I AM NOT A JOINER, OTHER THAN THE AIA WHICH I DID YEARS AGO , BECAUSE WHEN I WAS A REGISTERED CALIFORNIA ARCHITECT AT SCI-ARC THE ACCOUNTANT, AFTER KNOWING ME FOR YEARS ASKED, “WHEN WAS I GOING TO BE AN ARCHITECT?” I REPLIED, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? HER RESPONSE WAS YOU ARE NOT AN AIA. IN OTHER WORDS BEING IN HER MIND AN ARCHITECT MEANT YOU WERE AN AIA. JOHN LAUTNER WAS AN AIA AND I ASKED HIM WHY HE HAD JOINED. HE SAID TO GET THE AWARDS. WHICH THE AIA GAVE HIM ON A REGULAR BASIS. ERIC MOSS AND I JOINED THE AIA AT THE SAME TIME. ERIC I AM SURE GETS AWARDS, I GOT MAYBE TWO WHILE BERNARD ZIMMERMAN WAS ALIVE. HE KNEW MY TALENT AND WHISPERED IN OTHER PEOPLE’S EARS.
STANDING ON THE CORNER TALKING TO MY BUDDY ENGINEER. PHOTO BY YASMINA DEDIJER-SMALL
ALL A MOOT POINT FOR ME, SINCE I AM OF AN AGE WHERE THE AIA LETS ME BE A FREE MEMBER, BUT THEY STILL DO NOT GIVE ME AWARDS. I THOUGHT WHEN ONE IS CLOSE TO DYING, AND NO THREAT TO ANYONE, THEY GIVE YOU AWARDS. NOT SO WITH ME YET, SO MAYBE I AM STILL A THREAT AND I HAVE A FEW MORE YEARS TO LIVE.
QUAIL LANE BEACH, SEAL ROCK, OREGON, SOUTH OF NEWPORT, OREGON
I HAVE NEVER DEMONSTRATED, EXCEPT FOR THE FIRING OF JOHN PASTIER THE ARCHITECTURAL CRITIC AT THE LA TIMES. I ORGANIZED A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND WE WENT DOWN TO THE TIMES BUILDING IN LA AND PROTESTED FOR A FEW HOURS. JOHN SAID IT WAS NOTICED, BUT NEITHER HE NOR ANYONE ELSE EVER GAVE A DAMN WHAT WE HAD DONE SO. THE LAST TIME I SAW JOHN PASTIER WAS IN SEATTLE AT THE SHOWING OF MY DAUGHTER LUCIA’S FILM, “MY FATHER THE GENIUS.” HE SAID THERE IS NO MONEY IN BEING AN ARCHITECTURAL FREELANCE CRITIC. JUST A FEW HUNDRED FOR SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES. HE WROTE A CREAM PUFF ARTICLE ON GEHRY WHO HE CLAIMS IS A CLOSE FRIEND. WHERE WAS THE MENTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION SHOE BOX BUILDINGS THAT ACCOMPANY GEHRY BUILDINGS? TALK ABOUT A CORPORATION, THE GEHRY CORPORATION.
RECENTLY I HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS WITH THE OCCUPY WALL STREET GROUP AT THE INTERSECTION OF HWY 20 AND 101, ABOUT TEN BLOCKS FROM THE OCEAN ON THE OREGON COAST IN NEWPORT. NEWPORT IS THE BIGGEST HARBOR ON THE OREGON COAST. PRIMARILY FISHING. POPULATION 8,000. THE GROUP VARIES IN NUMBERS, BUT THE AVERAGE TURN OUT IS ABOUT 40 PROTESTERS – DIE HARDS AVERAGING 50 YEARS OF AGE. WHERE IS THE YOUTH? US OLDER FOLKS KNOW FIRST HAND THE ECONOMIC SCREWING OF VESTED INTERESTS. THIS IN A REGION THAT IS KNOWN FOR ITS LIBERAL CAUSES AND LOVES VOTING LIBERAL. BUT IT TAKES A BIT OF GALL IN A SMALL TOWN TO LET YOUR NEIGHBORS KNOW WHERE YOU STAND. TWO DAYS A WEEK WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. I LEFT EARLY YESTERDAY BECAUSE OF FROZEN HANDS. IT IS FRIGHTING TO REALIZE THAT THE WALL STREET MOVEMENT IS A CATCH ALL FOR VENTING DISGUST OF OUTRAGES ECONOMIC INJUSTICES TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND GETS SO LITTLE PLAY AS OF THE MOMENT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO GET THE MASSES IN GEAR. WHEN BILL MOYER AND RALPH NADER ENDORSE THE MOVEMENT YOU KNOW IT STRIKES A CHORD OF INJUSTICE.
