ROUGH draft: Project 2

View Popular hangout spots in a larger map

Research sources: ASU Hangouts

            I had a very difficult time searching for a good topic that I would enjoy learning more about and observing for a long period of time. In the end I gave in and chose the first idea that came to mind and somehow it was the areas on campus that boarding students enjoy to hang out at. Just living here for the two months that I have, I have seen where everyone likes to hang out and it really depends on the group that says where the spot would be. Some people like to hang out at the tables outside of Dominos and Jimmy Johns, some like to get a nice spot right in front of Palo Verde Main and gather up for a night of Hookah.

            This being said my topic is on the popular areas that people love to hangout at. I want to explore this topic more because I find it interesting that different people find specific places on campus, subconsciously and consciously comfortable and satisfying for their relaxation. I will evaluate this topic by simply observing at different times the different areas that are more populated than others. I will not be following or trailing any person or group at all for this essay, so please don’t think I am.

            I searched for many different articles that could be on popular hangout spots on campus, but I had no luck. A topic such as this would never be written about in a magazine or on a website so those were quickly eliminated. I decided to interview a couple kids that I see often in the same places in order to have some sort of source for this essay. I am going to choose three different people for three different locations and find the similarities along with differences between them. Everyone does something different depending on where he or she is, whom they are with, and most interestingly, the mood plays a large role in this too. Everyone has his or her own ways of dealing with stress which means that this will be an intriguing topic.

            I am ready to face a few issues in order to produce the best project I can. A big issue is that this will not be found in very many places of research so I have to find different sources rather than libraries and online magazines. I will be interviewing a few kids in order to get real in-put and thoughts. I also thought it would be interesting to get students that are of different social groups, age, and possibly grades as well, just to make it fun for myself.

             The last thing I want is to give away all of the information I have worked so hard to retrieve. So, because I am stubborn and actually excited about this essay, I will only tell you that everyone needs a get-away spot. Most people have more than one but everyone has some place, alone or occupied, that they can go to relieve stress or just to get away from things. I learned from all of this that I really need to get my own spot away from everyone and everything to keep my mind quiet for a while.

Annotation 1

Synopsis

Evaluation of Natural Born Killers

This film opens in a restaurant somewhere in rural America where a man is enjoying his key lime pie and glass of skim milk while his girl friend is dancing to a song she chose on the jukebox. A few rednecks from town enter and noticing the girlfriend dancing first thing, they get the idea she will be an easy goal. Assuming this, one of them begins to dance with her and taunt her to his friends. Now when it is least expected the girl gives this bigger male a few solid brain jolting punches and stomach turning kicks. After she has her fun, the couple produces firearms and continues further to slaughter all life in the diner, leaving only one lucky soul alive to tell the story. This being the way Mickey and Mallory Knox operate, they soon become famous for their evil deeds on the tabloid news show, American Maniacs. This show, being the show it is, raises many questions about the medias role in the sudden outburst of violence in America. This is one of my favorite movies because it allows you to get a better look at the mind of a psychopath. Psychopaths live in their own world where common rules made by the government do not exist. I find it extremely interesting because it changes the way our penalty system works completely. How do you punish a man who truly believes that his murders are simply acts of balance in nature? Just as one animal kills another, one human should be able to kill another if it is for good reason. Now in Mickey and Mallory Knox’s case, they believe no human deserves to live any more than the next one because we all sin, will sin, and do sin. Although all people know this to be a fact, the Knox couple lives it and carry out their beliefs by killing all of those who cross their path un wanted. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in the way different people think, also to anyone who can appreciate a well-acted gory movie.

Project one Thoughts

In this project I had to make a bridge seem interesting and observe it deeply. I had a lot more difficulty with doing this than I thought I would mainly because it is the most boring bridge I have ever set eyes on. In the beginning I was actually excited for this challenge but once I sat down with pictures of it, I realized my choice was a mistake. I also believe that this was a great learning experience in the sense that I am that much better at describing a bridge and now know that much more about them.
I feel that a better writer would be able to reach deeper depth in this essay than I have but being the writer I am, I feel that I did the best I could for this prompt. I had difficulty describing the bridge with big intriguing words that paint a beautiful picture for you to drool over. To me it is a grey bridge that all of Paloverde uses every day more that five times. I personally hate this bridge and now hate it more knowing how my essay turned out. This being said, I plan on choosing a less un reachable challenge to write about and reaching above and beyond the requirements for the essay. This work will allow me to be better at not only emails to future bosses or employees, but it will enable me to talk with details and make what ever the topic is wanted with lust.

