The factory's odd... I mean, it's not, it's like loads of places, but it's one of those abandoned places that just looks like, at the end of the working day, everyone just walked out, shut the doors, and never came back.
I like places like that. Have done since I was a kid. We used to climb in through windows, get into buildings. Nothing illegal, not really, but just...we just wanted to know what was in there. Find things, paperwork, old machines, pictures on walls, photos...clothes, boots... Almost looks like he could have been left there then. It wasn't a violent death. He's just sitting, leaning against the wall. Guess if you believe int hat sort of thing, it's where his soul abandoned his body.
Anyway, ages ago I found a website with a guy who goes about taking photos of places like that. So I thought I'd share one of my favourites.
The guy climbed up the rollercoaster, on a beautiful misty morning.
There are other shots, too, and it's...sad, I guess, because the paint was once so bright and colourful, like you'd expect an amusement park to be. But now it's all faded and rusty, but still there, just...left for nature to claim back. I imagine it's very quiet.
I'd like to go and sit up on this rollercoaster and just...be.
49 comments:
Being in a quiet, empty place is a like separating yourself from the planet for a bit. I like that photo very much. And I like being in quiet empty places very much.
I don't feel separate from the planet. Just from the humans.
Mmm. That could be good.
Maybe it's because people occasionally do wander in and out of my favorite quiet empty place, but I don't feel completely separated from the humans, just from my world.
(It's really hard to find places without any people in Manhattan.)
I kind of love that picture Greg :-)
That picture speaks to my Wiccan soul. The wild has shared this space with us for but a while, and now that we are done with our revels, it is reclaimed.
I hope everyone is getting over whatever creeping crud you've had.
My job is cleaning up hazardous waste, and a lot of places you find that is in old factories. One of my very first assignments almost 14 years ago was to help another project manager do the cleanup and demolition of this 100 year old steel factory that had gone bankrupt about 10 years before, leaving hundreds of people in the community jobless and without pension.
The factory was incredibly dangerous, full of pits and basements full of water, asbestos, lead, nails, wire, etc. But it was amazing to creep through it while it was still standing - all 60, twisty, maze-like acres of it, and get into the places where people were. Offices, showers, little corners. Drawers full of records, mildewed and curling; a dangerous lab still full of glassware and chemicals; boots and shoes and coveralls and dishes.
It was such an important apart of the community that we built an observation platform and a lot of the older men who had worked there would come by every day, and sit as a big group and tell stories. We got to know a few of the regulars.
One day we took down a brick wall and a huge cache of wine bottles fell out. Turns out that part of the factory was manned by a group of guys, Polish immigrants, who brought wine for lunch every day and when they were done, they'd toss the bottle up over the little gap between the roof and the wall, into this tiny space. At one point I found a huge wrench and to my amazement, one of the older men's initials were on it. He was the pump technician, and that was his wrench. We decontaminated it and gave it to him.
I worked on that project a year. It was one of the strangest and best experiences I've ever had.
Hope you and Sherlock are feeling better today, but I've not checked John's blog to see.
Mazarin, the librarian in me desperately wishes you had recorded all those stories... Too late now, but oh, what a treasure trove of history that combination of anecdotes and physical evidence would have been.
L, when I was a kid there were still some ghost towns up in the mountains of Colorado that were pretty much undisturbed since the gold rush/silver rush days. Your picture reminds me of them. That feeling of being just one step aside of a world where everyone is still there and working and living.
I wonder if your dead man used to work there and felt like he needed to die at "home".
rsf
RSF, are the ghost towns not there any more or is it just that you're not there any more?
I'm not there anymore, Kholly. And also, a lot more people have been up in the hills in the last *mumble mumble* years, and taken souvenirs. Or built themselves new homes, given that the towns tended to be where there was a good water source. Combine that with the general effects of Colorado winters and you get a lot of "used to be".
rsf
Lestrade, how are things at Casa Leholtson?
Okay, thanks DW.
I'm at work, because John insisted he was okay to take Sherlock to school - and he did seem to be telling the truth ;)
So I hope he takes full advantage of getting lots of rest during the day, and I hope he calls me if he's feeling worse by home-time, because I can always get over and fetch the boy wonder from school if needs be (unless I'm knee-deep in bodies or something.)
How are things with you?
RSF - no, he was just escaping the constant rain and found it was dry, if not warm in there.
Hi everyone' I just thought I'd update you, as Orio seems not to be (and so many of you were so kind when it all happened).
Mum's doing well in the stroke unit. She's a bit more lucid now, and while she's not exactly happy, you can already see the difference in her movement and speech because of all the work they do here.
She's a lot better generally, too, now the worst of the initial withdrawel is over.
There's still a long way to go, but the signs are positive.
Thanks for all your support on here.
Thanks for letting us know Nicky, its kind of you to take the time :-)
Glad to hear you guys are finding your feet again. :)
Nicky, thanks for the update. It's good to hear your mother's making positive progress. You know we're here for you and yours as well, if you need anything, right? We're always good for a limerick, poem, or off-the-wall discussion or six.
