In a bad position (get the cheesey chess pun?)

Difficult post to write, as it mainly revolves around the fact that I screwed up:

Haven't seen my subjects in few days (got sick over weekend, and rain). Last visit on Wednesday. Was visiting my subjects in afternoon, a casual visit just to remind them of self on my way to a class. Only had about 10 minutes.

John was sitting with someone, and the man immediately gave me the seat. "You playing?" asked John. "Sure," I said. I asked if I was interrupting, but John said something about the other guy being too good a player to play out here. I got distracted by John palming to pawns to see who was white/black and didn't press further.

During game, noticed big crowd around me (chess games frequently draw spectators). Was playing and chatting with John, when noticed a chess player to the right I had never seen before. To the left "Big C" was as usual talking loudly. I tried to tune him out so I could talk to John and finish the game.

As the game finished I realized I was late for class and had to run. I paid John and was about to leave when I overheard something “Big C” had been telling another chess player: “Me and T were out here till five in the morning last night.” I had a paper due in class and couldn’t be late, so I ran off. But as I left I realized list of own failings.

• Too often have been sitting down to play instead of just observing. I fear I have shifted closer to the participant side than I would like, and need to rectify this. I do not want John or any of the chess players thinking of me as a “regular customer” and not a recorder.

• I have been focusing on Big John pretty exclusively. While I have talked to other players often I have not sat down for long in depth interviews with them. The reason is most, when I asked, asked for a lump sum in payment for the interview. But I fear my focus on John may have become myopic.

• Also John is atypical. He has a night job, and could not be out in the park at 5 am. I think I have to get out of my comfort zone – and my natural circadian rhythm – and do some late-night chess visits.

Sorry that this post was more about me then my subjects, but I hope to rectify that soon.