Wal Mart Adventures -->Marie

This is my last blog for this class. And so I would like to talk about my experience picking up photos at wal mart for my group presentation.
So I walked in the door to wal mart and decided to kill some time and NOT do homework by looking around wal mart for a bit. So I wandered around, tried on some shoes, ect. I picked up the photos and then went to the check out when I realized that I didn't have my keys on me.
And I started freaking out.
You see, that key chain had my car and dorm keys along with my school ID on them. So basically I'd have to either have my parents drive three hours in bad weather to give me spare keys to my car, or let my car get towed. The locks on my dorm would have to be replaced. And I'd need a new ID. So I frantically searched all through wal mart trying to find where I had left them. I asked all the department desks if anyone had turned them in. ANd I waited in a freaking long line at customer service twice to see if they had them. By the end of a few hours I was pretty upset and in tears. No one would help me! The wal mart employees all just had this attitude of "eh. good luck. not my problem." It was so frustrating! So I went out to my car for the third time to see if maybe I'd missed spoting them through the window again somehow. No luck. But this time as I went to go back into wal mart I heard someone call, "Hey! Are you alright?"
This nice black man in an expensive car had stopped to see if I was ok. We chatted for a couple minutes. He was very sympathetic. He told me that if it had been a simple matter of me locking my keys in my car he'd have paid for the police to get into it. Since that wasn't the issue and there wasn't really anything he could do, he just gave me his number and told me to call him if I needed any help. He was the only person who was nice. I wish I could thank him somehow.
But, long story short, my good friends Jeffrey Jay Cottle and Spencer Lee Richards came to my rescue. They drove to wal mart to pick me up and of course as soon as they got there someone turned in my keys.
Pretty much the suckiest saturday of my life.

Sugarhouse (Bryn)

I believe this is the last post I will have for this class. I have just finished counting all of mine, and I do indeed have eleven individual posts including this one. It appears my group and I only did three group posts, but I will continue to look.
The last walkabout my group went on was to Sugarhouse. I found that when we went on the walkabout we noticed the hole had a very negative impact overall on the community. It greatly cut down on the walkability of the area, and now the only traffic that remains at the intersection of 21st and 11th is car traffic. We were able to conduct five different interviews, although we were really hoping for a sixth. The first interview was with an employee of Sugarhouse Coffee, one of the stores that used to be located where the hole now is. They have since moved across the street. The employee was very helpful and informative about what the community's outlook is on the project, and also the effect it had on local businesses. He talked about why he felt the old buildings were torn down, and what people feel the developer is trying to do. This was probably my favorite interview, but I very much enjoyed the interview my group conducted with Mecham, the man responsible for the torn down buildings.
Mecham had a completely different view of Sugarhouse than anyone else we talked to. All the local business owners, residents, and employees we spoke to thought very negatively of the situation. They didn't believe the buildings needed to go, and because they were torn down, Sugarhouse has become less of what it once was. Mecham, on the other hand, told us Sugarhouse was very near and dear to his heart, and the community was falling apart. He believes his project will revitalize the community. He plans to build a multi-use seven-story building made of steel, glass, and red brick. All the buildings in Sugarhouse are about one to two story buildings, and the new seven-story complex will be completely out of place. Only high-end retailers will be able to afford to rent space in the designated retail area of the complex, eliminating places for local businesses to thrive.
My group and I are putting the finishing touches on our project this weekend, and we are excited to share with everyone what we have learned.

Glue Fingers - Slover

Sorry about writing about the weather, but this is just crazy. I've lived in Utah my whole life and I've seen some cold days drop down to the single digits. In February, not December. We should be in the thirties and forties, and maybe have one strange weekend reach up into the fifties. I walked down to the business building this morning without gloves. Big mistake. When I got down there I pulled my hands out of my jean pockets. What I saw wasn't right. Nothing but bone and frayed nerve endings all the way down to the metacarpals. Well, I walked into class--Arabic--and of course I couldn't write a damn thing. That cursive script is hard enough with fully functioning hands. Just try holding the pen with your exposed bone fingers, I dare you. Dropped it about a million times. Back at the dorms I fashioned some temporary skin/flesh replacements out Elmer's glue and paper clips. It ain't pretty, but it'll do for now.

