Demolition of the Columbia Building

Many downtown areas in cities throughout the country have old building that feel like they are part of an older or bygone era. It always breaks my heart a little to see these buildings go. I can always imagine the glamor and excitement of these places in a different time. There are flashes of that from Downtown Pittsburgh when I was a small child.

In this particular case, I really hate it. The Columbia Building is being torn down to make way for a casino parking lot.

Now, I will say my mom loves to gamble, I am have been known to pull a few one-armed bandits, but personally, it makes me sad because I don't view it as progress to tear down the things we have cherished for a century to make way for out-of-towners pulling on the penny slots.

At any rate, I just wanted to capture a little piece of it, while it is still here.

Old Post Office Building in Ohio City

Yesterday, I met a friend for dinner at a place in Ohio City. In order to get there, I got off of the bus in on West 25th Street and walked a couple of blocks. On my way over there, I noticed this Post Office engraving in over the door of a building they were renovating.

I always think that these types of signs are pretty cool, and this one had some nice embellishments. Ironically, as part of the surround, were crosses that were crumbling apart . . . not very church and state of the post office at the time.

The Ceiling Above

The other day, I was waiting for someone in the lobby of my office building. As I was standing there, leaning against the wall, I looked up at the ceiling. It was pretty incredible. It is funny the things you walk by every day and never notice.

The ironic part of this story is that my co-worker walked by when I had this pic in Photoshop and asked "That is a beautiful ceiling. Where is that?" He almost didn't believe me when I said in our lobby.

Cowboy Mouth at the Beachland Ballroom

A couple of weeks ago, it was my birthday. I try to keep this fact under wraps until the event is past. Long story. At any rate, I went to see Cowboy Mouth at the Beachland Ballroom with my brother.

Cowboy Mouth is a really fun band, and I find it interesting that the front man is a drummer. He sits front and center on the stage and REALLY high on the kit.

Even more than that is the fact that Fred, the lead/drummer, has so much energy. I call him Reverend Fred because I imagine this is what people spoke like at old time revivals.

One thing about Cowboy Mouth, you always leave there a little sweaty and feeling good about life and yourself.

Not a bad way to spend a birthday.

Cleveland's Federal Reserve Statue

The other day, I took a bus to a meeting in Gordon Square Park. I took a different bus than usual, and while I was headed to the stop, I noticed this great statue outside of the Federal Reserve Building in Downtown Cleveland.

The statue reminded me a lot of the statues outside of the Shelbourne Hotel on St. Stephen's Green.

Old Time Pony Track

My first experience riding a pony, or horse, was at Conneaut Lake Park. In the back part of the Kiddie Land was a pony track. It was a treat every year that we would get to go on the pony's once during our week long vacation at the park.

It is a testament to Conneaut Lake Park that it is still a park that is old fashioned, that a pony track still exists.

There are so many great memories of the park, but the old time pony track just seems like something you won't see at a modern park.