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
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
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