Friday, February 29, 2008
Roommate landing
My absentee roommate finally showed up tonight. She signed a lease with us Jan. 15 and has not spent ONE single night at our apartment. I just got word from my other roommate she has, in fact, landed on Grove Street.
RAM installed
I personally installed 1 GB of RAM into my pathetic little laptop. Now I have more than double of the RAM that the system came with. Hopefully this will mean more streamlined computing.
This is an awesome pic of Hamilton Leithauser wailing into the microphone during their concert on Wed. night in San Francisco. I hadn't seen the Walkmen in concert before. If you are a fan of their music, you would have been very happy with the show, although they failed to play Revenge Wears No Wristwatch.
This is an awesome pic of Hamilton Leithauser wailing into the microphone during their concert on Wed. night in San Francisco. I hadn't seen the Walkmen in concert before. If you are a fan of their music, you would have been very happy with the show, although they failed to play Revenge Wears No Wristwatch.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Lunar eclipse, missed it.
A lunar eclipse event transpired on Wed. evening as noted by more than a few newspapers, astronomy user groups, and people in my studio. Apparently the event was not visible in Berkeley as the Berkeley Hills were blocking the moon, which I assume was laying low in the horizon (conjecture). All I know is that someone in our class went up to Wurster Hall's 9th Floor, looked out every damn window, and could not find a crumb of evidence pointing to a lunar eclipse.
Apparently the next lunar eclipse will happen sometime in 2010. I guess I will have to wait. Hell, why not just skip that one, too, and hold off to see this thing until 2012? Either way....
Other events of the week: This afternoon, around 4:30 PM, I enjoyed a private nap in my office. I have keys to one of the shared lecturer offices on my floor. No one really uses the office save for me. I am thinking of equipping the room with a mat of sorts, pillow, and fuzzy blanket - supplies that will increase the quality of my napping. Right now I just nap in a seated position leaning over the desk (it's okay....the chair is height adjustable, so it is more comfortable than it sounds). I came back from my nap happy and well-adjusted, ready to face more hours on the computer. I saw my studio mate Sam sleeping on his studio desk, looking terribly haunched over and labored by the whole process. I feel bad for him, but I can't just be lending out keys to my office willy nilly.
During the weekend I visited the stately Stanford Theater with Jason to see "Spellbound" starring Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. I was most impressed with the venue.
That is all. It is late and I must retire.
Apparently the next lunar eclipse will happen sometime in 2010. I guess I will have to wait. Hell, why not just skip that one, too, and hold off to see this thing until 2012? Either way....
Other events of the week: This afternoon, around 4:30 PM, I enjoyed a private nap in my office. I have keys to one of the shared lecturer offices on my floor. No one really uses the office save for me. I am thinking of equipping the room with a mat of sorts, pillow, and fuzzy blanket - supplies that will increase the quality of my napping. Right now I just nap in a seated position leaning over the desk (it's okay....the chair is height adjustable, so it is more comfortable than it sounds). I came back from my nap happy and well-adjusted, ready to face more hours on the computer. I saw my studio mate Sam sleeping on his studio desk, looking terribly haunched over and labored by the whole process. I feel bad for him, but I can't just be lending out keys to my office willy nilly.
During the weekend I visited the stately Stanford Theater with Jason to see "Spellbound" starring Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. I was most impressed with the venue.
That is all. It is late and I must retire.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
What you said depresses me. about my future
This afternoon and evening my studio class endured a 4.5 hour midsemester pin up. Although we aren't really halfway through the semester, we are, in fact, through 25% of it. For this project in studio we happen to be at the halfway point. There's always some hurdle at the halfway point, in anything you do, pretty much. Today happened to be our hurdle du jour.
The project presentation is for a waterfront project in Sausalito, CA. The way a review works is our professor invites people from the "real world" to come listen to each of our respective design proposals related to needed improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle experience of the waterfront. Some students propose seemingly simple pathway and connection improvements (they are never very simple, though). Some students propose destination interventions (meaning, to build something that people will come to experience). Other students propose building an island out of a peninsula or promote use of artistic installations in the landscape. It all varies greatly, depending on the particulars of the site chosen and the particular student who is designing it.
