Human for Human's sake

Birthday Whishlist: New Hater Blockers

NEW from Thakoon

Other Crush? His Joplin bag, too bad they use Python skin and Leather.

My Birthday: May 15th

I WON I WON I WON I WON

Holy shit:

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

We were not supposed to get the results until Monday so I was a little thrown off when I received this email today. I was going to have something written up incase I won or lost but holy shit actually receiving the results EARLY threw me off. I couldn't even open the e-mail my coworkers did the honors.

I can't even put into words how happy and hard I am cheesing. I can't say THANK YOU enough to everyone who voted for me, every person who loved the installation, who listened to what I had to say, who read and loved my plan/action step. I worked so hard during this campaign to reach as many people as possible and spread my message of positive change. Hard work pays off!

This is more than I ever imagined happening. I will work my butt off to do everything I to make this AIAS year the stongest one ever!!!

I am just so over the sun/moon/stars!

THANK YOU .

Weird + Architecture: Freaky Civic Center

Zaha Hadid's proposal for the new Elk Grove Civic center is facing opposition due to it's radical design. I like it.

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A rendering for a civic center in Elk Grove, Calif., designed by the architect Zaha Hadid’s firm. It has been described as alien or like a squid.

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By ROB TURNER - Published: March 31, 2011

New York Times

ELK GROVE, Calif. — The firm owned by the internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid is in high demand these days, designing projects in Hong Kong, Milan and Seoul, not to mention the London Aquatics Center, the swimming arena for the 2012 Olympics.

But one of the firm’s smaller clients, the city of Elk Grove, population 153,000, recently conjured far different kinds of aquatic life when members of the City Council and the public chose words like “squid,” “octopus” and “starfish” to describe the latest renderings for a proposed civic center.

Other descriptions were more alien than aquatic. One councilman described the architectural study as “an animal from a different planet,” while the mayor, Steven Detrick, said he was expecting “to hear the theme from ‘Star Wars’ to start playing” during the presentation. None of these comments were intended as compliments.

But it wasn’t always this way.

As the economy inches back toward stability, some cities are beginning to dust off their pre-recession playbooks and dream big again. And few cities were moving as quickly before the financial crisis as this Sacramento suburb, which the Census Bureau proclaimed America’s fastest-growing city in 2006.

It was then that Elk Grove, incorporated in 2000, held an international design competition to create a master plan for a $159 million civic center complex on 78 acres. The project was to include a performing arts center, library, youth sports complexes, convention space and more. The council hoped that an iconic piece of architecture could vault the young city to higher heights, à la Bilbao in Spain and its Guggenheim museum.

And so, this suburban community where City Council agendas have included discussions on topics like how to deal with rampant beaver dams, chose Ms. Hadid, a Baghdad-born, London-based architect known for soaring biomorphic shapes that make Frank Gehry’s work look tame.

The mayor was thrilled that they had landed such a big fish. “We hit a home run on this one,” gushed James Cooper, the mayor at the time. “The citizens are so excited. The big thing is to let her be an architect and not stifle the process. We want her to think of something different. This is a new chapter in Elk Grove’s life.”

It was a chapter, though, that ended with the recession. And the idea gathered dust until last summer, when the city resumed its relationship with Ms. Hadid’s firm to fashion the center’s master plan, the process in which the scale and proximity of the structures is determined, though the actual design of individual buildings will be decided later.

But one important factor had changed since she was first selected. Three of the five City Council members were new, and one of the most vocal opponents of the Hadid selection in 2006 was now mayor.

So perhaps it was no surprise that the council members did not attend any of the meetings — some of which included very positive comments from the public — over the nine months of planning until the final presentation of the master plan last week. It was listed as an agenda item three hours into the regular Wednesday night council meeting, after a long debate on rowdy bowling alley patrons.

The stormy evening began with roughly 70 people in attendance, but dwindled to about 17 — two of whom were earnestly knitting — by the time the Hadid project architect, Bozana Komljenovic, took the podium. The architect showed two versions, both consistent with Ms. Hadid’s bold style, and explained how she had arrived at them.

Only two people spoke, including one woman whose voice shook with anger. “Who is going to pay for this monster?” she demanded between references to the “squid” and “starfish” and “sci-fi” imagery. “This is not Elk Grove.” Her only compliment was that “at least they put some landscaping between the tentacles.”

