Maybe I shouldn't be surprised...
With all these advances, it seems that leisure is the prized quality of any job, and that I often find myself falling into a habit of leisure rather than honest hard work. How is anything ever accomplished but by hard work, not by dreaming about it.
I have hanging in my office a small reprint of the demotivator poster. It says in large words
YOU AREN'T BEING PAID TO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF YOUR DREAMS
It's soooo true, isn't it?
Labels: architecture, practical theology, redeeming the time
This friday...
I have a meme to catch up on, but not before the test on friday.
My first of the three graphics divisions. I am really enjoying studying for it. I am just becoming familiar with the software and what the test is asking of me. I will take the site planning division first, as that one appears to be the simplest and most straightforward (and with the fewest vignettes).
The shortest of all the graphic exams, it's only three hours long.
The Lord has really blessed me in this area. I didn't study while in Oklahoma, but opened the book Saturday night, and instantly became absorbed in the material. I spent about 2 hours last night at Starbucks working with the software again, and I need to work the kinks out of my workflow. But other than that, I feel very ready.
Here's to Friday.
Labels: architecture, exams
He carries our burdens...
I always seem to feel better after pouring my heart out to God. A good sob session. Hurricane Marcia on the East Coast side of the mattress. But I feel better. Physiologically, people will tell you it's the cortisone that is released in our tears that calms us when we cry. But when the feeling of peace lasts for hours, even after the levels should have fallen, I have a different explanation.
He carries my burdens for me, too.
Furthermore, I have a new Proverb. Take it if you like it:
A soul-killing job dries the bones, but Starbucks makes the heart cheerful.I had an excellent day job hunting. I wasn't prepared for such a great start. The very first place instantly became a promising position. I would only be happier if I had the job, but that is up to God at the moment.
Regardless, my heart is singing a new song. I will keep you posted.
Labels: architecture, building codes, coffee, prayer
Dreams
The kind of dreams I have that I hope come true are more the ones where I've published a book or two, and I'm teaching in the university system.
I'm currently compiling (slowly) research on the history of building codes. As it turns out, there isn't a comprehensive history to be found ANYWHERE, and if I can't read one, I might as well try to write one.
Then there's law school. It's creeping back into my brain right now, though I wish it would go away. Now is not the right time. Definitely. I'm thinking about grants (because SMU is EXPENSIVE, and I don't want to get another OU degree), though I'd have to quit my job to get them, and I'd have to be in school full time. Neither of those was I contemplating, to be honest. But maybe a good three-year sabbatical from work would do me good... perhaps get me to focus in a direction? And maybe I can work my research on building codes into that degree? Perhaps do a dissertation on it?
There's something strangely comforting about an academic existence. It's the fabric I was cut from, to be sure.
I think I can also get grants to write that book. From whom, though? ICC? The government? What government official will lobby for a comprehensive history on code development?
I can't move forward on ANY of this until the registration is secured, though.
Labels: architecture, building codes, this is me before
And now a word from our sponsor...
Took the MEP portion of the ARE this morning. It was easier than I thought.
But here's the problem.
I don't study. I know I know, I SAY I study, and when I DO try, it is with the purest intentions. It mostly involves collecting a pile of books I think would be a good idea to have a look through.
But I don't.
Not until the weekend before.
Then I cram. But it's not really called cramming. Because you can't cram for a state board exam. You either know it or you don't. The questions are so unpredictable and vary widely.
See, I think by association. It's horrible on conversations and blogging, because I'm usually all over the place. It's also a big hindrance to why I am not teaching right now. I feel, well, ineffective at it because of my associative thinking skills. I chase too many rabbits down too many rabbit holes. But I digress. Again.
I am becoming more and more frightened of architects as a general species. If the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards sees fit to hand me a license, what other associative thinkers who just know how to take a test are out there really practicing architecture???
Anyway, I think I aced it, but I can't do my happy dance just yet.
Have to start studying for General Structures.
hehehe yeah, I said "studying". *wink wink*
(EDIT: Okay, in all fairness, I DID learn a bit about HVAC systems this weekend that might've saved my butt.)
Labels: architecture, exams
Ours is a Forbidden Love
Labels: architecture, building codes
I lessthanthree teh IBC
Okay, that is total 1337 speak for: "You are my world, IBC. I pledge my undying devotion to your regulatory oversight."
Well, maybe not THAT devoted.
You know what? Life is too short to live in ph33r of the unknown. Sometimes, you have to take a little leap of faith. And not be afraid to fall. To go for broke. I'm going for broke on this one.
I figure, those who are afraid to fall usually push off with a little bit of hesitation. And they don't give these things their all.
Here's to the leap, and whatever follows...
Labels: architecture, building codes, this is me before
Who am I? Where am I? What am I?
A good friend of mine gave me a timely reminder that I'm a thinker. Perhaps all of this sitting and grunting and sweating to the mouse pad and keyboard has skewed my thinking somewhat.
The cloud lifts moment by moment, day by day. I'm drooling over the engineering section of the ICC's product catalogue. I want to make structures out of food products.
My mind goes back to the Bailey's Crossroad project. I KNEW we could get away with putting those dwelling units by the garage. I KNEW the code equivalency could be met. And I did it. I read and I argued and I proved my point. And we won, you know? Sure, I had to draw a few lines here and there. I didn't enjoy THAT part, to be honest.
I just don't think I went to grad school, wrote endless papers and midterms, researched and compiled an original thesis, so that I could sit here and draw lines all day.
Labels: architecture, building codes, this is me before
Vacation?
The sad fact is that as an architect, and as long as I choose to be protected from the harsh Texas elements, I can NEVER get away from my job. Not unless I choose to live in a cave somewhere, but even then the distribution of forces down the sides of the walls will haunt me in my dreams.
What if I lived in the open prairie? Well, the sky and landscape are all architecture.
How so, you say?
Just read my forthcoming book.
Labels: architecture, photography, storm chasing
