jesse_the_k: Ultra modern white fabric interlaced to create strong weave (interdependence)

I adored Ann Patchett's early fiction — The Magician’s Assistant, The Patron Saint of Liars, Bel Canto, and Run. I was fascinated by the parallel experiences of reality gained from Lucy Grealy’s Autobiography of a Face in conversation with Patchett’s meditation on their friendship, Truth & Beauty.

But she fell off my radar. Then this outstanding 20,000 word essay fell into my eyes

These Precious Days in January 2021 Harper’s Magazine

It’s got a big twist, just like she enjoys writing in her novels. It takes its form from the current moment, so there’s lockdowns and air travel and Tom Hanks and more air travel. Along the way Ann encounters Hanks’ assistant Sooki. Ann recognizes that Sooki radiates beauty and competence, and offers her a place to stay during cancer treatment. In return, they develop a true friendship. It’s heartening to learn these magic moments can still lie ahead.

A few quotes: 400 words )

https://harpers.org/archive/2021/01/these-precious-days-ann-patchett-psilocybin-tom-hanks-sooki-raphael/

alternative backup

Crip Time?

Sunday, October 6th, 2013 03:36 pm
jesse_the_k: Ultra modern white fabric interlaced to create strong weave (interdependence)
This essay explores time's dimensions for someone who speaks with an alphabet board. I'll admit my first thought was "better assistive tech!" and the Australian writer, Anne McDonald, tells me exactly why that's a bad idea.

Crip Time by Anne McDonald
begin quote  ... my time is different from yours in a more important way. Imagine a world twenty times slower than this — a world where cars travelled at three miles an hour, lifesavers took an hour to chew, a glass of water half an hour to drink. Pissing would take quarter of an hour, lovemaking longer than it does now (which might be a good thing). A sitcom like Rosanne would run for ten hours, longer than Hamlet and Lear combined. quote ends
http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/crip-time

Anne McDonald was one of the fortunate few who got out of a total institution for disabled people. She was a vibrant advocate until her death in 2010, and you can see lots of her essays here:
http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/anne-mcdonald-writings


It seems that every group has a $SubculturalNameHere time.

I think of crip time as having to rely on people following mystery schedules. My experience is mostly with paratransit: when I can't take the city bus, I must plan every event in my day with 30-minute windows before and after to allow for late rides. Most of the time that means I'm very early, but I learned in my first wheelchair year to always have reading material along. Many times the driver has been 30 minutes early, and I have to leave whatever or miss the ride.

What's your experience of crip time?

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