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Cathryn about: So any firms going to make the switch? Wonder if Revit will be soon to follow since we're phasing out cad in our office   autocad on mac Cathryn about: we Ha! I was just going to post the same thing. Yay for beer!   Cathryn about: ugh would downloading chrome fix these typing issues?   Try this link instead Cathryn about: Current college freshman stats   We are old Cathryn about: dead We are a lively bunch these days! And why can't I type on this webpage when I use firefox?   Cathryn about: Leah Great pics, she's beautiful!!   Cathryn about: font Waiting for rebuttal in   wingdings Cathryn about: Well it's a good thing that since you hate him and his ego so much, you don't contribute to the overblown hype and follow/regurgitate gossip about him| :-)   Cathryn about: ego Honestly, I don't really know much about Lebron's antics other than when he's in your face nonstop on the national news like he is right now. What kind of crazy ego stuff does he do? What ego problems does he have? I'm genuinely wondering...if scheduling a press conference to announce where he's going is the worst of it, I think I'm ok with that.   Cathryn about: all-star I won't be sad when the Lebron circus ends tonight, but it would have been crazy hype regardless of how he announced so I hope the B&G Club makes lots of money from it. No offense Cleveland, but seems like NY or Miami would be a more fun place if I had to choose!    Cathryn about: homeowner We really like the Behr paint too. And tinted primer is totally worth it if you don't get the paint/primer in one. We've also found the "Gripper" primer to be excellent for any wood with knots and previously stained wood   Cathryn about: homeowner We go to Home Depot more because we didn't have a Lowes nearby until a couple months ago. They built a brand new HD here a couple years ago and hired people who knew what they were talking about when they did that, so I have no complaints. Still getting used to the Lowes since it is brand new, but I do like how you can buy lengths of boards there instead of buying by the linear foot. They actually have a lot of the same stuff at both, so I have no preference. We also have the HD card, so we still go there more often for bigger purchases so we can spread out payments with no interest if we want. Our Ace Hardware is most convenient too, but has crappy hours and is more expensive...and we have to pay sales tax (the horror!) since it is Maine and not NH.   Cathryn about: homeowner Congrats on moving in to the new place, Derek!!   Cathryn about: Love it, Meng! We would have been going to Gilly's wedding if it was within driving distance...we're taking a break from buying plane tickets to OH. Should we move back, Beck? Ha!   Cathryn about: zzzz I'll be in NY with my high school girlies...VIP tix to Jazz fest in Rochester on Friday night, Jeff Beck concert, hanging on the lake Saturday before a bachelorette party Sat night. Andy will be home alone, trouble for sure!   Cathryn about: *vuvuzela   Cathryn about: calling all mathletes I sent that to my friend who has a masters in statistics and she sent it to even nerdier friends with doctorates in math..."interesting" was the general response, but no solution. Also, vuvulelas SUCK.    Cathryn about: Asians! Speaking of Asian/ Chinese people. Over the weekend Michael and I were shopping and a little asian man (i say asian because he had a thick accent and was very tiny), popped out of his dressing room to get my opinion about how his pants that he was trying on were fitting. This was great for the first few moments, but as I stood in the mens dressing room talking about his wallet and keys visability through his pants it started to get wierd. I was able to break free. And then I think he waiting for Michael as he was leaving and I could hear Michael tell him how he just didn't care if his wallet or keys were noticed. (not in those words). It was the strangest thing ever! Also May is Asian Pacific American heritage month! Celebrate!    Cathryn about: Gideon starts to eat Cutest mini astronaut!!   Cathryn about: good news this time YIPPEE!! Congrats Biggie! Good luck with the new job and the move!   Cathryn about: home invasion So sorry to hear that! :-(    Cathryn about: Uncle Dougums for hire! Congrats Doug!!!   Cathryn about: house Looks awesome Derek! Love the exposed brick and the floors!   Cathryn about: NFL schedule Didn't we already go through this with your brother/nephew? You Greenberg boys need to stop having kids during football season!   Cathryn about: a little late Happy birthday Thews!   Cathryn about: home Ugh, sorry Derek :-(   Cathryn about: work Fingers crossed for you, Biggie! We only walk people through the office after an interview if we like them, so that sounds like a good sign too!   Cathryn about: work Thinking of you, Biggie! They'd be lucky to have you, good luck!!    Cathryn about: house Congrats Derek!!    Cathryn about: lawn care Wes, did you get all of those tips from your neighbor with the best lawn in town?   Cathryn about: side job When we did a house for a family friend, we did it on an hourly basis.   Cathryn about: My son is good at.... Looks like your son is trying to edge out Wes or Thews as the face of "Comments" or "Rants" on the BDC homepage :-)    Cathryn about: our own Michelle Sandra Bullock's husband was cheating on her with a stripper that went to High school with Michelle...old school photos of the stripper are appearing on gossip websites and Michelle is in that one.   Cathryn about: Veri Oh, she's 2 to the right of Jesse James's stripper   Cathryn about: our own Michelle Copied from Meech's facebook page...too funny!  good old days Cathryn about: post-crawl Sunday morning was rough, but a nap and a coke makes everything better. Thanks to the Buffalo folk for fun times, as usual! And I must say that the Kent State showing was pretty weak...does that mean we're getting old?! Life getting in the way of drunken times with friends?    Cathryn about: Friday Assuming Andy is able to take a half day, you will all be lucky enough to enjoy our presence late evening-ish.   Cathryn about: Friday Is the plan for everyone to head straight to Jess & Tony's house?   Cathryn about: Wegmans IS awesome I think you have to use Wegmans as your grocery store to really appreciate it. It IS awesome...but maybe not if you are looking for it to be a sideshow. Once you have lived with a Wegmans, it is hard to be satisfied with any other grocery stores because they are all far inferior :-) And they do have a playland at some of them...to babysit your kids while you shop.    Cathryn about: Wegmans IS awesome I sooooooo miss Wegmans and Andy is soooooo sick of hearing me rant about how much I miss it!!   Cathryn about: Cam Congratulations! Much love to all 4 of you!   Cathryn about: Disses Awesome.  Whoop! Whoop! Cathryn about: vent That is awful, Cathryn! Ick. I'm not sure I know what zataran's is...but I don't think the smell of ramen bothers me :-)   Cathryn about: o.m.g. We don't have any snow, but we had tons of rain and crazy winds. 60mph at our house, and gusts up to 90mph out on the water. We were lucky to avoid real damage, but a roof blew off a house out on one of the islands.    Cathryn about: 8 for 8 Congrats!!   Cathryn about: Planning ahead! LOL Abby! Andy and I are trying to buy some plane tickets this year that do NOT include Ohio as the destination. As much as we love to see all of you guys, we won't be adding another OH trek in with all of the weddings.   Cathryn about: olympics He went to high school with an acquaintance of mine. If I remember correctly, it was a boarding school for ski peeps right at the mountain, so Skiing was part of their everyday routine and school was scheduled around it.    Cathryn about: olympic The guy that took the bronze, Lago, is from the town next to us. It is huge local news today.   Cathryn about: 10 Reasons Not To Become An Architect I have no idea what I would want to do, but I would absolutely not go into architecture if I had it to do over again.   Cathryn about: SNOW! Do you have to put a chair in your spot when you leave so no one steals your spot, Derek? Can't believe you guys are all still getting more!   Cathryn about: SNOW! We're finally getting snow here! Beautiful fluffy flakes! I can still see the grass right now, but I think that might change soon. Are you all still getting more snow?   Cathryn about: Yup, ski Club was Thursdays for us too. My friends and I probably either checked you and your friends out or rolled our eyes at you, depending on how obnoxious you were being at the time. Perhaps we even rode a lift together at some point, ha. Swain isn't a big place!    Cathryn about: HELLO Ha, Josh...Swain is where I skiied growing up also! Was there at least once, if not twice a week. Exciting times on Rattler and Clark (I think those were the names) back in the day. Weren't the moguls right under one of the lifts? I avoided skiing under lifts at all costs.    Cathryn about: HELLO He does ski them...or at least he used to. I think that is pretty much all he skiied in high school. He kind of skis all slopes like moguls with really tight quick turns, but I don't think his knees like to ski bumps like they used to :-)   Cathryn about: HELLO Andy worked until 11pm yesterday and I did our taxes...most romantic Valentine's day ever! Pres day is a floater holiday for us, so I'm taking the extra day at 4th of July instead...and not happy about being here today at all.    Cathryn about: weather The golf courses here are opening if any southerners are looking to escape the snow!   Cathryn about: Prometric is awesome My co-worker was supposed to be taking one of the ARE this morning and he just walked in to the office. Apparently the testing center had a sign on their door saying they were closed due to inclement weather and would contact you to reschedule. We have NO snow...still bare grass! It's ridiculous that they would do that and not even contact people ahead of time to tell them, since they obviously decided that yesterday in anticipation of a storm that never happened.    Cathryn about: site update Nice work Bub!   Cathryn about: work Still slow, Derek. I haven't heard of anyone that is hiring right now.    Cathryn about: knee I just asked him when he walked by...he said his doctor (who also happens to be a doctor for the Pats) told him that using your own tendon is much better if you are able but the cut-off for that is about age 40, so he didn't have that option. Recovery path is different depending on which surgery you have. Healing goes faster with tendon than with cadaver and allows you to do stuff much sooner (2 weeks versus 8 weeks in some cases, he said). Hope that helps!    Cathryn about: knee My co-worker used cadaver...I think he's about a year past surgery now. Email me if you have any specific stuff you want me to ask him!   Cathryn about: snow LOL Aaron! It is raining at my office right now...they are predicting 1-3 inches of snow this afternoon, but we'll have to wait and see since we know how accurate they are   Cathryn about: snow How did you all end up? Are you all safely snowed in?   Cathryn about: drinking fountains Haha, I'm all for that Wes! We have to submit a waiver for that on every project.    Cathryn about: tuesdays Holy snow! Any fun snowy kid photos? They are saying we might get 1-3 inches tomorrow, so we might not have bare grass anymore :-)    Cathryn about: hey buffalo We can send you some of ours, Derek...we have bare grass here!   Cathryn about: fun stuff That sucks, Biggie :-( Hope the recovery goes smoothly!   Cathryn about: Pantuso Twins And Dominick is older by a whole 26 minutes. Dominick was born at 8:36pm, with Samantha following at 9:02pm    Cathryn about: Pantuso Twins I have a pic that gives better perspective...Steve with his arms full with both of them, but I don't know how to post pics! Abby?!   Cathryn about: almost Pantuso baby time She's progressing, but no big news yet. Epidural has been given. Keep sending good thoughts :-)   Cathryn about: almost Pantuso baby time Induced! I got a text from her sister that Beck is doing good so far...I'll update when I know more.   Cathryn about: almost Pantuso baby time When you wake up tomorrow, everyone should send good thoughts to Becky and Steve...she's scheduled to be at the hospital early AM to get the twin show on the road! YAY!    Cathryn about: interview Good luck Berg! Fingers crossed!   Cathryn about: helloooo That is craziness! Your poor liver :-)   Cathryn about: helloooo And I hear you on the weddings, Derek. My boss is convinced that Andy and I are wedding crashers because he doesn't think it is possible to know that many people getting married.    Cathryn about: yummy Andy is at an energy conference in Portland today and sent me a text to tell me that Bradley Cooper is there. I have no idea what he would be doing at an energy seminar...in Maine...but that would certainly make energy lectures a lot more enjoyable! He vetoed getting a photo for me, boo.    Cathryn about: museums I didn't remember that project was a museum. And I don't think I will ever be able to think of the color project without thinking of Bub. Bub, I'm pretty sure you set the record for most expensive project with that one!   Cathryn about: museums Was the medina one the color project?   Cathryn about: museums I think I remember one in second year, but can't remember any others.   Cathryn about: crawl We are fairly sure we would attend the crawl...Andy has a set going out right around that time and with taking time off right before that for Killington, we're going to have to wait and see how the schedule plays out closer to the date. We'll say we're 85% in right now.   Cathryn about: crawl So which weekend is it? has it been decided?   Cathryn about: bday Happy birthday Wes! And a little early to Derek!   Cathryn about: St. Patty Which weekend are you going to do the crawl?    Cathryn about: St Patty Wisconsin! We met this couple when we were in Mexico that were probably the same age as our parents and got them trashed (they were visiting from another hotel, so we kept them stocked with our free drinks). They own a bar in Sheboygen Falls (however it is spelled) and when they heard about our crawl, they told us we should have it there one year. Ha!   Cathryn about: St Patty And just so you all know, it's annoying me that my post says further instead of farther :-) I wish I could edit it   Cathryn about: St Patty Or maybe we'll just do make you do a practice crawl in Killington so we won't have to travel again :-)   Cathryn about: St Patty's Day Sheboygen Falls, Wes? Sounds like we're getting old :-) If it were in Buffalo, Andy and I might consider it...but probably won't go further than that.   Cathryn about: keurig coffee We have one here too. That's good to know you can buy a re-usable filter thing for it because I think all those plastic cups are such a waste!    Cathryn about: other babies When is Baby Thews #2 due date again? It could be any day for the Pantuso twins...Beck would be happier with sooner rather than later! They'll induce her the 21st if she makes it that long.    Cathryn about: Baby Berg Congrats again Berg!!    Cathryn about: Dhani Love him. His travel show was the best! Even his stupid commercials crack me up.   Cathryn about: footballs That is so sad.   Cathryn about: economy Just out of curiosity...how are everyone's firms doing out there? Anyone seeing work picking up?   Cathryn about: camera/camcorders I should have mentioned that my coworker said he liked his...   Cathryn about: camera/camcorders Some peeps at work were discussing that same camera thingee yesterday, Bub, but it was 120 minutes recording time for same price.   flip camera thingee Cathryn about: babies Congrats to the Bader family! I love that he still made it to the Xmas party, HA!    Cathryn about: Feed the Englishes Thanks Josh!    cathryn about: awesome   tiger's first draft Cathryn about: Feed the Englishes mmmm, pad thai! Thanks! Now I'm hungry too. And I know everyone eats, so fess up people! maybe we need a BDC cookbook...we can use proceeds for competition weekend expenses. I bet half the recipes would be from Abby! :-)   Cathryn about: Feed the Englishes We need some new meal ideas to help put an end to our nightly "what do you want for dinner? I don't know, what do you want" conversations. What was your favorite meal that you ate this week? Anyone?   Cathryn about: interviews Ha! Nice Abby!   Cathryn about: Happy birthday Aaron!   Cathryn about: YAY! Congrats to Derek and Abby for becoming certified planners! You guys are extra fancy!    Cathryn about: bday Hope your bday was great, berg!   Cathryn about: exams berg, I saw your message but I don't sign in to FB during work hours. My 2 co-workers who took structures in September only had to wait about 5 weeks for results.    Cathryn about: my ears have been zapped The nearby nuclear plant is doing siren testing. UGH. Hope I never have to hear it for real!    Cathryn about: Happy Birthday Happy birthday Brad! Hope you all feel better soon!   Cathryn about: Thanks for all of the birthday wishes!   Cathryn about: birthday Thanks Berg! Happy birthday Bub! Hope you don't have to sit through a 2-hr insurance options meeting like me :-)   Cathryn about: New Years Ok, way early on this but we are trying to figure out our holiday plans/time off for the rest of the year. Are there any plans for New Years that we should be aware of before deciding when we will be in OH?   Cathryn about: Another Bruiser Welcome Elliot! Congratulations Mengs!   Cathryn about: ARE Thanks Donna! I love efficiency. All computer graded exams should take 16 weeks to get results|   Cathryn about: ARE Thanks Wes!   Cathryn about: vote! Going to vote after work...and looking forward to the nauseating gay marriage opposition commercials being over. Will be interesting to see how that turns out. We're even going to an election party tonight - for someone in NH that we can't vote for :-) can't pass up shufflepuck in the Jimmy Laponza lounge!    Cathryn about: lights on This early darkness is killer!   Cathryn about: ARE This is a really dumb question...but who do you contact? NCARB? Prometric?   Cathryn about: client, anyone? I would be ok with never having to hear from or see my client again, so if anyone wants to work with him, I'd be glad to pass him your way. Having work is so not worth dealing with this. Sigh...   cathryn about: hockey lovers anybody that loves hockey - check out this 9 year old's shot on goal in a one-on-one...  awesome Cathryn about: cover letter Love it, Berg! that's awesome. And even better that they wrote you back.   Cathryn about: ballsy So...we interviewed a lady over 2 years ago and made her an offer, which she did not take. She just sent an email to our office manager with the original offer attached, asking if we remembered her and said that she thought she'd be a great fit with our office and would be willing to work 30 hours a week. HA!! Delete.    Cathryn about: lovely   Billboard bound Cathryn about: Got Twins? Yay for double trouble with your sons! Congrats :-)   Cathryn about: Thanks! I won't ever be able to afford to live in one of our projects, so I'll have to work a BDC-reserved wing into one of the contracts :-)   Cathryn about: I can see Wes' terminator sub being washed down the drain in Pauling Photo 33 :-) And for those of you whom I told I would post my most ridiculous architect moment, here it is. The culmination of the last 3 1/2 years of my life. It is Grand Opening Photo 2  those suckers are really heavy Cathryn about: bored I definitely would not want to do middle/high school again and be living at home with parents, so I'd say 17/18 starting college. But I wouldn't major in architecture :-)   Cathryn about: that Ha!!   Cathryn about: WTF I'm confused on if you are missing it for a game or for a vacation. I'm sure my views on this are skewed since I am a far away auntie who has missed many, many birthdays, but I think your bro is ridiculous for scheduling it at a time when he knows there is a game especially since you have season tix and have gone together for years. I think it would be fine to go late. Our nieces and nephews do not love us any less for missing birthday parties, and I can guarantee none of them remember their 1st birthday party at all. I definitely wouldn't reschedule a trip for it, but would for a wedding.    Cathryn about: ARE Anyone taken structures in 4.0?   Cathryn about: money They were discussing on the radio this morning that 3/4 players go broke within 2 years of retiring from the NFL. I'm sure it is not as surprising when you figure in average length of time in NFL and average pay, but it seems they need to offer a bit more financial planning advice to those guys!    Cathryn about: NFPA No idea on the section it is in but I thought it is only for enclosed spaces (so the firemen would not go down the wrong side to get down and become trapped). We almost had to have guardrails around our entire courtyard...at the bottom of a pitched roof. The fire chief thought it was crazy and didn't make us do it.   Cathryn about: footballs Wes, we were wondering how you react to TO scoring? Do you boycott celebrating as a protest?    Cathryn about: not cool I guess it's better than on his house...  Painted lawn Cathryn about: weekend Exciting Aaron! Congrats!   Cathryn about: Got Twins? Whoa! Congratulations!    Cathryn about: bored I wish! Bub- what the hell did you do to get metal in your eye? OUCH!! Hope it is feeling better!   Cathryn about: footballs: me Nice! We were watching the game at a restaurant and after that TD Andy said, "Who is that guy? I'll have to look him up" Kent = awesome   Cathryn about: houses We used the one our buyer's agent recommended and he was great. He even put together a binder with all of his findings and photographs that we were able to hand over to the seller to show them why they should lower the price. However my satisfaction with the inspector went way downhill after he found out we were architects and called us "wanna-be engineers"   Cathryn about: Disturbing Holy crap indeed!! They better not let the guy's family find out that they turned down help before their med staff arrived...sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.   