LAST WEDNESDAY IN THE RAIN A YOUNG GIRL ASKED IF SHE COULD TAKE OUR PICTURE. WHEN I ASKED WHERE SHE WAS FROM, SHE SAID THE NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL PAPER. I ASKED HER WHY THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE NOT DEMONSTRATING, IT SHOULD BE THEIR CONCERNS? HER REPLY, THEY WERE DOING HOMEWORK, I COUNTERED WITH THIS DEMONSTRATING IS HOMEWORK.
WE GET A LOT OF HONKS AND CHEERING BY TRUCKERS AND A VARIETY OF CARS ETC. THE TRICK IS TO STARE DOWN THE MOTORISTS AT THE INTERSECTIONS AND GET A THUMBS UP RESPONSE. NOT MY SORT OF THING, BUT OTHER DEMONSTRATORS ENJOY THE INTERACTION. THE BEST BEING AN IRATE DISSIDENT SAYING GET A JOB. THIS IS FRESH MEAT FOR THE DEMONSTRATORS THAT LIKE TO DIALOGUE. BUT THE CHEERING AND HONKING OF SUPPORT IS THE REAL UPPER.
LAST WEDNESDAY AT 5PM IT WAS RAINING HORIZONTAL AND COLD. THE SIGN I WAS HOLDING TORE OFF THE SUPPORT STICK FROM THE WIND. MY CLOTHES WERE SOAKED AND I MET MARK, WHOSE WIFE HAD LEFT HIM YEARS AGO TO JOIN AN ET GROUP. LAST SATURDAY THERE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN PROTESTING BEING FINED BY THE CITY FOR STREET VENDING. ANOTHER 80 YEAR OLD GENTLEMAN ENGINEER THAT WAS ARTFULLY CLOTHED, THAT ANY DESIGNER COULD RELATE TO, WAS HOLDING A SIGN OF 60% MILITARY BUDGET SPENDING. THAT GOT ME REALLY UPSET, WHEN CONGRESS IS YELLING ABOUT CUTTING SOCIAL SERVICES. OBAMA, MY GREAT HOPE. HAS INCREASED THE MILITARY SPENDING .
THERE IS A GENERAL OUTRAGE OF ECONOMIC ABUSE WHICH IS WELL FOUNDED, BUT IS NOW TAKING HOLD WITH PEOPLE FEELING THE PINCH. I BEING A CASE IN POINT, BEING BANKRUPT AND LOSING MY HOUSE. OH YES IT WAS POOR MONEY MANAGEMENT ON MY PART, BUT ALSO IT WAS NOT WISELY MAKING PROGRAMS TO ALLOW ME TO RENT MY HOUSE TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE. POURING MONEY INTO THE TOP INSTEAD OF ASSISTING THE BOTTOM TO PROP UP THE TOP .
MY NEW PROTEST ENGINEER FRIEND CONFESSED TO WORKING FOR THE US GOVERNMENT FOREST SERVICE AS AN INSPECTOR IN CALIFORNIA. HE CALLED IT A FIASCO. THE SUMMARY BEING THAT THE LUMBER COMPANIES PAY 2% OF THE VALUE OF THE TREES TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT (WHICH REPRESENTS THE U,S, PUBLIC INTERESTS) TO LOG THE FORESTS , THEN THE GOVERNMENT PAYS THE LUMBER COMPANIES TO BUILD THE LOGGING ROADS. IN OREGON THE U,S, GOVERNMENT OWNS 60% OF THE LAND.
DOUG FROM EUGENE SPELLED OUT TONS OF INFORMATION ON HOW BIG BANKING MAKES TONS ON CREDIT CARDS, HIS STATISTICS WERE RELENTLESS ON ALL THE FEEDS THE BANKS GET. I REALIZED HOW PATHETIC MY KNOWLEDGE IS AND THAT ANY SERIOUS INVESTIGATION OF MOST CORPORATIONS IS GOING TO REVEAL HUGE INJUSTICES TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
I ALSO HEARD THAT ONCE ELECTED TO CONGRESS FOR ANY DURATION OF TIME, THE ELECTED HAS A SIGNIFICANT RETIREMENT PLAN FOR LIFE WITH THEIR TRIPLE A PLUS HEALTH PLAN. THIS IS OVER THE TOP.
