iheartoldshit

NY Times Article

2009-04-09T14:04:00.003-05:00

Here's a good article on the conservation of interiors and objects, specifically with regard to systems and climate control (Artigas, right up your alley). Michael Henry is mentioned! Enjoy:

Fit to Print: Economic Crisis, Recovery and Preservation

2009-03-13T11:25:00.010-05:00

Because the news is all about the our economic crisis and recovery - I thought I'd round up a few things I'd read recently on the subject that pertain to historic preservation and good planning.

"All Boarded Up" - NY Times article about Cleveland's foreclosure and mortgage crises that is a must read. If Cleveland is the future for many of our smaller cities, then we're in for it. Among the implications are a large number of demolitions, vacancies and vandalized houses, and plummeting property values. More difficult still are the incredibly tangled webs spun by governments, banks, flippers, and owners.

For something uplifting after that, hit up Patrice's piece at Preservation Nation, "Dispatch from Dubuque: Luring People Back to the Heartland", where she posits a contrasting vision for a sustainable future in America's small cities.

Wondering what's in the Stimulus Bill that relates to Historic Preservation? Me too. While the most explicit line items to fund preservation were cut, there are provisions for weatherization and energy efficiency, neighborhood stabilization, and affordable housing which could all apply to historic preservation if the groups getting the cash infusion think creatively. There is a lot of potential, but there's also a lot of tension brewing with pressure building on historic resouces. A good place to begin is the National Trust for Historic Preservation offers Stimulus 101 for some basics, or visit the Trust's The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act page for other info. See also their "Perfect Storm" page for more on the tension between "shovel-ready projects" and preservation priorities.

Landmarks Law Smackdown

2009-02-03T16:57:00.004-05:00

The Chicago's Landmarks Law is in jeopardy now that an Illinois Appeals Court in Cook County ordered a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the city's landmarks law be allowed to go forward. The lawsuit contends that the city's landmarks law is basically too subjective, overly vague, and could be abused in its application.
Read the Chicago Tribune here or read the Trib's Skyline blog coverage for more pithy and evolving content here. Preservation Mag online has this.

Meanwhile here in NYC two hardship cases have come to the fore and promise more conflict over the city's Landmarks Law. The most interesting and difficult one is Saint Vincent's Hospital's proposed demolition of the O'Toole building and the precedent that the Landmarks Commission will set as it decides this case.

Back from the Dead.

2009-01-27T10:16:00.003-05:00

Alright people. It's time to restart the conversation. I begin with a question:

What kind of an alumni network would you like from Penn?

I've spoken with Randy about building a stronger network that is not only informational and peppered with contacts, but interesting. I'm thinking about a web-based platform that is not like the Yahoo list-serv. I'm thinking profiles on what y'alls are doing. What thoughts do you have?

In the meantime I wish you all well and want you to come visit NYC to see me, Megan, Lauren, Gabriella, Annie, and Alexis.

Looking for a place to live, again, in NYC

2008-04-23T11:35:00.002-05:00

Happy Spring Everyone!

I am doing well, although the files in my cubicle have started to pile up. I completely support Amanda’s book club idea. I also can not believe it has already been a year – and Ashley is MARRIED, and Sarah soon to be.

My lease ends July 1st and my roommates do not want to renew. So, I am looking for someone to live with in New York City. If anyone has any ideas or know of someone else looking, please let me know. Haha- can you ask the soon to be recent graduates like yourself is anyone is moving to NYC?

THANKS a lot.
Lots of love,
Gabriela

Hi!

2008-04-22T15:05:00.003-05:00

Hello, my favorite Preservationists! The weather is finally feeling like spring in DC. However, I cannot believe that almost a year has passed since we graduated! Fon and I had the lovely opportunity to visit Miss Sarah V. in St. John, USVI this past week. It was wonderful and sunny- and we all returned home a little bit happier, and a bit more pink. Anyway, we were talking about how all of our jobs are a bit narrow-focused, and that we feel we are forgetting/not using some of our acquired knowledge. As a result, we've decided to do the ultimate nerd thing and to set up a book club. A Preservation Book Club! We're going to pick books, make our way slowly through them, and then discuss in some sort of technologically savvy way (think Theories meets John Hinchman). I realize some of you may still be in school (haha), burnt out, or have decided to forget the past 2 years. But, for those of you who are interested, let me know and I'll add you to the list! Hope all is well!

xoxo
Manders

Back on the Map!

