Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Traveling - PA, NJ, NY

I am traveling for work this week and write this in a hotel in NY on Long Island.  I love this part of the job.  I took an unusual route this week though - especially for me being a creature of habit.  I flew to PA because the main visit of the trip was to a company in PA.  Took care of that today and although not perfect, I think I achieved what my factory desired.

This trip is more challenging than most.  The main visit/account moved my planned meeting from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday late morning.  That negated my NJ visits planned for Weds, just couldn't get there in time.  I have two committed visits in NY and working to schedule a third.  Then it's back to PA for the flight home.  I would usually start in NY, but the main customer in PA needed attention first.

At least there are two additional strong visits for tomorrow.  Alot more driving between appointments than I usually like or plan.  All this means that I will need to come back to the area in a few weeks to double back to the accounts that I wanted to see, but couldn't fit in with the juggling.

By the time I get home my new camera should have arrived.  No one was home to receive it today, hopefully it will be received tomorrow.

One drawback from travel is I miss the family and my time at church on Tuesday evening.  I'll have Nocturnal Adoration at midnight Friday night to help fill the void.

Holiday weekend so I'll get an extra day to play with the new toy and learn the new features.  I'll have to sell the old camera to pay for the new one.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Fini!

Great game yesterday.  Baltimore took an ealrly lead and it was another HR fest.  A few tense moments as the strike zone seemed to narrow in the seventh and the crowd got on the umpire.  When Lee was called out looking to end the inning, Lee and the crowd pounced on the ump.  Showalter came out of the dugout after jarring with the ump earlier in the inning, to protect Lee from ejection.  Showalter had a few words with the ump and calm was restored.  After a Reds HR in the ninth bringing it to 7-5, the Orioles closed to door for a win.

We were 10 rows off the plate and other than being at the edge of the screen, got some great shots with the new 28-300mm zoom lens:






Went to Ruth's Chris Steak House after as planned to cap the weekend.  Not a place you can go regularly unless you have a budget like Buffet, but C enjoyed a Maryland crab cake - his first and dubbed fantastic, a Filet Mignon with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach and completed with a Creme Brulet on the house!

C called it his best weekend ever, looks like Dad succeeded!  He's planning the return visit in the fall, he's now a huge Orioles fan.  After getting 3 Orioles T-shirts and an Orioles Pull Over he's fully equipped as a fan.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Today's plan

Panera Bread, Orioles-Reds, Ruth's Chris Steak dinner.

Reds 10 - Orioles 5

Guest blog by my son, recapping the game from the cheap seats!

Last night was a great game which for the first time in the Major Leagues there was a total of 9 home runs hit. It all started off in the 1st inning when Adam Jones hit a solo home run which gave the O's a 1-0 lead. The following inning in the top of the 2nd Johnny Gomes hit a solo home run for the Reds to tie it up. In the 3rd reigning National League MVP Joey Votto hit a 3 run home run to give the Reds a 4-1 lead. In the bottom half of the 3rd Orioles Right Fielder Nick Markakis hit a 2 run home run to right center to cut the Reds lead to 4-3. In the bottom of the 4th Matt Wieters hit a solo home run to tie up the game at 4's. In the top of the 5th Votto again hit a home run this time a 2 run home run. Top 7th the Reds would add to their lead when Scott Rolen hit a 2 run home run to make their lead 8-4. In the bottom half of the 7th J.J. Hardy hit a solo home run to make the score 8-5. In the 8th the Reds made the game theirs when Drew Stubbs hit a solo home run and Brandon Phillips hit an RBI single. At the end of the game the final score was 10-5 the winning pitcher was Bronson Arroyo (7-6) the losing pitcher was Brian Matusz (1-3).

