As it were. In case you weren't aware, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) answered question on facebook on an event page entitled: "The U.S. Bishops' Response to Abortion: Q&A with an Expert". Many questions were submitted, but I'd like to highlight two.
Someone asked, "Why was the head of the CCHD allowed to work at a pro-choice campaign (to defeat a pro-life candidate)?"
They responded: "All staff members of the USCCB support the teaching of the Church in their efforts. For more about the CCHD's efforts to reaffirms (sic) its Catholic foundations, visit: http://www.usccb.org/cchd/reviewandrenewal.shtml."
Find things to rant about
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Try to Remember the Vows You Took - Update
I was watching a story Barry Peterson was narrating on CBS Sunday Morning, on Alzheimer's, the statistics, introducing people who are taking care of parents or spouses with Alzheimer's. Then his story took a personal turn, as he revealed that a woman he'd been talking about, was his wife. He is a reporter, with a wife that has Alzheimer's.
He talked about the struggle of the diagnosis, first caring for Jan (his wife) at home, then hiring an at-home nursing service, then finally long-term care facility (where she currently resides).
He spoke of the painful process of visiting her, of her talking of this man Barry and her memories of their time together - not realizing that the man sitting across from her is Barry.
As I was watching this story, I was very moved by this man and his love.....
He talked about the struggle of the diagnosis, first caring for Jan (his wife) at home, then hiring an at-home nursing service, then finally long-term care facility (where she currently resides).
He spoke of the painful process of visiting her, of her talking of this man Barry and her memories of their time together - not realizing that the man sitting across from her is Barry.
As I was watching this story, I was very moved by this man and his love.....
Saturday, January 29, 2011
In Absentia
I know I've been scarce around here lately, but I'm trying to work on getting a website up and published and it's totally kicking my butt lately. As soon as I have a little more time to think clearly, you'll have some amazing posts to read.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Two Things
1. I could spend hours laughing my ass off over at Damn You, Autocorrect. I just spent 15 minutes there, with tears streaming down my cheeks.
2. My naivete with Sandra Lee is officially over. Sadz.
You're welcome.
2. My naivete with Sandra Lee is officially over. Sadz.
You're welcome.
Is it just me?
Every time I see this sign, I think one of two things. Either, it makes my inner speed demon want to come out and start driving really fast. Or, I think, "Well, your child should be faster."
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Drink Thursdays
Today, I'm going to switch it up a bit.
I don't really have anyone in mind for a drinking buddy today, so I thought I'd talk about those drinks that I enjoy the most. Funnily enough, I actually don't like beer.
I don't really have anyone in mind for a drinking buddy today, so I thought I'd talk about those drinks that I enjoy the most. Funnily enough, I actually don't like beer.
First up is 7Up and vodka...pretty simple and straightforward. Refreshing. Tasty. A little zingy.
Next up is Kahlua & Cream or a Kahlua White Russian (Kahlua, milk/cream, and vodka). Smooth, almost like a milkshake. Creamy (thank you, Captain Obvious) and delicious.
Next up is amaretto sour. Amaretto almond liqueur and sweet and sour mix. It's just plain good.
I also will sometimes enjoy a rum & coke. I'm not usually a Coke drinker, but there's just something about rum & Coke...just the little bite that Coke has with the rum is just perfect.
Sometimes, I like the 'fruity' drinks when I go out to a restaurant, but if I'm just drinking with friends or at home, it's usually one of those. But, if I go out 'on the town', it's usually still one of those. On the rare occasion, I'll have a shot of tequila, but really not so much any more. My goal usually isn't to get drunk, it's to socialize and have fun with friends.
So, what's your favorite drink?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Toothy Tuesdays Answer
Our fourth word was partita (noun). I didn't have any guesses, so here's the answer:
The definition of partita is: a set of musical variations.
Rosalyn Tureck tells me that the note I sent her, likening Bach's E-minor Partita to King Lear was right on, that she had played the partita a thousand times, but always treated it with awe because she could not know what it would say to her this time around, even as Lear cannot be tuned by stroboscope. (Courtesy of The Lexicon by William F. Buckley Jr.)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Toothy Tuesdays
Our first Toothy Tuesday. If you are just joining us, I will post a word from The Lexicon, ask you to give your best guesses in the combox; then I will reveal the guesses and the correct answer the next morning.
Our fourth word is: partita (noun). Happy guessing!
Monday, January 24, 2011
You Know You Want To
....follow me. It's easy, just click "Follow This Blog".
You know what it is? I just hate odd numbers. Even numbers are so much better - like 26 or 28 or even 30.
And just to make this not a complete waste of a post, here's some kick-ass Gaelic music:
You know what it is? I just hate odd numbers. Even numbers are so much better - like 26 or 28 or even 30.
And just to make this not a complete waste of a post, here's some kick-ass Gaelic music:
The Shameful Room of Intentions
'To proclaim Jesus as our Lord means to submit every area of our lives to him and let the gospel permeate everything that we do. It means, to recall a phrase from our esteemed John Paul II, that we need to "open wide the doors to Christ."
'I have sometimes been the guest of some family, and I have seen what happens when the doorbell rings announcing an unexpected visit. The lady of the house hurries to close the doors to the disorderly rooms with unmade beds, so as to guide the guest into the area that is most welcoming. With Jesus, we need to do exactly the opposite: we need to open the "disorderly rooms" in our lives, especially the room of our intentions...For whom are we laboring, and why do we do what we do? For ourselves or for Christ? For our glory or for Christ's glory?'
So we are finally at an end of chapter one of Remember Jesus Christ, a chapter entitled "Who Do Men Say That the Son of Man is? Faith in Christ Today and at the Beginning of the Church." For the most of this chapter, Fr. Cantalamessa has really stressed the importance of the proclamation 'Jesus is Lord' - the need to proclaim this throughout the world to all peoples, through words and actions. But this last section, he gets back to where kērygma starts: a simple seed planted within each of us.
