I know what you are thinking, out of all of the places that the characters visit in the novel, why would I pick Babies R Us? Well for one, I didn't want to pick another damn casino and more importantly, I believe that this particular place represents a pivotal moment in the book for Allison Johnson.
As children, the majority, if not all, of us have probably ventured inside a Toys R Us, whether it was against our will or not, and explored all manner of fluffy objects and Lightsabers. But to Allison Johnson, it was a different experience entirely - sobering if not traumatic. Looking over all of the products, the families with their babies, and finally coming to a rest outside of the store on a bench, she cannot help but envision her baby son coming to the store with his new parents, what he must look like, and how much he must be growing.
This moment in the novel is a melancholy one, however, amongst a plethora of bad choices that Allison has made throughout the story, this one puts a break in that trend as allowing her newborn son to be put under the protection of other parents was probably the best decision she could have made in her condition.
If there's anything that ensures a bright side to any seemingly depressing or mundane situation it's the idea of new life, whether it's in human form or not, and I love how Willy Vlautin inserts these bits and pieces of hope and joy into the text of Northline; they add depth and meaning not only to the characters, but to the overall storyline.
Below is a link to the Google Maps of the Babies R Us I visited off of Kietzke:
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=babies+r+us+reno&fb=1&gl=us&hq=babies+r+us&hnear=0x809940ae9292a09d:0x40c5c5ce7438f787,Reno,+NV&ei=QZmgUOXiMsi1iwK0i4CIBw&ved=0CLwBELYD
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Northline Walking Journal - The Little Nugget
Nuggets are a happening thing in Northern Nevada. I can always recall my grandma taking me to the Nugget in Carson City for Thanksgiving lunch....or dinner...whatever meal it's classified as, then there's John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks, and last but most certainly not least, the Little Nugget on the Reno strip - home to the infamous Awful Awful and where Allison chats with Penny about miscellaneous topics like her education and boy history.
Miles, Austin, and I visited here after snapping a few pictures of the Cal Neva and went inside to share an order of their amazing fries. The atmosphere of this place, especially in the back where the diner is located, seems very busy - maybe almost hectic - and the perfect setting for hushed conversations while waiting for your food.
I feel as if this place acted as a safe zone for Allison, a place for her to finally unravel what's been going on in her mind and confide in Penny - maybe almost in a humorous way - and Penny could do the same. At this point in the novel, we realize that Penny is a very sympathetic and loving character for Allison, boosting her self-esteem by volumes and providing a much-needed outlet for our protagonist. Personally, I could see the Little Nugget being a setting for many long conversations between close friends; a space to talk about the ups and downs of life before having to return to the real world, so the next time you are due for a good ol' venting session, grab your posse and head down to the Little Nugget for a little bonding time!
Miles, Austin, and I visited here after snapping a few pictures of the Cal Neva and went inside to share an order of their amazing fries. The atmosphere of this place, especially in the back where the diner is located, seems very busy - maybe almost hectic - and the perfect setting for hushed conversations while waiting for your food.
I feel as if this place acted as a safe zone for Allison, a place for her to finally unravel what's been going on in her mind and confide in Penny - maybe almost in a humorous way - and Penny could do the same. At this point in the novel, we realize that Penny is a very sympathetic and loving character for Allison, boosting her self-esteem by volumes and providing a much-needed outlet for our protagonist. Personally, I could see the Little Nugget being a setting for many long conversations between close friends; a space to talk about the ups and downs of life before having to return to the real world, so the next time you are due for a good ol' venting session, grab your posse and head down to the Little Nugget for a little bonding time!
Northline Walking Journal - Cal Neva
Unfortunately, I was not able to have a meal on the Cal Neva Top Deck Restaurant as I had limited funds for the weekend (a.k.a I'm a broke a** college kid) however I managed to snap a picture of the exterior when walking with Miles and Austin on a verrrryyyyyy coooooollllld Thursday night.
Admittedly, I have never been inside the casino but I distinctly remember as a child always thinking how cool it was that they combined California and Nevada and made it into a casino name in Reno. Another confession, I honestly never paid much attention to its existence until now. I always saw it as one casino in a horde of others that sprinkle different sections of Reno. It's strange how you grow up so close to a certain area, yet you only see it as the big picture while taking for granted all of the bits and pieces that build the picture.
Regarding the two physicists who visited Kronberg Castle in Denmark who wrote:
Admittedly, I have never been inside the casino but I distinctly remember as a child always thinking how cool it was that they combined California and Nevada and made it into a casino name in Reno. Another confession, I honestly never paid much attention to its existence until now. I always saw it as one casino in a horde of others that sprinkle different sections of Reno. It's strange how you grow up so close to a certain area, yet you only see it as the big picture while taking for granted all of the bits and pieces that build the picture.
Regarding the two physicists who visited Kronberg Castle in Denmark who wrote:
“Isn't
it strange how this castle changes as soon as one imagines that
Hamlet lived here?”
