Hello my bloggy world.
It's December 30, 2010. Tomorrow is year's end. Time for reflections, closings, endings, and looking aheads.
The past year has clearly been difficult, as my blog attests. It's ending on a positive note. I'm employed! A rather large department store at the mall hired me for the "signing team". This means I show up a couple mornings a week at a terribly early hour and "flip the sale". This means turning all the pricing signs to the current day's prices, as well as putting up all the special signs for sales. Not the really big signs, that's for some other team. The senior members of my team each have a rolling cart and a designated department. I'm roving helper (but I really want my very own cart! lol). It's humble but it's good honest work and I'm grateful for it. I'm a bit puzzled that I'm now dependent for income on the very consumer culture that I critique so heavily, but at least in the solitary twilight of retail mornings there is plenty of time for theological reflection (they don't turn on all the lights or the music system, and I work alone).
The other positive note - and just as happy-making as earning an income - is that I'm writing again. As I write this blog I am half way through my very last academic coursework paper. When I finish it tomorrow and ship it off via email, I can say that I'm ready to move on to the next phase of my program. It feels good to be productive again!
Looking over my blog, I realized that last year and this one I only posted about once a month. I hope to post more often next year. 2010 has been difficult, but overall a good year. Lots of good memories made, some adventures, good challenges to face. As I think about what I would like to accomplish in the coming year, I would like to be more diligent about this blog. Some posts about life in general as I've done lately but more about mission and other theological issues.
Many people will make New Year's Resolutions in the next few days. Last year one of mine was to floss more. I do now! :-) In 2011, I want to (aside from blogging more) complete my comprehensive examinations and submit my dissertation proposal; exercise more regularly; make a hike that requires a backpack and camping on the trail (not too long); run another 5k; and various financial goals.
Now that these resolutions for 2011 are out here on the great weird wide web, I suppose someone will ask me about them in March - here's hoping that I'll remember!
Best wishes for a fantastic celebration to ring in the new year, dear readers!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Earn Money By Blogging!
One of the national morning news programs had a story today on "how to make money with your blog". There were the usual tips - write about what you are passionate about, use social networking, find advertisers. Another suggestion was to write every day, although I've read that bloggers should have a set schedule such as publishing twice a week (Monday and Thursday, not everyday).
It was surprising to hear that some of the bloggers are earning more just by writing than I was earning for the last two years working in the church. "I could do that" says the little voice in my head. "But you wouldn't write every day" says the other little voice. "And besides, who'd want to read it?" Drat that other little voice.
It is a depressing little voice. It's the one that is loudest when I'm at home alone. The one that is hardest to ignore. The one that erodes my confidence, questions my abilities.
I thought that living back at home would be easier than living in Boston, so far away from my family. And it has been easier in some ways - it is SO good to have family dinners, to give hugs and kisses, to appreciate my home and kitchen. But in other ways, it is so difficult, ways that I didn't anticipate.
I haven't had a job since May. I didn't think that it would eat at me the way it does. I figured that it would be hard to find a job, but that I could focus on my studies, on my family, on my house. At first that was true, but as time has gone on it has gotten increasingly more difficult. Knowing that we need additional income is always on my mind. I think about looking for work all the time. I worry about it, try to be positive about it, but there's that nasty negative little voice in my head getting louder by the day. I've gone from talking to the church about opportunities and possibilities to applying at bookstores, the mall, and local grocery stores. I've applied at UPS for seasonal help, searched for jobs on Craigslist, and filled out applications in person. They aren't hiring. At least, they aren't hiring middle aged female clergy with too many college degrees.
And then there was that morning news program, telling me I could earn money by blogging. Hmph. I don't write about fashion or travel or video games, so I doubt there is money to be made here. But I do think that writing about my experience is helpful - if to no one else, at least to me. In every difficult situation I can learn something - about the world, about people, about myself. And so I get up every day and put one foot in front of the other. I keep praying, keep reading, keep moving forward, and keep telling that negative little voice it's wrong, and try to keep writing about mission (what I'm passionate about!) in my academic work rather than on the internet. God willing, it will all work out.
It was surprising to hear that some of the bloggers are earning more just by writing than I was earning for the last two years working in the church. "I could do that" says the little voice in my head. "But you wouldn't write every day" says the other little voice. "And besides, who'd want to read it?" Drat that other little voice.
It is a depressing little voice. It's the one that is loudest when I'm at home alone. The one that is hardest to ignore. The one that erodes my confidence, questions my abilities.
I thought that living back at home would be easier than living in Boston, so far away from my family. And it has been easier in some ways - it is SO good to have family dinners, to give hugs and kisses, to appreciate my home and kitchen. But in other ways, it is so difficult, ways that I didn't anticipate.
