Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The world turns

I had coffee with a friend this past Friday and we were talking about relationships and she said something that stuck out and has stuck with me.

"There will be a guy for whom the world can not turn fast enough for him to get to you."

We were talking about how to know if a guy is really interested in a relationship. It is a common belief that women over analyze their relationships. Wondering what this thing their guy said or did meant. "Is that good or bad?" "Does that mean he's interested or not?" I have decided that it is true, we do over analyze relationships. Because if we really have to wonder, if there really is that shaky feeling in your stomach, then the answer is no, he is not interested in a more long term committed relationship. (Isn't this a book or something...?)

Deep down we know this is true, but we still over analyze because we are hopeful creatures. We want to keep the hope alive and in analyzing we might be able to find something hopeful to which we can cling. Having hope feels good, or at least we think it feels better than not having hope and going back out there into the scary world alone.

I have seen guys who have found the girl for which the world can not turn fast enough for him to be next to her. I know how they act. I want to be that girl to a guy whom I admire, trust and respect. Sometimes it is hard to keep the hope that it will happen someday.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Architecture

I am an architect. It has taken me a while to realize this. I wanted to go to school for architecture. I applied to a couple of architecture programs, but did not get in. So I went into biomedical engineering, but I am not an engineer, so I transferred into organizational theory. So on and so forth....

I have continued to have a fascination and love of architecture and have on a few occasions been tangentially involved in design, but it was not until recently in my professional career that I realized, that being an architect best describes the way I see the world, and problems specifically, regardless of whether or not I actually draw buildings.

When looking at a problem I first like to get a lay of the land. Then I like to get a picture in my head of what the end product looks like, how it will be used , what its limitations are, what are the things that take top priority, what color is it, what does it feel like, how does it make you feel. Once I know these things, I can work backwards, (we have to have this door here, so therefore this window goes here, etc...) to develop plans. In both business as well as in my personal life, I tend to design around use and beauty. I like simplicity and will not sacrifice function.

Once I have complete plans drafted, I can get to work building. Like in a real life building, I like to do this part step by step. First, site prep, second, the foundation, third the steel structure, etc, etc, and finally the finish work. I get flustered when people try to mix up the order. I also get flustered when people try to rush though building the foundation and core structure. I see these as the most fundamental, and critical parts of the process, that which everything else is based on. I also get flustered because I can still see the final product and can clearly understand how it is impacted. Similar to architects I am interested in building things that endure. Things that are classic, adaptable, functional, beautiful, and purposeful.

Not everyone works like this. In fact I think many of them ended up in the architecture field, and not in business. It seems that sadly today many businesses are not built for endurance, beauty, steadfastness and functionality. They are mobile homes instead of bungalows, McMansions instead of brownstones.

Friday, September 11, 2009

House Design Ideas

humm...feeling the urge to look at pretty things that I would love to have in my home one day...
a great NYC apartment. I love the calm and neutral colors. I also love the orange circle painting, and love the tile work in the bathroom. I would love to do my bathroom like that. Simple, black and white, possibly with a tan and black floor tile.

Apartment therapy Michael NYC tour