Been avoiding that place for a while now. Food Central/What's Cooking looks like the delicious antidote.

I think my hippo story is one of the highlights of that thread.

I'll take your word for it, NS. Otherwise, it's like heading into a burning building just to toast a marshmallow.

Better late than never!

Hurry, winter is coming.

That's the best bit!

Don't lie NS - it's winter 10.36 months out of the year in Canada. I should know, I lived right below your frosty country for 13 years. :)

Winter is coming

https://theoatmeal.com/comics/...

.36? is that some sort of bullshit imperial hard conversion?

No. It's accounting for the April, May and October snow that sticks around for 3 days.

Stupid metric months.

Why can't we all just get on the Chinese calendar?

13 4-week months would be good!

If you ever want to fall into a rabbit hole of early web strangeness just google "Metric Time"

I like the french decimal time

Brilliant, looks like a pre-schooler did the work!

VE item. Preschooler vs. Experienced tradesman. Happening more and more.

Could you imagine trying to coordinate something like this, nowadays? I honestly wouldn't even know we where to start.

It’s a dying art. It’s a shame, but this type of stone carving will one day be machined.

My husband did a cool re-creation - not restoration - of a similar sculpture: https://www.ignitionarts.com/turnverein

You can see my handsome man talking at two points in the video, too.

What a cool project Donna!

To BB: I can imagine it! 

I have done a couple projects where an integral part of the design was having a great tradesperson to execute it with craft and judgement - there wouldn't be drawings to show the random variation or the progressive twist - but they would be responsible for carrying it out and making it look beautiful. Goes against everything you learn in pro prac courses and most firms' legal departments, but damn if it isn't some of the most beautiful work I've done. 

Humbling also to realize that's how most buildings were made throughout history and why the labor and craft paradigm old buildings were constructed under led to such beautiful and refined ornamentation. 

If only they taxed the use of materials much more than labour...

I think there should be a carbon tax on everything, which would essentially be taxing materials much more than labor.

Exactly! If labour is relatively more affordable than the material used, one can do elaborate things, make things that are meant to be fixed instead of discarded etc. So much material is wasted and ends up in landfills because it is cheaper to chug it than have a pro do their magic. Just the other day went to the bike shop and it is cheaper to get a new inner tube for my bike installed than to get it fixed, even if it has just a little hole...

You don't patch your own tubes?

I went in for something else for a kids bike and we got talking, saw him not even trying to patch one. Here he is:

It's super distressing when you realize how hard it is to do anything with Rubber.

These days my wife and I still go back and forth over whether or not we should buy something, but instead of "do we really need to spend the money on this?" it is "Do we really need to buy this thing that took a bunch of resources to manufacture and we will probably only use a couple of times?"

From a bike shop perspective, I get why they wouldn't patch a tube. It's time/labor they don't have or don't want to spend. It's much quicker to just put a new tube in. From a personal perspective, I try to patch mine as often as I can. Patches aren't expensive and if a tube is otherwise in good shape, it's nice to fix it when possible.

why would you need to work 300k a year in a remote cabin?

Chad, I have found a reasonable level of success -- not $300K, but potentially $200K if I tried harder -- living in the wilds of New England designing houses and renovations. What is preventing you from doing the same?

Truthfully - fear. I don't have a business mind. Finding new clients and marketing is sorcery to me. I get new clients by simply knowing people and by happenstance they need an architect.

Also I don't want to work 50-60 hours a week running a firm.  

JLC 1 - Honestly it was a nice round number that seems like it would be a very comfortable life. In reality I could make do with less however I need to provide for retirement, healthcare, and my type 1 diabetes - those last two are $$$$$$$.

Also I want to have sever dogs and they need toys and treats! 

I would do that for 60k a year.

That would mean a pay cut for me. I don't make a lot (around $75k) with 15 years experience.

I was pointing more to the isolation - in an off-grid cabin in the woods wouldn't need all that stuff you mention.

Could work part time if expenses are low. I would do it.

$130/hr x 1500 hrs = $195K. $150/hr x 1300 hrs = $195K. No employees needed. I'm not saying it's easy to get 1500 billable hours without employees, but in theory it's possible without working 60 hrs/wk.

Wood Guy - sorry, I meant salary, not net revenue.

JLC-1 - if you're living off grid as a hermit then you wouldn't need to make $300K a year. If you wanted to work remotely as an architect in an isolated off grid place you probably need to make more than $300k a year.

Chad, my annual expenses are under $20K so there's not much difference between revenue and net income. I'll stop pushing it on you, I was just surprised to learn that I can run a successful design business from my home in the middle of nowhere. It's taken some time and effort, and the pandemic is a boon in my area, but I've never had a lack of work. (Knock on wood.)

Side note, I am thinking about moving my office to my MIL's place nearby, which is off grid. 

Your MIL must be much cooler than mine.

