My Favorite Things: the pieces of my story
Note: This is the fifth post in a group series called #ArchiTalks in which Bob Borson of Life of an Architect gives a group of us architects a theme or a set of questions and we all have to post our response… this month’s theme: My Favorite Things.
The first thing that came to my mind, along with every other person over 25, was the song from The Sound of Music. I’ll give you a minute to go off and sing it to yourself, and we can all blame thank Bob for having it stuck in our heads. I had considered giving in completely to the connection to the movie and filling the post with references and maybe even quoting a lyric or five. You know “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on…#gorillapup”. Then I found restraint…and coffee. You’re welcome.
So without further ado, here’s a look at my favorite things:
#gorillapup
As some of you have seen (on Twitter, Instagram, or my Facebook Page) – Madeleine is a staple and the mascot of L² Design. She’s actually named after the Col de la Madeleine, one of the toughest hills on the Tour de France (possible) routes. It’s a hairy switchback known to separate the strong from the weak, and in her own ways she’s been there to see me through my own tough moments to make sure I stay on track with my goals but also keeping me present in the moment. As you can see from the first above picture, #gorillapup came from her trying to grow into her paws as a puppy.
Coffeecoffeecoffeeeeeee
This is a pretty obvious one for most architects. I came to coffee later in the “game” of life compared to other friends. I hated the taste of it in college, but with the onslaught of early mornings at work and studying for the ARE, my tastebuds grew to like it. I still won’t drink horrible coffee, and prefer mine in a pour-over setting, but there are mornings I might agree it is the nectar of the gods (and then I change my mind because I remember the invention of bourbon). I recently got to experience the infusion-brewed coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee. One of my highlights of my San Francisco trip.
Grandma T’s Bible
I inherited many (personally) valuable things from my Grandma and Grandpa T, but this is one of my most beloved possessions (the other being her engagement ring from 1941). Grandma T taught me how to craft…and not just in a sewing way, but in a “learn to use a scroll saw by age 6” kind of way. But she also taught me to see the beauty in the unexpected and everyday things. And most importantly she taught me the value in giving your gift and serving others. She got the bible cover on one of her many mission trips to Southern Texas and Mexico with my Grandpa, building homes and making meals for the needy. Starting my day with this…and with her…reminds me of what’s important.
Drafting Table
This drafting table was originally my Great Grandfather’s. Sadly at some point the original top got lost or damaged, but this is how I inherited it from my Grandpa. I’ve installed my parallel bar onto it and drawn many a plan set. It’s one of my go-to spaces when I’m brainstorming. I love the history of it…and the idea that I’m the 4th generation using it to create something better for the world.
Drafting Tools
Another Great Grandpa/Grandpa inheritance. The first set was used by GGPA in WWI, Army issue. The second was used by my Grandpa T, also Army issue, mostly while he was in the Azores setting up communications links between the US and the European Theater. Some of these tools got me through Undergrad and Grad School. On the occasions that I get to hand-draft now, these are my go-to tools. I love the history of them and knowing that so much knowledge and service went into using them.
Pen & Pencil
I’ve been told countless times by my parents that as a child I was content from a young age if simply given a pen, pencil, or crayons to color and draw. As an (almost) architect now, I understand the use of them as a tool to tell the story of a project, and my story as a professional. The Lamy Safari pen was given to me by a college professor and good friend upon my M.Arch graduation. He can out-draw me with his eyes closed and one hand tied behind his back, but because of this he continues to be an inspiration to pick up my pen and tell my story in drawings. My “pencil” is a recent gift from my mom and already a favorite new tool. I love the craftsmanship: the weight of the walnut, the attention to detail in its historic references to the carpenter pencil while playing so well with the tools on the iPad. It’s a reminder that the design is in the details.
Camera
I invested in a nice camera for the business almost 3 years ago and it has been one of the best investments I’ve made thus far. Between photography for products and projects as well as travel, it has already proven more than worth the initial cost. This is another piece of the “tools that tell your story”, and quality will most frequently win in that arena.
Family
This is a last but not least thing. I have been shaped and loved and shaped some more by my family. These 3 other humans mean the world to me, probably more than any other humans on the planet…but I’m biased that way. I’ve loved, even through the hard times, getting to watch them grow and helping them on their journeys in life. I will always have their back and I know the same is true in reverse, and that is the most important and my most favorite thing in life. Someone there to share your story with.
The running theme in these favorite things is the story that they tell. The story they bring to my life and how they each individually change, impact, or otherwise color my own personal and professional story. For me at least, these favorite things gained special places in my heart because they each make me who I am today and help me better tell the story of my life and the projects I touch. As I’ve mentioned before, Architecture is very much in the story we tell; it is the why behind the tools. I might venture as far to say that the telling of stories about the profession is one of the reasons behind this #ArchiTalks series (though I won’t pretend to know Bob’s initial motives).