I haven't had a job since May. I didn't think that it would eat at me the way it does. I figured that it would be hard to find a job, but that I could focus on my studies, on my family, on my house. At first that was true, but as time has gone on it has gotten increasingly more difficult. Knowing that we need additional income is always on my mind. I think about looking for work all the time. I worry about it, try to be positive about it, but there's that nasty negative little voice in my head getting louder by the day. I've gone from talking to the church about opportunities and possibilities to applying at bookstores, the mall, and local grocery stores. I've applied at UPS for seasonal help, searched for jobs on Craigslist, and filled out applications in person. They aren't hiring. At least, they aren't hiring middle aged female clergy with too many college degrees.
And then there was that morning news program, telling me I could earn money by blogging. Hmph. I don't write about fashion or travel or video games, so I doubt there is money to be made here. But I do think that writing about my experience is helpful - if to no one else, at least to me. In every difficult situation I can learn something - about the world, about people, about myself. And so I get up every day and put one foot in front of the other. I keep praying, keep reading, keep moving forward, and keep telling that negative little voice it's wrong, and try to keep writing about mission (what I'm passionate about!) in my academic work rather than on the internet. God willing, it will all work out.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Work in Progress
I'm working on a paper that I've been expanding/editing for some time now. It's on the table in front of me, open to a page that has this handwritten note at the top: partial completion, works in progress.
That's a really good way to describe SO much in my life right now. This paper is a work in progress. Not much progress has been made on it. Work on it was much more productive yesterday and a few days ago. Today has been difficult. Uphill, downhill, breakthrough, hitting the wall. It is frustrating not to be able to write like I did two years ago. I'm doing all the right things - sitting down to write whether it's productive or not, having all the necessary materials, etc. But the words don't come - it's as though I used up my quota of new or creative thoughts. That's it! No more clever ideas! You're done! Next in line please!
My house is also a work in progress. My office is finally coming together as a real home office. This summer I did a lot of clearing out of clutter and unnecessary paperwork. It felt good to be clearing out. But it's still a work in progress, not yet done. A number of things got in the way of this project (good things!) and now I don't quite know where to pick up on it again. And there's so many other little projects that I see now that I'm back in the house full time. Overwhelming!
My body seems to be a work in progress too. I meant to start on a weight loss effort after a rather shocking step onto a friend's scale. Rather than go on a diet or exercise routine, I got a root canal. It went terribly wrong. Couldn't eat much, only chewing on one side of my mouth, and then it turned into an abscess which meant only liquids. Two crazy months, and at least 10 pounds later, I got my tooth all sorted out. Time now to focus on eating right and exercising again - another work in progress.
Partial completion, work in progress. Reminds me of John Wesley's understanding of sanctifying grace. When someone recognizes God's grace at work in their life, they make changes in how they live. It's not just about a one-time change, it's about a change in a way of life. That way of life means paying attention to the work of God in one's life and in the world around you. It's an ongoing process, to pay attention to the work of the Spirit, to get rid of the clutter in your heart and mind, to make changes to be more just, more merciful. Wesley called it moving on to perfection - a work in progress. A lot like my life.
That's a really good way to describe SO much in my life right now. This paper is a work in progress. Not much progress has been made on it. Work on it was much more productive yesterday and a few days ago. Today has been difficult. Uphill, downhill, breakthrough, hitting the wall. It is frustrating not to be able to write like I did two years ago. I'm doing all the right things - sitting down to write whether it's productive or not, having all the necessary materials, etc. But the words don't come - it's as though I used up my quota of new or creative thoughts. That's it! No more clever ideas! You're done! Next in line please!
My house is also a work in progress. My office is finally coming together as a real home office. This summer I did a lot of clearing out of clutter and unnecessary paperwork. It felt good to be clearing out. But it's still a work in progress, not yet done. A number of things got in the way of this project (good things!) and now I don't quite know where to pick up on it again. And there's so many other little projects that I see now that I'm back in the house full time. Overwhelming!
My body seems to be a work in progress too. I meant to start on a weight loss effort after a rather shocking step onto a friend's scale. Rather than go on a diet or exercise routine, I got a root canal. It went terribly wrong. Couldn't eat much, only chewing on one side of my mouth, and then it turned into an abscess which meant only liquids. Two crazy months, and at least 10 pounds later, I got my tooth all sorted out. Time now to focus on eating right and exercising again - another work in progress.
Partial completion, work in progress. Reminds me of John Wesley's understanding of sanctifying grace. When someone recognizes God's grace at work in their life, they make changes in how they live. It's not just about a one-time change, it's about a change in a way of life. That way of life means paying attention to the work of God in one's life and in the world around you. It's an ongoing process, to pay attention to the work of the Spirit, to get rid of the clutter in your heart and mind, to make changes to be more just, more merciful. Wesley called it moving on to perfection - a work in progress. A lot like my life.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Struggles
A friend said to me yesterday "why don't you write about something else that you love, and try to get yourself jump started that way?" Such great advice.