Thanks for the info WD! On a side note I never felt you where 'pushing' anything on me. I welcome all the advice and experience you have on the subject!

Arch, she is pretty cool. My FIL died about a year ago so having someone on site would be good. And being able to have a space to meet clients and vendors, AND to say that I have an off-grid office would both be benefits for my niche.

Chad, good to know. I'll still stop pushing it ;-)

I'm scarred to google those two things . . .

All that squash flavor, none of that squash hard work! We grew some amazing delicatas in the backyard this year. I think maybe one is left?

Delicata squash is the queen of squash. That's as far as I can go.

Butternut is king.

Man, my partner roasts the stuff, turmeric, and it's such a damned delight! Oh, and while I'm at it, why put butter on popcorn, when nutritional yeast rocks!?

My family is shocked that I don't drown my lobster in butter. (I'm a Mainer, and drawn butter is standard with lobster.) But no butter on popcorn? Are you mad, man?!

Wait, is this the cooking thread?

My secret trick for popcorn is to toss it in Sriracha & Grated Parmesan. You'll never think about butter again.

Hmmm, that sounds good.

May or may not have discovered that combo shortly after the legalization of recreational cannabis in Oregon.

Popcorn with butter and worcestershire sauce is good too.

And I thought NS was weird with his Canadian food. :P

I grow popcorn. I love that we are talking about food.

You grow popcorn? Cool, cool. Did you by chance discover recreational cannabis recently? :P

lol, no. Why?

Some of the first projects I job captained were bars. So, in a sense, I very much understand this feeling.

yeah but my last project was a state legislature building so to be expected.

One of the projects of which I am most proud was specifically designed to provide a beautiful backdrop against which to get drunk.

i once sat in a bar and explained to a lawyer friend (because he asked) what was running along the ceiling. like, low voltage and line voltage and ducted return sort of stuff. so i guess that happens while drinking?

Did you locate where they hid the the low voltage transformers?

nope. where such a thing would be required i assume would not be exposed overhead. didn't look that close either. i was mostly just there to drink.

It's the paradox of our profession - bad architecture always gets noticed, while good architecture is mostly taken for granted.

@atelier or the people going "but old buildings were so much better than what we build now, just look around." 

Listen dumbass, all the ugly old shit got knocked down before you were even born.

Also a lot of the old stuff people cherish now because of its age was hated at the time it was built. Look at commentary from the 20s & 30s when everybody's favorite Bungalows were going up everywhere. Identical language to the disdain for 5-over-1 apartments you hear now.

i think the conventional mindset is based on not wanting to notice things; anything that catches attention is therefore undesirable. it takes a generation to acclimate and stop noticing strong work so that it becomes acceptable. once everyone forgets the original context they can project a fantasy history of better times and love that which they would have hated if they were there at its inception.

tduds, we can do 4 over 2 now :)

cool, now we can replace the bad storefronts with a curtain wall that's twice as tall and have a spandrel panel! Shadow box or back painted?!

That's where you're wrong SP. Budget won't handle curtainwall and the contractors will insist that storefront will work just fine.

Expose that slab edge! Draw that bad detail! Cantilever that storefront! Codes dictate design! ROI dictates design! *sad panda*

Wait, SP, you can also use shitty aluminum. Can't forget that.

Anyone use Mapes Panels for spandrels? I've never specified them, but they keep sticking in my head for discussions like these.

https://mapespanels.com/

that's a long time to go without pants...

. . . . A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away , without pants . . .

I'll give myself until May 4th to lose the weight!

Congratulations!! Can you share which building or will it provide too much personal info?

I should clarify it was a local AIA honor award, not national. I posted some window frame shots several pages back in T.C. Wolcott Arts and Athletics Center: https://archinect.com/news/bustler/8004/here-are-aia-chicago-s-2020-design-excellence-winners

probably the worst looking building of those honored, but with the best program (special needs high school sports and arts facility)

Looks are not everything, and you deserve the recognition. For what it's worth it looks handsome.

Sorry for your loss, congrats on the win

Congrats. I had a project I was involved with at my last firm recently win local AIA awards too (though it wasn't cool enough to be pictured in an Archinect news writeup). 

Sorry about your cat.

Sorry to hear about your cat. Congratulations on the award, I like the design.

Ah thanks everyone. I'm still real sad about my cat but honestly pretty relieved too, he was old and really struggling lately.

Condolences on your dear old cat. We lost our beloved golden lab over a year ago, and it still hurts. 

Your project looks great.  We should have a lot more competent, creative projects like this. (Though I am disturbed by the lack of any meaningless swoops or arbitrary angles. Budget cuts?) And I love the program combining arts and athletics.

^ (FYI, I googled your firm and see your website URL directs to an online pharmacy selling Viagra. I thought: side work for extra $ during the pandemic? Genius!)

