Rambling is Good for the Soul

Bodega Bay

Well, we made it to Bodega Bay, California. The houses are beautiful. Nice, open layouts. Great architecture. All in the area are made by the same person, but each is unique. A great use of angles and space. We’re right on the ocean and it’s beautiful. No one warned me, however, that it is never sunny here. I was hoping to go for some nice walks on the beach and get a little sun, but it’s overcast and cloudy every day. We can go one mile inland and it’s beautiful and sunny. But right on the water is gray and cloudy.

Tonight is the bachelorette party. We will be going to dinner and then to The Mint. Should be a fun adventure filled with musical theater (my sis’ favorite thing).

Christmas in July?

So – the parish that I went to today celebrated Christmas in July. All that it really affected were the hymns (all from Christmas) and we skipped the confession. It was fine, but I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. Why would we do it? What does it mean to move seasons around? I guess that it could be a way to emphasize the "incarnation" and switch things up a bit. Of course, I'm always happy to sing Christmas carols. They are great, and we get to use them so little.

Anyone else know of places that use this? What do you think about it?

11 on Top

So, Janet Evanovich is popular this week! 11 on Top is the latest installment of the Stephanie Plum series. Funny, funny, laugh out loud books. The best part of this series for me is the numbered aspect – easy to keep track of which one to read next!

There’s really nothing more that I can say about this book – hot men, destroyed cars, interesting adventures. Read it – or, if you’ve never read her, start at One for the Money.

Vacation!

So – the problem with vacationing at a house that has wireless is that I don’t get enough email. I have nothing more to do in a day then check email and read. This means that I open my computer a lot more than I do when I’m home. And sometimes, when I open my computer, I don’t have any new messages. What’s up with that?

Now, realize, soon I’ll be back working, so this is not an invitation to send me lots of email and expect immediate replies. (Though, I do like lots of email. I just can’t guarantee that I will return it soon when I’m busy with work and “real” life.) It was more an observation of my vacationing habits.

My sister says that she doesn’t know how much internet access we might have. But I figured that there has to be SOMETHING, right? But, if I drop out of sight, know that I’ll be back eventually…

Blog Quiz

Beth had this quiz. Shockingly enough, it says that I’m logical and principled. Imagine that.

Your Blogging Type is Logical and Principled

You like to voice your well thought out opinions on your blog. And if someone doesn't what you write, you really don't care! Serious and blunt, sometimes people take your blog the wrong way. But you're a true and loyal friend to those who truly get you.

Rage

Due to the amount of work needed to complete before leaving the Midwest, I had started Rage but was unable to finish it. Gary had brought it to me, but the 4 days of packing and getting ready meant that I had to return it before finishing. My sister was able to obtain a copy for me. Jonathan Kellerman is my favorite male author. Some people find him a little graphic and a little over the top with the intensity and plot lines.

This one is even more intense than some of his others. Kellerman used to be a child psychologist and he pulls on this knowledge to create some rather horrific plots. The awful things that happen to children in his books – but I’m sure it’s not really so far off fact. Which makes it even worse if you’re squeamish about such things.

I find his books fascinating and compelling and have never been let down by his writing. I would not suggest that you start with this one, however. Start with something older in order to catch up on the characters. The Alex Delaware novels follow through with some interesting plot twists. I’m sure that you could probably enjoy it as a stand alone, but if interested in reading this, go back to Time Bomb or even to the first, When the Bough Breaks.

Metro Girl

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite authors. She writes consistently funny books with somewhat unbelievable but absolutely hilarious characters. Always worth reading. Her most famous character is Stephanie Plum and those are all worth reading (start with One for the Money). The other series has “full” in the title. They are entertaining, but not as engaging to me – the first has been reworked from a romance novel and the rest of the series is co-authored by someone else. Not as high a caliber as the numbered series.