'I have sometimes been the guest of some family, and I have seen what happens when the doorbell rings announcing an unexpected visit. The lady of the house hurries to close the doors to the disorderly rooms with unmade beds, so as to guide the guest into the area that is most welcoming. With Jesus, we need to do exactly the opposite: we need to open the "disorderly rooms" in our lives, especially the room of our intentions...For whom are we laboring, and why do we do what we do? For ourselves or for Christ? For our glory or for Christ's glory?'
So we are finally at an end of chapter one of Remember Jesus Christ, a chapter entitled "Who Do Men Say That the Son of Man is? Faith in Christ Today and at the Beginning of the Church." For the most of this chapter, Fr. Cantalamessa has really stressed the importance of the proclamation 'Jesus is Lord' - the need to proclaim this throughout the world to all peoples, through words and actions. But this last section, he gets back to where kērygma starts: a simple seed planted within each of us.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kick-Ass Country
I'm a sucker for a good country song. I honestly think that Brad Paisley is one of the best artist out there right now, not just country artist.
Alison Krauss, I love. Her and Brad Paisley together? Perfection.
I like Brooks & Dunn, but I love this song:
Alison Krauss, I love. Her and Brad Paisley together? Perfection.
I like Brooks & Dunn, but I love this song:
Because Men Own Women
*snort* Yeah right.
I really don't like these NFL commercials. Especially the song "You Don't Own Me" (blah, blah, blah). Urgh. First, just because a guy lets you wear his jersey, doesn't mean he 'owns' you. Wearing a guy's piece of clothing doesn't mean that he is claiming ownership of you. Second, why do we have to have 'womens jerseys'? Just personal opinion here, as a woman, I think guys' clothing looks sexy on a woman. Third, I think this ad is probably written by a guy, to think that women actually care about if they are wearing their guy's jersey. Shit, if the woman wears it, it probably actually gets washed once a week.
I really don't like these NFL commercials. Especially the song "You Don't Own Me" (blah, blah, blah). Urgh. First, just because a guy lets you wear his jersey, doesn't mean he 'owns' you. Wearing a guy's piece of clothing doesn't mean that he is claiming ownership of you. Second, why do we have to have 'womens jerseys'? Just personal opinion here, as a woman, I think guys' clothing looks sexy on a woman. Third, I think this ad is probably written by a guy, to think that women actually care about if they are wearing their guy's jersey. Shit, if the woman wears it, it probably actually gets washed once a week.
On the docket - UPDATED
New posts coming up about:
Finishing chapter one of Remember Jesus Christ
NFL Women's Jerseys
Alzheimer's and dignity
Just you wait!
Update:
Because Men Own Women
The Shameful Room of Intentions
Finishing chapter one of Remember Jesus Christ
NFL Women's Jerseys
Alzheimer's and dignity
Just you wait!
Update:
Because Men Own Women
The Shameful Room of Intentions
Saturday, January 22, 2011
It's Easy to Forget
It becomes easy to forget just how heinous abortion is in this country, since 1973, that over 50 million children have been killed. 50 million is a statistic that is too hard for us to wrap our heads around - it becomes a meaningless number, because literally we cannot think of that many.
So I just think of just one - just one child killed because the mother was pressured or forced or because she was afraid or because she just didn't believe that it was a child or because she was erroneously told she had to have an abortion to save her own life.
So I just think of just one - just one child killed because the mother was pressured or forced or because she was afraid or because she just didn't believe that it was a child or because she was erroneously told she had to have an abortion to save her own life.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Remember When MTV played music?
Music Television: You're Doing It Wrong. Child Pornography, though: You're Doing It Right.
I Don't Want Community
Community is not the same as family. Yes, I know you are probably saying to yourself, 'Umm, duh, Ranter', but I was speaking about this with a friend the other day. The word "community" around here is a substitute for "church" - for example, a parish wouldn't be called St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church - but St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community or even better - St. Thomas the Apostle parish community. So for many of us here, the word has a very liberal or progressive connotation.
There is something deeper to it though, because of course, words have meaning and when we change the words we often change the meaning. Church denotes (to me) family - with a father & a mother & children, with family traditions and customs (that vary from family to family, or church to church).
As my friend and I were talking though, we realized that many progressives are trying to remake how we image the Church (starting with the local parishes). Instead of a family model, where there is a defined father & mother, etc., we have a community model, a model where all are equal and no one has authority, a model where the people look at each other and 'talk amongst themselves' instead of looking above and beyond themselves. Where every behavior is justified because there is no final arbiter of right or wrong.
There is something deeper to it though, because of course, words have meaning and when we change the words we often change the meaning. Church denotes (to me) family - with a father & a mother & children, with family traditions and customs (that vary from family to family, or church to church).
As my friend and I were talking though, we realized that many progressives are trying to remake how we image the Church (starting with the local parishes). Instead of a family model, where there is a defined father & mother, etc., we have a community model, a model where all are equal and no one has authority, a model where the people look at each other and 'talk amongst themselves' instead of looking above and beyond themselves. Where every behavior is justified because there is no final arbiter of right or wrong.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Weeping for the Poor Souls
Only click this link if you want to be heartbroken. It's the actual Grand Jury Report from the Philadelphia "Doctor" charged with 8 murders. I read through the whole report. What this guy did was despicable - even evil. I wanted to cry for those babies, and for their mothers; for the evil that came into to peoples' souls working there. Please pray for all involved, especially this weekend at your local pro-life activities. There are several here that I am hoping we can get to.
Prayers Requested
I am going to confession late this afternoon. Please pray for me, that I might recollect all my sins correctly; please pray for the priest, for his protection and for his priestly office. Please pray that I might have the courage to persevere in the Faith. Thank you.
