Author Archive
Posted on September 4, 2008 - by Elliott
Bad Poetry Day at BJG
I feel like I should write a poem introduction to this article, but I am rhymed and metered out. Considering I won our Bad Poetry Contest, this is to be expected. Below is a series of poems, written by BJGers. I think some of the best ones were written by Pete, prodding everyone into writing poems. He at least deserves honorably mention!
The Start
Pete started off Bad Poetry Day with an email to the company.
Monday, August 18, 2008
At BJG will be great
You will be happy to know
It’s National Bad Poetry Day – ho hoIn honor of this festive event
A contest I propose to present
To the worst poem a prize
I can already see the gleam in your eyesPlease email to me
Verses at least three
Subject no matter
But tasteful as cookie batterAny that are Great
Will be posted, not ate
The accolade that is won
Will definitely be fun
As is to be expected, some people were a little slow at getting in their submissions, so Pete sent out this little diddy:
Total awful submissions so far
Is not to the number I crave
It is true that I’ve gotten 5 sets of prose
Yet 25 do I yearn to saveFear not however it’s not too late
The promised deadline is near
August 18 is the date
Write deeply and quickly and send to me
Prizes are waiting – you will love what you see
On the last day of the competition, Pete sent out this:
9 sets of verses so far
Today is the end of the game
Submit your prose
Or hold your nose
And avoid the fame
The Results
Today, Pete sent out the winners with this attached:
The submissions are in
The votes have been tallied
The rules say someone must win
Regardless how language was sulliedI’ve analyzed the verses
I’ve looked for good rhyme
I eliminated the curses
We had a good timeThe winner is Elliott
Who penned a memorable phrase
“My Boss is my Wife”
“BJG is my Life”Second goes to Denise
Who rhymed Great and potentate
Also list and subsist
If only I could find a rhyme for DeniseThird must be awarded to Charles
For if bad is to be good
His poem is the worst
And reward terrible we should
The Contenders
In no particular order, here are the submissions.
Untitled by Monica
There once was an employee named Frank
Who failed to complete his timesheet
On payday he cried
And wished he had died
For there was no money in his bank.There once was an employee named Rita
She wanted to order a fajita
But no money she had
For she was quite bad
Again, her timesheet was incomplete.There once was an employee Dirk
Who wanted to go on vacation
He had hoped to avoid an altercation
But I’m afraid
a big deal was made
And now he will just have to work.If it’s my week for kitchen duty
Would people think I was really fruity
If I dumped all the mold
The refrigerator can hold
And threw away the containers?
The Good Old Days by Pete
Oh when I was a young engineer
My head wasn’t as full – my thinking was clear
We used pencils and paper to create our inspirations
No computers but plenty of dripping perspirationThe code was all in a pocket-sized book
No bookshelf was needed; a small vessel to store was all it took
To stockpile the sum knowledge of engineers great
Now we know so a great deal more, it’s no piece of cake.Calculators were simple, just plain RPN – reverse polish you know
Now we have parentheses, functions, equations – all blow
Today we have SAP, Etabs, STAAD and more
Give me a break, programs do bore.In sum, it’s gotten much harder to do what we do
More books, more programs, more machines in the stew
Are our designs better for all of this stuff?
I think not - technology in lieu of judgment – that’s tough.
Untitled by Elliott (winner)
I am really excited about BJG poetry day
I finally have a chance to say what I want to say
The burden on my chest
I can finally rest
I am really excited about BJG poetry dayThe P-town office is the best around
A nice little community is what I have found
Close to the bay
It’s sunny almost every day
The P-town office is the best aroundOh so happy at BJG I am
Like someone eating a Christmas Ham
My boss is my wife
BJG is my life
Oh so happy at BJG I am
Composing Poetry by Ed
Composing poetry is a lofty goal.
Crafting the words must come from your soul.
Think carefully about each verse you write
The words must have meaning….don’t be trite.And once you have gathered the proper thoughts
….with frustration it may be wrought….
Don’t give in to this formidable test
Trying hard and again will make it the best.It’s such pleasure to hear each word you compose
Your thoughts joined together in wonderful prose.
So sit down now don’t be afraid to start,
But don’t stress too much lest you cut a fat fart.
Untitled by Teresa
I wondered why, I wandered far
Then I stumbled on my car
I thought for a bit
Then opened it
And sat and slouched and sighedI turned the key
Hopefully
It coughed and gasped then started
Is the only thing that rhymes farted?