For nearly a year I have struggled with writer's block. It seems that despite the multitude of thoughts running through my head, I just couldn't write anything. My papers are below par, some I have postponed, and I've only written two sermons and a couple newsletter articles. It has been beyond frustrating.
This summer I had the opportunity to teach a class on women in mission. It felt right to be teaching. However, it did lead to lots of questions about my degree program and where I am in the process. It is embarrassing to admit that while my classmates are all working on their comprehensive exams, I'm still working on my coursework. Dratted writing block. Even my college freshman daughter is giving me advice on how to write papers now. Humiliating.
There are a million distractions, some of them seem quite worthy. And that's been part of my struggle. I'm doing things that are important, but they aren't the work that I've been called to do. Which leads to another aspect of my struggle - I've been praying and praying about it but don't seem to get any answer. It's as if God isn't listening. Or perhaps God is listening but isn't answering. It's difficult to hang onto faith through such a long dry spell.
When my friend said that I should write about something that I love, I immediately thought of writing a sermon. I love preaching. And so I looked up the scriptures for this coming Sunday: Year C Proper 24
First Timothy 4:5 says: As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Luke 18:7 says: And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?
If I was going to write a sermon on this Sunday's lectionary readings, it would be a sermon for an audience of one: me. Clearly the Spirit is working here. I see in these readings a clear message of persistence and faith. It's as though the Spirit is saying "don't give up! hold fast to your dream, do the work set before you, no matter how hard."
Just the other day a high school sophomore asked me to edit an English paper of hers on persistence and diligence, sort of an encouragement essay. I suppose I should have been reading more for content than for grammar! It seems the Spirit is speaking in that direction, and I am listening, through the struggle, through the doubt, through the inertia, toward the Call.
For nearly a year I have struggled with writer's block. It seems that despite the multitude of thoughts running through my head, I just couldn't write anything. My papers are below par, some I have postponed, and I've only written two sermons and a couple newsletter articles. It has been beyond frustrating.
This summer I had the opportunity to teach a class on women in mission. It felt right to be teaching. However, it did lead to lots of questions about my degree program and where I am in the process. It is embarrassing to admit that while my classmates are all working on their comprehensive exams, I'm still working on my coursework. Dratted writing block. Even my college freshman daughter is giving me advice on how to write papers now. Humiliating.
There are a million distractions, some of them seem quite worthy. And that's been part of my struggle. I'm doing things that are important, but they aren't the work that I've been called to do. Which leads to another aspect of my struggle - I've been praying and praying about it but don't seem to get any answer. It's as if God isn't listening. Or perhaps God is listening but isn't answering. It's difficult to hang onto faith through such a long dry spell.
When my friend said that I should write about something that I love, I immediately thought of writing a sermon. I love preaching. And so I looked up the scriptures for this coming Sunday: Year C Proper 24
First Timothy 4:5 says: As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Luke 18:7 says: And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?
If I was going to write a sermon on this Sunday's lectionary readings, it would be a sermon for an audience of one: me. Clearly the Spirit is working here. I see in these readings a clear message of persistence and faith. It's as though the Spirit is saying "don't give up! hold fast to your dream, do the work set before you, no matter how hard."
Just the other day a high school sophomore asked me to edit an English paper of hers on persistence and diligence, sort of an encouragement essay. I suppose I should have been reading more for content than for grammar! It seems the Spirit is speaking in that direction, and I am listening, through the struggle, through the doubt, through the inertia, toward the Call.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
voting no
This week, I voted "no". For the weather, that is. I don't mind snow, I rather like snow. But driving rain, messy puddles and 40 mile per hour wind gusts? No. Just say no. Especially when waiting for trains or buses, or walking home in the cold and dark.
I did manage to see some books on the T this week, in spite of being distracted and wet. One day, I saw at least four Boston Globes being read at the same time!
Shades of Earl Grey (a Tea Shop Mystery series book)
World War Z by Max Brooks
New York Times
Lots of people reading their cell phones - email?
A couple people working on their Macs
ever present iPods
three Kindles
and most interesting... Notes on a Case of Obsessive Neurosis
Did I ever mention that one day, stopped at a station there was a train stopped headed the opposite direction - and I saw a man sit down on that train and open his book - Webster's Dictionary!
Aside from the lousy commuting weather, it's been a great week. I've heard interesting lectures, been inspired in my work, and am feeling hopeful about future projects. Now, if only I could manage to finish up a couple current projects... :-)
I did manage to see some books on the T this week, in spite of being distracted and wet. One day, I saw at least four Boston Globes being read at the same time!
