Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Deep and esoteric

Just when I forget that he is really the deep thinker type -my husband says something that reminds me like a jolt of lightening across a stormy summer sky.

In a discussion today, he remarks..."Did you ever notice that people who deal in the truth are never well paid? The truth doesn't sell. The people who spin the truth into what will be believable - palatable - they're usually well paid." Here he means P.R. people for whom he has very little respect.

I stopped and thought a second...O.K. two...O.K. he's so right. Interesting, I'm just say'n... Some truth -isms on which to reflect.

Galileo:
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.

Arthur Conan Doyle: (also Dr. Spock)
Whenever you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth

Dorothy Thompson:
There is nothing to fear except the persistent refusal to find out the truth, the persistent refusal to analyze the causes of happenings.

Edward R. Murrow:
Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit.

Mark Twain:
Truth is mighty and will prevail. There is nothing the matter with this, except that it ain't so.

William Sloane Coffin:
The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.

William James:
The greatest enemy of any one of our truths may be the rest of our truths.

George Orwell:
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.

Gloria Steinem:
The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.

I am not a big Steinem fan...no I'm not, but she's got something there...

What's your favorite truth - ism?

Posted by Brozie at 9:24 PM | | Comments

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

There is life outside of VBS....Apparently

It's odd to go from total VBS mode back into the other things I do mode...I don't mean at home, but like my other duties at work. For the past two days, I've been the recipient of multiple meetings and phone calls. The people I work with seem to have become very aware I think, that if they tried to talk with me about anything else during VBS I'd just look at them and say "What?"


For example our new Youth Min...he's still new...it hasn't been a year yet...Tried to bring up I can't even think of what one day and I the way I looked at him must have conveyed my thoughts to him in the Great Karnak fashion. Because he stopped and patted me on the back and said, "I don't know why I said that..."

So now that I'm perceived as "free," everything else is grabbing my attention...it's like this every year though. I guess I'm just more aware for some odd reason.

In a bold maneuver, I went non VBS shirt today, but just didn't feel comfortable without a SPX t-shirt of some kind so Illumination was the flavor of the day. I loved that retreat...good times, good times. The community building power of a well executed and excitingly colored t-shirt is not to be underestimated!





Posted by Brozie at 9:16 PM | | Comments

Monday, June 26, 2006

Fiesta touted success!

Well, it's official, we must have done a good job...because my boss said so at the staff meeting. Well, if he were someone else, I wouldn't classify the comments as effusive or even moderate; however, for him it was down right complementary!

I pointed out that VBS is the second of only two events at our parish, the first being "the Mass" that brings all ages, ethnicities and genders - there's only two I know - but still together for a common goal that is enjoyed by all.

I wore my VBS shirt to add to the drama of the report, which I knew I'd be asked to give and to my amazement most of the people I work with were totally "surprised to see me wearing it yet again. Also apparently they were shocked that I'm in this week.

As to the shirt wearage - It's a really soft shirt, good quality and I like the color. Also ever since my Catholic school days, I find a "uniform" oddly comforting and easier than thinking in the morning what I'm going to wear...

As to the being at work this week - apparently I'm old...
: )

Posted by Brozie at 9:22 PM | | Comments

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Youth in the Church

I have often heard it said, at least twice today actually...that "our youth are the future of the Church", but I don't think that rings true. It always sounds to me like the speaker is saying they'll only have gifts to share when they're "ready" or steeped" in Catholicism and parish life. Anyone who really works with the youth in the Church, or maybe we're just really blessed at SPX, would say "our youth are the Church now"! Take a look and see...

I owe a great debt of gratitude to all the teens and older and younger who came together and made VBS Fiesta happen - from decorating the week before 5 days straight 8 hours a day - Erika, Didi, Terry, Reyna, Rochelle, Valeska, Stein, Mark; to the kids that stayed from 6:45am till 6pm in what is now last evening to make a Bible experience for the little kids - Jonathan, Christy, John, Arron and Emily; to the test pilots in Fire Up road testing the new middle school dream of mine, and those at stations and in crews "walking the walk" each day of VBS.

The Church is really good about being concerned with certain groups, but misses the mark on so many others. Of course, thinking out of the box hasn't ever been our strong suit as a group. But, when we do find value in whatever walks of life we're working with and try to meet that group's abilities and gifts - WOW!!! I'm not always the best at it either...but I try to remember and an event like VBS and especially times like today bring it home. Thank you guys! You rock God's socks!...can you say that without being blasphemous? I guess so!

Good night.

Posted by Brozie at 9:41 PM | | Comments

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Candle both ends

It's official, my candle has burned out at both ends.

Good night.

Posted by Brozie at 8:42 PM | | Comments

Monday, June 19, 2006

VBS Fiesta Jesus is our friend. Viva!

