Dead Grass
So one of my ornamental grasses died. I do not know what happened to it. I have two of them, they both get the same light and I watered them the same. I did not want to toss it out but I wanted it to still look nice. Hence, the braid.
Sick on a Long Weekend
I worked so much last week I took a half day Friday (July 2nd) -- and will still have overtime on my next paycheck. After a haircut I got home and spent the day cleaning up before my friend Briana came over. She asked for a favor -- taking her to the airport at 5am on Saturday -- so I suggested she just spend the night. I live about a 15 min drive from the airport and she lives about 40 min north of me. We had a pizza and movie night.
I got up around noon and didn't feel to well. After I got back from dropping Briana off, I went back to sleep. I awoke around noon with a fever, headache, runny noes, and my dang cough I had for two weeks was back (which I thought was gone). I spent the rest of the day and Saturday sleeping on and off. Sunday (July 4th) I slept on and off till around 6pm. Then I dragged myself over to Scott's sister's house in Rockwall, Texas. We all had a nice BBQ and watched the Rockwall fireworks. At 10pm I got home and went to bed.
Today, luckily, I had the day off (Independence Day, Observed). I got up at 1pm and went to the store for sudafed, soup, popsicles, and ginger ale. Scott got me some hot tea from his work -- let me tell you, hot tea when you are sick is a miracle. After a nice hot lunch (at 3pm), I napped and just got up. I had a little bit of energy and felt creative so I figured writing this would be a good outlet. Back to bed.
Ring Ring, Ring Ring
My iPhone is now two versions old. I am rationalizing getting the new phone because it is truly something I use everyday -- in fact, it is the one accessory I have either on my body or at arms length at all times (ok, ok, you're right, almost all times -- I do not take it into the bathroom when I shower; gota' keep it away from excessive moisture!).
I use my iPhone all day long. In the morning it wakes me up, in the empty office it serenades me with my MP3s, on the road it tells me where to go, it locates friends, it's my phonebook and dictionary to the world, it's my digital camera, it tells me what I have in the bank, how my investment portfolio is doing, my upcoming appointments, it gets all my emails, it's my "game boy" when I am waiting for my car's oil to be changed, it even connects to my blog so I can write fascinating post like this, and, oh yeah -- it's my phone. It's no wonder why German slang for a cell phone is "das Handy!"
The new iPhone 4 has improved the GPS functions, camera quality (and adds a flash and a second camera), adds video chat, video recording/editing, improved screen quality, and lets you run multiple apps at the same time... and it looks cool. So, I contacted AT&T and looked at how much it would cost me to upgrade to the new phone -- $200. Then I remembered the website Gazelle.com where my Mom sold a lot of her old electronics a year ago. I looked at how much they would buy my old iPhone 3G 8GB for. Amazingly they quoted me between $90-$100 -- so I sold it. They are shipping me a prepaid postage box right now. When it gets here I pop out my SIMS card (place the SIMS in the new phone when it arrives around the same time) and ships the old phone to them. Within 10 days they will send me a check! So, now, I have rationalized that the new phone is only $100 (because Gazelle basically subsidized the other half!) so I went ahead and pre-ordered the new iPhone 4 -- it arrives with free shipping on June 24th!
It Sucks
I have been living in my apartment for over 6 months now and I decided to finally buy an upright full size vacuum. Don't get me wrong, I love Agador Spartacus (my iRobot Roomba), he does exactly what they say it should do -- but it is true, they say it does not replace an upright vacuum. The Roomba is an every other day vacuum to help between full vacuuming days.
I did a lot of research online to find a good semi-inexpensive vacuum. I was looking for a bagged vacuum (I like the bags, once it is full you toss the bag and the vacuum is all clean, unlike a bagless as you empty it dust goes everywhere and the cup has residue left.), HEPA filer, and a cool look. I landed on the Eureka Boss SmartVac Upright Vacuum. It has everything I wanted and the price was perfect to boot -- it is normally $180, I got it 50% off.
As you can see from the image, it is stylish with its bright yellow "I'm going to clean you" attitude. And it is built for the user -- all the pipes and even roller brush are in clear plastic so you can see if the roller is turning or if the pipes are clogged. The HEPA filers (it has a total of 3 filters) capture over 99.97% of dust and allergens so as it cleans it purifies the air too. It also has some features that I didn't even know I wanted -- one is that when the vacuum is on and in the upright position the rollers don't turn and wast energy or toss dirt around (really good when using the hose tool).
I used it last night for the first time and it is amazing. The online testimonials are right: the suction is fantastic (my work pants will testify to that because I had to pull them out of the vacuum bag after I sucked them up), when the rollers are on it basically pulls itself forward (it is kinda heavy, so I would not recommend it for stairs), it is not that noisy -- a few reviewers said it was deafening, but I could still hear my TV as I used it for the first time. I think it is quiet for how powerful it is. All in all, so far I am very happy with it.
