Author Archives: Octavia

Do You Think Her Shoes are Bothering Her?

I was walking down 13th street towards Metrocenter yesterday, when about a foot ahead of me, I saw red — down below. Blood red. Right on a woman’s heel. A gruesome sight, no doubt. She was clearly wearing uncomfortable shoes. … Continue reading

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From One Thing to the Next

I’m letting my hair do what it wants today. I won’t oppress it behind a bobby pin; I won’t be disappointed by its lack of ambition.  It’s going to look wonderfully earnest in its messiness. That’s my hair plan today. … Continue reading

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Not Quite a Poem

9:30 p.m., July 23, 2013 Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café “I Wanna be Down” by Brandy is playing semi-loudly, a song from 1994. I’ve been trying to motivate myself to write more these days and I guess there is no time … Continue reading

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Dark to Light and Back Again

I am sitting in the dark because Tony has ostracized me from “our” bedroom. I turned the light on and he barked a few sentences, all involving the word “rude.” I replied with something to the effects of “my room, … Continue reading

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Fighting Hair & Nail

Today, I did something I’d never done. First, let me preface this by saying that I bite my nails… a lot—all my life, practically. It’s a habit I can’t get rid of and one I’m actually kind of comforted by. … Continue reading

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They Only Give You the Window Seat if You Ask for It

On the plane, preparing for take off. Watching the safety video, I can’t help thinking— How applicable is a “slow, relaxed demeanor?” In other words, were we in a situation requiring oxygen masks and life jackets, how likely would it … Continue reading

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A Brush with Betsey Johnson

​     Twiddling my thumbs because it’s 8:30. My roommate Adriana said she’d be here at 8 so that we could’ve left the house by now. Hmm. I guess I should figure out what I’m going to wear. And with what … Continue reading

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Monday 1 of 2013.

Someone is at the door downstairs and I really can’t find the energy to walk there and see what that’s about. I push a section of my hair behind my ear in the hopes that the current inspiration I’m feeling … Continue reading

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A Moment’s Glance at the Host Stand

01/04/2013. Friday evening. 6:13pm. Damian at the bar getting semi-swamped by clusters of affluent professionals at the heights of their careers. I can hear snippets of their conversations. Only when I look at them directly can I really discern the matters … Continue reading

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A Musical Encounter Unexpected

Sitting in Charmington’s, a suitably titled coffeeshop on North Howard St in Baltimore, MD. I walked in with gleaming sunlight pouring through the windows. I noticed a man looking at the board of specials. I walked by him in an … Continue reading

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