2008-04-07T10:59:00.003-05:00

Annie, Frank, et al are in today's NY Times for their work on the 1964-1965 World's Fair terrazzo road map. And for good measure, click here to peep the website Megan built for the exhibit.

shared victories

2008-04-03T15:52:00.004-05:00

This is me just after emailing my thesis draft to RM. John and I promptly went to opening day at the ballpark, sang my song to the fabled onion wheel, and despite the rain and the loss had a great time! Did I mention I applied for a job on the way to the game. Cos I did. March 31 was a victorious day.

Thanks to all of you who have sent kind words of sympathy, support and motivation. I feel fortunate to have watched you all power through this process before me. It has given me a lot of confidence.

the wonders of SEPTA

2008-03-04T22:33:00.002-05:00

From my perch on the 40 this afternoon I saw a rare species: One O'Malley crossing the Walnut Street bridge. I haven't spotted him since last April or May. Wow. A sight for sore eyes. If I was walking I would have hugged him and it would have been totally awkward and awesome.

Visitors!

2008-02-27T22:59:00.002-05:00

I just bade farewell to Sean and Amila, who not only visited, but did so unexpectedly, which is the best. I'm happy to report that they seem great, and are making the most of their journey to LA. The other LA. L. A. ?

Greetings

2008-02-21T22:14:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone. I was really glad to see some recent posts, and sad to hear I missed all the festivities in Philly.
I am living in New York working for the LPC. Work has picked up recently and I am working on a few projects in the most recently designationed historic district, DUMBO in Brooklyn. I talk to Maria frequently and saw her last month in DC. She is doing well working at EHT Traceries. Alexis Casale and I have been bouncing around emails...and Alexis Stephens is MIA - but homefully we will all get together in NY soon. People, if you are visiting the city let me know. would love to see you. I hope every one is having a healthy and happy 2008 thus far. Haha, I am sending you good thesis fibes.
luv, gg

Hey Reagan...

2008-02-21T16:02:00.000-05:00

try this? I couldn't find my stuff.

Plotting still sucks

2008-02-20T09:20:00.003-05:00

Nope, we haven't gotten anywhere with the plotting. Oh well. It's just annoying. I'm happy to see some posts! I am jealous of those who got together and played before Amila and Sean left. Boston is still cold. I miss Philly, too. I don't have much news to report, although I did get an email through my office saying that Bhawna is joining the New York BCA office, which is where Alexis Stephens is still working? I don't know; she hasn't answered my email.
Oh! News: I may be working at a site in Greece this summer where I worked in 2004 to help them prepare a conservation plan! It seems as though Gordion may come in handy after all. I'm very excited!
AND, did everyone see the most recent Preservation magazine? Our own Patrice Frey is famous! She's in one of the articles and I didn't know she has this big fancy position and title down at the Trust?! Congrats!
That's it for here. You can still keep track of our home improvement progress on our blog. Damn, it's slow going.

2008-02-15T22:57:00.002-05:00

Alright, I want to see more updates, too, so it's only fair that I add one... Still in NOLA, still not sure how long this job will last, and less and less inclined to leave. I have, however, been continually sick this winter. Whether this has more to do with weather or lifestyle, I don't know. And I don't look forward to summer weather. The dogs are good, but Tucker has a big hole in him, which has been stressful. For me, at least. He doesn't seem to care. He'll be fine.

Any of y'all are welcome any time. I have a lot of room. And I've been worming my way into the music scene. There is some incredible stuff here that, apparently, no one knows about.

Check my blog, which has turned into something I didn't intend, the way that blogs do.
http://1603tac.blogspot.com

Happy Valentine's Day/ Just Because

2008-02-14T15:01:00.002-05:00

Hi! I really have nothing new to say, but I figured our posts were getting so lonely that I would do my part to keep the blog going. Reagan, I hope you figured out plotting stuff. I'm afraid I don't have my notes, and it's been almost a month since you requested help! Haha- I hope you're kicking thesis ass, and not the other way around! As for me, I'm still in the DC area, and still missing good ol' Philly. For those of you that have more interesting lives, please let us know how you're doing! Miss you all!

Spoiled!

2008-02-12T12:37:00.001-05:00

I used to call February "the dark times" marked by gray skies and foul moods. Well, this year I have beens spoiled rotten by some of my favorite faces! Ionnes and I ate at Dimitri's with Miss Buckley and MandyMoo one Saturday night. And this past weekend Mander organized a Moroccan feast at Marrakesh to celebrate Sarah V's presence in town. Teresa, Mander, her man, Fon, Ellen and I not only got to feast with our fingers but also got to watch Sarah V get a bellydancing lesson. (Methinks she could've taught her host some tricks of the trade, but was too polite to show off all of her moves.) I think Fon has pictures. Amila and Sean's going-away party was the following night, complete with lots of good people, a fireplace, and free furniture. We're all sad to see them go but know that big things are ahead!! It's very exciting. Oh yeah and I'm in a class Patrice is helping to teach.... and I thought I was gonna be so lonely this year. Miss the rest of youse - come visit!! (Because I'm greedy like that.)

Plotting

2008-01-24T12:58:00.000-05:00

No, not scheming. Plotting as in printing big. Does anyone still have their notes on the CAD plotting tutorial? I know it sounds so nerdy, but we are having problems with our image quality on our plotter. I remember that there are about a billion different things to check and click for color and image quality. If anyone can help or can send me their notes, that would be awesome!

Reagan

PS - send updates as to where you are and what you're doing! It is so sad to see no posts on the blog. :(

Uncle Sam wants you!

2007-11-12T11:07:00.001-05:00

If anyone out there knows worthy preservationists in need of jobs NOW, please tell them. Apparently we are looking for 3 people immediately. And when they say immediately, they mean it. They would probably want you to start the Monday after Thanksgiving. The work is all about 106, so policy folks or those experienced with determinations of eligibility would be preferred. The downside is the uncertainty of packing up and moving here without knowing how long it will last. But it is so, so worth it. Really. Really, really. If anyone is interested or able, get in touch with me and I'll tell you more about the work and why there's no question that anyone who can should do it.

Bright Lights, Big City

2007-11-07T23:19:00.001-05:00

This month the Avenue of the Arts is all lit up pretty like with new light installations on five buildings. Fon, Ellen and I went out last night to check out how South Broad Street looked all illuminated. The installations mix changing projections of artwork and colored LED lights that are programmed to change color and display.
So there we were, three gals out for a Philly adventure, checking out how the Center City District had dressed up the Avenue of the Arts. I guess we were so fresh-faced and chatty, so earnest in our interest (nerd alert) - or we were the first folks the reporters saw - so we were all interviewed by KYW. Laughing and suspicious, we answered. And lo and behold - there we were on Channel 3 last night. (Ellen's brilliance was cruelly cut by those hacks.)
All told - the installation was neat-o but it remains to be seen if the Preservation Alliance feels the same way. They hold easements on many of the buildings and are rumbling with the Center City District over the alterations to the "appearance" of the facades due to the lights... Stay tuned cats and kittens.

N. O. Calling

2007-10-26T16:15:00.000-05:00

No details, but I hear that we still need preservationists here. I think you're all empoyed now, but if anyone is looking for a job, consider it. Maybe not exactly what you were thinking of, but you live for free in New Orleans and get paid well. Actually, less than free. More than free? Freer than... Less than zero. Whatever, it's ridiculous.

NYC

2007-10-18T09:12:00.000-05:00

I hope that everyone is still checking this. I just accepted a position with the New York City Landmark Commission. I start November 13th. I am looking for an apartment so if anyone knows of someone in need of a roommate please let me know. I am excited to move - but a little anxious about living in the Big Apple. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the somewhat-like Fall weather.

Lots of HSPV love,

Gabriela

Another move

2007-10-01T13:14:00.000-05:00

This time a short one. I have a new address:

2631 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70130

I also have a lot of room. Really, I can't overstate how much extra room I have. It's absurd. So here's a standing offer-- Come to New Orleans. You'll have a great place to stay.

This One's for You, DDL.

