Architecturally Abroad

Sunny with a Chill in the Air

2012-01-29T22:02:00.001-06:00

More work this week - enough about that - on to more fun things:

The Etsey shop is set to launch next week - I need more pictures, but I can't wait to get it started!

I also have rediscovered my intense love of the Theatre - I recently downloaded an application put out by Digital Theater. They offer recordings of live plays from the UK, including some great and current names like David Tennant and Katherine Tate starring in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. It was a riot of laughter and tears and was definitely worth the time to watch. I so loved the theatre in London. I watched every show I could get a ticket to see. I really need to get back there soon (and not just for the theatre, but oh, what a perk of living in London!)

Ah, home is nice, but travel is always better, until you near home again. Then home seems to exert an overpowering force on my trajectory.

Mom and I are making these great little Up-cycled Flower-Button pins for the ladies at church - they must be done the middle of next week, so I hope we can finish them up quick. Fun to make, but time consuming.

More from the Sketchbook:

Cold and Foggy

2012-01-22T18:18:00.000-06:00

It has been a dark and damp day here, nothing much to speak of.

This week, I have found myself constantly refering to the following quote:

- Mahatma Ghandi

Just like most things, I believe your mind will never truly grasp something until you are ready; either through experience, or needed background knowledge, or just simply repetition. This still rings true for me. I have heard this quote numerous times throughout my life. I even studied Ghandi closely when I knew I would be visiting India earlier last year. Although I am sure I always grasped the meaning of this phrase, it has only become a true inspiration and motivation in my daily life during this new year.

I have always struggled with the importance of others opinions in my life. When I was very young, I often let the words of others dictate my own opinions and expressions of my personality. Once I entered High School, I realized that I was allowing others to shape the person I wanted to be. Although I still wanted to look up to those that I respected, I wanted to find myself, not just the mirror of the world that I had made myself. My senior year of High School, I made a commitment to remember my past, but to forge a new freedom for my own self expression.

Over the last 8 odd years, I have continued to struggle and persevere in finding the true person within. Not just the one that people see, but the inner person. The inner voice that shapes the external image. That small cage where the beliefs, likes, dislikes, values, hopes, dreams and fears are created and nurtured and often released to wreck havoc or sometimes stir the soul. I want to be strong in my convictions, but knew that I never could, without first knowing what I am and what I want to be. Although this is a process I will never finish, and which will always require help from above and beside - I look forward as always to the continuing voyage.

On a daily basis, this means that I try to not only talk about the changes I want to see in the world - I also try daily to be that change. If I really want and expect others to take pollution and the sacred beauty of the natural world, then I need to take actions that mirror those ideals. (even simple things like taking my re-usable grocery bags to the store and recycling whenever possible) Also, if art and education are truly important to me and I believe they should be important to others - then I need to be sure that I am educated enough to talk about these issues intelligently, and be able to share this passion with others in ways that will inspire and en-noble, not degrade or ridicule. If knowledge is power, then it comes with great responsibility.

On a lighter notes, a few things from the sketchbook:

Lovely Weather, Isn't

2012-01-15T17:09:00.000-06:00

Well, week two of the new year is done.

Work, work, work and a bit of fun on the side.

I have a couple of painting planned and I started the process to create an Etsy shop for my mom and I. I hope to get it up and running by this time next week.

On a more creative front: Enjoy!


Sometimes I illustrate my own books when I am bored.

Reboot

2012-01-09T19:44:00.000-06:00

It has been a while, and in the spirit of the new year - I have decided to reboot this blog. One of my new year's resolutions is to post at least once a week here at ArchitecturallyAbroad. Here is a list of a few of my other resolutions. [maybe if I write them down here - I will be more likely to accomplish all of them in 2012]:

Keep up the blogging.
Create the ArchitecturallyAbroad broadsheet/online archi-zine - more about this in the next post!
Lose a few pounds/exercise on a regular schedule.
go through the acccumulated papers from my last few years of school (organization is hopefully going to be a keyword for me this year.)
create an etsey shop for mom and I.
Finish the First Baptist research and self-publish the results.
Create measured drawings of the following buildings in Paragould: Museum, Dad's office, Oak Grove Middle School rock building, ect. [also a full panel of the church's stained glass windows in the sanctuary.]

A note about the past year:
lets not forget that this last year was amazing - Semester At Sea was definitely the highlight!!
Oh and I started a new job right before Christmas - @ Lantern Bookstore, the local Christian book and gift shop. It has been interesting learn more about retail (i have actually never worked a real retail job before. I have done phone sales, academic administration, architectural history consulting and other book related jobs, but never actual retail - which seems strange for some reason. I also feel a bit like I am paying a boredom toll for the overload of exciting travel at the beginning of the year.)
But, I have always believed that the best is yet to come - so Bring It On 2012!!!

2011-11-06T13:56:00.001-06:00

Well... The craft show was a success.

Arkansas Gypsy

2011-09-30T20:52:00.000-05:00

Check back very soon for new updates: September 30 2011

Singapore: Only One Day, So Much Food and Fun

2011-03-29T19:07:00.000-05:00

A view from the top floor of the famous old Rex Hotel, a Singaporian Institution since the late 1800's. This was a fabulously posh hotel and the small museum of the Rex's history was great.

The local, modern Buddhist Temple in Singapore. Located across the street from the Food Vendor Hall were we ate a massive, cheap and ridiculously good lunch. The Bhuddist Temple is also known as a hall of 10,000 Buddhas, due to the large amounts of Buddha statues included in the walls.

Vibrant colors in Little India, Singapore.

More color, more Little India.

Noodles, Won-ton Soup, Chicken and Rice, Food Stall Center, Cheap and Delicious,

Shopping, Little India, China Town, Colonial Row Houses, Fantastic Modern Architecture, Pouring Rain, Chocolate, Merlion, Brilliant.

Pics from Mauritius and India

2011-03-29T09:02:00.000-05:00

Me, Raja, Alla and Steven at the Botanical Gardens on Mauritius. It was a great day with great new friends.

After traveling to India from Mauritius, I headed out on a trip to New Delhi and Agra. Here is the Red Fort of Agra, with the Taj in the background (on the horizon on the left).

A Brahma Bull, heading to the local Hindu temple, being lead by one of the Brahma priests.

Fatehpur Sikri, a palace and city complex created and abandoned (due to a lack of water) all within a 50 year period. The city stands as a classic example of late Indian Sculptural prowess.

Fatehpur Sikri, a tall pavilion within the royal city.

The tower above the main entrance of Mylapore Temple in Central Chennai, India. This layered tower is echoed by smaller towers within the main precinct of the open air temple. It serves to announce the temple entrance to the nearby community. All towers include an uneven number of layers and ornaments, including the odd number of golden vessels atop the tower.

Africa Pics

2011-03-28T03:06:00.000-05:00

On our way from Ghana to South Africa, we were lucky enough to cross the 0-0 point, where the Prime Meridian crosses the Equator. The Captain blew the ship's horn and we all had a 5-minute picture party.

The open window is the cell occupied by Nelson Mandela during his imprisonment at Robyn Island, South Africa. This island had been used since the earliest colonial days in South Africa for housing prisoners and less than desirable peoples by the ruling colonial powers. Robyn Island was a very powerful experience, compounded by the fact that our tour guide was a former political inmate during Apartied.

Students visiting Robyn Island, the political prison of the Apartied South African Government.

A display from the District 6 Museum. District 6 was destroyed under the auspices of "Urban Development and Renewal" during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The area of District 6 was demolished save for the religious structures on the site, and remains undeveloped due to the now recognized land claims of former inhabitants. The are was so politically and civilly contentious that the area still remains mostly vacant.

A hand-drawn map of the District 6 area surrounded by poems and diary entries from former residents and important South African literary figures. It is a strikingly beautiful, yet haunting image of a now vanished place.

Artwork at the District 6 Museum.

Rescued street-signs and rubble from the demolition of District 6.


On the second to last day in South Africa, I was able to go on a day long Safari. Here the bull Water Buffalo eyes our safari jeep, making sure we don't get to close to his harem.


Cheetahs at the Safari Park Rehabilitation Center.

The view from the Cable Car up to the top of Table Mountain. The ride was beautiful and we got to watch sunset from the top of Table Mountain. One of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever witnessed. I even saw the green spark that only truly accompanies awesome sunsets.

Me at the top of Table Mountain.

Standing above the clouds on Table Mountain. The cloud cover that often falls down the sides of Table Mountain is referred to by locals as the Table Cloth. It is easy to see why.

India II

2011-03-28T01:08:00.000-05:00

After spending one day thoroughly enjoying Chennai, I headed with a large group of students to the airport to start our adventure to New Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Rule #1 in India: No liquids allowed in hand-baggage on Indian airlines.

This rule lead to some pretty interesting situations with checked baggage. How can students accumulate liquids while traveling for only 2 days? I just don’t understand.

Rule #2 in India: Counting is an important skill.

I felt a bit like a summer camp councilor during our two night trip to Delhi and Agra. I must have counted to 44 (the total number of students on our trip) a million times over the 3 days we were together. It was nice that we were all on one bus, but it was also a pain to count everyone, every time. But, we left no one behind and we came back with everyone in one piece and healthy, which is more than can be said for other trips. I will say, however, that all of the students were great, and apart from a few issues of waking up in the morning, were fun to be with for the entire trip.

Rule #3 in India: See the Taj Mahal at different times during the day.

I got to see the Taj Mahal, not just once, but TWICE! It was great. We traveled to Agra by bus, after our train was massively delayed. The bus ride ended up being better than the train ride would have been anyway and we were able to make it to Agra by midnight, rather than the train’s final arrival time of 4am the next morning. We were able to grab a few hours of sleep at our fabulous hotel before heading out to see the Taj Mahal, or simply the “Taj” as it is known to Indians, at sunrise. The pink hues of the sky were mirrored by the brilliant white marble of the Taj. The local red sandstone of the other buildings on the site also glowed in the early morning light. The best part, however, was that there was virtually nobody there. It was like having the place to ourselves.

That afternoon, we headed back to the Taj to view the site at sunset. It was great to get a second chance to explore the site, which I find rarely happens on trips like this. I got the chance to view such an important Indian Monument at two very different times of day, and in two very different moods – which can change your entire reading of a structure or space.

Rule #4: Bring and Take Pepto-Bismal.

This is important, and should be self-explanatory. Indian food is great, however, when your stomach is not used to spices and new types of veggies, it can be deadly.

Rule #5: Take the Auto-Rickshas.

They look dangerous, and most definitely are, but boy is it an experience you will never forget. Taxis are great, efficient and cheap, but are too tame for adventurous hearts.

Rule #6: Just go with the flow and try to blend India.

You will never truly be a local, at least not yet, but it is great to try. India has so much to offer. So much to see and experience, there really seems to be nothing worth trying, worth getting involved in. Whether shopping, eating, exploring, bartering, traveling, touring, just remember to always enter with your right foot and always try to eat with your right hand, its just easier that way.

India I

2011-03-25T11:51:00.000-05:00

I may never return to India, but one visit was not enough. If I never make it back to India, I can be happy in the sites I have seen and the people I have met. However, I would count myself extremely lucky to be given another opportunity to experience more of what India has to offer.

