Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Dear Bishop Clowns
Will you guys GET IT TOGETHER?! ONCE AGAIN you have dispensed this diocese from the Holy Day of Obligation on Jan. 1. WHAT IS YOUR BLEEPING PROBLEM.?! It's either a "holy day" or it's not. It was bad enough when they started that dispensation business. Must mean it's not REALLY important. THEN you people changed it to ... well, if some holy days fall on a Sat. or a Monday, God forbid we should have the people go to church TWO DAYS IN A ROW. I mean, gee, that might be "hard" or "demanding." BUT THIS IS DISPENSED ON A THURSDAY!!! Do you guys all have a hot trip planned for Hawaii or Tahiti or something. WHAT IS UP WITH THIS CRAP?!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Oh, Paul, just HUSH
I freely admit I have never liked the apostle Paul on a personal level, especially due to his remarks in Col. regards women being submissive to their husbands. Now, I'm not one to say that Christianity gives a bad deal to women overall, far from it. I think it in general gives women the BEST deal. But Paul doesn't seem to take into account human nature. Too many men WILL lord it over their wives with his remark. "See, it's in the bible." I think that whole passage in particular made me inclinded NOT to want to be married. 50% personal inclination, and 50% confirmation with this particular "caveat emptor." Yes, sometimes the man is right. [I think Torvald in A Doll's House, for instance got a bum rap and the protagonist, was frankly, an airhead. Matter of fact, Torvald respected women who DID have it together, as evidenced by how he treated the Karen character.]
But I've seen too many men who seem to expect fealty for no other reason for his presumed superiority by virtue of his XY chromosomes. I've seen too many men who think they "own" their women. The Sunday after Christmas was ruined for a long time for me by insisting on reading this passage. It is now optional, and there is the further option of a reading from Hebrews. Hell will have frozen over before we get the Hebrews reading though by whomever puts together those dumb missalettes.
Somewhere around I've got a rather funny essay by Aloise Buckley Heath, WFB, Jr.'s sister, wherein she ends up wishing peace on earth and good will to everyone but St. Paul. It struck a chord with me in my teenage years and resonates with me now. I was saving it for New Year's Eve, but I may put some of it up a bit of it later. Just. Because. [Aloise was happily married with 10 children, but still thought Paul was the Pits.]
And Aloise wrote this long before anyone heard of the NOW gang.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas poem
"So stick up ivy and the bays,
And then restore the heathen ways.
Green will remind you of the spring,
Though this great day denies the thing.
And mortifies the earth and all
But your wild revels, and loose hall.
Could you wear flowers, and roses strow
Blushing upon your breasts’ warm snow,
That very dress your lightness will
Rebuke, and wither at the ill.
The brightness of this day we owe
Not unto music, masque, nor show:
Nor gallant furniture, nor plate;
But to the manger’s mean estate.
His life while here, as well as birth,
Was but a check to pomp and mirth;
And all man’s greatness you may see
Condemned by His humility.
Then leave your open house and noise,
To welcome Him with holy joys,
And the poor shepherd’s watchfulness:
Whom light and hymns from heaven did bless.
What you abound with, cast abroad
To those that want, and ease your load.
Who empties thus, will bring more in;
But riot is both loss and sin.
Dress finely what comes not in sight,
And then you keep your Christmas right.
"
Friday, December 26, 2008
One of Life's Imponderables - Dogs vs. Tinsel
Why do they like to eat it? You'd think after the first 5 or 6 times they'd catch on that it makes them sick. Do they listen? NO. I've yet to know of a dog who didn't sample it. Or maybe the tinsel on our trees was particularly attractive? OR maybe it was just because we'd touched it and they KNEW the master/mistress's hand. Whatever. Took me forever to figure out why they grab the newspaper and run off with it.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Vigil, St. John the Evangelist, San Diego
Fr. Dillard (who could give Fr. John Boyle a run for his money in a dunking contest) said the Mass. It was perfect in every respect. Besides the priest, they had 4 servers 2 male, 2 female, of older years. 4 EMs, and 2 lectors, a cantor, and a choir and every action and movement by*every single person* was carried out with grace and symetry and reverence, in their comings and going etc. There was a nice gospel procession, and Father used a little bit of Latin just before the Memorial acclaimation and before the final blessing. Father used EP IV and also did the gospel from the center of the nave. He also used incense every place you could use incense. If every Novus Ordo Mass was done like this, no one would complain. So if you're visiting San Diego, and want to be SURE to go to a Mass Almighty God does not show up at under duress, I'd highly recommend a visit here.
A blessed Christmas to you all. [ Keep your fingers crossed for me that the 5:15 Mass at my own parish is said by someone who knows how to do a valid AND licet Mass, and by one who doesn't add a lot of junk that doesn't belong.]
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Feeling a little frenzied?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Favorite Ornament
I've had this ornament since I've been about 7. I can remember it when it was "new." And that was a long time ago. As I recall we got it in a box of "ordinary" ornaments, and "they" tend not to make things like this anymore. Not without spending more money than average anyway. This one is fairly thick glass and has sparkly "snow" on it. It's the ornament I always save to put in a "special" place. Last one on, first one off.
It has survived, by my count, about 15 moves. There are two songs which can make me cry. One is "Stars and Stripes Forever." [I'm a wreck on 4th of July, it hits so deep emotionally for me.] The other is Judy Garland singing "Have yourself a Merry Little Chirstmas" to Margaret O'Brien in "Meet Me In St. Louis." The family is moving and the younger sister is sad to be leaving all her friends.
