Milgram experiment

FREAKY Special Victims Unit episode.

Also, I'm glad the Writer's strike is over.

HAAAAAA!

Def Leppard just performed "Pour Some Sugar on Me" on Dancing With the Stars. Ha! DT and I saw them in concert five or six years ago. I have my fingers crossed they'll sing another song. Loves Bites? Armageddon? (Come on Steve, hit it!)

Nap pods

Google employees can use nap pods if they need a short snooze. What a fantastic idea! I say this from a double point of view--as a person who needs a nap once a month, as well as a library patron who wishes people who snore had a nap pod and didn't disturb me. Although people snoring while sitting at the computer will always make me laugh.

Regarding the previous post

Pig snout photo

+
Ramblings about my paper
=
BOAR-ing paper

Tuesday

This photo best describes my stage of writing for Thursday's paper. It's messy work, sorting through the slop to find the apples. But if this pig can do it, I can, too.

Congratulations to Boggs

A hearty congratulations to my college buddy, Elizabeth, who graduates from medical school next week. From one almost-doctor to another, great job!

Last week of class

Mom's cat, Kitty Baby, hasn't been on the blog in awhile. Mom is out of town this week, and I thought she'd like to see this picture, in case she misses her cat.

Alas, today hearkens the last week of class. I have a great deal of grading undergraduate papers, as well as revising a paper of my own, due on Thursday. The bulk of my major papers and exams are next week. I have not yet hit my regular "I'd rather be reading The Canterbury Tales in Middle English" panic. Just the thought of the parson's endless story about the seven deadly sins makes me want to log off and continue writing my paper.

Just in case you're curious of my paper topics and exam subjects, here's a list:

• Cyril of Jerusalem's ecclesiology
• Papal infallibility
• Infant baptism
• Differences and similarities among gospel accounts of Christ's passion
• Mystagogy and the Emmaus story
• Rites of initiation and reconciliation
• Role of visual symbols used in liturgy as related to the sacramental principle

I had better stop that list before The Canterbury Tales begin to look appealing.

Otters holding hands

Don't forget your Mama

74 degrees

That's not normal for before Memorial Day, is it?

TGIF

April 29, Ben & Jerry's free cone day

Just a reminder about next week's free cone day at Ben & Jerry's.

31 cents, Baskin Robbins

Stop by Baskin Robbins on Wednesday, April 30th between 5 and 10 pm to get a scoop of tasty ice cream for 31 cents.

April 26 = National Pretzel Day

According to AAG:
The first 100 people who visit participating Pretzel Time or Pretzelmaker locations in shopping malls on April 26, National Pretzel Day, and say the phrase “Combo Crazy” will receive a free pretzel and a game card.

Father Nick

He very happily turned in his thesis today, and his comps are tomorrow.

Addendum: Father Nick feels certain he passed his comprehensive exams. He also says he appreciated my comic relief yesterday when he was in a frantic whirlwind. Father Nick, and Engineering fella-turned-priest is very cool. He's probably kicked back somewhere with a frosty mug of beer.

Meridianite Paul Davis

Mississippi singer songwriter Paul Davis passed away yesterday in Meridian. You may not recognize him, but you've probably heard his hit song I Go Crazy.

Lyrics to the chorus:
I go crazy
When I look in your eyes
I still go crazy
No my heart just can't hide
That old feelin' inside
Way deep down inside
Oh baby, you know when I look in your eyes
I go crazy

There is hope!!!

Pending appropriate notifications, I may be able to take two languages, without one of them being German. Fingers crossed. Toes crossed.

Gas prices

Ugh

Today's award

Today's award goes to Ela and Lisa, who sent me home with a bunch of food (veggies, shrimp, etc.)

More on the argh front

Max tells me our pre-exam reading day is cancelled, to make up for one of the days off when the Pope was here. Argh! I love you, Pope, and I got a ton of work done when you were in town, thanks to the collective effervesence of your papal inspiration. But I was counting on that day to study! (Big paper due next Thursday) Can you send up a prayer for my academic sanity?

