Nobody Plays a Song Just to Reach the End · Week 43
By Luca Bonafede · October 25, 2026 ·
A lot can happen in a week.
Even in a slow one. This was the slowest week since June. I moved through Life like a sloth, and I hated it. Slow motion is for people who are already dead.
Part of the reason might be that I chained myself to a chair to finally do something I’ve been procrastinating on for a while. It’s easier for me to run a race than to sit three hours straight at a laptop. The race at least has a finish line and a banana.
Had a decent entrecôte poutine in Old Québec. Acted like a dog owner for about 45 seconds. Long enough to feel the pride, short enough to skip the responsibility.
Went to see a couple of beautiful bridges on a beautiful sunny day. Nobody was in a hurry, least of all me.
Then I found my forever nightclub, for as long as I’m here.
The first time I walked in, a song was playing that made me pull out my phone and Shazam it on the spot: “Great Southern Land” by Cassian and Icehouse (2023), a remake of the 1982 Australian classic. I knew right there and then that this was going to be one of my favourite places in town. The building is structured exactly the way I like it, it reminded me a lot of ARQ, my party place in Sydney, and it is walking distance from home. Absolutely fantastic vibes. An Australian anthem, in a Québec club that feels like Sydney: that is the song of the week.
Monsoons in Darwin in 2012. ARQ in Sydney in 2014. Once I fall in love with a place, I’m loyal, and this one has absolutely great music. I hadn’t felt that kind of night since Amsterdam in May, so I’m calling it: Québec City just joined the list. It may be a bit early for that, but let’s see.
The photos from the Terry Fox Run in St. John’s a month ago finally got posted. The photographer captured the exact expression of most of my races: underfed, still thinking about the night before, having gone straight from bed to the start line. Not from this week, but too funny to leave out. Don’t mind my “need to sleep” face.
Also won a limited edition Canada pasta. Not a metaphor. Just pasta.
I like to be surrounded by people who push in Life. The ones who are not standing still, waiting for things to happen to them. They make things happen. Around people like that, even a slow week feels like it’s going somewhere.
Three full weeks in Québec City, and it still looks like it’s showing off, especially on a full moon night.
Maybe the slow weeks are the ones doing the real work. I treat Life like a race to be won, when it’s closer to music: nobody plays a song just to reach the end.
Another great week worth living. Even if in slow motion.
A lot can happen in a week.
Thank you, and ciao for now.
Luca Bonafede
Quebéc City, QC, Canada 🇨🇦
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