Canada day weekend was great. Being with friends, especially you, helped me realize that no matter what happens, I'll be fine. PS. I should have slept in your tent. —Badfish

I STILL love you —From Me

Holy Hotness. To the Chinese guy with the moves like buttah and smile that made my heart melt at the Party Boots Show: I owe you a beer. Thanks for killing the dance floor and burning that guy who thought he knew how to do a proper Russian step! Hopefully I run into you at Jazzfest! All I wanna do is hustle. Mhmmm, xo —1 step forward, 2 steps back

Tonight, June 30, you sat down next to me at the Dartmouth Bridge Terminal. You were wearing a bandana and had an amazing smile. We chatted a bit and I gave you a cigarette instead of you rolling a smoke. I was going to ask you your name and for your phone number and just take a risk, but I chickened out. Silly me. What was the worse thing that could happen? I wish I would have just done it. Now I'll probably never have that opportunity again. —Awkward shy girl

"When you are alone — at sea, in the polar dark — an absence can keep you alive. The one you love maintains your mind. But when she's merely across the city, this is an absence that eats you to the bone."

I think of that excerpt from Anne Michaels' Fugitive Pieces when I miss you, and I miss you more now that you're back than I did when you were away. I think of that excerpt an awful lot. —From me (again)

After three years of living in Halifax during the summers as a university student, I had to move back home to my small town this summer because of Hali's not-so-cheap rent situation. Oh Halifax, how I miss you every day. I did not expect to miss you at all, let alone this much. I miss your busy people, your ocean, your constant reminder that I am so small and just one of these humans wandering around not knowing what I'm doing. In my hometown I am constantly reminded of sedentary life, things not changing, people not growing. Settling with the same old, same old. Being in relationships that kill them slowly. Where is the uncertainty, the excitement, the waves of new ideas and perspectives? The wanderlust? The WANT TO BE SOMETHING MORE? I feel as though I am drowning in the small-town attitude. Halifax, I will be back in September. I cannot rush this beautiful summer (or valuable time spent with my loving family). However, I now realize you give me something that my small town will never be able to...an opportunity to be myself, wide-open and whole-heartedly. Thank you. See you soon, my dear Halifax. —SmallTownGirl

I really do love Halifax. I've been dabbling with barefoot walking to prepare for barefoot running. Today I did my longest barefoot walk and it was amazing. The sidewalks along Spring Garden Road and Robie Street are so well taken care of, it's amazing. I didn't have to dodge glass or sharp rocks. The walk was a breeze and highly enjoyable! —Barefoot Computer Geek

I've recently been Trudeau'd (Is that a verb yet? It should be—look up their love story) by a Haligonian. And it ain't fun—but I still love you Hali, and I will continue to have faith in your weird and wonderful men! —A catch that hasn't been caught yet

You guys kicked it with my nan in emergency Thursday night while she waited for a doctor to see her. In light of the whole situation, you carried on with our ridiculousness for hours. I know it's part of your job to stick around, but your personalities and kindness made all the difference. I didn't catch your names but it was more than a pleasure to meet you both! If i ever see you guys out, I'll buy you a round. Thanks for being amazing and stay safe! (: —Axe-Throwing Granddaughter

Bitch, I'm falling for you. So fucking shape up. —The Sinking Boat