Monastery at Large

From the Notebook

  • Chas (1972) – Norcross, Georgia

    Dan Jackson. Chas (1972). 4600 Buford Highway, Norcross, Georgia.
    Dan Jackson. Chas (1972). 4600 Buford Highway, Norcross, Georgia.1

    This friendly fella’s name is Chas, and he’s been greeting drivers north of Norcross, Georgia for over 50 years.

    Chas is made of welded iron and was designed by Dan Jackson, who was commissioned to create the sculpture circa 1972 by the owner of R&R Auto Parts,2 later succeeded by GO Pull-It.

    Location of Chas

    Chas was apparently named for Charles Newport, an employee of R&R Auto Parts from 1969 to 1977, although the figure was reportedly modeled after Newport’s brother.3

    Sounds like bullshit, but it makes for a cute yarn.

    When the nearby Buford Highway was widened to four lanes, Chas moved from the ground to the top of the sign,4 where I first met him in October 2024, following a rather muted repaint.

    Chas’ face was originally white, his tongue was red, and his eyes were blue, but that’s too much color for these dreary times, I guess.

    References

    1. Carter, Rochelle. “Like Cobb’s Big Chicken, Chas statue’s a landmark”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 19, 1997, p. J1. ↩︎
    2. Ibid. ↩︎
    3. Ibid. ↩︎
    4. Ibid. ↩︎

  • Invisible Light

    The moment is delicious.

    That thought came to me this morning,
    Delivered, as are all messages from beyond,
    With a tiny prick of light.

    And that is what we each of us is,
    At our core—
    A small speck of luminance.

    No need to overthink it.

    Still, we insist on identifying with our bodies—
    The heavy costumes loaned to us
    For this brief, silly play.

    We weigh our wardrobes down with
    Stupid little stories
    And gibberish beliefs:

    A childish trick to bury our light.

    Yet we are all pinpoints linked to each other
    On a grid we cannot see,
    Much less fathom.

    Those who transmit their light
    Are few and precious—
    And very often despised for it.

    But only they receive the message of the moment.

  • United States Post Office and Courthouse (1910) – Atlanta

    James Knox Taylor. United States Post Office and Courthouse (1909). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.
    James Knox Taylor. United States Post Office and Courthouse (1910). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.1 2 3 4
    Looking at the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse from the northeast
    Looking at the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse from the northeast
    Looking at the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse from the west
    Looking at the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse from the west
    Facade and cornice of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Facade and cornice of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Cornice on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Cornice on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Third- and fourth-floor windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Third- and fourth-floor windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Second- and third-floor windows on the west elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Second- and third-floor windows on the west elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    North elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    North elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Front door and sconces on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Door and sconces on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Cornice and frieze on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Cornice and frieze on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Entrance on the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Entrance on the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Tympanum over a door on the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Tympanum over a door on the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Cartouche and frieze on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Cartouche and frieze on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    A bay of windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    A bay of windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    A front door on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    A front door on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Ornamental stringcourse on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Ornamental stringcourse on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Looking up at the northeast corner of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Looking up at the northeast corner of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Stringcourse on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Stringcourse on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Second-floor window with balcony on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Second-floor window with balcony on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    First-floor window on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    First-floor window on the facade of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Second-floor windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Second-floor windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Pediments over second-floor windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Pediments over second-floor windows on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    First-floor windows on the north elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    First-floor windows on the north elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Stringcourse, window arch, and a keystone on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Stringcourse, window arch, and a keystone on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Stringcourse and granite blocks on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Stringcourse and granite blocks on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Looking up at the northwest corner of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Looking up at the northwest corner of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    West elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    West elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Door on the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Door on the south elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Awning over the former workroom of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Awning over the former workroom of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Chimney on the west elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Chimney on the west elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    First-floor window on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    First-floor window on the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Sconce at the main entrance of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Sconce at the main entrance of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Looking up at the north elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Looking up at the north elevation of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta
    Interior view of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta. Illustration from an undated postcard published by I.F. P. Co. of Atlanta.
    Interior view of the United States Post Office and Courthouse, Atlanta. Illustration from an undated postcard published by I.F. P. Co. of Atlanta.

