It's been two years since I've posted anything in the "Chisme" blog but as Mr Hamner likes to quote from the movie Training Day,
"Life's A Trip Esse".
I don't need to review every turn and side route I've been on over the last two years but, it's nice to feel like I'm back on the right path again.
Opportunities are plentiful; from the continuous growth of my two sons, things happening here at ELAC, my own firm work and also in my Music career. We always need to be alert, focused and diligent. A friend of mine used to tell me "just show up everyday, because that's when it matters"

I really would like to tell you about a student/group trip I've been working on for a quite a while. I will be hosting an Architecture trip to Chicago in June. I'll have details (costs, dates, tours) available next week and will be prepared to take 8-12 student reservations for early summer.
Save your money cause we're going to the home of American Architecture...Sweet Home Chicago.

So this is the last week where you as students are supposed to put your head down, and focus everything you have on final projects. I know a good handful of you will definitely manage the task.  You'll go sleepless, eat like crap and hallucinate at 2am that the dog was just speaking to you in Swahili that you should redraw everything on blue chip board and present your project in leatherhosen. So buck up and get the job done!!

You may think "Well it's easy for him to say buck up and get the job done" however I do remember how difficult the final week was. It may have been 27 years ago but I remember as if it were just yesterday. It was hard. I didn't possess super powers (although I do now), I would just bare knuckle it forward, as most of you guys do.
I learned later that when I devoted the time to work on my projects during the semester, that it always made the final week much easier because, most of my work was already done and I was therefore enthusiastic to present a project which I had faith in. This relaxed and enthusiastic effort was all due to the time I invested in the project during that semester.
The lesson today is to please put the damn time in during the semester so that I don't have to hear you whine later. Now go learn Swahili and buy a pair of leatherhosen.

At Thanksgiving it's the custom of some to sit at the dinner table and state what they're grateful for. I've heard all sorts of mentions of grattitude from people thankful for their children, thankful their sister in law didn't do the cooking and my favorite was by my long time friend Robert Kalpakian, who was grateful his wife was a tiger in the sack.
In todays Chisme blog I'd like to discuss how grateful I am to be a part of this department. During the past recession my one man architectural design practice went from a six figure gross to over a 70% loss of income within a two year period. Over the course of the next six to seven years I took every job that came my way in order to keep my family sheltered, fed and clothed. I did the smallest drafting projects, permit running and graphic design to gardening, framing, painting and general day labor. Nothing was below my character or integrity to bring home every dollar I could. However in this period I became disenchanted with architecture. I had completely lost any love for the profession which I thought would always be able to carry me through thick and thin because I loved the practice so much and for so many years.

During one of my many mornings of phone call hustling in order to "git at" some work, I called my good friend Howard Reading of Roark L.A. to see if he needed a truck driver, packer...hell, anything. Howard soon returned my call and told me to try his friend Michael Hamner at The East Los Angeles College Department of Architecture. Michael had recently mentioned that they were looking for a "Model Shop Caretaker". Howard remembered from my days in architecture school at USC, that model making was one of my forte's. I immediately called Michael and "to make a long story short" just over two years later, here I am.

I am grateful to be working amongst many driven students, struggling students and students whom just don't give a crap. I appreciate all of them. 
I'm grateful that I've learned I enjoy teaching. 
I'm grateful for the opportunities this department has brought me in meeting so many new people. 
I'm grateful to be working alongside the talented colleagues who from day one invited me into their classrooms to interact and to teach alongside them.
Most of all I am grateful that I once again seriously dig me some architecture.
Happy Thanksgiving

This past Sunday three of our department's students competed in the ASCE's Wind Structure Competition. With one days notice, Mr. K's guidance, and very little familiarity with each other the three students; Eric Ton, Desmond Fregoso and Norberto "Tito" Lopez decided to enter into the competition foray. On Friday evening they walked into my shop as I was leaving and decided to brainstorm a winner out. On Sunday these men didn't win but I give them applause for their effort, going for it with very little time on their hands and most importantly for getting my shop clean before I returned on Monday. Kudos to you gentlemen.

