The House On Lovell Road Pt.3

At the back of the property on Lovell Road, sits this worn-out but still fairly sturdy...um...really big..."factory". At least, that's what I'm calling it, currently. It's two storeys of solid brick and concrete. Even the roof is concrete. The day I went exploring this was after a heavy rain the day ere. Water was dripping everywhere amid the debris and abandoned junk...anyone need an old construction barrel? Or perhaps a slightly used sofa? Some 5 gallon, plastic buckets?

Just about all of the window panes are gone from their metal frames and moss (and who knows what else) is growing unchecked, both inside and out.

And of course, more graffiti. Anyone know what the hell "ARPUS" stands for? I'm guessing it's an acronym for something unpleasant...

NOTE: NOT Banksy art...

I can also only imagine the amount of contamination that might be present, here. Why do places like this still stand? I doubt this building is on any historical register (though, I've not done a search as yet). Is it an eyesore? yes to some; no to others. Is the property secure? Hell no. As a matter of fact, there aren't even any "No Trespass" signs about. At least there weren't the last time I was out here. Not that said signs would stop anyone from doing whatever they damn well pleased, right?

Well, this concludes my little tour of another ruin of our modern society. Join me next time for...whatever or wherever I might plan to explore, next.

The House On Lovell Road Pt.2

Here's the front of the garage for the house on Lovell Road. Like the house, it's seen better days. Let's take a look inside, shall we?

Not sure if this was a two-car garage originally but, there is no end to the debris; most of it from contractors using the site as a dumping ground. At least that what the obvious clews lead me to believe. And from the amount of decay in this little hut, it'd probably be cheaper to tear it down and build new.

I didn't notice the rear of the garage until I was making a return trip from the other out-building (which I've dubbed the "factory") so, I was pleasantly surprised at the graffiti mural there on the wall. It's no Banksy but well done and you can see why the artist chose to put it here and not expose it in front (I'm guessing, here). The statement it makes is rather obvious. Graffiti abounds here, especially in the "factory". You'll get to see that in Part 3.

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