I turned in my recording gear today. Its a little sad thinking that this semester is practically over, especially when it feels like a second ago I was just beginning. I reluctantly have finished both of my final pieces (which will be playing at our opening tomorrow/friday 5-8 PM at 561 Congress Street!!!) knowing that no matter how much I may doubt myself and want to just edit until my ears bleed, it’s much better than anything I would have/have come up with since starting just a few months ago.
On our final night of editing, I got into this zone, an overly-critical crazed zone. And by morning I was freaking out quite a bit over the piece I was about to turn in, which had only been heard by me in the wee hours of the morning when I finished, without the guidance of the 8 pairs of ears I usually get help from. And even though our lovely TA Matt was there with the whole gang till 3 AM, I went inside myself, rather than seek the help I needed. My internal editor didn’t want anyone to hear anything until it was ready. Sometimes I neglect to remind myself the importance of the phrase “work in progress” and ask for help when I need it, especially when I’m here in a place where there are plenty of people here to give it.
I will miss the wonderful gang of people I’ve met here. I come to rely on their critique and thoughts to fuel my own work. The community at salt is such a great asset to the experience here. I think even more than the lessons in class, I appreciate the times where we just have discussion and go round the room and share questions and dilemmas. There is hopefully a collective in the works, where we can continue to share work and support one another and continue to produce brilliant things.
But I think the best realization I can make is to know that just because I’m leaving Salt, doesn’t mean the work ends here. There are still thousands of stories to be told outside of Salt, and outside of Portland. I’m heading back to college in MA to finish up my undergrad degree, and I plan on using what I’ve learned here to work with the school paper and develop online multimedia content for the website, which I was editor of before I came here. I want to travel once I’m done with school, meet more fascinating people and record their stories. Or maybe I’ll go home to Baltimore, save my money, while meeting more fascinating people and recording their stories.
All I need now is my own recording gear. Or maybe I’ll convince Christine to give mine back. (please?)
