The Two TowersNot unlike Lisa Douglas, I just adore a penthouse view. Or at least a cityscape. I like bustling downtowns, but more so, I like the buildings. As you approach, most cities look great. Up close, usually not so much. Driving into Cleveland every once in awhile makes me think of driving into Chicago, though on a smaller scale.
Chicago continues to add new and cool architecture. Cleveland has kind of stalled in this area…about fifteen years ago. As I look out the 25th floor window in front of my desk, sometimes the city just looks sad. It still reeks of the industrial revolution. More figuratively than literally. Thankfully.
On a clear day I can see three immediate power plants that run along the shoreline. Further up the northcoast, on a very clear day, in the very far distance, you can see the two cooling towers of the Perry nuclear facility.
Right or wrong, the design of these towers captivates me. Not just Perry, but any of them that I see. Maybe it is a holdover from the forever engrained images of Three Mile Island. While traveling through Pennsylvania you can see before hitting the Delaware Water Gap – possibly off the Susquehanna River. You can see them for miles on the worst day. They tower above the treeline and depending on how the highway weaves. They are to the east of you, then to the north, then to the west. They aren’t the North Star.
Don’t get me wrong – I am not a fan of nuclear power. I’m no C. Montgomery Burns (yes, he has a wikipedia entry, but I'm not using it!). As a matter of fact in 10th grade we were required to do a persuasive speech. Mine was taking the position against nuclear power. I admit to not being the best orator, but I thought I did fairly well. Unfortunately, my fellow students voted on if they were persuaded. They were not.
A week after the speech, The China Syndrome came out. We were in 10th grade. No one gave a shit about a Jane Fonda / Michael Douglas movie. Probably the same as today. A week after that, Three Mile Island happened. Naturally, everyone in my class was now against nuclear power. Fuck them.
I think it's time for me to start some traveling. This transition period of me not knowing enough at work leaves my mind to wander.
3 comments:
Whenever I think of 3 Mile Island, I picture giant Dan Akyroyd as Jimmy Carter and giant Garrett Morris as the cleaning lady.
You still haven't revealed where your new job is, but I'm guessing it's not the Cleveland Visitor's Bureau or Chamber of Commerce.
A little off topic, but I grew up on the Susquehanna. I was no longer living there when that incident happened. But I remember all my childhood friends and family had to be evacuated. Baltimore is very much like the way you described Cleveland.
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