The first sitting of our berth at the Chennai Industrial Port was spectacularly disheartening. It was dirty, smelly and drab, a poor first vision of this sub-continent. After exiting the port on our first day in country, my mission was to find Indian Rupees (the local currency). After obtaining enough to keep me afloat for a couple of days, I headed back to the ship to join the city orientation tour. We walked and drove all over Chennai, India’s 5^th largest city with over 7 million people located in southern India in the Indian State known as Tamil Nadu. You may have heard of the Tamil Tigers from a few years ago, who lead a rather violent political movement in this same state.

The city of Chennai is crowded and dirty and far below the standards in most US cities in terms of sanitation and transportation, but the grime seemed to only throw the kindness and laughter of the populace in stronger relief. Everyone we met was extremely kind and generous. The service at every point in my journey was great and humble to the extreme. Granted, I am not used to nice hotels – being a connoisseur of hostels across the world. However, I don’t think I have been anywhere with such great service and FOOD!

I have always loved Indian food, but the real deal in a million times better. What we get in the US seems to tend towards northern New Delhi style Indian, while the southern style is also just as great. If I lived in India, I could be a vegetarian in a heartbeat. The best places we ate at were totally vegetarian. Including one restaurant were we did make a bit of a spectacle of ourselves (Danny from the Field Office, Adam the Videographer, Brittany the Photographer, Daniel the LLC and myself) by ordering nearly one of everything from the menu. We ate everything, including a bowl of Mango Ice-cream. It was totally worth the weird looks from the locals at the neighboring tables.

Shopping in India was also brilliant. I bought a full-on Sari (traditional Indian formal wear) as well as several tunics and linen pants in the “Aladdin” style. We also bought tons of traditional Indian snacks from the “candyman” in Pundi’s Bazzar in central Chennai. It was great to hear our friendly “candyman” explain what everything in his stall was made of and what it was called in local Tamil.

India is not a cohesive group, just as Europe is not a cohesive group. The difference between northern Indian provinces and southern Indian provinces like Tamil Nadu is very similar to the difference between the UK and Italy. Even the languages are completely different. The unifying language is actually the colonial English language, usually spoken by the educated class, rather than any type of Indian language, with the possible exception of Hindu.

Update

2011-03-04T13:44:00.000-06:00

So,

It has been a while, and I apologize.

We are coming up on India on Sunday. The entire ship has been gearing up with explorer seminars, cultural discussions, a viewing of the film Ghandi and lectures on various Indian topics. It has been facinating. We have several faculty, staff and students on the ship who have significant connections to India. Whether through family or personal time spent in the country or even personal research.

I can't wait to buy a Sari, see the great Hindu Temples of the Tamil Nadu region and the city of Chennai. I am even flying to Agra and New Dehli to see the Taj Mahal from Monday through Wednesday.

Our last two ports were amazing. South Africa was a different experience in and of itself. It was like arriving at Disney World after living in the desert for a year. Especially after visiting Ghana.

Our last stop was in Port Louis, Mauritius, the island most famous for the extinct Dodo bird. It is sad that such a beautiful Island is known throughout the world for something that doesn't even exist anymore. I will say, however, that I did by a Rain Stick with a Dodo carved on it. It was a total impulse buy, but I only spent 3 US dollars on it, so not so bad in the long run. I also was able to mail a post card, even though it was Sunday. That means I have sent a post-card from every port when have been at after leaving Nassau. I hope to send many in India.

As a previous of posts to come soon. I want to take a few posts to look back as South Africa, and the amazing natural beauty I saw and experienced. Let me just say that I totally walked with Giraffes. Yes, you read that right, Giraffes. I know, I can't believe it either. South Africa was rife with contrast. Poor, rich, white, black, brown, high, low, dry, wet, cloud, sun, windy, still, calm, crazy all interact on a level that is distinctly personal. I also want to talk a little about Mauritius, and all the things I am learning about student life. It is strange, but I am learning more about University life as an administrator that I did as a student.

Life is so strange, and short, and it is running by at a speed that is impossible to keep up with sometimes. Don't waste a moment.

The Atlantic Ocean Meets the Indian Ocean

2011-02-17T02:33:00.000-06:00

We are nearing Cape Town, South Africa and the spot where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. The Cape is notorious for its violent seas, and we have definitely had a small taste of a rough ocean passage last night. Right now, we are steaming in a holding pattern outside the Cape Town port, waiting for the wind to die down so we can safetly enter.

This is the end of another long stretch of classes, and even a few mid-terms for some students. Although we are not quite to our half-way point in the voyage, we are almost to the half-way point in class meetings. This is due to the fact that there are several short stops in several more contries after India. Then we have one more long stretch or courses, and final exams as we cross the Pacific Ocean.

I promise more pics soon.

Last day in Ghana

2011-02-17T02:27:00.000-06:00

My last day in Ghana it was slightly rainy. Although it was muggy, it made the day more enjoyable, since the Market I visited was much less crowed. The experience was pretty overwhelming so I just jotted down some words and phrases that came to mind during the day. By the way, Ghana is known for Ashanti Kente fabric, woven by the men of the Ashanti villages and apparently coveted all over western Africa. There is definitely some Kente fabric coming home with me.

Brown, dusty roads, verdant trees, green vegetation, palm tress, coconuts, streams, shoreline, beaches, crashing waves, the Atlantic Ocean, fish nets, long and stout, men pulling the nets ashore at mid-day, Port, Construction Zone, workers, shipping containers, metal, steel, colors, greasy, dirty, long hours, market stalls, Cedi, sellers, buyers, traders hawking wares, vibrant colors, post Cards, bags, fabric, cloth, instruments, drums.

John the Port Agent, ride into town, Market stalls, rabbit warren, small alleyways, twisting and turning, lost, found, backtrack, kitchen stalls, fabric stalls, shoe stalls, salon stalls, fish stalls, food stalls, bean stalls, corn stalls, everything stalls, music, people talking, rhythms, cadences, rain on aluminum, open drainage, food, fish, friendly faces, questions and answers, beautiful, yellow, red and green, shopping, noise, cars, trucks, largest roundabout, finding town, finding home.

Wednesday’s Adventures with Professor Nelson

2011-02-17T02:26:00.001-06:00

Ghana (February 9th)

I love architecture, and I love field work. On Wednesday, a couple of the ships staff and faculty members traveled to a two remote Slave Fort sites with Professor Nelson. First of all, props to Professor Nelson for arranging the trip.

We head out of the port area toward the small coastal community of PrincessTown. Getting there is always half the fun, and on this trip it was more like all the fun. About 3/4th of the way there, our driver tried to traverse the wrong side of a mud slick. Needless to say, we were stuck. The 4 guys that were with us tried rocking the van and pushing it out of the mud, but we just didn’t have enough muscle. Luckily, a few locals walking by recognized that we were obviously foreigners in need of assistance. Upon reaching the next village, which was only a short walk away, the locals sent back a large group of young men to help us out. With their help, we got the van out of the mud, and then had some fun taking pictures with our rescuers. On a side note, the young men also seemed to have a huge amount of fun copying our accents; many of them could pick up our accents on the first try.

After getting back under way, we headed to PrincessTown, where after a short hike, arrived at the ruined remains of an impressive Slave Fort that was once captured and then run as a successful slaving enterprise by a local Ghanaian Chief named John Konie. It was great to stretch my analytical muscles and try to read the fort as architectural remains, something I haven’t done in a while. We also meet several of the locals who either work at or just hang around the Fort with the head grounds keeper. After looking around for an hour, our new friends procured some coconuts for us, and I drank my first full coconut and then ate the inner pulp. It was fabulous.

We then headed for lunch at another local resort, where we actually ran into several SAS students, faculty and staff. The lunch was excellent, and mostly consisted of grilled lobster, chicken, stir fry and a local corn dish.

Our last stop of the day was another slave fort in a town called Dixcove. This one was quite large, and had some of the most elaborate ornamentation in the original structure. I plan on writing more about this site later, once I get the chance to do a bit of research.

When we arrived back at the ship, we learned that the ship had just received our promised supply of fresh water. The port had been unable to provide the ship with enough fresh water earlier in the week, and we had been forced to enforce a few periods of water shut-down to preserve our reserve supply. However, with the new supply working, we all had the change to shower and scrape the mud off from our earlier adventure.

The Water Village

2011-02-17T02:11:00.000-06:00

Poverty tourism really embarrasses me. Sometimes I get sucked into the experience and don’t realize until too late that a trip may be just that, poverty tourism. I want to make a promise now that I will strive never to experience a place through the lens of the complete other, taking pity on those who surround me. I will strive always to be connected to the experience and try to appreciate the richness of a differing or even opposing culture without judgment. I understand that this may prove hard depending on the situation. I also understand that this may not always be possible, but trying is paramount. Trying is liberating. Trying is what I will strive to do.

The needed preamble to this discussion is a visit we made to a tourist spot in Ghana called the Nzuelo Water Village. This village is strikingly beautiful, set amid the wetlands of coastal Ghana. The village itself is totally suspended on posts and beams above the surface of an expansive lake. The only way to reach the village is to climb into a local canoe (seating no more than 5 people) and paddle for about 50 minutes through a maze of canals, streams and small swamps. On a separate note, I saw a cormoran – which in my opinion is one of the most exotic sounding birds.

After reaching the village we were lead through the main section to a small community center. We really didn’t have a change to speak with anyone but the chief and we were only in the village for about 40 minutes total. The experience was fascinating, but it really made me think about why I wanted to visit a “village” to begin with. Was it the architecture, the people or just the “village” expectations that I was trying to fulfill? I still don’t know, but I am trying to work it out.

After paddling back down the waterways that lead to the village, we heading to an embarrassingly great meal at a local resort. It is striking to do such seemingly opposing things in such a short time. We then got a change to walk down one of the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches I have ever encountered, and we were definitely the only white people for miles. The local population was playing, traveling, working, fishing and hauling in their long shore based nets while we strolled down the beach.

Our walk ended at the Slave Fort of Apollinare, a restored structure that has wonderful exhibitions of local history and culture, developed and maintained by the local community. All in all, it was a great day. However, I have definitely seen some things that have made me re-evaluate myself and my motivations, which is what any successful travel experience should do.

Reflection on Ghana

2011-02-17T01:43:00.000-06:00

We arrived in Ghana early Sunday morning.

On Sunday and Monday (Feb. 6th and 7th), I traveled to several castles and slave dungeons, as well as a unique water village. The water village was interesting. The village itself is several hundred years old, but it is constantly being rebuilt due to its location above the waters of a large natural lake. The entire village is built on stilts that are sunk at regular intervals into the lake bed. It was rather hard to determine the total population, as we only had a quick tour, but it is home to possibly a hundred or so people (maybe more). We met the local chief, but it was strange to walk through this intimate village as pure tourists. I am still processing the visit, and don't really know yet what my opinion of the whole situation will be.

On Sunday, we visited two sites that had formerly been slave dungeons and defensive coastal castles. These sites were built and expanded by various colonial powers over a period of about 250 years. I still can't put into words exactly what I experienced at the sites. Even now, I am having a hard time processing the fact that these structures once housed hundreds and thousands of humans who were kept in such in-human conditions and treated as no more than dumb animals, then shipped over the Atlantic Ocean to unknown lands, never to return. Along the very same course that we travelled from Brazil to Ghana, simply in reverse.

While at one of the slave dungeons, we walked out through the large set of doors known as the "Door of No Return". We stumbled instantly from a quiet and somber tour through the fort into the heart of a local gathering of fishermen and their families, preparing their gear and boats along the coast at the foot of the structure. It was a riot of color and sound. We were surrounded by people shouting and laughing. It was such a contrast, it was hard to comprehend. Especially after experiencing the depths of the slave dungeons. Both should be remembered, both scenes should remain as testaments to the resilience of the spirit.

