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kownroom on "Kids Make the Best Bookies: A Mafia Memoir (and MORE!)"

kownroom — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:08:02 +0000

Hope you will read my latest post--this one about the years I spent living in government-subsidized housing.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/home-is-where-the-doilies-live-revising-portraits-of-public-housing/

Enjoy!

kownroom on "Kids Make the Best Bookies: A Mafia Memoir (and MORE!)"

kownroom — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 11:11:43 +0000

This post is off-topic for me, but I bet you'll never guess what the Beatles, Santa, and your local mail carrier have in common. This most recent post to my blog will, at long last, put you in the know.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/what-the-beatles-santa-and-your-local-mail-carrier-have-in-common/

Check it out!

kownroom on "Kids Make the Best Bookies: A Mafia Memoir (and MORE!)"

kownroom — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:23:53 +0000

I'm writing a memoir about my mafia childhood, about my father having made his money in organized crime, sometimes even involving my siblings and me in the process.

Check out my posts about this particular past—and other writing along the way that deviates in the direction of art and my partner's work in international disaster response. (I sometimes even write about blogging, gardening, and my battle with bipolar disorder.)

A link to the first chapter of my memoir is below:
http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/an-adolescent-munch-encounters-the-fbi/

But as you scroll down, you’ll find links to my latest posts.

I'm currently doing a creative project that is related to my memoir--transforming a staircase into art:
http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/stepping-up-and-looking-back-more-redemption-in-paper-and-paint/

Hope you’ll stop by and join the fun—maybe even subscribe and leave a comment. I can’t wait to meet you!

jostaffordjr on "Free Art -- No Catch! No Fooling!"

jostaffordjr — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 06:57:16 +0000

Pop surrealist painter Christian Cinder created a painting for my blog, Why It Matters. I love it so much I made postcards out of it. Want one for your cubicle wall? No strings, just send me an address and I'll send you a cool little reproduction.

You can see Cinder's painting here: http://wp.me/p1caRd-11Q

kownroom on "Why I'M AN HONEST LIAR (EPIC ADVENTURES IN FAILURE)"

kownroom — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:49:20 +0000

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by. It was wonderful having you and your comments!

kownroom on "Why I'M AN HONEST LIAR (EPIC ADVENTURES IN FAILURE)"

kownroom — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:10:29 +0000

Hope you'll check out the latest post to my blog--this one about the failures we sometimes experience in the writing life.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/why-im-an-honest-liar-epic-adventures-in-failure/

Thanks so much!

Hugs,
Kathy

kownroom on "BOOKIE IN HEAVEN (A FATHER'S DAY LETTER)"

kownroom — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:13:01 +0000

Thanks to everyone who stopped by today. So great to have you.
Hugs,
Kathy

kownroom on "BOOKIE IN HEAVEN (A FATHER'S DAY LETTER)"

kownroom — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:33:01 +0000

Hope you will read my newest post about growing up in an organized crime family. This one is a Father's Day letter to my dad.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/bookie-in-heaven-a-fathers-day-letter/

Thanks so much.

Hugs,
Kathy

kownroom on "SMALL TOWN GIRL MARRIES MAFIA MAN: PHOTO EDITION"

kownroom — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:19:15 +0000

Hope you will read my recent post about growing up in an organized crime family--this one about my parents wedding.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/small-town-girl-marries-mafia-man-photo-edition/

Thanks so much.

Hugs,
Kathy

kownroom on "A Cig and a Swig: Mobster Marine Images Korea"

kownroom — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:02:25 +0000

Hope you will read the latest post in my memoir series--this one about my mafia father's service in Korea during the 1950s.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/a-cig-and-a-swig-mobster-marine-images-korea/

Thanks for reading!

Hugs,
Kathy

kownroom on "CALL ME THE SHIT WHISPERER"

kownroom — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:18:57 +0000

I hope you will read this draft of my mafia memoir's second chapter.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/call-me-the-shit-whisperer-memoir-chapter-2/

Hugs,
Kathy

kownroom on "An Adolescent Munch Encounters the FBI"

kownroom — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:09:21 +0000

Hope you'll read this post about my memoir's first chapter. My book's working title is "Odds: A Mafia Childhood."

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/an-adolescent-munch-encounters-the-fbi/

Let me know what you think. Thanks--------

Hugs,
Kathy

kownroom on "A Childhood Gambled on God and the Mob"

kownroom — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:34:19 +0000

I've finished a draft of my memoir's first chaper, beginning it with my interview of former, Haitian dictator Baby Doc Duvalier last year in Port-au-Prince. Growing up with a mafia father and religiously fanatical mother, I've long grappled with notions of good and evil, a dissonance triggered again by interviewing "bad-guy" Duvalier that motivated me to seriously pursue a memoir-writing project.

http://reinventingtheeventhorizon.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/a-childhood-gambled-on-god-and-the-mob-good-news/

I hope you'll take a look.

