Monday, 26 February 2007
In Repair by John Mayer
Too many shadows in my room
Too many hours in this midnight
Too many corners in my mind
So much to do to set my heart right
Oh it's taking so long i could be wrong, i could be ready
Oh but if i take my heart's advice
I should assume it's still unsteady
I am in repair, i am in repair
Stood on the corner for a while
To wait for the wind to blow down on me
Hoping it takes with it my old ways
And brings some brand new luck upon me
Oh it's taking so long i could be wrong, i could be ready
Oh but if i take my heart's advice
I should assume it's still unsteady
I am in repair, i am in repair
And now i'm walking in the park
All of the birds they dance below me
Maybe when things turn green again
It will be good to say you know me
Oh it's taking so long i could be wrong, i could be ready
Oh but if i take my heart's advice
I should assume it's still unsteady
Oh i'm never really ready, yeah, oh, i'm never really ready
I'm in repair, i'm not together but i'm getting there
I'm in repair, i'm not together but i'm getting there
I'm in repair, i'm not together but i'm getting there
I'm in repair, i'm not together but i'm getting there
I'm in repair, i'm not together but i'm getting there
I'm in repair, i'm not together but i'm getting there
Saturday, 24 February 2007
Random Update
Ah... Feb 25... marks my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. We visited Paco Park (where they got married) and Manila Hotel (where they held the reception) to see how time has treated both these venues. Paco Park is well preserved and maintained. Both my mom and dad agree that its the same charming little hamlet in the middle of downtown manila. The chapel has an elliptical plan (like the one we're working on) and the gardens (designed by IP Santos) are very well kept. Too bad we have no photos to share of the place.
Manila Hotel on the other hand has crashed a long way down from the height of its original splendor. A combination of Manila's shifting urban focal points, market forces and very bad taste/planning by its current ownership has turned the once prestigious Manila Hotel into budget choice for travellers who couldn't care less about its inherent value. But despite all the modifications, one can only do so much to ruin the hotel... because it still is inherently beautiful because the core/original structure's scale and proportions are still intact... a beautiful face/body doesn't need embellishment, just as no amount of excess trappings will ever cover a truly beautiful structure.
I've been busy with work, board review and sidelines... review happens MWF 6-9 at Espana, and Saturdays up north near UP. The irony is, I'm learning a lot more from the classes that I originally thought were lousy because of the physical facilities and 150 pax class size. I'm starting to feel a bit shortchanged with the other review center, but I'm keeping my hopes up, maybe they do have a few things up their sleeve.
The chapel is chugging along well. We'll be starting the formal coordination with consultants soon. Sidelines are dragging along as well.
Oh... I've also met good people during the review classes. Particularly up in UP. The world is really small. The guy I was sitting next to in review class happens to be a good friend of Paolo (who is a good friend, and was an intellectual sparring partner when he was in UST) Anyway, we were talking about Rand's book: "The Fountainhead" and he told me that Pao lent him his old, tattered, margin-noted copy... which I actually lent/gave to Paolo. And I found out that my copy got passed around even more, before it finally rested with him. See? Small world. I'm just glad I did my part in spreading a little bit more of architectural/design idealism among my peers.
Also, I got the biggest surprise of my life when I found out that the company that Ayala was hoping to hook me up with for the internship prize... no longer exists... RMJM Philippines is no longer hooked up with the RMJM international firm, and is now renamed Aidea Phils. What sucks is how both the owner/president and the company guy (who pretends to do the coordinating/follow-up) told me that things would continue, when evidently this change removes all chances of that channel pushing through. They couldn't even tell me straight in the eye. I'm sure the company guy was well aware of Mr. RMJM's plans because these changes don't happen overnight... sure as hell they were dribbling this for a long time even before the actual name change. Well screw that... what goes around, comes around. Welcome to the real open market Mr. Architect, lets see you survive and float in the country's harsh design scene without your fancy-pants white-meat name. The truth is, thats all you had going for you. We're (our firm and yours) are on equal footing now. And you can suck-up/brown-nose, pr all you want, but at the end of the day... its your work that matters.