Haha, I no longer work there (and technically not "my project", was just the principal design and project architect on it - semantics I guess) but I already emailed them being like, uh, I think you guys got hacked.

There was never any swoops to cut, so I guess that helped! It was really unique, almost like a school project, just textbook basically, and the principal in charge was super laissez faire about it. 

Got the site survey and geotech, got the program, did some studies, settled on the bar parti, what's cheap? precast and storefront, let's use that! Ok, let's emphasize the linearity by setting the façade back, use expanded metal boxes around mech, nail the precast joints and mullion placement, cool window frames, cheerful colorful interior, cheap lights installed in an interesting way, and that's pretty much it. 

As a profession we often overthink things, I've always appreciated how simple this one was.

yup...its a butt

with some minor editing, it might make for a new Dick Bush Architects logo.

It is a very nice butt, though. (Getting myself ready for the HR meeting....)

100% butt

From the business desk comes startling merger news. Renowned design firm Dick Busch Architects is penetrating the sports market with its surprising acquisition of the Indiana Pacers. A quite... creative new corporate logo has been announced:

Definitely a butt.

Looks like the rear bumper of a Renault

sorry. I'll try to restrain myself.

What we need is a slew of students asking about what grad school to apply to. Or for portfolio reviews.

I'm nuking the shit out of that thread.

Thanks.

^good idea, but the more troother responses disappear, the more it looks like I'm yelling at myself in an empty room. 8-)

i miss convincing prospective students to run like hell from student loan debt. feels quaint.

Wow, those 'truthers' are some stupid people.

I'm not saying it was aliens, but.... it was aliens.

but who controls the aliens?

Pfft, the aliens are controlled by Canadians. Prove me wrong.

I can’t Chad. Damn. Caught me. I’m sending people over to your location shortly. Good thing you did not get that AR after all. Right?

i don't know man. cuffed his jeans? (going to cuff my jeans tomorrow)

Actually while I like the cuffs I hate the shoes. And the cigarette. But still. Holy forking shirt.

Looks like Brad is moving, sitting in the moving van wearing the mover’s blanket...

I totally rocked a similar shirt in high school in early 90s. Very different pants tho.

found your pants:

^ yes.

Dear gowd, you Canadians are weird.

Also important to note that along with the pants and flannel, the gel (more like glue) in my spiky hair would take out an eye, or three. Man, those were the days. I still don't know why most of my highschool profs did not expect much of me.

Look at you now though, a snarky architect!

I thought we weren’t supposed to be horny on main, Donna?

JNCO 4 LIFE

Thanks a lot Josh. I now know what it feels like to have diet soda shoot out my nose.

Shouldn’t drink and read Archinect

I specified Vitrocsa once. It was nice to have until the middle of DD...

Oh dear...turns out Vitrocsa won't work for my application anyway, but it looks like a lovely system, and the rep I just spoke with was super helpful. I tell ya, a knowledgeable rep is worth their weight in gold.

You changed your hair. I like it.

I'm getting the impression that Dona has a lady crush on Brad Pitt. I could be mistaken though.

Chad, it's just a fling. It'll pass soon enough.

(p.s. working harder than mr. Pitt to receive my first down thumb from Donna)

Sneaky I'm blonde now. And my passion for Mr. Pitt will only diminish if he 1. stops looking similar to my husband and 2. becomes a devotee of Patrimetric. Speaking of whom, has the Archinect news covered his fight about Zaha's estate yet today? Off to the news section...

Wait, whut?

Nice humblebrag there with "1..."

What can I say, tduds, my husband is the best man on the planet.

We should all be so lucky.

Is it weird that a search for "donna sink husband" brings an image right up? I can see the resemblance. Kudos for going blond. If I had enough hair left I'd think about coloring it something other than the silver it is now.

That actually is kind of weird...

I love you, Donna, and am sure I'd love the mister as well. And Brad seems like a good guy-- I'm not criticizing him.

But did you read that Page Six item? I'd much rather read about your time volunteering, or any of the thousands or millions who volunteer every damned day, without a media outlet slobbering and equating it with cancer curing.  For Pete's sake. This kind of celebrity cult/worship is precisely why starchitect firms can exploit interns.

[Rant concluded. We now return to our regular programming.]

I totally agree citizen! I hate celebrity worship, I really do. Celebrities are just people, we all are, and we should all respect the humanity in one another no matter what, even jerks deserve acknowledgment that they are human and make mistakes. I just follow pitt because he’s so pretty AND seems nice AND likes architecture.

he still smokes?

Totally fair, Donna, I get fandom. I'm just glad that whole restraining order mix-up got sorted out. 

