Note to Gargoyle:

[mitch]

I hope you didn't have anything to do with this!:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/09/04/woman-killed-by-falling-bricks-outside-south-loop-church/

 

[Roger Bleile]

The church I attend has gargoyles on top. Maybe I better wear a helmet when I go in on Sunday.

Seriously, that incident was a tragedy. You never know when your number is up.

If you are ever in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption would be worthwhile for those who enjoy art, architecture and craftsmanship. The church is open for visitors 10:00-4:00 daily. In fact, I will give you a tour if you give advance notice.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Location...silica_of_the_Assumption-Cincinnati_Ohio.html

 

[Gargoyle]

It's been 30 years since an engineer took me up the bell tower of that church to look at the condition of the stonework. They've been struggling to maintain it; originally built by an extremely wealthy congregation (tiffany windows, etc.) but now a very small working class congregation.

I understand they've done a lot of work to stabilize it the past few years. In this case the gargoyle is getting all the headlines, but it was actually due to a piece of decorative metal work higher up that gave way (probably rusting anchors, but I don't know). The metal fell, smashed into the gargoyle shearing off its head, and the stone fell and hit the young woman. Very sad case. Unfortunately every few years I hear of something falling off a building and hitting someone. One time a chunk of ice fell off a modern building on North Michigan Avenue (upscale shopping district in Chicago) and killed a passerby.

 

[DakotaDocMartin]

Seriously, that incident was a tragedy. You never know when your number is up.

If she walked by only a few seconds earlier or later she'd be here today.

 

[Gargoyle]

If she walked by only a few seconds earlier or later she'd be here today.

of if the wind were slightly different, so the metal hit the stone at a different angle... a million what if's. That is what life is all about.

 

[KCSteve]

The way certain things happen pretty much force you to believe is some sort of higher power. They're just to improbable to happen by themselves.

Then again, there are things like the incident that happened shortly after I moved to KC in the early 1980's. A suspected mob member was killed by a bomb. It was the third time they bombed him and the second one that was put in his wheelchair (first attempt put him in a chair). You almost have to admire the determination of his attackers.

 

[don hicks]

The fact that life can end at any instant should inspire all of us the cherish every minute of every hour. Now back to the bench.
Don

 

[mitch]

It's been 30 years since an engineer took me up the bell tower of that church to look at the condition of the stonework.

i figured at the very least you'd be familiar with the building. any chance you'll be doing the repair?

 

[Mike Fennell]

Walking to my office on LaSalle Street years ago, I saw a window washer's large brush shatter on the pavement. It missed a man by inches and soaked his suit with explosive spray. When I entered my 10th floor office, I found that the window washer was in the process of washing my office window when he dropped his brush. He was very sheepish and uncomfortable about the incident, but no one was injured.

When the Sears tower was first built, it would occasionally spit a huge plate-glass window out onto the plaza below. Walking around town is like walking in the mountains in avalanche weather.

 

[Gargoyle]

When the Sears tower was first built, it would occasionally spit a huge plate-glass window out onto the plaza below. Walking around town is like walking in the mountains in avalanche weather.

About 1986 or '87 one day a number of windows were blowing out. I'd had an appointment on the 81st floor that day with a client, but it was canceled for safety reasons, so I went to a restaurant across the street and watched as a pane of glass floated down and shattered. It was followed by a flurry of papers blown or sucked out of the office... probably confidential legal papers.

My understanding is that aftermarket UV coatings had been applied to the inside of the windows, and so solar heat would enter the glass, reflect off the coating, and bounce around inside the glass, heating and expanding it unevenly, causing cracking and warping. At least, that's what I heard at the time.

The fact that life can end at any instant should inspire all of us the cherish every minute of every hour. Now back to the bench.

Another woman is in critical condition because a tree came down in a storm last night in the Chicago suburbs. Since it's not as dramatic as a broken gargoyle on a church it won't get the same national coverage. But for the family and friends, it raises the same questions about fate, luck, timing, acts of God or random coincidences. Lots of questions, everyone has their own answers.

 

[DakotaDocMartin]

But for the family and friends, it raises the same questions about fate, luck, timing, acts of God or random coincidences.

If you want to think about it, the next heart beat might be your last. I just hope I don't linger when the time comes. I'd rather be dead than eat one more meal of horrible hospital food. And, I've had my share of it. Eeeeew!

 

[LVVP]

Very good info, thanks to all