The Atlantic Ocean and Sea Olympics

2011-02-04T19:11:00.000-06:00

We are now more than half-way across the Atlantic Ocean. As we get nearer to Ghana, the excitement on board is definitely increasing. It also may have something to do with the fact that we held our opening ceremonies for the Semester At Sea, Sea Olympics. Everyone on board has the opportunity to be in a "Sea", which is pretty much the equivalent of a residence hall at a land university. Each sea competes throughout two days of light-hearted competition, including events such as group cheering, dodge-ball, two on two volleyball, trivia, and the crowning event: a synchronized swimming/comedy routine.

Sea Olympics allowed the whole shipboard community to come together in a great shared experience of competition and all-around fun. The Red Sea won the Sea Olympics, and the right to disembark in San Diego first after we dock. Apparently its a big deal to get off the ship first. I will say, though, that I really loved the Yellow Seas Synchronized Swimming routine, and the Bering Sea's Limbo competitor was very gracious in defeat. Also, the Aegean sea was amazingly gracious when they were announced as the second place sea.

After the end of competition, we had a wonderful dinner of grilled meats and bar-b-q cooked on the 7th deck by the ship's kitchen crew. The ribs were delicious, and so were the hot dogs. Everyone chowed down and probably ate way too much, but it was so scrumptuous, it was hard to pass up. The evening was crowned with various flavours of ice-cream, chocolate sauce and sprinkles. What could be better?

Dr. Bill lead the closing ceremonies, and after-wards I pretty much headed straight to bed. It was an exhausting day, but well worth all the effort. In retrospect, it is remarkable the amount of creative and organizational talent that went into making the Sea Olympics a success. Julie, the LLC who facilitated and organized the Olympics definitely deserves a medal. Without all her hard work, the Sea Olympics would have never happened.

After heading to bed at a somewhat reasonable hour, I was startled awake by an intense thunderstorm. Although the ship barely rocked during the whole of the storm, the sky danced with curtains of rain and lightening. It was so interesting to see a thunderstorm at sea. Without all of the traditional reference points of ground, foliage and geographic features, it was strange to see the storm spread out toward the horizon. It was also interesting to see lightning strike the ocean surface. What happens to nearby fish? Do they get electrocuted? This is something I will have to research further.

I will leave you with a picture, graciously provided by Mary Johnston, our Voyage Librarian. Here Julia and I chill under some palms in Dominica:

More Amazon River

2011-01-29T12:50:00.000-06:00

We are nearing the Atlantic Ocean. It was a lot quicker sailing down the river than pushing up the river. I know it makes logical sense, but it was it was nice to experience.

Everyone is gearing up for the rougher seas in the Atlantic. I will probably start some sea-sickness medication tonight, just in case. I am usually good after a half day of misery, so hopefully my track record will hold. The work load has lessened, and now i hope to catch some more lectures and events.

We stopped this morning to allow our last diplomatic contingent from Brazil to disembark. Now, we go non-stop until Ghana. We should reach port in Takoradi, Ghana 8 days from now.

Hi Everyone from the MV Explorer

The Amazon River, Part II

2011-01-28T09:22:00.000-06:00

Well, we are back on the Amazon River, and will be cruising toward the Atlantic for the next two days. Manaus is located almost 1000 miles from the mouth of the Amazon River, so we have some miles to cover.

My time in Brazil was fantastic. I was able to see the meeting of the waters, where the Amazon River and the Rio Negro actually flow side by side without mixing due to the large difference in current speeds, temperatures and PH factors. I also went on a great hike throught the jungle where we saw huge Cypruss trees, a wild squirell monkey, a three-toed sloth, and the famous Victoria Reginius water lilies which can grow to be 3 meters (9 feet) across and can hold up to 12 pounds of weight. The whole day trip was great, and I was so tired when we came back aboard the ship, I took a 3 hour nap.

After walking through the jungle, we we caught in a torrential rain, and everyone was completely soaked. It was actually pretty exhiliarting to be rained on in the Rain Forest. Everyone kept a great attitude, and just went with the flow of the day. After speading in small boats back to the floating restaurant where we started our adventure, we had a huge lunch of local dishes, including a fish called the Piraracu, which can grow to be over 6 feet in length. It was pretty tasty.

We were then taught how to fish for pirahna, and several of our group caugh one, including the red bellied pirahna which is the most agressive. Our bait was raw beef cubes - which in and of itself was pretty interesting.

The last few days in Manaus, it was great just to get to know the city better. I walked around with several people and bought a few small souveiners and postcards. We walked around the local vendors, who cover pretty much every open space in the center of the city selling everything from TV remotes to fresh fruit to childrens toys. The whole city was overwhelming in its tastes, smells and colours.

Now, its on to Ghana, after 9 days at sea. I am sure we will all be happy to arrive at our next continent, especially those who sadly still are suffering a bit from sea sickness. However, on a happy note, we have some new guest aboard from the US Embassey in Brazilia, as well as an interport student from Ghana. It is going to be great learning from them during their time aboard. Our last embassey guests talked alot about the Foreign Service for the US and it was very intersting. Who knows, maybe I can be an ambassador some day?

Water, Isolation and Symphonies

2011-01-23T22:51:00.000-06:00


Early morning fish market in Manaus, Brazil. I have never seen so many different kinds of fish!

Brazil is FANTASTIC!!!

We docked in Manaus, Brazil early this morning. I rushed to the gangway, in order to catch my trip at 0900 from the pier. Prof. Karen Van Lengen led a group of students and interested staff on an architectural tour of Manaus. Our tour guide, a local Brazilian who also happened to be an architect and engineer, was wonderful. He was able to answer all of the weird and quirky questions posed by the students, as well as the more architecturally specific questions of Prof. Van Lengen. We discussed the various “New Urbanism” projects that the city government is currently involved with, including a large plan to relocate many of the people who inhabit the areas known as “Flavalas”, small squatter communities built on stilts directly in the creek beds that criss-cross the city. Manaus is a city of water, 85 creeks, all tributaries of the Amazon River, including the Rio Negro, cross the city.

One of the many ad-hoc neighborhoods founds along the many creeks in Manaus

Manaus, much like it was a hundred years ago, is still isolated from the rest of Brazil. There are no roads that connect Manaus to any other major Brazilian city. Manaus is completely surrounded by the Amazon Jungle, a quick jaunt out of the city end rather abruptly at heavy forest. Even the capital, Brazilia, is only reachable by airplane. The only highway that leaves Manaus actually takes you to Venezuela. Most of the local communities are reachable by River Boats or Ferries. Some of the most remote cities and villages can be more that 6 or 7 days away by boat. Even our large ship, traveling steadily up-river, took 2.5 days to get from the mouth of the Amazon River to Manaus.

Various Street Shots in Manaus.

Our tour also included the central historic district, where the Amazonas Opera House is located. This Opera House was totally built with imported materials from Europe, including Italian Marble and French panes of glass. The Rubber Barons, who controlled much of the region during the Amazon Rubber Boom during the late 19^th century, were all of European origin, and the Opera House stood as a testament to the links with European Culture and Fashion that the Barons wished to maintain. The Opera House has been beautifully maintained and the original fixtures and interior decorations are all still marvelous. Most interesting is the decoration of the ceiling. A French artist was hired to decorate the interior of the Opera House with images of local flora and fauna. Instead, the newly arrived artist, who was still so impressed with the recent World’s Fair in Paris, painted a scene as if the audience was looking up under the Eiffel Tower. The Illusion is lovely, and further ties the structure to the European culture it was meant to echo in this far away place. During our visit, the local symphony was conducting a rehearsal for a later performance. We were able to stay and listen to several movements of a very powerful classical piece with soaring stings and beautiful brass notes. It still amazes me how much music can effect me. It may be overly poetic, but the music today seemed to seep all the way to my bones.

Amazonas Opera House

The musical day continued. After returning to the ship for lunch and a rather needed nap, I met up with about 200 of the students and staff to head to a local Samba School for a demonstration of one of the local drum and samba corps. Manuel (The Forestry Prof. from last time) was great in introducing us to this local community, and everyone was very excited to learn a little Samba and Dance off some of the excitement of being in a new port and a new country. By the time we arrived, the demonstration had turned into a full blown block party, and everyone in the samba school and the local community were on hand to welcome us in spectacular fashion. The drum corps performed masterfully, and the sound was overwhelming. The students were full of energy and kept the drummers and samba dancers going with their enthusiasm. The interaction between the Semester at Sea community and the local population was great to see. Everyone seemed to enjoy the exchange of music and dance and really just a lust for life, which seems to typify my Brazilian experience so far. All of the people we have encountered just beam with energy and life. Even the buildings here, which many could describe as dilapidated or at least weather beaten, laugh at the world through there colorful facades. Blue, Aqua Marine, Red, Yellow, Purple and Green doorways, walls and patches flash from every direction you look.

Viva Brazil!!!

The Amazon River

2011-01-23T22:00:00.000-06:00

We have been traveling up the Amazon River for two full days now. The scenery has been magnificent, but sadly I have missed quite a bit of it. I plan on positioning myself on one of the open decks, misted periodically with bug spray and sunscreen, and watch the river on the way back out to sea. Although I have been quite busy, it has been exhilarating being around so many young people, and many other who are young at heart. Everyone has also been amazingly flexible and patient as we work out all the kinks and get familiar with the systems aboard ship.

I am doing better with the nautical names, and only got in trouble once yesterday for calling it a boat.

The students aboard have been fantastic about involvement and attending lectures and interesting presentations after the class day has officially ended. One very popular seminar yesterday evening was the “Sex-perts”, were many members of our medical staff and extended community came together to have an open and frank discussion of sex. It was great, even though I only got to see a very few minutes of it. The lecture in the adjacent classroom was also full and was given on the topic of the Amazon, by a local forestry expert who joined the ship in Maccaupa, Brazil, along with several US Embassy officials. Manuel Lima, Jr

Our guests from the US Embassy have been amazingly laid-back and willing to engage the students in various ways. At dinner they sit and talk with groups of students and during lectures, entertain all types of questions on various topics concerning Brazil and its relationship with the US and the World. Sadly, they will be leaving us when we dock in Manaus.

Brazil, here we come!!

Promised Pictures

2011-01-23T13:40:00.000-06:00

Prof. Nelson lectures to a group of students, Lifelong Learners, staff and faculty near the MV Explorer, before setting out to explore the city of Rousseu, Dominica.

A faded sign for a local high school mascot is barely visible on this weather worn wall.

Students and other voyagers explore the historic district in Dominica.

The central bell tower of Dominica's historic Catholic Church. This church stands as a sentinel above Rosseau.

Dominica!

2011-01-16T19:09:00.000-06:00

Technically, this is my third new country, but the first actual port that we have visited. We left from Nassau, The Bahamas (#1) on Wednesday. On Friday evening, we stopped in the port of San Juan, Porto Rico to refuel at an outer fuel bunker. Although we were technically in US territorial waters since Porto Rico is a US protectorate, its my second new country for this trip. Also, it was a reduced price for cell phone calls, so that will be my last call home for the foreseeable future. This morning, we docked at Rosseu, Dominica.

