up your architecture.

For the first installment of my version of "Songbook" by Nick Hornsby, I submit the songs from Sam's Town, the sophomore effort from The Killers. While I'm not sure that it's the "most experimental album of the last 20 years" as Brandon Flowers, their lead singer claimed at one point, it is an interesting look at the Vegas strip from the hometown boys. I love it because it's a vivid portrayal of a song by song case study of how they see their town. Each track picking out a certain aspect of the city they love and turning it into a series of homespun stories.

Despite setting himself up for it by his declaration I think that Flowers and the boys were critically panned for trying to go too "Springsteen" on the album and make an American masterpiece, but low and behold, I say that it is almost that. It's Vegas people. It's the re-hashed, re-mixed entrails of every piece of the world, dressed up and sent out with all the bells and whistles. The enter- and exitludes are a shallow greeting to the Sam's Town Casino trying to get your almighty buck from every other place on the strip. While I don't agree with some of the choices or mixes (notably Uncle Jonny and Why Do I Keep Counting) I haven't been able to stop listening to this album for any stretch of time since I picked it up.

The first and third tracks are two of my favorites (Sam's Town and When You Were Young) and with the "Abbey Road Version" of the former being featured on the recent Sawdust compilation of B-sides and covers and the later being used for both Guitar Hero III and Rock Band they've gotten extra play and attention to their lyrics. Sam's Town started out as the song that I wanted to just give a nod to and then really get into When You Were Young ( an anthem about the life of a working girl in Vegas), but especially with it kicking off the album (which I think separates it from the bookended tracks and the re-issued version starting softly with just Flowers at the piano and then eventually the rest of the band. I think that whatever they intended for the track, it is a slice of Vegas and therein contemporary America. Lyrics like "I still remenber grandma Dixie's wake/I've never really known anybody to die before/Red white and blue upon a birthday cake/My brother, he was born on the fourth of the July...and that's all" may appear at first to be trite, but upon further examination, I think they're fantastic abbreviations of the superficiality that bleeds through our childhood fantasies about the States. I think the ending is a great look out the window in Vegas and seeing the world stage, shrunken and kitchified right next to Sam's Town, bright and brilliant and awaiting your American (or any other) dollar.

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So when I was in New Orleans with Sam, Falcon took us on a long drive down Magazine Street in order to find a couple good local booksellers in the hopes that Sambo could dig up a couple of books on the wetlands and natural landforms here on the Coast. We ended up at the Garden District Book Shop in this place that kind of reminded me of one of the strange corral-type malls I've seen up in Minnesota but I happened upon a copy of a compendium of essays by Nick Hornby (author of About A Boy, High Fidelity, and most recently A Long Way Down) which are all about songs that have in some way influenced his life. Each of the 31 essays are an homage to the song about which he is writing. His unapologetic, and unabashed love for the songs comes through with each essay and I love the way he talks about them like they are friends rather than the words of the stranger. It's the kind of writing that doesn't make you nostalgic to hear the song, but rather search out your own.

Something I also found out recently is that McSweeny's put out an addendum version which features the majority of the songs on a CD which comes with really cool artwork. I think it's safe to say that I will be compiling my own in the near future. Stay tuned...

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I get home from up north and called Cecil Creel (Laura's son) about the house to make sure that everything went okay with the permitting process and the foundation work so far. He was happy to tell me that they had finished the foundation and the people from CAH:OH were going to start working on the framing next week. Since it was the first project that I worked on when I got down here and started working for the GCCDS I was rather excited to see the progress. So I decided that on my way back from dropping off the plans for permit for Lori Gordon's House (who needs to have a great introduction as she is an amazing person) I would drop by and pick up my camera and head out there.

When I got there I was surprised to see that there were Sonotubes in the ground rather than the block detail that I had drawn up for the house. Upon further inspection, I realized that not only was this done with a different system than I had detailed for the foundation, but it had been done poorly. One of the reasons that we have used block for lowly elevated residences is because we can work with a broader group of contractors which are more familiar with these CMUs rather than the Sonotube which, while very useful and appropriate to elevating houses, can be messed up in 360 degrees if not plumbed correctly.

Needless to say, this was not a contractor that knew what he was doing, or if he did, he didn't give a crap. As I walked around the site feeling a large amount of frustration I also noticed that instead of using a collar tie that we could bolt our rim joists through they used a single strap tie that is typically spec'd for slab-on-grade construction and totally inappropriate for what we were building.

As I quietly seethed during the return trip from Long Beach to work I tried to figure out what happens next. When I got back, I showed my pictures to David Perkes, our director and he told me that we can't really do much about it. Due to the fact that we didn't sign the drawings (since we wouldn't be able to oversee it often enough) if we wanted to make any changes to the plans, David would have to sign them (which would make him liable for the design) and after this debacle, I don't think he was really eager to sign on.

