Look upon it: and question the worth of sanity!

 

Ah, hello there.

You're wondering what this is, aren't you?

 

 I don't mind telling you it's one of the most rare
and powerful artifacts a man can possess.
Do you know what it is yet?

Indeed!  The legends are true! 
It is the mystical Swordbrella!

Yes, marvel as the stabbing sheets of rain
deflect as if rebounding off the walls of a fortress.

Now, let the power of my swordbrella saturate your soul
And wallow deeply in envy and despair!

The cover art for the new Tom Waits album...

 

Or at least, this is what I suggest.  Hugs!

Invisibility Cloak!

The social commentary is a cliche... but the gimmick is funny :>

Yesterday's SMBC...

Passing the Time

I got up at 6am today, which is unusual for me.  I wanted to scramble an get some reading done before class began.  I managed it and managed to stay on top of the conversation in class but afterwards I was exhausted.

I had a small paper to write over the afternoon and managed to do it and print it off before running to down some dinner; then it was off to RCIA class (an introduction, mainly for people who are seeking to become Catholic).  I forgot my subway pass and bought some tokens... then couldn't find where to put them.  It was embarrassing because I looked stupid: but in hindsight I was probably the only one who paid the incident any attention.

I was feeling tired and grumpy walking to the church and sat down looking at the sky.  I felt like I'd had it, and could do no more today.

An older lady came and sat beside me: right beside me on the bench.  She had a thick Torontonian accent.  "Whatcha' doin'?"

I felt like she was in my space a bit but tried to be friendly, "hi!  just passing the time". 

She struck up a conversation, being friendly and asking me questions.  It seemed like she just wanted to talk, as neighbours used to, sitting on porches.  I shared a bit of my story and she listened.  And in spite of me, I felt like I wasn't too tired after all.  Strange the way a tiny smile from a stranger can change a whole day.

Thinking back, I was on a bench in front of the lady's building: so I was probably in her usual spot.  And rather than be annoyed, she just took it as someone to talk to.

I'm grateful to her.  And happy.  I had a great session at RCIA as well.  I use the Socratic method.  And I never end up eliciting the responses I'd expect.  The candidates surprise me and open their world to me a bit.  And that's exciting. 

Now to bed.

Symphony No. 2 by Jean Sibelius is pretty awesome

Check it out!

Click Here for the Youtube playlist. 

Overview

Since I have not been posting in awhile, I thought I'd give a general overview of the situation...

I am very well.  I am living at Cardoner Jesuit community: we have about ten scholaastics (jesuit students) and four priests in the house.  I am getting along with everyone and we share a lot in common.  I have begun my MA in Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies here in Toronto.  I have four classes of three hours a week each.  They are very enjoyable and cover a wide range of topics from medieval thought on myth to contemporary biblical interpretation to the ethics of family and society. 

We have mass in the house every day except Sunday, when we visit the many interesting parishes around this part of town.  Its in the college neighbourhood so there are lots of students at the masses.

I have a few hours a week of volunteer work as well.  I am assisting with an RCIA program where we are introducing the faith to about twenty people interested in the chatecumenate.


I like the people I'm hanging out with and I like the work I'm doing: so I'm pretty much the luckiest guy ever.


Not much progress made on 'taking over the world',  Perhaps if I podcast more...

I'm back!

I've decided to start blogging more regularly once again: I miss my friends and I want you guys to know that I am doing well and thinking of you.

As well as share the occasional funny story.  For instance, today while we were doing the dishes someone commented that the English word "whatever" is best translated into most romance languages as a gesture: like throwing up of hands.

Somebody else commented that it may be different because you might not get away with answering a parent in such a manner. 

We debated how the word could be used to convey a simple lack of preference: "what do you want to do tonight?"  "whatever."  But it also could be an act of defiance: "clean your room" "whatever!"

"It all depends on the context of the utterance," said I, "let's go to the blackboard and I can explain some Wittgenstein and natural language analysis."

Without missing a beat, as one man, the six Jesuits in the room all through up their hands and cried "whatever!"

Whatever :>