a Catholic saint-in-training's musings on "Life, the Universe, & Everything"
Reading this blog may be a penance, but the only indulgence you'll get is chocolate
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Duhhhh!
You're Totally Sarcastic |
You, sarcastic? Never! You're as sweet as a baby bunny. Seriously, though, you have a sharp tongue - and you aren't afraid to use it. And if people are too wimpy to deal with your attitude, then too bad. So sad. |
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
New Resident in the Sidebar
The Creationists think Genesis is the greatest thing. Actually, Phil Collins wasn't that good a drummer...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Now That We're in the Home Stretch...
Friday, September 19, 2008
The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test...
The Monk
You scored 8% Cardinal, 82% Monk, 50% Lady, and 27% Knight!
You live a peaceful, quiet life. Very little danger comes your way and you live a long time. You are wise and modest, but also stagnant. You have little comfort, little food and have taken a vow of silence. But who needs chatter when just sitting in the cloister of your abbey with The Good Book makes you perfectly content.
Take The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test at HelloQuizzy
with at H/T to Puff the Magic Dragon
I'm Being Followed by a Moon Shadow...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Somebody Spiked My Coffee with Caffeine...
I found this neat tool for generating blogs (H/T to the IC who shall not be confused with the OC. This is my 1st attempt:
Crikey! I just got slapped with a wet salmon - really - I have not updated this since people stopped clapping and Tinkerbell died... You would not believe it, but my hands were chopped off and I was waiting for bionic ones. I hope they bring chocolate!. I am hopped up on caffeine while finding Jesus (after someone told me he was lost), selling my soul to Google, generally being an embarrassment to anyone unfortunate to cross my path. My day is filled with fluorescent light from the second I am woken by murderous Teletubbies until I run out of alcohol. I am avoiding recapture. it will be fun fun fun till they take my TBird away. I go, my lords and ladies; but I will make more of an effort to blog more often until the nice men in the white coats come back. I go with God, good friends, unless of course the pool with the cocktail bar is heated!
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Revenge of the Nerds...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
One $!@@$^!^ Word Meme
1. Where is your cell phone? Whazzat?
2. Your significant other? Me, myself, & I
3. Your hair? Thinning
4. Your mother? Oak Hill Cemetery Escondido CA
5. Your father? Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Plot: CBC 1 428
6. Your favorite things? "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things"
7. Your dream last night? "To dream, the impossible dream..."
8. Your favorite drink? Sherry (Christian Brothers Cream)
9. Your dream/goal? To finish this !&@^ meme
10. The room you’re in? Elbow
11. Your church? 1 Holy, Roman Catholic, Apostolic
12. Your fear? Fear itself (Thanks FDR)
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? 6 years older
14. Where were you last night? Who wants to know
15. What you’re not? Pope
16. Muffins? Banana
17. One of your wish list items? An original autographed copy of the Summa Theologica
18. Where you grew up? Who said I grew up? Vicious liar!
19. The last thing you did? This meme.
20. What are you wearing? Boots
21. Your TV? Luv it!!!
22. Your pets? Ain't married
23. Your computer? Mine! All Mine!!!!!
24. Your life? "Mikey won't like it. He hates everything"
25. Your mood? Zzzzzzzz
26. Missing someone? Why, you find someone?
27. Your car? 1991
28. Something you’re not wearing? Chip-on-shoulder
29. Favorite store? Fry's
30. Your Summer? 2_Hot
31. Like (love) someone? See #2
32. Your favorite color? Blue, either gun-metal or deep royal
33. Last time you laughed? When Obama won the Democratic nomination
34. Last time you cried? See #33
35. Who will re-post this? Dang, ran out of stamps...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
I've Been a Baaaad Boy
I'm glad Confession hasn't come to this:
I know I've got some people curious about my "confession", and why I should make it public. But even AA recognises the need to acknowledge the ramifications of our failings and to make amends if possible. My sin may not be as bad as this, but still might get me here or, maybe the modern equivalent.
