Procrastinating while I should writing my thesis, I've been watching the new occupants of the front garden. The Great Tit and Sparrow families have fledged and are busy battling for control of the peanut feeder. So far the Great Tits seem to winning, but the sparrows nested in the back garden so maybe they have control of the neighbours feeder...
I wonder what will happen if fill the seed feeder as well. I've given up on the fat balls as the magpies have learned that they are strong (heavy) enough to rip the plastic netting and make off with whole ball.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Meme
I saw this on GeePeeMum and thought I'd have a go. You're supposed highlight in bold the ones that apply to you, see how privileged your childhood was.
1. Father went to college.
He went to the College of Building in Liverpool after leaving sixth form when his headmaster refused to support his application to the University to study architecture.
2.Father finished college.
Not really. He started on the RIBA part 1, which was then removed from part time courses to be by degree only. He then started on the RICS courses to have the same happen. Then he got a full time job. So he actually has no formal qualification.
3.Mother went to college.
My mum went to University when she was in her mid forties, to study Environmental Science with QTS.
4.Mother finished college.
Yes. She graduated on the day of one of my A level Maths exams.
5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.
My sister in law is a med student. We’re mostly engineers of one sort or another.
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
Middle class? Probably.
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
Easily.
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
I should think so. Books were the source of all knowledge. Don’t know something – look it up and learn for yourself.
9. Were read children’s books by a parent.
I’m fairly sure my parents taught me to read before I started school. I was lucky to be the eldest child.
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.
11.Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18.
I went to ballet until I was 9, and then to gym (when it became clear to everyone else that I was no good at and hated ballet). I also didn’t enjoy gym (mean girls).
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
Yes, most average middle class white people are.
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
I thought you had to be 18 to get a credit card. I didn’t have a bank account I could have a card of any sort for until I was 19.
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs
No. I had some help, but I had the full means tested loan.
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
16. Went to a private high school
Comprehensive ex-grammar. Doesn’t exist anymore.
17. Went to summer camp
Does Guide camp count?
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels
Holidays were occasionally in rented cottages, but most often at my Nain and Taid’s house in Snowdonia.
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18.
I had hand me downs from cousins, friends, all and sundry. Some stuff was new, from catalogues with spread payments. My mum had a sewing machine and a knitting machine. My parents had four kids to clothe. The only things bought new were shoes – one pair school black, one pair black plimsolls (white running shoes and hockey boots later), one pair playing out trainers, one pair wellies - and some school uniform.
As I got older (14+) I was given access to a savings account and could buy my own clothes, on the strict understanding that the money was mine to look after – once it was gone it was gone. I still have £150 in that account.
21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them
Absolutely not. I didn’t even get driving lessons until I was 23 and could afford them myself. My first car was my husband’s.
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child.
A landscape by J. Williams. My Nain has a couple too, I think he was a friend of the family. My Dad painted a mural on my bedroom wall when I was born. A rural idyll, with cottages with roses, sheep in the fields, a smiley sun and a red bus for a radiator complete with self-portrait as a cheeky school boy on the back row.
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house.
24. Your parents owned their own house or apartment before you left home
My parents bought a wreck – it was all they could afford – in the early 70s. My Dad still lives in it and there’s still work to be done.
25. You had your own room as a child
After the age of 6 or 7 I think. My brothers then got the attic conversion my Dad did to share. My sister was in a corner of my parents’ room until her room was converted.
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18
Did British children ever have their own phone before mobiles? I didn’t have my own phone until I got a mobile in my 3rd year at Uni.
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school.
I had the old black and white TV that we used as a monitor for the BBC Master computer we had when I was in Sixth Form.
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college.
I had a Capital Bond bought by my Nain and Taid when I was born. That's not really a Fund, is it? It paid for me to go to Mexico with the Scouts.
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16.
My first flight was to Mexico for the World Scout Moot in 2000. I was 21.
31. Went on a cruise with your family.
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family.
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
Yes. Loads. Everywhere new we went there were museums, galleries, castles, National Trust properties etc. I grew up with trips to Steamport, the Maritime Museum, the Science Museum, Rufford Old Hall, Conwy and Caernarfon as regular events.
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family
As a child I never knew how poorly off we were. I knew we couldn’t have new stuff and that we would never have hundreds of pounds spent on us at Christmas and birthdays like other kids, but I never figured out what that meant really – I just thought it was because there was four of us. It’s only now that my Dad is letting little bits slip out. He raised four kids on the same sort of salary I'm on now, I'm perpetually amazed.