Drink Thursdays
It's called "Drink Thursdays", in which I talk about a person that I'd like to sit down and have a drink with, and why. And because I'm Catholic, darnit, and we're not Puritans. Here's the introductory post.
I just finished watching "The Boondock Saints" on the advice of Bad Catholic, and I love that movie! It very deservedly earns the "R" rating, of course. That's your first clue about today's guest. I didn't realize how much I enjoy this fellow's acting until I watched this movie, and totally loved him in it. He was hilarious, biting, and witty. So I started doing a little research on him, and couldn't believe the diversity of roles he has been in (even if some of them have been very mainstream). He's played a fish, and Jesus, and hmmm, do you think he could play Roland?
I just finished watching "The Boondock Saints" on the advice of Bad Catholic, and I love that movie! It very deservedly earns the "R" rating, of course. That's your first clue about today's guest. I didn't realize how much I enjoy this fellow's acting until I watched this movie, and totally loved him in it. He was hilarious, biting, and witty. So I started doing a little research on him, and couldn't believe the diversity of roles he has been in (even if some of them have been very mainstream). He's played a fish, and Jesus, and hmmm, do you think he could play Roland?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
There's This Newfangled Thing
...called a 'background check'. So, check it out, you can hire the guv'mint or a private contractor to investigate someone's history - like criminal records, commercial records, and sometimes financial records, and also verifying past employment, and credit score. (Wikipedia has more, of course.)
Why do I bring this up? Because Catholic Campaign for Human Development acts like they've never heard of such a thing before. Via Creative Minority Report, the head of the CCHD was working for a pro-choice campaign to defeat a pro-life opponent. I'm sure there is more to Ralph McCloud's background than just this one-time campaign - something that most likely would have been found out during a background check.
Stuff like this just makes me shake my head. I'm sorry, but WTF? Somebody's head is so far up their assular area that they don't know which way is right and what is wrong. Wake up bishops!
Why do I bring this up? Because Catholic Campaign for Human Development acts like they've never heard of such a thing before. Via Creative Minority Report, the head of the CCHD was working for a pro-choice campaign to defeat a pro-life opponent. I'm sure there is more to Ralph McCloud's background than just this one-time campaign - something that most likely would have been found out during a background check.
Stuff like this just makes me shake my head. I'm sorry, but WTF? Somebody's head is so far up their assular area that they don't know which way is right and what is wrong. Wake up bishops!
Gettin' Into Trouble
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| My 'surprise' this morning |
Anyone have any suggestions?
Toothy Tuesdays Answer
Our third word was maladroitness (noun).
Here are the guesses:
Clumsiness, not coordinated?
A state of not thinking well?
The definition of maladroitness is:
lacking in shrewdness of execution, craft, or resourcefulness in coping with difficulty or danger.
One can have no objections whatever to President Carter's mission, restricting our criticism to the maladroitness of its execution and insufficiency of contingency planning.
(Courtesy of The Lexicon by William F. Buckley Jr.)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Toothy Tuesdays
Our first Toothy Tuesday. If you are just joining us, I will post a word from The Lexicon, ask you to give your best guesses in the combox; then I will reveal the guesses and the correct answer the next morning.
Our third word is: maladroitness (noun). I look forward to your answers!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Can You Tell?
Obviously, I am in need of confession, and have been for awhile now, judging by my very snarky posts the last couple of days. I'm cranky, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I'm in a funk. I'm not fit company for man nor beast. Grr, grr, grr. Stomp, stomp, stomp. Snark, snark, snark.
Hopefully I'll be able to get to confession this week and do some serious spiritual cleaning.
And then, hopefully be able to finish up the first chapter of Fr. Cantalamessa's book, and get back to posting some better stuff. Bear with me, in the meantime?
Hopefully I'll be able to get to confession this week and do some serious spiritual cleaning.
And then, hopefully be able to finish up the first chapter of Fr. Cantalamessa's book, and get back to posting some better stuff. Bear with me, in the meantime?
Why, On God's Good Green Earth
Would you wear this to see the Pope?
"Holy Father, Adidas has sponsored our meeting today."
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| From Whispers in the Loggia |
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Mock-YEAH-Ing-YEAH-Bird-YEAH
This deserves mockery. I about swallowed my tongue when I read that Sister Joan Chittister (or her less well-known alias: Sister Joan of the Order of Pantsuited Elderly Women) has "one of the most sanest minds in American Catholicism today". ROFL. Are you f'ing kidding me? LOL. The woman needs lessons in how to be obedient to her superiors (most especially to her ultimate superior, the Pope), and lessons in defending the unborn (i.e. they are more worthy of respect than guilty criminals tried and convicted of their crimes), lessons in you can't be ordained a priest because you are the wrong gender, and multiple lessons in how to wear the habit.
Believe me, I was subjected to enough of her shit while I worked at a parish, and people wonder why Catholicism in America (different from American Catholicism) is in such a sorry state. It's because of watered down Catholic teaching such as the 'good' sister gives. Seriously, nothing about the woman says, "Hey I'm Catholic". Roman Catholic Blog has a great post: Sister Joan is full of chit. (Love the title of the post.) From Women for Faith & Family: Pope Joan (her history of dissent).
I will be chuckling at this for quite some time.
Believe me, I was subjected to enough of her shit while I worked at a parish, and people wonder why Catholicism in America (different from American Catholicism) is in such a sorry state. It's because of watered down Catholic teaching such as the 'good' sister gives. Seriously, nothing about the woman says, "Hey I'm Catholic". Roman Catholic Blog has a great post: Sister Joan is full of chit. (Love the title of the post.) From Women for Faith & Family: Pope Joan (her history of dissent).