[ducks, runs, hides]   =O)

My stock celebrity worship story I have to share when the opportunity arises (I might have shared here before): my favorite rock star in the 1990s was Kim Deal, a grunge artist from the Pixies in the 80s and with her band The Breeders in the 90s. Total rock star, beautiful, cool, badass, the whole nine yards. In the late 90s I was working on Nantucket as a carpenter, and my housemate/friend met a woman at a bar... she came over for dinner, we went out and played Foosball, got pulled over by the cops and let go because they knew her... she actually wasn't that great in person, and made me realize just how silly celebrity worship is. I still love her music, though. Time to go put on some Pixies...

I think you have the start of a great thread there, WG....

Oh, good idea, citizen.

I just told my Pitt story over there. Fun thread, Wood Guy!

great news would be that the entire clan was wiped out. Damn you for getting my hopes up like that.

Take it to the politics thread.

Don Jr is a civilian, plus he's too stupid to be a Pol.

The vid that was featured in a ‘The Good Fight’ episode?

Have you seen the wild moose(mooses, moosie?) up here? They don't mess around and silly tourists think it's cute.

The plural is meese, is it not?

Moosen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWzYaZDK6Is&feature=emb_logo

^That was brilliant. How many times would you need to run your car through the carwash if a flock of mosens passed over you?

Regan is awesome.

Flock of Mosens. Sounds like Canadian EDM from the 80's.

Not to be mistaken for the Canadian trash metal band Flock of Goddamn Geese

Or the American black metal group Flock of Drones.

I believe a group of drones is called a murder.

You're thinking of crows . . .

It’s almost 2021, murders are not just limited to crows. Anyone can self identify their group how ever they want. Bro.

How about a 'lather of architects'?

A "hatch pattern of drafters"

Sorry to hear this. Good luck with finding a new firm. If you want to move to western Colorado we're looking for an experienced PA / PM.

That sounds awesome but I just entered the real estate market as of this month. I'm very jealous if your location Chad. What an incredibly cool place to live and have a solid job. I did one job on a resort out there and it's an amazing location in the US.

*so I'm staying local.

I totally understand needing to stay local with buying property. 

 The Western Slope is fun for sure if you're into the outdoors. The culture and access to 'fun' projects can be a challenge but I shouldn't complain too much.

Good Luck!  

Hey, you never know where that next special someone may show up, Josh...

or that next job offer...

i think we found the dude

Oh Kristian, no wonder you don’t get along with your group members. No nipples for you.

Oh, story time. I was in Yosemite a while back and was riding the free public shuttle bus from the main shop to our camp site. Suddenly, a bunch of people start scrambling to one side of the bus and we notice, out a few hundred metres in front near the fancy cabins, armed park rangers. Turns out there was not only a cougar loose but also a bear. Hot diggity dog, we tell ourselves and get off the shuttle. We immediately head towards the park rangers hoping to catch a glimpse of the action. I did get to see the 2 animals briefly. I think the successfully shooed away the 2 predators. Something something silly tourists wanting to see the dumpster fire something.

We went on many family vacations to Yellowstone where it was the same type of thing every time there was even a chipmunk within viewing distance of a road. It's fine to take in the sites and all ... that's part of why you're out there ... but don't poke the bear. 

In the meantime, here is a link to Donna's twitter where she made an excellent observation about a cougar seen near Vancouver.

I'd heard that the two were natural enemies, Non, but you wouldn't expect to see them outside their natural habitats.

That’s a party.

I poke. I poke. I feel shame. I poke.

Wait, they're missing the 'd' right?

Not what I was thinking, but I like yours better. It would fix the mistake AND set a nice tone. But then they'd need a comma.

Request a quote

Wow. That Paul guy is....somethin'!

Wow! That exchange reminds me of a 30 Rock quip, in which Jack refers to competing columns in Irish Arguments Weekly, 'America's only all-caps magazine.'

I'd love to continue... but I'm swamped so I can't commit more than the typical snark. I caught his first 2 accounts that spammed his extra thick bible link-architecture-pos amazon book. It's a special book, to say the least.

I can't decide if Paul or Kristian are my favorite new posters.

WG, neither offer much sport in their "debate" tho.

Sometimes you just want an easy target.

Looks like Kristian is in the process of being deleted.

Well, once you shoot yourself in the foot... you don't keep shooting to see if more bullets will make the pain go away. Some people just can't get the hint.

That guy doesn't even register in my book. SL is the man, and he's got the credentials to back up his work. I'm just concerned that he's passed away.

There needs to be an 'auto eject' button for new accounts that are created for nothing more than spam posts and general demeaning comments.

Who's SL if I may ask...

So that Prize-winning author got either a new account or on of his few followers to do a drive-by thumbs down, then I assume, cause a bunch of things to get nuked? Ah, there goes my morning commute plans.

SL = S. Lauf I hated him, couldn't understand him, grew to respect him, bought his books, but his website, is probably the greatest architectural achievement in the last 75 years.

www.quondam.com

B3ta, is that name not equivalent to Voldermort? It's been ages since I've seen a reference to him here.

