tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53468941935141727232024-03-18T22:59:18.530-04:00jermalismAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-51771448108846130082016-10-13T14:05:00.001-04:002016-10-13T14:06:47.717-04:00Jerm IX: This is not my suicide note. Solo Art Show @ Gallery In The AtticThis is not my suicide note was my first non-photo-based art exhibit since Temporary Fix: Writing On The Wall, with Indigo and Byron Cameraman Dauncey, at Isabella Egan Gallery in Vancouver's historic Gastown, in June of 2008. And it was by no means something I had been planning. Circumstances just brought it all together.<br />
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This past April, a new prescribed bi-polar medication sent me spiraling into a pit of despair. Instead of succumbing to the overpowering suicidal urges, I checked myself into the local psych ward seeking help for the second time in only two years. It was during my time locked in D1 at Peterborough Regional Health Centre that I wrote and created this series of suicide note scrolls. I was in survival mode, etching Sharpies through stencil letters furiously on the pages beneath, just to get it out, creating 54 scrolls in nine days.<br />
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Upon my release from hospital, where 3 different psychiatrists changed my meds 7 times in 9 days, I was still up on 8 mischief charges for graffiti, and I was hesitant to cover the city in suicide notes.<br />
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With that said, Gallery In The Attic seemed like the perfect place to feature a sampling of these psych ward suicide note scrolls. The show ran from June 1-16th, 2016, with a wonderful turnout to the opening reception on Canada Day.<br />
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While a handful of the scrolls sold during the show and another cluster since, I still have about 35 of these psych ward scrolls remaining and would love to sell one to you! Some are from the show but many have never been seen. I usually sell the smaller ones for $100 and the larger sizes for $200 but I am beyond open to working within your budget to get one of these on your wall!<br />
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If you are interested...<br />
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email jerm9ine@gmail.com<br />
Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeremiahJermIX" target="_blank">Jeremiah Jerm IX</a><br />
Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jerm_ix/?hl=en" target="_blank">jerm_ix</a><br />
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So, with no further adieu, come up the stairs into Gallery In The Attic for Jerm IX: This is not my suicide note...<br />
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Thanks for coming out to the show, virtually.<br />
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And remember, I am not a depression sufferer, I am a depression survivor. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-24492918411578286392016-04-24T17:06:00.000-04:002016-10-28T11:13:40.910-04:00Abandonment Issues: Small Arms Inspection Building<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26013812054/in/album-72157665220263383/" nbsp="" title="Small Munitions Inspection Building"><img alt="Small Munitions Inspection Building" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1529/26013812054_c78f88489f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>Co-written by Jerm & Ninja IX </b><br />
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It has been a while, but we're back with a BANG! Quite literally.<br />
Yesterday, we found ourselves standing at the foot of Lake Ontario in Mississauga, on a plot known as the Arsenal Lands.<br />
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With nothing left standing of the original Arsenal Lands complex but the historic water tower and the Small Arms Inspection Building, we approached the building first, jerm and ninja, with our dear friends terapr0 and tash.0.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo found online)</span></i><br />
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The Arsenal Lands are steeped in wartime history, we discussed...<br />
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Colonel Samuel Smith owned the property dating back to 1806 when he was a Queen's Ranger during the Revolutionary War. In 1910 it was converted for military purposes and became known as "The Toronto Barracks Site." And then of course during World War II the large munitions plant was built on the site to build and test guns, specifically Lee-Enfield rifles.<br />
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According to the City of Mississauga's website... <br />
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"The complex included a 212,000 square foot plant and the 81,000 square foot rifle inspection centre, and was erected by the government in 1940. The plant continued to operate until 1974 supplying military arms and other machinery. Ontario Hydro (now Ontario Power Generation) and the Cadet Organization Police School have used the building since." <br />
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The Small Arms Inspection Building, which was used for quality control, was designed by Allward & Gouinlock Architects. In 2008 the vacant building was under threat of demolition until the City of Mississauga declared it of cultural heritage value. The Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) has purchased the Arsenal Lands and is currently in the process of re-purposing the Small Arms Inspection Building to mixed use space for arts, culture, heritage and business purposes.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26013655734/in/album-72157665220263383/" nbsp="" title="Small Munitions Inspection Building"><img alt="Small Munitions Inspection Building" height="418" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1612/26013655734_f2c4e6077b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Similar to the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/03/urban-exploration-bata-batawa.html" target="_blank">Bata Shoe</a> and <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2012/06/abandonment-issues-gibbard-furniture.html" target="_blank">Gibbard Furniture</a> factories, women either volunteered or were conscripted by the millions to work due to the shortage of men and thus played a key role in supporting the war effort from home by providing vital munitions to the front line. It was dirty and dangerous work where serious acid burns could occur and the women's skin turned yellow due to handling cordite or sulphur. The work was boring and repetitive but the slightest lapse in concentration could cause an explosive blast. On Remembrance Day in 2012, 1.5 million women were finally recognized for their tremendous efforts at the Cenotaph after decades of receiving little recognition for their service.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26619426415/in/album-72157665220263383/" nbsp="" title="img_smallArmsProject-03"><img alt="img_smallArmsProject-03" height="396" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1659/26619426415_5e6263c84c.jpg" width="280" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo found online)</span></i><br />
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"My grandfather managed a munitions factory during WWII and was denied three times trying to enlist himself in the war. The army felt his efforts were best utilized at the factory.", ninja shared, as we made our way inside.<br />
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Inside, the wide open factory floor was bright and looked out onto a green scape with large trees casting shadows into the building, moving slowly across the edges of the floor as the sun crossed the sky. Void of the hustle and bustle of war-time production, silence and emptiness abounded.<br />
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As Jerm scurried like a mouse from room to room snapping these images and energetically commenting on the variety of colours throughout the building, Ninja interrupted pondering aloud about the lives of the women that worked here during such tumultuous times. That thought stayed with us both as we wandered the halls, the four of us poking in and out of each and every room like a Scoobie Doo bit. We even stopped here and there to have some photographic fun, posing creepily behind the foggy, dimpled glass windows in the office doors, light painting in the boiler room and even morphing into unicorn people.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26619153255/in/album-72157665220263383/" nbsp="" title="Small Munitions Inspection Building"><img alt="Small Munitions Inspection Building" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1526/26619153255_540f357584_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26553778951/in/album-72157665220263383/" nbsp="" title="Small Munitions Inspection Building"><img alt="Small Munitions Inspection Building" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1658/26553778951_f6cd3dd0ce_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26037354083/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Casting shadows"><img alt="Casting shadows" height="470" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1496/26037354083_d409a242e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<i><b>(Photo by <a href="http://tohellandback.net/" target="_blank">terapr0</a>)</b></i><br />
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Building" height="429" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1510/26526526392_6a86c914b8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Finally, after we finished up in the Small Arms Inspection Building, we sauntered carelessly through the field spotting hawks and other rare city birds toward the giant water tower spotted with graffiti written by people who are braver and more limber than we. Climbing a few steps up and looking up to the sky one can see where the rusted ladder juts out near the top platform, a death defying final vertical climb surrounded by nothing but sky and a momentary lapse of reason for those who take the challenge.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26553766781/in/album-72157665220263383/" nbsp="" title="Small Munitions Inspection Building"><img alt="Small Munitions Inspection Building" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1604/26553766781_be15521737_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Below is a terrific three minute video on this important part of Canadian history by Heritage Mississauga.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r0lX7lgpS74" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Here's to a bright future for the Sall Arms Inspection Building!<br />
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********* UPDATE *********<br />
***** October 16, 2016 ***** <br />
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As the sun faded on Saturday Evening, we returned to camp out for the night inside the old Munitions Plant with terapr0 and Tash.0, with permission. terapr0 had hosted a light painting workshop here on the previous Thursday and invited fellow explorer friends to come and partake in some night photography of the building on this beautiful warm mid-October Saturday night.<br />
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It was a pleasure of course to share this overnight experience with a couple we have grown to adore, and we are grateful for the invite and their friendship. It was also quite enjoyable meeting and chatting with some new acquaintances, including Zen, Jono, Strange Places, magnoodles, banditt, Neil Ta, and a few others whose handles I didn't catch. And of course it is always nice to see my man yokes (even if he didn't rock one of his awesome custom bowties)!<br />
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Although many of us are so very different in so many ways, and do not see eye to eye on everything, it was the common ground we share that guided most of the conversation, which made for a wonderful night.<br />
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While I have been present at many of terapr0's light painting shoots over the years, and have even been a subject in some of his classic shots, I had never attempted light painting myself. So Nicole and I rifled through the lights provided by terapr0 and yokes, and wandered off from time to time playing around in the darkness. Overall, I'm not super enthused with many of the images we captured but it definitely sparked an interest and this was just the first of many light painting shoots.<br />
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After less than two hours of sleep, we awoke to a gentle rain caressing the window panes. We did a final walk through, packed up and hit the road once more.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/30298378421/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Small Munition Inspection Building Campout"><img alt="Small Munition Inspection Building Campout" height="427" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8137/30298378421_70fe45de0c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/30298383881/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Small Munition Inspection Building Campout"><img alt="Small Munition Inspection Building Campout" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5691/30298383881_10762fdf5c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/30298380931/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Small Munition Inspection Building Campout"><img alt="Small Munition Inspection Building Campout" height="421" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5469/30298380931_5c106d34fb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Now...have you ever had that feeling where you wish there was
something you could do to save one of these historic buildings from
decay and the impending wrecking ball?<br />
<br />
Well my friends,
do I have good news for you! The Small Arms Society will be opening up
this venue for a large scale art show and performance event from 7pm-12pm, October
27-29, 2016. I am overjoyed to be showing Abandonment Issues photographs alongside friends and photographers that I admire, as well as a poetry scroll that has been pasted up in the building. I'll be there on Friday the 28th and hope to see you there! Tickets are $20 and all proceeds go to the continued effort to revive this building as a community hub.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/30503191172/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="In Situ promo flyer"><img alt="In Situ promo flyer" height="672" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5547/30503191172_23fba902fc_b.jpg" width="960" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="214" src="https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-50397229677064215762016-02-07T17:45:00.001-05:002016-02-08T15:36:25.337-05:00Abandonment Issues: Camp 30 (Nazi P.O.W. Camp)<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Built in the early 1900s, the Camp 30 Nazi Internment Camp in Bowmanville, Ontario, was originally designed and operated as a boys reform school. It is best known however, for its most infamous inhabitants: Nazi Prisoners Of War. Over 880 German prisoners called Camp 30 home during World War II. It was the only overseas Camp to house the highest ranking Third Reich officers and top U-boat commanders, some of whom tried to tunnel their way out of the camp in an elaborate escape attempt. Today, the abandoned buildings are mere skeletal remains of their former selves and salvaging them for their historical value has been the subject of controversy as they continue to deteriorate. As the only remaining Nazi P.O.W. Camp left standing in Canada, Camp 30 is an important cultural and historical site. <br />
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The boys reform school was built on 300 acres of land known as the Darch Farm, donated by a local farmer so that the Canadian government could construct a school campus for "unadjusted boys who were not inherently delinquent". It is one of the few campuses of "Prairie School" architecture in Canada. Twenty nine years after opening its doors, the young residents were abruptly evicted in 1941, when the government ordered the school to relocate so that the site could be re-purposed as a World War II P.O.W. Camp. The site was specifically selected because as overseas allies, Canada was the perfect place to house this demographic of prisoners far from the reaches of the enemy. Additionally, it was located just off the main highway in a rural area outside of Toronto, and near Camp X, a spy camp in Whitby. Officials rushed to complete modifications within seven months of the school's eviction, to transform it into a prison: nine guard towers were constructed, barbed-wire fences were erected, and barracks were built for the guards. </div>
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Prisoners would later complain of changes that weren't made before their arrival, including short, child size beds, low urinals, and small dorms and eating areas. These would be small sacrifices considering the other luxuries they would be afforded due to the previous use of the buildings. Prisoners were treated to a variety of comforts and entertainment options. They had a gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, theatre, and concert stage. They ran their own newspaper, purchased alcohol, cigarettes and other items from the canteen with their pay cheques, took in lectures from University of Toronto professors and were even allowed to cross country ski off site and swim in Lake Ontario. Some prisoners could simply utter the phrase<i> </i>'Ehrenwort' to the Canadian guards, a German word for 'Word of Honour', and they'd be allowed to leave the Camp. It is rumoured the Nazi prisoner's even ate better than the people of Bowmanville and Germany, with such delights as bacon,ham, roast pork or beef, potato salad, macaroni, potatoes, eggs and so much more on the menu. Of course, the amenities and luxuries afforded were not enough to stop these highest ranking Nazi prisoners from revolting and trying to escape. </div>
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In mid-October of 1942, a riot took place in which prisoners barricaded themselves in the mess hall with hockey sticks and iron bars in protest of a plan to shackle to them. This was an Allied Forces response to Hitler shackling Canadian prisoners overseas. Reportedly the Canadian guards stormed the hall with baseball bats and hours of brawling ensued until high pressure water hoses were used to subdue the prisoners. The event earned the name the “Battle of Bowmanville.”</div>
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The most notorious escape attempt occurred in 1943 when Admiral Doenitz ordered the rescue of U-boat commander Otto Kretschmer. An elaborate plan was devised which included sending a submarine down the St. Lawrence river which would wait for Kretschmer at Maisonnette Point off the coast of New Brunswick on September 27. P.O.W.s got to work on the Northeast corner of Victoria Hall (referred to by prisoners as Haus IV) constructing a large tunnel 50x50 cm squared equipped with lighting which was wired in, and a ventilation system made from telescoping tin cans. Supports were installed every 1-2 metres made from pilfered wood from the attics of other buildings in the Camp. Perhaps most ingenious was how the P.O.W.s hid the dirt they were excavating using knives and cans: a trolley system was used and men transported the dirt in buckets through a hole in the ceiling to the attic, where is was evenly distributed.</div>
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Unaware that the guards found the tunnel, the Nazi's continued to fill the attic with dirt, one bucket at a time. One would assume that the Allied Forces immediately shut down the escape attempt upon it's discovery, but they did the opposite. Knowing that Hitler or Doenitz would issue another order they allowed the futile mission to continue undisturbed. Until the sky fell, literally. The weight of the accumulated dirt collapsed through the ceiling and the jig was up, for both sides. At that time a 90 metre passage had been dug 4.5 metres underground. </div>
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Other tunnel attempts were unsuccessful, as was climbing under the fence and hiding in a laundry truck, as two prisoners would learn. No one managed to successfully escape Camp 30.</div>
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Immediately after the war ended, the Nazi prisoners were sent back to Europe and the compound reverted back to a boys training school, until it was shut down in 1979. A school for overseas Malaysian students, St. Stephen's Catholic School and finally a private Islamic Academy all occupied the space before it was abandoned in 2008.</div>
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Camp 30 was declared a National Historic Site in 2013, 5 years after immeasurable damage had already been done. While great lengths have been gone to in attempts to keep the buildings sealed, including everything from plywood and metal to giant boulders and massive mounds of dirt covering entrances, people continue to go to even greater lengths to get inside, and the fight to save Camp 30 seems to be to be as futile as the Nazi's escape attempt. By that time, everything from windows and toilets to doors and drywall walls had been smashed. The odd no name illegible tags and swastikas had begun to appear on the walls, some of which already showing initials signs of black mould. The stunning Auditorium had already burned down in an arson, which is commonplace at the site. Doors were ripped from hinges and spongy soggy asbestos carpeted the long hallways in the main dormitory. Too little too late.</div>
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Frustratingly, there is little funding available and an apparent overall lack of interest when it comes to investing in preservation of our most interesting and unique historic buildings. One can only assume with the pace of it's rapid deterioration, Camp 30 will likely be a subdivision soon, as developer's had planned before National Historic Site status was finally granted. It is remarkably disconcerting how little we appear to value our Canadian history as it pertains to locations such as this. National Historic Site should mean something, but it's just more bureaucratic jibberish.<br />
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A round of applause goes to 'The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario’s Clarington Branch' and the 'Camp 30 Foundation' for their efforts. But without further intervention and investment in the immediate future, it's fate seems sealed. </div>
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With the prevalence of vandalism and arson, police regularly patrol the area and have been known to issue tickets to trespassers that aren't smart enough to be polite and forthcoming.</div>
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My first visit was with Ninja in January 2011 and several dozen return visits have ensued in the following years. On any any given day one can come across no one, or conversely thirty people and two cops on the property in a span of three hours. Couples young and old slowly strolling and holding hands, or walking their dogs, some taking photographs of the overgrowth along the interlinking stone walkways between buildings, never leaving the beaten path. Inside a few of the buildings, you might come across graffiti artists or urban explorers, potheads or skateboarders, and usually a handful of teenagers breaking shit and setting fires. You might even climb over the giant boulder into the old gymnasium one hot sunny afternoon only to find a fire burning inside, or perhaps a solitary candle burning in the same gym another day in midwinter. You might even just drive out there one evening and stay up all night writing rhymes in your black book on the roof of the mess hall, completely alone under the stars, until light peaks over the horizon and reveals the sun kissed Nazi Camp in all it's dilapidated glory. That's been my experience.</div>
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I've been caught here three or four times, including once hanging out a window frame by the fire chief, and even busted on an Easter weekend exploring with my brothers and our Mom. Yet to get a ticket or even have a negative experience with authorities at this location. </div>
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While Camp 30 is a fascinating place that I love frequenting regularly, it has never really spoken to me from a photographic standpoint. That is until some real graffiti writers finally found the place in 2013/2014 and began to beautify the dying spaces. I've been continually drawn back to experience and photograph the graffiti and the constant changes that take place at such at an active site.</div>
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The story continues. The rapid decay and violent destruction of Camp 30 are being caused by both nature and man, but only man can reverse this process and save this National Historic Site, if left in the hands of nature, Camp 30 is doomed.</div>
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Lets go back to the beginning. Ninja and I first explored Camp 30 in January 2011 with several return visits taking place in the following four months. These were stealth missions back then. Most of the buildings very well secured and police patrolled the Camp frequently. Ducking in and out between buildings, playing cat and mouse, and winning every time. </div>
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Countless visits ensued throughout 2012, but in most cases I was playing tour guide to other groups of friends, family and fellow explorers, and rarely used my camera. At this point access was already getting substantially easier, but the regular patrols continued. Inevitably the damage and decay intensified with each and every visit throughout the year.<br />
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Much of the same continued throughout 2013 and 2014 as the compound became easier and easier to access and talk your way out of, if spotted by police, and the attempts to keep the buildings sealed seemed to grow fewer and farther between. It was during this time period that some real graffiti artists finally touched down. As other locations were getting crossed off the list however, the frequency of my visits definitely slowed significantly.<br />
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In April of 2014, on a solo trip, I immediately made my way to the gym/pool building, as is my routine. I climbed up the boulder and squeezed through what was at that time a tiny hole at the top of the door frame. Once inside, the smell of smoke drew me automatically into the gym side of the building. To my surprise, a small fire was burning through the floor of the basketball court, with spray cans in it. I ran through the building and took these shots before I squeezed back outside and called the fire department as I left the property.<br />
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In 2015, with all of the buildings easily accessible, I focused my camera almost exclusively on the ever changing canvas that Camp 30 had become. Layers of tags covered some walls, and in some cases, colour and style brought life back to dead spaces. As a street artist and graffiti enthusiast, Camp 30 was becoming one of my favourite locations to photograph, as it had become a playground for some very talented artists.<br />
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To see more work by some of these artists check out the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2015/05/benson-auto-parts-mural-wall.html" target="_blank">Benson Auto Parts Mural</a> I curated in Peterborough.<br />
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In early February of 2016 I made my most recent visit. I followed that same path to the gym, and climbed inside yet again, albeit much easier than before. Inside, a solitary candle was burning on the basketball court. Kind of a deja vu moment waiting to happen. <br />
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Again, I focused heavily on the graffiti, drawing the inspiration from it that led me to finally write this post.<br />
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I can't thank you enough for coming along for the 5 year journey. <br />
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As of this moment, the future for Camp 30 is uncertain.<br />
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Wherever the story goes from here, I'll be there with my camera.<br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-28494067182250658372016-02-01T11:51:00.000-05:002016-04-25T14:54:06.720-04:00Abandonment Issues: Peterborough County Jail<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24111259783/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5040"><img alt="IMG_5040" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/24111259783_0324a6dde3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The Electric City, Peterborough, Ontario, is best known for it's National Historic Site, the world's tallest hydraulic boat lifts known as the Liftlocks, as well as holding the distinction of being the first town in Canada to erect electric street lights.<br />
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It is also my hometown.<br />
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From my perspective, as a small child growing up here, the most dominant landmark wasn't the Liftlocks or Quaker Oats or General Electric, or even the Market Hall clock tower, it was the brooding Georgian style stone jail atop the hill, walled in behind the old courthouse.<br />
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It was the jail that my dad kept getting locked in for drunk driving. I resented that jail as a young boy, but only a mere fraction of how much I resented him for the two decades that followed. The Peterborough County Jail played a profound role on my psyche as a child and throughout my teenage years spent on the streets, committing crimes and going in and out of young offender facilities. I just assumed I was following my destiny, father's footsteps as they say. I always truly thought it was a given that I would sometime see the inside of the Peterborough County Jail. But not like this...<br />
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First built in 1842, the jail was redesigned and reconstructed on the site in 1864-65, and expansions and upgrades took place throughout the 1950s. Thousands of men spent time locked in these dark dungeon-like, claustrophobia inducing cells over the course of the jail's 159 years in operation. Numerous inmates sentenced to death were hanged in the gallows in the walled in courtyard, the last being Edward 'Stonewall' Jackson in 1933. Several men were buried a mere few feet from the gallows and many an unmarked grave remain within these walls.<br />
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In 2001, a riot broke out and guards lost control of one of the 1st floor ranges. Inmates destroyed the range, ripping up tables and beds, barricading doors and lighting fires. They also managed to break off metal plumbing and heating pipes and smash through the walls, quite literally. The rioting inmates obliterated the walls between 5 or 6 cells, leaving behind a pile of bricks and rubble and a hallway of cells. They also created a massive hole in the outer wall but came an inch or two short of breaking through to the other side before order was restored. Immediately after the riot, all inmates were sent to the nearby <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/09/abandonment-issues-prison-on-hill.html" target="_blank">Millbrook Correctional Centre</a> and the Peterborough County jail was shut down.<br />
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It has been 20 years to the day since I was released after serving 20 months locked up as a young offender, and while I have explored almost a dozen jails and prisons since, none of those visits have been as a prisoner. Ironically, on the 20 year anniversary of my release, I finally find myself inside the decommissioned Peterborough County Jail, the day before demolition gets underway. Destiny manifests.<br />
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With camera in hand and freedom to roam, I thought I'd think about my father, whom I haven't seen or spoken to in 18 years. I expected to stand in a cell and wonder if he ever stood there. Following footprints again. But I'm not. I'm reflecting on my own growth. My triumphs and tribulations. My current legal hiccup. My successes and failures, regrets and accomplishments. I'm clicking my camera and snapping photos of mouldy cell doors on a dark range with a giant smile on my face, celebrating the fact that I'd never made it here until now. Here and now, standing before a replica of the gallows in the yard, realizing that I'm more loved by more people than I ever could've imagined as that stray street criminal kid I once was. I'm a survivor. A rose from concrete, or at least a blade of grass from stone, I tell myself, trying to pull myself out of a deep depression. This is cathartic.<br />
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The ghostly cold damp air sends shivers up my spine as I slowly wander about the dark ranges and hallways, with my camera attached to my face and an awakened sense of pride. Stepping in and out of cells, closing the heavy doors behind me until the heavy metal on metal thud echoes throughout the very small jail. This is the freest I've felt in a very long time.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25207309045/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1635/25207309045_3d62ae8095_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24370459219/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5000"><img alt="IMG_5000" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1485/24370459219_7d73570dfb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24711900096/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4920"><img alt="IMG_4920" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1543/24711900096_9ea4f4a75d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24370452259/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5032"><img alt="IMG_5032" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1588/24370452259_800d7b033a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24370458069/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5005"><img alt="IMG_5005" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1620/24370458069_e274c5f8dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24644599881/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5030"><img alt="IMG_5030" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1459/24644599881_b0a1df8958_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24111252983/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5024"><img alt="IMG_5024" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1644/24111252983_a020daec88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25181008186/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1606/25181008186_ee6713da9d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24620306252/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5058"><img alt="IMG_5058" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1466/24620306252_3cca6f1d30_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24580510723/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1543/24580510723_3b39368cc3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24620346292/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4873"><img alt="IMG_4873" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1522/24620346292_746fe5fd81_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24111256743/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5048"><img alt="IMG_5048" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1717/24111256743_813540620b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24738159705/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4861"><img alt="IMG_4861" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1691/24738159705_23bd927335_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24738158645/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4867"><img alt="IMG_4867" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1489/24738158645_3b45f296dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24620309592/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5042"><img alt="IMG_5042" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1504/24620309592_e0632f3d22_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24711908496/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_5033"><img alt="IMG_5033" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1467/24711908496_5fe65a0e7b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24644637011/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4851"><img alt="IMG_4851" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1656/24644637011_0681e83ca1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24711945446/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4857"><img alt="IMG_4857" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1519/24711945446_bbbf0617e2_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24111280113/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4955"><img alt="IMG_4955" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1533/24111280113_8d32cbf0d7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24111287653/in/album-72157663980786292/" nbsp="" title="IMG_4901"><img alt="IMG_4901" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1441/24111287653_58e90f6023_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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I hope to (fingers crossed) update the post with some photos of the demolition process in the near future and will eventually add photos of what will remain, which is a park with plaques sharing some history and partial remains of the jail designed to look like ruins.<br />
<br />
********* UPDATE *********<br />
***February 22nd, 2016***<br />
<br />
With asbestos abatement completed, the partial demolition is underway. Thankfully, the project foreman has invited me back anytime to continue to document the full process, as he is familiar with my work. For this opportunity I am very grateful.<br />
<br />
I returned this afternoon to find a gaping hole in the perimeter wall revealing the old jail building that until very recently, hadn't been viewed by public eyes in over 140 years. It become instantly apparent, even from outside, that a lot of progress has been made in just under a month. Most of the barred windows have been removed and the roof was being stripped off, with boards being thrown to the sub roof for organizing, as almost all of the jail will be reused in some fashion or another.<br />
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Inside, the transformation continued. Most of the stored contents are gone and have been replaced with random piles of debris. The cell bars and doors have been removed and stacked throughout the jail randomly. With the roof mostly disassembled, the cold air was was bone chilling despite the balmy 6 degree weather outside, and many areas were coated in a layer of ice.<br />
