So here is a thought for ya. Remember how we had all the arguing and bitching and moaning about the railroad ties with the oh so horrible creosote? Yeah? ok. So, now we have been siding the house, and of course the hardie panel has to be cut. Well, now when you cut it it happens to produce silica dust, which also happens to be REALLY REALLY bad for the people cutting it. So here we are filling our lungs with cancer dust, which... according to our teacher is "not so bad." So we are wearing 3 masks ( which happen to have a warning printed on them that they do not protect against silica dust) and a bandana-- with dusk blowing all over the place-- but "its not so bad."  Whats a little lung cancer among class mates right (oh and all the neighbors.. oh and probably the family, not to mention the environment since there is now a huge pile of silica dust in the back yard)?

So here is my problem with the whole thing... the timbers and all the crap they caused. They're not even proven to be bad... suspected yes.. but nothing is certain. But hey, we paid for them, so lets not use them because they MIGHT be bad. So instead.. its ok for us to go out and cut panels so we can breath in toxic dust.. yes... thats exactly how things work in the 5th year class. Hey you want to die.. come hang out with us. You want a nice retaining wall with railroad ties.... we cant help you... sorry.

the one with the ROOF!!!

I would just like to announce that I, Ashley Nicole Mauldin, climbed on the roof of a house on Friday, March 28 2008.  I was quite a milestone, in case you didn't know, because I am deathly afraid of tall things. Its not getting up there that freaks me out... its coming down. I nearly puked. 

We had about 9,000 volunteers today... but we somehow managed to keep them all busy, which i consider quite a feat. Mr. Tim Kennedy came out and got most of the plumbing done

(still a little bit left to do), and then some of the fellas from his church grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.... and they were delicious! And there was alot left over, so we will be having them for lunch out there again tomorrow. Yay, free food.

 

The whole house is ridiculous. I was looking back through some old pictures yesterday...we have come a very long ways. I know we are only like 1/2 way done, but 85% of that 1/2 has been done in less than a month. In other words.... we might actually finish the damn thing.

Little Fred fractured his leg... so that sucks. And then Dale... we have to find a way to keep him at home... he's scaring us! Bless his heart ( literally), i think he just hates to stay at home and being inactive but he's gonna just kill over one of these days, and I would rather it not be because he was out working on our house.

the one where we screw everything up

waaooohh.. its been a while, but Ive been away- so ya know.

So the house is moving along. Apparently there is some sort of emergency meeting tonight at 9:30... I'm gonna go ahead and say it has something to do with installing the windows. And my response is.. NO.  We said we were going to wait and have all these damn "presentations" on how to do stuff ( the correct way). We don't know how to install the windows, and we definitely shouldn't do it without the people who are in charge of it, and should, theoretically, they should know how to do it. I'm sure there are other smaller things around there that need to be done... even if it is picking up trash... it still needs to be done. It sucks- I know... I try to pick up a bag or 2 of it up everyday before I leave... its no fun.. but someone has to do it. We/ Ruston Glass went through a lot of trouble to get these windows and I'm thinking they are not going to give us another set of them when these get fucked up because we were trying to install them without knowing what we are doing. So-- if we could just wait and only do them once.... that would be nice, and unlike everything else we do... we just need to take our time. We have had too many screw ups at this point and we sure as hell don't have the money to keep screwing more stuff up.

the one with the big picture

Well.... it seems the  "angry alderman" matter has been somewhat resolved. I wont get into, but only because of the fact that this is up for public viewing. Lets just say Im glad he's not representing the district that I live in.

The house is still moving along.... suprising.

So in the mean time i have been thinking about how I actually see myself as an architect.... and I while I sort of knew this about myself-- its seems to have come into perspective. I am, as Mr. Brooks described it, as "big picture person."  I like schematics, I like to know what is going on, but not know whats really going on. I dont like details... construction details, model details, color details, any sort of details. In fact... I hate them. I try to like them and make myself learn to do them... but I cant. And- so i have come to decide that that is ok... because it takes all kinds of people- big picture & small picture. I dont know how this will fly in the real world, but thats me.

the one where the alderman needs to "disappear"...

You know.... Im pretty sure if you read the post from yesterday.. you would think that i was actually excited about this stupid house... and i was.... But im so sick of all the bullshit from ruston.  We had to "stop construction" today because we are being threatened with legal actions from the Alderman of our district-- seriously... what the hell! its like we cant get any momentum because there is always crap like this. 

