I found this on a friend's blog, and I've fallen in love with Daniel Libeskind's enthusiasm and adoration of his craft. This personifies my goal for this process: To remain as enthusiastic as him till I'm dead and gone.
I'm going to start reading more books. I've always read a little bit here and there, but I've always felt like I was being lazy with my reading habits. I would read a chapter, stop for the night, read a chapter the next week, stop for the night. It never really allowed me to be fully immersed in what I was reading.
So now, I plan on beginning a more vigorous reading schedule. I don't want to just cram more books in, but instead replace time wasted on television and repetitive internet scanning with a relaxed night on the couch with a book.
I think I'm starting to understand that reading, the act itself, is more than just a relaxing hobby. It never really has been for me. Reading takes effort. Reading is an art. I know, it sounds silly, but bear with me. Reading is an art form practiced by both the reader and the author. I've read books where I could only skim over the surface and barely dip in to the intentions of the author. On the other hand I have read other books that are able pull me into each word and I absorb the language between the text as well as the author's designated intentions. With the latter, there was an extra effort given by both myself and the author. I want to give and receive that extra effort because it's through reading that we are able to understand each other.
I'll give an example.
When most people are really able to express themselves or an idea, it's not through language. People are seldom eloquent when spurred to speak on the spot. It's through written word. Text. Books. Writing and reading are where we understand each other at a deeper, more human level. We are able to thoroughly explore theories and thoughts and express them without the hindrance of our muddled vocal language.
So yes, I want to read more, I need to read more. To become a more active, more informed, more connected human.
And so far, here is my list of wanted books:
Diary of a Bad Year - J.M. Coetzee
The Poetics of Space - Gaston Bachelard
The Practice of Everyday Life - Certeau, Michel de
Thirdspace: Expanding the Geographical Imagination - Edward W. Soja
So I'm now officially registered for classes. I've left Tuesdays and Thursdays open so I can still work 2 days during the week. It's all starting to feel like it's in the present now instead of in the future. I'm excited.
I figured that since I am going to be going back to school, I should be keeping my portfolio up to date and in working order. While I was working on my entrance portfolio for the UK Architecture program, I decided to do just that. And since I already have a website online, I made the decision to update that with the portfolio I provided for the entrance portfolio. So go check out www.mcallisterart.com.
I bought a new bicycle today, and I have to say, it rates quite high on the awesome-ness scale. I'll be using it to commute to class when I start school in the spring, which should save me a lot in gas prices and get me in shape fairly quickly.
The past couple of weekends Terri and I have been building some new doors for my workshop. We just completed them this weekend and I must say, they look great. Hopefully all of our renovation projects go this well.
Finally! I received a letter in the mail today and it reads as follows:
Dear Jonathan McAllister,
It is a pleasure to inform you that the Admissions Committee of the School of Architecture has recommended you Acceptance to this School, at the first-year Architecture level, for Fall 2008 enrollment.
I can finally breathe now. I'm so excited to actually get started with this program. This is a huge step in my life and the beginning of something great, I can feel it. So everyone that was waiting along with me, breathe easy. All those encouraging words were not in vain. Thanks.
I've been doing some finish cabinetry at the current job that I'm working at and I'm quite happy with how the projects have turned out.
When you're ready for some recommendations, let me know. Between Brian and I, we'll likely keep you busy reading for... read more
on Read More.