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So here it is, the Peterborough Jail demo site as of today, in full colour.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25114088291/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1545/25114088291_49a9dee408_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25089052102/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1574/25089052102_9dbf40454c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25181000496/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1575/25181000496_496fc1f965_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Believe it or not the hole in the wall below is not from the demo, but rather caused by the rioting inmates that closed the jail down in 2001.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25089054122/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="433" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1544/25089054122_ac81027f59_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24911684960/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1685/24911684960_f15920ab24_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25089064392/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1544/25089064392_d037e3f870_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24580506343/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1535/24580506343_6d20c359ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24839644719/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1499/24839644719_46ed554692_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24911695370/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1484/24911695370_1f9570853d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25207319725/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="435" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1714/25207319725_1d81d73760_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25207306705/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1545/25207306705_6d9bef5780_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25114095351/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1636/25114095351_db3b3f06e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/25207307415/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1604/25207307415_5cd8d4c5d4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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I'll be returning once a week throughout the demolition and will continue to update until the story ends.<br />
<br />
*****UPDATE*****<br />
***April 25, 2016***<br />
<br />
Just over a month has passed and the old Peterborough Jail is now but skeletal remains of it's former self. Only remnants of partial walls and door frames still stand, wide open under the sky, which happens to be providing a furious late April blizzard. <br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26037565443/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1589/26037565443_76a5616881_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26614594436/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1564/26614594436_3514268362_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26547824892/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="426" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1716/26547824892_3a841612e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26547819042/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1663/26547819042_0733611211_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26614603376/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1463/26614603376_b403168dc1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26575609161/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1715/26575609161_a986c9b1cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26614597846/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1472/26614597846_e2afff4de9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26037546063/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="428" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1638/26037546063_876c87e5e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26037550973/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1607/26037550973_2c6b4087cd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26614609076/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1605/26614609076_bb30f73a41_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/26575605411/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016"><img alt="Peterborough County Jail Demo Site April 2016" height="432" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1609/26575605411_98c0d2df96_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Stay tuned, as I'll post pictures of the park once it is completed.<br />
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For more local Peterborough ABANDONMENT ISSUES check out the...<br />
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<a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/01/urban-exploration-st-josephs-hospital.html" target="_blank">St. Joseph's Hospital</a><br />
<a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2014/05/abandonment-issues-peterborough-family.html" target="_blank">Peterborough Family YMCA</a> <br />
<a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/04/abandonment-issues-mental-health.html" target="_blank">Nicholls Building </a><br />
<a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/06/abandonment-issues-mount-st-joseph.html" target="_blank">Mount St. Joseph Convent</a><br />
<a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/09/abandonment-issues-mustang-drive-in.html" target="_blank">Mustang Drive-In</a> <br />
<a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/07/abandonment-issues-formax-factory.html" target="_blank">Formax Factory</a> <br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-64529492780626829422015-06-02T14:09:00.000-04:002015-06-02T14:46:26.066-04:00Devil's Day Drive: McKellar & Simpson HousesIt was Devil's Day 2014 and I was lost in the middle of nowhere under an overcast sky, hundreds of kilometres from home. With no cell service and a gas tank chugging and running on fumes I had no option but to pull over and wait on the side of a desolate stretch of dirt road. It was over 20 minutes before a vehicle finally crested the horizon, kicking up dust and filling me with a sense of long anticipated relief.<br />
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Soon after, with a full tank of gas thanks to the help of kind strangers, I was back to my mission; the list of abandoned houses plotted out on my Devil's Day Drive, the first of which being the McKellar House.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15546981779" title="IMG_3527 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3527" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7528/15546981779_abd64b815c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It's not so easy to get lost anymore, is it? Lost in thought however, a different story, especially in a place like this. I stood alone mulling over those same questions that arise in every abandoned house with contents remaining...<br />
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...Who were the McKellar's? What made them tick? What were their hobbies and occupations? What sort of lives were lived here in this old rural farmhouse? Who am I really? What will I leave behind and what will it say about me?<br />
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Feeling inspired, I sat down on the dirty couch and wrote a few quick rhymes on my phone, as I'm all to well aware that all I will leave behind are my words...<br />
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<i>"Time waits for no man, even this nomad scribbling in his notepad knows that.</i><br />
<i>Hold that thought like an old frozen pose from a Kodak throwback."</i><br />
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<i>"I view the world from a very personal perspective,</i><br />
<i>I've worshipped worthlessness and elected to wallow in the hurt.</i><br />
<i>I've purposely disconnected and erected statues out of bad news.</i><br />
<i>Lived through a childhood trauma, only to get it tattooed." </i><br />
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<i>"I had a flashback from my past, I didn't want to live,</i><br />
<i>so I wrote a suicide note and threw it off a bridge." </i><br />
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These were some of my favourites rhymes I'd written in a long time and a spark was lit within me.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15519202018" title="House of TVs by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="House of TVs" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7547/15519202018_b425f80b95_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I stood up and wiped from the debris from my jeans before continuing to explore and photograph the McKellar House, while freestyling in my head and conceiving a new song. I stopped repeatedly to take note of certain lines once the theme had emerged, using the house as my muse.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15734404322" title="IMG_3544 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3544" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7499/15734404322_092a5b12da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547658827" title="IMG_3631 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3631" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3951/15547658827_5ef5b1b3b1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15732858975" title="IMG_3531 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3531" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5601/15732858975_b242e08067_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15113465953" title="IMG_3568 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3568" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3952/15113465953_005dc503b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15112893724" title="IMG_3569 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3569" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7543/15112893724_0a7bba9407_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547408558" title="IMG_3548 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3548" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5612/15547408558_c78f266702_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15546974989" title="IMG_3586 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3586" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3943/15546974989_19b1a22e17_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547405158" title="IMG_3590 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3590" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3952/15547405158_91fabce796_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15112890754" title="IMG_3593 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3593" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7545/15112890754_5166ab1c80_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15112889074" title="IMG_3600 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3600" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3949/15112889074_16abdec358_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15709142826" title="IMG_3629 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3629" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7490/15709142826_99548a292d_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15548001350" title="IMG_3637 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3637" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5603/15548001350_12dd636293_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15113456143" title="IMG_3642 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3642" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7491/15113456143_1cd12600a6_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15730923391" title="IMG_3646 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3646" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7560/15730923391_034d04d912_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And then I did as the McKellar's did before me and left the house behind forever.<br />
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With endless stretches of dirt roads and farmer's fields behind me, I arrived at the Simpson House with an urge to continue writing and bring this experience full circle. I've always enjoyed finding bizarre places to sit and write rhymes and these abandoned houses had such great vibes.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15730903011" title="IMG_3415 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3415" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7543/15730903011_413123deeb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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For over an hour, I paced in front of the broken piano, which was leaning forward into a large hole in the floor, and I wrote a song called 'Kindling'...<br />
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<i>"We burn out when we carry old flames, no names</i><br />
<i>but we wear that like varicose veins</i><br />
<i>We learn how to burn this buried cold pain </i><br />
<i>like kindling, kindling, the stereo is playing.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>I light the match and as the paper ignites</i><br />
<i>I get flashbacks of you being all playful and nice</i><br />
<i>These memories of you are no safer at night</i><br />
<i>So I pile the kindling high, hoping to reignite</i><br />
<i>this burning effigy, without you I'm a refugee</i><br />
<i>You left me in the dead of sleep</i><br />
<i>with nothing but a head of steam</i><br />
<i>and a recipe for yesterday's incessant dreams</i><br />
<i>Kindling on the fire, pyre, may you rest in peace</i><br />
<i>In my memories at least, you've been unleashed in 'em</i><br />
<i>We never speak but you know you're free to leave</i><br />
<i>Hope flies the moment the smoke rises</i><br />
<i>I remember those eyes, I saw forever go by in 'em</i><br />
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<i>We burn out when we carry old flames, no names</i><br />
<i>but we wear that like varicose veins</i><br />
<i>We learn how to burn this buried cold pain </i><br />
<i>like kindling, kindling, the stereo is playing.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>A solemn oath, broken, a fallen oak</i><br />
<i>Now but a nurse log coated in mosses and other growths</i><br />
<i>I had to cut you out, now I have to cut you up</i><br />
<i>with nothing but forgotten love... to make kindling</i><br />
<i>We're reunited in the flames, it could never be the same</i><br />
<i>'cause forever doesn't change like the weather or the shame</i><br />
<i>Embers are in flames under cold November rain</i><br />
<i>and I know that it's insane but I miss you I'm afraid</i><br />
<i>if the fire dies my memories will fade</i><br />
<i>and my reply is... that'll be the day</i><br />
<i>My desires have all been rearranged</i><br />
<i>I sit fireside wide eyed and engaged</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>We burn out when we carry old flames, no names</i><i> </i><br />
<i>but we wear that like varicose veins</i><br />
<i>We learn how to burn this buried cold pain </i><br />
<i>like kindling, kindling, the stereo is playing."</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15719999395" title="Curtain call by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Curtain call" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8540/15719999395_2b6e6a566d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And then I explored the Simpson House.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15546945039" title="IMG_3437 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3437" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7504/15546945039_7edef0c2ce_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547362788" title="IMG_3509 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3509" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3949/15547362788_d5057f3b62_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547623637" title="IMG_3507 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3507" height="438" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3940/15547623637_742b023b08_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15546943449" title="IMG_3451 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3451" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7558/15546943449_afac3ef435_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15732816505" title="IMG_3473 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3473" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7557/15732816505_61a7a48049_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15732815525" title="IMG_3476 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3476" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7538/15732815525_7624c26a7c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547363398" title="IMG_3506 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3506" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3944/15547363398_1f84dede8b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15709114026" title="IMG_3461 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3461" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3941/15709114026_d8b1c9ab8c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15730895741" title="IMG_3463 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3463" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7476/15730895741_6f82dace21_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15730893061" title="IMG_3480 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3480" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3937/15730893061_d6edd6fc31_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15730891241" title="IMG_3496 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3496" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3948/15730891241_d7c11901b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15546936399" title="IMG_3486 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3486" height="426" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5608/15546936399_8f170945c3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547365468" title="IMG_3491 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3491" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3952/15547365468_530336c433_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15547980920" title="IMG_3414 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3414" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3954/15547980920_c0ac643acf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Sometimes it seems like a moment can last a lifetime, but in the grand scheme of things our lifetimes only last a moment.<br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-80269602740806031322015-05-31T17:44:00.003-04:002015-05-31T20:44:58.792-04:00Abandonment Issues: Mile of Memories Mansion<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18313063912" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8863/18313063912_56f503304a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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At the end of a dead end road and the end of a long and winding overgrown driveway I find myself at the abandoned Mile of Memories Mansion, in the company of my new friends FeralFox and Kida. On a vast expansive lakefront property complete with mansion and boathouse I can't help but draw comparisons to the much more opulent <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/03/abandonment-issues-edgemere-estate.html" target="_blank">Edgemere Estate</a>.<br />
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The Mile of Memories Mansion has 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 4 kitchens, an organ, a vault and an elevator. Aside from the vandalism, the house is in great condition and it is unfathomable how this gorgeous home and property is abandoned.<br />
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Yet here I am.<br />
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I soak it in. The birds chirping, the mosquitoes swarming, the tall wet grass soaking through my shoes. I'm taking mental notes. The overcast sky, the stonework, the broken windows. It's almost surreal. The hardwood floors, the bison head, the antique furniture. The stone archways on the second storey mezzanine, the propped open elevator door, the emptiness within the majority of bedrooms. I'm taking pictures, but I'm imprinting memories in my mind. The organ, the piano, the record players. The books and records, clocks and typewriters. The spiral staircase. The sealed vault in the dark basement and the attic door that opens up to reveal rooftop access. I'm absorbing it. The home's contents strewn about and smashed, presumably by local youth. Amongst the debris I find some photographs dated circa 1940s and photograph them. I'm lost in someone else's past.<br />
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I'd love to share with you the fascinating history of the former occupants of this home but cannot do so without revealing it's location; a risk I'm not willing to take. If the home deteriorates beyond repair I may update the post in the future.<br />
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For now, I'm lost in each moment as it passes and following my 5 senses...<br />
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I can almost taste the affluence. Breathing it in. It smells like money, or at least it used to. Now it smells old and dated with a faint odour of initial decay. Watching value and worth disappear before my eyes. Hearing the broken glass fragments crack under my softly stepping feet as barn swallows sing outside. Touching the old mouldy photographs and connecting with those depicted within...<br />
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...I feel it.<br />
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As I wander, I ponder the lives that were lived here. I imagine a woman playing the organ atop the spiral staircase and the music comes alive in my mind. I envision a happy couple dancing in the music room draped in the finest of fashions. I watch the wealthy couple sleep in the master bedroom. I hear the echoing ring of the drill press in the basement contrasted by the laughter of children playing on the elevator. I can smell the delicious five course meals cooked up by the help. <br />
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...I feel it all, the past, the present, and the future.<br />
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I see it falling apart. I see the vandals returning and continuing to loot and destroy the home and it's contents. With the windows broken, I watch the mould grow on the walls and ceilings. I watch the roof eventually give way to Mother Nature's wrath. Unfortunately, I see the inevitable. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18129354200" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/367/18129354200_71db7d2000_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18318454241" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/559/18318454241_371c977e1a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17696382293" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/315/17696382293_8c1f7bc59d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18129289090" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7760/18129289090_67537c718a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18129281688" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8789/18129281688_04db8a2fae_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17696357613" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8811/17696357613_3c81c57b56_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17694474524" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8814/17694474524_991b2549ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17696468263" title="Mile of Memories Mansion by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mile of Memories Mansion" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8766/17696468263_2bdf8ac476_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The lesson of the story is that you can't take it with you. <br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-13924376057437733652015-05-25T11:48:00.000-04:002015-05-25T12:05:29.482-04:00Benson Auto Parts Mural WallTo say that the back walls of the Benson Auto Parts shop were an eyesore would be a major understatement. Years of accumulated layers of terrible graffiti peppered with offensive garbage covered the walls that face onto one of the loveliest walking paths in Peterborough, Ontario, along the Trans-Canada trail.<br />
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I recently approached the manager about putting out a call for some very talented graffiti writers to come and decorate his building. He happily obliged given the aforementioned eyesore.<br />
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This past weekend, some of my favourite writers came to town, some from as far as Chatham and Montreal, to beautify Benson.<br />
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Huge thanks to LOOTER, NOMIS, KNOWR, JAKER, DREG, PANIC, SENOR and JEACS, as well as Benson Auto Parts.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17898951569" title="IMG_4438 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4438" height="219" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8867/17898951569_42ca8497fc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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LEWTER GH<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18058719306" title="IMG_4001 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4001" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8896/18058719306_6e921f798c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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NOMIS DFC<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18086157811" title="NOMIS DFC by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="NOMIS DFC" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8759/18086157811_bd83847658_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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KNOWR DFC<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17897372518" title="IMG_4016 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4016" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8783/17897372518_7e5f45fd3d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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JAKER GK<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17464665313" title="JAKER GK by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="JAKER GK" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5349/17464665313_293b738e42_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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DREG<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18058728076" title="DREG by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="DREG" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8805/18058728076_d90cdfeb42_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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PANIC STS<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18058731176" title="PANIC AOR.STS by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="PANIC AOR.STS" height="426" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5466/18058731176_c7be5e4910_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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SENOR PMV<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/18086169501" title="IMG_3996 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3996" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8769/18086169501_15fce2e2a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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JEACS PMV<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/17462642624" title="IMG_3995 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3995" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7724/17462642624_8046490e52_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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The reaction from the community has been 100% positive, to the point that people are going inside and thanking the staff.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-20259047748657434602015-02-15T14:24:00.002-05:002015-02-16T16:20:35.360-05:00Abandonment Issues: Centre Cemetery House<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16496756556" title="CENTRE CEMETERY by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="CENTRE CEMETERY" height="430" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/16496756556_959956f562_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Hello fellow travellers, it's been a while. <br />
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Throughout the spring and summer of 2014, we were accompanied on our adventures across Ontario by award winning documentary filmmaker <a href="http://ridgenfilm.com/" target="_blank">David Ridgen</a>. We traversed the province to and fro exploring abandoned buildings and became friends in the process. The end result is a 15 minute documentary short entitled 'Love Song For The Apocalypse' which played to two sold out world premiere crowds at the <a href="http://www.slamdance.com/" target="_blank">Slamdance Film Festival</a> in Park City, Utah in February 2015. 'Love Song For The Apocalypse' will be at a film festival near you for your viewing pleasure soon. <br />
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One of the houses we explored with David in tow was the eerily haunting Centre Cemetery House.<br />
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Buried deep in years of overgrown vegetation, adjacent to the manicured lawn of the cemetery, the eclectic Centre Cemetery House is one of those abandoned houses that stays with you long after you leave it behind.<br />
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Most of the previous inhabitants possessions remained. Dirty dishes rested in the sink and the cupboards were packed with non perishables and bottled water. Gas station calendars dating from 1942 to 2010 lined the makeshift plywood walls that make up the hallway and bedrooms. Closets and dresser drawers were filled with folded mens clothing and blankets. A steam trunk contained a plethora of personal documents and photographs. Books still lined the shelves of a bookshelf, sorted alphabetically by author's last name.<br />
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It was as if someone just disappeared.<br />
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We explored in our natural fashion, Ninja and I. David; a mere shadow.<br />
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Oddly, several holes have been purposely cut in doors and walls, and wooden ramps have been built for critters to gain access to different parts of the house. Adding to this, overflowing litter boxes line the hallway to the bedrooms. Every squirrel and raccoon and mouse and every other critter imaginable has a ton of man made POE's to choose from to gain entry. It boggles the mind.<br />
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Oh, and did I mention Marilyn Monroe?<br />
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Manoeuvre through the incredibly dense brush and come on in... <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16336491339" title="BREAD by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="BREAD" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/16336491339_54e8b4d78b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16335300850" title="Paint the town red green yellow blue by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Paint the town red green yellow blue" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/16335300850_d9799e1785_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16336848607" title="IMG_9684 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9684" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/16336848607_2e2b7b1d29_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16496761146" title="IMG_7821 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7821" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/16496761146_a11bdb087d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16335313390" title="IMG_7802 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7802" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/16335313390_f7fd31f3d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16336488519" title="IMG_9656 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9656" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/16336488519_6372f2e1a3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16522786285" title="IMG_9651 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9651" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/16522786285_73539a85d0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16496763296" title="IMG_7793 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7793" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8585/16496763296_def9af2bfa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15902599163" title="IMG_7848 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7848" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8674/15902599163_808c63de5c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16496764726" title="IMG_7773 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7773" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8639/16496764726_5ac8170f6a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16522778285" title="Critter ramp by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Critter ramp" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/16522778285_14f2c004f7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16335298450" title="IMG_7799 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7799" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/16335298450_de6161715a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16336483439" title="Mouson Lavender fresco by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mouson Lavender fresco" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8586/16336483439_79efd30c11_z.jpg" width="427" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16336482089" title="Mother Smuckers by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mother Smuckers" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/16336482089_b56542fa53_z.jpg" width="427" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15902605383" title="IMG_7787 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7787" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8639/15902605383_571893d930_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16522796575" title="IMG_7759 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7759" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/16522796575_0258ce8434_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/16521736022" title="IMG_9673 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9673" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/16521736022_eee9e53cc8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Thanks for taking the time to come by and visit, I appreciate it.<br />
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Stay tuned here for updates on 'Love Song For The Apocalypse'. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15789930710" title="Love Song For The Apocalypse by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Love Song For The Apocalypse" height="360" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/15789930710_9caffa8ce4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-35112664380490986642014-10-21T09:39:00.000-04:002014-10-21T13:22:26.882-04:00Abandonment Issues: Hazel & Michelle<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460479526/" title="IMG_6734 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6734" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8460479526_740b25c912_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i><u><b>HAZEL</b></u></i><br />
<br />
Decades ago, she sat in silence at the kitchen table, drinking cheap wine and reading her tabloids, as was her daily routine. A day like any other, bleeding from one to the next like open wounds. The only sounds to be heard were the flipping of the pages between her yellowed tobacco stained fingers and the branches of the weeping willow gently brushing against the window in the wind's embrace. As the rain fell, so to did she, albeit to sleep. She drifted in and out of consciousness by design, in a seemingly never ending effort to make it stop. She just wanted it all to go away. The memories, even the good ones, they haunted her. The accident played out in her mind daily and nightly, which eventually grew mundane. It was the good memories that drained her though. Her husband and their two daughters, alive, just simply alive in the moments they had shared. It were those memories that completely devoured her.<br />
