When I was 20 I moved to Calgary to start my working life. My boyfriend and I rented the main floor suite of an Eaton’s catalogue home. The owner had converted it into three separate living spaces. At that time, the house was filled with five scrappy artists. Our landlord was an actor who lived upstairs with a roommate. He also had a traumatized cat he’d adopted who was named Snuffy. In the basement lived an actor/writer who elevated the persona of a charming curmudgeon to the level of archetype. My boyfriend was a theatre and audio technician. I worked as a poorly paid receptionist/salesperson/voice-over artist at a recording studio.
What a great read, from my Calgary apartment, that I leave daily to walk by (I’m sure) the same arches denoted BOYS and GIRLS. I am in your shoes in every moment. This subscription is the best pure delight I’ve offered myself in a long time. Thank you for telling stories; it’s a special gift 🎁
Did we live in Calgary at the same time??? 1998/1999. This really took me back in all the good ways to the times I would just hang out on 17th on my days off... going to Megatunes and Sloth (I still have my Folk implosion poster they gave me). Hung out at the Castle quite a bit - when not at the Underground/Warehouse. Good to hear from you. - Amy
Enjoyed your story Melanie! I too, am a small-town girl trained to say hello and I must say during the last 2 years, I celebrated the smiles and hellos along our dog walking path. In a public world full of masks, those outdoor unmasked smiles were a godsend, helping me stay connected in a very weird world. I have met and gotten to know so many people in the neighborhood...there is always the one or two that seem to not want to make eye contact and I suppose that is ok too!
I love the story. Great question. I wonder what was going on in his own story? What societal pressures or personal traumas made it so difficult and indeed impossible for him to respond to your kind gesture? We can only speculate.
Love this story! I lived in Calgary at that time and could see all the places and spaces you mentioned. If we had crossed paths, I would have said hello :)
In 2020 while recovering from illnesses I began taking long walks for rehabilitation. There is a rhythm in adhering to a certain route. You observe the seasonal changes, the cycles of nature.
I was surprised at the people I would meet on my walks who wanted to talk with me. I walk briskly so I would have to slow down to talk to them. It puzzled me at first, these unwarranted conversations, but I allowed these strangers to share their thoughts for our short time together. It was like there was a hunger to connect with others no matter how briefly. I considered it a gift, no strings attached. A desire for a witness in a moment of passage.
Hi, This really resonated with me. I've been noticing a lot lately about how we are creatures of habit and how you can nearly set your watch to certain daily rituals people do. I think it must be a calming thing and people are addicted to habits. I heard it said before that it's the ritual of making tea/coffee or even taking drugs that people get addicted to. Keep saying Hello
What a great read, from my Calgary apartment, that I leave daily to walk by (I’m sure) the same arches denoted BOYS and GIRLS. I am in your shoes in every moment. This subscription is the best pure delight I’ve offered myself in a long time. Thank you for telling stories; it’s a special gift 🎁
Did we live in Calgary at the same time??? 1998/1999. This really took me back in all the good ways to the times I would just hang out on 17th on my days off... going to Megatunes and Sloth (I still have my Folk implosion poster they gave me). Hung out at the Castle quite a bit - when not at the Underground/Warehouse. Good to hear from you. - Amy
You are a great writer and story teller. Thank you for this. I needed it!
Love it! Great question at the end!
Enjoyed your Calgary walking commute hello’s absolutely beautiful ❤️
I wonder if the street crossing guy ever looks back at that moment and wonders about whether he took the right path?
Enjoyed your story Melanie! I too, am a small-town girl trained to say hello and I must say during the last 2 years, I celebrated the smiles and hellos along our dog walking path. In a public world full of masks, those outdoor unmasked smiles were a godsend, helping me stay connected in a very weird world. I have met and gotten to know so many people in the neighborhood...there is always the one or two that seem to not want to make eye contact and I suppose that is ok too!
I love the story. Great question. I wonder what was going on in his own story? What societal pressures or personal traumas made it so difficult and indeed impossible for him to respond to your kind gesture? We can only speculate.
Love this story! I lived in Calgary at that time and could see all the places and spaces you mentioned. If we had crossed paths, I would have said hello :)
In 2020 while recovering from illnesses I began taking long walks for rehabilitation. There is a rhythm in adhering to a certain route. You observe the seasonal changes, the cycles of nature.
I was surprised at the people I would meet on my walks who wanted to talk with me. I walk briskly so I would have to slow down to talk to them. It puzzled me at first, these unwarranted conversations, but I allowed these strangers to share their thoughts for our short time together. It was like there was a hunger to connect with others no matter how briefly. I considered it a gift, no strings attached. A desire for a witness in a moment of passage.
Are you originally from Belle Plaine, SK? (My late father grew up on a wheat farm a mile from there)
Hi, This really resonated with me. I've been noticing a lot lately about how we are creatures of habit and how you can nearly set your watch to certain daily rituals people do. I think it must be a calming thing and people are addicted to habits. I heard it said before that it's the ritual of making tea/coffee or even taking drugs that people get addicted to. Keep saying Hello