Near the end of the semester

Argh.

While supplies last

In celebration of Eath Day, stop into Home Depot and pick up a reusable tote bag. It's a pretty big tote bag, too.
Let me know if you find any other Earth Day treats.

Earth Day is April 22

Earth Day is a special day for my family, for reasons none of us can remember. Anyway, I wanted y'all to know it's around the corner.

My one second video of the Popemobile

I was experimenting with the video function. If I had known it would work this well, I would've recorded a longer video. Oh well. Enjoy this one second of Popemobile action.

(The amateur nature of this video makes me think of the Zapruder tape. I'm glad this event was safer!)

Papal sunburn

Today's excitement:

The Pope visited CUA campus to give a speech to local Catholic educators. In anticipation of the visit, CUA blocked off a lawn, for students only. They televised the Mass on a large screen, then they showed Sister Act.
I arrived on campus when an acapella group was singing the fabulous Journey hit "Don't Stop Believing." The absolute funniest thing I saw all day was during the song, when there's the bridge section with trills (or whatever), there was a priest on the stage beat-boxing that part!
I saw Jose, who was very surprised that I saw him on tv. (Maybe they didn't tell him it was televised?) I also saw our Polish classmate, Pavel, who was VERY excited about the event. Oh, rewind to when I was entering through security--I was directly behind all my seminarian classmates who were in their collars. The one directly in front of me, John from Milwaukee, set off the alarm. That cracks me up, but not as much as the priest beat-boxing.
Before the Pope arrived, music played over loudspeakers. What sort of music, you ask? Hanson's MmmBop. If I had a phone with me, I would've called my friend Susan.
The Pope arrived in a limo. He waved at everyone.

His speech was televised on the Jumbotron. It was touching. It made me feel good that I'm studying Religious Education, and especially that I'm studying at CUA. When he finished talking, he came outside to his Popemobile. I thought it would have a side door that opens like a normal car. The Popemobile door actually opens from the very back.

He rode off in the Popemobile, headed to an interreligious gathering at the JP2 Cultural Center. Then the students got a free catered dinner. There was a cake with his picture on it. I should've taken a photo.
I have a sunburned face. No complaints, but hopefully it will not be sore when I teach class tomorrow.

The Pope up close

One of Cristina's friends took this photo.

Papal Mass

I'm watching the Mass on tv. When I turned on the tv, I saw my classmate Jose carrying the Scripture to the Pope, who blessed it. Jose read a passage from the Gospel. I mentioned Jose in a recent blog entry because he just passed his comp exams.

Another one of my classmates held the microphone for the Pope.

A few words about Jose: Several weeks ago in class we discussed foot washing. I supposed it takes a bit of vulnerability to have someone wash your feet. Jose thought the foot washer is in a more vulnerable position, since the person could kick you in the face.

Popemobile!

I saw the Popemobile!

The Pope's red shoes

I saw the Pope arrive and depart from the Basilica Shrine on campus. I saw his red shoes!

Last semester when we first found out the Pope would visit, I told my classmate JC that I wanted to see the Pope's red Prada shoes. Funny enough, I ran into JC this afternoon, and he, his dad and I saw the Pope and the red shoes.

(Also, props to the Pope. While waiting for his visit, I had a moment of papal inspiration and thought up some great paper ideas!)

Comprehensive Exams

My classmates Bert and Jose passed their comps. They found out yesterday, so they're on target for graduation. Bert shaved his beard, and now he's cruising Facebook.

New episode of Special Victims Unit

FINALLY! Last night I watched the new epsiode of Special Victims Unit. A creepy one. It made me glad I'm not in prison.

Happy Birthday Pope!

I've got tickets to be on campus and greet the Pope when he arrives at the Basilica Shrine later today.

Chickens

My sister tells me I don't post enough photos.

Last Saturday I visited Richard's neighbors' chickens. They like to be fed.

