I've also learned that the site is scheduled for demolition soon, in order to make room for a new public park.  I'll have to remember to make a trip before it's too late, and another Connecticut relic is destroyed in the name of progress.

While this site will still be used for its primary purpose as an UrbEx portfolio, it will also be double-booked for this class for the next semester.  Posts related to UrbEx will be tagged as such, and vice versa for class-related entries.

Soooo: Our first assignment is to talk about why computers are important to our lives.  I'm going to try and respond to this in the context of UrbEx, to make this transition easier.

UrbEx has been around for as long as people have been exploring abandoned buildings, but it's impossible to ignore the effect that modern technology has had on the practice.  In the old days, so I've been told, an explorer was pretty much cast out on his own, having to rely on word-of-mouth or his own experience to find new sites.  Photos were kept for their own personal collection, if they were taken at all, and only rarely shared when he discovered someone else that shared the same interests.  Those early days may have an 'underground' nostalgia for some, but today, things have changed entirely.

Today, entire web communities such as UER and UrbExFourm have sprang up around our little hobby, allowing explorers to share tips and photos with like-minded individuals.  Research, either historical or otherwise, can be done on just about every site through Google or, in many cases, Wikipedia.  The 'thrill of the hunt' may have gone out of the game, but now it's simple for any novice to jump in with the rest of us seasoned pros and have some fun...  And besides, we've all got our own secret hideaways, right?

And that's only mentioning the 'exploring' aspect; the skill of discovering and making your way into a site.  The 'art' aspect has changed even more, with the prevalence of newer technology such as digital photography, GPS, and portable radios.  Granted, there's something to be said about developing pictures from an ancient Nikon in your own darkroom, but the size and simplicity of a decent digital camera can't be beat when you're trying to pack as little gear as possible, especially now that professional cameras are able to take pictures that are clearer and more vivid than a large majority of film.

Technology always marches forward.  This has been a truth throughout the entirety of human history, and it’s not going to change anytime soon.  I know many UrbExers adopt an almost luddite-like stance against it, which is understandable, given our love for the old and forgotten that is often trampled under the march of progress.  But the future will come, no matter how strongly we stand against it.  It’s only by embracing it can we hope to adapt and improve with the changing times.

Thanks for the memories.

'We Don't Rattle'

-The League.

So let us make it up to you.  We've gone ahead and put up the photos from last night's excursion to Pleasure Beach, which ranks right up there as one of the best explorations we've ever done.

You can find both sets at our Picture Gallery.  We'll have commentary up soon.  Probably once I'm done eating lunch.

Photos from the Island Mill will be up Saturday Night at the latest.  We're also scoping some places out for a trip this weekend, and next week the CT branch MIGHT hit up the ghost town.  I've finally begun editing the video of the Quarry, and have about 10 minites done of a possible 30.  After that I'll work on video from the Rochester Subway, which I think will go alot smoother and be much easier to edit.

Speaking of video and audio, we finally have content in the Media section of our site!  Check out our Sheepville Cemetary EVP HERE.

Firstly, we got rained out of our trip in Connecticut.  We'll try again sometime in June.

Second, We have the pics from the Split Rock Quarry and the Rochester subway online (finally)!  Commentary will be posted sometime this week, along with a new, small set from the Island Mill in Carthage that we went to today.

Lastly, we've split the Adventures section into 2 parts:  One for pictures, and another for video / audio.  This'll make it easier to upload EVPs from the Investigative Division of Normal Paranormal, and to link to videos (whenever my lazy ass gets around to editing them).

The site's coming along well, but there's always new stuff, so subscribe to our RSS to get the latest news!

Doc Out.

First off, it's with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Moocher, who by this time tomorrow will be on his way to Colorado.  We'll never be able to replace the energy and detication he brought to the New York branch of The League, and he was one of the best friends you could ask for.  We wish him the best of luck during his new adventures, and hope to see him again someday in the not-too-distant future.

On to website news, we have a new article up in the Tips section.  We also have finally registered the website with Squarespace, meaning we'll have plenty of space to post our newer pics as soon as I can get back to my main computer. 

Today, I'll be hooking up with a few members from our Connecticut branch to go check out a ghost town near the beach, so expect more info from that soon.  As always, check back often for more updates, and keep exploring!

UPDATE:  Equipment section is up, safety will be up Thursday at the latest.