Anyway, our heating bills weren’t the same as other people’s. We had a multi fuel boiler and solar panels from the early 80s.
So, I don't think I was under or over privileged. Just sort of normal, in comparison to my peers.
1. Father went to college.
He went to the College of Building in Liverpool after leaving sixth form when his headmaster refused to support his application to the University to study architecture.
2.Father finished college.
Not really. He started on the RIBA part 1, which was then removed from part time courses to be by degree only. He then started on the RICS courses to have the same happen. Then he got a full time job. So he actually has no formal qualification.
3.Mother went to college.
My mum went to University when she was in her mid forties, to study Environmental Science with QTS.
4.Mother finished college.
Yes. She graduated on the day of one of my A level Maths exams.
5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.
My sister in law is a med student. We’re mostly engineers of one sort or another.
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
Middle class? Probably.
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
Easily.
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
I should think so. Books were the source of all knowledge. Don’t know something – look it up and learn for yourself.
9. Were read children’s books by a parent.
I’m fairly sure my parents taught me to read before I started school. I was lucky to be the eldest child.
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.
11.Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18.
I went to ballet until I was 9, and then to gym (when it became clear to everyone else that I was no good at and hated ballet). I also didn’t enjoy gym (mean girls).
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
Yes, most average middle class white people are.
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
I thought you had to be 18 to get a credit card. I didn’t have a bank account I could have a card of any sort for until I was 19.
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs
No. I had some help, but I had the full means tested loan.
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
16. Went to a private high school
Comprehensive ex-grammar. Doesn’t exist anymore.
17. Went to summer camp
Does Guide camp count?
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels
Holidays were occasionally in rented cottages, but most often at my Nain and Taid’s house in Snowdonia.
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18.
I had hand me downs from cousins, friends, all and sundry. Some stuff was new, from catalogues with spread payments. My mum had a sewing machine and a knitting machine. My parents had four kids to clothe. The only things bought new were shoes – one pair school black, one pair black plimsolls (white running shoes and hockey boots later), one pair playing out trainers, one pair wellies - and some school uniform.
As I got older (14+) I was given access to a savings account and could buy my own clothes, on the strict understanding that the money was mine to look after – once it was gone it was gone. I still have £150 in that account.
21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them
Absolutely not. I didn’t even get driving lessons until I was 23 and could afford them myself. My first car was my husband’s.
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child.
A landscape by J. Williams. My Nain has a couple too, I think he was a friend of the family. My Dad painted a mural on my bedroom wall when I was born. A rural idyll, with cottages with roses, sheep in the fields, a smiley sun and a red bus for a radiator complete with self-portrait as a cheeky school boy on the back row.
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house.
24. Your parents owned their own house or apartment before you left home
My parents bought a wreck – it was all they could afford – in the early 70s. My Dad still lives in it and there’s still work to be done.
25. You had your own room as a child
After the age of 6 or 7 I think. My brothers then got the attic conversion my Dad did to share. My sister was in a corner of my parents’ room until her room was converted.
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18
Did British children ever have their own phone before mobiles? I didn’t have my own phone until I got a mobile in my 3rd year at Uni.
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school.
I had the old black and white TV that we used as a monitor for the BBC Master computer we had when I was in Sixth Form.
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college.
I had a Capital Bond bought by my Nain and Taid when I was born. That's not really a Fund, is it? It paid for me to go to Mexico with the Scouts.
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16.
My first flight was to Mexico for the World Scout Moot in 2000. I was 21.
31. Went on a cruise with your family.
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family.
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
Yes. Loads. Everywhere new we went there were museums, galleries, castles, National Trust properties etc. I grew up with trips to Steamport, the Maritime Museum, the Science Museum, Rufford Old Hall, Conwy and Caernarfon as regular events.
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family
As a child I never knew how poorly off we were. I knew we couldn’t have new stuff and that we would never have hundreds of pounds spent on us at Christmas and birthdays like other kids, but I never figured out what that meant really – I just thought it was because there was four of us. It’s only now that my Dad is letting little bits slip out. He raised four kids on the same sort of salary I'm on now, I'm perpetually amazed.
Anyway, our heating bills weren’t the same as other people’s. We had a multi fuel boiler and solar panels from the early 80s.