I'm glad I got to live all the places I did and meet all the people I met and have wonderful experiences...but I can't deny the moment of separation from friends (and sometimes family) didn't take its toll.
You tell me, I can't decide
Whose brilliant idea was this?
vs. phone pad...
..look up the word "proactive" and discover the true meaning. "Yeah, well, duh." Prior knowledge with a similar system may prevent you from having as easy a time with "X" if you didn't already know "Y." Which is why it is always fun to sit around in meetings where idiot managers throw the word "proactive" around without knowing from whence the word comes and its original meaning. i.e. A person going to the US from England or vice-versa is going to want to tend to drive on the "wrong" side of the road - because he is so ingrained with doing things a certain way, having learned to drive elsewhere 1st. Now, a Martian, on the other hand ....
Anyway, I'm SURE there's a good reason....but I can't think why the phone pad and 10 key are different.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Cut it out, Part Deux
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
LL Bean's a champ
Looking for something to give to somebody, somewhere and don't want to go shop? Try the nice folks at LL Bean in Maine. Nice on-line catalogue. You don't have to leave the house and they can send things Fed Ex or whatever. I got these nifty rain shoes ages ago. They have different colors, styles etc. I don't get to wear them often but I've had them for years. Yes, get the inserts. Fast freinds 24/7. Why leave the house? No. I don't work for them. But I did make the pilgrimage to Freeport some 21 summers ago. [God, was it that long ago? It was....]]
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Posada 2008, San Diego
Last night I attended a Posada. The word "posada" means "inn." It's been a long time since I've been. So I thought it would be fun to go when it had already rained heavily and was threatening more of the same. It held up. A Spanish song is sung in 9 verses about the search for lodging all along the way. About 2/3rds of the way along I heard an Irish lilt next to me: "Isn't it lovely?" I turned to see Fr. Mark about 3 feet away from me in the crowd. He'd still been saying Mass when we'd started off. Quite windy, but there was a crowd of about 300+ people who followed the course of Mary and Joseph, Dulcinea (the donkey!), as they sought shelter from mean old innkeepers and were turned away 8 times before reaching La Casa de Estudillo! Mary rode that donkey right across the threshold too. [Nicer digs they couldn't have had! A fine old ranchero and the setting for Helen Hunt Jackson's "Ramona's Wedding!"]
A lot of fun on such a cold night. The shops had stayed open late and a lot of community organizations had turned out. Afterwards there was some pinata breaking for the kids and caroling all over Old Town, including at our church.
Typical USD Student studies for Finals
Give him a break - it's 57F outside. With wind chill it's 54. Actually it IS colder than a witch's tit right now in Copley library, and I don't know why. I'm using the square AC/DC black box thingie to keep my hands warm. An ESKIMO would be freezing in here right now. Meanwhile most of the girls in the library have on Uggs. It gets below 60F here and the girls break out the Uggs. But so help me, right now it's warmer outside!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Favorite Rosary Meme
This one's simple. Show your favorite three rosaries. You can say why they're your favorite. Tag three others.
The second rosary is one I got at the Vatican when I was nearing 22. It would have been blessed by Pope Paul VI, but he'd died earlier that month on Aug. 6th of 1978. My best friend from college, her elder sister and I were doing a "Grand Tour" of Europe that August after I'd graduated. Nothing fancy or overly expensive but very servicible. Sometimes I alternate using this one with the wooden one. The pope (Paul VI) would have blessed it, but he'd died earlier that month on Aug 6, 1978
Rosary number 3 has beautiful crystal beads including the 4 corners of the cross. I don't use it as often. It's very sturdy except for ONE link that keeps coming unhooked and I'm afraid to use needle nose pliers on it. I'm stubbornly Mac-like in refusing to use a simple small plastic or leather case. Yes. I know. It's a disease. No. I don't particularly want to be cured. Even I don't go in the deep dark corner of my mind why that one is. It just is.
The rosary belonged to my grandmother, and had been purchased for her by my mother on our first trip to Rome in Feb. of '74. This one was blessed by Paul VI. When she'd died her children decided it was sensible that each child would take back what they'd given her, then divvy up the rest. And when my mom died, I got this rosary, naturally, being the only child. [One advantage to that is NEVER having to argue over stuff like this. "Karen, you want this rosary? Why, yes, Karen, it's lovely. Of course, thank you."]
I have another small rosary I got in Rome the 1st time. Small, with crystal white beads. A little too small and delicate for everyday wear and tear. Mac has a beautiful blue rosary with beads in the shape of roses. I have one similar, except mine is red with a slightly different cross. It also tarnishes easily. It smells faintly of Roses.
I have a few others. One is my mom's pink crystal Rosary. Very pretty, but tarnishes easily.
And now for the lucky tags.
SwissMiss - Because. I've been so neglectful of her this fall.
Adrienne - because fall mulching all done, she's probably just sitting there up in Idaho making moonshine to sell on ebay, and pondering why it's so dark, and with luck, she'll tag Angela
Kit - because I bet she has some neat rosaries and this will set off a whole chain of Machiavellian tags and if my plan fails, will some of you people who say "Dammit, Karen, tag ME once and a while willya?" please do the meme and tell me, so that next time there's a meme I can tag you and then you'll say "Oh, well, yah, ya would tag me on THIS bloody meme...."
[Okay, Adrienne, tag Tara, then Tara tags Fr. Erik, and then we'll find out if his beads are made of shell casings.
Christmas Carols to fall Asleep by!
Che, God, the Left, Stupid Liberals
Digi asked why so many on the left don't condemn mass murder by the left, and here was my answer with expanded remarks:
***
Sometimes I wish it was actual stupidity rather than a willful blindness and cowardice.