WHERE ARE THE BOLD PROGRAMS OF FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT WHICH HE EVEN HAD A HARD TIME SUPPORTING WITH THE WEAK MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONGRESS BACKING? THE WORLD WAR 2 SAVING HIS PROGRAMS. I WATCHED A PROGRAM OF CHARLIE ROSE WHERE HE WAS INTERVIEWING AN AUTHOR OF A BOOK ON THE DEMISE OF LEHMAN BROTHERS. THE AUTHOR CLAIMING THAT OBAMA WAS IN THE UNIQUE POSITION OF REWRITING THE BANKING LAWS, THE OPPORTUNITY THAT ONLY COMES ONCE IN A HUNDRED YEARS TO IMPLEMENT AND HE FAILED TO DO SO.
MY RICHEST CLIENT WHO CLAIMS NOT TO BE THAT RICH ANYMORE, YET MADE A $30,000 GAIN ON THE MARKET THE OTHER DAY, SAYS THE WORLD IS RUN BY CORPORATIONS. STANDING ON A CORNER IS PROBABLY JUST MASTURBATING FOR SOLVING THE ECONOMY, BUT IT DOES GIVE VENT TO MY OUTRAGE. WHEN THE MASSES START TO YELL IT IS HEARD, EVEN IF THEY ARE ASSES. MACHIAVELLI POINTS THAT OUT IN THE PRINCE. IF THE POPULOUS ARE UPSET HEADS AT THE TOP WILL TOPPLE.
ARCHITECTURE DEPENDS ON THE RICH, AND RIGHT NOW ON THE OREGON COAST IN NEWPORT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS HURTING EXCEPT FOR INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE LOCAL WALMART. THE EPITOME OF BAD ARCHITECTURE. CONSTRUCTION JOBS ARE REPAIRING THE FORECLOSED PROPERTIES TO RENT TO OSTRACIZED PREVIOUS OWNERS, BUT THAT IS EVEN FAILING WITH PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THE RENT.
ATTENTION FROM THE MEDIA IS ON THE OCCUPATION OF PUBLIC SPACES WITH CAMPING OUT AND THE YOUTH DOING THEIR THING. A SHOWDOWN IS HERE IN OREGON TOMORROW IN PORTLAND. MY INTEREST IS TO PROTECT THE CLASS DISPARITY, PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE THAT FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. TAX THE WEALTHY AND CREATE JOBS TO BETTER THE EARTH. I AM READY TO SHOW THE WAY. THE CONCERN OF SOCIAL INJUSTICES IS FADING.. MOYER TALKS ABOUT BEING DIRT POOR BUT GETTING A GOOD PUBLIC EDUCATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH COLLEGE. EDUCATION AT THE MOMENT IS A THREAT FOR THE WEALTHY. WHEN THE MASSES KNOW TOO MUCH, THAT IS BAD FOR CORRUPT BUSINESS AS USUAL. THEREFORE THE WEALTHY ARE DESTROYING THE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM JUST WHEN AN ALL OUT EFFORT NEEDS BE IMPLEMENTED TO TAP THE COMMON DENOMINATOR OF INTELLIGENCE TO SAVE THIS PLANET.
A BIT PLAYER SOCIAL ACTIVIST.
GLEN HOWARD SMALL
STAYING CLOSE TO THE BANK THAT TOOK MY MONUMENT HOUSE AWAY
Good stuff, Glen. I’ve just been reading Kurt Vonnegut’s “Breakfast of Champions.” A more cynical view of American (and global) motives and principles would be hard to find. But it offers its own kind of truth, one which doesn’t sit well with the jingoists.
I’m also very disappointed with Obama: huge military spending on what appears to be another unwinnable war, a medical plan that seems quite incomprehensible, huge investments in US companies, and still we’re on the brink of disaster. All probably the result of good intentions (I’m not completely cynical), but surely not working.
TIM,
HEAVY FRUSTRATION OF THINGS OUT OF CONTROL ON THE HOME AND WORLD FRONT.
ALL FORMS OF GREED THAT HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. IS THERE HOPE? I ONCE WAS TALKING TO A LAWYER, AND ASKED HIM IF BAD GUYS WIN. HE SAID, ” BAD GUYS WIN ALL THE TIME.”
THANKS FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE.
GLEN
Unlike other parts of the world, there is no “Occupy” movement here in Nicaragua. Only a few half-hearted protests by a few dozen malcontents after the recent elections. It’s a whole other world, not unlike it was 25 years ago when I first came here. Nearly free medical care. Land distribution. Little to no homelessness. Free school lunches, and breakfast, for all public school children. Free “zinc” corrugated sheet metal panels for those who qualify to repair their roofs after the disastrous recent rains. Etc., etc. I walk the streets at night feeling safe, no one around except the occasional drunk. It’s not perfect mind you, corruption is rampant, poverty is everywhere, rivers are polluted. But everyone is hopeful. And Daniel Ortega may be a sonofabitch, but he’s their sonofabitch.
