Ethnopoetics--Interview 1

I think loyalty's the most important thing about being a football fan.
We have these people that, ya know, they're fair-weather friends.
They like a team because they're doing well.

True fans like 'em when they're good, like 'em when they're bad.
The most important thing is that they're trying.
And they're doing the best they can.

You'll always be a fan through thick and thin.
It makes the highs higher and the lows lower,
but that's what makes a true fan.

It's frustrating, but it's better than not being a fan at all.

Gathering My Thoughts

Dr. Cook had us conference with her today to discuss how our projects were going as well as what we were envisioning our final papers to look like.  She mapped out my paper around the idea that I wanted to start with my personal story, lead to the business side of the NFL, then talk about my dad, and leave the audience with an image of my family again--similar to a circle.  I also want to keep my focus on the female point of view that I decided on in the beginning.  I think it is the most important aspect of my paper.  It is really great to see that this whole process is coming together!

Interviewing My Dad!

I asked my dad if he was ready for our interview as he sat in the comfiest chair in our living room.  He said, “Uhh, yea sure,” and we were on our way!  I asked if he wanted to go somewhere quiet and he said my room was fine.  He lay down on my sister’s bed and wrapped himself up in a blanket.  I lay down facing him on my own bed.  It was nearing seven o’clock, so my dad was starting to fade.  He usually falls asleep around eight and then wakes up with a second wind around nine.  I knew I had to get this interview out of him fast.  I told him that I would be asking a few questions and that we were aiming for about twenty minutes of recording.  He looked nervous, not because he would be answering questions, but because of the length of time he would have to fill by speaking.  He is not a super-talkative person (he says that’s my mom’s job) but, once I told him it was all about football, he calmed down and looked more comfortable (even more comfortable than being wrapped in a blanket).  I started with my first question. I sounded awkward.  At least, I thought I sounded awkward.  This was unusual for me to be interrogating my dad! But, my dad was really great with answering all of the questions and he talked for a really long time. He did over ninety-five percent of the work, which was really nice.  It gave me a chance to examine more closely what he was saying.  He hit on most of my focus points without me even mentioning them.  He talked about Fantasy Football, the community of my garage, and the business aspect of the NFL.  It was very successful.  It started to become a lot like a conversation near the end of the interview.  I enjoyed getting details on my dad’s life that I didn’t know about before.  I’m very glad and thankful that I was able to interview him. It was a lot easier for us to discuss things that were personal because, well, he’s my dad.  Most things that I have learned about football have come from him.  He has always been open to sharing knowledge with me, and he took this opportunity to help me further understand the life of a football fan.

Mind Mapping

(Blurry image courtesy of my phone) I have picked up on a few themes so far in my fieldwork along with details and examples of them mapped out and drawn not too beautifully. However, I think this is acceptable because my garage is not a place of beauty; it is a place to feel comfortable and content.  I am content with my drawing ability as well as with my garage.  But, I am ecstatic to see how well this "mind mapping" helps me with the field working process. :)