Project one Notes. take 2

Project #1 Worksheet                                                           

Your Place: Palo Verde Bridge

What are the intended functions of the place?                       

 The intended functions of this bridge are to allow people to cross the street safely and quickly. By having a bridge carry pedestrians over traffic it is less that the school needs to worry about.

What overt messages does the place send (i.e., openly communicated through signs)?

 An overt message that this area gives the message of comfort and security. A bridge is a sure safe passage to the other side.

What covert messages does the place send (i.e., hidden messages)?

 A covert message coming from this bridge would probably be more of an urge or idea to throw things off to mess with others. Another hidden message could be that people do sometimes get hit and as a result the school decided to build a bridge, so be careful and conscience.

Have previous users left traces behind in the place?

 I only trace I can think of would be the memories that are kept of all the walking people do on it.

Has the place been re-appropriated (i.e., beyond its original functions)?

 This bridge is a normal bridge to help people cross the street.

What social or cultural customs did you observe (i.e., rules governing appropriate behavior)?

 There are no social or cultural customs that are involved with this bridge.

Who has access to the place?  Are there insiders and outsiders?

 This bridge is for anyone to cross at any time. There are no insiders and outsiders.

Who owns the place?

 ASU owns this bridge because it is on the property.

What is the place’s value (i.e., monetary or otherwise)?

 The value of this bridge is probably quite expensive because of what it is made of and because it is over an often used 

Are there official representations of the place (i.e., online, in promotional materials)?  Do they accurately capture the place as you experienced it?

Is the place in transition, a changing place?

 This place is not in transition.

What conflicts or tensions are there in the place?

 Two conflicts are that it is difficult to get bikes over the bridge and how steep and mall the stairs are.

What is the place’s history?  Do you see evidence of the past there in the present?

 The only history that I can think of are the accidents that have happened in the past. I see no visual evidence of the past and present.

How does this place differentiate itself from other places?  What other places is it similar to, but how is it different from those places?

  This place is different from others because little bridges like this aren't everywhere, I have only seen two others like this one. Its simular because it is on a college campus but it is different because it has ASU on the side and is on the ASU campus

What questions do you have about your place?

 I want to know how long this bridge has been around and how many different types of materials it takes to make it.

Key Features / Profiles (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 165-166)

An interesting subject.  What is unusual about your place?  Alternatively, is there something ordinary about it that you can show in an intriguing way?

 The unusual or interesting thing about this bridge is, because each stair is about three inches, walking consistently over the bridge every day for about 365 days will put your spine into perfect alignment.

Any necessary background.  What background information will you need to include about the place in order to situate readers?

 Background info that I could use is how it was built and why it was built.

An interesting angle.  Rather than trying to tell readers everything about the place, what angle(s) might you use?

A firsthand account.  Did you interact with people in the place or participate in some way?  What experiences did you have there that you can write about using “I”?  (Yes, first person point of view is encouraged, especially for this paper.)

 I notice that once a group or a solo walking persons begins to walk over the bridge, not much eye contact is made. You can watch someone walk by without them looking at you or noticing you. It is probably the fact that there is no shade on top but a lot of people look down or get their phones out right before they get on the bridge.

Engaging details.  What specific information must you include in your description of the place?  What potential does your place have for the use of sensory images, figurative language, dialogue, anecdotes, and showing rather than telling?  What do you want the dominant impression to be?

 I need to include how long it has been there, how big it is and a couple interesting facts. Its difficult to describe a bridge as plane as this but everyone has experienced some sort of bridge at least once in their life. The dominant impression is going to be that even a bridge this small is used and praised without being noticed.

Generating Ideas and Text (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 168-169)

Explore what you already know about your subject.  Why do you find this place interesting?  What did you already know about it?

 I find this place interesting because so many people walk over the bridge everyday and dont really take the time to think about what it is they are walking on. I know that many 

If you’re planning to interview someone, prepare questions.  What would you like to ask someone in the place in order to better understand it?

 I would like to ask someone why they prefer this bridge rather than the cross walk. I would ask about their other uses of transportation.

Do additional research.  Does your place have an online component?  How else might you gather additional research?

 If I was going to gather additional research I would search the accidents that have occurred under the bridge and the way this type of bridge is held or built.

Analyze your findings.  What patterns, images, or recurring ideas or phrases did you use to describe your place?  What contrasts or discrepancies do you see?

