QUARANTINE STORIES
Ten Things I Wish I Had Known
Photo by Ezekixl Akinnewu
"One day someone will stand where we now live
and wonder who we were." (Macduff Everton)
Words by Ariel Maccarone
August 31, 2018
Humans are meaning-makers. We are heroes and villains; leaders and the led.
Chuck Palahniuk once wrote, "We live our lives according to stories. About being Irish or being [Black]. About working hard or shooting heroin. Being male or being female. And we spend our lives looking for evidence - facts and proof - that support our story."
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1. “I really should’ve spent every weekend looking at art.” (Barbie, West Hollywood)
2. “I should have followed my instinct to learn how to propagate seeds and plant food. If I had learned some of these skills, the task would not feel so overwhelming and out of reach now....”. (Jesse, Highland Park)
3. “You will come to truly understand the phrase, ‘One day at a time.’ Have faith that – as overwhelming as some moments are – [that] someday we might have some answers and resolutions. Or maybe just have faith in things that are good for today.” (Alyson, Los Angeles)
4. “Spending time with your son is a gift. Share your knowledge and teach this little person. Your wife needs support, understanding and patience even more than ever.” (Ryan, Northridge)
5. “Cherish your time alone and don't sweat the small stuff. Remember to have patience with yourself and your family. Travel! And see those you love that live far away. Soak it all up.” (Jenny, Northridge)
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6. “Cherish your time alone and don't sweat the small stuff. Remember to have patience with yourself and your family. Travel! And see those you love that live far away. Soak it all up.” (Jenny, Northridge)
Ariel Maccarone is a Los Angeles-based author, musician ("Black Mouth"), and artist. Her writing has been featured in Boston Poetry Magazine, Argentina-based art magazine Apapacho Gallery, Yay! L.A. Arts & Culture Magazine, FOTO MOFO Photography Magazine, and elsewhere. At Yay! L.A. and FOTO MOFO, Ariel also served as Assistant Editor. She has worked as a freelance social media consultant for clients such as Red Bull and PEN Center sponsored publishing house Unnamed Press as well.
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Most recently, Ariel served as a co-founder and Director of Content and Partnerships for The FIG ("The Future Is Good", a forthcoming online marketplace for sustainable and ethical brands.
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When not writing, she can be found wandering the Santa Monica mountains with a Jack Russell Terrier that hasn't learned to "sit", "stay", or "come."
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