I can't blame my problem all on the parish. I suffer from depression, and all I don't have this problem personally alcoholism is prevalent in my family. While I've never been an active person, I also often suffer from a lack of energy. I often spend the weekend in bed and/or watching TV.
So what is my plan of action? First, I need to find a parish where my needs both spiritually and intellectually are met. Second, I need to get to Confession, the Mass, and probably the Anointing of the Sick. Third, find some place where I can participate is spiritual Formation, as this seems to be my Gift from God to the Church.
Finally, let me ask your forgiveness, brothers & sisters. Not only have I been missing you; but you have been missing me from the Body. I think this is the thing I've been missing the most over the weeks I've been "missing in action". God willing, I may soon be worthy of your company again.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
So Iz Not a Saint...
You Are Mostly Virtuous |
You are a good person, or at least as good as you can be. You try to do the right thing, and you have ended up with many virtues. While you are virtuous, you aren't a saint. There's definitely a bit of devilishness deep in your heart! Where You Are Virtuous You have the virtue of Moderation. You don't do anything at excess, and you avoid extremes You have the virtue of Frugality. You spend your money wisely, and you are not wasteful. You have the virtue of tranquillity. You do your best to keep your life peaceful and calm. You lack the virtue of Cleanliness. You are quite messy... and maybe even a little dirty. You lack the virtue of Order. Many aspects of your life are chaotic and a total mess. You lack the virtue of Sincerity. You don't tell the truth if it doesn't suit you. |
Friday, June 13, 2008
I'm Not Ready Yet...
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Wonder Where I Been?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Obviously...
Compared to other ice creams, coffee ice cream has a strong flavor, and it's packed with caffeinated sweetness. You're like that, too! You're always busy, and determined to stay focused as you move from one task to the next. You get frustrated when other people slow you down or hold you back, but when you're in control, you can find ways around any obstacle.
H/T Tara @ Loved Sinner
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
6 Word Epitaphs
- I was too young to die
- Who the Hades let me in
- I should have eaten more chocolate
- Do they serve cappachino around here?
- Cathy_of_Alex's in the next plot over? (snark!)
I'll add to the list as I come up with them
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Killing 2 Birds With...
Easter must be officially over as the memes have started appearing like rabbits. I've been tagged multiple times for two memes so I'm going to answer both in 1 post (instead of doing that income tax thingy)
- 2001: A Space Oddity
- Last Tango in Paris
- Clockwork Orange
- Apocalypse Now
- Moulin Rogue (Nicole Kidman version, I like the Jose Ferrer version)
Tagged by: Digital Hairshirt & Swiss Miss
Rules:
- The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
- Each player answers the questions about themselves.
- At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Then their head explodes.
- What was I doing ten years ago?
I can't remember what I was doing 10 minutes ago. 10 years ago I was starting to make programming changes for Y2K (remember that?) - Five Things On My To Do List
Coffee
Income Tax
Coffee
Sleep (yes I can sleep after coffee)
Coffee (duh!) - Favorite Snacks
Chocolate truffles with (say it with me) COFFEE! - Things I Would Do If I Were a Billionaire
Pay off my debts then go get a Theology degree. Build myself a modest house with Lots & Lots of bookshelves & computer screens that fill a whole wall. - Three of My Bad Habits
TV, TV, TV - Five Places I Have Lived
Albuquerque NM
Los Alamos, NM
Idaho Falls, ID
Escondido, CA
San Francisco, CA - Five Jobs I Have Had
Shoe Salesman - Kinney Shoes
Dishwasher - Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor (1 week)
Salesman - Radio Shack
Store Manager - Radio Shack
College bookstore book stacker
As for tagging those 5 additional victims, I ain't gonna as I'm a spoiled brat (& I'm doing this instead of what I'm supposed to be doing!)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
My Guardian Angel Has Loaned Me This...