What I saw from this game in the Orioles was they have a good young team to compete. This past offseason they added the talent they need to win by adding outfielder/designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero, 3rd baseman Mark Reynolds, left fielder Luke Scott, and 1st baseman Derek Lee. Those are 4 of the 5 big hitters on this Orioles team. The reason why the Orioles aren't a big contender in the American League East is their pitching. Don't get me wrong they have good young pitching but they don't have the kind of pitching they need to win the AL East. You look at the Yankess, Red Sox, and Rays they have a solid number one starter the Yankees have Sabathia, Sox have Lester, and the Rays have Price. The Orioles however have not found that number one starter.  They have Arrieta who is 9-4 but he is their technical number 4 starter. Their number one starter Jeremy Guthrie is 2-9 (he'll be on the mound today) but has not found a way to win the games he needs to. In a few years if the Orioles can keep the bats they have and get the pitching they need maybe by signing a free agent this season and bringing up a young number 5 starter and keeping Arrieta in the rotation they should have a good 1, 3 and 5 starter they are just missing a 2 and 4 starter which can be filled in by any starter they have now maybe Guthrie at 4 and Matusz or reliever Bergesen as a number 2 starter. It was definitely apparent last night that if the Orioles had the starting pitching it took to win they would have won this game last night but because they don't, their starter let up 6 runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Look for the Orioles to definitely be a contender in years to come. Their wait for a world series back in Baltimore should be coming soon.

Today's starters: for the Orioles Jeremy Guthrie (2-9 3.79 ERA) for the Reds Homer Bailer (3-1 3.00 ERA). Should be a good one.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Baltimore

Arrived in Baltimore with my newly graduated son.  It was his first time in a plane and he enjoyed that.  Lunched at his favorite - P.F. Changs, but he filled up quickly.  Burned a few hours roaming around the inner harbor area while the hotel prepped our room.  First time using Hotwire and got a $300/night hotel room for $100.  Resting up a bit before we head over to Oriole Park to purchase tickets for tonight's game against the Cincinnati Reds.  We have tickets 10 rows off third base for tomorrow, so tonight we'll probably purchase cheap right field tickets.  Can you believe the cheapest seats are $8 here?  What are the cheapest at Fenway - $40?

I think the next update will be a guest blog...

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Faith sharing

Went to another Christian Church tonight to experience another faith and their sharing and welcoming.  This time it was the Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Derry.  I found the building welcoming and the people were friendly, but not overly so.  They allowed us to just introduce ourselves and engage with them in their prayer and teaching.

I didn't find a lot of depth in the teaching, but one thing that did strike me was the question - "Have you shared your faith with someone this week?"  How many of us EVER do that?  Bring our faith out in the open after Mass on Sunday morning?  I've thought of that before and have told many along my discernment to apply for the diaconate that I was applying, but I'm not sure I ever really shared my faith.  I do try to make people think about their faith and try to have them question where they are in their journey.

This question made me drive straight to WalMart afterward and purchase a small notebook.  My fellow Candidate brings his every time we go and he is regularly jotting notes.  I know I'll need homily material in the future and this question will find its way into one of my early homilies.  So I got the notebook and immediately wrote it in there.

The title for the notebook?  "It's not about me....."  A good reminder of why I am pursuing ordination...

Frustrated

I am frustrated with work.  I can't really put my finger on why, but I can feel it.  I expect it will pass with time and is probably equal parts me and work.  I think what adds to that is a hectic schedule over the next 10 days.

My wife got me to start walking on Monday night.  Funny, but I didn't lose any weight on the first day.  We are supposed to walk tonight but I also am committed to go to a protestant church again with one of the other Deacon Candidates.  I'll try to still fit in a bit of walking before we go.

Tomorrow is the KofC annual cookout for families.  Friday, C and I are supposed to go to Gilmanton, NH and check out some Firefighting stuff in hopes that C takes that direction for a job.  Saturday we fly to Baltimore for the weekend to catch an Orioles game on Sunday afternoon.  We may take in Saturday's night game as well.

Next Tuesday, I fly to PA for the week heading into NJ and a stop in NY before flying back Fri.  Got to plan those visits in the next two days so I have a full schedule.  One visit is already scheduled, but I have several other places to go.

Still fighting a bit of the cold, but it seems the worst of it, especially the cough, is finally better.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Graduation

Well, our son graduated from Pinkerton Academy last night.  I must say I am NOT a fan of graduations.  I barely recall my High School graduation.  For my Bachelor's degree, I chose not to go.  It was a hot, sweltering day anyway and to sit there for hours so that I could walk across a stage, shake the hand of someone I never met just to get my diploma was not high on my list of activities.  My father was disappointed but I bet my mother was relieved.

