DCで一番美しい建物

DCでちょっと時間があったので、何の気なしにLibrary of Congressに立ち寄ってみて驚いた。まばゆいばかりに美しい。本がぎっしり詰ったドライな所を予想していた私は目を見張った。

Docentの話によると、このJefferson Bldgはアメリカで初めて電気を取り入れた建物だとか。

設計した２人は建設途中で追われ、その後は工事を担っていたThomas Lincoln Caseyが取り仕切り、終盤、大学を出たばかりだった自分の息子に内装を一切任せたという。

お父さんの元で自由にできたのか、若さなのか、もう思う存分隅から隅まで装飾してある。裏話を聞くとふふっと笑いたくなるけれど、ここまで自信たっぷりに飾ってあると迫力がある。

後で聞いたら、DCで一番美しい建物なのだそうで、"That's my favorite building!"と何人かに言われた。

ちょうど(来年の1月19日まで)800年前のマグナカルタをイギリスから借りて展示してあったり、ルイスとクラークが使った地図、ドイツで印刷プレス機ができ始めた頃のGutenberg Bible、Thomas Jeffersonの蔵書(このLibrary of Congressの元になった)があったりと、見応えがあった。

それにしても、建築やアートはイタリアの影響、法律はイギリスから、機械技術はドイツのものと、いろんな所の秀でた知識や技を旺盛に取り入れて混ぜ合わせてアメリカはできて来たのね、と改めて思わされた。

もちろん図書館なので、膨大なボリュームの本をはじめ資料を抱えていて、国内はもとより世界中からリサーチしたい人が出入りしているとか。隣のビルに行って、IDを出せば、資料を借り出すのに必要なカードをいとも簡単に作ってくれる(２年間有効)。この次の機会の為にと、しっかり作ってもらった(笑)。

GDT knows how to throw a party.

GDT's holiday party - titled "Giddy Up" - was awesome. I used to think office parties were somewhat stuffy get-together. Not this one.

People were dressed up/down everything from cowboy hat and boots, sparkly dress to regular sweat suit.

But, they were ALL talking and laughing together! Some in groups and others to each other. No wall flowers to be seen. What a energy and vibe!

No wonder this is the company voted for one of the top places to work for in DFW in multiple years. A guy was telling me how unconventional his interview with the head of the company was three years ago, and how much he loved working here.

Western band and dance troupe with a breakdancer jazzed up 5~600 people. Some challenged mechanical bull and punching bag machine.

Big screens played several video skits employees created - all mocking, edgy and hilarious. Instead of raising eyebrows, everyone broke into laugh and applauded - a proof of positively great corporate culture. Hats off.

FREE WiFi and FREE to use iPad

Toronto Pearson Airport has hundreds and hundreds of iPads at gates.

FREE WiFi and FREE to use. No login nor email address input was required.

It was wonderful. Our long layover was not that painful thanks to these fabulous features.

I would like to come back and spend some time in the city next time.

Japan's public-private diplomatic effort came to town

With Yoko Chivers

The Japan America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW) hosted a unique delegation from Japan last Monday in downtown Dallas.

Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan - We are Tomodachi

Five members of the delegation were a university student, a "female" banker, a retired general, a former businessman, and a former diplomat. All were well spoken, friendly, and even funny!

What's so unique about it? You may ask...

Japanese are famously homogeneous people. And we tend to form ever finer sub-groups of people with more similar characteristics.

In and out of Japan, the kind of diversified groups, such as this delegation, are rare. It appears odd, which is great by the way, and very welcoming.

Maybe, just maybe, Japan is finally starting to realize the value of opening up and mixing up. Japan may be changing. Or at least it realizes it has to change. I am hopeful...

Dallas Makerspace - community workshop and loboratory

"The Dallas Makerspace is..., shared community workshop and laboratory. We are an organized group of local artists, engineers, makers, and thinkers who work together to provide tools and learning resources to the public."

I'd heard about tool libraries in California and other places, but didn't know Dallas had such a place. 

There were many people in there working on things, walking in and out, talking, and generating lots of energy. There was a guy designing prototypes for new concentrated solar design and making models with 3D printer. 80 hours a week - that's how much he devotes for that project.

If you have ideas to make something, or just want to learn, tinker and try out anything without buying many tools in Dallas, this is the place to go.