Power

Power, although not exerted regularly, is always present at the pits. Much similar to my last entry, those that attend the games on Friday’s know where they are and know how to respect their environment. As I wrote previously, we have no real rules, just unspoken house rules. If the pits were located at a public facility, similar to that of the YMCA or even a national park there would be more rules that were dictated by the ‘authority figures.’ However, we don’t have that. It’s simple back yard shoes where everyone whether it be conscious or not, knows they need to respect their peers. We play fair, keep the noise at a reasonable level for the rest of the neighbors, and know better than to leave empty ‘soda’ cans laying around for someone else to clean up. If you litter, we tell you, and you pick it up. I remember one time, probably back about three months now; there was a slight argument at one of the gatherings. A BU student and a Wentworth student started arguing about an interference in the game. We let the argument progress for a few moments until one of their mutual friends stepped in. It was just a bad call made by one of the players and the third person was able to settle the argument. This was the closest we’ve ever come to having a problem here and hopefully was the last. We’re planning on having a Halloween get together at the pits this Friday of 80-100 people. Hopefully we can keep this track record and everyone will have a good time.

 

When it comes to discussing cultural aspects of the pits, I think it can create an interesting booklet of information. Because there is no distinct culture in the woods, everyone brings their own ideas of what it should be. This is even more elevated when you put this into context of who uses the pits; all college and post college students. This means simply, that most everyone has come from a different upbringing, and a different location and we are all merged into one area. Although these students meet almost daily in the same classrooms, or nightly at the same local pubs, their individual cultural differences aren’t as apparent as they are in the pits. Society has taught us to act a certain way in these locations not only to fit in, but also to be respectful of the others around us. As soon as the variable of a monitored space is expelled, each individual has the opportunity to show his or her true side.

 

Nature also has the ability to do this to us. Many of the kids that come over grew up in small towns spread out along the east coast. Although different, they all have similar roots in the country and hanging around outside. However, as soon as it became time to go to college, they decided they wanted to try something new and moved into the big city of Boston. This was great for a while, but then everyone started to realize that they really did miss where they came from. It’s funny because just this Friday, I overheard a conversation between two BU students that said that playing shoes here is like being back home on summer break playing beach volleyball at the local pond. It’s not quite the same sport by any means, but I guess it’s the atmosphere and culture that takes people back. There are a few exceptions to this as a few of our friends grew up in or around Boston. It is extremely fascinating watching them interact with others in this environment.

 

Those that were born and raised in a city have a much different idea of freedom and safety than those of us that grew up in the country. The city dwellers are more into the fast pace life of the city streets. When taking out of this context it seems they get uncomfortable and antsy to get out. These are the people that tend to leave early and stay a far distance away from everyone else. Everyone has a different range in which they don’t mind someone in their personal space. I find that these city dwellers have a much closer range when taking out of their natural culture and put into a more suburban situation. On a good night the pits will have members of many different cultures and it becomes a fascinating location to study and understand the way we interact in a non-controlled environment.

 

The landscape in the pits, although may appear to be natural, is anything but that when it comes down to it. It was pre-meditated and sculpted to fit into the exact location it is in. It feels natural, and it looks natural, however it is no doubtable part of the beta landscape. The grass is trimmed and the pits are kept clean. It is part of our neighbor’s house and it is their self-image when people come over. If the pits were neglected and overgrown they would never get used. The up-keep and the conscious layout of the area are well done and makes for an attractive environment every week…