After nearly 4.5 hours of back to back presentations (each person gets 5 min to present and you get about 7 min of feedback), the main critic, who is an architect in Sausalito, tells us the following:
"Wow, you know, after hearing all about these tremendous proposals, I feel like what I do in the office is just a bore. I mean, in the REAL world, there is a big fear of getting boo-ed out of the room if you propose anything that is even remotely bold. I applaud your work. You've given me a TON of ideas that I hope to relate to our little city in the future. We need to get out of the box, but it is really only with presentations like this, from students like yourselves, that those ideas are produced free from fear of political reprocussions (sp) and the like."
So in just a few sentences, Michael broke us some pretty sobering news. The real world is boring and is subject to very solid boundaries. The work there is to do is to design parking circulation and cheap bike paths. There is no island-building in the real world, either.
Aye. It makes me want to be a little more grateful for where I am. It makes me want to make bold moves while I can before I become harnessed in.
Happy V Day.
The project presentation is for a waterfront project in Sausalito, CA. The way a review works is our professor invites people from the "real world" to come listen to each of our respective design proposals related to needed improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle experience of the waterfront. Some students propose seemingly simple pathway and connection improvements (they are never very simple, though). Some students propose destination interventions (meaning, to build something that people will come to experience). Other students propose building an island out of a peninsula or promote use of artistic installations in the landscape. It all varies greatly, depending on the particulars of the site chosen and the particular student who is designing it.
After nearly 4.5 hours of back to back presentations (each person gets 5 min to present and you get about 7 min of feedback), the main critic, who is an architect in Sausalito, tells us the following:
"Wow, you know, after hearing all about these tremendous proposals, I feel like what I do in the office is just a bore. I mean, in the REAL world, there is a big fear of getting boo-ed out of the room if you propose anything that is even remotely bold. I applaud your work. You've given me a TON of ideas that I hope to relate to our little city in the future. We need to get out of the box, but it is really only with presentations like this, from students like yourselves, that those ideas are produced free from fear of political reprocussions (sp) and the like."
So in just a few sentences, Michael broke us some pretty sobering news. The real world is boring and is subject to very solid boundaries. The work there is to do is to design parking circulation and cheap bike paths. There is no island-building in the real world, either.
Aye. It makes me want to be a little more grateful for where I am. It makes me want to make bold moves while I can before I become harnessed in.
Happy V Day.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Where's my sticker?
Question:
How much would it take to include one of those cute little "I Voted" stickers in the mail-in ballots? I mean, you go to the trouble to vote early and then on election day people don't see that sticker and assume you forgot about your civic duty. They get the sticker for showing up at the very last minute!
It's the little things that count...
That said, I voted for Hillary, with a bit of worry, but I am happy with my (early) vote. Can't wait to see how it all pans out...
Gov. Schwarzenegger's budget cuts for the UC system have got our department in a shakedown. They need to trim 7% from all expenses and issue a report in a few weeks to the chancellor. It really stinks. I heard that the class I TA for is going to lose its lecturer funding. That means a senior faculty member has to volunteer to teach Introduction to Landscape Architecture. It isn't a class anyone would jump to teach, unfortunately, because it is an entry level course for undergraduates (undergrads from other departments, I might add). Not at all glamorous and a lot of required legwork. Someone told me Randy H. volunteered to teach it next spring. I hope that is good news for me as I really kind of depend on the funding the TA position brings.
I just got home and am waiting for my laundry to be done in the washer so I can change it over. Long day ahead tomorrow, but at least it will be low key.
How much would it take to include one of those cute little "I Voted" stickers in the mail-in ballots? I mean, you go to the trouble to vote early and then on election day people don't see that sticker and assume you forgot about your civic duty. They get the sticker for showing up at the very last minute!
It's the little things that count...
That said, I voted for Hillary, with a bit of worry, but I am happy with my (early) vote. Can't wait to see how it all pans out...
Gov. Schwarzenegger's budget cuts for the UC system have got our department in a shakedown. They need to trim 7% from all expenses and issue a report in a few weeks to the chancellor. It really stinks. I heard that the class I TA for is going to lose its lecturer funding. That means a senior faculty member has to volunteer to teach Introduction to Landscape Architecture. It isn't a class anyone would jump to teach, unfortunately, because it is an entry level course for undergraduates (undergrads from other departments, I might add). Not at all glamorous and a lot of required legwork. Someone told me Randy H. volunteered to teach it next spring. I hope that is good news for me as I really kind of depend on the funding the TA position brings.
