The Great American Streetcar Conspiracy
As a city dweller I am most frustrated with the amount of options I have for getting around town. The automobile is an expensive luxury that saves a commuter a lot of time in the day. What is frustrating about The Great American Streetcar Conspiracy is that whole working systems were bought out and obliterated. These were good transportation options and rightfully belonged to the public. And, it seems that the public had little to say at the time about the future transportation systems of their cities.
Many cities at that time were in the fairly early stages of development. The outcome of this doing is that many of our cities today have only one viable and efficient way of getting to the destinations of the city, and that is a personal automobile. This is especially apparent in cities in the Western U.S. where development is mostly due to the automobile. Recently many places are making efforts for some kind of rail system, which I suppose is the most frustrating thing about this story, because today society feels they have the task of reinstalling these kinds of systems.
I'm not sure how much I can recognize a blatant conspiracy to destroy quality of life. The people and companies involved are motivated only by making a lot of money. I don't think that a desirable city was on the agenda for the people involved in National City Lines, they were trying to be profitable. So, I think it is in part the product of a society that places such a great value on money, and making lots of it.
Our systems don't always invite for the best possible solution to our problems because we are many times more interested in creating economic wealth. The amount of jobs and money generated around the automobile has been an immeasurable influence on many decisions and practices over the past century. And the money is intertwined into a great many aspects of the economy; the actual production, road construction, the oil business, the auto as a tool for exporting goods, drive-thru restaurants, insurance companies, impacts on health care, this list could go on and on.
Overall I think that millions and millions of people in this country have a significantly better life due to the automobile, but it has also created a society with too much dependence on it. The cultural impacts of the automobile as well are immeasurable. The freedom that we get from cars has certainly had an impact on the ways we view ourselves and the world we live in. It seems that there is a large amount of pride and individuality invested in our cars. I think that appeal of the automobile slowly became more and more desirable than that of the trolley systems. What was not realized was the amount of congestion that would be caused by the production of millions of automobiles. Cars are rooted forever it seems into American life.
However the personal automobile is less and less ideal in cities with growing concentrations in the millions. The automobile has caused challenges, present and future, for cities as they have grown from small to large, or large to larger in population, while implementing designs that influence a lifestlye that is focused on the automobile.Labels: School, Urbanism
Trolley Square
Just turned 100 years old in 2008, there no doubt that an embodied story lies within the buildings and structures contained in the block known as Trolley Square. Located to the south-east of Salt Lake City's downtown, it is included on the National Register of Historic Places in Utah. The place preserves some history that Salt Lake residents enjoy, though this appreciation is a fairly recent development. It has evolved into a place immersed in much public feeling.
A Witness of the Past
The land originally served as a fair grounds type of public gathering place for the earliest settlers of Salt Lake City in the late 1800's and into the 1900's. In a time before the automobile dominated our landscape, the new and exciting idea of trolley driven public transportation system was being planned and implemented. In 1908 a New York railroad tycoon named E.H. Harriman spent 3.5 million dollars to build the barns for trolleys on the world's first electric transit system. (Bagley, 2001) Two years later Trolley Square became the site where the Utah Light and Rail Company would house and care for more than 140 trolleys in a city wide system that transported people to and from all the neighborhoods, shopping centers and attractions of the young city. Trolley Square, literally and figuratively, exerted mass amounts of energy into the city, until 1945 when the system was suddenly shut down.
The site then became a large storage facility for city buses as it collected many tires, vehicles, and other junk yard qualities for more than 20 years.
 In 1972 the trolley barns were cleaned up and converted into the shopping center and social club place that is today. (Trolley Square: A brief history, 2007) It was one of the first adaptive reuse sites in the country.
The water tower on the premise is a Salt Lake City icon. It once served as 50,000 gallon emergency supply of water for the Utah Light and Rail Company.
It has a belonging to its place in the surroundings simply because it has been there longer than most of the residents have been alive. The tower is highly cherished by most in the area. Today it is covered in red and blue neon lights and has Trolley Square lit up across the tank. It operates as weather beacon by local weather people at KSL; solid red for snow, flashing red for rain, flashing blue for cloudy, and solid blue for clear. (KSL, 2007)
A Full Bodied Presence
When spending time in Trolley Square today it is hard to imagine what the buildings early life was like. In its current form, the layout defines many smaller spaces while inviting you into other ones. On the outside the trees and storefronts lead us through the connected brick walkways. The interior walls are slightly maze like. Some of the shops in the center building can provide a browsers corridor through to the next building, having entrances on opposite ends of the shop space. All of this contributes to a feeling that you are in a much smaller enclosed area. The overall size is fairly large, so it feels smaller than it really is.