This is exactly what happened to me when finally seeing the Cal Neva for the first time.
Instead of just seeing it as the Cal Neva Casino of Reno, I saw it as the Cal Neva Casino in the book Northline by Willy Vlautin and imagined the characters ordering their food in the Top Deck Restaurant at exactly the same time as I was looking at the casino (and how creepy that would be on my part). How would the characters react to Reno in its present state? Was there really so much that was different back then? Could 1999 even be considered "back then" yet? Regardless, this opened my mind to many things that I may have overlooked in Reno.
Northline Walking Journal - Old Harold's Club
I thought that the Harold's Club was a particularly interesting place as Northline concludes with Allison and Dan viewing its destruction (along with the Nevada Club) in the early hours of December 1999 and though there is nothing left today but an open plaza, I felt it was a relevant setting to touch on.
In a sense, the demolishing of the Harold's Club could not only symbolize the city of Reno preparing for the upcoming new millennium and making way for new renovations to accommodate a new generation, but it might also symbolize Allison making way for a new life as well, and demolishing her past.
As I viewed that plaza from a distance (near present-day Harrah's) I could only imagine what it would be like to stand there in the dark and cold of December while a gargantuan building takes a blast and crumbles to the ground. It would be awesome to see, but also somewhat sad in that acknowledging that a group of people put a lot of work and effort into a project whose fate would lie in nothing more than dusty rubble. Luckily, there may be a movie about the Harold's Club currently in pre-production so that this infamous site can leave its tattoo on the city of Reno for all to see and learn about its rich history.
In a sense, the demolishing of the Harold's Club could not only symbolize the city of Reno preparing for the upcoming new millennium and making way for new renovations to accommodate a new generation, but it might also symbolize Allison making way for a new life as well, and demolishing her past.
As I viewed that plaza from a distance (near present-day Harrah's) I could only imagine what it would be like to stand there in the dark and cold of December while a gargantuan building takes a blast and crumbles to the ground. It would be awesome to see, but also somewhat sad in that acknowledging that a group of people put a lot of work and effort into a project whose fate would lie in nothing more than dusty rubble. Luckily, there may be a movie about the Harold's Club currently in pre-production so that this infamous site can leave its tattoo on the city of Reno for all to see and learn about its rich history.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Ponderings - Walking Journal #13
The very first thing I want to mention for this journal is that taking walks is sooooo much better at night than during the day. More dangerous, yes, but Jade, Diana, and I had a studly man accompany us in the form of Alex Crupi's beastly pocketknife.
Initially, our intended destination was an ice cream shop called The Hop on the corner of 1st and Sierra, but upon arrival at approximately 10:15, we found out the joint closes at 10:00. Bummer. We needed to find a place to eat pronto as our stomachs were in the process of consuming themselves. We ventured through the main casinos - all buffets were closed. After about an hour and a half of walking and more disappointment, we finally said 'to hell with it' and got an Awful Awful at the Little Nugget.
Throughout this entire escapade, my mind wandered to numerous places. I attempted to think about my argument essay and how this environment related to it, but the urbanized area of downtown did not particularly facilitate any thinking of wild horses, other than the urbanization of their open range. I then saw a seemingly houseless guy playing his guitar on the downtown strip and other guys on the corner trying to peddle their hip hop CDs and my mind pondered the lives of struggling artists, especially in a setting like Reno. Could I be considered a struggling artist?
My next thought was more of a preparation mechanism and something that I do quite often when I am not in a vehicle and walking through a populated area: what I would do if everyone around me suddenly morphed into flesh-eating undead - where would be the safest shelter, immediately accessible weapons of any kind, crow bars, the knife in my pocket, that homeless dude's guitar, ANYTHING. Also I would map out the obvious places to avoid: parking garages, main streets, and alleys with no outlet (unless they have ladders leading to a rooftop; in that case, they would be ideal).
And there you have it.
Initially, our intended destination was an ice cream shop called The Hop on the corner of 1st and Sierra, but upon arrival at approximately 10:15, we found out the joint closes at 10:00. Bummer. We needed to find a place to eat pronto as our stomachs were in the process of consuming themselves. We ventured through the main casinos - all buffets were closed. After about an hour and a half of walking and more disappointment, we finally said 'to hell with it' and got an Awful Awful at the Little Nugget.
Throughout this entire escapade, my mind wandered to numerous places. I attempted to think about my argument essay and how this environment related to it, but the urbanized area of downtown did not particularly facilitate any thinking of wild horses, other than the urbanization of their open range. I then saw a seemingly houseless guy playing his guitar on the downtown strip and other guys on the corner trying to peddle their hip hop CDs and my mind pondered the lives of struggling artists, especially in a setting like Reno. Could I be considered a struggling artist?
