#Who multiple times decided to sit on the canvas and/or the instructions

[snowfea]

Pattern by Letistitch! It's my first big cross stitch, I'm very happy with how it turned out :D

[ruins-posts]

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 {𝐒𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬}

Pairing: Sebastian Michaelis x Artist! Reader

Summary: Taking a small break from your busy life as an artist, you hoped to find inspiration for your next work. You just happened to visit Ciel Phantomhive, where you unexpectedly found the inspiration you were looking for.

The ability you were gifted with- the ability to create the most beautiful of images by just mere memory and imagination, was praised extremely in the country and even around the world. Your creations were highly valued, sold for the highest of prices, making you one of the most prominent artists in all of England, your work loved by the noblemen and the peasants alike.

Deciding to take a break from your busy life, you visited the Earl of Phantomhive- whom you happened to be good friends with. You had painted for him on occasions when he required something beautiful to enhance the brilliance of his manor, and he was quite fond of the portraits you painted of him- treasuring them with the most admiration.

Seems like today was a lucky one- mother nature had finally spared England from the usual gloomy and rainy days. The sun shone brilliantly, the birds chirped their pleasing songs, the flowers bloomed happily, what a perfect day it was to pick your brushes.

The Earl had invited you for a cup of tea in the gardens seeing that such a beautiful day must not be wasted, and you gladly accepted his invite, admiring the views of the garden that he owned.

“A pleasant day, isn’t it, Earl?” you spoke, taking a sip of the refreshing tea.

“Indeed,” he replied. A short pause followed his words, which was broken by him. “If I am not wrong, you were looking for inspiration.... weren’t you, my lady?”

It was true, you had taken a break from your ridiculously busy life to gain some inspiration before returning to paint again. You looked around the gardens again, looking for something that you could copy down on a canvas. A smile broke on your face as you found exactly what you were looking for- bushes of rose that shone a beautiful red.

“It seems that I have found my inspiration, my lord.” you said, pointing towards the bushes. The Earl smirked and said, “Very well, I shall be looking forward to it.”

Just then, the butler that served the Phantomhive arrived with a teapot containing more tea, refilling yours and his master’s cups. While he did that, you couldn’t help but notice the way he performed his movements with grace, and not to mention how god-like his beauty was. He may have noticed you staring at him for long, as his eyes met yours and he gave you a small bow.

It was not like you had not seen the butler before, you had seen his handsome face multiple times, and had even grown to admire it in secret. But for the very first time today, an idea emerged in your head, leading you to stop the butler from leaving.

“Butler--wait.” you stopped him in his tracks, having him turn back and look at you curiously.

You looked at his master, who was looking at you curiously as well, wondering what you could have possibly stopped his butler for.

“I have a request, my lord.”

☆。*。☆。

“Lady (Y/n), why my butler?” Ciel asked, stomping his foot in annoyance.

You halted the swift movements of your brush, looking at the young boy standing behind you. A slight pink dusted your cheeks as you explained yourself.

“He looked quite captivating, my lord.’’ you answered, turning back to the canvas hastily to hide your embarrassment. However, the pink on your cheeks only deepened as you looked at the butler, who was sitting on a white chair right in front of the rose bush that you wished to paint. He had not moved once ever since you had instructed him to not do so, unlike most of your clients who would have to get up for various reasons.

“It would be a shame if I do not paint him.” you mumbled beneath your breath so that nobody would hear. “He’s exactly the inspiration I was looking for.”

After what seemed to be six hours or so, you finally raised your eyes from the canvas to look at the butler who was still sitting in the same position. It amazed you how he could do so, other humans would have probably stomped away angrily by now, disturbing your work.

“It’s done.” you inform him, looking back at the canvas to study your creation. The butler left his seat at once, not bothering to stretch but walking straight next to you instead.

“It appears that you’ve finished.” the Earl’s voice came from a distance, and you turned to answer him.

“I have, my lord.”

The Earl nodded and walked to come stand beside you as well. He stood silent for a while- completely in awe of the beautiful image you had created. It made his already handsome butler look even better than he originally was.

“You have painted really beautifully, my lady.” the butler spoke, his soft voice sending shivers down your spine.

“I agree, Sebastian. Lady (Y/n) is extremely talented.”

“T-Thank you.” you stuttered out, slightly shying from their praises.

“Now, what are you going to do about it, my lady?” Ciel asked. You hadn’t really given it a thought, what would a master do with a portrait of his butler, after all? You could not give it to him, it would simply be extremely awkward.

“I suppose I can gift it to your butler.” you said. Sebastian shook his head, refusing you.

“As much as I would appreciate that, my lady, I believe I would have to reject it.” Sebastian spoke from next to you, his red eyes looking deeply into yours.

“Why? Is it not to your liking?” you ask, disappointed by his words.

“Not to my liking?” the butler chuckled. “I doubt that.”

“Then what is it?” you ask, pouting at him.

“I would like it if you kept it with yourself.” he spoke, his gloved hands capturing your paint-covered ones. “After all, it would be a shame if I took your inspiration away.” he said, pressing a kiss on your hand and leaving you to be a blushing mess. So your words had not failed to be picked up by his hearing, it seemed.

Honestly though, who could possibly be a better inspiration than him?

[honeyhan-123]

The Artist ~ III

Summary: When Steve meets the reader at an art class he immediately becomes enticed and maybe, just maybe, she can help heal his wounded heart.

Warnings: none (smut in later chapters)

Word Count: 2.6k

AN: I am so sorry it took my a while to come out with the next part of the series but I hope y’all like it. Also Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to everyone! 

As always a massive thank you to the beautiful @imanuglywombat​ who designed the amazing moodboard. 

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Part One ~ Part Two

Steve had woken up the next morning in a funk. It had started the night before when he had awkwardly walked back to the tower with Bucky. He wanted so badly to say something, to say anything to the other man but everytime he tried, he was just reminded of that night and his heart shuddered in his chest. He had thought they were finally in a good place again but it still hurt. He knew he was being selfish but he couldn’t help it. He had waited so long to finally get Bucky back and to have him so close but not in the way he wanted was torture for Steve.

It was as though the entire tower could feel Steve’s sour mood as hardly anyone bothered him throughout the day. He had spent most of it in the gym, either destroying yet another punching bag or sparing with his teammates as they drifted in and out of the room. The hours that he didn’t spend in the gym were occupied by a small amount of paperwork and mission planning. 

They had recently caught wind of some illegal arm dealing off the coast of Portugal and while it would have normally been left to the authorities, they had reason to suspect they were dealing with alien tech so the team had been brought in. There wasn’t much information circling about it so Steve knew he still had a couple weeks to plan but it still made him slightly ansty being so unprepared.

The hours passed slowly but finally it was six o’clock and Steve felt no guilt as he packed up for the day. There was a slight spring in his step as he left Avengers tower with his sketchbook tucked under his arm and his sour mood from earlier was almost completely forgotten. His legs jiggled as he took the J train out to Brooklyn, equal parts nerves and excitement ransacked their way through his veins. 

To help pass the time as the train rushed through underground tunnels Steve watched those around him. Not like he would on a mission trying to figure out whether or not they were actually civilians but as he imagined an artist would watch them. He tried to figure out how he would draw each and every and every passersby. He tried to memorise the way the old lady’s smile lines deepened as she spoke to who Steve assumed to be her grandson, or the way the little boy looked up to her with complete adoration in his eyes. 

He felt so much more at ease than he had all day as he stepped off the train and began the short walk towards the studio, his mind never once drifting to his brunet best friend. Despite the darkening sky the streets were packed as people bustled around and Steve had to squeeze his way through the throng of people. He smiled as he passed a group of carolers despite it only being late November. The familiar tune of ‘Good King Wenceslas’ floated through his ears and he stooped to donate a hefty sum in their collection tin, earning him a round of ‘thank yous’.  

The studio was only a block away so when he finally dashed up the steps, he could still hear the melodic voices of the group. As he pulled the door open, a warm gush of air washed over him and he couldn’t wait to get inside but he heard someone call out to him that made him pause. 

‘Hey! Hold the door please!’ He turned as you came bustling up the stairs, your face barely visible behind the large canvass you carried. Steve stood back and ushered you in ahead of him and you gave him a small ‘thanks!’ 

Already starting to feel a little too warm in your multiple layers, you set down the canvass just inside the entryway and shrugged out of your heavy winter jacket. ‘It’s bloody cold out there isn’t it? I reckon we’ll get some snow for sure this year.’ Steve nodded his head somewhat absentmindedly, trying to tear his eyes away from you. 

‘I - uh - yeah, I hope so. It used to snow heaps in the city when I was growing up but it’s been a while since we’ve had a proper winter.’ 

‘Oooh that must have been so nice! I’ve always wanted a white Christmas like in all those Hallmark movies but I grew up in Australia so that was never going to happen.’ 

‘You’re from Australia?’ The slight twang of your accent had been one of the first things Steve had noticed about you, but he thought maybe the average person wouldn’t have been able to tell. It definitely sounded like you had been in New York for a while. 

‘Yeah, Melbourne actually. I moved here after university. I have no idea why though. Probably some preconceived notion that to be an artist, you have to struggle in New York for a bit first.’ You laughed as you mocked yourself and Steve smiled, knowing exactly what you meant. ‘What about you? Are you originally from the Big Apple or are you a newbie like me?’ Your eyes locked with his as you asked and Steve felt his smile deepen. 

‘I was born and raised here in Brooklyn actually.’

‘Right of course, you literally said you grew up in the city earlier. Sorry about that.’ Steve shrugged away your apology telling you not to worry about it. The door was pulled open and you tried to move out of the way as a gust of cold air drifted inside following another class member who you smiled in greeting at.

‘We should probably head in, it’s nearly seven.’ Steve said as he checked his watch. ‘Do you need a hand with that?’ He gestured towards the large canvas leaning against the wall.

‘Oh yeah. If you wouldn’t mind? It’s just a bit awkward to carry by myself.’

‘Not at all.’ He easily lifted it into his arms and followed as you led the way down the hallway and into the studio. He had no choice but to follow as you headed towards one of the easels towards the front of the room, where you had sat last week. Even though he didn’t want to be noticed by the rest of the class, Steve couldn’t resist the temptation of sitting down in the empty stool next to yours. 

He watched as you pulled out your oil paint and started setting them on a very used palette and Steve was reminded of last night. He wasn’t sure if he should bring it up, as you hadn’t mentioned yet, but he thought maybe you just hadn’t seen him. After all he and Bucky had been towards the back. 

‘I uh, I saw you last night. At Ronan’s bar for the wine and art night.’ He clarified, determined not to seem creepy. ‘I was going to say hi but you seemed a little busy.’

‘Oh, really? I’m so sorry I didn’t even notice you were there! But how good is it!? $25 for unlimited wine plus some art fun. It’s just a shame they only run it during winter.’ You looked slightly remorseful and Steve couldn’t help but agree.

‘I didn’t realise that. I just found the flier over the weekend and decided to give it a try.’ 

‘Well I’m glad you did. If you don’t mind me asking, why the sudden interest in art?’

‘Oh, well I don’t know really. One of my friends, Nat, found my sketchbook that’s basically been abandoned the last few years and wouldn’t stop nagging me to get back into it. She and Tony are always pushing me to have a life beyond work.’

‘Tony as in Tony Stark?’

It only crossed Steve’s mind as he nodded that perhaps not all of Tony’s employees were on a first name basis with him. He needed to be more careful with the words that came out of his mouth. Eager to shift the conversation away from Tony he quickly divulged even more personal information. ‘I uh, I think it might have something to do with my friend, the one I told you about last time.’

‘Oh?’

‘Yeah, growing up he was practically always my muse and we’ve only recently found each other again - he had to go away for a while. Maybe it’s because he’s back again that I’ve found the inspiration…’ He drifted off, unsure of what he was saying. ‘That probably didn’t make any sense.’

‘No, no, it did. I totally get what you mean. I used to have this dog, his name was Bear and growing up I used to draw him all the time. But when he passed away, I just didn’t feel that spark anymore, you know? It took me a while to find it again but when I did everything just made sense again.’ 

Steve was refrained from replying by the entrance of Madame Maxine to the studio as she quickly called the class to order. 

‘Today we have the wonderful Jerry modelling again. Since it is his second week, he will be modelling nude for us today.’ Her attention drifted back to Jerry who was wearing a dark red silken robe. ‘If you could please derobe Jerry and get settled into position B that would be brilliant.’ Jerry nodded and followed her instructions, setting himself down on the stool in front of the class. Steve had to admire his confidence. He knew that even if it was purely for art he could never model nude for anyone, he struggled enough doing promotional shots when he was fully clothed. 

Steve was too aware of you sitting next to him for the next hour. Everytime you shifted on your stool or bent to mix some more paints he noticed and his eyes followed your movements. As a result his own sketch was barely half complete by the time the hour was up and the small bell rang. He would definitely be voting to keep the position. 

Your painting on the other hand was beautiful. Despite the limited time you had not only managed to capture Jerry as he was, but also his essence. Steve was enraptured and stammered his way through a maze of compliments which you humbly shrugged away. 

‘I just have experience with Jerry, he modelled last winter and he works here part time too.’ 

‘He works here?’

‘Yeah Maxine rents out the studios to aspiring artists if they need a large space. I had this massive project over the summer on three canvases that were each four by five meters and my apartment is a shoebox so it never would have worked if it weren’t for Maxine.’

‘Wow, that sounds impressive.’ Steve could hardly imagine working on as big a canvass as you were currently using, never mind one nearly three times the size. ‘How long did it take you to finish?’

You glanced down, slightly avoiding his eyes. ‘It’s not… well it's not technically finished yet. I’m so close to being done with it but I just…’ You trailed off, unsure how to put it into words. 

‘There’s something missing?’ Steve filled in for you and you nodded eagerly.

‘It’s almost right but everytime I think it’s done I realise just how much I hate it and I have to leave the room to stop myself from painting over it again.’ Although Steve had never done something quite on the same wavelength he could relate to the need for perfection. He had lost count of how many pages he had ripped out of his sketchbook and thrown in the trash only to start all over again. 

‘What’s it of?’

‘It’s a collection, mainly of my favourite places in New York and it’s all about the human footprint… or at least, it’s meant to be.’ 

‘If it’s anything like your painting of Jerry I’m sure it’ll be incredible.’ 

Steve didn’t have to be able to see it to know that your cheeks would be flushing with heat at his compliment. He didn’t understand why you doubted yourself so much, it was clear that you were incredibly talented. ‘Thank you, you’re far too sweet.’ 

Maxine clapped her hands once again calling the attention of everyone. ‘It is now that time where we decide if we would like Jerry to stay as he is or if we would like him in a new position. Raise your hands for the same pose.’ Steve eagerly raised his hand along with you and most of the class.

After a quick headcount Maxine nodded firmly. ‘Well that settles it, Jerry, if you would be so kind as to return to position B.’ Once again the silk robe fell to the floor as Jerry repositioned himself on the stool and Steve promised that he wouldn’t let himself get as distracted by you this time around. 

+

By the end of the second hour Steve had a half decent looking sketch that paled in comparison to yours but he had long since resigned himself to its fate. 

‘Your painting is amazing.’ He told you truthfully and you smiled up at him abashed. 

‘Thank you Steve. That really means a lot.’

‘Well, it’s definitely true.’ Once again, Steve’s heart constricted in his chest as you flashed a sweet, bashful smile his way. He really felt a little ridiculous, being so completely enticed by someone he had only just met but being with you, it just all felt different. 

He watched as you packed up your paints and helped you carry the drying canvas over to the corner of the room where Maxine said you could leave it for the night. 

By the time you were by the coat rack you and Steve were the only students left in the studio, everyone else had filed out fairly quickly. Steve shoved his coat on and quickly plucked your own from the hook, holding it out for you. 

He wondered briefly if he was perhaps overstepped but the smile of gratitude you flashed him put him at ease as you daintily slid your arms into the open holes. ‘Thank you.’

‘Anytime.’ He walked with you out of the building and down into the street. 

‘Well, I’m heading this way.’ You pointed in the opposite direction of the train station and Steve felt a brief flash of chagrin. He wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye just yet and he got the feeling that you felt the same. 

‘I’m the other way. But uhh…’ The invitation to coffee at a cafe just down the street was on the tip of his tongue as his phone rang. ACDC’s Back in Black rang through the cool night air, breaking any tension that had been building up. 