Well Day 1 is done. It was a good day all in all, a little weird and crazy at times, but that's VBS. It always amazes me how no matter what kind of planning, we do, intense and to the letter or flexible and what happens happens, it always works out. I have to say I love watching the kids have fun and getting so into Jesus.

And the adults and older teens that help out too! My "niece" and "nephew" were thrilled about their parts leading the singing and dancing and the station leaders are really getting into it... when I'm able to add the picts, check out "Juan de Fiesta" the oldest of the de Fiesta quints. : )

We've added a middle school piece which I'm thinking is going to work out and I'm working to get more information home to the parents about the daily activities and how it can translate to something positive for them too. I hope my "back door" style catechesis works...their kids - they've got it. How to make it infectious for the parents? I pray and try and cry and pray some more...you get the picture.

Posted by Brozie at 10:40 PM | | Comments

Saturday, June 17, 2006

I love this new template!

It's good to vary your routine...even when it's only a yearly routine.

The week before VBS is usually so crowded I don't sleep, let alone get any play time. But this year, things feel a little different. Oh, I'm still not getting enough sleep, but I am giving myself the freedom to have some fun!

So went to a concert, Los Lonely Boys at Chastain with Begs - had a wonderful time. Thank you so much. So good to relax, catch up and just enjoy each other's company. As she pointed out, we could have sat on her back porch and played the CD and had much the same experience of the music, but the people watching was definitely a top 10 event.

Speaking of watching people, our very own Vicky and Jeff told us that we would not be the demographic and that we should be ready for the torment...but we were the demographic! the ampitheater was a carpet of similarly aged if not older persons some with young children no less! As evidenced by the family of four with the children under the age of 6 who decided right next to us would be the best place for them to hear the concert. So our detractors were very much mistaken, it was a surprisingly homogeneous crowd.

We saw the advice of "dance like no one is watching" taken very literally and saw senior citizen "air guitar" solos - and our personal favorite, a table on fire - priceless!

But the best part was just hanging with my best friend. We pretty much talked through the entire concert about religion, literature, education, blogging tips, it was a feast for the intellect as well as the soul. Except of course during the song we had as it turns out all come to hear "How Far" at which point the entire crowd was on it's feet giving thunderous response.

Then Saturday I was able to spend the day with a friend's son who helped us process some of the last minute pieces of VBS and rewarded him and myself with the movie, CARS, which we enjoyed heartily. Followed by dinner with his family out on the town, or as close to it as it gets here, following up the moose - gram- bday greeting and acting as body guards while waiting for Laura and her beau.

All in all, thoroughly enjoyable. It was good to put the week of preparations to bed and to enjoy some much needed mental R & R - apparently the computer needed some recup time, so we'll try for some photos on the next go'round.

Posted by Brozie at 9:06 PM | | Comments

Monday, June 12, 2006

I'm a fan...but even I think this is ridiculous.

O.K. I am a die-hard Steelers fan...sitting out in below 0 degree weather for a game we are slated to loose; dressing up in total black n' gold with feathers yet; driving 12 hours to catch a Monday night game getting in on Sunday to drive home on Tuesday; defending my boys even when they stink which sadly has been more than less in the last 10 or so year. Even I have to say - Benny, Benny, Benny...to ride around on motorcycle without a helmet because well for any reason, but to say you "feel free"? Free to get your head smashed into a windshield apparently. What a yutz!

Of course I'll still be a fan of the team, it's a weakness...and my husband says..."He's a kid (fable of invincibility). What he needs is a girlfriend! No girlfriend would let him ride around without a helmet!" Ahhhh my Sweetie.

  • After some VBS shopping - we had 11+ volunteers come today - yeah - I finally got a couple of discernible shots of the foxes...













but my camera batteries ran out! I actually UGGGGGHed" like Charlie Brown. My solution? Try again tomorrow, or I could buy a better camera!

Posted by Brozie at 7:43 PM | | Comments

Saturday, June 10, 2006

The move, new blog space and beyond



I've moved to a new blog site. Unfortunately I killed out everything up to this point. Oh yeah I'm a techno - goddess...

So if you're here to see the new space welcome! Thanks for coming.

The Beyond:

I forget the subtle but pervasive ways of advertising and how much brand identification has become part of our sphere of security.

For example, when I was at the movie theater with my husband earlier in the week, they floated a new Sprite ad that made him nuts. I admit the commercial made me want to go to a sumo wrestling game, not pine for the lime lemon taste of Sprite. He couldn't believe they would change the logo "...it was perfectly fine. What does this new circle thing have to do with the refreshing taste of Sprite?"

I sadly told him he and I were no longer the demographic the vendors are pandering too, so to us it doesn't say refreshing limon taste but to countless teens in the remaking superhero phase it's an icon of refreshment.

This movement into middle age is going to be more interesting than I thought...

Posted by Brozie at 1:31 PM | | Comments

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