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She just wanted it to stop. She never wanted to exist in another moment without them. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460459688/" title="IMG_6841 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6841" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8460459688_fbc00098da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460437354/" title="IMG_6939 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6939" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8460437354_8f4c78785f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459341511/" title="IMG_6915 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6915" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8459341511_19425937d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460438308/" title="IMG_6938 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6938" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8460438308_57de301abc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459345287/" title="IMG_6887 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6887" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8459345287_8bae0b299c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460439828/" title="IMG_6931 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6931" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8460439828_fa2915edbb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460458224/" title="IMG_6846 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6846" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8460458224_6fd8db641b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459353767/" title="IMG_6848 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6848" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8459353767_5b6d700d54_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460448906/" title="IMG_6886 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6886" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8460448906_110b8f49d5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460442680/" title="IMG_6916 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6916" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8460442680_394f59f140_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459349621/" title="Time does not heal all wounds, that is crazy talk. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Time does not heal all wounds, that is crazy talk." height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8459349621_d35b23e7be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460452786/" title="IMG_6859 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6859" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8460452786_3b612f576c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459352017/" title="IMG_6855 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6855" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8459352017_62c31cea43_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460458990/" title="IMG_6843 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6843" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8460458990_a487e435a8_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460451410/" title="IMG_6879 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6879" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/8460451410_13b33897b3_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459347847/" title="IMG_6880 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6880" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8459347847_239ac43ef1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460441120/" title="IMG_6918 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6918" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8460441120_433d3dd2f9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460440476/" title="IMG_6919 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6919" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8460440476_fdf8f0a4e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459344697/" title="IMG_6888 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6888" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8459344697_f042374957_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460446524/" title="IMG_6890 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6890" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8460446524_a4fc3930e6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460445660/" title="IMG_6901 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6901" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8460445660_0ee821921f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile just around the corner...<br />
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<i><u><b>MICHELLE</b></u></i><br />
<br />
She gazed out the kitchen window on an unseasonably warm Saturday in November of 1989, watching her young boys playing blissfully on the new swing set in the freshly mowed back yard. Her soapy hands were doing the dishes but her mind was somewhere else again. She would lose minutes at a time on a regular basis, leaving herself, pondering time and the hand it will deal her family.<br />
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Her husband, sweaty and tired from the yard work, thudded down in his recliner with a Pabst Blue Ribbon in one filthy hand and reached down for the remote with the other. It was Hockey Night In Canada and in this house they bled Blue & White. He wasn't ever much for communication, more of a grunter, and this day was no different. He was a typical hard working beer drinking Canadian dad making the most of his factory worker, rural family life.<br />
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It never mattered if he loved her, or if he ever loved her. Once she was pregnant, that was just that. He wasn't the type of man to walk away from anything, or towards it, for that matter. Oh but she, she loved him from the moment they met, and still does.<br />
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Years before, she gave up trying to force the bedtime routine on the kids on Saturday nights. This was boys night, the only family activity for which she had no part in. No responsibility. She could just sit and watch, not the game, but rather her family. The boys would excitedly cheer for the Leafs to exhaustion over two periods and then fall asleep during the third in a pile on their father.<br />
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All she ever wanted was for one of those Saturday nights to last forever. That's where her mind went. That is what she got lost in.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460460316/" title="IMG_6837 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6837" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8460460316_76cb88e459_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459359885/" title="IMG_6817 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6817" height="438" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8459359885_7dc4d4d4ae_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460469544/" title="Lights out by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Lights out" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8460469544_2db69b2fb0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459369385/" title="IMG_6770 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6770" height="426" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8459369385_59f3a4b798_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459379323/" title="IMG_6717 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6717" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8459379323_4ecca4894f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459378379/" title="IMG_6730 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6730" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8459378379_af1678127c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460466666/" title="IMG_6793 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6793" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8460466666_bc263efd64_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460474318/" title="IMG_6762 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6762" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8460474318_1ff9efea7b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460468736/" title="IMG_6787 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6787" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8460468736_2b1bb839ff_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460475248/" title="IMG_6755 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6755" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8460475248_83963a17fd_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460465330/" title="IMG_6807 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6807" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8460465330_cf580be57e_z.jpg" width="427" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460464828/" title="IMG_6808 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6808" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8460464828_4b617276ae_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460477504/" title="IMG_6737 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6737" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8460477504_4e16e76c4b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460478596/" title="IMG_6735 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6735" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8460478596_e31426c01c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460461848/" title="IMG_6820 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6820" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8460461848_36e735a026_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8459361533/" title="IMG_6813 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6813" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8459361533_73e74ebf7b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460463110/" title="IMG_6814 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6814" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8460463110_48632b2bcc_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/8460461312/" title="IMG_6828 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6828" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8460461312_d874328cb3_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Sometimes when one can't uncover the real story, one's imagination runs wild.<br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-81405308482130154042014-10-19T15:55:00.002-04:002014-10-19T16:05:41.538-04:00Abandonment Issues: House of Cars<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943111898/" title="IMG_9131 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9131" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/14943111898_82b87abac5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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To say that the House of Cars has a creepy vibe to it is a major understatement. Something just isn't right here and you can feel it in the air. Fear pulsed through me on that first visit back in the spring, and it grew evermore intense with each and every subsequent visit. Yet it is that same skin crawling discomfort that continues to draw me back in for another look, time after time, with the most recent visit taking place just this morning.<br />
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It's not just the RV blocking the entrance to the overgrown driveway, or the 5 other cars abandoned on the property. Nor is it just the drug paraphernalia that moves around between visits, or the fact that this was the home of a former NHL hockey player and his family. It's not just the heart wrenching letter about a young man's suicide or the disturbing sexual collages on the floor beside a decomposed raccoon carcass in a trap on the second floor. It's not just the fact that seemingly all of the contents remain, albeit rifled through by someone, or the eerie thoughts provoked by the bedroom door that locks only from the outside. It's not just the fact that illicit activities are allegedly being performed here by members of the criminal underworld, nor is it the sense that I am being watched, even when no one else is around.<br />
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It is a culmination of all of these things that makes the House of Cars one of Ontario's creepiest abandoned houses.<br />
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Before we unlatch the hook and body check open the creaking door pressing against the swollen floorboards, lets wander the property.<br />
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BUICK Wildcat<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129306772/" title="BUICK Wildcat by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="BUICK Wildcat" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/15129306772_01e4b50962_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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She never purrs anymore<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943113558/" title="She never purrs anymore by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="She never purrs anymore" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5551/14943113558_8da6776f37_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Red leather interior<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129303072/" title="Red leather interior by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Red leather interior" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/15129303072_d3a19c1e58_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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E for empty<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129685285/" title="E for empty by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="E for empty" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/15129685285_149bf18400_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Ridin' dirty<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106672886/" title="Ridin' dirty by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Ridin' dirty" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/15106672886_f5c3b72493_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Sonomatic radio<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106671976/" title="Sonomatic radio by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sonomatic radio" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/15106671976_a40acbb4a3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Wildcat Headlights<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943104898/" title="Wildcat Headlights by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Wildcat Headlights" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/14943104898_ef373ef82c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Truck off<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943119007/" title="Truck off by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Truck off" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14943119007_ccf6f4c709_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
In too deep<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129687285/" title="In too deep by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="In too deep" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/15129687285_e3f5a1b1ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Back on dry land<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14942969819/" title="Back on dry land by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Back on dry land" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3889/14942969819_b22282582d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Hitchin' a ride to nowhere <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129293682/" title="Hitchin' a ride to nowhere by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Hitchin' a ride to nowhere" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/15129293682_bfed47841a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Head on<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106674616/" title="Head on by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Head on" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3881/15106674616_a673f149f9_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Fines double when construction crew present<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129309422/" title="Fines double when construction crew present by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Fines double when construction crew present" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/15129309422_ec22b4cf32_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
A lion's chance<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943123508/" title="A lion's chance by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="A lion's chance" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3904/14943123508_9de06658de_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
With the unnerving feeling that we are being watched, again, we enter.<br />
<br />
A shot in the dark<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943130757/" title="A shot in the dark by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="A shot in the dark" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/14943130757_aebb87a250_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Claw foot<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15126674601/" title="Claw foot by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Claw foot" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/15126674601_52db2bf9a3_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
TROUBADOUR<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943032580/" title="TROUBADOUR by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="TROUBADOUR" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3837/14943032580_b6b5969e00_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Mouthing off<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943132987/" title="Mouthing off by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mouthing off" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14943132987_9345421116_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
All sewn up<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943043760/" title="All sewn up by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="All sewn up" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14943043760_23ac4a6851_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Scholastic plastic<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129320542/" title="Scholastic plastic by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Scholastic plastic" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/15129320542_1bd24c7f76_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
D68 577<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943100168/" title="D68 577 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="D68 577" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/14943100168_981607a5af_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
She's come undone<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106696946/" title="She's come undone by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="She's come undone" height="193" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/15106696946_1b4f4a2e44_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Fear and Loathing in an Abandoned House<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943099128/" title="Fear and Loathing in an Abandoned House by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Fear and Loathing in an Abandoned House" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14943099128_60bf3034e4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
BRITNEY SPEARS IN THE ZONE<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943102518/" title="BRITNEY SPEARS IN THE ZONE by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="BRITNEY SPEARS IN THE ZONE" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5588/14943102518_27fff9a4a3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Handycam<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943040560/" title="Handycam by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Handycam" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/14943040560_ca474c7719_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
WD40 wrench ashtray flashlight<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943095547/" title="WD40 wrench ashtray flashlight by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="WD40 wrench ashtray flashlight" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14943095547_4c9a88a787_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Meta-urbex<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15126677341/" title="Meta-urbex by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Meta-urbex" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3897/15126677341_b394ff031b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Getting blade<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106701716/" title="Getting blade by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Getting blade" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/15106701716_a8e960cd85_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
CV3338<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943102217/" title="CV3338
by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="CV3338" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3876/14943102217_cd2726020e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Everything but the kitchen sink<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14942989999/" title="Everything but the kitchen sink by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Everything but the kitchen sink" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14942989999_be0b7b8482_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Oilers<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106695916/" title="Oilers by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Oilers" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3906/15106695916_c4cb9974c8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
A lack of self reflection <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943012040/" title="A lack of self reflection by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="A lack of self reflection" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14943012040_b1e10b8382_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
R.I.P.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14942998169/" title="R.I.P. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="R.I.P." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3922/14942998169_99c35247d7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
R.I.P.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15126714571/" title="R.I.P. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="R.I.P." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/15126714571_caebe1e6ce_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Life is full of ups and downs<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943048880/" title="Life's ups and downs by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Life's ups and downs" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/14943048880_68581bdf5f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Bottomless<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129708385/" title="Bottomless by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Bottomless" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/15129708385_a4b9435436_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Axxident<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943008979/" title="Axxident by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Axxident" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3898/14943008979_c290f94cea_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
BOYS Just For Sex<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106717096/" title="BOYS Just For Sex by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="BOYS Just For Sex" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/15106717096_9641e5935d_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Curves<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943149177/" title="Curves by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Curves" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14943149177_45826e9caf_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Dear Kim<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106714606/" title="Dear Kim by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Dear Kim" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/15106714606_93931ce876_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
As ever, love Grandma<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106714186/" title="As ever, love Grandma by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="As ever, love Grandma" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5556/15106714186_6fda785ac7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Well hung<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943142347/" title="Well hung by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Well hung" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/14943142347_eaa368b8fa_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Partial remains<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106711606/" title="Partial remains by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Partial remains" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/15106711606_0c9f4a91e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
4 in a row<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943006839/" title="4 in a row by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="4 in a row" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14943006839_8593ffe229_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Follow suit<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14942957239/" title="Follow suit by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Follow suit" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/14942957239_bf91670289_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Sonic the Hedgehog 2<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943000929/" title="Sonic the Hedgehog 2 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sonic the Hedgehog 2" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/14943000929_e664925f6f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Red and yellow<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14943006249/" title="Red and yellow by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Red and yellow" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/14943006249_4d0ca5828d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
TOUGHER THAN LEATHER<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106708536/" title="TOUGHER THAN LEATHER by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="TOUGHER THAN LEATHER" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/15106708536_be0456bbca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Can't Buy A Thrill<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15106711006/" title="Can't Buy A Thrill by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Can't Buy A Thrill" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/15106711006_e349725365_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Memories come flooding in<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15126698481/" title="Memories flooding in by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Memories flooding in" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3897/15126698481_d87301f658_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Red Light District<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129297102/" title="Red Light District by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Light District" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3922/15129297102_1ae8442667_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
PROWLER<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/15129299212/" title="PROWLER by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="PROWLER" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/15129299212_cd273517e8_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
With much intrigue and curiosity, I will continue to monitor the House of Cars.<br />
<br />
Shout out to my friend Lindsay for the find. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-60237471891844529382014-07-10T16:21:00.004-04:002014-07-10T17:24:43.233-04:00Abandonment Issues: Wellington Destructor<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9446112674/" title="IMG_0405 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0405" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/9446112674_a988ab24d2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
This is a true story, sad as it is. Such is life.<br />
<br />
Our protagonist is a homeless man, a hoarder, that has amassed a mind boggling collection of garbage in the form of all the unwanted stuff and things you can imagine, and littered the old abandoned Wellington Destructor with it. The same building that used to house and burn Toronto's garbage is once again filled with trash.<br />
<br />
The Wellington Destructor was constructed in 1925 in Toronto's Liberty Village and immediately began burning the cities residentially collected garbage. It was one of several local incinerators responsible for decades of immense and repulsive levels of air pollution.<br />
<br />
Now closed for several decades, the once empty Destructor is home to our protagonist and his ironic garbage collection. Even in the chaos though, everything is seemingly in it's rightful place.<br />
<br />
The odour is more pungent and disgusting than anything I have ever encountered at any abandoned building. And trust me that is saying something. You wouldn't believe it, unlike anything I'd ever experienced. Pigeon shit covers everything in certain areas and the smell of decomposition is truly overpowering, causing a burning sensation in my nose and eyes.<br />
<br />
The stench stayed with us all day, never letting up. <br />
<br />
Sadly, numerous stray cats and kittens are living amidst the nastiness.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, we didn't stay inside for long and I didn't stop to take many photographs. I was so taken aback by the odour that I just couldn't shoot. I froze up and wanted to just see it all and get the fuck out.<br />
<br />
Organized chaos is the best way to describe it. But the photos tell the story much better than I can.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9446115558/" title="IMG_0404 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0404" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/9446115558_cf57370560_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9446075194/" title="IMG_0452 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0452" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/9446075194_b1e6d13547_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9443321523/" title="IMG_0410 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0410" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/9443321523_c4a0acf235_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9446109890/" title="IMG_0408 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0408" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/9446109890_9d17a1df2c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9443314061/" title="IMG_0424 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0424" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/9443314061_9f0cf15328_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9446103946/" title="IMG_0422 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0422" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/9446103946_f1d18b1d74_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9443316121/" title="IMG_0423 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0423" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/9443316121_9d212ae656_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9443298687/" title="One
Man's Trash by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="One Man's Trash" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/9443298687_68e98fc8f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9446086908/" title="IMG_0439 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0439" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/9446086908_11ca8a2b32_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9446089164/" title="IMG_0432 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0432" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/9446089164_b52b6edfb0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9443306447/" title="IMG_0429 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0429" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/9443306447_0ec6ed50df_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Fresh air never tasted so good. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9443282559/" title="IMG_0464 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0464" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/9443282559_fb74842442_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
This is definitely one of the saddest stories I've ever told. My heart goes out to our protagonist, as well as the kitties, and I'm sure yours does as well.<br />
<br />
But I can't just leave you on a sad note again, so come on a road trip to Montreal, Quebec, with us and explore another abandoned incinerator, <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/03/abandonment-issues-incinerateur-dickson.html" target="_blank">Incinérateur Dickson</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-74038215750954469922014-07-09T11:55:00.001-04:002014-07-09T13:49:46.721-04:00Abandonment Issues: Polish House on the Hill<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14247616395/" title="IMG_8350 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8350" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5160/14247616395_7cf6306930_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The Polish House on the Hill was one of our first finds upon moving back to Ontario from Vancouver, BC in the late summer of 2010. At that time, we approached only to discover that the old house on the hill was quite securely sealed up. Peering through the windows though, we realized this was more than just your average abandoned house. It looked as though someone just walked away and left most of their families belongings behind. Or maybe something more ominous, we wondered aloud. The vibe was sketchy and gave us both an uneasy feeling, so we scurried off like field mice, Ninj and I.<br />
<br />
On many subsequent visits over the past 4 years we were dealt the same hand of bad vibes and sealed tight, so we folded and trudged away in defeat time after time.<br />
<br />
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Yeah, well, much like it did at the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/07/abandonment-issues-rockwood-insane.html" target="_blank">Rockwood Insane Asylum</a>, our insanity eventually paid off at the Polish House on the Hill and my brother and I found it accessible on a nondescript day in a time that seemed forgotten. <br />
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Much like the fascinatingly jam packed <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2014/07/abandonment-issues-time-capsule-house.html" target="_blank">Time Capsule House</a> featured in the previous post, which was trapped in the 1970s, the Polish House on the Hill is a time capsule in itself, trapped in the 1980s.<br />
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As a child raised in the 80s, exploring this house was like travelling back in time. Many of the items uncovered were like replicas from my own childhood.<br />
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My brother and I picked up and dusted off He-Man figures that we used to play with as kids, cracking jokes about our own memories of Skunkor and Moss Man.<br />
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As I lifted up a copy of The Wonder Book of How and Why: Guns from a tabletop, my brother excitedly proclaimed over my shoulder "Dad used to have that!"<br />
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"The tape collection looks just like yours did back then." I joked back at him and we read off almost every musical act trapped at the height of their careers in an old plastic cassette case on the living room floor.<br />
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We reminisced as much as we explored. The house itself was nothing special, it was the contents that made this a unique opportunity to look back in time.<br />
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Once again, due to the amount of valuables remaining inside, I will not divulge any information about the location specifics or family history.<br />
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Come on in and visit a long gone yeterday.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14247295034/" title="IMG_8498 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8498" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14247295034_592b29ea69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Thanks for time travelling with us to the Polish House on the Hill. Now if you'll excuse me, I must finish packing for our 2nd annual rooftop campout at the long abandoned <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/02/abandonment-issues-burwash-industrial.html" target="_blank">Burwash Industrial Prison Farm</a>, deep in the woods up north.<br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-34185982602239366802014-07-02T10:48:00.002-04:002014-07-13T13:19:47.584-04:00Abandonment Issues: Time Capsule House<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14248139065/" title="IMG_0104 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0104" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14248139065_0b68fe4609_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Welcome to The Time Capsule House, one of Ontario's most interesting and well preserved abandoned farmhouses.<br />
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The location specifics and family history have been a well kept secret amongst the small handful of explorers in the know, and I will maintain that same level of secrecy.<br />
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Even amidst the secrecy though, the house's contents, many of them still in place, give us a tiny glimpse into who these people were. They were a multi-generational family farming the land. They were collectors of many an item. They were very well read, intellectual folks, with a predilection for religion and philosophy. They were also an overtly musical family. Most importantly, they clearly loved each other. And now, they are gone forever.<br />
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I could add further narrative to describe the experience, which was phenomenal, despite being on edge at every moment and dripping in sweat, but this time around I'll just let the images speak for themselves.<br />
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Come on in and look around... <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14247826934/" title="IMG_0071 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0071" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5038/14247826934_b9287167c9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14061475219/" title="IMG_9927 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9927" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14061475219_2b24d01326_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14061523890/" title="IMG_0299 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0299" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5033/14061523890_a4e5cdb164_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14248108235/" title="IMG_9964 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9964" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2901/14248108235_f0e3ff1457_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14268291933/" title="IMG_9972 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9972" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5233/14268291933_83bb138e8f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14247832474/" title="IMG_0029 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0029" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/14247832474_1bc8d1b94d_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14061498618/" title="IMG_0017 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0017" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5234/14061498618_c8589837d6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And that ladies and gentlemen is the Time Capsule House.<br />