You flashed what looked like a remorseful smile and raised a hand in farewell. ‘I’ll let you get that, but will you be at Ronan’s next week?’

‘Yeah, yes. I will.’ Steve hadn’t really thought about returning to the little bar but if that’s where you were going to be, that’s where he would be too. 

‘Great! I’ll uh, see you there.’ You flashed him that sweet and bashful smile once more before turning on your heel and getting lost in the crowds of New York. 

Steve watched you go for longer than he really should have and by the time he finally fished his phone out of his pocket Tony had nearly been sent to voicemail. 

‘Tony, what’s going on?’

+

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[morningfears]

Fighter

Rating: PG-13 (For blood, violence, abuse mentions)

Request: Not requested but it’s boxer!Ashton. There are obviously mentions of blood and violence. Also mentions of domestic abuse.

Word Count: 2.7k

PART TWO

The small, grungy gym is packed to the rafters. Large men with shifty eyes and one hand tucked firmly inside their pockets, women with anxious eyes and one hand placed firmly over their hearts, meek men with bruised skin and one hand clutching a betting slip because their lives depend on it; they’re all together, they’re all waiting. And you’re sitting there among them, one hand gripping the silver chain around your neck and the other clutching the black rope of the ring.

The copper tang of blood fills the air and mixes with the musk of men from fights past. You’re almost certain there’s a noxious cloud floating above the crowd from the cigarette smoke and the fumes from bottles scattered around the room. It’s a cesspool, filthy and disgusting, but you don’t dare move a muscle.

Members of the crowd are watching the entrances, eyes wild and hearts pounding, as they wait for the prize fighters to enter. The main event is all that’s left, all of the other men have bloodied their fists and earned their week’s salary. But your eyes are glued to the small blue stool in one corner of the ring right in front of you.

It’s the same thing every week. It’s always the same shifty men, the same anxious women, the same nervous gamblers, the same feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach. You should be used to it by now, you should be immune to the storm of emotions raging in the pit of your stomach, but you’re not. You’re just as nervous now as you’ve always been, your heart is still pounding in your throat, but you don’t have time to dwell on your feelings.

The announcer, a man you think vaguely resembles John Waters, steps into the center of the ring and announces that the final match is about to begin. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the final fight of the evening. These next two fighters will be battling it out for the belt. Whoever wins tonight will walk away with the title, the cash, and bragging rights for the next year. Now, let’s get ready to rumble!”

You can barely hear yourself think over the sound of the jeering crowd, of men booing and yelling obscenities, but you don’t let yourself turn around. You keep your eyes trained on the blue stool in front of you, your fingers clutching the canvas, and focus on keeping your breathing even as you wait for Ashton’s opponent to be announced.

He’d refused to tell you who he would be fighting, wouldn’t let any of your friends tell you, and had even attempted to keep you from attending the match altogether and it only served to make you that much more anxious. There are only a handful of fighters that would cause Ashton to react that way and you weren’t particularly looking forward to seeing him face any of them. But the one name you’re dreading hearing the most is the one that the announcer calls.

“In the red corner, standing at five feet, eleven inches tall and weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds, Noah “The Killer” Goode!”

Your grip on the canvas tightens and your heart sinks as you watch your ex-boyfriend, covered in more tattoos than the last time you saw him and looking every bit as vicious as you remember him being, climb into the ring. His eyes are trained on you as his trainer helps him with his gloves and the look in them makes you wish Ashton had tried harder to keep you from attending this particular match.

Although you try your hardest to look away, to focus your attention on anything else in the packed warehouse basement, you meet Noah’s eyes and find yourself unable to break free from his gaze as the announcer bellows, “And in the blue corner, standing at six feet tall and weighing one hundred and seventy-five pounds, Ashton “The Punisher” Irwin!”

Cheers and jeers envelop the room as Ashton makes his way through the crowd. You don’t turn to look at him, you can’t look away from the unfiltered rage in Noah’s eyes, but you feel Ashton’s fingers brush your lower back as he passes you to climb into the ring. You can see him glancing at you from the corner of your eye but your heart is racing and your stomach is churning and you think that maybe, just maybe, if you keep your eyes on him, Noah won’t be able to hurt Ashton. 

But as Calum helps Ashton with his gloves, Noah finally breaks eye contact to set his sights on him and the rage in his eyes turns into something that tells you that he’s out for blood. This isn’t about a title, it isn’t about money, it isn’t about bragging rights; this is personal. And you can’t help yourself as you reach out to grip Calum’s ankle.

“You can’t let him do this,” you almost shout to Calum as soon as Ashton has made his way to the center of the ring to receive further instruction from the referee. “Noah will kill him. I’m not exaggerating, Cal. Please, don’t let him do this.”

The look in Calum’s eyes tells you that he knows you’re telling the truth, he knows that this won’t end well, but he just shakes his head sadly. “I tried to stop him,” he informs you as he climbs back through the ropes to join you on the floor. “He knows. But he wouldn’t listen. Maybe this is for the best,” he tries to reason, “they’re going to fight one way or another. Better to have them do it here with witnesses.”

“This is borderline suicidal,” you breathe as you watch the referee beckon both men to the middle of the ring.

“He wants revenge,” Calum sighs as he reaches out to squeeze your hand. “Ash saw what he did to you. He picked up the pieces,” he reminds you before he hesitates. “He was the one to take you to the hospital after that asshole nearly killed you,” he points out quietly. “I know you’re afraid, I’m scared shitless, but this is Ash. He’s  been training harder than he’s ever trained before. He’s motivated. It’s fucking stupid and dangerous but he’s not going to back down so I’m going to stand right here and wait.”

You don’t want to admit that Calum is right, don’t want to admit that Ashton has a score to settle and he won’t back down, so you keep your mouth shut as you watch Ashton reluctantly tap his gloves to Noah’s in a promise of a fair fight. You know that in this particular instance, Ashton is just as bloodthirsty as Noah ever thought about being. He fully understands how dangerous this fight is going to be, knows that having a referee and an audience won’t matter much when fists start flying, but you can see the fire in his eyes and it simultaneously makes your heart soar to the heavens and sink through the floor.

You know why Ashton is doing this. He’s seen you at the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. He was your best friend for years before he became your boyfriend and during that time, he was there for you through it all. He had disliked Noah from the beginning but tolerated him because he made you happy. However, the first time Noah hit you, Ashton’s dislike morphed into a burning hatred. The first time you ended up in Ashton’s apartment quietly asking him to stitch up the cut on your hand where Noah pushed you into a mirror, that burning hatred morphed into a murderous rage. And the night that you decided to end your relationship, to take Ashton’s offer of moving in with him and getting away from Noah, only to end up in the hospital with multiple broken bones and a broken heart; well, that’s the night that the murderous rage almost got Ashton thrown in jail.

He’d taken you to the hospital, sat by your side until the pain medicine knocked you out, and asked Calum to stay by your side while he returned to your apartment to gather your things. He’d expected Noah to still be at the police station, expected him to be sitting in a holding cell somewhere, but Noah was sitting in the living room with a beer in hand and your blood on his clothes. Ashton doesn’t remember much of what happened, always tells you that he flew into a blind rage and wanted Noah to pay for what he’d done to you, but he does remember the warning he gave Noah before he left him lying on the floor of your former apartment.

“Next time, I won’t stop.”

You’re afraid that he means that as you hear the bell signal the beginning of the match. Every other match of the night began almost timidly, as if the men were afraid to get hurt, but not this one. Both Ashton and Noah come out swinging and you grip Calum’s hand so tightly that he’s afraid you might break it.

Ashton makes the first move. He jabs at Noah and connects with his side. It’s far harsher than anything anyone was expecting and it sends Noah staggering and the crowd cheering as the floodgates open. No one expects the match to last all twelve rounds, no one expects it to last six, and as you watch them trade harsh blows, you’re beginning to believe that yourself.

After being bombarded by a rapid succession of blows from Ashton, Noah regains his footing and lands a punch straight to Ashton’s nose. It’s pouring blood, definitely broken, but it doesn’t even seem to register as he counters with his own blow to Noah’s face. And as the two trade harder and harder punches, you force yourself to look away and bury your face in Calum’s shoulder.

By the time you feel your desire to look overwhelm you, it’s the fourth round and the mat is a slick red. Ashton’s nose is still dripping blood, his lip is busted and will probably need stitches, his eyebrow has been split, his left eye is already starting to swell, and bruises are already blossoming on his chest. He’s staggering, the signs of a concussion clear, and you want to yell at him to stop.

But his gloves are covered in Noah’s blood and you know that Ashton won’t stop until Noah is face down on the mat.

One wrong step from either of them and the match is over, a new champion will be crowned but you know that unless something terrible happens, this fight won’t end in the ring. And the dread that fills the pit of your stomach only grows as the seventh round of the match starts.

That wrong step you’ve all been waiting for that ends the match for the time being comes in the second minute of the seventh round. Ashton is staggering, his concussion clearer than ever as he looks like he’s going to drop at any second, and Noah is throwing haymakers as the blood dripping from his forehead clouds his vision. The crowd is getting restless, you’re panicking as you watch Ashton begin fading, and Calum is whispering prayers under his breath. But Ashton manages to block Noah’s erratic swings and throws a final punch that hits him square on the jaw. Noah falters for a moment, staggers, before he falls and his body hits the mat with a resounding thud.

The entire warehouse basement is silent for a moment, no one really sure what just happened, but just as suddenly as it descended into silence, the crowd erupts in cheers. The referee counts Noah out and the match is over. He’s out cold and Ashton doesn’t look to far from it as the referee raises his arm and declares him the winner.

“And the winner, by knockout, is Ashton “The Punisher” Irwin!”

As they turn to show him off to the crowd, Ashton’s knees buckle and he falls, nearly taking the referee with him. No matter how hard he fought, Ashton never fell like that. And before you can think about it, you’re releasing Calum’s hand and scrambling through the ropes to get into the ring. Calum is hot on your heels and is pulling his phone from his pocket as you kneel beside Ashton’s head and reach for his pulse point.

“Ash,” you cry as you feel his weak pulse beneath your fingertips, “come on, open your eyes. Look at me.” When Ashton’s eyes remain closed, you turn your attention to Calum. “Something’s wrong. We need to get him to a hospital, Cal,” you breathe as you gently pat his cheeks in an effort to wake him up, “he got concussed in the fourth round and I’m sure that’s not the worst of it. He never goes down like that.”

“Luke and Michael are on their way in,” he informs you, the panic clear in his voice just as you look up to see the aforementioned boys shoving through the crowd. “Ride with us,” he tells you as he helps Michael and Luke lift him from the mat. “Sit in the back with Luke, keep his head up. He’s going to be okay, yeah? Just, hold on.”

You can’t breathe as you climb into the backseat of Calum’s car with Luke. Ashton is positioned between the two of you with his head on your lap. His breathing is labored, even in his unconscious state, and it makes your heart clench painfully in your chest as you press your fingers to his pulse point once again. His heartbeat is thready at best and you can’t help yourself as you repeat, “Something is wrong. Cal, please, hurry.”

Calum doesn’t reply but you know that he’s pushing his car as fast as it’ll go and racing the five of you to the nearest hospital. Your thoughts keep returning to the last time you were in a position similar to this, the time you were the one barely hanging on and lying cradled in Ashton’s arms, and you cry, “Please don’t leave me. I love you. I love you so much. Please, Ash.”

The closer you get to the hospital, the slower his pulse grows. You know that Noah’s blows must’ve hit something important, there has to be a massive injury somewhere, but you don’t have time to dwell on it as Calum stops in front of the emergency room door and each of the boys is scrambling out of the car to get Ashton inside. When the nurse at the desk sees the state he’s in, Ashton is taken back almost immediately. Because you’re not family, because you blurted out significant other because you could think about it, you’re gently pushed back into the waiting room and told that you’ll be given an update as soon as possible. 

But as the minutes pass and the panic in your chest crushes your lungs, you can’t help the tears that stream down your cheeks. “I can’t lose him, Cal,” you whimper as Calum pulls you tight against his chest and rubs soothing circles across your back.

“You won’t,” Calum assures you although the words ring hollow even in his own ears, “he’ll be okay.” But he doesn’t sound convinced.

And when the doctor on call finally finds the four of you, a somber look on his face, any shred of hope you’d had left disappears.

“His injuries are quite extensive,” he informs the four of you after confirming that you were there for Ashton. He speaks to you directly as you were listed as Ashton’s emergency contact, “He’s being prepped for surgery as we speak. There is a good bit of internal damage and bleeding that needs to be stopped immediately. There is also a bit of swelling on the brain that we’re going to be monitoring. We’re going to do everything we can. If you all would like to move to the waiting room on the surgical wing, I’ll be sure to let them know where you’ll be.”

And as soon as he’s finished speaking, the four of you are crowding into the elevator and heading to the surgical wing of the hospital. You know that you’re in for a long night as you settle into an uncomfortable plastic chair and you can only hope beyond hope that this won’t be the night that your champion loses his fight.

Author’s Note: I want to do a series or something. Like, a fighter series. I dunno. We’ll see. I just wanted to write this.

[luci-is-a-devil-]

Soulmate!Meanie

(notes! Okay so I kinda cheated on this lol, it’s two members, but whoops a fucking daisy)

