The House On Lovell Road Pt.1

As I ere stated, most of my "in depth" explorations of abandoned places usually occur during early Sunday mornings. Like this old house along Lovell Road, in West Knoxville (or thereabouts). I did some exploring one chilly March (2015) morning, about a week after I came across it in one of my "drive-time wanderings". Driving round without any GPS aids in a new city can be daunting but...that's how I learn my way round. I only consult maps (y'know, those things known as "atlases"...) when I absolutely have to. Mind you, I never have used a GPS system. That's just one more distraction while driving, right?

 Anyway, as there was no number on the building, I wasn't sure of the address. But I can tell from the debris and condition of the place in general, that it's been abandoned for some time. The lot is pretty big and there are two other out-buildings (three if one counts the old dog-house), that surround the house proper. This post concentrates on most of the house, itself...I actually started with the garage but since I took the majority of the pics of the house, our tour will begin there. Below are shots of the back and side(s) of this old place. As you can see, it's been falling apart for awhile. But on close inspection (though I'm no engineer), the brick-work looks to be in great shape. Not so much the inside of the house...

...skirting my way round exposed tree roots and debris, I made my way up the back (cement) stairs. They were still pretty solid. The doorway here is off what's left of the kitchen. It was already open...

...I didn't venture much further than the middle of the kitchen due to the deteriorated floor (which someone had apparently tried to cover up with an old piece of plywood). Ditto the crumbling plaster on the ceiling. The place is rife with graffiti. I Took a few snaps and then cautiously retreated back outside...off to explore the basement area. Not much too look at here and as I forgot to bring an electric torch (flashlight), I dared not to explore further. One snap of "Fido's" small home and it was off to explore the front of the house (NOTE: the front of the house was actually the last place I explored but in keeping with this post it's included here).

The front is actually not all that bad-looking (at least to me). I imagine it was in style for its day...the bonus "sunroom" is still in great shape, as are the tiles that cover the floor. And the arches are a nice touch though, I'd probably replace all the old stone with stacked fieldstone or perhaps river stones. I glanced through one of the broken windows and found that the rooms were good-sized. I can only imagine what it would take to rehab this old place...

...next up, we'll do a short exploration of the garage...see ya'll there...

Abandon Your Mind To The Game

I still write with pen and paper, as far as an original layout goes. The use of a computer for the re-write and final version(s) comes later on. Do kids still use pen and paper in school? Do they actually look things up in an actual book? Probably not.

 When I'm not out exploring abandoned places (which with the advent of caring for an aged parent, limits my time), I write and/or draw. My writings are varied and I pull no punches on the subject at hand. Case in point, is this old poem I penned back in 2012. I'm not a "gamer" unless a pinball machine is in the mix...or maybe an old Atari game or two. And I don't use or possess a "smart phone". I have no need for one. The poem below centres on the majority of to-day's children as they grow up in an ever-increasing world of technology and electronic short-cuts. Now-a-days you don't even have to push a button. Sad.

 The poem may seem a bit dated given the rapid way "smart phone" tech has increased since I wrote this. But at least now, some of the kids, and yes, even adults, are getting a slight work-out as they walk round whilst staring at a tiny screen...playing the latest offering on their FaceBook page. Unfortunately, their attention span does not seem to include their immediate surroundings. Is it no wonder the state of New Jersey can issue you a ticket for "texting" or even conversing on a cell-phone, whilst walking in a crosswalk?

 Hopeless

You sit there like the lump you are, 
As you stare into the void. 
Your mind closed off to what surrounds, 
You cannot be annoyed. 

Endless hours of pressing buttons, 
Your fingers are cramped and numb. 
The addiction spawned by the Techno Wizard, 
As he preys upon the dumb. 

With each level your appetite grows, 
You cannot look away. 
The images flash before your eyes, 
Inviting you more to play. 

It’s not your fault you’re just a tool, 
Willing to play the game. 
You’re now a slave to an electronic trap, 
And society is to blame. 

 T. Slater~28 January, 2012

Abandoned Renewed

Been a while since I've updated this here blog. No, I've not completely abandoned it; more I've been pretty busy in the "Real World". Since I abandoned New England (I'll get into that story at a later date) and took up residence in Knoxville, Tennessee, there's been no end of abandoned buildings to explore, here. Like the one below. I found this old manse on Middlebrook Pike not far from where my new home is. From the looks of things, someone's attempting to rehab the place but, they've a long way to go. The inside has been pretty much gutted to the studs but there are some outstanding features on the outside of the building. The stone-work and the chimney come to mind. I'm not sure when this house was built or what it will be "repurposed" for but, I'll be keeping my eye on the (slow) progress of the renovation.

