Yesterday was a long day. Instead of going to the office, I attended the Vacant, Abandoned & Underutilized Property Summit, sponsored by the local government (sounds scintillating, don't it?). It was 6.5 hours of non-stop problem identification and problem solving. Our conclusions, in a nutshell: vacant property is a problem in our fair city, bankers & out of town tax lien purchasers are the bad guys and there Has To Be A Better Way. The Summit was a good start, and I think if we can get that kind of creative brainpower together again, with enough time to formulate concrete strategies, we can go a long way toward improving our blighted neighborhoods. (Damn, I'm such a freakin' optimist & do-gooder.)
Aside from all the great ideas we came up with at the Summit, one of the best things about it was that it was at Memorial Auditorium, an 80+ year-old theatre and ballroom. It has all kinds of great architectural detail. I've been to a few conferences here lately and I never seem to have had my camera with me. I made up for it this time!
Every time I pass this drinking fountain, I want to take a picture of it. It's brass and the water comes out of the dolphin's mouth. Or it would if the water were still turned on. There is also an awesome Greek key pattern along the sides, with a corinthian capital and acanthus leaves. Gorgeous!
The ceilings in one of the side rooms are the original figured plaster, with medallions and egg-and-dart mouldings. It must be some kind of trick to keep it in good repair. I also love the mid-1920's relief above the exits from the auditorium. They are exactly what you'd expect to see in a place that was built to remember WWI veterans.
Another reason it felt like a long day is that last night was the last Stitch 'N' Bitch at my LYS, the Knit Nook. Tomorrow is the last day the store will be open, except for the final blowout on Oaks & Derby days. It makes me sad. I'm not much of a cryer, but I will miss this:
And this:
The shop was open until 9pm, but a few of us loitered a little longer, hoping it wasn't really the end. There was food and beer; gossip, bitching and joking; laughter and tears. A lot like a regular SnB night, but this time with a touch of the bittersweet. I know most of these women (and a few men) will remain in my life, even if I see them less often. I'll just have to work a little harder to make it so. The shop has been fantastic and I'll miss it very much. I'm not sure when I'll be able to bring myself to a new shop. At least I have a little yarn to last me awhile.
That's all I've got for this time. I have, indeed, turned the heel of the Vacation socks, but I forgot to take pics while I had good light. We'll save it for next time. Until then, friends.
Aside from all the great ideas we came up with at the Summit, one of the best things about it was that it was at Memorial Auditorium, an 80+ year-old theatre and ballroom. It has all kinds of great architectural detail. I've been to a few conferences here lately and I never seem to have had my camera with me. I made up for it this time!
Every time I pass this drinking fountain, I want to take a picture of it. It's brass and the water comes out of the dolphin's mouth. Or it would if the water were still turned on. There is also an awesome Greek key pattern along the sides, with a corinthian capital and acanthus leaves. Gorgeous!
The ceilings in one of the side rooms are the original figured plaster, with medallions and egg-and-dart mouldings. It must be some kind of trick to keep it in good repair. I also love the mid-1920's relief above the exits from the auditorium. They are exactly what you'd expect to see in a place that was built to remember WWI veterans.
Another reason it felt like a long day is that last night was the last Stitch 'N' Bitch at my LYS, the Knit Nook. Tomorrow is the last day the store will be open, except for the final blowout on Oaks & Derby days. It makes me sad. I'm not much of a cryer, but I will miss this:
And this:
The shop was open until 9pm, but a few of us loitered a little longer, hoping it wasn't really the end. There was food and beer; gossip, bitching and joking; laughter and tears. A lot like a regular SnB night, but this time with a touch of the bittersweet. I know most of these women (and a few men) will remain in my life, even if I see them less often. I'll just have to work a little harder to make it so. The shop has been fantastic and I'll miss it very much. I'm not sure when I'll be able to bring myself to a new shop. At least I have a little yarn to last me awhile.
That's all I've got for this time. I have, indeed, turned the heel of the Vacation socks, but I forgot to take pics while I had good light. We'll save it for next time. Until then, friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment