Shout out to the woman who paid for the groceries of the man in line behind her without telling him. He was in disbelief when I told him and it made both our days. Warms my heart to see there are people doing things like this!
—The cashier

To the woman in the T-Rex cardigan: Thanks for making it so enjoyable to listen to terrible truths. I needed a reminder that live music—that a great performance—is a distinct way to experience music.
—Practicing to sound as clear as you

I had a parent taken to the hospital for emergency surgery for this week. I was scared to death, but all of the hospital staff were so kind. Thank you so much for taking care of my family. I'm forever grateful.
—Thankful child

Thank you to the workers at Purdy's Wharf who, at 3am, had to deal with me stepping in their wet cement. I had had a long night and apparently became careless and disoriented in your work zone. You were so forgiving and friendly—and one of you sweethearts even cleaned off my sneakers with a sponge. Total angels! Thank you!
—Pedway zombie

I was in a hell of a state, not doin' good, away from home and going to school. You were the most beautiful and charming girl I'd ever met and I proceeded to fuck up real hard just trying to talk to you.
This happened years ago. I can't say i enjoy the memory. I don't believe you're going to read this, but I still remember you clear as day. As painful as the recollection is, I can't seem to get rid of it.
Well if you do remember me, I hope you don't think I'm too pathetic.—Maybe my brain problems will erase you one day

To the random chick on Barrington Street at around 1pm today: Thanks for actually stopping to help when I epically face-planted because Mother Nature likes ice in winter. It was really kind and I appreciate it! Please continue to be a kind genuine human being (there is not enough out there).
—Epically clumsy

I previously wrote about my woes of being evicted by my longtime landlords, signed CrustyinColeHarbour. As it turns out, that eviction was the best damn thing to happen all year! I had no idea just how miserable that dingy, overpriced basement apartment was making me until I found my lovely sunny new apartment with a view of the harbour with a lot less noise for a lot less dough! Win win and win!
—Diggin' downtown

I felt the same way: That I knew you in a past life—if you are who I think you are. Let's be honest, you never did let me in. You did every little maneuver to keep me at arm's length even though I let you in. You would make a fuss whenever I tried to plan something in advance and acted like me using a day planner was akin to torture by the Gestapo. You decided to be Josephine Cool and ghost me. I am happy that we didn't work out because it forced me to face a shit ton of ugly truths about what I want in life and who I need and want in it. Sadly, you're not one of them—especially after you blamed me for your depression and not eating and sleeping, even though I offered to pay for a counsellor. I just hope you are treating your current boyfriend better than you did me.
—Sorry not sorry

On Christmas morning I sat down to read the Coast as the household settled in to their routines, and found their spots to settle for the unwrapping. I didn't know Willard, and I don't know Lewis, but this memorial was so well-written and so touching. It has me in tears. The camaraderie, the friendship, the love that develops between neighbours, and in the best neighbourhood, at that, is something that continues to make Halifax the gem that it is. I've been in this city for the better part of a decade, and I've lived in quite a number of rentals where it was barely affordable but we made it our home. Nowhere, in Halifax, do I feel as much at home as I do in this neighbourhood. This one, in the article. The one, bordered by the citadel, the commons, the harbourfront, and possibly the Hydrostone, depending on where you draw your boundary lines. Never has a neighbourhood been so maligned, and chewed up, and spat out. I recall being only a child, and warned away from "the square", without even knowing what/ where it was. I think maybe that person was trying to keep the best part of the city, and most of the best people in it, a secret, so that it could be treasured. Lewis, I am sorry for your loss.
—North end neighbourhood lover

To the cute guy who sat three seats down from me at Vice this afternoon at MicMac Mall. You had longish hair and glasses, I had red hair and a big sweater. I meant to smile back and you but was momentarily too shy.—Boxing Day bold