meredithsell
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The City Hall librarian, wearing fly-eyed, red-rimmed glasses, constantly talks to herself in a thick, nasal New York accent — whether or not people are around to listen. She only stops when the phone rings and she has to answer. On the way out of the room, she told another librarian she’d be right back.…
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The first time I went to New York City, I moved there for four months. In the distant future, I’ll say this to nieces, nephews, aspiring writers, and possibly children of my own. They’ll be in the middle of making big decisions, trying to decide whether to play it safe or step out of everything…
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This is another piece I wrote for my internship with the Smithy Center for the Arts. Framed: Questions with Elissa Gore “Before you start peppering me with questions, can I pepper you with a couple? I like to know who I’m talking to.” Those were the first words of Elissa Gore, 62, in her interview last week. The practically-minded…
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I haven’t posted since the summer for a number of reasons. First, I’m back at school, which means my time for recreational writing is limited. Second, I never want to post something that wastes your time. Third, I’m interning with Taylor University‘s marketing department, so my writing muscles are focused on specific projects. Over the course of…
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This is the final piece I wrote for my summer internship with the Smithy Center for the Arts, and probably my favorite piece from this summer. Nate Katz, 23, leans over the table, a strip of Scotch tape stretched between his thumbs. He’s focused on a small stack of paper in front of him, an inventory of some…
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“We are the machines.” That’s the answer you’ll get if you walk into Cooperstown CrossFit (CCF) and ask about treadmills, ellipticals, or any other kind of motorized exercise equipment. Then, you’ll be asked to join in the warmup and WOD (workout of the day). By stepping inside CCF’s one-room facility at the Maple Ridge Plaza…
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Seat yourself in a movie theater. The lights dim. You hear the projector and reel whir to life. A vision floods your eyes. You’ve experienced it before: the close-ups emphasizing characters’ facial expressions; the musical themes introducing characters, melting together or clashing to enhance drama; the special effects applied to accomplish the right visual, whether…
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One of the benefits of my summer job (working at Danny’s Main Street Market in Cooperstown, New York) are the random fascinating people who come buy sandwiches. There are conductors who work with the Glimmerglass Opera, construction workers and delivery men, Baseball Hall of Fame employees and interns, and today, Art Spander, an award-winning sports writer…
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I saw a ghost today. I greeted him with a hello, asked him “how’s life?” and made him a sandwich. He did the same for me, minus the sandwich. I was nervous as he watched me cover the bread with chicken, cheese, and peppers. My hands shook, but I did my best to hide it…
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All we do is make fireworks. Here, like us, for a moment. Gone after a few flutters of lashes. Our hearts may be in it all effort thrown forth. But our hearts, our efforts are weak, short-lasting. The burst of light, thunder-like boom, a moment of wonder, beauty that fizzles out, darkens, drops. Such great work, resulting…
Meredith Sell 