Anyway, that's all for now, gotta get back to real life and slug it out. Wish me luck and I do hope you include me/all of us in your collective prayers. We'll be needing them... I felt that sinking feeling in my stomach when I saw the opening section on structural review on the boards... tsk tsk...
Manila Hotel on the other hand has crashed a long way down from the height of its original splendor. A combination of Manila's shifting urban focal points, market forces and very bad taste/planning by its current ownership has turned the once prestigious Manila Hotel into budget choice for travellers who couldn't care less about its inherent value. But despite all the modifications, one can only do so much to ruin the hotel... because it still is inherently beautiful because the core/original structure's scale and proportions are still intact... a beautiful face/body doesn't need embellishment, just as no amount of excess trappings will ever cover a truly beautiful structure.
I've been busy with work, board review and sidelines... review happens MWF 6-9 at Espana, and Saturdays up north near UP. The irony is, I'm learning a lot more from the classes that I originally thought were lousy because of the physical facilities and 150 pax class size. I'm starting to feel a bit shortchanged with the other review center, but I'm keeping my hopes up, maybe they do have a few things up their sleeve.
The chapel is chugging along well. We'll be starting the formal coordination with consultants soon. Sidelines are dragging along as well.
Oh... I've also met good people during the review classes. Particularly up in UP. The world is really small. The guy I was sitting next to in review class happens to be a good friend of Paolo (who is a good friend, and was an intellectual sparring partner when he was in UST) Anyway, we were talking about Rand's book: "The Fountainhead" and he told me that Pao lent him his old, tattered, margin-noted copy... which I actually lent/gave to Paolo. And I found out that my copy got passed around even more, before it finally rested with him. See? Small world. I'm just glad I did my part in spreading a little bit more of architectural/design idealism among my peers.
Also, I got the biggest surprise of my life when I found out that the company that Ayala was hoping to hook me up with for the internship prize... no longer exists... RMJM Philippines is no longer hooked up with the RMJM international firm, and is now renamed Aidea Phils. What sucks is how both the owner/president and the company guy (who pretends to do the coordinating/follow-up) told me that things would continue, when evidently this change removes all chances of that channel pushing through. They couldn't even tell me straight in the eye. I'm sure the company guy was well aware of Mr. RMJM's plans because these changes don't happen overnight... sure as hell they were dribbling this for a long time even before the actual name change. Well screw that... what goes around, comes around. Welcome to the real open market Mr. Architect, lets see you survive and float in the country's harsh design scene without your fancy-pants white-meat name. The truth is, thats all you had going for you. We're (our firm and yours) are on equal footing now. And you can suck-up/brown-nose, pr all you want, but at the end of the day... its your work that matters.
Anyway, that's all for now, gotta get back to real life and slug it out. Wish me luck and I do hope you include me/all of us in your collective prayers. We'll be needing them... I felt that sinking feeling in my stomach when I saw the opening section on structural review on the boards... tsk tsk...
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll by AC/DC
Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the byways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
I tell you folks
It's harder than it looks
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you think it's easy doin' one night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
Hotel motel
Make you wanna cry
Lady do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin' old
Gettin' grey
Gettin' ripped off
Under-paid
Gettin' sold
Second hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out it's rough and mean
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll
Well it's a long way
It's a long way, you should've told me
It's a long way, such a long way
What goes around, comes around by Justin Timberlake
Hey girl, is he everything you wanted in a man
You know I gave you the world
You had me in the palm of your hand
So why your love went away
I just can't seem to understand
Thought it was me and you babe
Me and you until the end
But I guess I was wrong
Don't want to think about it
Don't want to talk about it
I'm just so sick about it
Can't believe it's ending this way
Just so confused about it
Feeling the blues about it
I just can't do without ya
Tell me is this fair?
Is this the way it's really going down?
Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around
That you were gonna make me cry
It's breaking my heart to watch you run around
'Cause I know that you're living a lie
That's okay baby 'cause in time you will find...
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
Now girl, I remember everything that you claimed
You said that you were moving on now
And maybe I should do the same
Funny thing about that is
I was ready to give you my name
Thought it was me and you, babe
And now, it's all just a shame
And I guess I was wrong
Don't want to think about it
Don't want to talk about it
I'm just so sick about it
Can't believe it's ending this way
Feeling the blues about it
I just can't do without ya
Can you tell me is this fair?
