Thoughts on a Wednesday morning . . .

How did it get to be July 12, anyway?

How did it get to be 11:56 a.m., anyway?

1.For those who have asked, or are wondering, it's been a great summer so far. Two weeks into it, and I have been having a great time. Last week's Great Big Road Trip with alethea_eastrid (more to come on that) was fantastic. I have been to a couple of SCA events, and I have really been enjoying my new camera. I have been listening to a lot of new music, as well. I have been doing some reading, but I have more I want/need to do.

2. The latest on the anti-Gay Marriage amendment issue here in Massachusetts is that the state senate president is adamant that it will be brought to a vote. Trouble is, it's item 20 of 20 on today's agenda, so we may have to go through this again later this year.

3. I was reading through some old letters of recommendation, and I found one from a student. This sentence is totally taken out of context, but it's funnier that way -- "Through conversations with friends in other school systems, I have discovered that Mr. Toscano is not a normal faculty advisor. "

4. The success, so far, of Jonathan Papelbon, often brings up discussions of other Red Sox relief pitchers. I like this because I can giggle when they say, "Heathcliff Slocumb."

5. The World Cup is fast fading in memory, but I gotta tell you, making Zidane the player of the tournament was an absolute joke. The guy gets thrown out of the championship match and is not there for penalty kicks. Viva Italia!

6. I am damned tired of the people who are criticizing the New Tork Times for breaking the story about tracking terrorism through banks accounts, etc. I think we need more of this, not less of it. I think the Pentagon Papers very likely shortened the war in Vietnam and saved lives. There's a lot of shadowy stuff going on, and we need to find out about it. I do not think this even approached the line.

7. Today is "Hot Stove, Cool Music," a concert at Fenway that includes general manager Theo Epstein and some real musicians -- including James Taylor, who apparently is a huge Red Sox fan -- and benefits Epstein's "Foundation to Be Named Later." The stage is in right field, and I will be sitting in a rooftop box. With the scarcity and cost of tickets, this may be my only visit to Fenway this year. Sadly, Peter Gammons, who helped organize the event and released his first album last week, is hospitalzied and will not be at the event. He is arguably America's top baseball writer. He invented the Baseball Notes-style column most newspapers use today. By thwa way, the album, "Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old," is available and it's a plesant, easy to listen to rock and roll album. Proceeds benefit the "Foundation to be Named Later."

More to come.

Update on Theresa . . .

Theresa 1
Originally uploaded by LiamStLiam.

I talked to theresat yesterday. She spent Monday doing the stuff that new hires do. She spent Monday night anbd Tuesday morning with the kids she's working with, then went out to get fingerprinted, etc. For those who don't know, she just started a job as a counselor at a wildnerness-style camp for troubled boys, ages 10-17. (I prefer the phrase "troubled yutes" She has no internet when she's at camp, but I have been getting the occasional telephone call.

SCA photo of the day -- Tuge

Stan2
Originally uploaded by LiamStLiam.

Some people have long, involved SCA names. Lots of titles and macs and ibns, etc. Tuge is, well, just Tuge. He lives in the Midlands, in the Middle Kingdom. He fights like a madman because, well he is a madman. I am really excited that he's a History teacher like me. (Well, no one's quite like me). He is a good friend, and I am looking forward to seeing him at Pennsic.

A moderately serious post . . .

I have been fortunate in my time on LJ to read and get to know some really fascinating people, including people very unlike me. soldiergrrrl is one of those folks. She and her husband, sappersgt are both in the Army [brief applause]. She is just back from Iraq and he is over there (though he recently visited, and her posts droped off precipitously. (Hehe). I have learned a lot about the war and other issues from her, her husband and their friend atomicsappertom

Anyway, today the topic turned to religion soldiergrrrl identifies herself as an Orthodox Christian. I think that's a cool designation.

Anyway, she posted a link to this Op-Ed piece from the LA Times. I wanted to share the article and my response.

Liberal Christianity is paying for its sins

I am interested in your thoughts and in your responses to my thoughts.

*****

I agree with yuripup that you cannot argue the number.

I might argue vocabulary. "Meltdown" is a strong word. This is an op-ed piece that is espousing a particular point of view.

I wonder how those numbers compare to people leaving the Catholic church for various reasons.

I think you could also cast what's going on as a retrenchment or reorganization of "Liberal Christianity." (Why does it sound and though they're using "liberal" as an epithet?) I think religious views are changinging an focusing. There have always been different "flavors" of Christianity. Perhaps, this is just amother step.

For background, since I don't know a lot of folks here: I am a 47-year-old U.S. History teacher who lives n Massachusetts, grew up Catholic and considers himself a non-denominational Christian. I do consider myself to have a personal relationship with God. (I do not know if he feels the same way). I did spend about an hour yesterday calling and e-mailing my legislators to urge them to vote against a proposed amendment that would ban Gay marriage. (We are the only state that has Gay marriage, kinda like we were the only state that did not vote for Richard Nizon. (Sorry, bad liberal humor).

****

A few stray thoughts . . .

1. Because I have a new camera, I am taking a lot of pictures -- of other people. If you see me taking pictures, please politely ask to take the camera and take a picture of me. Thanks.

2. If you want me to take pictures of you, please let me know.

3. I spent more than two hours watching, first the battle scene from Henry V, then two episodes of Sean 5 of Babylon 5 (geting near the end), all while cleaning my room.

Amazing!

I spent the morning catching up on writing stuff, so I am very, very happy.

4. Very strange to see your weather program tell you it's cloudy, while you are seeing and hearing the downpour outside your window.

Headed out. Be back later.

This is strictly for my amusement

One of the assignment you get when you're in Journalism school is to write your own obituary.

( Here's mine )

I cannot remember who gave me the business cards in the lead. goldsquare, was that you?

No, I am not giving away all my possessions, and no, you do not need to keep me away from the tops of tall buildings.

It's just something I wanted to do and share. There's a copy on my desktop, too.

The only trouble is, it's a bit self-aggrandizing, but hey, it's the last word.