“This is more like something I’d see in Dubai than Elk Grove,” added Mayor Detrick who, like the other council members present, was struggling to see past the design to the master plan itself. The lone voice of support came from Mr. Cooper, now the vice mayor.

City officials hope to break ground on the first part of the complex next year.

The only agreement reached by the council last week was that the “starfish” design had the preferred density, which left more room for softball and soccer fields. Ms. Komljenovic defended the work the next day. “They asked us to provide an iconic element that would create a draw from outside of Elk Grove,” she said. “I assume that’s why we were brought in to begin with.”

One unabashed fan is the city’s planning director, Taro Echiburu, who expects to start a new competition for the design stage this summer and hopes that Ms. Hadid’s firm will participate. “I loved the designs,” he said. Informed, however, that the mayor said he was unlikely to support any project proposed by Ms. Hadid’s firm, Mr. Echiburu insists that he still hopes for the best. “I’ll be disappointed if this ends up as Anytown, U.S.A.,” he said.

Birthday Wishlist: McSkulls

A new limited-edition Alexander McQueen skull-print scarf will be released to accompany the designer’s "Savage Beauty" retrospective exhibition at the Met. It’ll be $495. [Bazaar Blog]

My birthday: May 15th

GASP

It's here !!! All the hard work, all the anticipation, all the meet and greet comes to an end. I am very excited to see the results, regarding of the outcome, I can't imagine how much fun last week was. I never ran for anything before - I had no idea what to do, how to run a campaign, but I know marketing and I am pretty shameless = together that was my recipe. I knew that my unconventional name needed to stick in student's mind, so a catchy sign was in order. I am a master of dramatic expression and that Saturday walking through building 9, when I got the brilliant idea of the art installation- the "it's on" light went off. Talking to people about the AIAS our plans for the future, what we currently do, what we have done came so natural to me. I refused to mud sling, I did not even mention my oponents name once during the week. I stuck to my plan, my action steps, and who I am - hopefully everyone sees that and appreciates it. Either way, whoever wins, AIAS will get a killer new Marketing Manager.

My Ballot:

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UF: School of Architecture

Yesterday John Maze, whose hippie hair rivals mine in length, came to talk to us transfer students about: UF School of Architecture!!! There must have been a good 30 kids when he starts and little by little a lot of them started to leave. He said it didn't hurt his feelings that they were not interested in the school. My friend next to me whispered in my ear, "I wanna go to Pratt, but the weather sucks, so I'm gonna stick around" lol :D He told us all about our pin up and what the 2 years will bring. He went through the D5 to D8 curriculum, and it will be intense. I am freaking psyched and going to need a loan/scholarship so I can properly focus on my assignments without having to deal with any other distractions.

GO GATORS!

Manicure Thursday: Green Machine

LA Colors - Metallic Green

FREE TILLY SEAWORLD

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I unfortunately could not go and protest outside Sea World because of prior commitments. I read this great post and picture from JNonymous; who says everything that needs to be said perfectly:

Imagine being constrained to the walls of your empty room for the rest of your life…when you should be out exploring the world. You would go crazy too. I understand his chances of survival are slim, but at least he would be free! I’d take the risk, without a second thought. I imagine Sea World doesn’t want to take the risk because it will cost $$$. Not only to transport him back to the ocean, but then to adapt him back to the wild, then to replace him. But if they really truly cared about these animals, they wouldn’t cage them up. Set him free!

A few interesting killer whale facts:

- Killer whales are capable of swimming 100 miles in a day.

- Tilikum is the largest Orca in captivity, measuring 22ft 6in long, weighing somewhere around 12,500 lbs.

- The life expectancy of a killer whale in the wild is 50 – 60 years for males, and up to 90 years for females, however, killer whales in captivity live less than 30 years.

- Wikipedia quotes: ‘Wild killer whales are not considered a threat to humans, although there have been cases of captive killer whales attacking their handlers at marine theme parks.’ Interesting.

Some more interesting facts & details can be found at the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society…

Check out this great article by Ric O’Barry from The Cove, expressing his thoughts on Tilly and Sea World…

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A letter to sea world is being drafted

:(

I went with my brother to the Osceola County Shelter and there are so many dogs that need loving homes. My heart just broke seeing these beautiful animals desperate for affection. I almost left with 4 dogs. Unfortunately Nadine was not there :( She is so missed. We are desperate to get her back.