Kroger Bag

For those of you with a Kroger in your town, you can get a free Kroger reusable shopping bag. Submit a design for a shopping bag, then pick up your bag the next you scan your Kroger loyalty bag. Be sure and wear your shoes when you go to Kroger. Otherwise you'll have Kroger Feet, like Cotton the cat.

Not a Fanilow

I caught about three minutes of Deal or No Deal. The contestant said he works out to Disney tunes. Howie laughed. The contestant asked him, "What do you listen to when you work out?" Howie said, "Not Barry Manilow."

Papal excitement

Everything looked fine on campus at 9 am. When I finished class at 11 am, the campus was flooded with reporters and news cameras.

Stop, collaborate and garden

Kroger Feet

Take a look at this classic example of Kroger Feet. The offender is a white cat named Cotton. His feet, however, do not look like Cotton.

Neffy

This is my friend Neffy, who lives at a local greenhouse/nursery.

Yucky

Warm weather has brought out the regular tacky fashion statements, most notably the muscle shirt. If yesterday's observations on campus provide any indictation of what's in our future, then we're sadly in for lots of muscle shirts without muscles. And some wife beater shirts. These two types of shirts look ridiculous, especially if you have a backpack on.

(Also, more open-toed shoes with hoisery.)

Smart People

Two of my faithful readers are big fans of Dennis Quaid: my Mom and Alice Ann

Just for them, I'd like to mention the movie Smart People, which opens tomorrow. I don't know anything about it, except that it stars Dennis Quaid. And that's enough to be noteworthy for two of my faithful readers.

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day

April 29

American Idol

Shutterfly

Papal infalliability

I'm learning so much at school. I've recently discovered my misconceptions of papal infalliability. It doesn't mean the Pope can't sin. It relates to his teaching authority, under the guidance of the HS/theologians/church officials, to settle disputes over particular kinds of issues. Also, there are some caveats, of which I will not elaborate. Bottom line: it makes sense, now that I've been guided through appropriate church documents.

Potsie

Potsie from Happy Days will be in Alexandria later this week for the National Trademark Expo. According to advertisements, the Pillsbury Doughboy will also be there.

"I would rather be on the Titanic..."

Sometimes people say very memorable things. Nikki and I experienced such a saying, about ten years ago, from the infamous Jimmy Jones, who said:

I would rather be on the Titanic watching Titanic than to see He Got Game.

Jimmy and I used to go to church together. I haven't seen him in about 5 years, but I randomly ran into him on the Metro yesterday. For those who know Jimmy, here's the scoop: He bought a townhouse in Burke. He has a different Saturn--and Ion--but it hasn't been towed. He now works at the Dept. of the Interior and teaches a computer class once a week somewhere in Maryland. He hasn't been to Cherrydale in awhile, and he's considering returning to FBCA. His sister is married and has a daughter. His Mom remarried but still lives near Leeds, AL.

The funny (but also odd) thing is that I could tell he had NO IDEA who I was. I asked specific questions about his family, mutual friends, his job and his collection of autographed photos of himself with celebrities. His question: So, are you still living in the same place? I enjoyed asking lots of detailed questions to see if he would remember me. (I went to church every week with this guy for about 5 or 6 years.) We talked for about 20 minutes.

Pope Robe

Someone recently picked my brain about papal liturgical vestments. What does the Pope wear under his robe? Normal clothes?
I consulted a few people at CUA, and the answer is yes, he wears normal clothes, just like any priest wears under his robe. This, of course, leads to a question of normal clothes. Some priests wear dress pants, and some even wear shorts (because the vestments are thick and warm). My priest seems to prefer black blue jeans. However, if the Pope wears red Prada shoes, he probably wears nice normal clothes.

Rather unrelated--I tripped in the school parking lot today, and two priests helped me find first aid. I have a nasty knee scrape. Physical healers, not just spiritual healers. One of them is one of my professors, so it was kind of uncool when I had to roll up my pants and reveal some very unshaved legs.

Starving Student Shout-out to NBT

Today's shout-out goes to Nikki for giving me an Amazon.com gift card. Yahoo!