It's weird, I'm not the only one, others have had issues, I was being a real ass, because he was in my mind inpenetrable, he offended me. It's one of those things where if he were a professor, I would've taken his class, but online he was less professorial, and I was more inclined to be less interested in being educated by someone behind a screen.

I've always found most of his digital collages fascinating. Never really got into any discussions about them tho.

He was sensitive, and generally seemed to be disinterested in any discussion that didn't have someone's tongue on him somewhere moist and sweaty. I was initially interested in his ideas, but the opacity combined with the hostility caused me to dislike him. 

Just my opinion, and maybe this is overly critical, but he (in his posts and his diagrams and his website) always struck me as trying way too hard at needless complexity. Creating a layer of intellectual superiority around what was largely just incomprehensible aesthetic dreck. Fun, sometimes, and beautiful, even. But nothing behind the curtain. Once or twice I pressed him enough to show a couple of built designs and they were... underwhelming.

To be fair, MUCH of the architecture in Philadelphia over the last few decades has been underwhelming.

I mostly ignored his posts. I tried at first to figure out what was going on, but it always struck me as having no there there. As others have mentioned, it seemed more like complexity and obfuscation just for the same of making it incomprehensible. That, or it was all genius level and my brain just couldn't make any sense of it. Is there a description somewhere of his intent or philosophy ... because that's what I feel like I'm missing every time I look at his work.

Ah yes thanks for the clarification, I remember quondam, always posting his own work all over the forum and getting into arguments about it, Miles is his biggest fan if I recall correctly. Visually like his work as drawings, although quite flat/plan oriented without much hierarchy because of the method of drawing/cad. Hope he is okay and still making drawings.

You look great, and kristian96 is a shitty human.

Of course, and his insult didn’t get anywhere with me except making me realize I never posted a progress pic here!

You should shame the plant in your bedroom into making as much of an effort as you are.

Haha. Actually it was pretty small when I got it a few months back. It’s grown quite a bit.

You look great, Josh! 90 lbs is a small adult human. That's a lot of weight to shed.

I can spot the difference: you changed shorts.

with that level of skill in observation, I bet you're an EXCELLENT architect, "kristian."

Well done, Josh!  And inspiring, too.

I guess I missed the wrist-watch. Damn. I'm turning in my architect badge and cape.

The Lego Star Destroyer is a constant.

Maybe after 3 months it is time to change...your sheets!

Look at the duvet, genius.

One of the side effects of losing your insulation is being cold all the time. Had to go with a super thick down alternative comforter for winter, and kick on the heat higher than I typically ever have it.

For (Sneaky)Pete’s sake, it was just a joke...

hilarious

Great work! Where are you based to need a warmer duvet?

What’s the big deal on the duvet? We use one year-round in our igloo.

Josh, how are you feeling? Like, do you have more energy? Less pain (I swear all I feel as a 53yo woman who sits mousing all day is pain in my back...)? Higher levels of calm?

More energy, but surprisingly enough a bit more pain in my knees. It’s like they don’t know what to do without the extra weight. Been doing more elliptical and cycling vs treadmill for cardio lately due to it. Overall higher levels of calm, which shouldn’t be the case given, well everything. It’s done wonders for self-esteem and confidence in non-work related settings.

Wait, somebody called Josh fat as a response to an online argument? What is this junior high?

Back to the actual discussion now . . .

Josh, have you tried taking CBD oil for the knee pain?  I've been on the stuff for about a year and it helps me with joint inflammation and pain.  

Josh, when I lost most of my weight, my hips started hurting. I attributed to my body coming back into alignment.

Josh you could just be getting old.

That’s also a very likely possibility

Problem solved:

Plus you'll totally look rad doing it.  Not sure the convertible is a good idea in Siberia tho.

It'll be summer, me wife and dog!

I'm sure you can find a barge or something to take you across in the summertime.

If you haven't already, check out Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

It doesn't solve your problem unless you want to change to motorbikes, but it's a cool series anyway.

Dog in sidecar, I like it!

I just learned a new word! Sounds fun.

Just for fun, or an actual project? I have legit always wanted to design one.

Actual project. We are still trying to determine the level of demountability of it.

so you're working on a semidemountablespiegeltent.

If it’s not demountable, it’s not a spiegeltent.

Kudos, bb! 

(Is this a good time to ask you for a raise?)

cheers!

Congrats!

Congratulations!

Congrats BB!

Congrats! I love that you’re commemorating it here, it’s a big deal and worthy of recognition!

Cool! What's it like to be partner? Do you now know how to do everything? That happens when you're a partner right?

you start to grow hair in strange places

That would mean I'm on my way to being a partner!

Chad - yup, the older partners hooked me up to the architecture-knowing-machine and I downloaded everything. Watch out! (Mostly I'm grateful for not having a hangover today)

Congratulations on your successful download. Way to go becoming a partner as well. ;)

Do you get your own helipad or do you have the share one?

