Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Field Notes I
After you conduct your first observation of your space for your mapping project, please post your first set of field notes here before class begins on Wednesday, May 12. 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).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Studio Farms
ReplyDeleteMay 8th, 2010
11:30 am
Observations:
The barn is comprised of an indoor area and an outdoor area. The indoor area has multiple stalls where horses are kept as well as two large training rings.
People converse almost constantly about the progress of their horses and other horse related topics.
It smells like fresh air and cut grass.
Everyone is dressed in tight riding pants and boots.
The horses have earplugs so that they will not be spooked by small noises.
All of the riders are women. There are two men who work as stable hands. They speak only Spanish.
The barn floor is gray brick with the exception of the hay stall floors and mulch ring floor.
The common are has shelves full of horse supplies including medication, ropes, hoof polish and carrots.
Every rider has a cabinet in the back where their gear is stored.
Outside the barn is wide-open land separated into squares by white wooden fences.
Response:
Everyone is familiar with the others in the barn. They share various stories.
Everyone seems content and happy to be at the barn.
A woman comes to sell the riders horse attire and supplies. The women get measured in the barn entrance and become excited over the various colors of riding “chaps”.
The women seemed happy to share their time and experiences with me.
Interviews:
I was able to conduct two interviews during my time at the barn. Both women expressed the happiness that comes from taking care of their horses and spending time with the other woman at the barn. It was described as a method of escaping the pressures of the outside world.
Denver Skate Park
ReplyDeleteMonday, May 10, 2010
5:15 pm
Observations:
- about 40-50 people
- mostly young men average age from 14-23
- clothing, wearing generally blacks, browns and greys
- a lot of swear language being yelled or muttered
- “ah fuck” when falling, or “damn! I almost ate shit right there!”
- kids as young as 6 years old
- most not wearing helmets
- constant sound of tons of boards, trucks and wheels smacking the concrete
- tend to take turns on the rails, bowls and ramps
- only onlookers are skaters themselves (besides me of course)
- younger kids on one side doing smaller stuff, olders on other side of the park
- challenge each other like a big game of “horse”
- some dads skating with younger sons
- throwing football across whole park back and forth, possibly between those who don’t even know each other, funny
- a lot of talk about skate terms: “ollie,” “kickflip”
- yelling, seems like some of the older ones are possibly drunk
- no music playing, some have personal ipods
- located in the middle of a bunch of street and the highway, very loud
Interviews:
- had the interviewees print and sign name at the bottom of each paper per interview
- good central location
- most came from somewhat far away places
- said that there is a bond between the regulars at the park
- tend to have the backs of the youngsters like the olders did when they were young
- during the weekend it is much more crowded
- many have been coming to the park since it opened
Response:
- was definitely intimidated at first, despite having already been to the park before
- once I started the interviews, I found it was much easier to try to track people down
- also, when talking to one, another woud often come ans sit down next to their fellow skate buddy and give me input too
- thought it was interesting that a couple asked if I was writing about the recent fight, I told them I wasn’t but asked about it
- sounded like a typical rule of thumb that if you keep to yourself and don’t “talk shit” then problems wont arise
- one very interesting and common response that I received when asking why the skatepark is significant was that it is cop-free, several claimed that they liked that you couldn’t get hasseled by the cops when in the park
I went to the Denver Art Museum on Tuesday, May 11 from approximately 3pm to 5pm. I talked to people in the front lobby of the museum , but mostly observed from the overpass above 13th street that connected the Hamilton Building to the North Building.
ReplyDelete-There were many couples.
-Mostly white but there were a variety of ethnicity represented.
-There were a small group since it was at a Tuesday at closing.
-8,000-10,000 attend the museums on saturdays.
-Sculptures of a boat, a dust pan and broom and stone sculpture from the overpass view.
-The museum was quiet.
-Many people discussing the art and famous artist, typically in quiet voices.
-The overpass had floor to ceiling windows making it very well lit.
-The setting is clean and well kept.
People I interviewed seemed generally interested and helpful. Some of the guests did not want to answer questions, but they were generally polite about it. I found it interesting to find out about the different perspectives between the employees and the guests.
One employee I interviewed was very eager to talk to me. He told me about the various activities the museum offered. He explained its functions in helping the community; they hold programs for blind children to touch the art, Hispanic community outreach programs, disability services programs, free days, and many school groups. He also discussed the aesthetics of the buildings. They use windows to make the lighting effect. They also had the place designed to be a castle to literally be a 'fortress' to the art. He went into a little about why families go there after asking him. He said they went both for the art and a welcome break from life.
