Is This Happening in Your Backyard? 03.23.2008 3:55PM If it is, STOP IT! The above project is The Ascent by Studio Daniel Libeskind. The project in Covington, KY at Roebling's Bridge is the work of starchitect, Daniel Libeskind. He is best known for winning the WTC master design contest with his so-called Freedom Tower. While the design has been tweaked and is further (thankfully!) from what Libeskind envisioned, the name Freedom Tower has remained. Libeskind has spent most of his life as a "paper architect", that is, having relatively few built works. But with the construction of Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain in 1997 and its so-called "Bilbao Effect", starchitects and their starchitecture have come to the forefront of architecture. Starchitecture is not new, but to the degree that it has become the norm is astonishing. So much for function, its all about aesthetics. The Ascent is set to open Wednesday, and if you believe the press release from Studio Daniel Libeskind (the art of self-promotion is central to starchitecture) it will create an icon for the Midwest. Here are some gem's from the press release: "The event will feature the creation of a time capsule that will include contributions made by Greater Cincinnatians, as well as Daniel Libeskind, so that future generations may understand the intent and direction of those that directly changed the region's skyline, for generations to come." "Just as Covington, KY's Roebling Bridge was the prototype for New York's Brooklyn Bridge, The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge will be the new benchmark for residential architecture in the United States." I don't think there is any way "to understand the intent and direction". Not to mention the entire press release refers to it as a building for Greater Cincinnati and not Covington. And to think the press release is speaking of this, and not this, And maybe to the untrained eye you're asking, "What's the difference?", but don't worry this is only he beginning of such posts. Together we'll work through this starchitecture debate. Futurama PSA 03.20.2008 2:58PM The second best animated program (behind King of the Hill of course) of my lifetime makes a triumphant return to television this Sunday, March 23. It's of course, Futurama. Premiering in March 1999 and lasting only until August 2003, FOX could never find Futurama a place in the lineup. It was always shuffled around the Sunday night lineup, and often not shown in the fall when football games ran long. But be sure to tune in to Comedy Central at 8PM for what will hopefully be a long run of new episodes. The episodes on Sunday are from "Bender's Big Score" which was a full length movie. Twelve more episodes will follow, taken from three remaining straight to DVD features. Some people said it was "too smart" for most people, but dammit its hilarious. If you haven't stopped by Cadaver Blender yet, check it out right now. We're a couple games into March Madness and I'm not busted yet. My Final Four is Louisville, Wisconsin, Stanford, and Xavier, with the Cardinals (not Cardinal) beating the Musketeers and cutting down the nets on April 7th. Collaborate 03.18.2008 6:25PM I teased it a month ago in the February ramblings and now I'm ready to reveal the companion to Beavers and Ducks. It's a collaborative effort between myself and Keith, and it's in addition to Beavers and Ducks. So don't worry Beavers and Ducks is still going to be updated on a regular basis. But without further ado I present, Check it out now and leave your thoughts. Bookmark it now because it too will be updated on a regular basis. While Beavers and Ducks tries its best to remain PG-13, I can't promise the same for CadaverBlender (as if the name didn't lead to that thought anyway). Enjoy and make sure Beavers and Ducks, as well as, CadaverBlender are a regular part of your day. R.E.M. SXSW 03.14.2008 4:08PM Thanks to NPR.org and its webcast of R.E.M.'s South by Southwest (SXSW) concert, I was able to get a preview of their upcoming album, Accelerate. As part of their 22 song, 1 hour and 30 minute set they played 11 of the 12 songs on their upcoming album. It wouldn't be fair to judge the album based on the live performance, but I have to say I loved most of the new songs as individual pieces. There are a lot of memorable and intriguing lyrics in R.E.M.'s twenty-five year collection, but "Providence blinked facing the sun", from the anti-war "ballad" Until the Day is Done, may be the best yet. R.E.M. always political in nature, has their fair share of political statements on this latest album. That's doesn't take away from the beauty of the songs. Though I've yet to hear the studio album in its entirety (it debuts April 1), I'm pretty sure Hollow Man is going to be my favorite. Its starts out with a piano melody before it bursts into full fledged rocking guitars, in keeping with the feel of the rest of the album. From what I can tell at this point, Accelerate is a return to the R.E.M. foursome of yesteryear. When Bill Berry retired R.E.M. tried new things and for the most part, very little worked. They had some good songs, but couldn't nail down a complete album. This time around they've got both the hits and a complete album. I'm pretty sure Accelerate will be on loop for the month of April, and I'll have a review at that time. Ramblings 03.11.2008 3:52PM First Pitch- The MLB season kicks off...err...opens two weeks from today with the Oakland Athletics taking on the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox in Japan. Predictions and thoughts on the up coming season will be available soon at The Huddle, but now just a reminder for all the Cubs fans in my life. I've said the Cubs will never win a World Series in my lifetime. Bold, I know, but thats how I roll. Go big or go home. No but seriously, I love your "Friendly Confines", but unfortunately gracing the backdrop is one of the ugliest sights I've ever seen. It's of course, Gill Park, a building I am very familiar with having spent a majority of my seven months at RRJ working, in some capacity, on the renovation of the building. I'd like to say that when its finished it'll enhance the backdrop, but then again, there is only so much you can do with an ugly building unless you start from scratch. There was talk of including a rooftop deck with views to Wrigley, but I think thats been scrapped. And its probably a good thing, considering I've been on the roof and at best there's a small glimpse of home plate