 Sundays are good days to go exploring, especially in the early morning hours. No-one's up or about until later on. Not that I actually go into the buildings I explore, because I usually don't. Most of them aren't safe to tread through. So, if I can peer into a window (or where a window once was) I can get in some shots of the interior. The early morning sunlight cast an eerie orange glow in the upper floor when I took these. And I still wonder, as I wonder with all the abandoned places I find, will they eventually get torn down or will someone give them a new lease on life?

Like I said, the interior has been gutted but a few details were left in place; such as the French doors and what I'm assuming are the original hardwood floors on the main level. I could be wrong. Every now and then I'll spot someone there. When time permits me to, I'll have to make some inquiries.

The garage is in particularly rough shape as is the old upright piano that stands therein...

Last but not least, the chimney and main gate to the yard (or in this case, just the stone wall remains.) I love the design of the chimney...

I Abandoned The CVT

5-speed equipped!

*Author's note: I am in no way, shape or form, getting paid to write this but wish I was. Maybe someone from Car and Driver or even Nissan will happen upon this and learn something from an actual customer.*

 I will never go back to owning any car with an automatic transmission, especially one that is a CVT. Antique vehicles would be the only exception. Lesson learned the hard way. A few months back I did a post about the 2014 Nissan Versa Note I had recently bought. You can read that HERE if you want to. Car and Driver had it right when they stated that "you could do worse than having a 5-speed manual in this car...you could buy the one that was CVT equipped." Unfortunately, the article did not come out until the winter and I had bought the first Note in July of 2013. It wasn't until December that I found out about not one, but two recalls on the early models. Both problems were minor and eventually fixed. A couple other foibles of the CVT-based model: The front seat belts had an irritating way of knocking against the b-pillar when not in use. Also, if your front seat isn't adjusted properly (in my case to far forward), you have to be a contortionist to get at the belt. I noted all the problems areas in my J.D. Power survey.

It only took one test drive to get back into gear.

In February of this year (2014), I finally got to get my manual back. It took seven months for the dealers to get any on their lots, or so I was told. I can believe it due to all the hype over getting a CVT equipped car. That seemed to be all the dealers were ordering out of Mexico, at the time. I had the same problem about ten years ago when I went to buy a Chevy Tracker. Only then it had only taken five days to find a stick-shift model, not seven effing months! But, I digress. And I suffered and complained. But at least the updated model's seat belts didn't knock up against the b-pillars. And the lid for the extra 12-volt socket is now spring-loaded.

 What I can't believe is how bad these things (CVTs) really are. The "acclaimed" mileage is a joke. As one who has owned both the CVT and 5-speed models, I can attest to the 5-speed being the better choice. I've driven both cars as far as Lower Virginia (from Massachusetts), along the I-81 corridor. Lots of nice hills to climb.

 Let's compare: The CVT-based car can't get out of its own way, literally. You can forget about merging into traffic unless your foot is to the floor. And only then you'd be lucky not to get crunched by that fast-approaching semi. Climbing hills? Yeah. Right. The CVT caused the engine to go into warp drive when getting anywhere near a hill, much less a mountain. The tach ran anywhere from 4,000-5,100 RPM just to keep up to the speed limit. The end result for this trip is that I averaged 29.2 MPG. A bit better than the guys at C&D did but then they were driving the manual. After seven months my over-all mileage was 37.2 combined. Meh.

It's...it's so...black and shiny!

Now for the 5 speed version: Yes, the shifter is a bit notchy but then, it's still an upgrade from the old KIA Cinco's 5 speed. With 107 horse-power and equal torque, it's enough for me to be able get out on the highway, especially if I'm stomping throttle in 3rd gear. Going through the same mountain chain (the Shenandoah Mountains), I saw a remarkable difference. The 5 speed kept up with traffic at barely 3,500 RPM and no down-shiftings required unless I was hitting an off-ramp (and even then I'd just throw it into neutral.) My trip average was 35.4MPG. And this was at and average speed of 65MPH. Quite a difference. My current over-all average is now 40.2 MPG. But then, I tend to drive in neutral a lot, especially on the back roads.

End result? My money's on the 5 speed. Better acceleration, better mileage and a whole lot more fun to drive. No more complaints.