Rosseu is a wonderfully small town, with some great historic structures and a beautiful 19th century catholic church. The island is not really a hot-spot for American tourism, so the locals didn't really know what to make of this ship full of students docking in their town, but I hope we made a good impression. It was also nice to arrive in a small port on a Sunday. This meant that many of the shops were closed, and the students and staff weren't bombarded with people and pulls on their time and money right off the ship. It has been great to have a kind of buffer day for everyone to explore safety a new city and country. It has also been wonderful to have a low key day for all the students and staff to become used to the process for entering and exiting the ship while in port. I definitely got a little sun today, but hopefully I staved off the major sunburn. I may even come out of this trip with a decent tan.

Yesterday, Add/Drop seemed to go well. Hopefully there will not be any major problems on A2 (Tuesday). Also, just for your information, days of the week, including weekends, don't really mean much aboard ship. I have stopped trying to remember what day it is other than what day we are in the class and port schedule. Days at sea alternate between A and B class days, while port days are non-class days.

Tomorrow, my plan is to get a little personal time in - including some sketching in town and on ship. The voyage has been surreal so far, I can't believe that I was just in Dominica, sipping a fruit smoothy under a palm tree. How cool is that?

This Ship Has Sailed

2011-01-15T21:02:00.000-06:00

So, the ship has sailed, rather literally.

We set off Wednesday evening from Nassau to a nice rousing cheer from the departing ISE (Institute for Shipboard Education, our home office) staff and parents who had accompanied their kids to port. It was exciting pulling away from port, knowing we wouldn't be back for more than almost 4 months.

After a heavy bout of sea-sickness on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, I felt much better by dinner and was able to get on with the real work. Student orientation went well Thursday, and many people complimented me on my speech regarding the seriousness of the UVA Honor Code (which, let me tell you, is pretty darn serious, I mean kick you off the ship for violating serious.), even though I was pretty much sick as a dog through the whole thing.

Friday was the first day of classes, and students seemed to be settling in pretty well. No major issues, so all in all, a good day. Today, however, was crazy. I am the main contact on the ship for registration and this evening was the official drop/add period for courses. It was crazy for about 5 hours today. I just worked through student after student, but it was great to meet so many different students. Especially since they are all so interested in taking a vast assortment of classes. It has been a really interesting experience learning more about administration and group and individual problem solving strategies just from doing my job and observing other doing theirs. A true on the job education, and I an truly grateful to ISE for giving me the opportunity to do this wonderful program.

Tomorrow, we dock in Rousseu, Dominica (the capital city). I am going on a prof. lead walking exploration of the city with a professor from UVA, it should be great!

Well, pics soon, I promise and more about my adventures in a new country (a beautiful, tropical country at that).

Good Night everyone.

Nassau Day 2

2011-01-10T23:46:00.000-06:00

As stated before, I am here in Nassau, and loving.

After a pretty nondescript pair of flights from Memphis, through Charlotte, to Nassau, the group of professors I met up with in Charlotte and I headed by taxi/van to the ship at Prince George Dock. It was amazing to see the ship towering above the port. We checked in to our cabins and then headed to various faculty and staff meetings.

I definitely hit the ground running on my work here, and I think the work will be pretty much a stead stream until we get all the students settled in their classes during the second week of the voyage.

A few words to the wise, it’s a ship not a boat, and we are going on a voyage not a cruise. I live in a cabin not a room and I am on deck 5 not floor or level 5. The front is “forward” and the back is “aft”, though that still sounds a bit funny to say in conversation.

After a full day of meetings, Layne (One of my Charlottesville counterparts) and I headed with one of the inter-port lecturers to walk over to Paradise Island and the Atlantis Resort (As Seen on TV). It was amazingly brash and grated on my senses: too colorful, too big, too noisy and too busy. I did visit the casino, which you have to walk through to get anywhere apparently, but didn’t partake. I did however, art nerd that I am, love the three amazing Chihuly glass sculptures at the casino.

Also, the indoor aquarium was great – though kinda creepy in its overly theatrical nature – but still a blast.

And folks, it’s only day 2. We leave Nassau (baring delay) on the 12^th, then on to Dominica.

Safe Arrival

2011-01-10T16:59:00.001-06:00

I am here (here being Nassau, The Bahamas)

I am safe and on-board the MV Explorer, my new home for the next 4 months. We leave for Domenica on the 12th, after the students have boarded the ship.

My cabin is great, the food has been great, the staff and crew are great - everything is just great....

more later tonight, I promise.

Semester @ Sea

2010-08-30T22:15:00.000-05:00

Hello!

After an extended hiatus over the summer - I am back, with tons of great news!

I will be the Registrar/Assistant to the Accademic Dean on the Spring 2011 Semester @ Sea voyage!
More information can be found here - http://www.semesteratsea.org/ and here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semester_at_Sea (I read through the wiki article - everything jives)

We wil be stopping at the following ports:
Nassau, Bahamas
Roseau, Dominica
Manaus, Brazil
Tokoradi, Ghana
Cape Town, South Africa
Port Louis, Maruitius
Chennai, India
Singapore
Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam
Hong Kong/Shanghi, China
Kobe/Yokohama, Japan
Hilo, Hawaii
San Diego, California, USA

Each port will include opportunites to travel in country as well as in port lectures and visits.
Fun Fun! I can't wait.
For now, I am hanging out, working a bit in Paragould, AR - my home town. I hope to do some needed Historical research for the town while I am here, as well as work on a few personal projects, incluidng getting some of my artistic ideas on paper. I would love to produce some works and sell them in the local art gallery, but we shall see how far I progress over the next month.

This is the MV Explorer - the ship we will be sailing on!

Family Matters

2010-06-04T01:30:00.000-05:00

So, after some inspiration from my Mom - here is a quick look at two of my ancestors:

Nancy Hart

Mother and Revolutionary Hero; Nancy was known to have a fighting spirit since her youth. During the Revolutionary War, she often volunteered for local spy missions, helping the local militia by providing information about the movements of various British units in the area. This involved several daring trip into the British encampments in the guise of a crazy man, to avoid suspicion. Cross-dressing for a good cause.

The most famous of her exploits occured when she was surprised at home by a group of six British soldiers who were scouting the local area for food. Nancy, always ready to fight, let the men into her home and promised them drink and food. While the men drank her store of alcohol, Nancy spirited away their rifles, which had been stacked in a corner of the cabin. After being discoved, Nancy grabbed the remaining rifle and proceeded to hold the men at gun point until she could send her young daughter to fetch help from a neighboring farm. During the standoff, apperantly one of the soldiers made a move to snatch her gun away. Nancy made good on her threat to shoot the first man who moved or attempted to escape. After the neighbors arrived, the remaining soldiers were hung from a tree in the side yard of the cabin. Although many have doubted the daring deeds of Nancy, family histories and some surviving records proved that she was indeed a real hero. During the 1920s, this fact was given further proof when the construction crew for a local railroad spur turned up a shallow grave containing 6 bodies and revolutionary war artifacts on the old Hart property.

Daniel Boone

Nancy Hart was also the first Cousin to Daniel Boone, the famous frotiersman, revolutionary soldier, surveyor, hunter, and indian fighter of the south. He tramped throughout the Appalatian Mountains, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee, most before they were even considered as anything but wilderness territories. The truths and myths surrounding his life have become childhood legends that continue to shape ideas of american ambition and tenacity.

Portrait of Daniel Boone, reworked copy after an original painting from life by Chester Harding in 1819. Hardings painting repoduced below is the only known image of Boone taken from life.

Thunder and Other Things

2010-05-28T17:08:00.000-05:00

Its raining here. A lovely, heavy drenching rain that is creating rivulets down every slanted surface. Living in an attic apartment with windows that cut through the roof line and open out through the gable ends has its advantages.... it is so nice to hear the rain and the low roll of thunder across the hills and valley. I have missed these storms. At this point in Arkansas, I would have been bored with the constant waves of thunderstorms that would spring up every hot afternoon and roll across the Ozarks toward the Ridge. Here, however, it is a treat to hear the rain beat down in an invigorating staccato rhythm. Last night, I even stayed up well into the morning hours to watch the heat lightning that danced across the nearby mountain tops. It was nice to fall asleep to the distant rumble of thunder, again.

There are many things I love about being in Virginia. I am also thrilled at the prospect of spending the summer in a somewhat deserted college town - just like the summer in Fayetteville a few years ago. No crowds, fun outdoorsy things to do, concerts, theatre, art, markets. I look forward to them all, but there are a some things, like afternoon thunderstorms, that draw me back. I even felt this way in London, when one night it poured down rain in heavy bursts - only lacking the static charge of lightning to make it feel just like home. I love it when it rains.

The thesis is done, turned in and tucked away - I think I will let that project lay for a few weeks, so that I can tackle it with fresh feelings. I would love to get parts or all of it published, but it will still need work, and time, and energy before its ready.
Graduation was a success - all laughter and smiles and sun. I loved having my mom in town, if only for a few short days and I think she really enjoyed it too. [especially the wine tasting :) chuckle, chuckle] The day was long, and tiring, but so full of good friends to share it with that it will be a wonderful memory - and the excitement of actually getting my degree was more than I had anticipated.

I also started my summer Internship in Scottsville, Virginia this week. I think it is going to be a fun project and the people I am working with seem really excited about my plans. I can't wait to have something to show them, and a fully finished project that I can claim as all mine. This is real personal progress, where I feel like I am actually contributing to someone or something.

The Scottsville Museum

The Defense

2010-05-10T10:26:00.000-05:00

I'm DONE! with the Defense of my Thesis - and I passed...... Lets just take a moment to say YEAH!!!!! for me!

ok.... so I have a few revisions to do, and more works study to finish. Then I have to figure out what I am going to be doing with my life..... that is probably important, but I will worry about that tomorrow. Now - I will be celebrating my successful defense.

I feel like I have produced a lot of good work while at the UVA. I think, as I am sure everyone does, that I could have done better, but what the hey..... I will take what I can get.

More Later

The Birthday Edition

2010-04-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Last weekend was my Birthday - Happy 24 years on earth to me!

Here is a run-down off all the cool stuff I did over the weekend - plus a few other cool things I found around the Interwebs.

Pavilion IX, UVA Lawn

On Friday, Prof. Nelson's field methods class was able to meet up with a recent Grad of the Masters ARH program who works for facilities management at UVA. He was an excellent tour guide of the current construction and preservation projects around the lawn and even showed us around Pavilion 9. This included a climb up a utility ladder into the attic. Lets just say that it was a BLAST!!! The attic's of historic buildings like the lawn pavilions are excellent, because no-one really gets to see them often, so they don't get changed and updated. We could see the original notation marks on the beams and joists (used to fit the right tenon in the right mortise after they were carved before installation.) Also, we were able to see the brick structure of the chimney, which included an interesting series of connecting arches and jack arches. After 3 hours of crawling around the construction site and walking around the lawn, I headed home for a nap. It was such a beautiful cool and sunny day, but I really needed a nap after my adventure. This was probably a mistake - as I never really fully accomplish anything after a mid-afternoon nap. Also, upon waking, I discovered that I had pulled a muscle in my leg (probably during my time in the attic - which was definitely cramped and probably dangerous - but we are architectural historians so it was all good).