My next thought was more of a preparation mechanism and something that I do quite often when I am not in a vehicle and walking through a populated area: what I would do if everyone around me suddenly morphed into flesh-eating undead - where would be the safest shelter, immediately accessible weapons of any kind, crow bars, the knife in my pocket, that homeless dude's guitar, ANYTHING. Also I would map out the obvious places to avoid: parking garages, main streets, and alleys with no outlet (unless they have ladders leading to a rooftop; in that case, they would be ideal).
And there you have it.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Buildings: On and Off Campus - Walking Journal #12
In regards to the architecture of Reno and all of the regions it encompasses, naturally, on-campus buildings are considerably different than those you may see downtown or on 4th street, for example.
The buildings you see at UNR vary in style from an 1800s Victorian theme that can be found by the Quad to a more structurally-advanced theme that is demonstrated by buildings such as the Joe Crowley Student Union and the Davidson Math and Science Center.
Certain parts of downtown Reno are visually appealing (personally, I like the Silver Legacy dome and the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts), but in comparison to larger metropolitan areas like San Francisco and the like, Reno is architecturally-lacking. There are areas of downtown that are somewhat run-down with a bit of an artistic vibe, and others that are just plain run-down and thus the entire city appears more out-of-date than it really is. This may not reflect an appreciation for good architecture from a visitor's point of view, but Reno has showed the signs of making a comeback with buildings such as these:
New apartments near downtown
Museum of Art in Reno
Despite the stark contrast between downtown Reno, other cities, and the university itself, if there is one thing we have learned throughout our years, it is to never judge a book by its cover.
Having cool buildings couldn't hurt, though.
Also, Professor Lombardi if you are reading this, I apologize for these journals (#11 and #12) not being uploaded by midnight as I was out and about and betwixt and between all weekend.
Also, you will see these exact same lines on the other journal.......and I apologize for that, as well.
The buildings you see at UNR vary in style from an 1800s Victorian theme that can be found by the Quad to a more structurally-advanced theme that is demonstrated by buildings such as the Joe Crowley Student Union and the Davidson Math and Science Center.
Certain parts of downtown Reno are visually appealing (personally, I like the Silver Legacy dome and the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts), but in comparison to larger metropolitan areas like San Francisco and the like, Reno is architecturally-lacking. There are areas of downtown that are somewhat run-down with a bit of an artistic vibe, and others that are just plain run-down and thus the entire city appears more out-of-date than it really is. This may not reflect an appreciation for good architecture from a visitor's point of view, but Reno has showed the signs of making a comeback with buildings such as these:
New apartments near downtown
Museum of Art in Reno
Despite the stark contrast between downtown Reno, other cities, and the university itself, if there is one thing we have learned throughout our years, it is to never judge a book by its cover.
Having cool buildings couldn't hurt, though.
Also, Professor Lombardi if you are reading this, I apologize for these journals (#11 and #12) not being uploaded by midnight as I was out and about and betwixt and between all weekend.
Also, you will see these exact same lines on the other journal.......and I apologize for that, as well.
Old Virginny - Walking Journal #11
Over this past weekend, my family and I enjoyed the nice weather while visiting Virginia City, Nevada located about 20 miles from my hometown of Silver Springs.
I've been there several times before, but I paid special attention to the Delta Saloon, the famous "Suicide Table" in particular. The infamous gambling table got its name from the suicidal deaths of three individuals living during the Comstock era (mid-to-late 1800s) who all lost a significant amount of money playing on it.
The first went by the name of "Black Jake" who supposedly lost $70,000 (that is a buttload of money back then!) and took his own life out of devastation.
The second was an unnamed owner who "was unable to pay his losses" and so official records are not able to verify whether he actually committed suicide or was offed by some angry creditors.
The third and final owner took his life some years later after the first two incidents and after the old table had been converted into a 21 table. A drunk miner walked in one night and had a very unusual stroke of luck winning $86,000, a team of horses, and a stake in a gold mine - all at the owner's expense.
Looking back on those times, many of us could only imagine what it would've been like to live there: no advanced technology, smartphones, or social networking sites; however, the lust and obsession over wealth and material goods has remained the same since even several centuries before the times of the Comstock, and the lack of (or overabundance) can give just enough of a nudge to push completely normal people over the edge.
Also, Professor Lombardi if you are reading this, I apologize for these journals (#11 and #12) not being uploaded by midnight as I was out and about and betwixt and between all weekend.
Also, you will see these exact same lines on the other journal.......and I apologize for that, as well.
I've been there several times before, but I paid special attention to the Delta Saloon, the famous "Suicide Table" in particular. The infamous gambling table got its name from the suicidal deaths of three individuals living during the Comstock era (mid-to-late 1800s) who all lost a significant amount of money playing on it.
The first went by the name of "Black Jake" who supposedly lost $70,000 (that is a buttload of money back then!) and took his own life out of devastation.
