After you conduct your second observation of your space for your mapping project, please post a second set of field notes here on Tuesday, April 26.
As you make notes from your observations, please make sure you include the following information: 1) Date, time, and place of observation; 2) Specific facts, numbers, and details; 3) Sensory impressions: sights, sounds, textures, smells, tastes; 4) Personal response to your observations—both the act of recording and how others responded to you; 5) Specific words, phrases, summaries of conversations/interviews, and any insider language; 6) Questions that your observations generate for you as the researcher (ones that you might pursue in your subsequent observations).
As you conclude this set of notes, please write a paragraph in which you summarize your observation, paying attention to what you noticed that was either similar to your previous observation or different. What do you think accounts for this?
After my first observation, I decided to focus my attention on Tattered Cover's middle-aged clientele. It seemed as if many people (men and women) of this age came here to simply find a good book and read--sort of a place to relax. I saw more middle-aged people here than at a coffee shop or other social places. I thought it would be interesting to see what bookstores and TC specifically meant to them.
ReplyDeleteFor my second observation, I went to Tattered Cover on Sunday, April 24. There were more people there, however, most of them were younger. I interviewed one woman (51 years old) who said "If my grandfather had a bookstore in his attic, this would be it." Other than that, however, I didn't gain much. I think I need to go mid-day on weekdays to find the people who I am looking for. I will do my next observation on Wednesday around 1-ish.
I returned to the WTC buildings on Monday evening around 5pm. The buildings were very quiet, while the surrounding atmosphere was buzzing with rush hour. Large crowds gathered at bus stops on both sides of the WTC but the 16th street crowd was vastly different than the Broadway crowd. I'm afraid that my observations were conducted too late in the day. 5pm usually signals the end of the work day for most of downtown. I conducted several very informal interviews with the passing crowd. Most individuals have never used the WTC or even know of its function. I was surprised to find that most people didn't even know there was a second World Trade Center. In fact there are many dispersed throughout the world's major cities. I wonder if I need to interview members of the WTC in order to obtain a diverse set of notes.
ReplyDeleteI got ahold of the executive manager of the WTC and hope to schedule an interview for later this week.
Field notes taken for an hour during evening rush hour of April 26, 2011 at Civic Center Station:
ReplyDeleteDuring this observation, I specifically focused on the norms people followed in the bus terminal and also the communities in each line (how well they communicated, whether they recognized each other, etc.).
In terms of norms, I noticed that people waited to get in line at the end of the line rather than joining where they recognized people. I also noticed that people were generally rushed again and ran to the busses if they saw they were parked at the terminal already.
I made a lot of observations about the community in each line. People in Gate 7 tended to have conversations without even looking at each other. People seemed much more talkative today than the last time I went for some reason. About a third of the people in the station were reading or messing with their cell phones. I saw a woman wave at another woman in line as she walked to the end. I also noticed that when the lines were short, right after a bus had come, people tended to talk to people in other lines more.
In my interviews, I learned that bus riders feel that the bus that goes to Parker is more of a community than the one that goes to Nine Mile. I’m not sure of why this is. I have a suspicion it is because of the demographics on each bus, but I am not sure how to prove or disprove this theory.
Many of my observations were similar to the previous ones I had taken. This is reassuring. I think the people may have been a bit more talkative today because I sat in the station in the middle of rush hour versus at the very beginning of it. I find it interesting to watch people be socialized on how to behave in the terminal. There seem to be a lot of rules that people expect each other to adhere to.
I returned to the Columbine Memorial this past weekend. I went on Saturday afternoon at about 3:00. As expected, I gained the same type of insight into the Memorial as I did on my first visit. It wasn't as cold as it was the first day, but because it wasn't the anniversary, there weren't as many people. I noticed that, in the memorial itself, words are rarely spoken. I felt comfortable conducting my interviews away from the actual memorial.
ReplyDeleteSome specific quotes I took from my interviews:
"The memorial helps me to get a glimpse into the personalities of not only those killed, but also those who were touched by the tragedy"
"This memorial reminds me that every life has value. If the shooters realized this, Columbine would have never happened. "
"I'm here because I want to understand WHY"
"As far as school violence is concerned, we still have work to do. This memorial doesn't let me forget that"
"I love the religious passages. They remind me that these families are real. They are just like the families I see everyday... at work, at the store, and at church"
I have scheduled an interview with Lora Knowlton, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Columbine Memorial Foundation. Lora has been with the organization since a few weeks after the shootings. She should be able to provide me with some insight about certain design elements of the Memorial (including HOPEFULLY an explanation as to why the shooters are not memorialized, as they were in temporary memorials that were in existence in the weeks following the shootings)
On Tuesday, April 26th, I attended the Lamont Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “New Music: Lamont Composers.” Unfortunately, because of an academic conflict, I could not arrive at the Newman Center until five minutes before the performance. I was disappointed by this, but thought that I could still take observations on audience behavior during intermission and after the performance ended. Much to my dismay, however, this performance did not include an intermission. So, my official observations of people’s behavior in Joy Burns Plaza did not start until 8:51 PM, at the end of the performance.