I just got home and am waiting for my laundry to be done in the washer so I can change it over. Long day ahead tomorrow, but at least it will be low key.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday ramblings
Heard: Looks Just Like the Sun, Broken Social Scene
Labor:
I worked on this ridiculous graphic all week for P'Boz. It is made out of three individual b&w hand drawings that I had to break apart and carefully stitch back together.
Labor:
I worked on this ridiculous graphic all week for P'Boz. It is made out of three individual b&w hand drawings that I had to break apart and carefully stitch back together.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I voted, did you? Also, customer service.
With Super Toosday fast-approaching, I completed and mailed in my California Democratic Primary absentee ballot. More and more, people choose to vote in absentia. I think it is probably a good idea, especially for busy or the mobility impaired. However, there is something to be said for going to your local polling station, waiting in line, and filling in a ballot in-person. I am a little miffed that my absentee status means that I will not be able to vote in person come November. However, I think they allow folk like me to drop off their ballots in person. But it's not quite the same thing now, is it?
Today I also experienced two excellent on the phone (OTP) customer service sessions. Dell has a feature on their web site called Click to Call feature. I wondered if it was even worth trying.
Clicking on the button, I was prompted to select a call back time. Choices are immediately, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min. I chose 1 min and got a call promptly back in 60 seconds (but was put on hold for about 25 seconds when the line was answered....but that's not too bad!). What is cool about this feature is that the person who is calling you knows what product you have been looking at on line and they are prepared to answer questions about that product genre, to assist you with an otp purchase, etc. It's very clever. The guy on the phone was also from America, as far as I could tell and seemed to be a reasonably chipper fellow. (Dell's technical support, on the other hand, usually contracts you out to India. A couple weeks ago when calling about a busted keyboard, I talked to Adnan in New Delhi for over an hour.)
Total time on phone to make inquiry and purchase two products: 7 min
Later in the evening, I had to call AT&T to set up a start-service for our phone and DSL service. After I gave her my basic info (name, SSN, DL#, address) she told me that she would call me back in 10 min to save me from having to wait otp with her while she did a residency and credit check. She called back in exactly 10 minutes and was just as helpful as I could ever hope, remembering my name and exactly where we left off when we'd hung up. She even tried to find out if I could qualify for low income land line service when I told her I was a grad student. On top of that, I also found out her and I share the some astrological sign. She was born on the 17th of August. Myself, the 11th.
Total time otp: 20 min
Totoal
Today I also experienced two excellent on the phone (OTP) customer service sessions. Dell has a feature on their web site called Click to Call feature. I wondered if it was even worth trying.
Clicking on the button, I was prompted to select a call back time. Choices are immediately, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min. I chose 1 min and got a call promptly back in 60 seconds (but was put on hold for about 25 seconds when the line was answered....but that's not too bad!). What is cool about this feature is that the person who is calling you knows what product you have been looking at on line and they are prepared to answer questions about that product genre, to assist you with an otp purchase, etc. It's very clever. The guy on the phone was also from America, as far as I could tell and seemed to be a reasonably chipper fellow. (Dell's technical support, on the other hand, usually contracts you out to India. A couple weeks ago when calling about a busted keyboard, I talked to Adnan in New Delhi for over an hour.)
Total time on phone to make inquiry and purchase two products: 7 min
Later in the evening, I had to call AT&T to set up a start-service for our phone and DSL service. After I gave her my basic info (name, SSN, DL#, address) she told me that she would call me back in 10 min to save me from having to wait otp with her while she did a residency and credit check. She called back in exactly 10 minutes and was just as helpful as I could ever hope, remembering my name and exactly where we left off when we'd hung up. She even tried to find out if I could qualify for low income land line service when I told her I was a grad student. On top of that, I also found out her and I share the some astrological sign. She was born on the 17th of August. Myself, the 11th.
Total time otp: 20 min
Totoal
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Sausalito Waterfront tour
My spring studio is spending 7+ weeks investigating design interventions along the Sausalito waterfront. Most of Sausalito is tourist central, but there are large expanses of the waterfront that are nearly impossible to navigate as a pedestrian. It will be our challenge to reveal the potential of these many spots.
Just a few pictures....most of the ones I will actually use are too boring to post here. Here are the more interesting ones.
This is a public trail in Sausalito with a rather rigid looking fence that the property owner can close or open without notice.
This is Tuxedo, the mixed lab that accompanied us on the tour of Sausalito's waterfront today.
