Yesterday, X-R-A-Y published my short story “Ogopogo Lives.” It’s been in the cue for a while now, and I’m pleased as punch to see it out in the world.
The first two paragraphs are my best work at recalling Canada Day in 2003, the summer I spent in downtown Kelowna. From there, the story takes on a flight of fancy, after our narrator Kevin encounters real-life local legend Mr. Awesome busking down on Pandosy or whichever street that is down there (I can’t recall the geography, exactly, and can’t be bothered to look it up).
Mr. Awesome, aka Roy Robins, is as sweet a dude as you can imagine. He used to play bass in HippieCritz, one of my favourite punk bands from the good ol’ days when times were bad. He used to throw big shakers out at his place near Winfield, B.C. Broke my foot out there, once too.
I’m a big fan of X-R-A-Y, which published my story “The Coat” about two years ago now. For me, landing that story with this platform was a big break, as far as I was/am concerned. I’m proud to have the piece among such fine company. Thanks to Elizabeth Crowder for her thoughtful edits, the X-R-A-Y team for all they do, and to Bob Schofield for the beauty illustration. Cheers!
Hope you’re all doing well out there. I’ll have a few new pieces coming your way over the next couple months. Otherwise, like most of y’all, I’ll just be trying to get through whatever this old world throws our way. All the best, amigos.