ReplyDeleteThe total number of people in the lobby after the show was approximately 80 and the age range was between 18 and 60, for the most part. The body language of many seemed restless and excited, likely because they were waiting to greet people that they knew were involved in the performance, in this case, members of the orchestra or the student and staff composers. Some audience members seemed to clump closer to the doors in which the instrumentalists would be coming from after leaving the stage. Also, the presence of the accredited composers, who sat in the audience (and therefore came out immediately following the performance with the rest of the crowd), created other clumps of people who wanted to congratulate them on their work.
The lobby was very crowded and loud for approximately ten minutes following the performance, making the large lobby space feel small. After twenty minutes had passed, however, there were less than fifteen people left in the space, making my previous sensory observations concerning the lobby once again applicable. These specifically included the aesthetically pleasing appearance, cool temperature, and echoing acoustics.
This audience contained many more people I knew and who started conversations with me. This was in keeping with other audience member’s behavior, so I don’t think I altered people’s use of the lobby setting by my presence, but it did make it more difficult to make detailed notes on my surroundings.
I interviewed one person, but as was expected in such a social setting, three others joined in on the conversation--perhaps altering the answers she gave me and making her take the interview less seriously. In general, what she told me, however, was that she came to the performance because she personally knew most of the composers. Because she was a student of the Lamont School of Music, she is required to go to eight performances per quarter at the Newman Center, but she also said that she attended a few live performances at other venues each quarter and the Newman Center beat them all. She elaborated by saying The Newman Center is the nicest facilities she has seen at the collegiate level and even beat “Ellie Caulkins.” I asked for clarification on this note and she informed me that it was the name of the Denver opera house.
Before I did this second observation session, I clarified that my research should try to address why people attend live musical performances expecting social interaction. Though I do not feel that I had ample opportunity to explore this new direction during this short observation session, I think that the very social nature of the girl that I interviewed accurately represents many audience members’ behavior. When compared to the observations I made during Saturday’s performance, I think the fundamental tendencies of audience members to be social in the lobby space was similar, however, because Tuesday’s audience was younger and had personal connections to the performers, the social interactions were more casual and perhaps genuine than the audience of Saturday.
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ReplyDelete(4/26) at 2:45pm
ReplyDeleteAfter ordering tea, I decided to walk around Stella’s again to see what I saw. Out front, there are patio chairs, which is where I am currently sitting. There are a few fake fire pits and two women sitting out here along with an older man who is on and off the phone. It is a very community feel here. When I was waiting to order, the woman before me, who seemed to be a regular customer, was given a “gift” (free small chocolate) by the man who was working the register. At this time, it is a very bustling atmosphere. There are people coming in and out. It is much busier today then last week when I came. The side room was almost completely full. Maybe it’s because it’s so cold out so more people are sitting inside instead of ourstide. It is nice out here. It’s very calming to sit outside and watch the cars go by on this small, neighborhoody street. It’s also a good area to people watch and just enjoy a nice little neighborhood. It was very quiet when I walked through the back and side room. The back room, with all the couches was very full. There were two mothers there, with strollers, socializing. Most other people appeared to be doing work. I find it interesting that even though it’s the middle of a work day, Stella’s is still very popular. Most people here are college student aged, which would make sense, but ther are also numerous working aged people. There is a man sitting outside who is probably in his late 40s-50s and he is sitting working (or playing) on an iPad. I think I might go over and talk to him. As I was sitting here, about 5 girls, college aged walked in looking to do work. I went over to the older man on the iPad and asked if I could interview him. He said he was writing a story and he would rather not since he had to get work done. I of course respected this, but find it a little odd since if he is needing to work and focus, why is he not doing this work at home where there would be more privacy and less interruptions. Or even a library. This is very interesting to me. Two men across from me just sat down for what looks to be some type of business meeting. One of the men has a clipboard. One man bought a scone where the other looks like he brought his own sandwich to eat.
The same lady who received a free chocolate from the employee was just outside to make a phone call. She previously sat in the couchey room yet she realized that it wouldn’t be quite appropriate or respectful to chat on the phone in this setting. She has now moved back inside. Stella’s is still very bustling, people are coming and going at a pretty constant rate. It is cold and many people are going inside or moving inside or not even spending anytime outside. It is windy and chilly and has been raining on and off today. It seems there are multiple tables with more than one person at them. It seems that many people are using this place to socialize. Two women just sat down near a fire pit very close to the other two men that are sitting here. It seems that many people here meet for business meetings or interviews. After interviewing my first person, it just reinforces what I thought about Stella’s and what draws people to it.
