Thursday, June 25, 2009

30 years ago . .


Actually, it was much more than 30 years ago when I built my first bike from junk I found in the trash. And I was barely a teenager when I first went to a neighborhood welding shop to have some parts made. No matter how old I get, I still want to do this. Now I'm itching for another project, even though I still have the mini-bike to finish.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

30 years ago . .


Hot summer nights at the Rolling Magic Skateboard Park in Johnson County. Even though I was an avid rider, I don't recall ever skating here. I was always too busy taking pictures!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Two wheels are calling again.

Old school all the way. Brown leather rifle case and a big white general's star and I'm there!


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

More on the benefits of State Historic Tax Credits

With Kansas all but eliminating their historic tax credit program and Missouri beginning to scale theirs back, it's difficult to say whether buildings in this condition would be saved in the future.

If all goes as planned, this Midtown apartment building will be restored to its former glory. While still far from the worst pre-rehab conditions I've ever seen (The Hotel President retains that honor), this building offered a very unusual mix of extreme decay and interesting artwork. Scary AND fun, like a roller-coaster ride through the Guggenheim!








Friday, June 12, 2009

30 years ago . .


From 1970 to 1980, this is where I lived. Located just off Ward Parkway and built by local developer N. W. Dible in the mid-1920's, I consider this to be the house I grew up in.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Finally!

This has been buggin' me for weeks. Finally somebody had the guts to say something about it . . and it was MSNBC of all people!

Here we go now! Keep your eyes at 10:00 . . now 2:00 . . now 10:00 . . now 2:00 . .

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Mini-Bike progress


This really belongs on my bike blog, but nobody reads that (nobody reads this either, so whatever).

Chopped some parts off the frame that I didn't need or want and ground off the crappy welds (to be replaced by my own crappy welds). I still need to weld on a new foot peg mount and then the frame will be ready for paint. I'm making a new seat myself.

I really miss the Harley, but this bike will be cheaper to work on. Besides, the mini bike isn't finished yet, so it still holds my interest.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

30 years ago . .


This could also be titled "The arrogance of youth."

I knew it all. I was the best. I was indestructible, infallible, The greatest photographer ever.

Delusional, yes. But still and all, good times.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Fidelity Building Penthouse

This morning I had the pleasure of photographing the finished results of many months of work on 911 Walnut, AKA the Fidelity Building. With permission from the owners, we're going to get a little tour of the Penthouse.

In case you're not familiar with the building, it's the tall one in the background.


And here is the focus of our tour:



The tower section houses the bar and game room.




There are a total of four levels. On the second level, this spiral staircase leads up to the terrace.





From the master bedroom on the second level, you can see the spiral staircase, and all the daylight that washes through from the skylight above.



A portion of the first floor area:



On the north end of the first level is a spacious but cozy home-office.



All very nice, you say. But what about the views??




Spectacular!