...I can't even deal....

BOOONNNARRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

We have officially purchased our BONNAROO 2011 PLANE TICKETS!!!!!!!!

I'm sooo excited!

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Now I'm buying 2 tickets for the Bonna-Bus! I am soo freaking ready for this :D The most mind blowing thing? IT'S ONLY A 50 MINUTE RIDE!!! vs a 16 hour car ride.

BONNAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HERE WE COME

WINNING!

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

I cannot put into words how happy I am right now. Nick has made my day with this email. I am totally cheesing, this day is a win for animals and humans alike.

Pete Grinnell has compassion in his heart and common sense in his head.

THANK YOU NAPLETON

THANK YOU ANIMAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION of FLORIDA (arff)

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we are endangered, but you can help us:

protect our habitat, no poaching, no hunting

CALL FOR ACTION - ANSWERED!!!

Today I went with my brother to the West Campus to put up my official flyer, and check out the art installation. We hurry in through the bottom floor and make our way upstairs. As I turn the corner there is the phone booth. And, what do I see??? MY COLLABORATION PROJECT IS A SUCCESS!!!
The call for action has been answered and the responses have been overwhelmingly great. I cannot put into words how proud I am to be part of this art collective. I had a vision of this art installation bringing about the candidates together. We all want our ideas to go forward, the solidarity that I saw from my peers just took my breath away for a second. I was smiling from EAR to EAR. Art triumphed as a collective, a collaboration, a human effort, and an emotion.

I went through the design studios speaking to anyone who I encountered about my ideas for new social networking and how to improve what is already in place. It was wonderful to meet and greet students who had questions for me about the art installation, my campaign, and me.

I embarked on this campaign with a sense of hope to bring new initiatives that I know will do nothing but advance the role of our AIAS chapter in our school and community.

So beautiful:

I saw Professor R. who and talked with me about my campaign, and what brought about this installation.

He said to me:

"I didn't know what exactly it was about. Then I saw your name on it and it made more sense"

isn't that perfect.

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TANK TOP TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

not quite a t-shirt...or you could call it a t-shirt without sleeves ;)

Last night after coming back from Kinkos and getting my official flyer printed I looked at my long to do list and thought to myself:

"Shit I can adorn the tank top before I call it a day."

And, so I Analia'ized it.

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Smooches:

Black and Purple Paint:

Homer holding my Skull Ring:

Outfit:

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Sleep is for the meek.

SOUND THE ALARMS: CAMPAIGN WEEK IS HERE :)

It is 12:14am - and it's the official start of AIAS Valencia Campaign Week :) I've been preparing for today, and I am glad it is finally here.

I just came back from kinkos, with my official flyer:

lets get voting!

Art Installation

"Art is anything you can get away with"

~Andy Warhol

~

In efforts to go green AIAS is only allowing candidates one 11x17 poster. I went to building 9 to scope it out, and the vacant space next to the security phone was begging for attention. I had to abide.

It is only natural that we outgrow even our basic comforts

We give up something good, for something better

Background:

My father had trimmed their front tree. I saw the stump and knew I wanted to use it.

We've had this old phone in our family, which was now stored in the attic. My mother let me take it and use it for something better than clutter.

My name within a heart? I needed some nostalgia.

I attached a sharpie and tape to encourage collaboration from other candidates.

Art is a collective.

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VOTE FOR ANALIA - APRIL 4TH

been busy taking care of mom, catching up on stuff, and getting all this in order:

(: it's official :)

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voteforanalia.tumblr.com

The Perimeter of Ignorance

exploding star

"The evidence all points to the fact that we occupy not a well-mannered clockwork universe, but a destructive, violent, and hostile zoo.

Of course, Earth can be bad for your health too. On land, grizzly bears want to maul you; in the oceans, sharks want to eat you. Snowdrifts can freeze you, deserts dehydrate you, earthquakes bury you, volcanoes incinerate you. Viruses can infect you, parasites suck your vital fluids, cancers take over your body, congenital diseases force an early death. And even if you have the good luck to be healthy, a swarm of locusts could devour your crops, a tsunami could wash away your family, or a hurricane could blow apart your town.

So the universe wants to kill us all. But let's ignore that complication for the moment."

by Neil deGrasse Tyson
From Natural History Magazine, November 2005

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