Me...1998 (Part 1)

In 1998 I published a manifesto of sorts in that year's Farmly Fester. I had recently become a father and lost my own father within the course of a year and felt the need to define myself in writing. Here are a few excerpts:

Taking a Swim - In Lake Bill!

Who am I? Do you know me? You may think you do, but don’t be so sure. I’m not even sure I know sometimes. Many days, I feel like the Robin Williams character in “Deconstructing Harry”; out of focus . . . fuzzy . . . blurry. Am I defined by my true beliefs and ideals or by how I portray myself to different people at different times? If I am inconsistent or purposefully deceptive in my portrayal, does that make me a hypocrite, or just human? If I choose to share my core beliefs with others, will it bring us closer together or drive us apart? Does having a civil discourse mean that I must hide my feelings from the scrutiny of those less tolerant?

The answers lie ahead as I try to set the record straight. Read on and immerse yourself . . . in me!

Politics

I have been a registered Democrat since high school. In hindsight, the choice was between a lesser of two evils. I would like to register Independent, but then I wouldn’t get to vote in the cool primaries. I might switch anyway, though, because I have lost faith in the two-party system. I believe the leadership of both parties is idealistically corrupt, morally bankrupt and out of touch with reality. The folly of Clinton’s actions and the witch hunt being conducted in Washington is proof of this. I think the pre-Bob Dole sell-out Jack Kemp would have made a better President than Bill Clinton. But they both made their deals with the devil, and the economy is thriving, so who cares? Steve Forbes in 2000!

Religion

I think that organized religion is a good thing for the masses (all intolerance, zealotry and warfare aside). It’s just not a good thing for me. I was raised Protestant in the United Church of Christ, where we were a C&E family — Christmas and Easter. In the past 15 years, I have moved from organized religion and a casual belief in God to atheism to agnosticism. I now consider myself a humanist. I believe that human interests, values and dignity are of primary importance in achieving the greatest good possible in human kind’s finite existence by way of education, free inquiry and enlightenment. I do not believe in God. I believe in myself and taking responsibility for my own actions, failures and successes.

Architecture

Although I sometimes loathe the practice of architecture and the state of the profession, I love being an architect. It is unfortunate that most people see buildings as objects and have not been educated in the value of good design. I would like to be more active in public education, beginning with my friends who aren’t architects. To this point, however, I can claim no particular influence on my work. In fact, my work is devoid of any significant meaning, a situation which I hope to rectify in the near future.

Favorite Architects	Least Favorite Architects
Louis I. Kahn	Richard Meier
Christopher Alexander	Robert A. M. Stern
Frank Geary	Michael Graves
Peter Eisenman	Robert Venturi
Frank Lloyd Wright	Frank Lloyd Wright

Entertainment

I love watching TV I can’t get enough of it, and I would never apologize for it. However, I find that my must-see-TV list is shrinking, and it concerns me. Thanks to Alex, we don’t get out to the movies much anymore, so I rely on video and three channels of sweet HBO for my mindless entertainment. I don’t read much (other than periodicals), but when I do, they are works that I consider significant. If I’m going to expend the energy, I want to read or watch things that will make me think, affect me emotionally and have a positive impact on my life.

Must-See TV	Must-Read Authors
Friends	Ernest Hemingway
Seinfeld	John Irving
South Park	Ayn Rand
King of the Hill	Gary Trudeau

Favorite Movies	Favorite Comedians
After Hours	Dennis Miller
Raising Arizona	Jeaneane Garafolo
Pulp Fiction	Sam Kinison
*Field of Dreams	E. Murphy/Chris Rock
*It’s a Wonderful Life	Don Rickles
*Mr. Roberts	David Letterman

* Always makes me cry.