So, do you go outside on your lunch break?

Maybe you sit on the same bench every day or go for a walk, sit in a park or just on the steps of a fountain in the city centre. It is good to get outside isn't it? I used to work in Canary Wharf and loved going to Jubilee Park (more about that clever little park later - building a park directly on top of a large underground train station, with a substantial amount of water to drown out the sounds of air conditioning units from the skyscrapers surrounding it was not an easy task). Oh okay, I've started so...
http://www.cabe.org.uk/case-studies/jubilee-park/description
Anyway, have a think about that the next time you just want to escape from the office. Every little part of the outdoor world is pretty important and without it being well-designed, I believe it would have a significant effect on our well being. Now, someone just needs to tell me how to have time for a proper lunch break...

Let's start with something incongruous to a blog.

If that's the right word. I'm sure someone will let me know if not. The first part of a modern day story/experiment that will make you think.  Although the next part is more thought-provoking, you need to see this to introduce the ideas. Here is Part One of a very interesting documentary I watched a while ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQsos4cmWZI

okay, one more thing. Canary Wharf...

...is hugely underrated. In particular, please look at "man with open arms" 3/4 of the way down the page. He is an absolute favourite of mine. I used to walk or drive past him just to feel exhilaration rush through me. Do what makes you smile. And do it often.

http://exploringeastlondon.co.uk/eel/Canary/Canary.htm

anyway. that's enough to start. more soon. This was meant to be my first night off in ages, but this was on my to do list so I thought why not.

Wonder, as in wonder!! and also wonder?? Summing up nicely my constant child-like thought pattern

I'll be right back. Just have to get another pookie (that's hot water bottle if you're not a Scottish Smith)

why the name of my blog? the abridged version

I like:
1. stories with meaning
2. the land and outdoors
3. anything unusual and exciting
4. anything complex and challenging. oh and straight lines. I like straight lines.

So, the name kinda made sense.
Enjoy.

why the name of my blog?

So, I hope that some of you reading are new to landscape architecture or for those that aren't you will already understand our predicament.
Someone silly called our profession "Landscape Architecture" some years back. Yes I could quote some facts here about who did, when and why, but who gives a crap really. I read about it in a book once.
Basically, this title (in particular in the UK, where this profession sadly trails the rest of the world) is a pretty misleading (read: terrible) description of what we do. We spend too much time having to explain what it means.
So, just to be clear; no, I cannot design your garden. It should be noted that garden designers actually have to go through a lot of training to do what they do well, so it would, in fact, be in an insult to them to consider I could well design a garden, when we study that area only briefly.
I fear I am about to quote from wiki, my apologies, but:
"Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, and/or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome."
So, do you get it?
Anyway, on this blog I make a foray into the apparently mysterious and incredibly diverse world of landscape architecture. Join me and I promise to make you laugh now and then. And maybe teach you something new.
I intend to share and tell stories (well, we all love to talk in my family), tell you some more about our incredible land and planet, show you some brilliant things from around the world to marvel at and unravel the complexity of design.  
Well, I do love a challenge...

Oh. hello.