Baryshnikov

Mikhail Baryshnikov dances to Vladimir Visotsky (or Vysotsky)in the movie "White Nights"

apostolic visitation

A representative from Rome is visiting the U.S.A. women religious congregations.  It's not new news; I just haven't paid it much attention.  However, the visitation seems to have caused quite a flurry.  Here is National Catholic Reporter's collection of "stuff" on the topic: http://ncronline.org/apostolicvisitation

As someone seeking to enter religious life, I ought to be keenly interested.  I've just been too pre-occupied with my own fires.  I am surprised by the negative views of the ordeal.  Of course nobody likes audits.  Usually the grumbling is along the lines of it being another inconvenience.  In this case, the grumblings go far beyond that into issues that I don't understand and have no awareness of.  It'd be nice to sit with some women religious over some bubble tea and hear what the big hoolabaloo is all about.

C'mon T.O.

C'mon T.O., if you're still lurking, please e-mail me.  It's been a while.  I think your blog was LAMLand.  Like I said, it's been a while.  Please.

Little Portion Hermitage

Last year, there was a fire at Little Portion Hermitage, the community founded by John Michael Talbot.  They are rebuilding.  If you are able, please help them by giving a donation.  Thanks.

awesome ice cubes

I love this idea!


via bookofjoe

checking in

We went to see Avatar again. IMAX. 3D.  Still cool.

We just came back from a potluck at the church.  Father was giving an educational lecture/presentation on the topic of "the Mass."  It was very good.  It'd be wonderful if can just go to be now, but alas, that is not to be.

This week is another hectic week at work.  We will be having all-day meeting for the whole week.  Oh boy.

easy way to help

Cory pledges to donate $300 to the Haiti relief effort for every 100,000 views of this video on YouTube.  (originally seen on MSNBC)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URBdbxZjXlA

update:  the author has pulled the video ... lame

You can also help at any time by visiting the Hunger Site and click daily.

the passing of time

I'm in a very vibrant parish with lots of diversity in ages and ethnicity.  One thing about being a member of a parish such as this for a while is that I get to see young families grow and the kids grow up.  Now I don't connect with these folks, and that's my doing no doubt.  But I do see them almost every week and can recognize some of them.  It's really just amazing to me to see those little tykes grow up to be adults.  Really, it's just amazing.  I think I'm starting to understand the phrase, "I'm not getting old, they are."

meager posts

I hope everyone's year is kicking off well.

I think posting on this blog will be sparse (even more so than it's been) for a while. We are now required to work 10 hour days.  Plus I like my 1-hour lunch.  Plus the 1 hour commute.  So that comes out to 12 hours minimum to the job.  We've some major stuff coming up, so I've actually been putting in more hours than that.  It's okay considering that the job pays the bills (at least so far).  Several years back, there was a time when I was looking for a second job ... that would have been even more hours working plus a second commute and another set of job conditions to deal with.  So considering that, I'm not complaining.

New Year's Resolution

I don't normally have a New Year's Resolution. But my spiritual director said "Aim for nothing, get nothing."

Hmm... 

I resolve to finish reading at least ONE book this year.

I think I have a learning disability: put a book in my hands and I fall asleep.  Printed-texta-hyper-somnia. The fix? Read in short blurbs; stop before the zzz's invade. Seriously, I read much of the bible that way: only a few lines each night.

Avatar 3D IMAX

It's Great!  Go see it.  Something along the lines of "Lord of the Rings."  I was pumped on "Avatar," but on further thought, LOTR is better.  Still "Avatar" is a definite must see on its own merits.

My eyes did get a little bleary. That many hours of 3D requires some getting used to.

happy new year

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

new template

New template for the blog. I'd like something new. But it's a pain. Because I'm really not a programmer and every time I change the template, the widgets get lost. Then I have to fiddle around with the skeleton of the blog. The raw template needs massaging. Wish me luck. Please.

bracelet

"Home is Where Your Pet Is" bracelet available at The Animal Rescue Site

It made me think of Natty.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!
or in some places, Happy Christmas!

gripe

Christmas is a great occasion. Yes, it's good to celebrate. But it ought NOT to be an obligation. Sure, I'll be at midnight mass. I'll do my church gigs if I'm up. Outside of that, I do have a job that I'm trying to maintain. I'm up to my eyeballs with work. I have deadlines. When I say I'm friggin busy, I mean I'm busy. I did fund the Christmas meal. We did do grocery shopping. I did put some lights up. But please cut me a break and take into some consideration that I have other obligations, and being festive isn't on the front burner. *grumble*

busy

Been busy. Have had several nights this week in which I only got 2-3 hours of sleep. Today I went to a day of prayer.

What took all that time was Christmas cards. We don't do it every year, thank goodness. We sent out over a hundred. Signed them all, hand addressed them all, and for those who are close, included some personal message. Else they all have a hand-written "Merry Christmas!" even if it's already on the print.

We bought these cards some years ago. It was tough finding the cards we wanted. We bought several different designs. We copy the card and then keep a tally of who got what design so that they won't get the same design the next time around. We only track the ones that come multiple in a box. We don't track the "one-of" cards.

wheels for your meals

you can get it here

I wonder if it's difficult to clean.

movies

"2012" - It was ok. It'll hold your interest, but once you've seen it, you can forget it and go on to something better. I'd rate it on par with "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

"Precious" - This one can be quite depressing. If you're not afraid to look at the darker side of humanity, then go ahead an watch this one. Yes, good does win out, but this isn't "It's a Wonderful Life." Absolutely do NOT take the kids to this one.

"The Blind Side" - This one is uplifting. Sandra Bullock's character is unforgettable. You can take mom to see this one.

great presentation

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. It's an American thing. I've been out of town. We've just collected the critters from boarding today ... I'd estimate their boarding in total is about as much as our hotel cost.

Anyhow, here is something far more entertainining and far more educational than my thoughts. I'd say it's approved for all audiences, regardless of your background, age, or interests. Please check it out. Video is 76 minutes including introduction at the beginning and questions and answers at the the end; Brother Guy will keep your interest.

Astronomy, God, and the Search for Elegance (video) presented by Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. Brother Guy is a curator of meteorites at the Vatican Observatory.