•soulmate au where on your own body and on your soulmates body, you have a matching tattoo •when you meet, the area where the tattoo is burns •people normally have one but having multiple isn’t unheard of •they are people who have platonic tattoos instead of romantic • •as a child, you wanted to be a singer •but then you realized that you sounded like a dying cat and that dream died •but!!!! •you decided if you couldn’t sing •you’d learn to play instruments instead •so you often went to competitions, that’s where you meet a boy named lee jihoon! •he plays the piano, and he’s amazing! •but he’s your rival, yet older brother mentor?? •it’s complicated for two six year old but it’s fine •so you get used to seeing him in every competition you’re in •and from being at the same place so often, your parents have become friends •so you now hang with jihoon pretty often •and you’re just always talking about soulmates •and jihoon fondly smile because ‘I can’t believe we’re the same age’ •so growing up, even though jihoon and you went to different schools you were close •you slept over at his house and vice versa •you guys were pretty inseparable •until •the dreaded high school years •it wasn’t anything bad •you just drifted apart y'know? •like you went your separate ways but if you see him you’ll wave and he’ll do the same •but you just realized that you weren’t very compatible people •if it wasn’t for you parents, you wouldn’t have been as close most likely • •so you’re a teen •the cursed phase •where you’re not sure who you are, what the dream is, or where you’re heading •but that’s okay!!! •you still play your instruments, but you have also spread out to other forms of art! •whether it’s lyrics, poems, or stories you like having a pad of paper in your hand and a pencil tucked behind your ear •it also comes in handy for drawing!!! •other teen find you odd, you walk around like a reporter, a camera can be found around your neck some days as well •but you couldn’t care less, it was what made you happy! •so you were in quite a few clubs •the poetry club, the music club, photography and yearbook! •you were everywhere really •so it’s the around the end of the year and you’re supposed to be taking pictures •but of course you can’t listen to instructions and you’re helping out the newspaper club •interviewing the basketball vice captain while taking pictures •so basketball captain is lowkey douchey •like he’s being super sexist and all you wanna do is finish this and get out of school •but he just droning on and on over how good he is •over how many baskets he’s made this season •so you’re pretending to listen, until you can’t take it anymore and spit you’re way out •jihoon is sitting with his group at one of the tables that’s pretty close •looking for a foot time to cut him off, you plan you’re escape •"oh sorry, my friends are over there and I completely forgot that I was supposed to meet them!“ •smiling at him, you quickly packed up your stuff and waved to him •before rushing to the table jihoon was sitting at •"Lee jihoon, you’ve saved me once again!��� •and ten heads turn toward you •and the green haired boy looks at you and smirks, as if he knew something you didn’t •waving at you, he patted for you to sit down next to him •placing your camera on the table with your notepad you sit on the metal bench •"what’s up hoonie?“ •"don’t call me that, shit head.” •letting out a giggle, you introduced yourself too the other boys •"hi I’m y/n! I’m not sure what I want to be but I’m working on it!“ •you said waving at them •all ten boys are smirking, and it’s honestly v unsettling •so you’re looking at jihoon like ‘please don’t skin me and wear my flesh as a coat’ •before you can question them •three boy approach with their arms full of drinks •and you look at the first boy and instantly know who he is •yoon jeonghan, devil who looks like an angel. Not to be trusted •but when you look at the other two, your right wrist and your hip starts burning •so you scream •starting eleven boys and people nearby •but the other two understand immediately •you’re their last soulmate •the person they had been crushing on was their soulmate •and now was screaming in front of them •slowly the burn went away, you kept your eyes on the taller boy •he had his eyes locked onto you •but with a glance to the male who was next to him, so were his •everyone’s eyes in the vicinity went away, leaving only thirteen pairs on you •"what the literal fuck?” •you questioned the tall males who were standing with the juice in their arms •"you’re our soulmate!! The camera! You!!“ •the tall boy who resembled a puppy exclaimed excitedly •whilst the other male smiled, somehow you knew he was just as excited •and you stood up from the bench and looked at the two of them, then the eleven boys who were sitting (jeonghan moved, he’s not standing for anyone) •"I’m gonna take them, bye hoonie!” •take them you did, but not before taking your camera and notepad •grasping their giant hands in your own, you dragged them to an empty classroom •when you arrived, you sat on the teachers desk and pointed at the boys who were still staring •"who’s the cloud, and who’s the pen?“ •causing mingyu to laugh, because that’s what you wanted to know?? •"im the cloud. •the giggling puppy said, to both of your amusements •looking at the boy who had dark eyes, and was wearing glasses •you waited for someone to say something •"I’m kim mingyu! That’s jeon wonwoo!” •the youngest cut off your staring competition •"y/n" •and somehow the world seemed a little brighter • •you got close to jihoon again, much to mingyu’s chagrin •but wonwoo had reminded him often •"at least it’s not minghao" •and that shut up the younger •you had found out that they were childhood friends and met when they were in elementary •mingyu had sneezed and the kids had ran away •but wonwoo had introduced himself to the boy •they had never met since he was a year younger •but when he did, wonwoo’s shoulder hurt •and mingyu was crying because his ankle was burning •but they stuck it out and stayed with each other • •when you go to your music competitions, it’s no longer just yours and jihoon’s parents cheering •no, you have a hole row cheering for you •but your boyfriends are cheering the loudest •completely supporting even if you don’t know what you want to do •wonwoo will sit next to you and wrote his own poetry while mingyu cooks dinner • •for your art final, you picked out of a hat for the topic •it was love •you had complained to the two of them on one of your cuddling sessions •"how do I show love, how am I supposed to show the way woo’s eyes shine when he watch gyu’s food?“ •and they laughed, making you pout •pulling you closer into their grasp •they held you tight, making your fears worse because •really how were you supposed to explain this warm feeling? • •the answer came two weeks later, in wonwoo’s house when all of you are in the kitchen studying •slamming your hands on the table •"idea! Idea! Good idea!" •making mingyu laugh while shutting his science book because he knew he wasn’t gonna be studying •and wonwoo gently hush you with fond look on his face, knowing that both of his soulmates were happy • •you got an A •and your picture was displayed in the art show • •hanging with bright lights over it, a painted canvas •there are big fluffy white clouds hiding the sun, over three bodies who lay on a plaid blanket, limbs on each other, smiles and closed eyes on each face •with crumbled up papers, and pens and pencils thrown on the blanket •a camera lay on a notepad, on the grass, forgotten while the three bathe in the sun •This was love for you three •ove between a bookworm, a reporter and a dreamer •and it was beautiful

[anglelyre2-blog]

Automotive Museum In Southwest Philly Goes The Distance (And Then Some)

The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum at 6825-31 Norwitch Drive may be well off the beaten path, but its collection of historic race cars is astounding. | Photo: Michael Bixler

If modern evolution is a linear progression of technological advancements, in no place is this more evident than the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. The easily overlooked building on Norwitch Drive in Southwest Philadelphia is a treasure trove of rare racing cars. It is a place where the past comes to vibrant life, where long forgotten machines are reintroduced to new generations and the early days of racing culture are celebrated.

The museum is currently home to 70 immaculately maintained and extremely coveted race cars, lined up and displayed by decade in colorful diorama-type settings. Dating back to the early 1900s, cars like Ferraris, Jaguars, BMWs, and Maseratis sit proudly as tangible remnants of eras gone by. The varied assortment of vehicles are not merely parked and gathering dust. They all run, a museum requirement, and are regularly taken outside to be showcased on the museum’s three acre back lot.

What propelled the museum into existence was one man’s personal collection. Gathered over the course of decades by Dr. Frederick Simeone, a prominent Philadelphia-based neurosurgeon at Pennsylvania Hospital, the cars were first stored in an unassuming public parking garage at 8th and Lombard Streets. Simeone rented the garage and gradually began to fill it with his treasures, simultaneously keeping it open as a public garage. Ultimately, the space filled with his collection and was no longer open for public use.

“Any collection doesn’t start as a gigantic collection. It starts with one piece at a time. Back in the 1970s when the collection started, it was still possible to get really great cars. The general public had not caught up with the iconic value of certain types of cars. You had to be a historian. They were affordable to buy and I was able to select the ‘Mona Lisa’ cars of the sports racing world. They aren’t available now,” Simeone remarked.

This exhibit features Le Mans racers from the 1930s through the 1970s. | Photo: Michael Bixler

Crediting his lifelong fascination of cars to his father who encouraged his interest, Simeone always had a penchant for early sports cars that were not Formula One cars. He liked racers with beautiful designs that could also drive casually on the open road. Simeone acquired the first three quarters of his collection at affordable prices, focusing on cars with noteworthy racing histories. As time went on, early racing cars morphed from hobby objects into art collector pieces. This led to a high demand and made them impossible to purchase. Simeone used other vintage cars he had attained that weren’t sports cars as trades to acquire those harder to purchase vehicles and added them to his lot.

As the collection continued to grow, Simeone was nudged by people who came to see it to preserve the collection for the future. He created a charitable foundation and found a larger location on Norwitch Drive to display the cars properly to the public. Simeone had two main goals for the foundation: the preserve the vehicles and to keep the collection together.

“I wanted to make sure there was a place for them to stay in perpetuity. The original purpose of museums was to preserve. In the process of preserving, you then have the opportunity to exhibit. These cars are all very special and cannot be duplicated. They are from an era that was iconic,” he said.  

Simeone noted there was specific criteria he looked for when acquiring a car or accepting one into the museum. Each car must hold historical significance and must be a car that won a race. The cars must also have original parts, and be aesthetically attractive, to demonstrate the design of the period it was made.

Hill climbs, where an automobile’s power and speed is tested, were popular in England in the 1920s. | Photo: Michael Bixler

“We want to have the finest cars that represent the ‘winners’ of the race world. We want to tell the evolution of these cars by the winners, to show the ingredients that lead to success. A lot of museums don’t care. We’re very fussy that they have all the right, important things particularly the original chassis, engine, and body.”

Along those lines, Simeone decided the theme of the museum would be “The Spirit of Competition” based on the concept that competition spurs forth advancements and better ways of doing things. He hoped this would especially reach younger visitors to the museum, who are finding their place in the world. The museum offers educational programs like STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and a popular summer camp that demonstrates this focus.

“Our theme is based on the belief that competition makes everything better. The alternative is not competing. With that, there would be no evolution or development. The cars are set up chronologically, so you can see the progression. As technology evolves, things change,” Simeone said.

Preserving and maintaining the vehicles is a top priority of the museum. Among the collection, the oldest car is a 1907 Renault that was once belonged to William K. Vanderbuilt. It was donated to the museum by a man who had it in his family for 90 years. Simeone noted the rarest car in the collection is also his favorite, a blood red 1938 Alfa Romeo 2900 B. One of only four made, it is considered to be the best pre-WWII sports racing car. The museum also has rotating visiting exhibits that are popular among car clubs and those wanting to learn more on a particular make of car. Most recently, the museum showcased an exhibition of MGs.

A 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport in the Watkins Glen exhibit. | Photo: Michael Bixler

Another draw to the museum are its Demo Days, when one or two cars are taken outside and raced in the museum’s lot. Each Demo Day event focuses on a particular historical race, event, or make of a car. The day includes a brief discussion and social commentary about the featured cars.

“My real obligation is to create activities to ensure the museum is socially relevant and to use it as an educational device. The Demo is about taking an interesting car and explaining what makes it important. We associate the day with either a social event, the driver, the venue, or what was going on in the world. People love to see the cars in motion.”

Despite the impressive collection, which has garnered recognition and multiple awards overseas, the museum continues to stay under the radar of Philadelphia attractions. This has made fundraising efforts difficult. Cars in the collection can be “adopted” if a person takes a special interest in, one which usually stems from a personal connection one feels for a certain make or model.

“We have no philanthropy at all. People just don’t donate to car museums. It is a shame because the value level of the contents make us one of the highest in Philadelphia. It’s more valuable than the contents at the Rodin Museum, for instance. We are very overlooked,” Simeone remarked.

“We’ve been voted ‘Best Car Museum in the World’ twice, which is more than any other. The International Historic Motoring Awards in London gave us the ‘Best Museum’ award four times. They know about us in Europe, but not much in Philadelphia, sadly. We’re a hidden gem, I’m afraid,” he added.

This exhibit depicts the Targa Florio, a race through the hills of Sicily, Italy. | Photo: Michael Bixler

One longtime fan of the collection is Mike Wolfe from the show, American Pickers. Wolfe, an Iowa native, has been visiting Philadelphia for years, prior to his show, and met Dr. Simeone along the way. Simeone eventually acquired a Fiat 600 cut away engine from Wolfe which he “picked” in Italy. Now on display in the museum, the exposed, functioning engine is used as a teaching aid. Wolfe holds a deep appreciation for the museum’s preservation efforts and noted its worldwide importance.

“It’s a collection that you cannot see, literally, anywhere in the world,” Wolfe said. “When I travel in Europe, they all know Dr. Simone and respect him and the collection. He has the rarest of the rare. They envy everything he has because so much of it was pulled out of Europe. It is the type of collection you could never put together today, no matter how much money you have, because the cars have all been bought up. It’s one of the best-preserved collections of European and American Le Mans cars. It’s stuff you don’t even think exists anymore.”

Wolfe noted the artistic component of the collection. “There are types cars that tour art museums because the museums understand those cars are works of art. That is what Dr. Simeone’s whole museum is like. Everything is next level. When you go to a car museum like, his you realize it’s more art than anything else. When you think about art does it always to be a sculpture or a painting on canvas? Or can it be something that was made in an era that will never come again.”

On Demo Days the public gets to see the museum’s cars in action. | Photo: Michael Bixler

Also onsite is an extensive 6,000 square foot research library, filled with automotive literature that Simeone began collecting when he was just 14 years old. The library specializes in original car company literature that came with cars upon purchase, repair instructions, early automobile designs and illustrations, and pre-World War II magazines. There is a large assortment of hard bound books. Simeone continues to gather materials and noted private collectors have donated their literature collections to the museum to keep them intact.

“Automotive literature is the classic ephemera,” said Simeone. “It disappears. There is no card catalog for automotive books. Libraries don’t ordinarily have automotive sections. The materials are really important for restorers, historians, and for people who are selling their cars and want to make sure it is authentic and original. It is one of the highlights here. It’s actually where I spend most of my time.”

Simeone hopes that anyone who visits the museum will leave with something memorable. With a plethora of rarities from all over the world, it is hard not to gain an appreciation for race car technology. As early automotive pioneering continues to catapult us into the future, we are all along for an inspiring ride.

About the author

Virginia Lindak is a three-time Keystone Press Award-winning journalist, photographer, and author. As a journalist for nearly a decade, her 500-plus published articles span the Philadelphia region into New Jersey and Delaware. She has also co-authored four books on Lancaster County. Additionally, she works full-time in development at a non-profit organization in Chester County. In her free time she enjoys adventuring off the beaten path and delving into local history. Lindak holds a B.A. in Communications, Public Relations and Journalism from Immaculata University and a M.A. in Communication Studies from West Chester University.

Source: https://hiddencityphila.org/2019/05/automotive-museum-in-southwest-philly-goes-the-distance-and-then-some/

[ecotone99]

[RF] Day At the Office

It’s 6:30 on a Friday morning as Chris parks his weathered ’05 Camry in the parking lot out side of the Regalia building. He had just finished acquiring his bachelors degree in accounting at the University of Florida, and similar to many college graduates he faces a tremendous amount of student loan debt. The fear of not paying off this debt quickly is what’s likely to have pushed him to accept the lower paying position as an auditor at the Rawlinson and Hunter firm in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. Given that this is his first year on the job he spends most of his time ‘ticking’ which is a process that involves taking a list of invoices on a spreadsheet and fact checking them with documents provided by the firm’s clients. This wasn’t a job he envisioned for himself in high school; however, the view from his cubicle on the 38th floor made things manageable. Chris steps out of his car and walks by a couple co-workers as they glance out toward the morning sun.

“Is that a whale that on the beach?” one of them asked. Chris turned around and saw the man pointing across toward the beach at what looked like a blue two ton bag of trash. Chris, now intrigued by the opportunity to see a whale up close, decided to walk across the street in an attempt to get a better look. He untied his dress shoes and took off his long socks and felt the cold morning sand fill the crevasses between his toes with each step that he took. He quickly saw that the whale was alive and struggling to breath as water slowly leaked out of it’s blow-hole. Chris walked up to the whale and placed his hand on the whales slimy rubbery skin. He took in how massive this creature was as he looked in the whale’s eye that was twice the size of Chris’s head. “Hang in there buddy, I am sure help is on the way.” As much as he wanted to help this whale, he knew that there was nothing he could do by himself. He crossed back across the street, walked between two joggers, and headed toward the Regalia building. The grains of sand scrapped against his feet as he attempted to wipe it off and put his shoes and socks back on. Chris didn’t have time to think about what was to become of this helpless whale as quarterlies were coming up and he knew that his boss would have a mountain of paperwork waiting for him. Clearing his head of completely of the whale, he walked through the glass doors and waited for the elevator.

As soon as the elevator doors opened on his floor the window toward the east side of the building allowed Chris to see the glowing morning sun rising above the somber Atlantic ocean. Seagulls can be seen circling above and there isn’t a cloud that could be spotted along the warm golden horizon. He sits down at his desk, not acknowledging the daunting amount of papers loaded into the “In” box. He types in his assigned username and password to log into the companies computer and checks his email as usual. There is an email from his supervisor that reads, “Chris, we need you to prepare a final report by this Monday that ensures our firms compliance with internal control procedures and regulations for the upcoming contract with Ernst&Young. This will look very good for your future here if you succeed with this report, so I suggest that you put in every hour you can to assure excellence. My secretary has already supplied you with the documents that you will need.”

Chris lets out a sigh as he glances to his left and accepts the existence of the two foot stack of papers that will certainly keep him here for the weekend. He hates how his work load premonitions from earlier were spot on. Just as he is about to start work on the papers he is distracted by his cubicle mate, Henry, that is ducking under the maze of canvas walls as to not be seen by the floor supervisor.

“Hey, Chris, Jack didn’t come by looking for me right? He said if I came in late one more time that my ass would get canned” Henry shamelessly explained. Chris was repulsed by Henry’s breath which smelled like aged whiskey from the night prior, and hated that it would be the fragrance in their cubicle for the rest of the morning.

“I haven’t seen him since I got in, but you could maybe put the bottle down a little earlier so you can show up on time,” Chris stated.

“Well thanks, Mom, but I actually did not have a drink last night. A crazy accident on interstate 95 had me stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.” Henry stated this lie as if Chris and a majority of other employee’s did not take this freeway to work. “Man, does the boss plan on keeping you all weekend with those papers? When I have extra time today, I’ll help you get through a couple of those documents as a means of paying you back for covering my ass in the past.”

“That would be great, but by the looks of it I am going to be one of the poor suckers sentenced here for the weekend, regardless of the extra help you give me today,” Chris said begrudgingly. Further, Chris knew that Henry barely finishes his own daily tasks, no matter how insignificant, and had little faith that he would keep his promise. As such, Chris turned to face his computer and began working diligently.