Hugs,
Kathy

ragandboneshopdotcom on "Every Band I've Ever Been In"

ragandboneshopdotcom — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:39:12 +0000

I've started a memoir-ish blog about my 35 years or so of being in bands.

My most recent post was on John Linnell and the Statesmen, a solo project by one-half of They Might Be Giants. (I played bass.) I’m not going chronologically or in any particular order.

So far (5 posts in), the blog has been very fun and very hard work. It's gotten me back in touch with a lot of people through comments and emails, and it's been very gratifying to see the connections people have to music I've been involved in, or even just to the experience of being in a band.

For the purposes of this blog, I’m using a pretty generous definition of “band” and “been in.” I’m going to try to add a new entry every week or so. By my last count, this should take about a year to complete. I played bass in most of these bands, sometimes as primary member, sometimes as a frequent sub.

I’m not writing this because my music career has been especially noteworthy. Few of the bands I’ve been in have achieved anything but the most local renown. I’m a good bass player, but there are many better ones out there. I know a lot of musicians who could write a blog called “Every band I’ve ever been in” and it would have a broader appeal than this one. But looking back, it’s been a whole lot of music, and the connections make for a pretty unique portrait of who I am and, at the same time, a pretty spot-on portrayal of what it’s been like for many of us to play music for the last 35 years or so.

I'd love to hear any suggestions or comments.

jostaffordjr on "Michael Jackson Fans, Take Note..."

jostaffordjr — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:52:41 +0000

....that you will probably disagree with the majority of this; however, I think you'll enjoy it anyway: http://jamesostafford.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/59-pretty-young-things-repeat-after-me/

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:41:24 +0000

My last holiday piece, at least for this year: http://jamesostafford.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/ventriloquism-for-dummies-2/

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:40:22 +0000

Thank you, Michael.

michaeljchicago on "Holiday Stories"

michaeljchicago — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:07:23 +0000

Here a thought on a familar "Holiday" story http://www.truepurpose.wordpress.com

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:46:20 +0000

A Christmas playlist. Enjoy: http://jamesostafford.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/deep-cuts-the-obligatory-christmas-playlist/

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:11:15 +0000

Well done! That earned an actual laugh out loud.

robrubin on "Holiday Stories"

robrubin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:45:14 +0000

If you like a little satire, check this out:

3 Christmas Gifts You Won't Find In the Hammacher Schlemmer Catalog

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:55:14 +0000

Nicely done! Thanks for sharing.

composerinthegarden on "Holiday Stories"

composerinthegarden — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:06:57 +0000

It would help to leave a link! Sorry about that; the post is called "Keeping Christmas" and here's the link:
http://composerinthegarden.com/2011/11/25/keeping-christmas/

composerinthegarden on "Holiday Stories"

composerinthegarden — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:56:37 +0000

OK, I'm in. Love the stories so far, and of course the cherished catalog page. Great idea for a thread, James! My story also has a song and video that goes with it, written about the experience. Hope you enjoy it!

composerinthegarden on "Holiday Stories"

composerinthegarden — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:54:17 +0000

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:07:25 +0000

A little holiday flashback for you old coots (like me): http://jamesostafford.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/rocking-it-sears-wish-book-style-1975/

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:07:22 +0000

Well thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

And speaking of enjoyment, be sure to give changedbychange's story a read, but I warn you: It might change your approach to Christmas for the better.

changedbychange on "Holiday Stories"

changedbychange — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:34:52 +0000

jostaffordjr, what a emotionally moving story. Many times I read stories showcased here, then I go on my way and never say anything (on the showcase at least). But I need to express my thoughts on what a wonderfully authentic story you posted! So real, so authentic. Truly moved me trough every human emotion. Thank you for sharing.

Mine is not quite as emotionally charged as is yours, nonetheless, here's my Christmas story. Enjoy!

http://changedbychange.com/2011/11/18/an-untraditional-christmas/

jostaffordjr on "Holiday Stories"

jostaffordjr — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:58:26 +0000

I know I'm not the only one who writes one now and then. How about a thread to promote your holiday stories? I got here first, so I call shotgun: http://jamesostafford.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/56-the-brightest-fireplace-glows-in-every-face/

jostaffordjr on "Fathers, Sons, and the Gaps Between Them"

jostaffordjr — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:47:44 +0000

Now celebrating 5,000 blog hits. Why don't you drop in and take a look? I don't eBite.