This is an interior shot of Spaulding Wooden Boatbuilding School. Here is the current project, the Freda, built in 1885. The hull is being reconstructed. Spaulding finishes about one boat each year.
This is the hood of a very interesting set of wheels.
Just a few pictures....most of the ones I will actually use are too boring to post here. Here are the more interesting ones.
This is a public trail in Sausalito with a rather rigid looking fence that the property owner can close or open without notice.
This is Tuxedo, the mixed lab that accompanied us on the tour of Sausalito's waterfront today.
This is an interior shot of Spaulding Wooden Boatbuilding School. Here is the current project, the Freda, built in 1885. The hull is being reconstructed. Spaulding finishes about one boat each year.
This is the hood of a very interesting set of wheels.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Fred Thompson's company
Today, in step with Fred Thompson's announcement, my stepfather dropped out of the City of Beaverton mayoral race. See the full story in today's Oregonian.
Bruce cited problems relating to his health as being the main reason for stepping out. I believe he would have made a good mayor. That aside, I am actually relieved I didn't have to hear about the race antics, hob-knobbing, administrative drudgery, fundraising events, uninvited photo-opts, and all the related angst entailed in a typical municipal election.
I have a sense that the prospect of avoiding any one of those things would improve one's health...
Bruce cited problems relating to his health as being the main reason for stepping out. I believe he would have made a good mayor. That aside, I am actually relieved I didn't have to hear about the race antics, hob-knobbing, administrative drudgery, fundraising events, uninvited photo-opts, and all the related angst entailed in a typical municipal election.
I have a sense that the prospect of avoiding any one of those things would improve one's health...
Friday, January 18, 2008
I like it when my truck's balls get noticed....
There is a line of vehicle accessories available for purchase that allow you to give your truck or motorbike a pair of big silicone balls. Who ever came up with this shit amazes me....I'd love to meet her/him. In any case, the state of VA is considering banning those balls as they constitute a real distraction to drivers.
The add-on accessory of a pair of lipstick prints on the ball-sack of choice resolves the question of why the Muslims hate us.
But before the Muslims blow us away, they should consider these fine set of special-edition balls as an indicator of American virtue....link to video.
The add-on accessory of a pair of lipstick prints on the ball-sack of choice resolves the question of why the Muslims hate us.
But before the Muslims blow us away, they should consider these fine set of special-edition balls as an indicator of American virtue....link to video.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Best new thing to eat
This yogurt is the most delicious. It isn't diet food, but it's not full fat either. Too bad only one store I know carries it...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Wire-tapped
TV status: Tonight marks my completion of Season 1 of The Wire. At least for this viewer. Could I get through Season 2 before next week?? It's possible, but I should probably save it for the hard times I'll see over the next few months.
Neck and headache discomfort status: worse than ever....will seek professional advice..
Work status: progress comes slow....meaning I can't take off after sunset anymore
Computer status: new keyboard, hibernation button, and right speaker. This thing is actually looking real good!
New roommate status: Arrival TBA, but this weekend is the best guess. She is quiet, and doesn't seem to answer emails. Ever. It's weird.
Neck and headache discomfort status: worse than ever....will seek professional advice..
Work status: progress comes slow....meaning I can't take off after sunset anymore
Computer status: new keyboard, hibernation button, and right speaker. This thing is actually looking real good!
New roommate status: Arrival TBA, but this weekend is the best guess. She is quiet, and doesn't seem to answer emails. Ever. It's weird.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Happily wired
...starting episode 10 of season 1 of The Wire. I am content with this broadcast addiction.
Mavericks, couch chicks
This Saturday was the amazing annual event for the surfing world, Mavericks. I've never actually attended the event, but I usually spend a good day or two marveling over the photos that result from the competition. Here are a couple I swiped of the Chronicle.
Friday, January 11 (1/11/08) was an event for Mr. ??? at 111 Minna Gallery. It was a free event, which was nice, but it also got rather crowded. Some of the pieces I thought had more entertainment value than others....but it is all very subjective.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Hope for Hil yet
Hillary's unexpected victory in NH disrupts Barak Obama's hopes for an early sweep. I am very glad the race is still head to head. Leave it to those New Hampshire-ites to go against the popular grain.
Live free or die, you dirty Iowan scum!!! Or at least I imagine that's how it might go down in a state to state faceoff.
The next primary (So. Carolina?) will be full of tension, as it should be.