Breaking News: My angel has posted this on PhotoBucket (besides selling them on eBay) so if you want one let me know & I'll post the link!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Nominate Yourself Award
This seems to be the season for awards , and I'm not one to buck the trend. There are a number of deserving people out in the blogsphere, and you know who you are. I don't want any one of you to be overlooked, so I created this generic award. You nominate yourself for whatever categories you want, and when you have given yourself enough votes, award yourself this award. You now don't need a reason to get an award! Any reason is valid! Just enter your blog listing in the combo box so we can all come by and congradulate you!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
From the Easter Etc. File
- Heeee's baaaack! (Think Poltergeist)
- Why do female cantors always sing at the top of a soprano's range so no average congregant can possibly sing in key?
- Why do organists play Alleluia hymns like funeral dirges?
- And (for fun) what does an Internet aficionado do for exercise? He/she takes a walk around the Blog!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
To All My New Brothers & Sisters in Christ
The Sounds of Silence
Silence.
The theme for Holy Saturday is silence.
There should be no Sacraments today (except in emergency) until the Vigil this evening.
Today we are running around, polishing our shoes, ironing our Sunday best, cooking our Easter dinners. Those entering our Catholic family are worrying "Am I doing the right thing?" (You are.) or "What is that second question and its answer?" (Don't worry, the rest of us don't know either. Your first lesson as a Catholic, if you don't know, act as if you do.)
But consider that first Holy Saturday. Jesus's disciples were Jews. It was the Sabbath, and a particularly solemn one during Passover, so unless they went to the Temple or a synagogue they didn't go anywhere and they didn't do anything. And their Leader was gone.
Our Lady wasn't sure what was going to happen next. She knew Something was coming, and coming soon. The Indwelling Spirit within her was telling her so. So she went around encouraging the others.
Mary Magdalene was sorrowing. She was making lists in her head so that she would be ready to anoint His Body, and she was steeling herself to see her Beloved's body one last time.
Peter was in grief as well. The One who made Peter something was gone, and Peter had betrayed Him. News of Judas's end had come to them, and Peter was wondering whether if Judas had been the braver one for incurring damnation rather than living with the interior shame of betrayal. Would Peter follow Judas's act the next day? Or could the dead Jesus yet forgive him from beyond the grave?
And what of the others? What were they thinking? What was Pilate thinking? And Caiaphas? Were they planning on sending soldiers to arrest the rest of Jesus's band?
And the disciples, were they waiting for arrest the next day? (The soldiers wouldn't come today, would they? After all, it was the Sabbath). Two were planning to leave for Emmaus as soon as they could leave.
What would you be doing? How would you reflect in the long Silence. You know now the Next Scene. But pretend you don't, and ask yourself the question "What would I be thinking?" Take some time today and experience the Silence. Feel the World leaning forward in its seat, like at an Indiana Jones movie, waiting with held breath for the climax approaching. And when the Easter fire is lit tonight....
Monday, March 17, 2008
Images of the Crucifixion
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I Beg Your Pardon, God Didn't Promise You a Rose Garden
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Middle Name Meme
Here are "da rules":
1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name or your mother's maiden name).
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged.)
For better or for worse, here's de middl name:
Even: I have an even number of digits (10)
Drunk: I've never been drunk; buzzed-yes, drunk-no
White: My apartment walls are painted white
Airport: I live within 1 mile of LAX airport.
R: my last name begins and ends with the letter 'R'
Do: Do I need to come up with another 'D'?
I tag Angela , Kit , Martha , Kasia , Steph , Puff & Bear
Monday, February 4, 2008
An Ash Wednesday Reflection
When I was in grade school, my Catholic classmates and I would joke that one could round up all the Catholics on Ash Wednesday due to the black spot on their foreheads. Over the years this mark on my brow has been mistaken for a bruise, a birthmark, and in a bow to the computer age, as residue from a toner cartridge from a laser printer. But it begs the question, is there a better way to identify a Christian?
