Welcome to the jungle

While in Costa Rica we visited the rainforest (or the jungle*, if you want to call it that). It was amazing. We didn't exactly go trapzing through the jungle as one might imagine; there was a trail there that made hiking through it a bit more managable. This trail actually led us to the La Fortuna waterfall. I'm not sure, but I think "la fortuna" means fortune in spanish, which makes perfect sense, seeing as this area of Costa Rica has a gorgeous rainforest, an awesome waterfall and a volcano. I'd say that's some good natural fortune (minus the eruptions every 30 years or so).

I enjoy this photograph for two reasons. First, you really get a sense for how emmersed we were in the ecology, even being on the trail. The rainforest was truly awe-inspiring, on all scales. What's also great about this one is it catches Andrea being very "her". As I've said before, when it comes to portraits I enjoy catching people in "raw form", just as they would be if a camera wasn't around. Andrea knows more about nature and cherishes it more than anyone I know. Often when she is talking about a plant or what not, she touches it while she tries to remember its name or while she thinks about it. So, this one captured her in raw form for sure. One of my favorites from the trip.

*According to wikipedia (the internet's #1 source of possibly correct knowledge) a tropical rainforest is also known as a jungle.

Summer snow

Where I come from, the first sign of summer is the opening of the snow cone stand. Last night I could feel the snow cone weather. I hopped in the car and headed for my first snow cone of 2008. Strawberry ofcourse (sugar-free with splenda to be specific). It was everything I hoped it would be.

Things got interesting at the stand though. I took my camera with me, like a good amateur photographer. While I was eating my snow cone I took some photos of the stand and my snow cone, just enjoying the evening. Well, I think I made the teenagers running the stand nervous. They called their boss, the owner. This girl runs out to me, while on the phone, and says, "I have the owner on the phone, is there anything we can help you with?" I was like, "Excuse me?" and she said, "Well, you are taking photos and we thought you were competition or something." I laughed and said, "No, I'm just an amateur photographer having fun." I could see how nervous she was, so I cooled down my shooting and just enjoyed my snow cone after that.

I don't blame them for being nervous about me, snow cones are big business in Carrollton. There are two things Carrollton has plenty of: churches and snow cone stands. Which I suppose if you are going to have too much of anything, those would be it!

So, this photograph isn't the best I've ever done, but the story I couldn't pass up sharing. And, if you want to start a snow cone stand, call me, I've done the research!

Camera phone sky

I'm driving around town tonight at about 6PM. The road was congested as you would expect it to be at that time. So, I just roll my windows down and play my new Bob Seger Greatest Hits CD. I'm generally just trying to enjoy the ride. I look up from all the traffic and I see the most wonderful sky. Clouds are covering up the sun and the rays are beaming from around the edges. It was spectacular.

I thought to myself, man, I wish I had my camera on me. Then I thought, I do! My phone! So I whip it out and shoot this shot real fast. The camera phone did a pretty good job capturing the moment, but in person it was unreal! Which is a good thing to remember, no matter how hard you try when you are behind the lens, its always better in the moment!

Remembering

Happy Memorial Day. I remember when I was a kid dad would always go out and hang our flag on Memorial Day. I was truly proud to be American when I'd see that flag hanging in front of our house. Today's constant political bickering makes is difficult to remember how lucky we are here in the United States to have people who defend what we stand for. So, thank goodness for Memorial Day. And, thank God for our men and women.

This photograph is taken at the "front steps" of Texas A&M. I took it on a Tuesday. Tuesdays are occasionally special at A&M. Silver Taps takes place on one Tuesday every month. It is a chance to remember any fellow Ags who passed away in the past month. I remember the feeling I would get when I would drive up New Main and see the flags at half mast. It was a bit of sadness, because it meant one of my fellow Aggies had passed away, but it was also a bit of joy that my university made the effort to remember them.

Always remember.

Costa Rica upclose

I'm back! Just after graduation Andrea & I headed off to Costa Rica for some adventurous vacation time. We had an absolute blast and met some incredible people. Our 7 days there gave us only a small taste of the country. But, we did manage to see a broad range of scenary in the mean time; San Jose, the coast, the rainforest, a waterfall, a volcano, small towns, agricultural countryside are just some of the places we visited. Quite a diverse trip.

This is my favorite photograph from the trip. Although it doesn't say much scenary-wise, it is beautiful. I wish I could take credit for this one, but I can't this is the photograph genius of Andrea. I believe she shot this on manual (which is impressive seeing as she had to get all her settings correct, and she's new to shoting manual). It's wonderfully composed with simple, yet strong colors. Well done, friend.

Throughout the week I probably took well over 100 photographs of the flora in Costa Rica. I couldn't help myself, it was gorgeous and worth remembering. Everything seemed to have such vibrant color. I'll share more of Costa Rica in coming posts.

