Well, here we are. Way back in the August send-home, I promised you we'd get through this. I guaranteed survival. I said there was nothing to fear. Twenty-seven issues, a few sleepless nights, one imaginary girlfriend and one too many references to Britney Spears later, the sixth volume of Recess has wrapped. To this, I breathe a huge sigh of relief, because I was pretty sure I was lying to you the whole time. Here we are, nonetheless.
Over the last four years, I've watched the faces of Recess change, but I hope that the vision has remained largely the same. We're an arts and entertainment magazine, and we've tried to be true to both components. We've previewed, reviewed, interviewed, investigated, tested, teased, mocked, made fun of, lampooned and laughed at everything we could get our grubby little paws on. We are so damn lucky.
Most of us will probably never get another chance to attend advance screenings of movies or snag free CDs or eat dinner on someone else's dime. And most of us will certainly never find a more accommodating medium than these pages for our creativity, or a more receptive audience than you, the reader. For all of these opportunities, we are thankful.
Someone once told me to surround myself with people who make me feel good and look good. My co-editor, Dean Chapman, has done both. Besides being an absolute joy to work with, his vision and creativity have made Recess so much better. I owe him my gratitude and a kidney should he ever need one. Due to my crippling fear of renal failure, however, he's only going to get the first. Thanks, Thrasher.
It's hard to leave the party when you're still having a good time, and I've had a blast. Since I've been told there's no such thing as a Recess redshirt year, I guess I'll be going. Thanks to everyone on staff who made it such a pleasure. I loved every minute.
--David Walters
The lessons I've learned...
After an entire year at the co-helm of Recess, I now know the following things:
*I am not the whitest person to have ever interviewed Ludacris.
*The male multiple orgasm is a fraud.
*I don't belong on "The Real World."
*I'm a 'Mac person.'
*I am not well-liked at Counseling and Psychological Services.
*The new VH1 is not VH-Fun.
*My sarcasm does not always translate effectively.
*Jews don't save themselves for marriage.
*Quentin Tarantino doesn't come through when you need him to.
*Durham's a great place to eat a meal.
*Girls who pose for Playboy like to remain anonymous.
*50% of undergrad non-virgins have had sex in public.
*The designer jean craze isn't going away.
*My capacity to be annoyed by PR people is limitless.
*Everyone in the world is in a band. [SEE ABOVE]
*4 a.m. is early.
*Nintendo will fly you to Seattle if you write a single story on them.
*Dick Brodhead is a busy, busy man.
But the most important thing I've learned is that having an Arts & Entertainment magazine at Duke is an incredible thing. Our identity is surely a bit protean: serious stories and humorous ones; interviews with big movie stars and profiles of local bands; a giant spread on a documentary film festival and a cover story on masturbation. But ultimately I believe in the value of this variety, in its limitless ability to reflect and reveal the broad scope of our lives. It is my sincere hope that Recess will continue to embrace this unique and remarkable identity for years to come.
Thanks to my brilliant staff (especially Hilary and Katie) for making this an outstanding volume! To my talented co-editor, David, thanks for being not only an extraordinary partner, but a good friend as well. What a great way to spend a year.
--Dean Chapman
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