When I completed my Master's degree, I again chose not to go to graduation.  Again, my feeling was I achieved the result I was after, I did not need to spend hours in a ceremony waiting for that 10 seconds of recognition among thousands of others for a slip of paper.  I knew what I had achieved and why, so the paper did not mean much.  I have both degrees but don't ask me where they are.  The most important place is on my resume.  My father was devastated and it's the only regret I have was that I didn't provide him that opportunity for him to be openly proud of his son.  He tried everything to get me to go, but I was as stubborn as I could be and won - I guess.

Interestingly, I do not feel this way about the Rite of Candidacy.  Perhaps because it was a smaller group?  Not sure why I think differently about that, I'll have to reflect on it more.

Anyway, with the lad graduating, we had to sit for 5 hours for the 10 seconds where he walks across the stage to shake the hand of someone who never met him to hand him a blank folder.  All the graduates got the ACTUAL diploma after the ceremony.  Five hours of my life I can't get back.  I'll admit, watching the 10 seconds made me feel proud, but the other 4 hours, 59 minutes and 50 seconds were agony.

I made it through and will spend two years trying to figure out a way to not attend the next one.  But I'm sure I'll go for the 10 seconds of pride...

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

6 weeks until vacation

Vacation is fast approaching for us.  Kids will be joining us and with an 18 and 16 year old, this might be one of the last vacations we are together for a while.  Two consecutive weeks at the beach with a cottage on the water. There will be lots of reading and DVDs but not much swimming, I'm not a fan of the ocean, other than to watch it and hear it at night.  We spent 15 years vacationing for two weeks with my parents along with us.  The last two years at the beach, 2008 and 2009, were without Dad who passed in 2008, but Mom still came.  Last year Mom decided she had enough of the beach and then she passed away in January.  This will be the first time in 15 years it's just the four of us.  We've downsized the cottage (and the rent) and hope to have a relaxing time with family.  Here is our view on a stormy late afternoon in 2009:

How 'bout them Bruins

Great game and they have forced a Game 7.  We just hope they can find their game in Vancouver and score early and often.  New Englanders don't need any more nail biters.

Unfortunately, staying up late for the game allowed the cold I have been fighting to take a tighter grip.  Woke up with a fever and feel worse than yesterday.  Hope this is the last day of this bug and back to normal tomorrow when I must stay up late again for the game.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Back home, recovering from a small cold

Got back Friday evening from Baltimore and came down with a bit of a cold.  Perhaps I shook one too many hands in Baltimore.  My son joined the Knights of Columbus Friday evening, attending a First Degree Ceremonial.

Saturday was more laid back as I let the cold run its course.  I went to a meeting for Men's Ministry within the parish.  I am now part of the core team that leads this fine ministry.  So, I was treated to a great breakfast and then we assigned tasks for the balance of the calendar year.  I was assigned facilitator in September which will give me an opportunity to speak in front of a group.  I think my topic will be spirituality and the workplace, how we can bring the two together.

Sunday we attended mass as a family and then kicked back to watch a fantastic F1 race from Montreal.  My daughter and I then went to Barnes & Nobles for some books and a latte together.  Our alone time to talk.  Tough night sleeping last night as the cold is still with me.

Met with my spiritual director today and relived the Rite of Candidacy.  I keep reflecting on that event and I feel somewhat changed by it.

Tomorrow is Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel at the parish.  The first one in a few months where I do not have an online class, so I need to choose something spiritual to begin reading.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Baltimore

A quick photo or two for my son.  At the end of June, we are heading to Baltimore to watch the Orioles play the Reds at Camden Yards.  I am in Baltimore this week to attend a trade show.  two doors from my hotel room is a balcony overlooking Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  The photo below is the view.  After that are a few photos of Baltimore's inner Harbor.

Don't forget to click the photos for the full size view.




A few photos from the Rite of Candidacy

Courtesy of my daughter M, here are a few photos from the Rite yesterday.