CARLOS,
I REMEMBER HERTY TELLING ME I COULD ALWAYS EXCAPE TO THE USA IF I WANTED TO. SO THAT VISITOR LOOK THAT YOU SEE ,AND HAVE INSIGHT OF YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY LIVING THERE IS REVEALING, BUT SOMETHING YOU CAN DEPART FROM. YOU SAY YOU WILL RETIRE THERE, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BIT OF MONEY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, BECAUSE ARCHITECTURE OF INTEGRITY IN NICARAGUA IS DIFFICULT. BUT MAYBE THE MANGOES AND BANANAS ARE ENOUGH FOR YOU. YOU KNOW ME, ARCHITECTURE IS MY WAY OF LIFE. PLUS BEING A GRINGO IS NOT A SAFE CONDITION IN NICARAGUA, AS OF THE MOMENT. RECENTLY DURING A PARADE HAVING A DEMONSTRATOR TELL ME TO GET THE HELL OUT OF NICARAGUA WITH A SNARLING GANG BACKING HIS FEELINGS UP.
LOOK FOWARD TO YOUR RETURN,
GLEN
All that is needed for evil to suceed is that good men do nothing.
However I believe that the good men need to be smart, selfless and have huge balls.
Look at Gandhi and more recently Anna Hazare. They are great examples of the power of one. Am surprised that no one in the so called first world countries have adopted the concept of “Fast unto Death” to gather a mass following and change the course of history, like these men have.
MANINTHEMIRROR
VERY GOOD POINT, BUT IDEALISTS IN AMERICA ARE HARD TO COME BY, AND IN MANY WAYS ARE CONSUMED BY THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
I WENT TO AN OCCUPY WALL STREET ORGANIZATION MEETING THE OTHER NIGHT, AND REALIZED THAT MY POINT OF A HIGHER CALLING TO BRING PRESSURE IN AN INTELLIGENT WAY WAS NOT THE AGENDA, NO THE AGENDA WAS TO BACK LIBERAL CAUSES AND DRAW ATTENTION BY MAKING THE COPS GO INTO RIOT GEAR. THAT BRINGS ATTENTION, BUT NOT A SIGNIFICANT LEADER TO DATE.
THIS MOVEMENT THAT JOINS ALL PARTIES WITH CONCERNS OF CORRUPTION AND GREED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS WELL FOUNDED, BUT REALLY NEEDS A LEADER TO ESPOSE THAT VIEWPOINT IN AN INTELLIGENT AND SOPHISTICATED MANNER THAT CAN USE THIS RATH TO ORGANIZE AND CHALLENGE THE POWER STRUCTURE TO BRING POSITIVE CHANGE.
WE NEED AN ANNA. SAME AGE AS I. BUT MY FEAR IS THAT IN A SHORT LIVED LIFE. I GUESS YOU HAVE ALREADY FACTORED THAT EQUATION IN. ONCE DEAD A CERTAIN PESSIMISM SETS IN THAT ALLOWS BUSINESS AS USUAL TO FLOURISH AGAIN, LOOK AT INDIA.
THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS. KEEP THEM COMING AND YOU CAN LEAD. I WILL BACK YOU.
It is important to know when to follow and when to lead. Great leaders come around only once in every 50 years.
Sorry to dissapoint but like you, I am not a leader. Secondly, I do not live in the US
(forgive me for saying “Thank God for that”). Thirdly, I feel the US and the world is lucky to have Obama, as you’ll could have done a lot worse.
I however do try to make the world a better place by looking at myself time and again, and then attempting to make a change.
1) Learn to forgive and forget. FRANKly speaking – the only person you burden with hatred is yourself when you cannot forgive and forget.
2) Don’t judge others, but once in a while look at the man in the mirror and judge HIM.
3) Change what can, accept what you cannot change.
4) It is no one else’s fault – not your parents, not your wife’s, not the goverments, not God’s, but YOUR’S. That is the truth and the bottom line.
5) Realize that this life is not about awards, fame and fortune but about love, family and doing the right thing.
6) Conquere fear – that is my final frontier.
MANINTHEMIRROR YOU SHOULD RUN FOR GOD.