So I called up Cecil and asked him why he had decided to go with Sonotubes. He remarked that he was just trying to do right by his momma and get more "bang for the buck" since the quote he got on the 'tubes was $3,000-4,000 cheaper than the block foundation with the continuous footing. Now as an aside, I must stress that in a climate like this that is so active in terms of storms as well as being so close to sea level the foundation is the one part of the house you do NOT want to skimp on which I thought I had hammered into my client's head. Continuing on, I told him that all the detailing that we did was now null in void because he couldn't have them work the same way with this different foundation plan, pier, and strap. He then informed me that he had an "engineer" draw up this detail and the city approved it. Let me say that David Perkes has an engineering degree and when he looked at the pictures he shook his head. Anyhow, Cecil said that he could "drop off the drawings and I could take a look at them". I said "sure", and he told me that he would "see me soon". I haven't heard from him since. All I can do is hope that they can fix this mistake and move forward.

So ends my first house on the coast.

He suggested calling Cecil back and asking him why they had deviated from the plans

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, as always, if it isn't one thing, it's another during air travel nowadays. I don't complain too much because I still think that flying is one of mankinds greatest achievements and if I have to endure a little layover or scrunched seats I don't mind too much. I even learned a couple of things on this trip back...

1. That thing that connects the Airplane and the terminal is called a jetway. I'm not sure if it's a Jetway like an Elevator is an elevator but with a little help from Randy we figured it all out. On my way back I saw this and had to take a picture of it for him.

2. Don't ever count on that seat next to you staying open. Even if you're 10 minutes late departing, it will fill up. Murphy's law fulfilled. Anyhow, I had a doozie of a lady come and sit next to me who complained about pretty much everything and then spilled her piping hot coffee on herself and the lower right half of me (she was in the middle, myself in the aisle seat). She proceeded to swear up a storm and then when I asked her if she was alright (she made no such attempt towards me despite being the spill-er) she replied "of course I'm not alright, I just spilled this f*&%ing hot coffee on myself. She then proceeded to plug her headphones into my armjack and continue to complain for the rest of the flight about being damp. On our way off the plane as I was talking to my ride who was on her way and attempting to take the aforementioned jetway pic she walked past me saying to her teenage son "...then I spilled my damn coffee all over my pants, but i spilled it all over that poor bastard and his coat." Classy.

3. AirTran holdings and a certain shoe company seem to have some supporters for a brand of air traffic worker footware... Nike Air(Tran) Max 2008 anyone? (note the blue sneaker with white swish)

4. Football Fans + Hats = Hilarity: A true Buccaneer shows off his spirit.

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By now, I'm sure that you've heard through my blog (if not, too late!) that I was traveling up to Minneapolis to give a couple of brief talks about the GCCDS and the work we are doing in Biloxi. The event last night went off great and I have to give many thanks to my friends Troy Gallus and Colin Kloecker for putting together another amazing event. The venue (1414 Marshall) was fantastic and the turnout was outstanding. I got a chance to see a lot of friends at the event and ran into a few more that I didn't know would be attending. Thanks to everyone who has e.mailed me about my talk or added me on the Facebook. Networking is an important part of what we do as well as an integral part of the Solutions network in the Twin Cities so thanks again!

The venue before it was packed full of people

Our personal after-party over at Nye's Polonaise Room with Peter, Della, Sam, Michelle, and Melissa featuring the musical styling of the "World's Most Dangerous Polka Band"

At Nye's they have a great photobooth for a dollar (despite the fact it says three dollars) so we took a series that everyone could take a strip home. Here are the results all together.

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a quick thanks to everyone that helped get things together for the talk at the University of Minnesota's College of Design tonight, especially Sam. We had a good turnout (which included my folks and Troy and Erica Smith, hey guys!)

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't wait to see you.

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ian left today after a really impactful ten weeks on the coast. Biloxi showed him off with a beautiful sunrise. I didn't think the last time I talked to him would actually be a goodbye so I didn't thank him for all his work and renewing my sense of finding my own slice of the coast so thanks pal. Have a safe trip back up north.

That Ian, always color coordinating with his magazines...

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ian Schopa has willed the Yellow Bee to James Wheeler. Thus it is written, thus it shall be, until he returns.

Posted by James Wheeler at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, you may have noticed a massive update. It results from trying to consolidate and move everything around on my external hard drives and my work computer and server and not having access to things. I admit very lax response time in order to get my blog rolling so here it is. I'm back and I should get the rest of this up before I head up to Minnesota next week. Sorry to my readerdom for the hold up. Here's a sweet pic to make you feel better...