Shades of Earl Grey (a Tea Shop Mystery series book)
World War Z by Max Brooks
New York Times
Lots of people reading their cell phones - email?
A couple people working on their Macs
ever present iPods
three Kindles
and most interesting... Notes on a Case of Obsessive Neurosis
Did I ever mention that one day, stopped at a station there was a train stopped headed the opposite direction - and I saw a man sit down on that train and open his book - Webster's Dictionary!
Aside from the lousy commuting weather, it's been a great week. I've heard interesting lectures, been inspired in my work, and am feeling hopeful about future projects. Now, if only I could manage to finish up a couple current projects... :-)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tiger's Statement - It's Not About You
Dear News and Media: Tiger's statement was not about you.
Dear Golf Fans: Tiger's statement was not about you.
Tiger Woods gave a 13 minute statement yesterday. The Golf Writers Association boycotted it because questions would not be taken. It wasn't about questions. After the statement, news reporters stopped people on the street and asked their opinion, many of whom said that the statement didn't change their view of him. It wasn't meant to change their opinion. Sports reporters have analyzed how many times Tiger mentioned "golf" and when he would return to the game. It wasn't about the game.
Many commentators have said that Tiger orchestrated and controlled his statement. It wasn't a press conference, it was a statement. It's not about what you wanted from Tiger, it's not about what you wanted him to give you, and it's not about whatever questions you wanted answered. Others have complained that he was plastic and unemotional. How well do you know Tiger? Do you know how he reacts off the golf course? Have you talked with him about anything other than golf or his foundation work? How do you know what his emotional state was yesterday or any other day?
For anyone who has worked with or been a part of 12 step groups, Tiger's statement made sense. It was a first step toward making amends. The people in the room were those to whom he needed to apologize. He owes nothing to the media. It's not about them. It's about friends, family, and his business associates and what he needed to say to them. His statement was written, of course. He's been in therapy and probably wrote it over time with the guidance of his counselor and sponsor. When you want to say something properly, you write it out. Many people these days are used to informal remarks - hastily written IM messages, text messages, posts on websites. However, given the seriousness of Tiger's situation, a carefully written statement delivered in a somber manner, without the media diverting attention from his purpose was the right way to go.
If Tiger had admitted to being an alcoholic and gone to the Betty Ford Center for treatment, his statements would not be analyzed, people would express sympathy, comedians would be circumspect in their jokes, and cartoons would be few. It's not okay to poke fun at a recovering alcoholic. Somehow in our society though, other addictions are still fair game for derision. Whatever Tiger's issues are, it's clear that he is taking responsibility and addressing them. I believe he deserves respect for that - not because he's an athlete or star, but because he is a human being.
All too often in our world we tear each other apart. We lift up "stars" and expect them to be more than human, and then delight in their fall, kicking them the whole way down. I believe there is another way to be in the world. I believe that it is possible to treat each other with dignity and respect. I believe that it is important to put things in perspective. I believe that not every question must be answered in public forums. There is a time and place for everything. At this time, Tiger Woods' work on his issues is his alone. His marriage is between he and his wife, and their counselors. It's not about you, and it's not about me.
Dear Golf Fans: Tiger's statement was not about you.
Tiger Woods gave a 13 minute statement yesterday. The Golf Writers Association boycotted it because questions would not be taken. It wasn't about questions. After the statement, news reporters stopped people on the street and asked their opinion, many of whom said that the statement didn't change their view of him. It wasn't meant to change their opinion. Sports reporters have analyzed how many times Tiger mentioned "golf" and when he would return to the game. It wasn't about the game.
Many commentators have said that Tiger orchestrated and controlled his statement. It wasn't a press conference, it was a statement. It's not about what you wanted from Tiger, it's not about what you wanted him to give you, and it's not about whatever questions you wanted answered. Others have complained that he was plastic and unemotional. How well do you know Tiger? Do you know how he reacts off the golf course? Have you talked with him about anything other than golf or his foundation work? How do you know what his emotional state was yesterday or any other day?
For anyone who has worked with or been a part of 12 step groups, Tiger's statement made sense. It was a first step toward making amends. The people in the room were those to whom he needed to apologize. He owes nothing to the media. It's not about them. It's about friends, family, and his business associates and what he needed to say to them. His statement was written, of course. He's been in therapy and probably wrote it over time with the guidance of his counselor and sponsor. When you want to say something properly, you write it out. Many people these days are used to informal remarks - hastily written IM messages, text messages, posts on websites. However, given the seriousness of Tiger's situation, a carefully written statement delivered in a somber manner, without the media diverting attention from his purpose was the right way to go.