Well that stinksOff I went into the night
Like a solar landscape light
Strong at first
Yet undoubtfully cursed
To fade away
Untitled by Scott
Alone at my desk I sat thinkin
Out with my mates I should be drinkin
So I picked up the phone
Heard the ring tone
And had three on the way without blinkinSo I jumped in my car
To a pub not too far
for libations of plenty I was seekin
as my mates and I drank
I started to think
Awww…..crap I forgot to turn in my report to Pete!
Untitled by Noko
Pete is the one who found me in cyber.
Beat will be counted for me in the binder.
Short daily meeting appears on our calendars.
Only to be sorted for highly respected affairs.Nothing much to do when I first started.
Little did I know that was soon to be changed?
Delegate work to me, so I can fill my time.
Now he’s the King of “Forward to Noko.”Here we communicate a bit better than before.
As I recall the days when I couldn’t talk at all.
To be around a boss who is truly capable.
Only makes me humble and very inspired.Yes, you are right that I’m totally sucking up.
As my review is near right here in his office.
Yet, I wonder how this one will be handled.
Bet it will be another warm and fuzzy one.
Poem by Charles (worstest place)
roses are red
violets are blue
I’m schizophrenic
so am I
Untitled by Cliff
You would think everyone would know it
That is, what it takes to be a bad poet
Is it enough to just not rhyme
Or would it be better to lack rhythm and timeMost good poems have a point to get across
They have alliteration, versus, things learned in class
Good ones can be short or long
Not much different than the lyrics in a songSo “what is it” to myself I ask
That makes a bad poem such a task
Maybe it really does just come down
To the words at the end of each line
Untitled by Marlon
I hate writing poetry
Can’t you see
But I’ll do it this one time
Just to practice my rhyme
My versus are horrible
Unlike our calcs for structural
Our new office in Pleasanton
Will one day make dollars by the ton
And let’s not leave out Henderson
I’m sure they’ll go on one hell of a run
And as for BJG’s architecture
Don’t worry architects, its respected for sure.
Bad poetry isn’t my fortay
But at least I tried and that’s all I have to say
It’s Badder Than Bad by Denise (second place)
“Bad Poetry” has been requested by our Potentate
What exactly does that mean
Who will judge which are less-than-great?
Who has sense that keen?I will write what comes to mind
Hoping for some badness
But I sit here most resigned
Amongst the daily madnessSitting amongst the madness you say?
What of your utilization?
It will go unnoticed I pray
When I charge to the most recent frustrationAT&T, ProLogis, the latest TI
What else is on the list?
Maybe the Hyatt has finally let fly
How else will I subsist?
International Language of Love by Mary
Ick bein American
Ich wohne in AmerickaJ’exprime ma passion á mon aimé
Par la poesie et l’amourScrivo le parole che ritengo, affinche tutti guardino fisso su
Ma quado la gente ha letto I miei pensieri su carta,Cualquier lengua escribo
Cualquier lengua hablo
Lo que déjà mu plumaIt’s jacked
——-
(German)
I am an American,
I live in America(French)
I express my passions to my beloved
Through poetry and love,(Spanish)
Whatever language I write,
Whatever language I speak,
Whatever leaves my pen,(American)
It always sounds like Greek
Posted on September 2, 2008 - by Elliott
2008 SEAOC Convention
I am attending the 2008 SEAOC (Structural Engineers Association of California) Convention. It is being held September 23 - 27 on the Big Island, Hawaii. I have been to the last 4 out of 5 SEAOC Conventions and certainly would not miss one being held in Hawaii! Every year I attend I have come back to BJG energized about my profession.
Here are some of the sessions I plan on attending.
Report Cards for Building Seismic Safety: A Proposed Rating System for Earthqauke Performance of Buildings
This session is being giving by the SEAONC Existing Buildings Committee. This is right inline with the training I took in 2006 to become a Safety Assessment Evaluator. This training, put on by SEAONC and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is a 1 day course. From the SEAONC website:
When earthquake disaster strikes a community, there is an immediate need for damage inspections. The Structural Engineer’s Association of Northern California has teamed with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) to recruit, train, and maintain a group of licensed engineers who are ready to respond following a major earthquake to assess the safety of building structures. There are currently approximately 278 SEAONC members who are registered as Volunteer Safety Assessment Engineers. To activate such a large pool of volunteers, the SEAONC DES-ATC 20 Subcommittee has created a telephone and e-mail communication network in order to provide rapid response to the affected communities.
Best Design Practices for Seismic Evaluation and Preservation of Historic Buildings: Distinct Structural Systems and Benefit Cost Analyses
This session is exciting to me because it takes the evaluation part and extends it to a value and cost dimension. When is a certain structural system the most cost effective for the owner and occupants? This session has the potential shed some light on this subject.
