A Fresh Start

I have, for the moment, resurrected my HP Pavilion ze5000 notebook. This week represents the 3rd or 4th time that I’ve reformatted this machine, but this time I also took all the screws on the body out, and reassembled the computer looking for the source of a screen flicker. While I found no visible cause, it appears that loosening and retightening everything that I could find, has fixed the issue.

It’s no secret that I’d like to get myself one of those sweet new 15″ Macbook Pros… Hopefully I can keep this 5+ year old Windows machine running until I can afford the upgrade!

Posted in Personal | Tagged computer, windows xp | Comments closed

The Dabbs Residence – Near Completion

I had the opportunity to take the Nikon out to the Dabbs Residence in Holly springs and get these thirty-five shots both inside and out today. The wooded lot looks fantastic in the fall, and really makes for a wonderful backdrop for taking photos of this little gem. I’m very proud of this, the first house that I designed from the first meeting and managed myself, and I look forward to more clients like this wonderful couple.

Posted in Architecture | Tagged Architecture, Photography, rural, vernacular | Comments closed

Wedding Day Wandering

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Greensboro for my sister-in-law Carla’s wedding. It just so happened that I had dad’s Nikon camera with me, and being a part of the family, but not actually in the ceremony gave me the unique opportunity to spend a lot of time wandering around photographing.

The wedding ceremony itself took place at the Holy Trinity Church in Greensboro. Founded in 1871, portions of the building are some 137 years old, and it was indeed a very photogenic, and nicely aged piece of Architecture.

The reception was held at O. Henry Hotel, which is tied to the Proximity Hotel. The reception itself was a blast, and the food was fantastic.

After too much food, and just enough wine, we headed back to the Battleground Inn. Meanwhile the happy couple headed back to the Proximity. The lobby of the Proximity was very cool, though I neglected to bring my camera with me. I did however, get a nice daytime shot as well as an night time view of the building from the car.

Unfortunately, I found it difficult to fall asleep. So what is one to do at five in the morning after being awake all night, but still too restless to stay in bed? Well when one shares their hotel room with a comfortably sleeping wife and ten year old niece, one might head down to the lobby to enjoy some continental breakfast, the latest issue of dwell, and snap a few pictures of the sunrise.

Click below to see the entire 54 image gallery. Read More »

Posted in Architecture, Personal | Tagged Architecture, family, insomnia, wedding | Comments closed

Gettin’ down on the farm

I once again had the opportunity to attend the Buildsense annual picnic out at Randy and Lori’s farm this weekend. It was an absolute blast! Also present was Randy’s partner Erik Van Mehlman whose new firm Studio B Architecture shares space with Buildsense. Erik recently completed a very cool Habitat house which was published in the News & Observer.

As always, Lori was a fantastic host with lots of good food & drink. It’s nice to get away from suburbia for a little while and be reminded of how people who don’t live on a cul de sac spend their time. (I’m also hoping it serves as an impetus for my wife and I to get our vegetable garden really rolling for next year.)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged buildsense, eric van mehlman, farm, Photography, randall lanou, studio b architecture | Comments closed

Cary’s Pedestrian Bridge Art is up

But is it any good?

I myself am having a hard time coming to a decision on the piece. Some think that $165,000 is too much for an important piece of public art, but instead I’m wondering about the timing and implementation of this piece. Was the bridge designed without the artwork in mind? What kind of results would we have had if the three artists were brought on board earlier, working in a more integral way with the bridge designers? (And while we’re on the subject… Why don’t people appreciate the intrinsic beauty of a bridge itself anymore?) Read More »

Posted in Architecture, Art | Tagged Cary, pedestrian bridge, public art, town of cary | Comments closed