B.P. #5 - Invisible UnViewed Entry
GROWING UP; MY IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT
I SPENT MY EARLY LIFE IN A SMALL RENTED HOUSE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
I SPENT MY GRADE SCHOOL YEARS IN A DIVERSE APARTMENT COMPLEX IN ST. PAUL
I SPENT MY MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL YEARS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT LOOKED ALOT LIKE THIS
AND I HAVE LIVED IN THE SUBURBS FOR THE LAST 2 &1/2 YRS
They say we are all shaped by our environment. They say we are molded by where we have grown up.
I don't agree.
In fact, I strongly disagree with this statement. Do you really believe that you are molded by your
environment? If you believe this, you are falling victim to your environment. We form our own personalities,
regardless of where the hell we live our lives. What do you choose to do with your time?
How do you respond to your environment? How do you form your own personality?
HAVE YOU FORMED YOUR OWN PERSONALITY YET???
Alot of people our age haven't formed a personality/developed a character.
I haven't formed a truly distinct personality yet. How many people do YOU know that really
stand up for what they believe in even in awkward, unpopular moments? I think most people
just keep their mouths shut in those situations. Most people I know, when stuck in a social
situation where they disagree with what someone is doing, will just remain quiet and passive.
The reason I don't agree with the idea that one's environment shapes one's character is this:
I've met many people from many different places in my time. I'm going to narrow my range to
people from the U.S. I've met people from Big cities, country towns, small cities, suburbs,
far north, east coast, west coast and I just can't differentiate these people. Okay, okay,
so people from Wisconsin like to party. People from the suburbs are rich. People from the
Twin Cities are friendly. People from California are stylish. But those are lousy stereotypes.
That aint personality.
THERE ARE SOME ASPECTS OF THE BUILD ENVIRON THAT INSPIRED ME
The Built Environment
Prepare yourselves for an amazing display that you will never forget. If these images don't give you a sense
of aesthetic inspiration, then maybe you shouldn't be in architecture. (or maybe you want to become a mathematical
architect, or a business architect)
These photos were found outside of google images - something I'm pretty proud of - anyway, these images are
a succession of buildings I have had the chance and beautiful privilege to see for myself. I know you're thinking I'm
a little bit of a nerd when it comes to architecture, and, yes, I would agree. That's because I delight in the sense of
awe I get when viewing these creations and I would rather stick my foot in a bucket of sizzling acid than apologize for being amazed by these buildings.
So enjoy these pics and don't applaud unless you really have to. Hail to the people who helped erect these
buildings. Some of these buildings might not be well-known, in fact, some of these AREN'T well known and I
PROMISE you that you won't have seen or heard of some of these buildings. These buildings have effected me
in a way that I can't understand or explain. They haven't shaped my personality. They have helped me look at
life in a different way, but after all that's happened to me (and hasn't happened to me) I don't think these particular buildings have given me a different outlook on the jolly and miserable old world around us.
FORT SHERIDAN U.S. ARMY POST RECENTLY CONVERTED TO HOUSING - NORTH OF CHICAGO, IL
SCULPTURE GARDEN - ST. PAUL, MN
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CHAPEL
BAY BRIDGE - OAKLAND 2 SAN FRAN., CALIFORNIA --- (yes I like this one better than the Golden Gate)
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY FROM THE RHINE RIVER
CHARLEMAGNE'S CATHEDRAL -- AACHEN, GERMANY
To conclude this blog, I still believe that we are who we are through our own choices and our own actions.
Architecture should NOT impose upon who we are. However, unfortunately life is not this simple. Houses we grow up in, neighborhoods we grow up in, cities we grow up in, towns we grow up in all shape part of our
attitude on life, whether I want to accept it or not. We are forced to compromise and adapt our wishes and desires
to accommodate the people and places surrounding us. If you grew up in Northern Minnesota, chances are you
have different viewpoints and traits than someone from Los Angeles. For example, you may be accustomed to living life at a slower pace than someone from urban L.A., who is accustomed to doing things much
more quickly and rapidly. You may appreciate peace and quiet as a place to read and study while the other
person may appreciate places with more life and noise.
Some things are unavoidable. Architecture that stands out of its surroundings can influence you in a
different way, by conflicting with your image of things -- a message which refutes your instilled image
of your environment - causing you to think outside of your regular realm - if only for the short time you are
in or around that work of architecture. Thus it is these pieces of architecture that I pick up on and remember
for a long time after I see them - for they have left a lasting, positive impression on my thoughts.
The following are other images that have impacted my view of life, architecture and the way things should be.
James Jay Hill House (J.J. Hill House) St. Paul, MN