Metro Girl is the new book (series?). HILARIOUS! Run out and get this one now. The main character is different enough from Plum that I didn’t want to spend a lot of time analyzing it. It was just a lot of fun. A different city, different backgrounds, different interests help the story lines diverge from each other. But the humor is as quality as the numbered series. I laughed out loud for most of the book. My almost-brother-in-law asked, “Is it really that funny?” To which I answered, “YES!” It really is that funny.

Basilica

A student picked up a book from his home city library sale. Due to my vocation, he thought that a mystery about the Catholic Church might be the way to go. Basilica was tough to get into, but there was a point about 25 pages in that turns it into a good read. It was pretty entertaining. Definitely not the best written book I’ve ever read, but entertaining. Montalbano’s writing style is a little choppy and every once in a while I lost him.

Bottom line: Montalbano traveled with JP II so he has some insider info. His imagination is good and he travel through some pretty complex plots. Not a “run out and buy it now” but if it’s on a shelf somewhere or handed it to you, definitely something light to read.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

So, hanging out in McKinleyville with my sis. A bunch of her friends and I went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last night. It was great! Now, I am not particularly connected to the old one and I didn’t have any certain expectation for this one. I also have not read the book (though I was tempted to try to get to it). I went to see what I thought would be some great acting (which it was) and a fun story line presented well (which they were). So, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I think that it was definitely worth seeing and great entertainment as I continue to enjoy my vacation – a fun and non-plan time!

HARRY POTTER!

I own HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!!
I have my very own copy – after an hour of waiting in the store for my number to be called. But I have all day tomorrow to read! I’m so excited!
HARRY POTTER!
HARRY POTTER!
HARRY POTTER!

California!

Well, back to the travel journal. I’ve started my one month travels across the country. I’ve started in Sacramento, California at a Peer Ministry training. I now have a great new program to take back and train peer ministers at Northwestern. It’s been an intense week of work and will be ready for a break.

My sister will pick me up today at noon. That means that I get to drive back and hang out with her for a couple of weeks. I’m way so excited about that. Get to read some fiction (good thing she works at Borders!) and will even get to hang out at the Harry Potter party on Friday. I hope she remembers what happened in the last book – because I don’t. Need to catch up before midnight on Saturday!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

When I was back in Allegan, my dad and I went to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I seem to be one of the few people that had ever seen the TV series that this movie is based on. Scott Bakula and Maria Bello. Very entertaining show. I would love to get copies of the show (probably just one season) and see what they might have actually used. I remember thinking that it was entertaining and I would have watched more seasons of it. Of course it didn’t last.

The movie was fine. The hype around Brad and Angelina is ridiculous. Not all together predictable and there were some great stunts and some great one-liners. I especially appreciated Air Supply during the car chase scene. The sheer contrast was hilarious! And Vince Vaughn is really pretty darn amazing.

The end scene was a bit over the top (yes, I’m all about action, but…really…. Just too much.). Overall, it was fine. I saw it at the Allegan Regent Theater with my dad - $3 for both of us. So, it was well worth supporting the Regent and $1.50 for a movie is not bad at all.

Michigan

Well, I was off to Michigan again for a few days.

CONGRATS to Susie, Judith, Shannon, Joyce, and Lisa! Great ordinations in the Diocese of Michigan. I almost missed it – but that involves a really long story about keys… But, I made it and it was great!

I was able to supply at St. Anne’s in Walled Lake. Great parish. I pray that they continue to discern a great vision for themselves. I think that they’re doing something fabulous with mutual ministry and can really do some great work in that place.

Camp Kidwell is doing well! They have a lot of campers this year and keep expanding their programming. If you have a child aged 8-14 who wants to do a summer camp, just contact them!

Saw lots of people and ran around and fireworks in several different cities. Saw Nick at dress rehearsal for Once Upon a Mattress. Fun show – great voices (cast) and the set was amazing! Go Nick!

Back home now and getting ready to go away for a long time – conference, wedding, and vacation.