McSweeney’s List (20 March 2024)
Ever notice how the current societal model keeps us grinding? Through a super slow boiling process that began in the industrial age, we've burned away our seasonal celebrations and replaced them with corporate timelines. For instance, we’re in tax season right now instead of focusing on the Vernal (Spring) Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which is the Autumnal Equinox in the South. Besides thoughts of pending flowers and longer light, it is super cool to remember that we're all on this Earth Ship together, taking shifts on the seasons.
The week has been separated into work days and non-work days. We don't have feast days, family days, days named and devoted to self-improvement, recharging, learning from our elders. These things are all squeezed in somehow, or neglected entirely. And again, it's not by accident. Keeping us focused on bills and petty distractions makes us really good employees and consumers. And the more we focus on who’s driving the newest car or wearing the trendiest brands, the farther away we drift from our humanity and the humanity of others. That same distance means we have trouble connecting authentically with one another. We go through social scripts and make the appropriate faces, but we reach each other's hearts less and less. The concept of a third space, a place that isn't home, or work/school but a spot where at least most people know your name is vital, and disappearing rapidly. Libraries shutter and venues disappear to satisfy the whims of condo dwellers who sit quietly in their boxes.
Selfishness breeds loneliness. A particular mess because loneliness makes us more inclined to act selfishly. When we feel disconnected from self, or our relationships lack the depth we require, we fall prey to “solutions” worse than the problems. We try to shop our emptiness away, and strive for external validation. We scroll and compare ourselves, convinced that if only we were different somehow -- weighed less, had more, knew our best colour pallet and which Disney princess we were -- we would be satisfied. We focus on what we lack until we feel like a gaping void. We forget the blessings, the people, the series of miracles that make life worth living.
And that's how The System wins, y’all. That’s how we end up chasing material success and skin deep beauty. It's how we end up taking on mortgages we can't handle and going through the motions of lives we don't want, because we think if we had that, we would be happy / respected / loved, et cetera. The truth is that the real contentment, the kind you don't need to re-up every 2 seconds, comes from connection. That's connection with self, but also the patchwork connections of our communities, from micro to macro.
We can't really count on society in this part of the world at this stage of the game to provide the functioning healthy communities they once did. Hell, we’re at the weird part of the movie where we're stripping jobs away from neighbourhoods, replacing them with computers, but have yet to figure out what to do with the people left behind. We don't make conversations with cashiers we recognize from last week and the week before, we keep to ourselves, silently scanning our items, deciding what we can steal. (Please Note: I only condone stealing from giant corporations, or any entity that could figuratively be referred to as The Man. The cash code for bananas is 4011. This does not constitute legal advice.)
We don't know our neighbours. We'd rather order sugar online than deign to borrow a cup, and I wonder how many of us would actually answer if our neighbours came knocking. Yet something as small as that can erase a whole lot of distance. Consider how full your heart is after a dinner out with friends. Now consider the potluck: an investment of more time than money, the sharing of plates, a tacit act of love. Suddenly we’re paying less for a meal that's feeding both our bodies and our spirits. And what of a cooking party? Everyone brings a couple of ingredients, and makes an evening of it. Now you have the familial joy of making the meal, skillsharing (I know the best way to peel a hard-boiled egg, thank you very much), and probably leftovers for everyone. While this might be hard to organize, there are like minded hacks. For instance, I no longer buy big bags of produce without knowing who I intend to share them with. There's no way I can eat these avocados in time, so I'll casually show up to a friend's with a bunch of them. And everytime I do, I'm met with gratitude. (Editor’s Note: It’s true, every time Dawn shows up with produce, I’m pretty pleased.) Every time I do I feel empowered, in that I have enough to share, and that I'm mitigating the waste of precious resources.
It reminds me of when I was a kid and never had a “babysitter” because I was lucky enough to have family on deck to fill in those blanks. I only know one person who's managed to pull this off in the 21st century. With childcare now a necessity for so many, a trusted figure who can chill one-on-one with a kid in a home setting is ironically a luxury we've all but lost. It’s another way we're kept on our toes and insecure, forcing us to keep our heads down and keep hustling in the hopes that more of the same will somehow free us from the mess it got us into.
