Field Notes- Solitary Walk 9.12
Object Collection
Figure 1. (left) Modelo Can- Western St.
Date & Time: 12 September, 1:03 p.m.
Description: A round cylindrical object, with a smooth metallic surface, appeared to have no dents or imperfections, indicating that the object had not been sitting in that location for very long. Has a white color with gold metallic rims, and appeared to be empty.
Figure 2. (right) Purple Wildflower- Woodlawn St.
Date & Time: 12 September, 1:01 p.m.
Description: Around 8 petals all very brightly saturated with a violet color, have a slightly soft feel, none of the petals with any imperfections, indicating the flower may be new. Some older flowers similar to this one in the area, did not have a particular scent.
Observations:
- A woman, running, passed me at Lakeview Park. — 1:15 p.m.
- Two full bike racks at the elementary school. — 1:21 p.m.
- A red pickup truck driving off-road & through the grass at a park. (top left)- 1:36 p.m.
- Sets of yellow wildflowers lining the pond. (top right) — 1:19 p.m.
- A strange wooden structure with no roof or door. (bottom middle) — 1:02 p.m.
- Subtle set of animal prints on the sidewalk. (bottom right) — 1:30 p.m.
- Small bits of graffiti on a bench. (bottom left) — 1:09 p.m.
“Experiences”
- Sitting at the Lakeview Pond.
Date & Time: 12 September, 1:27 p.m.
After completing about half an hour of observing and collecting items around me, I also noticed ahead of me was a bench. It was quietly sitting in sunlight with just enough shade for one person to comfortably sit. It was as though I was being invited to sit, and therefore I did. The wind was quiet as was the water, and it allowed me to not only reflect on my morning but what I was going to write for this assignment.
2. Almost being run over by a car. [ :) ]
Date & Time: 12 September, 1:42 p.m.
As I was walking back to my house, I had to cross the street, and a gray Nissan SUV from behind me believed he could get on the other half of the street before I did, but I ended up getting there and he almost did not see me and almost ran me over! He then ended up speeding down the residential street, so who’s fault was it really…?
- In Turnbull’s article, “Handheld Time Machines,” he often includes some variation on the sentence, “They disregard me.” What is the significance of this phrase? What is the meaning of “disregard” and “regard?” How does “disregarding” relate to Solnit’s descriptions of the solitary urban walker?
As defined online, the word “disregard” has two meanings, one as a verb, and the other as a noun. In both definitions, to disregard means a variation of “ignore”. As Turnbull uses the word in both the positive (regard) and the contrary (disregard), it seems as though it is meant to be used as a synonym to notice or take notice of. For example, their observation at 12:25 p.m., states “A man walks past a place called Zaza, and disregards me,” and it can be interpreted that Turnbull believes he is being ignored or put aside because although Turnbull takes note of the existence of these people and places, the world chooses to ignore him. He immerses himself into the exploration of the city around him, but he notices that others do not do the same, that others are in their own solitary world, since Turnbull recognizes and records the events taking place around him, he is immortalizing them and therefore creating his own “time machine.” This relates to Solnit’s definition of a solitary walker as she explains that walkers have a history of freedom and pleasure and references streetwalkers protesting and rural walkers enjoying the scenic value of the plains, in the same way Turnbull experiences this same kind of freedom as he is free to identify and “regard” certain things as well as “disregard” them on his walk.
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