So, I don't think I was under or over privileged. Just sort of normal, in comparison to my peers.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Birds
Off work today, with a poorly throat and inability to control my temperature, so I'm watching the shenanigans of the bird world outside my window.
Three Messers Blackbird are squabling over something, presumably the future Mrs Blackbird. All I can see them achieving is damage to the newly emerging blossom on my poor cherry tree - no lady blackbirds in sight.
There's a pair of Bluetits in the forsythia as I write and Mr and Mrs Magpie are looking like they're laying claim to the same tree as last year. Do magpies stay together? Or would it be the same male with a different female? Last year's baby magpies were adorable - playing together in the garden after they fledged - it would nice to have some more.
I can't see the Robins but I can hear them cursing each through the medium of song.
Three Messers Blackbird are squabling over something, presumably the future Mrs Blackbird. All I can see them achieving is damage to the newly emerging blossom on my poor cherry tree - no lady blackbirds in sight.
There's a pair of Bluetits in the forsythia as I write and Mr and Mrs Magpie are looking like they're laying claim to the same tree as last year. Do magpies stay together? Or would it be the same male with a different female? Last year's baby magpies were adorable - playing together in the garden after they fledged - it would nice to have some more.
I can't see the Robins but I can hear them cursing each through the medium of song.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
It didn't snow for very long...
After being so excited about the snow, it didn't last. In fact there has been hardly any on the hills. We did manage to get out for a week with the Scouts around Cairngorm, but the poor snow and high wind weren't in our favour. There a few really nice days, but the sunshine was melting the surface of the neve.
We're going skiing in a couple of weeks to Morgins on the Swiss/French border. Hopefully they've had a more wintry winter.
Yesterday was St David's day and, as I'd predicted, the weather has been so warm we have daffodils in flower.
Exciting news of the moment! My sister has produced me a nephew!
And now I'm off to the bathstore to buy taps in the vague hope that his Dad has plumbing skills and we might have a functioning (if not finished) bathroom by the end of the week.
We're going skiing in a couple of weeks to Morgins on the Swiss/French border. Hopefully they've had a more wintry winter.
Yesterday was St David's day and, as I'd predicted, the weather has been so warm we have daffodils in flower.
Exciting news of the moment! My sister has produced me a nephew!
And now I'm off to the bathstore to buy taps in the vague hope that his Dad has plumbing skills and we might have a functioning (if not finished) bathroom by the end of the week.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
What did I do next?
After my brother's wedding, which was lovely, we headed back up to Scotland. We spent a night with our friends in Partick, then headed to Arrochar and Loch Fyne. The plan was to go up Beinn Bhuidhe above Glen Fyne, but we didn't leave Glasgow early enough and were beaten by the daylight.
Failing in the mountain climbing plan we went to Inveraray instead. Had a wander around and bought some very nice soap and candles from Purdies. We then got a phone call from his sister to tell us she didn't need picking up in the morning because she'd broken her arm falling off a mountain and was going home. We decided to go too and caught with her and the friends she'd been walking with on the Colintraive ferry.
We spent Hogmamay with his parents on Bute - their flat is now almost complete...
On the 2nd we went for a walk above Colintraive. We then went back to Cairndow to have dinner at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, but found it shut. After some toing and froing, we settled on pitching for the night at Butterbridge to go up Beinn Ime the next day. It was pretty cloudy all day and was starting to snow as we set off to go home. There was a lot of snow in Stirlingshire, but disappointingly little as we got nearer to home.
Having seen the snow, the following day we got up very early and set off to Braemar to ski at Glenshee. However, the road was shut. We took a turn round the Queen's Drive on our nordics, a large proportion of which I spent laying in the snow.
And that was our holiday.
Failing in the mountain climbing plan we went to Inveraray instead. Had a wander around and bought some very nice soap and candles from Purdies. We then got a phone call from his sister to tell us she didn't need picking up in the morning because she'd broken her arm falling off a mountain and was going home. We decided to go too and caught with her and the friends she'd been walking with on the Colintraive ferry.
We spent Hogmamay with his parents on Bute - their flat is now almost complete...
On the 2nd we went for a walk above Colintraive. We then went back to Cairndow to have dinner at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, but found it shut. After some toing and froing, we settled on pitching for the night at Butterbridge to go up Beinn Ime the next day. It was pretty cloudy all day and was starting to snow as we set off to go home. There was a lot of snow in Stirlingshire, but disappointingly little as we got nearer to home.