Chris noticed the glare from the morning sun that normally inhibits his view of a photograph he has sitting on top of his cubicle wall has vanished as the sun rises high into the afternoon sky. He hardly noticed the time pass as he was lost in his work, but this picture was able to break his attention from the endless stack of papers. This photo is more important to Chris today than any other typical day, because this Friday marks the one-year anniversary of his mother being cancer free for the second time in the past four years. The photo is of his father, family, and friends that stand joyfully around his mother after receiving the news that her multiple myeloma had gone into remission. He remembers the love and support his mother had at the beginning of her seemingly hopeless battle against cancer. Shortly after she broke the news of her diagnosis to social media, prayer after prayer were posted on her Facebook wall. Chris felt hope for his mother when he read those posts from distant family members and strangers and assumed that it was the one thing that kept his mother as positive as she was during the first few months of therapy. Lost in thought from the photo, Chris comes back to reality as his phone starts ringing. He recognizes the number as his Fathers, who Chris hasn’t seen in over six months, and picks up the phone reluctantly expecting a lecture on how he should visit his Mother more frequently.

“Chris? It’s Dad.” Chris could hear the sadness escape through his Father’s voice. “Your Mother’s cancer has returned yet again and she will be starting her third round of chemotherapy next week.” Chris recalls the first time his Mother told him she had been diagnosed with cancer. They were walking through Monte Sano State park near his hometown in Huntsville Alabama. They had climbed to the top of the mountain in mid September to reach a viewing point that he appreciated more than any morning sun rising above any somber ocean. The tree tops that covered the hills were a variety of yellow, brown, and amber colors as the leaves were about to fall from the tree for the winter months. His mother explained to him here that just as the trees will lose their leaves and appear deathly in the winter, so will she during the next upcoming months when she undergoes chemotherapy. He remembers her assurance when she told him that just as the trees leaves would return in the spring time, so would her liveliness after treatment. At that time neither Chris nor she imagined that she would have to prepare for the winter months two more times after her cancer would leave remission.

“Chris, are you still there?” Chris realized he had tuned out the conversation with his father. He assumed that his father asked when the next time Chris would plan to visit them.

“Work needs me here for the weekend to finish up a report and next weekend I have got a doctor’s appointment, so I don’t think I will be able to make it to her first session,” Chris hesitantly stated, not sure if his Dad would pick up on the lie about the non-existent Doctors appointment.

“Well, just try and make it out sooner rather than later if you can. Your mother needs all the support she can get this time.” Chris heard how disappointed his father was. Chris looks up from his cubicle checking for his supervisors as personal calls are not allowed at work, when he sees a couple of employees crowding around the window facing the beach.

“I will be there Dad. She has gotten through this two times before, so we know that she is a fighter and can put her cancer back into remission. I’m sorry, but now I’ve got to go now. I will see you soon.” Chris exclaims as he rests the phone on the hook in the middle of his Dad’s reply. Chris’s curiosity about the commotion surrounding the window compels him to take a break from work and walk toward the window. He walks up to the window and looks down at the beach to see the same 40 foot sperm whale that had washed up on shore earlier this morning. The two joggers he walked by on the way to work could be seen taking selfies with the helpless whale, without appearing to have the slightest inclination to try and help get this whale back into the ocean. Chris’s coworkers explained their distaste in the decisions these guys made to only take pictures with the whale, however, Chris did not blame the two guys for their lack of effort because two men surely could not take on the insurmountable task of rescuing a whale by themselves. Naturally, a crowd, similar to the one on the 38th floor, had formed within minutes by other various bystanders on the beach. Within a matter of minutes the beached whale was surrounded by hundreds of people and now it seemed that things were more hopeful for the whales survival.

Unfortunately, the supervisor noticed the lack of working employees and instructed everyone to get back to work stating, “You all shouldn’t be so infatuated with a whale that washed up on shore. Not all the manpower in the world could save its life if it isn’t dead already.” Chris found his complete lack of optimism distasteful, but still walked back to his cubicle to put a dent in his massive work load. He heard the whispers through the thin canvas walls of the other employees talking about the status of the whale. They were like pubescent kids in middle school, passing notes after the teacher instated a strictly no-talking rule. This whale was inadvertently demanding Chris’s attention, no matter how many times he tried to ignore it. Chris feels a ball of paper reflect off of his back and assumes that Henry is trying to get his attention again, so he turns around slowly.

“Get this dude, #SaveTheSunnyIslesWhale is the most trending tweet in the area,” Henry stated enthusiastically. Chris remembers how his Mom’s treatment support page on Facebook had hundreds of people posting on it and joining the group after a local B-listed celebrity pledged her support for my mother.

“Ya, people sure do like to come together and give their support when others are watching,” Chris said. He toned out the gossip around the whale and focused on his report. Shortly after, the news on the TV in the break room broke his concentration. Again, the whale was distracting him from finishing the mountain of paper work to be completed by this weekend. He had more pertinent tasks to attend to rather than focusing on this helpless whale, however, he noticed that it was 3:15 and everyone was on their last break for the work day. He decided that he could use a break from his work and walked into the break room to see the local news, CBS Miami, on the TV. All of his co-workers surrounded the TV and appeared to be infatuated with the status of this whale. The headline underneath the reporter on scene read, “ Beached Whale Still Alive and Breathing.”

“How can a whale be breathing above water?” asked an employee who’s eyes were practically glued to the TV.

“Whales are mammals they breath air,” Chris shouts from the back of the break room. He was embarrassed by the fact he just quoted a documentary he watched about whales one lonely Saturday night in his apartment.

The reporter continues, “The around the clock work of all the people at the beach have extended the whale’s life by a few hours as they are able to supply a constant supply of cool water to the Whale’s skin. Furthermore, the generous donations of large packs of ice from the local ice cream and smoothie shops are being laid on top of the whale to keep it from over heating, but if crane operators are unable to move the whale back into the ocean then it will be crushed by its own massive weight.” Chris views these business providing their support as a free advertisement opportunity rather than compassion for the helpless animal. He remembers the various consultations that his mom had when she was entering her chemo treatment for the second time last year. The doctors approached her with a new experimental procedure that seemed promising for patients who had under gone remission before. Chris wonders if those doctors actually cared about his mom or if they just wanted to collect the check from the pharmaceutical company to get their new drug out to as many patients as possible.

Chris leaves the break room as the insurmountable amount of paperwork he will have to complete this weekend does not allow him to worry about a dying whale or free ice cream advertisements. He reaches his cubicle and sees that Henry had not even touched a single document, not surprisingly. The fact that there is only one hour left in the work day, leads Chris to realize he will be completing this report on his own as he originally thought.

People start packing up their stuff and head out of the office as the work day comes to an end at five o’clock. Chris notices the office morale has dropped significantly for the stranded whale in the few hours between his break and the end of the day as the soft whispers amongst coworkers can no longer be heard through the canvas walls, but only the sound of Henry’s computer shutting off could reach a decibel Chris’s ears could register.

“Well, Chris, it’s five so I am leaving for the night. Apparently a marine biologist who was on scene condemned the reporter’s praise for people pouring water on the whale as they were only prolonging its inevitable death. This was after the crane worker in the area refused to work unpaid over time to save a whales life,” Henry said.

“Well, our tax dollars don’t pay crane workers to care about whales. Have a good weekend man. Try and not drink too much.”

“Hey, some one has got to drink for you if you won’t ever have one,” Henry said. Chris did not really understand Henry’s logic in that statement, but chose not to reply in fear of prolonging this conversation he did not want to have in the first place. However, Henry’s update on the whale caused Chris to recall another memory of his mother after her cancer had gone into remission for the second time. The doctors explained callously that with each successive round of chemotherapy her quality of life would only diminish. Multiple myeloma is a cancer that requires successive chemotherapy treatments and as such, his mother’s quality of life certainly would have been better without the life draining chemotherapy treatments. He questioned his family’s true motives, wondering if they encouraged her to keep pushing through treatments for her quantity of life, or if it really was the right thing to do for her quality of life. Of course, no one who supported a loved one battling cancer would admit to that feeling being true, but it was obvious to Chris this was the thought his coworkers had for the stranded whale. The people had the right intentions in helping the whale, however, all they wound up doing was prolonging its inevitable death. This whales predicament has officially stolen Chris’s focus and he could no longer work with these thoughts of quantity vs quality racing through his head and decided to call it a night at eight o’clock.

Chris exits the building from the east side entrance so he can walk past the whale that has managed to remain on his mind throughout the day. He unties his shoes and removes his socks again before stepping onto the evening sand. It was much cooler than this morning. The cool breeze graces Chris’s face that brings out an odd feeling of serenity. Every one has left the whale alone in the cold sand as it takes its final few breaths. Chris extends his hand out toward the whale and caresses its now dry skin. The whales massive eye remains closed and the blow-hole is no longer leaking any water. The tears in the whales skin from the seagulls releases an odor that makes Chris’s stomach twist in nots. This whale never stood a chance when mother nature mistakenly washed up on shore, Chris thought to himself. Saving the whale seemed so infeasible, but now that it is at the last moments of it’s life Chris can only wish that he did more to help earlier this morning. He thinks how much easier it is to ignore problems as insurmountable as this whale, instead accepting the entire weight of the problem solely on his shoulders. He covers his noes with his shirt and whispers somberly, “Just let go, be free from this suffering.” He walks away from the whale thinking about his Mother, and the phone call that he had earlier with his Dad about her possibly entering her third round of treatment. He cringes when he thinks if his mom would be better off freed from her cancer rather than prolonging the inevitable outcome. His stomach twists even more from this thought even entering his head.

The next day, Chris walks into the office early Saturday and sees the handful of co-workers that were unfortunate enough to be sentenced with weekend tasks. Every one is focused at their desk, and Chris does not hear the slightest mention of the whale from yesterday. The TV in the break room could be heard faintly as Chris walks past it; however, Chris only heard the usual reporting of politics and economics. Chris glances out the now empty window that was crowded a mere 24 hours ago and sees the lifeless whale resting in front of the somber ocean. The morning sun rose behind the whale casting a shadow upon the birds that were picking at it’s fat as men threw ropes around her lifeless body. Chris assumed the ropes were attached to the boat 50 feet off shore and would drag her out to sea instead of letting it rot out in the sand.

Chris walks back to his desk and grabs his picture of his mother. He looks at the family and friends surrounding her after her news of remission and thinks how much more positive this picture will be compared to the one that would be taken next week when only his Dad is by her side as she enters her third cycle of the life draining chemotherapy treatment. He reflects on the fact that he has not visited his parents in months because he was drained from giving his mother constant support, and could not stand to see her lose the battle. He felt like the people who had given up on the whale after all their failed attempts at rescue. However, Chris does not want his mother to be alone as he saw the whale last night and this causes him to buy a train ticket to Huntsville, Alabama for next weekend. He just wants to be by his mother’s side, giving her his full support as she takes on this battle for the third time. He does not know what her outcome will be this time around, but he knows it will be better if she is surrounded by her family than if she were to be left alone.

submitted by /u/lackadaisicalAuthor [link] [comments] via Blogger http://bit.ly/31InRcr

[tinaparkerusa]

A Whole Bunch of Amazing Fixer-Uppers North of New York City

by Elizabeth Finkelstein (Image courtesy of Northern Dutchess Realty Inc.)

It’s almost embarrassing to admit how much time I spend looking at fixer-uppers for sale. Ethan (my husband) and I do nothing but dream about landing a big, old farmhouse rife with peeling wallpaper and sited on a hill somewhere up the Hudson River, where we’d live out the rest of our days surrounded by multiple sets of pocket doors and ornate plasterwork from a bygone era. IT’S GONNA HAPPEN, JUST YOU WAIT.   You can imagine my excitement when my friend Christina Poletto (whom I met when she reached out to me to write a piece about CIRCA for Today.com) asked me to collaborate with her on a series of pieces for local publications focused on fixer-uppers for sale north of New York City, which you can read in The Journal News and The Poughkeepsie Journal. Christina was the PERFECT person to help me with this, considering she’s got an eye for lovely, old things. Christina actually runs a staging and furniture refurbishment business just north of New York, so if any of you agents or homeowners needing organizing or staging, check her out at Dovetailor Design Studio!   Anyway, the two of us found far more fixer-uppers than we could squeeze into a newspaper article, so we’ve decided to cull together the rest of them and showcase them here, in a definitive list of the most spectacular fixer-uppers currently for sale in the counties just north of New York City. Because I know we’re not the only ones who share this dream.   (Psst… We don’t personally represent any of these homes. We’ve provided a link back to the original listing in the description for each home. Click through if you’re looking for more information!).    

1  58 Snake Rd, Catskill, NY   Source: HOUSE Hudson Valley Realty   $495,000 4.2 acres   Magnificent Victorian Manse with outstanding views of the Catskill Mountains. Built of brick and stone, ready for a complete restoration, this solid house is located on a bucolic dead-end road just minutes from Catskill Village. A grand staircase rises to a high ceilinged second floor of large bedrooms and a sleeping porch. The full third floor has additional bedrooms and yet another sleeping porch. Surrounded by 100 plus acres of forever-protected land this property is an ideal investment in the future. Just 5 minutes form Catskill Village.  

    2  20 Garfield Pl, Poughkeepsie, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of River Realty Services, Inc. $199,900 (pending offer) UPDATE: Sold! 0.57 acres   This is an important historic home protected by local listing on the national, state and local registers. House is eligible for New York State historic homeowner rehab tax credits which can be considerable. Grand old Victorian in need of restoration to bring it back to the charm of yesteryear. Amazing space and architectural features you will not want to miss. Inlaid hardwood flooring and ceilings are stunning. Please see all associated documents for more info. Sold as-is. Buyer to pay NYS Transfer Tax. Cash offers only with proof of funds. **Please see agent remarks for access, showing instructions and offer presentation remarks.** Employees of Bank of America or its affiliates or subsidiaries are strictly prohibited from directly or indirectly purchasing any property owned by Bank of America.  

        3  210 Clove Rd, Salisbury Mills, NY   Source: SHAHAR Management LLC   $114,900 (foreclosure) 0.94 acres   This Fannie Mae HomePath Cape Cod has wide plank original floors throughout. Exposed original wood beams, 3 fireplaces, Eat-in-Kitchen, Spacious Living Room, Den & Formal Dining Room. There is also an Enclosed Deck and an additional deck great for enjoying the outdoors. 2 Car Detached Garage.  

        4  225 Germonds Rd, West Nyack, NY   Source: Keller Williams Realty NY   $280,000 2.26 acres   Step back into the past with this c. 1812 time-tested home built on over 2.26 acres of land. This prime corner lot location includes an expansive yard with a barn, private stream and pond. Take notice of the many historical accents throughout this classic 4 bedroom / 3 bath home in Rockland County. Tour its grounds to truly appreciate the natural beauty of this unique property. Home is in excellent school district. Convenient travel to New York City, NJ, Westchester & Ct. House is being sold AS IS. Property is currently assessed at $400,000.  

        5  813 Flatbush Rd, Kingston, NY   Source: Murphy Realty Group   $749,000 19.4 acres   Charming country farm with a fabulous Dutch Barn that sits 19+/- acres. Original beams,some exposed brick and so much more.Where would you find such beautiful rolling meadows and space for the animals. Farm house has 3 bedrooms and a full bath. Spacious rooms and a little love ..Could turn this home back to where it was back in the day. Located on Rt 32, half mile from Davis Park and the Hudson River. Few minutes from Kingston – Rhinecliff Bridge, Saugerties, Kingston Airport,City of Kingston and the Ulster Airport.  

        6  303 River Rd, Nyack, NY   Source: Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty   $772,000 1.6 acres   Spectacular 1.6 acre property offering amazing Hudson River views located on a very quiet section of Grandview close to the Piermont border. Adjoins nature trail in rear. Renovate, expand or build a new home in a tranquil setting. Mid 19th Century with simple period details. Owner will suit to build approximately 4,000 sq.ft. home for asking price of 1,995,000.  

        7  1141 Main St, Malden On Hudson, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of ANDREASSEN PROPERTIES LLC   $150,000 (foreclosure) 0.41 acres   URGENT CALL FOR COSMETIC SURGERY! Originally “The Parsonage”. Two outbuildings. Also two bedroom third story apartment with deck and separate entrance, for a mother daughter or income producing apartment. A consent to judgement that is in the courts, which will eliminate the liens against the house will not be completed till April23,2017.So any offers cannot be submitted until that time. Taxes based on previous assessment.  