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Thank you for checking it out. <br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-17912179072678288222014-05-19T17:31:00.002-04:002016-02-23T02:43:46.624-05:00Abandonment Issues: Peterborough Family YMCA<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201086196/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14201086196_26e1fdab9f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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In 2007, the YMCA of Peterborough opened their newly constructed facility south of the downtown core and sold this old historic YMCA building to a local doctor for one dollar. Ever since, it has sat vacant, tightly sealed and alarmed.<br />
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Plans to convert the building into a community centre have not come to
fruition and the building has once again been listed for sale, with an
asking price of $1,475,000.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14244417813/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/14244417813_2069c5d333_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The exterior walls of the original structure as well as the early additions have been assigned heritage status. It is these very outer walls that tell the story of the building's history. According to a plaque adorning the wall...<br />
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"The Young Men's Christian Association was founded in Peterborough on December 17, 1868. After a number of temporary locations, the Y's search for a larger and more suitable space ended in 1890 with a legacy of $20,000 from Mrs. Charlotte Nicholls. On March 31, 1895, plans by local architect William Blackwell were accepted and the building contract was awarded to A.A. McIntyre for $13,175. The building was completed in 1897, though many renovations and additions have occurred in the intervening years. The gymnasium is now the oldest "Y" in Canada. In 1868, with the acquisition of a Provincial Charter, the organization's official name was changed to The Peterborough Family YMCA."<br />
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As far as the rest of the building is concerned, the future is unknown.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221864452/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/14221864452_8612c9d3a4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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In the mid-nineties, I was a very different person and served a fair amount of time in several young offender jails and halfway houses across the province. (For those interested, I wrote extensively about that experience in the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2012/02/abandonment-issues-project-turnaround.html" target="_blank">Project Turnaround post</a>.) One such place I was serving time just so happened to be in Peterborough, and visiting the Peterborough Family YMCA was something that we did on a regular basis. With other young offenders, I exercised on the machines and lifted free weights in the exercise rooms, both of which are now empty. I played squash on these now silent courts, void of the sound of squeaking shoes and gasps and grunts. I ran the track and played basketball in both the large Menzies gym, as well as the original gym. And I swam in the Olympic sized Minty pool that is now as empty as the rest of the building.<br />
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Having experienced this beautiful old YMCA when it was bustling with activity so many years ago, a peculiar sense of familiarity accompanied exploring it in utter silence again this year. Venturing into the off limits areas such as the sub-basement, original attic spaces, daycare and rooftops added an entirely new perspective. With the power still on and the lights still working in some areas, I couldn't help but reminisce on my own memories of this building as well as ponder it's unknown future.<br />
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Lets begin in the Olympic sized Minty pool, move on to the smaller Forbes pool, peek into the change rooms and saunas, and then descend into the sub-basement.<br />
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Come, follow me, quickly and silently.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221904722/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14221904722_fd43939e70_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224012414/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14224012414_3edcd77d4b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201110886/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5034/14201110886_5b12db1660_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14220887001/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="423" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14220887001_4ed544bb88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of terapr0 at <a href="http://tohellandback.net/" target="_blank">tohellandback</a>.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14220924381/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14220924381_0179765a11_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201060646/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14201060646_6353fae7a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201080376/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/14201080376_48fef78cee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224210805/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14224210805_abc10f5a06_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037617530/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/14037617530_22bb9e87fd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224249255/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA Forbes Pool by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA Forbes Pool" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5040/14224249255_9f34b3234b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14220928551/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/14220928551_21e4b720e5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221888972/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/14221888972_4fb6938fa2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14244413843/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5280/14244413843_7b39a5d74b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037571939/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5037/14037571939_3fe4fcbec9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Now, lets ascend and make our way over to the running track above the basketball court in the original gym, which as stated above is the oldest YMCA gym in Canada.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037567069/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5039/14037567069_1f224c76e5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037600809/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14037600809_f5326cdd0b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037540049/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2939/14037540049_db018cc534_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It is on the ground floor of this original gym that we find a scale model of the building, as well as a box of numbered sketches by an unknown artist and a digitally created image of the cancelled original proposal.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224204035/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14224204035_81cc3ba1fc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14223983024/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14223983024_aca8442687_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14223981054/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/14223981054_b96a5726ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Come on, stay with me. Lets move on to the weight rooms and squash courts.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14244422493/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2931/14244422493_dfca38052c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14220939051/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14220939051_2162bd6f90_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037630750/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14037630750_aab15e37e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224045074/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/14224045074_efa86f536f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221918882/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/14221918882_cc5cd1ed4c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037602889/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2923/14037602889_8514d3d63c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Keep up with me, we've got to be quick and we still have a lot of ground to cover. Lets continue upward to the large Menzies gym.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14244443313/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/14244443313_b51a217c29_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037612328/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14037612328_b5456f065c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037579310/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="422" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/14037579310_1578d093e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of terapr0 at <a href="http://tohellandback.net/" target="_blank">tohellandback</a>.</span></b><br />
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Now lets descend again to the daycare where cartoon images decorate the interior of the original walls, and we can climb inside the walls themselves.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201102156/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14201102156_a30516eab6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037644640/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14037644640_5311cde13a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14220950631/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/14220950631_d9fd3946e5_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14244433703/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14244433703_0d16e0a03a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224255305/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5071/14224255305_850af75311_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037675447/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14037675447_d5e4ef8e08_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201054326/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14201054326_d496339e19_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14244388983/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14244388983_1a85362dff_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201113166/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/14201113166_0b9670f39a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Wait a second while I stop for a selfie in the activity room, where the energy of packed spin and yoga classes once filled this empty void.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037670987/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="426" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5153/14037670987_c7650049f1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Quiet. Tread lightly with each footstep as we venture into the original portion of the first floor, which has clearly been recently renovated and kept neat and tidy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14220947561/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14220947561_d4b864525e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14220946231/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/14220946231_2534a3f2ee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201103396/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14201103396_b491ed0635_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Confident that we have explored the entire building, lets go try to find out how to access the original attic and get out onto the roof, shall we?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224248275/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14224248275_67f06eb5c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221881212/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14221881212_c6d55bf655_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037570528/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/14037570528_1eb061174c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221882732/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5193/14221882732_fdd6bdc7dc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14224006494/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2923/14224006494_55085fa959_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221860992/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2939/14221860992_a22732a99c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037566539/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/14037566539_a06c296bcc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Hey look, I found the stairs to the highest peak!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14223986784/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14223986784_b21632d07c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037622947/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14037622947_727930bcc3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037546509/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/14037546509_96a2e8447f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201056146/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14201056146_9a0c180297_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037582169/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/14037582169_d67eb574f1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037550178/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/14037550178_c153305f88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201093526/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/14201093526_a0050f6a48_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14037589258/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="426" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5153/14037589258_366a270169_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14221879822/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14221879822_574ec3993b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14201090466/" title="Peterborough Family YMCA by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Peterborough Family YMCA" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/14201090466_8df2107d74_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Thanks for joining us on this adventure, it was my pleasure to have you tagging along.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-9976146345015206212014-05-14T11:14:00.001-04:002015-03-25T10:15:50.558-04:00Abandonment Issues: Lightle House on the Prairie<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237935614/" title="Reaching out for reflection by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Reaching out for reflection" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/11237935614_14e39535aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We leave these bones behind. We inhabit these shells, these domiciles, and then we abandon them. We go vacant. It all rots and decays, as nature always defeats nurture in the end. But we leave these bones behind. Fragments of our selves. Proof that we formerly existed. Our possessions. Our things and stuff. Our bones. Physical reminders that we once lived and breathed and simply were. Bones, or even ashes, that is what we're reduced to.<br />
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We leave these bones behind in the form of memories as well. For a time, we live on in the hearts and minds of loved ones or those whose lives we may have touched. But eventually, they leave their own bones behind and we are eternally forgotten.<br />
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Happiness is in the moment, ever afters never last. Happy endings are an impossibility. I've seen enough bones to know that much.<br />
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It was a fierce and bitter bone chilling wind that shook us to our cores as we trekked up the hill in late November of 2013. Ninja and I, in the company of our friends terapr0 and tash.0, having just toured the elusive <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/11/abandonment-issues-ontario-reformatory.html" target="_blank">Ontario Reformatory</a> together, embraced the cold. Our teeth chattered and our spines shivered as we took high step after high step through the snow covered driveway toward the old stone house atop the hill.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237999804/" title="IMG_7383 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7383" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/11237999804_509650f103_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We had entered under a clear blue sky with soft white clouds, and after a time period somewhere between a moment and a lifetime, we exited into the midst of a full on blizzard.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237931164/" title="IMG_7483 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7483" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/11237931164_5905c6c036_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Inside, we found so many bones.<br />
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On a muggy day in mid May of 2014, we were crossing the province exploring new terrain and encountering more bones. Along the way we stopped in for a second look at the Lightle House on the Prairie.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14005931800/" title="Lightle House on the Prairie (Springing into Summer) by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Lightle House on the Prairie (Springing into Summer)" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/14005931800_121a2146d2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The following images are a mixture from both of these two visits, falling into winter and springing into summer.<br />
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Sweeping the Ashes<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11238003506/" title="Sweep the day away by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sweep the day away" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/11238003506_8691e55c88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Man's Salvation Out Of World Distress At Hand!<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237994464/" title="MAN'S SALVATION OUT OF WORLD DISTRESS AT HAND! by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="MAN'S SALVATION OUT OF WORLD DISTRESS AT HAND!" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/11237994464_9b2075b9b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Time stands still <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997729438/" title="IMG_0445 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0445" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/13997729438_7d951cd05e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Elmira Stove Works<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237996316/" title="Elmira Stove Works by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Elmira Stove Works" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/11237996316_b6c40eacc8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Bones<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237874033/" title="Home is where the heart is by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Home is where the heart is" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/11237874033_519728a6d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Please leave a message<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11238065313/" title="Please leave a message by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Please leave a message" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/11238065313_f532aca5eb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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On the inside looking out<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237887723/" title="Curtain call by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Curtain call" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/11237887723_5abf530ab5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Fly on the curtain<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237804146/" title="Fly on the curtain by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Fly on the curtain" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/11237804146_e333bb66d7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Please wait to be seated<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181072301/" title="IMG_0635 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0635" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5312/14181072301_367e8cefe6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The day the music died<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997707679/" title="IMG_0407 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0407" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/13997707679_6269d7c26b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Keys to success<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14184378625/" title="IMG_0426 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0426" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14184378625_c6977b7e0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Estelle Costanza Doll<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237911145/" title="The George Costanza's Mom doll by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The George Costanza's Mom doll" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/11237911145_d05d60baa6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Daily Mercury (Guelph, Friday, August 27, 1982)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237974036/" title="The Daily Mercury, Guelph, Friday August 27, 1982, 25 cents. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The Daily Mercury, Guelph, Friday August 27, 1982, 25 cents." height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/11237974036_30a185a428_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ann's Science homework<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237882633/" title="Science homework by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Science homework" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/11237882633_3fdbd8dfe8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Cabbage Patch Kids<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997702409/" title="Cabbage Patch Kids by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Cabbage Patch Kids" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/13997702409_3d241c519a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Romper Room<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11238053983/" title="ROMPER ROOM by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="ROMPER ROOM" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/11238053983_8bed40f867_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ho Ho Ho! Green Giant!<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181081591/" title="IMG_0461 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0461" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14181081591_74aece3b07_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ann's Diazepam<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237978064/" title="Zellers Diazepen by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Zellers Diazepen" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/11237978064_e640f7c6f6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Put your best foot forward, or on the table.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237984456/" title="A helping hand, or rather a leg up. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="A helping hand, or rather a leg up." height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/11237984456_6d3db91c12_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Et vous?<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181069021/" title="IMG_0680 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0680" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/14181069021_3afeafe54c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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In May of 2014, a half dozen barn swallows are zipping in and out of the house through broken windows. A female swallow nesting above the door frame at the bottom of the stairs chirps to proclaim it's turf and protect it's newly laid young. Life goes on here. <br />
<br />
Swallow swallows and regurgitates<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14204493993/" title="A swallow nesting above the door frame at the bottom of the stairs chirps to protect it's newly laid young. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="A swallow nesting above the door frame at the bottom of the stairs chirps to protect it's newly laid young." height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/14204493993_3dd0168c87_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
In the next room over, another swallow flies in circles overhead for two or three minutes. And we watch, Ninj and I. It never does land, it out waits us and eventually we give it some space to either escape or settle back into it's nest atop the door frame above Ninja's smiling face in the photo below.<br />
<br />
Birdwatching<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14161196816/" title="IMG_0676 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0676" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14161196816_9839cea3b0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Learning to fly<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997690329/" title="IMG_0679 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0679" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/13997690329_577e077a12_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Tinseltown<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11238024143/" title="Silver and cold by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Silver and cold" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/11238024143_610d57ceb0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Penicillin-Streptomycin<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237820085/" title="A penicillin for your thoughts by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="A penicillin for your thoughts" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/11237820085_9e0671d2e3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Who's Little Pony?<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11238045713/" title="Who's Little Pony? by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Who's Little Pony?" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/11238045713_3abaac057b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Janet (My Notes - Listening Book 1987-88)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997740888/" title="IMG_0342 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0342" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/13997740888_b05b63817a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
All the animals liked Johnny Appleseed.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14204516143/" title="IMG_0343 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0343" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/14204516143_c571c16eff_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Lots of fat little rabbits.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181094251/" title="IMG_0344 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0344" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/14181094251_997de6b0e1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Hansel and Gretel asleep in the forest.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14204515373/" title="IMG_0345 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0345" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/14204515373_2431ce980c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Miss Annie<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237899293/" title="Letterbug by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Letterbug" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/11237899293_4daa41a5f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Every Inch A Sailor sung by Oscar Brand<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14184387135/" title="IMG_0352 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0352" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/14184387135_b08457529f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
the summer of Satan's Gorge<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14184365004/" title="IMG_0359 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0359" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14184365004_c097cdc393_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
We Trust Ontario Hospital Insurance Has Served You Well<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237825665/" title="WE TRUST ONTARIO HOSPITAL INSURANCE HAS SERVED YOU WELL by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="WE TRUST ONTARIO HOSPITAL INSURANCE HAS SERVED YOU WELL" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/11237825665_7290d2bec4_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Ninja IX looks outward<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997737948/" title="IMG_0354 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0354" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/13997737948_bf5fea49ff_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Ninja IX looks within<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14184362045/" title="IMG_0718 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0718" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/14184362045_6b63f14675_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Thy Kingdom Come<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237969346/" title="THY KINGDOM COME by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="THY KINGDOM COME" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/11237969346_cd00246932_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Bedtime story<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11238028083/" title="Now I lay me down to sleep... by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Now I lay me down to sleep..." height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/11238028083_524d6a964a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
School's Out Forever<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237952266/" title="Lessons learned by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Lessons learned" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/11237952266_26126732f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Crackdown On Manure (Farm and Country, Tuesday Sept 16, 1980, 50 cents)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237860376/" title="farm and country, Tuesday Sept 16, 1980, 50 cents. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="farm and country, Tuesday Sept 16, 1980, 50 cents." height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/11237860376_7f25444b81_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Lets head upstairs. Shall we?<br />
<br />
Floored by the beauty of the banister<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237972223/" title="Floored by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Floored" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/11237972223_78bc2e3cca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Waiting For The Sun by The Doors<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997709609/" title="Waiting For The Sun by The Doors by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Waiting For The Sun by The Doors" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/13997709609_974597b923_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Grounded in my room<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997701809/" title="IMG_0467 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0467" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/13997701809_e462f36dc0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Old Black Joe<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181770782/" title="IMG_0371 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0371" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14181770782_dfc71a04b1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
There's Music In The Air<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237882035/" title="There's Music In The Air by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="There's Music In The Air" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/11237882035_60313170b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Mirror mirror mirror mirror on the dresser<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237855794/" title="We mirror each other by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="We mirror each other" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/11237855794_8c4a54ee13_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
CC<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237879334/" title="CC by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="CC" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/11237879334_9a242c571f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
It takes a smurf village<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13997718598/" title="It takes a smurf village by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="It takes a smurf village" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/13997718598_610dbda10a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Ninja IX<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181759102/" title="Ninja IX by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Ninja IX" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/14181759102_161ef363b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Mirror mirror <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14184349594/" title="Mirror mirror by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mirror mirror" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/14184349594_07149e8a40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Jumping on the bed<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181074511/" title="IMG_0611 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0611" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/14181074511_7bd8434914_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The Wall by Black Mould <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14184346664/" title="The Wall by Black Mould by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The Wall by Black Mould" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/14184346664_d614007188_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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You light up my life<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14181080771/" title="IMG_0472 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0472" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14181080771_ed5ff6ced2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
And now lets head back downstairs and outside...<br />
<br />
Everything falls a p a r t<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14184362645/" title="Everything falls a p a r t by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Everything falls a p a r t" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/14184362645_4a45bb9637_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Life is a highway (Falling into winter)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237790556/" title="Life is a highway by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Life is a highway" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/11237790556_5896ab72eb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ridin' dirty (Springing into summer)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14161213926/" title="Ridin' dirty by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Ridin' dirty" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/14161213926_d68f5bca0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Barn again<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237851073/" title="Barn again by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Barn again" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/11237851073_89f1bcc03e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Housebound<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11237846693/" title="Housebound by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Housebound" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/11237846693_ea98c8e8e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We left no bone unturned.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-85526725203497829552014-04-25T12:38:00.000-04:002014-10-13T16:39:32.638-04:00Abandonnment Issues: Electrical Development Co. / HEPCO<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14000602476/" title="IMG_9396 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9396" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/14000602476_fc9cca268d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="userContent">On Easter weekend of 2014, Ninja and I met with our newly married friends terapr0 and tash.0 and set our collective sights on Niagara Falls, more specifically, the long abandoned HEPCO (Hydro Electric Power Company of Ontario) building just west of the ferocious horseshoe falls that are one of the seven wonders of the world. I assume millions of tourists flock to Niagara Falls each year to take in its beauty and majesty. But only a small handful venture off of the beaten path of the tourist trap and explore its abandoned history.</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br />
</span> <span class="userContent">With a passion not only for exploring, draining and craning, terapr0 is also passionate and knowledgeable about Niagara Falls and it's inner workings, so much so that he proclaims momentarily after gaining entry that he must research the exact use of the structure as soon as possible. He opines possibilities beyond my level of comprehension but assures me he will share whatever he discovers.</span><br />
<br />
This is what terapr0 learned and shared, only days later, in his own words...<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">"Set well back from the garish hustle of the Niagara Falls tourist area lies an unassuming brick building. Looking tired from decades of neglect, the casual observer wouldn’t be blamed for thinking it was just another empty building, in an a<span class="text_exposed_show">rea rife with derelict structures. There are no signs or headstones to tell you what this building was, when it was built or how it played a pivotal role in the development of modern society as we know it today. Like so many other historically significant buildings in Niagara Falls, this monument to human achievement and innovation has been forgotten. <br />