A Floccinaucinihilipilification
Okay, I have not written in a long time and I still have nothing to say. So, here are some interesting useless words:
- Callipygian: to have a nice butt.
- Defenestrate: the action of throwing someone or something out of a window.
- Floccinaucinihilipilification: the action or habit of estimating something as worthless.
And I'll leave you with these two conflicting proverbs: Knowledge is power. Ignorance is bliss. (I promis I will write something good when it happens... until then, we wait.)
I Passed L.A.R.E. Sec. A
I passed the L.A.R.E. Section A exam! All that studying with Briana and dinners with her boss, Ann McGuinness, really paid off. Now I just have 4 more tests to pass before I get my license. I'm worried because section A is the shortest test (and the least difficult of the 5). I have two more multiple choice tests and two graphic tests. The next test I am taking is Section B (Inventory, Analysis, and Program Development) in September 2010. Next year I will take the last multiple choice, Section D (Design and Construction Documentation) in March 2011. I want to get the multiple choice tests out of the way first. Then, I want to take the first graphic test, Section C (Site Design; a 5 hour test) in June 2011. I do not know if I want to take both the drawing tests one right after another (they are both only in June), so I may take the final test, Section E (Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management; a 5 hour test), in June 2012. Once I pass all the tests, I will be a licensed Landscape Architect in Texas. Then, if need be, I could pay a reciprocity fee in other states to become a licensed Landscape Architect in that state.
Biggest Challenges You’re Going to Face
So, I did it. I finally spent the time to learn how to fold a fitted sheet. It's really not that hard once you get the hang of it. It takes about as much time to fold a fitted sheet as it does wadding one up and yelling, "whatever."
I learned how to do it from this YouTube video. I love how she starts with, "One of the biggest challenges you're going to face in your life is how to fold a fitted sheet." I'm so glad I got this life challenge out of the way. Now I can handle anything!
Distinguished Follicles
Unbelievable. I turn 25 and suddenly develop gray hairs. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind gray hair -- I just didn't think I would see it on my head for a few more years. Knowing me, I did research to find out why hair goes gray. How early we get gray hair is determined by our genes. My mom went gray in her late 20's too. Hair turns gray as we age because the follicles at the base of the hair stop producing melanin. Each follicle contains a finite number of pigment cells. The pigment cells produce melanin. Melanin is the same chemical in the skin that causes it to tan in sunlight. Gray hairs are a sign that your body has less melanin then before -- need to take extra care in the sun to protect from skin cancer/damage.
Hmm, I guess I can take comfort in the fact that many people find salt-and-pepper hair distinguished -- I'll just look distinguished at a younger age then most.
25th Birthday
It's common for people to evaluate their lives after tragedy, sickens, birthdays, and when a new year comes around -- so it will be no surprise to you that I have just evaluated my life. I'm turning 25. According to livingto100.com -- after answering many "life" questions -- I am expected to live to a ripe old age of 90. Which means I have lived 27% of my life. That's not bad. I've done a lot of major life milestones already -- traveled 3/5 of the USA, traveled to Europe, graduated from college, got a job, bought a car, had a long-term relationship, broke-up, had pets, so on. I was looking online for what people should do before they turn 30 and came across this list:
- Budget and Invest -- Check! I have a massive Excel budget that dictates what I do down the the penny every two weeks. And I am happy to say I started to invest last month. Double Check!
- Drive a Wickedly Cool Car (even if you have to rent it) -- Check! And yes, I had to rent it. I rented an Audi TT 2008 coupe in Germany for a weekend (Recommended retail price: $40,000+). I even went on the German Autobahn over 140 MPH.
- Date Against Type -- Check! This is funny because it was one of my New Year's resolutions. If anyone asks me out, I say, "Yes." I'm trying to find friends, the "one," and also make connections for later in life.
- See the World -- Check? I've seen a lot, but I want to see/return to San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Toronto Canada, Athens Greece, Cologne Germany, Venice Italy, London England, Dublin Ireland, and Thailand and/or Japan. On my maybe list, I would like to see Hawaii, Egypt, Mexico, and Madagascar. For some reason, I have no desire to visit Australia -- you would think I would, but no. I'd also love to go on a cruise -- maybe I could go on a cruise to places I have not been and kill two stones with one bird (I don't like to talk about killing things, hence the back-assward colloquialism -- I'm quirky).
- Live in a Cool Place -- Check! I guess "cool" is defined by the beholder -- I think that living in Germany for 4 months counts.
- Cook a Meal -- Check! I cook for myself all the time and have even cooked more then one Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends. Also, in this topic it also stated some things you should know how to do before you are 30, like Hard-boil an egg, make a pie from scratch (including the crust), make cookies from scratch, bake a turkey, sew a button, open a bottle of champagne, and so on... i'm happy to say "Check" to all of that too!
