Cameron

So everything I have been doing for the last few weeks kind of came billowing to a splendid catharsis this weekend. First of all, the wood drying shed team went down to Oregon and helped load our logs onto a truck that brought them up to Evergreen for us. This was a crucial milestone in the process, as the logs would later be milled into the wood we will use for building the entire shed, which we have been planning and designing for two and a half quarters now.

My parents also came up on Friday evening from California. Actually, my dad got a job in Seattle working for the Cascadia chapter of the U.S.G.B.C., so I’ll be seeing him more often now. Anyways they came up for Arts walk and the Procession of the Species. Arts Walk was on Friday night, and I got to be in something called The Luminary Procession, which is an incredible event where people process through the streets with lanterns and walk to the waterfront by Capitol lake and set off small hot air balloons and they ignite baskets full of papers with everyone’s wishes with fireworks! Sound amazing? Well, it was, but what was more amazing was that a man I met randomly is in a class at the UW with the woman (an Evergreen grad) renting my dad a room in Seattle let me carry the lantern he made in the front of the procession! Olympia is funny that way.

But the fun was just getting started. The Procession of the Species was on Saturday, and my roommates and I donned the 20 foot + long shark costume we had barely managed to complete on time and marched (or should I say, swam) along the streets of Olympia. It is mind blowing how many people come out to see the procession, and the kids really loved the shark. Now that it is over the shark will be hanging from the ceiling in our living room, and serve as a reminder of all the good times we had making it (there is a free art studio downtown that opens up to the whole community to prepare for the Procession every year).

On Monday, more excitement was on its way. The wood drying team got to mill the logs we got on Friday. We met the miller at school at about 7:00 am, and after only about 2 cuts, he told us that we would not be able to get the cuts out of the logs that we needed to complete our design (there was too much checking). so n the fly, we had to redesign the shed  (for what must have been the 5th time) so that we could get something out of the logs we had. We worked for 8 hours, and hopefully got all the lumber we will need out of the 15 or so Douglas fir logs. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, life throws me another curve ball. But if this project hasn’t been a learning experience, I don’t know what one is. Now I just have to roll with the punches and build a different shed in just four weeks. Think I can do it? 

I guess we’ll see. 

I had a really productive week believe it or not! I was able to drive down to Oregon with my project group to look at the logs we will soon be retrieving, milling, and turning into a wood drying shed. We met with the man who was donating them to us, and he gave us some really good advice about the milling process. We also lined up a miller, a truck, and a trailer, and this Wednesday we are going to go pick up the logs.

I also got a lot done on my Procession of the Species costume—a 20’ long shark to be worn like a Chinese dragon by my roommates and me. I did a lot of the work paper maché-ing and shaping the fins and the body over the weekend and I had a blast working the studio with my friends.

I also spent some time enjoying the incredible weather we have been having. Right now it is in the high 70’s, and I am actually typing this in my back yard as a soak up some sun. Yesterday, I went down to the Olympia Farmer’s Market and rode my bike all around Olympia. It is a truly great city, with plenty going on, and now that the weather is good, it is like a slice of cherry pie with whipped cream and a tall glass of ice-cold milk—so nice.

I need such a device so that i can actually accomplish everything i have set out to do in these coming weeks. I need to work on my woodshop project, the wood drying shed, a giant shark costume for the Procession of the Species, buy cradle to cradel and read it for seminar, meet with a group of other students interested in starting a new art club at Evergreen, I have to work almost everyday next week, and somewhere in between, I need to find time to eat and sleep. And the list goes on!

But in retrospect, it’s better than being totally bored, and by the end of this quarter I will have learned and earned and accomplished enough to make all the stress worth it. And at least the work is fulfilling, and actually enjoyable. But one thing that I have not been implementing in my life enough is rest and meditaiton. I heard that Gandhi used to say if you think you are too busy to meditate, then you should meditate twice as long. Still, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that time machine.

Hey everyone, I’m back at it again, blogging my heart out for you!

I have had such an eventful…well, month, but I am just now sitting down at the computer to tell you about it. So, just a quick wrap up of last quarter:

Our group finished up a ton of work redesigning the wood drying shed and produced a bunch of professional looking construction documents for our final presentation (often at evergreen, instead of finals you will a big final project and have to present it). Our group also applied for a grant form the school to get funding for the project, and we just found out that we got the money! We are also getting all the wood we could want donated for free, we just have to pick it up and mill it. This quarter, we will actually build it on campus.

The end of a quarter is always hectic, but I still managed to pull a few all nighters to finish my portfolio, I worked ten hours a week 4 weeks straight, had a couple of pot lucks (one of them was at my faculties house!), and make a clean getaway to San Francisco for spring break. I had an awesome time while I was there, and now that I am back in Olympia, the weather is starting to turn for the better! Today is sunny and in the 60’s! I am also planning on participating in the Procession of the Species again this year, so I am really excited for that.

So I just got back from the Olympia Farmers Market, and I am about to go on a bike ride. So, have a good one, I’ll keep you updated on how crazy this quarter is going to be!