Rhode Island

Can you guess where I am today?

Bulletin & Insert for 20July08

Trivia for my night owls...

Tom Doyle was washing windows on a high-rise office building when he slipped and fell off a sixty foot ladder onto the concrete sidewalk below. Incredibly, he did not injure himself in any way. How was this possible?

UPDATE: And our winner is Bubba Y. Tom Doyle was only on the bottom rung, hence he was not hurt. Seemed as if this one was too easy...now I have to get a really hard one for you. Just you wait my pretties...

Is it???

Schadenfreude, not sure if this counts but it sure feels like it does. Enjoy

Parking

Why can't we get something like this in Atlanta? Maybe it will prove itself as an overwhelming success and we will get it, who knows. Enjoy

This one is a bit more of a challenge

Mr. and Mrs. Smith were walking home from the shopping mall with their purchases when Mr. Smith began to complain that his load was too heavy. Mrs Smith turned to her husband and said, "I don't know what you're complaining about because if you gave me one of your bags, I would have twice as many as you, and if I gave you just one of mine, we would have the same number of bags." How many bags were each of them carrying?

UPDATE: Looks like we have a winner. The correct answer is...she has 7 bags and her husband has 5 bags. "Rob" is our winner, I am guessing it is Rob Schulten, because there is no last name on the comment. So Rob reveal yourself to me and I will get you your prize. More later...

Bulletin 13July2008

Trivia

Ok, you all did quite well with my last easy question so here is another. Same prize, a waffle! Remember sign you posts so I know who you are.

If it takes 12 men six days to dig 12 holes, how long will it take one man to dig half a hole?

UPDATE: You cannot dig half a hole. So even though we had plenty using their math skills you still can't dig half a hole. So our winner was Mark Matthews, when he gets back from Canada you can have a waffle on me. BTW the comments in here do not post automatically, so I can screen just in case anyone does not follow the rules. Also I don't always post the answer until a few people have chimed in, so that is why if you posted an answer early you only saw it once I posted all the answers.

Friday FAILures

Feeling hot hot hot

This is a great commercial. I could just see myself in this guys predicament, since I would try something crazy like acupuncture while in Taiwan. I have no idea what they are advertising here. Enjoy

Neat stop-action video

Enjoy

Trivia is back

Prize is a waffle at my Waffle House.

Bob purchased two cigars at the tobacconist which, together, cost $1.10. One cigar cost one dollar more than the other. What were the individual pieces of the two cigars?

UPDATE: Selina Schulten was our winner for this question. The cost of the cigars is $0.05 and $1.05. Congratulations Selina see me at Mass and I can get you your prize. I would also like to remind all readers that if you hope to win I will need to know who you are so don't post anonymously without some indication who you are.

Party

This evening I went to Evening Prayer, Mass and Dinner with the seminarians, hosted by the Deacon's in formation. Since I am on the Deacon Board, teach the Deacon's in formation and have a keen interest in seminarians (as they are my retirement plan) I thought it would be good to attend. Deacon Salomon was there (also Deacon Ignacio) our own Deacon Bill and Deacon Gayle helped with set up and Bill cooked chicken and steaks for the crowd. It was a great evening and after dinner I stood around with some of the "Men of Ten" and chewed the fat. Here are some photos...maybe I should get a Miata?

Something to do before I die

I love these types of list that tell you what would be good to see and do before you die. I found this list today and realized it is a good one and that I have kind of done a few of these, but would like to try others. I think the idea would be to come up with my own wish list and go from there? Do any of you have lists like it?

I'm back

Well last week was a real stinker, with being sick and all it really threw me for a loop. Anyway back on my feet and back to work now so I need to get back to blogging. I have a few things still about Japan that I would like to put in here, just need some more time. So I am back and hopefully I can get back to posting with more frequency. Peace

Faithful Citizenship

This weekend we started a preaching series that will last for five weeks. We are focusing on the what has been produced by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, regarding Faithful Citizenship. We are using their document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States. We have some copies of the document available for you on the tables in the back of church. You can also download a copy here and get a summary of the document here. Also on their main site there are plenty of resources for you to explore in more depth the topics we will be covering during the homily. They also have sections for families and children not old enough to vote, to help with the discussions at home. We will try to get a copy of each homily online by Sunday afternoon.

