Ethnographyyyy!!!!

Life in the Fast Lane

Tires spinning, engines revving, loud music, and the spell of burnt rubber is in the air. This is what you would observe on a typical Friday night on the ave. You would think that boys are the only ones present on these nights, but don’t be fooled there are girls there as well. Most girls just ride around in their boyfriends’ car, like I do. But some actually participate in racing.

In this subculture it is not just one big group, it is broken up into two groups. The first group mostly just races for fun, and doesn’t take it too seriously. They also have mostly stock cars and some cars with aftermarket parts. But the second group is very much into racing, and takes it quite seriously. This group has the fastest and best cars.

Even though most of the kids aren’t bad, the cops always stop them even if they haven’t done anything wrong. Some people just get pulled over for their car being ‘too loud.’

Most of the types of cars you would see:

* · Honda
* · Volkswagen
* · Neon
* · Acura.

I’ve only observed the people in the groups a few times, but I’ve learned so much.

* · If you have an automatic and you try to race them, they will just laugh in your face. All they drive are 5-speed or 6-speeds, nothing else.
* · To increase engine power and efficiency you would install a cold-air or cool-air intake because it brings a lower temperature to the cars internal combustion engine.
* · Body-kits are seen a lot because it makes the car, even if it really doesn’t move fast, at least look like it moves fast.
* · Sound systems are sometimes seen because when they play their music they want the whole world to hear.
* · A turbocharger or turbos are a gas compressor that is used for forced-induction of an internal combustion engine. The purpose of it is to increase the density or air entering the engine to create more power.
* · Tight shoes are best to wear when racing or just driving a standard simply because it is easier to control the gas, clutch and brakes.

Conversations that would be heard:

* · What he/she is adding to their car next
* · The cars they have previously raced
* · Races they have won or lost
* · Run-ins with the cops
* · They suggest things to one another. Like if they should put something in their car or not.


In conclusion, being around these people can teach you a lot. I went from knowing next to nothing about cars to knowing all this good information. This is a very interesting subculture. Once you start observing them, you yourself would want to be part of the group. It is just one of those hobbies that are exciting, and when you learn something new you feel so proud of yourself. This is by far the most awesome subculture that I have heard of.

Annotation

Questions:
1.Why is there drug use in the fashion industry?
2.What are companies doing to stop the drug use?
3.Which companies don't put their foot down about this?
4.What is the most popular drug in this industry?
5.
6.


effects of cocaine
possibilities of recovery
demographics beyond fashion
cocaine; high end

Ethnography notes

My original plan was to do the factory of terror, but I don't think I would be able to get some good observations. So I decided to do my essay on the guys who hang out on the ave, also known at the 'car guys.' Simply for the fact my boyfriend is one of them and so are his friends, which means i have easy access to information, and my work is right near where they hang out so I will be able to access the field site very easily.

Observations:

-As I drive by Taco Bell there are a huge line of cars with all of the owners close by.

-Jettas, Hondas, Neons, Scions.

-Body kits, loud systems, turbos, revving engines, the smell of burnt rubber.

- Mostly 5-speeds

-If you have an automatic, your pretty much shunned.
-They tend to have a lot of run-ins with the cops*

What they talk about:

-Racing

-What they are fixing or adding to their car

-Turbos

-How fast their car goes

*Appearance Of 'Car Guys': 
-Hoodies
-Hats(sometimes)
-Soon to come:survey about what type of shoes is best for driving




Source Information:

-One group of guys race all the time and have the fastest cars
-The second group races for fun and has mostly stock cars and cars some aftermarket parts

 (That's my boyfriends' car!) =]

I'll have more very soon! =]

Comments?
* = new!!!

I FINALLY FINISHED!!!! =]

The Sixth Mile

Heavy breathing, sweat dripping, heart pounding, I felt like I was going to die. Thoughts were rushing through my head and the little voice in the back of my head said “keep going you can do it.” All I could hear was my feet hitting the pavement and my heavy breaths. My heart was beating so loud I could hear it pounding in my ears. Victory was at the sixth mile.

The summer before junior year was coming to an end. Basketball season was only a couple months away. I knew I needed to do something so I could prepare myself for the grueling practices. Cross country was the only other sport offered. So I thought to myself “hey, it’s worth a shot.” I was late to start the season so I already felt like I was at a disadvantage. I remember my first day of practice. We started our run at the school in one big group, as we got further and further down the street I started to drift farther to the back of the group. When we crossed the street to the other side of the campus, I saw all of the other runners’ way ahead of me. At that moment I felt defeated. I slowed down and started walking. The one person that turned around and came to my side was my coach, Mr.Grima. He talked me up to running again. He told me that if I gave up I would never get better. From then on I never gave up. He stayed at my side for the rest of the run. It gave me hope, and made feel much stronger. I needed that support to push through.

