26th anniversary of 1989 Loma Prieta

There was an earthquake registering 6.9 on this day, October 17th, 26 years ago in 1989. I was a preteen in Palo Alto having a private music lesson when the shaking started. It was quite terrifying but soon stopped. No one I knew was hurt and there was not much damage nearby. I remember images of the bridge and freeways but I think I was most concerned with the fact that we only had one day off from school and my father who worked in a research lab had a whole week! Despite the fact that it has been so long since the last "big" earthquake I am still very conscientious of the dangers of living and working in so unpredictable an area. Be sure to check your earthquake kits and emergency plans regularly!

Event: ICRI Symposium

The International Concrete Repair Institute is having a Symposium on September 25th. See more info here.

Book: The Second Empress

Just finished reading The Second Empress by Michelle Moran. Her books are historical fiction written from the perspective of fascinating women. I've now read most of them. This one was about Napoleon's second wife. Fun quick read though sometimes a bit gruesome. Glad I wasn't living in France during the Napoleonic wars!

Event Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 12:00-1:30pm

... a studio tour of Patrick J. Ruane, one of San Francisco’s premier plastering firms. Founded in 1940 by brothers Patrick and Malachy Ruane, the company currently employs a work force of artisans and craftsmen that use time honored techniques of the past to retain and restore historic buildings. Ruane is currently working on the reconstruction and restoration of the decorative plaster ceiling and walls at the San Francisco Mining Exchange Building, located at 350 Bush Street. The tour will include a discussion of the reconstruction process and include a demonstration of the casting process. See more info.

Building destruction in London

The riots in London have destroyed several Victorian era buildings. It is rare to see anyone write about buildings during times of human violence but this article is very well written and points to what the destruction of buildings might represent. Enjoy article here.

Albion Castle for sale

The Albion Castle in Hunters Point is for sale for 1.1 million. Anyone in the market for an eccentric landmark should check this out.

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture

I heard this quote on the radio several months ago. Apparently no one is really sure who to attribute it to. I don't necessarily agree with the quote but I like the idea of "dancing about architecture".