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July.

Enjoy the beautiful work of Katerina Ivanovna.

Friday FAILures

Enjoy

Feeling a bit better

Well I went to the Dr. yesterday and we are treating what is making me sick. It appears as if yeast is running afoul in my body and causing me to be sick. Well this is not the week home I imagined but I am getting better. I am at work for some time today then back home to get some rest, I did not sleep well last night. I think my running the Peachtree is not going to happen...which makes me sad quite a bit. Anyway more later as it develops. Peace

Bulletin & Insert for 06July08

Still sick

Well it seemed as if things were on the mend yesterday, but today is a
bit worse than yesterday. So I am off to the doctors office to see
what is what. More later.

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

SICK SICK SICK

Well despite my bert efforts to not get sick from the flight home, I
did. I spent most of today in bed getting rest, thanks to Fr.
Jimmy...more later.

Peace,
vg

Friday FAILures

Enjoy

Time travel to get home...

Well it was a great trip. I am sure you read the post below you know the flight back was great. Anway here are some photos of the trip home (waiting for train and the folks on the plane) Enjoy and goodnight. Don't call me early in the morning, I am sleeping in!

Deacon Mass

The photo above was from the dinner and convocation held in conjunction with tonight's Deacon re-commitment Mass. It was a wonderful event. It was a great night and I was glad I went...even though I was/am a bit tired. Here are some photos from the event. Here is what Deacon Dennis Dorner, Chancelor of the Archdiocese and Director of Permanent Diaconate, said in his invite.

We will be focusing on the 40^th Anniversary of the renewal of the Permanent Diaconate with Mass at 6:00 celebrated by Archbishop Gregory followed by dinner and the AB is also our keynote speaker tonight. We will also be honoring Deacon Loris for his years of service to the community.

Back to work

Well we landed early enough that I able to get to the Deacon
recomitment Mass. I am with Deacon Gayle and Sally Peters...more
later. Oh yes I am tired.

Just woke up

Not sure how these will post with times and all but I just had a great
nap and now we are about to land...time travel is much easier than I
imagined. More later

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

Still no sleep

Darkness has passed and now the sun is back up...still no sleep. Now
it is time to get some help from CVS

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

Night time

I just looked out the window and looked over the "alutian islands"
and realized it would be night time...so much for seeing Alaska.
Anyway I nerd some sleep just can't make it happen...arghhhh. More
later.

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

Getting tired

Well we have eaten lunch...err dinner, and I am a bit tired. We left
at about 3:30 pm and we should arrive berle 3pm...yep that's right we
are time traveling. More later. Peace

Good news

Well this is my first post from the plane, and I have some great
news...the plane is full, but they needed to make some room in the
back of the plane so they moved us both to the front of the
plane...how about that!!!! Well more later. Peace

Last set of shots from Tokyo

Ok. I really need to get done with packing and getting to the airport. Here are some photo. I will give context later. Peace

Bulletin backlog.

This is for this weekend...






...and these are for last weekend...bulletin and insert, sorry about the tardiness.

This will mess with your mind

Enjoy

Wednesday

Well it has been a busy day with lots of shopping; both trough the windows and handing over cash. I was a bit tired from all the hustle and bustle of things so when I got back to the parish I went to the local onsen (technically it was not an onsen but rather a hot water bath, but it still felt good)to get cleaned up and have a soak. I am refreshed a bit and ready to get some dinner and make a few more purchase and then get ready to leave.

Kamakura and Tuesday

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

Ok this will be quick for now...we went to Kamakura to see the many temple and the Great Buddha. It was a nice drive down to the ocean, then lunch then site seeing, then back to Tokyo. We went to dinner, shabu shabu, on the 38th floor with a beautiful view. Went out for drinks afterward and got a great nights rest. Here are the photos and a few panos that I took. Enjoy

Near the temple of the war gods

1000 year old tree near the temple to the war gods

Fish Market Videos from this moring

Enjoy

In this video you see a guy putting the finishing touches on a tuna before it ships out to a middle man, then in the last part of the video you see the step just before when the guy cuts frozen fish in half.

