Category

Food for thought

architectureFood for thoughtLife

From the Ground Up

Which floor did you want? At least a few times a week, someone gets on the elevator in my building and finds themselves exiting at the wrong floor. Most usually catch themselves before stepping out, but I’ve seen a few step off with the most puzzled look on their face. …
jwa
July 8, 2022
Food for thoughtLife

Not the Issue

Liberal teachers. Abortion. Absent fathers. Mental health. Wokeness. Erosion of faith. Smartphones (yes, smartphones). Cultural sickness (whatever that encompasses). Following the Uvalde school shooting, all the above were excuses trotted out for why the shooting happened. One conspiracy theory that was promoted by some Congress members even had the shooter…
jwa
June 24, 2022
architectureFood for thought

Form, Function, and Bob

Forget about Louis Sullivan’s notion of form ever follows function. Venturi’s idea of complexity and contradiction. Or even Rossi’s thoughts on urban design. I have found someone new to follow when thinking about how best to approach architecture and design. Bob Ross. Yes. That Bob Ross. In a fit of…
jwa
May 20, 2022
Food for thoughtLife

Sunday Funday

I didn’t work last Sunday. Or the Sunday before that. Between this past weekend being my birthday weekend, and the prior coming at the end of a nine-day drawing sprint, I made the executive decision to not open my laptop and just enjoy the day. Not like my boss was…
jwa
May 13, 2022
Food for thoughtLife

Gender Neutral-ish

James and I just vacationed somewhere that wasn’t Key West or New Orleans. I’ll pause here for a second while you pick yourself up off the floor. We were shocked too. A friend recently had a milestone birthday – which I will not mention here for fear of being shot…
jwa
April 29, 2022
Food for thoughtLife

Welcome to Crazytown!

Julia Sugarbaker said it best: I’m saying this is the south, and we’re proud of our crazy people. We don’t hide them up in the attic. We bring them right down to the living room and show ‘em off. Except in Texas, we like to go one better. We don’t…
jwa
April 22, 2022
Food for thoughtLife

Get Off My Lawn!

I think I’m turning into the architect version of Grumpy Cat. Or perhaps I’m finally getting old. Wait. Old? That can’t be it. I’m still a sprightly almost 54, although my lower back at the moment would tell you sprightly isn’t the right word. However, I have noticed that I’ve…
jwa
March 18, 2022
architectureFood for thought

History-onics

At least once a year – or what feels like once a year – The Dallas Morning News publishes a story about a local piece of building history facing the wrecking ball. And two months into 2022, we’ve already seen this year’s story. Dallas architecture critic Mark Lamster introduces us…
jwa
March 4, 2022
Food for thoughtLife

Winter Wondering Land

It’s February, and for the first time in a long time, I’m back working in my home office, aka the guest bedroom. However, from what I can see outside the window, winter has arrived. Or at least some sort of winter, and judging from the ice on the driveway, this…
jwa
February 4, 2022
architectureFood for thoughtLife

A New Holiday

Who doesn’t love a good holiday? Or just a reason to celebrate? Christmas and Thanksgiving. New Year’s Eve (even with the hangover). And God knows a lot of us girls view Halloween as the Gay High Holy Day. However, today this gay geek has a new holiday to celebrate. Or…
jwa
January 28, 2022
Spotted Dog Architecture