[argyle] is a battlefield

so i have a little [situation] in my life. two conscious decisions, recently made, have led to my current predicament.

first of all, i hate wearing black socks to work. i tried it, i hate it. there's something about my bright, white calf with a black sock stretched around it, that reminds me a little too much of my grandfather. now i'm aware that on certain occasions black socks are fine and i need not worry, but i also believe socks can, and should have the ability to be more interesting then just black. therefore upon entering the workforce, i filled my dresser drawer with a variety of striped and argyle socks to wear.

part two. i've been frequenting the gym more often this month. call it a resolution, call it a phase, call it what you will, all i know is that "men's health" isn't going to be calling me anytime soon, wanting to write an article, discussing how i sit for nine hours a day, and have developed mad cad skills. either way, i'm trying to move my trips to the gym from a weekly event to a more daily routine. this increase in activity, however, has doubled my laundry load. i couldn't help but notice, i washed twenty pairs of socks last weekend! so i decided in order to keep my loads smaller.... i'd start wearing my work socks to the gym.


of course adding these two situations together, results in me, wearing stripped or argyle socks with my gym shoes. now some people might think this is cute, most, however, might just think i'm a fool. what worries me, however, is that i didn't think twice about this decision, and wasn't really concerned about it.

is this wrong? does this makes any sense? i'm i genius? will people raise me upon their shoulders and carry me through the streets for limiting my wash load? or am i one short fashion move away from wearing black socks to the beach? should i continue my laundry conservation efforts, or is it time to pack up, and move to del bocca vista, florida and take up bocce ball?

argyle aside, what is it about pat benatar that makes working out just a little easier?

the year in pictures [2006]

i heard someone say this past year, "in this day in age, everyone is a photographer," implying that it's turning into a lost art. to this, i say nay. in this day in age, everyone should be a photographer. everyone now has the ability to capture moments of their lives through a lens. if it follows the "rule of thirds" or has great "leading lines" isn't important, it's about capturing a moment, a feeling, a time in your life.

life, to me, is one, long, crazy, road trip. here are a few postcards...















the mandala_3.1.06

tibetan monks visited the kansas state student union early in 2006, and created a mandala. from my very meager understanding a mandala is symbolically, a representation of the orderly universe. after spending a week slowly adding sand to complete it, it was quickly swept together to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists. having been raised catholic and not buddist, i can't begin to understand all the meanings of the mandala, but it did give me a new perspective, on a year i knew was going to be full of changes.

back at 12:30_3.19.06

during spring break a few classmates and i ventured down to louisiana to help with post-katrina clean up. i discovered that new orleans has a very distinct flavor to it, and even with damage and decay visible from every corner, you could still find little signs of it's unique culture, that could not be swept away.















ninth ward beacon_3.20.06

this house, with it's water damaged belongings filling up the curb, was a sign of hope for the residents of tupelo street. the determination and spirit of the man that lived here was contagious, infecting people from all over the country. we only had a week, but in that time we gutted the house, and created a new palate for construction and hope to begin.
















different light_5.8.06

alright, lightning pictures are a little trite, but as i was sitting by the window that night, waiting to get a shot of the perfect streak across the sky, i was thinking to myself how much i was really going to miss this place i called home for the past seven years.






















moment to think_6.8.06

i went back to new orleans early this summer to help start the construction of the new [house of dance and feathers]. mr lewis was there every day. although years of hard work had taken it's toll, and he couldn't physically do much, he was there everyday providing us with ice cold water, memorable stories and unquestioned support. his attitude hid almost any hint of sadness or distress he may have had on his mind. there were moments, however, that made you remember exactly what he had been through, and why we were there.






















last mow_6.26.06

my parents moved away from my childhood home this year. one of my many chores growing up was mowing the grass. i loved it. it was my time to think, [suburban meditation] if you will. i still haven't found any activity to replace the piece of mind it gave me.
















sunday hobby_8.6.06

not an amazing photo. a little blurry. but it represents a number of things to me. a new job, a new apartment, a new life, and an enormous chuck of time out of my week.






















kansas landmark_10.15.06

this water tower is halfway between my home and manhattan. there was a lot to think about this fall, and road trips always allow your mind to wander. while driving and thinking on this particular fall day, i decided to make a quick stop and photograph this landmark. like all great landmarks it not only pin points a spot geographically, but also a moment in time.






















under the pier_12.18.06

timing is everything, even when it's by accident. i'd like to tell you that i waited hours for the light to be just right, but i didn't. i took the picture, and didn't notice the shadows until it was on the screen of my computer. a reminder that great things usually happen when you least expect it.






















a little fog_12.30.06

to me, this image captures the feelings of a new year. things should never be crystal clear but neither pitch black. outlooks, goals, hopes and dreams, all things we have on our mind entering a new year, should be visible, but never clearly defined.