Public Transportation- Maddy Oritt

I look forward to Salt Lake's new streetcar system, assuming it comes to fruition, as a needed addition to our public transportation system. I haven't had that much experience with UTA so far- in high school, I got rides everywhere from my parents until I got a car after sophomore year. Then I would normally drive myself wherever I needed to go- public transport didn't factor in much. Now living on campus, sans car, I rely on it much more that before. I take shuttles almost daily, and take the bus or Trax if I need to go somewhere beyond campus. However, in my limited use of UTA, it doesn't seem like the greatest system. If the destination is on a line, that's great, but otherwise it seems tricky to figure out and not terribly extensive. It would be nice if more Salt Lakers depended more on public transport, to alleviate road congestion (not that it's a big problem) and pollution (which is a big problem), but in order for that to happen, I think our transport network and infrastructure needs to improve. It seems we are on the right track, though, with Trax and Frontrunner extensions and the new streetcar line.

Imprisoned - Slover

The sudden drop in degree (I think it's around twenty Celsius) has discouraged me from getting down to the city for a few days now. Cabin fever is setting in. Last time I took Trax down 4th south I wondered how it is the trains are able to stop on the tracks. You'd think that of all the things that get slicked during a storm metal would be especially at risk. But I don't know anything about trains. And the rails themselves are veins of freedom that flow with blood even when the cars are frozen up on their artery streets. The trains are the keys.

Reflections on City as Text- Maddy Oritt

At our floor meeting this past Sunday, Carlie asked us all to think about the past semester and how everything went. We talked a little bit about City as Text, which made me think more about the class and what I got out of it. Overall, I really enjoyed the class. I think the concept is very interesting, and it was a great way to explore the city and learn more about it. I think everyone learned things they didn't know, regardless of whether they were from here or elsewhere. When you are looking for specific things, which are different from the things on which we normally focus, there is so much to be found! The walkabouts were my favorite part for these reasons. Also, I really liked spending time with my group. I don't think our group could have turned out any better. Group dynamics usually mean that one or two people get stuck with all the work, but all five of us have equally shared our group work and been equally involved in everything we have done. Also, the five of us are all very different from one another, so it was fun to spend time with and get to know a variety of people. Our final project has been a good experience as well. It was interesting to focus on the topic we chose. We got out of our comfort zones to conduct interviews, but they turned out to be very informative and kind of exciting. Overall, I would say City as Text has been a good class. I didn't like the timeslot, though. I didn't like having to go to class on a Wednesday evening, but I understand that that could have been the only time that worked. Also, the class has required a fair amount of work (actually, more work than one of my 3-hour credit classes!) The work has been stimulating, interesting, and enjoyable, but I think it merits more than just one credit hour. Altogether, I'm glad we had this class this semester; it was a great way to meet people and explore the city in a different way, as well as do work that was creatively challenging and thought-provoking.

Wendy's - Slover

There some things you just can't do if you live on a farm or in a cave or underwater. One of them is go to Wendy's at two in the morning. That's a privilege, if you can call it a privilege, only accorded to us smallish town to big city dwellers. So there's a dark side to urban life, or at least a double-edged sword. When you're driving around late at night and the hunger pains come over you, you don't have a lot of options. Unless you want to go home and fire up the kitchen, which you don't, it's not like you can just pop into Whole Foods and get a loaf of spelt bread. So you opt for the jr. bacon cheeseburger instead. And, boy, does it taste right around one-thirty or two. You sit in your car munching, not worrying about what strange things you may or may not be shoving down into your stomach, and admire how the smallish town to big city operates at night. You may notice that all the neons are still blazing angrily garishly away, blocking out the stars. It's then you might get jealous of the corn-fed (although we're all pretty eating nothing but corn these days, but you know what I mean) kids in the Midwest, milking cows, plowing, chopping, keeping the American machine moving. You can have thoughts like that at night, where your mind jumps from one thing to another, not worrying about logical connection, eating your cheeseburger. And then you drive home fairly full and satisfied, your arteries clogged just a little more, but not enough to really hurt you yet, right?