BUCKY ALSO FELT IF SOMETHING DID NOT GO RIGHT IT WAS HIS FAULT. AND HE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE POUNDING ON HIM, MOSTLY ARCHITECTS. HE KEPT POSITIVE AND DAZZLED THE 1% MAVERICKS. BUT HIS BIG IDEAS WERE NOT IMPLEMENTED. SURE HIS DOMES MADE GREAT PROPAGANDA FOR A FOWARD THINKING USA IMAGE, BUT WHERE IS THE DYMAXIOM HOUSE , 3 WHEEL CAR, OR DOME OVER MANHATTAN?
ANNA SAID OUR ROLE IN LIFE IS TO BETTER THE PLANET OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I AGREE, BUT I KEEP KNOCKING ON DOORS AND THEY WILL NOT LET ME IN. NOT THE RIGHT DOORS. GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS?
YOU WOULD THINK SOMEBODY IN THE 1% WOULD RELATE TO ME. I AM REALLY SCARED OF THE FUTURE, BECAUSE IT SEEMS SO VIOLENT TOWARD OTHERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
CONTINUE TO CONTINUE
GLEN
my first job for an architect in the US has 1% clients by all means…. one day my boss asked me what I was doing on the internet and I said “paying my bills”, his response was “that’s mighty middle class of you”. i asked “what do you mean?”, boss – “Rich people don’t pay their bills.” I took notes.
I learned over the years rich people think everything is a tax deductable and with good accountants/lawyers it appears to be true. took more notes.
also learned bankruptcy is always an option and if you owe lots of money to a bank of something hire a lawyer.
so – if you go to pay your bills and the bank first call your lawyer, then call the company you owe money too and tell them you want to negotiate because it just doesn’t seem fair you owe so much, then send your bank a letter from your lawyer disputing their claim and finally write all that shit off.
if all American behaved like the rich, the recent Bank crisis would pale in comparison…i say the 99% should act like the 1% and see what happens.
THE YOUNG, THE STRONG AND THE BRAVE,
LIKED YOUR OBSERVATIONS. THE 99% JUST HASN’T FIGURED IT OUT HOW TO BE ALL THAT CORRUPT YET. BUT GIVEN THE CHANCE, YOU ARE RIGHT, TOTAL CHAOS.
JUST WATCHED THE INSIDER MOVIE ON THE RECENT COLLAPSE OF WALL STREET THAT LED TO A WORLD RECESSION THAT WE ARE NOT OUT OF YET, AND BUSINESS AS USUAL OF THE RICH GETTING RICHER AND THE POOR GETTING POORER AND MIDDLE CLASS SQUEEZE.
VERY SCARY STUFF THAT CAN NOT BE IGNORED. I HAVE NO ANSWERS OTHER THAN PLAYING IT STRAIGHT.
BUT I COULD RELATE TO HAVING AN ACCOUNTANT THAT MADE SURE NO MAJOR TAXES WERE PAID. ANY INTELLIGENT PERSON GETS QUALITY ADVICE ON SUCH MATTERS. BUT IN MY CASE THERE IS NO NEED, BECAUSE I QUALIFY FOR EVERY CATEGORY OF BEING POOR.
MANINTHEMIRROR SAYS IT WAS MY FAULT. WELL, I WAS RAISED TO DO IT THE BEST I COULD, DO NOT COMPROMISE. SEEK THE IDEAL. PLAY YOUR BEST GAME, AND IF YOU LOSE BE PROUD THAT YOU GAVE IT YOUR ALL. I CAN SAY THAT. I AM NOT SURE A LOT OF ARCHITECTS CAN SAY THE SAME. I AM PROUD, BUT BROKE. LOOKING BACK,, I DID IT MY WAY. THINKING I WAS DOING THE BEST AT THE TIME.
WHAT IS NOW OBVIOUS IS MY BEST WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THAT ALSO INCLUDES MY PERFORMANCES NOT RELATING TO ARCHITECTURE. IN THE END IT IS THE WHOLE PACKAGE OF LIFE.
IN GOVERNMENT YOU WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A RISING TO THE TOP OF INTEGRITY AND INTELLIGENCE. BUT THE OPPOSITE OCCURS. CORRUPTION SURFACES. MY WIFE RECENTLY POINTING OUT THE OBVIOUS IN GOVERNMENTS WORLD WIDE. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? IS MAN BASICALLY EVIL AND GREEDY?