Having seen the snow, the following day we got up very early and set off to Braemar to ski at Glenshee. However, the road was shut. We took a turn round the Queen's Drive on our nordics, a large proportion of which I spent laying in the snow.
And that was our holiday.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas is over, what next?
It took us three days to get to Scarisbrick from Aberdeen. We stopped en route to take in a few hills, first at Drumochter then at Skiddaw, then finally in the Forest of Bowland. We slept in the Van, which is partially converted by having a bed/storage box built into the back of it. It wasn't too bad, except for the first morning when we woke up to find more ice on the inside of the windows than the outside.
We got to Scarisbrick on Christmas Eve and fairly promptly went out to The Ship at Lathom for Ormskirk Network's Christmas drinks. He made a disgrace of himself and won the prize for the best slow fall off a stool.
Christmas Day didn't really start until after lunchtime. We had dinner in the evening, goose not turkey, with my dad and my brother and his girlfriend.
On Boxing Day we visited a friend to recover some of his gear that he hasn't seen since Greenland. I then spent the best part of the afternoon hennaing my hair, to little apparent effect.
Today we have been out to Crosby to see Anthony Gormley's men (known locally as The Goonies my brother says) since they're still there. The tide was in, but as we started back along the beach to the van it was beginning to go out so some more of the men were coming out of the water. Several were wearing Santa hats.
Tomorrow is my younger brother's wedding in the Parish church in Scarisbrick. We're back off up north on saturday to get to Bute via Arrochar for New Year with his parents.
EDIT: I've added a photo of me coming down Skiddaw. That is the small path!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Out and About
This weekend we went to the SHR race at Meall a Bhucaille and the 'do' afterwards at Badaguish. He ran while I went up Cairngorm, Alpine style (cafe to cafe)with some friends from the Club. It was a bit damp and windy, but we had a nice day out.
On Sunday 10 of us went to Inshriach to orienteer on the Map of the Month, well technically the map of last month but the controls are still out. It was a lot of fun, chasing each other round the forest in the rain. Somehow I hurt my hip - no idea what I did but it suddenly started hurting and now I'm hobbling like an old man...
We stopped at Inverdruie for lunch, meaning to go to the cafe in the Rothiemurchus estate shop but it was shut. So we went to the diner over the way then bought some venison from the shop for tea. It was very good.
On Sunday 10 of us went to Inshriach to orienteer on the Map of the Month, well technically the map of last month but the controls are still out. It was a lot of fun, chasing each other round the forest in the rain. Somehow I hurt my hip - no idea what I did but it suddenly started hurting and now I'm hobbling like an old man...
We stopped at Inverdruie for lunch, meaning to go to the cafe in the Rothiemurchus estate shop but it was shut. So we went to the diner over the way then bought some venison from the shop for tea. It was very good.
Friday, November 09, 2007
More opera
On Wednesday we went to see the Scottish Opera production of The Barber of Seville. I really enjoyed it - the casting was good, the funny bits were funny and the set was good. I think, that compared to the other productions we've seen this year, it is clear why this one was about £5 dearer. It's not hard to see were that money goes.
Before the show we went for dinner at The Square and took advantage of their split service to come back afterwards for dessert and coffee. I had an autumn fruit cheesecake for pudding, which was rather mauve, but so good.
Before the show we went for dinner at The Square and took advantage of their split service to come back afterwards for dessert and coffee. I had an autumn fruit cheesecake for pudding, which was rather mauve, but so good.
Winter
It snowed in Aberdeen last night. Not very much but it was still there this morning. Now the sun is out and it's a clear east coast winter day. The wind has dropped thankfully. Hopefully it will stay that way so I can rescue the garden. I was blown off my bike last night on my way home when I got hit by the crosswind at the end of my road. Luckily there was no traffic and I landed on the long grass on the verge, so I bounced.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Opera
Last night we went to see a production of Carmen at His Majesty's in Aberdeen. I'm not a reviewer in any way, but I enjoyed it.
What interested me is the variety of people there. Opera is always supposed to be High Culture and not for the ordinary folk. I'm not sure this is true. The audience consisted mainly of average middle class types and students. Maybe this is because it was in Aberdeen. I expect the audience for an ENO production at Covent Garden might be different - or is that just perpetuating the prejudice?