        8  1437 State Route 213, Ulster Park, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Mary A. Real Estate   $89,999 3.1 acres   Come and check out this farmhouse high on the hilltop. Surrounded by woods this property has lots of potential. Great views and house sits on Main street, off of 213. Enjoy nearby park, waterways and a quick ride to the Kingston waterfront to enjoy a night out – also not far from New Paltz. The house is being sold as is. There is really not a basement – the “basement is accessed from inside or out – not below grade. It is just a partial space with furnace, oil tank, etc. Crawl space for the rest of house. There is an attic for storage.  

        9  299 Upper Cherrytown Rd, Kerhonkson, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of Westwood Metes & Bounds Realty, Ltd.   $299,000 3.83 acres   This charming farmhouse has infinite possibilities for bringing it back to the gentle ambiance of another time. All the rooms are period except for the kitchen which was installed in 1935 with knotty pine cabinets and modern appliances. The room next to the kitchen with the rustic barn wood siding, hand hewn beams and wide board pine flooring was an addition to the house in the 1970’s. It was used as the dining room. The stucco wall is actually the original exterior laid-up stone wall of the house. The reclaimed barn wood siding and wide board flooring came out of an old farm house. The room with the fireplace hearth was used as the living room. The chimney was removed to create a closet upstairs so the fireplace is not functioning. However it is possible to create a new chimney by installing a triple wall metal chimney for a wood stove or pellet stove. The entry way with the brick floor was used as an office. There are three Dutch doors on the first level, two of which lead to the large deck that overlooks the expansive lawn. There is a full bath on each level.  

        10  228 Churchill Rd, New Lebanon, NY   Source: Estately, courtesy of Dream Street Properties   $219,900 18.23 acres   What a great opportunity to open a bed and breakfast or have an amazing 2nd home and country retreat!! Beautiful Wrap around porch. 18 acres, 2 car garage, Lots of potential here..  

        11  10 Broadstreet Hollow Rd, Shandaken, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of The Machree Group, LLC   $129,000 1.8 acres   Wonderful house, constructed for the workers on the Ashokan Reservoir. Gracious sized rooms, lovely front porch. Stone fireplace, four bedrooms, four baths. This house is in rough shape; it needs someone to love it. Of the four bathrooms, only two are partially functional. We are in the process of cleaning it out.  

        12  18 Frost Rd, Rhinebeck, NY   Source: Northern Duchess Realty, Inc.   $599,000 8.82 acres   A Restorer’s Dream – This antique Rhinebeck Farmhouse, c1750/1900, is offered for the first time! A few miles from the village, along a quiet walking road, this local family farm was home to the Frost family until just forty years ago. The present 8.8acres are a pastoral landscape of sunlit meadow, exquisite, mature specimen trees and lush flowering gardens reflected in the spring-fed swimming pond. The centerpiece of this scenery is the often-toured rare 1850s Dutch barn with its intact traditional hand-hewn beams, mortises & tenons. Nestled in a grove, is a true Scandanavian wood-fired sauna a sprint away from the pond, and there is also a heated south-facing workshop/studio. This residence was a farming family’s home: Simple, practical, basic. Yes, there are the requisite wide-boards, hand-hewn beams, antique hardware & doors, 12×12 windows, and plenty of local lore. Families, animals, and crops were raised here. Benson Frost was good friends with FDR throughout their lives. This serene property provides a canvas, a platform for your vision of a true country home. The American heritage of this residence is intrinsic to Rhinebeck’s history. Come, bring it back to life.  

        13  99 S Main St, Castleton On Hudson, NY   Source: RealtyUSA, courtesy of Speicher Select Properties   $289,900 2.78 acres   Historic 18th Century Home of Hans Van Buren that retains many of its original features and sits on 2.75 acres. The classic Dutch exterior has the original brick, wide board floors that are nearly 250 years old, a rumford fireplace, specimen trees, 16’x25′ sun porch with double doors and a view of the Hudson River across 9J. This rare find needs updating but offers great potential for an historically minded restoration. There is a separate building that is ideal for office and also a tandem 4 car garage.  

        14  120 Old Army Rd, Scarsdale, NY   Source: Houlihan Lawrence   $500,000 8,712 sqft lot   Use your imagination to restore this charming home to its original beauty. Living room and dining room feature original fireplaces, beamed ceilings, built-ins, paneling, and leaded glass. Great location within easy walking distance to the Scarsdale RR, shops, restaurants, hiking/biking trails, etc. *”Collector” in residence*. House has good bones but needs extensive renovation and TLC.  

        15  136 Hudson Ave, Chatham, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of Washington Square Realtors   $325,000 1.3 acres   Classic 1850 Victorian with a lovely slate Mansard roof. It is 3 floors of living, original wood floors, multiple window seats. The house has the potential to be the stately home it once was. Carriage house. Pool that needs a new liner. Private back yard with 1.3 acres of lawn and woods. Walk to all the restaurants, grocery store , movies. Great quality of life. Potential to be B & B or Inn with separate quarters for the owner. Multiple spaces for artist or studio space.  

        16  164 Elmendorf St, Kingston, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Win Morrison Realty   $149,900 7,840 sqft lot   This historic Kingston home was originally built in 1927. Placed on a corner lot in a local neighborhood, the home has a large front porch and many windows which allow for maximum sunlight. True to it’s era, it encompasses original hardwood floors, large 4-6 inch original trim, native fire places throughout the home, high 9 ft. ceilings, and a wide stair case upon the entrance. The main floor has a large kitchen, living room space, bedroom suite and full bath. Heading upstairs, the master bedrooms have wide plank flooring and decorative fire places. The attic contains a sizable third floor living space with large-scale windows and elevated ceilings. Finally, it has a new roof and is truly a diamond in the rough. This once beautiful home is in need of a new owner who will instill a rebirth and allow it to thrive to its original historic beauty.  

        17  168 Filors Ln, Stony Point, NY   Source: William Raveis Real Estate   $399,000 0.84 acres   THE GLAMOUR OF A NEWPORT MANSION MEETS BROADWAY & THE ARTS – Stony Point, Circa 1850. Imagine… Brick Baron James Garner built this French Maison with double brick construction, River Views & a 2 Story Barn, on a separate included deeded lot (3 Ewald Pl). Steeped in history with a flair of show business of the 20s, came Rollo Peters of NYC Theatre fame as the next owner. Through the passage of time, new owners Bill Golden (designed the famous CBS Eye) & wife Cipe Pineles (Art Dir., Vogue Magazine), added to this avalanche of splendor, mystique & character, “purging the house of frivolous aspects.” The Goldens remodeled & redecorated in “good judgement & taste,” in their eclectic style, creating more of a “Paris Manoir Romantique.” This home served as a stage for occasions that were memorable for everyone. While living here will definitely inspire the new ownership to creatively restore the faded patina of the past, this is truly a home that one can’t duplicate today, 40 mins to NYC… *** HOUSE & BARN SOLD AS IS, THIS IS NOT A SHORT SALE *** CASH OR 203K LOAN *** SALE INCLUDES SEPARATE .38 ACRE RIVER VIEW LOT WITH TWO STORY BARN, which is right next to the listing, but has a different address & street access from 3 Ewald Place. *** 168 FILORS LANE IS ACCESSED THROUGH MARIAN RETREAT EASEMENT (turn right into the Marian Retreat, 168 Filors driveway on left) *** TAXES SHOWN ARE FOR BOTH LOTS. Taxes for 168 Filors Lane are approximately 10833. Taxes for 3 Ewald Place are approximately 3525, both listed WITHOUT STAR exemption of 1873.  

        18  290 Ulster Landing Rd, Kingston, NY   Source: Select Sotheby’s International Realty   $5,500,000 34.5 acres   This unique property is at the Rivers Edge and offers Spectacular Views. Nearly half a mile of Hudson River direct frontage and an ownership tracing back to the famed Livingston family is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some one with a dream of building and owning a grand estate on the Hudson river. The home was originally built by Dr. Livingston and remained in the family for several generations before being sold. The house, in need of complete restoration, still has original window panes, floor boards, original kitchen in the basement, a scullery and a dumb waiter going from the kitchen up to the dining room. There are also multiple building sites on the property to create your own history. There is a small watch tower facing the river and wood carved posts on the porch typical of the area in the early 1800s. Just 90 minutes from NYC, this could also be a perfect match for a developer with a vision to create a collection of high end homes with Hudson River frontage. This property has been in our family for years, and has been used as reunion site and summer home for generations. The farmhouse, barn, meadows and trails along the river are perfect for horseback riding. The river is wide and gentle at this point of the Hudson, and the commanding view from the front porch is well suited for watching the sail boats and other river traffic.  

        19  421 N Liberty Dr, Tomkins Cove, NY   Source: Keller Williams Realty   $169,000 1.1 acres   Imagine this….heading out the back of your home and into the wilderness! Go for a hike in your backyard, or keep traveling and before you know it, you’ll be in Bear Mountain State Park!With a little vision and creativity this home would be a great weekend retreat or a primary home! Easy commute to major cities. Close to the ferry to Westchester.  

      20  5681 Route 22, Millerton, NY   Source: Steed Real Estate   $4,914,000 466 acres   This listing is a a 466 +/- acre farm which has been surveyed and individually described in three parts. There are natural division lines by Rte. 22 and McGhee Hill Road.The sale of any individual parcel is subject to final T/O Northeast subdivision apaproval.This listing consists of a large 13 room Victorian as described with high ceilings, generous rooms, hard wood floors and classic Victorian detail inside and out. There is also a 2 BR 1 Bath cottage, an antique poast and beam barn with new roof and a large auction/concert barn being approximately 6160 sq. ft.the approximate 170 open acres is under crop lease and will be planted again this spring.Farmer of record will be allowed to remove their crops post title transfer if applicable. Approximately 300 acres is in old and new woods with access points and wood roads. The main house could be a very interesting Bed and Breakfast after renovation. We are also inprocess of investigating allowed uses for the Auction barn.  

      21  1726 Old Kings Hwy, Saugerties, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Win Morrison Realty   $135,000 2 acres   A stately, very well situated, 4 bedroom vintage Victorian home on a sturdy foundation, landscaped two acres with views of mountains from the front and views of one of the finest golf courses (Lazy Swan) in the Hudson Valley in the back. While it needs work to bring it back to its original glory, the large living room with a finished hardwood floor, and some of the original trim and moldings provide a great start. The location is prime, directly adjacent to the golf course, near HITS for the horse enthusiasts and on a lovely quiet country road but only a few minutes from the New York State Thruway exit 20 and close by to Woodstock, Catskill and the center of the Village of Saugerties.  

        22  3040 State Route 28, Shokan, NY   Source: Murphy Realty Group   $200,000 0.92 acres   Classic Victorian Home: Hardwood floors, pocket doors, large windows, original trim & mouldings, built in shelves, high ceilings, etc? OR Classic Income Producer, current owner was using the 3rd floor as an apartment w/ separate entrance, separate 2 bdrm cottage, , zoned commercial, think B&B, work & live, family compound, gallery/ studio, etc? What?s your vision? Either way, This property will need attention to bring it back to life.MAKE AN OFFER!  

        23  308 Main St, Catskill, NY   Source: Century 21 New West Properties   $399,000 0.3 acres   Put your imagination to work with this super opportunity on Catskill’s thriving Main Street. This 10 room, brick, single family residence has served for many years as the parsonage for the First Reformed Church. Parts of the structure date back to the 1800’s and many more original features remain, including hardwood floors, eleven foot ceilings and servant’s stairway from the kitchen to second floor. Open the front door and you are welcomed by a 7′ wide foyer bordered on one side by a 16×25 living room and on the other by a 16×18 parlor that leads to a covered porch. The open stairway leads to the 4 bedrooms and 1 bath on the second floor, then another full stairway provides full access to a full attic with potential for a home studio. Outside is a private rear yard and a 22×24 two car garage with electric, that could easily convert to a studio.  

        24  2115 County Route 17, Walden, NY   Source: Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty   $453,000 124.3 acres   Calling all builders, renovators or Historians. Over 3500 square foot farmhouse in need of renovation. Farmhouse sits on 28.3 acres of partially wooded land. There is a small barn/garage on property. The original part of the home may have been built in the 1700s. The property was used as a dairy farm called Snug Harbor in its hay day. There are 4 fireplaces, wood flooring through out, walk up attic and rocking chair front porch. Plus an additional 96 acres located in Montgomery across the road from Farmhouse is included in sale.  

        25  2253 Bulls Head Rd, Stanfordville, NY   Source: CENTURY 21 Alliance Realty Group   $300,000 0.66 acres   Own a piece of history with this 1780 home.Owner states that home was used as an old Quaker meeting house.Zoned as a 2 family, home can be restored to a single family home,possibly a B&B. Needs work/updating.  

        26  2657 State Route 23, Hillsdale, NY   Source: Copake Lake Realty   $225,000 0.28 acres   (What a) Wonderful World — go back in time when you enter this Historic Hillsdale District Home. Architectural details from days ago including a formal parlor, fireplace, wood stoves, and wide-plank floors. Kitchen redone. Zoned mixed use, but presently used as residential. Lots of options here. Needs some TLC — but well worth the investment in up and coming Hillsdale.  

        Love cheap, beautiful old houses?

  Follow CIRCA’s Instagram feed at @CheapOldHouses, on which we showcase only gorgeous historical homes for sale for under $100,000.

      AUTHOR ELIZABETH FINKELSTEIN

Elizabeth is the founder of CIRCA and a practicing writer, architectural historian and preservation consultant living in Nyack, NY. Elizabeth has loved historic houses for as long as she can remember, having grown up in an 1850’s Greek Revival gem that was lovingly restored by her parents. Elizabeth, her husband Ethan and their beagle Banjo remain on a relentless hunt for their perfect “Thanksgiving house.”        

from House Retoration Tips http://circaoldhouses.com/a-whole-bunch-of-amazing-fixer-uppers-north-of-new-york-city/

[juliasmathewus]

A Whole Bunch of Amazing Fixer-Uppers North of New York City

by Elizabeth Finkelstein (Image courtesy of Northern Dutchess Realty Inc.)

It’s almost embarrassing to admit how much time I spend looking at fixer-uppers for sale. Ethan (my husband) and I do nothing but dream about landing a big, old farmhouse rife with peeling wallpaper and sited on a hill somewhere up the Hudson River, where we’d live out the rest of our days surrounded by multiple sets of pocket doors and ornate plasterwork from a bygone era. IT’S GONNA HAPPEN, JUST YOU WAIT.   You can imagine my excitement when my friend Christina Poletto (whom I met when she reached out to me to write a piece about CIRCA for Today.com) asked me to collaborate with her on a series of pieces for local publications focused on fixer-uppers for sale north of New York City, which you can read in The Journal News and The Poughkeepsie Journal. Christina was the PERFECT person to help me with this, considering she’s got an eye for lovely, old things (she actually runs a staging and furniture refurbishment business out of Nanuet, NY, so if agents/homeowners needing organizing or staging – check her out at Dovetailor Design Studio)   Anyway, the two of us found far more fixer-uppers than we could squeeze into a newspaper article, so we’ve decided to cull together the rest of them and showcase them here, in a definitive list of the most spectacular fixer-uppers currently for sale in the counties just north of New York City. Because I know we’re not the only ones who share this dream.   (Psst… We don’t personally represent any of these homes. We’ve provided a link back to the original listing in the description for each home. Click through if you’re looking for more information!).    

1  58 Snake Rd, Catskill, NY   Source: HOUSE Hudson Valley Realty   $495,000 4.2 acres   Magnificent Victorian Manse with outstanding views of the Catskill Mountains. Built of brick and stone, ready for a complete restoration, this solid house is located on a bucolic dead-end road just minutes from Catskill Village. A grand staircase rises to a high ceilinged second floor of large bedrooms and a sleeping porch. The full third floor has additional bedrooms and yet another sleeping porch. Surrounded by 100 plus acres of forever-protected land this property is an ideal investment in the future. Just 5 minutes form Catskill Village.  