This guy goes after the fish and chops it up old skool with a huge knife!

In this video you see some of the organized chaos that happens when cars, trucks, hand trucks, scooters, mobile carts and pedestrians move in the same vaguely designated areas.

Morning at Fish Market

Well I got up this morning about 7ish and went to the Tsujiki Wholesale Fish Market, it was quite interesting to say the least. I think you could sum it up with the motto...follow the smell, stay for the views and the tastes. I went around the place seeing all sorts of stuff, then ate my breakfast at a wonderful shushi bar, then did a bit of shopping (boots!!!) and headed back. We (Frs. Bryan and Leo and I) are off to see a big Buddha and other things at Kamakura, photos later.

Another day with 12.8 million friends

Well there are about 12.8 million people in Tokyo, and most are ready to get into bed and sleep because Monday is about over and done. For those of you still yet to enjoy Monday let me just say it was great! Well today after some blogging Bryan and I went off to see a few sites. We first went to Asakusa to see the Sensoji Temple. Then went browsing through the shops surrounding the temple, loads of stuff. After that we stopped to get some lunch, well I ate, Bryan was not so into the okonomiyaki, but it was quite tasty. Then we split up to see some of the city on our own. More shopping, more seeing unique stuff, in the end it is still mind blowing that I am here. I did find the edamame game that I was looking for, I am so happy. Bryan and I met up at the church and we went to dinner together...separately. Bryan wanted Italian and I wanted kaiten-zushi. I was helped at dinner by a really nice Korean man, well Korean who was born and lives full time in Japan. He runs sushi restaurants in Osaka and on Hokkaido. Mr. Wonki Yoon is his name and he was a God-send to have next to me at the restaurant. Well here are some photos...and after that a panoramic photo of one of the Temples.

\/here are two shrines at the Sensoji Temple/\

by the way the stuff at the end of this video is whale meat...uhhhhh



here is how they total up for the bill!


More later.

Neat idea for trains

Check out this video, yes I know it is in Chinese but I am sure you can get the gist of it, then you can go to boingboing gadgets and read a nice story about it. Enjoy

Hello again

Well we are having a blast in Tokyo, so many things to see and so much rain to see it through. Oh, did I fail to mention that we are here during tsuyu. Oh my it was wet wet wet on Sunday when we went out sight seeing. So here are some photos and then some description of how we have spent time since I updated you last, which I think was on Wednesday, that day I was crowned Champion of Croquet at the monastery.

• Thursday we had a typical retreat day (well typical for how that retreat went) got up, prayed, ate, spiritual reading for some time, rested, Mass, some exercise. Thursday's exercise, was going to the local pool which also was our daily trip to the Onsen. Then on the way back we hit the donut shop, the technology store, and the 100 yen store (think Dollar Store, but much better stuff) then back to the monastery for more prayer, eating and retreating.
• Friday was about the same, except for the exercise we went to the local mountain for a ride on the ski lift with a short hike. The mountains name I am not sure of but the ski area and mountain bike area is called Panorama. Then Fr. Jay and I went to the Onsen (the same onsen I went to on my first trip to an onsen) to relax a bit before dinner at the monastery with a few invited guest of the monastery.
• Saturday we were up early and then off to Tokyo, with a fine send off from all the monks.
  
• The train to Tokyo was a direct, so about 2 hours and we were in the heart of Tokyo. We made it from the first train station Shinjuku to our home station of Meguro.
• After a brief lunch with the Pastor of the Meguro church, Fr. Leo Shumacher, Bryan took a nap (his back is still hurting) and I went exploring around the area....some fun.
  
