Mapping Space

      Creating a diagram of the horse industry, on page 197, puts the locations of the horse lovers, riding students, Amish, horse-related lifestyles, ect. on display for the reader. The artist of the diagram is giving off a strong sense of collective action as the interests of the different workers and their tasks are creating alot of progress. The character Emily uses the barn for her research, "The map allowed her to see how space gets used in the barn-by owners, sellers, buyers, tourists, and horses...". Her labels on the map also helped in her use of detailed description. Page 198 says, "Without her attention to the space and her detailed mapping, Emily would not have created such a detailed verbal image of this space. Her data and her careful documentation create a spatial gaze for us as readers...". Long rectangular boxes represent cattle loading chutes, while a few ovals are symbols for tack safe rings.

library observation on the 1st floor

Observations:                                                                                    
 - By the computers a few male friends are playing online                     
videogames, while two short, well dressed females are focused on research papers and are being good students.The males seem to be having a good time, being a little noisy and the females seem annoyed by the males.



By the desks, one tall, middle aged man is enjoying a coffee.                   
He has his legs stretched out to another chair, casually reading a                               
magazine. Another man, in his early twenties is glaring at his school      
 book, sitting straight up in his seat. He is copying down information
in his notebook.



By the couches, students are comfortably sitting and reading                
 their small books. They are loudly chatting about their plans for the weekend and nobody in the library cares.


Responses                                                                              

How can some of these students be so loud and social in the library? I get a sick feeling when I go to read here.


Are females naturally better students than males? Are the two males playing videogames choosing to do that over school work?

How can the young student sitting straight up in his chair do work like that? I know I would be sitting back on the couch.

Can the library be an even bigger distraction than the dorms? If everyone goes there is it bound to be more complicated to focus?





Summary- The observations I had made at the library gave me a solid example of how I should make descriptive commentary at my research site on campus. Like at the library, I should comment on people's emotion, actions and surroundings. When I return to make notes at the police station, I will be sure to discuss how officers work in the different parts of the building. Not everyone has the same task, so I will be sure to write down which jobs are harder and more stressful than others. I am interested in figuring out which parts of the building are more action packed. In other words, where most of the drama is coming from.

essay 2

           "Slide, Roll, Slam" is an observative account of the various personalities and activities between the lanes of Nicole William's town bowling alley. Shes describes the older men in their 50's and 60's as quiet and looking to just have a good time. She describes the younger, more competive men as very loud and supportive of their teamates. As one individual prepares to bowl, she says, " one man rubs the bowling ball in his hand as if warming it up will have an effect on the game". As she becomes less amused with the action going on where the games are taking place, she relocates herself near the main entrance to view the bulletin board. Up on the wall it reads the reasonable prices for the proper shoes to rent, strings to play and senior citizen deals. She feels that these deals will make the customers return for more entertainment. Then, as she continues to stroll through the building she describes the desirable concession stand, with its delicious pizza, hot dogs and chocolate. This place can simply be described as heaven.

              As the night comes to a close, the narrator heads back to the lanes to see whats taking place between the rambuncious men. Personalized bowling balls are returned to their bags, the small chat is brought outside and a crazy man in shorts is acting like he is nuts in the cold weather. This paper is a complete summary of what I would expect to see at my local bowling alley. Enjoyable entertainment and a great friend and family atmosphere is what makes this sight special. A series of of eveings spent at this location will lead to a lifetime supply of memories.

The Bridgewater State University Police Station

    For my project I would like to carefully observe and research on the near by hardworking Bridgewater State University police station. Not only is the convenient location right next to the famous Shea Durgin dorms, but from what I know it is also easily accessible. The building is the home of numerous well trained officers on duty to protect and serve this institution's relatively large population.

   Vital questions that I am interested in asking include the number of workers, the different hours of the varying jobs, the history of the station and the impact the force has had on the school. How am I affected by their  continous efforts?  I am unsure of what I should resolve my paper around. Should it be the station? Should it be the heroic officers? What is my topic going to be that sets the tone for the rest of my paper following my thesis in the introduction?