Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in mary_j_59's LiveJournal:

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Wednesday, August 13th, 2008
10:39 pm	Stump and Stone (a drabble) Here is a brief drabble I wrote in the Room of Requirement on the last day of Terminus. It came so easily to me that I'm half afraid I may be copying - if someone has seen something like it before, please tell me! authorMary-j-59 TitleStump and Stone Genre Short story, genfic, g-rated. I am leaving you to guess the fandom - that's the point! ( Read more... ) Current Mood: accomplished (Comment on this)
10:19 pm	Terminus! (among other things)- Well, we are back, and we had a blast! Draco and the Malfoys like us! Kids were asking us to sign their T-shirts! Eek! More under the cut, because I'm rambling a bit. ( Read more... ) Current Mood: bouncy (14 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, July 27th, 2008
11:25 pm	Quote of the week: Well, neither my sister nor I won the Waterstones short story competition. A pity, since our stories were good, but there were lots of good stories - and, as Americans, we weren't eligible for the prizes, anyway. She said something to me, though, that made us both laugh. I was working on the second story for Sigune, and my sister has been critiquing. After reading the first section, she commented: "Eew! It's a shame that you write so much better than Rowling. But eew!" It's a shame I write better than Rowling? I suppose that's one point of view! Now I'm waiting to hear what Sigune thinks of the story before posting it to Snapedom. Current Mood: amused (Comment on this)
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
10:40 pm	well, I took that chess test that's going around- - and I was pleased by the result. I am trying to paste it below (because I'm not a joiner): ( Read more... ) Current Mood: amused (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, July 14th, 2008
10:36 pm	Yay! If all goes well, I am going to be a published author! I emailed a background myth for the novel I am writing to Mythic Circle and just got an email back from the editor; she admired it and wants to publish it in the summer, 2009 edition. So I will be officially in print!! Hopefully I may even have a draft of the novel finished by then. It's coming along well so far (if slowly) in spite of my computer woes. Unfortunately, since I'm seeking print publication, I don't think I can post it here, but the copyright will revert to me after printing. And those woes aren't as bad as they could be. It seems, one way or another, I will have a working machine by the end of the week (my music teacher offered to give me her old one, and mine is at the shop to see if it's fixable - the young man there thought it might be.) Current Mood: accomplished (35 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, July 7th, 2008
11:13 pm	That book meme (thanks, Eeyore and a few others)- I gather there is a list of 100 books going round. Bold the ones you have read; underline the ones you loved; italics for those you intend to read. It doesn't say what to do for those you started, but couldn't finish! Here goes (and please note; I"m not an expert at html and am not sure how to bold and underline at the same time, as Eeyore did so neatly. So obviously I read everything I unerlined!): I'd better put this under a cut, since it's long- ( Read more... ) Current Mood: geeky (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, June 29th, 2008
9:24 am	19th-century Mores (yay!) Travis Prinzi got back to me with a very nice note last night, so all systems are go! He and I disagree strongly on (1) theology and (2) the way we see the "Potter books", but he liked my paper, anyway. :) It may still need a little editing, but I do think it makes sense. Here goes: Author mary-j-59 Title J.K. Rowling and the mores of the 19th century Genre essay, about 3,000 words. G-rated Credits Thanks to Bohemianspirit, Raisin-gal, and Cardigrl, whose posts and the resulting discussions inspired me, Travis Prinzi for allowing me to quote, and my sister for her comments and encouragement. The essay follows the cut: ( Read more... ) Current Mood: accomplished (146 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, June 27th, 2008
11:21 pm	Doris Lessing's Story- The great novelist Doris Lessing wrote a beautiful story for the Waterstones charity book (the one for which Rowling wrote the infamous prequel.) The story is available on the website, but, since it is difficult to read her handwriting, I am typing it out for those who are interested. ( Read more... ) Current Mood: awake (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, June 21st, 2008
12:38 am	Swish and Flick on Youtube: This one is rated pg 13 for language - but the song is very relevant to what we've been discussing lately! The performance was one Deirdre and I also played at; it was the first time we'd heard this group - or Celestial Warmbottom, who's fantastic - and we were instantly fans. ( Read more... ) Current Mood: cheerful (Comment on this)
Sunday, June 8th, 2008
12:27 am	waterstones competition- Well - my original short story having been far too long, here is the drabble/prose poem I submitted just now to the Waterstones short story competition. I'm very pleased with it, actually; it's the first "Christopher" story I ever thought of, and I'd never considered doing it in this style or from this pov. Here goes - not under a cut because it's g-rated and very short: Skateboard You're NEARLY 10, you say. Old enough. You want a skateboard. At first, I scream inside my head, "NO!" I'm a nurse. I've seen what happens. Greenstick fractures, concussions, even worse. I fear for you. I fear hard stone and pavement, tons of moving metal. I fear gravity. But I lock my thoughts behind my lips. We agree: you'll get your board. On Christmas Day, you rush outside, a gawky fledgling, knees bent, wings outstretched. Then, oh then (my reward) I see you take to the air, fearless, and fly. Current Mood: accomplished (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