 Though much of the playfulness in design was an addition coming with the renovation, and change of use, it is not at all original to the building design. However, it does cater to the new and current use of the building well. I like that many elements have been left to hint and haunt us about the building's history. One example being the barn numbers hanging high in the loft part of the structure. The buildings were designed with the intended use of storing, repairing and maintaining trolley cars. So in that I recognize this place as beginning as a utilitarian use in its nature. The buildings I think a very practical while expressing some style. Possibly that played a role is keeping it safe from demolition for this long. It is possible that because of the wealthy E.H. Harriman interest in the project, and because government was providing some funding and man-power to the trolley system, and because it was viewed as a cutting edge project by most the public, I think that those kind of factors could have played a role in appearance. I think city residents expected to see a structure of some sort of prestige or uniqueness. The building doesn't seem incredibly elaborate to me but it is unique, and I’m not sure how much its history plays a role in that. I try to consider the way it would have appeared with the 1908 setting and surroundings and how different it must have been from the way we know it today.
 I try to visualize the working of this facility in its original state. I imagine that the place then might be what I can relate to a large auto garage repair shop. The layout of the site seems very awkward to me. The south buildings sit very close together creating an alleyway between the current parking areas. I assume that this has much to do with the costs and the mechanics of the whole system, which probably dictated the placement of the buildings.
That is not to infer that there was not any concern for creating the visual pleasing structures that they are. From any of the multiple angles you can experience, being within the space draws a lot of curiosity to explore in people.
From the interior it is very easy to see why they are called barns. The metal beams direct energy upwards towards the ceiling point. Original bricks and columns are exposed on many walls and the color is lighter and has orange to pink values, different from the brick on the exterior. The floors of the inside are made of concrete that has been finished with a unique semi-glossy finish that is subtle with color and a wavy pattern.
On the exterior the decorative roof line is its most prominent feature. While at the same time it reflects obvious industrial roots, both in its presence and of its nature. I suspect that all the rough black metal ornamentation is inspired by an original theme of the building.
The buildings have a melded style. It is heavily influenced by factories and warehouses of the early 1900's, but it is has a definite Spanish/Mexican mission style structure. In that regards it could be a representation of the convergence of different cultures that happened at this place and that time.
Rhythmically placed all around the building's exterior are what is left of a Utah Light and Rail Company logos that again remind us what the building once was.
It echoes with many other different patterns. Some that are original to the building and some that have been later adapted to its changed use. Arches repeat themselves down the entire fronts and backs of the buildings, once they were barn doors, now they are windows and doors into the shops.
The building is composed of a rough and worn brick that contributes to the rugged aura. The brick is vibrant terracotta red on the exterior. I suspect some modern finishing work was done to achieve the look. I have read that the color of the building at one time was a painted yellow (Trolley Square: A brief history, 2007), though I could not determine if that was in the original appearance.
The landscape architecture around the building are what give the center a cozy and comfortable feel. There are numerous fountains, benches and trees along the brick walkway. The black metal railings match the electrical ornaments and window casings on the building.
And More to Come
When Trolley Square was converted into retail use, in the 1970's the enclosed mall with a parking lot was the style in which America was building its shopping center. I think that it has served this city well. Today it is one of the most frequently visited stops for visitors in the city. The old buildings are getting older, and the whole center has shown signs of deterioration. Upgrades and improvements are definitely needed, and change is on the horizon.
 Trolley Square has already began to undergo yet another transformation. A Portland, Oregon company that owns the land and shopping center has recently announced multi-million dollar plans to renovate the grounds and interior, as well as build new retail structures on the west and north-east parking areas. A Whole Foods Market will likely relocate its 400 South location one block away to Trolley Square, and other retailers will be added. (Nii, 2007) From what I can tell I think the new plan for a plaza type space will be a good addition. This space also ties into the existing public movement space shown in dark red. My concern is that the character and history of the existing structures will fall back into the shadows created by the new buildings.
