ENG001: Section 09

Life Soundtrack

2007-12-16T23:39:00.000-06:00

My little girl by Tim Mcgraw is a perfect example of me and my dad's relationship.

I remember holding hands. We would make a circle and sing this song everytime we got together. It was third grade

When I hear this I go back to grandma and grandpa Villines house.
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Everyone has that period were they feel people don't understand.
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Observation Essay Westfield Gateway Mall

2007-10-07T22:55:00.000-05:00

On the outside of Westfield Gateway Mall lines after lines of cars are parked in the gigantic parking lots. It's not that noisy but every once in awhile you hear the beeping of a car alarm. Creative building designs accent the doors inviting you to come in and enjoy. Different textures on the building pop out at you, creating different lines. You go from smooth to bumpy as run your hand against the side of the building. At night the lights shines against the entrance making it easy for all to see.

The mall is a community within Lincoln. There are many different aspects and views that create the community. People, places, and things add character and develops the community the mall really is. Many different objectives that people have give different reasons or thing to do at the building. People don’t just go to shop. I opened my eyes and ears to find out what attracts people to the building we call Westfield Gateway Mall.

The sliding glass doors swish open as I step near them. As I walk in to the inside, the volume of sound changes. I can hear people chattering and kids screaming. The pitter patter of feet on the tiled floor echo through the mall. I can smell the food court's hamburgers, chicken, and pizza, as well. The smell lures me in, guiding my nose towards the beautiful smell. When you walk by the Chinese place, Panda Express, passes out free samples of teriakyi chicken. It taste sweet and tender, causing your mouth to salivate uncontrollably. The free samples satisfy my taste buds making me want more. I let them taunt me into buying food. Walking around, the different smells seize my nose, bringing different character to each restaurant. I give into the temptation and buy a chili dog.

Sitting at a table on the hard, yet not unbearable chair, I eat my chili dog. The table has a shiny surface with a pinkish swirl. While eating the soft warm chili dog on the hard slick glossy table, I look up to see hundreds of tables. Some small with little chairs just the right size for kids and others tall with high chairs letting you look over the entire food court. Little kids run around them entertaining themselves with imagination and laughter as they play tag. Also a birthday party is going on for a little child. There is different color balloons in a line on a long table. At the table next to me, three ladies chat away while the husband of one faces away from the chatter talking on the phone.

There’s a worker cleaning the tables as people come and go. Also he changes the trash and mops up any spilled messes. Some times he stops to flirt with the ladies and carry on a conversation as they try to enjoy their meal. Some give him their time and are very polite and courteous and others try to get away from him as fast as possible. Since I feared him coming my way to engage in conversation, I decided to move location and hightail it out of there.

Walking to my next location I can’t help but enjoy the beauty of the ceiling. Layers of structural design make it look as if there was a second floor, but there isn’t. There is silver railings and misleading balconies. In some parts there is glass where the ceiling lets the sun shine in. The sun brightens the mall and makes it so there is really no need for lights during the day because the sun is enough. It brings a happy warm feeling to the atmosphere. Color adds to the layers of the ceiling, adding to the illusion of its height.

I take a seat in one of the many lounge areas the mall has. Sitting next to me is an elderly woman taking a rest and sitting down to enjoy the atmosphere. Much like I’m watching her, she is also people watching. In fact I could feel her watch me as I jot stuff down wondering what it is that I am writing about. An older gentleman comes and sits next to her to tie his shoes. They have a brief moment where they joke about their old age and then he rises and continues on his journey.

In other lounges I could see students studying or doing homework. Some drink coffee from the Blue Moon Coffee Company in the food court. They sit there scribbling words and have there noses buried into their books. I also see a guy sit and watch a column with a video screen that wraps around it. It shows different advertisements of products in the mall, for example the face wash product Proactiv.

These lounges are like town squares. They bring the community together. The lounges are a meeting place where you learn about others and what's happened in the world today. Maybe even find a date or a new friend.

Watching other people walk by I couldn’t help to notice that some of them were like zombies. They would wonder around like they were unaware of things around them. There was a complete focus in there eyes that said they were on a mission. Maybe a sale or they were off to get to work, but they did not deviate from the path they were on. Also I notice that almost every one had a cell phone to their ear. All carrying on a conversation as they walked to their destination.