This reminds me of a statement that was popular a few years ago: If it were illegal to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Today’s Gospel reading might suggest that there should NOT be any direct evidence! Rather, one should take great care in not drawing attention to oneself when practicing acts of piety. The lines "When you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing" and "When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting" are but two examples given by Christ which implore us not to draw attention to our acts of piety and thereby deflate their value. I like to call this attitude acting as a secret agent for God.
But does this type of behavior really go unnoticed? I would say "No" for two significant reasons. First, as the Gospel states, God sees all we do and "your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you." This might seem to be advocating an attitude of "buying God’s favor". I would suggest, as a contrasting point of view, that it is rather an act of faith in God’s Providence. For example, the Christian act is not the placing of ashes on one’s head, which we share with other cultures and religions, but when we remove those same ashes remembering God’s mercy as already being realized.
The second reason I do not believe our "hidden" acts go unnoticed is that all our actions ripple throughout Creation. This ripple effect is the basis of the popularity of the Practice Random Acts of Kindness bumper sticker a few years back. My maternal grandfather practiced his Catholicism diligently, but was more popular for his generosity with his time. He was the Pied Piper of his neighborhood, and was known to be attentive to the needs of those around him. But he never tooted his own horn. His clarinet, yes, but never his own horn. When it came time for him to meet his Maker, his funeral Mass was one of the best attended I have ever seen. There was not a seat to be had in the Church. And the effects of his life are still felt in the lives of his friends, children, grand-children and great grand-children to this day. This ripple effect was cited by the Early Church Father Tertullian as the reason for his conversion when he said "see how these Christians love one another".
Is this hidden life of the Christian at odds with the wearing of the ashes then? I will answer "no" for two reasons. First, we experience life through things we sense, especially through the senses of touch and sight. We need a tangible thing to mark the beginning of Lent, a season in which we are called and re-called to a fundamental actualization of what God has done for us in Christ. Second, it is a communal sharing of the realization of where we would be without Christ, and that we are not alone in this Lenten journey of ours. We must not see the ashes as an end in themselves or as a magic talisman. Rather we allow the entire practice of Lent shape us in the light of Easter.
Finally, let us not forget our brothers and sister this Lent. After all, St. Paul in the second reading calls us to be "ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ's name is "be reconciled to God." The ashes remind us where we would be without Christ, and we should remember those who are without the hope Christ brings. Also, pray for those in the RCIA program as they prepare for their joining our Catholic family. Lent was originally celebrated for those converting to Christianity, and sometimes I think we forget the freshness brought into the Church by these newly reborn souls.
May God bless us in this Lent, and may we be together to celebrate a Joyous Easter!
Prayer Desperately Requested
Melissa who needs a bone marrow transplant. Please pass this prayer request along....
Saturday, February 2, 2008
I got tagged by a book meme
1. Pick up the nearest book ( of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.
Here's my quote:
Still there was no answer.
"Just like a girl," said Edmund to himself, "sulking somewhere, and won't accept an apology." He looked round him again and decided he did not much like this place, and had alnost made up his mind to go home when he heard, very far off in the wood, the sound of bells.
The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
(My other books are in storage)
As for the tags I choose the 1st 5 people who can tell me what Aslan means (yes His Name has a meaning) and what language it is from.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Why Taking Your Child to Work ...
Click on the link and view the ad "Bank Brat". I busted a gut when I saw this on TV! I tried downloading it to this blog but for some reason it wouldn't save
Friday, January 25, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The 1st Dance...
Weding Party - video powered by Metacafe
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Spread the Luuuuuuv Award (I now have 3!)
I've been awarded this by Karen over at Gema del Océano. Now I'm supposed to pass it on to 8 others, but I can see from the list on her site that there is a great deal of overlap in our contacts. So I'm tagging the 1st 8 bloggers who think that Love is a Great Spread with either Peanut Butter or with Baloney. ;-P
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Charles Schultz Philosophy
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.
- Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
- Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
- Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
- Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
- Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
- Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. They are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
- List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
- Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
- Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
- Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
- Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care.
Share this with those who have made a difference in your life. I just did!
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia. (Charles Schultz)