Thursday, December 13, 2007

School is cool.

Finished my final last night - a little too fast, but I'm confident I did pretty well (except the extra credit - does anyone know what a situs is - no googling it either!). Also did my presentation - my professor made fun of my board, but its all good - I knew he would. Very nice end to a semester that has kinda knocked me out.
Vincent Gauthier was the professor for my class. He is the director of the Port Authority here in Kansas City (yes - we have ports, people!) and also a developer and historic preservationist (the Premiere Preservationist in KC if you ask him). Quite fabulous, though, and the class is great. If you have any interest in the city and how development deals are put together or just need an excuse to grill the greasy developers, bankers, and lawyers who he brings in to class every week - I highly advise you to take the class - Urban Redevelopment. For fun. For real. Do it.
After class - my friend Darren2 and I went to go see Jeff and Vida (only have Safari on this computer so can't add the link right now - it's www.jeffandvida.com) at Davey's Uptown. Check em out - they rock! Another professor of mine, Jacob Wagner, was playing the mandolin with them - it was quite fabulous . . . Got a little tipsy off the $1.50 house beers and talked a little too much. Had a contest with this big dude to see who had the saddest song - I think I won on vocal quality alone. =) But Jacob is yet another wonderful asset to UMKC and to Kansas City. He is a consummate planner, a virtual grant magnet, expert on New Orleans and historic preservationist (the Premiere Preservationist in KC if you ask him.) I've only had him for the History of Urban Planning and Design - but have worked with him on other projects and will definitely find out where he's playing next. I highly advise you to do the same as well - and then make him sit and share a Guinness with you and ask him about Kansas City or planning or New Orleans or proper beer mixes - anything - and sit back and learn.
But yeah, that's what I like so much about being in school. The people I have met who are out there doing stuff in the city - and the people who want to so badly. I have so much to learn from all of them . . . classmates, professors, librarians, guest lecturers - even the assholes who throw frisbees at my head as I walk to class . . . I think I'm addicted. My only saving grace is that I hate writing papers - so there will always be that to encourage be to be done already!
I'm just sad that the semester is over - but looking forward to my classes next semester - and being done, finally. Oh, yeah, and starting all over again in the fall! Yipee!! Oh, and applications and personal statements and recommendations galore. OOOOOOOhhhh - gotta go.

4 comments:

"The D" said...

If there is a Darren2 who is Darren1. Are there more Darren's? If so, How many?

Spyder said...

Hubby,Kanga, got his grades on his 2 classes today. In both he got an A.

Anonymous said...

Good luck.

As a lawyer of several years experence who went to UMKC and did pretty good I could never got a job but had to start by hanging out at municpal court.

Kansas city is full of them.

Get into a top notch school and/or graduate at the top of your class or you will end up like me.

KC Sponge said...

Duh, the D - you're #1!

Spyder - your husband better not try to out do me, I am teacher's pet . . . all the way! =)

Advertiser - thanks for the words of advice (and discouragement =). I wouldn't do it unless I planned on being at the head of my class . . . but we'll see. The education is what I'm there for, opportunity can wait.

I'm taking in all the happenings in Kansas City and saving you all the trouble . . . I'll let you know whether to soak it up or squeeze it out!!