Images | Thoughts from Edward Jensen

through the opening

A glimpse of clouds–and rain–so near yet far away (Midtown Phoenix weather photography, 11 July 2020)

Metrocenter photos

On June 24, prior to its closing, I traveled up to Metrocenter to take some final photos. Here are a few of them

Prior to its closing next week, I thought I’d make one final trip to Metrocenter to see it before the lights turn off for good June 30. I grew up close to this mall and visited it more than I probably care to admit in the 1990s. I wrote an appreciation essay on Metrocenter earlier this week, which I invite you to read first before viewing the photos.

One of the main entrances to the mall building

I never appreciated it until now, but the former Robinson’s / Macy’s store (now a U-Haul?) has a definite New Formalism aesthetic to it.

A detached Walmart replaced the former Broadway in 2016-2017

The former JCPenney (and before that, Dillard’s, Joske’s, and Rhodes) is now a self-storage. Note the symmetry of the building (the black glass is/was an elevator)

From the north, the Sears was a box on top of a plinth

This sticker was still on the door of the Sears

Now we go inside. You can see elements of the original architecture but also the postmodern nonsense they put on top of it

Another interior shot. This is the east-west corridor

Even the security guards are mailing it in

The Dillard’s clearance outlet is now only accessible from the outside, but the atrium still shows some of the original 1973 architecture

Short-term leases are available – act today, we’re gone tomorrow!

And, finally, this sad balloon sums it all up.

The flyover flying over Midtown Phoenix

On 1 May 2020, a military flyover was conducted to show support for those leading the fight against the COVID-19 crisis.

On 1 May 2020, a military flyover was conducted to show support for those leading the fight against the COVID-19 crisis. The path wound through Phoenix, flying over midtown Phoenix for this photo opportunity:

Quarantine LEGO: Saturn V Day 6

In this edition of The Quarantine LEGO: The Saturn S-IC first stage is completed!

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Quarantine LEGO: Saturn V Day 5

In this edition of The Quarantine LEGO: The final exterior cladding of the S-IC first stage is completed

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Quarantine LEGO: Saturn V Day 4

In this edition of The Quarantine LEGO: Work on the S-IC first stage nears completion

The S-IC interstage is complete and some sound equipment wants to be a part of the photo

Quarantine LEGO: Saturn V Day 3

In this edition of The Quarantine LEGO: More touches are put on the side of the Saturn V S-IC first stage.

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Quarantine LEGO: Saturn V Day 2

In this edition of The Quarantine LEGO: Day 2 of assembly of the LEGO Saturn V

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Phoenix on fire

Two photos of smoke rising outside downtown Phoenix

If you’re wondering what that smoke is by the State Fair Grounds, it’s a scrap-yard fire near 21st Ave and McDowell. No, it’s not someone’s fried funnel cake getting cooked a bit too much.

But what surreal scenes: the joy of the State Fair juxtaposed against the destruction of fire.

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