You saw it in everyone from Simone de Beauvoir, Sartre, Hollywood leftists in the 30s etc.
I think it is because those of the left are afraid to go against a collective. They very much value being part of a "group." They reject God, as a rule, so they only have "the group" to provide their sustenance. Everything is provided i.e. job/social connections/ standing in the community / friends etc. by a collective sense.
I can remember reading some book or other about a US woman living in Paris, and the way their society was networked people didn't help people so much on an individual basis i.e. she couldn't ask a neighbor to look after her youngster for an hour or two in an emergency, because she would have gotten: "can't you get the child care at your work to do that?" i.e. you had power by being in a certain pecking order, and God forbid you mess up your own hard gained position by giving some other sucker a break.
It's like the picked on kid at school. Things can be going fine...then one day little Johnny says/does something stupid, and he's the "goat du jour." Ridicule, and if some of the "not unpopular by any means, but not one of the leading clique" sticks up for Johnny, why he TOO will be picked on and ridiculed.
It takes a strong person to stand against a group and do what is right regardless of concern for their own standing. Because secretly these leftists want to be part of the top "in crowd" and they'll never be that if they defend the individual over the collective.
I don't know if you've ever read Whittaker Chamber's book, "WITNESS" but it's a very engaging book (one of my 5 favorite, in fact) wherein he tells how he, a man of the left, an intellectual fell into communism, and how he rose from it. He was involved with the communist underground in the US and saw and talks about first hand how labor unions were subsummed and taken over by communist cadres -- an easy target because while many of the aims of early unions were in some senses noble (i.e. work conditions, laws against child labor, etc.) The left saw this as an opportunity to pervert the legitimate desires of these people to do their own bidding. (Nice having union slush funds to do the work of communism and'/or the left in general too. ) "Hey, your union dues will go to "X" for collective bargaining (and in the bargain will also be siphoned off to get across OUR goals - California Teacher's association funding pro-gay marriage anyone? -- donations to planned parenthood anyone?" And these are the LEAST of it over the course of what history has shown us! Money we couldn't raise on the street corner, but by controlling the union, and using sometimes coercive tactics to get a union in, which now has a binding in court mandate, the can force people to join -- a la AFTRA, SAG, and other highly unionized industries) now have YOUR money in THEIR pockets to do what THEY want and you have no say.) There's a reason Reagan went from being a union leader to attacking the underbellies of the unions. He saw from within how corrupt they could become. Ancedotally, a good friend fo mine's grandfather was one of the founding members of the New York Iron Worker's Union. He quickly became disenchanted with it and left. "Geez, SOME of these labor union bastards are just as bad as the people we were trying to fight against!"
Chambers also saw what happened in the early 20s to the now obscure internal struggle within the US communist party between the Loveites and the Stonerites. He even saw illegal Russian plants actual be dumb enough to go home to be liquidated. Or perhaps they thought they could be "recalled for consultation to Moscow" and fake their way through it so their relatives wouldn't be liqudated if they defected. So powerful was fear against going against the collective.
Also if you read about the Hollywood 10 and not even so much them, but the whole leftist "artsy" crowd that inhabit the chattering classes you also find this commonality. "God" is for ignorant folk, and they want to replace Him with themselves. The new Nomenklatura, from which all grace and blessings and social benefits (and government approal!) flow. I wrote this for digi who knows Russian, but for those of you unfamiliar with the term "nomenklatura" means "The new wealthy/in power class - oh, not the TOP rung people, but their sychophants who get the grace and favor and goodies available by associate with the top dogs." My own definition, but that sums it up.
To step out of the box of the left, you not only have to think for yourself (and I'd be willing to bet that if they were being honest with themselves, many on the left would admit to the butchery) but they are AFRAID to challenge those with the Che t-shirts - because to do so would indicate independent thought outside the collective. And they can't bear the thought of the collective turning on them, because if it does, they feel they will have no where to go - having rejected God.
And frankly, it doesn't help the Catholic church much by having fuzzhead priest "sympathisers" who put labor union collective bargaining on the altar instead of God. Not everything the labor unions do by any stretch is ethical or moral, and there are a lot of naive at best or evil at worst people in the Catholic heirarchy who are too chicken to point out what's going on to their congregation. They will lose their congregation to the left, because they don't understand the aims of the left. And a principle aim of the left is to deny God.
If you wish to understand the left, please read Witness. It will give you the intellectual undergirding to fight the left. It is a lengthy book, but highly readable and digestible. Part autobiography, part history lesson, part spy story, part spiritual journal - it is truely a seminal work of American conservatism.
I'd like to note that the FIRST crack in the communist armor that Chamber's had donned was he and his wife's decision NOT to abort their firstborn child. The communist party advised their illegal underground workers not to be "burdened" with children. His wife said "We can't do this to a little child, OUR child." So they had the baby, and thus started their climb from darkness to the light. And a little child shall lead them.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich taken into federal custody
**
**
**
Wonder how much Barry HUSSEIN paid the Chicago boys for all the help they gave him getting his competition disqualified for the Illinois senate seat a while back. Will anyone sing like a canary? Or are they afraid of an Obamacide?
Details here. Nothing like a club Fed Christmas Vacation. Merry Christmas, soon-to-be-EX Governor.
to quote Digi: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Enjoy your new "boyfriends." If you drop the soap...don't pick it up.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Father DUDES
It's all about YOU on this one, buddy. Don't bring me into it. It's *strictly* a presidential prayer.