German Homestead, Frontier Culture Muesum

On Saturday, I actually got out of bed at 7am and got ready to head to Staunton (pronounced as if it didn't have a "u" in it.... yeah its weird I know). The field methods class was heading to the Frontier Culture Museum to look at some great old buildings and then learn how to build a nigerian hut using only clay mud. Yep, I got to mix mud with my bare feet and throw it to build a wall. I was so happy to get in touch with my 4-year old self again. The structures on the site were also interesting, they included homesteads, barns, and outbuildngs that had been bought in Europe, deconstructed, shipped to Staunton, Virginia and then reassembled on the Frontier Culture Museum's site. It was actually interesting to see these structures including a German barn that was originally constructed during the 16th century. However, the museums overall theme and purpose must be tempered with the reality that these buildings are no longer on their original sites, in thier original environments and are very selective in the past they present. The frontier farm model was not necessarily the original context of these structures. The German Homestead was actually an urban structure that now looks like it was a rural farmhouse. Also, costumed interpreters just freak me out.

On Saturday Evening, I attended the Art Auction and Beaux Arts Ball at the Architecture School. Colin Curley (a A-School friend I got to know in Jamaica) did an excellent job on organizing the even as Design Council President. It was a fun night and Kat even came over and we danced for hours. It was a nice end to the day. On a side note - I also picked up a print of a Greg Otto painting and some fabulous printed Greg Otto note cards. He is an amazing artist from Baltimore, Maryland, inspired recently by the architecture of Chicago. Look up his stuff - it is Great!

Three in a Row, Greg Otto

On Sunday, I traveled to Keswick with Sierra and Laurin to do our assigned field work for Field Methods [I have just realized how Field Methods heavy last weekend was]. We were on a mission to record what was left of a slave quarter at the Old Poorhouse Farm. The owners were lovely people and it was a wonderful day, but the site was less than stellar. The bones of the slave quarter survived, but there had been at least 5 different additions to the site. I think there we recorded the interesting bits, but I don't know how helpful it will be in terms of research on slave quarters in central Virginia. We arrived on site at 2pm and left, with all of our measurement at about 8pm, so a long 6 hours of measurements and drawings. Fun Times. I only wish the structure had been in a more consistenly original condition.

Michelangelo, Drawing and the Invention of Architecture, Cammy Brothers ---------->

Monday started with class, but my Renaissance Spain class was canceled for this week - so I got to take another nap (a small birthday present to myself). Professor Brothers is on a trip to Europe for her new book about the drawings of Michelangelo: Michelangelo, Drawing and the Invention of Architecture. It is a wonderful look at the importance of drawing to the creation and development of architecture during the Renaissance. Monday evening, there was also an interesting lecture by Dr. Susan Kern from the College of William and Mary on the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson: Shadwell, Virignia. It was an interesting discussion of Thomas Jefferson's father's house in Shadwell and the various readings of the archeological evidence associated with the site. Sadly the house and any records concerning its architectural form do not survive.

<--------- Biophilia, E. O. Wilson

Tuesday was pretty lax, so cheers for days in which I can get some stuff done. Also of note, Dr. E. O Wilson, this years recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture, lectured on some of his most famous biological theorems and their relation to architectural theory. I find Dr. Wilson's biological theory fascinating, particularly his interest in biodiversity and the interconnectedness of all earthly biologies. This is obviously a reworking of other spheres of spiritual thought, such as Buddhist beliefs, but still it is amazing to see the evidence of interconnected species throughout the biological world.

And in further celebration of my Birthday: A little video I found on youtube.

Epic!!!

2010-04-08T21:58:00.000-05:00

Watch and be amazed!

I just have to say that when the Tetris blocks fall on the Barclay-Vesey Building (originally the New York Telephone Building, now the Verizon Building) and the floors disappear when the Tetris pieces "complete" the row was so epic; I watched that part 5 more times.

Also, Stephan Kieran [who won the recent competition for the new US Embassy in London] is coming to lecture at UVA tomorrow. If he doesn't address the project, you can bet that I will in a very pointed "why does your building look like a castle with a moat" question.

This is the design as selected by the competition committee.

My question is, what happens to the beautifully sculpted park when the state department puts up is obligatory "What if they bomb us?" fence and concrete barriers? Also, will the moat be stocked with crocodiles to stave off possible terrorists? In reality, will the building ever function like the "open box" it is meant to be?

The original press release about the project can be found HERE
A little more about the scope and intention of the project can be found HERE
The firm can be found online HERE

I have also selected a subject for my final paper in Wilson's 19th Century Lecture. The 1845 Old Medical School Building, now known affectionately as the Egyptian Building in Richmond, Virginia. The Egyptian Revival style of this structure is absolutely brilliant. Amazingly, however, there are actually very few studies of Egyptian Revival architecture in the United States, and none specifically about this unique building. A great opportunity for some fresh research and ideas.

Look at those cute little feet! Some of these posts had 6 toes per foot, some five, some four.

And finally - as an April bonus:

Mies van der Rohe built a Gas Station: Yeah, pretty Epic!

It is apperantly in Montreal, and actually unoccupied at the moment. This building may be in danger, but the local community seems to be trying to figure out what to do with it.

Bumble-Bees

2010-04-06T15:47:00.000-05:00

I have come to the conclusion that bumble-bees are evil. Not only are they evil, but they are stalking me. Why else is there a bumble-bee that waits at the door to the A-School and hovers menacingly whenever I walk out? A bumble-bee, yes a fat little bumble-bee has actually made me change my exit route from the A-School. This is crazy, I know, but I refuse to let the bee intimidate me - I just don't want to be stung (after previous bad experiences).

Work on the Thesis, and other projects is also continuing. The weather here, however, is making it hard to focus on studying. The beautiful weather, (75-85 degrees, sunny, with slight breezes), is spectacular - but why couldn't it wait until Summer, or at least the end of April, when I will need some good weather to revive me from my paper writing stupor. This paper deluge always happens no matter what planning may go into the rest of the semester, there always is a train wreck of work in April, always. In an effort to make my life easier, I have just decided to accept this fact. I will be sleep deprived, crazy, and over worked for the next 5 weeks. This is just how it is going to be, and I accept that fact.

I feel better already.

I have also been thinking a lot about my cousin Stephen. He works for Heifer International, based in Little Rock, ARkansas and was recently despatched to Haiti to help with some of the work that is going on there. His pictures of the devestation in Haiti were shocking. However, the love and laughter of the people, evident through candid photos at various heifer projects, was simply inspiring.

First Off: My Cousin, Stephen at a Haiti Heifer office, doing what he does best: IT

A Street Scene in Haiti (without much noticeable damage, reminds me a lot of Falmouth and Kingston in Jamaica)

Damage

One of the Many Tent Cities

Various People Stephen Meet During His Work and Tours with Heifer

Again, A house that reminds me a lot of Jamaica

And of Course: A Heifer, from a Heifer Project Site

Here are a few pics on a totally different subject, from Neatorama - and all about architecture:

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T23:35:00.000-05:00

This is from the BentObjects blog, an interesting look at the secret lives of inanimate objects.

Also, just for fun on this beautiful spring day - some interesting architectural themed artwork I have seen around the web:

http://www.snarlik.se/

Wondermark.com

Alphabet City: Scott Teplin

Click this Link, you MUST see this zoomed in
http://cargocollective.com/vascomourao

Nathan Sawaya: The Lego Artist

Charlottesville Updates

2010-03-31T15:36:00.000-05:00

It has been an interesting week in Charlottesville. Although I haven't exactly gotten much work done on my Thesis, there have been some other happenings worth reviewing.

Last week was the admitted student open house for the entire A-School. I think all the prospective students had a good time. I thoroughly enjoyed the lecture by Professor Ed Ford and the dinner at the Biltmore Restaurant [yummy burger with bleu-cheese]. Professor Ford's lecture was interesting, in that it combined a quick overview of his design and teaching theory with a walk through of several of his architectural designs [both built and unbuilt]. His books also look like a good read. His lecture also brought up an interesting point - do we spend to much time "reading" buildings and focusing on the effects of signs and symbols, rather than trying to understand the building itself as a whole product of an individuals thought process? Professor Ford's argument was definitely sound, and has really made me thing about the way I look at buildings, which I think may help me see some new angles on my thesis. Also, I have a new building that I really must visit: The Vienna State Library. I wish I could find a pic of the handrail that he created for his house, lets just say that it rates up there with the Kahn handrail from the Kimbell in Fort Worth, TX.

State Hall, Vienna National Library

There were also two other interesting public lectures last week, one about the role and transformation of Modern Urban Art in China during the last two decades and one about 3-D reconstructions of an ancient roman house in Antioch. Both of these were brilliant, and were very visually striking. In other 3-D reconstruction news - the Urban Simulation Team at UCLA have some excellent videos on youtube for various recreations. The one below is of the Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago:

Also, here is a really nice recreation of the processional route through the Temple at Karnak, Egypt

Some Things That Rock

2010-03-25T12:48:00.000-05:00

I saw one of my favorite concert muscians on Tuesday night: Ben Folds. This time around it was just Ben Folds and A Piano. It was truly epic.

I had seen Ben Folds a couple of years ago in Tulsa at a truly horrible venue, but this time around it was much better. Ben had been great before, but the newly renovated Jefferson Theatre made the experience fantastic! Also, in response to an internet sensation, namley "piano guy", who has been using chat roulette to serenade random strangers with improv piano compositions, Ben Folds got into the act by doing a bit of chat roulette himself, during the concert! It was hilarious and the whole crowd got involved. Here are just a few clips from some youtube videos as well as a post on CNN about the whole Ben Folds - Piano Guy online fued.

Ben Folds Duel on CNN

Ben Folds and the crowd's harmonies (WARNING!! some foul language - also Not My Video)

Ben Folds plays chat roulette (Not My Video)

In other news, today is also Ada Lovelace day, in celebration of the role that women have played in the science fields. [We will just include architecture in there too - because we always need more women architectural role models - she was just an architect of computer programs] Ada Lovelace is considered by many the first computer programmer, writing a program for Babbage's Analytical Machine in the early 1800's. All in all, she pretty much rocks [and she was pretty beautiful too!]

I also found out today that the director of the new TRON movie, coming out soon, hopefully, actually trained as an architect. A few blogs I have been reading have actually picked up on this fact - and used it as a way to look at his method or directing (which tends to use lots of really impressive sets, rather than stricktly green-screen digital effect.) Impressive Mr. Kosinski!

Tron = Architectural History (blog post)
Joseph Kosinski Website

So lets recap: Ben Folds, Ada Lovelace and Joseph Kosinski all definitely ROCK!

Richmond with Prof. Wilson

2010-03-21T21:18:00.000-05:00

Monumental Church Interior (Professor Wilson in the center to the right, looking up)

On Saturday, Professor Wilson led a group of Undergraduate and Graduate students on a whirlwind tour of Richmond, Virginia. It was an absolute blast!!! Professor Wilson knows everyone and was able to get us into several sites that are normally closed to the public due to ongoing restoration work. We started the day off visiting the Maymont Mansion and Grounds, a beautiful house designed and built in the mid 19th century. Thankfully this great site still stands as a loved public museum and park. The house is spectacular and includes all of its original furnishings and finishes including a bed carved like a giant swan, "modern" tiled bathrooms, and conspicuous consumption displayed in every room. Next we caravaned to Capitol Square, where we toured Jefferson's Capitol, Monumental Church (~~which is actually closed to the public)~~, [so I found out that this structure is actually open to the public - by appointment through the Historic Richmond Foundation! If your visiting Richmond - It is definitely an neat place to visit, as one of the most important American architectural commissions of the 19th century!] the Old Virginia Medical School and St. Paul's Episcopal Church. St. Paul's has some of the best stained glass I have ever seen in the United States, several pieces of which were designed by Tiffany. The altar piece, a replica of Leonardo's Last Supper is also a rare Tiffany mosaic. Our last stop was at the Branch House. This 19th century Tudor revival structure now serves at the headquarters for the Virginia Center for Architecture.