THE ONE PERCENT TAX SHELTERS OF CHARITY TRUSTS ARE A MEANS OF THE RICH HIDING MONEY. THAT TOOK ME BACK FOR A MOMENT, BUT IT CAME FROM ONE THAT KNEW. THE TRUSTS ARE EXPANDING AT A RAPID RATE WITH THEIR INVESTMENTS. LOOK AT THE MC ARTHUR FUND. WHICH THOSE OF US THAT DEAL WITH IDEALISM HOPE TO GET A GRANT FROM. THE PERSONAL GRANT ASPECT IS VERY MINOR PART OF THE GIVE AWAY, AND THE TRUST ITSELF IS BOOMING. LOOK IT UP ON GOOGLE.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE INTERNET FREEDOM THAT LETS ONE SEE ALL THIS STUFF. HOW WONDERFUL, BUT WILL THE TRUTH SET ONE FREE OR WILL THE TRUTH BE OVERLOOKED BY THE MASSES. A FORM OF CONTENTED HELPLESSNESS. THERE IS HOPE THIS IS CHANGING BY STANDING ON THE CORNER AND YELLING ON MY BLOG. ” I WILL NOT TAKE THIS ANYMORE.”
THE RICH KEEP THEMSELVES ISOLATED, SO WHEN THE DISCONTENT IS PUT IN THEIR FACE THEY REACT WITH STORM TROOPERS. LIKE DARK VADER. BUT THAT JUST ENCOURAGES THE MASSES TO FIGHT. THE MOVEMENT IS JUST BEGINNING,BUT IS GAINING MOMENTUM.
KEEP CLOSE,
GLEN
Thanks Glen, but I believe that we all have the potential to be God’s, it’s just that it would take us a couple of hundred years, if we are headed in the right direction.
I do admire Bucky for taking the blame. Very few people in life have that quality, 99 % will point fingers and blame others ( me included ).
Please do not take me literally. I feel we all should have the attitude to accept our faults and not point fingers at others.
There is no way of me knowing if it is 0, 50 or 100% your fault. Also I have no right to comment on whether it is your fault or not. What I however believe is that a positive person will take the blame, learn from his mistakes and move on, whereas most of us will just point fingers. Bucky was obviously one of the former.
A true leader is the last to accept credit, but the first to accept fault.
Anna is a great man. He is uneducated used to be a truck driver for most of his life, but has managed a mass movement in India, to draw up laws which would hold corrupt politicians and beaurocrats to account. An impossible task to achieve in India, but there is hope.
One area where Anna is successfull is that he has like minded honest and smart people working with him to achieve his goals, and they are referred to as Team Anna.
When trying to get your foot through the door, do you knock harder, get somebody else to knock for you or do you just try and climb through the window? Well, you probably try all of the above. Which would mean, you push harder, get a team working for you, and think outside the box – reinvent yourself.
In the larger scheme of things, the past does not matter, and as the present and future always turn into the past, ULTIMATELY NOTHING MATTERS.
MANINTHEMIRROR GOD,
THE PAST DOES MATTER. HISTORY TELLS A LOT, AND IS A WAY TO LEARN. I REALIZE THAT WHAT I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT A LOT IS MY HISTORY, SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN HEARD AND WHAT HAS BEEN HEARD IS DISTORTED.
TALKING TO ARCHITECT MICHAEL RENDLER THIS WEEK ABOUT A STUDENT OF HIS RIDING IN A CAR WITH ME IN LA RECENTLY , JUST REALIZING HE WAS RIDING WITH THE CREATOR OF THE BIOMORPHIC BIOSPHERE. HE WAS IN AWE. I ENJOYED THE APPLAUSE, BUT REALIZED MY SHORT COMING OF NOT DELIVERING THE TOTAL MESSAGE OF THE BIOMORPHIC BIOSPHERE.
JOHN LAUTNER FOR YEARS WAS WORKING ON HIS BOOK OF HIS PROJECTS. IT WAS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD HE PLAYED TO ME. BUT THEN HE DID COMPLETE HIS BOOK AND DIED SHORTLY THERE AFTER.
I AM IN THAT SPACE, TIME HAS RUN OUT, THERE IS SO MUCH TO SAY BEFORE THE END. SENSE NOBODY HAS COME FOWARD TO ASSIST, I AM GOING TO PUBLISH MY LIFE ON MY BLOG. STARTING WITH THE VERTICAL CITY AND THEN MOVING TO THE BIOMORPHIC BIOSPHERE. I WAS IN HOPES OF SUPPORTING MYSELF WITH THIS EFFORT, BUT THAT IS NOT TO BE, SO I AM GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY.
THE NEW ERA.