If this line doesn't apply to you: NEVERMIND. If it does: MIND
Is it too much to ask that the Mass be said AS WRITTEN?
And while I'm on pet peeves: Would you people in the congregation stop insisting and trying to make everyone hold hands at the Our Father? ESPECIALLY during cold and flu season? And that "let's raise our joined hands higher" business during the "for thine is the kingdom" stuff looks outright STUPID.
There. I said it. DEATH to charismatics! [I don't even like that protestant "For thine is the kingdom" stuff thrown in. I'd dearly like a word with the probably-long-dead-thank-God person(s) who grafted that on.
]
NON mi piace.
And as long as I'm on a roll: to a certain other well-meaning, very nice priest in the San Diego diocese: the word "PLEASE" is NOWHERE in ANY of your prayers. Really. Please stop adding it everytime you implore the Lord at Mass to do anything.
St. Conleth
I'm also happy to add them to my blogroll. There seem to be relatively few bloggers from Ireland. I don't know why. But then, perhaps I just haven't tapped that vein.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
What a Real President Elect Looks Like
...from among my souveniers. My "I was there" evening. It was the last campaign stop for Ronaldus Magnus in 1980, San Diego being a lucky city for him. I remember how excited my mom and I were to go to the rally - such a thing we'd never been to before. The site was slightly to the east of where the trolley station in the Fashion Valley parking lot now sits. I remember the heady rush of anticipation as we waited. The (relatively minimal to now) security checks by the secret service. He was hours behind. My mom had scrawled on the back of this flyer "Ed, we went to the rally, we should be home around 6:30." I don't think we made it home until at least 10.
He was nearing 70, but he had fire in his belly, as he had all through the campaign. Basically his message was that Jimmy Carter could put his "Malaise" elsewhere.
It was also the memorable night, he'd finally had it with the handful of hecklers that had traipsed around tagging onto every campaign appearance. He told them to "shut up." I found the clip below, finally. Locally, they played that clip over and over on every radio and TV station. The crowd roared with delight. A candidate with moxie. He'd said he'd been wanting to say that for a while, and figured his telling them to "shut up" wouldn't make a difference at that point. Media didn't have time to spin it.
And the best part of it was I *KNEW* in my heart he would be victorious,
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Lessons and Carols
I got there very early and took a still photo of the altar, which you see here.
Then I bagged a seat at the front against the wall. This Chapel is unusual in the US in that there are traditional choir stalls along the side walls on a slightly raised platform which runs the entire length of the chapel. By the time the service started, it was packed.
Most of the music was very traditional, beginning with a 13 minute Magnificat by Pergolesi, followed by a processional Personent Hodie (On this day the earth shall sing.) There were more than 20 in the orchestra, so there was full and rich accompaniment to most of the songs.
I got lucky with this next shot, as I took it EXACTLY when the official photographer took hers, so I benefitted from HER flash. Serendipity.
The carols between the lessons inluded Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, Do you Hear What I hear? Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming (my favorite which is in the video below.) There was a Celtic Alleluia, followed by a well executed but Beauty-and-the-Beastlike incongruous "The Lord is With You" - a well meaning but wonky song between "Gabriel," "Mary," and "Joseph." Okay, if you like that sort of thing. I don't.
Joy to the World was sung, along with Angels We Have Heard On High, and What Child is This? [If I am at Mass at Christmas and they DON'T sing this I am extremely dissapointed. Okay, it's probably just me, but "Silent Night" can take a flying leap as far as I'm concerned. I've always hated it.] Somewhere in the mix was "Little Drummer Boy."
The concluding song was "The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy" which was also incongruous, but EXTREMELY (and unexpectedly to my taste, I thought) DELIGHTFUL. It is a traditional[?!] West Indian Christmas song. I hadn't heard it before. Something about the maracca and the bongo made me want to reach for a Mai-Tai. But somehow, it was very dignified to boot! Go figure. Too bad I ran out of room for the video for that.
Below is a video clip* of Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming from the concert. There are a few people with stupid "hangings" on a pole that were in the enterance/recessional and gospel processions who pass by in front. The only *other* thing I didn't like about this service. Everything was cool except for this Bishop Brom-like feature.
[Did I tell you the man has bad taste with these tacky processional "things?" I use the word "things" in place of what I really want to call them! A thurible I understand. A crucifer and two candlebearers I understand. Weird stuff hanging on poles? Maybe it's because they couldn't do puppets. Whatever. I still don't know what they were supposed to "represent."]
I happened to be at a rehearsal a few days prior and got an up close and personal look at the actual poles. 10-1 says they were the original poles used for torches used in a high Mass given the hook I saw on one of them! At least they were a minor distraction given all the other eye candy in Founder's Hall Chapel that night.
There is one more performance left at 2p.m. on Sunday. It is FREE! A performance has been taped and will be broadcast on San Diego's Cox Cable Channel 4 on Dec 14 at 8 p.m., Dec. 19 at 8:30, Dec. 20 at 9:00 p.m., Dec 23 at 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 25 at 6 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Well worth watching if you can get the channel.
[* The video was shot by my little Vivitar camera. No, I wasn't annoying as I "guessed" where the action would be as I held it right next to my thigh so it wouldn't be obvious I was taking a few video clips. So if it's a little off center -- too bad!!]
Thursday, December 4, 2008
HA Award
Haven't given out one of these in a while.
"Jennifer Davis was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Nov. 18, her contractions just 3 minutes apart. Her husband, John, was trying to appear calm for his wife's sake, driving in the breakdown lane of Route 2. They pulled up behind a state trooper to ask whether they could continue using the lane to reach the next exit, near Alewife Station.
