MIRF

MIRF
Every once in awhile I get some small request on the side for the Make It Right Foundation and figured that it would make for an interesting segway from the usual work. The Make It Right Foundation (MIRF as I call it) is a post-Katrina rehabilitation program founded by Brad Pitt to help bring new homes to some of the most devastated parts of New Orleans.

The project aims to build 150 new homes in the Lower 9th Ward, one of, if not the, most devastated areas in all of New Orleans. The new homes, from inspirations of a Global Green competiont that Brad Pitt help set up, will aim to retain the cultural feel of the Lower 9th Ward while incorporating sustainable building practices and high quality workmanship.

The most vivid part of the program currently is the "Pink Project" that uses monopoly inspired housing replicas to depict the progress of the funding for the MIRF. As certain funding goals are met, certain pieces of the houses are constructed. As the website states,

"The simple legibility of the pink monopoly house reassembled from smaller individual components intentionally focuses attention on a problem of manageable scale, allowing the individual to physically participate in the installation through donations. Contributions become incorporated into the built environment through architectural assembly. In this, there is a transformation from an individual American Dream into a collective one. Real beauty arises from harnessing the power of global awareness and global helplessness and providing an outlet. Pink is an opportunity to interact meaningfully with the world by rebuilding a torn cultural fabric."

The project will hopefully be a resounding success, but I worry that this well intentioned efforts will go to waste in the next Katrina-esque disaster. The levee's are not up to spec and the city is continually sinking further below sea-level while the natural protections of wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. At any level, its a worthwhile cause and I highly recommend checking out the website and if your in the area, check out the project.
Cheers!

Voodoo Selection Sunday Hex

Arena Football Experience
A few years back there was this horrible experiment here in America to have a summer professional level football league...the XFL. This was supposed to help hold over football fans till the NFL starts back up and also bridge the gap with those fans of 'professional' wrestling, like the WWF. Fortunately this "Xtreme," though the X officially did not stand extreme, league did not last more than one season, as it had dismal TV ratings and poor attendance.

There is a little known league that has been going steady now for 22 years and I think is the fix, or at least help hold over those who need some good football action: Arena Football. I attended my first game this weekend where the New Orleans Voodoo played the Tampa Bay Storm. I love the rules, the pace of the game and the high scoring that goes on. You realize that a 21 point lead is really nothing in this league and can evaporate in the matter of seconds! Tampa Bay committed 8 turnovers and the voodoo capitalized on many of these. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend catching a game. if your in New Orleans in July, Arena Bowl 22 comes to town. Good times

Big XII Champions and a #1 Seed
While I was watching the Voodoo play this weekend, my other team of the day was playing in the Big XII tournament championship game against the Texas Longhorns. This match up is quickly becoming a great rivalry and from the recaps, this game did not disappoint either. KU hit a ridiculous amount of 3-pointers and had steady defense down the stretch to hold of the Longhorns and win their third consecutive Big XII Tournament title.

The win, in my opinion, helped lock KU into the Midwest regions #1 seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, aka, March Madness! They open against Portland State, and I'm really hoping that Bucknel Bison Fever doesn't hit Portland State. I have no worries, just minor concerns! I just hope that they keep up their mojo long enough to make it to at least the Elite 8. If they make it that far, I hope there is a showdown in the Final Four versus UNC, sweet redemption could be had, oh what a day that would be!
Cheers!