Something random from a few months ago...

Hi all,

Haven't written most of you in quite some time because I've been in my underground lair grinding out a thesis for so long. Well, it is done. I now have a Master's degree in Architecture. I finished strong standing in front of the most difficult defense committee I could have possibly chosen. (I'm a sucker for punishment) They beat me up pretty good but I had responses to all their questions and, in the end, came out on top. I am really proud of my work and I'm proud of what I produced. now I have to try to reintegrate back into the daytime world of normal people. It's almost as hard as reintegrating after the Army. Well, ok, not quite.


So now I'm riding out the Summer in Ottawa working a couple of odd jobs just to make some cash and I'm off to Vancouver with Katy in late July or early August. We're really excited about the move but we're not sure how we're getting there, yet. Minor details, right? All is good here in Ottawa. The weather has been spectacular following the worst winter Ottawa has seen in a long time. I can't tell you how beautiful sunshine is after having a couple of meters of snow on the ground for a few months. We've been getting alot of use out of the barbecue in the courtyard and we've planted flowers and herbs in the garden that's outside our ground-level window. We got new screens this weekend so we can finally open our windows! It's been a long time since I've had open windows. The cats always got out before. I guess that's about it. Let's see... thesis done... odd jobs... Summer... sunshine... Vancouver... yep, that basically covers it. Hope you are all well. I owe a bunch of you phone calls and am trying to get caught up on those, too. Maybe I'll hear back from you all in the meantime. Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Michael

The time has come...

Time to go defend my thesis. Here goes everything!

Look, I made a model...

Well, here's my finished model. I thought I'd throw a picture or two up while I'm thinking about it. Enjoy...

Mom,

Today, on Mother's Day 2008, I sit at school working on my thesis project. Just like yesterday. And the day before that. In 2 days I will finish the proudest accomplishment of my life. After seven long years of study, I will have a Master's degree in architecture. I tell no lie when I say that I could not have accomplished this without the unceasing support of my mother. I'm 30 years old and still she is there anytime life's got one up on me. Her love and her tender words have nursed me through many wounds. Her stern and wise voice has drug me from many a slump. But most importantly to me, her pride and respect have confirmed to me the man I have become. If I am a man my mother can be proud of, then I am the man I have always wanted to be. Thank you for working so hard to be my mother. You've done a spot-on job. I love you without question, without end, and without equal. Today the work I do honors you.

(Hope I get home in time to call but if not, I love you and happy Mother's Day!)

2:30 am... drawing away

I'm completely alone at school. It's strange. I'm used to being one of a few but it's rare that the building is completely vacant.

late night tune

I haven't posted a harmonica video in awhile.

Woodworkand Glasses and Cookies... Oh My!

Hi everyone,

Well, I'm finally getting pictures of my fantastic new glasses put online (sorry for the delay, mom, dad, and sis). Katy plotted with my family while I was in India and they all bought me new glasses that I needed oh-so-very badly! Also, I'll throw a couple of pictures up of my latest carpentry project. My director, Marco, hired me to do some custom trim work in his kitchen. It was a learning experience but a whole lot of fun. I didn't do the cabinets, but I did the trim and the backsplash boards. I'll get more complete pictures put up but this gives an idea of what I've been up to. Ok, going to Toronto with Katy for the night to see her folks then I'm coming home alone tomorrow to finish my thesis. Bye now.

P.S. (my version) Katy has been nagging me for more than a week (since the glasses came in) to put pictures online because she told my family she would. i finally had time today so here they are... not her fault.

P.S. (Katy's version... paraphrased) I am a big jerk and mean and lazy and it's about time I get these pictures up because my family will hate her but it's my big jerky jerkface fault and not hers. [Also included were such wonderful expletives as "jerkasaurus," "king of jerkdom," "jerkalufagus," and "jerky-the-jerkheaded-jerk-a-lump"]

update

Well, for those who may be curious, I was supposed to defend this past Monday but there was a hiccup and I am now to defend on May 14th at 10am. A few days before my defense, Marco, the program's director, found a source that will add key information to my work. At first I was really bummed. They informed me of this extension 4 days before my defense. Now, though, I am into the book he recommended and am glad for the extra depth this new research will provide. This book is called The Craftsman, and couldn't be more on-topic to my thesis. The exciting part is that this book was just published through Yale last month. That means that my thesis is timely and of contemporary importance. I'm doing research that's being published elsewhere. I take that as quite a coincidental compliment to my work. So I am still reading, still drawing, still modeling and preparing to do a bit more writing. I have high hopes for my defense. Historically, my high hopes are often dashed against the rocks but this time I think my expectations are not unfounded as so often they have been in the past. Indeed, I have worked my ass off for this. Let's hope it's enough. Ok, back to the books.