Cathryn about: Pantuso Twins! SO freaking excited!!!!!   Cathryn about: spot on I can't stop laughing at Cristen's post...   Cathryn about: weekend I am still beat today, but psyched that we get to see you guys again so soon! Fingers crossed for you, Biggie! Wes, I think that is a sign that your pug should be a Maine doggie...you guys should move here ASAP :-)   Cathryn about: Leah Yippee!! So glad to hear that the whole family is home again! We're still thinking of all of you!    Cathryn about: Leah Update So glad to hear things are looking up and especially glad that you guys can hold her again! Still thinking of you guys and hoping Leah is healthy and home soon!    Cathryn about: I just commented to Andy on that last week, because our IT guy had come to do something on my computer when BDC was minimized and I was hoping he didn't check to see what the site was. Nice work :-)   Cathryn about: I love that when BDC is minimized, it shows up as Untitled Document.   Cathryn about: Leah Thinking of you and your little girl!!   Cathryn about: Wedding Voit/English are sharing a room there. For anyone who hasn't booked yet, AAA rates were the lowest we found. I think that you can do 2 rooms with each AAA membership, so I can book another one if someone doesn't have AAA.   Cathryn about: Building falls down Oops  Had to be the 13th story Cathryn about: hey friends Yay Paulings! Hope we get to meet little Leah soon! That sucks Berg...can't believe you have to research it for them. Ugh. Unemployment for architects is approaching 40% in our area...crazy!!    Cathryn about: Mark Lester    Cathryn about: Interesting...that is not what that article said. I'll have to try to find it again so I can see what that guys name is because now I want to know.    Cathryn about: MJ Trivia Nope, I would have remembered that. It was Mark or Mike somebody. I'm sure I should recognize the name, but I didn't...I'm obviously TERRIBLE at trivia.   Cathryn about: MJ Trivia An article I read at lunchtime said the name of the godfather and I don't remember. Ha. I do remember that he's british.    Cathryn about: pop Fess up! You're listening to Thriller, aren't you?   Cathryn about: Baby Moorehead Mikey and Ellen's little boy, Alexander Owen, arrived last night :-)    Cathryn about: English home phone I know no one ever uses it, but just in case Derek wants to send us more text-to-landline messages...our new home number is 603 205 2364 No, we did not move back to NH, but we switched to TMobile @home and they gave us a Portsmouth number temporarily, but Fairpoint was a jerk about tranferring our other number so I guess the NH number is permanent. Weird.   Cathryn about: quiet Did you guys survive the weekend?? Still recovering?   Cathryn about: ARE fees They said it is because of the cheaters. They are claiming that they now have to spend $1.something million to redo a bunch of test material. It's all a bunch of BS. There are some threads on it on the forum...one of them has NCARB's tax forms and shows how their employee salaries have increased by insane % over the last few years.    Cathryn about: ARE fees If you haven't heard...ARE 4.0 fees are increasing by $40 as of October 1. Any exam scheduled after that will be $210, but before Oct 1, you can schedule test dates through December at the $170 rate.   Cathryn about: energy software? I don't know what HAP is, but I'll pass that name along. My co-worker who is going through all of them said eQuest is apparently not detailed enough for what we want to use it for ("seems like it might be great for LEED, but that's not what we want"). EnergyPlus (I think?) is a step up from it, but doesn't have a graphical front. We're looking for something that can hopefully play off of revit. It doesn't have to be free, even though that is obviously better...he's played around with 4 or 5 of them and they do all seem to be complicated since they are more engineer-y.    Cathryn about: energy software? Any use a good energy analysis program? We're looking for one that will give quite detailed info, and so far they all seem about the same user-friendliness (which is not really at all). We've been testing a bunch of them and it seems that a lot are designed overseas so the products and such to input are different than what we typically use here.    Cathryn about: weird stuff part two Even better that they are wearing sweatshirts. Ha!   Cathryn about: Hangover Yes I did!    Cathryn about: I would LOVE to be closer to you, Abby! We went to see The Hangover last night and I don't think Andy stopped laughing once the entire movie. Made us miss all of you crazy fools even more...can't wait for fun times this summer!   Cathryn about: Wow, Abby...they don't ever require them? I should be taking my exam through PA! :-) Thews - awesome pics, what a great gift!    Cathryn about: Um, where do I live? I just checked our local paper online and find the headline news is "Alleged Cheez Whiz thief tackled, held in headlock, say police" with a sub headline "lawnmower beer run leads to OUI" Awesome.  Apparently we don't have much real news Cathryn about: Friday Funny Nice, Abby. I could actually hear you giggling in my head when I read that. Ha!   Cathryn about: ok, have to share yeah, traveling 3 weekends in a row doesn't work well for us. Voits - does your crazy summer include Labor Day weekend? We should plan competition weekend for then so that Andy and I can attend also :-)    Cathryn about: Aren't you glad you didn't buy that house Derek? :)   Cathryn about: afternoon funnies   texts from last night Cathryn about: bye bye grandma So sorry to hear that, Berg.    Cathryn about: Kent makes Boston news I like how they put it as Columbus, OH. I guess they just won't learn...this sort of happened when we were there, but I can't remember if it was 5th or 6th year or who was with me. Anyone? Same kind of deal...they allowed a block party and closed off the street, then decided they wanted it to be over and tried to make everyone leave. One street over from Lincoln. No fires, though, that I remember.   What the hell Kent? Cathryn about: Cool? or Fugly? I think it looks like they built that from a little kid's drawing of a house. Ick.   Cathryn about: computer stuff I don't understand Anyone's office forego Microsoft Exchange Server for Google Apps?    Cathryn about: Thewsy How's daddy life, Thews? Any new pics? Is Bro-dog keeping him in line?    Cathryn about: What do you call these? New Englanders use "jimmies" also, but only for the chocolate kind.    Cathryn about: What do you call these? I call them both sprinkles :)    Cathryn about: Have you actually read the LEED ref. guide to know what it is actually about, berg? That is what I think is funny...you throw out these statements asking "Does LEEd do this?" Why don't you actually read it and find out what they do. I'm not saying you will think better of them after doing so...I just think it's funny that you're so jaded by it without actually knowing what exactly it is. I have no trouble admitting that I took the test because our clients ask if we are LEED and it is good for marketing. Most have no idea what LEED actually is, they've just heard that it is the thing to do. Do they want to save money on their energy costs? Absolutely. (we can argue about the saving the earth reasons, but money is almost always the driving force whether we like it or not) Do they want to pay for the legwork to have someone pat them on the back and be "certified"? Not at all. I do think we need to build more sustainable buildings and right now, LEED has cornered the market on what that means and has given a tangible regulation on acheiving their version of it. You have to start somewhere with regulations and that is what they've done. It's the idea of the bureaucracy/extra steps for certification that is ridiculous to me because that has nothing to do with sustainability. I find those Gifford website/articles interesting as the "other side" of LEED.   Cathryn about: NCARB blows, but GBCI sucks Berg, your LEED comments crack me up because you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about but are still jaded. Hilarious. I do agree with both of you about the monopoly aspect. I was telling Lan and Abby yesterday that while I think green building concepts and implementation into our buildings is absolutely what we should be doing, I think paying many, many thousands of dollars for a plaque on the wall to show how green you are is silly. I am hoping that when govts/states/whoever start mandating more green building, the language reads "certifiable" and not "certified"    Cathryn about: NCARB blows, but GBCI sucks I tried to get on the website earlier to try to find something else and did see that it was down, but I thought it said if you sent an e-mail to whatever address they gave, they would honor your exam request?   Cathryn about: step brothers Good to know, Sweeney...I really wanted to see Rachel Getting Married but we were trying to use up Blockbuster gift certificates and it was all out. I guess it was better that way :)   Cathryn about: crawlz Yippee!! Congrats Dickey!!   Cathryn about: patty Leanne, Are you making Wes leave his stabber at home?    Cathryn about: pocket robie? My co-worker was just telling me about how google is developing something in conjunction with their street views so that you could be told the history and everything about the building when you are in front of it. I think they need to hire Robison, since we always wanted that when we were walking around Europe.    Cathryn about: Cuteness Definite cuteness! So glad everyone is happy, healthy, and home...you guys sound so in love :)   Cathryn about: Bebe Thews Very exciting!! Congratulations!!   Cathryn about: The shy Thews If the Thewses are still waiting out there...sending lots of healthy, speedy, easy induction wishes to Cristen tonight!    Cathryn about: eyesore Have you all seen this one? Preserve = enclose in glass box  Kunstler Cathryn about: snow It looks like it is tapering off and they just changed the weatehr reports, so hopefully we don't get much more. Does anyone else have snow? And did everyone see the blurb on Abby in the Kent magazine? :)   Cathryn about: snow Yes, the snow had finally disappeared from the big storms earlier and we had grass again. Not anymore! I'm not sure exactly how much, but we now have a lot! It looks like at least 10 inches on our deck and we are expected to get 6-10 more. Yikes!    Cathryn about: BDC is back You're the best, Bub! I missed procrastinating with you guys!   Cathryn about: Thinking of the Thewses...wish we could be there.   Cathryn about: plan crash That's really sad.    Cathryn about: black pug You've never heard Leanne talk about hwo she wants a black pug sibling for Mante, named "Raisin"? :-)   Cathryn about: Awww, I'm so excited about Baby Matthews! When is he/she supposed to make an appearance? We should do a baby pool :)   Cathryn about: Baby Pauling Congratulations on your daughter!! So exciting!   Cathryn about: Sadness Not autocad but I don't know anything about revit. I dont' think abby used acad at her last job with a mac   Cathryn about: what? Did that come from your engineers?   Cathryn about: weather Did anyone else have the heavy snow to sleet/freezing rain to mega slush to solid ice transition? I hope that if I fall, someone is there to see it because it sucks to have to laugh at yourself alone.   Cathryn about: question Great question, Meng. When you make them, I will definitely buy some.   Cathryn about: silly Andy was just wondering if Wes had the idea for that video and only went to youtube to see if it had already been done. Wes, were you pissed that they stole your song/video?   Cathryn about: old Admit it...Bub was on your shoulders, wasn't he!?   Cathryn about: old That is hilarious! Did you guys take photos? It definitely wouldn't have been the same without them playing the hokey pokey.    Cathryn about: old Anyone else long for the days when you could ski ALL day long with minimal stopping and without burning legs?! Andy and I are so out of shape.    Cathryn about: We're going to have to start working on them since CT is going to require it for projects our size. I think the whole thing is a little silly. I am all about using better systems, but I think we can absolutely make better buildings without having to pay money for all of this paperwork. Whether you "truly believe" or not, the LEED name is quite trendy and our clients want it for marketing purposes just as much as anyone taking the exam to be able to advertise being LEED professionals. You can have green buildings without being LEED certified. Adding all the money to pay for the bureaucracy makes me annoyed.   Cathryn about: Interesting. Does anyone have a non-education LEED project?    Cathryn about: LEED help again Good to know, thanks Josh! I love your "truly believe" comment. Ha! I'm curious...how many people are actually working on a LEED project? I know you did the house in CBus, Josh, but that was a side thing...does anyone actually have a paying client that is going through with LEED?    Cathryn about: LEED help again Another item that has my office torn abut whether to take it or not...they are going to require 30 continuing education credits per year for LEED. Most people in my office grumble about keeping up with 18 for AIA. We're not sure if the credits will be able to overlap or not. And it seems that USGBC charges for everything (you can get a lot of credits for free for AIA), so it will be expensive to maintain.    Cathryn about: Panama City spring breakers They were interviewing some wrestler on the radio this morning and it made me think of our awesome WWE/WCW/whatever adventures on Spring break...I love that Becky got us free tickets at the bar and we all went because they gave us free beer. Ha! Good times :-)   Cathryn about: stupid ARE Ugh, that's so annoying! My favorite so far has been in the front of the Kaplan history book where it said something along the lines of while there is no specific exam on this information, we feel that studying this will bring personal satisfaction. Don't tell me what I'll like! I hate history and your stupid book can't make me like it!   Cathryn about: on a serious note Great news! Congratulations!    Cathryn about: Happy day! I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said "1.20.13" and it made me laugh. I remember seeing the 1.20.09 stickers and thinking it seemed so far away...   Cathryn about: Building Systems Thanks guys! I haven't looked at the FTP for that exam yet, so I will check it out.    Cathryn about: Building Systems I'm hearing rumblings about it being a good idea to read the big ass blue book from ET class before taking the MEP exams. Did all of you fancy MEP exam passers actually do this? I'm pretty sure I didn't even do this in school when I was supposed to read it. Thoughts?   Cathryn about: working Bub Yay! Congrats on the new job, Bub! Hope you love it   Cathryn about: Happy birthday Derek!!   Cathryn about: This is brilliant!   Architecture 5cents Cathryn about: the one i can remember Happy birthday Wes! I can't believe it has been 10 years since Florence!! WOW!! We were so ridiculous over there and it was so much fun! Ahhh, I want to go back :) I think J.J. cathedral pub is the offical name of the bar...Andy's class called it Murphy's because that was the sign engraved in the glass on the door, but I think they had changed it by the time our class went. I can't remember what beer it said.   Cathryn about: ridiculous "Joe the plumber" to be a war correspondent! I'm sure his insight on the war will be just as awesome as Berg's insight into LEED.  15 minutes is up Cathryn about: Your post does nothing to change my mind and I stand by everything I just said. If architects refused to design anything that wasn't of the highest and most efficient standards, I don't think most of us would have a job. Do you practice what you preach? Because you hold architects to such a high standard, I can't wait to see you and Robyn find the perfect site in a neighborhood where everything you need is within walking distance to build your uber efficient house with only the top-quality materials so you won't be contributing to the greed and careless disregard for the environment.    Cathryn about: LEED berg - Your current job seems to have made you awfully ignorant. Designing things the way they "should" be and working with a client's budget are not one and the same. Of course everyone would love to design the most energy efficient buildings using only top-quality materials, but that is not reality for most of us. And going through the LEED paperwork process adds considerable cost that our clients did not have to work in to projects before. "ideal" is great to strive for, and you have to get creative to try to come as close as you can with most projects while working within the budget...most clients think it all sounds great until they get the price tag. To me, your statement screams arrogant asshole   Cathryn about: LEED Our firm has a lot of work in CT right now and they are now requiring LEED Silver or the two-globe rating in the Green Globes USA Design Program requirements for new construction exceeding $5 million or renovations exceeding $2 million dollars, so all of our projects there will now have to meet this. Huge learning curve and confusion for our office, as well as our clients!!    Cathryn about: LEED If anyone was debating taking this exam now, they are about to make a bunch of changes and sounds like not everyone will qualify to take it in the future.   LEED exam deadline Cathryn about: kent state I don't know which is correct for you to use to say you graduated from but Leanne is right! They now are their own college and not part of fine and professional arts...CAED instead of SAED.    Cathryn about: Happy New Year I try to talk to Andy through the bathroom door sometimes, but this does not go over well and he usually ignores me. The door is always closed though!   Cathryn about: Old man Happy birthday Dickey!   Cathryn about: Unless I had a big stake in the firm, I wouldn't spend my own time to enter a competition for them.    Cathryn about: SNOW The snow is really pretty!! But we have more than enough of it for a white Christmas, so we don't need any more of it! Sorry, Josh, can't help you. Our projects are a much larger scale, so I don't have any concept of how that compares.    Cathryn about: SNOW Who's got it? I hear it is heading our way!   Cathryn about: technological advances I don't think it will ever pass approval by the NFL, but I heard on the radio this morning that some professor at Carnegie mellon is proposing putting sensors in football players' gloves and gps inside the ball. (Since not everyone wears gloves, I'm not sure how they would resolve that part of it) But the theory is that they would be able to tell if a ball went out of bounds or crossed the goal line, exactly where a ball went down, if a player loses control or who has control in a fumble. We've debated technology and sports before after Michael Phelps' victory, but this seems crazier to me.    Cathryn about: Name change Ha, Wes! I like how they try to pretend it is "just a name". I mean, I'm not racist at all, I just happen to like the name aryan nation. Weirdos.   Cathryn about: 20-12 A big happy birthday to my husband today! You're old :)   Cathryn about: book club I am in a book club as well and I think it's great. We do not discuss our husbands and we really do discuss the books. A lot of times, the topics in the book spark other discussions, but there is also a lot of "catching up" talk since we are all already friends and hang out outside of book club as well. And we do drink a lot of wine and eat lots of food.    Cathryn about: desperation Huh. I hope this guy is happy with his "perfect woman" robot, because there will certainly not be any live women clamoring down his door...er, his parents' door.   lonely chap Cathryn about: crazy weather We went from 25 degrees to 60 degrees and now we have an ice storm. Lots of branches and power lines down. Luckily our house does not have any major damage (yet!) and we still had power when I left, though it was flickering. Anyone else?   Cathryn about: Ha! Lucky for my hubby, I'm not into jewelry at all...but this is a funny (long) commercial.  Beware of the doghouse, guys! Cathryn about: pics Black tie attire, so it was planned   Cathryn about: investing I'm with Thews, starting is the important thing and you can fix later as you figure out what works for you. We have a financial advisor and he suggests a mix of traditional and ROTH as well. We've also converted a few life insurance policies from term to permanent, so that if we really needed it, we would have some money that is more accessible than IRA/401K in a few years and we had the life insurance policies anyway.    Cathryn about: "justice" This makes me angry.  Low man on the totem pole Cathryn about: random House Agreed, Bub. I am glad that I have no idea what they are talking about, but it was in my head for last week's episode and the shots looked so incredibly horror movie fake. They could totally make up words and i would think it was a real disease. It still amazes me that this person keeps track of every single medical thing and blogs about it.    Cathryn about: random House We just watched it last night also, Leanne. And when I was researching where the filming takes place, I also found a doctor's website that rates how accurate the medicine is on the show...then I couldn't stop noticing how sloppy it was last night. I need to find that website again and see what they thought.   