reading Merton:
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Knackered
I am quite tired today. Last night me and some of my mates went to Lawrence for the 17th Annual KU Masonry Conference which was today. We stayed at my brothers place and went to the Bottleneck to see some bands perform. I should've brought my camera, because we always have good times in Lawrence, but I forgot. Well, needless to say we had a good time and didn't get much sleep because we had to see Patricia Patkau give a lecture on her work at 9 am; the lecture was interesting, it was just rather tedious because we were all so tired. Afterwards we hit up
where we had some good eats, followed by a trip to the Love Garden where I picked up some new records:
Now, it's time to get some details ironed out for a party that is being thrown tomorrow.
where we had some good eats, followed by a trip to the Love Garden where I picked up some new records:
Now, it's time to get some details ironed out for a party that is being thrown tomorrow.
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