What interested me is the variety of people there. Opera is always supposed to be High Culture and not for the ordinary folk. I'm not sure this is true. The audience consisted mainly of average middle class types and students. Maybe this is because it was in Aberdeen. I expect the audience for an ENO production at Covent Garden might be different - or is that just perpetuating the prejudice?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Daft things fell runners do for fun...
The first weekend in September was a busy one for the Cosmic Hillbashers. My other half went to do the Ben Nevis Race with two others. Some other Cosmics went to Applecross for the Bealach na Ba cycle race. Three Cosmics also went to the Braemar Highland Games, which include a popular hill race.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
This week is...
...Offshore Europe week.
This means there are some extremely large tent/sheds on the AECC car park and many, many oil engineers from all over the world. My other half has to attend his company stand for two days, which required the purchase of a new suit this weekend.
It was interesting trying to get into the Park & Ride car park this morning, conveniently located, as it is, behind the AECC. The Police Traffic Wardens were out in force - standing about in the middle of the road, trying to direct traffic and look important in hi-vis jackets. Interesting to watch the people who hadn't paid attention to the rearrangement of lanes on the roundabout and were being funnelled into the exhibition parking instead of the council car park...
This means there are some extremely large tent/sheds on the AECC car park and many, many oil engineers from all over the world. My other half has to attend his company stand for two days, which required the purchase of a new suit this weekend.
It was interesting trying to get into the Park & Ride car park this morning, conveniently located, as it is, behind the AECC. The Police Traffic Wardens were out in force - standing about in the middle of the road, trying to direct traffic and look important in hi-vis jackets. Interesting to watch the people who hadn't paid attention to the rearrangement of lanes on the roundabout and were being funnelled into the exhibition parking instead of the council car park...
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Jamboree!
This summer I went to the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park in Essex. This year is Centenary Year for us Scouts and the Jamboree celebrated this big style. 40,000 people were in camp and a further 42,000 came as day visitors.
I went as a member of the International Service Team - 8000 scouts aged over 18 who go to the Jamboree to work. I was working on the design and build team, which was responsible for the build and take down of the Jamboree site. During the Jamboree, however, we were responsible for the flags, banners, monuments and signposts around the site. The main job was to raise and lower the 160 nation flags and the World Scout Flag each day.
The most memorable experience for me was Sunrise Day on the 1st August - when the World Organisation of Scout Movements celebrated the Centenary. We held flag break at sunrise, timing it to ensure that the World Flag was raised at local sunrise - 5.17am. For me, this was something really special and a great honour to be part of.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
This really annoys me
The G2 on the ongoing rows about the HPV vaccine.
I was given the rubella (german measles) vaccine aged 11. As far as I still understand it was on the premise that one day I would be married and have children, and, if during one of those pregnancies I caught rubella it would affect the baby.
I don't understand how this situation is different. It protects against a future chance of infection. The method of infection isn't important to me. It's a matter of protecting the child now against something that might occur in the future.
I was given the rubella (german measles) vaccine aged 11. As far as I still understand it was on the premise that one day I would be married and have children, and, if during one of those pregnancies I caught rubella it would affect the baby.
I don't understand how this situation is different. It protects against a future chance of infection. The method of infection isn't important to me. It's a matter of protecting the child now against something that might occur in the future.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Busy busy busy
I've been very busy recently. And so, somehow, again, a whole month has slipped by...
I've been busy Scouting, with the Centenary Camp to take our Cubs to and helping Aberdeen Network get on their feet and start running. I've been down to Gilwell for the pre Jamboree kit distribution weekend.
I've even tried to do a little work on my thesis (!) in preparation for Summer School next month.
I've been busy Scouting, with the Centenary Camp to take our Cubs to and helping Aberdeen Network get on their feet and start running. I've been down to Gilwell for the pre Jamboree kit distribution weekend.
I've even tried to do a little work on my thesis (!) in preparation for Summer School next month.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
A message from The Great Architect
God writes in BD?
Non-believers, thanks for nothing. Eternally grateful I don’t think. Don’t bother invoking My help the next time it all goes pear-shaped. If you WANT it to go pear-shaped you can always buy some of that expensive design software from the Gehry Corporation, can’t you? You snivelling distracted heathen dabblers.