Another woman who worked their said that she enjoyed the museum because there are always new things coming in and out. She discussed how the free days bring in many diverse groups of people. She also talked about many of the family friendly activities the museum offers such as a children's scavenger hunt, a "Dia del Ninos", and backpack kart. When I asked her what it brings to the community is escape and opportunity to gain knowledge.
A final man I interviewed said that he went to the museum to escape the typically fast pace lifestyle he lives in. He said that the Denver community does not take advantage of the museum as much as they should. He felt that it was mainly an international tourist attraction. He also said there was always new art coming in and he was a moderate art fan, who had been to the Lourve multiple time.
This makes me question why people go to see art and what it does for their lives on a deeper level. Most people discussed that they went for the art or to spend time with their families. I am interested in why this place is especially good place for these visits.
Observations:
ReplyDelete-Smelly old warehouse
-Pucks flying
-Sticks everywhere
-Smells like dirty laundry mixed with sweat
- The smell of popcorn and nachos fills the air
-Children playing hockey
-Adults cheering
-Goals with red metal posts and pure white netting
-Referees dodgeing the players
-Goal!
-Dirty Metal bleachers
-Gum stains on bleachers
- The whistle blows, the horn sounds, both teams shake hands.
Interview:
"Some people may think RMR is just a smelly old warehouse but to us players it is a place where we can have fun and play the game we love."
"I love watching my kids play because you can see the joy in their faces every time they come off and its fun for the parents to bond with each other too."
Stellas
ReplyDeleteMonday May 10, 2010
9:06 PM
Back Study Room/Live Music Room
When entering Stellas there is the coffee station on the right side that is indented into a narrow hallway that leads to three connected rooms in the back of the coffee shop.
There are two males working here tonight. There is a cake of along with a berry pie and 1 piece of a nut pie of some sort. Below in the transparent casing there is a plethora of different homemade burritos (breakfast and non breakfast)
To the left there is a counter where you order your drink. There are numerous pamphlets on the counter advertising concerts along with free concert tickets promoting local bands. There are also other desert items including different types of homemade bread, croissants, bagels, etc, next to a basket of fruit. There are other little items on the counter as well.
Behind the counter a menu can be found. The menu is only used as guidelines though; any variations can be made to fit one’s taste. It is a very laid back place that caters to what ever you want.
Outside of the coffee shop there is a long patio that extends around the perimeter and reaches even to the back of the shop. There are tons of seating next to heating lamps and even controlled fires.
The coffee shop isn’t as busy as it usually is which may be partially due to the fact that it is a Monday night.
9:16 Back Study Room:
There are fourteen tables in the room along with three large windows and one bathroom the only bathroom in the shop.
There are 16 people in the study area including my girlfriend and myself.
Two tables in front of my there is a couple of people one in a blue shirt (male) and a female in a dark sweater. They look like a couple but I am not sure. They both have their laptops out. (2 Mac books)
2 new people have entered the room
One table in front of me there is a woman in a brown sweater who seems to be writing something along with listening to music with headphones (clip head phones) she has a bottle of water.
The table to the left of the lady has a man dressed in a dark grey t-shirt he seems to be drinking something in a coffee cup and has his phone out while working on a grey dell computer.
ReplyDeleteLeft of him there is a male in a black coat of some sort and with iPod headphones on working on what looks like a black Mac computer. He is typing. Across from him there is a female in a purple shirt and wit a coffee cup and yellow water bottle she is also working on a computer and has some paper out as well.
Low murmur of conversation can be heard throughout the room; however, it is quiet for the most part.
Two people talking on the side deck can be seen next to me.
There is a new guy now in the seat of the man in the dark grey shirt. He has a brief case.
9:27 17 people including my girlfriend and me
The man in front of the man in the briefcase has long brown hair and a black t shirt on is drinking something out of a coffee sup and is reading a book. He is also wearing sandals (he is sitting a lone).
To the left of his is a younger man in a brown t-shirt and a pencil behind his ear and an iPod is now leaving his jeans are holey
In front of his now vacant table is a group of three people. Two females and 1 male. They all have a laptop out (they are not Macs) The two girls are facing each other one is wearing a pink t shirt while the other one is wearing a black leather coat. The guy has long brown hair and is wearing a black t-shirt. They all seem to have a hot drink in coffee cups
Next to them is a man in an orange hoodie who has his glasses on the table he is also drinking something out of a coffee cup
Briefcase man moves his stuff to a bigger empty table.