<br />
Constructed sometime between 1903-1904, the transformer house of the Electrical Development Company was the apparatus through which electricity produced at the main generating station could be stepped up in voltage and transmitted to markets as far away as Toronto. What seems commonplace now, was actually a marvel of technical ingenuity at the time – humans had only just discovered and begun to perfect the generation and transmission of AC power, and the plant of the Electrical Development Company was on the forefront of this technical revolution. <br />
<br />
Connected to the main power station by 4 underground conduits, the building was designed to take the electricity from the plants massive generators, channel it through fifteen oil-immersed, water-cooled 2,670kw transformers, where it would be stepped up to 40,000, 50,000 or 60,000 volts for long distance transmission. Once stepped up to a suitable voltage, the power was routed through porcelain bushings at the rear of the building where it joined the long-distance transmission line constructed by the Toronto and Niagara Power Company. Until this point in history, it was only possible to transmit electricity short distances, and at relatively low voltages. Through the pioneering work of the famed inventor and physicist Nikola Tesla, companies like the Electrical Development Co. were some of the first to experiment with these exciting new technologies on a grand scale. <br />
<br />
The next time you turn on your TV or flip a light switch, stop to think for a minute about that electricity, where it came from, and how it got there. It’s an incredible story with many chapters and many players, but if you trace it back to the beginning you’ll find yourself at buildings like this at Niagara Falls. Although I doubt anything meaningful will ever be done to preserve this building, or the actual generating stations themselves, I hope that through my photos and words you can come to understand at least a bit about them, and why they mean so much to me."</span></span><br />
<br />
-terapr0<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">I couldn't have said it better myself, and thanks to terapr0, I don't have to. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Cheers my friend it has been a pleasure and a joy getting out there exploring with you and your wonderful wife. Even worth all the bee stings and tick infestations and mould infections and allergy attacks, can't wait till next time!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">And then we went our separate ways, to our respective family Easter get togethers. And we cheered and ate and basked in love.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">And so now without any further adieu, come with us and explore the abandoned</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Electrical Development Company's transformer house...</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14024176714/" title="IMG_9316 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9316" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14024176714_5f45b7b56f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023753705/" title="IMG_9231 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9231" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/14023753705_6f3b7cdf7f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023775715/" title="IMG_9148 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9148" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/14023775715_d97e395c39_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14024220034/" title="IMG_9151 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9151" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/14024220034_abc49816e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14024218504/" title="IMG_9156 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9156" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14024218504_6223829922_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020560172/" title="IMG_9161 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9161" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5172/14020560172_fea49766a6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020557512/" title="IMG_9165 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9165" height="426" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5072/14020557512_f913246698_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14024207964/" title="IMG_9202 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9202" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/14024207964_c1d4a6f786_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14024197974/" title="IMG_9232 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9232" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14024197974_849d030758_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023770155/" title="IMG_9162 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9162" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2931/14023770155_fbfc34b315_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020537411/" title="IMG_9381 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9381" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/14020537411_e1ccab1023_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
From atop the roof, I could hear Niagara Falls roaring <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14024208544/" title="IMG_9189 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9189" height="421" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14024208544_a29d26ae5d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
"A view out onto the 50 ton gantry track which would have been used to install and service the enormously heavy transformers and switches. Unfortunately it was parked down at the far end, inaccessible without rope." -terapro<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023764215/" title="IMG_9184 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9184" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/14023764215_437d69eedc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020577871/" title="IMG_9169 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9169" height="431" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/14020577871_1d2da7d740_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023758295/" title="IMG_9211 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9211" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/14023758295_36bfb3d607_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14043731953/" title="IMG_9376 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9376" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/14043731953_8b1d1de4c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14000633106/" title="IMG_9224 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9224" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14000633106_5354f59093_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020547471/" title="IMG_9299 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9299" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/14020547471_c62401d941_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14043739783/" title="IMG_9304 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9304" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/14043739783_8d665568c5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020524462/" title="IMG_9303 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9303" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/14020524462_8c762ba69f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14000618346/" title="IMG_9286 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9286" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/14000618346_4aea9cc31a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14000622096/" title="IMG_9269 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9269" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/14000622096_08284dffb0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023732615/" title="IMG_9313 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9313" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/14023732615_fbcf3a1c9e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14024174814/" title="IMG_9349 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9349" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/14024174814_65febd3546_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020555901/" title="IMG_9266 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9266" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/14020555901_fcd982b36a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023740595/" title="IMG_9285 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9285" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/14023740595_89d9894711_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14023724665/" title="IMG_9390 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9390" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/14023724665_25f7347b9f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14020519262/" title="IMG_9341 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9341" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14020519262_75a584f87c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
The final photo, our group shot, was taken by terapr0 @ <a href="http://tohellandback.net/" rel="nofollow">tohellandback</a><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/14035369872/" title="lACHLAN Hepco group staircase shot by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="lACHLAN Hepco group staircase shot" height="700" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14035369872_db1510e32c_b.jpg" width="465" /></a> </span><br />
<br />
Extra special thanks to terapr0 for the excellent research and willingness to share it with us to be featured here.<br />
<br />
Thanks again terapr0 and tash.0, it has been a joy exploring with you guys.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-41545727661664164902014-04-15T12:28:00.001-04:002014-04-15T17:05:27.882-04:00Abandonment Issues: North Big Island House<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854465414/" title="IMG_4031 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4031" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/13854465414_801748dc0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Shortly after our tense and incredibly awkward interaction with Mr. Doxsee inside the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2014/04/abandonment-issues-doxsee-farmhouse-wm.html" target="_blank">Doxsee House</a>, we find ourselves scoping out the property of the North Big Island House. We are slightly befuddled at first to find that the lawn had been manicured very recently. I'm talking yesterday or this morning, with the grass mowed right up to the vine covered walls of this dilapidated green gem of an abandoned house.<br />
<br />
With a drive by, we discover that the neighbours must tend to the property, as the lawns appear to have been cut simultaneously. We are unaware though if these neighbours are the owners of the property or not. Either way, they are an older couple and they just happen to be sitting in rocking chairs in the shade on their front porch next door, sipping what I automatically assume is iced tea.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854274955/" title="IMG_4027 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4027" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/13854274955_8c73027255_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
After the intense experience with Mr. Doxsee less than half an hour behind us in the rear view mirror, we are feeling pretty frisky, and we've come this far, so let's fucking do this.<br />
<br />
Senses heighten, nerves fray, excitement overtakes.<br />
<br />
And just like that, we're inside, absorbing it all, in silence, again.<br />
<br />
The ground floor blows us away, much of it still in pristine condition, containing many fascinating contents to search through and a vibe of a time long gone by. It is a thrilling experience, but we are very aware of the neighbour situation and move through the house much quicker than I would prefer. A return visit may be in order. So much history to be uncovered, I feel as though I just scratched the surface here.<br />
<br />
Enter at your own risk<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854157715/" title="Enter at your own risk by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Enter at your own risk" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/13854157715_8d5d229dc3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Living in the past<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854190023/" title="Living in the past by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Living in the past" height="426" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/13854190023_46886845f5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
So good, and good for you<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854166815/" title="So good, and good for you by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="So good, and good for you" height="426" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/13854166815_5315d107fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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As the light burns dim<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854248753/" title="As the light burns dim by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="As the light burns dim" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/13854248753_256d3b4924_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Woody would peck her (The Globe And Mail Arts section - Saturday June 4, 2011)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854581864/" title="Woody would peck her (The Globe And Mail Arts section - Saturday June 4, 2011) by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Woody would peck her (The Globe And Mail Arts section - Saturday June 4, 2011)" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/13854581864_153628cbdc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Just another plate on the wall<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854591514/" title="Just another plate on the wall by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Just another plate on the wall" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/13854591514_dc771fcf90_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Propane and propane accessories <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854254013/" title="Propane and propane acessories by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Propane and propane accessories" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/13854254013_5381ab87e1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The elephant in the room<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854204385/" title="The elephant in the room by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The elephant in the room" height="426" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/13854204385_d77f57f6da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Laundered<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854578204/" title="Laundered by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Laundered" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/13854578204_a0682141c8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Acoustic guitar solo <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854168505/" title="Acoustic guitar solo by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Acoustic guitar solo" height="421" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5271/13854168505_a502b6d2cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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The beat of my own drum<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854516314/" title="The beat of my own drum by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The beat of my own drum" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/13854516314_6c52ea203c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Tambourine dreams<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854518324/" title="Tambourine dreams by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Tambourine dreams" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/13854518324_249659d8de_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The day the music died<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854166873/" title="The day the music died by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The day the music died" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/13854166873_00764a41e6_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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The wicker throne <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854172683/" title="The wicker throne by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The wicker throne" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/13854172683_af15a14bc0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a> <br />
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Like yesterday never left <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854164205/" title="Like yesterday never left by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Like yesterday never left" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/13854164205_f27c18e529_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Panning for gold<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854583754/" title="Panning for gold by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Panning for gold" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/13854583754_7be155e65c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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A guiding light no more<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854194043/" title="A guiding light no more by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="A guiding light no more" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/13854194043_3a5347448c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />She played the spoons<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854240243/" title="She played the spoons by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="She played the spoons" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/13854240243_c666a10f5c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Silver spoon fed<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854596814/" title="Silver spoon fed by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Silver spoon fed" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/13854596814_4426c39a34_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The world isn't black and white <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854270733/" title="The world isn't black and white by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The world isn't black and white" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/13854270733_0ac4369480_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Upstairs, well that was a different story. Decay decay decay. <br />
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Double penetration<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854234175/" title="Double penetration by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Double penetration" height="426" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/13854234175_5f4738807b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The light no longer shines from within<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854252315/" title="The light no longer shines from within by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The light no longer shines from within" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/13854252315_c82b5fa862_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The blue bed<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854629404/" title="The blue bed by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The blue bed" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5059/13854629404_93346ac9c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Boom beddy bye bye<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854521824/" title="Boom beddy bye bye by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Boom beddy bye bye" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/13854521824_6900386968_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Waking up into a nightmare<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854607054/" title="Waking up into a nightmare by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Waking up into a nightmare" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7138/13854607054_00a057c156_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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No rest for the wicked<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854226265/" title="No rest for the wicked by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="No rest for the wicked" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/13854226265_8987cd5a06_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
Time does not heal all wounds<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854624494/" title="Time does not heal all wounds by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Time does not heal all wounds" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/13854624494_531c684566_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Mirror mirror in my hand... <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854151285/" title="Mirror mirror in my hand... by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Mirror mirror in my hand..." height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/13854151285_e6d71c249c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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SUNSHINE by Ludwig Bemelmans<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854153095/" title="SUNSHINE by Ludwig Bemelmans by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="SUNSHINE by Ludwig Bemelmans" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/13854153095_a9408b821f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Cash registered<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854245405/" title="Cash registered by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Cash registered" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/13854245405_6feef935e6_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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Unregistered<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854272203/" title="Unregistered by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Unregistered" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/13854272203_029e5f5725_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Vacation unknown destination (Kodachrome Transparency Processed by Kodak)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854231195/" title="Vacation unknown destination (Kodachrome Transparency Processed by Kodak) by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Vacation unknown destination (Kodachrome Transparency Processed by Kodak)" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/13854231195_caa4923fd7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Life goes on (Kodachrome Transparency Processed by Kodak)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854268633/" title="Life goes on (Kodachrome Transparency Processed by Kodak) by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Life goes on (Kodachrome Transparency Processed by Kodak)" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/13854268633_b3fdbcefa1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />And then we are gone, having remained invisible.<br />
<br />
Going going gone<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13854086265/" title="IMG_4034 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4034" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/13854086265_63dee5ed47_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
And then we make our way back to to the camp site to climb the dunes and swim in the lake and chill fireside, enjoying our Sandbanks Summer 2013 Camping Tour.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-42928252283238721162014-04-09T12:07:00.000-04:002014-04-11T13:38:48.110-04:00Abandonment Issues: Chuckery Hill House<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739056484/" title="Chuckery Hill House by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Chuckery Hill House" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/13739056484_977396323e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
As spring finally arrives it brings the end to a long, cold, snowy, and personally difficult winter. The snow bank mountains are receding, the birds are chirping, and I am once again happy, as healthy as possible, and contentedly sober.<br />
<br />
While I explored quite a bit this winter, it's been a few months since I've posted a new location. In fact I've got a lot of new goodies to share but have been suffering from writer's block throughout this tumultuous time period. But that ends now, spring has sprung, and everything blossoms and comes to life again, including this man.<br />
<br />
However, winter is still showing it's ugly face outside my window as I write this, so I want to take you back to the end of last summer. August 31st, 2013, the day after our close call at the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2014/04/abandonment-issues-doxsee-farmhouse-wm.html" target="_blank">Doxsee Farmhouse</a>.<br />
<br />
It was midway through our second last camping trip of the season when I found myself walking the length of the beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park as darkness dissolved and the sun rose and shone light upon the world as I see it.<br />
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Sunrise at Sandbanks<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738780943/" title="Sunset at Sandbanks by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunset at Sandbanks" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5266/13738780943_57a6c6c2c2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Love is blind<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739139654/" title="Love is blind by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Love is blind" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/13739139654_5b50ff76cc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Hours later, we were back on the road, hunting for abandonments, as per our usual camping routine. We stop in at Antique shops and restaurants along the way. This is our passion, this is what we do.<br />
<br />
Driving back roads and always going the long way, continuing our abandonment mapping of Prince Edward County, we were on our way to get lunch at Lake on the Mountain when we came across the dilapidated, overgrown and extremely creepy Chuckery Hill House.<br />
<br />
Nature nurtures<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738693483/" title="Chuckery Hill House by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Chuckery Hill House" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/13738693483_2e23f1d3ea_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
They don't make them like they used to. But we don't protect them like we should either.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738703043/" title="They don't make them like they used to. But we don't protect them like we should either. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="They don't make them like they used to. But we don't protect them like we should either." height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/13738703043_68bcb3a982_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The Chuckery Hill House is one of those weird ones. An old abandoned
house that has a feel to it. Something uneasy came over me and followed
me through the house like a devil on my shoulder. No angels. Nicole was
affected immediately by the same vibe and quickly retreated outside
after stepping just inside the door. She wanted no part of it.<br />
<br />
I ventured forth alone.<br />
<br />
The scene of the crime<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739097204/" title="The scene of the crime by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The scene of the crime" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/13739097204_34c412bd5b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Please be seated<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739080714/" title="Please be seated by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Please be seated" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/13739080714_1aaf535918_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Powerless<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738734763/" title="Powerless by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Powerless" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/13738734763_384dfbc1ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Unread unheard unseen<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739089194/" title="Unread unheard unseen by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Unread unheard unseen" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/13739089194_192f922c18_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Turn it up<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739091324/" title="Turn it up by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Turn it up" height="426" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/13739091324_6dd0000661_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This newspaper is exactly two months older than I am<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738696795/" title="This newspaper is exactly two months older than me by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="This newspaper is exactly two months older than me" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/13738696795_87870d0b98_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The moon landing<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738727743/" title="The moon landing by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The moon landing" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/13738727743_5ffb3c53d6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The kitchen is closed<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738716543/" title="The kitchen is closed by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The kitchen is closed" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/13738716543_8bd98f3e12_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Bugs Bath & Beyond<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739082214/" title="Bugs Bath & Beyond by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Bugs Bath & Beyond" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/13739082214_817f7d0fe9_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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As I made my way upstairs the mouldy air thickened and the heat hit me like a truck, almost winding me. Furniture and decay were the only things that seemed to remain here, with the exception of the overpowering feeling of the devil on my shoulder, or angry eyes watching over me. I don't believe in ghosts, but I definitely trust my gut feelings, which are well honed. So that's just the best I can describe the vibe that we both felt to our cores. It is the unknown that is so intriguing.<br />
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Now I lay me down to sleep<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739085324/" title="Now I lay me down to sleep by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Now I lay me down to sleep" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/13739085324_f26a4db75b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Bedtimeless<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738676485/" title="Bedtimeless by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Bedtimeless" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/13738676485_ccd0e215dc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Sleepwalking away forever<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738726483/" title="Sleepwalking away forever by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sleepwalking away forever" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/13738726483_4bc850eb64_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I quickly made my way around the bedrooms and snapped the few photos above, and then descended, speedily escaping the hot stench of the second floor.<br />
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It seemed so cool downstairs all of a sudden, as is often the case. That instant that the heat fades and the cold sweat sticking to your shirt prompts a shiver. You take a deep breath at that moment, every time.<br />
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Still fully creeped by the vibe and eager to escape the nastiness, I prepared to leave. But I didn't, I turned back and opened the door to the garage...<br />
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Not ridin' dirty, just dirty.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739072474/" title="Not ridin' dirty, just dirty. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Not ridin' dirty, just dirty." height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/13739072474_c735236749_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Raise the roof <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738707073/" title="Raise the roof by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Raise the roof" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/13738707073_d64aeba53a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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BUICK<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739068344/" title="BUICK by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="BUICK" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/13739068344_e70db64558_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Murder murder murder kill kill kill<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13738668115/" title="Murder murder murder by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Murder murder murder" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/13738668115_8e95863e53_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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I take one look back at the Chuckery Hill House before we hit the road.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13739061174/" title="Chuckery Hill House by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Chuckery Hill House" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/13739061174_33a2a572c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And then as per the usual, we follow in the footsteps of whomever once called this house home, and we leave it behind.<br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-21648810069494199072014-02-25T18:14:00.000-05:002014-02-25T18:14:48.733-05:00Hunting For Rabbit: The Cameraman DocumentaryIn February of 2011, I wrote a blog post about a novel that was coming to life, called <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/02/blue-light-project.html" target="_blank">THE BLUE LIGHT PROJECT,</a> by legendary Canadian author and dear personal friend, Timothy Taylor. This book wasn't about street art. It was about a hostage crisis and a city under siege. To me, it was about our interconnectedness and the dire importance of art and new images and ideas. One of the three main characters, was however, a street artist.<br />
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I will be forever inspired by the lengths and depths that Timo went to in researching the real life street art community and it's main players in order to bring the character of Rabbit to life on the pages of The Blue Light Project. He reached out into the street art community in Vancouver and bravely and respectfully entered our world. He became one of us. And he brought us all closer together.<br />
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As Timo was researching and writing the novel, the street art scene continued to blossom. It was a special time, and we could all feel it.<br />
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And then this happened...<br />
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<b>Hunting For Rabbit: The Cameraman Documentary </b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/M_ffyyA_N1o" width="640"></iframe><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-39274684648577014502013-11-27T10:55:00.002-05:002013-11-27T14:31:10.443-05:00Abandonment Issues: Ontario Reformatory / Guelph Correctional Centre<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031144935/" title="IMG_7488 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7488" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/11031144935_b8e9f52e1e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Come with us and take a tour of the old Ontario Reformatory.<b> Photography is not permitted inside the building.</b> Our tour guide is beyond informative, firing off a non-stop barrage of historical facts and interesting anecdotes...<br />
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The Ontario Reformatory was the brainchild of Ontario's Provincial Secretary William Hanna. Convinced that segregating and punishing inmates was not an effective strategy, Hanna believed that society would be better served if attempts were made to reform the provincial inmate population. In 1910, one thousand acres of existing farmland was purchased in Guelph, and inmates were transferred from a Toronto jail. Those first inmates resided in the farmhouses while they began digging the quarry and mining the limestone beneath the drumlin. The location was specifically chosen because of the farm-able scenic land which contained all of the materials that would be needed to construct the prison, including limestone for exterior walls, clay for bricks, and trees for the intricate trim and banisters, as well as it's proximity to two rail lines that would make it easy to transport prisoners and goods.<br />
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The original building was designed by prominent Toronto based architect John Lyle. Mr. Lyle was paid by percentage of building costs, which were drastically lower due to the use of prison labour gangs. After a failed lawsuit he was left bankrupt.<br />