    2  20 Garfield Pl, Poughkeepsie, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of River Realty Services, Inc. $199,900 (pending offer) 0.57 acres   This is an important historic home protected by local listing on the national, state and local registers. House is eligible for New York State historic homeowner rehab tax credits which can be considerable. Grand old Victorian in need of restoration to bring it back to the charm of yesteryear. Amazing space and architectural features you will not want to miss. Inlaid hardwood flooring and ceilings are stunning. Please see all associated documents for more info. Sold as-is. Buyer to pay NYS Transfer Tax. Cash offers only with proof of funds. **Please see agent remarks for access, showing instructions and offer presentation remarks.** Employees of Bank of America or its affiliates or subsidiaries are strictly prohibited from directly or indirectly purchasing any property owned by Bank of America.  

        3  210 Clove Rd, Salisbury Mills, NY   Source: SHAHAR Management LLC   $114,900 (foreclosure) 0.94 acres   This Fannie Mae HomePath Cape Cod has wide plank original floors throughout. Exposed original wood beams, 3 fireplaces, Eat-in-Kitchen, Spacious Living Room, Den & Formal Dining Room. There is also an Enclosed Deck and an additional deck great for enjoying the outdoors. 2 Car Detached Garage.  

        4  225 Germonds Rd, West Nyack, NY   Source: Keller Williams Realty NY   $280,000 2.26 acres   Step back into the past with this c. 1812 time-tested home built on over 2.26 acres of land. This prime corner lot location includes an expansive yard with a barn, private stream and pond. Take notice of the many historical accents throughout this classic 4 bedroom / 3 bath home in Rockland County. Tour its grounds to truly appreciate the natural beauty of this unique property. Home is in excellent school district. Convenient travel to New York City, NJ, Westchester & Ct. House is being sold AS IS. Property is currently assessed at $400,000.  

        5  813 Flatbush Rd, Kingston, NY   Source: Murphy Realty Group   $749,000 19.4 acres   Charming country farm with a fabulous Dutch Barn that sits 19+/- acres. Original beams,some exposed brick and so much more.Where would you find such beautiful rolling meadows and space for the animals. Farm house has 3 bedrooms and a full bath. Spacious rooms and a little love ..Could turn this home back to where it was back in the day. Located on Rt 32, half mile from Davis Park and the Hudson River. Few minutes from Kingston – Rhinecliff Bridge, Saugerties, Kingston Airport,City of Kingston and the Ulster Airport.  

        6  303 River Rd, Nyack, NY   Source: Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty   $772,000 1.6 acres   Spectacular 1.6 acre property offering amazing Hudson River views located on a very quiet section of Grandview close to the Piermont border. Adjoins nature trail in rear. Renovate, expand or build a new home in a tranquil setting. Mid 19th Century with simple period details. Owner will suit to build approximately 4,000 sq.ft. home for asking price of 1,995,000.  

        7  1141 Main St, Malden On Hudson, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of ANDREASSEN PROPERTIES LLC   $150,000 (foreclosure) 0.41 acres   URGENT CALL FOR COSMETIC SURGERY! Originally “The Parsonage”. Two outbuildings. Also two bedroom third story apartment with deck and separate entrance, for a mother daughter or income producing apartment. A consent to judgement that is in the courts, which will eliminate the liens against the house will not be completed till April23,2017.So any offers cannot be submitted until that time. Taxes based on previous assessment.  

        8  1437 State Route 213, Ulster Park, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Mary A. Real Estate   $89,999 3.1 acres   Come and check out this farmhouse high on the hilltop. Surrounded by woods this property has lots of potential. Great views and house sits on Main street, off of 213. Enjoy nearby park, waterways and a quick ride to the Kingston waterfront to enjoy a night out – also not far from New Paltz. The house is being sold as is. There is really not a basement – the “basement is accessed from inside or out – not below grade. It is just a partial space with furnace, oil tank, etc. Crawl space for the rest of house. There is an attic for storage.  

        9  299 Upper Cherrytown Rd, Kerhonkson, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of Westwood Metes & Bounds Realty, Ltd.   $299,000 3.83 acres   This charming farmhouse has infinite possibilities for bringing it back to the gentle ambiance of another time. All the rooms are period except for the kitchen which was installed in 1935 with knotty pine cabinets and modern appliances. The room next to the kitchen with the rustic barn wood siding, hand hewn beams and wide board pine flooring was an addition to the house in the 1970’s. It was used as the dining room. The stucco wall is actually the original exterior laid-up stone wall of the house. The reclaimed barn wood siding and wide board flooring came out of an old farm house. The room with the fireplace hearth was used as the living room. The chimney was removed to create a closet upstairs so the fireplace is not functioning. However it is possible to create a new chimney by installing a triple wall metal chimney for a wood stove or pellet stove. The entry way with the brick floor was used as an office. There are three Dutch doors on the first level, two of which lead to the large deck that overlooks the expansive lawn. There is a full bath on each level.  

        10  228 Churchill Rd, New Lebanon, NY   Source: Estately, courtesy of Dream Street Properties   $219,900 18.23 acres   What a great opportunity to open a bed and breakfast or have an amazing 2nd home and country retreat!! Beautiful Wrap around porch. 18 acres, 2 car garage, Lots of potential here..  

        11  10 Broadstreet Hollow Rd, Shandaken, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of The Machree Group, LLC   $129,000 1.8 acres   Wonderful house, constructed for the workers on the Ashokan Reservoir. Gracious sized rooms, lovely front porch. Stone fireplace, four bedrooms, four baths. This house is in rough shape; it needs someone to love it. Of the four bathrooms, only two are partially functional. We are in the process of cleaning it out.  

        12  18 Frost Rd, Rhinebeck, NY   Source: Northern Duchess Realty, Inc.   $599,000 8.82 acres   A Restorer’s Dream – This antique Rhinebeck Farmhouse, c1750/1900, is offered for the first time! A few miles from the village, along a quiet walking road, this local family farm was home to the Frost family until just forty years ago. The present 8.8acres are a pastoral landscape of sunlit meadow, exquisite, mature specimen trees and lush flowering gardens reflected in the spring-fed swimming pond. The centerpiece of this scenery is the often-toured rare 1850s Dutch barn with its intact traditional hand-hewn beams, mortises & tenons. Nestled in a grove, is a true Scandanavian wood-fired sauna a sprint away from the pond, and there is also a heated south-facing workshop/studio. This residence was a farming family’s home: Simple, practical, basic. Yes, there are the requisite wide-boards, hand-hewn beams, antique hardware & doors, 12×12 windows, and plenty of local lore. Families, animals, and crops were raised here. Benson Frost was good friends with FDR throughout their lives. This serene property provides a canvas, a platform for your vision of a true country home. The American heritage of this residence is intrinsic to Rhinebeck’s history. Come, bring it back to life.  

        13  99 S Main St, Castleton On Hudson, NY   Source: RealtyUSA, courtesy of Speicher Select Properties   $289,900 2.78 acres   Historic 18th Century Home of Hans Van Buren that retains many of its original features and sits on 2.75 acres. The classic Dutch exterior has the original brick, wide board floors that are nearly 250 years old, a rumford fireplace, specimen trees, 16’x25′ sun porch with double doors and a view of the Hudson River across 9J. This rare find needs updating but offers great potential for an historically minded restoration. There is a separate building that is ideal for office and also a tandem 4 car garage.  

        14  120 Old Army Rd, Scarsdale, NY   Source: Houlihan Lawrence   $500,000 8,712 sqft lot   Use your imagination to restore this charming home to its original beauty. Living room and dining room feature original fireplaces, beamed ceilings, built-ins, paneling, and leaded glass. Great location within easy walking distance to the Scarsdale RR, shops, restaurants, hiking/biking trails, etc. *”Collector” in residence*. House has good bones but needs extensive renovation and TLC.  

        15  136 Hudson Ave, Chatham, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of Washington Square Realtors   $325,000 1.3 acres   Classic 1850 Victorian with a lovely slate Mansard roof. It is 3 floors of living, original wood floors, multiple window seats. The house has the potential to be the stately home it once was. Carriage house. Pool that needs a new liner. Private back yard with 1.3 acres of lawn and woods. Walk to all the restaurants, grocery store , movies. Great quality of life. Potential to be B & B or Inn with separate quarters for the owner. Multiple spaces for artist or studio space.  

        16  164 Elmendorf St, Kingston, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Win Morrison Realty   $149,900 7,840 sqft lot   This historic Kingston home was originally built in 1927. Placed on a corner lot in a local neighborhood, the home has a large front porch and many windows which allow for maximum sunlight. True to it’s era, it encompasses original hardwood floors, large 4-6 inch original trim, native fire places throughout the home, high 9 ft. ceilings, and a wide stair case upon the entrance. The main floor has a large kitchen, living room space, bedroom suite and full bath. Heading upstairs, the master bedrooms have wide plank flooring and decorative fire places. The attic contains a sizable third floor living space with large-scale windows and elevated ceilings. Finally, it has a new roof and is truly a diamond in the rough. This once beautiful home is in need of a new owner who will instill a rebirth and allow it to thrive to its original historic beauty.  

        17  168 Filors Ln, Stony Point, NY   Source: William Raveis Real Estate   $399,000 0.84 acres   THE GLAMOUR OF A NEWPORT MANSION MEETS BROADWAY & THE ARTS – Stony Point, Circa 1850. Imagine… Brick Baron James Garner built this French Maison with double brick construction, River Views & a 2 Story Barn, on a separate included deeded lot (3 Ewald Pl). Steeped in history with a flair of show business of the 20s, came Rollo Peters of NYC Theatre fame as the next owner. Through the passage of time, new owners Bill Golden (designed the famous CBS Eye) & wife Cipe Pineles (Art Dir., Vogue Magazine), added to this avalanche of splendor, mystique & character, “purging the house of frivolous aspects.” The Goldens remodeled & redecorated in “good judgement & taste,” in their eclectic style, creating more of a “Paris Manoir Romantique.” This home served as a stage for occasions that were memorable for everyone. While living here will definitely inspire the new ownership to creatively restore the faded patina of the past, this is truly a home that one can’t duplicate today, 40 mins to NYC… *** HOUSE & BARN SOLD AS IS, THIS IS NOT A SHORT SALE *** CASH OR 203K LOAN *** SALE INCLUDES SEPARATE .38 ACRE RIVER VIEW LOT WITH TWO STORY BARN, which is right next to the listing, but has a different address & street access from 3 Ewald Place. *** 168 FILORS LANE IS ACCESSED THROUGH MARIAN RETREAT EASEMENT (turn right into the Marian Retreat, 168 Filors driveway on left) *** TAXES SHOWN ARE FOR BOTH LOTS. Taxes for 168 Filors Lane are approximately 10833. Taxes for 3 Ewald Place are approximately 3525, both listed WITHOUT STAR exemption of 1873.  

        18  290 Ulster Landing Rd, Kingston, NY   Source: Select Sotheby’s International Realty   $5,500,000 34.5 acres   This unique property is at the Rivers Edge and offers Spectacular Views. Nearly half a mile of Hudson River direct frontage and an ownership tracing back to the famed Livingston family is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some one with a dream of building and owning a grand estate on the Hudson river. The home was originally built by Dr. Livingston and remained in the family for several generations before being sold. The house, in need of complete restoration, still has original window panes, floor boards, original kitchen in the basement, a scullery and a dumb waiter going from the kitchen up to the dining room. There are also multiple building sites on the property to create your own history. There is a small watch tower facing the river and wood carved posts on the porch typical of the area in the early 1800s. Just 90 minutes from NYC, this could also be a perfect match for a developer with a vision to create a collection of high end homes with Hudson River frontage. This property has been in our family for years, and has been used as reunion site and summer home for generations. The farmhouse, barn, meadows and trails along the river are perfect for horseback riding. The river is wide and gentle at this point of the Hudson, and the commanding view from the front porch is well suited for watching the sail boats and other river traffic.  

        19  421 N Liberty Dr, Tomkins Cove, NY   Source: Keller Williams Realty   $169,000 1.1 acres   Imagine this….heading out the back of your home and into the wilderness! Go for a hike in your backyard, or keep traveling and before you know it, you’ll be in Bear Mountain State Park!With a little vision and creativity this home would be a great weekend retreat or a primary home! Easy commute to major cities. Close to the ferry to Westchester.  

      20  5681 Route 22, Millerton, NY   Source: Steed Real Estate   $4,914,000 466 acres   This listing is a a 466 +/- acre farm which has been surveyed and individually described in three parts. There are natural division lines by Rte. 22 and McGhee Hill Road.The sale of any individual parcel is subject to final T/O Northeast subdivision apaproval.This listing consists of a large 13 room Victorian as described with high ceilings, generous rooms, hard wood floors and classic Victorian detail inside and out. There is also a 2 BR 1 Bath cottage, an antique poast and beam barn with new roof and a large auction/concert barn being approximately 6160 sq. ft.the approximate 170 open acres is under crop lease and will be planted again this spring.Farmer of record will be allowed to remove their crops post title transfer if applicable. Approximately 300 acres is in old and new woods with access points and wood roads. The main house could be a very interesting Bed and Breakfast after renovation. We are also inprocess of investigating allowed uses for the Auction barn.  

      21  1726 Old Kings Hwy, Saugerties, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Win Morrison Realty   $135,000 2 acres   A stately, very well situated, 4 bedroom vintage Victorian home on a sturdy foundation, landscaped two acres with views of mountains from the front and views of one of the finest golf courses (Lazy Swan) in the Hudson Valley in the back. While it needs work to bring it back to its original glory, the large living room with a finished hardwood floor, and some of the original trim and moldings provide a great start. The location is prime, directly adjacent to the golf course, near HITS for the horse enthusiasts and on a lovely quiet country road but only a few minutes from the New York State Thruway exit 20 and close by to Woodstock, Catskill and the center of the Village of Saugerties.  

        22  3040 State Route 28, Shokan, NY   Source: Murphy Realty Group   $200,000 0.92 acres   Classic Victorian Home: Hardwood floors, pocket doors, large windows, original trim & mouldings, built in shelves, high ceilings, etc? OR Classic Income Producer, current owner was using the 3rd floor as an apartment w/ separate entrance, separate 2 bdrm cottage, , zoned commercial, think B&B, work & live, family compound, gallery/ studio, etc? What?s your vision? Either way, This property will need attention to bring it back to life.MAKE AN OFFER!  

        23  308 Main St, Catskill, NY   Source: Century 21 New West Properties   $399,000 0.3 acres   Put your imagination to work with this super opportunity on Catskill’s thriving Main Street. This 10 room, brick, single family residence has served for many years as the parsonage for the First Reformed Church. Parts of the structure date back to the 1800’s and many more original features remain, including hardwood floors, eleven foot ceilings and servant’s stairway from the kitchen to second floor. Open the front door and you are welcomed by a 7′ wide foyer bordered on one side by a 16×25 living room and on the other by a 16×18 parlor that leads to a covered porch. The open stairway leads to the 4 bedrooms and 1 bath on the second floor, then another full stairway provides full access to a full attic with potential for a home studio. Outside is a private rear yard and a 22×24 two car garage with electric, that could easily convert to a studio.  

        24  2115 County Route 17, Walden, NY   Source: Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty   $453,000 124.3 acres   Calling all builders, renovators or Historians. Over 3500 square foot farmhouse in need of renovation. Farmhouse sits on 28.3 acres of partially wooded land. There is a small barn/garage on property. The original part of the home may have been built in the 1700s. The property was used as a dairy farm called Snug Harbor in its hay day. There are 4 fireplaces, wood flooring through out, walk up attic and rocking chair front porch. Plus an additional 96 acres located in Montgomery across the road from Farmhouse is included in sale.  

        25  2253 Bulls Head Rd, Stanfordville, NY   Source: CENTURY 21 Alliance Realty Group   $300,000 0.66 acres   Own a piece of history with this 1780 home.Owner states that home was used as an old Quaker meeting house.Zoned as a 2 family, home can be restored to a single family home,possibly a B&B. Needs work/updating.  

        26  2657 State Route 23, Hillsdale, NY   Source: Copake Lake Realty   $225,000 0.28 acres   (What a) Wonderful World — go back in time when you enter this Historic Hillsdale District Home. Architectural details from days ago including a formal parlor, fireplace, wood stoves, and wide-plank floors. Kitchen redone. Zoned mixed use, but presently used as residential. Lots of options here. Needs some TLC — but well worth the investment in up and coming Hillsdale.  