Right behind me a young man in a brown hoodie and a grey briefcase. He is writing intently.
Behind him is a new arrival alone at a round table he is older and is wearing a green polo shirt.
9:33 18 people including my girlfriend and I (6 females) (12 males)
HAVENT INTERVIEWED ANYONE YET
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBrief Summary of Field Notes;
ReplyDeleteDenver Botanic Gardens
9:00-10:40 am
Monday, May 10th
-People began arriving around 9:40 (forty minutes after I did).
-First groups of visitors couples with younger children, and groups of elderly folks
-Schoolbuses pull up; children start coming into the Gardens (slowly at first, then huge flocks of them)
-Partly cloudy, but pretty chilly, no sun to be seen (wondering if it would be more crowded on a nicer day?)
-LOTS of school children and chaperones
-Some of the school groups seem to be working/have purpose, some of them just seem to be running around having fun
-No one is walking by themselves, except for the two photographers I have seen
-The only types of wildlife I’ve seen are geese, chickadees and squirrels, and they always stick to the same areas
-There are so many students at this point, that the line to get into the main BMC building goes past the main entrance, around the hedge wall and out of sight
-The kids seem to be bothering the older visitors to the park
-Teachers look a little too busy/hassled with their kids to interview
-Three adults are drinking coffee in the café, pouring over large books together
-The kids and their chaperones show a whole lot of ethnic diversity, whereas the older groups and photographers I’ve seen are predominantly white (with just one or two Asians)
-The café has really filled up quite a bit, but since there is VERY LITTLE FOOD, most people leave pretty quickly.
-Those who DO stay get either water or coffee, and most of them belong to the older crowd.
-There are kids trying to eat their school lunches in here, and they are getting kicked out.
I was really surprised to see so many school groups, since I’ve only ever been to the gardens on the weekend. I wasn’t expecting the space to be used as much as it was by these people in this way, so that was very interesting.
Everywhere around here that is not a red rock is green, tons of different colors of green. There is green grass, flecked with yellow plants and bits of red rock. There are dark pine trees, bright yellow-green trees as well as pale green ones. There are mossy patches and streaks all over the rocks.
ReplyDeleteThe parking lot has two other cars in it. One drives away shortly after I got here. Every so often, a car drives by on the road. The lot is dirt and grey and brown rocks. A biker zooms down the hill to the right and down the road. There is a brown sign in front of a red dirt path that reads “NO CLIMBING ON THE ROCKS. $99.00 FINE OR 180 DAYS IN JAIL OR BOTH”. I think it is ironic that the sign is in front of a path that leads right to the rocks.
To the left is a stone wall that looks very old, built into the side of the mountain. A car that is driving by has loud music with bumping bass. Two people enter the lot and slowly walk over to their car. It is a man and a woman and they both have sweatshirts tied around their waists and are wearing jeans. They crunch through the gravel back to their car and drive away.
Near the area where the stairs take you up to the amphitheater- Huge red rock here. The stairs are built into the side of it. I can see a man and a woman getting their picture taken by the railing with the view in the background. A guy and his dog walk over by and start up the stairs. A motorcycle goes by. People are walking their dogs up and down the stairs.
Upper South Lot- There are a lot more cars here. There are six by the entrance to the trails, and some more further away. I see a girl get out of a truck. She is wearing a white tank top and jeans and her arms are covered in tattoos. She zips on a hooded sweatshirt. A guy comes around the truck holding two leashes. He has tattoos and sunglasses too, and a shaved head. He hands one of the dogs to the girl and they head over to the path on the right. Another couple, a little older, probably middle-aged, also wearing jeans, come off the trail and get in to their car and drive away.