The second was an unnamed owner who "was unable to pay his losses" and so official records are not able to verify whether he actually committed suicide or was offed by some angry creditors.
The third and final owner took his life some years later after the first two incidents and after the old table had been converted into a 21 table. A drunk miner walked in one night and had a very unusual stroke of luck winning $86,000, a team of horses, and a stake in a gold mine - all at the owner's expense.
Looking back on those times, many of us could only imagine what it would've been like to live there: no advanced technology, smartphones, or social networking sites; however, the lust and obsession over wealth and material goods has remained the same since even several centuries before the times of the Comstock, and the lack of (or overabundance) can give just enough of a nudge to push completely normal people over the edge.
Also, Professor Lombardi if you are reading this, I apologize for these journals (#11 and #12) not being uploaded by midnight as I was out and about and betwixt and between all weekend.
Also, you will see these exact same lines on the other journal.......and I apologize for that, as well.
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Adventures of Stalking Houseless People and Meeting "Thug Nasty" (Walking Journal #10)
Diana and I left the LLC at around 4:30 in the afternoon, completely unaware of our future encounters. No sooner had we passed Sierra Hall on foot, when a slight African-American fellow approached us from a gas station introducing himself as "Thug Nasty". He was waving a handful of CD's and asking us if we were 18; when we said no, he nodded and continued to walk ahead of us. Moments later, Thug said something that was ironically relevant to this journal prompt: "A man who don't work, don't eat." Diana and I murmured our agreement as he ventured off toward a motel to peddle his goods.
Reaching the main casino district, we weren't seeing any houseless individuals, so we riskily decided to tour Fourth Street and make a trip to the shelter where Diana volunteers her time. We saw several houseless people, particularly near the bus station, and I apologize for my photographs being awkward, as it was somewhat awkward attempting to take a picture of someone without them noticing.
In regards to Jim Burklo's view on homelessness vs. houselessness, I never realized it, but I completely agree with him. Many well-off individuals do not know a thing about their community; yes, they go grocery-shopping and take the kids to school, but they are not truly immersed in the environment of their community as a person without a house may be. I cannot speak from experience, but it would make sense to say that a person who is forced to endure the elements of their city/town day-in and day-out, would know a thing or two about the city's inner workings and be in sync with these workings.
So the next time you happen to come across an individual who may look a little rough around the edges, he/she may not be without a sense of community rhythm and awareness, but merely, without a house.
Reaching the main casino district, we weren't seeing any houseless individuals, so we riskily decided to tour Fourth Street and make a trip to the shelter where Diana volunteers her time. We saw several houseless people, particularly near the bus station, and I apologize for my photographs being awkward, as it was somewhat awkward attempting to take a picture of someone without them noticing.
In regards to Jim Burklo's view on homelessness vs. houselessness, I never realized it, but I completely agree with him. Many well-off individuals do not know a thing about their community; yes, they go grocery-shopping and take the kids to school, but they are not truly immersed in the environment of their community as a person without a house may be. I cannot speak from experience, but it would make sense to say that a person who is forced to endure the elements of their city/town day-in and day-out, would know a thing or two about the city's inner workings and be in sync with these workings.
So the next time you happen to come across an individual who may look a little rough around the edges, he/she may not be without a sense of community rhythm and awareness, but merely, without a house.
Friday, September 28, 2012
What Happens in Reno...Ends Up on My Blog (Walking Journal 9)
(Beginning note: I went for the walk down to the casino district, but I did not bring my cellular device so the pictures you see here are courtesy of Google Images!)
Walking past Circus Circus and continuing toward the Silver Legacy, I observed the advertisements for each and reflected on my walk down by the river. Though the two areas were in close proximity to each other, they were nothing alike as they stressed two very different recreational aspects of Reno: gambling and the environment. As far as values are concerned, one could be considered very admirable and the other not so much, depending on one's point of view.
However, there is a distinguishable similarity in that these two completely different regions of Reno attract people to the area; these groups of individuals may not be anything like each other (or they very well could be) but these areas are receiving ample amounts of attention nonetheless.
Why is it that the city of Reno feels that it needs to capitalize on both gambling promotion and environmental awareness?
We know which district brings in the most revenue, but why do people choose to visit a certain area over others?
I believe that Reno seems to feel as if it needs to compensate for being the smaller version of Sin City down in the south. We see that we have the opportunity to be environmentally-aesthetic and we take advantage of that. The same could be said for the artistic regions of Reno.
In some obvious ways, parts of the casino district are still off-limits to university students simply because many of us have not reached 21 yet, however, one rarely notices this nowadays as we can freely walk through the casino without so much as a second glance by casino authorities. I doubt this would be the case a few decades ago.
Walking past Circus Circus and continuing toward the Silver Legacy, I observed the advertisements for each and reflected on my walk down by the river. Though the two areas were in close proximity to each other, they were nothing alike as they stressed two very different recreational aspects of Reno: gambling and the environment. As far as values are concerned, one could be considered very admirable and the other not so much, depending on one's point of view.
