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IT'S NOT ALL THAT EASY TO KEEP UP ON A BLOGGING

You may wonder about the chaotic appearance of some of my blog work. Here's why;.. Sometimes I type out my thoughts at a coffee shop on my Mini-pad. This is on a word format. However, some of my writing is on my office computer, which has WordPerfect or Word, depending on which one I use. Then I upload all to my Word, as that's where I can easily change any troops. When I'm ready, I send it all to my Blogspot, where I can at at last insert any photos for the blog. Now, between all these programs, I am at a complete lost to get them a all together, ergo, you may fine some problems and all. I am not a computer nerd when it comes to all this, so please bear with me, as there are about 112 blogs out there 9 (SINCE 2006) I have written in my archives, which are all available , by the way. On the right side of my Blog.

GREAT CONTEMPORARY ENGINEERS

Probably only Architects will know most of these names, but all thru my life as an architect, I have revered these truly creative people and the way they have inter acted with the best creative minds of their time has been an immense influence on me. The following have been my heroes & role model's since I first became interested in building.

Here are some of my favorites who are probably un-known to most of the current generation of designers;

1850's ,William LeBaron Jenny : Before my time but known for his advancements in Iron construction of multi-story buildings in Chicago, that was being rebuilt after the great fire.

Felix Candela

Late-1900's Felix Candella -a designer in Mexico was one of the first to experient with thin shell concrete structures. These got my attention during my college days.

Pier Nervi -  Italy

1930's. Prior to the first Great War, Pier Nervi of Italy was next to set forth The newest thought on thin shells. His giant aircraft hangers and Stadium designs brought the latest thought on prefabricated forms and large spans with concrete.

1960+ T.Y. Lin an American, excelled at seismic problems. He was active in California due to it being the center of Seismic activity and advanced the science of prefabricated concrete long span beams not (Note his 'T' beams).

1960's - Fazlur Kahn, Always connected with High rise construction, Kahn devised the concept of 'Bundled Tube' structures for the Iconic Sears Tower in Chicago, an early contender for the tallest building . He is currently involved with most of the high buildings being designed today.

1970's? Ove Arup,- was Somehow involved with the the loser Architect like Jorn Utson, Achitect of the Sydney Opera house ( I seem to be a minority on this opinion), Arup managed to figure out how to engineer the weird shell structures of Utson, who had no imagination nor clue how engineer it, let alone build it. The budget overage made Calatrava look like an amateur.

1880's? John Roebling - of the Bridge, had already built a long span suspension bridge before taking on the Brooklyn Bridge. Fortunately his son and wife were experienced enough to finish the project when John died from an accident on the bridge.

1880's Gustav Eiffel - first of all , his railroad bridge in France, Then his Tower, And recently, the Milleau Viaduct, Eifels' steel company was the steel contractor for for it's construction.

How would you like to live in this place for a season?

1800's We mustn't forget the The Lighthouse Stevensons, who exercised their ingenuity building the most difficult site on Earth in the most inhabitable places in the North on sites that were underwater about half the time. Their grandson, Robert Lewis had no desire to follow in their crazy foot-steps and luckily became a writer.

1940? FLLWright Had a soaring imagination and luckily had Wes Peters by his side to help

manifest some of these ideas. Just look at 'Falling Waters' house and you'll know

Detail of Firth of Forth

1890's? Firth of Forth, about the same time, the rail bridge was blown down across The Firth and when it was re-built, just looking at it would hold it up forever, notwithstanding the horrid winds the can level anything in their way. The engineers, Benjamin. Baker & John Fowler, using ancient Japanese concept, cobbled together a giant structure that coined the phrase, "takes as long as painting the Firth of Forth Bridge".

1781? By the fact that the British were even considering these projects tells a lot about them. Severen Bridge? Before Engineers, we had "Iron Mad " people who had to invent a new type of bridge.

1964. The Japanese Kenzo Tange, Architect had enough imagination to provide the Olympic folks with a structure with a suspended roof that would be memorable.

