Job Debates

Right now I am debating job options and possibilities. RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) has offered me a fellowship position that would start this January. The position is temporary, but the opportunity is tremendous. The organizations founder, Amory Lovins, is a genius and has been working on the cutting edge of sustainability for decades. For years the organization developed solutions to energy issues, solutions that often fell on deaf ears. Finally society is ready to embrace increased energy efficiency, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes sense financially.

I think the rising generation is facilitating these changes. The youth of today need a cause to call their own, they are the champions of the environment. And it is not just for the "tree huggers", every profession has means to contribute to this efficiency. Students of landscape architecture are demanding to be taught how to implement sustainable techniques. So this takes me back to my original question, which job should I take? I could begin teaching now, and UMC seems like a great option with many opportunities (a permanent position with better benefits, at least initially). Teaching now would allow me to pursue my teaching interests as well as to make an impact on the sustainability front. But I would be on my own. Working at RMI would be an education that has the potential to be second to none: working on the cutting edge, breaking new ground in the implementation of sustainability. Sustainability is the direction society is heading and landscape architects need to be leaders in this movement. I want to be a leader in this movement. Ahh... the debate: cutting edge and uncertainty vs. teaching and stability... this one is going to take some pondering.

Me

Drawing Time

Last week we went out to eat with Jack Perry, a friend visiting from Miami Beach. While waiting for Jack we drew portraits of each other, highlighting our favorite features.

We have also been somewhat of a "Make a Wish Founadation for Chickens". Heidi and Desi went to the chicken store to look at chicks. The purpose of the trip was to educate only, we were going to buy some in a few weeks. Well I come home and there are two chicks in my room that are half alive. I'm told that we need to make them happy before they pass on. Sometimes I give her a hard time, but these are the reasons that I love Heidi, she has such a tender heart. She suckerd me in and now we have 4 health chicks in our apartment chirping away.

Groovy Cats

So Cupid returned and brought the groovy cat with him. It was good to see him again. I found the groovy cats brothers playing a smash hit. Check it out:

http://pressurecooker.phil.cmu.edu/flash/independent_woman.swf

Groove on.

Missing Cupid's Helper

In the past few years Cupid's helper has brought me many fine notes and goodies. I think that this year she is busier that most because I haven't recieved many. I did get a few recycled cards from years past that are mostly applicable today. I hope that I get a few more.

With the addition of Desarey, Tristen and Jacklyn into our home there have been many changes. The dynamics between Heidi and I have greatly changed. I felt we were finding a balance between us and getting used to patterns in our relationship. The new people in the home have thrown that all out of whack. Slowly I can see us adjusting to the changes and finding new balances. It is neat to see that happening. I'm glad that Heidi is in this boat with me, we make a great pair.

Need I say more?

Cats and Snipers

I have been at home with Jacklyn as she is sick and cannot go to daycare. It has been three days now. I have missed class and work, but fortunately I have been able to work from home. I think that I am getting the crud she had now, blah.

Just downloaded the pictures from the camera, what we have after we lost all of the other Christmas pictures. There is a great on of Noah in the cage in the car. I'll post it in here. Also Calvin has found a snipers roost. He sits on top of the couch near a high traffic area and waits for people to walk by. Once they walk by he takes pot shots by swinging and biting. I'll post some of these pictures also.

School Starting Today

I had one class that I am not looking forward to, and I am the GTA for Construction II. Well, I was thinking today that if I made it throught the construction sequence I can make it through anything. That thinking has helped me when considering PhD programs. I have been a little hesitant to commit to more schooling, but someone pointed out that it is the journey that matters, not the end. True words in this case, a job is not the end all. I'm thinking about the Geography program here, it would hopefully only take me 3 more years because my masters degree is similar enough to the program. I will see when I talk to the department about it all.