However, there is a distinguishable similarity in that these two completely different regions of Reno attract people to the area; these groups of individuals may not be anything like each other (or they very well could be) but these areas are receiving ample amounts of attention nonetheless.
Why is it that the city of Reno feels that it needs to capitalize on both gambling promotion and environmental awareness?
We know which district brings in the most revenue, but why do people choose to visit a certain area over others?
I believe that Reno seems to feel as if it needs to compensate for being the smaller version of Sin City down in the south. We see that we have the opportunity to be environmentally-aesthetic and we take advantage of that. The same could be said for the artistic regions of Reno.
In some obvious ways, parts of the casino district are still off-limits to university students simply because many of us have not reached 21 yet, however, one rarely notices this nowadays as we can freely walk through the casino without so much as a second glance by casino authorities. I doubt this would be the case a few decades ago.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A River Runs Through It (Walking Journal 8)
Taking a stroll down the Reno strip with a throng of fellow classmates, I observed the usual people who wandered in the downtown area: a few tourists, a few teenagers, and several middle-aged/elderly individuals. I honestly had no idea where we were going; I knew we had to go see the Riverwalk, but I am thankful I had people to go with, otherwise I would have been completely SCUH-REWED.
When we came upon this Riverwalk, I was initially surprised that I had never seen this before in my life: it was quite sight. Across the river, there was an area for eating outside and a waterfall that cascaded from it into the river. Walking down the path beside the river, we saw a very relaxed group of teenagers huddled together and one of the guys was playing a ukelele.
As far as the cost of the project, I personally believe that it was worth it because it takes an old, somewhat run-down metropolitan district and highlights its natural qualities through this Riverwalk. The aesthetic theme to this attraction definitely enhances the reputation of our city and it symbolizes the delighted unexpectedness that many tourists and visitors experience when they come to Reno.
Regarding the city as a whole, I believe that we all have our own special roles in maintaining certain social, environmental, and cultural aspects. Personally, my role is to recycle anything and everything I can and attend as many cultural/artistic events as possible so I can help to enhance these particular areas of interest. This is different for everyone though, and we all play extremely important parts of being a citizen of the Reno/Sparks region.
When we came upon this Riverwalk, I was initially surprised that I had never seen this before in my life: it was quite sight. Across the river, there was an area for eating outside and a waterfall that cascaded from it into the river. Walking down the path beside the river, we saw a very relaxed group of teenagers huddled together and one of the guys was playing a ukelele.
As far as the cost of the project, I personally believe that it was worth it because it takes an old, somewhat run-down metropolitan district and highlights its natural qualities through this Riverwalk. The aesthetic theme to this attraction definitely enhances the reputation of our city and it symbolizes the delighted unexpectedness that many tourists and visitors experience when they come to Reno.
Regarding the city as a whole, I believe that we all have our own special roles in maintaining certain social, environmental, and cultural aspects. Personally, my role is to recycle anything and everything I can and attend as many cultural/artistic events as possible so I can help to enhance these particular areas of interest. This is different for everyone though, and we all play extremely important parts of being a citizen of the Reno/Sparks region.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Human Nature.....and some Natural Nature, as well. (Walking Journal 7)
Taking a stroll around campus, the earthly nature I witness is vastly more aesthetic than the "nature" I had back home in Silver Springs. There are trees! And leaves and grass! There is also a lot more concrete, but that is not always necessarily a bad thing. While walking, the only thing that distracted me was the occasional random whiff of poop that I seem to walk through every day, but hey, it grabbed my attention and gave me something to write about.
As far as the nature of the hustle and bustle (or not) of the city itself, everything is relatively relaxing for the most part, especially on campus. No one is in a really big hurry like many seem to be in parts of the East Coast (I visited there and t'was nuts), but things still get accomplished.
Thinking about the habits of mind process, I shall make an inquiry. Is it the nature of Reno itself that keeps people visiting or even living here? Or, rather, is it the nature and recreation that surround us like the beauty of nearby Lake Tahoe and the rugged wilderness of the Nevada desert that serve as the main attractions?
Hmmmmm.....*strokes goatee*
As far as the nature of the hustle and bustle (or not) of the city itself, everything is relatively relaxing for the most part, especially on campus. No one is in a really big hurry like many seem to be in parts of the East Coast (I visited there and t'was nuts), but things still get accomplished.
Thinking about the habits of mind process, I shall make an inquiry. Is it the nature of Reno itself that keeps people visiting or even living here? Or, rather, is it the nature and recreation that surround us like the beauty of nearby Lake Tahoe and the rugged wilderness of the Nevada desert that serve as the main attractions?