I will be chuckling at this for quite some time.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Love & Kisses & Fun & Stuff (& Stuff)
That's what makes Kate Hudson's affair with some dude work out. And he's a great person to have a baby with, because Kate really, really, wanted another baby. Why? You want another one for your collection, Kate? I know that sounds vicious, but seriously, there is no commitment, there is no stability. It is just another denigration of marriage and family. And there is, I don't know, 4 other celebrity couples that are currently expecting?
I Try Be Good
Happy Catholic had this "Well Said" yesterday:
It reminds me of something the WEMM (Wide-Eyed Mischief Maker) has been saying lately, usually either while yelling and/or stomping her foot:
"I TRY BE GOOD!"
Usually this is in response to us asking her why she did something wrong/bad - like hitting her brother or getting into things she shouldn't.
God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try. -Mother Teresa
It reminds me of something the WEMM (Wide-Eyed Mischief Maker) has been saying lately, usually either while yelling and/or stomping her foot:
"I TRY BE GOOD!"
Usually this is in response to us asking her why she did something wrong/bad - like hitting her brother or getting into things she shouldn't.
Drink Thursdays
It's called "Drink Thursdays", in which I talk about a person that I'd like to sit down and have a drink with, and why. And because I'm Catholic, darnit, and we're not Puritans. Here's the introductory post.
Our next guest is someone whose writing I really admire, because I wish I had the talent to write half as funny, half as dark, and half as spot-on as he does. I've read two of the Bad Catholics Guides, I haven't yet read the third (but I really, really want to); I love his writing on Inside Catholic, and Godspy, and everywhere else I see it.
Our next guest is someone whose writing I really admire, because I wish I had the talent to write half as funny, half as dark, and half as spot-on as he does. I've read two of the Bad Catholics Guides, I haven't yet read the third (but I really, really want to); I love his writing on Inside Catholic, and Godspy, and everywhere else I see it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Many Thanks
Many thanks for your prayers for today. My new godson is amazingly beautiful and perfect, and I can't wait to see him in person. Today was a long day. I went to the grave, and laid fresh flowers in the midst of the snow. I said a prayer, and asked that baby pray for WEMM and DM and for me and for my husband, and to pray for the new baby. It really was lovely to stop and pray, even though it was freezing outside.
My children are a delight, and I don't love them near enough.
My husband is an amazing person, and I don't deserve him.
Give your children and your loved ones hugs and kisses while you can.
My children are a delight, and I don't love them near enough.
My husband is an amazing person, and I don't deserve him.
Give your children and your loved ones hugs and kisses while you can.
Toothy Tuesdays Answer
Our second word was millenarian.
Here are some guesses:
I like this series. I'm learning from it. Let's see, I'm going to go with something that is 1000 years old. Yeah. That's my final answer. ;-)
The definition of millenarian is:
The person who believes that perfection is coming for us down the line, for reasons biological, political, or theological.
Paul Johnson: Broadly speaking, there are two types of people. One is the person who believes in God. The other is the type who say, "I don't believe in God. I don't believe in an afterlife. It's all nonsense. This life is the only one we've got and we have to try to improve it, and I don't believe that human---"
WFB: The millenarian?
Johnson: Yes. "---I don't accept that human nature is permanently imperfect. It can be perfected."
(Courtesy of The Lexicon by William F. Buckley Jr.)
(Courtesy of The Lexicon by William F. Buckley Jr.)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Grief, Contrition, and Love
There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love. (Washington Irving)
I like the show Criminal Minds, but in the past, I've never been able to watch it because every Wednesday night I was working. But now that I'm at home, I can watch it.
Part of the reason I like this show is because it deals with morality and crime. I really like the earlier episodes when Mandy Patikin was with the show. He just added a certain gravitas to it. Also, the quotes at the beginning and/or the end of every show just about kills me (meaning my brain because they usually make me think). That's where today's quote comes from, and it's also the direction I'm going with today's post.
You see, tomorrow would have been my due date for my fourth child (third live birth; our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage). I've been struggling trying to write this post, because you see, it is my sister's due date as well, whose child is going to be my godchild. My feelings are all ajumbled together, jealousy and grief, sorrow and hurt, joy and pain. Always a river of love, flowing through it all: love for my sister and her baby, and love for my own child.
I like the show Criminal Minds, but in the past, I've never been able to watch it because every Wednesday night I was working. But now that I'm at home, I can watch it.
Part of the reason I like this show is because it deals with morality and crime. I really like the earlier episodes when Mandy Patikin was with the show. He just added a certain gravitas to it. Also, the quotes at the beginning and/or the end of every show just about kills me (meaning my brain because they usually make me think). That's where today's quote comes from, and it's also the direction I'm going with today's post.
You see, tomorrow would have been my due date for my fourth child (third live birth; our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage). I've been struggling trying to write this post, because you see, it is my sister's due date as well, whose child is going to be my godchild. My feelings are all ajumbled together, jealousy and grief, sorrow and hurt, joy and pain. Always a river of love, flowing through it all: love for my sister and her baby, and love for my own child.
Toothy Tuesdays
Our first Toothy Tuesday. If you are just joining us, I will post a word from The Lexicon, ask you to give your best guesses in the combox; then I will reveal the guesses and the correct answer the next morning.
Our second word is millenarian; it is a noun.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Get Groovin'
And turn this up:
Yes, I know it's David Letterman, but the official video I can't embed.
And just for fun, a video with her and Jon Heder:
Yes, I know it's David Letterman, but the official video I can't embed.
And just for fun, a video with her and Jon Heder:
You Knit Me in My Mother's Womb
More on this in a couple of days, but I want to get you thinking. From Msgr. Pope's blog:
Human life is sacred. No one on this planet is a mistake, no one is an accident. All of us are directly intended and willed by God. We exist because He thought of us, loved us, and personally created us.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be(Psalm 139:13-16).