MANINTHERMIRROR, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN YELLING AT ME, ENCOURAGING ME, AND DEMANDING THAT I GET POSITIVE MY WHOLE PROFESSIONAL LIFE. I AM MIXTURE. IF SOMEBODY KILLED MY WIFE OR GRAND KIDS, I WOULD NOT PITTY THEM, I WOULD NOT BE POSITIVE, I PROBABLY WOULD BE OUTRAGED AND DESTROY THEM. THAT IS ME. YOU ARE DIFFERENT. IT WAS NOT MY FAULT. IT WAS THE FAULT OF THE KILLER THAT MUST BE STOPPED FROM DOING IT AGAIN. THAT IS THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT OUR WILDERNESS, COUNTRYSIDE, TOWNS, CITIES, AND MEGA EXTENDED URBLAN REGIONS KILLING THE SOUL OF MANKIND AND NATURE. I AM OUTRAGED, FURIOUS, MAD, SAD AND HURT.
A THIRD PARTY OF ANNA WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE IN THE USA NEEDS TO HAPPEN. THE EXISTING TWO PARTIES ARE CORRUPT AND DESTRUCTIVE.
HEY, I LIKE YOU AND LOVE YOUR BRAIN AND MORALS.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING,
GLEN
Heart of Hollywood
Glen, that last photo of you standing against the bank that took your house is poignant. Last night was also poignant.
I was looking for a spot to park for a Thanksgiving party and found my spot: in front of an abandoned apartment complex in the heart of Hollywood, just at the side entrance to FL Wrights Barnsdall complex. It was one of those great old Hollywood courtyards, with a dozen craftsman bungalow apartments. Now sealed off from the street with a n new chain link fence that said ” Bank Owned Abandoned Property”. It will sit there now for years , boarded up, surrounded by chain link, unused, waiting for the economy to ‘turn around’. Outside on the streets, just a few blocks from Hollywood Blvd, dozens sleep on the street. Happy Thanksgiving, Thanks for What. It wont be too long before the chain links will be cut.
There are tens of thousands of ‘bank owned abandoned properties’ in Los Angeles. The police protect the rights of the bank while homeless families wander for shelter.
The irony is not poetic. It is disgusting. The bolt cutter and the wire snapper are the new weapons.
Steal form the banks, they deserve to be taken.
eric
ERIC,
WHAT WE HAVE IS A FAILURE OF HELPFUL FEELINGS. IT RUNS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SOCIETY. TOP TO BOTTOM.
I AM STAYING WITH MILICA, MY EX ARCHITECT WIFE, HER ARCHITECT HUSBAND BRIAN, MY SON ERIK AND TWO GRAND KIDS, THUS DEMANDING MAJOR COOPERATION. YOU KNOW THAT FROM THE SITUATIONS THAT YOU PUT TOGETHER FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED HOUSING AND FOOD, EVERYONE MUST SHARE. A SENSE OF CONNECTION NEEDS COOPERATION AND HELP. SO FAR SO GOOD. I AM THE MAJOR DISHWASHER THAT KEEPS A TIDY KITCHEN, VACUMNS, AND HELPS WITH THE KIDS. JACOB PUSHING MY BACK TO ACCELERATE THE WHEEL BARREL UP THE HILL TO DELIVER THE WOOD FOR THE FIREPACE HEAT.
IF YOU KEEP THE MESS CLEANED UP THINGS GO WELL.
AS A SOCIETY WE HAVE A MESS THAT NEEDS A COOPERATIVE EFFORT TO CORRECT. YOU ARE TO BE HEARALED IN YOU ROBIN HOOD DISTRIBUTION OF BAVERY AND COMMITMENT.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
KEEP CLOSE
GLEN
Eric ,
I remember riding through L.A. 20 years ago on a Greyhound bus on my way back to Oregon. We went through the financial district at night. There were rows of what looked like coffins lined up on the sidewalk and burn barrels with men standing around warming their hands. It looked like a scene from the Inferno. I asked a fellow passenger what was going on and he told me the City of the Angels issues cardboard boxes to the homeless for them to sleep in. Institutionalized homelessness. And nothing has changed. I fear for my country.
Man has learnt very little from history.
Look at all the major countries including the US spending more on their defence than on their poor. Need I say more?
I hope you will concentrate as much on your future as you do on your past. I would love to see you come up with a new brilliant idea. Would like to sponsor your registration for the Evolo competition if that is what is stopping you from joining up.
The only constant in life is change, yet it is almost impossible for human beings to change their habits, behaviour and attitudes.
Your theory of an eye for an eye is not uncommon and probably one of the reasons the world is in the mess it is today.
If we left Karma to take care of all the negativity we felt towards others, we would lead a happier life.
It’s nice to know that you are spending time with your grandkids. It is time well spent.
Hey, I like you too but was very disturbed to read about the bad times you have been through.
