M's Other Side of the Tracks Urban Dictionary (part I)

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

     Lately life has been too serious. Too much thinking about jobs or lack there of ('Are you staying in CO after you graduate?' 'What do you want to do with your degree...or life?'). I've been serious with my research, serious in my thinking, serious about learning Spanish, serious in my work, all in all, the atmosphere is too serious right now. Fear not, I'm not going to quote the over-quoted Batman movie. I don't want to think about it anymore and I certainly don't want to be writing about it. Not to mention all the first world whining gets a bit old after a while.

     I, like the Germans, like to invent words. Today I've decided to share a few of these terms with you. Obviously I didn't invent all of these little gems, but they permeate my vocabulary at appropriate times. It should go without saying at this point, but you read at your own risk. This post isn't Disney approved and un-PC is the new PC so don't say I didn't warn you. We are all a bit weird and crazy; relax and get over it.

How to Score a Ten-point Buck

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

I had all of the greatest intents on going out tonight. I though to myself; 'after a long 16 hour car journey and an even longer semester I owe it to myself to get out and let loose a bit.' Then the ride home happened...

It was an odd sight to drive through the states of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and see very little snow. However, I wasn't complaining, this meant the roads were clear. MB and I decide to take the all-16hrs-in-one-day approach. Things were going smoothly until around 1am. Somewhere between Beaver Creek and Vail (read: three lane highway in the middle of the Rockies) things went...well...wrong.

The speed limit is 75mph on that stretch of road so we were barreling down the highway as any normal driver would have been. All of the sudden (all deer encounters on the road seem to start this way) out of no where one of the largest bucks I've ever seen comes into the view of high beams.

Before any of us had time to brace ourselves MB was forced to swerve the car to the left (mind you, we drive on the left here) and attempt to avoid the deer. I saw the animal, made eye contact, and screemed as its head swung low at the last moment. TTTTHHHWWWAAAPP! As soon as I flinched and braced for what could have easily been a set of antlers and a windshield to face the deer amd MB had managed to dance around one another just enough to cause nothing other than a missing side view mirror.

The three of us (my dog was sitting behind me) were incredibly lucky. Most people who hit a deer come close or completely total their car...at least. The way in which the deer was standing, if it didn't duck, it would have most certianly slammed its head and enormous set of antlers into the passenger side windshield. I hope that the deer didn't see his end and is just missing a set of his finest head gear (the lady deer love that stuff). He wasn't the largest buck I've seen, but a close second.

The thrill of last night, the lack of sleep, the absurd cost ($400 and of course insurance doesn't cover it), and the general shock of the whole affair has left MB and I exhausted. So we resigned to collecting a few growlers at the Denver Beer Company and staying in.

Sometimes it just feels good to be home.

-M

Loud speakers sound like disco lights

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

     I've tried several times to sum up 2011 without sounding cliche but I've concluded that I don't think it's possible. It was quite the year. It started off with MB having a broken stanky leg cancer scare and not being able to ski Tahoe or go to San Fran. It's looking like it's ending with Mike's new leg holding up quite nicely, but the snow here in Tahoe is an epic fail. We will make it to the Bay Area, but MB has yet to enjoy the slopes of Tahoe.

   In between you ask? Well there were countless job rejections, followed by a win in Malaysia. There were challenges, laughs, tears, adventure, loss, scars, raised glasses, a broken nose, and lifelong friendships made. I truly miss those who I grew close with over those dog days of summer. I'm thankful for the friendships that have grown back in Denver.

     I have never worked harder than I did in 2011. 2012 holds rewards; in whatever form it decides to present itself. I will finally graduate with my final degree (oh please no more school). I will be able to return to those who I miss dearly a world away, and I will be able to embark on the next adventure with those who I've grown closer to at home.

     Tomorrow I'll be ringing in the 2012 with a great group of people I haven't spent time with since I drifted far from Southern California. In an odd sort of way, this oval has come full circle.

     No one knows what the future holds and that is fact.

     So with nothing else to say, I raise my glass and clink it to you world...never cease to amaze and never fear the discovery.

-M

Coming to a Computer Screen Near You from Salt Lake City, UT

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…

     If you want to see America, drive it (I’ll accept train, although I don’t know if I’d recommend that). Welcome to Meg on the Road…

Because Looking at Contracts Being Projected on the Walls Bore Me...Terribly

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

Why hello!

     It's been a while I know. I'm sure many of you have missed the random musings of the life of a 20-and-change American gal...(hint: sarcasm). Needless to say I've been involved in that slow drowning process called graduate school. Things have happened, good, bad, and ugly. This semester is the most difficult studio in the sequence of 7 studios. I won't bore you with the details, but it's a doozy and I'm not too sure if I am glad it's coming to an end or not. It will be another race down to the wire, requiring an all-too-un-grand photo finish.

     This post is for those who are/have suffered through it with me....it's been done before, but here is my list of:

 "You Know You are a Third Year M.Arch Student When..."

'So many different places to call home'

The following is an excerpt from my online portfolio (still to be published):

     Photography has been an active hobby of mine for about 10 years. Although what is pictured below is all digital (using various cameras both point and shoot as well as DSLR) I can shoot and develop analog as well.

     For me, photography is about capturing the mundane. The extraordinary frames that pass our view every day are what I seek to capture. When I travel or live abroad, I also try to capture the everyday activities. In an age where we are attached to the un-real we often pass by some of the great moments that are a reality right in front of us.