- I would just like to say that i deleted this whole paragraph because i we against my entire argumnet for the paragraph.

Then we have this argument over who is going to go to the meeting that may may someday (hopefully tomorrow) take place. I, of course, got pissed off because I felt challenged for a spot to go. The argument was: well " blank" and "i" studied and did all the research on the codes, setbacks, and regulations for the neighborhood- fine.. that's perfectly valid. But then i said- well I am the contact for Habitat and I will be the one who has to discuss all this at the meeting next Tuesday night... when the person in question tried to tell me i had an attitude and that my reason for not going wasn't as important- fucking fine- but there are 2 other spot and IM SORRY, but i think feel that this is something I need to be at. Not for personal gratification, but because of the role I play in this gigantic mess we call a class. If the press gets involved.. I will probably be the person to set it up and then Im going to need to know what I am talking about- I mean the whole thing is important, but I think it is situations like this that you cant screw up and say the wrong thing.. or you all get screwed over. 

Maybe I over reacted, but I feel confident that i know fairly well how to handle situations.... and most importantly i know when to be  quiet- and not go off acting like I  know everything about everything- which is something that several people in this class have yet to learn. I hate that.

So for now--- we are back to studio.... which sucks... I need to work on my tan.

the one where the sips FINALLY made it

well... so i kind of think that taking weight lifting and studio on the same day may have been a mistake...i think I'm going to have to amputate my knee.

So, the SIPs panels are here.. and up. Since I was unfortunately out of  town during  most of the installation, I- for some reason- failed to be very excited about seeing them up. But after I got out there and really worked on them--- Ive started to feel a bit, a lot better about them. I am the driller-- I drill out the  chases in the splines. Its actually a pretty scary job- those drill are nuts, and you sure as hell better be hanging on to it when it binds up, because damn.... otherwise you're going to have a 1 1/2" paddle bit through your leg.

I think putting the panels on the roof is a joke. Its like the hardest thing thus far- its take about 8 guys, and its only a matter of time before one falls off on someone- its scary. I think i about have a heart attack each time we out one up--  I say that like we have done a bunch of them... we've put up 4 in 2 days, so we only have like.... 20 more to go. Those stupid things weigh about 500 pounds each, and i am a pretty strong girl, but you can only lift something that heavy-- which doesn't mean 14'... which is exactly how high they have to go. Luckily, we've been able to get a few extra guys out there to help....thanks fellas.

Apparently there has been a run in with the local alderman.... and all i have to say is that if he has a problem with it- he should have said something a LONG time ago.

Hopefully things will keep progressing...we cant afford any more delays.

And for a final note-- the folks from Habitat seem to be getting more interested in the house, which is good. I know that, that is something that I personally find very important to the project... especially with what all has been going on with the Temple house.  I hope we can keep their support and interest!

the one with the railroad ties

well i must say we had quite a scare earlier this week with the SIPs panels, but we worked through it and got it figured out.. it just took a long time. We have been working on the landscaping the past few days... here and there- nothing too strenuous, which is nice.

Apparently there is quite a debate over using railroad ties for landscaping. I find this irritating, because we have dont have alot of options at this point. Yes, we should be conscious of our actions and material choices for the house, but is it really our job to make everything as best and top notch as possible?I dont recall seeing many custom HFH houses with a beautiful, beautiful lawn, and view.   I think people in our class have a problem with that. Now everyone if freeking out because of the chemicals on the ties, thanks to a certain someone- which is why we have all these ridiculous arguments anyways. So- i did some research and yeah, there is definitely a downside to them, but they are not particularly harmful to plants- and unless you have long term skin exposure to them you'll be fine-- an itchy rash at best. Or- if you go light them on fire... not so good. So maybe we just say, "hey evans, ya'll may not want to lounge on or go around licking these ties.. they could make you sick" thats it. end of discussion. Apparently, most pressure treated wood is bad for you anyways- which in all likelihood, would be what we would be using for that landscape anyways. Oh and PS, if its such a big deal, those who have a problem with it should cough up the money for us to go buy some OTHER landscaping timbers-- they should only be like $10 each... and they would be smaller so we should be needing, lets see.... 20- 25? yeah so thats like $200- Im sure someone will get right on this. 

the one where i wander why i always get hurt

it never fails. why? why do i always get hurt? i try to be careful, but.. it just never matters.

also- a full sheet of OSB across the top of the foot, from a truck bed does not feel very good.

so we had a big class fight last night... and i loved it, although those tends to make me nervous.

