This post was originally posted on July 28, 2016 on Sketchbook B. It’s reposted here as part of a project to move some of my favorite writing to my new site.
The south side of the University of South Carolina’s campus under construction in the early 1970s.
I spent the spring semester taking a class on modern American architecture, specifically looking at the buildings on the south side of the University of South Carolina’s campus. That section of campus is going to be redeveloped soon and this was our chance to document what’s there before it changes completely.
Taking a class again was a fun experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if I was the old guy in the class. Thanks to Dr. Brandt for the thought provoking discussion. I don’t think I’ll look at modern buildings in the same way again.
The class produced a book that includes the histories and architectural surveys we researched over the course of the semester. I designed the final book and am hosting a PDF copy of it here. My project involved the pedestrian bridge that connects the south side of campus with main campus. Despite having spent have my life around campus, I realized just how little I knew about that side of campus.
I’m looking forward to taking some more classes. I’m teaching in the fall semester, but look to take another class in the spring.
We suck at selfies.
Pre game huddle
Stop
A really tall century plant at the Russell House.
We all successfully got in the picture. #miraclesdohappen
Gardens
Our first #blueapron meal. Seared cod and potato salad. Tasty.
USC Library Annex, aka “The Box.”
USC Library Annex. My senior thesis is somewhere on the right.
This post was originally posted on June 2, 2016 on Sketchbook B. It’s reposted here as part of a project to move some of my favorite writing to my new site.
Walking through Target a few weeks ago, I noticed they were selling a Pilot MR Metropolitan Retro Pop ballpoint pen.
I’m familiar with the Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop fountain pen and rollerball. The Metropolitan fountain pen is well regarded as a great pen for beginners. I own a green Pilot Metropolitan fine nib fountain pen and I’ve really enjoyed it. But I had no idea how there was a ballpoint version available through typical retail channels and I wanted to try it out.
The Metropolitan Retro Pop that I purchased from Target is sharp looking, with a dark gray metal body. The center band is a black and silver houndstooth pattern. The rest of the trim is silver. The point extends with a slight twist on the top of the pen body. If you are used to cheap plastic pens, the Metropolitan feels substantial.
The pen is a 1.0 mm black ballpoint and writes smoothly on a wide variety of papers. I typically use a 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm point so the line is a little thicker than I’m used to. The pen insert is replaceable but uses a shorter Pilot Dr. Grip Center of Gravity refill that is only offered in black or blue and only in 1.0 mm. I’m not sure if other refills will fit it as well. (None of the refills I had around the house fit the pen.)
For such a cool looking pen, the packaging isn’t impressive at all. It’s clearly designed to blend in with the other Pilot packaging, but it doesn’t really do a great job showing off the pen. I’m also a little surprised that the word “Metropolitan” doesn’t appear anywhere on the retail packaging, since that’s the branding that is more prominent in the fountain pen offerings.
The Metropolitan fountain pen and rollerball models come in a range of colors and patterns. According to the Pilot website, the ballpoint comes in five colors combos, but I’ve only seen the dark gray and houndstooth on the shelf.
The pen is a solid and versatile addition to my collection. I enjoy writing with it and it’s nice to have a quality ballpoint to supplement my fountain pens. While I like the gray and houndstooth design, I hope Pilot makes the bright colors widely available for people to discover.
If you don’t think you are ready for a fountain pen, the Metropolitan ballpoint might be a great option for you. For $13, it’s a solid gateway to the world of nicer pens.
This post was originally posted on April 27, 2016 on Sketchbook B. It’s reposted here as part of a project to move some of my favorite writing to my new site.
I struggle to explain why, but I want an electric car. My trusty VW Rabbit is getting up there in age and I’m thinking about a replacement. The next generation of electric cars are increasing in range and decreasing in price. With the Tesla Model 3*, Chevy Bolt, BMW i3, an updated Nissan Leaf and the rumored Apple Car, I’m thinking seriously that my next car might not have an internal combustion engine.
But why? When I talk to people about electric cars, most of them don’t get it. At all. And I’ll be honest — I struggle to explain it. I’ve been seriously thinking about it over the last week and I’m trying to understand why I’m so intrigued by an electric transmission.
Going the distance. An electric car fits my driving habits. Newer electric cars boast a 200 mile range. Most days, I drive about 40 miles. But some days, it’s almost 100 miles. Having a 200 mile range gives me more that enough juice to go anywhere I need to go without dealing with range anxiety. My wife’s SUV will work for long trips and I can use the electric car around town. I’m also close to charging stations on campus so if I need an additional charge, I can easily do that.
Less maintenance. I hate scheduling maintenance for my car. Electric cars have no oil changes and really only need tire rotation regularly. Less ongoing maintenance is appealing, but replacing a giant battery someday will be expensive.
It’s not about the environment. Most people want an electric car because it’s more environmentally friendly. But in reality, that depends on how your electricity is generated. Here in South Carolina, much of our power grid is nuclear power, but a significant percentage is still coal. While I’m sure an electric car is better for the environment than its gas powered alternative, it’s not a driving factor in my purchase decision. (I do think that getting America off its oil addiction is good foreign policy.)
It’s not about the high cost of gas. When gas was $4/gallon, electric cars were a hot idea because they were potentially cheaper. Gas prices are relatively low and if you calculate cost of ownership today, the electric car isn’t going to be the most cost effective. So switching to an electric car isn’t about money.
I’m not interested in a hybrid. I think hybrids are cool, but they are still cars with internal combustion engines. They have all the complexity of a normal car with the added complexity of an electric car. I have lots of friends with Prius (or Priuses?), and they all love them. But my interest in an electric car isn’t because I want to use less gas. I don’t want to use any gas at all.
I’m in love with the technology. I’m completely and totally in love with technology. And an electric car is the cutting edge of technology. From the drivetrain to the internal controls, an electric car is the most advanced piece of technology on the road.**
So will my next car be electric? It’s definitely possible and I think it all depends on timing. If I had to buy a new car today, it wouldn’t be an electric. Too many interesting cars on the market that are a better fit for me. But if I can hold out a couple of years, I’d be surprised if I don’t go electric.
* Since I haven’t already put money down on a Tesla Model 3, I won’t be getting one this decade.
