ISSUE 3

GET NAKED

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.

TAKE OFF YOUR

CLOTHES

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.

BY JESSICA RHIAN

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.

UNDERNEATH OUR CLOTHES...

WE’RE ALL NAKED

There I was at The ScienceCentre, spotting stick insects like a magic eye when heappeared, watching me through the glass for who knows how long.

Like that scene in Romeo & Juliet when they lock eyes through the Aquarium. Through my periphery I see a tall, burly

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

past, the energy is magnetic. He turns to say hi, I head for

the taxidermy birds.

He turns to say hi, I head for the

taxidermy birds.

Busy among the mudfish, a kid rattles on about poisonous snakes, but I can’t concentrate over the sound of my heartbeat, divided between excitement and guilt. I have a boyfriend. This can’t be more than a pipe dream.He’s lingering by the exit, he sees me.

It’s the perfect chance to strike up conversation. Instead I bolt,

heart galloping. Down stairs, past dinosaur bones,

out sliding doors.

As if the electric moment by the insects meant nothing to me.

But I don’t mind leaving it up to fantasy, sometimes speculation

is as good as reality.

BUGS, SEX & THE SCIENCE

CENTREBY HUNI SOFIA

Image: Grounded By Jessica Rhian

MUSCLEMEMORY

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.

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. She is the tales of her life in Sweden. A rally car driver, a mother, dog trainer and nurse. Hunting rabbits for food in winter snow, collecting roots and flowers for herbal tea in summer, kicking her cheating husband out after already too many chances.

She is a journey to a foreign land. Visitor, nature lover, chef. To me she was my neighbour, one of my closest friends andby far the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.

She is character and cheek. She is the belief that at a certain age you no longer have to wear underwear, and the

only elderly lady I know to read 50 Shaeds of Grey, and ask for more.

She is independence and strength. Loving all animals, from birds and frogs to the snakes who so often

were found in her bed.

She is generosity andselflessness, sharing what little

she had and never asking for anything in return.

With her little man Hemi, she has brought a greatness of spirit to our corner of the world, and to

everything she touches. We are lucky to have known her, to have shared in her smiles, her stories

and benefited from her love.

IN OUR HEARTS

FOREVER.

I AM WILDRICEJOURNALISM

PHOTOGRAPHYCULTURE

STYLEWild Rice and RICE zines, est. 2013, are created by Jessica Rhian as an exploration of the world and the stories of wonder within.

Articles/ Images / Zine Design 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