• Back to the parish and then out to dinner with two priest and two seminarians. The priest were Fr. Leo, our host, and a diocesan priest from County Cork, who works in Japan at Sofia University in the area of English Literature, Fr. Joseph O'Leary, whom I met in the comments area of Vox Nova. We went to a typical causal night out in a fun little restaurant near the parish, it was a great time, followed up with drinks at a local pub.
• Sunday morning arrived and Fr. Bryan and I celebrated Mass in English and then were on our way to see the city. We had arranged a tour with Tokyo Free Guide, and it was quite nice. We met her at Hachiko in Shibuya. Our guide took us to Mejii Jingu (while there we saw a few wedding ceremonies beginning) and then to Harajuku, then to the Oriental Bazaar for some shopping. We went to lunch at a tonkatsu shop, it was quite delicious. After that it was back to Shibuya for a bit of electronics shopping at Bic Camera. We then left our guide and headed home.
  
• Sunday night we went with Fr. Leo to a huge onsen. It was like Dave and Busters, meets a old time county fair, with a mall type food court, and onsen with everyone walking around in yakuta, oh and they serve beer! More on this place later
• Monday morning I have spent the better part of an hour on this post and I am hungry and read to tour so more later.

Sayonara Jaa mata

In Tokyo

We have been here for a few hours and just found some Internet.
Bryan's back is hurting him but he should be okay soon. I am a bit
tired but about to get a nap. Then we are off to dinner with the
pastor sons seminarians and another priest. More later peace

Retreat is done

We are ok our way to Tokyo. More later
Peace,
vg

Oh it's on the tip of my tounge...

Ever feel that way well here is some news for you to ponder next time it happens. You can read this article and then watch the following video. Peace

Friday FAILures

Enjoy

VBS

I told you I had photos of VBS to share, well I did not get them all uploaded. I promise when I get back to load them properly for you to see...until then here are some form the first day...sorry!

Anniversary photos

Here they are. I am sure you can figure out what is what, so no captions. Enjoy them. Peace

Yes your read it correctly

When we arrived the other day I was a bit tired. I asked Bryan "how do you spell sweet?" "S-W-E-E-T" Then I asked "then what the heck is Pocari Sweat?" Well I finally found some tonight after going to my second Onsen. I would say both the onsen and the Pocari Sweat hit the spot. Goodnight.

Japan part 1

Ok below you are going to see some photos from my first three days in Japan. It has been truly wonderful and relaxing so far. Pray, eat, sleep, rest, exercise, walk about etc... everything I needed in a retreat. Here are the photos and I will explain a bit after they are done.

• The train to Fujimi was easy as could be. Three trains about 2.5 hours and we were here.
• The food, especially the onigiri has lived up to my expectations, and then some, I can't wait to get to Tokyo and have more.
• The toilette situation on the train was unique, people could look into the bathroom, not sure if anyone did however.
• The scenery on the train was quite impressive.
  
• The people here, especially the Benedictines have outdone themselves in hospitality.
• Fr. Kieran showed us around the area a bit on Tuesday.
• We went to the hut of Fr. Shigeto Oshida, a Dominican priest as well as a Zen master. He is dead now but the community at Takamori Soan lives on. The chapel was small and quite nice, very dark, but cozy. The outdoor memorial to the victims of Japan's war of the 20th century was quite impressive. I have a panoramic of the place in the photos, but I will place it after this text as well.
• Last night we went to the Onsen, as you read earlier.
• Today I had a great time in prayer (mostly the book I am reading) and then a nice run.
• After Mass today we had lunch outside under the Cherry tree...the croquet.
• Rested a bit this afternoon and then Fr. Jay (a priest from the Philippines who is living in the monastery while ministering to the Filipino community in the area) invited me for some tennis, I could not pass up the opportunity to do a corporal work of mercy for my brother priest as he has not played tennis in a year and was dying to play...that is what kind of guy I am always ready to give of myself. Also Fr. Jay promised more Onsen tonight for my sore muscles.
  
• The final shot in the roll and here is of the town of Fujimi, quaint and beautiful.

click for larger photos

Deacon Salomon

Well we knew we would have lots of work for Deacon Salomon to do while with us at St. Matthew, this past Saturday we really put him to work. Instead of having his first Baptism, he had four at one time. He came through it will flying colors, here are the photos to prove. Enjoy

FYI tomorrow is Anniversary day photos...

