Are you watching closely?

The Calgary Malting and brewing company, 1898

 A.E. Cross founded the Calgary malting and brewing company in 1892, and the original sandstone building has since been expanded extensively and almost continuously throughout thw following 100 years. Producing the very famous Buffalo head beer label. The son of A.E Cross took over after his fathers death in 1932  and opened a fith hatchery on the grounds in 1938. an aquaruim was opened in 1960 and the Horseman's hall of fame in 1972. The building changed hands twince in the 60's, was remaned Carling O'Keefe in 1973 until Monson Canada acquired the property in 1989.

As a result of a labor dispute in 1994, the plant shut down and closed it's doors, with a clause in the gture owner's contract preventing the property from being used as a brewery. The inside has been slowely removed of all brewing equipment and a fair deal of the piping as well, leaving only the huge tanks and vats behind as a testament of it's former days.

 The building has been well sealed against trespassers and vandals, and as such there is very little graffitti and  manmade destruction within its walls. Since the structure grew organically throughout its history, it has many architectural styles and very different building materials in every section. One can go from heavy wooden trusses and thick brick walls, to structural steel and sheet metal siding just by walking through a short corridor.

Molson Breweries, 1996

Twelve years of vacancy have gradually left its mark on the interior, with dust and grime accumulating everywhere. moisture freely drips through the roof during storms and large sheets of ice are standard in some rooms during the winter. The building is also  very dangerous, A large tank room cieling is sprayed with unconcealed asbestos insulation. ANother room has holes in the floor with a three storey drop.

One of the reasons this building is particularly dear to me are the feelings of history  and timelessness evoked as you wander the darkened and lonely rooms. There are places so well insulated, cell phone service is disrupted and no sound whatsoever penetrates the thick walls. This is my place of zen.  A feeling of peace so full, it is indescribeable.

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Source of information and historical photographs: Glenbow archives.

My girlfriend got me a sweet 4GB sandisk flashdrive video/mp3 player for my birthday, and I absolutely love it.

I wear it when I'm working alone in a house, and since I move around a lot it couldn't be a moving hard drive lest it get damaged by the jostle of my day. Also it's small enough to fit inside my overalls pocket, so that's a clearcut winner in my books.

Plus, it's slim and sexy.

With this new toy, I was able to transfer almost all of my 3000+ pictures on my old computer before it died.

So now that I have full access to my archive, I'm able to maintain a decent picture a day rate on my photoblog.

So everytime you visit, there should be another new picture of whatever the hell I decide to put up that day.

Also, did I mention that my girlfriend is fucking awesome?

Show us one swingin' party.
Submitted by mariezilla.

Resurrection 12, Josh (left) and myself.

Inner peace, outer devastation.

What is your stupid human trick?
Submitted by Scarlett.

 Spinning pipe fittings and various lentghs of plastic pipe in my palm.

What's your favorite music for a Sunday morning?
Submitted by Nick.

 Nothing beats Delta 9 at one in the morning on a Sunday.

How do you eat your pizza:  folded, flat or with a fork and knife?
Submitted by danimass.

I used to manhandle my slices, but I've found utensils are the way to go.

 My halloween costume had trouble walking through doorways.

If you are going to dress up for Halloween, what will you be? Why? 
Submitted by Auweea.

Trying to build this guys helmet from scratch is going to be a toughie.

Show us your favorite animal.
Inspired by the Emporer.

My Leopard Gecko, Hannibal.

Layghing in the face of Ninja the hungry cat.