Fatal Distraction

Also by the author Temper, Temper

INSOMNIAC PRESS

Copyright © 2004 by Sonja Ahlers All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher or, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a license from Access Copyright, 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1900, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5E 1E5. Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Ahlers, Sonja Fatal distraction / Sonja Ahlers.

ISBN 1-894663-69-1 I. Title. PS8551.H53F382004

C818'.5407

C2004-903950-4

The publisher gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program. Printed and bound in Canada Insomniac Press 192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 403 Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2C2 www.insomniacpress.com

This book is dedicated to my Grandpa Alexander Davidson Ahlers It is not so much the content But the work having gone in

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Author's Notes This is a book about obsession obsessively put together. It may be read in a random sort of way or front to back. Each page is a page unto itself. There is a narrative that has been cobbled together. The material in this book spans five years and was assembled entirely by hand. SA

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Im like T canV

with a running commentary

QUOTATION (kwo ta' shan), n. (The quotation m are indic.ifed.) The curved index and middle finge both hand 1 , held palms out, move slightly to e side of she body, as if drawing quotation marks ir air. Also CAPTION, cm-, QUOTE, SO-CALLED, SUB.I THEMB, TlTLfc, 'TOPIC.

I know I survived the hard times bv being obsessed.

*§et&

I do & don't

W$ ONE W0UL0 p^(C

this, as though she is experienced in matters of crumbling. "I really like The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand," she says. "Her philosophy is that you're worthless if you're not out for yourself."

On the way out of the room I stole a couple of cookies.

coppycot

"TWIN STRESS SYNDROME"

"Tofu"

You need never be at a loss for ideas.

I'm so completly over-

shelmed by th bullshit of flife

"But you just do what you do.

She always wore the rubber band '.around her ankle, just in case she needed it. Her 'mother told her that was a very dangerous thing to do. It could stop all the blood from circulating and then she'd be dead| But -• • -. • didn't believe it.

me. My best friend from high school was committed to a mental, hospital when she was 18. She always said to me that it is the family that is crazy, the entire family. Of course, only one person can serve the time."

'''

Everything's Rad!''

POEMS

OF

TO-DAY

7. ON THE TOILET TABLE OF QUEEN MARIE-ANTOINETTE was her table, these her trim outspread T insBrushes and trays and porcelain cups for red ; Here sate she, while her women tired and curled The most unhappy head in all the world.

J. B. B. Nichols.

Exercises to Do in Bed: 1. Stretch: raise arms overhead, point toes, feel every muscle lengthening. Relax. Repeat three times. 2. With your^arms out to the sides at shoulder level, - draw your knees up to your chest Lower (don't drop) your knees to the risht as you twist your waist, upper torso, and head to the left. Reverse directions and repeat five times on each side. 3. Lying on your back, raise your legs straight up to make a right angle with your body. Slowly lower them to a count of ten. Tighten stomach muscles to control your legs as you lower them. 4. In the same position, raise legs and bicycle for sixty seconds. '•

"I'm not hungry," I said. "Then how about helping m© with this clean-up? Lake Dad said, it's better if you can keep yourself busy." 1

Figure 5, Cap and mask worn by Merrick on excursions outside his rooms.

All fadest clothes

''ped se''

You can the purse if you like.

BE BLACK BABY

"Heh heh heh heh." "Yeah. Heh heh." "Sucks."

SjomacWS*

I want 2 sit mext 2 you

BILLY Cruise chicks. N.ORMAN

Um „ . , ? , ; ' • ' ' - / ,' • • ' . - • ' . . -• ', -BILLY ' '

•.'

Meet 'em. Girls. Try to pick them up. NORMAN