Not only did the trooper say no, he gave them a $100 citation for driving in the breakdown lane, made them wait for their citation while he finished writing someone else's ticket, and even seemed to ask for proof of pregnancy, Jennifer Davis said."
You can read the whole story here.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Brain Death & Lack of Professional Courtesy
Just this week....
1. email from me: ".... And what is your street address?"
email back: "We're in the building right next to Qualcomm."
There are FOUR buildings "right next to Qualcomm." Did he think I was asking for my health? IF it's in any way ambiguous, given the person walks upright (was that perhaps my mistake?) is it NOT obvious that you should just email the ****ing address to begin with?
2. [Different company]
Sunday night: "The meeting tommorow morning will be X location."
Monday morning: You drive TWENTY freakin' miles to find that NO, the Jackass in question changed the meeting site, to Mission Valley, not 2 miles from where you were before you went on the wild goose chase. Did it filter through this numb nut's pea brain that perhaps it would be a good idea to Email REALLY early or contact via phone, rather than have his receptionist tell you AT meeting place #1 that "oh, he called me to say it would be at X, and to tell you...here's a map."
Well, thanks for the 40 extra miles, dude.
I don't even want to go into the details. But suffice to say I am royally pissed. This kind of thing happens more and more. And by people who are "The powers that be." Who in the HELL decided they were competent enough to do jack squat? The MOST OBVIOUS things aren't done.
I am sick and tired of dealing with imbeciles. Meanwhile, the UK's "Southern Water" thinks Fr. Blake owes them more money than a hotel (Philip's) pays for the water bill in a year. IF it doesn't get resolved he'll have to close the center for Christmas. And it's a place refugees of limited means use.
Too many boobs in charge these days.
Six things that make me happy
Esther tagged me. State the obvious, then tag six more and let them know.
1. (I agree with her) Being Catholic. Except for that Kleenex thing - and by way of extension, some of the goofy things Paul said, did. That was some fall off the horse. ["no, you don't have to be circumcised to be Christian, except for you two dummies, who as adults need to be circumcised, because I need you to go into the temple over there and preach Christ, and God knows I can't find any Jews around here" (Paul, ya coulda done it yourself, instead of asking guys to get part of their pee-pees whacked off when they were already grown) and all that "women's heads must be covered cultural crap" that we've been beaten over the head with for almost 2,000 years. Paul, take some valium, will ya?]
2. Being born a US citizen. How lucky is that in the lottery of life? Millions trying to get in and I had this just handed to me on the platter. I didn't even have to come across with the pilgrims, but enough of my ancestors crossed - and some of them did within a hundred years after the pilgrims. And the nice thing is when people take up citizenship here, they ARE "one of us." I've known more than one person who was born in "country X" but still considers himself to be of "nationality Y" because they don't feel entirely part of where they were born.
3. Education. I had all the formal education I wanted, and if I want more I can get it.
4. Theatre. I'd rather sit in a dark theatre and watch people on stage, especially at "Musical comedy, the most glorious words in the English language ♪," I'd even rather see bad stuff than sit at home and watch a sitcom or almost anything on TV. To me there's always something to love or hate about it. I do not love it enough, however, to want to be "properties manager" again. Oh, I'll help MAKE properties. But not drive all around the fricken town finding the damn things. I hate shopping too. The most thankless task on earth next to ironing purificators.
5. Rain. The older I get the more I get like good queen Bess II in her love of it. We so seldom get it here when it comes, it is a TREAT. I love how everything is crystal clear after it, and if it's late afternoon, and the sun comes out, everything is infused with a golden tinged clarity that is unearthly. It does after a rain here anyway.
6. Family and friends. Because. They "knew you when" and loved you even before you got your cool. They even love you when you're being a jerk. Usually.
7. [I hate the number six. Always have. Even before the Exorcist. And I like odd numbers more than evens.] DOGS. DOGS RULE. ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS ESPECIALLY RULE.
And now, the lucky six.
1. Tara (now that Stella is well.)
2. Phillip (so this time around he can tag Mac. And Mac will probably tag Bara. I hope.)
3. Swiss Miss (anyone who has a cabin with "bear issues" is interesting)
4. Angela. (Because her podcasts are so cool.)
5. Ukok (because she's so creative)
6. Therese (She was neat enough to invite me down to Australia. Some day I may take her up on it. My folks had a blast down there, and it was the one place they were where I didn't get to go due to a work commitment, and I've been jealous ever since.)
I'd tag one of the polo team, but they are so "radio silence" on memes, though Mac (are ya listening?) can sometimes twist the arm of his hermeneuticalness enough to get him to come across with one.
A Warning to young Ladies
In the comments on the last post, Phillip referred to a classic Flanders and Swann song. I first heard it when I was twenty. "Have some Madeira, m'dear."
It was a while since I looked for it on youtube, but it has finally appeared - so now everyone can enjoy it
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
I RULE - pop quiz - GIRM #279
Would that be:
A. the Pastor
B. the Pastor Emeritus (who really should know better, A being ordained in the Hippy days]
C. the Deacon (who trains all the other deacons in the diocese)
or
D. Me, the Server
If you said "D" "Why, Karen, of course, because she is persnkicity such things as the Eucharist and would certain have read and fully understood the import of GIRM @279. i.e. " then give yourself a cigar or a kewpie doll as you feel so inclined.