10:41 pm	North American accents quiz, stolen from bluestocking79 Well, this is the second time I've taken this quiz, and I come out a Northeasterner - which is exactly right. I'm from Connecticut. </form> What American accent do you have? Created by Xavier on Memegen.net Northeastern. You're probably from somewhere near New York City, possibly north Jersey, or Connecticut or Rhode Island. If you are from New York City you may be one of the types who people never believe when you say you're from New York. If you are not from here, you are probably one of the following: (a) A Philadelphian who can't stand the way other Philadelphians say "on"; (b) A Yat from New Orleans; or (c) Someone from England, Australia, or New Zealand, in which case why are you doing this quiz in the first place? Take this quiz now - it's easy! We're going to start with "cot" and "caught." When you say those words do they sound the same or different? Same Same, no wait I mean different, maybe, a little bit different... Different (9 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
6:23 pm	Various things (perhaps somewhat controversial) It's seemed a long time since I've posted here - this one will cover at least two subjects, perhaps three. The first - the Nakba - is somewhat controversial, so it's under a cut. ( Read more... ) Current Mood: contemplative (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, May 5th, 2008
10:24 pm	Pictures meme (tagged by Hope_24) Hope did this a while ago; it's a fascinating meme, but I found it a bit difficult. Asked to name five books or pieces of music that influenced me/speak to me/express my beliefs, I could do it very easily - the problem would be stopping at five! To name five influential paintings was a bit more difficult for me. Anyway, the challenge was to pick and post five pictures/paintings and explain why they are meaningful to you, and then pick five people to do the same. I'm tagging Anne Arthur, professor mum, sander123, sigune (if you haven't done it already) and sydpad (if you have time, because you're also a graphic artist). And anyone else who wants to is free to grab this! Now the pictures, under a cut for length: ( Read more... ) (11 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, April 26th, 2008
10:41 pm	Politics - While browsing some alternate online news sources, I came across an article that states exactly what I feel about the democratic primary. Here is the link: http://www.counterpunch.org/santina04232008.html I don't normally post about politics, but this said it so perfectly, IMO- Also, I saw Bill Moyers conversing with the infamous Reverend Wright last night on PBS. My conclusion: based on what I saw, having had this man as a spiritual mentor is by no means a bad thing. I got the strong impression that some of the reverend's more inflammatory comments must have been taken out of context and then blown out of proportion. In the bit of conversation I saw, he came across as passionate (to be sure), but also intelligent, sincere, and knowledgeable about both his Protestant faith and his community. No, he's not perfect. Yes, he's said some things I do not necessarily agree with. But he struck me as a thoughtful man of deep faith. I was surprised - and more favorably impressed than I'd expected to be. That's it for me. I'm getting more and more reluctant to discuss politics as I get older, but comments are of course welcome! (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 17th, 2008
11:38 pm	An original poem (copyrighted to me): I just tweaked this a bit, and would appreciate comments; it may need a rewrite. Behind a cut because it's a bit grim (and to hide it from anyone that hates poetry, especially free verse!) ( Read more... ) Current Mood: anxious (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, April 14th, 2008
7:20 pm	I just got tagged by Hope 24 (song meme) Five favorite songs by five favorite bands: (and I have a question. What if you can't think of five songs you love by any given band? Help!) Anyway, here goes - it's under the cut. And I am tagging (only if you want to do it, and haven't done it already, Anne Arthur, Sigune, Nemesister, Thirteen Ravens, cardigrl. ( Read more... ) (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
10:24 pm	dialect meme snagged from Hope 24 (and a lot of other people): I just couldn't resist this one, and so had to steal it! Feel free to steal it from me: ( Read more... ) (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 10th, 2008
11:28 pm	a real life hero (followed by a minor rant-) Recently, my Mom cut out an obituary from the NY Times; it was of the death of the oldest living WWI vet in France. I think we all read it and were very impressed by this man's decency and common sense. The obituary follows - under a cut, because it's long: ( Read more... ) Current Mood: thoughtful (20 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
5:39 pm	Teen music video meme: I copied this from R.J. Anderson. You're to search youtube for some band you listened to frequently in your young youth, find a video you like, and then post it on your journal. This is mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hk13Dn7ePY I'm afraid you'll have to click on the link since I don't know how to actually insert the video - hope it works! I really did listen to them a lot as a teen, and still do - I fell in love with their music when our mom bought us a record in Ireland when we were 15. The other people I was listening to intensively at that age included Dufay, Machaut, Bizet, Bach, and especially Schubert - also the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel. This was in the 70s, btw - I got into New Wave in the 80s, especially the B52s, the Talking Heads, Blondie, and most of all U2 (who were actually considered New Wave back then). But I was in my early 20s then. Current Mood: cheerful (Comment on this)
Friday, March 28th, 2008
4:02 pm	a great library podcast- Hi, everyone - my sister asked me to link to the kisco cast from my blog, so I'm doing it. It's a g- to pg- rated cast for all ages, about books, music and animals (mostly, so far). This is the special St Patrick's day edition, and we hope the code will work- Hi everyone, I posted an episode to my podcast, The Mount Kisco Library -- I hope the code works. (I just selfishly want to get more listeners) Take care! Love, Deirdre Podcast. Click this link to check it out: Kiscocast: The Special St. Patricks Day Edition of the Mount Kisco Library Podcast. - Mount Kisco <img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/CIMP/Jmx*PTEyMDY3Mjk2MTkzNzUmcHQ9MTIwNjcyOTYyNzI5NiZwPTg*NjgxJmQ9Jm49.jpg" / Current Mood: anxious (1 Comment |Comment on this)