Twice Mice » change

From Law Courts to Theme Park?

Lydia — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 08:17:48 +0000

In 1883 the law courts of Brussels were completed and became the largest building of their time, built from the spoils of the Congo. To make room, the majority of the Marollen neighbourhood was demolished, and to this day the phrase “Skieven Architek” (“crooked architect”) is still an insult. The scaffolded tower and gilded dome dominate the Brussels skyline.

Now most of the structure lies empty and abandoned. No one knows how many exits are in the building, and prisoners can escape and hide in its labryinth of rooms. In order to determine the future of the law courts, a competition was announced: Architecture for Justice – imagine the future. Over 180 entries were received, half from within Benelux.

The suggestions range from a luxury brothel, a refugee center, an observatory, to an architecture school, but my favourite is “Equilibre précaire” (“Precarious balance”). The propose removing all judicial functions and transforming it into an amusement park with a huge roller coaster on the roof, where visitors can discover new views of the city.

The interior of the palace will be transformed to contain a ghost house, a Ferris wheel inside the concourse, fashion shows, waffles and smoutebollen doughnuts, and hotel rooms in the old prison cells.

I think that this idea has definite potential.

Photo and video from brusselscourthousecontest.be

No Gibraltar

Lydia — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Alas, a multilingual announcement came over the loudspeakers on the boat, and impassively stated that we would not be stopping in Gibraltar as promised, due to rough seas. Adrian and I both have a monkey-shaped hole in our hearts. Straight onto Malaga, Spain.

Yes We Can!

Lydia — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:04:52 +0000

What an extraordinary night. We headed down to the Northwest Film Forum on Capital Hill to watch the election results come in on the big screen. It was full of people drinking beer and wearing Obama t-shirts. Once Ohio was called as blue, we cheered, because we knew that was what was needed for the Democrats to win. The lobby was dominated with a giant map of the USA, and every time a state was called, it was lit up in red or blue lights. We watched as the blue steadily grew from east to west. As soon as the polls closed in California, CNN stated that, with a projection of over 270 electoral votes, Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States! The audience went wild, the music came on, and the dancing began.

We watched McCain give his concession speech, and then Obama stepped up to address hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Chicago. And he said:

For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

…

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

…

I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

…

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

…

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

We walked from Capital Hill towards downtown. The streets were full of people cheering and laughing, and the cars were honking exuberantly. Obama signs and badges and t-shirts were everywhere, and the mood was so positive and optimistic. A large spontaneous crown had gathered outside Pike Place Markets. Adrian hoisted me onto his shoulders. We raised our hands into the air, and shouted:

Yes we can!

Photos from barackobama.com and elijuicyjones.

Vote

Lydia — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:35:15 +0000

It is such a big day here in the USA. After eight years of the Republicans tearing this country apart, invading countries, running up a record debt, and abandoning the health and education of the people, there is a time for change. Adrian prefers graphs and long detailed evidence-based policy documents, but there is something about watching Obama speak that is very inspiring. I get goosebumps when Obama talks about the great hopes that he has for America. We both agree, however, that Obama is the best choice – the only rational choice – for America and the rest of the world.

I hope that US citizens choose to vote. I hope that there are enough voting booths and voting machines for everyone. I hope that the ballots and machines record these votes accurately. I hope that people do not vote out of fear. I hope that people vote for universal health care. I hope that people vote for cheap, accessible, and quality health care. I hope people vote to end the war in Iraq. I hope people vote to rebuild Afghanistan. I hope the Democrats get over 60 seats in the Senate. I hope people vote for Barack Obama.