First post from my mobile! I just set this up and I am testing it now

Industrial Decay Network

A coworker sent me this link about the Industrial Decay Network a group of photographers dedicated to documenting crumbling industrial sites around the world. It makes me want to head back to the east coast and photograph some of the old refineries and wharfs along the Delaware River where I grew up. The giant plants with their distillation columns rising up like proud silver fingers seem to suggest a rude gesture to the surrounding environment. When I was ten years old the Amoco refinery exploded and the force of the blast shook the whole house. Everyone that was standing suddenly found themselves seated. It was a frightening introduction to the power of hydrocarbons!

St Louis Urban Decay

I found this site searching for examples of urban decay. We dont have a lot of it in Austin. Most of the buildings here have been built since 1950. The old brick public buildings so common in the east where I grew up are rare here. Heavy industry like that found along the Delaware River never sprouted up along the Colorado. So I troll the internet looking for interesting sites like this one that documents crumbling buildings in St Louis. This site is a bit different from your average urban decay site however because it also celebrates historic structures that have been preserved. Im really glad that I found it! Its called Built St Louis, check it out....

More dead tanks....

Im still on my tank kick. I cant comprehend the explosive force needed to blow the turret off of a tank. I'd imagine it would be pretty terrifying to be anywhere near one of these when they get taken out. This picture is from the Libyan desert after coalition forces smashed the armor of the Khaddafi loyalists. The ghoul in me cant help looking at these dead iron monsters and wondering what the guys inside looked like. I'd imagine there isnt much left.

Yet another tank graveyard

Im on a tank graveyard kick of late...Im not sure why. There's just something about them that appeals to me - probably too many trips to Aberdeen Proving Ground as a kid. Anyway, this one is outside of Kabul in Afghanistan and contains Soviet tanks. I found it on this blog.

US tank graveyard

I think these are actually self propelled howitzers out in the desert. I thought the picture was an interesting one especially with the "I love nuggets" graffiti. I wish I knew where this was located but the site Documenting Reality didnt have to much on it...Documenting Reality reminds me of the old Ogrish site that used to be around. Lots of horrific stuff on there. Im such a ghoul though so I would check it out on a pretty regular basis.

Portal 2 Article...

Im really excited to play this game and I cant wait for it to come out. Im not a big fan of puzzle games but I finished the original Portal. I really enjoyed the writing as well and I was pleasantly surprised at how funny it was. Making funny game dialogue is a real feat. Much of comedy is timing and game designers dont often have control over that if the player has control. So for a game to have comedic elements its got to have really savvy writers and great designers working hand in hand. I think its the most challenging thing to pull of in games. I cant wait to see what Portal 2 has to offer! Take a look at the article on Shacknews..