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