After a quick stop by my place of work on Saturday afternoon, I ventured across the street to the local Albertson’s grocery store. This excursion was an oddity to say the least as I couldn’t recall a time before high school when I was ever in a grocery store before dark. This, I figured, made a very familiar environment seem very alien to my senses. The purpose this was, and I knew I was correct in my decision-making as I found it difficult to locate a parking space that was not already occupied near the store. That was only the beginning of what I knew would be an interesting study of this diverse communal setting.After finally parking about a football field’s length from the entrance of the market, I made my way, in the heat of the day, to the front doors. On my way, my back began to sweat, and by the time I got inside, I could feel a cold liquid running down my back as a result of the blasting cool, crisp air. The temperature contrast was astonishing on either side of the doorway. I continued to walk in the same direction in the store while cold impulses rose through my back. I made my way from front to back about four times when I decided to sit down in the coffee and breakfast lounge. That’s when I took out my notepad and recalled what I had witnessed during my stroll about the isles. First, I recounted the obvious odor of the environment. It was a mix of fresh laundry, potpourri, and crisp fruit amid the gentle breeze of the air to create a manufactured, yet homely, feeling. I also noticed the brightness and contrast of my surroundings. The huge fluorescent lamps, which hung from the high ceiling, illuminated well the white shelves and heavily waxed white and green tile floors. The walls were a dark green and black having many contours that gave a great sense of depth to the entire store. In the area where I sat, the lighting was much more dim, giving a warm, cozy approach to it. I certainly was drawn to...