Human life is sacred. No one on this planet is a mistake, no one is an accident. All of us are directly intended and willed by God. We exist because He thought of us, loved us, and personally created us.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be(Psalm 139:13-16).
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Being A Fan - UPDATE!
GAH! I was forwarded this article from my husband:
A recent article on the LA Times site, had Ron Howard giving his thoughts on the getting Stephen King’s The Dark Tower to the big screen. There’s a couple of very interesting points in this interview which are worth noting here.
Ron Howard and his team fully understand the story lines complexity and are currently “finding the shape of it” but what’s interesting is that they were actually working on this a full year before they even approached King. “It was all about putting something together that was good enough and getting such an understanding of the material that Stephen King would say, ‘Yes, that’s the way into this story.’"
When I’d heard the movie rights had moved away from Abrams, it looked like Howard was coming into the game quite late, almost as a backup, but after reading this quote that seems not to be the case.
When I’d heard the movie rights had moved away from Abrams, it looked like Howard was coming into the game quite late, almost as a backup, but after reading this quote that seems not to be the case.
I Am a Stumbling Block
Actually, more like a boulder. In case you don't know, my husband isn't Catholic. He wasn't raised in any denomination, or with any faith. It has been alternatively hard and really hard to keep up my own faith in the midst of his non-faith. But I never realized how much my attitude at Mass has affected his conversion (or lack thereof).
For the past two weeks, we have attended Mass at a different parish than I have been working at. It really has done wonders for my faith life, and I doubt we will be going back to the other parish (other than on occasion). My husband has noticed, that is for sure. Now, don't get me wrong, the parish we have started attending is not doing everything right, but they are doing a lot of things right. (More importantly, not doing other things really, really wrong.) My husband has noticed that I am not as uptight or upset even just going to Mass.
Today, he said to me, "I might even think about converting." It was all I could do to keep my mouth from dropping open. In two weeks, with being more happy about going to Mass, and he's thinking about it? Wow. Then I felt like shit because if it's only taken two weeks (and it's just a start, praise God!), then I have been a really bad example of being Catholic for the past 10+ years. I only pray that I can become a better Catholic, so that I may lead my husband ever closer to Jesus.
For the past two weeks, we have attended Mass at a different parish than I have been working at. It really has done wonders for my faith life, and I doubt we will be going back to the other parish (other than on occasion). My husband has noticed, that is for sure. Now, don't get me wrong, the parish we have started attending is not doing everything right, but they are doing a lot of things right. (More importantly, not doing other things really, really wrong.) My husband has noticed that I am not as uptight or upset even just going to Mass.
Today, he said to me, "I might even think about converting." It was all I could do to keep my mouth from dropping open. In two weeks, with being more happy about going to Mass, and he's thinking about it? Wow. Then I felt like shit because if it's only taken two weeks (and it's just a start, praise God!), then I have been a really bad example of being Catholic for the past 10+ years. I only pray that I can become a better Catholic, so that I may lead my husband ever closer to Jesus.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Disgusting...
U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is shot, and the first thing someone says is, "She was on Palin's infamous target list"?
Here's an eyewitness testimony from Gawker. It does not sound like she is dead yet, thank God!, but please, let's keep praying for her recovery.
The Anchoress is keeping us up-to-date on all the links.
Here's an eyewitness testimony from Gawker. It does not sound like she is dead yet, thank God!, but please, let's keep praying for her recovery.
The Anchoress is keeping us up-to-date on all the links.
Mass of Christian Burial for Obstinate Sinners
I was watching a PBS documentary on Augusto Pinochet and his rule in Chile. I just caught the last 20 minutes of it or so, but even so to realize the atrocities he purportedly committed. In the last moments of the documentary though, they show the end of Pinochet's life, including his funeral. What interested me (obviously from the title of this post) is that it looked like he had an outdoor Church funeral. I'm trying to find out more information about that part. There's this article from the BBC, where at the end, they quote Santiago Archbishop Francisco Errazuriz:
Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation. It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said.
Okay, here's this article from CBC News, where they state:
The funeral, held in a sunny outdoor courtyard at the Santiago military college, did not include state honours. It was led by Bishop Juan Barros Madrid, who told the crowd that Pinochet was an exemplary former head of state.
Roughly 20,000 people spent hours waiting in the sun Monday outside the military college waiting for a chance to walk by the former general's glass-topped casket. Three masses were held in front of his casket.
(If the three Masses held in front of his casket were private Masses, then I have no problem with those Masses, because I hope they were offered for the salvation of his soul.)
Cardinal Raul Silva Henriquez was an outspoken opponent of his, but died before Pinochet did. Would he have approved of the Church in Chile allowing Pinochet a funeral?
So, my question is: When can funeral rites be denied for obstinate or unrepentant or public sinners? If they won't be denied for someone who had people tortured and killed, when can they be denied? I'm sending this post over to A Traditional Catholic in Iowa, aka Andy Milam, to see what he says.
Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation. It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said.
Okay, here's this article from CBC News, where they state:
The funeral, held in a sunny outdoor courtyard at the Santiago military college, did not include state honours. It was led by Bishop Juan Barros Madrid, who told the crowd that Pinochet was an exemplary former head of state.
Roughly 20,000 people spent hours waiting in the sun Monday outside the military college waiting for a chance to walk by the former general's glass-topped casket. Three masses were held in front of his casket.
(If the three Masses held in front of his casket were private Masses, then I have no problem with those Masses, because I hope they were offered for the salvation of his soul.)
Cardinal Raul Silva Henriquez was an outspoken opponent of his, but died before Pinochet did. Would he have approved of the Church in Chile allowing Pinochet a funeral?
