"27 Hours of Love"

I always complain about the bad things this country has to offer: spite, mockery, laziness, tardiness, etc. However, I must as readily accept that there are certain things that are truly impressive and praise-worthy.

One of the most impressive is the Teletón. The Teletón was begun in 1978 by a famous, Chilean television host: Mario Kreutzberger aka Don Francisco. He invited the Society for Disabled Children (founded in 1947) to work together through a televised event. The idea was to raise more money and help even more children. Now, thirty years later, there are several establishments throughout the country dedicated to helping and rehabilitating disabled children and young people and their families.

Tonight, at 9:00 p.m., the Teletón begins its yearly transmission which lasts for 27 straight hours. Every year a monetary goal is set. Large companies, philanthropists and the ordinary Joe donate money to attain that goal. It isn't always reached within the 27 hour limit, but it's a true testament to the Chilean people's solidarity and committment to this cause. The whole country comes to a standstill. No matter where anyone goes, they always ask a store clerk, the bus driver or a random stranger in the street: "How are we coming along?" or "Are we getting close to our goal yet?"

It's a beautiful thing. During the televised transmission, we hear stories about families that have had to learn to live and excel with a disabled child: heart wrenching. I don't know of anyone who can sit and watch the whole 27 hours. I, myself, can only sit and listen to a couple or three per each Teletón.

Anyways, I just wanted to spread the word about this wonderful cause. I wish every Chilean luck in reaching this year's goal.

Business....as usual

Hey everyone,
I'm back from vacay. It was great! I promise to upload some pictures as soon as I can. Between Facebook, replying emails and paying the very-important-after-vacations-visit-to-briefly-describe-the-wonderful-food-and-sites-I-was-privy-to to most of my friends, I am totally out of time. Oh, and I forgot to mention that I also have to work every once in a while, hahaha.

Even though I had decided to take a break from architecture, my vacations gave me a fresh outlook on the problem. So, while I work on other projects (crafts and stuff) that I have lined up, I will be getting back into the architectural swing of things.

So let me see....right now I'm working on:

• 3+1 projects that are only paperwork. Those projects have already been built sans the proper permits. Therefore, I have the "pleasurable" task of putting together the properties' municipal dossiers with all of the missing documents, plans and reports. bO-ring and tEE-di-ous. At least they are almost in the bag.
• 3 bids (or estimates, not sure how to call them) for different projects that have yet to be built. All of these require design (my FAVORITE part). One is a restaurant, the second is a group of small cabins, and the third is the headquarters for a moving company. That sounds a lot more impressive and glamorous than it really is, believe me. I'm not sure if they'll except my bid yet, but I'm keepin' my fingers crossed.
• 1 project to turn two houses on one lot into collective housing...just paperwork and the owners are a pain.
  
• 1 project that was supposed to be finished by now. But the owners decided that the project they approved is now too expensive and they want us to change it to a less expensive budget without us charging for that!!!!!!! Clueless, they are completely clueless.
  

You know, I had to admit that I live a bohemian lifestyle and I like that. It's not something that I'm willing to give up just yet. I could never conform to a structured work day. I would, literally, die. So what was I thinking trying to fit into the real world?