Very Rev. Dennis J. Audet, V.F., Dir. of Permanent Deacon Formation


My son serving the Bishop at the Mass


My son again, during the Rite

The class of candidates after Mass

Most Rev. John B. McCormack, D.D., Bishop of Manchester


And some of my inspiration comes from these people:
My pastor, Very Rev. Frederick J. Pennett, Jr., V.F.


My Spiritual Director, Rev. Msgr. Donald J. Gilbert

My former pastor, Rev. Thomas L. Duston

My wife - I think she's important!

My son - no photo of M because she was taking the pictures - I'll fix that in a future post for sure!

It was really special to have my son serve the mass, to have three priests who I am close to in attendance - I think twelve priests total attended and I am lucky to be associated with three of the above during my Formation, two special families from St Mark the Evangelist Parish as well as my family, brother and sister-in-law in attendance.  

Sunday, June 5, 2011

A Candidate!

Just got home from a tremendously emotional and joyous weekend, culminating in the Rite of Candidacy at St Theresa Parish in Henniker, NH.  Twenty three Aspirants in Formation for the Permanent Diaconate were accepted as Candidates by the Bishop.  The Formation Weekend was filled with tears of joy and some sadness that my parents and father-in-law had passed away over the last few years.  I'm not very emotional, but the awe of this weekend and where I am spiritually is overwhelming.  The bond we have developed as community over the past 9 months is something I have never experienced before.

In attendance (in addition to my wife and children) was my brother and his wife, two families from the parish and three priests of several ordained clergy that has inspired me along the way.  My son served at altar for the bishop during the service which made it even more memorable for me and we both spoke with the bishop after mass.

It was very moving to have my former pastor, present pastor and spiritual director (all priests) in attendance and even better, my alb did not arrive in time so I was fortunate to borrow one from my present pastor, who had to inform me I had put it on backwards prior to the service.  Rookie mistake!  They all seemed tremendously proud of my progress as well as the whole community of Aspirants progressing to Candidacy!  Now were are coming down off such a high from the experience.  I shared with several brother Candidates that I was moved to tears by the experience and they too had the same reaction.  If/when we reach ordination, I'm afraid we'll all be blubbering crying fools!

So we are off for the summer before picking up studies in the fall.  I cannot wait!  I have not been in class with my peers this year, and although the studies will be twice per week and very demanding, I am really excited about the educational experience with these men.

As moving as anything else was seeing a fellow Aspirant (1 of 2) that discerned out of Formation this year.  We all miss him and understand the choices that some of may have to make along the way.  Having him join us during the service was another aspect that moved me to tears.  Usually K has enough tears for both of us, but the joy we are finding in Formation is more than words can describe.  I've only participated in Formation Weekends this year and after the first one not knowing anyone, now having done six, they are the most exciting part of my life.

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Baltimore for the week, but after this high point, I'll be sure to expand more...

Friday, June 3, 2011

The day before...

One short work day and then at 6 PM headed up for the Rite of Candidacy Formation Weekend.  A year has passed quickly.  I'll be away with no PC access through Sunday evening.  Then a mad dash to pack for the trip to Baltimore.  I hope to post from MD next week on the events.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Busy week not so busy

What I expected to be a busy week leading up to the Rite of Candidacy and my trip to Baltimore has turned out not so busy.  Had my chat session last night for the class and will do my final paper today.  I was supposed to have my interview with Hospice Volunteer tonight, but that was postponed due to a schedule conflict with the coordinator.  So that meant I did not have to do my take home test last night.

I need to mow the lawn before the weekend since I'll be gone all next week.  I still need to write a paper.  Today is a Holy Day of Obligation - Ascension - so I'll be heading to mass tonight.

I still have not gotten the alb I ordered, but my pastor was nice enough to let me borrow one of his without a rental fee.  Still have two days of mail delivery to receive mine, but have not gotten any shipping notice, so I am not hopeful.

I'm away from Friday through Sunday for the last Formation Weekend for 2010-2011.  Two nights, three days of fellowship and sharing with the Aspirant community.  Come Sunday, we'll become the Candidate community.

Off for now...