I envision Trolley Square continuing a journey that retells the history of the place, by circling around to become more like the public space that the original settlers used it for, while drawing patrons from the nearby modern day transit station that bears the name Trolley station. I hope that great care is taken in preserving history without putting it inside a glass case. I appreciate that others before me have preserved all of it for me, not just look at, but to experience living in. Ten years from now I would like to enter into a historic mini city center that is alive with people and their things, and I want able to interact with all of it.
Works Cited
Labels: Architecture, History, Places in Utah, Salt Lake City, School, Utah
I'm elf'in in a Mexican rasta poncho
HAPPY NEW YEAR wishes from San Diego Labels: Microblog, Travel
Just Landed in San Diego
There is no snow, and it is sunny and warm. Now what should we do? Labels: Microblog, Travel
Music of 2008 - My Top 10
After considering only albums that were released in the year 2008, this is the countdown I came up with for the 10 whole albums that I have been most obsessed with during the year.
Labels: Lists, MP3, Music
Parley's Trail Map
This was the final project for my GIS/Cartography class. Labels: GIS, Maps, Salt Lake City, Utah
Music of 2008 - The Honorable Mentions
I'm about ready to declare my chosen top 10 albums of 2008, yeah just like everyone else. But, when I compiled the list I had a tough time shaving it down to the limit of 10 albums that we are allotted for a top 10 list of any sort.
My criteria for considering anything on that list requires:
- The album be stand-up solid super quality from beginning to end
- I must have listened to it significantly myself
- Must have been released in 2008
As I went through the elimination process I excused any release that was not in the form of a full length album, which accounts for 3 of these honorable mentions. And as for the Shorebirds and Frightened Rabbit album, I included these because I didn't want to leave them out, there just wasn't any room on the list. So there you go, the leftovers, or notable recognitions from my year in music. They each do deserve much praise, just not in my top 10. I have chosen each song for what I think best represents the entirety of each release.
Labels: Lists, MP3, Music
Yay, A New President
Maybe, I won't be considering giving up my baseball caps for hockey jerseys as much anymore. It appears the young'ens of the U.S.A. came out to vote on Tuesday. Enough that MTV may have finally "rocked the vote" this time. Or maybe it is due to the message oozing over from past election vote rocking (newly turned voter over in last 4-8 years). It did seem that any band that was cool was rocking a Barack festival somewhere. I like art with politics mixed in with it anyway. I wonder if Barack t-shirts will ever be as fashionable as Che t-shirts.A signal of a creative class is coming into power, I'm all for more art and less oil. The problem being that we live in an infrastructure that for the past 70+ years has been dominantly designed around the consumption of oil. While creative's get around these design flaws, most will need a little help in adjusting that basic American right to drive an SUV anywhere, anytime. I definitely support more and more options for our mobility.The internet and technology has definitely changed what we are, but is anyone more or less significant to the world with all the thingamabobs connected? Does it make us feel more involved? The RSSkids will be happy to know that they can check Change.gov to stay current with all things presidential on their cell phone.Labels: Politics, Rant, Urbanism
Oboyama
Not that I haven't ever been called a socialist for my views, but I think the real victory for us is that the new president actually knows how to send an email, even though he will not be allowed to.
Labels: Microblog, Politics, Rant
Particleist #2 - Ode To Baseball
Another melding of songs, this one has been inspired by the MLB Playoffs.
Particleist #2
1. theme music and game play sounds from RBI Baseball
2. The Hold Steady - Take Me Out To the Twins Game
3. Casey Stengel talking jibberish about baseball to congress
4. La Grecia - You Like Baseball I Like Ghosts
5. There Is No Crying in Baseball from A League of Their Own
6. Ozma - Baseball
7. Large Professor - Another Friendly Game of Baseball
8. Dan Bern - Year By Year Homerun Totals of The Great Barry Bonds
9. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Baseball Theme from Peanuts
10. Baseball Poetry - Going Home
11. Sister Wynona Carr - The Ball Game
12. Imaginary Baseball League - Another Sunken Anchor
13. bleacher banging
14. Pavement - Major LeaguesLabels: Baseball, MLB, Particleist
A Violation of English
21st bday dance dis fridai da 12th riverside chapel 0n rdwd b4 7th n0rth in r0sePark frm 7-1130 casual wear..attire:: YELL0W..w0rd 0ut..see u dea:-)I just got that as a text message! I hope, this isn't someone that I really do know.Maybe I'm just not that young and hip anymore, but I really hope the sender doesn't ever decide to write a book.Anyone want to go to the party with me?Labels: Language
I Still Like Art
Once I was made fun of for listening to the Talking Heads, and I didn't care. I just turned it up, and without having to say anything I told that person to shut up.I remember some years before that, sitting on the bench seat of my Dad's 80-something Silver Chevy Truck, and looking through a cassette tape insert, the Talking Heads were one of the first bands that I personally realized as being an active group of creators, creating something through experiments. It was much later that I realized that only some people want to enjoy great creations, and even fewer will love any one specific creation, and/or get marketed correctly. But none of that matters from the standpoint of a creator. Hooray for art. Hooray for artists!David Byrne Is Still Awesome!Talking Heads - SwampLabels: Art, Link, MP3
Trax and Neighborhood Proximity
 click image and zoom for better viewLabels: GIS, Maps, Salt Lake City, Utah
Particleist #1
I edited a bunch of songs and sound samples into one long mp3 file, does that make it a podcast??, I guess, but I don't like the word pod, it is a very confining and controlling word. I think I prefer to call it an internet broadcast, or maybe netcast, but then that sounds like I'm fishing. I might make another one if I ever feel like it.