If Tiger had admitted to being an alcoholic and gone to the Betty Ford Center for treatment, his statements would not be analyzed, people would express sympathy, comedians would be circumspect in their jokes, and cartoons would be few. It's not okay to poke fun at a recovering alcoholic. Somehow in our society though, other addictions are still fair game for derision. Whatever Tiger's issues are, it's clear that he is taking responsibility and addressing them. I believe he deserves respect for that - not because he's an athlete or star, but because he is a human being.
All too often in our world we tear each other apart. We lift up "stars" and expect them to be more than human, and then delight in their fall, kicking them the whole way down. I believe there is another way to be in the world. I believe that it is possible to treat each other with dignity and respect. I believe that it is important to put things in perspective. I believe that not every question must be answered in public forums. There is a time and place for everything. At this time, Tiger Woods' work on his issues is his alone. His marriage is between he and his wife, and their counselors. It's not about you, and it's not about me.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Last Year's Journey
One of my ongoing projects is a massive sort through and organization of my papers. I'm a paper collector. I save papers. They might be important! They might come in handy! I have lists on them! lol
Truth is, I have too many papers. And I don't want to move them all back across the country, so I am sorting through, organizing, and throwing out what I don't need. It's brutal, but necessary.
And this is what brings us to... last year's journey. I kept notes of my drive across the States, and must have intended to write them down here for my nephew. Douglas, if you're reading, I hope you find this interesting! Maybe one day you will come over and we'll take a cross country drive with you.
Day One: 260 miles from Houston to just north of Dallas. There were bright green cotton fields, a big sky sunset, and a doe with 2 fawns on the side of the road just south of Huntsville. I got to my brother's place just in time for Friday night football. The games were broadcast on the radio, and I could see the lights of the stadiums as I drove along.
Day Two: Left really early, along a country road instead of the main highway. Passed fishermen out on a lake and a Buddhist meditation center. Listened to "Car Talk with Click & Clack the Tappit Brothers" on public radio. I saw one dead armadillo and a hawk, crossed the Sabine, Sulfur, Caddo, Arkansas, Red and White Rivers (that's a lot of rivers!). The windshield was hit with a rock just outside of Hope, Arkansas, and I saw lots of flat cropland east of Little Rock. There were a bunch of 18 wheelers with army tanks headed west, and a truck full of onions (wow, they were strong!) headed east like me. Drove about 570 miles.
Day Three: Went to church in Union City, Tennessee, just a few minutes from Kentucky. I crossed the Tennessee River, and got into steeper hills. Lots of pretty yellow wildflowers growing on rock walls. Made a stop at President Lincoln's birthplace and museum. Statues of Mary everywhere in that area, and the Abbey of Gethsemeni, where Thomas Merton (one of my favorite devotional authors) lived. I drove 437 miles across the state! Some of that was off the main highway through tiny farming communities, so peaceful through the corn and tobacco fields.
Day Four: started in a holler in east Kentucky, cool and peaceful. I'd stayed the night with my big brother's best friend from high school, and had a homecooked meal for dinner. Crossed the Elk River into Charleston, West Virginia. It felt as though the earth was wrinkled, going up and down the sun dappled hills with water dripping off the rock face. I saw three fawns feeding on the side of the road, and a big white and tan hawk. I drove straight north, past Pittsburgh and on up into New York state. Found a nice campsite at Allegheny State Park, really quiet and restful. About 500 miles driving.
Day Five: a foggy sunrise. Stopped and took lots of pictures in the park, but I don't know what I did with the camera! I left all my cameras (disposable ones and a regular one) in Texas over Christmas, so there's no telling! Western New York is home to the Seneca Nation Administrative headquarters, and there is a Seneca-Iriquois National Museum nearby. I wish I'd had time to visit, but I didn't know how long it would take to drive to Boston. It was a long day's drive, but I enjoyed the mountains, stopping at a rest stop for a sandwich (I had makings along with me in a cooler box), and lots of different radio stations along the way. I remember that New York had lots of horse pastures and interesting barns.
It was a great drive!
Truth is, I have too many papers. And I don't want to move them all back across the country, so I am sorting through, organizing, and throwing out what I don't need. It's brutal, but necessary.
And this is what brings us to... last year's journey. I kept notes of my drive across the States, and must have intended to write them down here for my nephew. Douglas, if you're reading, I hope you find this interesting! Maybe one day you will come over and we'll take a cross country drive with you.
Day One: 260 miles from Houston to just north of Dallas. There were bright green cotton fields, a big sky sunset, and a doe with 2 fawns on the side of the road just south of Huntsville. I got to my brother's place just in time for Friday night football. The games were broadcast on the radio, and I could see the lights of the stadiums as I drove along.
