john, we better hurry!

Bannerman’s Castle was already an enigmatic ruin in the middle of the Hudson River, a dreamy landmark for passing train travelers and a passionate cause for preservationists.

But then in the silence of last Saturday night, a large chunk of history suddenly disappeared when the castle’s stone, brick and cement sighed under a century’s weight of weather. Overnight, two-thirds of the eastern tower was gone, as well as one-third of the adjacent southern wall, leaving a gaping hole and concern over how to stop the crumbling. (via)

bonus link: the complete history of bannerman's castle

UUUGGGGGHHHH!!!!!

mtv has decided NOT to air schnickas gettin' punched in the face tonight.

What happened to "Snooki" was a crime and obviously extremely disturbing. After hearing from our viewers, further consulting with experts on the issue of violence, and seeing how the video footage has been taken out of context to not show the severity of this act or the resulting consequences, MTV has decided not to air Snooki being physically punched in next week's episode. The show will still make it clear what events transpired, including the full aftermath. (via)

way to ruin a perfectly good thursday, mtv. enjoy this clip of the jersey shore kids playing jaywalking.

things are looking up.

turns out maybe they aren't ruining that building at all! today, they are taking down the paper they put up yesterday, and now my best guess is that they are removing the paint from the original brick. so maybe they are UN-ruining the building!

i'll keep y'all posted.

rueeeenz.

for you, john.

When we last left the haunting Gothic ruin of the old Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island, it was more ruined than ever.

While the abandoned, roofless, 153-year-old building was awaiting structural stabilization in late 2007, a large section of its north facade collapsed spontaneously, apparently the victim of moisture-filled interior walls expanding and contracting through endless cycles of freezing and thawing.

Preservationists were especially dismayed, having long urged that some measures be taken to protect the structure, which was designed by James Renwick Jr., the architect of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. (nytimes)