I think I move around the city well in a very limited space. I have the places I go and the places I know.....but finding a new address or the far south side...and I am lost. A goal I have after taking this class is to learn how to read maps better and navigate myself around the city...after all I do live here. Its embarrassing when somebody asks me in the mall "excuse me, how to I get to so and so..", and I have no idea how to explain....
I really enjoyed Trevor's visit on Thursday I think he had some very interesting things to say and his videos were fantastic! I loved the idea he talked about showing the highlevel bridge only in the winter. It is comical because it does seem like winter never ends here. Its like an inside joke we all share as edmontonians. I think that the weather however negatively affects how we move through the city.....I don't like going out as much or exploring the outdoors when it is 25 below. My dad however, is a former cross country Olympic skier and he gets out on the trails of edmonton as much as he can and waxes up his ski's. He always tells me how peaceful winter is outside because it is silent and crisp...one of these days I will go with him and hopefully have a similar experience.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
What I have learned thus far: Not your usual Enlgish course.
In most English classes we read authors from seemingly far away lands, and the stories they tell occur in settings very far removed from places I visit on a daily basis. This is not necessarily a bad thing: I like to read as a form of entertainment. I find it exciting that I can experience a new place or journey from the comfort of my couch with a cup of hot tea! That's part of why I love to read. This class however, (as cliche as it sounds) has opened my eyes to see what is going on in my city that I didn't know about. I realized I don't have a very good sense of "the local" in Edmonton. Yes I dwell here, go out here, and go to school here, but I never really took pride in things like local authors, or music or art. I always assumed I had to look elsewhere to experience culture.
My favorite class thus far has been Darrin's visit. His story is fascinating and I am inspired to learn more about scenes in this city that I didn't know about previously. I am interested in experiencing nightlife from another point of view, rather than just the places I usually go.
I also am nervous about and look forward to our map projects. I had never even stopped to think about maps or the idea of creating a map to take another person on a conceptual journey. I am excited to see what someone else see's everyday, as well as what they will make of my concept of the city.
My favorite class thus far has been Darrin's visit. His story is fascinating and I am inspired to learn more about scenes in this city that I didn't know about previously. I am interested in experiencing nightlife from another point of view, rather than just the places I usually go.
I also am nervous about and look forward to our map projects. I had never even stopped to think about maps or the idea of creating a map to take another person on a conceptual journey. I am excited to see what someone else see's everyday, as well as what they will make of my concept of the city.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Exploring counter culture in the city
I remember my first encounter going out to the "non-mainstream" bars with my older sister when I had just turned 18. Living in the St.Albert suburbs all my life I was incredibly surprised and excited to experience a new culture and scene that I never knew existed. My my sister who went to the university and lived on Whyte ave always encouraged me to explore outside the St.Albert bubble and wantedto show me what the city and in particular the night life in the city of Edmonton looked like through her eyes. She took me to The Black Dog, and Blues on Whye, and New City Suburbs. To a fresh 18 yr old from St.Albert this was a huge deal! I saw cross dressers and gothic culture at New city, and homeless people at Blues on Whyte. I thought the city was fabulous and loved going to new places where I didnt know anyone and got to experience new types of culture.
When reading Darrin's book I thought about my first experiences seeing certain minority groups in the city and how I was shocked at first, and then as I began to experience new things I became greatful for those people who have the courage to express themselves and be the first ones to step out and do something different. One thought that deeply resonates with me is why our society is so afraid to break the boundaries of social norms we have? When we push the envelope on gender or even contemporary style why do some people become deeply offended?
When reading Darrin's book I thought about my first experiences seeing certain minority groups in the city and how I was shocked at first, and then as I began to experience new things I became greatful for those people who have the courage to express themselves and be the first ones to step out and do something different. One thought that deeply resonates with me is why our society is so afraid to break the boundaries of social norms we have? When we push the envelope on gender or even contemporary style why do some people become deeply offended?
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