Muffin HQ

Way back in the days, like 2004-2006, I worked at this disfunctional firm with some really awesome folks. Most of the people have moved on via layoffs, some are still there. I keep in touch with alot of them because they were really some of the best co-workers around. Tom G (see below for his beach house) used to talk about his “dream team” and about how he’d score that really awesome condo job and finally assemble his dream team. We’d all work on leased laptops from his house or a cafe and he’d pull together the money to make this building happen. I was on his A list, which I remember thinking at the time, wow, I am on *someone’s* A list. Not sure if I am on my own A list….

If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you will know that I’ve been working since Sept 1st for a local engineering firm. It was around 10 months ago since getting laid off that this job came my way. Day to day, it is really perfect for me. Long term, not sure yet. I know that my brain and heart is not invested right now and its ok, because we all know from one looksy at my resume, I have a tough time with commitment. I am thinking about this because Jessica got offered a job with the local government, not sure doing what, but different than what she was doing before getting laid off. It also took her 10 months.  

Back to July 2009, Oregon’s annual Beerfest at the Waterfront park. I am sitting around with Jessica, Dave and Tom (and a few others). We all worked for that disfunctional company and all of us were currently unemployed at the time of the beerfest. The four of us represented four different decades and an interesting skill and experience mix. Spending time with my ex-coworkers helped me realize that there was nothing wrong with me and my unemployment, because Tom’s A list, all sitting at the table, drinking beer, we were all unemployed. I was looking at three people that I felt were smart, talented, maybe a little high maintenance, but still very employable people. Why were they not working? Why was I still not working?

Hmm, I was going somewhere with this post. Ah yes, A listers. Ok, so after i heard about Jessica’s job offer today, I was thinking, my generation of designers and architects are in trouble. If young professionals start choosing non-traditional career paths and not returning to typical office structure, then the “kids” getting out of school will be mentored by a much older, retiring, and potentially out of touch with the latest technology. Don’t want to sound age-ist but I will assert that a diverse office makes for the best mentorship experience. Maybe I am making some big generalizations here, will probably need to think about this some more.

What’s my plan? Pass all of my exams the first time. Send out “Suck It Bitch” cards to all the haterz that made my working life mizzerable. Then retire my license in good standing and do yoga everyday, all day long. And ride my bike and drink coffee. Sounds good doesn’t it?

Yesterday afternoon, I scheduled 4 of my 7 exams. I am taking CDS in October and 3 exams in November, SPD, PPP, and BDCS. I started tearing as I scheduled the first one. Emotions were strong because I was so happy to finally be making a commitment to the exams and completely panicked because I am now committed to taking my exams. If you asked me 5 years ago if I thought I’d ever be here, no, it just seemed so far away.

I am kicking myself for not doing it while I was unemployed these last 10 months but I also see my new job as an opportunity to learn more about the MEP side of the business and helping me with the exams. I also wonder if I would’ve gotten the job if I was done or had my license. I also wonder how many jobs I may have been looked over for not having a license. At this point, I cannot stress out about it and just move forward.

I am able to do it mostly because my friend is lending me the money so that I can schedule them all at once. Test fees increase by 25% after the new year and all exams have to be scheduled before October 1st to get the old price. Its so fucked up because most people in my business do not have a job or have experienced a pay decrease like me for new jobs. So aggravating, but its definitely kicking my ass into high gear and I am going to take most, if not all of my exams before the year is over.

Having the money loaned to me reminds me of the time I loaned an old college buddy money to go to Europe after graduation, in 1997. I can’t recall how much it was or how long it took to pay back. All I can remember is how happy and important this trip was to her. I was happy to be able to help her at that time. Kind of weird that I had the money back then to lend her, I remember being poorer than poor back in 1997. I think I was couch surfing for a few months before moving in with Kitty in our Park Slope apartment. So long ago, events start to fade but the emotions are still strong.

Back to exams, last year, I promised to go on a multi day bender as soon as I was done with them all. Now, not so sure. Definitely want to do something to acknowledge being done but not sure yet, open to suggestions, so let me know what you would do. If you are not familiar with the exam process, just understand its a big deal and I am making a big sacrifice. Average time is 28 months from start to finish. I am shooting for 3 months, which is only possible if I pass everything the first time. Wish my ass luck.

Nedonna beach is a crazy with driftwood. The landscape looks and feels a little like post-apocalyptic Mad Max with all the beautiful driftwood strewn around.

Because of all the available resources, creative people have built shelters on the beach. The picture below is a little hobbit-like shelter with a covered area to the right. I got in and felt very comfortable and safe inside the hobbit house.

Another driftwood structure, a bar on the beach. We found an empty PBR can and posed with it. My camera didn’t get any of those images but you all get the idea right?

Best part about Nedonna beach was how deserted it is. I hope to go back soon! Hint hint, drive my ass out there!

Below is the text (unedited except for identifying names) from a rejection letter I received from a local firm. I am posting it because it is an awesome fucking rejection letter! Never in my life have I ever gotten a letter like this, so I am hoping you all will love it as much as I did.

“Keep on trucking”

July 1st, 2009

(XXX XXX), AIA

Archiflash cards are awesome. Most ARE candidates will agree that the cards are super useful (after study guides) when it comes to preparing the registration exams. Today, as I was going thru the Pre-Design cards, I found one card that inspired an email to the Nalsa, the makers of the Archiflash cards. Below is my email to them:

I am currently using a 2003 set of Archiflash cards. In the Pre-design set, card #5 states:

I look forward to your response. Thanks!

Anyways, I hope they write back to me. One can dream!

Still working on specs at work….came across this site while researching dock bumpers. Did you know that there are over 68,000 dock related accidents every year in the US? What I really want to know is the picture staged?

Since March, I’ve been studying for the Architecture Registration Exams and I am happy to report that the studying has been going really well. No completed exams under my belt but none the less, I feel great about the studying process and what I am (re)learning. I’ve managed to get all the books on NCARB’s suggested reading list from my local library. They’ve also started carrying LEED reference guides.

Here are a few tips for the underpaid, cheapo’s, living in small houses or apartments with no storage space that need, need, need study materials:

1-check to see what your firm owns or is willing to buy. Most firms will purchase what you need for the benefit of the company, you have to ask. You may have to ask more than once.

2-check with your coworkers and ex-coworkers and see if they have any materials that they are willing to lend or give to you. I found if you just tell people that you’re in the process of studying, they will give you stuff. Flash cards will fall out of the sky.

3-check with your local AIA office and see what is in their lending library. Last time I checked, my AIA had all the latest Kaplan materials for the studying community. How nice!

4-check with your local library. Most libraries will have all the books you need but not always the study guides or flashcards. My library allows you to request that they purchase certain materials for the library. I suggest that you should take advantage of that because if you are paying city and county taxes, you are giving money for the library to buy that stuff!

5-only buy what you absolutely cannot share/cannot find/cannot live without! And buy it used if possible. Keep the materials in good shape and circulating in the community.

This works for any exams you may be studying for. Save your money for beer! Have fun!

I am working on specs for my project, an exercise which is typically a snoozefest. Spec writers/writing are traditionally very boring tasks, usually contracted out to an expert consultant that is willing to do this dry, dull job for lots of money. I am actually enjoying this hefty task, probably because I have little experience with it! Anyways, in my research on sealants recently, I discovered this little controversy Degussa had recently regarding their Holocaust Memorial project.