Monastery at Large

From the Notebook

  • Carpenters’ Hall (1773) – Philadelphia

    Robert Smith. Carpenters' Hall (1773). Center City, Philadelphia.
    Robert Smith. Carpenters’ Hall (1773). Center City, Philadelphia.1 2
    Second-floor windows and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor windows and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Cornice, eaves, and second-floor window on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Cornice, eaves, and second-floor window on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Doric columns and fanlight on the entrance of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Doric columns and fanlight on the entrance of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Cupola and weathervane on Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Cupola and weathervane on Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window, stringcourses, and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window, stringcourses, and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Shuttered first-floor window on Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Shuttered first-floor window on Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Second-floor window and false balustrade on the facade of Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia
    Greek fret cornice, cupola roof, and weathervane on Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia
    Greek fret cornice, cupola roof, and weathervane on Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia

    References

    1. The Pennsylvania Journal and the Weekly Advertiser (Philadelphia), April 7, 1773, p. 3. ↩︎
    2. National Register of Historic Places – Nomination Form: Carpenters’ Hall ↩︎

  • Fear

    You delight in fear
    And place your full trust in it.

    You feed on fear daily,
    Enchanted under its dark spell.

    You’re thrilled with fear’s ease:
    It dictates your choices for you.

    Fear comforts and nurtures you—
    It shrinks your world to a manageable size.

    You love that fear quenches your light:
    God knows, you’re too cowardly to shine.

    You’ve yielded to fear’s constriction
    And it has made you passive and weak.

    Fear now consumes and smothers you:
    It has rendered you stupid and boring.

    You’ve abandoned your soul to fear;
    Cloaked yourself in its claustrophobic snare.

    It’s made you small and inconsequential.
    What a fucking waste of life.

  • Henry B. Tompkins Residence (1922) – Atlanta

    Neel Reid of Hentz, Reid & Adler. Henry B. Tompkins Residence (1922). Peachtree Heights West, Buckhead, Atlanta.1

    References

    1. Sibley, Celestine. “The Elegant World of Neel Reid”. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution Magazine, October 14, 1973, pp. 23-24. ↩︎

  • Piedmont Natives: River oats

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) are one of my favorite plants that grow throughout the Piedmont region, and it’s a sure sign of autumn’s arrival when their seed heads begin turning brown.

    The seeds typically drop by late November, and rain disperses them throughout the winter months, ensuring that bright, new clumps will appear in early spring.

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

    River oats prefer at least some shade and are often found in low, moist areas, but they’re tough little bastards that thrive practically anywhere—even in harsh urban conditions.

    On my first visit to Philadelphia, I was happy to see them growing in abundance along the sidewalks. This is where I’m supposed to be, I remember thinking. Nature shows the way.

    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
    River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

  • Atlantic Yards (2021) – Atlanta

    Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture with Wakefield Beasley Associates. Atlantic Yards. Atlantic Station, Atlanta.
    Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture with Wakefield Beasley Associates. Atlantic Yards (2021). Atlantic Station, Atlanta.1 2 3
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the east
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the east
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the northeast
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the northeast
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the southwest
    Looking at Atlantic Yards from the southwest
    Windows and spandrels on the northwest corner of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta
    Windows and spandrels on the northwest corner of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta
    Looking at windows and spandrels on the west elevation of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta
    Looking at windows and spandrels on the west elevation of Atlantic Yards, Atlanta

    References

    1. Trubey, J. Scott. “2 projects planned for Atlantic Station”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 31, 2017, p. A11. ↩︎
    2. Atlantic Yards – Hines ↩︎
    3. Atlantic Yards – Graham Architectural Products ↩︎

  • 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.

  • Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry (1906) – Atlanta

    W.F. Denny and Eugene C. Wachendorff. Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry (1906). Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.
    Willis F. Denny and Eugene C. Wachendorff. Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry (1906). Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.1 2
    Pilasters and second-floor arch windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pilasters and second-floor arch windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Pediment ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    East elevation of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    East elevation of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Entrance of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Entrance of the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Spandrels, terracotta dripstones, and first-floor windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Spandrels, terracotta dripstones, and first-floor windows on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta dripstone over a first-floor window on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta keystone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta keystone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Cornerstone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Cornerstone on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta
    Terracotta ornamentation on the Lyman Hall Laboratory of Chemistry, Atlanta

    References

    1. “Will Dedicate The Lyman Hall Laboratory Of Chemistry At Tech”. The Atlanta Journal, November 10, 1905, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “New Laboratory Ready At Tech”. The Atlanta Constitution, September 9, 1906, p. 5. ↩︎

  • 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. ↩︎

  • 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.