Discovering Perspective

What did one paradigm say to another paradigm when it encountered unexplainable data?

Shift happens!

- courtesy of tonight's lecture intro

After this evening's guest lecturer's announcement that he was pleased to be invited to speak especially since it meant the opportunity to be on the "good side of the border", it made me think about what seems to be a reverse brain drain. He is not the first American lecturer/new professors have heard make this blatant statement against the current situation in the US and clearly also their frustration with it. And perhaps also their hope that Canada is not (yet) in a similar condition.
Tonight's lecturer also made note of the similarities of today with the late 1960s where the American academics were defecting to Canada as a revolt against the Vietnam War. Comparably, the brain drain from Germany specifically and Europe in general before/during WWII points out a somewhat scary thought that when a country is in most need of guidance is when those most capable of giving intelligent guidance are also the ones most likely to leave. They are, afterall, the ones most likely to understand and foresee the impending doom and also unable to tolerate the stupidity. But it is disappointing to see that they leave because they feel helpless to turn the situation around and are forced to just pack their bags and save themselves.
I've been reading a number of paper's lately that make mention of the retreat of the intelligencia into the universities and academic realm. It is the only place they feel they are respected and listened to. Is my own interest in remaining in the academic realm a result of a feeling of helplessness in affecting any change in the "real world" so the best I can offer is to philosophize what those changes could be?

It's familiar. It belongs to the people.

The normal set of rules don't apply here. Well, at least they are more easily bent here. They can flex with the winds of change and accommodate traditions much older than they.

Rigidity is not a venerated commodity here.

It's less formal,
less intimidating,
less officiated.

I can speak for myself, not through some hired or elected voice, but

my voice.

I can be me and you can be you and the "concerned parties" can remain faceless elsewhere.

The government can have its side of Sussex.

This place belongs to people
not an institution.

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I wasn't thrilled when our assignment for today was to write a "story" about the program we will be proposing for our studio projects. I'd like to think I'm a pretty decent writer but I know my limitations when it comes to fiction/creative writing. I always feel stuck in cliches. But overall I'm pleased with the outcome, still a few cliches I want to adjust.

Since it is not explicitely stated (which was one of the requirements) my program is an alternative court. I want to challenge to architectural competition which will more than likely disqualify me from competing but Carleton never wins anyways. We're too "unique/special". It is also largely a response to Dalton McGuinty's stance and proposed ammendments to legislation regarding relegious courts.

Leaving the game
Originally uploaded by brunelleschi.

An unexpected surprise. Tickets to the Sens vs. Habs game from one of Mekki's clients. Why do the Sens have to rub it in by beating my backup team too? Not good enough to beat my Leafs?

Great seats. I'm amazed how different the game experience is not only when in person but from this angle.

I must say that I must be one of the few 23 year olds to have ever voted in three federal elections. A process which would normally take eight to ten years and possibly up to fifteen, I have done in five. This just points out the sad state and abuse of the ability for the government to call an election at anytime/force an election.

I was thrown off last minute as I unfolded my ballot about to make my mark and faced with the final decision. Not because I had been fence sitting and had to now choose my side. My party wasn't on the ballot! A blank stare. What do I do now. Do I vote for a party I don't support but is at least better than the alternatives? Or do I cast a void ballot? Where are the Marxist-Leninists when you need them? I was tempted to write in Karl Marx that at least would have been more interesting.

I overheard someone say that they are hoping for another minority government so that nothing can be done. AGAIN. How long can Canada continue on not doing anything because there is too much time spent shuffling the government. Yes, I know I didn't do my part to prevent that. Be quiet, no one asked you.

It will be interesting to see what happens with what will likely be another minority government. I hope that everyone will grow up and accept that we have to learn to work with a minority to push forward instead of opportunistically using it in a political tug of war. The question is whether Canada is stuck being the rope or the puddle of mud in this scenario.

Trying to make my way through a critical paper on Andrea Huyssen's Mapping the Postmodern and though I'm criticizing the fragmented, discontinuous arguments I'm faced with the irony that my paper is suffering from the same problem. Maybe its a condition of being postmodern. Or are we post-postmodern yet?

Monday night, Mary, Brent, Mekki and I went to the Casino to see a Rat Pack Tribute show thanks to the extra set of tickets Mary's parents got. We had a great time. None of us was sure what to expect or if it would be a waste of an evening but the tickets were free and I've never been to the casino so it seemed worth the gamble.

It was a very entertaining evening. At first I wasn't into it until I realized it was exactly what it was meant to be and I think the performers did a good job of recreating the feel of a Rat Pack show (based on the tv specials I've seen) without going too far as to pretend it was the real thing. It's a tricky balance I would imagine. The rehearsed and non-rehearsed "improv" between the songs were fun but unfortunately not overly well received by the audience, not because it was bad, I just don't think enough of the audience spoke english to understand what was going on. It made for a quiet audience but the performers did a very good job of keeping the energy high, regardless.

I don't really have the ear to make judgements on the musical abilities but given I was with three musicians and they were all impressed with the quality of the band and the singing, I'll let that speak for itself.

After the show we spent some time wondering about the casino. Mary has spent a fair bit of time there doing gigs. Apparently there are quite often live bands playing throughout the casino. We spent some time drooling over the all you can eat buffet and plan to go back sometime to indulge in it. Then we spent some time watching the games. There was one called "Royal Ascot" with little electronic horse figurines that run around a track and you place your bets a la race track. For fun, Mary, Brent and I picked our horses for two races, no bets. My horses each won their race. I could have been a millionaire. No not really, and I don't think of it that way. I enjoyed the thrill of winning even with no money attached. I'm just competitive that way.

