Aldous Huxley's Island

I once read a passage quoted by the authors of A Pattern Language (which can be viewed in its entirety online via this fabulous website). The idea eventually slipped my mind until I picked up a copy of Aldous Huxley's Island.

"How many homes does a Palanese child have?"

"About twenty on the average."

"Twenty? My God!"

"We all belong," Susila explained, "to a MAC -a Mutual Adoption Club. Every MAC consists of anything from fifteen to twenty five assorted couples. Newly elected brides and bridegrooms, old timers with growing children, grandparents and great-grandparents everybody in the club adopts everyone else. Besides our own blood relations, we all have our quota of deputy mothers, deputy fathers, deputy aunts and uncles, deputy brothers and sisters, deputy babies and toddlers and teen-agers."

Will shook his head. "Making twenty families grow where only one grew before."

"But what grew before was your kind of family. As though reading instructions from a cookery book, "Take one sexually inept wage slave," she went on, "one dissatisfied female, two or (if preferred) three small television addicts; marinate in a mixture of Freudism and dilute Christianity, then bottle up tightly in a four room flat and stew for fifteen years in their own juice. Our recipe is rather different: Take twenty sexually satisfied couples and their offspring; add science, intuition and humor in equal quantities; steep in Tantrik Buddhism and simmer indefinitely in an open pan in the open air over a brisk flame of affection."

"And what comes out of your open pan?" he asked.

"An entirely different kind of family. Not exclusive, like your families, and not predestined, not compulsory. An inclusive, unpredestined and voluntary family. Twenty pairs of fathers and mothers, eight or nine ex-fathers and ex-mothers, and forty or fifty assorted children of all ages."

Island is a work of utopian fiction set in (believe it or not) Southeast Asia. It is my first book by Aldous Huxley (unless you consider watching the movie A Brave New World akin to reading the book) and I am thoroughly impressed. Though Huxley appears to be quite fond of fantastic drug-induced mental states, I would say that his ultimately tragic vision of the nation of Pala is one of the best fictional constructions of utopian society I have read thus far. The story of the island nation is wonderfully appealing, yet the events that transpired are almost real, like something that could have happened in the region in our very recent history.

The book was written two years before Aldous Huxley died and is often considered the culmination of his utopian/dystopian writings starting with A Brave New World. Huxley envisioned a hopeful alternative to the world we have today, a human society that paid "attention" to the "here and now," and by doing so, found happiness in the most mundane.

Interactive Feng Shui Adviser

Check your room's Chi with this simple interactive adviser.

I'm writing some more!

MORE THAN JUST A BATH
from My Home Magazine February 2005 Issue

People enjoy doing all sorts of things in the bathroom. Much like the multi-functional spaces in contemporary homes, the bath also provides for other activities besides maintaining good hygiene. Its calm seclusion and comfortable intimacy has transformed the bathroom into a much needed escape from the daily grind. Fortunately, bathing as a form of therapy has gained popularity in recent years, and as a result, the pleasure of bathing is finally being restored to our harried lives.
So, how does one transform the common bathroom into more than just another utilitarian space? The most versatile and responsive baths share a number of fundamental characteristics: ample space, light, air, water, and privacy. Together, these qualities contribute to a more holistic bathing experience, a far cry from the regular shower.

More Space
Added space, whether physically accessible or just the mere sight of it will surely enhance the bather’s sense of well-being in this often most claustrophobic of rooms.
In a spacious bath, one may stretch out comfortably without tipping bottles or striking fixtures by accident. Of course, not many bathrooms pass this criterion, but there are ways to transform seemingly small spaces into larger ones. One method is to simply reduce clutter by relocating items that do not contribute to the bathing experience. The remainder may then be stored inside built-ins, preferably beneath the sink or flush with the walls for a cleaner look. Another way is to use curtains instead of panels. Curtains allow the freedom of movement often lacking in small showers without sacrificing privacy. One more technique is to integrate curves into the design. Curved surfaces look more fluid, thus adding a sense of depth to an otherwise tiny space.
If practicable, the bathroom may be physically extended into an adjacent area, like a neighboring bath, closet, bedroom, garden wall, light well, balcony, or even part of the hall. A visual link between different areas and borrowed scenery will also add to the bather’s sense of space. If no adjoining rooms are available, an illusion of additional space may be fabricated through the clever use of mirrors or translucent surfaces.
More Light and Air
A well-lighted bathroom encourages activities usually overlooked in no-frills bathing like reading, appreciating art, and catching some rays. Windows, glass panel doors, skylights, reflective surfaces, and artificial lighting can help brighten up the room. However, indirect light is often favored over direct light to avoid heat and glare.
Since more time is to be spent inside the bathroom, the space must also be well ventilated like a regular room. Water makes the air humid, so if items such as art pieces or books are to find a place in the bath, items must be protected and humidity must be controlled by good ventilation usually through operable windows or quiet exhaust fans.
More Water
Tubs are notorious for consuming excessive amounts of water, but a mere dip need not be wasteful if done correctly. In traditional Japanese baths, bathers usually scrub themselves clean before a good soak. The Japanese-style tub is shorter yet deep enough to cover the shoulders of a seated person. Since the person is already clean, the water can be shared or reused for other purposes. People enjoy sensual contact with water and indulging in a warm soak every now and then is a sure way to relax.
In addition, one of the best ways to conserve water is to do so in the bathroom. Some bath arrangements and toilets make use of recycled water from the lavatory and tub for flushing and some new fixtures use even less water. Clean potable water is a luxury, and it is always wise to make the most of it.
More Personal Space
Despite the importance of spacious, bright and airy bathrooms, privacy must always be respected in the bath. This can be accomplished by defining several spaces within the bathroom according to varying levels of intimacy. In other words, the bath environment must allow a bather to go into different modes of seclusion depending on the need, especially if the room is shared between couples or among family members.
The most private space such as the toilet must be kept separate from the bath, if possible, in an adjacent room with its own door. At the very least, it must be hidden by a low partition and face away from the bathing area and circulation space. The shower must be enclosed as well to keep the bather out of clear sight. If there is a tub, it must likewise be hidden from view, at least in part, and located at the far end of the room. If the tub is meant to be used by more than one person at a time, racks for large towels are needed close by, possibly one for each bather. His and her sinks for couples are also becoming the norm, preferably with a table or enough space in between to avoid overlapping activity. All these features are meant to safeguard the personal space of bathers.
More than Just a Bath
Indeed, the bathroom can be so much more than just a place for keeping the body clean. It can serve as a retreat for the mind, an intimate space and a wellspring of comfort, where day-to-day concerns are simply washed away. The bath is like an oasis for the weary, yet one does not need to travel far in order to find it. It may be waiting to be discovered right in your own home.

