Back to the drawing board…literally?

This morning I visited a graduate school information session hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design . It got my gears going for what could be to come in the next couple of years. Since I graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, I have been discovering a love of artwork within myself and especially the craft that people utilize to express their thoughts. A large part of me wants to attend a school whose focus is so largely based on the arts. I found myself interested in every major they have to offer, I guess because it doesn’t seem so academic to me. I’m very excited about attending an institution where imagination and creation is encouraged and expanded upon on a daily basis. For the most part I feel as though the majors they are offering have always seemed like hobbies to me, until I realized that there is a college out there that accumulates all of these hobbies into a wide array of academic programs. Or it could be that I find a little bit of each of these programs of study as a supplement to an architectural degree. Having knowledge in multiple crafts, be it graphics, sculpture, woodworking, or digital design, can only help the average architect find new ways to portray his/her designs. Speaking of, I was pointed to the direction of an architect by the name of Tim Prentice last week who has devoted much of his craft and creativity to an amazing style of sculpture that I’m sure inspires everyone who sees it, or at the very least, makes people turn their heads and let out a more than subtle ‘whoa’. The session from this morning has served as the first spark in rekindling my enthusiasm for design as well as my enthusiasm for going back to acquire a Master’s Degree in Architecture. I feel like the gears in my head are starting to spin again and I’m actually beginning to anticipate countless nights of minimal sleep, looming deadlines, and great design.

One concern that overshadows my interest in attending a school outside of our locale is what our family will do. Can we uproot ourselves and disappear for the interest of my occupational future? Our roots aren’t necessarily buried deep, but we have accomplished a lot as far as making this place home, and we are certainly comfortable. My wife has a career with a lot of potential  and a very good job, and I believe to leave it would be a mistake, in this economy especially. Then again, like having children, the time will never be ‘just right’ for a large life changing event and we definitely can’t wait forever. My wife has been a wonderful support and definitely finds the positives in any of the locations that I have loosely suggested as possibilities. I feel like I have a lot to do however,  before this becomes a real issue. I still have to send portfolios out and be accepted somewhere. Depending on who gives me a green light, we’ll then decide whether or not relocation is an option and whether or not it is worth it to load up the truck(s) and go get ‘edumacated’.

This is what we lose to…

…. just when I thought that my hatred for the pencil necks at GT couldn’t increase any more than it did after our loss to them early this season, it grew exponentially tonight as they ganked away our first chance in 18 years for a championship title. For a young coach like William Christopher (Dabo) Swinney, it would have just been too good to be true to lead the Tigers all the way in his first year after TB couldn’t during his own lengthy career at Clemson. Nonetheless, he has been an amazing coach this year and has more than earned his keep ~ of which he has taken upon himself to hand out liberally, claiming it to be too much. Granted, he has a lot to prove, but to actually be able to do so in his first year is simply stunning. Coach Swinney is a persistent coach with his head set on results, and it’s been a joy this season to watch him adjust from one game to the next as best he could. I know it’s not all on Swinney, the machine that we call  “Lightning”  had a lot to do with it too, but I can’t wait to see what Dabo makes of himself and the great recruits we have waiting in line for their heyday .  One thing’s for sure, I’m definitely glad to see happy fans around Clemson these days as opposed to the head hunters I’ve known, and been a part of,  since becoming a fan.  So, all of this to say, I hate you stupid yellow jackets and your gloating charades, your yellow suits, your taunting songs you sing  as we walk down the skyscraper you call exit stairs at Bobby Dodd Stadium… I hope you get yours at the Orange Bowl.