James Stamp from Life Without Buildings came up with a brilliant set of cards that gives advice on how to work "I'm an architect" into casual conversations (as displayed in the image above this entry). For six weeks I will do a weekly piece that explains how I relate to each situation displayed in the cards.

First up, is the most obvious: Start A Blog

Obviously the readers of this site were left in a blur of knowledge regarding my employment situation until some of my recent postings. At last weeks Central Oregon Blogger Meet-up, Shannon mentioned that she thought I was a graphic designer. Well, at least she didn't peg me as a employee of Liberty Tax, specifically the guy in the Statue of Liberty suit.

When this blog was started, I knew the path I was on. Well, minor deviations are a part of life, so it was hard to know the exact timing of all of this, but the fact is I didn't wake up one day and say "I think I'll be an architect". Nope, that's not how it works. I pretty much had this decided upon in high school. Of course the profession has changed a bit since then (and for the better), but the path you take to get is was never quick and easy.

Well, the point of all this is that while this blog wasn't created for the sole purpose of letting me proclaim my career path, it's more relevant now. How?, you ask. Well, let me illustrate:

Now when I post something and get a comment back like, "Who do you think you are to make such a statement?". I can simply reply back "I'm an architect, that's who".

Even if my post is on the texture of the french fries at Burger King, I now have a statement that either will silence the confrontation or either confuse them to a point of giving up. Is there really a response to the statement "I'm an architect"? Think about it.

The point is not to proclaim arrogance, because truly anyone is arrogant when they have nothing to back up their statements. I can't state that the sky is green and expect you to accept it. Nope, that's not the point. There are rules that I have to play by.

Well, after thinking about this, it's more of statement that I can make when people ask what I do, and not rather why I am always right. Darn.

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(keeneye on May 7, 2008 6:27 PM) Sounds like you're channeling George Costanza. "I'm an architect." Riiiiiiight.

(monkeyinabox on May 7, 2008 8:47 PM) George had the dream, but it takes more than the dream to get to proclaim that. ;)

Over the last month, I got into a ritual of walking Pilot Butte on a regular basis, so that might have helped, but day one was a piece of cake. Technically, I'm only half-way done with the daily commute, but the morning offered no challenges, and I could tell that I hadn't digressed much since my last ride back in November.

Geez, had it really been six-months already? I can look back and see a world of changes that have occurred since then: some predictable and some not, but that's life.

Last year I pushed hard in May and commuted 16 days, which was about twice my average in May. Since April was a complete wash, I'm going to try and push it hard from here on out. With predictions of gas rising to over $4/gallon, it gives me even more reasons to keep it up.

I always feel like once you get the wheels spinning it's easier to keep them going that it was to get them started. So, spin, spin, spin, the snow is gone and it's a new season. Breathe in, breathe out, and just do it.

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(Pendullum on May 6, 2008 8:15 AM) Carpe Diem! Or better still... How in Latin do you say 'Seize the Season'?

(monkeyinabox on May 6, 2008 9:01 AM) Certamen bikini-suicidus-disci mox coepit. Oh wait, that means "Does the Bikini-Suicide-Frisbee match start soon?" Close enough for me though.

First up, who steals candy from my desk? Amazing. Earlier in the week we had a product rep. doing a presentation and he made it slightly more interesting by offering candy as prizes for answering questions. I answered one and got some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. They were on my desk, but today when I looked for them, they were gone.

Hmmmmmmmm.... The cleaning crew was in Wednesday night and I was busy enough yesterday that I might have failed to look for my candy. My desk is also a bit messy currently. It doesn't matter how digital you try to make your life, paper just won't go away and when you have pieces that are 24 inches by 36 inches all over the place it makes for even more of a mess.

The truth is we have candy in the office anyway and I try to avoid it as much as possible, so the fact that it is gone isn't all bad, but the question is who's the dirty-rotten scoundrel who took it? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

Well, it's not 'who stole my candy day', but rather a time to reflect on the past. Back in my slightly younger years (not that I'm that old mind you), I was engrossed in the gangsta-rap world. Yep, I knew the lingo and possessed a strength of street knowledge. There's a point in time where you wonder if you are always going to embrace the same things as you did when you were younger.

In some ways you might still be able to tolerate it, and in some ways maybe you've moved on and no longer have a need for it. Well, with music I think you always have a bit of it inside you. Perhaps you haven't heard a certain song for a long time, but when you do, it all comes back to you.

That comes to the title of this post. While it's easy to move on at times, there's certain things in life that you know you will always hold on to. Well, I wondered how my past love of gangsta rap would change with a daughter or a more professional life. Simply put, thankfully someone else did this so I didn't have to, because I could have made this as well. What day is today? It's N.W.A. day!

Yep. That's how it is when you get a little older and things change, but in some ways things never change.

