Sometime in the middle '70's, I was invited to teach again. I was a Teaching Director for 2 years at Cal Poly, School of Environmental Design in Pomona . Then, in 1976, I read of an Examination for an Architecture Professor position for the Los Angeles City College, Department of Architecture. Less driving. The morning I showed up at USC for the Test, I was shocked to meet about 80 other Architects similarly inclined towards academic work. No news for about 1-1/2 weeks, then I received a call which told me I had ranked at the top or close enough to warrant a meeting. I turned down their initial offer and a week later, I began my academic career.

In the 24 years I taught, I became a tenured Professor, then the Chairman for my department, then Chairman of 4 other departments - not because of ambition but rather an effort by the Administration to eliminate positions and save money. The fun part has been the people.

My ex-students are lurking everywhere. On one occasion, Adrienne and I were pushing at the glass exit door inside the Quito, Ecuador Airport. The guy on the opposite Entry side was earnestly resisting, I looked into his eyes and said, "If you don't stop, I shall change your Design grade." He showed us Quito.

Wishing to rewire my end game, I retired from teaching beginning the first day of the new millennium. Since then we've sold all of the buildings in Venice, 1031 Exchange other properties closer to my main residence, built my new Office + Residence; completed 2015 S. Federal, the least expensive Single Family Residence that I know how; designed an apartment complex in Westwood; and am looking for a site for a 250 year old Minka currently in 2 containers in South Seattle.

Sandwich between all this, Adrienne and I have maintained an aggressive travel schedule. We try to take a long vacations and 2 small shorter trips each year. Last week, we returned from LAX-Atlanta-Milano-Nice-Silver Shadow cruise-Port Said-Sharm el sheik-Aqaba-Petra-Safaga-Luxor-Cairo-Paris-Atlanta-LAX. Next year Rajastan, India! A campaign of going back to all the places where I grew up.

I am not sure that a second marriage is any easier but with each year the rough edges of our relationship have been dulled by compromise and I can honestly say that I am content and happy with my life at this moment.


 

The only valuable life is one that is shaped by the anguish of aspiration and that is engaged in the struggle against "the void of nonachievement".     V.S. Naipaul
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