So, my question is: When can funeral rites be denied for obstinate or unrepentant or public sinners? If they won't be denied for someone who had people tortured and killed, when can they be denied? I'm sending this post over to A Traditional Catholic in Iowa, aka Andy Milam, to see what he says.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Open Tabs
So, I'm bored, and guess what happens when I'm bored? I do open tabs. These are a mix from my own blogroll, surfing, New Advent, Big Hollywood, Mental Floss, etc.
The salutation 'dear' is disappearing. This is sad to me. I love to write actual, hand-written notes and letters.
Ted Haggard to appear on TLC special. Hmm, okay?
Mark Shea hates being right all the time. Oh sure!
The dangers of letting your baby cry it out. H/T to Arch Cat. I haven't let my kids cry it out. I think it's cruel.
Mark Twain an anti-Christian or just a person fed up with those Christians who don't practice what they preach?
The salutation 'dear' is disappearing. This is sad to me. I love to write actual, hand-written notes and letters.
Ted Haggard to appear on TLC special. Hmm, okay?
Mark Shea hates being right all the time. Oh sure!
The dangers of letting your baby cry it out. H/T to Arch Cat. I haven't let my kids cry it out. I think it's cruel.
Mark Twain an anti-Christian or just a person fed up with those Christians who don't practice what they preach?
Update
An update on my grieving post:
It seems as though Nightline creatively edited Michelle Williams' words to make her seem like she was opening up about Heath Ledgers' death. Good for her. I'm glad she called them out on it.
It seems as though Nightline creatively edited Michelle Williams' words to make her seem like she was opening up about Heath Ledgers' death. Good for her. I'm glad she called them out on it.
Child Pr0n
Via Brutally Honest, via The Anchoress:
'Arty' pictures of children dressed up seductively like presents under a Christmas tree.
Warning: Offensive language ahead.
'Arty' pictures of children dressed up seductively like presents under a Christmas tree.
Warning: Offensive language ahead.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Ordinary and Boring
Repost from September 23, 2010:
Terry hits the nail on the head in his blog post about why attendance at Mass is down. Liturgy isn't something otherworldly anymore. It's become this dumbed down, appeal to the masses, clownish caricature (sometimes literally) of its former self. And you know what, people find that boring! Gee, big surprise that they are bored to tears at Mass when it is more of the same that they see in the world. Young people may not have the language to express why they find Mass boring, but most of them do. And yet, we keep dumbing it down in hopes that we will appeal to them. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Authentically Catholic
I met with a friend last night. It was nice to meet and talk with an authentically Catholic friend, about parish life, about the diocese, about technology, and about all sorts of things. I am so thankful to friends you can sit down and talk with, in a Catholic family sort of way. There is an ease to your conversation, never a worry about something you are saying being taken the wrong way. There is a collegiality that I think is unique to being Catholic, and something I am so thankful for it.
Drink Thursdays
It's called "Drink Thursdays", in which I talk about a person that I'd like to sit down and have a drink with, and why. And because I'm Catholic, darnit, and we're not Puritans. Here's the introductory post.
Our next guest is someone who has been around the acting scene for many years, and still is funny, and still seems like someone you would like to seriously party with. He grew up Catholic, and so it seems you could have all sorts of fun conversations about growing up Catholic. One of his sisters is an Adrian Dominican sister (though unfortunately they look like the liberal kind of sister). I also just found out that he attended the same college as my uncle, Regis University.
Our next guest is someone who has been around the acting scene for many years, and still is funny, and still seems like someone you would like to seriously party with. He grew up Catholic, and so it seems you could have all sorts of fun conversations about growing up Catholic. One of his sisters is an Adrian Dominican sister (though unfortunately they look like the liberal kind of sister). I also just found out that he attended the same college as my uncle, Regis University.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Toothy Tuesdays Answer
Here are some guesses.
Something along the lines of rubbish or debris?
Sean said...
I endorse Archaeology cat. Objects that have been strewn on the floor when they do not belong there. My connotation, at least, is multiple such objects cluttering the floor. My dad loves this word.
Products of disintegration or wearing away; fragments or fragmentary materials.
The experience would touch the young, temperamentally impatient with any thought of the other end of the life cycle, with the reality of old age; with the human side of the detritus whose ecological counterparts have almost exclusively occupied fashionable attention in recent years. (Courtesy of The Lexicon by William F. Buckley Jr.)
Great job, everyone! I am already really liking this series.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Dirty Girl
So, I came across an article from Boing Boing, "I haven't used soap or shampoo in a year, and it's awesome". There are people who don't use soap or shampoo? Really? And you don't stink? Hmmm. Now, I admit that I don't shampoo my hair every day - actually only twice a week - because any more and I notice that my hair gets really stripped out. I've been thinking about going to once a week, but not sure about that. I do put stuff in my hair to control the frizz, and I would be afraid to not put stuff in my hair - it's rather curly and frizzy.
Anyone here do a non-traditional routine with their hygiene, including organic soaps and such?
Anyone here do a non-traditional routine with their hygiene, including organic soaps and such?
Toothy Tuesdays
I got this great little book awhile back, entitled The Lexicon: A cornucopia of wonderful words for the inquisitive word lover, by William F. Buckley Jr. I love this little book. They are not really arcane or dead words, but rather words that have fallen out of favor.
So I thought it would be fun to do a series where I pick a word at random, post it in the morning and ask you to give what you think is the definition. (I'm going to try to work it into a post during the week, too.) Then the next morning, I will give you the actual meaning, and posters' best guesses. I hope you won't cheat!
Our first word is detritus. It is a noun. What is your best guess of what this word means?
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Generation of Sociopaths?
So there is a study that came out saying there is a Decline in Empathy, especially in younger people (college age and under). I honestly don't think that teens/young adults don't want to be empathetic, but more that they are not being taught or modeled empathy.
I was discussing the 90s with a teenager and she said she wanted to grow up then. I was telling her, that no, you probably didn't. We discussed a little bit how teens then if they wanted to talk to their friends, they called them, and tied up the phone for hours. Nowadays, kids text for hours. Or facebook for hours.