"279. The sacred vessels are purified by the priest, the deacon, or an instituted acolyte afterCommunion or after Mass, insofar as possible at the credence table. The purification of thechalice is done with water alone or with wine and water, which is then drunk by whoever doesthe purification. The paten is usually wiped clean with the purificator. Care must be taken that whatever may remain of the Blood of Christ after the distribution ofCommunion is consumed immediately and completely at the altar. "
I may seem liberal in some ways: "Hell, no, I wouldn't be caught dead in a mantilla." But when it comes to wanting a valid AND licet Mass, I am hell on wheels.
I DO hope it comes to pass that women can become instituted acolytes, because frankly, I'm the only one who seems to give a flip about properly purifying the vessels as it is.
Give yourself a cigar or a kewpie doll if you got the right answer. And no, I'm in no mood to be triffled with.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Book Meme Tag
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I was delighted to see a full church
this morning at Mass. The ideal way to start Thanks-
giving.
Sunday, someone (who should have known better!) asked me if it was a Holy Day of Obligation. Somewhere along the way they'd received faulty catechesis for not knowing this. OTOH, the silver lining is that the person at least was concerned about meeting the obligation for Holy Days.
BTW, we had a good bit of rain the last 48 hours. It pours, then the sun comes out. Drizzles, sun comes out. It's spectacularly clear. A real blessing. Unless you are in a mudslide area.
On a fun note - I've always liked "der Bingle's" "I've got plenty to be thankful for" from "Holiday Inn." [one of my favorite movies.]*
A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you all.
[* - on a historical note, the business of the turkey jumping back and forth between the two different Thursdays, was no joke! FDR, in his stupidity bowed to political pressure from largely democratic party voting states to move the holiday forward by one week to help "get the holiday out of the way" so Christmas shopping could begin in earnest. (the Fri. after Thanksgiving has traditionally been the busiest shopping day of the year) Republican states held out and said "NO WAY, we are staying with tradition." So for a few years some states held the holiday in the next to last week of November, and other states hung tough for the tradition to be the Fourth Thursday of November. Sanity eventually prevailed.]
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Bitch, Bitch, Bitch
Yes. I know the holidays are coming and everything. But I just can't STAND how dark it is this time of year. Today: Sunrise - 6:26, Sunset 4:43 AND IT ONLY GETS WORSE. 2 months more of this **** until it gets better! [I know, I know, my UK readers are getting about an hour, 45 less than I am, and my Aussie readers are saying "are you NUTS? It's GREAT out here...."]
I guess that's the solution move way south of the equator November through March, and to northern latitudes the rest of the year. "Studies" always blame the holidays on the high suicide rate. I bet it would be even higher without them!!! No wonder the church grabbed those heathen holidays and replaced them with holidays of our own.
Get up, go to work, it's barely light. Knock off work, it's DARK already.
[Where's that sign my mom had made up for me in college? The wooden sign that normally has something over the mailbox like "The Johnsons." Mine has "Bitch, Bitch, Bitch" on it.]
45 Years On
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Who knew Nobama studied Machiavelli?```
Okay, so if Monica's competition gets the nod as Secretary of State, does this mean Nobama did it to get her out of the senate....and then will wait a respectable 6 months, and then find something to fire her for?
If so...bama, you're a genius. But he'll probably prove me wrong. Or is this a case of keeping your enemies closer?
Jocelyn Elders, please pick up the white courtesy phone....
Good thing they didn't ask any Algebra questions!
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Monday, November 17, 2008
I must have been sleeping like a rock
4.1 Earthquake northern S.D. County
When we first moved to California in the summer of 1970 I found it hard to adjust to the different seasons.
I had always lived back east where there were 4 distinct seasons, but here in Southern California that all changes. We have: Drought, fire, monsoon, mudslide, and earthquake.. Fire is far the most frightening, as you can be taken unawares and lose everything in minutes. Last year a co-worker of mine's neighborhood was evacuated middle of gthe night with almost zero notice with reverse 911 calls. [This is a relatively new system where the emergency service calls *you* to tell you to get out if a bad fire breaks out.)
About 2 months afer coming to California there was a bad fire that broke out not too far from Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley where we lived then. I missed it, the family being in Las Vegas for a bottler's convention my dad went to. I missed all the "drama" - but you could smell smoke for days. Then in following Feb. there was a huge 6.1 about 6 miles from where we lived. Hospital wing collapsed. Once again I "missed it" we being in Vegas again for another convention. We drove home that day, expecting to find some damage to our house. Nada. About a foot of water spashed from the pool, an overturned water cooler in the kitchen, and a top row of books from one of my bookcases which was tightly packed "jumped" onto the floor, in a neat row. That was it. I was secretly disappointed I missed the "big one" that all my new friends at school eperienced. My parents were somewhat amused that I had slept through a few fairly good aftershock for 4 and up that night. For a week or two afterwards, however, I was introduced to a new sport common in souther California called "quess the magnitude." What you do is wait until it's over and then say "4.5" and someone else says: "no way, 4.7 and no less." Then you wait 10 minutes for CalTech to get its act together and say "SEE I TOLD you...."
Truth be told I'm kinda bummed I "missed" the quake this morning! Those in the 4 point ranger are "Hey theres" Same sensation you feel just before the first drop on a rollercoaster. Giddy anticipation.
If you want to avoid all this, apparently the deal is: Live in Vegas. You can only lose your shirt.
fergeddaboutit
I see the "Campaign for human development" donation is coming up again this time of year. Well, they were the ones who'd given a big chunk of money to an organization which funded ACORN - which is under investigation in numerous states for massive fraud in voter registration.