Hmmmmm.....*strokes goatee*
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Leisurely Stroll in the Dark (Walking Journal #6)
On an average weekday, I take a stroll down the hub of campus by the Knowledge Center and the Joe Crowley Student Union between classes and last night I went during the night for the sake of this Walking Journal.......and to go to a Winter Sports meeting!
Naturally, everything was much more eerie but, to me, it was even more visually appealing because of all the lights that I didn't see coming from a small town.
There weren't very many people around; a few quiet studiers coming from the Knowledge Center and late-night runners soaking up the free range of campus. The stars were also plainly visible, which is definitely one of the perks of being in Reno and not a bigger, more condensed metropolitan area.
All in all, I knew I would enjoy the walk because the nighttime is my favorite part of the day, but you never realize how many gosh dang lights there are on campus and how awesome they look when you can actually see them.
I'm not paying that electric bill.
Naturally, everything was much more eerie but, to me, it was even more visually appealing because of all the lights that I didn't see coming from a small town.
There weren't very many people around; a few quiet studiers coming from the Knowledge Center and late-night runners soaking up the free range of campus. The stars were also plainly visible, which is definitely one of the perks of being in Reno and not a bigger, more condensed metropolitan area.
All in all, I knew I would enjoy the walk because the nighttime is my favorite part of the day, but you never realize how many gosh dang lights there are on campus and how awesome they look when you can actually see them.
I'm not paying that electric bill.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Walking....Journal.....Number............5 (Legs are Fantastic Transportation Mechanisms)
Transportation in the Reno and University of Nevada area is actually quite unique in comparison to other major metropolitan regions. Many commuters use bikes and other man-powered devices to help conserve on gas emissions and keep the city smog-free. Personally, I use my legs to get around campus and it definitely helps out my cardio. I don't normally have any obstacles when I use this method, other than the occasional spell of laziness and the danger of getting creamed in the crosswalk by a construction truck.
There are many forms of public transportation available to me on campus such as the escort service (not that kind) and the shuttle buses, but in all honesty, I haven't used a damn one of them. It's not that I don't appreciate them, I just enjoy walking and getting the fresh air.
I think that the public transportation system in the major parts of Reno is actually a step above average. There is, for instance, the "Tipsy Tow" for intoxicated individuals during the New Years celebrations and I constantly see different shuttle buses and hear the train going by at numerous times during the day. If there isn't transportation to a certain area, everything is basically within bike-riding or walking distance.
Transportation in the Reno/Sparks region could always use improvement though, and I think that there should be more shuttles going to the ski resorts during the winter time; not only would this make things more convenient for the enthusiasts, but it would attract more vacationers to the area and enhance the social atmosphere.
There are many forms of public transportation available to me on campus such as the escort service (not that kind) and the shuttle buses, but in all honesty, I haven't used a damn one of them. It's not that I don't appreciate them, I just enjoy walking and getting the fresh air.
I think that the public transportation system in the major parts of Reno is actually a step above average. There is, for instance, the "Tipsy Tow" for intoxicated individuals during the New Years celebrations and I constantly see different shuttle buses and hear the train going by at numerous times during the day. If there isn't transportation to a certain area, everything is basically within bike-riding or walking distance.
Transportation in the Reno/Sparks region could always use improvement though, and I think that there should be more shuttles going to the ski resorts during the winter time; not only would this make things more convenient for the enthusiasts, but it would attract more vacationers to the area and enhance the social atmosphere.
Walking Journal Numero 4 (All of Reno is a Dang Advertisement)
Throughout Reno, Nevada, the obvious advertisements are those of gambling/casino activities and in the downtown area, one might see advertisements for artistic and cultural events. Walking down Virginia Street, I saw the all-too-famous taxi cab with The Penthouse Club picture on the roof and the words University of Nevada on the bridge crossing over the street. In a sense, every name of a location or event is an advertisement in its own, whether it be the entrance for Circus Circus or the infamous Reno archway depicting the "The Biggest Little City in the World".
I would like to say that some of these advertisements do not reflect the true values behind our community and this is true to an extent, however, Reno has many stereotypes attached to it and it was a relief to see the posters/flyers advertising the artistic culture of the area.
Many of these ads' sole purposes are too entice the consumer, primarily the ones regarding gambling, while there are a select few others that promote environmental and artistic interests. Many of the casino signs and billboards are hard to pass by without noticing because of flashing lights and the whole works, so those that are more discreet usually receive less attention.
I would like to say that some of these advertisements do not reflect the true values behind our community and this is true to an extent, however, Reno has many stereotypes attached to it and it was a relief to see the posters/flyers advertising the artistic culture of the area.
Many of these ads' sole purposes are too entice the consumer, primarily the ones regarding gambling, while there are a select few others that promote environmental and artistic interests. Many of the casino signs and billboards are hard to pass by without noticing because of flashing lights and the whole works, so those that are more discreet usually receive less attention.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Walking Journal Numero 3
Particularly on a university campus, demographics are important factors in the makeup of a neighborhood and/or society. Even though segregation was outlawed decades ago, we still see certain race and gender groups sticking close together, most of the time subconsciously. The most obvious of these distinctions on campus is the presence of fraternities, sororities, and selective clubs.
