Much like my routine I describe below (or rather lack thereof), my appetite for writing will disappear for weeks and then resurge in full at a moment’s notice.

I don’t believe in creativity striking. The best writers are the ones capable of sitting down without fail day over day until something slightly better than dribble hits the page.

Likewise, I doubt any of those illustrious writers has ever turned down the rare blessing that is… when inspiration strikes.

Today was one of those lucky days.

Small Town Habits 🤝 Big City Chaos

I was having a hard time reconciling with my inevitable spiral away from the simple, habitual life I led in the States.

Living abroad and prioritizing experiences is not conducive to anything resembling a routine.

For a while, that caused an identity crisis. So, I wrote about it.

Cue Banjo Music

I submitted this story for a writing competition—it didn’t win.

A year ago, that might’ve been a massive blow to my writer’s ego. Now, I don’t really mind either way.

I write for my future self. If it appeals to others enough to garner praise and a bit of extra dough, then my future self gets an extra couple of dry martinis down the line.

If not, then I still maintain my writer’s integrity. That’s what I value most.

Barrio Chatter

I cross fewer borders than I used to now. While my world is reduced to a handful of blocks some days, it would be disingenuous to assume there are fewer stories to dig up. When the scoop is there, I’ll share the latest on-goings from my barrio (neighborhood), hot off the presses.

There are a few stereotypes here in Buenos Aires that I’ve find withstand for fair reason.

Your laundry will likely be pressed a Japanese dry cleaner. The nearest fruit stand has a high chance of being Venezuelan-run. And your cheapest grocery store for all things from rice to toilet paper to wine is called a chino.

Why are they called chinos? Because they are mostly owned and operated by Chinese immigrants.

They’re not always the easiest to crack either…

Thanks for reading Ferg’s Focus! My goal is to share the occasional glimpse of life on the road as I know it. If you learn something along the way, then I’m even better for it.

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Until the next,

-Ferg