30th November 2023 Thursday - windfall

Today we get paid for a project proposal we did during MCO - we were not formally appointed but I filed in a fee claim and a letter explaining the situation. So, some spare money - just in time for next year's study trip.  

I decided to treat myself for lunch, a tosay with a book. At the cafe, I meet Nick and friend eating at a table nearby; Nick worked at DNA with me. I pay for their lunch; feeling generous

Moments later, a text message from a client's PA informs me that project that Sean, George and I worked on is given planning approval. Seconds later, he rings and tell me the same - with an added 'I needed the building plans submitted soon'. I congratulate him and rung off.

Windfall - our young people seem to get along so well, they work, eat and go out together and seem to sort out problems on their own as well. We have some good leaders amongst them

29th November 2023 Wednesday - good people

 Today is an easy day, and I sleep in until 7a.m.

Helping Hailey look at birds

I am always happier when I have a chance to draw and to talk to the people in the office. I feel surrounded by good people, and it makes me feels a little invincible. Which is a dangerous feeling if one lets it get to our heads. 

When you are surrounded by good people, there is little that you cannot do. 

Can you design? yes. and do you do site inspections? yes, it is part of our job. 

Do you go yourself? yes, I am the person who sign the drawings. 

Do you draw? yes, quite well. Make furniture? Cook lunch for 20 people? Speak in public? yes, yes, yes. 

An event in the evening disappoint Sam and I beyond anger and frustration. A father and his children seated outside a restaurant does not teach his children to pay respects and greet their grandmother who is dining inside. The grandchildren have been away from home for two years, and have not seen grandma for that time.

28th November 2023 Tuesday - meeting Yu

 In October when we were in Singapore, a developer rang me to ask if we were interested in doing a project for them. I had worked with them in my previous office, and so I replied 'yes, of course'. 

Now in November, we have our final design outing with them before presenting to their board of directors. Fiona lead the presentation and I fill in the details, with Freddie and Leong helping me; on information about construction, and submitting, and approval deadlines. 

27th November 2023 Monday. Brief encounter

 Two brief meetings today, one with Teck who wants only to look at the projects going on site in the coming months. The others - later as they are not approved yet, he is happy and a bit down at the same time. One of our projects was not tabled for the planning meeting, we will have wait some more. Later he gives us a beachside house to design, more to think about and explore.

Geelong Art Gallery 1987

Later that day, another quick meeting with a client who seems unconcerned about the requirements from the authorities, a 5.5m drain reserve cutting into our site. We have a solution, and show him. He leaves, and we get back to work. I go to the tennis courts. 

I have decided to lift heavier weights in the gym. 

26th November 2023 Sunday - attending a talk about murals

 Today's tennis is better, I get a good work out playing with Ni and Khoon, who returns to NZ next week. He has not initiated any get - togethers, he is perhaps busy with Amber and Shane, and selling his house. No matter, we are all a bit busy. It was unfortunate that he did not bring mom to No. 40 last Sunday, I am sure mom would have really enjoyed the company.

At noon, we attended Louise's talk at the museum and meet Kevin, Judy's dad, and Rona whom I have not seen in ages. I taught her design studio about 12 years ago, she looks happy and has three children, the eldest is the reason for her departure from final year according to her. 

After lunch, I spend a productive afternoon drawing and also thinking about KM's question - am I still inspired? I am, of course there are ebbs and flows but general I am inspired to go to work at 715 each morning and spend time refining our work. 

25th November 2023 Saturday. A day for myself.

Likely 1989, Di took Ni and I 'home' to Wangaratta, and we went hiking up Mt. Buffalo and visited The Chalet, I don't recall going inside. We probably didn't have enough money to even contemplate having afternoon tea there. 

I walked to the office after the morning's tennis was abandoned. It was 730 when I got to the office, I was planning to work but ended up updating my blog. I tell myself that it is OK to have an easy day once in a while. Go easy on myself.

Jenny and Sean drop in after the GBI seminar, Vivian come in and we 3 chat about work methodology and how bosses are to blame for miscommunication amongst staff. I used examples from our office about how clear instructions are important, not just from me but from people like Melvin, Fiona, etc. And in doing so, realise how fortunate we are as a team. 

I scan old photos, send one of Dianne at Mt. Buffalo to Chris.

24th November 2023 Friday - quite an eventful day

 We receive news that 2 of our projects have obtained planning approval; both are hotels, one of which is by a lake. The team has been working constantly on them, so we are in good stead - potentially more work on ground next year.