Ponr de Normandie

1960? I.M. Pie.After designing the Washing D.C. Museums, excelled himself with the Sharp - edge. 1980? Louvre in Paris, that probably wouldn't have Been built unless the Pompidoux center had been completed. (Too Modern).There are no vast structural concepts here but the nuances of structure in an environment so hostile to innovation could only be accomplished in France.

Milleau Viaduct

1995 The Engineer who designed the early stayed-cable bride "Le Pont du Normandie" in LaHavre, France, Michel Virlogeux, was also the engineer on the magnificent Milleau Viaduct in central France a short while ago in 2005. The concept of how to accomplish innovative and magnificent structures is a text-book example of this viaduct. Maybe it can only be done in a. Socialist government, but here is how it works; The government sets some basic performance standards, (Like $30,000 a day if you get behind schedule). then asks bidders to submit their concept, costs, financing and the winner will get the contract, own it and collect revenue for the next 70 years. Then turn it over to the government, and let the citizens enjoy the fruits od their labosr along with the best designers in the world.

AB URBE CONDITA ("from the founding of Rome")

This has to do with how we date our progress
 (or mostly regress)

With so many defectors from the Catholic Religion, We should also look at our money that refers to God as well as our standard speeches by our government officials that have to make a reference to the big 'G' in all in important speeches. There used to be something in there about separation of Church and State, wasn't there?

Upside down Vines

THE GRAPE HARVEST IS IN (Apples Too).

As well as the apples around here but I have to show you how our growers are trying get to double their harvest by teaching the vines how to grow upside down. In theory, that should double your harvest and only in The USA would anyone even try it it. I have shown you a foto of a normal vine from Chateau d' Neouf'd Pape, (New house of the Pope). where the best wine is grown in a layer of stones.

This is a vine concept only an American could come up with as it is such a demarcation from standard vine management, one wonders how it was even set up to try. Will all vines in California be grown like this in the near future? Well, I probably won't be around to see it and that works for me.

TO DIE FOR

   My daughter just gave me which is kind of a primer on dying. As we get older and approach the edge of the Abyss our study options seem get more limited.  SENECA by James Roman is a must have , though small, on your bookshelves.  How to Die gathers in one volume, for the first time, Seneca’s meditations on death and dying. The book reveals a provocative thinker who speaks with a frankness about the need to accept death or even, under certain conditions, to seek it out.  We should remember he lived during the reigns of Nero and Caligua, who condemned a plethora of folks to death but they had to do the job themselves. After reading the book, I realized how different our view is of death due to the dogma of our Christian religions, and really, we Americans (USA) consider it a Sin or a Major crime to do ourselves in or even assist another to end it all. Seneca really practiced what he preached as he ‘Executed ‘ himself, which is described nicely by  Tacitus ,in  a later chapter of the book.  This harks  back to the death of Socrates, some three hundred years earlier in Athens.

  

HOW ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME OF OUR   SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO SECRETARY OF OFFENSE?

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR POLITICIANS TO WEAR SUITS THAT ADVERTISED THEIR “DONORS”, JUST LIKE THE RACE CAR DRIVERS, WHO NEED SUPPORT FROM THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR. While we’re at it, lets ‘ just vote directly for the lobbyists, and bypass the middle man (your politician).

WEST COAST JAZZ

During the 60’s the Jazz Scene in Los Angeles was very active. There must have been 20 or 30 Small Cubs in L.A. and environs for us affectionados to hang out around and pick up on the latest vibes.  One could stop in for a drink or two , sometimes a $5 or $10 cover charge at a place like Shelleys’ Man-Hole (Shelly Mann) or some narrow venue much like the current Club Alto in Amsterdam, and pick up on the latest cool vibes. Sunday early afternoons offered “The Lighthouse”  in Hermosa Beach, where the coolest cats hung out to jam a bit. This was our 'Church'. 

ESCAPE FROM PARADISE     Does this phrase sound strange? A lot of people are doing just that.  You'll take your problems with you.