ISSUE 3
GET NAKED
TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES BY JESSICA RHIAN
It doesn’t have to be right now, it can be later, when you are at home alone or in your office with the door closed, maybe the bathroom at the gym- anywhere you feel comfortable and preferably won’t get arrested. There, in your very own space, with your very own lovely company, take a moment to slip into your birthday suit. Feels good doesn’t it? I wonder if you recognise the person in the mirror? (That is given that you aren’t just staring at a total stranger while in the gym bathroom, come on now, let’s not be creepy.) No, I mean your own reflection. The truth is, we take such pains to conceal our naked truths, hiding under a carefully constructed suit of self creation to morph into who we tell ourselves we are, and who we want to be seen as.
My favourite part? That smile. Totally unique. Check you out, looking good with your best smile and best body on. You go getter, you absolute piece of ass. Love it.
UNDERNEATH OUR CLOTHES... WE’RE ALL NAKED This body is yours, these freckles on your chest, these bony knees, this cute little butt, these stretch marks and crows feet.
No one else has these exact features and no one can use them in the way that you do… Every day. That is your gift.
BUGS, SEX & THE SCIENCE CENTRE BY HUNI SOFIA
He turns to say hi, I head for the taxidermy birds.
There I was at The Science Centre, spotting stick insects like a magic eye when he appeared, watching me through the glass for who knows how long.
guy with blonde hair, arm veins protruding to the knuckles. Holy crap not only is he checkin’ me out in a place of science, he’s hot. Pretending not to notice, I slink away with a pout and an air of nonchalance. Semi-unintentionally I brush Like that scene in Romeo & Juliet when they lock eyes past, the energy is magnetic. He through the Aquarium. Through turns to say hi, I head for my periphery I see a tall, burly the taxidermy birds.
Image: Grounded By Jessica Rhian
Busy among the mudfish, a It’s the perfect chance to strike up conversation. Instead I bolt, kid rattles on about poisonous snakes, but I can’t concentrate heart galloping. Down stairs, past dinosaur bones, over the sound of my heartbeat, divided between excitement and out sliding doors. guilt. As if the electric moment by the I have a boyfriend. This can’t insects meant nothing to me. be more than a pipe dream. He’s lingering by the exit, he But I don’t mind leaving it up to fantasy, sometimes speculation sees me. is as good as reality.
Quietly, I flexed my aching muscles and went back to sleep. Waking slowly, last night’s events returned to memory and as became aware of the sensations around me, bare skin on sheets, sunlight in my eyes and the rude barking of the dog next door. Shrugging back into the darkness of sheets and pillows I smiled and returned to memories of last night. It had been epic, four hours nearly and the more confident we became the harder we had pushed ourselves – oh, not that just volleball. We had lunged and dived for shots, tripped and jumped, stretched and swung all in the name of sports, and right now more than a few muscles were procrastinating about the morning.
MUSCLE MEMORY BY STEPH SAXTON
She is all goodness and kindness, she is big blue eyes staring back at me from behind thick glasses, she is the phone call as soon as I came home from work and the constant reminder to live my life to the fullest, as she has. She is not the cancer that ravishes her.
IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.
only elderly lady I know to read 50 She is the tales of her life in Shaeds of Grey, and ask for more. Sweden. A rally car driver, a mother, dog trainer and nurse. She is independence and strength. Hunting rabbits for food in Loving all animals, from birds and winter snow, collecting roots and frogs to the snakes who so often flowers for herbal tea in summer, were found in her bed. kicking her cheating husband out after already too many chances. She is generosity and selflessness, sharing what little She is a journey to a foreign land. she had and never asking for Visitor, nature lover, chef. anything in return. To me she was my neighbour, one of my closest friends and With her little man Hemi, she has by far the most amazing woman brought a greatness of spirit to I’ve ever met. our corner of the world, and to She is character and cheek. everything she touches. We are lucky to have known her, to have She is the belief that at a certain age you no longer have shared in her smiles, her stories and benefited from her love. to wear underwear, and the
I AM WILDRICE
JOURNALISM PHOTOGRAPHY CULTURE STYLE Articles/ Images / Zine Design Wild Rice and RICE zines, est. 2013, are created by Jessica Rhian as an exploration of the world and the stories of wonder within.
by Jessica Rhian ; Guest articles by Sofia Huni & Steph Saxton. Logo Design by Natalie, at Harper House
wildrice-online.com / @wildricetweets / jessica.rhian@gmail.com