Ru by Kim Thuy 8 min @ Rooster cafe Sao Mai had cheated to get where she was. The remedies weren’t hers to claim but the dead can’t talk. Even if her mother had been able to denounce her, who would translate the shrill accusations of a half blind Cantonese witch? The magic wasn’t mysterious. Every ancient culture has brews and balms to soothe and heal. Placebos give peace of mind if the pungency is Read more
Self-Help by Lorrie Moore 8 min @ the desk, Toronto 4:44 Make a wish. Wish for a bigger apartment. Something with a wall between the bed and the table. You know the wishes don’t work. Except that one time. But it was 11:11. In the morning. Mornings are hard working the night-shift. Can’t screw this one up. The tips are pretty good. You convince yourself the truckers feel sorry for never looking in your eyes when Read more
In my early twenties I had a simultaneously high opinion of myself and not a clue who I was. I was a judgmental twat. It’s okay, when I look at my younger self I shake my head with loving patience. ‘She’ll learn in time’ present me smirks. My sense of self was constantly changing based on the music, movies and books I was losing myself in at the time. I think I knew that my Read more
I Love Yous Are For White Peopleby Lac Su 5 min @ Starbucks on Bathurst & Queen, 10:54pm Mamma always gots mad when I loses things. Every time I loses something new she would list all the things I losed before. She says that’s why she won’t give me nothing new. All my dresses were Becca’s first and all my shoes come from the church group. I never losed my shoes before I don’t know Read more
“I don’t have anything to do.” This is a common plaint of the nephews when they know exactly what they want to do but know it’s outside their reach. This is usually an activity involving a screen. It’s a version of the “I’m bored” whine I used to serve, sans cheese, at my semi-regular ennui parties. It was a very exclusive guest list, no plus ones. Just me. These weren’t pity parties, they were highly Read more
The Tao of Wu by RZA 8 min. @ Cafe Pamenar ” I don’t think you understood what I was trying to say”, Lila said. “Are you listening to me? Based on your reply I don’t think you understood my message. Did you even read it?” “Can you not attack me right here, right now?” Rita hated public displays of affection and disaffection equally. “I’m not attacking, I just want to make sure I’m understood. Read more
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 8 min @ Litttle Nicky’s Every morning. Like clockwork. Literally. Maris would rise at five thirty. He used an alarm. Had too, because of the insomnia. But he had to keep consistent or he’d lose his spot. Five thirty five: cold water on the face, warm water gargle with a little Listerine, and a whiz. Five fifty: hot water into the thermos with the scoop of instant coffee. Six Read more
I love them. I love to soak in the soothing warmth of them and then wrap myself in their cashmere softness. Sometimes I inhale a perfect cluster of them that clears my head in a eucalyptus rush. Sometimes they come at me aggressively, all sharp angles and pointed jabs. And they hurt. They have such power these gangs of letters. They can make you cry with joy or pain, they can make you laugh out Read more