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The architectural design and surrounding landscape reflected the Reformatory purpose with abundant natural light inside the building, and scenic outdoor spaces featuring gardens and ponds, dry stone fences and areas for productive activities. Originally there was no perimeter fencing. The cell blocks were made up of three floors with 13 cells and a dormitory on each floor. Well behaved general population inmates were housed in the dormitories in groups of 20-22. Prisoners labelled criminally insane were housed in a specific block known as the Ontario Hospital. Guards utilized over a mile of tunnel systems to access various areas within the building. In 1921, a Superintendent's residence was built on the grounds and over time a church, hospital, and large mess hall were also constructed. The mess hall accommodated waves of 250 inmates at a time. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031246354/" title="IMG_7518 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7518" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/11031246354_c71e9fb252_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031130805/" title="IMG_7504 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7504" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/11031130805_f548d10764_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031321683/" title="IMG_7511 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7511" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/11031321683_5b0e344bec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Inmates were assessed upon admission and assigned a prison job. The strongest amongst them were assigned to the bull gang, the workhorses of manual labour. The prisoners built and maintained a large farm, greenhouse, orchard, abattoir, cannery, and many work shops including tailor and machine shops, and woolen mill.<br />
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Over the years, prisoners produced license plates, picnic tables, clothing, socks, and windows which were installed in many of the houses in Guelph. They also produced enough baked goods to supply all of the psychiatric institutions in Ontario. The work model of the Reformatory was so successful, it turned a profit of $10,000 to $75,000 per annum.<br />
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After the first world war, the reformatory served as the Speedwell Convalescence Hospital for wounded soldiers, housing over 900 veterans in 1919, some in a special tuberculosis ward.<br />
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Ontario Reformatory re-opened in 1921. By 1947, it housed the largest prison population in Canada, with 1000 inmates. In 1952, a massive <a href="http://www.corpun.com/capr5207.htm" target="_blank">riot broke out</a>, involving 600 prisoners.<br />
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Frequent complaints from guards about the frigid temperatures in the cell blocks led to much of the exterior limestone walls being bricked over in the 1960s. In the 1970s, the quarry was closed and the farming was discontinued as the government no longer felt it was important to teach farming skills.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031277443/" title="IMG_7523 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7523" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/11031277443_f8bfe6a8ce_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031062635/" title="OR by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="OR" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/11031062635_5750ee12b2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031051565/" title="IMG_7532 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7532" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/11031051565_c71c91e9ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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In 1972, the Ontario Reformatory became the Guelph Correctional Centre.<br />
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In 2002 with 450 prisoners remaining, the Guelph Correctional Centre was shut down, suffering the same fate as other Provincial Correctional Centres such as <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/09/abandonment-issues-prison-on-hill.html" target="_blank">Millbrook</a> and <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/12/abandonment-issues-rideau-correctional.html" target="_blank">Rideau</a>, whose inmates were transferred to newly constructed super jails. Unlike the decay and destruction that befell Millbrook and Rideau, the old Reformatory has been preserved, and as many as 20 of the buildings are to be given heritage status. The lights and heat are still on in the main building and a lone guard sits in the ground floor of the central guard tower watching the live feed cameras of the perimeter fencing and building exteriors. Another guard rides a bike around the property. 24/7. The main building is still used regularly for training correctional officers. The buildings and grounds are so closely monitored that we didn't think we'd ever get a peek inside.<br />
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But there we were, taking a tour with no photography permitted. Ninja was feverishly taking notes from the wealth of information being recited by our guide as Tash.0 popped in and out of cells and terapr0 and I did our thing, with tricks up our sleeves.<br />
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The tour only touched on a small portion of the main building and none of the grounds or workshops. Hopefully the future will bring new opportunities to explore or tour and photograph this complex more thoroughly. But for now, all of these interior images were taken with my iPhone5, most of them without looking, sneakily holding it discreetly at waist level. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031308116/" title="IMG_7491 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7491" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/11031308116_90bc820090_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031469346/" title="OR by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="OR" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/11031469346_0cb28a23da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031475436/" title="IMG_1081 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1081" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/11031475436_00d64206d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031504574/" title="IMG_1091 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1091" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/11031504574_4021cff8c9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031463556/" title="IMG_1086 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1086" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/11031463556_ecfaf545e1_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031575663/" title="IMG_1080 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1080" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/11031575663_11efe4d949_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031452086/" title="IMG_1094 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1094" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/11031452086_6ca73363bb_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031542993/" title="IMG_1096 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1096" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/11031542993_90f2c80b84_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031474244/" title="IMG_1108 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1108" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/11031474244_1945a33c89_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031441496/" title="IMG_1098 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1098" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/11031441496_33a31df393_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031333465/" title="IMG_1103 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1103" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/11031333465_d11f96796b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031479354/" title="IMG_1104 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1104" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/11031479354_b1cdf496c8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031467054/" title="IMG_1111 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1111" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/11031467054_7c5298c154_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031318525/" title="IMG_1109 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1109" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/11031318525_e08768bee6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031509123/" title="IMG_1115 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1115" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/11031509123_daf46ae8c8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031415666/" title="OR by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="OR" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/11031415666_04b54e96b0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031301585/" title="IMG_1116 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1116" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/11031301585_c740dbaf47_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031449444/" title="OR by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="OR" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/11031449444_627953b279_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031494333/" title="IMG_1118 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1118" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/11031494333_a9f821ec64_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031486683/" title="IMG_1121 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1121" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/11031486683_684d79215d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031393356/" title="IMG_1120 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1120" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/11031393356_8a8905dfd2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031432504/" title="IMG_1126 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1126" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/11031432504_0688f19b1b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031271485/" title="IMG_1129 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1129" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/11031271485_182e49d768_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031276565/" title="IMG_1127 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1127" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/11031276565_dd7e61b503_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031370846/" title="IMG_1133 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1133" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/11031370846_529319fc47_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031464683/" title="IMG_1136 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1136" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/11031464683_6eb4aa5975_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031460333/" title="IMG_1139 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1139" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/11031460333_de948e500c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031358396/" title="IMG_1140 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1140" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/11031358396_c9031a986f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031247485/" title="IMG_1144 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1144" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/11031247485_1fc20f17d2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031347776/" title="IMG_1146 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1146" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/11031347776_d579b358b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031375954/" title="OR by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="OR" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/11031375954_ed4fd7f152_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031438463/" title="IMG_1149 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1149" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/11031438463_9b4d66bed5_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031240005/" title="IMG_1148 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1148" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/11031240005_d7c8949176_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031232335/" title="IMG_1150 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1150" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/11031232335_88a54b1bcd_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/11031216205/" title="OR by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="OR" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/11031216205_41c25a17a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Hopefully we will be recidivists, for if one day another opportunity to explore and photograph the complex more thoroughly arises, we will return to prison yet again.<br />
<br />
<i>Co-written by Jerm & Ninja IX</i>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-83608932765502191742013-11-11T15:37:00.000-05:002013-11-11T16:20:37.650-05:00Abandonment Issues: Alderwood Collegiate Institute / Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674400825/" title="IMG_7220 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7220" height="433" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/10674400825_e7f6f3b5f0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
It's time to take you back to school.<br />
<br />
Today's class consists of five students, let's take attendance. Ninja IX, Rashomon, Benfoto, Jerm IX, and an exited Johanna, who is on her maiden voyage into urban exploration, are all present.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674458756/" title="IMG_7215 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7215" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/10674458756_19d5455df4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We creep five deep down the hallway, educating ourselves on the tattered condition of the abandoned high school. Then as if the bell rang, we individually enter our separate classrooms. The clicks of cameras and soft crunching of debris under gently stepping feet are all that can be heard beyond Ninja's soft voice whispering and drawing me closer. She is at the front of the class teaching. Mrs. IX, with her flowing blonde hair and beautiful smile, reciting to me the lesson and diagram on the brain and brain functions still adorning the chalk board. I lean in and kiss her, probably fulfilling some subconscious childhood fantasy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674860263/" title="IMG_7097 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7097" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/10674860263_185c640235_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674646884/" title="IMG_7102 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7102" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/10674646884_c50239028a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674574795/" title="IMG_7108 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7108" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/10674574795_b441b59fd4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We have only been inside a mere matter of minutes when the silence breaks. We are staggered, five of us stalking down the long hallway and into the library when the distinct sound of heavy footsteps pounds directly overhead on the second floor. Our eyes widen and all of our senses are heightened simultaneously. In this moment we are mannequins on high alert.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674617404/" title="IMG_7114 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7114" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/10674617404_352f014376_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674609544/" title="IMG_7122 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7122" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/10674609544_f2421f8c4b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674590616/" title="IMG_7125 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7125" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/10674590616_cc19004b19_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The mannequins come to life, all of us, with the whispered 'is it or is it not security' conversation, which is followed up by 'how are we going to play this' talk. I abandon the group and venture forth alone, exploring in virtual silence, hoping to capture as much as possible before those footsteps can find me. I'm in fast forward stealth mode going in the opposite direction of the footsteps.<br />
<br />
Game on.<br />
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I love this feeling. This is exactly how I wanted to spend my 36th birthday.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674536364/" title="IMG_7167 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7167" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/10674536364_0bfca8c438_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674876473/" title="IMG_7094 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7094" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/10674876473_63b6d6ed2b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674652836/" title="IMG_7095 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7095" height="430" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/10674652836_2e953ce5ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We were aware that the sales office was about to open in the newly renovated cafeteria at the front of the school, but certainly didn't expect security inside.<br />
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Before we continue into the dark hallway before us, lets get our bearings and a feel for where we're at.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674484704/" title="IMG_7212 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7212" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10674484704_755b2d1c66_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Alderwood Secondary School opened in 1955 and was the first high school constructed in the Alderwood area of the former city of Etobicoke, in Toronto. That same year it was briefly renamed Alderwood High School and then quickly changed again to Alderwood Collegiate Institute. The school's team name was the Alderwood Rangers and their colours were khaki, gold and black. At it's peak, there were 786 students enrolled. The Alderwood Collegiate Institute closed in 1983.<br />
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The school was then used briefly to film the CBS children's show the Edison Twins, before being given a second life. It was ceded to the Catholic School board and became Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School, opening in 1985 with 300 students and 17 staff members. The team name was the Redmond Redhawks and their colours were navy and blue. Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School moved to a new location in 2006.<br />
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The school has sat vacant for the past 7 years, but for a brief period in 2010 when it played studio yet again, this time for Stephen Spielberg's television series Falling Skies. <br />
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The land was recently sold to a developer and the sales centre in the cafeteria is now open, as I lurk down the hallway behind it. The school was reincarnated once, but now it's fate is sealed as the demolition is slated to be completed by the spring of 2014 to make way for new residential units.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674516595/" title="IMG_7132 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7132" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/10674516595_e9bf6332bb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674772943/" title="IMG_7136 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7136" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/10674772943_1021405497_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674750673/" title="IMG_7160 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7160" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/10674750673_0bfc793aa7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Freshly awakened from mannequin state, I have splintered off from the group and pushed forward through the debris filled hallways and now find myself alone in a large atrium.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674552484/" title="IMG_7158 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7158" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/10674552484_937f56950e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I should turn back to the group, I think to myself whilst reaching out and unassumingly opening a door. And all of a sudden the whole world is a stage.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674509404/" title="IMG_7184 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7184" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/10674509404_bf899d82fb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674483896/" title="IMG_7206 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7206" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/10674483896_ebf92e61aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674503074/" title="IMG_7188 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7188" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/10674503074_4af94cc4dc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674546576/" title="IMG_7150 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7150" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/10674546576_80e17c560e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I quietly skulk back to the group and we continue to explore the ground level in stealth mode, pausing at every single sound one another accidentally make traversing debris.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674592994/" title="IMG_7127 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7127" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/10674592994_30e2759c94_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674789853/" title="IMG_7130 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7130" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/10674789853_409b728d8d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674892453/" title="IMG_7075 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7075" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/10674892453_7f9c20457b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ninja and I have splintered off again and are ever so cautiously ascending the stairs to the second floor, getting closer and closer to whoever is up here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674454645/" title="IMG_7181 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7181" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/10674454645_5b2db7c48c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674591643/" title="IMG_7294 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7294" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/10674591643_d6e01dca1f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674299385/" title="IMG_7306 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7306" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/10674299385_a25abc142c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Silence is imperative as the slightest sound would echo through the halls and down to the southeast corner where the footsteps had previously thudded overhead. Getting caught is avoided at all costs, but the mission is to explore the entirety of the school and I'm accomplishing as much of the mission as possible. I'm loving this. Happy Birthday, Ninja whispers to me. And so in silence we explore, the two of us, holding hands and celebrating a happy birthday in stealth mode, heading directly towards the unknown represented by the footsteps.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674423026/" title="IMG_7246 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7246" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/10674423026_7023e653e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674428854/" title="IMG_7247 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7247" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/10674428854_70aaf89d9d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674392025/" title="IMG_7223 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7223" height="441" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/10674392025_e7f1960a2b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We lurk and pop in and out of classrooms like actors in a silent film about romance and spies.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674326045/" title="IMG_7293 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7293" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/10674326045_ef80101c77_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674616793/" title="IMG_7265 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7265" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/10674616793_812b89de0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674351715/" title="IMG_7264 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7264" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/10674351715_564cafcd2b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It sounds dramatic, and it feels it too, in the moment, but quite honestly, the stakes aren't all that high in this little game we are playing. That is part of the allure of these adventures, the rush. The risks are so minimal in contrast to the rewards. I've yet to be cited with a $65 trespassing ticket, but that is the only real risk. The rewards are endless and even include the joy derived from the risk itself. What draws me to these abandoned buildings is the emptiness within and the lack of what once was. But plain and simple, like an innocent child playing tag with friends, it is unbelievably fun to do this dance with security guards. It's a rush, especially when you just keep winning.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674383735/" title="IMG_7232 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7232" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/10674383735_8a7e9ab12a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674367594/" title="IMG_7300 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7300" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/10674367594_cb277c1a59_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674376835/" title="IMG_7238 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7238" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/10674376835_5529e09464_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We have all regrouped in the area of the second floor that the footsteps were heard. Whoever it was, they are gone now. So we breathe deep and let our tensed up shoulders down, instantly noticing that the hallway has signs of possible fire damage but the ceiling tiles do not appear smoke damaged or burnt. Rashomon speaks up and informs us all that this was the set of Falling Skies.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674351004/" title="IMG_7316 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7316" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/10674351004_57fdb74571_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674391696/" title="IMG_7291 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7291" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/10674391696_de8d7243e3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674345836/" title="IMG_7311 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7311" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/10674345836_754c8895e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10674363476/" title="IMG_7299 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7299" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/10674363476_16da373b04_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Satisfied with a successful mission, we all pack up and exit gracefully in single file.<br />
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On the side walk out front, only moments later, the Security guard walks right past us and then re-enters the school, none the wiser.<br />
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And on that note, class is dismissed.<br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-15366367386518026402013-10-21T19:55:00.000-04:002016-02-23T02:33:57.538-05:00Abandonment Issues: Prison For Women<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441329655/" title="P4W by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="P4W" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/10441329655_7bdd3b6a8d_z.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Prison For Women in Kingston, Ontario, was built in 1933. Prior to its construction, women offenders served their time in the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/10/abandonment-issues-kingston-penitentiary.html" target="_blank">Kingston Penitentiary</a>. Promiscuous women and those that fell under the wide umbrella of what we
now call mental health issues were transferred to the nearby <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/07/abandonment-issues-rockwood-insane.html" target="_blank">Rockwood Lunatic Asylum</a>. At the Kingston Penitentiary, women were segregated from male inmates, they occupied various locations including basement cells and the prison hospital until 1913, when a separate building was constructed within the walls of KP, using prison gang labour. Known as the Northwest Cell Block, it housed exclusively female inmates. The conditions for women were not dissimilar to that of men: their cells were cold, dark, and damp, and they suffered the same corporal punishments including flogging, meals of bread and water, confinement to dark cells, and “the box”. However, unlike the men who were forced to engage in physical labour, the women participated in traditionally female activities, such as sewing and needlework. During the war, they produced thousands of pillowslips.<br />
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Twenty years after the opening of the Northwest Cell Block, the female population again outgrew its quarters, reaching a total of 40 women, some of whom were sleeping in corridors. It was decided that a separate institution would be constructed just outside the walls of KP, behind the Warden's residence. Again prison work gangs were conscripted to construct another limestone monolith: the Prison For Women, later nicknamed P4W. It was completed in 1933 for a total cost of $374,000. Strangely, due to overcrowding and a riot at KP, it's first inhabitants were men. In 1934, all 40 women were transferred from the Northwest Cell Block in KP, to the new Prison For Women across the road, under the care of Ms. Edith A. Robinson, Supervising Matron.<br />
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For 66 years, P4W would serve as the only federal women's prison in Canada, housing all women serving two years to life from all across the country.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406522443/" title="IMG_6700 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6700" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/10406522443_bec7876a00_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406527493/" title="P4W by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="P4W" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/10406527493_694f418239_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441326876/" title="P4W by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="P4W" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/10441326876_a121be87b8_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unlike today's
cluster model, which utilizes units or pods as opposed to linear cell
blocks, and encourages interaction between inmates to help prepare them
for life on the outside, KP and P4W operated on the Auburn approach, in
which strict separation of inmates was thought to prevent undue
influence on one another. KP and P4W shared similar architectural
features influenced by the Auburn system: the cell walls separating
inmates were extraordinarily thick, the ranges were long and narrow, and
a towering perimeter wall surrounded the building and yard.<br />
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A
1936 royal commission found P4W had higher levels of security than was
warranted given the crimes for which the women were serving time.<br />
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During the 1940s, the Elizabeth Fry Society became involved in rehabilitation activities and started many popular recreation and educational programs. The women began playing tennis, baseball, and volleyball, and taking classes in folk dancing and stenography. In the 1950s the library was expanded, and a beauty parlour was completed. Garden plots within the walled yard were offered to inmates and an ice rink was built in the winters. Improvements continued into the 1960s as more programming was instituted and skilled staff were hired, such as social workers and psychiatrists. A pre-release program was created in which women were driven around and escorted to parks and into stores. Additions to P4W were constructed as needed and in the 1970s the inmate count reached it's all time high of 210.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394544294/" title="222 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="222" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/10394544294_c5f384164a_z.jpg" height="465" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>P4W Prison Glee Club circa 1955. (Photo found online)</i></span><br />
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Statistically, women at P4W were typically white and single, between the ages of 20-34. The percentage of Aboriginal women was disproportionate to the general population, and 18% of women were serving time for murder.<br />
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In the 1980s, after decades of controversy, it was finally recognized that P4W was not serving women's unique needs and treatment was unequal to that of men's. At this time, some women were transferred back to KP, to a special wing known as the Regional Treatment Centre. Women specific programming was created covering topics such as trauma and abuse. The need to decentralize the population of the federal female inmates was widely recognized, in part because many women never had a single visitor during their incarceration, due to the vast distances between P4W and their respective families spread across Canada's massive landscape.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406357586/" title="IMG_6721 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6721" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/10406357586_f640fff152_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441493493/" title="P4W by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="P4W" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/10441493493_de092b327a_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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Not unlike most prisons, controversy existed within the walls of P4W. At one point, women were the subject of unethical experiments with LSD. Suicides, hunger strikes, and self mutilations were reported. Over time, many studies concluded that the Prison For Women was inefficient and several recommendations were made that it be closed.<br />
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It is rumoured that a racist slur from a guard to a Native inmate led to the riot in 1994, when violent confrontations took place between guards and inmates. One guard was taken hostage and another was stabbed with a syringe. Fires were set and clubs were made from parts of bed frames. An all male emergency response team was eventually sent in to break up the riot and perform cell extractions. Women were strip searched and in some cases chained up naked for hours. Footage from the events later aired on television and the viewing public was outraged. Critics had been calling for it's closure for decades. Now citing clear research that the institution had become outdated given changes in correctional practices, they were starting to be heard. This riotous controversy would be the nail in the coffin for the historic Prison For Women. In 1996, it began transferring women to segregated units in male prisons, until they could be transferred to one of five new women's facilities that were under construction across Canada.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/24578435244/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="f2b782aa-79ca-4f8c-b607-1e876c0252c6_thumbnail_600_600.jpg"><img alt="f2b782aa-79ca-4f8c-b607-1e876c0252c6_thumbnail_600_600.jpg" height="299" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1545/24578435244_b781186a25.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Joey Twins, serving life for murder (left) and Ellen Young (right) were two of the prisoners involved in
the violent altercation with guards on April 22nd, 1994 (courtesy Maclean's)</i></span> <br />
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P4W's most notorious inmate, Karla Homolka, called the Segregation Unit home until her transfer to a Quebec facility in 1997.<br />
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On May 8th, 2000, the last woman was transferred out and the Prison For Women began serving dead time.</div>
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In 2008, Queens University purchased the decommissioned prison, which had been assigned heritage status. Upon taking ownership, Queens immediately demolished almost all of the perimeter wall, leaving only a small section along the west side of the property, at the request of the adjacent neighbours. Queens planned to convert the former prison into an archival storage and office building, but those renovation plans were thwarted, as a majority of the building is protected by it's heritage status, and must be preserved.<br />
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The Prison For Women has sat vacant for over 13 years, holding it's
secrets within it's cold grey limestone walls. With their conversion
plan quelled, Queens turned off the heat, which of course triggered the
process of decay in the form of peeling paint chips and spreading
black mould.<br />
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Let's go inside, shall we?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406055826/" title="IMG_6259 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6259" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/10406055826_8f9dc94806_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> <br />
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At the very moment night turns to day, darkness fades and the sun rises
over the east side of Kingston, illuminating the long narrow southern A block. Even as the light creeps in, the darkness is still present.
