design, build, learn. repeat.

Biloxi’s draft Comprehensive Plan

This week, the City of Biloxi held a series of public meetings to solicit community input into the draft of the city’s new Comprehensive Plan (see an online version of the plan here). The plan, produced by Wallace Roberts & Todd, is nicely put together; but at 232 pages, it’s more than casual reading.  The draft plan: Focuses on the next 20-25 years. Will be revised to address public comments and a final Comprehensive Plan will be adopted by City Council. Will be implemented through the Land Development Ordinance, zoning adjustments, and city projects (roads, sidewalks, key buildings). So what …

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Labor Day pictures

Seth sent me some cool pictures from last Labor Day weekend’s work in New Orleans. As I described before, Seth and Emilie’s house is… A historic “camelback” shotgun house on Louisiana Avenue, it’s surprisingly spacious and will be divided into two units; the primary apartment in the front and a rental unit in the two-story portion in the rear. A complete renovation is a huge undertaking for two people, but it will be an amazing house once it is finished. Seth and I spent the afternoon pulling up floorboards and adding new floor joists in the upstairs bedroom to create …

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New house!

All good things come to an end. My house in Biloxi has taken great care of me and my roommates, but now we need to move. Never fear, though, we’re not going far — in fact, we’re literally moving across the street. And, yes, we now have a pink flamingo for a mailbox. With Alan moving to Korea in two weeks, the new house will be made up of myself, Doug, Will (newly returned from Boston), and Sam (moving from Bay St. Louis). It’s spacious and has a nice back deck and I think we’ll fit in well.

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UVA vs. Southern Miss

Virginia college football doesn’t often come to Mississippi, but this Saturday the Cavaliers traveled to the University of Southern Mississippi to play the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Along with non-UVa-fans Doug, Anne, and Jesse, I went up to Hattiesburg for the game. We met some Biloxi friends right by the stadium for a tailgate before the game. After leading 27-10 at halftime Virginia managed to choke and lose it 34-37. But I had a good time cheering for my team (along with tens, nay twenties of other Cavalier fans) and enjoying the experience of college football game day.

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Dear Mississippi drivers

You know the quote: “As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.” Well, as a regular bicyclist, I naturally hate both drivers and pedestrians. But surely we can all get along? Dear Mississippi drivers: if you can learn a few simple things, we will both be much happier! When passing bicycles, particularly on a narrow road, you may need to wait until you can pass safely. Speeding by while leaning out the window and screaming “GET OFF THE ROAD, FAG!” is not an …

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Labor Day weekend

As it should be, Labor Day weekend was full of sun and adventure (and even a little bit of labor). As part of our ongoing effort to meet new ultimate players around the coast, Doug, Jesse, Jon, the other Doug and I went to New Orleans on Sunday to play some pick-up ultimate frisbee. Meeting up with a local group, we played for several good hours on the lawn in front of Audubon Zoo. One of my goals is to spend more time in New Orleans, and a frisbee game every few weeks is a great reason to go over. …

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9/11 National Day of Service

This Friday, September 11 will be the first 9/11 National Day of Service. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which increased the size of the AmeriCorps program, also established the National Day of Service as a way to remember the victims of 9/11 and encourage Americans to give back to their communities. Many organizations, even before the Serve America Act was passed, have taken up the call for service. Here in Biloxi, Hands On Gulf Coast will be coordinating activites for K-5 students at North Bay Elementary. Kids will be doing chalk murals, crafts, essays, and talking with local …

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Deconstructing the Dome

Since Hurricane Katrina, the Salvation Army’s temporary dome has stood in a prominent spot on Division Street between Nichols Elementary, Yankie Stadium, and St. John AME church, housing many of the organization’s relief and recovery operations. Over the past year, as the Salvation Army wound down these operations, the dome stood there guarded by a security guard but unoccupied. This week, biking to work, I saw workers finally deconstructing the dome. Another part of the legacy of the hurricane will soon be gone. In its place will be a new Joan and Ray Kroc Corps Community Center, which will feature …

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A House for John

John’s house is finally under way. Saturday, I helped notch the piles and build the rim joists along with a group of students from Keesler. Since then, Jeremy, Molly, Doug, and Colleen have been making progress on the floor.

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Perception and Color

I came across a very interesting article by IBM researchers Bernice Rogowitz and Lloyd Treinish. It’s called “Why Should Engineers and Scientists Be Worried About Color?“, and it deals with how human perceptions of color can affect the representation of information. While graphic designers may or may not be familiar with this, it was certainly new to me.

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