Baked Potatoes and Birthdays

My mom told me that she baked five, instead of four, potatoes for dinner the other night; it made me miss home and family. I am glad to be back amongst my friends here though. Hopefully the level of busyness will pick up a bit; it will help me remember that I do, in fact, want to be here.

Now onto cheerier things. Yesterday was Max's birthday! So, late Monday night Tyler, David, Dan and I decorated his desk, and the surrounding domain of air, with various colored streamers, blue tape, trace paper letters, and a bit of Cap'n Crunch cereal (a personal touch added by a hungry Dan). Just before this decorating spree, Tyler and David were working out at the rec (or as Karolina and Steph like to say, they were "gettin' big"). So naturally, Tyler was a bouncing ball of energy. David's signature blue tape became the lucky outlet for the hyped-up-and-giggly-six-foot-guy-reduced-to-the-actions-of-a-four-year-old Tyler. In the end Max's studio domain looked like someone had too much fun with black crepe paper and trace paper; fortunately no false impressions were given by the birthday decorations because we did have too much fun with black streamers and trace. Happy birthday Max!

...carolyn

Oh, Sunday Nights

It's the first Sunday night of a studio project.

Time: 8p

There are a fair amount of people up here working; typical.

I aim to be out of here by 9:30...ish.

As relaxing as the month long winter break was, it is good to be back in the studio. Working up here is comfortable. Everyone has completely settled in and the space sways lightly with the sound of chit-chatting.  I'm listening to a bit of French pop and hip-hop music, the smoothly energetic beats match the positive feeling of working up here. Of course there will be times, maybe in the near future, when frustration points a loaded time gun at our backs, its cold reality an irritation of the worst kind.

For now though, with my upbeat French music and not-so-stressful assignment, I will enjoy the off white tiled floor and matching columns that surround me in studio.

...carolyn

New Patterns

For the second time this week the first year architecture students made our way to the fourth floor of Taylor Hall. Today the atmosphere was more even, less anxious; some students walk in sleepy eyed, others are wide awake and ready. This morning was vital to the analysis of our new profs. Of course we've all heard rumors and stories about each professor from our friends, peers, and other architecture students but today could be our first personal judgment of our instructor of choice.

The fifteen people in my section gather around one desk and Stauffer proceeds to haphazardly explain patterns. He told us that a pattern doesn't have meaning; only when it becomes an ornament does it acquire specific or vague significance. We all nod our heads in understanding but I keep the idea in my mind, rolling it around in an attempt to make it clear.

After a bit more ambiguous explanation and a few awkward silences, Stauffer announced that he would come around to check out the patterns we each selected. Seconds later he was no where to be seen. Our laxed confusion continued for a good ten minutes until someone exclaimed "Found him!" We followed a pointing finger outside to the sidewalk leading from the student center up the hill to Taylor. To some coffee is as essential as a right hand and no amount of anxious students will keep them from getting that bitter caffeine.

Jazzman's black in hand, Stauffer began to make his critiquing rounds only to disappear again on a quest for copies...or something. Despite my anxiety to get through this important first crit these unexplained mini errands, somehow, were not very distracting. I paced a bit and made little talk with my friends as I waited for Stauffer to come to my desk.

Eventually, I had my crit. The feedback was brief but concise and my next direction for the weekend assignment is present even if it is a bit wavy and grey. No matter though; as always we'll figure it out and besides, necessities are ness lecessary. 

...carolyn

And so it begins...

At 9:40 this morning the south side of fourth floor Taylor Hall was jittery with well rested first year students. A tinge of nervousness settled itself onto each desk as seats were claimed and everyone waited excitedly for the profs to enter.

A little after ten o'clock Stauffer made his way over to the far corner where we all waited anxiously. He set out two stacks of paper, instructing us to take one of each. As expected one of the sheets vaguely laid out the first assignment for Friday. The syllabus was discussed briefly and the required books introduced. Everyone was quiet and contemplative; mulling over the assignment and decided the best plan of attack what with such little direction. That's how it goes in studio: the professors present the projects with as little explanation as possible. I guess it's a way of leaving the thinking and exploration up to us. In any case, we were all blatantly faced with an assignment having something to do with patterns and all we had to do to complete it was "just stuff".

We'll figure it out.

...carolyn

Back in Kent

As I drove downtown to meet the Megabus at Union Station my eyes scanned the skyline soaking up the city one more time; the buildings seemed to stand at attention in the grey sky. The fog was wispy and beginning to succumb to Lake Michigan's longing grasp. Silvery sunlight glinted on the Stone Container Building and the Prudential Plaza in a final salute. Even the Auditorium Theatre hoisted its stout middle and stood proud, reminding me not to reject the vertically challenged buildings of Kent, OH.

Five hours later the Megabus pulls into Cleveland and about three hours after that, due to a few detours, I'm back in typical-college-town-Kent! Back to the looming disaster area that is my dorm room and my second home (though sometimes it seems like the first): studio. Though studio doesn't officially begin until Wednesday, I head up to fourth floor Taylor Hall to claim my desk and chair for the spring semester. 

In a few days I will report on the first day back in studio--
until then I have more unpacking to do :)

...carolyn