The nighttime escapades of Mr. Hido, seem to glimpse at the "not-so-nice" snapshots of the suburbs. It doesn't seem to be the welcoming community that one likes to think of in a family-type setting. As a matter of fact, it seems that if you are doing something out of the ordinary, you are looked at as an imposter, someone to look out for.
The dingy night views of the suburbs, perhaps give a more telling tale of what it is really like to live there. Day-to-day with no exciting things to do, than bother the man outside taking a picture of the houses in the neighborhood. Not really caring what he is using it for, but just basically telling him to get lost; saying "we don't want you "city-types" here."
This different view of the suburbs seem to tell a different side, than the "goody-two-shoes" most associate with the 'burbs. Is it the real face of the suburbs? Or just some grumpy guy who is a driveway Natzi?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
"Suburbia" by Bill Owens
The collection of pictures that Bill Owens has put together is a lovely work of art. I believe that he encompasses all that is wanted, by a move to the Suburbs. The snapshots of people building their homes, some designed especially for them, it's a dream that many Americans would like to be part of.
The BBQ that the whole community comes and joins, contributing potato salad, chicken and who knows what else. It's the idea of a perfect lifestyle. Maybe even to perfect. Some place that your children can play without having to worry about who is your next door neighbor, or if his name is on some god-forsaken list.
The collection of pictures gives it the whole "Leave it to Beaver" feel, and you could even hear the music in the background playing that all-knowing tune. Mom's in the kitchen, taking care of the babies, as Dad's and older kids play outside or lounge around the house waiting for the next TV program or meal that takes them away from the day-to-day living in the suburbs.
How many of us would really like to live there? In some ways, it's just a society that may be a bit too perfect for many of us these days. I think we as a people now, are looking for more action, than the "wave to your neighbor good morning"-type days. Or maybe, we just need to get back to the simple way of living, and truly enjoy everything that we are truly blessed to have in our lives.
The BBQ that the whole community comes and joins, contributing potato salad, chicken and who knows what else. It's the idea of a perfect lifestyle. Maybe even to perfect. Some place that your children can play without having to worry about who is your next door neighbor, or if his name is on some god-forsaken list.
The collection of pictures gives it the whole "Leave it to Beaver" feel, and you could even hear the music in the background playing that all-knowing tune. Mom's in the kitchen, taking care of the babies, as Dad's and older kids play outside or lounge around the house waiting for the next TV program or meal that takes them away from the day-to-day living in the suburbs.
How many of us would really like to live there? In some ways, it's just a society that may be a bit too perfect for many of us these days. I think we as a people now, are looking for more action, than the "wave to your neighbor good morning"-type days. Or maybe, we just need to get back to the simple way of living, and truly enjoy everything that we are truly blessed to have in our lives.
"Slowly, Calling the Burbs Home" by Patricia Lahrmer
The way that Patricia describes her vision of the suburbs, reminds me of the way I might view it. Not quite feeling total comfort living there, but letting it kind of grow on you. I like to live in a place that has some excitement to it. Maybe it's because I have always lived that way, or maybe it's just because I want to live in a place that has a more "homey" feel to it.
Patricia has kind of given in to her life in the "burbs" and is just content to living where she feels most comfortable. She thinks about the reasons why her and her husband stay where they have lived for 20 years and is just takes comfort in knowing that she only has to walk a short distance for her favorite kind of coffee and books. The sites, the smells and the neighbors all make her realize that no matter how much she thought she wasn't a part of this community, she actually is a very big part of it.
When telling someone about the events that happens very rarely in the suburbs, she finds herself irritated for sharing, because many people have this vision of the suburbs being boring, and she doesn't like being categorized as a suburban family, for one reason or another.
After sitting there (I assume in her attic) writing this article, she seems to have realized that she will probably never leave the suburbs because they have become home, more than she has ever realized, and possibly wanted.
Patricia has kind of given in to her life in the "burbs" and is just content to living where she feels most comfortable. She thinks about the reasons why her and her husband stay where they have lived for 20 years and is just takes comfort in knowing that she only has to walk a short distance for her favorite kind of coffee and books. The sites, the smells and the neighbors all make her realize that no matter how much she thought she wasn't a part of this community, she actually is a very big part of it.
When telling someone about the events that happens very rarely in the suburbs, she finds herself irritated for sharing, because many people have this vision of the suburbs being boring, and she doesn't like being categorized as a suburban family, for one reason or another.
After sitting there (I assume in her attic) writing this article, she seems to have realized that she will probably never leave the suburbs because they have become home, more than she has ever realized, and possibly wanted.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
"Criteria for a Healthy Landscape" by Paul Groth
In Paul Groth's "Criteria for a Healthy Landscape", he brings forth a problem that we may face in reading others' writings on American Landscape. He says that a lot of what others write are based on the writers perception of a previous article has stated, and biasedly. To interpret his "ideas" he states that there are seven criteria for healthy landscapes that one should follow in order to be precise in their views and writings.
Groth lets us know that we have to be in touch with our own selves and our surroundings before we can be open to the landscape around us. In the first criteria he tells us that we need to be more involved in the world, to make our "mark". In the second we need to be open and willing to accept everyone no matter what our imparements, handicaps or looks may be. We need to interact with one another, which is social survival.
In all seven of the criteria that Groth states we should follow, I find that the 6th is the most important. In it, Groth states that "A healthy landscape connects itself to OTHER parts of nature." I find that this is the most important because it mixes nature and the human aspect of nature in it. He states that the western culture has a problem with this criteria, by separating ourselves from nature. We look at nature as trees, and tree-huggers, etc. Everything around us is nature, we have made it so as humans. Groth brings in the fact that nature isn't always pleasant. This is the type of nature that we, modern day humans, have created.
I do find however, that one cannot write a piece without being biased in any way. Anytime we are reading something that someone else has written and respond to it, we in turn are interpreting in varying degrees of definitions. The same goes for Groth. I believe even his writing is biased in some way, because he is expressing his opinions.
Groth lets us know that we have to be in touch with our own selves and our surroundings before we can be open to the landscape around us. In the first criteria he tells us that we need to be more involved in the world, to make our "mark". In the second we need to be open and willing to accept everyone no matter what our imparements, handicaps or looks may be. We need to interact with one another, which is social survival.
In all seven of the criteria that Groth states we should follow, I find that the 6th is the most important. In it, Groth states that "A healthy landscape connects itself to OTHER parts of nature." I find that this is the most important because it mixes nature and the human aspect of nature in it. He states that the western culture has a problem with this criteria, by separating ourselves from nature. We look at nature as trees, and tree-huggers, etc. Everything around us is nature, we have made it so as humans. Groth brings in the fact that nature isn't always pleasant. This is the type of nature that we, modern day humans, have created.
I do find however, that one cannot write a piece without being biased in any way. Anytime we are reading something that someone else has written and respond to it, we in turn are interpreting in varying degrees of definitions. The same goes for Groth. I believe even his writing is biased in some way, because he is expressing his opinions.
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