Best quote from an author's blog today

"I am a closet anarchist. (That is, I believe in lawlessness for wardrobes.)"

 

From the archives of the inimitable John Wright at http://johncwright.livejournal.com This has become one of my favorite blogs to read.

 

You learn something new everyday...

...for instance, today I learned that my co-worker can do a killer Marvin the Martian impersonation.

 

My new favorite blog

http://johncwright.livejournal.com/

 

This guy is great. Here's a sample:

 

"But I do not think men and women are equal insofar as they are both equally masculine and feminine. I do not think man and wife are equal in marriage: the man should lead the household, and the woman should rule it. The man should make the decisions and the woman should domesticate the man so that he makes the right decisions. The woman's task is to civilize the hairy barbarians of bachelorhood into fine upstanding young breadwinners: this is preliminary to her assuming the role of motherhood, and good practice for it.

I wear the pants in my family. It is just that, in my family, my wife picks them out."

 

He has stuff on every topic; go read!

 

Ugh

I hate having a sore throat. It's just annoying. It's all itchy and achy and makes it hard to talk. Blergh.

 

How Much of a Church Geek Are You?

You're definately on the border here; just a little more work, and you'll be a fully-fledged geek! Time to add some good blogs to your reading: go for the Curt Jester, the Anchoress, and Shrine of the Holy Whapping.
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Check-up

http://www.scriptoriumdaily.com/2007/05/25/college-graduation-ten-things-i-wished-i-had-known/

 

The link above is to a post by one of my favorite teachers, Dr. John Mark Reynolds. "College Graduation: Ten Things I Wish I Had Known". I've been thinking graduation/growing up thoughts lately, after attending the Torrey graduation on Friday. Dr. Reynolds thoughts in this blog post seem good to me, so I'm going to see how I'm doing in these ten areas (Reynolds' comments in italics):

 

1. Friends matter. Don’t move around without considering the value of the community you have already made.

Doing ok on this one, I think. I still have friends from freshman year, and have been at the same church for...wow, 7 years in October! That's the main reason I've never considered moving; I love being around my friends here Not that moving is inherently bad--but maybe people in my age-range and culture move around a little too much.

2. Work is good. Get that first “bad job” and read the manager’s manuals. Figure out how your company operates. Suck even your low level retail job dry of information. Credit cards are mostly bad. Don’t borrow money except for a house or more education.

Doing alright on this one too, I guess. My job is good (for me--not for my pocketbook!) Have definately learned a lot. Still very much in debt, but it's almost all for health and education, so not too bad.

3. Don’t live for weekends, they are only 2/7 of the week. If your life is that bad, time for changes. Travel as much as you can in light of duty and sacrifice. (This is a great chance to go someplace and do hard labor for the poor with some friends.)

Well, I do love my weekends....but I don't know that I live for them. I do a lot during the week as well. I'm getting better about doing some traveling--I don't have the money to go far, but I'm having fun taking little day trips: last Saturday, up to Idyllwild! Got to go into a lot of little shops, talk to some interesting people!

4. If you are bored, pretty much ever, there is something wrong. We live in the most fascinating culture of all time with almost unlimited chances and choices. Perhaps you are only living for self and not for a cause bigger than you are? I know, I know. It sounds Commencement-y, but you cannot be happy living only for self.

I do still get bored sometimes, but not much. I usually have a book to pick up, or a painting to do. Never really had much trouble with entertaining myself.

5. Time to stop playing (very much) with toys. Growing up means (partly) finding your pleasures not in bigger toys, but in a life well lived. Have kids (don’t wait past your twenties if you can) and play with toys again as a matter of duty!

Hmmm, think I'm ok there. I only play one video game (Guitar Hero II!!!!) and even that not very much.

6. Getting married is good, but being single is also good. Let the people in your life who know you well (parents, pastor, friends) speak into your life to let you know when you are “ready.”

I think I've already pretty much answered this question in my life. I don't think I'm meant for marriage, and mostly I'm ok with that. My priest agrees with me, and most of the people I've talked to are very supportive. Yay!

7. You are an adult. You don’t have to prove it by disregarding every piece of advice older people give you. (Read the story of Rehoboam in the Bible.) Side line: do read the Bible daily. It is a good habit. Try reading a Bible like the King James version that will expand your vocabulary and sentence structure, not dumb itself down for you. Read a translation and not a paraphrase. The best modern version is the ESV.