Second observation Friday April 29th from 3 -5 PM
ReplyDelete9 people entered the store in that time, all female. 3 aged approx. 20-40, 2 under 18, 4 40+.
Just as cozy as before. Total visual overload with all the various yarns crammed into the space, smelled like coffee this time due to people ordering drinks from the small drinks bar present.
Had some interest shown when I was taking down my observations by the people sitting next to me.
Many different ranges of experience in the fiber arts gathered from my interviews, two had only started up recently, one had been knitting since before I was even born.
Will continue to pursue the idea of younger generations flocking to fiber arts in recent years upon my next observation.
4/28/11
ReplyDeleteThis trip to the SAME didn't offer as many observations as it did interviews. I was able to talk to a variety of customers during the time period I was there.
Once again, I was immediately greet by owner, Brad. Today I decided on the creamy soup, a green salad, and apple, pecan and gorgonzola pizza (which turned out to be my favortie!) I decided to eat outside today due to the good weather. Almost as soon as I sat down by myself, an older couple greeted me and asked if I wanted to join them. I graciously sat down with them and found out that there were fellow Pioneers graduating form DU in 1969. They've lived in Denver since then and have opened up a small bookstore nearby. They donate books to the SAME cafe. I didn't know that there were free books in the back of the cafe that people can take and leave at their will. This increased the cafe's appeal even more to me. When I asked what they thought of the people at the cafe, the woman responded, "There are a lot of people in the community. It's a community feeling here, not a feeling of money. The spirit is infectious." We also talked about the delicious, healthy food we were eating. "You would expect this quality of food." "It's really damn good!" chimed in her husband. They also commented on how the proportions were perfect and helps cut back on waste. This was the second time I've heard someone comment on the perfect proportions. The couple comes once ever other week. They love the 'street life' you can observe on Colfax. When they were talking about the owners, the woman said, "They're very friendly and know everyone, and I mean everyone!"
I then approached two women who worked for their food. I recognized one of them from the time I had been before. She was relatively quiet and shy. When I asked her why she preferred the SAME to other places to eat, she said, "I like the people here. The food is better than the Gathering Place," which is a few blocks away. Her favorite food offered there is the BBQ chicken pizza.
After I finished talking to her, her friend wanted to talk to me too. (I've observed how willing people are to talk to me at this point. I rarely have to go to people because everyone is interested in what I'm writing.) She offered some amazing incite. She's only been in Denver for two months but she is so happy she has found the SAME. Here are some promising quotes from her: "It's a place where they treat you like real people. There are no barriers about status," "I'm proud I work for my food," "You mingle with some real intelligent people here," "This by far exceeded anything I've come across concerning the homeless and down and out," "They (the owners) have so much generosity, I can't even explain," and "You see it (God) in the eyes of people who do good to you here."…..
…During our conversation, I noticed Brad approach one man who had not paid or done work for his meal. I don't think the man was sober due to his angry response to Brad. During the whole interaction, Brad remained very respectful of the man, and he ended up doing his work just like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI then moved inside to do more observations but two men came up to me to ask me what I was writing. Each had unique stories and had nothing bad to say about the SAME. The first man had been coming almost everyday for two years. "Brad and Libby are real nice people. They help whoever they can. Ya know there's not a lot of people who can eat around here." He 'stumbled upon' the SAME and noted that the place was 'community oriented.' He confirmed my observation of the vast variety of patrons when he stated, "These people to your right are probably rich as hell. The people to your left are broke."
The next man talked more about the food the SAME offers. He gives a description of the sweet potato and pecan pizza he tried yesterday, "I hate sweet potatoes and it was good! So bizarre!" When I asked why he came to cafe, he said "I come to get away. It is not like all the other crap I have to deal with. It is something to look forward to."
It was a rewarding trip to the cafe. I left feeling good about the people I was meeting. The next trip I make, I plan on making more observations instead of talking to so many people. I have observed that everyone I have talked to loves the cafe. I have yet to hear one negative comment. The cafe still had the same comfy, cozy feeling it did last time. Brad and Libby were working with their volunteers and interacting with their customers in the same manner they were last time. I noticed this time that the cafe was much busier but there weren't as many students, so I don't think I will need to talk to any students.
I conducted my second observation on Easter Sunday from 9:15 to 9:45 pm. The lounge was pretty busy for this period of time. I took notes on every interaction and action. My comments/ reflections include that the comfort level seemed incredibly high for both the people in the lounge and the people just passing through it. Within the first 15 minutes of my observation I saw 7 different people. The people who were in the lounge when I arrived were studying, then they left and two other people came and made the atmosphere more social. Around 9:40 I was all alone in the lounge so I decided to bring my observation to a close.
ReplyDelete