Keep shooting,

-M

The following is an excerpt from my online portfolio (still to be published):

     Photography has been an active hobby of mine for about 10 years. Although what is pictured below is all digital (using various cameras both point and shoot as well as DSLR) I can shoot and develop analog as well.

     For me, photography is about capturing the mundane. The extraordinary frames that pass our view every day are what I seek to capture. When I travel or live abroad, I also try to capture the everyday activities. In an age where we are attached to the un-real we often pass by some of the great moments that are a reality right in front of us.

Keep shooting,

-M

The following is an excerpt from my online portfolio (still to be published):

     Photography has been an active hobby of mine for about 10 years. Although what is pictured below is all digital (using various cameras both point and shoot as well as DSLR) I can shoot and develop analog as well.

     For me, photography is about capturing the mundane. The extraordinary frames that pass our view every day are what I seek to capture. When I travel or live abroad, I also try to capture the everyday activities. In an age where we are attached to the un-real we often pass by some of the great moments that are a reality right in front of us.

Keep shooting,

-M

The following is an excerpt from my online portfolio (still to be published):

     Photography has been an active hobby of mine for about 10 years. Although what is pictured below is all digital (using various cameras both point and shoot as well as DSLR) I can shoot and develop analog as well.

     For me, photography is about capturing the mundane. The extraordinary frames that pass our view every day are what I seek to capture. When I travel or live abroad, I also try to capture the everyday activities. In an age where we are attached to the un-real we often pass by some of the great moments that are a reality right in front of us.

Keep shooting,

-M

Comprehensive Studio

     I'll keep it brief - I'm exhausted. This semester's studio is Comprehensive Studio; meaning we work in teams to design a building to code, with a structural analysis and mechanical systems (which is the next step). We are also required to produce sheets that are in accordance with the American CAD Standards(hence some of the weird formatting). My partner, Claire, and I have only worked in places that don't follow the IBC (International Building Code) so this has been a re-learning experience for us. I love working with her, which is rare because she is also a good friend of mine. It's also nice that our talents and speed are in different areas (her models and sketching, me computers).

     Since the studio as a whole does site analysis I don't have any pictured below. The project is a mixed-use, Urban infill project in the historical LoDo district of Downtown Denver. Located here. There are a lot of building restrictions that I won't get into here. The line weights are a little messy thanks to InDesign, but I'm too tired to figure out how to fix it. My apologies. Enjoy!

PS...for all you non-architecture people, the pretty colored pictures are at the end.

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

Good fight and goodnight

-M

     I'll keep it brief - I'm exhausted. This semester's studio is Comprehensive Studio; meaning we work in teams to design a building to code, with a structural analysis and mechanical systems (which is the next step). We are also required to produce sheets that are in accordance with the American CAD Standards(hence some of the weird formatting). My partner, Claire, and I have only worked in places that don't follow the IBC (International Building Code) so this has been a re-learning experience for us. I love working with her, which is rare because she is also a good friend of mine. It's also nice that our talents and speed are in different areas (her models and sketching, me computers).

     Since the studio as a whole does site analysis I don't have any pictured below. The project is a mixed-use, Urban infill project in the historical LoDo district of Downtown Denver. Located here. There are a lot of building restrictions that I won't get into here. The line weights are a little messy thanks to InDesign, but I'm too tired to figure out how to fix it. My apologies. Enjoy!

PS...for all you non-architecture people, the pretty colored pictures are at the end.

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

Good fight and goodnight

-M

     I'll keep it brief - I'm exhausted. This semester's studio is Comprehensive Studio; meaning we work in teams to design a building to code, with a structural analysis and mechanical systems (which is the next step). We are also required to produce sheets that are in accordance with the American CAD Standards(hence some of the weird formatting). My partner, Claire, and I have only worked in places that don't follow the IBC (International Building Code) so this has been a re-learning experience for us. I love working with her, which is rare because she is also a good friend of mine. It's also nice that our talents and speed are in different areas (her models and sketching, me computers).

     Since the studio as a whole does site analysis I don't have any pictured below. The project is a mixed-use, Urban infill project in the historical LoDo district of Downtown Denver. Located here. There are a lot of building restrictions that I won't get into here. The line weights are a little messy thanks to InDesign, but I'm too tired to figure out how to fix it. My apologies. Enjoy!

PS...for all you non-architecture people, the pretty colored pictures are at the end.

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

Good fight and goodnight

-M

     I'll keep it brief - I'm exhausted. This semester's studio is Comprehensive Studio; meaning we work in teams to design a building to code, with a structural analysis and mechanical systems (which is the next step). We are also required to produce sheets that are in accordance with the American CAD Standards(hence some of the weird formatting). My partner, Claire, and I have only worked in places that don't follow the IBC (International Building Code) so this has been a re-learning experience for us. I love working with her, which is rare because she is also a good friend of mine. It's also nice that our talents and speed are in different areas (her models and sketching, me computers).

     Since the studio as a whole does site analysis I don't have any pictured below. The project is a mixed-use, Urban infill project in the historical LoDo district of Downtown Denver. Located here. There are a lot of building restrictions that I won't get into here. The line weights are a little messy thanks to InDesign, but I'm too tired to figure out how to fix it. My apologies. Enjoy!

PS...for all you non-architecture people, the pretty colored pictures are at the end.

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

Good fight and goodnight

-M