As 102, 171, 172, 173, 201, 271 and 202; students discuss how sleep deprived they are (wearing that deprivation like a badge of honor) from all their midterm projects, I was visited by former ELAC and now SCIARC Master Studio student Jesus Abril. Jesus said "I thought I worked hard here but man, it's an entirely different game at the next level. They WORK your ass off!!!" 
Yep, they sure as hell do
Pick up your pace now so that the shock doesn't kill you. 

If I hear one more ENV 102 student start discussing their project by directing me to where "the person sits" I believe a model will be crushed on the spot

Cesar Lopez gets the award for best spoken word performance of the week for his recital of "Bidet". Bravo Cez
And to Milo Dominguez...Thumbs Up

Just an FYI. LAte notice

Hammer Conversations: Frank Gehry, Esa-Pekka... Salonen
& Nicolai Ouroussoff | Creative Collaboration in Music and
Architecture

Co-presented with  the LA Phil

  The Walt Disney Concert Hall opened to the public ten
years ago in October  2003 to rapturous acclaim after sixteen years of planning, development, and  construction. Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry and internationally  renowned conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen reunite to discuss the process of   creative collaboration in music and architecure. Salonen is currently the  Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor for London’s Philharmonia Orchestra  and the Conductor Laureate fo...r
the  Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he was Music Director from 1992 until 2009.
  Gehry’s buildings—cited as being among the most important works in 
contemporary architecture—include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain;  MIT’s Ray and Maria Stata Center in Cambridge, MA, as well as the Walt Disney  Concert Hall. Moderator Nicolai Ouroussoff served as the architecture critic  of both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, where he wrote widely  on architecture and urbanism in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as well as  in the United States. He is currently writing a book on architecture,  culture, and politics in the 20th century. He is currently writing a book on  architecture, culture, and politics in the 20th century.

  ALL HAMMER PUBLIC PROGRAMS
ARE FREE. Assigned seating is available in the  Billy Wilder Theater. Free
tickets are required and available at the Box  Office, one ticket per person on
a first come, first served basis. Members  enjoy priority seating and seat
selection, subject to availability.  Membership does not guarantee seating.
Arrival at least one half hour prior  to program time is recommended.
 
Parking is available under the museum for a flat fee of $3 after
6PM.



http://bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&rtp=adr.%7Epos.34.058901_-118.443787_Hammer+Museum_10899+Wilshire+Boulevard%2C+Los+Angeles%2C+California+90024&cp=34.058901%7E-118.443787&lvl=16&sty=r&rtop=0%7E0%7E0%7E&mode=D&FORM=FBKPL2&mkt=en-US

I've been asked by students recently what the best architecture schools in the country are. Since I didn't know, I thought a quick Google search would find some answers. A little bit o' research never hurt anyone.

I went to USC, but if I knew then what I know now, I may have chosen Tulane...I would most definitely have been a drop out if I had the opportunity to live in New Orleans in my early 20's. Thank the sweet Baby Geebuz I didn't know about Tulane back than.
http://www.archdaily.com/182283/2012-united-states-best-architecture-schools/

Welcome to the inaugural Chisme (cheese-meh) blog. This is my first attempt at blogging and I'm sure my style will develop over a few attempts. What will be included in the Chisme? Stories about what's happening here in the Department of Architecture, in classes, with students, with Alumni and even whatever happens to be on my mind at the moment. Matter of fact Taco's are on my mind right now and I'm trying to figure out how to get a Carrito or Taquero to park right here on the patio for us on Thursday evenings....A man can dream, and dreams can come true

For my first bit of news I want to invite everyone out to ArtNight this coming Friday evening in Pasadena. Artnight for those of you who have not been, is a twice a year event in Pasadena when all the major museums and galleries open their doors to the public at no charge from 6-10pm. There are shuttles operating the entire evening along with food trucks and entertainment at the various venues. Over a half million people venture into Pasadena on ArtNight. Make yourself one of the those half million people. The venue you must stop at is The Armory for The Arts located at 145 N Raymond Ave, in Old Town. That's where my band the Junkshop Republic will be performing from 7-10pm. Not only might you enjoy great music but for Elarchitecture students there's free Craftsman beer. Make sure you also stop at the Pasadena Museum of California Art and Side Street Projects for a Psychic Haircut. Show me your ArtNight lapel sticker on Monday for bonus points.

Onward a
http://www.artnightpasadena.org/
http://www.pmcaonline.org/
http://sidestreet.org/