I hiked up the path on the left for a while, till I find a nice rock to sit on. The path is made of red dirt, with broken-off chunks of red rock everywhere. There are differently sized red rocks fixed in the ground everywhere, some as big as my dorm room, and others are as small as my shoe. There is hard moss on all of them, and it gives them a kind of cool design. The view is very pretty. I can see almost all the way to Denver, except it is behind a hill, which is nice, because I don’t really have to think about it that way. I can see a lot of open space though, stretching for miles. There are green sloping hills, scattered with trees and small buildings. There’s a bright blue lake in the distance, and the sky is very blue too. There are huge white puffy clouds in the sky. Everything seems so open. It is very warm and sunny here today. I can hear clicks of bugs and a huge bee buzzes by. A crow noisily squawks as it flies overhead and lands in its nest, which is in a hole on the side of the huge cliff next to me. The rock is really tall, on top of a green hill. The path that I climbed up is steep in some parts as it curves around trees and boulders. It is very peaceful. I love only hearing the sound of the wind, and the bugs I guess. It is so nice and no one is bothering me I can just sit and chill on this rock. I don’t have to think about anything. The breeze feels so good and the whole setting kind of makes me want to take a nap. I interviewed two guys that were about my age in the parking lot after I came back down. My favorite part about the interviews was when one of the guys talked about asking a girl to prom at Red Rocks “by painting it on the back side of this really cool rock. We are always up here so I thought it’d be such a sick way to do it, like a big surprise that’s like unique to us. I thought she’d love that I did it there…but now I wish I didn’t cause I had a really shitty time but that will always be written up there forever.”
Saturday, May 8, 10:50 AM
ReplyDeleteStarbucks Coffee off of University.
Smell of coffee beans fills the air, setting the “typical” coffee shop mood.
Jazzy music plays at a medium pitch for guests to listen to.
A woman sits in a booth wearing jet black sweatpants, white and blue reebok tennis shoes, and a bright green workout shirt. Flushed face with shades of pink. Sipping on a frothy frozen drink.
The counter has baskets around it filled with bags of coffee, chocolate covered graham crackers, mints, and other little treats.
The glass display of pastries grabs the gaze of customers ordering their drinks from a vast menu displayed above.
Cheese Danish, Rice-krispy treats, assortments of cookies, breakfast sandwiches and wraps, muffins, and biscottis.
The sounds of music fill the air, coffee being gound, drinks being blended, orders being announced, and people chattering.
People are all around, every seat is taken. Obviously a very popular place to be.
Not one person is the same. All ages, all races, all dressed to their own style. It seems to be filled with college kids who just woke up wearing what they slept in, a woman dressed in work out attire, many are just dressed casually in jeans and a shirt.
Some are reading, some are watching, and some are conversing with their friends. They seem to be here for many different reasons.
Interviews:
As things settled down and I could finally sit. I first sat next to the woman who was wearing her work out clothes. She seemed to be a middle aged woman, just sitting there quietly. As I asked why she was here she went to explain that she comes here everyday, usually after her workouts. She sees this as her little treat for doing a good job and allows her just to sit and relax afterwards. She loves the environment created and loves the workers – as she has built a relationship with them from seeing them constantly.
Another interview conducted consisted of me talking to a college girl who seemed to be studying. She comes here because she feels it is more inviting and less inclusive than Penrose library. In an environment where things are happening but it is still quiet and relaxing she seems to be more productive and have a healthier mind flow for her work.
Response:
It was very natural to be here and to take observations. As I come here a lot, I am familiar with how things usually work around here but it is interesting to see the different types of people come in. They all seem very friendly, as some even interact with people they just sat next to. It is a welcoming environment so I did not feel hesitant to be there or ask people what was going on with them.
Observations:
ReplyDeleteDe Boer Park
Sunday May 9, 2010
1:06 pm
-clear stream running beneath the bridge
-tables, lunch tables
-children bike riding, skateboarding
-runners
-chatter, people eating lunch
-the sound of the wind
-dogs barking, dog walkers
Community Garden
Monday May 10, 2010
3:30 pm
-smaller, concentrated area
-several people enter and leave
-chatter, swearing
-specific group age (college students)
-cigarette smoke smell
-painted shed, chairs
Washington Park
Tuesday May 11, 2010
5:30 pm
-Big green, thriving
-several small lakes
-bridges, paths
-every age group and range
-birds, insects
-use of community park for different reasons
-activities consist of: relaxing, playing sports, tanning, running, exercising, yoga, hanging out, talking, reading
Questions Asked:
1.What attracts you to visit the community garden/washpark?
2. Is nature a big part of your life?
3. What activities/things do you do when spending time in a garden/park?
4. What does “community” mean to you?
5. Do you generally feel better or worse after you visit a garden or park?
6. How often do you go to the garden or park?
Interviews:
Charlie:
Responses:
1.nice weather, hanging out with friends, a communal place to socialize
2.Now that I live in Colorado nature has become way more significant in my life, but back home in Greenwich, Connecticut, nature was not even half as important to me
3.Play games, Frisbee, golf, long boarding. If I had a dog living here, I would definitely take him to the park.
