(selected stories, translated by Igor Cvijanović)
INSTANT MAJA
I often travel by bus, train, airplane, minibus, I don’t bribe customs officers, I manage somehow in awkward situations, I turn their disadvantages into advantages, I paint, I like writing, I live in Novi Sad, I love to read and think about the universe, I’m a patriot without a cause, I’ve been to Norway, Poland, Romania, Austria, Montenegro, Germany and other countries, I have my friends Nataša, Marija, Sidsel, I like airplanes, I’m superstitious, I’m of delicate health, I’m romantic, I like jewelry, I like daydreaming, I can speak English and a bit of German, I often take part in art colonies, I don’t smoke, I dream spectacular dreams, I like summer showers, I like swimming, I like beauty, astronomy, and adventures, I’m more inclined to argue than to forgive, I can’t sing, I don’t like modern folk music, I don’t like noise, I design things, I make ceramic art sculptures and video projects, I don’t like to work under pressure, I have lunch at my parents’ on Sunday, I read when I eat, I’m afraid of lunatics, I don’t like pointed shoes or cotton buds, I detest bones, I believe in reincarnation, I like crime films, I like to show off, I like to be seen, I like red wine, green tea, and to sleep in; but I have never introduced myself like this. Maybe it’s because I prefer to remain as quiet as a mouse, to interpret the picture of others with what I know about myself, and to compose that picture by watching others.
The first sentence might be enough to get to know me, dear Diary. Maybe there isn’t more important information about me. I know you crave exciting events, descriptions, important revelations, big ideas, and actions, but your days are only as spectacular as mine, and there are only five of them. And they’re always tiring. It wouldn’t be nice to ignore all those other days, the ones without markers, flags, spectacles, plots, or breaking points. Because that’s what days are like mostly.
Continue reading “DEAR DIARY – Short stories”
