140129
DEAR…
by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI,CDT
Cincinnati, OH
Dear Child of Mine:
Just laying [lying?] here in the dark [its 3:40 AM] and thinking while Spiffy snores his doggy snores.
Had a thought about what I have to do tomorrow, not that it’s a worry, but just want to make sure I get it doneand right!
Got to thinking about you and your future. Not pushing, just thinking. You do well in English, surviving both Bill Shakespeare and diagramming sentences; and you seem to write rather well [loved the autobiography and the so-so remarks about me!]. And you seem to have the computer very well in your control, but you still like to sketch and design houses.
Well, just a thought, but you might be a candidate for architecture! You are well rounded, and like the technical with a good sense of taste for sensibility, and not fads. You, like me, are not too adept at making things, but we try.
Now I have to confess that my choice to be an architect has been so very satisfying to methe people Ive met as colleagues, employers and clients; the projects Ive worked on, and the satisfaction of seeing work I DID being built! Wow, Ill tell you there is little else like that.
Oh, I know I am not great designernever was. But then some one has to be there to take the concepts and convert them into feet and inches, and grunt details. For me, thats it-- putting the projects togetherlove it!
And now Ive come to yet another threshold. Getting older [thats old-er, not just OLD!] I can look back at the teaching I didand Im still doing it, but in the office. Now I get to answer questions, instead of asking them. Now I am a resource instead of being a “seeker”. I know where to find things; I can call on experience to give advice and solutions; my background and knowledge still have value. Now Im doing some really nifty work, still putting buildings together, but this time its with words!
Hey, let me just plant a seed with you-- has it ever crossed your mind that you could be a professional, and a spec writer, too? In-house, or private consultant.
For that matter, much of this applies to product representatives, too.
Not a bad life! Wont get wealthy, but deep in good people and personal satisfaction