Architecture and I go back a long way. Ask your old pals the Freemasons. Who created the universe? I did. Who am I? The Great Architect. I didn’t ask to be called that. I would have preferred Tecton, Master of The Galaxies. Or The Omnipotent Spatial Masterplanner. Almost anything else to be frank, I’m just not that keen on The Great Architect. Makes me sound like the managing director of Jehovah + Partners, some turgid outfit doing modular housing in the Thames Gateway.
Which reminds Me. I know an interventionist God is a bit passé these days but the next practice using “+” instead of “and” in its name, or deploying a row of lowercase bullshit with “:” in the middle... well. Upon them will be visited a most calamitous vengeance. And this is not Arb speaking here — I am God, so watch it.
Architects have traditionally been accused by their victims of playing Me, which is ridiculous. If people stopped to think for a moment about the logistics of social engineering they would realise it is money, not architecture, imitating Me. And in terms of infrastructure I think you’ll find the righteous paths are chosen by the county council.
While I think of it, I’d like to take this opportunity to disown a poem currently circulating on the internet in which God’s Architecture is a snowflake. In no way is this architecture. Snowflakes are essentially a feat of engineering. Obviously I take credit for that too. A snowflake conforms to My laws of physics.
One of the questions I sometimes ask Myself is how should architecture serve Me? Unfortunately, I’m dealing with defective software here. In My experience, which is pretty extensive, architects are overwhelmingly secular. It goes with concepts like urban and rational. These days, when one of you is outed as a believer — Quinlan Terry for example — they’re treated with pity and derision. Firstly for being God’s Architect, secondly for not being Gaudi or Pugin. So what? I’m allowed only one architect at a time? In My mansion is an infinite volume of epic space. Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough.
You won’t, though, will you, because the smart thing these days is sustainable paganism. I may not be revered any longer, but you’re all perfectly relaxed about this new green religion. Oh, brilliant — Earth worship. I thought you’d done with that, ages ago. Please. The Earth is just a big fat clod. Yet apparently it must be appeased, and feared. “O wrathful Earth, do not choke us all or boil us. O great Gaia, spare us and we will mend our ways. And could you put in a good word for us with your mate the sun god Ra? Or whatever he’s called this week?” You thick ants.
I acknowledge there has been some cracking architecture done in My name throughout the ages. Temples, churches, supermosques. Lovely. Houses of Me. Thanks. Good job.
Except I’m not corporeal, am I? I’m everywhere and nowhere baby, as per Jeff Beck’s classic party floor-filler, Hi Ho Silver Lining. So at the moment, yes, I’m definitely “at home” in, say, Ely Cathedral. Gorgeous nave. But I’m actually “in” social housing too. You know, that haunting stuff you recoiled from, guiltily, when you glimpsed it the other day out of the train window. Don’t even bother pretending you didn’t. I am God. I AM your conscience.
I know Mies van der Rohe once said I was in the details. And I know he’s everybody’s favourite modernist autocrat. But to be honest he was more interested in the luxury end of the market than theology. No, I am in the POINT of a building. I don’t just mean spires either, you scuttling idiots.
Anyway, listen, take care.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Starchitect talks sense?
Frank Gehry blogs for the Guardian about designing a new Guggenheim for Abu Dhabi.
The talking sense part? This paragraph:
Gehry ought to be concerned about the setting of his building. A poor setting will detract from it and poor access will deter visitors. His client won't be happy.
The talking sense part? This paragraph:
"I'm really excited by the level of intelligent engagement by the local leaders in Abu Dhabi although there's still a big discussion to be had about the planning of new buildings. What they want from the architecture, by me, by Zaha Hadid and others, is a "string of pearls", stretching to the water to form a new "cultural quarter" to attract tourists; but, there's a bit of tendency to want a nice new building from each of us without enough thought about how they'll all hang together. I'd like to be more involved in the urban planning, but that's a lot to ask; you can't just say, especially when you've just arrived, hey, I'd like to redo your city."So often it appears that these starchitects don't have enough concern for context. Or perhaps they're not allowed to. I suspect the practices are handed a plot and have very little input on its surroundings. We see that in competitions we've entered at work - someone else has done the masterplan and we get given a plot number to design a building for (especially with housing developments).
Gehry ought to be concerned about the setting of his building. A poor setting will detract from it and poor access will deter visitors. His client won't be happy.
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