Looking closer however, we see many advertisements and decorations around campus that might either intentionally or unintentionally appeal to a certain ethnicity or gender.
Alright guys, I'm about to stereotype the crap out of these next points.
Admittedly, there are different majors and different areas of study that tend to attract different groups of people. For instance, MOST (not all) men tend to go into a math/science field, while women tend to lean towards the English and writing fields.
The same goes for different races, as well. One ethnic group may be superior in a particular academic subject, while another may prefer a more artistic route. Disclaimer: Of course this is not true for EVERYONE; one can be of Asian origin and still be very adept at dancing. It's been done before, but don't ask me to name an example.
As far as who is considered "out of place" in a society, that is all based purely on perception. We are all out of tune in some aspect of society and there isn't a single person who is like another. We are just as much of an outcast as the next person and we attract our acquaintances based on how similarly different we are. Mind=BLOWN.
Looking closer however, we see many advertisements and decorations around campus that might either intentionally or unintentionally appeal to a certain ethnicity or gender.
Alright guys, I'm about to stereotype the crap out of these next points.
Admittedly, there are different majors and different areas of study that tend to attract different groups of people. For instance, MOST (not all) men tend to go into a math/science field, while women tend to lean towards the English and writing fields.
The same goes for different races, as well. One ethnic group may be superior in a particular academic subject, while another may prefer a more artistic route. Disclaimer: Of course this is not true for EVERYONE; one can be of Asian origin and still be very adept at dancing. It's been done before, but don't ask me to name an example.
As far as who is considered "out of place" in a society, that is all based purely on perception. We are all out of tune in some aspect of society and there isn't a single person who is like another. We are just as much of an outcast as the next person and we attract our acquaintances based on how similarly different we are. Mind=BLOWN.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Walking Blog Numero 2!
I currently reside on a university campus; essentially, my place of both home and work. As of right now this is my house.
As far as involvement with this community that I live in, I have spent my entire life about an hour away in Silver Springs so I am fairly familiar with my new home in Reno. I recognize it as very low in pollution mainly because of its size and location.
Right now, I consider myself a sole consumer, but I hope to change that in the near future by volunteering at Urban Roots, an organization that teaches children how to plant gardens and conserve.
Walking around campus, I realize that everyone is constantly "making place" for others around them, whether they are familiar with them or not. One might hold the door open for another person and in a sense, that person is making room for the other to enter or exit before them. One might take time out of their schedules to make place for another person and tutor them with their homework. It happens everywhere, in both positive and negative atmospheres.
I try to create place for others by doing the small things, much like the ones mentioned above, and overall just trying to create a better environment (both physical and intellectual) for my peers.
The dictionary definition of "politics" is the act of governing or taking part in government, particularly over a nation. However, the term "governing" can go many different ways and from a much smaller perspective, each individual acts as governor of their own environment. I govern my world simply by making certain choices, from deciding to plant a garden to choosing what food I consume. I may not be negotiating foreign policy or writing a bill, but politicking exists within and without of our perceptions of the term "government".
As far as involvement with this community that I live in, I have spent my entire life about an hour away in Silver Springs so I am fairly familiar with my new home in Reno. I recognize it as very low in pollution mainly because of its size and location.
Right now, I consider myself a sole consumer, but I hope to change that in the near future by volunteering at Urban Roots, an organization that teaches children how to plant gardens and conserve.
Walking around campus, I realize that everyone is constantly "making place" for others around them, whether they are familiar with them or not. One might hold the door open for another person and in a sense, that person is making room for the other to enter or exit before them. One might take time out of their schedules to make place for another person and tutor them with their homework. It happens everywhere, in both positive and negative atmospheres.
I try to create place for others by doing the small things, much like the ones mentioned above, and overall just trying to create a better environment (both physical and intellectual) for my peers.
The dictionary definition of "politics" is the act of governing or taking part in government, particularly over a nation. However, the term "governing" can go many different ways and from a much smaller perspective, each individual acts as governor of their own environment. I govern my world simply by making certain choices, from deciding to plant a garden to choosing what food I consume. I may not be negotiating foreign policy or writing a bill, but politicking exists within and without of our perceptions of the term "government".
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Walking Journal Numero Uno!!
Cheyenne Lawrence: Walking Journal #1
This weekend, I returned to my home of Silver Springs, NV; population: approximately 5,000.
I don’t live near these train tracks, but they are an important landmark in my town so I thought I would include them in this journal. Silver Springs has very few, if any, trees and any patch of grass is considered an oasis. I would often take walks on the dirt roads behind my house in the middle of the night and I continued that trend this past weekend.