Onsen

Well my first full day in Japan is just about to end. My day has been quite relaxing and I have had some great time to reflect, relax and retreat. Tonight after night prayer I went with Fr. Kiran to one of the local onsen, I think it was called yuutoron, (for photos go here) I had to post a quick photo from the men's locker room at the onsen. My review from my first onsen to ever go to is...wonderful! If you don't know what an onsen is you can go here to find out more. I should sleep quite soundly tonight (it is Tuesday night here) not just because I am jet lagged a bit, but because of those wonderful waters. Peace

This is the door to the bathing area and the first pool.

The Monastery

I was looking for some video to show you about Japan or Benedictines or something relaxing...but did not find much. I did however I did find the following video, and watch it until about 3:30 and you will see some photos, beyond on that you will probably not be interested. Of course you know that I will post photos myself once I get them.

The video by the way is done by a guy who I have seen before when I was doing some food research. If you want to see a humorous video check this one out.

Made it to Fujimi

We are in the monastery, we had dinner and night prayer. I am gonna
get cleaned up and get some rest. PEACE

We Made it to Japan

When I find some wireless I will send out a few posts that I made on the airplane. Until then know that FBS and I are doing well and we had better seats than what you saw us in, God is good. Peace

Final approach

The flight is coming to an end. I am turing this thing off with the
following

IRASHI TOKYO!!!!!!!!!

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

Two hours to go...

...and I'm feeling fine

Almost there;-)

Date-line or a day without a sunset

So somewhere over the ocean we passed a line...and it was there that I
lost the chance to see the sunset for only the second time in my life.
(I went to China in 1999) Anyway I think it was there that it really
finally hit me that I am actually going to Japan. For some reason it
has taken me this long to get it through my thick skull. I can't wait
for this big bird to land safely.

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

The computer is lying

Now I know the computer is not just lying to me but I just woke up
from a great nap and when I saw this I thought..."how long have I been
asleep???" Well it is indeed lying to me for some reason, maybe it
has to do with passing the intl date line or something. It still does
not take away the fact that it still was one great nap! More later,

Look at me

Mid flight and I found a mirror...hello!

Fr. Bryan

Okay this is moments after my last post and Fr is doing well and has a
full tummy. More later. Peace

Mid flight

We are now in the air. I know that you are not reading it when I am
typing this but consider this a play by play. We have just eaten
lunch, fwiw we did get upgraded, very nice! As you can see from the
photo we are just over South Dakota. I just finished watching Legend
with Will Smith, not bad to watch while eating lunch. Just going to
relax now as it is almost 2am Tokyo time and I need my beauty sleep.
Peace

Upup and away

Light

Well I did in Europe so I am giving it another chance. Two bags that's
it for 11-ish days. Peace

On our way to airport

Jimmy D is driving us to the airport this fine morning. More
later...happy fathers day !!!

Update

Now I am only 10 hours away from being on the plane and I need to get some sleep, but I want to tell you a few things before I go. I will not be blogging much, if at all, until at the very earliest Saturday noon-ish Atlanta time, as I will be on retreat. If I do find some wifi here and there I will send an update, but don't hold your breath. I have posts set to go out each day while I am on retreat. They will post at 2:22PM each day I am not live. I hope you enjoy the posts. Until then...

Update

Ok, now it is about 24 hours until I am on the plane and right now I
am just about to bust out of my skin....eeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

A few loose ends...

So, I still have to put the photos up from VBS, my anniversary partying, and the new air conditioners, and something else I am sure but I cannot remember now. I have about 34 hours left here at home before I head off to Japan for 11 days. Oh didn't you hear I was headed to Japan? Yes I am headed to Japan for retreat here and then I am going to spend a few days in Tokyo site seeing. I did say the other day that I was going to put some photos up of the kids at the vet so here they are. More tomorrow...hopefully. Peace

Friday FAILures

Enjoy

Two words...