from the rooftop. Worst Building- I've come across a new book, Designing for Designers: Lessons Learned from Schools of Architecture and its something I'm going to pick up. Shocked, I know. But ever since I started my architectural studies in Flagg Hall, a scraped together temporary housing for studio, before moving to the Architecture Building and now at the College of Architecture and Planning, I've wondered in amazement how its possible that architects are always stuck in the worst building on campus. This book looks into the design of buildings that houses the teaching and learning of designers. It does, however, list Temple Buell Hall (TBH) as one of the best architecture buildings. TBH houses the graduate studios at the University of Illinois. I was never fond of the building, but I never experienced it through the use of studios, just through the dominating void of the atrium with very few users. Hopefully this book answers some of my questions. Brawlin- I picked up Super Smash Brothers Brawl for Wii on Sunday and I'm loving it. The comprehensive characters and battle grounds are simply amazing. The graphics are also finely tuned. I'm playing with the Wiimote and Nunchuck configuration because I forgot to bring home a Gamecube controller, and its pretty easy to pick up the controls, but I think I'll go with the "classic" arrangement when I return to school. This is just the beginning of great games making their way to the Wii. Wii Fit and Mario Kart both come out in the next few months. The Wii is living up to its potential. Rock and Roll- Last night I watched the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions which included Madonna, John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Ventures, and the Dave Clark Five. It was a weird and unfulfilling ceremony. DC5's induction was long overdue and a year too late for two of its members. We can debate the achievements of the others acts for their "rock and roll" worthiness, and I'll base my argument around this list of musicians who have yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Madonna made it own here first attempt. Those not yet enshrined in the Hall of Fame include: Linda Ronstadt, Chicago, Carly Simon, Neil Diamond, The Moody Blues, Ben E. King, the late Billy Preston, Todd Rundgren, Kiss, Carole King, Chubby Checker, Hall & Oates, Iggy Pop, Patti LaBelle, Alice Cooper, Sonny & Cher, Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Dionne Warwick, Ringo Starr (the only Beatle not in as a solo artist), and Petula Clark. I may not like some of the aforementioned artists, but I could argue for their hall worthiness over the likes of some inducted last night. Snow Break 03.08.2008 3:10AM So here it is Spring Break, the biggest misnomer out there. Lets start off with the fact that its March 8, and according to the calendar Spring doesn't officially start until March 21. Rarely is it ever "spring-like" during Spring Break. Occasionally there is a nice day or two, but its still winter. But I got a special "treat" to start this Spring Break. Last night and into the morning snow accumulated at around 10+ inches. The drive back from Muncie, took an additional hour as traffic slowed to 35 MPH from the Columbus, IN exit to the Ohio River. Talk about terrible road conditions. I'm not even sure Indiana was even trying to clear the roads. The 10+ inches is the most since 22 inches fell in 1998. I remember that vividly and can't remember it was 10 years ago. It's also the greatest single amount in March since 1968. Luckily its already started melting and I don't think it will be around too long. And that's fine with me as I enjoyed it for a few hours today but it is March 8, not January 8 or even February 8. It's Spring Break. Check out some photos I took from earlier today in the Photoblog! Senseless Campus Violence 03.07.2008 2:27AM Just this week there were the murders of two collegiate females, the first at Auburn University and the other at the University of North Carolina. While neither murder occurred on campus, they both were within blocks of the respective university. Both seem to be random acts of violence (though possibly connected), which makes it scarier in my mind. The death of the UNC Student President, Eve Carson, is as close to home as I hope campus violence ever touches me. Eve was the girlfriend of Tim Reilly, with whom I went to St. X. I wouldn't consider myself and Tim friends outside of class (though we are Facebook "friends" and this is how I knew they were together), but he was in practically 95% of my classes, and he's not somebody I avoid or dislike in any fashion. He's an intelligent, outgoing young man, and I can't even begin to imagine what he is going through right now. This campus violence makes no sense. College and universities are supposed to be safe places. As close as this hits, its still so distant. I can't imagine such a thing happening at Illinois or here at Ball State. Maybe that's me being naive. But I never felt/feel unsafe at either place. I can't imagine either of these students felt unsafe either. Any murder is senseless, but to think about the the promise both of these women had. Stupid, stupid, stupid. My thoughts are with Tim. Check out Last Month 03.01.2008 6:37PM Check out last month at Beavers and Ducks, while you wait for a new post for March.February 2008

Gregory 'Jesus' Dowell Muncie, IN - I'm a 2007 graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies. Currently pursuing my graduate degree in Architecture at Ball State University. I just finished a 7 month internship with RRJ. The internship has taken me from coast (Bethany Beach, DE) to coast (San Diego, CA), while showing me the ropes. Resume Portfolio Greg's Calendar Mar. 8-16- Spring Break Apr. 1- "Accelerate"- R.E.M. May 2- Spring Semester ends May 3- Kentucky Derby May 19- "TBA"- Coldplay May 22- Indiana Jones May 24-31 Pawley's Island, SC 52 Days Until: Important Wii Release Dates - Always playing Guitar Here III, Mario Galaxy and now Super Smash Brothers Brawl March 18 Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer April 27 Mario Kart Wii May 19 Wii Fit July 2008 NCAA Football 09 Other Wii Games To Watch For June 29 Guitar Hero III: Aerosmith TBA 2008 Rock Band TBA 2008 Wii Music TBA 2008 de Blob TBA 2008 James Bond 007 The Latest Podcast Last Month at Beavers and Ducks February 2008 Links Bloomington or Bust Smelkem Spargel Lives of Wander Theresa's Freelance Site

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