Day Two: Left really early, along a country road instead of the main highway. Passed fishermen out on a lake and a Buddhist meditation center. Listened to "Car Talk with Click & Clack the Tappit Brothers" on public radio. I saw one dead armadillo and a hawk, crossed the Sabine, Sulfur, Caddo, Arkansas, Red and White Rivers (that's a lot of rivers!). The windshield was hit with a rock just outside of Hope, Arkansas, and I saw lots of flat cropland east of Little Rock. There were a bunch of 18 wheelers with army tanks headed west, and a truck full of onions (wow, they were strong!) headed east like me. Drove about 570 miles.
Day Three: Went to church in Union City, Tennessee, just a few minutes from Kentucky. I crossed the Tennessee River, and got into steeper hills. Lots of pretty yellow wildflowers growing on rock walls. Made a stop at President Lincoln's birthplace and museum. Statues of Mary everywhere in that area, and the Abbey of Gethsemeni, where Thomas Merton (one of my favorite devotional authors) lived. I drove 437 miles across the state! Some of that was off the main highway through tiny farming communities, so peaceful through the corn and tobacco fields.
Day Four: started in a holler in east Kentucky, cool and peaceful. I'd stayed the night with my big brother's best friend from high school, and had a homecooked meal for dinner. Crossed the Elk River into Charleston, West Virginia. It felt as though the earth was wrinkled, going up and down the sun dappled hills with water dripping off the rock face. I saw three fawns feeding on the side of the road, and a big white and tan hawk. I drove straight north, past Pittsburgh and on up into New York state. Found a nice campsite at Allegheny State Park, really quiet and restful. About 500 miles driving.
Day Five: a foggy sunrise. Stopped and took lots of pictures in the park, but I don't know what I did with the camera! I left all my cameras (disposable ones and a regular one) in Texas over Christmas, so there's no telling! Western New York is home to the Seneca Nation Administrative headquarters, and there is a Seneca-Iriquois National Museum nearby. I wish I'd had time to visit, but I didn't know how long it would take to drive to Boston. It was a long day's drive, but I enjoyed the mountains, stopping at a rest stop for a sandwich (I had makings along with me in a cooler box), and lots of different radio stations along the way. I remember that New York had lots of horse pastures and interesting barns.
It was a great drive!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Seen Being Read on the T
I've been thinking long and hard about the church group from Idaho that is in jail for kidnapping children in Haiti. What is bothering me is that most media sources are calling them "missionaries", but to my thinking they aren't missionaries at all. I have more thoughts but they need more pondering before publishing.
Seen Being Read on the T this week:
A Neil Gaiman novel (couldn't see the title)
In My Father's Court by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
Metro
Wall Street Journal
Boston Globe
Where Does God Live? by Rabbi Mark Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman
This last book was being read by a professor of mine. I spotted it as we left the train, and I was so focused on reading the title that I didn't bother to look at who was holding it until we were on the steps up to street level and he greeted me! :-) I loved the one class I was able to take with him. This book is being used in a class where they examine books like it (for parents, teens, etc) and have a look at the theology in each of them. Made for great discussion on the way over to school!
Dry by Augustin Burroghs
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Metro
The Atlantic (magazine)
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Spare Change (newspaper sold by homeless people)
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Dead Even (couldn't see the author)
Naked Lunch by William S Burroughs
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
and two quite interesting items...
Root Canal Obturations
Derivatives and Alternate Investments - quite a change from the typical newspaper or pocket novel!
Seen Being Read on the T this week:
A Neil Gaiman novel (couldn't see the title)
In My Father's Court by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
Metro
Wall Street Journal
Boston Globe
Where Does God Live? by Rabbi Mark Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman
This last book was being read by a professor of mine. I spotted it as we left the train, and I was so focused on reading the title that I didn't bother to look at who was holding it until we were on the steps up to street level and he greeted me! :-) I loved the one class I was able to take with him. This book is being used in a class where they examine books like it (for parents, teens, etc) and have a look at the theology in each of them. Made for great discussion on the way over to school!
Dry by Augustin Burroghs
Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Metro
The Atlantic (magazine)
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Spare Change (newspaper sold by homeless people)
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Dead Even (couldn't see the author)
Naked Lunch by William S Burroughs
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
and two quite interesting items...
Root Canal Obturations
Derivatives and Alternate Investments - quite a change from the typical newspaper or pocket novel!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday Five
It's Friday, and the RevGalsBlogPals have a travel Friday Five:
1) What was the mode of transit for your last trip? Airplane to go to Texas for Christmas
2) Have you ever traveled by train? Does Commuter Rail count? If so, then yes!
3) Do you live in a place with public transit, and if so, do you use it? YES! I love the T.
4) What's the most unusual vehicle in which you've ever traveled? A dune buggy, when I was about 12, with a boy who I was madly in love with, but he was 18 or 19, and I'm quite sure no one had any clue I was Sooo In Love with him. We weren't even on sand dunes, it was a street legal buggy, and he gave me a ride home from my dad's shop (worked for my dad).