You only get that in French speaking parts of Canada.

Correct Chad... but don't forget, our helicopters have custom poutine trays.

Guys, I just realized that I don't own a suit, and clothing stores are all closed due to COVID. Good timing!

These are in style ATM:

Buy a button down, pleated slacks, and a sweater vest. That should get you through.

Pete's list, plus a black blazer (the most useful men's garment since the dungarees).

For the record I hate pleated pants, but they help the super at the job site know who to avoid.

You're a partner now BB. Don't half ass it. Dress like you rule the wasteland that is post COVID. 

Hey, that chain mail is proper site PPE.

I wear a chainmail codpiece in the office for PPE.

lol

TMI, Chad, yet so intriguing at the same time. Worn on the inside? Outside? Inside-out?

Citizen, if it's the only thing you're wearing, then it's both, no?

I may have misunderstood. Is a chainmail codpiece when you have to send a letter with a fish attached to ten other people, or suffer bad luck?

You always wear a codpeice on the outside.

Chad, I can tell that you and I would be great friends in real life. Thanks for the laughs

The thumbs have spoken! Let's go, admins.

record for most thumbs up?

Nope. Checkout b_b's good-news post above. More well-wishers than clock-watchers for now. A good thing.

As it should be.

We're listening

Your wish has been granted

Thanks overlords!

I have snow.

Can you mail me some?

I have lots of snow

Right... because what our postal workers need is even more packages in the system... specially some containing melting snow.

i hear it's gonna be cool to ship super-cooled product one of these days

I have 15 feet of snow 45 minutes from my front door. I can visit winter!

^ My favorite thing about the Pacific NW. The snow stays in the mountains & out of my driveway. I can snowboard in the morning and golf in the afternoon almost any day of the year. I could surf too but I'm not that badass.

Tradeoff is the lack of sun, which some folks cannot deal with. I grew up where there was less sun than the PNW, so it's fine by me...

Just take those vitamin D pills in the morning. The upside of all the rain is all the green. I try to keep that in mind.

as a transplant to the PNW (& despite being a skier):

my least favorite time of the year: winter solstice & environs

my favorite time of the year: summer solstice & environs

It rained this morning. All my snow is gone.

That sucks. It rains all year here, except for the 3 days of sunshine in the summer.

A Ratti paisan, name of Carlo 

stacked tennis courts up very far. Though 

loose rackets and balls 

took very steep falls 

he managed to still keep the bar low.

.

In collaboration with Italo Rota Assaciota

I like my purple dyson vacuum. It’s not of a particularly usable shape (ball), cleaning and emptying the canister is a bitch, and the accessories don’t go anywhere, so who knows how many I lost; but it’s purple. That’s got to count for something.

The apple of utility tech. Take ideas that are already available, make them shiny, then market them so people buy the bullshit.

Don't forget that delicious British accent.

We have two fluffy dogs that generate fur at a rate that seems disconnected from the amount of fur they seem to retain. We finally tried a dyson after using cheaper vacuums for 30yrs. Purple Animal 2, if that matters. It really does suck harder and gets more dirt & fur out of the carpets. I’m waiting to see how durability & effectiveness over the years will turn out. But I’m impressed thus far.

^Proto, I believe I have the first gen of that vacuum. If so, the cannister will only fill-up a quarter of the way before suction dies down.

I'd suggest a robot vacuum for dailiy fur removal. It won't solve everything, but it helps keep the fur down.

For the floors, not the dogs.

i have two saint bernards. the key to the animal vacuum isn't that it doesn't clog, it's that it's easy to disassemble and clean out clogs. the neat thing i think with Dyson is that everything red is something you can take apart, so it's easy to see how to get to the clogs. also, clean out the canister regularly.

hard no on the robot vacuum for fur -- complete failure in our household. 1) clogged too easily & 2) we spent more time setting up for the little asshole to do a good job than time saved for his routine outings

just did the 3mo cleanout...filter bag takes forever to dry, but otherwise very straight forward

^ Helpful discussion. We're on the lookout for an old pup/young dog to adopt, and the fur/floor issue is definitely a factor.

dogs in question...on the job

thanks, now my allergies are flaring up.

^ Wait-- there's actually fur coming out of my screen onto my desk!   ;O]

At the risk of sounding like an old guy, "they don't make them like they used to." My in-laws used Dyson vacuums when they lived in England, and bought the DC07 (https://collection.cooperhewit...) when Dyson came to the states. My in-laws later replaced it with the Dyson ball model and they hated it (not robust enough to handle as a regular vacuum or something like that ... too gimmicky/fiddly). They got rid of it a few years ago and now they have a Shark (I think ... don't quote me). 