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Later it was Roller Derby time. Nothing says fun like an old-fashioned ass-kicking roller derby. I was actually bummed that fellow blogger Shannon gave up the bruisin', for a more civilized life. Well, this was actually my first time going to one of the Lava City Roller Dolls matches. The Dolls faced up against the Slaughter County Roller Vixens.

I had no idea how the scoring really worked, but it was nice because they explained it before starting. Of course once the action starts it's more fun watching the pushing and shoving and falling and crashing, than watching the jammer break through the pack and trying to keep score. I think when you start to look at the ladies names and the general vibe of the place, it's half-sport, half-entertainment and half-something else. I know you can only have two halves, but this is roller derby.

I have to say that Eda de Fleur scored points on my behalf with the monkey socks.

Of course the eye-makeup was scary as hell.

Seriously, it was a blast and I'll be back on May 31st. Of course the weekend prior brings some great music to Bend. After being off and on and off and on, Modest Mouse is coming for real! So, art and culture will return in one month's time. Bravo!

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(Mrs. H on Apr 28, 2008 9:52 AM) I may be back to the bruising life in the fall. I'll keep you posted. I totally called the Wilco show, didn't I?

(monkeyinabox on Apr 28, 2008 1:18 PM) Yes, you did call the Wilco show. I think I'm going to have to confirm concert rumors with you from now on. What? Betsy Bones will skate again? Probably a good idea to have your kid first. Then you can really scar them for life.

It's fun at times to look back and see the beginnings and how I got to where I am now. Certainly a lot has changed in my life during this. It's also refreshing to seeing a future wide open with possibilities. I guess that's much better than reaching a milestone and saying "blah, more of the same with a bleak outlook ahead". No thanks, says I.

What have I learned? Don't write about pit bulls, don't play poker against 12-year olds, monkey wagons in parades rock, people love t-shirts, roundabouts truly affect you, and people still don't know how to properly drive in roundabouts .

Well, certainly I've learned more than just that, but the best part is I can go back and no matter what I have no regrets, and since I am not in jail or under house arrest, I can say that I think that trend can continue. To The Future! Cheers!

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Well, make that an Architect and social critic. Yes, indeed. Well, here's where one architect known as Frank Lloyd Wright and I share something. I remember back prior to getting into architecture school I visited Taliesin West and while on the tour I was told that Mr. Wright had said that "anyone over six foot one was a waste of good materials". The outrage, and something only a short person with a big ego could proclaim.

I guess for far too long I could never get that quote out of my head. Of course, at some point you realize that people make statements like that to get a reaction or otherwise make a statement stating that because they think they know best. Of course he was wrong. Frank Lloyd Wright was one of those types. With that said, here is an interview with Mike Wallace from 1957. It's from two shows and about an hour in length, but it is VERY GOOD. If you can spare the time, watch it.

The fact that Mike Wallace smokes like a chimney during the entire interview is classic. Just watching this interview you can get into the mind of one of the great architects (and one with the greatest ego). You might not get him because you are part of the mobocracy or the mob. Simply put, in an age of conformity, he was a non-conformist.

While the monkey might not be quite as extreme, he does agree that Marilyn Monroe was good architecture. Time to add some more black to my wardrobe and get some black rimmed eye glasses. It might take some time before I am the social critic he was, but Frank Lloyd Wright never had to deal with Roundabout Art now, did he?

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(Cuppa on Apr 21, 2008 6:11 AM) Have you really looked at what the arts & crafts movement called furniture? Not quite the ankle-biter-annoyance-factor of the flaming chicken, i agree, but a 1000 lbs of side board . . . ?

(monkeyinabox on Apr 21, 2008 8:39 AM) Form over function? It becomes clearer and clearer everyday that modern art and everyday life has little to do with each other, and that's why most people don't get it or care to understand it.

Last night I dived into a bit of poker patience during my night playing poker at Jake's Hold'em For Habitat. Whether it was news of the upcoming week being off due to the remodel of the dining space (and thus no poker), the masses ascended on Jake's in numbers I can only remember seeing at the World Series that I played in. Simply put, it's a great environment to play Texas hold'em poker, whether you are great or just starting out. The money goes to Habitat For Humanity and winning gives you bragging rights AND it only costs $5, unless you bust out early.

Last night there were many many many rebuys, and thus the chips in play with the rebuys and amount of people made the need to have some poker patience essential. Of course this went out the window right away when I hit the nut-flush and was able to get an all-in and double up right from the start, Yeah!

I was sitting next to Lyle, who didn't dominate in his usual sense (see, the house doesn't always win). I know he had to rebuy at least once, but it wasn't just him, because based on his numbers and recap there were more than 20 rebuys alone. Trust me, that's a lot.