- Do Something Physically Adventurous -- Check! In 2006 I hiked to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Angels Landing Trail is one of the most famous and thrilling hikes in the US National Park System. The park's pride and joy runs along a narrow rock fin with dizzying sheer cliffs on both sides. The trail culminates at a lofty perch, boasting magnificent views in every direction. The hike is about 5 miles -- with an elevation change of over 1500 feet -- and takes about 5.5 hours to complete.
- Get a Website -- Check! I've had one for over 6 years and I maintain it myself.
- Be on Television --- Check! I was in a political TV campaign commercial when I was 6 and on the 6 O'clock news once.
- Survive a Broken Heart -- Check. I've had a broken heart, the kind that sends you into depression for months. I didn't know why this was important untill I read more. The site stated that being broken hearted at a younger age will teach you how to pick yourself up and move on. If you know you can do it when you are young, you'll know you can do it when you are older. It's better to move on from a bad relationship then stick with it because it's all you've known. And this is not just about romance, but even relates to your job, investments, goals, and more. I guess it's like chickenpox -- better when you're young!
I was thinking, for some people, the above list could be a list of life time achievements. But, I guess for me it was a list of things to do before I turned 25. I must be 5 years fast. So here is an addendum list, I created, to complete in the next 5 years:
- Learn to fold a fitted sheet (like Grandma)
- Keep a basil plant alive for more than a year
- Pay off all credit cards
- Establish an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses
- Do a simple good deed everyday (whether opening a door, giving directions, or throwing away trash on the sidewalk that was not mine)
National Landscape Architecture Month 2010
April is National Landscape Architecture Month. I am proud to be in the profession that for the third year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has named among the best career choices! National Landscape Architecture Month is most likely April because it is the birth month of Me! -- but I guess more importantly Frederick Law Olmsted's bday, the father of Landscape Architecture. Olmsted designed many very well known national treasures during his career, such as Central Park in New York, Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C, the Niagara Reservation at Niagara Falls, Boston's Emerald Necklace greenway park system, and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (AKA 1893 World's Fair). Not in comon knowledge, Olmsted and his associates also designed many of the prestigious academic campuses in the US, such as Yale University (Connecticut), Wellesley College (Massachusetts), University of California, Berkeley (California), Stanford University (California), Cornell University (New York), University of Chicago (Illinois), and many others.
Olmsted was a landscape architect before the profession had a title. Olmested is accredidted with being the father of landscape architecture even though in past histroy we know of people that practiced that which we would concider landspace architecture. One that comes to mind is André Le Nôtre, best known for his garden designs for Louis the XIV palace Versailles. An interesting fact, in the Louvre Museum (Paris, France), hangs portraits of all the designers of Versailles. Jules Hardouin-Mansart portrait has "L'architecte" under his portrait and the other designers have their respective tittles too. But, when you come to André Le Nôtre's portrait, it only has his birth/death year.
This use of "landscape architect" became established after Frederick Law Olmsted, and others, founded the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) in 1899. One of the goals for having ASLA and National Landscape Architecture Month is to promote the profession. Becuase landscape architecture is relatively a young profession, we still need to explain what we are. What most people do not realize is, in North America and Europe, landscape architecture is a very heavily regulated profession. Much like the timeline in becoming a medical doctor, landscape architects are in school for 4-5 years, then complete a 2-5 year internship, during which they must pass the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (5 tests totaling 16 hours and 45 minutes) -- which I have endearingly began calling "the landscape bar," which upon passing receive licenser, then pick a specialization or stay a general designer. And to remain licensed, they are required to receive a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year. As you might be wondering, with all of the regulation, landscape architecture must be more then just planting plants in a backyard. You would be correct; landscape architects work on (all at varying scales of design, planning and management):
- urban design
- site planning
- town or urban planning
- environmental restoration
- parks and recreation planning
- green infrastructure planning and provision
- private estate/ residential landscape master planning and design
Landscape architects are also vital members of multi-disciplinary projects including:
- The planning, form, scale and siting of new developments
- Sustainable development, sustainability
- Stormwater management including rain gardens, green roofs, groundwater recharge, and treatment wetlands
- Civil design and public infrastructure, highways, transportation structures, bridges, and transit corridors
- Reservoirs, dams, power stations, reclamation of extractive industry applications or major industrial projects and mitigation
- Environmental assessment and landscape assessment, planning advice and land management proposals
- Coastal and offshore developments and mitigation
- Ecological Design any aspect of design that minimizes environmentally destructive impacts
So now you know! I believe I have done my online duty in spreading and explaining what landscape architecture is. Do me a favor and tell some other people it is Landscape Architecture Month. And if they ask you what that is, try and tell them or, better yet, send them to this blog or ASLA's National Landscape Architecture Month website.