I think it is bullshit that WE, me, i - myself- has to pay money for a $200 tool that someonwe borrowed and lost. I didnt borrow it- and the people who did should be responsible- they should have taken it back when they were done using it- and now it walked off and i have to help pay for it. bullshit. i dont see anyone fixing my bumper because the trailer didnt get hitched on right. or any one paying for the bills because i have been to the hospital 3 times so far for this project... its crap. i dont mind paying for what is my fault- injuries... my fault... i guess. the trailer- not so much, but you know what- im responsible for it- and now the lights on it are messed up and you know who will have to pay to get it fixed? ME? f'ing, grow some balls and just say, " hey it was me- i lost it" and maybe habiTECH should pay- but not us. whatever.

the one with Puck

oh blog... bloggy bloggy blogggg.....

the house. lets see. oh, its probably never going to get finished.  We cant seem to get things figured out...why? too many people wanting to be in control... and also a lack of effort- on all our part, which very much includes myself. I just want a dog...and i want to name it Puck. 

I do wander though, why we have a tend to do that sometimes- not to relinquish control of something, that only we half ass worked on- its not like you put extensive time and energy into it, and yet- it pisses you off when someone criticizes it... constructive or not.. I know I do it sometimes, but other times i don't. Well some other people seem to be suffering from the same problem... but at least i admit it. 

Isn't that architecture..."criticism"....

Its saturday, and we were supposed to go out and work today, but its raining... ALOT.

I like physically working on the house, but i hate the designing... WHY?? I sure wish  I knew- i have absolutely ZERO desire to work on it. maybe it is because i get sick of arguing all the damn time over it... could be a possibility. Or, maybe I just need a change- away from hale. who knows, but something has been REALLY dragging me down lately. 

the one where i broke my ribs... what a dumbass

Well, so last friday... all my dilligent work of digging 5 foot deep footers payed off. I, in all my gracefulness- stepped into one of them (the deepest one of course)... on my way down- I slammed the top half of me into a 2x4- while the bottom half of me managed to ram into the wall for the form work. And so-- it knocked the breath out of me... no doubt. But i do recall my first sentence ( as soon as I was able to talk) being, " I think I broke my F**king ribs"   Oh well, guess what. I did and it sucks-- and hurts.

And of course, Karl said.. " i knew you would be the one to get hurt"-- thanks pal.

So, the project- its coming along... very quickly. In my absence I was placed into the Landscape group, which is actually super exciting to me... I love that stuff.

As far as the class goes, I was disappointed I missed all the work this past week, but I:

A) needed the break

B) cant do much with out doubling over hurting 

C) noticed how well things came together while I was away... hmmmm.... what could this mean?

I am a little disappointed in people, as in Family ( and not just mine) donating to the project. Sometimes I think it is because they feel like they should be giving like $100, but if they just understood that every little but helps alot. I mean- $15, goes a long ways at this point. It sucks that it is not tax deductible for them to donate to habiTECH- i know that would make a huge difference... because I have had this conversation with several people in my family--- oh well what can you do? I just tell them about the project and try to get them to see that it is all for an excellent cause.... thats all I can do

the one with ALL the dirt

well.. today was great. I shoveled dirt for 6 hours, but man did we get some work done. Also- the news station cam out so we will be one the news tonight... Ive realized that this project isn't about "publicity" but rather about awareness. awareness of 2 things. 1) substandard housing- and the effect it has on people  2) just trying to get people to help other people--- we are all the same, even if some of us have nice homes, or ugly homes, or unsafe homes--- there is no way to help people unless you meet people, and see what sort of opportunities are out there

the one where i may have found the line

"made weak by time and fate, but strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield."- Tennyson

This is one of my all time favorite quotes-- i generally dont drag it out of the closet unless I need encouragment...

well... you know if we though we had problems before.... now we really do. I was unfortunate enough to have a little encounter with Mark Joiner the other afternoon... you know, after he denied our building certificate. Basically he made me feel like a complete jackass about the project- and so i realized something about that "line" from my last post. i have to come to terms with that. so, as a result, i have went back to desinging more- Im working on the from port because we decided to table that for a while. We discussed the designs to tonight and it seemed to go well...

so for now- think LINE thoughts 

the one with the dividing line

 Several of us were out of town for the weekend, but the people that were here did an amazing job at the site- good job guys.