The weather was glorious, and everything we saw was interesting! Thanks to Prof. Wilson and all of our guides for a great trip to Richmond!

Virgina Capitol, Designed by Jefferson

Rear Facade, Virgina Capitol

Monumental Church

The Monument, Monumental Church (Egyptian Revival)

Crypt of Monumental Church - looking toward the Columbarium

This was where the ashes of those killed during the tragic theater fire were interred. Monumental Church was constructed on the site of the fire as a memorial to those who died.

Old Virginia Medical School (Egyptian Revival)

Can you spot the Pyramid? hint: look behind.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Tiffany Stained Glass, St Paul's

Stained Glass, St. Paul's (Egyptian Revival by a Pre-Raphelite Artist)

The Branch House designed by John Russel Pope (Tudor Revival)

Great!

2010-03-19T18:27:00.000-05:00

This is the best thing I have seen all day!

Fun Stuff

2010-03-14T22:04:00.000-05:00

So, it has been a while.

I have become increasingly obsessed with some interesting stuff on the web, including online comics and the upcoming Virginia Festival of the Book. The last starts Wednesday and if you are in Charlottesville, you should take a look - a lot of the events look really interesting and most are free.

On the Thesis front, I am continuing to work on the last few chapters. As well as trying to figure out what exactly my conclusion is.... somehow I need to discover a profound meaning which underlies my gathered research. Hopeful this will come to me in a flash of brilliance later this week (I can always hope). I also still need to find a few images, but here are some pics for fun anyway.

The Bavinger House by Bruce Goff, an early tutor of Jones

The Plaza Gazebo by Jones, North Little Rock, AR

An early sketch for the "Ozark Church" project by Jones

I hope that the Thesis will be in better shape by next week (including the conclusion). I have sadly been procrastinating a bit over spring break, so now it is back to the graduate grind stone. Other classes are now clamouring for attention and my 19th century and Renaissance Spain papers need to be well on there way by the end of March. As usual, school work will continue to eat my social life, but it was fantastic that I was able to spend some time with actual living people over spring break. This included a wonderful visit from Allison & Tim Reavis, now residents of Wilmington, NC. It was a blast to play tour guide and I hope Allison and Tim didn't get an overload of Charlottesville facts. I know way to much about this town now (including Thomas Jefferson). Also, Kat and I took a little road trip to Barboursville and a few local wineries for fun. I know have wine that tastes of Chocolate as well as wine that tastes like mulled wine, which is actually pretty confusing but so delicious. Oh, and we watched the Oscars (I Love Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin). To cap the week off, I got to see Blind Side again with Johanna and have Fish and Chips at a local pub [it was actually pretty good, but way to expensive - i miss London :( ]

These are some Pics I stole from Allison's Facebook. They are a fantastic representation of the close bond that now exists between all three of us and Thomas Jefferson (also known as TJ or the TEJE by those who know him well...lol)

Well, for now the saga of Graduate School continues. I am getting amazingly close to the end of this chapter in my life... hopefully there will be some large neon signs indicating the next path soon.

Also, if you have read this far, thanks for sticking with me - and here is your treat. A guy in Arkansas has financed a project to build a medieval castle using historically accurate techniques in the middle of the ozark forest. Is anyone else completely wierded out by this. I am so confused, yet intrigued! http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com

New Features

2010-03-02T16:28:00.000-06:00

I have added a new feature in the panel to the Right.... some current links to stories that have some connection to either Architecture, Architectural History, Design or Medieval History. I wish there was a way to just show my Facebook links on this site.... i love that feature, and would really like to share them here - so I am going to try and keep posting them here to.

I am recovering from the madness that was the Thesis draft. Now that I have gotten some sleep, and taken my vitamins - it is time to start studying in earnest for tomorrows 19th century test.

Also, why is it everytime I write a paper, the very next book I pick up directly relates to everything I have just written, and should have been included (yet sadly wasn't). I just read a chapter while studying for my test tomorrow that would have really helped me to write my last chapter - at least it was a draft, and I can add it in... but really, sometimes I think the thesis gods are against me. It is also snowing again, I hate winter and all it stands for!

This is a great book for anyone remotley interested in learning more about the Middle Ages. Mortimer does a great job of describing what daily life would have been like. It is written in a style that is easy to read and the overall narrative moves at a fast pace. I read it while I was in London over 5 or 6 tube rides. All in all, a nice, entertaining book.

Huzzah!

2010-03-01T14:42:00.000-06:00

The Thesis Draft has been handed in..... let the critique begin.

It is only 4.5 days until Spring Break. This is going to be the longest week ever. 2 major mid-terms and now the thesis revision is going to be hanging over my head.

In other news, I really feel like I have learned a lot while working on my thesis. I now know way to much about Frank Lloyd Wright, Bruce Goff and many other movers and shakers of the Organic movement. I kinda feel like I know way to much about weird things, like all the research I did on 19th and 20th century cemeteries last summer. [speaking of, I totally think I found a Prairie Style grave marker from about 1930 in the Oakland Fraternal Cemetery in Little Rock.] I am officially an architecture nerd. :)

2010-02-26T11:59:00.000-06:00

3-Days, yes 3-Days people.

actually - 69 hours.

Bring It On!

"Piranesi 1741"

Even Piranesi gave in to Graffiti

Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli Italy

Inbetween

2010-02-20T23:02:00.000-06:00

Recently, I have been feeling a bit stuck:

Between my thesis's continual slow crawl and the frequent reminders of things abroad.
Between my need to keep working and accomplishing and the lack of general enlightening conversation with actual, living people.
Between academia and the real word.
Between the past and the future.

All in all, sometimes it just gets a bit confusing late at night when the words start to blur together.
I know this all has to be leading somewhere. Hopefully I'm climbing a staircase and I am sure the view will be worth it when I reach the top.

[10 bonus points to anyone who can name both images]

By the way, if you ever find yourself in Florence, have some time and are feeling a little hungry: Find the Piazza di Santa Croce, face the Basilica di Santa Croce, look for Dante [of Inferno fame] - he will be standing to the Left. Walk down the via behind him, there will be a little place on the left [seriously, these were the directions that a very friendly local gave us at our hotel when we asked for a good place to eat - he was right] It is pretty fantastic - and you just have to try the wild boar, it will change your life. Don't forget the house wine, it makes everything brilliant.

2010-02-18T21:59:00.000-06:00

This is a little gem from Wilson's 20th century class last year, enjoy the architectural knowledge I have just bestowed on you. Mies van der Rohe was a leading figure of the architectural world in the United States and pretty much invented what we think of as the modern skyscraper.

For all those diligently working towards the March 1st deadline [you know who you are], keep going and good luck. I am right there with ya'll (and yes I just typed ya'll)!

Euine Fay Jones:

“Architecture is invention – is innovation – but it is also remembering.”

2010-02-16T19:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday has come again and I thought I would post a couple of photographs - colored especially for the occasion. Purple, Gold and Green being the most prominent color pallet of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

In other matters, the Thesis deadline is fast approaching. I think I am to the point where I can fully focus on writing until the March 1st deadline. The problem is I keep finding new and interesting tangents of research. I need to stop worrying and just write for a couple of day solid, then I think I will feel better about the whole thing.

I also wanted to post that the Thomas Jefferson Student Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians had its first meeting of the semester yesterday. I am glad that we finally were able to all meet, regardless of bad weather. Some of the proposed lectures this semester, including Jesus Escobar are going to be fantastic. I can't wait to hear some of these exciting speakers. I have put a link to our chapter of SAH if anyone is interested in more info regarding the group or our upcoming events.

As a final note, I found these really interesting mini-documentaries on several well known modern architectural sites including structures by KoolHaas, Renzo Piano and Meier. These short films have all been produced under the auspices of a film series known as Living Architectures. You can find out more about this project at this site: http://www.living-architectures.com/html/filmseries.html. These look fantastic, and the trailers are amazing!

Enjoy!

2010-02-14T22:43:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

So, I have been back in the states for quite a while now. I thought I would finish up some of the loose ends from England, and post an update about some interesting happenings in Charlottesville.

Thanks to my good friend Sarah and all my other friends at the Courtauld, the last week of my stay in England was fantastic. As a last hurrah, several of my classmates traveled from London to Bath to meet up with Sarah. We all got a personalized tour of Bath and had a wonderful time meeting Sarah’s family. The town was lovely, even though it was cold and rainy. I have already been to Bath earlier in the semester, but it was great to see Bath through the eyes of a local, especially all the lovely residential areas that a normal tourist wouldn’t even know about. I was also fortunate enough to stay the night with Sarah and her family in their lovely home. Being the architecture geek that I am, staying a night in one of the famous Bath crescents was too good an opportunity to pass up, even without the added benefit of a night with a good friend.

Wolf, Kaitlyn and Sarah in Bath (I really love this picture because of the Gothic arch over Sarah's head)

Sarah enjoying the architecture of Bath

Wolf and Kaitlyn

Sarah at Lansdown Cemetery and Beckford's Tower

This is an older picture from our Hampstead Heath day, but still great

The next day, I traveled back to London by train and meet up with another good friend of mine, Rachel. She had been kind enough to put me up in France for couple of fun filled days, so I returned the favor as a personal tour guide. We went all over the city, ate, drank and were generally merry for several days. This included a night out at the theatre and an all around great time taking photographs, drinking tea and shopping. Sadly, Rachel had to leave in time to spend Christmas with another group of English friends. After Rachel’s departure, and a few more days spend Christmas shopping and doing some last minute sightseeing and museum visiting, it was time to head to Heathrow for my flight. It was a sad moment, sitting in a Chili’s in the Heathrow international departure lounge, nursing a cider and thinking about all the stuff I was going to miss. [I have to say though, the burger was pretty fantastic] But, it was wonderful to be home for Christmas, especially since my gifts for everyone were pretty much the best, if I do say so myself.

Rachel, enjoying the cold in London

After spending Christmas and New Years with the family, I headed to Memphis a couple of times to see Brian and Virginia. The first trip, it was dinner and Christmas gifts in Mid-town. The second trip was a Razorback fans dream, including attending the Liberty Bowl and some wonderful fun with Virginia and her family. The game was in the evening and the temperature was about 17° Fahrenheit [-10° C] without the wind-chill. Needless to say, it was pretty chilly, but we both survived and had a fun time cheering for the Razorbacks.

The U of A Band marching the traditional "A"

After several weeks at home, it was time to head back to the state of Virginia [not to be confused with my best friend, also named Virginia. Living in a state with her name has made for some pretty funny and confusing conversations.] As it happens, I got to Virginia just in time for school and the biggest snowstorm I have ever witnessed. It did look pretty, and it is interesting to have snow to play in for a couple of days, but really, I am just done with it. 20+ inches is just not fun. I haven’t been able to move my car in over a week [stupid front wheel drive].

Anyway, on the academic front, 2 weeks and counting till my Thesis draft is due. Although I am busy working, I keep coming up with new stuff to write about and I hope I can pull it all together by March 1^st.

