Ten Days Left
An individual project presents unprecedented challenges. Expecting the unexpected comes to full fruition. I’ve got ten days left and I’ve learnt a lot.
‘The unknown is the most amazing state. It will blow your mind (both positive and negative) for it will be unprecedented and unplanned. That’s when you find your best self, and no-one else can stop you.’
I want to share some mid-thoughts about my research so far.
The most enjoyable part:
Meeting new people and learning their (often conflicting) perspectives
The least enjoyable part:
Scheduling the interviews and dealing with emails and calls all at once
The most fulfilling:
Sharing my two-cents on urban design and planning, small business and being acknowledged for my understanding
The most frustrating:
Sometimes having awful time management — leading me to spend money on ride-sharing rather than walking
The hardest:
Getting the initial interviews to set up the follow-ups with other people
The ‘easiest’:
Staying true to myself and my personality
The temporary habits:
Waking up early, writing up questions and researching interviewees, printing out consent forms, backing up work on hard drive, getting a lime popsicle from Sundance Square and a mango and dragonfruit cooler from Starbucks
The longstanding traditions:
The blog
The most surprising:
The generosity of the people to give their time (even at the highest level of seniority)
The least surprising:
The walkability of the city
The biggest achievement:
Meeting the Mayor of Fort Worth
The worst failure:
Not utilising my weekends for good rest time
Most looking forward to:
Two things
1. The International Champions Cup, Barcelona and AS Roma at The AT&T Stadium
2. First Honky Tonk at Billy Bob’s
Least looking forward to:
Transcribing interviews
This is just some of the questions that one might ask to see the success of a project.
There were points of despair, rushing around and thinking I’m in way over my head. I still think that in some respects.
I knew this would be a challenge.
There were many who voted against its success.
Even me.
I knew there was no other option.
Once I committed, it became impossible to think of the negatives and go full steam ahead.
My ten-hour plane ride over here was full of doubt and confusion.
I was fidgety and unsure.
When I got to Fort Worth, I became inspired by the mysterious allure of the downtown.
I don’t think at any point, I thought that I would have the experiences I had.
It’s been a great time.
It gives me a humongous job to do.
Transcribing over 35 interviews.
That will be the bane of my existence.
It’ll be required.
These are some thoughts, there will be more I’m sure.
Ten days left.