Come up with an angle.  What is most memorable about your subject?  What most interests you?  What will interest your audience?

 The most memorable thing about my subject is the height it has over the street. I feel like this small deal bridge shouldn't have to be too big.

Project 1 Notes

·      ·     Large chunk of concrete that goes over another

   ·      Four wheeled vehicles that pass by under

   ·      People who walk over this concrete bridge

   ·      Not one specific type of person

   ·      Pass over in order to get over to the other side 

   ·    Two wheeled bikes crossing

   ·      Stairs that go up & back down

   ·      Really high off the ground

   ·      So basic yet so reliable

   ·      Connecting two frequently visited areas

   ·      Bridge is a plain white

   ·      ASU in big bold gold letters

   ·      Stairs are only about 3 inches

   ·      View of east university

   ·      You can see many restaurants and buildings along the street

   ·      Always people crossing over

   ·      4 foot wall on each side to keep you from falling off

   ·      Connects PV to palm walk

   ·      About 30 feet high

   ·      Bridges make it easier for handicap people to get across

   ·      Puddles don’t form on this bridge because of how steep it is

   ·      Hundreds of people cross this bridge a day

   ·      It’s a good place to throw water balloons at cars and kids as they pass by

   ·      If your friends tell you to jump off a bridge it could be useful

   ·      It’s a good height off the ground to fly a kite in the breeze

   ·      This bridge assist in finding and reaching restaurants

   ·      It makes the outside street look prettier

   ·      A good obstacle to help stay in shape with your everyday walking around

   ·      The people usually walking over don’t have another way of transportation

   ·      When it rains it gets pretty slippery

   ·      Leaves and nuts fall out of the trees and land on one of the sides

   ·      The few stairs on one side of the bridge keep anyone from skating over the bridge

   ·      Its not friendly to bikes or other transportation

   ·      The bridge adds a bit of style to the scenery

   ·      Bridges are not opinionated in any way

   ·      They can make your life easier or 100 times more difficult

Grey Wolf no longer an endangered species

                     The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that starting September 30th the gray wolf will be taken off the endangered species list in the state of Wyoming. This particular wolf species is known to grow to be 2.5 feet in height and up to 6 feet in length. Their weight ranges from 80 to 100 pounds with a coat that varies from black to white. The gray wolf is known for it's iconic broad snout as well as it's round ears. The most infamous trait of this animal has grown to be its long, low-pitched howl. Following this action, the species will no longer receive federal protection by the beginning of the next month. The species population has grown and recovered from near extinction throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and parts of Washington (Also considered the Northern Rockies). This success has been a result of the combined efforts of states, tribes, and several other partners.
                     At the moment, the Northern Rockies have a total of 1,774 adult wolves inhabiting the area. In addition, there are 109 breeding pairs which exceeds the last 10 years of goals that were set for species recovery. As a result of their removal from the endangered species list, the gray wolf will be considered "trophy game" by state wardens. Officials in Wyoming will control the numbers of gray wolves that are hunted in addition to controlling those that prey on livestock.A controversy over this law has developed due to the fact that any wolf that seems to be "harassing" livestock can be killed without restriction. Many environmentalist have become concerned that this law is unjust in the sense that wolves can be baited into these types of conflicts by livestock owners as well as hunters. The state agency stated, "no state license is required to take a wolf, and there are no closed seasons or bag limits". Hunters are required to report their kill to game wardens within 10 days of the initial action. There have been several environmental and wildlife groups that have argued that this action will consequently put the species back into the brink of extinction. This federal decision is seen as a step backwards for the recovery process as a whole.
                  They also have argued that the federal decision has been made prematurely, meaning the gray wolf is still very much so endangered. In a recent interview, Earthjustice attorney Jenny Harbine said, "Wyoming's open season on wolves in almost all of the state would allow aerial gunning of wolves and even killing wolf pups in their den". In response, Wyoming officials have ensured that the number of gray wolves will not be allowed to drop below 150 wolves with a total of 15 breeding pairs. Also, the methods of killing as well as timing of the hunting will be carefully observed and regulated by state wardens. This monitoring is issued to proceed for at least five years in order to solidify the legitimacy of the species' recovery.
                         The overall goal of U.S. officials is to keep the gray wolf population healthy and remaining consistent. Last December, 328 wolves were counted in the state of Wyoming, including 48 packs and 27 breeding pairs. All in all, this includes 224 wolves, 36 packs and 19 breeding pairs surrounding Yellowstone National Park.