Two River part II: the interview

[vaneramos]

The interview at Two Rivers Neighbourhood Group went well. The woman, whose name was Heather, didn't interview me so much as show me around the office, which contained three tired-looking computers and several racks of second-hand clothing. The group uses another room across the hall for social activities. A collection of dog-eared children's books occupies what appears to be a converted janitor's closet. She also mentioned food hamper drives, local farm produce, volleyball nights and community dances. She seemed pleased at the prospect of my experienced help with writing and proofreading the newsletter.

She jokingly asked whether I wanted to go to "women's night out" tonight, and we both laughed. So I figure Heather had me pegged from the start, which put me at ease.

She had the casual confidence of someone doing something she believes in. I left feeling happy. To be honest, I choked up at the hope of feeling useful again. I realized how much I want to do something that benefits people, and know my contribution is valued. I believe doing art means something, but the value is abstract and intangible. Unless you sell a poem or a photograph and give proceeds back to the community.

Comments

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

glad to hear this went so well!!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks J. I still have to drop off my application, but I hope they won't say no to free help. :-)

[ghostsandrobots.livejournal.com]

Congrats! This sounds like a really good thing for you.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I do hope so.

Re: NaNo. Yay yay, hurrah hurrah, go Zig go! I haven't had much time to read anything this week, but just in case, are you posting it anywhere?

[ghostsandrobots.livejournal.com]

Not so far. I genuinely don't feel like it's worth reading. That doesn't bother me, but why subject anyone else?

Thanks, Van! Meant to ask if you are still doing it this year. Sounds like you had started on the main project you wanted to do already.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wanted to concentrate on the other novel and didn't think a word quota was the way to go this time. But I don't know. I've been toiling over chapter one, carefully crafting it. Just now I looked back and reviewed the first experimental chapters I wrote about Tendril in October 2003, and was startled by their freshness. I remember you commenting somewhere about how I got into the mind of a 12-year-old girl, but I don't think I'm there now. Maybe I need to trust spontaneity after all.

[ghostsandrobots.livejournal.com]

I like taking time on things like that; it works great if I'm absorbed and not stuck. But once I'm stuck, pushing harder at it doesn't help. If nothing else, shaking things up might help.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

Wonderful news!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks Pete. I still have to fill out an application though. They're asking for two references: one volunteer, which is no problem, and one employment, which has me stumped. I probably don't need to worry about it so much, but of course worrying is What I Do. Well, not so much lately, but new challenges stir up old habits.

[shawnsyms.livejournal.com]

This is great to hear.

:0)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's a step forward. Thanks, S.

[crazysoph.livejournal.com]

This is very good news. I'm hoping for more progress on this front.

In saying this:

Unless you sell a poem or a photograph and give proceeds back to the community.

You've touched on one of my nerves, but I'll try to ask it in "you" terms - what is not community oriented about spending the proceeds of such a sale on your own general upkeep? Having sold the poem or photograph, you've already contributed your artistic vision. It's not made less worthy, by using the proceeds to keep body and soul together, or even contributing to some other part of keeping you going long enough to produce more art...

Just a thought, which I don't know if I'm formulating very well, it being rather on the late side, here. If it sparks something, I'll see the reply and maybe make a second go tomorrow, after I've had a night's sleep...

Crazy(but wondering, too)Soph

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Really, I agree with you. I realized that statement would probably touch some nerves, but hoped it would raise discussion rather than uncomfortable silence. So thanks for broaching it.

I don't mean art is any less worthy if I profit from it and use the proceeds to feed and clothe myself, etc. What I realized today was that, as a reclusive writer, I have missed the feeling of contributing to the community in more tangible ways. This surprised me. It isn't a statement about the value of art in general or my own work specifically, but about my own personality and need to feel useful. One of the soul-deadening things about my last job at a big international charity was that I never received much direction or affirmation for my creative work as a writer. Maybe that's part of the reason I'm attracted to something hands-on and community-based, where my efforts are more likely to prove genuinely useful and perhaps be appreciated, rather than in a large organization devoted to corporate agape.

I'm formulating and rambling here as well, but now I have to run.

[djjo.livejournal.com]

yay! Glad the interview went well. Sounds like a place you could do good work for. And sounds like they can use any help they can find.

Big hugs and have a good day tomorrow! Danny

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I hope they can use me. Dropped off the application yesterday, so now we'll wait and see. See you soon.

xoxo

[avad.livejournal.com]

yay I'm also glad the interview went well:)!
on the art/money thing...I definitely know what you mean..and I think there has to be some sort of balance. An appreciation of your creativity AND a community contribution. Using the unique talents and skills you were given in a way that they help in both abstract and tangible ways. The 10% equation works for me...I can't afford to give it all away, it's my sustenance, but at the same time I have a chance to remember each time those that need it even more and don't have the opportunities I do... and do a little something to help change that. it helps me to see my art as having a benefit that is both tangible AND abstract. Relatedly I never buy art but Just bought a print of this painting because it was so inspiring and affordable and proceeds go to humanitarian projects.
that's another way to do it I suppose...sell prints for charity, originals for sustenance...hmmm thoughts...

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of getting several of my Waterspouts printed as card to donate to the silent auction for the Rainbow Chorus in January. It would be the first time in years I've put any drawings out there in public, also a way of giving back to the community that has benefitted me so much.

[avad.livejournal.com]

that sounds Great.:)
I'm actually giving thought to this as well!

[avad.livejournal.com]

woops, let's try the link to that painting again:
Thousand Hands

[trinapink.livejournal.com]

Van, that sounds great! Feeling useful is not only nice, it's critical sometimes. But don't let the art go either. :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

No, I certainly won't let it go. I figured out years ago I would go mad without these creative endeavours. No chance of that getting sidelined. ;-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks Craig. I've been feeling pretty well, and wanting to take a step in that direction. We'll see how it turns out.