As the practices continued I began to get better. I found a friend who was at the same pace as I was so we became ‘running buddies.’ Holly and I would stick together through the whole practice. She was my support system; we never let each other give up. As the practices started getting long we progressed more and more. We ran longer and harder. It was nice to have someone by your side they whole time. It gave me a sense of hope, and it made me not want to give up.

We were all gathered in our group before practice one day, and as we were doing our stretches the coach was telling us the path we were going to run today. Then he said those dreaded words “it’s only about six miles.” My jaw practically dropped, I thought to myself “there is no way that I can run six straight miles.” Holly and I started the run at a good pace, not too fast and not to slow. As we started to get further and further into the run we realized that we could do it, so we didn’t stop. We reached the part where we turn around and start heading back to the school and we were ecstatic. We knew that we didn’t have that much further to go. The next thing I can remember was running by the water and seeing my school on the other side, I was almost there. As I came to the straightaway to get to my school, I pushed myself. I ran so fast and so hard that I didn’t even know what else was going on. I just knew that I had made it and I was so happy that I couldn’t control myself. I finally reached the school; even though I was out of breathe I still managed to tell everyone and anyone that ran/walked by that I did not stop once. Holly ran in right after me and I ran up to her and hugged her and I said “we did it, we did not stop once.” I ran up to Mr.Grima’s room and said “guess what?” he said “what?” I then proceeded to tell him how Holly and I did not stop once and we never gave up. He was extremely proud and he said “I knew you could do it.” Those words stuck to me, to actually hear that someone has faith in you makes you feel really good.

As the end of cross country season neared I started to go through the practices with ease. Holly and I stuck together and progressed every practice. Mr. Grima told us about the final meet that was coming up, and how all the schools we raced were going to be there. I felt excited and nervous at the same time. I felt like I could do it though. I started running on my own time to prepare for the big day.

Finally the big day arrived. The whole team was filled with excitement and nervousness. I honestly was scared; scared of how things would go and what the results would be. The boys started first, so we supported our boys as much as we could. Then it was time for the girls to start. We lined up in our order and got prepared to run. They signaled the start and we all started running. For once I didn’t drift to the back of the group I was somewhere in the middle. That right there gave me the motivation to push myself. As I ran I thought to myself “you can do it, you’re almost there.” Then I realized I was at the end, I saw the finish line approaching and I pushed myself and ran as fast and as hard as I could. As I passed the finish line they told me what place I had come in. I made 13 out of 28. I beat 15 girls, now that is an accomplishment.
I learned that if you work at something hard enough then you can accomplish it.

You can do anything you set your mind to. There is really no limit to what you can do as long as you try. It also helps having someone by your side for support. It makes you feel like you aren’t alone. Now that I know all these helpful things I won’t be scared to try new, hard things in the future. I’ll always give my best, all because I found my victory at the sixth mile.
  
    

Updated Essay

The Sixth Mile

    Heavy breathing, sweat dripping, heart pounding, I felt like I was going to die. Thoughts were rushing through my head and the little voice in the back of my head said “keep going you can do it.” All I could hear was my feet hitting the pavement and my heavy breaths. My heart was beating so loud I could hear it pounding in my ears. Victory was at the sixth mile.

    The summer before junior year was coming to an end. Basketball season was only a couple months away. I knew I needed to do something so I could prepare myself for the grueling practices. Cross country was the only other sport offered. So I thought to myself “hey, it’s worth a shot.” I was late to start the season so I already felt like I was at a disadvantage. I remember my first day of practice. We started our run at the school in one big group, as we got further and further down the street I started to drift farther to the back of the group. When we crossed the street to the other side of the campus, I saw all of the other runners’ way ahead of me. At that moment I felt defeated. I slowed down and started walking the one person that turned around and came to my side was my coach, Mr.Grima. He talked me up to running again. He told me that if I gave up I would never get better. From then on I never gave up. He stayed at my side for the rest of the run. It gave me hope, and made feel much stronger. I needed that support to push through.


Please comment!! =]

This is all i've got so far

The Sixth Mile
Heavy breathing, sweat dripping ,heart pounding, you feel like you are about to die but you can’t give up now, not when you’ve come this far.



i'm having writers block.

New topic

I think i finally found my topic for my essay. I am going to write about the first time in my season of cross country where i ran the whole 6 miles. what do you guys think? comments please =]