    References

    1. “Atlanta’s New Million-Dollar Post Office and Courthouse”. The Atlanta Constitution, July 23, 1907, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “High Court Is Now In Handsome Quarters”. The Atlanta Constitution, October 4, 1910, p. 7. ↩︎
    3. “Moving Federal Offices To The New P.O. Building”. The Atlanta Constitution, October 12, 1910, p. 7. ↩︎
    4. “Postmaster Kept Busy By Change Of Quarters”. The Atlanta Constitution, October 16, 1910, p. 4. ↩︎

  • Filthy Truths: Any Day Now

    They all take turns sticking their tongues in his crusty white Republican anus, their noses pressed into his sweaty taint as his sagging balls slap against their faces.

    Pulling kinky gray hairs off their lips, they nod at each other with forced smiles and moan approvingly.

    “Mmm, it’s so good,” they exclaim. “The power tastes so sweet.”

    One of these days, their subservience and devotion will pay off, and the asshole will actually do something for them—any day now.

  • Winecoff Hotel (1913) – Atlanta

    W.L. Stoddart. Hotel Winecoff (1913). Atlanta.
    W.L. Stoddart. Hotel Winecoff (1913). Atlanta.1 2 3
    Upper floors and cornice on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Upper floors and cornice on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Windows and spandrels on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Windows and spandrels on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Crest, cornice, eaves, and frieze on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Crest, cornice, eaves, and frieze on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Cornice, eaves, and terracotta panel on the southeast corner of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Cornice, eaves, and terracotta panel on the southeast corner of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Windows and spandrels on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Windows and spandrels on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta frieze and keystone above a window on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta frieze and keystone above a window on the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Gargoyles, cornice, eaves, and terracotta panels on the southeast corner of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Gargoyles, cornice, eaves, and terracotta panels on the southeast corner of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Consoles and terracotta panel on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Consoles and terracotta panel on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta panels on the northeast corner of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta panels on the northeast corner of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta diamond ornament on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta diamond ornament on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta panel on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Terracotta panel on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Third-floor windows on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Third-floor windows on the facade of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Looking up at the south elevation of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta
    Looking up at the south elevation of the Winecoff Hotel, Atlanta

    References

    1. “Peachtree Hotel To Cost $500,000”. The Atlanta Constitution, June 26, 1912, p. 3. ↩︎
    2. “15-Story Hotel To Grace Peachtree; Will Cost $600,000”. The Atlanta Constitution, October 20, 1912, p. 1. ↩︎
    3. “Winecoff Hotel Opens Doors Thursday”. The Atlanta Georgian and News, October 29, 1913, p. 5. ↩︎

  • Gulf Coast Excursion

    Early morning sky over the Gulf of Mexico
    Early morning sky over the Gulf of Mexico

    Life never turns out as you expect anyway.

    Sometimes it’s better to show up without a plan.

    Wander around a little and see what you find—

    No angles or attachments. Just being.

    Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and royal tern (Thalasseus maxima)
    Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and royal tern (Thalasseus maxima)
    A tangle of lures
    A tangle of lures
    Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
    Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
    Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
    Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
    Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and a laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) roosting on a dock
    Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and a laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) roosting on a dock
    Boardwalk reflecting in marsh water
    Boardwalk reflecting in marsh water
    Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) on coastal plain goldenaster (Chrysopsis scabrella)
    Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) on coastal plain goldenaster (Chrysopsis scabrella)
    Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
    Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
    Balcony view on a sunny afternoon
    Balcony view on a sunny afternoon
    Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) on red bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis)
    Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) on red bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis)
    American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
    American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
    Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) roosting on a dock
    Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) roosting on a dock
    Seabeach evening primrose (Oenothera humifusa)
    Seabeach evening primrose (Oenothera humifusa)
    Laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
    Laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
    A late afternoon stroll on the beach
    A late afternoon stroll on the beach
    An evening stroll and swim on the beach
    An evening stroll and swim on the beach
    Last moments before sunset
    Last moments before sunset
    Sunset over the shoreline
    Sunset over the shoreline
    The one who stayed behind
    The one who stayed behind

