Jessica Ruano

Blog

  • Many happy returns

    Many happy returns

    Last Friday was my mother’s birthday. After I called her in the morning to wish her a happy one, she followed up with an email inviting me over for dinner and cake that evening. I walked into my roommate’s bedroom, sat down next to her, and sobbed. I hadn’t been to my parents’ house, my… Read more

  • Living the (naked) dream

    Living the (naked) dream

    You know that dream where you show up to class and you’re totally naked and everyone is looking at you? Yeah, that’s pretty much what I do for work. Hi, my name is Jessica, and I’m a professional life model. Mainly it involves posing – often nude – for varying lengths of time in the… Read more

  • In support of Ottawa’s anti-renoviction bylaw

    In support of Ottawa’s anti-renoviction bylaw

    I was invited by ACORN Ottawa to deliver the following statement at City Hall on Wednesday April 24th. Councillor Ariel Troster’s motion for city staff to study the possibility of an Ottawa anti-renoviction bylaw was passed by city council today. This is an important step towards preserving existing affordable housing in Ottawa. Congrats to everyone… Read more

  • United Way: Jessica is healing from suicide loss

    United Way: Jessica is healing from suicide loss

    Originally published on United Way East Ontario, February 2024 In the weeks after my girlfriend died by suicide, I recognized I needed support in managing my grief. I was especially concerned about how I would continue to care for my then-two-year-old daughter as a solo parent while dealing with the complex rollercoaster of emotions that… Read more

  • REVIEW Apt613: Skin Songs

    REVIEW Apt613: Skin Songs

    By Sarah Crookall. Originally published on Apt613.If you happened across Strathcona Park without headphones last week, you might have seen four graceful figures in red moving in front of a captivated group of onlookers. Actually, the dance-theatre experience Skin Songs was a performance made whole through on-site Wi-Fi and Zoom. With this virtual accompaniment, the formative tales of… Read more

  • REVIEW Exeunt Magazine: Sappho in 9 fragments

    REVIEW Exeunt Magazine: Sappho in 9 fragments

    Written by M.F. Jones. Originally published by Exeunt Magazine. I think I fancy a lesbian from the 7th century BC. If she was anything like this shapely seductress swinging from a scaffold, then I definitely would. And don’t think me inappropriate for saying so – the character in question, the queen of erotic poetry herself,… Read more