And, of course, the Republican primary in NH also delivered favorable results. The most favorable.....Still, that's not saying much!
Live free or die, you dirty Iowan scum!!! Or at least I imagine that's how it might go down in a state to state faceoff.
The next primary (So. Carolina?) will be full of tension, as it should be.
And, of course, the Republican primary in NH also delivered favorable results. The most favorable.....Still, that's not saying much!
Fun at the slide library, Apple style
Since about 1pm, I've been in the slide library. It's a somewhat dreary place. Full of old fashioned slide drawers with dusty tops.
I haven't been pulling sildes from these drawers, per se, but I have been getting some practice on an Apple computer they have in here as the patron workstation. I can't say the thing has a ton of advantages in terms of navigation. The mouse can hardly do a damn thing. So much for scroll capacity. It takes twice as much mousework to move files around as it does on an IBM computer. I have no idea why they don't incorporate a more dynamic mouse.
In other news, it is raining hard.
Update to come.
I haven't been pulling sildes from these drawers, per se, but I have been getting some practice on an Apple computer they have in here as the patron workstation. I can't say the thing has a ton of advantages in terms of navigation. The mouse can hardly do a damn thing. So much for scroll capacity. It takes twice as much mousework to move files around as it does on an IBM computer. I have no idea why they don't incorporate a more dynamic mouse.
In other news, it is raining hard.
Update to come.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Making mom proud on the New Year
My final grades for Fall 2007 are below. My name isn't on the readout, but trust me, they are mine. And no, that is not an A- for the drawing class. It is an A+.
I slipped marking the New Year. Since I had this blog, I think I've mentioned the New Year regularly. As it stands, I am one week late to do so. But better late than never.
Here is to an exciting 2008. Looking forward to early November, when things really start to get shaking!
Until then, I will be a slave-student and shall continue to eat most of my meals out of plastic containers.
I slipped marking the New Year. Since I had this blog, I think I've mentioned the New Year regularly. As it stands, I am one week late to do so. But better late than never.
Here is to an exciting 2008. Looking forward to early November, when things really start to get shaking!
Until then, I will be a slave-student and shall continue to eat most of my meals out of plastic containers.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Oh dear, my tea is moving.
Ants. Ants tend to invade Bay Area homes during spells of wet weather, seeking a dry refuge and perhaps a snack. Since I've lived on Grove Street, we've suffered a couple ant attacks after seasonal rains. This weekend, the entire Bay Area has experienced more than a few days of downright damp weather. Fittingly, the ants returned to our abode, uninvited, and in great numbers.
I first noticed something awry from a distance when the cup of tea I'd left full on my nightstand appeared to be moving. Inspecting it closer, I found about 50 drowned victims inside the mug, with at least 25 comrades circling the perimeter of the cup edge. Those guys got flushed.
Along my wall, a trail of several 100 strong was homing in on my small bedside trash can. No food was in there to speak of, only some empty Reese's wrappers (Halloween candy leftovers) and a damp tea bag or two. Despite the lack of adequate food, the ants had invaded the trash bag without any hesitation to note.
The rest of the devils were given the ultimate ant treatment. Sprayable bleach. So now my room smells like Clorox, but at least it is ant free. Ants die immediately upon bleach treatment. However, it is unclear whether hardy survivors may later breed to create a super generation of ants that withstand most chemical assaults. It is the risk you take, I suppose.
I will continue to monitor the source of invasion (a crack in my wall) until I am confident the ant warriors are disbanded and in full retreat.
I first noticed something awry from a distance when the cup of tea I'd left full on my nightstand appeared to be moving. Inspecting it closer, I found about 50 drowned victims inside the mug, with at least 25 comrades circling the perimeter of the cup edge. Those guys got flushed.
Along my wall, a trail of several 100 strong was homing in on my small bedside trash can. No food was in there to speak of, only some empty Reese's wrappers (Halloween candy leftovers) and a damp tea bag or two. Despite the lack of adequate food, the ants had invaded the trash bag without any hesitation to note.
The rest of the devils were given the ultimate ant treatment. Sprayable bleach. So now my room smells like Clorox, but at least it is ant free. Ants die immediately upon bleach treatment. However, it is unclear whether hardy survivors may later breed to create a super generation of ants that withstand most chemical assaults. It is the risk you take, I suppose.
I will continue to monitor the source of invasion (a crack in my wall) until I am confident the ant warriors are disbanded and in full retreat.
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