Cathryn about: random House Andy and I were trying to figure out where House is filmed a couple weeks ago and came across this FAQ. Are we the only ones who had no idea he was based on Sherlock Holmes, right down to his name?  Holmes = House Cathryn about: Awesome!   Cathryn about: sports boners Bub, are you also trying to shrink your boner by knitting?   Cathryn about: not in the spirit of the season Just thought I'd throw it out there since a lot of you folks are all fancy and registered now. A seminar at Build Boston last week was presented by an attorney and talked about liability. If you serve on a board for a town or similar, make sure that the town or board or someone carries insurance for your liability. You are held to a higher standard as a professional on that board and you can be sued individually. There were multiple members of the audience that had this happen and they lost every time and were held personally liable! Additionally, if you do any pro-bono work, this is likely NOT covered by your liability insurance since you are not paid for the work. Basically what it comes down to is that we live in a sue-happy society and unfortunately, volunteering as a professional means your butt is on the line so less and less people are willing to do it. Just make sure you're protected if you do volunteer...better safe than sorry so ask the questions first.    Cathryn about: Cbus We'll be there Wed-Sat. I think you told us in Toledo that you wouldn't be around...that sucks!   Cathryn about: Brad Happy birthday to you too! You guys around at thanksgiving? We talked with the Lloyd's about perhaps meeting up on Friday night...   Cathryn about: snow We still haven't had ANY snow this year! Not even a flurry!   Cathryn about: Berg Happy Birthday!   Cathryn about: fun for all Design your own muppet!  Muppet Whatnot Cathryn about: available in 2009 Eco-friendly drywall  Eco-rock Cathryn about: happy birthday Thanks everyone! And happy birthday to you too, Bub!   Cathryn about: Testees I haven't seen Andy laugh that hard in a long time. I thought it was amusing, but he had side-splitting laughter through all 4 epsiodes.    Cathryn about: portsmouth Aaron - I feel like that's kind of like me never taking 7 ideas. Not sure about how I missed that Kent classic. But I can't believe you never went to Mike's   Cathryn about: House Last time it happened, I checked online and it said they put them up 8 days after broadcast or something ridiculous liek that. Jerks.    Cathryn about: House It's our own damn fault for not fixing the settings when it happened the first time, but WTF is up with the DVR cutting off the end of House? Anyone care to share what Wilson said? You can e-mail to me if it would spoil it for anyone here. And, yes, we did change the settings now to record 5 minutes extra. Stupid TV scheduling not being accurate and stupid DVR, I can't believe we're conditioned to rely on you now.    Cathryn about: What I did for 5 months... Looks amazing!    Cathryn about: rankings Thought this was amusing...mocking college football rankings. Some of the comments below are the funniest.   College Football Rankings Cathryn about: compensation This is mind-boggling.  Mucho $ Cathryn about: heat I'm curious. When does everyone turn on their furnace? It has been pretty chilly here at night. I think, out of principle that the beginning of October is too early, we wouldn't turn ours on yet anyway, but it makes it extra interesting that we don't even have the option. Until our new furnace is installed (it's on order and scheduled to be installed in a couple weeks, we hope), and until we have the metal fabricated for the chimney cap, we have no heat source. Brrrrrr   Cathryn about: superman Nice, Wes! My jersey comments here have gone from "Who the hell is Moorman?" to "I didn't know they sold jerseys for punters"   Cathryn about: footballs Arbitrary rankings are arbitrary rankings. And I think Bills fans have certainly put in their dues to use the word CHOKE. We know it when we see it.   Cathryn about: footballs Berg - your "weak schedule and have not looked dominant...blah, blah, blah" could easily have applied to Ohio State football, was it a year ago? Do you think that they were overrated? I guess their big CHOKE proved it, but I would bet you weren't complaining about their ranking over the season.    Cathryn about: Opinions, Dougums? It seems crappy to me that anyone should have to pay someone who stole money from them in the first place, but my brain shut down when trying to read about how it worked. So I guess you're saying it was only as punishment for trying to mess with the system. Hmmm. Sometimes the system really sucks.    Cathryn about: Opinions, Dougums? I can't really wrap my head around this, but it sure seems wrong  "Crime does pay" Cathryn about: 46 more days until I don't have to hear/see any of this political garbage anymore...can't come soon enough!!!!!!   Cathryn about: He writes back   Hate mail for ref Cathryn about: house I'm excited for you! Good luck!!   Cathryn about: house The other thing to keep in mind (which I know you already know, especially from all the loving help you've given Bub & Abby, but I'm going to mention anyway) is the ridiculous amount of time it takes to do all of this stuff. Andy and I are in that position with all of the work that needed to be done on our house, and it is like having a second full-time job. We really enjoy it, but there are sometimes when we wish we still lived in our crappy downtown apartment with no housing responsibilities and could go to the bar instead of drywall. And we still do go to the bar instead of drywall, but it also means living in the midst of projects all the time. However, we are not good about starting one project at a time and finishing it before moving on since we have so many things we want done all at the same time so maybe you'd be better at managing it all. It does look like it has endless possibilities and I have every confidence that you could make it into an amazing house! And that view! Just make sure that's really what you want to do with your time/money.    Cathryn about: happy, happy Thanks everyone! 3 years is actually tomorrow, but we're going to have to share celebration day with the Matthews' this year since Wednesday is darts night for Andy. Happy 2 to you, Thews and Cristen! And happy b-day to Tony!   Cathryn about: technology I'm not sold on why it is a bad thing. If the technology advances to be able to judge that a person is faster than another, why does it matter what accuracy it is? When you look at the still shots of Phelps, it is clear that the 100th mattered in that case because he definitely made it there first. Without that technology, it may have looked like a tie, but the photos show that it wasn't.   Cathryn about: 100ths While we're at it, can we get rid of pennies?    Cathryn about: Phelps "Bigger than they are"? Really? He made history. He did something no one has ever done before...I think the coverage is warranted. If it was you or someone you knew, I'm sure you wouldn't begrudge the attention they were getting for all of your/their hard work. And if you want to say the timing thing is "too" accurate and he shouldn't have been the winner, he still tied history for doing something remarkable. I don't understand the hate. Do you feel the same way about Lance Armstrong?    Cathryn about: Wes = Happy I think New England can be crossed off Bernard Pollard's list for places he can safely visit.    Cathryn about: Type 1/2 Anyone know if you need to use metal windows for non-combustible construction?    Cathryn about: as promised Basement looks awesome, Lloyd's! Great work!   Cathryn about: Looks a bit like Britney Spears' Mom also.   Cathryn about: We didn't start the fire In the words of the person (Dr. Angus Kathryn for those who were in Maine) who sent this to me - "This is kind of cool….and a bonus to finally know what the hell billy joel was saying in this song"  Song slide show Cathryn about: A couple of favorite pics Mante swimming is hilarious! And Wes' face in 4093 is priceless! Ha!   Cathryn about: Awww, congratulations to Cheryl & husband!   Cathryn about: vacation So is there anyone besides Andy and I that are not on vacation?   Cathryn about: OGO We got wet. And you can have 3 people go at a time. You pretty much stay in the bottom of it, but bounce around like crazy. This is the link to where we did it, and I think there's videos.  OGO Cathryn about: OGO We did this yesterday and it was hilarious.   Feel like a hampster Cathryn about: Hump-day Shocker Wow! Congratulations Thewses!! SO exciting!   Cathryn about: Duncs He also "snuck up" and sniffed the cable and then backed up quickly as though it had burned him. Silly pup was totally entertaining me.   Cathryn about: Firenze tips One of my co-workers is going to Florence for his honeymoon...can you all please remind me of your favorite things to see there other than the obvious tourist things? I want to make sure I don't forget anything good. Thanks!    Cathryn about: Light is good I don't know if anyone else does design that involves senior living, but I thought this was interesting.  Light = medicine Cathryn about: Holy fuck!!! That is incredibly disturbing...I'm going to have nightmares.   Cathryn about: Dublin Oh yeah, forgot about the book of kells. Worth seeing!    Cathryn about: Dublin Doug, We went to Guinness and Jameson in the same day. Guinness takes longer. Jameson is pretty quick, but you should volunteer to be the expert whiskey taster at the end. How long will you be in Dublin?    Cathryn about: stupid Wes Though I enjoyed your funnies, I do not enjoy that I can no longer read the right side of posts.   Cathryn about: Amy's 30th Happy birthday!!   Cathryn about: BUT we are desperately looking to hire, so if you want a job, we've got one for you!   Cathryn about: interview question We do get "groceries" every other week or so and our secretary makes everyone come help carry the soda and such. But that came from Rachel's old boss. Apparently her boss thought that would be the BEST question to ask in interviews. Made me laugh.    Cathryn about: interview question “Do you do everything you can to bring all your groceries inside in one trip?"   Cathryn about: Happy 30th Happy 20-10 Alecia!!!   Cathryn about: fireplace Berg, the entire fireplace is still open and visible as only the living room side of the wall is finished and the chase/chimney is not even installed. An inspector is still be able to see all parts of the fireplace. We're not having any inspectors come until after we get the electrical in the new room finished.   Cathryn about: fireplace If you are interested, here is a link to some before and afters of our new doible-sided fireplace. We have a long way to go, but it is nice to finally have a real wall in the living room with no mirrors and no camper windows.   Fireplace Cathryn about: 911 call from guy who witnesses robbery This is crazy!   I've got a shotgun, want me to stop them? Cathryn about: Wipeout Has this show been discussed? It is a new favorite in the English house.    Cathryn about: Wegmans Awesome!!!!! I LOVE WEGMANS! I will keep my fingers crossed that they move north of Boston! Andy would be super excited if they opened near us also because he wouldn't have to hear me complain anymore about how all of our grocery stores pale in comparison to the greatness of Wegmans. Ha!   Cathryn about: camera Thanks! We took your recommendations and looked at a bunch of reviews and were seconds away from pressing "purchase" on a new Canon...and I got annoyed and hit our camera on the table a couple times. And now it works again!!! We'll see how long it lasts, but at least we know which one to buy now.    Cathryn about: camera recs? Okay, everyone should rave about their digital camera. Unfortunately, ours decided to go black and stop taking photos. We are super bummed because it has taken awesome photos day/night/indoor/outdoor and they obviously don't make it anymore. (Sony cyber-shot P200). Anyone have a rec for one that they love?   Cathryn about: Duct Tape Fashion I had no idea there were so many colors. I can't believe how much work people put into this...and how shiny their clothes are.  Fancy Duct Tape Cathryn about: Small World That's funny Brad! He ended up calling Andy this week, and I thought it was random. Now I know why!   Cathryn about: I found out the new study guides are here and they just didn't tell us. Derek - we should all meet in the Hub for study sessions. Good times.   Cathryn about: NCARB My firm is buying the new study guides also and Andy and I will make a copy of them at his office so we can have our own. I have some copies of the ones from 3.1 also that I can give to you Wes if you'd like.    Cathryn about: NCARB While this greatly exposes my husband's uber-procrastination on this matter...I think it is OUTRAGEOUS that NCARB can charge you an additional $570 if you request for your record to be transmitted to a state within a year of signing up for IDP. It's not like there is any more work for them...in fact there is less work because they have to "manage" your record for a much shorter period of time and only review your hours once.    Cathryn about: leaving Have a great summer in London Dougums!!   Cathryn about: seriously? Um, I don't get this and I don't like this at all. Unless there is abuse going on, I shiver to think the gov't could trump parents decisions.   Try again Canada Cathryn about: Live Golf Ha, Sweeney! This post sequence is cracking me up...are you guys all on the edge of your seats?    Cathryn about: The News Congratulations!! So exciting!   Cathryn about: hot It's only 52 degrees here right now! but we are supposed to get the 90 degree weather starting tomorrow.   Cathryn about: Awesome Cleveland rocks  spelling bee champs, they're not Cathryn about: AC Wow, Donna...is there any way you can work at home?    Cathryn about: lost tribes...not the TV show So, did we scare the shit out of these people by doing an "overflight" or whatever they called it? I can't even imagine how peeps who live in the middle of nature and have ZERO contact with (or even concept of?) the outside world feel when a crazy machine hovers over their home   Fly by Cathryn about: movie If you like foreign films, Priceless (Hors de Prix) is worth checking out. We are big fans of Audrey Tautou and it's another quirky, funny one from her.   Cathryn about: zzzzz Memorial day = yard projects. We also started building our deck this weekend...installed the patio doors, bricked in the basement window that was in the way and framed the entire thing. Decking is about 25% finished, so we have more excitement waiting for us this weekend.   Cathryn about: report from Becky's intern What's this I hear about Hughes no longer having dreads? Has anyone witnessed this? I can't picture it!   Cathryn about: Silly Yeah, it didn't recognize Bracchi either. It said that happens for 1 in 10 people.   Cathryn about: Silly This is kind of fun. There are 2 people in the US with my full name...I want to meet the other one! 13,683 people have the name "Cathryn", but Biggie's Cathryn is the only other one I've ever met!  How many of me? Cathryn about: summer jobs Anyone know the going rate (a range) for a summer intern? someone between their junior and senior year at a 4-year school that would be doing drafting...   Cathryn about: Jess and I are engorged... That's awesome news, congratulations!   Cathryn about: Boston area peoples Josh - Andy and I are going to go to the KSU alumni gathering on Thursday, so if you or anyone other KSU peeps are going - look for us!   Cathryn about: Boston area peoples I guess it had to be over 2 weeks ago because I couldn't find the invitation, which means it was recycled. Oops. I don't think it was a mnth ago, though. We must have been on the B list.    Cathryn about: Boston area peoples Josh - I got the invitation for the Kent reception in the mail the other day, but forgot about it. I'll look at it again tonight. Are you going?    Cathryn about: Boston area peoples You're more than welcome at our place, but you'd have to take the train or bus in to the city since we're 1 hr away...   Cathryn about: We've gotten a couple permits, but also done a lot without them. We've checked with the town to verify if we needed one or not for all of our outside stuff (like new fence) since it would be very visible that we were doing work. And our addition obviously needed one, even though we were rebuilding the same footprint. Even had to go in front of the zoning board of appeals for that one. I think we got another one when we upgraded our electrical, but we didn't get one for any of our work in the basement.    Cathryn about: Pencil Dick That is amazing! Ha!!   Cathryn about: competition weeeknd I apologize for us being the big reason comp. weekend was changed from June until August, but it is unlikely that the English family will attend since Skybus is gone. It now costs about $600 to fly to OH and I think we're going to go drink some wine in Napa this fall instead of drinking with our beloved friends in OH.   Cathryn about: a.r.e Thanks! I have the ALS books and archiflash cards, so it sounds like I have adequate info. If only I could make myself actually study now...sigh...   Cathryn about: a.r.e wait, are ALS the same thing? i'm confused...    Cathryn about: a.r.e have all of you cool registered peeps (or anyone who has passed exams so far) used the Kaplan guides or the ALS books? I only have the ALS books...but my office could be talked in to ordering an "office copy" of the new study guides if they would be useful for us slackers who have yet to take exams.    Cathryn about: Too late I think it might be a little late for them to try to reclaim their name.   Lesbos Cathryn about: Does anyone know the exacts on this? I remember hearing a statistic that was something like if you have a group of 17 people, 2 of them will share a birthday? I think it was 17, but I'm not positive. I was with a group of about 20 at the time, and sure enough, it was true for that group.   Cathryn about: Get Your Boys Ready for December Cut-off after the school year begins doesn't seem weird to me because that's the norm in NY. For the September-November birthday kids, the parents have a choice if they want their kid to start school at 4 or wait. The school year also never started until after labor day for us, which is also "late" compared to lots of states.    Cathryn about: The cut-off age for public schools is not the same nationwide, so that factor doesn't really hold up.    Cathryn about: Bub, I like how polite you are to the spammers. Our computer maintenance guy was here today and my computer was cleaned off, so I had to sign back in. Well I didn't think about it when I replied and laughed when BDC told me "No spam, thanks" after I tried to post. ha!   Cathryn about: olympics So ugly.   Cathryn about: awesome On my way back from my project, passed a homeless looking guy on side of road near the highway with cardboard sign "Not gonna lie...I want a few beers"   Cathryn about: cheerleader beating It specifically says on that the whole video is not being shown and that includes the part of her passing out...   Cathryn about: scholarship That would be awesome, good luck Josh!   Cathryn about: ARE pain $300? Each test costs more, or are there more fees? My firm pays for them, so I don't really care if it is each test, but I don't want to pay more stupid fees...what's the extra $300 for?   Cathryn about: Skybus That's really shitty! I can't believe employees were showing up for work without knowing!! They had some stories in the local paper here, and one of them was a lady who showed up at the airport and was scheduled to fly to Greensboro, NC on saturday morning to attend her son's wedding that afternoon. Who does that? She obviously has a lot more faith in airlines than I do. Also, a local limo company was making sure people were able to get to Manchester and Boston airports for other flights, and that lady did get a flight from Boston to make it on time.    cathryn about: work question Not necessarily Doug...ideally, it would, but punchlists usually go on for a while (at least in my office, they do). I have knocked on residents' doors and gone in to do punchlist after they are already living there. "Gee, that large gouge in the wall looks suspiciously like the corner of your bookshelf"    cathryn about: forget wedding planning Aaron, could you please hire this guy as a consultant and get a move on this? Thanks!  Aaron's new best friend cathryn about: Spears on TV Britney wasn't horrible, but certainly not the best actress. We wondered the same thing about "your mother", Wes, after she said she'd been to a St. Patty's day party and left early. I like "second becky" and scrubs is ending now...so maybe    cathryn about: Go sci-fi This is a real letter to the editor in our local paper...maybe I would understand if I had ever seen star trek. I think we might need some better mental health facilities. A great way to learn about mental illness March 13 — To the Editor: I think people should be educated in the field of mental illness. I think it should be a required course in high school. I also think family members ought to be educated if someone in the family has a mental illness. As a saying from G.I. Joe, "Knowing is half the battle." As part of the program, they should use the old "Star Trek" series with the use of logic as part of the curriculum. Also, I think that National Alliance for the Mentally Ill should endorse the series from "Star Trek." It's kept me on the straight and narrow path to wellness and coping with a mental illness. I have a hearing problem coupled with schizophrenia — hearing voices. My hearing problem stems from childhood and adulthood punctured ear drum in both ears. Without "Star Trek" and especially Mr. Spock, my life could be a mess. I owe a debt of my life to Mr. Spock (Leonard Nemoy). I am able to take care of myself pretty good. I pay my creditors on time and in full. The system needs to be improved, but what I'm seeing is an improvement. Education is the key and it begins with "Star Trek!"    cathryn about: baseballs We went to a sports bar for dinner last night and they had a sign on their door letting everyone know that they'd be open at 6am and would be serving breakfast and bloody mary's.    cathryn about: Colon Tell him I said Congratulations also!   cathryn about: white people We're not the only ones who liked this...  