Architorture is what we referred to this in school but what they neglected to tell us is the torture has only begun. The Urban Dictionary has a unique meaning listed to the word Architect as "An overworked and underpaid employee - of a pretentious registered practitioner of the arts (a prat). Many years in tertiary education have left the 'architect' bitter and in debt - and unable to relate to the remainder of society...........I am an 'architect' - the rest of you are unimaginative scum.
I make it all sound so wonderful and at the risk of perpetuating this negative diatribe that it is the love/hate relationship of my sometimes all consuming, never forgiving, subjective, sleep deprived, embattled, self doubting, over analyzing, distracted, absorbed compulsion that is my life! There is a bright side though, it keeps me from committing suicide because I simply don't have the time!! Yet with all the elements of torture in place I still love what I do and had found one of the keys to happiness and success in this buisness to to pick the right client..... not an easy task and still trying to perfect it, although have more success the longer I practice.
It isn't the profession that has become so tedious as it is the business of being an architect that takes it's toll. The actual architectural work is what I love to do but sadly is about 20% of what I get to do, the rest of my time is spent with building codes, vendors, building departments, consultants - structural, mechanical & electrical, client meetings, client vendor meetings client landlord meetings, zoning research, general business tasks of paying bills, collecting payments, writing invoices, writing letters & more letters, etc..... True for most businesses but dealing with the intangible where this profession dwells just adds that extra ambiguity to the finish line.
It's also the draw (no pun intended) like a game to make it though the maze in a certain amount of time without getting eaten by the maze monster so as I continue to love to hate my profession, I am compelled to continue because the #1 reason way I love my job is the freedom, mostly enjoyed as a sole proprietor and THAT I wouldn't give up for anything .... again.