  • Pennsylvania Railroad Suburban Station (1930) – Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania Railroad Suburban Station (1930). Center City, Philadelphia.
    Pennsylvania Railroad Suburban Station (1930). Center City, Philadelphia.1 2 3 4
    Clock on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Clock on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Station sign, clock, and inscribed wheat sheaves on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Station sign, clock, and inscribed wheat sheaves on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Second- and third-floor windows on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Second- and third-floor windows on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Inscribed wheat sheaves on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Inscribed wheat sheaves on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Entrance portal on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Entrance portal on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Fourth-floor terracotta pier on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Fourth-floor terracotta pier on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Third-floor windows, terracotta piers and spandrels on the Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Third-floor windows, terracotta piers and spandrels on the Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Bronze and marble transom panels at the entrance of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Bronze and marble transom panels at the entrance of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Bronze plaque and light on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia
    Bronze plaque and light on the facade of Suburban Station, Philadelphia

    References

    1. “Skyscraper Plans Out”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 10, 1929, p. B 9. ↩︎
    2. “P.R.R. To Erect 22-Story Building”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 5, 1929, p. 8. ↩︎
    3. McCullough, John M. “Pennsy Depot On Boulevard Marks New Era”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 7, 1930, p. B 1. ↩︎
    4. Pennsylvania SP Suburban Station Building – National Archives Catalog ↩︎

  • Urban Life: Water Towers

    Rooftop water towers on Peachtree Street, Atlanta
    Rooftop water towers on Peachtree Street, Atlanta

    Old water towers—especially rooftop ones—have become such a tired, cliched symbol of urban life that I’m almost embarrassed to publish these images. Almost.

    By now, most U.S. cities have been scrubbed clean of any real grit, thoroughly gutted by cookie-cutter development companies, though their marketing teams often push to keep a few post-industrial vestiges as a simulacrum of character and a unique selling point—they’re anything but unique, of course.

    If there aren’t some old machine gears lying around to refashion into abstract sculpture, preserving a relic water tower is a great way to convince clueless college grads from the burbs that their overpriced loft with quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances is the epicenter of the new Williamsburg.

    A water tower near Sylvan Road SW, Adair Park, Atlanta
    A water tower near Sylvan Road SW, Adair Park, Atlanta

    In vacuous cities with no tangible identity (see also: Atlanta), a developer can easily build their latest stack of plywood boxes around an old water tower and be praised by sycophantic members of the local press for historic preservation and “placemaking.”

    Hordes of clueless transplants snap pics of the preserved tower to feel some sort of connection to the city—no matter how tenuous—and to lazily flaunt their cosmopolitan lifestyles on social media.

    Meanwhile, their friends and relatives back in Bumfuck just roll their eyes—like rusty old water towers don’t exist in every possum hollow.

    But screw all that. I just like the way old water towers look against a vibrant sky. Deal with it.

    A rooftop water tower on Murphy Avenue SW, Adair Park, Atlanta
    A rooftop water tower on Murphy Avenue SW, Adair Park, Atlanta

  • Northeast Natives: Marginal wood fern

    Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
    Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis)

    I think that I shall never see
    A poem lovely as a fern

    OK, so that’s not how it goes, but I consider it an improvement.

    There’s just something about ferns that speaks to me: their quiet grace and elegance, and their ability to thrive in the dark, hidden places where most plants could never survive.

    I find the delicate fronds of the marginal wood fern particularly alluring, and it feels nice to run my fingers through them.

    This evergreen fern grows in wooded areas along the Northeast Corridor, which is more forested than I initially thought.

    Hey, I’m here for the small surprises.

  • Mostly Mundane: Tangled Web

    How the hell did we end up in this intricate mess?

    Is this the fate sealed for us?

    Maybe one day, we’ll look back on this time and think,

    “Wow, that was some crazy shit.”

    If we’re lucky.

    And if we’re wise—

    We’ll make sure it never happens again.

    Too bad we’re so fucking stupid.