Is this the way things are going down?
Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around (should've known better that you were gonna make me cry)
That you were going to make me cry
Now it's breaking my heart to watch you run around
'Cause I know that you're living a lie
That's okay baby 'cause in time you will find
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around comes around
Yeah
What goes around comes around
[ these lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
You should know that
What goes around comes around
Yeah
What goes around comes around
You should know that
Don't want to think about it (no)
Don't want to talk about it
I'm just so sick about it
Can't believe it's ending this way
Just so confused about it
Feeling the blues about it (yeah)
I just can't do without ya
Tell me is this fair?
Is this the way things are going down?
Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around (should've known better that you were gonna make me cry)
That you were going to make me cry
Now it's breaking my heart to watch you run around
'Cause I know that you're living a lie
But that's okay baby 'cause in time you will find
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
[Comes Around interlude:]
Let me paint this picture for you, baby
You spend your nights alone
And he never comes home
And every time you call him
All you get's a busy tone
I heard you found out
That he's doing to you
What you did to me
Ain't that the way it goes
You cheated girl
My heart bleeds girl
So it goes without saying that you left me feeling hurt
Just a classic case
A scenario
Tale as old as time
Girl you got what you deserved
And now you want somebody
To cure the lonely nights
You wish you had somebody
That could come and make it right
But girl I ain't somebody with a lot of sympathy
You'll see
(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey
(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey
(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey
(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey
See?
You should've listened to me, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Because
(What goes around comes back around)
Just so confused about it
All at once by The Fray
There are certain people you just keep coming back to
She is right in front of you
You begin to wonder could you find a better one
Compared to her now she's in question
And all at once the crowd begins to sing
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you started to compare to someone not there
Looking for the right one you line up the world to find
Where no questions cross your mind
But she won't keep on waiting for you without a doubt
Much longer for you to sort it out
And all at once the crowd begins to sing
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you started to compare to someone not there
Maybe you want it maybe you need it,
Maybe it's all you're running from,
Perfection will not come
And all at once the crowd begins to sing
Sometimes
We'd never know what's wrong without the pain
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you've started to compare to someone not there
Maybe you want it maybe you need it
Maybe it's all you're running from
Perfection will not come
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you had her maybe you lost her to another
To another
She is right in front of you
You begin to wonder could you find a better one
Compared to her now she's in question
And all at once the crowd begins to sing
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you started to compare to someone not there
Looking for the right one you line up the world to find
Where no questions cross your mind
But she won't keep on waiting for you without a doubt
Much longer for you to sort it out
And all at once the crowd begins to sing
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you started to compare to someone not there
Maybe you want it maybe you need it,
Maybe it's all you're running from,
Perfection will not come
And all at once the crowd begins to sing
Sometimes
We'd never know what's wrong without the pain
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you've started to compare to someone not there
Maybe you want it maybe you need it
Maybe it's all you're running from
Perfection will not come
Maybe you want her maybe you need her
Maybe you had her maybe you lost her to another
To another
Friday, 9 February 2007
Random Update (Super Bowl 41, etc.)
Ah yes...
Dad's little quarterback Peyton Manning is now a champ by winning Superbowl 41. It went well considering the crappy weather and all the turnovers. I'm quite surprised to see a QB checking down and calling running plays instead. I expected a more whiz-bang passing offense but I guess you can't win that way in tough conditions.
Feels great to see a good son get to where he was dreaming off since he was a small kid. Now he gets to play... just play the game without the pressure, and just do what he loves to do. He'll probably be an even more lethal signal-caller with that monkey off his back.
Come next season... I'll still be cheering for the rebuilding 49ers and Tom Brady's Patriots. (He is the modern-day Joe Montana) And it will be fun matching number 12 and 18 against each other again come playoffs.
Its been the 5th time I've locked myself out of a car, and I really have to be more careful. My best Macgyver impersonation was no-good last night because apparently my old wire tricks don't work with the newer models.
