Off and Running
December 1, 2008 | Filed Under Sheldon, Architecture | 1 Comment
I will be able to breath a bit easier in a few weeks. The semester is almost done. It seems the horror stories are at least partly true. I knew going in that it would not be easy. My introduction to architecture school thus far has been full of long hours, a slew of extra and consistent expenses, model-making-madness (complete with Exacto-knife cuts), dozens of abstract and borderline mind-numbing crits, exhausting CAD and rendering classes, frustrating school policies, and not enough time with family.
But on the flip side, (and there definitely is one) it has been really, really refreshing. For one, I am out of my comfort zone (which is always a good thing) and thrust into a highly hands-on building process. Imagine “This Old House” and all that. Picture me in a shop, cutting wood and thinking about my fingers and how much I value them. Then up in studio, I’m gluing stuff, thinking about basswood and foam core, what bends well, and googling the closest Hobby Lobby and Home Depot locations. I’m toting sketch books, where I doodle every inspiration. Scribbling joints and angles for my latest project. I’m learning software to render buildings in 3D, using CAD and Revit, Rhino, and Studio Max. I’m literally seeing things in new ways. I can actually start thinking creatively again. Thing is, I haven’t really stopped. It’s just encouraged now.
So it is, for the most part, an “out-with-theory,” approach. This is the biggest plus for me. There’s no more reading the so-called “works” of godless critical theorists, who create their own french and latin words to puff themselves up, who write a book on something that could be said in three words. And one of the best perks? No more research papers. You see, I’d take an Exacto-knife cut over writing a 30 page paper of propaganda any day. At least with the cut, the blood is genuine. No more enduring indoctrination from the ivory tower. No more from the likes of Marx, Zedong, Althusser, Fish, Lacan, Derrida, and the rest). No more ethnic, gender, socioeconomic-responsive, perversity requirements. Just ARCHITECTURE, that intricate marriage of art and engineering. No social constructions, just architecture.
I’ve been inspired by building methods and structures, amazed by traditional and modern approaches, and encouraged by my small attempts to enter this field and make a contribution. And I recently started working PT for UNL. Now that’s kinda like a doctor trying to do a PT job after working in the hospital all day long. But I am grateful for a few hours here and there to help out financially. Also, I take an Institute class that is nearby too. That has been awesome.
Lots going on. I’ll keep you posted.
PS - (I know I make some loaded statements from time to time. It is what it is. I don’t belong to the “I’m always right, you’re always wrong,” camp. But I do have strong opinions and am convinced about them. We can still be pals if you’re coming from another perspective though. Anyway, thanks for the read).
Zoom
September 30, 2008 | Filed Under Family | 5 Comments
Last week we took a trip to Champions Fun Center, in Lincoln. We are still getting used to the area, so we don’t know exactly where the best or most family friendly places are located yet, but we had a good time. We went there for one reason: go carts. The place is a bit pricey, but it was a once-in-a-while kind of thing. We also checked out the batting cages. More pics here.
Happy Birthday Brighton!
September 30, 2008 | Filed Under Brighton, Family | 4 Comments
It’s that time again. Guess who had another birthday? And it’s a pretty big deal, this particular milestone. On September 22, Brighton turned a whopping 8 years! Did you read that correctly? I know I typed it correctly. Eight-years-old. He’s practically moving out! Just kidding. But pretty soon he’ll be in double digits. Then he’ll be a teenager. And I’m sure Kuei and I will freak out about that too. It’s blowing my mind. My first born son is going to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints soon too! (likely a week or so after General Conference). Wow. The fact is, my “little man” is really turning into a little man. Age of accountability. This is huge.
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Brighton has a big heart. He’s very open and accepting of others. He’s a funny and curious kid with many talents. He’s our first child. We started our family earlier than most. But looking back, I can see how much Brighton has blessed my life. I am very proud to be his Dad.
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We celebrated on Saturday, and went to a park with Grandma & Grandpa. Brighton invited a friend he goes to school with, who lives nearby. We ate cake and hit a Piñata. We opened gifts. Brighton got his first skateboard and is learning very quickly how to use it. I am surprised how easily he has taken to it. (I had my first board around 9 or so and was really into skateboarding for a few years).
Enjoy these pictures. More birthday pictures here.
Space is Good
September 29, 2008 | Filed Under Simplify, Church, Family | Leave a Comment
Maybe I’m just getting older. Or maybe it’s the fact that my family is everything to me. It could be that the state of the world is in shambles, and when I’m walking in an open field or swimming in the ocean, life feels more whole, untouched, and genuine. Whatever it is, I think there’s something to this “open space” thing. Be it land or water. I really like the room, you know? And all those “rural people,” are starting to look a lot wiser than I used to give them credit for, when growing up in Missouri. (I still don’t like the music too much, but there are exceptions. Less twang, less steel guitar…but I digress…)
I’m very comfortable in an urban environment. I crave it sometimes. And when that happens, it’s a good time to go to Taipei or Tokyo or some dense, fluid, concrete-and-glass jungle. That is awesome. And makes for great inspiration as a designer, musician, etc. Some of the best creative juices flow when I’m listening to electronica and hitting the streets in some downtown megapolis. I used to think that’s where I wanted to live, to really live. When I was a teenager and before I was married mind you. Funny how perspectives can be altered huh? I love cities. Gritty, pulsing, strange cities. A good place to visit. But to live? Have a family? When it comes time to think about elementary schools and your kids’ quality of life? I’m leaning more to small and cozy with a lot of space. But I’m a very modern person…so this is something I am going to have to work with. I’m liking the space. And eventually we will get some land of our own.
We had a good experience the other day. One cool thing about living in the midwest is that there are members in the Church that have land with gardens, etc. Well, one Sister M. was generously allowing others in the ward to come and get a couple bushels of apples from her orchard. So after classes and dinner, we jumped into the car and went on over. Sister M. also provided us with a couple wagons, while we were there, so we could pull Keane and the box of apples. Brighton got to touch some very large and colorful goldfish too. And Kuei saw a patch of soybean plants for the first time. Then we all took a stroll about their property while the sun was setting. It was very peaceful, and a great way to end the day. A little walk among the grasslands. (The sky is bigger out here, by the way). It was a good FHE, check it out.
Morning
September 3, 2008 | Filed Under Sheldon, Kuei | 4 Comments
Kuei woke me up at 6am the other day saying, “Come look outside, it’s really cool!” From our porch we have a view of some of the wetlands, and in the morning there is a lot of fog. It makes for cool pictures when the sun is coming up. Kuei snapped a couple shots to share with you all.