Structual Implications of Green Roofs, Terraces, and Walls
I have not designed a green roof as of yet, however, I have always wondered about their effects on the load bearing systems in a building. What about water and rain retention? How does these additional loads affect the lateral (shear walls, moment frames, etc.) systems? This will be a very interesting session.
On a similar note, green is the hottest design item right now. It is interesting to look back three or four years ago at the proceedings and not find a single paper or presentation researching the structural implications of green design. However, you could find numerous papers (there seemed like there were entire afternoons devoted to the topic) on buckling restrained braced frames or unbonded braces. Now, there afternoons devoted to green design and only one presentation on buckling restrained braced frames.
Numerous Local Flavor Topics
There are always a number local topics presented at each convention. This is a neat way to become connected with the engineers in the area of the convention. This year there are presentations on Microzoned Design Maps of Topographic Wind Effects and Exposure in the Building Codes of the State of Hawaii and Performance of the Kawaihae Harbor Port Facility Resulting from teh 2006 Earthquake.
Social Programs
On top of the technical sessions there are ample opportunities for socializing and networking. There are themed welcome receptions and cocktail hours, younger member receptions, and the all important President’s Cup where the different sections (Northern, Central and Southern California as well as San Diego) compete against each other in mental and physical competitions.
I will report back after the conference to give everyone an update on the conference. Stay tuned! Additionally, if you will be in attendance, let me know in the comments what sessions you are looking forward to.
Posted on August 22, 2008 - by Elliott
Reno Picnic 2008
Every year, the Reno office hosts a picnic for employees and their families. It is always a good time. This year it was held at Caughlin Ranch Park. Here are some photos. You can find the rest on our flickr page.
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- The Gang Sits Down to Eat
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- The Gang Gets Some Food
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- The Gang Gets Grillin'
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- The Gang Helps Out
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- The Gang Gets Friendly
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- The Gang Plays a Game
Posted on August 4, 2008 - by Elliott
Our Online Toolkit
To have a successful blog, we need to interact with potential readers in as many ways possible. In this post, although a little off topic, I will share the ways we are trying to gain eyeballs.
Delicious
Delicious defines itself as
a social bookmarking service that allows users to tag, save, manage and share web pages from a centralized source. With emphasis on the power of the community, Delicious greatly improves how people discover, remember and share on the Internet.
When an interesting link gets past around the office we make sure to put it into our delicious bookmarks, which can be found here: http://delicious.com/bjgisresponsive. Readers can subscribe to our bookmarks, become our friend through delicious (that way we can share links directly to one another). I am also working to get our new links posted on our blog once a month for more crossover activity.
Twitter
Twitter is a
service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
What does that mean you ask? I think of Twitter as a chat system/blogging platform and social networking all rolled into one. Your entries are related to 140 characters (pretty hard sometimes). You can “follow” people and then get their updates almost immediately. With twitter, you can have conversations with people halfway around the globe that have common interests.
At first I didn’t know how to find good quality people to follow. Twitter, at the time, did not have a search function. But a website called summize.com did. Summize, which recently was acquired by twitter, built a search function on top of twitter using twitter’s api (application programming interface, a fancy way of saying twitter opened it’s data up to summize).
Using summize, I searched for key words (revit, leed, usgbc, architecture, etc.). Whoever said those words, I “followed”. The true twitter-ers want a conversation, not spam pointing them to your blog. That is the difficult part, but also the fun of twitter.
Come start a conversation with us. http://twitter.com/bjgisresponsive
Posted on July 25, 2008 - by Elliott
July Engaged Employee
George is our engaged employee of the month for July. He has given numerous hours to help make the new Moana Pool in Reno a reality. Most recently, he manned the grill at a BBQ fundraiser. Congrats, George!
Posted on July 18, 2008 - by Elliott
Finally, Weather Data!
Since graduate school, I have always liked having gigabytes of data thrown at me in graphical format. Colored heat maps, pie, line, and bar charts; my only desire is to graph everything that can be graphed. An example of this is the articles in the Environmental Design + Construction Magazine. Each article gives a summary of weather data for where the building is located.
That is why I was very excited to find ECOTECT. Through reading one of the Revit blogs, I came across an announcement that Autodesk had acquired ECOTECT. From the ECOTECT website:
ECOTECT is a complete building design and environmental analysis tool that covers the full range of simulation and analysis functions required to truly understand how a building design will operate and perform.
