Paper done!

Got my paper done Sunday during 7-8 hours of watching football.  Proofread it last night, and I'm really pleased with the content and flow, but what really matters is that my professor likes it.  He doesn't need to agree with it, just needs to like it.  So far, I have done well in this course based on the feedback I received on my first two papers.

After having a really bad Monday and a so-so Tuesday, things are looking up today!  I'm quite anxious about our upcoming Formation Weekend on Homiletics.  Don't know why - but I think it's mostly fear of the unknown.  I've done plenty of speaking in public and even made sure I used two opportunities to speak on Gospel passages at Men of St Joseph.  Perhaps it's more that I'll be doing it in front of my peers.  We're also using a book called "Preaching without notes" and that is part of it - I NEVER have done any public speaking without at least an outline to follow.  All that wrapped up has me all wound up for this weekend.

However, to balance it all out, K and I went and purchased a spa for our back yard this past weekend.  We had a spa for several years that I purchased from a close friend.  It eventually developed leaks and we drained it and eventually gave it away.  We'll need to do a little wiring work, but hopefully by Christmas, we'll be enjoying +103°F water out under the stars in 0°F weather.  I find that when I am anxious about something, it's always helpful to find something in the future to focus on.  I keep telling myself - once I complete the weekend, then it's just a short time until the spa is hooked up!

Church - 5 pages

Has it really been 18 days since my last post?  I haven't really been up to posting anything.  The last time I thought about it seriously, I knew I was in a funk and knew that I just needed time to come out of it.  I think I've arrived.

It's the last day of a four day holiday.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.  Four days where the focus is family and food - no stress about gifts and running around like Christmas.  Just time to be with family, friends and eat!

The downside is that not only does the holiday end today, but today is also the last race of the Formula 1 calendar.  My least favorite track (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and I measure the winter by when F1 starts again in March.  It always seems like such a long way off.  Quite a boring racing year in F1 from my perspective - Sebastian Vettel won almost everything and was the champion two races ago.

Anyway, along with the normal football today, especially the Pats at 4:15, I need to write my 5 page paper to complete my class in Church History.  I've finally settled on a topic - educating the faithful after Vatican II.  Now the question is, can I ramble on for 5 pages on that topic, or will I need a subtopic to hit the page count.

After that is complete, it's anxiety time as we prepare for a Formation Weekend next week on Homiletics.  It's our first time on this topic, with one Formation Weekend per year on preaching.  I expect we'll be tested in preaching so that there can be some assessment on where we all are in public speaking.  I always get quite anxious with public speaking, which tends to keep me on my game, but still a source of a lot of stress.  Preaching in front of your peers is also quite stressful.  But I'll get through it.

So rather than keep typing here, I'll go type some of those 5 pages....

Restaurant Impossible - Robert Irvine

Went to the Chatterbox Cafe in Windham tonight for a seating at an episode of Restaurant Impossible taping for Food Network.  Met Robert Irvine, host of the show, and Tom Bury who leads the construction team from the show.  They were hours behind in re-opening the restaurant, so we didn't get seated, but pretty exciting to meet both Robert and Tom and learn about the show.  Both were fantastic and from my conversation with them, the show is as real as it is depicted.  The episode should air in late January, early February.  Below are photos of me and K with Robert and me with Tom.  Also there is a scan of the menu, autographed by Robert and Tom.

 K, Me and Robert

 Robert Irvine at the wrap

Me with Tom Bury outside the tent where all the construction is done

The new Menu, autographed by Chef Robert and Tom Bury.  Robert liked my new Nikon D7000.

House sitter

Today I am heading to my mother's house to house sit in anticipation of the fire inspector to OK our smoke detectors and CO2 detectors.  This because MA needs the government to intervene for our safety because we are not capable of taking care of ourselves.  Sorry for the minor rant, but I get really peeved with government intervention into my life, especially when they need to tell me what I need to do to be safe.  I can't believe the human race even survived without wearing bicycle helmets for so long...but I digress.

Got most of my paper written, so today is polishing to submit tonight.  Still am behind in reading, but this will be catch up weekend before our last week of classes.  Then a 5 pager to finish up the class.

The house should be sold on Thursday, and I'll need to let go of that tangible item that has all my childhood within it.

Behind a bit

Well, the good news is that my mother-in-law continues to improve.  A few minor issues, but things look OK.  Spoke at Men of St Joseph in Litchfield this past Saturday and I think it was a much better than my first time.  A bit more polished, shorter talk, but more focused with good and active discussion after.  I'll continue to seek out these things to gain experience for the day when I will have to preach homilies regularly.  Our Homiletics Formation Weekend is coming up Dec 4/5 and I'm sure we'll have to do some speaking at that.  Then spent the rest of Saturday moving the large items out of my mother's house.  Our closing on the sale is scheduled for Thursday, so I am house sitting while working tomorrow waiting for a fire inspector and water meter reading.   We had to move a few things yesterday and I think it's done.

However, the move encroaching on Sunday has really put me behind in my reading for class.  I am still behind two long chapters for tomorrow and still need to write and submit my 2-page paper by tomorrow and I have not yet chosen a topic.  So enough time here, time to pray Morning Prayer and then work.  Perhaps at lunch I'll have a topic and can get at least a page written.

Surgery update - good news

Surgery is complete and went well.  Some hospital recovery time and then rehab, but things look good so far!

Prayers today

My mother-in-law is having surgery today, so we are praying for a successful outcome and easy recovery.

M is getting her braces off, after what seems like 10 years and $1,000,000.00 - perhaps the time and cost were less, but it doesn't seem it.  It's been 2.5 years total I think.

I found this on another blog and liked it so I am reposting it.

Places I have and have not been

I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family & work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, & I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, & I try not to visit there too often.

I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart!

Concert

Tickets to see The Tubes tonight at Tupelo's Music Hall in Londonderry.  Had these tickets for 7 months now, so decided to miss my first class to take in the show.  Much more entertaining than I expected.  Some photos: