Introduce yourselves! Showing 3,001-3,050 of 9,625

[Monica Lamperd]

Hiya Mark! A big welcome from the southern hemisphere! :P

[Mark]

Hi, Monica! Thanks for the cheery welcome! Had a look at your profile. 'The Muddle-Headed Wombat" sounds, implausibly, as though it ought to be diverting! (Not that I've ever met a really lucid wombat. :))

[Mark]

Hi, Michael! Thanks! (*waving back* across a couple of continents ( I guess it depends in which direction...))

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

A very big welcome Mark! Lovely to have you on board, and no, we don't mind the odd US member;P Especially if you love our Aussie 'stuff'!!! Enjoy browsing, you'll find lots of wonderful things to chat about here..we are a friendly bunch:)

[Mark]

Thanks, Brenda! ( I think I qualify as a particularly "odd" US member! :)) You're definitely a friendly bunch, and I'm grateful to have some company here in the wee sma's. Currently 3:09 a.m., where I am.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mark wrote: "Thanks, Brenda! ( I think I qualify as a particularly "odd" US member! :)) You're definitely a friendly bunch, and I'm grateful to have some company here in the wee sma's. Currently 3:09 a.m., whe..."

Haha!! Wondered if you'd pick up on that;P What on earth are you doing up at 3.09am!!!!

[Mark]

Oh, I'll be up till 5 or 6. It's an ordinary occurrence. I just don't seem to have been very diurnal in the past year (not in consequence of having been bitten by anything paranormal, though).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mark wrote: "Oh, I'll be up till 5 or 6. It's an ordinary occurrence. I just don't seem to have been very diurnal in the past year (not in consequence of having been bitten by anything paranormal, though)."

Then you sleep?

[Mark]

Yes, but I generally hang upside down and furl my wings. (Truth is, I'm just not used to sleeping alone, and I've always tended to insomnia at night, in any case.) Since my retirement, it really hasn't mattered much.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fair enough:)

[Mark]

Thanks so much, Carmel! Et salut, Brigitte!

[Margaret]

Hi Mark, my books are in fact readily available in the U.S.A. That's where they are printed, and postage is so much cheaper there than for Australian purchasers. Amazon.com is one of the lowest priced sellers, but other internet sellers have them, too.
One of the first buyers of any of my books lives in the States, and he and his wife said they were 'enthralled' by it. That volume was my first, 25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia.

[Tracey]

Welcome to all our newcomers. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better

[Mark]

Thanks Margaret. I'll have a look-see on Amazon!

[Margaret]

Thanks, Mark. Your interest is much appreciated! Very much appreciated!

[Mark]

Margaret -- Turns out, Amazon has three of your books, so I'll get a copy of "A Taste of Life and Love in Australia." "Happy endings" sound good, wholly uncharacteristic of my life experience (and hence devoutly to be sought after in books). I've actually got three books on Amazon, myself, though they're abstruse, technically antediluvian, and wholly emetic to read, so I'd be embarrassed to identify them. I would recommend them to anyone needing an expensive doorstop, though.

[Margaret]

Thank you very much indeed, Mark! I do hope you enjoy 'A Taste of Life and Love in Australia'.

Amazon actually stock all six titles, Mark, though they are less easy now to find than they once were, when the Amazon page lined them up in a row at the top of each main title. What didn't fit was designated in a 'more by this author' section.

I'm sure that your own titles are totally unworthy of your profound criticism, Mark! I admit I'm not a fan of technical works, but on the other hand, I respect the degree of difficulty involved in researching and writing them. I presume they are not really designed for enjoyable reading, rather for instruction.

Although you imply you've gone through many difficult times, you seem not to have lost your sense of humour, which is an achievement in itself!

[Reinette]

Emily wrote: "Hey there Brigitte and Karen!"

Hi Emily,
*waves across the ocean, (and some bits of land)*
:)

[Reinette]

Carmel wrote: "Brigitte wrote: "Yes Carmel, I live in France, in the Paris area.As to presenting myself, well, I don't know about that. I'd be a fish out of water, so to speak, seeing you all are living in Austra..."

