"Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich

In the excerpt of "Nickel and Dimed", Barbara Ehrenreich discusses her trek to find a decent paying job and an 'okay' form of housing. There are many ups and downs of both journeys and you hear the multiple details of them. The first job at hand: to find a job. She hands in dozens of applications in one day and has two face-to-face interviews at different establishments. During her face-to-face interviews at both Wal-Mart and Menards, she is required to answer some form of personality questionnaires. Both times she is questioned on specific answers she had provided on the papers but is able to redeem herself. Then comes a task she makes a point to talk about: drug tests. Ehrenreich becomes slightly worried as she as unfortunately consumed drugs recently, drugs that won't just flush out of her system (marijuana). Because of this, she learns of the many deceitful shortcuts there are to these employment drug tests. She researches the different tactics used online. There are ingestible products and one website even offered a "vial of pure, drug-free urine, battery-heated to room temperature". Everyone else simply advised to flush with fluids. Ehrenreich wanted to be sure she would pass these two tests (one for Wal-Mart and one for Menards), so she drove herself to the nearest GNC and searched out the help of a worker. She finds another product mentioned online called CleanP, but she passes up the $50 pricetag and instead buys creatinine and a diuretic called uva ursis for around $30. She passes both drug tests.
When it comes to the usefulness of these tests, I definitely wouldn't say they'll stop people from using drugs. The most they'll do is stop people from using drugs at certain times. Most people know going into job interviews (at certain places) that they'll be required to take a drug test. Therefore, they know that those are the times they should not be using drugs - if they do in the first place, that is. It takes a small bit of common sense to realize this. But I guess it has the power to ween out those that use drugs very often. Now for the validity of these tests, that is hard to measure being that there are so many different ways to cheat (and many people use these ways). Although, some establishments are smart enough to make it impossible to cheat or are able to catch people in the process. But these tests have to be somewhat accurate or they would probably find another way to make sure their employees are law-abiding and completely, well, 'normal' when working there. As for companies getting more productive workers just because they are administering drug tests, that I don't really see as true. Just because they don't do drugs, or pass the test, doesnt mean they are going to be 'more productive'. Its definitely possible. But I believe it entirely depends on each person or worker. They could just be a good cheater...ha. But, I guess it makes people feel safer and better knowing that their employees passed a drug test. If they'll pass one every day...now, thats another story in itself.
Back to those productive workers...yes it matters if companies have productive and non-drug-using, as Wal-Mart calls them, associates. They don't want people that will come to work and slack off and walk around getting nothing done, or that will come to work high and on who know's what drugs. As for me, I would have no problems taking such a test. I know I would pass without a problem and I also understand they're are making you take them.

Ethnography Proposal

• The New Prague Dance Company building was constructed just a few years ago as a place for individual gymnasts and our HS girls gymnastics team to practice and hold meets. It also has a seperate area where the New Prague Dance Company holds their dance classes for many ages. The part i'm interested in is the large gym to the left where yo ucan find trampolines, uneven bars, balance beams, and foam pits. Where girls (and guys) spend hours upon hours of relentless tiring exercise. Where wolf jumps, fulls, and backflips are practiced until perfected. I have yet to decide if I should observe the entire gymnastics club itself, or simply our NP High School girls team.
• As for prec-conceived notions: my thoughts have always been that gymnasts are incredibly hard-working, strong, and dedicated. They have to devote much of their time and effort to get down the difficult routines, jumps, and "stunts" they perform at meets. They work as individuals on each level of the gym- balance beam, vault, etc. But they rely on their coach's help and each others' scores to advance as a team. I chose to observe this group of talented young people for a few reasons - all of which are simple. One is that a few close friends of mine are part of the gymnastics team and I've heard countless stories and find the things they discuss quite interesting. Also, I very much enjoy watching the gymnastics portion of the Olympics and would love to see how they get there.
• Obstacles: times in general, I can go in at many different times through because peiople are often in there. Although, if I decide to do the team then I have to wait until they start. I have my own sport starting in around a month. I can go in on days off of practice and probably weekends.
• Resources/Interviews: classmates (i.e. Shelbie Johnson, Tracy Westenberg, Ryan Tschimperle) Coaches, owner of the building, etc.
• Preliminary Thesis: HELP!