[lounge] for the holidays

i hope everyone is enjoying this special time of year. this wonderful week wedged between christmas and the new year. a week where there's nothing better to do then lounge around the house, and draw little holiday illustrations on adobe illustrator.

happy holidays everyone!

baby it's [cold] outside.......even in california

last week i took my first vacation since starting this "daily grind" world. the wedding of a friend in san diego, was the perfect excuse to escape the frozen tundra known as the midwest in favor of the sun filled cliffs of so-cal.

i left friday afternoon, and braved the unbearable 67 degree weather all the way to kansas city. after stopping and picking up a friend, parking in the "economy" lot, and catching the bus to the terminal, we made it to the airport with not a moment to spare. we passed through the jet way and were off to celebrate the union of two people in the sun and surf.

after arriving friday night, and spending the evening getting reacquainted with friends, i woke up the next morning to an all to common scene this time of year. a cold, grey, overcast sky with hints of sprinkles. what! it's not suppose to do this! it never rains in southern california! that albert hammond song is filled with lies!

the wedding took place on a beautiful cliff side overlooking the sea, which just happens to be adjacent to the salk institute...architects. the site chosen was possibly, the windiest and coldest point along the coast that day. the guests took their seats, zipped up their coats, and watched the bride in a very elegant, sleeveless, dress walk down the hillside and through the impromptu aisle.

with the weather blowing against our backs reminding us that anything is possible, the ceremony proceeded in a beautiful fashion. a song, sung by the father of the bride to his newly wed daughter, didn't leave a dry eye on the cliff side. looking through scarfs and hats, it wasn't hard to notice that the warmest people that day were the newly declared husband and wife, being filled with that eternal warmth one receives after finding the love of your life.

after the wedding, the next few days were filled with good friends and great conversation. board games, christmas shopping and holiday movies filled the hours as the weather eventually warmed back up. there was even a brief cameo from some friends that traveled afar from l.a.


california will always represent a magical, and mystical place for me. it might be because i know disneyland is there. but it seems throughout history california, has been a place for the promise of a better future, and opportunity, which is only fitting for a wedding. spending a few days in california, celebrating this marriage, got me in the holiday mood. that mood where you enjoy being with friends and family, and together are anxious for the promise that a new year holds.


or it could have just been that decorated evergreen which, oddly enough looked perfectly placed on the beach.

winter [work]land

well, yet another sign that i need to apply for my aarp membership and start watching the antiques road show on a more regular basis.

last week we had our first snow of the season, and as much as i wanted to run home at lunch and bundle up like ralphie's little brother in "a christmas story" and partake in this freshly fallen treat, i couldn't. instead, i had to sit in front of my desk, in my khakis, staring out the window, watching perfectly good snowball material go to waste on my window sill.

from the time i could walk, up until last year, a snowfall was an excuse. a reason to forget any responsibility and enjoy a little blessing brought on by mother nature herself. a gift to us all saying, "who needs school, go play." but now with this job, comes responsibilities, and deadlines. obstacles between me and the snow.

spending just a few months in this profession, i've quickly realized that i only get paid if i can bill my time to someone with money. therefore, i have to work the majority of the day. however with the snow gently falling outside, and sugar plums dancing in my head, i was pondering ways architects could enjoy the season, while still accumulating somewhat billable hours. here's a few ideas.


- building to-scale snow mock ups of projects in the parking lot.
- louie kahn snowman lookalike contests.
- design competitions will be decided by snowball fights. using your own firm as "base".
- clients must sit on our laps and tell us what they'd like for their buildings.
- year-end bonus will be determined by "freeze-out" competitions.
- all elevations will include christmas lights with corresponding lighting plans to be coordinated with the electrical engineer.
- instead of coffee, we offer clients egg-nog in moose head shaped glasses.
- i dare my co-worker chad to put his tongue on the lamp post outside.

just a few suggestions i'll bring up at the next office meeting. i hope everyone can enjoy the season in their own way.