Today is also JC's birthday, so Sam and I make her an offer. I explain to JC - this is good for her and it makes us feel good about the situation. And she deserves it - she says she will sign it. We cook lunch for her and the office - Korean army stew, my version is not as good as Peggy's but it goes down well amidst lots of chit chat. 

I continue yesterday's good design discussion with Sean and Freddie by drawing out options and ideas on the yellow trace Sam bought for me. 

The day ends with drinks and dinner with the PDF2023 team, SY suggests that I make a speech. I do - specifically thanking the young ones; the Sims for accepting my request to undertake the graduate event for PDF, and carrying out the design competition so diligently and carefully (perhaps they were a little too obedient, but they will grow out of it), the Laus for the no-fuss execution of all the catering and behind-the-scenes logistics. And lastly, Johann for being a champion in accepting my request to be the event Emcee (after 2 tries), he was calm and collected, and good at the tasks. 

23rd November 2023 Thursday - Curating PDF2023

I thought I would put this information on paper, as a record of what was needed to make PDF2023 work. There were some queries and 'wonderings' about how and why we did certain things - so here I explain, and record for myself. I put Si Yong's name to the piece as well, because he is more than half of the partnership of two of us.
 

Boon Boon left St Tom after Form 3 to continue Form 4 Science in Green Road, and I have not seen him since. It seems that he worked for a time in Kuching, and then KL before settling in Singapore.

22nd November 2023 Wednesday - morning spent drawing

 I love morning like this - when we were meant to have a meeting. And the meeting gets cancelled - it is like getting a bonus of a few hours. I worked for several hours, drawing up a feasibility study for a plot of land near the airport. I draw this sketch as a summary of the scheme, and also to break down the rigidity of the drafted lines. 

The day ended well with squash, long condition games with Patrick - I do well but am still keen to lose about 5 kgs. I eat an apple and some peanuts for lunch today.

21st November 2023 Tuesday - sending folks home

This is the third day of morning walks and fruit lunches, and I feel good about it mentally and physically. I have a long chat with PH about work and people, and feel good about it as well. I decide to take back the houses from the boys, they are not focused enough for me. It's too bad because I had plans for them, to help them grow as architects.

Later that night, we have dinner with the remaining speakers: Shunri and Eric were catching late flights back home. Sam is very sweet and orders a laksa via grab, when she hears that they have not tried our 'national' dish. We have definitely made some friends, it seems a natural thing to happen making sure that they meet other folks rather than just the other speakers and committee members.

 

I tease Shunri - that he accepted our request to speak in Kuching, not so much to share architectural ideas and experience but to visit longhouses and orang-utans. He did not disagree. 

20th November 2023 Monday - new friends become good friends

Office visit.

I arrive early in the office, wanting to catch up with work that I usually do on the weekend. But it is not possible as I spend the time coordinating visits to our office instead. Lin and Eric, and Dirga arrived to meet the young ones and take group photos, and to learn more about what we do as a practice. Again the website comes in very handy, they asked about Cat House and we talked about Impiana, the Mosque and Clubhouse.

Ken and Ellie visit us as well, Fiona sat in when I offer help with his first project, if he chooses to set up on his own (maybe with Zhimin) Grace and Ryan arrive to borrow the car, and to see the new office. I must remind Liew to quickly finish the other shelf, so that we don't see the roller shutter. 

I finally get my filling done and have new teeth today. In time for dinner with G&R, and F&N - I now know what the maximum dosage is for N. I cannot think of the appropriate word: the boastful know-it-allI-but-doesn't, the mean-ness behind his jokes and the chauvinism. I spend a nice time talking to the young couple.

 

19th November 2023 Sunday - new and old friends at a house warming

 

18th November 2023 Saturday - the mayor came to my birthday party

 

17th November 2023 Friday - PDF starts

 

16th November 2023 Thursday. Birthday lunch

 

15th November 2023 Wednesday. Renna

 

14th November 2023 Tuesday - site photos

Sam is at one site, while I am at another - she is really getting into the swing of things at No. 40. I should not be surprised, she usually does well in the closing stages. That's because she leaves it till the last minute - same with school work during uni, same with travel preparations, same with running half marathons.

But things are coming together, the house looks ready for the wedding reception this coming Sunday. At my job-site - things are coming together as well, the main contractor appears to be more control now. But then, this is a commercial project and we have to watch our completion date more closely. Unlike No. 40.

 

13th November 2023 Monday - guard house

 

12th November 2023 Sunday - sitting, drawing, drinking tea

and talking to Sam, and she pretending to listen while watching cat videos on her phone. 

 

11th November 2023, Saturday - happy families