The silence is deafening only until an ambulance screams it's siren song
at us as it whizzes by in a city that's still sleeping. We linger,
sauntering in and out of cells at our own leisure with a freedom that
can only be described as ironic. We sporadically stop and talk on the
range, but we isolate and revert back to silence and introspection when
we go into the cells. Then we gather again on the range and bask in the
light of this new sun, allowing time to pass before heading to the other
cell block.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406034094/" title="IMG_6264 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6264" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/10406034094_9bf6af04d0_z.jpg" height="429" width="640" /></a> <br />
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The women were housed in two double decker ranges running parallel, back to back on the third and fourth floors.<br />
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With the sun finally rising, we venture around the corner and into the northern cell block, which is significantly shorter than it's counterpart.<br />
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You can feel the energy on these long cell blocks. You try to picture what life was like. You stand in a cold pink cell and put yourself in the shoes of a mother in her mid-thirties, nine years deep into a life sentence. The monotony. The prison politics. The beef. The repetition. The pain. The loneliness. The regret. The repetition. The laughter. The camaraderie. The love. The repetition. The hatred. The anger. The violence. And of course, the repetition.<br />
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It sends shivers up your spine.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406053624/" title="IMG_6243 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6243" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/10406053624_587638ef86_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> <br />
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Both of these ranges housed general population inmates. The cells were separated by thick walls and painted bright cheery feminine colours. Now a rainbow of purple, pink, orange and blue hues of paint chips are peeling and falling to the floor behind the bars of each cell. They crackle beneath our feet. Loneliness lingers in the stale air and we breathe it in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406005676/" title="IMG_6298 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6298" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/10406005676_802b082d44_z.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a><br />
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Very few personal items remain, but a single toothbrush and a bar of soap resting atop a sink within one of the cells, brings the human aspect of it all to the forefront of my mind, again. The day to day of it, again. Some of these women served decades here. I cringe at the thought.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10405978616/" title="IMG_6310 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6310" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/10405978616_58e3542526_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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If these walls could talk.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10405960055/" title="IMG_6323 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6323" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/10405960055_463c52e9dc_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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On the other side of a hallway, at the western end of that southern cell block, we find ourselves standing in the Segregation Unit. This unit housed the most infamous and dangerous female criminals in Canadian history, as well as women that couldn't hack it in gen pop.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406609953/" title="IMG_6568 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6568" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/10406609953_3ea3f95890_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406468896/" title="IMG_6560 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6560" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/10406468896_c5c50b8219_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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Deductive reasoning and connecting random dots leads us to believe that Karla Homolka was most likely housed in one of these gated cells on the second tier of the Segregation Unit. She is Canada's most notorious female convict, and she is now a free woman.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394149296/" title="IMG_6314 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6314" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/10394149296_37ed8904fb_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394320913/" title="IMG_6301 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6301" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/10394320913_1a29df4905_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394315193/" title="IMG_6304 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6304" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/10394315193_16a588be62_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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As we exit the Segregation Unit, we hear a sound. We pause in silence and listen to the glorious sound of nothing happening for somewhere between a few seconds and a lifetime. That look on your face is priceless.<br />
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Now we are venturing into the common area, where prisoners would engage in recreational activities, take classes, and participate in women centred programming, 12 step meetings and such.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10405942266/" title="IMG_6344 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6344" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/10405942266_652744108d_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406325455/" title="IMG_6361 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6361" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/10406325455_ded32e69ea_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406254635/" title="IMG_6427 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/10406254635_d234d0e0b1_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406294244/" title="IMG_6382 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6382" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/10406294244_2dcf4cd17c_z.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406333146/" title="IMG_6358 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6358" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/10406333146_aa018c310f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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We continue into the visitation area.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406386796/" title="IMG_6647 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6647" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/10406386796_c4b887ecf1_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406376315/" title="IMG_6662 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6662" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/10406376315_fd520c35db_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406429414/" title="IMG_6570 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6570" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/10406429414_4b2141f20a_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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And then the prison infirmary.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394733186/" title="IMG_6547 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6547" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/10394733186_737bb8901f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394695904/" title="IMG_6553 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6553" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/10394695904_be79c946c2_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406295466/" title="IMG_6392 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6392" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/10406295466_e797ea1c76_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394737836/" title="IMG_6541 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6541" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/10394737836_9fec4c02ba_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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Down in the dark and dingy basement, black mould is the only living inhabitant in the cold dark cells of the Administrative Segregation Unit. This unit housed inmates for specific durations of time for infractions committed within the prison, which could range from displaying negative behaviour toward guards, to possession of contraband or violent assaults. While serving time in Ad-Seg, prisoners would spend the majority of each day within their cell, only allowed out to shower and spend time on the yard a few times per week, or day, depending on the time period.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406223326/" title="IMG_6466 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6466" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/10406223326_b287ba28c8_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394496173/" title="IMG_6494 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6494" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/10394496173_10b980f0fa_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394314845/" title="IMG_6499 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6499" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/10394314845_1c3496023d_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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These two contrasting messages written upon the walls of adjacent Ad-Seg cells give a fragmented glimpse into the minds of the women that stood here before me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406365653/" title="IMG_6479 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6479" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/10406365653_2b02fe10ae_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406192995/" title="IMG_6481 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6481" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/10406192995_e2209447d7_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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Deeper into the basement we go. Turn on your flashlight.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394356964/" title="IMG_6456 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6456" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/10394356964_177f82a65a_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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We continue to wander and soak it all in, doing laps and getting acquainted with every square inch of the prison. We try to feel it as much as we absorb and experience it with our other senses.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406120263/" title="IMG_6325 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6325" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/10406120263_5b5cb28ee1_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a><br />
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The wheels located outside of each range control the simultaneous opening and closing of all cell doors. Manually turning the wheel raises the long black metal bar crossing atop the entire row of cells, which in turn raises the door latches. A handle on each cell also allows for individual cells to be opened.<br />
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After a glorious morning of exploring the Prison For Women, we are almost ready for our pending release. But first we return to the southern cell block, A block, where hours ago we watched the sun rise. We walk it one last time, and capture the late morning sun blasting in through the tall arched barred windows and illuminating the emptiness within.<br />
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This image depicting the Prison for Women A-Block circa August 1958 was found online.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/13719518473/" title="Prison for Women A-Block circa August 1958 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Prison for Women A-Block circa August 1958" height="496" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/13719518473_b7e8236228_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And here we stand, over 55 years later.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394598305/" title="IMG_6621 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6621" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/10394598305_a785c84cb2_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406396656/" title="IMG_6633 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6633" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/10406396656_97249e063f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10394395204/" title="IMG_6423 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6423" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/10394395204_f31635bbd6_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406263935/" title="IMG_6417 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6417" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/10406263935_623aa3d765_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10406412365/" title="IMG_6615 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6615" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/10406412365_f4f086a36b_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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And once again, we are set free.<br />
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Here's an interesting report on the riot from <a href="http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/womens-prison-riot/" target="_blank">thecanadianencyclopedia</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Co-written by Jerm & Ninja IX.</i></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-55100671590444070682013-10-17T15:40:00.002-04:002014-10-13T17:08:35.299-04:00Abandonment Issues: Kingston Penitentiary<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10336310143/" title="KP Historical image (Found Online) by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Historical image (Found Online)" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/10336310143_2648a40fdd_z.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On September 30th, 2013, moments before the last handful of federal inmates were transferred to different facilities, the Kingston Penitentiary held the distinction of being the oldest prison on Earth still in continuous operation. Sitting ominously on the lapping shores of Lake Ontario in Kingston, the notorious penitentiary housed federal inmates serving anywhere from two years to life sentences, and has been home to some of Canada's most infamous criminals. </span><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <span style="background: transparent;">Provincial Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada was constructed in 1835, before the birth of the country of Canada. Shortly after confederation it became known </span><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="background: transparent;">as the Kingston Penitentiary, and in time became referred to by inmates, guards and locals simply as KP.</span> Constructed with local limestone using convict labour, </span>the imposing structure became a model for other institutions the world over for over a century to come and was even admired by the likes of Charles Dickens, who toured the facility in 1842.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10336119814/" title="KP Historical image (Found Online) by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Historical image (Found Online)" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/10336119814_a47be2b749_z.jpg" height="400" width="620" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Historical aerial image (Image found online)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Women, children, vagrants, and lunatics were all admitted to KP, until the time the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2011/07/abandonment-issues-rockwood-insane.html" target="_blank">Rockwood Lunatic Asylum</a> (1870) and <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/10/abandonment-issues-prison-for-women.html" target="_blank">Prison for Women</a> (1934) were constructed nearby, also using KP inmate labour and local limestone. The very first inmate to be admitted to the prison was Matthew Tevender in 1835. Boys and girls as young as 8 years old, such as Antoine Beauche were sentenced to serve time at KP for crimes as minor as pick-pocketing.</span></div><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The architecture and philosophical underpinnings of KP were carefully designed to influence its inhabitants behaviour and create compelling incentive for reform. An enormous cross shaped 5 storey cell block was linked by a domed rotunda and a similarly designed building housed the workshops. For inmates at KP, the whole world existed within this 10 acre walled enclosure. A large bell was placed in the rotunda area of the Main Dome and its shrill ring directed inmate movements and became a hated symbol of control. A then revolutionary penal method known as the Auburn system was used in which inmates worked during the day and were kept in solitary confinement by night. Cells that measured 2x8 feet, with small barred openings in thick wooden doors for ventilation and supervision and were separated by thick concrete to prevent communication. Prisoners sentenced to KP could not even discuss their fate – a strict rule of silence existed until 1935, forbidding all forms of verbal and non verbal communication between prisoners, which it was believed could lead to “further moral contamination.”</span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441721933/" title="KP Rear Gate by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Rear Gate" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/10441721933_d2d3514068_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first warden Henry Smith was a notorious sadist and dished out cruel and unusual forms of corporal punishment: lashings (known as “the cats”), meals of bread and water, confinement to a dark cell, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330900916/in/photostream" target="_blank">the water bath punishment</a>, and perhaps most dreaded, “the box,” an upright coffin in which prisoners were forced to stand for minutes or hours at a time. Reports indicate some prisoners were lashed to the point of insanity and after a 14 year reign, Warden Smith was fired for his excessive use of punishment. Corporal punishment at KP continued until 1969.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Warden's Residence was constructed in 1873, directly across from the front gates, and and is now the home of Canada's Penetentiary Museum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330909506/" title="KP by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/10330909506_3a3f2c0832_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Prisoners worked long hours, from 5:15am-6:30pm every day but Sunday cutting limestone, making furniture, working in the canvas shop or as utility workers within the prison. They participated in recreational activities such as baseball, movies and at one point even ran a local radio show.</span><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330914996/" title="IMG_5725 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5725" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/10330914996_ccd7f67209_z.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Riots at the prison were well publicized. The first in 1932 developed into a six day disturbance and was only resolved after the Warden promised to take prisoner demands to Ottawa.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1954, a guard was attacked during a morning baseball game and inmates set fires to buildings in the yard. Up to 900 inmates were involved and a breakout was attempted, but was subdued when the Army was called in to quell the uprising. Inmates caused over $2 million in damages in just a few short hours.</span><br />
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</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10336198946/" title="KP Historical image of 1954 riot (Image found online) by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Historical image of 1954 riot (Image found online)" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/10336198946_3c0bd74439_z.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Historical image of 1954 riot (Image found online)</i></span></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps the most infamous though, the riot of 1971. It lasted over four days and involved guard hostage taking, assaults, and physical destruction. The despised bell in the rotunda was smashed by an inmate that must have felt on top of the world in that moment. Again the army were called in to terminate the situation. When the dust settled, two inmates were dead and the public wanted answers. Television reporters were admitted to record the extensive damage to the prison. The South Wing was so badly damaged, that it never re-opened as a cell block. Public outcry led to demands for an inquiry into the riot and a discussion related to the treatment of inmates. The inquiry determined the cause of the riot to be due to decreased recreation time, lack of work, overcrowding, and aged physical facilities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330898914/" title="IMG_5719 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5719" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/10330898914_e3e8d7263d_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Escape attempts were equally well publicized and often romanticized by the media. Norman “Red” Ryan, a burglar, used a makeshift ladder to climb over the wall after stabbing a guard with a pitchfork, while other prisoners lit a fire to distract guards one morning in 1923. He robbed a bank and fled to the United States where he remained uncaught for over a year. Back in prison he began life anew as a “model prisoner” and convinced the then Prime Minister to release him (called “ticket of leave,” a predicate to parole). But he was a criminal at heart and resumed robbing banks and was ultimately killed in a gun fight during a liquor store robbery in 1936.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Tyrone “Ty” Conn, a bank robber, also made it over the wall using a ladder. Ty left a dummy in his bed and hid in the canvas repair shop under Canada Post mail bags until night fell. He sprinkled cayenne pepper behind him to throw dogs off his scent and climbed over the 10 meter wall. No one had escaped the prison for over four decades but Ty had a history of escaping custody and made it all the way to his mother's home in Belleville. Two weeks later he was cornered by police in a basement of a Toronto home and died from a self inflicted gunshot.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">KP housed some of Canada's worst and most infamous criminals, from James Donnelly in the 1800s, to serial killer Clifford Olsen aka the Beast of BC, Col. Russell Williams, and school girl killer Paul Barnardo. These reviled convicts called the Dissociation Unit home, which was referred to by staff as “the toilet of the prison."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330888204/" title="IMG_5742 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5742" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/10330888204_44cc8dc81b_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>I<span style="font-family: inherit;">n 1990 the Kingston Penitentiary was designated a national historic site of Canada.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On April 19, 2012, 177 years after it first opened, the Federal Government announced plans to close KP and transfer the approximately 900 inmates to surrounding facilities. Public safety minister Vic Toews stated: “Institutions built in the 19th century are not appropriate for managing a 21st century inmate population.”</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The media is currently a blaze with stories of the buildings future with reports of hopeful plans of conversion and potential ideas for reuse, including a world class sailing facility or a tourist attraction a la Alcatraz North. No matter what its future, the Kingston Penitentiary and its storied history has left its mark on the Canadian psyche.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have always wanted to see the inside of Kingston Penitentiary, and when the United Way announced that they would be giving tours for charity, I leapt at the opportunity to get inside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On October 16th, a mere 16 days after the last batch of inmates were transferred out, we took a tour of KP. Guards were still wandering the halls and chatting amongst themselves. The tour route was rather basic, but covered much of the grounds and a fair amount of building interiors, although always remaining on ground level. I managed to stray from the tour a few times and evade the eyes of guards and volunteers to access a few off limits areas, but it sure would be fun to get in there alone and poke around. There is so much more to see. Hopefully one day the opportunity arises, but for now, please come with me and look around the Kingston Penitentiary<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our point of entry presents itself in the form of the main gate, and we follow in the footsteps of generations of guards and visitors over the past 177 years and pass through into the lobby. We stand under the tall white angled pillars between grey limestone walls and I poke my head against the glass and spark a conversation with the guard in the control booth. He grants me permission to shoot inside the booth, and is even accommodating enough to turn on the lights. We take a moment to soak in the lobby before venturing forth into the V&C Building (Visitation & Correspondence). Guards watched over the open visitation room from the control room, where glass topped tables were designed to allow maximum supervision and microphones were implanted in the silver caps atop the tables to monitor interactions.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330885086/" title="IMG_5766 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5766" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/10330885086_59be54bff5_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330879756/" title="IMG_5769 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5769" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/10330879756_4c070e037f_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330741963/" title="IMG_6144 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6144" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/10330741963_0467c866d5_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330873574/" title="IMG_5764 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5764" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/10330873574_cbaf3ffe23_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The no contact visitation area.</span><br />
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</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330861805/" title="IMG_5785 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5785" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/10330861805_ded6b61410_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we step outside the V&C building and the inside of the walled city of KP reveals itself, I cannot contain my excitement and I instantly stray from the tour. I turn left and pass by the family visitation units and shoot up at the birdhouse under the Northeast guard tower before rejoining the tour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330857216/" title="IMG_5791 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5791" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/10330857216_dd86e2020f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10331022083/" title="IMG_5788 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5788" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/10331022083_67f44ee900_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then I scurry past the group and out the other side to take a look back at the inside of the main gate.</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330836484/" title="IMG_5796 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5796" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/10330836484_8b522275dc_z.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I turn around and spot another birdhouse. Behind it, the Main Dome stands ominously under a brooding grey sky.</span><br />
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</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330842745/" title="IMG_5806 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5806" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/10330842745_5e679ddccc_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330837255/" title="IMG_5813 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5813" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/10330837255_80c64d296d_z.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></span> </div><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We venture inside the Main Dome.</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330998933/" title="IMG_5824 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5824" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/10330998933_420d967834_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> <br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330797765/" title="IMG_5882 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5882" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/10330797765_d2df7e432a_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330951643/" title="KP Main Dome by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Main Dome" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/10330951643_e49947285b_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cell blocks extend from the Main Dome.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">H Block. (The Dissociation Unit)</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330775515/" title="IMG_5910 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5910" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/10330775515_c81a7d466f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">G Block.</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330937223/" title="KP G Block by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP G Block" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/10330937223_72ac676253_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330769466/" title="IMG_5930 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5930" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/10330769466_5cdc80fcdc_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">F Block.</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330992373/" title="IMG_5831 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5831" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/10330992373_207a517bda_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330825456/" title="KP F Block by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP F Block" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/10330825456_7c12dba465_z.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330975933/" title="IMG_5865 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5865" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/10330975933_24229c71af_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330818086/" title="IMG_5839 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5839" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/10330818086_5becf4fb3f_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330808266/" title="IMG_5867 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5867" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/10330808266_316aaa38f9_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I check doors every chance I can, turning random doorknobs, hoping for that extra glimpse. A long shot I know, but in F block, one of them opens. I'm running up the metal staircase checking the doors to the higher levels of ranges but all the doors are locked. That is until the top floor where a door opens into a dimly lit attic space with pipes overhead. I turn and run back to join the tour, which is continuing on through the hallways and into more cell blocks.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330945763/" title="IMG_5902 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5902" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/10330945763_072d9ebbb6_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330759256/" title="IMG_5947 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5947" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/10330759256_774f5cae60_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330917283/" title="IMG_5964 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5964" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/10330917283_856b789fc8_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To minimize glare, I hold the camera to the glass windows and shoot into a control room in one of the ranges, as well as the prison library.</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330758165/" title="IMG_5941 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5941" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/10330758165_bd2814de35_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330749566/" title="IMG_5976 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5976" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/10330749566_db64584f1f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then we pass through the long hallway that all convicts once passed through</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to enter and exit the Main Dome where they resided, and access the rest of the prison. I look back at the building and note the dates engraved atop it that commemorate the years in which renovations took place. It reads 1833, 1895, 1992. Laying on the ground in an attempt to squeeze the building into frame, I'm surely getting some weird looks but I'm just focused on how the lights are leading down the hallway into the darkness within.</span></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330720124/" title="IMG_5991 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5991" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/10330720124_6199246578_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Services Building (Former Dining Hall & Chapel).</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330904093/" title="IMG_5982 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5982" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/10330904093_42eaef8d44_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330630064/" title="KP Shop Wing by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Shop Wing" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/10330630064_ea866bb22f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Regional Treatment Centre Range.</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330894583/" title="IMG_6000 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6000" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/10330894583_ed2d783a9f_z.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330667586/" title="IMG_6059 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6059" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/10330667586_c0a0fc4893_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then we enter the Shop Dome. The room is almost overbearing in its awesomeness. The splitting stairs and limestone arches loom overhead authoritatively. Painted footprints on the ground beneath my feet indicate where convicts would stand to be searched before and after their shifts. I snap a few pictures into the workshops and then step into a set of footprints and wait. I'm going to linger as my tour exits and hop that yellow tape.