Sugarhouse - Slover

For our final walkabout we went to Sugarhouse to investigate the background and problems of the big empty lot that's been there for a few years now. Here's the skinny: There used to be a bunch of old buildings there where local businesses set up shop--the Blue Boutique, Sugarhouse Coffee, and a smoke shop, to name a few. But they all got taken down at the behest of the landowner, one Craig Mecham. His reasons for doing this are unclear. All we know is that he wants to put in a new shopping complex, and it's likely that only big corporate stores like the Gap will be able to pay the rent, so it won't be local anymore. However, when the economy tanked, so did Mecham's plans. No more money for construction. So the lot's just been sitting there. Lots of the locals are pretty mad about it, especially the business owners. They think Sugarhouse should stay local, and they don't want big stores crowding them out. Mecham claims that the old buildings were unsafe and HAD to be taken down, but there's some speculation that he didn't approve of the stores that conducted business there, and that he was trying to force them out (he raised the rent on lots of them) for moral reasons, but also because he thought he could make more money with something more mainstream. Whatever the truth is, one thing is clear: Sugarhouse is seeing less pedestrian traffic than only two years go, and business is slower for everyone. The area's in trouble.

Christmas Break (Bryn)

Although the stress of finals is beginning to feel greater every day, the knowledge that Christmas Break is quickly approaching is a wonderful relief.
This year, Christmas will be different than any other I have experienced. Instead of going "home" for Christmas, I will be visiting my family's new home in Cinncinnati, Ohio. I have never been to Cinncinnati, so I am excited and also interested in seeing where they have taken residence. It will be quite strange visiting my family for the holidays in an unfamiliar place.
Reluctantly, I will not be going home to Boise at all over Christmas break; the plane ticket for a multi-destination flight was emaculate. I was planning on spending time with Quaid's family in Boise, and then spending time in Ohio with my family, and I am sad now I won't be able to see the family and friends I have in Boise.
After Christmas, Quaid is coming to see my family in Ohio. He has never been to the East Coast, so I'm excited to show him a bit of it. Not only will he see Cinncinnati, which I am not familiar with, but my family, Quaid, and I are going to Philadelphia for New Year's to see the family we have in Pennsylvania. Showing such a historically rich city to Quaid is something I look forward to. I, myself, am anticipating my return to the city, but to be able to share with him places I grew up and called my home is so fantastic!
I am certain this trip will leave a lasting impression on Quaid and I.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's everyone! Good luck on finals!

Football Games--Marie

The last home football game was two weeks ago. It was kind of sad. I sort of wonder what impact on the city the football games here have. Because that stadium can seat like 45,000 people. Thats so many!! And its not like theres anywhere close to enough parking for everyone. Trax must get way crowded. And driving I could definitely see as a potential nightmare.
And what would happen if there was some sort of disaster and everyone had to get out of the stadium? How smoothly would that go? I mean, they have that "safety video" that they show before the game. But honestly, how many people actually watch it? And for me at least, I know I was way more distracted by the awesome 3D arrows then what they were actually saying. Too bad the 3D arrows weren't real....that would be sweet!!

Owning a Car---Marie

So I know that probably about half of my blog entries compare small town vs big city, but thats kind of the only way I know how to view salt lake is through the lense of a small town. SO! With that in mind, I think I want to talk about owning a car.
See, owning some sort of vehicle is just about as much of a need as food is when you live in the area I do. (and yes, most of those above mentioned vehicles are super lifted trucks....lame I know) There is no public transportation system in Sevier. Actually, I remember at the beginningo f the summer when I moved up here my mom didn't let me bring my car. I was freaking out! How was I supposed to get anywhere??
That was when I got to know Trax.
Its actually pretty convient in some ways. I like not having to drive everywhere. It saves on gas money and its good for the enviroment. But, it just takes FOREVER! Going to the public library is this huge ordeal that involves me driving to the institute parking garage, parking, walking to the trax stop, waiting for a train, getting on said train, getting off said train, walking into the library, and then reversing the process. It becomes this hour long activity to return two books. If somehow they could make the process a little faster, then I would be moer in love with it.
New York comes to mind. Most of the people there don't even own cars or have a drivers licesne (well...at least I thiknk thats true.) Its cool that people can do that. That means theres no car payment, no insurance payment, no gas, no repairs. You just have to walk a lot.

