Everybody wants to have an impact on the world, right? Well, even if you can't see the impact you're having, it's still there.
Every time you pass your hand over a counter, press a button, or walk up some stairs, you're affecting the world. It all adds up. Sometimes you just need the proper perspective for it to show up.
It's only natural that everybody wants to pet the doggie, right? The thousands and thousands of pets it must have received have put a nice shine on the pooch's coat.
Instead, nature has worked some wonders on it, turning it into a delicate, almost lace-like ghost of its former self.
In fact, I'm sure they still do all the same. But here you can see how much human hands can wear down a dime with persistent fidgety fingers.
When you can see shadows of former students where they've rested against the walls, it has to be agonizing knowing you're next. Also, not encouraging to know that the walls don't get washed.
A sharp knife is a safe knife! But repeated sharpening will take its toll — these will have to be replaced sooner than later.
But the tree kept on growing, and eventually took the top of the grave marker along for a ride. It's pretty much part of the tree now.
And this one has clearly survived some rough days, leaving the lettering in an accidentally more metal state.
And they're not going anywhere, so you have to hope they were left in a nice, landscape-friendly spot.
I guess the lack of a freeze-thaw cycle must help, but still, it's in great shape for something that's been there for a couple of millennia.
Just shoes, from folks ascending and descending, have worn these marble steps down over the years.
"When My Brother Was Born In 1985, My Mother Purchased Two Identical Teddy Bears. The One On The Left Has Been My Brother's For 30 Years, The One On The Right Has Been Kept In Storage For My Brother's First Child Who Was Born Today."
"Before And After Power-Washing. New York Used To Be A Much Dirtier City Back When The Northeast Ran On Coal Plants."
That looks SO hefty — it would be super neat to see whether any of the posters beneath the top layers have retained their artwork, and what events they were promoting.
Not only does the tower lean, but the steps sag. Fun fact!
"This Is What 16 Years Of Sunlight Does To Your Hardwood Floors."
Ahh, so that's why my parents always told me to shut the curtains. Interesting.
"The Paint On This Chocolate Shop's Door Is Worn Away Perfectly To Reveal All Of Its Previous Colours."
That's what you get after years of passerby's hands sliding along the corner.
I can feel this, and I don't like it!
I mean, you wear Chucks and Vans so that you can thrash them. This person is doin' it right!
I can imagine the barber shuffling around a man, trying to get that perfect cut.
Technically it's still doing a good job... for the most part. I'd be sooooo tempted to peel that off.
Beneath the bricks, there was a vintage cigarette ad painted on the wall. I'm not sure if Winchester could even advertise like this anymore.
This one has been sitting in the same spot on a desk for a good decade and has become fused with the surface. Ew.
But it would help. At the least, this represents a serious dedication to never tearing down someone else's poster. Either way, there must be years worth of posters here.
And yes, the one on the left was washed after use. It's just that coffee managed to stain it a bit each time and build up that deep mahogany-like finish.
For example, Sandy here has been providing rides for kids for just a penny since 1962, and the price hasn't gone up and Sandy looks to be in fine shape.
And the pock mark is still there almost 400 years later. That's some good and sturdy rock!
And today they clearly stand out from the rest, showing what a cool and lasting idea it was.
Just think of all the candy and cash that must have changed hands to create a trail on the counter's top. It won't be easy to replace when the time comes, either.
It's a surefire sign of craftsmanship when the country it was made in no longer exists, and hasn't for more than 25 years.
Of course, this isn't your typical garden snail, but still, this represents just one year of growth!
That's lime scale that has built up over a few decades, effectively shrinking the size of the pipe, greatly reducing the flow.
This is what it looks like when a professional painter uses the same stir stick for just one year.