Mega Press cathryn about: 401 K or Yankee Game Congratulations to the Bolenders! So happy for you!!   cathryn about: Ben Exciting!! So glad to hear you'll all be home together now! I can't wait to hear how it goes with Kaelynn!    cathryn about: ummm.... I didn't know they could do this.  Please change my... cathryn about: New Skybus flights through Sept 2 Damn you Skybus, that sucks!   Cathryn about: New Skybus flights through Sept 2 Let's hope the rest of you show up in CBus for competition Aug 1-3, because the English family is booked!   Cathryn about: peepers I find this quite disturbing.  Skirts make you fair game Cathryn about: mean internet people Wes, have we shown you this before? Andy and I couldn't stop laughing when we saw it (I think someone on TV was wearing it) because we could picture you saying it.  Wes' theme shirt Cathryn about: I so hate politics. On any level. I want all elections to be over. School boards, town councils, president of the USA...I don't want to hear any more about any of them.    Cathryn about: weekend storm We've had our fair share this year, but we got NO snow this weekend. We don't even have any on the ground...all grass!    Cathryn about: Baby Boy Lloyd Does Baby Lloyd have a name yet?   Cathryn about: Baby Boy Lloyd He's super cute! I love that Kaelynn looks afraid to touch him...hilarious!    Cathryn about: Bathroom Renovation mishap Damn Brad & Alecia! I'm glad no one was hurt, but that sucks!!   Cathryn about: OMG, Wes, the "awesomehead" at the end got me and sent me into a coughing fit. Thanks a lot. I am so calling all future Voit children Hercules!   Cathryn about: Baby Boy Lloyd (5 weeks early) Thanks for the update, Josh, and congratulations again! I'm glad to hear that everything turned out so well after a crazy night. I hope you get to bring a healthy little boy home with all of you very soon! Can't wait to hear his name :)   Cathryn about: Baby Lloyd Congrats to the Lloyd's! Glad everyone is doing well! We're only supposed to get rain...so keep your snow in OH, Brad. I'm so done with winter.   Cathryn about: doppelganger Sweeney - I had no idea you were married to the scary movie chick! How did you keep this from us? Awesome payout you're getting, though...  Sweeney!? Cathryn about: Wes, if you like region-specific cuisine, you should really try the lobster rolls at Colby's next time you are here. My brother-in-law has a computer consulting company and he said any of his co-workers who got the i-phone traded it back in for their blackberry after a short time. I guess it's cool for all the fun stuff, but not so good for real business needs.    Cathryn about: today I have a question about that rebate...the news was on in the next room and I thought I overheard it say that the check actually comes out of next year's tax refund, so expect a much smaller tax refund next year. I have not even read the smallest amount of information on any of this rebate stuff, so those who know should fill me in on how this works so I don't have to look it up.    Cathryn about: wedding dates I didn't care about flowers, napkins, table cloths, chair covers, etc, etc. either. I don't think GIRLS necessarily SHOULD have an opinion on these things either. Not every girl is anal and stupid about their wedding.   Cathryn about: wedding dates I resent that statement, Josh! I thought wedding planning was a big pain in the ass and I couldn't have cared less about most of the stuff. There was no wrath...it was all a big chore. And as much as Andy pretended he didn't care how things looked; when it came down to it, he had an opinion on all of it, as he should.   Cathryn about: Competition We would come to competition if we can get the $35 one-way tickets or under. Anything over that and our family will complain that we don't spend that to see them (family in FL and CBus, both at skybus destinations). We will understand if the June 6/7/8 works for everyone else, though.    Cathryn about: Competition We are sad too! But as much as we love you guys, if we're going to spend real money on a plane ticket it won't be to come to OH :)    Cathryn about: Competition I kknow and in order to get the $55 flight back, we have to leave at 6:10am on Monday morning...Sunday night is up to $80. Definitely sucks. Next time we'll have to plan the dates well in advance so as soon as the tix open up, we can book.   Cathryn about: birthday Happy 20-10 Lany!! I have been writing 2/6 on everything all day...so in my head, you still have one more day! As for competition, Wes, I'm not sure. It's not that we can't come, but I can certainly think of a lot more things to spend $255 on than flying to OH for the hundredth time. $75 or even $150 seems more reasonable to spend to get to a weekend of drinking. $250 is pushing for me   Cathryn about: competition The flights aren't actually all that cheap anymore...we should have booked yesterday. Damn.   Cathryn about: Visit us! Another one of our favorite top 10 lists (except this is 12) says Portsmouth rocks! You should all come check it out(preferably when it's not raining this time)  We love Portsmouth Cathryn about: Competition Back to competition for a minute...if we've really decided on June 6/7/8, then Andy and I can book tickets before they go up in cost again. Not trying to stir things up, because we can make it work if that is what works for everyone, but is there a reason we are pushing to do it at the beginning of the summer instead of later? Seems like we're all busy 3 or 4 weekends in a row around that time. Is later in the summer/early fall busier for everyone?    Cathryn about: Engaged Congrats from me as well, Berg (and Robyn)!!    Cathryn about: Competition Are we set on June 6/7/8?   Cathryn about: Competition Weekend The first weekend in June would work for us...I'm not psyched about memorial day weekend because i hate having to travel every time we have a 3-day weekend, but i suppose it could work. Tix won't be as cheap for us since they've been on sale longer for May   Cathryn about: hah hah! I told all the pouty faces in my office that I won't feel any sympathy for them until that happens another 3 times in a row. If anyone is interested in photos of the English/Voit vacation, here's a link. Chichen Itza was neat.   Mexico 2008 Cathryn about: sorry bub...i didn't refresh before i posted. hope you're feeling better!!   Cathryn about: Jiffy Pop Berg - Andy and i were desperat for popcorn last night and found your Jiffy Pop while searching our shelves. We made it on the stove and it took forever...but it was delicious.    Cathryn about: Dickey, you're not alone!  Send out the clowns Cathryn about: movies and Skybus I read Atonement a while back and it was a great book...hopefully, the movie can measure up. It's not a titanic story. As for Skybus, if you catch the $10 tix, it is $36/per roundtrip ticket once taxes are added in. It's awesome!    Cathryn about: vacation That would be a blast, but I think we're probably out. Mexico at the end of this month and we are supposed to go to Hilton Head sometime between May-August with the fam.   Cathryn about: Big props to all of you playing soccer!! Andy's team is co-ed and I was supposed to play also, but was saved by my sinus surgery (I wasn't allowed to exercise for 6 weeks). After I saw how exhausted he was after the games, I decided it wouldn't actually be fun for me. Running and I are no longer friends.   Cathryn about: Ahhh!!! Happy 30th Wes! Maybe we should celebrate with a trip to Mexico!?    Cathryn about: primary Dear campaigners, I am so very glad that voting day is here so you can finally stop harassing me on every corner, overpass, coffee shop, and especially on the phone. For future reference, I would like to point out to you that when you call to ask me if (insert candidate here) can count on my support/vote on Tuesday, Jan 8, you have dialed a 207 area code to reach me, very obviously meaning that I live in Maine and am excluded from voting in the NH primary. I hope this helps you spend your time more wisely stalking people who are actually involved.   Cathryn about: Skybus Holy crap, Josh, i hope that happens! After they added FL and NC, we kept joking that we hoped they would add Rochester then be able to fly within an hour of ALL of our family members for $10. Sweet!   Cathryn about: I call BS on that, Donna! It's like people saying it is good fortune if it rains on your wedding day. My firm has been asked to do another project with our douchebag client and I already told them I'd quit if I had to work on it.   Cathryn about: iPod Anyone know what to do if you pay for a movie to dowload to your iPod, and then the download gets corrupted? My co-worker tried to download a movie for his kids. It didn't work and he doesn't want to have to pay for it a second time to try again.   Cathryn about: Venerdi Can courts really do that?  Big Brother says "Gregorio" Cathryn about: made me laugh   Proud Pats Cathryn about: Our 5 yr-old niece, Sarah, would vote for no limits on drinking. She LOVES beer and always requests it when you ask her what she wants to drink with dinner. It was a little uncomfortable when her kindergarten teacher asked what was her favorite thing to do at home and she replied "Drink beer and play poker with my Dad"    Cathryn about: computer My siblings and I loved ours!! I can't wait to play the games on the link.  Commodore 64 Cathryn about: For the guys Ok, guys, we will now expect to be able to rely on any of you for these situations.  Required Manly Skills Cathryn about: big $ refunds?? I got that packet in the mail the other day also, Berg. Thanks everyone for investigating so I can now fill it out without having to read into it much for myself. :)    Cathryn about: poor pittsburgh...never invited... Ha! Unfortunately, architects' salaries are not as inflated as the home prices and we do not fall into the mid-range category. We will not be affording a mansion on the parkway in either Cleveland or Buffalo.    Cathryn about: poor pittsburgh...never invited... There was an article here the other day about how the only market that has been affected here is the mid-range homes which is between $450,000-$750,000. Market for starter homes and luxury homes has not slowed down.    Cathryn about: Slavic Village Way to go Cleveland for having the nation's "Ground Zero of foreclosures" as they are calling it. For those of you in grad school with me, we studied this area (half of us did a project here) and it was really bad before this...kind of sad.  Foreclosure ground zero Cathryn about: Word game This is addicting  Time suck for Hunger Cathryn about: Bub's party Come on everyone, we want to see pictures!   Cathryn about: Andrew Lee English . . . Both of Andy's parents grew up in Michigan and all of his extended family on both sides still lives there. His Dad was transferred to Columbus for his job and his allegiance stayed with Michigan, so Andy grew up with that. He did not do it to be Mr. Opposite.    Cathryn about: Ew Is there anything grosser then the office kitchen sponge? It boggles my mind that people think their mug (or whatever) is clean after using that thing. Ick.   Cathryn about: Also, our kids will be Bills fans, so this pretty much ensures that no matter where we live, they won't ever be considered bandwagon fans :)   Cathryn about: Ha, I should have refreshed sooner...   Cathryn about: Andrew Lee English... In my hubby's defense, it just so happens we moved to an area where the sports teams are doing superbly...but this area is ridiculously big into their sports even when they are not doing well (that whole 86 years thing) and if you don't have a preference for a certain team, it's hard not to get sucked in to cheering for these New England teams. I doubt you'd look down on it as much if the teams really sucked, but they don't right now. Are you saying that if someone moves to Cleveland and hasn't been a Browns fan since they were born, they shouldn't ever be a fan?    Cathryn about: archiflash cards Awesome Brad! We will be in C-Bus over veteran's Day weekend...maybe we can meet up with you to get them then. I'll e-mail you.   Cathryn about: archiflash cards My firm will pay for my exams, so I'll spring for the cards on my own. The $100 for the archiflash cards is not worth it to me to have to share them as an "office set" as there are about 10 of us here trying to take the exams right now. And Andy will use them also. We have to finish the "old" exams by July 2009, that's correct Berg.    Cathryn about: archiflash cards Any one of you fancy "registered architects" have archiflash cards you want to sell to me? I was going to order them online and realized some of you might have some you want to get rid of now.   Cathryn about: DEMO We're pretty limited on what we can do because of setbacks, etc. We had to go to the zoning board of appeals to get approval just to tear down and rebuild same footprint. So we will be rebuilding a new 16'x16' room...but will be a real room and not a porch. We are also rebuilding the deck, but will be expanding it to have steps to tie in to our walk-out basement. The wedge shaped piece between the room and garage will be a new mudroom.    Cathryn about: DEMO If you'd like to see what the Englishes were up to the last 4 days, I am putting a link to our photos (you should NOT need to sign in to view them). Our 3-season porch is no longer...excavator may begin tomorrow on new retaining wall and foundation.  Porch demo Cathryn about: I'm baffled... Can someone explain this to me?  Huh? Cathryn about: bizarre Dickey, are you in any way related to this guy?  "Gentle Little People" Cathryn about: Oops , that was me And I apparently can't spell keep...   Cathryn about: Clever Dutchmen This is neato  Floating Houses Cathryn about: Mac I just want to say that even though I know nothing about them, Macs are awesome! Windows went corrupt on me last week (would not even boot up) and the computer guy was unable to recover anything...until we plugged the hard drive into a Mac and it could read it. That will teach me to leave important things on the hard drive of my work computer without backing it up. I'm a moron.    Cathryn about: week 1 roundup The madness of the fans at the Fiorentina games would have been entertaining for you, Wes, without watching the game at all. They are CRAZY!   Cathryn about: I hope he got the note... 2:42 p.m. ‹ Officers were asked to check on a city man who reportedly sent a letter to his parents in Florida saying he wanted to "go into a homicidal rage, he wanted to cut off people's heads, jihad style." Officers got no answer at the door and left a note.   Cathryn about: Mill Street Does broad street bagels have a choose your own salad where they have all of the salad fixings and you choose what you want and the kind of dressing and then they put it in a giant bowl and mix it all up for you? That was my favorite.   Cathryn about: Mill Street Yes, I think it must have been a local chain. There were a couple of them...High St, Grandview, Broad St downtown. Called Mill Street Bagels or Mill Street Deli...something like that.    Cathryn about: Mill Street Hey C-Bus peeps, didn all of the Mill Street places go out of business?? That was my favorite salad place ever!   Cathryn about: speaking of jerseys Wes, since you're the one that made me aware of it in the first place...I would like to voice my complaint that there is not a Moorman women's jersey. I have to order a youth size.   Cathryn about: soccer The announcers last night were talking about how they don't think Beckham will increase interest in the sport because Americans really only care about sports that they dominate or "invented".    Cathryn about: Beckham makes his debut (well, according to the announcers) Wes, I can't wait for all of your kids to play soccer and for you to have to go watch all of their games. It's the cool thing to do for 3 & 4 year olds these days!    Cathryn about: Becky@gccarch.com   Cathryn about: ARE I'm not sure which other states have done this yet, but MA has voted to make the entire ARE available to anyone who has an accredited degree and is enrolled in IDP. YOu still have to finish IDP before you are considered registered, but you can take any and all sections of the test immediately. Figures they change this right after I get word that I've completed IDP. Might be worth checking into if anyone is still waiting on some hours, but wants to get started on the exams now. Most states don't have a residency requirement, so you could get registered in a random state and then get reciprocity. I'm still trying to decide which state I want since I work in a different state than where I live.    Cathryn about: Sea Dog That is exciting, Alecia! I was similarly excited to go into a restaurant last night and find Yuengling on the menu...only to have them come back after we ordered and tell me they were out of it :(   Cathryn about: Tour de F**k Up Brad, the question of why he was even allowed to start the race was a big one. I guess there had been protestors through the entire race thus far because he was allowed to race at all.   Cathryn about: Tour de F**k Up From what i read yesterday, they are required to report in where they are in the weeks before the race and he said he was in Mexico, but there is conflicting proof that he was actually in Italy. I don't knwo why it matters where he was, but that's what i read.   Cathryn about: Harry Potter You having a slow day, hubby? Is that all you can come up with to try to create conversation? Neither of us have ever read a single word of Harry Potter, and don't plan to, so it's funny you would bring it up.    Cathryn about: screw you boss I think shit went down with one of my co-workers yesterday and on his way out the door for the final time last night, he went into the drawing he'd been working on, which at the conceptual stage has EVERYTHING in it and is only used by that person and my boss, and changed everything to be on one layer. Ouch. Yes, back-up files exist, but still...he probably won't be asking for a letter of recommendation! There were a lot of f bombs this morning from my boss.   Cathryn about: Take and make One of my co-workers just said "take and make" twice in one sentence and it made me laugh...what was that guy's name?   Cathryn about: weird question Do you know who owns the house? Can you contact the landlord and find out if the people have moved out/been evicted?   Cathryn about: Chuck Durbin name-dropping Hilarious.   Cathryn about: clarification For those of you who were not with us in Maine, we had an attorney with us who clarified that there is actually no difference between a lawyer and an attorney and you are not a lawyer or an attorney until you have passed the bar exam.   Cathryn about: 30 That's Mel, Sweeney. Nice job on 2nd place!   Cathryn about: 30 Sweeney, hope you had an awesome birthday! We're sorry that we missed it!   Cathryn about: Poverty I'm not sure what i think of this...  Poor incentives Cathryn about: Mr. wizard I loved Mr. Wizard!   Cathryn about: ladder golf We played that up in Maine last year, although i didn't know it was called ladder golf. The one we played was homemade from PVC if I remember correctly.   Cathryn about: akron I can't remember who is where these days, but if anyone lives in Akron/Cuyahoga Falls/stow area and would have room for Andy and I to crash on Thursday/Friday night this week, can you e-mail one of us? We're about to book a hotel...    Cathryn about: this weekend Jake did go to the hospital. Andy got a text from him...he was all doped up on Vicodin, but he was glad to find out he didn't tear his ACL.    Cathryn about: Brunt The reception is definitely not dry...the park has restrictions on what kind of alcohol is permitted, but it's not off limits.    Cathryn about: Thews Hey Thews, check your e-mail when you have a chance...   Cathryn about: nekkid Sweeney...I hear the cops are on the lookout for a naked man on the loose in Akron. Don't worry, we won't turn over our camera as evidence.   Cathryn about: darts I don't remember this darts story at all, but we'll have to check the darts rules book on that darts etiquette.If I have learned correctly as a darts groupie, Excessive pointing is a no, but pointing as strategy is just part of the game. Andy's darts team is in first place in their division. Playoffs this week. They hope they lose because they already got moved up to A division and don't want to get moved up to Super A division if they win. He also needs it to end soon, because it's going to conflict with Ultimate frisbee league soon.    Cathryn about: ncarb I thought it was July 2008, Aaron?   Cathryn about: It's totally an opinion thing to me and nothing that a list could summarize in a neat total package...I am willing to pay a higher cost of living to live where I live than to still be in Rochester, NY. And, for example, in my life right now, the quality of education where I live makes no difference in my life, so I could care less. Definitely a personal values thing for me...Pittsburgh could never be a most livable city for me, because I am a born and raised NY snob and nowhere in PA will ever be "livable" to me :)   Cathryn about: Living in Pittsburgh Isn Any study where Rochester, NY ends up in the top 10 is a complete joke.    Cathryn about: skybus Hey Columbus! New airline between columbus and Portsmouth based on Ryan Air...$10 flights!!! Sweet!!!  Skybus Cathryn about: Official Congratulations Thews!    