St. Andrew

Happy Feast Day!!!

Just a quick post in honor of St. Andrew; brother of St. Peter, Apostle and the Patron Saint of Scotland (among other things). St. Andrew is most famous for the manner of his death...crucified on a "X" shaped cross. This is why the national flag of the Scots depicts a white "X" shaped cross on a blue field. This flag is known as the "Cross of St. Andrew" and is one of the flags incorporated in the national flag of Great Britain.


So happy feast day to all you Scots out there, as well as all my friends in general.

St. Andrew, Pray for us!

An Ancient Muse

I just received the newest recording of my favorite Celtic musical artist, An Ancient Muse, by Loreena McKennitt. As soon as I saw it in my mailbox I rushed upstairs and popped into into Aiden (my notebook friend, desktop companion and personal musician, he can play all sorts of music, and does great voice impersonations), and was soon carried off by the rhythmic sounds of this ethereal and ancient sounding album. A particular favorite is the track entitled The English Ladye and The Knight, a sad poem by Sir Walter Scott that Loreena set to music. Another lovely ballad of longing and earning for the return of a loved one is the track entitled Penelope's Song. The song is about the steadfast loyalty and heartfelt sorrow of Odysseus' wife in Homer's Epic tale. Altogether I loved this new album. Loreena McKennitt introduces many unique musical sounds beginning with the first track Incantation that has an unmistakably eastern tone to it, and translates the mysterious harmony of that culture exceedingly well. I hope that you all will have a chance to hear some of the songs on this new CD...and I know that Joe will definitely want to get this album!

Change of Scenery

Coming home for Thanksgiving was a welcome change from the usual. Not only did I get plenty of rest, but I also had a great time with my sweet little niece, brothers, sisters, sister-in-law, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and the parental units. Reflecting on the pleasant differences of home and Detroit, I thought that I would list a few of the things that were most strikingly different about the weekend.

• First is that I heard more gunshots at home then in Detroit. I call it providence, but I have not heard one gunshot while I have been here (although I have been informed of there existence on many occasions). The big difference being, however, that the gunshots at home ended in dinner on the table rather than an empty seat at someone's table.
• Racial diversity at home is basically non-existent. The closest thing we have to racial diversity at home occurs within the burgeoning squirrel population. We have red, black, and grey squirrels...Dr. Izzo would be in paradise...or out of crustuli!
• Traffic was basically non-existent! I could travel 30 miles in 40 minutes, as opposed to 5 miles in 30 minutes as it often is in Detroit...ugh, thank God for the country, where ne'r a traffic light is seen!
• One final thing, which is always good for the ego...I actually impress the folks at home with my knowledge. I know what you all are thinking, and yes it is scary, but hey, I get my perks where I can!

Now starts the countdown to Christmas!!!

Go West Young Man!

I love it everytime I begin to leave the city behind me and the cornrows and pasturlands of Michigan begin to flash past my windows as I cruise down the I-96 corridor. It means that I am on my way home, and I will soon be able to breath the free air again and know that I can go anywhere I want without traffic jams, red lights, ambulance and police sirens, construction issues, or be afraid for my life everynow and then. I actually saw the stars last night...and not just the really bright ones on Orion's belt, but the ones that you would have to have a doctorate in Astronomy to name.

Thanksgiving was great! Family was crazy, loud, tiring, but wonderfully fun! Not to mention Grandma, Mom, Aunts and Uncles all in the kitchen working their culinary skills to perfection! I love food. So I have been having a great time this weekend...and just a few more weeks of School to go before Christmas! I am ready for it already.

Peace to you all!

Thanksgiving...

And the break is almost here folks! I have no more classes from now until break begins (after evening prayer, 5:30pm Tuesday) and will be more or less doing nothing in the meantime. All my papers are done for the semester! Done! I can't really beleive it...its crazy! And wireless internet is coming the seminary's way soon! Deus Bonus Est!

Stay tuned...will post something a little more interesting tomorrow...promise!