...Flipping Sweet!

I love slice of life

If you have ever been to the developing world, you know how life is a bit different...to say the least. Well this video is really a spectacular slice of life from India. Enjoy

Remember Labyrinth the movie?

It was called Labyrinth, it stared David Bowie. Well I was reminded of it after seeing lost of contact juggling out there on the internet. Being a juggler I have tried lots of different forms of juggling but contact juggling only really once, but my curiosity if peaked, maybe I should give it another go? Well here are two videos for you two enjoy: the first is from the making of Labyrinth and the other is from a street performer doing some amazing juggling. Enjoy

For all my math geeks out there

(click image for larger version)

I loved this stuff when I was a kid

My oldest memories of magic are of Doug Henning. This is a nice illusion, kinda tame by todays standards, but still quite nice. Enjoy

Been to a meeting recently?

Cory over at boingboing has a great post up about a "Simple Sabotage Field Manual". Just go take a look at it if you have ever been in a meeting and had a small thought that "Hey, I think that guy/gal is trying to sabotage this meeting..." I promise when you read it you will see these traights in people you know. I am sure they are not doing it to be malicious, at least when I have been that guy I was not trying to be mean about it. Enjoy.

Sad news for Mark Starr

You will remember our seminarian for last summer Mark Starr. Well Sunday night his sister Joan Ellen Starr died. It appears to be a death caused by an overdose. Please keep Mark and his family in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

UPDATE: If you would like to send Mark a note, here is his address.

Mark Starr
St. Mary's Catholic Church
911 Broad Street
Rome, Georgia 30161

Wii record

I know this is trivial but I thought I would share some good news. First the bad news...well Sunday morning I woke up with a sore throat. Went to the doctor Monday afternoon, I have tonsillitis, yuck I know but I am on the mend. The doctor forbade me from any strenuous activity this week, so no triathlon for me this Saturday. He told me if I would just rest some this week then on Sunday I will be ready for my retreat/trip to Japan. So no tennis last night, none tonight but when Deacon Salomon and I got home from dinner we played some Wii bowling (thanks to the Gilberts for letting me use their Wii while me family was in town and for letting me keep it during my illness). I was not having a good day on the Wii lanes, but then I figured it out. I have always wanted to play a game without leaving any pin up by the end of the game and I did it, but not before bowling 8 strikes in a row and setting a personal best score. Now to the photos.

You know when you are bowling and open up with 8 strikes it feels pretty good.

The final screen with my record score.

Then I finally bowled a game where there was not one pin left standing at the end of a frame or game...glad I am past all that, now if I could kick this tonsillitis! Peace

Really...really???

Words cannot express my displeasure with stuff like this...arghhhh!

Generations of Caholics

Rocco over at Whisper in the Loggia has a nice piece up about generations of Catholic Americans. I have heard some of this stuff before, I have not had time to see how all this works together in a parish. Head over and give it a read...we shall see what comes of it all. Peace

Oh well...

They have taken some copper and we are hot!

Well it seems as if some criminals wanted to ruin my perfect Anniversary Weekend (photos and more to come). Anyway they took the copper coils from three of our air conditioning units and so the first day of VBS (photos and more to come) was a hot one...even when the kids were inside! I am sure many of you have seen the news stories about copper, well we have been hit. We were not the only ones in our area hit last night, so keep others in your prayers as well. We will be fine, don't worry about that, but lets remember to pray for all involved, even those who did this. Peace

Let it be enough

A prayer for this morning.

O God, you are so generous to all your children, Holy is your name!
For those who have taken from us, what you have given so
generously...let it be enough for them! For where ever they find
themselves that they feel the need to steal from us, give them peace.
Let us see Your plan for us in this time of trial. Let the money they
earn from their illgotten goods, be enough so that they might turn
from crime and lead a life pleasing in your sight. We ask this in the
Name of your Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord! Amen

More later...

Peace,
vg

Sent from iPhone

Mary Mac's Tea Room

Well, we have had a lazy day. We have come to Mary Mac's for dinner.
Grandpa says: "I Like This Food!"