“Huge, drab buildings suddenly started to pop up like mushrooms all over the place. It was if nobody had created them, as if they multiplied by themselves. Sometimes, when we visit other cities and countries, we ask ourselves where the beauty of the olden days has gone. In some places we get the impression that all buildings have been designed by structural glass manufacturers”; all the roads by asphalt companies; and all the parks by lawn mower firms. It seems as though the architects sign on the dotted line but are excluded from the decision-making process. We ask ourselves why everything has to be planned in one go and built at top speed right up to the last minute. In our opinion, things only work if they are allowed to evolve — and that requires time. Perhaps it would be practical to oblige all architects and clients to live for a time in the buildings they construct. If you don’t like a painting, you can take it off the wall, or put it away, or even burn it — but architecture stays standing for at least fifty years and it is impossible to ignore its presence. We should and must do it better.”

- “A World Without a Manual” by Jan Körbes (REFUNC.NL) in Rematerial: From Waste to Architecture, by Alejandro Bahamón and Maria Camila Sanjinés (W. W. Norton, 2010, p. 183)

Dad and I hiking around Sedona and him being patient while I fiddle around with my camera.

Family Christmas, 2007.

April 4th, 2008 started out like any other day. Wake up, head into work, see what fires needed tending at Jasper Winery which was under construction and working on the next big design. It was a Friday, so we were all making after work plans and gearing up for a relaxing weekend.

Sometime either before or right after lunch I look down at my phone and see my grandpa and grandma were calling. Immediately I know something is dreadfully wrong, they never call during the work day. I answer…

Grandpa does not sound like himself and he can barely speak. But I make out the words “Brad, this is your grandpa and I have terrible terrible news. Your dad had a heart attack and (very long pause) he didn’t make it to the hospital. I’m so sorry.” My first reaction was pure denial, then as I stood up at my desk I remember my legs weren’t under me. I caught myself on my desk as the gravity of those words pulled me down. My co-workers were wondering what had happened. I went back to the conference room to call Janie to confirm if what I heard was true. 

I called my roommate at the time Ash. Immediately he came and picked me up we we just drove. I saw my phone ringing with calls I took a few, and let many go to voicemail. I called a couple of other friends and asked them to relay the news as I couldn’t tell what had happened over and over and over… Then I called my grandma and granddad to tell them another person they truly loved had passed. The first time I made a call like that was with my dad to tell them there beloved daughter, my mom, passed away on April 24th, 2003. The second wall was somehow, more difficult than the 1st. I was now feeling completely lost, alone, terrified, sad, and the physical congestion through out my body was unbelievable. I felt like I was imploding.

I get a call from my uncle Kevin inviting me up to Ames for the night. At first I declined, but then we realized our driving had taken us past Story City so we pulled into my uncle’s house, had dinner, shared memories and tried to ease our minds. It was good to be surrounded by family and friends at that moment, as I had no idea what was next. I felt as though the world had ground and crashed to a halt, that none of this could be true. But I know I was in the right place at the right time. To my Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Kevin and Ash I am forever grateful for you being there that night that brought no sleep which continued for several days.

The next morning I called American Airlines at 8 am and I was on a plane to Phoenix by 3pm. I needed to be with Grandpa, Grandma and Janie…

To be continued.

A few weeks ago, Mike, Jeni and took a Saturday for random photos. The store Found Things in Des Moines’ version of the East Village provided some good fodder for our lenses.

A few of the highlights:

Knobs

Is this the keymaster or the gatekeeper?

Spartus - I wonder what that flash can do.

Just Creepy…

Mickey