All in all, a great return on our wager of one evening's time.

Or should I say I'm just plain weird? Poor Mekki has to put up with it but at least it is entertaining... I think.

It appears someone else does have a soft spot for early Zionist architecture.

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Dear Sarah,
Tim mentioned that you might be contacting me and I'm pleased that you have. The research that you have begun represents an aspect of the field that has not been properly studied and certainly not exhaustively mined and it is very much part of my own work. I am in the process of completing a book on the architecture of Tel Aviv during the British Mandate years--and have been actively looking for a research assistant for this stage of the project. If you are interested, perhaps we can discuss a structure for that. In any event I would be more than happy to talk with you about your thesis and contribute to your bibliography.
Best to you,
Adi
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Very pleasant coincidence.

I've been working a lot on the website for studio this term. It's still in design mode and is only a temporary location (so if I'm lazy that link won't work forever). Things are coming along well. It's super clean and simple which is what the profs asked for.

The thing that amuses me with webdesign is that it seems with every project I've done, the 'clients' are in a rush to get it up but never to write the content. I'm an obsessive person and when there is work to do I can't not do it (minus minor procrastination when overly stressed). So I usually get my end done and then go mad as I wait for content, meaning I fidget with the site ad nosium. Drives a person insane.

I've also been doing a fair bit more work for Lee's campaign designing the flyers and brochures and keeping the website up to date. The start in December was bad timing but I am very happy that the main push is at the beginning of my semester. Less conflicting schedule.

I'm still waiting to start my T.A. position this term. I've been assigned to first year studio which is nice since I already know the students from drawing last term. Apparently there are usually five first year TAs and so far I'm the only one. We'll see how that goes.

My instructor for studio was asking me about my work last term and I mentioned my paper on early Zionist architecture. So happens he knows a few people doing research on the subject so he has passed on their contact info so that I can bug them for ideas/suggestions for my thesis proposal. Very handy.

I've just set up a secondary blog for my studio course this semester. I'm really excited that the profs really want to push giving this studio web presence. All the students have to update a webpage/blog and there will be a main website which I am currently working on. It's mainly due to the nature of this being a visiting critic studio so in order for our guest critic to keep in touch with our work when he isn't in town we'll be having virutal desk crits through our website. The other incentive is to make the projects more public and give the general public access to our designs and ideas throughout the process. Hopefully it sets a good precident.

I love my long nails and feel useless without them but I hate it when they catch on something and bend backwards snapping well below the quick. PAINFUL. Not so much in the initial snap but for the following week or two it takes to grow back. Plus it is very hard to type with your index and middle fingers wrapped in bandaids and shooting pain with the slightest pressure.

I don't think I've ever had it happen to two fingers at once before. I must be low on my calcium/protein intake or something.

Yay! I'm very happy with the grades for this semester. All A's. They won't be kicking me out any time soon.

Finally got around to updating my online portfolio with images from the last two studios and some of the graphic work I've been up to.

What I did for my winter vacation
by Sarah

• Enjoyed the train ride down thanks to Mekki's parents who bought us the tickets for our Christmas present.
• I got to meet my parent's new puppy. Obiwan (aka 'Ben') the jack russel/pug. Let's just say he has a lot of energy but he's a sweety when he cuddles up on your lap for a nap.
• Christmas Eve at Grandma's house (for those of you wondering, my mom converted to Judaism so we still celebrate Christmas with her family). I love Christmas Eve at Grandma's dinner consists of a table full of tasty appetizers (spanikotiropita, pigs in a blanket, meat balls, cheeses, cold cuts, mini quiches, shrimp cocktail, pickles, pate, mmm...). We gave up on the tree the last few years. Too expensive and too much work for one night of enjoyment (I'm personally not a big fan of the tree so it doesn't bug me much). And then presents from Grandma and Santa. I got a nice sewing kit so that I don't have to keep all my miscelaneous needles and thread in a tupperwear container.
• Christmas day/first night of Hanukkah was at my parents'. It was getting to be too much for Grandma to do both nights so my aunt hosted last year, this year my parents. We had Kosher turkey and a nice ham. Bet you'd never hear those two dishes in the same sentence. The Kosher turkey is more for taste. Tastes way better than regular. And the trimmin's latkes, squash, baguette, cheeses, peas, sweet potato and fennel casserole, etc.
• Hanukkah is always fun. Eight nights of it. Lots of great gifts. My parents love spoiling me and now Mekki too. And all the cookies. My mom bakes HUNDREDS of DOZENS of cookies every year for Hanukkah. I'm a bit sweeted out.
• Top of the list for the gifts is the professional copper pots and pans Mekki and I got for the last night. Unfortunately a bit big to carry on the train so it will have to wait til the next visit by car.
• Lots of shopping. I didn't find much other than a couple pairs of new jeans which were desperately needed. Mekki found quite a lot though. Two new suit jackets from Sears Outlet for $20 each, video games (of course), Stephenson's Quicksilver, and a few other treasures.
• Mekki and I made our way through the first three Harry Potter movies thanks to my sister's collection. The third one is rather disappointing and Americanized. As Mekki pointed out, half way through the movie they stop wearing their school uniforms in exchange for jeans. What's with that?
• Finished the Lee brochure for the campaign. This one went pretty smoothly on the design a bit rough on the timing but all was completed.
• Hastled around with the printers a bit for the Lee brochure. Argh.
• I just checked my marks for the paper I handed in just before leaving. I was pleasantly surprised by the 29.5/30. Normally that is the kind of grade I expect for myself but I was rather disappointed that I rushed myself on this paper and didn't have time to go back and refine it. So I am quite happy. I can't wait to get it back and see what the prof's comments were.
• no final marks up yet though