Cathryn about: Cheesy MTV reality show...we got sucked in. It's one of the Jackass guys and the show was actually very amusing!    Cathryn about: Brody Brody is super cute! How big will he get?   Cathryn about: That should have said "here", I'm an idiot.   Cathryn about: streaming Wes, I have no idea about any of this streaming stuff and if it's illegal then they must switch to something else...but this is the local radio station hear that airs the games and they have their station streamed online...do you think they change what they are streaming during games if they aren't allowed to stream them?   Red Sox on the radio Cathryn about: winter We have an abundance of snow and a shortage of power in snowy Maine this morning! Sucks!   Cathryn about: bunny dander I think there must be a lot of easter bunny dander in the air here because it can't possibly be snowing!   Cathryn about: Maine OK, unless there are really strong objections, I'm going to reserve the 4th of July week for Maine...we can see what's left available if the 4th ends up not working out for the majority   Cathryn about: This is a really dog-friendly area so we can probably find a hotel that will allow the dogs to stay too (they're actually allowed in a few banks, bookstores, coffee shops, etc. around here)...or they can stay at Mike and Ellie's while we go to game or something and then we can go back to our house to spend the night.    Cathryn about: Yup, family house...which means family has to share time there and we divide up who gets which weeks    Cathryn about: Maine Biggie, our Maine house on the shore is available the first 3 weeks of July so we were trying to find out which week everyone would like to come up to our neck of the woods. So far, it seems like the 4th of July is the majority favorite, though everyone seems flexible. We looked into it a little more and found that the Red Sox are home the weekend before that week, so we'd likely plan to have everyone meet in boston the first weekend (29th-ish)and then head straight up to the shore, then back down to Portsmouth at the end of the week.   Cathryn about: I think it would be better for the Boston weekend to be at the end of the week instead of the beginning...so that everyone ends up closer to home at the end of the week...   Cathryn about: Maine Definitely dog-friendly, fire-friendly and alcohol-friendly...we have a fire rock where we make a fire every night and drink while the waves lap at our feet. The house is in South Addison, ME, north of Bar Harbor.    Cathryn about: We'd have the big farmhouse, which I think has 5 bedrooms, some with multiple beds. There's also plenty of floor space, a gigantic mostly empty barn and lots of room for tents. I wish I remembered to bring pictures in. The property is 100 acres directly on the shore, so there's plenty of room to spread out.    Cathryn about: Maine The house schedule goes from Sunday to Sunday, so we would get the house from that timeframe whichever week we choose   Cathryn about: Kegs on the Rocks Alright everyone, we have to decide this quickly...the first 3 weeks of July are available for our Summer Throwdown Maine-style! If we do it over 4th of July, it's one less vacation day everyone has to take, but Andy and I don't have a preference. If we could come to a consensus by the end of the day, that would be cool because we need to get the dates back to the "master scheduler" so that they can open up the other weeks to non-family members.   cathryn about: I guess you can actually swap dvds, cds and other stuff too   cathryn about: bookworms For anyone out there that likes to read and has books they want to get rid of, this is a website for trading books. You put in a list of the books you want to get rid of and then if someone wants it, you mail it to them. For every book you send to someone, you get a credit to get a book mailed to you for free. All books are mailed at media rates, so the shipping isn't too bad. I thought it seemed cool.  Online library of sorts cathryn about: harvard Firms around here try NOT to hire harvard architecture grads because they suck. i think their landscape program is really good, but not architecture. They usually have the harvard arrogance with nothing to back it up to make them useful to a firm.   Cathryn about: ewww Talk about delinquent behavior  Disturbing Cathryn about: random Aaron, can you please give me Lindsay's last name and her address??   Cathryn about: donation Berg, can you send me a link to your donation page? It's buried in my inbox somewhere and I can't find it.   Cathryn about: Stah-bucks If anyone likes Starbucks coffee and has one close by, free coffee today from 10-12  Free coffee Cathryn about: Thanks Wes, that made my morning! I'm going to giggle about that all day.    Cathryn about: pulse Do I need to adjust something on my computer to make the pulsing work right on the BDC home page? Is it supposed to be like this? Messages seems to pulse on it's own schedule and doesn't like to tell me there are new messages. Rants pulses all the time.    Cathryn about: Duncan is fine, he just needs one of his vaccinations. Congrats to Donna and Nolde and an early congrats to Thews! I'm jealous of all of you and think that might be enough motivation to start taking mine...ugh.   Cathryn about: Great Lakes I miss Wegmans   Cathryn about: weather The people are used to snow here, but what I find funny is that everyone thinks New England is like the arctic, when really we have had less snow than everyone else.    Cathryn about: crazy I think Anna Nicole Smith just died...   Cathryn about: diehard This is one serious fan!  That's P-e-y-t-o-n Cathryn about: Ridiculous I am ashamed this is making headline news. Don't we have more important things to worry about?  Get over yourself, America Cathryn about: snow We got our first snow that stayed this weekend and it was 3-4". I'd rather have a little more snow and a little less cold.    Cathryn about: Benefits Damn Dickey, you need a new job!   Cathryn about: Benefits Architecture/planning only firm, 30+ employees in 2 offices (MA and IA). 14 paid holidays, 15 days PTO (20 after 4 years), No reimbursement for ARE fees, though at my last review, I was told I could propose something. Not sure about raises or bonus upon passing the ARE, I assume there is something. Company paid AIA fees. 100% covered for individual insurance, I think you have to pay around $150-200 a month for family insurance plan. $1000 deductible for individual/ $2500 family, but 100% coverage for everything after that, $10 co-pays. No dental, but if you get the company’s insurance, the company contributes to your flexible spending account, which covers enough for dental visits (they contribute a higher amount if you are on the family insurance plan). Vision is included with medical. No short term disability (but available through AFLAC), long term disability after 90 days. ). After 3 years, there is profit sharing, life insurance, and pension plan. 6 week unpaid maternity leave (though there have been a lot of babies recently and this was negotiable – one co-workers stayed out 3 months. With so many babies lately, they have been really flexible on scheduling also. One new father is working 4 day weeks and one new mother is back part-time (Mon, Wed, Thurs). Not usual to work from home, but people do it occasionally. They make sure all project managers have laptops, so it can be done if needed.    Cathryn about: Funny “Frozen pipes closed one downtown Chicago Starbucks for several hours Monday, and employee Jerry Berry, 24, said some customers stood in disbelief for several moments before moving on to the next shop a few blocks away.”   Cathryn about: I can't get the ftp site to work and I don't have time to play with it right now. I'll try to put it up sometime next week, Berg!   Cathryn about: music My tastes differ from what most of you like, but I have the new Norah Jones CD if anyone is interested...   Cathryn about: The Voits I think Wes and Leanne are off skiing today...they went to join Aaron and Bader on their company ski trip. You'll have to send Wes a text if you want to taunt him about Bullmoose, Andy.    Cathryn about: St. P My car has almost 65,000 miles and it is not even 2 1/2 years old. We drive a lot. Another reason why you guys should all come to Maine this summer...then, for once, we can stay put :) And we will not make it for St. P in Cleveland :(   Cathryn about: depressing I just got the year end review of my company pension plan and it taunts me right at the top with "your Normal Retirement date of 11/12/2043" UGH!   Cathryn about: Alicia Glad to hear everything turned out well! Hope the recovery goes smoothly and quickly! We'll be thinking of you!   Cathryn about: vacation feeler... We're out. We're supposed to go to California sometime this year, so that would be our beach vacation. We'd also like to have anyone who wants to make the trek up to my family's vacation house in Maine. We've talked about it with a bunch of you already, but it is 2 houses directly on the ocean with 100s of acres of land just north of Bar Harbor. It does have a private beach, though the ocean is cold :) Keep this in mind for vacation time if anyone is interested. We thought it could be a New England Summer Throwdown. I won't have the family schedule for the houses untl March, though, so I can't give an exact time yet.    Cathryn about: name I've met lots of Kathryn and Catherine and even some Katherine, but never another Cathryn. The other spellings just seem like a different name to me, but it's weird to have another Cathryn. Good thing she's cool and we could comiserate on how we were deprived of personalized pencils and other such items growing up. I imagine Cristen could probably comiserate with us as well.    Cathryn about: fuckers I also have to say it's very strange to see my name written and spelled correctly and have it refer to someone else.   Cathryn about: fuckers Biggie, I am so glad you're ok! That totally sucks about your truck, but at least you and the doggie are ok!!    Cathryn about: p.s. And good luck to Cooper Mountain, becoming an "it" today :)We hope you don't walk into too many walls with your cone...   Cathryn about: GO BUCKS That was quite the domination, Berg! Happy birthday Derek! And a one day late Happy birthday to Wes!   Cathryn about: ARE NCARB says mid-Feb for ME and July 2008 before any others to turn mutliple choice...   Cathryn about: ARE Abby, why the sudden rush? Anxious to get them over? Preganant? (Just kidding!) Your next few months don't sound like fun at all, but I'll be jealous when you're finished! :)    Cathryn about: NFL Contest Kind of cool...A guy from Portsmouth is one of 12 finalists for the NFL's superbowl commercial contest. AND he's a Bills fan! :)  Football Ad Cathryn about: Andy Happy 30th Hubby!!   Cathryn about: Kent here's the link if anyone else wants to see it...flip to the 3rd page  Berg, the star Cathryn about: Kent Greenberg! What the hell are you doing in my kent state e-mail ??? How funny!!!   Cathryn about: Light a match Wow!  Serious gas Cathryn about: The Compy I would also like to thank Bub for the red frosting boogers I blew out of my nose all day yesterday. So classy of you to shove my face in a cake...I expect nothing less from a fine Pennsylvania gentleman! :)   Cathryn about: The Compy Nice Wes...It was a great weekend and thanks to Abby and Bub for their hospitality! Your house looks great! Andy and I will keep trying to get everyone psyched to come for a Competition New England on the rocky Maine shore next year!!    Cathryn about: i I'm jealous too, Biggie! That's awesome! Andy's car is paid off, but 9 more months for mine...can't wait!!   Cathryn about: LEED Andy? I know Andy had some forums that he went to that were really helpful, but the new version just started this week, I think, so there's probably not much about it out there in forums yet.   Cathryn about: game...bring it No problem at all...just wanted to know so that between the 2 of us, we could remember to bring it.   Cathryn about: game...bring it Bub, was your "that would be great" for Andy to bring his dart board?    Cathryn about: sleeping arrangements For this weekend, if possible, the English family would like to have a sleeping location with a door so that our doggie will not wander around and bother the entire house. This is probably in everyone's best interest unless you like to wake up multiple times a night to a doggie climbing over top of you, burrowing under the covers to your feet, or giving you wet doggie kisses on your face.    Cathryn about: competition That sounds cool to us, Abby. I'll speak for my rival hubby and I. I am totally cool with an extra $5 for you to do the work of getting food :)    Cathryn about: comp weekend Sweeney-are you out there? Are you ditching comp. weekend?   Cathryn about: pitty party I am so jealous...this is the longest afternoon. I don't want to be at work anymore.   Cathryn about: site update The login would be cool with me...we've been hindered from posting on our recent travels, so it would be cool to post from anywhere.   Cathryn about: Pittsburgh Wasn't it Dana?   Cathryn about: Pittsburgh Joy is awesome! You should have her join us for Comp. weekend!   Cathryn about: Snowy fun Holy crap! That's unbelievable!!   Cathryn about: VACATIONS We can carry over up to 40 hours of PTO into the next year, but I never have any left! We start the year Jan 1st with 1 week of PTO and have to accumulate the other 2 weeks.   Cathryn about: I live in NE It's 68 at my office right now! I just checked the weather forecast and it's supposed to be 55 through the weekend. The weathermen are always wrong, though...you guys keep your damn snow, we don't want it!   Cathryn about: crash Guess they don't know if it was a plane or helicopter...  crash Cathryn about: plane Did you guys see another plane crashed into a building in NYC today?   Cathryn about: advice Bub, what's your e-mail? For some reason, I don't have it anymore...   Cathryn about: advice Bub-I just sent an e-mail to my brother with your question. Stephen redid the electrical in our entire house and knows electrical stuff really well, so he should be able to have a good answer for you...   Cathryn about: neat site   ArtinRuins Cathryn about: Daily Show This made me laugh after the multiple discussions on BDC "Stewart scoffed at suggestions that some people actually get their news from "The Daily Show." "There's no way you could get the news from us," he said. "I've seen the show. It couldn't happen."   Stewart/Colbert '08 Cathryn about: The Benefits of Pot Everyone should smoke pot, because no Alzheimer's wings would make my job a lot easier!  Pot helps Cathryn about: Fall They are expecting 560,000 "leaf peepers" in NH for Columbus Day weekend...that number of visitors is equal to about half the population of the state. I'm glad we won't be around!   Cathryn about: Bing What a superstar you are, coming from Ann Arbor to give a lecture at the CUDC! :)   Cathryn about: T.O.   has bigger issues... Cathryn about: wow Ummm....  craziness Cathryn about: Cake time here...safe travels to everyone, looking forward to seeing most of you this weekend!   Cathryn about: Cooper Abby and Bub - Did you install a camera in your kitchen so we can watch Cooper at home today?   Cathryn about: so gay I am ready for all of the doggies to wake up now...why do some of them get to skip naptime?   Cathryn about: survivor Yeah, they lost a bunch of their advertising sponsorship because no one wants to be involved with that.   Cathryn about: this weekend We don't fly into OH until Saturday morning...   Cathryn about: Abby, I hate you :)   Cathryn about: bitching Duncan holds his own with my brother's pit bull, so I'm sure that he would play with Tela.    Cathryn about: \\\"dig frantically at your pillow\\\" event I don't like my doggie not being on my team :( Although, he's a Mama's boy so he might throw it for me :) Duncan would totally win the dig a hole contest...he regularly digs big holes in our yard so that he can sit in them.   Cathryn about: crock hunter I'm sad about the croc hunter :( I like that the last event could be anyone's game, instead of knowing who is stronger.    Cathryn about: bitching We never have to answer phones. We have a secretary, office manager and bookeeper that all answer phones, and the 3 of them stagger their lunches so that someone is always here to answer.    Cathryn about: competetion We could also bring our real board if it was needed.    Cathryn about: Beer Friday I love blueberry beer and the Raspberry UFO kind...I bet I might like the apricot beer!   Cathryn about: Why my office is cooler than yours I'm SO jealous Abby!! I think all offices should let workers take naps!   Cathryn about: weekend of competition Wow! I think I need to start some serious training...I usually don't get to particpate much in Comp. weekend since there's so many people, but it looks like I'm going to have to step it up!   Cathryn about: Mrs. Mountain Happy Birthday Abby-gail!!   Cathryn about: weekend of competition There really isn't another good weekend for Andy and I unless we wait until next year when work is a little less crazy and we have more vacation time. Since that is a long weekend, it works for us. It does suck that Thews and Cristen can't make it, though, The only other thing I can think of is to save the real "belt" competition weekend for when everyone can come and make this one an individual competition weekend where the teams change like we did once in Buffalo...or perhaps, Bub, since it will be our birthday weekend, we could do a birthday competition and have Team Bub vs. Team Cathryn and draft teams or something. That way Thewsy wouldn't miss helping out Team Ohio.    Cathryn about: weekend of competition Is the official date Nov. 10-12? Just trying to figure out my work schedule for the next couple months...will need to plan around it.   Cathryn about: weekend of competition I always thought it was based on where you were from, not where you lived. Either way, I'm glad to not have any ties to OH or PA because NY is far superior :)   Cathryn about: dog What is wrong with people?  Teaching an old dog new tricks Cathryn about: Halleluiah Note the reason given by the church member for why the roof collapsed. Somehow I don't think that's the case.   roof collapse Cathryn about: beck maybe that's your hint that you shouldn't take work seriously. he basically just told you to take a vacation to visit me :)    Cathryn about: No more Pluto??? I learned it as "My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets" Turns out my mother is no longer so educated   Cathryn about: Polar Bears Pollutants are not funny, but shrinking genitals are!  Shrinkage Cathryn about: a little early... If anyone will be going from Akron area to the Thews wedding sometime after 12 on that Saturday and will have room for Andy and I, we would be very grateful if we could hitch a ride. Our flight gets into Akron/Canton at 11:50am.    Cathryn about: C-Bus Biggie- I think we will be in C-Bus for a couple days at the beginning of next week...we should meet up for a drink or 2.   Cathryn about: competition Hmmm, Andy and I will have to discuss. That weekend was nice because it was a Friday that we had off, so we could be there for the start of the festivities. The 12-hr. drive is quite prohibitive on a regular weekend, as is $500 on plane tickets! We'll have to figure something out. And we'll have to go to the beach AND hiking in the mountains this weekend to justify why we live so far away from everyone again :)   Cathryn about: competition It will be very weird to not have Thewsy's enthusiasm at Competition weekend!   Cathryn about: garbage No garbage pick-up does suck, but the one nice thing is that we can bring truckloads of the construction material junk there and not have to pay for a dumpster!   Cathryn about: amusing I love VH-1 best week ever...  Mac ad spoofs Cathryn about: bitch-be-gone I wish we had garbage pick-up service. We have to take everything to the Kittery transfer station...I'm sure we could pay for private garbage pick-up, but we're too cheap.    Cathryn about: album art Wes, someone else misses the album art as much as you do in the new age of MP3s. Though I think this is still a prototype...  I-Deck Cathryn about: GAMES Sweeney, I think since you are not from Ohio or NY, you would get to choose your team...I think that's how it was done in the past. You get to be recruited.   Cathryn about: Drivers license Just got this passed along from a co-worker...worth checking! Here's the e-mail: This is upsetting but I thought I should pass it along. Check your drivers license. Now you can see anyone's Driver's License on the Internet, including your own! I just searched for mine and there it was.. picture, address and all!! Thanks Homeland Security! Where are our rights? I definitely removed mine. I suggest you do the same. . Go to the web site and check it out. Just enter your name, city and state to see if yours is on file. After your license comes on the screen, click the box marked "Please Remove". This will remove it from public viewing, but not from law enforcement.  Find your license online Cathryn about: Circular file always reminds me of Ross's structures class. We just had cake in the courtyard...it's 95 degrees outside and the frosting was melting. Crazy weather can't find middle ground this year, it's either raining or ridiculously hot.   Cathryn about: That was definitely the coolest lobster ever! And eeewwww to the mutant kitten.   Cathryn about: a non-political rant damn, babe, you need a beer :)   Cathryn about: competition Do people get Veteran's Day off? It falls on a Saturday which would mean I get that Friday off. If we are still aiming for November, it would be nice to have a 3-day weekend for us Maine-iacs travel time. AND Bub and I could celebrate our birthday together :)   Cathryn about: PETA Look at these crazy PETA protesters in Portsmouth the other day...how did they breathe?  