The main thing about the large playing field, was that it meant any victory would not be obtained quickly, especially with the amount of rebuys. I made a slight error when I was dealt pocket jacks. The pot got raised up a bit and then pre-flop I pushed all-in. I was called and pocket kings were shown. Ouch! I was ready to lose a big stack of my chips when on the river another jack hit. I think this was the most emotion I have shown at Jake's with fist pumping and thanking the poker gods. Proof that the best hand doesn't always win.

Of course after that I didn't hit many other good pots or hands and the blinds started to widdle away at my chips. Now, when your chip stack us dwindling, that's when poker patience is key. When the blinds are going around you look at your chips and think, 'should I push all in now, or wait?' Depending on the amount of chips and how many times the blinds pass you, makes this decision easier as the number draws closer to zero. I looked and saw that my chips stack was getting closer to being non-existent, so I pushed all in with a decent hand. I had a king and was able to hit it and thus doubled up my short stack.

Of course the chips I won weren't enough to truly fix the damage, so soon enough my poker patience was tested once again. I had about four hands to be dealt before the blinds would hit me and put me just about all-in without a choice. I knew that it was a matter of getting a decent hand and going with it. Of course, a suited queen was dealt to me, and I went for it. Going all-in on a flush hope is risky, considering my other card was a three. I had clubs and two clubs hit on the flop. My eyes lit up and I thought I had exercised a good play, but no more clubs came on the turn or river.

True, I busted out, but I also saw that I exercised much more poker patience than the other people who had to rebuy early. Sure, it's all for a good cause, so last week when I busted out early I did a rebuy. Going in this week, I told myself that I needed to use my poker patience to go further, and overall, I did. It's so easy to simply feel the rush and go for it, but smart poker is having patience and simply put, it's good to have it everywhere else in your life as well.

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My bike had a 7-speed cassette and I had contemplated going to an 8-speed. I had a new rear derailleur, and chain as well to install. Of course I was missing the Powerlink on my new chain, so I had to hop in the car and hunt one down. It felt like hunting because my first stop at the East-side Hutches turned up empty. I mean, this isn't ancient technology for cranky crankers sake.

After returning with the Powerlink, I switched out the system from 7-speed to 8-speed. It needed some tweaking and I also spent the afternoon trying to figure out where the hell I had hid my helmet last Fall.

Today I found my helmet, pumped up the tires and finished adjusting the shifting. I climbed aboard and started my first ride on my new 8-speed rear drive train. I did a few test laps around the block, then headed out on a test ride.

With lack of inspiration I simply did the ride I do to work when I commute. I found that the new change in gears didn't change much. I didn't go much faster or slower, and no climbs were easier, but I noticed that I hadn't lost much in my ability to push myself. I reached the 3/4 distance point on my ride to work and simply turned around. No break, no slowing down, nothing.

The pleasant weather had other cyclists out as well. Pros and kids, and everyone in between. I noticed some women casually riding bikes with pink wheels through downtown. I guess with a pink bike you have to take it slow.

Spring has already pushed some to start riding already, but me for this was day one. The last time I was riding I was pushing for my goal of 100-days, and today I was just hoping that I hadn't lost it completely. The good thing with riding a bike, is once you learn, you never forget.

My main motivation for the change to 8-speeds was to push another year out of my bike. However, on my visits to the bike shops yesterday the smell of fresh tires and the sheen on the new paint was intoxicating. The long summer might be too much to endure a sub-par ride. However, this was just day one and while I was able to work with the change to 8-speeds I'm not ready to change everything quite yet. It's only day one after all.

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I headed out in my coat, since the sky was grey and the wind was blowing. I did the six-block walk to the base where the gate to the butte was open. I was hoping that there would be no cars on it, but it didn't matter. As I neared the SUV, a police office approached me and mentioned that the butte was closed due to a missing person report.

I turned around and walked back home, taking the slightly longer route. I guess I still walked about the same amount if I had driven to the parking lot at the butte and then proceeded to walk it. Oh well. Maybe I did walk it off after all, maybe not.

Hopefully the missing person is found soon. In more ways than one.

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Since I happened to be in Portland for the day, I saw that Jens Lekman was playing at Berbati's Pan. For a mere $12, a chance to see some fine Swedish pop music is never a bad option. The opening bands were Marla Hansen and The Honeydrips.

I knew the least about Marla Hansen and her music seemed a bit too quiet for the club atmosphere. Her set featured mostly her strumming her viola and singing. I could relate because in my youth, like Marla, I also played the viola. Okay, that's about as far as relating as I can go on that one. The crowd wasn't very quiet and that took away from the music a bit. I know opening bands are opening bands, but why to people go to a concert to talk and not listen to the music? Alright, venting aside... She had an accompanying cellist on a few songs as well, which helped crank up the volume a bit. Overall, a good set.

