The faulty fluorescent light of the laundromat in the town of Waihī buzzed like an angry fly, casting a flickering glow on the worn-out linoleum. I loaded a dryer of mix-matched wet laundry and then hunched on a hard plastic chair designed for discomfort, arms wrapped tightly around me and wondered what to do. Routinely, I’d go for a walk and check out the charity stores looking for a bargain or visit a local bakery for an unhealthy snack. Discouraged by the cold rainy weather however, I instinctively sought solace in my phone.
A thirty-minute drying cycle. I was confident the time would pass while I lost myself online, keeping up with (dis)information on my gadget. I reached into my left pocket but all I found was an old receipt and a lighter. No gadget. Initial panic ensued, until I recalled that I had left it at home to charge and actually forgot about it. Phone-less, I considered meditating, stretching or snoozing. I contemplated hypnotising myself by watching the revolutions of dryer number 3 with a solitary sock stuck in the door, but that didn’t happen. I felt a little bored. It was then that I noticed a magazine on another chair nearby. What caught my eye was how artistic and colourful the cover was, so I grabbed it, in need of distraction. Its cover was a piece of art with a unique title – COROMIND? My interest piqued, I turned the pages.
The free magazine was filled with an eclectic collection of articles about local art, health, culture, activities, travels, and personal stories, punctuated by the occasional section dedicated to advertising as expected. Besides the content, it offered creative graphics, supplementing the whole experience, making it a much more pleasurable read, rather than just page after page of continuous corporate or commercial language. I was interrupted by a ‘beep’. The dryer cycle had terminated. I gathered my laundry and left the building. While starting my car, for some reason the magazine lingered in my mind, so I went back to retrieve it and then headed home.
The magazine sat on my studio desk for days, hiding a pile of paper procrastination. Still curious, I revisited it, reading it as I sat on my deck sipping a cold beer. I was curious. Why would someone spend so much time and effort providing such an interesting, artful publication for free? I read some fine print, as you do, and there was an ‘invitation’ from the editor for anyone to submit and contribute ideas, artwork or anything creative. There was a disclaimer – there was no guarantee of being published or remunerated. I liked that. It was honest. In the past, I had dabbled in writing short stories and had some saved on my computer for nostalgia. I sent some of them to the editor with nothing to lose and thought nothing more of it.
Days passed, until I received a positive reply from the magazine indicating that they actually liked my stories and would like permission to publish them. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised and flattered. That was more than a year ago, and since then I continue creating for them and enjoy seeing my ramblings supported and appreciated, along with so many other contributors. Coromind is an ambitious and adventurous publication no doubt, but it truly proves its support for local artist(e)s of any kind. Its creative professionalism and dedication to quality deserves its perseverance. Pick up a copy next time you see it in the stands or even just lying around in a laundromat. You won’t regret it.
Words by Amir Yussof
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