Thank you, Nicky. I know from my father's experience how much they can accomplish with therapy, but also that it depends a lot on the person working with them, so it's very good indeed that your mother is showing progress.
And as DW said, don't hesitate to call on us for anything we can do.
Are you ok today Greg? having a decent day?
I hope the lurgy has been defeated by all of you :-)
Thank you, all of you.
It's funny - I never would have thought Orio would take to something like this. I know he used to bottle everything up, as if admitting things was a weakness. Now I worry sometimes he let's out too much! But no one ever says anything but nice, supportive things. I mean, not on here, at least. And I suppose he's right that not many people he works with are interested in reading it. I certainly wouldn't read about my boss!
I suppose that's a long way of saying I'm very glad all of you found this blog and are all so nice.
John, I hope a day on your own gives you a chance to rest and get better.
Nicky - thanks for the update, and I'm so glad she's doing much better. We're happy to be the people inside the computer, there to listen, cajole, annoy, and bring smiles and relief when needed.
RSF - the local historical society did record a lot of those stories, so not all is lost.
Speaking of stories - sorry for the brain dump. I didn't mean to be so wordy. Glad everyone is feeling better, and life manages to stagger it's way back to normal.
nicky - I think we all feel quite lucky that they let us not only share their lives but also use their space to make friends and share the ups and downs of life with other people, I know I feel that way anyway :-)
I'm okay, thanks. Just busy. Day off tomorrow, so lots to do today.
Hope you're feeling better,or asleep, or both, John.
I'm glad you're ok Greg, I hope you get everything done before home time :-)
Could hardly have had a better timed day off. Hope things go easily for you, lestrade.
Cheers. I guess I'll go and see mum in the day.
Let me know if you want me to be there. I'll send you the number to call to let them know you're going.
Are you taking us too? Are you going to stay there again?
I wasn't planning on taking anyone, and no, I won't be staying there. You've got school and a show to plan, kiddo!
Nicky - thanks for the update, I'm glad to hear your Mum's improving. I know it can be slow and frustrating progress after a stroke, so it's good to know that she's improving, and that she's through the worst of the withdrawal.
Lestrade, John, Sherlock - I hope you're all feeling better today?
Are you home/heading home now Greg?
I hope you have a nice relaxing evening before your trip tomorrow.
How's show planning going Sherlock?
home, yes. Cooking with left over veggies that have been lurking in the fridge.
left over veg dinner is just the best! enjoy ;-)
And bacon!
left over veggies
Which reminds me--did you ever find that cauliflower/broccoli combo that Sherlock wanted to try?
(And how is everyone feeling?)
Yeah, romanesco broccoli we had it at the weekend. He liked it. I'm sure we'll be having it again. Although it's more interesting to look at than to eat.
I'm fine, Sherlock seems back to himself, John's still a bit under the weather.
It's IS fascinating to look at--very like a 3-D fractal!
I'm glad the two of you are feeling well again! (I hope you feel well soon, John. And that you pampered yourself a bit today!)
I slept a lot. I do feel mostly better, thanks. Mrs H brought me about twenty cups of tea and Snoopy to drool on my feet for a while.
Both tea and quiet dogs are very nice things to have when you aren't 100%! (And even when you are. :))
20 cups of tea? Why was she rationing you? ;)
Don't worry, you'll feel totally better soon, for there is pie. Apparently it cures all ills.
Is it apple pie?
I'm glad you're feeling better John :-)
Magical healing pie? we'll need the recipe for that Greg ;-)
Apple and blackberry. Apple a day keeps the doctor away (not a good thing, in my position...but good otherwise.) and blackberries have lots of vitamin C, I'm told. So there you go. All wrapped up in some...tasty pastry.
And there's cream. Or ice cream. If that helps.
Mmmmm, apple pi. :)
(Blackberries also have lots of antioxidants!)
L - sounds delicious. And you almost manage to make it sound healthy...
Cream and ice cream together on mine!
I was assured this morning that cake with fruit in it has no calories. Which means that pie with two different fruits in it must be positively beneficial :-)
...you were saying, John? Fruit, hidden under some pastry, topped with cream and ice cream. Yep, I'll write that diet book right now! (can't be worse than all the other fad diets, right??)
It'll taste better, certainly.
Glad to hear you are doing better everyne. I got cased out of work and ordered not to come in tomorrow after my voice vanished. Maz, I am glad thehistorical society was there. L, pie sounds wonderful. Given how much I've liked the other recipes you've shared would you mind sharing that one?
Sherlock how is your book?
Rsf
RR, what a cool video tour of the asian garden. I will have to explore that channel some more.
Maz, what an amazing job you have, and like RSF I'm so glad the historical society recorded the stories. For any students out there that need to do an oral history project, wherever you live there are bound to be people with very interesting tales to tell of the way things were... and so much of that is in danger of being lost when the people pass away.
I'm months late to this post, but because this is as far as I've read, I hope for good outcomes in the health department for everyone!
S
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