Particleist #1
1. Nortec Collective - Autobanda
2. Shorebirds - DOA
3. Shorebirds - Tinctures are 90% Alcohol
4. POS - Paul Kersey to Jack Kimball
5. Gob - We're All dying
6. Giants - Steps In Static Progression
7. Possum Dixon - Go West
8. Sleepercar - Wednesday Nights
9. Defiance, Ohio - The List
10. The Gaslight Anthem - I Coulda Been a Contender
11. Tom Petty - Runnin' Down a Dream
Labels: Particleist
No More Tennis Courts in SoSaLa!
Living in South Salt Lake carries its connotations, I've come to like using the term Sugarhood to describe my west of Sugarhouse location. But now I'm feeling uber-hip because my neighborhood (or borough as the new name might suggest) has been dubbed SoSaLa. I'm like a surfer without a beach.
No, but really, I like the looks of plans for the Market Station development, mostly because SoSaLa is kind of lacking in the new development department. If not only for better Ch'i flow in the city, it just seems like a new building or two would be good for the area. (Dnews article here) My only complaint would be the presence of 3 tennis courts in a few of the renderings. There are plenty of run down tennis courts around here already!Labels: Architecture, Places in Utah, Salt Lake City, Urbanism, Utah
Aloha
 Coming home from Hawaii tomorrow, kind of dreading that. As well as the flight across the ocean in the middle of the night. I've gotten used to the weather always being perfect, not too hot or too cold, but just right. Did I mention I like the beach? See my pictures, and please enjoy the song I made and looped a few times on my souvenir ukulele, Thats my breakfast sizzling in the background.
Labels: MP3, Travel
Jordan River Parkway - Mid-Salt Lake County Section
 click and zoom for better view Labels: GIS, GPS, Maps, Salt Lake City, School
Alternative Transportation on the Wasatch Front
I've been meaning to post this up here for a while, it was a final presentation for one of my classes last semester. The assignment was basically to create a few different maps and use them to tell a story. I picked the topic because it is one that interests me. For a larger view the link is hereLabels: GIS, Maps, Salt Lake City, School, Urbanism, Utah
Top 10 Music Picks from 2007
Speak In Jazz
I decided it would be interesting to look at language used by fans of the Utah Jazz while they were watching their team play games. I took my data from tipoff to final buzzer for 3 complete games. I recorded and then later reviewed the conversations that happened. I was also a participant in some of the dialog. We gathered at sports bar/restaurant type venues to watch the games, so we were often surrounded by other sports fans (if not Jazz fans) there to watch the games as well. There were a great many other topics discussed during the games, however I have tried to focus on conversation that specifically addressed the Utah Jazz organization and/or the National Basketball Association league. What I have found is a distinguished language style that create the behaviors that amount to the identity of a "True Blue" Utah Jazz fanatic. The identity of the Jazz fanatic is formed through interaction and language used with other fans, as well as the language, opinions and actions of the other groups within the team organization. Together they (the fans) feel unified in a partnership.