My wife, fiancé at the time, bought a refurbished DC07 in the mid 2000's. We've had a few of the plastic bits on ours break over the years (mainly from me dropping it), but I actually intercepted my in-laws' older DC07 on its way to being donated and I use it to replace anything that happens to break on our DC07. It's still going strong. The only issue is the yellow color scheme from the "parts vacuum" clashes with the purple and turquoise of the functioning vacuum. 

We also have the Dyson humidifier, but I'm kind of "meh" about it. Overall, it's better than any other humidifier we have tried, but I was hoping for more, especially at the price point they're selling it for (I got ours with CC points ... so pretty happy I didn't pay for it).

I’m imagining there’s a kind of beauty to your transformer yellow/purple vacuum

proto, that might be in the eye of the beholder, but if I remember to, I'll take a photo and post it here.

Here's the franken-vacuum in all their glory...

exquisite!

I totally had a rad one piece snow suit in the late 80s that matched exactly that vacuum’s colour
palette.

(No need to mention the 80s there... it's a given.)

Non did it have sleeves that zipped off to make a vest?! Memories...

Dyson and the Guy is my favorite country music ventriloquist act.

^ I love it when Dyson drinks a Snapple, then maple syrup comes out of The Guy's nose. Classic.

Hope that’s a rated partition

I think I prefer the flooring orientation to be perpendicular to the windows. Other than that, looking good!

This looks exactly like a place I looked at renting in Bushwick about 8 years ago. I declined the place because I couldn't in good conscience live with this everyday. I think this is common practice with those developer remodeled places in Brooklyn.

Funny enough, I was initially drawn to the french door/high window combination. It took me a hot second to clue in to the other part. I've definitely seem stuff similar to this at apartment viewings in NYC (although never quite to this degree...)

You gotta wonder if that partition extends all the way up inside the flue...

I see at least 3 potential violations here in addition to the fireplace (which, somehow, might be ok?)

As a floor plan devotee, I've looked at a lot of classic NYC and Chicago apartment plans from the early 20c. So many feature long living rooms with a fireplace centered on the long wall like this one. Mighty hard to subdivide that space without either (i) committing the atrocity above, (ii) hide/fur over the nice fireplace, or (iii) divide unequally, leaving the fireplace to remain but in a weird, offset location.

Classic Brazil scene of desk-sharing between two adjacent offices.

II sounds relatively cheap and reversible if anyone ever wanted to do so.

"Charming 1 Bedroom Converted to a 2 Bedroom" [shouldn't it read "Charming Studio Converted to a 2 Bedroom"]

"This Fantastic Apartment Features Very High Ceilings" [seemingly taller now with the room sizes]

Anyone wanna guess if it was permitted?

"Charming" the same way being locked in a car trunk is charming.

And that bathroom is awesome. "Efficient bath layout speeds up mornings. Shit and shave at the same time!"

I once looked at a rental that seemed to have originally been a single-room bungalow, about 300-400 sf, that someone partitioned into a "2-bedroom".

Once had a viewing in Brooklyn where the partition between the two “apartments” was only a heavy curtain from floor to ceiling, that was a surprise when we got there...

How do you light the fire?

I once rented an apartment in Bologna that had been split in 2, we could get high on our neighbor's weed habit.

My experience in a place like this was similar. Studs placed on top of the wood floor. My neighbor was single and quiet as a
mouse. We could still hear her fart.

Never had this one but want to try...

Holly Jolly

I felt petty mentioning it, especially for what I think is a serious topic. But I seem to be seeing it more often and it gives me a tic!

I learned something new, Wood Guy. I'm a fairly picky Word Guy myself, and confess I've gotten this wrong up 'til now. Thanks for posting.

That's all good news, Donna--thanks for a bit of morning cheer!

Yeah, but it has been covered many times so maybe read the old threads first then come with informed questions.

Translation - AA has no idea.

Ta :)

Tres bien!

Love the “sorry” at the end, clearly you are not French.

... but very Canadian.

"Canadians. Just like the French, but nice.  Polite, too."

French-Canadian =\= French. There is a big difference, calisse.

Could be worse NS. You could be Scottish / Canadian.

What' s wrong with the Scots?

Nothing. As long as you're not also Canadian.

Merde! je ne parle pas français

What about Welsh Chad?

Chad you might want to avoid literally the entire Maritime region in Canada, for future reference...

Meh. Been there. Nice place. A lot of plaid on the weekends though . . . . I'm cool with it though as that area brought us The Real McKenzies.

# Start Packing Up Your Things? 

Kidding!  That is an odd one, though.  Some folks can't tie a bow, perhaps?

is it cannabis infused?

How many times did you try untwisting it one way, then the other, before you realized it was tied? ;-)

Why does it look like a dinosaur caught in a snowball?

Is that your holiday bonus?

It is a baby dinosaur caught in a snowball. When it unthaws the baby dinosaur will awaken and start to grow at a geometric rate.

