Drummmm drum drum-drum.

An after-hours tour of the Drum Tower in Beijing. Amazing steep stairs to the top, huge-ass drums to keep the time, and a panoramic view of the Capital City.

What I remember - an unusually large rubber ducky at the entrance gate.

Temple Grounds

Another view of the temple/scholars complex where disconsolate failed test-takers could throw themselves from the well-carved bridge into three feet of carp-infested waters.

A Random Corner

Nothing to see here - keep moving.

A Pagoda

Not to be confused with Abe Vigoda, the Ran Deng Sarira (Burning Lamp Buddist Relic) Pagoda is the tallest in the Beijing area (150+ feet). The base shown in this view is a Sumeru (mythic mountain considered the center of the universe) pedestal with lotus leaves. This is now to be the real center of a new city core area.

What would Abe think?

China Moon

Moongates have always looked to me like a large ball or a very fat, very round person has crashed through a wall, ala Tom and Jerry cartoons.

This one in the Tongzhou temple complex allows for plenty of elbow room on your way to the pagoda.

Chine Ease

This temple complex was a place of great terror - Confucian scholars would come here to take their examinations. It is next to Randeng Pagoda, a 50 meter high stone pagoda that doubled as a lighthouse for the beginning of the Grand Canal.

Today there is no test required, just enjoyment.

5 Traverse Gallery

A teeny building (350 sf) that had had many incarnations, this one a very nice gallery that unfortunately had only a two year cycle of life.

May it be reborn in even greater brilliance.

The Benefit of a Curve

This house on Benefit Street in Providence does not curve as I have drawn it. Sometimes I use my Iphone to help frame the sketches I am doing and occasionally it warps the photo.

I like to think that this is what the house would look like if it could dance.

Don't Stop!

Thinkin' about tomorrow, as well as not running into that nice building. Once a bank built in the 19th century and well located as a terminus for Walden Street in Concord, it now is a temple for foot shodding.

Looking for Good Food?

Then you will be happy to know that this is where they serve good food, as opposed to bad or great. I wonder if they just had the 'good' sign, then added 'food', then 'served' and finally 'here' to make their intentions clear.

I cannot verify that the food was good here, tho I can confirm that I did see food. I had a double espresso and rocketed out of there.

Stacked!

Smokestacked, that is. This former mill in West Concord no longer belches out smoke, jut hot air from the conference rooms of the offices within.

Nearly Brown

Actually, this fine Greek Revival is only near Brown University, but it is nearly dark grey. I just happen to think it looks better white. So there.