As I took this walk, I realized that my neighborhood doesn’t contain any landmarks of significance, but when I walk into the field behind my neighborhood, I can see the lights of Reno over the mountains and that backdrop combined with an endless expanse of telephone poles makes for an eerie, zombie apocalypse-esque resemblance. I am okay with this. :)
My closest neighbor is over half a mile away, and though the neighborhood doesn’t talk probably as much as it should, we aware of the others’ existence and we respect their boundaries…..except for my dog Nigel. He will run over to the neighbors’ houses if he sees something interesting and no amount of yelling and cursing will bring him back until he wants to come back.
This is Nigel :)
I do have a very strong sense of familiarity and security with this neighborhood due to living here for 16 years; the town itself, with its fair share of methamphetamines addicts and creepers, is pretty sketchy, but my neighborhood is luckily miles away from all that and I can usually go on my midnight runs undisturbed.
The terrain is very monotone, but there are a few unusual things about my neighborhood that puzzle me. For instance, there were a plethora of construction crews that were leveling the hill beside my house, making room for some kind of structure. They dug up rocks and formed these sand dunes that I would often ride my BMX bike on when I was but a small child. :) Then one day, the crews never returned to finish their project and now the residents of my dirt road have an acre of barren, sagebrush-free sand dunes to stare at.
While surveying the terrain, I am also surveying the night sky which I admittedly take for granted way too much.
This is a shot of the night sky at the Fort Churchill ruins in south Silver Springs.
As I recall, I counted 5 shooting stars during my midnight walk on the night of September 1st, 2012 J (Well, I guess technically if it’s midnight it would be Sept. 2nd already but…..ah well)
My impressions of this area?
-Boring, sure. I grew up here for 16 years, it’s a wonder I came out without some boredom-induced mental illness. As a teenager, it’s definitely a rough place to be in, but one easily takes for granted the dormant beauties that lie in a rural desert community and Silver Springs is no exception.
As kids, my friends and I still joke about how, even if we make out of Springs and halfway across the world, we will be suddenly enveloped by this gusty whirlwind and then….we’re standing back in Springs. No one EVER leaves; even if they think they have escaped…it will find you.
And all jokes aside, despite the lack of any other color than brown and the occasional mattress or rusted Volkswagen sitting in a field, it is a place to be missed.
This weekend, I returned to my home of Silver Springs, NV; population: approximately 5,000.
I don’t live near these train tracks, but they are an important landmark in my town so I thought I would include them in this journal. Silver Springs has very few, if any, trees and any patch of grass is considered an oasis. I would often take walks on the dirt roads behind my house in the middle of the night and I continued that trend this past weekend.
As I took this walk, I realized that my neighborhood doesn’t contain any landmarks of significance, but when I walk into the field behind my neighborhood, I can see the lights of Reno over the mountains and that backdrop combined with an endless expanse of telephone poles makes for an eerie, zombie apocalypse-esque resemblance. I am okay with this. :)
My closest neighbor is over half a mile away, and though the neighborhood doesn’t talk probably as much as it should, we aware of the others’ existence and we respect their boundaries…..except for my dog Nigel. He will run over to the neighbors’ houses if he sees something interesting and no amount of yelling and cursing will bring him back until he wants to come back.
This is Nigel :)
I do have a very strong sense of familiarity and security with this neighborhood due to living here for 16 years; the town itself, with its fair share of methamphetamines addicts and creepers, is pretty sketchy, but my neighborhood is luckily miles away from all that and I can usually go on my midnight runs undisturbed.
The terrain is very monotone, but there are a few unusual things about my neighborhood that puzzle me. For instance, there were a plethora of construction crews that were leveling the hill beside my house, making room for some kind of structure. They dug up rocks and formed these sand dunes that I would often ride my BMX bike on when I was but a small child. :) Then one day, the crews never returned to finish their project and now the residents of my dirt road have an acre of barren, sagebrush-free sand dunes to stare at.
While surveying the terrain, I am also surveying the night sky which I admittedly take for granted way too much.
This is a shot of the night sky at the Fort Churchill ruins in south Silver Springs.
As I recall, I counted 5 shooting stars during my midnight walk on the night of September 1st, 2012 J (Well, I guess technically if it’s midnight it would be Sept. 2nd already but…..ah well)
My impressions of this area?
-Boring, sure. I grew up here for 16 years, it’s a wonder I came out without some boredom-induced mental illness. As a teenager, it’s definitely a rough place to be in, but one easily takes for granted the dormant beauties that lie in a rural desert community and Silver Springs is no exception.
As kids, my friends and I still joke about how, even if we make out of Springs and halfway across the world, we will be suddenly enveloped by this gusty whirlwind and then….we’re standing back in Springs. No one EVER leaves; even if they think they have escaped…it will find you.
And all jokes aside, despite the lack of any other color than brown and the occasional mattress or rusted Volkswagen sitting in a field, it is a place to be missed.
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