A fully grown dinosaur is a damn nice holiday bonus.

damn, dude, your glass is even half-emptier than MINE. Be of good cheer!

That is one hell of a shrub. Has it started talking yet? Be carful if it starts saying 'feed me'.

Jaetten, post a pic!

Haha, if it starts talking, I'd become very rich! Will get a pic tomorrow when we have daylight :)

Y

Can’t find an option to upload an image in reply. :(

Found, it, have to use desktop site, not mobile!

Fence is 6'

Need a bit of weeding haha

It looks awesome! I love eucalyptus. I made their seed pods into earring s as a kid. They do suck up too much water to be appropriate in Arizona, though.

Thank you, they’re lovely trees. We get so much water buildup over winter. I just wish it was a bit slower growing haha. Might get another two though, our neighbours windows see straight into our garden.

Now that's a shrub!

Ask anyone in Australia, they ain't shrubs. :)

To be fair, we got it from a ‘bargain’ store. These and sequoia are my favourite non-native tree. I’d happily plant them everywhere haha.

I think APS is trying to light something on fire . . .

I tried to light a match, but it's a well beaten horse.

the small things architects fetishize..

hold my coffee, I've got to change pens 7 and 9 to match the Pantone of the year colours.

He's so far out of his element when it comes to commenting on the software and drawing production side of things. 

For some perspective, I know I'm out of my element on those things and I was doing that work for about half a year past his point of retirement. It wasn't that I'm not good at that work, I was probably too good compared to my colleagues and realized I didn't want to be stuck drawing all the time so I made a career shift. 

Anyway, shortly before he retired I wrote this blog post (Want to be an Architect?; Don't Learn Revit) which has gotten some flack for not understanding the direction of the industry. I think that criticism is a misunderstanding of my intent with the post, but a valid concern anyway. I should have written more clearly.

I'm in charge of teaching/training/whiping revit to the staff in my office but I approach it from a CA pov... because that's a big part of what I do and I'm tired of having to fix other's mistakes.

I was thinking last night that x-jla is to this forum what a "x/256" dimension is to my Revit model. I chase it through the plan, diligently and subtly adjusting inaccuracies until I think I've smoothed everything over, only for it to inexplicably and inevitably appear again somewhere completely unexpected. There, is that enough drama?

Beautiful analogy!

if x-jla is x/256 measurements, does that make randomised the times I tried to hit ESC on my keyboard and ended up hitting F1 instead?

Always there to help, even when not requested, especially when not requested, that’s just my nature!

Maybe the F1 key on keyboards should be renamed to “randomised”

Not sure if one can have two keys named after oneself, already have the “any” key under my belt...

Autohotkey

+ 

F1:: 

return

(the 'ignore user' of workflow enhancements)

Ugh this sucks. I'm sorry to hear it.

Thank you. I’m going to comb through their contract tomorrow and write up a report and make further contact. If need be, I’ll enlist a solicitor.

I appear to have reacted strongly... I miss read the last paragraph and spent the weekend worrying... Not my best moment! 

As it transpires, it was an admin issue, all resolved and to be fair, I feel a bit of an ass...

Note: Never take a Friday email seriously, wait until the Monday and resolve the following week!

This is great news!

Whaaaaaaat?!

I know a guy from school that went on to work on set design and construction. Not sure if he's still doing it though. (edit: he is per his IMDB page)

DON'T WORK FOR FREE

Guess what - there is an entire industry for set construction. I did it for years during college and during the recession back in 2012. Even then I was paid $15-$20 an hour because of my background and experience.

DON'T WORK FOR FREE.  

OFFICAL CREW CREDIT IS WORTHLESS

The only way I’d work for Marvel for “free” is if I got a percentage of the box office

Don't lie - you'd work for free if you got to meet the Avengers in costume. :)

Change Avengers to Star Wars and
you’d be correct.

Which movies though . . . .

Hell no, hell no, hell no.

Actually, maybe a group of us should *pose* as free-working architecture interns then advise them that real marble and end grain flooring and steel windows and Italian lighting are absolutely required so we get all the set materials there and then start fucking around making enormous constant screwups and costing them millions in materials then laugh our asses off as we set fire to the place and leave?

Wait I may finally have a screenplay idea...

I love it, Donna. I've got my young intern disguise ready!

This is exactly how I look.

Hardly!

I consulted on a set once. I was supposed to get paid but never did.

this shit would be in direct violation of whatever collective bargaining agreement the studio (Marvel, presumably?) is under with the locals, namely this would be I.A.T.S.E 800 - the Art Directors Guild, which has jurisdiction over Set Designers, Model Makers, and Scenic Artists. Whatever union covers the construction department would also likely see their collective agreements violated by this. IF, indeed this is a full feature film by a major studio, and not an independent production (those can usually work around typical industry regulations).