I've actually learned how to open up our old car because after the 1st time I locked myself out, I asked a security guard from UST to teach me how to pop the lock from outside using a wire. The succeeding times, I could proudly say I got myself through, but this time around it didn't work because of some fancy locking mechanism used by toyota for their more recent models.
Dad's little quarterback Peyton Manning is now a champ by winning Superbowl 41. It went well considering the crappy weather and all the turnovers. I'm quite surprised to see a QB checking down and calling running plays instead. I expected a more whiz-bang passing offense but I guess you can't win that way in tough conditions.
Feels great to see a good son get to where he was dreaming off since he was a small kid. Now he gets to play... just play the game without the pressure, and just do what he loves to do. He'll probably be an even more lethal signal-caller with that monkey off his back.
Come next season... I'll still be cheering for the rebuilding 49ers and Tom Brady's Patriots. (He is the modern-day Joe Montana) And it will be fun matching number 12 and 18 against each other again come playoffs.
Its been the 5th time I've locked myself out of a car, and I really have to be more careful. My best Macgyver impersonation was no-good last night because apparently my old wire tricks don't work with the newer models.
I've actually learned how to open up our old car because after the 1st time I locked myself out, I asked a security guard from UST to teach me how to pop the lock from outside using a wire. The succeeding times, I could proudly say I got myself through, but this time around it didn't work because of some fancy locking mechanism used by toyota for their more recent models.
Thursday, 8 February 2007
Proposed Residence Extension
Yeah I know, that's one helluva firewall on the left side. But, That's the brief/requirement/program from the owner/s. Currently doing the working drawings. Hope to get done with them soon.
Conceptually, it's like adding a loft-wing to an existing bungalow house. This new loft-wing will be the expanded masters bedroom, with a high-ceilinged (is there a word) family flex space facing a pocket garden.
The masters bedroom is designed to be a flexible indoor-outdoor space, with the sliding doors opening out to a balcony.
Lemme know whatcha think.
More than the design, the tricky part is getting it built, especially with all the existing roof eaves/gutters that we'll have to cut, along with the demolition and reconstruction over the existing laundry/utility spaces.
Saturday, 3 February 2007
1730; 530pm; before sunset...
Lithe and willowy,
the charming insular
lies basking,
on the sun-kissed shores
of the middle sea;
She lies at dusk,
on the edge
of light and darkness,
with thoughts
taking flights of fancy;
Tradition, antiquity
emotive faith,
liberating thoughts
and stark modernity,
enriching her more
than treasure, money
or her worldly beauty;
Innate goodness
trashing the bias
and prejudice
of her origins
allowing her to see
the surrounding beauty
in the midst
of the pavement
and the mounting
cultural layers
piled on by history
The inspiring love
that so evidently
flows from her
is that for a higher being
of a higher plane...
for what is ideal
and truly beautiful
and right for this world
Is this inspring insular
a passing muse?
or an incomplete memory?
A destination? a sidetrip
or merely a product of my
tireless imagination,
a flight of my fancy?
the charming insular
lies basking,
on the sun-kissed shores
of the middle sea;
She lies at dusk,
on the edge
of light and darkness,
with thoughts
taking flights of fancy;
Tradition, antiquity
emotive faith,
liberating thoughts
and stark modernity,
enriching her more
than treasure, money
or her worldly beauty;
Innate goodness
trashing the bias
and prejudice
of her origins
allowing her to see
the surrounding beauty
in the midst
of the pavement
and the mounting
cultural layers
piled on by history
The inspiring love
that so evidently
flows from her
is that for a higher being
of a higher plane...
for what is ideal
and truly beautiful
and right for this world
Is this inspring insular
a passing muse?
or an incomplete memory?
A destination? a sidetrip
or merely a product of my
tireless imagination,
a flight of my fancy?
Friday, 2 February 2007
Letting my thoughts fly
I have to admit... I'm a dreamer... I'll probably never get bored because I'm prone to let my thoughts fly and wander and make leaps into parallel/disjointed directions. I guess that's why architecture/design is such a good fit for me because it provides a natural outlet for my imagination.
