Here it is folks, a condemnation of the architectural style that I have actually praised in these very pages, but might tend to agree in principal with the author. Very well written article on why the majesty of New York architecture might soon look much like Anywhere, Anyplace, The World.
This comes from Magda, who heard about it at Architecture for Humanity's, Design Like You Give a Damn event:
http://www.vanityfair.com/commentary/content/printables/060918roco02?print=true
One thing that really got my Blog engine roaring again the other day was that while my website (hazard-county.com) has virtually fallen off the radar on Google, my blog has rocketed towards the top. (Type "Ian Webster" into Google, and see for yourself!) The cyber-magic behind this phenomenon befuddles me, but I believe it has something to do with the number of leprechauns who secretly visit your site at the break of dawn and sprinkle unicorn droppings on your URL. At least that's the technical terminology. I think it also has something to do with the fact that some sort of blog-spam engine has found me, as I've mentioned before, and is peppering the comment board with subtle suggestions about erectile dysfunction by which I am mildly offended. I imagine this automaton search bot has inadvertently made me famous, at least among other people named Ian Webster. To whom the name was already fairly well known.
This also brings up a pretty good narcissistic point, why o why am I googling myself so much, and will it make me go blind? There is no answer to this question other than I have become a google junkie like many others and can not stand to see the empty search window in the upper corner of the screen (am using Safari, as all good Mac users should). The need to fill that window with questions is insatiable as it is all that stands between the common man and, well, every piece of information in the world. This is such a broad spectrum, perhaps the broadest, that it is a little intimidating, thus forcing oneself to ask only really pertinent questions about one's self. Like, who am I and how near to the first Google page am I? And, why am I not the first?
The first Ian Webster listed is a Professor in Australia and knows lots about drugs and alcohol. My favorite sentence in his biography is "Since 1976 he has been honorary visiting physician to St Vincent de Paul Society’s Matthew Talbot Hostel for the Homeless in Woolloomooloo". It sounds like Dr. Webster is doing good work and actually does deserve pole position on the Ian Webster list. I think Woolloomooloo is a better place thanks to the premier Ian Webster in the world.
I once tried to contact an Ian Webster that I found, suggesting that we start a club. He didn't respond. He was apparently not as giddy as I at the idea that we might all wear identical name tags and address each other as Mr. Webster with knowing smirks and funny accents. I even have an idea where we could meet. And I imagine you do too, it's got a W like Webster and rhymes with kangaroo.
The second IW on the list is also an Aussie, which is great, it sounds like I will be welcome there. And also a Doctor. He seems to work for the betterment of water management down under. Also a noble cause. In fact I'm starting to feel like hiding in a corner at the Ian Webster reunion.
The third Ian Webster doesn't appear to be a Doctor, but it looks like he holds a decent job untangling the British Rail system. He might be the first IW into the cooler at our party. I also wouldn't be surprised if the first Dr. Webster might need to facilitate an intervention.
There are five others that follow these top three, before you get to this blog. I imagine that they too are upstanding citizens of the world and also have contributed much to society. I think I either need to start working a little harder for the betterment of mankind, or start thinking of a different name. Maybe I'll assume the identity of one of the Automaton Search Bots that will undoubtedly have much to say in praise of this entry.
I've got to jot down some impressions while I'm waiting for a large file to download. Things are good over here at Hazard County Illustration, but that mean all work, some play and little time to update the blog that time forgot. Not that anyone cares TOO much, I mean, of the four people who read this portrait of infrequency I talk to three of them on a weekly basis at least. You, to whom I don't speak, simply don't call enough. You know who you are. With your little lisp. (Now even I don't know who I'm talking about). Summer is ending though, there is a touch of the crisp in the air and as the days get shorter, the blog entries are sure to get longer. It is the way of things, the changing of seasons. It always has been, since caveman times. When were caveman times? Well, before recorded history and the invention of time, which put a name on the rising and setting of the sun, thus imprisoning us into a grid-like continuum that has dominated our lives ever since. Fortunately for you, time has a name, and has passed, and the file has downloaded and you don't have to read incessant blathering, at least for a couple more days.