I love Tetris. A somewhat outdated game but I have 3 different versions on my computer, I have it for Nintendo 64 and on my cell phone. Whenever I play it, (can't get used to Rock Band stuff yet...still like to play guitar for REAL!) my mind starts to wander to the area just below and including Palmerton, PA. The area of extreme vision that comes to me is where Rt. 145 stops and joins Rt. 248, just below the area where The Lehigh and New England crossed The Lehigh River overhead. That bridge is long gone now but the embankments on either side were still there as I recall in early 2006. That was the last time I was up that way when I used to live in Whitehall, PA.
Is there some sort of chemical attraction to this place that makes my mind focus more on this area when I play Tetris? Is it a Paul Muadibian connection whereas "the zinc controls the blocks" or is it that "the blocks ARE the zinc?!" Is there an Arrakian spirituality to this area?
I know of all the other chemicals that were used in this region...I read on the CDC and EPA blogs (one of them has listed all that had died and from what cause) that vegetation is starting to grow again after years of abuse. Is there some connection?
I love that region of PA. When I used to work nights, I would venture up there during the day and research and explore as much as I could about all the defunct rail lines and companies that went under long ago but still had buildings standing in ruins.
Such a great history could be found around every corner of these particular Counties in, near and around The Lehigh Valley that makes me want to return to learn more.

Is it just a coincidence, or is something drawing me there whenever I play Tetris?

I'll just say that you see and hear about contaminated industrial sites but they often look like any other place. You see grass, trees, and scrub brush trying to take back the site from man. In contrast when you see the NJ Zinc site it looks like the moon, nothing grows there, not even a weed. It seems devoid of all forms of life and looks like it would not even provide a habitat for rats or roaches. I've not seen a place that looks more dead than the NJ zinc site. I would never ever set foot on that site not matter how much cool industrial and rail stuff was left behind.

As for Tetris.... I just don't know what to say. My friends think I'm weird enough for being interested in railroads and old industrial sites. I would not even think about adding video games into the mix.

Tetris.. zinc... rail preservation. Don't get the connection. sorry

Remember boys and girls... when working around chemicals, always wear the correct type of respirator. And give yourself regular, frequent, fresh air breaks

Neither do I...just wondering that's all.
Always wanted to walk around up there and explore the rail lines in and out of the complex until one day I asked my Manager (at the time) who drove past it on his way to and from work every day. He said that the whole area was badly contaminated and he highly recommended staying away from it unless I had proper gear to work in which I didn't.
Looks like whatever the railroads left behind in that area are going to STAY in that area.
No amount of contamination, no matter how low it may be will get me to find the piece to this puzzle. I guess it's live with the deja vu whenever I play the game or risk me health and go find out...
I think I'll live with the memories...

Gentlemen,

I just deleted two posts that took this thread in a blatantly political direction. This topic is now locked.

Kevin