CFHD can kiss my behind for now and evermore. And it's not like "they just found out" this was a bad organization. Before the turn of the century over a million dollars had been embezzeled from same. So whomever "vets" these things isn't doing a very good job, and I don't trust their judgment. Best give to a local charity, where gravy train outright socialists don't get their fingers on it. A home for unwed mothers would be a good cause as well as any local St. Vincent de Paul societies.
Friday, November 14, 2008
High Fire Potential Alert Warning...San Diego County
BUT THIS:
PLUS THIS (which just showed up on my "weatherbug" application):
Produces THIS:
Say some prayers for the folks up in Montecito too, who've already had 13 injured plus lost 100+ homes so far, and no sign of containment of the fire at last report. Usually by this time of year the danger has passed, but not so lucky this time.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Mandatory Volunteerism
It seems ironic to me that people can propose forced "voluntary service" hours. It seems to be an oxymoron at best. It may be well intended for didactic purposes, but in the long run I think it has a contrary effect.
Many of our Catholic schools, for instance, now have "required service hours" in order to graduate. In other words, you must get your "ticket punched" for doing so many hours at a nursing home, helping sister clap the erasers together, doling out soup in a soup kitchen. Now all these things may well be noble endeavours, but what *precisely* is learned by making someone do something that is supposed to come from the goodness of one's heart?
In other words, instead of learning by example from mom, dad, the community at large, doing something good is now done as a quid pro quo. I.E. "You do something good for X, and I'll let you:
Graduate,
Have a better parking spot,
Get your name in lights on the company bulletin board after the next subbotnik."
Yes, that's right - because no matter how well intended, it's a subbotnik. Just like Dear Uncle Joe made "the workers" give one free day to the state.
It makes a mockery of REALLY doing something that comes from the heart. You do good for the sake of its own intrinsic worth. Not because you'll get something tangible.
Ditto this idea of "Getting a monetary reward for doing the right thing." It used to be in school we were taught (in the parochial school anyway) that if you saw a wallet, you returned the wallet, you didn't expect a monetary reward...you did it because IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. Virtue for its own sake. You didn't return the lost dog for the "reward" - you returned it because you knew how bad you feel if your pet was lost, and you wanted to do right by the other person. [I'm not talking about accepting what it might have cost you ... i.e. you were reimbursed for the dog food or whatever if you needed it. ] I'm talking about the $1000 bucks if you return my dog" stuff that people seem to expect merely for doing the right thing. And ditto kids who get paid "X" if they get good grades in school. The knowledge gained should be reward enough. You learn for the joy of learning.
Don't put it past evil minded people to use the collective guilt trip of not doing voluntary service as a way to push their own agendas either. Sure a parochial school may be thinking that a few hours in a soup kitchen is a good thing. But don't expect others not to co-opt this notion. If I'm not mistaken Maryland schools, public ones at that require "service hours." IIRC some of these "service hours" can be for things like Planned Parenthood. Comprende?
I also wonder where Nobama is taking HIS "dear leader" agenda with his wish for enforced youth mandatory service scheme.
What was it the Jesuits said? "Give me a child until he is seven, and I will show you the man." Don't give your children over to be indoctrinated by anyone. At best, [when a cause is good], they can still easily pick up the "quid pro quo" mentality and don't really do good works from the heart. At worst, their minds can be poisoned into a lockstep "cadre." And question whether even meritorius "required service hours" are teaching your teen something beyond a jaundiced view of REAL volunteerism.
Psst!!! Don't say anything, but Fr. Blake's Birthday is coming up
....he didn't exactly shout it from the rooftops last year, but only noted it AFTER the event. He mentioned in passim that he didn't like to celebrate his birthday much, given it fell on the date of the death of "Catholic England." i.e. the day Queen Mary I died. Historically minded as I am the date is Nov. 17th.
So would some of my English bloggers friends make sure he doesn't sit home in the dark listening to dirges? [Remind him England at the time was still on the old Julian calendar, and it's "safe" to celebrate is birthday.]
He claims he'd like an icon or two for Christmas...but I bet he wouldn't say no to one on his birthday. And I'm sure he wouldn't say no to a spiritual bouquet!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Nice to know it's all about skin color after all
From the Topeka Capital-Journal:
Planning underway for Obama Holiday.
"The Capital-Journal
Plans are being made to promote a national holiday for Barack Obama, who will become the nation's 44th president when he takes the oath of office Jan. 20.
"Yes We Can" planning rallies will be at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the downtown McDonald's restaurant, 1100 Kansas Ave., until Jan. 13. The goals are to secure a national holiday in Obama's honor, to organize celebrations around his inauguration and to celebrate the 200th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, who was born on Feb. 12 1809.
At 7:30 a.m. on Inauguration Day, Obama Cake will be served at the downtown McDonald's, and a celebration is scheduled for 8 p.m. to midnight Jan. 20 at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 S.E. 6th." [boycott anyone?]
Okay, so he was born half-black...and that entitles him to a "National Holiday" BECAUSE? What has this Marxist ideologue actually DONE for the country? [Apart from the mental masturbation "gratitude" from his supporters?]
Delusions of grandeur. And for those of you who've already outed themselves as Nobama supporters. Too late, you were a little too vocal in your support. We know now who the "kapos" would most likely be drawn from. I'm sure you'll be in the shock troops in his plans for mass indoctrination of youth in his "voluntary" national service plan. Suckers.
But what would you expect from a guy who "campaigned" for his blood thirsty cousin in Africa. Google "Obama" and "Odinga" if you're not too lazy - while you still can.
Somehow I'm betting this is something the Daily Telegraph forgot to tell you about in its "50 things about Barack Obama you didn't know.