human meat packages Cathryn about: weather There are actually tornado warnings in effect right now as well.   Cathryn about: weather Crazy New England weather...we had hail a little while ago. A town near us had 4 inches of golf ball sized hail...the car dealerships have a total loss. Every car on their lots is damaged with dents, cracked windshields, etc. How does it hail when it's 72 degrees on the ground?   Cathryn about: music I know this might sound gay, but I have the Curious George Soundtrack that I can upload for any Jack Johnson fans out there. Let me know if you're interested...    Cathryn about: stupidest idea ever There's a lot of people who have trouble with math and money also...maybe we should go back to the barter system while we're at it.   Cathryn about: stupidest idea ever This would create absolute chaos! Our nation would be using teenagers IM messages as a real language.  re-dik-u-lus Cathryn about: Seriously? i like the web address for that escape thing...I totally read it as invention suck   Cathryn about: photo booth Aaron, there were 5 of us in there in those pics...and 6 for one of them when Derek tried to pile in on top of the rest of us. It was a crowded mess.   Cathryn about: Photos Here are our photos from the Voit reception...Derek, Andy told me that you had the camera at the end of the night - Great drunk pics! :)  Voit Reception Cathryn about: pics Yes, Leanne, we have a bunch. I have yet to upload them, but I'll do that this long weekend!   Cathryn about: Sweendog Happy Birthday Sweeney!    Cathryn about: voitfest Can someone remind me what time the reception starts on Saturday??   Cathryn about: old news I don't know where everyone is...but since no one's posting anything else...remember me bitching a few months ago about our bastard landlord and how I wanted to sabotage his campaign for Congress? Looks like he's done it well enough on his own...  Liar, Liar, Pants on fire Cathryn about: Sox game It's a bummer that the game last night wasn't televised except around here, because everytime there was a left-handed batter, you could see Andy on TV!   Cathryn about: crazy Eeeewww! Why? I can't even fathom that there are multiple people who are into this...but an entire convention??    Cathryn about: beautiful day Am I the only one still stuck at work?   Cathryn about: movie nonsense Thanks    Cathryn about: movie nonsense how to cheat excel for the answers?? anyone?? anyone??   Cathryn about: Have the Mountains returned to reality yet?   Cathryn about: hamburg takes on Walmart The last line is awesome...Behind nearly every concrete-block building or neon-infested strip mall that goes up is a lazy politician who let it happen.   Cathryn about: weather Funny :) But no darts right now...they took the "summer season" off :) Apparently, multiple days of monsoons are not conducive to flowers staying upright. About half of them were hanging in there yesterday, but by this morning they were all on the ground.   Cathryn about: weather Our flowers have even had enough of the rain...they're all lying sideways on the ground in our yard :(    Cathryn about: weather I don't think it is ever going to stop raining here.    Cathryn about: fitting One of the "most e-mailed stories on the front webpage of the Boston Globe (well, actaully www.boston.com)is a columnist "lamenting the decline of good conversation"   Cathryn about: My new name That is very funny! I think you need to add yourself to your dictionary! I realized what a sorry state our country is in when I counted how many people asked me to spell "English"    Cathryn about: Detroit I don't think there's anyone more pissed about missing that weekend in August than Andy because we'll actually be right near Detroit for a wedding, which Andy is in, so we have rehearsal dinner Friday and wedding Saturday. Andy was mega depeche.   Cathryn about: voit kids I agree...this conversation was one of the funnier things that has been on here in a while. Nice job keeping me entertained on this LONG afternoon!   Cathryn about: name change Changing it with social security is the first thing you need to do...   Cathryn about: name change No computer program for me...   Cathryn about: MORE PICS Yes, Berg, you were doing it "slyly" so you weren't looking. Note that the knot that should be up near the shirt is actually hanging down closer to her knee...Andy just wasn't quick enough with the camera   Cathryn about: MORE PICS Berg- that pic of Allison was you untying her shirt!   Cathryn about: MORE PICS   Mountain Wedding Weekend Cathryn about: Fight Club For real?  Geek Fight Club Cathryn about: shots From the picture, the shot looks like a red headed slut or something like that...it's reddish-brown and appears to be almost the size of a cocktail, it was definitely not a single shot!    Cathryn about: shots Schmidty and Derek - I forgot that we did an enormous shot at the bar until I saw it on my camera...I really need to learn that shots at the end of the night are a bad idea!   Cathryn about: WOW! We made it back...LATE! Slept in this morning, so we're just getting to work. It was definitely an awesome wedding and weekend! We do have some great pics...will try to get them up tonight.   Cathryn about: bye We're hitting the road...can't wait to see most of you this weekend!   Cathryn about: Friday tHAT IS SO FUNNY! I can totally picture her doing that! :)   Cathryn about: Friday Bub-how is it that the soon-to-be-wifey got the day off, but you're stuck at work?   Cathryn about: Friday About half of my office just left to go golfing. I'm just waiting for Andy to call to tell me he's left. Doesn't it always figure that he gets a call about some problem right when his boss sends them all home early?   Cathryn about: O Canada Leanne- if you classify your Dad as obnoxious, whatever side it would come from, it's in a friendly, fun way...not the rude, ignorant obnoxious!   Cathryn about: Saturday night Sweeney-we'll be there by Saturday night and would love for you to come drinking with us!   Cathryn about: Thor the pony My co-worker's nephew is riding on the pony right now. Everyone's kids are coming at lunch. I think everyone should have office pony day.   Cathryn about: Thor the pony This is apparently Gillian's second birthday pony...she first had one for her 50th birthday. The pony is here now...it is grazing in our courtyard. SO random!!!!   Cathryn about: pony Keep in mind that Gillian is my boss, Chuck's WIFE!   Cathryn about: E-mail from our secretary this morning... Good Morning, Today is Gillian’s birthday. Chuck has rented a pony and it will be here from 10:00 – 1:30. He said it would be okay if you wanted have your kids stop by and go for a ride.    Cathryn about: luggage Yes, Bub...let them know your final destination when you check in. We were switching airlines on our way home from Hawaii and they just took down all of our flight info and checked our luggage straight through. It might work differently if you have to go through customs in Frankfurt, though.    Cathryn about: boredom I imagine it will be a very long week for Wes, Leanne, Abby and Bub especially! Welcome back to the Voits! Hope reality doesn't hit you too hard!   Cathryn about: losers We are all so boring! Is everyone super busy?   Cathryn about: leanne Yes, mine did take a few weeks. They said they actually had to clean it 5 times to get the bottom edge fully clean, so this could be why it takes so long.   Cathryn about: weather It's actually the first sunny day here in over a week! Not supposed to last, though...   Cathryn about: speaking of houses Thews, are you in the new house?   Cathryn about: English Dag Duncan actually loves to explore the cliff! Whenever he runs away, that's where he goes and we end up crawling under branches to try to catch him.    Cathryn about: rain I hope the only thing sliding down our cliff will be the many leaves and dead branches...   Cathryn about: rain That's funny...thanks Derek! :)   Cathryn about: rain The worst is that it is supposed to keep raining all week, so the rivers are just going to keep getting higher. Suddenly, I'm glad our back yard is a cliff! :)   Cathryn about: rain It is quite soggy here!!! When we got on the plane yesterday, they said it had been raining for 6 days in Boston and we were nervous that we would come home to find our house flooded. So far we just have one very small damp patch in the basement, not even a puddle. Roads are washed out and people near us in York Beach are canoing through downtown, it's crazy!!!    Cathryn about: stallkamp/mountain wedding Tony and Sweet J are not rooming with the Voits because The Voits are staying with us.   Cathryn about: Voit/Johnston wedding Hello all!! I thought everyone would be anxious to see pics, so I downloaded some just of the wedding when I got home last night. The wedding was amazing! The room was gorgeous and they were both glowing. The weather was perfect and they will have spectacular pictures!! Wes even managed to choke up every guy in the room with his vows :)  The Voits Cathryn about: clocks Jealous, green monster? I don't see you or anyone else posting other topics to talk about...   Cathryn about: See you in Florence, Wes and Leanne!! Safe travels!   Cathryn about: music Andy just informed me that I should have ripped that CD through something other than Itunes...if anyone needs me to redo it, let me know   Cathryn about: music Paolo&Chaira is up if anyone wants it...hopefully it works!   Cathryn about: May 4th I don't want to be here today...when was it that they used to cancel classes at Kent? I was thinking I could tell my boss that I can't work for those 2 hours...   Cathryn about: music Bub-are you around today? Can you e-mail me the password or whatever I need for the FTP...and is there something that can be taken down? Andy wants me to put up Paola&Chiara...   Cathryn about: music I can put it the CD on here if you want it...and if I can figure out how...   Cathryn about: music I am listening to Paola & Chiara right now to get psyched...I know that these songs ahve to be totally cheesy if I knew what they meant, but I love this CD! :)   Cathryn about: Voit/Johnston reception So, any other attendees out there?? Has everyone already booked a hotel?? Guess I better get on this!   Cathryn about: Voit/Johnston reception Anybody have comments on which hotel is better??   Cathryn about: BIlls Wes-Where's my report?? I'm not sure about the Bills draft picks, but Andy and I were talking about it afterwards and I said that I was glad that by Monday, you would have researched the guys and know everything about them and have decided if it was the worst decision ever or a mega smart move. So, which is it??    Cathryn about: time How can it only be 4 o'clock?   Cathryn about: Sox tickets By the way, Wes...I have in my possession 4 tickets to both the Aug. 11 and Sept. 30 games. If we can bribe you guys to come to New England, we'd love it! :)   Cathryn about: cell phone messages How do you get cell phone messages onto the computer? Wes- I died when Andy played your St. Patty's Day message. It needs to be shared!   Cathryn about: Europa Berg-do you leave tomorrow?? Did you get that check?   Cathryn about: wHAT THE F? I can't believe anyone fell for this, but 2 people!!??  Don't try it, Berg! Cathryn about: Spammers Cool, thanks! I hope it works for text massages and not just calls.   Cathryn about: Spammers Andy started getting spam text messages on his phone...anyone know anything you can do to stop this since we have to pay for every message he gets??   Cathryn about: names So, I just looked at our office calendar on Outlook and it says "Chuck/Gerry to F. Arter's office" If your last name is Arter, you should not be named something that starts with "F" and if you are, people should not use that abbreviation.    Cathryn about: sad I know Berg isn't at work anymore, but this is some fuel for his views on CEO's salaries. Sigh...  $$$$$$$ Cathryn about: hello? I'm here, but we get Monday off so I guess I can suck it up today. I agree with you, Leanne. Bub- Free alcohol should not come with restrictions. Be grateful for whatever you get stuck with.    Cathryn about: crazy So, my much hated landlord whose Congressional campaign I wanted to sabotage went missing on Wednesday night after a single car crash. As much as I wanted him to disappear from my life, I didn't exactly want him to really disappear. They found him last night in a pile of leaves in the woods 100 yards from a house in a residential area and 1 mile from where he crashed. He apparently got out of his car, walked into the woods, and waded across a river. He did not appear to have any injuries and they found no blood or anything in his car to suggest injuries. I would love to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I can't help thinking this is a publicity stunt and he better not start campaigning as the "miracle survivor" candidate. Now that he's been found alive, I can go back to hating him.    Cathryn about: dilemma Have you ever had a voicemail from someone whose name you couldn't understand, nor pronounce?    Cathryn about: funtimes It is amazing that no one ever told us that the majority of your time as an architect is spent in conflict management!   Cathryn about: funtimes... Yes, it was leftovers last night, but the leftovers were from Andy cooking on Sunday, so I guess I've had dinner made for me the the last 3 nights...my husband is apparently enabling my laziness :) Aaron, imagining you nodding in agreement in meetings with stupid clients is very amusing!! I can see you taking notes on everything you want to say to them.   Cathryn about: funtimes... It's darts night tonight, so I'm off the hook! :) Actually, my hubby has had dinner ready and waiting for me the last 2 nights...he's the best!   Cathryn about: houses Yippee!! New house! Congrats! I'm so glad it's finally worked out! Hope the closing goes smoothly! :)   Cathryn about: House of Thews Wow!! That's fast!! Hope all goes smoothly, congrats again!   Cathryn about: houses I just read an article about this at lunch...might be a nice tool for anyone still looking for a house to be able to compare the properties around where you're looking...though it doesn't yet have info. on where we live in the West Virginia of New England :( I think it gives the tax assessed values, not purchase prices.   compare home prices Cathryn about: Holy shit. Congrats Thews and Cristen!!   Cathryn about: st patty I'm here...our office has decided to make shamrock shakes with a kick later. Funny to see people walking in this morning with blenders. I'm 15/16 also, Bub...damn Syracuse from me, as well.   Cathryn about: reiterate Microwave popcorn should still be banned from the office.   Cathryn about: Items to Discuss It probably just went to their junk mail and got deleted...would have been really funny if they wrote something back!   Cathryn about: Items to Discuss Does a bigthews2003 exist? Can you imagine what they would think of the e-mails?! :)   Cathryn about: question I could keep the monitor and keyboard that I have now to hook up to the laptop if I want it.    Cathryn about: question Laptop or desktop at work? Pros/cons? Anyone?   Cathryn about: Slogans "No Cathryn, No Comment"   Cathryn about: hostel I totally forgot about the rooms being rearranged and the game room!    Cathryn about: hostel My fellow grad students...do you remember that hostel (in Berlin?) that Kent tried to make us stay at where we had to do chores?! We were discussing hostels last night and I thought of that and it made me giggle, but Andy didn't really get it. Guess you had to be there bussing tables and sharing rooms with middle schoolers.   Cathryn about: Survival This may have been on here before, but it amused me. I'll live but will be badly injured and maimed for life.  Test Cathryn about: name I just got a phone call from Helen Geller...that would be a ridiculous name to go through life with. I wonder if she married into that or if her parents did that to her.   Cathryn about: donations I just got this e-mail and thought it was kind of interesting. Always good to know where your money goes...AS YOU OPEN YOUR POCKETS FOR YET ANOTHER NATURAL DISASTER, KEEP THESE FACTS IN MIND: MARSHA J. EVANS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SALARY FOR A YEAR WAS $651,957 PLUS EXPENSES. BRIAN GALLAGHER, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED WAY RECEIVES A $375,000 BASE SALARY, PLUS NUMEROUS EXPENSE BENEFITS. THE SALVATION ARMY'S COMMISSIONER TODD BASSETT RECEIVES A SALARY OF ONLY $13,000.- PER YEAR (PLUS HOUSING) FOR MANAGING THIS $2 BILLION DOLLAR ORGANIZATION   Cathryn about: rain cloud rumblin Wes, I hope "the call" for you is cheaper than it was for us. Yikes! Car repairs suck!   Cathryn about: rain cloud rumblin Wow, Sweeney, I'm sorry that you are having a rough week! If you need to get away, there are always hugs available in New England! I hope everything goes well with your Dad next week!    Cathryn about: license This project is in NJ and the town requires raised seals and original signatures on every sheet    Cathryn about: license We make our secretary do that!   Cathryn about: license My boss is currently signing 720 drawings, which then need to have a raised seal put on them. This is when I'm glad not to be a "real" architect.   Cathryn about: insurance The Aflac rep is here and i just signed up for some "extra" insurance. Do you guys get SHORT-term disability coverage at your jobs?    Cathryn about: car Wes, that is awesome that you own your car!! No car payments is the best. We are trying to keep Andy's car until my car is paid off next September so that we only have one payment at a time. Hopefully, it lasts that long!   Cathryn about: Suggestions from you fools I agree with Wes on the income being the important thing. As long as you can prove that you can pay for the car and the house, it probably won't matter. The only thing that showed up in our credit report was that we had opened too many accounts in the last 12 months...and the accounts that we opened were a second checking account, a savings account, and my car financing...we still got approved for way more than we were looking for. They know you'll make the mortgage payment before everything else, so I don't think they don't care that much.    Cathryn about: Monday Damn, where is everyone? Is it as frigid in the Midwest as it is here in New England? Our predicted 2 inches of snow on Saturday turned out to be about a foot...our poor doggie has to burrow tunnels :)   Cathryn about: Nuke it!!! There is a little blurb on the side of that article saying it was a fake penis...even better.  hoax Cathryn about: house We have that old plastic tile in our kitchen also, Abby! We also found when we relocated the fridge that they hadn't bothered to move the fridge when they painted the kitchen. They painted only as far back as they could reach, so behind the fridge and on the side beyond their arm's reach, it is a different color. Quality.   Cathryn about: house We actually decided that we really like the pink and purple paint motif that the 96 year old lady had going on in our house and are going to leave it. It accents the wood paneling quite nicely.   Cathryn about: dags Bub, those are the cutest!!!   Cathryn about: Tests My office has a study guide set as well. Has anyone used the Archiflash cards? We have been told by numerous people in this area, including a panel at Build Boston, that those are the single best thing to use, so we were thinking of buying them. Thoughts?   Cathryn about: Tests What has everyone been using to study? I am hoping that by all of you taking the tests you can motivate Andy and I to send in our hours and start them because I think we could procrastinate forever on this.    Cathryn about: Tests My timecards here are set up so that I can hit IDP report and put in the start and end dates and it categorizes all of my hours into the IDP units. It's awesome!    Cathryn about: aaaaaaaaaaahhhh Waiting sucks. Does the old lady have a time deadline?   Cathryn about: Italian Virgin Yeah, the new school is gorgeous! I couldn't believe it...the view of Piazza signoria out of the conference room is amazing! I have heard that the cost to go over for that semester is super high now...they spared no expense in renovating!    Cathryn about: Italian Virgin Derek - i tarocchi did not have the Greek Salad last time I was there...I was so disappointed! Il Latini is a definite must for me for restaurants! I think a smaller town is nice to see for the contrast to the cities. Venice isn't great, but I do think you have to see it once.   Cathryn about: Sad Damn. Stupid old hag. Sorry guys :(    Cathryn about: Curious George Oh my, Berg! I think I feel dirtier reading that than your normal posts!   Cathryn about: Happy V-day Apparently this is a big holiday for our street since we live on Love Lane. Front yards are decorated and there was a hand-colored paper heart on each telephone pole this morning!   Cathryn about: Snow I'm not sure he was wearing the jacket in the video...my Mom just sent that to him this week and we keep forgetting to put it on him when he goes outside.   Cathryn about: Snow We got maybe 6"...not too bad! It was snowing all day yesterday, but it was light and fluffy snow and didn't add up all that much considering places like NYC got 27"   Cathryn about: Cathryn That's what we figured, Abby :) We know you just pretend that we're your friends!   Cathryn about: The Englishes fridge is lacking a Stallkamp/Mountain Save-the-date because we never received one :)   Cathryn about: House Congrats on the house, Wes and Leanne! Good luck with all of the paperwork and finalizing!   