Section, Bella Vista Chapel [Cooper Memorial Chapel]

GERMANY

2009-12-11T10:37:00.000-06:00

well, Bavaria actually. I traveled with Amanda to Munich (known as Munchen to those who actually live there) last weekend and it was a BLAST!!! We flew over on Saturday, with a short stop in Zurich- the swiss have airtravel down right. We flew with Swiss Air, which was fast, friendly and efficent, as well as completley non-stressful. There was also free Swiss Chocolate, Yum!!! When we went through passport control in Zurich, it was painless and very fast (after landing and deboarding - it only took us about 15 minutes to be on our next flight and ready to go). After arriving in Munich, we stopped by a grocery store and bought fressh Weisswurst (white sausage) the most typical and regionally specific Bavarian sausage. We also picked up some Bretzen (pretzels) and a type of sweet mustard - which completed the meal. It was delicious. I dont usually eat mustard, but it works so well with the delicate Weisswurst and pretzels that we ate a whole small jar of it. On Sunday, we traveled by train to Strasbourg, Austria birthblace of Mozart and known for its beatuiful alpine setting. It was seriously like riding a train through a postcard. We walked around town, visited the various christmas markets and climbed to the Hohensalzburg Castle (a huge fortress on top of a crazy tall mountain in the middle of town). We also stopped in at a wonderfully old coffee house and had coffee and sachretorte (a famous Austrian cake) which was lovely and richly chocolately.

On Monday, we went into Munich and wondered around the town, visiting christmas markets, the residence or main palace of the city, drinking Gluwien (mulled wine) and eating great sausages (including the nuremburger bratworst with sourkraut) and a fantastic wild boar gulash. All in all a beautiful winter adventure. On Tuesday, we had a huge brunch prepared by Amanda's great friend Christina and her mom (who also gave us homemade jam and traditional german christmas cookies). Sadely we had to leave and head to the airport for our flight home.

I really enjoyed my first trip to Germany, Austria and Switezerland and I hope to travel back again sometime soon.

Coming to the End

2009-12-03T10:10:00.000-06:00

Well, yesterday, I gave my last presentation for my Courtauld Class. Tonight is the school Carol Service, and it is all going by so quickly. I am glad that I have made some great friends here, including everyone in my class!!!! I will miss them terribly, and am trying to maximize fun time here at the end with everyone. This includes the family - Amanda and I are jetting off to Munich on Saturday - coming back Tuesday. Another country to check off my list, and a wonderful pre-Christmas treat. I can't wait to see the Christmas decorations and hopefully see snow.

My course here at the Courtauld has really allowed me to not only learn a ton about the transitions between medieval British architecture and the early modern period, but it has also let me focus on my own scholarly habits. I really have learned quite a bit about my strengths and weaknesses in terms of writing and researching. The program here offers so much that it would be impossible to experience it all, but it also teaches the value of individual direction and interest that is key to finding your niche within the scholarly community.

I know I am babbling on, but I will truly be sad to leave this wonderful place in a few short weeks. Everyone here has been fantastic. I have explored, learned and reshaped my own world views during these last few months. I think my Thesis topic is well defined in my mind, but it still needs to be written down on paper. I have produces some great work, and some mediocre at best. I have explored the Loire valley with a van full of crazy french people, traveled to Wells on a dodgy bus [only to discover last week that it was the setting for much of Hot Fuzz, one of my all time favorite movies] eatten more boiled eggs on toast and drunk more tea that ever before, rode the L-Eye on Guy Fawkes night, saw the best fireworks show I have ever seen and watched as the entire city was crowned with brilliant bursts of light in every direction, eaten at some of the most fantastic restaurants and even some great dives, downed the best Champagne at a couple of exclusive London clubs thanks to knowing the right people, visited more than a few of the world's best museums, saw the Staffordshire Hoard and the Sutton Hoo treasures with my own eyes, experienced rememberance day and wore a poppy as everyone should, drew pretty flower pictures at Kew Gardens, nearly froze my hands off in Bristol, became more familiar with Wren, Inigo Jones and so many of the other British greats of the architectural world, saw some brilliant theatre, found time to chill and read some good adventure novels.... and still two and half more weeks to go!

London is truly one of my happy places.

Inigo Jones & "Imaginancy Set Free"

2009-11-25T12:08:00.000-06:00

The Hogarth Portrait of Inigo Jones

Inigo Jones was arguably the most important English Architect of the last sixteenth to early seventeenth centuries. His most famous constructions include the original Queen's House in Greenwich, the Banqueting House at Whitehall Palace and the church and square at Covent Garden. On Monday, I attended a lecture by Professor Vaughan Hart on the Court Architecture produced for James I by Inigo Jones. This included the Queen's House and the Banqueting Hall. Professor Hart argued during his lecture that many of the classical orders used by Inigo Jones and his fellow professionals echoed a deeper protestant ethos and mythology. This was mostly evidenced by the proliferation of the Tuscan order, which Professor Hart linked to the British creation myth of the Trojan soldier who discovered and then settled in Britannia after the Trojan wars. All in all, it was an interesting lecture, with great images from various sources. In my view, there were problems of scope, which limited Professor Hart to a very specific set of viewers who may or may not have accepted this viewpoint. In relation to the civil war and the history of the Commonwealth to come, the idea of different viewers with differing viewpoints can not be neglected.

Anyway, something to think about.

I would also like to add that it has been fantastic getting to study and discuss architecture in the Courtauld Institute. The people in my MA option have been fantastic, and I will be sad to leave at the end of December. I will miss the deep theoretical conversations we can have just walking to the Tube at the end of the night or over a tea in the cafe before class.

More Studying

2009-11-24T10:42:00.000-06:00

The pictures I promised from my trip to Cambridge:

The exterior of King's College, looking toward the Senate House

The Quad of one of the colleges. You can only walk on the grass if you are a fellow of the college.

The Time Eater clock, designed by Steven Hawkings

The Round Church, also known as the Norman Church, one of the oldest structures in Cambridge, and now run by a local charity.

King's College chapel built by the Tudor Kings and Queens of England. A fabulous example of English Perpendicular Gothic

One of the many Wren College Chapels, built during the 17th century as the Cambridge colleges continued to expand.

Also, I have been swamped with class work for the last few weeks, and the deluge seems destine to continue for the next few weeks. I plan on heading to Germany some time during the next few weeks, and then home by Christmas.

Oh - and by the way, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Studying and Cambridge

2009-11-17T10:40:00.000-06:00

Officially, I love Cambridge.... it was brilliant to visit the quintessential university town last weekend with Amanda. She headed off to classes quite early, and I was able to wander around the town to my heart's consent. The town was originally a Celtic and then a Roman stronghold, due to the easy ability to ford the Cam River. The university in Cambridge was founded during the 13th century when dissident scholars left Oxford and established themselves in the well known market town of Cambridge. After several centuries, the scholars at Cambridge were able to attract the patronage of several of the Tudor Kings and Queens of England. This patronage resulted in some of the most important structures at Cambridge, including the fantastically high English Gothic chapel of Kings College as well as many of the medieval halls of several of the colleges.

Travelling to Cambridge with Amanda was also wonderful, because she is a full member of St. Catherine's college (which is represented by the symbol of St. Catherine's martyrdom, the wheel upon which she was executed). We both went to the formal hall dinner on Thursday evening, which basically means everyone who is a member has to dress in the formal robes. The dinner was lovely, consisting of smoked salmon as a starter, duck with red cabbage and mixed veggies for the main, sticky toffee pudding for dessert plus a cheese board and port to round off the evening. We also took our own wine for dinner, and Amanda is great about picking good wines.

On the more mundane scholarly front, my research and paper regarding St. Mary Aldermary is going well. I have a huge deadline for my final draft on this Friday. I think I am in good shape, but am ready to be done. The church itself is a wonderfully unique example of an ecclesiastical structure within the City of London. [The square mile known officially as the City as distinct from the city of Westminster which is farther to the West and the other suburbs that have come to form the metropolitan area of greater London.]

St. Mary Aldermary suffers from a general lack of research based on documentary evidence as well as a scholarly history rife with assumptions, repeated misinformation and generally poor written work. Although several people have written very nice articles regarding the history of the structure, it has been very interesting to deconstruct previous scholarly arguments rather than just collecting information regarding a specific structure. I think this assignment has been one of the more helpful in regards to methodological practices as well as just generally forcing me to evaluate my own writing standards.

On the Thesis, work continues, but I definitely have a bunch of writing to do in the next few months. I really need to get going, but it is so easy just to enjoy my life at the moment. I hope to do a bit more work on it in the next few weeks that will really jump-start my progress before the Christmas Break.

Pics tomorrow - when I get a chance to sit down and pick some of the better ones.

The Royal Academy and France Pictures

2009-11-10T10:59:00.000-06:00

On Monday, thanks to Sarah's brilliant reminder, I was able to go to Royal Institution for a Royal Academy lecture by Prof. David Watkins about William Chambers, an English Architect who was responsible for Somerset House (where the Courtauld is located). It was an interesting lecture, even though I was not fully in agreement with some of the conclusions Prof. Watkins made in regards to Chambers practice and influence on later architects. If you look at the life and work of Chambers, it would not be hard to argue that he was one of the first architect to practice in what would now considered a very Beaux-Arts style. He was also very fond of architectural capricci - such as all of the small structures he designed for Kew Gardens, including greek and roman temples, ruined arches, pagodas, spanish pavilions and chinese temples and gardens.

Also, as promised - France Pictures:

Paris at night - Above the Louvre
Below Rachel in one our fabulous Halloween Hats

Above - the Choir Screen in Chartres Cathedral, a ridiculously detailed set of scuptures and carvings all celebrating the lives of Mary and Jesus.

Above - the roof of the entrance passage at the Château de Chenonceau.
Below - the Chateau de Chenonceau which bridges the Cher River.

Above - the Chateau of Ambois - a great record of the architectural transition between a gothicizing style to a more renaissance style. The small chapel to the left is actually an 18th century structure where the body of Leonardo da Vinci was buried - after he lived the last 3 years of his life in the town of Ambois under the protection of the King of France.

Above - The Château de Chambord, a place I was really excited to visit for thesis research, as well as just because it is an amazing structure.
Below - The double helix stair - thought to have been designed by Leonoardo da Vinci while he was in Ambois.

FRANCE

2009-11-06T10:48:00.000-06:00

We will now continue with our originally scheduled broadcast:

I was able to travel to France last this last weekend, thanks in most part due to the generosity of Rachel ... my favorite France person! [and the best out of work journalist/vampire I have ever seen :) ]

I started on Friday meeting Rachel in Paris. She had just gotten back from an extended vacation in Sardenia (lucky dog!!!). We met up and proceded to find a hostel and funny hats to wear to a Halloween shindig on Saturday - more about that later. After procurring our funny hats, we wondered around a bit, found and fully partook of a nice irish pub near the Island, and cominced to take funny pics or ourselves wearing our new hats. Lets just say it was a fabulous evening.

On Saturday, we headed to Le Mans, where Rachel is staying for the year. On the way we stopped off at Chartres to view the important Cathedral. The church was amazing, but the stained and painted glass panels from the 12th and 13th centuries were just unbelievable. I have a truly new appreciation for just how dark and mysterious medieval churches could be, especially on days that were cloudy or rainy [as it just happened to be for pretty much my entire trip to France].

After arriving in Le Mans, we met of with Rachel's great group of friends and proceded to celebrate Halloween in a thoroughly appropriate manner. This included dressing up in silly hats and visiting a great pub for several rounds of pool and good drinks. All in all a perfect evening.