There exists a structure in the Utah Jazz community that I can organize into four groups; performers, fanatics, management, and personalities. The performers are the players that put on the show to entertain the fanatics. The management organize and promote the games, but the fan gets to know the team primarily through the personalities group. The personalities are mostly the media reporters; television/radio announcers, commentators, players, and ex-players. They work with the management group to provide dialog about the team to the fanatics through the various medias. The management group consists of owners, coaches, other team personnel, and officials of the National Basketball Association. Certain individuals (mostly players) can move in-between groups, or can even be in two groups at once. For instance when a player does an interview after a game, in addition to his role as a performer, he is filling a personality and management role that is conversing with the fans. Similarly, if he promotes products or services, he puts himself into more of a personality role.
It seems that in a group of people watching a game, everyone hoping for the same outcome, there exists an on going form of open public debate. They will debate anything from how certain players are currently performing, to what players do and say off the court, or even the products that players endorse.
Amongst fanatics there seems to be an amount of common (Sports Center type) knowledge about popular players and specific incidents, though sometimes this knowledge can be based on gossip generated from members of the personality and fanatic groups. It was apparent that these Jazz fans were aware of the other teams, players and events in the league.
There are even a lot of allied fan attitudes about individual players. For instance most of the fans didn't favor Jaron Collins and Greg Ostertag, while most everyone thought highly of Deron Williams and John Stockton. Everyone takes a turn to chime in about their opinions of players and/or strategies. I know from being a longtime member of this group of fanatics myself, that popular opinions spread and die. The guy that bought a number 47 jersey last night was probably screaming "trade him" a few months ago. But, what is important is that the fans exchange thoughts about the team and players with other fans, as a way to establish and gain a social identity within the group of fanatics.
In a group of Jazz fans, words like; they, us, them, and we, all seem to automatically refer to either the Utah Jazz organization or is sometimes meant to include the entire NBA organization. "They" was used when discussing various bad/disagreeable decisions or actions made by one of the other team groups, as if to separate themselves from the team organization. But, when the discussion was focused on a great team accomplishment, then the wording switched to "we", or another adverb that includes the fan as a part of the organization. It is a "they" lost and "we" won kind of tradition.
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Examples of "they":
M: ...and then they bring Ostertag back, after they already got rid of him once before.
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M: They're going to blow this one.
P: Yeah, if they keep missing their shots like that.
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Examples of "we":
J: ...and we have a 4 point game!
D: Yeah, we're in this.
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L: Nice, I think we are going to win this one
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Nicknames are used as a tool to broadcast a belonging to the community. Usually one of the personalities invent them, and then fans, players, and even Larry H. Miller refer to players by nicknames when talking about the team. The nicknames for players that were universally used and understood were; A.K. (Andrei Kirilenko), D-Will (Deron Williams), Booz (Carlos Boozer), Memo (Mehmet Okur). Even the announcers; Hot Rod (Rod Hundley), Boler (Craig Bolerjack) and Booner (Ron Boone) were all used very frequently, and most of these nicknames were used more than their respective real names. They are used in sort of a slang fashion. The use of a nickname is a major indication that the speaker is a part of the Jazz community. To someone outside the group, someone that doesn't pay any attention to the team, these nicknames might not be very easily understood.
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Nicknames in use:
M: I wish Memo's outside shot would come back.
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C: "In order to win this game the Jazz need to score more points" is the best Booner line of all time.
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L: These halftime guys are so sorry!
P: I don't like Boler either.
M: Yeah, I like Hot Rod better, he's more colorful.
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L: D-Will with a dunk!
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The relationship between a basketball fan and the team is a fascinating one. It doesn't seem possible to be a fanatic and not engage in some fashion of a conversation with the team as one object. This may be seen by some, just yelling at a television, but I think it is an actual conversation that goes on between the team as whole and the fan, inside the fanatics head. For the fan, this develops relationships with the players and their performance. And when the game ends, the conversation is over until the next game.
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Countless shout-outs directed at the players:
P: Harpring, what are you doing?
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L: Brewer! I love you!
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C: Get in there Giricek, come on!
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Both the use of nicknames, and the fan to team exchanges, demonstrate language causing the fan to feel closer to the team and players for whom he roots for. The players that are generally liked and accepted are referred to by fanatics as if they were good friends, while the disliked players are shunned from being included into the fanatic group through the language.
The personality group sometimes provides a voice for the team to the fan. It is how the fan knows the details of what is going on during the game. It is how fans hear about injuries, trades or just what went on at practice. Though the personalities can evoke these conversations, they are not at all necessary for the in-game conversations between the fan and his team to exist. In one of these games, there was so many other noises and other sporting events going on simultaneously that there was absolutely no sound for that game, only the picture. It made no difference in the amount of conversation (or yelling at the T.V.) between the fan and the team.
