[Dave McCorquodale]

Sorry for acting like a jerk.  I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective.  I don’t agree with some of the conclusions, but you’re not beating us over the head for raising the issue.  

I didn’t flood–I live 60 miles or so north of downtown.  But many clients (who live around the I-10 & BW8 area, did.  They flooded within 4-5 years of building 1.5 million dollar houses.  It all sucks, for sure.  

Full disclosure–I’m a politician.  Local city council.  And it makes me get a little crazy in city council meetings every time I hear a new development “needs no detention, because of proximity to Lake Conroe.”  I understand county regulations, along with the phrase “minimum requirements” enough to know that it’s just not enough.  We have to address things differently.  

Again, my response to your post is embarrassing.  Shouldn’t have said it, period.  I apologize to you.  Thank you for not taking my same approach to the discussion.

Dave

[Dave McCorquodale]

Thanks for the all caps, really helps convey that this thread makes you mad.  Here’s a thought– don’t read the thread, or move on and ignore it if it bothers you.  But you being out of your apartment really doesn’t matter to the discussion at hand.  Again, if it’s a little too close to home for you right now, don’t have the discussion.  

But suggesting that everyone who was affected should be made physically and emotionally whole before it’s appropriate to ask questions about why it happened is ridiculous.  And yep…I don’t fault you for doing what you need to do to make a living, but sprawling subdivisions in the region are MOST DEFINITELY TO BLAME AS WELL FOR FLOODING!  (Sorry, I see the allure of the all caps thing, now).  

And quit whining about the traffic in front of your apartment and your terrible commute.  It’s Houston.  You should have figured that out 5 years ago…

[Dave McCorquodale]

…and then there’s this little gem:

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/09/05/engineers-warned-of-flooding-risk-to-houston-area-in-1996-report.html

Our collective attention span, coupled with our acceptance of mediocre politicians, is to blame for a significant amount of the flooding in Houston. 

Sadly, we still seem to prefer politics over science…

[Dave McCorquodale]

I’m not a member of ASLA or CLARB.  While it certainly seems like a legit business expense, I’d ask your accountant to be sure.  If you’re an employee of a firm, they may also know the answer to that.

Dave

[Dave McCorquodale]

I think the consensus around here is that your ability to bring income into the firm and/or increase firm profitability would have a greater positive impact on your earnings than a license. Do longer MLA grad programs contain a study abroad time if you’re just looking to spend time abroad?  Or could you even dovetail into an undergrad study abroad program at your school and work it into your degree track.  Just thinking out load.  All the best in your planning!

dm

[Dave McCorquodale]

Paige– I’ve got a friend who studied for a mini semester at an urban design school in the Netherlands.  Not exactly like what you’re looking at here, but maybe relevant.  I think he’d say that the international exposure heightened his design ability and gave him a new perspective on finding solutions.  My sense is that while licensure may not be required of you at every firm, you may want it for personal satisfaction and as a resource down the road.  You may find out exactly what you need to do and if your study abroad goals would fit inside the context of a stateside MLA program.

…hey Bob.  I think you posted a comment on her profile page thinking you were replying to this discussion…  😉

[Dave McCorquodale]

Not sure of what type/scale of project you’re looking for, but I use two sources:

Waterbearing: http://waterbearing.com/.  This guy studied to be an LA

Fountains Unique

Both have good service and products.

[Dave McCorquodale]

Many of the guys I went to high school with in a small East Texas town close to the coast went on to become welders, pipefitters, machinists, millwrights, etc.  They work on projects that are only going to last a certain period of time, primarily in refineries near the gulf.  Once those projects are done, they take a few weeks off (as long as the unemployment holds out, usually), then go back to work on another project.  Construction inherently has a beginning and an end.  LA projects have a beginning and an end.  I often hear national media cover things like “the number of jobs created by a pipeline, new road, etc” framed as bad because they only last a “x” number of months or years.  That’s the way many people in America choose to work.  We make a decision, either consciously or unconsciously, to work in an environment that has an expiration date.  I’m not sure I could handle the commitment of a job making widgets that was there waiting for me until I die or am too old to work.  I agree with Andrew that contract labor and short-term projects aren’t synonymous with worker exploitation, and it’s our job to hold policy makers accountable to that fact.  Competition is healthy, and indeed benefits us all in the long run.  The other side of the coin is that competition also always creates losers.  We also need to make sure not to turn our back on those that need a little short-term help.  