I downloaded a free trial for a number of their products. They have weather and analyzer tools, as well as a number of other visualization and modeling tools. I have been playing with the weather tool for a little bit. The tool allows a user to plot all sorts of weather related graphs for a certain region: temperature, wind direction, humidity, etc.
When I tried to find weather data for Reno, it wasn’t in the program. A quick look on the ECOTECT website gave me a link to the US Department of Energy website that houses loads of weather data. Now I have a way to not only find elusive weather data, but also a way to plot it. This kind of data is necessary for the next step in green design. Incorporating sun angles, temperatures, prevailing wind direction, etc. into building design is uber-green and something I would love to learn about.
If you have any references for this level of design, please share them in the comments.
As an example of the data, I have embedded average temperature data for the three BJG offices. As it is July, I am glad I am in Pleasanton and not Las Vegas; I can’t handle the heat! I plotted this in Excel.
Happy plotting!
Posted on July 10, 2008 - by Elliott
There is No Such Thing as a LEED Certified Product
I have been researching sustainable products for a project I am working on. I have noticed a number of products that make misleading or false statements. Here are some of the ones I have found.
Misleading statement #1: Automatic ID Credit
Nothing will give you an automatic ID (Innovation in Design) credit.
The following statement was taken from the U.S. Green Building Council’s website. (This document specifically):
LEED ID Credits are evaluated for each project. It is important to note that the award of an ID Credit for one project at a specific point in time does not constitute automatic approval for a similar strategy in a future project. Innovation credits are not awarded for the use of a particular product or design strategy if the technology aids in the achievement of an existing LEED credit.
USGBC does produce a catalog of ID credits awarded on past projects. But this document is meant as a “brainstorming tool only to assist project teams in the development of new ID credits. It does not set any precedent to be upheld during a LEED Certification Review.”
Misleading statement #2: LEED Certified Product
The USGBC does not certify, endorse or promote products, services or companies, nor do we track, list or report data related to products and their environmental qualities.
However, using green products and materials may contribute to a building’s LEED Certification. See our Green Building Links for information from other green building organizations.
Misleading Statement #3: LEED Qualified Product
The image below was taken from a carpet manufacturer’s website. The USGBC strictly prohibits using LEED in reference to a product. Refer to the Member Logos and Guidelines on the USGBC website.
The logo may not be placed on product packaging, ads, or be used as a visual reference to LEED claims in product literature. For example, the logo cannot be placed next to text that says, “Product A can help fulfill Credit X under the LEED Rating System”
Although the logo below does not use the actual LEED logo, the name still implies endorsement. This is wrong and misleading.
Further more, the language included in the image above is not clear. It is fantastic that their carpet contains 10% recycled content. However, is it post-consumer or pre-consumer? There is a difference when calculating your total project recycled content. LEED instructs us to only to take 1/2 of the pre-consumer content and all of the post-consumer content.
In addition, claims that because a product is 100% recycled, your project will earn points is incomplete. Your overall project needs to meet certain goals, not just a single product. If the only recycled content in your project was the carpet above, you would most likely get no recycled content credits.
Conclusion
LEED is a complicated guide to green building. It is complicated because it needs to be thorough. Here are some things you can do as an owner, developer, home owner or concerned tenant to help you through the green building process.
- Ask a LEED Accredited Professional. All LEED APs are listed at the Green Building Certification Institutue’s website. (The GBCI is the testing and certification arm of the USGBC, although it is completely independent from the standards writing USGBC.)
- BJG has 7 LEED APs and we would be happy to help you with your next proejct. Feel free to contact us: Reno (775.827.1010), Las Vegas (702.990.3532) or Pleasanton (925.251.9800).
- Ask questions. Many manufacturers will tell you that their product will give you 6 LEED points. (This happened to a coworker of mine today, in fact). As discussed above, this statement is not true. Ask them what points their product will contribute to. Ask them for literature and backup. Really press them on how their product is green.
- There are some directories out there for reference. Many cities, like Portland and Santa Monica, are starting to compile directories of products not only green, but also regionally manufactured. Buildinggreen.com and Builditgreen.com are reputable sources for green information.
Everyone wants a piece of the green building pie. Make sure to not get caught up in the marketing hype.
Posted on June 1, 2008 - by Elliott
The Future of Collaboration
What is the future of A/E/C collaboration? It very well might be Autodesk’s Freewheel.
Freewheel uses a small bit of embeddable javascript to render a dwf file. I simply upload a dwf file to our website, and then copied and pasted code from the Freewheel website. Freewheel will then render the dwf (2D or 3D) on our website. In this test case, I uploaded a complicated column/joist/girder/beam connection.
