19 Comments
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Madeline Rubicam's avatar

AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I was a kid one of our cats had kittens and before their eyes were even opened I put them all in the basket of my bike and then crashed my bike and all the blind little kittens spilled out onto the pavement and were probably so scared and confused….that is a memory that makes me cry for those kittens every single time I think of it. We have all stepped on our own snails. LOVE!!!! Although oddly the most relatable part is not being able to do plate spinning ……

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Zachary Hourihane's avatar

THOSE KITTENS......omg..........core memory (upsetting)

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Freya's avatar

We have all stepped on our own snails ♥️

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J Hazel's avatar

"I don't need to share this with others to believe it's true" Yes. Thank you. I mean the whole thing resonates indelibly in a way, and I enjoyed tracing the throughline as best i can, but especially appreciate that more pedestrian sentence. Struggling with making meaning, too. You have here, imho. Thank you for offering us these privileged glimpses into a human heart. To probably state the obvious, that image of you floating ghostlike through rain-sodden Tokyo streets, while freshly grief-stricken, conjures a scene worthy of studio ghibli. Dripping in magical realism. I want to drink that pondwater. Unfortunately though, now I have the brat from Shrek 4ever after in my head saying, "do the roar" so thanks for that!

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Zachary Hourihane's avatar

Thank you for connecting with me <3

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Rae E's avatar

I am crying. Can’t fully articulate why, and maybe that’s one of the reasons. Suffice it to say that your writing is really beautiful and impactful and stirs up a lot. I’m grateful and agitated.

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Zachary Hourihane's avatar

Honoured to have moved you <3

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Betty O's avatar

I remember that video you did when you were in Japan and lost your grandfather. I'm guessing this is about the same event.

Glad you ditched the play-good for you!!!

Enjoyed all this content, thank you.

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Olive's avatar

This is beautiful - I especially loved the contrast of "Can you like shut up?" compared to the sentences around it - luscious, gorgeous words interrupted by curt cruelty.

Regarding the snails - we all have them. I used to hold spiders in my palm just to pick their legs off one by one and then crush their limbless center between my fingertips.

And that ending? I haven't before seen this sentiment unadulterated by bitterness sadness. You merely stated events and let the reader empathize on their own. Love love loved this so much

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Isaac Root's avatar

I would love the ability to comb through my memory with such a perceptive and discerning eye. This is beautiful.

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Fraser McInally's avatar

So often I find myself checking if there is a new post from you on here. Today I'm glad there is. You never fail to impress me and really make me think. Thank you ❤️

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Zachary Hourihane's avatar

Always a pleasure to see your comments Fraser!

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Lilly | A Fraction of My Mind's avatar

This is incredibly well-written. Your prose is so good! I applaud you for being able to be so vulnerable and honest in your writing. I particularly love the part where you're on the bus in Singapore, and talk about the memories you've made on each street corner. I do the same thing when driving around my hometown, and whenever I go someplace new, I love to think about how even though it's all unfamiliar to me, it's somebody else's home. The concert story you open with I found particularly devastating; there's nothing worse than being abruptly pulled out of a moment, especially one as special as live music. This was a great read!

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Pristine's avatar

I’m in tears…

As a writer, I sometimes feel angry at myself for wanting to find meaning in everything, wanting to transform every experience I have into a story. I feel useless and stupid when I try to do so. It’s nice to think that “everything happens for a reason” and that our life is a narrative. When in reality, everything is random. But here you put something I’ve been feeling so intensely into words and I realize that every emotion can be turned into art. Every story is worthy of being told. Thank you for opening my eyes to this. You inspired me to keep writing! :)

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Jasmine Respess's avatar

That is my favorite song and I was hoping it would make an appearance.

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Freya's avatar

BEAUTIFUL

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kinsey k's avatar

i could read your writing all day. all so so good.

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Jeett Ratadia's avatar

Really good, fresh, riveting, authentic writing!

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Jeett Ratadia's avatar

I really like the nostalgia part. I'm a hyper-nostalgic dude and you hit the mark! : )

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