Sugarhouse--Marie

For our final project, our group is doing how that torn down building affected Sugarhouse. To be honest, I was about as excited for this project as I would be to make a large paper mache duck. Paper mache is not my thing. Caring about torn down buildings in some random part of the city is not my thing either.
But as we got going and talked to some of the local people it actually got more interesting. I didn't realize how much frusteration there was over the issue. A lot of people were pretty upset at Mecham, the guy who tore the buildings down in the first place. Then we actually got to talk to the guy. That was pretty awesome. I still don't feel super connected to the issue. But its ok. Its still a good topic to explore some more.

Drifting Apart--Marie

I hate how distance affects friendships.
Theres something about how different people seem if you don't see them in a while. Suddenly their personality is different from what it used to be, and what would normally be subtle changes stick out like a sore thumb. I think distance facilitates this in a big way. Its a lot harder to keep a close contact with someone who isnt' a few minutes drive away.
Guess thats part of growing up and moving out. Doesn't mean it doesn't suck though.

Thanksgiving--Marie

Well..it appears that everyone is talking about thanksgiving so, heck, I guess I will too!
My Thanksgiving was probably a bit different from everyone elses. Huge family gatherings are usually what comes to mind when someone says "Thanksgiving". Thats not how it is with my family though. I don't have any siblings and relatives other than my immediant family live far away. In the past its just been me, my parents, my grandma, and my aunt. This year however, with the death of my grandma, it was just the three of us. My aunt wasn't invited (thank heavens). No thats mean. My aunt had previous engagments.
I enjoyed it a lot though. I love my parents and hanging out with them was pretty fun. Granted, the stuffing didn't come out quite so good. And the mashed potatoes tasted really strange (I TOLD my mom that tons of onion in mashed potatoes was not a good idea). But all in all it was really nice just hanging with my parents.
As for the rest of the break, it was super relaxing. I felt like I got really fat though since I did absolutely no physical activity what so ever. My day consisted of: eating tons of junk food, reading, watching meaningless TV, and taking ridiculously long naps. I loved every second of it!

Thoughts About Recapitulation--Marie

A lot of people I talked to didn't like Recapitulation. A couple hated it. A couple really loved it. I wonder if the general dislike of the book was due to the fact that the book was assigned reading. Assigned reading as a general rule is usually pretty lame. As for me, I thought it was ok. I definitnely would never just pick up Recapitulation for a fun read. Its not my type of literature. But it was this awful super boring book like I thought it was going to be. I liked Bruce Masons memories, although a couple were maybe a bit more sexually explicit than needed. I'm not sure I cared that Bailey was having sex with some girl on the porch. Oh well.
I guess the one thing I wished was that the book had some sort of viable plot. It was more like...this guy randomly wandering around Salt Lake. Which is cool, but not exactly exciting. Even his memories didn't ahve a plot. The only thing that kept me interested was I wanted to know how Nola and Bailey got together. Which it never explained, to my dismay.
Probably my favorite part of Recapitulation was when he joined the tennis club. Course that may just be because I play tennis....

Thanksgiving Break

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! It was so nice to have the extra days off. I got to see a couple of friends who went out-of-state for college- my friend Sami is in Nashville, Tennessee at Vanderbilt, and my friend Ray is at Mizzou in Columbia, Missouri. It was interesting to hear them both talk about how much they miss Utah. They miss their friends and family, but both talked a lot about missing Salt Lake City and Utah. I think it's easy to forget all the wonderful things about Utah living here, but moving away makes Utah's charms very evident! For one, our weather is pretty great. Ray said it is overcast for days and days without a break in Missouri, and neither Columbia nor Nashville have such pronounced seasons. I complain about the snow sometimes, but I have to admit that I'd miss it if winter consisted of gray rain, as is characteristic of winter in Philadelphia, where a couple of my friends are going to school. Also, Salt Lake is a great-sized city. I frequently run into someone I know at the grocery store, but it is big enough to support great cultural opportunities and events. And, of course, one of the best parts about SLC is the geography. I love having the mountains so nearby, both for looking at and for playing in. Southern Utah is also a quick drive away, where bounteous opportunities for hiking and biking await. All in all, Utah is indeed a "pretty, great state."