So much for "content of character." RIP, MLK.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Nobama gives 1st press conference
Press eats it up. Pretty soon they will be reduced to taking "press releases" from the White House. Just like Pravda. And digi - how does it go - there is no Pravda ["Truth"] in Izvestia ["The News"] and no Izvestia in Pravda.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-HA
Well, jeepers Mr. Martin....too bad you didn't learn this about the people your boy hangs with BEFORE the election. Nobama's going to be getting power, you think he's going to pay you the full amount you were owed for canvassing for him? Sucker.
A bit of Schadenfreude
"Uh, sweetie, you see when you get vomiting drunk in joyful glee that your Marxist has announced he's going after the small businessman, the small businessman cuts back in his discretionary spending. See, that's the way it works among the job producers. They conserve what capital they have, and maybe decide it's not worth hiring extra employees etc. if they're going to be over-regulated to death." You kicked "Joe, the plumber, in the teeth and YOUR livelihood depends on hundreds of Joe-the-plumbers. Eventually this may filter through your ant sized brain that it's not just "you" who is having a bad day.
I suppose Nobama is going to call the Dow Jones "racist" because NEVER in modern times has the Dow fallen amost 500 points on the news of X presidential candidates WIN.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Notice: Actions have consequences
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Brazen voter fraud ALREADY in Philadelphia
A liberal judge previously ruled that court-appointed Republican poll watchers could be removed from their boards by an on-site election judge, citing their "minority" status as cause.
It is the duty of election board workers to monitor and guard the integrity of the voting process."
See here for rest of story. And people wonder how certain precincts in Philly can turn out more than 100% of the vote. Shades of 2004 where 2000+ votes were preloaded....
Can the brown shirts and red kerchiefs be far behind?
Get that? "we've got to have a civilian security force JUST as funded, JUST as strong [as the military.]" [Hey, why not, your little future Nobama Jungen can be used to spy on mom and dad to ensure they are following the party line.]
What kind of song will the feckless sheeple be teaching their children to sing regards the "dear leader?" God in heaven, let this man NEVER take office.
How to metaphorically kick a co-worker's teeth in
a: "Oooo....a-HA...."
b: "What?"
a: "You know the kid Sarah Palin's been lugging around? Not her kid. Her daughter's. That's why she won't release her medical records."
b: "Ha-ha. Where'd you get that one from? The Kos Kiddies still peddling that? Sort of hard to be governor of Alaska and fake being pregnant for nine months. Wonder for what reason Nobama's refused to release his own medical records. Too much cocaine in his system.?"
"B" walks away. "A" looks like was kicked in the teeth. 30 seconds of time. Priceless.
Can't wait for tomorrow night. Let's hope it won't be Rodney King or Detroit '84 apres World Series.
I bet more than a few of the "to do" lists for this week include:
1. Remember to stop by the sporting goods store. Make sure enough "essentials" on hand.
2. Go Vote
3. Get extra flashlight batteries.
4. Get ground cloth out.
5. Be prepared to go to the mattresses.
6. Stock up on food and water.
and occasionally:
7. Which big screen TV do we want? Sony or Hitachi? Better get it now before we have to buy one across town because there won't be another store around here for years, and it will be hard to lug one home on the bus if the car's been overturned and burned.
# 7 may apply whichever candidate wins.
Get it while it's "hot" or before the Korean Store owner reloads.
There are TEN Commandments
There should be ZERO "cafeteria Catholics."
Don't even go there.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Nobama wants to Kill Coal Industry
Nobama admitted MONTHS ago to the San Francisco Chronicle that he'd tax to death the coal industry. He'll be able to do that to ANY industry the libs don't like.
If Pennsylvania DOESN'T go red they are either complete idiots, or ACORN has so much voter fraud with people voting early and often that we may as well kiss this country goodbye.
"Let me sort of describe my overall policy.
What I've said is that we would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else's out there.
I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted."
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Washington Post earnings- 86% down compared to 3rd Quarter last year
...now there's news to warm the cockles of your cockles. Cue violin music. I'm sure I'll cry on my pillow all night.
Halloween Munchies
Different strokes. I'll skip the reefer, but the gang of gin sounds about right. Especially if this election cycle goes on any longer. Can we turn the pigfoot into a rabbit foot?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
SWEET!!! PHILLIES WIN SERIES!!!!
Phillip!!!! *OUR* Phillies won the Series!!!! Phils take the Series 4 games to 1. Final game score 4-3. [Game had been started MONDAY, and had rain delay, and rained out yesterday - finally finished last 3.5 innings tonight.] Brad Lidge, who got the save is being interviewed and the first thing he said was "Thank God, Jesus Christ, and my family."
Bust out the TastyKakes and Cheesesteaks(PROVOLONE cheese ONLY). Turn over a car. Climb to the top of the Ben Franklin Statue - light the fireworks - and let freedom ring!!!! The City of Brotherly Love has their first World Series victory since '80.
For the rest of you:
JUST WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!!
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." - Bart Giamatti
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
My Favorite 80 year old priest
...turned 80 today!!!
Haven't written much about him lately, but he's been much in my prayers this last 6 months and is well on the mend and much better after having had his hip joint pop out (and not properly diagnosed as such for two weeks) earlier this year. Hopefully, he'll be driving soon again. I'm stopping by to see him today before Mass. He always whined that he was sorry his mother had let the cat out of the bag some years ago re: his birthday ... but secretly he's pleased when people remember. Click on the tag for more about Fr. Bill.
Happy 80th, Fr. Bill!
Creepy Similarity
Saw this one at Freerepublic. The photos are supposedly not retouched, just actual posters side-by-side.