Finally...more VH pics

Another week goes by

I think I have found out what it is like to have too much on your plate.  Thankfully, it is winding down, but I became aware of it this week.

Our class in Christology / Trinity has one meeting left, a make up class on April 10.  This class has been quite a challenge for me.  I just don't think like a Theologian.  So I fumble through the readings and wait until class to hear what the author was really trying to say.  I really like our instructor, but he's a Theologian and I am an engineer.  In choosing my paper topic, which I am now much more relaxed about, I commented about this to our instructor.  He wrote back a good email explaining he'd like to understand my thinking as an engineer - that he really has no aptitude for numbers.  It would be a good exchange if we ever get the chance.

I'm also taking a scripture study course on Mondays on the Passion Narratives.  One week left - I really enjoy it, but between the reading and homework for that, the reading for class and work, it is too much.  We also finish up cooking dinners at the parish during Lent this evening so that is also behind us.  Then a busy Holy Week and we can enjoy the Easter season.

We have a Formation Weekend coming at the end of April and one more class before our Rite of Lector on Jun 9.  Another year of Formation is nearing a close.  This year has been great and has made me start to consider pursuing a Master's Degree in Scripture.  I've started to look at curricula and am thinking I may start something next summer.

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I seem to have a fair amount of site hits.  Please, if you are checking in, hit "Follow Me" so I can see that this journaling is not just for me.

Some updates

OK so I posted the quick Van Halen photo post.  Some of the other happenings of the last month:

• Traveled to NY/NJ with the family for business
• Traveled to Los Angeles for a trade show
• Van Halen shows: 2x!
• Laurel & Hardy Tent meeting
• Purchased and installed a new Bullfrog Spa
• Enjoyed the new Spa (nightly, under the constellations)
• Formation Weekend on Vatican II
• Began a new class in Christology (Theology)
• Led the prayer portion of Men of St Joseph and shared a short reflection on the reading (a practice in homiletics for me)

Will try to overload on posts for the next week to bring everything up to speed.

Sorry to my 'fans' ... and Van Halen!

Been a very busy month and still busy with class starting up again.  Highlight of the last week was seeing Van Halen twice.  I forgot how much I like that band, and with David Lee Roth back, it's evident how much better they are with him.  Will post more in the coming days, but for now, here's a quick shot of Eddie and David from my seat in Manchester Tuesday night.  More to come, but I purchased the ticket at 3 PM Tuesday and 4 hours later was enjoying show #2 in two days.  Go out and buy "A Different Kind of Truth" - it's fantastic!

Ordinary time

Well, after completing the Formation Weekend, I came home and returned to the real world.  This week we finish our class in the Prophets.  This has been a good class for me as it allowed me to focus on individual stories from the bible that were very familiar.  But, since we were focused, the characters, their backgrounds and motivations were much clearer than when just reading the stories.  I said to many classmates that you have to work to get something out of online classes.  Unlike a regular class where you may learn things just by showing up, that doesn't happen in an online class in my opinion.  So for me, this class in the Prophets was good.  It was certainly not comprehensive because we glossed over Isaiah, but I did pick up some good insights.

Went to see Star Wars Episode I last night.  My first 3-D movie.  Not bad, there are some scenes I really like in that movie, being a huge Star Wars fan.  It was my first movie in probably 5+ years.  I'll go see #2 & 3 once.  When the original trilogy gets released later this year, you'll probably find me in the theater alone in the afternoon watching it multiple times.

Saturday, it's Men of St Joseph time.  My favorite new ministry, except it's probably not new any more.  Well, this wee will be new.  I am leading the prayer service for the men and am planning to use the time to do a short reflection on the reading from the Divine Office.  Sort of a mini-Homily.  More practice and experience, at the expense of these poor men.  I hope I am OK and don't bore them to tears.  The intent is to draw more men in, so I hope my reflection helps that.  Next month it is our annual gathering at the Cathedral and Bishop Libasci is saying the mass and the keynote speaker.

Snow tonight!  We'll see if we really get any.  Last Saturday's storm was a bust, and that's fine with me.  This may be the best winter ever.  Certainly better than last year when we got snow every Wednesday after Mom passed.  Seemed I was cleaning two driveways every week.

It's February

Eleven days in and today is my first February post.  I'm away at a Formation Weekend in Contoocook, NH on Vatican II.  K is not feeling well, so she will break the tradition and head home, so I'll be here all alone...with my 21 brothers and their spouses.  If you are going to be 'alone' there is no better group to be alone with.

I'll hope to catch a ride with someone, otherwise, it's a long walk home.

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday, so it was tough to be without her another year.  Being an orphan after 45 years is difficult.

Home, Cold, Spa, Prophets

Got home late Fri, felt terrible with the cold I caught and rested all afternoon.  Saturday I was closer to normal.  Had a good afternoon with my daughter doing a bit of surprise shopping with her.  We continued it on Sunday.

Next up will be Chris.  Offered him a similar surprise and he's opted to take in two AHL games - Manchester Monarchs and we'll also head to Worcester to catch a game there.  I offered Celtics or Bruins, but he'd rather two AHL games.

It's Monday, cold is gone and the Spa has arrived!  Got it wired - it's not pretty, but it will get me through the winter and I'll finish off the wiring better when it's a little warmer.

I'm in week 3 of my online class in the Prophets.  I have to get my reading done to prepare for my chat session tomorrow night.  So far I really like this class a lot, I am getting a lot from it and have been keeping up with my reading.  Joshua and Judges finally make some sense to me!  On to Kings and Samuel.

DELAY

Got to the airport several hours early, only to learn delayed already. As I checked flight tracker it got worse - I'm at the SF airport before my inbound flight from Boston has even departed.  An hour after monitoring it, it finally took off, 3 hours late.  So my 11:10 PM departure is (for now) scheduled to depart SF at 2:20 AM.

How to spend 7 hours in an airport without football games on TV, no good restaurant (had a pizza) and a cold....

Leaving San Francisco, with my heart and a cold

Last day in San Francisco.  I seem to have caught a cold, which makes travel uncomfortable at best.  An early night last night, as was the rest of the week.  Got my paper complete for my online class.  Trade show hours today are 10 AM - 4 PM, then pack up and head to the airport for an 11 PM flight back to Boston.

One nice thing about this trip is that I set up Skype on the laptop and was able to call home and video while talking.  Of course K and M were never available for it because calling at 5 PM CA time meant they were in bed asleep.  But I got to talk with Chris a few times which was fun.

Looking forward to sleeping on a plane tonight.  Spa delivery is set for Monday!