Well Carmel, as I'm an unknown quantity here (sort of...) let me tell you a bit about me, then.

First of all I'd like to say 'Hi' to each and everyone of you.
Please excuse the difficulties I have in participating in instant messaging, and my answers will always be a bit late, as there is, ahem, some time differnce between Australia and France.

I'm married with one grown son and one teenage daughter, who is driving me nuts, btw. I love to travel and discover new things about different cultures, traditions and people. I love meeting new people, love to find out how they think, what's important to them; being multi-lingual has its advantages!

Every culture is different and that makes it so exciting and enriching.
There are differences also between the Brits and the Australians.:)
During my travels you will always find me, at least once, in the spice section of a local supermarket.
I love cooking and trying out new recipes.
I'm known to bake a mean cake and I don't think I could live without an oven.
I also love to read.

I live in the Paris area since....can't remember, really. My family and I have been travelling a lot, mainly in Europe, the US - un grand salut en retour Mark (big hi in return, Mark - for those who don't speak French) and some parts of Asia. I have also lived in Africa and the Middle East, when everything was still quiet on that front.

Several years ago we made it to Australia and....I loved every minute of it. It's a lovely country, well the parts we got to see anyway, and we really appreciated the people. Unfortunately we didn't get to interact with too many Australians, because we don't have any friends there. You know what it's like when you drive from one spot to another absorbing all those wonderful sights and staying at anonymus hotels. But the ones we did get to chat to were very warm and welcoming.

To my great joy I found that the book stores (especially Kinokuniya in Sydney) had a whole section on Australian writers.
Apart from Tim Winton, who is translated into French, I had not been aware of any other Australian writers. Since then I have discovered a wealth of authors and I joined this group so I don't miss out on any news concerning new releases;

So guys, keep me in the loop!

[Mark]

Hi, Margaret! I ordered your book, should have it tomorrow (per Lao-Tzu, "such is the joy of amazon prime," though I don't know if you have it in Australia -- amazon expedited shipping, that is, not the founder of Taoism :)).You seem to be a sweet person, and you're very kind to chide me for deprecating my own published work, but honestly, I have no ego investment in the paleolithic artifacts of my past research, and the tomes in question are every bit as recondite and rebarbative as I've pretended. :)

Finally, you're utterly correct in your inference (like Hamlet's father's ghost, "I could a tale unfold" -- but I won't. Suffice it that, if you think I still have a sense of humor, it's a miracle worthy of inspection by the Vatican, but I am grateful for the observation, which affords some hope that I haven't gone entirely cognitively missing in action, even if I have consternated a few people by tossing around esoteric lexemes of dubious appositeness. :) Ubiquitously, even. :) But what's up with adverse reactions to your "vicissitudes?" At least you didn't say, "peripateias!" :) :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brigitte wrote: "Carmel wrote: "Brigitte wrote: "Yes Carmel, I live in France, in the Paris area.As to presenting myself, well, I don't know about that. I'd be a fish out of water, so to speak, seeing you all are l..."

What a wonderful, interesting life you've had Brigitte! So glad you loved Oz, and we hope you can return some day:) Glad you're able to read and find some Aussie authors, and you'll certainly find lots of them here! Feel free to ask any amount of questions that you want:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mark wrote: ".if you think I still have a sense of humor, it's a miracle worthy of inspection by the Vatican, .."

Mark, you most definitely have a sense of humour...you make me smile with every post!!

[Mark]

Brenda - Well, you most definitely have a sense of compassion. That does make me feel a bit better about the general hopelessness of all of bleak, chaotic existence. :)

Seriously, though, many thanks for your kindness.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mark wrote: "Brenda - Well, you most definitely have a sense of compassion. That does make me feel a bit better about the general hopelessness of all of bleak, chaotic existence. :)

Seriously, though, many th..."

:)

[Margaret]

You're doing a fine job of stumping me, Mark! I've never come across that final 'p' word . I hope that that doesn't imply my ignorance...:)
I cannot resist telling you that I have been thoroughly versed by the writing courses of my youth in the wisdom of extremely judicious use of multi syllable words.:):)My first effort in Short Story Writing needed to be re-written for that very reason!
I sincerely hope you like my little effort; well, perhaps not so little in terms of actually putting it on paper!