On Sunday, we went shopping at the local weekly food market, which just proved how much more advanced the art of good food in in France. Some of the stuff on sale just made my mouth water: fresh seafood, fresh bread, fresh veggies, pretty much everything you can imagine - just fresher and brighter. Following the food market, we took our spoils back to the apartment, made a great lunch and then had a generally lazy afternoon and evening.

On Monday I had booked a tour of the Loire Valley [where all the really famous French chateaux and castles are] through a local touristic company. Early in the morning, I caught a train to Tours from Le Mans and headed out on my mini-bus tour with several other coupes and families. It was fantastic. I got to see the Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Cheverny, Chateau d'Amboise [where Leonardo Di Vinci is buried], Clos Luce [where Leonardo lived the last 3 years of his life], and Chateau de Chenonceau. After an all day tour, we ended up back in Tours, where I got a hostel for the night and generally just wandered around and took pics and read historical signs with my limited french.

In the morning on Tuesday, I headed back to Le Mans to have lunch with Rachel at one of the best restaruants in France [ This has got to be one of the top three meals of my life and included a roasted duck salad with goat's cheese on toast and roast beef with fois gras and a heavenly concotion of potatoes, cream and herbs.] After eating we visited the Cathedral of Le Mans then headed back to pick up my stuff so I could catch a train back to Paris. Upon arriving in Paris, I headed to Gare du Nord to catch my eurostar train back to London. All in all, a great exended weekend.

Pics soon - I promise :)

A Further Note on Recent Research

2009-10-27T13:38:00.000-05:00

My last big assignment has been to research the London church of St. Mary Aldermary, located not far from St. Paul's near the Mansion House tube stop.

This church is unique in that it is considered the only Wren (meaning mostly his workshop) designed Gothic church. The original Gothic structure was nearly completely destroyed during the Great Fire of 1666. The only parts of the structure that survived were the foundations as well as portions of the east and south wall. Wren and his workshop were instructed to rebuild the church in the manner of the original structure by the executor of a local merchant's will, who left 5000 pounds to the parish.

The church has a wonderfully bright interior and the staff is amazing! Also, they sell roman coins as a fundraiser - how could you not love this place.

A Few More Kew Gardens Photos

2009-10-26T10:59:00.001-05:00

The Oriental Pagoda

A view of one of the iron supports for the large victorian glass and iron Greenhouse

Through the supports of the Palm House

Kew Gardens

2009-10-26T10:44:00.001-05:00

Entering Kew Gardens is just like going to a Victorian Theme Park. The park grounds include two of the oldest and largest glass and iron Victorian greenhouses in the world, as well as some of the rarest plants, collected by English explorers for the past 250 years. This includes the world's tallest flower, the worlds tallest indoor plant at over 18 meters, the oldest potted plant (which happens to be a very contorted palm), some of the worlds largest water lilies, and plants that have been growing at kew since the 18th century.

Above is a photo of me in front of the Oriental Pagoda, which is actually made out of a substantial brick core. It is such an intresting product of the eastern architectural influence of traveler's stories and sketches during the 18th and 19th century. Below is a photograph of the Alpine House, a recent addition to Kew Gardens, surrounded by the Grass Garden and Rock Garden. The Alpine House houses some of the most delicate looking flowing plants I have ever seen. Each flower seemed designed to be perfectly suited to its enviroment, yet extremely delicate.

Above - me in the largest of the greenhouses - walking on the catwalk, which allows visitors to overlook the extensive plantings as well as walk among the treetops of some of the most amazing indoor plants in the world.

Below - a palm towers above visitor's heads, barely scraping the iron and glass dome. This structure is probably the closest anyone can come to visualizing the extensive iron and glass structure of the Crystal Palace - which was designed for the Great Exhibition under the patronage of Prince Albert. Sadly, this structure was moved from it original site and was eventually destroyed by fire during the early 19th century.

A Little Bit About Studying in London

2009-10-23T11:25:00.000-05:00

Me at the Royal Crescent - Bath, UK. [and the real reason I took this picture = directly behind me is a HA HA wall. Originally this wall was designed as a way to keep the cows and other livestock that grazed on the commons area off the park land directly in front of the Crescent. HA HA walls are my favorite bit of English landscape architecture...... basically because they are usually designed so that you can't see them until you literally fall over them.]

So... Just a note on some of my studies her at the Courtauld Institute. It has been a whirlwind of reading and writing. Our first assignment was to discuss Type, while our last discussion session focused on Function. It has been nice to get back into some theoretical discussions, as well as learning new things about early modern British Architecture. I had never realized the scope of architectural diversity and innovation during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It has also been fantastic to look at the ways that Medieval architectural styles in Britain changed during the 15th and 16th centuries. It always fascinates me just how much the Panofsky-esque view of high and low historical points has permeated through all levels of art and architectural history.

I have always found that the actual artistic production of any one period is just as sophisticated as any other, just on different levels or in different ways. The Gothic churches of the 12th and 13th century will always be just as meaningful as the churches constructed during the Italian Renaissance in the 16th century.

The information I have learned has also been influential on my continued thesis work. The romanticism of the late 18th and early 19th century has helped me to craft a framework for the romanticism of Fay Jones.

In other news - I went to Bath, Bristol and Wells this weekend. All of these great cities are in Somerset, and it was a wonderful trip - using all forms of transportation except the airplane.

The structure above I found while on an MP3 walking tour of Bath - a great purchase if you are traveling by the way. It is the only grade 3 listed bathroom structure in England.... it was put in when the park was designed during the late 19th century.

This is a photo of Wells Cathedral - the scissor arch is contemporary to the structure - even though it does look amazingly modern.

Bath Cathedral - a wonderful Medieval structure, mostly restored during the 20th century after damage during the second World War.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge, nearly 150 years old that spans the Avon Gorge in Bristol. Designed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

2009-10-14T10:02:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday night, I went with a friend to Leicester Square, which is the official heart of the West End Theatre district and got tickets for Avenue Q. It was a hilarious comedy, combining puppets and real life problems to amazing effect. I recommend the show if you grew up on the Muppets and Sesame Street and ever wondered what happened to those puppets when they went home for the weekend. (Caution – crude language and humor make this show to adult for those of the young teen crowd)

Luckily for my theatre addiction, the Courtauld Institute is situated right on the southern edge of the London Theatre district. As with any study abroad opportunity, the chance to take advantage of local culture and entertainment is a large part of the experience. London has always had a great reputation for theatrical excellence, starting well before the time of Shakespeare and continuing through today. This theatre season, several great musicals continue to draw in the mostly tourist crowd, while other smaller venues keep the critics writing about great performances across the West End.

One of the recent triumphs in Theatre Land was the staging of Trevor Griffiths play about the life and work of Thomas Paine, entitled “A New World”, provided a thoroughly engrossing narrative of a man who loved, lived and wrote during two revolutions on two continents. about the life of Thomas Paine at the unlikely venue of Shakespeare’s Globe. I was lucky enough to see the last performance of this tour de force of a biographical play. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is always a treat as a venue (especially if you pay the few pounds more to get a seat rather than standing in the yard). The construction of the Globe was based on only a few sketchy primary sources which were roughly contemporary with the original wood structure, but while the design may or may not be accurate, the experience is absolutely genuine. Watching actors persevere and provide a thoroughly enjoyable performance while the crowds are wrapped in blankets and coats against the chill and drizzle engenders a new appreciation of the triumph of Shakespeare’s original staging.

Richard Attenborough was also highly influential in the research and preparation for this production. (who was actually at the theatre that night) Griffiths' play about the life and work of Thomas Paine, entitled “A New World”, provided a thoroughly engrossing narrative of a man who loved, lived and wrote during two revolutions on two continents.

My View

2009-10-12T11:13:00.000-05:00

So, this is a quick update - mainly for pictures.

Above - the front door of the Courtauld Institute of Art, it is nice to be able to just walk right in to the building while tourists stand back and take pictures from across the street. It is tough to read in the picture, but the inscription above the door reads "ROYAL & ANTIQs SOCIETIES" meaning this was entry was originally designed for the Royal Society and the Antiquarian Society of London, who had offices here by special permission of the king.

Below - the view from my window --- Thanks mostly to my lovely cousin who provided the place to stay :), Canary Warf and the O2 Dome in all their glory, right after sunset a few nights ago.

Next - A couple shots of Somerset House, my school's home

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The Front Facade

The Courtyard Facade

Induction and Deduction

2009-09-28T08:17:00.000-05:00

So, I am officially a Courtauld Institute of Art student today. I was "Inducted", which pretty much just means I was taught how to log onto the computer system without crashing the internet, so all in all a very productive day.

Somerset House is an amazing place to study art and architectural history. It is just fantastic to be ina building that is worthy of study while actually studying. :) I think the semester is going to run pretty smoothly - although starting the semester with a huge used book sale (where I want to buy at least half the books) was fantastic if not necessarily good for my packing later. I will just have to figure out how to get my new treasures home, but i will leave worrying about that until December. I also found my favorite art store in London again.... its right near to the National Gallery of Art, which is not to far from school, so its perfect all around. I now have my sketchbook for the semester as well as a brand new set of Conte Crayons so bring on the Architecture. l0l!

More soon .... Cheers!

Arriving

2009-09-24T05:47:00.000-05:00

So, this is the first official post from the UK. London has been fantastic so far. I haven't actually accomplished a lot yet, as classes really don't start until next Monday, but it has already been an experience worth having. Amanda my cousin (who is so generously putting me up for the next few months) met me at Paddington Station, and we made it to her house after an extremely long ride on the tube and then the DLR (Docklands Light Rail). I am now all settled and finally recouped from the two days it took to get here (which included two cancelled flights, a hastily rescheduled departure from Dallas-Fort Worth, a marathon through DFW airport and a trip across London with three months worth of clothes and stuff). I am also completely legal as a student visitor - more on that subject in a later post. I promise to have touristy type pictures in the next blog after I figure out the Internet situation at the school.

Again, if you want a hand-selected post card, please email me your address and I promise you will get one by December at the latest (lol).

If you need to get in touch, just leave a comment, or email me at cw3sn@virginia.edu or calliwilliams@gmail.com

First Things First

2009-08-14T22:56:00.000-05:00

I thought I would start this off with a little dedication to the previous year at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. For those of you who may not have been aware, I have spent the last year at the University of Virginia studying for a masters degree in Architectural History. It has been wonderful to wander around the campus as a student, participating in the long tradition of "academical" pursuit. I have also thoroughly enjoyed spending a little bit of each day communing with Thomas Jefferson as I walked back to my apartment through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the "academical village".

During the last few months, I have been diligently researching my thesis topic, focusing on the architecture of E. Fay Jones. Although well known within the world of professional architects, Jones has been a relatively obscure figure in popular culture. However, his Thorncrown Chapel was recently listed as one of the best buildings of the 20th century in a poll taken by the American Institute of Architects. Also, four of Jones's buildings have been already added to the National Register of Historic Places (some even before the required 50 year life-span requirement). As my research continues to pile up, I am sure I will post more about this subject.

I am also gearing up to head to London in September to attend the Courtauld Institute of Art. I will be working on knocking out my final required course work, as well as working on my major area of study. Hopefully, I will also be able to work in a little time to do some extra travel for my thesis topic, including sites that Jones visited during his career as well as a few of my favorite historic sites. I am sure that Bayeux will definitely be on the list of sites I must visit (I recently wrote a paper on architectural representation in the Bayeux Tapestry).