Hymn Site (proof I actually study)

My latest research involves a paper/project about baking bread for Eucharist. In researching relevant hymns, I found HymnSite, where you can lookup hymns, find lyrics/sheet music and hear the melody. These hymns seem to be from a Methodist hymnal, but many overlap with the Southern Baptist hymns.

My suspicion is that my sister and DT will both spend a chunk of time looking up hymns. (And just so you know, I couldn't find Breathe on Me.)

Flavor Flav: What Mom says

In response to my assumption that Mom is unfamiliar with Flavor Flav, she responds:

I resent your assumption that I do not know that little cutie! Really, now!! Everyone knows Flavie. I've watched him with his European doll and several episodes of the House of Love where the girls got a clock necklace instead of a rose each week. So funny! He was even on Jimmie Kimmel one night.

By the way, it cracks me up that she's seen several episodes of the show!

Starving Student Shout-out: Catherine

The latest shout-out goes to my college buddy, Catherine, who recently sent me a care package full of spa-type beauty products. Just what I need as I near the end of the semester! The package also included some stuffed animal mice/rats. Rock on! At first I thought they were the three blind mice. Photos are forthcoming.

Note to Catherine: I recently had the opportunity to put in a plug for the Plano, TX roach museum.
On this odd topic, undergraduates are unfamiliar with Roach Motels. I looked up Roach Motel on Wikipedia (let this be an example of why Wikipedia isn't always trustworthy), and the results yielded a photo of a Holiday Inn. Students suspects the motels contained posion the roaches carry to their friends. I cleared up the "Roaches check in, but they don't check out" confusion by comparing them to the Hotel California. Honestly, we also discuss academic topics.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match

I recently saw a Maaco (car) commercial featuring the song Matchmaker from Fiddler on the Roof. Odd song choice for the commercial. I do not approve.

Sweet Daddy Grace, Rest in Peace

Bishop Madison passed away this weekend. He led Washington's United House of Prayer for All People (started by Sweet Daddy Grace). I attended a service at the United House of Prayer for All People in Spartanburg, when my friend Perrin was writing a paper about the group.

"That's so old school!"

On Friday, I led World Religions discussion groups on Hindu iconography. (I say that, but I did most of the talking.) I began the session by having the students point out distinct symbols from a picture of (former?) rap artist/reality television icon Flavor Flav.
(Mom, no need to look him up. He's a bit of a vagrant who wears a viking helmet, a necklace with a large clock, and has a prominent set of gold teeth. He is the star of a series of unsavory looking-for-love shows on VH1.)
In referencing his musical background, I referred to his membership in the rap group Public Enemy. I also noted his appearance leads one to believe he remains a public enemy.
After class, a girl stopped me and said, "Public Enemy. That's so old school!" I'm not sure if they learned much about Hindu iconography, but we can to the conclusion that Flavor Flav is not a viking.

80's enthusiast

I've had a weeklong conversation with two students about the song "Total Eclipse of the Heart". One of the students described himself as an 80's enthusiast. I asked him if he was alive in the 80's. He said he was, for two years.

Songs-in-head: Bennie and the Jets

Yes, the Elton John ditty.
(Interesting discovery, the Beastie Boys have a song by the same name.)

I have many stories from the week. Quite amusing ones, too. As soon as I catch my breath, you'll have them.

Thanks TiVo!

Thanks TiVo (and Toyota) for the $5 Amazon.com gift card! I'll use it toward those last few textbooks I haven't bought for this semester.

Blech x 100 (Songs-in-head)

Remember the Saved by the Bell episode when Kelly and Zack broke up at the dance, while Slater and Jessie were singing a duet to the Michael Bolton song, "How was I supposed to live without you?" The Slater and Jessie version is stuck in my head. How am I supposed to carry on?

Pasta Hut?

Is it an April Fools Day joke that Pizza Hut is changing to the name Pasta Hut? Probably.

I need a nap.

No pranks from me today. I need a nap.