ruminations during snow watch

Mid to late January is often enough times the coldest time of the year. No big news bulletin. It is not pleasant to be outside, and for those who can stay inside, it is a good choice. I haven't posted in a few days, and my mind wanders through subjects, some minor, some major.

I see in language differences, some people are surprised that 'bakery' can be synonymous with pastry, or any non bread item that comes from a bakery. We have heard on the media, for years, 'barbecue' used this way. "Hey, Melinda Sue, let's go get some barbecue". There was some other language thing that someone had a snit about, and i have forgotten what it was...well, maybe one day it will pop up in my mind while in the shower.

Something is rotten with the American people. Donald Trump is undeniably evil, yet he is worshipped by millions. Psychiatrists diagnose him as a malignant narcissist with dementia. Someone so incompetent, stupid, and sadistic to be successful as he was in receiving such great political power must be allied with demonic forces. Of course, many psychiatrists have no belief in the supernatural; but logical cause and effect can not explain Orange Caligula. Those in his thrall love the cruelty, even if it destroys themselves. In Iowa he told his worshippers, "You can't sit home. If you're sick as a dog, you say: 'God, I gotta make it.' Even if you vote and then pass away, it's worth it". He also told the trumpster stupids, "And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning...". Well, the original Caligula said, "Would that the Roman people had but one neck!"...so he could strangle, break it, or cut it off. Now, Trumple-thin-skin is repeatedly mentioning Al Capone being murderous if one looked at him wrongly.

Vanishing America, 

Julian Hoke Harris. Keeping Away Death. 1959. Atlanta.

Another tale of vanishing America, never been to Atlanta. This was once on the County Dept of Health. The building is gone, Emory U and Grady Hospital wanted the space. Harris was an architectural sculptor, and a graduate, and later a professor at Georgia Tech. He had several commissions for public buildings in Georgia. Harris had been an army officer, and the US Army has Hermes' caduceus as the symbol for the medical corps. This was an error, but it can now be looked at as satire/sarcasm. Hermes was a god of commerce. Asclepius was the god of healing, and he carried a staff with one snake, the aesculapion. Some physicians and health workers found this image apropos in the struggle against covid-19.

in the American Sign Museum Cincinnati [not my foto]

Neon signs were common and popular for a generation in America, from the mid to late 1920s to the end of the 1950s. Interests change, and things become passé. Nostalgia rolls in, and curios become dear to compilers. There are neon sign museums in Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Warsaw, Canada, and elsewhere. God’s Own Junkyard sells and rents them in London. 

 

The signs began with the work of a scientist inventor, Georges Claude in 1902. He later became a very willing nazi collaborator.

 

St. Malachi Cleveland c. 2018

Looking at fotos from the Cincinnati museum, i noticed two signs from churches: a Baptist, and a Pentecostalist; and i thought, well yeah. When looking at American religious denominations, there they are: déclassé, and gauche. This American Protestantism gloms on to whatever is current in the larger society. They purposely appeal to the lowest common denominator, any hook will be fished. Most neon signs were used for commercial purposes: restaurants, saloons, and such.

Then i remembered. We often are vexed at things we have done ourselves. Around 1995, another fellow and myself were caught in a foto published by Cleveland Plain Dealer. We were on a steeple removing neon lights about the cross, it needed regassing. Years before, during WWII, the original church burned down. Malachi's could be seen from the lake, and i heard that its steeple was used as a landmark. When the new church was built after the war, the cross was meant to be seen from the lake. I do not know when the original installation of the light was. Back to the picture, i was suspicious about the photographer. The sky was beginning to look ominous, and dumdum had an aluminum ladder. This was the time when OSHA was made to be a bogeyman. I made sure my back was to the camera.

I remember once in the twentieth century an OSHA man came to construction at the new baseball park, and once to a hospital building going up. Foremen were only worried about extension outlets. There was a job in Beachwood, where i was working for a replacement contractor. Every other trade was scab, some from out of state. They were hiring off the streets. It was a very unsafe job site. One day we were working, and we noticed all the other trades were gone from the building. We saw them standing in the parking lot. OSHA was on site. They can't cite you, when you are not working. Me and another journeyman showed the guy around, and pointing out hazards. All he did was put caution tape around the porta potty. Some miscreant shat in the pisser portion, and gravel was strewn about. That didn't effect me, i went to a nearby fast food joint anyway. I quit that job, the shop was full of creeps. I never saw OSHA in this century.

Well, many churches had sign boards, before and after some started using neon. Now with led and plasma screens that can be programmed, many churches of all denominations have lighted electrified signs.

2024 Miscellany #1

 

Fullerton School Cat

Scranton Flats & five skyscrapers

Karma

downtown Cleveland

casting a fascist

Growing up Catholic, i understood the Devil doesn't like to be mocked, therefore, he must be mocked. Very early in the Trump régime, his chief spokes liar Spicy Sean was subjected to ridicule, which led to his dismissal. SatNiteLive had Melissa McCarthy parody him, it was most excellent. I read this upset Donnie McPervert, in that a woman mocked his underling. My reaction, as others did think, they should have had Rosie O'Donnell play Trumple-thin-skin. They actually had a brilliant mini-film with Leslie Jones. Then they dropped the ball. So often, SatNiteLive lets the crop wither in the field, and then offers crap instead. Leslie Jones should have had the rôle permanently.

Someone posted a chat about what prison would be appropriate for Orange Caligula. My answer was Arkham Asylum. Cheatolini as a super villain. That treasonous shitgibbon would make a proper villainous inmate at Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane. Though, it has been noted, they have many escapees; but Stinky from Merde a Lardo is not too nimble of foot. He would need help. The rest of Batman's rogues probably would be sick of him. He is insufferable.

photographs of abandoned places #44

Parma High demo

Auditorium building of Parma High on January 1st 2024.

This was in the top hole above. The mouth had a pool of water.

There were several large and expensive vehicles on the property.

While we were there, a few pick up trucks came to take a look, and at least one husky.

Parma High demolition larghissimo, no piano yet.

names on a chalkboard

 

seasonal decorations

A Christmas Story was partly filmed in Cleveland, and the film has been accepted as part of Cleveland. One of the bits in the movie is a leg lamp that comes in this sort of box. It was a major award.

This is an example of what used to be called 8# of sh*t in a 5# bag.

Some Hallowe'en decorations can be adapted to Christmas use.

This is what the House on Clifton did. Sometimes the addition is minor, but effective.

Christmas has been invaded by Krampus. Krampus is a Germanic Alpine human/goat/demon, that sometimes tags along with St. Nicholas.

Twelve foot skeleton with branches doubles as a horned Krampus figure.

Cleveland does have museums

 

Mid-October, the new visitor's hall opened in Cleveland's Natural History Museum. Banners around Wade Oval advertise. Eight (nine if counting the triceratops) exhibits are featured.

Still have not fixed Steggie, [click].  Argument holds, millions for expansion and renovation.

O no! Kryptonite! I'm feel...ing  we.....

Next door at the art museum:  better than a disco mirrored ball, a golden Neferteti bust. Awol Erizku 2022.