2007-09-21T16:01:00.000-05:00

If there's an old building being worked on in or around Boston, our firm (BCA) is a part of it. And what building from the late 19th century would you rather work on than a Richardson building? Who of you remembers on which building he used his first, and eventually signature, Romanesque arch? The little Ames Library, right here in North Easton, MA! It's pretty awesome. They want to do a renovation and restoration of the building, and I'm working on the documentation and some drawings.

I am actually so glad I learned the ways of Word. There's a lot of formatting going on in this office, and I'm teaching them a thing or two about styles! (In more ways than one, of course.) I do get a little nostalgic, though, and wish I were working on formatting photos and reports in the studio with all my sleep-deprived friends. I miss you all.

PS - We will update our blog soon! We've been busy, I promise!

Twin Cities! (They make those?!)

2007-09-18T20:38:00.000-05:00

Hey gang! It's back to the grind for ol Haha... but that means I can get the student discount to attend the National Trust conference. Is anyone else going? Will you crash the Penn reception with me? Who's in?

Preservation Putts

2007-09-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

As prelude to HaHa third and final year in meyerson hall, the postHSPVers went to historic philadelphia putt putt. franklin square offers mini independence hall, small boat house row, and a strange version of the art museum. Amila (now mrs. amila) came in first. Mandy showed off her biceps by sending the ball way out of play taking out a couple of toddler in the playground.

heyhey

2007-09-02T22:38:00.000-05:00

Hello from New Orleans. It's.. interesting. Actually, it's going much better than I expected, but I'm only just getting a real taste of what I've gotten myself into. I still can't really believe it.

I'm going to try to keep a blog.

Here: http://1603tac.blogspot.com/

There are some random pictures on my picasa page:
http://picasaweb.google.com/furnessy/

More will come.

Haha asks...

2007-09-01T15:37:00.000-05:00

Alright kids. Brace yourselves. This is the first installment of "Haha Asks," a series of questions designed to help get me through this year, with answers provided by you all-knowing, experienced graduates!

This week's question: What did you wish you knew about thesis in the fall semester?

I have that sinking feeling of freewheeling unpreparedness, now that it's September, and I can't shake it. Please advise since no one else seems capable.

...and Happy Labor Day. Remember how hard people fought for the 8hr workday with benefits. Don't let new bosses cheat you of these. And also remember that Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says: "Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay." And how.

Me too!

2007-08-31T12:02:00.001-05:00

Hello, hearters of old shit! I can't believe the summer is almost over! My knee is doing really well- and aside from lots of PT this summer, I've been plugging away at FRES- Penn's Real Estate Development Office. And by that, I mean, sitting in my cubicle eating candy. They just installed an ice cream vending machine which spells trouble for me.

Like Haha, I was on the news.

Like Fon, I've had many Marky Mark sightings. I got to go behind the scenes of his movie because they were shooting on Penn's property!

Also, I just got a job! I'm going to be working for Wood Partners, a multi-family developer. They're in DC and it seems like a fun firm. I'll be moving in a few weeks. And while I will not being doing anything Preservation related, hopefully this will get my foot in the door. (The plan is that after I gain some experience and some $$, I can then go to work on developing adaptive reuse projects...)

OK, that's it for me. I hope all is well with everybody and keep the updates coming!

Mandy

2007-08-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

we have a little blog, too!
if you want to check out what we're up to, go to www.ruedigs.blogspot.com

WHAT!?

2007-08-16T15:46:00.000-05:00

My miserable, penniless, useless, homeless, unemployed summer has come to an abrupt and shocking end. I got a strange and unreal-sounding lead last week. After a 12-hour freakout of hesitation, I responded. And, less than a week later, I got the call. When can you come? Sunday? Start Monday? Great. Get to New Orleans. Send the receipts.

Interview? What interview? Job description? Que?

So, I'm off. To where exactly, I don't know. For who, precisely, I don't know. For how long? No idea. Doing what? Something vague about Section 106 and FEMA.

New fucking Orleans? Monday? Are you kidding me? No, seriously.

2007-08-09T07:43:00.000-05:00

Oh my darling wonderpups!

