darby – Page 22

Dog Is My Co-Pilot

I have been completely, utterly, unabashedly in love with our canine comrades for as long as I can remember. I have had at least one dog, more like two, and a cat or two, since I was born, thanks to my mom and her love of providing needy animals a home. But now, in my adulthood, (as if this phenomonon has just happened or something…adulthood…HA) I am missing this important addition to the family.

I watch more Cesar, The Dog Whisperer and too closely follow the famous Dooce’s daily Chuck posts than a non-dog owner should be allowed. So I live vicariously, and it seems to be working for now.

My obsession met the final straw today, though, while taking a break from “the footballs”. I looked up from reading and realized that the hail-mary-hoping quarterback had suddenly become the extreme vertical dog champion, Flash. These dogs are amazing. (I guess they are called Dock Dogs). I couldn’t find the ESPN footage from today, but you have got to see this:

I am highly entertained by this. Like, a kid “laughing-until-milk-comes-pouring-out-of-the-nose” type of entertained. Then, a part of me feels bad for the dog. Like, awe, the poor things…having to jump through hoops and catch frisbees and swim and fly through the air like we dumb humans make them…it’s all so, well, entertaining.

Time for a dog, huh?

2030 Challenge

If you already didn’t know it, the building industry is the largest US consumer of energy, clocking in with a whopping 48% of the total US consumption. Buildings are also the largest source of greenhouse gas emmisions, worldwide. From a positive perspective, this information gives us the most concrete place to have an incredible impact on reversing global warming. And Ed Mazria and his non-profit based Architecture 2030 proposes just that with their 2030 Challenge. The proposal states that by the year 2030, to prevent â€œcatastrophicâ€ climate change, the building sector must become carbon neutral. Architecture 2030 reminds us that “these targets are readily achievable.” To accomplish this, they have set forth the following goals:

All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.

At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area shall be renovated annually to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.

The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings shall be increased to:
60% in 2010
70% in 2015
80% in 2020
90% in 2025
Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate).
These targets may be accomplished by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing (20% maximum) renewable energy and/or certified renewable energy credits.

An interesting interview with Ed Mazria is featured on inhabitat dot com, exploring the issues of climate change, sustainable design, architectural education and the 2030 Challenge.

I am also excited to report that the Savannah Chapter of the USGBC and SCAD are sponsoring An Evening with Ed Mazria October 9th at the Trustees Theater. It is free and open to the public, but space is limited. I’m not sure exactly what that means, really, but I guess it means get there early to scavenge a seat.

[via Martin Melaver]

For Your Entertainment

Ansel Adams – Farm Workers and Mt. Williamson, CA

If you care to play along, pretend that you have to answer 150 questions with one of the following choices:
“Agree”
“Disagree”
“Neither Agree Nor Disagree”

Oh yeah, and also, pretend that you are involved in the beginning stages of an “interview” at a temp agency.

Please find that space within you that is both humbled and completely annoyed by having to fill out an “application”, even though you have worked your booty off over the last twelve years to alleviate the need for this task. Add to that your instructions to bring two copies of your resume, as well (redundant, huh?). Slap that smile on your face, breathe deep, and remember that this, too, shall pass.

Ready? Here are five of my most favorite, ACTUAL, questions that I answered last week.

1) People rarely comment on my good manners.

2) I like to say things that are witty and clever

3) I have never used swear words

4) It is all right to bend the law if you do not actually break it

5) I have never intentionally told a lie

How would you have answered? I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours…

One last thing, kind-hearted readers: do you like the new design?

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