5) What's the next trip you're planning to take? Back to Texas, in another plane. And after that, maybe a train to NYC.
I'm taking a journey back through all my old notebooks this week. (like that travel segue? lol) It seems that I haven't been as organized as I thought. Five semesters times four classes each...that's a lot of unorganized paperwork. The good thing about sorting back through binders and looking at all the course notes and readings is that it is refreshing my memory of all the work I've done thus far. This term I'm working on my comprehensive exam bibliographies. I'll take three exams next fall, and each one will have a bibliography of about 25-30 books, most of which I've already read in my coursework (or read at least part of a book). So this notebooks exercise is helping me to think about which books I will want to talk about with my advisors in putting together those bibliographies.
Can you tell I'm an optimist? Always looking for that silver lining! :-)
1) What was the mode of transit for your last trip? Airplane to go to Texas for Christmas
2) Have you ever traveled by train? Does Commuter Rail count? If so, then yes!
3) Do you live in a place with public transit, and if so, do you use it? YES! I love the T.
4) What's the most unusual vehicle in which you've ever traveled? A dune buggy, when I was about 12, with a boy who I was madly in love with, but he was 18 or 19, and I'm quite sure no one had any clue I was Sooo In Love with him. We weren't even on sand dunes, it was a street legal buggy, and he gave me a ride home from my dad's shop (worked for my dad).
5) What's the next trip you're planning to take? Back to Texas, in another plane. And after that, maybe a train to NYC.
I'm taking a journey back through all my old notebooks this week. (like that travel segue? lol) It seems that I haven't been as organized as I thought. Five semesters times four classes each...that's a lot of unorganized paperwork. The good thing about sorting back through binders and looking at all the course notes and readings is that it is refreshing my memory of all the work I've done thus far. This term I'm working on my comprehensive exam bibliographies. I'll take three exams next fall, and each one will have a bibliography of about 25-30 books, most of which I've already read in my coursework (or read at least part of a book). So this notebooks exercise is helping me to think about which books I will want to talk about with my advisors in putting together those bibliographies.
Can you tell I'm an optimist? Always looking for that silver lining! :-)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
busy days
It's been a busy couple of days, but I knew I had to get back in here and finish cleaning up. The windows need doing! :-) and the author needs to figure out why adding links isn't working in our little bloggy.
Now I have to clean up something else - I have to get off my mind how I'm feeling about the special senate election here in Massachusetts. It stinks. Period. It was just another round of expensive TV ads, all of them nasty and negative. It bothers me that politicians are so willing to rip each other to pieces to win. Politics is all about power. There is no public service in politics. Neither side (not even the independent parties) is willing to put the needs of the people above their own self interests. The so-called "health care reform" that Congress is working on now is not really reform. At its best, it might be expanded coverage. There won't be any reform of health care costs, there won't be any insurance reform. Those are what matters, but they aren't part of the discussion in Washington. I've come down hard on scripture - put not your trust in mortals or princes (Psalm 146:3).
Health care is in my view, a moral imperative. True reform and care for those who cannot care for themselves will only come when people of faith take seriously God's call to care for the orphan and the widow - code words for those who cannot provide for themselves. My family is blessed enough to have insurance and good doctors - but it hasn't always been so, and I'm grateful for good health and good doctors. I never want others to have to live with the fear of not knowing how you'll pay for what you need if you or your children get sick or hurt.
There. I'm done with that now.
It's been a busy week. I left my ID at the security checkpoint in Houston before flying back to Boston. That's a paperwork nightmare to navigate! But I should have it back soon, thanks to the TSA people. My Uncle David died on Wednesday, which is a little sad for my mom. He's not been well, and he's lived a long, happy life. I'm truly grateful to all the people who've worked for his group home over the years. I'll always remember his smile. Uncle David had a sweet, ready smile - especially when the Twins or Vikings were winning!
I'm back in classes, which means I'm riding the T again. I have to say, I LOVE riding the T. I think it's because it makes getting around so stress free. I like driving (how many times have I driven back and forth across Texas?) but driving in Boston is not easy. On top of that, there's precious little parking and it's (as they say up here) wicked expensive. :-)
When I lived north of the city, I'd take the Commuter Rail train and transfer to the subway, which stops right at the university. Now I'm in a western suburb, and I take a bus to a subway stop. Once I'm on the subway train, I study a little or look to see what others are reading. And thus, "Seen Being Read on the T" was born...