You have influenced me to loosen up as an Architect, and I am probably as much in love with curves as you are.
You will surely stop jokingly calling me God, once you discover I was your student, but I would rather stay anonymous for now as it helps me remain free and honest in what I have to say.
Regards to Milica.
MANINTHEMIRROR
YOU ARE CAUSAL IN DISMISSING HISTORY, WHEN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE IS BUILT ON HISTORY . IT IS THE ACCUMULATION OF KNOWLEDGE THAT ALLOWS NEW TO HAPPEN.
FEAR NOT I AM REGISTERED WITH EVOLO TO DO THE COMPETITION, BUT THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THE NEW TOGETHER IS PERPLEXING. I SUFFER FROM REJECTION FEARS AND THE OVIOUS BEING IGNORED. THAT COMES WITH PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN SHUNNED.
ENOUGH SAID, I AM PROGRAMMED TO SPEAK OUT AND REALLY ONLY LIVE TO DO SO. WHAT THE SOCIETY DOES WITH THAT IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY NOR TASK.
THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE ME FREE. BUT FREEDOM HAS ITS LIMITS. YOUR BRIEF TAKE ON CHANGE IS PERPLEXING. THERE ARE SO MANY CHANGES, BUT THE TASK OF CONCENTRATING ON THE POSITIVE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR SOCIETY.
KEEP CLOSE,
GLEN
Yes Glen, Positivism is good – especially in your case, your work. The Utopian stirrings that are felt upon understanding your vision is what makes the work, the designs, the bio-architecture so compelling. It is , an alternative to aim at.
I am glad you are entering the competition. You are Robin Hood the archer, keep hitting bulls-eyes!
Happy Thanksgiving
eric
ERIC,
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXCAPE HARM. YOU ARE THE ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.
GLEN
BE BOLD, AND MIGHTY FORCES WILL COME TO YOUR AID.
Good to hear that you are doing the competition.
MANINTHEMIRROR
WAITING FOR THOSE MIGHTY FORCES. I WAS TRYING TO GET MY SON’S DOG BACK IN THE HOUSE THE OTHER DAY AND HE FLIPPED ME, AND I CAME DOWN LIKE A HUGE TREE SCREAMING. BRUISED BIG TIME AS I HIT THE GRAVEL. THE DOG I THOUGHT HAD TAKEN OFF, BUT INSTEAD WAS SO SCARED THAT HE WAS BEGGING TO GET INTO THE SAFE HOUSE WHERE HE WOULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO FALLING HUMAN TREES HOWLING.
GLEN
Glen, you choose not to see those Mighty Forces.
They just cushioned your fall, and probably ended up breaking their own bones, in doing so 🙂
hey eric, when will you be having the keys to the courtyard apartments? penelope spheeris’ suburbia is a great film too with many structural connections to the scenery of today.. http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LD5JGQOZ0AG
glen, good luck with skyscraper.
Hi Glen,
This was your perspective, which I agreed with.
I will try and answer your question based on my understanding of you.
Here is what I would do, if I were you.
1) BOOK : Why not start with an E, and take it from there. Also stop waiting for people to do it for you, as it is your dream, not theirs. After all, self help is the best help.
Maybe you should plan writing a trilogy, obviously you have a good starting point which is your blog. I must say I was impressed with Tim, as he has achieved in part what I have been thinking of doing….writing a book for kids. “Lulu” or other web sites could be a start for publishing your book. Plus Eric says he can show you how to get published.
If I were you – I would get started now, and ready for an e-book by Dec 2012, with a commitment on my blog.
2) DESIGN : Why not spend a couple of hours designing daily, as this is what you love the most. Maybe you could start on a couple of entries for 2013 Evolo, maybe you can identify how you can improve the built environment in your community and present that to your community or the council, maybe you can design temporary / mobile or other structures for your Occupy Wall Street group, maybe…..
If I were you – I would do at least 2 new designs in the year 2012, with a commitment on my blog.
3) TEACH : Why not try and teach free of charge drawing/sculpture at your local school/college, even if it means going in once a month, or maybe gather people from different professions and give free lectures with them after say your Occupy WS meetings, or maybe lecture in front of the camera and post it on You Tube, or maybe….
If I were you – I would give atleast 3 lectures to any group, any where by the end of 2012, with a commitment on my blog.
4) BLOG : I assure you that the blogs about Glen Small are more interesting than the one about Eame’s retaining wall.
If I were you – I’d keep up the good work you are doing on your blog.
However, if I were me at 74 years, I would most probably not bother with any of the above, but try and enjoy the beach and time with my family.
Cheers
MITM