[Dave McCorquodale]

I’m reminded of that saying that goes something like: You can’t reason someone out of a position that they weren’t reasoned into.  

I’m fine with policy disagreements, but the whole “Obama’s a Muslim” thing is thinly-veiled racism.  Period.  The ACA?  Turned out to be a disaster for almost everyone.  Foreign policy? A hot mess.  Ability to work with Congress to advance projects that help average Americans?  Abysmal.  I didn’t vote for Obama in either election, but I believe he’s a good, decent person who had the wrong prescriptions for what’s ailing the country.  And who was probably a little blind-sided at how tough being the President really is.  And I didn’t vote for Trump simply because he’s a developer and I don’t trust those folks farther than I can throw them.  Pretty judgmental of me, I know.  Am I upset he was elected?  Nope.  Just moving along with my life like I plan to do every day.  

But Obama being a closet Muslim out to wreck America and the western world?  (As if simply being Muslim is somehow going to rot your brain and make you do all kinds of crazy stuff?!?!)  No thank you.  That’s garbage, and should be called such on sight.

Dave

[Dave McCorquodale]

….and that’s how civil dialogue works!  Well said, Andrew.  Thank you!

Dave

[Dave McCorquodale]

Craig, takes conviction to say what you did. I’ll stand with you. My experience is that the “new & improved” right has run most of us who were interested in constructive dialogue off.

Robert– I appreciate your point of view, but man, your delivery is antagonistic, laced with conspiracy theories, and hateful. We agree on many aspects of getting the younger generation of LA’s on their feet, but I can’t agree with what you’ve expressed here.

Dave

[Dave McCorquodale]

That’s awesome.  You win the forum today!  

Dave

[Dave McCorquodale]

Andrew, I think your point about profitability to the firm is perhaps the most important factor in an employer/employee relationship.  Many don’t seem to grasp it, and who can blame them, I don’t think it’s emphasized enough in school or the workplace.

I’m self-employed and closely aligned with one custom pool builder. I do almost all of my business with repeat clients (primarily home builders and developers).  My approach in dealing with all of these business relationships is this:

Anyone has the ability to make them money.  I’m going to make that process easier and more enjoyable for them than anyone else.  Same as when I was an employee, except my only “client” was my employer.  

Jonathan, I understand your frustration.  I’m not doing anything close to what I thought I’d be doing with my LA degree, but I’m happy (although I was happy before I was an LA and will do my best to be happy after I’m finished with LA).  I disagree with the implied notion that upward mobility, fair wages, and employee-centered environments are problems that affect the LA industry more than others.  Both highly talented and well-connected people advance faster than others in every aspect of our economy.  Hope you find your niche and prosper.

Dave

[Dave McCorquodale]

We live & die by oil down here in Texas. Simple as that. To be fair, there are other industries that shore things up, but when the oil guys are down & out, everyone feels it. I’m in favor of meaningful regulations, but want fewer of the ones that aren’t accomplishing anything. And $3.00/gal gas (currently $2.00/gal around here). $3.00 seems to be the tipping point between a stable economy and a booming one here in the lone star state.

[Dave McCorquodale]

Well, the forum has been rather quiet lately, perhaps this thread will generate a bit of discussion.  I admit I’ve not ran any costs or looked into the subject with any scrutiny, but here’s a few general observations:

1. I imagine there were discussions such as this when the idea of “free” K-12 was being discussed.  I don’t know how schoolmasters of the colonial days and westward expansion were paid.  Same for the schoolhouse itself.

2. College tuition costs are, in my opinion, artificially inflated via student loans.  I paid for a significant amount of my education with the GI Bill as well.  Another perk of military service before college is that I was classified as independent after my discharge, so I was eligible for a number of grants that typical students aren’t.

3. In today’s economy, a high school diploma is not adequate to make a living.  If the purpose of providing K-12 education is to provide someone with the minimum skills needed to earn some kind of living, my sense is that the modern workforce needs more.

Again, not sure where I’m at on the topic.  I do not think that the current situation is going to work long term, and I’m admittedly skeptical of offering everyone something for “free”.  I think many people are.  I do believe that there’s likely a solution involving the allocation of existing (and perhaps new) taxes to the situation, but I also I believe in compulsory national service for high school graduates, whether it be in the military or in a civil service program.  I’m interested in hearing other viewpoints and hope that your post leads to a thoughtful discussion.  

Dave

[Author]

Posts