The half time hosts were verbally detested in every game observed by many of the fans participating. For whatever reasons the fans do not think very highly of the half-time presentation.
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One thought on the half-time hosts:
P: Pace and Thurl are like an old married couple, always naggin' at each other.
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Even in the a case where there was no audio to the game, they still get made fun of:
D: Look at Pace in that lighting, he looks like Jesus coming out of the sun.
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The feeling the fans hold for the half-time personalities is similar to the collective rejection to other players and/or teams by the fanatics. These particular Jazz fans asserted in several instances, dislikes for Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers. They didn't play the Lakers in any of the games I was observing, but they always talked about them. Also a few mentions of Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets.
These observations manifest that similar attitudes are formed within the fanatic social group towards personalities, players/teams, and probably the management group too. The attitudes that the fanatics take on are decided in the open debate type discussion, so they are ever changing. Some of these attitudes are influenced by opinions and information from the media personalities.
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Frequently their dislikes include the Lakers:
D: The Lakers aren't as despicable as they used to be.
J: Uh, I don't know they still have Kobe Bryant.
M: And that is all they have.
C: That is where Fisher went [Los Angeles] .... (sarcasm) to be closer to New York.
D: I can't believe that Fisher went back to the Lakers!
C: I know, stab us in the back.
M: How could you do that? ... But, Karl Malone did it [played for the Lakers] too.
D: Yeah, and I've never cheered so hard for the Pistons, when they swept them [the Lakers] in The Finals that year.
M: Yup, and Malone never got his ring.
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Various stats are commonly thrown into any conversation to justify, prove or defend any claim or accusation, and rarely were the stats questioned for accuracy by the group. Stats are sometimes spoken of similar to how a devout Christian might quote something from The Bible, as if the stat suggested a supreme being behind it. Various stats about the coach Jerry Sloan seem to get tossed out the most, but that may be because he has compiled so many of them.
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A stat is used to enforce the bad boy attitude and image of a Detroit Pistons player:
C: What has happened to Rasheed Wallace, he used to get thrown out of every game whenever possible.
D: Is he even playing? I haven't seen him.
D: I think he holds the all time record for getting thrown out of games, he is very passionate.
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Stats are used to compare a few new guys in the NBA to some all time greats:
L: Brewer is 2nd in steals per game, tied with Iverson.
M: but, behind Chris Paul.
L: Doesn't matter we know who the all-time leading steal leader is. (John Stockton)
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And, to justify a players worth:
L: I think Booz is going to lead the league in double-doubles this year.
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The language of the stats used among fans and personalities is as kind of value assessment tool for either individual players, or the team they play for. When 4 different Jazz players score around 20 points each, fans think that they have a well rounded team. When a player consistently produces good stats, such as points or steals, then that player should be easily accepted into the fanatic community as a favorite. But, when a player commits many turnovers, or only makes 10% of his shots, then he is more susceptible to rejection by the fan group. Through stats being used as a currency in exchange for respect (or dis-respect), players and teams become loved or hated by the fanatics.
A popular topic was the comparing of stats and visible differences between the teams of this year and last year, along with much analytic thoughts about how the teams strategy might have shifted. Everyone seemed to feel a need to state some of their own positions and thoughts about the team's progression . I could sense that many of the fans were unsure about some of the new players. Like everyone was in mid-process of determining together through their discussions, who they who would accept and embrace, and maybe even be worthy enough to be yelled at through the T.V. someday.
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A few impressions of the new guard rotation:
D: I'm not real pleased with him[Jason Hart], but he might just be getting used to the rotation, but Price impresses me more.
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M: Price is starting to fit in better.
P: Yeah he had some points last game.
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M: Now it seems like a good thing that Fisher left, Brewer is better in that 2 spot than he was anyway.
P: Unless Williams gets hurt, we'd be screwed with only Hart and Price.
M: Brewer is 2nd or 3rd in steals per game so far this year.
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comparing last year to this year happens a lot:
C: Well like I said he's [Mehmet Okur] taking it more inside now.
J: Who Memo?
C: More than he was last year.
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Especially entertaining is that there is definitely an idea held by the fans that the Jazz are naturally the superior team, and never do anything dirty themselves. Had this been a Jazz player (in the example below) getting tossed out of a game for a similar action, the reactions would have been exact opposites.
