The Trace – Building a Neighborhood

April 24, 2009

My updating has not kept up with the progress on The Trace. This is the 28-house Habitat for Humanity neighborhood that Kristen, Sam, Nadene, and I worked on from August through November of last year. Thanks to the effort Habitat has put in over the last nine months, the neighborhood is nearly complete. All it needs is some landscaping work and, of course, people! The certificates of occupancy have been delayed while Habitat waits for the City of Long Beach to approve the neighborhood plat, so nobody has moved in yet, but twelve families have already been selected for houses …

And… I’m Back!

April 6, 2009

Once you stop writing for even a couple days, it’s easy to fall into that bad habit. Life has been eventful recently; there’s plenty to write about, if I can get around to it. There was my parents’ visit in February, a great architecture conference in Dallas called Structures for Inclusion, and more discussions about the mission and values of the GCCDS. Carmen’s house has made a lot of progress, as has the Trace, which is turning out to be a wonderful project. Spring in Biloxi brings all kinds of excitement: I flooded my car in a ditch, saw an …

Going to Dallas

March 19, 2009

Jody, James, Nadene and I will be piling into Dora the Explorer today bound for Dallas, along with the rest of the GCCDS, for the Structures for Inclusion conference. We stop over tonight at the Blue Moon Guesthouse in Lafayette, Louisiana. This is always a great conference and this weekend should be very interesting.

Happy Birthday, Chris

March 17, 2009

My friend Malcolm Christopher Eckel turns 24 today. In honor of your birthday, Chris, I thought I’d pull out a couple pictures from back in the day. Those were good times.

Jean Lafitte Park

March 6, 2009

On Tuesday, my parents and I visited Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve outside of New Orleans. The day was sunny but cool enough to discourage bugs, perfect weather for a bayou walk.

A House for Carmen, 3

February 26, 2009

Carmen’s house has made immense progress in the past week. Two groups are currently working on it; Christian Aid Ministries, the group that framed the house, is currently building the ramp and finishing the siding and exterior, while Hope Force is sheetrocking the interior at a rapid pace. They expect to be painting the interior and exterior by next week.

Barry Schwartz on our loss of wisdom | TED.com

February 26, 2009

Barry Schwartz’s 2009 TED speech ties in with many of the discussions we have been having here at the GCCDS about values, ethics, service, and leadership. – – – About this talk Barry Schwartz makes a passionate call for “practical wisdom” as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world. About Barry Schwartz Barry Schwartz studies the link between economics and psychology, offering startling insights into modern life. Lately, working with Ken Sharpe, he’s studying wisdom. Watch the video …

Mardi Gras.BLX

February 25, 2009

Yesterday was Mardi Gras, the conclusion of the Carnival season. This is the second Mardi Gras I’ve spent in Biloxi. (And Ocean Springs and New Orleans). The parade featured 120 floats and other units and an estimated 85,000 people showed up to watch.

Sunday Gras

February 23, 2009

Sunday was an eventful day and, as usual, I only managed to take a few pictures. I am not sure how to train myself to be better at this. I went to New Orleans with Doug, Jesse, and KC, and met a large group of friends to watch the Krewe of Thoth and Bacchus parades. Here’s a look at Thoth passing our friend’s house on Magazine Street:

Don’t Smoke in Bed

February 21, 2009

Alan, Leah, and I did the TatoNut ride this morning with the Gulf Coast Bicycle Club. About 30 miles total through scenic Ocean Springs, ending at the TatoNut donut shop. When I returned home, I found this scene next door: Nobody seems to have been hurt. Don’t smoke in bed.

design, build, learn. repeat.