The Ex is finally over, hallelujah, but they of course ended with the sonic torture that is the air show. Yahlehly reflects as-it-happened this past weekend:

crossing the street by drake patio when out of nowhere an incredible thunder PIERCES the atmosphere & sends vibrations through the air

diners, pedestrians, both outdoors & in, throw up their arms or duck to shield themselves from sudden unknown dangers

i stop mid-crosswalk, hunch & plug my ears—i’d be useless under attack, apparently

as the moment passes we collectively realize we’re in no immediate danger & that the sound did not emit from a bomb or explosion

but from a show ‘plane (likely the hornet or thunderbolt) probably meant to mark the kickoff of the CNE airshow

people don’t laugh at themselves, nor are we impressed, the collective feeling is grim
i keep trying but fail to describe it

my heart thought it died

three blocks later…

while watching a less threatening red bi-plane perform stunts off in the smoggy distance

guy: did you hear that ‘plane earlier? i thought the world was gonna end

me: yeah. it. did. not. feel. good.

attempts at breaking the sound barrier over downtown toronto should be illegal
*to my dad who adores airshows & who is probably laughing at my apparent cowardice

understand, this was not an ordinary show ‘plane sound, not like the ones that startle me awake this time each year

those i’ve sort of gotten used to, sort of

i thought i felt terror before but this was wholly different
it was a singular boom & vibration that for an instant felt truly like the end of my world

bad bad vibes

i blame it for all the melancholy i’ve felt since