It's Getting Cold...

Sunday, October 21, 2012

When I went on a walk today, it was quite brisk outside. The wind was blowing and the coldness embedded itself deep within me. It always starts to make me a lot more sad once the season of sun leaves and the cold, dark winter days replace it. It is one of those feelings which I mainly despise because although the colors of fall take me back to a time of adventure and warmth, the deep coldness reminds me that the end of yet another year is around the corner. Therefore, I begin to contemplate all that I have accomplished and failed to accomplish during the year and years past and what I may or not accomplish as I get increasingly older each year. As I made my way heading Northeast to the Knowledge Center, I started thinking about how nice it would be to lay in my warm comfy clothes next to the fireplace at home surrounded by my family. My spirits were all of sudden lifted by the realization that soon I would be with my family. As cold as the weather and feelings within me get with the season, my family will always be that part of me that makes me feel like there is nothing that could possibly make me feel more whole or happy. Then on my right I saw a tree that I had taken pictures by only a few days earlier. It was not as beautiful because there was now an ugly bald spot and a patch of leaves that had turned brown and greenish. The other day it was a perfect fall red and the leaves were equally distributed. It made me sad again because it made me remember that time eventually distorts even the most beautiful occurrences in nature... Really, I was so cold that I don't even remember most of my other crazed thoughts.

Architecture in Las Vegas

Sunday, October 14, 2012

                To continue talking about the adventures from this weekend, we cruised the majority of the Las Vegas Strip. The neon lights glowed so brightly that it really wouldn’t be necessary for one to use his or her headlights. Growing up in Vegas it has been interesting to see the structural changes of the Strip. The most phenomenal, in my eyes, had been the addition of City Center, The Wynn, and the Bellagio. These three locations are multibillion dollar projects have beautified the stereotypical, neon skyline of Vegas. The architectural characteristics of platinum, gold, glass, and post modernism have brought back some of the class that Vegas had lost. This had added to the new idea that Las Vegas is world marketplace. Despite the high homeless rate in Las Vegas, the Strip symbolizes that of a high society. I feel that it is very ironic. The community struggles to keep its homeless population fed and sheltered since there are simply not enough jobs to go around, yet to outsiders, Vegas is a place where crazy adventures can happen and a popular destination for high class experiences. The architecture defines this.

                Compared to Reno, Las Vegas is certainly more upscale and that of a “perfect society.” But when it is compared to regular cities, Vegas can be described as a “show.” It is always about the tourism and gambling. The city that lives on 24/7 watch.

                Las Vegas has a plethora of architecture styles. Some architects tried to give credit to past architecture styles like the Venetian and Caesar’s Palace; however, other architects tried creating a new style like City Center and the Wynn. Thus, Las Vegas’s architecture also lends a hand at giving it a sense of worldly cultures. That to me is one of the best things about Las Vegas. It is so open to literally ever culture that is brought to it. The different themed buildings—Egyptian, East Coast, Venetian, modern, French, etc.—make world travelers feel emerged into an experience unlike any other.

                There is just so much that the architecture says about Las Vegas. And for me, it just says “home.”

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Sunday, October 14, 2012

                This weekend, I went on a crazy adventure! I was homebound. So to get to Vegas I decided to take the eight hour journey with Tazia, Jade, Cassidy, and Blake. However, I spent most of my weekend with my friends Terrayna and Andrea. It was a tradition filled!

                To start off the main part of the weekend the three of us went to Samboyd Stadium to watch the Nevada v UNLV football game. This was the 38^th game between the two colleges. The rivalry was so intense. I had never seen so much hatred. The UNLV Rebels and Nevada Wolf Pack fans were constantly throwing out choice words to one another and there was even multiple fights that broke out in the stands. For 38 years this extreme hate has divided the schools. It actually made me feel very conflicted since I was born and raised in Las Vegas. It didn’t stop at the school rivalry thing. It was really more of a Las Vegas v Reno rivalry. I could only imagine what others like me had gone through before. It was just sad because UNLV used to have an amazing football team and now the prestige is just gone. Not only that, but UNLV was trying to flaunt all its past accomplishments along with it current accomplishments to cover up the embarrassment of its current football team. So there I stood there imaging what it must have been like as a Rebel to feel proud of one’s school and all the potential that it held. It must have been full of hope and pride like they show in all those cheesy football movies. But now it was just a sad sight to see them cheer even though they knew that their team had a slim to none chance at beating Nevada after a seven year win streak.

                The other thing that got me thinking about history was walking on the Las Vegas Strip. Terrayna, Andrea, and I picked up my friends Travis and Hannah at the Monte Carlo and then valeted the cat at the Bellagio. From there we walked to Serendipity 3 at the Caesar’s Palace. It is just so interesting to me what a classy place Las Vegas used to be. There was a time when it was a requirement to wear suits in order to walk into a casino and be well dressed. The mob was running the town and all was well with its class and fortune. Then the Strip was small and the town was barely starting to grow. Now it is nearly 4 million residents strong and sloppy tourists fill the streets getting wasted and hoping for experiences such as that in the movie “The Hangover.” It always makes me feel as if Vegas has become a sad representation of what is once was.

Homelessness v Houselessness

Monday, October 1, 2012

For this walking journal, I have to admit that I was still not in good health to take the journey. I will use my previous experiences to talk about the homelessness/ houselessness that I have observed at the Riverwalk.

