Rambling is Good for the Soul

Elizabethtown

Yesterday, Gary and I went to see Elizabethtown. It was great. I really enjoyed the movie – I seemed to have an emotional connection to it – it just really kind of pulled me in. So many different things going on – a searching movie. Yes, the romantic comedy type things going on, but also the grief of death and the fear/experience of failure. It also had a road trip scene – appropriate for my life right now.

Birth Order Quiz

Thanks to Heather for this one.

Again, we're not surprised.

You Are Likely a First Born

At your darkest moments, you feel guilty. At work and school, you do best when you're researching. When you love someone, you tend to agree with them often. In friendship, you are considerate and compromising. Your ideal careers are: business, research, counseling, promotion, and speaking. You will leave your mark on the world with discoveries, new information, and teaching people to dream.

The beginning of the journey

Tripometer: 331.2
I am not (make that "now") officially on vacation. Wow. Amazing. After 7 weeks of really long days (think: “every waking hour spent working”), I am off for 2 weeks. I am so excited. The board and students are supportive of my trip, but I have been surprised at the snarky responses that other people have had for me. Like, I’m not supposed to be going on vacation. Yes, I travel a lot. I know this. But I’ve found that I work really hard (too hard) when I’m in town, so then I have to leave to get a rest. So – I’ve left them behind to allow them to be jealous or whatever they are… I’m on vacation!

But, beyond that – I have left the state of Illinois and am now in Michigan. I drove in my rented car – which might have been a Cavalier, but decided that I should have cruise control for the long hours in the car, so I went back and upgraded to a Sebring. (I drove a Cavalier without cruise across the country once – I was not looking forward to doing it again – even if this trip is the shorter “across the country”.)

Thanks to Terry and Tracy and Gary for their hospitality. I had a day to get focused and relaxed and out of the “work” mode. Now, I’m in Dearborn doing a bunch of geek stuff – announcements will be made as soon as we figure it all out…

Boston Legal

So – in the report of TV shows, let’s continue with Boston Legal. I just caught this for the first time (accidentally taped after Commander in Chief the first time around). I had heard that it was a great show. So – now I’ve seen it – and sure enough, I love it. What a great cast! It is amazing – funny and punny and smart and great camera work. Definitely worth checking out – but it is David E. Kelly and lawyer stuff, so consider that before watching.

Congrats to Jane!

Another ordination this month!

Congrats to Jane! Now a priest.

It was great to be there. Glad that I could take that trip.

Commander in Chief

So – I’ve started watching TV again. Not quite sure what’s up with that. Perhaps not being completely overwhelmed at the beginning of a school year, which means that I can then see the beginning of the season. This is the beginning of a totally new series – Commander in Chief. I taped the first couple of shows before I actually watched it (so, I’m still behind the times…). But it was amazing to me how powerful it was at the end of the first episode to see a woman stand up as the President. I thought that it would be cool, but there was an amazing feeling to me to see a woman stand up as the president.

A must see!

A letter about religion and science

Well, I’m a little behind on the news…but here’s an interesting letter that’s being signed by clergy.

Cross type

Beth also had this...
And I don't agree much with this one...But perhaps something that I should think about.

You are the Cross for the sick: This cross is
typically made out of walnut and it has a
hidden chamber that contains holy water and two
blessed candles. It is carried to the home or
hospital to bless the sick.


What Kind of Cross are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Happy Birthday to NAN!

My sister is now a quarter of a century...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Lucy? Not Shocking...

Beth had it first...and no one is surprised by my response...

You are Lucy!


Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Wanna go to the moon?

Join onto this vision and you just might make it.
Discover – September 2005

Kayaking on the Chicago River

On Saturday, I went Kayaking on the Chicago River. It was a really fun way to see the city. I went on the “Ghosts and Gangsters” tour. Some interesting history and a whole lot of exercise. Definitely something fun to try – I would wait until the spring when it is warm again.

Cinderella

My friend Sarah invited me to see Cinderella at the Lyric Opera. It was a great performance. I had a wonderful time. I’ve decided that I really don’t care to listen to opera – but really enjoy watching it. Perhaps the visual helps understand all the foreign words…and the English translation helps, too!

The acting was amazing, the staging well done, and I still haven’t figure out how the set works. Definitely a fabulous evening and I’m happy that it all worked out for me to get there and go (A car problem delayed my getting there when planned, but things worked out okay…)! Thanks, Sarah!

Urinetown

Shane, Laurie and I went to see Urinetown at Northwestern on Saturday. We had a bit of an issue getting inside due to all kinds of people cutting and “special” people getting seated. We did get seats (better than some other people who came in later) and ended up enjoying a really well done show. It had won many awards and (when on Broadway) probably deserved them. The music was fabulous. And I liked it for the same reason I like Veggie Tales – all kinds of music weave together to create a coherent show. I really enjoyed the show.

It also had an environmental message to the world – how are we using our resources? Will we end up polluting all that we have?

I also appreciated the leadership questions that came up. When the resources need to be controlled, who gets control? How does a dictator cause problems for the people involved? How might this person actually be helpful (especially when another person comes along with no guiding or control over the situation)? While people were unhappy with the dictator, they also ended up dying under the “rule” of the next person who takes the completely opposite approach to leadership.

Unfortunately, it was a one-weekend run and it’s now over. But if you get a chance to see it, take it!

Congrats to Tim!

Tim is now ordained an Episcopal priest. Welcome to the Episcopal Church, Tim! He is serving as Assistant Chaplain with Canterbury. The service took place at Seabury’s Chapel on Sunday night – a “regular” Canterbury service – well, the regular time, anyway…It was a great celebration and I’m glad that it all worked out so well. Great food by Kris followed the service! It was great.

Erotics, according to Loughlin

A group of clergy meet to discuss Radical Orthodoxy. This last time, we talked about the chapter by Gerard Loughlin dealing with the Erotic. Unfortunately, he didn’t really make a great case. He rambled about things that he disagreed with, but then never outlined his case with strong support.

But one of the good lines was “It would seem that our culture always takes us unawares” (158). I think that we (the Church) could really look at the cultural stuff that we are surrounded by. I would really like to be ahead of the curve. What can we do that helps us address the issues without being surprised by them? Obviously, talking about sex in church (or in church circles) is one of the things that I feel is missing. I think that the church should be leading discussions about sexuality. We discussed responding to divorce, which would be another taboo topic. Miscarriage and abortion would also count as things that the church has not responded to well.

How can we stand over and against the culture, so that we seem to know what’s going on and make healthy responses to what is happening?