Across from where I sat was the carousel. When it would start up a slight breeze would hit me lightly lifting my hair. You can hear the sound of the carousel going around and around, playing the typical amusement park music, making you feel like you’re at the fair. The carousel sparkles with little lights that are pleasing to the eye. The beauty of it is just striking. The horses go up and down as it goes around and around. Each horse has different detailed designs making each one stand out from the others. Every time a parent walks by, their kids beg for permission to go on a ride. When they don't get there way they drag their feet and pout as mom or dad is struggling to keep calm while pulling their child through the mall. A little girl holding a giraffe asks for a ride with here eyes gleaming with anticipation. Other children anxiously wait for there turn to ride. They form a line trying their best to contain their excitement and stand still. When they finally get on, they smile from ear to ear.

Teens are walking around, looking for a girl to hit on or a hot boy to cross their path. None holding shopping bags because they are just there to walk around. There eyes wondering around scanning the crowd. The elderly zoom past as they’re on a mission to speed walk to keep healthy. Westfield also has a program to keep healthy for these zooming speed walkers.

Many different types of activities happen at Gateway. It's filled with different kinds of people with different purposes to be at the mall. It is a community within the community of Lincoln. This building gives to Lincoln a place to go for all ages. People are attracted to the beauty and the atmosphere it creates. No money is needed to go there unless you actually want to buy something as you shop. It’s not just a shopping mall, but a meeting or social gathering place, study hall, a place to relax, entertainment, place to satisfy your hunger and a place to get healthy. The mall is all of this and more.

Growth in Lincoln

2007-09-23T23:29:00.000-05:00

Lincoln is going through many changes. Things don't look the way they use to look and we are getting bigger. Population has increased and new businesses are in town. This growth is good for Lincoln in many ways and is for the better. New places in Lincoln means new job opportunities and more to do in town then how it was before the growth of Lincoln. The more opportunities we can get the better off we are.
With the growth of Lincoln, came the growth of employment. Businesses are attracted to growing communities. Because we're creating interest there are more jobs available in the community. Since there has been more jobs poverty has went down.
More jobs also create more demand in housing. New neighborhoods are being built for our growing population. These neighborhoods also are adding beauty to Lincoln. Another point is that the housing is also helping the demand of jobs.
Also there is a wider variety of retails now. One of the newer malls being South Point in the south part of Lincoln. This brings in tourists and helps the economy. The mall also creates in atmosphere where teens can go and stay out of trouble. Lincoln needs a lot more entertainment facilities. Teen’s needs places to go on there free time. Right not much is around for them to do.
Now Lincoln has more family based places to go. For example Haymarket Park is a good place to take the family. Go watch a Salt Dogs game and maybe later catch a movie at The Grand.
The growth is a positive thing for Lincoln and is very welcomed by the community. I am enjoying watch the physical change. There is new architecture that is visually appealing and adding beauty to Lincoln. There is more to due and Lincoln not just this boring town were nothing happens anymore. Now Lincoln has excitement and is a growing interest.

Westfield Gateway Mall

2007-09-19T22:36:00.000-05:00

A typical thing to do in Lincoln on the weekends is go to the Westfield Gateway Mall. I recently visited the mall.

On the outside lines after lines of cars are parked in the gigantic parking lots. It's not that noisy but every once in awhile you hear the beeping of a car alarm. Creative building designs accent the doors inviting you to come in and enjoy. Different textures on the building pops out at you creating different lines. You go from smooth to bumping as run your hand against the side of the building. At night the lights shines against the entrance illuminating it for all to see.

As walk in to the inside the volume of sound changes. You can hear people chattering and kids screaming. The pitter patter of feet on the tiled floor echo through the mall. You can smell the food court's hamburgers, chicken, and pizza as well. When you walk by the Chinese place passes out free samples of teriakyi chicken. It taste sweet and tender, causing your mouth to salivate uncontrollably. Down from the food court you can hear the sound of the carousel going around and around playing the typical amusement park music. Every time an parent walks by their kids beg for permission to go on a ride. When they don't get there way they drag their feet and pout as mom or dad is struggling to keep calm while pulling their child through the mall. Teens are walking around looking for a girl to hit on or a hot boy to cross their path. None holding shopping bags because they are just there to walk around. Elderly zoom past as there on mission to speed walk to keep healthy.

Many things happen at Gateway. It's filled with different kinds of people with different purposes to be at the mall. It is a community within the community of Lincoln.

Building Structure

2007-09-16T22:50:00.000-05:00

Heading south down 70th and there it is, the taco shack. It's not really a noticeable place. In fact I probably wouldn't have know it's there if it wasn't for the big sign saying Taco Inn. Even though it might not seem that fancy it's one of the hot spots in Lincoln.