Last time I went to the Riverwalk, I was with my really, really good friend Andrea. Although I was stunned by the beauty of the area, I found myself walking very aware of my surroundings because of the “sketchy wanderers.” I felt like as the day grew shorter, the presence of the people who live out in that area became more apparent. I remember staying very far away from a man that was obviously spending the night there. He was wearing extremely shabby clothes and his face covered in grey patches of dirt. He had the stereotypical large duffle bags which probably contained all that he owned. In all honesty, I was frightened of his intentions. But I also felt guilty, because there I was walking around with my luxury items in each hand—smartphone and a camera. It made me wonder what his story was that led him to that point in his life.

After contemplating Jim Burklo’s distinction between homeless and houselessness, I can see it from another perspective. The man seemed very comfortable in his ways. It didn’t seem as if he was ashamed. It was his way of life. The other “sketchy wanderers” that I came across also appeared to be in routine. This activity was not unusual for these people. To them, it was their home because they knew it in a way which one may know their house or bedroom. Although it was a public area that was the vibe they gave.

It is a tricky concept because so many people abide by society rules. Society just classifies anyone without a physical house or shelter under his or her name as homeless. But technically one who has just moved out on his own and has not really established himself in place could be said to be homeless. On the same thought, one who is without a house who knows his surroundings well and is established in place may be “home” just with a house and can be called “houseless.” This is definitely an interesting concept. In this light, I can see that there is more “houselessness” than “homelessness” at the Riverwalk.

The Casino District

Thursday, September 27, 2012

For this walking journal I was unable to make the journey because I am feeling really under the weather. However, I have spent a good few journeys in the casino district. And being from Las Vegas, I’ve had to come face to face with the reality that each “neighborhood” holds.

                For one that comes from out of state, casinos may be the highlight of their bucket list. Cheap buffets, gambling, excessive drinking, and a crazy experience are what they seek. But for the local resident, casinos still hold value, yet they are seen through a different perspective. An outsider sees a city of gambling and poor choices while the resident sees family neighborhoods that surround a district that is their livelihood since any Nevadan knows that gambling and tourism brings in the greatest revenue for the state.

                For me, I see the university as a safe haven where faculty, staff, and campus police work day and night to keep its students out of harm’s way. For those who have seen The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey, the main character, Truman, is born and raised on a television set which he thinks is reality. Everything he sees and hears and experiences is carefully chosen by the directors of the show. This can be paralleled with the events of the campus. Although the people present are all adults, the advertisements are censored and events approved by a special committee. The actions of its people are also controlled by the ones chosen to run the facility: campus police, resident directors, professors, employees. All has to be done according to a strict set of rules. It tries to bring diversity in the safest ways as possible.

                On the other hand, the casino district faces significantly less guidelines to what it can or cannot do. You may see pictures hanging from the front or sides of buildings with nearly naked woman. Then on another you may come across signs that advertise other adult shows or activities such as gambling or drinking. For those who aren’t from Reno, this becomes its identifying image.  This diversity that it offers is very open and out there regardless of its critics. Being scandalous is what makes it so intriguing.

However, if one is to travel further into the downtown area, one can discover the beauty of the Riverwalk along with its assortment of restaurants and local hangouts. This is a reminder that there is more to this city than just crude obscenities. The casino district is only a small glimpse of what Reno truly has to offer—quality education, the Truckee River, and community that has a strong spirit as it feels a sense of small town in a city atmosphere.

That is so interesting that the “casino district” used to be “off limits” for the college students. It’s as if though the students were continually being protected from the harsh reality of the world. I still do think that some students stay away from the area because of the vast amounts of wanderers and questionable people, yet it is a place that one can learn some street-smarts while also having a good time.

Riverwalk Magic...

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

                This was by far the craziest adventure I have gone on yet in terms of walking journals! So yesterday, Andrea and I decided that after a scrumptious Taco Tuesday snack we would take the Spirit to the downtown area.

At first, there weren’t that many questionable people. There were the elderly and college students. But as the stops went on further through downtown, the commuters became increasingly sketchy. There were people that made my gut feeling go into full force.

When we got off the Spirit, I wasn’t sure how to feel. On one hand there was a sight full of stunning architecture, but on the other hand there were men who walked the streets menacingly with their high pitched hyena laughs that traveled. However, the indescribable feeling I was experiencing stole my attention once more. Andrea and I went past the assortment of restaurants and local hangout spots.

Then, I saw it. I was even more breath-taken by what laid before my eyes. We were at the riverwalk around sunset, and I had never been there before. It was one of those moments that felt so surreal. One of those moments that only exists in your dream world. I was at a standstill. I saw the awe inspiring architectural designs that encompassed the mood of the river—warm and inviting. I understand it is very cold outside (I am definitely a Las Vegas girl) but still the water was echoing that of adventure as it glistened ever so tenderly as it flowed from West to East.

From time to time, I noticed the few details that made the riverwalk a part of reality—the graffiti under the bridge and the homeless wanderers. Yet, the beauty of it all was still present.

As a taxpayer, I always feel as if millions upon trillions of dollars are wasted on useless causes each year. It is very frustrating. But when I see shabby downtown areas made over into a mesmerizing scene I feel as if my taxes have gone to something that betters a city as well as the spirit of the people. I’ve always greatly appreciated that the United States is a place of vast landscapes that captivate the imagination and heart of all that experience its nature. With that, the riverwalk is an amazing spectacle that brings life to the Truckee River as it merrily serves the people of Reno and neighboring towns.