Sometimes it can get frustrating, particularly when you consider the large gap/disconnect I get between my brain and my hands... I'm probably better off talking about it than drawing up the idea. But in my mind it clicks... and you can't blame the person you're talking to if he/she doesn't have the parallel processing to figure it out without the extremely detailed perspective/drawing.
Intuition and imagination are my 2 best friends/allies... I dream up of different places, people, conversations, friends long gone, traffic patterns, football plays, melodies/harmonies... I'd imagine how a song would look if we were to translate it into a series of photos... Flight, speed, depth, etc. I'd think up of characters/plot to write for a book/story... I'd try to figure out patterns in events, people's motives, expressions... I'd think of business plans... what concepts will work in the market...
Maybe that's why people find me aloof/stand-offish or just plain weird/eccentric... Yes I do live in my own intuition/internal world. But is it too much of a stretch for your imagination to think/feel that a dreamer like me can also be a warm emotional person as well?
Sometimes it can get frustrating, particularly when you consider the large gap/disconnect I get between my brain and my hands... I'm probably better off talking about it than drawing up the idea. But in my mind it clicks... and you can't blame the person you're talking to if he/she doesn't have the parallel processing to figure it out without the extremely detailed perspective/drawing.
Intuition and imagination are my 2 best friends/allies... I dream up of different places, people, conversations, friends long gone, traffic patterns, football plays, melodies/harmonies... I'd imagine how a song would look if we were to translate it into a series of photos... Flight, speed, depth, etc. I'd think up of characters/plot to write for a book/story... I'd try to figure out patterns in events, people's motives, expressions... I'd think of business plans... what concepts will work in the market...
Maybe that's why people find me aloof/stand-offish or just plain weird/eccentric... Yes I do live in my own intuition/internal world. But is it too much of a stretch for your imagination to think/feel that a dreamer like me can also be a warm emotional person as well?
Random Update
Well, I've been back working with the family firm for almost a month now, and its been great... my days are packed... I get to design, see the project sites, coordinate with the various trades involved, help manage/run the office, etc. Nothing is more fulfilling than working for yourself/your own business... the whole corporate stint has shed new light for me... and I feel even luckier now that I realize just how difficult it is to get your own gig running. It has also helped me become a tad more professional compared to how I was as an apprentice working with our firm.
Before, I'd just be a kid fooling around and hanging out at dad's office... things are vastly different now, because I have to step up and be responsible and grow into a leadership/ownership role... and not be just another CAD monkey or cubicle meerkat.
The DLSZ Chapel/Formation Center is turning out good, the plans are more solid now... Seph and I have been hacking at it for more than 2 weeks now... and we're hoping that the design evolves further along as the school and our engineering consultants get more involved with the planning process.
Cash and Carry is shaping out great too. I do the site and marketing meetings (Tue and Wed) with Jun (our senior project arch/associate) and its exciting to see the building top-off and see the atrium take shape with the long trusses being mounted.
Times Plaza is topping off as well... finally, we're able to at least close the book on that project which was cut short by the 1997 crisis.
Its been a blast so far. I've had a few awkward moments on-site with the tradesmen and with people in general... My only gripe is that I haven't got the time to update my blog anymore. I'll be starting the board review soon and probably won't have any time to read-up and do as much as before. But I'm game! Bring it on!
Before, I'd just be a kid fooling around and hanging out at dad's office... things are vastly different now, because I have to step up and be responsible and grow into a leadership/ownership role... and not be just another CAD monkey or cubicle meerkat.
The DLSZ Chapel/Formation Center is turning out good, the plans are more solid now... Seph and I have been hacking at it for more than 2 weeks now... and we're hoping that the design evolves further along as the school and our engineering consultants get more involved with the planning process.
Cash and Carry is shaping out great too. I do the site and marketing meetings (Tue and Wed) with Jun (our senior project arch/associate) and its exciting to see the building top-off and see the atrium take shape with the long trusses being mounted.
Times Plaza is topping off as well... finally, we're able to at least close the book on that project which was cut short by the 1997 crisis.
Its been a blast so far. I've had a few awkward moments on-site with the tradesmen and with people in general... My only gripe is that I haven't got the time to update my blog anymore. I'll be starting the board review soon and probably won't have any time to read-up and do as much as before. But I'm game! Bring it on!
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