[Mark]

Margaret - Not at all. I happen to know it because it's the English version of the French, "peripéties," which I think occurs somewhat more commonly in ordinary, scholarly use of that language than it does in English (it did, anyway, in the lit. courses I took in college, when velociraptors roamed the Earth). Or possibly the French "ont plus de péripéties" (have more of them). But what do I know? (Que sais-je?)

I think you are wise to be judicious in your deployment of sesquipedalian lexemes, because you're a real writer, which I'm not. I just produced mostly unreadable books and articles as a byproduct (some would say, "a waste product") of my peripateia-fraught academic career. (Though I did write one series of articles in a semi-popular periodical that generated the most reprint requests of any articles in that publication in that decade, but I actually tried to be intelligible on that occasion, and I uncharacteristically had something meaningful to say. Thereon, however, hangs a tail on which I would as soon not hang, so I'll forbear to elaborate.)

Anyway, I now feel quite free to be logorrhetic and whimsical, since I have no literary reputation to damage, and no academic one that I care to maintain, and nothing else, and I feel as though I might as well amuse myself. I did once write a bit of fanfiction for that purpose -- pseudonymously, of course, but who doesn't write fanfiction that way? -- and I'd be happy to send you a link, if you're curious. As for my academic books, of course -- good doorstops -- I will do the world a favor by leaving them interred. :)

I look forward to reading your collection, which should arrive tomorrow.

[Margaret]

Thank you, Mark.
Needless to say, my collections are written in easy to follow language, which I have learned to appreciate. For various reasons, I have never been to university, and given your background I just hope that you find something to enjoy in my writing.
Thank you for offering me a link to your work. I am a little short of time at present since I've just started work on another book, but in my spare moments I would like to see what you have written.
I can confidently say that you will be the first U.S. reader of 'A Taste of Life and Love in Australia': unless the publishers have skimmed through it unbeknown to me!

[Mark]

Margaret - Having taught at university, I know better than to care if anyone's been to one. I think everyone's ultimately auto-didactic, anyway. I'll look forward to furnishing your first review, and will send you a link to the aforesaid (very short) bit of silliness. :) It'll make more sense if you're familiar with "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer."

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mark wrote: "Margaret - Having taught at university, I know better than to care if anyone's been to one. I think everyone's ultimately auto-didactic, anyway. I'll look forward to furnishing your first review, a..."

Can I have the link too please Mark? :)

[Margaret]

Thanks, Mark.:)
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer."

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Margaret wrote: "Thanks, Mark.:)
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.""

It was something my daughter loved a few years ago Margaret!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffy_th...

[Mark]

Margaret - Ah, an American TV show of some of some measure of genius, created by Joss Whedon, and something of a cult phenomenon in the early nineties. Probably the only show of which I've ever been an actual "fan" Both wise and inconceivably hilarious. But if you don't know it intimately, then my fanfic parody will make no sense whatever, so I think I'll spare you a wasted hour. I still look forward to reading your stories, though.

[Mark]

I mean, late nineties. I seem to be temporally dislocated, myself.

[Michael]

Anything by Joss Whedon is worth watching :)

[Margaret]

Thanks, Mark, for your interest in my book. I hope you don't find it a waste of time...

I look forward to your comments. (A brave answer on my part.) :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mark when you do your review for Margaret's book, could you put it here on GR so we can all see it, please? Thanks:)

[Margaret]

Thanks for your interest, too, Brenda!:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome Margaret....but now I think we need to return focus to this thread being an 'introduce yourself' thread, and move the chatting to the chat thread:)

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

Thanks everyone:)

[[deleted user]]

Welcome Karen (did I say hi before?), Mark and...anyone else?

:) Gina.

[Margaret]

Yes, Brigitte, as someone who has lived in Sydney all their life, I can vouch for its attractions. We have some excellent beaches and other beautiful areas, and the climate is very good, too.
As one who speaks and reads in English only,I admire your ability with languages.
Lovely that you've joined this group!:)

[Reinette]

Carmel wrote: "Brigitte wrote: "Carmel wrote: "Brigitte wrote: "Yes Carmel, I live in France, in the Paris area.As to presenting myself, well, I don't know about that. I'd be a fish out of water, so to speak, see..."

