Architecture

My feeling is that you might as well make the most of a bad day.  This is especially true if you know in advance that it is going to be a bad day. I should clarify for you.  I knew that I needed some medical treatment that would take me to Richmond.  I needed to get back to my liver transplant clinic at the VCU Medical Center. (liver is fine, they were helping me out with another matter.)

Knowing this in advance let me plan a little.  My wife suggested going down the night before and staying just outside the city.  It was a good plan since it lets me get some more shut-eye.  I packed my bags and headed out.  The support plan included my trusty cameras and a few items to keep me occupied while getting my treatment.

 I ended up stuck at a red light after just filling my tank at the local Sheetz.  Of course there was a no turn on red sign - newly installed for my convenience.

All was not lost though, as I admired the crescent moon hanging just above the sign.  I had my Canon on the passenger seat and snapped a couple quick shots. I believe you can get a better look at these if you click on them.  In the one to the left you can see an interesting reflection from the windshield. Them moon continued to be an intermittent sight along the way.

I woke early.  It was that time of day when the sun's light is making itself know, before the sun was fully revealed.  After a quick ride to hospital parking lot, I still had some time before my appointment at 0800.  It's never too early to start taking photos, so that's exactly what I did.  I took some time to wander around the block near 11th and Broad Street.  It was gorgeous and only slightly cool in the mid 40's.  The warm colors and breaking sunlight made the building come to life.

I have to tell you that I thoroughly enjoy architecture, so much so that I thought about becoming one early in life.  I shot lots of pics of around the block.  The photos end up doing two things.  One they tell a bit of a story and second they show the art that is all around us when we take time to notice.

There is a build that always holds my gaze when I'm down at VCU.  It's the old City Hall.  The details are nothing you will find in new construction.  Take a look at the details here.

 I admit that I do not know all the correct terminology of the parts that are in this classic style, but that doesn't take away their majesty.  I love the clock.  It's not a scrolling red dot display with time and date and advertisement.  It's just a good old clock telling the citizens the current time.

 There were some art like photos of other buildings.  One has the sun shining on part bringing out color tones in some sections compared to the neighboring areas.  The other just had an interesting tecture, and perhaps a block that isn't quite correctly installed on the on-going construction.









 The next photos were taken from inside the Gateway Building which is home to my transplant clinic.  When zoomed in the corner sign says Altria.  Altia is a parent company of Philip Morris, but I couldn't find this location (N7th & Leigh St.) listed on their company web site.




 The next few show men at work on the construction of a new building at VCU.  How would you like to arrive at your final destination via this elevator? Or hang out and weld from somewhere near what will be the 12th floor.

 This last picture shows there is humor nearly everywhere.  The small room that I was in has a surgical light in it.  I don't think it gets a lot of use, since it's not an OR.  It's an exam room primarily.  Given the long time I was there, much of it waiting for something to happen, I noticed the label on the top of the machine.  It says "Coke Machine Bob was here."  I had to ask what that was all about!  No one knew for sure, but there is speculation.  There's always a guess as to what something might be.  So the potential explanation is that Dr. Robert (Bob) Fisher uses that room, and it somehow, for some reason, pertains to him.  My guess is that he is a fan of Coke from the vending machine....   Only, there is no vending machine on the floor of which I'm aware..  Hmmm

So, there you have it.  A story of architecture, art, work, and it all ends in a mystery.  A good place to end I should think.  After all, life is full of adventure, work  and a some mystery.  I play out this trifecta all the time, and glad I can find it all, while wrapped up in my own medical mysteries.

God Bless,
Brian