Also the article talks about increasing isolation as a factor for the decline in empathy. I think it's because more and more people are having one or two kids, and more and more of their neighbors are having no kids. So, from an early age, you have kids that are around adults a lot, and don't have opportunities to learn empathy. (I'm not talking about school, because by that time, many kids are already formed.)
The problem with online mediums is that you don't learn inflection or tone of voice - which then it is hard to empathize with someone when you don't know if they are happy or sad or grumpy. And parents are right there with it, encouraging such behavior and not modeling good behavior.
So we are raising generations of kids who have never been taught how to empathize. How scary! Isn't that one of the hallmarks of a sociopath, inability to empathize with peoples' pain?
I was discussing the 90s with a teenager and she said she wanted to grow up then. I was telling her, that no, you probably didn't. We discussed a little bit how teens then if they wanted to talk to their friends, they called them, and tied up the phone for hours. Nowadays, kids text for hours. Or facebook for hours.
Also the article talks about increasing isolation as a factor for the decline in empathy. I think it's because more and more people are having one or two kids, and more and more of their neighbors are having no kids. So, from an early age, you have kids that are around adults a lot, and don't have opportunities to learn empathy. (I'm not talking about school, because by that time, many kids are already formed.)
The problem with online mediums is that you don't learn inflection or tone of voice - which then it is hard to empathize with someone when you don't know if they are happy or sad or grumpy. And parents are right there with it, encouraging such behavior and not modeling good behavior.
So we are raising generations of kids who have never been taught how to empathize. How scary! Isn't that one of the hallmarks of a sociopath, inability to empathize with peoples' pain?
I'm Sick
Sick to my stomach after reading these articles:
Playboy Mansion more like a squalid prison
Meet the Twiblings - eggs implanted into two different rented wombs are twins. Read this line and tell me your heart doesn't break:
You Wanna Live? Be Convenient.
Playboy Mansion more like a squalid prison
Meet the Twiblings - eggs implanted into two different rented wombs are twins. Read this line and tell me your heart doesn't break:
The eggs were fertilized with Michael’s sperm and metamorphosed into embryos; the morning after Valentine’s Day, they were transferred to Melissa and Fie, and by spring, in each of their bellies, a heart was beating. We were careful to refer to the fetuses as the “drafts” rather than our chosen names to remind ourselves that they were notes toward the children we wanted, but if they died, they were just beginnings like all the embryos had been, and we would start again.The Unborn Paradox
You Wanna Live? Be Convenient.
Seven weeks in, an ultrasound revealed the Burlington, Ont., resident was carrying twins. “It came as a complete shock,” said the mother, who asked not to be named. “We’re both career people. If we were going to have three children two years apart, someone else was going to be raising our kids. ... All of a sudden our lives as we know them and as we like to lead them, are not going to happen.”
She soon discovered another option: Doctors could “reduce” the pregnancy from twins to a singleton through a little-known procedure that eliminates selected fetuses — and has become increasingly common in the past two decades amid a boom in the number of multiple pregnancies....
The Burlington woman, however, says she has no regrets, and believes the option should be openly available to all parents expecting twins.God, my Heavenly Father, I am sick. I am sick with the way people you created have perverted what you gave us. I am sorry that we people don't think your ways are good enough. Please change our minds and our hearts to truly see children for what they are: gifts from you. Amen.
Dive Deep
A Gentleman's Guide to Staying Cool:
Or otherwise known by me as how to be a man. I know I've been complaining about men lately, and I don't mean to rag on them so much, but this 'guide' hits a lot of home runs for me. (Yes, this is where I got this question.) Here's part one, and then part two above.
This guy's blog sounds like a great, honest, and raw read. I think I'll be having to bookmark and to keep checking back with. His post on diving deep hit me in the gut, to be honest with you.
Or otherwise known by me as how to be a man. I know I've been complaining about men lately, and I don't mean to rag on them so much, but this 'guide' hits a lot of home runs for me. (Yes, this is where I got this question.) Here's part one, and then part two above.
This guy's blog sounds like a great, honest, and raw read. I think I'll be having to bookmark and to keep checking back with. His post on diving deep hit me in the gut, to be honest with you.
Then on that slow walk home, the victim of theft and relentless loss, I found a man sporting one of those ridiculous hunting hats complete with earflaps and fingerless gloves to match on the corner of Melrose and Vine in the frigid, California, November night. My feet tired from the walk, I came to rest against a streetlamp and he pulled up on his bike, the son-of-a-bitch. He said to me—even though I wasn’t asking—that he’s figured out how to preach and freestyle at the same time. “I’m not religious,” he makes sure to inform me, “but check it.”
And he proceeded to flow with the best of them. About angels in Heaven, and the California surf. He rhymed about struggles and drugs and life and waves.
The drug part I understood, certain he was ripped out of his mind at that very moment, everything he spit making no sense at all, yet perfectly understood. He stopped suddenly and said, “You’re in the water, defenseless, the very ocean your God created, and a six foot wave is coming at you, what are you gonna to do?”
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Different Set of Eyes
I am convinced that people who make stuff like this up, see the world just a second off from the rest of us. And it. is. awesome!
Another of his:
Here's a great one from another producer:
I wish I had talent like this stuff!
Another of his:
Here's a great one from another producer:
I wish I had talent like this stuff!
So, what do you do?
If you were asked what you 'do' in life, and that person was asking what you really 'do', not just how you put food on the table, how would you answer?
Thinking about it, I would probably answer that I'm a Catholic, and I'm a mom and wife.
Thinking about it, I would probably answer that I'm a Catholic, and I'm a mom and wife.