Despite the progressing form work, i still seem to be lacking confidence in the project. There is just something about it that is really bothering me, problem is- i cant seem to figure out what "IT" is. Is did a couple of interviews last week for the papers, and I started to feel awkward about it. I feel like we are in some way exploiting the family, even though- we have asked them if we could tell their story. On the one hand we are doing all this to raise public awareness of substandard housing in Ruston, but on the other hand I don't want the Evans kiddos going to school and their classmates being like "hey, we saw in the paper that your house if full of mold"- that would be uncomfortable for them.... which is not something I want to happen. Perhaps I will try and think of a better way to do handle that aspect of the PR work. 

I really like doing the PR stuff, but it is tough, because so much of it has to be done during the day time- which is when everyone else is out on the site working. I want to be out working, because i want to see and learn what is going on (after all is was one of my goals for the year), but i also, want to and have to be here in studio working to do things like finding power poles and doing interviews (things which cant be handled at 10 pm),,, yadda yadda ya- its tough. I need to figure out the dividing line somewhere in all that... oh and plus, find a  way not to fail all my other classes!

the one where i need encouragement

Ok- well so, we have been busy out at the site. Actually, not really. Actually, I tend to get really annoyed when I am out there because everything always seems SO chaotic and disorganized. We've got people who don't show up until 5 hours after we were supposed to ALL meet there. And then people go off and change what time we are supposed to meet, but dont call and tell anyone. Then its like we get there and no one is sure what to do. Im pretty sure I spent most of my time out there today raking sticks and clipping roots out of the ground. It took forever to get going on the site layout, but it finally got figured out. I guess getting started from that first initial 2 or 3 points is the hardest- but I did help work on that for a bit, and least to learned how it works.

I feel really discouraged about the project as a whole.... its seems like we cant get any one thing done. We always seem to think something is done- but then there will be some ridiculous set back or catastrophe. We make all these dead lines to meet, but we are having to depend on so many different sets of people we cant get anything done- much less get it done to fit within our time lines... and I guess we are partly to blame for the stuff that goes wrong, but  there is no way we can control when other people find time to plumb our house, or cut our trees, or move our dirt, or survey out site, or ... or .. .. or... or- its really starting to bother me. I mean these people are volunteering to do this stuff for us- so we can only push them so much to try and do it.... because, unlike us, they actually have:   A job.  A family. A life.

I got a huge ass log dropped on my foot yesterday-- and it really f*cking hurt! Now I have a swolled foot and a big bruise-- and my shoe makes it hurt more! 

We have been having problems with the neighbors- and pretty much... they dont like us. WELL- today Ms. Evans and the kiddos came out to help us work. Turns out, her and the neighbors know each other and now all of a sudden.. ..  the neighbors are really nice to us- how coincidental. I tell you what.... HOW  ABOUT  YOU  QUIT PUTTING  YOUR  TRASH  ON  OUR  SITE!!!!!!  

Hopefully things will really get underway in the very near future- and hopefully I will gain some faith and courage in the project....

the one where we had to come back and actually work...

Alright-- so after 2 shots, 2 steroid packs, and 2 miserable weeks of poison ivy.... ive come to think its beginning to go away. Things have been busy since we got back to school. Our plans came back from the building inspector in great shape--- we had a couple of major things to work on and make changes to, but nothing too severe. We went and met with Jay Martin from dubach heat and air this morning-- and that went well. Both he and his wife are very supportive of the habitat/ architecture projects, which is nice and always makes me feel good. Yesterday: morgan, janina and I went over to Ms. Evan's house to take pictures of the existing conditions. I have been trying to sort through all this ridiculous paperwork- and as a result, got to go by and meet the infamous Mark Joiner today--- he was nice, and seems very willing to help. So GREAT. There is this whole big thing with getting an elevation certificate- so we are having to have the site resurveyed.... more or less... I will let you know how it goes!

KICK BALL GAME TONIGHT!!! go tea-baggers!!!