The Honeydrips were up next. I had higher expectations for this portion of the show based on the very good album that came out last year. The Honeydrips are the solo project of Mikael Carlsson and this is where the problem started. Clearly the guy knows how to make a good studio album by himself, but his live performance was honestly one degree away from Britney Spears. He opened up his laptop, picked up a guitar and let the acoustical aspect of his album play via the laptop and stood perfectly still and added vocals (never once playing a single note on the guitar). It was almost karaoke-ish. The only redeeming factor was his one joke, "Can you hear my guitar?" Not good.

I was honestly a bit nervous about Jens Lekman, since I wasn't sure if he would be mostly solo or bringing a band along, but Jens delivered! Marla Hansen came back out, along with her cellist, plus a drummer and a bass player. This was going to be no acoustical show. It was a trade off between a orchestral section or a horn section and it paid off to go with the former. Jens mentioned that when he had previously played at Berbati's there were only about 20 people in attendance. Obviously the word gets out on how good his shows are because it was absolutely packed. His sense of humor and showmanship is something that can't be missed, and the music was great as well.

If you got to this point and know little about Jens Lekman, here are a few things to know. Better yet, listen to some songs, or better yet, see him the next time he is in town (the show is that good). I know I will.

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(mocephus on Mar 13, 2008 1:23 AM) Modest Mouse will happen. Don't sweat it. Oh, and Rogue Wave kicks Mates of State's arse.

(Mrs. H on Mar 13, 2008 7:54 AM) Did you hear the one about Wilco coming to the Four Peaks Music Festival? I could have sworn that my birdie told me the ad for Modest Mouse never ran in the Source and I thought I sent you the Pitchfork article but I guess I didn't.

If not, here's the scoop which isn't listed on the sites above:

Saturday May 24: Death Cab For Cutie, The Decemberists and Rogue Wave

Sunday May 25 Modest Mouse, The National and The Breeders

The show on the 23rd is listed on all the other sites, but why not these? Unbelievable. Looks like the Summer Concert Series might not suck after all.

[UPDATE] When in doubt, I should have gone to my real source of music news. Sunday is starting to look a little thin if only one out of three is confirmed.

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(mrs h on Mar 9, 2008 6:49 PM) Because Modest Mouse isn't actually a confirmed show. Right now, just a rumor.

(monkeyinabox on Mar 9, 2008 8:39 PM) Based on the advertisement, I would be surprised if it isn't true. You don't advertise full-page rumors.

(tigersmile on Mar 10, 2008 1:58 AM) There was a story in The Bulletin on Tuesday, the day after the initial announcement. A full-page ad and a small story ran in the Source on Wednesday. And two more stories ran in The Bulletin on Friday and Saturday updating the situation after Monqui backpedaled on the announcement. Does that count as information "anywhere else"? Do you read The Bulletin?

(tigersmile on Mar 10, 2008 2:01 AM) Just noticed the title of this post. That you would say that given the local coverage I just cited ... now *that* is unbelievable.

(Mrs. H on Mar 10, 2008 9:14 AM) A birdie told me the promoters pulled the full page in the Source because it wasn't confirmed or they didn't have anything signed. Let's just say, the source at The Source is pretty reliable.

(tigersmile on Mar 11, 2008 1:35 AM) monkeyinabox: No response? Mrs. H: If the promoters pulled the full page ad in the Source, why did it run?

(monkeyinabox on Mar 11, 2008 8:32 AM) tigersmile: No, I didn't see The Bulletin's story and it's not available online (tisk tisk). Did finally get a copy of the latest Source which has the same ad. What's up with Modest Mouse? I mean, the last time they backed out it was some lame thing about having to finish their album. ;) Come to Bend already.

(tigersmile on Mar 13, 2008 1:31 AM) Perhaps your "real source of music news" should've been the local newspaper that had the story first? (Before Pitchfork.) Not to mention the local newspaper that published the most current/correct info first. (Four/five days before the alt.weekly published its correction.) You seem to be missing/ignoring the fact that the local daily had a story on the (mistaken) announcement 24 hours after it was made, and then corrected the promoters' error a couple days later. Hint: Open your local newspaper before complaining that you learn more about local music in Portland or online than "anywhere else."

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(Mrs. H on Mar 6, 2008 9:15 AM) LOL! I totally agree! We were laughing at him the other day.

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Spring is in the air, and soon that means fresh daisies and bicycle riding! So, it's probably a good idea to freshen up on your bike safety skills before the street sweepers clear off the cinder piles and you climb back on the saddle. Please watch the following safety video and remember Safety First, Monkeys Second..

If you didn't learn something from this, well, watch again.

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(Mrs. H on Feb 20, 2008 11:09 AM) You coming tomorrow night?

(monkeyinabox on Feb 20, 2008 12:01 PM) I'm steering a wide berth around BOR these days. ;)