Friday, October 23, 2009
Started the day with intense studying for my midterm, but after it was over, I got to enjoy my birthday. The cards and well wishes were much appreciated. Shiva took me to Cuchi Cuchi, which was excellent--probably the best meal I've had in Massachusetts actually. The aesthetics were well executed--the interior design and waitress outfits were 20s style, which was fun.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Last night and this morning were shaky, but I rebounded. It was the first time in weeks I got off track. I worked in the Everglades studio for several hours, rapidly completing the employment data mapping but running into hurdles with the soils. I came home and skated, ate dinner, took care of some administrative things, and worked on assignments for simulating sustainable futures.
I'm trying to set up a collaborative project for thesis that extends beyond the planning department. It is my belief that big problems that planners have traditionally tried to tackle on their own will require interdisciplinary work in the future. In my case, I'm looking at south and central Florida's hydrological challenges--providing drinking water, flood control, and habitat conservation. The current system is not working well, and it's about to get worse with climate change. I want to assemble a team that would consist, at a minimum, of an ecologist specializing in wetland habitat, engineer specializing in water infrastructure, an economist specializing in infrastructure financing, an architect, a climate scientist, and possibly a hydrologist. It might be impossible to coordinate all the moving pieces, but that's one of the key jobs of a planner, right?
I'm trying to set up a collaborative project for thesis that extends beyond the planning department. It is my belief that big problems that planners have traditionally tried to tackle on their own will require interdisciplinary work in the future. In my case, I'm looking at south and central Florida's hydrological challenges--providing drinking water, flood control, and habitat conservation. The current system is not working well, and it's about to get worse with climate change. I want to assemble a team that would consist, at a minimum, of an ecologist specializing in wetland habitat, engineer specializing in water infrastructure, an economist specializing in infrastructure financing, an architect, a climate scientist, and possibly a hydrologist. It might be impossible to coordinate all the moving pieces, but that's one of the key jobs of a planner, right?
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Thursday-Tuesday: 4
I've been disciplined for several days now. Even if I've felt tired, I've willed myself to "power up", as Juan Carlos says. I've substantially cut down my sugar intake as one of my new resolutions. I've tried to do this before, and after about a week I start to get heavy cravings. I cave each time--I'm trying again, and so far so good. It's been about a week, if not more, and though I felt small cravings today, it was manageable.
It's semi-stressful seeing all the new people around and being in the vicinity of the orientation buzz, but it's also enjoyable in a sense. I'm happy to be a returning student, as opposed to a new student, because I already feel at home and within a schedule.
I've been disciplined for several days now. Even if I've felt tired, I've willed myself to "power up", as Juan Carlos says. I've substantially cut down my sugar intake as one of my new resolutions. I've tried to do this before, and after about a week I start to get heavy cravings. I cave each time--I'm trying again, and so far so good. It's been about a week, if not more, and though I felt small cravings today, it was manageable.
It's semi-stressful seeing all the new people around and being in the vicinity of the orientation buzz, but it's also enjoyable in a sense. I'm happy to be a returning student, as opposed to a new student, because I already feel at home and within a schedule.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Scores for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 4, 4, 3
The trip continues to be excellent. We switched to Hearthside B&B, which is as lovely as the last one. We explored the "downtown area", went on a boat ride around the harbor, spent a while on one of the smaller islands--Little Cranberry Island--and yesterday did a moderate hike up to Penobscot mountain and watched the sun set from Cadillac. The reason yesterday got a 3 was that I was a little relaxed with my discipline regarding diet and hygiene.
The overall environment is so refreshing that it's the only experience I've had in several years that makes me wonder about city living. In many ways the quality of life is higher here than a city, and it has many of the virtues that make city life appealing, chiefly that there are several good restaurants and shops within walking distance, and that there seems to be a real community living around the town area. Maybe a cosmopolitan town (not a suburb!) surrounded by natural beauty is the best way to go? I had many flashbacks to Santa Fe, between the sunset, the freshness of the air, the Juniper trees, and the wildflowers. I was reminded how pleasant my life was back then, though of course the sweetness of my recollection is linked with the pleasures of being at school. In any case, nothing is decided, but it makes me wonder.