Cathryn about: Shirts Andy had the "total domination" shirt on one day and didn't think about it when we left for the pub, until we got there and he realized his back was going to be to the table of 4 gay guys that are always there. He got a lot of comments   Cathryn about: high school reunion I'm pulling the distance factor for planning..."I'll help find addresses, but it doesn't make sense for me to help plan from 7 hours away when there ar eplenty of people living in the area"   Cathryn about: high school reunion I haven't decided if I'm going to my 10-year reunion, although I'm supposed to help plan it since I was a class officer. I think I'm supposed to find everyone's addresses...ugh! We only had 56 kids in my graduating class, so we were fairly close with everyone, but I figured if I haven't seen the people in 5-10 years, I really don't care what they are doing. I am still in contact with just one good friend from my class and my other good friends from high school were in a different year. And, Andy didn't have to go to his because it overlapped with our honeymoon.   Cathryn about: its your birthday Happy Birthday Leanne!   Cathryn about: homeschooling Sorry to bring this back up, but I just saw this article from today that is the craziest of homeschooling...how many kids would actually do anything at all?  UNschool Cathryn about: Yes, Laura, but I think learning social skills is just as important, if not more important, than book knowledge once you get to the "Real world" and have to get a job and such.   Cathryn about: Home Schooling I agree, Abby. Home schooled kids are weird :) I think most of the time, home schooled kids seem to have social problems. I think no matter how much socializing is done within the home schooling environment, there is something that kids get from having to interact with others while being AWAY from the parents that they don't ever learn if they're homeschooled.    Cathryn about: groundhog Stupid rat! Does he ever not see his shadow??   Cathryn about: heat is nice I guess the nice thing about it is that since we're new customers, they aren't going to charge us for it!   Cathryn about: heat is nice News socks are the best! So, we learned the true joys of being a homeowner this morning when we woke up and there was NO heat! Brrr! Luckily, it was a fairly easy fix, but I still had to wait around at home for the heating co. to arrive.   Cathryn about: weaver Congrats to the Weavers! Does the baby boy have a name?   Cathryn about: Abby's rage Wow, Abby, get it all out!! :) I hold the same contempt for my old landlord. I still get infuriated talking about him...and he's running for Congress this next year, so I would love to sabotage his campaign. I have his own written proof of the illegal things he does. I hope your good news comes today...leaving is the best!   Cathryn about: stupid mondays That sucks, Berg, but it made me laugh! Damn delivery people...did they give you a "window" of time? We're having a new dryer delivered on Thursday and they better not do what the phone company did and tell us they'll be there "sometime between 8-6"    Cathryn about: Help Thews, I forwarded Rachel's response to your hotmail account. It is coming from my work e-mail and hotmail may not recognize it, so check your junk mail if you don't see it soon.   Cathryn about: Ohio Did anyone happen to see Will & Grace last night?? Man, did they tear into Ohio!!   Cathryn about: Help Thewsy, I have forwarded your request to Rachel, my graphic designer friend. I'll let you know if she can help...   Cathryn about: House of Thews Awesome Thews! Good luck househunting and with the new gig! When do you switch jobs?   Cathryn about: SHHHH!!!! Abby, if you think you're impatient now, just wait until you make the offer and are waiting to hear back if it's accepted. That part was so stressful to me...I couldn't concentrate on anything else!   Cathryn about: SHHHH!!!! Awesome Abby and Bub!! Good luck!!   Cathryn about: Little Bernie Bernie and Monica had a boy this morning...Cooper Bernard Lappe, 21 " long and 7 lbs, 6 oz. born at 5:30am today    Cathryn about: silly   dumbest dog Cathryn about: html only 55 here, but sunny and nice! We're supposed to get the snow sunday...    Cathryn about: Mainer I officially felt like a Mainer this morning. I had to wait for a ship to go through and for the bridge to come back down before I could cross into NH. I drive through 3 states to get to work. Weird.   Cathryn about: skiing Happy birthday to all of them that I missed! Andy and I just spent the weekend skiing at Sugarloaf and stayed at his boss's second home up there. We should plan a weekend next year, since everyone is so busy this year, and all go for a Maine ski trip!   Cathryn about: zzzz Yup, Duncan's first day home alone. Andy did stop in just before lunch to let him out and play with him and also, he's 9 months old and already housebroken, so we're hoping it goes ok!    Cathryn about: Andy...will the beer also help with the guilt for leaving our new doggie home alone today??    Cathryn about: early We were just informed that our office is closing at noon and we're all going to lunch...excellent! Merry Christmas everyone! Hopefully someone will be here to entertain me next Wednesday, since that's the only day I'm working next week. Enjoy!   Cathryn about: boom goes the dynamite That was painful!   Cathryn about: Merry Christmas Same to you Laura, and Merry Christmas to everyone else as well! Thewsy, Elvis is awesome!   Cathryn about: house Biggie-are you all settled yet? I'm already tired of people asking that. Yup, we moved in 3 days ago and everything is completely put away and we have no boxes left at all! right. It's funny how you move into a new house and that's all anyone talks to you about...same with getting married. While I was engaged, I was no longer a person, I was a "bride" SOOOO glad that's over! People must really just not have a lot to talk about!   Cathryn about: unbelievable! Eeeeww!! Maybe this was posted previously and I missed it, but the pictures in this article don't even seem like they could be real! How can a tumor actually be left to get to that size??   ENORMOUS growth! Cathryn about: What the F That does suck, Biggie! I hope you didn't have anything moved in or stored down there!   Cathryn about: englishes We're back and we have a house...Andy will be in at lunchtime because he's home waiting for Direct TV to get there. Everything went smoothly and I especially liked signing the paper saying that I had an alias because I can actually write my alias signature quickly! We have a house full of boxes and cleaning supplies at the moment and it will be much nicer once we get settled...and get the paneling off of all of the walls!   Cathryn about: biggie I don't think Biggie luck would hold true around here. We're in a totally different housing market here...trailer homes can go for $175,000+, houses are on the market for an average of 15 days and if you ask the seller to pay closing costs, they will laugh in your face and you don't get a house. But we do have multiple beaches less than 5 minutes from our house, can ski at many awesome resorts as close as 45 minutes away, and can access Boston and Portland in less than an hour, so it's totally worth it!   Cathryn about: biggie Don't expect those estimates to be accurate, Wes! The mortgage people gave us our "estimated" cost to bring to closing 2 days ago and then the title people called us yesterday with an amount that was $500 higher, which I think is a significant difference when you're trying to get a cashier's check for the amount. Somehow there were a few more "fees" they didn't mention before   Cathryn about: biggie Congrats on the house! We close tomorrow at 9am...I am not looking forward to signing those 5000 papers since I still have trouble with my new signature!   Cathryn about: address Derek-do you have a new address since you moved across the hall or something?   Cathryn about: soundtracks Our friend, Jess, was just saying the other day that she thinks all pets have a theme song. What do you think Mante's is??   Cathryn about: house We could have closed in less than a month if we wanted to...but we ended up going with about a month and a half. It depends on the seller and how fast they want to be out   Cathryn about: Baby Lloyd OK, I lied. I think the link works   Cathryn about: Baby Lloyd EJ just sent me this link to see Amy and Josh's little girl. Clicking on the link doesn't take you to exactly the right place, but click on visit web nursery on that web page and then type in their last name.  Online Nursery Cathryn about: College debts and broken dreams Student loans don't really count against you in the mortgage process...they obviously factor what you pay monthly for them into your monthly expenditures, but the overall amount doesn't count against you in terms of your overall debt. Our mortgage pre-approval took about 15 minutes over the phone...it's not really that bad!   Cathryn about: biggie Do you have a new address yet??   Cathryn about: Kaelynn I had a friend in high school whose middle name was the letter K.    Cathryn about: Kaelynn Congrats to the Lloyd Family! That girl is going to constantly be spelling her name for people. I wonder how many times over her life people will ask if the T is missing!    Cathryn about: cheap tix Some of you peeps should come see us!  Visit the 'Shire Cathryn about: Florence That was for your aunt/uncle...   Cathryn about: Florence Leanne, I have stayed in this place a couple times, and a lot of people stayed here for Bob's wedding. It's run by a nice Australian couple, so there's no language barrier trying to make reservations, etc., and is right in downtown for reasonable prices (about 1 block from the Duomo).  Hotel "Il Perseo" Cathryn about: time suck I gave up on this after about 30 seconds, but Andy made it to the 2nd day before he got stuck on a car  Snowplow game Cathryn about: vaca Biggie-you are always welcome to vaca in the 'Shire! If we want to ski, Andy's boss has a place up at Sugarloaf that we can get special privileges to use sometimes!   Cathryn about: Future Darwin Awards Winner   Twice? Cathryn about: apartments Yes, that's it...I think this is the actual website for it where you communicate directly with the owner (Her name is Gianna, she's awesome!) and not through a broker  Gianna's apartments Cathryn about: The Voit Wedding We arev hoping to attend as well. We're waiting to see what tix prices look like.   Cathryn about: Love Lane And it has already been asked...we are the last house on the street, so we do not have any neighbors at 69 Love Lane   Cathryn about: relocating As of December 15th, the English family will be giving up the "Live Free or Die" license plates to move to "Vacationland" You can find us at 55 Love Lane, Kittery, ME 03904 and can reach us at home at 207.439.1964    Cathryn about: for abby and derek A turkey sat on a backyard fence And he sang this sad, sad tune Thanksgiving day is coming Gobble gobble gobble gobble And I know I’ll be eaten soon Gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble I would like to run away Gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble I don’t like thanksgiving day    Cathryn about: Berg Happy Birthday Berg!   Cathryn about: 70% General American English, 15% upper midwestern, 15% yankee, 0% dixie, 0% midwestern   Cathryn about: words Wes, not sure how it works, but it seems like the lower the percentage, the more Yankee you were. People who were in the 40%s got "barely a Yankee" instead of "definitely a Yankee" I don't get it    Cathryn about: words What does your vocabulary say about you? "38% (Yankee) You are definitely a Yankee" for me  Yankee or Rebel? Cathryn about: weekend Biggie, are you sticking around C-Bus around Thanksgiving? Andy and I will be there next Wednesday night and will be staying through Sunday...we should do drinks.   Cathryn about: HP Has anybody else never read a Harry Potter book and have absolutely no desire to?   Cathryn about: The Shark jumped the shark means it's past its peak...I heard somewhere that the expression came from from Happy Days after an episode where Fonzie actually jumped the shark and the show began its demise   Cathryn about: tasty tunes LOL...Thanks Berg! I have this great mental picture of you stomping around Colon's desk trying to get him to dance. Awesome!   Cathryn about: downloads Click on the zip file that you want to download on that index screen   Cathryn about: It STARTED with Io sono francesco, but I thought you and Colon continued with that bongo song when it was over...I do think it was multiple songs before that lady came knocking and you guys hid around the corner and fought over who was going to answer the door!   Cathryn about: annoying Andy won't let me reply to the e-mail, so I'm writing on here :) I don't know how many of you are on that retirement e-mail, but Bob is so arrogant, I seriously would be happy if I never have to see him again. Must be nice to have a wealthy spouse's investments to count on for all of your retirement funds...the rest of us lowly commoners will stick to investing now and scrping together what money we have to buy ahouse, since we don't have the luxury of selling our spouse's grandfather's art or piano.   Cathryn about: jhall Bing or Derek, wasn't it one of you that made that red-headed stepchild comment in Dreyer's class?   Cathryn about: UM/OSU Are you an OSU fan, Bing? Andy and his family are pretty much the only Michigan fans in Columbus (his whole family is from Michigan) and it's pretty intense!   Cathryn about: monday...ugh We'd be up for meeting people in Philly for a weekend! One of my current projects is right outside of there and I think they have $29/each way flights from Manchester...   Cathryn about: Lucky streak Awesome Sweeney! Congratulations!   Cathryn about: Sorry Thanks for the birthday wishes! I'm used to my name being misspelled...people get it wrong more often than they get it right!   Cathryn about: Yup, it was you Bub...you were definitely at the bar and VERY wasted...I think you might even have been in the bathroom. We couldn't get our Sirius to work over the internet with the password that they gave us, but we never did call about it...   Cathryn about: Birthday Fun Happy Birthday to you, too, Bub! I hope I get another hilarious drunken "shared birthday" phone call this year from you and Abby!   Cathryn about: Thanks Donna! Good luck Sweeney!   Cathryn about: kids shocking, no. scary, yes.   Cathryn about: kids That 20/20 show was so painful to watch...you knew what was coming and you couldn't believe that these people were actually thinking they were about to have sex with a 12 year old kid. The dude that stripped in the garage and walked in to a strange house naked was awful...he's the one that was back online the next day and they caught him in the sting AGAIN by getting him to meet them at McDonald's. I don't know how they got permission to air the people's faces...one was a rabbi, a special ed teacher, boy scout leader, etc.    Cathryn about: Karma Bing, there's a link on the home page   Cathryn about: I misuse the title "architect" anytime someone asks me what I do because it's just easier...   Cathryn about: that should have read shouldn't, obviously   Cathryn about: My co-worker, Scott is a licensed architect and a licensed structural engineer...they had to remake his business cards because once they had them done, they realized he should be passing out cards that say Scott Hall, R.A. P.E.    Cathryn about: structural engineer Bub, Abby can blame that on our ProPrac classes....they brought in some guy for a lecture and his job is to track down people who illegally use the term "architect" in the state of Ohio...they threatened us that if you're not actually a licensed architect, you can't use any form of that word...they said we can't even call ourselves architectural interns   Cathryn about: structural engineers You should get him fired, Laura...or tell him that as a male at his age, he really should be drooling in his pajamas in a nursing home   Cathryn about: structural engineers The guy that did our home inspection was a retired structural engineer...he called us "pretend architects" since we're not licensed and then when he was leaving he said "well, have fun drawing or whatever it is you guys do...junior engineering" I wanted to push the old man down the stairs   Cathryn about: house Congrats Biggie! That is very exciting!! Now you can complain with Andy and I about all of the paperwork and inspections that come next!   Cathryn about: Beer is good for you   Mmmm...Beer Cathryn about: t-shirts When you guys get t-shirts made for comp. weekends, do you do it through a local store or online?   Cathryn about: Bergs newphew He's adorable!   Cathryn about: mindless gossip Kind of amusing that this makes front page news, but the front page of www.boston.com had a link to the MP3 of Britney Spears' husband's rap...it's definitely awful! There was actually an article on CNN's main webpage yesterday about it too, with some of the lyrics. I'm hoping whatever studio made this didn't release it as pre-publiciity because I don't know how they'd get anyone to buy it!   Cathryn about: Xmas party Ours is dinner w/open bar on a Saturday...it's at a "Gentleman's Club" where only men are allowed membership and women are only allowed to be there if they are accompanied by a member. There's all sorts of games like darts, pool, cards and the oldest bowling alley in the US, which is candlepin bowling. It's actually pretty fun!    Cathryn about: Xmas party Andy's brother's company is flying all employees and their significant others to Miami to spend a weekend in South Beach in January!! I'm SO jealous!   Cathryn about: Fun in Arkansas He left the room and then went back?  Redneck Cathryn about: stupid mondays definitely Fridays! Sunday nights aren't all that exciting, while Thursday nights seem to have a lot going on.   Cathryn about: Brunt Beck - you need a beer!   Cathryn about: good sports This probably would have been lawsuits in the US, but it made me laugh out loud this morning...  Prank Cathryn about: news I'll see what I can do for pictures...   Cathryn about: weird Why were they having a one year-old's birthday party in the middle of the night?  Vampire family? Cathryn about: news Thanks! We already had to sign a lot of paperwork last night...I'm still struggling a bit with the new signature :) The E and n end up with a few extra bumps :)   Cathryn about: news Wow, Andy's post makes it sound really discouraging. Just to make it clear, we haven't been looking for 3 years! We looked when we first moved and then stopped looking for a couple years when we found an apt. we liked downtown. We've kept an eye on the market, but just started looking again this summer and not seriously until after the wedding...   Cathryn about: news Yup, Maine-iacs...if we moved the other direction, we would have been Massholes. No more "Live Free or Die" license plates   Cathryn about: news If the paperwork goes smoothly, the English family will be moving from the 'Shire to Maine. We signed the papers last night and are scheduled to close on our new house in Kittery, Maine on December 15th. The house is exactly 1 mile from our current place in downtown Portsmouth and we are looking forward to having a place large enough to host "Competition New England"!   Cathryn about: Ruthless Inc. You'd be surprised...if there is one aspect of Andy's life where he is always totally serious, it's work. It's unbelievably difficult to try to get him to take a day off or call in sick...he takes it VERY seriously!   Cathryn about: cable regulation This was EJ's response...Yes, there are 2 cable companies - Time Warner and Wide Open West (WOW). Although WOW isn't everywhere yet - I can only have Time Warner at my house...   Cathryn about: cable regulation I think some places around Columbus have a choice for cable...I remember EJ bitching that the cheaper service wasn't available in her area yet, but some of her friends had been able to switch to it...   Cathryn about: tickets I forgot to mention yesterday that I read somewhere that Tuesdays are the best days to buy plane tickets because that is the day most airlines publish their new fares, so you have the best chance of getting the cheap tickets.   Cathryn about: cheap fares Also, sometimes it's cheaper if you go to the actual airline website, so I always check that before I book on one of the travel websites...   Cathryn about: cheap fares You can set the "deal detector" on Orbitz to notify you of certain prices or price drops, but I usually just keep checking Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity. They are usually around the same, but sometimes they have different deals on one or another...like we got our tix to Florence last year for $450 on Expedia and they were no less than $650 on any of the other websites.   Cathryn about: Bars in Geneseo The InnBetween is not necessarily a cool bar, but one of my bridesmaid's uncle owns it, so we've been going there for a LONG time! The Idle Hour is the one you're thinking of Leanne...that's where us townies usually start the night when we head out in Geneseo (the REAL townies go to "Kelly's", but I won't subject you guys to that!). People can plan to meet up there if they want, it's on Center St, right off of Main St by the inersection with the fountain.    Cathryn about: wedding There's already 2 pool tables at the reception, so I'm not sure we need cornhole or Andy won't want to mingle with anyone, he'll just be out in the yard the whole time :)    Cathryn about: Love Oh my god!   Cathryn about: Fun TImes Yes, have fun boys! What happens in Ohio, stays in Ohio...wait, that was last weekend! There's going to be 30 of you, so please be a little gentle...I'd like for Andy to still be alive next weekend!   Cathryn about: password I am glad that my fiance was nice enough to give me the user name and poassword since Bub tried to silence me by not sending it to me :)   Cathryn about: mmm...Mandalay Bay Off to Vegas...enjoy your long weekend everyone! :)   Cathryn about: gas shortage Just got an e-mail from the GC that 3 truckloads of our steel shipments that were due to arrive at our jobsite in Philadelphia this morning were held up because they were unable to get gas.    