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D: Oh they kicked him out.
J: They kicked him out, NICE!
C: woohoo! justice!
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And comments about the refs being in on a conspiracy theory were quite frequent, but only in calls against the team. It seems to be a natural thought that if a call is made against their team, that the officiating is taking sides with the other team. But, the opposite idea is not expressed when a call is made in favor of their team, rather it is seen as highly skilled basketball by the team or a player.
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Officials are against the Jazz:
J: Harpring's been pretty on with his shooting lately.
D: He's the Energizer bunny man.
C: If he didn't have knee problems.
D: And if he didn't get beat to crap and have the refs not calling it.
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C: Well the Knicks were at home with a lot of that home cooking.
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Jazz fans also carry certain beliefs and expectations of coach Jerry Sloan, or what could be defined as "Sloandeologies" where the fans seem to know how Coach Sloan will react to any given situation. They seem to think that they know what it is like to be player in the Sloan system. They know he's going to run the pick and roll, because they have been watching him do it over and over for years.
These ideas that include, but are not limited to; rookies having to pay there dues and sit on the bench under Jerry, players that speak out publicly against Jerry will pay for it on the bench. I notice in a couple remarks, a small uprising of opinion in some Jazz fans that preaches the idea that Sloan's approach is old-fashioned and not fit for the new highly developed style of the game.
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Sloandeologies:
L: Where is Morris Almond? I thought he was supposed to be our new ace shooter.
P: Aww, you know he's gotta do his time on the bench under Sloan.
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M: I don't know why they keep Collins.
C: That is the greatest mystery.
D: Because he's loyal, Sloan likes that.
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I notice that it seems to be an identity feature of Jazz fans in particular, that fans perceive themselves as being looked down upon by other NBA fans as having less of a basketball culture for being a small market team. They don't feel like their team is equally portrayed in the national spotlight as other teams in bigger markets. Though Jazz teams have consistently contended with many larger market teams.
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examples of how the fans view the way their team is viewed:
P: The national media doesn't care about the Jazz.
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L: You know the whole debate, about Deron Williams and Chris Paul, well I think that Deron Williams is way better than Chris Paul, but Chris Paul gets all the national attention.
B: You think? Deron gets some recognition.
L: Not as much as Chris Paul. you know, just because Chris Paul is a good looking man.
B: What Deron isn't good looking? ... He has a flaming Texas tattooed on his arm, that isn't hot?
L: There was just something that said Chris Paul was the sexiest man of the NBA.
B: So the Jazz should have taken him [Chris Paul] in the draft that year? [instead of Deron Williams]
L: No, thats what I am saying, that I like Deron better.
B: He[Chris Paul] is on a bigger market team.
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B: Why can't we have descent half-time guys, these egos make me uncomfortable.
L: It is because we are a one sport city, so we get all the second-hand sports guys.
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I think it is part of the Jazz fan make-up to feel like they have a great, and somewhat unknown history that lurked in the shadows of being defeated (twice) by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Possibly that feeling resonates still, and it translates into the fans not feeling their team receives the recognition that they deserve. And, maybe they get exactly what they deserve. I mean Jazz fans are certainly biased when making this observation, and the Jazz team has never won it all.
There were women present during these games I observed, but could not really be considered members of the fanatics that I have described, because they did not engage in very much dialog specifically about the Utah Jazz or the N.B.A. Yet, they were very much apart of any conversation about other topics discussed throughout. They were still enjoying the party very much as a part of a larger social group of friends. They were just less focused than the men on the games going on. I know that there are women Jazz fanatics out there, I just didn't get any in this sample. I think it would be safe to assume however, though it is just my guess, that the majority of N.B.A. and Utah Jazz fans are male.
What ever it is about the game, the team, or the drama of the league, that gets the many thousands of fanatics to say to themselves "I can't wait" to tune in to watch the next game, or buy tickets to actually attend the game. "It's Electrifying" that acceptance into this fanatics group is just a couple of apparent key feelings, sentiments and attitudes expressed within the language of the group. Their own unique language configuration that is brewed from the "Pure Adrenaline Rush" that they experience with (almost) every game. The identity of the Jazz fanatic is created in the interaction with other fans, they use language that separates the fanatic group from the other team groups. Together the fanatics are unified as one entity.Labels: Language, NBA, School, Utah Jazz
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