The trip continues to be excellent. We switched to Hearthside B&B, which is as lovely as the last one. We explored the "downtown area", went on a boat ride around the harbor, spent a while on one of the smaller islands--Little Cranberry Island--and yesterday did a moderate hike up to Penobscot mountain and watched the sun set from Cadillac. The reason yesterday got a 3 was that I was a little relaxed with my discipline regarding diet and hygiene.
The overall environment is so refreshing that it's the only experience I've had in several years that makes me wonder about city living. In many ways the quality of life is higher here than a city, and it has many of the virtues that make city life appealing, chiefly that there are several good restaurants and shops within walking distance, and that there seems to be a real community living around the town area. Maybe a cosmopolitan town (not a suburb!) surrounded by natural beauty is the best way to go? I had many flashbacks to Santa Fe, between the sunset, the freshness of the air, the Juniper trees, and the wildflowers. I was reminded how pleasant my life was back then, though of course the sweetness of my recollection is linked with the pleasures of being at school. In any case, nothing is decided, but it makes me wonder.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Score for Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4
Shiva and I arrived in Bar Harbor for our vacation. We took Route 1 instead of 95 for its reputed scenic quality, and though we were underwhelmed up until Rockport, after that point it was beautiful. The landscape featured rolling hills, colorful wildflowers, the ocean coast on one side (sometimes below a cliff, sometimes not), patches of trees (particularly evergreens), and large rocks scattered on agricultural fields.
The harbor and park themselves are even more beautiful. Yesterday we drove the majority of the park loop road, stopping to visit various features. The coastal side gave dramatic views of crashing ocean waves and sand beaches, and the western side offered equally majestic views of glacial lakes and mountains. The drive to the top of Mount Cadillac reminded me of the drive up to St. John's College in Santa Fe.
It was bizarre to tour a national forest by car, surrounded by hordes of other people. Twice I had to parallel park, in a NATIONAL FOREST, to see a site. I do not automatically condemn this designed auto-access, not to mention that its not universally an issue as the majority of the park is not accessible by car. This is the part we plan to visit in the next few days. The plus side of this is that you can see a large section in a short amount of time. We also had a narrated tour CD we borrowed, which was actually very helpful. The downside is the noise and ugliness of the cars, plus the insane amount of people.
On a closing note, the B&B, Aysgarth, is wonderful. Our hosts are knowledgeable and friendly, and Jane is a great cook. I was expecting scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast, but instead, she's made us figs with sweet cream, filo pastries with egg and cheese, homemade pastries, fresh juices, and more.
Shiva and I arrived in Bar Harbor for our vacation. We took Route 1 instead of 95 for its reputed scenic quality, and though we were underwhelmed up until Rockport, after that point it was beautiful. The landscape featured rolling hills, colorful wildflowers, the ocean coast on one side (sometimes below a cliff, sometimes not), patches of trees (particularly evergreens), and large rocks scattered on agricultural fields.
The harbor and park themselves are even more beautiful. Yesterday we drove the majority of the park loop road, stopping to visit various features. The coastal side gave dramatic views of crashing ocean waves and sand beaches, and the western side offered equally majestic views of glacial lakes and mountains. The drive to the top of Mount Cadillac reminded me of the drive up to St. John's College in Santa Fe.
It was bizarre to tour a national forest by car, surrounded by hordes of other people. Twice I had to parallel park, in a NATIONAL FOREST, to see a site. I do not automatically condemn this designed auto-access, not to mention that its not universally an issue as the majority of the park is not accessible by car. This is the part we plan to visit in the next few days. The plus side of this is that you can see a large section in a short amount of time. We also had a narrated tour CD we borrowed, which was actually very helpful. The downside is the noise and ugliness of the cars, plus the insane amount of people.
On a closing note, the B&B, Aysgarth, is wonderful. Our hosts are knowledgeable and friendly, and Jane is a great cook. I was expecting scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast, but instead, she's made us figs with sweet cream, filo pastries with egg and cheese, homemade pastries, fresh juices, and more.
Friday, August 21, 2009
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