So much news, so little time. I would like, foremost, to assure you that old shit is indeed alive and well in Jolly Old. After a rigourous (note the use of u, I am soooo British) three weeks of touring the man0r houses of England, I have returned, relatively unscathed, to the motherland. Brief synapses of Attingham: wake up, eat crappy food, lecture, look at a ridiculous amount of old stuff, eat mayonaise, more old shit, lecture, dinner of gross crap, two more lectures, drink a large amount of bad wine. Repeat. Don't get me wrong it was great, but eventually you start scanning 16th century interiors for somewhere you could possible rest your weary rump without breaking anything. After a little longer, your feet don't want to walk through one more Ruskinian landscape and you hope and pray that the old antiques dealer doesn't try and fall asleep on your bosom in the bus (yes, he did). But I return victorious with a great bibliography of books on every subject related to historic structures, landscapes and preservation (which I will share with you all as soon as it's formatted).

In other news, the house is going well. I currently have 8 trucks outside my house as they cut down deadly pine trees that threated to fall on the house. Amid a flurry of paint brushes and tools, things are starting to take shape and it is looking good. This is the ultimate cocktail/party house, so I expect to see some of your darling faces gracing my doorstep soon!

I have a baby puppy now. His name is Teddy and he's a west highland terror ... I mean terrier. He's ridiculously spunky and loves people.

So, i'm taking the RI real estate exam. My real estate agent has been trying to romance me into the company. I'd be representing the historic homes for sale and I think it would also be a good way to drum up some histopresto business.

That's it for now. I miss you all so much and love and want visitors! So come play soon!

S

GREETINGS

2007-08-06T14:26:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

I am sorry I do not have very exciting news to share. I am living at home outside D.C. and working part-time at an Architectural firm while I search for full-time employment. I have been looking for jobs in D.C./ Boston/ NYC/ and Providence, RI. So if you hear of anything - let me know. And of course, If I move to a city near you and will get in touch.
I hope everyone is enjoying these last few HOT weeks of summer. I am going to be on Martha's Vineyard next week so I can't complain.
I miss everyone!

Besos,
Gabs

Philadelphia Stories

2007-08-06T12:26:00.000-05:00

Philadelphia history on display until the end of August via our City Archives.

Philadelphia Stories

The Building of a Great American City

Art Institute of Philadelphia

1622 Chestnut St Gallery

HI!

2007-08-03T06:55:00.001-05:00

visit often. post a lot. be in touch virtually so you don't feel lonesome because you're not staring at us across a table over a laptop daily...

hearts, haha

On Fox News and the President's House

2007-08-03T06:31:00.000-05:00

If you heard a rumor that Mander and I were on MyFoxPhilly news this week, it's true.
There we were on federale assignment to photograph and absorb the temporary closing of the President's House and there were news cameras everywhere. Photographers elbowed us out of the way and apparently Fox did their standup with me and Mander as the backdrop. For more of the back of our heads, peep it for yourself.

The Kelly/Maiello design is not the best thing I've ever seen, but it's a starting point. Of course, they designed it without knowing what the dig would reveal, so here's to revisions!

What You've Missed in Philly

2007-08-01T09:05:00.000-05:00

Martin Meyerson passed away this summer, as the building named for him will in the future. I ask you now to crassly place bets as to whether his passing will inspire them to name the new to-be-designed-and-someday-deemed-dreadful-by-its-ungrateful-inhabitants building in his honor AGAIN? or will Steve Wynn's money trump that? Discuss.

PlanPhilly offers a virtual tour of the Delaware waterfront developments, which is convenient for those of you who are not here to sweat it out.

Peep the Reading Railroad Viaduct at Necessity for Ruins! Some people around here think it's ripe for a redesign, a la the High Line in ye olde NYC. Now where's Kevin Bacon to stand in for Ed Norton in the inevitable publicity and advocacy role?

Rumor has it that M. Night Shayamalan is back in Philly with Marky Mark and Zooey Deschanel on a movie called The Happening, which is scheduled to begin shooting in here in August.

And in TV news, those of you transplants can be reminded of Philly in all her glory when It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia comes back to FX in September. I saw them shooting in my hood the other day. It's back foreal.

...got news, dear reader? Hit it. Post away!

2007-07-13T16:18:00.000-05:00

Hey gang!

