this is my city, my space, my home.
yesterday, i spent a lovely evening with ms. a. fox, easily passing the time until it was nearly 2am (not at all uncommon for she and i). through her, and the rest of my incredible family here, i've come to love a city and a place that's all my own...after only 6 months. i am blessed in so many ways, and so grateful to feel all these different avenues of my life coming together so seamlessly. it's been a long time in the making; and now, i'm doing my best to embrace it.
i find myself surrounded by dear friends, each with an intense drive and passion for life, and every day, they push me to be the best version of myself. i'm looking forward to celebrating the births of two such lovely people, may life fulfill all of their deepest (and most frivolous!) wishes. god knows they deserve it, both of them. happy happy birthday to josh, he is 31; and happiest of birthdays to ms. julia, tomorrow she turns the momentous 3-0.
.mas
i like to embrace domestic goddess-ness.
i just bought this book from one of those really nice little (expensive) bookshops. my boss and i went there together to shop for archi books (i hope your boss is as cool as mine, but i bet not. except for you, ms. foxxx). we're trying to keep the conceptual dream alive.
given that the title of the book contains the word "techtonics", i'm wary about the potentially high theoretical/archi-speak (read: bullshit) content, but i'm maintaining hope. hope is useful.
some architects talk a lot of Crap.
.mas
the community design collaborative is a center of AIA Philadelphia serving local non-profit organizations. i've decided to volunteer for one of their projects beginning in dec/jan....will profile here when i learn more in late november.
in the meantime, check it.
.mas
so. last evening i attended orientation for habitat for humanity phila. the office is located in north phila, right near temple university (read: sketch). the meeting attracted a very diverse group, which included (oh, but certainly not limited to) trannies, families, young folk and older, and a geeky dude sporting a harvard ring (replete with mcfly-type eyeglasses). habitat philly brings in about 2600 volunteers a year (wow!), and is currently building in north, south, and west philly. each home costs habitat about $150,000 to build; the breakdown of that sum going to materials and work that must be subcontracted out (e.g. plumbing, electrical, as required by the city). the project that i’d really like to work on is a group of 7 houses in west philly that will be the first "green" homes that the local affiliate has completed. they are in the process of being leed-certified, and i’m anxious to learn more about the process and how it’s different from standard building practices/materials. the green homes cost about 10-15k more to build than the standard type. i've never volunteered with habitat before, and i'm curious to learn more about the non-profit structure. looking forward to working a little construction in the next month or so...
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brittany, me, arturo and ari.
rant: i hate when you go into your local over-priced bagel shop, and they f--k up your order. and then you don't realize it until you're at home w/ your cup of tea and it's too late. ugh.
on the other hand, it's been gorgeous enough out to ride again. friday night i had an amazing long ride back to park slope from willamsburg after fish tacos w/ gracey. 'twas a perfect end to one of the best days i've had in a looooong time :)
saturday, i judged for the climber's cup at chelsea piers, which was mad fun. unfortunately, i missed the finals but it was great to be there and made me itchy to get on some routes. {note: climbers are hot.} my forearm tweak still smarts a little, so i've been bouldering easy. but, pretty soon, it'll be time for bouldering in the park! that evening, i had dinner at alchemy (tasty!) with benita and her friend/colleague jessica. this followed a home improvement session at benita's, which has been a long time coming.
on sunday, i finally settled the details of my new job with my future boss. i am set to start on monday, the 2nd of April. yay!
today is postively lovely, and i should be out enjoying it! but, i've got 50 more things to do before work. i did get my application in for habitat portugal. yessss!
.m
Recent Comments
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lenny said:
happy thanksgiving to you too. and i hope the rest of your holiday season is "out of this world". read more
on happy thanksgiving. -
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a. fox said:
my boss is *so* cool, ms. mas. but i'd like very much to meet yours. and i'd like very much... read more
on atlas of novel techtonics.
hahaaa! dude, you are too much. thanks tho. i owe you, bigtime. read more
on happy thanksgiving.