sexta-feira, 20 de fevereiro de 2009

Eu? Talvês


Um cheirinho do zuma.

1. Sou muito fácil de persuadir não consigo dizer "não" aos outros mas digo sempre "não" a mim mesmo

2. A dintância e a saudade das pessoas que amo fizeram de mim uma pessoa "aparentemente" fria

3. Considero-me uma pessoa íntegra

4. Sonho acordado o tempo todo e já enganei-me a mim próprio muitas vezes

5. Um grande sonho: ser Pai

6. Tenho o mais puro prazer em ajudar os amigos e o fiz muitas vezes

Isto é muito mais difícil do que parece porque de alguma maneira sinto que a minha personalidade ainda não está 100% moldada

sexta-feira, 6 de fevereiro de 2009

quinta-feira, 5 de fevereiro de 2009

acerto ou não acerto?

Thinking outside the box



Among the signs of a slumped economy, count John Morefield's.

There it sits among the produce and fish, amid sellers of honey and jewelry and pastry in the Ballard Sunday farmers market. Simple and unadorned, it reads like a wry joke -- except maybe to anxious students in the University of Washington's Gould Hall:

Architecture 5¢.

This what it's come to, John? Going to parade down Market Street in sandwich boards later?

"I'm serious," Morefield said, laughing when asked about his booth, which has appeared two weeks in a row at the open-air street market in old Ballard. "I'm here to answer questions. And I do charge a nickel. I've made a dollar today so far."

He's banking on more than a game of 20 questions, however.

Twice laid off from architectural firms in the past year when work dried up, the 27-year-old was inspired by a public radio program's "Ask an Iraqi" show and Lucy's psychiatric help stand in the comic "Peanuts." Morefield decided to set up a booth, offer cheap advice on home remodeling -- and hope the contacts would turn into design jobs.

So he built the small stand and painted his sign. He packed up his draftsman tools and laptop (for mapping research that extends beyond the top of his head) and set out. He secured space with market organizers, and brought a stool and a warm coat.

Then he put out his silver can and waited for the nickels to clink in.

It didn't take long.

Wallingford residents Michael Kucher and Julie Nicoletta walked up after laughing at the sign. "Are you serious? What do you charge for a house call?" Nicoletta asked.

"Lemme get a nickel out," Kucher said, digging through his pocket.

And so began a 10-minute discussion about home remodeling with a couple who had shown up at the market to buy vegetables. After a talk about the kitchen and bathroom and possible ideas for remodeling, the couple wandered away -- but not before taking a business card and leaving their e-mail address.

Away from the stand, Kucher said he'd likely call Morefield for a consultation. First, Kucher said, the young man seemed friendly and knowledgeable. But second, Kucher liked the approach; building a booth might mean Morefield thinks out of the box, he said.

So to speak. "I think it's a great idea, anyway," Kucher said.

Morefield, who once sold produce in Pike Place Market, treats his time in the booth much the same way. He waves at passers-by and considers every glance an opening to a conversation. People chuckle when they see the booth, and Morefield, initially, will laugh right along with them.

Then it's time to make a sale.

"What don't you like about your house?" he asks one. "What rooms don't have enough light?" he asks another. And for a young boy, he quickly sketches a tree house. Now is a good time to remodel, he told one nickel-dropper. Home equity credit remains available and nothing is selling great anyway.

Twenty cents' work in 20 minutes. Maybe much more down the road. Old colleagues stop by with a mixture of pity and envy. (When they see the growing e-mail list, it's mostly envy.)

Morefield said he also is using the booth to make referrals to contractors he knows or other designers who handle things outside his expertise, residential design. He said local draftspeople, architects, builders and contractors need to stick together, to help each other get work in days like these.

To be sure, Morefield didn't expect to be sitting in a booth like this, twice laid off at this point in his budding career. He's an optimist, however, a man who is willing to shake the tree.

And the fact is the Seattle man isn't about to complain about being nickel and dimed. Heck, he'll settle for nickeled.

By Mike Lewis

quarta-feira, 4 de fevereiro de 2009

segunda-feira, 2 de fevereiro de 2009

Gunton Road, 2 de Fevereiro




Pessoal, nada de novo, só mesmo a neve... Abraços e bjs a todos...

domingo, 11 de janeiro de 2009