I think I do ok with taking advice from my elders. Not great--I've never been great at taking advice--but I do have people I listen to who are older and wiser. Dr. Reynolds, in fact, is one of them.

Unfortunately, not doing great on reading the Bible daily. Never have been. Getting better at praying structured prayers everyday though, so progress is possible!

8. My being “happy” is not worth making someone else miserable. Your forty-something self will have to live with the scars you place on your soul now.

Hmmmm...well, in some ways I'm doing pretty good with this one, but I know my cluttered room is causing my roommate stress, and I need to work on that.  

9. Television? Media? Canned music? Try to get no more than an hour a day of the stuff. Read, read, read. (The difference between reading good stuff linked to on our home page or some other leader’s site and watching endless you-tube videos is one of the differences between shepherds and sheep.)

Eep. Not doing so good on this one. I don't watch THAT much TV (mostly just Mythbusters and Invader Zim--What Not to Wear once a week or so). But I don't much care for YouTube, or other things of that nature, and I'm usually reading several books (at the moment, Frank Capra's autobiography, the letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, and Eclipse of the Sun by Michael D. O'Brien. Trying to start the Ring of the Niebelung)

Even though I watch more TV than I would like, I still read more than most people I know. I've been reading a lot of fluff lately, so I need to up the ante a little.

10. Go to church every Sunday and participate. Join a small group there and discuss a great book. Church is a “free” way to find community, join a cause bigger than self, and find a moral system that you cannot just discard when it is convenient. Join a church with many older people in it (as long as they have a lively faith). Look for a pastor who is at least thirty years older (not close to your age). This seems like strange advice, but most of us are too peer dependent and need to be with (and hear) the ideas of older and wiser folk. Avoid the church of “what’s happening now.” You can get that from television. Find a place with a doctrinal statement with some teeth. If you don’t have to believe anything much to join, then there is nothing to argue about! Dialectical growth comes from pushing against hard and bright lines.

Ah, now this I've been doing for a while now. I love my church! I usually make it to two Masses a week, plus Compline (a beautiful service!) and spiritual direction group. I've also been a part of the church's writing group (now in hiatus) and still participate in the reading group (we read everything from Dante to Sayers to P.D. James.)

 

So all in alll.....I've got a lot to work on. Sigh. But then, what's new about that?

What is happening to me?

First, last weekend, I start liking Joni Mitchell; I'd always sort of thought of her as a random hippie-person, singing nonsense. Then I heard the song River, and decided to buy one of her CDs. I did, and loved it.

 

Second: I've always been annoyed by Bob Dylan. His voice just grates on me, and I never could make sense of out the few lyrics of his songs that I'd heard. But then I bought the Lady in the Water soundtrack, which had covers of 2 songs: The Times They Are a-Changin', and Every Grain of Sand. I found both of them to be moving and profound; so I broke down and finally bought a CD of Dylan's. I listened to the first few tracks last night, and darn it all, I really liked that one, too!

 

What the heck is going on here?

Weird dream

So last night I dreamed I was in Rome with my co-worker Cindy. We were wandering around, enjoying the sights or something, and then there was this little room, with lots of kids in it. I knew that the Pope was due to arrive soon, so we decided to wait and see him. Sure enough, he showed up, and started talking with all the kids.

 

Sadly, I got shy and started drawing a picture with crayons instead of going over and meeting him.

 

Dang it! I'm such a coward! You'd think I'd at least have the courage to go meet a DREAM of the Pope, right? Yeesh!

 

Yeah, it was a weird dream.

Best Quote of the day

From http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal  Neil Gaiman's online journal:

 

"These days, as a middle-aged and respectable author, I still feel a sense of indeterminate but infinite possibility on entering a lift, particularly a small one with white walls. That to date the doors that have opened have always done so in the same time, and world, and even the same building in which I started out seems merely fortuitous – evidence only of a lack of imagination on the part of the rest of the universe."

 

 

iPod shuffle meme: taken from the 'net

Rules: set your iPod or media player of choice to shuffle and answer each question with the song that comes up! Then repost the answers in a note of your own. No Cheating!

Click on the song titles to see the lyrics.



What do your friends think about you:

And So It Goes (Billy Joel)

Hmmm....interesting...I don't know that I'd mind that...but it seems like it'd be more a theme song for me, rather than others' perception of me. Oh well. I love the song anyway.



