Nerd Alert...

Ok so I realize that getting excited about the following situation makes me a complete nerd. I don't care.

In LA261 we're working on a very sizeable project about site analysis and selection. I'm to do research to figure out the requirements a site must have to accomodate a recycling center (size, ideal soil type, location, slope, context, etc).

In my research I ran across a town in England that is currently in the process of building a new recycling center. They're at the point where they know where they want to put it and they're running everything by the public via campaigns and public meetings to get approval. So I emailed them and asked if they'd be willing to provide documents and such about the process they're involved in. Minutes from said meetings, charts, analysis reports, whatever, so I can get an idea of what is really involved in this stuff.

Believe it or not, they got back to me within 12 hours. Not only that, but the answer was positive. They want to help me and I'm expecting info to be coming on Monday.

Three cheers for having the best source ever for a research project! Woot!

Rejected - Don Hertzfeldt

The mental progression while watching this video is as follows:

1. Heh...cute.
2. ...this is stupid...
3. No, wait, hahaha.
4. Lol
5. Ok that is awesome.

That last part refers to the ending when the artist combines the physical with the animated.

Enjoy :)

Good End to the Summer

This weekend has been fantastic.

Going to the Essen Haus (et al) was awesome, I haven't been that drunk in a very long time, and it felt good. Nothing beats having a few beers with a few good people. I gave my sister her first drunk dial and she loved it.

I spent today at a friend's aunt's house. This aunt (Lisa) is a landscape architect. I got a tour of her yard, which is huge and incredibly well designed. She did it herself, obviously. It's incredibly functional and beautiful and has such a wide variety of plants and seperate spaces. I got to pick her brain about design techniques, how to do well in classes, where to network, and what I can do to increase my chances of finding a job later.

An interesting tidbit that she offered, but that I've yet to verify: Landscape Architects apparently make more than regular Architects now. We also make more than I thought. I had been told that I'd get 30K to start, and could work my way up to $50K or $60K after a long-ass time. However, firms here in Madison hire designers and start them at $42K and experienced designers are pulling in $60K to $70K. This is good news. :)

I also found out that my favorite designer is a home-wrecking slut (still love her work though), and that my seemingly irrational fear of one of the professors in my department is actually well grounded. Noted.

Also, I got to swim in a sweet scuba diving pool. :D