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      AUTHOR ELIZABETH FINKELSTEIN

Elizabeth is the founder of CIRCA and a practicing writer, architectural historian and preservation consultant living in Nyack, NY. Elizabeth has loved historic houses for as long as she can remember, having grown up in an 1850’s Greek Revival gem that was lovingly restored by her parents. Elizabeth, her husband Ethan and their beagle Banjo remain on a relentless hunt for their perfect “Thanksgiving house.”        

from Home Decoration Ideas http://circaoldhouses.com/a-whole-bunch-of-amazing-fixer-uppers-north-of-new-york-city/

[cristinkgarzaky]

A Whole Bunch of Amazing Fixer-Uppers North of New York City

by Elizabeth Finkelstein (Image courtesy of Northern Dutchess Realty Inc.)

It’s almost embarrassing to admit how much time I spend looking at fixer-uppers for sale. Ethan (my husband) and I do nothing but dream about landing a big, old farmhouse rife with peeling wallpaper and sited on a hill somewhere up the Hudson River, where we’d live out the rest of our days surrounded by multiple sets of pocket doors and ornate plasterwork from a bygone era. IT’S GONNA HAPPEN, JUST YOU WAIT.   You can imagine my excitement when my friend Christina Poletto (whom I met when she reached out to me to write a piece about CIRCA for Today.com) asked me to collaborate with her on a series of pieces for local publications focused on fixer-uppers for sale north of New York City, which you can read in The Journal News and The Poughkeepsie Journal. Christina was the PERFECT person to help me with this, considering she’s got an eye for lovely, old things (she actually runs a staging and furniture refurbishment business out of Nanuet, NY, so if agents/homeowners needing organizing or staging – check her out at Dovetailor Design Studio)   Anyway, the two of us found far more fixer-uppers than we could squeeze into a newspaper article, so we’ve decided to cull together the rest of them and showcase them here, in a definitive list of the most spectacular fixer-uppers currently for sale in the counties just north of New York City. Because I know we’re not the only ones who share this dream.   (Psst… We don’t personally represent any of these homes. We’ve provided a link back to the original listing in the description for each home. Click through if you’re looking for more information!).    

1  58 Snake Rd, Catskill, NY   Source: HOUSE Hudson Valley Realty   $495,000 4.2 acres   Magnificent Victorian Manse with outstanding views of the Catskill Mountains. Built of brick and stone, ready for a complete restoration, this solid house is located on a bucolic dead-end road just minutes from Catskill Village. A grand staircase rises to a high ceilinged second floor of large bedrooms and a sleeping porch. The full third floor has additional bedrooms and yet another sleeping porch. Surrounded by 100 plus acres of forever-protected land this property is an ideal investment in the future. Just 5 minutes form Catskill Village.  

    2  20 Garfield Pl, Poughkeepsie, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of River Realty Services, Inc. $199,900 (pending offer) 0.57 acres   This is an important historic home protected by local listing on the national, state and local registers. House is eligible for New York State historic homeowner rehab tax credits which can be considerable. Grand old Victorian in need of restoration to bring it back to the charm of yesteryear. Amazing space and architectural features you will not want to miss. Inlaid hardwood flooring and ceilings are stunning. Please see all associated documents for more info. Sold as-is. Buyer to pay NYS Transfer Tax. Cash offers only with proof of funds. **Please see agent remarks for access, showing instructions and offer presentation remarks.** Employees of Bank of America or its affiliates or subsidiaries are strictly prohibited from directly or indirectly purchasing any property owned by Bank of America.  

        3  210 Clove Rd, Salisbury Mills, NY   Source: SHAHAR Management LLC   $114,900 (foreclosure) 0.94 acres   This Fannie Mae HomePath Cape Cod has wide plank original floors throughout. Exposed original wood beams, 3 fireplaces, Eat-in-Kitchen, Spacious Living Room, Den & Formal Dining Room. There is also an Enclosed Deck and an additional deck great for enjoying the outdoors. 2 Car Detached Garage.  

        4  225 Germonds Rd, West Nyack, NY   Source: Keller Williams Realty NY   $280,000 2.26 acres   Step back into the past with this c. 1812 time-tested home built on over 2.26 acres of land. This prime corner lot location includes an expansive yard with a barn, private stream and pond. Take notice of the many historical accents throughout this classic 4 bedroom / 3 bath home in Rockland County. Tour its grounds to truly appreciate the natural beauty of this unique property. Home is in excellent school district. Convenient travel to New York City, NJ, Westchester & Ct. House is being sold AS IS. Property is currently assessed at $400,000.  

        5  813 Flatbush Rd, Kingston, NY   Source: Murphy Realty Group   $749,000 19.4 acres   Charming country farm with a fabulous Dutch Barn that sits 19+/- acres. Original beams,some exposed brick and so much more.Where would you find such beautiful rolling meadows and space for the animals. Farm house has 3 bedrooms and a full bath. Spacious rooms and a little love ..Could turn this home back to where it was back in the day. Located on Rt 32, half mile from Davis Park and the Hudson River. Few minutes from Kingston – Rhinecliff Bridge, Saugerties, Kingston Airport,City of Kingston and the Ulster Airport.  

        6  303 River Rd, Nyack, NY   Source: Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty   $772,000 1.6 acres   Spectacular 1.6 acre property offering amazing Hudson River views located on a very quiet section of Grandview close to the Piermont border. Adjoins nature trail in rear. Renovate, expand or build a new home in a tranquil setting. Mid 19th Century with simple period details. Owner will suit to build approximately 4,000 sq.ft. home for asking price of 1,995,000.  

        7  1141 Main St, Malden On Hudson, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of ANDREASSEN PROPERTIES LLC   $150,000 (foreclosure) 0.41 acres   URGENT CALL FOR COSMETIC SURGERY! Originally “The Parsonage”. Two outbuildings. Also two bedroom third story apartment with deck and separate entrance, for a mother daughter or income producing apartment. A consent to judgement that is in the courts, which will eliminate the liens against the house will not be completed till April23,2017.So any offers cannot be submitted until that time. Taxes based on previous assessment.  

        8  1437 State Route 213, Ulster Park, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Mary A. Real Estate   $89,999 3.1 acres   Come and check out this farmhouse high on the hilltop. Surrounded by woods this property has lots of potential. Great views and house sits on Main street, off of 213. Enjoy nearby park, waterways and a quick ride to the Kingston waterfront to enjoy a night out – also not far from New Paltz. The house is being sold as is. There is really not a basement – the “basement is accessed from inside or out – not below grade. It is just a partial space with furnace, oil tank, etc. Crawl space for the rest of house. There is an attic for storage.  

        9  299 Upper Cherrytown Rd, Kerhonkson, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of Westwood Metes & Bounds Realty, Ltd.   $299,000 3.83 acres   This charming farmhouse has infinite possibilities for bringing it back to the gentle ambiance of another time. All the rooms are period except for the kitchen which was installed in 1935 with knotty pine cabinets and modern appliances. The room next to the kitchen with the rustic barn wood siding, hand hewn beams and wide board pine flooring was an addition to the house in the 1970’s. It was used as the dining room. The stucco wall is actually the original exterior laid-up stone wall of the house. The reclaimed barn wood siding and wide board flooring came out of an old farm house. The room with the fireplace hearth was used as the living room. The chimney was removed to create a closet upstairs so the fireplace is not functioning. However it is possible to create a new chimney by installing a triple wall metal chimney for a wood stove or pellet stove. The entry way with the brick floor was used as an office. There are three Dutch doors on the first level, two of which lead to the large deck that overlooks the expansive lawn. There is a full bath on each level.  

        10  228 Churchill Rd, New Lebanon, NY   Source: Estately, courtesy of Dream Street Properties   $219,900 18.23 acres   What a great opportunity to open a bed and breakfast or have an amazing 2nd home and country retreat!! Beautiful Wrap around porch. 18 acres, 2 car garage, Lots of potential here..  

        11  10 Broadstreet Hollow Rd, Shandaken, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of The Machree Group, LLC   $129,000 1.8 acres   Wonderful house, constructed for the workers on the Ashokan Reservoir. Gracious sized rooms, lovely front porch. Stone fireplace, four bedrooms, four baths. This house is in rough shape; it needs someone to love it. Of the four bathrooms, only two are partially functional. We are in the process of cleaning it out.  

        12  18 Frost Rd, Rhinebeck, NY   Source: Northern Duchess Realty, Inc.   $599,000 8.82 acres   A Restorer’s Dream – This antique Rhinebeck Farmhouse, c1750/1900, is offered for the first time! A few miles from the village, along a quiet walking road, this local family farm was home to the Frost family until just forty years ago. The present 8.8acres are a pastoral landscape of sunlit meadow, exquisite, mature specimen trees and lush flowering gardens reflected in the spring-fed swimming pond. The centerpiece of this scenery is the often-toured rare 1850s Dutch barn with its intact traditional hand-hewn beams, mortises & tenons. Nestled in a grove, is a true Scandanavian wood-fired sauna a sprint away from the pond, and there is also a heated south-facing workshop/studio. This residence was a farming family’s home: Simple, practical, basic. Yes, there are the requisite wide-boards, hand-hewn beams, antique hardware & doors, 12×12 windows, and plenty of local lore. Families, animals, and crops were raised here. Benson Frost was good friends with FDR throughout their lives. This serene property provides a canvas, a platform for your vision of a true country home. The American heritage of this residence is intrinsic to Rhinebeck’s history. Come, bring it back to life.  

        13  99 S Main St, Castleton On Hudson, NY   Source: RealtyUSA, courtesy of Speicher Select Properties   $289,900 2.78 acres   Historic 18th Century Home of Hans Van Buren that retains many of its original features and sits on 2.75 acres. The classic Dutch exterior has the original brick, wide board floors that are nearly 250 years old, a rumford fireplace, specimen trees, 16’x25′ sun porch with double doors and a view of the Hudson River across 9J. This rare find needs updating but offers great potential for an historically minded restoration. There is a separate building that is ideal for office and also a tandem 4 car garage.  

        14  120 Old Army Rd, Scarsdale, NY   Source: Houlihan Lawrence   $500,000 8,712 sqft lot   Use your imagination to restore this charming home to its original beauty. Living room and dining room feature original fireplaces, beamed ceilings, built-ins, paneling, and leaded glass. Great location within easy walking distance to the Scarsdale RR, shops, restaurants, hiking/biking trails, etc. *”Collector” in residence*. House has good bones but needs extensive renovation and TLC.  

        15  136 Hudson Ave, Chatham, NY   Source: Realtor, courtesy of Washington Square Realtors   $325,000 1.3 acres   Classic 1850 Victorian with a lovely slate Mansard roof. It is 3 floors of living, original wood floors, multiple window seats. The house has the potential to be the stately home it once was. Carriage house. Pool that needs a new liner. Private back yard with 1.3 acres of lawn and woods. Walk to all the restaurants, grocery store , movies. Great quality of life. Potential to be B & B or Inn with separate quarters for the owner. Multiple spaces for artist or studio space.  

        16  164 Elmendorf St, Kingston, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Win Morrison Realty   $149,900 7,840 sqft lot   This historic Kingston home was originally built in 1927. Placed on a corner lot in a local neighborhood, the home has a large front porch and many windows which allow for maximum sunlight. True to it’s era, it encompasses original hardwood floors, large 4-6 inch original trim, native fire places throughout the home, high 9 ft. ceilings, and a wide stair case upon the entrance. The main floor has a large kitchen, living room space, bedroom suite and full bath. Heading upstairs, the master bedrooms have wide plank flooring and decorative fire places. The attic contains a sizable third floor living space with large-scale windows and elevated ceilings. Finally, it has a new roof and is truly a diamond in the rough. This once beautiful home is in need of a new owner who will instill a rebirth and allow it to thrive to its original historic beauty.  

        17  168 Filors Ln, Stony Point, NY   Source: William Raveis Real Estate   $399,000 0.84 acres   THE GLAMOUR OF A NEWPORT MANSION MEETS BROADWAY & THE ARTS – Stony Point, Circa 1850. Imagine… Brick Baron James Garner built this French Maison with double brick construction, River Views & a 2 Story Barn, on a separate included deeded lot (3 Ewald Pl). Steeped in history with a flair of show business of the 20s, came Rollo Peters of NYC Theatre fame as the next owner. Through the passage of time, new owners Bill Golden (designed the famous CBS Eye) & wife Cipe Pineles (Art Dir., Vogue Magazine), added to this avalanche of splendor, mystique & character, “purging the house of frivolous aspects.” The Goldens remodeled & redecorated in “good judgement & taste,” in their eclectic style, creating more of a “Paris Manoir Romantique.” This home served as a stage for occasions that were memorable for everyone. While living here will definitely inspire the new ownership to creatively restore the faded patina of the past, this is truly a home that one can’t duplicate today, 40 mins to NYC… *** HOUSE & BARN SOLD AS IS, THIS IS NOT A SHORT SALE *** CASH OR 203K LOAN *** SALE INCLUDES SEPARATE .38 ACRE RIVER VIEW LOT WITH TWO STORY BARN, which is right next to the listing, but has a different address & street access from 3 Ewald Place. *** 168 FILORS LANE IS ACCESSED THROUGH MARIAN RETREAT EASEMENT (turn right into the Marian Retreat, 168 Filors driveway on left) *** TAXES SHOWN ARE FOR BOTH LOTS. Taxes for 168 Filors Lane are approximately 10833. Taxes for 3 Ewald Place are approximately 3525, both listed WITHOUT STAR exemption of 1873.  

        18  290 Ulster Landing Rd, Kingston, NY   Source: Select Sotheby’s International Realty   $5,500,000 34.5 acres   This unique property is at the Rivers Edge and offers Spectacular Views. Nearly half a mile of Hudson River direct frontage and an ownership tracing back to the famed Livingston family is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some one with a dream of building and owning a grand estate on the Hudson river. The home was originally built by Dr. Livingston and remained in the family for several generations before being sold. The house, in need of complete restoration, still has original window panes, floor boards, original kitchen in the basement, a scullery and a dumb waiter going from the kitchen up to the dining room. There are also multiple building sites on the property to create your own history. There is a small watch tower facing the river and wood carved posts on the porch typical of the area in the early 1800s. Just 90 minutes from NYC, this could also be a perfect match for a developer with a vision to create a collection of high end homes with Hudson River frontage. This property has been in our family for years, and has been used as reunion site and summer home for generations. The farmhouse, barn, meadows and trails along the river are perfect for horseback riding. The river is wide and gentle at this point of the Hudson, and the commanding view from the front porch is well suited for watching the sail boats and other river traffic.  

        19  421 N Liberty Dr, Tomkins Cove, NY   Source: Keller Williams Realty   $169,000 1.1 acres   Imagine this….heading out the back of your home and into the wilderness! Go for a hike in your backyard, or keep traveling and before you know it, you’ll be in Bear Mountain State Park!With a little vision and creativity this home would be a great weekend retreat or a primary home! Easy commute to major cities. Close to the ferry to Westchester.  

      20  5681 Route 22, Millerton, NY   Source: Steed Real Estate   $4,914,000 466 acres   This listing is a a 466 +/- acre farm which has been surveyed and individually described in three parts. There are natural division lines by Rte. 22 and McGhee Hill Road.The sale of any individual parcel is subject to final T/O Northeast subdivision apaproval.This listing consists of a large 13 room Victorian as described with high ceilings, generous rooms, hard wood floors and classic Victorian detail inside and out. There is also a 2 BR 1 Bath cottage, an antique poast and beam barn with new roof and a large auction/concert barn being approximately 6160 sq. ft.the approximate 170 open acres is under crop lease and will be planted again this spring.Farmer of record will be allowed to remove their crops post title transfer if applicable. Approximately 300 acres is in old and new woods with access points and wood roads. The main house could be a very interesting Bed and Breakfast after renovation. We are also inprocess of investigating allowed uses for the Auction barn.  

      21  1726 Old Kings Hwy, Saugerties, NY   Source: Zillow, courtesy of Win Morrison Realty   $135,000 2 acres   A stately, very well situated, 4 bedroom vintage Victorian home on a sturdy foundation, landscaped two acres with views of mountains from the front and views of one of the finest golf courses (Lazy Swan) in the Hudson Valley in the back. While it needs work to bring it back to its original glory, the large living room with a finished hardwood floor, and some of the original trim and moldings provide a great start. The location is prime, directly adjacent to the golf course, near HITS for the horse enthusiasts and on a lovely quiet country road but only a few minutes from the New York State Thruway exit 20 and close by to Woodstock, Catskill and the center of the Village of Saugerties.  

