"When you can, you owe me a coffee date. And you know, since I've been your coffee dealer, I've handed out a lot of I-O-Us."

Léo a week after I told him I can no longer afford to buy coffee.

"Life without art is stupid."

Bumper sticker on travel van parked just up the street.

"I hope this place doesn't change. Maybe, if I can, I'd like to raise a family here. I want my kids to see how much life is here. How much there is. I think I'm in love with here."

Léo said as we were driving back into the neighbourhood.

"I try not to subscribe to things like that. They can become ritualistic and that's something I'm trying to avoid."

Mars** after showing us his functional garden. My friend Max** asked whether he checked out the farmers market earlier that day.

Names** changed for privacy

"Don't forget about me! You're young, so you might!"

Person yelling as they walk down the street. Heard sounds of kids laughing in the distance.

"I'm sorry. I'm just processing; I'm tired of processing everything! All I can do is process, process, process, process. I've tried reaching out to people, but I don't think I even have the capacity for that."

10:48 pm. Person on the phone walking by. They smoked two cigarettes before they were out of hearing range.

"Here, all we have are the double-C's: cannabis and coffee shops. Go a little further east and glasses stores can thrown in the mix."

Léo as we walked along Queen West.

"The only good thing that came out of getting laid off is being able to get out of the city."

Manon after I asked her how work is going.

"I think downtown is catching-up to Queen West. Ossington is practically SoHo. Watch the scene start to trickle-in here. I bet a lot will change this summer. I don't think I'm looking forward to it."

Cassy** after his second drink at a local pub.

"I love all my customers. I don't know what I'm going to do next. If you know anywhere that is hiring, let them know I'm available!"

Employee at local restaurant that is now closed.

"See Mara**, life is beautiful. You can do this; see the light. The sun is out again. Everyone is outside for the summer. Time is waiting for you."

Mom said out of the blue during a sunset stroll.

Name** changed for privacy.

"I'm nervous, but I'm not worried about it. Does that make sense? I know, I should be worried about starting up another business, but I feel like, this time, it will stick."

Couple walking their dogs outside my home. I admire their optimism.

"Maybe I should stop giving a fuck. No one gives a fuck about me. Why should I, you know, do the same?"

Two friends walking their bikes on the sidewalk.

"I find we often place a narrative surrounding profound emotions--like grief--where we would've liked for a certain outcome, but ultimately it didn't happen. We can only do so much to cope with our realities."

Sammy** consoling me at Drew's** party.

Names** changed for privacy.

"I like glancing into others' houses from this balcony; see what they're doing. Not in a creepy way, of course! I just want to feel like I'm a part of something. Isn't it so interesting? You get to see many moments of life happening simultaneously"

Lou** smoking on the balcony at Drew's** birthday party. We were the only two outside when she said this. I changed the subject shortly after.

Names** changed for privacy.

"People are just walking by like they don't give a shit. And I'm doing nothing also, just walking by. I guess I'm just like them."

Léo when he didn't have spare cash to lend.

"I wish I could do more creatively, without school, or needing to make things to survive. I just want to be creative, but that's, apparently, a luxury."

Said Jesse** on FaceTime as I passed by some local artwork.