Decidedly Grim

I just watched the first episode of American Horror Story. Two pale, ghostly, scarred thumbs up! You should check it out if you get the chance.

American Horror Story

Sundry

I went on another urban exploring adventure a few weeks ago – a much less interesting one than the abandoned church, but you might still enjoy the pictures. This was to the most famous dead shopping mall in America: the Dixie Square Shopping Center. It is famous as the site of the police chase through the mall in the Blues Brothers. There really isn’t much left of the place after over 30 years of abandonment though.

Sundry

I went urban exploring again last Friday in an abandoned church in Chicago and came away with some nice (and sometimes creepy) pics. I thought you might enjoy them? (Click on the picture to access the album on Flickr.)

Sundry

So you’ll never believe this, but last Sunday I ran and completed (albeit extremely slowly) the Warrior Dash – a muddy obstacle course run. It was a strange experience to get the Comtesse’s creaking old bones moving again, but one that I found mildly exhilarating. However, Run For Your Lives has something the Warrior Dash doesn’t have: Zombies!!! I not only want to run from the Zombies, I also want to BE a Zombie. This year it’s only occurring in Baltimore but the virus is spreading next year. Perhaps you might want to take part as well?

Run For Your Lives

Sundry

Murphy to Holden: “I’m not going with the bad boys anymore.”
Murphy’s friend Nelson to Holden: “I can knock the stuffin’ out of you.”
Holden: “No, you won’t.”
Nelson grabs Holden.
Holden: “I know you can whip me and I don’t want to fight with you.”
Nelson knocks Holden down and kicks him.
Holden: “Is it fair to kick?”
Nelson: “Yes, in a rough and tumble anything is fair.”
Holden flies into a rage and knocks Nelson down, kicking him in the stomach.
Nelson:  ”That’s enough!”
Nelson collapses and dies from internal injuries.
Holden was found innocent due to self-defense.

(Chicago Tribune, June 9, 1877)

Sundry

This is fun: Death Masks!!!

Death Mask of Frederick II, King Of Prussia.

Oh, and Life Masks too, but who cares about those.

The Laurence Hutton Collection

Thanks to Dov for the suggestion.

Sundry

I was going through some old files tonight and I stumbled upon this fantastic old postcard. Isn’t it grand?

Sundry

Sundry

Okay, this kid just earned bragging rights for the rest of his life. Of course, he also earned being called a moron for the rest of his life, but balls of steel trump idiocy in America.

Windsor Teen Survives Golden Gate Jump

Sundry

Ancestry.co.uk (yeah, you have to pay, but you can always do the free trial) has recently published Victorian criminal records complete with mugshots (and by the look of ‘em I might have some new profile pics – they are delightful). The punishments are fascinating to modern eyes. Women locked away for 5 years for stealing an umbrella or some bacon? Why, yes, indeed. Them were harsh days!

Victorian Criminal Records

Thanks to Fergus for the link.

Sundry