Microsoft wants your help and Ian wants you to know!

Posted by James Wheeler at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I just want to give everyone a heads up that I will be going up to Minneapolis from Tuesday the 16th through Saturday the 20th and will be giving two talks about the work that we are doing here at the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio. The first will be, after many changes at the University of Minnesota's College of Design Wednesday evening and the second at the Solutions, Vol. 2 event put on by my friends Troy and Colin which will be highlighting design from and by Twin Cities residents (or in my case, former residents). Here is the info for both talks.

Design Downriver: The Work of the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio
Location: Rapson Hall 100, University of Minnesota
When: Wednesday 17 October @ 6:15
Length: Approximately 45 minutes with a short Q & A following
What: A full run down of the GCCDS' work since the storm highlighting current and future projects including the Biloxi Spring Studio which is open to second year graduate students from the College of Design.

Solutions Downriver: The Work of the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio
Location: The Twin Cities Solutions, Vol. 2 Event @ Studio 1414, 1414 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
When: Friday, 19 October (event starts at 8pm)
Length: Exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds in the format of 20 slides at 20 seconds, there will be 12 other presenters to enjoy as well!
What: A brief on the studio as well as how I ended up down in Biloxi at the other end of the Mississippi.

I hope that all my friends in Minneapolis can all make it to one of the talks so that I can share what we are up to first hand down here. I'd love to see you all.

Posted by James Wheeler at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a quick pair of pictures because I find them to be most glorious.

Ian has discovered Men's flavored pocky at the Hong Kong Market over on Howard. What is the flavor of man you might ask? Kind of sweet and minty, actually.

For my Dad's birthday in August we bought him a bunch of Clint Bowyer merchandise and he finally took a picture and sent it down to me. So far, so good for the 07 crew, keep cheering them on Pops!

Posted by James Wheeler at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BABY!

I just heard that my friends from school Hans and April had their first child today. Soren Jacob Schmidt came into the world at 6:33pm Friday April 5th via C-Section and both April and Soren are doing great and back at home as of Monday! I will get to see the little guy when I go up next week and I'm really excited for Hans and April. They're going to be great parents. Congratulations Folks!

Soren with his Mom

Soren with his Dad

Posted by James Wheeler at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just got some new pictures of my niece and nephew and had to share. We've nicknamed Jacob "Pork Chop". All in all, I think it's a pretty sweet nickname. Hopefully I can drop in and see them again when I'm up north.

Happy Campers

PORK CHOP!

Okay, so here's something you've got to struggle with if you have two niece/nephews.

Q. When you find something cool for one of them, are you obligated to then find something cool for both of them?

A. Hrmmm...

Posted by James Wheeler at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Fifth Element Online:

ATMOSPHERE
SAD CLOWN BAD FALL #10

Slug and Ant clearly can't wait for the release of their new album, because the Midwest duo has returned with more new music to hold fans over.

Riding on the heels of their Sad Clown Number 9 release, Atmosphere marks the transition from Summer into Winter with the release of the Sad Clown Bad Fall 10. Vol 10 of the group's rare and limited Sad Clown series is all about those shorter days and colder nights that make up the Autumn season.

Can't wait to see what Winter holds...

"As a kid I was designed to dislike the fall. Even though the fall is inevitable. These songs are about embracing the fall. I don't care about halloween either." -SLUG

Posted by James Wheeler at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this but Barq's Root Beer's birthplace is actually Biloxi, Mississippi.

Here's some history straight from Ye Olde Wikipedia...

The Barq's Brothers Bottling Company was founded in 1890 in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, by Edward Charles Edmond Barq and his younger brother, Gaston. The Barq Brothers bottled carbonated water and various soft drinks of their own creation. Early on their most popular creation was an orange-flavored soda called Orangine, which won a gold medal at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois.

Edward Barq moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1897 with his new wife. The following year he opened the Biloxi Artesian Bottling Works. 1898 is often given as the debut year for what was later to be known as "Barq's root beer," but some sources say this particular product was not produced until some two years later.

For many decades Barq's was not marketed as a "root beer." This was in part a desire to avoid legal conflict with the Hires Root Beer company, which was attempting to claim a trademark on the term "root beer." It was also due to differences from other root beers at the time. The base was a sarsaparilla drink of the style of the late 19th century, in a formulation with caffeine, less sugar, and higher carbonation than other brands, though with less of a foamy "head." It was decided to market the soft drink simply as Barq's.

The traditional slogan was the simple affirmation "Drink Barq's. It's good."

Posted by James Wheeler at 09:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)