4.People, surroundings, where you live
5.Better
6.Once a week
Chandler:
Responses:
1.I like being outside and going to the park/garden when its sunny
2.No, nature is not a big part of my life
3.Lay-out, smoke, play soccer, pass around a Frisbee,long board
4.A group of people who share common interests
5.Better
6.I visit the park once a month. I used to visit the garden on the regular, but after I received an email from my Resident Assistant warning me to stay away, I haven’t been back since. I don’t like going to the park, or being outside for that matter, unless it’s a nice day out. I guess weather effects my mood.
University of Denver Athletic Training Room , Ritchie Center
ReplyDeleteTime: 10:15 am- 11:20 am
Date: May 6, 2010
Facts and stats: 4 trainers in the room
6 athletes
3 doing rehab
3 mingling
Observation: Right now the training room has a mixed smell of massage lotion, sweat and Clorox. It smells clean but there are people working through pain and the sweat dripping down their faces shows it. The training tables are wiped down with Clorox wipes after athletes sit on them for rehab.
3 athletes from various sports are rehabbing. Many of the same rehab programs are going on, for knees and shoulders.
When I came into the training room I was greeted by Katie and Becky, both trainers for women’s lacrosse. I told Katie about the project I was working on and right away she gave some great feedback for what I expected by studying this space. She said “When I was an athlete in college I totally went into the training room almost every day to see this baseball player I thought was so cute. I would always go grab ice or ice bath to catch him after practice.”
This is a perfect example as to why I think that observing this space will show more than work ethic and rehabbing patients.
So far while I’ve been talking and observing many athletes have been in and out besides the 6 mentioned above and when they come in they’ve been greeted by first names and nick names.
Also, every staff member knows almost every athlete that has walked through the door.
One skier, Seppi, has come in not even having to do rehab. He came in, said hey to me asked if I was doing any rehab or just hanging out. Went over to Katie shared a few jokes and then left.
In the background there is a rock music station playing and espn on the monitor above the rehab tables. The atmosphere is very inviting and almost like a mini sports bar.
One thing I noticed is that some athletes come in and feel like that have to be doing something, so they’ll asked to be stretched out or have their hips checked to see if they’re in line. I noticed some of these athletes didn’t even have lift or practice today either.
Response: So far I definitely think the training room is like a mini hang out for athletes. I’ve seen friendly interactions take place, rehab, and new introductions. It’s almost like a mini classroom or high school haha.
1. Date: May 11, 2010
ReplyDeleteTime: 4:45-6:30 pm
Place: Cherry Creek Shopping Center
2. The Mall is a large structure off the right side of University. Upon arrival one can see the mall building itself and the surrounding stores, restaurants, apartments, and hotels. The actually Cherry Creek Mall is a light tan, brown. To enter there are multiple entrances with which the doors have black frames and glass windows. The stores that are most frequently entered and have the entrances to are the mostly major department store. Through the parking structure there are also doors that lead into the main corridors of the mall. The mall is set into wings. In the mall the floor is tile and the wings are set with a major store at the end then the walkways leading to the main store are store fronts with glass windows. There are kiosks in the middle separating the facing store fronts and then between each wing I noticed that there are coffee shops that helped for the transformation to a new wing.
3. The light is bright due to the incandescent lighting, also parts of the roof are glass thus allowing light as well. The sounds that I observed were more like white noise. It was loud, it was jumbled. I could hear the various music selections while walking past each store front, I could hear people walking against the tile, and I could hear the people talking. Yet none of the noise was really distinguishable. The floor was smooth against my shoes and the smell was of leather or rubber (new shoes or new anything), unless you were passing a place where they sold fragrances, or a food venue. There were no specific tastes to the mall just air.
4. I think that the mall was an interesting place to observe. I think that even though I have been to Cherry Creek and many other malls in my life that I have never taken the time to look around and watch the mall and the activities at the mall. I thought it was interesting to watch the change from late afternoon to night time. This is because I never noticed the change in atmosphere or mood as the time goes on. No one really responded to me being there I just looked like everyone else a shopper. I feel like it is easy to observe the mall because you don’t need to stand out or do anything really that different than shopping you just have to pay more attention to the things going on around you. I found it more productive to walk and think about what was going on then discuss and write everything down rather than walking and writing together.