We're graduated

So we're masters now, at architecture, they say. What a great weekend. All our families came into town on Thursday. A bunch of us spent the day out at our professors house for a get-together. Then we all reconvined at Mad Hatters on northgate. It was fantastic for our families to meet and hang out. I think I speak for all when I say we had an absolute blast. Then Friday was all the ceremonial stuff. We started with the college hooding ceremony in the morning and then the university commencement was at 2PM. And, I did end up making it to Amanda's wedding after all, the reception atleast. Right after I recieved my diploma I met back up with mom and dad at the car then headed for San Antonio. Busy, busy, but totally fun weekend!

This is one of my favorite photos from the festivities. Left to right is Preston, Chad and Alejandro. I don't what I would do without these guys. When's the next reunion?

Love and rings

Tomorrow my good friend Amanda is getting married. Unfortunately I am having to miss her big day because of my own graduation, which I am dissapointed about. I enjoy weddings. It is so wonderful to see two people dedicate themselves to one another. Being around such strong love is a powerful thing. So, Amanda and Ross, I wish I could be there tomorrow to see you two birds.

This photograph is of Amanda's ring. Fairly soon after their engagement we had a reunion weekend, and we did a little photo shoot of her ring. Rings are hard to photograph because you want to zoom in on them real tight, but most lenses don't have the capability to go in so close. So, with the help of some flowers we managed to make the ring the subject of the photograph without having to be right up on it.

School's out forever

Oh Alice Cooper, I hear you singing now. Today was my last day of school ever. I actually didn't even realize it until Andrea called this morning and reminded me! I was like, whoa, it is my last day of school! I had to go up to Langford to meet with Phill about my tao panel and then I cleaned out my locker and turned in my key. Good times. Now for all the cap and gown business (or as Alejandro says, the batman suit ceremony).

Adios school. It's been fun.

The way of heaven

This semester I took a directed studies on sacred geometry. I worked with professor Phillip Tabb. I explored the idea that geometry is powerfully expressive and has meaning to us. And often when it has meaning it can be considered sacred. What is sacred? Well that's a whole other subject for another time.

So, first I had to learn the difference between pure geometry and sacred geometry. Then I decided to apply what I had learned in a design of a veneered wood panel. The influence of my panel design was the tao. In short, the tao is the "way of heaven" or a "resolution of opposites." In geometric form the tao is represented by a square, triangle, circle. The circle, across most cultures, is considered the most divine, representative of oneness or God. Similarly the square is symbolic of the earth. And geometrically the triangle mediates the two. Hence the tao is the way of the heaven.

After becoming familiar with sacred geometry I embarked on my panel design. Slowly the tao panel design took shape (no pun intended!) geometically. I found it very difficult to transition from square to triangle to circle. Quite interesting if you think about it; the way of heaven is not an easy path to follow, yet it is a worthy one. After the geometry of the panel was established I had to determine where the wood veneers would go on the panel. The grains and colors of the different veneers introduced new challenges. Finally I reached a complete design that I was ready to craft.

I've spent the last couple days crafting the panel. Craft is so different from design. It's so much more intimate. You spend time with the material, understanding it better than you ever could have during the design phase. What you see in the photograph is the craft of my tao panel just prior to adhering it to the substrate. I'm actually about to adhere and press the panel just after this post. So, when it is complete I'll show the final panel.

What did you learn?

What did you learn? This is a great question, if not, the question. I had to ask myself that this weekend after my review. When I left the review I had a feeling of what-now? Reflection was what. I spent the weekend thinking about what I had gained from the final review, my graduate education and my cummulative architecture experiences in general. A bit overwhelming really. I had to tone it down eventually. What I came to realize was I had learned so much, but basically it boiled down to one thing: it's not over. There is plenty of learning left to be had. And, when you feel like you've got it all figured, be worried. The last comments in my review were from my committee chair, Kirk Hamilton. He said, "I've seen you mature as a designer, but you still have a lot of learning ahead of you." And, all I could think to say in response was, "Well I guess that's a good thing." And yes it is.

Thanks are in order for my wonderful committee. Alejandro snapped this photo of us at the end of my review. From left to right is Kirk Hamilton, Ward Wells and Robin Abrams. Quite an all-star group. I appreciate everything you've taught me. Onward and upward.

All smiles today

Today is the big day. I'm basically beaming. In about 2 hours I will be presenting my final study project. And in 3 hours I will have earned my Master of Architecture. I am ecstactic. I have been looking forward to this very day for years now. I remember the day I came into the College of Architecture. We had orientation with our parents. Mardelle Shepley explained to us that we would have to pursue a Masters if we intended to become a professional architect. I remember, both mom and I were shocked at that information. I rolled my eyes at the fact that all of a sudden I not only had one degree to pursue, but two! That seems like so long ago. Well now that I'm about to receive my Masters I really appreciate its value to me and my education.

I realize I have been reflecting quite a bit in the past several posts, but that seems to be appropriate right now as I'm transitioning into a new phase. So, thank you for listening. I also realize I missed posting yesterday. I suppose that will happen from time to time, but I will try to keep it to a minimum.

Enjoy the smiling fire hydrant. I took this photo in Seattle in March 2007. I was trying to see things in a new way. You ought to try it, it's fun.