What do you dream about:

Everywhere I Go (Five Iron Frenzy)

Ha! For some reason this cracks me up. I dream about a love song made popular by Amy Grant, redone as ska by FIF? Cool. On a more serious note, if you take the words to the song, and the way I always interpreted them(spiritual allegory)....hmmm. Interesting.



What's the theme song to your life:

Million Pieces (Newsboys)

Again, hmmmm, interesting.



What was your high school like:

Walk Through the Fire (Once More With Feeling, from the Buffy Episode)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So true!!!!!!!! Mot applicable line from the song: "These endless days are finally ending in a blaze!"



How do you feel right now:

I'm Waiting For You (Michael W. Smith)

Hmmm. For one thing, it's weird so many Christian songs are coming up on mine, I actually listen to very few Christian artists.

But this one....does seem to fit my thoughts lately...


When you get older your life will be:

Listen to Your Heart--dance mix (DHT)

Well, that doesn't exactly bode well for my love life, does it?


Your angry song is:

No Rain (Blind Melon)

WTH???? I love the song, but...angry? I knew my emotions were all screwed up but this is ridiculous! :)


Your love song is:

I Lost On Jeopardy (Weird Al)

Yep. I'm completely screwed up. :P


Your happy song is:

Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard (Paul Simon)

I'm really getting worried now..... *whimpers in corner*


How you feel about your boyfriend/ girlfriend:

Rock Around the Clock (Bill Hawley and the Smoots--500 respect points for the reference)

I don't even HAVE a boyfriend, but if I did, I would hope we would want to rock around the clock to some good Oldies.


What your bf/gf [husband] thinks about you:

The Dark Night of the Soul (Loreena McKennitt)

Hmmm......Again, given my thoughts these past few months, this is...interesting.


What your style says about you:

Go and Sin No More (Rebecca St. James)

Um................................No comment.


How is your love life:

Summer Nights (Grease soundtrack)

My music lies! It lies! *smashes Yahoo music player*


Seriously though, that was funny...now to pass it on!

Tagging: Liz, Anne, Andrea, Marcy, and Miriam! Please post a comment on my blog when you've responded.

Sweet!

After taking an online test for reading speed, it looks like I read 600-650 words per minute (average reading speed is 200-250wpm). I bet when I'm really into my groove (which takes about 3 minutes) I'm reading even faster.

 

That makes me very happy!

Happy happy happy day!!

Pan's Labyrinth came out on DVD yesterday!!!!!!!! I think I'll make a stop by the store on my way home.....

Computer help?

Actually, I need help buying a computer. I want a Mac laptop, but I don't want to pay for a new one. Here's my question:

 

Should I try to get one from eBay? Or other online sites for used computers? Or would that just be a really bad idea?

 

Thoughts on a Sabbatical....

Technically, the sabbatical mentioned here is the one that my parish priest is on right now (thanks be to God! He knows the good father needs a break!) but I have been thinking about some things recently.

First off, this article. I think my dad had me read it when a beloved pastor was attacked when I was in high school (still working on completely forgiving those in our church who did that to him). I highly recommend it; I'm not sure I would have believed that there were such people in the church until I saw them in action myself.

After seeing what happened in that church, I determined that I wanted to fight the CKs whereever they tried to do that sort of thing again. I wanted to do whatever I could to encourage pastors and clergy members; while one compliment or encouragement may not count for much, it is at least something.

I don't know if it works. I do what I can to encourage the priests in my church, but I have no idea if it's effective. I don't know that that matters; every little drop in the bucket helps. I don't know if my parish has any active "clergy killers"-- it's likely, but I certainly don't want to know who they are. But I do know that modern society is not friendly to pastors these days. To cite the previous article, :

"There is a general distrust of authority figures of any kind. There is biblical and theological illiteracy in the pews. This means parishioners do not understand God's purposes, and the dynamics of spiritual leadership. There is a general sense of entitlement growing in the church, in which church members feel entitled to comfort and privilege. And if a pastor does not please them, they are free to criticize and punish. There is a growing business mentality in the church, which says that if the CEO (pastor) does not produce, he should be fired. There is mobility among parishioners. This means they feel little loyalty to the "peace and unity of the church." For they will soon move on, without having to deal with the consequences of their irresponsible behavior. And, as has been mentioned, we are not training pastors to handle conflict, nor support themselves in survival situations."

God have mercy on us.

Reason #508 why I love my job

The Big Boss just came by and handed me a rubber chicken keychain, and said, "I thought this looked like something you would enjoy!"