5. I did not do an interview for my first field study. For this first observation period I just toured the whole mall thinking about whom I might want to interview and when the best time to do that would be. I think I definitely want to interview a kiosk worker because they see the main flow of people. I also think it would interesting to interview a mother that had brought their kids there, and a single or at least an alone male as well.
6. I might want to look at why people go at specific times to the mall? Who goes to the mall? Why go to Cherry Creek over other shopping destinations?
Coors Field
ReplyDelete1) Monday, May 10, 2010. 6:40 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
2) The Rockies played the Phillies tonight. The end score was 9-5 Phillies, 4 runs being scored in the 9th inning by the Phillies. It was a disappointing loss; a game that the Rockies should have won. The attendance was around 30,000 for the game that night and it was near 50 degrees at the start of the game, nearing 35 degrees at the end.
3) The stadium was quite empty, even emptier than usual. There were plenty of fans in my section (124) as always though, and it was just a regular Rockies game atmosphere. The smell of peanuts and beer filled the air, that kind of salty, bitter smell that would bother me if it were lingering in any other place other than Coors Field. The sun was in my eyes during the first inning, but it gradually set and the lights came on. They were very bright against the darkening night sky. The air grew colder by the minute, and the occasional breeze came and went as it pleased. The fans were rowdy during action-packed moments, and chatting liberally throughout the entire game. The familiar voice of the Rockies announcer came conquered the evening, and organ music was played often. The taste of my favorite lemonade, the kind you can only get at Rockies games, filled my mouth and chilled my throat.
4) Recording others for observational purposes was strange since I have never done so at a game before. Looking around to see how people reacted was definitely a difficult task to achieve while trying to watch the game, but setting the action aside was necessary. While walking around, I noticed several annoying Phillies fans, and several Rockies fans. The way that people reacted to me was generally friendly and inviting. Everyone was in a pretty good mood at the start of the game.
5) I was able to conduct two worthy interviews. Both people had a lot to say about Coors Field and what it means to them. They both grew up loving baseball and find that, although the Rockies aren’t the best team in the National League, they still put on a good show and provide several great opportunities to enjoy a night out at a game. One man I interviewed was quite informative about the Rockies history, explaining that they used to play at Mile High Stadium before Coors was built on April 27, 1995. They were an expansion franchise, meaning that they were a brand new team given to Colorado in 1993.
6) Questions that I asked were pretty basic, so I would like to expand on them using the following:
a. Why are sporting events important to you? Is it baseball specifically that you’re interested in?
b. Why come to the game when you can watch it on television? Is it worth the money to you?
c. How many games do you come to per year? Would you come to more if you could?
d. Have you (or do you plan on) brought your family/friends to games with you? Is that important when enjoying a Rockies game? Why/ why not?
May 10, 2010
ReplyDelete11:46am
16th Street Mall between Champa and Curtis
-I hear individuals talking on their bluetooth headset
-I hear some people playing guitar with their cases open for change
-The ground is covered in spit stains and some splatters of blood
-unpleasant smell
-business suits and ragged clothes walking side by side or passing by each other
-A chubby man with a blue shirt on wearing a sign over his chest saying "Free Hugs"
-different types of shops definitely attact different kinds of people
-lots of people out for lunch
-girl and mother of upper-class leave nice restaurant with sunglasses on, a frappacino in right hand and bag of purchased goods on the left ignoring everyone but themselves
-all restaurants, fast-food places are full, lines almost out the door
-sunny day
-transformation for lunch at 16th street mall
-The wind picks up in the middle of 16th Street Mall: Possibly from just nature or a combination of the free MALLRIDE passing by both ways and the cars crossing perpendiculars
-I am sitting on a yellow stainless steel chair that is held down by nothing: Random chairs and benches are left in the median of 16th Street in order for people to relax, read, converse, or play chess
-plants surround the outer perimeter of the median in painted bowls all of a green or light green color: with everything going on with Global warming this small subtle step shows that Denver and the 16th Street Mall are going green
-Some individuals look around constantly and some stay focused on their work, their reading, or their cell phones: Certain individuals asking for money tend to look around more in order to increase their chances of monetary gain, others who are trying to sell goods or newspapers are looking to be the most productive which leads to importance over others, then there are the people in business attire who look entirely casual and are very social whereas others are in constant work mode