Good Riddance 2010

Is anyone happy that this year has finally come to an end? I sure am. Pick your poison 2010 had it all.
Besides two exceptional bashes in the family (though I have come to boastingly believe that my family is an exception when it comes to almost anything) 2010 was one of the less rewarding experiences for me. There is not much I'll cherish nor much of a source for nostalgia.

The holiday monsoon-turned-blizzard which stranded many while doing equal damage across the country last week was a fitting end. Although it wouldn't even raise an eyebrow when you look at the year as a whole. 2010 hosted some of the worst natural disasters.
Earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, Floods in Pakistan, The BP Oil spill (human error gets a bogey on that one) and many others. I sure hope 2011 goes a bit easier on us.

Politically 2010 wasn't smooth sailing either. Things can't be good when Jon Stewart (who is coming to be the most reliant news source) is forced to hold a 'Rally to Restore Sanity.' The media likes to think that as a country we are completely polarized (because its good for ratings.) Obama's liberal base began to lose hope. And on the other side the most popular character is a grizzly wrestlin' woman who everyday sounds more and more like Stephen Colbert with the one difference being critical; she's serious he isn't.
Say what you want about the lame duck session, but I bet most American's would choose to describe their government in 2010 as "extremely frustrating."

All I want is a high speed rail line on the east coast that doesn't cost 150$ each way. So I don't have to sit on a smelly bus in traffic on the ugly ass New Jersey Turnpike while going from Penn Station to Union Station. Is that really hard people? Come on.



Also for 2011 I'd like for everyone to get along better and really try to think and more importantly put into action ways to make the world a better place.

I plan on finishing my Masters Degree in Architecture so some think that's good for the world. But if there's anything Ive learned, its that the hypothetical can only be valued as a possibility and holds no water when compared to the gratification and understanding accrued from physically making or doing something.

I plan to drink and get merry and wash away 2010 on NYE with some good friends. I'm looking forward to it, and more so 2011. I hope everyone has a great and safe holiday. See you in 2011, lets do it.

KIIPIS!

I'm really happy for all my friends who just finished up their degree project thesis this past weekend. I wish I was there to celebrate with them, we've been through a lot together and have traveled great distances.

I was supposed to be on the same schedule and time-line but due to my self disciplined TO from school, I'll have to wait till Spring to join them in there rank as Master.
I wish them all luck in their diversity of paths, and look forward to keeping in touch.

Enjoy some Partner photo's from their future firms.

Don't VOTE! (For him)

As opposed to my previously patriotic contribution this one's less rosy. Although I have to say that my supposed beverage of choice 'Hater'-ade (as noted by some friends) doesn't come unwarranted. Its usually brewed from a high-dose of frustration that's pretty common.

This Saturday all college footballs big personalities and previous winners of the sports ultimate prize will crown a new Heisman Trophy winner here in New York. This season has some incredible student athletes vying for the individual achievement, and some not so incredible.



In case you haven't heard anything about the front runner, either on or off the field, here is a little bit about Cam Newton, or as my brother has coined more appropriately Scam Newton:

"Newton again violated the university's honor code by putting his name on another student's paper and turning it in. Newton was caught after the instructor asked the real author of the paper why he had not turned in his work. Newton turned in a second paper to the instructor, but that paper was later found to have been purchased off the Internet."

0 for 2 buddy. But before the University of Florida had the chance to academically discipline Newton, he had already withdrawn and skipped town enrolling at a junior college in Texas. Which served as the negotiating table for his 'pay for play' options to re-enter a major conference. His pops said just a scholarship wasn't gonna do it, try 6 figures, and then he got convicted for shopping his son. But due to the NCAA's stone age legal process they can't think of how son Cam had anything to do with it. BS.
It's inevitable that he'll get caught, so why vote for him now when there are other more incredible candidates out there? Here are the letters I just mailed out.

Dear Sam Bradford, Archie Griffin, OJ Simpson, Roger Staubach and all Heisman Winners,

Don't vote for Cam Newton. A vote for him would compromise the quality of the amazing piece of history which you worked so hard for and deserved. Voting for Scam sends a terrible message to student athletes and promotes misconduct.

Sincerley, James and the World


Soon ESPN will start airing promo's with the jolly tune "Its the most wonderful time of the year" in reference to Bowl season of course, while showing highlights and upcoming matches making all us pigskin cravers warm and jiggly inside like holiday egg nog. But as much I love it, it get's me drunk off Haterade how corrupt of a system the NCAA has gifted its national championship to.
The BCS is terrible. Football is the only sport where the NCAA does not crown its champion, and CEO's of the BCS bowls rack up yearly salaries of 500,000$ (for operating one game) while nickeling and diming the schools participating. There has been many a written why the BCS is terrible so I wont indulge, lets just hope it changes.

GO DUCKS!

Vote for Andrew Luck. He is the best QB in the country and is an ARCHITECTURE MAJOR! (Told you architects are smart)

Although we'll see how far he gets with that degree considering he's only a sophomore but is expected to be tops in the draft.