Here's the word as I know it::

I see AMANDA daily at NPS. We're the feds now.

MANDY had her knee rebuilt and she's off and running (well, almost)

SARAH V is up in Rhody, well actually she's in England right now and she just had a big ol birthday which we all have to celebrate when she returns stateside.

FON is queen of the universe. Don't believe me? Click here.

ARTIGAS popped through Philly and is now in Cali.

NICK may or may not be employed in Philadelphia or Buffalo or BOTH!

ELLEN is a veritable an one-man-band on a fascinating project on the main line.

ALEXIS C is traveling the world, with pit stops predictably on Nantucket and in NYC.

O'MALLEY lets everyone know where he is...

ALEXIS S jets between Philly and NYC. She's taking on the Fulton Mall in Brooklyn right now, working with Randy's firm MINERVA.

JULIE D is in Australia on her internship with EDAW, and she's keeping track of it here.

AMILA had a birthday and is back at MEVE and then jets away to Portland for her pending wedding. Adorable.

LAUREN is back at MEVE until mid-August, and then we get her back here.

REAGAN and Adam are camped out as our northermoast outpost, and as the post indicates below are getting a house.

MEGAN survived her trip as TA on the England adventure and is back in Philly.

ELDRA may or may not be in DC.

PATRICE is back easterly, or so rumor has it.

I'm missing lots of you, both on this list and in emotional ways... What are you up to? Hit the blog.

LOVE to all - HAHA

Rest in peace, Lady Bird.

Let's get this party started

2007-06-19T12:41:00.000-05:00

Ok, it has been over a month since we graduated, and not a peep on our iheartoldshit blog. So I'm going to start. Adam and I are in Boston, and it's not too hot here. I mean that temperature-wise. It's quite nice so far, though I know I will change my tune come November. Adam is working. I am not. But I'm trying...the problem is (and this is a big problem) that I am leaving for Greece this Saturday and will be gone 3 weeks. Tragedy, I know. I'm very excited to spend some quality time with our most favoritest Pam at Mt. Lykaion. I will, however, be ditching her midway through the project to come back to my husband and dog.

The big news to report is that we're buying a house! No, we didn't buy that one from before because it was in seriously bad shape. Literally, the shape was bad (all racked and crooked). We have found a big old Victorian in Dorchester that needs lots of love, and we're going to give it to her. It's got LOTS of room...as of now, technically 6 bedrooms, so there's plenty of room for all of you! I'd love visits and opinions and thoughts as to how to save this lovely home. Lots of original stuff, beautiful woodwork, original wallpaper, etc. Adam and I have our work cut out for us (at the very least taking the lovely dish off the front porch).

So, we expect to see you all beginning in August to help warm up our new home. And, I expect to hear from you on this blog!!

welcome, grads

2007-05-16T10:06:00.000-05:00

Yes yes, the iheartoldshit is back and up and waiting for you. Post nerdy questions next to party invites, conferences opportunities and travel disbatches next to love letters. Use at will. Post often and check in even more frequently. The idea is that here we can share ideas, commiserate with those who can sympathize and celebrate with those who know.

life lessons part 1

2006-06-22T17:28:00.000-05:00

Today we were reminded that sometimes good practice has a lot to do with who you have working on a site. We met a man whose work includes tending to the final resting places of 150 years of Plymouth's citizenry, bringing back a bluebell population and fighting/propigating valerian the diameter of his arm. We met a marine turned forester turned site manager who rattles off botanical latin with ease and whose handshake can crush rocks. We met an architect volunteer who talked about how to honestly ackowledge the presence of new materials in an historic structure. It was all so unexpected and wonderfully surprising.

And even better than all of that, and this is going to sound sentimental, but this place is so green. We got to talk about carbon footprints and biodiversity and wood-chip heat. So now, hear this. We want to be buried in wicker coffins with willow trees above us. We want cemetaries that remind us of meadows. We want specimin plants. We want barn owls as pets.