Laws of the Future
Why do I have to learn really scary things only from Cracked? Seriously. (The best description of the Tea Party I've ever read came from Cracked. It wasn't biased at all.) This article is about because of medical 'advances', computer technology, etc., the laws in the future will have to be rewritten in order to keep up.
#6. Mandatory Life Span Limits
#5. Genetic Discrimination Laws
#4. Legally Redefining "Parents"
#3. Rewriting the Sex Laws
#2. Legally Redefining "Slavery"
#1. Clone Patent Laws
After the jump, I'll go into more detail about each one (in case you don't want to read through swear words and other nastiness from Cracked).
#6. Mandatory Life Span Limits
#5. Genetic Discrimination Laws
#4. Legally Redefining "Parents"
#3. Rewriting the Sex Laws
#2. Legally Redefining "Slavery"
#1. Clone Patent Laws
After the jump, I'll go into more detail about each one (in case you don't want to read through swear words and other nastiness from Cracked).
Remember When (Cartoon Edition)
So, thanks to Netflix, the kiddos and I watched "Inspector Gadget" and "Land Before Time" tonight. Many memories came flooding back whilst watching them.
I would always go watch this over at a friend's (who was/is? rich). She had cable, while my family did not, plus they had this amazing tv room (with really moss green carpeting that I thought even then was ugly), with a huge big screen tv that we watched it on. They also had cool treats all the time like fruit roll-ups and rice krispies. I remember going roller skating once with them, and lost my shoe, and my friend's mom swore me not to tell. She said she would replace it, and she did. Then my friend got older, and realized that she was rich, while I was not, and stopped calling. For awhile after, I did babysit her sister. Also, I had a huge crush on their older brother (who was hawt, imho). I looked him up on facebook, and he's some dj (riding his daddy's money). (Is it weird that I looked them all up? Creepy.)
I would always go watch this over at a friend's (who was/is? rich). She had cable, while my family did not, plus they had this amazing tv room (with really moss green carpeting that I thought even then was ugly), with a huge big screen tv that we watched it on. They also had cool treats all the time like fruit roll-ups and rice krispies. I remember going roller skating once with them, and lost my shoe, and my friend's mom swore me not to tell. She said she would replace it, and she did. Then my friend got older, and realized that she was rich, while I was not, and stopped calling. For awhile after, I did babysit her sister. Also, I had a huge crush on their older brother (who was hawt, imho). I looked him up on facebook, and he's some dj (riding his daddy's money). (Is it weird that I looked them all up? Creepy.)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
What is Wrong with Men, part two
Part One of What is Wrong With Men.
Part Two: men that need to move on. The Winklevoss Twins want more money. Dudes, man up. So you got a raw deal. You did get $20 million in cash and $45 million in Facebook shares. Yes, Facebook is worth a lot of money. But you made your bed, and now you get to lie in it.
Quit yer bitchin' and move on with your lives.
Part Two: men that need to move on. The Winklevoss Twins want more money. Dudes, man up. So you got a raw deal. You did get $20 million in cash and $45 million in Facebook shares. Yes, Facebook is worth a lot of money. But you made your bed, and now you get to lie in it.
Quit yer bitchin' and move on with your lives.
Top Ten of 2010
So here are my top ten posts of 2010 (in the short three months I was in business):
Drink Thursdays - November 18 edition
Secrecy
Drink Thursdays - November 11 edition
Sexiness
Drink Thursdays - November 25 edition
Rosaries on Parade
Rude, Offensive, and Boorish
Open Tabs - December 28 edition
Live To Tell
A Priestly Hook-Up
Drink Thursdays - November 18 edition
Secrecy
Drink Thursdays - November 11 edition
Sexiness
Drink Thursdays - November 25 edition
Rosaries on Parade
Rude, Offensive, and Boorish
Open Tabs - December 28 edition
Live To Tell
A Priestly Hook-Up
Death Comes For You
Am I the only one who finds a death-predicting cat really, really creepy? Maybe it's because I've read Stephen King, but maybe the cat is really causing the deaths. Maybe the cat selects its victims carefully. (Yes, I know this is an old story.)
Maybe the residents of this home are terrified of this cat, and do anything they can to placate the cat. They never tell on the cat because they don't want to be the next ones to die.
Yes, I realize that some people hate cats and believe that they are evil, and therefore capable of anything; but I don't. Or, at least, I didn't.
Maybe the residents of this home are terrified of this cat, and do anything they can to placate the cat. They never tell on the cat because they don't want to be the next ones to die.
Yes, I realize that some people hate cats and believe that they are evil, and therefore capable of anything; but I don't. Or, at least, I didn't.
Mary, Mother of God, Pray For Us At the Hour of Death
Bomb hits Coptic Church, killing 21 people and wounding at least 80.
Mary, Mother Most Holy, pray for all Christians, especially those who are persecuted and killed for our belief in Jesus, your Son, God and man. Intercede for us, that we may be encouraged in our faith and strengthened by your prayers.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Mary, Mother Most Holy, pray for all Christians, especially those who are persecuted and killed for our belief in Jesus, your Son, God and man. Intercede for us, that we may be encouraged in our faith and strengthened by your prayers.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Procrastinator-itis
I have this condition, it is called procrastinator-itis. It means that I have a really bad habit of putting things off until the very last minute. Usually, it works out for me, but I think that's more to speak of God's grace than any skill on my part. (Right now, I have 4 draft posts that I haven't finished yet. Geez. I blame inspiration, but I don't think that's it.)
This is why I don't do New Year's Resolutions. They never pan out. Plus I think it's silly to make a resolution that you really have no intention of keeping any way on some arbitrary day of the year.
I think I'm a New Year's Grinch. Bah! Humbug.
This is why I don't do New Year's Resolutions. They never pan out. Plus I think it's silly to make a resolution that you really have no intention of keeping any way on some arbitrary day of the year.
I think I'm a New Year's Grinch. Bah! Humbug.
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