So I'm focusing on community, from my nearest and dearest all the way to the people I mostly dig. I still don't know my neighbours, and so I cannot yet love them as myself. I'm also not a fan of loving enemies, so don't wait on me to be turning cheeks. But I am realizing that every time we ask a friend to borrow their easel instead of buying a new one, we’re throwing a wrench into the system. Ok, probably not a whole wrench, but definitely some sand or something. I'm noticing that the more solid my network of people I love and have generous, reciprocal relationships with, the more grounded I feel, and the more capable, too. I’m more satisfied, less likely to doom scroll or participate in retail therapy. Again, that flies in the face of the dream they've sold us and never intended to deliver on. And that, Dear Reader, is how I came to accept that there are forces that profit on keeping us apart. And that makes sharing not only caring, but also a beautiful subversion.
Stay gorgeous, y’all.
Double Feature
Tonight at Bar Notre-Dame-Des-Quilles there is a double bill of comedy starting with the weekly open mic, The Poly Mic at 7:30PM (sign up at 7PM), followed by a new show produced by Lauren Mallory at 9PM!
The Last Comedy Open Mic on a Rocket Ship Into The Sun is described as a STAND-UP/SKETCH HYBRID delivering celestial puns, gallows humour, and something meta about how trivial and comforting it is to work on silly little jokes while our planet rots and civilization crumbles. Cosmic horror meets comedy, it's balm for the reluctant nihilist's soul…
Both events are PWYC!
WHAT: The Poly Mic / The Last Comedy Open Mic On A Rocket Ship Into The Sun
WHERE: Bar Notre-Dame-Des-Quilles, 32 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H2S 1P8
WHEN: Wednesday, March 20 @ 730PM / 9PM
METRO: Beaubien (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
SEXY GROWL
Drag and Burlesque come together for a sexy beast of a show! It promises to explore a diverse animal world full of beautiful danger. Sir Vergon hosts the purrfect lineup featuring Korra Anarchkey, Charlot Bean, Kitty Catcher, Bebe Elle, Maya Iconique, and Dom. This event is $10 or PWYC, and the afterparty is bound to be one to remember!
WHAT: Dragimal Instincts
WHERE: Poubelle Magnifique, 1221 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Friday, March 22, Doors @ 8 PM, Show @ 9 PM, Party @ 11 PM
METRO: Lucien-L'Allier (Orange), Guy-Concordia (Green)
DETAILS: Rock it old school. You know the where and when!
SOCIAL MEDIA IN SPACE
Lyra is a social media star and the first person born on the Moon. Now she must save Earth and her 1 billion followers from certain destruction.
This cosmic comedy explores colonialism and how we use the power granted to us in the spaces we access: whether that be cyberspace, outer space or the space we occupy on the Earth’s land and waters.
Written by Frances Koncan, directed by Krista Jackson, film directed by Sam Vint.
WHAT: Space Girl
WHERE: Concordia VA Building, 1395 René-Lévesque Blvd. W., Montreal, H3G 2M5
WHEN: Saturday, March 23 & Sunday, March 24, Multiple showtimes
METRO: Lucien-L'Allier (Orange), Guy-Concordia (Green)
TICKETS: Imago Theatre
WORLD'S SMALLEST SPECIAL PRESENTATION
You know I don't often boost out of towners (sorry guys, it's less personal than it sounds), but this one's different. Comedian (and author) Eric Johnston is from Hamilton, so it's no surprise he comes to the ol’514 every chance he can. He calls Montreal “every person in Ontario's first love”, and I respond well to civic flattery. This time he's here with his UndeniaBULL tour, and it’ll be a hilarious, energy-packed evening! Featuring local legends, and World's Smallest Comedy Night killers, Walter Lyng and Vance Michel.
The show's at Hurley's, so grab food (it's delish), drinks (always good), and friends (well, I guess that's on you). Make a whole thing of it.
WHAT: The World's Smallest Presents: Eric Johnston UndeniaBULL
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Sunday, March 24, @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien-L'Allier (Orange), Guy-Concordia (Green)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
McSweeney’s List drops every Wednesday with the best events, workshops, and more, each week in Montreal!