Tuesday's Seen Being Read on the T:
Jodie Picoult - Picture Perfect
Boston Globe
Metro (free daily paper)
Sarah Vowell - The Wordy Shipmates
Securities License Exam Study Guide
JM Cotzee - Summertime
Constitutional Law
Barbara Hamilton - The Ninth Daughter
Wednesday's Seen Being Read on the T:
Business Week
New York Times
Metro
Boston Globe
Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion
William Bramley - The Gods of Eden
Rhonda Byrne - The Secret
Thursday's Seen Being Read on the T:
Arthur C. Clarke - 2001: A Space Odyssey
Raising Arizona (screenplay?)
Paul Hattaway - The Heavenly Man
That last book was mine. I had my eyes on my own book, rather than sneaking a peek at other rider's titles. Amazon has been helpful when all I've seen was an author's name or partial title, and some cover art.
Now I have to clean up something else - I have to get off my mind how I'm feeling about the special senate election here in Massachusetts. It stinks. Period. It was just another round of expensive TV ads, all of them nasty and negative. It bothers me that politicians are so willing to rip each other to pieces to win. Politics is all about power. There is no public service in politics. Neither side (not even the independent parties) is willing to put the needs of the people above their own self interests. The so-called "health care reform" that Congress is working on now is not really reform. At its best, it might be expanded coverage. There won't be any reform of health care costs, there won't be any insurance reform. Those are what matters, but they aren't part of the discussion in Washington. I've come down hard on scripture - put not your trust in mortals or princes (Psalm 146:3).
Health care is in my view, a moral imperative. True reform and care for those who cannot care for themselves will only come when people of faith take seriously God's call to care for the orphan and the widow - code words for those who cannot provide for themselves. My family is blessed enough to have insurance and good doctors - but it hasn't always been so, and I'm grateful for good health and good doctors. I never want others to have to live with the fear of not knowing how you'll pay for what you need if you or your children get sick or hurt.
There. I'm done with that now.
It's been a busy week. I left my ID at the security checkpoint in Houston before flying back to Boston. That's a paperwork nightmare to navigate! But I should have it back soon, thanks to the TSA people. My Uncle David died on Wednesday, which is a little sad for my mom. He's not been well, and he's lived a long, happy life. I'm truly grateful to all the people who've worked for his group home over the years. I'll always remember his smile. Uncle David had a sweet, ready smile - especially when the Twins or Vikings were winning!
I'm back in classes, which means I'm riding the T again. I have to say, I LOVE riding the T. I think it's because it makes getting around so stress free. I like driving (how many times have I driven back and forth across Texas?) but driving in Boston is not easy. On top of that, there's precious little parking and it's (as they say up here) wicked expensive. :-)
When I lived north of the city, I'd take the Commuter Rail train and transfer to the subway, which stops right at the university. Now I'm in a western suburb, and I take a bus to a subway stop. Once I'm on the subway train, I study a little or look to see what others are reading. And thus, "Seen Being Read on the T" was born...
Tuesday's Seen Being Read on the T:
Jodie Picoult - Picture Perfect
Boston Globe
Metro (free daily paper)
Sarah Vowell - The Wordy Shipmates
Securities License Exam Study Guide
JM Cotzee - Summertime
Constitutional Law
Barbara Hamilton - The Ninth Daughter
Wednesday's Seen Being Read on the T:
Business Week
New York Times
Metro
Boston Globe
Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion
William Bramley - The Gods of Eden
Rhonda Byrne - The Secret
Thursday's Seen Being Read on the T:
Arthur C. Clarke - 2001: A Space Odyssey
Raising Arizona (screenplay?)
Paul Hattaway - The Heavenly Man
That last book was mine. I had my eyes on my own book, rather than sneaking a peek at other rider's titles. Amazon has been helpful when all I've seen was an author's name or partial title, and some cover art.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
sheesh it's dusty in here
My poor neglected blog. You're all dusty and pitiful. Like no one's been here in months!
~dusting, vacuuming, general tidying up~
There. Better? I'll be back soon with more regular blogging. It was a New Year's resolution. :-)
Reading material on the T this morning:
Metro
Wall Street Journal
Sports Illustrated
Michener's Mexico
two Kindles
I like observing what people read on their commute. Lots of papers and magazines today, not so many novels.
Thoughts about the earthquake in Haiti are over on Facebook. It's so overwhelming, and I'm doing some heavy thinking about short term missionaries (who are now trying to leave rather than stay and help).
~dusting, vacuuming, general tidying up~
There. Better? I'll be back soon with more regular blogging. It was a New Year's resolution. :-)
Reading material on the T this morning:
Metro
Wall Street Journal
Sports Illustrated
Michener's Mexico
two Kindles
I like observing what people read on their commute. Lots of papers and magazines today, not so many novels.
Thoughts about the earthquake in Haiti are over on Facebook. It's so overwhelming, and I'm doing some heavy thinking about short term missionaries (who are now trying to leave rather than stay and help).
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