SERVICE TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE:

... Sorry - Been a crazy three weeks - More to come from my beautiful mind once I have a little free time but I leave you with this parting shot:

CONTRACTORS.

I hate that shit.

B.

THANKS LINKDIN:

... Thanks LinkedIn - But no, I am not interested in the following positions:

• "Architect" -  Proofpoint, Sunnyvale, CA (Computer and Network Security, Computer Software).
• "Lead Java Architect" - Vantiv, Cincinnati, OH (Information Technology, Design, Financial Services).
• "Domain Architect" - BJ Wholesale Club, Boston MA (Informational Technology, Wholesale).

No, I am not interested in any of these positions and there is a good reason - I am not interested because I am a REAL Architect - Maybe not the kind that makes any money or helps society by building data interfaces or improving network security...But still, I am a REAL Architect - Not the bastardized sense of the job title your sick mind has warped, twisted, digested and regurgitated into some sort of all encompassing "IT-thing" fit for a 350 lb dude in his mid 30's that lives in his parent's basement and has a really, really deep affection for Gobots.

No, it is NOT hip and NO it is not cool so just stop it.

I am a REAL Architect.

• I went to design school for five years.
• I stayed up for days on end.
• I received verbal and mental abuse from Visiting Crits in black turtlenecks with Euro-trash Haircuts.
• I was an intern for three plus years at four different firms in three different states; starting my Junior Year of College.
• I took nine registration exams...That's right, nine friggin' exams; because that ninth one really, really is the gate keeper to this profession - *
• I took the original California Supplemental Exam; not this watered-down, multiple choice version they have now - #Facepalm - I had to fly to Irvine, hold up in a Hotel for two nights, sit under an incandescent ceiling light (...in a suit and tie) and get round-table quizzed by three registered Architects for over three hours...Trust me when I say it was probably the most humiliating experience in my life - The Proctor actually stopped the test at one point and offered me a towel because I was sweating so profusely - YES, THIS REALLY HAPPENED.

I am a REAL Architect.

... AND - Taking this a step further - I am also not the type of Architect like the dude in the final Matrix Movie - Although, he was a pretty sharp dresser so maybe he was not all bad.

By the way, these were actual "Job's you might be interested in" on my LinkedIn Account and I get these ALL THE FRIGGIN' TIME...It is so frustrating - You can be fined in every state for holding yourself out as an Architect; but these D-bag Computer Geeks just get to steal our handle and in some sense, devalue what we do??? - Unreal.

For more disgruntled ranting on this topic, check out Jody's post on "Coffee with an Architect" from a few weeks back:

http://www.coffeewithanarchitect.com/2013/05/13/an-architect-by-any-other-name/

Alright, I am now done - DEUCES.

B.

P.S. I am a REAL Architect.

* - There are only six tests now...UGH.

WE'RE NUMBER ONE; WE'RE NUMBER ONE!

... WAIT, I THINK THIS IS A BAD THING.

WOW - Read this when you have a moment:

http://education.yahoo.net/articles/beware_these_five_majors.htm?kid=1O0V3

So, ask ask the loyal Blogosphere - Do any of you remember when being an Architect meant something? - No, I mean something good (...I see what you did there, just stop it) - I mean, remember...Close your eyes, and really try to remember - Remember when people thought it was cool to be an Architect; when Hollywood glorified the profession - When you were introduced to new people and they were really impressed by your business card and affinity for black turtlenecks and black-rimmed eye glasses.

When parents told their little girls they should grow up and date a lawyer or a doctor or...Yup, an Architect.

Think about it; think Mr. Mike Brady from 'The Brady Bunch' - Think Matthew Perry in 'Fools Rush In' - Woody Harrelson in 'Indecent Proposal' - Take it a step further and think Ted Mosby from 'How I Met Your Mother' - Now what are we? - A punch line?

Le sigh.

... Now close your eyes again, fade to black and roll end credits.

B.

P.S. Want more Architects on film? - Find Archdaily's list here:

http://www.archdaily.com/33366/fictional-architects-in-movies/

HOW MUCH DOES THAT COST?

... Oh chances are you've heard it - You could be making small talk at your Child's Little League Game, or you could be at the Neighborhood Holiday Party having just been introduced to "A friend of a friend" who has had one two many Eggnogs.

Yup, you have heard it...The conversation goes something like:

"Hello [insert name] my name is [insert name]."

"Oh, hello [insert name] - Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. Say, what do you do for a living?"

"Me? - Oh, I'm an Architect."

"An Architect...Really? - How much does that cost?"

Um...How much does that cost? - Like what we do, what we are, is a bought and sold commodity...Like you can walk down to the AM/PM and pickup Architecture on aisle nine next to the control-top pantyhose - Odd, right? - Like Architecture is a can of soup; is this what the industry become?

Do I really want to know the answer?

I NEVER SAID I WAS GOOD AT MATH:

... Okay, so here is a quick math problem for you:

NEW JOB + ON-GOING HOUSE REMODEL + NEW BABY = X

Well, based on my experience over the past year or so "X = A DEAD BLOG" - And as my uber-talent younger cousin Thomas would say, "Sucks bra" - Oh well, we are still live...So, I ask you, why quit now?

I once wrote that I was committed to not let this Blog die and I still mean that...I will just have to try to manage my time better so that I can keep providing my coherent ramblings for no one to actually read - Hey! - Waste of time?!?!? - Who said that? - You in the back row...I heard that and I have my eye on you!

HAPPY FRIDAY! - Deuces,

B.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT STYLE:

... Well, LeBron James finally shook his demons and won his first NBA Title last year (...if you call intentionally surrounding yourself with talent in an attempt to make up for your short comings, alienating an entire city and generally being a real booger exercising your demons) - In addition to "King James" picking up his first Larry O'Brian Trophy, "Bron-bron" also snared another NBA MVP Award and a second Olympic Gold Medal - Due to this highly successful season people everywhere have started the "Who's Better?" talk again - Air Jordan or King James?

Let's be honest here, I have no clout on this topic, no "real" expertise other than a washed-out High School Career - I carry no weight at all about sports, statistics or professional athletic barometers of "greatness" - Ultimately no one really cares at all about what I have to say - Just ask my Wife - All I am is a simple sports fan who had the benefit of seeing both players play...And even though this Blog will never appear on Fox Sports or ESPN (...or really matter in any significant manor whatsoever) let me throw my two cents into this conversation just for funzies:

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was the greatest player in the history of the game.

Period.

End of discussion.

Jordan did more for the game of basketball, the City of Chicago and athletic marketing than anyone else before him and more than anyone else will ever be able to do after...He is unmatched in not only on court dominance but also off court global recognition.

He is the GOAT - The Greatest of All Time - Period.

Without MJ there would be no LeBron.

And damn...That is some SWAG - Pure Air baby.

Syndication out,

B.

IT WON'T BE LONG; BEFORE TOO LONG:

... WOW - It has been a while - Sorry about that; especially for you out there that are NOT reading this blog (...you should be, suckers) - BUT - I guess the only thing I have to report is about my new job...It is going really well and I am pretty happy with the dramatic career change I made in an economy that is; well, let us just be honest, less than favorable.

I promise more creativity soon when I have more time...I am committed to not letting this Blog die; I promise.

Cheers...B.