UAP GAM Green Forum 2005

UNITED ARCHITECTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
GREEN ARCHITECTURE MOVEMENT
GREEN FORUM 2005

Theme: Saving Energy thru Green Architecture & Engineering
Date: February 26, 2005 (Saturday)
Time: 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Venue: Legend Villas, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City

The Green Architecture Movement (GAM) is holding a one day lecture series and forum complete with the exhibition of building products related to this year's theme which is "Saving Energy Thru Green Architecture and Engineering."

PROGRAM

Morning Session

8:30 – 9:45 Pre-forum (Registration, Fellowship, Exhibit Viewing and Coffee Time
9:45 – 9:55 Invocation & National Anthem - Arch. Armando T. Tantoco, uap
9:55 – 10:15 Green Architecture & Forum Objectives - Arch. Geronimo V. Manahan, fuap
10:15 – 10:20 Welcome Address - Arch. Enrique O. Olonan, fuap UAP National President
10:20 – 10:25 Introduction of Keynote Speaker - Arch. Raymond L. Sih, uap
10:25 – 10:40 Keynote Address - Ms. Teresita M. Borra Director, Energy Utilization Management Bureau, Dept. of Energy
10:40 – 11:15 Energy Awareness in Architecture - Arch. Amado P. De Jesus, Jr., fuap
11:15 – 11:45 Open Forum - Arch. Lora B. Rivera, uap
11:45 – 12:00 Acknowledgement of Guests - Arch. Romulo G. De Jesus, Jr., uap

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

Afternoon Session

1:00 – 1:40 Product Presentation – Green Roof SPECSERV
1:45 – 2:06 Energy Savings in Electrical Engineering - Engr. Roger Amper
2:10 – 2:30 Energy Savings in Mechanical Engineering - Engr. Jose Hilario
2:35 – 2:55 Saving Energy in Architectural Design - Arch. Stanley G. Fernandez III, uap
3:00 – 3:30 Open Forum - Arch. Lora B. Rivera, uap
3:30 – 4:00 Coffee Break and Exhibit Viewing
4:00 – 4:30 Summary
4:30 – 4:40 Awarding of Token of Appreciation - Arch. Edgar V. Reformado, fuap
4:40 – 4:45 Closing Remarks - Arch. Joven F. Ignacio, uap
4:45 – 5:00 Raffles - Arch. Rajelyn Busmente, uap

Masters of Ceremonies: Arch. Lora B. Rivera, uap and Arch. Maximo F. Cacapit, uap

Sometimes from the Moon, other times from Saturn

You Are From the Moon

You can vibe with the steady rhythms of the Moon. You're in touch with your emotions and intuition. You possess a great, unmatched imagination - and an infinite memory. Ultra-sensitive, you feel at home anywhere (or with anyone). A total healer, you light the way in the dark for many.

You Are From Saturn

You're steady, organizes, and determined to achieve your dreams. You tend to play it conservative, going by the rules (at least the practical ones). You'll likely reach the top. And when you do, you'll be honorable and responsible. Focus on happiness. Don't let your goals distract you from fun! Don't be too set in your ways, and you'll be more of a success than you ever dreamed of.

What Planet Are You From?

In the name of another

People who profess to act entirely in the name of others are cowards and liars. They hope to escape accountability by invoking another's name, or so they think. They hide behind whatever convenient and popular "authority," denying personal responsibility for wrongdoing in the name of god, in the name of country, in the name of the republic, in the name of "public service," in the name of the "masa," etc.

If there is one thing I wish for those who claim to act in the name of others, it is that they do so for the rest of their natural lives, that they truly serve whatever greater good they ascribe to despite themselves. What a difference that would make.

Happy Lunar New Year

what is this chicken thinking?

Sally Shears

Sally Shears a.k.a. Molly is one of the recurring characters in William Gibson's science fiction novels. If you haven't heard of her, the enigmatic and dangerous female lead character (often with dark hair and dark mirror glasses) in many cyberpunk films are probably based on her (but that's just my opinion).

Why did I bring her up? I finally found an inexpensive copy of Mona Lisa Overdrive, the third book of a loosely connected series starting with Neuromancer. I think the stories are loosely connected because I still do not have the second book, Count Zero. I really want to dive into my new purchase, but not having the book in between is a real drag. I guess Mona Lisa Overdrive will have to wait until I find that elusive second book.

Don't you hate it when you try to enjoy a sequel, but miss out on some references made to an earlier installment?

Archinect

I visit this website almost every day.

What is it all about?

About Archinect
The goal of Archinect is to make architecture more connected and open-minded, and bring together designers from around the world to introduce new ideas from all disciplines. Archinect was initially developed in 1997 by Paul Petrunia. The site has since become a top online destination for progressive-design oriented students, architects, educators, and fans.