Seoul facades

With an actual population of over 10 million people, and over 25 million if including the metro area, Seoul businesses and architects have to try just a little bit harder to attract attention. 

I am not sure what 'purting' is, but it's free, and the building is leopard print so that's a great start. 

More on flickr

on the craft of temples and worship in Korea

I’m not the first nor last to say it, but, one of the most powerful parts of visiting other parts of the world is seeing evidence of the history which we don’t really have in the United States. It seems like every park, mountain, and public square in Korea is has a temple or sculpture dedicated to worship, and dating back hundreds or sometimes thousands of years. Like in many smaller countries, there is a huge amount of national pride which filters down to the maintenance and care of public and historical artifacts. 

It’s incredible how people used to build when labor was cheap and materials expensive. Most of these temples were either built during the Silla or Joseon Dynasty, or take their appearance from those styles. As Korean Confucianism became prevalent, some of the details become slightly less ornate. 

Koreans hold strongly on to historical beliefs and superstitions, and it is typical to see whimsical characters or animals guarding over a structure or place. 

Many Buddhist temples were built during later dynasties, and while there are modern Christian churches in Korea, none that I saw show the intricacy or care of these from the past. 

Still got it-

my hair at least. I was getting all worked up with all this studying and testing, and I'm glad to see not all of it fell out. It would have been a shame too, not because my hair is particularly nice, but more from the physical remnants that would mark what should have been a pleasant spring and summer. 

I think it's time to get on some Zen Buddhist shit. Because really, how fantastic is it that I have the opportunity to study and become an architect, and right now have time to volunteer & climb as a state sponsored athlete? Take a freaking chill pill and find delight in the world.

The summer of my content

The short of it: 

I'm setting myself up to be the owner of a small architecture firm as I finish up with my license over the next few months. If anyone needs any design work done, I'm the guy!

The long of it:

The past few weeks have been intense for me, and difficult to deal with. I finished cramming for my last untaken ARE, took a three day trip to Smith Rock, and have steadily been working 10-12 hour days on top of trying to get my life under control. The weather, climbing, and friends in central Oregon were fantastic. For work I have spent the last few weeks in the field cutting and removing a full double basketball court floor, and then careful demo of a condo for Creoworks' reuse. 

30 hours cutting & 2 days of moving into and out of trucks later.

Last Thursday I received all three scores from the tests I took this spring and threw a party for myself. 3 tequilas, 3 passes! I was so psyched, and still am.

Burritos and tequilas carnage.

The next day, I went in to work, was laid off, and returned home determined to go on a nice bike ride in the sun. Someone else decided they needed my mountain bike more than I did, and while looking around the basement I also discovered a package of mine that had been opened and discarded. As the only designer at the firm to receive a raise, I was the most expensive as well as the most interested in pursuing architecture instead of furniture design. The sum of it all is the freedom to pursue my own goals, and being unencumbered by an extra bicycle and helmet..

We already had plans to go to Leavenworth for the weekend, and I needed the getaway. Luckily for me my car didn't explode or succumb to any other karmic disaster, and I channeled the frustration and joy into sending an awesome rock climb that I had never been close to before. 

The people and places that inspire me. Just look at those boobs on that sleeping lady.

Here I am Monday morning trying to start pulling the right strings to get the next step of the adventure started. 

Importance of Brodowns

Bishop Brodown 2014

I don't mean that in gender exclusive way, even though most of the time that's how it turns out. Especially when you get a group of guys together from Boone. If every climber could spend some time every year bouldering in Bishop they'd probably be just a little bit harder, dustier, and generally better for it. 

It's not the easiest place to get to, but it's very gratifying to be able to meet up with 3 of your best bros from your hometown after scattering across the country. It's a great place to climb in the sun and live the simple life, even if you get blown out of your campsite at 3am. A lot of people spend part of the winter here, which makes great sense if you are actually trying to climb hard. We came down just in time for vacation weather, and only Ben managed to pull off some decent sends. Mostly the nights were cool and made for hot springs and the days were warm and a reprieve from spending a long winter. So here's to the bros for rallying together again this spring, and helping kick off the new climbing year!

When your whole life is a fucking schedule

Day:

Wake up. Study/Eat. Go to work. Go to gym. Eat. Sleep.

Week:

Sleep past 6:00, then don’t sleep past 6:00.  Study more, drink a few beers maybe.

Month:
Take a test. Study. Go to work.

Sometimes you can get the over privileged feeing that you're stuck in a rut. I'm not sure how you know the difference between being stuck and the incremental progress it may take to get to the end goal of something worthwhile. I'm pretty sure it's not possible to just up and quit your job every week when you get the urge to move on, especially if you're burdened by a bunch of student loans. Unless you're a software programmer I guess, because I'm pretty sure they can do whatever they want and pretty much get paid 100K to do it. 

The soggy winters in the Northwest get a little soggier when I'm stuck inside studying after grinding out the 9-5, but I'm thinking I can see a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel. But for now, three cheers for not being on the East coast this winter. It sounds like skiing season is finally picking up for the rest of the States, and it's almost climbing season again. When the going gets tough, there's always memories and dreams of Leavenworth in May, Little Si in June, and Squamish all summer to keep you going. 

Good thing I’ve got it all figured out...

and here's some pictures of things that keep me going, the places I've visited recently.



Winter coast ghosts. 'If you need to get yo hair did, just come on down to Moclips.'

My grandad lives here. So do a bunch of delicious bass.

My dad built and lived in this tepee for at least a year. Not sure on the exact dates, but he definitely bathed in the stream in down the hill.

Wooster, Ohio, pearl of the butthole of the Midwest.

And now that I've finally got that damn structures test out of the way:

My member's unsupported length is so long it needs some of your lateral support.

Your mom's so fat she needs a mat foundation to support her loads.