Cathryn about: job stuff In Becky's almost daily attempts to get Andy and I to move back to Cleveland, she mentions how all firms are swamped right now and there are tons of job opportunities. Maybe check with her to see if she knows specifics...    Cathryn about: Abby-gail Happy 27th Abby! Hope you have a great birthday!   Cathryn about: Stromulus His e-mail is: Mattstrom78@aol.com   Cathryn about: haircut The tollbooth lady that I see regularly had a fresh mullet this morning...that made my Monday morning!   Cathryn about: Gallon of Milk It's physically impossible...your body rejects it   Cathryn about: Music I definitely think John Mayer is very monotonous. Different lyrics, same song.    Cathryn about: namecalling I have had plenty of names for customer service people, but to have them calling you names on your utility bills!  Good stuff! Cathryn about: Sweeney! How are you?? Andy and I were talking about you last night, because there was a commercial for a motocross movie :)   Cathryn about: farts Some Monday potty humor...  Fart facts Cathryn about: std05 Maybe they changed their mind   Cathryn about: std05 Bub and Abby weren't planning to go to the cabin this year...   Cathryn about: Work Sucks I don't hate my job...of course I like some days better than others, but overall I'm pretty content with work. I'd love to win the lottery and not have to work at all, but since that's not the case, this isn't bad :)   Cathryn about: Wow! I feel like I miss so much when I'm away from my computer for the day! Leanne-I think I have my whole folder from that course I can grab and bring for you...   Cathryn about: Aaron Yes, there is a lot of shit my Mom has to deal with also. The bureaucracy at schools is amazing...she complains all the time about how it's harder and harder to actually teach in between all the rules of things you can't do anymore. My Mom refuses to teach 11th grade because of the crazy standardized tests the kids have to take in NY that year and teachers do have to be ridiculously careful about what they say or do because of lawsuits...parents that are actually involved in their kids lives think their kids can do no wrong these days and my Mom had parents threaten her when their daughter failed English because the girl didn't bother to turn in a research paper at all and the parents said their daughter claimed that my Mom told her that she didn't have to do the paper if she didn't want to, so the girl shouldn't be punished for not doing it. There is a huge heroin epidemic at her school also, with kids snorting it from pen caps during the middle of classes. There was a drugged out kid suspended last year for making a death threat against my Mom, and the school never even told her she was the one targeted...she only found out when the kid returned to school and told my Mom himself! So, there is a lot of BS that teachers have to deal with, but there is a lot of BS and bureaucracy that you have to deal with in most jobs, just in different ways, so they don't make out all that bad!    Cathryn about: Aaron's rant My Mom is a teacher and would be the first to tell you that she has it easy...she says it takes about 3 years to get your curriculum to a point where you really don't have to do much planning and she does often get most of her grading done during her planning periods (and she even teaches High School English) When she brings work home, it's usually because it's the once a year research papers or because she used her planning periods to do personal stuff like write out bills or letters or whatever. She knows she's lucky to have awesome benefits and a state pension and will likely retire in the next year or two (she'll be 55 this year) because she's tired of the parents crap you have to deal with these days even though she still loves the kids. She does work a second job during the summer, though, teaching summer school.   Cathryn about: NIN I can't open the file once I've saved it either, Derek   Cathryn about: suuny colden NY Andy and I are planning to leave the 'Shire at noonish, so we'll hopefully be there around 8...   Cathryn about: made me giggle The company doing the window systems for this project is "Hiscock Associates" and even worse, the guy's name is Mark Hiscock...who would do that to their kid, seriously?   Cathryn about: done Is it time to go home yet?    Cathryn about: small world The last time I talked to her, she was still using MeechV@aol.com and I'll put the link to the firm they work at, you might be able to find an e-mail for her there.  firm Cathryn about: small world Andrew Lynch got a new job in Portland, OR and now works with Michelle Veri. He said she has a picture on her desk from Kent Halloween one year of Andy and the guys in drag. Weird!   Cathryn about: lunch I can walk to the boardwalk downtown, but today we went to a co-worker's house out on the island...   Cathryn about: lunch I just ate lunch on the beach...it's gorgeous out today! I still have sand between my toes :)   Cathryn about: name And what I find to be the funniest part about this conversation is that not one of us girls was saying that we weren't going to change our names, we were merely stating that it is going to be weird to have a new name. I don't know why that makes you guys uncomfortable for us to talk about it...can't you admit it would be weird to have to change your name?   Cathryn about: name I just thought it was funny that Andy was so adament about it...I think it will be strange, but I will definitely be changing my name. I think it depends on the state, but I just don't know that I want to spend $1000 to legally change my name (my co-worker who got married on New Year's this year said she would have had to pay $1000 and get a written permission slip from her husband authorizing her to take his name), when I can show my marriage license and get a new social security card and change my driver's license and be done with it...the only thing I will have to do is make sure to put "Cathryn Bracchi" as an alias when doing taxes and forms like that. As long as I use the name, who cares? And, I do know plenty of guys that don't wear their wedding bands!   Cathryn about: name Andy doesn't even think it's funny to joke about me not taking his name...he's pretty adament about me taking English. I told him I was just going to change my social security card and license and not change my name legally and he freaked out!   Cathryn about: name They were placing an order for business cards and have to pay a set-up fee, so they decided to order my new ones now with everyone else's instead of paying the set-up fee again...but it definitely freaked me out!   Cathryn about: name My office manager just came and handed me a box of business cards with my "new name" on them...I made her take them back and not show them to me again unti after the wedding...getting a new name is weird!   Cathryn about: crane There is a ginormous crane on the teeny street outside my office right now lifting concrete plank over the buildings into place in the house my boss is building next door. He decided he wanted habitable space beneath the garage and plank was the best way to do it, so he paid $8000 to have the crane here for 2 hours to install it. Must be nice to have money.   Cathryn about: back to dorkiness for a minute Good for a laugh...in addition to bringing your own card table and computer, the e-mail to Andy's LAN party tonight reminded everyone to bring their headphones because "you don't want to give away your position with environmental noises"   Cathryn about: nickle I got a new nickel as change for the first time in mid-June in Put-in-Bay...I thought it was fake!   Cathryn about: harry potter I've never read Harry Potter, so I have nothing to offer, but Abby- seems like everyone I know who bought the new one on Saturday finished it within a few days, so I'm sure you should be able to borrow one from someone...there must be millions of them lying around by now!   Cathryn about: I paid over $500 to register my car for one year...even though we don't have income taxes, NH definitely gets enough money through property taxes to make up for it! Especially since the average 2-3 bedroom single-family home costs over $350,000...our cliff guarding money is not in jeopardy :)    Cathryn about: Dorky habits I think it's hysterical that we're trying to assure Thews he's dorky like the rest of us! :)   Cathryn about: Dorky habits Thews- weren't you valedictorian or close to it? That qualifies...also, I seem to recall a conversation with you in the bar a couple weeks ago about watching spelling bees and jump-rope competitions on TV. I think we are all much better off because of our dorkiness   Cathryn about: harry potter I was totally going to out Andy's dorkiness, so I'm glad he owned up to it! When he asked me the other night if he could bring our card table and computer to some guys in-law's garage, I almost popped the stitch in my splint laughing. It hurt so badly, I had tears running down my cheeks, but I couldn't stop laughing!   Cathryn about: sweet, sweet air And I'm definitely a wimp with needles, but the bruise on my hand from the IV was the worst visible mark I had, and hurt more than anything else after the surgery :)   Cathryn about: sweet, sweet air It is totally worth looking into, Bub!! It has been uncomfortable, but with the exception of when they remove the packing (and it's over relatively fast), it honestly isn't really painful at all! Mine was a little more complicated than a normal septoplasty because the sinuses on my left side were almost 100% blocked, so they had to go up there and shave off some bone and cartilage to open them up, but it really wasn't ever painful. I never took even one of the prescription pain pills because I wasn't in pain. And, the first 100% clear breath through my nose this morning was definitely worth the few days of discomfort from the cotton stuffed in my face :)    Cathryn about: sweet, sweet air oh.my.god. I CAN BREATHE!!! I know you all may not think breathing through your nose is very exciting, but trust me, IT IS! You should all take a few sniffs to appreciate it :) Splints are gone...biopsies were clear...I think I'm officially on the mend :)   Cathryn about: conFIRMation For the record, I think all of you will be wanting to go EASTbound on 90 to get to G-ville   Cathryn about: coolest thing ever I was just telling Andy abiut Google Earth the other day...I thought it was awesome and freaky at the same time...I could see the decks on my parents' houses!! Thanks for the well wishes, Strom! I am feeling ok today, just still pretty tired...    Cathryn about: wedding Rochester airport is actually only about 1/2 hour, but Buffalo is definitely usually cheaper. Buffalo airport is right off of 90, so it's easy to pick up from there also, especially if the flight is cheaper! We can definitely make arrangements to pick you up at either airport if you need a ride!    Cathryn about: ? to attendees of the Bracchi / English wedding We set up the shuttle because we know our friends well and want to make sure everyone gets home safely. We are recommending that all of our friends stay where the shuttle will be, so that even if you drive yourself to the reception, you'll have a safe way home.    Cathryn about: cathryn Hi KT! I still have the splints in until Thursday, so I'm not completely clear yet, but I was super psyched to be able to smell the flowers I got yesterday and taste food again! Let's see some pictures of your little tyke...   Cathryn about: dickey Thanks Aaron!   Cathryn about: dickey's e-mail I know it's something like porchkralr, but can someone please give me dickey's e-mail? thanks!    Cathryn about: surgery Thanks for your well wishes everyone! After puking up blood twice yesterday morning, I am feeling much better today :) I am anxiously awaiting getting the packing out of my nose Monday morning so I can breathe normally again...it still amazes me that they can do this entire surgery through one nostril and that the only bruising I have is where the IV was in my hand! Can't wait to see everyone in a couple weeks!   Cathryn about: breaking news... Andy-you speak so highly of L&H in that statemnet...time must be working on your memory...did you forget that you wanted out of that shithole for about 1 1/2 years before they screwed you on the bonus??    Cathryn about: breaking news... I can definitely vouch for Andy's job being VERY different from L&H because I don't have to hear him bitch about it anymore :) A job where he can pretty much come and go when he feels like it as long as he gets his work done is much more his style and this is the second time I can remember him having to work over a weekend for a project (and he did only go into work for a few hours on Sunday, not all weekend), which is pretty good over a 2 1/2 year stretch. Last time he had to put in significant extra time, they gave him a big bonus right after it to pay him for all of those hours...and I do enjoy the significant Christmas bonus, though anything is better than a shirt! :) I think the biggest difference from L&H is that his boss now respects his eomployees, which was a major issue at the last place!   Cathryn about: std05 Bummer Abby and Bub!! :( I will be able to attend std05, but will actually only be able to participate as an observer. I am having sinus surgery next Thursday and found out yesterday at my Pre-Op appt. that I will not be allowed to exercise for a month or so, nor allowed to drink during this time :(   Cathryn about: ARE I also don't know who has what books or what everyone is using to study, but we've been told from everyone (a panel of all recently licensed people or people currently taking the exams) at the ARE seminar, as well as a bunch of people from Young Architects, that the ArchiFlash cards are the best study tool!   Cathryn about: Thews adn Cristen Bling It's gorgeous!   Cathryn about: A.R.E. Advice Nice, Abby! Way to go! I heard to take the Methods and Materials first because it is the easiest and gets your confidence up...then take both structurals because they're the hardest and if you don't pass, you have to wait 6 months to tests again, so you can be doing other tests in the meantime. Andy went to a ARE seminar and we've talked to people at the NH Young Architects group and this seems to be the consensus   Cathryn about: model friend Hey boys! My friend, Kellie, (actually my little brother's friend, but she's a hometown Geneseo girl) is in FHM this month for the Miss FHM 2005 contest...it would be awesome if any of you could take a couple minutes to vote for her! You can check out her website at www.kelliecallan.com but I'll post the link to FHM so you can just click on the Miss FHM link to vote  Vote Kellie Callan! Cathryn about: geez...twist my arm why don Beautiful! Nice job, Bub!!   Cathryn about: Role's funeral There was another e-mail from Marijke about Richard's service last Friday...did everyone who would have liked to see it actually receive it? Let me know if you haven't seen it and would like to...   Cathryn about: This week in Thews history Congrats Thews!! It was awesome to see so many of you this weekend!! Wow! Really big week for Thews, gets engaged AND becomes the best damn invisible speed jump roper ever!    Cathryn about: worst gum EVER This is totally random, but just a warning...do not buy "Cherry Chill" Eclipse gum unless you think cough drop flavored gum is a good idea!    Cathryn about: Develope this......update That is so funny! Live free or die! I really hope that happens! We can all go visit it when Andy and I buy a house and have enough room to host Competition New England (I think we're looking to buy in Maine, so it won't be the 'Shire)   Cathryn about: wedding date? Berg, I think the Jews rigged the system quite nicely for themselves because Sunday weddings are much cheaper then Saturdays! I can see the Berg ancestors smooth talking people into lowering their prices for the off-peak weekend day :)   Cathryn about: wedding date? Excellent, I have marked both in the calendar!   Cathryn about: wedding date? Abby and Bub - your wedding website and your registries say two different dates for your wedding...is there a definite date? We're working around a few weddings next year and want to make sure we know the right date. Wes and Leanne, have you guys set a date yet? :)   Cathryn about: Poopy Peeper Nasty!  Desperate Measures Cathryn about: Marijke's e-mail address marijke.huegaerts@ksuflorence.net   Cathryn about: Marijke's letter... I know this is hard to believe, but unfortunately it is very true. Richard passed away in his apartment here in Florence, apparently of a heart attack, but the corps was not discovered until several days after his passing. The other tenants of the building called the police because they worried about the smell that was coming out of his apartment. It's so sad, but it is also a very typical Richard story. You might recall Richard occasionally disappearing, not answering nor returning emails, etc... Conrad found out because he called Richard's brother in Chicago to try to get in touch with Richard to set an appointment to come to Kent to discuss his next contract. Chuck Graves called me on Friday at midnight, after which I talked with Conrad and together we decided to keep it quiet until Monday, in the hope that by then we would receive at least confirmation of the death cause. I've had the difficult task of breaking the sad news to colleagues and friends here in Italy and everybody has had the same reaction of disbelieve. I've also been talking quite a lot with Richard's older brother who lives here in Lucca. If Richard's personal life was a more or less closed book for his friends and colleagues, it was even more so for his two brothers. Warm regards, Marijke   Cathryn about: sad news I am very sad! I can't imagine the KSU Florence program without Role...   Cathryn about: traffic circles I agree...traffic circles are fine once you get used to them, but the first time is very tricky!!! Especially here when there are 2 lanes entering it together and you are supposed to know which lane to be in and cars are coming from everywhere!   Cathryn about: Teaching Congrats Leanne!! I will look through my stuff from teaching and bring anything I think might be useful for you to Summer Games. Also, thanks for the advice on the Planning Board. I think it's all very intimidating because the Planning Board is super powerful in Portsmouth and, right now, is ALL male! The female mayor would like some diversity, so they are looking for a female with a technical background, and not just "someone's sister"    Cathryn about: Planning Board So, speaking of local governements, I have an opportunity to become a member of the Portsmouth Planning Board...has anyone done this in their respective cities/towns? I don't know exactly what is involved and have been told it takes up a lot of time, so I am hesitant. Seems like it could be a great opportunity, but also seems like it could be a pain in the ass!! I also do not like that our planning board meetings are televised! :) Any input?   Cathryn about: Sorry Aaron, I was completely oblivious to your sarcasm and completely unaware of your utter disdain for Jane Campbell :) I hope we're making a big deal out of nothing with this and local governments aren't going to misuse it, but I do feel sorry for the people in CT whose homes are now the future site of a hotel and office building.    Cathryn about: I was talking to Aaron, who made the statement, and I believe lives in Akron. I thought it was interesting that he would make the statement about Jane Campbell and Cleveland, since she has no ifluence over his domain in Akron. Does he not have the same faith in the Akron mayor??    Cathryn about: If you're that excited about Mayor Jane Campbell and her great influence on Cleveland, then why don't you live there?   Cathryn about: scary I think a lot of times "local officials" are the wealthier residents and don't necessarily have any idea about what is best for the city. More power for the wealthy...   Cathryn about: scary Wow! This is scary! Developers can now take whatever land they want if it will be successful economically...even if it's your house!   Homes up for grabs Cathryn about: book eating black squirrels I was just telling that story the other day! I was trying to figure out how we were gone from the studio for enough time for the squirrels to build the nest...did it happen overnight?   Cathryn about: Bing He forwarded an e-mail a while back...if anyone is looking for him. JASON J. BING Program Coordinator, LEED AP Recycle Ann Arbor 2420 S. Industrial Hwy Ann Arbor, MI 48104 t. 734.662.6288 f. 734.662.7749 www.recycleannarbor.org    Cathryn about: missing Planning weddings SUCKS! I can't wait for it to be over! Andy and I will definitely need to plan a trip to Chi-town to visit, Strom! It will have to wait until next year though, because we are short on vacation time since we'll be spending 2 WEEKS in Hawaii!!   Cathryn about: citizenship Congratulations Leanne! Did you have to take a citizenship test?? I bet you probably know more about this country than the rest of us do!   Cathryn about: Mikey's cabin Abby - Mikey's cabin is Aug 12-14 this year...   Cathryn about: family guy I thought the Michael Moore book title on Family Guy was something like "Dude, where's my Country?" Unfortunately, July 15-17 is no good for the 'Shire because I have to have sinus surgery on the 14th and Andy will be at my beck and call :) But if that's a good weekend for everyone else, we will expect plenty of phonecalls with updates throughout the weekend   Cathryn about: summer fun Pittsburgh is not exactly central for us at 630 miles or 10 hours away...but we're booked Memorial Day anyway because Justin and Caroline are visiting the 'Shire. We're actually having a Kent State BBQ at Phil and Teresa's house...   Cathryn about: worst. name. ever She "made it official after visiting Morehead College"...it just doesn't stop