Thanks Brenda, Carmel and Margaret for the lovely welcome.

Our port of entry to Australia was Melbourne, but due to lack of time we didn't get to visit. :(
Next time.

We've been to the Great Ocean Road (loved it, loved it!!!!), The Grampians, Adelaide (wished we could have stayed longer), Wilpena Pound, Broken Hill (what a drive! exciting doesn't begin to describe it), then via Oxley Hwy (what a peaceful drive - lots of countryside) to Manilla, NSW, where we stayed on a working farm.
That was so GREAT. My daughter who loves horses and is an accomplished rider, and myself went on a tour of the property. Suffice to say she didn't want to leave!! This stay also allowed us a more meaningful contact with an australian family. I'm sure they thought I was crazy!! I think it was death by questions!!! LOL
From there we continued through New England to Byron Bay and then back to Sydney.

I loved Sidney; what a lovely place. All the white sails on the blue blue water and in the sky.
We've been to Vancouver, Canada, which I liked very much, but I think, now that I know both cities, as a harbour city, Sydney is it!!

We definitely will be back; there's still so much to see. We haven't been to Darwin, the Great Barrier or Brisbane;and I want to stay at another working farm, that's for sure. We missed Melbourne and I'd love to go back to Adelaide. But then there is also Perth and Margaret's River and the Barossa Valley - ah yes... wine.
Choices, choices.....

[JB]

Missed Melbourne! Brigitte, what were you thinking?:-)

This is not just any old Melbourne, you know. This is the cultural capital of Australia, the world's most liveable city, the city of gardens and a UNESCO City of Literature. This is the birthplace of the Australian Impressionist Movement, Dame Edna Everage, Dame Nellie Melba, Cate Blanchette and Kylie Minogue. Melbourne is the home of Prime Minister Julie Gillard and the beautiful Parisian, Chloe.

This will be the saddest thing you will ever say: "I went to Australia and I missed Melbourne." JB :-)

Chloe lives here still: http://chloethebarroomqueen.wordpress...

[Margaret]

Brigitte, you may be interested to know that my husband Ron built the Grand Organ in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House. Such a beautiful building, and a signature of Sydney....:)

[Tony]

Wow, we have some really interesting people in this group!
I love that. Bit of diversity too... should make for some interesting discussions :0)

[Margaret]

Yes, we have people from different parts of the world, with various backgrounds and interests. Should work out very well...:)

[Reinette]

JB wrote: "Missed Melbourne! Brigitte, what were you thinking?:-)

This is not just any old Melbourne, you know. This is the cultural capital of Australia, the world's most liveable city, the city of gardens ..."


JB, yes yes, I know...*hangs head*. But we only had 3 weeks. Next time will be waaaay longer, promise!

[Reinette]

Margaret wrote: "Brigitte, you may be interested to know that my husband Ron built the Grand Organ in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House. Such a beautiful building, and a signature of Sydney....:)"

Wow Margaret, you must be so proud. It's an amazing building.

[JB]

Brigitte wrote: JB, yes yes, I know...*hangs head*. But we only had 3 weeks. Next time will be waaaay longer, promise!

Yes, of course. I see the problem. Best to leave it until you have the appropriate amount of time to be able to do a city like Marvellous Melbourne justice. You are hereby forgiven! :-)

[Isabel]

Hi My name is isabel I live in Ryde 2112 I gave up work last year due to bad health but i'm fine now I joined this blog (it's my first)Because i would like to know what other people are reading I have read books as far back as i remember and i always chose them because i liked what i read on the back and most of the time that's ok Now with the internet you can look up any book and see how popular it is. I wonder if thats a good thing or not I've read books that are top seller and felt disappointed and then picked up a book of the bargain table and have been transported by a story,By a author I,ve never heard of. What I,m trying to say is thats why I'm joining this blog. I'd much rather hear what real people are reading.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome Isabel...you'll find lots of different books and authors on GR, so enjoy browsing:)