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330675914/" title="KP Shop Dome by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Shop Dome" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/10330675914_9ac534cc68_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330682164/" title="IMG_6039 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6039" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/10330682164_d69be4714b_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330703065/" title="IMG_6023 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6023" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/10330703065_9c411a6820_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Carpenter Shop.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330704954/" title="IMG_6013 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6013" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/10330704954_a6a57c0856_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330719845/" title="IMG_6011 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6011" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/10330719845_af95a509b1_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Shop Wing.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330877573/" title="IMG_6022 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6022" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/10330877573_e26520da89_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a> </span></div></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, the tours stepping outside and I've stepped out of my painted footprints, hopped the yellow tape and ran up the stairs and around the room, because I cannot resist getting this shot.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330705616/" title="IMG_6025 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6025" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/10330705616_6eecfc49e8_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One last look back at the Shop Dome.</span></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330688616/" title="IMG_6044 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6044" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/10330688616_0c904ef028_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></span> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The group pushes deeper into the Southeast corner of the walled city, where beyond this fence lies the Recreation Yard. A lone punching bag hangs with no one to punch it. Imagine the beating its taken. A basketball rests against a fence on the far side of the basketball court, where the hoops have no rims. This is The Southeast Tower, which stands along the water's edge. For some time now, it has not been manned.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Can you even imagine the stories that happened here on this yard, the events that took place over the course of the past 177 years? The tension, the violence, the bonding, the laughter. The schemes and ploys. The deception. And just plain everyday life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Imagine it, you, for 60 years within these walls. These cold grey walls. This is your whole world and nothing else exists. Almost everyone's forgotten you. It's become routine to check out library books to cover your toilet so rats don't climb out into your cell at night. That's just what you do here. </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330666364/" title="IMG_6046 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6046" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/10330666364_d464dbaf95_z.jpg" height="185" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330654924/" title="IMG_6058 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6058" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/10330654924_3b32d60bbc_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Surrounded by fences and barbed wire, I look back at the southeast base of the Shop Dome, and up at one the Shop wings.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330672965/" title="IMG_6051 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6051" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/10330672965_d98a96555c_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330659286/" title="IMG_6063 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6063" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/10330659286_f34577c8be_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I look up at mangled razor wire atop the Gym building.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330646085/" title="IMG_6066 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6066" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/10330646085_7e1a7abd07_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Around the corner the group stops under the Central West Guard Tower on the west wall, and I make a dash for the southwest corner of the prison. When the tour guide hollers at me that I've gone far enough, I stop and snap the shot of the Southwest Guard Tower, under which the open garage door reveals the splashing waves incoming on Lake Ontario.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then I rejoin the group, again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330598014/" title="IMG_6090 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6090" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/10330598014_a32463a242_z.jpg" height="431" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I turn the camera to the Central West Guard Tower and the west wall.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330796303/" title="IMG_6076 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6076" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/10330796303_57a451c81e_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330639386/" title="IMG_6068 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6068" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/10330639386_2fbe7eb437_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330612184/" title="IMG_6077 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6077" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/10330612184_42bc7b8344_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And right at this moment a free bird flies overhead.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330755443/" title="IMG_6104 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6104" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/10330755443_2005a7b596_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Main Gate and Northwest Guard Tower.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330572344/" title="IMG_6115 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6115" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/10330572344_9bea7edac4_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Administration Building (Former Women's Prison Building).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330745083/" title="IMG_6118 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6118" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/10330745083_c22dc1b19b_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We linger behind the group one last time to capture the moment of us getting out of Kingston Penitentiary in the globe mirror on the wall under that Central West Guard Tower.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330770213/" title="IMG_6097 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6097" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/10330770213_a24ae29f83_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10330603926/" title="IMG_6101 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6101" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/10330603926_63cecf5c62_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And despite my lack of good behaviour, we were released from Kingston Penitentiary.</span><br />
<br />
<i><b>Co-written by Jerm & Ninja IX.</b></i><br />
<br />
***EDIT***Sunday, October 20, 2013***<br />
<br />
Only a few days have passed, and here we are again, hoping to walk around the rear perimeter of the prison, which is of course not permitted.<br />
<br />
We pass by the gate with a confident swagger and ignore the large sign warning that Civilian Entry is Strictly Prohibited. We round the corner under the Southeast Guard Tower and with no one in sight continue westward along the shoreline towards the rear gate.<br />
<br />
The garage door, which was open during our tour a few days ago, is now closed. I saunter right up to it and start to lean in, raising my hand to my brow to block the sunlight, and just as I peek inside, it begins to open. The sound startles me.<br />
<br />
We run around the corner. But I can't resist, and I turn around. The urge to see inside and capture just one more photograph from a different perspective, in this moment, is worth getting caught and suffering whatever consequences may arise.<br />
<br />
I walk back around the corner and immediately come face to face with the guard manning the Rear Gate, walking towards me. I hop into character, playing the role of naive tourist number one. Announcing playfully that I'm just curious, I manage to snap a couple photographs before he even has a chance to react.<br />
<br />
I expect to be grabbed onto forcefully and slapped silly by the hand of the law.<br />
<br />
To my surprise, he responds pleasantly. He allows me to enter the garage door and photograph within the chain link fenced area of the Rear Gate. He then actually allows me inside to photograph the Rear Gate Control Booth.<br />
<br />
Then the phone rings. The guard in the Main Control Booth is calling to assess the situation, as he has obviously watched us enter the Rear Gate on the many cameras that he is watching. The Rear Gate guard takes a minor ribbing for the security breach and hangs up the phone. He remains pleasant and friendly and we share with him our apologies and extreme gratitude for his generosity and kindness.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441568096/" title="KP Rear Gate by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Rear Gate" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/10441568096_d2e9d8fe6f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441616285/" title="KP Rear Gate by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Rear Gate" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/10441616285_5450ba8cc4_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441752993/" title="KP Rear Gate by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Rear Gate" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/10441752993_f8ed4f6264_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441603255/" title="KP Rear Gate by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Rear Gate" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/10441603255_f3c2f23aba_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441562274/" title="KP Rear Gate by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Rear Gate" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/10441562274_6781f00058_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10441734573/" title="KP Rear Gate by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="KP Rear Gate" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/10441734573_5f6775d0b1_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
And yet again, we are set free.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a></div><a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-87708413393889317572013-10-15T09:59:00.000-04:002013-10-17T12:28:30.864-04:00Abandonment Issues: Sidbrook Private Hospital<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291497176/" title="Sidbrook Private Hospital by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sidbrook Private Hospital" height="514" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/10291497176_b24903aaba_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo found online, courtesy of Cobourg Public Library. Unknown date.</span></i>)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712595407/" title="1857 Villa by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="1857 Villa" height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/5712595407_367ea5b802_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712594341/" title="Sidbrook Hospital by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sidbrook Hospital" height="427" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2150/5712594341_da0239070a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This Victorian villa was built in 1857 as a two-storey summer house for the Cobourg Railway Director. Modifications were made to the house in 1867, including roof alterations and the addition of the west wing. The third floor was added in 1900, along with the Beau-arts Corinthian portico with balcony and Corinthian porch.<br />
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It wasn't until 1952, when the 95 year old building became a private hospital.<br />
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50 years later, in 2002, Sidbrook Private Hospital closed its doors.<br />
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On this day in 2011, as I approached the 154 year old abandoned heritage site, I had other things on my mind. The tall green fence around Brookside Youth Centre across the street was giving me flashbacks. I was a different person once, I hated myself and hated the world and my actions reflected that. I spent a substantial amount of my teenage years incarcerated in maximum and medium security young offender facilities across Ontario. I did two or three stints in Brookside in the early-mid nineties and it was very much still on my mind as I explored the abandoned villa slash hospital across the road. I peeked out the third floor windows at the green fence, trying to remain hidden from view, but attempting to spot Johnson House. The kid in the cell seemed so distant to the middle-aged man in the abandoned hospital across the street. If I could only talk to him, I used to think. Now I wouldn't say a word, cause I know he eventually finds his way.<br />
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I went up the tight servants staircase, then down to the pitch black basement. The woodwork in the foyer and main staircase was absolutely beautiful, and I stood there silently for a minute or two. A dozen or so pigeons, grackles and sparrows were singing upstairs. I ascended the broad staircase and crept down the winding hall towards the bathtub, which sat in the middle of the room at the end of the hall. It was a song of urgency and panic that these birds were singing. Flapping their wings, whizzing by my head and thudding into windows in an attempt at an escape. A break and exit, if you will. I could relate to this trapped feeling, this sense of urgency and panic. A short time later, I freely exited the building of my own will, and left all of that shit behind me.<br />
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Exploring this location was a triumphant and rewarding experience, and I'm happy to be able to share it with you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712563759/" title="thats not a foyer, this is a foyer! by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="thats not a foyer, this is a foyer!" height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/5712563759_0d5532e5e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712590275/" title="the bottle by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="the bottle" height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/5712590275_83a3326f8d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712562949/" title="heritage woodwork by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="heritage woodwork" height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/5712562949_ca3761be4d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712592413/" title="Sidbrook foyer by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Sidbrook foyer" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/5712592413_ffbfe41a6e_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712565995/" title="pillars of the community by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="pillars of the community" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/5712565995_c360eb4673_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713125168/" title="go green by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="go green" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/5713125168_e7f1d572e9_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5346894193514172723&postID=4332499826629767295712567055/" title="The Holy Liable by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="The Holy Liable" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/5712567055_bd5d157cd9_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712569755/" title="no i shouldn't crop it, its fine the way it is. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="no i shouldn't crop it, its fine the way it is." height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/5712569755_fe57ba9c0c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712570493/" title="golden arch by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="golden arch" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/5712570493_a6c3286bec_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712575811/" title="walk the planks by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="walk the planks" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/5712575811_614f327bd0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712572829/" title="brookside by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="brookside" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/5712572829_c9ea4de0ac_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713134120/" title="heritage tub by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="heritage tub" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/5713134120_592b4b56b1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713128052/" title="beautiful decay by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="beautiful decay" height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/5713128052_586f0acdf0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713128996/" title="a pigeon and grackle P.O.E. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="a pigeon and grackle P.O.E." height="427" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/5713128996_0d11a53e82_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712574607/" title="over a dozen birds were trapped inside, flapping, chirping, calling and smashing into windows. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="over a dozen birds were trapped inside, flapping, chirping, calling and smashing into windows." height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/5712574607_bb7f525028_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712571803/" title="pink rooms galore by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="pink rooms galore" height="427" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/5712571803_63af62403f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713137396/" title="coming out of the closet by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="coming out of the closet" height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/5713137396_a05619d98f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712578389/" title="bi-windowing by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="bi-windowing" height="427" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/5712578389_2652a83ee7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712585139/" title="floor boreds by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="floor boreds" height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/5712585139_72ded67b5b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713146658/" title="everybody loves rays of light by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="everybody loves rays of light" height="427" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2127/5713146658_2284af5935_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713147876/" title="choose a door, any door... by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="choose a door, any door..." height="427" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/5713147876_0f19dec55c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712589287/" title="zoom, click, flash in the blackness. by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="zoom, click, flash in the blackness." height="427" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/5712589287_b4cae53a34_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713152352/" title="basement stares by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="basement stares" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/5713152352_2eedce76b6_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712571151/" title="servants staircase by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="servants staircase" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/5712571151_1e03379abe_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712580311/" title="servants staircase by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="servants staircase" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/5712580311_ff05f62bb0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713138128/" title="smurf villa by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="smurf villa" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/5713138128_209a13d6de_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712588105/" title="going down on an 1857 villa by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="going down on an 1857 villa" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2190/5712588105_ff1f85377f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712582073/" title="is there a doctor in the house? by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/5712582073_72bf794b66_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713144864/" title="heritage site by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="heritage site" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/5713144864_0acb96ce15_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5712583035/" title="top of the world ma! by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="top of the world ma!" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/5712583035_499f96f485_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/5713154192/" title="Beau-arts Corinthian portico with balcony and one-storey Corinthian porch added in 1900 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="Beau-arts Corinthian portico with balcony and one-storey Corinthian porch added in 1900" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/5713154192_d74e75dba4_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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A health spa was rumoured to be taking over the building, but that never materialized. It is now rumoured that the building may be re-purposed into 6 condos.<br />
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*** UPDATE *** October 15, 2013 ***<br />
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On September 1st, 2013, well over two years after our first visit, we once again found our way inside. It is truly a shame that this building continues to deteriorate and no signs of progress have emerged as far as saving this beautiful historic structure. The City of Cobourg is continually ordering the property owner to reseal the building and boards now cover many of the windows on all three floors. The decay has only gotten worse within these walls.<br />
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With not a lot of light creeping in, we turned the camera on each other and had some fun taking portraits.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291640874/" title="IMG_4636 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4636" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/10291640874_7730b7a4be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291869243/" title="IMG_4632 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4632" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/10291869243_8889501931_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291799865/" title="IMG_4551 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4551" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/10291799865_2acefcd56f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291793206/" title="IMG_4537 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4537" height="427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/10291793206_a7dcaef3f1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291791205/" title="IMG_4572 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4572" height="426" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/10291791205_901740332a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291766796/" title="IMG_4583 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4583" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/10291766796_cb784436b2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291888903/" title="IMG_4584 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4584" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/10291888903_d19b7454d4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291717074/" title="IMG_4515 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4515" height="427" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/10291717074_467a4afe63_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291653364/" title="IMG_4618 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4618" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/10291653364_486a79afe1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291660674/" title="IMG_4589 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4589" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/10291660674_0a5c20d2cc_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291774946/" title="IMG_4556 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4556" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/10291774946_23abf728fc_z.jpg" width="438" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291805496/" title="IMG_4518 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4518" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/10291805496_28f36030bf_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291825776/" title="IMG_4502 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4502" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/10291825776_04b32454eb_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291819096/" title="IMG_4506 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4506" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/10291819096_2ce46fa97f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291861205/" title="IMG_4489 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4489" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/10291861205_2f46a6e2ef_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/10291958893/" title="IMG_4498 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4498" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/10291958893_4939a987a4_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Hopefully this building will be saved before it is too late, but that is looking less and less likely as time passes.<br />
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<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346894193514172723.post-62317498707636387412013-09-04T11:14:00.001-04:002013-09-04T12:09:06.474-04:00Abandonment Issues: Springville United Church<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9655626065/" title="IMG_4667 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4667" height="427" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/9655626065_84d483c25d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I have never believed in god. As a child I was unaware of the labels that define and categorize religions and theologies, but I know now that the box I fit into is labelled agnostic atheist, which is defined as one who does not know for sure if any gods exist or not, but who also does not believe in any gods. I have always fit into this box despite my best efforts to connect with a god or higher power. Now matter how many boxes I tried on, none of them fit and that connection was never made. That belief never materialized. In fact, the opposite occurred. Something innate inside me feels unnatural and wrong in times of trying on other boxes and questioning my agnostic atheism. That is my box, that is my label, I've accepted it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9658783116/" title="IMG_4807 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4807" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/9658783116_8d77652593_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9655603409/" title="IMG_4707 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4707" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/9655603409_bfd46a61a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9655605101/" title="IMG_4705
by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4705" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/9655605101_00a3549451_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9655652055/" title="IMG_4642 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4642" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/9655652055_1b1fc03d1d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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From a young age, my brothers and I were sent to Sunday school at a baptist church, and I absolutely hated it. For a brief period in the late 1980s, the baptist church that we attended was between facilities and was housed within the walls of this very church, which the baptist's rented from Springville United, whilst the new baptist church was under construction.<br />
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Every week, my brothers and I would excitedly approach the mail man and beg him for elastics. He would ask what we used them for, and like any good Christians would do, we lied. We told him we used them as toys. We play with them, we'd say. We were dirt poor in government housing so the lie had merit. But the elastics were not played with, they were stored until Sunday morning.<br />
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In our Sunday best, which were mere K-Mart and Bi-Way hand me downs with pockets brimming with elastics, we would load onto the school bus and roll out to the Victory Baptist service at the Springville United Church. A woman named Barb sat in the front seat of the bus, with her husband at the wheel. We would discuss a shared passion with Barb during those bus rides: WWF wrestling. In fact, due to her passion for WWF wrestling and her visual likeness to a particular Samoan wrestler from that era, we called her Seka.<br />
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We would say goodbye to Seka and her husband as we exited the bus, and then we'd say hello to Pastor Wayne Jupp and his wife as we entered the church.<br />
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When the sermon started, the elastics came out. As Pastor Jupp recited his religious jargon, we would flick the elastics at him. We would do this purposefully, because it was effective. It was a proven theory that would get us out of the room and away from the jargon. We would be caught and whisked out of the service. Brought to the basement to be punished: forced to sit together in silence and wait for the rest of the children to be sent down for Sunday school class. One morning, before the rest of the kids were brought down to join us, my brothers hid me in the oven and played dumb when the adults couldn't find me anywhere. They were frantically looking everywhere and panicking until I emerged from the oven like David Copperfield.<br />
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In the summer of 1989, a the ages of ten and eleven, my little brother and I informed our mother that we would hereby refuse to attend church or weekend visits with our father. There was nothing she could say, we'd had enough of it all.<br />
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A few weeks later, with a dwindling congregation, the baptists took an aggressive approach: a letter appeared in our mailbox stating that if a certain number of kids attended the next Sunday morning service, Seka's husband would eat a live goldfish. Yeah, that really happened.<br />
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That was my experience as a child at the Victory Baptist services at the Springville United Church.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/9658878632/" title="IMG_4644 by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4644" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/9658878632_5d80fa275f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Soon after our departure from this church, our mother remarried and we briefly attended some Catholic services, which were more confusing than anything.<br />
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In the following years and decades, I sporadically delved deep into literature on several religions and theologies, but could never swallow it, or connect with it, or feel it. Using Holy Bible pages as rolling papers while incarcerated as a teenager is the closest I've ever come to feeling a connection to god within myself.<br />
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I must iterate that I mean no disrespect to anyone or any religion, I speak only of my own thoughts and experiences. I love the way that Stic.man of Dead Prez once put it... <br />
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"My mother keeps her eyes closed, she say she praying,<br />
I listen close to what she's saying,<br />
When she speaks of Jesus I ignore it,<br />
but when it's practical I'm all for it."<br />
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Those words have stuck with me for years, helping me to keep an open mind with my own mother and other people in my life with religious or spiritual ideologies or beliefs.<br />
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Back to the church. The baptists had left in the early 1990s, not long after we left them there. The Springville United congregation packed up and left in 2011, merging with the nearby Bailieboro United Church. They took almost everything with them, including the pews. The only contents remaining within this house of god are two pianos and the kitchen appliances in the basement, including the oven where I once performed my own little reincarnation of sorts.<br />
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We had been keeping our eyes on this church for quite some time, but for whatever reason never pulled over. A few days ago, after exploring the <a href="http://jermalism.blogspot.ca/2013/09/abandonment-issues-mustang-drive-in.html" target="_blank">Mustang Drive-In Theatre</a> a few kilometres north, we finally paid a visit to the former Springville United Church, and it did not disappoint.<br />
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After exploring the church, and discussing much of what I've touched on in this article, we turned our attention to the house next door, which appeared overgrown and also potentially abandoned.<br />
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Sometimes when it rains, it pours.<br />
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I can only assume that the house and church were originally affiliated but I have been unable to ascertain any construction dates or other information as of yet.<br />
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The most recent inhabitants of the home were the family of a man that was a local wood carver creating chainsaw carvings. The family stayed briefly after his passing but vacated the home in 2011, according to a nearby neighbour.<br />
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A religious man once said to me that that he couldn't imagine the hell that my life must be without having a connection with god. I replied that I couldn't imagine the hell that his life must be living with an incessant need to convince others to conform to his beliefs in order to reinforce his own very belief in them. He heard the words, but he didn't hear what I said, he just kept talking.<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/">click here to check out all of jerm & ninja IX's ABANDONMENT ISSUES</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerm9ine/7873681618/" title="IMG_4841 by jerm IX, on Flickr"></a><br />
<a href="http://myabandonmentissues.blogspot.com/" title="Untitled by jerm IX, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5550969644_48faed425e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span class="quote" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10147417233377815390noreply@blogger.com3