 

The Quotable Roommates:

(this conversation is probably only funny if you've been playing GuitarHeroII for two weeks)

Liz: I still have a set and a half before the final encore on this level....

Joi: Ha! And then you have to play Freebird!

Liz: No! I don't want to think about Freebird! I want butterflies! Butterflies! *flaps arms*

Joi: And then the Freebird will sweep down out of the sky, snatch your butterflies up, and EAT THEM!

Liz: *sings* And the Freebird comes in the NIIIIIIIIIGHT!

Shamelessly stolen from the Kurt Jester's blog...

- Go to IMDB.com and look up 10 of your favourite movies.
- Post five (5) official IMDB "Plot Keywords" for these 10 picks.
- Have your friends guess the movie titles.
- Then tag three people

In random order...

1. Peril / Famous Score / Christ Figure / Undead / Melodrama

2. / Weightlifting / Rain / Mirror Showing Monster

3. Passion / / Saint

4. Breeding / Psychopath / Sordidness / Hitler Worship / Repellant

5. H.P. Lovecraft / Fire / Mutation / New England

6. Laboratory Accident / Basement Laboratory / Tragedy / Scream

7. Good Versus Evil / Cynic / Humor / Courage / Tyrant

8. Ford Model T / Desert / Car Crash / Secret Past / Loyalty

9. Raven / Hero / Turns Into Animal / Turned To Stone / 14th Century

10. Badminton / Money / Happy Birthday To You / Dungeon / Disney Animated Feature

Good luck! I'm especially interested in hearing your gueses for number 4.....

Tagging: Liz, Andrea, Rachel!

Augh, I've been tagged!!

 

A - Available/Single?
Single, yes. Available, no.

B - Best Friend?
Rachel!

C - Cake or Pie?
Cheesecake.

D - Drink of Choice?

Hmmmm........non-alcholic would beVernor's; alcoholic would probably be a Mai Thai. Yummy.....

E - Essential Item You Use Everyday?
Comb. When you have 3 feet of hair, it's a necessity.

F - Favorite Color
Purple!!!!!!

G - Gummy Bears or Worms?
Generally, worms. You can tie them up in knots, eat them in sections by color, etc.

H - Hometown?
In Texas, Hereford. In California, the whole La Mirada/Fullerton/Placentia area.

I - Indulgence?
Get thee behind me, Tetzel! (50 respect points if you get this joke) *joins in singing with Liz* No you won't get to Heaven....on roller skates...no you won't get to heaven...on roller skaaaaaates...no you won't get to Heaven on roller skates, you'll roll right by those pearly gates....

J - January or February?
February. RAIN!!!!! And COLD!!!!! YAYYYY!

K - Kids & Their Names
None. But I do have two godchildren, one boy in Texas--I think his name is Cody. I've been out of contact with his mom for awhile, so I can't quite remember. And of course, Lucy Motte, the most beautiful baby EVER.

L - Life Is Incomplete Without?
I agree with Liz on this one. But for the sake of difference, I will say...beauty

M - Marriage Date?
3:15 pm the day after never.

N - Number Of Siblings?
1 sister.

O - Oranges or Apples?

Gala apples with cheddar cheese!

 

P - Phobias/Fears
Money and paperwork.

Q - Favorite Quote?
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."

R - Reason to Smile?
I have a new hat!

S - Season?
Winter!

T - Tag Three People
Rachel, Marcy, and Adam, if he happens to read my blog.

U - Unknown Fact About Me?
Hmmmmm...I could tell you, but then it wouldn't be a secret anymore!

V - Vegetables You Don't Like?
BRUSSELS SPROUTS

W - Worst Habit?
Not exercising and eating total junk,

X - X-rays You've Had?
teeth

Y - Your Favorite Food?
hmmm.....Trader Joe's French Onion Soup? It depends on what I'm in the mood for. Casseroles. I like casseroles.

Z - Zodiac Sign?
Cancer

 

 

Prayer needed

Hello friends;

 

I would really appreciate it if all of you could be praying for me today. My finances have gotten very bad lately, and it's getting pretty serious. Please pray that I don't panic, and that I can just keep my head and deal with things.

You got 100% correct

You are a Church history expert. You know more than the average Catholic. You probably even have a love of Latin. Which your knowledge, you should consider teaching religious education classes, if you don't already.

How well do you know the history of the Catholic Church
Create a Quiz

Which is funny, since I'm an Anglican.