Maawedge

2006-06-21T19:05:00.000-05:00

There we were, a gaggle of mostly young eligible women, and the nice man wanted us to come get married. Could it be just the place?
We've decided to book the decadent Bickleigh Castle for our ceremonies and B&B. Really all we'd ever wanted was a place that felt like Medieval Times, but more real, and with a pink baseboard and a bar that's something out of Camelot. It is just the place. The bridal brochure is really what sold us, with its depictions of horrid wedding revelry. Surely it was not the bizarre profit-hungry dragon woman who was booking the KEEP (not castle) and Anglo-Saxon chapel from the 7th century (above).
It is truly one of the oddest and saddest things to see a building so exploited.
So we're all getting married. It's true. We chose the chapel for intimacy's sake. You're all invited.

Then we'll retire to a huge party over at Buckland Abbey in the barn and garden (right).

Taking our sweet time...

2006-06-21T15:38:00.000-05:00

Really sweet-smelling roses outside a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon chapel. We know the good stuff when we see it.

Bath, minibus sickness, and vino

2006-06-20T18:23:00.000-05:00

So we all piled into the minibus for a 3 hour tour (sing it, Gilligan!) to Bath. Multiple persons became ill or nearly ill, but we managed to make it without any pit stops. We did some walking, some photographing, some listening (or sleeping) to lectures. However, none of this is very important. I think the most memorable moment of today was the e-mail given to us regarding immigration paperwork that was needed weeks ago. We may not make be allowed to return to the US as a result of the forgotten document, but rest assured that we have now "released, indemnified, and held harmless the University of Pennsylvania from and against any claim for any losses, damages, or injuries arising out of or in connection with our participation in the study abroad program" And no, I do not have repatriation insurance. Then we came home, ate dinner, and drank multiple bottles of wine. The end.

PS- this was written in pink in honor (or should I say honour) of megan's gin and tonic/wedding outfit
PPS- we are in the midst of planning megan's hen/bachelorette party. More to come!

We like tea now.

2006-06-19T18:23:00.000-05:00

We have all made it safely to Plymouth, which took some doing... There were insane car trips with jet lag. There were long train rides. There were (are) mountains of luggage. But we did it. So be proud.
Plymouth was England's most bombed out city in WWII because it is home to the Royal Navy. It's not the most lively place on earth but parts of it are quaint and it's picturesque by the sea.
No massive scandals have yet broken out. We were promised gin at the local (yes) distillery here, as Plymouth Gin is supposedly rather top shelf. Alas, our lectures ran over today.
We're living dorm style in suites. I made grilled cheese sandwiches with apples in a pot (not pan)for supper with soup. Not amazing living, but one of our cohorts made a feast complete with sassy presentation! (Someone's cooking for the rest of the family soon...)
Today was lots of lectures by really fun faculty, punctuated with several breaks for tea. Tomorrow we are off to Bath and are in for fun at the pubs in the evening as England plays Sweden in the World Cup. Let's just hope we don't start any brawls. (Or end up on the receiving end of any large swings by forearms with union jack tattoos and bulldogs.)

Prequel

2006-06-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

English Heritage places of interest to check out en route to Plymouth?

Train information. Train passes.

T minus one month

2006-05-17T22:15:00.000-05:00

Ok, people. Here 'tis - the alluded to, blog for Team Twickenham 2006. Look no further for pithy details, ploughman's lunches and other prattling on.

Twickenham basics
The Beeb's Restoration on Strawberry Hill
Penn's site of Strawberry Hill links

iheartoldshit

NY Times Article

Fit to Print: Economic Crisis, Recovery and Preservation

Landmarks Law Smackdown

Back from the Dead.

Looking for a place to live, again, in NYC

Hi!

Back on the Map!

shared victories

the wonders of SEPTA

Visitors!

More things to read.

Greetings

Hey Reagan...

Plotting still sucks

Happy Valentine's Day/ Just Because

Spoiled!

Plotting

Uncle Sam wants you!

Bright Lights, Big City

N. O. Calling

NYC

Another move

This One's for You, DDL.

Twin Cities! (They make those?!)

Preservation Putts

heyhey

Haha asks...

Me too!

WHAT!?

GREETINGS

Philadelphia Stories

HI!

On Fox News and the President's House

What You've Missed in Philly

Let's get this party started

welcome, grads

life lessons part 1

Maawedge

Taking our sweet time...

Bath, minibus sickness, and vino

We like tea now.

Prequel

T minus one month