Outside it seems pretty quiet except for the loud echoing sound of the drive through. "How may I help you?" echos as a car would pull up. The drive through menu board looks pretty out dated. Much like the rest of Taco Inn.

Yeah you could say that Taco Inn is pretty much old school. It's not like other fast food places. There is a different personality to this place.

Unlike other fast food establishments Taco Inn takes orders by writing your order up on a board in abbreviations. They don't use a fancy cash register that puts the order up on a TV monitor. Each order has to be ringed up one at a time.

Inside you will find all kinds of costumers. Young, old, nurses, and mail men can be found in the dinning. Some are regulars that come often and know the employees by name and others are just stopping to eat on break. The dinning room is cold and filled with the smell of tacos. There are fake plants place in there to add a nice homier touch. The booths are hard and not cushioned, but not horrible unbearable. You can hear the slight sound of the radio but it is very hard to hear. In the background of all the conversations happening between the customers you can hear the employees. Some getting angry because nothings going right and some laughing at the guy in drive through saying "I'll have ahhh...". One girl is running to the back in fear that she will get cheese smash in her face.

In this little taco shack there is always a story to be told. Whether it's about the customer, employee, or just the place its self. There is tons of personality here. Just stop by sometime and find out for your self the wonders of Taco Inn.

News Article

2007-09-13T00:22:00.000-05:00

News Article
My article is Plattsmouth man fights for life after teens attack him with baseball bats from the Lincoln Journal Star’s September 12, 2007 paper. To read the article click here. It’s about teens from Plattsmouth getting in a confrentation with teens from Weeping Water over a conversation with an ex-girlfriend. When the group from Plattsmouth went to fight the father of a Weeping Water teen tried to get them away but ended up being beaten by the teens.
I think this is really scary. A fight like this starting up just because of a phone call. That is ridiculous. There is far bigger problems in the world today then to be fighting about stuff like this. To drive to another town to beat someone up is stupid. What’s sad is that stuff happens like this all the time with teens. They don’t want anyone to make them look stupid so they will do anything to keep their pride. They have to be cool and tough to be popular. I think this was a case of saving face.
Another thing that is sad is that they went on and beat the father when he had nothing to do with the problem. The article said that the group of teens then went to catch the beaters but got pulled over because of there broken tail light. Now you would think that someone would learn a lesson after seeing their father beaten for no reason. Wouldn’t the idea maybe not to mess with stuff like this pop into your head. Come on people!
Teens need to take a stand and help other teens get away from these situations. The only way things will change is if teens change themselves. Talk to your peers. Let them know how stupid things like this is. There is better ways you could apply your self that is more constructive.

Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Museum

2007-09-09T21:25:00.000-05:00

I lived in Lincoln all my life and not once have I notice this tiny museum. I would drive by on my way to a track meet or a band competition but on no occasion has my eye came upon it. One day that changed when my English professor mention the museum.
Named after the founder of Lincoln Telephone Company, Frank H. Woods, the museum tells the history of one of the great luxury's we have today, the telephone. It consists of over 500 telephones, switchboards, and even an old 1929 Chevrolet installers truck. It may be little but sure holds a lot of history.
As I walked into the museum my mine was sent back in time. Walls covered with telephones surrounded me as I went from room to room. Each one was unique in it's own way. I even found a Ketchup bottle phone in one of the displays. The most compelling exhibit to me was the big switchboards where the operators would work at. It use to be that the telephone director was one long sheet of paper posted in the middle of town. If you wanted to make a call you would pick up the line and tell the operator the name of the person your calling and then they would switch you over to them. Back then lines were not that private. One line would be shared by multiple numbers of families. As one family would be talking on a line, another could pick up the phone and listen in on their conversation.
In one room there was the recreation of the office of Frank H. Woods. His original desk that he worked on was also in this exhibit. It's mind blowing to think how his impact is what helped Lincoln have the communication opportunities that we have today.
I couldn't help but think about how much we take for granite what we have today. I talked to a museum volunteer, Gerald, who had worked with the telephone company for 30 years. He said that when he first started he had to hand twist the wire and now a machine does it for us. Everything from communicating and creating it is easier now. Just like this museum we sometimes forget or don't notice how far the telephone has came.

2007-09-06T09:34:00.000-05:00

"I am prediposed to the essay with knowledge to impart-but, unlike journalism, which exists primarily to present facts, the essays transcend their data, or transmate it into personal meaning. The memorable essays

-Joyce Carol Oates