        22  3040 State Route 28, Shokan, NY   Source: Murphy Realty Group   $200,000 0.92 acres   Classic Victorian Home: Hardwood floors, pocket doors, large windows, original trim & mouldings, built in shelves, high ceilings, etc? OR Classic Income Producer, current owner was using the 3rd floor as an apartment w/ separate entrance, separate 2 bdrm cottage, , zoned commercial, think B&B, work & live, family compound, gallery/ studio, etc? What?s your vision? Either way, This property will need attention to bring it back to life.MAKE AN OFFER!  

        23  308 Main St, Catskill, NY   Source: Century 21 New West Properties   $399,000 0.3 acres   Put your imagination to work with this super opportunity on Catskill’s thriving Main Street. This 10 room, brick, single family residence has served for many years as the parsonage for the First Reformed Church. Parts of the structure date back to the 1800’s and many more original features remain, including hardwood floors, eleven foot ceilings and servant’s stairway from the kitchen to second floor. Open the front door and you are welcomed by a 7′ wide foyer bordered on one side by a 16×25 living room and on the other by a 16×18 parlor that leads to a covered porch. The open stairway leads to the 4 bedrooms and 1 bath on the second floor, then another full stairway provides full access to a full attic with potential for a home studio. Outside is a private rear yard and a 22×24 two car garage with electric, that could easily convert to a studio.  

        24  2115 County Route 17, Walden, NY   Source: Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty   $453,000 124.3 acres   Calling all builders, renovators or Historians. Over 3500 square foot farmhouse in need of renovation. Farmhouse sits on 28.3 acres of partially wooded land. There is a small barn/garage on property. The original part of the home may have been built in the 1700s. The property was used as a dairy farm called Snug Harbor in its hay day. There are 4 fireplaces, wood flooring through out, walk up attic and rocking chair front porch. Plus an additional 96 acres located in Montgomery across the road from Farmhouse is included in sale.  

        25  2253 Bulls Head Rd, Stanfordville, NY   Source: CENTURY 21 Alliance Realty Group   $300,000 0.66 acres   Own a piece of history with this 1780 home.Owner states that home was used as an old Quaker meeting house.Zoned as a 2 family, home can be restored to a single family home,possibly a B&B. Needs work/updating.  

        26  2657 State Route 23, Hillsdale, NY   Source: Copake Lake Realty   $225,000 0.28 acres   (What a) Wonderful World — go back in time when you enter this Historic Hillsdale District Home. Architectural details from days ago including a formal parlor, fireplace, wood stoves, and wide-plank floors. Kitchen redone. Zoned mixed use, but presently used as residential. Lots of options here. Needs some TLC — but well worth the investment in up and coming Hillsdale.  

        Love cheap, beautiful old houses?

  Follow CIRCA’s Instagram feed at @CheapOldHouses, on which we showcase only gorgeous historical homes for sale for under $100,000.

      AUTHOR ELIZABETH FINKELSTEIN

Elizabeth is the founder of CIRCA and a practicing writer, architectural historian and preservation consultant living in Nyack, NY. Elizabeth has loved historic houses for as long as she can remember, having grown up in an 1850’s Greek Revival gem that was lovingly restored by her parents. Elizabeth, her husband Ethan and their beagle Banjo remain on a relentless hunt for their perfect “Thanksgiving house.”        

from House Retoration Tips http://circaoldhouses.com/a-whole-bunch-of-amazing-fixer-uppers-north-of-new-york-city/

[imogenrubergadad1001]

Rumination - Assignment 2

We used a google doc to collate all of our information, research and development of ideas:

Rhythm 0, Marina Abramovic (1974)

https://vimeo.com/71952791

Interested in how far you can push the energy of the human body

Limits → about the mind not the body

How far the public will go if the artist doesn’t do anything

72 items on a table with instructions saying “I am an object you can do what you want to me and I will take all responsibility for 6 hours.”

Various items including one pistol with a single bullet. Meant audience had potential to kill her. Wanted to take chance to see what audience would do

As soon as 6 hours up, audience left, they couldn’t confront her as a person

Tate Shots: Marina Abramovic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UODaRxt8Zuw

Performance art is about being present at the time of performance

Takes many years to prepare because all the components must work

About a dialogue with the audience

Marathon Reading of Stanislaw Lem’s “Solaris”

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/behind-a-blindfold-notes-on-a-marathon-reading-of-stanislaw-lems-solaris/

People sit in a room blindfolded while listening to Lady Gaga reach a chapter of “Solaris”

Ran for around 6 hours I think

Ideas similar to those we were talking about at NAS

Places responsibility upon the audience to actively engage with the performance, meaning listening and letting go of reality

Vice Interview with Marina Abramovic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80QTY91WpQk

Nice introduction to the artist and what she’s about

Rhythm 0 – Abramovic was previously criticised for “doing too much” in her performance art, so she decided to perform an artwork where the artist does nothing at all and it’s in the audience’s hands instead

More interesting to perform with people who ignore you or don’t like you

Ego is the artist’s weakness – “Today I’m a star, tomorrow I’m a black hole.” She thinks you should believe any day you can become a black hole.

Interesting time-based project idea:

Instructional video which informs audience what to do

Think of the artist in your mind

Think of the most amazing piece of artwork you can

Can provide blindfolds and block off light

Create an artist plaque which lists everyone in class as the artist

Instructional Art pieces

http://www.a-i-u.net/yokosays.html

“Displaying just the instructions as paintings was going one step further, pushing visual art to its optimum conceptualism; it would open up a whole new horizon for the visual arts.” -- Yoko Ono on Instruction Paintings 1995

Could have three different audios with really random instructions that add up to 5 mins

The work is the combination of the instructions and the results of the class

An interesting collection of instructions by Yoko Ono 

 https://monoskop.org/images/2/2a/Ono_Yoko_Grapefruit_A_Book_of_Instructions_and_Drawings_by_Yoko_Ono_S_and_S_edition_excerpt.pdf

Audio instruction idea:

You see the perfect artwork.

The sight of it fills your heart with an imperceptible feeling.

An unidentifiable cacophony of emotions swell in your chest.

You think of one of your favourite pieces of art. You attempt to conjure an image of the work in your mind.

The picture in your head does not even compare to the perfect artwork in front you.

You gaze at the perfection of the artwork. You are stunned by its miraculousness. You cannot recall a moment in your life you felt even remotely similar to how you feel right now.

Suddenly your heart brews with excitement. Wait until you tell your friends and family. Even the most uncultured and unappreciative of them will not be able to deny its perfectness.

Before people enter classroom, they are given blindfolds - they then wander around like they are in an art gallery but without their eyesight

Can include other audio elements like sound effects

An artwork by the audience:

Provide a large canvas or sheet of paper

Hand out art supplies

Let people work on the paper

Hang the paper up and present it as “our” artwork

More refined audio instructions: (i prefer this one, more engaging i think :) )

Read this all quite slowly and deliberately plz :)

Welcome, to your conscience.

I invite you to relax, and get comfortable.

Please, close your eyes.

And do not open them until the time comes.

You, you are the artist.

You are a creator, an inventor, a pioneer.

You are made to create.

You were born for this.

You have authority.

And you, are a masterpiece.

Imagine a formless shape. An undefinable shape that has yet to become anything in particular. A blank slate that you have not yet made your mark on. Allow yourself the time and patience to fully realise this in your mind. I’ll give you a minute.

Now, take that formless shape before you, and contemplate the infinite possibilities of that shape. The endlessness of that shape.

What it could become. This ambiguous thing has the potential to become anything you desire. To be an object of great beauty.

Or an object of great disgust. To be decorated with grandeur and opulence.

Or to portray itself as modest and humble.

To insightfully further the conversation.

Or obsess over trivialities.

To boldly push the envelope open.

Or remain in a comfort zone.

To bring betterment to the world

Or perhaps to make it even worse.

Now, take a moment to grasp your unique vision in your mind. Using your supreme authority as a creator, craft your vision of what that form could become.

Anything.

No limitations.

No hesitations.

Finally.

It is the time to do what you do best.

Take this form, and create your piece. This process can be long and arduous. You may feel frustrated. Imagine the last time you felt annoyed.

And amplify that feeling by a thousand.

Because of this you may want to give up halfway. It’s important to be patient though. Let your creative instinct take control.

Words, shapes, lines, tones, structure. More.

This is you.

This is yours to define.

This is yours to decide.

Never give up.

Don’t give in.

Believe in yourself.

You can do this.

You can.

Believe

Now, open your eyes.

Use the available materials before you to express your conceptual piece.

You are not restricted by medium or choice of tool.

You are not restricted by how you use these mediums or tools.

You are not restricted by content.

Good luck, and thank you for your participation.

-----------------

(((On a separate powerpoint slide, to appear when everyone opens their eyes:)))

Use the available materials before you to express your conceptual piece.

You are not restricted by medium or choice of tool.

You are not restricted by how you use these mediums or tools.

You are not restricted by content.

Good luck, and thank you for your participation.

---

I like where this is going. I’m going to record my brother saying it and play around with sound effects! Do we want to still look at doing three totally different sounding pieces, or one very cool, dramatic, emphasised piece which alludes to  multiple senses by changing tone, pace, sound, etc?

Blindfold audience whilst instructions are read?

Give them a few choices of mediums to choose from? Or limit each person to one thing, i.e. one red pencil??

I think itd be more interesting to have the audience create the artwork at the same time as the recording so maybe we could do a trial using this script.. I can do it with my brother and have hie draw at the same time and if one of you wants to do the script and have someone draw after? And then we can discuss the implications and results of each?

Experiments:

One person to play the script for one person with their blindfold on, and then they draw/create

Another person to play it for someone else and they create something at the same time as hearing the instructions

Inspiring youtube vids you might wanna check out :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

(like a girl)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE

(Dove you’re more beautiful than you think)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhB3l1gCz2E

(always, labeled as)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWTRwj9t-vU

(acne)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2OcKQ_mbiQ

(slap her)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW8BDgLpZkI

(you’re beautiful)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPt5XnCUOvg

(success)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNOTWjIJ58E

(would you help a girl)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ZL2KFMhVQ

(do you believe in god?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6awUtOa4nd8

(compliments)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e6W_i8Lk3Q

(glass ceiling)

[ruveluarna-blog]

Time Based Collaboration: working through ideas

These are the ideas Imogen, Marleena, and myself have been collating on a google doc.

Rhythm 0, Marina Abramovic (1974)

https://vimeo.com/71952791

Interested in how far you can push the energy of the human body

Limits → about the mind not the body

How far the public will go if the artist doesn’t do anything

72 items on a table with instructions saying “I am an object you can do what you want to me and I will take all responsibility for 6 hours.”

Various items including one pistol with a single bullet. Meant audience had potential to kill her. Wanted to take chance to see what audience would do

As soon as 6 hours up, audience left, they couldn’t confront her as a person

Tate Shots: Marina Abramovic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UODaRxt8Zuw

Performance art is about being present at the time of performance

Takes many years to prepare because all the components must work

About a dialogue with the audience

Marathon Reading of Stanislaw Lem’s “Solaris”

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/behind-a-blindfold-notes-on-a-marathon-reading-of-stanislaw-lems-solaris/

People sit in a room blindfolded while listening to Lady Gaga reach a chapter of “Solaris”

Ran for around 6 hours I think

Ideas similar to those we were talking about at NAS

Places responsibility upon the audience to actively engage with the performance, meaning listening and letting go of reality

Vice Interview with Marina Abramovic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80QTY91WpQk

Nice introduction to the artist and what she’s about

Rhythm 0 – Abramovic was previously criticised for “doing too much” in her performance art, so she decided to perform an artwork where the artist does nothing at all and it’s in the audience’s hands instead

More interesting to perform with people who ignore you or don’t like you

Ego is the artist’s weakness – “Today I’m a star, tomorrow I’m a black hole.” She thinks you should believe any day you can become a black hole.

Interesting time-based project idea:

Instructional video which informs audience what to do

Think of the artist in your mind

Think of the most amazing piece of artwork you can

Can provide blindfolds and block off light

Create an artist plaque which lists everyone in class as the artist

Instructional Art pieces

http://www.a-i-u.net/yokosays.html

“Displaying just the instructions as paintings was going one step further, pushing visual art to its optimum conceptualism; it would open up a whole new horizon for the visual arts.” -- Yoko Ono on Instruction Paintings 1995

Could have three different audios with really random instructions that add up to 5 mins

The work is the combination of the instructions and the results of the class

An interesting collection of instructions by Yoko Ono → https://monoskop.org/images/2/2a/Ono_Yoko_Grapefruit_A_Book_of_Instructions_and_Drawings_by_Yoko_Ono_S_and_S_edition_excerpt.pdf

Audio instruction idea:

You see the perfect artwork.

The sight of it fills your heart with an imperceptible feeling.

An unidentifiable cacophony of emotions swell in your chest.

You think of one of your favourite pieces of art. You attempt to conjure an image of the work in your mind.

The picture in your head does not even compare to the perfect artwork in front you.

You gaze at the perfection of the artwork. You are stunned by its miraculousness. You cannot recall a moment in your life you felt even remotely similar to how you feel right now.

Suddenly your heart brews with excitement. Wait until you tell your friends and family. Even the most uncultured and unappreciative of them will not be able to deny its perfectness.

Before people enter classroom, they are given blindfolds - they then wander around like they are in an art gallery but without their eyesight

Can include other audio elements like sound effects

An artwork by the audience:

Provide a large canvas or sheet of paper

Hand out art supplies

Let people work on the paper

Hang the paper up and present it as “our” artwork

More refined audio instructions: (i prefer this one, more engaging i think :) )

Read this all quite slowly and deliberately plz :)

(Welcome, to your conscience.)

(Please, close your eyes.)

( And do not open until the time comes)

(You, you are the artist.)

(You are a creator, an inventor, a pioneer.)

(You are made to create.)

(You were born for this.)

(You have authority.)

(And you, are a masterpiece.)

Imagine a formless shape. An undefinable shape that has yet to become anything. A blank canvas that you have not yet made your mark on. Allow yourself the time to fully realise this being in your mind. I’ll give you a minute. Now take that formless shape, and imagine the infinite possibilities of that shape. What that form could become. This ambiguous thing has the potential to become anything you desire. To be an object of great beauty. To be decorated with grandeur and opulence. To be moulded into an appealing and attractive element. Take a moment to realise this process in your mind. Imagine what that form could become.

(Anything.)

(No limitations.)

(No hesitations.)

(This, is art.) Now take this form, and create your piece. This process can be long and arduous. You may feel frustrated. You may want to give up halfway. It’s important to be patient though. Let your creative instinct take control.

(Never give up.)

(Don’t give in.)

(Believe in yourself.)

(You can do this.)

(You can.)

(Believe)

(open).

---

I like where this is going. I’m going to record my brother saying it and play around with sound effects! Do we want to still look at doing three totally different sounding pieces, or one very cool, dramatic, emphasised piece which alludes to  multiple senses by changing tone, pace, sound, etc?

Blindfold audience whilst instructions are read?

Give them a few choices of mediums to choose from? Or limit each person to one thing, i.e. one red pencil??

I think itd be more interesting to have the audience create the artwork at the same time as the recording so maybe we could do a trial using this script.. I can do it with my brother and have hie draw at the same time and if one of you wants to do the script and have someone draw after? And then we can discuss the implications and results of each?

Experiments:

One person to play the script for one person with their blindfold on, and then they draw/create

Another person to play it for someone else and they create something at the same time as hearing the instructions

Inspiring youtube vids you might wanna check out :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

(like a girl)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE

(Dove you’re more beautiful than you think)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhB3l1gCz2E

(always, labeled as)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWTRwj9t-vU

(acne)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2OcKQ_mbiQ

(slap her)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW8BDgLpZkI

(you’re beautiful)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPt5XnCUOvg

(success)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNOTWjIJ58E

(would you help a girl)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ZL2KFMhVQ

(do you believe in god?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6awUtOa4nd8

(compliments)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e6W_i8Lk3Q

(glass ceiling)